Hats

I am a wearer of many hats. The one I wear the most is the teacher hat, which I talk about a lot in this blog. Another is an actress--also something I refer to quite a bit. These two hats I am comfortable wearing.

There are other hats I am less comfortable wearing, at least when I am in front of people. One of these is the artist hat. I love to paint, draw and photograph the nonsensical world that surrounds me. Do I necessarily consider myself an artist though? Not particularly. The art teacher at my school, she is a real artist. My friend, Carol, and her husband Richard--they are artists. Me? I play at art.

I feel the same way about my writing. I had a conversation at the literary festival this past weekend about how difficult it is to refer to yourself as an author. Maybe some people don't have this particular mental block, but I certainly do. Someone asked me if I was an author and I skirted the question as best I could until James interrupted me and said "Yes. Kim is a writer."

I suppose the main reason I don't call myself a writer or an author is because it isn't something I work at every day. I write when I feel like it or, more appropriately, I write when it is convenient.

If it wasn't for FRANK (my writers group) I would probably have tossed away my manuscript a long time ago. But having a weekly meeting with people who ask about my work in progress has pushed me to write more, and write more often. Sometimes when I don't write they understand me, and accept my excuses. Sometimes they kick me in the ass. Sometimes they let me teach them the lesson I have planned for the next day because that was the only thing I could accomplish and they appreciate that.

If not for them, I would not have written 20, 000 words on my current project.

Tonight is FRANK night. We are eating nachos. I actually have something to read, thanks to my leisure weekend on Galiano.

Maybe one day I'll be comfortable wearing my authors hat. Maybe one day I will tell strangers, without a hint of irony, that yes--I am an author.
Not tonight though. Tonight I'm just going to eat nachos and read some words.

Bad Blogger Etiquette

I'll admit, I am not longer on Galiano. We have returned home. In fact, we got home yesterday and--even then--I failed to update my blog.

But today it is snowing and I did not have to go to school. I could not, in good conscience, leave my blog post to another day.

There were many positive outcomes to the Galiano trip. James and I spent some much needed quality time together. I slept for 11 hours on Friday night, and had a nap on Saturday. I also wrote 2, 600 words for my Work In Progress (sometimes I play at being an author) and spending time with the ladies from our writers group was very fun. The cabins James and I stayed in were very cute. We ate good food at a few Galiano establishments and though the weather was only good on the first day, we enjoyed the scenery.

Though I loved much about the Driftwood Cottages, I did not love how their bath water was not hot. I enjoy turning the colour of a Canadian flag whilst I bathe. I did not have this experience at the Driftwood. Though, they did have a hot tub. If I had of had the foresight to bring a bathing suit I would have gone in. Our cabin had a wood stove, which was delightful and the bed had a very cozy duvet, so all was not lost.

I didn't attend any seminars provided by the Galiano Literary Festival, so hopefully James will guest blog and talk about that aspect of the trip. I did, however, attend the dinner where I met a nice man named Fraser who used to be a teacher. He now is an author and won the "So You Think You Can Write Contest" with the Times Colonist. Check that out here. He and his wife were delightful. I talked mostly with them. James talked to many people, as it was his job to network the night away.

Sunday was travel back day. It had been snowing on and off all weekend so we were worried about the ease of returning home. We all decided it was best to catch an earlier ferry. Unfortunately this meant that James, Carol and Kristine had to miss Raffi's seminar. Good thing they spoke to him enough over the weekend that they are all now all BFF's.

I very much missed my dog. It is interesting that in such a short period of time he has become so very important. He was well taken care of by our neighbours so at least I was able to relax knowing that he was safe and happy. Currently, Chewie is sleeping by my feet because he is tired due to running around in the snow.

Here are some pictures to please the eye:

He is thinking about his next novel.

 The ferry.

Before the snow.

This cat is really fat (the camera took off 10 pounds) and loves books. We are kindred spirits. The bookstore was pretty cool, though they did not have a large enough fantasy or sci fi section.

This cat wants the grocery store to open, too. But the owners are on island time, man.

That is it! My blogging duties for the weekend are complete. Now I shall go do something productive, maybe.

Day One on Galiano

My day in chronological order:

Wake up

Shower

Take dog to pee

Feed dog

Get ready

Take dog out to poop

Leave house

Pick up my coworker whom I carpool with

Go to Tim Hortons

Eat Tim Hortons in car

Get to school

Greet girls in advisor

Make pretest during spare block

Have English class, show Olympic hockey game

Have Drama class, show Olympic hockey game

Leave school

Drive home

Hug and fawn over my puppy

Worry about leaving my puppy

Hug puppy again

Say thank you and bye to neighbours who are taking care of puppy

Grab clothes

Drive to ferry with James

Board ferry

Take some pictures

Read book

Dock ferry

Drive to Driftwood Village Cottages

Check out cottages

Take pictures

Go to Galiano Inn

Meet up with author friends and say hi

Go to pub with James

Return to cottage

Bathe

Write blog post while James networks at wine and cheese night

Here are some pictures of the day:

Drama Class

My drama class has been particularly successful this semester. I believe this is a result of numerous factors. 

1) I'm more experienced. 

2) I've relaxed a bit but also set stronger boundaries in terms of class etiquette (especially when it comes to electronics)

3) This semester my class list is primarily made up of students who want to be in drama, not students who couldn't get into photography. 

4) We are studying improv

5) I've been participating in games and activities (more fun for me!)

6) The grade 8's have joined and they are full of piss and vinegar. 

7) Slightly smaller class. 

8) Drama is the best. 

It is very good to feel successful. It wasn't as though I didn't experience success in last semesters class, but I feel as though this is now a course students look forward to participating in. I know I look forward to the periods I get to spend in the drama hall. 

We are going to be producing a one act play as well, which I am excited (and nervous) about. I'm wondering how to approach it though. I need something with an all girl cast, that allows for 20 students to participate. I think I may have to do short vignettes. Maybe about the treacherous jungle that is the hallway? I'm not sure. 

I've got some time to mull it over, though. 

Upcoming Weekend

James and I are going to Galiano Island next weekend. There is a literary festival there that James wants to attend. Raffi will be there. Raffi, as in Baby Beluga Raffi. THE Raffi.

I haven't purchased a ticket for the festival, even though I am going to stay at Galiano for the weekend. I haven't quite decided yet if I want to get out of my pajamas. I mean, meeting Raffi sounds amazing, but so does sleeping all day.

We aren't bringing the puppy. It will be the first time I will be away from Chewie for more than a night. Should be interesting. I've grown quite attached to the fluff ball.

I will take many pictures. I will blog about it, using the free wifi provided for my convenience.

I look forward to relaxing. Moving into James' house, getting a puppy, writing course outlines and completing the second round of report cards have taken a lot of my time. I shall lay in a bath for a ridiculous amount of time and watch an obscene amount of television.

I won't do any work. Don't tell my school, but I don't want to work at all.

Report Cards

Report Cards are only fun if you are in Grade 4 and Grandma gives you a toonie for every A you receive.

 Even then, it depends.

Why am I on my blog when I could be productive and edit the last of my report comments? The answer to that question is quite simple.

My head may explode.

Grades are so superficial. I think the one thing we (as teachers) should mark is effort and participation. That is how kids learn. If they don't try, if they don't buy in--they don't retain any knowledge.

I just want to send a quick note to parents once a month being like "Yo. Your kid listens really well and she also gave a girl a hug when they were sad. It was pretty top drawer of her."

Isn't that enough? Why should I spend 20 hours over my weekend giving numerical value to each and every assignment a kid hands in? What does that number matter?

But I'm a hypocrite, really. When I was in University there were some ungraded courses. I hated them. "Why should I put in maximum effort if all I get is a pass or a fail?" I said. "Why not scrape by if that is all I require to move on?" I said.

I am a Grade junkie. Yet I want something better for my students. I want something better for my kids, if I have them.

I want school to be about the friggen journey, not the grade at the end of the tunnel.