Let The Blogging Begin….

Every year the students and male teachers finish off the Dong Bei tournament on a Friday and that night everyone and anyone is welcome to go to the after party. It was good times as usual… and a little more tame than usual too… which was good. I was not really in a condition to take any pics that were A. all that good or B. appropriate to post (haha) so here are a few that made the cut for, being deemed appropriate for all audiences ;)

As time winds down in the school year there is a mixture of feelings: a healthy helping of excitement, a good dose of anticipation and a little dollop of sadness on top.

At this time of year there is ALWAYS something to do… and every weekend there is something going on… whether it be grad, dong bei, a birthday party… there is certainly never a shortage to choose from. These activities serve a dual purpose… they help time pass faster, but they also allow for some good quality time to be spent with the people you work with day in and day out.

It is actually surprising to me how we coexist all year round in such tight quarters; we work together, compete against each other, party together and hang out with each other… it is definitely not happy times everyday… we all have our moments… but on the whole we manage to bring out the best in each other whether that be in work or play.

With time moving faster there is the knowledge that our flight home gets that much closer with every day that passes… and although this is a great day in our lives here… there is also the knowledge that some of those who we have become so close to, do not return on the flight back.

One of the people not returning on the flight this year is Bobbi. Although we didn’t really get off to the best start in my first year at Maple Leaf, I slowly wore her down and after four years here I am thankful to call her a friend. She motivates me not only in work but also in life in general. She is that tiny voice that helps me make smarter choices, she is that guiding influence that has made me a better teacher and she is that friend who has made me a better person.

I will miss her energy, smile, laughter, and advice next year.

Love you tons.

Although we celebrated a double birthday bash last Saturday…today is the official bday of my good friend, Susan. It was fun to celebrate with her this year…wonder what might be in store next?!

In order to bring in another year Capricorn style, we had a dinner with friends at the French Restaurant and then some finely tuned singing at a local KTV. Good food, good friends, and lots of laughter…couldn’t have asked for anything more.

Happy Birthday Susan!!!
Love ya!

Near where I work there is an American School that is about 100 times better for facilities than my school. Craig and Kristin set up to have our Christmas dinner at their restaurant and it was a delicious spread (although, nothing like my mom’s cooking…man I miss it!)

Fun was had by all and belly’s were full upon departure. Here are a few pics from the event…mostly of the cute kidlets…

Mischa catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror…

Yemi and Brauna

Kristin and Svea

I couldn’t stop taking pictures of the garland…don’t know why?!?!

A collage of cuties…

The first two years I didn’t mind being away from “home” at this time of year, but last year and this one as well, I have felt the pull of being back around family, snow, and everything else this holiday means. It is nice to know though, that no matter where we go or how much we change, our family still knows us best and is there for us no matter what; it all begins and ends with them.

I am so grateful for my family, I couldn’t have asked for a better one.

Mom, Dad, Cam and Erin…I love you very much.

I need to also thank Susan, Bill, Ava, Nadia and Mischa for taking me in yesterday and allowing me to share their Christmas Day with them…I truly appreciate it.

I hope everyone is enjoying some time off, some relaxation, and some Christmas cheer.

This is a time of sharing, giving, love, peace and of course, hope.

…this pic speaks for itself….saki always makes for good times…

We haven’t had a big staff Christmas Party since I began working at Maple Leaf School…however this year we had four avid individuals who were eager to put together a party to help us let loose at this busy time of year. The night included some great food, some Christmas caroling, and a whole lot of 80’s songs to dance to. I think I danced for about 2 hours straight…

The “100″ couple, Bill and Susan.

Mr. and Mrs. Clause.

Amanda, Michelle and Iris.

Sara and Adrian.

Me and Susan.

This is “unfortunately” the only picture of have of me in my xmas party outfit…doesn’t give the full effect, but at least you can see how much FUN I was having ;)

The Blue Eyes Crew

As I mentioned in a previous post, I am going to Holland this January. The 18th to be exact and I cannot wait. The countdown is on!! For those of you who are geographically challenged like myself…here is a map of where Holland is, as well as the city of The Hague, which is where I will be spending the majority of my time.

I think about the moment I get to jet off too many times a day…in my “thinkings”…or rather daydreams…I imagine the city to be warm, sunny….exactly what I have been spoiled with the past three years on my Chinese New Year holiday. Tonight I decided to look up some pics of the two main cities I will be visiting…here is what The Hague will probably look like when I am there…a far cry from what I imagine on a daily basis.

I will also be taking in the sites of Amsterdam…how cool does this city look!

And you can’t forget….

Although I know I am going to see some amazing places on my European adventure, none will compare to the one I will be spending everyday with…can’t wait to see you guys :)

Although Starbucks started playing Christmas music a month ago, it only really feels like Christmas when December begins…and nothing makes me feel more Christmasy than Amy Grant Christmas music and shortbread cookies…both things that my mom saturated my brother and sister and I with around this time of year.

This is always a nostalgic time of year for people who are away from home and listening to Amy Grant and eating shortbread cookies makes me feel a little closer to home…

I hope everyone back home is doing well and getting into the Christmas spirit!

We all have our little routines, some more than others….and I happen to be a very routine type of person. I like knowing what to expect, how long something will take etc..

For the past 10 years I have come to expect and enjoy the routine of my summers. I head home to Nelson where sunshine, friends, family, comfort and relaxation await me. There are few constants that never seem to waiver and I have come to depend on them in many ways.

But by far the most diligent of routines is the daily visit to Grounded. Grounded is a coffee shop that was opened by my friend’s mom. She has now since sold it, but that has not stopped us from commandeering our favourite seats from 9-11am every single day of the summer. I am not joking, I think we might have missed one or two days.

The usual crew would be myself, my best friend since we established our band “Talon” in grade 12 Math, Jillian, Jill’s lil’ one, Lennox, her sister Taylor, her mom Jenny from the block, and when in town, her husband, Marius, and other sister, Heather. At times there were other visitors, friends and family would drop in and out….they always knew where to find us for those hours.

We would order the same thing everyday…me a “Jenny” (a short single shot espresso with a little bit of milk) and her a cappuccino….then either a muffin or a blueberry scone (but only when Robin made them).

This is simplicity at its finest. The best way to start off the day: a delicious coffee, a tasty treat, great friends, and lots of laughter. Life doesn’t get much better than that.

Tay and Jen chillin’

Jillian, Marius, and lil’ Lennox

Tay and Heather

While living in this far off land, there comes those moments when you miss your family and friends from back home and wish you could snap your fingers and be back with them. These moments are made fewer if you have people around you who can help you to forget what you are missing back home and appreciate where you are now. I have been VERY lucky to meet some fantastic people here who do just that. They are there to laugh with, talk with, go out with etc…

What I didn’t expect to find, however, was a second family. My good friend Susan has made me feel a part of her family which includes her husband Bill and her three beautiful daughter’s: Ava, Nadia and Mischa.

There is this quote that I find sums up what I am trying to get at here:

“Wherever you are it is your friends who make your world.”

I would like to give a “shout out” to all of my friends here who help to make “my world”. You know who you are :)

Getting pack to the point of this post…yesterday was Mischa’s 3rd birthday so we did some singing, ate some yummy DQ ice cream cake and helped her to celebrate.

Here are some pics of the lil’ princess…

Say Cheese!

Ava and Mischa stealing some cake…