Canadian Teacher Girl In London

February 14, 2012

Happy Valentine’s Day!!

Tonight Tanya, Julia and I went to Chiquito for dinner. Lovely night out with my girls. Best Valentine’s Day in a while.

February 10, 2012

Today when I got to East Finchley for work it had snowed there. It was so pretty. So I went for a walk in the park and took some photos.

February 5, 2012

Today was my first trip outside the UK!! Me and the girls travelled to Brugge, Belgium for the day.

We were up at the crack of dawn and we headed to Kennington station to meet up with the English Bus, the company we were travelling with. When Chris, our tour guide, arrived he told us about our itinerary for the day. It was pretty exciting that this was going to be like a road trip. We drove from London to Folkestone where we would get on the train that would pass through the Chunnel on a train. En route we stopped at McDonald’s for a breakfast break. It felt just like a road trip back home.

When we arrived at Folkestone we qued to drive on the train. When we were aborded it felt like eternity before we sent off. It took 40 minutes to cross throught the channel. When we surfaced we were in Calais, France. Lucky for us were got right through customs before we got on the train. So we headed off on the hour and a half drive to Brugge. Not going to lie, I did sleep most of the trip there.

When we arrived in Brugge it was beautiful. there was a dusting of snow that gave the buildings an amazing estetic. Each building full of character. The Gothic architecture amazing. We started to explore the town, first finding the square and then wandering the winding cobblestone streets. There were so many bridges leading us over the frozen canals that ran through the town.

We had lunch at a great restaurant. the girls all enjoyed a traditional Belgium classic of mussels. I was not as brave , but had a delicious chilli con carne and cherry beer. Cherry beer is delicious!!

After lunch we wandered some more through the street observing the wonders of the little town. We got a little lost but it was nothing we couldn’t handle. We stopped for some hot chocolate and got horribly lost looking for the best chocolate shop in the city. However, we did find some amazing chocolate that I did bring home.

I loved the day trip and everything I saw. The trip home was uneventful until we got to the France/England boarder and waited there for about an hour to be cleared. This was because there was only one customs officer working.

We finally got home and I did sleep all the way home.

Such a great day. I can’t wait to visit more of Europe.

February 1, 2012

Today Limespring School went on their first field trip. We headed to the British Museum to see the Grayson Perry exhibit.

The museum was so gorgeous, and the ceiling amazing.

The exhibit was quite amazing as well. Perry does a great deal of sculpture and textiles. Lorane, out art teacher was the one who arranged the trip, as well as taguht the kids about what Perry did. So I was going in a bit blind. I was surprised to see the amount of phallic representation present in the exhibition. But so many great pieces.

I love the British Museum, and will definitely be returning.

January 28, 2012

Happy Birthday Patricia!!!

January 21, 2012

Over the Christmas holidays my girl Clair got engaged. Tonight we headed to Strawberry Moons to Celebrate!

Congrats Ryan and Clair!!

January 21, 2012

This afternoon I went to Westfield Mall with Dunja and Amy. They had their own Charlie and the Chocolate factory waterfall. There was also a Coach and a champagne bar!

January 21, 2012

This morning Clair and I went to Borough Market. There is this one florist there and I love the arrangements that they do.

This photo is of their loose cut flowers. They mades me think of spring.

January 9, 2012

Today was an important day. Finally after 4 years of waiting I am a full time classroom teacher.

Right before going home for the Christmas holidays I was approached about putting my resume forward for a full time position at a brand new private school that was to open in January. Once Nicole gave me the run down about what the school I was interested so I gave her the go ahead. A few days later she was calling to set up an interview with the woman who was opening the school.

At my interview I got to meet Denise. She told me that she was looking to open a school for children with learning differences, more specifically children with dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia. At this time I wasn’t not exactly sure what all of those were but I was reassured that I would learn. After spending about an hour with Denise and hearing about her vision for the school I was hooked. I found that her and I were on the same page in terms of our learning and education philosophies. I left my interview feeling really good about it.

A week later Nicole asked that I do up two sample lesson plans to send to Denise so she could see what my planning looked like. I had a day off so it was easy to put things together. That Saturday I boarded a plane to come home Canada for Christmas. It was the morning of December 20th that I learned I had gotten the position. I was so excited.

I was to start work as soon as I returned to London. Last week I spent three days with Denise and the head teacher Ruth getting things ready. The furniture arrived on Friday and I had some loose planning done. This past weekend I was on pins and needles.

Getting up this morning I have never been so nervous and excited - ever. Not even when I made the decision to come to England. I had gotten to school early and got everything ready.

Today I got up early to get to school early. I made sure that everything was ready. When those kids walked in and I had to run the show I was slightly overwhelmed, but it felt just right. They liked the lessons and they seemed to flow well.

I currently have three students in my class. Two are in year 3 and the other is in year 6. The boys are great. I can’t wait to get into everything.

Come 4 pm I was completely knackered.

Today was so great. It exceeded my expectations. I am finally getting to do what I love. In a place that will help me learn and grow and be the best I can be. This will be a great adventure. I’m so excited.

December 31, 2011

Today Shane and Chadai got married. It was one of the highlights of me coming home. Chadai’s dress was stunning and Shane was looking quite dapper.

It was a lovely ceremony at Willistead Manor and then a delicious dinner at The Other Place. The venue was stunning and had an amazing New Year’s Eve vibe.

Congratulations Shane and Chadai! Thank you for letting me share in your special day.

Harrods at Christmas!

December 10, 2011

Last night I was lucky enough to con Kaari into coming with me to The Harry Potter Shop today!

The Harry Potter Shop you say – what is this you ask? Well just plain awesomeness. A few weeks ago, I was going through a friend’s pictures and she went to this magical place in Harrods that had Harry Potter Stuff. I had to go.

So this afternoon we hopped on a very crowded Piccadilly line to Knightsbridge. Where we entered a very crowded Harrods. Oh side bar: Christmas time anywhere in London is crowded and busy. Would I trade it, maybe; but not this year.

I had a strategic plan: hit the first two floors as fast as possible so we could get to The Harry Potter shop. However, there was a huge snag in my plan. It was so busy in the first floor gift ship. I was able to get the gift I needed in little time but waiting to check out – that’s what took forever. Forty-five minutes later, I had made my purchase and headed to the second floor. Up the Egyptian escalator we serenaded by a songstress.

I wanted to pick up some Christmas ornaments that I saw the first time I was there. However, when its Christmas time at Harrods if you see it the first time, buy it the first time. The ornaments I wanted were nowhere to be seen. I was sad but learned my lesson.

Finally, Kaari and I could head to Harry Potter world on the third floor. It was awesome! They had marvellous displays that included props from the films, costumes and tons of merchandise. I loved the sorting hat Christmas tree. Oh! There were these awesome Lego models.

When we were leaving Harrods we walked out front. They Christmas lights were so pretty.

December 9, 2011

Tonight, after a long, long work week Clair, Kaari and I went for drinks and some Christmas shopping.

We left JAH and headed dow to Oxford Circus for a brief photo op. We ventured down Regent to Piccadilly so I could pop into Waterstone’s to pick up some Christmas presents…and other presents.

After that we tried to go to TGI Fridays for dinner but there was an hour wait, so we hit up Chiquito in Leicester Square. The nachos were delicious, and the the pitchers of marguarita’s/pitcher’s of drink of your choice were awesome.

A pitcher for each of us and some girl talk later we headed to M & M world, which was complete and utter silliness. I loved it though.

Always a pleasure to spend time with you ladies.

November 30, 2011

Today is strike day. The teachers are out and there are no kids, and well I refuse to cross the picket line lol.

Clair and I hit up Winter Wonderland again today! Loved it. I had an amazing brat and fries! OMG so good. I also tried mulled wine. It was ok.

After Winter wonderland we wandered through Hyde Park and to Paddington Station. I got to see the Paddington Bear stand where they sell Paddington bear stuffs. Made me think of my mum.

Good day. I will definately sleep well tonight.