Busy November

[ahka]

November has been super busy and eventful.   I would usually write about  each event separately but I don’t have any time for that, so I will have to just make this list for myself with some resources.

 

I attended a conference in Indiana where I presented and attended a lot of other presentations.  Nothing actually stood out for me accept of more presentation practice and becoming more and more comfortable presenting and preparing for the presentation.

The day I came back from the conference, I went to the lecture by Dr. and Rav Efim Svirsky, who came to Minnesota from Israel.  I listened to his lectures on-line and was super curious to meet him.  The lecture was almost the same as I already listened to.  I was a little bit disappointed about that but it was really nice meeting him and learning more about hypnotherapy (even though it was not the theme of the lecture).  People were attending his private sessions and I was curious to learn from them what he did and how it went.  It sounded that he is doing exactly the same hypnotherapy work as I was learning about during the A training.  Unfortunately, I have not used my skills since I went to the training. 

Also, I went to a movie screening  REKINDLE CINEMA by Harmony Theatre.  This was a movie that kids were shooting during the summer camp.  Michael got a little part in it too.  I was very impressed with the kids’ acting skills and effects of making old silent movies.  The stories were funny and kids were wonderful. 

I went to a concert by Dr. Grotel singing studio and enjoyed listening to the performances by new and old students.  It was nice meeting a lot of people I knew.  Some of the songs were very touching and inspiring and some were boring and not very well performed.  I loved the last trio of men performing a song from the Notre dame de Paris.  What a beautiful song and what a beautiful performance!!!  Truly inspirational.  On the way from the concert I was singing my lungs out.  Maybe I should take some singing lessons, only I don’t want to do it with Dr. G.

Oh, I got my very expensive hairdo at SashSalon in Calhoun Beach club.  This time I didn’t have to pay for it.  It was a present for my birthday from my sister and my friend.  I had high expectation and I think it was met.  I got a different style cut and beautiful color.  The funny thing is my perfectly straight hair suddenly started to wave and curl up.  This hairstyle looks better when it is straight and not wavy.  I can’t believe, I would need to get a hair straightener.   

Then I attended MCDA roundtable event that focused on career trends related to individuals with disabilities.  It was held at the Walden University.  I got a lot of great resources and helpful information.  There were some very knowledgeable people about the subject.  I would need to get back here and add those resources, so I don’t lose them.

The next day I presented at MAFAA conference.  This was an informal presentation just sharing my experiences with financial aid workers about the diverse clients that I get to serve at EOC with focus on effective communication.  I did not prepare for it at all, my co-worker put together power point a night before this presentation and everything went well.

After this presentation I went to MCDA Fall event that focused on bullying at the workplace.  Apparently, it is a huge problem in private companies.  I again appreciated the fact that I am a union member and when I had an issue, my union representative supported me and advocated on my behalf.  I did not feel lonely and isolated as many people in private companies do.

On Sunday, we went to a concert by Elina Graypel and our local Minnenapilis group.  I love this type of concerts at the bar because of the wonderful atmosphere and then ability to talk to the singers.  Also, I saw a lot of people that I knew.  I spoke with a few.  I felt very energetic after the concert.  It is just a reminder that when you listen to the live music and meet with friends you get new energy. 

I have attended 2 weekly Torah studies with Rav Goldberger.  I loved it!  He is a wonderful knowledgeable and sincere teacher.  Time flies so fast, we usually would cover one question from the whole weekly parsha.  Every time there is a great life lesson.

I was involved in our climate committee project that I am still confused what my role is.  I am still trying to figure it out and to say the truth, not very enthusiastically.  Also, I was super busy at work with clients and annual tracking for the final report that is due at the end of this month, I could not attend a lot of the meetings.  I am booked until mid December and already feeling stressed about it.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and it will be just my friends at our house for dinner.

On Friday, we are going to a restaurant for Boris’ dad’s birthday, on Saturday, Michael will go to our friends' daughter birthday in the morning at Brunswick Bowl and then Boris and I will go to our friend’s 40^th jubilee at the restaurant.  On Sunday, Michael is invited to another kid’s birthday at Pump It Up.  It is going to be a fun weekend.

The weather is yucky cold, snowy and no sun.  It is not even December but I am sick of winter.  I already got tickets to CA in December!!!  I hope to see green and flower colors with the sun out, even if it will be 50 or 60F there.

I will be teaching ballet classes starting in December, so I hope I will have time to prepare and test my class on my kids.  Michelle is a born ballerina or a gymnast!