New Blog @ WordPress

Just in case anyone comes across this 'old blog' and likes it... I've switched to WordPress.
You can find my new blog at:
http://yyzandbeyond.wordpress.com/

Cheers!

Christmas countdown

I really should blog more. I have lots of free time at work in front of a computer. But then there's always the fear of getting caught blogging at work. Not that they could blame me, I do ask for more and more things to do - telling them I'm bored! Ah, just over 1 and a half months left before China.

In preparations for returning to China, I've been reading heaps of blogs - mostly all Americans currently teaching in China. It gets awfully strange when you begin to read the blogs of people who are all friends with each other - I've started to feel like I know them and am actually part of their friendship circle. Does that make me a creeper? I've gotten in touch with one girl, since I will be living in her city come February. Haha, yes I'm back to that - using the internet to find my friends. There's no shame in not wanting to be alone in China!

I'm thinking of starting a new blog actually, or doing a major layout-overhaul on this one. I'd like to start labeling each entry with themes and organizing the whole thing a little better. Also, I want to make it more personalized. Hmmm... I wish I was better with computers!

you always go a-changin'

Much has changed since my last post. I've been a slacker, I know. [if its any consolation, I still haven't changed the clock in my car and daylight savings started 3 weeks ago] Well, I never did hear back from the school board about working as a supply EA, in fact I pretty much forgot about it the second I handed in my application. that's how I know it wasn't meant to be.

Since 20 September, I've somehow kept myself quite busy. Working full-time at the yoga studio helps with that. Been practicing a lot of yoga too! Every Tuesday I spend volunteering at my old elementary school - I feel proud  walking by my grad photo in the main hallway. Though, someone should have told my grade-8-self to wash my hair more and avoid caramel-coloured lipstick, better yet, lipstick in general. Teacher's college applications have been taking over my November. Have taken my sweet sweet time, and a few teacher friends have proof-read them for me - adding in key teacher's college words like, "accommodations and modifications" and "equity" ... terms that I wish to express but don't have the correct wording in my head - YET. I'm sure I'll get in, and after 3 awesome years of freedom I'll morph back into the student role next September. 

I've found that it's almost too easy to live at home again. I'm used to novelty, challenge and things just being really hard. Here, I wake up, drink my coffee, drive to work, rock at my job, come home, etc... My biggest challenge is trying to shake things up. Now that I've basically mastered my gluten-freedom and I'm feeling healthy again, I'm looking for more! Especially before a year of school! This is where I announce that I'm going back to CHINA! 

Yes, I know: Asia-phile. This time around I'll be living for 4 months in Zhengzhou, Henan Province. It's actually only under 2 hours away from Kaifeng where I lived last year - and it's a much bigger city. This part I'm excited about, especially with my gluten-free diet and my largely incomprehensible Chinese. I'll be teaching at Henan College of Finance and Taxation.... there are going to be some great stories in the China Blog, I can feel it already! I don't leave until mid-Feb so I hope to write about my preparations in here and stop being such a slacker. 

apply 4 supply

Finally, I have handed in the application that has been eating all my time and thought for the last couple weeks! Now time to keep those fingers crossed and do a dance. It would be sweet to work in the school board this year, living sweet experiences, meeting sweet kids.

On Saturday I drove to Brantford to meet up with Jay who I hadn't seen in Canada yet, ever! We met through friends in Australia. Such a meaningful reunion, Jay gives perfect hugs too. We picked up my cousins and went first to a farmer's market and then to Saint George's Applefest. We're pictured on the right with the giant hay man - and matching horizontals. It was refreshing to get out of Oakville and see my family and friends in Brantford (we went to my cousin's house for dinner after our excursions). These are the bonuses of living in Canada again. 

Talking to some folks at the farmer's market who farm their property, I started remembering some of the dreams I've got that seem so impossible here right now. James and I visited his friends who live in Wollongong, NSW, Australia last year and they've got an almost entirely sustainable home; roof solar panels, rainwater basins, biodegradable soaps used entirely so all wastewater (other than the toilet?) is led into the garden for nourishment, the whole sh-bang. Of course, this is Wollongong where weather is pretty moderate year-round. After seeing their property and all the amazing foods they grow, James and I decided we wanted that too! Even though James and I aren't together anymore, I'm still so keen. I'm craving some friends that have similar dreams and interests. I'm finding less and less in common with suburbia now that I'm home and I'm yearning for somewhere I can live alternatively with other people that want that too! Is it going to take moving back to Australia!?

meet my dreads

Can you spot 'em? There's 6 beauties on ma head! The first dread I made is named Fred the Dread, the rest don't really have names. Some friends have already asked if they can 'sponsor' one. I guess that would be cool. They could like, give me special beads or something to claim their turf. Some people make their dreads in one long grueling 20 hour day that involves lots of movies, sour candy and alcohol. By the end, their helpers/friends have either fallen asleep, abandoned the cause or worse, done a shitty back-combing job on the last twelve dreads because they just wanted to be done. To me, it sounds like a good way to lose good friends.

I've opted for the slower process for many reasons. One, because it's a journey I'm embarking on, not a quick-fix hairstyle that the salon will undo in a month or two. The pace that I take to form my dreads reflects the pace that I'm taking these days - with everything. Another reason? because I'm using an all-natural, crochet method which takes a lot of time and lovin'. No nasty waxes, peanut butter or just plain neglect. I'm keeping 'em clean, healthy and full of love. These dreadies have been forming more than 2 years in my head, what's the rush now? The last reason, which is one I don't really love, is because where I (and most people) live, dreads come with a lot of mis- and pre-conceptions. I'm in the process of getting a job that's important to me and I fear the school board wont be too happy with the full head. At this point, I can tie my hair up and it's quite nice - even for the grandmas.

my grade 6 box

Have you ever come across something that was yours many many years ago? Perhaps it was something you wrote (diary), something you made (half knitted mitten) or something you absolutely loved (a baby blanket). What was that feeling like when you found it? Nostalgia, longing to be back, denial of what was?

My parents sorted through all our basement boxes today. When I got home from work I was informed that 14 boxes were mine. 2 for each of my brothers. What can I say... I'm a keeper. I only had enough energy to skim the tops of a few. Old report cards, classic. Little albums of photos taken back in the day when pictures were a surprise until they came back from the photo lab in envelopes of 24. My old school agendas containing far more gossip than homework instruction. A note written to my mum (with my new calligraphy set) asking for permission to go with my crush to Second Cup, but it wasn't a date... how embarrassing.

Oh grade 6 box, I don't know who filled you with these things because that girl can't possibly have been me. Not the world-traveling, dread-sporting, organic/gluten-free/vegetarian-eating, yoga-practicing, facebook-updating me. Who was that girl in grade 6? Do we all feel this disconnected from our once-selves? It's unnerving and yet, inspiring to take a glimpse back. There's a lot that I could teach that poor girl today.

Maybe there's a lot that girl can teach me.

New Leaf

Here I am, the morning of day 2: sugar detox. Yesterday wasn't too bad, except for the nagging headache that started in the afternoon and dragged on until I fell asleep. I used to get headaches often, but ever since I stopped eating gluten (4 months ago) I've basically been headache free! I get the feeling today will be more difficult - but I'm ready for it. I'm more-so energized and excited by the fact that I'm freeing myself from sugar! It sounds crazy, but it's an extremely powerful addiction with nothing but negative side-effects. Turning over a new leaf right before the leaves change their colors outside. This will be my first autumn in Canada in 3 years!