Big Dreams & Hairbrained Schemes

When we decided to take a year away from teaching, we weren't totally delusional --- We knew we would need money. We just wanted to change up the way we got it, mainly the time and type of emotional energy we put into making said cash. We also wanted to explore some different interests and ideas, focusing less on the financial gains and more on the experiential rewards. 

✴Que the schemes and dreams✴

Christmas Markets: While spending time in New Brunswick we took to the opportunity to get involved in the various Christmas Markets happening. We also took the opportunity to learn some top notch baking skills and recipes from the best baker out there, Tyler's Mama. We had a lot of fun peddling our cookies, cinnamon buns (Video: How the Buns Get Rolled) and empanadas, as well as getting out and meeting a lot of other market vendors.   

Penfriend Postcards: This is an idea that combines our love for travel, writing and teaching literacy. It's a postcard subscription where we write and send a postcard every two weeks from various locations to our subscribers. A great way to promote real-life literacy for kids, and just plain fun to receive actual mail in the mailbox. We set-up a website with all the info and literacy activities, which was also really fun to create. So, won't you be our penfriend? 

 

First order of working remotely- Get Starlink

(Part-time) Remote Work: This is something we have wanted to explore, to answer two big questions;

1) Could we stretch one year of exploration into two without spending our savings?

2) How easy (or difficult) would it be for us to work remotely from anywhere? 

When talking about remote work, we are mostly looking at online tutoring and customer service positions. This avenue is still being explored and we've yet to answer our own questions, but it allows us to daydream about the places we could go given an extension of time and space --- Check back soon. 

Substitute Teaching: Ok, so not all that different from our regular occupation, but the pros on this one certainly outweigh the cons. 

Pros: By far the most lucrative of our ventures, teacher shortages mean there is work available everywhere we go, flexibility in schedule, and compared to being a full-time teacher--no planning, no report cards(!). Cons: Well, we all remember what it was like when a substitute teacher strolled in. Things can get a bit silly.

"My name is Mr. T and I'll be your substitute today."

This is definitely not an exhaustive list of the shit we get up to. On the daily we're chatting with folks from every walk of life, keeping our minds open to possibilities and swinging at every pitch---because, why not? We have gone to school (either as student or teacher) for the past 30 years and will likely return in the near future. We are fully aware that this time is a unique and rare pause in our professional lives. At this moment we have the gift of time to be completely present with our families and to have a crack at whatever comes our way.... so why not open that roadside tandoori BBQ in rural Ontario?! 

*A very good and inspiring listen about taking a 'life year' - Good Life Project - How to Take a Life Changing Break with DJ DiDonna