From the monthly archives: June 2010

Chasing dreams

by angel on 26 June 2010 · No Comments

I turn 50 this year. I still don’t know how that happened. I saw people riding motorized bicycles – and wooo… there I go, I bought me a bike and sped along the coastal East Coast Park with the wind blowing hard in my face. I had to sell it off eventually, but well, that’s [...]

I turn 50 this year. I still don’t know how that happened. I saw people riding motorized bicycles – and wooo… there I go, I bought me a bike and sped along the coastal East Coast Park with the wind blowing hard in my face. I had to sell it off eventually, but well, that’s another story.

I want to snug warmly in my little nest, but a part of me still thinks there’s another adventure waiting to be journeyed. I had a crazy idea to go to  Thailand to help the tsunami-hit victims. I thought I was crazy, but then 10 other people crazier than me bought into my dream and went with me! We LOVED it.

I collapse each day, my body telling me, “Hey girl, you’re not that young any more.” My graying hair and my body aches won’t let me forget.

But I wake up in the middle of the night with yet another idea, yet another plan, yet another dream.

I turn 50 this year. I had to wait 50 long years get here! I did something very special to celebrate my year of Jubilee… I dug a big hole in my little life’s savings. Not very smart for one who should be planning for retirement. I dumped a chunk of it to run after yet another dream… to tell stories, to help others tell stories.

 

Tyros Media

by angel on 26 June 2010 · No Comments

I finally got our website up. Recently, Au and I initiated a new Digital Storytelling enterprise. We are excited about the opportunities open to us. It’s been a big step of faith, launching out into the unknown. Some of the challenges can sometimes feel daunting. Had I all the facts, I might have chosen to [...]

I finally got our website up. Recently, Au and I initiated a new Digital Storytelling enterprise. We are excited about the opportunities open to us.

It’s been a big step of faith, launching out into the unknown. Some of the challenges can sometimes feel daunting. Had I all the facts, I might have chosen to stay in my safe zone. But, well I am here now. The grace of God has more than matched the challenges I face.

This past week, we are teaching our second batch of primary five students. One of the joys for me is seeing a shy girl come out of herself as she threw herself into making a digital story. Yesterday I quietly watched her.

We had asked the girls to take their turns to read out their scripts in front of the class. This 11-year-old was whimpering, nervously giggling, hiding her face behind her script.

Yesterday, while her classmates were out for a break, I saw her go to their computers one by one, put on the ear phones, adjust the microphone and read their scripts. She read it complete with  clarity, complete with expression! She didn’t know I was watching her. My heart celebrated.

Today, a classmate of her didn’t turn up for the class. She took over and put together her friends video after she had completed her. God knows how a technical workshop like this could bring a stirring of a young life to dream and to pursue their dreams.

The girls wanted us to come back again so they could make more stories!

 

I feel like Frodo

by angel on 11 June 2010 · No Comments

I’ve taken a big leap on a road not traveled. I’m in the process of leaving my job as Communications Director of the Navigators after doing it for 12 years. All in all I have been with the Navigators for 20 years! My adrenalin is pumping with excitement as I go into Digital Storytelling. I [...]

I’ve taken a big leap on a road not traveled. I’m in the process of leaving my job as Communications Director of the Navigators after doing it for 12 years. All in all I have been with the Navigators for 20 years!

My adrenalin is pumping with excitement as I go into Digital Storytelling. I stumbled on in in 2007. I thought I had signed on for a three-day hands-on workshop that would help me communicate more effectively in my work. What I learned turned out to be something that would increasingly consume me.

I have received a lot of encouragements and support.

There are moments I feel like a longing for the Shire (home). But there’s also a streak in me that wants to venture, to learn, to make a difference.

In July-August, my colleague Aurelia and I will be making a trip to the USA.

1. SAN FRANCISCO
Visit the Center for Digital Storytelling (CDS) where Digital Storytelling (DS) started.

2. DENVER
CDS has centres in various parts of the US and Canada. We have been accepted by CDS for their five-day Facilitators Intensive Training (FIT) workshop.

3. COLORADO SPRINGS
We will be going to Colorado Spring, an hour drive from Denver to attend the Via Affirmativa conference. This is an initiative the Navigators to encourage people in the Arts. Via Affirmativa has been going on for some years. This year, the theme is “Unfolding Stories.” They have a track for those who make videos.

We have been invited by the director of Via Affirmativa to give a two-hour presentation during the conference and also to run a full three-day DS workshop prior to the Via Affirmativa conference.

So Digital Storytelling, here I come!