Back Home and Death of a Blog

After 2.5 days in the car, I am finally back in Toronto. I am now unemployed for a month! But yes, I will be starting a new teaching position with the school board in August.

I will not have time to continue this blog, so I have decided that this blog is now CLOSED. It'll be nice to keep this open though, if you want to browse my old postings.

2013

Yes, it's 2013. You can text your teacher and she will help you with a question the day before the math exam. Until 12 pm, when she needs to go to sleep.

Fighting Until the End

On Tuesday, there was a student, A. C., that got kicked out of the science exam for having an electronic device on her. The teacher that caught her felt that she deserved to be booted - she is very distracted in class and is hard to work with even in a one-to-one setting. Often, she is looking at her phone.

 Today, I messaged her and told her all the requirements for summer school. I told her it would be the best option for her and encouraged her mom to talk to the guidance counselor. I have done this for another student, J.P., who also does not work hard in class. I believe he skipped the exam, not realizing how important it is and is using the excuse of calling in sick. I made sure he knows it's a big deal he missed the exam and that he should try for summer school.

Remember, It's not up to us to bring judgement on these students. Just because they don't act focused doesn't mean they don't deserve to know their options. We do not hold grudges against them. Realize that these students may have personal issues going on at home; their parents may be splitting up, their younger sister may be terminally ill, a family member may have recently passed away, they may be the victim of sexual abuse or assault - and we have no idea. We do not know what goes through their head that causes them to become distracted. And we will never know.

Therefore, we fight for them until the end. Even when the teachers don't want to.

 That's the difference between most of the teachers and what we do.

We go the extra mile.



Addendum: I'd like to add that by this time next year, whoever gets to work with me in Waskaganish has to do this all this "fight the extra mile" stuff because I will be emotionally exhausted and too grumpy to go the extra mile. But I know my company will look out for my future students when I am too tired to.

TED Talk: Rita Pierson

Great speech.

Mock Exam

BWHAHAHAHAHA

Materialism

I miss the rest of my closet!

Ughhh, wish I had more than 5 outfits with me!

Toronto in 8 days.

Animals

I forgot to mention I've adopted a red-eared slider. One of the teachers asked our company to adopt it - we have a small collection of turtles, lizards and snakes at our office - and our executive director agreed.

However, I heard that the turtle pond at work has been getting a bit crowded and a bit of cannibalism had been happening. Two turtle heads were found floating in the pond.Upon hearing that, I decided to keep her with me instead. She doesn't have a name yet, but will be coming to live with me in Waskaganish next year. She will be the class pet!

Maybe J. and I can have a turtle and hare race?

Happy Crew

A photo of my work crew at Friday's feast:

Saturday Baking

This is funny. I saw a box of dates and thought that there actual date squares, not having the read the box at all. When I finally figured that out, I decided I should probably get off my lazy butt and actually learn how to make it.

Here's what I put together - yes, the pan is too big - just about to put them in the oven.

I hope they turn out okay!

Friday Feast

Headed out for a feast for the Nishiyuu walkers. Canada goose will be the main item tonight, so I chowed down some meat-free chili and tosadas first. Sour cream, shredded mozzarella and cilantro on top - that's all I need on a Friday evening to stop me from being 'hangry'.

Honestly, I don't regret not trying it goose, beaver, bear or moose. I know other vegetarians who have happily sampled meat "from the land." If anything, I occasionally start thinking about unhealthy junk food from my non-vegetarian days, like Kentucky Fried Chicken, than care to try to eat an animal I've never eaten. My cravings are, essentially, based off old habits.

Veg Foods

It's a small collection, but I'm happy it's here in Chisasibi, Quebec!

And no, it's not vegan. There's usually milk or egg products in these faux meats, but I prefer supporting these companies so that they continue to be sold up here.

Ode to Toronto

Toronto foodstuff that I want to shovel in my mouth right now:

1. Beef tibs from M&B Yummy
2. Vegan poutine with melted Daiya from Poutini's
3. Tofu club sandwich from Sadie's Diner
4. Pepper-and-salt deep-fried king mushrooms from Simon's Wok
5. Pad see ew from Jean's Vegetarian Kitchen
6. BBQ tofu wings from Hogtown Vegan
7. Vegan chick'n enchilada from Rancho Relaxo
8. Soy latte from Manic Coffee

Fuck, I miss good vegan food.

Breakfast

Fresh fruit is still pretty expensive up here! A box of blueberries and raspberries cost me approximately $11 – but my health is worth it.

UPDATE: The raspberries moulded after 3 days. Dammit.