Tag Archives: change

a stage of opportunity and strength.

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angry sod calm

The Grandma bubble of happiness lasted until period 3 of school today, when one of my year 11 boys decided he would try to use his size and loud mouth to try to control the class and bully me. He got sent to the responsible thinking room to think about his behaviour. He has to write his own behaviour plan before he is allowed to negotiate his return to my classroom. Little pisher.

rain

It’s raining again and the locals are nervous. I don’t blame them as many of them are still cleaning up from the Australia Day flood in January. If it rains throughout the night I doubt whether I will make it to work tomorrow. We stocked up on milk, bread and dog treats on the weekend, so should be right for a few days. Hopefully it won’t flood at all.

I was reflecting on the past year and this is what I reallised we have experienced over the previous 12 months :

My mother became ill and needed to go into care

My siblings and I had to clear our parents home of 57 years and sell it.

I started a new job.

We sold our house in the city and moved to the country.

A daughter moved to the opposite side of the country.

Our first grandchild was born.

We got a dog.

We experienced another flood (luckily not as a vicitm).

Now, talk to me about ageing and change…

bag on head

Aging  is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength.
Betty  Friedan

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they say the darnedest things

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Pencils-large

Two incidents made me realise that the world is changing faster than even I suspected.

I was teaching the year 8 class to check their school email account. I casually asked how many students had sent an email before. Two students out of a class of 24 put their hands up. The majority had no idea what an email was. Why should they when they text and facebook their lives away.

Do you think they complain about the number of tweets they get in a day like adults complain about the number of emails they have to read?

I instructed my home class to bring a pen to class. One student announced that he never brings pens to school. Can you imagine going to school without a pencil cake and at least a red pen and a blue pen? I guess he either uses his laptop in all his classes, or bums a pen from someone on the rare occasions he absolutely must use one.

How long is handwriting going to remain a norm and not just become a quaint hobby like calligraphy?

Sneaking change that you don’t notice until you want a kid to do something that just results in a blank expression from them.

stories of stuff and change

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From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It’ll teach you something, it’ll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever :

Story of Stuff, full version

Can shopping save the world? The Story of Change urges viewers to put down their credit cards and start exercising their citizen muscles to build a more sustainable, just and fulfilling world.

The Story of Change

one step back on the path

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Today is the Ekka holiday and even though I work in the adjoining city I have the day off as well. I haven’t been to the Ekka (show/fair) since I was pregnant with Son – 27 years ago. At that time I was still suffering morning sickness (all day) and daughters were  not quite 4 and 6, so I think the ordeal of the crowds and financial debt was enough for me forever and ever, amen.

We are on the last push to putting our house up for sale. We have found a real estate agent that we can work with. Please don’t get me started on real estate agents, except to say that I group them with car and insurance salespeople, both whom my life experience has taught me that they are often shallow people who will use a façade of honesty until the contract is signed and then it is Drop Dead, Fred! I don’t expect this relationship to be any different, but it is a means to an end.

Earlier this morning I was packing our cds (yes, little ones, I still have music on compact disc!). I rediscovered some favourites and they are now in my car, ready for tomorrow’s school run. I shall be hitting the highway to the best of Carole King and Carly Simon on the morrow. There are some good things about moving, the push to declutter and the rediscovery of old friends.

I phoned Grandma Flamingo and three of her great grandchildren were visiting with their mother. GF always delights in their antics, so I didn’t speak to her for long to allow her time with her guests. There was a distant tone to her voice that I have noticed creeping in lately. I can’t imagine the range of emotions she must be experiencing as her life closes in.

I seem to be using the word “experience” frequently today. I guess that fits into the our series of moments doesn’t it, as we experience those moments?  It is taking those experiences and using them as building blocks that make us the people we are, and the life we choose.  I am glad that I have realised how the quality of those moments are the fabric of a happy life, and have reset myself on the path to a larger slice of happiness.

the times are indeed a changing

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In many ways we don’t notice the changes that sneak into our daily lives through the use of technology, but I was reminded of this on Sunday when I went to buy a small thank you gift for a woman who is coming to our school to present a workshop for teachers later this week.

Previously, one might have purchased stationery for a teacher as a gift, and heavens we teachers have always loved stationery; but now that we have laptops, iPads, iPhones and all the programs that allow us to keep files on the skydrive, addresses in our email and facebook pages and calendars on our phone etc. there is little need for notebooks, pens and post it notes. Now there are even electronic sticky notes for our desktops, so I even baulked at buying Kath Kidson sticker pads, a personal favourite. Technology has wiped that fall back gift line off the line, especially as this particular presenter is speaking on IT!

And changing social attitudes means that chocolates are not always acceptable as everyone is always trying to shed weight and get healthy. Wine, well they may not be a drinker, and there are mixed opinions regarding gifting teachers alcohol as we are suppose to be role models

The last thing a teacher needs is usually another cup or mug, as everyone gives teachers cups and mugs. We’ve probably all done candles to death. So, I was starting to panic, and was going to just go for a bunch of flowers, but that seemed a bit naft and what if she is allergic? (Minerva is allergic to flowers and the last time someone brought flowers into the library I had to lock them in my office. I didn’t get them away fast enough and her lips blew up like a trout mouth and I thought I was going to have to apply an epipen to save her). So scratch flowers.

In the end I settled on bath fizz bombs in the shape of macaroons. Hopefully she will read the label and realise that they are not a food product. If she doesn’t have a bathtub, well. she can throw them into a bucket and soak her feet! Or better still, she can put them away to regift and claim that she has already started her Christmas shopping! Win, win there I say.

Monday resolutions

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It’s been awhile since I shared my progress with my 2012 resolutions and I know that you haven’t asked for it, but here it is – another chapter on my journey of intentional living.

Sunday I had the best day so far. I managed to meditate twice, twenty minutes each time. I even got off the couch and went for a walk – in the rain! Until now I had made no progress with exercise at all, but I woke Sunday morning and just had to go for a walk. I knew if I didn’t go, even though I knew it was going to rain, I felt as though I would never achieve that goal, so umbrella under my arm, off I set. I was only around the corner a little when it did start to rain, but my large umbrella was great shelter and I continued walking. Well, at least I can say that I did go for a walk in 2012! Bonus points for the rain too!

I had my green tea, and my vitamin supplements (I take a multivitamin with selenium, a fish oil capsule and a little extra vitamin B at the moment as felt a sense of approaching depression).

Sunday I procrastinated no more and attacked the walk in robe in our bedroom. I actually bought some large storage containers so I can pack away the out of season clothes (and it will make moving faster, I hope). It is a task that will take more than one day, but I did manage to break the back of it. I have a bag of clothes for charity, as well as more books.

I have been quite ruthless with clearing clutter. I had a lot of silly holiday mementos  that friends had given me when they returned from overseas holidays, and it all went into the bin, as I thought what was the point if I have never been to that country anyway? I was only holding onto it so as not to insult the givers, many of them people I no longer see, so why continue allowing it to gather layers of dust? It feels so good to get rid of clutter and to imagine a life less weighed down with stuff. I am never going to allow the clutter ever again, that is my everlasting gift to myself.

Monday is a public holiday to celebrate the Queen’s birthday (I know, it seems to be  a never ending event, but no one rejects a holiday!) so Daughter 2 and I are off to visit Grandma Flamingo Dancer. BIL was admitted to hospital late on Saturday night as a precaution. as it was suspected that he is developing pneumonia again, so we are trying to take the care of mother dear a little more so that sister is free to be with BIL. Considering all that is happening, it is a blessing that Mum is now in care and doing so well, as sister would have not been able to cope with a dependent mother and an ill husband. Still it is an hour’s drive for us to visit Grandma so not much more decluttering will get done this week!

And a little off subject, we have finally discovered which animal comes each year and eats our pine trees! It has happened every June or July for the past three years and only last week I was thinking how well the pine trees were recovering from the last attack. Son walked outside just after dark and found a large deer, with antlers rutting at the tree! It took fright and headed back towards the bushland, and I expect Son probably made a hasty retreat inside as well!

The first year we thought it was local teenagers, but the following year we started to think maybe an animal and our money was on a kangaroo, but it turns out to be feral deer! Deer are an introduced species to Australia, but we have the odd sighting in the area as we are near the river. I know nothing about deer, and can only think that there must be something seasonal in their need to attack our pine trees in June or July each year (our winter). Maybe he is getting ready for Christmas in July! I do hope they stay away as it won’t make the front garden look all that lovely to prospective buyers with damaged trees! I guess we can make it sound romantic by saying “deer graze in the front garden!”

I hope you have a great day – it really is there for the taking!

it’s in the genes

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Now that we are faced by the reality that both our parents have suffered memory loss (Dad’s seems to have been vascular related dementia, whereas Mum’s appears to be Alzeimer’s, though really, it is six of one and half a dozen of the other, as they say – no difference) we really can’t pretend that we are not in the firing line for the same susceptibility to memory loss.

My sister, being eight years older than I, is a little more worried (freaked out!) than I, but I have to admit that it is occupying my thoughts a little more than it did a few weeks ago. Especially after every visit to Mum and seeing how she now has such a struggle handling every day life.

I have even fallen for purchasing a book, 100 simple things to prevent Alzheimer’s, or something similarly titled. Of course the majority of the top 100 were things we should all be doing for a healthy life, such as exercise, healthy diet, maintain relationships.

A couple suggestions I had read before, such as eating curry. Mr FD and I have often wondered about the curry link, as Mr FD’s father, who died at the age of 93, having been born in Ceylon, was a devotee of a good curry and ate it on a regular basis, and his mind was relatively clear until the final year. He also did crosswords and was widely read, all things that help maintain the brain.

One suggestion was to eat cinnamon as it assists with maintaining insulin levels. The recommendation was one half to one teaspoon a day! That is a huge amount of cinnamon in anyone’s estimation. I don’t think I would ever achieve that one!

A more insidious suggested cause is stress. Now that is the hard one. I try to meditate from time to time, especially when stressed or ill, but I was crafted anxious in the womb, and though I have come to recognise my triggers and worked hard to overcome them over the years, I doubt if there has ever been too many days without my being aware of feelings of stress. Now I get to be stressed about my stress causing me dementia!

I guess, this is even more motivation to stick to my 2012 resolutions, so that I can live a good life now, and for as long as I can, and maybe keep my gorgeous brain functioning to the best of its abilities for as long as possible.

Travelling the long goodbye with a parent, again, not only makes me aware of my own biological clock ticking, but also acts as a reminder to live in the moment, for the moment is all we really have.

Resolution Monday, April style

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Resolutions 2012:

I must change.

 

I must remove all the excess.

 

I must get rid of all the clutter.

 

I must eat healthier food.

 

I must exercise.

 

I must read more, for pleasure and professionally.

 

I must watch less TV.

 

I must be more active in my own life.

Where do I start on this list? The easy stuff – read more and less television – has progressed. I joined the bookclub at school and so I am being prompted to read things I would not choose for myself. Tick and tick.

Food? Well, the diverticulitis has sealed that one. I am so worn out with suffering with it that I am no longer tempted to roll the dice on anything that might even remotely cause an issue. However, thanks to Easter the chocolate scale has blown sky high. That will take its natural course as the supply runs out and I avoid all the chocolate now on sale! Half a tick.

Life has reminded me of a couple of things lately. The sudden death of a colleague, that the moment is more important than the grand plan, but do have a grand plan. Also, not to hesitate to do the good deed, to be open to change and not to forget to tell people that you love them. Or can tolerate them, at least!

My Mum’s sudden illness has also been a wake up call not to take her for granted and to think she will always be there for another visit, on another day. It is also a reminder that we; Mr FD, our siblings and I, are bordering on become the elders of the clan.  Scary stuff indeed and something I assume no one is every ready to accept. I am not sure that I am ready to be that grown up, but hey, I am going to be a great old lady.

Haven’t had much opportunity to work on the excess during school terms, but I have certainly not brought anything into the house that was not needed. I can’t remember the last time I purchased anything on a whim; except for a book or two, but even my book purchasing is down 90 per cent on what it was. Magazine subscriptions have not been renewed. Maybe a three quarter tick?

I feel that I have changed quite a bit this year, already. Who would have thought that perfection can be improved, but if anyone can do, I am your woman!

I have really pushed my boundaries professionally. I am now working towards becoming an IT coach to other teachers, assisting them with including more ICT in their lesson and unit plans. It terrifies me to think that others will be depending on my meagre IT skills to expand their own, but I am committed to upskilling and so the journey has begun. I find it incredibly empowering, and rewarding as well.  Big tick!

My colleague taught me to realise that the only thing I control is myself, and that was a real ah ha moment (late Oprahism warning, sorry!). I use that knowledge numerous times each day and now I realise how much anxiety and stress I was creating for myself by trying to control that which I never had a hope of controlling.

I slip up frequently though when it comes to Mr FD, who still, after all these years, refuses to be controlled. Why he doesn’t learn I don’t know, but now I have developed a coping mechanism – when he refuse to heel, I look out the nearest window and go “lalalalala” in my head. I spend lots of time staring out of windows and lalalalaing  to the extent that when we are in the car, I feel like one of those dogs who love to hang their heads out the window and feel the wind in their ears, but hey it works. And of course I always hold out hope that eventually Mr FD will learn to do as he is told. He obviously has never made a resolution to change…  A tick for me, a “try to do better” for Mr FD.

Let’s not talk about exercise. Well, if we must, I have to admit that the only thing being exercised is my sense of guilt that I have not motivated myself to do anything more than to move from one end of the couch to the other. But I did move. I even fluffed the pillows with gusto. I worked up quite a sweat slapping that foam rubber about, so I am well on my way to increasing my exercise routine. Next week I might even contemplate moving to another room!

How is 2012 working for you? (Once again, pretend that I care).

Monday resolutions

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The week just passed was one of those weeks when I felt that I did not present my best self to the world. I also saw some rather disappointing sides to some of my colleagues.  Yet other surprised me with their generous and selfless natures. Such is the human condition, I suppose.

I was also forced to spend two days in bed, felled yet again by diverticulitis. It annoyed to lose two days, which meant I scrambled through the end of the week trying to catch up, but never quite achieving everything.

Friday, new staff were sent to an induction day. It was part religion, part history, part enculturation. As one who has schooled through the system I was sure I would be bored out of my brain, but I was honestly surprised by how much I did enjoy the day. I  think that due to my interest in history, hearing  about the Australia origins of the independent education system was intensively interesting to me. Luckily the religious side was not too heavy; as no doubt they were aware that not all teachers were of the same belief system.

Another interesting facet was to hear the stories of how so many of us came to teaching. Quite a few were late converts, such as myself. Some had been nurses and now teachers; others had worked in business for years before going back to university. A number were returning to the workforce after babies, and of course there were some new hires from the government school system. It just goes to show that teachers come from many and varied life experiences. We were all convinced that life experience made us better teachers.

This week, I am facing numerous meetings before and after school. I am getting a ‘flu needle on Monday (arranged by the school, but paid for by the individual). I am so happy to be able to get an early vaccination as last year Mr FD and I both went down with that horrible ‘flu that almost killed both of us (and contributed to his father’s death) so I shall be dashing like a gisele to get to the head of the line.

I don’t know where this all leads me on a list of resolutions. I am certainly most active in my own life. I am still working to declutter our house (working on our walk in pantry at the moment – found packages with use by dates of 2010 and some jars of spices even older!). I think I am living a more uncluttered life style also. Being busy helps as it makes me prioritise and it means I don’t like to suffer fools, especially if that fool is me (yes, I know how impossible is that!)

My cholesterol is elevated again, no doubt due to my bad habits, so back to paying attention to what I put in my mouth. Easier said than done! By the time I sort out all the foods that someone with diverticulitis should avoid (tomatoes and seeds of all kinds, and hard grains etc.) and then low fat foods, it leaves a fairly limited menu;  one can but try! How tedious it all is though!

Three more weeks and first school term is over. How fast it is all flying by. The happiest term I have ever experienced. Long may it continue!

Resolution Monday

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Where am I in the adherence to my New Year Resolutions, now that we are two months in? Win some, some not out of the gate, yet.

I must change – Oh my, have I felt myself change! The bonus of a new workplace, and a job that is a challenge that I enjoy has wrought many changes within me. Some I can’t even put a name to, or explain, except to say that I feel more open, more willing to stretch outside of my comfort zone, and more accepting that despite my constant denial, I do have a few imperfections.

This week there was a quote on my desk calendar that said “imperfection is our paradise” (sorry I threw away the page so no author credit; shedding clutter is also a resolution!). I am quite certain I wouldn’t claim imperfection as paradise; in fact it reminds me of the wisdom imparted to a friend by her minister when she was going through a divorce: “We are put on earth to suffer.” I don’t think so.

So, no claim to be in paradise, but I am happier to say: I don’t know, but I will find out; I don’t understand, tell me again and of course, I don’t know how to do that, will you show me? The result of such an admission has allowed me to stretch into new areas that just weeks ago I would never have considered.

All I can say is what a difference two months can make!