It's been a hot minute since I've posted anything. My post from February was a pretty emotional one for me to write that tugged on a far deeper, more personal level. After hitting publish, I just didn't feel like I had the content or motivation to write anything for a couple of months. A couple of months turned into more months. Truth be told, there was plenty to write about. I even started several posts, but they haven't seen the light of the web just yet....maybe I'll publish them at a later time...maybe not.
Instead, this post is taking a different route, a much less serious post. One that begins and ends with #LybeckVacayMode and using an app called PicCollage. But first, a little backstory is needed to answer the question of why I would take a vacation during the school year.
I am a 12 month contract employee. When my friends are vacationing in June and July posting those glorious beach and trip pictures on Facebook and Instagram, my time is spent focused on summer professional development, creating online courses, getting our #nsdnewbie boot camp ready, planning for the upcoming year, etc. Additionally, my hubby sells farm & lawn equipment, so the summer is crazy busy time for him too. The summer months are no bueno for any lengthy vacay away.
Truth be told, after being a 12 monther for a full year, it's hard to imagine going back to an 11 month contract. The summer time seems to be just as crazy as the time during the year. This past May, June, and July, I didn't really take much of any vacation. A few onesie/twosie days here and there, but that was it. I could tell I was needing some time away. A break to reset my mind, body, and soul. Don't get me wrong, I love my job and the people I work with. But, I was in desperate need of some rest and relaxation. (Note to self: using days like that doesn't really cut it for me...I need at least one longer break.)
Around July or August, I saw this post on Twitter. Ann Kozma posted about using PicCollage as a microblog. I favorited the post thinking I need to do this when I have some "good content." I've used PicCollage as a way to be creative with pics and used it in the classroom with my students. However, the post kept surfacing in my mind on the list of things I wanted to try. Using it more in depth as a microblog intrigued me. I really wanted to have some quality content to give it a go. Enter #LybeckVacayMode of 2017! If our vacation wasn't quality content, I didn't know what was.
At the end of October, my hubby and I traveled to one of our fave places, Perdido Key, Florida to spend the week for our vacation/Anniversary/my birthday. Using Kozma's post as inspiration, I created a collage and documented our activities and of course, food. (Part of the fun for us is dining at restaurants we can't find around here.) #Foodie #HubbyIsPickyButI'mNot
I really enjoyed using the app to recap our adventures and can see myself using it again. I relate it to a digital scrapbook. Once I started, I couldn't stop with just one day and ended up creating one for each day of our vacay. Kozma's blog post highlights some key things for you to think about. It really is up to the creator and the possibilities are pretty endless in design. It would be super awesome if you could add video clips into the collage...maybe some day. #AppGoals
I don't know about you, but have a ton of photo apps downloaded on my phone because some offer different features, clipart or filters. #PhotoAppHoarder PicCollage has been there from the start of my photo app obsession (in fact, it may have been the first one I downloaded). I think it will continue to be a go to app for a while, especially with the ease of using it as a microblog. I encourage you to create your own microblog with PicCollage.
Check out the Teacher's Corner on the PicCollage blog for classroom ideas and inspiration.
Download PicCollage for iOS
PicCollage for Kids Download here for iOS.
Download PicCollage for Android
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