100 Posts...

Hello all...

Can you believe, I have written 100 posts?! Crazy...reminds me how long I have been here, and how exciting my life has been over the past 6 months. For 100 posts, I have had 1,781 views. That is almost 20 views per post, not too bad (unless its my mom is viewing the post 20 times, then not so cool).

I am feeling less anxious this week, since I know what is happening next month. I HOPEFULLY have found a really great place, right near Wimbledon stadium - am going to check it out Saturday morning. Please keep me in your prayers as I hunt for a place and new house mates, and that the right one works out for me.

I broke the news to my form group Year 11s today during after school mentoring, that I was leaving after next week. I feel for them, as they have yet another teacher to get to know. They were surprised and had some nice things to say, but just made me feel even worse for leaving them, especially after having built up such a positive repertoire and trust with the 4 of them. I am waiting until next week to tell the rest of my form group and my regular lessons, as I don't want to take away from my authority during the last week (or perceived authority at least..).

Last night I went for a bike ride with the guys to a forest near Wheatley. A 6 miles HARD cycle out of Oxford. One of the worst climbs I have ever done...it just kept going and going. It made for a nice, fast downhill, eventually. We ended up in a sweet forest with lots of jumps and adrenaline type things! We grabbed a cup of coffee after before heading home. Was a late night, but good workout and test of the bike!

Was hoping to get to bed early tonight, but no luck. Two more days left then a busy weekend house hunting.

How sick?! I am still smiling like a fool after running over 13 miles...

Much love. xo

London Calling

Hello all...

My life is starting to sort itself out once again - although a little more involved this time around. I am moving to London next month (unsure exactly when) to start work with a new agency in South West London (Richmond, Wimbledon area). I had a chat with them today (after my sister having made the connection through a client back in Toronto) and sorted things out on the work side - hurrah! I will be starting out Daily Supply at a couple of schools, but likely heading to long term as I have sought after P.E experience; something I didn't have 3 months ago.

I had a lovely weekend at Catherine's with her and the babies. My goodness, they are getting so grown up! Oscar's vocab is unbelievably good! He asked me Friday night what I though I might have for breakfast on Saturday - too cute. We went for a walk into Wallingford on Saturday, and a spent a nice morning playing at the park and feeding ducks in Henley. Beautiful weather here, absolutely gorgeous - NO COAT, shorts, tee shirt kind of weather..ooooh ya!!

Oscar sharing his crisps with Jessie - too cute

Back to the flat hunting I go!

Much love. xo

Decisions, Decisions

Well, here I am, back in the similar decision making spot I was in back in November/December. No jobs coming up and 2 weeks left until my contract is up. I decided today was the day to get proactive.

I have emailed off to a contact I have in London to see about long-term work there...as I REALLY do NOT want to go back to Supply Teaching, especially after having worked at one school these last few months.

I'm not sure how I feel about a move to London, but I really am up for whatever experiences come my way over here. I think living in London is part of the "once in a lifetime" kind of opportunities.

We will see though, next term is officially up in the air for me!

The weather over here is GORGEOUS!! It was a balmy 17 today in Oxford. The students were complaining that it was "too hot" during P.E lessons outside (TOTALLY unheard of over here), so you KNOW its beautiful over here! Sorry to hear about all that snow you got this morning, Canada :)

Much love. xo

9400th...

...my finishing place in the 2011 Reading Half Marathon! Ooh ya - my official time was 2:14:34. REALLY pleased with myself for that...although one of the guys from work beat me by 2 minutes - that one hurt! I still beat one of them though!


I am still riding the high of that whole experience - am looking for another to do in May!



You can check out some official pictures of me finishing the race at:

http://www.marathon-photos.com/scripts/event.py?event=Sports/CPUK/2011/Reading%20Half%20Marathon&new_search=1&match=12193

Had a good day at work today - the weather was absolutely gorgeous. The real British teachers are starting to wear shorts now, so you KNOW its getting warm out.

I booked my trip to Budapest this morning - SUPER cheap, which is amazing. I am going April 11th - 14th (I will miss Jessie's official 1st birthday, BUT will be there for her par-tay!). Really looking forward to this trip, it looks like an amazing city. Never thought I would ever end up in Budapest...let alone Hungary!

Another early to bed evening - gotta heal those muscles so I can resume training!

Much love. xo

First Marathon - Complete!

Ooooh boy! 13.1 miles has never hurt so good! Completing my first half marathon - what an experience! I almost cried as I passed the finish line. Even though I knew I could do it, it was still emotional completing it.

All smiles before the race

I wore purple in memory of my granny, who I know would have been proud of me today. She was part of what kept me going early on in the run.

I am not feeling too bad actually...the run mostly just exposed my previous injuries and they started hurting about mile 6 and didn't stop. There were about 18,000 runners today, including the winner of the 2010 London Marathon...he completed it in 61 minutes, or something rediculous, today. There were TONS of spectators all cheering you on and offering kind words as you passed them - it was extremely motivating...gave me chills. The last mile was probably the hardest - as a competitive person, you grow up hearing "leave it all out there", and thats what was going through my mind as I sprinted the last few hundred meters to cross the finish line - get this - in the Reading Football Stadium!! I felt like an Olympic Champion. It was so neat finishing in the stadium. We got a medal after we crossed over the finish line and a goodie bag full of energy bars and other running essentials - pretty good actually! I don't know my official time yet (as we each ran with chips that took our official time), but I figure it was around 2 hours 10 minutes. For not having trained AT ALL for this, I am SO PROUD of myself for achieving that time. I didn't stop running once.

Dave, Gerrie, Karl and I after finishing

I really enjoyed it - after the water station at mile 4, I was smiling with excitement (how mad is that?!!).

Needless to say, I am off to bed early tonight. Hoping I can at least get myself to work tomorrow.

I would like to congratulate my cousin Becky & her family for the safe arrival of her 3rd child, baby Wyatt. He arrived early Saturday morning (Canada time) and came at a perfect time for our family. March unfortunately started with the loss of Granny, but has ended with the joy of the next generation. Welcome baby Wyatt, I cannot wait to meet you!

Emma and her little bro.....My mama and her great-nephew


My beautiful cousin Becky (how fab does she look!) and her little girls, Emma & Julia

Much love. xo

6 Months and Welcome Spring!

Can you believe it has officially been 6 months (1/2 a year since I've been in the UK?!) Pretty crazy to think its gone by as it has. Even thinking back to when I met Catherine and co. - the babbas sure have grown in the last 5 months that I have known them! I've been to Poland, Scotland, North Yorkshire, Bath, London and Cambridge...I am averaging one city per month...pretty good I should say!

Jessie and I last weekend - she was totally kicking back (feet on the table) when I

was feeding her dessert

I am working on booking a trip to Budapest for the Easter break. It is a cheap holiday and from what I'm told, a stunning city to visit. Speaking of booking trips - I booked my flight home for May 29 - June 4th. Exciting, but already feeling a bit stressed (GOOD stress) of all the people I need to see during that trip. Glad to at least have it booked and for a really great price as well.

So I found out that I am one of 14 solo-female riders in the 24 hour race. This means I have a 1 in 14 chance to win 1000 GBP, if I win the race of course. Needless to say, I have stepped up my training this week. This includes signing up for the half-marathon on Sunday.

A couple shots from biking last weekend - the boys racing down a hill

I walked into town on Thursday evening after work to get my hair cut and do a few errands. It was a stunning walk. The flowers and trees are blooming and spring is upon here in Oxford.

No word on job prospects past April 8th, but I am confident things will work out the way they are meant to. One thing I do know for sure...I will see you soon, Canada.

Much love. xo

"Bit Mental"

I think I am actually going a bit mental here...as I have agreed to do a half marathon (13.1 miles) this weekend in Reading (about 30 minutes from Oxford). Three other colleagues from work are doing it, and there was a spare spot. My approach to training for the 24 hour race in June is to do something BIG each weekend. Last weekend was the 81 mile cycle, this weekend will be the half marathon. Oooooh boy - definitely think I need my head checked.

Went for a 20 mile cycle tonight...only took about 1.5 hours. It was all on road though, so I was working hard on my mountain bike. Myself and one of the guys from work went to Enysham, a CUTE little village about 9.5 miles from Oxford City Centre. It was a nice, flat, quiet ride.

Bed time for me...busy busy week at work. Looking forward (kind of) to Saturday at least...sleep in and get a good meal in me before Sunday's race! Eeeek!

Much love. xo

I Survived!

Hello - I made it!! We ended up cycling 127km on Saturday to Banbury from Oxford. Took about 5.5 hours, as we took a detour to Bicester to stop in at a colleagues house. It was hard work, but not as bad as I was expecting - I felt like it was more mental than physical. We saw some BEAUTIFUL countryside, and it was a perfect day. Unfortunately it was a training cycle and not a "stop and take pictures" kind of ride....

Sunday I went to visit Catherine and family. We went to their cute little village church, where everyone is as lovely and friendly as you would expect them to be in a little lovely village. Good visit with the babbas, who are growing up SO quickly...its so neat to see their personalities really developing.

It's been a busy week at work...and still have a bunch of reports due by the end of the week. I have managed to get my early morning workouts in though and went for a lone cycle tonight, as the boys were working late tonight.

All for tonight - time for bed!

Much love. xo

Madder by the Minute...

So I am just about to head to bed - I somehow agreed to a cycle to Stratford-upon-Avon from Oxford tomorrow with a few blokes from work. It's suppose to take about 4 hours each way - should be interesting! Am looking forward to spending at least 8 hours in the saddle and see what I'm made of. My body is actually going to hate me by tomorrow night. I think its safe to say that Sunday will be what it was created for: a day of rest.

Happy weekend to all - HOPEFULLY catch up with my fav English family this weekend...feels like its been weeks since I've seen them!

Much love. xo

Living in the Moment

My body is telling me to "take it easy" but I went out for a run tonight anyway - feels great, glad I did. Its really interesting training for a 24 hour event...as it is going to be SUCH a physically and mentally draining experience that you just can't rationalize NOT going out for that run or bike ride when you are feeling tired. I need to sort out the nutrition side of training as well...lots to sort, including the main goal...which I'm not sure about yet. I want to do more than just finish it and "have fun"...I am a bit more competitive than that...

We had an early dismissal day today at school which was nice. It was Feast Day (named after the Saint of the school). We spent the morning doing sponsored activities for the Key Stage 3 students (aka I played basketball for 2 hours) and then the afternoon in mass with the entire school (which was pretty neat). The teachers and visitors had a "feast" (I use that word very lightly) following the mass and then off we went. It was a nice, relaxed day...kind of wish it was Friday.

The weather has been so great (by great I mean little sun and warm temperatures) here (I may not be able to do winter after this year). I have been wearing shorts to work and biking at night, while everyone thinks I am crazy. The guys still wear their neck warmers at night...hahaha it is actually ridiculous.

Can you believe I have been here almost 6 months....half a year?! Ridiculous how fast time goes...and how little money I have sent home...oops! I can't say it feels like I have been here that long...but then I think of all the things and places I have seen and yes, it does in fact feel like I have been here for half a year. Still not sure what next month holds for me, but that is part of the adventure of being over here: living in the moment!

Much love. xo

One Week Later...

Well, its been a week since Granny passed away...I think it will take a while for it to really sink in and be real that she is physically gone, having not gone to her funeral. Funerals, for me, are such an important part of the life and death process...it feels odd having missed it and I will forever have a void for that.

However, that being said, if I had to choose again to go home and say goodbye to her in person or goodbye at her funeral, I would make the same decision every time.


I have been playing the visit with Granny in my head, the last one I had with her. It makes me smile that she still had that sense of humor...the kind you wonder if she realizes she is actually hilarious. She called my parents "dandies" after I told her they hadn't been over to visit me yet...really funny.



It has been a tough week, but have kept very busy and had good chats with family and friends that helped immensely.

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I have had a very physically active week, which feels absolutely amazing, but a lot of work - mentally. I've been getting up early and going into the school about 7am to do my Insanity workouts - activities throughout the day with P.E lessons and biking or running every night. Hoping I can keep it up throughout the next few months.

My goal is to ride 18 hours straight (75% of the 24 hour goal) by the end of April.

Work has been busy this week - different challenging situations, but always a good learning experience for me. Have been teaching different sports as well, which is fun. A new one is Gaelic Football - really different and fun. The classes have all really been enjoying it.

I received an official e-mail yesterday from Mountain Meyhem, as we are OFFICIALLY entered!! Yahoo...what have I gotten myself into?! About 7 of us from work are entered as soloists. Will keep you posted about fund-raising...as I am definitely taking this opportunity to raise some money for a great organization (am in talks with them now).

Today is the 9th Annual Crone Cup hockey game - an event that my friend Mallori and I co-created after a good friend of ours, Jason Crone broke his neck during an ice hockey game 9 years ago to the day, yesterday - hard to believe its been that long. We initially wanted to raise money for him and his family immediately after the accident. The first year, we raised just over $1,000. In the 9 years that the event has been going on, it has grown to include Shoot for a Cure (Spinal Cord research organization), primary school participation (attending the event), school events leading up to the game, raising funds for other injured youth in the Owen Sound area and of course, for Spinal Cord Research. Spectators have grown into thousands and money raised is in the tens of thousands of dollars. It feels great to have been able to be apart of something that has grown into such success. Jason attends every year (with the exception of last year) to present the trophy as well. He has been a big inspiration ever since his accident. Since his accident, he has played for Team Canada in the 2008 Beijing Paralympics and won a Bronze Medal from Wheelchair Rugby and he proudly carried the Olympic Torch through Owen Sound last winter. For the 10th Crone Cup, we are hoping to have an alumni game as part of the event.

Anyway, time to rest up before a big ride tonight. Ooooh boy, my body will hurt by tomorrow morning!

My sister took this pic of my mom and brother at the visitation on the weekend - absolutely love it - such a great pic of my mom and her beautiful smile and of course, Phil's cheeky personality

Much love. xo

Dear Granny

I heard the news today, that you are no longer suffering or in pain. It was news that warmed my soul, but left a hole in my heart.

In my 24 years, I have learned four very important things about you (many more, but 4 KEY things). Number one, you are the most stubborn woman I have ever met. You lived on your own in that old, broken down house and wouldn't let us move you until a few years ago. You didn't let anyone drive your car, ever...although we tried! When we did finally move you (after countless hours) into a beautiful apartment, you didn't seem exactly thrilled. You held silly grudges and I do remember when you wouldn't give me a hug one time at church because you probably mad at Grandma for a silly reason. Number two, under the stubborn exterior, you actually had the biggest heart. You treated each of your 5 granddaughters the same. Although we tried (with countless $50 bills) to portray otherwise, your granddaughters were ALWAYS treated with the EXACT same amount of love. I remember you always got frustrated with us when Aunt Audrey would read her Christmas card "to the BEST Granddaughter in the entire world", when it actually didn't say that. I get now that they only did it, because you always did treat them just exactly the same. For 5 granddaughters, I am sure that is not an easy thing to do. You loved your 15 great-grandchildren the same, never missing a birthday. I always looked forward to your cards the most (and the discontinued $2 note). You even found room for 3 great-great-grandchildren!! Not many people will be blessed with the gift to love as much as you did - I am so grateful for you simply because of your big heart. Number three (and probably the most important) you raised the BEST woman in my life: my grandma. She is without a doubt such a strong woman and one that I look up to and respect more than she will ever know. Finally, the fourth important thing I learned about you, is that you are stronger than life. I did not ONCE think about my life without you. You were just always going to be there. Nothing could conquer you. The day I heard you had "a few weeks to 6 months" it just seemed like the doctor must have told the wrong person.

We had a lot of fun with you, Granny - pictures to prove it! You were always up for entertaining us. From calling my dad "Ran" to letting us take a picture of you "drinking" wine at Becky's wedding and then immediately telling us we "can't show anyone"...the $50 bill joke never even got old with you, or the "movie star lingerie".

Don't worry, I will promise to share every moment of the Royal Wedding experience with you. Your 100th birthday will be a celebration as well - it was a big goal of yours, and nothing should stand in the way of your goals.

Thank you for teaching me the vastness of the heart, and just how much love it can contain. Oh ya, the gloves and scarf have kept me warm on my walks to school. I wear the hat when I am cycling at night - its perfect to fit under my helmet.

I hope that you will forgive me for not being able to attend the official celebration of your life. It was my pleasure to have taken the "over 4000 miles trip" to visit with you instead a month ago.

It's time to rest now, Gran. I will miss you...I do miss you, but seriously, have a rest. There is enough love here to comfort us and preserve the memories.

Great-Grandma - not many people my age can say that they knew theirs. How lucky am I?

Cheers Gran.

Love,

Emily - your FAVORITE great-granddaugher :)

24 Hours....of Meyhem!

I am officially entered into the largest 24 hour Mountain Bike Endurance Race in the world, as one of only 150 solo riders!! Eeek what a mad challenge I have set for myself. Its important to set the bar high for yourself, see exactly what you are made of!

http://www.osmountainmayhem.co.uk/

A pretty crazy tale to share with you about how I managed to get myself entered, along with 2 other guys from work. Long story short, I didn't get home until 3am, and obviously worked all day today - so VERY tired. Exciting though, since the 3 of us were the first to get our forms in for the event, we will get our photo on the website AND in one of the Mountain Biking magazines, how cool is that?!

Off to bed - much more of my trip from Krakow left to share too.

On a final note, please continue to keep granny in your prayers - no good news this week and it sounds as if she is in quite a bit of pain too.

Much love. xo