décembre.

Cannot believe we are halfway through December already. It boggles my mind! I haven't yet gotten into the Christmas spirit, although I find myself going through the motions. I've tried singing Christmas songs, watching Christmas movies, decorating a bit, doing some baking, and today I did half of my Christmas shopping. I can't even keep up with my advent calendar, because I just do not have Christmas on my brain. Tomorrow, at my parents house, we are decorating the tree, and hopefully that will help.

December has been an interesting month so far. Interesting, to say the least. I guess what I really mean, is that December has been stressful. Last month I worked as a TTOC for thirteen days. I mean that doesn't sound like a lot to those of you who work Monday-Friday 9:00-5:00 kind of thing. But for a TTOC in this district, I felt it was a lot. This month however, halfway through the month and I have worked a grand total of 3.8 days. THREE POINT EIGHT DAYS. My phone has been oddly quiet, and just not ringing for work. I guess December is a quiet month for TTOCs because of all the Christmas events going on in the elementary schools. Anyways, I am stressed because how does one person live off of 3.8 days, and that money has got to last me until February 10th (TTOCs are only paid once a month, so my measly 3.8 days will be paid January 10th). Thank goodness for small fortunes like a GST cheque at the beginning of January.

As well as not really teaching, I came down with what seemed like the flu about a week and a half ago. After battling through extreme chills, a fever, and feeling nauseous for 3 days, I finally went to the dr. when my sore throat would not go away. A couple days later, I found out I actually had strep throat (which apparently is very similar to the flu and I've never had strep before so I didn't know).... so since then I've been popping penicillin like it's going out of style. In some sort of blessing, I managed not to get a phone call for work in the 2 days that I needed for sleep and rest. I am very thankful for that. I did not want to have to turn down work!

James returned home last night for the holidays. Happy to have him back, because I haven't seen him since July! It's been too long! Missing my other extended  family dearly. Wish I was able to get to Vancouver more... feeling like a need some QT with the fam, and sad we won't be seeing them at Christmas. However, we may be taking a short trip to Osoyoos for a few days after Christmas. That way we get to see my other grandmother, aunt, and cousins. If only more of the family would travel over for a visit too! Missing all the little munchkins.

Peace and take care.

XO

back in action.

Well, here I am again. The last time I had posted was April of 2010. Now in December 2012, it has definitely been awhile. I did the tumblr thing for a bit (still have an active account, but almost never on), had twitter and facebook (axed those in October 2012), and all I am left with is pinterest, instagram, and coming back now... blogspot. I tried a bunch of different blogs for a bit (teaching/practicum blogs, gratitude blogs, and a personal blog--but they never stuck! I always loved blogging ... having my own space, and being able to just write and post whatever I wanted without the obligation of a feed and having to go through others "stuff".

Let's try this again. As we embark into a brand new year (2012 was very lovely to me), I am excited to start up One Hundred Million Suns again.

Cheers. Hope your holiday season is off to a good start.

Thoughts go out to those affected in today's awful tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut. Cannot believe that guns are legal in the states. Please Obama, we need gun control and new laws.

Taylor.

the drizzles

hey lovers... just wanted to let you all know that I am now on tumblr:

http://www.taylorlinknipe.tumblr.com/

see you there.

xx

cute as a button

eh? to zed!

Here I am .... Saturday day and evening working away on 10 of the 26 maple leaf letters for my Canadian alphabet. Since there are only 16 kidlets in my class, I have to make up for the other letters. It's been fun though... so far I have done A is for Alberta, E is for elk, K is for kayak, Q is for quarter, U is for uranium, V is for vacation, X is for X-crossing skiing, Y is for Yukon Territory, and Z is for zamboni. I just have to do J still, and that'll make it 10. And I am drawing little pictures for each of them, and I have to admit, they are pretty CUTE looking maple leaves :)

Other than that, I went for lunch with Nicole and Steph to That's a Wrap ... it was delish, I haven't had it in soooo long. I also hit up the gym before supper, and then had a t.v. dinner with my parents and we watched some of Crazy Heart.

Now, I am getting ready to head down to the show to see The Back-up Plan with J-Lo! I love her movies; they are so cute and funny!

Happy Saturday.

ps. Great Minds Think Alike: apparently my brother and I did identical blog posts just three days apart (he did his first, but I swear, I did not see his before posting mine). Crazy!

xx

fine shrine

glory club

blair waldorf vs. audrey hepburn

practicum week 02

I have hardly blogged (and I said I would)...but I've been busy with practicum, and though I haven't been busy, busy...it has basically consumed my life (in a great way). I am loving it. I can't find the words to describe how much it fits me (and I am so blessed to have gotten a K/1 class, and a wonderful host teacher) just perfectly. I am so excited that I am this happy with going into education, and becoming a teacher! I am thrilled :)

This weeek was good. I taught about 3 lessons, and they all went terrifically. I am still working on my peripheral vision ... it's hard! I am so comfortable in front of the kids now, and I am developing a relationship with all of them ... three weeks is not enough time! I wish I had another week ahead .... I would stay until the end of June if I could!

I have so many stories, and I wish I could share them all, but you'll have to ask me about them in person if you want to know more details... it's all too hard to explain on the blog!

Anyways, it's the weekend: happy for a little break ... and I need some time to finish planning my last two official lessons. Then, I am also doing a third lesson on Thursday with Jenny (we are team-teaching) and we are going to be doing a drama based lesson!

--enjoy the weekend, you cats. and I hope the sunshine stays!

xx

calories make me happy

Why I love Puck and Quinn