Winter!

It's finally starting to look like winter in February! We got hit by our first big storm of the season. You know the type. Where the top of the driveway is covered in snow by the time you reach the bottom. Driving home was beautiful, the snows were covered in trees, and with the fog it set such a peaceful scene. It was great to let the Jack and Audrey out and goof off in the snow. Audrey wanted to go and chin rub all the snow. Jack just wanted to frolic, yes, frolic.

But, of course, my back is feeling the snow now.

creepy...

Well, I ususally treat horoscopes as a silly escape, but sometimes the Yahoo one is a bit scary. It's a custom to buy a pair of new shoes for Chinese New Years, but a girl can never leave with just a pair of shoes :P
So, I came home feeling a bit guilty, turned on the computer to find a horoscope about shopping. While the guilt is still there (as my bank statement is all in the withdrawl column right now), I can at least take comfort in the fact that my spending was written in the stars.

(_ _)zzZZZZzzzz

I've been pretty tired lately...I keep falling asleep. I was waiting to see the doctor today and fell asleep in the waiting room! Mornings are horrible. I'm more tired than when I went to bed. And traffic has become bad lately, I think because of the snow (even though it's only a little)
But, gotta keep going! I guess I need to drink some tea or something. I have lots to do...and then hopefully it will all be worth it! I haven't been able to spend time with the students lately. I think when I don't get to spend time in schools, it makes my own studies harder...there's that lack of motivation when I'm just studying.

I'm also working on this big project. It isn't due for another 2 weeks, but I've been working on it for a while. It's taking much longer than I planned...computers! Hopefully, I can get it taken care of by this weekend!

I did get some time to play some tennis today. Even though it's by myself, it's better than nothing.

Movie Review: Udon

My gosh, this movie spoke to my stomach. This movie is based on actual events, which I thought was hilarious. But, while I was watching the movie, I thought, "Wait! I remember watching this on the news! I remember seeing the Udon Taxi!"
The movie is centered around a Kosuke Matsui, who starts off the movie in NYC, determined to be the most famous Matsui there (good luck...) by making it big as a comedian (again, not with the standard Japanese act in NYC, the comedy styles are too different and the audience too cruel). After failing miserably, he returns to his hometown, deep in debt. He is sucked back into the world of udon (his father owns an udon restaurant) as he tries to make some money at a failing magazine. He discovers a gold mine by exploiting the public appetite for food review guides. Next thing you know, we have an "udon boom", complete with pilgrims. As silly as travelling hundreds of km for a bowl of noodles...I have to say I understand, cause I've done it ...
But, as it is a Japanese film, it of course has your daily recommended dose of tears and heartfelt reflective moments.

PD Day

Had a professional development (PD) day today. Today's workshops were all on using technology in the classroom. Pretty exciting stuff. I find that sometimes, the workshops aren't helpful at all, but today's were pretty helpful. One was on a graphic novel builder, another was on BrainPop, and the last was using the Smart board for literacy. It was interesting how the presenter who had the most problems with technology (not his fault, awful internet connection) was probably the best presenter. Very dynamic, flexible, and engaging. Would love to see him in his natural environment.

Movie Review: きみにしか聞こえない

I started a movie about a week ago, and I finally finished it. Called Kimi Ni Shika Nikoenai, it's a great example of the tragic love story between two people who have never met. After a bit of a slow start, it had me bawling like a baby...my eyes still hurt. Ryo is a high school girl who is socially awkward, with low self-esteem. One day she picks up a toy cell phone on her way home. To her surprise it rings, triggering "the cell phone in her head". She starts having long conversations with the man on the other end, Shinya, a young man who lives in Nagano. They support each other and bring life to each other's exisitence. When they finally get the courage to met, it is tragic and bittersweet (trying not to ruin the ending).
Funny how I can cry over this, but not over myself...the lyrics from the ending credits song didn't help me either. It just opened a whole new can of emotional worms. Such a mess.
Next movie needs to be a happy one.

BOOMERANG SNAKE!!!

Wow! I was watching the Australian Open during lunch today, and saw a bit of the match between Nadal and Kohlschreiber. Nadal pulled off a shot that had me jumping up and down like a little girl. I think the proper term for the shot is buggy whip, but for other teni-puri fans, they probably know it as the boomerang snake. It's an around the net shot. Need to find video of that one! Getting psyched for Rogers already!