MGB-Blogger of the Month:November!

Today's Gilligan Island: Chicago Series post will run on Tuesday due to today being November 1and the announcement of our new Blogger of the Month!

MGB Blogger of the Month is Lisa, author of generating HEAT, (a journey back to myself). I met Lisa through the wonderful sport of speedskating. We became fast friends (no pun intended!) and we haven't looked back. If I had to pick one person that squeezes every bit out of a day, life for that matter, Lisa would be my choice, hands down. Not only does she throw herself into everything, her family, her work, her art, her skating, her coaching, one thing is very clear: she is giving. She gives her time, knowledge, patience, encouraging word, and most importantly herself, without asking anything in return other than you to listen and be present in the moment with her.  With every conversation we have, I always learn something new about her that I didn't know before. A couple of years ago, I learned that Lisa kept a blog so I started to read. Her written word pulls you in to an adventure every time! Simply wonderful, as is my friend Lisa. Grab a cup of coffee and join me in welcoming Lisa as our new Blogger of the Month!


generating HEAT (a journey back to myself)

 MGB- Why did you decide to start a blog?

GH- I started blogging about 3 years ago. I had taken a class on how to use WIKIs, blogs, news feeds, podcasts and other technology in the classroom over the summer at St. Thomas University in St. Paul. I was actually working on the course content for that class while attending another class in Philadelphia at UArts. I was also trying to train for my first marathon. I was living the life of a business traveler that week. I would go to the studio in the morning and go back to the hotel and write for the other class. I would squeeze runs in during the morning and evening. Part of my classwork included writing a blog and getting 3 responses.  After that week in Philly, we headed to the beach in Delaware, where I broke my foot running on the sand. I never ran the marathon and really gained weight. I started the blog shortly after that. It was supposed to be a motivation to loose weight. It didn't work, but it evolved into this thing that satisfied the need to write. I have always written about my adventures, just never had the ease of one click and it was published, that thrilled me.

MGB- You are a wife, mom of 4, teacher, artist, athlete- how do you find the time to fit it all in?


GH- How do I manage it all? I take a deep breath and exhale slowly, like I am trying to swim the length of a pool on one breath. By the way, I feel that I cannot be one without each of the other components.


I used to be really uptight and I think depressed. I became a mother way before I was ready to give up my studio time, vacations, dreams... I got so caught up in the small stuff that I was completely over-stressed, ready to crack, not myself. One day when I was having a near meltdown over something easy to fix, my husband's grandmother told me to pay attention to what I was reacting to. Since that conversation I have re framed my dreams and have tried not to sweat the little things. I choose my battles wisely so that when big important things come along I can say NO. It's a balancing act, but by practicing it over the years it has allowed me to relax when I have time for myself. It helps that I have a husband who is so supportive of me as a person as well.
Being an artist and educator I am in love, no, make that passionate, about learning. I prove this to myself everyday. I can often be found in the studio at school after the end of classes each day, one hour to help my students and one hour to work alongside them. I learn more from my students (and kids) than I could ever do on my own. I almost think its kind of selfish quest on my own part. It encompasses every part of my being. I observe, perceive, create, reflect on a continuum. I cannot seem to separate myself from it.
As for an being an athlete and coach, well, if you look at my attitudes toward learning you would understand why I have this passion as well. I guess I am in love with challenges; of the heart, the mind, the body and the soul.

So, to answer your question; I compartmentalize when I need to, I find time to relax often, I budget time, I multi-task, I am very persistent (sometimes to the point of being a bulldog), I walk a tight-rope without being afraid of falling (failure only makes for smoother facets on that diamond we call life). I am continually learning to put life in perspective and to continue to let things roll. I also try to enjoy it.

MGB- What is one of your personal favorite posts? Why is it your favorite?

GH-Oh that is a hard one. I think it was this incredibly short one called Dancing in the Dark. I wrote it last year when I had taken this incredible leap of faith and biked to school in the dark of morning. I saw the sun come up on my way. I can still see that morning and I can still feel the rush of confidence I gained from it. You can find it here: http://hopeloveandspeedskates.blogspot.com/2009/09/dancing-in-dark.html

MGB-This was one of my favorite's too!

MGB- What would you like to see for your blog a year from now?

GH- Hopefully with a boatload of antics and a ton of insight into this "Big Old Goofy World" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZACwVOJXpn0




Please be sure to check out Lisa's blog throughout the month of November! Leave comments, let her know that you visited!