This will never get old: Winter is Coming

Its a dreary Sunday here in Wemindji.  The skies are grey and the snow is falling.  It is starting to stick and I am sad.  I had plans to go into the classroom and organize and get ready for the week but I had enough time to prepare on Friday and I have a lighter day Monday, I think I can afford to get by on the prep I did in the afternoon and stay indoors today, watch movies and cut out lamination! My favorite things to do!! 

This past week was pretty busy and a plague seems to be wiping through the school.  I had some big assessment due with the kids and I finally caught up on my marking and testing and overall I am feeling pretty good about the direction of my class.  Since starting to use a great classroom management tool, my classroom has become much more peaceful and positive and I am glad we are working together towards good behavior! I am getting a lot of support which is also a huge relief and I am grateful.  I will be starting with a job-shadow type of program on Monday which will have a young member of the community coming in each day and living the life of a grade 2 teacher alongside with me!  I anticipate this person learning a lot about life in the trenches and I am anticipating some friendly assistance with my kids!  A win win!!

Anyways since I live a very boring life and nothing ever happens to report on, here is another quiz I found on the internet to fill the space.  PEACE!

What is your favorite fruit flavor?
- If its some kind of candy, then usually cherry or strawberry.

Which two friends can you see together as a couple?
- Marsha and Monika

Which sitcom character do you relate to?
- Ralph Wiggum from The Simpsons

What was the happiest moment in your life?
- When Robin my nephew was born and I became an auntie.

If you knew that this was your last day on earth, how would you spend it?
- Probably eating some kind of Mexican dish.

If you were granted three wishes, what would you ask for?
- Unlimited bank account balance
- Exceptional metabolism
- True LOVE!

Name one annoying habit of any of your friends', which you would really like to change?
- That they love me so much and constantly need my affection and attention...yeesh.

What are your pet peeves?
- People who borrow things and don't return/replace

Where do you see yourself five years from now?
- Owning/operating a daycare or teaching.

What would you do if you won the lottery?
- PEACE OUT.  JK. I would pay off the debts of my family and friends, finish my year in Wemindji, invest wisely, buy a ranch and open a Cat Rescue, travel the world.  

If you were born a boy/girl, how would things have turned out for you?
- Likely the same 

Would you be brave enough to spend an entire hour alone in a cemetery?
- Yes I am not easily spooked.

What is the one thing you wish you could do if given the chance?
- Travel the world without a care.

Do you believe that there is life beyond our planet?
- Absolutely without a doubt.

Got a phobia you want to share?
- Natural bodies of water (oceans, lakes, rivers)

What is the weirdest thing you've ever done?
- Ate kangaroo??

If you could be anyone, who would you be?
- I would still be myself, but better!

How long can you hold your breath?
- I don't know and frankly darling, I don't care.

If you were stranded on an island, what are the three most important things that you think you would need?
- a firestarter
- Bobo
- Diet Pepsi

Have you ever tried bungee jumping or paragliding?
- No, I feel those activities would end badly for me...

How do you think the world is going to end? In flames or an ice age?
- Flames, for sure.

Do you believe that the end of the world is looming in this year 2016?
- Absolutely and it will start in the US.

What is your definition of an incredible weekend?
- I am a loser so: sleep, cuddles on the couch with Bobo, watching Netflix and hanging out with my besties.

What are the five things you cannot do without?
- Bobo
- My van
- A hair elastic
- My family and friends
- Leggings

Give us an idea of your hopes and dreams.
- To become the best teacher I can be, to buy a home, settle down with a lovely man, pay off my debt and finally cut out all my lamination.

What is your favorite day of the week?
- Saturday!!

Are you a cat/dog person?
- I am a cat and Bobo person

If you had to choose between world domination or world peace, which one would you pick?
- Peace brutha.

What is your favorite breakfast meal?
- Eggs Benedict LOVE ITTTTT

Who or what inspires you?
- My mother.  She went back to school at 55, started a new career at 57 and is killing it.  She's overcome and incredible amount of adversity and come through with her class, dignity and grace intact and I hope I can handle my own issues as well as she does when I encounter them.  She is the strongest, wisest person I know.

What is your favorite color and why?
- Pink, purple - they are bright and cheerful.

If you could live on any other planet, which one would it be?
- PLUTO because that little guy is neglected and probably quite confused.

How many places have you traveled to? Name them.
- I am going to be specific here because I haven't traveled the world too much in my short life (places other than where I live).
- London, England
- Wales
- Paris, France
- Mass, US

- Fort Meyers, FL

- Atlanta, GA
- New York, US
- Mexico
- British Columbia
- New Brunswick
- Nova Scotia

Unwelcomed Winter

It has been raining in Wemindji for, I'd say, forever.  Cold, bone-chilling damp rain that makes you just want to curl up in bed with a hot chocolate, your best doggo and whatever reading material that tickles your fancy.

Rain also means indoor recess which as a kid I LOVED.  As a teacher, it is a true curse.  That precious 15 minutes of outdoor time twice a day can really make or break it, and I like to get outside as often as possible knowing that old man winter is knocking on Wemindji's door and soon recess will be a thing of the past as we trade outdoor temperatures of -30 and below for warmer "free time" inside... a teacher's nightmare.

Anywho, this past week it was certainly very drizzly and rainy but we braved the wet and went outside anyways.  It was a short week coming off of the Thanksgiving long weekend and even though it was technically shorter, welcoming the kids back after a 4 day weekend (we had a PED day in there too) was stressful and the week seemed to stretch forever! When the weekend rolled around however, it was great.  I had a very busy weekend with farewell and welcome dinners and lots of work in between.

Stacy, my first teaching partner in Wemindji has taken a position as Academic Counselor (like a guidance counselor) in the high school (original MES) and has departed our cycle.  My cycle members and I were so sad to see her leave our school but of course this is Wemindji and we will likely see her every day!! I even saw her today! So while we will miss her and the loss is certainly ours, the high school is very lucky to have such an asset and she will be great over there.  So Friday night I hosted a little Cycle 1 dinner for the grade 1 and 2 teachers so we could send Stacy off.  I attempted for the first time to make Indian Tacos using a recipe from a friend Jeremiah.  The taco part, called "fry bread" was fairly simple to make yet I managed to mess it up anyways and the tacos came out very VERY dense.  Still edible and delicious but like a rock.  They are supposed to be slightly fluffy breads, more dense than a donut and more moist than a tea biscuit, like much thicker naan?? It's hard to describe.  You make them with milk, flour, water, salt and baking powder.  I didn't add enough baking powder.  Then you fry them in oil until nice and light brown.  To eat, you pile on chili, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream and cheese (and whatever else floats your boat) and voila! Indian Tacos.  They are probably my favorite thing ever.  I tried making the fry bread again the next night for a welcome dinner for a new colleague and this time I paid very close attention to the amount of baking powder I put in and followed some added instructions and they turned out WAY better.  So great, now I know how to make even more "bad" foods.  LOVELY. Anyways, the dinner turned into a long night of hilarious games and conversations and it was a truly nice send off!!

I will elaborate on the welcome dinner now.  So because Stacy left Grade 1, we hired a new staff member Emily!  She is from the GTA and a great addition to JORMS.  She is bubbly, full of energy and the kids seem to have taken to her!! My class was full of compliments and questions for the new arrival! Anyways, she arrived Saturday afternoon and the Welcome Committee (me, Meredith and Meghan - and Stacy as well) welcomed her at the airport and gave her a tour of the town, took her home and then had a dinner for her at Stacy's house (round 2 of Indian Tacos!!) and got to know each other!

Today was a busy day with lots of ups and down, more ups than downs! I teach a fairly "rowdy" class who until recently have been testing my every limit.  I started implementing an AWESOME behavior management system, Class Dojo which has been very effective.  The kids are really responding to earning points and setting class goals and motivation for good behavior is becoming more intrinsic and the kids are having a lot of fun earning points! We have rewarded ourselves so far with an ice cream party, a popcorn party and this week, a games party! I am so happy that things are improving and happy that the kids are finding motivation to behave better in class!

Anyways, I have a busy week ahead of me, testing tomorrow, a half PED day on Wednesday and lots of assessment as end of term is coming up FAST!  I better get some sleep....

29 gifts for my 29th birthday from Monika! 

Best Birthday Bash!

Well, I may have outdone myself once again in the themed birthday department.

This past week and weekend was my actual birthday, birthday party and 2 Thanksgivings, making for one very busy few days!  It was a blast and I was thoroughly spoiled by my students, family and friends!! I shall start from the beginning.

Last Wednesday was my birthday! I started the day off being sung to by the whole school!! It was so touching and sweet and of course I milked the attention all day by wearing a birthday crown and badge like a true princess.  Meghan and Meredith made me an AMAZING Chipotle-inspired dinner which I am still dreaming about today.  I was totally spoiled by my friends here in Wemindji and family afar and treated like a queen!

Friday night my friends came over to help me decorate which was very much appreciated because while I am doing much better pain wise, I am still relatively crippled and needed as much help as I could get in putting up decorations and preparing for the epic party I had planned for the next evening!

My theme this year was "me".  Yes, perhaps a little vain and self-indulgent, but if you know me, you know that it's really pure jokes and I just like to go to the extreme of things like that.  And go to the extreme I did.  My favorite colour du jour (pink) was featured prominently.  I had my face on banners, my face on straws, my face on toothpicks, my face on cups, personalized autographed photos of myself, a photobooth with my missing friends and things I loved, my favorite foods and snacks, and perhaps the most incredible part was the commissioned cake of MEEEEE!! (See pictures).  I found out that the wife of the gym teacher made truly incredible fondant cakes so I sent her some pictures and asked her to work her magic and oh my god did she ever! This woman, Sofie, is truly an artist with the rolling pin and created me the most incredible cake I have ever seen.  It was a marvel and the centerpiece to my entire party.  Anyways, the party itself was a blast!! So many people came to have a good time, and lots dressed in true "Aidan attire" which was a real hoot.  I had a really great time.

The next evening (after hours of sticky clean up), I was invited to my friend and colleague Angela's house for a very tasty turkey dinner.  I was nice not to have to cook and I even got homemade turkey soup out of it!! The following afternoon I hosted my own Thanksgiving dinner sans turkey and instead served tourtiere and a menagerie of delicious dishes brought by my guests.  It was a really lovely dinner and it was nice seeing a bunch of new faces around the table!

Anyways, enjoy about a million pictures from the past week and Happy Belated Thanksgiving to you!!
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