HAPPY FEBRUARY 29th!

Here I am - still awake, on a school night, sitting alone in the living room....WIRED! Phil is already in bed, but I have been marking like a fiend since I got home at 3:05 and I can't seem to relax enough to fall asleep. I know, it's only 9ish now, but that is already about one hour past my optimal bed time! And so, I did what any overtired middle school teacher would do (or NOT), I whipped out my froggy hairband to celebrate this LEAP YEAR! Haha - wait until Phil reads this post tomorrow morning.

Speaking of tomorrow - the "highlight of basketball season" begins! Phil and his junior varsity boys are playing in a three day international tournament hosted at our school. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I can attend his 11 a.m. game. I should be on prep during that time, but you never know when you might be called in to sub for someone else!

Ahh! March madness begins! GOOD LUCK to PHIL & THE BOYS!!! I will do my darnedest to "project" my voice court-side! YIPPPEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Told you I was WIRED!)

Goodbye PLANKING, Hello JOLIE-ING!

Out with the old, in with the new! Inspired by this red carpet look, Angelina Jolie fanatics have started a new trend called "JOLIE-ING". As with planking, the whole idea is rather silly (but will no doubt catch on). Google it for a good laugh :)

Did THAT just happen?

During my first period class today (and after several weeks of working on their science fair projects)....

Student: MISS! What is the scientific process?

As you can see, I have not included my reaction to this question. The reason being that I don't even remember what I said or did. Actually, I couldn't even tell you which kid asked me this. I just remember feeling VERY UN-IMPRESSED at the moment, taking a deep breath, and finding my Zen.

Yikes! I think it's safe to say that four day weekends aren't always the best idea ;)

Jokes aside, my kids were wonderful today. I love grade six!

IF YOU WERE HERE FOR TEA.

* It's my FOURTH year in the middle east and I have JUST realized how much I LOVE dates. I started to eat them as an after school snack at the tutee's house and we purchased some yesterday to have with tea at home. Mmmmmm mmmm mmm! DELISH! My reviews have been so good that even Phil tried one! <------- This is a big deal, as he's a plain jane when it comes to food!

* Last night we watched the movie "Contagion" and it has inspired me to wash my hands ALL DAY LONG today. In fact, half way through the movie I had to grab the Dettol (to which Phillip responded "you're being ridiculous")! Baha. It was an okay film, but what's with the ending? Before we knew it, the credits were rolling and many outcomes were left untold. I guess this leaves room for how I think each movie should end - "...and they all lived happily ever after"!

* This morning we watched the Oscars red carpet on repeat. It was 3 hours of WONDERFUL E! coverage with Giuliana looking absolutely STELLAR. I'm trying to Youtube some of the acceptance speeches now, as the actual show was not aired on any of our networks.

* Another delightful part of our Monday was a phone call with Dana doodle! She was up late after a grand attempt to watch intermittent Oscar coverage in a snowstorm. I wonder how much she'll miss that weather next year in the Philippines?! Fingers crossed she never has to experience an earthquake....

Well, today is our last day of the four day weekend. It was a PERFECT, RELAXING holiday and we feel refreshed and ready to go for school tomorrow. A busy March awaits us with science fair, track and field, and two basketball tournaments. The first tournament is next weekend for the junior varsity team. I can't wait to cheer on Phil and the boys for three days straight!

Missing all of you back home!
XOXO

BYE, BYE BLENDER!

In our kitchen, there are three outlets. One is for the fridge. One is for the washing machine. And the other is for essential kitchen appliances that are stored on the shelving unit you see here. Now, for reasons that frustrate the heck out of us, the kitchen only likes ONE of these "essential" appliances to be running at a time. If we want tea and toast for breakfast, we make one and then the other. If it's oatmeal and coffee, it's one and then the other. If it's a smoothie and a sandwich-maker-sandwich, same thing. Anyways, in order to accelerate this already-slow food/drink preparation process, we store our "TOP FIVE" appliances - the ones we use the most- on the top shelf for easy access. Until last week, our "top five" included: the toaster, the kettle, the coffee maker, the sandwich maker and the blender. Well - changes have been made...

MOVE OVER BLENDER - there's a new appliance in town. Say hello to "THE STEAMER"!

Yep, that's right - our blender has been moved to shelf two in order to accommodate our frequently used steaming machine! You gotta earn your place, Blender, if you want to remain on the starting line-up!

Phil and I will be off to the grocery store this afternoon to blow off some steam to find things to steam! BAHA. I know - my jokes are lame.

Happy Oscar day to ALL! I can't wait to see some STEAMY new looks on the red carpet!

Haha - sorry, couldn't help myself. Signing out now! ;)

RAIN, RAIN, you can STAY!

Sometimes rainy days are a good excuse to stay inside and be lazy. When they happen in Kuwait, they're even MORE convincing! Right now it is POURING rain - and I mean it when I say "pouring". We can hear the pitter patter against our windows and the cars swooshing by on the highway below. TV is always a good option on days like this. If the icky weather keeps up tomorrow, we may get through season eleven of The Biggest Loser! YA-HOOOO!

TA-DA!

This morning Sophia, Cathy and I transformed our hallway into a circuit gym. We had a stepper, several sets of weights, a band, a mat and a collaboration of exercise ideas from the three of us. The equipment was broken up into different stations (water station included!), which we rotated through one minute at a time. It was SUPERB! And much more tiring than you might think!

Tomorrow we begin day two. With great company and good tunes, we should be good to go ;)

THE KITE FESTIVAL.

This afternoon the Hussain's and I drove to the middle of nowhere to see a kite festival. Phil and I went last year and I had convinced the neighbours that the voyage was a worthy one. Well, turns out they agree with me! The festival was, once again, absolutely fascinating. There is something strangely captivating about massive, colourful kites in the midst of telephone wires, hydro poles, and the dusty desert. In fact, it was SO GOOD that the Hussain's knocked on the door two hours after we returned to tell me that they were heading back out!

Ah - it's a wonderful life :)

Spotted @ Dean & Deluca:

1) Fancy water that was about $36! Perhaps there really is "something in the water"?!!



2) Tea that appears to be MY CUP OF TEA exactly! Elephants?! REALLY?! Ah - I think it was meant for ME!

Things that are exciting RIGHT NOW....

* Britney Spears may be a judge on the next season of the X Factor! (Fingers crossed!)

* Brendan and Rachel from Big Brother are on the AMAZING RACE! Haha - TOO GOOD!

* Phil and I are having a "sleepover" tonight - meaning we set up a cozy "bed" in the living room, drink hot chocolate with mini marshmallows, and watch tv together :)

* My nanny is hiding out from the snowstorm today....knitting baby blankets....for us! Do you think this is a hint???!

* We still have THREE MORE DAYS of NO SCHOOL! It's such a wonderful feeling!