Teacher Stuff

A random photo from this summer...i think it's kind of cute:)

I put in my first morning of official teacher work today.  I went in with my dad to his school to scavenge and pillage whatever I could from teachers there.  I think it was a fairly profitable adventure.  I've filled my memory stick with files, tests and all the other good stuff that comes from stealing from other teachers.  It's exciting to think about doing all this teacher stuff but also a bit overwhelming.  Sometimes I have minor panic attacks thinking about all that lies ahead of me in the upcoming year as a first year teacher but then I have to remind myself of one day at a time and the fear passes.  

Onto other news...

Tomorrow my friend from Brazil arrives in Canada.  I'm looking forward to sharing Manitoba with her in the summer.  When she lived here last time, she spent most of the winter months with us.  I'll hopefully be able to post some pictures soon from our upcoming adventures.

I'm heading out to enjoy the summer sun a bit more today.  It is just so lovely and wonderful to be able to spend so many hours outside these days.

ciao!

Happy Thanksgiving

I just wanted to share about my fantastic Thanksgiving Weekend. I am so blessed with good friends, family and food! (just to name a few of the amazing blessings and gifts that I have in my life)

I went into Winnipeg on the weekend to see friends from camp as well as have a family dinner with my dad's side of the family. I drove in with my sister on Saturday morning and then met up with family Sunday afternoon.

We had fun catching up with camp friends, going to MEC to marvel at all the wonderful goods in that store, and ate some delicious Chocolate raspberry cheesecake brownie! All before 4pm on Saturday afternoon. We had the delicious cheesecake brownie at this great place called Neighbourhood cafe in the wolsely area of Winnipeg. You should check out the place if you're ever in the neighbourhood.

Saturday evening was spent enjoying a great time of friendship (with conversation that was refreshing and also filled with laughter!) and eventually eating a beautiful thanksgiving dinner with a roast duck as the center piece. Now for those of you who are in the same boat as me, I was a bit nervous about the whole duck thing before trying that bird but let me tell you, it was DELICIOUS! and it looked so pretty. Can cooked meat look pretty? I think so! Seriously, if you have the chance, try some duck! A pleasant change from your usual poultry options (or even red meat options!)

We even had a chance to sleep over with another camp friend and then catch up over a leisurely Sunday breakfast before heading over to my Baba's place to help get ready for the family dinner. It was just a great way to spend a couple of days...friends, fun and food! (family too I guess!)

I've also been able to lay around like a lazy lady today which makes for a great holiday long weekend. Reading, playing card games and catching up on emails. Hooray for long-weekends:)

Tomorrow I start my 5 week student teaching placement (officially) even though the university is still on strike. That's kind of a messy situation (which I could fill you in on if you ask). I'll let you know how it goes! Maybe there will even be some funny stories to share as I get into it. I'm teaching grade 9 and 10's for the first time so they're a little more entertaining than the old grade 11 and 12's that I'm used to teaching:) I'll keep you up to date!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

The first Day

Well I made it through the first day, and it wasn't all that bad!  In fact, it was pretty good.  Today wasn't the official first day of school, but all the teachers were back and we had an orientation time for the grade 9's.  It was kind of funny to watch all the 'little' grade nine students wander around the school looking terrified and lost, yet in a couple months they will march around the building as if they own the place.  Each year it happens, and the grade 9's look smaller and smaller, yet one day not that long ago it was me who sat in the bleachers nervously and wondered what this thing called high school would be like.  I guess it's not unlike what I will look like next fall as I start some sort of new job.  And the pros who have been doing it for years will look at me and think similar thoughts...oh the newbie! 

In other exciting news, I went clothes shopping today.  For those of you who know me, this may come as a surprise, because shopping isn't typically high on my priority list.  BUT, Value Village was having a 50% off sale, so I had to check it out.  I got 5 tops (that I can wear as a teacher) and a pair of cords all for $21.  PRetty fantastic eh!?  I also bought a new pair of runners at foot locker, but they didn't have my size, so I had to order them.  It's the second pair of footwear I've bought recently that I couldn't bring home and wear around the house.  (I bought a pair of birkenstocks earlier in the summer, but they're still on back-order so I don't get to wear them yet...but I'm eagerly anticipating the day they arrive!)

So yeah, that's pretty much my exciting life for now.  I'm sure there will be more interesting tid-bits to share in the coming days.

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,

All Done

Wow, hard to believe, but yesterday was my final day of Placement 1! How time flies. I had a really great time in my placement at Crocus Plains. At the beginning I wasn't sure if I was in the right profession, but by the end of the time in the school I know it is the right place for me. I have enjoyed going to school as the teacher (most days:)) even though sometimes the kids drive me crazy! Seriously, I'm kind of sad that I have to go back to my own classes on Monday, being a student again.

My formal evaluations were really good-my co-operating teacher even nominated me for an award that I may win at the end of my time in the education faculty (next spring). I guess I'm doing something right! (Not bragging or anything:)) No Really, the only thing my faculty advisor could suggest for improvement next time out would be to find a more difficult class so that I can practice classroom management and have kids that will give me a run for my money...if that's all he can come up with I'm not too concerned!

My next few weeks back at classes will be busy (2 major presentations and 2 papers to write) but it will all be over in a flash and then CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS!!!!! hooray! Incase you can't tell, I'm a little excited about that thought. I love the baking, decorating and general fun that comes at Christmas. I love that my family is all together and we can relax and play together. I'm only praying that we will have snow so we can play outside too (and it just doesn't seem right without some white stuff on the ground!).

What's your favorite part of Christmas celebrations?

(the picture is of my sister last winter during a saturday adventure to Adam's Lake in southern Manitoba)