Procrastinated Post!?

I've been putting off, putting off, putting off publishing another post until something EUBER exciting happened........

January's been a long haul:P

Perhaps the simple life is something to write about? Teaching in January hasn't thrown too many curve balls - only a couple snow balls. We had ONE snow day last week - when I say 'snow day' there were 3 cms of snow that lasted for the first four periods of the day.. a little mediocre in Canadian standards. Our Head teacher (principal) sent out an advisory email to discourage snowball fights within 50 meters of school buildings and the students went manic and would not concentrate what so ever during lessons. From my office window at break I witnessed one of our part time teachers getting pelted by 7+ snow balls trying to load his car with 3 boxes of supplies - arms full and defenseless.... So I charged out of the Music Suite to confront not only the 7 perpetrators but... roughly the 150+ student Mob witnessing the slaughter!! All I remember was going NAVY GI Joe ass kicking on the two ring leaders - both deviant students of mine. I single handedly cleared the Mob!!! woot woot how fun.. one student tried throwing a snowball at me but had poor aim and was escorted to the Deputy Head's office:~) I now know where my Navy Drill voice can come in handy! Students later commented I looked "well pissed Sir" - 'well' is a british substitute for very/really.

I've been struggling to organize music for my after school clubs - especially the yr 1-6 group (6 yrs old - 11 yrs old) UNTIL I thought back to my elementary days: So I whipped out two famous tunes care of Sharon, Louis and Bram. We rocked to "1 green jelly bean down in my belly bean" and "skinamarinky dinky dinky" WITH the actions: how stellar was that. I think I had more fun reliving the moment then they did performing. Life as a 25 year old primary school student is well awesome!!

Out side of school, I've been a bit of a lazy bum and need to figure out a fitness regime.. I can't make it to the rowing club using public transport.. so now I have to find another way to maintain my Adonis physique:P The only options are slave away at the gym, join a swimming club or take up a new sport. Vball's still on twice a week, so perhaps I should bite the bullet and get a gym membership?? Maybe seek out a trainer partner to keep myself motivated.. I just know I'm rubbish at hitting the gym solo.

Besides that, I'm really just getting on with my first year teaching. I've discovered that I can never really get ahead when trying to get organized. There's always a lesson that I end up planning the night before - i've almost become efficient at teaching this way? Not all is the same old; I'm looking forward to this Friday as I get to attend a music teaching workshop in Manchester. I plan to make a weekend trip out of it and frequent some famous night clubs. Then after next week, i'm off to SPAIN for my first vacation since before University. I've never traveled for the specific reason of having a holiday since we used to go to Calling Lake near Athabaska as a kid - and that was atleast 10+ years ago...

Sometimes I don't know how to sum up my feelings, but a great friend of mine Erika always mentions a song that reflects her mood. So for me today there's this snow Patrol Song that can sum up my feeling towards teaching, fitness and relationships. Sometimes the only way to descibe how life is going is to say the simple word "meh":)

"If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?"

~Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars

2007 ~ A Fresh Start

Out with the old and in with the new: it's time for a shave!!

Happy New Years Everybody!! Mr. Beardsley was soooo 2006;)

I must admit this year is full of anticipation and wonder. The first four months of teaching in England have flown by, and i'm headed into uncharted territory. This is definitley a much longer gig than my student teaching practicum. The next six weeks will be full of Recorder Concerts, Computer Based Compositions and a Percussion Ensemble from Hell.

The best part is that I've already booked tickets to Spain for Spring Break. That's seriously only 6 weeks away!! Crazy wicked:) Outside of teaching, I'm continuing to train with the Warwick Rowing club, and Riga Men's volleyball team. To make some extra cash, I've taken on some private music students. Lastley I hope to join a Brass Band. It's been 4 months sans Euphonium Magic... I must get on that. Leading full throttle into 2007 I've decided to make a top ten list of New Years resolutions. (in no particular order)

1. Keep in touch with home: get on the webcam and say HI:)
2. Join a Musical Ensemble aka Brass Band
3. Put together some kick ass music for my Sisters Wedding (July 14th)
4. Break 6:40 on the Erg (rowing machine) for 2000 metres
5. Win my Volleyball League
6. Eat Healthy - and take on another Rozzy recommended Detox:)
7. Pay off my Visa Bill before 2008
8. Discover British Fashion - get Euro GQ
9. Go on a week long Fishing Trip with My Dad this summer
10. Discover Romance in England

It feels like i'm so far away from everyone, but I've also had such great memories from back home - I know I can keep going. I was looking at pictures from Cedar House, University, the Navy, Sports Teams, Cadets and My Family in Alberta: I really feed from those positive experiences, and no matter what I face, I know I have their love and support to kick some Major European Butt in 2007!!