Goodbye 20's - Helloooo - 30's

Once upon a time there were two sisters...

One was named Rhiannon,

Yeah - yeah. She is pretty cute I guess.

the other was named Lauren...

...Lauren was the cuter one of course...

....Lauren was also the older MORE mature one...

10 minutes is a BIG DEAL PEOPLE!
Clearly, I am not as cute as Rhiannon in this particular picture.
(Rhiannon left - Lauren right)

Or in this one...

Here I am - model of cuteness performed by Lauren on the right!

Did I mention that I also had WAY better fashion sense than Rhiannon?

That's me sporting men's old boxer shorts....and I still do that today!

(stealing x-boyfriends boxers are the BEST!)

Sigh*

HOW QUICKLY  30 COMES! Just SNUCK-UP on me!

Don't let it SNEEK-UP on you too! Check how old you are right now,

go right now to your calendars m- QUICK!

Hah - hah.

I'd just liket to take a moment to say;

I'm reluctant to turn thirty because I don't even remember being 25...

...and no, it's not because of any foreign substance...hah!

BUT

I am one content - crazy - happy - don't forget lovely - Lady.

Those who sent me lovely birthday wishes - THANK YOU!

I am sending you a virtual hug & kiss - sign*

And to my darling sis.

Special birthday wishes to you,  Rhiannon!

You are in my thoughts today.

You're older sister misses and loves you very much.

Happy birthday Nanny (nickname - long story) look how far we've COME!

Luv
Lolo

Warning:This Post contains Photos From a Surgery....

Things just got real last night.

Mumphy is no longer a father, correction: he lost his bits.

Well, one section of his bits.

 Yes, of course I watched the whole thing - like a champ!

(A scientist/vet friend of mine actually forced me to stay and watch...I wound actually, I would have
gladly gone and done the dishes instead)

Do one thing that scares you a day this friend said...thank goodness I only EVER
have to see this performed ONCE in my life - hah!

The set-up....white, clean, small, and ummmm on the floor in my house.

Mumpherd  trying desperately to stay wake - FAIL!

A mother feeling guilty. Except not really, I don't want more than two cats thank YOU!

It is time .

This is the best I could do, all the other pictures (especially during the surgery),
I couldn't stomach putting them up on-line.

Besides I didn't have Mumphy's consent.

Just another night in Dhaka.

Boom!

p.s. If you look back at the last picture and notice a little red thing on the left near
the cat's feet....that's his, or well, they are...errr, cough-couhg,,,you know
the stuff that does the...errrrr....awkward. 

Peter WOULD YOU EAT THIS?!?!

Think I am in love...tahini chocolate chip cookies.

Peter??? What say you?



Ohhhh come on PETER, you wouldn't even try one small bite?

Why am I finding all these AMAZING recipes while I can't eat?

DANG YOU - LEMON DETOX!

First thing I am doing after this week (if I last that long) is MAKE THESE DELICIOUS COOKIES!!!

Ingredients

1 cup tahini
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup coconut sugar
2 Tbs ground chia (mixed with 1/3 c water) OR 1 egg
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup coconut flakes
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup cacao nibs
1/4 cup chocolate chips
1/3 cup walnuts, chopped
pinch sea salt

Method

Pre-heat oven to 350. In a large bowl, mix tahini, chia mixture (or egg), cinnamon, coconut sugar, pinch sea salt until well combined, then mix remaining ingredients. You might want to get in there with your hands to ensure it's well combined and dough-like consistency is formed.

Roll into gold-size balls in your hands, then press flat on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or greased with coconut oil. Smooth top and form into rounds. Bake until golden, about 20 minutes. Let cool completely before eating.

Note: If you don't have tahini, you can use any nut/seed butter.

Bone-Building Contributors

• Tahini one of the highest sources of calcium (ounce for ounce roughly 5x more calcium than milk). It's also a great source of magnesium, which aids in the absorption of calcium.
• Cinnamon is also super high in calcium. It adds a natural sweetness, helping to regulate blood sugar levels. It's also super alkalizing, which contributes to bone health.
• Cacao nibs are one of the highest plant-based sources of magnesium. Magnesium required to absorb and utilize calcium.

Did You Know About This???

Can vegans stomach the unpalatable truth about quinoa?

Ethical consumers should be aware poor Bolivians can no longer afford their staple grain, due to western demand raising prices

HERE IS THE LINK to the article....dodgy!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jan/16/vegans-stomach-unpalatable-truth-quinoa

(THIS IS LAUREN SPEAKING - I HAD NO IDEA and can't buy it here in Bangladesh but can you makes me think twice...should I BE buying this anymore???)

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!

Think about it!

The FACE OFF;Lolo vs. Ev

Really excited for my little brother to come HERE in April.

He and I haven't always been in the same city growing up, heck...
not even the same country sometimes.

BUT

no matter how long it's been when we meet - we can always pick up right where we left off!

" Are you calling me fat?"

"No,  but you just look enormous"

"Thanks Ev - you lazy little S***!"

"I am NOT lazy...it's just a process!"

"OHHH stop, you are FREAKING too lazy!"

"Later - I don't need this!"

Like I said, it's like no time has passed at all.

We pick up right where we left off, when we were FOUR! 

*sigh

That's how we show love in this family sometimes.

Fighting (a.k.a heated debates) & teasing.

The teasing of my little baby brother Evy started the day he was born.

(poor unlucky last child of five...hee-hee-hee!)

Voila's the proof....

I love it!

 Get in there and SMOooUCH that baby's FACE OFF Lauren!

Not to mention, did anyone else notice the size of that kid's POM-POM!?!

Bigger than the baby's head...right?

Who dressed this little bundle of joy anyways?

Ha - it wasn't ME.

Lance Isn't The Only One Who's Been Lying...

I have been lying too.

While you are back at home in Canada thinking, ohhhh poor Lauren.

Where did she say she was again? Dhaka?

Stuck in Bangladesh - OH MY! I wonder how that poor dear is doing?

Stop feeling sorry for me right now.

I need to show you something.

This is the American Club where I spend most my Friday and Saturday mornings; playing tennis.

Everything is perfectly groomed....so very different beyond the brick wall enclosure.

One of few places in Dhaka that have GREEN lush grass....sigh*

One of two buildings on the American site that are for eating, lounging & dining. This building is three stories high
 ( I cut a lot off); 1st floor, coffee & restaurant& lounge
2nd floor, drinking & dancing and 3rd floor for another restaurant (outdoors) and bar.
 YUP - SPOILED!

Life on the courts is why I come....that and the company with whom I play. A mix of wonderful, talented, international, all ages, all levels, tennis GENIUSES! I have to work so hard to keep up but every now and then I look around
me and think WHOA - How LUCKY am I?

I mean really......

So...yeah

I won't even tell you about the FLUFFY-FROTHY

cappuccino's that they make especially for me!

HEAVENS GALORE!

So stop feeling sorry for me.

I have been lying to you from the beginning.

I am not suffering, in fact, I'm become a downright SNOB.

A true colonist, a "whitey", a foreigner,  a Madame who is living the rich life.

Ugh!

Back to the drawing board.

New Man In My Life

Well, you asked.

Okay, inferred.

Maybe thought?

Ohhhhhhh bullocks, I give up!

 ;-)

Peek-A-Boo

They keep getting bigger.

Eating more.

Complaining more.

And being little BUGGERS!

(they got into the guest room yesterday and tore the toilet paper to shreds)

UGH

I love and I hate both Milou and Mumphy....bah - HUMBUG!

Don't let his ugly-innocent face fool you - HE IS A TOTAL BAD BOY!

And (to make matters worse) a MAMA's boy...but I don't even like him.

And that's what happens when I leave for 5 minutes - please, by all means.

MAKE YOURSELVES COMFORTABLE - ugh!

Not much love coming from a sick old cranky mom like me.

First sick day - hope it's my last.

SUCKS!

Ms.Wells

The True Show of Respect

Spanish runner Iván Fernández Anaya encourages Olympic bronze medallist Abel Mutai of Kenya across the finish line during a cross-country running event in Spain last December. Mutai slowed as he neared the finish line, believing he’d won when he was still several meters from the tape. Realizing his competitor’s mistake, Anaya approached Mutai from behind and motioned him to the proper finishing line.

I don't know what else to say other than I wish I had been there to see such a fantastic moment.

Human kindness is just plain FREAKING beautiful sometimes.

Thanks Ivan, for making my day.

Ms. Wells

p.s. I did in fact STEAL this from GEOFF WHITE's FB page...just saying!
THANK YOU!

Going For It - WHY NOT, eh?

Three words.

LEMON DETOX DIET.

10 days of  only consuming...

2 tbsp of lemons, 

2 tbsp of maple syrup

1/10 cayenne pepper and some water (hot for me please)

BOOM!

I'm scared - oh soooo scared.

But I think it's going to happen so get excited.

Some funny posts are sure to follow.

Matthew Jones I wish you were here to hold my hand through this.

And thanks to my friend Monika, I got me some 

real Canadian maple syrup in Dhaka.

2nd BOOM!

Wish me luck.

(starting the day after tomorrow - want one more coffee with friends)

Still Vegetarian but NO - not vegan..YET!

If anyone out there is looking for a surprise and is willing to do a little

experiment on themselves -then do I EVER have the answer for you!

BE A VEGETARIAN FOR A MONTH - BOOM!

Oh stop - it's not THAT bad! Promise. REALLY!

I mean THANK goodness for local Bangladeshi cheese, yogurt stuff and soy milk (with extra calcium).

Oh I almost forgot weird EGGS with an extra something - something.

(extra Omega 3's or something?)

Did I mention that I also found a nice substitute to meat balls?

Soy Veggie Balls....kinda airy but good with sauce....a lot of sauce - ha!

I'm not even eating fish which (if I remember correctly) were quite delicious here.

But Lauren, WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BE VEGETARIAN IN THE FIRST PLACE?

And HOW DOES IT FEEL DIFFERENT?

(get to the point sister)

1) A student made a packed and well, she went back to being a meat eater a week ago and I have continued to well, errr....love my veggies? ha!

HOW do I feel different? Hard to tell...only been about two months. But so far?

1) I never feel that dense, heavy, bloated feeling in my stomach after a meal (where you kinda are sleepy and wanna nap?)
2) Much better at digesting my foods, not been sick once being here in the Desh
3) MUCH more creative in my cooking - lots of different veggies ;-)
4) Bowls are regular, on time and well....very earthy ;-D
5) Less breakouts on my face - not that I had too many before but now really none!

Not sure if they are at all connected but here is what I am thinking.

One year vegetarian - THEN see (once come back home to Canada, doctor check-up) just what is going on with my body, health, big hair....see if anything has changed that much.

If not - perhaps I will start eating meat again...

....or go VEGAN - BAHAHAHAHAH!

Have a good Tuesday Canada!

Ms.Wells

Koolest Moms To Be..not I, said the cat lady.

I'm not sure when it happens but there comes a time in life 

(especially for a girl)

 when everyone around them is either

baby crazy

or

pregnant.

That special time has not come for me yet. 

In fact

I'm feeling something total different.

BULLIED

That's right.

Bullied by big, beautiful, round, protruding bellies!

I find myself very much surrounded by these powerful, independently-strong women with 

hard, enormous bellies that are just so out there that you kinda have-to watch 

yourself when they turn around.

"WHOA! - Sorry, I didn't see you. I mean that! I mean I didn't see you & him...  or you & her?" 

UGH!

 It's dangerous people!!!

I sometimes feel a little caught in between, 

like I'm a piece of meat, salami, caught between two big buns...

 or

a wall between two goats that (on either side) are practicing their latest head butting technique.

It can be uncomfortable.

And don't get me started on being caught in between and then having the little ones kicking at you from the inside  - those kicks come out of NO-WHERE! 

Impossible to DODGE.

Don't believe me?

Just take a look.

Is that scary or what?

Can someone feel beat up by unborn babies?

Sadly, I can.

But what can  I do?

I don't have the answer to that ridiculous question because remember

this is all coming from a single, CRAZY-LADY,

who owns two cats and lives in a place she lovingly calls the 'Desh'

ENOUGH SAID.

To recap?

To new any new, expecting or old MOM alike.

I don't know how you do it but I'm in awe of you!

(also scared of getting beat up by you - but that is another story)

CONGRATULATIONS to everyone I know who is expecting or who is

a new mommy - yay for YOU!

I am not there yet.

(especially if I keep up random-crazy posts like this)

So...yeah.

Mmm - A Tattoo In Dhaka?

I have always wanted a tattoo but couldn't decide WHAT.

Now that I know what I want, I'm stuck on the WHERE...

...this picture did not help.

*sigh

Thanks Steven for posting this on your FB wall and letting me steal it.

But clearly I am more confused; what is a girl to do?

Yes - yes, agreed. 

Sit on it, focus and think about it a little longerrrr - SQUIRREL?!?

Sorry, what was I saying?

(couldn't sit and think about ONE thing even if I had a gun to my head - just impossible)

THANK GOODNESS I'M the ONLY ONE ALLOWED IN THIS HEAD!

p.s. Special note; Both House and Kitties miss you very much

Opps - and me too! 

Har - har- har !

Why didn't anyone tell me about this?

Look what I got from the library today?

Sooo excited about READING these days...students and I made

a new years resolution to read more.

My dad has been asking me to read more for the last 29 years.

If you are reading this Sir John,

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER POP's!!!!

Have you read this book? Neither have I

until today that is...

Do you know what a volunteer vacation is?

Neither did I, until today that is.

What it means is that you can go to GREAT destination while saving money

and have a terrific adventure while providing valuable manpower to a project that

can benefit the planet and it's inhabitants. 

Who wants to lay on a beach all day when you can be productive and MEET 

people, LEARN the language and get FREE accommodations ;-)

HOW AM I JUST FINDING OUT ABOUT THIS?!?

Random Small aide:

I miss YOU people...things like this get me all excited and I want

to SHARE it with you all - so I blog but bahhhh!

It's not the same.

Pathetic I know - moment of weakness.

Forgive me.

Oh right, what's that on my hand?

Yes, I do still write things all over my big hands (mitts some people like to call them)

A very bad habit that even my students have noticed. 

It's impossible to be perfect all the time - right?

BAHAHAHA - je joke!

Ohhh stop, there are worse things than 

giving yourself ink positioning everyday or sometimes twice a day.

Alright, off to class...notice anything different?

(except for dumb face?)

An EXTRA scarf because it's sooo cold in Dhaka.

Yup, I said it.

COLD.

12 C

UGH - I have turned in a bit of a WHIMP.

Or a bigger one - can't decide.

Sure, I LOVE parties...what we celebrating? I beg your PARDON!?!

What does a circumcision party look like?.

GOOD QUESTION.

It's not every day I get invited to such an event but this was my lucky day.

(well, technically lucky weekend because that's when it occurred)

I was NERRRRVOUS!

SO what does a girl do when she has no idea what kind of party she has been invited to?

Well get all dolled up of course and 

(gulp) 

put on a pretty face......or at least try.

Some pictures of the magical event.

Getting all perrrdy before meeting the men outside for food, present giving and more FOOD!
(one of Siddik's sista's....terrible at remembering names - UGH!)

HELLOOOOOO Men!!!

This is the man of the hour himself - do you see a frown anywhere on that face?

Siddik and his sister...he was so serious and his sister Leeza was giggling only seconds later.
(I was trying to make Siddik laugh - no dice)

Two princesses decided to grace us with their presence.
(This is little Happy and her cousin...forget her name! BAH!)

Family shot.

So many people to meet, kids to shake hands with and so much AWFUL Bangla to practise - UGH!
I am convinced that my Bangla is matched in terms of my tennis skills.
THIS IS PROBLEM
(I won't reveal how often I practise tennis/study with tutor Bangla)

Not sure what was going on here - clearly I am picture FOCUSED!

Right before I had to go, this little guy bring out this DYNAMITE hat.
I am telling the camera man to hold on a second... I needed a picture wearing this HAT!

The kid with the hat ran away never to be seen again...
BAH!

Ohh the head tilt - classic Lauren...who is that cutie, hiding in the back?

Happy and I pretended to pose with this stranger's baby for the picture but we both just REALLY wanted
to steal her for ourselves...and we did...and then, we were caught.
(the father chased after us - kinda funny/terrifying)

And that my friends is what happens at a circumcision celebration.
(we ate a lot, laughed even more, TONES of pics, and threw flowers around - typical wedding)

There is another one happening this weekend - I'm SO THERE!
(And this time with a hat)

BOOM!