Ahh Paree...!

Alright, so I know it's time to post a blog when I get a kind, "gentle reminder" from my older sister. Thanks, Erin...! What can I say - life just flies by at record pace in this city!

I'm back to work this week after a week off. I sure kept myself busy and entertained and, unfortunately, the time flew by! During the week I played badminton with this group of Asians and got my backside handed to me, I went to a redneck racetrack to see cars worth less than my last pair of shoes bumble around the course until there was nothing left of them, and then I went to Paris with Diana, her sister, and her friend.

Paris was amazing. Although, I was in a great deal of pain because badminton had been the day before we left, and unless you are an avid player, you use muscles you forgot existed and my body was refusing to cooperate when I told it to move... Nevertheless, we took the Eurostar from London to Paris and played the tourist game for a few days in France! We went to the Bastille, the Louvre, Notre Dam, L'Arc de Triomphe, climbed the Eiffel Tower, ate crepes and other such French food, as well as watched the Vancouver Olympics in a Parisian Cafe. Oh, and we attempted to go see Versailles, but I'll explain that...

The Louvre itself is an architectural marvel and I was thrilled to see the Mona Lisa, the Raft of the Medusa, Liberty Leading the People by Dealcroix, and other works by Raphael, Leonardo, Vermeer, and Carravagio... it was unreal! The Mona Lisa is rather puny in comparison to her reputation, but otherwise, it was still absolutely fantastic.

Climbing the Eiffel Tower is a feat for most people. I would say that on any given day it would be a welcomed bit of exercise for me... but the bodily harm I suffered through my day of strenuous sport prior to my trip to Paris made for an incredibly challenging climb. (Okay...I know badminton isn't exactly rugby, American football, or even a bloody stairmaster... but I thought I was knocking on death's door when I reached the top of that tower!!!) The view, however, was worth it all.

Diana really wanted to go see the Palace at Versailles and we were all in agreement. It was about 4.00pm and we were scheduled to leave on the Eurostar back to London at 8pm. Plenty of time we thought. We asked how long it would take to get there and we were told "trente minute" - 1/2 an hour - perfect! We saw a train leaving to Versailles and hopped on it. However, little did we know, there are 3 different "Versailles" destinations in Paris... about quatre-vingts (80) minutes later... we arrive in the sketchiest, dirtiest, French ghetto I could imagine. No palace in sight, sadly the only thing even remotely royal that could possibly be nearby would be a shady French version of Burger King! I guess it's a good thing Paris is just a hop away and there is a chance of seeing the real Versailles some point in the future!

I have decided that badminton really isn't a sport I want to commit to, so I've joined a volleyball league which begins tonight! Volleyball certainly is not a popular sport here, so I had to dig around for a league. Apparently there are a lot of Canadians on the team which doesn't surprise me at all. It will be a great way to meet some new people around where I'm now living. I will let you know how it all goes!

Well, loving life at the moment! It will soon be March which means the rain may start to think about ceasing... I hope all is well with you all!

Lots of love,

Amy

:) :) :) :) :)

I am getting really terrible at posting blogs, I realise this and will consciously make a stronger effort starting NOW to post more! I think I've said that before, this time, I mean it!

Where do I start?

I will first start off by saying I have never happier in my entire life. Professionally, I finally feel like I am finding my feet as a teacher, as much as I am making mistakes every single day and am continually making a spectacle of myself in front of my pupils, I feel as though I've actually learned something and am making progress. Basically, I am not as rubbish as I used to be! I have always had my independence as a person, but lately it's in full force. I have also found my cooking skills, as well as other domestic pursuits and take the time to enjoy them.

All of this has culminated from my moving house! As much as I loved my 57 year old Scottish housemate, bits of me were dying living with him! I now have as much space as I could possibly ask for, a flatmate who I get along with famously (and who is only around on weekends!) and am living only a skip away from the centre of it all. Friday night I went for a run and in 10 minutes was running along Southbank past Big Ben and Parliament! My time getting to and from work has now been cut in half and includes NO BUSES if I don't want it to! Life is just easier here!

I've also got something exciting to look forward to in July! If you are living in Sault Ste. Marie and know my family, or are part of my family, this is old news to you as my mother would have already filled you in :) A friend I met over Christmas who is in the Royal British Navy has extended an invitation to accompany him to the Queen's Garden Party. I am going to meet the Queen! I said I would and somehow it's going to happen! Big hat, gloves, and learning how to curtsey are on my ever growing to do list!

Yesterday was a great day - Georjean's (my relative in Glasgow) two kids, Kirsten and Craig and his girlfriend Jamie came down to London for the day! They were going to a concert in the evening but wanted to see some of London during the day, so I donned the tour guide hat and showed them as much of London as I could without making them cry from exhaustion! Diana met us during the day and stayed for dinner in Notting Hill. Off they went to their concert and I left them to their own devices to find their way back! It was really great to see Kirsten again and to meet Craig and Jamie. I love that I've got family in the UK!

I have next week off work and was thinking about going to Tenerife (a popular destination in the Canary Islands) but at this time of year it's just not as hot as I want it to be! I want 30 degree weather and it's about 20 degrees. So, instead, I will be working (supply teaching in another borough) for a few days and going to Paris with Diana and her sister! I think it'll be great! I will make a few extra pounds and still travel a little bit!

I think that is just about it! I hope that everyone is doing well wherever you may be.

Come on over anytime!

Lots of love,

Amy