Just Some Ramblings

Oh, where to begin. Life has become more eventful for me. Last month I said good-bye to the great people and students at Sir Winston Churchill high school where I had the honour of teaching Bio 30 for 3 months. What an experience. I came into the class as the fourth teacher in two months, and I got right down to work at gaining the trust of the students. It did not take long, and I found that the kids were outstanding. Three months later I had formed such a good working relationship with them. The downside is that when one of them hurts, I feel it with them. This happened when a particularily nice girl was sent to the ICU after a sledding accident just days before the final. When last I heard she was still in the ICU and was doing "OK" but was likely going to be suffering some permanent paralysis. You know, one of the hard things about my job is that these students become such a part of your life that what happens to them long after you have parted ways still has an effect on you. I have had two former students (that I know of) both die in car accidents in the last three years. One was Evan, and that guy always had a smile on his face. I remember taking his Bio 20 class to the gym for some "Bio-based games" and he was literally climbing the walls like a monkey. The other was Branden, and though we often butted heads, when he graduated there was a mutual respect that had been built. Suffice it to say that despite his sometimes rowdy behaviour in my class, he was one who tried to live life to the fullest. So this latest accident hit me pretty hard, but again there is little I can do.

At my new school, the FFCA high school, I have done what I never thought I would do. I have a BFF. Liz, the other bio teacher, and I hit it off really well right at the start. I have to say that there have been several colleagues over the years that have meant a lot to me. Kim Baowlin, Val Bishop, Marty Hoehn, Lori Bjorklund, Marnie Noon, Hussein Barbari, Cheryl Cowan, Eldon Oakanee, Deb Miller, and Ted Pike have stood out as outstanding colleagues. Now, there's Liz Amer. She is just too much fun, and even though I am feeling a bit stressed about other things in my life, she makes me laugh and feel so appreciated. I showed her around the zoo yesterday after my double koala shift (yes, the koalas are here, but they won't be open to the public until Wednesday). She was like a kid, all wide-eyed and excited. For the first time since I moved to Calgary, I feel that I have found a long-lasting friend. I had been praying for someone that I can just have fun with, and she has fit the bill nicely. So, to my little Hot Chocolate fairy, thanks! Now, if we start dressing the same (we already think much alike), I'll start panicking.

On a down note, it is just three weeks left before Jen can file for the divorce. I am at the point where I just want this trial to be over. It has been a long haul, and hopefully the proceedings will be quick and painless. Since there really isn't anything that should drag it out, I anticipate that by the end of March it will be done, and I can move on with my life. This last year has had its shares of ups, and I feel truly grateful for the blessings that Father has poured upon me, but let's face it, the break down of my marriage has been the single worse experience of my life, bar none. I truly never thought that I would find myself in this predicament, and considering how hard I worked at my marriage, tosee it all go down the drain without so much a whimper has been devestating. Still, I am anxious, albeit nervous, to get back on the path to my ultimate goal of being a husband and father. Had a shot at the first, and did good. Now it's time to get out there and find whoever Father has been preparing for me. In some ways I am looking forward to dating again, but there is a bit if trepidation. Just a warning to all out there, I feel a bit gun-shy, but I will get out there and do it.

In the spirit of looking forward, I have this issues top 10 list of movies that I am most looking forward to seeing in 2009. I made this list up a couple weeks ago, and already went out and saw one of them, but I'm too tired to go look up another one. So if you are thinking of cathcing one of these, let me know. I'd love to tag along.

10. Escape to Witch Mountain - I saw the original as a kid and do not remember much about it, but I am all for giving nostalgia a chance, so I have good hopes for this one.
9. Inkheart - Brendan Fraser, one of my all time favourite actors, has ahd a good couple of years. This is the one that I saw, and I quite enjoyed the story telling in it.
8. GI Joe: the Rise of Cobra - yes, another toy obsession from my past is headed to the screen in a big blockbuster movie. It also stars Brendan Fraser. Honestly, I am not expecting much from this one, but it will be fun to watch
7. Sherlock Holmes - not due out until next winter, this has Robert Downey Jr in the lead role. I like the detectve stories, so I'll give this a glance.
6. The Pink Panther 2 - I very much enjoyed the first one, and have heard some good things about the sequel. Hopefully, it will be a "Good one"
5. Earth - A disney nature film. I have seen the trailer, and I just love these kind of films. Bring on the critters!
4. X-Men Origins: Wolverine - when I first heard the concept, I was a bit skeptical. When I learned some of the casting, I was even moreso. Still, it is X-Men, so let's give it a chance.
3. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince - I really hope this one goes well. I must admit a bit of a disappointment with the last one, so fingers are crossed.
2. Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen - yes, my childhood hero, Optimus Prime, is gearing up for the big screen again. The first was a blast and a dream come true, I just can't wait for the next adventure.
1. Star Trek - OK, who did not see that one coming! With JJ Abrams at the helm, I am cautiously optimistic about this revival. OK, I am getting way pumped about it. Tara and I were talking with one of her colleagues, Richard, about getting a group together to go see it openning night. Let me know if you want in!