Dear Teachers....it's been a year hasn't it?There's something about sunrises. The dawn of a new day brings the hope of all possibilities. All things are made new, allowing us to get up and explore what the world has to offer. When traveling, sunrises can be incredible sights to see. Remote locations across the world offer incredible views of the world awakening. Light creeps through the darkness and touches the corners of the earth, illuminating space that a moment ago simply could not be seen. These moments can be magical and unforgettable. Yet, you also do not need to go far to capture the sunrise. In your everyday life, there are magical moments that occur when you capture the breaking of daylight. Seemingly trivial, day to day life becomes touched by the colors painted across the sky. Each one captured provides a different canvas of light. There is a catch. There's always a catch. In order to see the sunrise, you must walk through the dark. Cold, sleepy-eyed, why did I get out of bed mornings, darkness. Darkness which feels overwhelming and bitter, especially during December as the days continue to shorten. Darkness in which you do not want to walk through. Darkness that feels like it just won't ever be light again. Teachers, we see you. As December begins, we are shifting gears slightly to focus on our fellow educators. These dark days of December are cold and sometimes difficult to get through. The holidays are magical, yet classrooms can sometimes feel far from that. The days can drag on, and it can feel as though getting through to the end until break will never come. And as education continues to struggle under the weight of darkness post pandemic, it may feel as though the light simply cannot shine through. Yet it will. December will close out another start to a school year, and the New Year will come. The days of possibility and change are there, waiting in the corners. We know it will come. We know the days will go on. There is light waiting on the horizon, ready to paint incredible pictures we have never yet before seen. Yet sometimes we need help in the waiting. And we know this. So for the month of December we are going to shift gears and use writing to bring light in the darkness. We will still post the places we go and the things we have seen. Yet, writing will connect them to ways we can look towards the sunrise coming in January. We hope to walk through difficult days and find magical moments. We wait on the edge of the darkness with you, watching for the moments in which light will begin to illuminate places we may never have seen before. So we get ready to welcome December, as the month of November comes to a close. We will embrace the darkness of December, knowing that the sunrise is about to come. The light is going to come. We are ready to walk with you, through the tough times and the magical moments, until we land at the perfect spot for the sunrise of a new year. And it's going to be incredible.
0 Comments
Tis the season of giving...which also means spending.As the turkey leftovers finally get finished up, and the calendar begins to look towards December, the holidays are upon us. It IS the most wonderful time of the year. The end of the year gives us time to reflect, spend time with others, and share joy. Which can mean spending. This has been a tough year. Prices have continued to rise and pay has not seen the increase. People are struggling with day to day necessities, let alone the additional costs of Christmas. And truly, there is so much joy that comes from giving a gift that means something to someone. When you can see that someone else is so happy, it's incredibly worth it. Right? It is, but we do want to offer some guidance in gift giving this year. Both for you, and for those around you. Shopping smart, and making conscious decisions about what you buy and for what purpose provides two things. 1) You do get to choose joy for the holiday. 2) You can continue to be joyful in January. Read below for 3 ways you can enjoy this holiday season of giving...and spending. Tip 1: Make a ListThis is the number one way to ensure you can stay on a budget for your Christmas spending. Make a list of all the people who you share Christmas joy with. Sort them into lists and give an amount you CAN afford to spend. For example: - Children: Ask them for something they want, something they need, and something they'd like to have. A good parent is NOT defined by the number of presents under the tree. Please do not feel you have to go extremely overbudget for your families. Meaningful gifts can go a lot way -Friends: Find things personalized. 1 gift at a reasonable price that has significant meaning is better than anything overpriced -Family: Choose experiences every time. Nothing can replace memories with family Tip #2: Shop SmartSales matter. Cyber Monday is coming up. Stores are holding sales. Use them. Your budget goes farther when you look at prices, compare, and find things that are the lowest price. The vase you want to give is 50% off! Awesome! Great deal. Buy it, and then stop there. Because holiday math matters. There are two ways this works. 1) The vase was $100, and it was over your budget of $50.00. Since it's on sale, you can get it! Yay! You've met your budget, you got a gift someone really wanted, and you don't have to feel like you have to get anything else. Quantity of gifts do not matter. Quality does. 2) The vase was $100, your budget was $100, and you got it for $50.00. Great! Stop there! You still got a gift someone wanted, you still are giving joy, and now you have room in your budget for things that come up unexpectedly during the holiday. DO NOT FEEL BAD that you spent $50.00. It's ok. It's not about the cost. Cyber Monday is right around the corner. And this weekend continues sales and special deals. It does take some time, but it's worth finding!
Tip 3: Give BackIt's time. Three years after COVID, it's time to go through the things and start moving things out. There are things you haven't used in years. There are things you haven't even opened. It's time to let those things go. Two ways to do this: Give them away - there are great sites in your area that are Buy Nothing/Sell Nothing swaps. Something you may need may save someone else a lot of money. Sell on Marketplace - Something you have someone may be looking at for full price. If you can put it out on a digital market place, you get money, and someone else gets to stay on budget. Tip 3.5: Really reflecting on the New YearLet's really get down to this. We want you, your friends, and your family to have a great 2024. We do want you to travel. We want you to be able to do things that you love and enjoy without feeling as though you put yourself behind in bills and necessitites. Please don't borrow your income from next year to pay for this December. EVERYONE is struggling right now. EVERYONE is having a hard time with money and income. EVERYONE understands this is the year of less money, but more joy.
That's our end goal. We want you to find the joy. We want you to jumpstart January feeling good and ready to take on the world. We're excited for the adventures to come. They are dependent on today's decisions. Make your list, shop smart, and give back this season. Spread the joy and keep yours. It really is the most wonderful time of the year. It's American Thanksgiving! Traditions abound but do you really know why you celebrate? Every year on the third Thursday of November, the majority of American's follow the smell of turkey to someone's house and engage in the annual tradition of Thanksgiving Day. It's a day of family, food, football, and fun, for most people. Schools have sent home turkey's and feathers and an array of other November activities to teach about Thanksgiving Day. But what is it really? The history of Thanksgiving is a little muddled, with debates on its origins and if it really was a reason to celebrate. Turkey, pilgrims, corn, and the various other symbols of Thanksgiving can give way to debates that can't be won. After traveling parts of the world, we have learned no country is without issues, and every country has a history that can be viewed differently depending on who you ask. After 300 some years of American history, it's also now a fact American's are not the only country to celebrate Thanksgiving Day. Other countries also have days they give thanks, with different traditions. So really, the question doesn't reside in history. Instead, this Thanksgiving, ask yourself one question. What do YOU give thanks for? Because there is a profound difference in celebrating Thanksgiving Day and giving thanks. As we travel and learn about the history of the world, one thing continuously stands out. Our human history depended on those before us who lived without. There was no football game on a Thursday and then again on a Sunday. Time away from the home meant lost time in ensuring there would be enough to get through the year, or the winter. Modern necessities such as kitchens, bathrooms, fast food, grocery stores, Amazon shopping...none of it existed. The amount of time we are able to spend traveling wouldn't be possible without the creativity, innovation, and dedication to survival of those who came before us. For us, Thanksgiving Day is about giving thanks. And while we are personally thankful for people and things in our own lives, we are also thankful for the world we live in. We are thankful for airports, the invention of the plane, and the staff who work continuously around the clock (even on holidays) to ensure people get to where they need to be. We are thankful for Airbnb hosts, who open their homes. We are thankful for park rangers, restaurant staff, and others who provide what we need when we're away from home. We are thankful for railroads, cars, and buses. Could you imagine if we still had horse drawn carriages?
Because being truly thankful means recognizing that the world you live in is possible because of someone else. Someone else, whether you know them or not, created something you need, or want, or have. Someone else in this world is struggling, working, and thankful for the things in their life, and it's connected to yours. Because of modern convivences, we are dependent on one another. Live everyday with an attitude of gratitude. This Thanksgiving, take a moment to look around and think about how many people have done a job in order for you to be able to do yours. Identify why you are thankful this Thanksgiving Day, no matter how big or small! Every recognition of gratitude makes the world a better place. Happy Thanksgiving! Have a wonderful day. We are thankful for you!
Visiting the Isle of Skye is a chance to experience living history. Having the right guide makes all the difference.Located on Scotland's northwesterly coast, the Isle of Skye sits as a popular destination of the Highlands. With incredible landscapes and infamous spots, the island calls to be visited. So we made our plans. We booked our tickets, rented our car, did our research, and we were ready to see what Skye had to offer. In our planning, we met Nathan and Liz. We had booked our Airbnb, which is essential when planning for Skye, as places book early. Through our reservation, we learned about Skye Mountaineering. A local guided tour company owned by Nate. Through online conversations that were instant and responsive, we began to learn a little more about the island and became more invested in what it had to offer. When we finally had our times and destinations planned, we realized we had time to really invest in the local community of Skye. We booked an open-ended experience. As we are very flexible travelers, to us that meant we could be learning how to mountain climb or we could be hiking in unknown areas. We were excited about the possibilities. Nate was incredible to work with. He assessed our skill level before coming and asked us questions to determine what experience might work best for us. The day before our adventure, he was knowledgeable about the weather conditions, safety, and being able to provide us with an experience. Unfortunately, even in August, the weather didn't cooperate for mountain climbing in one of the most famous areas in Europe. We were not deterred. After a few questions before embarking, Nate had a plan for an experience we would not forget. We started out hiking towards the ruins of Erisco. hiking across the northern side of Skye, the walk was mostly flat and easy. As we walked, Nathan shared information about Skye, it's people, and how those who lived there survived for years before modern technology. He taught us about plants, the weather patterns, and how the land provided it's people with everything they needed. We particularly loved the fact that we had gotten lucky and had booked our trip unknowingly during the bloom of the purple heather. A beautiful small flower that turns Scotland into its picturesque landscape. We had visited Duntulum the day before, but the ruins of Erisco where both more accessible and visually interesting. We were able to walk along the homes as Nate explained how the citizens of the once populated city lived their day to day lives. The homes were small, divided for living and sleeping. Location of homes in relation to distance to the sea could explain status of families who lived there. The MacDonald clan overlooked the village and it's inhabitants, creating it's own systematic way of living. Nate provided incredible insight on the history of the village, what it was like at it's peak, and how it came to be that the once bustling seaside was now covered in ruins and purple Heather. Mindful of our time, Nate paced us accordingly across the ruins toward the Rubha Hunish. We went to the overlook at the top. There sits a well-kept bothy called the Lookout. A bothy is a free shelter across Scotland and the UK, found in remote locations. They allow hikers to seek shelter from both weather and the night. The bothy at Rubha Hunish is cared after by locals in the area, and is particularly well maintained. Serious travelers know to use it accordingly with respect, and to leave a bottle of whiskey for the next traveler. The bothy was an historical piece to see and the views were incredible. But Nate wasn't done. Our adventure continued as we hiked out to the Rubha Hunish below the bothy. Skilled in navigation, Nate took us down the cliffs edge and out onto the point. Incredibly knowledgeable and aware of limitations, we found he paused at just the right moments to explain a site or give historical context and allow us pause and rest and catch our bearings. His skilled eye and insight helped us find local wildlife, as the birds flew by and an inquisitive seal watched us from the waters below. We learned about the three currents that merge right off the coast at that point, bringing with it an immense amount of variety with wildlife as well as slightly unpredictable weather patterns. Nate wasn't to be deterred. Every so often he would pick grass and let it fall, watching the wind change and keeping his eye on the sky above. When the weather changed, he lead us back up and out of the Rubha Hunish, as we were back to an easier hike as the weather began to turn quickly. We knew we were going to be rained on when we started, it is Scotland. However, with Nate's guidance, we had gained all of our information on the tour and we were ready to head back. We cannot recommend booking with Skye Mountaineering enough. We have no doubt the next time we go, and we book our adventure, it will be a different experience. Skye has so much to see and do. With the right guide, you become a part of her story. You get invited into the world of those that have chosen to live there and be a part of the living history the encompasses the island.
The Isle of Skye has an incredible story to tell. Find Nate and be a part of it. Whether we are traveling to new lands or through our lives, there is always a path before us.
It's an incredible statement. See the world. Go out, do everything, see everything! The world is large and full of possibilities. See as much as you can. It's a wonderful, hopeful, dream big statement. And sometimes it can be completely overwhelming. Because there is a reality to that statement. There is a very, very limited possibility that you'll see the entire world. The world is an incredibly large place. Big cities with small hidden corners, and small towns with big personalities. Each place provides a new lens, and new sight, a new challenge, and a new experience. It's a constant readjustment of understanding those around you and your own approach to the world. And if you attempted to set your goal to see the entire world, you may be constantly frustrated. There are roadblocks in traveling all the time. Schedule changes, money issues, health issues, weather issues. So many things come up that are unexpected that delay your day or change your plans. There are times it would feel as though you'd never meet your goal. Life is the world. A lifetime is an incredibly overwhelming journey if you look at the entire picture. Eighty to one hundred years brings about immense opportunities as well as difficult challenges. The longer you go the faster it goes, until you feel like you're scrambling to make timelines, overcome challenges, and make it through to find the next moment. The reality is, you cannot do it all. You can't take on and travel the entire world in the same way you can't take on an entire lifetime. The weight of the goal would be so much you'd feel as though you would never get anywhere. Add in the challenges faced on a day to day basis, compounded by the unique challenges presented in this lifetime, and you face a harsh truth. It all can be just too much sometimes. So don't. Don't take it all on. Don't carry the weight of unrealistic goals. Set goals. Dream big, but remember to stay grounded. When we travel, we love to find paths to follow. Hikes to destinations that will take us to places to explore. Some of those hikes are brutal, with steep hills or a million steps. And yes, sometimes we (mostly me - MB) would like to give up and say - why the heck am I doing this? What am I gaining by climbing and climbing and climbing. When does it get easier? Until somewhere along the way it gets easier. You take it one step at a time. You go slow when you need too. You take a break. You rest. You start again. But you keep going. You keep climbing. You keep focused on simply taking it one step at a time, one path at a time, one place at a time. And it happens. You reach a point where the world spreads out before you. The climb, the frustration, the exhaustion, all become worth it. Because you find yourself someplace in the world that is incredible. Right now you may feel like all you are doing is climbing. You might feel exhausted, and tired, and broken, and that quitting might be easier. Don't quit. Don't stop climbing. Your life is that same incredible hike in the world. Every step on the journey is worth it. Every path you take is taking you to a place for you to explore, to marvel at, to be in awe of. Your journey is as important as the destination. It is giving you the strength to do even more incredible climbs, to find more amazing sites. Keep going. Take on the world. You may not see it all, but in your lifetime, you are going to see and do amazing and wonderful things. Your journey awaits. Just start walking.
Tell us about your travel goals...That's it. Just one small ask. Where do you want to go in 2024? It could be a dream, but it also could be a reality. Comment below and let us know what your travel goal might be as we move towards the end of the year!
November is the month that reminds us of gratitude. We give thanks for our country, and the two men in our lives who love their country.Joining the military isn't easy. The hours are long, the conditions aren't favorable, and the sacrifice to leave everything behind is real. Men and women join the ranks of those that came before them because they believe in something greater than themselves. They believe in America, its values, and the freedoms granted to us from those who fought before them. They give everything for the love of country. You may not know their names, their families, or their lives. You may not know why they chose to join. You may sit in circles and debate the actions and decisions far outside anyone's control. Yet, they join. They give everything. Some come home. And others give the ultimate sacrifice. In Washington D.C sits the Vietnam Memorial Wall. A path along 2-acres will take you across the backside of hill, in which the granite wall was placed. As you walk along, you'll begin to see the names engraved on this wall. Names of those who gave everything for their country and were not able to return home. Both of our father's fought in Vietnam. Veteran's day hold significant meaning for us. Not only are we grateful for our country as we travel and learn about the world, we are grateful to the men who raised us. They taught us the value of sacrifice through their own lives. They taught us love. And not the love that comes from movies or idolization. Sacrificial love. Love that comes from loss and frustration. Love that comes from wanting better for your families. Love that comes with hard work and being grateful everyday for the life you have because of those that lost theirs. Love that means never taking a day for granted, our country for granted, our work for granted, or our ability to live our lives in a way that changes the world for the better. This Veteran's Day, live your life in some small way that honors the sacrifices taken by others because they gave everything through love of country. They don't know you, you don't know them. But honor their lives, memories, and gift by giving forward today. Give up your time to reach out to someone, even if just for a few minutes. Open a door for someone because you see them. Do something to make America a better place today, so that those who served know that the America of tomorrow will be worth their love. Thank you to our fathers. We love you. We are grateful for you. And we thank you for teaching us so that we may teach others. *Picture credits go to MC's dad from his trip to Washington D.C this fall. THANK YOU!
“Learn to be silent. Let your quiet mind listen and absorb.” – PythagorasThe world is loud. As humans, we embrace the business of our lives. The day to day, go, go, go way of living becomes part of the routine. Sights, sounds, and people come and go creating a routine in our lives we sometimes don't even hear. Televisions, radios, and the internet fill in any of the empty space left, creating an enviroment that becomes just incredibly loud. We may not even hear it. Traveling creates its own set of noise. As we move in and out of cities, we hear, and notice sounds that may not be in our everyday lives. Buses and trains come and go, moving people to and from their daily lives as we visit their homelands. We meet new people, have new conversations, hear new music, and absorb the noise teaching us about other places. It's still pretty loud. But there are other moments of travel, the ones in which we actively seek, that ask us to step away from the world. Remote places we travel too, whether in our home state or around the world, that call us to quiet ourselves. Woodlands, mountains, and oceans all seemingly have this effect. And on our trip to Scotland, we found a place that spoke loudly through silence: The Quiraing. Located on the Trotternish Peninsula, just north of Stafin, the Quiraing is a remote hike through the center. The switchback road to get to the entrance takes a little bit of finesse to drive, and we recommend going early in the morning. We had arrived just after 8, with only a few other cars in the parking lot. Geared up with hiking boots and raincoats for the wind and weather, we set off on the trail. Our first impressions starting off were simple. It was a casual trail, and the view were nice. We passed a few people heading on their way out and nodded polite hellos. We snapped pictures of small creeks and flowers as we continued along. It hadn't quite stood out to us yet why this hike was so highly recommended. About a mile in, the landscape began to change. And while this is not an extremely difficult hike, there are spots that require a little more work and some slight climbing in places. It was there, after about a mile and a half in, when the Quiraing embraced us into her presence. The views that spread out before us began to change, and in a sense, made us feel as if we had entered into another time and place. DC at one point turned and mentioned he wouldn't be surprised if a tetradactyl flew overhead. The Isle of Skye's geography does date back to prehistoric times in some places, so his comment was not far off. And as we continued to walk along, and the sun continued to rise, the stillness of the past continued to surround us. Years of erosion had created an incredible landscape of hills and valleys. There was a vastness in front of us, and yet we said very little. Being quiet seemed to just come naturally. There was wind, and people that passed us, and the sounds of the world around us. But there was also quiet. Quiet that asks you to stop and step away from the world. Quiet that asks you to reflect on the day to day, go, go, go. Quiet that comes from seeing the world as it really is. Hills and valleys. Highs and lows. Ups and downs. The overall picture is incredible. Because in the quiet there are reflections that you may not recall from day to day. You stand on the edge of something so vast and incredible, it gives you pause to wonder...how did I get here? Not the physical part, like driving or walking, but the overall life part. Life itself is it's own path, it's own trail, and there are moments on it when you have to stop yourself, sit in quiet, and just think, this is incredible. You may not be able to travel to a remote destination like the Quiraing, but take time to find your moments. In a world that asks you to keep moving, keep going, with noise in every corner, find your quiet. Find those moments in which you can look around at life, stop in stillness, and see your life is greater than you could ever imagine it to be. You are incredible. Your life is incredible. Embrace your quiet moments to see it. |
Quick InfoWe're two Midwest teachers trying to do something we love while being able to teach others along the way. Check out our About page for more! Archives
March 2024
CategoriesThis website uses marketing and tracking technologies. Opting out of this will opt you out of all cookies, except for those needed to run the website. Note that some products may not work as well without tracking cookies. Opt Out of Cookies |
Proudly powered by Weebly