What I am beginning to understand to invite the people into my life, I also have to know thy self too to connect in ways that are aligned to my values and wellbeing. I feel so lucky that I spent the summer to redirect the ship, shall we say, to move in a direction and in ways that are true to who I am. It’s been a longtime. I think the last time I felt this confident in who I am and who I connect with was when I was 14.
I had a bike accident in Grade 9. I don’t recall what happened in that accident except that I found myself in the hospital and 3-days of my life are gone. Missing, really. I still have no recollection of what happened except for what people told me, which was I was somewhat foul with my language and behaviour. It’s clear to me I did not want to be there and everyone did their best to make sure I was on the mend.
At that time, I had a huge bump on my head with a scab. I remember picking the scab while working on a French project and I started to bleed. Back to emergency, I go the bump drained and the doctor opted to flip over the skin to continue the draining. My head was dressed and I wore a cap for a good chunk of my Grade 9 year. A long story made short, the skin flap died and I have a bald spot to remember this life event.
Aside from sharing what I do remember about my bike accident, I was also a bit of a tomboy as well in Grade 9. Hoodies, sweatpants, runners, wooly socks, and my cap. I remember walking down the hallway of my school and someone said something to me. I don’t remember if the comment was racialized (I repress those memories) but I just walked by and said, “I believe that’s your problem, not mine.” How liberating.
I feel like I am back to that person, who can stand tall in the shoes they are wearing. In knowing who I am, I can also be more clear about who I want to spend my time with. For years, I was unclear. I spent time trying to meet other people’s expectations. I abandoned myself to please others. Inside, I was slowly eroding. This past year has been about rebuilding myself and feeling good about who I am and my purpose.
Understanding myself better in turn helps me to create boundaries and know who is in my bubble or not. For quite sometime, I thought it was everybody. What I am learning is, the outcome returns back to my edu-saying of: “It depends.” I am building my learning community. I am connecting with those I trust and care for. I can no longer give myself away or my power to please others. I can’t do that anymore.
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, September 04th, 2022 | Comments Off on Knowing Your People
I cannot believe that the summer is over and it’s time to return to school. My kid is going to college and I’m heading back to the university. I do feel like today was the “official” first day of work, but I’ve been working all along with moments of rest and play. Yesterday I participated in the first day of the Stellat’en Salmon Festival and had a wonderful time. I loved learning on the land and from the land. I walked along the river, witnessed the gift to the river thanking and asking the salmon to return, and I listened to the singing, drumming, and stories of the people to remind me of the First Peoples Principles of Learning, humble myself to understand, and respect the land.
This image above inspires me because it reminds me of my mom and what she had learned from Indigenous Peoples in Prince Rupert. I’m hypothesizing, but I can make implicit connections of my past as a child and what I am learning today as an adult. I often wonder who my mom learned from and connected with in the community. We always had salmon, eulachon (ooligan) fish, and abalone. My mom would can the salmon and abalone, and fry the ooligan fish. I loved it as a child and miss it dearly. I loved being immersed in community which reminds me of my time with the Pulling Together Canoe Journey and what I learned during those summers. I am grateful.
I remember the power of the canoe and my relationship with the water. I remember being in the canoe one day and it was a beautiful sunny day. I was in a transition in my life and it dawned on me one voyage that I was a doctoral candidate. Why this matters is, I was because a doctoral for a year and I could not acknowledge it. The swiftness of the canoe is dependent on the health and wellness its crew members, and the water is a place to let go. There were so many lessons learned from pulling the canoe in calm waters and ones I remember paddling air but trusting in the crew to paddle forward and we would arrive safely. Trust and connection mattered.
Here I go and returning back to work with a new contract and new conditions for my job. I am focused on teaching and service, but I am also carving out time to write. I feel that I spent the summer learning about what my limitations are, my strengths, and my interests. I was working with an academic coach, I closed off one chapter of my job in terms of administration, and I identified my research agenda. I wrote my course syllabi with my vision and pedagogy in mind, and I look forward to meeting the students and adapting these envisioned learning experiences to meet their needs. I am also realizing that I need to write ASAP because things are shifting rapidly, but also I acknowledge that I am on the right track. I am making my path forward.
I am looking forward to this year because I am choosing what I want to do. I love the courses I am teaching, and I love teaching and working with students. I am always learning and I want to and need to keep my mindset as the learner. Be humble. Experience. And listen to elders, the land, and knowledge keepers. Working with the salmon at Stellat’en reminded me of these lessons. I am excited about what the new school year will bring and I am happy with the decisions I’ve made to be where I am. I am learning what triggers me and walking into those feelings to understand how I feel and why it matters. It’s ok to breathe, pause, and reflect. I am heartened to have the time to do this deep thinking as well as grateful for the people I work with.
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, August 31st, 2022 | Comments Off on Building Momentum
Oh my gosh… It’s been a few weeks since I’ve been out walking. I sprained my ankle a few weeks ago. I was being absent minded and twisted my ankle in the middle of my parking lot at my apartment building. Can you believe my Crocs did not stabilize my stance? I was personally shocked and fell down because it was better than trying to say standing up as if nothing had happened. The pain has not ceased but I am able to walk. I have not gone to the doctor or physio, but once again, I needed to slow down.
My ankle still aches, but I am realizing that I cannot take anything for granted. One quick fall and POOF, it’s all gone. Health and wellbeing are not given. You have to work at it, much like everything else in life. One the one hand, I know this. On the other hand, I needed a sprained ankle, a gallbladder attack, or a writing-win to know that I am in control of my destiny so what am I going to do about it? Strangely, this is a great feeling. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this way, but now that I do… look out!!!
Life is almost over… LOL (well, it might be)… and I feel so lucky to feel like myself. I think most of my blogging has been about sense making and figuring out why things are the way they are through reflection and writing. Although I had the hidden curriculum of developing my writing skills (and soon to be reading skills), I am grateful that thinking and understanding through writing, especially during the pandemic, has been very helpful. I reached out for help, said no, and took a rest.
What can I say? I feel great. If my body is any indication of what’s happening in my mind and spirit, things will change very soon. I’m focused now on my physical self because now I feel that my mind and spirit are at peace. I’ve learned how to say no, let go, and be ok with things that I cannot control. In doing so, I can see what I can control and what I can choose to do (or not do) because I’m focused on my joy and happiness. What makes me feel good and how can I be true and respectful to me.
Admittedly, my mom was trying to teach this to me… even on you last day of life. I also know that there are many other people who also believed in me and was also there to help and support. But in the end, it was me who had to believe in me. Now that I do, I feel calm, happy, and fearless. I’m don’t feel frantic, angry, or resentful. What a wonderful place to be and I am looking for the fall term to see how the next steps of life will manifest. Gah. I might go to physio for my ankle, but I am happy.
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, August 27th, 2022 | Comments Off on Found Myself
Here we go… the mid-week blog post on education. I will say, this post might be more about learning. Aren’t the two terms synonymous? Maybe that was a rhetorical question, but I said it. Anyway, I cannot believe how good I feel. I am so grateful. As I’m developing my practice in writing, I’m also honing in my practice for gratitude. Here is my second submission and I’m totally stoked. I feel Ike I’ve turned the corner and I’m ready to run forward. Forget about just moving forward. I’m running. Watch me go.
Every moment is working towards the future you want for yourself. But to get there, you have to celebrate and savour the moment. I am so grateful for the work I’ve done this spring and summer terms. Honestly, I think that I’ve been always working on this but now I see it, believe it, and want it. My drive and my desire (aka. My Why) it at the centre of who I am and who I want to be. I can see it, finally. I have moments and look back at how life was and remember how I felt. I was so numb. I was hiding. I was broken. Now I feel alive, excited, and true to myself.
Gosh. I’m blogging from my phone, I’m so exited to blog. I’ve finally found some clarity in my work and what I want to write about. Something that I’ve held onto was written in one day, submitted, and copy edited. I did not hesitate to read the feedback, I was excited. And dang, it was all minor changes. Mainly formatting. Woohoo. I had 1-2 weeks to return the short paper and nope… less than 60-minutes from when the email was sent to me reading and accepting all changes. I feel so validated in the work that I’m doing and I’m getting positive feedback from the field. What I needed to do was to find the courage to write, put my authentic self forward, and send.
I am so grateful for the feedback and I know that someone wen out of their way to provide me feedback so that I can become a better person and writer. There is nothing more exciting than getting the work that I get to do. In the right state of mind, I’ve re-read the scholarly expectations of my department and I saw myself. That’s never happened to me before. I could see my work “fitting” into these expectations without having to compromise myself or pretending to be something I’m not. The Scholarship of Teaching… is my jam.
The sad or sorry part of this story is that someone was trying to tell me this 1-year ago. Omg. I didn’t even understand what that person was saying to me. The person said, “my work is my research”… and that “I’m doing the research.” What was this person talking about. I’ve wrestled with this and had moments of understand, but now I get it. Another person asked me almost 4-years ago, “if you are a professor, then what are you professing?” Another person said to me, “90% completion of 10 papers does not equal to 9 papers.” Oh man… another person said to me “be selfish… you will not advance in your work.” Another person said, “do what you want to do.”
There are so many more things that has been said to me and it didn’t make sense… until now? I find that bewildering but I am creating what I want to see. This is a big idea. Trust is key. One step at a time is critical. Staying focused on what’s important to me matters. I’m done with betraying myself. My work is worthwhile. The only person I’m impressing is myself and right now I’m exceeding expectations. I’m blowing my mind. I need to embrace this moment… with gratitude… like the photo in this blog. I got a cookie and an orange juice on the plane today. The flight attendant came back to me and asked if I wanted the rest of the can. I said yes. If made my day. A beautiful metaphor for today.
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, August 24th, 2022 | Comments Off on Gratitude as a Practice
Here we go… the mid-week blog post on education. I will say, this post might be more about learning. Aren’t the two terms synonymous? Maybe that was a rhetorical question, but I said it. Anyway, I cannot believe how good I feel. I am so grateful. As I’m developing my practice in writing, I’m also honing in my practice for gratitude. Here is my second submission and I’m totally stoked. I feel Ike I’ve turned the corner and I’m ready to run forward. Forget about just moving forward. I’m running. Watch me go.
Every moment is working towards the future you want for yourself. But to get there, you have to celebrate and savour the moment. I am so grateful for the work I’ve done this spring and summer terms. Honestly, I think that I’ve been always working on this but now I see it, believe it, and want it. My drive and my desire (aka. My Why) it at the centre of who I am and who I want to be. I can see it, finally. I have moments and look back at how life was and remember how I felt. I was so numb. I was hiding. I was broken. Now I feel alive, excited, and true to myself.
Gosh. I’m blogging from my phone, I’m so exited to blog. I’ve finally found some clarity in my work and what I want to write about. Something that I’ve held onto was written in one day, submitted, and copy edited. I did not hesitate to read the feedback, I was excited. And dang, it was all minor changes. Mainly formatting. Woohoo. I had 1-2 weeks to return the short paper and nope… less than 60-minutes from when the email was sent to me reading and accepting all changes. I feel so validated in the work that I’m doing and I’m getting positive feedback from the field. What I needed to do was to find the courage to write, put my authentic self forward, and send.
I am so grateful for the feedback and I know that someone wen out of their way to provide me feedback so that I can become a better person and writer. There is nothing more exciting than getting the work that I get to do. In the right state of mind, I’ve re-read the scholarly expectations of my department and I saw myself. That’s never happened to me before. I could see my work “fitting” into these expectations without having to compromise myself or pretending to be something I’m not. The Scholarship of Teaching… is my jam.
The sad or sorry part of this story is that someone was trying to tell me this 1-year ago. Omg. I didn’t even understand what that person was saying to me. The person said, “my work is my research”… and that “I’m doing the research.” What was this person talking about. I’ve wrestled with this and had moments of understand, but now I get it. Another person asked me almost 4-years ago, “if you are a professor, then what are you professing?” Another person said to me, “90% completion of 10 papers does not equal to 9 papers.” Oh man… another person said to me “be selfish… you will not advance in your work.” Another person said, “do what you want to do.”
There are so many more things that has been said to me and it didn’t make sense… until now? I find that bewildering but I am creating what I want to see. This is a big idea. Trust is key. One step at a time is critical. Staying focused on what’s important to me matters. I’m done with betraying myself. My work is worthwhile. The only person I’m impressing is myself and right now I’m exceeding expectations. I’m blowing my mind. I need to embrace this moment… with gratitude… like the photo in this blog. I got a cookie and an orange juice on the plane today. The flight attendant came back to me and asked if I wanted the rest of the can. I said yes. If made my day. A beautiful metaphor for today.
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, August 24th, 2022 | Comments Off on Gratitude as a Practice
Week 127 – August 20, 2022 – Restarting and Excited
Welcome back to the weekly pandemic reflection and now introducing a biweekly blog post on teaching, learning, and leading. In the pandemic reflection, I am focused on self and in the pedagogical journey posts I am focussing on my teaching practice. It’s not that I am separating self from my work, but what I am doing is increasing the frequency of my writing practice and redirecting what I choose to write about.
I cannot believe it’s August 20th. Time is flying by as the fall term approaches. I admit that I continued to work through summer intersession. I was at my fullest capacity during the spring intersession and took the time to engage in deliberate rest and redirecting the ship, shall we say, during the summer months. I needed to notice and acknowledge that I was transitioning, personally and professionally. Again, I’m not try trying to separate the to selves, but I am defining my positionality and place.
My position has shifted at work and I am creating a new self at home. I have a new home and new way of being. I am letting go of so much and as of this week I am saying no to things that I cannot do and do not want to do. This boundary is blurry but what I have learned at a recent workshop at work is that there are different boundaries that we have to wrestle with: the self, others, and the environment.
I love this idea that there are different contexts to boundaries. I struggled with the idea of boundaries, but realized that I was only focused on creating boundaries with others. It seemed arbitrary and I have grieved and questioned many times. The idea of creating boundaries with and for self and the environment is refreshing. I have clarity and I can see that I need to create these boundaries in all three contexts.
Patience is key. I am learning. I can see myself seeing what’s possible and what’s not feasible. I am starting to prioritize and making space for myself to thrive. These boundaries are not limitations, but rather a deeper understanding of self such that I am able to recognize what I want to do, what I’m willing to do, and what I can do.
Creating boundaries is a form of respect for myself, others, and the environment. I’m not going to spend anymore time trying to impress, pretend, or sacrifice who I am. I’ve done that for so many years, trying to predict what people want from me. I am furthering my understanding of “being selfish” as I am learning to respect who I am and give myself the compassion and kindness I need to move forward and thrive.
I am working with people I want to work with and finding more to collaborate and connect with. I am also ok working alone and being alone. I enjoy my company. I am engaging in life’s activities that make me happy and I am not living up to anyone else’s expectations but my own. I like to blog, I like food pics, and I love to learn. I have given myself the space and time to do this personal work and I’m happy.
Now that I have mapped out my 5 courses that I am teaching and supervising for the fall term, I can see what I have created for myself and students. I have a tonne of work this upcoming term, but I can see now the value of my time, I am focused on my courses, and I am learning how to embed writing as part of my daily practice. Service is never a problem, but I am super stoked for the upcoming years and I’m ready.
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, August 20th, 2022 | Comments Off on Know Your Boundaries
Small steps. In between my weekly pandemic reflections, I am planning to (or at least inspired to) blog about professional learning and practice. Although I’ve appreciated this platform to sense make and think about what’s important to me over the 2+ years during the pandemic, I am becoming more interested in reflecting on my practice.
First, I would like to ground myself with an introduction or location statement of who I am and why I am here to engage in this professional learning. We are often guided by our interests and curiosities, but also what we wonder about. The power of wonder as a teacher practitioner interests me and how it influences one’s practice.
PS. I’m pretty stoked about uploading this photo of West Lake near Prince George. I was unable to upload photos in my last blog post and after a few attempts, here it is. I was so happy to be here with a friend as I am finding places to teach and learn for the fall term, but also discover beautiful places near water in this area. I just love it.
MY LOCATION STATEMENT FOR THE FALL 2022 TERM
Hello. My name is Christine Ho Younghusband. I am a second-generation Chinese Canadian and I was born and raised in Prince Rupert, BC. My father is Douglas Ho and my mom is Vivien Ho. They both immigrated to Canada with my sister, Allison, who was 2-years old at the time. I am an twin and my brother, Mark, is my exact opposite and complement. My mom passed away in 2018 and I continue to learn from her about my worth, values, and identity. I miss her. That same year, I accepted a position at the University of Northern British Columbia as an Assistant Professor.
I teach in the School of Education in the Teacher Education Program and Graduate Studies. I also teach as a sessional instructor at St. Mark’s College at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and formally at Simon Fraser University (SFU), both my alma mater. I completed my BSc and BEd at UBC and MEd and EdD at SFU. I never anticipated my life to be a scholar. Initially, I wanted to become an adult educator in mathematics, but I ended up creating a career in eduction teaching secondary mathematics, chemistry, and science in public schools, and as a school trustee.
This has been an incredible pedagogical journey so far where some defining moments in my career included paddling in a canoe in Pulling Together, writing curriculum for the BC Ministry of Education and First Nations Steering Committee, and completing my dissertation to answer a question in leadership and mathematics education I had for almost 20-years. I have a daughter, Zoe, who just became a “full adult” this year and entering college/university this year in the nursing program. I was together with someone for almost 30-years but now I’m creating a new path.
During the pandemic, I have spent my time blogging, reflecting, and recognizing what’s important to me. What I have learned and continue to learn is that LEARNING is my JAM. I never thought that this would be the case. Although I have 4 degrees, I felt at the time that achieving those was for utilitarian reasons and not intrinsic ones. Now I am in a profession and role where I have the opportunity to create what I want to see, with intention. My why includes creating learning experiences (for self and others) so that the learner can self-actualize their efficacy, strengths, and gifts.
I am actively exploring learning opportunities that explores my cultural identity, identity as an educator and innovator, and my identity as a person and parent. I have a strong interest in mathematics education, curriculum, and how teachers learn. Currently, I am writing about my practice as program evaluations as I am able to explore and experiment in my courses driven by my interests and curiosity. Leadership, pedagogy, and policies are also part of what I am interested in as a practitioner and researcher. I look forward to this next step. The time is now.
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, August 16th, 2022 | Comments Off on It’s OK to Wonder
Week 126 – August 14, 2022 – Surrendering To What Is
Wow. I am slowly losing access to my WordPress account. Accessing only by media apps and updates that are automatic, I am only able to do what I can do. Right now, that means blog with text only. I am unable to upload a picture at this time. I will try again later, but this might be a new way of being. Blogging without the image to supplement my text or provide me with the inspiration I thought I needed to write.
How serendipitous this mishap of not being able to upload an image to this blog. There is apparently some error (noted be a message and number) and I want to blog. I will say that I did try a few times with a few different images to arrive to the same outcome of “nope, not for you today.” The question remains, do you keep trying or move on? Welcome to today’s #pandemicreflections weekly blog post. Surrender.
I am writing my blog post. It’s going to happen and I had to re-navigate to get the job done. I am not accepting of the idea of that I am unable to upload an image to my blog post but I am surrendering to this limitation or barrier to get to what I need to do. I’m taking a different direction. I loved what I saw today on an art gallery artifact that said, “Just because my path is different… doesn’t mean that I’m lost.” Agreed.
This saying resonated with me as well as a few recent podcasts I’ve been listening to. I’ve been doing the work and as you as have saw in my last blog post about “Celebrating Christine Day,” I have really landed on being myself and feeling good about it. I don’t need the approval of others or give up who I am as a person to please others or meet perceived expectations to belong. I belong to myself and love it.
It feels great to be motivated from the inside. It’s ok to disagree with others. I don’t have to agree so that I can feel like I belong to a community. I have my own community and my own way of being. Others are (or may) be doing the same thing and I am 100% ok with that. I am making my own choices and it may not be the same as others… and that’s ok. I am not motivated by fear or what others think of me.
I am ok with myself and who I am as a person. It’s been awhile since I’ve felt this way. I wonder if I’ve ever felt this way. I must of had moments but what I am focussed on is keeping this way of being sustainable and joyful. As one podcast said, you have to hit the bottom to look up and move up. I feel like I’ve been there. I am more acutely aware of the 1/3 of people lifting me up and avoiding the 1/3 who bring me down.
I love that metaphor of the tree and its roots moving through the ground. There is one purpose and if there is anything that gets in the way, move around it. That’s what I’m doing. This is surrendering. It’s not about acceptance. I still don’t like the rock and wished it wasn’t there, but I am not going to overspend my time or energy trying to get through the rock or accept the rock (and stop growing). I’m taking another path.
So, here we are with this week’s reflection (without a photo) and moving forward. I spent many times trying to work my way through the rock, change the rock, or hope that the rock would transform in some way so that it was no longer an obstacle. No thank you. I’ve learned my lesson. Acknowledge that there is a rock. Understand that you cannot go through the rock. Surrender and find another path to keep moving.
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, August 14th, 2022 | Comments Off on You Do You
Admittedly, I was inspired by a Walmart commercial where a mom takes her kids to Walmart to get her kids ready for the first day of school. Then the kids ask about the “other days” such as PJ day, things that start with P day, invisible day, etc. It’s pretty humorous but sometimes it feels that way. There seems to be a day for everything.
I am announcing or identifying August 8th as “Christine Day.” It might be a day that I celebrate for myself by myself, but on August 8, 2022, I felt like myself. This sounds like the weirdest thing to say but I feel pretty good about where I am, how I feel, who I’m with, where I live, and what I get to do for a living and for fun. Life is good. 🙂
Saying that “life is good” is something that I would say before with hope that life will be good. Now being the day after Christine Day, I feel like I am in a good place and LIFE IS GOOD. Gosh. This is a new feeling for me. I am good with who I am and I’m not second guessing about what people think and what I’m expected to do or say.
I can take ownership of my actions (or inaction). I’m not scared or worried. I can be my whole self and feel good about it. I cannot believe it has taken this much time to get to the inaugural Christine Day but I also believe that everything happens for a reason and this was the journey I had to take so far to get to this point in my life.
What I do understand is that this is not the end of my journey, but it is definitely a new beginning that I am stoked to get started with. I am in control and I feel like I am in control. I can honour and respect myself and make good decisions for me. I will continue to be in service to others, but not at my expense or to impress others.
The pandemic offered me the time, space, and place to reflect and define what’s important to me. I am so happy to be with and live with my kid. I am happy that I am able to support her in her studies and be in the same place where I work. I have redefined what my work will look like and it feels great. And, I love where I am.
My mind, heart, and spirit are ready for the next chapter and the upcoming school year. Lots of changes on the horizon and I am ready. One step at a time and I can be patient. Progress is what matters. The product will come. I trust all will be well. I am super excited to pivot and embrace what’s to come (whatever it may be). Yay me!
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, August 10th, 2022 | Comments Off on Celebrating Christine Day
Gosh. It’s the end of another week and the summer is almost over. Time is flying by but I am savouring every moment to rest, reflect, and goal set. I am glad to be back in Prince George from my Prince Rupert and the Lower Mainland trips. I was working during this time, but also resting and slowing down. I loved my forest bathing experience, as mentioned in my last blog post, and how I am feeling more intentional with my next steps in life. I am no longer a “floating blob” (a term that I have coined during my forest bathing experience), but I am listening to myself and intuition.
Although I could feel guilty about taking my work day a bit more slowly over the last month, but I am tying up loose ends and making plans for the upcoming year. I am forming boundaries for myself and my work, and identifying what’s important to me and make a commitment in meeting those needs so that my cup is full as I head toward the fall term. I don’t want to question myself or hypothesize what people want from me. I want to move in ways that make me happy and learning as I do. I am an experiential learner and that has not changed. I am practical, pragmatic, and love human connection. For example, today I had coffee and chats with my friends.
Who I connect with are people whom I can be authentic with. I will always remain professional with my colleagues, students, and co-workers, but want to delve deep into interests with folks who I can feel wholehearted with. I love the people whom I connected with on my trips and today for coffee. I even had a phone call today with my edu-buddy to. I have made changes to my job and letting go of what was and looking forward to what will be. I am clear about what I want to accomplish and I knowing this will helps me to create boundaries with others, my work, and myself.
With this clarity, I can be more intentional and take ownership for my actions. In past, I was more focused with what I thought others expected from me. I was looking to belong or I engaged in opportunities not knowing where it would lead me. I think that’s ok, but now I am feeling like I am in control. As I have been told by several mentors… “the only person who will take care of you is you”… “you need to be selfish to get ahead”… and “research or writing is ME TIME.” It has taken some time to fully understand what each of these people were trying to tell me and what I have realized is, I have to prioritize myself and by doing so I am honouring and valuing who I am.
I spent most of my life stepping back, serving others, or pretending to be someone I am not. I have landed. I understand now what I value, what interests me, and what I want to pursue. Signing a 3-year contract and my kid going to school in Prince George for her post-secondary studies, I am exactly where I want to be. I have a place to live, I’m with my kid, and I have a job that gives me the freedom, autonomy, and agency I deeply desire. I love to teach. I get super excited about learning. And, I am heading into the unknown and uncertain world of research and I need to vulnerable to do so.
I am excited. I am so grateful for people’s mentorship, the work and patience of my coach and therapist, and the unconditional love of my kid. I am surrounded by good people and I can make the most of every moment. I choose to be here. Yay for me!
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, August 05th, 2022 | Comments Off on Feeling Intentional
August 31, 2022 – Getting Ready for School
