.we.all.gotta.have.faith.

Its been 10 months since I flew the coup. Its amazing what you learn about yourself and those close to you in a short period of time. Its amazing what you can do with your life in a short period of time. Its amazing who you meet when you go abroad. But no matter where you are in life, in the world, sometimes we all just gotta have faith in ourselves.

This is MY time to reflect on what I have accomplished and what I have seen in 10 months. It was my intention to move to this new land to kick start my career as an educator. But it was also my intention to discover every piece of unknown territory along the way. Highlights have been attending the Royal Wedding in London in April; going off to the beautiful land of Portugal; and seeing myself grow as a teacher. In the last 3 months I've been taking a lot of time off from my career, not always by choice, these Brits love their holidays and bank holidays! But today I was put in a position that made me realize how much I do love what I do. I had a somewhat of a working interview for a position as a year3 teacher for September. I came into this new school, supplied a different class for a morning while being monitored. It was very nerve racking I must admit. But being back in a classroom, at a good school just reminded me of why I started in this profession. Because let me tell you, a lot of the days I work I never want to come back the next morning. But today was good. Thinking back to my first day in a classroom while still a student teacher, there is a world of difference, a world of growth. I feel like I am coming into my own, finding my groove.

Since September, there have been some scary times. Moments of subduing to pure failure. I know its so hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but I now know it is there! This change in lifestyle has absolutely changed me and has also been one of the hardest things I have ever done. Not just teaching, everything that had to do with the move. New person living with me, new culture to get used to, new crappy weather, new school system, new friends...new everything. But it all turned out :)

I've also had the opportunity to have some amazing food while I've been out here! And this past weekend we went to the food festival in town and it was absolutely amazing!!! It's been ages since I've had perogies, and they had a polish booth so I could get my hands on some! Had the best homemade macaroons I have ever tasted! Tried some pulled pork and Italian potatoes! Overall, a good experience and can't wait for the next one!

We are slowly getting ready for the long journey home in August! Its creeping up so fast and we still have so many things to get ready. I am trying to bring a piece of Britain back home for all of my family and close friends. Its funny how everything adds up pretty quickly! But I know before I know it I will be back in the UK enjoying the dreadful weather. Not once have I been able to wear my shorts! I am missing the Canadian summer I admit! I need to start tanning myself the moment I land. So please not family and friends: all get togethers are mandatory in the sunshine! Cannot wait to have baskin robbins ice cream outside and ICED CAPPS! Oh my dear g--- I MISS TIMMYS Iced Caps like I miss the sunshine in England. My mouth is watering as I think of this. Must keep it all in. There are so many "Canadian" or really, North American things/products I plan on packing my luggage with when I come back! So watch out, before you all know it.... BAM I'll be home!!! Only one more month of working!

I know I have gotten far off track, and by this point it is just mumble jumble. All I can say is have faith folks.... fingers crossed there is a new life waiting one year from now :D

.luck of the irish.

One of the best things about travelling is the people you meet, I think. I think its funny how people can come from different parts of the world and can be so similar. So different is also another shocker.

I love travelling like a fat kid loves cake. Just can't get enough of it and crave it constantly. There's something I purely enjoy about being in a different part of the world where no one knows me, there are new restaurants to eat at, new things to see. And people tend to visit things that might not interest them but do it because its there or other company might enjoy it. There are always interesting people to meet and talk to. Talking, conversation, I feel are parts of living that are being erased in front of our eyes. I mean, i LOVE the use of smart phones, emailing, texting and what not, but sometimes it seems like people forget how to make conversation in real life. People don't call friends and family anymore, they send a text. Phone calls seems like ancient history sometimes. Children are being raised on electronic devices to keep them from causing loud noises, but is this really how we want to introduce technology to our children?
Back to the power of conversation - i love it... and it goes hand in hand with travelling. Gotta talk to make friends right?! In big popular destinations, everyone seems to be a tourist, no one seems to know where they are going, but it always seems to be in good fun. I'm happy to have met new people and had good conversations. You can learn a lot about a person in a short conversation. It might not be what they are saying but the way they act, stand, dress...etc. It also seems to me that when you engage in conversation with someone you don't know, you almost get a minute to stop and realize whats going on in your life. What's great or not so great. How often in life do we stop and smell the roses? Not often. But when your somewhat forced by social existence, to engage in a conversation, you have to stop and think about your own life and re-tell it to someone else. Which in regular day to day life, does not happen often. It's always good to meet new people. And I hope my experiences with new souls continues because its quite the adventure :D

 

Dublin, Ireland
June 2011

.cafe.yumm.

Ok, hands down the BEST freaking french toast in the world is at Cafe Rouge.

When I first ordered it, it didnt look like what i expected. It wasn't what you'd get in Canada, no syrup! But after I took the first bite I fell in LOVE! Now the photo I took isnt the greatest because they actually over did it lol but i sent it back and enjoyed a little piece of heaven :) Not only is the french toast amazing but their lattes are also heavenly!! Mike and like to enjoy brunch at cafe rouge on the weekends if we have the time. There nothing like sitting around on a beautiful day and enjoying wonderful food with wonderful company. Thank you UK for showing me Cafe Rouge! :D This is a place I will definitely be taking any guests to when they visit!

 This is what mike usually gets! Eggs Benedict with salmon or ham. There food is so good we already have favorite meals!! haha If you havent had the chance to have petite dejunier at Cafe Rouge...GO!
:D

my.BABBIES!!

So I've found my own green thumb! (or at least i'd like to believe so!) So here is the progress of my 3 babies: to-ma-too

 First signs of life began to appear a few weeks after planting!!!

As soon as they sprouted out of the pots the grew incredibly fast!! 

This is probably the most current photo of my babies!! There have been a few short mishaps where i thought they were going to die due to lack of sunshine...but wow did they fix themselves with just a few hours of sunlight!! Amazing :D
Its amazing how something can just fix itself in a few hours when just a moment ago they looked like they were about to die. I suppose humans are a lot alike in that sense, one minute you think all life is over and you just cannot go on... and then something happens to your whole perspective changes. funny isnt it. we are plants.

americans.do.crazy.best

thought at the moment:

so have you heard about the latest crazy mum in America?? pagent mum BOTOX'S her 8 year olds face because apparently she has wrinkles and its not a nice look! WTF! your kidding. absolutely not! she actually administers the botox herself and its not just one part of the face, its everywhere. so gross. what is wrong with them?


Check out the interview here:

And so apparently she says she made it up.... LIAR. Her daughter was taken away because that boarder lines child abuse and it is an unsafe environment for a child. Thank goodness.

crazy.

.a.thing.of.the.past.

Its amazing how when you stop and look back on your life, there are SO many memories that have been forgotten. The people in your lives who used to make you laugh and cry are now a distant memory. Its funny, even with todays technology and ways of keeping in touch, we just don't. We forget. We choose to forget I think. Possibly because that was a better time in life, or a time we'd like to go back to. Who knows. Facebook is a great example of seeing people you forget about. People who you might have known since you were 5, or people you met in High School or University. School is a big part of life and so many things happen during that time. 20 years of schooling, thats a lot of memories! Privacy has become a modern invention. When towns were so small everyone knew everyones business. Now as much as we would like to be 'private' on facebook, how can you really ask for that when you put your life out on the world wide web. As it might be a modern thing, its quickly becoming a thing of the past. We throw our thoughts, memories, photos out there for our 'friends' to see. But how many of those 'friends' are people you would actually call up and say, Hey, lets hang out today. 10%. Funny eh?


I wish I could have taken a picture of every person I've ever met in life, I think it would be pretty neat.  Maybe thats what I'll start doing :) In 50 years I wonder who I would still remember and who I will never forget. 


I saw this really neat video somewhere on the world wide web, when I find it I will post it. I can't remember exactly what the phrase was, but it was something along the lines of: BEFORE I DIE I WILL....
and someone painted a chalk wall and wrote this at the top. He made spaces for everyone to fill in what they want to do at the end of their life. It was very interesting and I wish I could share it. 
I want to see the world before my time is up. There is something about travelling that just does me in. There are soo many wonderful and magnificent things to see in this world and I can't wait to see them all. 

.the.big.HUSTLE.begins.

I don't even know how to begin this. First off, oh man I know its been ages since my last post! Forgive me, lifes been getting busy as you may have hinted at from the title. It's been almost a month! eek!


Well, Mike's company is just about to fly! I am off on half term, a lovely 2 week holiday (one of my 13 weeks of total vacation a year)!! BUT being the great and supportive girlfriend that I am (insert smirk) I am working for them over my holiday. TODAY we got our landing page up! CHECK IT OUT HOMIES! 

www.onlyuncle.com 


ANNDD


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Now, enough of work talk because that is ALL anyone does around here. 


We've been lucky to have been having some nice summer-ish weather here in bham. Days where I don't have to wear a winter coat. My toes actually saw some sunlight and felt some breeze! It was amazing! We spent a weekend in the park just lazying about (well I did... Mike and Bobby kicked around a football...aka soccer ball). All the summer outfits I've been buying are now getting some use! 

A few weeks back we visited London for a bit of business and a bit of pleasure.... SHOPPING! It was great! There was a fashion show going on while we were there. Absolutely MASSIVE place! There is a special section that I hope to sooner than later be able to shop in.... Prada, Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo, Burberry, Tiffanys, De Beers... and the list goes on. So Fab. I did pick up a few things from stores we do not have in bham such as Berksha (also fab) and something else lol. We got a free ride in and took the train home. It was a lovely day. OHH and they also had a place that makes the BEST freaking Gelato in the ENTIRE WORLD! ca'puccino has the BEST GELATO EVER! Chocolate in particular! SO AMAZING! I was a food whore that day lol. 


We celebrated Canadian Night last week with some Canadian (and Australian) friends! It was a great time! My first time eating smores with peanut butter inside! DEEEELISH! Why this heavenly taste hasn't been in my life is beyond me. 

OHHHHH and we had a visitor (that wasn't a mouse)!!! One of my best mates Ainsley came down a few weeks ago from York for a visit! It was smashing! Hit up the pubs like it was 1999, painted our very own ceramic plates, chilled out in the sunlight, got an up and close tour at the BBC from SonnyJi and went shopping of course! All these great events were captured in photos of course and can be found on our gallery! 


It's been such a good fresh of air to not be in a school for a while! But one awesome thing about supplying just before holidays is that I usually do rubbish things! Like for this half term on the friday we made easter cards, watched the easter parade in the school, coloured some easter pictures lol. fab. 


Well, all for now... as mike and Sonny Ji would say... "Everything's Lobbly Jobbly" LOL 


Cheers!