"Leisure"

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In my very own intra-personal quest for time - "quality" time-, I recollected this lovely poem I learnt many years ago.

May it serve as a kind of oasis to all those of us who think days should be 48-hours- long instead of 24-hours-long!

Take your time to enjoy it!

"Leisure"

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What is this life if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare.

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No time to stand beneath the boughs

and stare as long as sheep or cows.

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No time to see, in broad daylight,

Streams full of starts, like skies at night.

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No time to turn at Beauty's glance,

and watch her feet, how they can dance.

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No time to wait till her mouth can

Enrich that smile her eyes began.

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A poor life this if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare.

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By Wm. Henry Davies

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Happy Kid's Day!

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"The kids are absolutely magnificent.

It's incredible. The spontaneity, the beauty.

Even though children nowadays don't have a lot of innocence

in their lives anymore,

they still come to us with childlike innocence,

beauty, joy of life, the excitement of living.

As a teacher,

I get to share a little bit of it".

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By Nancy Brice

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(Greg Henry Quinn, 365 Meditations for Teachers)

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May we all have a wonderful kid's day on Sunday, together - either physically, or spiritually - with all the children that enrich our lives daily and make our existence a wonderful gift:

our own daughters and sons,

our grandchildren,

our nieces and nephews,

our godchildren,

our friends' children,

our neighbours,

our students,

all of them!

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Happy Kid's Day!

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So long!

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English in Action at SHARE Convention

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Last week I was, once again, filled with pride to be part of Susan Hillyard's Dream Team: English in Action.

Susan and part of the team carried out a presentation at SHARE Convention, organised by Omar Villarreal and his people in Buenos Aires.

We were welcomed and greeted by many friendly and familiar faces, and we all felt at home.

Our audience was receptive, playful and deeply moved towards the end of our session, especially after we shared a video with photos of out students in the different places where we teach English to SEN students through story-drama and action sacks: Hospital Garrahan, Orphanages, Escuelas Domiciliarias and Escuelas de Recuperacion.

This project has been designed together with, and is carried out with the support of the Ministerio de Educacion de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires.

I personally want to thank Susan, all my colleagues from the Dream Team, Omar and his people, and our lovely audience for being there.

Those of you who know me, know that I am very tall. Sometimes, however, I feel really small in this world. On such days I remember Tolkien's words from The Lord of the Rings:

"Even the smallest person can change the course of the future"

We may be small, or few, but we are growing stronger ...

and stronger ...

and stronger...

Have a great school week!

So long!

Back to classes on Monday!

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After two weeks of enjoying warm evenings by the fireplace and late mornings in bed, we go back to school this coming Monday.

It is the beginning of "new times," hopefully with renewed energy and ideas.

Whenever I "Stop & Stare" I remember a lovely "poem" I want to share with you today.

This "poem" is believed to have been written originally by an American poet called Nadine Stair, though it was mistakenly attributed to Jorge Luis Borges ("Instantes") at one point.

Whatever the case is, I believe it serves my purpose in wanting to convey an idea of calmed pleasure, necessary to start the second part of the year.

It is my strong believe that we always make the best choices with the resources we have at the time. I believe it is easy and unfair to ourselves to have many regrets later in life. Still, I like to remind myself of this "poem" from time to time to remember the things I want more of, as well as the things I want less of, from now on. It is from that point of view, and with this spirit, that I want to share this "poem" with you.

I hope you like it, and I hope it can help us "Stop & Stare" whenever we feel we are drowning in the ordinary and daily flood of our mission: being teachers - wherever, whoever and whatever it is that we teach.

Love, stories and energy!

So long!

If I had my life to live over...

...I'd dare to make more mistakes next time.

I'd relax. I would limber up.

I would be sillier than I have been on this trip.

I would take fewer things seriously.

I would take more chances.

I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers.

I would eat more icecream and less beans.

I would perhaps have more actual troubles,

but I'd have fewer imaginary ones.

You see, I'm one of those people who live sensibly and sanely,

hour after hour, day after day.

Oh, I've had my moments, and if i had it to do over again,

I'd have more of them.

In fact, I'd try to have nothing else.

Just moments, one after another,

instead of living so many years ahead of each day.

I've been one of those persons who never goes anywhere

without a thermometer, a hot-water bottle,

a raincoat, and a parachute.

If I had to do it again,

I would travel lighter than I have.

If I had my life to live over,

I would start barefoot early in the spring

and stay like that late in the fall.

I would go to more dances.

I would ride more merry-go-rounds.

I would pick more daisies.

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Better late than never!

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When exactly seven days have gone by since Friend's Day, I wish you all a HAPPY (BELATED) FRIEND'S DAY!!

As a present to you all...here is a selection of my very favourite quotes on friends and friendship.

Hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoy having you nearby.

So long!

What is a friend?

A single soul dwelling in two bodies.

Aristotle

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A friend may well be reckoned

the masterpiece of nature.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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One can do without people,

but one has need of a friend.

Chinese Wisdom

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Of all the gifts that a wise providence

grants us to make life full and happy

friendship

is the most beautiful.

Epicurus

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Laughter is not at all a bad

beginning for a friendship,

and it is by far

the best ending for one.

Oscar Wilde

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Story Fields at Colegio Beth in Palermo

Last week I was very glad to be part of The Book Week at Beth School in Palermo. This event takes place every year at the Kindergarten of this prestigious school.

I was warmly and generously welcomed by the kids -from Kinder 4 and 5- their teachers, helpers, librarian and of course coordinator Silvina Riganti.

Thank you all and see you soon!

So long!!!

Hot Chocolate and Stories to Welcome Winter at Dynamic

On June 25th I very happily Welcomed Winter with stories, hot chocolate and friends at Dynamic English Centre in Belgrano.

A big and warm thank you to all the Dynamic students, parents and friends and above all to Romina Muse for such a lovely afternoon together.

So long!!

And Welcome Winter!