Half Magic

So busy but it's good

Pre-haircuts

Waldorf dolls in Pakistan- Nazli's kindergarten

You know when things literally seem to fall into your lap, it's right there, an opportunity but the question is are you going to grab it or let it go? That is how I feel of late with everything in my life and I have almost let things go, almost, but I don't. I had an excellent interview for my documentary that almost didn't happen because I was afraid of asking, I almost let go of a job opportunity because I wasn't sure if I could do it, I almost didn't make a connection, I almost didn't try a new gym and I am almost letting go of another gift- but will I- No! I know it will be great and everything is coming together it is just so hard to do it without money- all of it- running a house, raising kids, planting for spring, walking the dog, making a documentary, marketing for a school, going to parent evenings, faculty meetings, getting childcare, doing taxes, and more cooking and cleaning, washing and reading and research and research and networking and contacting, oh yeah and being a good wife.
However, there are so many highlights.
Meeting fantastic people, watching great documentaries on Pakistan on the Passionate Eye, reading great books, The Book Of Negroes, watching Helle Heckmans DVD on a Danish kindergarten Childhood's Garden , reading that Nazli has opened her Waldorf Kindergarten in Lahore Download GULMOHAR DIARIES , being asked to collaborate and film with a man I completely respect, learning my next interviewee is the hottest ticket in LA, and eating healthy raw cereal my sister introduced to me, my mom baking banana bread with the girls, and the kids playing with the neighbours outside for hours.
Next event I am looking forward to is a community kitchen with The Stop and hitting Florida and LA!

Pakistan and Education

Wow, just finished reading Deborah's last entry on her blog my three cups of tea . I truly, deeply believe this is the best solution for peace in Pakistan- whether it is Waldorf or not, it is inspiring a reverence for life and nature, starting with the children. I am so in awe of Nazli for having the resolve to come to Toronto for four years to study and go back and really make a difference. I hope this documentary succeeds and I can get the right angle to attract an audience.

Forest Schools

I know , two blogs one after the other but I am so excited to share a 15min video I discovered:     Forest Schools
Although my kids attend a Waldorf school and I love it I do wish there was more outdoor forest experience regardless of the weather on a daily basis. They visit ravines once a week and often come home muddy but frankly I would love it if they spent every morning outside particularly in the ECE years. I would also love a March Break camp that focused on the outdoors but I can't find one! I actually went to book a yurt at Silent Lake for some winter camping and not only were they booked for the season but every other park that has yurts were also booked.
Now that the kids can skate and ski we are loving winter! Quite some time ago I watched a grainy DVD of an outdoor school that was Waldorf based in a Norway, I think, where the children do everything outside. There is outdoor cooking etc and there are waiting lists for this school! But this video that I discovered is from the UK and is part of a growing movement of Forest Schools- Enjoy and be inspired to let kids muck about in the woods and encourage your teachers to do so too!

Redefining Genius 2

Highlights of Sir Ken's speech:
What he liked about Kurt Hahn and Outward Bound-
There's more in you than you think.
When you connect to nature you realize you are part of a larger order.

His number one concern is global warming.

Our present situation: thinks a revolution is required but we are lacking resources- in humans that have capacity to evolve- hence the limited creativity behind the financial fiasco.
Challenges we face are unprecedented.
We have educated ourselves out of reaching our natural potential.
The current education system is based on conformity and standardization to suit an 18th C industrial economy.
The present financial crisis is sign of turbulence to come. We are in transition( like medieval to renaissance) yet no one can even predict next 5 years.
He feels we need to look at creativity which is imagination applied- ideas with value.
He helps businesses and organizations view this as an operational idea- creativity is tangible like literacy and one can train and develop it.
The basis of creativity may be imagination but it also is infused with discipline and rigor. A composer still had to learn his scales.
Within a company/organization celebrate personal differences and use diverse teams rather than separating the 'creative ' team from the accountants for example.

Redefining genius.

Divergent Thinking: lots of associations and alternatives/ideas rather than a logical line of thought. Average person may come up with 20 different ways to use a paper clip but a 'creative' person or 'divergent ' thinker would come up with 300 ways.
A longitudinal study on this type of thinking:
3-5 yrs old 98%. Almost 100%- we are all born with the potential.
8-10yrs old dropped to 32%
13-15 yrs old 10%
Adults 2%
Why the drop? They got educated- not intentional but systemic.
We create conditions that inhibit- such as tests, narrow curriculum, only one right answer, don't talk or accused of cheating- in outside world would be called collaboration. A degree use to guarantee a job, no longer true. Everyone should not be aiming for a university degree- too narrow for a society.

He believes there is a miracle in every one of us and it is not too late to bring it out.

Redefining Genius

 
Exploring at the 'tree farm' creek this Thanksgiving      Red Rum runner beans- imagine Theo's delight!

"Ignite the human spirit, invite self-discovery, inspire human potential."

On Wednesday Outward Bound hosted a Leadership Breakfast Series with Sir Ken Robinson that I was lucky enough to attend at 7:30 in the morning. I am a huge fan of Sir Ken and am eager to interview him for one of my documentaries but he is impossible to get a hold of unless you have $25,000 to book him as a speaker never mind a free interview.So I admit I had ulterior motives for paying $100 to hear him speak. I woke up at 3am nervous I would miss my alarm and never fell back to sleep rehearsing my plan of attack.
When I arrived they couldn't find my name but let me in anyway.Then, as I was pouring myself a cup of O.J. he was five feet from me grabbing his own breakfast. I thought, here you go, perfect opportunity, hand him your proposal, take a deep breath and... walk away and find a seat! Well, he may be thinking about his presentation, probably better to wait to the end...loser!
I was happy I waited because hearing him speak reaffirmed why I wanted to interview him so badly; the man is brilliant, funny, and he inspires the very thing I am trying to explore and understand. So putting all my insecurities aside I mumbled something pathetic and not particularly clear (why else would he be cocking his head like English was his second language) and I handed him the envelope containing my treatment to which he promptly placed in the inside pocket of his jacket  and charmingly replied that he hoped it was stuffed with cash!
My next entry will highlight his actual speech. Here is a link to watch Sir Ken when he was at TED

Raising Global Citizens

This Sunday, my daughter and I attended a ceremony for International Day of Peace. I admit it was at the request of a good friend who had organized a small celebration and I did it largely to support her. All I can say is thank you so much Karen! It was beautiful, intimate and and an invaluable moment to share with my daughter.
Karen taped 192 flags to tooth picks. We gathered in a circle and each of us were given a flag. We recited together a prayer for peace and when that country was mentioned that person would place the flag on a center piece in the middle of the circle. That made it especially fun for the kids and as there weren't many of us they were able to go up several times.
A final blessing was presented by a special guest from India, a woman named Maa Shyama who is the spiritual leader of a school in Delhi called Maitreey Preksha Seva Mission. I honestly know very little about this woman but there was no denying that she was a beautiful person full of love,kindness and wisdom. She preceded her Sanskrit blessing by acknowledging what we had done with each country was wonderful but she pointed out that defining peace by countries is still about borders, about differences, about boundaries so she dedicated her prayer to the air we all share, to the Earth's vegetation we all share and to the Universe; everything and everyone is connected. I loved that and I have no idea of what my daughter will retain but I am sure a seed has been planted.
So feeling inspired by Karen and her efforts I decided to actually write my MP about a few issues like funding cuts to the National Training in Film and Video Sector to the use of styrofoam cups on Family Day at the Beach. I have never been active this way before(usually I just complain) and I know it is a small action but I thought it was time to act like a role model instead of talking about it. Democracy is important and the actions of individuals matter. This link will help you find your MP's  contact information.

making dreams a reality

The Teacher and her Flock

Yesterday, we visited a school. Not just any school, but one that began with a few parents dreaming of the kind of education they wished their children could have: Fresh air, magical stories, commercial free materials, a hot lunch shared at a table with cutlery, a blessing and a deep connection to nature. It really is amazing how quickly one can make a dream a reality- you just have to go for it!

In less than a week this old converted horse stable was transformed into a classroom to welcome the gr.1/2 students.

My daughters, Theo and Piper, and I joined the class for their afternoon nature walk along with the geese, ducks and chickens. Many years ago David and I lived in this area but we moved back to the city largely because we didn't think there would be families that shared our vision. We couldn't have been more wrong! We live in the Beach and totally love Toronto but it gives us such great pleasure to visit and support this awesome initiative.

The Willow Garden School                                    Now to get a zipline...that's Piper!