I'm in a post-move funk. Yesterday, I realized that I'd reached my cap in regards to Living With Other People, and I longed to be By Myself. (This is not a comment on my family. I have a great family. It has more to do with the fact that the Rug of Independence I was standing on has been whisked out from under my feet.) I moved a bunch of stuff into my room, and started emptying bathroom shelves in anticipation of putting all my crap in them, but I have SO MUCH STUFF. I keep thinking, "In my apartment I had the perfect place for this." I was eating my cereal with a tiny spoon and my mad face on as I munched awkwardly small sized bites, remembering that all the spoons at my apartment were the perfect size for cereal.
How do I get rid of this? Campbell River is over for me - my apartment belongs to somebody else, and my stuff is dispersed among thrift stores, random people from craigslist, and my garage. I live here now. I need to snap out of it and make a list of all the things that are wonderful about being back at home. But you remember that one episode of Friends when Ross was trying to decide between Julie and Rachel, so he made a list of the bad things of each of them, and no matter how many things he had on the list of why he shouldn't waste his time with Rachel, all he had to put on the Julie side was, "She's not Rachel." (Only he said "Rachem," and we all know how that turned out.) There are so many things that are good about this place. Lots of things I love and am glad to get back to. But it's just not the same.
Showing posts with label move. Show all posts
Showing posts with label move. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
now that i've figured it out i'll disappear forever
Remember that one time when some dude on the fourth floor randomly dragged me into a conversation about cruise ships, and I was horrendously awkward about the whole thing, and then was inadvertently possibly rude by leaving when he might have been in the middle of saying something? I met him again! He recognized me in the dark as the Cruise Ship Girl. (Or maybe that's all he ever talks about.) He said, "You just missed a cruise ship!" as I was coming in and he was going out. I definitely kept my cool and talked about the cruise ship that I'd seen a few days ago on a walk with Charlie, which prompted the neighbour to speculate on the correlation between cruise ship size and wealth of passenger. We definitively ended the conversation this time, then went our separate ways.
There is also my next-door neighbour, who I am always superbly awkward around; we have graduated to having two fully normal, non-painful conversations! (Except for one time when he mentioned that the house he is moving to has a suite for his mom who has early dementia, and I said, "Nice!" and as soon as he left I was worried that he thought I was a huge jerk and was saying nice to his mom having dementia, when in fact I was saying nice to that the house has a suite for her. But since we've had conversations since and he hasn't glared at me for being a horrible person who thinks it's nice to have dementia, I don't think he misconstrued what I was trying to say.)
Then just now I came in from Charlie playing with another neighbour's dog, and it came up in conversation with the neighbour that I was moving shortly, and he said he and his wife will miss me!
I'm kind of upset that I've figured out how to be a good neighbour and talk to strangers JUST AS I AM MOVING AWAY. Timing is not my strong suit.
There is also my next-door neighbour, who I am always superbly awkward around; we have graduated to having two fully normal, non-painful conversations! (Except for one time when he mentioned that the house he is moving to has a suite for his mom who has early dementia, and I said, "Nice!" and as soon as he left I was worried that he thought I was a huge jerk and was saying nice to his mom having dementia, when in fact I was saying nice to that the house has a suite for her. But since we've had conversations since and he hasn't glared at me for being a horrible person who thinks it's nice to have dementia, I don't think he misconstrued what I was trying to say.)
Then just now I came in from Charlie playing with another neighbour's dog, and it came up in conversation with the neighbour that I was moving shortly, and he said he and his wife will miss me!
I'm kind of upset that I've figured out how to be a good neighbour and talk to strangers JUST AS I AM MOVING AWAY. Timing is not my strong suit.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
don't go no don't go
There is a feeling that is attached to living in Campbell River that I don't think I will ever find again. That isn't on my list, because I can't explain it very well, but it sits in my heart and I will miss it very much. These are the other things I will miss.
Things I Will Miss About Campbell River:
1. Having my own place. I'm not sure I'll get used to having PEOPLE around all the time. And where am I going to put all my stuff?
2. The wind. It's so much better here. It's windy all the time, no matter what the other weather is.
3. The sky. I think because nobody lives out here, there's less pollution to muck up how beautiful the sky is. So many times when I'm walking somewhere I'll notice how amazing the clouds and colours are and stop and stare.
4. The smell of campfire. Lots of people still have wood-burning stoves out here in the sticks, so it smells like camping all the time. People don't have wood-burning stoves in Surrey. It only smells like campfire when I'm camping, and I don't think I'll do that again.
5. Bible study. I FINALLY found a bible study for ladies who are my age without husbands. Not that there's anything wrong with a husband, but we talk about different things when none of us have them. Everybody is so fun and wise and I keep getting challenged every week and it's fantastic.
6. My students and the staff. Even though my kids drive me bonkers, I love them lots of the time. And there are lots of cool people working at the school who know lots of neat things and are fun to be around. (Especially the French teacher!) I hate saying good-bye to people I will never see again. HATE IT.
7. My classroom. It's going to take a while to get my own classroom in the public school system. I like organizing things the way I want them, and looking out my window at the great view, and have two giant desks upon which to store all my junk/important teaching stuff.
8. Everything is so close together in a small town. Sometimes I get upset when I have to drive into town, even though it's about five minutes away. Back home, stuff is SO FAR.
9. The lack of traffic. There are barely any people here, so there's barely any cars. No irritating fellow travelers to stand in the way of my desired speed limit.
10. Perfect walks. When I take Charlie for a walk, I have two wonderful choices: a) pack him into his crate and drive to the beach, to walk along the ocean where it is beautiful and windy and there is a dog water fountain at the mid-point, or b) walk around my neighbourhood, where I have a hill at the beginning and a hill at the end for a challenge, and in between are various side streets that are flat and quiet where I don't get accosted by cars or dogs or people who want to talk to me. Plus, now there are flowering bushes and trees everywhere for me to stop and smell.
I'm going to miss it here.
Things I Will Miss About Campbell River:
1. Having my own place. I'm not sure I'll get used to having PEOPLE around all the time. And where am I going to put all my stuff?
2. The wind. It's so much better here. It's windy all the time, no matter what the other weather is.
3. The sky. I think because nobody lives out here, there's less pollution to muck up how beautiful the sky is. So many times when I'm walking somewhere I'll notice how amazing the clouds and colours are and stop and stare.
4. The smell of campfire. Lots of people still have wood-burning stoves out here in the sticks, so it smells like camping all the time. People don't have wood-burning stoves in Surrey. It only smells like campfire when I'm camping, and I don't think I'll do that again.
5. Bible study. I FINALLY found a bible study for ladies who are my age without husbands. Not that there's anything wrong with a husband, but we talk about different things when none of us have them. Everybody is so fun and wise and I keep getting challenged every week and it's fantastic.
6. My students and the staff. Even though my kids drive me bonkers, I love them lots of the time. And there are lots of cool people working at the school who know lots of neat things and are fun to be around. (Especially the French teacher!) I hate saying good-bye to people I will never see again. HATE IT.
7. My classroom. It's going to take a while to get my own classroom in the public school system. I like organizing things the way I want them, and looking out my window at the great view, and have two giant desks upon which to store all my junk/important teaching stuff.
8. Everything is so close together in a small town. Sometimes I get upset when I have to drive into town, even though it's about five minutes away. Back home, stuff is SO FAR.
9. The lack of traffic. There are barely any people here, so there's barely any cars. No irritating fellow travelers to stand in the way of my desired speed limit.
10. Perfect walks. When I take Charlie for a walk, I have two wonderful choices: a) pack him into his crate and drive to the beach, to walk along the ocean where it is beautiful and windy and there is a dog water fountain at the mid-point, or b) walk around my neighbourhood, where I have a hill at the beginning and a hill at the end for a challenge, and in between are various side streets that are flat and quiet where I don't get accosted by cars or dogs or people who want to talk to me. Plus, now there are flowering bushes and trees everywhere for me to stop and smell.
I'm going to miss it here.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
don't let the door hit you on the way out
I have a gazillion boxes in my car because I went to the liquor store for boxes because I am moving soon. I thought they might give me a few boxes. Maybe even several boxes. I said to the lady, "Do you have any boxes?" and she said, "Follow me," and then brought out this giant cart filled with boxes. I stuffed them in my trunk and in my backseat, and then folded some up and put even more in my trunk.
The box-gathering happened on the weekend, but of course the boxes are still in my car. I dislike making numerous trips with things, and there is NO WAY I can get all the boxes in one trip. So instead I will do it in zero trips, and leave them in my car until I move. It's not like I carry an abundance of passengers around, who will be inconvenienced by all the boxes.
Anyway. Staring at boxes every time I look in the rear view mirror reminds me that I am moving soon, which is something I am extremely ambivalent about. (Remember when I thought ambivalent meant to be indifferent, but in fact it means to feel two opposing feelings at once.) I was ambivalent about moving here, now I am ambivalent about moving home. There are things I love and things I don't love about this tiny town, so I made a list to share with you all. It is a list in two parts. The things I am glad to leave behind will be first. (This list is not in order of how much I dislike the thing, it's just in the order in which they popped into my brain.)
Things I Will Not Miss About Living in Campbell River:
1. No cable. Watching shows on my teeny tiny netbook isn't the best for my eyes, I think. Plus, sometimes I just want to watch mindless television while doing a task.
2. Family, friends etc. so far away. It will be nice to be around all the people I know again.
3. Crazy parents. Surely they will follow me throughout my teaching career, but it's even more awkward when the ones who yell the loudest are the ones who work with you every day.
4. Finding miscellaneous bones on the sidewalks. Seriously. I'll be walking and then, "Oh hey, there's a bone." I think because there are lots of cats and eagles milling around, which is no doubt a bad combination for the cats.
5. Cougars. Every time I go walking in a wooded area, I am reminded of that time I overheard a conversation about how cougars are everywhere and not scared of people and just wait for you to walk into their jaws.
6. Limited shopping. There are some good stores in Campbell River, but not very many stores. It will be nice to have options again, and places to go for unusual items.
7. Stupid gas stations. Either they don't have pay at the pump and I have to go in and TALK to somebody, or else they pump gas as quick as molasses.
8. No dishwasher. Sometimes I decide, "I'm not going to do dishes this week," and then it takes me like 3 hours to catch up on the weekend and I run out of spoons. Such problems would be less time-consuming to solve with a dishwasher who can do it all FOR me.
9. Being able to buy bras without fear of mortification. This is what I picture every time I think I would like to get some new underwear - standing in the bra section of Wal Mart, and then SUDDENLY. There is one of my students. I don't think either of us could ever come back from that.
10. Slurpees that taste like soap. Every one I've tried. I don't know why.
The box-gathering happened on the weekend, but of course the boxes are still in my car. I dislike making numerous trips with things, and there is NO WAY I can get all the boxes in one trip. So instead I will do it in zero trips, and leave them in my car until I move. It's not like I carry an abundance of passengers around, who will be inconvenienced by all the boxes.
Anyway. Staring at boxes every time I look in the rear view mirror reminds me that I am moving soon, which is something I am extremely ambivalent about. (Remember when I thought ambivalent meant to be indifferent, but in fact it means to feel two opposing feelings at once.) I was ambivalent about moving here, now I am ambivalent about moving home. There are things I love and things I don't love about this tiny town, so I made a list to share with you all. It is a list in two parts. The things I am glad to leave behind will be first. (This list is not in order of how much I dislike the thing, it's just in the order in which they popped into my brain.)
Things I Will Not Miss About Living in Campbell River:
1. No cable. Watching shows on my teeny tiny netbook isn't the best for my eyes, I think. Plus, sometimes I just want to watch mindless television while doing a task.
2. Family, friends etc. so far away. It will be nice to be around all the people I know again.
3. Crazy parents. Surely they will follow me throughout my teaching career, but it's even more awkward when the ones who yell the loudest are the ones who work with you every day.
4. Finding miscellaneous bones on the sidewalks. Seriously. I'll be walking and then, "Oh hey, there's a bone." I think because there are lots of cats and eagles milling around, which is no doubt a bad combination for the cats.
5. Cougars. Every time I go walking in a wooded area, I am reminded of that time I overheard a conversation about how cougars are everywhere and not scared of people and just wait for you to walk into their jaws.
6. Limited shopping. There are some good stores in Campbell River, but not very many stores. It will be nice to have options again, and places to go for unusual items.
7. Stupid gas stations. Either they don't have pay at the pump and I have to go in and TALK to somebody, or else they pump gas as quick as molasses.
8. No dishwasher. Sometimes I decide, "I'm not going to do dishes this week," and then it takes me like 3 hours to catch up on the weekend and I run out of spoons. Such problems would be less time-consuming to solve with a dishwasher who can do it all FOR me.
9. Being able to buy bras without fear of mortification. This is what I picture every time I think I would like to get some new underwear - standing in the bra section of Wal Mart, and then SUDDENLY. There is one of my students. I don't think either of us could ever come back from that.
10. Slurpees that taste like soap. Every one I've tried. I don't know why.
Monday, September 6, 2010
two is all you need
I finally had my wildlife moment. I was walking on the ramp towards the waiting room at the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal, which runs along the water for quite some time, when suddenly I thought I saw something in the water. I stopped and peered closer, and indeed it was two seals! Two! Seals! Just hanging out, doing flips and stuff. I smiled the smile that I've always wanted to smile, but nobody asked me about it because they were all strangers and none of them stopped to see what I was smiling at. It's okay, though, because I saw seals. Two seals!
I also had that awkward moment in which I accidentally referred to my apartment as home. Me: "And when I get home... I mean to my apartment-" Mom: "I heard you say home." Uncomfortable silence.
I thought it would never feel like home, but I think it does now. It felt weird to leave it for a few days as I briefly sojourned HOME home. I can't imagine how attached I'll be in a few more weeks. (Except the radio sucks. There are no good radio stations. Thankfully I live five minutes from everything, so I can flip continuously between the three stations for the duration of my drive and arrive at my destination before I become annoyed.)
Tomorrow is the first day of school. My first first day of school from behind the desk! I'm a little bit scared, but it's funny because I met a few of my students last week and I keep forgetting they are just as scared of me as I am of them. I'm sure it will be fine.
I also had that awkward moment in which I accidentally referred to my apartment as home. Me: "And when I get home... I mean to my apartment-" Mom: "I heard you say home." Uncomfortable silence.
I thought it would never feel like home, but I think it does now. It felt weird to leave it for a few days as I briefly sojourned HOME home. I can't imagine how attached I'll be in a few more weeks. (Except the radio sucks. There are no good radio stations. Thankfully I live five minutes from everything, so I can flip continuously between the three stations for the duration of my drive and arrive at my destination before I become annoyed.)
Tomorrow is the first day of school. My first first day of school from behind the desk! I'm a little bit scared, but it's funny because I met a few of my students last week and I keep forgetting they are just as scared of me as I am of them. I'm sure it will be fine.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
watch out for robo-shopper
Something I have not yet mastered: pushing a shopping cart. I have a strong aversion to pushing shopping carts. Whenever Mother and I go shopping, I hold the list and she pushes the cart. (Sidenote: it is really difficult to do both. I was in the checkout and suddenly remembered that I had forgotten the mustard. Sorry mustard, I will return for you another day.) I hate pushing carts. I feel like a hybrid robot/person who hasn’t figured out how to use her mechanical parts yet and keeps banging into things and misfiring her lasers. (How awesome would that be?? I would feel better pushing around a shopping cart with lasers.) I feel more acutely embarrassed when I go down the wrong aisle with a shopping cart, because you have to turn the stupid thing around, which makes it more obvious that you made a mistake. Also, you can’t squeeze through places with a giant cart banging around. I had to skip aisles and then come back to them later, because of traffic, and I feel this is most inefficient. Don’t even get me started on the produce section. (Although, I had a cute moment: all I know about picking watermelons is that they should be heavy. So I picked up a couple and weighed them in my hands, feeling for the heaviest one. I chose mine, and then noticed a little girl staring at me. As I wheeled away I saw her pick up several watermelons and weigh them in her hands like me. ADORABLE.)
Regretful impulse buy: I was suckered into buying Banana Nut Cheerios because they were on sale. Do you know why they were on sale? BECAUSE THEY ARE DISGUSTING. What I should have bought instead was Apple Cinnamon Cheerios, which is what I had my eye on in the first place. Sometimes it’s worth it to pay a little more for something that is not gross.
Non-regretful impulse buy: lemon gelato. I wanted frozen yogurt, because that’s one of my favourite things, but it’s super hard to find frozen yogurt. Gelato isn’t that bad for you either, so I thought I’d take a chance. I opened it when I got home and was a little discouraged because it looked like a container full of an invisible dessert. I guess when you turn lemons into gelato they lose all colour? I thought it would be yellow, but it’s like a colourless void. It’s tasty, though. (I also have lemon yogurt. Maybe I should branch off into some other flavours. Although, that’s what I was trying to do with stupid Banana Nut Cheerios.)
Somebody’s moving out today. I hope it’s Jerkface Music Guy. I ended up calling the super guy and found out that somebody on the third floor had been evicted, and was just being difficult until moving day. I’ll find out at 2am if I can’t hear any music!
Regretful impulse buy: I was suckered into buying Banana Nut Cheerios because they were on sale. Do you know why they were on sale? BECAUSE THEY ARE DISGUSTING. What I should have bought instead was Apple Cinnamon Cheerios, which is what I had my eye on in the first place. Sometimes it’s worth it to pay a little more for something that is not gross.
Non-regretful impulse buy: lemon gelato. I wanted frozen yogurt, because that’s one of my favourite things, but it’s super hard to find frozen yogurt. Gelato isn’t that bad for you either, so I thought I’d take a chance. I opened it when I got home and was a little discouraged because it looked like a container full of an invisible dessert. I guess when you turn lemons into gelato they lose all colour? I thought it would be yellow, but it’s like a colourless void. It’s tasty, though. (I also have lemon yogurt. Maybe I should branch off into some other flavours. Although, that’s what I was trying to do with stupid Banana Nut Cheerios.)
Somebody’s moving out today. I hope it’s Jerkface Music Guy. I ended up calling the super guy and found out that somebody on the third floor had been evicted, and was just being difficult until moving day. I’ll find out at 2am if I can’t hear any music!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
hey now what's this
My mom left today so I’ve been puttering around my apartment, which feels strange. I went to take my garbage out, and said to myself, “This is where I live now.” I wonder how long it will take to really feel like it’s really where I live, instead of just a hotel or something. (A lousy hotel. I have to do all my own dishes.) There are two fruit flies having a dance party in my kitchen, but I can’t remember how to get rid of them and I don’t have internet yet. I can’t steal internet from any of my neighbours because they’ve all cleverly protected theirs. Boo. I wonder if not getting cable was a bad idea – it’s so quiet in here. Although, I had planned on responsibly watching one episode of Popular with my dinner, and then watched two, and would have watched three except I convinced myself I should take my garbage out before it started smelling. The whole process made me feel like a grown-up. I think lots of things are going to make me feel like a grown-up in a very short period of time. I’m not so sure I like it. Although I do like my apartment, except for the stupid person above me who puts their music on at 9pm and leaves it on LITERALLY all night long. WHO DOES THAT. I am trying to work up the nerve to talk to the super about it (what does “super” stand for in this particular instance? Supervisor? Superintendent? Superlative?) because I don’t want to be the complainy neighbour but I also want to sleep at night. What a crazy idea.
I might have to re-think my clock. I bought a new clock to put in my living room but it just sits there going TICK… TOCK… TICK… TOCK… all day long. I don’t think that’s going to work for me.
I might have to re-think my clock. I bought a new clock to put in my living room but it just sits there going TICK… TOCK… TICK… TOCK… all day long. I don’t think that’s going to work for me.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
so don't try, no don't try
This is what I learned today. If a bunch of different companies check your credit rating for completely legitimate reasons, it can temporarily affect your credit score and give you a heart attack. I was trying to buy a phone from Koodo, who is all like, "Our phones are free because of Tab!" except that surprise, if you signed up for Telus internet yesterday Telus did a credit check on you, and then the credit check people are all, "Whoa, so many credit checks in such a short period of time! DENIED!", you can't get a free phone because of Tab. Because you need to have good credit to have Tab, and apparently my credit is going to be bad for a few days. Even though I have impeccable credit ALL THE OTHER TIMES when I am not signing up for Telus internet. The guy at Best Buy felt bad for me because I was a little bit upset so he gave me some extra decals for my new phone. Hopefully in a few days my credit rating will be back to normal AND I will have extra decals for my phone.
Friday, August 13, 2010
just burying my luck
Planning, talking about, buying for, packing for, and renting an apartment are all in one category. Actually living by oneself, on an island, away from people who know me is a completely different category. I don't think I can actually conceive of how difficult it's going to be for me, at least for the first while. Nobody understands why my move is in two phases, but I'm glad I did it this way. My brain can slowly wrap itself around the concept of moving away. "Why is there no stuff in my room?" "Oh right, it's because all my stuff is in my OTHER room, five hours away. Where I live. By myself."
One time I got a bloody nose while playing tag on Friday the 13th. This other time I broke my ankle most severely on Thursday the 12th, then had reconstructive surgery on Friday the 13th, but I think it all went okay. The elevators in the hospital broke down, but that may have been on the 14th. Probably unrelated.
Possibly related: this morning I woke up on the irritated side of the bed. My hair is bugging me, the taste in my throat from my eye drops is bugging me, my stupid eyeballs are bugging me, my pants are bugging me, my half-empty room is bugging me, consistently typing = instead of - is bugging me.
I think I want to go through every single blog entry and uncapitalize all my titles, but I'm not sure I'll ever have the time. Also, I don't think it's important enough for all the effort it's going to take.
One time I got a bloody nose while playing tag on Friday the 13th. This other time I broke my ankle most severely on Thursday the 12th, then had reconstructive surgery on Friday the 13th, but I think it all went okay. The elevators in the hospital broke down, but that may have been on the 14th. Probably unrelated.
Possibly related: this morning I woke up on the irritated side of the bed. My hair is bugging me, the taste in my throat from my eye drops is bugging me, my stupid eyeballs are bugging me, my pants are bugging me, my half-empty room is bugging me, consistently typing = instead of - is bugging me.
I think I want to go through every single blog entry and uncapitalize all my titles, but I'm not sure I'll ever have the time. Also, I don't think it's important enough for all the effort it's going to take.
Monday, August 9, 2010
see what you find there
So my moving truck is packed. It feels strange. I think it's not as sad/weird as it could be, since I'm only moving for three days, and then coming home for a week or so, and THEN I am permanently relocating my person. (Permanently for a year, I mean.) This is what I learned:
- moving heavy things makes people cranky
- it's very important to lift with your legs
- don't put ALL your dishes in the same box because it makes it really heavy and uncomfortably fragile
- moving heavy things makes people cranky
One of the things I am looking forward to about living on my own is that when I am not cranky, there will be no one else cranky in my immediate proximity to infect me with their crankiness. (I know this is hypocritical because sometimes I am cranky for no reason without regard for others too, but I am glad that when I wake up happy I will not be confronted with a grouchy person.)
When thinking about my move, it always comes one extreme at a time. Either I focus on all the good stuff and I am excited, or I focus on all the bad stuff and I am freaking out. Why can't I just have one good thought and one bad thought at a time, to balance each other out? Or, several good thoughts and one bad thought? Why is my brain so dumb?
Also my mysterious wrist pain is back. Bad timing, wrist! Please try again in a few days, when I am not required to lift heavy things.
- moving heavy things makes people cranky
- it's very important to lift with your legs
- don't put ALL your dishes in the same box because it makes it really heavy and uncomfortably fragile
- moving heavy things makes people cranky
One of the things I am looking forward to about living on my own is that when I am not cranky, there will be no one else cranky in my immediate proximity to infect me with their crankiness. (I know this is hypocritical because sometimes I am cranky for no reason without regard for others too, but I am glad that when I wake up happy I will not be confronted with a grouchy person.)
When thinking about my move, it always comes one extreme at a time. Either I focus on all the good stuff and I am excited, or I focus on all the bad stuff and I am freaking out. Why can't I just have one good thought and one bad thought at a time, to balance each other out? Or, several good thoughts and one bad thought? Why is my brain so dumb?
Also my mysterious wrist pain is back. Bad timing, wrist! Please try again in a few days, when I am not required to lift heavy things.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Tired Out My Knees Down to the Bone
I just returned home from another trek to Campbell River, my soon-to-be-home. I was finally able to meet with the teacher I'm filling in for and get his materials, which prompted a middle of the night freak out: what am I doing? Who in their right mind hired me for this job? Why did they think I could plan these courses I've never taught before? How am I going to teach Math 9 when I don't even know how to use a graphing calculator? What am I going to do with myself in a town that only has 2 Starbuckses? (Although, on that last point, I don't even really like Starbucks anymore, and have made the transition back to Tim Hortons - of which there is one. Also, in theory I will be so busy staying ahead of the kids in Math that I won't have time to leave my apartment. Plus it's not like you'll find me club-hopping on a typical Friday night.)
Mom and I stayed with a family friend and her daughter, and I spent much of the weekend playing "I Spy" and making fairy clothing out of leaves. While that is fun in moderation (who doesn't love a good game of "I Spy"), I am super exhausted. I was literally in bed last night at 8:00pm. And right now I'm about to have a forbidden afternoon cup of coffee to keep me awake during the movie my family is going to for my mom's birthday. (Knight and Day, finally something not in 3D. I've heard it's terrible, and I'm not really fond of Tom Crazy McCrazerson Cruise, but I'm kind of looking forward to it! Naturally I will share my thoughts with you afterwards.)
Now I'm looking for apartments and my eye infection came back. I was so diligent about not wearing make-up and using those stupid drops, and my eyes were perfectly normal for a day, but this morning they were sealed shut again. Boo. But I'm going to sneak candy into the theatre! (Not that that's related in any way, or that they even bother to check anymore. I remember the old days, when they'd check your purse for contraband. Now, even if I'm wearing a giant bag with candy sticking out, they don't seem to care. It kind of takes the excitement out of it.)
Mom and I stayed with a family friend and her daughter, and I spent much of the weekend playing "I Spy" and making fairy clothing out of leaves. While that is fun in moderation (who doesn't love a good game of "I Spy"), I am super exhausted. I was literally in bed last night at 8:00pm. And right now I'm about to have a forbidden afternoon cup of coffee to keep me awake during the movie my family is going to for my mom's birthday. (Knight and Day, finally something not in 3D. I've heard it's terrible, and I'm not really fond of Tom Crazy McCrazerson Cruise, but I'm kind of looking forward to it! Naturally I will share my thoughts with you afterwards.)
Now I'm looking for apartments and my eye infection came back. I was so diligent about not wearing make-up and using those stupid drops, and my eyes were perfectly normal for a day, but this morning they were sealed shut again. Boo. But I'm going to sneak candy into the theatre! (Not that that's related in any way, or that they even bother to check anymore. I remember the old days, when they'd check your purse for contraband. Now, even if I'm wearing a giant bag with candy sticking out, they don't seem to care. It kind of takes the excitement out of it.)
Thursday, June 24, 2010
The Person Fumbling Here is Me
The first song on my "Move to Campbell River" playlist is going to be "Dreams" by the Cranberries. (I'd link to it, but you wouldn't click it.) I heard it on the radio today, and it's so cheesy and situation-appropriate, so I think it would be wonderful to hear as I pull out of my driveway on the way to my new life (for one year). Also, it's good because I will forever remember it as the song I listened to while pulling out of my driveway on the way to my new life, which I think will be a little sad, and I have impeccable music-memory (meaning that songs always, ALWAYS remind me of the situations in which I heard them), and I don't want to ruin a song I love. I mean, it's a good song, but I'll be content to barely hear it again after it plays its dramatic role in my life.
Today was busy. I've turned nocturnal suddenly, so I sleep in, which wastes half the day. Then I decided to call the doctor, because of an eye-makeup-remover incident which fused my eyes shut. Then I had breakfast. Then I went to the doctor, and a lady gave me her parking slip so I got free parking! Then it turns out I have an eye infection. (Oh, and also allergies. All of a sudden.) I find this funny, because usually I don't remove my eye makeup; I just let it hang around until it feels like it's time to wear away. And while I've heard this is bad for eyes, it has never led to an actual eye infection, but when I decide to be proactive and remove my eye makeup, I get an EYE INFECTION.
I also got a new battery for my mom's old watch, so I wear a watch again. I stopped in 2006 when I went to Peru, and people don't care about time there, so I left my watch behind and just never put it back on. But as I am now going to be a real teacher, I figure that I should have a watch. I haven't looked at it once yet today - I think that will take some getting used to.
Today was busy. I've turned nocturnal suddenly, so I sleep in, which wastes half the day. Then I decided to call the doctor, because of an eye-makeup-remover incident which fused my eyes shut. Then I had breakfast. Then I went to the doctor, and a lady gave me her parking slip so I got free parking! Then it turns out I have an eye infection. (Oh, and also allergies. All of a sudden.) I find this funny, because usually I don't remove my eye makeup; I just let it hang around until it feels like it's time to wear away. And while I've heard this is bad for eyes, it has never led to an actual eye infection, but when I decide to be proactive and remove my eye makeup, I get an EYE INFECTION.
I also got a new battery for my mom's old watch, so I wear a watch again. I stopped in 2006 when I went to Peru, and people don't care about time there, so I left my watch behind and just never put it back on. But as I am now going to be a real teacher, I figure that I should have a watch. I haven't looked at it once yet today - I think that will take some getting used to.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
One Foot in Sea, One on Shore
Who remembers Bill Nye the Science Guy? Those were the best science classes in grade five, when we got to watch episodes of that phenomenal show instead of reading the textbook or whatever. My favourite parts were when he'd go, "DID YOU KNOW THAT..." and then tell you something awesome, and then be all, "...NOW YOU KNOW." Sometimes I try to whip that out in real life, but nobody seems to get it. Maybe I don't have the correct booming, echoey inflection that made it work. I should carry around a bullhorn with special effects for the next time. For now, you need to imagine it in your head.
DID YOU KNOW THAT...
Apparently "ambivalent" means "simultaneous and contradictory attitudes or feelings (as attraction and repulsion) toward an object, person, or action." For my WHOLE LIFE I thought it meant that you couldn't care less. Like, I have no opinion, I'm ambivalent. Then a few days ago I found out what it actually means, and I can't believe it! How have I lived almost 25 years thinking it meant something completely different? How many statements have I made that make no sense or are inaccurate because I was using a word wrong! I need to buy a pocket dictionary and then consult it before I ever speak again.
This is relevant because I am feeling ambivalent about moving. I am really excited, but also scared. It's like when I told my grandmother last night; she said, "I'm happy... but also sad." That is exactly how I feel.
... NOW YOU KNOW. (What ambivalent means. That was the point of this.)
DID YOU KNOW THAT...
Apparently "ambivalent" means "simultaneous and contradictory attitudes or feelings (as attraction and repulsion) toward an object, person, or action." For my WHOLE LIFE I thought it meant that you couldn't care less. Like, I have no opinion, I'm ambivalent. Then a few days ago I found out what it actually means, and I can't believe it! How have I lived almost 25 years thinking it meant something completely different? How many statements have I made that make no sense or are inaccurate because I was using a word wrong! I need to buy a pocket dictionary and then consult it before I ever speak again.
This is relevant because I am feeling ambivalent about moving. I am really excited, but also scared. It's like when I told my grandmother last night; she said, "I'm happy... but also sad." That is exactly how I feel.
... NOW YOU KNOW. (What ambivalent means. That was the point of this.)
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Brightness Fills Empty Space
The scene: mother is watching t.v., I am downstairs taking care of my brother's cats while he is in Winnipeg. The phone rings.
Mother: Every time the phone rings I get butterflies!
Me: Why?
Mother: I think it's Campbell River calling for you!
Me: It's way too early. They won't call today.
Muffles as mother picks up the phone. Pause.
Mother: Laura!
Me (as I walk up the stairs): Wouldn't it be funny if it was them, because I just said it wouldn't be them? (Into the phone) Hello?
Lady: Hello, Laura? This is -- from Campbell River Christian School. We would love to offer you the job as middle school teacher that you applied for.
Me: ... Really?
Because as I felt my heart getting set on the job, I also became worried that I came across as not mature enough, or not experienced enough. I really wanted to go, but I didn't want to want to go, in case they settled in favor of someone older, with more practice, who doesn't accidentally ramble on about Jane Eyre.
You guys! I'm moving to Campbell River! I'm going to be a teacher!
Mother: Every time the phone rings I get butterflies!
Me: Why?
Mother: I think it's Campbell River calling for you!
Me: It's way too early. They won't call today.
Muffles as mother picks up the phone. Pause.
Mother: Laura!
Me (as I walk up the stairs): Wouldn't it be funny if it was them, because I just said it wouldn't be them? (Into the phone) Hello?
Lady: Hello, Laura? This is -- from Campbell River Christian School. We would love to offer you the job as middle school teacher that you applied for.
Me: ... Really?
Because as I felt my heart getting set on the job, I also became worried that I came across as not mature enough, or not experienced enough. I really wanted to go, but I didn't want to want to go, in case they settled in favor of someone older, with more practice, who doesn't accidentally ramble on about Jane Eyre.
You guys! I'm moving to Campbell River! I'm going to be a teacher!
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