what i really wanted to say

I have been struggling with voice the past little while. Every time I go to put words down in cyber-space, I choke up; I type furiously and then erase. It seems when blogger is open, I alter my words for some audience outside of myself. I get frustrated. It feels contrived. I feel like I may never write truthfully, for the heart, ever again. And then I make my way to this blog, and suddenly all things are more meaningful again. I am reminded of the life that I want to lead. I am inspired by the future, of how things might be in our very own home, and eventually with little ones running around. Such soulful words and images, always, that fill me with compassion. That is where I want to be. And so I open a word document and I begin, no pressure.

Yesterday we drove home from Ikea and the late afternoon sky was bright pink, the kind that makes you want to stare in amazement. You noticed it, not I. I was clutching the steering wheel, letting the stress of winter driving and traffic creep up my rigid spine. The bitter part of me was frustrated that you would want me to turn my attention away from our safety to observe something for a fleeting second. How ridiculous of me. I see so clearly now that I was looking for an argument, frustrated about being sick, about the blah-ness going on with my family, about crowds of pushy people and the kicker as always, not having our own space yet. Why would I choose to take it out on you – you, the only person who fully listens to me and is compassionate and giving and true and loves me when I’m coughing and congested and feeling disgusting. Why couldn’t I just give in to that sky and acknowledge its beauty rather than mumble some half-assed “hmm” probably too low and monotone for you to have even noticed. Upon reflection, I can see quite clearly those moments where the rift widens if we’ll let it. Imagine 25 years of this game? Please, let’s not.

A few minutes later, I told you how lucky I was to have gotten a contract in Kindergarten for two years in a row. You asked me with a sly smile if I really thought it was luck. I shrugged and said I think so, plugged into the thoughts of others and letting them influence me, as usual. The truth is, how I really feel is right here, in these words from my favorite blog. This is what I know you meant and how I truly feel but was unable to put into words…

(from my topography)
What do you want to manifest?
I believe in this. I believe in it deeply. I have found again and again and again that the things I ask for manifest when I ask clearly, when I put my greatest, deepest wishes into the palms of the universe to hold.

Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.
Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.
Concerning all acts of initiative there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and endless plans.
That the moment one definitely commits oneself then providence moves too.
All sorts of things occur to help one that would never have otherwise occurred.
A whole stream of events issue from the decision, raising in one’s favour all manner of unforeseen incidents, and meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would come his way.
Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.
Begin it now. ~Goethe

So. What do you wish to begin this year? What is the wildest, truest thing that you want to have happen?
….


Well my dreams for us this year are as follows:
To continue creating, day in and day out. Scrapbooking, writing, DIY projects, jewelry. We need to get back into jewelry, just as soon as the space permits. I am most inspired and alive when doing these things.

I want to capture our journeys through photographs, scrapbooking, journaling, blogging.

Job-wise, I will continue this contract until the end of the school year, and then come late August, I will be on the call-back list, of this I am sure. Of course we don’t know what grade or what exact percentage I will be offered (I am confident 80-100) but my greatest wish is to stay right where I am (grade-wise, or at least cycle 1). I know I am mean to be here. I am hoping the connections I have made this year will be a huge help in that department.

For you, I wish you continued success in your practice. I believe in you from the bottom of my heart and know you are amazing at what you do. Sometimes I don’t always express this, or I let the doubts of others creep. I know that this is the most counter-productive thing possible. Your clientele is growing, always, and that is no small feat. I am proud of you for making a choice to get out of a job you hated and start something incredibly meaningful from bare bones. I know that you love it, too, and that is more valuable than anything. Your journey continues in the right directions. Think of all the people whose lives you have shaped for the better.

We will have our house this year, there is no doubt in my mind. And we will make it work for us, whatever way possible. I am tired of stressing over dollars and cents. It’s so ridiculous to me really. Yes, finances are important, but we will not let them rule our lives. It breaks my heart to think of how much we all let money influence us when in the end it will not matter.

And I come back to this poem again and again, that I wrote over two years ago. Time to change my perspective.


Air traffic control, hello?
ADD brain
Soaking the sun rays
Failing to live here, now.
Stressing over nothing
projections in my head.
Projects and ideas, ideas, ideas
That never materialize
Failure to prioritize
Lacking the clarity, depth, reflection
That would make me feel. more.
Second guessing.
Indecision.
Time slipping away…

Why is it not okay
to just slow down with the day?
Appreciate small wonders
Let go those impulse dreams
Of things, things, more things
For happiness and
self-esteem

no wonder your frustration,
so clear in these glimpses
You are all that is true and yet
Sometimes I feel such fury.
My catalogue self screams:
“AND WHY NOT?”
like the tropics can just
Absolve it all

You are so right in
How I’m so wrong.

And yet I still long for the salty calm of the ocean
“because people believe that they’re gonna get away for the summer”

But the time is whenever you are right then,
When you have all the world piled on your shoulders
And corrections up to your ears.
That is when you’re most alive,
When you will stop dead in your tracks one moment
And think how whole you’ve become, or rather
Have been all along and only just discovered.

Live for those rainy days
And quiet sighs
And priceless boring afternoons together.
And the lines on an insect’s back
And the purr of a kitten
And the wonder of your own creations
And all the things that make your soul
That have no price tag.
That can go with you, beyond.
Because all the rest just fades,
Remember?

And maybe all the stress you hold
In the small of your back
Is all the pent up anxiety of your own mortality
“Terror management theory”
And how you ought to smarten up.

....

May 2011 be the year of "smartening up" in the right ways.

scrapbooking reflections on a year gone by...

It's the last day of the year. How is that even possible?! Time really flies. The fun thing about blogging and scrapbooking is that I can take a trip back in time whenever I want. It helps me build my time-line when reflection gets a bit blurry (which is often).

I scrapbooked last night and felt elated. The so-called mojo has returned, apparently, to the point where I feel like scrapbooking all day long today, which is unlikely to actually happen, but hey, a girl can fantasize. Maybe this sudden need to scrap is due to the fact that I realized that I have so many pictures for 2010, so many stories, and barely anything to show for it. Okay, maybe that's not quite true. Let me do a tally...

1 Mini-album completed (Trip out West)
2 Mini-albums started (Sweden - okay, barely; Bahamas - about half-way there)
21 Digital pages (many of which never saw this blog because I didn't like them)
14 Paper pages (none of which I have properly photographed or shared on the blog, ooops)

Not terrible. Mediocre, overall. I just wish that I didn't dislike so many of them. There are so many times when I felt like I was pushing things around on the page and then settling. The wow factor was lacking. And that's always why I become uninspired and unmotivated and end up leaving a huge mess on my scrap table only to be tackled weeks later. My seeming inability to take any decent pictures of layouts also needs improvement! Seems like a few resolutions are percolating here.

***

Well I just took a quick break to take some photos of layouts. It's a cloudy day, the light is not right, but I will make due. I can never take nice pictures of layouts - don't know what I'm doing wrong but will have to investigate. Lessons on how to use my camera to it's full potential would also come in handy here. That aside, and keeping in mind that the story is more important, here is the layout I made to summarize our year.

We are going to Pat's dad's place to welcome the new year. We are breaking our tradition for the first time in many years. We usually spend the evening with friends, but seeing as I am super sick (again - pitiful, no?) I wouldn't want to pass on the cold to Everett. I hope I won't fall asleep before midnight!

I may be back with some more year-in-review type posts if time permits. I wanted to make a list of movies, music, blogs and books that I have enjoyed this year.

Happy New Year everyone :)

Gym Dreams

I have been dreaming up schemes for our future home gym. There seems to be very little visual inspiration for cool/stylish workout rooms out there, which is unfortunate. I guess we'll just have to come up with our own. Yesterday I was pestering Patrick about ideas for quotes for our gym wall, and he came up with a line from Dodgeball. Brilliant! Not sure how I forgot about that one. Anyways, here is a rough sketch of some print art that I came up with today using Photoshop. Oh how I amuse myself. I also figure we'll have to incorporate his autographed Canadiens jersey. I am drawing my inspiration from what I've seen at Mansfield. Something a bit like this (now just to find one that's a tad more affordable)...

I was also thinking it would be really cool to have some sort of chalkboard calendar/list to write our sets and reps and keep track of them each week. Drawing inspiration from this:

I have a growing folder full of images and links to home decor ideas. Cannot wait to have our own place and start DIY-ing. Sigh. Until then, I will just have to amuse myself with the plans.

Happy hump-day everyone :)

Post 25th

The "big day" has come and gone for another year. It always seems to leave me in a daze, wondering how soooo much excitement and build-up can pass by so quickly. Left-overs are in piled in the fridge, boxes are piled on the basement floor. Santa, aka Mom, over-indulged yet again. To the point where I feel almost guilty for the amount of consumerism we succumb to during the holiday season. It's too much, really - I'm almost embarrassed. I feel like next year we should go the minimal route, like one gift each, max, or opt for home-made gifts only. But I am not here to complain. We are lucky to be able to give and receive. And that we did. And so here is a quick summary.

Pat and I got a lot of joint gifts from the family: an ottoman for our future bedroom, a coffee machine, a spice rack, the Magic Bullet, a set of knives, various utensils, a wok, and a Kitchen-Aid standing blender (so exciting!). See, I told you, we are overly spoiled. I am probably even missing a few items.

I got Patrick.... drum roll ... an autographed Habs jersey! My mom takes a spinning class with Gionta's wife and she asked if she wouldn't mind getting him to sign them. She said no prob. My brother got one too. Needless to say, they were two extremely happy campers. The only hitch was that on Christmas Eve, my brother got a Canadiens t-shirt from my grandmother, and as he was opening it, my dad asked if it was the signed one, thus ruining the "big" surprise that was only supposed to come Christmas morning. Patrick decided to open his gift right away, but my brother insisted he was going to open his the next morning only.

Pat also got some tools, other Habs stuff, and a glass tea pot so we can use our pretty flower herbal teas and watch them "blossom" as they brew. Now we just need a proper kettle...

Pat got me some Prada sunglasses and jewelery that come from a pretty turquoise box ;) Incredibly spoiled.

Anyways, more to come at a later date... If I don't get out of blog world soon I will not be productive at all today. I have some gifts that I need to return/exchange (wrong items and things that didn't fit people properly, sigh). I also want to find some ornaments on extreme liquidation since next year I will be decorating my very own tree!!

Hope your Christmas was special :)

Christmas Eve Eve

The countdown is on! I am starting to feel the magic, mostly because my mom is home and baking up a storm. If it weren't for all the effort she puts in, I think Christmas would skip our house altogether, seeing as how the male half of our family could not be bothered. But I will not let the grinchy attitudes of some get me down. At least my man is really into it. He bakes with us, he is the perfect gift giver, he helps wrap and put up decorations, he lets me read him the Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve, and he wears the Christmas pyjamas I bought him a few years ago. I guess I can't ask for much more in that department.

Oh, he even helped me to make snowflakes... We got a little carried away with that once we learned the technique to the 6-point star. It's really addictive. Plus, I just discovered an app called Snodoodle that lets you test out designs on your phone... pretty awesome!

Today I am putting together last-minute touches on home-made gifts, wrapping, cleaning and hopefully working out. Our tradition is going to be modified this year since we will be eating Christmas dinner at Cindy's and Jason's place rather than eating here with my family. Instead my family will have our turkey dinner tomorrow. I think this is a good compromise, and it will mean that Pat and I can more fully enjoy festivities with both families instead of the back and forth game, feeling guilty and rushed.

This year I am way more excited about giving gifts than receiving. I can't wait to see the look on everyones' faces when they open their gifts. I can't wait for Pat to open his gift - I anticipate he will freak out, it's that good.

I hope Santa is good to you all. Cheers.

Somewhere South?

I'm dreaming of this place as I freeze my butt off in the negative double-digits. Where would you be if you could?

But no, in actual fact, I'm not sold on the idea of leaving home for Christmas. Not sure how I'd feel without the snow. Maybe I'll find out one day...

Some Everett Love

Because his mommy said it was okay, I just had to share a picture of Alexandra and Ryan's little man, Everett. Is he not the most adorable bundle? Sooo very cute. I bet he's going to be an amazing boy.

in december drinking horchata

I've been waiting all year to use that line. But I have yet to actually try horchata. All in good time my friends.

This evening it is snowing; snow-storming. I just shoveled the driveway and it felt good, although my back was a little stiff. I am hoping, fingers crossed, that enough white powder will accumulate to cause a snow day tomorrow. That would make me very, very happy. It is not very likely, but there is a chance. And if it means catching up on the sleep that I lost last night due to a pressure headache, I would gladly take it.


I have been writing letters to my students this evening, pretending to be Santa. Last year we sent out a batch and Canada Post totally butchered my students' names and gave them all generic copies - literally one-liners written in broken English. Teacher was not impressed. This year, my students had six-graders scribe their letters for them, so they are way more detailed and I have responded to them in detail. I am surprised by how amused it made me. I could bribe them pretending to be Santa, and make up stories about elf amusements parks and such. It's great. I hope they will get a kick out of it.

In other news, my good friends Alex and Ryan welcomed their bundle of joy into the world on December 1st. They named him Everett and he is so very precious. We met him yesterday and it felt surreal to hold an infant. Amazing, really. I took lots of pictures but I will wait for his mom to share on facebook and give the okay before I share on here.

We also started decorating the tree on the weekend while watching Home Alone. Those two factors combined have finally put me into the holiday spirit. I love putting up the tree and leafing through my box of ornaments that all have special stories and memories. This is possibly the last Christmas that I celebrate "at home", meaning at my parents' house, because if all goes as planned, Patrick and I will be settled into our home at this time next year. I'm trying to appreciate all the little things, the traditions associated with this season. I've also been inspired to craft. I am making a pom-pom wreath, and although it is a long process, it is very addictive. Here is where I found the inspiration and go this fab picture. Mine will be similar, I hope, except that I chose two shades of turquoise and purple. It's more challenging than you'd think to level off the poms but I think I'm starting to get the hang of it!



Well enjoy the rest of your week! Cheers.

TGIF

Currents
listening: to an old playlist I made and I'm loving it (anyone else but you is playing right now)
eating: just had oatmeal with peach yogurt and raisins
drinking: just finished an extra large coffee; two creams, two teaspoons of Splenda
wearing: jeans, Roxy shirt with hearts and pink slippers
feeling: inspired (to do something creative today) and hopefully productive (to finish up my report cards and portfolios)
weather: freezing rain (yuck) but some white sunlight is shining through the clouds
wanting: to re-do my blog design. I'm so bored with it.
needing: to fold laundry
thinking: hmmm, maybe I should go in to work in my classroom a bit? (it's a ped day/convention day, so a lot of coming and going)
enjoying: my teacher friends. Clarissa, Jill, Jackie, Audrey, Cindy - you girls rock. Thank you for making work not feel like work. (And Stacy, I miss you sooooo much)
wondering: when will it snow? when will Alex have her baby?!

Time wastin' and compiling x-mas lists

To break up the terribly long and boring task of writing report card comments, I will amuse myself by posting on my blog. A small reward for completing ten mega-packed paragraphs pertaining to my students' progress, with five to go. I should be able to get them all done tonight. Patrick is gone to a presentation downtown, so I might as well be productive at home. But first, some fun.

With December right around the corner, it's almost time for my Christmas movie-marathon. Each year I rush around at the last minute trying to think of all the movies I want to watch to put me in the holiday spirit. This year, I figured I would make my list nice and early so that I can actually rent/download them all, then find time to fit them into the schedule. So here we go, in no particular order.

Classic. Brings me right back to elementary school. "You're what the French call les incompétents". They were so mean to poor Kevin.

How could you watch the first without the second?

You can't really go wrong with Will Ferrell in an elf suit. A little on the light-hearted side, but still really funny and charming.

We discovered this movie as a happy accident last year and man was it good. Vince Vaughn does not disappoint. And, Patrick can practice being a Vaughnabie. Yes, he coined that phrase.

Perhaps my favorite childhood Christmas movie. I cannot do Christmas without watching it. And, I have the singing Rudolph to go along with it ;)

I have to confess, I've never watched this one. I was highly reprimanded for that last year. I intend on remedying the situation come December. I hear it's the Christmas movie.

Swoon. How can one not love this movie?

"In God We Trust".... That line really stood out for me apparently. It's a feel-good, happy ending sort of deal. Maybe I should check out the original as well.

I sorta forgot about this one, but it's a good one, isn't it? Need to watch it again.

So there you have it. My feel-good, get-you-in-the-mood-for-Christmas list. Any other suggestions?

Is it Friday yet?

Man I'm looking forward to the weekend! I've been getting pressure headaches for the past few days and they are draining. I have such a hard time to focus, but I'm plowing on. Surprisingly, I've been inspired to spruce up my classroom a bit more, even though we are right in the thick of portfolios and report cards. We have started the five senses and the body, so I finally made a "theme" area in the room, complete with posters, vocabulary words, and information texts on the topics. We also started our full-body portraits - no small task I tell you! At first we were going to color them with wax crayons, but at the last minute I thought we could experiment with paint... So yeah, there's a big mess waiting to be cleaned up tomorrow morning. I had no energy to do so after our super long staff meeting after school. Thankfully I don't have to work this weekend so I can do whatever I want!!


I am going to scrapbook soon, since Patrick has a later client and I'm waiting for him. I have been working on my Bahamas album. I've also started a digi project that is top secret at the moment, just in case my mom reads my blog. I will have to really get moving on that if I want it to be ready for Christmas. I'm not sure how feasible it will be, but at least I can give it to her as a work in progress.

Anyways, I will leave you with a layout I made a month ago. Brings me right back to my high school days. Hmm, maybe a new playlist is in store. Some of the songs from these albums are still my favorites.

Halfway through November...

And time keeps rolling by. It seems crazy that we're almost a month away from Christmas. The days go by sooo quickly as a teacher. It's one of the perks I guess! I'll take 'em where I can get 'em as they can feel really scarce some days. No, but in all honesty, things are looking up. My students are in a groove, they are picking up on things much better overall, aside from the few moments here and there when they become extremely distracted. I have started a student of the week award and that seems to be keeping them motivated to do well in general. Rather than highlight what they're not supposed to be doing, I just keep giving praise to the ones who are doing what they're supposed, and magically, in most cases, the other students follow soon after.

This weekend was busy. I worked at the library and there were crowds. Annoying crowds. But I did get some new books for my class and magazines for myself, so that's good. On Friday night, I went to Jack's for drinks with my teacher friends, which is always a good laugh (especially when Steven is there - that's so camp ;). Afterwards, I went for dinner at Carmine's, which was way better than I expected. Like way better, and for a decent price! I will definitely be going back there. It's more on the fancy side without being too overpriced. Our friends Ben and Stephanie know their restaurants so we were pleased to be introduced to this place.

On Saturday night, Ben came by the apartment to cook us tacos while we watched the game. The boys were quite pleased about the 7-2 win over a team they apparently hadn't beaten since 2004 or something of the sort. I'm glad that Pat was able to watch the game with some real fans for once, since I tend to zone in and out of periods. Watching with die-hards is so much more exciting for him.

Since I am sooo behind in updating my blog, I should also share what I did on the weekend before last. On the Friday, I had a ped-day, which my amazing principal told us we could spend as we liked in payment of all the hard work we put in at the beginning of the year (ie coming in on the weekend and staying super late every evening before the students arrived). I chose to spend it on a shopping spree to Burlington with my mom! We had some good finds (mostly Christmas-gift related for myself), ate at the Olive Garden, and then made it back through the border without having to pay duty yet again! They seem really lax lately, but I will take the good luck when it comes.

On the Saturday it was Alex's baby shower! Her little guy is due very, very soon so we had to celebrate and help her prepare for his arrival. I think he will be very pampered with all the generous gifts she received. Her family did a great job with all the planning - the decor, the treats and the games were great. Here's a little peak into that day. Can you tell what the theme was?!

Alright, well time to go eat supper. I hope you all have a great week. Cheers!

to keep on the Halloween theme...

I never really got around to documenting last year's costumes. We went for humor last year. We scoped out our wardrobes at Village des Valeurs, and they came together quite nicely with a little creativity, a fabulous wig, and some pillow-padding. I think we pulled it off. The shock-value is definitely there last year as well. Our friends thought we were crazy, but we thought it was sooo funny. Thanks for capturing these shots Alex!

With Halloween coming up, I figured it was about time to scrapbook these photos. So here you have it... yes, we are nuts. The expressions on Pat's face are really too much. He got right into his role as you can see.


I'm kinda inspired to make a book of all Halloweens past. My mom was talking about all the costumes she's made for us over the years, and all the baking and parties she threw for us. I remember some of them, but not all. She was so crafty for her time, before blogs, before scrapbooking, before it was the "in" thing to do. I'm grateful for all that she did for us when we were growing up. She is so creative. Maybe I can dig out the old boxes full of photos and see what I can do. It might be a nice Christmas present.

Anyways.... I'm going on a field trip tomorrow, wish me loads of energy and patience!

Halloween Celebrations Begin

Checking in on an "off" weekend, meaning no work at the library. I have had two days off and it always surprises me just how much I needed them. To sleep in until 9:30, even 10 am, is sooo lovely when you're used to your dreams being interrupted at 6:15. I still can't get adjusted to the earlier school schedule. I hate waking up in complete darkness and fumbling around. I need scolding hot water and extra large coffee and design shows to wake me up and get the happy thoughts flowing.

But I digress.

The real point of this blog entry was to say that we went to a Halloween party last night and it was so much fun. Our costumes were a hit, although very uncomfortable to do anything in!

Yup, so we went all out and made these babies from scratch. We used boxes and covered them with housing insulation, and dryer vents for the arms and legs. We were pretty happy with how they turned out, especially after all the time and effort we put into them. We couldn't stop laughing once we got them on and walked out to show Cindy and Jason. It was worth it, even though we only wore them for about 2 hours, max. I will most likely make a scrappy page soon of the entire event, since I am in a groove lately.

PS - they were based on this. Love me some Flight of the Conchords.
Hope your weekend was fun!

Only Tuesday?

Greetings all. I'm in need of a little pick-me-up, so figured I'd spruce up the blog front with this digi page I made on the weekend. I used a mix of products on here, some from this cool blog, twelvebytwelve designs, which has free (and super nice) kits. Other bits were freebies from 2peas I think.

Anyways, these sneakers have been hanging from a telephone wire near my house for the longest time, and they just get me every time, don't ask why! They make me think of happy things. So there. No other reason.

I am tired, but happy I'm not as sick anymore. I am hangin' in there until the weekend. I am dreaming of Friday. The behavior of my students often feels like a roulette spin, you just never know where it will land... I can't seem to figure out what makes them tick, and it's really getting under my skin. It's a challenge, epseically since last year, though I did have a few behavior cases, they were really mellow compared to some I have this year. It can be very draining at times, but I am trying to be flexible and think of positive solutions. We'll see. One day up, one day down. What can I say?

Other than that, Patrick and are hard at work on our Halloween costumes. We are gonna "rock the party" this weekend. That was a hint by the way, a very vague hint, at the genius behind the design this year...

Cheers maties

slow start Sunday

Slowest start ever this morning. I am sick, oh woe is me. I have a head cold and congestion and sore throat. Just when I thought I had shaken it a few days ago, it's back with a vengeance. Why must I be sick on my only few days off in the entire month? I guess it's my body's way of making sure I get some downtime.

Good thing there isn't much on the agenda today aside from typing a few things for work. I guess I will be in pj's and drinking warm stuff. I'm really glad that I was able to get in our activity yesterday because it was so worth feeling drained today.

jumping into a long weekend

It's finally Friday!! I could not be more exited. My boss at the library called last night to see if either my mom or I wanted to work this weekend - hahaha! Was she joking? That's just about the last thing on earth I want to do. No, I am going to enjoy my time, 3 whole back-to-back days in fall, lovely fall.

We are going to eat at Cindy and Jason's this evening. I have made the strawberry onion salad, yum! Tomorrow we are going to explore Finnigan's market for the first time. It's a giant farmer's/flea market that I've heard great things about. Looking forward to some good finds, fingers crossed. What is it about flea markets - a world of possibility?! Even more exited about the open road with my man. He will make me laugh, and I am in need of some good laughs, just like on this occasion:

Okay, so it makes it waaay funnier if you watch this clip. Oh my how I love the Office.

"This is parkour. Internet sensation of 2004. And it was in one of the Bond films. It's pretty impressive. The goal is to get from point A to point B as creatively as possible so technically they are doing parkour, as long as point A is delusion and point B is the hospital."

Happy Thanksgiving!

one of those days

it's one of those days. one of those no good, very bad days. and i am in no mood for capitals. it started with wanting to cling to covers for sleep, then led to trying on literally ten or more outfits, in complete slow motion, before settling on hoodie and jeans, something to give me some cozy feelings at least. i needed an extra large coffee and drank it all. i was late. i was rushing to pack things for school projects. i had to bring an iron to make wax place mats with my students, and stupidly put it sideways into my bag. about ten minutes later, i discovered a giant puddle on my front bench, right when i was ready to leave. it was the water from the iron, duh, which had soaked all my notebooks and the edges of three library books. great.

i got to work with five minutes, not even, to spare. i realized i had forgotten the leaves for the place mats, which just happens to be the main focus of the art project. needed to improvise all day long. and i won't even get started about the behavior of my class today. they were way, way off, to put it nicely. soooo very draining. some days i feel like i can barely hear myself.

at lunch, the monitor showed up late, so i had to rush to my doctor's appointment (yup, i scheduled it at lunch time so i didn't have to miss work). i waited for 45 minutes and there were STILL three people in front of me - absolutely ridiculous. i had to reschedule my appointment yet again, now pushed to late November. i might as well just not see her at all.

i am so happy to just be in my bedroom now, listening to music and browsing websites and blogs i love. i am in major need of downtime. i am so thankful for my lovely teacher friends - Audrey, Clarissa - for listening and understanding. at least we are all in it together, and it's a big pick-me-up.

i am too tired to workout and have zero motivation, so trying not to feel guilty about that. i will scrapbook instead. i will hope for a much better day tomorrow. i am soooooo looking forward to the long weekend. it's like the best thing i've ever heard right now.

don't worry, being with this guy will make it all better.

SOooo..... I've been rather slack in the blogging department. Well that's because I'm completely obsessed with my new toy, the iPhone 4. Yup, I caved and bought it. So did Patrick. We have joined the cult. And I daresay, it's dangerously fun. There are so many apps out there, it's insane.

I've been taking tons of photos for a change thanks to how accessible my camera now is! It's especially practical for the classroom, since I can just snap and then store. It's great.

Fall is in full swing - proof here in my nanny's backyard. There is something to be said about old trees in the fall, particularly neighborhoods lined with tall old trees. Their presence is so commanding, so beautiful. Although I am a summer girl through and through, fall is growing on me, more and more each year. I like the crisp air and sweaters, and the brilliant color everywhere.

What I'm not liking right now is the early hour at which the sun sets. It is making me so very tired lately. I'm resorting sometimes to early evening coffees for the extra pep, but the extra caffeine risks keeping me awake. Arrgh! I'm hoping to adjust soon.

On the weekend we visited with Julie and Ken as it had been forever since we'd last seen them. We went for supper and then took a walk. Later we had drinks and played the weirdest Wii game ever. It was Wario something, where you have to do all these random little tasks holding the control panel in weird ways. It was a good laugh. We weren't expecting it, but it was funny as hell!

And now we are already more than halfway through the week. Sometimes I don't know where the times goes. Patrick has been busy with presentations, clients, making videos, and so forth. I have been busy with my class, as always. We are adjusting, we are getting it, finally. I am no longer missing last year so desperately like I was at the beginning. This year has good stuff to offer too, I'm starting to realize.

Well I do hope you are having a good week! I'm off to collect leaves for an art project. Cheers.

Mid-week update

Here's what I've been reading for the last week or two. I would have finished it all at once if I had more moments of solitude, and if I could keep my eyes open for longer before passing out so completely, book tumbling to the floor. And also because I feel like I shouldn't rush through it because it's that good. I need to stretch it out, appreciate it in small doses before that bittersweet realization that I've only got a few pages to go before finishing something that feels like conversing with a cool new best friend. The characters are so wonderfully unique, multi-faceted, endearing... The prose just feels like home to me, I relate so well. It makes me think - hey, wait a second, I could write something like this. So very inspiring. I don't want it to end! Although, it's reassuring to know that there's another book by the same author that I have yet to check out. I love me a good book. I may very well take a bath soon with said book in hand (very carefully, mind you, so as not to damage it). I've got years of experience in that domain.

Tonight was the "Open House" at the school I'm working at. I was a little nervous about the whole ordeal, even with a year under my belt, and even after having met the parents before. It went really well. I was so reassured, and so happy to have such positive feedback from parents. It makes me feel so validated, like it's all worth-while. Things are beginning to fall into place. Yes, certain moments each day are a test of patience, but I need to look at the whole and see the good in it all. It's so worth it. I would never have pictured myself talking in front of a group of adults (the thought of it just eeks me out), but every time it goes well, and every time I feel so grown-up, professional, accomplished. So for all the complaining I might put Patrick before-hand, in the end, things work out well. Need to keep that in mind for future reference.

Anyways, I'm going to attempt some digi-scrapping before bed! Cheers all. Hope your Wednesday was good.

The iPhone dilemma

To buy an iPhone, or not to buy an iPhone?

I know, I know, it's so ridiculous to be pondering this. But you know when you just really, really want something and you can't justify it for reasons other than pleasure ... that's what's been going on for the last little while. Every weekend I casually stop by the cell phone booths at the mall or at Best Buy to tantalize myself, to make small talk with the sales people to see if perhaps there is some amazing plan that I have not yet learned about. I haven't discovered one. The price for a monthly plan remains ludicrously high. Yeah, I can afford it and it's completely doable now, but the 3-year contract bit just eeks me, considering that we'll be looking to buy a house within a year or so. And what then? I could probably still afford it, but it would be harder to justify. But Apple's hypnotic selling points are apparently quite deeply routed in my subconscious. Arrrgh! I am still undecided. I am researching other options and making a pros/cons list. We shall see...

Otherwise, it's Sunday morning, I don't have to work at the library, and I am happily sipping coffee in my pjs, listening to some Chilli Peppers, and feeling like I might to something creative today. I have some planning to do for school, but that shouldn't take too long and besides, I like to do it. Sounds so very nerdy to admit to, but it's true. My students are coming along quite nicely. We have been practicing our routines and I have been very strict with the rules, which is starting to pay off. They are sooo good in the morning - things run smoothly. In the afternoon things are more difficult. They are ansy and tired. Their attention spans are shorter. It's completely normal. Thankfully our afternoon consists of free-play and story, so it's manageable for us all.

Yesterday we went out for supper for my friend Audrey's birthday. Although I was worried it might be awkward because I didn't really know many people going, it was fun. Another co-worker ended up being there, and we had the chance to get to know each other better. I am trying to be more open-minded about new circumstances in general - meeting new people, developing new friendships. The results have been interesting and refreshing.

Anyways, my attention is becoming choppy. I'm browsing other pages and thinking of other things that need to be done. I have no photos to share because I have not taken any photos since we went to Ottawa. It's really sad - I have no desire to take photos lately - what's up with that? I think part of the reason why the iPhone is so appealing to me is that I can snap away instantly and store them in a wonderfully organized manner. But I digress again... time to go be more productive! Cheers.

Vampire Weekend!

Last night Pat and I went to see Vampire Weekend at Metropolis. They were fantabulous. You can read more about it here. If you have not heard of this band, you NEED to check them out. Total feel-good music that will have you grooving along. It is rare that I can listen to an entire album without skipping a few songs, but I can listen to both of their albums straight through - again and again and again. Seriously, I could have them on repeat for hours.

Photograph by: Pierre Obendrauf / THE GAZETTE

Anyways, the vibe was great. However, we did have to wait until 10:20 for them to come on... There were two opening acts - The Dum Dum Girls and Beach House. The first act was so-so, kinda bland overall, and the second was majorly trippy but very catchy. I will have to check them out in more detail, as I've heard of them before. Of course, both acts paled in comparison to the opening! They were soooo very good, so involved with the audience, charismatic and energetic. They switched up a crap load of instruments, and sounded exactly, if not better, than their recordings.

We also met some pretty cool people there, which made the long wait in between sets that much more entertaining. Overall, though I'm exhausted today and am probably writing incoherently, it was really worth it. I need to see cool indie groups more often, at smaller venues. Really worth the money.

Aside from that, have been very busy with work. Sooooo busy. A good kind of busy that makes the day fly by and makes me feel accomplished, but still, I need to remember to take breaks and down-time for myself. Which I am going to do right now..... peace out.

All is new

Okay, okay, time to update the old blog. I promise I have a good excuse as to why I've been MIA for the past little while. Last time I checked in, I was in the full-swing of job hunting, which amounted to a very stressful, intense period. On the fateful date of August 17th - the day of the call-backs for teachers on the priority list - I waited and waited and waited by my phone ALL DAY LONG, to no avail. I decided to go to the gym in the evening, thinking that no principal would call me past 5:30 pm... But guess again! I got several phone calls that night, but the offers weren't great. I was in despair, thinking that I'd have to except scraps, partial percentages here and there, and try to piece them together at several different schools. I lamented and longed for my good fortune of the year before. I made a big stink. I imagine I was rather unbearable for a good few days, and poor Patrick had to put up with me whining constantly. (Let me just say how amazingly supportive he is - I am soooo lucky!).

I ended up saying no to a few less than stellar offers - a 40% at my old school which would have involved me teaching 5 different classes over 2 days. Don't get me wrong, I would have liked to have returned to my old school, but 40% is just not enough to carry me over financially, and it would have been very hard to try to find other small percentages to compliment it. I decided I would hold off in the hopes of something better turning up. When I thought I was out of luck, I was mighty close to excepting a job almost an hour away from where I live. But thankfully, something even better was just around the corner. Something that made all other offers pale in comparison. Something that coincided perfectly with the energy I had been throwing out to the universe all along...

In short, I was offered a Kindergarten class at a school less than five minutes away from my house. The catch is that I'm replacing somebody who is on medical leave indefinitely. That means that she could be back at any moment, and I would lose my class. The chances of that happening are not great, I'm told, but you just never know. I'm going to ride it out as long as I can, with the hopes that I can luck out the way I did last year. I feel like I will. I have invested time, effort and money as though it will all pan out, just as it did last year. I am so thrilled to be back in K, and in an amazing classroom on top of it. This room was specifically designed for Kindergarten and is all-equipped. It's like a dream come true, especially compared with the amount of flexibility and improvisation that was required to be comfortable in the room that I had last year.

I have been working like crazy for the last 11 days. I went in several days before our first ped-day even started, and I even went in last weekend. I had great helpers: my parents, Patrick and my wonderful friend Audrey, who is also working at the school with me!! I don't think people quite realize what goes in to opening a class at the beginning of the year. You are literally down on your hands and knees scrubbing and washing away all the dirt that has accumulated over the course of the school year and the summer. It is very time-consuming and exhausting, but at the same time exhilarating and exciting. When you have your own room, you can arrange it any way you like. You have to navigate the space, try to imagine what layout will work best. Then there are all the little details, like where bags, supplies, books, bins, toys and so forth will be placed. It is all-consuming at first. You need to force yourself to take breaks, or else you'd be working all hours of the day and night. But finally, a little less than a week into the prepping, the room starts to looks come together. It looks like an inviting, fun place to be. You can envision the lessons and the playing that will take place. It is soooo rewarding. And after all that, you need to do the planning, and decide what you'll be telling the parents when they come in to visit the class with their children. I think about what I've done in the last little while and it seems almost impossible - surreal in a sense. But I've made it. You'd think with a whole year under my belt it would feel like a piece of cake, but not quite. Though it does feel smoother around the edges, and though I do feel like I have more confidence and know-how, it is still a new journey that I have to learn as I go. But I am enjoying it.

So there you have it, the reason for my non-existence on here the last little while. I am adjusting to a new schedule, a new school, a new group, new colleagues and a new (AMAZING) principal. I really miss my old friends, but at the same time, I think I will get to know some pretty awesome people this year. I think it will be a great year.

Weekend meanderings

I am going to avoid discussion of the extremely stressful, exciting, overwhelming week that just came to pass. I will put it on hold until more news can be shared, until this state of limbo clears.

It is Sunday morning, wet and dreary. The air is colder than it has been all season. The light feels like it is fading, along with summer. I am still hoping for a last little wave of heat, but some part of me knows that it is time to give it up. It is passing and new things are to come, appealing in their own ways. The time of year is not entirely unpleasant. I am reminded that we are fortunate to have four distinct seasons, each with different wonders to offer. How bland it would seem to have one continuous weather pattern for the whole year.

...

I am a few minutes away from a workout. I am not in the mood to do it, but I will. I know I will feel better afterwards. I am already sore from asking Patrick to train me yesterday; muscles I had not targeted in a good while are complaining. I am reminded how important it is to incorporate personalized workouts, accustomed to my strengths and weaknesses, rather than only doing generalized group programs. I keep telling Pat that he may as well be a personal trainer as well, he is so good at it.

It has occurred to me that I never shared photos of my adventures from last weekend. We had a nice time with Brad and Nadine - it had been waaaay too long! They were great hosts and their new doggie, Penny, was a real treat. It's too bad I didn't end up getting a picture of her. I did manage to snap a few shots while we were touring the Gatineau mountains and visiting the Mackenzie King estate. That was pretty interesting to see, especially the pieces of architecture that he managed to salvage and incorporate into the scene. Pretty avant-guard for his times.

Alright, well, I'm off. First Sunday I'm home in a while, so I'm going to appreciate it.

The waiting game

I am sitting before my screen, still in pyjamas. No time to take a shower for fear I will miss “the” call. The call may or may not come. There are so many ways this day can play out. The varying degrees are all unknown. I try to tell myself there is excitement to be had in the waiting, but it is challenging. My heart is beating faster than normal. My right side has the familiar pinch that comes with over-thinking, over-hunching as I type, over-caffeinating and staying at my computer for far longer than is healthy. On facebook I have never had so many chat windows open at the same time. My cell phone is vibrating every few minutes with news from friends; news about how this year will take form. Even in the discomfort of the unknown, I am awed by the buzz that’s about, the fast-paced way in which information travels. I love the feeling that links us all together, to be part of this separate little club, this teacher bubble, this collective consciousness if only for a day. We will most likely go our separate directions, mostly with feelings of apprehension. But at least, if only in spirit, we are going through it together, on the same wave-length.

It’s a process of re-learning, of shifting the way you look at things, of being open to new experiences. It is always daunting, overwhelming at first. But if I could do it last year, there is no reason why I should not be able to conquer it all again. It’s not as if I had any friends at the time. I had to make them. I had to get to know my students, the staff, the school in general. I must remind myself of this. Sometimes I take for granted all that I built.

For the time being, I need to distract myself with things I love. All in due time…

Rambly Stuff

So I probably should be doing productive things right now, such as printing out my CV and cover letter and planning the travel route to all the schools I will be visiting next week... BUT, it's so much more fun and inspiring to blog hop. I get lost in cyber-space for hours. I try to make it at least productive by saving all inspiring images to certain files (wedding, decor, etc) - I am amassing little bits as I go, for the future. I really do need to learn how to use Tumblr effectively.

I will get to that knitty-gritty stuff. It's almost done anyways, just needs to be tweaked once and for all. Made official, all spiffed up since last year, with the added info of the lovely job I've had for the past school year. Some days it feels like eons ago, truly. I wonder how my little ones are doing. I do miss them, when I let my mind wander back to teacher mode.

I told Patrick the other day that it's funny how I don't necessarily remember scenes from movies until I'm watching them again. I watched Bridget Jones on the plane last week, and though I hadn't seen it in years and wouldn't have been able to recite it very well to anyone, as it played I could recount full scenes, even dialogue very accurately. So strange. I kinda feel like I've forgotten how to be a teacher this summer as well, but Patrick assures me it's contextual, that it will all come back to me when I need it, just like with movies. I do hope so. I hate the anxiousness of not knowing where I will be in a few short weeks. I wish it was simple and I could just go back to the same grade, the same room, the same school, with the same lovely bunch of people. But all that will change.
Ah scrapbooking, what a lovely reflective hobby, is it not? Yesterday I hung out with my favorite girlies Julie and Alex. We had brunch out, then went to Julie's for some much-overdue scrapbooking time together. I worked on my mini-album from the trip out west. It's almost done. And, I finally got my camera back, so I might take some photos of it and share them. It's been so long since I've photographed any of my layouts.

This week I've worked out like a mad-woman and it feels great. I've done tons of spinning, heavy lifting in 5-fit, and yoga in between. There is nothing like the post-exercise endorphin release. I am glad that both Patrick and I have chosen to lead healthy, fit lives.

This weekend, tomorrow, we are going to visit some friends in Ottawa. I am looking forward to the open road with my man, the tunes, and spending time with good people we haven't seen in way too long. Last time we went, we had a great time browsing the market and stores, visiting the beach near their house, playing games, and just catching up in general. I know this time will be just the same.

This season has been wonderful, full, swollen with life. I feel incredibly satisfied, lucky. I love, love, lover summer. I am grateful for so much.

Oh Lovely Bahamas

We are back from the gorgeous Exuma islands. What a place...






It is so hard to adjust after a week of lounging by the ocean and having a butler wait on every need (no, I'm not joking - each room at our resort had their very own butler, trained from the Guild of Professional English Butlers). Although it felt a bit strange at first, it was pretty sweet to have drinks and food brought to us whenever we wanted. The resort was beautiful; very well kept. Everyone on the island is so friendly and helpful. There was no fear or apprehension to travel off the resort. One day we rented a car to go exploring. There are so many deserted beaches with miles and miles of white sand... conch shells to find... calm, turquoise water. I am imagining myself back there now - at Tropic of Cancer beach, the nicest place I've been as of yet in this world of ours. I find myself returning there night after night in my dreams. The sunlight fills me up and make me whole.

It feels like such a bother to be back to reality. Just planning a meal or doing laundry is such a huge task. How ridiculous, but true. You don't even realize how relaxed and happy you were until you're back. While we were there, the most we had to worry about was what kind of drink to order --Bahama Luck, Chocolate Monkey, Swimming Pig, Blue Lagoon, Bahama Mama... mmm...

But to everything, a time, a season, and now it's time to enjoy the last few weeks of summer at home before the reality of late August sets in. I had my moments by sea, as I so desperately wanted, but now it's almost time for call-backs and cover letters. Eeek. I tell myself it will be easier this year, with a whole school-year of experience under my belt. I know it will. But still, there is a pinching in my chest at the thought of it all. How silly our systems seem sometimes, with all their requirements and red-tape. To think that we have created all this - cities, bureaucracy, society - when the purity of the ocean, the turning of the tide, is so much more grand and important. Why is it that people only truly loosen up while away on vacation? Why can't we reserve some little piece of that for back home, carry it with us all year long? I'd like to promise that I will, even as I scrape my car in the dead of winter in preparation for a long work day.

currents

I'm borrowing this idea from girl loves friday

listening: yeah yeah yeahs.
eating: oatmeal, raspberries, yogurt. All mixed together.
drinking: extra large coffee
wearing: my pjs. Yes, still, at 11:42 am. So what? don't judge me :P
feeling: excited. inspired.
weather: overcast, with a chance of sun, perhaps?
wanting: to stop having what seems to be sinus pressure. Also, a very expensive watch that I saw the other day. And a trip to Plattsburgh.
needing: to finalize my CV.
thinking: about getting some new library books.
enjoying: endless summer.
wondering: should I buy a super cheap point and shoot from Walmart (available in pink!)?

Also, guess what? I am going to the Bahamas next Sunday! Hellz yeah! So excited :)

Some random tidbits

Just finished this book, oddly at the same time as Ali. I started by devouring the pages a little over a week ago. Towards the last 3/4 I wasn't too sure what to make of it all anymore. It's eerie, strange, yet charming in it's right. At certain parts, the details felt a little contrived, but I plowed on regardless, hoping that the ending would satisfy me. It didn't completely. It felt a bit anti-climatic, yet also appropriate. It took the saying "be careful what you wish for" to a whole new level. It didn't tug at my heartstrings the way the Time Traveler's Wife did, and I guess I kept expecting it to. Don't get me wrong, there are certain very appealing aspects (the London setting, the paranormal aspect, the character development and exchanges, the flowing prose....) but some element was absent. It was still a good read, I conclude, but I am not remorseful to be finished - instead a bit relieved. It was rather grim and gothic towards the end, and becoming burdensome on a sunny afternoon by the pool! On to other reads... I'm still on the Sookie series, but it feels a bit junky and juvenile. Need to get me a real book soon. A trip to the library is in store. Oh yeah, that place. Haven't stepped foot in there for a good while as it is summer.

Of all the photos I took at Julie's cottage and Tremblant, not more than a handful turned out nicely. Since I am cameraless for the moment, we were using Pat's point and shoot, which seems to be having an issue with the flash. It only comes on when it feels like coming on (so annoying) and it's resulted in many blurry, dark nighttime photos. Rest assured, we had a nice time there. The blues fest was going on, so we had the chance to catch a free show by Angel Forrest, who I'd never heard of before, but was impressed by. The last song was a cover of Hallelujah and she did a wonderful job. Apart from that, we did a lot of drinking, eating and lounging. We also canoed and swam, but got caught in a thunderstorm while on the dock in the middle of the lake! Luckily it passed and we were able to resume our fun. Overall, it was a nice little getaway and we were lucky to be invited.

While browsing Etsy a little while ago, I came across this inspiring store. It got me thinking that maybe I could create my own digital art sort of thing, tailored to my style. So I played around and produced this:

I have the intention of adding some real embellishments to make it feel more complete as I think something might be missing at the moment. But overall, I got all excited at the thought of taking my favorite lyrics and making them into something that can be displayed in my future house. The words are from my favorite song by Edward Sharpe. I couldn't tell you where I got all the other digi stuff since I can't be bothered to keep track. Ooops!

Yesterday I went out for brunch with my friend Audrey. We ate at the Dix30 and then explored. I can't get over how nice the garden area is - there are benches, ponds, fire pits and gorgeous, lush plants right in the heart of all the shopping. Even though I have been there countless times, I never really stopped to appreciate the outdoor spaces. There is so much to do and see right in front of our eyes! I also did a lot of damage at the Tommy outlet. I don't normally shop there, but sometimes being with a friend can encourage you to try things out of your style/comfort zone, and the end results are pleasing. There are some really good sales - polos and shirts for 20$ and less.

Anyways, there is another big plan brewing which I will be happy to report once things are finalized. Hopefully all the kinks can be ironed out as I would love to shout this news from the rooftops.

Visitors lately

My aunt and uncle were passing through the day before last, on their way to Nova Scotia. They are moving there from Calgary to try out the Maritime lifestyle. Lisa is not convinced she will like it, but Jeff is coaxing her. We shall see I suppose. They brought they doggies with them, Saydie and Ruby, who were very well-behaved and fit right in. It's surprising that my mom actually allowed dogs to sleep over in the house, but it happened! Being around dogs made me wish, for the billionth time, that she would let my dad get a dog.... but that is a fight I have given up in vain.

Jeff and Lisa happened to be visiting on my dad's birthday, so we had a mini-celebration. We hadn't bought a cake yet, so he had to settle for a banana-chocolate chip muffin. The jumbo candles looked ridiculously big on the muffin-top, so it was rather amusing.

Tomorrow, Patrick and I are going up north, to Julie's cottage. I am really excited for this mini get-away. Pat has been hard at work for the last two weeks and is well-deserving of some time off. I hope the weather holds up. I can't wait to go swimming in the lake, and visit Tremblant. Summer is grand.

Why not nothing?

Just checkin' in on the blog front. I have been "busy" tanning, floating around in my pool, reading, scrapbooking, working out, relaxing, catching up on some TV, and working on some projects. Summer is the greatest. Being a teacher is the greatest.

I have started a mini-book about my trip out West and am feeling rather impressed with myself to have crawled out of my rut. I want to get some new supplies to motivate myself even more. There's always a reason to buy more scrap stuff ;) Not like I need a TON of things... just some paper and possibly embellishments. And whatever else catches my eye.

What sucks is that my camera is on fritz. I had to bring it to Future Shop. Thankfully I took an extended warranty, so it is still covered. They say it should be repaired in 4-6 weeks. I am secretly hoping that it will take 60 days or longer, in which case I will get a new camera. It's kinda time for an upgrade anyways. We'll see what happens. I do need to get a bit more serious about my photo skills though. I want to take a course, perhaps online, to teach me how to actually use all my settings. I need to gain more patience in that domain. I can borrow my mom's camera if need be, since she bought the same model as I have a little while ago.

Anyways, time to get on with my day! Enjoy your Tuesday.

hello scrapbooking!

For the first time in months, I made a scrapbooking layout! Cue the applause track...

Yesterday I was editing and printing photos from my trip to BC while simultaneously downloading/sorting some digi scrap stuff (yup, adult ADD brain keeps me jumping from one thing to the next). I was pretty impressed with a free kit I'd downloaded from Sweet Shoppe Designs (found via Barb on Ali's blog a while ago - scroll waaaaay down to find it as I can't seem to link directly to the free download). I opened Photoshop and started playing around, until finally creating this. Feels good to get back into it. Maybe today I will attack my paper stash.

Hope you're all keeping cool during this on-going heat wave. The table revamping has been put on hold over here as we enjoy swimming and tanning. Summertime and the living's easy!