"Thanks"giving 2017

Each year I write a post inspired by a tradition from my high school, the Madeira School, where one morning a year, the microphone was open for anyone to stand before the school and give thanks for things big and small. We all know that no year is without some bumps, bruises, setbacks and some really hard stuff, but even with all that I believe we all have quite a bit to be thankful for this year. So this is my way of continuing this tradition of sharing thanks and appreciation. 

I am thankful for turning 40 and all the memories, laughter, love, friendship, and challenges that has come over the course of those years. I am thankful for my family and friends who love, support, and accept me for me. I am thankful for my son who is a daily reminder that parenting is a humbling job and that neither he nor I need to be perfect to be awesome. I am thankful for the good, joy, beauty, and wonder in my life. I am thankful for the learning I get from my mistakes, failures, successes, risks, and from stepping out of my comfort zone. I am thankful for my strength as it has carried me through some things and I'm still standing. I am thankful for my positivity because it's better than the alternative. I am thankful for my students, past and present, because they help me learn, grow, and challenge me to be a better dean, educator, and person every day. I am thankful for the little things like my DVR, podcast, favorite songs, cheesy predictable holiday movies, the beach, books, statement necklaces, English Breakfast Tea, pizza, Thai food, real mac 'n cheese, Maryland steamed crabs, French fries, cupcakes and so much more. I am thankful for favorite pastimes like volleyball, board and card games, reading, dancing, and traveling that fill my bucket. I am thankful that I get to share childhood loves like Voltron and four square with my son and for the times we spend watching movies and the Flash together. I am thankful for new friends and new communities. I am thankful for my partner in crime, in parenthood, and in life for supporting my whims, my quirks, and my dreams as we go through this crazy, bumpy, imperfect juggling act we love and call life. I am thankful for the journey I have taken to get where I am today and for the adventures that are yet to come. Happy Thanksgiving! 

Intentional Acts of Kindness

Each year I make an effort to celebrate all the international and national days and movements of kindness. While often we hear about random acts of kindness, are they really random acts? I must admit that there's nothing random about the acts I do. They're intentional and with a purpose. In the simplest terms, it's all about bringing a little joy into someone's life and letting them know that someone is thinking about them. It's also so fun and brings joy into my life.



As one can imagine, the start to the school year is very fast and furious often leaving me a bit harried and tired by term's end. So it's the little things that help along way. Something I love doing is putting together care packages for first year college students. Through my Facebook post, I invite any of my former students starting their first year in college to send me their address and a few items they'd appreciate in a care package. Anyone who wants one gets one. It's pretty simple.

Now, what's the why? It's fun and I like doing it. Also, full disclosure, I never received care packages in boarding school or college. I don't say that bitterly or in a "oh, woe is me" way. My parents were stationed overseas in West Africa during many of those years so it just wasn't possible. However, I always loved the idea of care packages.

This past Monday was World Kindness Day and while it's great to have a day where people can celebrate performing acts of kindness across the globe, I would challenge people to do is commit to celebrating kindness every day in big and small ways. It may be a care package one day and a smile the next. A simple gesture of kindness can change a person's day and positively impact yours, as well. Not sure where to start? Perhaps the below list can provide you with a little inspiration for your own year-round acts of kindness campaign.

My 40 for 40

               

Today I turn the big 4-0 and in honor of kicking off a new decade of life, I am going to shed some layers and share 40 random things about me.

1. My zodiac sign is Scorpio and I embrace it. (side note: I have no desire to endure the pain of a tattoo, but if I did I'd get a Scorpio tattoo)

2. I have 3 siblings (older brother, older sister, young brother)

3. I do not eat chocolate candy due to a Halloween back when I was 8 years old and ate so much that it made me sick.

4. I love the movie Anne of Green Gables.

5. I used to eat Tang and loved it.

6.  I won a elementary school dance competition when I was in kindergarten and chose an early Sugar Hill Gang album feat. Song Message II (Survival) as my prize.

7. I love doing (and solving) logic puzzles.

8. One of my childhood/teenage/early 20s dreams was to be a back up dancer for Janet Jackson.

9. A more realistic childhood dream is to become a published writer. One day.

10. I performed with a hip hop dance troupe that opened at the Oakdale in CT for platinum recording artist Brian McKnight.

11. I won a sports Emmy for our team's live turnaround of the Winter X Games.

12. I may have tried to give away my younger brother on more than one occasion.

13. Every holiday season I watch all the Hallmark movies new releases. #holidayspirit

14. I enjoy podcast for the personal and professional development opportunities they provide me.

15. I've lived in four different countries when I was growing up - US, Nigeria, Haiti, and Niger. All awesome and all influenced me!

16. Each year I try to read at least as many books as the age I'm turning.

17. I'm obsessed with the sport of volleyball. I love to play and watch it.

18. In 8th grade, I made the decision to be writer George Eliot (aka Mary Anne Evans) for Halloween. #totalfail

19. I'm a snob when it comes to certain foods, such as homemade Mac 'n cheese, Maryland steamed crabs, and air popped popcorn.

20. I have a book problem. I own a lot of books I have yet to read and ,yet, I'll still buy more when I learn about one that peaks my interests.

21. I love surprises - giving them and getting them.

22. Statement necklaces are the best. They can be just the pop of color or style I need to complete an outfit.

23. I'm a proud UVA alum. WaHooWa!

24. I used to try to repurpose parts of cards into new cards for resale when I was a kid. Not the most profitable, but I enjoyed using my receipt book.

25. I use to rock this gray suit when I was a kid and it made me feel like such a little bad-ass mini professional.

26. I collect postcards from places my friends, students, or I have been.

27. I love watching TV and put my DVR to good use.

28. Time at the beach is one of my self-care practices.

29. I miss recess. Four square and wall ball at AIS Lagos were the best.

30. Momcations are non-negotiable annual trips in my life.

31. Items on my bucket list: learn to swim, learn sign language, learn to play an instrument and read music.

32. Fictional female heroes include Nancy Drew and Wonder Woman.

33. I keep hoping the end of Little Women will change and Jo will end up with the boy next door.

34. My son is such much or a mini me it's uncanny (and exhausting).

35. I've never had coffee in my life; this energy is au natural. English Breakfast Tea is my fav go to and helps me start my day. #teaislife

36. I love quotes and have been collecting them since high school.

37. Giving gifts is the best. I love trying to figure out the right gift that really fits a person and who they are.

38. When I got married didn't want to give up my middle or maiden name because I am proud of my Nigerian heritage and they are a part of who I am. So I just added my husband's name and have two middle initials.

39. I would love to be a Make A Wish volunteer and wish granter one day.

40. I am looking forward to the adventures and surprises my 40th year has in store for me.