Book. Worm.

So many people have been asking me how I am enjoying my time off from work.

I LOVE IT!

For the first time since August, I feel like I am me- Jacelyn, not me- Teacher. I'm not complaining about my job. It's just that it's rather consuming. I have hope that it will be less so next year. They say the first year is the worst. [Who are "they", anyway?]

And yes, I have two weeks off. Technically, anyway. Most people think this is an outrageous amount of holiday time. Perhaps. But I know for myself (and probably the majority of my colleagues), it's more like one week of vacation, followed by one week of getting back to the grind of preparing. You see, the kids are really only half the job.

But enough about work. I'm still in Veg Mode. And what does one who has had no Veg Time for a steady four months do with said Veg Time? Why, read a book, of course! Or two. Or three. Okay, okay, maybe four.

Yes, I've read four books so far. Can you believe it?!

BOOK.
WORM.

[That's French for "nerd".]

I've always loved reading - I can remember finishing novels in Social Studies class in high school. I'd borrow the book from the library at first break, and return it by the end of the day. Once I pick up a book, it's rare that I can put it down.

And so guess where I found myself for the big boxing day sales?

Chapters.

Yep.

While the majority of bargain hunters were at Best Buy and Gap, I was hunkered down in a corner of Chapters, perusing with delight the steeply discounted printed publications. I've added four to my collection this week. :-)

I think Chapter's on Boxing Day would be a good place to pick up a guy, don't you? I mean, come on, only the truly nerdy make the bookstore their first stop on Canada's biggest shopping fest. [Did I say nerd? I meant highly intelligent, sophisticated and well-cultured.] Anyway. I digress....

Enough writing for today. I have some readi- um, stuff to do. :-)

See ya when I'm done!

==

P.S.: Just for the record, I did manage to pick myself up a shiny new 17" flat screen [retina-burning] LCD monitor at a fantastic price. It's fabulicious. I can't get over how big it is. And the colours are so clear and vibrant! Ooooh! Pretty!

I love how my old monitor died one week before Boxing Day. Suddenly, "Flat Screen Monitor" went from my "Want" list, to "Need". Yippee!

Mexican Cacti, Badminton Sets and Other Assorted Goods.

Ah, Christmas! The time for family, sharing, food, and....presents.

Presents are a way of showing that we care for someone. Well, ideally, at least. Sometimes presents are given out of obligation to people we don't even like (fruitcake, anyone?!). But for the most part, the presents we give our friends and family show a certain amount of thought and love.

Some people have a real knack for buying "the perfect gift". Then there are people who mean well, but usually flop when it comes to present picking. Take my dad, for instance. He's a great guy, and I love him, but he's not exactly keen when it comes to choosing gifts. His adage is: if it's practical and/or on sale, what's not to like?

This philosophy has landed me with an odd assortment of items over the years. One year I got a wooden cactus statue that he picked up in a Mexican market. Though it doesn't fit in the practical side (at all!), I'm sure it was a good deal. For my birthday one year, I got a badminton set. I don't think I've played badminton since the eighth grade, but hey, who else do you know who has their very own badminton set? Huh?

I was intrigued as to what would show up under the Christmas tree this year, as about a month ago, my parents declared they had lost the "list" they had asked me to write.

"Do you want me to jot it down again?" I asked.

"No, no, that's fine," my dad says, "We managed all right."

It was then that I knew I was in for a surprise.
[And not your garden variety surprise, either.]

Gift #1: Air compressor.

[Not even kidding.]

Gift #2: Pair of binoculars.

[Um, thanks. I guess they will come in handy. Instead of calling, I can just stand on my roof and you can mime your message to me.]

Gift #3: Massaging seat cover.

You have to realize, this thing has six motors. SIX. And added heat bonus. It goes in your car, and comes with a cigarette lighter adapter. Sadly, since my stereo was ripped out of my car [in June], the cigarette lighter doesn't work.

Gift #4: Blender.

This is actually something that was on my list. :-) Being the only kitchen-related item, and my dad being a gourmand, it stands to reason he would remember this one item.


The thing about my dad is, he gives gifts that he thinks he would like to get. And to be fair, I think we all do that to some degree. Every year, I've come to expect some kind of oddity wrapped in coloured paper. And slowly, I've come to know that it's just a sign of his "dad-ness".


What's the oddest gift you've ever received?

How To Post A Comment: A Tutorial

Okay, so today I was talking with Ryan, and I asked him why he doesn't leave comments. [Since I happen to know he is an opinionated kinda person]. His excuse was that he didn't know how to leave a comment un-anonymously.

So....just to banish any more excuses, I now present to you Jace's Guide To Posting Comments (for Dummies et al)

1. Read Post.

2. At bottom of post, click on "comments".

3. A pop-up window will magically appear. Under "Leave Your Comment", type your comment in the box.

4. Under the box, look for "Choose an identity".

5a. If you are a blogger, you can use your Blogger username and password.

b. If you are not a blogger, but would still like to comment, choose "Other"

[You can do this by moving your mouse cursor to the radio button next to "other", and left-clicking.]

If you choose other, there are two boxes you have the option of filling in. The first is your name. Use this if you don't feel the need to be anonymous. The second option is "Your web page". If you do not have a webpage, or if you do not have a webpage you wish to be made public, leave this blank. It's okay. Nothing bad will happen if you do this.

c. If you are not a blogger, would like to comment, but wish to do so anonymously, click the radio button next to "Anonymous".
[See above for steps.]

6. You many now Preview your comment [by clicking on Preview] to see what it will look like when published.

7. If you are satisfied, click on "Publish Your Comment". Your comment will then appear under the original post.


Happy commenting!

The F-Word

Family. Do I experience it? What is "family"? I take it to mean the relationship factor - those people who are stuck loving us even though they know us.

One thing I really miss about Edmonton and my church there is the sense of family that I had. Past tense because although I still see my peer friends, I don't see the people I considered "spiritual parents" to me anymore. Maybe I should make a point of it.

So, yes, I did experience it, but circumstances have lessened that feeling to a degree.

As far as natural family. [Atomic? Is that the word?] I was just thinking about that a few weekends ago. I called my brother because I was in the city, and I had to leave a message for him on his answering machine. So I told him to call me back and was about to say goodbye, when I [un]instinctively said, "I love you". I can't remember the last time I said those words to my brother. I hung up the phone and thought about it. Do I really love him? Or do I just have this "relationship" with him because we have the same parents? I should love him, I know, but do I? Hmm.

Yes, family. Ours puts the fun back in "dysfunctional". :-) Not really. We just don't have the relationship that the "ideal" family should have - the way God intended families to work is so skewed these days. I know that I crave a father's approval, and a mother's nuturing. Apparently (or not so apparently), I found out I have a nurture deficiency, and that tends to cause problems when you grow up and pursue relationships.

So there ya go, I'm a perfectionist with a vitamin N deficiency.


How do you experience family?

==

Very cool personality profile.

In the middle of the table is a round food tray with five kinds of fruits on it.

They are:

a. Apple
b. Banana
c. Strawberry
d. Peach
e. Orange

Which fruit will you choose?


Please think VERY carefully and don't rush into it.
This is great, I was astounded! Your choice reveals a lot about you.


Test results:
Please SCROLL DOWN



























If you have chosen:

a. Apple: That means you are a person who loves to eat apples

b. Banana: That means you are a person who loves to eat bananas

c. Strawberry: That means you are a person who loves to eat strawberries

d. Peach: That means you are a person who loves to eat peaches

e. Orange: That means you are a person who loves to eat oranges


I hope you find fulfillment in this new insight about yourself.
May it bring you peace and understanding, tranquility and all that other profound stuff.

:-)
==

Hark! The Herald Angels Blatter

Well, I had my first public performance with my highschool band tonight.


Where's the whiskey?


Actually, it wasn't that bad. In fact, they played very well. The high school band is really my saving grace when it comes to my job. They blend beautifully, play [nearly mostly] in tune, and respond to my directives.

It's just that I never realized how many flippin' details there are even for a small performance. We were to play at the Community Christmas Concert held at the Bonnyville Agriplex, that thriving hub of social fun, at 6:00 pm. I thought if I got a few students to help pack up things at the school and tote them over in my parents' '93 Aerostar, it would be a snap.

Well, one student showed up.

Hmm. Mental note: Make showing up early manditory.

Eventually, we got things packed up. Then I asked the student how she was getting to the Agriplex.

"Um, with you?"

Great. I'm pretty sure I'm breaking some kind of law by driving her there in my vehicle. Visions of lawsuits dance before my eyes as I slip n' slide through stop signs.

So we get to the Agriplex, and there's one more person there. Eventually, they all trickle in. Except the bari sax player. Where the heck is he? [In a band of 12, every part counts. In fact, there's usually only one on each part!] Bass Clarinetist says Bari Sax had to stay late at work and isn't coming. I call, and in a raging mad manner, tell him to get his butt here. Now.

"I'm not coming. I'm sick," says he.

AAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!

Fine. Mental note two: Require doctor's note stating student is deathly ill and could not be at performance. Option B: Death certificate.

We are to play after the intermission, so after sitting through an HOUR of some kids' musical, we start to set up on stage. Problem. The stage is small. REALLY small. We manage to squeeze in twelve stands and chairs, but if anyone sneezes, Tenor Sax will fall off the back of the platform.

We squeeze everything in, do a warm up and tuning backstage, and are about to be called up on stage when Bass Clarinetist shows me her clarinet, broken. It will not play, and the key is stuck.

WHY?!?!?!

I tell her to fake it. Look pretty, and keep your mouth on the thing.

The crowd applauds as we walk on stage, I take a bow and get ready to conduct the first piece. I raise my hands and notice my sleeves seem to be hanging terribly long, and flap like Dumbo's ears.

Mental note 3: Do not wear black sweater with the flappy sleeves to conduct. EVER.

We get through our pieces, sounding good, despite the lack of a solid bass line due to truant Bari Sax and broken Bass Clarinet. Bass Clarinet looks good, even fooling me.

"Did you fix it?" I ask her as we step off stage.

"Nope." she smiled. "I just played different notes." [You mean the right ones, perhaps?]

I strike the stage, and some of the students help me load the stands and drums back into the Aerostar. As I finish loading everything in, and shut the hatch, someone driving out of the parking lot rolls down their window and shouts,

"Your band sounded awesome!"

I smile in relief.

All I need now is some roadies.

==

What smells?

So the other day, out of the blue, my mom exclaims,

"Shana smells like you!"

[Uhhhhhhh. Okay. That could be a bad thing. Is there something you guys aren't tell me?]

"Are you saying I smell like a dog?!" I asked, slightly horrified.

"Nooooo, she just smells like you - your fabric softener or shampoo or something...."

I laughed. The poor mutt follows me around incessantly, except for when she's sleeping, which is about 75% of the time. [Man, I wish I was a dog sometimes...] She even sleeps on my bed (no need for socks at night). It makes sense that she would pick up my "scent".

But think about it - how weird is it that people have signature scents? I don't wear perfume, but I guess there's just a certain um, aroma that one gives off. It sounds so funny to talk about human smell, but it's true. I used to love the smell of Downy because it reminded me of my boyfriend - and just smelling someone with clothes washed with Downy gave me a warm fuzzy feeling, even though it had some missing ingredient - it wasn't just Downy that he smelled like - there was something else; his "smell".

It still makes me laugh to think about smelly-ness. I'm so glad God gave us noses to smell with.

~wfb.
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