I'm Sponge Bob Square Pants....What the Heck Does That Mean?!?

Apparently, this is the cartoon character my personality is related to...do ya think? Here's what it states:

You are Sponge Bob Square Pants: You are the classic person that everyone loves. You are the best friend that anyone could ever have and never wants to lose. You never cause harm to anyone and they would never not understand your feelings. Life is a journey, it ' s funny and calm for the most part. Stay away from traitors and jealous people, and you will be stress free.

Not sure how close that is to the description of me...maybe you could tell me how accurate this is...I must say, aside from the virtual bubble wrap, I quite enjoy taking little online quizzes ....yup, fun for the bored....

If you want to see what cartoon character you are....take the test....

Cartoon Character Test

Breathtaking

"Life isn't about the breaths you take, it's about the moments that take your breath away."`

~Simon Nator~

So very true...

Although there has seemed to be a lot of death surrounding me lately, I am extremely happy to report that Jana (one of my students) had her baby today! YEAH! She had a natural delivery and mommy and new baby boy (who has yet to be given a name) are both healthy and doing well. He was 8lbs and 3oz...wow...now, there's something that takes your breath away. The lesson for today? Stop and let life take your breath away...

What did we do before the internet?

Sheri and I are approachig our 20th year of friendship...wow...and we've been through a lot together and supported each other through a lot of our more independent struggles, journeys and "stupid" moments. When we were kids, we used to play together...you know, the old fashioned way -- using our imaginations. My grandparents had a vacent basement suite in their house and we used to play down there, or pretend the back steps were the checkout at a grocery store...now what? Well, as great as the internet can be...and as much as I am an avid fan and user of this omniscient invention -- it can turn your brain to mush and eliminate your imagination completely...as Sheri and I discovered while at her mom's "purusing" the internet world...

There is a site dedicated to eradicating boredom...amazing

Bored.com

And on this site...there is a link to prove one of the funniest quotes I have ever come across...(well, maybe not ever but...)

"Therapy is expensive. Popping bubble wrap is free."

So, perhaps this is not an issue of boredom but rather an issue of stress management...if you feel the need to pop some bubble wrap and you don't have any handy, you can now do it virtually!

Virtual Bubble Wrap

God Bless the Internet!
LOL

On the Road Again...

Well, back on the road...heading back to Patuanak...the week was good although stressful at times. I'm ready to go back to work...did I just say that!?! LOL...anyways, once I'm home I'll post some recent photos...

Some Kind of Break...

So its Tuesday already -- and the drama never ends. Really - - can I not just have a drama free w/e home? Whatever. However, it is great to be able to come home for the breaks....I think this is our winter break but I don't think I really heard if it had a specific name or not. Hmmm....yes, you're used to me...I digress.

Alright - I headed in S'toon on Saturday and Chantal and I went to see the BNL (Barenaked Ladies) concert -- it's not the first time I've seen them...but they were just as good as before. They are great performers, if you ever get the chance.

What else? Hmmm...Unfortuantely we lost my Great Uncle Pete on Sunday night. He was quite sick so it didn't come as a surprise, but nonetheless my Auntie Nettie and her daughter have had quite the year as they lost my cousin, Curtis, last year due to an unexpected medical condition. The funeral is in PA on Thursday, unfortunately funerals seem to be the only way I've seen my extended family since my move back.

My friend Lily (from Deline) is in town for just one day today. She's busy at the University this afternoon but I'm going to meet up with her later. We did a lot of team teaching together in Deline...when I saw her at the airport it was like I had never been apart from her. So good to see her (and she brought me some of her infamous baking! YUMMY!)

Not much else is new...just the rest of the week in the city and then I'm going back to Patuanak on Sunday....will blog with more pictures upon my return... later gaters!

Why I Do What I Do....

teaching is one of those things you do b/c you were meant to....or hopefully that's what happens although there are people out there with different reasons for becoming teachers....I've always wanted to be doing this....since I was a little girl. I used to set up this big chalkboard my Grandparents had and put all my dolls at the table and taught them....my Grandparent's neighbour was a teacher and she used to give me her old dayplanners and stuff -- it was fun. I thought I was lucky -- throughout high school and my English degree, I knew what my ultimate goal was -- I wanted to teach...and here I am....but (not to be on a soap box or anything) I think teacher's are really underappreciated...we spend more time with the children/kids in our rooms than there parents do, based on hours in a day awake...and sometimes we are able to make a difference. It's like that quote "You are only one person in this world but to one person you are the world." During my first practicum, one of the teachers told me if I could make a difference to at least one child throughout my profession, my job as a teacher would be accomplished. I strive to make a difference to more than one...but how is this accomplished? I think its through teaching the kids rather than the curriculum.... Put them first....its those "teachable moments" that lies the opportunity for making a difference. All of these thoughts came to me today b/c of two emails I received....check them out...

WHAT TEACHERS MAKE The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?" He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach." To stress his point he said to another guest; "You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?" Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, then began...) "Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor.I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental... You want to know what I make?" (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.) I make kids wonder. I make them question. I make them criticize. I make them apologize and mean it. I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions. I teach them to write and then I make them write. I make them read, read, read. I make them show all their work in math.I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity. I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe. I make my students stand to sing O Canada because we live in the best country in the world . Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life. (Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.) "Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant... You want to know what I make? I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make?"


Check the other one out == www.teachermovie.com

Can you ever just be "whelmed"?

A very important question...one of my favourite movie quotes...from 10 Things I Hate About You. Bianca asks her friend "I know you can be overwhelmed, and you can be underwhelmed, but can you ever just be whelmed?" Not quite sure why this pondering has hit me tonight...but it did...and I remember having this discussion with Michele and laughin a lot at our discoveries when we explored the question... so many great movies out there with so many great lines... another one? Are you sure? Okay, from the same movie... Bianca and her friend are having a conversation about like vs. love

Bianca "There's a difference. See, I like my sketchers but I love my Prada backpack"
Friend "But I love my sketchers"
Bianca "That's because you don't have a Prada backpack"

-- or something like that...I'm pretty close....hmmm...interesting commentary -- wouldn't you say? Of course she can't love her Prada backpack -- she doesn't even freakin' have one.... overanalyzing you say?!? 'Tis my job....

Then there's the lines in movies that just doesn't make sense...take, for example, the following line spoken by Mel Gibson in Braveheart

"They can take our lives but they can never take our freedom!"

Dude...if they take your life, you don't have your freedom either -- not quite the greatest sacrifice! Yes I realize there's greater meaning to that line, but if you take it literally...

Its really odd what pops into my brain sometimes...and I'm surprised if you're actually reading this but maybe you find it interesting too...so, if thats the case and you have a favourite movie line (for any particular reason) share!

Okay, so I'll share one of my favourites...makes me giggle (yes, not laugh but giggle) everytime I watch it....from A Knight's Tale when Paul Bettany's character turns around and says "It's called a lance, hello!!" Kills me everytime...honestly...it 's something...the tone of his voice, his facial expression....ha....if you want to giggle...watch it....and with that...enjoy the movies....

Amazing

A lot of things in this world are amazing.... too many too list and too many to think of one specific example right now. I came across this picture of Niagra Falls frozen and the first word that came to mind was...yup, you guessed it...amazing. Kids overcoming obstacles is amazing too...some of them come to school with so much on their shoulders but they still manage to get here...that's amazing...and they pull for each other when they know somebody's going through a hard time. I've said it often but it is definitely amazing how times move on even if you're not ready...with our without you I suppose...and time does heal...amazing... and so with that I'll leave you to ponder the amazing things in your life...