Week 1 – May 15, 2023 – Starting All Over Again
A new beginning. I welcome this moment. I spent many years in my adult life numb and thinking that I am doing what I was suppose to be doing. The next chapter was “My Pedagogical Journey.” It was the first time I took to find myself. I left my K-12 teaching position, I was working on my doctorate, and I was a mom. I experienced many changes during that time. I was a school trustee, I finished my doctorate, and my mom passed away. Soon after, I got a term position to teach at a university in Northern BC, I left my family, and I fell into a work culture I was not familiar with.
After my first year, I was not sure if I wanted to come back. I renewed my contract but that year the faculty association went on strike, we quickly pivoted to remote learning, and my marriage ended. During the pandemic, I engaged in a weekly blog starting at https://christineyounghusband.com/ and concluding on this website. The weekly blog started as something to entertain myself and work on my writing skills, but after 164 weeks, the reflective blog became more of a cognitive routine. During this blog, I wrote many posts contemplating and wondering about what’s important to me. Many ups and downs, but here we are again at a new beginning.
Although I did not write the 4 remaining blogs posts to conclude the “Pandemic Reflections” due to my absence during my Italy trip and wrote a summative blog instead, I felt compelled to come back to my blog to reflect the week and maybe grieve the end of one chapter and welcome a new one. I just listened to a podcast episode with Jane Fonda on Armchair Expert and the promises she made on the last chapter of her life at 60, I am inspired to do the same as I approach 60 as well. I have a few years, but I am very aware of the next chapter of my life and how do I want to live my third chapter. I am finally arriving and I’m not going to waste it.
I have learned many lessons over 5-decades, 5-years, 5-months, and 5-days. I am so grateful to have experienced Italy with two amazing people for two weeks. I never laughed so hard. It was my first time to travel abroad without family. I am learning about my independence, my ego, and my capacity. Humbling, for sure, but we are already planning TURIN 2025. We are going back. I can’t wait. And, I am committed to training (for the “hike” and) for a 10K run (or maybe half marathon). I need a life change even though my life has been changing. The difference is, I want to make these choices because I want to make these choices. That’s it. 🙂
The last year with teacher candidates has been absolutely amazing. It was my small crew from EDUC 490 and EDUC 491 and the elementary cohort the year following. I had no idea what was possible. They taught me what was possible. I will cherish their courage, kindness, and honesty. It’s tough to describe when you are working with a group and they are walking WITH you (i.e., beside me). I feel honoured and overwhelmed by your generosity and your gifts. You make me very hopeful and excited for the students in K-12. They will be so lucky to have you as their teacher. I feel so lucky to have you as my teacher. Thank you so much!!!
And the photo above… aka. being with my kid. I am so grateful to live with my kid over the last 2-years. The three years prior were chaos, traumatizing, and broken. We took our time together to heal, love, and learn. She just finished her first year in the nursing program. She’s becoming to be an amazing adult. She’s independent. She’s generous, kind, and loving. Yesterday during Mother’s Day was awesome. She treated me like a Queen. “What do you want to do today, Mom?” I want to be by the water. How about going to Westlake? She says, “ok, let’s have a picnic.” Damn. This gesture made my day. Not only did she surprise me with gifts the night before after picking me up from the airport, she took me out for a Keg dinner.
I wondered what this “new beginning” will be. I have so much to be grateful for. So, I think this will be the GRATITUDE JOURNAL. It will be a weekly blog. I will reflect on my week. But, I will focus on what I am grateful for. Admittedly, I have gratitude for the challenges and the unexpected. I appreciate the opportunity to learn but also speak truth and stand up for myself. It’s always a good test. I think that I will continue my exploration about WHAT I VALUE. The #pandemicreflection was more about what’s important to me (i.e., my friends, family, and happiness) and now I am going to delve deep into my values. I think the end of this blog reflection series will be when I achieve tenure, promotion, or significant career/life change.
The ending of this blog series is arbitrary. When I started the #pandemicreflection I thought that I would only write about 10-blog posts, but it turned out to be about 150 more. Who knew? Not me (or anyone). I don’t want to make this blog series work related, but it is on my WordPress site that I use as an exemplar for work. Seems appropriate. I was just reflecting today that I am in a good place. I love my work, I love the people I get to work with, and I love to learn something new. I am always learning and I think that’s what keeps me in this work. I feel grateful to be where I am and I am very grateful for my mom (and dad) who got me here today.
I don’t believe in “perfect”… things could be worse… and I’m happy where I am.
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