Friday 13 January 2012

10 Things I have noticed/learnt/observed in my first month in Canada….




1.     1. Milk comes in a plastic bag.
2.     2. Don’t get the ‘cable’ disconnected in your exchange partners home…they don’t have Free-to-Air television channels like we do in Australia.
3.     3. Make sure when crossing the road…you look to the LEFT!
4.     4. Dollar stores are the best things on the planet.
5.     5. Coffee…..is just not the same.
6.     6. Building a snowman is harder than it seems (my first one was only about 30cm high)
7.     7. Tennis balls on the base of students chairs in the classroom avoid scraping on the lino (due to there not being any carpet in the classroom)
8.     8. According to my students “We don’t have accents….its just you”.
9.     9. You can easily lose 2-3 hours in a Walmart.
1010.Although it has been a crazy first week settling into an established classroom, there are so many people to help you out in any way!

Thursday 5 January 2012

let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

So here I am in minus 3 degrees (well not really, I am inside in about 22 degrees) and loving it!
Yesterday we had a big dump of snow...so off I went and made my own mini snowman. I named him Kermit and by now he will be covered with more snow...bless him.


Its been not that hard to convert to minus temperatures (oh and sooo not jealous about the 40 degree weather at home)...its just been lots of layers, thermals first and then boots. I am in love with my snow boots and knee high boots (waterproofing as we speak). Socks, gloves and coats have been other purchases made but well needed.


The apartment has some strange noises that I am still getting used to. Clicking, creaking, knocking...then the neighbours upstairs obviously wears heels on the floorboards. The side neighbours come and go and the FREAKIN snow ploughs on the road sound more like jet planes taking off. I am sleeping pretty well now so hopefully that will continue. I have bought some things to make it feel more like home (cupcake supplies, clothing and an ernie beanie that rocks my world) so its pretty cool.


I have travelled on the bus quite a few times now and haven't ended up in the wrong place. I think I will get the bus to school tomorrow and time the travel and see if I can get into my room and possibly take in some of my Australian stuff. 


Had my first dinner guest over last night...he brought riesling, I made stir fry....enough said. Oh and bought my first Mr Potato Head on Ebay...to be delivered soon :)





I am going to head off now and do some research on things I can do in the next few days before I head back to work....peruse the photos as you will.