I am getting so Antsy.... Fall is in the air. I read on facebook about teacher going back to work and setting up their classrooms and planning while I'm sitting at home, bored and in limbo.
I know our schools do not go back until September 8th and know that logically there will be hiring done next week but I want there to be a lot more postings and to be actively applying to things. At the moment there are only three jobs out there.... THREE! one way up in Souris. Two others that are part time. One is a literacy teacher and the other is a music teacher. I will apply for the literacy one as it is better than nothing, but I really don't have the experience for it. I could try for the music one but I would be scared shitless if I ever got an interview much less the job. I love music. I love playing I love learning about it. But teaching it? I could teach the basics but the singing part scares me. I love to sing when I am alone... but really to this day I hate singing in front of others. That was always Laura's thing. I will belt out a tune in the car but Matt's there I wont. I trust him with everything.... yet I wont sing in front of him.. how could I teach music with being scared to sing?
I've been forcing myself to stay home as much as possible lately. I don't have really any money to spare right now and going out tends to mean spending money. I did go out a few days ago... just went up to the mall on my way to leisure world to buy some yarn for a knitting project, and ended up buying a few things. I got a few cute shirts and a really cute plaid purse. I've been looking for over a year for a nice big plaid purse so that made me happy. I also got this amazing orange Calvin Klein wrap dress. It was at winners since early spring for 60 bucks but I got it for 11. I LOVE it. Its got a retro feel and will be amazing to wear to work.
I've started two new knitting projects. One, is a cute tube top and the other is a flutter sleeve top. I really like both patterns so hopefully I'll be able to knit them. I've also gone through 1/2 of season 3, all of season 4 and half of season 5 of Angel.
I hopefully will start getting ei soon... one of my ROE was late getting to them but hopefully after 5 phone calls I've gotten it all sorted out. The woman today seemed like she was getting it all set up so hopefully I will have money soon. I'd really like a job better though. Teaching is definitely what I love to do. People keep saying "oh you're so busy the first year of teaching" but I enjoy it so much and am so frigging organized all the time that I don't really see that being an issue for me. Again depends on what I teach of course.
I also can't wait to either get a house or fix up this apartment. We have a clause in our lease about hanging pictures and things (it is a heritage property after all) and we are on the third floor with a tight little staircase. I really want more seating in our living room and want to put things on the walls but as we are starting to talk super seriously about getting a house the last thing I want to do is put things up only to have to take them down right away. I have all these grand plans of what I want to do to decorate. types of furniture (as we only have a love seat and ottoman atm) colours. etc. I want it to be modern but colourful. Nice but contemporary. Homey and cozy but fun! I can't wait... if something would come on the market that we like. And can afford. Seriously. Most of hte places downtown are either HUGE or are condos. and In Charlottetown when condos are more expensive than waterfront houses, you know there is something wrong! We don't see ourselves in a condo.... we want a house with a driveway to park our car. A backyard with a patio and bbq and chairs. A washer and dryer! A clothesline! *sigh* Someday. Hopefully soon.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Summer 09
I swear, the older I get the better at procrastinating I become. I find the littlest things to keep myself busy so I don't have to wash the dishes/clean the bathroom/post on my blog. I LOVE writing and do miss it. I also a the biggest blog reader, enjoying vicariously living through others with stories of their lives.
So what has been going on in my life? A whole lot of nothing for the most part. I'm really enjoying having the summer off, although still not having anything lined up for the fall bugs me. Those who know me REALLY well know how overly organized I am. It is a strength and a weakness all in one. When I got my contract in March I threw myself into being organized by knowing every last bit of the curriculum that I had to cover and then coming up with numerous activities/lesson plans/ideas on how to cover each (including worksheets that I made up, text book chapters & questions, websites etc.) This made teaching more fun because I had done all the "prep" work ahead of time and could enjoy being in the classroom and tweaking my ideas/plans to suit the class and kids. But without having anything lined up for the fall, I keep collecting ideas for anything I might teach but at the same time know that I shouldn't until I know something. So I troll through the internet going to various blogs and teaching communities going "ooo that would be great to do with grade X" or "I'll have to try that if i teach class Y". I have ebooks and pdf's galore on classroom management and bulletin board ideas..... I just wish i could plan a bit more concretely...... and get rid of the things that I wont use/need. But it is also my love of doing this and my desire to know more and plan more that makes me so happy and so sure that this is what I want to be doing for a living. That this is my passion. I keep telling myself to stop and relax. To take a deep breath. To believe that I will get something for next year. The closer it is getting to labour day, the harder that really is. That said, PEI students go back to school on Sept 8.... a week later than most provinces. So I keep believing that there is something there for me.
So since I have all this time off. Not working. Not being paid. What am I doing? Going to the beach for the most part. :P I love lakeside beach. It is up on the north shore and is so pretty. It is right by Crowbush golf resort. The water is pretty warm. The beach is pretty clean (no seaweed at all til about a week ago when we had some big surf). Most days I drive up by myself, go for a swim and lay out with a book. I've currently read almost all of the books (mostly mysteries) by Charlaine Harris. I say most, because there were a few that the library does not have but its not the end of the world. On average I'm going through about a book a day. I love to read. I always have and probably always will. I absorb books. I'm a fast reader and once I get into the story, I never want to put the book down until I know the ending. I'm also surprised that I am going towards more murder mystery type of books at the moment. I go through phases, but will read pretty much anything.
I spent a few days in St. John NB with Katie, a friend from UMPI. We had a great time and I got to see a few of my other UMPI friends (Erin and Lindsay) as well! We hung out by her pool and went to St. Andrews and to uptown St. John. It was nice to see her again and to hang out with someone who is going through a lot of the same things (starting teaching etc.). Matt and I have also been down to Halifax a few times this summer. We came for a weekend to meet up with a few of Matt's friends and to go sailing which was a blast! We only went around the harbour but it was a beautiful day and lots of fun was had. He and I also got to spend a few day there last week so we could go to the buskers and then go down to my parents cottage for a few nights to visit with family from the UK and Croatia. There's never enough time to see everyone when we go home. It sucks because I want to see everyone but I also want to be able to relax. Plus we went last Thursday.... less than 12 hours after I had an asthma attack that landed me in the ER for an hour or so. I was in and out pretty quickly but I was still not feeling 100% either. I'm fine now. I'm disappointed that I didn't' get to see the fireshow at the buskers.... it is one of my favorite parts! But being with family was so great. It was so nice to see my Aunts and Uncles and cousins, and of course my Parents, Sis, her fiance Seb. Its wierd in a good way when you see your family expanding. I'm so used to my family being my parents, lo and I.... now it includes Matt and Seb.
So what has been going on in my life? A whole lot of nothing for the most part. I'm really enjoying having the summer off, although still not having anything lined up for the fall bugs me. Those who know me REALLY well know how overly organized I am. It is a strength and a weakness all in one. When I got my contract in March I threw myself into being organized by knowing every last bit of the curriculum that I had to cover and then coming up with numerous activities/lesson plans/ideas on how to cover each (including worksheets that I made up, text book chapters & questions, websites etc.) This made teaching more fun because I had done all the "prep" work ahead of time and could enjoy being in the classroom and tweaking my ideas/plans to suit the class and kids. But without having anything lined up for the fall, I keep collecting ideas for anything I might teach but at the same time know that I shouldn't until I know something. So I troll through the internet going to various blogs and teaching communities going "ooo that would be great to do with grade X" or "I'll have to try that if i teach class Y". I have ebooks and pdf's galore on classroom management and bulletin board ideas..... I just wish i could plan a bit more concretely...... and get rid of the things that I wont use/need. But it is also my love of doing this and my desire to know more and plan more that makes me so happy and so sure that this is what I want to be doing for a living. That this is my passion. I keep telling myself to stop and relax. To take a deep breath. To believe that I will get something for next year. The closer it is getting to labour day, the harder that really is. That said, PEI students go back to school on Sept 8.... a week later than most provinces. So I keep believing that there is something there for me.
So since I have all this time off. Not working. Not being paid. What am I doing? Going to the beach for the most part. :P I love lakeside beach. It is up on the north shore and is so pretty. It is right by Crowbush golf resort. The water is pretty warm. The beach is pretty clean (no seaweed at all til about a week ago when we had some big surf). Most days I drive up by myself, go for a swim and lay out with a book. I've currently read almost all of the books (mostly mysteries) by Charlaine Harris. I say most, because there were a few that the library does not have but its not the end of the world. On average I'm going through about a book a day. I love to read. I always have and probably always will. I absorb books. I'm a fast reader and once I get into the story, I never want to put the book down until I know the ending. I'm also surprised that I am going towards more murder mystery type of books at the moment. I go through phases, but will read pretty much anything.
I spent a few days in St. John NB with Katie, a friend from UMPI. We had a great time and I got to see a few of my other UMPI friends (Erin and Lindsay) as well! We hung out by her pool and went to St. Andrews and to uptown St. John. It was nice to see her again and to hang out with someone who is going through a lot of the same things (starting teaching etc.). Matt and I have also been down to Halifax a few times this summer. We came for a weekend to meet up with a few of Matt's friends and to go sailing which was a blast! We only went around the harbour but it was a beautiful day and lots of fun was had. He and I also got to spend a few day there last week so we could go to the buskers and then go down to my parents cottage for a few nights to visit with family from the UK and Croatia. There's never enough time to see everyone when we go home. It sucks because I want to see everyone but I also want to be able to relax. Plus we went last Thursday.... less than 12 hours after I had an asthma attack that landed me in the ER for an hour or so. I was in and out pretty quickly but I was still not feeling 100% either. I'm fine now. I'm disappointed that I didn't' get to see the fireshow at the buskers.... it is one of my favorite parts! But being with family was so great. It was so nice to see my Aunts and Uncles and cousins, and of course my Parents, Sis, her fiance Seb. Its wierd in a good way when you see your family expanding. I'm so used to my family being my parents, lo and I.... now it includes Matt and Seb.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Enjoying my Summer
Here I am, my first summer as a teacher.... and its WIERD! You all know that I do not "do nothing" well. I get bored and anxious. But I am trying to be productive. I'm reading a whole lot. The apartment is staying pretty clean (aside from the exploding closet/dresser in the bedroom) I've been knitting a lot (sock number 1 is almost done... I'm almost to the toe). And I have watched a fair amount of tv.
Books. I've been re-reading the Sookie Stackhouse books. On HBO there is a show called True Blood, based on this series of books. Basically in this alternate world, the Japanese have come up with a synthetic blood substitute, which leads to vampires "coming out of the coffin". The main character, Sookie, lives in rural Louisiana and works at a bar, and gets heavily involved in the supernatural world. The tv show is loosely based on the books but changes things. The books are not the best literary pieces in the world, but I find them entertaining and an easy read. Great for those beach days (although we've only have one so far this summer!). I personally found the first book really hard to get into, although that could be because I am used to the show and kept comparing the two. There are currently 9 books out, with the next one being released next May. I haven't read number 9 but am on the list at the library so am waiting for it. If you've read these books, what do you think? Matt is reading them now, mostly because we watch the tv show together and he finds them slow. He's really picky with his books whereas I will read anything!
We've been having kinda crappy weather. I finished work and then went right down to the cottage in Hunts Point for Mom's birthday. I love it down there. Its about 20 minutes from Liverpool, 10 from White Point. The cottage is looking amazing. Mom and Dad have put so much work into it. One of the coolest things they have done this spring, was put a new well cover in. It looks like a little wishing well. It is so cool. I was there from Wednesday to Sunday. Laura arrived on Friday night and we took Mom to Bay and Lunenburg for lunch and shopping at their fun shops. The Teaser is always fun and there is a really cool yarn shop called "Have A Yarn" (http://www.haveayarn.ca). We had Lunch at the Cheesecake Factory which was delicious as always. But the big surprise happened afterwards.... See while we were out, Mom's friends from the city were arriving at my Aunt's cottage and being shuttled over to our place for a big surprise party. She was SHOCKED! It was so great! We have everything all planned so that her friends could stay the night at my Aunt's cottage down the road. Dad had Alimentos (owned by Chef Mitchell Williams) doing the catering. It was a great time. I had to come right back to PEI on Sunday, to be back in time to apply for more jobs for next fall.
Since I've been home, It has been cold and rainy and yucky! Luckily I have been able to keep myself busy by applying to any/all teaching jobs that come up. I got my hair done (Wohoo! back to blond!). I went to the library and got out a bunch of books. I got some in french as I need to work on my french. I took the Department of Education French test and received the rating of "Intermediate" which is good considering I haven't really used my french in over 5 years (well until this past spring). I really want to increase my rating to Advanced Plus so I need to start doing more things in french (french reading, writing, tv, music, etc.)
Going Gluten Free is going okay. I'm feeling better (although not 100% yet) but it is hard as I have to think about what I eat and check the ingredients for EVERYTHING. If I don't feel like cooking, I can't go get fast food. I can't just order a pizza. That part is hard. Matt has flex hours at work and has been busy with two games now now the apple app store, so while he isn't working super late, its hard to just make supper, when neither of us know when he will be home. Speaking of his games... if you have an iphone and/or an ipod touch, you should buy Big Top Ten (http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=320461424&mt=8) and Kill All Bugs (http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=320789969&mt=8) Matt Made them! What do you think?
My goal is to be good about updating this summer. Topics probably will be really random. But hopefully people will read it and comment! (hint hint :P)
Books. I've been re-reading the Sookie Stackhouse books. On HBO there is a show called True Blood, based on this series of books. Basically in this alternate world, the Japanese have come up with a synthetic blood substitute, which leads to vampires "coming out of the coffin". The main character, Sookie, lives in rural Louisiana and works at a bar, and gets heavily involved in the supernatural world. The tv show is loosely based on the books but changes things. The books are not the best literary pieces in the world, but I find them entertaining and an easy read. Great for those beach days (although we've only have one so far this summer!). I personally found the first book really hard to get into, although that could be because I am used to the show and kept comparing the two. There are currently 9 books out, with the next one being released next May. I haven't read number 9 but am on the list at the library so am waiting for it. If you've read these books, what do you think? Matt is reading them now, mostly because we watch the tv show together and he finds them slow. He's really picky with his books whereas I will read anything!
We've been having kinda crappy weather. I finished work and then went right down to the cottage in Hunts Point for Mom's birthday. I love it down there. Its about 20 minutes from Liverpool, 10 from White Point. The cottage is looking amazing. Mom and Dad have put so much work into it. One of the coolest things they have done this spring, was put a new well cover in. It looks like a little wishing well. It is so cool. I was there from Wednesday to Sunday. Laura arrived on Friday night and we took Mom to Bay and Lunenburg for lunch and shopping at their fun shops. The Teaser is always fun and there is a really cool yarn shop called "Have A Yarn" (http://www.haveayarn.ca). We had Lunch at the Cheesecake Factory which was delicious as always. But the big surprise happened afterwards.... See while we were out, Mom's friends from the city were arriving at my Aunt's cottage and being shuttled over to our place for a big surprise party. She was SHOCKED! It was so great! We have everything all planned so that her friends could stay the night at my Aunt's cottage down the road. Dad had Alimentos (owned by Chef Mitchell Williams) doing the catering. It was a great time. I had to come right back to PEI on Sunday, to be back in time to apply for more jobs for next fall.
Since I've been home, It has been cold and rainy and yucky! Luckily I have been able to keep myself busy by applying to any/all teaching jobs that come up. I got my hair done (Wohoo! back to blond!). I went to the library and got out a bunch of books. I got some in french as I need to work on my french. I took the Department of Education French test and received the rating of "Intermediate" which is good considering I haven't really used my french in over 5 years (well until this past spring). I really want to increase my rating to Advanced Plus so I need to start doing more things in french (french reading, writing, tv, music, etc.)
Going Gluten Free is going okay. I'm feeling better (although not 100% yet) but it is hard as I have to think about what I eat and check the ingredients for EVERYTHING. If I don't feel like cooking, I can't go get fast food. I can't just order a pizza. That part is hard. Matt has flex hours at work and has been busy with two games now now the apple app store, so while he isn't working super late, its hard to just make supper, when neither of us know when he will be home. Speaking of his games... if you have an iphone and/or an ipod touch, you should buy Big Top Ten (http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=320461424&mt=8) and Kill All Bugs (http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=320789969&mt=8) Matt Made them! What do you think?
My goal is to be good about updating this summer. Topics probably will be really random. But hopefully people will read it and comment! (hint hint :P)
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Bad About Updating....
Sorry for being super bad about updating.
Okay, so the first major thing that happened to me lately was getting teaching contracts here in Charlottetown... yes contracts, plural. One for the mornings and one for the afternoons. In the morning I am at Glen Stewart Elementary School where I am on a grant and I help out the grade 4 and the grade 5 french immersion classes. They are really great kids, but just have huge classes so having another teacher in the room to help out is great. I also get to practice and improve my french. I haven't routinely used it since probably grade 12 so this is great. I'm so shocked at how much comes back and how quickly it comes back. Hopefully having french will help me get a permanent position for next fall!!!
In the afternoons I am at Parkdale Elementary school where I am filling in for a mat leave. I share the position with the reading recovery teacher. We teach grade 4. I mostly teach them math and then when they are at their specialists (gym or music) I do resource and help out in other classes. I LOVE teaching and I LOVE knowing where I am going to be every day and getting to know the kids and other teachers. My obsessive organization and planning really comes in handy :P It is a lot of work and you can't really turn off you brain from thinking about school stuff (kids, planning etc.) but I am so happy that I became a teacher.... it is really what i was meant to do!
Having these contracts are great but I am nervous about next year. I really want to get another contract or to get a permanent position. The biggest issue here in PEI is that we are in the middle of school reorganization.... they want to close 11 schools, one of which being Parkdale. These closure are due to our declining population and such. BUt the process to close these schools has been...... complicated. The school superinentdent wrote the report saying that these 11 schools should close. Then there is 90 days of public meetings and input. But they accused him of not including information in this report and therefor he had to add things to it which restarted the 90 days. So currently public input is being accepted until May 12 then the school trustees have to write a report which is due May 31. Then the government has to have the final say. Then the schools that close will close at the end of June. There are lots of issues for and against. There is also a supreme court hearing next week on whether this whole process is legal. UGH! I understand both sides of the issue. From a really selfish point of view..... if the schools close they have to reassign all those teachers which means less positions for people like me to apply to..... I hate being selfish like that but after having contracts I don;t want to go back to subbing. I will not be able to apply to potential jobs until June 15th at the earliest.
Matt and I went to Florida with my family from April 2 to 12. It was really fun. We had a blast. We spent 3 days in Treasure Island (outside Tampa) for my cousin Kathy's wedding then went to Orlando. We went to Epcot and Magic Kingdom and Universal Studios. Anyways here are a few pictures from my trip. :)
Seb, Lo, Dad, Me, Matt, Aunt Margie and Mom at Magic Kingdom
Seb, Lo, Dad, Mom, Aunt Margie, Me and Matt at Epcot
Dad, Lo and I at Bubba Gump Restaurant
My Dad's Wicked Shirt and my Drink that the Bank of Dad bought me :)
Matt and I at Magic Kingdom
Matt and I on the beach in Treasure Island for Kathy's Wedding
Okay, so the first major thing that happened to me lately was getting teaching contracts here in Charlottetown... yes contracts, plural. One for the mornings and one for the afternoons. In the morning I am at Glen Stewart Elementary School where I am on a grant and I help out the grade 4 and the grade 5 french immersion classes. They are really great kids, but just have huge classes so having another teacher in the room to help out is great. I also get to practice and improve my french. I haven't routinely used it since probably grade 12 so this is great. I'm so shocked at how much comes back and how quickly it comes back. Hopefully having french will help me get a permanent position for next fall!!!
In the afternoons I am at Parkdale Elementary school where I am filling in for a mat leave. I share the position with the reading recovery teacher. We teach grade 4. I mostly teach them math and then when they are at their specialists (gym or music) I do resource and help out in other classes. I LOVE teaching and I LOVE knowing where I am going to be every day and getting to know the kids and other teachers. My obsessive organization and planning really comes in handy :P It is a lot of work and you can't really turn off you brain from thinking about school stuff (kids, planning etc.) but I am so happy that I became a teacher.... it is really what i was meant to do!
Having these contracts are great but I am nervous about next year. I really want to get another contract or to get a permanent position. The biggest issue here in PEI is that we are in the middle of school reorganization.... they want to close 11 schools, one of which being Parkdale. These closure are due to our declining population and such. BUt the process to close these schools has been...... complicated. The school superinentdent wrote the report saying that these 11 schools should close. Then there is 90 days of public meetings and input. But they accused him of not including information in this report and therefor he had to add things to it which restarted the 90 days. So currently public input is being accepted until May 12 then the school trustees have to write a report which is due May 31. Then the government has to have the final say. Then the schools that close will close at the end of June. There are lots of issues for and against. There is also a supreme court hearing next week on whether this whole process is legal. UGH! I understand both sides of the issue. From a really selfish point of view..... if the schools close they have to reassign all those teachers which means less positions for people like me to apply to..... I hate being selfish like that but after having contracts I don;t want to go back to subbing. I will not be able to apply to potential jobs until June 15th at the earliest.
Matt and I went to Florida with my family from April 2 to 12. It was really fun. We had a blast. We spent 3 days in Treasure Island (outside Tampa) for my cousin Kathy's wedding then went to Orlando. We went to Epcot and Magic Kingdom and Universal Studios. Anyways here are a few pictures from my trip. :)
Seb, Lo, Dad, Me, Matt, Aunt Margie and Mom at Magic Kingdom
Seb, Lo, Dad, Mom, Aunt Margie, Me and Matt at Epcot
Dad, Lo and I at Bubba Gump Restaurant
My Dad's Wicked Shirt and my Drink that the Bank of Dad bought me :)
Matt and I at Magic Kingdom
Matt and I on the beach in Treasure Island for Kathy's Wedding
Sunday, February 22, 2009
2009 has not started well
I know not many people actually read this but I do enjoy writing my blog.
So 2009 has not started that well for me. In my last post I was talking about a cough that I had..... well I went to the Dr shortly after that post and was told I had a virus and that I was having trouble breathing because of that and my asthma. I was given a new puffer and told that I would feel crappy for a week or two. Well I spent the rest of that week on the couch at home (luckily I didn't have to turn work down! I just had no calls that week) but the following week I had work at the jr high.. and I could barely work. I couldn't get from my couch to my bathroom without getting completely out of breath and coughing, I don't know WHY I even though I could work at the jr high. I did work all day Monday and then the am on tuesday and went immediately to the ER on Tuesday. I couldn't' take it anymore. I was so out of breath from the littlest things and was always sleeping and didn't have an appetite. Luckily I didn't have to wait too long and after Chest X-rays was told I has pneumonia. I was glad I got a diagnosis and drugs that worked but if anything I got worse for another two days until the meds kicked in. It took me several weeks to get mostly better but I'm still not 100%. I'm mostly there and have started getting my appetite back. Apparently pneumonia is a great diet.... only I don't recommend it at all!! I've dropped over a size in pants due to being sick. I know I'll gain it back. OH! the other thing that is going on is that my thyroid is all messed up again. I had another appointment with my Internal Medicine Dr here in pei (I really like this guy, he's super thorough) and my blood tests reveal I'm anemic, my thyroid levels are low again AND I may have Celiac's Disease. I go back in May and will find out more. This appointment was a week after I was in the ER but my blood tests were done 2 1/2 weeks before that....before I got super sick.
Other than my health, 2009 hasn't been too bad. I'm not getting as many hours as I wanted subbing, but I am averaging at least 2 days a week so it's better than nothing. I spent 3 days teaching a grade 4 french immersion class which was fun but I realized how unsure I am of my french and how nervous I am speaking it. I had an interview for a contract teaching grade 1 french immersion but didn't get it. But It was really good experience. I finally have all my papers from maine so I can get my official teaching papers instead of just my subbing papers, though I have to fill out two more sets of forms and pay more money. I can't wait to be completely certified and I can't wait to have my own classroom.... hopefully I'll have one next fall... I can't wait to be able to plan lessons and to organize things. Right now I show up and find out that morning what I am doing. One thing that was fun, I got to teach home ec the other day, we made huge heart shaped chocolate chip cookies. It was so much fun! I LOVE to cook so being able to teach it was just fun.
Matt and I had a pretty low key valentine's day. The week before I had mentioned to Matt that I wanted flowers and miss getting flowers. I feel bad when I do things like that because I feel like I'm forcing him - though he did say he was planning on getting me some before I said anything.He did end up getting me a dozed gorgeous long stemmed roses (that came with a vase and everything). That night he took me to a "fancy" restaurant called Sim's Steakhouse and Oyster bar. People here in Charlottetown think it's so fancy but it's really not. It has decent food (not great) but it was all that was open. There's a better restaurant called Lot 30 that Matt took me to for our anniversary but it's closed for the winter. We had a good night. Things between Matt and I have been going super. I am looking forward to finding a house (hopefully) this spring. Just to have a place that is ours. That doesn't have neighbour's that you can hear or worry about making too much noise and bothering (say with Rock Band Drums). Having a driveway to park in instead of parking around back and having to climb through snowbanks to get to our car. Not having three flights of super steep narrow stairs to go up and down. I do worry about not being able to find a nice place that we both like AND within our budget. Its still too early for most of the spring listings but around March break is when they start. So we'll see. I think that even if we don't find a house that we'll move. I'm sick of having to go to the laundry mat and the stairs and the parking AND i miss having a dishwasher.
So I've gotten super behind on my photo challenge...... my excuse is that I was sick but I'm not sick now and I'm still not really taking many photos.
So 2009 has not started that well for me. In my last post I was talking about a cough that I had..... well I went to the Dr shortly after that post and was told I had a virus and that I was having trouble breathing because of that and my asthma. I was given a new puffer and told that I would feel crappy for a week or two. Well I spent the rest of that week on the couch at home (luckily I didn't have to turn work down! I just had no calls that week) but the following week I had work at the jr high.. and I could barely work. I couldn't get from my couch to my bathroom without getting completely out of breath and coughing, I don't know WHY I even though I could work at the jr high. I did work all day Monday and then the am on tuesday and went immediately to the ER on Tuesday. I couldn't' take it anymore. I was so out of breath from the littlest things and was always sleeping and didn't have an appetite. Luckily I didn't have to wait too long and after Chest X-rays was told I has pneumonia. I was glad I got a diagnosis and drugs that worked but if anything I got worse for another two days until the meds kicked in. It took me several weeks to get mostly better but I'm still not 100%. I'm mostly there and have started getting my appetite back. Apparently pneumonia is a great diet.... only I don't recommend it at all!! I've dropped over a size in pants due to being sick. I know I'll gain it back. OH! the other thing that is going on is that my thyroid is all messed up again. I had another appointment with my Internal Medicine Dr here in pei (I really like this guy, he's super thorough) and my blood tests reveal I'm anemic, my thyroid levels are low again AND I may have Celiac's Disease. I go back in May and will find out more. This appointment was a week after I was in the ER but my blood tests were done 2 1/2 weeks before that....before I got super sick.
Other than my health, 2009 hasn't been too bad. I'm not getting as many hours as I wanted subbing, but I am averaging at least 2 days a week so it's better than nothing. I spent 3 days teaching a grade 4 french immersion class which was fun but I realized how unsure I am of my french and how nervous I am speaking it. I had an interview for a contract teaching grade 1 french immersion but didn't get it. But It was really good experience. I finally have all my papers from maine so I can get my official teaching papers instead of just my subbing papers, though I have to fill out two more sets of forms and pay more money. I can't wait to be completely certified and I can't wait to have my own classroom.... hopefully I'll have one next fall... I can't wait to be able to plan lessons and to organize things. Right now I show up and find out that morning what I am doing. One thing that was fun, I got to teach home ec the other day, we made huge heart shaped chocolate chip cookies. It was so much fun! I LOVE to cook so being able to teach it was just fun.
Matt and I had a pretty low key valentine's day. The week before I had mentioned to Matt that I wanted flowers and miss getting flowers. I feel bad when I do things like that because I feel like I'm forcing him - though he did say he was planning on getting me some before I said anything.He did end up getting me a dozed gorgeous long stemmed roses (that came with a vase and everything). That night he took me to a "fancy" restaurant called Sim's Steakhouse and Oyster bar. People here in Charlottetown think it's so fancy but it's really not. It has decent food (not great) but it was all that was open. There's a better restaurant called Lot 30 that Matt took me to for our anniversary but it's closed for the winter. We had a good night. Things between Matt and I have been going super. I am looking forward to finding a house (hopefully) this spring. Just to have a place that is ours. That doesn't have neighbour's that you can hear or worry about making too much noise and bothering (say with Rock Band Drums). Having a driveway to park in instead of parking around back and having to climb through snowbanks to get to our car. Not having three flights of super steep narrow stairs to go up and down. I do worry about not being able to find a nice place that we both like AND within our budget. Its still too early for most of the spring listings but around March break is when they start. So we'll see. I think that even if we don't find a house that we'll move. I'm sick of having to go to the laundry mat and the stairs and the parking AND i miss having a dishwasher.
So I've gotten super behind on my photo challenge...... my excuse is that I was sick but I'm not sick now and I'm still not really taking many photos.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Update and 365 Challenge photos!
Hi all! Hope 2009 is being really good for everyone. So far it has been very good for me. We started the new year with a huge snowstorm here in PEI. We got 50cm of snow that was blown around. Some drifts have been recoded at being 8-9 feet deep! Luckily Matt did not have to go back to work until the 5th so we had several days just to sit and chill at home which was so nice. I am so lucky to have him in my life. I can't believe we have been together for 8 years. We are still so much in love. He makes me so happy and balances me perfectly. We never fight. We do disagree and frustrate/annoy each other but that is only natural. I donno.... we are in such a good place right now. Its so nice. He is able to calm me when I get stressed about things that don't matter. While I may not have a ring on my finger, we act like I do. I donno. I am just so happy with Matt.
So starting this January, I am a substitute teacher. The students only went back to school on Monday, but I have already had two calls. Wednesday morning at 6:45am I got a call from my former mentor teacher and went to the jr high and worked for the day with the same kids I student taught which was fun. Then on Friday I was booked at the elementary school I did student teaching at. I was at grade 6 which fun. Unfortunately this week the Eastern District School Board released a report to restructure the schools and that elementary school was on the list. It is sad but it is a small school. There will be 90 days of public meetings and then they will officially announce which schools will close for sure. It is hard for the teachers there as they have been told they are not out of a job but where they are going to teach is up in the air. It is also a bit disappointing for me as I have a really good relationship at this school and was hoping to apply for a job there in the future but now I can't. It is also a bit stressful to know that all this uncertainty is going on in the education system here in PEI... I really hope there will still be jobs for me to apply for in the spring.
I have also been sick this week and it sucks. I started developing a cough early in the week and by Wednesday night it was really bad. I'm huge sook when i am sick. But coughing so hard that you are pulling muscles is not healthy. I've been trying to go to bed early and drink lots of water. Hopefully I'll be better soon! I worry about waking Matt up with all my coughing but he has taken to wearing earplugs so I don't.
So I told you all about how I was in a car accident on December 18.... well today, January 10 I FINALLY got my car back! YAY! Matt and I went and picked it up this morning and took back the rental. Then we went and got my winter tires put on the car so I'm all ready. My winter tires had been stored at my parents so we brought them back with us after christmas. It is reassuring to have winter tires on as they are not very good at plowing the roads here.
OH!!! Exciting news! My cousin is getting married in April.... in Florida! We booked our flights and our accommodations. My whole family is going, including Matt and my sister's bf Sebastian. We leave on Thursday April 2 for Tampa, stay there for three nights (wedding is on Friday) and then go to Orlando for a week. We have rented a house in Orlando with 4 bedrooms, so my Aunt and Uncle from England will stay with us. Then next door, my Aunt and cousin and her family have rented that house. Should be so much fun!! I can't wait. We are there for 10 days. Matt has never been to Disney so we will be going there. Should be so much fun!!!!!
One of my goals for 2009 is to take a photo each day. It is called the 365 photo challenge and I have been doing pretty, good. I have missed two days, but I did take some extra photos to make up. Here are all my photos so far....
January 1 Snow Storm - we got over 50cm!
January 2 - Matt walking down the street
January 3
January 4 - My knitting WIP...a sock!
January 5 - Waiting for a call
January 6
January 6 - Photo #2
January 7 - Coughing is not fun!
Make up photo for January 8 and 9... TWILIGHT! You all need to read it!!!...do it..
January 10 - One of my favorite games atm
So starting this January, I am a substitute teacher. The students only went back to school on Monday, but I have already had two calls. Wednesday morning at 6:45am I got a call from my former mentor teacher and went to the jr high and worked for the day with the same kids I student taught which was fun. Then on Friday I was booked at the elementary school I did student teaching at. I was at grade 6 which fun. Unfortunately this week the Eastern District School Board released a report to restructure the schools and that elementary school was on the list. It is sad but it is a small school. There will be 90 days of public meetings and then they will officially announce which schools will close for sure. It is hard for the teachers there as they have been told they are not out of a job but where they are going to teach is up in the air. It is also a bit disappointing for me as I have a really good relationship at this school and was hoping to apply for a job there in the future but now I can't. It is also a bit stressful to know that all this uncertainty is going on in the education system here in PEI... I really hope there will still be jobs for me to apply for in the spring.
I have also been sick this week and it sucks. I started developing a cough early in the week and by Wednesday night it was really bad. I'm huge sook when i am sick. But coughing so hard that you are pulling muscles is not healthy. I've been trying to go to bed early and drink lots of water. Hopefully I'll be better soon! I worry about waking Matt up with all my coughing but he has taken to wearing earplugs so I don't.
So I told you all about how I was in a car accident on December 18.... well today, January 10 I FINALLY got my car back! YAY! Matt and I went and picked it up this morning and took back the rental. Then we went and got my winter tires put on the car so I'm all ready. My winter tires had been stored at my parents so we brought them back with us after christmas. It is reassuring to have winter tires on as they are not very good at plowing the roads here.
OH!!! Exciting news! My cousin is getting married in April.... in Florida! We booked our flights and our accommodations. My whole family is going, including Matt and my sister's bf Sebastian. We leave on Thursday April 2 for Tampa, stay there for three nights (wedding is on Friday) and then go to Orlando for a week. We have rented a house in Orlando with 4 bedrooms, so my Aunt and Uncle from England will stay with us. Then next door, my Aunt and cousin and her family have rented that house. Should be so much fun!! I can't wait. We are there for 10 days. Matt has never been to Disney so we will be going there. Should be so much fun!!!!!
One of my goals for 2009 is to take a photo each day. It is called the 365 photo challenge and I have been doing pretty, good. I have missed two days, but I did take some extra photos to make up. Here are all my photos so far....
January 1 Snow Storm - we got over 50cm!
January 2 - Matt walking down the street
January 3
January 4 - My knitting WIP...a sock!
January 5 - Waiting for a call
January 6
January 6 - Photo #2
January 7 - Coughing is not fun!
Make up photo for January 8 and 9... TWILIGHT! You all need to read it!!!...do it..
January 10 - One of my favorite games atm
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