Gonna make a quick post this month. This summer has flown by so quickly. As I was looking at my last post today, I noticed two things. First, I needed to change the background and style a bit. Freshen things up a bit. Hope you like the changes. Second thing was on my blog there were several key words that were serving as links to advertisements. I'm not sure if it's an issue with my computer (some sort of spy ware or something) or if it is a new feature with the blog site. I'm not a fan of this forced advertising, so I am seriously considering moving my blog to a new site. We'll see.
With a new school year I am very excited about my job. I had great training at a Kagan workshop this July and I am putting it into effect more than I ever had before. I feel rejuvenated as a teacher. My workshop was on multiple intelligences and how to reach and stretch them in my students. I love it. The key will be time. I find that with every school year I am reassessing my priorities to find the right balance in things. This year I have going to the gym without dropping the ball in anything else time wise (especially family related), so it's been a bit stressful, but t is stress that I am enjoying. The girls continue to grow. Hope is smiling more now and Barbara continues to get smarter (and more smart-alecky) every day. In fact, just the other day she had gotten her shirt dirty at dinner, so Heather took it off. Barbara then proceeded to use ketchup like finger paint all over her chest and belly. Funny and frustrating at the same time. The greatest thing about being a father is seeing your children smile, so it's not a big deal.
A quick Top Ten List to end the month. My Top Ten Favourite Animals!
10. Favourite pet - Dog. I love cats and don't pick sides in the dog vs. cat debates, but there is something to be said about the loyalty of man's best friend. (honorable mentions to cats and box tortoises)
9. Favourite Critter used for food - Rabbit. As a kid, I loved rabbits. I hated the thought of eating them. as an adult I have overcome that dislike and understand that rabbits can be tasty, but I still prefer to cuddle one.
8. Favourite reptile - Galapagos tortoise. These things can be ancient and they are really cool to look at. The kid in me wants to ride one for fun. (honorable mentions go to iguanas and sea turtles)
7. Favourite bird - Penguin. Cute little guys that are always wearing their best tuxedos, I can watch these guys for hours with Barbara when we go to the zoo. (honorable mentions to emus, snowy owls, and Big Bird)
6. Favourite Canadian animal - Whooping Crane. A true success story in animal conservation, these tall white birds are still rare. (honorable mention to sea otters, river otters, and moose)
5. Favourite sea animal - Blue whale. The largest animal on the planet, I have never seen one in real life, but their size alone fills me with wonder. (honorable mentions to humpback and beluga whales, manatees, and lobster. The last because they are so tasty!)
4. Favourite foreigner (non-North American animal) - Rhinos. Does not matter what species (white, Javan, black, etc), but I like these little tanks of the world. We just got one at the zoo here, and he is cool. (hats off to elephants, tigers, and hippos)
3. Favourite primate - Gibbons. The the smallest of the apes, gibbons seems a bit clumsy with arms so proportionately long, but watch the swing through the trees and they take on a grace and elegance. They make cool sounds too. (shout out to gorillas and spider monkeys)
2. Favourite at the zoo - Okapi. Such a mysterious and wondrous animal. When in the area I intentionally seek out zoos that have them.
1. Favourite overall - Platypus. Proof the God has a sense of humor, this egg-laying mammal of action has poisoned spurs, a duck bill, and is as cute as it is odd. No wonder I identify so well with it.
