Not Much is New...

Pretty uneventful around here -- meaning in my head -- not much is really new. I worked on some Christmas cards and realized I need to pick up another box full...too make sure everyone I want to send one to gets one.... I scrapbooked a bit, did some marking, wanted to bake but was too lazy -- you know, typical weekend. We only have 9 days of classes left and then we have a week of final exams. I know that I've said this before so excuse me for annoyingly repeating myself for the (insert # here) time....but, time flies. I'm in the midst of getting ready for next semester -- and looking forward to it. The first year in a new place is always hard because you mourn the loss of all the old things....after you get through the firsts, its supposed to get easier....let's hope so! Well, we are going to Meadow Lake on Friday for a conference, just for the day - That should be fun as we're all going together (as in, the entire staff). Hmmm...other than that, not much. If you don't see a new posting for awhile, don't fret -- I really can't think of any interesting things to ponder yet -- but it will come, they always find me! Ha! With love, enjoy your week!

The Snow Angels Among Us

A couple of ponderings about snow angels for you on this very wintery day....

It started snowing yesterday afternoon and it hasn't stopped. The temperature is a tad warmer (which usually happens when it snows) and the snow is very light and fluffy -- I went to chaperone a dance at the school and the roads were horrible.... my little car is tough though and motored its way through the snowy, slippery streets....then it came time to go home....it probably snowed at least a foot between my leaving and returning to my difficult -even- in- the- summer driveway and it was hard to see the edges of the driveway or anything at all.... so Chantal came to my rescue with a shovel...I parked at the bottom (after getting sem-stuck way too close to the edge for my liking and coming a tad to close to the house due to ice -- I possibly should consider the career of a race car driver..) and we shoveled the driveway to make it parkable (I realize that probably isn't a word -- deal with it) Anyways, aside from Chantal, a couple of other snow angels came to help us out -- our neighbours Lawrence and Celena (I teach with Celena) ...thank God for snow angels!

2. After the dance last night, the snow was falling lightly (okay, not lightly but it looked pretty) and our tough high school kids were frolicking in the snow, throwing each other around and making snow angels. It was nice to see the kid in them come out - even if just for a brief moment. Some of these kids deal with a lot of stuff and its nice to see them enjoy a moment in time -- a moment of innocence.

A lesson for us all -- go and make a snow angel -- happy winter!

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions...

I've been trying to plan out next semester so that I can spend the time to prep for the first week back to school in January, which will hopefully allow me to relax over the holidays -- we'll see how that works out (if it does).... but, this process is requiring me to make a lot of decisions and I'm not so sure that I like it. These decisions do in no way affect the world or make a huge impact in my life -- but choosing a novel for study is stressful....why? Glad you wondered...

This semester, the grade twelves are reading/studying April Raintree and the reading of this novel has sparked a lot of interest in reading (another Ah Ha moment I suppose) But the selections or possibilities for next semester are not as contemporary as our current study. Our choices are The Great Gatsby, Pride and Prejudice, The Scarlet Letter, The Kitchen God's Wife, and Wuthering Heights. Now, I quite enjoyed the Great Gatsby but will these students enjoy it? Or should I just choose one and make them deal with the fact that sometimes they have to deal with the fact that they might not like everything they have to read (hello -- lesson I learned while in university)

Hmmmm....decisions

Admitting Addictions

As it is Addiction Awareness week in our corner of the world (actually, it probably is in your corner of the world too)...anyways, to honour the nature of this week I thought I would take one of the 12 steps and admit my newest addiction -- watching Grey's Anatomy. I realize that this addiction is not quite as serious as real addictions such as gambling, drinking, and drugs, and in no way am I trying to belittle the severity of the original intent of this week -- but I think my addiction to this show is also dangerous. I think I may be being quite silly and for that I do apologize but I just realized that today (Monday) I really wanted it to be Thursday...not because the week would almost be over and not because today was a bad day -- simply because Thursday is the day when the magic of Grey's Anatomy hits my living room. Pathetic. Really. I've always liked this show but of late I have become obsessed...normally, I can like a show and miss an episode and it really doesn't bother me that badly -- but now, I crave it and God forbid someone get in my way of watching my show! Phew.... It even got so bad that I wished that this show was a daily soap opera --- I love that world.... GAA -- I'm going to create a new group -- for those of you who know and understand the serious side of addictions -- you know what that stands for....But really, my thoughts and prayers to the many people and loved ones of people who struggle with addictions...with love....Trena

lacking ponderings...

Yup, you read it here first (at probably one of the first time its ever happened to me) I'm pondering-less.... well, not really (of course) but no thoughts of late are exciting enough to post -- or interesting for that sake. Whatever, the weekend will hopefully create some news to speak of... until then...

Happy Weekend (Finally...no alarm clock -- yeah!)

Its Been Awhile

We had a nice long weekend -- I went home....although sometimes going home is busier than staying here -- its still nice to have the luxury of going home. I spent the weekend visiting with family and Sheri -- did a little bit of shopping and was able to chill out with my mom.... love that. The semester is flying by -- only 20 teaching days until exams -- man, time flies.... last Thursday we sat down and figured out our second semester schedule.... I'm finding myself very excited for the second semester -- mostly because I finally have a grip on this whole teaching high school thing.... takes awhile, but I'm here. Next semester I'll be teaching English 10. 11. 12, Native Studies, and Arts Education -- will be busy but should be fun. I'm just realizing how much I love this job...although its a lot of work -- its really rewarding. Don't have much else to say right now...but I'll post again later....not today, but soon...love ya all

Defending Saskatchewan

The Land of the Living Skies...yup, that's what my license plate states...and its true...even on a cloudy or snowy day -- the sky is endless. And beautiful. Although out of my 27 years I've only spent 12 (and 5 months) living in this province, I've always been connected to it. Regardless of where I was living, when people asked where I was from, my answer was always -- you guessed it -- Saskatchewan. So, why? The prairies are in us...my lame attempt at explaining this phenomenom is in no way comparable to David Bouchard's poetic explanation in his many books on the subject...but nonetheless....

So, on the weekend Volleyball trip we had to drive through this little town and sure enough, there stood a lighthouse...which, in a landlocked province, is quite the sight...however, this lighthouse reminded me of the greatness of this landscape... flat, rolly, hills, water, amazing sunsets and sunrises, ski hills (yeah, I know they're man made...but still) and then this light house...welcome to Saskatchewan...and, if you haven't been here -- come visit...you'll love it...

This concludes my pondering for today...

Volleyball in Medstead

We left Friday at lunch on a 4 1/2 hour ride down the pave to Medstead to play volleyball. I drove the 15 passenger van with 7 high school girls who were glad to get out of school for the afternoon, and happy to be leaving Patuanak , even if only for one night! We had a blast...the music was cranked, the girls were singing and dancing and laughing...good times were definitely had by all. My mom and Bill came to Medstead on Saturday to watch our game...they got to meet the girls and of course my Mom got to share a funny story about me which I was constantly reminded of on the way home. We stayed overnight in North Battleford and went to Walmart and walked around a little mall...then went to play...they lost...but they had fun...and really, that's all that counts at the end of the day -- right?!? I was trying to post a group picture but its not working for some reason...I'll try again later... until then, these must suffice... Randie riding shotgun...early (too early) Saturday
morning

Lovely Laura...
Tag team effort at transforming hair...

I think they got more on Kendra's face, than
in her hair....

Kaylene and Randie doing a little pampering

Sarah chilling out while madness surrounds her

Bingo is my Destiny

I thought my days of calling bingo would be over after super soccer last year -- apparently that is not the case...however, I can't say I hate it. I actually enjoy the organizing, selling, and calling bingos -- plus, usually it is a highly effective way of fundraising. My Thursday nights are booked with bingos...one day I might look like the lady above....fun! Anyways, I'm leaving at noon with a van full of girls to go play volleyball in Meadstead... we'll be back on Saturday -- Provincial Championship Divisional playoffs.... wish us luck...next post won't be until Monday -- That's when I can schedule it in....might be Sunday if you're lucky (like its such a priviledge!) Later...

Waking Up To Winter

Snow brings so many joys to so many people -- the snow hits the ground and winter life begins! Snowmen, snow angels, snow mobiles, snow shoes, snow ball fights, ice fishing, the list goes on...

When you're a kid snow is so exciting...when you're an adult who enjoys the snow...snow is so exciting. I'm one of those adults who does love the snow. I remember when I was living in Burnaby and it snowed quite a bit and Jenn and I went to the local park and froliced in the snow, just like when we were kids.... we built a snowman, made snow angels, ran around with Shadow in the snow....

However, there are parts of the snowy winter wonderland I detest. Like, for example, having to get up earlier to start your car, let it warm up, and scrape the snow/sleet/ice off of the windshields....yup, that...not so much fun.... icy roads...not so much fun.... but the rest of it rocks. I am just rediscovering this adult side of snow again after at least 5 years... In Deline I didn't have a vehicle -- I walked to work...here, I drive to work (it is quite a bit further of a distance from my house to school than it was up there) ...so, I find myself cleaning my windows of the wonderful white stuff. The funny thing is, until Chantal so generously gave me her extra window brush, I was wiping off my windows with the sleeve of my sweater or my mitt....entertaining for all the neighbours... I'm sure.

Anyways, our first bit of snow has arrived -- ready for yet another Canadian winter... but I must say that the frost and lightly falling snow is beautiful....before I know it, the Christmas Carols will be playing again...

Happy Winter!