First Year of Teaching...Check

So this post should have been written a month ago when I actually finished the school year, but this summer has been one crazy whirlwind of adventure. So as I sit here uploading my pictures from the last month and a day before school starts I began thinking of everything that has happened this last year.

This time last year I had been in the country only a couple of days, I was just figuring out my town and had a tour of my new school. I was on my own in this new adventure, extremely nervous, but prepared (or so I thought) for something exciting. As you all know from reading my previous posts, I went through a series of internal debates last year of whether or not to stay at my school or to even stay in England.

Last October I was ready to go home and wanted to quit. I was not fulfilling the dream I had planned. With simple encouragement from my Aunt saying "Okay, pack your bags" she called my bluff and I knew I was in this for the long haul. Thinking of that moment now, I couldn't even imagine going home. After a month away, I was excited to come back.

This past school year taught me way more about teaching than any other schooling I have participated in. When I first got to the school they said "If you can teach here, you can teach anywhere." At that time, that made me nervous. Now it's more of a challenge and taking pride in all accomplishments made by myself and my students. Although my teaching has reached a new level, what I have learned about myself is unmeasurable. A shy girl from suburbia, has become wandering, city nomad. One of my favourite past times has become getting lost in random cities and exploring. I have become immune to tourist attractions and crave exploring local areas of places and mixing with the culture. I'm no longer afraid of everything (even the fear of dogs is getting better!) and I'm always ready for an adventure.

This year had its many ups and downs both at school and at home, but I wouldn't change a thing about it. My family has become even closer than it was before, I have a nephew joining this world in less than a month, and a new school year ahead of us that is going to bring about much more learning, growing and adventure.

Nothing but Smiles for the Steward 6

Well, it appears to be smiles all around the world for the Steward 6 and I couldn't be more proud of my family. Last week was filled with nothing but cheek to cheek smiles, tears of happiness and congratulations. This is due to three massive events - three graduations.
Eric and Kyle have both worked incredibly hard the last 4 years and have become the newest university graduates of the Steward family. As I watched (online) them walk across the stage all I could think of was how much they have changed and from the maniac fights to the wonderful young men they are today. As much as I wish I could have been there, I'm glad I got to watch you too. Congratulations also goes out to their lovely girlfriends, Marlayna and Kaitlyn as they too graduated. I wish all four of you good luck as you continue your educational journey with your post grad adventures.
These graduations were like the build up to a delicious ice cream sundae, with the cherry on top being my Mum. An absolute super hero, champion, world record holder, strong man competition winner. My Mum had a graduation of her own. She was the next victor, with a knock out in round 12, ringing the chemo bell. That bell was heard all the way on this side of the ocean and the smiles of my Mum and my Auntie as they rang could be seen to the moon and back. The two of them have become quite a powerful twosome, nothing can get in their way. Taking each step as it comes, with some laughs and tears, but moving leaps and bounds.
As my happiness continues to grow here, the smiles continue to shine knowing the happiness of everything at home. These events definitely made me miss home as I would have loved to be there, but my family is getting ready to write the next chapter of their stories just as I have been doing here.
To continue the good news, I have found a new house and will be moving in on the 29th of June. I will be living with 3 friends I have made here and it has a common room! No more staring at 4 beige walls! Things with my photography have also been improving as I had another photo published last week for a travel company in Michigan promoting South Africa travel, as well as Global Dimensions; a UK teacher resource company publishing a picture. That one was truly exciting as it combines two of my passions; teaching and photography.
My summer plans are coming along fabulously as my trip is now paid for and the countdown is on (47 days!!) Some of my dream places are on this tour and I am beyond excited for that, as well as a whole new collection of pictures (advanced warning: be prepared for tons of pictures to be posted in September!)
As foot continue to heals up and football training starts up next week, I also have a pretty big event on 14th July. I will be running in my first 10k. This run is to support my Mum and anyone else fighting cancer. I will be running around Hyde Park wearing my blue (the colon cancer colour). I am raising money in support of cancer research. If you would like donate you can donate online by clicking here. I thank you in advance for your support and will run with all of you in mind. My mum is a firm believer in angels, so I'm sure I'll feel the support of her angel army behind me.
On that note, I should stop procrastinating and get back to work before it's bed time.

Long Overdue...But, Simply Happy.

So clearly my goal of posting bi-weekly has failed and as of late I have been terrible at keeping you all updated. This is due in part to a crazy schedule, but also just being extremely happy with my life over here. As unfortunate as it may be, it seems way easier to write when things aren't going to great.
While I live over here and continue to be successful on my mission of happiness and experience, I am in a constant internal debate of everything I am missing at home. A lot has gone on this year and when you plan to move away for a couple of years you think of the adventures you're going to have and not what will happen with the lives of those you  leave behind.
These thoughts have been very prevalent in my mind as the decision for next year needed to be made. Even with my indecisiveness, thoughts of home, and other factors - a decision has been made and it is official. I am staying for another year and I am staying at the same school!
This year for me has been a year of figuring things out, meeting new people, finding my way on my own. The past couple of months have been some of the best months of my life. My life here is very settled, very adjusted and feels much like home. I love my job, I have great friends and an even better boyfriend!
There were a lot of jokes about me moving here and finding a British boy, or Prince Harry, and then Chuck Bass - but I have indeed found my British boy. He is the most wonderful person who has already done so much for me. Was there for me with the passing of my friend and then an absolute champion taking care of me and my broken foot.
Sticking true to myself, I found a way to get injured. Hobbling a long for a little over a week on a cast and crutches with what was thought to be a broken foot ended up just being a stress fracture. Which although I can walk, I'm not allowed to do anything else, which is definitely not helping my 10k training. On July 14th, my friend and I have signed up for the 10k Cancer Run in Hyde Park, London. The same run is being done in my town on the same day, but Hyde Park seems like a much cooler option!
I am currently on the final half term break of the school year - and then 7 weeks and I am officially done my first year as a teacher. Although the pictures of everyone at their cottage and the sunny skies make me extremely jealous of your summer, my summer trip will soon be here! One of my best friends from home, Ali will be joining me in London for a few days before we take off on a 21 day adventure touring from London to Athens. I could not be more excited for this adventure, with stops in places like Barcelona, Paris, Corfu. Rome, Athens, and much more!
At the beginning of this adventure I thought I made the worst life decision - I know now, without a doubt I have made the best decision. Life has turned out wonderful here and I could not be happier. This gives me hope for my family at home! My Mum has completed round 11 of 12 of her chemo this week. At the beginning of this journey, it seemed like it was going to be a long haul. Instead, my Mum just rolls with the punches and takes each hit like a champion, fighting back twice as hard. Soon she is done, coming back stronger than ever, just in time for her Grandson! My Mum has announced on her blog, and my sister has as well, but here is my official announcement, my sister Hayley and lovely boyfriend Dan are expecting a baby boy in late September/early October. I possibly cannot be more excited to be an Auntie to a wonderful Nephew. I bought my first of many things baby this week!
I wish you all, all the happiness in the world. I will try and get back on track to keep you updated with how the last 7 weeks of school go and my summer adventures. Some big exciting things to come for sure!

Goodbye, My Dear Friend.

Hi everyone, let me begin by apologizing for the delay in my updates. My computer was broken for a couple of weeks, followed by a busy schedule, then travelling and then an even busier schedule.
I set out to write this post a couple of days ago, but have since then been struggling to put the words together and have re-written this post countless times in my head.
Today the sun is shining in England. The last time it was sunny and beautiful was Monday. As I walked home from school on Monday I was happy. I had just gotten back from Spain, had sat on the beach for a week, really enjoy school, have great friends and have even met a wonderful British boy!
However, that smile faded quickly with some saddening news.
Last Saturday I received an e-mail from Peel Police notifying me and asking if I had any information about a missing friend of mine. Oddly enough, this friend's name had popped into my head while I was away - it was time to update her. Unfortunately, I missed that chance. Monday evening I was notified that her body had been found.
So today I write to her, to share our jokes, exchange some advice and enjoy the sun together.
My friend, Cheryl was a second a mother to me. We met when I was sixteen and started working in my Dad's office. I was still very shy when I started at Pillar to Post, but Cheryl helped me break out of that. When I came back at the age of seventeen, Cheryl and I were inseparable. We went out for every lunch together up until this past summer. We often would just go for walks and talk, or sit in the park. Cheryl had a high and strong wall guarding her personal life, but brick by brick she shared stories with me. We have very different perspectives on life, which often made for interesting conversation. But the advice we sought from each other was always very open minded and much appreciated. I could go to Cheryl with anything and everything. We often were asked if we were mother and daughter, or because she's even shorter than I am, if we were sisters.
Cheryl was an absolute lover of the sun, and any chance she had she soaked it up. In a note I wrote to my Dad's office I told them that every time the sun shines, it is just Cheryl saying hello. Being extremely busy this week, the news hasn't even fully sunk in yet. But having a momentary break before the events of this week continue tonight, the sun started to shine and it's warm in England. Cheryl is here with me. I enjoyed the sunshine with a walk with my friend. I updated her on my life here and shared some news that would make her so proud. It was this walk that allowed me to sort out the words I needed for this blog.
At the end of each summer I always wrote Cheryl a note and put it on her desk for her to find the next morning. It was a note to say thank you for the fun this summer, goodbye, keep in touch and I will see you next summer. This is my goodbye note, Cheryl.

Goodbye my dear friend. I hope you are able to find the happiness you have long been searching for and find comfort in your new home. I know you are sitting somewhere on the beach soaking in all the sun you can get, while you sip on an ice cold beer. The memories I share with you will forever be cherished and your friendship will always be carried in my heart. I hope you can now fully smile and continue to make those around you laugh. I will miss you, but will never forget you. I love you forever and always. Goodbye, keep in touch and I will see you when the sun shines.

- Shelby

Life Begins at the End of Your Comfort Zone

With the impulse purchase of the flight to Venice, I didn't have much time to think about what I was going to be getting myself into, but the more people commented on me travelling alone, and the more time that passed before take off the more nervous I began to get. I kept postponing planning the trip, and delaying research, finding anything else to do instead. There were even a couple moments of "Maybe I just won't go." This was until last Wednesday, when it finally hit that I was leaving for Venice that night. The train ride to Stanstead Airport was when the excitement began to build up. Getting on the plane was fine, getting off the plane was fine. But the moment I stepped foot onto the bus I realized this was real, I was in Venice and there was no backing out now.
I looked around at the people on the bus around me, a threesome and two other couples. Everyone was travelling with someone and here I was on my own, in a place I don't speak the language, at 11:30pm. I kept going over the directions to my hotel in my head, which bus stop, where to get the water bus, which water bus, which stop and where to walk from there. I looked around at the scenery and using a combination of what I remember of French and Spanish trying to translate the words around me. However, because it nearing midnight, the pitch black, rainy skies blocked most of the scenery. This only allowed me to continue to think about what I was doing, and really at that moment, I had become fearful of my decision and just felt like crying.
I made it my bus stop and to the water bus safely. From there I had just kept staring at the cartoon map my hotel had sent me with the directions from the water bus stop to the hotel. It was time to get off the boat and this was my first experience of the narrow alleys - breaking all rules of travelling to a new place - walking down alleys, alone, at night time.
Thursday I still woke up with some hesitation as reality sunk in that I really was in Venice. This was the first time I truly was travelling on my own; wasn't going to meet family, wasn't a part of any group, this trip was just me and my camera.
I spent Thursday exploring. No real plan in mind other than to figure out the areas, check out the scenery and take some pictures. Walking around Venice is like being in a corn maze. Always walking through narrow alleys and picking any possible route - sometimes you end up a dead end that made lead into water, sometimes you walk in a circle and other times you end up where you were eventually hoping to get! This was a unique feeling in that sometimes it really was just you wondering around, all I could hear was the noise of my boots on the cobblestone and the abundance of seagulls and pigeons everywhere. It really was a freeing experience though and removed some of the fears and hesitations I had coming into the trip.
While I was walking through the maze and hunger struck, the uneasy feeling returned. I was going to have to talk to someone and barely anyone speaks English. I passed many delis and restaurants on my journey, looked at menus, then walked away, would stand and look at the place and then walk away again. I had completely reverted back 10 years ago to shy me. Luckily, I was able to come across a sandwich shop that had them displayed and all I had to do was point.
As I made my way up to the top of Campinale Tower, the temperatures began to drop. Campinale Tower gives you a birds' eye view of Venice, showing the different canals, the whole island and surrounding islands. Beautiful view, but absolutely freezing. By the time I had reached the bottom of the tower a blizzard hit Venice. Standing in St. Mark's Square, it was exciting to see everyone's reaction to snow - for most of them, this must have been their first experience to it. This is also when I bought a museum pass and headed for the indoors.
Walking through St. Mark's Church is where you really get a sense of how much Venice is actually sinking. The floor is so wavy, with divots everywhere. Much like how driveways sink, the stunning tile floor is as well.
Friday was spent travelling to two other islands; Murano and Burano. Murano is famous for glass blowing and it's beautiful glass sculptures. The island is filled with little shops, with all sorts of things made from glass. Some of the sculptures were absolutely stunning, unfortunately you couldn't take pictures of them. I also watched a 10 minute glass blowing demonstration where in 10 minutes, the man had made a beautiful vase and horse sculpture. He then threw both objects into a bucket and broke them. The horse sculpture took about 2 minutes to make, inside the show room they had the same one for 350 euros.
The next stop was Burano - one of the fastest sinking islands. What is unique about this island, is that to distinguish property lines the home owners paint their houses bright colours. It reminded me much of Bo Kaap in Cape Town. The houses were hot pink, orange, lime green, purple. It was incredible. My favourite moment was walking through these little alleys, just down a normal street, you turned a corner, came out of the alley and met with a canal and some of the really bright houses. You just had to stand there for a minute and take in the view. That moment was absolutely breathtaking. It was also in that moment where the excitement for what I was doing and crossing another place off the To Go list settled in. Burano is also the island of handmade lace. As it is not a peak tourist time in Venice, a lot of things were still closed. This gave Burano a very ghost town like feel to it. Most shops and restaurants were closed and a lot of residents have moved off of the island. The only shops open were the lace shops. I fell in love with a dress in one of the shops, but wasn't prepared to pay the 260 euros for it (that was more than my trip costed!)
By the time I got back to Venice, it was dinner time and with now feeling at ease, I was prepared for a proper sit down meal. As I was wandering to find somewhere to eat I came across a mass of photographers lined across a bridge. There was nothing in particular that their cameras were aimed up, but with the amount of tripods set up, I knew something had to be coming. I set post with these photographers, waited a few minutes to find out it was rush hour in Venice. The sun was setting, the "street lights" were coming on, and the boats were all travelling down the Grand Canal. Seems like a much better commute than sitting in the traffic on the 403! This was such a cool moment for me. I later bumped into the photographers again, when they noticed my camera - this stuck up conversation. They're a group of professionals travelling the world for the year. Absolutely envious of their life. A couple of them showed me their pictures and I took them through a couple of mine. It was crazy to see how we could shoot the same thing and how different all the pictures could look.
Saturday I spent the morning walking around areas I hadn't been yet. I was able to find more local spots and came across a farmer's market with all fresh fruits and vegetables and some small local, non touristy shops. I also ate the best pizza I've ever had! Which oddly enough, does not come sliced, but served with a fork and steak knife. After the pizza, with the little bit of sun shining, I hopped on the water bus and went once more around the island. Sat out on the front, just snapping away on my camera.
Venice was an incredible trip and having gone and made it back I can't even believe I had reservations or thoughts of not going. However, I am glad I had those feelings. The past couple years have been a lot of progress and moving forward, breaking out of that shell, it was in a unique sort of way kind of nice to know that there are still barriers to break down, there are still personal challenges to face. A friend sent me a card a couple years ago and on it, it said "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone." Since the day that card has arrived, I have tried to follow that saying. Alleviating a lot of the fears I once had, but I also started to think because I had so many fears; dogs, animals, heights, being shy, just to name a few that fear was a bad thing. Having that fear of travelling on my own, to Venice, made the trip that much more exciting over coming that fear and because of that will now become a trip I hold onto forever.

You can find my pictures of my trip by clicking here for Flickr or here for Facebook.

One Day

After a long week, full of ups and downs, good and bad moods, I had a weekend just to myself. No travel, no meeting friends in London, just a chance to unwind. My weekend was filled with movies, junk food and photo books.
Photo books; if anyone is struggling for a gift for anyone, my Mum bought me gift certificates for these for Christmas. They are amazing! Turning your photos into hard copy books, such a great keep sake. I have ordered one book and half way through making the second. Two books of my time in South Africa. The first book of animals and landscapes, the second of people and faces. I am extremely excited for the faces edition. But, this gave me a wonderful opportunity to slowly go back through the pictures, relive the memories, and reflect on the emotions. Even though I took the pictures, I think my South Africa collection is one of my best. This could be though because of the emotions attached to each picture.
Although looking back was enjoyable, a look to the future was sparked by a certain movie. Although it appeared under the romantic comedy category, it was romantic, but definitely not a comedy, more on the sad side. But, good nonetheless. In this movie, a girl, Em, played by Anne Hathaway, meets, somehow, either in person or via phone, her best friend Dexter (Jim Sturgess) on the same day every year. July 15th.
Another fantastic present from my Mum was a 5 year journal. Everyday it asks a question, a different question. But on that day, for the next 5 years, you will always answer the same question.
As the lives changed of Em and Dexter, I began to think about the journal, my life over the next 5 years. The growth that has happened in the last couple of years, and then comparing that having 5 years of my life documents in a little brown book.
Before bed each day I answer the question. It has become one of my favourite parts of the day. Some of the questions are quite easy, like what did you have for lunch today? Whereas, some of them are quite thought provoking. Looking at my answers from the beginning of January, they tend to be short, not much thought put into them. Now that my trust in the book has been developed, I have opened up.
One of the questions last week was "What do you want to forget?" Immediately, bad memories start rushing to your head. Do I wish to forget that moment, or this person, the heart break or the knee injury? You go through it all. But when it comes down to putting pen on paper, it's almost impossible. Taking a sneak peek at the question for the following day "Who do you want to be?" immediately made the forgetting question that much easier to answer.
Without the madness of the on and off roller coaster, without injuring my knee, without friends passing away, or loved ones being ill, who would I be. Going through struggles, making mistakes and coming out on the positive end of the spectrum is what makes us stronger. An athlete's character isn't determined by how well they win, but by how well they lose and what they do next time.
As I continue to fill out this little book, whether it be the simple questions or challenging questions, I continue to learn and I continue to reflect.
This journal was given to me with such great timing, as I adjust and become more comfortable with my journey in England, for the next year and a half, and then onto another one, who knows where. But when I'm finished this journal, I'll be 28 (terrifying to think about), but exciting to think of everything that will be in this book.
Much as Em and Dexter revisited their lives on the same day each year, embracing the changes, I am excited.
I had a mentor meeting today and we were comparing 4 weeks into last term and 4 weeks into this term and the complete polar opposites of emotions and attitude that I have. Last term, I was ready to pack my bags. This term, I love it. Yes, there are some classes I wish the bell would ring sooner, but there are those that I really do enjoy. I am currently in an internal debate of whether to stay at this school or to find a new one next year. It is not a hidden fact at my indecisiveness with big decisions, so take the answer I give you each day as it comes.
I will be in Venice in 2 and a half weeks and have that all planned out. Looking at an Emirates Stadium tour for the half term week as well. I may also be officially joining the PE team and picking up 4 hours of classes that have now been deemed "Football Wednesdays." My Contiki Tour books have also just arrived today to start putting my summer plans together. Definitely plenty of good things to come and the time is flying by here!
Although contact with home has been way more this week, I've been thinking of you all a lot. I love you all and miss you dearly. Thanks for supporting my adventure through reading my blog and sending all you wonderful words. My Ontario mug sits on my desk (full of pens and pencils since I don't like tea or coffee), but you are all with me everyday. Much love, Shelbs.

Two Weeks Into Term

Last term, two weeks into the term I was ready to pack my bags and come home. I had enough and thought there was no way I could survive working at this school with these students. Two weeks into the new term, I'm still here and couldn't picture myself anywhere else. 

Living in England is no longer something that feels new, something that may be short term, or a big decision to make. Obviously I miss my friends and family at home, but my life is in England now. Coming back from Canada felt like heading back to your University house after Christmas. It felt normal, it felt comfortable. Things aren't new anymore, rather they are a way of life. 

I am now training with a soccer team (will start playing in games once all the paperwork goes through and clearances are made). I am involved in extra curriculars at school with both staff and students. All of which have helped to develop a routine and establish my life here. I am assistant coaching Netball, which I am quite excited for as I have only been involved with Netball once in my life and that was for a university presentation. I am coaching a football team. I am playing on a football team and participating in the staff Badminton or 5-a-side football. A good group of a friends has also developed as pub night Fridays continue and then back again on the weekends to watch the football games.  

My confidence going into this term was much greater than going into last term and I have everything that has happened in the last 5 months to thank for that. The last 5 months have been the biggest and best learning experiences that I have had and that no amount of money could buy. I continue to challenge and figure myself out more and more each day, I continue to try new teaching ideas, as well as seeking assistance for ideas from past teachers and current colleagues. 

This week I had a surprise reunion with my international class via Skype. It was interesting to hear how the past 5 months have changed everyones' lives from many different parts of the world. This conversation had someone from Burlington, Nunavut, London and Stevenage. No one, except for the 4 of us in the class will understand the bond that was made between us, and because of that our conversations are very personal and an excellent support system. Everyone described challenges they have gone through, but only expressed the feeling of happiness. (Also had to laugh at Pete talking about his -40 degree weather and Christine and I mocking our "Snowmageddon" closing schools on Friday and Monday).

Clearly, once a Badger, always a Badger...I was also Skyped into a Brock University, Hamilton Campus class this week. During this class, REd teachers, my agency was presenting to the new teacher candidates about teaching abroad. I found it hard to believe that that was me sitting in that room last year. The teacher candidates looked so eager as I spoke, bright eyed, excited, nervous and whole other mix of emotions. Some of them you could tell were there because they thought it was a cool idea, and others you could tell were there because this is what they want to do. My favourite part for both groups was seeing the excitement in these teacher candidates, seeing them talk to me and realize that this dream can simply become a reality. 

My life here is much more settled, and much more comfortable. The only thing missing is my photography. I have been extremely slacking on my photography course, but have not taken pictures in a while. I am extremely excited though, because, an impulse decision (which normally for me is buying a new dress or purse or shoes) I booked a plane ticket to Venice! I am off to Venice for 3 days in February and ready to dust off my camera. 4 weeks!

Now that everything is checked off my to do list for today, I'm off to build a snowman and some tobogganing!