I am finally here! Over the holiday season I have received 2 nominations for the Sunshine Award! (Silent cheer, I am flattered by the nominations from bloggers I admire.) Unfortunately, the holiday season left me little time to write. Ironically, today we are out of school due to "inclement weather" so now I have time to accept my Sunshine Award and bestow it onto fellow bloggers.
Acknowledge the nominating blogger.
Share 11 random facts about yourself.
Answer the 11 questions the nominating blogger has created for you.
List 11 bloggers. They should be bloggers you believe deserve some recognition and a little blogging love!
Post 11 questions for the bloggers you nominate to answer and let all the bloggers know they have been nominated. (You cannot nominate the blogger who nominated you.)
11 Random Facts about me ~
1. One day I hope to live in a wireless and paperless world! I hate the clutter and disorganization of small bits of paper and millions of cords. No matter how hard I try I can't make them neat.
2. I work each and everyday to be positive, thinking positivity is a choice and it makes a difference in how we feel and how those around us feel.
3. I have 2 beautiful daughters Alexandria (Lexi, 20) and Olivia (Livi, 16) (Speech bubble, despite their opinion my friends think I am funny.)
4. I met my husband when I was 15 years old, we have been together ever since! (Speech bubble, Aww high school sweethearts)
5. My husband and lived down the street from each other and had best friends in the SAME family from K-3 grade, but we did not meet until high school.
6. I didn't like to read as a child, I really faked my way through A LOT of books!
7. When I took my first computer class I didn't like computers!
8. I still love McDonalds. When my girls were young I used to silently cheer when my girls would ask for McDonalds.
9. I am the first college graduate in my family.
10. My sister had special needs and she made me a better person. Her name was Diana, she passed way 2 years ago January 12.
11. I feel strongly about considering all perspectives before acting. Believe it or not this can become annoying to those who spend a lot of time with me. (Speech bubble, gasp, how can positivity annoy someone?) No matter how remote the possibility I have to consider all sides of a decision. This isn't to say that I am aware of all sides or even that I clearly understand the perspectives of others, but to the best of my ability I do have at least consider the idea.
2. I work each and everyday to be positive, thinking positivity is a choice and it makes a difference in how we feel and how those around us feel.
3. I have 2 beautiful daughters Alexandria (Lexi, 20) and Olivia (Livi, 16) (Speech bubble, despite their opinion my friends think I am funny.)
4. I met my husband when I was 15 years old, we have been together ever since! (Speech bubble, Aww high school sweethearts)
5. My husband and lived down the street from each other and had best friends in the SAME family from K-3 grade, but we did not meet until high school.
6. I didn't like to read as a child, I really faked my way through A LOT of books!
7. When I took my first computer class I didn't like computers!
8. I still love McDonalds. When my girls were young I used to silently cheer when my girls would ask for McDonalds.
9. I am the first college graduate in my family.
10. My sister had special needs and she made me a better person. Her name was Diana, she passed way 2 years ago January 12.
11. I feel strongly about considering all perspectives before acting. Believe it or not this can become annoying to those who spend a lot of time with me. (Speech bubble, gasp, how can positivity annoy someone?) No matter how remote the possibility I have to consider all sides of a decision. This isn't to say that I am aware of all sides or even that I clearly understand the perspectives of others, but to the best of my ability I do have at least consider the idea.
Now for the answers to the questions from my nominating bloggers, Tammy and Jackie. I am honored to be included in the Sunshine Award, thank you both for your vote of confidence!
What are you reading right now? (Tammy & Jackie)
I just finished The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom, I am also reading Math Exchanges by Kassia Omohundro-Wedekind which has inspired me to gut my math workshop and start new with the new year! Next up, The Dry Grass of August by Anna Jean Mayhew and Assessment in Perspective by our friends Claire and Tammy.
What is one special tradition that you have with your family? (Tammy)
Each Christmas my family and I draw names for an ornament exchange. Then we visit a local gallery where we purchase glass blown ornaments to exchange. Our tree is now COMPLETELY filled with ornaments made by our daughters when they were younger and our glass blown ornaments from our family exchange.
Why did you decide to settle in the town you are living in now? (Tammy)
My husband and I were both born in the same city where we now live. We did move away for four years, we lived in Japan. When we returned to the states we settled back in our home town to be near family and to live in area where we could experience all four seasons.
That's a difficult question, I really can't imagine doing anything else. I honesty believe teaching is a calling and I am honored to be a teacher. I also know that I am a teacher, teaching isn't what I do but it's who I am.
I am intrigued by design and fashion so something in design/fashion and teaching might be a career path. I also love a good mystery and debate so law could be another option.
I am intrigued by design and fashion so something in design/fashion and teaching might be a career path. I also love a good mystery and debate so law could be another option.
What do you like to do in your free time? (Tammy)
Of course my first choice is to spend time with my family. I also love to explore technology, dabble with words, go shopping, or to the movies, watch dance performances, go to the beach, explore big cities and read great books. If I can include my family in these activities that's THE BEST!
What do you enjoy most about the winter? (Tammy)
SNOW, books and yummy coffee! I love a cozy snow day by the fire, the holidays and family time!
Why blogging? (Tammy)
I enjoy the opportunity to reflect on my practice. As I write I often find new ideas and ways to refine my lessons. I am amazed when someone comments that my thoughts have given them ideas and I appreciate the conversations comments add. Through blogging I have met many teachers and found blogs that have inspired me to be a better and to keep writing. I have always enjoyed words and writing and blogging offered the perfect platform.
How do you find time to write? (Tammy)
I am a bit of a night owl. I enjoy staying up late when the house is quiet, this is the great way to collect my thoughts from the day and clear my head for the night.
Where do you love to vacation? (Tammy & Jackie)
Each summer we head to Hilton Head to spend a week in the fun and sun. I also love a big city, New York is my favorite. Of course I would love to return to Japan one day and someday my dream is to go to Italy for real pasta and shopping!
What's your favorite ice cream? (Jackie)
What's your favorite ice cream? (Jackie)
Mint chocolate chip except in the winter I LOVE Jenni's dark chocolate peppermint—YUMMO!
Here are my 11 questions for each of you.
Here are my 11 questions for each of you.
1. What do like most about being a teacher?
2. If you could design a t-shirt to describe yourself what would it say (or look like)?
3. What ONE book has touched your life the most?
4. Everyone has a special gift, what's your special gift?
5. What's your favorite quick dinner?
6. What makes you laugh?
7. Where do you write?
8. What's your favorite education conference?
9. If you could design the perfect day what would it be?
10. What is something that interest you that you would like to learn more about.
10. What is something that interest you that you would like to learn more about.
11. What makes you most proud of your students?
My Nominees are…(drum roll please…)
My Nominees are…(drum roll please…)
Amy Rudd
Deb Lairson
(This post takes some time to write and I had fun, but I will understand if you choose not to participate.)
Deb Lairson
(This post takes some time to write and I had fun, but I will understand if you choose not to participate.)
Thank you, Deb! It is an honor that you chose my blog...I do love blogging. I thank you and hope you will understand that I will not be posting answers to the questions. It is simply because I keep the blog to such a tight and strict format for children. But many many thanks. I hope we meet again soon - wish it could be tomorrow for yummy coffee here when we will be having a big ol' snow day! Happy 2014 to you and your loved ones... Best, Amy
ReplyDeleteDeb, I loved reading and learning more about you! I loved what you shared about perspectives. We think a lot about perspectives --that is why named our blog perspectives. You have inspired me to write more about that. Maybe next year's OLW! Thanks
ReplyDeleteClare
Deb, It was so nice to learn more about you. I love what you said about positive thinking. It is really a choice that we can all make. I would like to do more of that in 2014. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteTammy
This is a fun way to encourage good blogging and connecting with your PLN. I like how this was personal and professional both. No wonder you were nominated- you are so much fun to read! :)
ReplyDelete