Busy bee

Here are some photos of the past few weeks. Some from Melanie's wedding, some of us in the pub after and see if you can spot the one of me the morning after. It's not hard.

I know I haven't written for ages. It's been crazy at work and it just seems to get busier. I wasn't in school today after catching some horrible bug from the kids. I should be back in tomorrow though. With reports and meetings, meetings, meetings it ever seems to stop and if I miss a day it really piles up. At least I got some admin stuff done today without kids poking and tapping me on the shoulder every 2 minutes.

I'm really looking forward to next year. Nothing was saved last year so I had to write everything from scratch. Now it's all saved on the computer it just means changing it a little which will make my life so much easier. It's always nice to have a new bunch of teachers around too. Not trying to wish my life away though - I have Gem's wedding and a trip trough Thailand to look forward to first. Less than 6 weeks to go now!

Free night out

Went out for our freebie buffet last night. It was free-flow wine and delicious food for hours! We both have a bit of a headache today after taking advantage of the free wine - it's very expensive to buy good wine here and this was good stuff so we just went crazy. We started on the roof-top 23 floors up where you can look right out across the city and we had some cocktails. Then we went down to the restaurant where the seafood and meats were amazing. I just wish we hadn't got full - I'm sure we'll go back though. It's a great place to take visitors. After the meal we went to Vascos - a bar in town in an old opium refinery - it's a really nice place. One downside is I always meet parents there. I suppose at least they always lay on the drinks - and they are just as embarassed at seeing me there too. I'm off to get croissants and coffee to wake us up!

Melanie's Hen Night

Meant to put these pictures on ages ago but since we've been beack from the UK it's been really crazy! Last Saturday was Melanie's hen night (teacher in my team at school). We went for the most amazing buffet at the Sheraton - ate so much seafood! Then we met up with some other people in a very cheesy pub in town. Good night but had a killer headache the next morning. I was fit for nothing and ate take-out all day!

The first week back at school was a bit of a killer but made more positive by the fact that we only had to teach a 2 day week after that. So we've only been back at school for 7 days and we already have half term! Gareth and I decided to take it easy and stay in the city. A good choice as it's been really quiet while everyone else escapes. The weather has been rubbish so I'm glad we didn't waste money going to the beach.

We went to the orphanage yesterday. We walked in and a lady dumped a tiny baby on Gareth straight away. He looked really scared - the first baby he's ever held - but he did really well and got it to drink all the milk - even changed it's nappy. Played with the toddlers for a bit then both went hope feeling really minging - Gareth with puke and me with poo on my t-shirt. So much for doing good!

Had a massage yesterday and we're off to the Sheraton (me and Gareth) for the buffet again - a freebie from one of my kids. Planning to have cocktails on the roof-top tarrace then pig out all night! I will take some photos and put them on tomorrow.

Baaaahhhh jet-lag

Been back at school a week now. It's been really hard to kick the jet-lag and I had a horrible first day at school after only 2 hours sleep. We seem to back on track now and we only have another 7 days at school before we have another 5 day break!

Went out to Ben's (our deputy head) 40th birthday. I wish I had my camera as loads of people were out and it was a real good night. We started in a really nice bar - apparantly where Brad and Angelina hang out when they are here! It used to be a Buddhist temple and is a really amazing place - I will definitely be taking any visitors there. Later we went to La Havana - a Mexican place where they have live music. A good but messy night - especially when someone started buying tequilas. Had a great lunch in town I've eaten my body weight in noodles and pasta. I picked up my mum's painting (above) even got it hung up on the wall. I think it looks really good. Feeling like I have caught a cold now so I am wallowing in self pity while Gareth has run out of patience and is ignoring me!

Family Night

Here are a few photos from our chilly stay in London. Last night we had everyone over for bean-jar and chocolate fondue. My diet is officially off and I have a rapidly expanding waist-band. I love visiting the UK but hate having to battle the bulge on my return. Had a very chilled day today. Lots of naps, good food and reading. Just one more day in Guernsey then we have to start heading back to Vietnam. At least we don't start school for another week yet! I must remember we are still on holiday.

Seonaid and Lex's Wedding

We had a great weekend with our friends for their wedding. I was one of the bridesmaids and we all got on so well although we had only met once 9 years ago! We spent the weekend staying in a lovely village pub and getting all glammed up. The 4 bridesmaids' boys got on really well and were more than happy to relax in the beer garden while we got nails and hair etc. done. The wedding day itself was great. Everyone was in high spirits and the day went without a problem. I got to catch up with Gem and Tim so it was really worth coming all the way back from Vietnam for!

London

Back in London and finally feeling like we're getting over jet-lag. It's such a horrible feeling. On Sunday I felt like I'd had a really heavy night out. It was great to be back though and meet up with Seonaid. She is really excited for her wedding this weekend and it gives me an excuse to get myself pampered and take it easy this week!
We went into ton yesterday to the Royal Academy of Arts and saw an exhibition of Art from Russian galleries. Was a bit rah-di-dah in the gallery! I think it was posh-old-ladies' day out. But the exhibition was good and we had a nice lunch and wonder about in the afternoon. I think we must have walked more than most people in London that day and my legs are aching this morning. However, we did sleep really well and woke up at a normal time - so I think we're over the jet-lag. Yey!
I promise I will stop being lazy and take some photos from now on.

BBQ

Went to Euan and Chris' barbecue last night. The food was amazing and I really pigged out! Had a few beers and chatted by the pool. Quite a surprisingly civilised and well behaved night!

Ahhhh so cute!

Hang (our friend from Mexico) is over in Vietnam to see her family. It was great to catch up and see how much her little baby has grown. See is so cute and loves playing with anyone. She is really beautiful - all the best features from mum and dad. Maz and Ben got in some practice as their baby will be here soon! Marc - the baby's dad is over this week and it's Ben's 30th birthday coming up so the weekend might be a big one. It's all so exciting.
One more weekend until we go back to the UK. So busy at work I can't wait till our holidays. The kids are getting really cranky. I hope I have a better week than my last - they were all arguing or being so silly and my patience was running out.
I had a really good healthy week (trying to get in shape for Seonaid's wedding - it's good to have a goal). I have been eating super healthily - no take outs at all - and made it to the gym 5 times! A record for me. I'm actually enjoying it as I have loads of energy and feel wide awake. Had a great massage today - a gift certificate from one of my kids whose mum owns a spa. So good I booked in for another next weekend. Hopefully another good week ahead on the health front!

Ho Tram Beach Weekend

We went down to the beach for a relaxing weekend. Did nothing but laze by the pool, eat and sleeep. It was really nice and I feel very well rested but very reluctant to go back to school. Only 2 more weekends now then we'll be on holiday again and back to the UK. We were freezing last night and had to put on thick jumpers. We looked at the temperature and it was 25C. We are going to seriously feel the cold back home!