Reflecting and Preparing...

From 2013 to 2014 - Turning the Page

Measuring the passage of time can add meaning.  When moving from one year to the next, we look back into what has transpired and what lies ahead.  It seems that there was so much activity in the month of December 2013 and October 2013 that I could hardly find the time to document it here.  I am hoping to be more regular on this blog and launch another one devoted to photography which is one of my favorite past times.

As a quick rundown here are a few lessons related to ideas by month based on where I was and what was taking up my thoughts:

January 2013 - Who knew a mall could be such a great place for an aquarium adventure

Visiting the bathroom can actually be a fun/funny experience 

(one of the deluxe features in a mall WC - Bangkok, Thailand)

Demonstrating how things work always makes it more exciting and draws a crowd 

(weaving scarves in Siem Reap,Cambodia)

February 2013 - Sometimes when you try so hard not to follow the rules and fight against being average, the substance of the course can inspire a song (Entrepreneurship@ZSEM, Zagreb)

Working with the right mentor can move from chaos to cohesiveness very rapidly

(with Paul Stubbs, EIZG, Zagreb)

March 2013 - Kids with parents behave very differently when their parents are not watching, have had sugar, watched a movie and are surrounded by their peers in a non-school setting 

(my sons birthday party @9....note to self: "how did I ever host 3 hour parties in our home?" LOL)

April 2013 - Eggs and all the things you can do with them eating wise and decorating wise are absolutely fascinating.

 Wine enthusiasts and experts have such an extended and nuanced vocabulary...this is not a wine cellar but a wine chapel.

May 2013 - Sketching out someone else's story can reduce it in such a way as to help its core ideas spread in such meaningful and magical ways (Original story: Nino Zambakhidze (Tblisi, Georgia), Retold by me and Illustrated by Helena Habdija = legendary collaboration).

May 2013 - Girls scounts teach some very practical life skills like first aid, basic sewing, preparing for camping and making your own net bags for washing utensils:) (with Troop #8001, AISZ)

June 2013 - Amazing how lighting and plants can add to the ambience and decor and transport a dining experience into a cultural immersion.

This tranquil river scene at night hides the mosquitos that require scifi level citywide spraying to maintain post sunset balance between bugs and human beings. (Osijek, Croatia)

July 2013 - I have been teaching summer school since 2006 and its just a great 3 weeks each summer that I look forward to students having 3 hours each day to devote to one subject and make lifelong friends. (Entrepreneurship and/or CRM at ZSEM, Zagreb)

August 2013 - One person's storage space is another's Ralph Lauren-style setting for a high end fashion shoot. (Sutivan, Brac, Croatia)

September 2013 - The Croatian ritual of sharing conversation and coffee is so therapuetic, I so appreciate enjoying both with eclectic friends like Irena Sophia.

October 2013 - Being a mom, I have had my share of stuffed animals and what to do with them when they have completed their usefulness as toys.  I was always amazed at the furniture I saw people make of them so I tried it myself. (Zagreb, Croatia for Animingles)

November 2013

November 2013 - This year marked the first required prototype for Entrepreneurship class which at once gave a new dimension to students pitching ideas as well as being the inspiration for leaders to rise along with opportunities. (Entrepreneurship@ZSEM)

December 2013 - A student brought me a creative idea they saw on the street...a priest handing out crosses inspired by the pharmaceutical industry packed in neat little boxes with prescription style directions.  Liked the student identifying enteprising examples, but not so sure how to feel about the faith being inspired by drugs to reach youth????