Inspiration From A Younger Generation!

Today I saw a little girl wearing bright yellow rain boots at school and I thought to myself, "YOU GO GIRL!!!"

Life's too short to live in a box.  Rain or shine, BE YOURSELF! 

TWENTY SIX.

Oh Age 26, you were a REAL GOODIE.  I welcomed you with new friends in Nepal and I will bid you farewell with my ALMOST-FAMILY-OF-THREE in Kuwait.  Thanks for the challenges and for the changes.  We shall part with the greatest LOVE and RESPECT, as you were with me when we were told we couldn't and also when we found out that we could.  And we did.  You were there.  WE ARE SO LUCKY!!!

I hope you bring the same happiness to my younger brothers and sisters.  They will be meeting with you soon-ish.  Treat them well.  My recommendation of you is a darn SWELL one.  

Christmas CONTINUES!

Very soon after last night's post, there was a knock at the door. It was our neighbours from floor 6, stopping by to deliver a Christmas gift for the Parkinson family! Surprises are my favourite and THIS SURPRISE was a real special one. Inside the nicely wrapped bag was a "Baby's First Christmas" stocking for Baby P (which I'm pretty sure should be used by Santa this year!) as well as a princess tiara ornament for the tree. Can you believe our fortune?

Well, it gets better.  This morning Emily asked us to stop by her room to pick up a Christmas gift.  All the way from Wawa, Mrs. Abbott sent us wee moccasins for Baby P (among other little goodies)!!!!!  Naturally, I started to cry because the moccasins are so little and charming.  I can't believe feet actually fit into footwear that size!  HUMAN FEET!!!!  Ahhh!  We're having a BABY!!!!

Despite the lower back and leg pain (HELLO TRIMESTER #3!), today was a SUPER DUPER DAY!  I was out all evening earning some extra MOU-LA for the family, but I am home now and quite happy to be resting on the couch - catching up with y'all.  Phil is telling stories about "The Birthday Fairy" and Baby P seems to like the tales quite a lot.  It sounds as though we may awake to a sunrise treasure hunt!!! 

Here's a SHOUT-OUT to my sister, TAYLOR, and our niece, JOYCIE GIRL!  HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you both.  May the year ahead bring you much happiness and adventure!  XOXO

CHRISTMAS IS EVERYWHERE!

I was doing my daily (yes, I admit it!) Pinterest browse and I have to say that this Christmas quote really sums up my last two days at school.  I have been SO SPOILED with the generous holiday spirit of colleagues and friends.  Here are some examples of my luckiness (sorry in advance if I forget any of your kind gestures!):

*  Shani delivered pineapple and mangoes to my classroom on Sunday morning!  They came all the way from Sri Lanka, courtesy of her brother in law.  DELISH! 

*  I arrived to school this week to find a Christmas card, Christmas candle and candy cane on my desk from a special colleague :)  This is up there with my other "all-time best arrivals". 

*  Yesterday afternoon, Phil ran into a colleague who happens to be a breastfeeding coach.  I met with her today and she lent me a book to read over the holidays and gave me her phone number.  Can you believe that she is willing to visit me in the hospital to assist in the first few days of breastfeeding?!  She must be an angel. 

*  Today I found a USB stick in my mailbox that said "ENJOY!".  There was no name attached, but my secret someone left two very GIRLY and CHRISTMAS-Y movies on the device!  THANK YOU TO THIS SWEET-AS-PIE PERSON!!!  (Please tell me who you are!)

*  I tried to walk home from school today.  But then I was busted by a colleague at our school who INSISTED I take a ride home with her.  She didn't like the idea of me walking with bags and being pregnant.  As much as I resisted, she refused to move the car forward until I hopped in! 

* Our science department is having a meeting tomorrow afternoon and today we were asked about our favourite Starbucks beverage.  It seems we deserve a warm treat courtesy of our trusty head of department :)

* Also tomorrow, we were invited to a "chili and cornbread" gathering in one of the teacher's classes.  It will be our first official "chili and cornbread" affair, EVER!  Can't wait!

In honour of all this good holiday cheer, I have decided to pay it forward and bake some treats for our staff party on Wednesday afternoon. 

TO THE KITCHEN I GO!!!!!!!!!

HELLO MONTH #8!!!!!

Wowee! Baby P's expected to arrive two months from today! 

I am sitting on the couch right now - watching as my stomach shows ripples of movement that make me laugh out loud.  She must be doing her own version of a happy dance.  I was explaining these little bursts of excitement to her earlier today.

We love you, DARLING GIRL!  Soon enough you'll be able to witness your Daddy's "happy dance".  He spent four years mastering the art of "movement studies".  In other words, you're in for a real spectacle! 

XOXO

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!

Last night we had a planned "X Factor" evening with Emily, Heather and Shannon.  The finale is approaching and we love to listen to the contestants, mock the hosts, and critique the judging panel each and every week for a good laugh.  On weeks where we can do this in-person, it's even MORE FUN!

This particular X Factor gathering was especially enjoyable.  It was not just ANY X FACTOR gathering - it turned into a marvelous birthday surprise as I was instructed to "hide in the other room" while the ladies prepared a celebratory tea party!!!!! Although I hated my period of exile, I was OVERJOYED to see the spread of sandwiches, snacks, and treats when I came out into the living room!  They had everything planned to a "T" - with authentic tea party trays, treats and dishes!  It was so thoughtful and sweet.  They sure know how to make a gal feel SPECIAL :)

The kind-hearted crew that made MY DAY!  Check out all those SNACKS!!!!!

Somehow, Phil managed to luck out too!  The girls picked him up a meat lover's pizza and a Spiderman cup!!!

SO SPOILED.  A pretty "XOXO" necklace, a bean bag to heat up in the microwave, and a new "bump in the night" nightgown and housecoat!!!  The girls made a great point - the red p.j. outfit is suitable for both Christmas and Valentine's Day.  And with the green bean bag, I will be looking quite HOLLY JOLLY this holiday!  In fact, I think I found a perma-outfit for Christmas vacation :)

Thank you ladies for the wonderful night!  Baby P certainly enjoyed those mini red velvets and I know she'll be eager to have another taste later today :)

XOXO

ONCE IN A LIFETIME!!!!!

UPDATE:

I SLEPT!!!!!!  I SLEPT!!!!!!!!!  I SLEPT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

P.S.  Only one more week until I welcome AGE 27 with OPEN ARMS :)

Random & ON MY MIND.

1)  Who asks for water "80% cold"???  Some of my students do, that's who!

2)  Today I was told to "keep a few kilos on after you have your baby".  Apparently my face is prettier when it's chubby.

3)  Yesterday we secured our driver's licenses.  There's more to the story but it will have to wait until the summer.

4)  I haven't slept in TWO NIGHTS!  Between Baby P's all-night dance party, my over-active bladder, and general "I feel huge" discomfort, I don't stand a chance.  One of these days I'm bound to pass right out.  For hours.  Don't you think?!  Please let it be tonight.

5)  Making extra money after your day job is SWEET.  Exam time is the best time to build up the bank account!

6)  Tomorrow is clash day.  I have a paranoia about this particular spirit day.  Ever since high school, I've had bad visions of showing up to school in clashing attire only to find out that I had the wrong day.  Plus, I'm not sure how much of my maternity clothes "clash".  I will have to get creative in the morning.

7)  I am so thankful for my Daddy.  Yesterday I was SO STRESSED and after one talk, I felt so much better!  (THANK YOU DADDY! xo)

8)  When kids put up their hand to answer a question and let out little squeals that sound as though they are going to literally BURST if you don't call on them............well, it's HILARIOUS.  Today I was laughing in my head as I told my eager beavers to "wait patiently". 

I think that's everything.

Off to meet the Sand Man, inshallah....

VISIT WITH ALEX, DAY TWO!

I know, I know.  This is almost two weeks overdue.  I'm going to excuse myself with the "better late than never" idea.

Before Alex even arrived, he asked us about going to a place called "The Red Fort".  We had never heard of this place and told him that none of our friends had either.  In fact, we tried to persuade him away from this random place because it was a "far" drive (40 minutes) and would likely be a disappointing journey.  Nonetheless, Alex was a keener and was determined to find this Lonely Planet gem.

So - Phil called our trusty taxi driver, Hashmat, and the three of us ventured out early Saturday morning with a bag of nuts and some bottles of water.  We were skeptical the entire drive there - especially since Hashmat had no clue where he was going and neither did any of his taxi driver friends.  But guess what?!!!  WE FOUND IT!!!!!!  It DOES exist and to tell you the truth, it's actually pretty COOL!!!!!  Here are some pictures:

Shadow show on the rooftop!  WOOT!

This room was PITCH BLACK.  Thank goodness we could use digital photography to determine what was in this black hole.

Some of the rooms had been converted into mini-museums where visitors could learn about different aspects of Kuwaiti culture.

It gets BETTER!  Turns out.........the red fort is actually on the 20KD bill!!!!!  WHO KNEW!!!!!  It's significant enough to decorate the currency but not significant enough to be discussed or traveled to frequently.  Haha.

Once we were done at the fort, we decided to extend our drive and follow the signs towards the Iraq border (because what else is there to do here).  It seems that when tourist attractions are limited, you get creative (or crazy) and generate other options.  

I think it took us another one and a half hours total - and most of the drive provided views of.......NOTHING!

Well, there was the odd oil rig.  And camel.

TA-DA!!!!!  There it is!!!  This photo is courtesy of someone other than MOI.  Because I don't break rules on big red signs near scary borders.

In the evening we headed to the Souq Mubarikya where we met up with Shannon and Emily.  It was nice to walk around in the cooler air and enjoy some yummy cuisine in a bustling area.

I love this part of the Souq.  There are different coloured lights that are built into the walk way :)

When we returned home, Alex spoiled us with a copy of The Polar Express and refused to take any money for all of the Christmas cards he took back home with him.  Keep in mind that he had already brought me decaf Tetley tea and Kraft peanut butter!!!!  (THANKS ALEX!!!!)

There you have it.  The title of "First Official Visitor" is no longer up for grabs!  But there is still room for the second, third, fourth, etc.............(HINT, HINT)!!!!

MISSING YOU!
XOXO