Tirésa sent me this and had it on her blog, but it's funny, so I'm posting it on mine. Don't go getting all offended or anything eh?


Americans,

On behalf of Canadians everywhere I'd like to offer an apology to the United States of America. We haven't been getting along very well recently and for that, I am truly sorry.

I'm sorry we called George Bush a moron. He is a moron, but it wasn't nice of us to point it out. If it's any consolation, the fact that he's a moron shouldn't reflect poorly on the people of America. After all, it's not like you actually elected him or anything.

I'm sorry about our softwood lumber. Just because we have more trees than you doesn't give us the right to sell you lumber that's cheaper and better than your own.

I'm sorry we beat you in Olympic hockey. In our defence I guess our excuse would be that our teams were much, much, much, much better than yours.

I'm sorry we burnt down your White-House during the war of 1812. I notice you've rebuilt it! It's very nice.

I'm sorry about your beer. I know we had nothing to do with your beer, but we feel your pain.

I'm sorry about our waffling on Iraq. I mean, when you're going up against a crazed dictator, you want have your friends by your side. I realise it took more than two years before you guys pitched in against Hitler, but that was different. Everyone knew he had weapons.

And finally on behalf of all Canadians, I'm sorry that we're constantly apologising for things in a passive-aggressive sort of way, which is really a thinly veiled criticism. I sincerely hope that you're not upset over this. We've seen what you do to countries you get upset with.

I'm Canadian. And I'm sorry.

and finally, I have put up all my new pics from Christmas and the ice storm, and some random pet pics. enjoy!

on the bright side, I was offered an interview at the Tri County district, but had to decline because I can't move to Yarmouth. Also, and more fun, I got a free shoulder bag from them, KD from the Chignecto board, and Kipper Snacks (also from Tri County, they're made in Yarmouth). Pretty fun.

Ok. So I went to the job fair, only to find out that they're only hiring for math, science, music, and French Immersion. This would have been especially useful information prior to my leaving the city of Moncton, giving up a night's pay at MCRI and a day of supply work to go to an interview that I did well at, but I have a feeling was a waste of time. The only thing I can do out of the aforementioned subjects is FI, which I *can* do, and DO, regularly. I think they didn't really belive me, even though I did half the interview in French and emphasized the fact that I DO teach immersion all the time. I do understand that there were time constaints, but I would have appreciated them taking a moment to look at a couple of key things in my portfolio, since I've put a bit of work in to it, and it has some fairly important stuff in it...lesson plans, reference letters (one of which specifically says that my French is strong enough to teach it!), evaluations, etc. It was a very standard interview, which again, I'm sure was due to time constraints, but I didn't really feel like I got a chance to express myself properly. I was actually cut off several times before I got to my point whenever I tried to sneak in some useful piece of information about myself that could make them want to hire me. All in all a very frustrating situation, for a more detailed description of the events, check out Tirésa's page, she has far more reason to be angry than me as she did not even get an interview for whatever reason. I think the only reason I did is that I have on my résumé that I'm bilangue, and I consider myself to be so, but I really don't think the interviewers believed me, which is really too bad. It can't be a good sign that they were encouraging me to move to Hali to supply, because with my French I'd get a lot of work. Or as much as I get here anyway. It doesn't really make sense to me to move somewhere to do the same thing I'm doing here. Better of them to say that than just to kick me out, but it was pretty discouraging to be basically told right there that I suck. I'm sure I'll manage something for the fall, it's just that this whole thing could have been a lot better. I'm also a touch bitter that the NS boards have been handing out contracts the whole time, and with UNB being last on the tour, we were presented with far fewer job opportunities, which doesn't really seem fair. This is a bit longer than I'd hoped, but I'm a bit emotional about the whole thing, really. So if anyone knows of any elementary FI jobs or high school English jobs or Resource that's willing to accept a BEd in S.E. and a promise to further my studies...lemme know!

So tomorrow I teach grade 2 and then I'm off to the NS early hiring job fair at UNB. I have an interview Wednesday morning, and I'm sort of nervous, I've heard that either I'll definitely get a job because they're pretty hard up for teachers, or not to hold my breath cause they're interviewing a LOT of people, or that they're only interviewing people from NS (but that can't be, cause I'm not, and what's the point of going to different universities if you're only interested in NS teachers?). *sigh*. I think really they're just drawing names out of a hat to decide interviews. I know there can't be any real system to it, because my dear dear friend Tiresa was overlooked for an interview, and I am very surprised and hurt on her behalf. We have basically the same courses and experience, so I'm not sure what it was. We're going to get to the bottom of it tomorrow though! Anyway...a girl supplying at the HS I work at had like, 9 mini interviews at the PEI job fair, and got 3 job offers out of it. She just graduated in December. She also said her interview was approximately 12 minutes long, and that they didn't even have time to look at her portfolio, but were impressed that she had one. So I really have no clue what to expect, but am hoping to clear that up as well, tomorrow afternoon. I wasn't going to tell anyone about the interview, mainly just not my parents, cause I think it's hard on them when I don't get jobs. But I'm pretty sure they don't read this, so I'm safe. Wish me luck! seriously though.

so I didn't teach kindergarten, I taught grade 3 immersion, but whatev, it's all good. I have, however, decided...or realized I suppose...that on the whole, I'm much happier when coming home from a day in elementary school than I am coming home from high school. This is definitely not to say that I don't want to teach high school, but it is to say that as far as supply teaching goes, elementary is where it's at. They know you're not quite the real teacher once they hit about grade 3, but they don't really treat you like the big kids do. And, you actually get to teach them, not just supervise movie watching or something. I got a really nice reference letter from the principal at the elementary school where I go all the time, so hopefully that will help. It even mentions that my French is good enough to teach the second language program..(in elem. anyway..) I'm still working on getting one out of my co-operating teacher from this time last year, but I think I'm more to blame than he is for that. I did run into him though, at Chapters, last weekend, and reminded him that I need one and could pick it up when I arrive at Freddy Beach on Tuesday. I don't really know what to do with them, put them in the portfolio under some section I suppose! Tiresa and I are working on getting the bulk of our portfolios online (my briliant idea, though I'm sure it's been thought of before) so as to be able to reference it on resumes etc, maybe increase the chance of an interview. Though, I seem to be getting the interviews, just not the jobs. I'm keeping my fingers crossed though, it's only a matter of time, I just have to have patience and not lose my mind in the meantime. Happy thoughts in my direction are greatly appreciated. Anyhoo, it's late and I'm tired, so hasta luego.

I JUST CAN'T STOP! hehe...I've gotten myself some cool but horribly complicated program, Macromedia Studio MX which came with a bunch of programs, so if I can figure out how to work them, then I'll be able to get this sonofabitch the way I want it and just..let it be. For a while. Anyhoo, just checking in, I'm tired and have to go to bed so as to be able to teach KINDERGARTEN tomorrow. Sweetass.

Swedish lessons from Erin:

jag älskar dig --- I love you

älska god mat --- love good food

fröken i skolan var min första förälskelse --- my schoolteacher was my first love

so, am I selfish for not wanting to work at my "other" job all the time? I'm on the relief list, and I really don't want to work there every day. It's money, yes. But the home that needs me most, there's just a lot of work to do, and it's incredibly tiring teaching a full day and then working there until 10:30. They would probably have me in there 4 times a week if I'd go, because *someone* is always out sick, or whatever, and their relief list, I think, consists of about 2 people. I feel bad saying no because somebody is going to have to work the shift, I just don't always want it to have to be me.
The search for easy ways to cool-up my site continues..I'm going to go to my usual help site and see if she has any ideas for me. Kind of ironic, the site is for kids, but I've learned a lot of HTML there! hehe..

Can you tell I'm bored? I crave change. No.....I need change. seriously. I've changed the name here, I think it's better, and I swear, not meant to be dirty. Although, I have no problem with it being construed that way. hehe.
ARGCHK!
when I make wishes at 11:11, which I do, yes...I don't even wish for specific things like winning the lottery or anything. I wish for a significant, good change to occur in my life. Soon.

So in an effort to make this site cooler and ever more enjoyable for you and me both, I thought perhaps I would switch over to Moveable Type, since most of the cool sites I see are done that way. However, have a look at this and tell me if you think I have a snowball's chance of understanding it! I mean, people do it, but holy crap. I was on a 16 year old's site today, and SHE was using moveable type, so it must be do-able, no? Anyone have any advice for me?

dammit, but we were cute. check us out.

Well, despite my best efforts to send e-cards yesterday for today, they only got sent about 10 minutes ago. Ah well! Another V-day come and gone. Kind of overrated I think, although I did get a free lunch and some flowers out of the deal, so I'm pretty happy. I briefly considered redoing the colours for today into pinks etc, but thought that a bit much, even though I had, by far, enough time on my hands to do it. hehe. Anyway, hope everyone got to do something interesting today, or completely ignored the holiday, whichever you prefer!

so, Happy V-day...almost. For those not in coupledom, I give you this. A Hallmark card with one hell of a long link, but it made me laugh.

ok, Jenn sent me this as a Valentine's Day treat / inspiration. Watch out, there's sound! ahahahah...

so I'm a slacker, what are you gonna do about it?
Jebus seems better, but I'm just going to finish off the drugs on him. an extra day or 2 can't hurt tooo badly I figure.
In other news, I hate supply teaching. The kids are hateful, then challenge every single thing I say, just to be pains in the ass, not because they actually disagree or think they'll get away with anything. The school I was in yesterday, we were supposed to watch a video and then they had questions to answer. I told them if they were quiet for the video I wouldn't make them do the questions, just have a look at them so they could do them later or the next day or whatever. So obviously, they won't shut up, so I say, if you don't quiet down and watch the movie, I'll give you all the questions to do for homework. One student says, "You can't do that.". Hell yes, I can! What the hell do they think I'm there for? Christ. And sadly, that's the biggest decision I got to make all day. I had 3 kids get suspended for 5 days in one of my other classes yesterday. Is that fun? I say no. I AM A TEACHER. I am not just some schmoe off the street who is doing this for a little extra pocket cash...or so that I can have something to do during the day, or during my retirement, or whatever. It doesn't seem fair even that people who are just supply teachers, not looking to be teachers, get to work so much, when there are other supply teachers who want to be "real" teachers, who aren't getting the "experience" they need in the eyes of the district. I have one high school that calls me. One. I'm just annoyed and frustrated with the whole situation.

I'm going to check out the 'net and see if I can find any advice about what to do for my poor fish. Another concern is that a lot of people were without power here for like, 3-4 days. What would you do about fish in that instance? They would get cold and die. But with no power, what could you do to prevent that? hmm..

not like velvet...

So. My big silver dollar fish, Jebus (sidebar: Erin names my fish) is sick. He had some kind of fungus, and I cleared it up with some fish meds. But it's back now, and I don't want to medicate all my fishes again unnecessarily. So. I don't have a separate heated tank, so the best I can do is to put one of my smaller (3 gal) tanks in the big tank and put Jebus in that. This is easier, FAR easier said than done. So I'm trying to put the tank in the tank, and Cleatus (the algae eater who's rougly a foot long snout to tail) is swimming around like mad, and runs into the small tank, freaks out, and JUMPS OUT OF THE AQUARIUM. He's flopping around on the floor, completely ignoring my pleas of "Cleatus, hold still! Stop wiggling!!". So I manage to pick him up and throw him back in the tank. Scared the CRAP out of me. I'm glad George didn't see what was going on or Cleatus would have been eaten, or at least damaged. He looks really smooth and velvety, Cleatus, sauf les spikes, but he's really not at all. He's hard, and rough, and I don't ever EVER ever want to touch him again. I don't wish him harm, I'm pretty attached to my named fish, which is all the ones big enough to differentiate from one another. I just don't ever want to come in direct contact with him again. Or any other fish, really. I now have to get Jebus in the small tank, which he does not want to be a part of in any way. He's also fairly large, about 5 inches in diameter, round and flat. Like a silver dollar. duh. Anyway, it was another escapade getting him in the net, especially with the diminished manoeuvering space with the little tank in there. *SIGH*. So, I think they're ok, but the 3gal is really not big enough for Jebus, so I don't know if I'll be able to keep him in there for the 5-6 days I'm supposed to.

So..again I steal from Jenn; she sent me this link. The story goes that a stage technician recorded this from Enrique Iglesias' microphone as Enrique was lip synching to a playback version of "Rhythm Divine" at a concert in Poland. You know, it might not even be him, but it's still funny. He would never have made it on American Idol!
listen.

Well, even better! There are diaries for all the characters, so choose your own adventure!

Stupid Aragorn..

Thank you Tiresa!

Tiresa sent me this, and well, it's funny. Turn on your speakers, although it would probably be just as enjoyable without sound. hehe.
School is cancelled again today. Now, I know they're using NBCC as an emergency shelter, but I'm not sure what the hold up with the schools is. It did snow a bit last night, but nothing significant. They said that this morning they're down to 8000 people without power, so that's pretty good. That's the only thing I can think of that's keeping schools from opening. District 1 is open though, kind of strange, since they're both in Moncton. Whatev. I have my meeting with the woman from district 2 today, so I'm hoping to get something out of that, a timeline in which I can expect to get a contract job perhaps. I'm also going to call my dad's friend who works in the Halifax school board and see what he can do for me. I'll keep you posted, as usual.

ok, honestly, I'm just trying to post so that stupid "eye test" picture will go away, lol. Ah well. The weather is still rotten and shows no signs of improving, so I'm not holding my breath that school will be open tomorrow. I am going to meet with the hiring lady at District 2 though, so I'll have something to do anyway. I'm so happy with my new layout! And I did it almost all by myself! wooh!

No school again today! What's going on! No power, that's what. We still have ours but lots of people don't. 26 000 to be precise. Down from 40 000 yesterday, but still a significant chunk of the poplulation. I was supposed to teach today, high school even, but alas, I don't really get credit for snow days. Anyway, I got in a few hours at Hedgewood, so that's something I suppose. I got a couple of fun new fish called walking catfish, and was just taking a moment to research the little guys to give you a link, should you be so inclined to click, and it seems they get quite large and are prone to eating everything, including other fish. I may have to have a chat with the pet store guy about this!

First snow day of this school year! I love that I still get excited about that. Lots of people actually had the day off, what with all the power outages and such. Grant was late to work because our asshole plower didn't come...AGAIN...but our landlord just dropped off a snowblower, and they're playing with that now, so that should help anyway. But then after getting in about an hour late he got to come home because a tree fell on a powerline shortly after he got there. I wasn't supposed to work anyway, but schools were cancelled so I didn't have to worry about getting called in. Obviously, we still have power, it's flicked off a couple of times, but never even long enough to reset the clocks, so we got lucky. I think we're pretty safe now, things are melting so it should be ok. Anyhoo, I'm trying to redesign the page for you guys, and for me too I guess, but it's hard! I want to put the blog on the left and the links on the right, but it's not working for some reason, so you'll have to be patient. Totally different colour scheme though, hopefully this one won't make Erin vomit.

on a brighter note, it's really quite pretty out, and since I'm already wet etc, I think I'll go take some pictures.

I'm going to murder our plower contractor guy. Seriously. That's about all I can say about that right now. Suffice to say, he's been here about twice all winter, and..living in Canada, we've gotten enough snow to warrant much more attention than that. So now, there is snow up to the bottom of the car, and it's freezing raining, making a total mess of things, and I just spend 20 minutes shoveling the incredibly heavy snow and trying to coax the neon into the driveway over the plow mountain and through the slush. Not a happy camper.