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G's Curiosities

Formerly titled G's S.T.E.M. Blog.  I realized that my learning has moved beyond science, tech, and engineering, and into a larger buckets of design and education systems.  I wanted a title that reflects my core value and my current state of learning.  So welcome to G's Curiosities.
All opinions expressed on this site are my own and not necessarily those of my employer or other affiliations.

#30DaysofLearning Day 8 - Rethinking Gifts

12/26/2017

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Today was Christmas.  I typically celebrate this holiday by spending time with and sharing gifts with my friends.  But ugh, this year, I am sick.  I spent a lot of time in the previous week with students, teachers, and families, working closely together to bolster the strengths of a school community.  But in the process of this work, I took on someone's germ and became sick.  

Because I was sick, I spent the holiday alone at home.  And even though I was snotty and hacky, I still had a pretty good day.  I read a book that was recommended, but I'm not sure I'm going to like it.  I cooked something from scratch.  I learned some new signs in my ASL journey.  And, because of a gift from a friend, got a chance to learn something new.
I've found in recent years, that I am pretty good at working with plants.  My plants tend to grow well, some more than I had hoped.  This new bonsai tree, should I be able to keep it growing, will help me to learn a new way of keeping plants - keeping them as art.

The plant was gifted with a little book on bonsai, and I spent a portion of the day reading about this art form, and the ideas started pouring into my mind.  
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Can I start one from seed?  What if I went to a local nursery, could I pick one out of the crowd and craft on my own?  What bonsai style do I like the most?  What about that style speaks to me?  How do I create a space in my apartment with better lighting so I can do work like this?  Oh jeez, do I actually have time to add this into my day?

The gift has me learning and questioning.  I have also been thinking about my gifts to others.  My gifts to my friends and family often bomb.  I've really never been good at gift giving.  I try to listen over time to things people bring up in conversation, but I never feel sure about what I am gifting, relying on the old adage, "It's the thought that counts."  

This year's gift-giving got me to thinking about the gifts we give each other on occasions like holidays, birthdays, and other special life events.  I find the things that mean most to me are memories and ongoing experiential learning and doing.  How can I give more experience and learning opportunity, rather than just things?  Isn't that more important?  The time together and time spent doing something worthwhile?  

Learning and rethinking the act of giving a gift helped me to identify what I find important in that act.  What's important for you when giving a gift?  The look of joy on another person's face?  Creating a gift yourself?  Something deeper, more meaningful?
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    Bryan Glover

    This blog will track my adventures as an education innovator, S.T.E.M. enthusiast, and amateur Maker.

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    Disclaimer:  The views expressed in my blog are my own views and do not represent those of my employer or any other entity.

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  • Home
  • My Story
  • Re-Make Ed
    • Change as Belief
    • Studio Learning Research >
      • Q1 - Our Future?
      • Q2 - Learning from Youth
      • Q3 - Sci of Learning
      • Q4 - Building Partnerships
    • Influential Reads
  • Home Made
  • G's Curiosities Blog
  • Contact