A whole year has gone by, and so it is time to start fresh - fresh as a pan of chocolate chip cookies coming out of the oven! ;)
www.jetsetcupcakemalasana.blogspot.com
XOXO
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Cotton Candy Clouds
Um... What just happened?
Monday afternoon I was blissfully bouncing down the street thinking about how I hadn't had anybody I was really interested in for a loooong time. I went to say to myself, "Yeah, Universe. I'd like to place an order for one of those." But the second I heard those words, I changed my mind. The truth was, it was the first time since I was 14 and a half that I was so happy just being me that I really didn't even want anybody else in my rainbow sprinkle sparkle land. Whoa.
So that's what made what happened over the next 48 hours so ridiculously... Unexpected? Awesome? Unexpectedly awesome.
First of all, anybody who shows up to hang out with me a half hour late and, in doing so, unknowingly gives me a chance to sip on a Chai Frappucino and people watch in the sunshine is obviously okay in my book. But to top it off by picking me up while hugging me hello...? Um, yes please.
What ensued was a afternoon (or three) of errands and adventures around sunshiny Madrid, talking and giggling all the while.
At one point still early on in the day we ended up on a mini terrace eating gelato (gin and tonic gelato, as it turns out, is delicious). We were casually engaged in conversing when he stopped and said, "You look really happy." Immediately my eyes squinted into my most authentic and blithe grin and I nodded.
Here's this little 24 year old girl from Colorado having gelato in the sunshine at a cafe in Madrid, Spain after having recently returned from a month of living on the beach, surrounded by the most clever young souls who taught her to truly adore herself.
Life felt like I was walking on cotton candy clouds, and his presence was a further dusting of sugar - the glimmery crystal kind!
XOXO
Monday afternoon I was blissfully bouncing down the street thinking about how I hadn't had anybody I was really interested in for a loooong time. I went to say to myself, "Yeah, Universe. I'd like to place an order for one of those." But the second I heard those words, I changed my mind. The truth was, it was the first time since I was 14 and a half that I was so happy just being me that I really didn't even want anybody else in my rainbow sprinkle sparkle land. Whoa.
So that's what made what happened over the next 48 hours so ridiculously... Unexpected? Awesome? Unexpectedly awesome.
First of all, anybody who shows up to hang out with me a half hour late and, in doing so, unknowingly gives me a chance to sip on a Chai Frappucino and people watch in the sunshine is obviously okay in my book. But to top it off by picking me up while hugging me hello...? Um, yes please.
What ensued was a afternoon (or three) of errands and adventures around sunshiny Madrid, talking and giggling all the while.
At one point still early on in the day we ended up on a mini terrace eating gelato (gin and tonic gelato, as it turns out, is delicious). We were casually engaged in conversing when he stopped and said, "You look really happy." Immediately my eyes squinted into my most authentic and blithe grin and I nodded.
Here's this little 24 year old girl from Colorado having gelato in the sunshine at a cafe in Madrid, Spain after having recently returned from a month of living on the beach, surrounded by the most clever young souls who taught her to truly adore herself.
Life felt like I was walking on cotton candy clouds, and his presence was a further dusting of sugar - the glimmery crystal kind!
XOXO
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Last Night of Camp
Teaching English is just a guise; it's merely a happy byproduct of what I actually do. What I do I fly paper airplanes with colorful moose and simple words of love on it through windows in the middle of the night when I know they there's a sweet boy in his bed trying not to cry. What I do is give out high fives liberally and make up cray little victory dances to celebrate even the tiniest of victories for a few little amazing souls I've come to know. What I do is listen - but really listen - when somebody trusts me enough to open up, even in the littlest of ways.
Part of what makes it so odd is how unabashedly authentic I am when it comes to my personality. At first I just did it to make things more interesting... but as these four weeks have gone by, I've began to realize that me being my crazy self has made some of my "students" feel comfortable being their silly, authentic self, too. O_o It has been like watching little flowers bloom. And it's the sweetest thing.
Another odd thing is how I aim to see things from their perspective. That's not normal bears. It seems control is high on the list of desires for teachers... And maybe I just don't get it... But I find control to be stifling on the whole. The whole "because I said so" logic has always been lost on me and I refuse to perpetuate it... Which makes for interesting occurrences.
"Can we take a nap?"
"Um, no."
"Why not?"
"Because we have things to do..."
"But we will work harder and learn more, more quickly, if we can take a quick nap!"
"You really think so?"
"Yeah!"
"Huh. Well okay, let's try it."
"Really!?!"
"Sure, why not? But if it doesn't prove to be effectual, we won't do it again."
"Okay, Chelsea! We love you!"
And that's how nap time became a thing in class. While all the other teachers complained that their kids were listless and dozing off in class and not paying attention nor learning anything, mine were power snoozing for 30 minutes, lulled to sleep by quiet trance music in English... And then waking up bright eyed and bushy tailed, ready and excited to learn.
The fact their nap idea was a really great and effective one was really cool, but what was even better was their sense of awe that they were being allowed to nap in class. They would repeatedly tell me they loved me for it - but it wasn't just the sleep... It was that I had rationally listened to their argument and thrown the ball in their court. I respected them, and in turn they quickly grew to respect me. And the more the mutual respect grew, the more they were accidentally learning... And the more they accidentally learned... The more confident they got... And the more confident they got, the more English they used and the more authentic they each became... And the more that happened, the more praise I gave them -- just like a crazy hyper narwhal loving cheerleader!! ;)
If my 40 kids from these past four weeks retain any new knowledge about the English language that the learned during camp, I will be a pleased panda. But I'm really not so concerned about that, to be honest. What really is keeping me up until 6am writing and rewriting this post for is the fear that the spark in their eyes that's gotten brighter and brighter throughout camp with begin to dim again after they leave.
This fear began rather selfishly...
This month working at this camp has been one of the best months of my existence: I've fallen in love with many of my kids, fallen much deeper in love with teaching, and fallen in love with the quirky parts of myself I used to be rather unsure and nervous about. And so a small part of me is afraid to leave here. I know it's time, and I know my kids would have to go either way again... But what if I forget all of this love, confidence and happiness that's percolated up inside of me?
If I'm never out for myself, how will some of my favorites fare?! Will this experience have been even minutely important in their lives?! Will they remember there is a crazy "teacher" somewhere out there who adores them and is always on their side?!
I could spend my time worrying about it... Or I could spend my time continuing to make my life something that could be worthy of inspiring these little people I've come I adore. <3
This month has been amazing. But not a single other teacher thinks so; they all can't wait to get home. The first day I was pretty judgmental of it all, but when Favorite told me to view it all as a sort of adventure... Suddenly the negatives became an eventful part of the story rather than something to make me want to kill others. ;) But really, the idea of viewing something from the vantage point of an adventure makes things so much... Lighter. <3
I've learned so many things this month... But I think one of the most important things I learned was just how toxic complaining can be. On a cognitive level I knew this to some extent... But it wasn't until this month that I really started to notice it. See, one person starts... And then another feeds off of it... And then it just becomes and interminable chain of complaints... And everyone leaves the exchange feeling self righteous and fully ready to spot the next negative thing they can find. And little by little, all the magic is sucked out of the adventure until it smells like nothing but shit... and maybe, just maybe, it could have been a magical little bouquet of bliss had you just given it the chance.
I also feel this way about children... But that's for another time...
Anyway it's 7am now and I'm über sick of being the noise police on these poor kids.
Part of what makes it so odd is how unabashedly authentic I am when it comes to my personality. At first I just did it to make things more interesting... but as these four weeks have gone by, I've began to realize that me being my crazy self has made some of my "students" feel comfortable being their silly, authentic self, too. O_o It has been like watching little flowers bloom. And it's the sweetest thing.
Another odd thing is how I aim to see things from their perspective. That's not normal bears. It seems control is high on the list of desires for teachers... And maybe I just don't get it... But I find control to be stifling on the whole. The whole "because I said so" logic has always been lost on me and I refuse to perpetuate it... Which makes for interesting occurrences.
"Can we take a nap?"
"Um, no."
"Why not?"
"Because we have things to do..."
"But we will work harder and learn more, more quickly, if we can take a quick nap!"
"You really think so?"
"Yeah!"
"Huh. Well okay, let's try it."
"Really!?!"
"Sure, why not? But if it doesn't prove to be effectual, we won't do it again."
"Okay, Chelsea! We love you!"
And that's how nap time became a thing in class. While all the other teachers complained that their kids were listless and dozing off in class and not paying attention nor learning anything, mine were power snoozing for 30 minutes, lulled to sleep by quiet trance music in English... And then waking up bright eyed and bushy tailed, ready and excited to learn.
The fact their nap idea was a really great and effective one was really cool, but what was even better was their sense of awe that they were being allowed to nap in class. They would repeatedly tell me they loved me for it - but it wasn't just the sleep... It was that I had rationally listened to their argument and thrown the ball in their court. I respected them, and in turn they quickly grew to respect me. And the more the mutual respect grew, the more they were accidentally learning... And the more they accidentally learned... The more confident they got... And the more confident they got, the more English they used and the more authentic they each became... And the more that happened, the more praise I gave them -- just like a crazy hyper narwhal loving cheerleader!! ;)
If my 40 kids from these past four weeks retain any new knowledge about the English language that the learned during camp, I will be a pleased panda. But I'm really not so concerned about that, to be honest. What really is keeping me up until 6am writing and rewriting this post for is the fear that the spark in their eyes that's gotten brighter and brighter throughout camp with begin to dim again after they leave.
This fear began rather selfishly...
This month working at this camp has been one of the best months of my existence: I've fallen in love with many of my kids, fallen much deeper in love with teaching, and fallen in love with the quirky parts of myself I used to be rather unsure and nervous about. And so a small part of me is afraid to leave here. I know it's time, and I know my kids would have to go either way again... But what if I forget all of this love, confidence and happiness that's percolated up inside of me?
If I'm never out for myself, how will some of my favorites fare?! Will this experience have been even minutely important in their lives?! Will they remember there is a crazy "teacher" somewhere out there who adores them and is always on their side?!
I could spend my time worrying about it... Or I could spend my time continuing to make my life something that could be worthy of inspiring these little people I've come I adore. <3
This month has been amazing. But not a single other teacher thinks so; they all can't wait to get home. The first day I was pretty judgmental of it all, but when Favorite told me to view it all as a sort of adventure... Suddenly the negatives became an eventful part of the story rather than something to make me want to kill others. ;) But really, the idea of viewing something from the vantage point of an adventure makes things so much... Lighter. <3
I've learned so many things this month... But I think one of the most important things I learned was just how toxic complaining can be. On a cognitive level I knew this to some extent... But it wasn't until this month that I really started to notice it. See, one person starts... And then another feeds off of it... And then it just becomes and interminable chain of complaints... And everyone leaves the exchange feeling self righteous and fully ready to spot the next negative thing they can find. And little by little, all the magic is sucked out of the adventure until it smells like nothing but shit... and maybe, just maybe, it could have been a magical little bouquet of bliss had you just given it the chance.
I also feel this way about children... But that's for another time...
Anyway it's 7am now and I'm über sick of being the noise police on these poor kids.
Map.
The tattoo on my wrist is a map. It's a map that is there to remind me that things can only get better from where I'm standing now. A few years ago that wouldn't have meant much, as where I was standing wasn't always necessarily so great, so it's a celebration of perspective. Usually "it gets better" is said to depressed people, not to somebody who is really happy.
But really. What an altering concept to see things that go away or that you want but don't get as a blessing... Saving room for something even better.
I can't be sad to leave camp knowing that what comes next will be even more amazing and knowing that I've made 40 kids really happy.
But really. What an altering concept to see things that go away or that you want but don't get as a blessing... Saving room for something even better.
I can't be sad to leave camp knowing that what comes next will be even more amazing and knowing that I've made 40 kids really happy.
Go.
There's a Pinterest quote which reads, "Go where you're celebrated, not where you're tolerated."
I think I may have found that enchanted place...
XOXO
I think I may have found that enchanted place...
XOXO
Respect
The whole notion that teachers are supposed to be these supreme beings above you is just ridiculous to me. I think a good teacher is one who considers themselves to be completely equal to their students. Sure, in class they have knowledge that they are sharing that the students don't yet know, but those same students know tons of things that the teacher doesn't know. So this whole charade of teachers seeing themselves as superior is just such an ego trip, to me.
For me, to be honest, I find my students to be even more intelligent than the average person. I respect my students and their thoughts and opinions much more than I respect those of the people who are supposedly my "equals." My students are always so clever and imaginative and hilarious. Dull thinking, mindless regurgitation and conformity are simply do not have a place in my classroom. I find that I am completely on my kids' side to be themselves - and bonus points for being totally crazy and strange!
I'd be that teacher that if a student didn't know an answer on an exam but wrote a really clever retort, I'd not only give them the points, but I'd give them bonus points. I want my kids to learn English and feel happy, excited and conforfortable with expressing themselves in the language, but more than that I want to instill in them that being their unique them and loving it is the most important thing ever. Teaching English is just the guise under which I can try to teach what I really find important. ;)
XOXO
For me, to be honest, I find my students to be even more intelligent than the average person. I respect my students and their thoughts and opinions much more than I respect those of the people who are supposedly my "equals." My students are always so clever and imaginative and hilarious. Dull thinking, mindless regurgitation and conformity are simply do not have a place in my classroom. I find that I am completely on my kids' side to be themselves - and bonus points for being totally crazy and strange!
I'd be that teacher that if a student didn't know an answer on an exam but wrote a really clever retort, I'd not only give them the points, but I'd give them bonus points. I want my kids to learn English and feel happy, excited and conforfortable with expressing themselves in the language, but more than that I want to instill in them that being their unique them and loving it is the most important thing ever. Teaching English is just the guise under which I can try to teach what I really find important. ;)
XOXO
Last Day of Camp 1
My lil narwhals again and I am so sad about it... But having them all texting me tonight, using everything I've taught them in class the past two weeks perfectly and telling me how much they missed me?! It made my little heart melt!! <3
I love them. So much. And I've loved these past two weeks. I don't think I've ever been this happy for two consecutive weeks nonstop. I have great friends who love my silliness, I have amazingly intelligent and awesome students who adore me, I have a pool time daily and weekly beach excursions.
This is me living my dream life.
<3 XOXO
I love them. So much. And I've loved these past two weeks. I don't think I've ever been this happy for two consecutive weeks nonstop. I have great friends who love my silliness, I have amazingly intelligent and awesome students who adore me, I have a pool time daily and weekly beach excursions.
This is me living my dream life.
<3 XOXO
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