52 Weeks of Happiness - Week 38

It has been incredibly hot lately.

But then,

on Saturday,

the rainy season officially began.

Yes, I'm loving the rain.

It has cooled this place down.

A lot.

I sleep well at night.

I'm not uncomfortably hot.

I can enjoy my latte

without questioning why I have a hot drink.

And....

...well...

I get to wear my new Wellies!!!!

Happiness is a cute pair of 
Wellies.

Writer's Worksho - Thankful

We're going around the table and it's your turn to share

what you are thankful for....

A few of my mates on Facebook

have been participating in a month

of thankfulness.

I loved the idea

and seeing what they were thankful

for everyday.

I thought of participating,

but being Canadian,

our Thanksgiving was in October

so I didn't feel right about it.

But now,

well now I can share.

The last few months have been rough.

With Scott being in Kitwe,

I'm awfully lonely

and hate it.

And while I constantly 

moan and complain,

I'm thankful for a husband

who has put himself in an uncomfortable position

and never complains. He's doing what he

feels is best for his family, and 

no matter how much I whine and complain,

I know I have the better end of the bargain. 

I spent most of today

working on a paper for one

of my courses. 

It took longer than I thought

it would.

I promised Ethan this afternoon,

that we could watch a movie 

together tonight.

I am thankful for having completed my paper.

I am thankful for a son

who enjoys cuddling with me

on the sofa

while watching a Disney movie. 

When I was in Dar,

I had two great mates

that indulged me with Twilight.

We would go see the movie

and criticise and laugh.

Last year

I managed to find someone to go 

with.

She laughed along with me.

Then she moved to Kosovo!

But tomorrow,

yes,

tomorrow I have plans with some great

mates to see Twilight.

I am thankful

to have mates

willing to see Twilight with me

even though they know

I will laugh the whole way through. 

While studying today

I sooo needed a break

and treated myself to a 

mani/pedi.

I am thankful for

cute toes and fingernails. 

I hope everyone's having

a wonderful Thanksgiving.

52 Weeks of Happiness - Week 37

It's Thanksgiving this week.

Being Canadian,

our Thanksgiving is in October.

But it tends to pass us by.

We're working

and we don't have family around.

But the American Thanksgiving,

well,

that's a little different.

Working for an American International School,

we get the 4 days off.

Woohoo!!!

Many teachers

are taking advantage of the long weekend

and going away.

With not having family nearby,

it's not the same.

However,

being an Expat

means you gain new family.

This past weekend,

some mates of ours

hosted a Thanksgiving

for their Lusaka family.

The dinner table

Grub

Jeff carving the turkey

Now,

Thanksgiving marks the beginning

of the Christmas season.

And what better way

to bring in the season

then with my friend

Pimms.

It's nice to spend time

with our Lusaka family.

Susan even gave some of us

a little history lesson.

Happiness is spending time

with your Lusaka family.

Future Ex-Husband

It's been awhile

since I've shared 

my possible future ex-husband.

I thought it was high time

I shared another one.

And this,

well,

he needs no introduction!

(I would also share that lovely picture of him

and the hand model

but I don't think 

my current husband

would approve.)

52 Weeks of Happiness - Week 36

I love living abroad.

I'm an Expat

and I tend to think like one.

But being an Expat

means you live without stuff.

I always stock up on my favourite shampoo

because I know I can't find it here.

I miss Ben & Jerry ice cream.

I wonder what a pumpkin latte 

tastes like.

I've never seen many shows

people talk about.

I wish we got The Voice

for no other reason

then being able to drool over

Adam Levine.

Last week I went to Game.

And guess what I found?

Happiness is finding some Reese

goodies.

Work Share

For the past 6 weeks,

Ethan's Grade 1 class have had 

the Unit of Inquiry

called 

Talking Drums.

It's a unit on communication.

Today was the last day of the unit,

so his class hosted a work share day.

I'm very proud of my little boy.

The plan

The Communication Museum

Ethan created a word problem

His Mask

The explanation behind the mask.
Apparently it shows he was angry at the time.

Creative writing.
He wrote about going swimming with Jasper's dad!

I love this painting

Writer's Workshop -

Share your winter bucket list.

Hmmmm...

I have to give this some thought.

I think 10 is a great number,

so here are 10 things:

1. See a Broadway show in New York.
2. See the ball drop live in NYC on NY.
3. Complete my current 2 courses.
4. Begin my next 2 courses.
5. Get all the pictures up on my wall.
6. Make dessert for my family this Christmas.
7. Take Ethan ice skating.
8. Get my report cards done before going on Christmas break.
9. Get back into my workout routine.
10. Get a new tattoo. (don't think Scott would approve of this one)

52 Weeks of Happiness - Week 35

I love Halloween.

It has to be my favourite holiday.

Ever!

Now, 

there is no Halloween in Zambia.

But that's ok, 

because there are plenty of us

to make it happen.

Wednesday

was Halloween.

And

Halloween-in-the-Hood.

The Hood is basically

where a lot of the teachers live.

There's a lot of kids,

and so they have a little braii

and some trick-or-treating.

Ethan and I were lucky enough

to get invited.

Friday

the PTA held their

Trunk-or-Treat

event.

This year,

there were even games.

It even felt like a "real" Halloween

this year.

It was cold!!!

Friday night,

Ethan had his clothes on

under his costume.

We've never done that before.

Happiness is a fabulous

Halloween.