Tis The Season

The holiday season is at our door again.
Whether you are religious or not, Christmas is the holiday ( Holy Day ) where the world or time at least seems to stop or slow down.

For me, it couldn`t have come any sooner.
What is there to look for besides the time off ?

Well, at the Bergeron household the first things we look forward to are the relaxed, stress-free days.
No daily list of things to do,no more schedule,no homework, no lunches to do to name a few irritants.

On the to do list -aaaaaaaaaaaaah well , we just can`t enough of those:
1- Cuddle like puppies in a litter.
2- Sleep in - and sleep some more.
3- Play in the snow
4- Hot chocolate when we get back inside to avoid hyperthermia of course !
5- Cuddle some more.
6- Listen to Christmas music
7- Avoid stores as much as possible.
8- See family and friends
9- Laugh
10 See more family and friends
11- Laugh some more
12- Watch Edward Scissorhands again-family tradtion
13-Eat tons of sweets
14-Eat some more
15-Talk,play,laugh together.

But most importantly reflect on Christmases of the past,be grateful of the loved ones around us and promise to love them more this coming new year.

And isn`t ironic how when we think of past Christmases, we don`t seem to remember what we bought or received from our loved ones that was wrapped but the time we spent with them.

Personally I `ve never missed a gift under the tree but do miss the people who are no longer in our midst.

So when you see your family and friends during the holidays, see them all wrapped up with a red bow- because that my friend, are the real gifts of life and you certainly don`t need a credit card to fully love them.

So to all of you, I wish you a very merry, merry Christmas, good will to men and God bless you all !

Froehliche Weihnachten !
( Yep, my name means happy in German- how appropriate )
xx

Dream A Little Dream

Everyone should have a bucket list.
List of stuff you want to do before you kick the bucket (before you die )
I have one.
It`s what keeps you happy, alive .
The last thing you want is regret while you`re on your death bed.

Here`s my bucket list I started when I was a kid :

1- Get a dog ( I was 8 ). His name was Rover in case you`re wondering.

2- Be a ballerina . Never happened but I can do a mean belly dance and a great happy dance at the grocery store somewhere in the produce section.

3- Marry Prince Charming and never settle for less.His name is Pierre.

4- Be friends with my sisters and brother. I remember when I was a kid in bed at night, I`d do the math and see all 4 of us, as adults, just being so happy being together. Mission accomplished.

5- Be an independent woman-nothing close to my mother.
My best accomplishment thus far. Unfortunately she never got the chance to see how happy and grateful I am for being so the opposite of her.

6- Do a job where I can help people. I wanted to be a social worker since I can remember but my father insisted we all went to university. I thought teaching was the next best thing and English Literature is just the best subject in the world. In my top 5 of best decisions I `ve made.

7- Get a vintage car.I wanted a 1975 Ford Torino but got a `73 Mustang instead. Wise choice.
8- Have no kids. Obviously that didn`t work out as I planned. I had my kids by CHOICE.
I just realized I didn`t want kids for the wrong reasons and started wanting kids for the right ones.

9- Have nice hair like in the t.v commercials. I was 10 and the shampoo was Finesse.
So much for that one. Trying though.

10- Go to British Columbia. See the Rockies, Lake Louise . Hasn`t happened yet......

11- Be in a movie . Since I was a kid, I wanted to be an actress in a movie.Came true 2 years ago.Great experience ! Now I stick to teaching.

12- Road trip . Another is just around the corner, just Pierre and me.......

13- Do my Doctor`s degree in literature. Still working on that.I love university ,I love to learn. What a gift.Kinda glad I was pushed to attend it.
14-Go see an AC/DC show. Thanks Pierre.

15- See the Cirque Du Soleil . On my to do list.

16- Get a Jack Russel. When my kids are out of the house. .....one day.

17- Write a book . Working on it right now.Don`t ask, I won`t talk about it.

18- Have grandkids.

19- Be a university professor: Professor Fröhlich. Has a great ring to it. Being paid to teach, do research and publish. TO DO as soon as possible !

20-Get a tattoo. Getting it this summer. The word " Veritas " latin meaning " truth " also the goddess of truth. (at the base of my neck)
Truth, being truthful is everything.

21- Go to Europe on my second honeymoon.

22- Write a second book.

23-Being healthy during the summer vacation. Still working on that one.

24-Slow down. No comment.

25- Learn how to knit.

26-Sign language decently.

27- Never do any scrapbooking.

28- Be a great mom to my kids, especially when they`re older and independent.

29- Be patient.....one day.

30- Have fun

31- Be active , in tiptop shape.

32- Quit smoking.

33- Dance everyday.

34-Have more time for my friends.

35- Host great dinners for my friends and family with lots of music and great wines. I don`t drink but my friends love wine.

36-Own a 1970 Challenger. Both my kids would get a car. No fighting.

37- Have tons of time to read.

38- Have more time to read.

39- Log cabin in the woods. Have one model in my head. When the kids are out of the house.

40- Eat chocolate everyday and not gain an ounce. Yeah right.
41- Never tolerate stupidity. Like that`s going to happen. See # 29.
42- Go to a Red Sox game at Fenway Park. I get goosebumps just thinking about it.Great thrill.

I could go on forever.
What would be on your bucket list ?
Dreams are goals, objectives, it spices up life.
If you want to know where you`re going, start dreaming and go for it.
And when you`re tired a little, sit and think of the dreams you realized so far. It`ll give you the drive to move on some more and reach for the next ones.Try it, trust me it works.
Start dreaming with both eyes wide open.

NO,SERIOUSLY, I WANT TO KNOW.

Teaching English Second Language ( is it really at Ecole Secondaire Jean Nicolet ?)
is the best and most interesting subject a person can teach.
Why ?
Because English is fun,funny, poetic, practical, fairly easy to learn when you have a good teacher ( insert picture here ;).

Last month, my sec. 4 students proved it once more.
It`s never boring in Intensive English class. We read great literature, we discuss, we write on different subjects and so on.
So 2 weeks ago I wanted my students to reflect on the writing process.
I wanted them to reflect, organize their ideas in their head, structure their ideas and write it in their second language.
I didn`t want them to think or ponder on just anything.
I wanted a subject that would touch them and needed reflection on their part.
What to ask I thought ?
The great thing about English class is the world,the universe is our subject really.
We can write, read, talk about sports and weather one minute and philosophize the next.
The world is our playground.
And honestly, if Intensive English students were asked, we could change the world, we have opinions and solutions.
But then again, I wanted to give my 16 year-olds the time to stop and think .
Forget regurgitating answers on paper .
And since I will have to read and correct 62 copies,I wanted it to be a little stimulating. Need I remind you I `m off coffee after noon.....

The other beauty about teaching my kids is that they are so smart,interested and interesting
I could also add respectful, polite and caring but you wouldn`t believe they are all that anyway.
I hear you :" yeah right, of course, they`re her students ! "
Yes they are.


So what did they have to write about anyway !?
I asked them 2 questions which at first glance seemed very inoffensive.
But when I told them what I DIDN`T want in their answer, their reaction was priceless.

Q1- WHO do you want to be when you grow up ?
What I didn`t want is a profession. It is not WHAT do you want to be but WHO.
I got a stereo surround sound " Hmmmmmmm "
Bait worked.

Q2- You are now 15- 16 years old, what have you learned so far ?
This answer has nothing to do with Math, French or English.
The best lessons in life aren`t learned sitting behind a desk.

After I explained the questions, the students were looking at them on the board like deers in the headlights.
I knew they could do this, they just needed time to think.
They are so used to being asked to produce,perform and produce some more that I had to reassure them with the deadline: a week.



The result ?
Beyond my highest expectations.
I swear, the quality of their writing is so great you `d believe that English is their native tongue !!!
I knew I would read some really great written productions but this was like eating chocolate.
Yep it was that good.
Teaching has its perks but this was more than that.
Some students poured their heart and soul in their answers.
The maturity of their answers really caught me off guard most of all.
I can say without any hesitation that some students answered better than if I had asked some of my adult entourage.

My problem now, which I hadn`t anticipated is : How do I mark this ?
I can mark the " HOW " they wrote it but how can I mark the " WHAT ", the content.
Who am I to evaluate such honest and explicit answers coming from the heart ?

I believe to evaluate is to evolve.
How do I or how can I evaluate personal evolution ?
Do I only evaluate the English aspect of it?

So I go have dinner with the family at a friend`s house last night .
She and her husband are both teachers too.
At the table, I tell them about this unexpected problem.
After some discussion, my friend Marie proposed : " How about auto-evaluation ?"
That makes sense,evaluate the language on a separate sheet and as for the content, they do a self-evaluation.

Is that what I am going to do ?
Don`t know yet.
I`m still thinking.

But isn`t it ironic how an exercise to make my students think, ponder, reflect on the writing process turned out to be an exercise for me also.
It gives a whole different point of view to the phrase : to evalute is to evolve.
I can confirm that I have evolved also and THAT was unexpected too.

And that my friends, is another reason why I love my job.
Of course there are days I wish I worked in a grocery store.
But then again,can cans of tomato soup stimulate my intellectual and personal evolution like my students do ?
I don`t think so.

And what would YOU answer ?
Think,organize and structure your ideas and write it.

You just might be surprised with your answers.




To my kids in Sec.4, this is for you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdMbHfA-e74

No rest for the wicked,
Annie

ALIVE AND KICKING

I know, I know,it`s been a while.
4 months to be exact.
What happened ?
The end of the year.
Very busy is an understatement.
Then the year ended, the summer holiday began and my back went out.....again.
So it was a quiet,stress free summer filled with lots of naps and downtime.
All that without ANY caffeine.
Yep , this teacher had to go without coffee after 12:00 pm, doctor`s orders.
Fortunately my students didn`t have to go through my withdrawal.
My family on the other hand.....
Why do teachers drink coffee ?
Because they NEED it !

After lots of R&R, back to school came strolling by.
With promises of taking better care of myself during the year,not fuss over little things and not being too much of a perfectionist, I came back.
Let`s see in June how I did with these new objectives.

I realized that this is my 17th back to school !
I decided I shouldn`t stress with the work ahead but rather trust my experience acquired so far.
Easier said than done people.
That little hamster in the wheel can`t stop working overdrive sometimes.
And that little hamster likes the work done perfectly and likes it done yesterday.
Do I put the hamster to sleep ?
No , but I can give it warm milk so it can settle down.
Notice I said warm milk, not coffee.

So what have I learned in 17 years of teaching ?
What advice would I give to a new hamster-I mean teacher ?
Well , it`s not polite to give advice whan not asked, but I `ll give it anyway.

ANNIE`S TOP 10 : STUFF I`VE LEARNED

10- Be in tiptop shape, mentally and physically.
Teaching is an art mostly but there are days when it`s an extreme sport.

9-Learn new stuff. You can`t stop learning when your job is to incite your students to learn.

8-Be curious about everything, read newspapers ( good ones ), go to museums, see plays then bring back all that new knowledge and share it with your students.
And for the love of God, be passionate about it !

7- Smell good

6- Be available,be attentive. Listen.
If you have a gut feeling something`s wrong with your student,he / she needs help, a pat on the shoulder, an ear, take the initiative. Go see him /her.

5-Make sure you have a sense of humor. You need one to enjoy your periods, your day, your year.You`d be surprised how students love it when your teacher is sarcastic and ironic. Never be mean though and make sure YOU are the butt of the joke , never them.

4- Smile,smile, smile.
Greet them at the door with a smile. It costs nothing, you see how each one feels that class (angsty, stressed out, happy, tired, under the weather, sick, about to cry, mad etc ) . All that before the bell rings.
They`ll never admit it, but they love that.

3- Tell them they are the best. Because they are ! They are YOUR students and that`s exactly how you should perceive and treat them.
I mother them to death, and they let me.Never had a complaint.

2- Be yourself. Students know when you are faking it.
Àction speaks louder than words.
If respect is part of your value system,then you have to be respectful. Nobody likes a phony, especially teens ! They`ll see right through you and eat you up.

1- Love them. ALL of them. The pain in the neck students ?
Love them more.You`ll both win.
Sometimes it`s hard,but keep in mind they are teens, kids, don`t quit on them. They just need a special place in your heart.

As you can see, I haven`t even mentioned lesson plans, homework , report cards simply because if you don`t teach with your heart, you`ll never teach. You`ll just pass on information and knowledge. Any idiot can do that.
Teaching is connecting with students, sharing a passion for knowledge, teaching is an act of generosity,the art of communicating.
Your subject ( English in my case ) is like a viral disease and your job is to make sure everyone catches it.
I just love it when my students leave my classroom with major symptoms !

I`m not a perfect teacher, far from it, but these are lessons I`ve learned along the way.
It`s the best profession in the world, and to be honest, it`s complex and very difficult attimes.However, I truly believe my students teach ME just as much as I teach them . I know that now. I just had to be attentive to their teachings.

So to all my students,
I promise we`ll have a great year together, you `ve won my heart already.
Keep teaching me and don`t go easy on the homework !

No rest for the wicked,
Annie

HUH ?

Something has been bugging me lately.
Not in the sense of annoying but has go me thinking alot.
Let me explain.
I get this comment at least once a month, sometimes once a week and every time I get this comment, the same question arises ?
Huh ?
My perplexed facial expression usually accompanies it.
I get it from my Sec.2 kids but mostly from my Sec.4`s and lately from my Sec.3`s whom I don`t teach before next August.
Here`s what they say in general :
" We like you teaching us, you`re like a mom. "
Huh ?
And honestly, I am happy to hear it, pleased with the compliment, flattered by the honesty, it`s simply the sweetest thing to hear from your students, but I don`t understand it.
Am I a teacher, a mom or teacher-mom to my kids, I mean, my students ?
Do I mother-hen them too much ?
Is it because I treat them like they are my kids when they are in my class ?
Guilty.
Should I stop ?
Well, to be brutally honest, I couldn`t even if my life depended on it.
I`ve always taught that way.
Is it because I was an elementary teacher at the very beginning of my career ?
Probably.
But then again, I don`t treat my students like elementary students.
But what if I do ?
The students always tell me this because they appreciate and enjoy the mothering but the question is : WHAT MOTHERING ?!
I really do not have the impression I mother my students.
So I give them caramel once in a while.
Other teachers do different but very similar gestures also.
I didn`t reinvent the wheel here.
So what is it the " mothering " thing.
Thing I have always wanted to stay away from to the point of not wanting any kids of my own ( I`m so glad I changed my mind concerning that issue ).
Do I enjoy being told this by one of my students : Yes siree Bob !
Do I get it ?
No.
But then , why fix something that isn`t broken or overanalyze something that is quite simple ?
Some things are just better left unsaid.
On that, mom is going to get dinner ready without burning it and the house down.
Wish me luck .
No rest for the wicked.
Tata,
Annie

HIGH DEFINITION / HIGH QUALITY TIME= JOY

At my age, you question lots of stuff in your life, your choices, your status, your profession, your life.
I call it the SECOND teenage years. You reflect on major choices you made in the past before making new ones .
I`ve been doing that a lot in the last few monthS.
You don`t take B.S as much ( like I EVER did ) and you appreciate the important things more( my favorite hobby ).
And lately, I must admit that being my age is quite refreshing and a plus. Well except for the mechanics which remind you just how old you really are: more make-up, more hair colouring, your kids like to remind you....
I had the privilege of taking some serious family time with my kids and husband lately and am having one heck of a good time.
I feel darn lucky and blessed.
If I could stop time, I would stop it right now.
What did I do to deserve all these blessings ? I don`t know.
I do know I appreciate and savour every second.
These perfect moments and happy life are the result of many choices I did many years ago and I realize: Wow, I was very smart to make such great choices.It `s not always easy but then it`d be a dull life now wouldn`t it ?
I`ve also been blessed with the capacity of wanting what I already have and not what I don`t and can`t have . I believe it`s a Frohlich thing.
When I first was married, Pierre and I had nothing but huge student loans, and part-time jobs and we were very happy.
20 years ,a husband, 2 kids,a dog, a house, 2 cars and lots of material stuff later, we are still very happy.
Bottom line: stuff doesn`t make you happy. You do. You relationships you have with others do.
I am not the stuff I own, I am not my job, I am not just a mom and wife.I am the sum of all that.
I am more.
With that, here`s one of my favorite poem by a great poet who`s still very alive and kicking : Maya Angelou.
It`s all about INNER beauty, we all have it .

Phenomenal Woman

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Rock till you drop people,
Annie

IT` S A GIRL !

No, I `m not pregnant but if you have a few minutes, I `ll explain what this title is all about .
Many years ago, this blogger decided not to have children but a career instead.
I was going to be a university professor one day,have diplomas with high honors, write a book a year, hence, living the dream.

Then I got married to the man of my dreams but still had the career at the top of my list of priorities.
For a reason I still don`t know to this day, the need to conceive, to have children slowly but surely crept up on me.
A few years later, I got the baby bug.
But to make sure I wanted kids for the right reasons ( because once you have them, you just can`t return them )I decided to discuss it with Pierre who was very open to the idea.
After a few years of reflection, we went for it and had Félix-Antoine 8 years after we were married.
Let me tell you this kid was desired and wished for and I thank God everyday for this blessing.
Best decision we ever made !

Two years later, Pierre and I decided to give Filou a little brother.
Let me specify that with both my pregnancies, Pierre and I did NOT want to know the sex of our kids.
We wanted the surprise, we loved the anticipation and the mystery.
Also know, during my second pregnancy I was so big the doctors thought I was carrying 2 .
After many ultra-sounds it was confirmed that there was just one ( thank God ! ) but this baby was not going to be a small one !!!
Like I didn`t know that already !

So on due day, this baby decides it`s not coming out.
And by this time we figured : it`s a boy, it just can`t be a girl, it`s too big.
We keep telling Félix-Antoine : " Jacob will be here soon."
We were convinced we were having a boy.

And I was so darn happy with that idea.
A GIRL ?
Are you insane ?
What do you want me to do with a girl ?
I have 2 sisters, been there, done that, I want a boy.
I love having a boy and I especially love the mother-son relationship.
Another son ?
Bring it on !

A week after my due date, I get the usual symptoms of child labor ( let me spare you ).
The only problem is: the Laviolette bridge is closed !
You read well, closed due to a HUGE snowstorm.
I can`t have this baby now, I can`t get to the hospital !
We finally did ( I`ll spare that also ).

After an emergency c-section, we finally have our new big baby: 10 pounds, 24 inches or 2 feet if you prefer.

" IT`S A GIRL ! " the doctors exclaim.
They present us our brand new pink baby and Pierre and I are just stunned.
It`s a girl...?

And honestly, as much as I was thrilled to the gills to have this baby girl, I kept thinking: what am I going to do with a girl and what about the whole mother-daughter relationship ?
What if I fail ?
I did not want to be her role-model and mess her up,let her down ; I just didn`t want that pressure.
And then a funny thing happened.
First we gave her a name .
We almost named her Blanche because of the darn snowstorm but picked Rose-Anne instead.
Thank God for that wise decision.
And then I made her and myself a promise.
Ok, she was 2 days old and I suppose she didn`t get the jist of it but I made the promise anyway.

I promised her that although I was not going to be a perfect mom, I would always love her and be there for her no matter what.
And although she was not always going to be perfect either, I would love her and be there for her no matter what.
And our mother-daughter relationship started at that moment.

It`s going to be Rose`s birthday next Monday ( March 23 ) and kept stop thinking: I am so blessed to have this little girl in my life!
This mother-daughter relationship is so different and yet as wonderful as the one I have with my son.
Imagine everything I would have missed if I had had my wish granted.
Sometimes life doesn`t always gives you what you want, it gives you what you need to grow.
Lesson learned.
So to my baby girl, my dancing partner,my ballerina, my let`s go play in the snow accomplice, my walk and a bubble bath buddy, my shopping companion,my princess,the little girl who melts my heart every time she looks at me, who makes my eyes water every time she says " I love you mommy " I dedicate the following.
I picked her name mostly because of this song.
Mommy loves being kissed by a Rose.



COPY AND PASTE THE LINK:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GW-GbjXGsWY

WARNING : song can be very addictive.
No rest for the wicked,
Annie

Letting Go Week: To Better Latch On .

Sounds mighty weird but that`s the exact translation to the term " Semaine de Relâche ".
And boy am I doing just that and enjoying every second- no make that millisecond of it.
I seriously thought I wouldn`t make it to the March Break.
Too many things, projects, chores and responsibilities were on one same plate.
I would have needed a clone if that were possible.
But as I was listening to some family members over the weekend, it was the same for them so I got great consolation.
It`s somehow wickedly pleasant to know others are also having a nutty ( to avoid another term ) week .

So enough of last week, or should I say last month !
A new page has been turned.
As some of you may or may not know, we lost both our principal ( Fredéric Pruvost ) and our assistant-principal ( Claude Verville ) both in the same week.
Both are heading to greener pastures .
Leaving in the middle of the year is not an easy feat and wish Claude Verville all the luck he deserves. Congratulations .

As for Jean Nicolet, we only got a partial answer as to who will take the reins of our wonderful school.
As of Monday, March 9th, Jean Nicolet will be led by Mr.Pascal Blondin.
He was , until very recently, Beauséjour school`s principal.

Like you, ladies and germs, every time we have a long holiday, I dread ( saying it mildly ) going back to school.
I get the heavy Sunday night blues and the stress that goes with it.
I`m sure I` ll get it Sunday too except THIS time it shall be with excitement, anticipation and a light heart that I shall return.
I can`t wait to have Mr.Blondin aboard the SS Jean Nicolet.
I `ve heard but good things about the man.
Hope our school will give him the welcome he deserves.
I see the future of Jean Nicolet much brighter with him at its helm.
I see the English Concentration getting the much deserved attention and care it needs.
In short, I see hope and optimism.
The arrival of Mr.Blondin is much needed and the timing couldn`t be better.

So in short, I`m taking the week to " Let Go " in order to better latch on to our school to allow her to get full speed ahead and cruise the usually calm but occassionally rough waters.

Welcome in our midst Mr.Blondin and smooth sailing to you.
Your crew is in dire need of leadership and support.

CARRY ON MY WAYWARD SON

The title of this post is actually a song by Kansas.
It is my favorite song in the world .
Hope it plays at my funeral.
I often have it my head, listen to it ( presently playing as I`m writing this) and never get tired of it.
It`s an oldie but a goodie and darn they don`t write music like that anymore!
I wasn`t born in the right decade.

I`ve had this song in my head ALL WEEK .
Why ?
For many reasons.
First, it`s my son`s 10th anniversary January 31st .
10 years ago , Superbowl Sunday, my first darlng was born.
It`s been 10 years of sweat, blood, tears, pure joy, worries, bliss, happiness.
He has taught me soooo much over these years.
I am a better person because of him and know what unconditional love is.
He`s also taught me that 10 years passes VERY quickly, it flies.

To carry on wayward : idiom meaning to continue, despite the difficulties, the obstacles.

My son or my kids are not the only people that come to mind when I hear this song.
I also see students who have or have had difficulties, problems, worries.
It`s not easy being a teen.
Heck it`s not easy being an adult either but at least life experience has given us tools, arms and shields to help us carry on wayward.
And at school, I often see students carry on despite the hardships, with friends not too far away.
And to them I want to whisper in their ear, carry on wayward with your head high. The storm is almost over and the blue skies are just a few clouds away.
Even I have to tell myself the same thing at times.
Is it the winter blues,the end of the term, the report cards, the réforme ?
Maybe.
Let`s just say I listen to the song quite often on my Ipod these days.

A few mminutes ago I was plating Guitar Hero II with my son and guess which song we played ?
Who would have thought 10 years ago that I`d be playing this exact song with my OWN son .
So to my son, my other kids ( students ), here are the lyrics and Zee song.
Feel free to sing along but let me warn you it is a highly addictive song.
It is also a song featuring in a Supernatural episode.
No wonder I adore this show!
So here goes, song AND lyrics just for you, just below the pics.
Let me know how you enjoy it.
Do YOU have a favorite song ?
Tata darlings.
Annie
PS: I received letters from your New Hampshire penpals.
I`ll print and hand them out Monday.
You can also send messages via the following Facebook link Mr.Patrick Bernier created for you folks: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=34881669535#


It doesn`t show but we`re having fun. Two perfectionists having fun.......

Félix`s favorite meal : pizza from his favorite restaurant and chocolate cake.Zee song link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pw6_VXPwm6U

DON`T HATE ME BECAUSE I`M AN IDIOT !

Those who know me very well will not be surprised when they read the following.
You are almost immuned to it and often ignore me when I do it now.
The rest of you MIGHT be.
For the others, don`t hate me because I`m an idiot.

It started many years ago.
I was working for Stéréo Plus at the time, part-time being a university student.
Music always played in the store, 12 hours a day.
I loved working there for that and the fact that I was the only girl in the history of the store ever having worked there.
It`s less complicated working with men.

Anyway, here I was working at Stéréo Plus and when things were quiet I loved testing the speakers: putting on really good music, really loudly.
We had the best stuff on the market but I felt I needed to test them once in a while when I was bored.
There were mini living rooms in the store so you could listen and feel like you were sitting on your own sofa.
I`d pop a c.d in, crank up the volume, shut the door and dance.........alone.
The end result after a few songs was liberating, I felt refreshed, renewed and happy.
My co-workers would let me do it in peace and being the youngest employee would tolerate my habit without ever complaining.
They would be gracious enough to warn me when clients would set foot in the store.
I `m still thankful for that to this day.

A few years later I started working at ESJN.
Needing my daily dose of music, I would bring my MP3 player.
And yes the tradition would continue.
Now obviously, dancing to my MP3 is a daily thing for me.
I have strict rules I abide to, for example :
It is best done with moderation, at an appropriate time and place.
Avoid doing this in front of a crowd but choose rather a small group of co-workers you know have a sense of humor.
It is best done in front of co-workers who need to laugh.
It works every time.
Do it for 1 or 2 songs maximum, you wouldn`t want to spoil them too much, keep them asking for more.
Do NOT take yourself seriously and they laugh even more.
My favorite audience : Katherine Bourgeois, my sec.4 teachers in the office, the art teachers, line Hébert and René the receptionist because she believes I dance well.

I like to call it my Happy Dance.
My favorite time and place is when I don`t teach ( I NEVER Happy Dance in class, it`s just not fun ) and have to do my milkrun.
My usual Happy Dance milkrun consists of : the photocopying machine .
I have to add that the secretaries downstairs are so used to seeing me do this that they ignore me.
If I`m good and lucky enough, one of them will throw a " Maudit qt`es folle " , usually Lorraine or Marie-Josée. Love it when they do that !
Then I go check my mail and grab a cup of java in the teacher`s lounge .
If no one`s there , I do the Happy dance like there`s no tomorrow.
If there are people, I tone it down a little.
A girl just has too much energy sometimes and needs to spend it.
Works especially on a sugar or coffee rush.
Nothing tones down my hyper-drive more than a 3 -minute Happy Dance séance .

I`m tellling you it`s a drug.
I got addicted to the moral booster it produces.
Try it, but let me warn you, it is HIGHLY addictive.
Do people think I`m crazy ?
Sure.
Do I care ?
No way.
If ridicule killed, I`d be dead a loooooong time ago.
I truly believe it is a natural anti-depressant.
Dance every day and keep the doctor away, that`s my mojo.
And it doesn`t require much equipment: MP3 player and you`re all set to go.

I Happy Dance everywhere now: in my truck ( even when I`m driving ), at home( my kids ignore me now- unless I have a new move ) and even at the grocery store but only if there`s a good song on and despite my kids` " Ah maman là ! "
The only time I am not allowed to Happy Dance is at home when my kids`friends come over.
I figure I want my kids to actually KEEP their friends!
I do have limits, that and the funeral parlor.

So on that, I wish you some Happy Dancing of your own.
Try it and let me know.
GROOVE IS IN THE HEART AND ANNIE`S GOT HER GROOVE BACK !
Tata darlings,
Annie

JINGLE BELL ROCK...... AND SO DO WE. GOD HELP US!

BEFORE I go on, let me apologize for the tardiness of my new post, my reponses to your wonderful comments and to put it plainly, neglecting y`all. ( What am I southern all of a sudden?).

I am suffering from a very contagious bug or virus.

No need to see the doctor, ther`s is no cure.

I`m doomed.

" Doctor, doctor, give me the news, I`ve got a basd case of Facebooking."

Hey, it`s not my fault every time I open my e-mails I see little messages from my friends who left me a little note on my wall or inbox.

What`s a curious girl to do , ignore them ?

If curiousity REALLY killed the cat, honey, I`d be dead a long time ago!

I know one thing that`ll calm my cravings: work AKA reality, you know the one that bites you in the patoot ( I love that word ) every morning before the shower.

And like I needed another addiction , along comes Guitar Hero and Rock Band under the Christmas tree.

Lord knows I had no idea I was buying myself a new addiction.

It looks so innocent in the box.

There should be a HUGE warning label !

You think I can get a Guitar Hero PATCH for my cravings.

I`d like to see my doctor`s face when I ask her next appointment.

Hey, I `m that desperate for a fix !!!

You start playing with those darn things and next thing you know 5 hours have whizzed by.

You heard me, 5 hours.

My kids were in bed and I thought I `d play alone a few minutes......

DOn`t worry, I don`t neglect my kids, I play with them a few minutes or when they`re in bed.

So they still eat 3 balanced meals a day, bathe and.......get their own fix of Play Station.

Well, to be very honest, I`m having so much fun during the holidays with my family and friends, I don`t miss school one bit.

I miss my kids, the teachers ......period.

It`s the rest I don`t miss, to the point where I don`t even want to mention them ( did anyone say schoolbell- yeurk !).

It`s honestly been the best holidays ever.

I hear my husband say : "you say THAT EVERY year ! "

Yeah, so what. It has.

As a new year`s resolution, I promise to be more consistent in my postings in 2009.

ANd I know for certain ,some of you will keep me up on it.

Keep in mind I have the da*&?%%$ reform on my plate this year.

See, one word and I`m depressed now.

The power of words: believe it.

Guitar Hero: aaaah, I feel much better.

So here are a few pics of my holidays .

Feel free to comment in English as you always do.

May 2009 rock your world.

Groove is in the heart baby !

Going to church : December 24th

For those about to rock, we salute you

Look ! Frohlich girls : Caroline, Heidi, Rose-Anne, Anna, Andréa

Rockin`down the house with TonTon Sébest,Matante Guidi . December 26th


Happy New Year 2009 !


Jamming in my jammies: life is good

JOY