My Most Influential Teacher

Out of all my teachers from grade school right through college, my Grade 2 teacher had the biggest influence in my life.

When I first moved to my new school in June of 1988, I remember our class visiting Mrs. Munro’s class to watch Mary Poppins. At the end of the movie, I secretly wished that she would be my Grade 2 teacher that coming Fall.

My wish came true.

Other than my Mother, Mrs. Munro is the reason why I love to read so much. She always took the time to help me and listen to me read. 

With my new found love for reading, I started using my imagination more to write short stories.

It’s because of her why English became my favourite subject in school.

Even after leaving my grade school, I still kept in touch with her. She attended my Grade 8 graduation, High School graduation, College Graduation and even my wedding. 

Every now and then one of us will call just to catch up.

To some, it may not seem like she did a whole lot to shape me into the woman I am today but I beg to differ. Sometimes the smallest thing a teacher does can make all of the difference in ones life.

Who was your most influential teacher in school?

Feel free to share this post on your favourite Social Media Networks.

When you get a chance, please visit my friend Tyrone’s blog. His posts are insightful and very thought provoking. See his blog here.

Thanks for reading and keep smiling :)   

The Great Escape

Washrooms are not just for brushing your teeth, washing your face or taking a bath. Washrooms are a great place for reading. They’re the last place people will look when trying to find you. Washrooms are what I call The Great Escape.

Being the oldest of five, my Mom was always on my case about watching my siblings.  The only time I would protest was when I was in the middle of reading a book.  I had a hard time putting down the latest Baby-Sitters Club book or Sweet Valley Twins book or anything written by Judy Blume. The more I had to watch my siblings, the more I longed to find a room in the house where I could escape with my book without my Mother or siblings finding me within seconds.

I must have been 9 or 10 when I started taking my book with me to the washroom. I would lock the door, do my business and sit on that toilet until my behind hurt. While all of this was going on, I could hear my Mother asking my siblings where I was.  No one knew. Forty-five minutes would pass before someone would try to open the washroom door.

 “I NEED TO USE THE WASHROOM!" one of my siblings would yell.

 “GO USE THE WASHROOM DOWNSTAIRS” I’d yell back. “I’M READING!”

I read a lot of great books and not so great books in that washroom.

Twenty-four years later, I still find myself heading to the washroom to read. There’s just something about sitting on the toilet with a book that I find comforting. The washroom will forever be my Great Escape.

Where do you escape for some peace and quiet?

Feel free to share this post on your favourite Social Media Networks.

 Thanks for reading and keep smiling :) 

More about Me

My name is Monique Findlayter. I’m the oldest of 5. I was born in North York, raised in Scarborough and currently reside in Ajax.

I'm a Readaholic
My love for reading started when I was in Grade 2. During the Summer months from Grades 3 to 8, I remember visiting the library and borrowing 20, 30 and 40 books at a time and finishing them within a week or two. 

As I got older and life got more hectic, I was lucky if I was able to read five books a year. This year I made a resolution to read one book a week.

For the past few years I've been meaning to start a Book Club. Next month, 13 ladies will be joining me for our first Book Club meeting.

I'm a Bakeaholic
My earliest memory in the kitchen was at the age of 4 mixing Jell-O powder with hot water (under my Mom’s supervision of course). From there, I remember helping my Mom bake every chance I got.

 As soon as I was able to operate the oven on my own, I started baking.

When I was either 13 or 15, I told myself that one day I was going to run my own bakery.

Twenty years later, I may not have my own bakery (yet) but I turned my hobby into a business. Back in 2006, I started  Monique’s Cheesecakes. In 2011, I changed the name to Simply Delicious. I now specialize in the 4 C's:  Cakes, Cheesecakes, Cookies and Cupcakes. Thanks to my Mom and my late Grandmother for being my inspirations.

I'm a Musicaholic
When I was 7, my parents enrolled me in piano lessons. Right before my final year of high school, I told my parents that I was no longer going to take lessons. 

After a 7 year break, I finally started playing again. I was then encouraged to start teaching. September 1, 2007, I started Piano for Beginners. 

After getting laid off from my job in December 2012, I decided to pursue my dream of becoming a full-time Piano Teacher. It is one of the best decisions I have ever made.

People always tell me how lucky I am to be doing what I love. You too can do the same. 

"Allow your passion to become your purpose, and it will one day become your profession". ~Gabrielle Berstein