When in Wemindji...: Post-Christmas Rundown

AH. Never have I been so busy at work or home as I was during the last week of school and during my Christmas vacation. After promising to write about my first Christmas concert as a teacher, I obviously failed and probably slept a million needed hours instead of blogging. So here is the gist!

The Christmas concert went GREAT! My and Stacy's students were absolute stars (if I do say so myself) and really brought their A-games. They sang beautifully and behaved wonderfully and did even better than I anticipated. I was so proud and I think they had a great time too. Tons of family showed up and it was standing room only!

The next evening was the staff Christmas dinner held in the gym. It was packed with staff friends and family and there was a real feast! As typical with me, I stayed away from new and unconquered food (this time was rabbit stew, complete with hearts and brains!). I think I made the right choice... We played some hilarious games and really had a great time. Then it was back home to pack as much as I could fit into my huge suitcase and get to bed!

The next day, Thursday, was the last day of school and also a half day! Yay! I had both Stacy's and my class that day since Stacy left a day early for holidays. I combined both classes in my large classroom and we watched Arthur Christmas before having a great spread of holiday treats. Both classes were very well behaved and I had lots of help from Monika who graciously helped me supervise and dish out the goodies!

Thursday afternoon I flew back home to Toronto!! This trip was not without event however. Marsha got yelled at on the plane by a hardcore, kill-joy legit Grinch who "DOES NOT CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS SO SHUT UP" Our flight from Montreal to Toronto was delayed about 3 hours and when we finally boarded the plane just to wait in the sickening heat for 45 minutes, we were offered free drinks which were then CANCELLED due to turbulence so that put me in a fairly sour mood (however, water was served on the plane, you tell me the difference between serving liquid water and serving liquid alcohol!?!?). However, I was very happy to land and had the cliche airport reunion moment with my mom and sister. Tears and all!

On my way home from the airport I had the mandatory civilization-affirming McDonald's and then hit the sack!

The next couple of weeks were jam-packed with family and friend reunions. I was really grateful that everyone fit me into their busy schedules and I was able to see soo many people! Of course I am ever popular (;P) so it was hard to see everyone and to those I missed I am so sorry! We will reunite in April!

Christmas itself was a blast. Wrapping presents late at night on Christmas Eve with my family was an unexpected and hilarious treat and the next day was even better. My mom cooked a delicious meal and seeing my family all together was a real treat. I was spoiled by my family and GOT A KITCHENAID MIXER. People of Wemindji, if you think I baked a lot before, watch out.

Now that I am back I, along with everyone else who was busy this break, feel like I need a vacation from my vacation. Catching up on work and sleep is top priority, but I can't wait to catch up with my Wemindji friends and hear all about their holidays as well. We are getting right into the swing of things at school and starting a really fun unit on measurement, I think my kids will enjoy it. Story-writing is on the list for January too and I am excited to read what the kids can create.

Overall, it is good to be back. I miss everyone back home very much and can't wait to see you all again in April for my Goose Break holiday!

PS. Today it was -18, feeling like -36. I made the mistake of taking my kids out to recess this morning (honestly it was to feed my selfish need for some real vitamin d) and they all ran to me screaming and begging to go into as their eyelashes froze together. ENOUGH SAID.

Turkey dinner at the Staff Christmas Feast!

Watching Arthur Christmas at the Christmas party

Expressing my true joy at seeing the plane arrive to take me home in Wemindji! (Yes, I can get that close to the aircraft, a little unsettling...)

Home!

Delicious Air Creebec pulled pork. On a side note, no bun-thingy was served. After interrogating the stewardess about it, she confided she had no idea what it was either but knew what Carmen and I were talking about. ARG!

My Christmas present to Bobo! He hated it so much :(

Christmas tree!

I may look like I am seducing the camera and Carmen may look unreasonably happy given the situation, but this was after midnight while stuck on a plane in the heat with no free alcohol.