Different in a boring sort of way

The first semester is over - well except for a few lingering exams and about 40 more report card marks to tabulate - but the classes themselves are over. I can't help but reflect on how I feel this year compared to last year at this time. In a lot of areas I feel more competent and confident - yet I still have let myself down in some regards. I think I lost some of that passion and enthusiasm (primarily for Biology). That's nobody's fault but my own. The zealous for math is still there - that's not going anywhere! I could write a lot of comparisons...but I'll save that for another day. I'm just ready for a new semester - it means a new start...well sort of.

I have recuperated after not feeling so good at the end of last week. I didn't make it into school on Friday so I did get lots of extra rest. Today we had a storm day - which bumped exams back a day. You know those days when everything seems to fall into place...well for the most part? Today was sort of one of those days. Although a few things didn't turn out as planned. Let me start there. After being quite productive during the day I thought I would drive to Altona to watch Cory's hockey game - and to drop my car off so it could be taken to autopac in the morning. I was excited - only to get to Ste. Agathe and get a phone call that the game was cancelled. After turning around (twice) I ended up driving to Morris to switch vehicles with my dad.

Here were some of the things that just made my day a great one:

• I woke up got ready only to find out about 30 minutes later that I didn't have to make the drive into Grunthal
• I got ALL my marking done (well the stuff that was at home) and I have all the marks up to date and entered - now I just gotta get the exams marked as they are written.
• I made my course outlines for next semester and thanks to Janelle (my lifesaver) I have some awesome physics resources and an online web course for all the classes I'm teaching next semester
• Autopac called to see if they could look at my car earlier than previously arranged!
• I had cravings for puffed wheat cake last night and my mom happened to make some and now I have some!
• After stressing for about 2 months about a plug in outside that I thought didn't work - I found a light switch - flicked it on and as a result now have power outside!
• I never knew I had a medicine cabinet - but today I realized that my mirror really was a medicine cabinet.
• I got my hydro bill - only to find that I don't owe money for the month of January at all - in fact I have $33.00 credit! It really does "pay" not to turn on the heat.

So even though I didn't see anyone or get out (not really at least) there were some hidden treasures which I appreciated! Time for me to keep warm.

Am I That Boring??

I've started to realize that I never have anything to write about except school! Seriously. All I do revolves around school - and though I love it - sometimes it would be great to have other things to reflect on. Maybe that time will come. I found some wise words today that I thought I could use as advice: "Don't go for looks, they can deceive. Don't go for wealth even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile." I have learned that looks do decieve, and I really haven't dealth with wealth...but don't want to either. Smiling is good. I smile lots - I'm happy - but I think there is potential for more. I don't know what it is these days - maybe just the stress of wrapping up the semester. Whatever it is I am back in the "rut" of going through the motions and finding it hard to motivate myself to get out there. For now I think that's okay. Things will change when they are suppossed to! (now I just have to believe that). Even though I'd really like to "resign" from adulthood somedays I guess that's not an option (just gotta keep a positive attitude and deal with it!)

I Resign...

I am hereby officially tendering my resignation as an adult.
I have decided I would like to accept the responsibilities of an 8-year-old again.
I want to go to McDonald's and think that it's a four star restaurant.
I want to sail sticks across a fresh mud puddle and make ripples with rocks.
I want to think M&Ms are better than money because you can eat them.
I want to lie under a big oak tree and run a lemonade stand with my friends on a hot summer day.
I want to return to a time when life was simple.
When all you knew were colors, multiplication tables, and nursery rhymes,
but that didn't bother you, because you didn't know what you didn't know and you didn't care.
All you knew was to be happy because you were blissfully unaware of all the things that should
make you worried or upset.
I want to think the world is fair.
That everyone is honest and good.
I want to believe that anything is possible.
I want to be oblivious to the complexities of life and be overly excited by the little things again.
I want to live simple again.
I don't want my day to consist of computer crashes, mountains of paperwork, depressing news,
how to survive more days in the month than there is money in the bank, doctor bills, gossip,
illness, and loss of loved ones.
I want to believe in the power of smiles, hugs, a kind word, truth, justice, peace, dreams,
the imagination, mankind, and making angelsin the snow.
So...here's my checkbook and my car keys, my credit cards and all my responsibility.
I am officially resigning from adulthood.

And we are down to one...

One week of classes this semester. When I think about what we've accomplished - I think it's been a lot. Even if it's been little things...like standing QUIETLY during O Canada, or sitting in the assigned spot, or raising your hand before you share your incredible insight. No - I am pretty sure we did more than just that. But sometimes the little accomplishments are the most rewarding.

So a bus hit my car. Yup. Go figure. Nothing bad but it still has to be fixed. The students (especially the ones who were on that bus) thought it was quite funny. It was parked in the parking lot, I was still in my class, when I get the news that a bus run into my car! Oh boy. Things can be fixed so nothing to worry about (wise advice from dad).

I shouldn't be awake yet but I don't know what's wrong with me. No more ability to relax. Happy Saturday!

Just a big thank you!

I am spoiled. I get way more than I deserve and this birthday was no exception. At school my Grandma got the Grunthal bakery to deliver a cake, some donuts, and some muffins. It was delicious - and I got to share. Thanks Granny! Me and the kiddies loved it all! Then I got flowers delivered. They were from my Mom and Dad. They are bright and beautiful. My apartment has been filled with the sweet flowery aroma ever since!

We were suppossed to play basketball on my birthday - so me and the girls loaded the bus for the trip to St. Pierre. When we got there we found out that they no longer had a team...but apparently the schedule never got changed. It was the shortest game ever. My parents and Cory had made the trip to "surprise" me and watch the game - so I felt a little bad. We had to hunt down the bus so he could pick us up and drive us back to G-town. Then Mom, Dad, and Cory came back to the city with me and we went out for supper. It was delicious. I got to open presents - which I really wasnt expecting to do on my birthday this year because it fell during the week. I got a massage certificate and a food chopper from Cory and Christine. From my parents I got an iPod touch - and I love it - it's pretty much cool!

Only two weeks till the end of the semester. I guess this means that I should be learning some Physics so I'm prepared for the next semester...but that hasn't happened yet. Anyways...one day at a time...easier said than done.

Random thought for the day: "It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives."

Back at it

I think that school is one big party. Actually the way the kids are acting has convinced me that school is one big party. They are cheerful, talkative, curious, inquisitive....but unfortunately the energy isn't directed towards math or science. No, that would be too easy. I appreciate the exuberance that they have brought back with them to school after the holidays but YIKES they do have me overwhelmed. So many of them are full of stories that they are eager to share, and of course, they'd rather spend the class discussing (in great detail) their hockey win from the previous night. I won't lie. An entire class of hockey talk wouldn't really bother me but unfortunately I do have obligations (its called a curriculum). So between the goalie save demonstrations, line brawl discussions, reminiscing of the "old days" back when these 10th graders were ONLY 13, joke making, and constant chattering we have made sense of very little of the math that has been taught. Yet for some reason I can't get mad. Frustrated yes. There are now 12 days left this semester -- then a change -- and change is good right? I guess we will see...I'll probably miss the little (cute) "terrors"

Aside from the very energetic classroom life I have also been busy with extracurricular stuff. That being basketball. Two practices this week and a game tomorrow. The girls actually looked pretty solid at practice last night - I'm proud of the progress that they've made and I really hope that they prove to themselves that they are capable of success in a game. And even if we don't win - I want them to realize that they have improved! It's a very good group of girls to coach - they are willing to learn, respectful, and work hard. The skills will come with time.

It's almost the weekend and even though holidays were a mere 4 days ago it seems like I can't remember the last time I had a break! The adjustment is difficult but I'm holding on!

Thought for the day..."Worry is like a rocking chair - it gives you something to do but it doesn't get you anywhere."

A New Year!

We are now here in 2008. Crazy how fast time flies - I distinctly remember the start of last year and firmly believe that I'm in a better place now than I was then. No year will ever be perfect - and there will always be challenges - but I think we can all strive to be more optimistic and do a better job of living in the now. That's my personal goal - to be sad, stressed, and mad less often - and to spend more time enjoying what I have. I know there will still be bad days, but we all have the capacity to determine our own attitude and outlook each day. A tough challenge - yet noble rewards.

My New Year's celebration was a good time. I headed out to Crystal City with Macy and her Cory. I always have fun spending time with them (sometimes it gets a little crazy!) and am looking forward to the time I'll get to spend with them this year.
So because it's a New Year I thought that I'd post a poem...it's a classic motivation poem called "A Creed To Live By." I feel the words are powerful and a gentle reminder of how we should live! I know that I personally struggle with a lot of what is said! So Happy New Year To All! Have fun, smile, and remember to be thankful!

A Creed To Live By

~Author Unknown~

Don't undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others,
It is because we are different that each of us is special.

Don't set your goals by what other people deem important,
Only you know what is best for you.

Don't take for granted the things closest to your heart
Cling to that as you would your life, for without them life is meaningless.

Don't let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past or the future.
By living your life one day at a time, you live all the days of your life.

Don't give up when you still have something to give
Nothing is really over … until the moment you stop trying.

Don't be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect,
It is the fragile thread that binds us to each other.

Don't be afraid to encounter risks,
It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.

Don't shut love out of your life by saying it's impossible to find.
The quickest way to receive love is to give love.

The fastest way to lose love is to hold on too tightly,
And the best way to keep love is to give it wings.

Don't dismiss your Dreams. To be without dreams is to be without hope.
To be without hope is to be without purpose.

Don't run through life so fast that you forget where you've been,
But also know where you're going.

Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored every step of the way.