School's Out! Here Comes Writing Time!!

Classes are over at Marianopolis College. I've been marking like a fiend. Ask my husband who got a little miffed when I brought term papers with me to the grocery store on the weekend!! It's always a bit of an adjustment to go from teaching to writing full-time, especially over the holidays when there are so many other demands on our time. This afternoon, I'm going to phone my friendIsabelle Guay -- she is the teacher at whose house I stayed when I was in George River last year. I want to ask her some questions about winter camping in Nunavik. That's because I'm working on a section in my new book where my character is going to go on a winter camping trip. So I'm looking forward to catching up with Isabelle, who's been traveling in Europe for three months -- and who is now living outside of Quebec City. 

I also wanted to tell you about one of my students, Kim A. She dropped by my office this morning to chat (and to give me moral support when I had a little computer trouble). Kim, who's Chinese, told me she's adopted and that next week, she'll celebrate the 17th anniversary of her arrival in Canada. She doesn't know for sure what she'll do to celebrate, but she said she plans to eat eclairs -- her favourite dessert. Coincidentally, another student, who was also in Kim's class, told us she was adopted, too. Unfortunately, Kim was absent that day. But the other student's account of her life really fascinated the class -- and me. And of course,  you know what I'm thinking (because I always think the same thing!!): ALL THIS MAKES GREAT MATERIAL FOR STORIES!!! Speaking of which, I'm going to make myself a cup of green tea and settle in to do some writing before I call Isabelle. Have a great afternoon wherever you are!!