They do say the darndest things

So it was my son's birthday the other day and he decided he didn't want a birthday party just a special day with one special friend. My wife and I thought Score! Less work and organization for us, which when it comes to children's birthdays is really the prime consideration. When we asked him who he wanted to bring he responds with the name of a girl in his class that he has gone to school with since pre-school. Now this girl is one of his best friends so it makes sense but of course all my wife and I can think is how do we explain to her parents that our 7 yr old son wants to take their daughter on a birthday date. With this in mind we try and convince him that it would be good to maybe take one other friend. It takes a little while but finally he agrees and lets us know that he'll invite one more person, another girl. Now, don't get me wrong, there is a little bit of fatherly pride that my son is apparently a ladies man (that is how I am choosing to interpret the situation) but my wife and I can also see this situation getting more awkward as we really do not know this other girl's parents and they might not be OK with the Hugh Heffner style birthday my son is arranging for himself. Being the good parents we are we then use the Jedi mind trick to convince him that maybe it would be better to just have a special day with one friend.

Anyways, the day comes and my wife takes my son on his date/birthday and everything goes fantastic. Now when you have two boys you get used to constant poking, prodding, jumping, throwing in search of the inner alpha male. So the dynamic of a boy and girl together was quite interesting. The two of them had a great time and the whole experience was quite mellow as they both were much more cooperative than competitive. However, the classic moment, and the reason for this entire post was the conversation between my wife and the kids at dinner.

My son's friend turns to my wife and said "Do you know he is the funniest person on earth?" My wife, thinking that goofball and funny are apparently the same thing in grade one, replied that no she was not aware that he was the "funniest person on earth". With this my son's friend turned to him and asked "How do always know the perfect time to be funny?" My son, in a very serious tone, responded with "Well, you know, when I was born I wasn't sure I knew when, but then one day I just realized that I had it."

Now if you don't have a 7 year old you might not get this but it is pretty neat when you realize that while your child may not actually be "the funniest person on earth" you do enjoy spending time with them more than anyone else on earth.

Our Nation's Capital

I recently spent a week in Ottawa at an educational conference and unlike our leaders the capital city did not disappoint. I have been looking forward to visiting Ottawa for many years but for some reason I have not been able to convince my wife that Ottawa in March can be as nice as Mexico, just different. So when my school asked if anyone was interested in attending a conference in Ottawa being a dedicated educational professional I jumped at the opportunity.

The history of the city, the educational, cultural and historical attractions and just being in the middle of the workings of our government was pretty cool, not to mention there is an Irish pub every block. Ottawa is definitely a place that every Canadian should visit if only to see where many of our tax dollars go and that bilingualism might not have been such a bad idea. However, perhaps the best example of Ottawa as a government town is the fact that they built their hockey arena 18 miles from downtown in a different city (Kanata). It might have been a 45 minute bus ride but at least the Senators won, they even took it to a shootout so we got our money's worth.

Not only was the trip a great personal experience and one more thing to scratch off my life list, it also did fire me up a great deal as a teacher. Sure the conference was fine but being a social studies teacher and getting to visit the Parliament buildings, the War Museum and the Museum of Civilization my mind was racing with new ideas for my classes. I have also decided that when I grow up I really want to be a Senator.

Viva Mexico!

 

We are back in Sayulita for spring break this year and despite our fear that the recent "discovery" of this little village by mainstream travellers might have spoiled it things are as fabulous as ever. The food is fatastic, the beach uncrowded, the Pacifico cold and plentiful and the people as friendly as ever. Of course this year, I have seen more woman sporting the notorious "armband" tatoo than ever before in my life. (Just a tip ladies, as stupid as the armband looks on men it really looks bad on women. If you want really want to feel like Pamela Anderson do yourself a favour and stick to the fake boobs and the sex tape.)

I think the best thing about this year is how much the boys are into it, especially the ocean. They have always had a great time but this year they are into the whole experience beyond just being on vacation in a neat place with a pool. The above photo was taken less than an hour after we had arrived and even though we had been up for about 14 hours and had not eaten in 4 the boys needed to hit the ocean before we could do anything else. Since then it is usually the boys urging us to get to the beach in the morning so they can hit the waves. The other day I sat on the shore and watched Connor float on his stomach for about and hour just letting waves crash him around. I think watching them enjoy it so much is even more important to me than what kind of experience I am having (which is awesome by the way). It is amazing how quickly we can slip into a routine of killing time between margaritas and meals and it has nothing to do with the fact that it was -40 at home earlier in the week, really it doesn't.

To check out some pictures of our Sayulita Spring Break click here

A Good Read, A Good Lesson

I have just finished reading Three Cups of Tea, the story of ex-mountaineer Greg Mortenson building schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and recommend it to anyone who is looking for something to read over spring break. It does a nice job of introducing the reader to the complexities of tribal politics in northern Asia, while also emphasizing the impact one individual can have if they put their own ego aside and "just get after it". While Greg Mortenson is obviously an extraordinary individual he is also a person with whom the reader can relate and will often prompt the reader (at least he did with me) to ask themselves what might happen if we could all just follow a vision of action driven by respect and caring for others. Of course being oblivious to the impossibility of a task and simply soldiering along also seems helpful.

Being an educator I was particularly interested in the book's message about the value of education in promoting peace and fighting poverty and oppression. It was both inspiring and frustrating to read about how much importance was put on simply putting dedicated teachers in front of youth who saw education as way to improve not only their own lives but the lives of future generations. The planning of Mortenson's Central Asia Institute is focused on how to get resources to students and teachers who are assembled in open fields, deserts, mountain valleys, back alleys and cramped basements trying to create some type of classroom environment. Meanwhile here in the "developed" world education is taken so much for granted that most of our planning meetings revolve around how to deal with chronic non-attendance.

Mortenson does not come across as a rebel or a man driven by a need to buck the system so Three Cups of Tea never comes across as one of these "I took on the establishment and won" stories. Moretenson is definitely not a "Crazy Joe Clark", instead he is simply a person who recognized a need and continually takes small steps toward meeting that need. The most powerful part of the story is the way Mortenson goes about his work always seeking the advice of those he is trying to help and creating a process that was respectful of traditions and cultural values.

Didn't we all really know?

Well, who would of ever have thought that a British guy, dressed up like a British gal singing about things that really made no sense (what exactly does Karma Chameleon mean anyways) would turn out to be a bit off. Yes, that's right Boy George seems to have run afoul of the law for holding a male escort captive (OK, that is not all that surprising) and beating him with a metal chain. Apparently decades of prancing around in a dress and large hat leaves a guy with some unresolved issues. I think this really falls under the category of if it walks like a duck......

By the way Prince still rules! (Old Prince of course not that symbol crap)

Pissing Match!?

What the hell is going on with the Ice Oval!

For over nine years a fantastic group of volunteers have been maintaining the Ice Oval and thousands of users have enjoyed what had become a real jewel in our community. Going to the ice oval had really become one of the highlights of the winter season, especially for families. It was a fantastic facility with everyone from toddlers taking their first steps on blades to adults trying to get re-oriented after years off skates to recreational skaters trying get in some exercise to school groups to hockey players to serious speed skaters all enjoying the fresh air and great ice. Sure at times the ice was congested and people would have to be on their toes watching out for others but that is more a testament to what an important and valuable facility the ice oval had become. The oval was a winter activity people could count on. It was well maintained, always open (depending on weather of course) and free. In a northern community it is important to have winter activities that are affordable and accessible for families and everyday citizens to stay active and healthy through the dark winter months and the ice oval filled a valuable need in our city.

So my question again is what the hell has happened!

Last year the Ice Oval Society asked the city for some land (and money I believe) to move and improve the oval. This to me was a no brainer as why wouldn't we support these amazing volunteers who provide such a fantastic service. Well, the society received what they wanted and the changes to oval were made and now it is January 11th and the ice oval remains closed. I have spoken personally to dozens of people who, especially over Christmas, have shown up to the oval expecting to skate as they have done for nearly a decade only to find the gates locked. Some of the closure has been blamed on weather (too much snow, too cold, cracking ice) but we have had a lot worse conditions in the past and the oval has been open. The main issue seems to be a pissing match between the city and the Ice Oval Society about user groups. Last year there happened to be an ugly incident between an adult speed skater and a 15 yr old hockey player. So of course now we need to have hours of operation for different user groups, they have taken the hockey area out of the centre of the oval, they need to hire security and restrict the hours the oval is open. Hmmmm, let me see 9 years, thousands of users, one incident. Ya, sounds like we had a real problem there. I guess we will not have to worry about and incidents this year as there are no users. As someone who loved the oval and truly respected the job done by the volunteers I now really pissed off that any of my tax dollars have gone into this situation. I will gladly pay more to have the oval open and accessible but if it is going to become a speed skating only oval with other user groups being severely restricted then I say shut it down. Hey, if the problem is the kids playing hockey in the middle crossing the ice and spilling out into the oval then flood an area next to the oval so they don't have to cross the ice.

I don't know who is to blame and I am sure there are issues that need to be addressed but as Dick Voneugen, longtime volunteer and founding father of the oval, said in the paper the other day, "for nine years we’ve been freezing ice and when it was ready, we skated, and what has changed?”

The Guilt of Relaxation

As I lie on the couch enjoying my morning coffee on the last Sunday of Christmas vacation I realize that the last couple of days has brought on a stirring of uneasiness. At first I couldn't figure out what it could be as it has been a wonderful and relaxing holiday and then it dawned on me. It is the nagging sense that I have accomplished virtually nothing during the last 14 days. I have a stack of marking sitting in my office, the new project for my socials class is still just an idea in the back of my head, the painting of the basement will have to wait for the summer (maybe), even the 10 minute repair of some caulking in the bathroom is still left undone (I did, however, buy the caulking so I am halfway there on that one). I had such grand plans (Ok, they weren't grand but they were at least some ideas of how to get a few left over projects completed). Nothing has come to fruition and as work approaches I have the sense that I have just dicked away 14 valuable down days.

Then last night I started to take a little inventory of the holiday which included several days skiiing with my family, many dinners and drinks with family and friends, hockey, skating, swimming, walks, sledding, squash, gym time, reading, playing games and every morning spending hours having coffee and reading the paper with my wife and I realize the break has been filled with accomplishments far more valuable than if the hole in the basement wall has been filled (OK, I really do need to get on that one). The problem is not with what I have been doing, or not doing, it is with the fact that my relaxation is sometimes filled with guilt when I am not checking things off some mental to-do list. My lesson learned this holiday, next break I need to set my expectations lower and work harder to meet them. With that said, as usual it has been an awesome Christmas and now I have to get busy and get some stuff done, I only have a day left.

Christmas Greetings

Well, the tree is up, my gift wrapping ability has been questioned and Marla and Connor are fighting over the electric blanket so it must be time for our annual Christmas greeting (Of course trying to cover up that once again we have not been organized enough to get out Christmas cards in time.)

It has been a great year for us. Coming off another awesome summer (see Summer Recap post) the fall has flown by. Connor is grade one and enjoying being a full-time student, or at least he is enjoying having lunch and recess with more time to play. Graeme is having a fantastic start to grade four. I think getting letter grades has really motivated him as he was pretty proud of his report card this year. Interesting, that even at that early age students are motivated by the mark but that is a topic for another post. He has the same teacher he had for grade three and is really enjoying it. Marla and I were both involved in volleyball again this year, which is always rewarding but makes for a busy fall, especially after getting used to the slow pace of summer. Graeme is playing basketball again this year and has become quite a player. I guess I am going to have to learn a little more about the intricacies of the game as it looks like I will be coaching it for quite a while.

We are really looking forward to the Christmas break and getting out and doing some skiing. Marla missed out last year with her knee surgery so she is anxious to get out and see the progress the boys have made. Of course, we are hoping it warms up a bit here as it is a little cold out to consider anything other than curling up by the fire, which has its upside as well. While we are enjoying some fun in the snow, we are heading back to Sayulita this year for spring break so it is hard to keep from looking ahead. I must admit I do spend a far amount of time checking out the newest Sayulita photos on Flickr during these cold days.

As I write this I realize, as I am sure you do as you read it, that our family seems to follow familiar patterns. I attribute it to the fact that our life is great and why change something if it isn't broke. Of course, it might also be that we are incredibly boring and lack adventure and spontaneity. I am going with the life is great theory.

We really do appreciate everything in our life and that especially includes our family and friends. We hope the holidays find all of you well and provide a well deserved break and some time to spend with family and friends.

Love the Lewis'

The Email Challenge

There was a time in the dark ages, the period before Napster (the first Napster, not the subscription sell out version we have today), when the world was introduced to email and our heads spun with the limitless communication possibilities it held. How could it be that we could actually send a message and communicated in nearly real time to people all over the world for free? No longer would we be slaves to the postal service and the phone companies. No more birthday cards lost in your car for months because you didn't have a stamp on you. No more watching the clock while you talked to Gramma because the call was costing you a second mortgage. This was a new world where we would stay in contact with friends and family like they were living next door. We could become more efficient and productive as email would streamline our workplace communication. Imagine the time we would gain as email freed us from walking around and having to talk to people individually. Now we could make a mail list and send out a memo to as many people as we wanted. We were giddy as we thought of the great things we could accomplish with this gift of reclaimed time that email would give us.

Now as we are into the second decade of commercial, global email we have become slaves to email, not using it for meaningful exchanges with those people distant but important to us. Instead, we spend our days shifting through mailboxes stuffed with messages from the person down the hall (who you haven't actually spoke to in months, I think his name is Pat, or maybe that is the lady in the room downstairs). The vast majority of theses messages don't actually apply to you but you haven't been taken off the 45 person mail list created 3 years ago so you not only get the original message but then 44 other messages from people replying with things like "Ok", "Thanks" or "Sounds, good". Then of course there is the very hilarious "forwarded" messages from people you have never met but they somehow intercepted a message with your email address on it and thought that you would enjoy the dancing monkey with the erection (OK, that was actually a good one). By this time you haven't even began to deal with the 14 messages questioning your manhood, girth and stamina (not mine of course, I don't get those, its like they know) and the 12 more messages pleading for financial assistance or offering you a chance at a guaranteed millions (if only these people could get together). By the time we have sorted through all of these messages we don't actually have any time or energy to read, let alone respond to the messages from people you care about. Then just as you are about to close your mailbox up pops a new message introducing a new workplace policy that seems to counter the last memo on the same subject and confuses and angers you so know you have to spend the next half hour figuring out what the hell is going on only to find out that the message was sent in error by some one new who didn't know a previous email had gone out a day earlier on the same subject by the guy in the next office. It is about this time that we begin to wish that email would just disappear so.........

I am challenging you all to take back your in boxes and free yourselves from the bonds of meaningless email.

For one week:

• Do not email anyone within a 5 minute walking distance or yourself (just go talk to them).
• Do not respond to an email unless it specifically asks you a question.
  
• Do not send a email as a way to avoid talking with someone.
• Do not send an email that you know will upset someone (if you are going to piss someone off have the courtesy to do it in person).
  
• Do not forward any email to an address that you cannot identify.
  
• Do not read any messages from an address you cannot identify (just delete them don't let your curiosity get to you)
• If you are part of a mail list that you don't want to be email the sender and ask to be removed.
  
• Check your own mail lists to ensure accuracy
• Send at least one email to someone meaningful in your life with whom you have lost contact with (even better call them if you can).
  
• Do not spend more time on your email in a day then you do talking to someone who is important to you.
  

Boston Bound

Well I did it! In Kelowna yesterday I ran the marathon in 3:19:20 and qualified for the 2010 Boston Marathon which will take place two weeks after my 40th birthday. I have always wanted to visit Boston but have never had a reason. So at the start of the summer I decided I would try and qualify for the Boston Marathon and that would give me reason enough for a visit. The only catch was I had never run a marathon before. After a trial run in Edmonton in which I had pacing issues which lead to cramping and missing the time by 6 minutes I ran a smarter race in Kelowna on a fairly punishing, hilly course. I know it is a nice accomplishment just to finish the marathon but I must admit that making the time for Boston gives me some extra satisfaction and seems like a really nice way to spend my 40th birthday.

Summer Recap

It has been a while between postings here at the Lewis Chronicles so I thought I better give a little update on a summer filled with travel, relaxation and recreation.

This summer marked the first official summer back from the admin/management ranks of education and after a year back in the classroom I can firmly say I made the right decision. One day I may right a book about the experience but I think it is enough to say here that I am glad I had the experience but even more pleased that it is over.

The summer began with the hottest Canada day weekend in several years and we played, ate, drank and swam (not necessarily in that order) at the lake. It was the perfect way to kick off the holidays after a very cold spring.

One of the highlights of the summer was going back to Gabriola Island to stay at my friends place on the ocean. We had a week of perfect weather and filled our days with walks to the beach, playing in the sand (OK, the boys played and my wife and I napped), and eating. It was a great week just hanging out together with no phone calls, email or any other of the distractions that are so much part of our daily life.

From Gabriola we were back in town for a few days before we headed out to our annual family vacation at McLeese Lake. It was another great time with my wife's family and the boys had a great time playing with their cousins.

After Mcleese lake we headed straight to Kamloops for a week to visit grandparents and soccer camp for the boys. The weather was, as usual, incredibly hot and the boys had a great time at soccer in the mornings and visiting in the afternoons.

After Kamloops we were back home again for a week to mow the lawn and get in a little lake time before I headed to Edmonton to compete in my first Marathon. I had just decided while on Gabriola Island to enter Edmonton as a tune up for the Kelowna marathon on October. I have set a goal of running a 3:15 time in Kelowna to qualify for the Boston Marathon and I hoped that I might even make the standard in Edmonton if I had a good day. Well, for most of the race I had a good day but struggled over the last 10 kms and missed my time by 10 mins. It was a good experience and I learned a little about pacing (tip: don't try and stick with the leaders for the first half of the race when you have never ran that distance before) for Kelowna.

After Edmonton we could start to see work looming in the distance as I had to go in for a few days to run a summer camp and my wife goes in for a few days early to register kids. I did, however, manage to sneak out to the Babine river with a good friend of mine for a little Salmon fishing. There is really not too many things cooler than standing in a pristine river with Salmon rising all around you waiting for one to hit.

Yes, it is tough finding time for all the recreational activities, BBQs, travel and down time. If only we had one more week ;-)

Great Day!

What could be better than skiing with your best friend on your birthday.

No Mas, No Mas

I tried my hand at surfing today, taking advantage of the full-moon surf and the small crowds on the beach. After all if you are going to flail away in the ocean it's nice to have as few witnesses as possible. Anyways, I thought I was fairly well prepared having watched a video on u-tube demonstrating proper technique and spending the last several days intently studying the surfers while I drank my beer. Sure people have mentioned that I might want to try a lesson but come on I snowboard, ski, skate, boogie board, waterski, rollerblade, pretty much any sort of balance sport other than surfing I have given a go so how hard could it be. Well as the photos below illustrate perhaps a lesson wouldn't hurt.

See how carefully I study the surf break. The guy on U-Tube said this was essential for a successful surf experience and something many beginners don't take enough time to do.

Ahhhh....... here I am wading out my weapon firmly in hand ready to do battle with the Posiden and his minions.
















Looking good paddling out, confident, nice form, possibly a high point of the whole experience right here.

Yes, just like I had visualized on the beach, spot the swell, feel rise, paddle for the break.....

Houston we have a problem! I am not sure what went wrong I just know that it kept going wrong over and over and over. Apparently when people say you should try a lesson they are not always full of crap. Either that or I had a faulty board, which at this point I haven't entirely ruled out as some 11 year old girl was beside me and she seemed to have no problem getting up so obviously there was some equipment issues.

Of course, at least I would be able to stand proud in front of my boys having shown them that the only true failure comes in never trying. That was until I saw the photos of their reaction to my surfing, I think they missed the lesson.

Troncones Daycare

Well we arrived in Troncones to find a secluded little paradise. It is incredible the lack of people on this little strip of beach and how amazing the sand and surf is. We are just down the beach from Troncones at Manzanillo Bay and it feels like our own private resort with only a handful of other people around. As you can see it is quite a task to keep an eye on the kids among the throngs of beach goers. The people have very friendly and our house is amazing. I think it took the boys at least 2 minutes upon our arrival to jump in the pool and since they have spent more time in the water, either the pool or the ocean, than on land. There are several top notch restaurants literally within yards of our place and I am on my second batch of margaritas this afternoon so what could be better. The best thing is really we are only on day three and I am just beginning to move into relaxation mode.

Heading South

Well, we are a few hours away from beginning our journey south to Mexico for spring break. I am done teaching for the day and despite having several things I should be doing I am staring at the clock willing it to hurry up. As excited as I may be the boys were just crazy this morning they are so excited. I must admit it makes the effort and expense even easier to take when you see how much they enjoy it. The sun, surf and Pacificos help as well. I can't believe that it is actually spring break already, it seems like Christmas was just a couple weeks ago. Perhaps there really is something to the old adage "time flies when you are having fun" as we have been having just a great year.

I am not sure what the internet connectivity in our place will be like but if I can find a connection I will posting some vacation pictures at http://www.flickr.com/photos/kinglewy Because I know everyone really enjoys other people's vacation pictures.

If you have any spring break pictures to share send a comment with the link as we would love to see them.

Adios

Fight the Borg!

Today my oldest son brought home a questionnaire from his school's Parent Advisory Committee indicating that they are looking into school uniforms and asking what we, the parents, thought. Here is my response:

I would like to express my vehement opposition to the idea of school uniforms!

School, by its very nature, is already an institution of conformity where individuality is at odds with the need for order and process. A student’s need for self-expression, while valued, often must be put aside to ensure we are: lined up straight, colouring within the lines, not pushing or shoving, not running in the halls, quiet when working, not looking out the window, putting our hand up, using blue ink not purple and sitting quietly (unless it is discussion time then you must have something to say). While we accept the many rules and processes of school as necessary in providing a safe and functional learning environment for our children I have to ask what is the purpose of school uniforms.

If the reason is that parents are feeling pressured by their children to buy them the latest in-style fashions? I say don’t put in a school uniform because you can’t, or won’t, say no to your children. If the reason is that some children feel left out because they can’t afford, or their parents won’t buy them, the latest LuLu Lemon hoodie or Nike shoes? I say we should be educating our children to look past the superficial while acknowledging that we live in a world that some people will have more material goods than others. We don’t teach students to value what is on the inside by pretending that everybody is equal on the outside.

I work at a school which has the most diverse student populations in our city. We have students who can’t afford food and their clothing reflects that poverty to some of the wealthiest and most affluent children who have never wanted for anything in life. One of the things you learn quickly in our school is that there is an understanding, tolerance and respect for one another that comes not from all dressing alike but from working together and looking past the clothing on each other’s back to the person inside.

Clothing is a basic human right and one of the most important methods of self-expression for youth and you are asking me to allow an arbitrary group the right to dictate how my children dress. I am sorry but to this I must say NO! Diversity is a great thing and something which our children should grow to honour, respect and appreciate. The world, our city, our province does not all look alike, dress alike or act alike so how do we expect our children to look beyond the superficial if we take the easy road and hide our differences. In addition, if this does go forward to an open meeting I will be organizing a formal opposition to this motion.

Merry Christmas 2007

Hello and Merry Christmas,

Well it is a couple days before Christmas and Marla has been gently reminding me that "we" have yet to compose a holiday greeting to all of our family and friends. My defence has been that a message always has a greater impact the closer to the event it is received. However, that seems to be wearing thin so I've made a trade, she wraps, I write.

We've had a great 2007. On the the school front, Connor started kindergarten and is really into the whole school thing. He is a very serious student often giving Graeme advice about being prepared and following directions. Who would have thought that Connor was going to be the rule follower out of the two. I guess he just takes after his Dad in that respect. Graeme is having an awesome school year as well. We are continually amazed to watch his development as it seems everyday he is learning something knew and developing more and more independence. Marla is still counseling and got back into coaching volleyball this year with a coworker. I am back in the classroom teaching after quitting my admin job and it has been great. The downside is I am working much too hard but the upside is I am actually doing stuff I enjoy, except for marking. I HATE MARKING!

Graeme decided not to play hockey this year and is playing basketball instead. He's been enjoying it and there's no 6 am basketball practices so that is a big plus. I thought I might even get a break from coaching since I have never played basketball but funny it didn't seem to work out like that. Both Graeme and Connor are also getting big into soccer playing outdoor and indoor this year. Marla and I ran a few running races this summer and had a great time. Marla has actually been really good about running right into the winter while I have pretty much shut down since the snow came. Marla is still playing volleyball but will need to take some time off as she just had major knee surgery this week. The doctor says 6 weeks on crutches but Marla figures she will be good to go after Christmas. She calls it optimism, I call it stubbornness.

We are heading back to Mexico again this year at spring break but instead of Sayulita we are heading to Tronconnes. Sayulita, the last two years, has been fantastic but the price of things has gone crazy so on the advice of some friends we are going to head to Tronconnes. Shouldn't be too tough of an adjustment as they have all the essentials, a beach and cold Pacifico. Really, we are not too particular about time off as it seems like the boys are at the ages that regardless of what we do or where we go we have a great time. It will be the last year we have a two week spring break for awhile so we felt we better take advantage of it.

Life has been good for the Lewis' and we hope this Christmas season finds all of our friends and family in good health and good spirits. While we may not always be the best at keeping up with all of you we would like you to know that we think of you often and value you as part of our lives.

Happy Holidays,

Love the Lewis'

Swimming up Stream (or is it sitting in the shallows)

Oh ya, once again my traditional ways have outlasted the trends as I opened the paper today to see an article about people turning away from Facebook. (You can read the entire article here.) Well, I am glad to say that just like my resistance to acid wash in the 80's my reluctance to be trendy has served me well. As you can see on July 20th of this year I posted the same complaints with Facebook on this very blog. Now, I just have to wait for this whole tattoo thing to blow and my pasty white, ink free skin will become the hottest thing since desert boots.

A month and a half in

Well, it's mid October and I am a month and a half back into my new old career again. Since I have gone back to the classroom from admin people are always asking me how it is going and really the only answer I have been able to give is FANTASTIC! It's great to feel like I'm working in education again as opposed to managing the behaviour of children and adults who chose to act like children. My only real regret is that I agonized over the decision when I knew in my heart it was the right thing for me to do. it has been a great experience to see my school, students and staff from the classroom and compare it to my perspective from the office. I must say, the view is definitely better from the classroom. However, the best part of my career change come not at work but at home when I sit around the dinner table with my family and we discuss how our days went. Instead of being frustrated about discipline cases, mind-numbing supervision, or mundane scheduling tasks I tell my sons about the neat lesson we did in class or the goofy thing some grade 11 did. My sons get to see me enjoying school as a place of learning and social interaction. Sure there are still frustrations but they are now sidebars in my day surrounded by learning. I don't regret my time in admin as I believe it has made me a better educator by giving me a broader perspective and it has definitely allowed me to return my focus to the classroom instead of looking out and wondering what else there is.

Me and Jacques

So I found out last night that Jacques Demers would be visiting my school this afternoon with the Minister of Education to support a new literacy initiative in B.C. Of Course being a big Montreal Canadiens fan and having grown up watching Jacques Demers coach in the NHL I quickly talked to my principal and "invited" my class to the presentation. It was great to shake hands and get a photo with the man who pulled off the greatest coaching move in Stanley Cup history when in 1993 he called the illegal stick penalty on Marty McSorley of the Los Angeles Kings during game 2 of the finals.