My work-friends and I picture our work as a sitcom. Cataloging all of the characters and the sitcom-y moments is a great way to cope.
Tomorrow's the season finale. We have some meetings, then a social and it's a two-month hiatus.
The hiatus sort of started today. I slept in, got a pedicure, treated myself to sushi, went to the gym, and had a small nap. I also read 100 pages in the interim as well. After a really nice me-day, I headed out west to the pretty inn where our school has graduation. This year's graduating class was very special. There were some great kids, and I'm really going to miss them. I feel very privileged to have made a difference in so many lives.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to summer. It's going to be a great one. I've got a lot of fun things planned so far: cross-boarder shopping trips, concerts, visits from Becca T, lots of exercise and clean eating. I feel like July is going to be like today: still lots of socializing but alone time to relax and rejuvenate.
I fly to Kenya on the 29th. We have an overnight to London, then a bit of a stopover, and then a long flight to Nairobi. I can't believe that it's just a little over a month away!
But first, let's see how the season finale plays out.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
A - Z(ed) of Me
Borrowed from my lovely friend Siobhan.
P.
Q.
W.
A.
Age: 33.
B.
Bed size: double.
C.
Chore that you hate: all of the chores. Seriously, I need a housekeeper.
D.
Dogs: my first pet was a dog! She ran away, and then a friend of my grandmother's dog-napped a new one for me. Luckily, my mother was able to return it to its family. Read about it here.
E.
Essential start to your day: breakfast (Greek yogurt, berries, almonds) and coffee.
F.
Favourite colour: purple.
G.
Gold or Silver: I prefer silver but am starting to like gold.
H.
Height: 5ft 6in
I.
Instruments you play: I used to play the piano, but I've lost it. Can still hammer out Fur Elise though. That one's like riding a bike to me.
J.
Job title: Teacher.
K.
Kids: I'm on the fence about that.
L.
Live: Toronto.
M.
Mother’s name: Lucy.
N.
Nicknames: my friend's husband calls me Crunchy Crackers. Also, is "Miss" a nickname?
O.
Overnight hospital stays: When I was born. Not since then, though.
P.
Pet peeves: whoa. This one could be a post to itself. Selfishness. Thoughtlessness. Entitlement. And people who are outside sitters on the bus which makes it impossible for me to sit on the seat beside them. Especially when they aren't getting off any time soon.
Q.
Q. Quote from a movie:
“Spider Pig! Spider pig! Does whatever a spider pig does!” - Homer from The Simpsons Movie
R.
Right or left handed: right
S.
Siblings: None.
T.
There's no T! Hmmm, but for tea, I sure do love David's Tea!
T.
There's no T! Hmmm, but for tea, I sure do love David's Tea!
U.
Underwear: I wear it.
V.
Vegetable you hate: onions.
W.
What makes you run late: I'm usually pretty punctual. If I'm running late, I'll blame the TTC like any good Torontonian.
X.
X-Rays you’ve had: teeth, and right foot.
Y.
Yummy food that you make: Chipotle-Glazed Roast Chicken with Sweet Potatoes. This is a recent find and it's amazing. I've made it for a few friends and always get rave reviews. And it fits my healthy-eating plan!
Z.
Zoo animal: lemurs.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
You don't think before you jump.
The heat arrived this weekend. It finally feels like June... not that I'm complaining. I loved the cool summer days that preceded this weekend. But now it's one of those evenings where it feels hot, and I don't even feel like even thinking about sleeping so I'm watching The National videos on YouTube while drinking some red wine.
Which is probably not the best thing to do as songs by The National are pretty wonderfully mopey.
I need their new album. I love the song "This Is the Last Time" because I can really relate to it. I wish I'd come across it in February, I really do. (Well, it didn't exist in February either but I wish it did.)
This Tiny Desk Concert on NPR is great.
Weekend was pretty great. Nice day on Friday at Centre Island with student council. Birthday party for my friend Mathew on Friday night. I finished up my marking and report cards on Saturday. Today I went to the spa and had dinner with a pal.
But still, the hot weather brings a weird sort of sadness with it. I always get a little bit nervous before summer starts. I need the rest, but all of the undefined time seems overwhelming. Too much time that I could spend lost in my thoughts, wrapped up in my introversion letting myself be haunted by ghosts of summers past. I'm going to do the best to schedule myself silly, buy a Metropass, and get out of my neighbourhood during the month of July.
Which is probably not the best thing to do as songs by The National are pretty wonderfully mopey.
I need their new album. I love the song "This Is the Last Time" because I can really relate to it. I wish I'd come across it in February, I really do. (Well, it didn't exist in February either but I wish it did.)
This Tiny Desk Concert on NPR is great.
Weekend was pretty great. Nice day on Friday at Centre Island with student council. Birthday party for my friend Mathew on Friday night. I finished up my marking and report cards on Saturday. Today I went to the spa and had dinner with a pal.
But still, the hot weather brings a weird sort of sadness with it. I always get a little bit nervous before summer starts. I need the rest, but all of the undefined time seems overwhelming. Too much time that I could spend lost in my thoughts, wrapped up in my introversion letting myself be haunted by ghosts of summers past. I'm going to do the best to schedule myself silly, buy a Metropass, and get out of my neighbourhood during the month of July.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Really Great Day
I had a really great day today. Seriously, there were several times where I exclaimed this aloud.
Today I proctored my last exam of the semester. It was for my environmental science class. This class was challenging to teach: they V-coded the course, which means two different courses were put together in my class at the same time. It was like a split grade. I had students who are on their way to the workplace taking one level of envi-sci as well as students who are on their way to college/university taking the other level. It was really hard to teach, and I feel that I have done a much more effective job at delivering these courses separately in the past. Often education is a numbers game, and that is what unfortunately happened this year.
However, even though I couldn't be as effective as I usually am, it was really nice having one last day with my students. They also showed me that although logistics prevented me from being 100% awesome, I was still pretty darned awesome. Everyone worked really hard on their exams, and many of the students wrote very sweet thank you messages to me on their exams (I've gotten a lot of those this semester). It's great when you teach a course that you are very passionate about, and that your students actually tell you that they will take with them what you taught for the rest of their lives. I'm so lucky to be in this profession.
After the exam, as I was cleaning up the room, two of my students brought me a thank-you gift: a case of Coke Zero. Usually in this class, I'd be drinking a Coke Zero (stolen from a friend's mini-fridge; but I pay him a monthly CZ fee) and talking about things like toxins in the environment and eating healthy foods from sustainable sources and then remark "and yes, I know I'm being a bit hypocritical as I drink this potentially-carcinogenic solution from a multi-national food company but I REALLY need caffeine to get through the rest of the day. And I don't like sugar-y sodas." It became a bit of a class joke and it was so sweet that they dragged it from the mall for me! A case of pop has never touched a person so much as it did today, I think.
I have hidden it carefully in the storage room off of my classroom. There is summer school in the building this summer, and I don't want anyone to steal my special stash. I'm ready for September.
After exams wrapped up, a couple of my friends and I drove out to my local pub for lunch and pints on a patio in this beautiful sunny temperate weather. (LONG LIVE EXAM WEEK.) We then went to do some marking at the Starbucks across the street and got some marking in.
I had to abandon the marking party early because I had running plans with a former colleague/friend. We worked in different departments, and she's at a different school now, but we've kept in touch over Facebook. She's recently started running using clinics from the Running Room, and invited me to a run in The Beach neighbourhood.
I don't go out to The Beach enough. It's in the city's east end, and I tend to stay central or go west. However, it's such a pretty neighbourhood, and is a nice 20 minute streetcar ride from downtown. I need to get out there more often. We did a nice easy 4K run with the group, and then had some delicious frozen yogurt. We took our yogurt out along the boardwalk, and then settled on a nice rock by the lake. It looks like we'll do some more fitness activities together since we're both going to be sticking around Toronto for July.
Anyway, so I've got 32 exams left to mark, but I think I'm going to hit the hay and work on them tomorrow. Awesome students, friends, fitness pals, and an awesome city with great neighbourhoods to explore make for such a nice day.
Today I proctored my last exam of the semester. It was for my environmental science class. This class was challenging to teach: they V-coded the course, which means two different courses were put together in my class at the same time. It was like a split grade. I had students who are on their way to the workplace taking one level of envi-sci as well as students who are on their way to college/university taking the other level. It was really hard to teach, and I feel that I have done a much more effective job at delivering these courses separately in the past. Often education is a numbers game, and that is what unfortunately happened this year.
However, even though I couldn't be as effective as I usually am, it was really nice having one last day with my students. They also showed me that although logistics prevented me from being 100% awesome, I was still pretty darned awesome. Everyone worked really hard on their exams, and many of the students wrote very sweet thank you messages to me on their exams (I've gotten a lot of those this semester). It's great when you teach a course that you are very passionate about, and that your students actually tell you that they will take with them what you taught for the rest of their lives. I'm so lucky to be in this profession.
After the exam, as I was cleaning up the room, two of my students brought me a thank-you gift: a case of Coke Zero. Usually in this class, I'd be drinking a Coke Zero (stolen from a friend's mini-fridge; but I pay him a monthly CZ fee) and talking about things like toxins in the environment and eating healthy foods from sustainable sources and then remark "and yes, I know I'm being a bit hypocritical as I drink this potentially-carcinogenic solution from a multi-national food company but I REALLY need caffeine to get through the rest of the day. And I don't like sugar-y sodas." It became a bit of a class joke and it was so sweet that they dragged it from the mall for me! A case of pop has never touched a person so much as it did today, I think.
I have hidden it carefully in the storage room off of my classroom. There is summer school in the building this summer, and I don't want anyone to steal my special stash. I'm ready for September.
After exams wrapped up, a couple of my friends and I drove out to my local pub for lunch and pints on a patio in this beautiful sunny temperate weather. (LONG LIVE EXAM WEEK.) We then went to do some marking at the Starbucks across the street and got some marking in.
I had to abandon the marking party early because I had running plans with a former colleague/friend. We worked in different departments, and she's at a different school now, but we've kept in touch over Facebook. She's recently started running using clinics from the Running Room, and invited me to a run in The Beach neighbourhood.
I don't go out to The Beach enough. It's in the city's east end, and I tend to stay central or go west. However, it's such a pretty neighbourhood, and is a nice 20 minute streetcar ride from downtown. I need to get out there more often. We did a nice easy 4K run with the group, and then had some delicious frozen yogurt. We took our yogurt out along the boardwalk, and then settled on a nice rock by the lake. It looks like we'll do some more fitness activities together since we're both going to be sticking around Toronto for July.
Anyway, so I've got 32 exams left to mark, but I think I'm going to hit the hay and work on them tomorrow. Awesome students, friends, fitness pals, and an awesome city with great neighbourhoods to explore make for such a nice day.
Monday, June 17, 2013
Had It Coming/Old Time Sake
I'm always trying to break up with Matthew Good. I say "oh, I'm not going to listen to his new album or go to his shows. I don't think I'm into him anymore."
Then he comes out with something new, and I really like it as per usual and circle the date his new album is being released on my calendar. Maybe this one I will get on vinyl. And now I'm thinking "okay yes, I've seen him at Massey Hall at least once before but it'd be cool to see him at Massey Hall again in the fall so I should get tickets but who will I bring as my MG BFF lives in France?"
I should give up on this musical break-up though. It's not going to happen.
I can't remember the last time I had a successful musical breakup. Once I love an artist I'm pretty committed. I like following careers for years and listening to each new album. And I'm not the type to say "oh, only their first two albums were any good and then they went downhill." Once I'm hooked that's it.
I'm a keeper, I suppose. Or all of my bands are to me.
Last Sunday, after Field Trip, I went to my local pub for a beer. Like a nerd, I was wearing my fave BSS Tshirt because well, I had the BSS afterglow about me. My server, a punk-ass looking dude who must have been about 25 and had floppy hair, said "oh did you go to the show yesterday?"
I said yes, it was awesome, and then he went on a rant about how BSS and Stars and pretty much every Toronto indie band from the 2000s only had 1-2 good albums and then went downhill. I wasn't taking it and kept saying "I disagree! Stars' latest album was a total throwback to Set Yourself On Fire. BSS' Forgiveness Rock Record was pretty good. It had Meet Me in the Basement after all." But dude kept going on until finally I said "Can I order my food now? And I need another beer."
Apparently he was good at band breakups. Unnecessary band breakups. How about you guys? Do you do musical breakups??
Also, I've been digging this old Kathleen Edwards song lately. It's been going through my head. I'm feeling it these days.
Then he comes out with something new, and I really like it as per usual and circle the date his new album is being released on my calendar. Maybe this one I will get on vinyl. And now I'm thinking "okay yes, I've seen him at Massey Hall at least once before but it'd be cool to see him at Massey Hall again in the fall so I should get tickets but who will I bring as my MG BFF lives in France?"
I should give up on this musical break-up though. It's not going to happen.
I can't remember the last time I had a successful musical breakup. Once I love an artist I'm pretty committed. I like following careers for years and listening to each new album. And I'm not the type to say "oh, only their first two albums were any good and then they went downhill." Once I'm hooked that's it.
I'm a keeper, I suppose. Or all of my bands are to me.
Last Sunday, after Field Trip, I went to my local pub for a beer. Like a nerd, I was wearing my fave BSS Tshirt because well, I had the BSS afterglow about me. My server, a punk-ass looking dude who must have been about 25 and had floppy hair, said "oh did you go to the show yesterday?"
I said yes, it was awesome, and then he went on a rant about how BSS and Stars and pretty much every Toronto indie band from the 2000s only had 1-2 good albums and then went downhill. I wasn't taking it and kept saying "I disagree! Stars' latest album was a total throwback to Set Yourself On Fire. BSS' Forgiveness Rock Record was pretty good. It had Meet Me in the Basement after all." But dude kept going on until finally I said "Can I order my food now? And I need another beer."
Apparently he was good at band breakups. Unnecessary band breakups. How about you guys? Do you do musical breakups??
Also, I've been digging this old Kathleen Edwards song lately. It's been going through my head. I'm feeling it these days.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Blurry Nights
Good weekend. Lazy weekend. Fitness groove reset tomorrow I tell you.
On Friday night, I headed to Yonge-Dundas Square to catch a free show for NXNE.
I saw Hayden for the third time this year; this fact would elate my teenaged-self. I've been a Hayden fan since I was approximately 16 years old. And yes, he played this: (my favourite song to mope to since I was ~ 16)
And this... (the song I will always associate with breaking my foot a week before starting university)
And this... (my favourite song from the new album)
Hayden twice within one week? Yes please!
The National headlined this show, and I'm new to The National. So many of my fellow music snobs love The National, and I kind of wanted to go to this show, so I picked up High Violet on vinyl a few weeks ago on the advice of my hair stylist. (Who was probs at the show too.)
The National are amazing live. I really enjoyed their show, even though YD was pretty packed. The highlight was the crowd sing along to "VanderLyle Crybaby Geeks" which was the song I was waiting for. It was also cool when lead singer Matt Berninger went into the crowd during the show. His mic cord was super long because he got pretty close to us (we were maybe 25 rows of ppl from the stage) and went in a big circle through the crowd. I had to duck under the cord too.
Anyway, that was followed by drinks, so all-in-all, a pretty great Friday night.
I slept in on Saturday, read a little, then met up with my friend Elaine for shopping and dinner at the Eaton Centre. I splurge a bit on a couple new summer tops from Aritzia, and a new running threads (v-neck Run Swiftly T, Inspire II crops, matching headband) from Lululemon. All of my old running Ts are supper loose, and I have to pull the drawstring super tight on my old crops so that they don't fall down when I'm running. :) I figured it was time to splurge on some new workout stuff, and yay, I am now down a full two sizes at Lulu. Victory.
My friend Elaine always gives me great perspective on my life. She is always very empathetic when big stuff goes badly, but laughs at the little stuff that goes badly, which is what you should do. As I was telling her some recent stories at dinner, she pointed out that my life is like a sitcom, and I agreed. Then I told her that I have a Jeopardy! audition this summer and she was like "see! that would only happen on a sitcom." It's true.
I spent most of today reading a book that I picked up at the mall: "The Silver Star" by Jeannette Walls. I really like both of her other books (The Glass Castle, Half Broke Horses) so I figured why not.
This upcoming week is all about tying up the semester and getting my workouts back on track after three days off... Tomorrow I'm going to run to a yoga class and back, and then I'm sure my trainer will crush me on Tuesday which is leg day (dude's leg days are insane). I have a running date at the Beaches on Wednesday with a former colleague which I'm looking forward to.
Happy Monday blog pals!
On Friday night, I headed to Yonge-Dundas Square to catch a free show for NXNE.
I saw Hayden for the third time this year; this fact would elate my teenaged-self. I've been a Hayden fan since I was approximately 16 years old. And yes, he played this: (my favourite song to mope to since I was ~ 16)
And this... (the song I will always associate with breaking my foot a week before starting university)
And this... (my favourite song from the new album)
Hayden twice within one week? Yes please!
The National headlined this show, and I'm new to The National. So many of my fellow music snobs love The National, and I kind of wanted to go to this show, so I picked up High Violet on vinyl a few weeks ago on the advice of my hair stylist. (Who was probs at the show too.)
The National are amazing live. I really enjoyed their show, even though YD was pretty packed. The highlight was the crowd sing along to "VanderLyle Crybaby Geeks" which was the song I was waiting for. It was also cool when lead singer Matt Berninger went into the crowd during the show. His mic cord was super long because he got pretty close to us (we were maybe 25 rows of ppl from the stage) and went in a big circle through the crowd. I had to duck under the cord too.
Anyway, that was followed by drinks, so all-in-all, a pretty great Friday night.
I slept in on Saturday, read a little, then met up with my friend Elaine for shopping and dinner at the Eaton Centre. I splurge a bit on a couple new summer tops from Aritzia, and a new running threads (v-neck Run Swiftly T, Inspire II crops, matching headband) from Lululemon. All of my old running Ts are supper loose, and I have to pull the drawstring super tight on my old crops so that they don't fall down when I'm running. :) I figured it was time to splurge on some new workout stuff, and yay, I am now down a full two sizes at Lulu. Victory.
My friend Elaine always gives me great perspective on my life. She is always very empathetic when big stuff goes badly, but laughs at the little stuff that goes badly, which is what you should do. As I was telling her some recent stories at dinner, she pointed out that my life is like a sitcom, and I agreed. Then I told her that I have a Jeopardy! audition this summer and she was like "see! that would only happen on a sitcom." It's true.
I spent most of today reading a book that I picked up at the mall: "The Silver Star" by Jeannette Walls. I really like both of her other books (The Glass Castle, Half Broke Horses) so I figured why not.
This upcoming week is all about tying up the semester and getting my workouts back on track after three days off... Tomorrow I'm going to run to a yoga class and back, and then I'm sure my trainer will crush me on Tuesday which is leg day (dude's leg days are insane). I have a running date at the Beaches on Wednesday with a former colleague which I'm looking forward to.
Happy Monday blog pals!
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Almost there...
One more teaching day, and then it's on to exam week.
I'm going to miss my classes. My mom points out I say that every semester. It's 'cuz it's true. I always get the best kids. It's exam review Jeopardy all day tomorrow.
Weekend plans are to be determined. I'll probably catch some free music for NXNE, get some exercise in, a bit of shopping, dinner with a friend, and finish off that blasted term marking.
I'm looking forward to a July; almost a whole month with not much planned other than a few shows and getting myself ready for Kenya. And I'll need to book a massage or two. And de-clutter this apartment. And read.
Ahhh. Can't wait.
I'm going to miss my classes. My mom points out I say that every semester. It's 'cuz it's true. I always get the best kids. It's exam review Jeopardy all day tomorrow.
Weekend plans are to be determined. I'll probably catch some free music for NXNE, get some exercise in, a bit of shopping, dinner with a friend, and finish off that blasted term marking.
I'm looking forward to a July; almost a whole month with not much planned other than a few shows and getting myself ready for Kenya. And I'll need to book a massage or two. And de-clutter this apartment. And read.
Ahhh. Can't wait.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Everything will change.
I realize that I've been celebrating the year 2003 over the past few days.
On Saturday, I went to Arts & Crafts' amazing 10th anniversary festival, where Broken Social Scene played 2003's "You Forgot It In People".
Tonight, I went to see the Postal Service play at the Air Canada Centre to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their album "Give Up".
Funny enough, I wasn't overly into either of these albums in 2003. I was into indie rock back in those days; perhaps since I was just finishing Teachers' College, I didn't quite have the music budget that I have these days and wasn't into all of the bands. I know I liked Death Cab for Cutie back then, so I'm surprised I didn't listen much to the Postal Service; I probably knew a few songs. (The Postal Service is a side project of DCFC's Ben Gibbard.) Same with BSS. I read "Chart Magazine" voraciously back then (a Cdn music magazine), and know that I'd definitely heard of BSS in 2003 but didn't really get into them until later in the decade.
Anyway, I'm now fully acquainted with each of these 2003 albums and loved seeing them live over the past few days. The remastered "Give Up" is definitely one of my fave albums of this year, even though it's 10 years old. I love the 3-record collector's edition I bought on vinyl. Moreover, I love the album as a whole, and seeing it played tonight (although shuffled up with some B-sides, a cover, and two new songs) was incredible.
More incredible is that one of my favourite musicians, Jenny Lewis, who sings/plays on "Give Up" played in the band tonight. She is from the band Rilo Kiley, who I named my cat after, so it's always a special night when you get to see the lady whose band you named your cat after. She has an awesome voice, and is a multi-instrumentalist: she played bass, acoustic guitar, and drums this evening.
Anyway, all of this 2003 music got me to thinking about myself in 2003. Ten years ago I finished my education and had to figure out my place in the world. I'd never even been on a plane at that point in my life. A lot of my friends have remained the same (heck, I took my friend Mathew to tonight's show and he was around in 2003), and a lot about me is the same: I'm still the same person at heart, still love music, books, etc.
But I'm way different now. And I like it. I really do think I've gotten much better with age, and I'm super proud of that.
I'm way stronger: physically, emotionally, and mentally. I've been through my share of heartbreaks, challenges, and disappointments, but have gotten through all of them, and I think I'm way better off for them. I think I'm probably in the best physical shape of my life right now thanks to an intense five months of training/healthy eating.
I've traveled lots in ten years. I've been able to maintain the vast majority of friendships from ten years ago, but have also made lots of new friends.
I've read a lot, learned a lot, and discovered a lot. I have a career that I love and from which I get a lot of fulfillment.
I'm like a fine wine, I think. Definitely better with age. If The Postal Service does a 20th anniversary of Give Up in 2023, I look forward to seeing how I'll have grown by then. It's nice to reflect and realize that I'm happy with how I've grown, and that I know I'm probably just going to get better.
On Saturday, I went to Arts & Crafts' amazing 10th anniversary festival, where Broken Social Scene played 2003's "You Forgot It In People".
Tonight, I went to see the Postal Service play at the Air Canada Centre to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their album "Give Up".
Funny enough, I wasn't overly into either of these albums in 2003. I was into indie rock back in those days; perhaps since I was just finishing Teachers' College, I didn't quite have the music budget that I have these days and wasn't into all of the bands. I know I liked Death Cab for Cutie back then, so I'm surprised I didn't listen much to the Postal Service; I probably knew a few songs. (The Postal Service is a side project of DCFC's Ben Gibbard.) Same with BSS. I read "Chart Magazine" voraciously back then (a Cdn music magazine), and know that I'd definitely heard of BSS in 2003 but didn't really get into them until later in the decade.
Anyway, I'm now fully acquainted with each of these 2003 albums and loved seeing them live over the past few days. The remastered "Give Up" is definitely one of my fave albums of this year, even though it's 10 years old. I love the 3-record collector's edition I bought on vinyl. Moreover, I love the album as a whole, and seeing it played tonight (although shuffled up with some B-sides, a cover, and two new songs) was incredible.
More incredible is that one of my favourite musicians, Jenny Lewis, who sings/plays on "Give Up" played in the band tonight. She is from the band Rilo Kiley, who I named my cat after, so it's always a special night when you get to see the lady whose band you named your cat after. She has an awesome voice, and is a multi-instrumentalist: she played bass, acoustic guitar, and drums this evening.
Anyway, all of this 2003 music got me to thinking about myself in 2003. Ten years ago I finished my education and had to figure out my place in the world. I'd never even been on a plane at that point in my life. A lot of my friends have remained the same (heck, I took my friend Mathew to tonight's show and he was around in 2003), and a lot about me is the same: I'm still the same person at heart, still love music, books, etc.
But I'm way different now. And I like it. I really do think I've gotten much better with age, and I'm super proud of that.
I'm way stronger: physically, emotionally, and mentally. I've been through my share of heartbreaks, challenges, and disappointments, but have gotten through all of them, and I think I'm way better off for them. I think I'm probably in the best physical shape of my life right now thanks to an intense five months of training/healthy eating.
I've traveled lots in ten years. I've been able to maintain the vast majority of friendships from ten years ago, but have also made lots of new friends.
I've read a lot, learned a lot, and discovered a lot. I have a career that I love and from which I get a lot of fulfillment.
I'm like a fine wine, I think. Definitely better with age. If The Postal Service does a 20th anniversary of Give Up in 2023, I look forward to seeing how I'll have grown by then. It's nice to reflect and realize that I'm happy with how I've grown, and that I know I'm probably just going to get better.
Sunday, June 09, 2013
Looks just like the sun.
Field Trip 2013 came and went and it was awesome.
It was held at historic Fort York, which I've never been to for a show before, but I have two more there this summer, and it's a great spot. There was lots to do: tonnes of food, vendors, beers, wines, etc. so we decided to get there early, and I'm glad we did, we were among the first 1000 and got free copies of the Arts & Crafts 10 album!
Also, I love how my Field Trip wristband matches my nails. :)
We walked in, and a volunteer asked us if we were interested in free wine samples. We were very interested and went into a barracks building (or some such old historical fort thing) where they were giving out free wine. Nice.
Then food. The food at Field Trip was provided by TUM (Toronto Underground Market) which is basically a bunch of yummy restaurants/vendors from around the city. Oh and there were food trucks too. So much to choose from. I had some cheese/potato pierogies for lunch, and then had some amazing gelato. I chose three flavours, but the root beer gelato blew me away.
After being feed, we picked up our Amsterdam beer passport and got all of our samples. After that, we picked up some of the special Field Trip IPA for the show, and headed to watch Jason Collett perfom on the Garrison Commons stage (which was the larger of the two stages). He was great, as he always is. I loved when Amy Millan from Stars came up for a couple of songs. Jason Collett is someone I've been seeing since my university days on the TO music scene, so it's always happy nostalgia for me to see him again.
We then headed over to the smaller Fort York stage for Cold Specks. She was great. After her, we took a break for some shopping (I got a Field Trip tote bag!) and to wander around more. Then it was back to the big stage for Hayden, who I've been a fan of since I was sixteen. That's where we had to split up for awhile. My buddy Matt headed to the autograph tent to get Dan Mangan to sign his CD, but I wanted to listen to Hayden. I'm glad that I did because he never disappoints. I have so many good memories linked with his music.
After Hayden we got more food to enjoy with Bloc Party. I don't follow them, but they were very enjoyable. Stars were on next, and Matt and I spent time comparing how many times we've seen Stars over the past year (Me - 5; Matt - 3). We couldn't believe the embarrassment of riches at this show; we actually had to leave Stars a couple minutes early so we could get a good spot at the little stage for Dan Mangan.
Here we are waiting for Dan. The best part of waiting for Dan was when I ran to the washroom, came back and couldn't find Matt and he had been sitting right beside where I was standing. I can't find people when they are sitting apparently.
And here's Dan! He put on a great show, as he always does. Nothing's better than singing along to Robots on a cool-ish summer day. (The weather was perfect BTW; cool and cloudy for the most part so you weren't sweating to death.)
After Dan, we walked over to the big stage for Feist. Last year I'd flown to Winnipeg to see Feist with Matt, and this year it was the reverse. I guess next summer we'll have to see Feist again too!
Feist was great, as usual. She's grown out her bangs and looks really different without them. My favourite thing about seeing Feist live is how much she changes her songs when she plays them live. Her live versions of 1-2-3-4 and Sea Lion Woman are amazing. Yay Feist! Here's Feist on stage from very far away.
A reunited-for-one-night-only Broken Social Scene were the headliners. This was an anniversary party for Arts & Crafts records, and BSS's "You Forgot It In People" was the record that got it all started. Hearing them play that record in its entirety is definitely one of my favourite concert experiences ever. They played an awesome selection of songs after YFIIP too: Superconnected, 7/4 Shoreline, Fire Eye'd Boy, Texico Bitches, and closed with the instrumental Meet Me in the Basement. It was an awesome show.
Broken Social Scene is probably the most Toronto of band, A&C is probably the most Toronto of record labels, and this was definitely the Toronto festival of the summer. It was awesome. So much of me really hopes that Field Trip becomes an annual event. :) But, if not, thank goodness for this year. It was really amazing. Hats off to all of the organizers of this event.
It was held at historic Fort York, which I've never been to for a show before, but I have two more there this summer, and it's a great spot. There was lots to do: tonnes of food, vendors, beers, wines, etc. so we decided to get there early, and I'm glad we did, we were among the first 1000 and got free copies of the Arts & Crafts 10 album!
Also, I love how my Field Trip wristband matches my nails. :)
We walked in, and a volunteer asked us if we were interested in free wine samples. We were very interested and went into a barracks building (or some such old historical fort thing) where they were giving out free wine. Nice.
Then food. The food at Field Trip was provided by TUM (Toronto Underground Market) which is basically a bunch of yummy restaurants/vendors from around the city. Oh and there were food trucks too. So much to choose from. I had some cheese/potato pierogies for lunch, and then had some amazing gelato. I chose three flavours, but the root beer gelato blew me away.
After being feed, we picked up our Amsterdam beer passport and got all of our samples. After that, we picked up some of the special Field Trip IPA for the show, and headed to watch Jason Collett perfom on the Garrison Commons stage (which was the larger of the two stages). He was great, as he always is. I loved when Amy Millan from Stars came up for a couple of songs. Jason Collett is someone I've been seeing since my university days on the TO music scene, so it's always happy nostalgia for me to see him again.
We then headed over to the smaller Fort York stage for Cold Specks. She was great. After her, we took a break for some shopping (I got a Field Trip tote bag!) and to wander around more. Then it was back to the big stage for Hayden, who I've been a fan of since I was sixteen. That's where we had to split up for awhile. My buddy Matt headed to the autograph tent to get Dan Mangan to sign his CD, but I wanted to listen to Hayden. I'm glad that I did because he never disappoints. I have so many good memories linked with his music.
After Hayden we got more food to enjoy with Bloc Party. I don't follow them, but they were very enjoyable. Stars were on next, and Matt and I spent time comparing how many times we've seen Stars over the past year (Me - 5; Matt - 3). We couldn't believe the embarrassment of riches at this show; we actually had to leave Stars a couple minutes early so we could get a good spot at the little stage for Dan Mangan.
Here we are waiting for Dan. The best part of waiting for Dan was when I ran to the washroom, came back and couldn't find Matt and he had been sitting right beside where I was standing. I can't find people when they are sitting apparently.
And here's Dan! He put on a great show, as he always does. Nothing's better than singing along to Robots on a cool-ish summer day. (The weather was perfect BTW; cool and cloudy for the most part so you weren't sweating to death.)
After Dan, we walked over to the big stage for Feist. Last year I'd flown to Winnipeg to see Feist with Matt, and this year it was the reverse. I guess next summer we'll have to see Feist again too!
Feist was great, as usual. She's grown out her bangs and looks really different without them. My favourite thing about seeing Feist live is how much she changes her songs when she plays them live. Her live versions of 1-2-3-4 and Sea Lion Woman are amazing. Yay Feist! Here's Feist on stage from very far away.
A reunited-for-one-night-only Broken Social Scene were the headliners. This was an anniversary party for Arts & Crafts records, and BSS's "You Forgot It In People" was the record that got it all started. Hearing them play that record in its entirety is definitely one of my favourite concert experiences ever. They played an awesome selection of songs after YFIIP too: Superconnected, 7/4 Shoreline, Fire Eye'd Boy, Texico Bitches, and closed with the instrumental Meet Me in the Basement. It was an awesome show.
Broken Social Scene is probably the most Toronto of band, A&C is probably the most Toronto of record labels, and this was definitely the Toronto festival of the summer. It was awesome. So much of me really hopes that Field Trip becomes an annual event. :) But, if not, thank goodness for this year. It was really amazing. Hats off to all of the organizers of this event.
Friday, June 07, 2013
Prom is less stress when you are in your thirties and just a chaperone.
I'm going to prom tomorrow night. After taking last year off.
I got my nails done tonight (light aqua blue) and I managed to pull together a pretty great outfit out of my closet. Cheap dress from H&M, wide belt that I bought in France a few years ago, and coral heels from Le Chateau. Lots of silver jewelry. And, thankfully it's unseasonably cool here in Toronto so I can wear black stockings with my dress... otherwise it might be too short for a school function.
Seriously, I'm super excited for this outfit. I'll have to get a picture.
It's so much less work than my own prom, I tell you.
Post-Script
I have now found something that I am excited about MORE than my outfit. Teaser for NEKO CASE'S new album. I have been waiting for this with a glacier's patience.
I got my nails done tonight (light aqua blue) and I managed to pull together a pretty great outfit out of my closet. Cheap dress from H&M, wide belt that I bought in France a few years ago, and coral heels from Le Chateau. Lots of silver jewelry. And, thankfully it's unseasonably cool here in Toronto so I can wear black stockings with my dress... otherwise it might be too short for a school function.
Seriously, I'm super excited for this outfit. I'll have to get a picture.
It's so much less work than my own prom, I tell you.
Post-Script
I have now found something that I am excited about MORE than my outfit. Teaser for NEKO CASE'S new album. I have been waiting for this with a glacier's patience.
Wednesday, June 05, 2013
Countdown is On
7 more instructional days. That's 7 x 3 = 21 more classes to teach.
Sets of marking to complete = seems infinite, but I'll get there.
Exams to photocopy = 70
Exams to proctor = 3
Proms to attend = 1
Extracurricular year-end-parties to organize = 2
Classroom to clean = 1
Desks to clean = 1
Year-end-tasks = lots
Graduations = 1
P.D. days = 1
Still a lot, but I'll get there, right?
Sets of marking to complete = seems infinite, but I'll get there.
Exams to photocopy = 70
Exams to proctor = 3
Proms to attend = 1
Extracurricular year-end-parties to organize = 2
Classroom to clean = 1
Desks to clean = 1
Year-end-tasks = lots
Graduations = 1
P.D. days = 1
Still a lot, but I'll get there, right?
Saturday, June 01, 2013
So meet me by the river, let's go for a ride.
I went almost two months without going to a concert. For most people, that's probably normal. Or, it's even a short time in between shows. For me, that's a dry spell.
I didn't realize how much I missed a good show until last night. I made a last minute decision to go see Young Galaxy at Lee's Palace. They're not even a band that I'm overly familiar with, but I got a chance to listen to their excellent new album "Ultramarine" a few times before the show.
They blew me away in concert. Man, what a great find.
And, as soon as they were playing their first song, I felt a dormant part of me wake up. I think the time in between shows for me has been a little bit rough: I've been really busy with work, and I've also been feeling a little bit off as a result a negative even at the beginning of April.
However, watching a band made me feel like myself. It was like "yeah, stuff will be OK as long as there's live music and beer". It's so weird how live music brings me back in touch with me, but it does like nothing else.
June's going to be super awesome: my dream concert is a week today. Field Trip is Arts & Crafts Records 10th anniversary show and Hayden, Dan Mangan, Stars, Broken Social Scene, and Feist will all be there. Broken Social Scene announced today that they are playing the album "You Forgot It In People" from front-to-back for this show. I am so excited.
I also have the Postal Service coming up, and I might check out some stuff for NXNE too. Other than music, I have some end-of-school-year parties coming up, and I just have a feeling that June is going to be a great month.
My favourite song from Young Galaxy's new album is "New Summer" and I think it sums up how I'm feeling going into that season.
I didn't realize how much I missed a good show until last night. I made a last minute decision to go see Young Galaxy at Lee's Palace. They're not even a band that I'm overly familiar with, but I got a chance to listen to their excellent new album "Ultramarine" a few times before the show.
They blew me away in concert. Man, what a great find.
And, as soon as they were playing their first song, I felt a dormant part of me wake up. I think the time in between shows for me has been a little bit rough: I've been really busy with work, and I've also been feeling a little bit off as a result a negative even at the beginning of April.
However, watching a band made me feel like myself. It was like "yeah, stuff will be OK as long as there's live music and beer". It's so weird how live music brings me back in touch with me, but it does like nothing else.
June's going to be super awesome: my dream concert is a week today. Field Trip is Arts & Crafts Records 10th anniversary show and Hayden, Dan Mangan, Stars, Broken Social Scene, and Feist will all be there. Broken Social Scene announced today that they are playing the album "You Forgot It In People" from front-to-back for this show. I am so excited.
I also have the Postal Service coming up, and I might check out some stuff for NXNE too. Other than music, I have some end-of-school-year parties coming up, and I just have a feeling that June is going to be a great month.
My favourite song from Young Galaxy's new album is "New Summer" and I think it sums up how I'm feeling going into that season.
Friday, May 31, 2013
#BEDM - One Whole Month
Getting my last "Blog Every Day in May" just in under the wire. (Gotta leave here soon for a rock show too.)
Well, I made it! I missed out on three of the topics last weekend when I went camping, but 28/31 is a pretty good score.
Thanks to Rosalilium for creating this challenge. Hundreds of bloggers participated. It was great having a focused topic to write on every day. However, it was challenging to find time to write every day. Also, I wish I had time to read more of other bloggers' #BEDM posts like I did at the beginning of the month, but man, May is a busy time.
My favourite post was the one that I wrote about pets. I'd forgotten that I had such an interesting pet history growing up! It was really fun to look back at my childhood again. I definitely want to take some more time to remember and reflect upon growing up in a small Ontario town in the 80s/90s. Fun things happened.
So now it's back to my regular blogging schedule: whenever I feel like it/have time. I'd definitely like to do something like #BEDM in the future, but will enjoy going back to freedom. :)
Well, I made it! I missed out on three of the topics last weekend when I went camping, but 28/31 is a pretty good score.
Thanks to Rosalilium for creating this challenge. Hundreds of bloggers participated. It was great having a focused topic to write on every day. However, it was challenging to find time to write every day. Also, I wish I had time to read more of other bloggers' #BEDM posts like I did at the beginning of the month, but man, May is a busy time.
My favourite post was the one that I wrote about pets. I'd forgotten that I had such an interesting pet history growing up! It was really fun to look back at my childhood again. I definitely want to take some more time to remember and reflect upon growing up in a small Ontario town in the 80s/90s. Fun things happened.
So now it's back to my regular blogging schedule: whenever I feel like it/have time. I'd definitely like to do something like #BEDM in the future, but will enjoy going back to freedom. :)
Thursday, May 30, 2013
#BEDM - Who Inspires You?
1) My Mom: I think I've shared this before, but my mom has multiple sclerosis. She inspires me because despite the fact that she's had this awful chronic illness for 33 years, she always has a positive outlook, and doesn't get down on life. I need to keep this mind when I get all emo about my silly problems. I wish I could be half as optimistic as my mom.
2) My colleague-friends: I'm lucky that I have a close circle of friends at work who are amazing teachers. We joke about starting a super school together. Anyway, it's truly inspiring to work with such a committed group of educators who are "here for the right reasons" to borrow a quote from the Bachelor/Bachelorette.
3) My students: Today was student council election day, and, as always, I am inspired by students who are brave enough to go up in front of their peers and run for student government. It's not only student council kids who inspire me. I'm inspired by so many of my students for other reasons. Those who persevere despite enormous challenge, and those who are kind and giving.
2) My colleague-friends: I'm lucky that I have a close circle of friends at work who are amazing teachers. We joke about starting a super school together. Anyway, it's truly inspiring to work with such a committed group of educators who are "here for the right reasons" to borrow a quote from the Bachelor/Bachelorette.
3) My students: Today was student council election day, and, as always, I am inspired by students who are brave enough to go up in front of their peers and run for student government. It's not only student council kids who inspire me. I'm inspired by so many of my students for other reasons. Those who persevere despite enormous challenge, and those who are kind and giving.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
#BEDM - Morning Ritual
Today's Blog Every Day in May topic is morning rituals: "What do you do every morning to help you get ready for the day ahead?"
My mornings are ritualistic, and they are dull.
The first part consists of a few hits of the snooze button, usually with me getting up once during the snoozing to give the treat monster (Rilo) some treats because she'll be poking and meowing at me. At least I don't *really* need an alarm clock.
After that, it's breakfast: most likely plain Greek yogurt with stevia sweetener, berries (today was blueberries) and almonds.
Then it's a shower, get dressed, dry hair, do makeup, pack bag out door.
If I've timed everything properly and there are no transit delays, I'll have time to stop for coffee on my way to work. That's the most important step, and man, it's a rough day if I miss out on that. Caffeine is the ultimate day maker.
My mornings are ritualistic, and they are dull.
The first part consists of a few hits of the snooze button, usually with me getting up once during the snoozing to give the treat monster (Rilo) some treats because she'll be poking and meowing at me. At least I don't *really* need an alarm clock.
After that, it's breakfast: most likely plain Greek yogurt with stevia sweetener, berries (today was blueberries) and almonds.
Then it's a shower, get dressed, dry hair, do makeup, pack bag out door.
If I've timed everything properly and there are no transit delays, I'll have time to stop for coffee on my way to work. That's the most important step, and man, it's a rough day if I miss out on that. Caffeine is the ultimate day maker.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
#BEDM - Bad Advice
"What's the worst advice you have ever received?"
Unlike yesterday's topic, this is a topic that I have an answer for right away.
My worst advice came from my high school guidance counselor.
I didn't frequent guidance much in high school. I could figure out all of my course selections on my own, and even though I had some problems in life (who didn't?), I would have never felt comfortable to talk to someone in guidance about them. (Although in retrospect, as an educator, I really wish that teenaged me would have felt comfortable talking to a caring adult about things going on her life.) However, when it came to the university application process, I realized that I did need some guidance and made an appointment.
My question was simple: which college at the University of Toronto should I apply to? I didn't even really understand U of T's college system. Basically, since U of T is a ginormous school, it's divided up into seven colleges. All your college really determines is which registrar's office you go to, and where you'll live in residence (if you live in residence). However, since I didn't understand that back then, off to guidance I went.
I was called down to guidance during my Algebra & Geometry class. My guidance counselor asked how he could help me, so I asked him the above question: which college at the University of Toronto should I apply to?
"Hold on there!" he exclaimed "You are asking too many questions at once!"
Hmmm, I thought to myself, I counted only one question there.
He proceeded to ask me about all of my career plans and what other universities I had applied to. I had the rest of this all figured out. I told him that I was leaning towards applying to U of T's pharmacy program after completing one year of Life Sciences, and therefore I wanted to go to U of T. I had also applied to two smaller universities, because you could apply to three schools.
Even though I had a pretty decisive and well-thought out path, I recall him taking out all of these career flashcards and asking me if I'd considered these paths. Seriously, I remember sitting there for a good ten minutes where he'd hold up a flashcard that said "construction worker" and I'd reply no. Then, "marine biologist" and I'd say "maybe". It went on and on.
After this exercise, he agreed that it seemed like I was interested in a career related to science. He asked me the schools I was applying to, and then pulled up my marks on his computer. My high school marks were quite good. I don't think there was any school that I wouldn't get into. However, he was glad that I had a "safety" school on my list, just in case.
Then, he looked at me (and this is where the bad advice comes in) and said "Listen, Christine, I know you well."
This was clearly untrue. First of all, no one who calls me Christine (unless it's a joke) knows me well. Secondly, this was our first conversation ever.
"And since I know you so well," he continued, "I think that you should go to a small school. Maybe one of the colleges at the University of Waterloo would suit you. You are quiet and you have a small circle of friends. You would get lost at massive school like the University of Toronto. I went there. I know. I hate not recommending my alma matter to a student, but I think it would be a bad choice for you."
I believe I just looked at him blankly. I knew my plans. 45 minutes of math class gone and still no answer to my question.
"But, you can still apply there if you want and see what happens. But don't go there. If you do apply, choose St. Mike's as your college. That was my college."
Finally, after missing 46 minutes of my math class, my question was answered.
I did not take his advice, and I went to the University of Toronto, and I loved it. You know what? I am a quiet-ish person with at least a medium-sized circle of friends and I LOVED U of T. I met some of my closest friends there. I have to admit that I actually liked the hugeness of the campus: I could just be myself and sort of get lost in the crowd. After growing up in a small town, it's nice to be able to get lost in a crowd. I liked that not everyone knew me as "the smart girl" or "the geeky girl" or whatever, nor did they pester me for help/answers and I could just do my work, succeed and get on with it. I had no problems meeting friends. I have many friends from U of T to this day.
I am very glad that I did not listen to that advice. When I was a kid/teenager, all of my dreams revolved around myself living in the city. However, lots of people (friends, family, and clueless guidance counselors) feared that I would not make it. Well, I did.
Who knows what would have happened if I'd clung to smallness, familiarity, and comfort? I definitely would have not been who I am today and I like who I am today.
However, to my clueless guidance counselor's credit, I am glad that I listened to him and chose St. Mike's as my college. If I hadn't, I would have never been randomly placed in a residence room with my dear Becca T. What would life be like without my BFF?
I guess that's a lesson: with bad advice, sometimes comes good advice. You just have to be able to sort it all out.
Unlike yesterday's topic, this is a topic that I have an answer for right away.
My worst advice came from my high school guidance counselor.
I didn't frequent guidance much in high school. I could figure out all of my course selections on my own, and even though I had some problems in life (who didn't?), I would have never felt comfortable to talk to someone in guidance about them. (Although in retrospect, as an educator, I really wish that teenaged me would have felt comfortable talking to a caring adult about things going on her life.) However, when it came to the university application process, I realized that I did need some guidance and made an appointment.
My question was simple: which college at the University of Toronto should I apply to? I didn't even really understand U of T's college system. Basically, since U of T is a ginormous school, it's divided up into seven colleges. All your college really determines is which registrar's office you go to, and where you'll live in residence (if you live in residence). However, since I didn't understand that back then, off to guidance I went.
I was called down to guidance during my Algebra & Geometry class. My guidance counselor asked how he could help me, so I asked him the above question: which college at the University of Toronto should I apply to?
"Hold on there!" he exclaimed "You are asking too many questions at once!"
Hmmm, I thought to myself, I counted only one question there.
He proceeded to ask me about all of my career plans and what other universities I had applied to. I had the rest of this all figured out. I told him that I was leaning towards applying to U of T's pharmacy program after completing one year of Life Sciences, and therefore I wanted to go to U of T. I had also applied to two smaller universities, because you could apply to three schools.
Even though I had a pretty decisive and well-thought out path, I recall him taking out all of these career flashcards and asking me if I'd considered these paths. Seriously, I remember sitting there for a good ten minutes where he'd hold up a flashcard that said "construction worker" and I'd reply no. Then, "marine biologist" and I'd say "maybe". It went on and on.
After this exercise, he agreed that it seemed like I was interested in a career related to science. He asked me the schools I was applying to, and then pulled up my marks on his computer. My high school marks were quite good. I don't think there was any school that I wouldn't get into. However, he was glad that I had a "safety" school on my list, just in case.
Then, he looked at me (and this is where the bad advice comes in) and said "Listen, Christine, I know you well."
This was clearly untrue. First of all, no one who calls me Christine (unless it's a joke) knows me well. Secondly, this was our first conversation ever.
"And since I know you so well," he continued, "I think that you should go to a small school. Maybe one of the colleges at the University of Waterloo would suit you. You are quiet and you have a small circle of friends. You would get lost at massive school like the University of Toronto. I went there. I know. I hate not recommending my alma matter to a student, but I think it would be a bad choice for you."
I believe I just looked at him blankly. I knew my plans. 45 minutes of math class gone and still no answer to my question.
"But, you can still apply there if you want and see what happens. But don't go there. If you do apply, choose St. Mike's as your college. That was my college."
Finally, after missing 46 minutes of my math class, my question was answered.
I did not take his advice, and I went to the University of Toronto, and I loved it. You know what? I am a quiet-ish person with at least a medium-sized circle of friends and I LOVED U of T. I met some of my closest friends there. I have to admit that I actually liked the hugeness of the campus: I could just be myself and sort of get lost in the crowd. After growing up in a small town, it's nice to be able to get lost in a crowd. I liked that not everyone knew me as "the smart girl" or "the geeky girl" or whatever, nor did they pester me for help/answers and I could just do my work, succeed and get on with it. I had no problems meeting friends. I have many friends from U of T to this day.
I am very glad that I did not listen to that advice. When I was a kid/teenager, all of my dreams revolved around myself living in the city. However, lots of people (friends, family, and clueless guidance counselors) feared that I would not make it. Well, I did.
Who knows what would have happened if I'd clung to smallness, familiarity, and comfort? I definitely would have not been who I am today and I like who I am today.
However, to my clueless guidance counselor's credit, I am glad that I listened to him and chose St. Mike's as my college. If I hadn't, I would have never been randomly placed in a residence room with my dear Becca T. What would life be like without my BFF?
I guess that's a lesson: with bad advice, sometimes comes good advice. You just have to be able to sort it all out.
Monday, May 27, 2013
#BEDM - Secret Talent
Today's prompt: "What are you good at that nobody knows about?"
Answer: Nothing. When it comes to my talents I like to share them and don't keep them hidden, I guess.
Answer: Nothing. When it comes to my talents I like to share them and don't keep them hidden, I guess.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Fallen Behind on the #BEDM Challenge
Unsurprisingly, my weekend away has led me to fall behind on the #BEDM challenge. I've missed the posts on "What's in Your Fridge?" (Friday), "Five Favourite Albums" (Saturday), and "Fantasy Dinner Party" (today). My initial plan was to write them all today and post, but I'm too exhausted to do this. I'm bummed that I didn't get to the top 5 albums post, but that one requires a bit of thought. Maybe I'll just use these topics when I have blogger's block in June.
My camping weekend with my Kenya group was great! We went to a farm outside of Mount Forest (rural SW Ontario) and spent the weekend doing various physical tasks and doing some prep work for our Kenya trip. It was a really great weekend. The weather was paradoxical: both really great and awful at the same time. It was an unseasonably chilly weekend, but really sunny. This was great for working outdoors: no sweating and no being eaten alive by insects. However, it was awful for sleeping. It was really really really cold at night... I think the temp went down to 2 degrees Celsius, and who knows how cold that actually felt. I'll admit it - I didn't survive sleeping outside. I moved into the house. I'll blame it on the fact that I had a tent to myself. If I was sharing with others there would have been more body heat and it would have been bearable.
Still, it was a great weekend. The group of students really bonded with each other and they are a great group of kids. My level of looking forward to Kenya has really increased after this weekend. I like all of the other adults who are going to. I took a break from work to go geocaching with one of the other chaperones, and it was fun. The owners of the farm were great people too; it's always nice to meet new people.
I got back to the city today at 3 pm, spent an hour decompressing, and then went for a run. This is some nice running weather. Then I had some dinner, and watched one episode of the new Arrested Development. It was really good... I so badly wanted to watch a second but I was too tired so I shut my eyes for what I thought would be a half hour nap, but what turned into one and a half hours. Then I caught up on some emails, called my mom, and here I am.
Blogging, but not catching up on #BEDM.
That's one thing about challenges in life, whether they be sleeping outside in freezing weather. You have to think about whether pushing through them is worth the payoff. With both of the challenges that I've reneged on this weekend, I really think that there wasn't much payoff. I could have gotten sick from sleeping outside, and I need to rest, not write.
That's life. But at least I didn't renege on running!
My camping weekend with my Kenya group was great! We went to a farm outside of Mount Forest (rural SW Ontario) and spent the weekend doing various physical tasks and doing some prep work for our Kenya trip. It was a really great weekend. The weather was paradoxical: both really great and awful at the same time. It was an unseasonably chilly weekend, but really sunny. This was great for working outdoors: no sweating and no being eaten alive by insects. However, it was awful for sleeping. It was really really really cold at night... I think the temp went down to 2 degrees Celsius, and who knows how cold that actually felt. I'll admit it - I didn't survive sleeping outside. I moved into the house. I'll blame it on the fact that I had a tent to myself. If I was sharing with others there would have been more body heat and it would have been bearable.
Still, it was a great weekend. The group of students really bonded with each other and they are a great group of kids. My level of looking forward to Kenya has really increased after this weekend. I like all of the other adults who are going to. I took a break from work to go geocaching with one of the other chaperones, and it was fun. The owners of the farm were great people too; it's always nice to meet new people.
I got back to the city today at 3 pm, spent an hour decompressing, and then went for a run. This is some nice running weather. Then I had some dinner, and watched one episode of the new Arrested Development. It was really good... I so badly wanted to watch a second but I was too tired so I shut my eyes for what I thought would be a half hour nap, but what turned into one and a half hours. Then I caught up on some emails, called my mom, and here I am.
Blogging, but not catching up on #BEDM.
That's one thing about challenges in life, whether they be sleeping outside in freezing weather. You have to think about whether pushing through them is worth the payoff. With both of the challenges that I've reneged on this weekend, I really think that there wasn't much payoff. I could have gotten sick from sleeping outside, and I need to rest, not write.
That's life. But at least I didn't renege on running!
Thursday, May 23, 2013
#BEDM - Compliments
"What's the best compliment that you ever had?"
I've had the day to think about today's BEDM prompt. I'm lucky: I've received a good number of compliments in my life. I think genuine compliments are important. It feels so good when you get one; and it's equally important to give them. I often resolve to give more of them to my friends, colleagues, students, and family.
Anyway, it's hard to choose just one best compliment, but I think the ones that are most important to me usually come from my students.
I've been an itinerant teacher for most of my career; this means that I didn't have a classroom of my own and I get shuffled from room to room during the day. Heck, I used to be happy if I had two classes in a row in the same room. It's so nice not to have to pack up all of your stuff and move in five minutes.
This year I've been lucky enough to be in one room for all of my classes. It's an older science lab, and not the prettiest room. The cabinets are old and an ugly shade of brown. Their doors are made of glass so you can see the older equipment inside. Old hotplates don't look pretty. The room is just plain worn, and there's not much you can do to make it look sparkly.
However, it's mine, and I've been able to beautify it somewhat. I've added some colourful science posters that I've collected over the years, and while one bulletin board at the room has info that we're required to post hanging on it (assessment policy, school rules etc.), I've turned the other into my Science Wall of Fun with all of my favourite science cartoons. I have some Sea Monkeys at the front of the room, which are an easy and surprisingly entertaining classroom pet. The sides of the room are usually covered with chart paper with students' ideas from some recent activity. I like that the topics on the side are ever-changing.
The point of this is that it's nice that I have a space that's mine, and I find that students have come to associate the space with their experiences in my class. The best compliment I get is when a student from last semester drops by to visit at lunch, or is passing by randomly during class and sticks their head and looks around the room and says "I miss this class".
It just reminds me that I'm pretty great at creating a welcoming learning environment for my students and that they enjoy my classes. It's not that they didn't when I was traveling from room to room, I just feel that it's nice this year to have a permanent spot that kids can come back and remember the good times. I just really feel good when they say that they miss my class. It's a great compliment. :)
I've had the day to think about today's BEDM prompt. I'm lucky: I've received a good number of compliments in my life. I think genuine compliments are important. It feels so good when you get one; and it's equally important to give them. I often resolve to give more of them to my friends, colleagues, students, and family.
Anyway, it's hard to choose just one best compliment, but I think the ones that are most important to me usually come from my students.
I've been an itinerant teacher for most of my career; this means that I didn't have a classroom of my own and I get shuffled from room to room during the day. Heck, I used to be happy if I had two classes in a row in the same room. It's so nice not to have to pack up all of your stuff and move in five minutes.
This year I've been lucky enough to be in one room for all of my classes. It's an older science lab, and not the prettiest room. The cabinets are old and an ugly shade of brown. Their doors are made of glass so you can see the older equipment inside. Old hotplates don't look pretty. The room is just plain worn, and there's not much you can do to make it look sparkly.
However, it's mine, and I've been able to beautify it somewhat. I've added some colourful science posters that I've collected over the years, and while one bulletin board at the room has info that we're required to post hanging on it (assessment policy, school rules etc.), I've turned the other into my Science Wall of Fun with all of my favourite science cartoons. I have some Sea Monkeys at the front of the room, which are an easy and surprisingly entertaining classroom pet. The sides of the room are usually covered with chart paper with students' ideas from some recent activity. I like that the topics on the side are ever-changing.
The point of this is that it's nice that I have a space that's mine, and I find that students have come to associate the space with their experiences in my class. The best compliment I get is when a student from last semester drops by to visit at lunch, or is passing by randomly during class and sticks their head and looks around the room and says "I miss this class".
It just reminds me that I'm pretty great at creating a welcoming learning environment for my students and that they enjoy my classes. It's not that they didn't when I was traveling from room to room, I just feel that it's nice this year to have a permanent spot that kids can come back and remember the good times. I just really feel good when they say that they miss my class. It's a great compliment. :)
***
I'm probably going to get behind on Blogging Every Day this weekend because I'm going camping with my Kenya group on a farm. There will be hard labour apparently. It's to allow for bonding/preparation for the summer. Wish me luck. :D
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
#BEDM - A letter to 13 year old me
Dear Young Christielli,
Be confident. You can do way more than you think you can. Take on challenges. Never hold back. Don't be ashamed that you are super smart.
Love,
You in 20 years
Be confident. You can do way more than you think you can. Take on challenges. Never hold back. Don't be ashamed that you are super smart.
Love,
You in 20 years
***
In other news, I have some SUPER nerdy news to share with you. It's no secret that I'm a nerd, who came from a family of nerds. Naturally, Jeopardy! was watched in my household every weeknight. My parents still watch religiously. I'm careful not to phone them between 7:30 pm and 8:00 pm.
Back in November, I think it was, my parents told me that Jeopardy! was holding an online test for people who could potentially make auditions in Toronto. More to make them happy than anything, I signed up to do the test, and was online at my appointed time. The test consisted of fifty questions (not in Jeopardy! format) and I got 30 seconds to respond to each one. There were lots that I knew I got right, a few I made good guesses on, some I made ridiculous guesses on, and some I drew blanks on. I figured that maybe I got between 35-40 right. Anyway, it was fun taking the test and I completely forgot that I'd even taken it...
Until this evening. I got an email from the show saying that I'd passed the test and was granted an exclusive audition in Toronto in July! Oh my goodness! I feel smart that I made it to step 2! I'm totally going to do the audition. I'll have no expectations, other than it'll be interesting to audition for a TV show.
Anyway, that news kind of made my day. :) 13 year old me would be proud/mortified that I'd go on TV showing my nerdiness. 33 year old me is stoked.
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