Thursday, August 30, 2012

August: 6 Things

Hello! Hope you're doing well! Can you believe August is nearly over? Here's where I'm at:

1) I got my keys to the classroom Monday! I am soooo excited to get into this school year! I have not had a class, a challenging curriculum, or a routine in a LONG time!

Get this-first up in my History curriculum is World War 2! Like I said, challenging curriculum (or I should say vastly different than the type of history I've taught in the past......."This is George Washington, our first president. Can you say his name?")



2) These treats at Costco.


Mini brownies and mini cinnamon rolls. So I keep buying these and putting them in the freezer for "guests" but I'm sure you can figure out what happens.......holy crap I can't stop!!!






3) Summer.

Today I went to the Paralymics Wheelchair Basketball. Great atmosphere, great athletes.


A friend and I went to Hyde Park during the Olympics (concerts, food, games) and the band Temper Trap performed while we were there!!! This band sings my favorite song of the past couple years, Sweet Disposition!


A couple weeks ago I also went with some friends to see Singing in the Rain in the open air cinema at Hampton Court Palace. We brought our food and wine and had such nice time! We're thinking about going to the open-air cinema at Kew Gardens in a couple weeks when Grease plays there...


The trips to Paris were great and of course spending time with le Rey always makes me happy. 


4) People walking while texting/reading text. Be warned. I will hurt you.


At the moment, nothing is more irritating to me than people that have their head up their ass looking down at their phone as they're walking. Remember that I'm in London, and I walk everywhere.

I have a new strategy now. If I see someone coming at me (crowded streets by the way), and they are wrapped up in their stupid phone......I don't get out of their way anymore. We now bump into each other. Sometimes very hard, sometimes not so hard. Sometimes I will just yell "Get off your phone!" 

Yup. I really do.

To further my rant, can I just say how much I hate all of this phone stuff? I see people out together for a coffee, each texting, etc instead of conversing. I see moms with small children in a park, not paying attention to them at all because they're in their phone. 

Has no one told them? We don't actually hang on your every word, waiting for the latest tweet, status update, picture etc!! Just be in the moment and do that stuff later. At home. When there's no humans around. I mean really, it can't wait?

That's all. Sorry for the dramatics.

5) Upcycling stuff for the flat.

le Rey and I love taking stuff and making it into new stuff. Does that make sense? We like it because it's creative, thrifty, good for the earth (1 less thing in the landfill right?) and we can put our personal stamp on it. We also like to buy things that are meant for other things and use them in a different way.




I think some people think we're crazy for caring so much about our flat (painting, furniture, shelves, etc) since it is temporary, but I think 
a) this flat is so small, that if we don't downsize & make sure everything has a place from the beginning......this place is going to be a mess.
b) life is too short to make a house into a home "someday". What are you waiting for? le Rey and I are definitely on a tight budget, but there's lots of ways to make a home without much money. More pictures to come ..........

6) Phoenix in October?

I have a 2 week fall break from school in late October. It's looking very likely that I will be home in Phoenix for a visit (hopefully le Rey too, if he gets that off work)!!!!

I'm ready to hike! Pumpkin Spice Lattes anyone?



That's all for now--

Love you all!

Kelli

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Summer!

Whooooaaaaa......here I am! Hope you are well! Let me recap from late June!

WIMBLEDON
le Rey and I were watching the tennis on TV on a Friday night and thought....let's walk over there to join the "atmosphere" (while we're still living in Wimbledon).....somehow they were still selling some tickets (basic, cheap tickets.....not for center court which is lots of ££!) and we got in! It was beautiful weather, we walked around and watched some matches, and then sat on a hill to watch the major match on a large screen : )

JOB
I got a (semi) steady job! It is technically a maternity cover position, but as maternity leave appears (to me) a bit different here, this job goes for 2/3 of the school year. I will be teaching English, Geography and History to Year 5 and Year 6 (fourth and fifth grade in the US)! I may also be doing the gymnastics portion of P.E. for Year 3-6...........I will be sure to share what that entails.....will prove to be comical I'm sure! The independent/private school is very small, 1 class per year level, with around 14 students in each class (I'm spoiled!). It will be quite a change, but I'm excited about what I'll learn and the growth I'll make as an educator.

I love the motto of the school: 
HELPING CHILDREN ACHIEVE THEIR PERSONAL BEST.

 

It it pretty amazing to be in London for the London Olympics. I didn't get tickets for the current games, but I will be attending a wheelchair basketball game at the end of August for the Paralympics. I have been watching any and every sport in the Olympics, almost watching too much (kindof like when you eat too much candy corn).....so I'm trying to take it all in moderation.


As for this random photo, here's the story:
I was subbing at this a school one day and whaddya know, the Olympic torch was making a stop there! We all got our pictures taken with it (nope it wasn't lit)...glad I had my camera that day! 

But actually it's not THEE torch. Here's what I learned-
-the torch is 800 mm tall.
-it has 8,000 perforated circles (holes) all over it.
-it travels 8,000 miles.
-there are 8,000 torches for 8000 torch bearers taking part (they have the option to buy the torch if they want).





NEW FLAT
le Rey and I were very blessed to have had a place to stay temporarily when I first got here. The time is up at this amazing flat/apartment in Wimbledon and we are moving to a new place in Kingston (closer to our church) over the next couple weeks. I have so many recycling/upcycling projects I want to do! And paint! I want to paint! Don't know if we're allowed, but...I am adding some color somehow!

how gorgeous are these colors? I want this kitchen!


ENJOYING SUMMER

I have been loving this time off in the summer. The weather has pretty much been fantastic. If I can wear shorts, I'm happy. I've worn shorts for several WEEKS now, so that is a good summer in my opinion! I spend my days cooking, going for walks, meeting up with friends, reading blogs, reading, and creating things. I am never bored--there are so many things to do/explore!! I haven't even been to half the museums I planned on this summer!

It's been really nice to have this time to create teaching resources for my portfolios/journals and sell them online. I've been very encouraged by teachers from across the US that have given me great feedback about my documents.Would love if a curriculum company would pay me to do this on a daily basis!!


le Rey and I had the opportunity to visit his brother and sister-in-law in Paris one more time before they moved back to South Africa. Glad we took advantage, as the train prices are comparable to flights from Phx-LA (much, much cheaper than flights from London-Johannesburg)! We had a great time again, and the weather was awesome!



 




Alright, back to watching the Olympics! Love you all!

Kelli xx