Last day of school

So it looks like my school probably won't be around next year. We had a goodbye assembly full of smiles, tears and awesomeness of every kind. I don't know what will come next but it has been a year that really did renew my belief that education can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience for all parties. My co-workers were probably one of the best group I have had the honour to work with and I am looking forward to seeing what comes next.

Ok, I'll do it this way

So, I bought a house. BOught A HOuSE!!! Yikes. I am slowly making it mine. Today that meant breaking some dead bamboo(?) shoots so the new stuff could grow through, installing a light fixture in my bedroom so I can actually see (no ceiling light) and cleaning the bathroom fan in hopes of making it more efferctive (questionable results on that one, probably a new fan is in order, this one is REALLY loud and seems to be making little difference. So many more things, little and big to do but I am happy in my nest. Pics soon.

What up with that? Part 1

So there are like 50 different types of steel/aluminum/not plastic bottles on the market and I can't figure out what the difference is (ok, I haven't tried soooo hard). Why are some $25 each and others $6.99? Why can't they make a good sip-nipple or whatever that's called? I either end up with water dribbled down my front or too much air in my stomach and then the burping begins. I'll pay more if there is some advantage but otherwise I just feel like I'm getting ripped off.

Crochet, the new knitting.

Ok, just the easier knitting. Anyway, while I was trying to make a hat and my cousin was trying to make me a toe/cast cover we realized we were each doing a better job of the other's task so we switched assignments. Now I have a loose but warm toe cover and a chunky, cool hat that match each other and a scarf I already own! Yay giant hooks of happiness.

How I broke my ankle, and what came next.

Please excuse any spelling errors, I'm a little impaired due to pain killers I think.

So I was walking down a very messy, snowy, icy hill because Saltspring Island has no snow removal equipment (and usually wouldn't need it.) I felt one foot slip and thought to myself "shit, I'm going to land on my ass and have a wet butt the whole ride to Amy's house (my cousin, we were leaving my aunt's place). Then my right foot didn't slip and instead caught on something and ended up under me as I fell. I felt something fold, thought it was just my boot at first but was quickly sure it wasn't. My uncle and my cousin's boyfriend got me over to the car (after a brief rest on the ground) and I got my boot off as quickly as I could because there was definitely going to be swelling and, well, they're new boots and I didn't want to have to cut them off. Fortunately the hospital was only about 20 minutes away so I did some deep breathing and thinking about happy things while we drove. The waiting room was empty so I got wheeled in right away and after some discussion of where I was from and my doctor's name etc the doctor told me in a very calm voice that he was quite worried because my ankle was swollen on both sides and so I would need an x-ray. I quite liked his bedside manner, it was a very calming way to tell me is was in baaad shape. X-ray guy came and wheeled me in to the next room, took some shots of my foot and wheeled me back. I got to see one angle displayed on a monitor but they don't actually print them out anymore. I wanted a copy to take home but no such luck.

I got sent home with a temporary cast. We took photos of the process so I'll try to get them up soon. It all seemed like an interesting adventure once they got my ankle stabilized and the ouchiness decreased to a bearable amount. I did have to get taken to Duncan BC by my very kind aunt and uncle the next day (Tuesday) where the orthopedic surgeon evidently operated on my foot although I know nothing more than that I fell asleep in one room and woke up in another wondering when they were going to start the surgery. Incidentally they operated on the proper leg which was reassuring since they tried to check me in as Lolita Ayeldas with a broken left ankle (I said to go for the one with the cast). I got properly registered as Roberta and all seems to have gone well. The cast I have now is a different colour than the one I went in to the hospital with so they must have done something right? Tomorrow I go back for a follow up x-ray and a long-term cast and, hopefully, permission to fly home on Sunday as planned.

I'm feeling very glad about having spent the last 3 months or so working on balance and leg strength at karate as it is definitely coming in handy now! How I am going to keep this up for 6 weeks remains to be seen as I am already feeling frustrated at having to depend on other people for everything and not being able to just get up and get it myself. Good lesson in patience and gratitude for me I think.

So, that's the story of how Robi broke her first (and hopefully last) bone ever!

Robi - the newest kung fu panda.

I have been going to Karate for the past month or so and I am really enjoying it (as I thouht I would). I am so much more inclined to exercise when someone is telling me to do it. If only Anne would offer to boss me around in some sport I would actually do! Maybe we'll find one someday.

John (my cousin) actually gave me a compliment the other day. He is one of the blackbelts /Sensei at the karate club. At the last class we had to present our forms (katas) to the whole group and when we got home he told me I should enter a tournament which I take to mean I looked like I knew what I was doing. Woot!

Yeesh

Yep, I totally am not good at updating my blog but really, how many pictures of my cats do you want to see? Here are some pics of my new classroom in my 'happy clappy' school which I am really enjoying. I have grades 6-8 which we refer to as Senior Class. There's only 10 kids in the class and they're all pretty great so no complaints so far. I'll try to get some photos of the work we've posted on the walls so you can all (both?) see how artistic these kids are.
PS. I'm really not in love with my current digital camera, anyone have one they love and would reccomend?