Well, it's official. I've got my first supply teaching job Monday and Tuesday morning of next week. French Immersion Kindergarten. How scary can that be - after all, I did it for 5 years. But it IS scary because that was a long time ago. But on the plus side, there are only 7 kids in the class, so I should be able to handle them in any language.
I really didn't think this was going to happen so fast. I haven't even activated my status on the Board Supply teachers list but got a call from the principal who interviewed me in December and with whom I taught many years ago, coincidentally at the same school where I taught FISK.
Now for the important stuff. What will I wear to my first day of supply teaching? Limited wardrobe right now. Oh well, I'm sure I'll find something suitable.
And starting off with just the morning is great. Only have to teach from 8:25 to 10:55.
I can do this! I can do this! I can do this!
Anyone else thinking of the Little Engine That Could?
I'll let you know how it goes.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Looking back/looking ahead
I really meant to blog more during 2008, but somehow it just didn't happen. I did spend a lot of time reading my daughter's blogs, but I guess that doesn't really count, does it. So my goal is to blog at least once a month during 2009. We'll see how that goes.
2008 was an "interesting year". It was the first year of my retirement from teaching. The adjustment wasn't really that difficult. After spending 29 years teaching young children, I got to spend a lot of time with my 3 young grandchildren. So I was still with young ones, just not so many at one time. I watched, firsthand, the dissolution of my daughter's marriage. I experienced (and am experiencing) a financial crisis that seems to have no end. I lost a dear friend.
But in spite of that, I've been thinking this morning about what I'm grateful for during the past year. Here is a short list:
1. I got to spend lots of time with my daughter and grandchildren. I think I've become closer to Heather than I've ever been. I've watched her become a stronger person. I've been able to watch my grandchildren growing and developing. It doesn't get much better than that. Blithe is learning to read. It's been fun to watch the process from a different perspective. Bram is a sponge, loving school. They tickle my heart when they tell me that they'll miss me when I leave their home. And Asher, when he takes my hand and says "Nana, cun on" (translation - Nana, come on), I'd follow him anywhere.
2. In February, Dave and I went out west to visit his family. It was wonderful to see Dave with his brother and sister together for the first time in too many years. We spent two weeks with his family, some in Calgary and some in Regina. We also got to spend time with his mother who was not well. I'm thankful that we, and especially Dave, bonded with her again before she passed away.
3. Because Dave has been out of work (not a good thing), we've spent a lot of time together this past year. That is a good thing. He's a wonderful man and I love him dearly. I'm thankful for every one of our 35 years together.
4. Dave is learning to cook. I know that this has been forced upon him because I've been away so much, but now, even when I'm home, he cooks sometimes, even offers to do it. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? Not me. Not that I'm calling him an old dog, of course. We also work together in the kitchen sometimes. Even better!
5. I spent several weeks in the summer and early fall with my mother and youngest sister at the cottage. We knitted together, played Scrabble together, went to the thrift stores together, and just generally had a wonderful time. I think we even went to the beach one or two days. Somehow that wasn't so important as just spending time together. Not many people get that opportunity.
6. I heard my son, Matthew, tell me he loves me every time he leaves the house to go out. At 28, I think that's a wonderful thing. Thank you, Matthew, for touching my heart like that.
7. I learned that I don't need as many clothes as I had before. There are benefits to losing weight and having to give away most of my clothes. Of course, I got some new ones (in a smaller size), but not nearly as many as I had before.
8. I realized how much I was appreciated as a teacher by parents, children and fellow teachers. It was a great validation of my years in the classroom.
9. I saw Asher come home 5 days after open heart surgery! What a strong little boy he is! I watch him walking, playing cars and trains with his brother and sister, singing along with his favourite songs, just being himself. He is a gift and I thank God for him every day.
10. I started to learn that I'm not Superwoman, even though this quiz I took of what superhero I am came back Superman. I really can't be all things to all people. I do need to look after myself as well as other people. Sometimes I have say "No" when someone asks me to do something. This has been a hard thing for me. It's an ongoing process, but at least it's started.
Well, I managed to come up with ten things for which I'm grateful in 2008. Now what about 2009. What am I hoping for? Can I come up with 10 things? Here goes ....
1. Well, I'm hoping for Dave to get a job, not just to alleviate our financial stress, but also for his well-being. He needs that.
2. I'm hoping to go to church more often.
3. I want to read through my Bible completely again in 2009. I got away from that.
4. I want to do more knitting, and do it in a more timely fashion. When I finally finished Blithe's sweater (from her birthday in August) and gave it to her this past weekend, she told me she wants me to make her a sweater for her birthday to match the one I'm knitting for myself, so we can have twin sweaters. She suggested that I start hers earlier so it will be finished in time for her birthday. Out of the mouths of babes!
5. I want to do more sewing. I still have to make sleep pants for Heather and Dave. Maybe I'll make myself a pair. I really want to make myself a dress. It's been a long time since I did that.
6. I want to go on a vacation with my husband and my son. When was the last time we did that? I really can't remember when the three of us went away together. So, even if it's just for a week, or even a weekend, I want to do that this year. We can go to the cottage, go camping, go on a road trip - I really don't care. I just want to spend time together in a different setting.
7. I want to find a new place to live - one that we can afford more than this one.
8. I want to see my children happy and settled in their lives.
9. I want to see Asher eat real food consistently. Please God, let him do that and lose the tube.
10. I want world peace. Maybe I should try out for the Mrs. Universe competition. At least I've got the correct answer to the question they always ask - If you could have anything at all, what would you want? If I can't have world peace, I'll settle for peace of mind and heart for me and for my family.
Well, that's my first blog of 2009. Happy New Year, everyone.
Gayle
2008 was an "interesting year". It was the first year of my retirement from teaching. The adjustment wasn't really that difficult. After spending 29 years teaching young children, I got to spend a lot of time with my 3 young grandchildren. So I was still with young ones, just not so many at one time. I watched, firsthand, the dissolution of my daughter's marriage. I experienced (and am experiencing) a financial crisis that seems to have no end. I lost a dear friend.
But in spite of that, I've been thinking this morning about what I'm grateful for during the past year. Here is a short list:
1. I got to spend lots of time with my daughter and grandchildren. I think I've become closer to Heather than I've ever been. I've watched her become a stronger person. I've been able to watch my grandchildren growing and developing. It doesn't get much better than that. Blithe is learning to read. It's been fun to watch the process from a different perspective. Bram is a sponge, loving school. They tickle my heart when they tell me that they'll miss me when I leave their home. And Asher, when he takes my hand and says "Nana, cun on" (translation - Nana, come on), I'd follow him anywhere.
2. In February, Dave and I went out west to visit his family. It was wonderful to see Dave with his brother and sister together for the first time in too many years. We spent two weeks with his family, some in Calgary and some in Regina. We also got to spend time with his mother who was not well. I'm thankful that we, and especially Dave, bonded with her again before she passed away.
3. Because Dave has been out of work (not a good thing), we've spent a lot of time together this past year. That is a good thing. He's a wonderful man and I love him dearly. I'm thankful for every one of our 35 years together.
4. Dave is learning to cook. I know that this has been forced upon him because I've been away so much, but now, even when I'm home, he cooks sometimes, even offers to do it. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? Not me. Not that I'm calling him an old dog, of course. We also work together in the kitchen sometimes. Even better!
5. I spent several weeks in the summer and early fall with my mother and youngest sister at the cottage. We knitted together, played Scrabble together, went to the thrift stores together, and just generally had a wonderful time. I think we even went to the beach one or two days. Somehow that wasn't so important as just spending time together. Not many people get that opportunity.
6. I heard my son, Matthew, tell me he loves me every time he leaves the house to go out. At 28, I think that's a wonderful thing. Thank you, Matthew, for touching my heart like that.
7. I learned that I don't need as many clothes as I had before. There are benefits to losing weight and having to give away most of my clothes. Of course, I got some new ones (in a smaller size), but not nearly as many as I had before.
8. I realized how much I was appreciated as a teacher by parents, children and fellow teachers. It was a great validation of my years in the classroom.
9. I saw Asher come home 5 days after open heart surgery! What a strong little boy he is! I watch him walking, playing cars and trains with his brother and sister, singing along with his favourite songs, just being himself. He is a gift and I thank God for him every day.
10. I started to learn that I'm not Superwoman, even though this quiz I took of what superhero I am came back Superman. I really can't be all things to all people. I do need to look after myself as well as other people. Sometimes I have say "No" when someone asks me to do something. This has been a hard thing for me. It's an ongoing process, but at least it's started.
Well, I managed to come up with ten things for which I'm grateful in 2008. Now what about 2009. What am I hoping for? Can I come up with 10 things? Here goes ....
1. Well, I'm hoping for Dave to get a job, not just to alleviate our financial stress, but also for his well-being. He needs that.
2. I'm hoping to go to church more often.
3. I want to read through my Bible completely again in 2009. I got away from that.
4. I want to do more knitting, and do it in a more timely fashion. When I finally finished Blithe's sweater (from her birthday in August) and gave it to her this past weekend, she told me she wants me to make her a sweater for her birthday to match the one I'm knitting for myself, so we can have twin sweaters. She suggested that I start hers earlier so it will be finished in time for her birthday. Out of the mouths of babes!
5. I want to do more sewing. I still have to make sleep pants for Heather and Dave. Maybe I'll make myself a pair. I really want to make myself a dress. It's been a long time since I did that.
6. I want to go on a vacation with my husband and my son. When was the last time we did that? I really can't remember when the three of us went away together. So, even if it's just for a week, or even a weekend, I want to do that this year. We can go to the cottage, go camping, go on a road trip - I really don't care. I just want to spend time together in a different setting.
7. I want to find a new place to live - one that we can afford more than this one.
8. I want to see my children happy and settled in their lives.
9. I want to see Asher eat real food consistently. Please God, let him do that and lose the tube.
10. I want world peace. Maybe I should try out for the Mrs. Universe competition. At least I've got the correct answer to the question they always ask - If you could have anything at all, what would you want? If I can't have world peace, I'll settle for peace of mind and heart for me and for my family.
Well, that's my first blog of 2009. Happy New Year, everyone.
Gayle
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