Over the summer, my son attended a variety of camps: soccer, baseball, zoo, aquatic, etc. They were all great experiences for him, kept him engaged during the day while I worked and introduced him to new skills, kids, adults, and routines. The last camp of the summer was by far his favorite, technology camp where he was exposed to what goes into programming a video game. Heaven for an eight year old.
On the last day, they held a parent showcase and I went to see his project, meet the instructors and get a glimpse into what his life had been like during his geek week. I was already impressed with the professionalism, organization and friendliness of the staff, but what impressed me the most was that at no less than three times during the parent showcase program, the kids were asked to acknowledge other campers by pointing out qualities and attributes they found helpful, likable, and worth mentioning. I beamed as I heard other kids acknowledge my son for things like being a good friend, a good helper and good at helping them figure out solutions. But when it was kiddo’s turn to return the acknowledgments, I was even prouder to see him easily share his gratitude for other kids he had only just met; understanding that he was better because of them.
I was impressed with this camp for integrating this into their curriculum, impressing it upon these kids, who will before we know it – be decision makers, leaders – the importance of recognizing others for their uniqueness, their contributions and their part in the larger whole.
I feel the same about the blogosphere; I had no idea when I first began here, the degree to which other bloggers support each other. It’s remarkable, really. I work in an environment where this is a missing piece to a large extent, and so perhaps for me it is more glaring, more obvious. I think the blogging community has much to teach what is often referred to as the ‘real world’.
And so, with that, I acknowledge – with a big thank you – Rhonda {Help Me Rhonda} and Amber {The Smile Scavenger} for passing along the torch of recognition known as the Seven Things About Me blog award – you both are amazing and I am so grateful to have found both of you here on the wordscape of blogland.
And in case you were wondering, I can do the math, so together, you get 4-teen.
It’s harder than it seems [right Rhonda?] to come up with seven, if not 14, things that would be remotely interesting to all of you. I mean, you couldn’t possibly want to know that on a high school ski trip, I rode up the chair lift with a ski instructor/emergency responder, whom I told I was a newbie, and whom reassured me he’d make sure I was fine, that at the moment we needed to jump off the lift chair, he caused me – and him – to fall, a split leg roll over backwards under the chair, tangling of our skies, causing the people on the chair behind us to also fall. And then, only to see him get up, in a huff, without helping me, and ski off down the run? Or, that my illustrious career in shoplifting began and ended when I was five years old? No, those are not the kind of things you were hoping to learn, were you?
So, of course there are some rules I must follow.
Thank the blogger who nominated you :: Rhonda, Amber, thank you for passing the torch of generosity!
Share 7 14 things about yourself :: 2 down, 12 to go…
Nominate other bloggers* you think deserve the award and post on their blog to let them know. It’s my hope to highlight bloggers I haven’t shared before with you here, and keep your eyes open…there just might be some more love to share around another corner.
So, I threw in an extra one. A bonus, you might think, but one of them is a myth; can you spot the one that is not true?
3. Apparently I go blank when asked to share 7 things about myself, as that is exactly what happened when Rhonda and Amber passed along this lovely blog award.
4. I often use the term enigma to describe myself; I am this and I am also that. I love monochrome and bright bursts of color; I am an introvert, but walk easily in extrovert shoes; I like sweet and I like salty [better if together!], I am a goof-ball with a serious, introspective side; I plan and I procrastinate; I am sarcastic and I am sensitive; I am a leader and I am happy to follow [as long as I believe in whom I follow].
5. I blush way too easily, and when I realize I am blushing, I just blush more. And I hate it!
6. I have no musical talent whatsoever, but music helps me interpret the world around me and my own feelings.
7. I dropped out of the Brownies when I was 8. After my parents bought the whole uniform set for me. Including the watch.
8. I envy those who wear their heart on their sleeve; mine tends to hang out in my pocket.
9. I played basketball in high school.
10. I have run two marathons and four half marathons.
11. In the 8th grade, I played on the school softball team and it was last inning, last ups, we were down 1, bases were loaded, 2 outs and I was up. I struck out. And yes, I am over it, sort of.
12. I got the chicken pox on my 17th birthday.
13. I dream of learning how to paint one day.
14. I learned how to drive on a ’66 mustang with no power steering and a cast on my right arm, with my older brother as my teacher. And yes, I am right handed.
15. I broke both arms at the same time in college, the night before final exams. And no, that’s not when I learned to drive.
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* I hope you enjoy the acknowledgement that I think you are super, and smile when I see a new post from you in my inbox, or a comment on a post. It is entirely up to you to sit and savor this or turn it into a post of your own; please know you are under no obligation from me. Cheers!
BonsEye 