redleaf: (Default)
Halloween the commercialized holiday is much the same in Canada as it is in the US so nothing of interest to report there. I went (to various parties) as a Canadian. I wore a hockey jersey, my winter hat (which acquired some canadian flag themed accessories along the way), jeans, and hiking boots (didn't have anything better). I carried a Timmy's (Tim Horton's for you 'mericans) cup and a stuffed "pet" moose (yes trying to put some whimsy into my stereotyping). I also tried to be as ridiculously nice as everyone here is to me on a regular basis.

Needless to say, I failed at the nice bit for the most part, though I was much nicer then normal (I'm not really a nice person when push comes to shove and you are a stranger, huh?). Otherwise I think the costume worked and it definitely let me let off some steam from all the stereotyping I have to put up with on a daily basis. I also don't think I pissed people off any more then I do on a regular basis as my charming American self :).

In the broader sense, I think I have turned another corner towards really feeling at home here. Circumstances at school are forcing me to think seriously about how long term I want to stay here beyond my degree, and though I definitely haven't made up my mind in any sense, I haven't had nearly as many negatives pop up in my idyllic vision of living here that I created before I arrived as I expected. Christmas will probably force me to think about it some more, but for now I need to knuckle down push through until the end of term . . . . which is only one month away?!?!?
redleaf: (Default)
I need an icon for Alarmed.

Today, at my one meeting, I learned that what I had previously been told - that my TAing would just be marking and the PhD students would be teaching the lab (it is a giant intro course - 450 students) is utterly wrong. I have to TA two sessions of 25 students each. If I had known this before the TA conference perhaps I would have taken relevant sessions! Too late now.

Ok, retreating to make a plan of attack.

Anyone have helpful tips?

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redleaf

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