I'm in "Like"

Every once in a while, I put a "LOFTY" goal infront of me for the week. It might be to not complain about work, or to appreciate people more or to finish my entire list of things to do, or to pay the parking ticket thats been hanging over my head since February. This week I have decided to like EVERYBODY. I am going to like every single person I know. Even the ones that annoy me. It might be hard, but I'm going to try.

I like Tiersa because she is the person I get along with and have the most fun with out here in BRITISH COLUMBIA
I like KarBen because they came all the way to Kamloops to visit me.
I like Steve Gelensey because... well seriously... who doesn't?
I like my family because they take care of me and love me and make me laugh. A lot.
I like Bethany S because she is nice and always up for doing something.
I like Pastor Dave 1, Kim, Landon, Levi and Hayley because they represent a good solid fun Christian Family.
I like Lana because she is wise.
I like Pastor Harry and Lori because they love eachother.
I like Pastor Dave 2 and Katherine because they went to Mac. And are nice. And super smart. Pretty much walking encyclopedias.
I like Sylvia and Kyler because they are cute and infatuated
I like Mike because he is friendly.
I like Ferin because she don't take no guff from anyone and says it like it is.
I like Cory because among other things, he is going to find 8 months worth of church work my computer deleted last week.
Lilly is a gormet chef wannabee - 'nuff said.
Christy will always be my Chief.
Rob J will always be the most inappropriate and hilarious friend I ever have. And he will be my lifelong connection with the o so wonderful J BAX.
Deborah from Kamloops reminds me to be gentle.
Deborah from Chicago/Bucharest reminds me to be gentle.
Debra is a nice work partner.
KCS staff is funny
All secretaries in the world bless my life.
The youth and jr. youth at church make me feel useful and fun.
David, Gerda, and Carla teach me to be a perfectionist.
Jeremy is always nice.
Mark Sinke will always make me smile.
I always want to know what Aura is doing.
My first teaching class (at BCA) gave me good memories that I fall back on whenever I feel like quitting being a teacher.
Tom is always my friend and always fun to be around.
Mom and Dad love me and let me mooch.
Esther makes me giggle. P.S. I miss you.
Memories of Jacci make me smirk and smile.
All my aunts are supportive.
My uncles are second fathers.
I like Bo because I know I will without a doubt always laugh when I talk to him.

I'll fill in more as my 'week of liking everyone' continues.

Dear Grade Two Student - Letter #2

Hi. My name is Miss. Gerrits. We have been in school for 8 months, there is two left to go. Why did you forget my name yesterday? Not even a Miss. G or a Mrs. Gerrups, just a "Miss.... ... uhhhhhh" Its Miss. Gerrits, or Miss. G. 5 letters. Not hard to remember.

Defending the Family Honour

This post is a tribute to my super sister Bethany who defended the family honour yesterday. Here's how it happend.

My sister Esther moved out here to British Columbia in December and started working at Chilcotin Holidays. It was not all it was cracked up to be, but she persevered - even though they promised her a wage that they didn't actually pay her, made her work too many hours, made her do things that were not in her job description. (She was the office manager and had to regularly muck out the horses - that is not what she went to college for.) But despite all that, and the ..... rude... attitudes of her employers she continued to work there. During her three months she saw twenty one employees come and go. One arrived in the morning - went to get gas that evening and never came back. THe average person stayed for 4 days. A few never even showed up, some would come for a night and then pack up and leave the next day. Sometimes they would even hitch-hike to get away from the backwoods resort. Why you ask? Well because the employers were jerks. They would bawl out everyone for anything and they were just plain mean.

When Esther had finally had enough (she was there the longest - at three months!) she quit and offered very kindly to remain at the resort to train her replacement. When boss number one heard, she went right over and yelled at my sister for a solid 30 - 45 minutes about how she was the worst employee ever and how she sucked and they should never have hired her etc etc.

Keep reading this story gets better.

After that she decided, no, I"m leaving. That was uncalled for. But she didn't want to tell them that until she had her cheque in her hand - worried that they would stiff her for the last month that she worked. When she had the cheque in her hand, along with three other employees (who had been there all of three days) they collectively told boss number two that none of them would be returning after their weekend off. Boss number two then proceeded to strangle one of them. (yes with his hands, around his neck). They packed up and drove away within two hours, arriving unexpectedly, stressed and angrily on our doorstep at 2am.

YESTERDAY, my sister Bethany was at the drivers liscence place and this rancher dude came in and sat down beside her, and it took her about five minutes to realize that the man was Esthers boss number two. He said to Bethany,

"You look VERY familiar."
"Yeah, I'm Esthers sister." she responded.

THEN Boss number two went off on Bethany about how Esther was the worst employee ever - used some choice swear words and derogatory terms that I will not mention here and went over the top at Bethany! Bethany defended the family honour with the following seven words:

"You are a Jerk. Screw You."

He went SO nuts that the drivers liscence place kicked him to the curb!

I don't get it! What is wrong with some people?!?!?!

The moral of the story is: Stay away from Chilcotin Holidays. I don't even know if you could go there. They have absolutly NO staff anymore. Five Star Retreat ha! how can you run a resort with only TWO people???

Adult Lunch Bags

Things I wish, as a teacher, I could justify putting in my lunch. All the other kids get good stuff in their lunches why cant the teacher???

Fruit Rollups. I saw a kid eating one today and I wanted to steal it and wrap it around my finger and suck it as long as I could.

Fruit By The Foot. Its food and its fun!

Dunkaroos. So many ways. Icing between two, dip it, a little, scoop it alot, save the icing till last.

Lunchables.

Chocolate milk. (which ironically I don't even like)

Those cool new juice bag boxes. (also that I don't like but look fun)

Alphagetti and Zoodles

Seriously, why can't their be cool 'adult' lunch food. The only 'neat' thing we get is yougart covered granola bars. mmm yogart and granola even sounds fun! I mean maybe if they called it granola rollups or granola by the footaroos. Someone needs to invent fun adult lunch food. Here are a few of my ideas.

Fruitations Geometrics Imagine - flat flavour filled fruit rolled up. You can make crafts out of it before you eat it, roll it up, cut out shapes, chew or suck it.

Leftoverables. Like lunchables only real meals and adult sized.

Coffee-Aid or Tea-Aid . Like kool-aid, only in a bag with a straw and coffee instead of juice.

Sandwiches by the Foot. Long sandwiches full of lettuce, cheese, meat, sauces etc. And long instead of square so they are funner to eat.

Just think of the lunch room conversations that could come. The bartering and trading. The librarian wants to trade the principal her Leftoverables for his Fruitations Geometric. Lunchtime would be so much more enjoyable.

New York to London

1. go to www.google.com
2. click on "maps"
3. click on "get directions"
4. type "New York" in the first box (the "from" box)
5. type "London" in the second box (the "to" box)
6. click on "get directions"
7. scroll down to step #24


...
20.
Take exit 24 A-B-C on the left toward I-93 N/Concord NH/S Station/I-93 S/Quincy
0.4 mi
1 min
21.
Merge onto Atlantic Ave
0.8 mi
3 mins
22.
Turn right at Central St
0.1 mi
23.
Turn right at Long Wharf
0.1 mi
24.
Swim across the Atlantic Ocean
3,462 mi
29 days 0 hours
...
25.
Slight right at E05
0.5 mi
2 mins
26.
At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto E05/Pont Vauban

THAT my friends

IS FUNNY

PHEW

My life has just gotten better.

There is hope for us yet ladies.

Prince William is once again available.

Like my good friend Christy said once when she liked a boy with a girlfriend "Meh, people break up. " (actually she said 'Meh, people die' but same difference)

Wills, prepare to meet your match. I'll be the queen to your king. And seriously, Canada technically is still part of the British Empire, so think of the political benefits our union would have!

the CSI of nikki

Yesterday I was walking across a parking lot, and I thought to myself - "what would a CSI discover about me if I were to die right now. What if I get hit by a car? Or what if when I walk past that empty beer bottle over there someone shoots me or there is a bomb there triggered by movement?" I wondered what someone would discover about me just from the articles I had on me. Here is what I came up with.

THE BODY
Young girl, in her 20s. Wearing old clothing covered in paing and dust. Paint on arms and under nails, obviously a labourer. Hair is styled so obviously took some pride in her appearance. Lack of jewlery save two rings. Slightly whiter skin under the rings indicating that she wore them permanently and either has spent time in the sun or has been tanning.

Swollen ankle, partly due to an old injury, partly due to the physical labour of the day. Painted toenails, slightly chipped. Bitten fingernails so a worrier. Only 3 of 5 piercings have earings.

THE PURSE
Keys to various rooms as well as a Toyota Yaris. Not an elaborate car, but a modern model, all on an AWANA Because Kids Matter To God lanyard. She must have something to do with kids.
DayPlanner - various shifts written in, colour coordinated with highlighter. Has three jobs. Outstanding parking ticket. Must boycott the retardeness of parking laws in Kamloops. Yellow paintchips of various tints and shades. Grade two Social Studies Tests, all graded save one. Future lesson plans on British Columbia. Division Flash Cards, a childrens book, plastic orange easter egg, apple. Must be a teacher. Tanning glasses. Explains the discoloration underneath the rings mentioned above. Three mints, old paystub, church bulletin - front indicates she works at the church. Eyeliner, empty ziplock bag, cell phone with 54 numbers as well as 27 pictures, various text messages - must be well known with many friends. Hand cream, lipgloss indicates slight dry skin problem. Wallet including many gift cards and no money, receipts organized by date and location of store. Perhaps Obessive Compulsive? Picture of victim and two friends in a tree. British Columbia drivers liscense, Ontario Health Card. Perhaps our victim is trying to escape Ontario.

Thats all I could come up with. Any CSI wanna bee's out there have any other conclusions?

This is the true joy in life,
being used for a purpose recognized by yourself
as a mighty one.
And being a force of nature instead of a selfish little
clod of ailments and grievances,
complaining that the world will not devote itself
to making you happy.
I am of the opinion that my life belongs
to the whole community.
And for as long as I live,
it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.
I want to be thoroughly used up when I die,
for the harder I work, the more I live.
I rejoice in life for its own sake.
Life is no brief candle for me.
It is a sort of splendid torch,
which I've got a hold of for the moment.
And I want to make it burn as brightly as possible
before handing it on to future generations.

- George Bernard Shaw

THE OFFICIAL PLANS OF ONE NICOLE J. GERRITS

July/August
South Thompson Inn and Conference Centre (Full Time)
Summit Drive Baptist Church (Part Time)
Camping
Family Reunion
Moving
Garage Sales

September
Kamloops Christian School (Full Time)
Summit Drive Baptist Church (Part Time)

Seriously Guys,

This whole TWO HEAD thing is getting out of control. All I wanted to do was put a funny little ancedote on my blog and it has since turned into three newspaper articles, an interview on the CBC (yes the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation,) an angry letter to the editor, and numerous phone calls.

Seriously, is the fish that interesting??

Twas the night before something....

Twas the afternoon of Wednesday, when all through the streets
The cars were a driving, the people on their feet,

My gas tank was full, the oil all topped up
In hopes that my shopping would bring me good luck.

Vanessa was at candy striping working the beds
With visions of hot male nurses danced in her head.

And I in my teaching clothes, Fee-B covered with dirt
Had just parked on the side of the road along a empty curb.

When I went to the thrift shop, it was full of such clutter
I sprang round the aisles to see what what stuff would matter.

Away to the CD section I flew like a flash
Turned over the tables and threw out the crap
The sun shone through the window blessing my search
Gave the luster of glory to the objects I researched.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear
But a beaten up CD all scratched and unclear.
With five boys on the front, so lively and played
I knew in a moment it was the first CD ever made.

Better than Backstreet Boys, the came very first
Though some would argue that the Beatles were first.

Now Donny, Now Joey, Now Danny and Jordan
Don't forget the one no one liked I think his name was Jonathan

From 1989 to 1993
They came and left, came and left, came and left all.

As dry leaves that before wild hurricanes fly
When they met with an obstacle, their band it did fall.

Donny trashed a hotel
While Jordan had stage fright.

And then in a twinkling, I head over the PA
"We are closing, get out of here, its the end of the day"

As I picked up the CD, and was turning it around,
Down the aisle they came with a leaping bound.

They were dressed in all stonewashed from their heads to their feet,
And I haven't seen that much Neon since my days on the street.

A bundle of old clothes they had flung on their backs
Donations to goodwill - to the community they were giving back.

Joey's eyes how they twinkled, Donny's dimples how merry,
Jordans cheeks were like roses, Jonathans nose like a cherry.

Danny's droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And his 3 foot long rat tail hung on his back so low.

The steps on the side of their heads were so cut,
And the loafers and socks were definitley hot.

They said to me in unison "Please don't go Girl"
And told me romantically you're "My favourite Girl"

With a wink of my eye, and a twist of my head,
I told them "I remember when."

They spoke not a word, but went straight to their work
And emptied their bags and turned called me a jerk.

And laying their fingers up their nose,
And giving a five hip trusts, in mist they arose.

They looked down from above, to give one last word of advice,
And away they all flew leaving the chill of ice ice.

But I head them exclaim as they flew through the fluff

"Hey Nikki! Don't forget to always Hang Tough"

Things I didn't like this week
In a particular order

10. Spinach
9. Pie
8. Spinach Pie
7. Things and people that smell like mothballs.
6. Snow in April
5. Two Head officially kicking the can. Well... more like getting flushed down the can.
4. Rotten eggs
3. Gas prices
2. Getting up in the morning.
1. Getting up in the morning.

Things I did like this week.
In NO particular order

10. Hanging with Ferrin (Tom is a liar! no cookies for you, mates and sharks)
9. So many movies with Tiersa (LIke a singed koala looking for an all night burn centre)
8. Leanna being a nerd.
7. Eating goldfish in memory or Two-Head
6. Filling out Customer COmmment Cards
5. Learning how to save the environment. (may or may not have been hanging out with comment 7 from the previous list)
4. Having a RE-Crush on Leonardo Dicaprio
3. Bar-B-Q parties
2. My Drive on Barnhartevale Road
1. Bringing the puppies to school.

Things I'm looking forward to next week.
No particular order.

10 My sister doing my taxes for me.
9. sleeping in for 4 days in a row.
8. Hanging with my sisters and parents.
7. Baking banana bread.
6. Eating Easter dinner.
5. Reading some books
4. Finding out what I'll be teaching next year.
3. Being done with the grade 2 play
2. Sunshine and flipflops
1. Weekend Retreat for One.

Mystery Road Trip

It all started on a cold winter evening in a hot tub. Tiersa, Bethany, Sylvia and I were complaining about winter, about Kamloops, about being bored. So we decided that on the weekend of March 16 we would go on the most random road trip we could think of. We all booked off the weekend and the only plan we made was to meet at 9am for breakfast with a map, and a full tank of gas.

We opened the map, put a blindfold on, spun around and pointed. No matter what, we were going to go to wherever we pointed. Bethany's finger landed on Arrowhead British Columbia - so that was where we were going. We made up all sorts of silly rules, like stopping at every single Tim Hortons on the way, stopping whenever we wanted to see something neat.

For Example:

This is us stopping at the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Who knew it was only 2 hours away from us???


"I'm so happy to see the spike!" (It was actually under 4 feet of snow, so we didn't actually 'see it' but we saw the pile of snow that it was under!


This was at Three Valley Gap. There was an old ghost town that we attempted to explore. Apparently there are no ghosts there in the off-tourist season, and so it was all locked up. We still had fun walking around and taking pictures.

This was my favourite stop:


And yes, it does say 'skidders' on the bottom. And to think, this sign was only 20km from my home and I never knew about it!

We also made up rules that we had to be SUPER friendly to every single local that we met. Here is one of my funnier conversations with a Tim Hortons Drive Through employee.

"Hi!!!! My name is Nikki, and my friend Sylvia here would REALLY LOOOOOVE a Medium French Vanilla. Preferably in a winning cup."
"Well Nikki, you tell your friend Sylvia, that I'd love to get her a Medium French Vanilla, and I'll do my best with the cup. Thats $1.49 please drive through."

We also had to do a random act of kindness for a stranger.
This was getting gas:
"I want to buy a chocolate bar. What's the best kind?"
"Uh, I'd say a Coffee Crisp is the best. Its my favourite" said the employee.
So I bought one with my gas. and then handed it to the employee and said,
"Oh, thats for you, have a great day!"

BC has lots of mountains, and it is winter, so lots of snow. Another rule we made up was that every time we saw a sign that said "Avalanche Area Do Not Stop" We would stop and do a chinese fire drill. It was hilarious fun. Except for the time when we really couldn't stop, and had to do 7 in a row.


Here is us on the road to Arrowhead

You'll notice the road is covered in 2 feet of snow - so we never actually got there. it was quite disappointing that after 7 hours of driving we never got to our destination.

What could have been:

I was pulling out some older CDs this week - just to mix things up and as I drove down a beautiful back road near my house that I had never been on before, this song came on. I'm not usually one to get all sentimental and testimonial, but some of the lines in this song really made me thing.

Big Daddy Weave - Audience of One
From the album One And Only

I come on my knees
To lay down before You
Bringing all that I am
Longing only to know You
Seeking Your face
And not only Your hand
I find You embracing me
Just as I am

And I lift these songs to You and You alone
As I sing to You in my praises make Your home

To my audience of one
You are Father and You are Son
As Your spirit flows free
Let it find within me
A heart that beats to praise You
And now just to know You more
Has become my great reward
To see Your kingdom come
And Your will be done
I only desire to be Yours, Lord

So what could I bring
To honor Your majesty
What song could I sing
That would move the heart of royalty
When all that I have
Is the life that You've given me
So Lord let me live for You
This song with humility

And Lord as the love song of my life is played
I have one desire to bring glory to Your name

Because what really can I bring? God is SO amazing, and royal and majestic and I am just me, I'm loud, and sinful and I complain a lot. What can I do that would move someone as awesome as the Lord God Almighty? I'm just me, I'm not even good enough to try and it is amazing, that I even have the chance to give my God my life. He gave me this life and a long time ago I said I would live it for him, and often times I think to myself - "hey yeah, I"m doing that. I"m teaching at a Christian School, I work at the church, I'm involved in the church, I mentor youth, people like me because I have a good head on my shoulders and I follow Christ." I do that, but at the same time I complain about teaching, I worry about money, I swear, I gossip, inwardly I am stuck up. I need to turn those negative parts of me the other way, because all I can give to Him is this life that He has given me, and I'm not using my whole life to serve him.