Monday, December 22, 2014

For the Love Of...Code with Christina Workman

Hello Blog Fans

And welcome to another edition of For the Love Of. Today, I'm so very happy to have my delightful and talented sister-in-law Tina (or Christina) as my second guest. When I asked her to write a post about something in her life that she felt passionate about, not only was a post about writing code something I had not expected, but I also discovered that reading a piece about the love one can have for code or coding, will make me cry.

So please, enjoy. I don't expect everyone to cry like I did, but I think this post will make you look at the combination of computers and math a little differently.


***
A few years ago, I left the security of the corporate world and steady paychecks to start my own business. As it turned out, that particular business was not right for me, but the journey led me to where I am today. And I mean that about as literally as one could...I am sitting in a comfy chair at my computer with my mini fireplace  going and my dog by my side. And I get paid to do this every day!
 

I flip flop constantly about what to call myself, but basically I'm a web designer and content manager. Generally, I love all things internet and if there's a way to do something online, I'm on board. If someone needs help with their website, social media, blog, etc, I'm over the moon when I get to be the one to come to the rescue. My newest motto is "Let me be your geek!"

The thing I love most about making websites is the code. Creating the design is fun, but I can get lost for hours playing around with the code, manipulating until it produces exactly what I want it to. It took me a long time to realize that this is what I love doing, and once I did, I was amazed I hadn't figured it out earlier. Computer code is essentially a combination of math and language, and those were my two favourite subjects in school. I even majored in languages at university. How I never put two and two together sooner, I'll never understand...especially given my love of math!

I wish I knew how much I loved coding earlier in my life. I did have a few brief encounters with coding basics as I grew up, but there were no formal learning paths back then. Even now a lot of code education is self-taught online rather than via formal school programs. Recently, I started thinking about a new phase in my adventures with coding. I know there are lots of kids out there like me, who might love coding but not realise it yet. They probably haven't even been exposed to it. So I am working towards creating an extra-curricular coding program for elementary school students. 

Earlier this month I had the immense pleasure of teaching computer coding to the entire grade three population at my son's school as part of an initiative called Hour of Code. It was so exciting to watch these 8 year olds figure out the basics of coding a computer game. Watching their faces light up as they made the Angry Bird catch the evil pig because they programmed it to move and make decisions is priceless. 

Coding with my son's classmates reinforced how much there needs to be a coding program available to them, and how much I want to be the one to bring that program to life. 


***

See? Don't you want to try a bit of coding now? Also, I'm going to put it out there even if Tina didn't her in post, but if you're looking for a web designer or other things internetish, Tina's your girl. Here's the link to her site.


I'd like to thank Tina very much for being a guest on For the Love Of...today. If you know of someone who has a love they should share, or if you would like to talk about what gets you out of bed in the morning, please drop me a line at:

cindy.rule73@gmail.com

I'd like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. This year has not been easy, but we've had a lot of love and support and we've appreciated every bit of it.

Until next time,

Cin

Monday, December 8, 2014

For the Love Of...Dance with Angela Howe

Hello Blog Fans

And welcome to the premier posting of my new blog feature "For the Love Of..."

Today, I am very happy to welcome to my blog, Angela Howe. Angela and I met a few years ago when I started doing theatre in Miramichi. She is a woman of many talents, but today she's going to talk to us about her love of dance.


Take it away Angela!

***

The love of dance started when I was two and a half years old, when my parents enrolled me in the Doris MacDonald Dance Academy in Cape Breton. When I was a teenager, I began Highland Dance with the Breton Batherson Dance Troupe. Dance was a huge part of my life growing up. I had many amazing experiences, and met a lot of wonderful people. 

After becoming a school teacher and moving to the Miramichi, I still wanted to stay connected to dance. I found opportunities to choreograph for my husband’s high school drama club, and local community theatre. When our daughter Ella was born I had a mission to have her dancing as soon as she could. She began dance class when she was three years old. 

However, last spring, her teacher was unable to continue providing classes. After much thought, I knew that this could be my opportunity to teach dance on the Miramichi. My current day job involves working for Anglophone North School District as a coordinator for students with special needs. As much as I enjoy my job, I am not directly teaching in the classroom anymore. So, dance would also help me stay connected with teaching – another passion of mine.
 

 Christopher Lovegrove Photographer Ltd.

In September 2014, the “Howe To Move Dance School” was formed. I wanted to start small, so I have two classes of dancers between the ages of three and six years old. I teach at the Dr. Losier Theatre on Tuesday evenings, and it has been a great location for us. This semester, I have taught ballet and jazz. We have had a wonderful time learning basic positions and choreography. My goals are to expose young dancers to dance, learn technique, and have a lot of fun in the process!


Our term ended with our first-ever “Show What We Know” class for friends and family. I was very proud of the dancers for performing on stage (some for the first time), and showing everyone what they have learned thus far. We also were able to collect items for the local Food Bank, and we were overwhelmed with the donations provided.
 

In January, we begin tap dancing, and I am looking forward to seeing how the dancers progress. We will be performing a show in the spring to highlight the dancers’ accomplishments for the year. It is my hope that I will continue to foster the love of dance in young children – so that they have an experience similar to mine growing up. 

***

Thank-you very much Angela for coming on The Blog of Cindy Rule to talk about your love of dance and why you like to share the experience of learning dance with others. I wish you continued success with "Howe to Move Dance School".

If you any of you in the Miramichi area have a little one who is interested in dance and would like to contact Angela to see if she has space available you can contact her at:

 howetomovedanceschool@gmail.com

Is there someone in that you know who has a talent or love that you think people should know more about? Do you yourself have a side you'd like to make people more aware of? If so please contact me at

cindy.rule73@gmail.com. I'd be happy to feature you or someone you know on "For the Love Of..."

Until next time,

Here's to the love,

Here's to being creative.

Cin

Sunday, December 7, 2014

The Desire To Do Something Positive

Good Sunday to you blog fans

If you pay any attention to the news, or even just glance over the headlines from time to time, it's hard not to get the feeling that there is nothing happy going on the in the world. Or at least, nothing happy that people feel should be reported.

We live in a culture of fear, anxiety, and pain. It is reported to us via every channel possible, every moment of the day. I often feel like I am drowning in the negative noise of our planet and some days I have trouble seeing the beauty and happiness that is still in the mix of all the bad things that happen in the world.

Please don't think I'm dismissing the tragedies or saying we shouldn't know about them, but I think it's very important to remember that we are all positive and negative. We all have hardships to deal with and moments to celebrate, and I believe that when we focus more light on the positive aspects of all our lives, it will actually give us more clarity and strength to face the negative and be a part of great change.

Over the last 8 years I have become part of a community. I have found a variety of ways to express myself and share my creativity with many people. And I have also been very fortunate to connect with many wonderful people who have passions that they may not shout from the rooftops, but passions, or a love for something that drives them and helps them to keep a positive outlook in life.

On Mondays on this blog, maybe one Monday a month or more than one depending, I would like to feature someone who has love or a passion for something. It could be a love for dance, acting, writing, carpentry, food, whatever! I just want to learn more about what gives people that drive to be positive what they are doing to make their lives and the perhaps the lives of others, a happier place.

I have a list in my head of people I'm going to hit up to be featured on "For the Love Of...", but if yourself would like to be featured, or you know someone who you think should be featured, please drop me a line at

cindy.rule73@gmail.com

Come back tomorrow for the premier post of  "For the Love Of...". Angela Howe will be here to talk about her love for dance.

Here's to being creative,
Cin