Thing 11- Pet Peeves

Ahh! How I love today's question! What are ten pet peeves you have?


Where to start really?!

1) Slow drivers- most are women or immigrants seems! rgh!
2) Slow drivers in the left lane...double argh!!
3) When gas prices go up- it gets harder and harder to buy premium for my car
5) When people don't flush the toilet!
6) Egotistical men..or people for that matter
7) When parents don't give their kids an opportunity to learn to take responsibility for their actions.
8) Smokers...to me it's the grossest habit ever and I just can't understand
9) Immaturity...I love kids but it bothers me when they don't act their age.
10) The  alarm ringtone on Iphones...I want to throw the phone whenever that sound comes from somebody's Iphone.

Well..an early post! Imagine that...yes yes...well it's FRIDAY!!!!! This weekend consists of formal girl's night supper and hopefully UFC tomorrow night! A fight I have been LOOKING forward too!!

I must comment on my day! Today started with group messages at about 6:45 from my work friends...yes we were discussing the dresses we were wearing...what shoes we should wear and what hairstyles would work best. Strange teachers you may be thinking! Well...today was formal day at school and we decided to up the School Spirit among staff. We all took out our bridesmaid dresses and sported them to school. I love my dress so it was fun to show it off! I have never received so many compliments! Kids of all shapes and sizes and ages were coming up to me and commenting on my pretty dress! My students were awstrucken..if thats a word.

 Notice the bulletin board title: Becoming the Best for the World!! Yes yes we sure are!!

I bought these shoes at Teacher's Convention time because I love the bling! Today was the first time I wore them.

Moral of the story: If you are ever feeling down...wear a pretty dress to work!

Thing 10- Embarrassing Moments

Before I answer the daily question I must say something about my day. Today a Grade 5 student in our school lost her mother. Her mom has been sick for several years. She often came into the school and we could always tell by her colour if she was doing well or not. It was heartbreaking to watch the 10 year olds deal with the news that their best friend lost their mom. Just think...her son and daughter will never have their mom around for big moments in their life..(getting her period, getting their driver's licence, graduating, getting married). I know both her kids and their mother was very dear to both of them. Mostly today just makes me ever so grateful that my parents have been able to celebrate with me all the big moments in my life so far. Little things you just take for granted.

Q: What is your most embarrassing moment? This is horrible...I am not trying to hide anything...but I honestly can't think of a really embarrassing moment! I think my brain has a great ability to put away any bad memories, as I often can't recall the bad things in life. One funny..maybe a tad embarrassing...but mostly funny moment this year was in class. I have a student Simon. In French and English you pronounce his name differently. Well one day this fall, I mixed the French with the English and called him Semen! The class got a good laugh at that!!

Tomorrow's the weekend!! xox

Thing 9- Influential People

Today's thing (I feel like I'm expanding Dr. Seuss' book!) is all about 10 people who have influenced me.

1. My grade 11/12 Social Teacher- High school seems so long ago so I can't remember which grade he taught me. I was contemplating universities and he told me Campus St. Jean was best if I wanted to teach in French. I am ever grateful because my university as my French is soo much better than it used to be.

2. My sister Jodie- It is all because of her and her hubby that I now love MMA so much!

3. My mom- My mom is the reason why I am a teacher. I have been around kids since almost day one!

4. The people of Kenya- My outlook on life was changed significantly when going to Kenya. I give credit to the people I met, as they showed me happiness does not come from what we own.

5. My uncle- He showed me how to keep first things first. He also showed me how to find all the positives in a negative experience.

6. My friend Pam- She is the very reason why I decided to go to Kenya.

7. My grandma- I am almost sure I got my love of music from her! She was always strumming her guitar!

8. My boyfriend Clint- He has taught me how to be flexible. I always used to have to have my weekends planned a month in advance. I have learned to love the joy that comes from doing things at the spur of the moment.

9. Frazer- My friend Jodie's son- Frazer was born almost a year ago and only lived 43 days I believe. In that time there was so much love that went around in that family. There is barely a day that goes by that I don't think of this little angel. He was truly a fighter. I believe that his touching story and the little time he did share, will help me to be a better mom...when that day comes for me.

There you have it!

Fitness Journey:  A quick little update! Today my friend convinced me to spend 30 minutes on a Stairmaster! Boy will I be in shape if I keep that up! I had trouble going down my stairs tonight to get to my car! haha ...one step closer to being ready for my half marathon!!

xox

Thing 8- Passions

Well...I have got to say I am struggling to keep up with this 30- Day challenge. My life some days just fill up so quickly!

Today's question: What are 5 passions you have?


1. Teaching- Although, my job is hectic and definitely takes over my life during 10 months of the year, I have to say I love teaching. There are those little moments where I burst out laughing from a funny comment, or I burst with joy when a student grasps a concept, or better yet a tear up inside when a student mentions how much I mean to them.

2. Music- Ever since I've been little I have loved music....it has always been a way to deal with my emotions...and have fun with friends. Today I LOVE having time to pick away at my guitar. One day I hope to have a piano back in my house! To top it off...I love discovering new music, and if you are around me enough....I always have music playing.

3. Snowboarding- I have been in love with snowboarding ever since I got a Roxy snowboard for my 16th birthday.I call my style, choose you own adventure because I hate just sticking to the trail. I love playing around in powder and picking my way through the trees. It honestly is my biggest natural high.

4. Trucks- Even though I don't own one...I dream about owning one. GMC Sierra 2500 - Black...6 inch lift ..etc. etc...!!

5. MMA- If you are not an MMA person...this means Mixed Martial Arts. This is a new passion of mine, and currently I am not taking classes as I am trying to save money. I love watching UFC and anything related to it....and I look forward to when I can get back into it. Its a great workout and so much fun!!


FITNESS UPDATE!  I ran 12 k today in an hr and 12 minutes!! I have 9 km left to get to  my goal of 21 km and I have just over one month to get there! My new favorite after workout supper...scrambled eggs with spinach, red peppers and celery!! Try it sometime!!

Until tomorrow!

- Your Canadian Girl xox

Thing 7- Dream Job

Believe it or not, my dream job is not the job I do right now. I do love my job most days, but it's definitely ALOT more work that I ever dreamed of! Kudos to any of you teachers with kids!

My dream job: Working for a foundation like Free The Children...in like Africa! Why? Well 3 years ago already (insert sad face here) I went to Africa! It was the time of my life. What I loved best is the simplicity of life. You were outside all day...with the happiest people on the Earth...no technology, no worries...a saying they have 'Hakuna Matata' meaning precisely no worries. My dream job would be to facilitate groups like the one I was in. The facilitators get to live in simplicity for a whole year, build relationships with the communities, help a good cause, and facilitate passionate travelers. 

Yes I know I would miss home, but I have to say my time is Kenya I think I was the happiest I've ever been. The experience made me so grateful for all that I have. I don't like the hustle bustle of our Western World...Kenya was anything but hustle bustle!

So there you have it!

Thing 6- Hard Experiences

This one was supposed to be a Saturday post, but I am pretending it still is Saturday! I will post Thing 7 this evening.
What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced? This is a toughy I find. My brain seems to blot out hard experiences from its memory. I think the hardest experiences I have faced are to do with people. I attach myself so quickly and so much to people that when they are taken away from my life, I find it hard. Whether it was break-ups, losing relatives, being far away from family...these experiences to me have been the hardest.

Thing 5- Happiness

I LOVE today's blog subject! I have always been a happy person! In fact my middle name has meaning that indicates me as a happy person.

Today's question: What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?

1. First and foremost in my boyfriend! In the past 5 years, we have had quite the experiences..lots of ups and downs. In the past 5 months we seemed to have finally figured out our relationship and it has been some of the happiest times of my life. He is so loving and super supportive. He always has the right things to say when I am feeling down and need a little lift. I am really looking forward to all the adventures that lie ahead of us!

2. My nieces and nephews- I still don't have kids of my own, which I am TOTALLY fine with! This being said...my niece and nephews bring me so much joy! They are always excited to see aunty. The things that their little minds come up with are priceless! Again, I look forward to watching them grow!

3. My friends- at work I have developed some great relationships with many fine women. I am the youngest of them all and I love listening to all their stories and advice. They are one or two steps ahead in life, than I am ..so I have lots to learn from them all. Outside of work I have great friends too! Friends seems to come and go out of my life, but I always have some good quality friends. From them, I also feel so much support and love when I am going through a tough time.

4. Music- I LOVE LOVE discovering music! I can always fine the right music to go with my mood. Music has always been a part of my life and I plan for it to be around for a very long time!

5. Spring- Spring right now is bringing me happiness for several reasons: I am that much closer to summer vacation!! We experienced our first rain today! Super refreshing. Longer days = a happier Canadian Girl. The list goes on and on, but long story short Spring puts me in a good mood!

Okay last but not least, my new 2nd favorite salad! This comes from my sister's Eat Clean Cookbook and I love it!

Warm Chicken Salad

 Garlic and Herb Marinade: 3Tbsp of balsamic vinegar, 2 Tbsp oil, 3/4tsp of oregano,2 garlic cloves and 1/2tsp of Mrs. Dash. You cut your chicken and marinade it in the sauce for 20 minutes in the fridge.

Meanwhile: Cook 3 cups of rotini pasta (I use rice rotini). And cut up 2 c of mushrooms, 1/2 c of red peppers (in strips), 2 c of spinach (minus the stems) and 1 c of feta cheese.

When the chicken is marinaded, you cook it and the marinade for about 5 minutes then mix it into the salad.

Here's a pic before I stuck the chicken in! DELISH!!

Until tomorrow! XOX