# 5 - Professional connections
With so many people turning to online tech & with work schedules being more flexible, I was able to connect with so many educators around North America. I was able to join Let's Talk Science's teacher ambassadors and give nationwide workshops. I continued to build up and deliver assessment workshops for Science World's STEAM days of summer. And I was able to have a few virtual meetings with staff at National Geographic Education around assessment and education. Through the National Geographic community, I was able to connect with Explorer Alec Jacobson who Zooms with grade 7/8s one a month to help guide them through their geo-inquiry projects. I also connected with many educators through Twitter and the Nat Geo community. Allison Fuisz has been an amazing connection and has inspired me to do great things. I have been awarded a 2000$ grant for podcasting equipment and a couple cameras for students to further grow our projects thanks to grant help I received from other Nat Geo teachers, such as Rachel Hansen who shared her podcasting knowledge with me.
# 4 - Moving to Squamish
I never lived in Squamish before, but I have spent so much time here over the past five years, that moving here felt like I was coming home. Especially in a year where so many events and activities are cancelled, I am so grateful to live in a place where I can be outside and where I am closer to friends. My new suite is in the home of dear friends which has made bubble life so much easier. I have amazing trails to bike and walk just outside my door. I am in a small school and teaching science - which is just the right amount of new and old to keep me on my toes. I am happy here.
# 3 - NZ and Australia trip
Although I had to cancel almost 5 months of travelling, I am so grateful for the time I did have. From the time I left at the end of January until I ended up back in Ontario at the end of March, I was able to explore new places and experience new things. Although each day was full of fun, what really stood out was having time to take care of my mental and physical health. I was active everyday - hiking, biking, kayaking, rafting. I was eating well, I was journaling. For the first time since my concussion, I went days without a headache. I also got check some pretty amazing items off my bucket list - I spent 2 nights under the incredible stars in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky reserve at Lake Tekapo. I hiked the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. I saw a Kangaroo in the wild with a Joey in it's pocket. I went surfing in Australia. I saw Carmen at the Sydney Opera house. I also had experiences that I didn't expect. I heard about the Australian bushfires from a 8 year old who had lost her home in them. I saw Brittany Hamilton surfing when I came across a competition in Manly. That month an a half was so full of self care and discovery. And I can't wait until I can get out and travel again and finish the trip I started.
# 2 - Connecting with friends, old and new
A big part of my trip was to catch up and reconnect with friends. Although I didn't get to see everyone, I was super stoked to meet up with my nanny housemates from my ski season in France. Although it had been 16 years since we had seen each other, it was like it was yesterday. I met up with Cassie and Del in Mount Maunganui in NZ, and Ayesha and Ben in Brisbane, Australia. Such great time remembering all the crazy fun we had together and catching up on how much our lives have changed since the last time we saw each other. I also got to catch up with a gang in Taupo, NZ - friends of friends, family of friends, and people I knew through social media - and I also got to visit with Oli in Tasmania. We had worked together on the mountain bike event team in Whistler, so it was great to get to see his bike shop and go biking with him. I also met a couple new friends that I am keeping connected with online until we can travel and visit again.
But I also found that being "stuck" at home has helped me connect more with friends that I haven't talked to for a while. Friends that once we started to catch up, it was like no time had passed. It made me realize that through we feel connected through social media, we see what is going on in others lives, but we only scratch the surface. Being able to actually chat with friends around the world has been awesome and I feel more connected to them now that I did before. I hope that this is one of the positive things to come from 2020, staying better connected.
# 1 - 4 months in Ontario with my family
When I realizes that I had to come back to Canada, one of the challenges was that I had given up my apartment, my stuff was all in storage and my furniture was being used by a friend until I got my new place in August. Although some friends did offer me a place to stay, in the end I ended up back in Sudbury, spending most of my time at my sisters house until we head to our family camp for the summer. It had been more than 15 years since I had been home to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries. When I do go home usually for Christmas or weddings or funerals, we are so busy. During this time, we got to sit and really talk. I found out more about my parents and grandparents, and got to be involved in my sisters and nephew's lives instead of watching them grow up online. I was there for E's first tooth, him learning to crawl, and taking his first steps. I got to see my Nonna, though the window at first but lucky to get a real visit as restrictions lifted the week before I left to return to BC.
I also spent a total of 50 days at camp. There is no wifi there and cell reception is spotty at best. I learnt to disconnect and to appreciate nature more. I swam 2 to 6 times a day, went canoeing and kayaking, and walked in the woods. I did every puzzle we owned, read, spent countless daytime hours in the hammock listening to podcasts I had downloaded in the city and countless nighttime hours staring at the stars. I tried to get better at photography - taking thousands of shots and keeping maybe 100 non blurry ones! I got to spend quiet time, time in nature, time listing to dad play the guitar.
I know that 2020 has been a challenge for so many people. I have had my own struggles too, but I feel like 2021 won't get better right away, so I am choosing to keep looking at the changes and opportunities that are coming my way and celebrating them.
What changes have you gone through in 2020 that were for the better?
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