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.