5 days until I leave for the trip and opportunity of a lifetime! I am beyond excited about the rich learning experiences I am sure I will gain! The fact that the weather in Vermont has been so gray and wet makes going to Hawaii that much sweeter. Lucky enough, I got some great information from Bridget about places to visit and things to see-I am thinking this will be exactly what I need the moment there is spare time. I know there will be very little!
I also managed in the past week to complete my registration info, my STARS application, my school district paperwork, do a heck of a lot of laundry and at least make a pile of clothing needing to be packed. Remembered to buy sunscreen, children's book and a piece of artwork done by a child. Am in the process of figuring out what exactly I need to bring with me in order to get the assignments done that will be due. 12 hours on a plane should be enough time to read a book and write one of the papers, right?
All of this and still trying to get plenty of exercise in! Was so happy to get to Shannon's thursday night class. Good for the body and the soul!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
24 days and counting
24 days until the big journey starts-funny how i say big journey when it seems that it is just the beginning! On April 30th my journey with the World Forum begins. It is exciting beyond anything I have experienced thus far...maybe because it is being paid for and it feels like such a huge honor! I have purchased 2 children's books to bring and have a piece of artwork done by a child to share and leave as part of a traveling exhibit! I have bought some new clothing to fit my new body! I am mentally ready!
As we face the start of Spring there are new awakenings and things happening on a daily basis. Lacrosse has started-a new season for Dylana and Zach! I also start school full-time very soon...all of this is bringing lots of great things and a bit of anxiety to our lives!
I know one day we will look back on this crazy time and be glad we did it all!
As we face the start of Spring there are new awakenings and things happening on a daily basis. Lacrosse has started-a new season for Dylana and Zach! I also start school full-time very soon...all of this is bringing lots of great things and a bit of anxiety to our lives!
I know one day we will look back on this crazy time and be glad we did it all!
Friday, March 18, 2011
moving in and out
Moving in and out....sounds crazy. Seems like I am always floating in and out of meetings these days....all subjects I am so passionate about and important work. I am so happy to be at the table with the groups I am contributing too!
As time marches forward to the big trip to Hawaii a lot has been happening!
We have firmed up our space for our conference which is in September, we did a survey monkey (first time ever and so successful) and have contacted a potential keynote. Within all of this I have taught workshops, co-lead a retreat, attended countless meetings and will start school in 6 weeks.
I continue to also try to balance taking care of myself and getting enough exercise-I have worked really hard to get to this place an need to embrace it!
So much to do, so little time and time is literally flying by.
I vow to keep this going throughout my trip!!!
As time marches forward to the big trip to Hawaii a lot has been happening!
We have firmed up our space for our conference which is in September, we did a survey monkey (first time ever and so successful) and have contacted a potential keynote. Within all of this I have taught workshops, co-lead a retreat, attended countless meetings and will start school in 6 weeks.
I continue to also try to balance taking care of myself and getting enough exercise-I have worked really hard to get to this place an need to embrace it!
So much to do, so little time and time is literally flying by.
I vow to keep this going throughout my trip!!!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Obsessive survey monkey
I am obsessively checking the results from our survey-I love this tool. I love the way you can click your way to finding the results of each question. I love that in 1 day 43 people have responded! This tool is one that will be used again....
Venue research is up next....it seems that once a place is found all other aspects will follow!
Venue research is up next....it seems that once a place is found all other aspects will follow!
How many journeys you ask?
Life in itself is a journey. Where I am in my life... there are a lot of journeys all wrapped in to my being. Sounds crazy but so true. I think at 41, I am figuring out finally who I am, what I need, whom I want to spend time with...some things are steady in my world...my own fantastic children, my wonderful husband, my lifelong friends, my extended family.
I have ventured out on some journeys more recently that have had a combination of goals....the goal to be healthy, the goal to be active, the goal to exist without one of my children living under the same roof, the goal to prepare for the other child to fly the coop next year. The goal to become more educated in the field that has brought me so much reward. There are probably a million more....In this process I have met some amazing people that I am sure are now what will be life long friends. I feel like a very wealthy person, not in the way that I have expensive cars-I don't! or that I have fancy clothes-definitely don't! or that my house is perfect-it isn't! I am rich because of the people in my life....in every aspect. Each person touches my world in a way they truly may not know and I am so fortunate.
I often refer to the book "The Three Questions" By Leo Tolstoy. I use it when reaching adults even though it is a child's picture book. It talks about the three questions in which a boy sets out to try and answer...they are:
"What is the best time to do each thing? Who are the most important people to work with? What is the most important thing to do at all times?"
"Remember that there is only one important time and is Now. The present moment is the only time over which we have dominion. The most important person is always the person with whom you are, who is right before you, for who knows if you will have dealings with any other person in the future. The most important pursuit is making that person, the one standing at you side, happy, for that alone is the pursuit of life."
My journey continues....
Ellen
I have ventured out on some journeys more recently that have had a combination of goals....the goal to be healthy, the goal to be active, the goal to exist without one of my children living under the same roof, the goal to prepare for the other child to fly the coop next year. The goal to become more educated in the field that has brought me so much reward. There are probably a million more....In this process I have met some amazing people that I am sure are now what will be life long friends. I feel like a very wealthy person, not in the way that I have expensive cars-I don't! or that I have fancy clothes-definitely don't! or that my house is perfect-it isn't! I am rich because of the people in my life....in every aspect. Each person touches my world in a way they truly may not know and I am so fortunate.
I often refer to the book "The Three Questions" By Leo Tolstoy. I use it when reaching adults even though it is a child's picture book. It talks about the three questions in which a boy sets out to try and answer...they are:
"What is the best time to do each thing? Who are the most important people to work with? What is the most important thing to do at all times?"
"Remember that there is only one important time and is Now. The present moment is the only time over which we have dominion. The most important person is always the person with whom you are, who is right before you, for who knows if you will have dealings with any other person in the future. The most important pursuit is making that person, the one standing at you side, happy, for that alone is the pursuit of life."
My journey continues....
Ellen
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
surveys and other stuff
Today I learned how to use survery monkey to create a survey in preparation for the planning of our Vermont Family Child Care Conference. My favorite part of that process (my favorite word again) was reading the questions back to my professional cohort and one of my best friends Laura and hearing her say, "You are so good at that!"
Monday, February 21, 2011
beginning stages of planning our state conference
Tonight at a training that my co-facilitator and I did we started to talk about crunch time in planning. There is a lot of work to be done in a short amount of time for our state wide conference. I am learning the values of our world wide web, social media and the ability to have instant contact with people. Trying to figure out what questions we need to ask family child care providers in order to figure out what should be offered for key note speakers and presenters. Trying to appeal to a large group and attract a good number will be the challenge. Venue and food seems almost too easy of a task....it is the other logistics that tend to be the challenge! Am focusing on ways of using the people I know to get what is needed and to draw on past experiences of what people have enjoyed. Wondering how people would feel if we tied it in with quality standards or some other type of core standards???? I guess they would have to really understand why the two would be connected.
Off to sleep on it and come up with a list of survey questions. Dreaming of Hawaii in 8 short weeks!!
Until next time~
Ellen
Off to sleep on it and come up with a list of survey questions. Dreaming of Hawaii in 8 short weeks!!
Until next time~
Ellen
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