Eric started his 36th year of life in the thick of things. Having just returned from a short trip (with his friend Zack) to Saskatoon for the September long weekend, Eric was eager, and nervous, to be teaching technical mathematics at NAIT for the first time. He had taught before, a few summers of Lego Robotics to students from grades 4-9, but this was his first full-time teaching job where assessment was important.
Eric worked hard, with many long days and late nights. Several weeks in, his supervisors addressed him about how he was coping. Eric admitted it was overwhelming, and if he could drop teaching the one calculus course, which had the least hours of teaching time, things would improve (his other courses were pre-calculus). His supervisors agreed, and admitted that the work load he was given was that of a seasoned mathematics instructor. Other colleagues echoed the same sentiment, that it was a heavy load for a first time instructor.
The semester continued and Eric slogged on with the teaching, perhaps learning more than his students.
Teaching was not all that Eric was doing during this time, he continued tutoring a couple of students through Lights On Mediated Learning Center. He began to learn about Feuerstein’s Instrumental Enrichment tools through a series of Saturday workshops, at the Lights On Mediated Learning Centre, about once a month.
Eric continued his volunteering with Walterdale Theatre, though declined from taking a more active volunteer role. He also continued volunteering with the Telus World of Science Edmonton (TWoSE), shifting from school programs first to Saturday Lego Robotics Lab volunteer, then to Friday evening host while the Star Wars Identities Exhibition was at the centre. He even was a chauffeur during the Star Wars Identities Exhibit VIP opening; driving guests in a golf cart from their car to the front doors - nature reminded all the chauffeurs about dressing appropriately for the cold autumn weather in Edmonton. Eric’s volunteer work at TWoSE allowed for a fortuitous opportunity to help a colleague at NAIT find a new home for a pet she did not want any more. “Mr. Cuddles Gets A New Home”, sounds like a good title to a children’s book I may write in the future, expanding on Eric’s story of taking Mr. Cuddles, the King Scorpion to its new home at the Telus World of Science, with new neighbours like Shelob the tarantula.
In addition to his full time teaching, part-time tutoring, and volunteer activities, Eric had a couple small renovation projects done in the latter part of 2012: Removal of several trees (a couple spruce and a lilac tree) that were taking up most of his yards, work he had asked to be done over the summer but did not occur until October. As well as new basement windows installed, thanks to his Father’s account with Direct Buy, and handyman Terry who installed the windows.
As winter weather came blowing in, Eric began to wonder about the longer term work at NAIT. Especially in light of being asked to adjust his work schedule; lightening of his teaching load, yet given some other teaching preparation work. Word eventually came that there would be no extension of teaching for Eric and another colleague who started at the same time; both teaching primarily in the technical mathematics.
Eric followed up on a couple leads for other work at NAIT, but they did not pan out. Thus his time at NAIT ended as 2012 came to a close.
Christmas and New Years provided a nice break for Eric. He enjoyed it with family, especially with his sister, Samara, brother-in-law, Geert, nephew, Sebastian, and niece, Klara, who were visiting from Brussels, Belgium.
With the start of 2013, Eric had a number of changes, and learning moments, occur. After living in his house for 4.5 years he was feeling the drive to modernize the late ‘70’s wood panelling basement; a project that lasted past this chapter. Eric did have to ask a tenant, Sheldon, to move out to do the renovations. However, Sheldon had mentioned nearly a year previous that the company he worked for was bought out and was probably moving his work to the west end, which would mean he would also probably be moving to the west end. Because of that announcement, thoughts had already been percolating in Eric’s mind about doing the renovations once Sheldon were to move out. Eric gave Sheldon several months notice to find a new place, with some flexibility of a week or two extra if needed.
The renovations started in January with removing the stapled on ceiling panels, and learning a little about mice skeletons. The renovations were then on hold until Sheldon moved out in April.
During that demolition interlude, Eric learned a few random things:
- After a few years of not being involved in the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Lego League (last time as a team mentor), Eric learned about judging the competition through the act of being a judge for Core Values (thanks to Kerry-Lyn, NAIT co-worker, for making the connection).
- Getting a partial gold crown he learned that gold is better lasting as a crown and thus in the long run can be a cheaper alternative, plus he now has a gold (back) tooth.
- After attending the education career fair at the University of Alberta and getting an interview with the Calgary Board of Education, Eric learned that one cannot re-apply to the Calgary Board of Education for at least 2 years after getting a rejection.
- Upon learning there was a new family doctor’s office in the old Roger’s Video store that was near his place, Eric finally got an Edmonton family doctor. After going through a couple specialists, Eric learned he has a benign syndrome called Gilbert’s Syndrome (when he found out, he commented Facebook: “Sure hope I don't also get Sullivan syndrome otherwise I'll be breaking out in operatic song”).
- With his father, David, Eric learned about the new Edmonton remand center while attending one of the free opening tours in March 2013.
The two biggest things Eric learned during that time were: life in a relationship, meeting Joel in February; and the start of life as a substitute teacher, with Elk Island Public Schools (East of Edmonton).
Of course during this time Eric also continued to volunteer for the Walterdale Theatre and the TWoSE, shifting again back into the school programs. His involvement with the Walterdale Theatre was now including set building, set painting, as well as coffee bar. Eric also spent time with Joel, hung out with friends, attending games nights with JD and his friends, and attending plays and other events with his father, David.
Once Sheldon moved out Eric started to gear up for the major renovations. Around this time Eric took on a couple other activities besides the substitute teaching. He once again taught the after school Lego Robotics spring course (March through June), for the third year, and started to watch the Classic Doctor Who, from the very beginning, in preparation for the 50th Anniversary in November.
As the weather warmed up, the renovations expanded to include some landscaping. Eric learned how to build a fire pit in his backyard (now twice as big thanks to removing trees), and hired Darcy of Urban Meadows Landscaping to landscape the front; including regrading and replacing the front walk to the house.
Inside Eric had a demolition party to take down the wood panelling in the basement bedroom. With the help of Josh (the brother-in-law of Eric’s boyfriend Joel), Eric learned how to frame new, replacement, walls. Eric also hired Ben, an electrical journeyman and the son of a colleague at Lights On Mediated Learning Centre, to check over the electrical and install ethernet and coax cable in the new bedroom.
With Dacry looking into landscaping the front, and Ben working on the electrical on his free time, Eric took another break; this time to learn more of the world, through travel: First, a 4 day houseboating trip in the Shuswap lakes with some friends; Second, 3 weeks in Europe; Third, Camping with Joel and his friends.
Eric’s Europe trip, in the summer of 2013, consisted mostly of visiting family and old friends. Starting with 3 days in Brussels, his home base in Europe, spending time with Samara, Geert, Sebastian and Klara.
Next was 4 nights in the UK: Dinner with Mark and 2 nights and a day with Matt in Kidderminster; One night with Ann and her friends in Bridgwater; The final night alone in London, where Eric was wicked went to Wicked (the musical). Eric Enjoyed his time with his UK friends, unfortunately it was barely long enough to catch up with friends he had not seen in nearly a decade.
UK was followed by another 3 days in Brussels with family, then off to learn about France’s second largest city and the Mediterranean. Eric spent 4 nights in Marseille taking in the sun on the beaches, some of the street music festival, and cultural hotspots; Musée des Civilisations de l’Europe & de la Mediterranée, Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, and Parc Borély. By the end of his time in Marseille, Eric had distinct tan lines, most noticeably sandal tan.
Eric spent his final 4 days in Europe in Brussels having a great time with family, whom he misses.
After Eric’s travels, he encountered some disappointing moments in life.
First was a mutual breakup with Joel (after the camping trip); both Eric and Joel recognized their relationship was just a great friendship.
Second, the axle on Eric’s car unexpectedly broke. Luckily, while his car was in the shop, Eric was able to borrow his father’s car to get to work. He was teaching Lego Robotics Summer Camp, through Metro Continuing Education, for the third year in a row.
Third, Eric learned that for the electrical permit he needed all of the electrical to be done. So he continued with ripping the wood paneling off the rest of the basement walls he was planning to renovate.
Finally, because of a wet spring and early summer, very little was done on the front landscaping. But that was soon to change, for over August Eric saw his walk to the house, grass and weeds removed and dirt appear to regrade the front lawn.
As Eric’s 36th year of life approached an end, there were a few things he learned, and knew he had much more to learn. A second time to PanFest taught him more about some pagan rituals and history. The 32nd Edmonton Fringe taught him that if you persist long enough, &/or the right people are listening, you can be heard and accomplish change; for it was the best experience as an Information Team Leader Eric, and his fellow co-team leaders, had in a long time, if not ever. Many of the requests asked previously were addressed, making the Fringe feel like things actually ran smoothly.
Eric also learned more about Winnipeg, and how enjoyable it can be on road trips with his father, David, even at this stage of life.
Winnipeg is where we leave Eric at the end of this chapter: On his annual birthday trip. In warm Winnipeg. Visiting his Aunt Judy and Uncle Jonathan. At their gorgeous house on the Red River. Near the University of Manitoba campus (where Jonathan works). Sipping wine on the back patio with family.
No comments:
Post a Comment