Leaving My Comfort Zone

I'm not known to be 

a person who is shy.

I tend to have an opinion.

Or two.

And often am not shy,

or scared to share it.

But...

I do not like public speaking.

While I love being a teacher,

I do not enjoy parent conferences.

Honestly,

I would prefer to write reports

than conduct conferences.

I will admit,

this opinionated person,

does not have a lot of self esteem.

I do lack that belief in myself.

I hate talking in front of others,

fearful I'm being judged

or viewed as less intelligent.

This summer,

I attended at Handwriting Without Tears 

workshop.

I sat quietly in the back,

soaking in all this information.

I've joined the HWT cult.

I'm a believer.

This past weekend,

my school hosted the 

2nd Annual ISAZ Conference

(Independent Schools Association of Zambia).

My Grade 2 teaching partner,

thought it would be fabulous

if I lead a HWT workshop.

Are you kidding me???

Apparently not.

She was darn serious.

I was nervous.

Why would a bunch of great teachers

want to listen to me?

Do I really have something to say

about handwriting that they'd want to know about?

This had to be one of the scariest things

I've ever done.

This is soooo 

out of my comfort zone.

Well then,

I had 10 teachers attend my workshop.

And guess what?

I had a great time.

I really enjoyed myself,

and I think

(hope) 

all the participants did too.

So thank you

Ms Turner

for believing in me.

ABC - More Time

October 7th - What do you wish you had more time to do?

I'm always complaining there's not enough time.

Not enough time to spend with Ethan.

Not enough time to study.

Not enough time to exercise.

Not enough time to read.

Which would make it seem

that this would be an easy prompt.

Right?

Wrong!

Yes, I wish I had more time to do these things,

but if I can't get them done now,

will extra time really help?

Or would I use that extra time 

at school to plan?

Or blog?

Or just sit around and catch my breath?

So as much as I would like 

extra time.

 I really think

what I need is to make time.

Make the time to exercise everyday.

Make some time to spend with Ethan,

doing something other than

arguing or doing homework.

Make the time to get some studying done.

Make the time to spend

on me.

ABC - Autumn Recipe

October 5th - Your favourite Autumn recipe.

I know. 

You're shocked I'm doing this one.

Last year,

I made a fab dessert.

I was so proud of myself.

So proud,

that I plan to make it again

for Thanksgiving

this year

and possibly again

at Christmas time.

It's an incredibly,

delicious

Pumpkin-Chocolate Cheesecake.

And since it is not really

my recipe,

you can find it 

here.

Five Question Friday

Can I just say I'm utterly

thrilled it's Friday.

This has not been a good week for me.

I've been an emotional wreck.

I had quite the meltdown yesterday

and a great chat with a mate today.

(Thanks Elizabeth.)

Tomorrow is ISAZ

(Internation Schools Association of Zambia).

Another mate talked me into conducting a workshop.

I'm really excited,

and a tad nervous too.

And since I'm starting to feel better

I thought I'd participate in this week's

Five Question Friday!!!!!

1. What album/CD/download are you embarrassed to admit you own?

I need to sort my iTunes music, 

so Ethan's songs don't play on 

my iPad. 

I caught myself singing

a Phineas and Ferb song

the other day

after hearing it on my iPad.

2. What's the one thing your spouse does better than you.

I can hear Scott already,

"One? They only want one? 

Why not a list?"

Since we all know I don't cook,

you must know that he's a better cook

than I.

And a better driver.

And better at Maths.

3. When do you start buying Halloween candy?

Halloween candy

is a little hard to find here.

Last year we participated

in the PTA's

Trunk or Treat.

Scott went to Dar in early October

and bought some.

This year, 

I'm taking Ethan to

Trunk or Treat,

so no need to buy candy. 

4. Family closets - Yay or nay?

Ok, so what is a

family closet

exactly?

Does it mean more

shoe space for me?

Cos if it does,

yay, yay and yay!

5. Which home/cleaning chore do you hate the most? Why?

I don't clean.

So all housework!

Although I don't mind the laundry.

Or doing the dishes.

Bathrooms!

That's the one I will not do!!!!

Writer's Workshop - Irriated

Tell us about the last thing that irritated you.

This has not been a good week for me. 
I'm in a perpetual state
of irritation.
And while I'd love to go into detail
about everything
and everyone
that's irritated me,
I don't want to loose any more friends,
so I shall just list you
all the things 
that have lead 
me to my state of despair. 

Hurt 

Disappointment

Isolated

Starting to feel like I'm 12 again.

Alone

Left out

Excluded

Crushed

Ignored

Brushed off
Pitied
Being a single mom
Not being listened to
Not being considered
Left out of decision making process
Being made to feel unimportant,
under-appreciated.
Lonely
I've lost my sounding board
I've no one left to turn to
Desperation
Depression
Frustration

Yup....

I'm irritated!!!

ABC - Best Halloween Costume

October 2nd - The best Halloween costume ever.

I love Halloween.

It's probably my favourite holiday.

Yes, even surpasses Christmas.

For years I'd dress up

and Scott would roll his eyes at me.

For years he'd wear his Leafs jersey

and claim he was dressed as a hockey player.

But he's totally into Halloween now.

We've had many fun costumes.

A few years ago,

we even won tickets to Paris

for the best couple.

But I have to say,

the best costume

was Ethan's first Halloween.

I wasn't sure where to order a costume

that would get to Dar in time,

so I had one made.

My little chili pepper!

52 Weeks of Happiness - Week 30

Meet Butch.

He's Ethan's new pet.

We met Butch two weeks ago,

and he was half the size he is today.

Yikes!!!!

He's part boxer and part ridgeback.

Now you're probably thinking,

Butch is not a very original name.

Well...

let me tell you,

there is a story.

(Isn't there always?)

When we decided to adopt Butch,

we knew we needed a name.

I thought I could help,

so I offered Wrath 

as a name.

It was denied by Scott and Ethan.

But I did not give up.

I also suggested

Rhage, Vishous, and Tohrment.

(BDB fans - see a trend?)

Scott caught on

to the fact I was suggesting

Brotherhood names,

so refused them all.

I never got a chance to offer up

Blay or Quinn.

But then,

I remembered

Butch, the Destroyer.

Leaving out the Destroyer part,

I suggested Butch.

It was only later

that Scott realised that

Butch was also a Brother.

But by then,

Ethan was already telling people

his new puppy is named 

Butch!

Happiness is a new puppy.