You really must check out Sandi’s blog: FLAMIDWYFE. You will see a woman of courage, strength, resilience, and persistence (possibly stubbornness?).
I’d watched the couple a long time … obviously in love .. or lust … but that doesn’t matter … there was an easy closeness between them that made me smile. They were out on the beach early … in the near dark before the sun came up. He’d had his arms wrapped around her protectively. When the sun came up fully she slowly rose and greeted the morning.
In June, I spent a fascinating day wandering around Shanghai with a incredible woman I’d met through this blog (Exploring Shanghai With Flamidwyfe).
I spent another day with Sandi, this time in Florida, USA. Last week, I participated in a workshop in on Miami Beach, learning IB teaching methodology; Sandi, who had recently returned to the states after finishing her gig in China, joined me at the very comfortable (luxurious) resort. You must understand, however, that while Sandi was toasting her toes poolside, I was holed up in the nether regions below ground. Check out her blog entry.
Sandi (not to be confused with the hurricane, although she exudes strength and power that could stand up to any storm) and I spent the evening sharing a bottle of wine and years of stories.
While Hurricane Sandy was gathering energy to cause devestation further north, we were gifted with a glorious pastel sunset as a result of her passage near South Florida.
Sunset, Miami Beach, October 27, 2012
Next post: Sunrise
SWEET!
200 of you are following my blog! Well, that is just incredible.
Over the past year I’ve talked with people from all over the world and I find that fascinating. I’ve shared with you and you have shared with me. I’ve even met one of you in person (Sandi, otherwise known as flamidwyfe)
Some of you have nominated me for awards lately and I’m honored. Soon, very soon, I will accept and pass along the honor.
Love to all of you,
~Mona
A quick post before getting ready for work this morning: I had my pre-observation conference yesterday…my chance to show my evaluator (aka my principal) that I know how to write a lesson plan, that I use data to back up my choice of assessments and activities (I won’t bore you with any more details). The point is this: I worked at least 10 hours on this document and on the lesson that will be observed tomorrow. Hence, I got little sleep over the weekend and nearly fell asleep during 6th period yesterday. I said nearly.
I hit the sack as soon as I got home about 5 PM and gratefully fell asleep. However, my body woke up at 1 AM. I attempted sleep for 2 hours, gave it up at 3 AM, did some work, read some blogs, and read To Kill a Mockingbird because some of my students are reading it.
Now, my body is crying to return to bed and sleep. Alas, I have to take it to work (a 30 minute drive) and force it to be “on” for my students. I’m getting too old for this job.
By the way, for the class to be observed, I’m employing the skills I’ve learned while blogging. I set up a blog, We Read, Think, and Write, for my students to respond to their chosen novels and they will participate in that activity tomorrow (some have already posted their thoughts about the books). In addition, they will use my school website for their in-class and homework assignment. Ms. Howard’s Freshman Honors English. I hope it works.
