Thinking About Going Back To School

I've been stuck in a rut. I love my job but unfortunately it is just not permanent enough, nor do I make enough doing this job.

My roommate suggested this Deaf Education program to me.

As some of you may remember I am interested in ASL (American Sign Language). My dad's parents are Deaf and so that helped me want to learn more about the language.

I have taken two ASL classes and loved them, I can't wait to take more.

Anyway back to the Deaf Education program. It's a program offered through York University in Toronto. It's available to teachers with at least a B average in Teacher's College. I had an A average. You have to have completed at least two ASL courses (I have bare minimum).

It's a full-time, one year program.

Did I mention it's FREE?? Tuition is free to Ontario teachers. I would need to cover accomodation, transportation and books.

It costs $50 to apply, and is a lot of paperwork (reference letters, essays, application). I am thinking about it, it doesn't hurt to at least apply.

I have looked more into the opportunities for Teachers of the Deaf. There seem to be some, but not a huge amount. Something to think about...

Another Day, Another Dollar

I went in for a half day today teaching Spec-Ed at my old elementary school. I was preparing my day, and I get a call to come down to see the principal in the grade 7/8 classroom. I go and he is there with the kids and asks me to forget what I was supposed to be doing and that he needs to change my schedule to cover the 7/8 class, they weren't able to get a supply for her. Then he asks what I'm doing for the afternoon. Nothing. He asks me to stay for the afternoon too. Woohoo. I've been getting a lot of work lately which has been really nice. The payday in 2 weeks will be pretty good compared to lately.

I didn't have a lunch though, and I was supposed to meet my mom and grandpa for his birthday lunch at Swiss Chalet. Lucky for me it was only about 5 minutes from the school. So I still got to go out for lunch with my grandpa and back with lots of time before the bell rang. Practiced some sign language with him too. Unfortunately my weekend ASL class was cancelled so it was nice to be able to practice with someone fluent.

Tomorrow is payday, yay! Hope everyone has a fantastic Friday and weekend.

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.

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 Weekend!

I had a very busy weekend. I drove 2 hours to my course on Friday evening and loved it! All people my age within a couple of years. The Friday was a lot of review and then I made the long trip back home. I finished up my mom's b-day card.

Saturday morning I was off at 7am to get back to my ASL course. We learned a lot more because it was a longer period we were in class. Was very good, the teacher is funny and makes the learning pretty easy. Then the trip back, I had to pick up my parents and a bunch of their friends and we went out for supper. 13 people we there, my dad paid for everyone's meals and drinks. I don't even want to know how much that was! Then back to our house, I gave my mom her gift and giant card which she really liked, as did everyone else that was there.

Sunday morning it was back to class where I think I learned the most of this weekend. At the end of class everyone was standing and mingled with each other and we all just started signing to each other, no talking (could only hear a few claps and laughter), it was pretty amazing to see how far we have come already that we were able to carry out full conversations with each other. It will only get better too! I do this all over again in two weeks, and I'm already looking forward to it. Unfortunately I have gone wayyy over my gas budget of this month, and it will likely be doubled (at least) before the month is over, so I hope I get a lot of work this month!!

Happy Belated New Years

Wow I was MIA for a while there. I left Thursday after work to visit BF and celebrate new years. We had a fun time at his friend's house. Lots of good company and good food! We also exchanged our Christmas gifts where he totally spoiled me! Chocolates and gift cards, and a willow tree figurine. It's the one called "sign for love" and it's the girl doing the sign for love in ASL. It was pretty much perfect! His parents gave me some nice educational DVDs that could be used in the classroom.

Teacher's haven't been sick yet this week so no work so far. Hopefully I will get at least ONE day this week. My plan today is to catch up on some blogs, and clean my desk area. It's quite disasterous. Also go to the library to renew my book, and to the storage unit to drop off some summer things (can we say procrastination?).

I have already broken my stretch everyday resolution. I knew this would happen, resolutions are like that. I am not disappointed, it's mainly just a goal to stretch as often as I can, maybe twice somedays, maybe only once others, maybe not at all other days. I basically just want to gain some flexibility by next year.

I have a busy month which I love. I have my ASL classes this weekend and in two weeks, BF is coming the weekend in between, my roommates are coming the weekend after ASL, and I am going to visit BF the weekend after that.