I cannot believe where the time has gone. September is already more than half finished, my first assignments to mark came in yesterday, and I'm still feeling a little out of place. I'm thinking that the first year of teaching anywhere will be a lot like this, only minus the cooperating teacher there to back you up.
I was in Regina for almost a week. I left Tuesday right after school for our internship seminars, learned some pretty funny (yet lame) jokes, ate a lot, and didn't come back to Foam Lake until Sunday afternoon. Mom's birthday was on Friday, so it was nice to go out for supper with most of the family. Mom and I went shoe shopping on Saturday, and I found some lovely shoes...now if they would only stop rubbing the skin off my feet, they would be perfect. I only have one blister so far, but there is very little skin left on my baby toes on either foot. I'm hoping it won't take them long to break in. We'll see how this goes. I should already own shares in the Bandaid corporation, so what's another reason to use them?
Everything is going well way up north here. Yes, I mean that sarcastically. It has frozen here a few times, once quite hard according to the gardeners in the staff lounge, but there isn't any snow yet. I'm hoping that isn't a jinx on the whole matter. I'm not ready for the white stuff yet.
I'm not at the school tonight, though it's becoming clear that I will be a regular fixture after 7 pm most evenings. I needed a few hours away, and tomorrow is planned. I even know what I'm wearing since tomorrow is Hawaiian Day. Those bright orange shirts mom and dad had have really come in handy! I'm learning more classroom management by the day, and I'm starting to figure out just who is playing me. I'm also seeing patterns emerge. It's really quite interesting, so we'll see if I'm reading things right.
I'm off to mark. I always disliked teachers who took three months to return assignments. I should at least get off on the right (fast) foot. Maybe bed before mindnight...that would be nice.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Where did that week go?
I've been at the school now for two weeks. Some lessons went well, some...didn't. We leave it at that. I'm catching on to the bell system. Warning bells, attendance bells, in class bells. I had my first fire drill of the season on Wednesday. Garth hadn't even warned the staff in order to see how things really went. Apparently we weren't fast enough, especially given Foam Lake's recent pyrotechnic history. There will be a few more drills, hopefully before it gets really cold. It froze here for the first night on Thursday. Some of the leaves are changing. The landscape promises to be very attractive. If only I could paint.
I took a trip into Yorkton yesterday for the Sunflower Arts and Crafts show. Supposedly the biggest craft show in Saskatchewan, I didn't find a lot to purchase. I picked up some scented playdough for Nathaniel, but that was it. Oh, and a root beer flavoured popcorn ball. I know it sounds gross, but I liked it. Very sticky though. The show was meant for people with money and places to put things, and maybe a lower level idea of what constitutes as style. There were some very attractive things, but there were also the requisite tacky items that are there for the very small niche markets. I spent about an hour there, and then moved onto Golden Rule Books, the Christian bookstore in town. I was quite able to spend money there, thank you. And lo and behold, the scrapbooking store is two doors down! Jackpot! Remember: stickers can make any day brighter. I hit the mall (I have such good luck at Zellers), took a look around in some of the clothing stores, but I wasn't in any mood to try stuff on. It was one of those days where it's too cool outside to not have a sweater, but inside it feels like the 1st of July.
Yorkton was my day off, the last for awhile, I'm guessing. Tuesday, right after school, Patti and I are off to Regina for the internship seminars, which promise to be the most boring three days of the semester. It won't be all bad though. It's one of the last times I have anything to do with the University. I've enjoyed my time, for the most part, but I will also enjoy being finished. I think. I'll be staying at the farm, and I'll be able to go to church in Regina Sunday morning. I miss my girls already!
Anyhow, I need to get into the swing of things for the next week or so of school. Patti and I are looking to do a French 8 unit on food. We're thinking pizza, with the recipe in French and the whole nine yards. I like pizza, and I think this class will get into it. We'll see how the week goes. I need to plan for the substitute as well, so I'd better go get on that. Any cool ideas, let me know.
TTFN
I took a trip into Yorkton yesterday for the Sunflower Arts and Crafts show. Supposedly the biggest craft show in Saskatchewan, I didn't find a lot to purchase. I picked up some scented playdough for Nathaniel, but that was it. Oh, and a root beer flavoured popcorn ball. I know it sounds gross, but I liked it. Very sticky though. The show was meant for people with money and places to put things, and maybe a lower level idea of what constitutes as style. There were some very attractive things, but there were also the requisite tacky items that are there for the very small niche markets. I spent about an hour there, and then moved onto Golden Rule Books, the Christian bookstore in town. I was quite able to spend money there, thank you. And lo and behold, the scrapbooking store is two doors down! Jackpot! Remember: stickers can make any day brighter. I hit the mall (I have such good luck at Zellers), took a look around in some of the clothing stores, but I wasn't in any mood to try stuff on. It was one of those days where it's too cool outside to not have a sweater, but inside it feels like the 1st of July.
Yorkton was my day off, the last for awhile, I'm guessing. Tuesday, right after school, Patti and I are off to Regina for the internship seminars, which promise to be the most boring three days of the semester. It won't be all bad though. It's one of the last times I have anything to do with the University. I've enjoyed my time, for the most part, but I will also enjoy being finished. I think. I'll be staying at the farm, and I'll be able to go to church in Regina Sunday morning. I miss my girls already!
Anyhow, I need to get into the swing of things for the next week or so of school. Patti and I are looking to do a French 8 unit on food. We're thinking pizza, with the recipe in French and the whole nine yards. I like pizza, and I think this class will get into it. We'll see how the week goes. I need to plan for the substitute as well, so I'd better go get on that. Any cool ideas, let me know.
TTFN
Monday, September 04, 2006
Labour Day
There has been a bit of progress on the home front since Thursday. My room is now a nice pale yellow. I painted on Saturday, after the flooring debacle Thursday night. The batteries in Adam's saw gave out after ten minutes, so I believe the flooring is to go in today. Hopefully that means I can get my stuff out of Nathaniel's room tonight, rather than leaving everything until tomorrow night. I have to get used to having to be at school every day with set hours...university really doesn't prepare you for that! I actually HAVE to shop on Saturday now.
I experienced my first Gospel Fellowship service yesterday. I thought it was a decent crowd, for what I had been told to expect, but apparently half the congregation was visiting from other places. It reminds me a bit of Calvary Community Baptist in Weyburn, but a bit younger. I was made to feel quite welcome, with three or four older ladies making sure I was "doing ok" here in Foam Lake. There are some personalities in the congregation, so it will be interesting to watch and see how that plays out in the general scheme of things. Walter Brown from Yorkton spoke, which was ok. I miss Westhill, and I miss Steve! If I could find a teaching job in Lacombe...
The rest of my day has to include the creation of units. I have procrastinated enough. I have to remember that not every weekend is going to be a long one! It's time to get ahead of the game. To those who can, keep in touch.
I experienced my first Gospel Fellowship service yesterday. I thought it was a decent crowd, for what I had been told to expect, but apparently half the congregation was visiting from other places. It reminds me a bit of Calvary Community Baptist in Weyburn, but a bit younger. I was made to feel quite welcome, with three or four older ladies making sure I was "doing ok" here in Foam Lake. There are some personalities in the congregation, so it will be interesting to watch and see how that plays out in the general scheme of things. Walter Brown from Yorkton spoke, which was ok. I miss Westhill, and I miss Steve! If I could find a teaching job in Lacombe...
The rest of my day has to include the creation of units. I have procrastinated enough. I have to remember that not every weekend is going to be a long one! It's time to get ahead of the game. To those who can, keep in touch.
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