Lauren dislikes non-shovellers

Why do the owners of my apartment shovel the snow only at the entrance of the building? Is it because perhaps they don't actually walk anywhere and don't understand how treacherous (and time-consuming) walking on the sidewalk can be? I suppose I'll just take the shovel and do it myself.
Be safe out there!

back on the blog

so the winter season has arrived again; water logged, cold and dark. oh well, atleast the obligation for outdoor activity has receded...few more weeks till present day...

happy Holidays
happy Hanukkah
merry Christmas
have a solemn Romodan
and a crazy Kwanza

Muffins are Cake by Devin

Muffins are Cake. they are not a viable breakfast food. Unless you think cake is an acceptable breakfast food, in which case, go ahead! Eat your muffins.

another month comes to an end

The phrase ‘time flies’ is an understatement. Time doesn’t just fly, it soars. I remember starting last month’s session as if it were yesterday. Now, I'm having to say goodbye to many students, many of whom are heading back home and I may never see again. That is the only thing I dislike about teaching: the goodbyes.

A door to my life - open it

Why do you need to know about my life? Do you know what I did yesterday? Neither do I because I was too busy focusing on what you're doing. I saw that you went swimming, realized you forgot your towel, and take someone else's...Now, I'm not going to argue that stealing a towel is actually "stealing"; that would be hypocritical, because I have stolen several towels (today), but do you think it's fair that the person, who's towel you took, had to use a bucket of water to dry themselves off. Do you know how long it takes to dry off with a bucket of water? Newsflash: at least 15 minutes. That time could have been used highlighting names with "C's" in them that are in the phone book. So, you focus on your life, and I'll focus on your life.

Lauren Remembers

November 11, 2008. Remembrance Day is a chance for Canadians to reflect on all the wars we've been a part of and have given our lives to. I always watch the Remembrance Day ceremonies on CBC in the morning, and think about the people in my life who have experienced war directly. It makes me sad to think that there are so many people who have had to experience terrible things to give me freedom. All I do is teach English.

Experts for mouse hunting

Our new tenant has two old cats. Since they moved in our house, we have been curiously observed their habits. One day, we realize they are truly experts for mouse huntings.
At midnight in September, we heard cat's screaming a little while, then we found a fresh dead tiny mouse in the front of basement entrance door. It looked like a special gift for their owner. They must be proud of it. Even though they are 15 years old, they become an expert instantly. "osorubrshi, mice"

Finding Happiness: By Natasha

As an English teacher I get a lot of questions in the hallways between class periods. “Can you recommend a movie for me to watch?” “Where is the best Pizza place in Vancouver?” However the most common question I get is, “How can I find boy/girlfriend in Vancouver?” Because of the high frequency of this question I have developed and answer that is not easy to swallow but I believe in nonetheless.

Do what you love. If you love snowboarding then do it. If you love hiking join a hiking club. If you love drinking join a beer tasting group. Don’t just do one thing do lots of things and try new things out. Take responsibility for your own happiness. Do what you love to do and you will be happy. You will feel good about yourself and you will be improving your skills and your life. When you are happy and you feel good about yourself, people will notice you. Most importantly you will be meeting other people with the same interests and therefore more likely to be interested in you as well because you already have common grouns.

When you finally meet a worthy candidate for your heart don’t be shy to ask that “special someone” out for coffee. Most single people out there would actually like to be in a relationship someday, so why not you, and why not now? It might take a couple tries so don’t get discouraged if you don’t meet someone on your first jog around the park. Just get out there and do what you love. Love could be just around the corner.

Lauren's sick day

I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving holiday. I sure didn't. I was sick. On Saturday I stayed on the couch, blowing my nose. At some points during the day, my mom made me some tea. I watched a lot of tv, then went to bed. Same on Sunday with more nose-blowing and coughing. More sweating and feeling cold. On Monday I had to come home from my parent's house, so I tried to catch the 1230 ferry. Of course, the ferry was sold out. No more walk-ons were permitted, so I waited for the 3. It was miserable. I got home around 6 and slept. I woke up and felt like I couldn't come to school. Too much mucus and coughing and body aches and so on. Thanks for covering my classes everyone! I sure needed my sick day.

winter blues

hey hey,

so another summer has come and gone; this was my first summer back in vancouver in the past five years and i enjoyed it immensely. i had a great time in the city, but also enjoyed my trips to the okanagan (wine country-my home town) and to the sunshine coast. alas i fear the rain has started and i will have to bunker down for the winter. hope that where ever this email finds you the weather is warmer than here. stay warm and dry.

rob

So this is my first blog (ever) and I wasn't sure what to write. I asked Nik and he said that I could write about absolutely anything...a poem, or even lyrics from the New Kids on the Block. I think he may have meant the Backstreet Boys since we all know how spectacular they are with their breathtaking vocals, catchy tunes and, of course, sex appeal... i think i may be getting off topic here.. Anyways, I decided to write a haiku inspired by our recent summer-like weather.. so here goes..



The rainy city
With unexpected sunshine
Gloomy fall awaits

Nobody

I'm a Nobody.
Who are you?
Are you a Nobody too?
-Emily Dickinson-

I'm a Nobody
Nobody's Perfect
Therefore I'm Perfect.
-Anonymous-

blueberry picking

this year, i went blueberry picking twice (on august 2nd and 9th) and each time was a delight. the weather last saturday was probably the best because of the light rain and slightly cloudy skies making it just bright enough and cool enough to enjoy the day without getting tired over picking. my friends and i went to a charming place out in langley called krause berry farms. in addition to having u-pick you can also enjoy a delicious serving of corn pizza or other baked goodies.

it wasn't the first time i went there. last year was also a good time for berry picking. the farm has plenty of other choices if you don't like blueberries. they also have raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries. if you like berries, i'm sure you'll enjoy this place.

when i was younger, i would also enjoy fruit picking but usually secretly in my neighbor's farm. my siblings and i would sneak into their fields and grab up as much fruit as possible before heading home. the fruit seemed to taste better when it was eaten in secret.

Ever since I wrote my first blog, the "man" has been trying to restrict what I write. But why? Did my blog shake the "man" out of his quiet slumber? Did those "fat cats" in power feel that the general population would be spurred to do something "crazy" by, what they call, "fictitious" comments? Or did the "Punctuation Police" disagree with my lassez faire attitude, when it comes to using quotations? Are the same people who shut down the successful "DOSE" free newspaper trying to shut down the "Dose" of reality that I offer the public.

I don't have all the answers to these questions...to be honest, I forgot what most of the questions were. But I do know one thing, if I want to find these answers I have to go straight to the top, possibly of a building or a bridge tournament. And when I do, I will say, "I saw this from a million miles away, you predictable answers." In conclusion, the answers I am looking for are like orange juice with extra pulp...a stupid thing to look for.

New York by Nikola

Last weekend I had the opportunity to visit New York and I had an amazing time! It may be one of my favourite cities in the world. On Saturday I visited MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) and it was fascinating! One of the exhibits played with light and transformed everything into black and white. I felt as if I was in the movie Pleasantville. If you ever get the chance to go, I'd hightly recommend taking a helicopter tour of Manhattan--great way to see the city!

⑮Teacher Rob

Name: Robert Stanley Shannon
Nick Name: Rob-O
Hobby?: I like photography and traveling. I want to visit South America this winter.
Do you have any pets?: I don't have any pets, but I want to get another lizard.
What languages do you speak?: I can speak English, French, and Korean. I want to learn Arabic.
What kind of sports do you like?: I like to play basketball, football, and raquetball with friends, and poker.
What kind of foods do you like?: I like many ethnic foods, Lebanese, Mexican, Japanese, Korean, Indian and Balinese.
Message for students!
Good luck to everyone, I hope I can help make your time in Vancouver as memorable as possible. Please ask if you have any questions or concerns.

⑭Teacher Michelle

Teacher Name: Michelle Mclaughlin
Nick Name:
Hobby:Trying new things, cooking, yoga, reading
Do you have any pets?:No
What languages do you speak?:English, French, survival Chinese
What kinds of sports do you like?:yoga
What kinds of food do you like?:Anything and everything, especially if it is spicy! or has cheeze..or bacon.
Any special message for students!
Remember, you have as much to give as you have to learn.

⑬Teacher Wayne

Name: Wayne
Nick Name: Mr. Wayne
Hobby: Hiking, Sunday school teacher
Do you have any pets?: No, but I have children Edward & Maxwell
What languages do you speak?: English/ Lalans
What kinds of sports do you like?: I watch soccer.
What kinds of food do you like?: Just about anything
Any special messages for students!
Do your homework. Don't use your native language. Come to school on time!

⑫Marketer Ryoko

Name: Ryoko
Nick Name: Ree-Oaks
Hobby:traveling, cooking, watching DVD
Do you have any pets?: No
What languages do you speak?:Japanese, English
What kinds of sports do you like?: Vinyasa and hot yoga, tennis, bike riding
What kinds of food do you like?: Vietnamese, Thai, Korean, Japanese and spicy food
Any special messages for students!
Enjoy life in Canada!

⑪Teacher Tristan

Name: Tristan
Nick Name: T-bag, Trist
Hobby: Discussing great business ideas with partners that have no interest in business.
Do you have any pets?: No, but I sometimes watch movies about a dog that plays sports.
What languages do you speak?: English, Turkish, a little bit of Japanese
What kinds of sports do you like?:Hockey, Football(grid iron), Bocci
What kinds of food do you like?: Anything constructed around chili peppers
Any special messages for students!
Can't say due to trademarking rights

⑩Counselor Tomo

Name:Tomo
Nick Name: Tomo-san
Hobby: Reading books
Do you have any pets?: No
What languages do you speak?: Japanese/English
What kinds of sports do you like?:Ski, motor cycling, tennis
What kinds of food do you like?: Sweets/dim sum
Any special messages for students!
Don't worry, be happy!

⑨Teacher Nik

Name:Nikola Jurlina
Nick Name: Nik
Hobby: Traveling
Do you have any pets?:Yes. 1 cat and 120,000 bees.
What languages do you speak?:English, Croatian, 43% Spanish, 18% French
What kinds of sports do you play?: swimming
What kinds of food do you like?: Takoyaki and Nato Ice-cream
Any special messages for students!
Welcome to Canada,EH!

⑧Teacher Natasha

Name: Natasha
Nick Name: Splasha
Hobby: Reading books and making stuff
Do you have any pets?:Yes, his name is Daniel and he is so cute!
What languages do you speak?: English, some French, a little bit of Japanese and 10 Korean words.
What kinds of sports do you like?:I like swimming.
What kinds of food do you like?: Vegetables
Any special messages for students!
Laugh!

⑦Teacher Maria

Name:Maria
Hobby:Yogic flying, drinking and dialing
Do you have any pets?:4-year-old asp named "Halibut"
What languages do you speak?:Miami Vice, Good times
What kinds of sports do you like?:doubles Jai Alai
What kinds of food do you like?: cauliflower, saltines
Any special messages for students!
You guys are awesome!

⑥Teacher Lauren

Name: Lauren
Hobby: Reading, Walking
Do you have any pets?: No (-_-)
What languages do you speak?: English, French, German
What kinds of sports do you like?: Softball, Tennis, Basketball
What kinds of food do you like?: Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean
Any special message for students!
Study harder!

⑤Teacher Jessamine

Name: Jessamine Wong
Nick Name: Jess, Jessie, Yap scrap, Peanut's mum
Hobby: Helping people, thinking positively
Do you have any pets?:2-Peanut( a 1.5 year old silky terrier) and Motorboat( a 6 month old cat)
What languages do you speak?: English/French
What kinds of sports do you like?:dancing, running, playing with Peanut, watching the Canucks
What kinds of food do you like?:Anything sweet, No vegetables!
Any special message for students!
Do not feed Peanut (n_n)!!!

④Teacher Jacqueline

Name:Jacqueline Webb
Nick Name:Jackie
Hobby:Ballroom dancing
Do you have any pets?:Only foster pets (-_-)
What languages do you speak?:Spanish( Latin, Classical Greek-written)
What kinds of sports do you like?:Watching Hokey
What kinds of food do you like?:French fries, steak, chicken feet, ceviche
Any special message for students!
You're always welcome to come to my class, as long as your homework is perfect!

③Teacher Devin

Name:Devin
Nick Name: Brown Sugar
Hobby:Reading and writing for hours in cafes. Shopping for used and vintage clothes.
Do you have any pets?:No
What languages do you speak?: English of course, French and Japanese
What kinds of food do you like?: I have a hot drink addiction-every moment is made better by a hot cup of coffee or tea.
Any special messages for students!
If you come to Vancouver, you need to explore areas besides downtown. The North shore, Main street, Cambie street, Chinatown and Kitsilano are all interesting areas.

②Counselor Yoon-Seon Cho

Name:Yoon-Seon Cho
Nick Name:Cathy
Hobby:reading books, walking in the forest,
Do you have any pets?:No.But I want to have a dog(Golden Retriever)
What languages do you speak?:Korean/English

What kinds of sports do you like?:Watching soccer (especially World Cup)

What kinds of food do you like?: Thai food, I like all kinds of food. But I do not like greesy food.
Any special message for students:
Believe that you can do it!

①Teacher Anthony

Name:Anthony
Nick Name:Tony, Tone, Antonio
Hobby: Speaking about what I've read. Reading,also.
Do you have any pets?: My brother Grady
What language do you speak?:English and very poor Spanish and Portuguese
Which sports do you like?:Soccer,Tennis, Basketball
What kinds of food do you like?:Everything especially steak and salmon.
Any special message for students!
I like 95 % of my students.Don't be the 5%!!

Welcome!

Dear everyone:
Welcome to Arlington's blog! I hope you'll have as much fun reading this as we've had writing it. We want to tell you our loves, our wants and our triumphs. We have a passion for teaching and a desire for a great life. We'd like to leave this world better than we found it. Share what we have and pass it on!
God bless!
Wayne
President