Grad School Voyage Begins

So I've been accepted into a master's degree program after 11 years of waffling on the idea. :) I'll be able to complete the program in 24 months, while working full-time. My bank likes that idea, but will my brain? lol

Running again...

So I have finally started running again. Since twisting my ankle a couple of weeks ago, I sunk into a mini-funk and managed to gain weight. I need to get back control over my health, so I finally got the kick in the pants that I needed when I realized that I am at the highest weight that I have EVER been. I have been putting myself in jeapordy while making excuses about having too much pain after my injury last year, being too scared to, feeling too out of shape to think it was worth it, remembering just how fit I was 2 years ago and getting depressed over the thought of having to do all of that work again. And the whole time I have been hating how I feel: sluggish, Goodyear blimpish, slow, old...need I go on?

After having paid to do a weight loss program a couple of years ago, and not completing the last couple of months, I am loathe to pay money again, but I recognize that the support is always great. That program worked well, but I let school overwhelm me. I've been avoiding the idea, but it keeps cropping up. I especially don't like the idea of spending money from my savings for that when I don't have an income right now.

So the running is helping me feel better. Monday was hard, but today was much better. I'm putting my good old Running Room training plan to use. Thankfully, I don't have to invest in a new pair of shoes because I have a pair that got barely any use before I injured my knee the first time. I shall continue! And I have no excuses about running in the heat because there is a treadmill in the house I'm staying at!

Time for a fresh start. 21 days to form a new habit, and I'm already on day 3 :D

The Job Hunt Plot Thickens...

So on Monday afternoon, I got a call inviting me to interview for a high school teaching position nearby. I was thrilled!

Tuesday morning brought nerves and jitters, but I prayed for guidance and clarity. The school is huge for someone like me who is used to smaller schools - over 1400 students in grades 9 to 12.

The interview went SO WELL!!! I was able to answer each question clearly and confidently, and I felt better and better as the interview progressed. It turns out that the principal is familiar with the town where I went to school in France and has family who live in Edmonton. Who could have imagined that?

I had the opportunity to ask the principal questions about the job and the school and the students, and felt more and more that I would enjoy working there. The only "ick" was that my work authorization wasn't worked out yet. The principal said he had two teaching positions that he thought I would be a good fit for and that he could see me fitting in with his staff. He even gave me the number of the person to call at the school board office.

Unfortunately, when the lady returned my call, I got the disheartening news that their board district does not do anything to support work authorization applications. Without an employer's support, the only other way to get a permit is to linked to family here with residency or citizenship.

So I'm back to square one. I was very disappointed, but as the day progressed, I was reminded that I am not in control, and that maybe someone else needed that job more than I did. There is a way for this to work out, in God's timing and not my own.

In the meantime, a friend advised me to put my name down as a volunteer and get to know the schools and people while doing something useful. GREAT idea. I have already sent in the application.

I got a follow-up call from a school where I had dropped off a resume last week and they don't have a position for me, but when I said I would be willing to volunteer, they sounded pleasantly surprised.

I shall continue to research options for furthering my education as well. Who knows?

Oh, and my new walking partner is lovely! She is such great company.

Hasta la proxima!

New Landscape

I've been in Florida for nearly 2 weeks now, and although not much is new, a lot has happened. How does that make any sense, you ask?
Well, first of all, I have applied to several jobs in a matter of days, and heard nothing. Part of the application process meant that I drove across quite a bit of this county one afternoon in order to visit 4 schools. Other than sweating profusely every time I put my suit jacket back on, I didn't accomplish much or get any real leads. HOWEVER, I discovered a toll road, lost 25 cents when I underestimated the distance between my car and the coin basket, finally figured out where I really am in relation to the rest of the state (driving helps me to figure out where North, South, East and West are), and spent HOURS in a Walmart SupercenteR. Yes, the "r" is in the wrong place. Silly Americans. (hee hee)
I miss home, and my church, and my house and Sobey's and Safeway and Superstore. I think I only really miss the stores because I know where they are and exactly where to find everything I need in them. Although, I must admit that the scrapbooking section in Walmart here could seriously compete with Michael's! It's twice as big as the one in Edmonton's Walmarts.
I miss being able to walk outside without fainting from the heat. It was 99F on Thursday, and apparently felt like 106F (about 41 Celsius). I visited the University of South Florida campus and wilted with every step. I got some questions answered about admissions, and walked across what seemed like a desert. Why was I the only one who seemed to be noticing the heat? I don't think I saw ANY sweat on anyone else's forehead! Incredible!
I've started walking in the morning. I'm up to 45 minutes now. I walk Monday to Friday, and I really think I double the calories burned with the morning sunshine. :) I met a lady in the neighbourhood who wants to start walking with me. Since she leaves for work quite early, we are going to walk about an hour earlier than I have been. Suits me just fine! It will be nice to have the company, and the cooler temperatures will be great. All this just to make sure that I get back into shape in Florida instead of doing what seems to be the popular "move to Florida and pack on the pounds" program.
Chris's church is great. Small congregation, but lovely, warm-hearted people. My first Sabbath, I was privileged to lead song service and I really enjoyed that! Everyone has been really welcoming and friendly, and that will help with the transition.
I should get back to reading. I'm finally reading my own copy of "Blue Like Jazz". Good book so far. Until next time...

Spring Green

Here are this evening's creations. I love the colour combination! Yay!

Random Card Creations

Over the past few months I have become more and more passionate about making cards. My friend Leah is partly to blame because of her amazing talent. In early February, I sat down and created the following cards, using some of my favourite sparkly/springy paper from Michael's. I've already been able to use over half of them, so I'm glad I took pictures of them before Canada Post took charge.

Spring was NEARLY here...

Imagine my surprise yesterday afternoon, when, after a leisurely sick day indoors, I opened my door to find SNOW floating down from the heavens. Needless to say, I was not impressed. I really believed that we were done with the snow and that it was only Eastern Canada that was suffering with late winter storms. It was proper spring snow as well, all wet and heavy and hard to clean off my windshield.

That snow was in sharp contrast to the spring fever I had felt on Tuesday evening. In the space of 3 hours, I made 8 cards from scratch. Can you see the spring theme? I was inspired by a Stampin' Up idea that I had seen online and was able to make it my own. Christopher thinks they are wonderful, but he's not exactly an unbiased judge. :) However, if I do so say so myself, they are quite attractive, and very anti-winter.