I'm sitting in my hotel room in Saskatoon and I really should be relaxing. What am I doing you may ask if I'm not relaxing? I'm cleaning up after my cute little adorable kitty cat. I had no idea such a little creature could get in so much trouble in one room. Since we've checked in Chloe has destroyed one roll of toilet paper, hidden all of the coffee stir sticks around the room, spilled my Big Gulp and chewed one of my room keys. I am about to leave to meet friends for dinner and honestly I am afraid of what I will return to. Hopefully, she will not destroy the room.
Despite Chloe's antics, my mood has not been dampened. I'm going home tomorrow and the excitement is building. I only hope I'll be able to sleep.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Pictures
Christmas Tree Created by my Grade 12 Students
More Pictures of Chloe
Chloe relaxing on the couch.
Chloe annoyed by the camera.
Can you see me now?
Thursday, December 10, 2009
My House Is Just A House
My grade 12 students are writing essays and believe it or not this is their first real exposure to essay writing. To help them out I've been trying to find examples of good essay writing. This is no easy task. I decided to go through my own essay's to find some examples for them. As I was reading through my stack of essays I came across a reflection that I had written for an English class. I don't know why but I feel compelled to share it. Perhaps, it is because I am missing home, but nonetheless, here it is.
The Power of the Photograph: Imprinting Reality
My photograph is of my house. I have lived in this house for twenty-three years. I have laughed in this house. I have cried. I have screamed out in anger and suffered various degrees of exasperation. I have survived the many stages of youth and I have fumbled my way through to adulthood. This house has been my sanctuary through it all.
This house has undoubtedly contributed to my experience of and my recollection of emotion. I have left and returned to this house numerous times. Each time I come back, I walk through its rooms and I can feel the emotions connected with my memories. Sitting in a familiar chair or glancing at a specific object in a certain way at the perfect time can conjure up emotions that were thought to be long forgotten.
I have heard of instances where people have experienced extreme emotion and this emotion becomes imprinted on the specific surroundings. With this in mind, my house becomes a semi-accurate representation of my identity as my feelings become imprinted on the walls around me. If the walls could talk they would tell you about my adolescence; puberty and hormones and the fear and excitement of leaving home for the first time.
The reality is; however, the walls cannot talk. The memories and emotions lie within me. The photograph, my house, merely triggers the long forgotten moments and the feelings associated with my childhood. Does the photograph constitute a simulated identity? A photograph cannot constitute my identity, it can only characterize what I want it to represent. My house is just a house.
My house may be just a house but that doesn't change how much I miss it and the people, memories, and emotions in it. I'll be home in one week and the one thing I'm looking forward to the most is .... walking into my house and rejoicing in the comfort of memories and love.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
It's 10:00 pm .... 10:06 pm to be exact ... and I've finally sat down to reflect on my day. As I sit, I realize that I haven't had such a productive day in weeks (maybe months, actually). Let me give you a run down ....
It's Saturday so the natural thing to do is to sleep in. I began my day at 10:30 am. I rolled out of bed, tripped over Chloe, and began my morning routine. After cleaning and beautifying myself I then took care of the kitty, making sure she had plenty of food and water. By 11:30 am I was ready to head to the school.
It's amazing how time flies when you are having fun or, in my case, working hard. I spent 6 1/2 hours at the school working on a module unit for my grade 12 students. I thought that completing a module unit on Shakespeare's Othello would be easy .... I was completely wrong. Unfortunately, there is not much (useful) information out there in cyberspace so much of the module information came from my own brain. I was frustrated most of the day while I was working on it but by the time I finished it and re-read it ... I was very proud of the module package. I hope my students will love the play as much as I do and enjoy working through the unit.
So, now it's 6:00 pm and I'm finally leaving the school. I stopped at Reg's (a convenience/grocery store) for some much needed supplies and then headed for home. One might think that once I walked through the doors of my house I would sit down and enjoy some relaxation time but no, not me. I immediately began working in the kitchen. From 7:00 pm until 10:00 pm I cooked and baked. What, you might ask, was I making that would take 3 hours? Let me tell you. :) Lasagna, Caesar salad dressing, and bacon for tomorrow's dinner with the neighbours (I also washed the lettuce). I also decided to make some home baked treats ... rice krispie squares and peanut butter cups. And of course the clean-up takes some time. A productive evening was had, to say the least.
As I sit and reflect on my day I am impressed with all that I accomplished. Despite all that I completed today, I still have a super long "To Do List" for tomorrow. At least when I lay my head down to sleep tonight I'll know that my exhaustion was well earned today.
It's Saturday so the natural thing to do is to sleep in. I began my day at 10:30 am. I rolled out of bed, tripped over Chloe, and began my morning routine. After cleaning and beautifying myself I then took care of the kitty, making sure she had plenty of food and water. By 11:30 am I was ready to head to the school.
It's amazing how time flies when you are having fun or, in my case, working hard. I spent 6 1/2 hours at the school working on a module unit for my grade 12 students. I thought that completing a module unit on Shakespeare's Othello would be easy .... I was completely wrong. Unfortunately, there is not much (useful) information out there in cyberspace so much of the module information came from my own brain. I was frustrated most of the day while I was working on it but by the time I finished it and re-read it ... I was very proud of the module package. I hope my students will love the play as much as I do and enjoy working through the unit.
So, now it's 6:00 pm and I'm finally leaving the school. I stopped at Reg's (a convenience/grocery store) for some much needed supplies and then headed for home. One might think that once I walked through the doors of my house I would sit down and enjoy some relaxation time but no, not me. I immediately began working in the kitchen. From 7:00 pm until 10:00 pm I cooked and baked. What, you might ask, was I making that would take 3 hours? Let me tell you. :) Lasagna, Caesar salad dressing, and bacon for tomorrow's dinner with the neighbours (I also washed the lettuce). I also decided to make some home baked treats ... rice krispie squares and peanut butter cups. And of course the clean-up takes some time. A productive evening was had, to say the least.
As I sit and reflect on my day I am impressed with all that I accomplished. Despite all that I completed today, I still have a super long "To Do List" for tomorrow. At least when I lay my head down to sleep tonight I'll know that my exhaustion was well earned today.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
12/19/2009
December 19, 2009. This is the date that I cannot get out of my mind. I wake up thinking about this date. Throughout the day I count down the days, hours, and minutes to this day. I go to bed and dream about this day. Why? I'm going home.
I never thought that going home would be so important. I've been away from home many times and each time I returned it was always sweet but never has it held such importance and necessity. I can't even begin to describe how this trip home will refresh my spirit, my sanity, and my faith.
I look forward to being with family, not necessarily doing anything but enjoying each others company. I look forward to seeing friends who will no doubt remind me that life is not only about work and that I need to worry less and laugh more. I look forward to singing and praying with my church family. Although I experience the effects of the many positive thoughts and prayers daily, it doesn't compare to the hugs, laughter, and sometimes tears we experience together. I look forward to being home.
I just can't get the date out of my mind. It's December 19, 2009.
See you soon!
I never thought that going home would be so important. I've been away from home many times and each time I returned it was always sweet but never has it held such importance and necessity. I can't even begin to describe how this trip home will refresh my spirit, my sanity, and my faith.
I look forward to being with family, not necessarily doing anything but enjoying each others company. I look forward to seeing friends who will no doubt remind me that life is not only about work and that I need to worry less and laugh more. I look forward to singing and praying with my church family. Although I experience the effects of the many positive thoughts and prayers daily, it doesn't compare to the hugs, laughter, and sometimes tears we experience together. I look forward to being home.
I just can't get the date out of my mind. It's December 19, 2009.
See you soon!
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