Monthly Archives: July 2018

Learning The Meaning of Vicissitude

Posted on July 29, 2018 by

vi·cis·si·tude plural noun: vicissitudes a change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant. “her husband’s sharp vicissitudes of fortune” synonyms: change, alteration, shift, reversal, twist, turn, downturn, variation; More inconstancy, instability, uncertainty, chanciness, unpredictability, fickleness, variability, … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure, adversity, Aspirations, Reflections, Perfection, challenges, horoscope, knowledge, learning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

I wish I Had Had The Time To Stop And Smell the Vegetables

Posted on July 28, 2018 by

Distance 63.33 km Elevation Gain 547 m Time 2h 53m I am not sure how I managed it, but I got out of bed and on the bike in time to make the Eagles Saturday morning ride. My work week … Continue reading →

Posted in accomplishment, achievement, adventure, adversity, Aspirations, Reflections, Perfection, bicycles, cycling, exercise, fitness, Holland Marsh, Newmarket Eagles, strava | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Kindness of Others

Posted on July 27, 2018 by

Today, I left work feeling giddy that the weekend was starting. Unlike the previous four days, I did not have to teach in the afternoon and I was leaving long before a number of colleagues. My giddiness turned to a … Continue reading →

Posted in adversity, Aspirations, Reflections, Perfection, commuting, friends, friendship, GTA, kindness, TTC, Viva, York Region | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

In The Rain

Posted on July 24, 2018 by

I left work with a couple of new friends. When we reached the front door one of them remarked that “it’s really coming down out there.”  Indeed it was.  We checked our bags and found that we only had two … Continue reading →

Posted in Aspirations, Reflections, Perfection, commuting, friends, friendship, rain, weather | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Beer, Friendship and Fire

Posted on July 22, 2018 by

The plan for the weekend was Beer Friends and Fire–yes, a witty play on the whole BFF thing. Witty pun or not, these are my best friends and this was our semi-annual camping trip–and I left out music. You can … Continue reading →

Posted in Aspirations, Reflections, Perfection, beer, camping, comfort food, delicious, food, friends, friendship, trains, travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

You are a Magnificent Creature

Posted on July 20, 2018 by

  I hadn’t felt the vibration of my cell phone.  The reasons for this are either the fact that it rings so infrequently that I can’t recognize when it is happening or I frequently leave it somewhere, only to come … Continue reading →

Posted in Aspirations, Reflections, Perfection, compliments, ESL, lessons, long weekend, teaching | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Turning it Around

Posted on July 18, 2018 by

More than once, I have heard the expression that things happen in threes. Actually I have heard this more about bad things than good things, but there are probably people out there who think that three refers to both of … Continue reading →

Posted in Aspirations, Reflections, Perfection, blog, blogging, blogposts, books, cars, chance meetings, commuting, conversation, Ebay, luck, meeting people, reading, Toronto, TTC, Viva, writing, Yonge and Eglinton, York Region | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Tech Win

Posted on July 15, 2018 by

I am not a luddite. I have a blog, an Instagram, even Facebook.  At work, I use a smart board and we have interactive textbooks.  I use tech pretty much every day.  The thing is, I am not great at … Continue reading →

Posted in Aspirations, Reflections, Perfection, fixing, repair, smart phone, technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Lucky Rabbit

Posted on July 13, 2018 by

I was on the bus, alternating between nodding off and reading my book (Will Ferguson’s Belfast and Beyond–a humorous read like a Canadian Bill Bryson).  I had had a bad end to my day at work.  A student who rarely … Continue reading →

Posted in adversity, Aspirations, Reflections, Perfection, bus, commuting, encouragement, ESL, obstacles, overcome, positive comments, public transportation, recover, students, teaching, transportation, Viva, York Region | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

When Students Give Gifts

Posted on July 12, 2018 by

I am not one of those teachers who are constantly showered with gifts.  However, every once in a while, I do get something special.  It makes me believe I am doing a good job. Thank you, my amazing student.  You … Continue reading →

Posted in appreciation, Aspirations, Reflections, Perfection, ESL, gifts, presents, students, teaching | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments