When it comes to surprises - one plus one equals.....ZERO!

Today after school, I tried to surprise Phil by coming home early when I was supposed to stay late and he tried to surprise me by staying late when he was supposed to come home early. Haha.....it must be a SUNDAY! Only something this silly would happen on the first day of the work week!

World Teachers' Day

October 5th was "World Teachers' Day" and I don't think either of us realized this until we were surprised with chocolates, cookies, and ROSES at work! These small gestures make all the difference when trying to adjust to a new school. Since the first day we stepped inside the building, we have been recognized as important people and treated as such.

We like it. It's a nice change :)

A Good Night's Sleep, INSHALLAH!

At this very moment we are waiting for a delivery that is bound to make our marriage top-notch. That delivery is........A KING SIZE BED!!! Since we got here, we have been (barely) sleeping in a double and, let me tell you, it is simply NOT big enough. Phil claims that I take up most of the bed and has actually moved to the living room to sleep on the couch, insisting that there is more room on our itty bitty couch than in bed with me. My argument is this: there is no "bed" for me to "take up" when it comes to a "shouldn't-have-been-invented" double bed. How can I possibly occupy something that isn't there to begin with? Beats me! But Phil still chooses to play the whole "she does snow angels in her sleep" card. Haha.....

Inshallah, the king size bed will arrive at "5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 o'clock" (yes, this is what we were told!). If it does arrive, we can officially call the old bed "Dain's bed" (visit soon, DAIN!) and our partnership will move from a 10 to an 11. Ahhh - I can't wait!

CHEER-ME-UP MUGS!

Everybody needs one and we have officially found ours. Miss Barbie and Mr. Spiderman.....for those days when a cup of tea in a "normal" mug won't do! They have already cured one splitting headache and a small bout of homesickness.

What does your cheer-me-up mug look like?!

Thanksgiving Dinner.

Last night we were invited to attend a "Canadian Thanksgiving Dinner". It was hosted by our neighbours across the hall (now rated as A+ Americans) and helped me get over the wee "homesick" cry I had after talking to my Dad earlier in the day. The delicious main courses were prepared by different couples in the building and we joined forces with the Brits to bring fresh bread and a selection of specialty cakes. I also offered to make the centerpiece, a "WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR?" turkey. Jenny helped me with the feathers and we asked all guests to write something they were thankful for upon arrival. In the end, we had a turkey decorated with a whole lot of appreciation! Ah - my vision, COMPLETED!

This weekend we give thanks to all of you - those who support and love us through good choices and bad ones. We appreciate the kindness, encouragement, and understanding you have given us and hope we do a good job of loving you in return.

Have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING WEEKEND, CANADA! And, PLEASE - eat a few pieces of pumpkin pie to make up for the slices we've missed!

Lots of love,

Lindsay and Phil
xoxo

Sometimes eyes do the talking....

While watching a television show with crying babies....

Phil: Hun, you're going to take care of our baby whenever it cries, right?

Lindsay: (gives Phil a dirty look)

Phil: Okay....we'll take turns.

Lindsay: (gives Phil another dirty look)

Phil: Okay....I'll take more turns.

Lindsay: (smiles at Phil)

Those SILLY Brits!

During another one of our "who's English is correct?" conversations....

Lindsay: UGHHHH! I can't figure out how to put my new cell phone on t9 word....

Jenny: What is t9 word?

Lindsay: You know...where you press the numbers and it automatically forms words for you? It is much faster.

Jenny: Oh....we call that "predictive text".

Lindsay: (bursts out laughing) YOU WOULD!

Hello?!

I feel this title sums up our work week quite nicely. We were busy, busy this week and received several messages questioning our whereabouts! Well, we are ALIVE and WELL. Here's what kept us from the blog (and the book!):

* TUTORING. I tutored every night - sometimes visiting more than one household in a single evening! It seems a bit overkill to most, but I really enjoy having "biology" time and "middle school" time, since I do not experience either of these at work! The students I tutor are nice to work with, and I am well taken care of whenever I am at their.....mansions. (A cup of tea goes along way with many, but a VERY, VERY FAR WAY with ME!)

* COACHING. Phil is coaching the varsity boys soccer team and frequented many "pitches" this week to complete his try-out process. One of the fields had prime waterfront location, couches for rest breaks, and water/gatorade stations for the thirsty participants. Not surprisingly, this field belonged to a student, who also provided round trip accommodation for Phil and the assistant coach, Richard, to get to and from the field. Things sure are different here!

Anyways, this week we hope to have more time to share our adventures in Q8 (<---- "Kuwait", in cool-student terms). If the city ever fails to be interesting, you can bet our relationship makes up for it!

Team "D" Tuesday, Week #7

ATTENTION: "GLEEKS"

Yes, it's Tuesday. Yes, you want to enjoy good times with the "Shoe-ster". Yes, a bag of chips would complete the evening quite nicely. But, LISTEN HERE! When watching the show that you love the most, why not get up and jam with your favourite characters? Spin around with Artie, raw-raw with Quinn, and frollick with Kurt. They'd love the company....and, as you know, they would certainly embrace the competition! Sue Sylvester said it best when she joined forces with Miss Olivia N.J. for a re-make of the classic, "Let's Get Physical". So have some fun and do your health a favour as you help to prevent type 2 diabetes!

P.S. Embrace the headband.

Bill Nye or Bieber?

It's a no-brainer for me...but try convincing forty fifteen year old's that BILL trumps BIEBER....

Student: MISS! It's important! They're saying he's actually an old man!

Me: Student! THIS (referring to B.N.) IS IMPORTANT! He IS an OLD MAN!

Student: Huh?!

Me: The OFFICIAL wise guy wins today. We'll talk about Bieber once there's proof.