The following “blog” was lovingly written by Simon’s Mom on Mon. July 18th as Cynthia was reflecting upon Simon’s upcoming birthday.
Simon blog.........
Mister Simon went for a job interview today to work part-time at Fortinos. He got the job and is looking forward to having a job on weekends and after school come September. He had the choice between cashier or carts.......he chose carts as he wants to be on the move (freedom). He starts the first week of August, which worked out great because currently he is fast tracking his grade 12 Academic English course on-line. At first I was not too impressed with the on-line idea, but it is an intense course (5 hrs day) with essays, thesis, readings etc. on top of the five hours. He is currently scoring an 85% average which is great. We made a deal he was to keep his grade 12 Academic English on his timetable for next semester if he did not maintain a great average. The Board encourages grade 12 students to try out fast tracking on-line over the summer, as we are told some of the University courses are now done this way......so good experience for Simon.
Simon took weight room/gym last semester and wants to keep it up, so he joined Good Life Fitness and goes for two hours daily. He is really committed to it and his shorts getting too big on him! He has a second bicycle now and has retrofitted both of them and hits the trails around here every night for exercise, and joins up with his buddies for fun soccer at the field a couple of days during the week.
Simon has been delivering the Guardian newspaper with two routes since 2012. He still wants to keep one route and give up the other now that he has the job at Fortinos.
And the bigger news is......Simon has somewhat defined his career choice.......he would like to be a teacher. More specifically, he would like to teach in a high school environment, thinking of working with teens with special needs. Currently, St. Roch has a PIP program which teens with special needs are integrated into the school system, and it works great. Simon has been playing piano this past year at school, and the PIP room is across the hall from the music room. One PIP teen has taken to Simon. At first the student used to come into the music room and yell to Simon that the noise was too loud and to stop the noise, but Simon over a few months had shown him how beautiful the piano is.....and by the end of the semester the PIP student had special permission to sit with Simon near the end of the period, and Simon has taught him to play a few notes of 'hot cross buns'. Another PIP student wanted to join in, but only wanted to conduct, so they have a threesome. All this has opened Simon's eyes. Emil and I both feel that Simon has chosen wisely, as Simon has great patience, compassion and a very kind heart. We have always given advice to Simon to pick a career that is close to your heart and you will be happy and it won't feel like a job/work, it will be something you will enjoy if close to your heart/passion.
So, this is where we are at this point, and this year will bring choices of where Simon will be heading to University come Sept 2017. He has been speaking with one of the PIP teachers who has helped Simon significantly in coming to find out more, and has informed Simon of all that is involved.
Mister is going for his driver’s license next month. He finally has realized that he just may need to drive after all. Up until now he insisted that his bike would be his mode of transportation (as he practically lives on his bike) but now sees his other buds driving. Kyle has been driving for the past year and this has made Simon think perhaps he should too.
Lots of changes with my Mister......he is growing up, becoming independent, and all too fast for me. Seventeen years ago today I was waiting for his debut. God certainly has blessed me with such a beautiful son, my Boco.
