Author: Margaret Murray

Why planking? Planking improves our posture and stability as well as strengthens that mid core that we all strive to have. It’s imperative that your form is correct.

Started this challenge November 1st by planking the first week for one minute daily. The second week increased each plank by 30 seconds. Now third week will be two minutes. By fourth week two and a half minutes will be the challenge. Also, I include the Russian twist with a 20 pound weight. Stronger core will definitely improve my balance and summer running. Anna Kaiser, a celebrity trainer from NYC states, “ planking forces you to stabilizes you body and engages your core.” We can all do this…be committed!

I walked out with several useful ideas from a

First day of Fall arrived with a slight chill in the air however, sunshine peeked through the blue skies as I hurried off to school. It’s majestic to experience this season with leaves turning in splashes of yellow, orange and red. I was thankful that the day stayed seasonally warm enough for us to walk 12km in our neighbourhood trails.

This season also creates that warm feeling of layering up with cozy clothing. Wearing big comfy sweaters, paired with a collection of plaid wool infinity scarves and boyfriend faded jeans makes me happy. And yes, I indulged with a Pumpkin Spiced Latte and a tasty piece of chocolate.

Nothing adds a hint of fall feeling like seeing front doorsteps using pumpkins of all sizes as decorations. We know it’s Fall when we hear neighbours raking leaves and seeing little ones jumping into the raked piles. They are so excited to hear the crispy crunch of those dried brown leaves.

This is also the season to embrace as we think about Thanksgiving where we gather with our families and friends to enjoy the bountiful fall harvest and taste two of our Fall recipes: butternut squash and fresh apple crisp. Experience the magnificent Fall colours, glance to the healthy side, lace up a pair of comfy runners and hike a trail or two.

September approached quickly and a sense of sadness was in my eyes when I realized I was leaving behind beautiful summer memories. However, excitement mounted as I drove off to school September 6th to meet new groups of high school students and to discover what memories they made for themselves during the past two months. Ed Sheeran’s song Photograph (we made these memories for ourselves) was playing softly in the background when students walked into my classroom.

To begin each semester, it is imperative that we focus building rapport with our students, establish expectations and provide strategies to motivate them to learn in engaging and meaningful classrooms. Introducing myself to kids through the use of photographs taken during the summer created a sense of story for them. Later, students wrote in their writer’s notebook their story about who they are as individuals and included information about themselves as a reader and a writer. I wanted to establish the first day that reading and writing matters and through this process I would discover something about them as a learner.

The second day I read two books to my students namely: The Little Boy From Jamaica and What Do You Do With an Idea. These two children’s books include powerful messages that everyone can relate to and provides a sense of inquiry to our learning. Students engaged in meaningful conversations to me about someone who has believed in their learning and has been a positive support to them in their educational journey. These stories provide a landscape for us to be open and honest in our daily writing. A semester goal for us to work through together is to incorporate a technology-based three minute digital biography presentation which includes details about their early childhood years, hobbies, interests and future goals.

Motivating students to read daily for 20 minutes in each of my classes establishes the idea that reading is important. Students visited the library and signed out a novel of their choice. I also read a book during this time. Later in the week students share with their table group the highlights of their novel and how making connections to what they are reading is important.

One week of classes and memories were made for each of us. It was a busy, productive and fun week. I am looking forward to what the year holds.

Midway through August and the morning air is slightly cooler than our intense heat of July. However, sitting outside on our deck and relishing a cup of coffee is so divine. Some of us are still reading books while others are taking in the Back to School sales in newspapers.

The other day I was sharing my childhood story to a friend about summer holidays on the island and they were not that different from today’s kids summers. School usually closed June 23rd with a picnic and birthday invitations were given out while riding home on the school bus. I attended a few summer birthday parties where we would play outdoor games, enjoy hotdogs and cake and open each other’s gifts. Fun memories are lasting!

Other summer activities included attending one week of swimming lessons at the YMCA in Charlottetown in which we were bused to and from our lessons. Special friendships were formed while sitting with the same little friends daily on the bus.

Two weeks of my summer included attending a vacation camp where we learned how to make arts and crafts. My early childhood friend’s mom would drive us daily to the day camp. I always remembered that she had better snacks than me however, being friends we shared like sisters. The best snack was celery sticks with loads of cheese whiz and apple slices with a dash of peanut butter. We were kids and loved these healthy snacks.

I grew up on a family farm where my father would bale hay and my mom attended to the gardening of both flowers and vegetables. My cousin and I would love to hide out in the garden where we would pick the cucumbers but mostly eat them before they made it to the fridge. Also, picking apples was a favourite past time activity and making homemade apple sauce, and apple pie with my grandmother were great times.

The last two weeks of August always brought loads of excitement because time was drawing near for returning to school. This meant that I would choose a new outfit from the Sears Catalogue. Whatever the model was showcasing on the front cover was my first choice. Ordering it prior to my August 28th birthday and arriving just in time for school was the routine. School supplies were not the extensive list that I notice today. New pack of Hilroy scribblers and a few pencils were in our backpacks and ready for the first day of school.

Returning to school was exciting because we were placed in classes with a few of our friends. It was fun sharing my childhood summer holidays with a friend over coffee.

Cherish those glory days of summer.

Spending a day with one of our nieces was truly an exceptional day that both of us will remember. Amelia and I embarked on our day with an hour of quiet time at Folio Cafe where we chatted about which animals and birds we would encounter at Assiniboine Park Zoo. We explored the journey to Churchill and the polar bear tundra for an extended period of time because it was fascinating for both of us. Something new for Amelia was the touring of the horse centre. She watched closely as the owners groomed the horses. Finally, two percheron horses were hitched to a wagon and  toured us through worn down paths.

Another fascinating part of the zoo visit included Amelia’s all time favourite…exploring the Shirley Richardson butterfly garden. This exhibit included a variety of butterfly species and here, Amelia’s curiosity heightened. She concentrated on chasing and attracting beautiful butterflies to land on flowering plants. The peaceful garden features many perennial and annual flowers and many children were fascinated with the fluttering butterflies.

A transit trip downtown and to the Forks kept Amelia entertained to the point that she said, “my legs are tired.”  However, she perked up when we ordered her all time favourite…a sugary gooey cinnamon bun from Tall Grass Prairie Deli.

A full day of excitement and wonder winded down for us when we sat under a huge tree in our neighbourhood and I read one of Amelia’s favourite books. She listened intently to the story and as well practiced her gymnastic moves.

Waking up to bright sunshine and deciding how to spend summer days is a rewarding experience. Each day I look at accomplishing something different. Monday, I relived my childhood and picked strawberries in the farmers’ fields. This trip brought so much joy and peace as well as an abundance of berries. My hands were filled with juicy berries in no time and my baskets were overflowing.

Walking in the neighbourhood has provided a time for girlfriends to reconnect from busy school lives. Discovering current topics to discuss and to listen to each other unravel stories is engaging but it’s also an opportunity to breathe in fresh air and improve fitness levels.

Rising at 5:00am for a midweek fitness boot camp was invigorating. Instructor Craig  diligently inspired us and within 60 minutes our energy was cranked. To be successful at these classes, we must also apply our mind. Challenging each other to participate in five different intensity classes increases our adrenaline and gets us into the “zone.”

Cheering our Winnipeg Blue Bombers to a spanking win over the Toronto Argonauts was a fabulous game on a summer night and thanks to our friends for the invite. It was so rip-roaring to witness a touchdown within one minute of the first quarter. Experiencing spectators in the stands, and at the Pinnacle Lounge added a sense of nightlife to the true “Blue and Gold” fans.

Engaging in weekend activities sparked energy into our lives. Walking the “hazelnut trail” at one of our provincial parks provided us with a time to relish nature and absorb the warmth of the rays on our faces. Seeing happy little faces waiting in line to feed the billy goats a carrot stick reminded me that hey “Billy” is my spirited animal. He was so curious and loved the attention from everyone around him. An  afternoon came to an end with a healthy lunch at the favourite Pineridge Hollow.

Pursuing the opportunity to attend one of Canada’s 150 celebrations at the Winnipeg Art Gallery…Picasso in Canada was informative and engaging. Pablo Picasso, a Spanish painter was known as one of the best artists in the 20th century. He created over 22,000 works of art in a variety of mediums including watercolours, drawings, prints, and ceramics. He co-invented Cubism with Georges Braque. Picasso first exhibited his cubist paintings in the UK. His ability to moderate nature and character to cylinders, spheres and cones was noteworthy.

Picasso loved the sea. He had many rough affairs, outstanding achievements, and heartbreaks, however, he was respected as a genius. I learned that Picasso’s life and work has a strong message – that most geniuses albeit their creative talents, should never be married.

Pausing to reflect on the astounding MOMENTS that occurred this past school year were celebrated at this year’s KEC’s convocation. Graduating students sang a few phrases from Dr. Seuss’ famous book Oh The Places You’ll Go followed by a trustee articulating about his all time favourite graduation gift from his family…a suitcase. Both of these ideas resonated with me because I graduated from UPEI and accepted a teaching job far away from home in which I required many suitcases. To this day, I never regretted taking the opportunity that has brought me to where I am today…teaching students is my passion.

Another reflection that was shared at convocation to the 2017’s graduating class were a few distinct lines from Luke Bryan’s song Fast…you think you’re going to catch your big dreams like that and here you are, looking back, sixty seconds now feels like thirty…sand through the glass sure falls in a hurry, and all you keep trying to do is slow it down, soak it in, trying to make the good times last as long as you can…hit pause…our lives just goes too Fast.

Let’s forge ahead to take on novel challenges and pursue unique opportunities, learn state-of-the-art things and develop a growth mindset that will inspire others to teach, lead, and learn.

One week ago thousands of Manitoba Marathon runners endured the inclement cooler weather on Father’s Day. Running in the rain was a first for me and I thought, “No stopping now…stride forward and run my best for the team.”  Running is a mental mindset. Accumulating positive thoughts leading up to the race benefits tremendously. Many age groups were represented at the start lines including fathers, daughters, sons and many friends racing together to improve their personal best, embracing the body that they have, choosing to get active, learning to run, and increasing their distance were conversations that I overheard while keeping to the beat before the countdown.

Running is an admirable way to achieve fitness goals, get outdoors and also to socialize. Our relay team captain is a business colleague of Darryl’s and last year we met while running Wellington Crescent. An invite to participate with the Laidlaw Laggards relay team has now become an annual event.

Running is more than being competitive…inspiration, support, motivation, and friendship. Our team name has come alive since our record time this year was 3:41…a five minute difference in one year. The journey of running continues…setting small attainable goals helps us to push ourselves further and further.