That's right folks, I'm finally back on the job. It only took 4/5ths of a school year but I have arrived. It's funny, I was talking to people in the staff room the other day, and no one seemed surprised that my transition from BC teacher to Ontario teacher did not go smoothly and was of long unemployed duration. So I ask myself, again (I know, I know - I sound like a broken record), why do people willingly pursue this profession? I love the job, I really do, but had I known then what I know now....

That said, I'm no longer going to dwell on could've beens.... I'm going to be happy that I am, once again, working in my chosen profession. I was stubborn as a mule and adamantly refused to settle for anything other than a teaching job... so I need to say: Thank-you, N for allowing me the time required to avoid donning a polyester uniform. You know I appreciate it.

All tied up!

Enjoy!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dffwbw_uQGw]

I don't know if you all know the way Mr. N and I met. You see, I was at a friend's BBQ, N.O.D. (North of Dewdney) and in walks a pompous N, too scared to leave his beer in my friend's beer cooler. Now I may have been slightly intoxicated but this seriously pissed me off and I told him so. I told his pompous ass where to go. Months later, Mr. N told me that my "nerve and spunk" were the qualities that attracted him.

Back to the main point, it was brought to my attention that there were two groups on Facebook: a N.O.D. group and a S.O.D. group. I grew up N.O.D. and lived for a short time S.O.D - so I've experienced both and I've come to this conclusion -- the shadiest, most sketchiest area in my hood, Glenharlem, was the 7-11 on Cavendish and Dewdney. Guess where on Dewdney -- oh that's right, to the south. Enough said, me thinks.

N.O.D. all the way.

PS. I was able to put my N.O.D. pride aside and marry a S.O.D-er -- it is the most glaring deficiency I can find in my husband (his Tartan past) and I try hard not to think about it too much.

Tonight Neil and I watched a lady lose at the $300 question on, Who Wants to be a Millionaire.

The question:

Which one of these performers has not been knighted:
a) Sir Elton John
b) Sir Mix-a-lot
c) Sir Mick Jagger
d) Sir Paul McCartney

By the way, my Canuckleheads advanced to round 2 and the Flamers are done!! Happy happy, Joy joy!!

Things that you don't think about when moving: who's going to cut your hair?? Yesterday, I went with my cousin to her stylist and while I like my cut, the stylist didn't talk... at all. Now, some people would be fine with that, but I found it incredibly uncomfortable.
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I had my TB/medical this week. My doctor didn't speak... at all. Trend?? Oddly, I kind of liked that. I would have called the entire experience good if it weren't for the fact that when I called for the appointment, I was told ~$70 for the TB test. When I went for part 1, I was told it would only be ~$30 and that I could pay when I came back for the second part.** When I went in for the 2nd part, they said $20 even but cash only. Well, I never carry cash so this seriously pissed me off. Had to walk to a mall down the street to find an ATM. Doesn't exactly change my view that I attract the stupidest people in the universe - with the exception of Neil, of course. Would it have been difficult to give me a correct answer when I first asked -- not to mention, tell me you only take cash. Or better still, post a sign, "Cash Only," that I could have stared at while waiting for my appointments.

**The TB test is in 2 parts; essentially they inject something into your arm and then you go back 2 days later and if there is a lump of a certain size, you have TB. For the record, I don't have TB.

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Orientation for my new job is Tuesday night. Excited and kind of sick at the same time. I've had the weirdest of years. On one hand, I've had everyone's dream year -- no work. On the other, I've felt like a waste of humanity and bored senseless for most of it. I've researched other career options, become a web geek, made myself the silent "don't choose teaching unless you're insane" spokesperson. I still firmly believe that education is not the career to choose at this moment in time in Canada unless you a) have connections, i.e. your daddy is a principal, b) you enjoy job instability and have someone who can help support you and/or plan to live at home for the first few years c) are a glutton for punishment. Apparently, I am b and c. Though in my defense, moving around hardly helps when seniority doesn't transfer.

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It's NHL and NBA playoffs and Neil and I are excited. We probably don't want to pay for Raptors playoff tickets -- (Neil wasn't exactly sold on my suggestion of front row, court side that I found for $1800 a pop...) but I think we may don some red and head out to a pub tomorrow afternoon to watch the action. So sad that it's an afternoon game -- esp. when this weekend is looking to be bea-u-tiful! Neil and I are also hoping that someone on the Canucks, steps up and starts scoring some goals.

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Last, but not least, my dad and Tim are arriving in 2 weeks. While they are here we are heading out to Ottawa for a weekend (it's Tulip time in the Nation's capital). Hopefully, I will have lots of pictures to post of our exploits around town. Tim has big plans. Should be fun... I think.

That is all for now...