Ode to Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

Another long awaited update. 

I've had the best week ever (I hope I don't jinx it since I still have one day to go).  I thought I discovered the secret on Monday ... bribing my students with double chocolate chip cookies ... but Tuesday - Thursday has progressed fairly well without the cookies.  Maybe my students are actually enjoying the content or perhaps they're tired of hearing me gripe about taking responsibility for their own learning.  They are paying attention, finishing their work, and doing the work fairly well.  Numbers are down, which means I have very few students in class, but at least they're participating.  I wish the entire year had been like this week and I hope the rest of the year (27 teaching days) progress in the same manner.  It's weeks like this that remind me why I became a teacher.  

Much Needed Update

It is definitely time to give an update.  I am amazed at how fast time flies.  It has been over a month since my last post and yet it doesn't quite feel like a month has gone by.

During the last month my school has hosted the Northern Lights Junior Games.  It was quite a week and I felt extremely proud to be a part of such an event.  The students and coaches from every school put their heart and soul into each sporting, cultural, and fine arts performance.  It was an extremely tiring week but it was definitely worth it.

Currently, I am on my April break.  I'm off for the next 12 days and I'm counting down the hours and minutes until I meet up with my family in Sunny Florida.  As I type this, their journey has already begun.  They are driving down south and all I can think of is how much I wish I was with them.  Only two more days.

Once I'm back .... only 2 1/2 months and I'll be home for the summer and I'm sure the time will just fly by!!

Ode to Mothers

I just finished catching up on some reading.  Some friends of mine too have blogs and it has been awhile since I have read them.  I really enjoy reading these blogs as they help me feel connected to friends who are now so far away.  When I read their thoughts and experiences or see their photos I don't feel quite so detached from that part of my life . . . our friendship. 

It was one blog specifically that really touched me.  My friend Stacy lost her mother to cancer recently and she shared her speech/eulogy on her blog.  While I was reading it I could not help but think about my own mother who, like Stacy's mother had, has surpassed the 10 year mark of being cancer free.  Stacy writes, "our Mom will be remembered not for having had cancer, but for how she lived with it--how she never lost her positivity, her courage or her strength."  This statement really struck me . . . it is how I too remember my mother's battle.  Thankfully, my mother is still with me and I remember every day how quickly she could be taken away and I appreciate every moment, every phone call, and every skype date that we have together.  To my friend Stacy, I am very sorry for your loss and I'm even more sorry that I could not be there to be a shoulder for you to lean on. 

To my mother . . . I love you!

Round 2

I can't believe it has been over a month since my last blog.  Where does the time go?  So much has happened in the past 30 some days .... some things might bore you if I insist on writing them here ... other things would astonish and shock you ... of course I'll keep those to myself as well. 

I will let you know that I'm starting round 2 tomorrow in the classroom.  The new semester begins and I would be lying if I did not admit to my nerves and uncertainties.  For two of my classes I will be blessed with the presence of the same kids ... it will be nice to continue building on the rapport and trust from last semester.  My other two classes; however, consist of a brand new batch of kids.  It's kinda like the beginning of the year all over again.  Having to learn more names.  Establishing rules and procedures within my classroom.  Building rapport.  I wish I could snap my fingers and all the hard work of gaining the trust of this new batch of kids would be . . .  well . . . there's no use in wishful thinking.  Tomorrow will be a great day.  Yes . . . a great day!

Twas the Night Before .... My Flight Home

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. 

Pictures

La Loche Christmas Parade

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?

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.