Happenings

To quote every other blogger today, my brain is full and I can't write anything big...so here's fluff.

School is meh. It's boring, learning common sense is draining and I really do not like going. I have 3 weeks left and I can't wait. I need a change from some of my prof's. 

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Do you ever feel like you are always on the go? Of course you do. I'm cutting back on my hours at work because with school, working out and work  and every little thing in between. I haven't been mentally healthy the past few weeks. 

I'm trying to find time each day to do something that brings me joy. Like reading or watching my favourite show. I need "me" time which is healthy and good!

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I joined the YMCA two weeks a go and love it. So so so much. Mostly I'm doing body pump classes and a few barre classes (couldn't walk for 2 days, that's how good it was) I even woke up at 5:35am to get on time to the 6:30am body pump class. 

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Alex is moving again. But so much closer! Come december 1st we will live in the same city! No more long distance relationship for us. yay. 

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Yesterday my next half marathon clinic started. I misses it because I literally could not see out of my eye (something was in there)  but I can't wait to see new faces and all my friends that I haven't seen in 3 weeks! 

Back to the grind.

Well here it is. School has started up again for me and thousands of others. I've enjoyed my 5 weeks off. I know, I got lucky. I have so many friends that were lucky to get 2.5 weeks off and had to go back late last week in order to make it back in time.

I'm proud that I accomplished all my goals for the break. I ran 3 and sometimes 4 times a week, more than 5k. I finished Friday Night Lights! Cried like a baby. I gave to charity. I rested.

I had a wonderful few weeks spending time with family and friends. Loved staying up till 2am and getting up a 11am. Loved taking my time to get ready to go out. Loved enjoying one to many beers.

But...

School's back. Boo.

I had a good 1st semester of university. I learned a whole lot. Not just about my field but I learned so much about myself. How I learn. What works and what doesn't. I learned not to be caught up in other peoples issues about organization. I learned that it's okay to take a night off work to catch up on readings and its fine to tell your boss you aren't coming back to Thursday's evening. School comes first. I learned that God will understand if I miss worship on Sunday mornings to write an essay, isn't that why we have Sunday evening worship? I kid.

This semester is a bit different as I have placement in a daycare Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8am-4pm. With a lunch break and two 15 minute breaks! So excited to take a walk during lunch and maybe do some homework too. Meaning classes all day mondays and thursday. Thankfully I only have a tourial on Friday's from 1-2pm.

Enough about my class schedule.

I hope to keep running. After all, running is helping me lose weight. I've already mapped out when I will have the time to excercise. Sadly, I can't do it in my two hour break on Thursdays. I smell really bad after I run.

Is it sad that I'm already counting down the days weeks till I'm done?

24 hours is not enough

No, I haven't dropped off the earth for good. Something called university is taking over my life. Correction: Mid-terms aka death is taking over my life.

It's getting so hard to keep up with everything these days. From school to work to excersing so I can lose 15 pounds for Ryan's wedding in may to seeing my family AND being social with friends. It's a lot and seriously? Can we get a few more hours in the day?

School is really good! I finally found a way to study for tests/exams that work for me no more just reading over the notes thinking that's enough. For those who have done college/university, how did you study?

I realized that I cannot study at home anymore. I used to think it was great, having the house to myself, mondays and wednesdays. Quiet. No one talking or being loud. But when the blogs are calling my name, and the cell phone calls my name, it's hard to actually study. My new routine is going to class, eating lunch and hitting the library for a few hours, since most of my class are in the mornings. On my days off I get ready and walk down the street to my local library and camp out there.

I do have to say that all the studying is paying off because I scored a perfect 100%, 10 out of 10 on my Human Development test this week! I could have cried in the middle of the library when I checked on blackboard. My parents were completly thrilled when I told them.

Last week I got an 87% (in Observations) on an exam worth 15% on my final grade! Again, could have cried.

I am ready for Christmas break, folks! Ready to kick back and relax. Only 5 weeks left off fall 2011 semester which is 37 days :) But who's counting ;)

work re-cap part four

This week was pretty quiet. It didn't help that it was chilly and the Danforth was closed for Taste of The Danforth so most everyone in the area got their greek on and went there instead of swimming. What's up with that?!

Last thursday I was in the office when the pool door monitor "walkie-talkied" us and said that girls were stealing the quarters form the lockers. I ran out and into the change room where no girls were to be found. The pool door guy said that the girls ran out of the building but he couldn't stop them because he was busy with other people. I ran outside after them and as I turned the corner saw three girls counting their money. I asked if they were just in change room, instead of responding to me they ran away. As I "jogged" after them, the girls started booking it and ran into the near by forest. I ran back to grab my manager and he and two other guys went in to find them. The guys saw them but the girls ran away when another guard yelled for them to stop.

Long story short, we called the cops. The cops came by the next day and I had to give statements to a police officer. Then the city of toronto security officer came the day after and I had to give another statement. On top of that? A cop called my cell phone on tuesday!

Hopefully the girls will come back, because if we see them and cops come then the girls get to clean our pool for us! sweet.


happy friday!

work re-cap part three

Since I didn't work last week these stories are from the week before.

That week I was able to pick up many "extended" shifts. This is when its really hot out and my boss allows the pool to be open till midnight, instead of closing at 8pm. I worked at my pool till 7:30 and would bike really fast across town to work. Working 12 hour days three times that week was a killer but worth it. All I have to say is once the sun goes down...the crazies come out.

It was 11pm, I working since 12 (noon) that day and ready to go home when a lady comes up to me on deck and says "theres a homeless women sleeping by the slide." Great, I thought. I calmly walk over and sure enough there is a women sleeping. Blankets pulled up so high only the top of her head was showing. I go back to my station and yell for the manager to come out. As he starts to come out the same lady keeps yelling "why is a homeless person sleeping here." I told her to not yell "homeless" as some people get offended. As my manager steps out I hear "WHY DID YOU SPLASH WATER ON ME?!" I turn around thinking that this women splashed water on her to wake her up. Then I hear "YOU GOT MY STUFF WET, MOM." Hold up. Did she say mom? Yup. Apparently her mom was the one who informed me about the "homeless" lady. She wanted to play a joke on her daughter but got me instead.

Ai yi yi. Crazy people.
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The same night a group of friends were swimming by me and one friend went into the deep end. She yells out "its so warm here guys, it must be heated here." Um no it's not. There was no divider so it was the same water. Her friend asks me "is the water heated?" No, I reply. Then? She yells to her friend in deep end, "its because you peed!" At this point I lost it. Couldn't stop laughing! I guess you had to be there... :)

happy friday!

work re-cap part deux

Work this week wasn't as crazy as last. Since I'm going to camp (tomorrow's post) tomorrow I'm only guarding 12-8pm. I worked monday-wednesday and today till 8.

We've been having a problem with the dirtiness of the water. Each day around late afternoon we start to notice the water getting very murky and cloudy. In the end we have to close the pool because we can't see the black circle from 9 meters away. Basically people don't shower (which is the law) and their oils are brought into the pool. It also doesn't help that families are putting sunscreen on and hopping in and out of the pool all day long. Now, a guard has to sit outside the change rooms and ask people to go back and shower to keep the pool clean.

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When it gets really really hot the city extended's pools that have lights hours till midnight. This week we had to have late swim because its so hot out! Yesterday felt like 48, (118 for you americans.) I wanted to work the extended hours because a) more money and b) I've heard it gets pretty crazy! I worked till 8 as i said, so at 8 I would rush over to monarch pool and guard till midnight.   Nothing big happened while I worked. Usually people come in drunk and do stupid stuff. Yay for 12 hours days!

happy friday!

crazy pool stories

During the week I find myself sharing work stories to my family. I got some pretty good ones from the crazies who hangout at the pool all day.

Tuesday, I was guarding the deep end test area and all of a sudden thought, "why don't I pick one day a week and blog about the crazy week at Riverdale pool?"

So friends? Friday will be dedicated to my work stories. :)
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In the change rooms, there are lockers. It's like the grocery store where you pay .25 and when you return the key you get the money back. A lot of times people forget to talk the money. Lately, I find myself "doing walk thru's" of the change rooms and collecting the money! Since monday I already have found $7.75 in quarters!  I feel bad for taking it, but finders keepers!
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My pool and my house is about a 15 minute bike ride. And those that come swimming live in the neighbourhood. I was talking to this really sweet mom on wednesday and found that she lives down the street from me! It was to cool. Small world! And yes, I did tell her that I babysit.
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For some reason we have to deal with a lot of smokers. They have to leave the pool deck and go outside. But? Not all people do. You see, theres this big bush that if you hide behind it, its hard for people to see you there. Not when Sarah's on deck. Monday I've caught 3 different people smoking in the bush! Funny thing is, they think its a new sneaky spot to take a cig but since forever, its been a "hot" spot to smoke! Us lifeguards know everything!


happy friday!

my crazy day

Yesterday was a crazy day at work. Like pull-my-hair-out crazy. Okay, not really but this was my first week working 8:45-5pm and by Friday I was DONE!

I woke up on a happy but mostly kinda sad note. I usually don't remember my dreams but Thursday night I had the best dream. It was pretty simple, it was me and my two cousins Meghan and Eric from Alberta (yes,the ones I visited.) We didn't do anything special in the dream, just talking about Eric's IRL (in real life) new girlfriend and that cowboy I met. I woke up re-playing the dream and being happy that I got to "hang" with my cousins. Then? Out of no-where, I got sad. Sad because I can't just "hang" with the two of them whenever I want. Sad because I miss them. Sad because I love them and want to spend time with both of them. Is it a coincidence that yesterday was july 08 and aug 08/11 their coming here for a visit?! I think so.
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I do teach swimming lessons in the morning. I do like it. A) I'm outside, in the beautiful water when its not to hot out. But? (I hope I don't get in trouble for saying this) but some of the kids drive me crazy!

I teach this little girl named Mary (not her real name) for a 30 minute private class from 11-11:30. The first day she left 10 minutes in because the water was "to cold." Whatever, extra 20 minute break for me. The next day she "forgot" how to do "bobs" (submerge under water, come up) after 5 minutes of her crying, I gave up and told her that we were moving on. The last 3 days as soon as something gets difficult or she becomes tired she cries and goes and talks to her mom. This happens in last couple of minutes of class so they go home early. Today, we had a good 15 minutes of "bobs", diving for pennies and side swim. When I asked her to do front crawl she freaked out and yes, cried. I didn't let her get out as fast to talk to her mom and finally she did. I told her I would  stay here and wait for her to come back. She did come back, with 3 minutes left of class.

Its not that bad, more annoying than anything, until the mom came and talked to me as the family was leaving. She asked  "whats going on?" and I explained that once Mary decides she can't do something she shuts down and nothing I say or do can get her back. The mom says "we've never had this problem." Oh no you didn't! Well, I said "I've never had this either. Yes, two can play this game.

It bugs me that this mom thinks its my fault that her daughter shuts down and says "but I can't" 5 million times a day.

Oh and don't ask your nephew from Ireland who just so happens to be a lifeguard what else I could do.

I do believe it has something to do with the fact that she babies Mary too much. Just my opinion, don't hate.
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Skip forward a few hours. Its 5pm. One hour left till home time (I had to stay till 6.) I'm sitting at the deep end chair watching these grade 8 boys push each other in the water for the tenth time since I've been here. When all of a sudden I get the strongest whiff of some marijuana. I calmly turn around hoping to catch who ever is doing it when I see two ladies and a man sitting to the left of me in the grass no less with a puff of smoke around them. I get down and walk over, say hi guys, theres no smoking here, you'll have to leave the pool deck to do that. The man says "we're not." Okay, no worries I think. I apologize for accusing them and start to leave. Don't ask me why the trailer trash women mocked my hand jester when I said "sorry, I thought it was you." And yes, I told her not to mock me.

I go off and tell the other guards what happened and the SHALLOW end guard says "I smelt that too!" Crazy.

I do believe they  lied to me but whatever.
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I'm glad for two days off.
Come Monday, send a prayer my way would you? Pray that Mary doesn't come to her lesson  I have a good day.

yes...I'm alive.

Once again I'm sorry for the lack of posting. Nothing really exciting going on.

I started work at the outdoor pools two saturdays ago. I have the sickest (other guards words..not mine) shift ever. I teach from 8:45am-12pm then guard 12:30-5pm. I'm home by 5:30ish and did I mention I have weekends off?! Ya, its sweet. I also make more money than the other guards who just..guard hehe.

It's nice to be outside all day. My tan? Oh goodness, its good! Trust me, in two months I'll be black :)
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I'm still my the 30 day shred. Day 47 I think. I do that plus I bike to work which is 20 minutes away.
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Being on ww and working? Hard! All the other guards buy fast food and share. Like yesterday? A girl bought two med pizzas and this guy went to tim hortons and bought timbits for us. I had a slice and three timbits but it can so get out of hand. I bring my lunch so that helps with not buying junk all the time. Plus, I'm cheap and am not spending $20+ a week for food. Not happening.
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I'm planning my trip back to Alberta next may. I'm thinking of going back with my uncle/aunt/cousins when they leave (may 13ish) (they will be here for my bros wedding) and I'll go back home a little more than two weeks after that. Again, I have to talk to my aunt and see what she says, but I'm her fav niece so I shouldn't be a problem! Just kidding...sorta.
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I'm not sure if its the summer heat or whatnot but I really want a tattoo.  I love this style of writing, its different. I would have it say family. If you've been reading since the start you know family is so very important to me. Why not put in writing?

I've been thinking about this for a while, just making sure its not something I'm going to regret later. I *almost* got a tat last summer. Had the drawing, made an appointment and chickened out. I'm glad I didn't go through with it, I'm pretty sure I would hate it now.

If anyone has tats, how did you know it the right one?

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Teen mom came back on last night! Loved that show since the start!

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happy tuesday, friends!

water safety

As a lifeguard it's my job to save people who are in need and to teach children (and adults) how to swim so they can save their life. I always teach my "students" to never swim without a buddy and I'm always telling parents during free swim to make sure your arms-lengh away and dear-god-hold-on-to-that-child!

As a lifeguard/swimming teacher I believe that every single person on this earth should know how to swim. Along with that I believe those people should be educated about water safety, for example no drinking and swimming, swim with a friend (as I said before), parents GO INTO THE WATER WITH YOUR KIDS! Even if they know how to swim.

That brings me to my next point. Even if your kids know how to swim and have taken lessons, doesn't matter. As lifeguards we cannot swim without another lifeguard on the deck with us, watching to make sure nothing happens. Sounds silly right? I know how to swim (duh) but I need another guard there just.in.case because you never know. So people, get in the water.

It breaks my heart when I hear about drownings. In the Toronto area alone, there have been many cases of people drowning in the past few weeks. They have been the classic child falls into family pool while gate was open, to the rare, women who has in condo hot tub who had a heart attack and went under water. It truly breaks my heart.

As I'm writing this I do realize swimming lessons are expensive. Where I work its $64 dollars for a 30min, once a week lesson that lasts 9 weeks. And? Parents have more than one child. It adds up. I get it, but there are free programs for families who need financial support and new to Canada. I'll I say, is take advantage of them. It's worth it.

As we went summer time, I ask that everyone is smart about their choices while they are around water. Please be safe. Oh and life jackets? Don't save life's. Don't just strap your child in one and think, it'll keep them up. Don't rely on them.

happy monday!

Kids say funny stuff

The things I hear while working with children makes my day.

The best ones are the times where we (kids and I) are in the water and I'm teaching them,

and one the kids says somethings so funny and it just makes me literally stop the lesson and laugh. 

Since I've been going to school with my aunt the past two weeks I've heard some pretty cute stuff.

* After the morning announcements my aunt says to the grade 1's "good morning beautiful and handsome grade 1's."

 And they say "good morning Mrs.S********."

This time one of the boys said "good morning beautiful Mrs.S"

Gotta love it. How could that not make you feel good?!

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*Last week a little girl came up to me after morning recess and held out a rock. I told her that it was beautiful and asked if she found it outside. She did. Right then her teacher (my aunt)asked everyone to take their seats, she then have me the rock! and a flower later!

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*Every morning the kids have this little poem they have to read out loud. Its short and about a mouse with soup. The "special person" of the day gets to pick how they read it (either sitting, jumping, turning around ect.) So this little boy thought for a second and said "push ups." So here I am in a dressy shirt and jeans doing push ups! Crazy...but cute.

I'll miss these kids. Really, I will.

happy Wednesday!

y'all better be watching Oprah's final show!

Bittersweet

Yesterday at work I got a nice surprise from a co worker. He's not really a co worker, you'll find out how he fits in in a second.

I've been working at *this* pool for about 2.5 years. That's 2.5 years twice a week. The entire time I've worked there Peter has worked there too. Peter works for the Toronto District School Board as a caretaker for the school my pool is joined to. Part of his job is to come to the pool and make sure the chlorine levels are up to par, water isn't to cold/warm and other housekeeping items every few hours. Peter loves his job and goes above and beyond what is expected from him. He is really really good friends with the other lifeguard that I work with. He sometimes comes and hangs out with us when he's done cleaning the classrooms and such. If I haven't said it before, he is the NICEST man ever!

November of 2010 I found out some sad news. I asked Hillary (names have been changed) why I hadn't seen Peter in a while, (thinking he was on vacation and forgot to tell me.) I knew something was wrong when Hillary pulled me the guard office and said "Sarah, Peter found out last week he has colon cancer."  I've never cried sobbed at work but that night I did. After I calmed down (quickly because the Lane swimmers were looking at me strange) she told me that the doctors found out "it" early. Thank goodness! Two weeks later Peter went in to remove the cancer from his colon. This was early December and we all thought he would be back to work by late January. Surgery was fine and he healed very nicely. In mid January Peter met with the Surgeon and asked if he could come back to work with modified duties. She said to wait a few weeks longer. Everyone was sad but his health comes first. Every time Peter went for an appointment the doctors told him to wait a few more weeks. A few weeks ago the second kicker happened...

His doctors found spots on his liver. Little ones so small that they needed good machines to see "them." They don't think its cancer (thank goodness) but to be sure Peter needs more surgery. Hillary told me this and again I cried. Hasn't he and his family been through enough? Last night I was in the bathroom when I heard this knock on the office door. Usually it's Rob the other caretaker. Or my boss (lucky me) I opened the door and saw an arm on the deck, I peered around the corner and saw.. PETER! I throw my arms around him and gave him a huge hug! Remember I hadn't seen Peter since the end of  November! It was awesome to see him. And yes you better believe I grilled him for not coming to visit on a Tuesday/Thursday when I work. He usually came when I wasn't working and Hillary would tell me that he came in. We don't know when Peter is coming back. I told him if he wasn't back for September 2011 that I would personally drive to his house and drag him to the pool! He laughed but I'm serious. For all those prayer's out there, could you send a prayer Peter's way? Thanks.

It's very bittersweet, we all want Peter back to the pool but we also know his health comes first.

*colonoscopy's save lives. Peter just turned 55 and last November went in for his first one. A few years late. If Peter waited a few more weeks who knows where he would be right now. Yes, they are uncomfortable to hear about but they do save lives. *

happy Wednesday.

Kids say the darnest things

Lately my kids that I teach have been saying the darnest things while in mid lesson!
It catches me off guard, and I give a big laugh or try to hold it in because I shouldn't be laughing at that at work.

On Thursdays I teach a semi private class (2 kids, more expensive) and the little girl's parents just had a baby boy. The mom always took the girl to swim class but since she had the baby it's now dads turn. I asked the girl if she could tell her mommy and daddy to bring the baby to class to I can see it.

So the next week the little girl shows up with daddy without the baby! She explained to me that "baby N is breastfeeding, so he can't come out." UHH mkay. I really didn't know what to say to that?!
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Then last night I saw teaching my ultra 3 class which only has two boys in it. It was report card night so I ended class 5 minutes early so talk to each student and their parents. I tell the smallest boy to grab his towel to keep warm, he replies "my mom is at home right now" okay thanks for letting me know?!

That is when the classicist smile and nod comes in.
I love my job and the funny things the kids say to me make my night.
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I liked doing this. Maybe I'll keep it up :)
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Also, sorry about the lack of pictures, my camera is in the shop being fixed :( I miss it terribly. I have to much to show you guys! if anyone reads this.

Have a wonderful day friends!