Sea Lions

I was so excited to go and see the sea lions. And they were worth it. They were all battling one another for space and honking and barking like crazy. Great! We had clam chowder down on the pier for lunch straight out of a loaf. I love the idea of and edible bowl! We walked like mad which is probably a good thing as we are travelling all night tonight. We get in tomorrow morning after a stop over in Guadalajara. Not looking forward to leaving.

Helicopter

Part of Gareth's birthday present was a helicopter ride across San Francisco. It was really worthwhile and we actually had ages up in the air to really see everything and take loads of photos. I was terrified to go up in a helicopter, but now I want to fly everywhere in one. It was so smooth. As the pilot came up the the Golden Gate Bridge he revealed what he does is go under it in good conditions - we had good conditions. We scooped right under the bridge only a few feet off the water and zoomed up the other side like a roller coaster. Now I look back and loved it but it was really scary. (I am so glad I wasn't warned about this before or I would have been worried for the whole flight). Great day!

Alcatraz

Bay Bridge

Shopping, shopping, shopping

I have gone shopping crazy. I'm not sure what I'm going to live off when I get back to Mexico as I've spent this month's pay already. Slight panic but I have found some great jeans which is really what I needed. This morning we did lots of walking. It is all hills in San Francisco. We went to the crookedest street in the world, the cable car museum and visited the modern art gallery.

We went to a lovely Italian restaurant for dinner, after having free wine hour at our hotel.

Alcatraz and Shopping

Cable CarsGareth with Alcatraz Island behind

Approaching Alcatraz

An escapee's cell

Recreation area

An isolation cell - when they shut the door it's totally dark!

After being delayed for 2 hours in Mexico airport we finally made it to San Francisco. We had takeaway meatball sandwiches in bed - as we got in really late. A good start!

Yesterday we went shopping in the morning. The shops are great here better than New York I think. I found a place called Anthropologie where I could and probably will spend a fortune. I also found jeans that fit my rugby thighs. Hooray!

We found a cool little bar right on the water's edge and had a beer before going on the boat to Alcatraz. The island is really creepy when you approach. It was really cold - made a change from Mexico so we didn't mind too much. We had a tour round the cell blocks and saw the cell of Al Capone and the one where the guys escaped using spoons to dig themselves out and model heads to put in their beds (see the film escape from Alcatraz). When we left it was so cold. We took the trolley bus back up to our hotel. It was really steep and I was scared we were going to take off like a roller coaster. We had dinner in a little 50's diner, where we soon warmed up.

I am having trouble putting my photos on at the moment so they will follow shortly!

Halloween

The Mexican make a massive deal out of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). They go to the graves of the people they know who have died and decorate them marigolds and with models of skeletons doing what they would like to think they are doing now - like playing the guitar or drinking. They also leave them a special bread so they won't go hungry. The mums at school decorated part of the playground like the graveyards - it sounds morbid but it was beautiful (see pictures). The kids and teachers all dressed up some were so cute. They were tiny babies dressed as pumpkins.

Last night was shattering. I had a 4 hour parent meeting - seeing all the parents in my class one after each other for 15 minutes each. By the end I couldn't even think. So I am so glad today is over a we are officially on holiday. Off to San Francisco tomorrow!

Robbie Williams

Had an excellent night on Sunday. We went to see Robbie Williams. I didn't realise how excited I was until we got there and I realised how close we were to the stage. The weather was beautiful and even though it's rainy season it didn't rain on us (it's because we were all prepared with our macs - always the way). We had beers brought right to us along with pizza, hotdogs and donuts. I love Mexico you can get exactly what you want brough right to you at any time. Robbie was bloody amazing and I just didn't want it to end. He was a bit cheeky though when he was speaking to the Mexicans in English and they had no idea what he was saying. It was the first concert I've been to when I knew all the songs so well.

Had a horrible day on Monday - probably because I was tired - but the kids were also being really crap. Just one more week now at school. I'm really counting down the days till we're off to San Francisco. I'm also taking Gareth to the wrestling for his birthday this Friday. Not sure what I think about it but I think it'll be a laugh. It's the one where they get all dressed in masks etc and hit each other with furniture. Great!

Spider in the Garden

This is the lastest creepy crawly in my garden. It was hanging around on our fence. I looked it up on the internet and couldn't find anything exactly the same but I don't think it's poisoness, just big and mean looking.

Turtles

One more week until half term. Hooray! I am a bit lonely today. Gareth is away in Acapulco releasing turtles. He named the on he released last year Ant (he's sweet I know) and this year he called it Rebecca Louise - my middle names. So there are two little turtles riding the waves in Acapulco with my names! I am so jealous he's on the beach eating garlic prawns and strolling along in the waves and it's part of his job.

I am really tired today. I went dancing last night with a load of girls. It was quite good except for the sleezy men. Normally it's great - the men ask you to dance and there's nothing in it - but last night they were really odd. One very unattractive guy asked me to marry him. So in the end I came home quite early after pigging out at the greasy hot dog stand.

Off to see Robbie Williams tomorrow. I'm so excited!

I have been gardening again. I love the fact plants seem to survive forever in this climate. I planted a little twig I found and it grew like crazy. Turns out to be a passion flower. I found it attracts butterflies but it's getting eaten by caterpillars, which I suppose I can't moan about if I want more butterflies. My garden is looking really bright and flowery!

Too old for all that nonsense

We went out on Saturday night after having a really chilled out day sleeping in late and shopping. At first it was a bit of a disaster. The birthday girl last week had to change her meeting pub twice as they had both shut for refurbishment. We turned up (being early English people) before everyone else at a totally empty, boarded up pub and had to call everyone and arrange a new place to go. We wondered up the road and luckily stumbled across a friendly little pub with very old and grotty, but comfortable sofas and serving all kinds of beer - my kind of place. We then went to a smarter cocktail kind of place where we had great little steak and cheese nibbles. Most people then sensibly went home. We decided to go to the Irish pub where we could dance to 80's cheese. Sam convinced me to join her in drinking a jug of beer which turned out to be bigger than my head (I managed to sneakily share it with everyone else. It was all downhill from then on. We arrived home after 5am after my friend very kindly puked into the air in the cab covering me from head to toe and forcing us to pay an enormous fine.

Once home Gareth and I decided to pig out on noodles in bed (after cleaning off in the shower!). I woke up with noodle in my hair and stuck to my arm. Yum! I was thinking of a lovely lazy day when I had a phone call from my friends reminding me I had agreed to go wedding dress shopping (not for me) all day Sunday. It was really nice but spoiled by my tiredness I can’t take late nights. As I said I am too old for all of this and must start a wholesome hobby like jigsaw puzzles and going to bed early on a weekend.

Ready for half term

I don't want to wish my life away but I can't wait till half term. I am so ready for a good rest. I have turned into an old lady - in bed by nine for the past week - I'm just so tired. By half term we will have been going for 11 weeks. I know that that sounds like nothing at all for all you people who only get 4 weeks holiday a year, I know I have a pretty easy time of it, but with little 6 year olds all day it's pretty intense.

Got a busy weekend again. I wanted to do a party at ours but once again there are things on Friday and Saturday so it's going to have to wait now until after the holiday. Hopefully then I'll get a time slot for us!

Steak and cocktails

We went to an amazing Argentinean (not sure how to spell that) restaurant last night. We ordered two massive steaks between four of us. They were so tender and delicious with great chips and mash. We were stuffed full but decided to continiue the night. We ended up in a really smart cocktail place. Would have been way out of our league back in London - that's why I love being in Mexico. Gareth and I had Cosmopolitan tangerine cocktails (feeling a bit delicate today). We then ended up in a really seedy 80's place which couldn't have been further from the previous bar, but I loved the music!

Woke up really early parched with thirst and guzzled a ton of water then fell into a deep, deep sleep until twelve - good lie-in. Gutted this morning when I realised we hadn't taken the sausages out of the freezer for our fry-up but managed a good one with hash browns, beans, bacon and egss. Yum!

Bumps and accidents

One of the kids had an accident today at school. We were playing in the gym (which we never do it's normally booked out) using the new parachute. The kids just loved it. They were really well behaved and quiet. It's always the way! One of the little girls bumped her head on her knee...How do you do that? I certainly don't bend that far. And split open her chin. It really didn't bleed that much- I thought she'd only bumped it at first- but she was all shaken up. Aparantly she will need stiches though. It's really scarey to think how quickly an accident can happen. I just hope she's ok and her parents understand that there was really nothing that could have prevented it. For the rest of the day I had a thumping headache and felt really guilty. Shit day! I hope she's ok to come in tomorrow.

Crazy, busy term

This term has gone by so quickly. I wanted to do a party at ours for the new people in school. But we're already in the 8th week of term and I have another busy weekend. At this rate it'll have to be a Christmas party. I think I'm out dancing again this Friday. I really wanted to take it easy as I'm getting sick of being shattered and grumpy on Saturday, but the lady who asked me out hardly ever manages to find time to do stuff, so this is the one chance. I suppose I'll go and have a good time.

I'm a real gardening fanatic now! I think I have green fingers. I have tried cutting and growing new roses form the bushes I already have and it seems to be working. Maybe this could be my new career!

San Francisco

I am so excited! We are off to San Francisco for half term (in 4 weeks). We booked flights this weekend. I can't wait to see Alcatraz - I'm going to watch the rock before we go - just to freak myself out. I'm really looking forward to shopping. I have a desparate need of some new jeans, having ruined all of mine with paint and glue at school. All the Mexican's have wide waists and no thighs, so there's no way my thighs are getting into any jeans here. The food, music and art is meant to be great in San Francisco so hopefully I can find somewhere really good to take Gareth out for his birthday (it's on the day we travel out there). How exciting!

Mainly Sleeping

This week I have been mainly sleeping. I have been going to bed before 9 every night. I don't know what's wrong with me but I could sleep for England. So not much news apart from work and sleep. Hopefully next week will be more productive.

Had a good night out, after taking all evening to decide whether to go out or not. I was in a real indecisive mood and ended up having get ready (out of my gym stuff) in half an hour - not long enough to get in and out of 10 outfits and decide whether to wear my hair up or down aaargh! But it all worked out. We had cocktails at a friends - everyone brought a bottle and we all took turns to mix up juice, fruit, alchohol and ice etc. Strangely I feel fine today although I am a bit hangover hungry, so I can't wait to go out for a good pasta lunch.

Computer Geek

I have changed the look of my blog. I feel very proud of myself because I did it without the help of Gareth - who knows all about computer stuff. It took quite a long time but was the perfect, quiet cure for my stinking hangover. Gem if you want to try it you can get some good patterns and colours from this site called Citrus Moon.

I'm feeling better now. We were meant to be going to a friend's house in town for a party but we decided against it. It's going to be a load of people we don't really know very well. We would have had to mingle and make the effort to introduce ourselves, so we chickened out and are having Jo over for dinner. I'm making chilie con carne with one of the last packets I brought back for England. Mum can you send me some please and some chocolate if you're feeling really generous xxx!

Black Widow

This is what I found in our garden yesterday. It was really fat and black with the red markings and was guarding a great big egg sac. It looked really mean so I looked up the name on the internet. It's a black widow spider. It's quite poisoness but hardly anyone dies from the bite so that's good to know!

This is really typical of Mexico. My friend just bought a car, so the insurance guy came to meet him at school. They got into the insurance guy's car, which he proceeded to ram into a parent's car infront, doing quite a bit of damage. He then paid off the parent in cash and went on his way. So much for promoting insurance! In this country you can pay your way out of anything if you have the cash.

Feeling a bit rough today. We had a big night out last night. 8 of us went to Mumba Rumbas - a salsa dancing place. The margaritas were amazing but I don't feel so great now. I'm heading back to bed to watch episodes of Friends.

It's only Tuesday... but it's all good!

Having a really good week. I feel really organised and unstressed at work. I have been to the gym twice already and have an easy day tomorrow. Going to the gym is so good - I sleep like a baby after having some fitfull, sleepless nights (don't know why).

Just watched a 4 day marathon of Sex and the City. It always makes me want to get all dressed up and go out so it's a good thing we're off dancing this weekend. I can't wait to go out. I have been ill for all the weekends since school has started or everyone has been out of the city - so I'm loving the idea of a girly night. Don't want to wish my life away but I can't wait. If I can get in my skinny jeans by Friday, after trying to loose my London chocolate weight, I will buy me a new top!

Dissapointed

Really disappointed tonight. We were having 6 people over for dinner but one by one they have done something else. I was really sad because I had made such an effort. The day before I made an improbably massive cake and burned myself in the process! And I just went out shopping to get ready for tonight and was really looking forward to cooking for everyone. Never mind!

Gareth is amazing and has got me the last Sex and the City series. I love that program. I know it's unrealistic but it's great. It just makes me miss my girlfriends back home lke crazy. Anyway to make up for my let down we are in the process of drinking a bottle of wine, eating pringles and eating my cake. I just made mojitos (a cuban cocktail) and if I say so myself they're bloody good.

Independence Day

Great day at school. The Mexicans really know how to celebrate. We had a big performance of dancing, military marching and singing of the national anthem. All the children looked amazing in their costumes. They sell the most amazing stuff here for kids and it's so cheap. I'm definitely buying a load of kids costumes before I leave Mexico.

Most of the kids went home at the end of the performance - about half eleven. I was left with 1 kid who really wanted to stay. So we put them all together and did art all afternoon. Easy day and now it's the weekend! Got people coming for dinner tonight - making Thai curry. Must go out and shop for food.

Crap!

A lot of my kids are learning English so csometimes say ambiguous things. Today I almost yelled at a naughty kid. When I asked him what he would bring to a picnic he shouted really loud "CRAP". I was about to get mad when I realised he meant crab. Who brings that to a picnic?

Independence Day is tomorrow - so a really easy one for me. The kids dress-up, dance and get fed loads of sweets so it's not much fun for us when they are returned to class in the afternoon and we are expected to teach. I'm hoping to get most of them to leave early with their parents. Then the weekend. Great!

Busy, busy

Been rushed off my feet this week. At last I think I can take a breath and relax. I am still snotty but woke up this morning feeling a million times better. I think if I saw a doctor he would tell me to rest my voice - impossible as a nagging teacher. This weekend I will take it easy and try to chat less - Gareth will love it.

We've already done 3 weeks back at school it's gone so quickly. Got my meet the teacher night tomorrow - where the parents of the kids in my class come and meet me. I have to talk to all of them at once. I hate it. It's so wierd because I'm fine in any other situation but every year this gets me all nervous. They really sit and stare at you not saying anything. I have to do all the talking and sound like I know what I'm talking about. Thank god it will be over soon. Then the weekend - I can't wait.

Home

Snotty Kids

My kids have been sneezing all over me at school this week. Now I have their cold. I went to bed last night at 7pm after moaning anout my sore throat all afternoon. Gareth was great and cooked me dinner then washed up too. Feel better today but have had to cancel going out dancing, which I was really looking forward to. Never mind tomorrow night is our friends' engagement party so I have that to look forward to!