Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween!!!

Tonight was AISL's
Halloween in the Hood.
Ethan decided he wanted to be a ninja
this year.
He also decided he wanted to go
Trick-or-Treating
with Tora.
Mommy was not needed
following behind.

Ethan's pumpkin he carved a couple weeks ago.

Fighting ninja



The Kids of the Hood

Ethan and Tora




Thanks everyone
for making this another
fantastic Halloween.




Tuesday, October 30, 2012

52 Weeks of Happiness - Week 34

Ethan and I use to bake together
almost every week.
But for some reason
we haven't done much of that
lately.

Then I came across this wonderful recipe
And I thought,
this was the perfect opportunity
for Ethan and I get to back
into the kitchen.




Happiness is baking with Ethan.












Friday, October 26, 2012

ABC - Favourite Word

October 26th - What's your favourite word?

Blimey!
I'm not sure I have a favourite word.
Although I do say 
blimey
a lot.

Then I've picked up
the South African
shame.
Not feeling well?
Shame.
Car broke down?
Shame.
Didn't have a chance to get your hair cut?
Shame.

According to my darling
6-year old
I have a favourite phrase.
"Sit down and finish eating!!!"








Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

52 Weeks of Happiness - Week 33

One of the great parts
of attending AISA
this year,
was meeting with old mates.


Having dinner at
Monte Casino.

Love the fake sky.

They even have laundry hanging.

Happiness is having a great time
over some wine
under the "fake" stars!
















AISA

A few years ago,
the school in Tanzania
brought in Margaret MacLean
to facilitate a 3-day workshop
on 
Professional Learning Communities.

I loved it.

Margaret then offered an online course
to help us further our skills.

It was great.

Every October
AISA
(Association of International Schools in Africa)
holds a conference.

This year,
Margaret was asked to
facilitate a 3-day
pre-conference workshop.
And she asked if I would come
and help her out.
Yes, I was an intern.

I had a wonderful time.
I had forgotten how much
I enjoyed using the protocols.
I also got the chance to
brush up on my skills
and meet some great teachers.

It was truly a wonderful experience.
Thank you Margaret!





Tuesday, October 16, 2012

52 Weeks of Happiness - Week 32

Ethan wrote a letter to his mate
in Boston.
So yesterday,
I made a trip to Mercury
to mail it off. 

And you won't beleive what
was waiting for me there....


It has my name.
It has Jim's name.
How exciting!

Rapture!!! 
Yup! It's signed! To me!!!


And.....

Yes, it's the pink box!!!


Which means new shoes/boots!



Happiness is getting some goodies
in the mail!!!















Monday, October 15, 2012

Pumpkin Carving

I love Halloween.
It's my favourite holiday.
Halloween in Zambia is in the summer,
not fall. 
And there are not a lot of decorations.
So we try to make the best 
with what we have.

And while I love Halloween,
I'm not a fan of pumpkin carving.
It's messy
and I'm not good at it.
But I feel bad,
because I'm sure Ethan would love it. 

But that's where
Tyler and Afrikolor
come into play.

Afrikolor is a lovely pottery/textile shop.
Tyler offered pumpkin carving this weekend.
And it's not your traditional 
pumpkin carving.

Tyler shows Ethan what to do.


Ethan draws the face.


Yes, he's trying to make fangs.

Time to start carving.





They should be ready in time to bring home for 
Halloween.


Don't you just love Ethan's Vampire Pumpkin?




Tuesday, October 9, 2012

52 Weeks of Happiness - Week 31

Saturday evening,
the Christmas season in Lusaka began,
with the Musikili Fair.
Musikili is a boarding school 
in Zambia,
and this is their annual fundraiser.
It's a place to shop.



A place to entertain the kids.


And a place to begin Christmas
with a Pimms
(or two).




Happiness is shopping in the moonlight.










Monday, October 8, 2012

Leaving My Comfort Zone

I'm not known to be 
a person who is shy.
I tend to have an opinion.
Or two.
And often am not shy,
or scared to share it.
But...
I do not like public speaking.

While I love being a teacher,
I do not enjoy parent conferences.
Honestly,
I would prefer to write reports
than conduct conferences.

I will admit,
this opinionated person,
does not have a lot of self esteem.
I do lack that belief in myself.
I hate talking in front of others,
fearful I'm being judged
or viewed as less intelligent.

This summer,
I attended at Handwriting Without Tears 
workshop.
I sat quietly in the back,
soaking in all this information.
I've joined the HWT cult.
I'm a believer.

This past weekend,
my school hosted the 
2nd Annual ISAZ Conference
(Independent Schools Association of Zambia).
My Grade 2 teaching partner,
thought it would be fabulous
if I lead a HWT workshop.
Are you kidding me???
Apparently not.
She was darn serious.

I was nervous.
Why would a bunch of great teachers
want to listen to me?
Do I really have something to say
about handwriting that they'd want to know about?
This had to be one of the scariest things
I've ever done.
This is soooo 
out of my comfort zone.

Well then,
I had 10 teachers attend my workshop.
And guess what?
I had a great time.
I really enjoyed myself,
and I think
(hope) 
all the participants did too.

So thank you
Ms Turner
for believing in me.





Sunday, October 7, 2012

ABC - More Time

October 7th - What do you wish you had more time to do?

I'm always complaining there's not enough time.
Not enough time to spend with Ethan.
Not enough time to study.
Not enough time to exercise.
Not enough time to read.
Which would make it seem
that this would be an easy prompt.
Right?
Wrong!

Yes, I wish I had more time to do these things,
but if I can't get them done now,
will extra time really help?
Or would I use that extra time 
at school to plan?
Or blog?
Or just sit around and catch my breath?

So as much as I would like 
extra time.
 I really think
what I need is to make time.
Make the time to exercise everyday.
Make some time to spend with Ethan,
doing something other than
arguing or doing homework.
Make the time to get some studying done.
Make the time to spend
on me.






Friday, October 5, 2012

ABC - Autumn Recipe

October 5th - Your favourite Autumn recipe.



I know. 
You're shocked I'm doing this one.

Last year,
I made a fab dessert.
I was so proud of myself.
So proud,
that I plan to make it again
for Thanksgiving
this year
and possibly again
at Christmas time.

It's an incredibly,
delicious
Pumpkin-Chocolate Cheesecake.
And since it is not really
my recipe,
you can find it 







Five Question Friday

Can I just say I'm utterly
thrilled it's Friday.
This has not been a good week for me.
I've been an emotional wreck.
I had quite the meltdown yesterday
and a great chat with a mate today.
(Thanks Elizabeth.)

Tomorrow is ISAZ
(Internation Schools Association of Zambia).
Another mate talked me into conducting a workshop.
I'm really excited,
and a tad nervous too.

And since I'm starting to feel better
I thought I'd participate in this week's
Five Question Friday!!!!!



1. What album/CD/download are you embarrassed to admit you own?
I need to sort my iTunes music, 
so Ethan's songs don't play on 
my iPad. 
I caught myself singing
a Phineas and Ferb song
the other day
after hearing it on my iPad.

2. What's the one thing your spouse does better than you.
I can hear Scott already,
"One? They only want one? 
Why not a list?"
Since we all know I don't cook,
you must know that he's a better cook
than I.
And a better driver.
And better at Maths.

3. When do you start buying Halloween candy?
Halloween candy
is a little hard to find here.
Last year we participated
in the PTA's
Trunk or Treat.
Scott went to Dar in early October
and bought some.
This year, 
I'm taking Ethan to
Trunk or Treat,
so no need to buy candy. 

4. Family closets - Yay or nay?
Ok, so what is a
family closet
exactly?
Does it mean more
shoe space for me?
Cos if it does,
yay, yay and yay!

5. Which home/cleaning chore do you hate the most? Why?
I don't clean.
So all housework!
Although I don't mind the laundry.
Or doing the dishes.
Bathrooms!
That's the one I will not do!!!!