Apologies about my quietness, I miss all of you dearly, I just find it incredibly one sided to keep blogging when I haven’t had the time/internet access to check in on your blogs, but I miss this blog so much that I decided I will post even if it takes me a while to become a good blogger friend again.
Life has changed so much. I used to be a woman who always had lists, lists of what I need to do, lists of what I need to accomplish in the grand scheme of things and set ideas on how I’d get there. Oh how I laugh now. This placid thing has taken over. Yes I do still need to accomplish some things, but in the grand scheme of things my motto is now “why stress about it”. Case in point, I just applied to attend teacher training. The deadline is midnight tonight, and the application was sent in at 16:52. My personal statement was from the heart, not a book about accomplishments. There is only 1 place left at the only institution I can study at geographically, they may have given the place away on Friday but I figure if I’m meant to be a teacher and I’m meant to study this year, then I’ll get a place, if not, then I’ve lost nothing. Oh so placid, yes?
But this ms. placid has also been somewhat busy, I’ve been leading a voluntary youth group providing a mix of sports, baking/life skills and talks to 20-30 children each week. The groups meet twice a week and the kids keep me on my toes. They inspire me, these 11-15 year olds with such definite opinions on life, such an amazing ability to share exactly how they are feeling and create such joy & laughter. I’ve always been a kid person, but very much fearful of over 10′s – these young people broke through that barrier and inspired me to think more seriously about teaching. Each week I hope & pray they have a better experience of education, that they have teachers who inspire them to achieve, that they begin to love learning. If I could ever do that for one child, I’d be pretty happy!
My summer plans are still up in the air, but I expect that now. I hope to get on a plane in a month or so and explore some of Canada, maybe see a bear or two, finding a moose would be wonderful! I guess I should book, but I have a feeling I’ll probably book a day or two before and just show up with a general thought of where I want to go and what I want to experience. A stress free approach to travel and life, not needing to have all those ducks in a row anymore.
I leave you with a picture I took when I escaped to the beach for a few days last month. I think I fell in love with this older couple as they walked their dogs along the beach together each morning. They now have a piece of my heart and I theirs.
Wonderful to hear from you, and beautiful photo! I like to imagine the stress free way of living. Wonderful thoughts for me unfortunately, planning a wedding currently with a mother and future mother in law do enough stressing for a room of people! If I can just get through this!
Ooh Sonrie, that’s why my plan is to elope or surprise closest family/friends (seriously under 40 people) with a surprise wedding thus eliminating stress!!
Best wishes!
great to hear from you. thought you had dissappeared from the – blog world – . great news, ah – it seems you have found your vocation!! even if you don’t do the training, then, there are other ways to be a teacher and other things to teach, as I am sure you know. I bet you are brilliant at it. fingers crossed for ya, but either way, it will work out right. x all the best
Thanks Mo! I do feel like I’ve found my calling even if it ends up being something I have to do next year rather than this year, but I hope and pray it is sooner rather than later!
I’m sure everyone misses your blog posts just as much as me
Jealous of your slow pace of life and the beach!!
Move here Sarah ;0)
I’m glad you are back posting- I’ve missed your thoughts.
I’ve just come back from a lovely holiday and am finding myself still feeling very relaxed about things- hope that it continues.
Do let me know if you will be in my area when you are over in Canada.
I will Looby. Where you are is my favourite part!
Life looks good. Lovely last pic; serene… S.L.O.W.
Absolutel wonderful, yes!
We would rather hear from you than have you read our blogs! I also am living a mostly stress free life since I learnt to throw my burdens on God.
He is amazing at taking away burdens, giving us lighter hearts and peace. So true Cherrie. And thanks re blogging rather than commenting. I’m hoping I can find out how to do both soon!
It’s good to hear from you whether or not you have a chance to comment. Of course I love your comments, too, but like I said.
I’ve missed you!
So glad to hear of the passion you’re feeling for teaching. Such exciting possibilities.
Have a wonderful trip!
I am so happy to hear from you again! and I wish there were more people like you to teach our children.
Thank you Hilde, I too wish everyone who taught children loved it.
So good to hear from you and it’s great to read such a wonderful post about how life is for you now.
Long may it continue.
Lisa x
Thanks Lisa :0)
Glad to see you back. I was beginning to wonder if you’d given up on blogging. What a lovely serene attitude to life you have. I hope you get the college place if that’s what is meant to be. x
Thanks Teresa, I feel serene. What a good word to describe it all!
What part of Canada do you plan to visit? If you are in my neighbourhood (close to bear country) would love to meet up with you. I have been following you blog now for almost a year and would love the chance to meet you in person. Email me directly if you want.
Thanks Amanda. I wish this trip would be one where I could literally travel all through Canada hitting every province and really spending a few months there. All depends on if I get into this course. I will email you as soon as I know!
And she’s back!
Although I have been following you on simple, green coop. I am glad to hear all is well and that life is handing you a nonchalant lifestyle with a lot of meaning. Cross my fingers that you get the 1 spot left.
Thanks MoneyFrunk. You’re a star :0)
I hope you come to the east coast, I have a 3 legged bear hanging out in my city! Plus I could find you a moose, deer ( I have one that hangs out in the field across from my house)! Plus its not too far to PEI ( you can drive tip to tip on about 5 hours and you could see Green Gables if you like Anne of Green Gables)
I think you’d made a great teacher by the way you write. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.
That is where I have ALWAYS wanted to go and never been to. I have a master plan that when I have daughter who are the age that they love Anne of Green Gables, I’ll have to take them to PEI. Oh in fact, why don’t I just move there? Ha!
Sooo glad to hear from you! I checked back in regularly, but nothing for so long….sigh….. so pleased to hear you are relaxed and wanting to do teaching. I hope you are happy with the move and change of life- your blog sounds different to the ones before….yes – more relaxed.
You’ll get that last spot.
Thanks Rachael, I like your confidence ;0)
I wish you every success in getting into teacher training. It sounds so worthwhile! And I am delighted to hear your (cyber) voice again!
thanks thicket, it is good to be back!
Pingback: Where to start…! Part I « Notes From The Frugal Trenches – A Downshifting Journey
I’m so pleased for you! I’ve been worried about you. I’m so glad that you have been using your time productively and you *sound* so happy.
It’s wonderful that you are able to mentor these children and make a difference in their lives, whether they realize it or not.
I’m looking forward to hearing about your acceptance to school! : )
I live close to moose & dear as well. *wink*wink*
You are more than welcome here in Nova Scotia too.
this post, especially that last picture, brought happy tears to my eyes. I’m currently on the journey to greatly simplifying my life, as well. downshifting is NOT easy. for me, i feel like i’m still clutching on to some of the old ways … not because i want to, but just because i haven’t quite learned how to let go just yet. Still, there are big differences already between myself and the “rat race” people. I wonder at how they can live, so stressed, so rushed, all the time. So while i’m waiting for actions to get in line with attitudes (funny isn’t it often the other way around?), i’m trying to breathe and be in the present moment as much as possible. and just let the wind take me where it may. i’m open and so, so ready to be free. nice to hear from you again!
i have a big dream of going to prince edward island, too! i hope it’s still as iconic as it is in those books!