Predator and Prey

I am being stalked.
I can see his ears peeping around the corner.
I know his bum is wiggling as he is about to pounce.
He attacks everything and anything that moves.
The straps on my school bag are not safe.
Pounce! He's on my lap begging for attention and swatting at my necklace.

I can't imagine my life without him.

Can I Do This For Homework?

When I left my small town teaching post to pursue a city teaching job, I really thought it would be the same. Instead, I ended up in school that was located in a very poor area of the city. My priorities fast shifted from academics to how to give my students skills to survive in the world. I got used to late students and missed assignments. If you'd heard some of the things that were going on in those kids' lives, you'd understand why I was just proud of them for showing up and trying. I learned to be a little more flexible.
Now, I'm thrown back into the academic whirlwind. All my students are seated and ready to go by the time the class bell rings. All of my students have handed in all their assignments. I haven't worried about the health and social welfare of any of my students to date. I had to pick my jaw up off the floor today when one young man asked me, "can I do this for homework"?

Tim and Karri's wedding is coming up in a week and a half. Trevor and I are in the wedding party and we're in the middle of preparing the powerpoint. Things are getting a little busy around our house. Poor Fergus doesn't get the play time and the cuddles he was used too. I'm looking forward to the wedding and I'm really looking forward to all these preparations being done. I'm tired of my homework!

Voiceless

Laryngitis.
Definitely not how I would normally choose to start a new job.
My coughing keeps me up at night.
I'm really rather pathetic.

The new job is going well. I have 2 Psych 20 classes in the afternoon. I love Psych 20. It's a really great class and I'm excited about it. I will be working for Student Services in the morning. There's a plan but, no one's really informed me what it is yet. Ah well... it will happen soon enough.

An abrupt change...

Last Wednesday, I sent in my resume to a division outside the city. I had an interview on Friday and this morning, I found out I have the job.
So, I'm leavin' the hood and heading to Bedroom Community. Today, during Foods, one of my students was hauled out of the classroom and arrested for auto theft. The police cuffed him right in the hall. We could hear everything. I guess I'll have a little culture shock again. I doubt that will happen in Bedroom Community.
I'm taking on a different kind of teaching job. I'll be working with Student Services and I will be providing guidance to teachers. I really have no idea what that means yet. I'm still excited that they think I have the ability to help troubled students.
I'm taking a few days off first. I need to get things sorted out for Grandpa's Eulogy and powerpoint. I need some time breathe and process all the changes in my world. The loss of Grandpa hits me at weird times. I cry a lot right now. It was kind of strange to say good-bye to my hood school when I was so upset over Grandpa. It felt kind of unreal.
Well, this job is an answer to prayer. I'm excited to go back to where I interned. I'm excited to be challenged in my professional development. I'm excited to teach in an academic setting again and in my subject areas.
I just need to get through the next couple of days and get my feet wet and Bedroom Community school and I'll be back into the swing of things.

Grand-pa

My Grand-pa passed away last night.
Trevor and I went to visit him in the hospital. We had a good long talk. I thought he'd be released from the hospital after the weekend.
I'm really sad. I loved my Grand-pa a lot. We liked to tease each other. He always had time to talk football with Trevor. He was my co-worker at Gov't House where we took our breaks together. He's always been in my life.
I'm glad that he knows the Lord and is in Heaven. I'm glad that he is free from pain.
I really miss him.

a blur...

At the end of every teaching year, I try to look back and reflect on what I've been up to with students, with lessons and with my own growth as a professional. Strangely, during those reflection periods, I usually get stumped when I try to remember what I did in September.
Now, I remember why. September is a nutty month. My classes are new and are keeping me swamped.
I'm proud to say that my students have successfully completed 4 cooking labs. We haven't burnt a thing and all the the food has been tasty. It's also really fun. I like the hands-on learning aspect.
I'm also really excited that I am no longer intimidated by fractions, long division, decimals or exponents. By teaching these concepts to kids who are really struggling, I've been able to figure out a lot myself. I also can empathize with them when they think math sucks.
I'll be subbing (with a temp. contract) at this job until Oct. 23. Then, I'll try my hand at subbing... unless anything else comes up.

On a whole other note, Fergus is growing fast. Our vet thinks he'll be a big cat... Garfield here we come. Trevor and I spend a lot of time being stalked, pounced upon and cuddling. He's a pretty social kitten. He's been a good addition to our little family.

Male Bonding

Trevor, Jared and Ken took a trip to Yoho National Park this past long weekend. They hiked, they scrambled, they cooked on a camping stove, they backpacked and they tented. It was a full weekend full of many memory making moments.
Here are a few snapshots to show you the fun.

100th Post - A Long-Weekend Mishmash

This morning, as I crawled out of bed late, I realized that my summer was over. I taught 3 days at my inner-city high school and I am tired. I'm trying to wrap my head around how to cook in a very old facility with some pretty wild kidlets. I'm also trying to remember how to do improper/mixed fractions and long division. (Man, I suck at long division).
I love being back to work. I love learning new things and conquering new challenges. I love hanging out with kids. They keep me on my toes! I have no idea how long this subbing gig will go. Hopefully, I'll be able to wrangle a contract out of the School Division (cross fingers ... they are difficult about these sorts of things).
Trevor's off on a long weekend trip with his little brother and dad. They're back-packing through Yoho National Park. I'm a little jealous of his adventure but, I'm also really excited for him. Right now, he should be scrambling some mountain. :) It's weird to have all this time at home without him. I've rented some movies that I know he would never want to watch. Our moms have also taken it upon themselves to make sure I don't have many meals alone. My biggest problem is sleeping. I am startled awake every 3-4 hours wondering where Trevor is. I miss him lots!
This is my 100th post on this blog. I've always been a little curious about who reads this blog besides the lovely Jen, amazing Amanda F., sweet Sue and the notorious Edward. Please de-lurk. I've taken off my anti-anonymous post security just for this blog. Tell me who you are. Thanks!

That's what I get...

After spending a good little bit feeling sorry for myself, I wind up with a job... kind of.
I'll be back to my inner-city high school filling in for a lady who is out recovering from surgery.
It'll be maybe a month of subbing for her. That'll be way nicer then just showing up at random schools pretending to know what I'm doing.
Except... I won't really know what I'm doing.
My assignment is to teach Foods 10 and Re-Entry Math 9 (don't ask... let's just hope that means we'll be at the same level in math).
Hmmm... my week just became a little more adventurous.

Sulky

Today is the first teacher prep day of the school year. This is the day teachers across our fair city "officially" (meaning they get paid for it) go back to their classrooms after a peaceful summer.
Normally, I like spending this day cleaning, re-arranging posters and desks. I also like to go over curriculum and photocopy like crazy.
Sadly, I am at home... feeling sorry for myself.
I'd really like to be teaching. It's sort of my thing. I get pretty feisty about the causes of the First World War. I miss looking up French Top 40 songs. I really like trying to imagine what kinds of drama games kids in the hood would actually want to play. I miss my fill-in-the-blank lecture about the history of psychology (I always got a kick out of showing kids pictures of trepanning).
Maybe somebody will hire me yet.
If not, I'll try hard to be the best darn sub in the city.

Eeeek!

Eeeek! I was outside, watering my compost (like a good little compost geek) when I felt something scurry by my feet. Thinking Fergus had escaped, I looked down. To my chagrin, there was a little brown mouse running under my compost. Eeeek! In a moment of panic, I watered him with my hose.
I feel betrayed. I love my compost. I am close to ridiculous about it. I have followed all the rules about what foods to include and what foods not to include. My compost eats a lot of kitchen scraps, baby weeds, grass clippings and other good things approved of my handy-dandy compost book.
I looked up "trouble-shooting" in my little book. The only way that my compost should be attracting vermin is if I put inappropriate foods in it. Foods like meat or dairy products. Blech! I have not done that.
My brother-in-law had a good idea. He thinks I should release Fergus. Fergus is very adept at killing his toy mouse. That thing has died a million deaths already. I'm just not ready to let my little cat outside yet. I'm afraid he'd run away and become one of the strays the Humane Society picks up.
I think I'll look for those mouse traps we got as a wedding present. We giggled nervously then and commented on the oddness of the gift; but, here I am, one year later, "eeeeking" over a mouse.
Fortunately, this thing is in my yard and not my house.

Below Ground

I've been putting it off all summer.
I have pulled weeds until my fingers were blistered to get out of doing this.
I'm afraid of what's down there.
Today, I started to sort my basement.

My mother was thrilled when we got a house because then, all the weird stuff I've accumulated over the years and have stored in boxes in her basement, will move to our basement.
Porcelain dolls (that I hated even when I was little and felt guilty about not playing with).
Old Archie comics.
University textbooks.
Weird, smelly stuffed animals (that I felt guilt not playing with because I thought they were ugly).
Ceramic Andy and Annie dolls, ceramic clowns and ceramic cows???? What kind of kid was I?
Books galore.
Wedding presents that we're still unsure of.

The list goes on.

We'd like to move Fergus' food and litter box downstairs. We'll have to wait until he can handle stairs. I'd kind of like to have some organization down there before it becomes a cat lair.

Good thing it's been a rainy day. I'd hate to be below ground on a sunny day.

Welcome Fergus

Late last night, we took a drive out of city to a friend's farm to pick out a kitten. Yes, I said a kitten. Finally, I am allowed to have a kitty. It took a year of convincing Trevor but, we've got the kitty now and there's no going back.
Fergus is a little ball of orange and white fluff. He thinks we're scary and he acts tough by hissing at us and burrowing himself into a corner. However, he purrs really well when we pick him up and cuddle. Last night, he meowed for his mommy pretty much all night. I felt guilty and sad for him. Fergus just learned how to drink from a bowl. He's litter trained (cross fingers) and he's starting to be playful. Today should be adventurous for us.
I have about a week and a half until school starts again (still no contract... eeek...) and I hope that will give him enough time to get used to life in our world.

Back from Menno-toba

Last Tuesday, Trevor and I packed our bags and headed east to visit Trev's relatives in Manitoba.
In my family, when my mom, her sisters and their families get together, it's usually been so long (22 years) that we hire a photographer.
In Trevor's family, visiting and keeping in touch is important.
We spent a few days with Oma and Opa living the retired lifestyle. We slept in, read, played games, walked, ate, ate and ate some more. We were able to visit 18 relatives in just 3 days! I'd say that's pretty impressive!
Friday, we jumped in our car and headed to Clear Lake. It was such a gorgeous location. The first night, it poured rain. Our little tent stayed dry. Saturday, it rained off and on. We still managed to hike and tour around a bit. We were a little sad not to swim and be beach bums.
Yesterday, we drove home.
I feel a little sick. I'm not quite myself right now. Too bad I'm a guide at VBS this week so I can't sleep in or slack off too much!

Attack of the Maternal Aunties

This weekend, both of our mothers' sides of the families decided to have family gatherings. This meant a little coordination on our parts. We managed to make it to the bulk of both (and a wedding). We thought it would be a little stressful and perhaps somewhat awkward but, after having survived, we've decided that this weekend was a blast.
I really enjoyed getting to spend more time with Trevor's family. They are lots of fun and they are very caring.
It was good to introduce Trevor to my elusive cousins who I haven't even seen in the past 10 years. There was lots of catching up!
Family is good.

A summer memory

Dallas Valley Ranch Camp - 1998
Jill, a 19 year old counselor, Tyler, a 16 year old wrangler and Christopher, a 10 year old staff kid are sitting on a hill on a starry summer's night. We're waiting for the campers to come and play Mission Impossible (a great game where staff gets to torment kids with flashlights). We love just sitting and hanging out. We catch up on our weeks and we talk about what qualities we'd be looking for in a person to marry. Tyler and I are always good for secret sharing and we promised Christopher a pummeling if he revealed anything we said. Week after week, summer after summer the three of us did that.
Five years ago, Tyler married the girl of his dreams who moved down to his area of the world to ranch.
Last year, I married the boy who always made me laugh and told campers his version of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
This Saturday, Christopher will marry his beautiful blond. I can't believe how grown up we've all become.

Our version of Club Med

The water was a little green as opposed to turquoise. However, the couples were still hot, the water sports were still happenin' and there were definitely some good times had by all.
I spent some quality time this weekend lounging and reading about celebs and their fabulous vacations. I was a some friends' cabin in SK thinking that somehow, I had it better then those famous few. We had glorious sun, no paparazzi, a sweet cabin, lots of food, a boat with all the toys and some great friends. I love summer!

A Healthy Glow...

I think I made a slight mistake while painting my bathroom. For the first time ever, I did not choose to buy the $5 paint pot from Benjamin Moore. I just wanted to paint and I didn't want to have to go back to the store to buy the gallon. I talked to the lady who has given me great advice before. I told her I wanted celery green that did not look old lady minty or look like a highlighter. I did forget to mention a nuclear glow... sigh.
Three coats of celedone green. I think I expected it to get a little creamier with each coat.
Poor Trevor patiently put the new vanity together and put the toilet tank on. I'm pretty sure he's not to fond of our new bathroom. I s'pose we'll live with it until I can muster up the courage to pick a new colour.
Bah... until then, our bathroom will have a healthy glow!

Moaning Myrtle

VS.



I'm trying to paint my bathroom. I'd like it to be celery green by the end of the week. So far, I've managed to get the white trim done. Strangely enough, this painting project will probably take me a while longer then some of the bigger rooms in the house that I have managed with ease. You see, when I was painting those rooms, I was not also trying to read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
I am currently on page 460 of the book and it's really hard to put it down. I have no urge to do a single thing but read, read and read.
Rowling has outdid herself in the pace of the plot as well as adding twists and turns that leave me quite frantic for pretty much all of the characters. It's really hard to pick up a roller when somebody's fate could be determined in the next chapter.
Therefore, I am left like Moaning Myrtle. I'm stuck in the bathroom but, all the while, I'm dreaming of the adventures of Harry, Hermione and Ron.

P.S. The Outlander series is as equally intense as the Harry Potter series. I was lucky to finish just last week.

My green thumb???

It's beginning to dawn on me that my green thumb is a healthy shade of mediocrity.
I am aware of the obstacles against me. The weeds were allowed to rule my yard without question for many a year. The Virginia Creeper was encouraged to climb almost as high as our roof and make not so subtle attempts to creep inside our siding. The back yard was the very large toilet of a healthy chocolate lab. This, I was prepared for.
I am still sad that my Bleeding Heart seems to have bled to death. What the heck, all the research I did on this thing stated that Bleeding Hearts were foolproof. Don't I feel foolish.
I don't understand why I can get Edelweiss to grow and not poppies.
Why why why did the previous owner think yarrow was pretty? Now it's all over my front grass.
All the other hollyhocks I've seen have flowers by now. Somehow, mine are stunted. At this rate, I will have hollyhocks blooming for Labour Day.
My healthiest plants are petunias, impatients and pansies. These are happy little flowers. I'm thankful that they have the grace to grow in my yard despite the heat and my inexperience.
What do I do? I think I will continue to water my blooming mess, learn from my mistakes and try again next year.

By invitation only...

Yesterday, I helped Karri (my brother's fiancee) make wedding invites. It was really fun to work with her and her sister. It was a girly day followed by a good swim.
I love how happy my little brother is. It's a good feeling to know that he loves and is loved.

A Camping We Did Go...

Trevor and I awoke bright and early on July 15th to a thundershower. This was our 1st anniversary and we were in a tent, in the rain. Despite ground shaking thunder and an absolute downpour, we managed to stay nice and dry.









We went camping with our Care Group for the weekend. There's

something about the smell of campfire, the taste of toasted marshmallows and the sounds of
nature to bring a group closer. We had a good time. The boys bonded over fishing and beach volleyball while the ladies tanned and talked.

Edelweiss

I went to Austria when I was 20. I was tired of university and I needed a change of pace. I went to a Capernwray Bible School called Tauernhof. It was a little school located in a small town in the heart of the Alps. I hiked, I stretched myself spiritually, I met some really great people.
I went back to Austria with my brother the day after I convocated from university. 5 summers ago, I was back-packing in the Alps and sleeping rough. I was pushed physically and I came home in the best shape I have ever been in!
Looking back at my "mountain top" experiences makes me realize how important going away and trying new things was for me. I was forced to grow. I was challenged and in a strange country; I had no other choice.
I also fell in love with the Alps. I can close my eyes and still see the gorgeous peaks high above me. I can never recapture those times in my life but, I will always have such great memories.
I will water the little edelweiss I bought at Home Depot and I will remember my alpine adventures.

Kindred souls

Shiya arrived the day after school ended. Shiya has been my best friend pretty much all my life. She laughs at my jokes (she actually thinks I'm funny). She lets me cry on her shoulder. She is the best listener. She is really one of the only other women I enjoy shopping with.
There's nothing more wonderful then a friend who, even though she lives far away, can jump back into my life without any awkwardness at all. I am blessed.

The closing door...

Trevor and I are working on doors this week. I've been busy painting and sanding. Trevor is working on hinges, hardware and hanging. It's been a little tedious at times but, the finished product is satisfying. It's nice to see a freshly painted, closed door that matches the rest of our house.

Today, I walked out of the school I've been temporarily teaching at this year. The door thudded loudly as I left. I'm left with a disconcerting feeling. I've been told by many co-workers that I'll probably be back... maybe. On one hand, that's an incredibly encouraging thing to say. I value that. On the other hand, it's easy to dismiss me that way. It's easy for them to say that as they sit in their classrooms with their permanent contracts. It's not their livelihood that has been affected. I'm glad the school year is over but, I'm sad that the door to that school is currently closed to me. Perhaps I will see a window open... or I will encounter a brand new door somewhere else.

Well, enough with the pensiveness. Today is the first day of my summer holidays. Yippeee!

Gowns and grey hair

Today was graduation. There's nothing more satisfying as a teacher then to see kids walk across that stage. Congratulations.
Today, I met my mother's Home Ec. teacher. She taught at my current school for 27 years. She was a teacher for as long as I have been alive. I was able to tour her around the school. I listened to her stories about former students and co-workers. I was reminded that, even after 5 years, I am still a baby teacher. I should hope, that when I am grey-haired and nostalgic, that I would be welcome to tour some of the places where I've invested my heart.

Last day of school!

I love my job.
I am passionate about lesson plans, objectives and goal setting.
I enjoy building meaningful relationships with students and guiding them as they make important life decisions.
I love all those "ah ha" moments students have when they make connections.

I also love the last teaching day of the school year!
Welcome summer holidays. Where's Mr. Stephen McKerracher to do the "we're free from kids" Happy Dance?

Open Letter to Those Who Rely on Cuss Words

Dear Chronic Cuss-Word Users,
I appreciate that you need to express yourself. I think it is "neat" that you feel comfortable to do so in front of me. Every now and then, you may hear a 4-letter word escape from my lips as well but, you probably won't. You see, I try very hard to take some thought in what comes out of my mouth. I actually have the brain power to edit my speech. Yes, I know that I still say some really stupid things. Yes, I also know that sometimes, when I'm nervous, my words get mixed up. However, I still have the self-control to filter my language use. If I'm using a 4-letter word, it's because I've chosen to. You too have the power of choice.
To my students who sometimes cuss, I don't bat an eye at it. Sometimes, you are angry and it slips out. You look at me and apologize. I can handle that. You are in the self-edit process. What I don't like is when I have told you six or seven times already to refrain from your use of the f-word and you continue. I believe you are intelligent. I wish you would realize how un-intelligent you sound when you keep saying the same word over and over. It loses the effect you desire.
To adults who swear around students and children, you need to realize that you are a role model. You don't impress me with how "real" and "tough" you are. You disappoint me with your lack of professionalism as well as your lack of respect for other people's kids.
Today, I am annoyed, peeved, ticked off, rankled, disgusted and unimpressed. There are swear words to describe what I'm feeling but, the English language has given us other options too.
Therefore, in today's world, know that I do not feel comfortable when you swear. I can tolerate it, to some degree but really, do I have to?

KARMA: what goes around, comes around

On Tuesday night, my senior Drama students presented their collective KARMA: what goes around, comes around. We had a teeny tiny audience but, it was amazing.
It's always one of my favorite things to stand on a stage just before the kids go on. I can hear them backstage behind me. I can hear their nervous voices and I can almost feel the tension that surrounds them. I get to go up on stage and introduce them. Then, I get to sit in the front row, on pins and needles for them, and watch them shine. At the end of the show, I get to go back onstage and listen to them as they run around with their first actors' high. They are full of pride and relief. It's a celebration! They are amazing and they know it!

I love my job. It's not a guaranteed thing next year. I might be back to slogging substitute business cards and walking into random classes hoping kids tell me their real names and don't play "sink the sub" games. (After my grade 8 year, I'm sure that would definately be Karma.) I might be ramdomly given a contract somewhere new with new subjects, new extra curr and a new culture of kids and staff to figure out. I do believe that there is a time for everything. This summer, it will be a time of waiting for me. I'm working to accept that. It's hard. My pride hurts. I'm used to getting what I want right off the bat. I have a week and a half to continue loving the kids I have. I think we'll continue their celebration and enjoy playing in Drama for the next few days.

Give to Get...

Last Thursday, our school spent the afternoon outside re-vamping our student entrance. We had the help of our business partners. They came and put on a BBQ, hired a DJ to entertain us as we worked and helped with the funding.
We planted a strawberry/saskatoon berry patch, 2 huge flower beds with a school logo and a Medicine Wheel and a natural prairies grass bed. A few weeks before, the students had created tiles. We put them onto three benches. This way the kids have a cool area to hang out.
It was such a fun day. I loved playing in the dirt. I loved teaching my students how to break apart a little root ball so that it's happy in the soil. I loved watching them work hard for themselves and for the school. I loved seeing their smiles when they realized that this was all for them.
Education is sometimes about classroom and books. Last Thursday, education was about giving a little and getting a lot.

TREVOR!

Happy Birthday Trevor. You are my world. I love waking up beside you. I love talking with you about our days when we get home from work. I love everything about you!

28

Today, I am 28. I'm borrowing a Jean Little poem to celebrate taking it easy on my B-day.

Today

TODAY I will not live up to my potential.
TODAY I will not relate well to my peer group.
TODAY I will not contribute in class.
I will not volunteer one thing.
TODAY I will not strive to do better.
TODAY I will not achieve or adjust or grow enriched
   or get involved.
I will not put my hand up even if the teacher is wrong
   and I can prove it.

TODAY I might eat the eraser off my pencil.
   I’ll look at clouds.
   I’ll be late.
   I don’t think I’ll wash.

I NEED A REST.

[from Hey, World, Here I Am)

Happy Birthday Little House

Last year, we moved in to our cute little house.
We moved in boxes and furniture. Trevor and I fought fur and grime in our first official clean sweep. We invited family over to celebrate with ice-cream cake. We all got dirty feet because of the disgusting carpet. We finally had our own little home.
I'm pretty proud of our little place. We've done a lot of work to it. The inside renos are nearing completion. Just the bathroom, back entryway and re-painting the doors. Soon, we will have the stucco vs. vinyl siding debate as we re-do the outside. The yard is starting to come along just fine too.
Happy Birthday little house!

Seriously... I can't put it down

Before Trevor and I jetted of to Mexico, a co-worker fo mine lent me a book called OUTLANDER by Diana Gabaldon. She told me it was historical fiction, with a twist. Now, my first literature love is historical fiction therefore, I was completely excited to read it on the beach.
I literally devoured the first book in the series. I had the second book on hold at the library and it felt like I waited forever until I could dived into it. I'm in the middle of the 3rd book and I can't put it down.
-I've given up watching Canada AM in the mornings so I can read.
-I read while brushing my teeth.
-I'm contemplating buying the series just so I don't have to wait for the libary holds.
-Trevor tries to talk while I'm reading and I mumble vague "uh huhs" and "yeahs" at him (he could probably get away with saying anything....)
-I'm learning to cook with one hand so that I can hold the book in my other.
My goodness... here I am at work wishing I could find out what exactly such and such characters are up.
I've always been a book-worm but, this is even a little extreme for me.

Ladies' Night

This weekend, Trevor was away at a Men's Retreat with guys from our church. They had plenty of fun playing ultimate, ping pong and diving deeper into the Word.
I really wanted Trevor to go and have a good time but, I was sad that I'd be all alone on the weekend. Friday, I ate a Blizzard for supper and watched a movie with my sister-in-law.
Saturday, I had a bunch of girls from church over and we had a wild and wacky Ladies' Spa Night. We treated ourselves like the princesses that we are. It was fabulous. We had tons of wonderful food as well. Here are some great snaps from our evening of decadence.

Dance Dance Revolution

Once, when we were dating, Trevor and I randomly ended up in a Ruckers where we first encountered the Dance Dance Revolution machine.
Trevor and I don't dance. It's not a religious thing or a particular abhorrence to movement to music. We dance in our kitchen to our Ipods while doing dishes and we've been known as "that couple" at weddings when we've tried our stellar moves on the dance floor. We just know we're not that good. Our initial attraction to the DDR Machine therefore, is still a mystery.
Yet, it drew us in with it's flashing lights, computerized voice praise and catchy beats.
Last week, we went on a road trip with some friends to see Cirque de Soleil which, by the way, is completely mind-blowing. Before we went to the show, we ended up at a Ruckers where we tried our moves.
Of course, Mennonite-boy kicks my butt at grooving to the DDR machine. The machine rated him a B+. Pretty good for a boy who claims he can't dance. He's got the rhythm. I got the blues. The machine didn't even rate my moves. I actually used to take dance classes. I thought I had some moxie.
Here are some fun shots of our DDR experience.

Questions...

I have been sad recently. I've had a lot of questions for God. I want to know why bad things happen to good people. Oh, I know the theological and deep, intellectual reasons. I've heard enough sermons and led enough of my own studies to understand evil and free will. All of that is knowledge... maybe the absorption of wisdom. Unfortunately, my heart still hurts. I feel pain when I think of what has recently happened in my circle of friends. I am left completely confused and angry at my God. I think that I am allowed to ask these hard questions of Him. I think that is part of my journey. I still don't have answers though.
I'm taking comfort in the words my pastor shared. He used a poem written a long time ago to help us take perspective. It's not the answers I'm looking for but, it's giving me some peace.

Life is But a Weaving
My life is but a weaving
Between my God and me.
I cannot choose the colours
He weaveth steadily.
Oft' times he weaves sorrow;
And I in foolish pride
Forgets He sees the upper
And I the underside.
Not 'til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Will God unroll the canvas
And reveal the reason why.
The dark threads are as needul
In the weaver's hand
As the thread of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned
He knows, He loves, He cares;
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives the very best to those
Who leaves the choice to Him.

Most of my adult life...

Today is the 10th anniversary of Hotmail.
I think I have had an account for like 9 years... the same address and everything.
Crazy how dependant I have become on keeping track of people by simply typing and sending.
I remember in grade 10, when our computer teacher first introduced us to the concept of email. He told us that computers could "talk" to each other and send each other messages. My whole class thought he was trying to pull some elaborate prank. We totally didn't believe him. Then, we were so amazed when one computer in the lab sent a message to another computer in the lab. Who would have thought that emails could go global. This was around the same time that we had to sign out 1/2 hour blocks at the only computer in our library that had internet access. It was this amazing research tool but, it was so confusing.
I must be getting old. My students can't even imagine a world of not carrying a cellphone, not having a High-5, Facebook or Myspace account and not doing research on the world wide web.
Happy Birthday Hotmail.

My Mommy!

Happy Mother's Day Mommy!
You are one of my best friends.
You sacrificed so much time for me when I was little.
You listen to all my secrets, gossip and worries now that I'm big.
You sewed clothes for me.
You bandaged cut knees.
You hugged me when nobody else could make it better.
I love you so much.

Curiousity awakened...

Every morning, on the way out the door to work, I take a brief detour around my back yard.
Every day, after work, I check out both my back and front yards.
I'm waiting to see what's popped up in my flower beds.
I planted some seeds and now, I'm waiting.
The people who lived at our house before planted perennials and I'm waiting to see what they are.
My tulips came up late and now, I'm waiting for them to bloom so I know what colour I planted.
My little flower beds have become this little place of wonder for me.
I love spring.

A treat...

Sometimes it's just nice to give yourself a treat.
Our appliances came with our house. That was great because neither of us had our own appliances stored in our parents' basements. We were excited that, on top of house buying and wedding planning, we did not need to think about Kenmore, Whirlpool or Maytag.
Our late 1980s, bisque fridge, stove and dishwasher were okay with us.
Except:
-I couldn't really cook anything in the stove. My cookies were usually burnt on one side and raw on the other.
-Our fridge made really weird noises... like a really grumpy old man.
Our dishwasher gave us no problems at all... until 2 weeks ago. A spring fell out of the door. Then, the washing wand fell off the roof.
While eating burnt and raw cookies that evening, we decided that now was the time.
Tonight the delivery guys put our nice, new, white appliances in our kitchen.
They're pretty.

Tim's big news

Yesterday, my sweet baby brother took a special girl for a hike.
Then, they dined in high style in a classy little rural town.
After, he hired a plane to tour her around the area where my family farms.
When they landed, they went to a quiet country church where they lit some candles, sang some worship songs and talked.
Tim sang a song he wrote for her.
Tim asked her a very important question about their future.
She said YES!

Tim and Karri are getting married.
YEAH!

Double date

Saturday afternoon, I got a call from my Grand-ma and Grand-pa. They wanted to go to the mini-golf place in the North end with us.
Trevor and I couldn't pass up on a chance to have a double date with my grandparents.
That night, Grand-pa won. He was one stroke ahead of Trevor. I got a hole-in-one so, I was happy.
It was a good night. We laughed a lot.
Thanks for the date Grand-ma and Grand-pa.

Ethics

Three months ago, my school secretary was "giving away" the whiteboard/flipchart that was in the hallway. I jumped at the chance to have it in my room. Now, my students and I have this cute little calendar to keep track of major school/life events that affect us.
Today, I received an email from the Student Services office asking about a missing whiteboard/flipchart. I think it might be the one I've been "given".
What do I do?
I like my whiteboard/flipchart. It's really useful. It's taken Student Services 3 months before they "missed" it.
I think I need to be a good person and return it.
Sigh....

Interviews

I was able to wear cute spring skirts to my interviews which made me happy.
The sun was shining on the drive over to the unfamiliar schools on both days.
Both the gentlemen I met with for the interviews were kind.
Only one asked me about my best/worst teaching experiences.
The other one asked me what I could contribute to extra curr.
I wasn't stumped on any question.
My years of experience and amount of subjects taught were really valued.
It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
I actually feel affirmed as a teacher.
Now, I wait to see what happens...
(it could take until the end of August... sigh)

...for tomorrow will take care of itself

This morning, in Sunday School, we were continuing our study re: the Sermon on the Mount. We arrived at the passage where Christ reminds us that we are His, He cares for us and that we need to trust Him (Matthew 6:25-34) with everything. We discussed how, in the culture we live in, we are prone to worry. We worry about our houses, our cars, our jobs, our money, our future, etc.
This struck a nerve.
Currently, I am worried about my job and next fall. I only have temporary contract that will end on June 29th. This scares me. The school board has handed out some permanent contracts already... just not to me. This makes me sad. This week, I have 2 interviews so that 2 more principals in our division know who I am. I keep having bad dreams about these interviews.
This morning, I was reminded that God does have a place for me. Last year, He provided a job when I fully expected to be subbing. Whether I'm to be at the school I'm currently at or if God has a whole other plan for me that doesn't involve full-time teaching, I need to trust.
Of course, this is easier said then done.
This morning was a good reminder.
I think I need to give some worry up in prayer during my run today.

Fairy Godmother

Tonight is the school dance.
Today, I went through the drama costumes and let my drama girls pick out fancy dresses to go to the dance. They "oooohhhhed" and "aaahhed" over the silk, bows and crinoline. They called each other beautiful. They giggled and twirled. They were my sweet little Cinderellas. I hope they have a great time tonight at their ball.

We're Back!

Well, we're back. The pictures are all out of sorts but, it'll give you some idea of what we've been up to.
The first picture is a Mayan temple located at Chichen Itza.
The second picture is us at Playa Delphines where Trevor loved jumping in the waves.
The third is a view from our balcony. We spent a lot of time on this beach. The waves were calm and the sand was like white talcum powder.
The fourth picture is us at an underground river on our way to Chichen Itza.
The fifth picture is a very excited Trevor about to get on the plane in Toronto.
The last picture is from our balcony again.