#DENsigh5

Today's #RememberDEN or #DENsigh post is for Porter Palmer. I love the way you see all of us. I wish there was a mirror that let us see what you see. From the first moment we each have the privilege of connecting face to face with you, you know right away who we are. You bring us into your heart. The love with which you greet us every time after be it virtual or physical is heartwarming. Today I noticed this pink mirror that said, "Princess" around the frame. Of course the nickname brought you to mind. But it also made me think of how you see each of us with such love. For that I am grateful. Thank you for loving us all as each of us are.

#RememberDEN, #DENsigh for Porter Palmer.

They need to make one trimmed in rose gold so that I could then purchase it and send it your way. This is not the quality that befits our DENprincess.

#DENsigh4

Today was an actual day of rest. I can honestly say that I did nothing. Well except check Facebook and Twitter. I did no research for work. I went no where. Bill controlled the TV. I slept late and woke up only to play on Facebook and participate in #napchat. Can I just say it was wonderful? I need to do that more often.  But as I went no where I have not taken any photos for today's challenge. But as I looked at my phone I noticed this one. It was taken on our road trip in WV.

#RememberDEN, #DENsigh for Conni Mulligan

Remember DEN and again

Sorry, I forgot to blog my own photo challenge yesterday. That isn't to say that I didn't think of DEN friends. I was at Google Headquarters in New York City. What an honor to have been permitted to visit with administration from my district! We were attending The Google Leadership Symposium, NYC. Of course I thought of DENnis Grice who recently became a Google Certified Teacher through Google Teacher Academy. But there was also this wonderful huge table with bins of Legos out. The Google Tour Guide explained that Googlers are allowed to experiment and explore with Legos to relieve their minds for a few minutes. Google believes this absent minded play may free up the mind to process other great ideas that are brewing in the brain. I love this idea. I will be implementing it next year at school. Look at that fabulous guitar that Andrew Phoenix created during the maker faire at #DENSI2014. Imagine what my staff could create while letting other thoughts simmer for awhile. I look forward to finding out.

So these photos are for DENnis Grice and Andrew Phoenix in lieu of yesterday's post:

#RememberDEN, #DENsigh for DENnis Grice

#RememberDEN, #DENsigh for Andrew Phoenix

Now for today's #RememberDEN, #DENsigh. I was looking for things to revamp/update our professional development space. I came across this monkey at a store that made me smile and think of all those beautiful customized sock monkeys that were created. So today's smile was brought to me by Zulma Whiteford. Every year I am impressed with what one small group of people can do. Lunches packed, monkeys made, books collected. Each year the Leadership Council service project gets better and better. Thank you Zulma for spearheading it all. Know that your efforts are appreciated and many are affected. Both those that receive the offerings and those that participate.

#RememberDEN, #DENsigh for Zulma Whiteford

#DENSigh2

Trying to remember to stick with the blog challenge. Probably a good idea since this was my idea. Lol.
So as I'm gathering things from my suitcases, I come a crossed this:

Haha I totally forgot that I had a Starbuck's card with me. 

But of course seeing this reminds me of Tim Childers.

Have you taken up the challenge of sharing a photo a day that reminds you of a #DENSI2014 friend?

#DENsigh

Love it! Last evening LeaAnne Daughrity suggested that maybe we should use the hashtag #DENsigh for this blog/photo challenge. I think that's perfect memories of friends from DENSI as a DENsigh. Thanks LeaAnne.

So here is today's photo post. While we were on our road trip. We stopped off in Gatlinburg, TN. One of the many fun attractions they have is a Hollywood Star Car Museum. Of course finding the Shelby from Gone in 60s Seconds made me think of our adorable WDEN weather girl. Shelby Bailey, this photo is for you:

Remember DEN

I'll have a blog post soon about my adventures at #DENSI2014, Discovery Educator Network Summer Institute 2014. It was such an amazing time of learning and laughing. I need some time to digest all that I learned and formulate my notes into something that resembles English. Then I'll be glad to post and share. But soon after DENSI wrapped, I found myself taking pictures of things that made me think of DENSI friends. So I posted a challenge on Facebook:

Love that you can always count on the DEN. I couldn't find my original post to include it here. Thankfully Nicole Pennea Richardson was able to locate it for me. So here is my original Facebook posting: "I have a challenge for my ‪#‎DENSI2014‬ friends if anyone is interested. I try not to post when I am out of town (Internet Security) so this project in my head will begin in a few days when we return to NY. But as I visit through TN I find myself snapping pictures that make me think of DENSI friends. I found a fact about bees at the Guinness World Record exhibit (thought of Cheryl), found a silver Shelby at the Hollywood Star Cars exhibit (thought of Shelby), took a picture at dinner of a disco ball (thought of Kristy).Susan Gauthier just posted that she can't eat s'mores without thinking of me.... So here my idea. A small challenge I propose. Let's print out the attendee list from http://densi2014.com (thanks so much for LeaAnne and Dave building that wonderful site) and each day snap a picture that in some way makes us think of a DEN friend. For those that are just getting started blogging you might find it useful for something to spark the next 150 days of blogging. Just an idea. But who wants to accept the challenge?"

I was away enjoying a roadtrip back from TN with my husband. Wifi was wonky along the way. But now that I have returned, it is time to take up my own challenge. So here are a few post #DENSI reflections for REMEMBER DEN.

This was the first photo that I took that made me think of a DEN friend. Can you guess which friend I was thinking of?

Yep, I was thinking of Kristy Vincent - of course. She had the most amazingly creative costume for the Music Themed Costume Party at DENSI2014.

The next photo was taken for Cheryl Lykowski:

During the #DENSI2014 DENovator faire she created solo bee condos. I thought that she just might appreciate this interesting fact that I learned while at the Guinness Book of World Records.

This photo was taken in rememberance of all my DENSI friends that will be looking forward to #SharkWeek:

While in Virginia, I kept finding signs about Frederick's County. Of course this made me think of my wonderful roomie for this year - Sheila Fredericks:

While shopping in Pennsylvania, I found a Bacon Candle. Yes, Yankee Candle apparently has a candle called, "MMM, BACON". Although this brings many DEN friends to mind. My first reaction was I need a photo of that for Steve Dembo:

Yes, my husband has warped my conscious memory. I usually see phone boxes and think, "Why isn't it a blue police box? I want a Tardis." But now my first thought was "Wow, I need this for my DEN friends from the United Kingdom." It was such an honor to meet you and connect with you. I look forward to continuing our dialogue we began about education philosophy differences. This photo goes out to our new UK DENfriends:

I hope to keep finding images that in my eye bring thoughts of DEN friends to mind. I will be trying to share REMEMBER DEN moments along the way.

ISTE2014... so it begins

What begins? #ISTE2014 began for me last night. It was our last day of school for this year. It should be time to put our feet up and relax. Nope... As a connected educator and a perpetual learner it was time to head off for the wonderful ISTE conference. After the close of school, I ran home. Rechecked to make sure I packed everything I might need. Headed to the airport. Met up with colleagues I am lucky enough to call friends. And away to ISTE we go...

I admit this educator who normally runs on just a few hours sleep, slept quite well for the night. Woke up and headed to the conference center to check in. 

What a great feeling to connect with friends I haven't seen in what feels like forever (even if maybe it was just since July).  We scoped out the lay of the land. Participated in some interesting discussions. Networked with friends. Twitter, Facebook, The ISTE Networking Game... I'm glad the servers could handle us all (for the most part). I had the pleasure of running into so many of my beloved Discovery Education friends. I lost count! What an amazing feeling.

Next it was on to a party hosted by Class Dojo. How nice to make new friends! 

Then we returned to put our feet up on the balcony. Watch a beautiful sunset. And relax for a little bit.

Of course I had to round out the night on social media and blogging. But it was nice to spend some time today connecting in the real world. I think perhaps we all need to remember to put down our devices for a moment and enjoy life as it happens. 

Otherwise, you might miss the view like this...

Savor the moments when we take time to reflect and review.