06Aug08

06Aug08 - Today I am grateful for -

• Friends - both in real life and on-line - close & far far away - for they constantly make me smile and brighten my days.

• The view out my front window - of snow on the Brindabella Mountains. It never bores me - and makes the cold winter weather seem all OK. (sadly - there isn't currently THIS much snow - this was taken in 2004 - but it's the same range of mountains - and I just LURVE any amount of white fluffy stuff)

• Facebook - for being the tool that helped me connect to a long lost friend - whom I hadn't heard from in over 20 years.

Celebrations and Gratefulness

This semester I am taking a subject/unit called - 'Promoting Positive Learning Environments' at UC.

It's all about behaviour management and discipline in the classroom - and how to get the most out of your students.

We have been given a huge list of movies to watch over the semester - to see best practices in teaching - and to witness those teachers that have really inspired their students in the past.

First movie on the list - 'The Freedom Writers' - is an amazing story about a teacher that really cared about her students - like nobody had cared about them ever before.

The most amazing part - my gorgeous friend J - currently living in New York - sent me this book for my b'day last year - and she wrote on the inside cover -

'To dear Possum - because I know you will be an incredible teacher!'

(I heart my gorgeous friend J !!)

The story is extremely inspiring - and it has been made into a movie - staring Hilary Swank.

Do see it if you get a chance - check out the website - or better still - get your hands on a copy of the book.

So anyway - today's lecture talked about 'Positive Psychology & Positive Education' - and about an experiment that is running on 'Celebration and Gratefulness' - to increase one's own sense of well-being and happiness.

The gist of it is - if we give to others of our free will - and be constantly grateful for the good things in our lives - no matter how big or small - our lives can be happier & ultimately healthier in the long run.

So - from today - I shall try to write about 3 things/people/events - each and every day - which I am grateful for - that I wish to celebrate!!!

I know - I'm a slack bugger when it comes to keeping this little place updated - but now I have a challenge - and I hope that I can keep this up - to document what matters in my life - and to see if this helps me to truly appreciate the wonderful-ness of my life.

(yeah - I know it's not a real word - and I promise not to teach the kidlettes my Possum-isms when I become a real teacher - K?!!)

05Aug08 - Today I am grateful for -

• My gorgeous girls - that always give me the BEST hugs and kisses any mum could ever wish for.

• MrW - my husband - for being the MOST patient, loving man - and I'm so thankful he's stuck around!!!

• My PPLE Lecturor - Dr Thomas Nielsen - who is an extremely inspiring teacher in his own right. I'm so glad that I know him - and that he is so giving of himself.

Now - go be grateful for the good things that happened in your day!!!

See you tomorrow! xx 

ETA: I'm labelling all of my 3 Things' under '3BT' - for '3 Beautiful Things' - which is used around blog-land.

Holidays Over and New Semester Begins

WOW - where did that time go??

I haven't posted since 29June - how rude is that??

July just passed without even a mention?!?!

And I promised that I would be more attentive dear reader.

(I know there's at least one peep out there taking notice!!!! Thankyou!!!)

Where to begin??

Netball NSW State Age Championship's were held in Newcastle at the beginning of July school holidays.

It was amazing - tiring - exciting - a blast.

3-days of netball mayhem - never seen anything like it - but it was an absolute hoot!!

I had the honour to manage a wonderful team of ten 12 year olds.

The girls all played wonderfully - better than they have ever played before.

It was great.

Bring on next year!!

After State Age we took our time getting back home - spending nights at various friends homes - as we made our way back down to Canberra.

We were away a whole week.

Two nights here - one night there - it was super mad - but great to catch up with so many people that we haven't seen in a very long time.

We consumed vast amounts of champagne and red wine - talked up a storm - did 'Paddy's Markets', 'Yum Cha' in China Town and a Rugby League match all in Sydney (P'matta V Rabitohs) - and generally had a load of fun.

Friends are precious - even if you only get the opportunity for small amounts of time together.

All very worth the time.

Second week of the school hols were spent just lounging around at home, washing copious amounts of dirty laundry, watching films, catching up with home friends, and generally taking things nice and slow. (Poor MrW had to go back to work - so he didn't have so much fun - life returns to normal so fast!!)

21July saw school return for the kids - and back to Uni for me once more.

Already things are flyng past quick - we're already into to week 3 - I'm sure the rest of the year will now fly past before I know where it's all gone!!

Saturday netball has resumed in ernest.

School activities keep the girls all very busy.

MrW has had a couple of trips to Adelaide with work.

I have a heap of assignments due this semester.

And life rolls on as per normal.

Oh the joys of a busy life.

(wish this ride would slow down at times - to let me get my breath!!!)

Time For A Walk......................?????

Trying to get my attention - you think??!?!

Our Spoodle - Molly Moo!!

Where Am I Going??

I'm almost at the end of another semester of Uni.
I'm so close to done - for these latest 3 subjects - but I just can't seem to get. myself. over. the. line.
Like this picture - I can see where I need to go - but I can't seem to go straight - and I can't work out why.
I keep putting off - what I NEED to do.
I've even considered doing ironing so that I don't have to even start what needs to be done.
(yes - I'm THAT desperate to NOT do the study)
Is there awards for 'best procrastination skills'??
If there was a degree in that - I'd already be done!!

OMG - I think it's time for more therapy!!!