Spring Break!!

Here's what's new in my life:

Well my 3rd week of student teaching is over half done and Spring break is only 2 sleeps away!!!  It's just as exciting as a teacher as when I was a student.  There's something about the anticipation of a holiday that is really great.  Some of the teachers at my placement school are going on a trip to France for spring break which is pretty great (for them at least).  The extent of my holiday time is to drive out to Calgary for a bit of a visit with some old friends.  That's pretty great too!!!  I'm really excited to get back together with Rayna, Michael and Rhys (their 2 year old son).  Rayna and Michael were my youth pastors way back in the day so I always love spending time with them.  I've even promised to make a batch of authentic Ukranian cheese & potatoe perogies while I'm out there so that should be fun too.  I will be driving out with my parents, brother and brother's friend (who's pretty much like a brother) so that drive shouldn't be too bad and we'll be there by supper on saturday night.  I"m excited:)

Besides the anticipation of Spring Break, school has been pretty fun so far.  It's really neat being in a class with such a different focus and style.  The students direct much more of what happens on a daily basis and it's all about experiential learning rather than learning the facts.  Trying to make the tasks and projects relevant to something the kids are interested in.  THere is usually a big range of topics to choose from (the kids actually choose for themselves).  The teacher has a very different style from what I experienced in my last placement but it's great to learn and observe in a new setting.  I am definitely seeing some things that I want to apply in my class one day but also some things that I won't do because they're just not my style.  It's been a good placement though so far.  I am learning lots just about the world around me too, not just teaching stuff.  The kids have a 'tree test' this week which pretty much means we'll go on a walk in the neighbourhood as a class and the teacher will ask the kids to identify trees as we walk by them (with the proper latin names).  Learning the latin names and being able to identify the trees of this city has been a highlight for me in the last week.

Those are just a few of the going-ons of my life.  Nothing too exciting or special but I'm okay with some 'status quo' living for now.  Camp is quickly coming up so that will be 4 months of adventure and new things:)

Take care for now.

Helping Stop Hunger

Yes, it's that time of year again. For some, you know exactly what I'm talking about when I tell you that I'm helping organize and participating in the 30 Hour Famine this year. Let me tell you a little about what the famine is.

Around the world, millions of children go to bed hungry every night. But it doesn't have to be that way. Last year, over 100,000 teens across the country did the World Vision 30 Hour Famine. They raised over $4.5 million to help children and communities in need around the world.

This year, I am joining them. By taking part in the 30 Hour Famine, I will raise funds to help provide nutritious food, clean water, medicine, and shelter for children in countries such as Uganda, Tanzania, India, Cambodia, and Ecuador.

During the Famine, I will fast for 30 hours which lets me get a taste of what millions of others go through every day.

I am writing today to ask if you would consider donating to support me in the Famine. The good news is, a little money goes a long way: just $30 can feed a child and their family for one month, while $90 will feed a child and their family for three months.

This year, I hope to raise $360 to help children and families around the world. Any help you could provide me would be greatly appreciated.

To donate now, click the following link: https://www2.worldvision.ca/famine/20184881

If you need more information about the Famine and how it helps children around the world, please visit famine.ca or contact me at fawcett_v@hotmail.com or 204-725-2904.

Thank you for your consideration.

P.S. 30 Hour FamineWorld Vision is a Christian relief, development, and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families, and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. As followers of Jesus, we are motivated by God's love to serve all people regardless of race, religion, gender, or ethnicity.

P.P.S This is by no means a guilt trip or anything of that sort. I just wanted to let my friends and family know that I am participating in this great event again and give you an opportunity to join me fight poverty and bring a little bit of heaven to earth.

Cravings

hello all: It's been a little while since I said hello...so here it is, HELLO!





Last Sunday afternoon I had this craving for pumpkin pie...it's probably my favorite type of pie and there are obviously none for sale at the store this time of year so I decided to make one. I even took a few photos along the way because i was so proud of myself for making a pumpkin pie from scratch. I didn't even use a can of filling...frozen pumpkin, home made crust all by myself!!! and in one afternoon. Here is a little photo map of the process:

Proudly showing you the bag of frozen pumpkin that will be transformed into a pie!



While I was making the pie crust I sort of missed the bowl and this was the result...did you know that if an egg hits the floor out of it's shell it won't stay in a nice oval shape!!?!?!

First, forgive my inability to rotate this picture for you...Next notice my enthusiastic expression as I roll out my pie crust!

As the pies enter the oven...yes there was enough filling and crust for TWO 2 pies...

THE FINISHED PRODUCT...So tasty, just add a bit of whipped cream on top!

That was my adventure last weekend. This past week has been busy as I start to settle into my teaching placement. It's a lot of fun and a lot different from my last student teaching placement in the fall. We spend a lot of time outside and just being active which is great for my health but takes a bit of adjustment after the lazy life of a student. Lets just say that I have been in bed by 10pm every day during the week and wished that it could have been sooner:)

This week holds new adventures and fun. We'll be travelling down to Boissevain to learn about organic farming, strawbale houses and how to safely use an axe to chop wood. We'll also be spending a day on the riverbank inspecting duck boxes and installing 8 new ones for Ducks Unlimited. It should be a fun week. I'll actually start teaching as well which i'm looking forward to.

Hard to believe how different my life is compared to 1 year ago when I was ini the middle of my time in Ethiopia. Wow. I'm excited to see where God will lead me in this coming year.

Until later,

AWESOMENESS!

Hi All.

I've safely returned from an amazing week of winter camping. I had such a great time living out in the bush and just soaking up the beauty of Creation. The sun was shining almost every day and we didn't even freeze our butts off:)-

The kids in the group are really great. Some are a bit odd, but still fun to spend time with. If this could be my job I think I would have the best work days ever. There was one night of spectacular star gazing during our trip. I don't think I have ever seen so many stars out. And to top it off, the two trip leaders were super knowledgeable about astronomy so we were guided across the night sky and I heard so many interesting things...don't ask me to repeat many of the facts but it really was interesting. We went wolf howling...no response from the wolves though. We also went bird watching and searching for animal tracks. I learnt some interesting facts about animal and plant life in the winter boreal forest so that was good too. We even got a 10km ski in on Thursday afternoon.

Needless to say I was a little tired out when we got home Friday afternoon. I was in bed by 9pm on Friday and slept till 8:30 Saturday morning. I don't think I've had that much sleep at one time in a long time. I had a great week and I am looking forward to my upcoming student teaching placement with this group of kids starting on March 10th.

Here are a couple photos from the week out at Whirlpool Lake, MB.

The 3 muskateers!

All packed up and ready to head down the trail on day 1!