eMINTS!

After a year of working as the technology coordinator at a rural school district, the eMINTS program is up-and-running in an all-inclusive 3rd grade classroom. And, with the recent addition of Google Apps for Education and Google Cloud, education may be beginning to transform at our small, rural school district. In fact, eMINTS and similar programs may even be contagious. Let's hope this technology "disease" spreads!

The amazing and wonderful Google

Check this out:


http://www.googlegrants.blogspot.com/

In particular, check out the section on video contests for non-profits...amazing!

Hope...

I stumbled upon this quote by JFK today:

We need men who can dream of things that never were.

John F. Kennedy (1917 - 1963), speech in Dublin, Ireland, June 28, 1963

What are we currently doing in schools, businesses, government, etc. to advance? Where are our dreams? Are we supporting and believing this dreams as a nation? 

Something to think about...

I grow more intense as I age.

Florida Scott-Maxwell, O Magazine, October 2003

I think this quote holds very true for me...the older I get, the more passionate I become about life. I seem to expand upon my goals and dreams each year. Right now, I'm enumerated by the possibilities of technology and education! 

Consulting 101

Check out my consulting business as it is in its early stages at: https://sites.google.com/site/digitaltechnologytransformers/

The future....

is looking very bright right now!

Check out: http://k12online.ning.com/profile/ChristyFennewald

Start of something new...

Today is officially the start of something new. And to honor that, I was blessed to eat and chat in the company of three lovely ladies over lasagna, bread, Tuscan white bean soup, and dark chocolate-covered strawberries. On a cold, rainy February evening, what could be better? And to end it, I'm listening to an old friend's wonderful song, Colder Months.

Check out the pictures of tonight's food journey with the four lovely ladies.

The cheese!

Lasagna, dark chocolate strawberries and more...

Thanks to my friends, Kim, Ashley and Crystal, I got to try out Giada's wonderful lasagna recipe! And, to add to that, I made a Tuscan white bean soup, garlic cheese bread, and......dark chocolate covered strawberries! What could be more delightful on a cool, rainy February afternoon? I don't know...



Here is Giada's recipe: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/classic-italian-lasagna-recipe/index.html

Pictures of the lovely event will soon follow.

Flying into the past...

Here's a trip down memory lane and a view of what I foresee in my future!

Where I'm From

A trip down memory lane...

Digital Storytelling at its best...

Technology Inspirations

Over the next year, I would like to begin adding in guest writings to the ETC journal. Additionally, I would like to attend and/or present at the conferences listed in the link below.

http://etcjournal.com/submissions/

ETC Journal

More thoughts to ponder...

Just a few thoughts to ponder:

Under all speech that is good for anything there lies a silence that is better. Silence is deep as Eternity; speech is shallow as Time.

Thomas Carlyle (1795 - 1881)

Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity.

Horace Mann (1796 - 1859), address at Antioch College, 1859

Life is full of obstacle illusions.

Grant Frazier

No one has a finer command of language than the person who keeps his mouth shut.

Sam Rayburn (1882 - 1961)

 

I have definitely learned a lot from the silence in my life. Many times, the silence has said more than what was said. The silence in my relationships/friendships have been the turning points for me. 

And, obstacles do seem to be illusions. They are not what they seem at first. I'm wondering what obstacles are truly illusions in my life now...

Etsy!

Look for my products that will be sold on http:\\www.etsy.com under the name christycrafty.

Girls on the Run!

As an avid runner and former youth runner, I'm a full supporter of bringing young girls into running. Right now, I'm trying to bring a program called Girls on the Run into the Jefferson City/Columbia, Missouri area. So...any support or athletes you have, send 'em this-a-way!

http://www.girlsontherun.org/

Hotel Horror!

After a great day of conferencing at METC, I went to check into my quaint room at Mariott's Fairfield Inn, across the street from my conference location. However, after toting my luggage into the lobby and asking to check in, "Christy Fennewald" (and being asked if I would like to share the room with her), I was told that the hotel had overbooked rooms and I was being relocated to another, much cheaper hotel. What?! I asked. I reserved the hotel months ago. The answer given: well, we're giving away the rooms on a first come, first serve basis right now. Well, great!

Then, I began my journey to the other side of town, in the dark, in the rain. Fun. And, I got lost. So, I took out my phone, called my favorite attendant at the Fairfield and was finally directed to my horrific hotel.

Once again, I toted my luggage in through the security glass into the neon-lit lobby. Hmmmm. I've stayed at a Motel 6 before and this hotel is pushing to reach those standards. Tired, I took the room and dragged my luggage up three flights. Elevators don't exist here.

Upon entering my room, I discovered I had the handicap suit. Sweet! And, when I step out of my bed, my foot lands in the kitchen. Even better. And, my bed vibrates!

Thank you, Mariott for not only giving me this great room, but for paying for it as well...you shouldn't have!

*Disclaimer: Pardon the sarcasm, but this blunderous story had to be shared!

Ms. Fennewald's Latest and Greatest by Christy Fennewald

Ms. Fennewald's Latest and Greatest by Christy Fennewald

The five-year itch...

When I moved to Columbia, Missouri on December 26, 2005, I never imagined what life would hold for me or that I would still be living in central Missouri five years later. I absolutely love my current home and location next to my grandparents. I feel at home for the first time since I left Austin, Texas. However, I'm starting to get that itch, that itch to let go of all of my ties and start something new and uniquely-Christy. What that is, I don't know yet. I have had the itch to start up my own business recently in order to work remotely from anywhere in the world.

The only problem: do I want to move from my grandparents? Or, can I keep my current home, start my own business, travel, and still return to this home base?

I'm searching now for the next stage in life. I had felt the need to stick around central Missouri for a while because I was waiting. Waiting for something that I no longer see in my immediate future. And, I think I'm okay with that now. I'm feeling an even stronger calling to use my talents all over the world. I love my new-found friends and my family nearby and I don't want to leave them permanently. However, life brings tides of change and I can no longer wait for the tide to come. I am ready to leap into it and let it take me, returning me on occasion, but only to take me away again to my next journey. This is becoming my calling. This is my journey.

In the meantime, I'm learning as many new things as possible in order to take with me on life's journey.

Stay tuned! Tomorrow, I'm off to my favorite METC conference where I hope to gain more inspiration.

Ravioli Complete!

Well, I decided on making the Country Living recipe for the simple fact that I already had the majority of the ingredients at home.

I also paired the dish with some sauteed broccoli and homemade Havarti cheese sauce. Not a fan of Gorgonzola cheese, I thought I would make a sauce out of my favorite cheese. And, it was yummy!

Overall, the meal turned out awesome! Now, I just need to make it for a dinner party with a yummy chocolate raspberry/pomegranate dessert.

Here's the product:

Read more »

Pumkin Ravioli...that's right!

I decided last night that pumpkin ravioli sounded delicious! So, tomorrow I'm going to embark on a cooking adventure using any of the following recipes.

Feedback to follow shortly!

http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/pumpkin-ravioli/Detail.aspx

Martha Stewart Recipe

Wolfgang Puck Recipe

Healthy Recipe

Country Living Recipe

Happy Eating!
Christy

Something to ponder...

What talents do we need to continue to acquire to take with us on life's journey? What is next on my list of "talents"? What will be next on my journey?

How can I put this quote into action?

We all have a few failures under our belt. It's what makes us ready for the successes.

How can I move past my failures and move on to my next journey? How do you let go?

And, the last lesson that applies most is:

Never grow a wishbone, daughter, where your backbone ought to be.

I need not wish or dream where I should be standing up for who I am. I need not idealize someone or something when I should stick up for the person who God made...me!

Shutter wonders....

Since I was given another snow day today, I figured I would finish the project I started on Sunday: transforming shutters into coat/key racks and baby frames.

What began as a broken shutter with two planks missing became a key rack. So, I thought I would share the before and after pictures.

Stay tuned for more artistic updates!

Shutter before:

Shutter after:

Ciao! Christy

Quote to ponder

Forgiveness is when you decide that the past cannot be changed. Rather, you focus on making a new future.

Just  a little something Oprah shared today and made me reflect on my current situation: understanding that you cannot dwell on the past and let it consume your life.

Business Idea!

Sooooo...I think I'm going to do it! I have been wanting to pursue some type of creative path in life for some time. And, though my degrees are all in Education-related fields, I still feel a creative passion that I also want to pursue. In the past, I have thought about being a traveling writer/documentary-maker and I have also thought about living amidst communities and writing their stories. Though, all of those dreams sound great, some instinct is telling me to wait on those...just for the time being.

Right now, I have the urge to start a furniture restoration/refinishing business from my home. I would like to do my advertising online and develop a website to market my trades. I have not decided if I want to fix customers' pieces or if I want to find "fixer-upers" of my own and restore them for sale. The latter is where I have the most experience. For now, I am thinking about fixing up a few pieces and selling them on Craig's List to see what I can get for each item. After that, I would like to start selling some of my creative works. Since I am running out of places to keep all of my projects, I believe it is time to start making a part-time living doing something I love.

This article is a great resource for others looking to start up a similar business:

Furniture Restoration Business How-to

Bruising blunders

As I walked into the YMCA today for my daily work-out, I felt I was under observation. And, as I glanced over my shoulder, I discovered that my hunches were right: I was being watched! What was so different about me today?

Well, in the days following my sledding adventures and injuries, I became accustomed to my battle wounds and the grapefruit-sized welts and bruises on my legs. However, what I had not realized was the irony of the shirt I was wearing: stop domestic violence.

Blushing, I looked up and realized the purpose of their stares: they thought I was an abuse victim! Though, I often wear the shirt to advocate for the cause, I had not intended to actually BE the cause. When our gazes caught, the mother whispered to me, "we appreciate your determination." I said my proper thanks and then, hurried with my head down to create some more bruises on the Elliptical machine. What would she have thought if she knew the extent of my sledding wounds?!


Read more »

New Beginnings...

Today marks my 27th birthday. Wow! 3 years closer to 30 and 7 years since 20. After a less-than thrilling experience to end 26, I'm starting 27 by focusing on the positive in life. And, there's so much of it. I'm also beginning by forgiving the past.

In reading a friend's post, I realize I have lost some of my spontaneity so in true Christy form, I am planning some spontaneous events and ideas in my near future, starting with some hiking trips. I miss the crisp air settling in the woods as I climb through rocks and rivers and lose my grasp on the stresses of daily life. This is a must-return! I'm also outlining an idea to start my own creative business and educational consulting work. And, of course, I'm making plans for my annual summer excursion.

Yes, I'm for sure that 27 will hold as much excitement as 26 and even more. 26 was a year in which, despite my many mistakes, I became smarter, more confident, and I lived a little more. Let's see how I grow in 27. And, I await the blunders as usual.

Stay tuned as I head back to more sledding this weekend to recapture last week's bruises, welts, and wounds. Gotta love it!

Lessons Learned

Today I learned the importance of forgiveness...forgiving yourself, but not forgetting. With a rough end to my last day as a 26-year old, I am starting 27 by forgiving myself and focusing on the positive in life.

And, despite the falters in life, there is a lot to be hopeful for and thankful for right now.

Bowling 101

So.....I have been thinking of creating some "suchandsuch for Dummies" books, beginning with bowling. However, there will be a catch to these books: they will show my way to success.

For instance, in the art of bowling, I have discovered the following keys to success:

• Give hand signals to your ball after releasing it.
• Lean with it, roll with it.
• Talk to your bowling ball...become one with it.
• Don't look where you drop it.
• Do the Fred Flintstone tiptoe and then, DROP it!
• Shoot for the lowest possible denominator.
• Don't showcase your skills...until the end.
• Backwards bowling is underestimated.
• Do whatever motion (be it the splits even) to get your ball to knock down the pins.
• It still counts if you knock down the other person's pins (in another lane).

More discoveries and tips will follow. 

Chest of Treasures

With the Blizzard of 2011 threatening to hit Central Missouri, I knew I needed to stock up on crafts as I would be trapped in my house for several days. Therefore, my cousin, Danielle and I, headed out to the Habitat for Humanity's Restore and to Goodwill to find some treasures. After finding countless shutters and doors to fix up my earlier projects, I found it--the chest of treasures--at Goodwill for eight dollars.

At a price of eight dollars, I could not pass it up. It had the ideal shape for a coffee island in my living room. And, with storage space underneath, I could stash away some of my numerous photo albums. So, ten minutes later, we lugged the chest to my car. And, though situating the chest in my car was a battle of its own. we were able to secure it in the back seat. At Lowes, we found the remaining ingredients for my blizzard transformation project: paint and stripping materials. At Hobby Lobby, I found several aged glass door knobs to complete the ensemble.

I began my 5-day project by lugging the chest down to my basement--another adventure in itself.

Then, I began stripping it down and cleaning off its cob webs.

Then, came the paint:

And...the door knobs...

And, viola! It's done!