We just finished March Break camp and it was quite the week. We had been planning this stuff for about 2 months so to see it all come together was pretty amazing. I was really nervous about the registration but in total, we saw about 16 girls! On most days, there was probably about 10 but overall, it was really amazing. I think we all had a lot of fun and bonded. Although at times they can try my patience, they are a great group and I can just see the potential in what I am doing to help them achieve something. They are at a point in their lives that requires some vision and imagination to what their future can become. And at the same time, I'm at a point in my career that requires the same so it's a perfect match right now. We'll see what happens but overall, this week has been great and I can relax in knowing that it's over and done! Happy Last day of March Break!

It's been a long time since I posted. I figure I might as well start again and just see if anyone checks it. Not that anyone would, it's been over a year. Who knew the Anne Plan would become as different as it did, really. First of all, I'm not even working as a teacher but as a youth worker at a community centre in inner city Toronto. The plan didn't really pan out. I'm also not getting married....for now. Yes, things are quite different but I think that God has a great plan for me, I just have to live it out. Although uncertain at times, emotional and all over the place (as is typical for me), I will make something out of this life that's been handed to me and all along, it's never really been my plan, it's always been something so much bigger. So the Anne Plan doesn't really exist but for lack of creativity and wanting to change things, the name will prevail as the name of this blog. That's it for now, let's see what happens next...

What makes a good teacher? Is it someone who knows a lot and talks a lot? Is it someone who plans lots of fun lessons and makes learning interesting? It is someone who listens and cares for their students? Am I a good teacher? Will I be a good teacher?

Today was my last day of practicum and I am sad to be leaving my students, which means to me that I have definately picked the right profession. What started out as a dreadfully rainy day in October has been one of the best learning experiences in my life. The daily grind of being a teacher is not as easy as I thought, not that I ever thought it was easy but to be an effective teacher is to really plan, organize and execute as well as offer support, guidance and direction to your students in a gentle but firm way. I was unsure of so many things when this month began. Did I make the right choice in leaving my job and going back to school? Will I have the ability to teach effectively? Will my students like me? Will I be a good teacher? In only one month, I have answered some of those questions. I have had so many different types of experiences from the students and other teachers as well. A school really is a small community and if only for a month, I really did feel like I immersed myself into the culture of that environment.

My students are so awesome, the cards, cookies, encouragement and hugs I recieved today reaffirmed my decision in life and gives me the courage to look ahead at a career teaching, learning and growing because in the end, you should be doing all of these things as a teacher. My grade nine class was a challenge with behavioural, handicapped and high level achieving students but somehow we made it work. My grade twelve class was just amazing and the interaction with them felt really great to be able to teach at that kind of level. So now it's back to OISE, to learn more theory and finish off the semester in style. I am excited to hear all the stories and be back to being a student, if just for a little while longer...although I will miss my kids.

Happy Rainy November!

It's been a while since I posted and although the following is not quite a vigorous, I have gotten some requests to keep going! So, I am in my fifth week of teacher's college and so far it's been pretty good. We are learning a lot of theoretical stuff, so I'm not really sure how applicable it will all be. I mean, it sounds good but when students are coming at me a mile a minute, I don't know if I will be able to remember everything. It's been fun though, the whole "back to school" thing, meeting new people and getting comfortable in a new setting, I am really enjoying it a lot more than University, I think it's because the purpose this time is much more meaningful and I can appreciate the full meaning of an afternoon nap. This is where it gets fun, next week I start my practicum, I have 2 days orientation and then we get into the swing of things. I am nervous...so far, the school I am working at seems good, the associate teacher is apparently a really good teacher, which are all good things but what if I suck. What if I figure out this isn't what I want to do? I know I've been in classroom settings before, but never with so much at stake. I am really going to try hard to connect with the kids because at the end of the day, that is why I am doing this...not for me, but for them. The school I am teaching at is really multicultural, apparently 177 countries are represented in the student body alone! Wow, if there ever was a place I would want to teach, that would be it. I am excited to learn, to grow and experience this thing first hand.

Other than that, wedding preps are still at about the same spot. Ray and I have tentative holds on a few places and are looking at more this weekend. He's been great about it, taking our time and just easing into the planning. I've enjoyed weekends at home, I recently did the walk for ALS which was fun and my mom was in great spirits. I also did the run for Breast Cancer with Colleen, proudly we completed the 5km....

Now I am sickly, trying to get better by resting, drinking water and lots of vitamin C.

Hope everyone is having a lovely fall. Talk to you soon!

Hello, not sure if people will still be reading this blog but I figure it's a good way to keep track of what is happening in my life at the moment. Since I have been home, I have successfully recovered 80% of my pictures (Thanks to Ray!) and cleaned. Besides that, I have been living the life of leisure, just hanging out with family and friends, waiting for school to being...Tomorrow is orientation day and I am a bit nervous because I looked at my schedule and there seems to be a conflict, which hopefully will correct itself before I start on Monday. Seems like a busy year ahead of me, but exciting. I am very excited. Also, I spent the latter half of the week trying to figure out venue situations for my impending nuptials. Don't want to give too much away but so far so good, I think Ray and I may be making some rounds this weekend for a few of the places to check 'em out. Wow, busy.

Anyway, hope all is well!!

Anne

Hello everyone, I am back in Canada! Hurrah! Kind of...I am glad to be home, glad to be in the comforts of Toronto and thankful that my trip went so smoothly, that I was able to do so much and that I am safe and sound. But of course, I wish I was still there! Especially after seeing all the bills waiting for me (rent, tuition, dental, etc etc...). Paris was amazing, Ray and I had a great time there. We did a picnic under the Eiffel tower, a bike tour and boat ride of the city at night, climbed Notre Dame and Arc de Triomphe, ate lots of delicious pastries, croissants, cheese, baguettes and other yummy things, went to the Louvre and did all things Paris for 4 days! It was amazing...it really is one of the most beautiful cities I've ever been to and suprisingly, the people weren't as mean as everyone had warned me about. I got to use my OAC french skills a few times, although I must admit it was pretty lame. "Je veux un fromage qui est doux, pas forte". Why, oh why...

There really is no place like home and this trip has really prepared me for the year ahead in that I can see the bigger picture. I also met a lot of teachers and felt encouraged the whole way through that I am making the right choice by doing this. I got a lot of advice and tips from young teachers and also some email addresses of people I can contact if I ever decide to move to London or New York and need a job teaching. Life is good. It was really amazing to see my mom and dad too. My mom was her usual cute self, dishing out advice left right and centre...we went out for lunch today and I told them all about my trip, sans photos, which Alfred will hopefully help me with (thanks in advance Alfred!!!)

I will probably keep up the blog while I'm in school and beginning my wedding planning!

Please give me a call and we'll get together soon!

Anne

Bonjour! In Paris with Ray now and boy, was he a sight for sore eyes when he arrived at the airport. It is so amazing to see him and to spend this time together. Today we did most of the big things like the Eiffel tower, Notre Dame and the Hotel des Invalides. We will hit up the Louvre and hopefully get in a bike tour to the Palace of Versailles before the week is over. Oh man, how did I get so lucky!!! San Sebastian was amazing, the weather did get better and we got in some good beach days as well as renting some bikes to ride around the city. The seafood was really yummy and the fireworks got crazier and crazier as the nights went on. They had all these games for everyone because it was festival week including these crazy people dressed up that run around hitting people with paper maché balls and plastic bulls shooting out fireworks chasing people down the street. This stuff would not fly in Canada...but it was so fun! I'm also trying not to freak out but I might have deleted all my pictures...which would really suck. I was making space on my memory card when I accidentally formatted it. Dave, the computer expert said that I would 99.9% be able to get them back by doing some computer stuff which I will spare you the details of but cross your fingers, otherwise I will have nothing to show everyone, expect myself of course ;)

Anyway, this trip is drawing to a close, as I prepare to say good bye to Europe and start my next adventure of becoming a teacher...all part of the Anne Plan :) I might not get to post anymore before heading back to Canada so hopefully I will see you all soon, WITH PICTURES...otherwise lots of stories to tell and postcards.

Love you and miss you all!!

Anne