An amazing educator and friend, who I was lucky enough to meet in person at ISTE last summer has tagged me in the Eleven Challenge. I can’t resist, especially because she KNOWS I’d love to travel to the Moon. 
Karen is an inspiring teacher and passionate about learning and I’m lucky to know her.
So, here are eleven random facts, followed by an answer to each of Karen’s eleven questions. Now… I need eleven people to respond and share about themselves. Link your post in the comments so we can learn 11 things about YOU!
Eleven Random Facts About Me:
- 1. I have a pet hedgehog named Orbie.
- 2. I have never enjoyed reading fiction, of any kind.
- 3. My Canon Rebel camera is like a member of my family, and I name my cameras. My current one is Raphael. As in the Ninja Turtle.
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- 4. I overuse exclamation points when I write.
- 5. In this past year, I’ve lost both of my grandparents and moved away from my entire family with just my husband and daughter. Very few understand how hard that has been for me.
- 6. The best compliment I ever got as a teacher, came from a student, who said, “Mrs. V, thanks for showing me it’s okay to be weird.”
- 7. When I say, “I love that!” I mean it. I’m the type of person who is ALL in. I love the kids I work with, in the same way I love my own family. I value authenticity in people above all else.
- 8. I’m finishing my doctorate. I’m not enjoying it. I’ve learned and grown so much. But, this? I’m just not enjoying the dissertation.
- 9. One day I want to write a book called “Unspoken Blessings” about how my daughter’s Autism changed my view of the world… for the better.
- 10. That kid in your class that doodles all over their work? That was me.
- 11. I’m super excited about this cute little journal I picked up yesterday. A goat in a collared shirt and sweater? Who can resist that? I keep little notebooks in my bag or purse at all times to doodle and brainstorm.
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Now, eleven answers to Karen’s questions…
1. What is your favorite season and why? Spring. Definitely. I love all the colorful flowers that pop up. Although, I’m a long time fan of “Snow Days.” Something I’m realizing will be few and far between here in my move to Texas.
2. If you could travel any where, where would you go? Why? To space. I just want to live on the ISS for a couple of weeks. I want to show kids that dreaming big is okay. I want to see the Earth from another perspective. I will never forget Astronaut Leland Melvin, who also happens to be a photographer, describing the shades of blue he saw on the Earth as he passed around it every 90 minutes. He talked about there being shades of blue he couldn’t even imagine or describe. I want to see THAT.
3. Runner or walker? Runner. I love to crank up my ipod, block out the world, and just go. Plus, my dog, Lucy, whom I refer to as Lulu the Wonderweim loves to run with me. She’s always excited to go for a jog.
4. What scares you? The thing that scares me most in life that is that I would let one day pass without trying to make a difference for someone else. Education is my purpose. I believe in learning and I want school to be better than when I was in it. Every single person I meet, every experience I have, is about connecting with others and learning from them. I’m also terrified of snakes. Not just “Oh, snakes are gross,” but the kind of scared where I could make an 8 foot vertical jump into a tree to get away.
5. What is one accomplishment you are proud of? I’m most proud of getting selected for NASA’s Reduced Gravity Flight Program. I shared with students that I had applied. They knew I didn’t make it the first round. The kids were there when NASA called my classroom to let me know I was accepted the second time around. I’m proud that I showed them that if something matters to you, keep going and you can make it happen.
6. What have you been served, that you ate out of respect, but really didn’t like it? Flan. A friend made it and worked really hard on it. I didn’t have the heart to not eat it. I’ve never eaten Flan again.
7. Water or snow sports? Um. Art. Yeah, art is my sport. Let me just say that I spent one year on the basketball team in high school and actually scored a point for the opposing team. I’m uncoordinated, dream a little too much to have my head in the game, and I’d much rather have a pack of Sharpies and a sketchbook than ski poles or a diving board.
8. Have you broken any bones? If so which ones? How? The only bone I’ve ever broken was my thumb. I was in 6th grade, doing the Bear Walk and crushed it. Sometimes when I’m trying to type on my iphone, I blame my “Old PE Injury” for the speed. Thankfully, it hasn’t slowed my tweeting down.
9. Where’s the furthest you’ve been away from home?
I have never been outside the North American continent… except via Skype. That’s something I need to fix.
10. What is/are your comfort food(s)?
Cupcakes.
11. What’s the biggest surprise of your life? My biggest surprise has to be what it’s been like to be a mom. I knew I’d love being a mom, but I wasn’t prepared for what my daughter would teach me about the world and how she would reset my priorities. Every day I learn something from her. She’s made me a better wife, mom, teacher, leader, and person. She taught me to see the good in every single day.
Want to join in? Answer these 11 questions about yourself on YOUR blog and leave a comment below so we can learn about you!
- 1. What inspires you most of all?
- 2. What is the best food you’ve ever tried while traveling?
- 3. What is your favorite holiday? Why?
- 4. What is one school supply that you could not teach without?
- 5. What’s your typical morning beverage?
- 6. When you fly, window seat or aisle?
- 7. Describe the best teacher you had when you were in school.
- 8. Do you enjoy cooking? Anything specific?
- 9. What book are you currently reading?
- 10. What’s your all time favorite movie?
- 11. If at the end of your life, there is just room for one word on your grave marker, what do you think it will be?
Whew… this is probably wayyyyyyy more about me than you ever wanted to know. Thanks, Karen!