Blog Series: My A-Z of London (Part 1)

One of the thinking tools I often use with my class as a "hook in" or starter for a new topic is the Alphabet Key. It's where you try to list something about the topic for each letter of the alphabet.

Lately I have been feeling SUPER grateful for the opportunity to live in such a dynamic, electrifying city. On the flip-side of that though, I have also started to miss the simplicity of a relaxed lifestyle in New Zealand and all of the comforts of home that are special to Aotearoa. 

This brings me to the purpose of this series of blog posts; as a way to help me appreciate both places for what they bring to my life, and to ensure I enjoy my last six months in London to the absolute fullest (before home calls us back in February), I'm going to share all the reasons why my "homes" make my heart beat stronger and fill me with vitality. So, here we go, my A-Z of London - as I see this place!

A - Angel
I love my local hotspot! From the pumping nightlife, to the delicious food and stylish shops, Angel has it all going on - even my school is there! The best part is, Angel is just a ten minute bus ride or 20 minute walk from our home.

B - Burgers, Beers and Bikes!
Need I say more?!? Now, obviously for safety reasons, the latter two don't go together too well, but nonetheless, this letter probably summarises my favourite things about this city! Exploring London's diverse suburbs, parks and hot spots on a bike just can't be beaten, especially when you're doing it alongside your bestie. Andrew is a huge craft beer fan, and while I'm not as enthusiastic as him about trying a new IPA or Porter, I still enjoy trying different beers that are on offer in a market saturated with choice!! The third B - burgers - needs no explanation... Let's just say, they do 'em well 'ere.

C - Clothes
London's shopping is out of this world. So much choice, anything goes, as long as it either totally sets you apart or allows you to follow the crowd - sometimes both! Seeing all the fashionistas out and about is inspiring, in a fashion sense, and I love people watching and seeing all the stylish inner city people whenever I'm in the heart of it all. 

D - Dogs
Now, for the record, I am TOTALLY a cat person (in case Cyborg is reading this - yes, cats are that smart..) but the dogs in London are epic! So many amazing breeds (even if they are totally and sadly inbred...) and every second person has a dog, even if they live right in the city. The large number of parks in London probably makes it possible for most of these people to have a dog and not feel too guilty about keeping it cooped up in a flat or apartment. My favourite dogs to spot are sausage dogs! I swear their legs are shorter here than the ones back home and their little bellies nearly touch the ground! Disclaimer: it is totally acceptable for a grown man to walk a teeny-tiny dog down the street dressed in doggy clothes (the dog that is..)!!

E - Energy
The energy of a big city just can't be beaten. No matter where you are at what time, there is always something going on. The main reason we moved over here was to allow us to travel, which we have been lucky enough to do quite a bit of. But in actual fact, we have loved all of the amazing events and goings on in London-town so much that at times it has been hard to leave it behind to spend a weekend in a foreign city where we don't know all the great places to go or what areas to explore. I think if I had longer in London I could go months just exploring this amazing city without ever feeling the need to get out and leave = there's just so much going on! (A huge contrast to our home town we hope to move back to!)

F - Foxes
I don't care how many local people tell me they are a pest - seeing a fox still excites me every time, like a little kid! They are the coolest animals! We have a little guy who lives in our garden in the middle of the complex and I will often catch him making a mad dash across the grass to his hidey-hole. I always think of Fantastic Mr Fox and wonder what Mrs Fox is whipping up for dinner down in the den, her apron round her waist! But seriously, coolest animal! Maybe I like them more knowing they are here, far away from our precious native birds in NZ, where I don't think I would be such a fan of the little dudes.

To be continued.....

Day One/Two

My Paleo experience started with a bang yesterday that involved some delicious meals that hit the spot and met the rules. Then without warning yesterday evening I got really unwell, with abdominal pain like I have never felt before, nausea and a fever. At first I thought I had just eaten too fast at dinner and that it would pass. But the nausea and stomach cramps worsened as the night drew on. It has continued all through today with chest pain (what I'm hoping is just bad heart burn) taking hold all afternoon.

It looks like either my body is really putting up a fight to my new eating or perhaps I have picked up a virus or a bug. What ever it is I wish it would stop!! At 24 hours of illness now and having eaten only an orange and a few pieces of melon today, I would quite like to get back to a functioning state. It sounds like from a few websites that it could be my body getting used to the high fat content in the diet, but I just can't keep this up if that is the case and if it lasts much longer - as those sites suggest it will.. I have a life to lead and if that means eating some pasta and going back to cereal for breakfast helps me feel better then I might just be pulling a plug soon! Right now I'm just waiting it out and seeing how I feel in the morning before I look into any options further..

With our third Wedding anniversary tomorrow I would love to enjoy the nice dinner out we have planned and not be stuck on the couch feeling miserable!

Fingers crossed!

Meatatarian

I have finally got around to updating the blog.. Life has been crazy crazy busy and we've been jet setters over the past month or so.. Amsterdam, Italy and Brighton almost back to back! All those pastries, pasta and pizza were so delicious, but really left my body in a disgruntled state, which made me start doing a bit of research into a lifestyle I have been interested in finding out more about for a while...

I have always had a low tolerance for things like white breads and pasta. If I eat them more than once in a blue moon I get headaches, lethargy, eczema and even sometimes hives! About four or five years ago, as I was planning to walk down the aisle I decided to make a few life changes in the hope that I would be looking and feeling my best on my big day. So, it wasn't about a weight related thing to me, it was more about gaining strength and energy, getting rid of the eczema that was plaguing my arms (the only part of my body people would actually see in my dress) and generally feeling better. At the time I was a reasonably fresh teacher with a huge workload, terrible eating habits - we're talking two plus cans of coke a day - and a habit of napping before dinner just to make it through the evening before bed time! Let's just say I was feeling pretty rubbish and not treating my body very well at all..

So I signed up with a personal trainer - the amazing Sarah - who single handedly put me on track to a better quality of life... Since Sarah taught me the skills I needed in the gym I have been enthusiastic about working out ever since and never lose momentum like I used to before she walked into my life. Even moving across the other side of the world I've  managed to continue with my exercise regime using the tools Sarah gave me. (Sarah, if you're reading this can you tell I miss you!)

Something that was tough for me was definitely changing my diet.. Slowly but surely over the past couple of years I have cleaned it up and eliminated things like KFC and minimised fizzy drinks (my massive weakness). I definitely feel better for it! But there are still a lot of things I eat that don't make me feel well at all, which is where Paleo comes in.

Over the past couple of years I've heard a lot about "The Caveman Diet" (or a Paleo lifestyle as followers call it) and I never paid that much attention to it, not being a fad diet fan.. I had a friend or two try it and swear by how it made them feel but they bemoaned the difficulty of sticking to such a lifestyle long term. Then, while we were in Italy last week I read a magazine article about one man's experience taking on Paleo. As I sat there, lethargic from so much pizza and pasta, I thought it sounded amazing! I jokingly told the people I was with that "come next week that'll be me!" And they laughed and probably rolled their eyes at me while I harped on about what I had just read.. But I decided, you know what, I'm gonna try it! I'm going to go Paleo for one month! I got home from Italy and started reading up on this lifestyle (I don't think of it as a diet because it's not about weight loss) and began finding out all I needed to get started on Monday. I found recipes, meal plans, ways to avoid pitfalls, pros, cons, arguments for, against, scientists raving and others scathing but I decided I would do it for a month! The best news is I've got Andrew on board! He's a bit weary about giving up legumes (one of his favourite meals is beans and rice) but keen to give it a go.

We have just been to stock up at the supermarket and the amount of fresh fruit and vegetables, eggs and meat we now have is ridiculous!! We're ready and raring to go for tomorrow! I'm expecting the first week to be hard as my body craves the high GI carbs I usually feed it, but we're going to push through!

Wish us luck for day one, will keep you posted on how it goes. I have already found some awesome sounding recipes online that I can't wait to try out! Some links to come next time... Xxx

Dreaming of a White Christmas

It has been way too long since I wrote a blog post! Life in the big smoke has been super busy with so much going on! Since I last blogged I/we have: 

- participated in a Zombie Run where we both survived the apocalypse but I got totally freaked out!

- been to a laser dance party

- been to the most amazing Halloween Steampunk party:

- watched some exciting All Blacks rugby at Kiwi pubs 

- watched the boys play in Dublin and win in the last second of the game - we both nearly had breakdowns watching!

 - explored the city of Dublin:

 Watched the ATP World Tour Tennis Final at the O2:

-completed my first term in my classroom. A term packed with learning new systems, loving my new kiddies, crafts, trips, school reports (longer than I'm used to!) Christmas plays, Hanukkah and so much more! 

- spent time with all of our amazing friends over here! 

- cycled through London with a few thousand other cyclists as part of a "critical mass" take over bike ride on a beautiful Friday evening:

- I visited Bath again for Naomi's (my friend and flatmate) Hens Party:

- Had a visit from my Grandfather and Jacqui

- Eaten a lot of ribs! Andrew's latest food obsession/quest

-Explored Kew Gardens by night (so beautiful!):

- Bought Christmas jumpers and associated paraphernalia:

I have now finished up at school for the Christmas break (thank you private school!) And had a chance to take in the last few months. I can't believe what a busy life we have lead so far in London! I don't think I've really had much time to be homesick, but perhaps as Christmas draws closer those feelings will start to creep in. It is exactly one year ago tomorrow that I left my beloved Ngaio School and constantly find myself wanting to be back there. I probably say a few times a week "well at my old school we did this and it was really awesome!" I always miss my Ngaio family!

It has been almost a year since we first left NZ, but only 10 months since we left for good. We have been lucky enough to have my parents visit and we got to meet Andrew's family in the US. It was so amazing catching up with both but made me miss them more! Before I know it we will be back in the land of jandals and I'm sure, as is always the case, I will then miss London!

Looking ahead is very exciting though! On Tuesday 17 December we fly to Austria for 7 days of skiing and 4 days of Christmassy goodness! I LOVE Christmas and really get into the spirit, so I am really looking forward to my first white holiday!

While we are there, Andrew and I will celebrate our TENTH anniversary!!!!! It is crazy to think back ten years ago to that summer in New Plymouth. We were so young and fresh. But man, we have been through so much together, literally grown up together and been through every new experience as a team. Anyway, won't get too soppy as people don't want to read about that in a blog post!

As soon as we get back from Austria it is pretty much straight back to school then my Bestie Lizzie is tying the knot here in London town. I am SO excited for that!! Can't wait!!

We already have a weekend in Berlin booked for February and are planning a longer trip somewhere in March, as I have most of that month off (again, thank you private school!)

So it looks like life will continue the hectic pace here in this beautiful city. I am so grateful for the chance to live here for a smidgen of my life but also grateful we have a home waiting for us on the other side of the world which we also love!

Since I might not get to blog again before then, my new year's resolutions are:
1. Keep up my exercise and eat more fruit
2. Worry less, enjoy more! (For those that know me well you will roll your eyes as that is a tough ask for me!)
3. Go to the supermarket more regularly so we actually have food in the house!!!!!

Merry, merry Christmas! Love you all!
Christina xxx

Back to School, Back to Blogging!

Well, after an amazing holiday to the USA and a lovely visit from my parents, I am back into the swing of London life. School has started, the encroaching darkness has started and the rain has certainly started and doesn't seem to want to let up! 

Checking out the indoor gardens at the Bellagio

Vegas Lights

(These photos just won't line up!!!)

Our trip to the US with the Darneys was epic! We spent four nights each in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Francisco. I was in awe of the wealth and glamour of Vegas and loved it! San Fran was definitely my favourite though. We had a great time there and I especially loved the day we went to Alcatraz and biked over the Golden Gate Bridge!!

Alcatraz!

Checking out the sights of San Fran - especially the beautiful Golden Gate Bridge! 

The famous Beverly Hills sign

We came home to London to six awesome days with my parents. I had such a great time showing them around London and letting them see the cool life we have here. I was so lucky that they were able to come over and visit me. It's just a shame it was at the beginning of the school year so I couldn't go with them to explore Italy and France..

My Mummy biking through Hyde Park - she was a renegade on two wheels!!

School started back last week, with my class arriving on Wednesday. I have 15 lovely children in my class this year and I can't wait to do heaps of fun, creative learning with them! It should be interesting for me only having 15 and the different dynamic that brings. So far we have started making our own tissue box monsters (like the ones I blogged about a wee while back). Along with lots of other beginning of year things, we also made these cool "greater than/less than monsters" this morning. They are so cute! We are going to use them for hotspot activities related to place value. 

I am feeling super organised for the new school year, but I'm sure as usual that feeling won't last! There is so much to learn at a new school and using a new curriculum, but I am super grateful for my AMAZING school back in NZ where I learned so so so much!! A couple of times over the past week or so I have felt very sad about not being back there, mainly when I don't know what is going on or where to find something or who to ask... As a control freak it's hard not to know the answer to all the questions, but I'm having fun settling in all the same. 

A quick snap of my classroom - unfortunately I didn't manage to get all my new wall displays in the picture... :-( They are to the right!!

An old fave I like to do every year: Thumbprint people! I saw this idea in an amazing classroom in Christchurch on a trip there a few years back and have done it with my class ever since! This year I also created stationery with them so that when the children need standard publishing paper for something, they have a page personalised for our class with the thumbprint person border!

It's been too long!

Last weekend we moved into our amazing new apartment in Highbury. I love it! We have a nice bedroom with a cool view an ensuite bathroom and wicked flatmates - Naomi and Kevin, an Aussie couple we met in South America. It's so cool except that we are still waiting for our Internet to be connected, so that means my online life has ground to a halt! No blogging, no Pinterest(a bit tricky on my phone!), no TeachersPayTeachers or TeachersNotebook! So I am writing this from my phone - not ideal!!! I wanted to do a blog post this week with photos of my finished classroom, but alas! I will have to wait until next Tuesday when our Internet is being switched on.. 

In exciting news, this time in one week we will be in the US of A Baby!!!!

xxx

Parisian Getaway

A couple of weeks ago Andrew and I shot across to Paris for five days of sun, style and pastries!!! 

My absolute highlight was a Scooter Tour around the streets and sights of Paris - including a loop around the infamous roundabout at the Arc de Triomphe. We went with Left Bank Tours (check out their site: http://www.leftbankscooters.com/v02/ ) and had the best time with our guide Pablo. He was super friendly and knowledgeable, plus he liked us because we could actually ride scooters and didn't just claim we could!

The pastries we had in the city of light were amazing!! I'm sitting here drooling as I think about the delectable Raspberry Tart that I had almost every day from the local patisserie. Not only was the custard sweet and a great consistency (with plenty of it too!), but the short crust pastry was the perfect texture and the raspberries were seriously the best raspberries I have ever tasted!!! 

The only bad thing about our trip was the hoardes of tourists at all the big sights. From hours-long lines at Versailles to people changing their baby's nappy right underneath the Eiffel Tower (seriously wouldn't normally have a problem with this but she wasn't even pulled over to the side - not a nice sight to have to walk around!) the over-complex-camera toting, tacky-souvenir buying tourists were everywhere. Now don't get me wrong, I know I was a tourist too but Andrew and I always try to amalgamate with the general population (obviously successful on this trip as I was asked for directions in french at least four times!) and get off the beaten track a little bit. Obviously when you go somewhere like Paris, there are some pretty big/important sights to see, so we had to be around all the usual touristy stuff... It just reminded us why we prefer to avoid it!!

Anyway, here are some of my favourite snaps from our trip!

The Arc gets a thumbs up from the Boss

Life-long dream!

Surrounded by about 200 people taking those "grab the tower" photos

Outside the Moulin Rouge

Andrew on our Vespa

 Van Gogh's Old Apartment 

Sacre Coeur

Vineyard of Montmartre - in the middle of the city!!

I felt like Robert Langdon at the Louvre

Lover's Bridge and Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame - a pretty good photo considering I was on the back of a scooter going 50 km/hr!

Andrew and I with our Vespa

A shot of the Tour Eiffel from the scooter

Chilling in the Luxembourg Gardens

Seriously the best Raspberry Tart I will ever have

Notre Dame and our lock on Lover's Bridge - Instagram shot!