Posts Tagged ‘Delaware’
Blogging 101 Class
Posted on: September 11, 2013
Hello Friends and Happy Hump Day Wednesday.
Remember when I told you about the opportunity that was presented to me by The Money School of Delaware to teach a Blogging 101 class? Well, it happened…I did it, I taught a class last Wednesday at the Bear Public Library.
In 1983, I received my BS Degree in Elementary Education from Delaware State (College), but only taught 1 year of 3rd grade before leaving to work in Corporate America. This was the first time since then of being back in a classroom…teaching…doing something that I’ve always loved to do.
I was on pins and needles for months in anticipation, reading everything I could online and from fellow bloggers as well as from the “Blogging for Dummies” book. I was super excited to share what I had learned and prayed that all would go well.
The class was full with 20 people registered, however, there were several no-shows but the walk-ins took their place making it a total of 18 participants. “Not a bad turn out for a new class” stated the Library’s scheduler, which made me feel good.
I was a little nervous only because of the traffic delays that I had encountered trying to get there before the start time and upon arrival there were already 3 people seated. After setting up the laptop with my PowerPoint presentation, I downloaded some Smooth Jazz from Pandora and waited until the start time of 6:30 pm. to begin.
Do you know that saying, “I hit it out of the park”? Well I did…it was an awesome evening, a lively and engaging group of woman ranging in ages from 15 to 60, mothers with daughters and small business owners all eager to learn the basics of blogging. They asked great questions, participated by sharing stories and overall made this a memorable experience for which I’ll forever be grateful.
It was my grandmother’s wish that I would someday return to teaching, so I know she was looking down on me with a smile. Next month I’ll be presenting “Blogging for Small Businesses”, so it’s off to read and learn more, create a new presentation, download more Smooth Jazz and prepare to meet some new students.
Have you ever had an opportunity to go back and do something that you truly loved to do?
Learning at The Teaching Garden
Posted on: August 28, 2013
Hello Friends and Happy Hump Day Wednesday!
Photography is an art that takes skill, patience and lots of practice. I truly admire and am inspired by the awesome photos some of you have taken. Being a novice and still learning the features of the Nikon P520 camera, I’ve been doing a lot of practicing.
My son and I had an appointment at the University of Delaware and while there we took these pictures at the Native Plant Teaching Garden.
According to the University of Delaware’s Cooperative Extension Program’s website – “Native Plant Teaching Garden: Designed to create an awareness of the cumulative environmental benefits that can be achieved through the use of native plants by providing an aesthetically pleasing demonstration garden easily adaptable to the home landscape. The garden consists of different niches, each planted with material appropriate for the site: a butterfly garden, bio-retention system (rain garden), meadow, foundation plantings, shrubs and paths, and perennial border.”
It was a beautiful day to be in The Teaching Garden and a great opportunity to get in a lot of practice.
With the change of seasons, I hope to get more outdoor shots including those dreaded snow days!
How do you think we did?
Linking up with WIWW – Transatlantic Blonde
Have a fantabulous day – Smooches!
Whirlwind Weekend Wedding
Posted on: August 21, 2013
Hello Friends and Happy Hump Day Wednesday!
Hubby and I left early Saturday morning so we could attend the Wedding of my 2nd cousin Kyton Carolina, who was getting married to Shivon Anderson in Mt. Vernon, NY. We wanted to be on the road before 9:30 am so that we could cross the GW Bridge before noon…unfortunately it didn’t happen.
It was smooth sailing going across the Delaware Memorial Bridge
Driving the New Jersey Turnpike wasn’t too bad either…until Exit 11 and that’s when the backup occurred due to road construction!
Finally the skyline of NYC
Crossed the GW way off schedule
We finally made it to New Rochelle at 1:00 pm. but with less than an hour to relax and converse with our friends before dressing. Sherri and I sat outside and had a Barcardi Mojito which definitely helped me unwind, hubby stay inside and talked with Curtis.
Now I am ready for a Wedding
I cleaned up nicely – right?!
We made it to the Church a little late but thankfully we didn’t miss any of the ceremony.
The Groom anxiously awaiting his Bride
The Bride taking that nervous walk down the aisle
“With This Ring I Thee Wed”
Extinguishing the Unity Candle
“You May Salute Your Bride!”
Time to Jump The Broom
Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Kyton Carolina!
My cousins
Hubby with my aunt and grandmother of the Groom
My 2nd and 3rd cousins
Unfortunately my family fun ended abruptly when our son called to tell us he was rear-ended in the school parking lot after football practice. Hubby and I never made it to the reception at Glen Island Park instead we turned around and headed back to Delaware.
Crossing back over the Delaware Memorial Bridge at sunset
What a WWW – Whirlwind Weekend Wedding!
BTW – Kyton was a Jr. Usher in our Wedding 23 years ago – talk about feeling old!
MeJah Books, Inc.
Posted on: August 20, 2013
- In: African Art | Book Store | Culture | DE | Egyptian Art | NY | Small Business Owner | Soho
- 10 Comments
In 1998, a young woman who was born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago relocated herself, a son and a daughter from Brooklyn, New York to Claymont, Delaware. Still grieving from the untimely death of her fiance’ and left alone to raise the small children she decided to become a small business owner.
A transplant from New York unable to find the cultural exchanges that she had grown accustomed decided to open Mejah Books, Inc .
Emlyn DeGannes, or “Ms. M” as she prefers to be called left the Interior Design Industry in NY to become a small vendor in the Tri-State Mall. There are days when Mejah Books, Inc. is filled with the sounds of Latin, Caribbean or Reggae music, but on this particular Saturday it was the soothing sounds of Meditation Music.
The staff is pleasant and engaging, you are invited to purchase a cup of coffee, tea or water while you shop. However, if not there to make a purchase feel free to take a seat to read, relax, meditate, or even take a nap. The aroma, a mixture of oils and incense envelops you into warm comfort.
I walked around checking out the many book titles, magazines, artwork, handcrafted jewelry, body scrubs and lotions. It reminded me of the small boutiques in Soho, as men women and children wandered in and out exchanging pleasantries, enjoying a family day outing. It didn’t feel as though I had entered this Zen-like area from the cool corridors of a Mall.
There are books of interest for everyone including children who are welcomed to come in, sit and relax with or without their parents, a perfect place for the back to school crowd.
Ms. M is also an author and one of her recent works “Voices…Letters to Ms. Em Reflections of Life While Doing Life” is now part of the Education curriculum at the University of Delaware where she is also a guest speaker.
Now that her son, Jordan and daughter Jewel are grown, she continues to work even outside of the bookstore. She mentors young ladies through Voices of Beautiful Flowers; is a Cyber School Instructor with achievementcharter.com and she also receives correspondence from inmates from all over the world. Ms. M takes time to write each of them back or she may send a book of encouragement. In the back room she has a credenza that contains hundreds of letters and cards from these men and women.
To say, Ms. M is a busy lady would be an understatement, “every day brings more life to discover, you just have to open your heart to find it.”
If you happen to be in Claymont, stop in at the TriState Mall and visit Ms. M at Mejah Books, Inc. The shop is open everyday, Monday through Saturday 10:00 am to 9:00 pm and on Sunday 12:00 to 5:00 pm. I look forward to returning and featuring her in another one of her many community projects.
Fashion and Fun after Fifty 