i.get.by.with.a.little.help.from.my.friends.

Meeting people can be a very daunting task for a lot of people...such as myself. Although, I am in luck. I have a very out-going other half who is always ready to strike up a conversation, thank goodness :) Not only did mike strike up a convo, but this guy he just happened to talk to, is now his boss :) And its a great job hes got going on now :) And we are now lucky to add more friends to our roster here in b-ham!! Last friday they took us out to a charity event in which we had a blast! One of our first real nights out in bham. After a long and exhausting day I found a pair of beautiful pink pumps before I headed home from work and it just made me more excited to go out! Something about getting all doll'd up is just so exciting! Especially when its been a while!! Met lots of new people that night. I have to say, hands down Bobby is the #1 person in the world with a crazy amount of energy!!! We were definitely out danced thats forsure! Oh, did I mention most of the people who attended this charity event were from their gym..... and boy, did we show them how tired you get when you aren't working out! hahaha. 

We also headed up to IKEA with them the next day, after a long day of recovery! How can you not love ikea! Its amazing! IKEA Wednesbury to be exact! Picked up a few things, actually had to restrain myself because I knew we had a big week coming up. 

We did find some cool things though......

 Of course I was the only one who could fit inside this kids tunnel!! And there were mini wine glasses inside!! Teaching them at an early age!!

And we also came across some awesome kitchen sets! Rox and I had a tea party while the boys played football..... and then I baked a cake! bAhahaha






All for this chapter peeps!
xo

.bham.is.raising.horrible.humanbeings.

OH GOOD GAWD! Today may be number 2 on worst days of work!!! How is it possible for a year 2 child to be soo incredibly rude and disrespectful. England's public education system needs major reconstruction. What happened to the days of being able to physically hit your students, because oh my, I could have beahen some sense into some of the kids today! Horrid. Not only did some girls openly refuse to do what they were told, did not listen to any other adult body. If I had a classroom like this I would want to quit everyday. How dare you refuse the request of your teacher, rotten little buggers. The system must be changed, there must be some type of punishment, loosing play time does nothing, sending them to the head or deputy head also does nothing. They will just continue to do whatever they want once the heat is gone and not looking. And such a shame for I was having such a lovely time at this particular school, reception (kindergarten) for the past 2 weeks was amazing :) Such lovely children, minus the bad apple or two. Please, please, please, please can I just have my own classroom in CANADA! please. 

Let's see, other than that.... there is a wonderful German festival going on in B'ham and we've walked through some of it. They have hot dogs!! or Frankfurt Sausages as they call it! Roasted chicken with potatoes, roasted peanuts, hot apple cider, giant glass pints of beer! A wonderful experience!! We will be checking more of it out once Mike's cousins come to visit next week!! And we are also hitting up the Cadbury Chocolate Factory!!! YUMMMMMM :) Can't wait!!
 
I've had such a rough day I don't even know what else I want to talk about. Luck is turning around and skies are seeming bluer. Possibilities are opening up and I am glad we are doing this together :) xoxo

Till then, keep calm and carry on :)     

is everyone ready....YES MISS. H!

Yes, that has been the phrase of my week. It is the phrase that can get me absolute silence. 

A full week of work in the same room is both amazing and exhausting. I've come to love these little bacteria spreading aliens. and I mean bacteria spreading! The other day a child actually coughed a piece of spit into the corner of my EYE! UGH! There and then I had to remind them of what we do when we have to sneeze or cough. THEN I told everyone to take 2 bum spaces backwards! ahaha Not only have I spent a week with them, I am still supplying for yet another week with them! :D They have been trained to respond to a little musical tune. Its actually quite amazing, I am astonished every time. As loud as the room may get, as soon as they hear "Is everyone ready?" or "Is everyone listening?" they hear it and stop what they are doing and yell back "YES MISS. H" its lovely! If I haven't mentioned it, they are a reception class, for all those back at home, this is Kindergarten! lol. love it! I could rant and rave about all my escapades in reception but I think I am out of that bottle of energy. They are quite the class though :) I am hoping this is my foot in the door with this school, because its close, I can sleep a little longer in the morning, and they are great kids! 

So although working everyday is fantastic, it doesn't leave me with much time or energy after work. But that's what weekends are for right?! Speaking of weekends, this weekend (today) was the Christmas parade in the city centre, and man I haven't seen that many people crammed into one space! But it was nice, and they had nice lights hanging from all over. And it may be cold outside, but people seem to dress like its freaking summer outside! Don't understand?! It's been a nice relaxing weekend, we even put up a Christmas tree this week!! It's fantastic! I will post a picture up soon! 

Also today we found out that the only place in Birmingham to sell Jelly Belly's is Selfridges and its 2.99/100 grams! Insane!! It equals out to about maybe 2 handfuls. Where is sugar mountain!! (miss that place)....we got some anyways! :) And man are they tasty!!! :D Thats all i got for now....

Till then.... KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON! (gonna live in Britain, might as well act like them! haha)

.the.vacation.continues.

Oh how I remember how excited I was to begin a blog and so very keen on updating frequently.... then life happened, and 100% pure laziness happened. There have been so many thoughts, contemplations, opinions, statements, stories that I have now long forgotten. So this shall be my attempt to remember said thoughts....

First off, let me say that being a supply teacher in the UK is 100% completely different than being at home in Canada. I just had a nice relaxing week off for mid-term breaks... as if these kids worked hard enough to deserve a mid-term break anyway. I think its more so a break for the teachers, so they don't commit suicide or something. The week was great, went to Liverpool, saw the history of the Beatles....AMAZING, def something you should see if you are a Beatles fan, and really, who doesn't heart the beatles! weirdos! FYI - Abbey Road is NOT IN LIVERPOOL (birthplace of the Beatles if you weren't aware). ITS IN FREAKING LONDON! Came as a shock, because we were very much looking forward to walking along Abbey Road. Also speaking of London, all the original Monopoly Streets are there, so at one point we are going to do a Monopoly tour in London! yeah :) Liverpool also has some amazing buildings... amazing architecture, my brother would really enjoy this place! Back on track, so I am back to work this week, or well at least I hope to be, but how many teachers have sick days after having a week off? So, needless to say, my holiday has continued. I can't decide if this is good or bad: good because I get more time off, bad because I am getting bored from not working and because I am not working I have no money. fu*k. 

 
: Click here for more pix of Liverpool

hmmm... what else..... OH YES, this new fad here in the UK is crippling. It becomes an absolute need, not just want..... SUPERDRY. Dam those Japanese for making such an amazing wicked cool brand. I know Superdry has been sold at Pacific Mall, but here its like everyone has a Superdry coat. EVERYONE. We traveled to far and distant places to obtain this most prized possession. Mike was lucky and they had one in his size, medium, the one size there is always triple of. I on the other unfortunate hand, have had to order mine online and patiently wait for its arrival :(  
(superdry tanget done.)

As life would have it, my attention is needed elsewhere... 

cheerio!

.holding.the.prized.possession.

So many thoughts about to spew out of these fingers. First of all, have you seen the new edition of the crackberry family, the new torch. As a CANADIAN born and bread product why on earth is it not available in Canada first? WHY? This just further emphasizes the notion that Canadians are followers and slaves to new technology, when really, we are creating these magnificent pieces of machinery. Why should we have to wait for all these new things to be released in other countries before it comes to Canada where it was developed? The UK, as much as I adore my new home, had the torched released here first. JIM! Show some dam Canadian pride! Even the new blackberry 6 software is not yet released in Canada. Dam Shame. Balsili, I am disappointed. It looks like a great phone, minus the slide keyboard, kiiiiinda gay. How about we make the current Bold 9700 touch, now thats a great idea!

Yellow symbolizes wisdom. Yellow means joy and happiness. People of high intellect favor yellow. Yellow daffodils are a symbol of unrequited love. Sunday's color is yellow-gold. There is a yellow carrier bag that is frequently seen in the hands of many roaming around b'ham. Like little bags of sunshine. They seem to portray feelings of happiness, elegance, and prosperity... aka rich ass mother fukkas! SELFRIDGES is one of the most amazing retail companies I have ever seen. They carry everything from jelly-bellys (2 quid for 100grams!) to pour your own liquor, superdry to burberry and prada. It seems the higher you go, the more expensive the items become. By the time you reach the 4th floor, you can find immaculate shoes by Jimmy Choo and Michael Kors. There is a sense of pride when holding a Selfridges bag, a feeling of, yeah I can afford something in there! I had that feeling a few days ago when I made my first purchase at Selfriges. Mind you it was on the first floor with a giant bull made out of jelly-bellys and a krispy kreme shop! I purchased a book. A type of cooking book, one that you write in your own recipes (mike & I are starting something new! Writing down all the good meals we made this year). Selfridges is a place where things are shinny and new, cool and creative, and everything you could want. Most definitely one of my new favourite stores! (when I have money that is!) It is the mecca of designer and label whores, it is the creme de la creme of department stores, and it is the one store that hand selects who they wish to display. Only the best.

 I admit. I am a must have the 'it' item girl. As impractical as the torch may be, I still want it. And there will me many, many more purchases and yellow bags coming home with me this year. Just testing the water :)

[revise.restyle.adapt]

Change is inevitable. You can either choose to accept this notion and move with the wind, or you can ignore this fact and be stuck in limbo. Much like the city I have come to call home, it has changed only to better itself. The 'City of 1000 trades' has transformed itself, restyled, and revised to better fit in with modern times. Walking through the city you can see a little bit of old mixed in with something new and modern. It gives B'ham a special look and feel. I feel like I've almost become a person of a 1000 trades - one must be a chef, a house keeper, a tourist, a friend, a girlfriend, a teacher, a disciplinary, and the list goes on. It is not easy starting somewhere new, starting with nothing. You must adapt and change to what is around you. You must restyle your look so you don't look completely 100% Canadian! One thing I cannot hide, is my perfect Canadian accent, which surprises me everyday when people ask if I am American! Are you kidding! Not a day goes by I am not asked if I am American! As good as change can be, its nice to keep pieces of who you are. Little pieces that make you who you are, or pieces that a give a place its character. A little reminder of where you came from. In the case of this new home, nothing can mask the beautiful architecture of some of the buildings in b'ham, such as Victoria Square.

Birmingham 2010

Speaking of North America - the tradition of THANKSGIVING was celebrated in b'ham last night! It was lovely! The cold weather could not stop us from having a magnificent feast! All the Canadians and Aussies got together and enjoyed a beautifully cooked turkey, with marvelous sides to go with! Turkey-itis hit me in the head like a pile of bricks! Needless to say I had a great sleep :) Once I get a hold of some photos they will be posted! I am thankful for the wonderful new family of friends that have welcomed mike and I here in this new city. Thankful for wonderful family on all sides who have supported our decision to come out here for a first hand experience. And last but not least, thankful for man who turns my world upside down everyday. You always put me ahead of anything you need, and always ensure I am comfortable and happy. I know this has been a rough beginning but I am happy I am here with you and nonother. <3

* Enjoy what comes to you. Embrace all the familiar and happy faces. Change is good, and in this case, can make you better. Change can make you stronger. It will make you think on your feet, make you do things out of your ordinary, it can make you feel like a new person. Hopefully, a better one.
 

.the.musical.tune.in.this.heart.

Song  |sô ng |

A song can do so much for one person. It can sooth someones pain, it can tell someone just how much they mean to them, it can help you drift into a sweet dreamland. This particular song is very. very dear to me. More like this particular version. It is the song that heals, it is the lullaby to ease my restless nights, it is the song that my one and only sings to me. You are my world, you are crippling happiness, you are the one I share this crazy life with. You are the glass that holds my wine: you keep me from falling, you make me tipsy with happiness, you are the one I come to in times of stress and the one to celebrate new found happiness. If there's one thing I can tell you that I know to be true, never-ever under estimate the power of music. Regardless of who is singing or playing, music can do many things for you, for your soul, for your health, for your overall happiness. I am just lucky to have both mixed into one :D

Check out this version of Madman by Thrice - Madman 

Our course is coarsely plotted
On a map of shoddy dreams,
But hindsight will reveal
Time's moving faster than it seems.
Maybe I'm just selfish,
I've got nothing left to give.
I'm still a foolish boy,
I've got a lifetime left to live,

And I was swinging like a madman,
Not quite sure of what I felt,
And I might never understand
Exactly what it was I'd held,
And now I watch the sun descending
From the weathered gravel roof,
And I recall the sky once told me
That all lies lead to the truth.

So I'll look the other way,
And I'll turn a deafened ear,
And I'll talk of distant lands,
Pretend I was never here.

Reality beads on my skin
Like a slicker in the rain,
But now I feel it soaking in
And I begin to feel the pain.
I fight the urge to run to you,
This is how it has to be.
We've gotta step away right now,
We're just too close to see,
 

And I was swinging like a madman,
Not quite sure of what I felt,
And I might never understand
Exactly what it was I'd held,
And now I watch the sun descending
From the weathered gravel roof,
And I recall the sky once told me
That all lies lead to the truth.

So I'll look the other way,
And I'll turn a deafened ear,
And I'll talk of distant lands,
Pretend I was never here,
And I'll look the other way,
And I'll turn a deafened ear,
And I'll talk distant lands,
Pretend I was never here