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Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Balance...


Bringing “Balance” to My Life...
 
So, my ship has sailed on 2012 and it was an awesome year of learning for me.  The true professional growth in becoming a writer started this year-really!   My growth began when I took the Slice of Life Challenge in March of 2012 at Two Writing Teachers.  I have so many great people to thank for encouraging words and kindness during that month.  I want to personally thank Ruth, Stacey, Michelle, Linda, Dana, Maria, Terje, Anita, Lynn,  Cathy , Donna and Diana and so many others as well.  The month of writing, posting and commenting each day was challenging and rewarding at the same time.  I didn’t meet the goal of posting each day for the month-as life sometimes happens…but I did learn so much about myself as a writer (weaknesses and strengths).  I also learned a great deal from the writing community as a whole and continued to add stories through the Weekly Slice of Life here on my blog, The "Rudd"er!

During the month of April, with use of my rudder, I learned more about and becoming a user of Twitter.  Fellow slicers Michelle and Cathy posted Twitter advice on their blogs that helped me to understand it better and how to use it.  I am still learning but it’s been a great tool to further my professional growth.  After I attended digi-camp in the summer, where I learned even more about Twitter, I also became involved in learning about TweetChats!  I learned how to join in and participate in chats to gain even more knowledge about teaching and learning with varying topics.  I now try to participate weekly in the #1stchat TweetChat on Sunday nights.  Through the chats, I met even more great twitter peeps-great teachers like Karen, Kristen, Kathy, Laura, Val, Kristin, Kathy and Jenni to name a few tweeps there…

Then, came Pinterest.  With signing up for Pinterest, again, thanks to Michelle I had to increase the need for even more balance in my life.  I love Pinterest and could literally be lost for hours looking at all of the great ideas that people have pinned and shared with it.  I now set a timer for 15 minutes and after that I have to sign out-unless it’s on a night when I can’t sleep at which time there will be no timer set!  J

The big push in becoming even better at writing and teaching writing came when I got involved with Teachers Write-a virtual summer writing camp for teachers and librarians via Kate Messner’s Blog.  I learned so much by participating in the writing I did via prompts posted throughout the summer. I feel fortunate that I was introduced to more authors of great children’s literature and even started following some of them on Twitter.  I finally worked to keep the writers notebook I started with the Slice of Life Challenge and referred to it as I started Writer’s Workshop with my students. 

It’s been such a year of learning for me-but my one little word has to be balance.  I need to balance all of this professional learning with my personal life too, as I have a great husband, son and daughter who need me as well.  Oh, and one more little part of balance, I hope to read more as well.  As 2012 is now history, this reflective slice on the sailing that occurred is to remind me that in 2013, I must remember “balance” in my life!  What’s your one little word for 2013?

Here's my post in wordle...I think it's interesting that Learning came out to be one of the biggest words!
Created with Tagxedo Creator http://www.tagxedo.com/app.html
 

31 comments:

  1. What a wonderful year of learning 2012 has been!

    Balance is so important. That was my OLW one year (I think 2008). It was SO helpful! That was the year I really changed my life for the better.

    Happy new year to you and yours!

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    1. Thanks Stacey!
      Best Wishes for a Happy and Peace-filled Bedtime New Year!

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  2. Balance was my word last year :-) I hope it will guide you when making choices, it helped me. I'm still mulling over my word.

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    1. I hope you are right about this word guiding me in making choices. I need balance for sure.

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  3. This is a really good word....I'm still considering MY word....but finding balance is a so important as we try to keep our multiple intersecting identities in check and growing at the same time! Happy Balanced New Year to you and your family.

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    1. Thanks Anita! Hope you find your little word...it's out there somewhere-just waiting to be picked! :)

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  4. 2012 was an awesome learning year for you. I have still to really try twitter - I will check out those how-tos.
    Balance I have used in the past and it really helped. May your word help you maintain balance all year!
    Happy New Year

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    1. Thanks Bev!
      Twitter is great-using it mainly to grow professionally and challenge myself as a teacher.

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  5. What a year of learning it has been...you have tried everything out and grown from the experiences. Wonderful!

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    1. Thanks Tara!
      I still have much learning to do, but for the most part, I can say that I grew tremendously this year!

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  6. You really pack a lot into one year! I am impressed! I am looking forward to reading how balance will enrich your life this year. Happy New Year!

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    1. Thanks Jaana!
      Looking forward to continuing on with our Slice of Life Community!
      Happy New Year to you too!

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  7. Wow, impressive learning. You went far beyond just writing SOL. I hope that 2013 will be equally exciting and thanks to your OWL you will enjoy it fully.
    Happy New Year!

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    1. Thanks Terje!
      Have you decided on your OLW yet? I checked your blog and didn't see it...
      Happy New Year to you!

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    2. Still choosing. I can see that I called the one little word an owl again. Funny how I keep making the same mistake over and over.

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  8. I'm glad you joined us for Slice of Life and kept writing this year. I've been blessed by you. BALANCE is an exceptional word, especially through the lens of social networks. Good luck on your journey.
    Ruth

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    1. Thanks Ruth-
      You're such an inspiration to so many! I like that you picked Shine-it's exceptional and fits you perfectly!

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  9. Wow, Amy, you did so much this past year, so I can see why the OLW needs to be 'balance'. There is so much out there to do that is fun & learning all rolled into one. I am on twitter occasionally, but just don't have time to do more (so far). I'm looking forward to seeing how your year works this 2013, & wish you a very happy one!

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    1. Thanks Linda!
      Wishing you a Happy 2013 as well! I like your word too-comfort...still thinking of it.

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  10. Amy,I have enjoyed your writing this year. I hope this year is filled with balance. You have accomplished a lot this past year. All the best, Pamela.

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    1. Pamela,
      Thank you-I think it's so funny that you wrote about the toilet seat being blue-I have spent a lot more time in the bathroom lately since Natalie is potty training now and the more I think about the seat, the more it makes me laugh! :)
      Happy 2013!

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  11. Can I just say ditto?! I have been alongside you learning, too. I did the month of slices, then Teachers Write! I Am slow to Twitter. I'm signed up, but I get lost with the posts. Many of them don't make sense to me. I haven't gone to Pinterest much either because of the very reason you wrote, it's a time-sucker. I have started Poetry Friday which I love. You should join us. This teacher writing community has become very special to me. I am learning so much and meet some great people who hold me up and keep me writing. All my best for our continued cooperative learning in 2013. Thanks!

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    1. yes, Margaret, we did spend a lot of time learning together this year huh?
      I am always inspired by your words-you have such a way of putting them together to beautifully!
      Happy New Year!

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  12. Amy this is great, really great. What a year you've had too. I love that you've chosen BALANCE as your little word too. I've struggled with finding balance most of my adult life. I have way too many interests and passions and I love to pursue them all. I'll certainly need help from my twitter friends like you to help me stay in balance. Wishing you all the best for 2013. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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    1. Thanks Karen!
      Looking forward to helping each other this year!

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  13. Amy, what an awesome reflection of your learning this year! So glad to have helped out in the process (without really knowing it!) and only wish we could be learning side-by-side through conversation and lots of laughs, I'm sure!

    Balance is a GREAT little word! There is so much to learn and so many to learn from that I can easily caught up in it all and then remember that my husband (who has been waiting patiently) is asleep on the couch. Oops. I need to work on that balancing act too!

    Looking forward to hearing about your journey of balance this year and I'm glad I'm along for the ride, learning right beside you! Happy new year to you!

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    1. Thanks Michelle!
      Obviously, after looking at the wordle, you can see that "Michelle" is a bit larger-more influential, more impactful on my professional growth this year!
      I really am grateful for your kindness, encouragement, and educational saviness that you bring to learners like me! So glad to have met you through the TWT community!

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    2. Ah, didn't even notice my name. I'm not even sure I've ever made a "wordle" before, so this is exciting! :) I'm so glad we met as well and thank you for all your sharing. This is what true learning is all about - conversations, even if via social media! Hey we are living and working in the 21st century. It's amazing what we are learning every day -- and I know I'm still light years behind on the tech! But we have to "balance" all that we can.

      Continue learning. Continue sharing.

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  14. I decided to go with "balance" as well. I end up diving into too many things, and then lose focus on the time I need to rest, reflect (and exercise, crap)

    Thanks for a wonderful supportive year to you, too!

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    1. Maria,
      Glad to hear you picked your word! I think it's a good one to focus on for this year. I saw on twitter that you already wrote posts today and have them ready to go! Way to start off right!

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