It's Easter Monday, and I have just spent a good part of the day playing City of Heroes. I am at my sister's place in Calgary, and they have a much better internet connection than I do at home, so I have been making up for lost time. Still, I thought I better make a blog entry, just to let the cyberworld know how things are going.
I'm going through a bit of a rough spell right now. Life is trying to throw me several curve balls all at once, and it's hard to juggle them all. Most importantly, I am looking for work in Alberta. Saskatchewan is nice and all, but I am tired of life on the reserve, and Alberta is still home for me. I hate job hunting, but if I want out of my current situation, than I have to get going on the hunt. If anyone has any leads, I would really appreciate it (anything Edmonton area and south would be fine; small town would be preferable, but anything will do). Still, despite the hardships I am facing, I continue to hold fast to several anchors that keep me from drifting away.
I hope this entry finds everyone happy. to celebrate the season, I present: the Top 10 Ways to Celebrate Easter:
10. Play Killer Bunnies with the family (visit www.killerbunnies.com for more details)
9. Make rabbit stew for dinner (bua-ha-ha-ha-ha!)
8. Hide chocolate eggs for your neighboours, co-workers, or anyone else who is not expecting it.
7. Write in your blog
6. Watch a video or movie about the Savior (Passion of the Christ is good, or the Lamb of God)
5. Bring flowers to a loved one who is having a rough go of things.
4. A nice family dinner (my brother-in-law made a great ham and some amazing buns and potatoes)
3. Attend a temple session
2. Read the story of the first Easter in the scriptures (including the account in 3 Nephi)
1. go to church and partake of the sacrament
Cheers!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Friday, February 29, 2008
Happy Leap Year Day!
I thought I should write something for Feb 29, seeing as how it will not be around again for another 4 years. Not that I have a lot to say, just thought I should say something.
I am really hoping and praying that I will be able to find work back in the public system. I am hoping for Alberta, but I think this area of Saskatchewan would be OK for the time being. We'll see what happens. The job hunt is slow going for now, but it will soon get really busy, and I am sure I will be able to find something. If any of you know of any postings, please let me know.
Since I do not want to write too much today, I thought I would just cut to the Top 10 list. So I present to you...
...the Top 10 Things to do with a February 29
10. Re-write the dates that you wrote incorrectly thinking it was March 1.
9. Get caught up on the episodes of Lost you have missed (I have two to watch, so don't tell me what happened yet!)
8. Ask people who are born on Feb 29 how old they REALLY are ("What, you say it's your 40th, but isn't it really on your 10th?")
7. Enjoy a walk in the chilly February wind
6. Get caught up on your housework
5. Score keep at the local basketball tournament (that's what I'm doing)
4. Watch all 10 Star Trek movies (or all 3 Lord of the Rings, a season of Buffy, whatever turns your crank)
3. Sleep (I wish I could be doing that. I'm currently working on 3 hours of sleep with a possible stomach flu)
2. Volunteer at the local charity with your friends and loved ones (especially if you have those "community service" hours to work out. I'm sure they count double on Feb 29)
1. Write in your Blog about it being Feb 29. You do not need a reason, just do it!
1.
I am really hoping and praying that I will be able to find work back in the public system. I am hoping for Alberta, but I think this area of Saskatchewan would be OK for the time being. We'll see what happens. The job hunt is slow going for now, but it will soon get really busy, and I am sure I will be able to find something. If any of you know of any postings, please let me know.
Since I do not want to write too much today, I thought I would just cut to the Top 10 list. So I present to you...
...the Top 10 Things to do with a February 29
10. Re-write the dates that you wrote incorrectly thinking it was March 1.
9. Get caught up on the episodes of Lost you have missed (I have two to watch, so don't tell me what happened yet!)
8. Ask people who are born on Feb 29 how old they REALLY are ("What, you say it's your 40th, but isn't it really on your 10th?")
7. Enjoy a walk in the chilly February wind
6. Get caught up on your housework
5. Score keep at the local basketball tournament (that's what I'm doing)
4. Watch all 10 Star Trek movies (or all 3 Lord of the Rings, a season of Buffy, whatever turns your crank)
3. Sleep (I wish I could be doing that. I'm currently working on 3 hours of sleep with a possible stomach flu)
2. Volunteer at the local charity with your friends and loved ones (especially if you have those "community service" hours to work out. I'm sure they count double on Feb 29)
1. Write in your Blog about it being Feb 29. You do not need a reason, just do it!
1.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Cold...So Very Cold
Here we are in February, and the new semester has not yet started for me. Here in our neck of the woods, like so many other places in Canada it seems, we hit a deep freeze on Monday, hitting temperatures of -50 C with the wind chiil. It has been like this since, with it gradually getting warmer. We could have had school sooner, but sadly one of our students committed suicide earlier this week, and the school has been closed as a result. We are hoping to start up on Monday.
The week before that was actually more difficult for me. We had our final exams, plus a high school field trip to Edmonton to tour some colleges. That weekend, it was our home tournament. I was looking forward to a hectic yet fun week. I was right about the hectic. The fun part did not turn out like I had hoped. Oh well. that's life, right? Suffice it to say, the highlight was when my in-laws came to visit. Dave and Betty can really cheer me up, and even though we did not do that which we had planned, I am grateful for having been able to spend some time with them.
One bit of fallout from the week was my resigning as the assistant senior boys basketball coach. I was getting alot of heat from both students and others for things that I quite frankly had nothing to do with. I had to ask myself "Is it worth it to me to keep doing this stuff, giving up weekends and evenings for something that I do not like, nor do I feel appreciated for?" Final answer: it wasn't. Now I have my weekends free, and I can start doing the things that I really want to do, such as look for a new job. Yes, in case you did not know, my time at Thunderchild is coming close to the end (I hope). I have a lot of grievances about this place, but I still do enjoy myself here. I just feel strongly that the time to move on has arrived. Of course, it could still happen that I am stuck here for longer than I had hoped, but I think I will be able to find work somewhere else.
Well, I guess I should wrap this up. Here is my Top 10:
Top Ten Things to do to Keep Warm
10. Hot Chocolate
9. An extra blanket on the bed
8. Starting a fire in the toilet
7. Star Trek the Next Generation on DVD!
6. Wear three layers of PJ's to bed
5. Think unfreezing thoughts
4. Hot bath and a book (I'm going through RA Salvatore's Forgotten Realms again)
3. Turn on that stupid fireplace channel...oh wait, that's not warm. Buy the fireplace DVD and burn it (literally)
2. Having Annie lay down on top of you while on the couch
1. Move to Mexico
The week before that was actually more difficult for me. We had our final exams, plus a high school field trip to Edmonton to tour some colleges. That weekend, it was our home tournament. I was looking forward to a hectic yet fun week. I was right about the hectic. The fun part did not turn out like I had hoped. Oh well. that's life, right? Suffice it to say, the highlight was when my in-laws came to visit. Dave and Betty can really cheer me up, and even though we did not do that which we had planned, I am grateful for having been able to spend some time with them.
One bit of fallout from the week was my resigning as the assistant senior boys basketball coach. I was getting alot of heat from both students and others for things that I quite frankly had nothing to do with. I had to ask myself "Is it worth it to me to keep doing this stuff, giving up weekends and evenings for something that I do not like, nor do I feel appreciated for?" Final answer: it wasn't. Now I have my weekends free, and I can start doing the things that I really want to do, such as look for a new job. Yes, in case you did not know, my time at Thunderchild is coming close to the end (I hope). I have a lot of grievances about this place, but I still do enjoy myself here. I just feel strongly that the time to move on has arrived. Of course, it could still happen that I am stuck here for longer than I had hoped, but I think I will be able to find work somewhere else.
Well, I guess I should wrap this up. Here is my Top 10:
Top Ten Things to do to Keep Warm
10. Hot Chocolate
9. An extra blanket on the bed
8. Starting a fire in the toilet
7. Star Trek the Next Generation on DVD!
6. Wear three layers of PJ's to bed
5. Think unfreezing thoughts
4. Hot bath and a book (I'm going through RA Salvatore's Forgotten Realms again)
3. Turn on that stupid fireplace channel...oh wait, that's not warm. Buy the fireplace DVD and burn it (literally)
2. Having Annie lay down on top of you while on the couch
1. Move to Mexico
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Starting off the New Year
I looked at my last blog, and much to my surprise, I noticed that a few people still read it from time to time. Thanks Heather and Draper! I just wish that there was a way for me to know how many times it had been viewed, otherwise I would have put more time into keeping it updated. Now it has been over two months since my last entry, and I feel like a schmuck because of it.
To be honest, part of the reason has been my new found addiction to Facebook, which has replaced TV as my biggest time waster. It's amazing how many people I have found (or even found me) through this thing. And I had first thought that it was a big waste of time. Well, it is, but I am enjoying it immensely.
Life on the reserve is going OK, but to be honest I am looking forward to finding work elsewhere for next year. The place is OK, and the staff is great, but I can't help but feel that this is not where I want to set down my roots. To most of the people at school, I tell them that the lack of a decent pension is my biggest reason to want to leave, and that is the truth, but I am also tired of the hoops it seems like I have to jump through to get things done the way I would like them to happen. Sometimes I feel that there are those higher above the school who think "If we ignore his complaints, eventually he'll stop bothering us". Added to that the fact that too many of my students take their education for granted, even more so than in other schools I have been in. It makes it discouraging. I still try to give my best effort, but I realize that my time here, as valuable of experience as it was, is coming close to its end. Let's hope I'll have an easier time finding work somewhere else. We are hoping for Alberta, but we'll see.
Jen had a great time in Edmonton and is on the right road to recovery. It will hopefully mean that she will be healthy enough to have a child this year, which is something we are hoping for more than anyone can imagine. Her personal trainers quickly became close to her, and because of this she is pushing for an Edmonton area job. I would like that allot, but I will also try for anywhere south of the Edmonton area.
It is almost 10:30, and I have school tomorrow. Loved the Christmas holidays, but hate going back to school. I really wish the school year started sooner so that at least the semester would be over before the holidays. Ah well. Here is today's Top 10 List.
Top 10 Favourite Things About 2007
10. Being able to get through the year without having to replace the car (I swear, the only reason I do not wash our Sundance is because the dirt is the only thing holding it together!)
9. Winning Teacher of the Year for last school year (voted on by the other teachers)
8. Surviving the July heat-wave!
7. NDP being voted out of the last provincial election in Saskatchewan!
6. Getting almost all of Stargate SG-1, all of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the latest seasons released of Muppet Show, Fraggle Rock, and Dinosaurs, plus two of the last three Star Trek Seasons I am missing on DVD (the last Trek season was purchased in December on Ebay, and arrived a few days ago, so technically it's 2008)
5. Reading the final Harry Potter book (if you haven't read it yet, WOW, what a story!)
4. Watching Transformers (twice!) on the big screen.
3. Spending Easter with all of Jen's family (and they came here for it too!)
2. Reconnecting with a myriad of people through Facebook.
1. The blessing Jen received in May from her former Stake President.
Happy New Year everyone!
To be honest, part of the reason has been my new found addiction to Facebook, which has replaced TV as my biggest time waster. It's amazing how many people I have found (or even found me) through this thing. And I had first thought that it was a big waste of time. Well, it is, but I am enjoying it immensely.
Life on the reserve is going OK, but to be honest I am looking forward to finding work elsewhere for next year. The place is OK, and the staff is great, but I can't help but feel that this is not where I want to set down my roots. To most of the people at school, I tell them that the lack of a decent pension is my biggest reason to want to leave, and that is the truth, but I am also tired of the hoops it seems like I have to jump through to get things done the way I would like them to happen. Sometimes I feel that there are those higher above the school who think "If we ignore his complaints, eventually he'll stop bothering us". Added to that the fact that too many of my students take their education for granted, even more so than in other schools I have been in. It makes it discouraging. I still try to give my best effort, but I realize that my time here, as valuable of experience as it was, is coming close to its end. Let's hope I'll have an easier time finding work somewhere else. We are hoping for Alberta, but we'll see.
Jen had a great time in Edmonton and is on the right road to recovery. It will hopefully mean that she will be healthy enough to have a child this year, which is something we are hoping for more than anyone can imagine. Her personal trainers quickly became close to her, and because of this she is pushing for an Edmonton area job. I would like that allot, but I will also try for anywhere south of the Edmonton area.
It is almost 10:30, and I have school tomorrow. Loved the Christmas holidays, but hate going back to school. I really wish the school year started sooner so that at least the semester would be over before the holidays. Ah well. Here is today's Top 10 List.
Top 10 Favourite Things About 2007
10. Being able to get through the year without having to replace the car (I swear, the only reason I do not wash our Sundance is because the dirt is the only thing holding it together!)
9. Winning Teacher of the Year for last school year (voted on by the other teachers)
8. Surviving the July heat-wave!
7. NDP being voted out of the last provincial election in Saskatchewan!
6. Getting almost all of Stargate SG-1, all of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the latest seasons released of Muppet Show, Fraggle Rock, and Dinosaurs, plus two of the last three Star Trek Seasons I am missing on DVD (the last Trek season was purchased in December on Ebay, and arrived a few days ago, so technically it's 2008)
5. Reading the final Harry Potter book (if you haven't read it yet, WOW, what a story!)
4. Watching Transformers (twice!) on the big screen.
3. Spending Easter with all of Jen's family (and they came here for it too!)
2. Reconnecting with a myriad of people through Facebook.
1. The blessing Jen received in May from her former Stake President.
Happy New Year everyone!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Happy Halloween!
BOO!
Did I scare you?
Is anyone even reading this blog anymore?
Oh, well, at least I can say that I still read it.
Jen has been in Edmonton this past week, and will be there for the next 2 months or so in order to get herself healthy. She was taking some medication for her headaches and stomach infections that made it impossible to have kids. Since the drugs were not doing anyhting to cure the illnesses, we decided we would try to get her healthy by seeking help outside of the "traditional" medication routes. Sorry, but I am so tired of doctors that are always prescribing drugs as a quick solution. I realise that they have their place, but there needs to be a more balanced approach in the medicare industry, and that is what Jen is seeking. We are hopeful that this helps out alot.
In honor of today's holiday, I present:
The Top 10 Scariest Things I Can Imagine!
10. Rollerskating through a buffalo herd (the mess alone would be terrible)
9. A K-Fed concert (ouch, my ears!)
8. Teaching Grade 3 Phys. Ed.
7. Lorne Calvert's NDP winning a majority here in Sask on Nov 7 (knock on wood)
6. Finding out that Anne has mutated into a vicious killer and that I have to out her down (don't laugh, I had a nightmare about this)
5. Being here alone without City of Heroes, Muppets, Star Trek, or Jen to keep me sane
4. Learning that chocolate causes cancer
3. Christmas holidays are cancelled
2. CISN FM in Edmonton goes off the air
1. Jen never comes back! AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Did I scare you?
Is anyone even reading this blog anymore?
Oh, well, at least I can say that I still read it.
Jen has been in Edmonton this past week, and will be there for the next 2 months or so in order to get herself healthy. She was taking some medication for her headaches and stomach infections that made it impossible to have kids. Since the drugs were not doing anyhting to cure the illnesses, we decided we would try to get her healthy by seeking help outside of the "traditional" medication routes. Sorry, but I am so tired of doctors that are always prescribing drugs as a quick solution. I realise that they have their place, but there needs to be a more balanced approach in the medicare industry, and that is what Jen is seeking. We are hopeful that this helps out alot.
In honor of today's holiday, I present:
The Top 10 Scariest Things I Can Imagine!
10. Rollerskating through a buffalo herd (the mess alone would be terrible)
9. A K-Fed concert (ouch, my ears!)
8. Teaching Grade 3 Phys. Ed.
7. Lorne Calvert's NDP winning a majority here in Sask on Nov 7 (knock on wood)
6. Finding out that Anne has mutated into a vicious killer and that I have to out her down (don't laugh, I had a nightmare about this)
5. Being here alone without City of Heroes, Muppets, Star Trek, or Jen to keep me sane
4. Learning that chocolate causes cancer
3. Christmas holidays are cancelled
2. CISN FM in Edmonton goes off the air
1. Jen never comes back! AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monday, October 15, 2007
Home Sweet Home
ACK! So much for posting twice a month.
This weekend was fabulous. We spent it in Edmonton, staying at our good friends Matt and Sharon Harker. They have been friends of ours for years. It was a really fun time, playing Killer Bunnies, converting them to Corner Gas, and hanging out with their cute kids. We also got to see Jen's parents at their new house in Edmonton. Talk bout a big house. they have so much space, we should move in with them. Or maybe not.
The highlight of the weekend was the wedding reception of my friend Levi Godfrey. It was one of those "This is awesome, but I got to see it to believe it!" Seriously, Levi is one of the most loyal friends I know, and he is very deserving a good lady to love him. I only met Aubrey on his reception night, but I can tell she is one in a million.
Today's top 10 list is sent out to the Harker kids, who were squealing with delight at the Muppet videos I showed them on You Tube.
Bryan's Top 10 Favorite Muppets!
10. Fozzie Bear - 2 words: Wocka Wocka
9. Gozo the Great - the Great Weirdo that is
8. Wembly Fraggle - I love his Hawaiian shirt and indecisiveness. Reminds me of myself (without the shirt)
7. Ernie - I can't hear you Bert, there's a banana in my ear!
6. Cantus - the head minstrel on Fraggle Rock. Very cool guy.
5. Animal - Woman! WOMAN!
4. Pepe the Prawn - I am no shrimp, I am a KING PRAWN!
3. Rowlf the Dog - his one-liners are so bad they're great!
2. Kermit the Frog - Ah, a very close second, but it's not easy being green.
1. Who else, the Swedish Chef! Bork Bork Bork Bork!
Here are some videos to accompany the list. Enjoy kids!
This weekend was fabulous. We spent it in Edmonton, staying at our good friends Matt and Sharon Harker. They have been friends of ours for years. It was a really fun time, playing Killer Bunnies, converting them to Corner Gas, and hanging out with their cute kids. We also got to see Jen's parents at their new house in Edmonton. Talk bout a big house. they have so much space, we should move in with them. Or maybe not.
The highlight of the weekend was the wedding reception of my friend Levi Godfrey. It was one of those "This is awesome, but I got to see it to believe it!" Seriously, Levi is one of the most loyal friends I know, and he is very deserving a good lady to love him. I only met Aubrey on his reception night, but I can tell she is one in a million.
Today's top 10 list is sent out to the Harker kids, who were squealing with delight at the Muppet videos I showed them on You Tube.
Bryan's Top 10 Favorite Muppets!
10. Fozzie Bear - 2 words: Wocka Wocka
9. Gozo the Great - the Great Weirdo that is
8. Wembly Fraggle - I love his Hawaiian shirt and indecisiveness. Reminds me of myself (without the shirt)
7. Ernie - I can't hear you Bert, there's a banana in my ear!
6. Cantus - the head minstrel on Fraggle Rock. Very cool guy.
5. Animal - Woman! WOMAN!
4. Pepe the Prawn - I am no shrimp, I am a KING PRAWN!
3. Rowlf the Dog - his one-liners are so bad they're great!
2. Kermit the Frog - Ah, a very close second, but it's not easy being green.
1. Who else, the Swedish Chef! Bork Bork Bork Bork!
Here are some videos to accompany the list. Enjoy kids!
Friday, September 14, 2007
It Begins...
Yesterday we had a "special visitor" come to the school. It was Lorne Calvert, the premier of Saskatchewan! Wow. All I can say is that he is much shorter in person than I expected. He had a quick tour of the school, then spoke at an assembly. His message was a bit vague, but then again, so are his policies. Anyways, coupled with that and the fact that teachers are getting a 10% raise over the next two years can mean only one thing: there is an election on the way.
In addition to that, another seemingly annual tradition has begun. We had an abandoned puppy dropped off at our door step. she is a little fuzz bucket that we have named Kira. She is so cute, although she was much cuter after her much needed bath. Fortunately, we have plans to take her to the SPCA in Lloydminster early next week. I'd show you the picture, but we can't find our cord that connects the digital camera to the computer. She is a Rottweiler cross, and Anne is very good with her. They play together and keep each other company. So far, after 24 hours, total number of messes = 2: both today after school (1 #1 and 1 #2).
Today's Top 10 List is brought to you by the good people of Mr. Sparkle! (sorry, that is in reference to the Simpsons episode that Jen is watching right now). I give you: The Top 10 Bits of Advice That Have Changed My Life Forever!
10. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink if he dies on the way there.
9. Driving backwards the right way down one-way streets can still get you a ticket.
8. Laughter is the best medicine. Unless you are diabetic. Then, insulin is the best medicine. (credit to comedian Norm Macdonald)
7. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me three times, it's time to change my phone number.
6. Children are like flowers. Hope you don't have allergies.
5. Fire bad. Tree pretty (credit to Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
4. If it's yellow, let it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down.
3. If you ever travel back in time, don't step on anything! (courtesy of Grandpa Simpson)
2. Man is the head of the household. Woman is the neck, that turns the head wherever it needs to be facing.
1. If there is nothing wrong with me, then there must be something wrong with the rest of the universe (Dr. Crusher, Star Trek the Next Generation)
Cheers all.
In addition to that, another seemingly annual tradition has begun. We had an abandoned puppy dropped off at our door step. she is a little fuzz bucket that we have named Kira. She is so cute, although she was much cuter after her much needed bath. Fortunately, we have plans to take her to the SPCA in Lloydminster early next week. I'd show you the picture, but we can't find our cord that connects the digital camera to the computer. She is a Rottweiler cross, and Anne is very good with her. They play together and keep each other company. So far, after 24 hours, total number of messes = 2: both today after school (1 #1 and 1 #2).
Today's Top 10 List is brought to you by the good people of Mr. Sparkle! (sorry, that is in reference to the Simpsons episode that Jen is watching right now). I give you: The Top 10 Bits of Advice That Have Changed My Life Forever!
10. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink if he dies on the way there.
9. Driving backwards the right way down one-way streets can still get you a ticket.
8. Laughter is the best medicine. Unless you are diabetic. Then, insulin is the best medicine. (credit to comedian Norm Macdonald)
7. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me three times, it's time to change my phone number.
6. Children are like flowers. Hope you don't have allergies.
5. Fire bad. Tree pretty (credit to Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
4. If it's yellow, let it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down.
3. If you ever travel back in time, don't step on anything! (courtesy of Grandpa Simpson)
2. Man is the head of the household. Woman is the neck, that turns the head wherever it needs to be facing.
1. If there is nothing wrong with me, then there must be something wrong with the rest of the universe (Dr. Crusher, Star Trek the Next Generation)
Cheers all.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)