Christine Blackford: Mah Jongg & Canasta Instructor
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I am so lucky to be able to share my love and passion of Mah Jongg & Canasta, meeting so many new people with fond memories and warm stories of their families & friends that played.
Playing games has always been an area of personal enjoyment for me. It keeps the mind sharp, is a great way to socialize and helps you constantly challenge yourself. I first played Mah Jongg in 2012 with my mother in law through her 55+community. She shared her knowledge with me and I quickly fell in love with the game. This led me to reading and researching all things Mah Jongg. I reached out to a local group and began playing in earnest. While there I met a patient woman who helped guide me and taught me many facets of the game. I found that there was no one in the area that taught or would take the time to teach, it was hard to join a group as a rookie. So, I contacted my local library and began volunteering my services teaching a beginner class, which had over 22 students. The demand for Mah Jong help was there. I also set up a regular weekly Mah Jongg Group, that I currently still Lead today. The Mah Jongg Class concept was born and my passion became a part-time job, offering private and group instruction throughout Monmouth and Ocean County in New Jersey. I find Mah Jongg satisfying and I love that I am able to continue the Mah Jongg legacy. After a few years, my clients loved they way I taugh and the easy of learning and wanted to bring Canasta into their lives so in 2019, I began teaching the fun and social game of Modern American Canasta. Both game are offered on YouTube Mah Jongg Class and Canasta Class for reference guide in your games.
My Hobbies: reading books & book club, I am a creative force: love crafts & sewing, crochet & knitting & another love, watercolor artist. In my younger years was a Girl Scout leader for 9 years in our community and participated in three Parent Teacher Organizations for my three children. Moving to PA has allow me to also teach Watercolor Class, which brings much peace and relaxation to my life and others.
My Skills: value kindness and patience. I am a happy person & people oriented. Organized and detail oriented. Believe there is always something to learn from each other.
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My Educational Background: BS in Accounting & minor in Management. My love of numbers and organization follows through my teaching and love of the game. There is no certification for National Mah Jongg League Instructors but I have done extensive research on techniques & skills to develop my teaching methods for my Mah Jongg & Canasta sessions and spoke to many teachers around the United States.
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I play Mah Jongg and Canasta where & whenever I can with friends in my home, my local library, and surrounding communities and you often find me on a computer games too. I can't wait to play! I enjoy sharing my love by teaching both beginner and intermediate levels of American Mah Jongg and Canasta.
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I have an interactive teaching style step by step that encourages fun and focused learning as friends learn and play together. I will provide students with the confidence and foundational knowledge to begin playing at the end of the sessions. Students will be able handle the mysteries of Cracks, Bams and Dots after our sessions of Mah Jongg and feel confident as a Modern American Canasta Player.
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I am helping these games transcend time and I am connecting several generations and making friends with the bonds of games! It makes you forget everything else and it makes me happy! It's wonderful to see the joy it brings others for a life time and you will never be alone joining the Mah Jongg and/or a Canasta Community.
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Let me introduce you to this game for hours of pleasure and make some new friend or BYOF - Bring Your Own Friend(s) and share in the fun and this great opportunity! Lifelong Learner!