Is there anything sweeter than the first days of a long holiday period? The weeks stretch out before me. I am generating lots of to do lists and pottering around setting little things straight around my home. I am preparing for our summer trip and excited about the adventure it will be. I am purchasing last minute gifts for Christmas and looking forward to the big day when I’ll feast with the family and give and get.
Yesterday, although it was the first day of my holidays, I went into work to tie up a few loose ends that in my rush to finish I had not managed to attend to. I tried to kid myself that it would wait until next year, but they niggled at me in the morning and I knew they would lose their significance if I didn’t have them done. I feel at peace now and complete with my year.
In reflecting on this year of teaching, it hasn’t been one of my better years to be honest. I have been cranky and haven’t managed to build positive relationships with as many of my students as I have in previous years. I am aware of some of the reasons for this, but can not excuse myself. I have made my work harder and feel I have not given my best to the kids. Over the holidays I want to redesign my thinking in this area. I like teaching because I learn so much. I am letting it go now though. It’s done. Next year I will be better for having learnt what I have this year.
Johnny Cash – Hurt
This clip is really good. It makes me think about the big questions. Johnny Cash’s music is moving and touches your heart and soul.
Giving and Receiving
December means Christmas season. It starts way too early out there in the wider world, but in our family with so many Sagittarian’s I don’t start with the Christmas tree and the serious contemplation of Christmas until after my daughter’s birthday. So about now for me.
I have actually been doing a bit of shopping here and there this year, so I don’t have too many people still to buy for. I was wondering today if the people I have to buy for have wishlists somewhere online that I am not tapping into. They could have an Amazon wishlist or a Froogle wishlist and I am just not aware of it. It would be really cool if they did. I was thinking about the possibility that people may add their wildest hopes to those kinds of lists and it would be fun to give others exactly what they wanted. One of my close friends has 8 people by the same name and none of them sound like her taste on Amazon. Luckily though the majority of people on my list I am in contact with regularly enough to know what they love.
Today I read a wonderful article by Steve Pavlina called “Making Money Consciously”. It is one of the most grounded, yet inspiring and helpful things I have read for a while and it made me think about my contribution to social value.