Pay It Forward...Blog Style

Two posts in one day?! Either I'm bored out of my mind orrrrr....

I've been nominated for a Liebster Blog Award!!!

I was so excited to be "nominated" by Sandy over at Elementary Expedition. Thanks a bunch, Sandy :)

I had *no* clue what a Liebster Award was so I did a bit of research---actually a lot of research---and found that the award is basically a way for bloggers to connect (specifically newbie bloggers) and spread the love! It's a pay-it-forward kind of deal which means I also get to nominate other bloggers as well! In order to "accept the award" nominees must:

1. Link to the person who nominated you.

2. Answer questions from your nominator.

3. Share 11 facts about yourself.

4. Nominate 5 to 11 other blogs {with less than 200 followers}

5. Pose questions to your nominees.

Let's do it!!!

1. Who nominated me? 

Sandy from Elementary Expedition!

2. Questions from Sandy:

1) What is your favourite subject to teach?

I have two: I have always *loved* teaching anything related to language arts...probably because there is SOOO much you can do within that one subject area. And, more recently, I've actually developed a love for teaching math (first grade math, that is!! Any other math I still detest because I am all kinds of awful at it...I don't even know my multiplications tables! Sshhhh, don't tell) for the same reason as I love language arts...there's so many possibilities!

2) What gets you through the day?

All of the AMAZING staff at the school I teach at. I would not have gotten through my first year without them...well that and green tea in the morning ;)

3) What is your favourite inspiration quote?

Again I have two! 

...because I am a ball of stress!

...sieze the day!

4) What kind of music do you listen to?

I like a little bit of everything: pop, rock, country....anything from Celine Dion to Down With Webster! 

5) What do you do to relieve stress?

Have a bubble bath with wine, walk the puppy, make lists, craft!

6) What is the distance from your home to school?

I'm very close to my school. It's about a 3 minute drive, 7 minute walk :)

7) What other jobs have you had besides teaching?

I worked on a farm one summer and did a little bit of everything: bake pies and cookies, cashier, fed animals, birthed a lamb (no joke), drove tractor rides, was the Farm Educator, grounds maintenance, and about a zillion other things. Probably one of the most exhausting but fun summer jobs I've had!

I was a waitress at a little lakeside restaurant at my cottage.

And I've also worked at a daycare (with infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers, and school-age kids), and at an outdoor summer camp.

8) What are your favourite things to do in your spare time (not teacher related)?

Explore new trails on the four-wheeler, ride bikes, craft and decorate, go fishing, go hiking with the puppies...

9) Why did you start blogging?

I originally started blogging to create a "digital scrapbook" of my first year of teaching, and also as a way for parents to get a closer look into what their kiddies were up to in my classroom.

10) How long does it take you to get ready on school mornings?

I like to be at school an hour before the bell rings (so I get there at 7:45 and the bell rings at 8:45). I like to take my time getting ready so I usually give myself at least 45 minutes to get ready...I get up around 7:00.

11) Where did you attend college?

I went to Nipissing University for both my undergraduate Honours English degree and my Concurrent Education Teacher's Certificate.

1) I danced 24/7 for 16 years of my life. I have my Royal Academy of Dance Advanced 2. My studio was competitive so I've traveled to places like Florida and Las Vegas for Grand National competitions.

2) I'm marrying my crazy partner-in-crime in Jamaica on February 12, 2014 (his birthday). I can't wait!!!

3) I am *terrified* of flying. I mean hyperventilate, grip the armrests, worse-than-a-crying-baby, freak-out-the-person-next-to-me TERRIFIED!!! The only thing that calms me down (slightly) is a glass of red wine. 

4) I was born on Valentine's Day. It kinda sucks since I *love* Valentine's Day and my Birthday totally crashes the party.

5) I make my own red and white wine.

6) I LOVE animated movies.

  

7) I eat whipped cream out of the tub like icecream. Love it. 

8) My favourite season is fall. I love fall fashion, the leaves changing colours and crunching under your feet, hot chocolate, brisk walks, mmmmm...

9) I totally sleep like this guy:

10) The only "celebrity crush" I've EVER had is Jim Carrey. No Aaron Carter, no Brad Pitt, no Channing Tatum. I've only got eyes for Jimmy hahah don't ask me why, it's just one of those strange inexplicable mysteries. 

11) I love sketching and painting, although I haven't had the time in a while. It was always my favourite subject throughout elementary school, high school, and university. 

4. Blogs I'm nominating:

I follow soooo many other blogs and boy it's tough finding some that have not yet been nominated! I know you can be nominated an infinite number of times (given you have under 200 followers) but I tried to stick to those that had not yet been nominated...I *think* I found 5 fabulous blogs to share with you :) 

Angela from Teaching With Style and Grace

Leslye and Janaye from Tales of Frogs and Cupcakes

Julie from Ms. Shope's Class

Amy from What Happens in First Grade

Tiffany from Edventures in England

and Marvellous Molly ;) from For the Love of Learning

5. Questions for my nominees:

1) What do you use as your "teacher bag"? What's inside?

2) What do you have for lunch at school?

3) Where is your favourite place to travel?

4) What is your favourite children's book (or author)?

5) What was the best Christmas present you ever got from Santa?

6) What's your favourite kind of soup?

7) If being a teacher was not an option, what would you chose to do?

8) If you could be in any movie, which movie would you be in? 

9) If you could live anywhere in the world (besides where you live now) where would you live?

10) What is your favourite "teacher store" (where you get all of your classroom goodies)?

 11) What's one of your pet peeves?

Well, I hope you are all not bored *out of your minds* by all my blabbering. 

Thanks again for the nomination, Sandy!