Been MIA ... busy Galena!
Wow ... I believe this is my first post since school started. Now, I'm three weeks in, already! Time flies when you're ... busy. Yes, I'm having fun, but I'm also really busy!
Let's sum up:
- I am teaching two grade 12 (IB) and one grade 9 (academic, non-IB) this semester. I already knew a lot of the 12's going into the school year, due to last years' 11's and other things they do around the school. For the most part, I like them. But don't tell them that - they're competing amongst themselves for "Galena's Favourite Class". My 9's are still quiet - the nice part of a grade 9 in first semester. I don't think they should all be in my class, though - some of them seem kind of weak, for an academic level class.
- I did start another Scouting year. I was briefly considering taking a break from it, but I have about 12 boys signed up (or interested, or something!), so I'll see how it goes. So far, no training running, at least, none I've been contacted about. That's okay. I need some time to breathe.
- The weekend after school started, I attended Gilwell reunion - along with about 1300 other people. As per usual, what happens at Gilwell, stays at Gilwell, and that's all I can really say, other than we had bats at the Saturday night campfire, which was a cool addition.
- Commencement is rolling along - it's next week, and I think we're organized enough to be on track for a less stressful event this year. I hope. I need a mental health day, but I don't think I'll manage one until after the long weekend, which, thankfully, is right after Commencement!
- We had our annual field trip to the field centre on Friday - great weather, and a successful trip. Hoping to be able to repeat it next year.
- We celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary on Friday - had Mexican food at a new restaurant nearby. Lots of food, and good prices. We'll probably go back again. Also, finally saw Order of the Phoenix again, from much farther back in the theatre this time. The only thing that ticked me off this time was the moron behind us who insisted on providing his own special brand of commentary. I swear, it's guys like that that give teenagers a bad name. I still liked the movie, BTW, and I'm sure there's stuff I caught this time that I missed last time. Never enough Snape, but he could be in every scene and I likely wouldn't be happy. =)
- Extended essays are due this week - lots of last minute panicking from procrastinators. I have students that I haven't seen anything from since they gave me their protocol last spring. If then. So, of course, my grade 12 classes were down by about 1/3, both periods, because of students skipping to try & finish their EE by Wednesday afternoon. They get no sympathy from me, either - I wanted them done by June.
- I had my specialist appointment today - first "gyno" appointment not with my GP. In addition to the regular Pap test, he also stained my cervix with vinegar (I still feel like I've been pickled), took another sample post-staining, and then used iodine (I think he took a picture at that point, but it's hard to tell when your lower half is covered by a sheet), and finished off with silver nitrate. My next appointment, to find out my results, is on Hallowe'en. He did clear a few things up, though - this appointment was more to prevent cancer (like, ten years down the road) than to treat it now. So that's good, at least!
Let's sum up:
- I am teaching two grade 12 (IB) and one grade 9 (academic, non-IB) this semester. I already knew a lot of the 12's going into the school year, due to last years' 11's and other things they do around the school. For the most part, I like them. But don't tell them that - they're competing amongst themselves for "Galena's Favourite Class". My 9's are still quiet - the nice part of a grade 9 in first semester. I don't think they should all be in my class, though - some of them seem kind of weak, for an academic level class.
- I did start another Scouting year. I was briefly considering taking a break from it, but I have about 12 boys signed up (or interested, or something!), so I'll see how it goes. So far, no training running, at least, none I've been contacted about. That's okay. I need some time to breathe.
- The weekend after school started, I attended Gilwell reunion - along with about 1300 other people. As per usual, what happens at Gilwell, stays at Gilwell, and that's all I can really say, other than we had bats at the Saturday night campfire, which was a cool addition.
- Commencement is rolling along - it's next week, and I think we're organized enough to be on track for a less stressful event this year. I hope. I need a mental health day, but I don't think I'll manage one until after the long weekend, which, thankfully, is right after Commencement!
- We had our annual field trip to the field centre on Friday - great weather, and a successful trip. Hoping to be able to repeat it next year.
- We celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary on Friday - had Mexican food at a new restaurant nearby. Lots of food, and good prices. We'll probably go back again. Also, finally saw Order of the Phoenix again, from much farther back in the theatre this time. The only thing that ticked me off this time was the moron behind us who insisted on providing his own special brand of commentary. I swear, it's guys like that that give teenagers a bad name. I still liked the movie, BTW, and I'm sure there's stuff I caught this time that I missed last time. Never enough Snape, but he could be in every scene and I likely wouldn't be happy. =)
- Extended essays are due this week - lots of last minute panicking from procrastinators. I have students that I haven't seen anything from since they gave me their protocol last spring. If then. So, of course, my grade 12 classes were down by about 1/3, both periods, because of students skipping to try & finish their EE by Wednesday afternoon. They get no sympathy from me, either - I wanted them done by June.
- I had my specialist appointment today - first "gyno" appointment not with my GP. In addition to the regular Pap test, he also stained my cervix with vinegar (I still feel like I've been pickled), took another sample post-staining, and then used iodine (I think he took a picture at that point, but it's hard to tell when your lower half is covered by a sheet), and finished off with silver nitrate. My next appointment, to find out my results, is on Hallowe'en. He did clear a few things up, though - this appointment was more to prevent cancer (like, ten years down the road) than to treat it now. So that's good, at least!