I like the idea that I'm busy at work - actually, I love it! But I really need to be more contentious and take a walk to eat somewhere other than my desk. There's just something about getting away from work (literally) for a little while!
One day, I decided to walk out to the new picnic table (at the edge of campus, next to the Golf Course) to take one of my breaks. I had my book and my phone with me, but instead decided to sprawl out (as much as one can, being that the picnic table and benches are circular!) The sun was not at it's high (it was about 3:00pm), and I just looked at the clouds, the trees, the birds - anything but campus, my computer screen, etc.
Here are some pictures I snapped, as I spent my break just looking up:
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| When you only see what you want to see.... |
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| ...instead of really looking at an object for all it has to offer |
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| Okay, so this isn't up; it's out, but it still was relaxing! |
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| Blue skies! |
I've decided that I need to spent 10 minutes looking up, at least once a week! I went back to my office refreshed and feeling rested - even after such a short period of time!
In other news, Elizabeth has discovered how to take selfies on my phone... sigh. I thought we had another 10-15 years before this! And she is generally not allowed to just play with my phone. Nor do I teach her how to use it, or make a habit out of using it myself (except to take her pictures or FaceTime Grampy) when I'm with her. This is literally at least a 4-button sequence, and she nailed it. Enjoy the following selfies I found when I was looking for something else the other day....
Next week returns to "normal" at work for me, except for our annual retreat. But the big conference is over, and I get my sleep back next weekend - yay! It was a phenomenal conference, and I had standing room only in my second workshop! I received great feedback on it, and my co-worker, Dan (who volunteered to preview my content before I actually got up in front of other professionals to teach on it), even gave me a hug and said he was proud of me when the conference was over! That meant a lot to me, because I know it's high praise! Many people asked questions and all were involved in the discussion, I got a few laughs and a lot of nods, and even saw people taking notes! This was so encouraging to me, as I've never taught professional development before. Maybe I'll get a chance to do it again!
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| I got to meet and talk to Ciscoe Morris! He was our keynote speaker for the conference, and sat next to me in the large group session! Ahh!! |
As we speak, I'm listening for my jars of applesauce and blueberry jam to seal up on the counter. They are my last 2 entries for the Evergreen State Fair this year, and they are being dropped off tomorrow by Robert's co-worker and friend, Emily. I'm starting my day at East County Campus on Tuesday for the annual retreat, so this would be 4 trips to Monroe in 2 weeks for me, and since Em lives there, she agreed to drop off my canning entries. Yep, she's getting a Starbucks card! So grateful I don't have to do that drive in rush hour traffic tomorrow - yuck! My 1940s child's lawnchair restoration project was dropped off last weekend, as was my photography. I don't expect to place in anything, but am always excited to share my projects with others, and glean from judging and peer projects! If you've never entered anything in the fair, I encourage you to think about it and do it next year! Or, if you have any walk-up entries for canning/ food preservation, you can bring them tomorrow! Just make sure you read up on all the rules here.
It's already 11:30pm. Time for bed!
