Grandma's Stories

This weekend Matt and I drove up to Calgary to see Grandma. She told the most hilarious stories.




Story 1 "Are they yours?": Underwear+Back of Uniform+Work
Story 2 "She's not dead!": Dead body+Hospital+Panic Attack
Story 3 Crowd Pleaser: Zoo+Irritable Monkey+Flinging Poo

Sorry the descriptions are very cryptic but I just wanted to write the keywords of my favorite stories so I can remember them. I could never do the stories justice so if you want the full details you will need to ask Grandma herself. But seriously, use the washroom before you listen to them. You have been warned.

Graduates 2009

There a few days in my life that I will always remember as being perfect and this was one of them. Matt and I's parents and my brother Jordan all took time out of their busy lives to celebrate our graduation. The 24 hour marathon they undertook was not for the faint of heart. First they had to drive all the way out to Saskatoon at the end of their work day, then they had endure two ceremonies, each lasting over two hours (plus another hour or so waiting for tickets), and then drive back home again. They really made the day special for Matt and I and we love them for it. Here are a few of my favorite pictures to capture the day.








I blink, we couldn't quite coordinate our eyelids in these shots.

A Day of Firsts

First time driving a golf cart.

First time cooking a pot roast.

First time my car has been a victim of a hit and run.

An R.C.M.P. officer just called to say poor ol' Rodge, Matt and I's '97 Dodge Neon, was hit on the left side while innocently waiting outside our apartment building. The R.C.M.P. has already located the car that committed the vicious attack but it's driver is yet to be found. The officer said Rodge will probably be written off by the insurance company because his left side is smashed so it is time to say goodbye.


Rodge in better days.

And now his eulogy. We called you names when we had to pay for new organs (two batteries, two alternators, rack and pinion, water pump, radiator, transmission hose) to replace your failing ones and when you leaked oil and transmission fluid everywhere, resulting in a very painful process of trying to remove oil from concrete on our underground parking stall. You whined a lot- your engine light always on, to signal you wanted to visit the doctor again. But you had good characteristics too. Your windshield was nearly indestructible, your air conditioning was especially cold, and although at first it was annoying, the way you whistled in the wind on the six hour treks to Alberta became endearing. You were considerate too. When you did break down, it was almost always in convenient places, usually gasping your last shuddering breath as you pulled into our driveway. You lasted to the end of university, like you promised, remember Rodge? And for that these two poor students will be eternally grateful. Say hi to Bolf and Gretta in car heaven for us.

The Man Next To Me

Every morning the man next to me wakes up promptly at 7:00 a.m. He shaves, showers, and leaves the house looking so handsome in a crisp collared shirt that I can't let him leave without a kiss (mushy, I know, sorry). He draws up proposals for civil and geological projects, he goes to city councils and business meetings, he manages and supervises a staff. Gone are the days of sleeping in and leaving the house to catch the last bus that will take him to the university in time for his first class. Gone are the seven day beards, wrinkled t-shirts, and coming to bed weary from late night study sessions. I am going to miss my university Matt, but I sure love my sharp looking, less stressed, professional Matt too.

As for myself, I have been playing the part of a good housewife, cleaning and preparing lunch and dinner so they are hot and ready when Matt comes home. It has become a fun sort of game, but if I am being honest it is also a manifestation of my guilt, because I have only gotten two sub days and so I have been mostly lounging around the house reading teaching books (okay, and non-teaching books too). In my pajamas until 11:00 a.m.! Gasp!

Best Dollar Ever Spent

Now that Matt and I's Dollarama sunglasses have withstood the test of time (one month without breaking, because after all you have to apply a different standard to a pair of $1 sunglasses versus designer shades) I recommend them. Besides where else can you find electric blue shades anymore?

Dollarama sunglasses. Get some.

F.H.E.

Grade Three Reminisces

I'm working on a slide show to introduce myself to my Grade Three students on the first day of school. Here are a few of the pictures I found of myself in Grade Three:


Matt refuses to believe I was only eight years old when this picture was taken because I look so much older. What Grade Three student styles herself to look like a middle-aged politician? The bad comb over, a silk blouse and trouser pants. I look like I'm being groomed to be the next Hillary Clinton.



These pictures were taken at Disney Land and Sea World the summer after Grade Three. Sea World was much more fun, hands down.

Jordan and I looked almost identical this summer except that I look two years older. We both had the same spindly arms and legs. I love our deadpan faces in this shot. Clearly we were too hot and exhausted for the lions to make much of an impression.


My cousin Brett and I in the gardens outside the Salt Lake Temple.

FORE!

There is a sign at the first hole of the Kitscoty Golf Course that says something like; you are responsible for errant drives as they can cause harm to children and property. I can think of alot of other things my errant drives can damage as well, also I wonder why they just put children? I guess if you hit an adult they just have to tough it out. This sign is kind of scary since my first drive went into someones back yard. They also have baseball diamonds in the middle of the course which my ball found. Good thing little league wasn't playing.

I was thinking of the last time I had a golf membership and it was at the Lacombe Golf and Country Club. If you were a junior you could get a pass there for $80, and Kelly, Bobby and I would make good use of that 80 bucks. Well we only have to go 6 times to pay off our $125 couple pass at Kitscoty. Its not the nicest course in the world and sand greens might take some getting used to but it is still super fun.

The picture with Royall in mid swing was her best drive of the day. She almost made it to the hole! I think we are going again with the Hunspergers on monday so stay tuned for more pictures.

Matty

It's Official

Are Golf and Budget Contradictory Words?

Cost of a couple membership at:

Lloydminster Golf & Country Club.........$2200

Rolling Green Fairways, Lloydminster....$1200

Kitscoty Golf Course, Kitscoty...............$125

Just when I was beginning to think a golf filled summer would be financially taxing, Matt and I heard about this little gem in Kitscoty. Last summer Matt introduced me to the great sport that is golf and right away I was hooked. It is really a love it/hate it sport for me (mostly because as a perfectionist I can't give my heart completely to a sport until I've mastered it reasonably well).

When I crush a ball, my heart sings to the music of my driver. Unfortunately as a beginner, I am much more acquainted with shaking my fist in frustration when my ball narrowly misses the hole or worse yet swinging at the ball with all my might and missing it completely. When that happens there are really only two options- pretend it was a warm-up swing or gaze intently into the distance in the desperate hope people will believe you really crushed that ball.

But that's all going to change this summer. Watch out Michelle Wei, I am getting a golf membership and I'm not afraid to use it. The only thing holding me back from reaching my golf potential right now is the snow.

My Brilliant Entrepreneur

Last fall, Matt and one of his engineer friends decided to create their own company, 3twenty. Their idea was to reuse old shipping containers to create mine accommodations and affordable homes. They joined forces with a business student and throughout the school year, the three of them have been busy researching the housing market, creating business plans and making contacts. They are entered in three business competitions and have just received a cheque for $30,000 from the I3 Challenge. They have placed in the top ten in the other two competitions and will find out how much money they will receive from those by the end of May.

Matt has worked really hard on this project throughout the school work (on top of two intense engineering semesters) and I am glad it has worked out so well. Since Matt is busy managing an engineer office in Lloydminster, he has decided to take only 5% of the company and will be in charge of making sure the container homes meet building codes. The company has signed on a new member who has access to a trucking company and a large piece of land covered in shipping containers, so with the contest money, hopefully the dream will soon become a reality.

Clifton Associates Ltd.

I have officially entered the working world. My first professional job is with an engineering firm called Clifton Associates. My classmate Blair Martin got me a job with Clifton last summer as a summer student where I was able to do alot of lab testing and supervising. I guess I mainly learned how to build a road properly. Although it seemed the contractor wanted to build a road which would fall apart, we struggled to keep them in line and I think we met somewhere in the middle.

The summer ended and I returned to school for my final year of engineering. Not far into the year, I found myself wanting to go back to work, mainly because I think I was tired of the endless homework hours I had put in over the last few years. Clifton was looking for a manager to run their office in Lloydminster, and when I spoke to them about it this last February I thought it would be a great opportunity. Royall and I decided to take up the Lloydminster challenge and now we are here.

My first week at the office went pretty smooth. The company is relatively small and I feel like I have support from the other engineers I work with. I am realizing that I have no idea how to run an office or any kind of engineering project for that matter. I am receiving calls like "Can you design a septic field for my acreage?" and "can you submit a proposal to do the pile inspection and concrete testing for the new firehall?.........this afternoon!" Wait a second, did I actually learn any of this in school? Regardless, my answer is always "of course I can", then I get on the phone with Saskatoon and ask them how to do it. I guess it is a fast way of learning, I just hope the Saskatoon engineers don't get tired of my phone calls.

Matty

10 (of the many) Reasons I Love My Mom

1. Mom is my cheerleader even when it results in her being banned from my basketball games.

2. Mom doesn't give up on people. She reminds me of a quote by Audrey Hepburn: "People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone."

3. Mom is a risk taker. She is always willing to try new things, even when there is a chance she will land flat on her face. Like when she volunteered to play a deer in an amphitheater performance and while bravely attempting a quick zigzagging step on stage, lost her balance and tripped.



4. Mom is super spiritual. She has an unrivaled enthusiasm for studying the scriptures, applying them in her life, and teaching others what she has learned.

5. Mom is comfortable in her own skin. She is always genuine and always herself.

6. Mom is beautiful. I have a beautiful mom- inside and out and I think the outside reflects how beautiful the inside is. Mom has an effortless smile and kind eyes.



7. Mom is fun. A surprise gift of a brand new swimsuit and hair elastics left on my bed in summer. A day spent watching figure skating at the rink while drinking hot chocolate. Staying up late on a school night to talk. I have many, many memories of special moments I have had with my mother.

8. Mom is a patient teacher.

9. Mom is selfless. She thinks of others before her self and is quick to respond to the needs of others.

10. My mom isn't a normal mom. Growing up I would sometimes complain to my mom that she was embarrassing me. She was dancing around the living room with streamers in front of my friends or she was going into a second hand store on one of the main streets in Fort Saskatchewan where classmates might glimpse me sulking in the van. She would reply, "You don't know how lucky you are, some kids get normal moms". I sure am glad I didn't get one of those normal moms.

A Classroom of One's Own

Or rather a portable of one's own. This is a picture of my Grade Three classroom. Today Matt and I peered through the window to see inside. It is a regular size classroom with the usual furniture: lockers along the back wall, desks lined up in tidy rows, and at the front of the classroom... a SMART Board! One of the school's initiatives is to increase the use of technology in the classroom so each Grade Three student will also have their own laptop.

The school is quite small, as you can probably tell from the pictures. It is only K-3 and it does not even have a gymnasium (gym class takes place in the school hallways in cold weather- which might rule out almost every sport except bowling and rhythmic gymnastics). In fact, I will have to see the library before I believe one actually fits in the school. But I love the school all the more for being small. It's a close-knit school with only 19 staff members and about 180 students which will make it easier to get to know everyone.The school is only a few blocks north of where Matt and I live so I am looking forward to being able to walk or bike to work. So aside from the fact that the original grade three teacher may come back from her mat leave to take over the class in January, it seems like an ideal teaching situation.

I can't wait to start planning my units and setting up my classroom. I think Grade Three is the one of the best ages to teach. At that age they will laugh at your jokes, gape in awe at your athletic abilities, believe you know everything and generally want to please you. Even in Grade Six my students found my physical education skills impressive, that is until I invited Matt to a gym class to show off some spikes and jump serves (there was an audible groan from the group of students who didn't get Matt on their volleyball team- that is to say the students who were on my team).

Dear Curls,

Some days you are unruly and stubborn. When I try to iron you into sleek straightness you defy me by puffing yourself into frizz at the slightest presence of moisture. But I shouldn't try to tame you or change who you are. Sure you take two and a half hours to air dry but when each of your golden strands forms into an array of curls I don't have to touch a single heat appliance to style you. Curls we have had quarrels in the past but lets put those behind us now.

Sincerely,

Royall

The West Coast Trail

This summer my Dad and I are challenging the West Coast Trail, an 75 kilometer hiking trail along Vancouver Island's west coast. Well maybe it won't be a challenge for Dad. He is the ultimate outdoors-man and I doubt any adventure is insurmountable for him. There will be plenty to challenge me anyways: reading tide tables, hiking rocky terrain, climbing steep ladders, lugging a heavy pack, crossing fast-flowing streams and slippery log bridges, but I feel excited and determined to accomplish the hike this summer. I have been looking forward to doing it for over a year now. The views it offers of nature and wildlife are supposed to be breathtaking and it will be fun to spend a week with just Dad.

We are planning to go the first week of August. Right now we are studying information about the trail and organizing our equipment. I have already bought some goretex Saloman hiking boots and Teva sandals in anticipation of the wet weather we're very likely to encounter. Next on my list: goretex rain gear.

Please Superintendent Sir, I Want a Job

Five resumes later, on the day Matt and I were moving from our Saskatoon condo, the Lloydminster Public School Division Superintendent called me to set up an interview for a Grade Three Teaching Position. Last Friday the anticipated day arrived. Wearing a mane of wild curls and a bright magenta cardigan I was channeling Ms.Frizzle. The kooky, fun teacher all students want for their teacher (I got my "Ms.Frizzle" teacher in Grade Two, her name was Ms.Terhorst and she had tight fiery curls cropped close to her head, wore a thin red tie, and used phrases like "excellento!")

In the interview I smoothly connected my teaching experiences with the values of the school. I told jokes. I presented my skills in colorful boxes and sang an advertising jingle. I performed all the tricks I knew to get the job. Two hours later I received the call. It had been extremely close between another applicant and I, but the superintendent and principal had decided to offer the other candidate the job. The superintendent said he was very impressed with me and would recommend me to each principal who posted a position opening at their school, but I was bitterly disappointed. I had already seen the school, already visualized myself feeding the school bunny, Earl, carrots at lunch.

And then yesterday when I went into the Division Office to drop off my application to substitute teach, the superintendent asked me if I would come into his office. The other person had turned down the job offer and it was mine if I wanted. The teaching position is only until January (when the original teacher may return from her maternity leave) but there will likely be another temporary position available by then so I am planning to take it. I give my official reply on Friday.