I’m back to the hot waters of the Florida Keys after some cold, but from the humanistic perspective, warm days in New York. First, just freely wandering with the family, which was just a wonderful time together, then totally hooked to every interesting soul you can think of. Attending the TESOL Conference again and being into orbit around the two groups I’m really passionate about is simply a treat. The Webheads and my friends from the place I work in Brasilia, Casa Thomas Jefferson, kept my days in uplifting mode. I just didn’t want to sleep and miss the chance to hang out with them.
They are all inspired educators who know the exact meaning of GINGA, a word that I tried to explain to some during the convention, right, Jeff and Vance? In fact, these fantastic people are all full of
GINGA – swing – in the way the face life, deal with daily tasks, their inspired teaching methods, their approach towards the future, which is one of a dreamer, their belief in the transforming power of education, as well as the way they have fun after a full tiring day of sessions, colloquiums, talks, presentations. Their ginga is what makes them open to possibilities, to challenges, to change. Having ginga – this swing that makes Brazilian soccer players so unique in the way they dribble or that allures the world when we dance samba – is what distinguishes these groups from others. I’m proud of being in full swing in learning every single day with these admirable friends who push me to my best self as a person, educator, professional. And Viva the Ginga movement in which we have more flexibility to deal with life, facing our challenges head up, laughing, having fun, being passionate about what we do! Webheads and CTJ friends rock, samba, swing, rule!
Thanks for an amazing connected time together!
Highlights of the human touch?
Webheads
Receiving red roses from my dear friend Dennis who so carefully planned everything.
Meeting THE VOICE, Jeff Lebow and his wife Sunny
Realizing that Graham Stanley is on the quiet side. Graham, you really surprised me!
Talking to elegant Aiden and her sister during the Thai dinner
Learning more about pubs in New York with Vance, Rita, Nina, Teresa and João, Dafne, Jeff, Sunny, Patricia, Graham and Isabel, among others
Everybody keeping cool and laughing even when the waiter at Becco was being rude and screaming in our ears
Meeting Claire, Clarinha, and realizing how funny she is! Talented, I knew she was!
Meeting sweet Mary Hillis and learning that she’s an organization freak and is F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C to keep track of huge bills at the end of the night
Connecting to Mike Coghlan, a very special soul, with wonderful photos
Watching Rita’s latin ways. So familiar to me!
Having fun with João and Teresa
Meeting Robert Squires with his melodic Scottish accent. He who was so afraid to submerge into the webheadosphere as he couldn’t understand the dynamics of these crazy people who were so professional and so personal at the same time. Welcome, Robert!
Meeting Jen Madrell (edtechtalk), whom I was only able to meet and invite others because of Twitter!
Just being in the Electronic Village, chit chatting, and learning from the simultaneous rotating sessions
Appreciating Moira’s cool colorful glasses
Meeting Ronaldo and talking about all kinds of professional matters and trivial things
Learning that Serpil and Secil are, in fact, sisters and they work together
Listening to Thomas Leverett talking about blogs and meeting his talented musician sister who knew all about “choro”, a very melodic genre of Brazilian music
Watching David Winet with his laptop, hat and headsets!
Meeting Buth and talking to Laine at Becco
Learning that Bee’s husband is an artist (just like her!) and getting as a gift his wonderful artwork
CTJ Friends
Checking Vânia’s, Márcia’s and Margaux’s daugthers’ wish list! Huge ones, but always ending that they knew their moms couldn’t buy everything, that a little something would be fine.
Meeting cheerful Patricia and happy Maria da Luz
Meeting Isabela at the CALL-IS colloquium and having her realize how much she already knows about edtech
Having brunch with my family, Margaux and Paulo at Le Pain Quotidien and a stroll at Central Park. A perfect film script!
Going out with Bené, Margaux, Paulo, Robson, Ronaldo, Isabela, Aline, and my sister Justine. Lots of laugh and funny stories
Going to Moma with my sister, appreciate art and laugh of what we really couldn’t consider art!
SoHo with Margaux, Paulo and my sister. Unforgettable
SoHo during the day with Margaux and Paulo window shopping admiring those funky stores. Indelible moments
Sunset at Brooklyn Bridge walking with friends and sister. Priceless!
Beautiful post! I loved the analogy you did with “ginga”.
I too see this opportunity to go to TESOL Convention (in NYC!!!) and meet incredible people – especially crazy webheads in action – as one of the greatest in my professional life. And I’m also passionate about Casa Thomas Jefferson people and webheads.
FANTABULOUS post!
I found myself smiling to the screen while reading it!
What memorable moments you all had!
hugs,
Hala
Dear Ronaldo,
The term Ginga became like a joke between Vance, Jeff and me, and I really think these groups are full of swing, ginga, positive energy, thoughts outside the box…
Dear Hala,
When I was writing, I was also smiling to myself and thinking how lucky I was to have met this global community full of ginga!
WOW!
I wasn’t there but I was reading all teh post and seeing all the pics. I felt some of the human touch. It was definitelly a special conference. I won’t say once AGAIN how much I wished to be there; I will instead say: HOORAY! It’s great to know (confirm) the webheads are that way. One day I will also meet you all. I will also feel the human touch face to face. Meanwhile I can only feel blessed for being part of such a great group of people.
You all, and you particularly Carlinha, inhabit a very special place in my heart!
Many thanks for everything. YOU ARE a true inspiration!
Beijinhos
Dear Cris,
You have also been an inspiration to me, and your energy and excitement makes us want to do more and more. Thanks for being such a great partner, friend and blog reader!
Wow, Carla, what an amazing post. I enjoyed it from the first to the last word, and the pictures as well, of course. I think you SPARK ginga everywhere you go and splash it on every person around you, especially the closer you are to them physically and spiritually.
There is so much positive energy in your account that it made me feel transported in time and space to Tesol. I hope to meet you and the rest of the gang someday. I have Daf closeby, only see her once in a while but know she is reachable any time.
I also appreciate your notes on the main events you attended and will refer the post on grammar to one of my graduate students who is interested in that area for her research, if you don´t mind.
Thanks a zillion, Carla, for always being there lifting us to a next level. I might be in Miami from July 24 to Aug. 30th and wish I could meet you up there or in the Keys.
All the best, muchos cariños, Berta
Dear Berta,
I’m happy I could teleport some of my excitement to Venezuelan lands!
So, July or August is our big time! I’m excited to hear that you’ll be around! How about coming to the Keys for a weekend?! We’d love to have you here.
Wonderful post, Carla, and great photos – it’s been really interesting for me to start to read about and see how the conference and the trip was for others.
And…oh, I guess my secret is now out…what should I do?
Graham
Dear Graham,
It’s interesting to see different perspectives from the convention in words and images. Everyone gives a personal touch to our gathering, sharing and learning. Your secret is out! I thought it was really interesting.
Hi, Carlinha!!!
Just loved your post, and how you managed to talk about our “ginga”. Perfect words! The pictures were also very inspiring.
BTW, I’m pretty sure Luisa missed me, but loved ALL her presents. “Mom, you’re the BEST!”, how about that, huh…
Miss you!
Vânia