First Aid then First Day.

Started work at the Preschool today. First day of paid work in over 5 years. Well, half a day. A big windstorm hit Vancouver; howling winds blowing down trees and littering the sidewalks with branches and twigs. And knocking down power lines. So the power went out in our neighbourhood and the school was plunged into semi-darkness. Then there was that silence you get when the power goes out and you realise how much noise is created by all the electrical stuff. Anyway, lots of kiddy excitement, but we had to to cancel the afternoon and leave early. Weird first day, but I think it's going to work out great. The woman I will be working with is fabulous! The kids are lovely. I am quite excited about it all. It's great to be in a classroom with the familiar mingled scent of wax crayons, play doh and paint.

Yesterday, I spent the day getting my First Aid Certificate. I did it with St John's Ambulance (although I since learned that it's easier and cheaper to do it with the Red Cross). It was very intense. It's about the 4th time I've taken a First Aid course and the last couple were with St. John's Ambulance. However, they've changed a lot of stuff. Including the teaching style which involves the trainer (or whatever he is called) acting like a total asshole and making you feel like crap. Example:

He has just explained the first steps of ESM  (Emergency Scene Management). If the person is unconscious call 911. But there are other steps and, at first, it's a little confusing. Extra confusing when someone is almost shouting questions at you. He emphasizes taking charge of the scene. So then he picks someone and looks them in the eye...

Him: "So, you've arrived on the scene. There's bystanders, but you're the only First Aider. You've assessed LOC (level of consciousness) and the person is unconscious, what do you do??? What do you DO? COME ON! You won't have time to hesitate on the scene!"

Person (like a rabbit in headlights), "Err, err...ABC's"

Him: "NO!" (picks someone else). Points at them. "YOU! The person is unconscious...what are you going to do? Seconds are going by...what are you going to DO???"

Person #2: Silence...blank stare.

Persons #3 - #15 stare intently at their shoes or at the opposite wall.

Him: "Someone! (Finds a pair of eyes glance his way). What are YOU going to do?"

Person #16: whispering hesitantly, "Call an ambulance?"

Him: "Not like that you're not! Take charge. Point to me and demand I call an ambulance. Look me in the eyes and say, 'YOU! GO CALL 911....NOW!'"

And so on went the day. Lots of fun.

I mean, if someone asked me for my phone number in that manner I don't think I'd be able to recall it.

"WHAT'S YOUR PHONE NUMBER??? Come on...minutes are going by. WHAT IS IT? You KNOW this...what IS IT?????? You need to know this!"

"I...err...I just...err.. I don't know. I'm sorry. I can't...I think it's 604 123-4567"

"WHAT? How are you going to get anyone to call you with that voice. Come on! Say it louder!"

"I can't...I don't even know if that is my number. I'm weak and a failure!" Breaks down into sobs.

However, as I learned during lunch break, there is method behind this mad-ness. He was actually a nice guy. (It's important not to take it too personally, although some people did). It's an almost military style of teaching intended to get you involved, make you remember, and build up your assertiveness so that you will feel confident in what you have learned, most importantly, in your ability to administer first aid and SAVE LIVES! Rather than other courses where you hear a lot of blah blah blah...sit and yawn and day dream, do a couple of breaths into a doll, and get given a certificate, hoping that you are never called on to actually administer first aid. I think it works; you're so worried that he's going to pick on you and that you'll give the wrong answer or be unable to answer that you pay VERY close attention. Of all the First Aid courses I've done, I'd say that this one was useful and that I will remember a lot of the stuff. I even feel confident that I could actually give first aid. Of course, you'll have to ask me in 3 months or a year if I remember anything.

Incidentally, when you or your child gets a nose-bleed, hold your/their head forward and down...not back.

Still here

Yes, I'm still here. Still plodding along, like a dependable donkey, draped with jolly bells, trudging back and forth along the seafront at Cleethorpes beach, lugging ornery kids overstuffed with fish and chips and ice-cream. Rumours of my taking off to a tropical island with a handsome billionaire who wants to 'take me away from all this' and feed me those delicious little French cakes and pour wine while we discuss knitting patterns, have been grossly exaggerated. I have been busy. It's my mantra.

But it's not all drudgery and endless chores...there is some fun stuff. Really. Among other things, I have started on an exciting project with my friend, Helen. We are both keen knitters and she came up with the idea of our collaborating and creating knitting patterns and hand-dyed knitting kits to sell on the web (and perhaps in stores). We have a website (which I will link to this blog...eventually). It is www.stitches-studio.com...check it out! We will be putting knitting patterns up there, as well as interesting articles. And we're blogging about the creative process. It's a lot of fun, and great to collaborate with Helen. I have been doing a fair bit of dyeing and have become very interested in the whole process. There is something quite satisfying about dyeing your own yarn. Also, it means I can move all my knitting chatter over to the other blog.

I have also been trying to enjoy my last weeks before I start work. On Monday I begin work as the Assistant Preschool Teacher at the local preschool. I am looking forward to it for a number of reasons; making money, having an activity outside of the home...called a job, getting to know other people and, of course, working with a very sweet group of children. My first job in over 5 years; part-time and not terribly lucrative, but in the teaching field and incredibly convenient. I am hoping it will be a good bridge between not having paid work for 5 years, and whatever I do next (become rich and famous, obviously). There will have to be a few changes around here once I begin work. But I can't see it happening without a struggle. The donkey is growing wings and becoming Pegasus...outta my way! Okay, not quite.

We've had a few sunny (but cold) days here and have managed to get down to the beach a couple of times. Here's a couple of pics of the kids.

Yeah, we build sandcastles...even when it's freezing!

"Thanks for taking me to have so much fun, mum" awww

Nothing like hitting a log...

Who needs shoes?

Perhaps footwear is a good idea after all

Aint we bootiful!