Want to hear about some of the things I've learned on my travels to Canada?
Un: The border patrol people are NOT friendly (not that I think they should be). The b-word looked at us with disdain when we said "no" to her "You don't know what the G-20 is??" accusation. I'm sorry--world leaders are not something that math and English teachers cover in 7th grade, ok, honey?? Yeah, and thanks for NOT explaining it to us.
Deux: I can only name one of the 20 world leaders in Toronto this weekend. Ha. You still love me, right?
Trois: GPS devices have a hard time directing you to your hotel if there's a police blockade down every street you turn.
Quatre: The safest place to be after rioting is a gay village. Two separate people told us we'd be very safe there and we were. However, the people did not warn us about the possibility of naked 70 year olds air-drying on their balconies. My eyes...my eyes...
Five (No one speaks French around these parts so I'll go to English counting): I take back my "no one" comment in parenthesis. SOMEONE does speak French around here: the cop who was chilling with us in the whirlpool last night. Yup, his first language is French. Point, psychic. However, I don't think it was a good match for me--I don't do paw print chest tattoos or cocky cops. Bring me another Frenchman. Please.
Six: White swim trunks are see-through. Thanks for that permanent mental image, Ben from London. This guy was more personable than cop-man. Maybe it was his accent but I enjoyed his chit-chat. AND he actually knew where Indiana was on the map!
Seven: Police(wo)men on horses do not carry lassos. They do, however, wear bad-ass helmets and have long nightsticks. The cops were out in full force again tonight. From what I read online, people were protesting outside police headquarters (very very very near to our hotel) because the police restrained people over they weekend during the riots. Hmmm. Is that not in the job description of police department? Silly Canadians.
Eight: If you go to Niagara Falls, go on the Maid of the Mist. And not just because Jim and Pam got hitched on it. When you're on the boat, be sure to secure your hood and wear sunglasses before you head directly into the falls. The water pressure/spray from the falls is intense. So neat.
Pictures to come...probably via fb...
Monday, June 28, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
149!
The title is the score I earned in the final game at bowling tonight. Wooooot. That's well above my 118 average. Nate and I definitely owe our good bowling to the shamrocks that I brought to give us luck. Yup, I have a shamrock plant and it's actually growing (not dying). I think it's the first plant I've actually cared about (or watered). If the luck continues, we will retire the Bushy-Tailed Gopher name and come back next summer as The Shamrocks.
My AC is not working properly. Luckily, it's nice out now and there's a breeze but only if you're outside... I'm trying to get the place below 75 before bedtime. I have the fans on high. 4 more degrees to go! Speaking of the AC, my home warranty covers repairs through June 30. The AC repair people were supposed to call me yesterday about setting up a time for repair. They didn't call so I called them at 4:45. I still had not heard from them by 12:30 today so I called and left another message. I'm giving them until 11 tomorrow and then I'm calling again. Nope, I don't care if I'm the bitch who keeps calling. I want some air! I keep my heat at 60 in the winter to save money for my air conditioning. This why I never feel guilty about putting on the air and also why I'm pissed I can't cool my place to lower than 76 with the AC running.
In other news, I'm going to Toronto on Sunday with a fellow teacher. We're hitting up Niagara Falls and the downtown Toronto area. I'm pretty excited about the Maid of the Mist ride. You get so close to the falls they give you ponchos! It's also Gay Pride week while we're there. Sadly we won't be there for the Dyke March on July 2. That's actually the title of the parade on the website... Oh by the way, while I'm in Sweden, I'm in Stockholm during the Gay Pride Festival. I wonder if the universe is trying to tell me something...
The Mickeys I cracked open is definitely making me cooler. I'd like another but fear the second beer would make my cheeks rosy and warm since I'm out of drinking practice. I do need to build up my tolerance in the next two weeks. Aunt Stell says in Sweden all they do is drink and eat herring. Since I don't do herring, I guess I'm going to need to drink my meals...
Are there any other images you all want me to capture in Sweden (aside from ones of me bathing in the lake)? I'm pretty hyped about my "Britta" scavenger hunt. Oh, if you've moved, a new address would be appreciated but only if you'd like a postcard or two or ten.
My AC is not working properly. Luckily, it's nice out now and there's a breeze but only if you're outside... I'm trying to get the place below 75 before bedtime. I have the fans on high. 4 more degrees to go! Speaking of the AC, my home warranty covers repairs through June 30. The AC repair people were supposed to call me yesterday about setting up a time for repair. They didn't call so I called them at 4:45. I still had not heard from them by 12:30 today so I called and left another message. I'm giving them until 11 tomorrow and then I'm calling again. Nope, I don't care if I'm the bitch who keeps calling. I want some air! I keep my heat at 60 in the winter to save money for my air conditioning. This why I never feel guilty about putting on the air and also why I'm pissed I can't cool my place to lower than 76 with the AC running.
In other news, I'm going to Toronto on Sunday with a fellow teacher. We're hitting up Niagara Falls and the downtown Toronto area. I'm pretty excited about the Maid of the Mist ride. You get so close to the falls they give you ponchos! It's also Gay Pride week while we're there. Sadly we won't be there for the Dyke March on July 2. That's actually the title of the parade on the website... Oh by the way, while I'm in Sweden, I'm in Stockholm during the Gay Pride Festival. I wonder if the universe is trying to tell me something...
The Mickeys I cracked open is definitely making me cooler. I'd like another but fear the second beer would make my cheeks rosy and warm since I'm out of drinking practice. I do need to build up my tolerance in the next two weeks. Aunt Stell says in Sweden all they do is drink and eat herring. Since I don't do herring, I guess I'm going to need to drink my meals...
Are there any other images you all want me to capture in Sweden (aside from ones of me bathing in the lake)? I'm pretty hyped about my "Britta" scavenger hunt. Oh, if you've moved, a new address would be appreciated but only if you'd like a postcard or two or ten.
Monday, June 21, 2010
3 more days!
I only have to teach 3 more days of summer school! I'm teaching 6th and 8th graders the wonders of the English language. I'm starting to not entirely hate it but probably just because it's almost over. One of the 6th graders looks like the African American version of the son in Honey I Shrunk the Kids. He's so cute in his glasses and arm full of livestrong-esque bracelets. I hope I have him in class. I've already made a mental list of students I do NOT want to put up with next year. Though...chances are...if they are in summer school, they'll be in my remedial math class, right? Shucks. I guess I need to start praying that I don't get them twice a day since I'll be teaching regular math classes too.
In other (unbelievable) news, I'm going to Sweden for two weeks at the end of July. My aunts were planning a trip and I casually mentioned that teachers are free ALL summer. A few weeks later and my flight is booked. 8 or 9 hours on a plane! Eeek. I'm not worried about entertaining myself or sleeping because recently I've been able to sleep anywhere and for any period of time if not awoken. What I am worried about is the bathroom. I've never used one on a plane before! My longest flight has only been 4 hours. No need for a rest stop during that period of time.
I've picked up some new tv shows during my summer vacay. I'm more than slightly intrigued by VH1's You're Cut Off. They stick a group of spoiled adult brats in a house where they have to cook and clean for themselves. The amount of whining is ridiculous but riveting. New episodes air on Wednesdays if you want to give it a shot. Just realize that you aren't going to actually like anyone on the show. If you get over that fact, it's highly entertaining. I'm also hooked on Drop Dead Diva from Lifetime. Roy from The Office is a hunky-hunk-hunk in it. And on that note, I'm resigning as president of the Valpo chapter of The Jim Halpert Fan Club. Pam, don't even try to stop me from taking your leftovers.
Until next time,
Me
P.S. Go see Toy Story 3!!! You won't regret it.
In other (unbelievable) news, I'm going to Sweden for two weeks at the end of July. My aunts were planning a trip and I casually mentioned that teachers are free ALL summer. A few weeks later and my flight is booked. 8 or 9 hours on a plane! Eeek. I'm not worried about entertaining myself or sleeping because recently I've been able to sleep anywhere and for any period of time if not awoken. What I am worried about is the bathroom. I've never used one on a plane before! My longest flight has only been 4 hours. No need for a rest stop during that period of time.
I've picked up some new tv shows during my summer vacay. I'm more than slightly intrigued by VH1's You're Cut Off. They stick a group of spoiled adult brats in a house where they have to cook and clean for themselves. The amount of whining is ridiculous but riveting. New episodes air on Wednesdays if you want to give it a shot. Just realize that you aren't going to actually like anyone on the show. If you get over that fact, it's highly entertaining. I'm also hooked on Drop Dead Diva from Lifetime. Roy from The Office is a hunky-hunk-hunk in it. And on that note, I'm resigning as president of the Valpo chapter of The Jim Halpert Fan Club. Pam, don't even try to stop me from taking your leftovers.
Until next time,
Me
P.S. Go see Toy Story 3!!! You won't regret it.
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