"Quetzalcoatl is all about my ponderings within the world of maternity leave and beyond. The symbolic nature of Quetzalcoatl represents how this blog will stand for discussions on change, books that inspire me (either as a woman, a mother, or a teacher), and any other creative contemplations."
Continuing on from my script above that explains the blog, Quetzalcoatl comes from the name of my first poetry collection written during my university years. I chose the name as he was an Aztec God of learning and knowledge (symbolised through a feathered serpent, right). Learning and knowledge is something I've continued to be passionate about and believe is the core of improving yourself as a human. Being an English teacher helps me to pursue this passion but underneath it all, it's all about curiosity. This curiosity can sometimes be a downfall, but selected carefully and calmly, it can be the window into new worlds of knowledge where a path in life may be revealed or a way to feel more connected to the world. I guess that this blog is about sharing curiosity.
The reason this blog is here is because of the MTPT project. The MTPT project is for teachers during their Maternity Leave. It was suggested to me through twitter and it's quite an incredible idea to keep our minds active over maternity leave. I liked the idea that I would be doing something for me; to continue my role as a teacher and to try and keep my ideas going. I've seen lots of women go back to work after motherhood and I've seen how hard it is. I was hoping that a project like this would make the transition more comfortable. Throughout the process, I have been given a life coach where I have sessions to help me through my project ideas. So far, it's been eye opening to have someone question your core values - it's heart opening and will hopefully make me more honest with what I want to achieve in life. It is up to the person individually to decide on their MTPT project. My project is this blog so that I can have a platform for my book reviews and to also (hopefully) set up a charity alongside Age UK (currently working on - to be announced).
Before I start posting, I thought I'd explain all about the name of this blog: Quetzalcoatl, and why it's symbolically important.
The feathered serpent was also a symbol of resurrection. This is extremely important for my future posts as I am currently sat in front of a fan (currently 28 degrees in the English summer), writing this post 38 and a half weeks pregnant. I am about to give birth and start a new era in my life. A resurrection of my old, former self, into my new, motherly self. This journey is sitting alongside my teaching academic journey as well as the future journey of a wife, sister, daughter and all the other roles we try to juggle in our lives. Becoming a teacher 3 years ago after taking a career change after 5 years in academic publishing transformed my life. I love it. My 'career' (hate that word) is something I never knew I could enjoy. The path is never finalised or decided; it's flexible and full of twists and turns that I never thought possible.
Additionally, Quetzalcoatl was related to gods of the wind, the dawn (my favourite time of day - on holiday or at home), and of the planet Venus. Nature is especially important to writers and poets; Venus is known as the morning/evening star due to its brightness. I'd like to focus on symbolism here rather than the stereotypical idea that women are from Venus. The sets men and women apart from each other, like polar opposites, whereas we are all alike in very similar ways. This blog is being published in a time of gender fluidity and these previous ideas of human psychology is part of the past.
Finally, this ancient symbolic figure was known to be the inventor of books and one who represents of the arts and crafts. Those who know me will know I love to make jewellery and, more recently, painting plates. One of my students said that 'poetry is like the written form of art' and it takes a certain doorway of creativity to be allowed into the understanding of creative minds. Maybe this blog is a doorway.
Back to books: my main focus in life and my teaching. I'll be reviewing all sorts of books on here; from fiction novels that distract me from current house renovations; baby books; teaching books; poetry collections, and more. I hope it brings an early insight into novels you may wish to read or want to read and help you decide whether it's worth it.
Do join in and feel free to comment with your views. Please also suggest books for me to read and review.
So...there's nothing left to say than to declare Quetzalcoatl open to the world.
Continuing on from my script above that explains the blog, Quetzalcoatl comes from the name of my first poetry collection written during my university years. I chose the name as he was an Aztec God of learning and knowledge (symbolised through a feathered serpent, right). Learning and knowledge is something I've continued to be passionate about and believe is the core of improving yourself as a human. Being an English teacher helps me to pursue this passion but underneath it all, it's all about curiosity. This curiosity can sometimes be a downfall, but selected carefully and calmly, it can be the window into new worlds of knowledge where a path in life may be revealed or a way to feel more connected to the world. I guess that this blog is about sharing curiosity.
The reason this blog is here is because of the MTPT project. The MTPT project is for teachers during their Maternity Leave. It was suggested to me through twitter and it's quite an incredible idea to keep our minds active over maternity leave. I liked the idea that I would be doing something for me; to continue my role as a teacher and to try and keep my ideas going. I've seen lots of women go back to work after motherhood and I've seen how hard it is. I was hoping that a project like this would make the transition more comfortable. Throughout the process, I have been given a life coach where I have sessions to help me through my project ideas. So far, it's been eye opening to have someone question your core values - it's heart opening and will hopefully make me more honest with what I want to achieve in life. It is up to the person individually to decide on their MTPT project. My project is this blog so that I can have a platform for my book reviews and to also (hopefully) set up a charity alongside Age UK (currently working on - to be announced).
Before I start posting, I thought I'd explain all about the name of this blog: Quetzalcoatl, and why it's symbolically important.
The feathered serpent was also a symbol of resurrection. This is extremely important for my future posts as I am currently sat in front of a fan (currently 28 degrees in the English summer), writing this post 38 and a half weeks pregnant. I am about to give birth and start a new era in my life. A resurrection of my old, former self, into my new, motherly self. This journey is sitting alongside my teaching academic journey as well as the future journey of a wife, sister, daughter and all the other roles we try to juggle in our lives. Becoming a teacher 3 years ago after taking a career change after 5 years in academic publishing transformed my life. I love it. My 'career' (hate that word) is something I never knew I could enjoy. The path is never finalised or decided; it's flexible and full of twists and turns that I never thought possible.
Additionally, Quetzalcoatl was related to gods of the wind, the dawn (my favourite time of day - on holiday or at home), and of the planet Venus. Nature is especially important to writers and poets; Venus is known as the morning/evening star due to its brightness. I'd like to focus on symbolism here rather than the stereotypical idea that women are from Venus. The sets men and women apart from each other, like polar opposites, whereas we are all alike in very similar ways. This blog is being published in a time of gender fluidity and these previous ideas of human psychology is part of the past.
Finally, this ancient symbolic figure was known to be the inventor of books and one who represents of the arts and crafts. Those who know me will know I love to make jewellery and, more recently, painting plates. One of my students said that 'poetry is like the written form of art' and it takes a certain doorway of creativity to be allowed into the understanding of creative minds. Maybe this blog is a doorway.
Back to books: my main focus in life and my teaching. I'll be reviewing all sorts of books on here; from fiction novels that distract me from current house renovations; baby books; teaching books; poetry collections, and more. I hope it brings an early insight into novels you may wish to read or want to read and help you decide whether it's worth it.
Do join in and feel free to comment with your views. Please also suggest books for me to read and review.
So...there's nothing left to say than to declare Quetzalcoatl open to the world.
Very exciting! I can’t wait to keep reading 🥳
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