My beautiful garden!

My grass had a cut yesterday and the plants are looking so nice no it's hot. So here are the photos for you mum!

Yuck

Got rid of my yucky pink page. Every time I opened it I felt sick so it had to go. This is a bit more relaxing!

Hot, hot, hot

It's suddenly got really hot here. It was the hottest day of the year so far today. It was roasting out in the sun but the great thing is it's not cold in the mornings any more. There's nothing worse than having to run for the shower and shivering when you get out.

Mum gave me a really nice skirt for my birthday and it eventually reached me in the crappy Mexican post. So here are some photos as promised mum. Along with my flowers which are going crazy on the hot weather (I thought I had killed these ones off as everyone else's had flowers but they have suddenly started growing again). xx

Sick note

I feel really crap tonight and don't think I'll be in school tomorrow. There has been a bug going round in my class making the kids really sick. Luckily I don't get sick very easily but I do have a temperature now and was a bit out of it earlier. It's my easy day tomorrow so not too much cover for the other teachers.

I decided to change my blog. I hope it's not too vomit-inducing. I fancied a bit of a retro look, but it's a bit limiting in the colours you can choose so it's not quite what I imagined.

We're planning to go to Costa Rica for Easter. Gareth is a very good holiday planner so I'm leaving it all to him (I think he enjoys it too). I am so excited and am counting down the weeks. Only five more!

Health kick

A very healthy weekend (apart from the brownies, fried breakfast and ice-cream) but I went to the gym on Saturday and Sunday so I am chuffed with myself. I have been having moments of panic all week since I realised I had put on about half a stone. I know it's not much but I don't want to be one of those women who wake up and realise they have put on 2 stone and can't figure out how. So I am on a health-kick this week. No tuck-shop food and to the gym at least 3 times this week. I want to look good for Vietnam too where all the ladies are tiny and will ask "why you so fat?" if you are any more than a size twelve. My Vietnamese friends has been telling me about this and says I should get used to it. They're not being rude, they're just direct. Scary! I dread the day I get asked about being fat - I tell Gareth I'll be so cool about it but I might just flip out.

I have another facial and a massage to look forward to this week. Two hours of pampering. I can't wait. That will be my treat for being healthy!

Planet day

We had planet day in school today. The kids all dressed up as a planet of their choice and they looked brilliant. As I had promised I would wear a costume, then forgot, it was lucky that I wore a green top and jeans - Earth! So I managed to blag it.

I had a facial on Thursday and loved it. I had never done one before and it was so relaxing I woke myself up with a snort. Luckily the lady had nipped out to do stuff so I think she missed my horrible noises. Part of it was quite painful as she squeezes out any crap - I thought she was going to break my face but it did look clean afterwards. I have booked in for next week too and there is an offer for a free massage so I'm having that too. Lovely!

I am so glad it's the weekend. I've been really busy this week as loads of teachers have been ill and not in work. I still can't get used to not having a half term now. My British kids keep asking when it's coming. Gemma is off and has been having relaxing week. I have been very jealous. On the up-side it's getting really warm now - about 30C in the day. I love the sun.

Eye operations and a girls lunch

Had a busy weekend. Gareth had laser eye surgery so he could see without glasses. It was horrible watching him go through it. I didn't realise how much of a real operation it would be. He had to wear scrubs and everything! I watched the operation from the other side of a window. It looked horrible and I wanted to hug poor Gareth. He didn't know I could see him. While he was waiting for the second part of the operation (after having a hole cut in his cornea) he was fidgeting about like crazy - all the other patients were just sleeping. It is incredible now. I had to help him home where he had a nap for a couple of hours after the operation then got up and was absolutely fine and can see perfectly. Amazing what they can do with science now!

Went for a really nice lunch today with 3 friends. We went into town to a gorgeous little side street restaurant. It was really sunny and there were plants hanging everywhere I felt like I was on holiday. We did far too much chatting. One of my friends is getting married in 6 weeks so she is set on an intense time of working out, growing her nails and eating healthily. I decided to join her as I have been really pigging out lately. I think 6 weeks is a short enough period of time to concentrate. Any longer and I loose interest. After lunch we had a wonder round the park. Great day out. Shame we have school tomorrow.

Long week

I thought this week would seem reallt short as we had the Monday off school, but it has dragged like crazy. Thank god it's the weekend. We went on school trip yesterday to the kids museum in the city. I didn't realise today that the reason I couldn't sleep was because I felt really stressed about being in charge of the trip. There are 4 teachers in my team but I am the coordinator so if anything went wrong - all my fault. It all went pretty smoothly apart from the museum's disorganisation on our arrival. It took them 2 hours to check us in - they had accepted too many school in one day and it was really packed. I felt quite stressed moving about the museum with so many other children in there and the exhibits were packed out. The reason we went was for the sky dome - a space simulation. It was excellent with flying meteors that looked the size of sky-scrapers flying right at you. Pretty cool. Some of the kids were scared but I told them to shut their eyes as I was loving it.

I was very annoyed when we left as we weren't allowed to take in food. I can understand the kids no being let in but adults too. I had a big bag of left over juice and sandwiches from their lunches which they would need later and was told to put it in the paqueteria. When we got it back all the unopened chocolates and drinks had been taken. Bloody Mexican rules they are so anal sometimes and then can't be trusted!

Today was easy as it was 100 days of school. We each taught one lesson to do with 100 and the classes rotated to each teacher. I did a mosaic with 100 tiles with each class. I felt really redundant as the kids just got on with it. I ended up chatting outside my room while they worked. Great!

Too late

Really annoyed today as we had a request for interview in Malaysia. It was from one of the best schools - one of the ones we really wanted along with the one we accepted. It' so frustrating that it took them this long to get references and decide they liked us when we applied beore December. It would have been good to have a choice of schools. I do believe that we have made the best choice though and am so excited to move to Vietnam. It's also good to know we are doing the right thing and they liked us. Maybe next time we move!

Poker night

We watched the American football last night. It was long and boring and all the girls and some blokes got fed up. When it ended we decided to play poker. Maz and I had no idea what we were doing and were having a good banter while playing. To the disgust of the boys we both managed to win. Great! I am poker queen!

I am slobbing out again. Although I have bothered to get out of my pyjamas today and am squeeky clean. We're watching Shameless which I love. It's so funny, but sadly so real. I love the mad lady who plays a great insane woman.

Lazy bum

I have been really slobbing out this weekend. Managed to make it out for lunch yesterday - yummy Italian. Gareth bought my birthday present. I keep nagging but he's giving no clues.

I was in my PJ's last night when our friends called to see if we wanted to some over for drinks. After dragging myself out of the house we had a really a really good chat. Two of our good friends here are also moving to Vietnam and one of them has a job in the same school as us. I'm really pleased to have some friends before we even get there.

We are having a super bowl night tonight - the final of the American football league. We have a load of pizzas and beer in and some friends are coming over.

I have been crap today. I went with Gareth to the gym with good intentions and only stayed for half an hour - hardly worth me going. I feel really tired and run down and it's just too hot to exercise. At least tomorrow is constitution day so all schools are on holiday. A nice long weekend!

Thumb news

Anyone who's a bit squeamish. Don't read on... Last night I solved the thumb problem and today it feels great. I spoke to a doctor at school (one of the parents) who said it was probably a bit of nail ingrowing. I have experience of this with my toe nails. So when I got home I got to work getting it out. It came pretty easy - a splinter sized bit of nail. Then I gave it a good squeeze and a some yellow came out - a release for my poor throbbing thumb. It feels so much better. I should become a surgeon. It's a real bugger because it's the first time I have nice long nails after biting them all my life and I get a gammy thumb.

Sore thumb

I have a sore thumb. It's gone really big and throbs like crazy. It's much bigger than the other one. Not sure what's wrong with it. I'm going to see if Gareth will do all the washing up and cooking tonight on account of the out-of-action thumb.

Having a good week. The weeks seem to be going quite quickly now after I got over the shock of having to come back after Christmas. I am still rubbish at getting out of bed and poor Gareth has to deal with my moaning. The kids are really crazy at the moment and I am becoming one of those out of control teachers and finding myself shouting to be heard over the craziness. We have a long weekend with the following Monday off school. I am really looking forward to sleeping in late. Hopefully that will calm the kids. Next week we are off on a school trip so hopefully they will behave as it's always embarassing being the teacher out with a crowd of horrible, noisy children.

Pie for dinner. Friday tomorrow. Hooray!

BBQ Night

Great night last night. Feeling a bit jaded today. Here you go Mum. At last here are some photos of me! xx

Half-way Mark

We are exactly half-way through the school year which is a bit scary as I'm sure I haven't covered half the stuff the kids need to know yet. Work is crazy busy at the moment. I am trying to organise a trip to the kids museum but it's rally hard as they need loads of paper work and it's all in Spanish. I hate talking on the telephone. They go too fast and I can't see what they are saying.

The kids are really mad at the moment. We are doing a space topic and I'm glad they're excited but it's starting to be a bit much. Gareth is coming in as our specialist speaker tomorrow and they all think he's a spaceman and has walked on the moon. I didn't correct them so he'll have fun tomorrow - he's not used to talking to six year-olds and is a bit scared of 50 of them all asking questions. I can't wait to see it for a laugh. I just know he's going to freak out when the kids at the front start playing with his shoes and legs. Great!

I'm feeling a bit sorry for myself today. There are loads of bugs going round and I have been coughing and sneezing since the weekend. I had to miss a night out too. I had my bottle of wine and nibbles all packed and had to cancel at the last minute. I hope I feel better tomorrow as I want to keep up my resolution of going to the gym at least three times a week. I have managed it since the start of the year.

Employed!

I am so glad the pressure is off. It is so stressful applying and interviewing for jobs. It's so hard to wait for replies when you have no idea what they want or think of you. But at last we have been offered a job after our interview last night. We will be working in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in Vietnam next year. Anyone wanting to visit is very welcome! I thought my interview had gone really badly. I had a horrible cold so my head was all fuzzy but it seems they liked me. Gareth and I will be working in the same school but on different campuses. We will have an apartment right in the city centre, where apparently the night life is really good and there are lots of other expats around. So it should be a bit easier to socialise than here in Mexico where we are all spread out.

The good news means at last I can get an early night and shake this cold. I have been far too wound up this week to do that yet. So good night!

Interviews!

It's all going crazy this week. We have an interview tonight in about twenty minutes in fact. I am shitting myself Gareth is pretending to be calm. We have another one this Thursday so we could possibly have a job by the end of the week. Oh my god! I am freaking out!

I can't mention names or places right now in case the school are googling me and find this! So fingers crossed for our interview. I really, really want this job so I hope I don't swear or start mooing like a cow. Now it's in my head it might happen. Aaaarrrrggghh!!!

BBQ Party

I have just come back from a really nice afternoon. We went to our friends' house who live just near our road who were having a BBQ. There were lots of people there and I got to catch up after the Christmas holidays as I felt like I didn't have a chance at school this week. It was really great to see Cali - our friends' baby as it's been a while and she has really grown up. She's really got a personality now and knows what she wants and doesn't. I ate far too much and am now shattered so Gareth walked me home. Night!

Back to school

Gareth was just saying the other day how long the holidays felt. But suddenly it's all over too quickly again. Tomorrow is a normal day up at 7am. I know we have it easier than most people who get up much earlier but I love my sleep and have been getting up about lunchtime everyday this holiday. I know I'm a lazy sod. I have been going to bed quite late. I think tomorrow after a day with the kids I'll be tucked in before 9.

Whenever we go back to school we start talking about where we should go for our next holiday. I don't want to wish my life away but it is exciting. We're thinking about Cuba for a bit of a beach holiday and hopefully see the country before Castro dies.

We have heard back from some interested schools and have a telephone interview planned for the end of January. I have my fingers crossed for a few other schools that they will like our applications. I'm so glad they understand how costly and time consuming it would be to fly all the way to London (although we would be prepared to do it). I'm hoping other schools will be just as understanding.

Happy New Year!

I can't believe it's already 2007. It's been almost ten years since I left school - very scary. Everyone is getting engaged and having kids it's becoming very real that I'm growing up. Unfortunately I still think I'm 18 and I get a shock every now and then when I look in the mirror.

My new year's resolutions are to:
look after myself - eat well and exercise regularly - Gareth is my guru and personal trainer
not get stressed or worried about work (even if we are unemployed)

I feel very clear headed as I had a big clean out. We can't take everything with us when we leave so I'm trying to get rid of the stuff we don't use and give it to people who actually need it. I always like the new year for that motivation. Mum you should do the same with all your clutter! I got rid of shoes and clothes I don't use and have had a good tidy round the house. Hooray!