I Hate June

Yes, I know it’s been a log time since I’ve posted, but you gotta understand, it’s June!

As a teacher, we always get a hard rap about those terribly long summer vacations - and possibly there is something to it - but we pay for it in June. Report cards, marking, assessments, retirement functions, intake meetings, the list goes on and on. Add to that my eldest daughter graduates from high school and I’m changing schools and, well, it’s a really hectic time. Luckily, I am able to get my head above water for a little while as some of these things are finished now. Here’s some of the highlights over the past month....

Wettest June on Record

We sometimes joke that the Lower Mainland of BC is on the Wet Coast. This June has been unseasonably cold and wet. I mean really wet. I’ve ridden my scooter lots but not on many long trips since my trip to Bellingham as it has not been particularly enjoyable riding. But with the price of gas, I'll put up with some wet weather if it will make transport a bit more affordable.

Talent Show Performance

One highlight that I’ve had the past few years is performing at our school’s talent show. After the kids have performed, I lead a group of teachers and a student in a song or two to close the show. We had three teachers and a Grade 6 student on drums in this year’s band. We even had a name, Trainwreck, named after one of the guys said, after our first practice, “Man, what a trainwreck.” The rest is history.

We practiced a lot and didn’t sound half bad. We performed “7 Nation Army” and “Blitzkrieg Bop”. During the second song, all of the kids got up and danced. It was a bit chaotic - something a teacher doesn’t particularly enjoy, but as a performer, it was great!

Vespa Surfing

In my school, Grade 7 is the last year of elementary school before high school. To recognize this, we held a nice dinner and activity afternoon at a local ranch. Problem is, when I was near the ranch, the road was flooded. No problem I thought, I’m on my Vespa, and so I negotiated the ridges of the road without difficulty. That is, until I reached the entrance. There I had to cross a lake of water. Although it was only a few metres wide, it was a bit deeper and my Vespa actually sounded like an outboard motor for a few seconds. Luckily, it was fine after the watery encounter.

Daughter's Graduation

This was a great time - starting at 9 o’clock in the morning we went to commencement, then a lunch at our place with both sides of the family, then make up and hair appointments for my daughter. After, a few photos and then off to dinner. After dinner, a dance and then to the dry grad, starting at around 11:30 PM. I dealt black jack there until 3 AM and then everyone went to watch a hypnotist - one of the funniest things I’ve seen. Then an hour of draws and it was 6 AM - time to go home with everyone tired but happy and safe. Whew! I’m still catching up on my sleep!

So that's just a taste of my hectic June. But with only 6 school days left, I can see the end of another year. Ahh, to be riding my bike or taking my Vespa for a long ride - I'm really looking forward to it!