January reflections...

...bring February appointments.

It's my last chance in January to post something...

It's clear from my blogging history that I am a slow blogger in winter. My reflective powers seem to weaken considerably as the sunlight decreases...well, either that, or maybe I just prefer to be cozied up in my fleecy bathrobe watching a good movie with Bo and then off to bed early.

I actually wrote a post a couple of days ago, but it is so lame that I didn't publish it.

I have of course been enjoying the 'Obamania' that rocked the world on the occasion of his inauguration this month. I happened to have a free period from 11:45 to 12:30. Perfect timing to watch Biden and Obama be sworn in and to listen, sometimes tearfully, to Obama's speech streaming live on CNN online in the faculty lunch room. Several of my colleagues were there and a mom of the school (who is American, living in Montreal with her family for a year). The two of us got a lot of attention with many comments that made it seem as if we were watching our first child graduate from college like "You must be so happy/proud/relieved." and "This is a big day for you." I thought of when I was in 6th grade. For one of Reagan's inaugurations, our teachers brought us all together to watch it and told us "this is important, and you'll be voting soon." I'm teaching 6th grade this year, so sharing my feelings a bit with my students felt timely. Lastly on this subject, I personally love Michelle Obama's style. She looked fantastic at every event.

I've also been knocked out by a horrible cold. Bo's going on his second week, I'm a week behind him. Much worse than the one that inspired the poem in October. I have missed a ton of school, which is doubly inconvenient because I have a million appointments these days that are pulling me out of school here and there.

The biggest of these appointments (so far) was last week when I was officially granted permanent residency in Quebec. (YAY!!!) If I choose, in a few years, I can apply for Canadian citizenship (I would have dual citizenship in that case). This means no more hassling with work permits. I just need to get my Quebec teaching permit, my Quebec driver's license, my health insurance, my social insurance...like I said lots of appointments...

So here's hoping for more sunlight in the coming days. I have a feeling there will be.

Slightly belated and sweetly sincere

This is one of four designs of holiday greeting card that you, my family and friends, would have received had I written, addressed and/or mailed a single one. Meilleurs Vœux means 'Best Wishes' and although it is an expression that is often used when we don't really have time to think of something more personal or clever to say, (like when signing a group birthday card in a hurry at work or when sending out a mass email (or blog?!)...); when taken literally and used sincerely it is meant to convey all the best wishes to the recipient, who in this case, I remind you again, is you, my friends and family.

Bo and I traveled to see Bo's family for Christmas. Our nephews at age 2 and 4 were in holiday high gear. My parents came to Montréal a few days later. We visited with them at the Hôtel Reine Élizabeth and they came to have lunch at our place before heading home. I've been spending this week on the phone catching up with old friends, putting off school work, and watching just enough TV. New Year's Eve was spent at the home of some close friends in our neighborhood (four out of the eight of us at the table were immigrants (or wanna-bes like me), and not one of the eight grew up in Montréal). After supper, we played a game and toasted the New Year at 12:15 when the last player guessed the word that was written on a post-it and stuck to her forehead.

Wishing you safe travels, warm hearths, laughter and magic this holiday season!

And truly the best wishes for 2009 to you and yours.