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.