Loreena McKennitt

Since last post (which was quite some time ago), I have been picking up substitute jobs here and there. Some weeks I have worked 3.5 days worth, and other weeks only a day. I joked the family that I wasn't sure if I wanted to work much right after Halloween because the students would be all hyped up on sugar. As it turns out, I didn't get called in at all that week! I've had a range of classes and kinds of schools I've been to. Some of the classes I've had, the students just accept that I'm the teacher for the class, showing respect and asking good topical question. Other classes... well, let's just say that I find I sometimes spend more energy keeping the students from hitting each other than really helping students learn. Hmmm... This sounds familiar... I was actually able to use some of the skills and tools I learned last year whilst teaching in England in these situations.

I'm finding that I am pretty much adjusted to the weather back home again. Last year I saw snow for only 5 days or so while visiting Switzerland and Germany over New Years. In October, when it got down to 5 C , I was finding myself putting on nearly all of my winter stuff already! I was dreading the -20. It has been that cold a couple of day, and I think I'm used to it again.

Last week Loreena McKennitt had a CD signing session in Winnipeg. I got there a little early, thank goodness. The line snaked out the store and down the stairs! She talked to each person individually, including myself. I'm even a bigger fan now!