Hey guys, just a few words ( I can do that ) to ask you what are you guys
doing during the March break ?
Will you do family activities ?
Are you leaving the country ?
Do you plan staying home in your p.j`s all week ?
What are you up to ?
Send your feedback and let me know in writing or verbally in person .
The break is just a few days away in case you didn`t know......
In the meantime, put more shoulder into the school work, we`re almost there.
Tata,
Annie
lundi 25 février 2008
samedi 23 février 2008
BAD BAD TEACHER
I usually use this expresion with my dog when she`s doing bad stuff like chewing on my kids underwear : " Bad bad doggie "
So why the title ?
Because that`s how I feel about my teaching for the last 2 weeks.
Is it the winter blues ?
I don`t get that.
Is it PMS ?
Probably.
Is it my students ?
They are not better or worse than usual and even if they were worse it`s not an excuse, I am a professional right ?
Well I don`t feel professional lately.
I`ve been putting too many things as priority one and the plate is full.
I promise myself every start of the year not to handle too many things at once and to say " NO "and then forget to say it.
What happens is this teacher tries to juggle and solve too many things at once.
The result is lack of sleep, way too many things to do, lunch on the go, projects to handle and way too many things on the daily to-do list and correction piling up!
Add 2 needy kids at home and a husband and you get one irritated and impatient teacher.
The smile and patience go out the window and little things become out of proportion and you lose it.
Next thing you know you`re raising your voice in class while you`re saying to yourself : Is that me yelling ? "
What do you do when that happens ?
You take a day off to get rid of the migraines you`ve been having all week and sleep it off.
You think and do other stuff that isn`t remotely connected to the teaching profession.
You reorganize your list of priorities.
You remind youself that Rome wasn`t built in one day and trust yourself enough to believe you can do a great job.
You try to forget your bosses who expect solutions and results and keep in mind that they are usually very supportive.
You keep in mind that you have ALWAYS worked on your projects thoroughly and nothing has been overlooked : being thorough is a quality but perfectionism is a death sentence.
You then call your sister in Ottawa , and listen to her sound advice.
I then look at my kids who like me, are irritable, cranky and cry for nothing .
March Break here we come, take us away !
So bear with me people, I bark but I don`t bite.
I`m working hard on getting rid of the cranky teacher and letting the normal one find her way back in the classroom.
How sick was I of my job this week ?
I was seriously considering applying at Wal-Mart !
I`m not kidding.
Then I had a reality check and took a nap.
Besides, I can`t work at Wal-Mart, I`d spend my paycheck there
and then who would pay the bills ?
On that, I`m off doing anything that isn`t connected to school.
This blog is very therapeutic by the way, it takes some of the pressure off and lessens the drama.
Do you hear that ?
Well if it isn`t my personal trainer coming ?
Yep, here she comes, my chocolate Labrador, she`s in the mood for a loooong walk and so am I.
Tata y`all
Annie
So why the title ?
Because that`s how I feel about my teaching for the last 2 weeks.
Is it the winter blues ?
I don`t get that.
Is it PMS ?
Probably.
Is it my students ?
They are not better or worse than usual and even if they were worse it`s not an excuse, I am a professional right ?
Well I don`t feel professional lately.
I`ve been putting too many things as priority one and the plate is full.
I promise myself every start of the year not to handle too many things at once and to say " NO "and then forget to say it.
What happens is this teacher tries to juggle and solve too many things at once.
The result is lack of sleep, way too many things to do, lunch on the go, projects to handle and way too many things on the daily to-do list and correction piling up!
Add 2 needy kids at home and a husband and you get one irritated and impatient teacher.
The smile and patience go out the window and little things become out of proportion and you lose it.
Next thing you know you`re raising your voice in class while you`re saying to yourself : Is that me yelling ? "
What do you do when that happens ?
You take a day off to get rid of the migraines you`ve been having all week and sleep it off.
You think and do other stuff that isn`t remotely connected to the teaching profession.
You reorganize your list of priorities.
You remind youself that Rome wasn`t built in one day and trust yourself enough to believe you can do a great job.
You try to forget your bosses who expect solutions and results and keep in mind that they are usually very supportive.
You keep in mind that you have ALWAYS worked on your projects thoroughly and nothing has been overlooked : being thorough is a quality but perfectionism is a death sentence.
You then call your sister in Ottawa , and listen to her sound advice.
I then look at my kids who like me, are irritable, cranky and cry for nothing .
March Break here we come, take us away !
So bear with me people, I bark but I don`t bite.
I`m working hard on getting rid of the cranky teacher and letting the normal one find her way back in the classroom.
How sick was I of my job this week ?
I was seriously considering applying at Wal-Mart !
I`m not kidding.
Then I had a reality check and took a nap.
Besides, I can`t work at Wal-Mart, I`d spend my paycheck there
and then who would pay the bills ?
On that, I`m off doing anything that isn`t connected to school.
This blog is very therapeutic by the way, it takes some of the pressure off and lessens the drama.
Do you hear that ?
Well if it isn`t my personal trainer coming ?
Yep, here she comes, my chocolate Labrador, she`s in the mood for a loooong walk and so am I.
Tata y`all
Annie
jeudi 21 février 2008
SO YOU WANNA GO TO BOSTON ?
I wanna thank my lovely students for the grrrreat day I spent in Montréal Wednesday February 20th.
You guys were cheerful, giddy, polite, interested and just plain pleasant.
I love you guys!
Thank you also for showing up the next morning ( with small eyes but there ).
I also wish to thank my lovely co-workers : Katherine and Paul ( he was supposed to be off that afternoon by the way ).
They were there, helpful and as always, great company.
I can`t wait for the next day, you`ll love it I am positive and you won`t forget it either I guarantee it !!
Some other students are sooo disappointed because we `re not going to Boston ( could you get over yourself already? ) that I made an extra for you.
Actually 2 extras :
1- I called the mayor of Boston just a few minutes ago and he told me you CAN visit Boston even if I am NOT there to go along with you.
I swear this is true!
You can actually go without Ecole Secondaire Jean Nicolet as a regular tourist.
The mayor promised me the city will welcome you anyways.
Isn`t that wonderful ?
2- I called my husband`s aunt ( matante Cécile ) who works for Voyage à Rabais in Trois-Rivières and she will organize the whole trip for you and your loved ones.
She promised me she would include the same tourist attractions we would have visited if you had gone there with the Intensive program.
So now, you have no more reason to say you can`t go to Boston, I have arranged everything.
You can leave tomorrow if you want.
So have a grrreat trip and I won`t even charge you for the long distance call to the Mayor`s office.
Bon Voyage.
PS : You look less like an ass when you act your age NOT your shoe size.
Spread the word.
Suck it up buttercup...
Tata
Annie xx
You guys were cheerful, giddy, polite, interested and just plain pleasant.
I love you guys!
Thank you also for showing up the next morning ( with small eyes but there ).
I also wish to thank my lovely co-workers : Katherine and Paul ( he was supposed to be off that afternoon by the way ).
They were there, helpful and as always, great company.
I can`t wait for the next day, you`ll love it I am positive and you won`t forget it either I guarantee it !!
Some other students are sooo disappointed because we `re not going to Boston ( could you get over yourself already? ) that I made an extra for you.
Actually 2 extras :
1- I called the mayor of Boston just a few minutes ago and he told me you CAN visit Boston even if I am NOT there to go along with you.
I swear this is true!
You can actually go without Ecole Secondaire Jean Nicolet as a regular tourist.
The mayor promised me the city will welcome you anyways.
Isn`t that wonderful ?
2- I called my husband`s aunt ( matante Cécile ) who works for Voyage à Rabais in Trois-Rivières and she will organize the whole trip for you and your loved ones.
She promised me she would include the same tourist attractions we would have visited if you had gone there with the Intensive program.
So now, you have no more reason to say you can`t go to Boston, I have arranged everything.
You can leave tomorrow if you want.
So have a grrreat trip and I won`t even charge you for the long distance call to the Mayor`s office.
Bon Voyage.
PS : You look less like an ass when you act your age NOT your shoe size.
Spread the word.
Suck it up buttercup...
Tata
Annie xx
mercredi 13 février 2008
HAMSTER IN A WHEEL
Some of you came to see me at school and asked when I will post
my next entry.
Very soon.
I know I`m posting at the moment but this woman, momma, teacher needs a bit of time to get a breather, a break, some down time, some R and R .
Besides there is so much stuff I need to write about-and time seems to be a luxury lately.
But I shall be back with a vengeance !!
When I stop acting like a hamster in a wheel, I`ll be back.
PS: Sylar, you`re looking good my man, keep it up.
Annie
my next entry.
Very soon.
I know I`m posting at the moment but this woman, momma, teacher needs a bit of time to get a breather, a break, some down time, some R and R .
Besides there is so much stuff I need to write about-and time seems to be a luxury lately.
But I shall be back with a vengeance !!
When I stop acting like a hamster in a wheel, I`ll be back.
PS: Sylar, you`re looking good my man, keep it up.
Annie
jeudi 7 février 2008
SECONDAIRE EN SPECTACLE = TOO SWELL
Actually, swell is quite an understatement, great, fantastic, terrific evening for lack of better words.
It could easily put Canadian or American idol to shame.
I knew the school had talent, but I was still quite amazingly surprised this year.
Originally, I was supposed to show up at around 7:15 due to a prior appointment( hairdresser )but was informed by René-Olivier Coté and Joël Chassé that they were early in the evening`s line-up and I should be there on time if I didn`t want to miss them.
Didn`t want to miss the boys so I was on a mision: make it on time- do or die !
I wasn`t late but barely made it.
I got to school at 7:02, my hair totally wet ( had to convince my hairdresser NOT to dry my hair because I didn`t want to be late).
6:45 -I`m in Trois-rivières, jump in my truck, gear it on 4x4, put Remedy by Seether on and floor it.
Don`t worry, I totally respected the road code and maximum speed ( I am a mom and don`t want to orphan my kids ).
7:01 I am in the school`s parking lot and literally jump out of the truck and run in the school ( last time I ran in the school I injured myself but it will surely be worth it if I do ) .
I felt like I was on an episode of Starsky and Hutch while I was running with a 5 dollar bill in hand.
Then I see Fred Hamel and Lysandre Désilets next to the auditorium`s door.
During my sprint towards her, Lysandre yells at me : " Annie, Chick and Swell are coming on !"
Without any hesitation, I threw my 5 dollar bill at Fred and yell : " I`ll be back for the change ."
I finally made it for their act in the nick of time.
I`m wet, out of breath ,look stupid but I`m there and ready for the show.
Or so I thought.....
Their bit was funnier than I anticipated- these boys crack me up on a daily basis and they`re not even trying to be funny so imagine when they do.
Thanks Dany Jutras, René-Olivier, Joël for the great laugh.
It was sooooooo worth it !!
René-Olivier is back with a song he wrote " La Nuit Sans Les Etoiles ".
I don`t know who he wrote this song for but she`s a lucky girl.
Just great.
One very pleasant surprise was seeing and hearing Karianne St.Cyr , one of my kids in Sec.4 singing Evangéline.
Sweet voice. I had no ideea she could sing, let alone sing so well.
Then came " Valse Des Bois " played by Alexis Chassé, Marc-Antoine Fleurant and Loriane Richard.
That was no surprise, these kids love and breathe music.
I often see Lorianne with her her violin case- they`re inseparable.
Next up was an act I was totally unprepared for.
" Une Histoire Frappante "
Set up :
piano : Etienne Bergeron
Intro : Fannie Bourdages : Announces right off the bat that this a true story . She wrote the act .
As I am writing I have goose bumps remembering the act.
Elisabeth Provencher on the violin
Etienne Thibault : guitar- wrote the music score.
Joël Chassé and Amélie Lemire Champagne standing front stage .
The music begins and Joël and Amélie interpret ( act and dance ) the vicious circle of violence.
Abuse, violence, family violence, conjugal violence, verbal abuse or violence, it was all there and NOT ONE WORD WAS SPOKEN.
It didn`t need any, it was that powerful.
I stopped breathing ( literally ) 30 seconds in the act and wept my eyes out.
I could not stop weeping.
I totally was gone for 5 minutes . it got hold of me llike there was no tomorrow.
Last thing I know, it`s over, I catch my breath, wipe my eyes and remember I`m in the school auditorium.
Oh my god.
After that, I left.
I had to go back home because Pierre needed to go to Trois-Rivières but I would have left anyway, I was upset and just wanted to go home to hug my kids and husband.
It was that good.
I get home, Pierrre is waiting for me in the garage and I`m still weeping.
Pierre thinks something bad happened to me.
I reassure him but it takes me a while to catch my bearings and explain what I had just witnessed.
Pierre leaves.
I go hug and kiss my kids, jump in my pyjamas, sip a cup of herbal tea and questions come to mind:
How can a 16 year-old come up with something so powerful without using a single syllable and be able get such a message across ?
How can this young man and woman interpret such a powerful emotion that is being a victim of violence or being an abuser without having lived it personally ? Have they ? If not how could they interpret it so truthfully ?
And why is it that an hour later, I`m still upset with what I saw ?
They so hit the nail on the head here. They also hit a nerve. A sensitive one.
I got to know who the winners were first thing the next morning.
Georges and I discuss the evening and how we enjoyed it again this year.
He asks me if I`m going to see the finals in April in Vicoriaville.
Sure I am, I wouldn`t miss this for the world.
So it`s official I will be there. I`ll be on the bus organized by Capt.Georges so go buy your tickets and be prepared to be dazzled.
SNOW DAY
February 7th was our annual Snow Day.
Since Pierre was going to Bromont and coming back late, I stayed at school in order to pick up my kids after school.
I did go bowling with the students who stayed at school.
Who came with me : no other than my favorite French teacher : Katherine Bourgeois.
My supermodel tall Katou and I can not, shouldn`t , can not sit together at serious meetings on Ped.Days because we just giggle all the time.
We instantly turn 5 years old.
But on a snow day, there`s no stopping us !
We had more fun than the students.
My supermodel tall buddy has style, she`s got grace.
And the girl can bowl.
Me on the other hand....
Katherine had to remind me in the middle of our second game : " Annie, aren`t you left-handed because you`re bowling with the right one ? "
"AAAAh that`s why I suck out loud at this sport ! "
I changed hand and sucked even more.
Hey, I`m an intellectual ! I`m not manual.
I don`t cook ( Katherine likes to remind me of this EVERYDAY lately ).
I can`t even nail a nail on the wall but I have so many other talents.
I make a mean cheesecake though.
Katou, I love you.
I had a great day thanks to you.
Thanks for the supermodel Reitman poses you do so well in the school corridor.
Speaking of, here`s an example of how good I am manually:
One fine Sunday afternoon, I decide to hang ballet ornaments in Rose`s room.
I come in her bedroom with nails and hammer in hand and mentally ready to accomplish the task at hand.
" Mommy, what are you doing ? " she says.
" I `m gonna hang your ballet decorations once and for all Rose, it`s way due ."
Rosie : " You can do that mom ? "
Not-Too-Convincing Mom : " Sure I can do this Rosie !! "
Rosie : " Where`s dad ?"
Baffled Mom: " Daddy`s downstairs, why ? "
Rosie : " I think he should do it, I don`t think you can mom "
Pissed- off Mom : " Sure I can- Watch me "
Mom starts hammering the nail and the daughter witnesses the nail going totally through the wall- in the wall-the nail disappears.
Rosie : " Daddy, I think you should come here and help mom !! "
Pierre hung the decorations finally.
I swear to God this is a true story.
My six-year-old already knows I am a total loser when it comes to fixing things and knows I am so much better at breaking stuff.
So what- who does she run to when it`s time to bake cookies - when she`s hurt- her heart is breaking-she needs a hug and a kiss- to tuck her in at night ?
Momma.
So mamma is no Martha Stewart- so what.
On that,
TaTA
Annie
It could easily put Canadian or American idol to shame.
I knew the school had talent, but I was still quite amazingly surprised this year.
Originally, I was supposed to show up at around 7:15 due to a prior appointment( hairdresser )but was informed by René-Olivier Coté and Joël Chassé that they were early in the evening`s line-up and I should be there on time if I didn`t want to miss them.
Didn`t want to miss the boys so I was on a mision: make it on time- do or die !
I wasn`t late but barely made it.
I got to school at 7:02, my hair totally wet ( had to convince my hairdresser NOT to dry my hair because I didn`t want to be late).
6:45 -I`m in Trois-rivières, jump in my truck, gear it on 4x4, put Remedy by Seether on and floor it.
Don`t worry, I totally respected the road code and maximum speed ( I am a mom and don`t want to orphan my kids ).
7:01 I am in the school`s parking lot and literally jump out of the truck and run in the school ( last time I ran in the school I injured myself but it will surely be worth it if I do ) .
I felt like I was on an episode of Starsky and Hutch while I was running with a 5 dollar bill in hand.
Then I see Fred Hamel and Lysandre Désilets next to the auditorium`s door.
During my sprint towards her, Lysandre yells at me : " Annie, Chick and Swell are coming on !"
Without any hesitation, I threw my 5 dollar bill at Fred and yell : " I`ll be back for the change ."
I finally made it for their act in the nick of time.
I`m wet, out of breath ,look stupid but I`m there and ready for the show.
Or so I thought.....
Their bit was funnier than I anticipated- these boys crack me up on a daily basis and they`re not even trying to be funny so imagine when they do.
Thanks Dany Jutras, René-Olivier, Joël for the great laugh.
It was sooooooo worth it !!
René-Olivier is back with a song he wrote " La Nuit Sans Les Etoiles ".
I don`t know who he wrote this song for but she`s a lucky girl.
Just great.
One very pleasant surprise was seeing and hearing Karianne St.Cyr , one of my kids in Sec.4 singing Evangéline.
Sweet voice. I had no ideea she could sing, let alone sing so well.
Then came " Valse Des Bois " played by Alexis Chassé, Marc-Antoine Fleurant and Loriane Richard.
That was no surprise, these kids love and breathe music.
I often see Lorianne with her her violin case- they`re inseparable.
Next up was an act I was totally unprepared for.
" Une Histoire Frappante "
Set up :
piano : Etienne Bergeron
Intro : Fannie Bourdages : Announces right off the bat that this a true story . She wrote the act .
As I am writing I have goose bumps remembering the act.
Elisabeth Provencher on the violin
Etienne Thibault : guitar- wrote the music score.
Joël Chassé and Amélie Lemire Champagne standing front stage .
The music begins and Joël and Amélie interpret ( act and dance ) the vicious circle of violence.
Abuse, violence, family violence, conjugal violence, verbal abuse or violence, it was all there and NOT ONE WORD WAS SPOKEN.
It didn`t need any, it was that powerful.
I stopped breathing ( literally ) 30 seconds in the act and wept my eyes out.
I could not stop weeping.
I totally was gone for 5 minutes . it got hold of me llike there was no tomorrow.
Last thing I know, it`s over, I catch my breath, wipe my eyes and remember I`m in the school auditorium.
Oh my god.
After that, I left.
I had to go back home because Pierre needed to go to Trois-Rivières but I would have left anyway, I was upset and just wanted to go home to hug my kids and husband.
It was that good.
I get home, Pierrre is waiting for me in the garage and I`m still weeping.
Pierre thinks something bad happened to me.
I reassure him but it takes me a while to catch my bearings and explain what I had just witnessed.
Pierre leaves.
I go hug and kiss my kids, jump in my pyjamas, sip a cup of herbal tea and questions come to mind:
How can a 16 year-old come up with something so powerful without using a single syllable and be able get such a message across ?
How can this young man and woman interpret such a powerful emotion that is being a victim of violence or being an abuser without having lived it personally ? Have they ? If not how could they interpret it so truthfully ?
And why is it that an hour later, I`m still upset with what I saw ?
They so hit the nail on the head here. They also hit a nerve. A sensitive one.
I got to know who the winners were first thing the next morning.
Georges and I discuss the evening and how we enjoyed it again this year.
He asks me if I`m going to see the finals in April in Vicoriaville.
Sure I am, I wouldn`t miss this for the world.
So it`s official I will be there. I`ll be on the bus organized by Capt.Georges so go buy your tickets and be prepared to be dazzled.
SNOW DAY
February 7th was our annual Snow Day.
Since Pierre was going to Bromont and coming back late, I stayed at school in order to pick up my kids after school.
I did go bowling with the students who stayed at school.
Who came with me : no other than my favorite French teacher : Katherine Bourgeois.
My supermodel tall Katou and I can not, shouldn`t , can not sit together at serious meetings on Ped.Days because we just giggle all the time.
We instantly turn 5 years old.
But on a snow day, there`s no stopping us !
We had more fun than the students.
My supermodel tall buddy has style, she`s got grace.
And the girl can bowl.
Me on the other hand....
Katherine had to remind me in the middle of our second game : " Annie, aren`t you left-handed because you`re bowling with the right one ? "
"AAAAh that`s why I suck out loud at this sport ! "
I changed hand and sucked even more.
Hey, I`m an intellectual ! I`m not manual.
I don`t cook ( Katherine likes to remind me of this EVERYDAY lately ).
I can`t even nail a nail on the wall but I have so many other talents.
I make a mean cheesecake though.
Katou, I love you.
I had a great day thanks to you.
Thanks for the supermodel Reitman poses you do so well in the school corridor.
Speaking of, here`s an example of how good I am manually:
One fine Sunday afternoon, I decide to hang ballet ornaments in Rose`s room.
I come in her bedroom with nails and hammer in hand and mentally ready to accomplish the task at hand.
" Mommy, what are you doing ? " she says.
" I `m gonna hang your ballet decorations once and for all Rose, it`s way due ."
Rosie : " You can do that mom ? "
Not-Too-Convincing Mom : " Sure I can do this Rosie !! "
Rosie : " Where`s dad ?"
Baffled Mom: " Daddy`s downstairs, why ? "
Rosie : " I think he should do it, I don`t think you can mom "
Pissed- off Mom : " Sure I can- Watch me "
Mom starts hammering the nail and the daughter witnesses the nail going totally through the wall- in the wall-the nail disappears.
Rosie : " Daddy, I think you should come here and help mom !! "
Pierre hung the decorations finally.
I swear to God this is a true story.
My six-year-old already knows I am a total loser when it comes to fixing things and knows I am so much better at breaking stuff.
So what- who does she run to when it`s time to bake cookies - when she`s hurt- her heart is breaking-she needs a hug and a kiss- to tuck her in at night ?
Momma.
So mamma is no Martha Stewart- so what.
On that,
TaTA
Annie
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