A Signature Reporting Weekend :)

It is 8 a.m. and I have been doing report cards in the hotel lobby since 6:30 this morning. I know we are on "vacation", but teaching doesn't stop for holiday weekends! Lucky for me, cute fiance gestures don't either :)

I am just so happy being here in Ismailia! The hotel is PERFECT. We have a clean and cozy room, a balcony overlooking the Suez Canal, free Wi-Fi, and an extensive selection of top-notch desserts! We have played hours of euchre with Leslie and Morgan, watched three episodes of Survivor: China, worked out in the Mercure Fitness Centre, and sipped on room service teas while enjoying the Canal traffic. It is the absolute most devine way to spend an "I have lots of work to do!" weekend.

So, again, I must thank that ever-so-special man of mine. PHIL - THANK YOU. YOU ARE THE GREATEST!

Call Me ANYTHING Else...

Phil: What do you want to drink, Linds?
Lindsay: TEA, please!!!
Phil: Aw, you're my little tea bird!
Lindsay: Phillip - never include the word "bird" in a sweet name again!

(Insert lots of laughter HERE!) Haha....you know how I feel about BIRDS!

Karma.

I've felt bad for Lindsay since the day I met her, seeing her being harassed by Egyptian men almost every time we hit the streets of Cairo. You'd think that walking with me would protect her, or the fact she wears her engagement ring would protect her, but the men are relentless I tell you! Well, the other day on our ride home from school the world made everything right (even if just for a moment). We were riding along in our bus when I saw someone waving at us from the bus to our right. I recognized that it was Lindsay's friend Amanda and I began to wave back. I told Lindsay to wave too, but as she made her attempt our bus pulled slightly ahead, leaving their bus too far to be seen out of our window. Lindsay waved and waved, but to no avail as Amanda wasn't in sight. Beside us at this point was a car with two Egyptian males in their mid twenties. I was staring directly at them as their eyes lit up, and their smiles grew large as they assumed Lindsay was waving at them. Trying their best to keep her attention, they waved furiously in her direction failing to navigate their way through the tight knit traffic ahead. "CRAAAAASSSSHHHH!" we all heard as the car beside us rear ended the truck in front of them. Luckily noone was hurt, but I couldn't stop laughing as Lindsay actually caused a car accident with her beauty. I'm a lucky guy!

Earth Day 2010

We hope these photos give you a reason to celebrate!

When will it end?!

Moving on to "Survivor: China".

Another One Ruined!

From previous posts, I may be known as a "surprise WRECKER". Haha, well tonight I did not "wreck" a surprise, but a surprise was certainly WRECKED!

This upcoming weekend marks Sinai Liberation Day in Egypt. As such, we have a long weekend to enjoy! I have been bugging Phil to go away somewhere (Cyprus, perhaps?!) and he has been bugging me to go away nowhere (a.k.a. STAY HOME!). I understood his point about the travel chaos of the past few weeks (Tanzania, Nile Cruise, Marsa Alam), but I was really wishing for some spontaneity on his behalf. After a few days of quarreling and debate, "we" decided to stay in Cairo to finish report cards, go the gym, and catch up on sleep. (I did realize that this was a more realistic plan than my self-generated plan "A").

Who knew Phil's plead for at-home-time was all a cover! Tonight at his softball game, Phil's secret or "surprise" was revealed!

"Have fun in Ismailia!" his friend Alex exclaimed, as we went to leave the park.
"What?!" I replied.
"Have fun in Ismailia!" Alex repeated.
"Where?! PHIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!" I hollared excitedly. "Are we going away this weekend?!"

And so - away we go this Friday morning! To Ismailia! Phil has booked two nights at the Mercure hotel on Temsah Lake. I can't wait to relax on the balcony and watch the boats go down the Suez Canal.

THANK YOU DARLING! XOXO

If you can't beat 'em....

A difficult school day involving much discipline and noise. But for some reason, you can't help but join them as they laugh and play in the sandstorm outside.

An L & P Update.

With nothing major to write about, I'll leave you with some small talk...

1) My sister Dana was supposed to be here last night. Unfortunately, that darn volcano has pushed her arrival date back to this weekend! What a disappointment! She was coming with treats (tea, magazines, peanut butter) and lots of cheer (for the baseball park, of course)! We are excited to show her a country that never fails to have a dull moment.

2) We are back at the gym from an extended hiatus! We were able to squeeze in some treadmill cardio and three muscle groups before calling it quits. Tonight we hope to show greater persistance!

3) Phil's training continues this week as he analyzes and enjoys Survivor: Fiji. It is reaching a critical point if you ask me. Last night, he practiced kung-fu-like moves and snacked on complex carbs to keep his energy up. If he gets out the war paint I expect some back-up.

4) Although I don't share the same passion for Survivor, the show tends to inspire new travel ideas and adventures. "TP - LINK" served as a reliable internet connection last night and I was able to plan our christmas vacation while Phil was taking a game (or "THE" game) too seriously. Our potential destination is Sri Lanka!

5) A kennel, or "jail cell", has been purchased for Oscar. It came with a doggy beer that squeeks worse than his yellow donut or doggy news newspaper. In terms of appropriateness, I am only packing the latter for Canada. Haha - current events and literacy always receive my support!

6) Freezies. My goodness - we have been through boxes. Phil eats them in reps of four to five, in sets of two to three. It is his "this makes me happy" trick. I have stuck to the beanie for comfort :)

7) Things have been a little frustrating at school this week. Yesterday was certainly an "only two more months" day. We fly home on July 2nd. Can't wait to see all of you!

Our "Followers"

We're up to NINE! Even Steve Yzerman has decided to keep current with the Pearl Curriculum! You can follow too - just click on "follow" at the bottom of our page.

Hmmm.....if I get as lucky as Phil, Julia Roberts may be our next big fan :)

Sometimes You Gotta...

On our Marsa Alam trip, there was a strict "no sweets or treats" policy. For the entire week, we stuck to the "good stuff", the "healthy stuff", the "you have to grow big and strong stuff". (Insert 24 complaints here). My argument is that sweets sometimes are the "good stuff", and Phil counters with "I AM big and strong stuff". Perhaps the rule's intentions will be served eventually, but for us.....five sugar-free days developed into quite the craving! At a really late, even-worse-for-you hour last evening, we ordered Oreo McFlurrys. Good idea? You betchya!