It's Worth it in the End

Tonight was the annual community BBQ at the school I've taught at for the past three years. I received one of the nicest compliments in my teaching career thus far from one of the parents.

This particular family moved to the community mid-way through the year and their oldest child was placed in my grade three class. Brilliant student and beautiful person. The parents were nice, just not overly friendly and I really didn't talk to them much.

I was surprised when the mother came up to me tonight and asked if there was any chance I'm teaching grade two next year, since her son is going into that grade. I told her I'm actually leaving the school and she was so disappointed, saying I was the best teacher her daughter has ever had, etc, etc.

It was so unexpected, so nice and made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside!

Now, please don't think I'm writing this because I think I'm some magnificent person. I already know I am. Kidding. But.. I find in the teaching profession you never really know how you've affected the kids, unless they say something. And often they don't. Sure I get hugs all the time and pats on my belly asking when the baby is coming, but those aren't the same as words.

I've started hating my job lately, mostly because I feel worthless and unappreciated at my afternoon school. Hearing this feedback is exactly what I needed to put things back into perspective.

Finally, the moral of this story is this - if you've had a teacher, or anyone really, that's affected your life in a positive way - tell them so! I'm going to! You just never know what impact it'll have on them.

Quinoa, I Think I Love You

This recipe is so good, you've gotta try it! I've made it a few times now and it's definitely one of my faves.

I found the original recipe here, but make changes, depending on what ingredients I have on hand. First you start by rinsing your quinoa, then roasting it for a few minutes, which supposedly gives it a nuttier taste. Next, boil your quinoa and let it cool.

While that's happening, chop up the veggies you'd like to include. Today I used cucumbers, tomatoes, and corn. I also add half a can of whatever type of beans I have, today was chickpeas. Add the secret ingredient, cumin, and some Italian dressing, and mix all together.

Add the quinoa, and badda bing, badda boom, there you have it. Deliciousness. Seriously, try this, you won't regret it!

Ridiculously Easy Tomato Soup

I haven't posted a recipe in such a long time. So, here's a really easy and yummy soup I made tonight. I know it's almost summer and who eats soup in summer? Me, that's who! Plus, I like cleaning out my cupboards and this helped.

Here's the pretty picture from the website...

And here's the not so pretty picture I took!

Ingredients:
-1 large container of chicken broth (900mL)
-28oz can of crushed tomatoes
-1 cup of 5% cream, the lightest I could find
-salt and pepper
-basil
-1 onion
-2 cloves garlic

Directions:
Saute onion and garlic in medium saucepan over moderate heat. When onions are translucent, add broth and tomatoes. When soup bubbles, stir in cream and reduce heat to low. Season with a little salt, pepper, and basil and simmer gently 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

That's it! I noticed I had some crackers so I added a couple to the bottom of my bowl, plus a teensy bit of cheese to the top, and it was good. M refuses to try it, so that means more for me!

The Traveling Bug is Biting

I could totally live the rest of my life out of a backpack.

I've been thinking about this since Friday night when M and I were walking around downtown and noticed this bag, just sitting there, with a cell phone plugged into an outlet. It was truly the most random place for an outlet to exist!

Whenever I see backpackers I get a little envious. There's something so empowering about carrying all of your belongings on your back. I love the backpacker lifestyle. The freedom. The adventures. Spending all day doing whatever you feel like. Going wherever your feet will take you. Ahhhh....

M and I have been on two backpacking trips.. one time for seven weeks, and the next for only three weeks. That's really nothing in the travel world. We would meet people who had been gone for a year or longer. I want to be them.

I've got some uncontrollable ants in my pants. I need OUT OF HERE!!!!!!

AYBX 755

Yesterday after work I had an encounter with a crazy.

I pulled into the No Frills parking lot, thinking TGIF, I'll just get some groceries, la di dah di dah. As I was sitting in my car, searching for a quarter for the cart, I heard BAM, looked up and saw the car door beside me had slammed into my side mirror.

I rolled down my window, and politely said, "Excuse me, can you be careful next time, you just hit my mirror with your door." The guy starts saying there's no !@%$*?# way he just hit my mirror, and I'm crazy, and he's had a horrible day, and to mind my own business, and blah blah blah. He told me his door wouldn't even reach my mirror if he opened it fully, and while he was showing me this, he hit my mirror AGAIN!!

So, after swearing at me a lot more, he pulled away, then stopped and rolled down his window, and SPAT ALL OVER MY CAR!

Oh my my.

Whoever you are - white, male, approximately 5'9, bald, chubby, and not very cute, black SUV, with Ontario licence plate AYBX 755... please, go get a refill for your meds!

Ohhhh, Harry..

I am a huge Harry Potter fan. A few years ago when M and I were traveling in Germany, we couldn't resist, bought book six, and I'm sad to admit, spent a lot of time laying in bed reading! In Germany! What's wrong with us! Granted, it was cold and rainy the entire time we were there, but still...

Anyway, one of my 36 in 365 goals was to read all of the books again before the next movie comes out on July 15th. I have to do this to refresh my memory or else I won't know what the heck is going on. It's like a new adventure every time I read one!

I have been wondering if it's possible to read all seven books in one month, and I think it's not. That won't stop me from trying though! I have returned all of my library books so I can FOCUS. I've also been thinking of ways to speed up the process, and thought I could possibly read one of the books to my class. Is that selfish?! I think they'd like it!

In the past, I have used Harry quite a bit in teaching, and the kids love it. For Media Lit, we once discussed how a book may have many different covers, created for different audiences and reasons. Below are just a few covers for the first book, and there are so many more!

It's all very interesting, isn't it, or am I just a nerd?

My Babies are Growing

I am overflowing with joy! Look at these puppies!

I am one proud mama.

Aren't they beauties?