This Saturday my BF's family invited me to HOLLAND!!!! For THREE WEEKS in July!!
Of course I couldn't pass up an opportunity like this. It will truly be amazing. There are 8 people going. Flights are paid for by airmiles WOW (taxes are not). I'm not sure what exactly I will need to cover. Insurance, some food expenses, etc. BF's brother's girlfriend is also coming, so it will be nice to not be the only "outsider."
What does all this mean financially? I need to start saving up majorly. I have started a small travel fund that was going to be used for a long weekend vacation to the states in the fall, but if we are going to Holland I think I can forget about that mini-vacation. This also means that I will have three weeks that I cannot work. This somewhat stresses me out. It will all work out I'm sure, I'm going on vacation!!!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Life Sure is Expensive!
Yesterday Asian Pear talked about how working is expensive. Today SS4BC discussed how dating is expensive. Life in general is so expensive!!
My two university roommates are coming up this weekend. I have not seen them since the summer so it will be nice to catch up. However, I already know it's going to be a costly weekend. I went to the grocery store to get the basics (some snacks and pizza) and it was over $40. I know we will end up going out for supper, and tubing. Hopefully we can stay in as well to play some board games and hang out. Friends sure are expensive. Anything social can be expensive!
Once in a while it's worth it though, worth the extra splurge on a weekend to have some fun.
I am working tomorrow, just for a morning, so that makes 2.5 days this week, not too bad. I only have 2 days available to work next week as I am working at the rec centre on Wednesday and then I am driving my parents to the airport to go to Florida then going to see the BF and staying for the weekend since it's on the way.
We are going to see a concert on Thursday night, Friday we are having a party with some of his high school and university friends, then Saturday we are going to see a play that he got me tickets for back in November. It will be a busy weekend, but good. He has also promised to take me out for dinner and a lunch. YAY!
In other news, J.D. Salinger, the author of "The Catcher in the Rye" passed away today at the age of 91. That is my favourite "real" novel! Real means something other than chick-lits. He was a very reclusive man, and I read that he continued to write a lot but did not have them published because it was writing for pleasure. He locked up these books in a safe in his house. I wonder now that he has passed away if they will ever be published and if they will be as good as "The Catcher in the Rye."
Also in other real news, did you hear that they found another person buried in the rubble in Haiti yesterday? A 16 year old girl, Darlene Etienne. 15 days after the intial earthquake. How amazing is that!! They said it was unlikely she would have survived even a few more hours. Really puts things in perspective doesn't it? I hope she and all the other survivors are doing well and getting aid.
My two university roommates are coming up this weekend. I have not seen them since the summer so it will be nice to catch up. However, I already know it's going to be a costly weekend. I went to the grocery store to get the basics (some snacks and pizza) and it was over $40. I know we will end up going out for supper, and tubing. Hopefully we can stay in as well to play some board games and hang out. Friends sure are expensive. Anything social can be expensive!
Once in a while it's worth it though, worth the extra splurge on a weekend to have some fun.
I am working tomorrow, just for a morning, so that makes 2.5 days this week, not too bad. I only have 2 days available to work next week as I am working at the rec centre on Wednesday and then I am driving my parents to the airport to go to Florida then going to see the BF and staying for the weekend since it's on the way.
We are going to see a concert on Thursday night, Friday we are having a party with some of his high school and university friends, then Saturday we are going to see a play that he got me tickets for back in November. It will be a busy weekend, but good. He has also promised to take me out for dinner and a lunch. YAY!
In other news, J.D. Salinger, the author of "The Catcher in the Rye" passed away today at the age of 91. That is my favourite "real" novel! Real means something other than chick-lits. He was a very reclusive man, and I read that he continued to write a lot but did not have them published because it was writing for pleasure. He locked up these books in a safe in his house. I wonder now that he has passed away if they will ever be published and if they will be as good as "The Catcher in the Rye."
Also in other real news, did you hear that they found another person buried in the rubble in Haiti yesterday? A 16 year old girl, Darlene Etienne. 15 days after the intial earthquake. How amazing is that!! They said it was unlikely she would have survived even a few more hours. Really puts things in perspective doesn't it? I hope she and all the other survivors are doing well and getting aid.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
This and That
Yesterday I got a new book from the library. I hope to finish it before the end of February and be on my way with my 12 books new years resolution. 1 down so far.
Yesterday I also needed to get oil for my car. I was browsing the winter coat section again at Canadian Tire and saw that the one I liked was still there. I received a $25 gift card for Christmas and decided to get it. It was $99.99. It is a very quality coat which will be good for playing in. I have not had a new winter coat (other than one professional one) since 2001! So it was time, and I think it's a good deal for a quality coat.
My roommates from university are coming up to visit me this weekend and we plan on going tubing so I will get a chance to test it out. It will be nice to see them, I haven't seen them since the summer, so I'm excited!
Today I also attempted to make sushi for the first time. MOST of them turned out. There were a few that were hard to pick up because I did not roll them tight enough. I think I might take a few in my lunch tomorrow.
I completed Day 8 of the Shred today, and I am feeling so much better doing it now. No pain the next day, and it's much easier during the process too. Loving it!
Yesterday I also needed to get oil for my car. I was browsing the winter coat section again at Canadian Tire and saw that the one I liked was still there. I received a $25 gift card for Christmas and decided to get it. It was $99.99. It is a very quality coat which will be good for playing in. I have not had a new winter coat (other than one professional one) since 2001! So it was time, and I think it's a good deal for a quality coat.
My roommates from university are coming up to visit me this weekend and we plan on going tubing so I will get a chance to test it out. It will be nice to see them, I haven't seen them since the summer, so I'm excited!
Today I also attempted to make sushi for the first time. MOST of them turned out. There were a few that were hard to pick up because I did not roll them tight enough. I think I might take a few in my lunch tomorrow.
I completed Day 8 of the Shred today, and I am feeling so much better doing it now. No pain the next day, and it's much easier during the process too. Loving it!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Teaching Frustration
Gail's post today hit home for me and as it turns out a lot of other people. Especially teachers. Gail talked about how working after retirement can help the person end up with fewer diseases and function better on a day-to-day basis.
How does this relate to teachers? Well, these days it seems that a lot of teachers are retiring and then coming back to supply. If I was a retired teacher this seems like a pretty good deal. Retire, collect pension, get extra income, teach without having to plan or mark, see your old colleagues and students. Why would you not continue working after retiring?!
However, for us new teachers it sucks. REALLY SUCKS. It means less jobs for us new teachers. Less jobs = less incomme.I have applied to about 8 school boards and followed up on my applications. I was told repeatedly that unless I have done a placement within their board that they are not looking to hire. Why aren't they looking to hire for the supply list? Well there are several reasons, major ones being declining enrollment and too many people already on the supply list. Many people on those supply lists are retired teachers.
I have gone into schools and have seen the timesheets of retired supply teachers who have full weeks on theirs, where I have a sad one of two days. There is a lot of internal workings to have the retired teacher in that already knows the students, or have a teacher call their retired friends to come in for them. In a lot of ways THAT sort of thing does not seem fair.
Almost no other company offers this return to employment part-time once you retire deal. Teaching is an exception. I have taken many courses, volunteered for months in schools, many optional PD opportunities, paid for expensive AQ courses, volunteered and worked in other programs relating to children and still am having no luck. I'm not sure what else I could be doing, other than going back and learning French, or applying outside of Ontario. I am very thankful that I have a supply position where I am. There are many in my teacher's college year that still do not have that.
I am thankful that I have supportive friends and family and a job even if I would not be able to survive on the income living alone. It's a tough situation for new teachers. I can continue to supply for a few more years though. I LOVE my job and will be persistent...and try to be patient.
How does this relate to teachers? Well, these days it seems that a lot of teachers are retiring and then coming back to supply. If I was a retired teacher this seems like a pretty good deal. Retire, collect pension, get extra income, teach without having to plan or mark, see your old colleagues and students. Why would you not continue working after retiring?!
However, for us new teachers it sucks. REALLY SUCKS. It means less jobs for us new teachers. Less jobs = less incomme.I have applied to about 8 school boards and followed up on my applications. I was told repeatedly that unless I have done a placement within their board that they are not looking to hire. Why aren't they looking to hire for the supply list? Well there are several reasons, major ones being declining enrollment and too many people already on the supply list. Many people on those supply lists are retired teachers.
I have gone into schools and have seen the timesheets of retired supply teachers who have full weeks on theirs, where I have a sad one of two days. There is a lot of internal workings to have the retired teacher in that already knows the students, or have a teacher call their retired friends to come in for them. In a lot of ways THAT sort of thing does not seem fair.
Almost no other company offers this return to employment part-time once you retire deal. Teaching is an exception. I have taken many courses, volunteered for months in schools, many optional PD opportunities, paid for expensive AQ courses, volunteered and worked in other programs relating to children and still am having no luck. I'm not sure what else I could be doing, other than going back and learning French, or applying outside of Ontario. I am very thankful that I have a supply position where I am. There are many in my teacher's college year that still do not have that.
I am thankful that I have supportive friends and family and a job even if I would not be able to survive on the income living alone. It's a tough situation for new teachers. I can continue to supply for a few more years though. I LOVE my job and will be persistent...and try to be patient.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Got Me Thinking
My BF told me something that happened to him that had me in tears on the weekend (from laughter).
Background: he is living at home right now about 4 hours away, we have been dating for just over 6 years. We have talked many times about me trying to find a job there when he is finished school. But I keep telling him I am not going to move unless I have a teaching job, supply work at least. We have also discussed marriage, and both think it's not time for us since we are not living in the same town, and he is still in school (until June), we cannot afford it right now and we don't want a super long engagement.
He is planning on moving out and working at the clinic his mom owns, his mom and her business partner have offered him a job when he graduates from his masters program. LUCKY GUY!!! They have recently expanded their business to a new location, and this new place has an apartment above it which they have also offered to BF. He plans to move there after he graduates.
This weekend he was doing some homework in his room and his mom comes in. She asks him if I an planning to move to their city this summer. He told her that we were talking and I would move there for the summer but then back to my town if I didn't have a teaching position lined up there for the fall. Then she asks if we plan on getting married (this kind of threw BF for a loop). He said not while we are long-distance. Then she said "maybe she is waiting for you to make it official before she moves here." He was surprised by this comment and said "I don't know." She says to him, "You need to figure these things out" and then she turns and leaves.
He called me after and tells me this and I was just as surprised as he was. Of course we have talked about these things before. He was just so surprised by her questions and comments that he wasn't able to tell his mom this. I was laughing so hard after I heard this, especially because he said she was serious when she was asking these things and it got BF all worried thinking about these things.
I do eventually want to marry BF but not until things are in place. I'm not ready yet, especially financially-wise. Sure 6 years is a long time to date, but I need to find a teaching position first, we need to pay off debt, start saving for a wedding, house, car, furniture, etc. I can put a wedding on hold until we are ready. I wonder why his mom was asking these things?? He has an older brother and not questioning him (dating his girlfriend for 6 months). Is it bad for me to stay in my town until I find a teaching job where he is? Is that being selfish?
Background: he is living at home right now about 4 hours away, we have been dating for just over 6 years. We have talked many times about me trying to find a job there when he is finished school. But I keep telling him I am not going to move unless I have a teaching job, supply work at least. We have also discussed marriage, and both think it's not time for us since we are not living in the same town, and he is still in school (until June), we cannot afford it right now and we don't want a super long engagement.
He is planning on moving out and working at the clinic his mom owns, his mom and her business partner have offered him a job when he graduates from his masters program. LUCKY GUY!!! They have recently expanded their business to a new location, and this new place has an apartment above it which they have also offered to BF. He plans to move there after he graduates.
This weekend he was doing some homework in his room and his mom comes in. She asks him if I an planning to move to their city this summer. He told her that we were talking and I would move there for the summer but then back to my town if I didn't have a teaching position lined up there for the fall. Then she asks if we plan on getting married (this kind of threw BF for a loop). He said not while we are long-distance. Then she said "maybe she is waiting for you to make it official before she moves here." He was surprised by this comment and said "I don't know." She says to him, "You need to figure these things out" and then she turns and leaves.
He called me after and tells me this and I was just as surprised as he was. Of course we have talked about these things before. He was just so surprised by her questions and comments that he wasn't able to tell his mom this. I was laughing so hard after I heard this, especially because he said she was serious when she was asking these things and it got BF all worried thinking about these things.
I do eventually want to marry BF but not until things are in place. I'm not ready yet, especially financially-wise. Sure 6 years is a long time to date, but I need to find a teaching position first, we need to pay off debt, start saving for a wedding, house, car, furniture, etc. I can put a wedding on hold until we are ready. I wonder why his mom was asking these things?? He has an older brother and not questioning him (dating his girlfriend for 6 months). Is it bad for me to stay in my town until I find a teaching job where he is? Is that being selfish?
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Interesting Weekend
I've had a great weekend so far! I hope you have too!
I went to my course with my mom on Friday. We stopped for supper and then she dropped me off. She then checked into the hotel and checked out her old boarding school (glad I was never sent to a boarding school). I had a fantastic course. She picked me up when it was over and we went back to the hotel. We wanted to go to the gym they have there but it was "under construction for the next two weeks." That doesn't help us.
Luckily I was prepared and I brought my own hand weights and the 30 Day Shred. My mom is also doing this program but not in consecutive days but she decided she wanted to do it with me that night. Problem: only one set of weights.
Solution: fill up a purse with water bottles and use an iron.
I think we spent the first 5 minutes working our abs due to laughter. We traded back in forth throughout the 20 minutes using the real weights and the iron/purse. Little did we know, that this iron was one that could hold water and it leaked! So I lay down to do some crunches and I end up in a puddle, I scream and my mom says it's probably just sweat. Uhhh no, I do not sweat puddles. Was "refreshing" I guess.
We then watched the final episode of Conan and went to sleep. Today we woke up, went for breakfast and then I went to class and she did some shopping at the mall. I love learning ASL. It's such a passion. The only complaint I have about this class is that he ends too early. He always lets us out at least an hour early, and gives us an hour lunch break. I would much rather stay and learn for an extra hour. However during lunch those of us that stayed in the class were able to converse with each other and the teacher which was a great learning experience.
We drove home today which was nice, chatting about things going on for two hours. I have been spending the better part of my night watching ASL music videos on youtube. Some are just incredible and I've watched them at least 10 times and am still loving them. Tomorrow is my last class for this course. I am glad the driving will be over and feel like I have already learned a lot. I look forward to my next course in February.
I went to my course with my mom on Friday. We stopped for supper and then she dropped me off. She then checked into the hotel and checked out her old boarding school (glad I was never sent to a boarding school). I had a fantastic course. She picked me up when it was over and we went back to the hotel. We wanted to go to the gym they have there but it was "under construction for the next two weeks." That doesn't help us.
Luckily I was prepared and I brought my own hand weights and the 30 Day Shred. My mom is also doing this program but not in consecutive days but she decided she wanted to do it with me that night. Problem: only one set of weights.
Solution: fill up a purse with water bottles and use an iron.
I think we spent the first 5 minutes working our abs due to laughter. We traded back in forth throughout the 20 minutes using the real weights and the iron/purse. Little did we know, that this iron was one that could hold water and it leaked! So I lay down to do some crunches and I end up in a puddle, I scream and my mom says it's probably just sweat. Uhhh no, I do not sweat puddles. Was "refreshing" I guess.
We then watched the final episode of Conan and went to sleep. Today we woke up, went for breakfast and then I went to class and she did some shopping at the mall. I love learning ASL. It's such a passion. The only complaint I have about this class is that he ends too early. He always lets us out at least an hour early, and gives us an hour lunch break. I would much rather stay and learn for an extra hour. However during lunch those of us that stayed in the class were able to converse with each other and the teacher which was a great learning experience.
We drove home today which was nice, chatting about things going on for two hours. I have been spending the better part of my night watching ASL music videos on youtube. Some are just incredible and I've watched them at least 10 times and am still loving them. Tomorrow is my last class for this course. I am glad the driving will be over and feel like I have already learned a lot. I look forward to my next course in February.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Spending Money to Save Time
I worked today yay! I love teaching Kindergarten! It was only a half morning because I am going to my ASL course this evening. That means I worked everyday this week (although 4 days were half days). It seems to be picking up, I hope it continues!
My mom and I were talking last night about how I have to travel to my ASL course again this weekend, it takes me just over 2 hours to get to the school where it is held. My mom mentioned to me that she would like to come with me sometime to go shopping in this city while I go to class (they have a mall in this city!). Which would be great, we could split gas. Then last night she suggested we stay overnight.
We looked up hotels in the area, and found one for $99 including taxes. It has a gym and serves a continental breakfast. Good deal if you ask me! This will cost me approximately $50 if we split evenly, and save me over four hours of driving (instead of 12 hours of driving this weekend, it will only be 8). Which will be espcially nice on Saturday morning, won't have to leave my house at 6:45am!
It's kind of a nice treat to be able to stay at a hotel so I'm looking forward to it, even though it's a bit pricey. I will be coming back Saturday night and then driving back to the school on Sunday. Only going to stay one night, a bit of a luxury!
I finished day 3 of the Shred, still in pain but it's getting better. My mom has done two of the workouts so far too. I plan on bringing my laptop to the hotel along with the DVD to do in the room. Maybe even get in a quick workout at the gym they have there.
I have also been teaching myself how to crochet. I can do the chain stitch, the double and the single crochet stitch, but I am having trouble with the sides. It just looks weird, the middle looks good but the sides look kind of bumpy. I think I dropped a stitch too. I think I get confused as to where to put the hook into, it's really hard to tell with the last stitch, maybe that's just me? It's hard to learn from a video and a book.
I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!!
My mom and I were talking last night about how I have to travel to my ASL course again this weekend, it takes me just over 2 hours to get to the school where it is held. My mom mentioned to me that she would like to come with me sometime to go shopping in this city while I go to class (they have a mall in this city!). Which would be great, we could split gas. Then last night she suggested we stay overnight.
We looked up hotels in the area, and found one for $99 including taxes. It has a gym and serves a continental breakfast. Good deal if you ask me! This will cost me approximately $50 if we split evenly, and save me over four hours of driving (instead of 12 hours of driving this weekend, it will only be 8). Which will be espcially nice on Saturday morning, won't have to leave my house at 6:45am!
It's kind of a nice treat to be able to stay at a hotel so I'm looking forward to it, even though it's a bit pricey. I will be coming back Saturday night and then driving back to the school on Sunday. Only going to stay one night, a bit of a luxury!
I finished day 3 of the Shred, still in pain but it's getting better. My mom has done two of the workouts so far too. I plan on bringing my laptop to the hotel along with the DVD to do in the room. Maybe even get in a quick workout at the gym they have there.
I have also been teaching myself how to crochet. I can do the chain stitch, the double and the single crochet stitch, but I am having trouble with the sides. It just looks weird, the middle looks good but the sides look kind of bumpy. I think I dropped a stitch too. I think I get confused as to where to put the hook into, it's really hard to tell with the last stitch, maybe that's just me? It's hard to learn from a video and a book.
I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)