June 10

And, the exam is over.  The waiting begins.  I need a 70% to pass.  Could be close, but who knows?  After 200 multiple choice questions, one's brain turns to mush.  I find out the results mid-July.

Unfortunately, the to-do list of things I have put off until after the exam is too long.  :(

Surprise

Only a month and a half late, but I managed to surprise my husband for his 50th birthday party.  Thanks to all for attending, and to Tine for creating the perfect invitation.  If you need a custom invitation, let me know and I will connect you.

A camping cake

A couple of dudes in their old man hats

Camping Decorations -- and no complaints from the condo board!

Book #20 -- The (Honest) Truth about Dishonesty by Dan Ariely

Dan Ariely is the professor of the Irrational Behaviour online course that I have been taking for the past 6 weeks.  This is the third book that I have read.  I have to admit that I liked the other two better (to be honest) but he has more insights into human behaviour that are relevant to everyone.  Well worth the read.

Book #19 -- Home From the Vinyl Cafe by Stuart McLean

I was laughing out loud while reading this on the cruise ship.  Other passengers asked me what I was reading.  I tried to explain Vinyl Cafe to them, but they didn't get it.  Must be a Canadian thing.

Cruise -- Houston, we have a problem.

We arrived back at port at 7 a.m. which gave us a lot of time to kill before our flight left at 6 p.m.  I took advantage of this time to visit the Johnson Space Centre where all the astronauts train for their missions to space.  They also do a lot of research at this facility for current and future missions.  

This first photo is scale model of a portion of the International Space station as it is currently configured in space.  Astronauts use the model to be able to orient themselves to the floor plan, and become familiar with the location of all the modules they will be using in space.  Engineers also use the model to troubleshoot problems that arise at the actual space station, and the solutions they come up with are relayed back to the space station for implementation.

This robonaut is being developed to replace humans during spacewalks.  The torso is already on the station.  The rest of the body will be sent up as the testing is completed.  

This is a model of the Canadarm.  This model is very different from the one in space . . . the one in space would collapse if lifting space station and satellite components on earth because it was not designed to withstand the force of gravity.  However, this model is used to train astronauts in the use of the Canadarm while in space.  I'm sure Chris Hadfiled spent a lot of time playing with this while he was stationed here.

Cruise -- Sea Stuff

Seaweed in patches as we sailed by .  . . .

Oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, seen on our return to Houston.  This is the first one I saw, and I was so happy that I was able to take a picture of one . . . and then we passed about one hundred more.

Cruise -- Boat Stuff

It was really tough to choose three photos in this category.  Being my first cruise, there was a lot to see.  I'm really into the logistics of how things work . .  which is probably why I'm a vice principal . . . I like organizing big ideas to make them operationally efficient, but I don't like coming up with the ideas myself.  I've spent the last five years running the Lock Down and Fire Drills in schools.  Before we set sail, lifeboat drills were mandatory.  They took attendance.  If you didn't participate, they held a special session for you later in the day.

This first photo was taken during a Man Overboard drill that they ran while in port at Honduras.  They used one of the lifeboats to go after the "missing" person.  The lowering of the lifeboat to deck level, the loading of the boat, and then lowering to the water was interesting to see.  They then moored the boat to an opening on deck three that we used for tendering at Belize.  They must have run training sessions for the lifeboat pilots during the day, because they were boating around the harbour all day.

I was wondering where the gas station was . . . . the gas station comes to the ship.

I don't know what these lights are for, but they are located on the deck on top of the bridge.  This was the best place to take pictures of the sunsets, but I didn't discover it until the last day of the cruise.

Cruise -- Sunsets

You can see bright lights on both sides of the sun.  These are called sundogs, and are formed when sunlight is refracted through the ice crystals in the cirrus clouds high in the atmosphere.  Derek has a great sundog picture from this winter where the sundogs complete a full halo around the sun.  This picture is better because I didn't have to brave -20 degree temperatures to take the photo.

This is my favourite sunset photo of the hundreds that I took, just because of the different colours in the sky.  The dark cloud offers a great contrast with the blue sky and cirrus clouds behind it.

I'm playing with the structures on the ship here to frame the sun as it is setting.

Cruise -- Mayan Temple at Tulum

This Mayan temple to the gods was the third of three temples built at this site by the Mayan people.   The other two temples couldn't be seen because this temple was built on top of the second temple, which was built on top of the first temple.  Tulum was one of the youngest Mayan cities, established in about 1100 AD.  The location of the community was chosen because of a freshwater stream that is about 200 m north of this photo.  Mayan civilization disappeared due to wars between the cities, not because of the arrival of the Europeans.  The language of the Maya is still spoken in the Yucatan peninsula and is being taught in Mexican schools again.

This is a door through the walled city of Tulum.  The Mayan people were very short.  It was easy to tell which Mexicans had Mayan ancestry because I towered over them.

Part of this excursion was supposed to be a swim at the beach at Tulum. Unfortunately, the tide and winds were high making swimming conditions so close to the rocks pretty dangerous. Mexican authorities had closed the beach accesses, but I was able to take this photo from the ruins.  Too bad . . . it was a very hot and humid day, and the break from the heat would have been very welcome.

Cruise -- Animal photos

Fossilized brain coral at the Mayan temples.  What can get cooler than this?

These critters were everywhere in Tulum.  They were very cooperative subjects.  They are as ubiquitous as the chipmunks while camping in Ontario, except they don't beg for food.

Diving pelican approaching Playa del Carmen which was a ferry ride from our port at Cozumel, Mexico.  Somehow I managed to capture this shot in this surf while my ferry-mates were being seasick.  I probably took about 50 shots of this bird to get this.  Thank goodness for digital cameras.

Cruise -- Houston

I'm fascinated by the differences in American entrepreneurs and Canadian entrepreneurs.  Here is a not-so-typical shop along the highway between the airport and the dock.

There are 5 terminals at Houston Airport, but I don't think they are as large as the terminals at Toronto.  The terminal we departed from had less than 20 gates. The terminals were connected by a monorail.  The trip across the 5 terminals took less than 15 minutes.  The trains seemed to be driverless -- at least we couldn't see a driver.  This photo shows a switch coming out of terminal E on the line that allows trains to return to terminal A.

The port of embarkation was huge, and it was designed in anticipation of cruise traffic that hasn't quite met the expectations of the community.  However, with the upcoming expansion of the Panama Canal, they are hoping that more traffic will come their way.

Cruise -- Prelude

The following posts include some of my favourite shots from the cruise I was on with my mother.  What I found fascinating while I reviewed the photos was what I discovered about myself.  Since I didn't have my kids with me, I had to turn to other subjects to shoot.  I took thousands of photos, and deleted most when I returned to the cabin each night.  Upon return home, I had 400 photos which I whittled down to 300, most of which will be put on Facebook and even fewer printed for the album.  The following posts contain a maximum of three photos, and a description of what I saw and why I was fascinated by it.  I hope at least one of these photos captures you as much as they captivated me.

Book #18 -- The Naked Sun by Isaac Asimov

This is a murder mystery, taking place in the future, on a world settled by Earth but has a very different culture.  It reads almost like an Agatha Christie novel which I wasn't expecting.  I should have predicted the ending, but was too much caught up in the robot laws and their simple complexity to figure out who-dun-it.

Book #17 -- Mr. Darcy's Diary by Maya Slater

LOVED IT!

I have read another fan fiction of Pride and Prejudice from Mr. Darcy's viewpoint, but this one's plot is much more believable than the other.  Mr. Darcy's character isn't as well developed as in the other version.  It is written in a diary format which makes it quick and easy to read . . . perfect for a vacation read.

Book #16 -- lullabies for little criminals by Heather O'Neill

I loved the character development in this book, but hated the ending.  The book just ends, without a real resolution.  I'm sure an English teacher could tell me why books have to end this way, but I don't have the patience for it.  Winner of Canada Reads 2007 is well deserved if there was an ending to the book.

Book #15 -- Event by David Lynn Golemon

WASTE OF TIME

I read it because I had nothing left to read on the cruise.  The science is incredibly awful, the characters are cliche, and the author throws in all types of specifications for military hardware without really understanding what it all means.  And to top it off, one of the main characters, a navy pilot, doesn't know the coordinates of the South Pole.  Incredibly unbelievable, even though I was willing to suspend disbelief because of the genre (science fiction).  Don't read it unless you are trying to distract yourself from a painful and itchy sunburn.

Book #14 -- An Astronaut's Guide to Life On Earth by Chris Hadfield

How can one live in Milton and not read this book?  He has made us all proud.  He is a little older than me, just enough so our paths would not have crossed at high school.  But we would have had many of the same teachers.  In fact, his favourite math teacher was my favourite math teacher at high school.  However, that is where the comparison between me and him has to end.

He had a goal established for himself at the age of 9, and in making many of his life choices, he always asked himself if his decision would get him closer to being an astronaut.  I was never that goal driven, because I never knew, and I still don't know, what I want to be when I grow up.

I remember very vividly when they first started looking for Canadian astronauts, and they advertised in every high school across Canada.  They had a guest speaker come to my school and tell us what they were looking for in an astronaut. Ironically, I got to see this presentation at his alma mater and he didn't.

The book was fascinating.  I pretty much finished it in one day.  I never knew how complicated being an astronaut was.  I watched the movie "Gravity" recently.  In it, they prepare for a space walk in just a couple of minutes.  In the book, he describes it as a minimum two day ordeal getting the equipment ready, and then practicing what they are going to do, while figuring out everything that might go wrong and coming up with a contingency plan for it.

If you watched any of the videos sent by Hadfield to earth during his stint on the ISS, you have to read this book to see the context in which they were created.  A thoroughly enjoyable read. 

March 30

Fifteen years ago today, Rachel was born.  Look at her now:

OK, she may look a little tired and stinky, but she just won a bronze medal in the U15 Women's Epee Provincial Champions.  Here she is with her coach after the medal ceremony.

Book #13 -- The Upside of Irrationality by Dan Ariely

Dan Ariely is the professor of one of the on-line courses I'm currently taking.  He has written three books, all offered generously as a bundle through the course, but I opted to borrow the books from the library.  That said, they are probably worth the price because they are well-written and insightful.

There are a couple of ideas that I'm taking out of the books that are easy to implement, and are fairly effective.  These ideas are nothing new, but the fact that they have been validated by experimental data, makes it more compelling to ensure I behave in this way:

1.  Acknowledge the work of others.  People want to know that their work is meaningful in the large picture.  We, as human beings, are always looking for validation of our work.  A simple nod of the head of a manager acknowledging the work of someone else is enough motivation for him/her to keep going.  Ignoring or destroying the work of someone else will quickly cause him/her to lose steam, and stop his/her output completely.  
2.  An authentic "sorry" makes a world of difference when dealing with people on a one-to-one basis.  

Book # 12 - Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely

The book was written by my instructor for the on-line course entitled A Beginner's Guide to Irrational Behaviour.  He offered his three books in an e-bundle at a great price.  I picked the cheap way out . . . I signed them out from the library.  I'm sure that one of the reasons behind his course is to market his books outside of academia . . . but that isn't necessarily a bad thing.  He deserves a wide audience.

His books are extremely easy to read, which is a huge accomplishment for any academic.  He uses anecdotes that are accessible for a wide audience, and he has a gift for explaining dry academic research in a manner that is extremely entertaining. As part of the course, I have had to read some of the articles.  I never would have made it to the end of the articles without falling asleep if I hadn't read his book ahead of time.

Ariely covers topics including marketing strategies (for example, how you are being manipulated if you are getting something for 'free'), why we volunteer to do things we would never do in a million years if we got paid for it,  and the psychology of honesty.  An excellent book if you are interested in human behaviour, that seems irrational at the surface, but actually may have evolutionary (or creationist?) explanations behind it.

March 27

It feels like all I do is study these days.

I am in the middle of two on-line courses . . . Introduction to Finance (I am learning a lot about the language of finance, which is the biggest hurdle that I have to overcome in terms of all the accounting/finance information that I get in the corporate governance world) and A Beginner's Guide to Irrational Behaviour which is a course in Behavioural Economics.  Both need 6-8 hours a week, so two full days a week dedicated to these.  Right now I'm working ahead so that I can enjoy my cruise with no course worries.

I'm also working on my Chartered Director designation.  I have finished four of five modules.  The last module is at the beginning of May, and then the exam is in June.  There is a lot of reading for this program.  

I just got back from Ottawa with Kaitlyn. . . we drove up Sunday afternoon and returned Monday evening.  Kaitlyn had the opportunity to swim with the uOttawa and Carleton teams.  She loved both teams and it was really hard for her to make a decision.  She has accepted Carleton.  It is really hard to believe that Kaitlyn won't be living with us next year.  :(  Go Ravens Go!

Book #11 - Fyre by Angie Sage

I'm very glad that I went back to the rest of the series before reading the final book . . . much of it would not have made sense otherwise.

A good story, predictable plot, lots of adventure.  No surprise twists along the way, and no deaths of major characters (so very unlike Rowling in this manner).   However, it was a good fun.  At the end, Sage indicated that a minor character in this book would become a major character in another series.  I'm pretty sure I won't be reading the next series.  I don't have kids interested in YA fiction anymore, other than of course good old Harry.

Book #10 -- To Sell is Human by Daniel PInk

I had read a couple of reviews that indicated that this book would be good for educators as we have to 'sell' our students on the curriculum.  However, it really is a handbook on selling in the traditional sense.  I think we would be all better off to read it to be able to see through traditional sales techniques.  The book corresponds with the "Psychology of Money" unit I just finished with the "A Beginner's Guide to Irrational Behaviour" on-line course I'm taking right now.  The unit gives a very brief overview on how marketers can use our predictable irrational behaviours around money and budget, and twist it into ways to sell us products we may or may not need.  Fascinating stuff, and I now walk into a retail store with a whole different set of eyes.

That said, I did pick up one tidbit for educators.  One of the things we are told that students need for the future is problem solving skills.  However, that is not the number one skill employers want.  Employers want employees that can identify what the problem is . . . . this is essential if you want to solve the problem.  For example, if you notice that the traffic into your store has slowed, you can solve the problem by putting new displays in the window, advertising through traditional means, etc.  However, if the problem is not marketing, but the bees' nest that has developed over your front door, none of those strategies will work.

Book # 9 -- Darke by Angie Sage

Book 6 of seven in the series.  I'm finally caught up so I can read the new one.  I have to finish my coursework before I can do that.  

Book #8 -- Syren by Angie Sage

These books are easy reads . . . so it may look like I'm reading all day and all night, but I'm not.  This isn't as good as some of the others.  I have two more to read.  One chapter into the next one, and I'm pretty sure I've read it already.  I didn't remember much of this book.

Book #7 -- Queste

This is book 5 on my quest to finish the series.  I like the adventure in this book, and was reminded about how different the magic is in this series compared to the Harry Potter series.

Book #6 -- Focus by Daniel Goleman

Ironically, I found this book unfocused.  Started out well, but ended up really preachy about world issues.  Not that I disagreed with him, but I found it strange at the end of the book.  That said, there were a lot of tidbits sprinkled in the book that would be useful for educators and business folks.  I like the piece about Mindfulness . . . felt that it could be useful in a classroom full of students at-risk.

March 10

Just one more day before Derek is a half century.  Wow.  

Lots happening, with little motivation to blog.  Here are some snippets over the past few weeks.

1. The thaw has really taken its toll on the quinzee.  There was a new 'window' that appeared a couple of days ago (see above), and now the whole wall is pretty much gone.  Surprisingly, the roof is still sound.  The girls told me that they could stand on the quinzee when it was first built.  I guess this structure is safer than at first glance.  Too bad the girls never got the opportunity to sleep in it (our sleeping bags aren't rated for the really cold nights we've had here).
2. I have finished all of the volunteer points required for both the swim team and gymnastics club.  I thought I would be elated, but I'm actually quite sad. Kaitlyn is off to university next year, and although she is planning on swimming at university, I'll be too far away to take part.  Sarah has retired from gymnastics, and will not be competing again.  The parents on both clubs (and there are some, like us, who have kids on both teams) are absolutely fabulous, and I've enjoyed getting to know them.  I don't know what I will do with all my free time next year.
3. Speaking of those friends, I went to a birthday party for two of the swim friends, and broke my toe.  Not really sure how I did it, but it is now a nasty shade of purple.  My toe doesn't like shoes right now.  Hopefully it will be better soon because . . . .
4. The cruise is booked.  I'll be travelling with mom and 4 of her condo friends to Mexico, Honduras and Belize.  Can't wait!  I have never been to these countries and I have never been on a cruise.  Hope to climb a Mayan ruin on an excursion and lie on a beach for a couple of hours.  Ladies only, so Derek and the girls are staying at home.  I will be the youngest of the group by about 18 years, but one of the ladies (who is older than mom) is planning on spending much of our 'at sea' days in the pool and sipping wine.  I guess I just found my kindred spirit.
5. Kaitlyn is finally working on her NLS.  She has wanted to take her lifeguard course for a long time, but never got around to it due to swimming, coaching and working (ironically, as a swim instructor).  Kaitlyn will have a ton of first aid training as a result, and Sarah has her Wilderness First Aid, thanks to Bronte Creek Project in first semester.  Reassuring to know that they know what to do in case of an emergency.
6. All three girls have to work on Derek's birthday.  It will be up to me to entertain him. Do I have to stick with the Mountsberg tradition, or can we go to a grown-up place instead?
7. The paperwork is building up . . . time to start the taxes, file for medical/dental benefits, etc.  Sigh.

Book #5 -- Physik by Angie Sage

This book is number 3 of the 7-book Septimaus Heap series that started with Magyk.  I've read most of them before, but the last book has just been purchased by one the of the girls and I wanted to remind myself of the key characters and plots before reading the last book.  The series is another wizard, who at age 11, and without any real family, is needed to save the world from evil threats.  (Like Harry Potter and Bartimaeus series, but the similarity ends there).  Written for youth, but enjoyed by adults.

Book #4 -- Decisive by Chip and Dan Heath

Highly recommended for anyone who ever has or ever will make a decision.  The book helps to find blind spots in one's perspective, as well as looking forward to the effects of the decision when made.  I've already used it twice in my personal and professional life.  The book is extremely easy to read . . . it intersperses the psychology and economy theory with personal, business and education anecdotes.

March 3

Part of the reason for the leave was to be able to complete all of the volunteer hours (volun-told hours) required as a parent of a competitive athlete.  That's done now.  Whatever am I going to do with my spare time?

Made a Harry Potter dinner for tonight. . . . 

Mrs. Weasley's Meat Pie

Kreacher's French Onion Soup

Treacle Tart with Florean Fortescu's ice cream 

Book #3 -- 419

If you insist on a linear plot, this is not the book for you.  It bounces back and forth from past to present, and follows three distinct characters who meet in the end of the book.

If you can handle the bouncing around, it is a great book.  However, the book left way too many unanswered questions for me.  I like a book to wrap things up in the end.

Book #2 -- The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window and Disappeared

The title sums up the first chapter.  The rest of the book tells the man's adventures before and after the escape.  Definitely a fun read.

February 26

So much for blogging on a regular basis.  The only reason I'm blogging today is because one of my daughters, who was horrified originally when I said I was blogging my experiences, asked me at dinner last night if I was going to post again soon.

I was shocked to see how many hits I've had . . . until I remembered that one of my daughters was concerned that I was going to post embarrassing information/stories about them.  However, all their embarrassing stories happened when they were really little (as two year olds).  Now they are the most perfect teenagers that ever lived.  

One of the reasons I haven't made it to the computer was because of the Olympics.  I was spellbound by it all.  I haven't had the chance to sit and watch so much TV in a long time.  Most magical moment for me?  When the ladies tied up the final hockey game.  I was driving to Niagara On The Lake for one of my courses and was listening to the third period on the radio (I had stopped at Don Cherry's on the way down for lunch and watched the first two periods there.)  The game was nearly over and I had decided that I wanted to visit Lock #3 of the Welland Canal to see what kind of construction was happening over the winter.  I pulled into the parking lot and that's when the second goal was scored.  I rushed to my hotel so I could check in to see the overtime period.  I'll have to go back to the lock next time.

I have now completed three of the five modules for the Chartered Director program.  I will finish the modules at the beginning of May and write the exam in June.  The exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions and I'll have four hours to write it.  Yikes.  I haven't had to write a high stakes exam in a long time . . . most teacher accreditations require a major research project instead of an exam. I started keeping an "Alphabet Soup" list.  The presenters rhyme off acronyms that they assume everyone knows.  I sit there with my blackberry looking them up as we go.  Most of the acronyms are accountant-speak or are related to a regulator. It is like learning a whole new language.

I haven't had the chance to do much visiting yet.  For the two modules, and Teachers Life meetings, I've had to do a lot of pre-reading.  That, on top of my on-line courses, has kept me busy.  I will try to get to see more people next week.

One of my goals during the sabbatical is to increase my fitness level.  I'm planning on completing the 80 km ride again in September in the GTA GranFondo.  Derek and I were part of the 2000+ founding riders last year and really enjoyed it.  We are going to do it again this year.  As well, Sarah wants to do another triathlon.  The Milton tri is the week before the GranFondo, so I don't know if it is in the cards for me, but we'll see.  Maybe I will feel better about it if I can get in better shape.  Sarah and I swam for 45 minutes yesterday.  It was the first time I was in the pool doing lengths in a year and a half.  I'm feeling it today.

Book #1 -- The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida

These posts are more for my benefit than anyone else's.  But if you are looking for a book to read, you can be forewarned by my opinions, if you respect them.  I promise I will never spoil the ending.
 ...................................................................................................................

To be honest, I was disappointed. . . but I think I was expecting a novel like The Curious Incident.  I couldn't get over the Question/Answer format.

However, if one is curious about autism from a first person account, it is a good little book.  It is a quick read, and although repetitious at times, it conveys what one young man's experiences have been living with autism.  The book is interspersed with some short stories/tales that have been written by the author.  It would be interesting to read the book with a teen who lives with autism and/or his/her parent.

February 5

A couple of very productive days!  So much for doing nothing in my first week off.

I've attached a couple of photos of the quinzee.  Both girls can fit inside, but it is a tight fit.  

Monday was the first day that all three girls were registered in the same school since Kaitlyn was in Grade 5.  I had hoped to get a picture of them walking towards the bus stop together, but alas, I will admit that I fell back asleep.  Ditto for yesterday, except I didn't even wake up until after they had left.  (Which was before 8 a.m. so before all my colleagues start on me, I was awake before my official work start time.)

I didn't get peace and quiet on Monday because Derek worked the 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. shift.  After I worked on my homework for a while, we went for a walk around the neighbourhood.  Usually when Derek worked this shift, I wouldn't even see him because I'd be in bed before he got home.  Unfortunately, he came home early . . . because he had a fever.  Poor guy is still out of commission.

Got the groceries done . . . took awhile because there were a lot of curious acquaintances wondering why I was playing hooky from school.

Tuesday was my first Teachers Life meeting since the leave started.  What a luxury it was to arrive well before the meeting, and not to have to rush in after it started.  I also finished my first assignment for my on-line course.  I can't believe how nervous I was submitting the assignment.  Thankfully, it gets marked immediately and you get feedback right away.

Snow day today!  All five of us are at home.  This is me shovelling the driveway.  And proof that it is me shovelling the driveway while Derek does other 'important' things like taking picture.

I'm going to enforce HW completion time after lunch for all.  Wish me luck.

February 2

I've started some of the household chores I've been putting off.  The first is gathering all the extra stuff to take to Salvation Army.  I have one full box already, and I feel like I haven't even started.

Lots of snow to shovel, and then I had to make a snow angel.  Yesterday's snow was very light.  Today it was very heavy . . . must have rained for a bit last night to form a layer of ice.  The snow angel wasn't easy.

I also started the pre-read for my next course.  The reason why I signed with this provider over the other is that they 'flip' their classroom.  They give you all the information ahead of time, along with some case studies to read.  During the sessions, all we do is the case studies and ask questions.  Much better than the alternative program where the instructors talked non-stop all day.  I can't concentrate that long.

The girls have built a quinzee in the back yard . . . kind of like an igloo.  It is a hollowed out mound of snow rather than built with snow bricks.  Photos to follow!

January 31

Today was the first day of my leave, but really it felt like a Saturday since the girls were home due to their PD day.

I can honestly say that I went to the airport, for a walk on the beach, and on a bike ride to Downton Abbey and back.  However, if I told you the whole truth, it wasn't that exciting a day.  Firstly, I was picking up Derek from the airport.  He had the audacity to go on a trip to France for work the week BEFORE my leave started.  Secondly, the beach was frozen.  It was a beautiful day compared to most days last month, but it was still Lake Ontario in January.  And lastly, the bike ride was on my stationary bike in the basement, while watching season 2 episode of Downton Abbey.  Not the thrilling start to an adventurous sabbatical.  I guess it really won't hit me that I'm on Sabbatical until Monday when the girls are back at school.

January 22

As you may or may not know, I will be on a leave of absence for second semester.  This means that I will still be an employee of PDSB, but will not be coming to work every day and I won't get paid.  During the semester I get to do things I would not be able to do when I'm working full time.  My plans?

• be a mom to the three kids who live with me, although I'll miss the 1000 kids at my school.  Yes, even my 'favourites' who like to come and visit on a regular basis.
• take some courses.  It never hurts to be a student again.  It helps me remember what it is like, and maybe I will be able to sympathize a little more with the students in my school
• travel a little with my mom, because sometimes I need to be the kid too.
• play with my technology . . . I have an i-Pad, a Surface and a cell phone, and I probably only use them to about 10% of their potential.  If I'm going to model BYOD in my interactions with staff, then I need time to explore what they do
• blog a little.  This will keep me honest to my intentions above.  If you want to read about the fencing tournaments, swim meets, courses I take, places I go, please join me on my journey over the next few months.  I can't promise that you will be excited and amazed by my journey, but that's because it will be my journey.  I will guarantee that I will be excited and amazed with much of what I will be doing.