weather is hurting my bank account...

Well this will be the 3rd week of no teaching. However, a couple of these days were my own fault. I have called twice this week to say I was unavailable due to the roads. They are so slick in town, there is no way I am willing to drive to Merritt. It sucks though because I miss teaching so much, and I miss the pay cheque that it brings with it! I have been stressing out a lot lately. When they started closing highways and stuff due to weather. I didn't know what I was supposed to do. I didn't want to risk my life for $200 but at the same time I didn't want to be turning down calls and getting myself taken off the list. So on Monday night I went into work and had a huge talk with my manager Alex. He is seriously the worlds greatest person ever. He told me that if I needed/wanted some extra hours at work he would give them to me no problem. He said he didn't like the thought of me driving on these road conditions either. His only concern, like mine was that if I kept not teaching, it would hurt my future... So then the following day I talked to the union rep and he told me that I should not be penalized for saying no for bad road conditions, but if I were to blanket it and say I am not available for the winter, I would most likely have myself removed from the list. So of course this started the stress all over. so Wed morning I got up and waited for a call just in case. Cuz I was like well I guess I just need to suck it up.. Well Wed it started to snow and stuff, and the roads got bad, and I started thinking there is no way I can drive to Merritt tomorrow, and this was backed up by both my mother and Alex. So I called the call out lady and just left a msg with her saying I would be unavailable for today. Then I checked my email and she had actually gotten back to me, telling me that it would never be expected for me to drive in conditions that I did not feel comfortable with. And with winter, it would not be seen as a refusal. Thank goodness. So that seriously lifted so much weight off my shoulders. And the weather is supposed to warm up a bit, so maybe it will help with the roads. I am just glad to hear, that this winter is not going to hurt my future in teaching, and even though it is the last thing I wanted to do, I can fall back on CT and get some extra hours.... and on that note I should probably get ready for work since i have to be there in a bit...

what happens at the Christmas party... stays at the Christmas party...

Well after surviving a crazy Saturday at work... the second day of the two day sale, I was able to get off at 430, and head down to the mall to have my makeup done for the Christmas party. So i arrived at the Body Shop and Marci was very happy to see me, and was excited to glam me up. So i was there for about 45 min or so, we chatted, and she made me look great! At times I sort of felt as though I had my own personal audience, as people would come into the store, and stop to see what was going on. But when I left, Marci and the other girls just kept telling me how great I looked. So that is always a confidence booster. Anyway so then I raced home, and got changed, and had a drink while I tried to fix my hair. Then my ride came for me about 6:15 and off to the party we went. I had a lot of fun, perhaps a little too much to drink. I bought 6 drink tickets when I got there, and I am pretty sure within the first 30 min, I used most of them. Every time I was almost done one drink, I would give my ticket to this guy Lucas to go get me another one, so I always had one going. The food was pretty good, but then again I was just hungry so that might have helped... my sister said she didn't really like it! Anyway in the past the Christmas parties have always been fun because there has always been a group of us who have gone and partied it up. But when I came back to work this time around, there were so many new faces, and many of the younger staff all usually act as if they are too cool for social functions. So I was kind of wondering about the turn out. But there was actually quite a few of us there, and it seemed like everyone was having a good time! So before they started to hand out pins, and awards the owner comes up to me and asked if I had a camera, and if I could take pictures. I said yes, but everyone at my table just laughed at me because they were like uh does he realize you are drunk! haha.. Oh well, some turned out, others not so much. And normally I am not one for the dance floor.. But I couldn't resist the invite to dance with my darlin Bob, when the song Amazed by Lonestar came on... And later on a group of us did the YMCA and the Macarena... Yes that is right we all got up there and danced away! I know some of you are probably cringing at the thought of that dance, but I thought we were very amusing to watch. Especially the older staff, who wanted to partake but didn't really have a clue what the moves were...
So yesterday at work was a little bit painful to say the least. At least I was not alone. Things at work were kind of mellow as we all dragged our way through the day. And we all had a good laugh, as we remembered bits and pieces of the night and tried to piece the evening together :) So I have tons of pictures.... so if you are interested in seeing me drunk with a whole bunch of people you don't know check them out. They are posted on my msn space, but I am pretty sure I have it set up for everyone to have access to. The address is: http://deedleanne.spaces.live.com/PersonalSpace.aspx?_c02_owner=1
Sorry as soon as I figure out how to make that an actually link I can change it.. but in the mean time maybe you can copy and paste the text... So if you go there, and then click on photos (in the folder that says Christmas party you should come across them

what ppl will do for a sale (part 2)

So I had a pretty lazy day today, I figured that I should enjoy my time off before entering my own personal nightmare tonight... So our neighbor kindly picked Julia up for me at 430, and she comes home, walks into my room and say "you are in for a treat tonight'. And I was like why. So she begins to tell me, one of the cashiers called in sick, the debit lines went down (but appearantly it went down globally cuz the mall wasn't working either) and people were already phoning and enquiring about the 7pm timed specials, and people were complaining that they couldn't get them beforehand etc. So I was like oh good! So Laura comes over, we talk with Julia for a few more min, and then off to work we went. I got there at 5 and yes it was slightly busy, but nothing could prepare me for what came. Around 6:05 I saw a few people hanging around the pallet that we knew had the sewing machines on it.. And I was like you have got to be kidding me, the sale doesn't start for 55 min... There was one lady who grabbed a stool and perched herself in front of the pallet, she was determined to get one of these sewing machines. And then I start having people ask me about the digital cameras and I said they will be at the auto desk at 7. Well within the next 55 min things got scary. It got to the point where you couldn't even walk by where the sewing machines, there were probably 80-100 people, min. And the lineup for the cameras was along along the back wall which was great because we only had 9 cameras!!! I was told that I was going to be cutting open the pallets. or at least one of them (since they were wrapped in tarps). But I said thanks, but I would rather keep my limbs... so I made the guys do it. So at 7pm our store manager made the announcement, and they cut into them. I could only see a couple of the pallets (where a pressure washer was and a dora doll) cuz I was up on cash, but within 30 seconds there were people flooding to the tils. I kept joking with the customers that got the sewing machines, and asked if they had to fight! it was seriously insane... And tomorrow we have 4 more door crashers for 8am.. and lucky me I will be there for it. Wish me luck!

what people will do for a sale (part one)

Well this morning, since I did not get called to teach (yet again) I decided to be a nice big sister and drive Julia to work this morning. As we were getting closer to CT I said to her, "How many people do you think are lined up at the door?" Today and tomorrow marks the "biggest 2 day sale" which means people everywhere. Well there were cars in the parking lot, but no one was at the door yet.. I went inside to change my schedule for today, I figured I might as well go in a little big early, and then I stopped at the morning huddle to say good luck to everyone. Well at about 5 min before the doors are to be open, we look outside and sure enough there was about 20 ppl waiting outside to come in. And poor Julia is the only cashier/customer service girl on.. So they open the door, and the people just start pouring in and make there way around the store. I stood and just watched as a few people headed over to Christmas and loaded themselves up with stuff from the 2 day flier. And this was only at 8am this morning. Tonight at 7pm we have our 4 timed specials. Personally I don't really think anything in the flier this year is worth waiting in huge lines for, but what do I know. However, we have 4 pallets wrapped in tarps that say on them "do not open til Nov 24th at 7pm).. 3 years ago when CT started this tradition of this huge sale we did it as a midnight madness.. That night I have never been so scared! I have seen it in movies where ppl are fighting over products, never in my time did I actually think people actually did that... Since then the crowds haven't been as intense, but still they are pushing to get there way. I start at 5 tonight... so I will have to let you know how it goes... but I have a feeling I am going to be running off my feet... until then...

winter may have finally arrived....

Well since I have been back in Kamloops, I have been lucky enough to have beautiful weather. The last month of the summer was nice and hot. September and October were also very mild, and I loved it.. I started hearing about snow in Prince George, and I had to laugh a little bit and thank my lucky stars that I was not there. Since I am sure everyone knows just how much I detest driving in the snow. Then it started to cool off slightly here, and we had a mild snow storm. Which made my drive to Merritt the next morning interesting. I made it safely, but I did see a car in the ditch which scared me slightly. Then by the afternoon the sun had come out, and all the snow disappeared. And once again it has been very mild, yet windy. However, this morning I got up with hopes of teaching (which was a no go by the way) and saw that overnight the snow had fallen. And although it is about 3 degrees right now with a high of 6, I think winter has arrived. They are promising more snow in the forecast for the weekend. And my highlight of the weather update was the fact that Saturday should be a high of -7 and on Sunday we should get to a high of -10!!!!!! I guess it is time to suck it up, put on my winter jacket and at least pretend that I love this weather! If the snow would just stay on the trees, and the grass I would think it was beautiful. It is when it is on the roads that causes me to hate it so much. I know that I can be cautious and drive properly but it is all the other idiots around me. Plus with my drive to Merritt now, it scares me even more. However, I don't really have to worry about that since appearantly I am not needed to work!!! The last day I worked was Nov 10th!!!! Oh well... I am sure the jobs will pick up again soon...

Looking for Mr. Good Frog

Well I just finished reading this book, "Looking for Mr. Good frog" by Laurie Graff. It is a cute little story, abut a lady named Karrie Kline, who has dated a lot of "frogs". In her search for Prince Charming, she comes across a lot of bad relationships and dating mishaps. To deal with the pain, she ends up writing a one person act,to share with the people of New York. The book may seem a little corny,but it was actually a very entertaining read.I figured after reading so many text books in the last couple of years, I should be able to enjoy an easy read once and awhile! I was able to laugh at some of her terrible dating disasters, and I could relate to her pain in someways. We are all looking for our Prince Charming...And sometimes when you think you found someone, it is a matter of time before you realize that he is in fact not the one. So for all you single girls out there, it may be something that might strike an interest.. And as we continue to swim in the frog pond.. our prince charming will come along :) Probably when we least expect it...

Remembrance Day

Throughout my years in Elm. and High school, I have a very fuzzy memory of what the Remembrance assemblys were like. I know we had them every year. Someone, or a class would recite the poem in Flanders Fields, maybe the band would play and there was a moment of silence. Although I was aware of the importance of the day, it didn't really affect me. However, I don't know what has changed, but today I was subbing at the high school in Merrit and they put on the most amazing assembly I have ever been to. It was about 40 min long, which at first I thought was going to be a bit much. But it wasn't at all.. I think the reason it hit hard for me is because the students were talking about the men who are overseas right now. I think when I used to think about this day, it was remembering those who died way before my time, but this time it is different. The students had a slide show, of the men who are overseas, and then they did a tribute to the 42 men who have died since going over there a few years ago. Between the pictures, the music, and just thinking about everything it was hard for me to hold back my tears.
They also played that song Imagine by John Lennon, and it got me thinking: what kind of world do we live in? Is it ever going to get better, will we ever have peace, or is it always going to be something we have to imagine... It is kind of scary to think about in some ways. I appreciate what the men are doing for us, and the country, but at the same time it breaks my heart to think that these men, are missing out on everything they had here in Canada, whether it was children, a wife a girlfriend, family etc.
So as I sit here at the computer, living a fairly decent life, I have to think to myself I am pretty lucky to live in this country... And to that I send my thoughts and prayers, to those who have died in war years ago, presently, and especially to those who are currently fighting. "lest we forget"

Happy Halloween

Well it is hard to believe that it is already October 31st. I dont' know where the time has gone... As a child, today is an exciting day because you get to dress up and be whoever you want to be, whether it be a super hero,or a princess, or some sort of animal, and go door to door collecting candy from the neighbors! As we get older it is still fun to dress up. It is the one day for us as adults (or young adults) can be a kid again, and let out their inner childhood. Or in the words of some of my friends, it is the one day of the year when they can get away with dressing slutty and not have anyone comment on it! In previous years I would go to the KRC halloween dance every year.. Dress up and party with the rugby guys. And on the 31st I would be home to help hand out the candy. But during the two years I lived in Prince George I missed on both of these events. The first year we had a halloween party in class where I got to dress up as the characters from Grease.. which was fun.. I am home this year, so I am kind of exicted about handing out the candy and seeing the joy in all the little ones eyes, and see all the adorable costumes. I myself did not and most likely will not dress up this year, but I will enjoy seeing everyone else who is!

slow week

Well this week, seems to be going by quickly, however the teaching this week is slim to none. I was called Monday morning to teach in a grade 6 class, which was a lot of fun. And that is the only call I have recieved this week.. My only hope is that I get something on Friday! However, I do have my "other" job to fall back on. So I went in early yesterday and I am thinking I might work 8 hours today instead of 4. I figure I have nothing better to do! Living at home is slowly starting to grate on my nerves.. I have been here 3 months I guess, and I am really wishing I had my own place. However, the catch is I get to live here for free which is pretty nice, considering I have student loans etc to pay off.
The weather is begining to become quite cold and gloomy, which sort of fits my mood right about now. I have always had this thing, where I am weary on whether or not I can trust people. I used to be able to trust everyone and anyone. But I was hurt so much in the past that I have put my guard up..And it seems whenever I let that guard down, I get hurt. I met someone, and I don't want to knock it all just yet. But I thought things were going well... and then all of a sudden I began to get the brush off.. I am trying to write it off to stress, and hope he comes around.. If not life will go on.. I was just so excited because I thought for once I had found someone who would treat me well, and not use me like certain people in the past... Oh well I guess only time will tell.....

ADRP paid off?

Well for those of who you were in the education program with me, you will all remember the painful months that we learned ADRP. There was so much to take in, and I know we all complained. Well last week I was called to TOC for two days at the high school, today and tomorrow. So I show up today, to find out that instead of teaching, I was now going to take part in doing student assessment. (for whatever reason the teacher i was going to be working for, chose to back out, so i got to take his place and he taught his classes). Anyway so I got a 10 min crash course on this DART assessment,what was going to take place and what to do. So as the one teacher is showing me how to score the reading, I was like wow... ADRP is flooding back to me. Things like self correction, and omission, sounding out, insertion and all the little codes all came back. So i was like oh ok I am kind of familiar with this system so we should be good to go! So I was paired up with another teacher who has been doing this for a couple of years, and in the second period we had our first group of grade 9's. So I would just go up to them while they working on some comprehension questions and ask them to read me a paragraph, I would make observations, ask them about any reading strategies they may have and move on to the next student. So we did this for two blocks, and then had lunch. Then this afternoon we started to mark. I was kind of worried, but once again things from school came back to me. We were given rubrics, and examples of what a 2, 3, 4, 5 would be etc. So we each would read a paper, give it a score, and then pass it to the next person. We did this with six papers, and found that we were fairly consistant with our marks. So then we got in smaller groups and just started marking these papers.. It was kind of interesting. Tomorrow I am supposed to be going back to continue marking, and we have one more group of students to get through. So it should be fun! But I was told by another teacher this will look great on my resume! All I said was that is good to know! haha... So I guess maybe ADRP wasn't the end of the world after all....

The Evolution of Dance

So on the radio this morning during the entertainment news segment, they were talking about how this website "you tube" was bought buy google. I was only half paying attention and I didn't really know what they were talking about. Well I didn't work today, so I was able to watch Ellen, and she was also talking about this.. Google bought it for like 1.6 billion dollars or something like that. Anyway this website is a place where can ppl upload their videos for others to watch. So Ellen had a guest on her show today who has a video on this website. It is called the Evolution of Dance. It is a 6 min clip, and he basically goes through the era's of dance. On her show he did the two min version, and I couldn't help but laugh as he did the twist, and then went into something like mc hammer, he had all the moves. So after that I had to check this site out. So I watched his 6 min clip and I reccommend if you have 6 min on your hands to check it out. Just go to to www.youtube.com and search for the evolution of dance...Then you can count and see how many of those dance moves you remember! Make sure you get the clip with the guy in the orange shirt that is 6 min long. The amazing thing is how quickly this obviously took off.. Cuz when I searched it again later to show my sister, I noticed other versions... So I watched a couple, there were a couple of guys who redid it for a talent show, and a group of girls who did it.
As interesting as it is, and like I said you should check it out... I find it highly amusing that people would record themselves for whatever reason and put it on the internet for others to watch. But then again I find it more interesting to think that people have nothing better to do than watch these clips... But I guess I have become one of those people now! haha.

Teacher Appreciation Day...

Well this morning I heard on the radio that today was teacher appreciation day. So they were asking people to phone in about memories of great teachers, or for teachers to phone in and talk about memorable moments. So it got me thinking... It is amazing how the great teachers that have come into your life forever stay with you. I think it is a couple of teachers that I had, that helped to inspire me to be a teacher as well. I just thought I want to be that person that someone can look back at in 30 years from now and say that I made a difference in their lives!
And on that note... to all my fellow teachers I just want to say Happy teacher appreciation day :) You are all amazing, and I know that you will and probably already do touch the heart of many :)

Its all who you know....

So a week or so ago my sister mentioned that one of her friend's mom is a teacher in Merritt. I guess she has never called in sick, so she has a lot of sick days collected over the years. So jokingly my sister said to her friend, well you should tell your mom to start taking them, and she should ask for my sister! Anyway so this morning my phone rings at 7am and I thought it was a call for today... But they were phoning to book me for tomorrow. She said the name of the teacher and the school, and that I would be in a grade 3/4 class for the day. I was so excited, to be called for elm. school. So I come out to the kitchen to share my news, and I said the name of the school. And my sister was like who is the teacher.. So I said her name and she was like "hey that is Kate's mom"... So I think this is really exciting. I am not sure if this teacher requested me or not... But it would be kind of cool if she did. So my goal is to make an excellent impression so that I get called for her again :)
I went to a TOC union meeting yesterday and learned some interesting information. They sort of explained how the call out procedure works. And the first people to get called are those who are preferred in the district and requested. Then they go on a rotation, starting with those who live in Merritt. But this is exciting for me, because if this lady has as many sick days saved up as it sounds like it, then maybe I will get lots of work in her class.. And if other teachers see my face around there, maybe they will request me too hehe :) Regardless I can't wait to be in an elm. class again.
This morning, when I came home from running a couple of errands, the elm. school near my place was doing a run (I am thinking maybe terry fox) so there were hundreds of kids just running downt he street. So I couldn't help but stay outside for a few min and watch. It was interesting to see, I recognized a few kids from when I did my volunteer work there years ago. It just shows me how much I miss working with children at that level, and I can't wait til that happens for me...

subbing in high school...

So since I have started my time subbing in Merritt, I have found myself being called a lot for high school. The very first time I was called I was kind of freaked out. It was way out of my element... But the day went fairly well.. Since then I have been called for high school many times. I am begining to recognize faces since I have been teaching the same grades in a variety of subjects. There are the ups and downs of high school. It is a plus because for the most part they are very independent and they don't need me to hold their hand the whole time. I tell them there work and for the most part they get it done..I don't have to do a lot of teaching, it is more or less supervising... However, the downside is sometimes they try to test me.. And way more than the little guys do. But I have showed them that I won't take much crap... So in that sense we usually have a good day :) So today is another day where I get to sit and hang out... and make sure they stay on task :) Oh well regardless of how my day ends up it works out to be $190 in my pocket!!!

no time for me

Well it is hard to believe that it is almost the end of September. I am not really sure where the time has gone! All I know is that it has gone by way too fast. I have been keeping myself very busy... somedays a little too busy for comfort, but it keeps me out of trouble! Basically during the week my day consists of waking up at 6am, showering and getting ready. Last week I was called every day.. So the phone call usually happens at 645 which gives me 30 min to finish getting ready, have breakfast and pack a bag. I leave here by 715, and make my way to Merritt, and teach for the day. Now the fun part is Wed-Fri I work at CT at 530, so by the time I leave Merritt, and get back to town, I have time to quickly eat something and then head back to work. Oh the joys of working two jobs! And then on the weekends, I am of course at CT because why would I have a life!! So lately I have been working 7 days a week.. I know the money is good, but it is getting a bit tiring.. and I can feel myself getting worn out. However, this morning I did not get a call, so I actually have a whole day off. Yahoo!
But teaching is going well. I have been called to sub at the high school a lot, which is slightly out of my league, but it has been fun! For the most part the students are fairly helpful and well behaved. It is interesting I have taught everything from English, to comparative civ, to cooking, to art and photography! Gives me a little taste of everything. I just hope I don't get called for the sciences, or math...
As for CT it is about as good as it can get. My shifts go by fast, I usually have lots to do, and weekends are usually so busy that it keeps me on my toes. It is sad that a lot of the old staff isn't there anymore, but in a way it is good because it keeps me from going in and visiting for hours!! I have met some of the new staff and have made a couple new friends... Life is always entertaining when I go and visit my boys in the warehouse... Well it is fun until somoene sneaks up on me and scares the crap out of me... He thought it was funny though. :)
Well that is my life currently... more to share soon :)

Congrats..

I thought that I would take a few min and send out a Congrats to my former classmates of EY04. I have heard from a few people that quite a few postings went up in the Prince George district, and that many of my classmates were applying. I was first excited just to hear that people were getting interviews! But I have now heard of I think 6 or 7 people who have gotten some sort of contract. I am so happy for everyone! I knew we would all do well, but it is nice to hear that it is happening to many so early on in our careers! So congrats to all of those who have recieved a contract.... :) And best of luck to those of you who have got an interview, a job may be in the future :)

Big Brother: All Stars

Seven years ago I heard about a little reality tv show called "Big Brother". After the first few episodes I was hooked. It then became something to look forward to every summer. This year I was very excited to see that it was going to be an All star cast. When this season began I was originally cheering for the season 6 crew, since out of everyone in the house these 4 were probably my fav. But as the game went on, and lies were told (which of course is expected in this game)I started to like Howie less, Kaysar I thought was being a wimp, and I wasn't sure what to think of Janelle... So then my cheering changed gears a bit and I was rooting for James (still season 6) and Danielle... However, when it came down to the final four (Janelle, Mike, Erika and Will) I was def back on Janelle's side. So I have to say I was very disappointed to see that Mike and Erika were the final two people in the house. I don't really think either one of them deserved to be there. So in the end Mike won, I guess in some ways he did play the game better, but I don't like the way he treated Erika, using her to get what he wants.. Then again she claims he was using her too. But I think when she sits back and watches all of these episodes, she will see what a fool she was, and perhaps in that sense she didn't deserve the money.

"The Illusionist"

So a couple of weeks ago, I was talking to my aunt and she mentioned how her and my uncle went and saw the movie "The Illusionist". i had never heard of it, but she was saying how good it was. So I looked it up, and saw that it opened in select cities in August, and everywhere else at the begining of September. So I had kind of forgot about it until today, I was looking at the paper and saw it was here. So I decided I wanted to go see it. I convinced Julia to go with me, even though she was unsure exactly what the story line was. But then again, so was I.. All I knew was that it was starring Edward Norton, who I really enjoy and the movie was about an illusionist, and a love story. Sounded good to me.. Well needless to say I really enjoyed it. I think that Edward Norton is an amazing actor. And the movie has lots of good twists and turns, which keeps you on your toes :) So I reccommend this movie. It does move kind of slow in parts, but overall I think it is worth it.

First Teaching job :)

So this morning at 645, my phone rang and it was the lady in Merritt calling me and asking me if I was available to work today! So of course I said yes. She told me it was at the high school and gave me the name of the teacher. So I ran around my house like a mad woman and probably got ready in like 30 min. so I drove to merritt found the high school and went and introduced myself! I found out that I was going to be teaching 2 English 9 classes, and 2 PE 10 classes. For English it wasn't too bad, there were a couple of kids who tried to test me but I wasn't going to let them get to me. For PE I didn't have to teach which was a good thing since I wouldn't have survived! (haha) another teacher who has the same block just took both blocks and I got to observe.. Then at the end of the day in my last block we had a pep rally.. it was battle of the grades. and it was highly entertaining! So I survived my first day which is good... But I am def. not cut out for high school. I mean it is fun, but yah I am happy with my little guys :)

PS Curt thanks for the help :) I know it probably didn't seem like much but just talking to you for those few min, was very useful.

sold my soul...

Well it's offical... yesterday i went into the store, and filled out all the paperwork.. I have sold my soul... haha.. Well not really..But it means this whole idea of me actually going back to work for CT has truly become a reality! I was ok with it until I went in yesterday and started signing forms, and then all of a sudden it hit me and I was thinking man what am I doing. But then the other little voice inside my head said "you need to pay for gas somehow!" So today is my first shift. I am going to be working 1-930. The manager told me yesterday that he has the "best" training me. She is a really great person though so it should be fun... I guess.. As fun as work can be I suppose :) I just hope it goes by fast!!! And then I am back again tomorrow 1030-7, as long as I don't get called in for work in Merritt... But I should head off to work here shortly.... hope I survive it :)