Costumes

Halloween is fast approaching and, and this is my first year actually working in an elementary school as a real teacher (I don't count all my years tutoring because in 4 years I was only there on Halloween once). This is also the first year my friends and I are going to a performance of Rocky Horror Picture Show. I'm super excited about both things, but there is a downside. I need two costumes this year! What might be appropriate for one situation may not be for the other.

I had so many ideas for my school costume. I was really excited about each of them but I think I'm more excited about the final product (probably because I spent very little money on it haha). At school, I am going to be a cowgirl. I have black cowboy boots (a hand-me-down from my uncle, I'd call 'em vintage, even); a jean skirt; a black short sleeve button down blouse and all I'm missing is the hat. I have a friend who may lend me one, if we can figure out when and where to meet. If not, I think I trip to Walmart is in order... or even back downtown to one of the three costume shops I visited today.

Speaking of school, we're having a few events in honour of Halloween on Monday. The 5th graders organized a type of haunted house for grades one through four. They're really excited by it and, honestly, so am I. It means that's one class I don't have to prepare. At first, I was upset that I was losing English time... but the more I think about it the more I realize that all it means is less preparation for me.

After the haunted house, grades five and six are putting on a little show: they learned the Thriller dance. They've been practicing since mid September and are really anxious about the performance. Knowing this, I've been allowing students who finish their work early to practice the dance for the last five or ten minutes of class. To tie in the dance to English class, and to guarantee their interest and motivation, I've decided that their Halloween activity will be ordering the lyrics to the song.

At lunch, we're having a potluck. I'm making macaroni and cheese cupcakes, which I've made once before last year's TESL potluck. I liked them a lot and I was able to modify the recipe to make it lactose free. Their bite size and pretty good at room temperature. I'm looking forward to the other dishes!

After lunch, we're having a fundraiser: a dessert auction amongst the teachers. I'm most excited about this. I'm making an apple, chocolate and walnut cake. My sister started making this cake about 15 years ago. My grandmother liked it so much she started making it regularly. I absolutely adore it and I think it'll rake in big bucks (like, maybe 20$).

In the afternoon, there's a school wide bingo thing going on. I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to be doing for that...

Finally, Monday night, I'm going to a Rocky Horror Picture Show presentation at the Imperial theater. I'm going dressed as Magenta, The Domestic. I have the same black button as my cowboy outfit; a black skirt; an apron and a little head band/hat thing. I'm just wondering how much effort I want to put on my makeup. I've read some tips, seen some tutorial videos and everything seems to point to this being an expensive endeavor. I think the only thing I'll actually invest in a set of false lashes. They're reusable and, unlike makeup in colours I'll never wear again, I might actually find use for these for another event.

Happy Halloween!

Inspiration

My friend just started blogging (you should check her out), which has inspired me to start again. I really do enjoy blogging: it's cathartic and I always feel better afterward. So here it goes:

Okay, firstly, I am so proud of my friends (they know who they are). One has his dream job, one is moving in with her boyfriend, one is going back to school, one is getting married. I'm so happy for them, for all of my friends. They all deserve happiness, that's for sure.

Then there's another friend who does nothing but complain about her life, about how nothing ever goes her way, about how everything just sucks. She is the one who really inspired me today. I've decided to do the same. I'll sit at home on the computer all night and pretend to look for a job all day and wonder why I have no life. I'll refuse to make any changes to my personality and lifestyle even though it is obviously not working for me. I'll dwell on the fact that everyone's life is going so much better than mine and, well, that must be everyone else's fault, not mine.

Or, ya know, I can not. I can live. I can be happy for my friends knowing that they are happy for me and my accomplishments. Yes, I'm a little jealous that their lives seem to be working out a little better than mine, but I know for a fact that they are sometimes jealous of my life. I've got good things going for me: I'm on my way to a stable career, I travel, I go out, I enjoy life, I've got a good family (even if they drive me crazy at times), I've got good friends (even if they drive me crazy at times). I've got a good life. And I love living it.