End of September

It's the last week of September, and I'm realizing that I haven't been able to complete my goal of 20 working days at York—I've only managed 7. Jesus! I was so exhausted today after supplying in Newmarket. I miss my beautiful new home so much. Yesterday, I was in Brampton, doing library duty, just sitting there scanning books like a cashier at Walmart. It took me an hour to drive 29 km... it felt endless.

On the bright side, I recently received an assignment as a supply resource teacher for two weeks, working from 10 AM to 4 PM. What a blessing! I can still drive Dudu to work and pick him up. Thank you, Jesus! I just pray that the Lord gives me the strength to drive back home after work and blesses me with the energy to prepare all the food for tomorrow's party. I'm a little nervous since I have so much left to finish.

Last week, I was so happy to find the cutest plush cushions for just $2.99 each—what a steal! I bought six of them. Honestly, I feel like adding this to my résumé as a major life achievement, hahaha! I've been looking online for cushions, and the cheapest ones I could find were $17 each. And to top it off, I was able to host dinner for my girlfriends, which made me so happy.

I'm looking forward to many more joyful dinners with Dudu and our friends around our cozy, lovely dining table. Life has its challenges, but moments like these remind me of the blessings.

Drama OT Supply Diary

First Day:

My first day of drama teaching was definitely overwhelming. I was asked to lead an Echo activity. This game involves students standing in a circle, where one person starts by saying their names or doing something (a sound or movement), and the others "echo" it. It's a fun way to warm up the class, get everyone engaged, and build group cohesion. I was also supposed to go over classroom norms and lead a discussion on constructive criticism in theatre—a concept that’s so vital for actors. Theatre is all about feedback, but it has to be done in a way that helps actors improve, not break them down. Ms. Goldman, the department head, ended up taking the lead on this, and I was so relieved to learn from her how to guide discussions that build confidence while offering helpful, honest feedback.

Second Day:

This day was all about stepping up and running the Mirror, Mirror activity on my own... This game pairs students up, with one person acting as the leader and the other as the "mirror," imitating every movement and expression in sync. It helps develop students' focus, coordination, and connection with their scene partners—key skills in acting.

I also introduced Love/Hate Rants to the Grade 10 class. In this activity, students pick a random object or idea and deliver a passionate rant, either loving or hating it. It’s great for helping them explore extremes in emotion and tone, plus it encourages creativity and improvisation.

For the Grade 12 class, I was introduced to Verbatim Theatre, a style of theatre where actors perform real-life testimonies or interviews word-for-word. It’s an intense way to teach students about real-world stories, but it also challenges their ability to stay truthful to the source material while interpreting it for the stage. The class explored the power of acting real experiences authentically, learning how to handle sensitive material with respect and responsibility.

For Verbatim Theatre, students can pair up and interview each other, focusing on personal stories that help them explore authentic human experiences. Some questions that can be used in the interviews to get rich, emotional responses that will translate well into performance...:

1. What are your dreams or fantasies?
   (This helps explore deeper desires or goals, whether realistic or imaginative.)

2. What is a memory that has shaped who you are today?
   (This invites reflection on personal experiences that have impacted their lives.)

3. What’s something you’re most proud of?
   (Encourages them to reflect on their achievements or qualities they value in themselves.)

4. What’s a fear or insecurity you’ve had to overcome?
   (A question that brings out vulnerability and personal growth.)

5. Who has been your biggest influence, and how have they impacted you?
   (This can help explore personal connections and the influence of relationships.)

6. What’s a moment in your life where you felt completely out of your comfort zone?
   (A great way to uncover challenging or uncomfortable moments and how they shaped the person.)

Acting Techniques I’ve Explored So Far:

1. Stanislavsky’s System:
   The foundation for most modern acting techniques, this system focuses on emotional truth and realism in acting. Actors use techniques like emotional memory to recall past feelings and experiences to bring authenticity to their performances.

2. The Method (popularized by Lee Strasberg):
   An evolution of Stanislavsky’s work, Method acting encourages actors to fully immerse themselves in their characters, often staying in character even off-stage. It emphasizes emotional memory and using personal experiences to create a deep emotional connection to the role.

3. Stella Adler Technique:
   Adler believed that actors shouldn’t rely solely on personal experiences. Instead, she emphasized imagination and understanding the script’s social, cultural, and political context. The actor’s job is to study the world of the play and create truthful performances based on the script and character.

4. Meisner Technique:
   Sanford Meisner’s technique focuses on living truthfully under imaginary circumstances. It uses repetitive exercises to help actors get out of their heads and react instinctively to what their scene partner is doing, emphasizing listening and responding in the moment.

5. Uta Hagen’s Technique:
   Uta Hagen focused on making performances natural and believable. She introduced exercises like "substitution," where actors replace fictional circumstances with real-life experiences, helping them connect deeply to their characters.

6. Spolin Technique:
   Viola Spolin's method revolves around improvisation, encouraging actors to be spontaneous, playful, and flexible. Her exercises help actors break out of rigid patterns and discover new ways to approach their performances, making them more adaptable.

7. Practical Aesthetics:
   Developed by David Mamet and William H. Macy, this technique encourages actors to break down scenes based on what the character wants and what they are doing to achieve it. It focuses on analyzing the script’s objective realities rather than relying on emotional recall.

8. Viewpoints:
   Originally created by choreographer Mary Overlie, Viewpoints focuses on time and space in performance. It trains actors to be aware of their physical presence on stage and how they move through space and interact with others, creating dynamic performances.

9. Chekhov Technique:
   Mikhail Chekhov’s technique centers on using the actor's imagination and physical movement to explore a character’s inner life. It incorporates psychological gestures—specific physical movements that represent a character's desires and emotions.

10. Linklater Voice Method:
    Developed by Kristin Linklater, this method focuses on freeing the natural voice. It helps actors connect their breath and voice with their emotions and intentions, allowing for more powerful and authentic vocal performances.

11. Grotowski Technique:
    Jerzy Grotowski focused on the physicality of performance, pushing actors to use their bodies in extreme ways to express emotions and tell stories. His approach emphasized stripping away the excess and relying on raw, physical expression to connect with the audience.

    
    

    Reflecting on these first few days, I’ve realized how much I’m learning.... My mind is blown away.. 

Finding Rest and Grace Amidst the Chaos

After a crazy 7-week summer camp at Renaissance (now Lolart, lol), I finally got a relaxing week at my beautiful new home and spent some time with Dudu. But honestly, I was sick the *entire* week! Non-stop coughing, feeling so tired, and cold all the time... ugh. The summer was pretty amazing overall, especially since I didn't even think about job hunting in June. I was so swamped with writing report cards, marking, and grading final assignments. It seriously felt like I was writing essays every single day!

On top of that, I was chasing Peel Board HR for my internal candidate job link. Tried reaching out countless times, but nothing worked. So frustrating—😩Canadian bureaucracy at its finest! Thank goodness for Dudu, though. He helped me finally get access to the internal link, so now I can apply for jobs. Hallelujah!

As September creeps closer, I’ve become a regular secondary OT under the York board. I’ve decided to put off staying in Vaughan for now. But I’m still doing the back-and-forth drives, constantly worrying if Dudu’s eating enough or dressing warmly enough—it’s exhausting. I really hope I can get through my 20 mandatory days and fulfill the board's requirements.

I’ve sent out about 30 resumes (maybe a bit less), mainly aiming for high school ESL teaching positions. Elementary school is just too much with all the subjects to teach—I don’t feel confident handling that right now. Last school year was pretty eventful, though. Got a few board offers, did some LTOs, got my experience certification from Peel Board, and also sorted out my QECO. 

Thank you, Jesus, for all the beautiful things that have happened. Truly, all your grace. I’ve been feeling sick these past few months and just want to rest without guilt if I miss a day of work here and there. I pray that the Lord keeps blessing my family, my relationship with Dudu, my friends, and all the wonderful people I’ve met in person and online. They’re so precious to me.

Time to rest...

My beautiful new home by the way💗...

MY FIRST LTO 100%

Looking back on how this 2-month Long-Term Occasional (LTO) assignment came to be, I can't help but feel grateful for the opportunity that came my way. It all started when the department head noticed me using PowerPoint during my occasional teaching duties. Impressed by my approach, I was offered this LTO position. It's a reminder of how even small actions can lead to significant opportunities.

Just two weeks before being offered this position, I had declined a 33% LTO offer at Woodbridge College. Little did I expect to be offered a 100% LTO for two months afterward. I'm truly grateful to Lindsay and the principal for believing in me and giving me this chance...

When I first started, I was nervous, especially since there were two classes(ENG3C and OLC) from the English department and only one challenging class for ESLD. However, as time went on, I found my rhythm and learned so much from the experience: 

1. Importance of clear and detailed rubrics and success criteria for guiding student learning.
2. Understanding that Level 3 represents a solid understanding (70-79%), while below Level 1 indicates a need for improvement (below 50%).
3. Teaching Middle Eastern and some Afghan students has been a unique and rewarding experience.
4. Adapting teaching strategies to accommodate diverse backgrounds and language abilities.
5. Understanding ESLA-E classes and their specific learning outcomes.
6. Tailoring lessons to meet the needs of diverse students effectively.
7. Exploring technology tools like Google Classroom, Kahoot, and Mentimeter for engaging lessons.
8. Engaging students in literature and media studies through movie analysis projects.
9. Gaining insights into the challenges students face in grasping complex literary concepts like thesis statements, literary devices, and descriptive writing skills.

Anniversary

Today, I finally have a moment to jot down our anniversary day (Yay!!), which happened on March 3. It has been a year... Thank you Lord for giving us a year together. I always pray for a kind-hearted and loving man to love and cherish. I thank the Lord from the bottom of my heart for this arrangement in my life. It was a special day, a milestone that I had longed for...

Being with him, every day feels special, even though he sometimes complains that we don't have enough quality time together. But isn't life filled with chores, cooking, and cleaning? I want to remember his request and strive to provide a nice living environment with good food and, most importantly, some quality time together.

  

I was especially grateful for his visit to Niagara because he had just sent me back a few days ago, and there he was again. I suggested we postpone the celebration, but he insisted on coming. We went to Starbucks for coffee and chocolate, did some shopping at Hudson's Bay, and had a lovely time together. I hope he felt the same way. 

This picture was taken while we were trying out a bed mattress, and I said I hoped we could also sleep together until the day we were 80 years old. He suddenly became emotional and cried. Whenever I saw him crying, I cried too. It's a lovely photo. To be honest, if people can sleep next to each other when they are in the hospital, it's a blessing... I would rather die next to my lover than die in any accidents...

As we sat on the couch or the bed, I couldn't help but picture our future home after marriage. What a delightful activity! We went for dinner at Corso and enjoyed a special, nice red wine. Sometimes, though, my inner thoughts wander, and I worry that maybe he doesn't see me as the right fit due to our different races. Maybe he's still enjoying being single, or perhaps I've given him too much stress. I know I shouldn't doubt myself in a relationship, but his concerns about mixed babies have constantly made me question our future. I even thought about not having children to ease his fears, but the idea left me sobbing and depressed.

I am so happy he proves to me that there is actually someone like him on Earth. I often felt in the dark when I realized the world is much uglier than I thought and even the past people I met. I don't know what the future holds for us. Maybe (perhaps unfortunately he might think we should ...) after Dudu, it might possibly also take me years to find someone else, and by then, it might be too late for children. But despite our challenges, I want him to be happy. I respect whatever decision he makes, and I hope we will fight for our relationship and be a good human being on Earth. He has given me hope, and for that, I am grateful.

I trust that the Lord has given me faith and will manage my worries and fears. I pray for peace, confidence, and courage in life. It's incredible how Jesus forgave and blessed his followers, even after being betrayed (Peter betrayed him three times!!!). It's a powerful reminder of his love and grace. And yes, the belief that we can only receive the Holy Spirit through the Lord is profound and central to Christian faith.

Goodbye Niagara Soon

As I sit down to write, I am bubbling with excitement! The decision to move back to Toronto feels like the right one, and I can't wait for this new chapter to begin.

I still remember that first night in Niagara, full of anticipation and hope. I was determined to give it my all, staying for at least two weeks to see if there were enough daily assignments. And then, just when I was settling in, something amazing happened. In my second week, I received an offer from Durham. The thought of moving back to the GTA filled me with joy, but it was a secondary occasional teaching position, and I wasn't quite ready to jump into it.

Niagara has been wonderful, with its elementary occasional teaching position... I decided to pack up my things from Vaughan and give myself at least 9 months to try. I was thinking about moving back GTA for Durham's minimum occasional teaching days in the last month in the academic year, but as time passed, I found myself missing my friends and feeling tired of the long-distance relationship.

Luckily, I received an offer from Peel, and everything fell into place. It's time to move back. I've completed over 60 days of assignments in Niagara, and I know that if the assignment days are less in the GTA, I can always return to Niagara...

Thank you, God, for the time I've spent in Niagara. Thank you for the experiences and the lessons learned. I'm grateful for the memories made and the friendships formed. Thank you for guiding me and showing me the way. As I move back to Toronto, I trust in your plan for me. Thank you for your blessings and for always being by my side.

Forever Happy Together

My heart feels so full knowing that I have someone as special as my love in my life. His smile is the most important thing to me in the world, and seeing him happy makes me the happiest person alive.

  

I collected some of his favorite chocolates and prepared them as a gift. I also decided to get creative and designed some of our photos by writing messages on them.

I hope that we can stay forever happy together.

Here's to many more happy moments together...