Had the opportunity to try Good Catch Boil House during their soft opening in early February. One word: mmm. Is that a word or more a concept? Either way, it was delicious and I can’…
Month: February 2017
EATS REVIEW: Good Catch Boil House
Had the opportunity to try Good Catch Boil House during their soft opening in early February. One word: mmm. Is that a word or more a concept? Either way, it was delicious and I can’t wait to head back for more. We decided to forego the Louisiana-style hot boil just because it we weren’t in the mood, but opted for everything fried and salty instead. Ha ha. Can you tell it was a dinner with teachers and report card season was FINALLY over? We needed a little pick me up and this was certainly it.
We had our eyes set on the lobster nachos, but the waitress said the chef hadn’t perfected the “cheese melt” on it yet so he didn’t want to serve it to us. Perhaps our puppy dog eyes (and drool) convinced her to ask him again. Out it came and was it ever yummy (warning, must share with a group of 5 or you’ll never finish it)! Lots of fresh toppings, chunks of lobster, and ooey gooey cheese. A friend found it a bit dry, but I used an insane amount of salsa so I was good.
We also ordered the oyster sliders to share and they were probably my favourite dish along with their Cajun fries. The buns had the right touch of sweetness and the oysters from the Pacific were perfectly tender with the right amount of bite. More fried goodness came in the form of the soft shell crab and torpedo shrimp. Everything was just awesome and the service was top notch.
The restaurant actually was inspired by Louisiana yet also calls itself a sports bar. It is very bright, with high ceilings and feels spacious. They had a variety of tables and high bar seating areas. Our booth felt a bit tight due to our huge winter coats so perhaps that is the only physical improvement I can think of. (I found the Popeye statue at the front a bit odd too, to be honest.)
Feeling for seafood and sports? Give it a try at 179 Enterprise Blvd Unit M-109, Markham, ON.
MNO (Moms’ Night Out)
I came across an article this weekend about Moms’ Night Out. Read it, liked it, and decided to put my two cents in.
Every so often, I want to get out. In fact, I think it’s more of a need than a want. For my sanity, my mental health, and sure, for all the idle chit-chat. Whatsapp groups are good, but with everyone all over the place, not everyone is on at the same time. That’s what makes Moms Night Out so awesome.
You can’t just be 24-7 all work and home. At least, that’s for me. It’s the attention you need to give yourself. In teaching, you give attention to 30 kids at a time. At home, you have your own lovelies to deal with. Your brain is wired and you can never turn it off. With friends however, it’s a different feeling. For me, if I don’t get out every couple of weeks, I start to get antsy. I need to get out, do the girlfriend thing, and come back all refreshed. Otherwise it’s just the same routine.
6:00 am Wake up.
7:30 am Drop off the baby at daycare.
8:00 am Get to work. For me, I like to work through recess and most of lunch so when I’m at home, I get a chance to focus on home.
4:30 pm Kickboxing twice a week. When I get home, Hip Teacher Dada takes off for basketball practice with Big H (did I mention how I love and hate rep ball?).
6:00 pm Home and it’s a slew of dinner, homework, dishes, lunch prep, and bathtime. Sometimes it’s vacuuming and dinner prep.
8:00 pm Put Baby C to bed and then the big girls bedtime routine rolls around. Then it’s watch some TV, do some marking or planning, and it’s bedtime. A lot of action during the day, but not much time for the brain to chill and body to relax.
MNO are leisurely. I don’t care about the dishes in the sink and which lunch I have to pack because of an egg allergy in this classroom or a seafood allergy in this one. I’m not picking up saucy noodles off the floor or wiping up spilt milk. Does Baby C want to read the same Happy Baby Colours book for the 17000th time? Sure, let my husband handle that.
MNO aren’t even a big deal for me in terms of location. It can be a movie, bubble tea, or noodle bar. Heck, I’m good with a quick lap around the mall. I just want to chat with my friends and get out. I also don’t need to get dolled up. I just need to be out. Half of my closest friends happen to be teachers so work talk inevitably comes up. However, the stories become more humorous as the night goes on. Sometimes even getting together to watch The Bachelor will do it for me simply because it’s a break in everyday routine and something to look forward to at night.
Now don’t take this the wrong way…my girls are my soul, my heart, my everything. I love spending time with them. My husband is my best friend and we both love movies, hanging out at Chapters, and going shopping. We love to watch shows together or hanging out in the basement while I craft and he sorts his basketball cards. He’s awesome, but giving him some alone time with the girls is great too (he calls them “Boys’Nights”). Our girls say the funniest things when we play “Restaurant” or board games. Big H likes to play games together while my middle ones loves to colour with me. The baby wants her cuddles. I love those moments too, but sometimes having a night to myself is just as sweet.
I think a work-life balance is important. It refreshes you, destresses you and now you are ready to tackle it all over again. Ninety worksheets to assess? Bring it on. Happy Baby Colours for the 17001 time? Get it off the shelf.
I Am Not a ROBOT
Yesterday I taught the lesson that my students cringe about, giggle through, and try to avoid at all costs. Yep, it was THAT chapter in Family Life, the dreaded Chapter Three aka How Babies Are Made. I’ve done the whole “let’s be mature” and “see it through a doctor’s eyes”, but where our lesson paused came suddenly and unexpectedly.
The students were great and all was well with the naming of parts and the actual science of it all when a student raised his hand and said, “My mom had a miscarriage. What is that?” I was ready to turn off my emotions and turn into robot mode, but I am who I am so I couldn’t and there it was…the waterworks flowed. Biting my lip and turning away just didn’t work.
I briefly got up from my spot in the class (dead centre, of course, all eyes in me) and turned towards my desk, but heck, it couldn’t be stopped. Tears welled up quickly and soon, I was an overflowing bucket. Leaks everywhere and no mop. One boy even stated, “I wish I had a tissue for you.” I remember saying, “Sorry, guys. Just a second…” when in reality, if they were willing, I could’ve sat there for ten minutes to let it all out. I looked up and saw compassion and I didn’t feel embarrassed. They looked worried. Some looked sad. They know me by now and know I’m an emotional person. Ironically, we’ve been studying traits of science fiction and had read a story about future teachers being robots. They all said the good thing about human teachers is that they are able to have feelings and express there. Well, I’m certainly Exhibit A.
After a minute’s pause, I was able to get back to it and finish the lesson. I briefly explained what miscarriage is (though it is in the upcoming pages in the book) and why it was hard for me to discuss (I had three experiences). We ended the lesson with a slew of questions and genuine interest in the topic of twins and genes and which parent they look like. They asked more questions at my desk. Some came up to say they were sorry about my situation (cue the tears). The student who asked the question was apologetic, but no, I’d never want anyone to feel sorry for asking questions and said so. After all, that’s how we grow, it’s how we learn. As I was cleaning the whiteboard, another boy came up and said he felt sad when I cried.
Right after everyone left, I went to my neighbour teacher to tell her what happened. She reassured me that some days, even on that day for herself, tears are necessary and justified. The students need to know that we don’t just work and live at school, we are actual human beings. We feel pain and frustration too.
A minute later, three other colleagues popped in because they heard what happened (wow, this wasn’t even the power of social media). We had a brief powwow and they all said the same thing. Emotion is nothing to be ashamed about. It was okay. My students are certainly mature enough to handle it. If anything, it gave them a real understanding about babies and loss. There is no disconnect between creating a human life and having a life grow inside you for a while. You love him or her even if the end result is not a baby in your arms. The bond you have from the moment you find out you are pregnant is indescribable. I ended the lesson with the fact that they are there meant that God had wanted it just so, it takes just the right pieces to come together. They are made from a loving union, healthy and blessed.
Hip Teacher Mama 