and so go the days of our lives...

And all around you snow will fall. Like confetti stars and paper dolls.

2009-12-17T12:42:00.005-07:00

The last little while in pictures:

Jen dressed up as Coral Reef, I was a fried egg (my boyfriend was bacon), and Erin was Punky Brewster.

Team Selleck - they won our Cornstock tournament (corn hole).

Throwoing corn during the big tournament. It snowed all day. There were two kegs, a huge tent, it was a double elimination tournament, 3 games played a time, DJ spinning tunes, and lots of good food! Friends too.

Taking an eveing walk during the first snowstorm of the year.

Banks Van Fleuf Miester, looking absolutely adorable.

Smokewagon playing at Coal Street Pub. Brian on the drums.

Skiing last weekend. We had fun, not sure if you can tell or not.

I decorated Brian's window. It is a snow blizzard.

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking successive autumns. - George Eliot

2009-09-29T14:00:00.004-06:00

Fall, fall, fall, fabulous fall! All I wanna do is go camping, wear big sweaters, smell wood burning in the wood stove, and eat soups and breads. Yum.
Besides the anticipation of fall, I am feeling pretty meh today. My students, sensing my mood, have been on their best behavior. Excellent.
Sex and the City has been on my TV a lot lately. Last night, after quite a bit of sangria, I was almost brought to tears when Big shows up in Paris to see Carrie. There she is in that fantastic dress squatting on the floor. Ahhh.
Talked to Gwen last night! She is prego. Talked to Kurtz last night. He is funny.
I presently have 7 cats. Two are already gone and another is claimed. Leaving me with 3 babies, mama, and my two. I am on the fast track to being the crazy cat lady.
I have seen some pretty good movies lately with some great company. Its been a pretty long time since I have watched a movie. Everything is Illuminated was pretty good. Fighting is alright too. Anyone have any good suggestions for others?

Konnichiwa!

2009-09-18T12:36:00.003-06:00

I. am. going. to. JAPAN!
32 sleeps!
No worries, I am not moving there, just a nice 10 day jaunt.

Random updates:
- my class loves techno
- one of my students - "Miss Van Dorp, do you allow dancing in your classroom?"
- RIP Kissy Fish, Sucker Fish, and Black Fish (Kissy Fish, I am sorry I dropped you on the floor)
- I now have 9 cats living in my apartment - Stella and Banks, Mama + 5 babies (I rescued them), and random black cat who came in the window and won't leave
- fall is here and I love it
- soccer starts on Sunday and I can hardly wait

Sayonara. Ittekimasu.

Wylie Van Armani Esquire

2009-09-03T12:51:00.003-06:00

My dog is getting strong. Very strong. He used to be all ribs and was this little homely looking thing, but now there is no messing with him. He also is starting to get protective of me. He growls and barks at men, men with beards. He does not like men with beards. I on the other hand tend to lean towards facial hair, but that’s another topic. On a number of occasions he has lunged towards said men, almost ripping my arms off (see my last post on the puniness of my arms).
A few nights ago I was taking Wylie for a walk. Well it was more like he was taking me for a walk, dragging my up and down the streets. We came around a corner and there was a sweet little Siamese cat sitting there. Wylie lunged, I braced myself, but I was no match for him. The leash broke. He darted after the cat – who hopped a fence, and went flying into the backyard of a house. My dog, yes, he followed. Cleared the fence and went tearing through the yard and into the back of this house. I stood aghast. A lady came out of the house, talking in accent about how naughty my dog was.
I called, he came. Then he turned and went back into the backyard. I called again and he came. Then he turned and went back into the backyard. I called again and he came, the lady allowed me into her yard to come and get him. The cat made another appeared before I could grab him and he was off again through another gate after the cat. I corned my crazed dog and got him tied to the leash. Then a nice gentleman appeared. He thanked me for visiting and welcomed me back anytime.

aqua, mizu, agua

2009-08-31T17:48:00.003-06:00

Those flippin water coolers. I try. But really, these puny arms cannot wrestle the sheer size and weight of the jug. I need a man. Or maybe the ability to bench more than 5 lbs. Today I was at the water store. The guy working there asked if I needed help getting it into my car. Nope, I said, as I heaved it onto my hip. But, I offered, you could come to my house and put it on the cooler for me. He laughed at me. Needless to say, my full jug, not so full after I wrestle it up on the stand. My floor is a sopping mess, as usual.

Random Recents

2009-08-15T22:20:00.000-06:00

1. I saw a wicked neck beard today. Awesome.
2. Cats shed. Alot. Especially when you leave em in the house for days.
3. I witnessed a kid pass his drivers test today. Joy.
4. Backstreet Boys. Why did I ever stop listening to them? They are rocking my life.
5. Blowing a tire on the interstate = not fun.
6. My dog rocks.
7. I have been to the MVD (motor vehicle department - also my initals) 300,000,000 times in the last month. I don't lie. And I might kill someone soon.
8. Stella now only drinks from the bathtub. I come home, she runs there, I turn on the tap, she drinks a bit. Its a ritual.
9. I purchased a book entitled How to Conquer the World. I can't wait to start.
10. Where did the Kings of Leon come from? Love Use Somebody.
11. My favorite number.
12. Mix tapes were special. Way cooler than a CD. I found mine from back in the day. I listened to them all and then threw them in the garbage.
13. homestarrunner.com rules. Possums.
14. The end.

hose me down

2009-08-14T22:23:00.000-06:00

I have a problem
I cannot control myself
v-neck t's are hot

Hey you!

2009-06-14T09:38:00.002-06:00

Well it's been awhile. I am sitting in my new appartment, sunshine flowing in from the three 5 ft windows that grace my living room walls. This place is absolutely amazing. Claw foot bathtub, original hardwood floors, freshly painted (adobe) walls. I am eating Special K with a handful of raspberries, ahhhhhhh, summer is here. One window shoots a view off to the north east of the mesas and red rocks, the other to a huge Catholic Church bell tower. I'll have to get some pictures posted soon! I only have a few boxes left to unpack...
This has serously been a great year for me so far, and we are only halfway done. Travel has been a common theme. I was in Winnipeg for the new year, Cancun with my bff Kristen in February, Florida in March with Tara, Rachel, Shawna, Cassie, Chelsea, and Heather, Phoenix in March, Vancouver in April with Katy (nevermind Cali, Oregon, Washington State, Idaho, Colorado and New Mexico for the drive there), I hit up Mesa Verde and Telluride, Colorado, last month, and this summer proves to hold more adventures for me!
Yesterday I did a triathalon. 375 yard swim, 12.4 mile bike, and 3 mile run. I can still move today, and it was actually pretty fun. I killed the swim, my bike was decent, but the run... I am not a runner. I ended up doing it in an hour and 36 minutes. Not too shabby for my first go of things.
Well I best be off walking to church. Big soccer game this afternoon, and great book to read!
Happy Sunday! and cheers to summer!

I (heart) February

2009-02-19T20:13:00.007-07:00

I can't believe its taken me this long to post my annual I Love February and Everything Pink post. Probably because I have just been having so much fun this month, barely a moment to sit down.

I wore - pink, purple, or red every day up until February 14th - it was great fun.

The first weekend I went on an awesome off-roading/caving/wolf adventure, that left my car covered in lumps of mud.

I was training for a quadrathalon that I competed in on Feb. 14. It is basically a 42 mile race up a mountain to the summit at 11,301 ft. I have never been so cold in my entire life. Check out The Outdoor Journey for a sweet explanation of the race. Basically that mountain kicked my ass.

Now I am working towards the Dawn til Dusk mountain bike race, and the Shiprock Marathon. We'll see if I can keep up with the training.

My 26th birthday was awesome. Katy and I went for drinks after my class, and I also had a White Trash Bash the weekend before.

Saturday I am heading to Cancun for a week with my bff Kristen. I can hardly contain myself.

Then on March 4-8th I fly to Florida for a get together with my roommates from college.

No February blues going on here. Bring on the sun and the beach.

The worst part is that I have a list a mile long of all these crafts and DIY ideas, and no time to sit down and do them. Hopefully by the end of March things will start to settle down.

Happy February!

Latest and Greatest Quotes of the Week

2009-01-21T15:27:00.002-07:00

Seriously, one of the best things about teaching first grade is just talking and listening to the students. Getting into their little heads. Listening to their ideas. They are very impressionable, and also they believe anything, I mean ANYTHING, you say. Gotta love it.

This convo came right after Christmas vacation, after I had been back in Canada. I had nothing to do with where he got his ideas. He came up with this all on his own...
Student: I think that in Canada, dogs are so hungry that they eat little kids.
Teacher: Why would they be so hungry?
Student: Because no one feeds them.
Teacher: Why wouldn't they feed them?
Student: I think they don't like them.

During a spelling test...
Teacher: Number three. How do you spell boots. B-oo-ts. Miss Van Dorp is wearing boots.
Student: and fancy boots too.
Student 2: I like your boots.

I always have pencil sharpener problems in my classroom. This child is picking up on that.

Student: Are you gonna keep that new pencil sharpener?
Teacher: Nope, I was just borrowing it.
Student: Well I wish, I wish the whole school was full of pencil sharpeners swimming all over.
Teacher: I would love that.
Student: Then we could do whatever we wanted.
Teacher: What would you do?
Student: Chopper blades. Engines that blades. Bladle. Do you know what a bladle is? Its spins. Pshhhhhhhsshshhs. It has really. It has blades.

10 minutes later...

Student: That penicl sharpener there doesn't work?
Teacher: Nope
Student: Well how can you make it work.
Teacher: I can't, its broken.
Student: Well why don't you just buy a new one.
Teacher: Because I don't have any money.
Student: Well why don't you get a job that earns you some money.
Teacher: Yah? Like what kinds of job?
Student: I dunno, a Walmart job, all kinds of jobs. Buidling fences. Like being a cop. Being the job of a police man won't earn you money. But you can protect yourself.

McDonalds Addiction

2009-01-08T08:27:00.008-07:00

I have come to the realization as of late, that I have a problem. Well I have lots of problems, but more specifically I LOVE McDonald's. I could (and often do) eat there every day. Nothing will compare to the height of my addiction in high school. Since then I have cut down and I think I have done pretty well. I usually try to eat at McDonald's as often as possible. The desire does not always occur when I drive by (well sometimes those golden arches just call my name), but more of "I am so hungry nothing will tantalize my taste buds as much as a ____________. That blank can be filled in by pretty much everything on the menu except the Big Nasty (Extra) and the McNasty (McRib) sandwiches. My favorites include the fries - not to be beaten by anybody, cheese burgers, double cheeseburgers, McNuggets, Big Mac, McChicken (NOT the spicy one) and of course the Fillet 0'Fish. My mouth is watering just thinking about all this deliciousness.

In high school my bff and I ate at McDonald every single day. I am not exaggerating or trying to over-dramatize the situation. We literally ate there every day. Two cheeseburger meal super-sized with coke. My daily ritual. I still think I am going wake up one day and be 300 lbs.

Most recently I indulged myself in the McDonald's twice in one day. A feat that does not occur that much, but often enough to think of how disgusting I am. I was in the Denver airport, landed at gate 91 in the United terminal. Usually I then have to hike to like gate 2 to catch my next flight (right by McDonald's mmmmmmmmm). Not this time. My next flight was to leave from gate 87. This was definitely a first. I checked my watch and decided I had enough time to hike my ass over to the food court (a mere 80 or so gates) to indulge myself in an Egg McMuffin and hash brown (I leave this unplural because it is literally one big hash brown). Sorry I can barely control myself right now. Then when I landed in Albuquerque I had to do another McDonald's stop to fill my dinner hunger. A great day. And no, when I go to bed my sheets don't reek of french fries.

The only thing worse that eating McDonald's twice in one day would then be when I can't decide what to order. This is when I order a McChicken, Cheeseburger, and a Filet o'Fish, and then proceed to order two drinks so the drive-through attendant won't think all the food is for me. Sad days.

I have few friends in my life that share my same love - and moments with those friends at McDonald's are true treasured experiences. My bff Kristen of course shares my love, as does my aunt, and my college roommate Margriet. There is nothing better than sharing McDonald's with those you love.

I apologize to anyone who vomited during the reading of this post. I do not apologize for those who instantly drove to McDonald's to order something McDelicious.

I read that in Malaysia McDonald's have McDelieveries. Sounds amazing. Looking into moving to Malaysia. http://www.mcdonalds.com.my/mcdelivery/how2order.asp

All I can say is two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun (try saying that as fast as you can - fun times).

My handmade Christmas

2009-01-02T13:03:00.000-07:00

I had decided to give all handmade gifts this year for Christmas and it ended up turning out great. My only exception were books. But come on, books are a great gift, and I purchased them at a small local bookstore.

So here is the breakdown:

For my dad - a handmade belt from a local saddle/shoe shop City Electric, as well as the book Uncle Ernies Guide to Old Time Rodeo. The book is written by a local guy who has done a lot of work with Tony Hillerman. My friend Chuck also did the layout of the book. The pictures in the book are these awesome watercolours also done by a local Navajo man.

For my brother and sister-in-law I got this print from local photographer and friend Chuck. Its a picture taken up in the Cibola national forest of some aspens in the snow. Totally awesome and it looks amazing in there purple and grey living room! (sorry for the glare of the flash in the photo)

My mom got books, books, books, and more books. Her favorite thing. Oh and whoops - pajamas. I didn't get those handmade :(

I also got my sister-in-law and her mom these awesome magnets from my friend Marcy @ Signs of My Life. She has her stuff up on ETSY - definitely worth checking out.

My aunt and my sister-in-law also got a set of these 4 handmade reusable grocery bags made by yours truly. They took forever but it was so rewarding when they were done. I was thinking about selling them... but then I'll have to find cheaper fabrics, cause after the time I spent and these fabrics there is no way I could make any money on them.

My niece got this 'bunting,' also made by moi. Its about three meters long and is hanging up in her playroom right now. She loved her 'flags.' My nephew got one of those towels with a hood. Made by one of my neighbours.

My principal and his wife got flatwear carriers made by a friend from college - Brielle of Pony Up Design (also on ETSY).

Overall it was so much fun making and looking for homemade gifts. I also had fun wrapping them in brown paper and all sorts of fun ribbons. I love Christmas and I love gift giving.

Frosty the DEAD snowman

2008-12-15T14:17:00.003-07:00

I have one of those stereotypical boys in my class. He drive me crazy. We are making Frosty the snowman crafts. They are to cut them out and color them etc. He colors it in 3.5 seconds, cuts it out in just under a minute, and then glues it together in the most haphazard way. I look at the thing and just shake my head. I get two other students to show him the nice job they are doing... he doesn't care. His snowman is basically decapitated he did such a ridiculous job. I try to encourage him, don't scribble, take your time, all this to no avail. He likes his snowman in disarray. He tells me "he is Frosty the DEAD snowman, kinda like a zombie." Well at least hes sorta creative.

Welcome to First Grade

2008-11-19T16:09:00.017-07:00

Thought I would do a little update of my classroom.
Here are some pictures and a video.

Here we are on a hike up in McGaffey forest. I taught them how use sticks as weapons.

The whole class on the hike.

We went up the fire tower. Awesome views.

They read 300 books, so we had a party at the park.

Halloween

Red Ribbon week - Drug Awareness - we went around the neighbourhood doing a parade.
We chanted "Booooo to drugs!" the entire way.

This video shows some of the ridiculousness that goes on in our room.

Today we were doing place value - so I gave each student 10 popsicle sticks and 100 beans. We glued 10 beans to each stick for counters. Now they can count by 10's. Anyways - none of them new the bean song. "Beans, beans, the magical fruit, the more you eat, the more you toot!" So I taught it to them.

This is my winter song to you. The storm is coming soon. It rolls in from the sea.

2008-11-17T17:56:00.004-07:00

I was all pumped to pull out my Christmas music this week. Especially because I picked up the Amy Grant Home For Christmas CD (taking me back to 1992) at Goodwill for super cheap a couple of weeks ago. But the weather here is too nice to be in the Chistmassy mood. It was +20 C today. I am NOT complaining, but I do miss the snow. Just slightly though.
I was in another craft sale this past weekend. I did very very well. It was so awesome. I have one more this Saturday. Craft sales get me in the mood for Christmas. I decided all the gifts I buy this year will be handmade. I picked up a sweet present for my nephew this weekend. That's as far as I have gotten, but I do a have a list and ideas for everyone. Woop woop. Wait, I take that back, no ideas for the father yet. Dads are hard to buy for.
Well happy Monday! I had a great day. Despite my horrible dreams last night and the three papers I wrote yesterday that ruined my weekend. Anyhoo have a great week! Only four more days of work till Thanksgiving break.

Ooooooooooooooohh I almost forgot. You need to download the song Winter Song by Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson. It is great.

MadHatter:Do you care for tea? Alice:Why, yes. I'm very fond of tea. MarchHare:If you don't care for tea, you could at least make polite conversation.

2008-11-11T15:57:00.009-07:00

I hosted a Tea Part today. It was pretty much great.

Maggi, Naomi, and Audria with their nails painted,

and their toes!

Sitting down to Tea. We had mini Nutella sandwiches, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, sliced apples, mandarin oranges, celery with Cheese Wiz, raisins, homemade bread with butter, chocolate milk, and fizzy orange juice.

The food is slowly disappearing, and the stains on the table cloth are growing.

I had the most gorgeous bouquet of gladiolas from Trader Joes. They lasted a week, and then I chopped em down to the few that remained alive.

After lunch a Feist dance party erupted.

Veterans Day Tea Part = a great success.

Check out these videos from the day:

I love that you can see the girls dancing in front of the TV cause they are trying to see themselves in the reflection.

The lamp is burnin' low upon my table top The snow is softly falling The air is still within the silence of my room I hear your voice softly calling

2008-11-09T22:57:00.004-07:00

Music that has got me through the day. Alison Krauss.

I have written three papers already this weekend. One more to go, and it is just gonna have to be handed in late.

It is snowing right now. I have been charting the action on weather.com as well as the tele. It doesn't look great for a snow day. But perhaps just a late start... fingers crossed. It was so sunny and gorgeous here yesterday. I like snow though, so let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! The rest of the week will have nice weather.

I decided at the end of the week I am pulling out all my Christmas music! Whoo hoooOOO! I did a little sampling tonight though. Song for a Winters Night - Sarah McLachlan. Although I like the Gordon Lightfoot version as well. But I am partial to Gordon Lightfoot.

I found a cat. Well it sat in my windowsill meowing for two days, and then I just let it inside. I can't keep it. I want to. I already have two cats, and a dog. That is enough pets. It is lovely tough. And orange. Very orange.

I was so pumped yesterday because I finally found a great purple nail polish. I have been on the hunt. Seriously, it is a lot harder that you think. I tried all of my Gallup resources - being Walgreens and Walmart. Then I checked out Target last weekend. Nada. Well I stumbled upon one of those beauty supply places yesterday and wamo - purple nail polish galore. In the picture below you can see my nails all painted different shades of purple. I needed to find the right shade. Which until yesterday seemed impossible. I went with Tempest and VIII. I got greedy and picked out two. THEN, guess what, they just happened to be buy two get one free, so I picked up an amazing fuchsia pink called Sexy Silhouette. You can never have too many nail polishes. I also forgot to take them out of my purse, so this morning at church my little bff Maggi saw them and was enthralled with my new colors (I often paint her nails). So that led me to hosting a Tea/Nail painting Party on Tuesday. That's right a Veterans Day Tea Party. I am inviting Maggi, Audria, and Naomi (whom are all somewhere between 4 and 5). It will be grand and I will post pictures.

Oh and the whole purple thing has to do with my new glasses and it is also Maggi's favorite color. She is a big influence in my life.

p.s. Isn't that mug great? I purchased it a few years ago in some little shop in San Diego. The udder even has teats.

when I am old I will have a goat and I will feed him roses

2008-11-03T21:38:00.004-07:00

I have the sniffles and the sneezes.
I partied too hard this weekend.
Mid-twenties - you start to realize you can't handle the partying like back in the day.
I heart tea.
I am going into shock from honey overdose.
One paper down, two to go.
I have a new phone, it is sweet.
I love the sound of fallen leaves in the wind.
My dog has an owie and has to go to the vet, poop balls.
Mostly I just feel lonely today.
I am sick of teaching, but that could just be November talking.
I wanna bake pies and yummies, and sell them. In a store. That I own. With books, lots of books. And I will wear a different apron everyday for a year.
Ooooo and I bought a blue tooth to go with my new phone, hurray for new multitasking opportunities.
I could dance to Twilight Serenade all day.

You know you have a problem when

2008-10-22T14:09:00.001-06:00

you go through the McDonalds drive-through and you order two drinks so the attendant doesn't think all the food is for you.

Stop it, or I'll rip the quacker outta that duck!

2008-10-17T10:39:00.010-06:00

I love the things my little critters say. Maybe you need to know the kids, but these make me laugh!

They were supposed to use the word "as" in a sentance - everyone bombed except for this one:
I em a littel girl as you can see

Journal entry:
my dad trols flams he is osum

Student comes up to me and shows me his journal and his new shoes:
I hav new shoes and et is as fast as a speden bulet

I am listening to Jason Mraz, and two of my boys are walking around with their collars popped. I said, "guys what are you doing?"
"Walking around."
"Walking around and rock'n out."
Another one says "they were being too cool."

Another journal entry:
I wot to be a pirate for hola weg

Little boy singing to himself during math:
"Don't you wish your girlfriend was a freak like me."

A little boy telling me what he did last night: "My grandpa drew witches and I drew ghosts. Crazy ones. Killers."

They were supposed to use the word "is" in sentance (chrro = true): "is it chrro is bad is it choo that my dog is chasen my cat."

Little boy telling me about the debates on TV:
“Last night I saw the Hope of the Obamanation.”

Me - “Does anyone know what drug free is?”
Student – “it means you get drugs for free!”
Me – “No. Drugs are bad for you.”
Other student – “Is beer drugs? Everyone in my family drinks drugs.”

I was standing on a table hanging some paintings.
Student - “Are you allowed to do what you are doing?”
Me – “What do you mean?”
Student – “Standing like that on the table.”
Me – “Whose table is it?”
Student “Yours.”
Me – “Well?”
Other student “She's the teacher. She's gotta do what shes gotta do.”

My brother is married!

2008-09-24T16:06:00.008-06:00

I just returned from a 12 day stint in Canada. My brother is married! It was a wonderful break from teaching, and a great time spent with family. The wedding was so much fun. It was over the top high end, with fireworks to boot. All us ladies spent the first weekend at the cabin for a bachelorette party. The week followed with last minute running around, family stuff, and hanging out with friends. It was also such gorgeous weather, couldn't have been better. Fall was in full swing, leaves changing. My favorite. And my dad was harvesting, love it.

I woke up Saturday morning at 7:15 and was promptly carried away by a stretch hummer limo to get my hair done. We spend the morning getting ready and then like that I feel like the wedding was over. We walked down the aisle to Blackbird, played by three violinists. The bride was absolutely gorgeous, and my brother didn't look too bad either. All afternoon we went around taking pictures and hanging out in the limo, and then the big party started. I danced the night away, and considering there was an open bar, I felt great the next day. Good thing too cause we had almost 100 people over on Sunday for a pig roast. Mmmmmmmmmm! I rested Monday and Tuesday and then flew back to reality.

Check out some pictures from the week:

Randoms

2008-09-06T17:13:00.010-06:00

Song I can't stop listening to: Black Eyed Peas - Don't Lie
Food I can't get enough of: zucchini
Person I want to call every minute of my life: Aunty Heather
Item I can't live without: my camera
Best event of the week : meeting Ronald McDonald
Funniest convo: telling my dad to get a blue suit with grey pin stripe, him repeating "a green suit with a yellow pin stripe?"
Person who thinks they are the coolest, but is not really: Uncle Dean
High of the weekend: being in the front row of the Sugarland concert
Randomest moment: being given a huge bouquet of flowers from a funeral
Number of times I have dropped my phone today: 5
Biggest stressor: taking two graduate classes
Funniest moment: in an assembly this week at school, the presentor said something about Elvis, some kid pipes up "my grandma likes Elvis"
Project for next week: building a dog house for Wylie
Craziest moment of the week: holding a day old baby, congrats Nate and Heather!

I'm feeling rough, I'm feeling raw, I'm in the prime of my life.

2008-08-18T10:07:00.019-06:00

School has started. I am on week two. My students are wonderful, and I only have 13 of them! It is glorious.
I have a new dog. His name is Wylie Armani. He found me. He doesn't bark, and likes to cuddle. He kinda stinks, but we are working on that. Stella Van Pomplemouse and Banks Van Fleuf Meister, my cats, do not enjoy Wylie, but they like him better than Ruby Van Iderstein (my dog who I had for a week and then she ran away).
I also have a new friend. His name is Andrew. We have been doing a lot of cool stuff lately. He is from MI, which is kinda lame, but other than that he is pretty cool.

Summary of sweet events as of late:
Cara is back! So I am no longer alone in my home.
A whole group of us went cliff jumping last weekend = awesomeness.
I went to the 87th Annual Indian Inter-Tribal Ceremony. Paul McCartney was there.
Andrew and I went to a sweat lodge yesterday = extreme sweating and intense Navajoness.
I went treasure hunting with Paul and Andrew on Saturday. I found three treasures.
I made four batches of nanimo bars.
My soccer team got bronze medals.
Paul, Andrew, Carrie, and I went up to visit Mr. Swets in the fire tower. Its high. You can see a lot. The moom was cool.
I saw Pinapple Express. My favorite part was at the end when Dale and Saul are feeding Red, and he's goes "it's just like I am a baby, num num num num." I think its the facial expression and the moment, cause the quote sounds lame now that I read it. Andrew's favorite part was when Saul comes in with his crazy guns and yells "fuck the po-lice."

I could write 500 posts about all the cool stuff I have been up to lately. But then you might get jealous and then hate me. I don't want that to happen, so there is a small sampling.

Pictures to complete the post, pictures are always fun.

Hiking

cliff jumping

standing on the corner in Winslow, AZ, incase you couldn't read the sign...

my new puppy, Wylie

third place, meh

two kids in their fancy dress at Ceremonial

Paul and I mowing down some cream puffs

The Pinapple Express

That's all.
Hágoónee'

(more pictures can be seen at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2012093&l=ac6ef&id=148300936)

Friends are God's way of taking care of us.

2008-07-21T22:32:00.005-06:00

Apparently I haven't posted since May, that's pretty lame. Almost as lame as Jeff writing a blog and then not writing anything cause "his fingers are sore from instant messaging."

Frick my summer is almost over. Well at least its been a super sweet summer. I am stuck around New Mexico for the most part. I spent a week up in Alberta. I had a cousin's wedding, and then got to catch up with some old Dordt friends. It was pretty much awesome. Then I headed to Manitoba for a week and half. It was great to see family and my bff Kristen again. Kristen and I headed out to her cabin for the weekend and spent some time relaxing and ATVing. I filled the rest of my time, shopping, seeing family, and just relaxing.

Summer in Gallup has been wonderful though. I just feel so blessed to be living here. I have a great community of friends and they are just awesome. I have been mountain biking a lot, heading up to the forest for barbeque's, and just enjoying the company of friends. It is hard being single here, cause, I am basically the only one who is single. All my friends are married, most have kids, but I always feel included and I just feel blessed to have them all in my life. It is a cool place here, this town.

I have been dog sitting for some friends all summer. It'll almost have been for 9 weeks when they get back. Now I want to keep their dog forever. He is a beautiful golden retriever. I went to the Humane Society to get a dog. Well the dog ran away last week. So that was that. Oh and they banned me from adopting their pets, cause "I lost one of their dogs." Didn't know they could be so picky. Now I am looking for a golden retriever puppy. Exciting, I know.

School starts up here in 3 weeks. Hopefully I get some more camping in by then. I have been doing as much outside as possible. I basically haven't watched TV since April, and I have read a ton of books instead. Life is good.

Here are some pictures from my summer adventures:

Lily and Maggi (my 3 year old bff)

Erica, Audria, Naomi, and Lily

My cousin Tamara, my mom, and I shopping on Whyte Ave. in Edmonton

Wedding Ceremony

Cousins with the Groom, that's only 1/3 of us...

Hanging out with Greg, Russ and Steph on Canada Day

My cousin Adrian and I at the water park in Edmonton

Kristen and I heading out on our ATV adventure

My nice clean quad, after burying it in 4 feet of slime

So there is a little update of my life. I should be in bed, but the lightening and thunder is great right now, so instead of sleep I watching and listening to the rain. Ahhhhhh... Mmmmmmmm smells good too!

10 teaching days left...

2008-05-14T08:23:00.003-06:00

One of my co-workers is studying to get his U.S. citizenship, and I have been quizzing him on these ridiculous questions he has to answer.
Yesterday I asked him: "what is the name of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to America?"
One of my students goes: "the Titanic"

Abundant Sunshine

2008-05-05T08:24:00.003-06:00

Things are so sunny and wonderful around here. I am keeping busy with the abundance of activities available, plus I have amazing friends. I love this place. I am staying here for the summer, and that has me excited. Although I am making a two week trip to Edmonton and Winnipeg around the end of June, also exciting.

Four weeks of school to go - 16 teaching days! I have a whole class of little buggers and they drive me crazy. They are pretty hilarious though. Especially a couple of them.
Some classroom quotes for your entertainment.

Julian: Miss Van Dorp, when you were living on a farm did the farmer have teeth?

Jayson: female?
Me: its like girl
Jayson: whats guy then?
Me: male
Jayson: oh its like mail man.

Jayson: your just like a kid.
Me: why?
Jayson: cause you can do all kinds of things like a kid, like stretch your leg all the way over there.

Jayson: whats that patty?
Me: its a rice cake.
Jayson: no its a rice patty.
Me: no its a rice cake.
Jayson: no cause its not covered in all that stuff that is goodness.
Me: icing?
Jayson: yah icing, and there are no sprinkles and stuff.

(I have a six foot bull snake that lives under my house)
Jayson: Miss Van Dorp, did you put that snake under your house?
Me: no why would I do that.
Jayson: you should call animal planet so they can fix him up and then you can bring him to us and put him over there.

Me: I am so excited for summer.
Elijah: I am gonna go to Six Flags this summer.
Jayson: Yah, well, I am gonna go to eight flags!

In Heaven there is no beer, thats why we drink it here!

2008-03-16T20:27:00.004-06:00

I had a great weekend.
Basically I was just happy it was the weekend.
The only good thing about my week was that I am now going to be selling my earrings at store downtown. Its called the Makeshift Gallery. It works sorta like a Co-op. You pay a fee for the year, work 10 hours a month, and then they take 15% of sales. Not bad. They are pretty pumped about me joining, and they love my stuff. I was pretty nervous going in, so that was a good confidence booster.
Friday night my friends Subtle Groove were playing a St. Patrick's day show. It was pretty much awesome. We all danced the night away, and I drank my fair share of shitty green beer.
Saturday, I did nothing. Nothing at all. I sat on my ass all day. Went to Arby's for supper, and then watched Dan in Real Life = excellentness.
Today I went to church, and then hit the mountain bike trials with my friend Tim.
Tomorrow I am taking my class to see Horton Hears a Who. I am not sure who is more excited, me or them. I also cannot forget to wear green, I have no desire to have kids pinch me all day. I hate being pinched, about as much as I hate people shooting elastics at me. Ahhh I hate that.

Stella and Banks are ready for St. Patrick's Day.

Banks is vicious, watch out. Its the leprechaun in him.

I can hear my heart pounding, oh but I can't decide. Stuck between the depths of my fears, and the peaks of my pride.

2008-03-06T21:50:00.004-07:00

I am exhausted. I feel like I have been thinking about so many things lately, my head is just sorta spinning. I am happy, but in a sort of rut.
Spring break can't come soon enough. My students are running me ragged, yet some how they still manage to be delightful little mischief makers.
Earring making is going well. I have tons of ideas and just need the time to make them. I also gotta clean my office as my cats have knocked half my beads all over the floor.
Cooking has also slowed down slightly. Although I made this awesome vegetable chowder earlier this week.
I have decided to make a recipe blog. Let me know if you are interested and I will send you an invite so you can post. I think it could be awesome.
I came home from school yesterday and made a fort in my closet. Its super cool. It involves blankets, pillows, and climbing 10 feet up into the atticy area above my closet. I read up there.
I am addicted to Scrabbulous on Facebook. Challenge me to a game please! You'll proably win.

I heart Katy Dekens

2008-02-17T22:07:00.003-07:00

Friday I recieved an amazing little package in the mail! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

The Month of Pink

2008-02-07T18:26:00.000-07:00

Just call me Betty Crocker. I have been baking and cooking up a flipp'n storm these days. Its all I can do to keep our heatless house warm (well we do have five of those small plugger-in heater things). Hopefully the heat will be fixed soon, seems to be a billion things wrong with the system.
All my extra energy (that is anything that is left over from freaking out on my little hellions all day) is poured in to my ktichen. I don't have anyone to cook for ie. a husband, so I have been finding situations to test out my creations.

I made four lasagnas. Two for a prego family at chuch. One for a potluck at school, and the other for Cara and I.
Cella (Professor Bosma that is) was in town so I made spinach and ricotta manicotti and had her over for dinner.
I had the Donkersloots over for a dinner of cream of potato and leek soup, and quiche muffins. Blueberry Devonshire Tart/Pie for dessert.
I got a new muffin cook book for Christmas and inside, mmm, this amazing recipe for chocolate marshmallow muffins (with the mini coloured marshmallows). I sent those with my roomie Cara for her and the teachers she works with.
Ohhh and if you need something easy and so delightfully yummy, I made this banana cake for the teachers at school. It has a cream cheese icing and walnuts. Amazing cake!
I had some friends over for a dinner party and made chicken parmigana, potatoes, and a pasta salad. We had chocolate mud pie for dessert.
This past weekend I made two broccoli cheese quiches for a baby shower for the prego family (it was a healthy baby boy).
Then we had all our girl friends over for a little soiree cause the men folk went to a UFC fight. I made cream puffs, mmmm, and another blueberry devonshire tart/pie, and a straweberry pie.

I think thats quite the list for the last few weeks. It keeps me busy. Hopefully you are hungry now. Just think if you come to visit how well fed you would be! Speaking of visitors, my bff is flying in next Friday. I cannot wait for Kristen to get here. So many things to see and so much shopping to do!

It's February (in case you forgot) and I LOVE February. Definatly my favortie month of the year. I am going the next seven days wearing pink or red clothing. Even my onder broek. Well not my pants, although I would love to know what happened to my red GAP pants I had in highschool...

This weekend a ton of us are going bowling for my birthday. I am so excited. My friend Becca and roomie Cara planned it. Should be a good time, probably up there with some of those Tuesdays in LeMars.

Well happy Thursday. The greatest day of the week, its almost the weekend, yet you still have a little anticipation and excitement. Oh and I play floor hockey on Thursdays. Its pretty awesome. Me and about 12 other guys, rippn it up. Well Tuesday and Wednesday nights rock too - thanks to American Idol, I know, I am ridiculous.

Oh and I almost forgot! I started a martial arts class last night. Awesome!

I don't want to jump in, unless the musics thuming, all the dishes rattle in the cupboards, when elephnats arrive

2008-01-15T20:23:00.000-07:00

It has been pretty freezing here. I thought I escaped the cold when I left Winterpeg. Yesterday morning it was 52 in our house. Yes that right, I may have had icicles hanging from places. There is no insilation in this house, single pane windows, base board heaters, its an old place. The cats and I cuddle together at night for warmth. I wake up in a curled up ball, heaven forbid my feet make it down to the freezing nether regions that are at the foot of my bed. Yesterday I thought my feet were gonna freeze to the bathtub when I went to take a shower. It is supposed to warm up. My fingers are crossed. This is me all frazzled this morning. That is my office. I love my office. I was trying to warm up from the sun shinning in.

The picture was taken with my new computer that came with a built in webcam. I love it. It was also free, so thats a bonus. It is a lime green Dell. The free part comes because of Scholastic Book Orders. Every time my students or I order books we get bonus points. I had 30,000 bonus points, enough to cash em in and get this free $1200 laptop. Gotta love it.

Her I am looking a little more chipper. The big screen in the back is to hang my earrings on. This office is a jewelry shop lately. Beads everywhere. And I mean everwhere. Yesterday Banks knocked over a whole tray of beads. I dropped some not so nice works, and he went into hidding for some time. It took me almost and hour to collect all the beads that were spread all over the room into every nook and crany. I am drinking some yummy Roobois tea. A Christmas gift from Lissa. I also got a tea steeper thing called a Brewt. It is wonderful. Speaking of Lissa...

Here we are at Christmas. Anways, Lissa is going to be my new sister-in-law!!! Yay! Justin popped the question last weekend. The big day is set for September 20. Now I can stop planning my non-existent wedding to my non-existent groom, and help her plan a real wedding. So my brother calls me at midnight last Friday, freaking out, he tells me he and Lissa just had a huge fight, she stormed out, and doesn't know where she went. I in turn start freaking out, I was like what did you do? Then he goes well then we got engaged. Oh and we didn't get in a fight. What an ass. I almost had a heart attack. They have been together for 4 1/2 years, so that woulda been pretty devestating.

To go along with how cold it has been here, I have some picture of what I did on our two snow days. Yay for people who don't know how to handle snow. Pretty much a little cold and a few flurries = a snow day. We built 6 snow people.
Last night I went out to a friends and we played games and had drinks. We played Apples to Apples with 13 people. It gets tricky when people are putting two or more cards in, and you have to choose from 30 cards. Good times. I havn't played that game since junior year. I think it was Cassie's favorite game.

In case you havn't noticed I am slightly obsessed with my webcam. Apparently I can put a plant infront of it and it will take pictures throughout the day to chart its growth process, and then you can put them all together into some sort of movie. I might just have to try that. Or set it up to watch if people snoop through my stuff, hmmm.

This afternoon I went climbing with my friend Tim. Tim's from Seattle. He's cool like that. I have never been to Seattle, but I imagine it to be pretty cool. Tim is a great climber, excellent. Today, I was a not so good climber. My bod suffered a 15 ft fall. I am still in a lot of shock from it all, and I measure I won't be able to move too much tomorrow. We were up on the red rocks getting to the top ridge. I was up on this cliff, and there was a little ridge that Tim had crossed, and I was two stepps in. I had good footing, but was looking for a hand hold. I brushed some snow away and thought I had a good one, I tested it out, was strong, or I thought. I pulled on it and all of a sudden I lost my footing and the rock I had my hand on broke away and I fell fell 10 ft, the rock came flying down and landed on my back, and then I slid about 5 more ft. The piece that broke away was about 5 lbs, 1 foot long and about 4 inches thick. Great type of rock to have come flying down and land on your back. My knee is black and blue and skinned up, my elbow is in rough shape, and my neck is pretty stiff. Can't wait to see how I am in the morning. I guess I am pretty lucky though. I am pretty freaked by it all.

Tomorrow is a holiday for me, no school! Whoo hooo. I plan to get my Etsy site up and going. Well thats the goal. I'll probably just sleep all day and do nothing.

Merry Chrismakwanzaahanukkah to everybody!

2007-12-13T14:11:00.000-07:00

Eight days until I am outta here. I am pretty sick of kids hacking their goobers all over me. I also got a flu shot. I am super pissed at myself for getting it. I kinda got talked into it, and flu shots just arn't my thing. But I was sick all last school year due to all the kids and there goobers... so people advised me to get one. I listened. I am stupid. I got the shot three weeks ago. I immediately felt wosy. My arm went numb and for a week and a half my arm was useless. My right arm. I would wake up in the night with no feeling in it, I couln't lift it, or extend it. Severe pain. It finally went away. Now its back again. Its been three weeks. It hurts so flippn bad. I feel like a gimp. Anyhoo I am thinking about going to the doctor, cause maybe there is an infection. What if I had to get my arm amputated? I have been thinking about loosing my arm all day. All the things I couldn't do. Hopefully I survive.

We got two inches of snow Monday night = no school on Tuesday. Whooo hooo. Wednesday there was a water main break = no school again! It was a great week. Tomorrow is Friday, and then I'll be home in a week. I am pumped.

I went to a cookie party last night. Everyone brings 2 dozen cookies or more, and then you switch. You end up with tons of different cookies. They are tasty and I am gorging myself on all the tasty treats.

Tomorrow I am hosting a Christmas Par-tay. I am excited, I love to be the hostess. We'll have about 12 people or so over. I am gonna cook all sorts of tasty appetizers. Yum. We'll drink of course too, so that will be great.

I am mostly pumped about our van Leeuwen family Christmas these days. The last two years I have forced everyone to share a "interesting" talent. Last year it got a little out of hand. Oh and in case you are interested my talent is my ability to lick my elbow. Yes the Guiness book of world records says its impossible, but not for this chick! Anyways this year instead of the old talent sharing we are starting the First Annual van Leeuwen Family Christmas Ugliest Christmas Sweater Contest. I just hope everyone goes along with it, and I am not the only one who shows up in a hideous garment. I should really just walk down the hall and ask some of the teachers for their sweaters, but I don't want to offend anyone.

I watched Christmas Vacation on Tuesday. I laughed so hard I cried, but that coulda been the wine... hmmm. Its a good movie. Funny.

Hope you are all enjoying the Christmas season!

Here we are cutting down the Christmas tree.

The wonderful Donkersloot family!

The tree all decorated.

My bedroom. I just ripped out the carpet, to reveal these wonderful hardwoods!

The Giggler Treatment by Roddy Doyle

2007-12-03T12:40:00.000-07:00

This is by far one of the best books on the planet. It is not wise, it does not hold the secret to life, it was not life changing, but I laughed my pants, well 'trousers' off. If you live close to a library you must go check it out. I just read it aloud to my class, although some of it may have been over their heads, we had a great time. Here is one of the quotes that had me in tears. The premise is that this kid is justifying why his dad is not a bad guy.
"Jimmy: And even though he wouldn't let me pick my nose, even though there was a brilliant bit of snot up there and I wanted to flick it at Grandad because he was asleep and his mouth was open."
I seriously lost it, and I don't think my students knew what was going on. The book is ridiculously awesome. Please read it.

"hey kid, will you hold me when I sleep? and will you find me when the tide decides that I got to leave?"

2007-11-19T13:22:00.000-07:00

www.pandora.com = awesome. I have been listening to this for a while, good tunes, great way to find new artists. If you havn't already - check it out.

Last weekend my soccer team had playoffs. We made it to the semi-finals to play the #1 team. The Chivas. They were undefeated all year. It was 3-1 at half time. We came back and tied it 3-3. Went into double overtimes, and then a shoot out. It was fricken amazing, and we won. The finals were on Sunday, and we lost 1-0. We shoulda won. We had two key players missing, and frankly we were exhausted for the big game on Saturday. I was pissed, I think I am over now. So here is a pick of us with our lame second place medals.

I am pumped to have the WHOLE week off of school. Very relaxing. I have plans to do... nothing. Hopefully I will be refreshed to handle the students until Christmas. What a group. But on to happier topics...

I get to go home for Christmas. Sweet, I am pumped. I miss snow. Ridiculous I know. It is 70 here and sunny, no complaints, but yesterday when I called home, everyone told me it was snowing, and I started crying, even more ridiculous. I went on a hike out in my backyard yesterday, this is what I saw.

Isn't that crazy beautiful? It is really amazing. So I should not be crying about snow, but maybe I was just crying about snow and what is means to me. I miss my family, and my friends. Alot. Such is life.

I have been making earrings like crazy. I was in a craft sale a couple of weeks ago and it went really well. So I think I will continue on this venture. A small local co-op/artist/store thing would like to have me at their shop, so I am thinking about that too. I am also setting up a shop on etsy.com. I will post more about that sometime soon.

"Miss Van Dorp, what do you call those big ol hairy fox things?"

2007-11-07T11:59:00.000-07:00

"Teachers teach because they care. Teaching young people is what they do best. It requires long hours, patience, and care."

I am starting not to care.
My patience is running out.
Today I threatened to kill the janitor.
I feel I am on the verge of a break down.

These are the hellions that have done this to me.

Back in the Loop

2007-09-10T16:07:00.001-06:00

Sorry for the long absence. I am back in Gallup and I don't have internet at home. I have been here since the beginning of August, after a bunch of annoying immigration stuff. I am now legally a resident of the United State of America, for the next 6 years. Yay me. We have been in school already for 5 weeks. My students are crazy and challenge me every day. But I still love it down here. I just wish all my friends would move here too.

Besides being in school I have been busy flying all over the continent. In August, I was in Vegas twice, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, and Edmonton. I flew to two weddings, Cassie and Kevin's in Minni, and then Margriet and Trevor's in Edmonton. It was so great to catch up with all the old college friends. I had a wonderful time at both weddings.

Here are the promised pictures and videos :)

Cassie and Kevin's Wedding

the bride to be, Tara, Me, and Chelsea

Jon, Ross, and Adam ironing the linens.

The beautiful bride walking down the isle. I wish I coulda captured Kevin's face.

Bride, Bridesmaids, and Flower Girl

first dance

Reuben and Ross - he caught the garter.

Dane and I - we switched shoes.

There was lots of fun had out on the dance floor, as well as at the bonfire outside. Pretty sure Horlings was ripping up the dance floor. Not to mention these amazing acts:

Margriet and Trevor's Wedding

the happy couple

a moment between the bride and the flower girl

roomies flashback

me and my cousin Janelle

special thanks to Russ for taking me shopping and all the good times

So now that I have posted a million pics, I will continue with a few more of life in Gallup.

one of my kitties, sleeping in the windowsill

my new first grade class

that would be me, in a tree, I may or may not have gotten stuck...

one of my sweet ghetto students

2007-07-12T21:37:00.000-06:00

I have been eating a lot of garabagey food lately. I love yummy greasy food, and I have been gorging myself. Here is a sampling of my diet from the last two days. I can't remember past Wednesday, but it's much of the same.

Wednesday
Breakfast: two eggo waffles smothered in butter and a glass of orange juice
Snack: two, thats right two, cream soda slurpees, and a piece of cake
Lunch: McChicken, fries, and a Coke from McDonalds
Supper: two hot dogs
Snack #1: Malted Milk bhocolate bar and beer
Snack #2: Skor flurry
Snack #3: cinnomin bun

Thursday
Breakfast: cinnomin bun and a glass of orange juice
Snack: honey nut cherrios
Lunch: greasy diner cheesburger and poutine
Snack: chocolate covered cookie dough
Supper: Pavlova (the best desert ever, from the best resturant ever - Baked Expectations) and a pink lemonade
Snack: Double Chocolate Chip from Starbucks

P.S. The two slurpees come from Slurpee Day. That is correct, we have a Slurpee Day in Winnipeg. Because we are the SLURPEE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD! (8 years running).
P.P.S. There are 42 7-11's in Winnipeg.

2007-07-10T21:30:00.000-06:00

Gwen's wedding was this past weekend. It was an awesome time. She was so calm it amazed me. I was not so calm, and I cried more than one during the ceremony. Gwen is now Mrs. Tyson Tiggelaar. I can't believe she is married. Yay! It was a beautiful wedding. And the Bakker's were absolutely hilarious. Good times!

Melagator

2007-07-05T22:59:00.000-06:00

In case anyone cares I have morphed into an alligator. I am now known as the Melagator. I eat 4, 5, and 6 year old boys named Ben, Max, and Jack. I also have grown insanley huge muscles from tossing their bodies around deep waters.

Gwen gets married on Saturday! I am sure my green spikey tail will look stunning in the chocolate brown bridesmaid dresses.

2007-07-02T11:09:00.000-06:00

Happy Canada Day

Happy 140th Birthday Canada!

2007-06-30T22:29:00.000-06:00

I was just sitting on the main floor of our house eating a bowl of Rice Krispies with bananas, while reading the Saturday comics. Banks and Stella were sitting there staring at me, waiting to be able to lick out the bowl. My mom is in Edmonton with all her sisters for a crazy shindig, and my brother was staying at his girlfriends for the night (no worries its all kosher - she lives futher out of town that we do, and they have an extra room for him). So I am home alone reading the comics, the last one to be exact, The Family Cirucs, when BANG, I heard something fall in the basement. Shit. I sit still waiting to here any more sounds. One minute goes by, my mind is racing, horrible things are starting to creep into my head. BANG again. Shit there is someone in the house. I go into panic mode. I run to my room to get my phone not there, I sneak in the kitchen as to go undetected by the intruder, race back to my room and madly dial my brothers cell. I am so panicy I dial the wrong number and get some freak on the phone. Shit. I try to dial agian, except I hit the vol. button instead of the talk button and the phone rings (adjusting the phone volume) and I jump to the roof. Okay, calm down. I get my brother on the phone, I am whispering "Justin there is someone in the house."
"I locked the doors when I left."
"Well," I explain, "I think they came in the basement window."
"Oh," he says, "do you want me to come home?"
"No they will kill me before you get here."
"Well what do you want me to do."
"I want you to stay on the phone with me. I am gonna go get a knife. Shit there are no sharp knives in this house."
"Get that white one, it's a dagger. Or better yet run upstairs and get my machete."
"Justin, I don't have time for that. So stay on the phone, if I scream call the cops."
I start to creep downstairs, its pitch black cause all the light switches are down there. My heart is pounding, I switch on a light, and another, and one more. I go to the laundry room, nothing, spare room, nothing, main room, nothing. I check all the windows, they are intact.
So you guessed it, nothing was wrong. My brother being the sweet guy he sometimes is, calmed me down and talked me through it. I tend to overreact at times and create drama.
My heart is still pounding. And the house is making wierd creaky sounds. Its not so fun.
But I'll live. Yay!

2007-06-12T22:12:00.000-06:00

I am a teacher. I get a summer vacation. I love my job so much!

I am having just the best summer. I love my family and friends.
Things I have been up to:

Hanging out with my Auntie Heather, and her babes Ethan and Ella.
Getting ready for Gwennie's wedding (3 weeks to go)! Wedding shower at my place on Saturday.
Chillin' with Kristen, and catching up on all the gossip, I miss her so much when I am gone.
I went to see Gwen Stefani and Akon - woot woot - with my friend Pinto.
My grandpa turned 83 and we had a big bash.
Loafing around the farm, one of my all time favorite things to do!
I am playing fast pitch 2 nights a week. I just loving playing ball again!

Okay there is a glimpse at my super exciting life. I am in a volleyball tournament as well as a baseball tournament this weekend. Gwen's shower is Saturday morning, and Sunday will be hanging out with my dad. Another busy weekend!

6 more weeks of vacation to go!

Here are some pictures from my lastest farm adventure.

Me and my gang strutting down the trough in one of the pens. We look pretty tough, well excpet for that goofy one in the front.

Bringing the horses in. My favorite is Leroy (second from the left), someone changed his name to Big Guy unbenonst to me.

Have a great weekend!

Back in Winnipeg and...

2007-05-31T23:30:00.000-06:00

I got bit by a mosquito the minute I crossed the border.
I had a wood tick on me yesterday.

Schools out for Summer

2007-05-27T12:22:00.000-06:00

Thursday was my last day!!! I thought I would cry, I didn't. My students annoyed me and I was sort of glad to say bon voyage. Cleaned my classroom, went for a mani and a pedi, packed my house, packed my car, and hit the road. I threw the cats in the car and proceeded to drive the 14 hours up to Dutchville, Montana. That's where I am now. I am in culture shock. Lots of white people, not so used to that. Oh and there is grass. I haven't seen grass in 10 months.

Do animals have belly buttons?

2007-05-18T23:50:00.000-06:00

Stella (the cat) jumps from the couch to the floor, trots over to where Erin is and rubs herself on Erin's leg. Erin, down on her haunches, starts to pet Stella, and Stella rolls on to her back. Erin is stroking Stella's belly and gazing at her lovely fur. She out of no where poses the question - "do cats have belly buttons?" My mind starts to race, comparing the 50 cats I have had in my life, then I jump to dogs, then to calves. No belly buttons my memory is telling me. I pretty much freak out imagining all these animals with belly buttons, its just a creepy thought, and then think - how could I never have noticed this. "It has to be true," Erin says, "they have umbilical cords. How else do they get nutrients from their mother?" Cara says cats have inverted nipples - easy access inside the womb. We all chuckle. Erin is convinced they do, and starts to probe Stella's belly. We argue back and forth, Erin throwing out all her big biology major words. I say there is no fricken way they have a belly button - who cuts the umbilical cord. Erin gets her DNA studying, John Hopkins student, boyfriend, future husband, Dr. Nick on the phone. Dr. Nick says they have umbilical cords and he belives belly buttons too. I again get a visual of umbilical cords hanging out of a cat to her litter of kittens. I ask Dr. Nick, now on speaker phone, "so its like 6 tentacles just hanging out of the va-j-j?" Dr. Nick says yah. Erin says that the mother eats the cord. I am getting sicked out. In the mean time Kim (the computer addic) has pulled up a web site and is reading... It turns out cats are placental animals (as well as whales, elephants, armadillos, cats, dogs, sheep...), and do have a belly button. It is in the same area as humans, and is only just a slight scar, covered by fur. They are born in a sac, and have an umbilical cord. Go figure.

The week at a glance...

2007-05-04T15:16:00.000-06:00

That is a recent picture of Banks, Stella, and I. They are so huge.

Thing around here are pretty good. I took my class on a field trip to the zoo in Albuquerque on Tuesday. That was an interesting experience. Its a two hour bus ride and the little ones did pretty well considering. We saw some sweet animals, their favorites were the komodo dragon, baby giraffe, hippo (only cause he "toots and poops"), and the green tree python. I have never seen kids so excited.

As I was changing our class calendar to May, my students ask why is there a special day sticker on that day. I proceeded to tell them that that is the last day of school. Then they would get the whole month of June and July off and then come back to school in August. They were thoroughly disgusted that they wouldn't be allowed to come to school all summer, but were happy that they would get to come back again in August. Then I pissed them off even more when I told them well they would be going to second grade and have a new teacher. The whines and groans were deafening. " We don't want another teacher, we don't want to go to second grade..." Nice to know I am wanted! They are pretty cute little buggers and I don't really want them to leave either.

I am supposed to be arriving in Denver right about now to visit some friends. I was on my way last night when my gas pedal broke. That's right just stopped working while I am flying down the interstate. Thank goodness I was only 30 miles outta Gallup. Got a tow truck and am now safe and sound. They can't get the part in till next week. Poo. Very disappointing. So I took today off for nothing. Well at least I went for a manicure and a pedicure. It made me feel a little bit better.

10 things I did not do today:

2007-04-29T01:21:00.000-06:00

1. I did not spend all morning cleaning the kitchen.
2. I did not take the pile of garbage to the dumpster.
3. I did not fix the loose board in the porch so that cats can't get out.
4. I did not discover Banks in my bedroom covered in feathers.
5. I did not find feathers all over the kitchen floor.
6. I did not find streaks of blood on the linolium.
7. I did not look under the couch, fridge, and dishwasher for a suspected dead bird.
8. I did not find a dead bird in the pantry.
9. I did not use two dust pans to scoop it up and fling it over the fence.
10. I did not spend all afternoon recleaning the kitchen.

2007-03-25T14:23:00.000-06:00

It is absolutely goregeous here in Gallup. I knew would love the climate change. Its been in the 20's for a couple of weeks now. So enjoyable. Only 8 more Monday's and I will be done my first year of teaching! I will be back in Winnipeg the first of June. I am excited to spend my summer in Winnipeg, but I am not necessarily ready to let my kiddos go. I just love my class, it is gonna be super hard to let them go. I remember last year when my friend Sarah was crying cause it was the last day of school, and nowI totally understand. I have cared for, cried for, and nurtured these kids, and now I just have to let them go - after spending ever day with them. Ahhh I am not ready for that. I am sure I will get over it, but it is still sad.
My aunt and uncle were here to visit this weekend. We had a great time, I showed them the sights and kept em very busy. We went on two awesome hikes. I just love taking people on my favorite hike because it makes it all new and exciting again. So come visit me, there are lots of cool things to do and see!!!
I teach this week, and then its SPRING BREAK!!! I am headed to Mexico on Friday afternnoon. Yippie!
Thats all. I'm off to play some soccer.

2007-03-25T12:43:00.000-06:00

CASSIE is ENGAGED!!!

Good Times in the Southwest

2007-03-05T21:37:00.000-07:00

This past weekend Cara, Erin, and I headed east to Albuquerque, and north to Sante Fe for a grand ol time. I will let it be known that I did NO shopping this weekend, although I really wanted to (I am still hurting from our last trip to Albuquerque). We did more of the sight seeing and lazing aroud type of thing this time.

Here I am at the Plaza in Sante Fe. Pigeons were plentiful, no one got pooped on thankfully. Notice the wicked looking cowboys in the background.

Sante Fe is home to the Georgia O'Keefe Museum. Ms. O'Keefe spent the later years of her life in and around the Sante Fe area. No cameras were allowed inside so the best I got was the sign outside

No, you are not mistaken, that is Val Kilmer. The Iceman or Batmand himself. Looking a little pudgier these days, Erin though he was "soooo handsome."

Sometimes we get a little ridiculous. Gotta love fitting into a 7 year olds clothing. Now we are ready for a night out on the town.

My class!!! We have been reading all the Robert Munsch books, and they are obsessed. Last week we wrote Mr. Munsh a letter and sent him this wonderful picture. I am loving teaching so much I can hardly handle it. I cannot believe I get paid to hang out with these little buggers everyday.

Feb - ru - ary

2007-02-10T13:08:00.000-07:00

I love February. I have always loved February. Its all pink and lovely. I have never had a Valentine though, so I don't know why I like it so much. But February birthdays are sweet, and lots of cool people have February birthdays. I turn 24 on Sunday. I am old, I feel old, I am teacher. I can't believe I have a career. A career that I love. I don't even feel like I should have a job, that I am ready for a job. I think in my head I am still 17.

Last night our basketball girls took in another win. We are 7 and 1 since Christmas. We basically rock. I went for drinks with friends (not with the basketball team) after the game. That was nice. I feel like I have not done that in forever. It brought back fond memories of Thirsty Thursdays. A friend and I ended up at the only "club" in town afterwards. It was actually really fun, despite the nasties and old people. I got to dance. I love to dance. At one point a guy asked me to dance. I said no. It felt good.

This week is Homecoming. I have decided I like this gay ass American tradition. It is not so bad. We had a ton of fans at our game last night, packed the place up. There is a dance tonight, I am a chaprone. I am excited.

Thats all.

(One of my first grade students ends every story with "thats all." Not "The End." -- "There was a mouse in my house, my mom streamed. I wanted to kill it. Thats all."

2007-02-04T17:28:00.000-07:00

I am sick, and it sucks. I feel like there is a two headed four armed monster inside my stomach yelling and gurgling his brains out while he attachs my stomach lining with wooden spoons. I have other issues, but I'll spare you the details.

No body has a new post on their blog, boooo.

That's all.

Gallup, New Mexico - Get your kicks on Route 66

2007-01-29T21:23:00.000-07:00

Watch Cars - that's where I live.

Today I had parent teacher conferences. 11am - 7pm. It was an interesting day, and overall I am pleased with how it went. I only had two no-shows, which is pretty good. I love meeting my student's parents because they let me into their lives and I really get a sense for their family life and where they come from. My students come from the most messed up situations which I don't know if I every really can fathom. Today I learnt that one of my students has only had RUNNING WATER for two years. She has five brothers and sisters... crazy.

Yesterday I was playing indoor soccer, and I got pretty beat up. I got a full out shot on goal in my stomach, another shot on my thigh, and then I stole the ball away from this guy and ended getting his shin full force against my tibia. It KILLS! Such is life. I also play ball hockey on Thursdays. This week this guy from Phoenix was in town and he came out - he played for the Padres for two years. Kinda cool.

Worship at my church here is pretty awesome. Yesterday we had a recorder, harmonica, three little girls, two guitars and a wash bucket drum strummer thing lead us in worship. Its sound phenomenal, and we sang I'll Fly Away as well as Hank Williams I saw the Light. Sometimes we have a group that leads with a steel drum and I feel like I am in the Caribbean or something. It is delightful. There are some amazing musicians in Gallup. Always someone playing at the local coffee shop or pub... or church.

The JV girls basketball team I am coaching is doing so well. We have 5 wins in a row now, it feels good. I am enjoying the relationships I am building with these girls. They are so funny, I miss high school. We have three games left.

I want to go to Mexico City for spring break I think. Maybe not. If anyone wants to go with me that would be really fun. First week of April, including surrounding weekends. Airplane tickets from most places are 450ish. My aunt lives there, lots of room. Free place to stay, plaza and market down the street. We could go to the pyramids, caves, etc. The best zoo I have ever been to, as well as the amazing Museum of Anthropology.

My kittens, Stella and Banks, are doing very well. Banks is weighing in at a mere 10 lbs for his 6 months of life. Stella is about 6 lbs. Basically Banks is part panther and it is awesome.

I miss you all. Come visit me. The double wide has lots of room.

If you don't listen to Joe Purdy, Regina Spektor, or Matt Kearny - you should.

random pictures that make me smile

2007-01-15T21:15:00.000-07:00

Leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again...

2007-01-06T09:41:00.000-07:00

The craziness of the holidays is pretty much over and my two weeks of laziness are coming to an end.

Good times from Christmas vay-cay:

hauling in a huge load of sweet Christmas presents
getting a crazy charley horse from my brother the day I got home
watching Little Miss Sunshine with my mom
waking up to my mom blasting Engelbert Humperdinck on the record player (may not be such a good thing)
my brother plays Manitoba Junior hockey and I was at his game the other night - my program number was called and I got to shoot for $100 and pizza during the third period (I failed miserably but it was still great)
Boxing day shopping
shopping the day after boxing day
New Year's Eve with Kristen, Tyler, and Marcus, being hit on by creepy men, dancing to sick oldies, and maybe a meatball or two was thrown
playing Settlers with good friends
helping plan Gwen's wedding, coffee with Gwen, the Bakkers, and diner with Gwen and Tyson
tobogganing

Tonight my mom, my brother, his girlfriend, and her parents are all going out to eat at my favorite Chinese restaurant - Kum Koon Garden. Then we are going to see Night at the Museum, which I have been dying to see. It is my last night in town. Tomorrow after church I catch my flight back to ol'Albuquerque.

I will miss my family, but I am so looking forward to getting back into a routine again. I think it might come as a shock . I get in to Albuquerque at 6:30, get my car from the Shumate's and then have a 2 hour drive. Teach Monday morning, basketball practice after school, and then we have a game on Tuesday. Why am I coaching basketball??? Actually it has been enjoyable and the girls are great.

So keep your fingers crossed that I don't get stuck in Denver again.

A quick update and backtrack...

2006-12-19T11:39:00.000-07:00

It is about time I started blogging agian... so here I go. I always think oh I should really blog about that and then I never do. This is a little backtrack on things that have been going on in my life for that last little while.

The first picture here is Angel, holding Banks. The cats came to school for a little show and tell episode. That is my class holding the plants (Nasturtiums) that we grew. Very exciting project.

Here Cara and I are hiking outta the cracks on the Crevice hike, and a picture of the amazing red rock.

Christian Hunter, Tim Bruinius (our neighbors, as well as fellow teachers), Cara, and I, at Canyon De Chelly. One of my favorite little coves to hike to.

Christian, Tim, and I - out hiking in our backyard.

I love these sacks of flour. They come in these awesome cloth sacks, and they are huge. I never run out of flour.

Cara and I out on a little shopping trip in Old Town Albuquerque.

The soccer team.

We lost in the semi-finals, poop.

So yeah, I don't know what else. This is it for now. I am still alive, still loving it here. I now pledge to blog more often.

The Ballloon Fiesta

2006-12-02T21:35:00.000-07:00

Albuquerque, New Mexico, is home to the largest Balloon event in the world. Hot air balloons from all over the fricken place come down. In the mornings they do these mass ascensions where up to 800 balloons take off at relatively the same time. They go in waves starting at one side of the field and working across, and then restarting again. Balloons are everywhere and it is truly unbelievable. The sky is just littered with the little balls of colour. I headed down to Albuquerque to stay with the Shumate's the opening weekend of the Fiesta, and then again the following weekend when I actually was fortunate enough to be able to go in one of the balloons (Thanks Mark and Donna!!!). I was basically in awe of all the balloons and the crazy amount of colours everywhere you look. Cara can attest to my annoyingness at 5:30am (this is an early morning thing), I felt like a 5 year old, I couldn't shut up, didn't know where to look, and ran around like a crazy person. Balloons are everywhere, all around you. You can basically walk anywhere, touch the balloons, walk in between the rows, and feel the heat from the flame. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is also the most photographed event in the world... so here is a selection of my pics from the glorious event.

Cara, Donna Shumate, and I - bright and early in the morning of our big flights.

Cara and I very quickly volunteered to help set up the balloon. I don't think I have ever raised my hand so fast. That is our pilot Darrel giving us the low down.

Almost ready to burst with excitement!

View of the skyline from our Balloon.

Two of my favorite pictures from the first weekend.

Coffee and Condoms

2006-09-10T17:11:00.000-06:00

I have found this little coffee shop appropriately called The Coffee House. It is an amazingly little joint that I frequent most nights of the week. They have wireless internet, great sandwiches, tasty bevys, and live music every night. To give you an idea - one night I was chatting with this lady who was sorting condoms, while a Navajo man sang a couple Death Cab for Cutie songs.

On another note I had my soccer debut tonight. I have never in my life played soccer. I am now on a team where I am one of two girls (league rules). So basically its a men's league with two girls on the roster. The team we played tonight had no girls, and I got absolutely rocked one time. But overall it was a great experience and I am looking forward our game next week. I also don't suck that horribly, and at least I look the part with new cleats, shin guards, socks, and a beaut of a jersey. I could grow a good 8 inches and gain 30 lbs, but I don't see that happening.

I have been on quite the little baking streak lately. I made a lemon pie on Saturday, and made chicken, stuffing, and mashed potatoes for my roommates. Today I made omelets. I think it all has to do with the new cool apron I got. My next endeavor will be oatmeal monster cookies. Mmm.

p.S. I have a Verizon cell, so if anyone wants my number, I can um make that available to you. It would be nice to chat.

Home Sweet Home!

2006-08-31T19:10:00.000-06:00

Yes, that is the beautiful double wide!

7 States later and living as an alien

2006-08-24T21:00:00.000-06:00

Another Summer Gone

I apologize now for this being the longest post ever. I feel like I need to go through everything I have done in the last two weeks for me to actually believe that it all a happened.
I had an amazing summer. Hanging out with friends again - my cousin Matt, the church people, my friends Tyler, Pinto, Chris, Dave, and Kristen. We had many great times. I cannot believe that summer is over.

A JOB???

I got a call a two weeks ago last Friday from New Mexico saying you have a job! So I spent that week packing and by Friday the 11th I was on my way.
The week was crazy with last good byes, a HUGE barbecue in honor of my departure from Winnipeg, as well as a last blast at the beach Sunday afternoon. My only wish was to hit Grand Beach one last time - which Sara, Margaret, Matt and Tamara granted.

Sara was voted to be burred, she had no choice - ps. I dug the hole - the others just decided to join in with the fun part and bury her. Fun was had by all - Frisbee, playing in the sand, reminiscing of years gone by, swimming past the buoys, and of course dune jumping.

That is Kristen and I last Christmas in California. Before I left for New Mexico she gave me the sweetest little scrapbook of pictures of us from high school and stuff. It is so cute.

So the last hurrah before I left was bitter sweet. I had a truly amazing summer that was made by reconnecting with old friends - only to leave again. Ah.

2006-08-24T20:30:00.000-06:00

On the Road Again

Alas I finally had to leave. With the car loaded I headed to the U S of A. The 30 some odd hour trip to New Mexico was shortened by a weekend stint in Montana with the Schutters - which actually turned into 5 wonderful days in "the last best place." We did some boating on Saturday and I must say the lake is truly amazing. I can also now say I can wake board and slalom thanks to Jeff's patience. Sunday I was supposed to leave - but I ended up going camping with the family until Tuesday. We headed up to the mountains and it was so amazingly beautiful. We played games, boated, relaxed, read, biked a bit, and ate great food. But the fun had to end and off on my journey south I headed once again. I left Tuesday night - stayed overnight in a hotel that cost $100 (after many tears and visiting 8 totally booked hotels at 11pm it was all that was available). I woke up early and headed out the door again. Gosh so much driving alone. It drove me mad at times. It pretty depressing thinking of everything I was leaving. It probably made it worse hanging out with Jeff too - more goodbyes and great memories - so hard.

Jeff and his mad skills!

Yes that is me, and I am actually wakeboarding!

This is where we went camping. I think the town was Helena... it was amazingly beautiful. Mountains all around and just beautiful lakes.

Kurt, Joe, and Katie

Jeff land lock surfing - probably the coolest thing I have ever done. So fun.

2006-08-24T20:26:00.000-06:00

In the South West

Anyhoo - I am here now. Two weeks this Wednesday. I am living with Cara Mulder in a double wide trailer (yes I said trailer). It is ghetto and so sweet. We did so much work inside making it cute, and it is home now. I bought a futon, did some decorating - Cara and I scrubbed the kitchen floor one night for 2 hours with SOS pads. We have four bedrooms, Cara has the master suit with her own bath, then our living room, and ghetto couch (with a cover), the futon, two chairs and a hammock. So sweet. Then the kitchen - with a green fridge. Oh and the stove, well its in the laundry room. Our roommate Kim has the next room, then the laundry room, bathroom and two more bedrooms (which I occupy both of). One has my bed and such, I use both closets. The extra room has my clothes strewn all over the floor and also house my new bike. I love my new bike. It needs to stay inside so it doesn't get stolen. I post pics of it some time. I got two kittens. They are to die for. Stella and Banks. Banks pooped in my bed at 2am the first night. Now they follow me around, sleep in my bed, and curl up on my shoulder and my knee and sleep while I watch TV.

My car after our first trip to Walmart (only $300 later...)

The great adventure of building the futon.

We cleaned and cleaned - now it is a beautiful little home. That other pic is me using my insanly huge muscles to screw in these hajunga things so we could hang the hammock. I have a little known talent of being able to untighten pretty much any screw - just ask Cara :)

Part 2 - Pictures

2006-07-18T21:25:00.000-06:00

I couldn't get this to work the other day. Here are some pictures for the past week or so.

My brother Justin, my mom, and I - at Justin's Firefighter graduation.

My mom, me, Justin, Justin's girlfriend Lissa, her mom and dad - Joy and Bob.

New horse on the farm.

My dad herding the cows back down the alleyway.

"That is an S.U.V; Humans ride in then because they are slowly losing their ability to walk."

2006-07-14T20:01:00.000-06:00

On the way home for work today I saw a bum, a bum in a back alley. It was a pleasant back alley, and the bum had a shopping cart full of boxes, colourful boxes (eg. froot loops, corn pops, granola bars, etc.). He was sitting on a wooden crate leaning against someones wooden fence, staring off in the world, deep in though. The bum looked EXACTLY like Josh De Groot, the way he sits, his hair, his facial hair, the clothes he was wearing (oh but the bumb didn't look dirty or anything, and Josh's clothes are not bumish), I almost slammed on the breaks, but realized there was a lot of traffic behind me. So if anyone has seen Josh or heard from him (the non-blogger himself) then record a sighting, or at least prove he is not roaming back alleys in Winnipeg with a shopping cart full of colourful boxes.

Job Situation
I am still waiting to hear from the Principal in New Mexico, but he has been on holidays, so who knows. In the meantime I have an interview on Wednesday with a school in Kugluktak, Nunavut. It is pretty far out there, but would be such an awesome experience.

Nannying
I love my summer job. It is absolutely so amazing. I get paid to take kids to freaking cool places. Monday we spent at Oak Hammok Marsh (nature trails, kids activities - opperated by Ducks Unlimitied), Wednesday the Children's Museum, and today we went to see Over the Hedge. What a flippin awesome movie. I thought it was pretty cute, and all the tunes were by Ben Folds. I don't know if I mentioned before but they also have a pool, today we were in there for three hours. :) ah life is grand. They pay is great, the kids are great, and we can go wherever we want whenever we want (everything paid for by the rents). Jack has a wild imagination and is such a crazy little goof. CC is at that stage where you really want to be cool and seen as a grown up but you are still a kid at heart. I am addicted to watching Discovery Kids, and I can't miss an episode of Jungle Run.

Life in general...
I play on an ulitmate frisbee team on Wednesday nights. It is pretty sweet and pretty intense. We have strategy and play a zone defence and everything. This week was so tough it was like 44 c with the humidity, crazy, thats like 108 F. It has been so humid here lately, ya know you leave the air conditioned house wtih straight hair, and then you walk outside and its like poof frizz head and you feel all gross and sticky all day.
I love life on the farm, I just love the land, the animals, the whole atmosphere. I have been spending random afternoons wandering the pens, checking on the horses, and following my dad and Opa around. I was hanging out with my two cousins Max and Nikko and I had to find my dad. I found him rounding up some bulls and a few cows into the horse trailer to bring out the pasture. I was put to work, even though I am in a skirt and flip flops. Thats the farm, there is always something to do, and an extra hand is always needed.
My brother graduated from fire fighting school this week. It was a pretty sweet grad, bag pipes and the whole works. He looks pretty spiffy in his uniform.

Update on my life if anyone cares...

2006-07-01T18:54:00.000-06:00

Heather's Wedding and the Cabin
...and another bites the dust. Heather Groen another of my roommates has gotten hitched. It was a beautiful wedding in ol Prinsburg last weekend. I made the trek out last Wednesday where I met the rest of my roommates at the Apol's cabin. We spent the whole weekend there. It was an amazing time or relaxation and reconnecting. We 'layed out' (so American) - oh yeah I also was insensately harassed because apparently my Canadian accent has returned and I was the laughing stock of everyone. Anyhoo we tanned, well they tanned and I burnt, leaving me the most beautiful blochy redness on my back for the wedding - yah for cardigan's.
Friday was the wedding and Heather looked just beautiful. The decorations were also just amazing, little lights everywhere. Saturday we boated, jet skied, wakeboarded, water skied, and went tubing. I was in heaven. Then we head to Minneapolis to watch the Twin vs. Cubs game. That was also heaven, I was heavily distracted by the amount of the male species at the game. I may have drank too much, I may have found an umbrella and poked any decently good looking guy (drunk eyes) with the umbrella, I may been a little too loud, I dunno ask Shawna. She did try to steal the umbrella from me.

NEWS FLASH NEWS FLASH!!! RE: KEVIN ZONNEFLED!!!
I would like to announce that Kevin Zonnefled, yes Kevin himself - owns a cell phone.
The picture proves it.

My Job Situation
I have been spending a huge bulk of every day applying for teaching positions. I have applied every where there are people. Brazil, Austria, Hungary, Cayman Islands, Suriname, New Mexico, British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Manitoba, and Nunavut - just to name a few. I got calls from all the overseas jobs, but you need to raise some support for those positions, soo... with having the curse of loans I have decided that those are not an option at this point. I am keeping in touch with a few of the people there for future positions. I got a contract offer from a small Christian school in British Columbia. I had until yesterday to accept, but I decided that I would decline the offer. Oh gosh I feel like this all just consumes my life. I had two job interviews with schools in New Mexico. One school can't let me know until late July (I don't want to work there anyway) and the other school (the one I taught at) gave the kindergarten position to someone who had more experience (blast being a recent graduate), but there is a good possibility the first grade position will open up, so... fingers crossed.

Life
I have not had a summer job yet this summer. As I mentioned before I did some home renovations, and putskied around the farm. Well I now have a summer job and I am so excited about it. I start on Tuesday! I will be a nanny for this family who lives in a very nice part of town (rather ritzy). They have two kids Cece (12) and Jack (5). There dad is actually a stay at home dad, and the mom is the VP of four radio stations. They just want someone to hang out with the kids and keep them occupied, outings and crafts, as well as lounging by their pool will consume my days. It is my dream job.
Gwen (Bakker) is engaged and I am so excited for her. I get to be bridesmaid. Her ring is just beautiful. We went wedding dress shopping last week. I am obsessed with wedding planning, I can't stop myself. I have snipped out pictures, checked prices, and mentally planned at least 5 different weddings for myself. Too bad I am the furthest person from getting married. Tears.
I have read a whack load of books too this summer. I love books. If anyone wants me to recommend some great reads just ask.
This is a quote that made me laugh my ass off from a book I just finished.

"Do you like... films? I as at last.
"Some," replies Jess, frowning thoughtfully. "I like films that say something. That have some sort of message."
"Me too," I agree feverently. "Every film should definitely have a message."
Which is true. I mean... take the Lord of the Rings movies - they've got loads of messages. Like "Don't lose your ring."

"Your watching the Stanley cup finals on Hockey Night in Canada, CBC"

2006-06-10T20:07:00.000-06:00

I love Salt n' Vinegar chips, mmm. I not a huge chip person, but every now and then I need to eat some chips, and not share them, the are way better when you eat them by yourself (no other grubby hands in the bag). I am babysitting for my aunt and uncle. They have a 17 month old, Ethan, I talk about them all the time. I am sitting here with my laptop (yeah for wireless), eating snacks, and watching the hockey game, doesn't get much better than that, well if there was guy here it could be better...
I just had the most wonderfull week. Wednesday I flew out to ThunderBay for Miranda Schep and Byran Woudstra's wedding. At the Winnipeg airport I was checking in and the guy who was helping me asked, "so, where are you going?" I relplied that I was going to a wedding. He asked, "Are you getting married?" No. "Do you want to get married?" Yes. "Do you have someone to get married to?" No. "Are you looking for some to get married to." Yes. "Well I will do my best to find someone good for you to sit by." Hahah it was funny. But I ended up sitting by these two old guys. Jordan picked me up at the airport and so began the fun. I just had an awesome time connecting with old friends and really realized how much I miss hanging out with them. A few house parties, chilling out, oh and after the ceremony and before the reception a bunch of us went out for drinks and mini golf. I did pretty well, and woulda done better but I had like 7 ringers, argg. The wedding was wonderful and I danced the night away. I was the last one on the dance floor, singing my head off, and dancing my brains out to Sex Bomb. Lol, wow. Cheers for open bars. Russ was yelling in the background, "Mel is a sex bomb," haha. It possibly got a little out of control, then the after-party was a lot out of control.
In the Thunder Bay airport on the way home, I was getting ready to board, and I saw this sweater laying on a chair that someone had forgot. I thought oh there was a really cute guy sitting aournd here, I wonder if that is his sweater. So I took the chance and boarded the plane with it. I thought maybe it was fate I found the sweater. I walked down the aisle of the plane asking people if they forgot this sweater. Bingo - it was his, he said thanks, and that was that. Oh tears.

"What are you doing? Go to bed, you sons of bitches! "

2006-05-26T14:01:00.000-06:00

Just a quick post before I head off for the weekend...
I have adjusted to being home well and have kept myself quite busy, despite not having a job. I am switching bedrooms, from the master bedroom upstairs (the whole upstairs) to the crawl space on the main floor. It makes me sad, but I am lucky I got away being up there for as long as I did. I painted the room brown, taupe(ish), and pink. It is cool, it looks like neapolitan ice cream. Mike you would like it. Anyways, I will post some pictures when its done. It has been a lot of work, sanding, priming, puttying, ripping out baseboards, oh and I found hardwood floors under the carpet, so I am gonna have them redone.
Last weekend I took a bunch of youth from my church to a retreat at a camp in Fort Frances, Ontario. It was a wonderful refreshing weekend. The speaker is probably one of the best I have ever heard, and I really think the youth gained a lot of knowledge and new ideas about being a Christian and how to hold onto that. It is so easy to go on retreats and have spiritual highs, but this speaker really just put it all into perspective. I love being with youth and we had a lot of fun goofing around as well.
This week I spent some time cleaning up the yard, weeding, cleaning out the gutters etc. I also hung out with my aunt and baby (Ethan). He says my name now. We are best friends.
I am heading out now for the weekend on a canoe trip. I am so excited. My cousin Matt will be my canoe partner, should be some good times. We have two portages tonight, and three lakes to get through so I am a getting all pumped to go. I am waiting for him to get here so we can get on the road. The rest of the group is heading out later on tonight because they have to work.
Oh I have a job interview on Tuesday with this place called the Family Center. I will be doing research, and developing programs for preschoolers. Teaching them life skills, building friendships, sharing etc. They had out the materials to their clients. Sounds like a great summer job. I hope it all comes together.
I am also pretty sore, so I hope I don't freak out in the canoe. I have been playing Ultimate Frisbee in a city league, and I got cranked in the head by this super intense wacko (you know the type). Also I was riding my horse for the first time this year so my va-j-j is a little bruised.
I also watched Life Aquatic this weekend. I was enthrawled.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooo Oilers!!! Even though my dad wants Anaheim to win.
My ride is here. Out to paddle I go... I hope I don't get swamp leeches on me.

Camping

2006-05-16T18:42:00.000-06:00

I was going to write all these amazing stories about what we did when we were camping, like swimming, eating good food (vegetables sauteed in beer, and seasoned with Pretzel salt), great tunes, awesome people, Paul the campground host (who was slightly obsessed with me being from Manitoba), skinny dipping, hikes, steam rollers, railway tracks, secret caves, and kites -- but... I don't feel like it. If you would like to hear a good story, I will type, but I don't know if you do. So instead here are some pictures. Lots of them:

"Respond all loyal hearts to Dordt; our Christian college we acclaim."

2006-05-14T20:25:00.000-06:00

G R A D U A T I O N

So what to say... I cannot believe 1. I graduated, and 2. it was almost a week and a half ago. Here are some pictures of the grand day. I wish I would have worn my hair down. I wish I would not have have stayed up so late the night before. But it was a wonderful day. Mom, Aunty Alice, Justin and Lissa, and my dad all came down.
This picture was taken by Amber Apol. I took my camera up there cause I thought it would be fun. And it was. I got lots of sweet pics of my friends.

I had the privilege of sitting it the seat that allowed me to walk in first to the grad ceremony, with Amber. We did a big high five as we stepped up on stage. We also pretended to trip a lot of people we knew as they walked past to get their diplomas. Lots of laughs.

Matt Kunari (a great camping chef) and Rachel Echardt (who doesn't like smelly dish towels).

My roommates and I took pictures that were not necessarily the usually picture. I particularity like the pile-up, although I could barely breath. It is so different to not be living with 5 other girls anymore. So many fun times. I couldn't live like that forever, yet I know I will miss it. I will miss Tara blasting her Christian music, Cassie cleaning by throwing Tara's and my stuff at our 'area', Shawna starting her homework as I went to bed, poking Rachie in the boob or just attacking her, and Heather getting everyone to play pepper, or talking about how much she loves pepper.

That is Josh. Josh is extremely cool, and funny, and talented with the guitar. Josh reminds me of Lemony Snicket. Every time I read A Series of Unfortunate Events, I picture him as the narrator - especially in this suit.

That older gentleman with Gwen and I, is none other than the Dr. Syne Altena. He happens to be one of the most esteemed Professors at Dordt. He is truly a piece of work. My favorite part about this picture was how excited he was. I think I might develop this picture and send it to him so he can frame it and put it in is oh so sweet HPER department office. As we were taking the picture he goes, "Oh my Canadian friends!"

This happens to be Justin. Not my brother Justin, or my uncle Justin, but my really cool friend Justin, who hails from southern Ontario. I was really sad to say goodbye to him. He always beats me at canasta. He also doesn't like many desserts, like anything with whipping cream, or pie, or strawberries. And why am I friends with him you ask? Because you don't have to like desserts to be cool.

Dena and I. I love Dean, she is a true sweetheart. We had a lot of fun camping together, more on that later, and more pictures of us too.

Mom, me, Gwen, mama Bakker, and Hannah. I think my favorite part of the whole grad ceremony was singing the Dordt College Alma Mater, looking directly at Gwen and the two of us making insanely exaggerated facial expressions an doing gay actions... "And find with friends a Christian joy in camaraderie."

Loneliness

2006-05-07T11:58:00.000-06:00

Campus is dead. I hate being here. I almost left 6 times, various things stopping me. Like trying to find Chris Wyenberg to get his stuff. But I stayed and we had a lovely bonfire at Carolyn's house. It was a random grouping of people, basically my friends and my roommates friends. I found it to be slightly awkward, but I was amused by watching everyone interact. I did kill a lot of time yesterday between cleaning my room and the bonfire. I did some feeble wandering and ended up in places that made me ache with sadness. I stood in Jeffy's apartment looking longingly around hoping for something familiar to appear. Nothing. Went up to Justin and Mike's apartment, again more aching and despair. I went hoping to make all the sadness and pain go away, hoping that everyone leaving was just a bad dream. But as I entered their room I was stabbed with the emptiness of the apartments. The only comfort was the sick smell in Justin and Mike's room that is always there. It smells like 4 guys, and sweat, and mustiness. Sorry guys but it your room does have a smell.
Covenant church this morning was wonderful, Herm was so pleasant and I just found more people I will miss. The Bakker family. What will I do without Sunday muffin nights, or Hannah and Levi. Ahhh. I will miss Herm, he is so real and genuine. I saw many professors that I admire, will I ever learn again? Just kidding, that was being too dramatic.
Anyhoo, I just went through peoples rooms in SV looking for food to take camping. Kinda fun (I am really bored). But we leave for camping in 40 minutes and that is what I have been waiting for. Katy and Dena are on either side of me frantically trying to finish papers. Muahaha. It sucks, I feel bad. Oh well. I think I might go back into the room down the hall that has everything people gave away. I got some dishes to take camping, Dena got a sweater. I have no guilt taking stuff from there because I dumped a huge load off myself.
I can't wait to get off campus because there are too many memories and no people. Every time I walk in to my room I am shocked that nothing is in there. You'd think after sleeping there last night I would realize, but no, I get jolted every time I open the door. Sad to stay and sad to go. I hate emotions.

Yesssssssssssssss!

2006-04-27T08:20:00.000-06:00

I am happy. Really happy. I have not for the longest time enjoyed every day so much. I love what I am doing and it is an amazing feeling. Don't get me wrong, I do have many shitty things going on in my life, but the fact that this huge part - all the decisions coming together, all the hard work, has paid off. I LOVE BEING A TEACHER!!! I love making bulletin boards, turning my classroom into a solar system, telling my students lies, grading their ridiculous stories. I love my students, even the fat grumpy one. They are so funny, so unique, beautiful people! No matter how stressed I am, or how many things I have to do, I just can't help but be so happy in a classroom. You know you always have that little voice in your head wondering if you are doing the right thing, have you really been called to this? All the annoying assignments - please just let me get through this. Well I did, and it is amazing. I truly know that I will always love my job. I always dreaded this next step of graduating, and while I am depressed about leaving my friends and (my beloved) Sioux Center, I still can hold on to the fact that I get to teach. I hate change, but I think it is time... I dunno. I just never wanted to be one of those people who hates their job, I have had a huge fear of that, but yeah I could go on forever. I will not hate my job. I LOVE BEING A TEACHER!!!

Quotes from my students:

When referring to where I live on a map of North America - "she lives right under that big ol' lake." - Jesse K.

"Why would I want a girlfriend, all they do is empty your wallet. This is what its like - she has a new purse and she's like I love this purse, it is SO beautiful. Then the next week you go shopping with her, and she runs into the store and screams oh my gosh, that is the cutest purse I have ever seen. I HAVE to have it. You say to her, didn't you just get a new purse, and she goes, what purse? Then you have to buy her a new one." - Jesse K

Tay - "OHHhhhh its Easter! I get candy from the Easter bunny!"
Me - " I want candy, send em over to my house when you are done!"
Jesse H - "Send em on over to my house, I'll be waiting on my front porch with a 12 gauge!"

"I will probably cry when you leave. I won't get over it." - Maddy

Questions I was asked about Canada during the first week:
"Do you have white tigers up there?"
"How about boa constrictors?"
"Have you ever been to Alaska?" - "I live closer to you, than I do to Alaska" (dumb founded silence and puzzled looks)

"There will be a tommorow, even if you choose to leave...

2006-04-24T20:10:00.000-06:00

cause it don't matter to the sun, it matters to me."

I am becoming depressed with the end of the year approaching. I have met some really cool people during my time here at Dordt, and as the year ends so to does the time and relationships that I have built with them. I am saddened by the fact that most of them are not the closest of friends - so it makes sense that you move on as you move away, and remember the good times. But then there are the friends that are closer and I am worried that there will be no effort to keep in touch. That is sad. Even though people are heading different directions that doesn't mean relationships have to end, they just sort of change.

"How do we make these moments last, how do we get them to stay, when everything passes and time blows away..."

But Peter, how do we get to Neverland? (said in a British accent)

2006-04-14T12:40:00.000-06:00

Yesterday evening after the service at Covenant I had an intense sensation and need to be in a canoe. I dunno what it was, the sky was orange, the air was warm, just a sweet breeze with cool air, and my mind was full of peace, sounds of the water rippling, a loon in the background. I can see the shore, and green trees, oh and a beaver just slapped its tail and went under. I wish it was all real. But it was sort of real, kind of like on Hook when the lost boys are hungry and they have the imaginary feast. It was like that. Oh shoot now I am hungry and too lazy to make food. Maybe I will have an imaginary feast... or not.
I like the movie Hook, and Peter Pan (disney style), and Finding Neverland. I think its one of my favorite stories. I saw the play once too. Oh and next week Dordt is putting on a production of Peter Pan sorts. Yay! Hurray for not wanting to grow up and having an imagination.

ImAGiNiFF Jeff ran over the neighbours cat - would he...

2006-03-17T01:51:00.000-07:00

a. run over it again to make sure it was dead.
b. leave it.
c. move it to the road and make it look like someone else did it.
d. tell the neighbours what happened.
e. cry

I had my doubts at first, but I am discovering Montana is a pretty cool place. Jeff is a great host and we have been busy seeing the sights that Montana has to offer us. Our first day here was spent touring the Schutter family farm via four-wheelers (my favorite mode of transportation). We saw about 12 bald eagles and some cool mountain views, buffalo jumps, deer etc. Sunday was family dinner, and then in the afternoon we did some shooting of clay pigeons. That's right, me and a shot gun, and I even made some good shots. Monday we toured Bozeman. Jeff took us to some cool music stores, little shops, and second hand book stores! Yeah I found a book I have been looking for for a long time! 1913 original copy! We also went to a museum, it had dinosaurs. I felt like was there with two 8 year old boys. They were very giddy. Tuesday we went to Yellowstone and we saw at least 500 elk, 250 buffalo, and 30 pronghorns. Very cool. We saw the Mammoth Hot Springs which rank like ass, but they were super cool and we had a nice trek through the snow. Wednesday was spent on the slopes. We had snow all day and skied in at least a couple feet of powder - wonderful. I also saw big horned sheep and mountain goats (which Jeff and Mike missed much to their dismay - muhaha). Today we relaxed for a while cause we have been going pretty steady. Although I did do some shopping with the Schutter women which was fun. Today I also met Jeff's grandpa - who may be my new favorite person. Wow so cool. He has a bottle collection, just like me. But he has a built in wall case with lights to display them. I had a great time learning about all his milk bottles and parafinalia. He even sent me home with one of his bottles, so sweet. He also said "I can't remember where the crap it is," and "this shit really makes a mess." I laughed a lot, because those are perfect words to use in almost all situations. Love Jeff's grandpa.
Evenings have consisted of good beer, and some more good beer, mixed with special drink making, and games. Yeah for games. Imaginiff, Cranium, Disney Trivial Pursuit, Catchphrase, and Apples to Apples. Jeff's cousin Brad has joined in for the fun and games as well. Brad and I lost to Mike and Jeff in Cranium, but we wasted them in Catchphrase. Well thats it for now. Two more days of fun left.

SPPRIIIIIINNNNNGGGGGGGGGGG BREEEEEAAK!!!

2006-03-10T22:23:00.000-07:00

I am updating my blog, I am being harrased by everyone to update so here it is. I hope you are not dissapointed.

The Montana Song!

Montana, Montana,
glory of the west,
of all the States
from coast to coast,
you are easily the best!
Montana Montana
where skies are always blue,
M-O-N-T-A-N-A
Montana I LOVE YOU!

Top 10 of our two traveling days in no particular order:

1. Driving 14 hours in a 1987 Cadillac De Ville (its a ship on the road).
2. Jeff stating that if he ever lived in South Dakota he would be to embarrased to say so and would lie, unless he lived in the Black Hills (which is probably the only way he would be living in SD), and then he would just say he was from the Black Hills (no South Dakota).
3. Laughing all night with Katie about the bucking chicken Burger King commercial.
4. Going to the Corn Palace - not.
5. Mount Rushmore.
6. Turbo - the Schutters cat - my new best friend.
7. Playing a giant slot machine.
8. Drinking Beer.
9. Not taking a crap for 25 cents.
10. ah Mountains.

"Mel is updating her blog, its about fricken time!" - Jeff in a mocking tone

Zuni, El Morro, and Caving (Jan 21 and 22)

2006-02-15T23:21:00.000-07:00

Zuni is another type of Native American tribe. Where I am located in Gallup, the majority of people are Navajo, with a few Hopi and Zuni. Zuni is a Pueblo (village) tribe, located 35 miles south of here. They differ from the Navajo in that they live more in a community. Navajo reservations are huge, spread out, with random houses everywhere.

This is a house in Zuni, more on the outskirts of town. One thing I noticed is that many of the homes are not that old (not this one) but get really run down. They don't have the means to up keep the homes.

Zuni is really famous for their bread. They have these ovens outside almost every house. They are built out of mud (sand in these parts). As we drove around the village we saw almost all of them with smoke puffing out. They are really neat. I stopped and talked to a man who said they use the ovens for all sorts of cooking, and if some was not using their oven at the moment they would be later on in the day. Seems so primitive, but makes a lot of sense. You see a few people gathering around talking. I think ovens may be shared by extended families.

Zuni people dress up in costumes called Kachinas. They only put these one a special times, and they are very spiritual. They have ceremonies that are closed off to outsiders, although if you are around on one of those days you are allowed to watch and peek through the windows.

This is actually someone's home. It is not that typical of the area to have shacks like this, but it does paint a picture of the poverty in some of these communities. I have some students that come from homes with no running water or electricity. One of the teachers told me a story about a boy she had in her class. He always missed school once a week, and she could never figure out why. Finally she found out that the family did not have enough clothes to send the all the kids to school, so they had to take turns missing school one day each week to rotate the outfits. So sad.

After spending the better part of the morning in Zuni we headed out to El Morro. This is a National Monument that is basically huge sandstone that has petroglyphics and the like carved into if from 100's of years ago. The base of the rock had basically the only water for miles and miles, therefore a meeting ground for many travelers. We did a mini hike here and actually found out at the top of the rock these ruins where the Natives had lived. Kit Carson had come and was trying to collect the Natives and do a census or something, so he would capture the Natives... which as you can probably assume they did not enjoy, so they fled and hid up on cliffs where they could not be reached.

The rock around this area is just so amazing. Breath taking ever time you look at it. You don't realize just how big the rocks/cliffs are until you get close and start climbing.

This ridiculous picture just happens to be the Dordt girls, tiger style.

I have this new thing where I like to be more adventurous than normal, and conquer things, not actually thinking about what I am doing until later. I have had few brushes with death, one being in this next picture. Caitlin, one of my partners in my adventurism, and I - like to do things that can sometimes be seen by others as slightly stupid. So we decide to go off the trail once again (despite some of the warning we receive from posted signs and those with us) to get a picture out on these cliffy rocks. You see I was wearing my UGG boots on this particular trip because we were not expecting to hike so I am going to blame the brush with death on the boots (which I dearly love anyways). If you look to the left there is this little area that has some snow, well I was over there trying to get higher on the rock, but I yes of course slipped, but below is a plunge to my death, basically straight down over 200 feet - thank my lucky start Caitlin was watching and grabbed my arm. Yes she saved my life, and I piddled in my pants. Yes.

Sunday we skipped church - heathens - and went out to do some spulunking. Fun to say out loud and fun to do. We had helmets, flash lights, and a lot of fun. We went out to this forest and the people who took us just knew there were caves, so there we went, exploring through uncharted territory in deep dark holes in the ground. Yes pitch black, holes, in the ground. This area is all rocky, formed from lava. So the caves are basically volcanic rock. The pictures are slightly deceiving for the fact that the flash lights the picture up. You seriously could not see your hand an inch from your face it was so dark. So creepy and awesome.

We started with the whole group of us spulunking, but we lost a bunch as we proceeded to other caves. It is really claustrophobic, and harder than it looks. We did a lot of crawling through holes and crawling on the ground arm style. This picture is Cara and I perservering and crawling out of the last cave we went in, there was barely room for my body to fit out the hole. -- You gotta love our helmets and Cara's head lamp.

The next picture is actually the last hole that I made it through. I had an amazing day seeing God's creation in a whole new way. If you ever get the chance you need to definitely try it out some time. The one nice thing was that it was not too cold down there, it stays a constant temperature all year round.

Our weekends are truly amazing adventures exploring a new aspect of God's creation that I never could have imagined. You think you have seen it all, but New Mexico just opens your eyes to this whole different world. Red rock, lava, mountains, canyons, crevices, hog backs, cliffs etc.

Albuquerque Round I (Jan 13, 14, 15)

2006-02-15T22:35:00.000-07:00

Our first weekend here was a trip to Albuquerque (2 hours east). Jason Shumate's parents reside there and I was invited to go anytime for a weekend away. So I took them up on that, bringing six girls with me. I had the time of my life. They are probably the nicest people I have ever met. So friendly and generous. They were so honoured to have us over. Friday night we hung out at their house and relaxed.

Saturday was some exploring. We found this district called Old Town. It has a plaza surround by shops, as well as a old Catholic church on one side. Shops all around the other sides. Amazing souvinere things - feather head dresses, jewlerey, postcards, Native art, Mexican stuff, and food. We had lunch at this amazing Mexican resturant that was inside an old home. Really cute. Also in this area is a ton of museums, the zoo, science center, art galleries, etc. Very neat area.

Later that night we were taken out to dinner at this yummy Italian resturant called Scarpa's. Went back to the Shumates and played cards.

Overall it was an amazing relaxing weekend. The Shumates have risen to the top of my list of amazing people.

View from the house (Sandia mountains).

The Fakers

2006-02-14T22:56:00.000-07:00

I don't dream. I know someone will comment and say yes you do dream, you just don't remember. Well to me I don't dream, I don't ever remember shit. Well last night I had a dream, it was wierd. I am going to share it. So basically I was a member of The Fakers. Yes, don't laugh. I do not have any musical talent AT ALL - making this dream really believeable. Apparently I bought this orange electric guitar at a garage sale, and Jeff had trained me how to play this song, only this song, and for some reason they wanted me to join them playing this song. They were performing on this huge stage and I was up there on the right side by Jeff. But I didn't plug it in (I don't know if that is the right terminology), no sound, but everyone else is playing, and I am faking, well trying, but I didn't know it wasn't pluged in. Jeff got mad at me cause I sucked. The whole song sucked. I woke up confused and depressed. That was my dream. Oh and the guitar was fat and short. Like all stubby. It was strange.

The dream may have stemmed from being depressed about missing every show The Fakers play. Poop nuggets.

Alcohol = Marijuana

2006-02-02T22:41:00.000-07:00

Today we had this all-school assembly. Remember those school assemblies? When some old fart would come in and ramble on and on and your ass would get so sore from sitting on the gym floor. You would stare bitterly at the teachers who got to sit on chairs. Well not anymore, they are not like that. Today I am informed we are having MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers) come in... so I picture all these moms in their mom clothes and bad hair coming and preaching about the issue... wrong, in walks this hommie white-black guy wannabe, sets up three fricken huge screens, sound system etc and starts pumping out this horrendously loud music. The kids pile into the gym and this flashy movie with music videos, quick facts, a fly black dude narrator, and intense colours and flashing. I could hardly believe my eyes. My assemblies growing up were so out of date it was unbelievable... since when did people start getting with the times. When I plugged my ears because it was getting too loud I realized I am getting old. I mean I guess I am not that old, but I need to start looking for a real job. I also realized the days of going to bed at 3am for the past 31/2 years are impossible if I want to function for the rest of my life. That was a rude awakening. Teaching is wearing me out, and I need to go to bed by 10, 11 at the latest, and I am tired all fricken day. I am so worn out. Oh crap to the point of my assembly story --- at the end of the assembly this pretty fly for white guy is letting the kids ask questions. One kid asks why is alcohol bad - like what is it? So the he turns it around and asks the kids what is alcohol made of? This second grader puts up his hand and goes, I know, alcohol is made from marijuana. LOL. I could barely control myself. Okay that was the point of all my rambling.

Last weekend was amazing, well every weekend is amazing. I am having the time of my life here. Friday night we went to this little hotel bar called El Rancho. This band was playing called Subtle Groove. Awesome time. They are very Elliot Smith-ish, maybe a tad I dunno Dave Matthews, maybe not. But anyhow they were great fun. The lead singer is Cara's cooperating teachers husband. We ripped up the dance floor and had our first brews of the trip whooo hooO! Here is a link to the band if you are interesting in checking them out, very jazzy folky or something: http://www.myspace.com/subtlegroove .

This weekend proves to be another great one as we are heading to Durango, Colorado, to go skiing! That is the only thing that is getting me through this week. There is this awesome place about 45 min from there called Wolf Creek that apparently has great slopes, I can't wait. We also plan to hit Mesa Verde on the way back.

So its is time for me to call it quits. I need to sleep, I really don't want to... but I need to teach all day tomorrow. This is my first week of full teaching all by myself. Only three more to go!

On the rez...

2006-01-22T00:35:00.000-07:00

Stundent teaching has proved to be an amazing and funny experience. More eye opening has been working at the after school program at this other school that is insanely more ghetto.

For example, most of the kids in the school live in homes that are insanely run down, if they are homes at all. Most likely a trailer, perhaps no running water, no bathrooms in the home, or electricity. Many of the classrooms are portibles, and there are stray dogs everywhere. There was even one in the school the other day, haha. Oh and we were walking to one of the portible and low and behold - stray horses. No joke, just walking around checking shit out.

The kids there are SOOOO BAD! Like I have never seen anything like it. Mostly because they have a bad home life. They are about two grade levels lower than they should be. Marie (NY) got peed on the other day by this little girl, haha. I was out on the playground with the kids, and they were throwing rocks at eachother, I said DO NOT throw rocks. Two seconds later I am pelted with rocks. Who would do that to a teacher? At least I am not in that school all the time, just twice a week after school. Two other teachers Caitlin (IL) and Sara (IL) have to deal with it every day.

HAHA, so Caitlin was teaching the other day and wanted to tell her class sit down, so she goes "sit down Indian style," hahahha, to a room full of Native students. I laugh every time I think about it. So funny. Opps eh.

I have begin to wonder what students motives are, and how their little brains work. Like a little girl who goes to me - oh your earings are so pretty (they are plain old studs). Or I like your shirt, it is really nice, you look so pretty today. At what age do today's kids learn manipluation? Are they trying to make me like them, are their minds distorted enought to think that? I dunno, it strikes me as funny. Last Wednesday night we were at this church dinner and one of my third grade students were there and he asked Ann (IA) on a date, hahaha. What was he thinking? Ann told him to come ask again when he turns 25 haha.

Sad story about a kid in my school. So he misses school once a week always, and the teacher couldn't figure it out. Finally she finds out he has to miss school once a week because there are not enough clothes for his siblings so they rotate taking turns missing school.

Now for a funny story. Marie's teacher (same school as me), was having her students write descriptive paragraphs about their classrooom. They brainstormed as many descriptive words at they could about shape, size, colour, feel etc. Well this little boy writes - my classroom has a blackboard it is green, my teacher is huge - hahah. She told Maire and I and we laughed so hard, almost to the point of rudeness but we couldn't stop (she is kinda large). The teacher had to hang it up because all of the other students paragraphs were up in the hall.

I really like my school. It is called Indian Hill Elementary. My principal was actually born in Winnipeg, and moved to Brandon when he was little. His last name is Donkersloot for the people who want to figure out who he is. The teachers are sooo friendly and nice. Easy to talk to and very welcoming. I play floor hockey once a week with my Principal, Cara (WA), and a bunch of male teachers from the highschool at Rehoboth. I must say I did do some wowing with my amazing floor hockey skills. :) Also my Principal has Canadian satalite so I can watch hockey at his place, which I have already done once.

I appologize for the extremely random and rambling thoughts above.
It is late, I am tired.

Crazy Climb

2006-01-10T18:33:00.000-07:00

So this weekend was really fun. We had two big events 1. hiking up to 7500 feet in eleveation 2. going to a wolf reservse. The hike was absolutely amazing. The nine of us started the treck, but of course it was not hard core enough for me, so Caitlin (Trinity Christian College), and I blazed our own trail. It was awesome. Seriously I almost died a couple of times, not joking, and it was an out of this world experience.
View from the hike!

This is Cara, Caitlin and I, 1/3 of the way up, we made it all the way to the very top point. This is also the point at which we left the rail and made our own. Looks intense? It was!

This is a cave that we found on our own climb. It has a whole at the top (I am poking out of it). The wierd thing about this rock is that is is really packed sand. The wind whips around here like a maniac, and just compacts it all. It made it hard to climb because you would slip as you walked on it because the sand would come loose. But it is amazingly beautiful.

On Sunday my mom, Cara, and I went to a wolf reserve. (My mom left yesterday) See people breed dogs and wolves thinking that it would be cool (it would) and the wolves end up making horrible pets. They also save beaten wolves. So these people got a wolf dog, and they didn't want it anymore cause it turned bad. So they locked it in their shed. He survied in there for 6MONTHS!!! He ate his own fur, water that dripped in from the cracks, and random rodents that might happen through. He had open sores all over him and no fur. He also ate his own feeces.

It was unfricken believeable. He is all healthy now. So thats what they do. Rescue wolves. I love it sooooo much. So sad. There were a bunch of pure wolves, high content, and mid content.

This is a picture of me at the flea market with a wolf pup. I wanted him till I went to the wolf reserve. Acutally I still want him.

In the minority...

2006-01-03T20:04:00.000-07:00

Marie, Cara, me, and Rita at the top of our hike. The wind was nuts, but they say it is usually not too bad. Notice the beautiful red mountains in the background.

So we start on the hike (which is really a mini hike) and everything seems fine. But I suppose you need to get used to this altitude thing. I thought my lungs were going to colapse. I was the first to the top, but I huffed and puffed the whole way. I am a little out of shape, but I am hoping I can get used to this whole being at 6,600 feet. We have a large hike coming this week so I will see how I do.

This afternoon we decided to head on down to Walmart (sorry Kevin). We needed groceries and slippers. Cold floors here. Well apparently it was pay day and all the Indians then head to Walmart. I also found out today that this Walmart in Galup is the largest grossing Walmart in the country. We experienced that today. So many people. Also I was the only blonde in the whole store, and we were the only 'Anglos' in the whole place.
Fun times.

Indian Country

2006-01-02T20:48:00.000-07:00

Driving down the interstate staring out into red cliffs/mountains I was trying to decide whether I was nervous, scared, or indifferent to this new adventure I am embarking on. I was starting to go with indifferent until I read the signs along the highway advertising the town "Gallup, New Mexico - Indian Country." Now with a slogan like that who wouldn't want to be here.

Just off historic Route 66 I turned to my new home for the next two months. Rehoboth, a little Christian Reformed community set up in an almost Hutterite fashion. Just the buildings are older, and more randomly scattered about. To give you an idea - picture a rural Hutterite community, with the backdrop of red cliffs and not much vegitation, mixed in with an old western movie and lots of Indians. I don't know if that will do if for you but I tired. I will try and get some pictures up soon.

Rehoboth has about 1,000 acres that makes up the community, but 90% of it is backcountry. The rest is an elementary school, highschool, church, old dormitories, random buildings, and also many old houses (which I believe belong to the teachers and administration from the school). More exploring should happen tommorow.

As of now I am settled into my room. The first to arrive, of us 6 Dordt girls. I have managed to unpack and smush all my shit into my alotted closet space. Yes of course I brought too many clothes along. This next week should be lots of learing about the area, the Indians, and getting to know the school and our teachers.
I am not actually teaching here in the Christian school, but two miles away at Indain Hills Elemenatry.

Tommorow should be lots of exploring and learing. I was also delighted to find out that Tim (the guy in charge of us here) has three horses that I will be allowed to ride! It will be like my own western movie. I just gotta get me a gun and holster just in case I happen upon some bad guys.