2 Months and Counting...

So it is official...it's been over 2 months since making the big move.  How am I doing?  Okay, but I am getting serious cabin fever.  My life is school and staying inside the house, doing school work.  It's been frigid cold for what seems like weeks now and I've about had it.  I need to do something soon to feel like I'm meeting people or something.  It doesn't seem that Birtle offers much and with the weather so cold, walks aren't even possible.  Its been quite lonely-but people are friendly and helpful.  I got stuck in my driveway the other day as it was warm, allowing the tires to sink into the snow and get caught.  A neighbor down the street was driving past, and went back for his tow rope to help me out.  I'm not used to that-people helping strangers.  Portage wasn't like that-it was cold and quite self absorbed. 

School has kept me busy and it's allowed me to be the workaholic that I am.  But I recognize that you can't devote so much time to work...I'm going to keep my ears and eyes open to see if anything comes up for me to meet people and get out a bit in town.  We'll see...I'm hanging in there...

Challenges Make One Strong

There have been times in my life where I've heard over and over that struggles build character, build strength.  I literally at one time had a sign on my fridge that said character sucks...it was what I needed to get through hard times and looking back, I can chuckle over that sign! 

Things have been tough and I expect that it'll be slow to get going in a new job, in a new community, etc.  But I do feel good and I really value that I have this opportunity.  Is it comfortable?  Oh no....it requires me to think in different ways, react in different ways, and create in different ways. 

I pray that I'm making a difference to my students, that I'm reaching them.  There are days where I question that.  I have a very tough class, possibly the toughest I've ever had.  Right now, I question a lot about what I'm doing and is it the right approach.  Right now, I just need to keep giving it my all, and keep doing my best. 

But for now, I take each day at a time...

Such a Beautiful Compliment...

So teaching if you don't realize it is quite challenging.  It has its rough moments.  Sometimes you lose sight of why you're in it.  While things haven't been that bad for me yet this year, I did get the most wonderful compliment today.  I went into the office at school today for some reason.  I gushed to the secretary that one of my boys is beginning to read at an above Kindergarten level.  This is huge!  He's 11 years old and has really struggled.  Teachers before have not necessarily known how to help him.  I heard him read today and even compared to a couple weeks ago, his reading has improved.  He went from not being able to read the word "be" to be reading quite a few words.  When I said this, the secretary let me know that there is a lady working with him as there have been issues at home over the years.  Apparently he was so positive about school, that the worker has decided she wants to meet me for the job that I've done with him.  That's pretty special-having someone recognize what you do to make school interesting, fun, but appropriate.  Moments like that remind you that as much as teaching can get frustrating, it has so many beautiful moments.

Stress, Stress, and More Stress

So I'm seriously stressing out...and the reason....MONEY!!!  Maybe I'm feeling sorry for myself but I'm frustrated.  After you deduct the money I need for getting to school and money that I needed to pay back a friend, I had less money in my pocket than when I was on E.I.  I'm juggling bills and everything.  It's discouraging in the sense that I don't feel like I've gotten anywhere yet.  Things haven't improved as of yet, and it seems like I'm still really struggling. 

I don't know...I just need to figure things out....but I'm stressed out...maybe it's stupid but I'm constantly telling myself that it's all going to get better...

I'm Not Dead

So I'm not dead despite what you might think, and neither is this blog...I just have no phone or internet still.  School starts back this week, so I came in for a day of organization, hence, I am able to post....yippee!  Hopefully, phone (and maybe intenet) will be up working tomorrow when the technician shows up....yup, the phone situation is that bad...

So I've been here for almost a month-and I'm doing okay.  It's been hard in the sense that I feel cut off from many, but I do see this all leading towards something better.  There are definite advantages living away from a working civilization-you get lots of quiet, it's peaceful, you spend a lot less, and when you have to make a trip to the city, you enjoy your shopping excursion more as your thankful for the things you can buy.

It is extremely beautiful where  I live and that has been a huge blessing...I wake up every day and see beauty in the hills and valleys.  It's breathtaking.  Already, I have seen a wolf, lynx, moose, deer, and a jack rabbit.  I had never seen a wolf or lynx before, so that has been unbelievable.  To see an animal in its natural habitat and not cooped up in a zoo is very humbling...puts into perspective why we need to care for the environment.

But it is different moving to a place where you don't know anyone or anything.  I didn't realize it before but I am definitely a huge comfort zone person (way more than I ever thought), and moving out of that has been disarming and liberating at the same time.  It's eye opening and challenging, but like I've said, I think it will be well worth it in the end.

Well, I need to get back to organizing the classroom....

No Phone + No Internet Makes Me Cranky...

Just because I live in the boonies doesn't mean I shouldn't still be able to talk to friends and family right?  Wrong...I'm waiting for a jack in my place and I'm going insane...it's hard enough to not be able to talk to friends and family much but seriously, if I want to talk to someone I have to drive to the top of the valley.  I swear people think there is a stalker outside their house or outside the high school where I park to get reception on the cell phone. 

Tomorrow is the last day of school followed by the next day being moving day...can you say good night's sleep?

Life Can Change in an Instant

So three weeks ago, I was driving down the main street in my town going to the grocery store and got a phone call on my cell.  I pulled over (as was the law), and proceeded to be offered a teaching position with a division in south western Manitoba.  It required me to be able to start it in less than a week (the same division I had the big interview with before-they admitted that they had planned on offering that job to me, but due to acquiring a reserve school, it was no longer available for the time.  I said yes, and planned on making the big move.  If I remember correctly, I found out on a Wednesday and had to start the following Monday.

In a matter of a couple of days I found a house to rent-the only house within a 2 hour radius of where I work.  My stuff is still back in Portage and will be moved after I get my first paycheck.

It's been two weeks in the classroom-I have a Grade 4 classroom with 16 students.  They are energetic, sweet, but haven't necessarily given me any honeymoon period.  They have had some things to adjust to, as have I.  My challenge has been not having any of my stuff-I have felt quite limited without my books and resources. 

Personally, it's all been quite challenging.  Picking up and moving across the province is not an easy task.  Coming to this area, well, I don't know a soul and I'm quite out of contact with family and friends as I've been having trouble getting in touch with them as there are no jacks in my house for phone/internet.  I'm working on it, but still...  If I be completely honest, it's been very lonely.  It's hard not being somewhere and having a friend.  I'm hoping that will come in time, but despite everything, I know in my heart this is right.  This is what God planned for me.

I still have to go back and forth to Portage at times to continue packing my things and clean up.  I have my old place until the end of the month.  I think I'll just be relieved when all of this is over and I can relax among my own things.  You don't realize how much your things attribute to home becoming home.  I love my art, and it represents such a large part of who I am, and I guess it does the same with my home.

The school that I work at is quite large for the area-about two classes per grade.  My challenge right now is not having any real "supplies" in my classroom-no overhead, no smart board, no student computers, no books...it'll come I'm sure in time, but it does provide challenges.  I've never shirked away from a challenge though!  I just have to make sure that I'm doing my part and reaching out to others-it's easy when you get overwhelmed to shirk away from people and relationships when you're trying to start things up.

So, yup, that's the story.  There will be more to come along with some of the ideas to come that I've been incorporating.