My Genre.

Really bad acting. Really unrealistic story lines.  REALLY GOOD.

And yes, I deserve to be judged based on the last post.  But COME ON! Imagine if YOU were switched at birth....and didn't find out until you were a TEENAGER! Haha!

Question:

Who wakes up at 5 a.m. and STILL gets 10 hours of sleep?

Answer:

WE DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Haha....you know you want to hang out with us this summer!  How about a brunch date? ;)

Bad Vibes

You know when the mood is just.........BLAH?  Less smiling.  Little laughing.  A lack of socializing.  BLAH, BLAH, BLAH?  Well...that happened to be the ambiance at work today.  It was strange.  And uncomfortable.  And I don't like it.

I can't pinpoint one PARTICULAR event that caused it.  It seemed to be a collaboration of instances that have been building up over the past few months.  Because it wasn't as if the day was HORRIBLE.  But it just wasn't the best either.  And I prefer my days to linger near the latter ;)

For this reason, I insisted on a "TEAM CHEER" at my meeting this morning.  We shouted "BALANCE" on the count of three - hands all in.  Work.  Family.  Fun.  Food.  Sleep.  Exercise.  An equal amount of each.  Perhaps the word will resonate throughout the building and create a more welcoming place tomorrow! 

Here's to a little bit of this and a little bit of that,

HAPPY WORK WEEK, Y'ALL!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY WILLIAM & KATE!

Here's to many more years of love, happiness........and really cute photo's!  LOVE THEM.

IF YOU WERE HERE FOR TEA.

*  It happened.  Blogger has OFFICIALLY changed and I've spent the morning trying to navigate the new interface.  If Facebook changes on me today too, I might have to quit social media.  BAHA.  I'm lying.  But you get my point ;)

*  EMILY got a wee little KITTEN!  His name is LOOMI.  He is ADORBS.  Inshallah, I will meet him today :)

*  In sadder news, my Dad told me that our family cat, Mush, passed away this week.  He proceeded to tell me about our family dog, Coco, missing her feisty feline buddy.  It's not nice.  I cried.  But SOME of us.....with cat allergies.......have different feelings about it.  About THIS bullet point and the previous one.  I wonder who that could be......

*  Today I have the joy of saying, "LESS THAN two months until we are HOME, HOME!!"  On June 27th we are flying into Toronto :)  HIP, HIP!

*  This week we watched the U14 boys play their first volleyball match.  There are a few grade 6's on the team and one in particular who is subbed in strictly for serving the ball.  And he does it overhand.  And it's AWESOME.  And I may or may not have been tearing up on the sidelines - so SUPER PROUD to be his teacher!!!

*  Congratulations to our darling AIMEE M. for securing a sweet job in the Yukon this summer!  Oh - she's also going to be an AUNT for the first time this fall!  YIPPEE!

*  This current moment marks my FOURTH time watching the E! True Hollywood story about Britney Spears.  I suppose I'm hoping for something different, but the same disappointing clips keep rolling.  Thankfully, they will have to update the program once she becomes an OFFICIAL judge on the X Factor!!!  Ohhhh that is one rumour that I hope is TRUE! 

*  I've been having weird dreams lately.  Last night's wonky one included a really bad student named "Grisham" who had about 10 iPhones that I was panicking to confiscate.  I wonder what that means....haha.

Hmmm....there's really not too much else to tell you!  It was a going to work, staying to do more work, going to bed early kind of week!

Hoping your weekend is a HAPPY ONE!
XOXO

That's BETTER.

Phillip is HOME and I am SO HAPPY! Well, he's not actually home NOW because he's at basketball practice, but he's in the same country. And that I can handle ;)

Since I'm unsure of his blogging intent, I will share with you what I know:

* he had a great time with Steve (his assistant coach) and Will (a rival coach)
* he visited the acropolis and the old olympic stadium
* he made LOTS and LOTS of notes about basketball
* he was very impressed with how organized everything was
* he met a new friend named Dave
* he couldn't stop thinking about his beautiful wife (I think that's true, right hun?)

Haha. Anyways, he's talking about going again next year OR going to a P.E. conference in Tunisia. I'm okay with either. Especially if he comes home with another LINKS OF LONDON present for me :) (I LOVE YOU DARLING! THANK YOU!!!!!)

Well, back to our routines we go. I'm headed for the kitchen to make Phil a dinner with LOTS OF VEGETABLES. I imagine they come second on his "what I missed most" list. BAHA.

It's PHILLIP EVE!

And I'm bouncing off the walls.

I can't stop smiling.

And giggling.

And looking at the clock!

HURRY UP 4 o'clock's!!!! I want my baby back, baby back, baby back......

Haha. Enough. Off to continue my other love affair. The one I have with the REAL HOUSEWIVES of NYC. (Confession - season two is downloading this very moment).

GOODNIGHT Y'ALL!!!!

Best Job | P&G London 2012 Olympic Games Film

Compliments of one of the BEST MAMA'S in this world.

Grab some Kleenex before pressing "PLAY".



Eeeee!!!! The Olympics are almost HERE!

TO YOU, EARTH!

For making AWESOME memories with us.

Watching the sunset in London.

Cruising around in a food-less dingy for HOURS and HOURS - birdwatching - in Nepal. Haha.

Running our first 26.2 in Reykjavik.

Hobbling around at Gullfoss in Iceland. Post-marathon.

Relaxing in the blue lagoon with Leah!

Swimming at the P's with Joycie Girl.

Getting swarmed by black flies on our long run through the marsh in Wheatley.

Hitting golf balls on Lake Superior with Zan.

Catching up with Aimee in Marathon.

Freezing cold in Clear Lake!

Braving it on the longest foot suspension bridge in Canada at Eagle Canyon.

HAPPY EARTH DAY!!!!!

THE CONFESSION.

HUBS. Read on.

I need to upgrade yesterday's mention of The Real Housewives. Not only have I downloaded a few episodes, but this morning I committed to the ENTIRE FIRST SEASON! And I love it.

A LOT.

A LOT, A LOT.

I'm on episode five and for some reason, the mouse cursor keeps moving closer and closer to the "Buy Season 2" icon on iTunes. This sporadic attachment to EVEN-WORSE "bad" television is bound to escalate to include ALL "REAL HOUSEWIVES" CITIES if you don't return home soon!!!! And not only that, but I want my reality tv buddy home with me!

Back to the lives of the rich and famous....

Love,
Your REAL HOUSEWIFE of HAWALLI
(No really....I have the banana loaf to prove it!)

P.S. TWO MONTHS UNTIL WE ARE IN NYC! I selected a darn appropriate program to mark this milestone, agreed?! ;)

MISSIN' MY SNUGGLER.

SO much so that I've started to download episodes of The Real Housewives.....uh oh.

TOO GOOD!

July 28th, 10 a.m.

You can fret with me as Phil, his brother, and Mom P embark on this CRAZY "Edge Walk" journey at the CN Tower.

Ha! I need a hand-holder. Nicole??????

GONE but NOT.

Phil left this morning for Athens. I only cried twice before his departure! Snaps for LINDSAY!


Onto the GOOD news.....this afternoon I came home to a note that said "Don't worry, I bet if you look hard enough, you'll find me EVERYWHERE!!!" And, guess what?! I have found four Phillip's around the house - all in places that I frequent the most! In the "Phillip" above he's watching sports with his glasses on. Snaps for PAPER PHILLIP #1!

Haha - anyways, in addition to my Phillip Treasure Hunt, I put away some dishes, went on the treadmill, called my Daddy, and then enjoyed a DELISH dinner with the WHO-SAIN'S. Now I'm having a tea (the current fave - Tetley Rooibos) and watching Idol. Then it's off to my EXTRA-BIG bed for my first sleep sans-Phil!

The Last Supper.

And you thought I was being "dramatic" before....haha!


Since we've been married, Phil and I have yet to spend a SINGLE NIGHT apart. Well, except for that extreme situation in Kathman-don't, where we smuggled a ginger into a super posh hotel. But I really don't think we can include this act of teamwork as a legitimate evening away from one another. Nonetheless, for the last 658ish days, we've been the ultimate DUO. And so....for the next 5 days, our separation is bound to be strange.

Anyways, the point is - I'm going to miss my man like CRAZY! Have fun at your basketball conference, HUBS! They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder, but this heart of mine is already mighty FOND of that heart of yours.

I LOVE YOU!
XOXO

So maybe I'm being dramatic....

While thinking about Phil leaving for Athens this weekend....


Me: Hun. Now I'm going to know what Carrie Underwood goes through every time Mike goes to play hockey. And what Hilary Duff goes through every time HER Mike goes to play hockey. And what Khloe Kardashian goes through when Lamar leaves for basketball. And what Kim Kardashian went through every time Kris left for basketball...

Phil: (laughing) Oh stop!

Listen to this:

Today I did someone a favour and ended up doing recess duty. During this time, while I was hanging out UNDERNEATH a canopy (a.k.a. protected from the sky and things that come from it), a bird POOPED on me!!!!! YEP. POOPED ON ME. This ties into my theory about those strange creatures. They hate me. PROOF: this particular oiseaux managed to find me under a tarp-like structure and ATTACK!

Perhaps my "good deed" gave me some great karma.......I am told that money or gifts are coming way!

CRAY, CRAY!

Phil received this "Insanity" program as a gift from one of his basketball players last week. Tonight he completed the first "fit test" which consisted of jumping every which way you can think of. Not nice. Or fun. And that's coming from someone with a bouncy nature ;)

Anyways, if Phil wasn't so darn competitive with the program's athletes, he might have been able to walk tonight. Thank goodness he has a solid excuse to play statue on the couch - a Red Wings playoff game!

Haha, I wonder what joys tomorrow morning will bring.....

INSANITY!

Don't Judge a Movie By Its POSTER!

While selecting a "romantic" Saturday night movie.....

Me: Is there a certain movie you had in mind, hun?

Phil: No. You?

Me: (smiles) Well........

Phil: (laughs) Okay, which one?

Me: This one. (Shows Phil cover of movie).


Phil: What's it about?

Me: LOVE! (giggles) No, I'm not really sure.....but it has Rachel McAdams, Channing Tatum...........says "based on true events".......you really can't go wrong!

Phil: Alright - let's watch it!

5 minutes later, in response to the two love birds getting into a serious car accident......

Lindsay: (in shock) Hun! This is terrible! I don't want it to be based on true events anymore!!!!!!

We laughed at my completely off-base predictions about "The Vow" and managed to tough it out for the full 1.5 hours. Just a heads up, it stays sad and tragic (in my opinion) throughout the ENTIRE thing.....

Abracadabra!!!

Student: (excitedly) MISS! This pencil has MAGIC in it!

Me: (skeptical) It does? How do you know?

Student: If I use ANY OTHER PENCIL, my writing is messy. But with this one, it is BEAUTIFUL!

My skepticism remains. Alas, bring on another week of cuteness ;)

It's Decided.

The Parkinson's will NO LONGER be attending late-night events. You want to go for breakfast? WE'RE IN! How about lunch? You got it! Available for dinner? An early one, YES! But anything that concludes beyond the hour of 8 p.m. is OUT.

Last night we got home at midnight. It was terrible. Really. That story about Cinderella and pumpkins? TRUE. And not just that, but when you stay up til that impossible hour, the following day seems to have less than the standard 24. This morning, we slept in until a record-breaking time of 10:30 a.m. Which is basically lunch time. Which is almost dinner time. Which is really darn close to bed time. Ya with me?

So - to keep your hopes LOW from the very beginning, please plan to hang with us in the sunny hours of the day this summer. And then, in the ODD event that we "ACT WILD and CRAZY", you will be happily surprised to see us post-sunset.

Thank you in advance for your understanding,

The Parkinson's
XOXO

HURRY UP, MAY 14th!!!

Eeeeeee! With the release of this official "Bachelorette" portrait, it's true that we are CLOSER and CLOSER to the start of the season! I CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!!!

IF YOU WERE HERE FOR TEA.

* This was Phil's first week of teaching grade six math. And guess what?! Arts and crafts were part of his lesson plans! I am hoping to stop by and participate in this artistic, yet math-y adventure next week :)

* In my classroom, this week marked the end of our electricity unit and we are starting astronomy on Sunday. If you have any FABULOUS ideas, send them this way please! I foresee some troubles making it extraordinary in a place with less-than-dramatic seasons and starry nights!

* Hockey playoffs have started! WA-HOOOOOO!

* I did FIVE boy push-ups in a row this week! YAHOO!

* Basketball is back on and Phil couldn't be HAPPIER. He held two try-outs this week after school and has a third this Saturday afternoon. It's amazing to watch the sports culture at our school change from "SOCCER, SOCCER, SOCCER" to "BASKETBALL, BASKETBALL, BASKETBALL". It seems as though many students are eager to become members of Phil's basketball family. I wish he could keep everyone - or have five teams :)

* The weather is SO NICE HERE! This morning I went with the Hussain's and Pat for a nice hour-long walk along the water. Phil enjoyed a nice hour-long sleep-in while I was out!

* Tonight we are heading to our friend Scott's house for dinner. Huffho's and Gemily will also be in attendance. Should be fun. We may even stay awake until the 10 o'clock's. Just like last night. Wooo! Striving for two nights in a row.....

That's about ALL. Until our grand outing this evening, our plan is to drink coffee, catch up on Idol & Survivor, and bake dessert! Grocery shopping and tutoring are DONE and out of the way!

Childhood Logic.

Student: (overly dramatic) MISSS!!!!! Today is such a bad day. We had an English quiz. And my group has bad luck. And we have our science test now. And then our report cards........(Pause)......but then it will all be okay because I get to eat McDonald's!!!!!!! (smiles and skips into the classroom)


Whatever gets you through the day ;)

RAYOVAC LAUGH ATTACK

Student: (ALL GIGGLES) Miss...this battery is the funniest battery. It says "HEAVY DOOOOO-TY"!!!!

I'm not sure why this was so funny, but I DO KNOW that I was also in giggles after this remark!

WHAT A DAY.

When you notice you are wearing two different shoes - and not until you've arrived at work - you just KNOW the day is going to be a DANDY ONE! Haha. The good news is that I happen to be the world's luckiest lady because my main man ran home on his prep period to get me the right match!

Thank you, LOVE!
XOXO

Warning: May Enter Your Head and NEVER Leave!

It's official. As of late, my music interests have been dictated by the Biebs. This song is SO GOOD and Biebs & Co. make this un-official video SO FUN! Love it.

Addition to NYC Itinerary?

I was watching Good Morning America yesterday and was THRILLED to hear that there is a new play on Broadway called "Magic/Bird". Now, I love magic and I hate birds, but you sports folk know that this is actually a story about basketball rivals Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. What better way to lure your husband to the theatre than with a BASKETBALL PLAY?! (Haha, just kidding! Phil is a SUPER musical/play companion - always wearing a smile when in attendance). We'll have to read some reviews before securing our tickets to this sporty affair :)

A HAPPY TEACHER happens when.....

.....a student can't wait to show you her NEW BOOK ABOUT SCIENCE that she got on spring break!

Today was a good day.

TOO DARN CUTE.

The first day after spring break.....

Student: (excitedly) Miss! Do you notice something that has changed in me?

Me: Hmmm.......you look very tanned!

Student: Not that.

Me: (really trying hard to notice a difference) Did you get a haircut??

Student: NO! I got new shoes!!!!!!!!!!! (points to bright orange soccer shoes)

Me: Oh, OF COURSE! They look fantastic!

HAPPY EASTER!!!!!

At school today I had one very frustrated boy ask me "Miss, what do EGGS have to do with BUNNIES?!!!!!" The truth is, I have no idea, but I do know that I LOVE this traditional combo.

Anyways, we hope the Easter Bunny gave you the joy of hunting for eggs this morning! And if there wasn't a hunt, we hope you had some SWEETS to indulge in with family. Here are some photos from a city-wide Easter egg hunt we embraced in London. The hunt was organized by Faberge to raise money for elephants and children (<---- awesome choices, right?!).






Sending you lots of love and CHOCOLATE!

XOXO

Happy Birthday Papa PARKINSON!

Sending you lots of love on this EXTRA SPECIAL OCCASION!!!!

Love,
Linds and Phil
XOXO

Home & Unpacking!

We arrived home this morning after a good-as-it-gets, overnight flight from London. After dropping our bags in the living room, we couldn't wait to get into bed and get some REAL sleep! So sleep we did. For FOUR HOURS! In separate beds. In separate rooms. Simply because 6 nights in a double is TOO LONG! Haha.

The rest of our day included lots of coffee and tv. (Comments on shows: LOVE ARSENIO from Apprentice, missing Colton on Survivor, and curious as to who Hunt ruined his marriage with on Greys). We also dropped by the neighbours for a quick chat before starting the unpacking process. Normally, the latter is not a favourite activity of mine but this time I had some unusually-awesome-souvenirs to take out! YAY FOR MAGAZINES and TETLEY TEA! The ABSOLUTE BEST mementos one could bring back to this American magazine and Tetley barren place ;)


We just finished making PILLSBURY egg McMuffins for dinner and I think Phil has entered into laundry heaven. If I make him a cup of tea, I'm hoping he'll say "YES!" to a few episodes of Gossip Girl before bedtime! Alas, he hasn't done a load in a whole week and is eager to get back at it :)

Wishing all of you a restful Easter Eve and the best of luck in tomorrow's hunt!

A Day Well Wasted!

Today was our final day in London. Instead of venturing into the city like we usually do, we chose to hang out in our area and take it easy. We slept in (does 7 a.m. count?), had tea, ate breakfast, watched some tv, checked out, then took a walk outside to see what trouble we could get into. During our outing we came across a movie theatre and decided that this would be the perfect way to fill up our day! And so....we saw it! THE HUNGER GAMES! I hadn't finished the book yet but it was the only movie we'd heard about and decided to take the plunge! You'll be happy to know that we enjoyed it (even me - despite the 2.5 hour length!) and I didn't fall asleep - not even for ONE SECOND! Phil says the storyline was good, but the execution could have been better. I'm just happy that Katniss SURVIVED!


We're back at the hotel now, having a tea before we head to the tube station. I think it will take us about an hour or so to get to Heathrow....but we have time to kill! Our flight doesn't leave until 10:30! My plan is to pick up my final chai latte from Starbucks and some REAL magazines before boarding :)

Ah - London you were FUN! I loved you before (as a single lady!) and I love you again (as a married one!). Perhaps we'll meet again when I'm a MAMA! BAHHHHHHH!

Inshallah.

Made Me HARRY POTTER Happy!

Yesterday afternoon we had the ABSOLUTE PLEASURE of spending time with the lovely Erin Spring! Erin took a train in from Cambridge (thank you, love!) and we headed into Covent Garden for lunch.


The visit was a short one, but we were still able to fit in a touristy trip to platform 9 and 3/4's! Here's Phil making his way to the Hogwarts Express! That train was a busy one we tell ya! You should have seen the line up of kids heading there too ;)


Thank you Erin for a WONDERFUL afternoon in London! The next visit will have to be a much longer one - with Dean included!

XOXO

Ye Olde English Club!

Yesterday morning we went to the South-West end of the city to see the Wimbledon museum and grounds. Phil had been looking forward to this tour all week long, but I didn't really know much about this whole "Wimbledon" thing and was asking Phil many questions about it on our Tube ride there...."What is it? Why would they play on grass? Won't the ball bounce funny on grass? How can it be outside? What if it rains? Do Venus and Serena play here? What about other famous tennis people?"......Needless to say, before we arrived to the venue I was well-prepped by Phil and starting to get excited too!

Phil and I at Centre Court. SO EXCITING!

Although the weather was cloudy, windy and FREEZING (which we can't really complain about because we've been so blessed with sunshine this trip!), the tour was GREAT and we enjoyed having the same tour guide that we had during the Olympics Walk - MARIA!

The tour took us through the different courts, including the Number One Court and the famous "Centre Court", as well as the court where the longest match ever was played - Number 18 Court. We also got to see (and sit at the very front of!) the interview room, where all players are REQUIRED to give an interview directly after each match. Believe it or not, they get BIG FINES if they decline an interview!

Rule #1 of the Tour: DO NOT STEP ON THE GRASS!!!!!

Throughout the tour, we were given some history about the venue and the game, lessons on how the grass is maintained (talk about some SERIOUS SCIENCE!), insight into the architectural designs, and some gossip about the surrounding flats and past players. The museum gave us more details about the game over time and we got to play some interactive games which made the experience SUPER FUN.

This year the Championships will be happening THREE WEEKS before the Olympics! We were let in on some of the preparation secrets and MAN - we would NOT want to be part of that crew! But, we DO want to be included in the fan frenzy that happens this summer! I am visor-ready and Phil has a nice new shirt to sport during the tournament!

HOORAY FOR WIMBLEDON! :)

Another SUPERB JOUR! :)

This morning started out with SUNSHINE (yay - much better than the snow/sleet forecast we had heard) and a trip to the oh-so-posh "Notting Hill" area. I know many of the areas here are upper scale, but my goodness, the houses in this district were particularly charming and the cars were FLASHY and CLASSY! I am not sure how many times I saw FOUR CIRCLES on the front of a vehicle.....


On our Notting Hill to-do list included a stroll through the Portobello Market. The market was quite lengthy for a Wednesday morning and there was much to look at and enjoy. There was this really cool store with vintage sewing machines ALL OVER THE PLACE and it was hard to redirect our attention on what the store was actually selling - CLOTHES! Haha. We saw many antique vendors, food stalls, and trendy souvenir shops too. OH - and the MOST FUN part of the market was using the public (and free!) "City Loo". It was a big black contraption in the middle of the sidewalk that opened like a spaceship. After each use, the spaceship would lock-up and perform a self-cleaning option in preparation for the next user. HILARIOUS. And fun.



The "SWEETEST" part of the journey - and most anticipated - was our stop at "The Hummingbird Bakery". I had read about this sweets boutique during the planning stage of our holiday and I knew we had to try one of their cupcakes if we happened upon one of their four locations. Well, TODAY WAS THE DAY - the one where we devoured red velvet cupcakes in the PRETTY & PINK cafe. SO GOOD. Adorbs decor and delicious treats. If only I could send some fresh cupcakes home to all of you.....


When we were all market-ed out, we embarked on our very first double-decker bus experience on our way to "White City" - the place of our 2 p.m. BBC Television Center Tour. These buses are pure genius - the perfect way to maximize space on the road and make traveling around a city somewhat likeable! We could see the backyards of many houses from the upper level of the bus, which made the neighbourhood even more wonderful than previously thought!


At BBC, we were given the grand tour of the facilities. We saw the world news room, the weather center, the media center, the retired sports studio, and a current studio used for live tapings of different shows. We got to sit where David Beckham has sat, stand where Jennifer Lopez has stood, and see the studio where will.i.am and company film the most recent season of "The Voice UK". Phil had a try at reporting at the end of the tour and had STELLAR reviews from the other members of our tour group, as well as our two guides. Perhaps a career in broadcasting awaits him!


Today was the perfect day. Just when we were walking up to our hotel tonight, it started to rain! Talk about IDEAL timing! The evening continued with a tea party, Italian food, and then some ridiculous viewing of British television shows. Haha.

Tomorrow we look forward to a tour of the Wimbledon museum in the morning and a visit with my darling Erin in the afternoon! We can't wait!

Other Comments about Yesterday:

1) I FINALLY met Emily's mama! And we purchased her very FIRST cup of ANYTHING at STARBUCKS! Yes - we were participants in her premiere Starbucks experience! YIPPEE!


2) We rode in an adorable "London" taxi cab for the first time!


3) We spotted the Kuwait Embassy! Right near Hyde Park - where many of our students have flats!

4) Harrod's is INSANE. WAY TOO MANY PEOPLE. Hence, not a place we ever want to return to.

5) At Harrod's, we were originally seated at a very posh tea room but embarrassingly got up and walked out after we saw the price list. HAHA. Besides, as previously mentioned, the scones at the "lower class" Tea Room were SOOOOOOO YUMMY!


6) Also at Harrod's (big store = many stories), I held hands with TWO of the most expensive teddy bears I've ever seen in person. Phil said "not a chance" to the 1600 pound each teddies!


7) We shopped. Emily and I got matching "peace" Pandora beads, to go along with our Beatles tour. As well, we indulged in a Links of London bracelet. (Links of London happens to be the official jeweler of the 2012 Olympics. Oh how I love anything that is deemed "OFFICIAL"!)


8) We became victims of the havoc on the Piccadilly Line - as delays led to serious invasions of personal space!