The Keene Family

Sometimes I get requests from educators around the world to come speak at their events. Usually, the budget is too small or the timing doesn't work out. But occasionally it does, and this February I got a chance to speak at an event in Belgium. I invited Jim along, and he accepted! We stayed mostly in Brugge (translated Bruges) but also spent time in Blankenberge and Gent. To sum up: gorgeous centuries-old architecture, interesting history, chocolate, waffles, and beer. There are way too many photos to post in a blog, so I made a Sway ( view here in a new window  or embedded below).

I had the opportunity to go to London for BETT Conference again this year, and it was certainly a busy week. I presented for Minecraft Education, Microsoft Forms, and ScreenBeam - and I presented at an evening event called Fan Fest at the largest Microsoft store in the world. I met with clients and prospective clients and stayed very busy. I also got to do a couple of fun things. The best one was seeing Hamilton at Victoria Theater with work colleagues!

I think I just set a new personal record for the quickest work trip! I left home at 8:15 AM after I put the kids on the bus, got the airport and parked by 9:30, bought a lunch for later, was on the plane by 9:50, and landed in Las Vegas at 12:50 PM. I had a work video call at 1:00 PM (which I joined while walking to the Uber pickup lot) and a 30-minute drive to the school. I ate my lunch in the car en route because my school meeting started at 1:30 PM. I presented until 3:45 and then a colleague drove me back to the airport. We were there by 4:30. I walked through security, bought some snacks, and was to my gate (and boarding) by 4:45. I flew back to Seattle, landed at 8 PM, and was parked in my garage at home by 9 PM. Phew! I literally could not have timed the entire day any tighter... and I only used the bathroom on the plane there and back because I didn't have time otherwise. Ha! This is a photo of me with my Microsoft colleague who arranged the meeting, Kevin. What I th...

I was invited back to New Zealand for a second trip to speak at the 2019 Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert Hui. It's all the MIEExperts from New Zealand who can make it, plus some Aussies too. It is a great group and such an honor to be invited - back! I flew down on October 1 and landed on October 3. Once I got settled into my studio apartment overlooking city center (!), I went out for breakfast. Then I walked to St Patrick's Cathedral... And to Albert Park... And to the Auckland Art Gallery. I spent the afternoon at Takepuna Beach, got caught in the rain, and saw a rainbow! Then I met up with four of the six MIE Fellows for dinner: Nikkie, Carmen, and Rachel. These are the ladies I work with to do this trip, who arrange my travel and pay me to be there. They are an awesome bunch. I've seen them in Seattle, Toronto, Budapest, and Singapore! Friday morning I woke up to this lovely view of the Sky Tower out my balcony. I...