What I really should have called this blog is "all the places you can find free wifi in the modern world". We have made our way through customs. I am currently sitting on the ever so comfortable seats that are provided for us, wondering why the nice air Canada people have the door to the outside open. That crisp air is doing a fine job at waking me up.
Last night sleep was a difficult task. Five really excited, former theatre students in one room did not bode well for slumbering.
Starting in California I'm going to try to start eating healthier. So far I've only consumed food with zero nutritional value. Not on purpose, but that almond croissant looked so yummy. It wasn't. Airport food has this magical quality where it looks edible but tastes like cardboard. Much like hospital food.
Thursday, 27 December 2012
Wednesday, 26 December 2012
Might as Well
Might as well right a blog post while wifi is available (and free!) even if there isn't really anything of interest to report.
I would like to thank the Comfort Inn for providing us with enough room so I could have my own bed. It may be a (not so comfortable) pull out, but I know I will slumber much better if I am not worried about open mouth breathing in someone's face. Or, saying something embarrassing in my sleep. Both of these have occurred more than once.
The journey to our fine airport hotel went by quickly. How could it not, especially when you have five theatre kids belting out Disney songs the whole way? I mean, that may not be everyone's cup of tea but I sure had a nice time.
Tomorrow morning we leave for the airport at dawn. THEN DISNEYLAND HAPPENS!
I would like to thank the Comfort Inn for providing us with enough room so I could have my own bed. It may be a (not so comfortable) pull out, but I know I will slumber much better if I am not worried about open mouth breathing in someone's face. Or, saying something embarrassing in my sleep. Both of these have occurred more than once.
The journey to our fine airport hotel went by quickly. How could it not, especially when you have five theatre kids belting out Disney songs the whole way? I mean, that may not be everyone's cup of tea but I sure had a nice time.
Tomorrow morning we leave for the airport at dawn. THEN DISNEYLAND HAPPENS!
Tonight, We Ride.
I'm not sure how it happened, but my "Disneyland Countdown" went from being like 55 days to WE ARE LEAVING TODAY! We actually fly out tomorrow morning, but we are staying in a hotel tonight so it is basically today.
Yesterday was Christmas, in case you all were wondering. I had a wonderful time. It even snowed! I've had very few white Christmases, so it was special. Santa spoiled me. I must have been well behaved this year or something.
Packing has not been going as quickly or as efficiently as I would have hoped. This is evident by the fact that I am sitting in my living room writing a blog entry instead of finishing up. I'm close though. Definitely close to being done the whole packing thing. I have clean underwear. Which is most important. WAIT, NO! NEED TO GRAB MY PASSPORT!
And books. I have no idea what books I should bring. I have about 50 that I want to read... That is too many, right? I could always buy a book there if I read the ones I bring. Or read on my phone, as I have books downloaded onto that as well. AHHHHH.
I need my chargers. Yes, charging my electronics is very important. WHAT ELSE? OH GOD. I better go. Okay. Packing. Finishing of the packing. Doing it. Going. Making it happen. Leaving my computer. Now. RIGHT NOW.
Yesterday was Christmas, in case you all were wondering. I had a wonderful time. It even snowed! I've had very few white Christmases, so it was special. Santa spoiled me. I must have been well behaved this year or something.
Packing has not been going as quickly or as efficiently as I would have hoped. This is evident by the fact that I am sitting in my living room writing a blog entry instead of finishing up. I'm close though. Definitely close to being done the whole packing thing. I have clean underwear. Which is most important. WAIT, NO! NEED TO GRAB MY PASSPORT!
And books. I have no idea what books I should bring. I have about 50 that I want to read... That is too many, right? I could always buy a book there if I read the ones I bring. Or read on my phone, as I have books downloaded onto that as well. AHHHHH.
I need my chargers. Yes, charging my electronics is very important. WHAT ELSE? OH GOD. I better go. Okay. Packing. Finishing of the packing. Doing it. Going. Making it happen. Leaving my computer. Now. RIGHT NOW.
Monday, 17 December 2012
All Graduated and Everything
Well, I did it. Five and a half years, an unspeakable amount of money owed to the government, and more than one tear shed... I graduated. I passed. My university feels as though I am fit to teach children.
Doesn't feel real. Probably because I'm still living as though I am a student. Perhaps I'll feel like a grown up after I get my first paycheck?
Doesn't feel real. Probably because I'm still living as though I am a student. Perhaps I'll feel like a grown up after I get my first paycheck?
Tuesday, 20 November 2012
The Aftereffects of my Napping Addiction
Three hour naps are not good for my social life.
I'm supposed to be at an authors group at this very moment. I know what you are thinking, "authors? When did she become an author?" Well, mostly I go for the tea and company. I have always loved to write, hence why I keep this silly little blog going. Who doesn't have a half finished tome saved somewhere on their computer? I have a few, to be honest. They are located under funny little filenames like "I'm writing a book!" or "Stuff I do instead of homework!" or "This is rubbish!"...
Back to the whole issue of napping though. I was exhausticated (that isn't a real word) at work today and when I got home I climbed into bed and immediately fell into a comatose state until 6:58pm, two minutes before I was due to arrive at said writers group. I then was famished as napping is hard work and needed to eat dinner. At this very moment I'm supposed to be lesson planning for my very full day tomorrow. I need to make a priority list, and force myself to do only the things at the very top of said list. That way I won't end up distracted on social media and stay up late AGAIN.
The list will go as follows:
1. Get off of blog
2. Go get school bag from living room
3. Open math book
4. Stare at math book for 15 minutes
5. Write math lesson
6. Take out Socials work
7. Write Socials lesson in 1/3rd of the time it takes to write math lesson
8. Panic that I am forgetting something
9. Give up on remembering what I've forgotten
10. Read and then sleep
I'm supposed to be at an authors group at this very moment. I know what you are thinking, "authors? When did she become an author?" Well, mostly I go for the tea and company. I have always loved to write, hence why I keep this silly little blog going. Who doesn't have a half finished tome saved somewhere on their computer? I have a few, to be honest. They are located under funny little filenames like "I'm writing a book!" or "Stuff I do instead of homework!" or "This is rubbish!"...
Back to the whole issue of napping though. I was exhausticated (that isn't a real word) at work today and when I got home I climbed into bed and immediately fell into a comatose state until 6:58pm, two minutes before I was due to arrive at said writers group. I then was famished as napping is hard work and needed to eat dinner. At this very moment I'm supposed to be lesson planning for my very full day tomorrow. I need to make a priority list, and force myself to do only the things at the very top of said list. That way I won't end up distracted on social media and stay up late AGAIN.
The list will go as follows:
1. Get off of blog
2. Go get school bag from living room
3. Open math book
4. Stare at math book for 15 minutes
5. Write math lesson
6. Take out Socials work
7. Write Socials lesson in 1/3rd of the time it takes to write math lesson
8. Panic that I am forgetting something
9. Give up on remembering what I've forgotten
10. Read and then sleep
Sunday, 18 November 2012
Artist Friend
My friend Richard now has a brilliant etsy shop because he is incredibly talented and wonderful. He is a carver, and if I had any money that didn't have to go back to the government in a few months, I would buy something from him.
Click here to check it out. Just a preview:
Click here to check it out. Just a preview:
COOL HEY?!
Friday, 16 November 2012
Microscopes and Books
Long weekends result in short work weeks--meaning it is already Friday night and I have no idea how that happened.
Not that I'm complaining.
This week was filled with new and exciting teaching experiences for me. First of all, I took my grade six class into the senior school to conduct a microscopic experiment. I do have to admit, I was slightly terrified they would somehow find the chemicals and blow something up. I even made them sign a contract basically selling their souls to me before I would allow them to enter the lab. Turns out there was just the right amount of intimidation involved with travelling into the senior school that they were both excited, and well behaved. I had all types of comments, one of my favourites being "OH. MY. GOD. You HAVE to come look at this. Wicked. Wicked. SO wicked." This was uttered out of one of the boys in my class that doesn't usually participate too much in class discussion. He wanted to show me the slide of onion skin because he could see the cellular make up. I found it a) awesome he was so engaged and b) hilarious because I planned the lesson so I had already looked at all the slides.
It was also fun because due to my small amount of experience with microscopes I seemed to be able to find the specimen when kids were having trouble. I felt like a hero, swooping in to refocus the magnification to reveal something they had never seen before. I spent a lot of the class gloating "Yes, yes, children. I know I'm the best scientist in the world. Do try to keep your admiration to a minimum. I will sign your homework later."
Have I mentioned I am reading "Hannah and the Spindle Whorl" to the class? It is perfect for them as it centres around this 12 year old girl living in British Columbia. It is relevant, funny and the kids seem to really connect with the characters. I've been told that it is their "NEW FAVOURITE BOOK" and the "BEST BOOK EVER" and "SO FUNNY". Though they may be slightly hyperbolizing their immediate love for the book (they started saying these things after reading like 2 chapters) they do seem to genuinely enjoy it when I read. The book really is wonderful, so that helps.
If I haven't suggested this book as a good read, I would like to remedy that horrible oversight and do so now. It is truly a wonderful read that provides such a vivid picture of the West Coast of Canada. The 12 year old voice of Hannah is captured perfectly, and I'm so looking forward to reading the sequel. So are my students, it would seem.
Not that I'm complaining.
This week was filled with new and exciting teaching experiences for me. First of all, I took my grade six class into the senior school to conduct a microscopic experiment. I do have to admit, I was slightly terrified they would somehow find the chemicals and blow something up. I even made them sign a contract basically selling their souls to me before I would allow them to enter the lab. Turns out there was just the right amount of intimidation involved with travelling into the senior school that they were both excited, and well behaved. I had all types of comments, one of my favourites being "OH. MY. GOD. You HAVE to come look at this. Wicked. Wicked. SO wicked." This was uttered out of one of the boys in my class that doesn't usually participate too much in class discussion. He wanted to show me the slide of onion skin because he could see the cellular make up. I found it a) awesome he was so engaged and b) hilarious because I planned the lesson so I had already looked at all the slides.
It was also fun because due to my small amount of experience with microscopes I seemed to be able to find the specimen when kids were having trouble. I felt like a hero, swooping in to refocus the magnification to reveal something they had never seen before. I spent a lot of the class gloating "Yes, yes, children. I know I'm the best scientist in the world. Do try to keep your admiration to a minimum. I will sign your homework later."
Have I mentioned I am reading "Hannah and the Spindle Whorl" to the class? It is perfect for them as it centres around this 12 year old girl living in British Columbia. It is relevant, funny and the kids seem to really connect with the characters. I've been told that it is their "NEW FAVOURITE BOOK" and the "BEST BOOK EVER" and "SO FUNNY". Though they may be slightly hyperbolizing their immediate love for the book (they started saying these things after reading like 2 chapters) they do seem to genuinely enjoy it when I read. The book really is wonderful, so that helps.
If I haven't suggested this book as a good read, I would like to remedy that horrible oversight and do so now. It is truly a wonderful read that provides such a vivid picture of the West Coast of Canada. The 12 year old voice of Hannah is captured perfectly, and I'm so looking forward to reading the sequel. So are my students, it would seem.
Another book I've read recently that was quite enjoyable was also by a Canadian author. "Crystal Promise" is a urban fantasy novel. I shall try not to give too much away, but one of the things that I really loved about the novel was the fact that it was primarily character driven. Those are the kind of fantasy reads I like best. I am able to engage in the world and the way in which society functions within that world if I am attached to the characters. Basically, I have to want to play the game in order to follow the rules. Some fantasy/sci-fi books tell you the rules of the novel's universe before they have you hooked in any way. For me, those ones end up in the donation bin. I finished "Crystal Promise" in two days. I couldn't stop reading until one conflict or another was resolved. Read more about this novel on amazon, and then I suggest you buy it. Click here to be directly taken to the website.
I suppose that is all I have to say for this fine evening. The book I'm currently reading is part of the "Fablehaven" series, which are meant for 10-15 year olds. I pretend I read them for the sake of recommending them to children, but really I just like.
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