Baseball season is finally upon us.
162 games, 3 hours apiece. Seems counterintuitive to spend that many hours indoors over the summer, but I'm just such a baseball nut. The Jays are looking so promising these days too; everything Anthopolous seems to touch these days turns to gold. He makes small deals that seem like nothing, but end up being steals. They also have a wealth of young talent, most of which seems to be very close to making their major league breakthrough. Exciting time to be a Jays fan. I've been following them religiously.
The job hunt is also on. I will hopefully start some subbing within the next couple of weeks, and there seems to be some hope for some kind of position next fall. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed.
All in all things are looking up right now as school season winds down and we finish up our assignments. I'm mostly done two of my biggest ones left, so I'm excited about that.
On a down note, this also means that I have to move all of our remaining stuff from Saskatoon to Hudson Bay. I'm not a big fan of moving at the best of times, partially for the inconvenience, but also for having to leave friends behind. However, it's definitely for the best. It's also been a long 8 months having to travel to see my spouse, so I am glad that is over.
I wish everyone all the best in their job hunts, and encourage everyone to enjoy potentially their last 4 month summer for the next 30 or so years, even if it means spending some of the time indoors watching baseball :)
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Yay!
Campus rec volleyball B league champs!
We had an awesome season. After our first game, our captain said that it was the beginning of an undefeated season. I mean, I knew it was possible, but I kind of figured we would lose somewhere along the way. Considering the amount of tight 3 set victories, it's shocking that we did manage to win every game.
The playoffs were no exception to the close games. We played 4 games on Sunday, and they all went to 3 sets. The scores of the third sets were 15-13, 15-12, 17-15, and then 16-14 in the final. To boot, in the final, we were down 14-7 in the third set and pulled off the miracle of 9 straight points for the win. It was one of those things where when the rally started, we were all thinking we could do it, but no one really wanted to say too much to jinx it, just one point at a time...
It was nice to have success in the playoffs given our history. Playing with that group of people, we have had great seasons and then had something manage to go wrong in the playoffs like someone forgetting to show up or forgetting the time of a game, causing a forfeit. We were pretty on top of things this time though.
Now I have another brightly coloured fancy shirt to add to my repertoire of classy t-shirts. I'm almost equally as stoked about that as I am about winning.
Woop!
We had an awesome season. After our first game, our captain said that it was the beginning of an undefeated season. I mean, I knew it was possible, but I kind of figured we would lose somewhere along the way. Considering the amount of tight 3 set victories, it's shocking that we did manage to win every game.
The playoffs were no exception to the close games. We played 4 games on Sunday, and they all went to 3 sets. The scores of the third sets were 15-13, 15-12, 17-15, and then 16-14 in the final. To boot, in the final, we were down 14-7 in the third set and pulled off the miracle of 9 straight points for the win. It was one of those things where when the rally started, we were all thinking we could do it, but no one really wanted to say too much to jinx it, just one point at a time...
It was nice to have success in the playoffs given our history. Playing with that group of people, we have had great seasons and then had something manage to go wrong in the playoffs like someone forgetting to show up or forgetting the time of a game, causing a forfeit. We were pretty on top of things this time though.
Now I have another brightly coloured fancy shirt to add to my repertoire of classy t-shirts. I'm almost equally as stoked about that as I am about winning.
Woop!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Coming down the home stretch
One more paper out of the way yesterday, and the assignment count is down by one...
We are nearing the end and I'm sure everyone is getting excited. I only have a few assignments left myself, and the most time consuming one will likely be the e-portfolio for this class. Thankfully, I don't mind working on this one and it is giving me something beneficial.
I received my teaching certificate in the mail on Friday, and am in the process of getting onto the sub list for NESD. Woop woop. The winds of change are coming....a career may be looming on the horizon. Come on, job listings...
I also got my taxes back, which is exciting for me. Now I don't have to scrape by on the bottom of the barrel any more. Hopefully we'll be able to save up enough now for our hopeful European vacation this summer. Even if we don't, maybe a bit of debt is in order.
Other than that, running out of things to say. I am also getting excited for the Jays to start up again, contrary to what most people I know would think. Huge baseball nut here. Anyone want to chat Blue Jays any time, gimme a shout.
Until next time...
We are nearing the end and I'm sure everyone is getting excited. I only have a few assignments left myself, and the most time consuming one will likely be the e-portfolio for this class. Thankfully, I don't mind working on this one and it is giving me something beneficial.
I received my teaching certificate in the mail on Friday, and am in the process of getting onto the sub list for NESD. Woop woop. The winds of change are coming....a career may be looming on the horizon. Come on, job listings...
I also got my taxes back, which is exciting for me. Now I don't have to scrape by on the bottom of the barrel any more. Hopefully we'll be able to save up enough now for our hopeful European vacation this summer. Even if we don't, maybe a bit of debt is in order.
Other than that, running out of things to say. I am also getting excited for the Jays to start up again, contrary to what most people I know would think. Huge baseball nut here. Anyone want to chat Blue Jays any time, gimme a shout.
Until next time...
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Playoff Push!
Go Devils!
That should grab some attention from Leaf fans hoping for a playoff push.
The Devils have sort of been my team for a long time now. I don't follow as religiously as some hockey fans do, but I have been cheering for them since about '94 I think (I have a Brodeur jersey that is too small for me now to prove it).
In reality though, to go 23-3-2 over 28 games after starting as the worst team in the league is a pretty impressive turnaround. That would be an impressive run for any team, even the league's best. I would just like to say that when they fired John McLean and brought back Lemaire, I kind of called a big turnaround. I mean, I don't think anyone expected that big of one, but I have been calling for a playoff push for some time now. I just can't believe it's actually becoming a real possibility. Out of the 3 or 4 teams making a push in the East, I think the Devils definitely have the best chance, having the most games left and being the hottest team of them all.
Who knows though. The reality is they still have to pass several teams, so it's a bit of a long shot (for both the Devils and the Leafs, mind you). All I know is that if they do manage to squeak in, I wouldn't want to be the team that gets that matchup. In a perfect world, they get a matchup against the Caps in the first round, and send Ovechkin home with his tail between his legs.
Here's hoping.
That should grab some attention from Leaf fans hoping for a playoff push.
The Devils have sort of been my team for a long time now. I don't follow as religiously as some hockey fans do, but I have been cheering for them since about '94 I think (I have a Brodeur jersey that is too small for me now to prove it).
In reality though, to go 23-3-2 over 28 games after starting as the worst team in the league is a pretty impressive turnaround. That would be an impressive run for any team, even the league's best. I would just like to say that when they fired John McLean and brought back Lemaire, I kind of called a big turnaround. I mean, I don't think anyone expected that big of one, but I have been calling for a playoff push for some time now. I just can't believe it's actually becoming a real possibility. Out of the 3 or 4 teams making a push in the East, I think the Devils definitely have the best chance, having the most games left and being the hottest team of them all.
Who knows though. The reality is they still have to pass several teams, so it's a bit of a long shot (for both the Devils and the Leafs, mind you). All I know is that if they do manage to squeak in, I wouldn't want to be the team that gets that matchup. In a perfect world, they get a matchup against the Caps in the first round, and send Ovechkin home with his tail between his legs.
Here's hoping.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
A good time
I had an excellent time this past weekend.
I went back with a friend to Nipawin where my parents live. We had a snowmobiling trip planned, and it was a smashing success. There is an excessive amount of snow, which always makes for great sledding. We found field upon field of untouched powder to a depth of about 3 feet. It really is an experience like no other carving back and forth, and hitting small jumps that end up landing in a "POOF" of snow.
I'm actually quite glad that we went when we did. It was a perfect day for riding: -15 degrees, no wind, sunny. On top of that, snow is now melting and settling, so going again even a day later would not have been anywhere near as good. It's almost like it was meant to be....
It has also officially kick started me on the search for my own sled. We will definitely be buying a couple; they are almost a necessity in Hudson Bay. Summit 800 E-TEC, here I come!
I went back with a friend to Nipawin where my parents live. We had a snowmobiling trip planned, and it was a smashing success. There is an excessive amount of snow, which always makes for great sledding. We found field upon field of untouched powder to a depth of about 3 feet. It really is an experience like no other carving back and forth, and hitting small jumps that end up landing in a "POOF" of snow.
I'm actually quite glad that we went when we did. It was a perfect day for riding: -15 degrees, no wind, sunny. On top of that, snow is now melting and settling, so going again even a day later would not have been anywhere near as good. It's almost like it was meant to be....
It has also officially kick started me on the search for my own sled. We will definitely be buying a couple; they are almost a necessity in Hudson Bay. Summit 800 E-TEC, here I come!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
E-Portfolio Time!
The time has come to produce an e-portfolio! This is a useful tool that I recommend to anyone hoping to examine their experience and show what they can do. Some of you may be wondering why the use of an e-portfolio is appropriate. This question and more are answered in the following....
Why have you chosen to complete an e-portfolio?
I have chosen to complete an e-portfolio for a couple of reasons. First, I think the end result will have several uses for me. These are discussed in the next section. The ability to produce something that is directly applicable to real life is very appealing. Second, I think the process will be valuable for me. I have built websites before, but it has been a bit of time. I hope this will be a good refresher to me, and further my experience in this subject. I am hoping to develop the ability to perhaps someday teach some computer science, so these kinds of abilities could come in handy.
What professional uses does an e-portfolio have for you?
An e-portfolio could certainly come in handy in the future. I hope this will be a fairly comprehensive collection of documents that will outline my experiences and abilities, and that I will be able to use it in the process of applying for jobs (in essence, selling myself to employers). I also see e-portfolios as a potentially useful tool in the classroom. It might be nice to someday incorporate something like this into a class. I think that it is a valuable tool for students; not only do you produce something that can be used, but it also allows a person to examine and become aware of their strengths and possible areas for improvement.
What content do you plan to include?
As previously mentioned, I hope to include content that outlines my experiences and abilities. This could include but may not be limited to: my resume, certificates (i.e. professional development, training, etc.), volunteer experience, educational experience, and a philosophy of education. More specifically, I may include an internship report, and sample lesson/unit plans or developed activities to showcase my educational experience.
What graphic design considerations have you taken into account for the look of your e-portfolio?
I have been thinking about this a fair amount and I am not quite sure about the final look. I want my e-portfolio to look neat and clean, and fairly simple. At the same time, I want to make sure that I use friendly colours and keep it aesthetically pleasing. I hope to keep navigation simple and user-friendly, since I will likely be using this as a tool to advertise my abilities. Essentially, I want the e-portfolio to be simple yet attractive, and showcase my interest in and love for this career. I have included a simple possible sketch for my design here, but will state that it is definitely subject to change.
What concerns do you have about the process? How do you plan to address these concerns?
Why have you chosen to complete an e-portfolio?
I have chosen to complete an e-portfolio for a couple of reasons. First, I think the end result will have several uses for me. These are discussed in the next section. The ability to produce something that is directly applicable to real life is very appealing. Second, I think the process will be valuable for me. I have built websites before, but it has been a bit of time. I hope this will be a good refresher to me, and further my experience in this subject. I am hoping to develop the ability to perhaps someday teach some computer science, so these kinds of abilities could come in handy.
What professional uses does an e-portfolio have for you?
An e-portfolio could certainly come in handy in the future. I hope this will be a fairly comprehensive collection of documents that will outline my experiences and abilities, and that I will be able to use it in the process of applying for jobs (in essence, selling myself to employers). I also see e-portfolios as a potentially useful tool in the classroom. It might be nice to someday incorporate something like this into a class. I think that it is a valuable tool for students; not only do you produce something that can be used, but it also allows a person to examine and become aware of their strengths and possible areas for improvement.
What content do you plan to include?
As previously mentioned, I hope to include content that outlines my experiences and abilities. This could include but may not be limited to: my resume, certificates (i.e. professional development, training, etc.), volunteer experience, educational experience, and a philosophy of education. More specifically, I may include an internship report, and sample lesson/unit plans or developed activities to showcase my educational experience.
What graphic design considerations have you taken into account for the look of your e-portfolio?
I have been thinking about this a fair amount and I am not quite sure about the final look. I want my e-portfolio to look neat and clean, and fairly simple. At the same time, I want to make sure that I use friendly colours and keep it aesthetically pleasing. I hope to keep navigation simple and user-friendly, since I will likely be using this as a tool to advertise my abilities. Essentially, I want the e-portfolio to be simple yet attractive, and showcase my interest in and love for this career. I have included a simple possible sketch for my design here, but will state that it is definitely subject to change.
What concerns do you have about the process? How do you plan to address these concerns?
One of my concerns for this process is simply recalling everything that I need to know to construct the e-portfolio, but having experience with this I feel it will come back easily with practice. Another slight concern that I have is finishing my e-portfolio on time to use it, but don’t think this will be too big of an issue. I have a fair amount of interest in this assignment, so I feel that I will be able to stay on task easily. My main concern is producing something that looks authentic and attractive, but not too “cheap” or clumsy. In order to do this, I think I will examine other portfolios, and ask for advice on my own portfolio as much as possible. I think that if I keep in contact with peers and classmates, I should be able to make a desirable end product.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Good ol' TV
For the second straight year, I have managed to fill my February break with TV. I mean, not 24/7 TV, but quite a bit of it.
Last year was the Olympics. What a great couple of weeks that was...getting home from class and just watching hours of Olympics. This time it was the Scotties. I don't normally spend quite that much time on curling, but it was fun to watch. I'm getting all stoked for the Brier now....
All in all it was a good break, but I really need to get on my assignments....*cough*. It's been tough to gather up the motivation to do so, but now I don't really have much of a choice. I do still have one more day off before classes start again. Maybe I can procrastinate just a little bit longer...
Last year was the Olympics. What a great couple of weeks that was...getting home from class and just watching hours of Olympics. This time it was the Scotties. I don't normally spend quite that much time on curling, but it was fun to watch. I'm getting all stoked for the Brier now....
All in all it was a good break, but I really need to get on my assignments....*cough*. It's been tough to gather up the motivation to do so, but now I don't really have much of a choice. I do still have one more day off before classes start again. Maybe I can procrastinate just a little bit longer...
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Yay!
Time for a break!
Well, I guess it's technically called Reading Week. It seems somewhat of an ironic name, as I would guess that an overwhelming majority of people really do not do much reading during that week. If they do, I think a lot of it is for their own leisure. Then again, I don't really have much homework or anything to do right now. Thinking back, perhaps being in a science program or something again I would have more reading and studying to do...
Either way I think we are all stoked for a break. I know my semester has been largely filled by hanging out with friends and playing video games (along with frequent drives in the northeast direction of course), but a break is always welcome. This is good timing for me, as the last week or so of classes has had a couple of "incidents", let's say, that have left me rather frustrated and disgruntled. All that I will say is that hypocrisy and irony are often really bad things.
I won't leave it all on a negative though, let's embrace the good things too. The people here are good, and many classes do provide good experiences. Well, except for the midterm that I have to write in an hour.....oops, there I am being negative again.
All in all, happy break to everyone. Do something fun and spend time with family and friends. Don't get too caught up in this "reading" mumbo jumbo...unless of course it's a Stephen King novel or something. In that case, it's totally excusable.
Well, I guess it's technically called Reading Week. It seems somewhat of an ironic name, as I would guess that an overwhelming majority of people really do not do much reading during that week. If they do, I think a lot of it is for their own leisure. Then again, I don't really have much homework or anything to do right now. Thinking back, perhaps being in a science program or something again I would have more reading and studying to do...
Either way I think we are all stoked for a break. I know my semester has been largely filled by hanging out with friends and playing video games (along with frequent drives in the northeast direction of course), but a break is always welcome. This is good timing for me, as the last week or so of classes has had a couple of "incidents", let's say, that have left me rather frustrated and disgruntled. All that I will say is that hypocrisy and irony are often really bad things.
I won't leave it all on a negative though, let's embrace the good things too. The people here are good, and many classes do provide good experiences. Well, except for the midterm that I have to write in an hour.....oops, there I am being negative again.
All in all, happy break to everyone. Do something fun and spend time with family and friends. Don't get too caught up in this "reading" mumbo jumbo...unless of course it's a Stephen King novel or something. In that case, it's totally excusable.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
I miss golf...
Lately I have been getting a bit of an itch to get back on the golf course. Commercials on TV, live golf coverage....it's everywhere around me.
Today in class, we were asked to make a change to the wikipedia page of our hometown. Being from Nipawin, the golf course is a central attraction. I read the little blurb on the golf course, and it made me miss golf even more. I have to make a couple of small changes. Nothing major, but just emphasized how nice the course is by adding "beautifully" in front of the word landscaped, and fixed a small missing word error in the paragraph (one of the top 100 courses). Check it out...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nipawin,_Saskatchewan
I also received a neat golf simulator gift for Christmas. It's pretty cool, it lets you swing at a ball that is attached to a spring and it projects your shot based on some sensors below the swing. It even connects to play Tiger Woods '08 on the PC. I think it is '08 anyway....it might be '09. Either way, that would be helping to cure my golf itch, but I don't have room inside right now for a full swing, so I haven't had a chance to try it out yet. Soon......
Moving up to Hudson Bay will be a bit of a downgrade in golf course status, but hey, I can't complain. At least they do have one. Perhaps frequent trips to Nipawin will be in order...
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Getting Started
Woop for the first blog!
I have a little bit of experience with blogging already, so this isn't real new to me. However, I think it'll be something that I will find useful and a bit fun.
What a brutally cold day. In classic Saskatchewan fashion, the weather will go from melting temperatures to 40 below and back to melting temperatures within the span of about a week. I was unable to drive out of town this weekend because the roads were just too risky. Hoping for better luck next weekend...
Also, getting pumped for the Superbowl this weekend. I like both teams, but will probably cheer a bit more for the Steelers. I definitely won't be disappointed if the Pack win though, kind of a win-win situation for me. Actually, I think what I will cheer for is an entertaining game. I'm sure it will be.
Well, there we go....the blogging has begun. See you all next time!
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