DEER!!!!!

It’s been way to long since I last posted a blog. The reason for this is that nobody seems to read my blog or respond, so I have no reason to suspect that people are actually interested in reading what I have to say. This is not a cry for you to comment, just a simple observation.
Since I last posted, not much has happened. I am still going between North Bay and Ottawa and that seems to be the hardest. Just when I get used to being in one place and getting comfortable it becomes time to leave again. Oh well, that is the price to pay for my education.
I am enjoying the north. Just last week I saw a pack of deer. There were about 6 of them. The best part of it was that I was on the way to the mall. It was neat to see these animals up close. They were all well built and very beautiful. I was very impressed. I have yet to know what North Bay is like on a sunny day. I think the sun purposely does not show itself. It’s either raining, snowing or cloudy. I don’t get it.
I don’t want to get down on North Bay, but there is one thing about this city that drives me nuts. That would be the bus system. The bus drivers are so nice and you can request any stop you want. It’s great. I don’t have complaints about that. I just wonder who came up with the routes and the schedule. It makes no sense whatsoever and confuses me every time I think about it. Oh well. All I need to know is what bus gets me to school and how to get home. Everything else is chance.
I have made new friends. This is not something that comes easily to me and is still a daily struggle. But The Lord is helping me threw. There are a few Christians in my section. Today was the first time we got together between classes to pray. It was so encouraging to sit there and talk about the things that we struggle and then pray for those things. There are so many things that are going threw my mind and I’d be willing to share but don’t know how to produce my thoughts into writing. Some things cannot be explained. Please know that The Lord is taking care of me and that I am growing.

My dear Friend

Let me tell you about my dear friend. She was a teacher. She liked to sing and play games. She also liked to read and take walks. She loved deserts. She was my good friend. She was 85 years old when she passed away on Sunday. I have so many good memories of her. I drove her to and from church. I played games with her. Well, not really with her, but for her. When she “won”, she could not believe it. Oh, I won, how wonderful. It was great. I could go on and on about the memories I have of her. But, the one thing that I think she taught me was that old people are not boring and they are worth getting to know. I first got to know her at senior’s lunch. Before that, I knew that she was a great woman, but I never took the time to figure out why. Then I came back from School and had time to get involved at church. I started to hang out with these really cool people. They were all allot older then me. But, I have learned so much from them and wish that I could go this year. But, due to my school schedule, I can’t. It makes me sad to think that she will not be around for us. Our family enjoyed the adventures we had with her. So many things happened with her. But I am so happy to know that she is at Home and that I will see her one day in Heaven. She is in her right mind, with her body cured and hair all up and done up really pretty. It’s just selfish to think that I did not want her to die. It’s hard making friends with old people. They tend to die allot sooner then my younger friends. But, I don’t regret the time and investment I made in her. It was well worth it and my life is so much richer because of it. I don't know if you have ever met her. But she was my friend. My dear Edythe Keith.

Back to Grade 7 and 8

This week, I went back to grade 7 and 8. That’s right. I am in the BED program at Nipissing University and had placement this week in a grade 7/8 geography/history class. It was great. For the longest time, I could not think about what I learned in grade 7 and 8 history or geography. It was sad. I could remember a few lessons of English, music, health, gym, science and computers, but it took me all day to remember lessons in geo/history. Finally, I remembered two projects I did. I made a park brochure, and then worked on a project about Micmac Indians. I remember doing well on them, but I can’t remember anything else. Weird. But, these kids are on a different curriculum. So, they are learning different things. Stuff that I guess I learned, but I don’t remember. So, to teach grade 7 and 8 geography I have to relearn it. Fun times. So far, the kids are great. They call me Ms Foreman. It’s so cute. They ask me for help. I feel so educated and like such and adult. I think its going to be a great year.
The other thing that scared me is the math. I helped out in a math class today. The last time I was in a math class was grade 12. I don’t even remember how to do simple math. But there I was, helping kids do their homework and teaching then something I have a hard time doing. It was interesting. But, I actually understood it. It was the first time in ages that I actually felt confident in math class. I should stick to the younger grades.

Love/Hate relationships

There are things that one must love, but at the same time hate. This week, I have experienced tow such things.
1. My new laptop.
I love it because it has great programs. It has a DVD player, a double burner and a bunch of other cool stuff. It has a built in wireless card, and its USB friendly (plug anything that has a USB cable and go) its called plug and play. Fun times. Anyways. I have had allot of fun this week using my handy laptop.
And yet, I hate it. Why? Its heavy and I had to lug it around with me everywhere I go. I can’t keep my eyes off it, because someone my take it. I have to take it to every class with me. So every day I carry two bags. One for my books, and the other for my laptop. The other thing I don’t like it that it has this touch pad mouse thing. I’m not used to it. It drives me nuts. I finally broke down and got a real mouse (one that I just plug in a USB port and it works; this was the second try at a mouse, because I could not get the wireless one figured out). My laptop also has a mind of its own. It will randomly close windows and erase work. I think this is due to the fact that I accidentally press buttons that I’m not sure what there use is for. I have been able to correct the stuff that has been done, but fear that one day I won’t. Just follow this rule, save and save often. The good news is that I love it more then I hate it.

2. Wal- Mart
There are so many good things about wall-mart. Especially if you live in a small town. If you want fast service at a store, move to a small city. In North Bay, there is a wal-mart not far from were I live. It’s only a 5 minute walk from my house. So, I spend allot of time there. Usually one has to wait in like to check out, but One day, I walked in, got what I wanted and just walked up to the cash and went out. No lines. It was a thing of beauty. Then, on another day I returned the mouse that I could not figure out. It was so easy. Once again, there was no wait, I had my receipt and my return was resolved in a matter of minutes. It made me happy. I love the wal-mart in North Bay.
My hate comes from the fact that I love the place so much it’s hard to not spend money. So, I have to stay away. Otherwise, I will have no money for rent. So I must stay away for the health of my wallet. Very sad.

Victoria day

So, today is Victoria Day. Every year I look forward to the fireworks that are put on at General Vanie School. Now, these fireworks are never really all that good, but they are a good time. Since I love fireworks, I really don’t care how good or bad they are as long as I get to see them. For some reason, Victoria Day weekend always ends the same, it rains. Every year on Sunday the question becomes, Will the fireworks be cancelled? Yesterday, it rained during the morning, but was clear the rest of the day. So, I thought, well, the fireworks must be on, it’s not raining. So, after church and some dinner, I go to the fireworks. As I’m driving to the location I see the sign, with a big thing over it saying:
fireworks cancelled due to wet field.
Ahhhhhh!!! Wet field?! Who cancels fireworks because the field is wet? I thought that a wet field would be good. You know, less chance of the field getting on fire due to dryness. Mud in not an issue here. I know that people would not complain to get a bit dirty for some fireworks. Bring a blanket! I don’t get it. Really, I don’t. So, once again my Victoria Day weekend has been ruined by rain, or lack of rain this year. A new phenomenon this year: events cancelled due to wet fields. Get out the blow dryer!! Lets get some fireworks going!

Monday at the movies

Ok, so on Monday I went to go see the new MI: III movie. And I must say that I liked it. I did not love it, but it was ok. What I don’t get about sequels is that there never seems to be any connection between movies. Lets take the mission impossible series. No connection between one and two and even less between 2 and 3. What ever happened to Mia? You know, the girl that Ethan was with at the end of the 2nd movie. Now, the ending of the second movie is ruined because I now know that they don’t walk into the sunset and live happily ever after since in the 3rd movie Ethan is with a new girl. Sorry if I ruined the movie for you, but I know you’re not surprised to find that out. Next question becomes, how many years has it been? We don’t know. In the 3rd movie, they sort of allude to what Ethan has been up to since the last movie, but not really. It might as well be a movie on its own not at all connected to the other 2. The next thing that sort of bothers me is that Ethan sort of seems to work for a different company in every movie. In the first 2 movies, we don’t really see the agency, but suddenly in the 3rd, it’s an established agency with a whole bunch of departments and heads, he might as well be working for the CIA. The only things that are consistent are the self destructive message, Ethan’s ability to do acrobatics, and the fact that he wears those masks that make him seem like the other person. In the third movie, we actually see a mask in the making. Very cool, but unrealistic. Anyways, I would have stayed away from the movie because of Tom Cruise, but I knew that the movie would be good despite him, and it was. Anyways, it was good. Not great, and not a classic, but great stunts and explosives.

Running

Ok, so, how many of you have taken the bus? I’m going to take a whiled guess and say that all of you, at one point or another, have taken the bus. I have the pleasure of taking the bus every day. I take it to work and back home again. I must say that the bus ride home is much more exiting because I am going home. But, that is not the point. Have you ever noticed that nobody talks on the bus? It’s the weirdest thing. Here is a place were there are maybe 50 people on the bus (the 118 during rush hour) and nobody says a word. When people do talk, its in hushed tones. Why is so taboo to make noise on the bus? I guess its because nobody wants other people to hear their conversation. Anyways, a few weeks back, I was sitting on the 118 going to work. The bus stopped and picked up a few people at a stop. It started to go when I looked over and saw this young man chasing after the bus. He was running and running. He really wanted to catch the bus. Yet, nobody yelled for the bus driver to stop. We all saw him, and we all laughed, yet we all said nothing. Yes, I know, shame on me for not speaking up. I did not think about it until it was too late. No excuse. But still. So there was this poor guy being laughed at without out knowing it. And, everybody sharing in the moment thinking, wow, I’m glad I’m on the bus not chasing after it. I hope that the next time I see some poor guy running for the bus that I’ll ask the bus driver to stop. I hope to bring you more bus adventures as I still a few more bus trips to take.

For all the fans

So apparently, I have acquired a few fans. Who knew? These people go to my blog once a week to see if I have updated it. I find this very nice. I love the dedication. The problem is that I see most of these people on a regular basis. So, I have to ask myself: Is what I have to say online that much more interesting then what I tell you in person? And: What in the world am I supposed to blog that is new to what I have already shared with you in the last few days? Only so much can happen to a girl in a few days. Oh well. Thank you to the fans. I will now share with you a few thoughts I have had on this rainy day.

1. Dad has been puttering in the garden all weekend. The front lawn is ready for new grass to grow. And the back is all set up for a nice supper on the deck. The legs to the table were found and the table is up and ready to go. This is exiting news. The only bad part is that the weather has gone from summer weather to spring weather. The past couple of weeks have been full of sun and promise, but no rain. So now, only when the porch is ready for use, the rain comes. Now, don’t get me wrong, we need rain, but after so much of dads work, we must wait for good weather to have a barbeque. I hope I can survive the wait.

2. Along Baseline, there was this house that has been on stilts as a company fixes the foundation and basement of the house. For the longest time, it seems that no progression was being made and that the house would always be in suspension. But the other day when I was going to work and almost missed the house. This was because it was no longer up in the air but was down on the foundation with a few planks in between. So, it seems that work is being done. But, every time I pass the house, I always ask myself: How in the world does that work? Lifting an entire house and fixing the foundation. I don’t get it. If somebody wants to explain it to me in simple terms, I might enjoy the lesson.

3. I am now 23. This means that I have survived another birthday. I also have an entire year to prepare myself for whatever plans my family and friends may have for me next year. But, for now. To all of those who made this year the best birthday I can remember, thank you. Even though, I don’t like the attention, it is always nice to be reminded that people care about you and want to make the day special.

4. Since it was my birthday on Friday, I have had 3 cakes. Yes, 3!! So, needless to say, I won’t be eating cake for a while. Ok… maybe I’ll have some in a week. After all, a girl can’t miss out on having carrot cake at Swiss. Also, people must know that I have a weakness for chocolate. I received so much of it that I now have a stash of it in my room. So, if you are craving chocolate and running low and need some, before you go to the store, call me and I might be ready to part with some for you.

There….. I updated my blog.