It started out just like any ordinary, normal day.
I get to school not totally awake but with my cup in hand, it`s a question of minutes....
As I mention in the heading, teaching is never boring and that's the main reason I enjoy it so much.
Today was not boring.
Unforgetable is a better adjective.
I have my ex-student in Sec.5 who charmingly asks me to judge the fashion show auditions ( 75 candidates ) and of course, I can' t say no when it's asked so darn nicely.
Just before:periods 2 and 3 we do our t-shirts and take a group picture downstairs.
So far so good.
I judge the fashion show with 2 of my co-workers and before I go , I accept to do tomorrow's judging for the boys' this time. And off I go to a Sec.2 meeting which I am obviously late to.
I had warned everyone of my tardiness so they weren't too surprised to see me show up.
I have 2 more periods to go so I grab a soup to go ( very practical ) and head back to my classroom.
Period 1 afternoon.
So far so good.
Period 2 afternoon at this point I' m running out of both fuel and breath but there are but minutes left, I should make it in one piece.
That's when it happened.
My Sec.2 kids were working on their Christmas skit : 'Twas The Night Before Christmas and there were just 15 minutes left in the period.
I had 2 students working very well and for a reason which would be too long to explain, they end upin my classroom closet and lock themselves in.
At first I think they are pulling my leg.
They tell me it's Edgar Allen Poe's fault because as some of you know, his spirit lives and he often likes to open the closet door with a creaking sound just to say hello.
So two minutes before the bell rings I feverishly but unsuccessfully try to pry the door open while the rest of the group surrounds me for motivation.
Some of my strong students attempt, in vain.
What do you do when everything else fails ?
You get Line.
She tries.
The girls are doing fine, not panicking at all but I certainly starting to.
Line giggles which helpslower my adrenaline-adrenaLINE- get it ?
A few minutes later, a whole group of curious come in the classroom.
Teachers.
Who do we finally fetch and eventually gets the door open ?
Joseph the maintenance man.
Bless you Joseph.
While Joe was working on the door, I remembered I had the camera in my office.
Got a lot of it on it.
At least the best part: Joseph and Georges CAron unhinging the door, pulling the door open and the girls finally getting out in one piece , blushing but smiling.
Nice going girls, you were as cool as cucumbers.
GIRL POWER !
I am so going to milk this one with these girls-they`ll have to beg me to stop teasing them about this !!!
On this I say buy lottery tickets, with your luck you may not have to go to university after all.
Tata
Annie
PS : From now on NOBODY goes in my closet-unless I put you there!!
What am I listening to lately?
New band I discovered :http://www.myspace.com/smallsins
Great when driving .
Tata,
Annie
mardi 11 décembre 2007
lundi 10 décembre 2007
KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK !
Hi Guys.
I'll be brief tonight.
Two things I want to talk about.
Make that three.
Ok so I might not be that brief after all.
1- Tomorrow December 11th is D Day.
Philipe is coming and we will finally get the chance to write on our t-shirts.
I'm bringing the camera and taking a group picture.
Should be pretty good.
2- Before we head off on holiday, I want to remind you that you can borrow any English books in the bookshelf in the back to bring home .
You'll miss English so much while you' re home you' ll want to read English stuff for sure.
Do not hesitate.
3- I also want to congratulate you on your behaviour in class.
When we get this close to the holidays, students usually slack off a bit and become a little bit rowdy.
So far so good with you guys.
I hope I do not jinx it by talking about it.
Just keep up the great work and everything will be just fine.
As you saw today, this week and next are pretty full so we can`t quit now.
We also got lots of fun stuff on the program so keep it up guys.
Wow I can be brief .
Tata,
Annie
I'll be brief tonight.
Two things I want to talk about.
Make that three.
Ok so I might not be that brief after all.
1- Tomorrow December 11th is D Day.
Philipe is coming and we will finally get the chance to write on our t-shirts.
I'm bringing the camera and taking a group picture.
Should be pretty good.
2- Before we head off on holiday, I want to remind you that you can borrow any English books in the bookshelf in the back to bring home .
You'll miss English so much while you' re home you' ll want to read English stuff for sure.
Do not hesitate.
3- I also want to congratulate you on your behaviour in class.
When we get this close to the holidays, students usually slack off a bit and become a little bit rowdy.
So far so good with you guys.
I hope I do not jinx it by talking about it.
Just keep up the great work and everything will be just fine.
As you saw today, this week and next are pretty full so we can`t quit now.
We also got lots of fun stuff on the program so keep it up guys.
Wow I can be brief .
Tata,
Annie
vendredi 7 décembre 2007
YOU CRY, I CRY, WE CRY
Imagine a certain ped.day: Friday afternoon to be exact and I`m off because of overtime I did at school.
Pierre is in Québec city with Paul Lachance and Frank Brisson ( my favorite dudes at school ) visiting museums for school.
So I`m all alone with the kids.
As I mentionned earlier, they had great report cards and Félix-Antoine was sucking up to his mom for no reason- everything`s fine.
Ok he talks too much in class.
Félix talks too much period.
Try driving to Ottawa with him - wishing you could drop him off on the highway.
He talks A LOT !
I told his teacher to do what she had to do and that she has our full cooperation.
Anyway, back to my afternoon off.
We eat lunch and then it starts snowing.
A Christmas snow.
Alright kids-get dressed, we`re going out.
And we did.
We walked to the dépanneur to rent a movie and for a walk.
On the way I meet my twins I taught last year : Olivier and Carl.
What a treat.
God I miss them.
We talked for about 15 minutes while my kids were making snow angels in the snow banks.
When we finally get home, we watch Chalotte`s Web : Le Monde de Charlotte.
I read the book when I was in elementary school and saw the animated version when I was my son`s age.
I was at my grandma`s house. I will always remember it.
So we cuddle and watch it.
It is very sad at the end and my son cried.
As he is crying I see myself at his age at my grandma`s house and remember how much I had cried back then.
So I cry with him.
And Rosie`s crying because we are crying.
Filou is a very sensitive boy. He has no shame crying at his age and I wish he`d stay like that forever but I do know there will come a time when crying because of a movie will be unacceptable so in the meantime, I`m enjoying it ( really ).
Rosie and I will have the rest of our lives to cry over sad movies.
It`s a girl thing.
How did it go in Rosie`s class ?
Wonderful!
I even got a group hug.
These 6 year olds lifted me off of my feet, literally. Twice.
Thank you Mrs.Louise for inviting me.
Invite me again.
My little ballerina had her last class tonight before X-mas vacation and we ( the parents ) were invited.
Wow.
She has progressed a lot since last year.
She enjoys it. She is focussed and she is good.
Mommy`s proud.
Tuesday December 11 is coming around.
What`s so special ?
Philippe Taillon is coming back to help us with your t-shirts.
You guys did a great job selecting a social issue and your slogans.
Example : Drinking and driving : Drink-Drive-Die.
Simple,clear message, very effective.
Congratulations everyone.
I can`t wait to see you wear the actual t-shirts!
Next time, we`ll write funny messages on them.
After March break.
I gotta go,
I have to deck the halls early tomorrow morning.
TaTa
Annie
Pierre is in Québec city with Paul Lachance and Frank Brisson ( my favorite dudes at school ) visiting museums for school.
So I`m all alone with the kids.
As I mentionned earlier, they had great report cards and Félix-Antoine was sucking up to his mom for no reason- everything`s fine.
Ok he talks too much in class.
Félix talks too much period.
Try driving to Ottawa with him - wishing you could drop him off on the highway.
He talks A LOT !
I told his teacher to do what she had to do and that she has our full cooperation.
Anyway, back to my afternoon off.
We eat lunch and then it starts snowing.
A Christmas snow.
Alright kids-get dressed, we`re going out.
And we did.
We walked to the dépanneur to rent a movie and for a walk.
On the way I meet my twins I taught last year : Olivier and Carl.
What a treat.
God I miss them.
We talked for about 15 minutes while my kids were making snow angels in the snow banks.
When we finally get home, we watch Chalotte`s Web : Le Monde de Charlotte.
I read the book when I was in elementary school and saw the animated version when I was my son`s age.
I was at my grandma`s house. I will always remember it.
So we cuddle and watch it.
It is very sad at the end and my son cried.
As he is crying I see myself at his age at my grandma`s house and remember how much I had cried back then.
So I cry with him.
And Rosie`s crying because we are crying.
Filou is a very sensitive boy. He has no shame crying at his age and I wish he`d stay like that forever but I do know there will come a time when crying because of a movie will be unacceptable so in the meantime, I`m enjoying it ( really ).
Rosie and I will have the rest of our lives to cry over sad movies.
It`s a girl thing.
How did it go in Rosie`s class ?
Wonderful!
I even got a group hug.
These 6 year olds lifted me off of my feet, literally. Twice.
Thank you Mrs.Louise for inviting me.
Invite me again.
My little ballerina had her last class tonight before X-mas vacation and we ( the parents ) were invited.
Wow.
She has progressed a lot since last year.
She enjoys it. She is focussed and she is good.
Mommy`s proud.
Tuesday December 11 is coming around.
What`s so special ?
Philippe Taillon is coming back to help us with your t-shirts.
You guys did a great job selecting a social issue and your slogans.
Example : Drinking and driving : Drink-Drive-Die.
Simple,clear message, very effective.
Congratulations everyone.
I can`t wait to see you wear the actual t-shirts!
Next time, we`ll write funny messages on them.
After March break.
I gotta go,
I have to deck the halls early tomorrow morning.
TaTa
Annie
mercredi 5 décembre 2007
WITNESS
I know I last wrote not too long ago but I need to write this.
My sister Caroline met a wonderful guy last year: He laughs at ALL my jokes too therefore I love him.
They are so happy together.
I have just hung up with Caro and we spoke for about an hour and 75 per cent ( darn I can`t find the percentage sign on my keyboard )-% there -found it.
Anyway, She loves this guy.
I also like him because he makes her happy.
She has all the signs of someone in love :
1-A skip in her step
2- A constant smile : like she has a coat hanger stuck in her mouth.
3- She talks about him so much EVEN I want to marry him : I`m saying this in a positive way.
4- THE GLOW.
Although I am so totally 100% happy, thrilled for her, I kinda ( I feel guilty about it but what the heck ) felt jealous. There said it!
But then I started thinking and thought to myself : " Hey you beautiful but stupid girl-look who you`ve been married to for the last 15 years ( YES I married VERY YOUNG ) ."
Today it really hit me why I really love this man.
The little things.
I`ve been secretly keeping tabs of a list of things I love about this man.
It`s been going on for two weeks now.
Do you want the whole list or the top 10 ?
Here goes : Do you have an hour and a bag because brace yourselves- it WILL get really cheesy.
1- He`s an artist.Opposites attract.
2- He`s a great cook.Opposites attract!
3- He makes the best wings in the world.
4-He has integrity.
5-He also laughs at all my jokes even when they are not funny. He`s my best audience.
6- He`s a grreat listener-trust me even when I think he`s not listening, he`s listening.
7- He makes beautiful kids.Great DNA.
8-He`s SIMPLE-not complicated-easy-going.
9-He`s always calm even when I panic- I do that a lot.
10- He brings me my morning coffee at 7:30 in the upstairs bathroom while I work on my face and that EVERY morning for the last 15 years.
11- He tucks me in at night when I ask him.
12-He supports me in my projects no matter what they are.
13- He`s honest-no bluffing, no lies.
14- He`s tall : I love tall men.
15- He opens doors for me .
16- He has a great soul.
17- He makes me laugh.
18- He`s a great nurse when I`m sick.
19-He`s a drummer .
20- He makes a mean cup of coffee.
21- He doesn`t boss me and he never lets me boss him around.
22-I`m a rollercoaster.He can handle the ride !
I have known Pierre since high school ( sec.2 ) and when I think I know everything about him, he surprises me.
This morning, while I was teaching, he came to see me to tell me with a smile from ear to ear : " I just received your Chritmas gift and you`re just gonna go nuts !! "
all this while my 6 foot 3 man is jumping up and down.
And he adds : " I would really look forward to Christmas if I were you ."
And he takes off leaving me in the corridor with my mouth open.
Do you see what I mean ?
I honestly wish my daughter gets a man like her dad.
Poor future son-in-law, you have big shoes to fill.
My friend Guy at work once told me : You and Pierre are really happy huh ?
And I answered : He makes feel like a princess even 25 years later.
The best thing about this is that I look, observe my 8 year old son Félix and I see his dad in him- he`ll be just like him.
He makes me feel like a princess too.
So there, now you know why I don`t feel jealous of Caroline anymore but instead I see the love they share and I can`t keep from smiling because I feel Caroline is getting her share of love and happiness .
She deserves it.
To Nick I say : welcome to the Fröhlich clan.
You are officially a member of ( since last weekend ) The Bisons Des Prairies or AKA The Fröhlich brothers-in law secret club.
Seriously, you`re a super duper great guy.
You and Pierre are very similar.
Enjoy the ride with Caro, she`s a rollercoaster too!
I can confirm that your life will never be boring.
Take good care of her.
Treat her right or I will have to kill you- not me but very good Italian friends of mine.
Just kidding.
What do I think Pierre got me for Christmas : I haven`t found it yet but :
1- A new Red Sox t-shirt( I ruined my new favorite one while handling chemical products- I was house cleaning.
or
2- A Red Sox hand-made purse. EBAY
or
3- A Red Sox jersey.
or
4- A Red Sox tote bag.
or
5- A pink Red Sox school bag.
or
6- A t-shirt with : I`d Rather Be At Fenway on it.
Do you want to know how blonde I can be at times ?
I got a puppy last Christmas after months of hinting or should I say begging.
When Pierre walked in the door on December 24th with our new chocolate Labrador puppy with a Christmas ribbon around her neck I said : " Who`s dog are we babysitting during the holidays ?"
I was sure she was someone else`s.
Her name is Bailey`s ( one of favorite alcoholic beverages) but to this day my kids think it`s chocolate fudge because we use use Bailey`s in our family recipe.
So when strangers say aaaah Bailey`s like the drink, my kids are always quick to correct them and answer: No like mom`s chocolate fudge !!
Call childcare services now.
On that I`m off.
I`m visiting Rosie`s grade 1 class tomorrow morning : show and tell.
That should be very interesting.
And I`m bringing surprises-are they gonna love me or what ?
I`ll tell you all about it later.
And tomorrow night is parent-teacher night for both my kids.
My kids have great report cards but Félix-Antoine has been suprisingly obedient and doing some serious sucking-up with his mom.
So my question is : What will his teacher have to tell me aside that he`s very cute and intelligent ?
I am afraid.
I`ll keep you posted.
TaTA
Annie
My sister Caroline met a wonderful guy last year: He laughs at ALL my jokes too therefore I love him.
They are so happy together.
I have just hung up with Caro and we spoke for about an hour and 75 per cent ( darn I can`t find the percentage sign on my keyboard )-% there -found it.
Anyway, She loves this guy.
I also like him because he makes her happy.
She has all the signs of someone in love :
1-A skip in her step
2- A constant smile : like she has a coat hanger stuck in her mouth.
3- She talks about him so much EVEN I want to marry him : I`m saying this in a positive way.
4- THE GLOW.
Although I am so totally 100% happy, thrilled for her, I kinda ( I feel guilty about it but what the heck ) felt jealous. There said it!
But then I started thinking and thought to myself : " Hey you beautiful but stupid girl-look who you`ve been married to for the last 15 years ( YES I married VERY YOUNG ) ."
Today it really hit me why I really love this man.
The little things.
I`ve been secretly keeping tabs of a list of things I love about this man.
It`s been going on for two weeks now.
Do you want the whole list or the top 10 ?
Here goes : Do you have an hour and a bag because brace yourselves- it WILL get really cheesy.
1- He`s an artist.Opposites attract.
2- He`s a great cook.Opposites attract!
3- He makes the best wings in the world.
4-He has integrity.
5-He also laughs at all my jokes even when they are not funny. He`s my best audience.
6- He`s a grreat listener-trust me even when I think he`s not listening, he`s listening.
7- He makes beautiful kids.Great DNA.
8-He`s SIMPLE-not complicated-easy-going.
9-He`s always calm even when I panic- I do that a lot.
10- He brings me my morning coffee at 7:30 in the upstairs bathroom while I work on my face and that EVERY morning for the last 15 years.
11- He tucks me in at night when I ask him.
12-He supports me in my projects no matter what they are.
13- He`s honest-no bluffing, no lies.
14- He`s tall : I love tall men.
15- He opens doors for me .
16- He has a great soul.
17- He makes me laugh.
18- He`s a great nurse when I`m sick.
19-He`s a drummer .
20- He makes a mean cup of coffee.
21- He doesn`t boss me and he never lets me boss him around.
22-I`m a rollercoaster.He can handle the ride !
I have known Pierre since high school ( sec.2 ) and when I think I know everything about him, he surprises me.
This morning, while I was teaching, he came to see me to tell me with a smile from ear to ear : " I just received your Chritmas gift and you`re just gonna go nuts !! "
all this while my 6 foot 3 man is jumping up and down.
And he adds : " I would really look forward to Christmas if I were you ."
And he takes off leaving me in the corridor with my mouth open.
Do you see what I mean ?
I honestly wish my daughter gets a man like her dad.
Poor future son-in-law, you have big shoes to fill.
My friend Guy at work once told me : You and Pierre are really happy huh ?
And I answered : He makes feel like a princess even 25 years later.
The best thing about this is that I look, observe my 8 year old son Félix and I see his dad in him- he`ll be just like him.
He makes me feel like a princess too.
So there, now you know why I don`t feel jealous of Caroline anymore but instead I see the love they share and I can`t keep from smiling because I feel Caroline is getting her share of love and happiness .
She deserves it.
To Nick I say : welcome to the Fröhlich clan.
You are officially a member of ( since last weekend ) The Bisons Des Prairies or AKA The Fröhlich brothers-in law secret club.
Seriously, you`re a super duper great guy.
You and Pierre are very similar.
Enjoy the ride with Caro, she`s a rollercoaster too!
I can confirm that your life will never be boring.
Take good care of her.
Treat her right or I will have to kill you- not me but very good Italian friends of mine.
Just kidding.
What do I think Pierre got me for Christmas : I haven`t found it yet but :
1- A new Red Sox t-shirt( I ruined my new favorite one while handling chemical products- I was house cleaning.
or
2- A Red Sox hand-made purse. EBAY
or
3- A Red Sox jersey.
or
4- A Red Sox tote bag.
or
5- A pink Red Sox school bag.
or
6- A t-shirt with : I`d Rather Be At Fenway on it.
Do you want to know how blonde I can be at times ?
I got a puppy last Christmas after months of hinting or should I say begging.
When Pierre walked in the door on December 24th with our new chocolate Labrador puppy with a Christmas ribbon around her neck I said : " Who`s dog are we babysitting during the holidays ?"
I was sure she was someone else`s.
Her name is Bailey`s ( one of favorite alcoholic beverages) but to this day my kids think it`s chocolate fudge because we use use Bailey`s in our family recipe.
So when strangers say aaaah Bailey`s like the drink, my kids are always quick to correct them and answer: No like mom`s chocolate fudge !!
Call childcare services now.
On that I`m off.
I`m visiting Rosie`s grade 1 class tomorrow morning : show and tell.
That should be very interesting.
And I`m bringing surprises-are they gonna love me or what ?
I`ll tell you all about it later.
And tomorrow night is parent-teacher night for both my kids.
My kids have great report cards but Félix-Antoine has been suprisingly obedient and doing some serious sucking-up with his mom.
So my question is : What will his teacher have to tell me aside that he`s very cute and intelligent ?
I am afraid.
I`ll keep you posted.
TaTA
Annie
lundi 3 décembre 2007
ROLLERCOASTER- BEAUTIFULLY UNDONE
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mercredi 21 novembre 2007
A PREMIERE !!
Oh what a day it has been.
It all started so nice and slowly.
And then I had a meeting with Karyna.
It was a great day, don`t get me wrong, but a crazy one.
I almost gave myself a feuille de route.
Slow morning because I busted my hand yesterday running around at school.
How did happen ?
WARNING : Getting off topic for a few minutes
I was running out of a meeting and running back to another when I ran into Jean-René Provencher`s desk corner -literally.
Banged into it left hand first.
It`s amazing how big and fast a hand gets all swollen up !
While I was holding back the tears, I run back downstairs to get Line Hébert ( first aid ) to fetch some ice and so she could confirm I would be fine and wouldn`t need to go to the hospital.
I still had 2 periods to give therefore no time to sit and wait in a hospital waiting room to read old magazines.
Couldn`t find Line.
What do I do when I`m in trouble and close to tears ? Run to my sister Caroline.
Found her and at this point I`m crying because it really hurts like &**&?%$&?$/ !!
If Caroline got a dollar everytime I went to see for help after a stupid freak accident , she wouldn`t need to work...Piere either.
Anyways, she gets me ice in her office while I`m sweating lilke a pig.
She asks me how I did that and then tries not to laugh. Bless her.
When Pierre finds out, he asks me how I did that and asks : Did you fall again runnning around the corridors ?
No, not this time , I swear!
He didn`t laugh. Bless him.
It was better today, still swollen but couldn`t write with it today.
But tomorrow is another day.
Back to the topic of my day : it was going nice and slow ( honestly I wasn`t awake when I came in the school door this morning.
Then I had a meeting with Karyna in my ofice.
As you may have read at the very beginning of my blog, I moved to my new office because Paul Lachance promised me cake and coffee all year round.
Respecting his engagement, he offered Karyna and I pannetome and capuccino.
I had both while Karyna had cake ( a big piece ).
Paul served me about 4 small but strong cappuccinos while Karyna and I were passionately discussing a project for Intensive.
An hour later, saturated with both coffee and cake, we both head to the Intensive English classes ( Sec.1 to 5) to inform the students about an Intensive English logo contest
.
OH MY GOD ! Hyperactive is an understatement !
Imagine more two tennis balls bouncing off walls.
We didn`t know if the students were really listening hard or if they were afraid .
I think we scared the little kids in Sec. 1!
We are normally like this OUTSIDE the classroom Karyna and I but never INSIDE the classroom : we`re more reasonable, usually-normally.
Bottom line: we blame this behaviour on Paul -my favorite coffee pusher.
Seriously, I love working with Karyna, she`s very creative, efficient, a doer not just a talker and we get along great even when we disagree. Vive la difference.
So as the title stipulates way on top of the page, the logo contest is a premiere for the Intensive English program.
A $50.00 dollar gift certificate at Les Rivières will be given to the winner.
The logo must include :
1- English Concentration : the new name for the Intensive English program.
2- ESJN ( our school name )
3- Deadline : December 17th .
4- Winners will be given the prize December 20th before you leave for the holidays.
5- Write YOUR name at the BACK of the logo so we don`t see it while judging.
6- Give your logo to YOUR English Intensive teacher.
7- The judges are : Dany Dallaire, Karyna Cormier and myself.
Break a leg darlings !
Tata for now,
Annie
It all started so nice and slowly.
And then I had a meeting with Karyna.
It was a great day, don`t get me wrong, but a crazy one.
I almost gave myself a feuille de route.
Slow morning because I busted my hand yesterday running around at school.
How did happen ?
WARNING : Getting off topic for a few minutes
I was running out of a meeting and running back to another when I ran into Jean-René Provencher`s desk corner -literally.
Banged into it left hand first.
It`s amazing how big and fast a hand gets all swollen up !
While I was holding back the tears, I run back downstairs to get Line Hébert ( first aid ) to fetch some ice and so she could confirm I would be fine and wouldn`t need to go to the hospital.
I still had 2 periods to give therefore no time to sit and wait in a hospital waiting room to read old magazines.
Couldn`t find Line.
What do I do when I`m in trouble and close to tears ? Run to my sister Caroline.
Found her and at this point I`m crying because it really hurts like &**&?%$&?$/ !!
If Caroline got a dollar everytime I went to see for help after a stupid freak accident , she wouldn`t need to work...Piere either.
Anyways, she gets me ice in her office while I`m sweating lilke a pig.
She asks me how I did that and then tries not to laugh. Bless her.
When Pierre finds out, he asks me how I did that and asks : Did you fall again runnning around the corridors ?
No, not this time , I swear!
He didn`t laugh. Bless him.
It was better today, still swollen but couldn`t write with it today.
But tomorrow is another day.
Back to the topic of my day : it was going nice and slow ( honestly I wasn`t awake when I came in the school door this morning.
Then I had a meeting with Karyna in my ofice.
As you may have read at the very beginning of my blog, I moved to my new office because Paul Lachance promised me cake and coffee all year round.
Respecting his engagement, he offered Karyna and I pannetome and capuccino.
I had both while Karyna had cake ( a big piece ).
Paul served me about 4 small but strong cappuccinos while Karyna and I were passionately discussing a project for Intensive.
An hour later, saturated with both coffee and cake, we both head to the Intensive English classes ( Sec.1 to 5) to inform the students about an Intensive English logo contest
.
OH MY GOD ! Hyperactive is an understatement !
Imagine more two tennis balls bouncing off walls.
We didn`t know if the students were really listening hard or if they were afraid .
I think we scared the little kids in Sec. 1!
We are normally like this OUTSIDE the classroom Karyna and I but never INSIDE the classroom : we`re more reasonable, usually-normally.
Bottom line: we blame this behaviour on Paul -my favorite coffee pusher.
Seriously, I love working with Karyna, she`s very creative, efficient, a doer not just a talker and we get along great even when we disagree. Vive la difference.
So as the title stipulates way on top of the page, the logo contest is a premiere for the Intensive English program.
A $50.00 dollar gift certificate at Les Rivières will be given to the winner.
The logo must include :
1- English Concentration : the new name for the Intensive English program.
2- ESJN ( our school name )
3- Deadline : December 17th .
4- Winners will be given the prize December 20th before you leave for the holidays.
5- Write YOUR name at the BACK of the logo so we don`t see it while judging.
6- Give your logo to YOUR English Intensive teacher.
7- The judges are : Dany Dallaire, Karyna Cormier and myself.
Break a leg darlings !
Tata for now,
Annie
dimanche 18 novembre 2007
MOTIVATION FROM MY MOMs
Hi everyone,
Well people are reading this blog and obviously NOT reading recently since I haven`t written since October 8th.
A lot of you were not shy to tell me I was neglecting my blog and some of you even called me at home to tell me to get writing .
Thank you ! What a compliment. What a motivation to write.
Here `s what I`ll be talking about :
1- My excuse for not writing.
2- A project I`m working on that I KNOW you will love.
3- Literature stuff you`ll see in class.( sec.2 and sec.4)
Here goes : brace yourself, it`s a long one. Do you have 15 minutes ?
What IS my excuse anyway ?
A few reasons but I will explain the major one in a few lines .
Now normally when my students are absent from school, mom or dad have to sign the student`s agenda (page 8) to motivate their absence.
It`s a bit ironic how my absence is due to the fact that my mother or mothers are the reaons why I was absent .
I have two adopted moms : Let`s call them Mary and Susan for the sake of this blog.
Mary is a mom I met 8 years ago in a professional or school context. Circumstances made us grow closer and Mary became a mother figure, a mentor, a friend, a model , a confidant :
a close friend or associate to whom secrets are confided or with whom private matters and problems are discussed ( dictionary definition ).
She `s also so much more than that. She is my little voice inside my head - my internal mom. She`s the one telling me to slow down, take care of myself, validates what I do and think.
She`s also one of the few I LISTEN TO when it comes to advice !
In September I find out she has breast cancer.
I mentally went nuts. I do not believe it, I don`t want to believe it and I do not even want to think about it !
Then it hit me. It really affected me and was very sad for a long time.
Now, normally in a situation like this I would run to her but I couldn`t. She was the one needing help this time. But how do I help someone with something you know nothing about : breast cancer ?
Well you do what you can .
You encourage them, you pray for them ( I do that a lot lately for her ) .
I also have a second mom : I `ve known Susan for 15 years.
She was the school nurse at school for many years. She now works in a CLSC.
She was also unavailable lately because she was fulfilling her longtime dream : being a nurse in the northern part of Québec ( Natashquan ).
We called and e-mailed each other but nothing is better than actually talking to someone in person. So my 2 moms were unavailable and I was abit saddened by the whole thing.
Susan is back now ! We are actually having coffee together tonight. I can`t wait to hear her stories from her experience way up north.
Do my 2 moms know each other you ask ? Yes they do .
So now you know why I was absent : mentally absent from my blog : the plate was full .
I try as much as possible to be positive in my blog because if you want negative stuff just turn on the news .... and I couldn`t be positive in my blog lately. I needed to step back for a while.
BUT I AM BACK AND WITH A VENGEANCE !!
I have been told I am nuts or crazy ( in a positive way here people !) since I can remember. I accept it. Life is good in Annie`s world and you are welcome in it if you are nice, but I can actually confirm it : Life IS good when you`re a bit bananas.
Here`s the thing : I was working on a personal project when I suddenly thought about my students ( my students have a way of finding their way in my personal life sometimes ) and how they would enjoy the fruits of my personal investigation !!
As I was working on my project I was thinking : What are you thinking, you`re nuts? !
But I continued working on my project anyway thinking I won`t take NO for an answer and will go all the way with this.
And I did and It`s working! I can`t say what it is yet because there are still some details to settle but the bottom line is I got a YES from certain people and I just went nuts.
I don`t know why Pierre didn`t have a heart attack when I got the positive reply.
Here`s how it went down people :
I send an e-mail to some very friendly people on a certain Sunday thinking : I`ll get a negative response but what the heck .
I send them an e-mail on a certain Sunday .
I get a positive response the very NEXT day,Monday.
Are these people nice or what ?
The thing is, I checked my e- mails upstairs Monday night at 10:45 and what I did NOT know is that Pierre is sleeping downstairs on the sofa.
When I read the e-mail and read the positive response I screamed and ran downstairs!
Pierre woke up.
He thought I was having a heart attack !
So when I finally got downstairs yelling OH MY GOD OH MY GOD Pierre thinks I`m having an attack but cannot quite understand why I`m smiling ear to ear at the same time .
I had to wait a few minutes for Pierre to get his blood circulation come back to his head and those were the longest minutes.
Pierre had no idea that I had sent an e-mail and had no clue about my personal investigation.
I wanted to see the reply before talking to him about it.
When I finally could tell Pierre, he was suprised,happy but still mad at me for almost killing him with my reaction .
Now it`s still a top secret thing because like I said, things need to be confirmed .
No the Pope, Céline Dion, Mr.Harper are not coming to school !
They are very inspiring people who I KNOW for a fact will inspire a lot of you : an AHAAAAA moment. Their story is so great and inspiring you won`t want them to leave.
You`ll meet people who were DESTINED to do what they do .
You won`t be disapppointed.
Final point for today. Literature stuff. No no don`t go, it is interesting.
I was almost late for work Friday after lunch because of a short story !
Didn`t eat lunch because of the short story either .
Let me explain :
Friday 12:05, I go home for lunch. Pierre is busy with the school radio so I have the house to myself.
Prepare lunch but before attacking my sandwich I decide to check my e-mails.
And for a reason I don`t remember I end up on one of my favorite websites : an archive of short stories.
One of my favorite short story author is Dorothy Parker. She writes the kind of short stories you read in bed: They`re light , funny and funny.
Anyway, I start reading and really lost track of time. Why ? Because obviously it was good and it was so darn funny.
Next thing I know, it`s 1:05 !
I haven`t eaten but I had one heck of a good read and laughed.
I grab 2 oatmeal cookies and jump ( literally ) in my truck.
What is the title of the short story ?
You`ll have to come and see me.
I will print the story and we will read it in class.
Throughout the story I had one of my sec.4 kids in mind.
When we`ll read it, you`ll surely recognize him. I know he will ! And yes it is a HE.
Here are my new projects :
1- Read the book Double Dutch from an American author I had the pleasure to meet in Montreal a week ago.
This is for my sec.2 kids.
If it`s good, we`ll read it.
2- Truman Capote: American author.
Breakfast At Tiffany`s is a book composed of : a novella ( short novel ) and 2 or 3 short stories.
Mr. Capote was a weird and original man. His biography is really interesting.
Gotta read his stuff, he has a very unique style of writing. Asked Santa Claus for his other books-including the one he never finished because he died before he could . Am I a masochist or what ?
3- I ordered new grammar books ( do want cheese with your WHINE ?) for my sec.4 because they have a BIG ministery exam in January and I want new stuff to prep you guys.
One is titled : Grammar Naturally. Can`t wait to check that one out !
Before I go, I`d like to thank:
Patrick at school for reminding me to write my blog and helping me out with very technical and multimedia stuff. I love you too.
Paul: for personally delivering me a latté in a bowl and panettone in class Friday while I was teaching. You really DID like my caramel. I`ll bring some more when I make some.
Katherine for rubbing her face in my classroom door window just to make me laugh.
Works every time.
Caroline : for being just as excited as I was when I shared my new project with her Tuesday morning in her office. She`s taking care of some stuff for me too.
And finally but not least for 2 special people I can not name: for being nice enough to say yes and giving my kids in class the opportunity to be inspired by real living people.
It will be worth the trip I promise you.
And to Pierre for not divorcing me after the Monday night incident.
I swear I wasn`t trying to kill you !
MUSTANG MOMENT - A MINUTE OF SILENCE PLEASE
Pierre and I can`t wait for April. You guessed it, my 1973 Mustang is in hibernation till then. We get to see her everyday ( it`s so cruel ) but we only get to SEE her .
I miss the sound of the motor, the smell of the leather seats, the wind in my hair, the sound of ACDC playing while I`m driving,the feeling of of driving a REAL car. I know, I know, I need to take my medication.It`s an illness. We bought her new accessories . Too cool.
On that I say TATA, I will be back soon, promised .
Although I love it when you verbally comment my blog, I do like it when you leave a comment.
Come on, leave a comment.
Annie Fröhlich
Well people are reading this blog and obviously NOT reading recently since I haven`t written since October 8th.
A lot of you were not shy to tell me I was neglecting my blog and some of you even called me at home to tell me to get writing .
Thank you ! What a compliment. What a motivation to write.
Here `s what I`ll be talking about :
1- My excuse for not writing.
2- A project I`m working on that I KNOW you will love.
3- Literature stuff you`ll see in class.( sec.2 and sec.4)
Here goes : brace yourself, it`s a long one. Do you have 15 minutes ?
What IS my excuse anyway ?
A few reasons but I will explain the major one in a few lines .
Now normally when my students are absent from school, mom or dad have to sign the student`s agenda (page 8) to motivate their absence.
It`s a bit ironic how my absence is due to the fact that my mother or mothers are the reaons why I was absent .
I have two adopted moms : Let`s call them Mary and Susan for the sake of this blog.
Mary is a mom I met 8 years ago in a professional or school context. Circumstances made us grow closer and Mary became a mother figure, a mentor, a friend, a model , a confidant :
a close friend or associate to whom secrets are confided or with whom private matters and problems are discussed ( dictionary definition ).
She `s also so much more than that. She is my little voice inside my head - my internal mom. She`s the one telling me to slow down, take care of myself, validates what I do and think.
She`s also one of the few I LISTEN TO when it comes to advice !
In September I find out she has breast cancer.
I mentally went nuts. I do not believe it, I don`t want to believe it and I do not even want to think about it !
Then it hit me. It really affected me and was very sad for a long time.
Now, normally in a situation like this I would run to her but I couldn`t. She was the one needing help this time. But how do I help someone with something you know nothing about : breast cancer ?
Well you do what you can .
You encourage them, you pray for them ( I do that a lot lately for her ) .
I also have a second mom : I `ve known Susan for 15 years.
She was the school nurse at school for many years. She now works in a CLSC.
She was also unavailable lately because she was fulfilling her longtime dream : being a nurse in the northern part of Québec ( Natashquan ).
We called and e-mailed each other but nothing is better than actually talking to someone in person. So my 2 moms were unavailable and I was abit saddened by the whole thing.
Susan is back now ! We are actually having coffee together tonight. I can`t wait to hear her stories from her experience way up north.
Do my 2 moms know each other you ask ? Yes they do .
So now you know why I was absent : mentally absent from my blog : the plate was full .
I try as much as possible to be positive in my blog because if you want negative stuff just turn on the news .... and I couldn`t be positive in my blog lately. I needed to step back for a while.
BUT I AM BACK AND WITH A VENGEANCE !!
I have been told I am nuts or crazy ( in a positive way here people !) since I can remember. I accept it. Life is good in Annie`s world and you are welcome in it if you are nice, but I can actually confirm it : Life IS good when you`re a bit bananas.
Here`s the thing : I was working on a personal project when I suddenly thought about my students ( my students have a way of finding their way in my personal life sometimes ) and how they would enjoy the fruits of my personal investigation !!
As I was working on my project I was thinking : What are you thinking, you`re nuts? !
But I continued working on my project anyway thinking I won`t take NO for an answer and will go all the way with this.
And I did and It`s working! I can`t say what it is yet because there are still some details to settle but the bottom line is I got a YES from certain people and I just went nuts.
I don`t know why Pierre didn`t have a heart attack when I got the positive reply.
Here`s how it went down people :
I send an e-mail to some very friendly people on a certain Sunday thinking : I`ll get a negative response but what the heck .
I send them an e-mail on a certain Sunday .
I get a positive response the very NEXT day,Monday.
Are these people nice or what ?
The thing is, I checked my e- mails upstairs Monday night at 10:45 and what I did NOT know is that Pierre is sleeping downstairs on the sofa.
When I read the e-mail and read the positive response I screamed and ran downstairs!
Pierre woke up.
He thought I was having a heart attack !
So when I finally got downstairs yelling OH MY GOD OH MY GOD Pierre thinks I`m having an attack but cannot quite understand why I`m smiling ear to ear at the same time .
I had to wait a few minutes for Pierre to get his blood circulation come back to his head and those were the longest minutes.
Pierre had no idea that I had sent an e-mail and had no clue about my personal investigation.
I wanted to see the reply before talking to him about it.
When I finally could tell Pierre, he was suprised,happy but still mad at me for almost killing him with my reaction .
Now it`s still a top secret thing because like I said, things need to be confirmed .
No the Pope, Céline Dion, Mr.Harper are not coming to school !
They are very inspiring people who I KNOW for a fact will inspire a lot of you : an AHAAAAA moment. Their story is so great and inspiring you won`t want them to leave.
You`ll meet people who were DESTINED to do what they do .
You won`t be disapppointed.
Final point for today. Literature stuff. No no don`t go, it is interesting.
I was almost late for work Friday after lunch because of a short story !
Didn`t eat lunch because of the short story either .
Let me explain :
Friday 12:05, I go home for lunch. Pierre is busy with the school radio so I have the house to myself.
Prepare lunch but before attacking my sandwich I decide to check my e-mails.
And for a reason I don`t remember I end up on one of my favorite websites : an archive of short stories.
One of my favorite short story author is Dorothy Parker. She writes the kind of short stories you read in bed: They`re light , funny and funny.
Anyway, I start reading and really lost track of time. Why ? Because obviously it was good and it was so darn funny.
Next thing I know, it`s 1:05 !
I haven`t eaten but I had one heck of a good read and laughed.
I grab 2 oatmeal cookies and jump ( literally ) in my truck.
What is the title of the short story ?
You`ll have to come and see me.
I will print the story and we will read it in class.
Throughout the story I had one of my sec.4 kids in mind.
When we`ll read it, you`ll surely recognize him. I know he will ! And yes it is a HE.
Here are my new projects :
1- Read the book Double Dutch from an American author I had the pleasure to meet in Montreal a week ago.
This is for my sec.2 kids.
If it`s good, we`ll read it.
2- Truman Capote: American author.
Breakfast At Tiffany`s is a book composed of : a novella ( short novel ) and 2 or 3 short stories.
Mr. Capote was a weird and original man. His biography is really interesting.
Gotta read his stuff, he has a very unique style of writing. Asked Santa Claus for his other books-including the one he never finished because he died before he could . Am I a masochist or what ?
3- I ordered new grammar books ( do want cheese with your WHINE ?) for my sec.4 because they have a BIG ministery exam in January and I want new stuff to prep you guys.
One is titled : Grammar Naturally. Can`t wait to check that one out !
Before I go, I`d like to thank:
Patrick at school for reminding me to write my blog and helping me out with very technical and multimedia stuff. I love you too.
Paul: for personally delivering me a latté in a bowl and panettone in class Friday while I was teaching. You really DID like my caramel. I`ll bring some more when I make some.
Katherine for rubbing her face in my classroom door window just to make me laugh.
Works every time.
Caroline : for being just as excited as I was when I shared my new project with her Tuesday morning in her office. She`s taking care of some stuff for me too.
And finally but not least for 2 special people I can not name: for being nice enough to say yes and giving my kids in class the opportunity to be inspired by real living people.
It will be worth the trip I promise you.
And to Pierre for not divorcing me after the Monday night incident.
I swear I wasn`t trying to kill you !
MUSTANG MOMENT - A MINUTE OF SILENCE PLEASE
Pierre and I can`t wait for April. You guessed it, my 1973 Mustang is in hibernation till then. We get to see her everyday ( it`s so cruel ) but we only get to SEE her .
I miss the sound of the motor, the smell of the leather seats, the wind in my hair, the sound of ACDC playing while I`m driving,the feeling of of driving a REAL car. I know, I know, I need to take my medication.It`s an illness. We bought her new accessories . Too cool.
On that I say TATA, I will be back soon, promised .
Although I love it when you verbally comment my blog, I do like it when you leave a comment.
Come on, leave a comment.
Annie Fröhlich
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