Life Long Learning

"Leadership and learning are indispensable to each another." -John F. Kennedy

As my time as a student draws to a close, I've been thinking a lot about the concept of lifelong learning. In fact, today, it was brought up during teacher-training. "As educators," the assistant headmaster explained, "we have a responsibility to our students to keep learning and continuing our personal development and growth." Since graduating, I have wholeheartedly missed the structure for learning that the academic setting provided me; now I must create my own structure.

The question is: how? Thus far, I've dabbled in several different things--cooking with new techniques and recipes, reading design articles that Hack Design emails me, listening to CoffeeBreak French Podcasts (These are my favorite!), and of course trying my hand at a little bit of computer coding too. The only thing my list lacks is reading.

Lately, I've been really convicted about my (lack of) reading habits. Even though I majored in English literature, I do not have the best reading habits. Shocking, I know, but true. I do read occasionally, but not quite with the same enthusiasm that I did when I was younger. However, as a leader, and now an educator(!!!), this area of my life is becoming increasingly more and more critical to cultivate and maintain; I have no excuse not to.

I've definitely found the lack of structure and accountability post-education to be challenging to work around, but through trial and error, I am figuring out tips and tricks that work best for me--like borrowing books so that I have to return them (finished and with interesting comments) within a decent time frame. Or posting my current book on Friday stats, or convincing my friends to read the same book(s) with me, or even roping Jake in for those loving reminders and encouragement that he is so good at giving. Continuing education is not easy, but with discipline and a lot of help, it can be done. And you don't even need to go to class!

Img. Credit: Death to Stock Photo Photography

Welcome to Farm-Life

Farm life isn't all that it's cracked up to be. In fact, farm-life is a lot of work! Maybe you knew this already; but we sure got a taste of it while we were there!

^ These guys...........

These little sheep look quite harmless, but in fact, they are are magicians! Every day, they move the fencing (that white netting in the background) to a different area so the sheep will graze it down. And they just keep moving it so the sheep graze down different areas of the property (and it gives time for all the grass to grow back). It's a pretty cool system, but you'll notice that the netting appears pretty flimsy! That's because it is and these seemingly ordinary sheep are escape artists! Somehow, I don't know how, they always managed to get out and then it would take six of us to wrangle them up--strategically walking around them to coral them back towards the temporary pen where someone was waiting to lock them up! It was quite comical to watch, even more so to be apart of. The rush! The adrenaline! The excitement!

As we were trying to wrangle these sheep back into their pen, where it was safe and there was plenty of grass to eat and water to drink, I recalled a bit of Scripture (several bits, actually) in which Jesus compares us to sheep. And I wonder if maybe the people back then found it to be quite a humorous comparison! I certainly did! How many times have I blatantly run away from the one (my Lord Jesus) who had nothing but my best interests at heart? Too many, that's what. But watching these sheep, I couldn't help but laugh and thank God for being my Good Shepherd.

Cameron also got to help slop feed the pigs! (Grandma takes offense to the word slop, "We only feed out pigs high-quality food! Not slop!")

Needless to say, it is a bit more interesting to say "slop the pigs," at least in our opinion!

And Cameron also got to milk a goat!

And he liked it! <-- all.="" and="" as="" awesome="" but="" can="" did="" either="" fact="" former.="" get="" goat-milking="" goat="" he="" highlight="" hopefully="" i="" in="" is="" it="" lame.="" liked="" maybe="" me="" milking="" most="" much="" myself="" next="" not="" of="" opportunity="" or="" our="" p="" really="" same="" so="" super="" surprises="" take="" tell="" that="" the="" then="" this="" time="" trip="" unfortunately="" was="" whether="" will--="" you="">

It's Official!

This is to certify that Misha Raine Tyler has completed all of the degree requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree with an area of study in English. This degree was certified on 7/15/2014 and is scheduled to be conferred upon Misha Raine Tyler by the Board of Trustees of Thomas A. Edison State College on September 12, 2014.

It is with greatest pride that I am pleased to announce my official graduation from TESC! It was around this time, about three years ago that I enrolled with CollegePlus and this journey began. It has been long and hard, filled with many challenges and setbacks as well as many triumphs. I cannot thank enough all the friends and family, coaches and mentors, professors and peers who have encouraged me along the way. I couldn’t have done it without those kind words and I am overjoyed to be able to share this accomplishment with you all.

Even more official announcement with updated senior picture to follow via post!

Your (finally!) College Grad,

Misha

In Black and White

Jake needed some new headshots for a theater company he auditioned for this weekend and guess who he entrusted to do it! Me! And it was my first time practicing black and white photography!

Here are some of my favorites from the impromptu photo shoot on our back porch: 

Exciting Things

Stats:

soccer games watched: 5
quilt blocks sewn: 2.75
naps taken: 3
alka-seltzers consumed: 5
exciting things: 4
reading: RFKC Manual
learning: HTML/CSS
feeling: excited

Update:

Lots was happening last weekend, so I didn't get around to posting some stats with my weekly update. This last week has been a little dull as I've been spending a lot of time at home, but I also have some very exciting things to announce!!

I got some mail-love from Maike earlier this week (which probably deserves it's own post!). She sent me a hand-drawn map of Tucson with a bunch of little arrows so I could fill it in with my Tucson-adventures and memories! And in light of my desire to be more content with my life and this poem, it was such a meaningful and precious gift. I am convinced that I have the most thoughtful friends!

Next week, I'll be serving as a counselor for Royal Family Kid's Camp! It's a camp for foster children who have been abused or neglected. We'll be spending the whole week creating positive memories for these kids to take with them wherever they go. It should be a super fun week!

And finally, my most exciting news of all!! Today I had my first post-grad legitimate interview!! I was sooo nervous. What will I wear? What should I expect? What if they don't like me? What if I answer the question wrong? What if I'm not what they're looking for? What if I don't get the job? What if, what if, what if. But you know what? I just tried to be my natural self and it went so well! And guess who's going to be a writing teacher for 7th/8th grade students??? Yours truly!! There are still a few more steps before I sign my contract and it's a done deal, but they really liked me and they think it's going to be a good fit! I'd be teaching two small groups of 7th to 8th grade students a couple times a week at a small Christian school! I'm so excited about the position! I was originally resistant teaching, because there is such a stigma surrounding the profession (I can't even tell you how many times I've encountered this conversation:

them: what's your major?

me: I'm an English major!

them: oh, so you want to teach? )

But I think this will be a great opportunity to get my feet wet and see if I like it! More to come!!

4th of July

For the 4th of July, instead of celebrating in red, white, and blue, our yard was decorated in all colors of the rainbow in honor of Miss Jessica's 50th birthday!

Heavy Decisions

It is with great sadness, that I announce the passing of our dog Pat this week. We made the decision to put him down after five long years of love and companionship with our adopted diabetic. He had many health issues (diabetes, kidney disease, eye cataracts etc etc) and it was his time to go. In the end, we think he had a stroke or suffered some neurological damage (from head-butting the back door open too many times?) causing him to lose feeling and control over one of his back legs. In his last week, he limped around the house a lot, but we continued to shower him with love the whole way through. We thought it was kindest to let him go sooner rather than waiting until later when he was suffering and in pain. You were an awesome first dog, Pat. We love you!