Y'all should probably stop reading this post cause I am going to let you in on a little secret. I am boring. It is true. How do I know this, you may ask? It has been told quite vehemently to me every Thursday night for the last 3 weeks, and I have a sneaking suspicion I will continue to hear it for the next 2. It has been told to me by at least 10 people, and they were pretty serious about it. In fact, tonight, one person even showed me a piece of paper where he had written the word "boring" in tiny letters about 50 times. He told me that this was just how boring my class was. What I wanted to tell him was that with his ugly little smirky face, his incessant eye-rolling, the slumping in his seat, and the Napoleon-like sigh every time I suggested any new activity, he was not really my favorite person either.
So, for all of you who do not live in Lethbridge, and have thus heard my complaints, I am teaching the "Home Alone" class again. this time I am teaching it at Galbraith school every Thursday for 5 weeks at the unholy hour of 3:45-5:45. I just finished week 3, and it is still touch and go at this point whether I will make it through the next two. The classes have consisted of me trying to be heard over the yelling, laughing and fighting of 16 children. (There are 18 in the class, and two of them are absolutely delightful. The other 16 are the pure spawn of Satan, I swear) The first week they complained the entire time that they were bored, that they hated everything, and that they just wanted to go home. The second week, after I had spent hours creating activities and about 15 dollars on snacks for them, they complained because I tried to make them do things. This week they went back to saying they hated everything and that they wanted to go home, and that, of course, they were bored. A few of them kept goping on and on about how they just wanted to be at home watching video games.
I feel as though I am not teaching them anything, I am just trying to get them to STOP TALKING for 1 minute. I realized that I could never have the patience to be a public school teacher because it would just be behavior monitoring all the time, and I really don't like being told I am boring and that children hate everything I try to do for them.
Anyway. Sorry for the rant. It will be over in two weeks.
Otherwise, things are pretty good. Work is getting crazy, but at least they like me there.
Enjoy your weekend everyone!! I will be in Edmonton so I will be having a great time!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
I really miss Communications class...
The following "poem" is an assignment that I was helping one of the students to do. It is for a communications class, and I thought I better do it as well.
For funsies.
I am
I am a thinker, a reader, a writer, a talker
I wonder when I will feel like I am successful in my own life
I listen to great music, friends when they need me, my own thoughts
I see goodness wherever I am able, the humor in many situations, too many faults in myself
I want to be loved wildly, a closet full of shoes, to be more generous, to try more new things
I am generally a happy person
I pretend to be more confident than I really am
I feel blessed for all that I have
I read books that I love over and over again – they are like old friends
I worry that I may never be financially stable, about my family and friends
I value my parents’ opinions, my religious and personal beliefs and commitments, the importance of education, knowing your family and personal history
I am a spiritual being having a human experience.
I understand that there is a plethora of things I will never understand
I say things that make people laugh, things I wish I could take back
I dream about being a singer
I try to help others, new recipes, to be brave
I hope to feel good about myself, to be more patient
I am interdependent
For funsies.
I am
I am a thinker, a reader, a writer, a talker
I wonder when I will feel like I am successful in my own life
I listen to great music, friends when they need me, my own thoughts
I see goodness wherever I am able, the humor in many situations, too many faults in myself
I want to be loved wildly, a closet full of shoes, to be more generous, to try more new things
I am generally a happy person
I pretend to be more confident than I really am
I feel blessed for all that I have
I read books that I love over and over again – they are like old friends
I worry that I may never be financially stable, about my family and friends
I value my parents’ opinions, my religious and personal beliefs and commitments, the importance of education, knowing your family and personal history
I am a spiritual being having a human experience.
I understand that there is a plethora of things I will never understand
I say things that make people laugh, things I wish I could take back
I dream about being a singer
I try to help others, new recipes, to be brave
I hope to feel good about myself, to be more patient
I am interdependent
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Cabbage rolls, anyone?
A happy Ukrainian Christmas to everyone and anyone who partakes in such festivities. I remember putting on a Ukrainian Christmas with my roommates for our friends my first year of University. It was a lot of work and a lot of money. Back then we weren’t really good at organizing things, so it was A LOT OF WORK. We did it at the West Institute Building (the only one in those days!), and we cooked for about 25 people. We did some traditional dishes and some regular-type ones as well. Looking back, we probably should have done a pot-luck…
Anyway, on to more current topics, there is a question that is plaguing me today. I am writing an ISA (Individual Service Agreement) for one of the students that I work with. How this document works is the students share some of the goals that they have for their college experience, and we put some objectives in place to help them achieve their goals. The student I am writing the ISA for has a goal of getting a boyfriend. So, my question is thus: How can I help her to do something I have been trying to do for the last 15 years, but failing miserably at? Hmm. It’s a puzzler, alright.
Things are finally getting a bit settled here at school: we almost have all text-books purchased, there has been only one near-tears experience (shockingly not me!), almost everybody has bus money to get to the College, we have had our free hot-dogs, and our first staff meeting of 2009 is tomorrow morning. I think it is going to be a great semester!
Until tomorrow, and poetry day!!
Cheers
Anyway, on to more current topics, there is a question that is plaguing me today. I am writing an ISA (Individual Service Agreement) for one of the students that I work with. How this document works is the students share some of the goals that they have for their college experience, and we put some objectives in place to help them achieve their goals. The student I am writing the ISA for has a goal of getting a boyfriend. So, my question is thus: How can I help her to do something I have been trying to do for the last 15 years, but failing miserably at? Hmm. It’s a puzzler, alright.
Things are finally getting a bit settled here at school: we almost have all text-books purchased, there has been only one near-tears experience (shockingly not me!), almost everybody has bus money to get to the College, we have had our free hot-dogs, and our first staff meeting of 2009 is tomorrow morning. I think it is going to be a great semester!
Until tomorrow, and poetry day!!
Cheers
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
...thy name is Karma
I have come to the conclusion that you should never say your beliefs/points of faith out loud, because you will be called on it later. I say this because I have had, excuse me, am having such an experience these days.
It all started on December 28th, when Andrea, Chris, and I were having a discussion about the scriptures that say that if you are making good decisions in your life, then all things will work together for your good. I mentioned that I believed this promise to be true, and that although we are faced with trials in our lives, we are still able to find happiness. Things will work out for us, although not always in a way that we anticipated. I also voiced my opinion that there are some realities that come our way that we just have to accept, because there is nothing we can do. Here are a few things that have happened since I said this:
1. My flight to Edmonton was cancelled because the flight attendant was sick, and all back-up crews were in Vancouver.
2. One of the student's classes changed times and days, which completely wreaked havoc with the rest of his schedule.
3. This morning I spent 30 minutes looking for my keys at my parents place, only to have Dad find them in my Mom's purse?
In all these cases I could have completely freaked out (well, I was pretty close this morning with my Dad) at someone else. I supposed I could have felt as though my life was ruined because I had to wait a few extra hours to fly, or find another class to fit into the student's time slot, or be 30 minutes late to work this morning. Instead I said a silent prayer (or three!) and went about my business. Not so shockingly, everything has turned out just fine. I got to Edmonton with lots of time to spend with Jess and Adam, we got the student into another class in the exact same time slot in a post-Christmas type miracle, and although I was late this morning, I got to drive in the light!
I saw a quote the other day, and if you will forgive me the cheesiness, I think it is great.
"We can not stop the wind, we an only adjust our sails"
Peace.
It all started on December 28th, when Andrea, Chris, and I were having a discussion about the scriptures that say that if you are making good decisions in your life, then all things will work together for your good. I mentioned that I believed this promise to be true, and that although we are faced with trials in our lives, we are still able to find happiness. Things will work out for us, although not always in a way that we anticipated. I also voiced my opinion that there are some realities that come our way that we just have to accept, because there is nothing we can do. Here are a few things that have happened since I said this:
1. My flight to Edmonton was cancelled because the flight attendant was sick, and all back-up crews were in Vancouver.
2. One of the student's classes changed times and days, which completely wreaked havoc with the rest of his schedule.
3. This morning I spent 30 minutes looking for my keys at my parents place, only to have Dad find them in my Mom's purse?
In all these cases I could have completely freaked out (well, I was pretty close this morning with my Dad) at someone else. I supposed I could have felt as though my life was ruined because I had to wait a few extra hours to fly, or find another class to fit into the student's time slot, or be 30 minutes late to work this morning. Instead I said a silent prayer (or three!) and went about my business. Not so shockingly, everything has turned out just fine. I got to Edmonton with lots of time to spend with Jess and Adam, we got the student into another class in the exact same time slot in a post-Christmas type miracle, and although I was late this morning, I got to drive in the light!
I saw a quote the other day, and if you will forgive me the cheesiness, I think it is great.
"We can not stop the wind, we an only adjust our sails"
Peace.
Sunday, January 04, 2009
A look back
Happy New Year, everyone!
Since I already did my progression to being an adult post a few weeks ago, I kind of covered the changes I made this year. So, I will once again steal Denise's idea, and do a highlights of 2008 post.
1. Travel - I had such an amazing time in Ireland this spring. The best part was traveling over by myself, and realizing that I can do things on my own. Sure, it was scary at times, but it was such a rush to find out everything, and make it from Lethbridge to the apartment in Dublin successfully. I also traveled to Edmonton last week, and enjoyed flying as opposed to driving.
2. Concerts - Ashley and I made it to "The Slice" for some small but enjoyable shows, we saw Sarah Slean in Calgary, where I passed my love for her music on to my friends!, and we had the amazing opportunity to see Peter Katz twice.
3. New job - I work with some fantastic people, and it is still great to be able to tell people I have a real adult-type job.
4. Working as a key-holder/master at Chapters. I got to work with the phenomenal management team, and I really enjoyed the responsibility of being in charge. I didn't know it would be so hard to step down, but it really was. I will miss working closely with the managers, and I will miss being able to call the shots occasionally. Some of the staff have already tried to boss me around since my return to the floor, but I will not be letting that happen any time soon. I have still been there longer than most of them.
5. The Midnight Masquerade - From the planning meetings to the decorating to the Television interviews, it was undeniably a ridiculous amount of fun. I gladly worked many overtime hours to help make it a success, and everyone who was involved put their hearts into it as well.
6. Moving to the North Side - Denise and I have a lovely apartment, and I am in a great ward. I really enjoy living with one other person. We are slowly decorating and making the place really ours. We would like to make it feel like a less temporary place, but I do keep telling Denise that she needs to get married soon so I can turn her room into a library!
7. Getting a car - I love having the freedom to be able to drive to Magrath if I want, or go to Calgary for the weekend. I am so grateful to Jess and Adam for helping me out.
I have had a great year, and I am looking forward to 2009. I have some resolutions, and I look forward to more great concerts, traveling stories, and maybe even some dating type stories starring me, instead of everyone else. For one last look back, though, I am including my track listing from my 2008 Year in Review cd entitled "No Dress Rehearsal"
1. Drive - Bic Runga "make me feel alive when I ride with you"
2. Viva la Vida - Coldplay "I used to rule the world"
3. If I were your Woman - Gladys Knight and the Pips
4. Your Wish is my Wish - Sarah Slean
5. My Brilliant Feat - Colin Hay "The world, it won't wait for you"
6. Rise and Shine - The Cardigans
7. Come Around - Rhett Miller "Sometimes my heart tricks me in to thinking someone else will do."
8. Between the Bars - Elliot Smith (every year end cd needs at least one downer, and who else but Eliot Smith to provide?)
9. Love on the Rocks - Sara Bareilles "Dulls my senses, drives my pain...but I do it again"
10. O.k. - Peter Katz "Try as I may, you might still walk away"
11. Stolen - Dashboard Confessional (this song, which I heard on "Scrubs" is a homage to my obsession with said show this year)
12. I am Aglow - Sarah Harmer "Does it matter that what I remember might be just my own imagination painting scenes more pretty?"
13. Free Fallin' - John Mayer (What is a year end cd without him?)
14. This Winter I Retire - Said the Whale (one of the great bands from "The Slice")
15. White Flag - Dido
16. Change Your Mind - The Killers "If the answer is no, can I change your mind?"
17. Now that You're Gone - Ryan Adams (this one might actually make you want to kill yourself)
18. Let your Loss be your Lesson - Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
19. Life is a Song - Patrick Park "Maybe life is a song, but you're scared to sing along"
20. Which Will - Nick Drake (a song full of pertinent questions)
Since I already did my progression to being an adult post a few weeks ago, I kind of covered the changes I made this year. So, I will once again steal Denise's idea, and do a highlights of 2008 post.
1. Travel - I had such an amazing time in Ireland this spring. The best part was traveling over by myself, and realizing that I can do things on my own. Sure, it was scary at times, but it was such a rush to find out everything, and make it from Lethbridge to the apartment in Dublin successfully. I also traveled to Edmonton last week, and enjoyed flying as opposed to driving.
2. Concerts - Ashley and I made it to "The Slice" for some small but enjoyable shows, we saw Sarah Slean in Calgary, where I passed my love for her music on to my friends!, and we had the amazing opportunity to see Peter Katz twice.
3. New job - I work with some fantastic people, and it is still great to be able to tell people I have a real adult-type job.
4. Working as a key-holder/master at Chapters. I got to work with the phenomenal management team, and I really enjoyed the responsibility of being in charge. I didn't know it would be so hard to step down, but it really was. I will miss working closely with the managers, and I will miss being able to call the shots occasionally. Some of the staff have already tried to boss me around since my return to the floor, but I will not be letting that happen any time soon. I have still been there longer than most of them.
5. The Midnight Masquerade - From the planning meetings to the decorating to the Television interviews, it was undeniably a ridiculous amount of fun. I gladly worked many overtime hours to help make it a success, and everyone who was involved put their hearts into it as well.
6. Moving to the North Side - Denise and I have a lovely apartment, and I am in a great ward. I really enjoy living with one other person. We are slowly decorating and making the place really ours. We would like to make it feel like a less temporary place, but I do keep telling Denise that she needs to get married soon so I can turn her room into a library!
7. Getting a car - I love having the freedom to be able to drive to Magrath if I want, or go to Calgary for the weekend. I am so grateful to Jess and Adam for helping me out.
I have had a great year, and I am looking forward to 2009. I have some resolutions, and I look forward to more great concerts, traveling stories, and maybe even some dating type stories starring me, instead of everyone else. For one last look back, though, I am including my track listing from my 2008 Year in Review cd entitled "No Dress Rehearsal"
1. Drive - Bic Runga "make me feel alive when I ride with you"
2. Viva la Vida - Coldplay "I used to rule the world"
3. If I were your Woman - Gladys Knight and the Pips
4. Your Wish is my Wish - Sarah Slean
5. My Brilliant Feat - Colin Hay "The world, it won't wait for you"
6. Rise and Shine - The Cardigans
7. Come Around - Rhett Miller "Sometimes my heart tricks me in to thinking someone else will do."
8. Between the Bars - Elliot Smith (every year end cd needs at least one downer, and who else but Eliot Smith to provide?)
9. Love on the Rocks - Sara Bareilles "Dulls my senses, drives my pain...but I do it again"
10. O.k. - Peter Katz "Try as I may, you might still walk away"
11. Stolen - Dashboard Confessional (this song, which I heard on "Scrubs" is a homage to my obsession with said show this year)
12. I am Aglow - Sarah Harmer "Does it matter that what I remember might be just my own imagination painting scenes more pretty?"
13. Free Fallin' - John Mayer (What is a year end cd without him?)
14. This Winter I Retire - Said the Whale (one of the great bands from "The Slice")
15. White Flag - Dido
16. Change Your Mind - The Killers "If the answer is no, can I change your mind?"
17. Now that You're Gone - Ryan Adams (this one might actually make you want to kill yourself)
18. Let your Loss be your Lesson - Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
19. Life is a Song - Patrick Park "Maybe life is a song, but you're scared to sing along"
20. Which Will - Nick Drake (a song full of pertinent questions)
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