Nothing's Gonna Change My World

So I spent the entire week in a grade four classroom, and let me just say how much I'm loving it. There had been times in the past when I'd worry whether or not I was even choosing the right career path. I'd think of all the horror stories of dealing with troublesome children, think of the long hours of correcting, wondered how I'd ever be able to teach Math properly... these thoughts sometimes would choke me with doubt and fear, so much so that even picturing myself standing in front of a class was really scary. You also get into this groove in university where actually going to a real job seems like a very daunting task. But having spent this week at the school that I'm at, with the wonderful, amazing cooperating teacher that I have, has completed reassured me. I know that I'm in the right place. I feel so fulfilled after only 1 week. I'm constantly thinking of fun activities to do with "my" students. It's a hard job, yes. It involves a lot of organization and creativity. It's also a fine line between bonding with students and managing them effectively. But wow, is it ever rewarding to see the look on their faces when they "get" it, or when you do a fun activity and they are actually excited to dive into it, or when you write little notes back to them on their assignments, and they feel special and actually want to keep writing back to you. That's what the job is all about. There's one boy with severe behavior problems, who closes off and distances himself when he doesn't feel like doing anything, but he's gradually starting to warm up to me now that he realizes I'm actually on his side. Imagine the feeling to see him actually DOING his work quietly and even with excitement in his eyes. Imagine the feeling when he lets you help him organize the disaster zone that is the inside of his desk. It's extremely rewarding. It's morally rewarding. You may go home tired, but it's a good tired. It's an accomplished tired. And you're happy it's the weekend, but a part of you is also looking forward to Monday morning when you get to find out what they did on their weekend. So I'm thinking that if I'm having these positive experience and feelings, I'm probably on the right track.

I'm off this weekend - no library, thank God! I've already been roller-blading this morning, my first time this year. It's a great feeling to be gliding along with the wind coming at you while listening to the Across the Universe soundtrack (yup, I just can't seem to get enough of it). It was a bit cold, but I wanted to get my workout over with early so that I had the whole day to tidy up and hopefully get some scrapbooking done. Patrick has 2 clients today (yay!) so I won't be seeing him until later on. His dad is hosting a bachelor party for one of his friends who is getting remarried- ugh. I told Pat that he was staying over at my house to avoid the stampede of testosterone-ridden, overly opinionated 50 year-old Quebecois men, since their agenda is: go to park to play competitive sports, come back and eat huge t-bone steaks, drink tons of wine and beer, start a poker game, betting cas, that will likely last hours, then sing karaoke until the wee hours of the morning). Now, if that's not something you want to escape then I don't know what is...

And what is going on at my house today? My uncle and his friend are finishing off the deck, which will involve a lot of saw dust and loud drilling noises. I plan on using my ipod if need be. Cheers maties. Here's a newer page as well: