I imagine that LIFE has whooped you upside the head from time to time.
N’est pas?
Today it hit me that it was time to step out of my hermit closet and make an Sj from the Heart.
The main theme?
That we’re never alone, not really. Our Selves are with us always.
;-)
Here are some random videos from my stay in Paris last fall.
Enjoy !
*** Sj ***
And lastly, Bellevilloise became a favorite hang out for listening to music.
Or, as my dad would say, more videos than you can shake a stick at.
But don’t worry; they’re all short!
First comes Istanbul where I spent a fascinating week last September.
Bon Voyage!
Next will be videos from either Paris, Scotland, Poland, or Austria.
Have a preference?
*** Sj ***
p.s. The shot at the top of the post is of Pedrata at the cool library called Mevmekan. There are both an art exhibit and a cafe at the library — one of my fave places I found in Istanbul. Thanks Tony for idea !
Then why earn it? you ask.
Who the heck knows! But I did.
At the time, all I knew was that I didn’t know what I wanted to “be” when I grew up. But I did know that I was good at sports and loved language (hence the Bachelor of Science in education focusing on foreign language and physical education). (*)
Fast forward to 30-odd years later, and there’s Sj working as a permanent substitute teacher in the middle of a bunch of mask-wearing 6th graders. (The official teacher chose to retire due to health reasons.)
In the midst of juggling those unexpected lesson plans — while treading water as fast as I could — I fell in love with those kids. As graduation time neared, and no one volunteered to edit their graduation video, I realized it had to be me. That official graduation video is not for public consumption. This short excerpt, however, is.
Enjoy!
I am from my 6th grade past,
from Sponge-Bob attire and ti-leaf lei.
I am from rainbows up high and chickens down low.
I am from Kaua‘i nei.
I am from both A Groups and B.
from Do we come this Wednesday?
and Which class is your fave?
I am from two teachers: one retired and one who stayed.
Both are with me always, in ways I can’t explain.
I am from Black Ships Before Troy and Walk Two Moons.
From playing my classmate’s mother and wearing another’s shoes.
I am from four-square and kickball and Do we have to go INS?
That wasn’t fifteen minutes! Can’t we start again?
I am from Math time! andgroans all around.
From Can you turn the a/c on? And—the lights OFF as well?
I am from a body that’s changing and talks about b.o.
Remember Monkey Man Mayhem?
And rolling-on-the-floor with a drum?
I am from Kumu on Wednesdays and library who-knows-when.
It’s time, Ms. Sj! You forgot—again!
I am from the land of the Greeks:
fun Olympics and marching in sheets!
I am a poet:
Haiku and Cinquain
Future Me and ABC
Kilauea School
I am from lying on damp grass with my friends,
arms straight, bodies curled, feet toe-to-toe.
Be I in the land of Aloha or far from these shores,
My Vorpal sword is ever ready, my strengths at my core.
I am from
my 6th grade past.
• • •
Can I go to the bathroom now?
I hope you can!
Inspired by: George Ella Lyon
Written by: Sj Hylton LeHoven for her 6th grade class
May 21, 2021
(*) I can see now that I was already riding the Trust Train. I trusted that my teaching certificate would lead to something exciting . . . and it did. First, a job as a fitness director aboard a cruise ship, and then later a position as a permanent substitute teacher on the island of Kaua‘i — a job I never could have imagined enjoying.
(**) Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll
Sometimes silent and hiding in the shadows.
Sometimes whispering at my ear.
And sometimes—JUMPING UP and DOWN right in front of my NOSE!
Whether I’m paying attention or not, she’s there.
Intuition. Our ever-present friend and guide.
xoxox Sj xoxox
I learned this years ago as a young girl.
Travel on my own to a foreign country?
SCARY!
But very, very rewarding!
Take a class in stand up in NYC?
SCARY!
But happily, also rewarding.
Last month while sitting on my porch sipping hot tea, the URGE hit me again.
“Go to NYC, Sj. Take that class again!”
“Really????”
“Yes, really.”
“Okay,” I replied.
And now, I’ve got my HANDS in the air and am trusting that I’ll land on my feet.
What’s that scary thing that knocks YOUR socks off?
Today is the day to give it a try.
I think you’ll be glad you did. ;-)
Here’s the video from my debut five years ago. May it bring enjoyment to your day.
(Deleted it as well as the other that I had posted. Here’s a pix of what WAS there…perhaps we’ll get to see each other in person some day. ;-)
To CELEBRATE and give thanks for something in our life (in the form of a short video).
For 50 days.
At first I said, “No.” I felt that it would be a distraction.
But then I thought, “Why not?”
And after starting this (today is currently day 3), I realized that I wanted to post it on my YouTube channel.So…if you want to follow me, you can subscribe to my YouTube channel Sj LeHoven.
Along the way, I’d LOVE to here what YOU have to CELEBRATE about YOUR life. What are YOU grateful for?
I love each and every one of you. Sending a hug and ALL my love.
✫Sj✫
Wishing you ALL a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!
“Sj, how can you trust so much?”
So, I put a camera in front of my face and spoke from my heart.
And…off the top of my head.
To You from Me with ALL of my love.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Even if it doesn’t feel like it.
Sj speaks from her heart on the topic.