Looking the Part? Nawwwww!

Not sure why these photos were taken and to be honest,

can't even remember how long ago this was

but not sure I make the BEST example of what a teacher should look like.

WHY?!?

Well for starters....

BLACK NAILS????

Mmmm - that's weird!

And what is that weird LOOK I am giving and weird CLAW like things I am doing with my hand?

Is that me being frustrated or what?

Scary.

Don't worry, I am taking notes.

1) Always smile at students when photo is being taken

2) Don't have black nail polish on EVER AGAIN in life

3) Pick a Student who also smiles a LOT for pictures

4) Floral is not the best look on you Lauren

My New MEN'S Tennis Shoes?

Some people have a thing for shoes.

Athletic shoes to be exact.

The more FLASHY, EYE-POPPING the colour, the "Kooler" the shoe are, period.

Of course I would like to say - HUMBUG - to all of this but in fact, I cannot.

I own some the the most EXTRAVAGANTLY coloured shoes; 

from running, to 

weight  shoes, biking shoes to indoor soccer shoes.

And now I would like to add another pair of shoes to the list

TENNIS!

It's not that they are SO over the top but well...errr....

...I keep seeing OTHER people wear them...who are NOT of my gender.... 

For example?

Wait a second, those are my shoes but not my legs...

....HEY - does that guy know he is wearing WOMEN'S TENNIS SHOES?

Case in point?

I got tricked into buying MEN'S TENNIS SHOES!

BAH - hahahah!

But guess what? Pretty sure I am rockin'em better than any man out 

there so really, what's the big deal?

The things I write about.

;-)

Missing the Little Green Frog

Hey Mal, just thought I let you know.

Missing you a little today.

luv

Lololololololololo

Video: Grocery Shopping with Lauren in Dhaka? Yes, please!

This video is pretty revealing in terms of what grocery stores looks like here in Dhaka. To be honest, I probably picked one of the worst looking grocery stores to visit (not on purpose - they carry my special cheese) so if you think this is bad then perhaps it is but KNOWN that there are better ones! (don't let this stop you from visiting this AMAZING country...and cough-cough...amazing teacher!

You always have a place to stay in Dhaka...just saying.

PLUS - most people (unlike myself) just go to the local markets and buy fresh produce instead of doing it via grocery store. Who wants to pay inside at a cash register when you can be outside, BARTERING prices with locals!!! Ha!







Enjoy!

p.s. This is what it's like every time I go and fetch my bike locked outside the grocery store...

Really? I'm a Dolphin? SICK!

http://www.buzzfeed.com/summeranne/whats-your-animal-personality-type

Creative and contagiously happy, ENFPs have boundless energy and an appetite for learning about new things and meeting new peope. They bring joy to others and are keenly perceptive to the needs of those around them. They are vivacious and popular enthusiasts. ENFPs tend to get bored easily, and they are always ready for the latest and the greatest in friends, relationships, experiences, and ocean jumping.

Animal personality tests...SESHHHHHHHHHHHHH! But of course I take it...sucker? Dumb you say? Or just procrastinating...how about all three? Regardless, answer the following four questions, then find out your letters, match letters with animal picture and description and BOOM - dolphin tattoo on kankle and you are good as gold!

Worldview: Extroversion (E) or Introversion (I)
i.e. would you rather play with your pals or hang out at home with a book?

Information: Sensing (S) or Intuition (N)
i.e. when taking in something new, do you prefer to take it simply, at face value or interpret / add meaning based on your gut?

Decisions: Thinking (T) or Feeling (F)
i.e. when making up your mind about something, do you primarily rely on logic and structure, or do you gravitate towards emotion and empathy? 

Structure: Judging (J) or Perceiving (P)
i.e. would you rather things in your life to be decided and set, or do you like to stay open to whatever options might come along?

Forget Miss Broccoli Head, just call me Flipper from now on. 

Contagiously happy? Pleeeeeeeeeeeease, I AM NOT ALWAYS HAPPY!

Baaaaaaaaaah HUMBUG!
(frownie face)

Bike Tour Video Continues; My 'hood'

So...yeah.

This is my street, my neighborhood, my world in Dhaka.

p.s. Sorry about the Canadian Embassy/Club comment but GOSH-DARN-IT, it's true!

(95.7%) of the time

Fact.

(smiling)

Good Hair = Grrrreat Parent Teacher Interviews

Parent teacher interviews are today so I thought

I would give myself some MUCH needed confidence....I woke up this morning

and THANK THE STARS by hair did not look like;

....so yeah - like I said. Glad I didn't wake up with my regular fro or a crazy-blond mess

OR a leechie-looking/broccoli curl-studded MOP.

Summary?

I'm having a good hair day.

And yes, that was a "selfie" overload 

(thanks Cuddy for word)

Pardon me?

(you insert your thoughts here)

And I respond with,

BEAT IT!!!

(Micheal Jackson Style)

Biking = swearing sometimes - BEWARE!

There's a first time for everything and well, biking while video-ing on one of the busiest roads in Dhaka
is something I don't really want to EVER try again.
Period.

Real, raw, and in your FACE footage with your host, la Lauren!
Hope this helps give you an idea about WHERE I LIVE!

You're right dad...WHAT WAS I THINKING???
(about moving here, working here as a teacher, living on my own, biking here, etc...)

BUT GUESS WHAT!?!

I love the chaos and can't think of a more interesting place
to live for me at this very moment in time.

Boom.

It's Eid...so here are some cows!

What you are about to see is MY attempt at being a host but instead...I don't think I finish one complete sentence (let alone explain one thought from beginning, middle and end).

So just call me Ms. Brocholi head, the friendly but tired looking teacher...with the crazy hair!

Fact.

p.s. Moooooooooooooooooooooo!

Ghee for Mr.Hooper?

Taking orders fabulous people, just lemme know ;-)



p.s. Brett, I did buy some and used it in my scone recipe....results?

DELISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yup, I'm that good.

Biking in the Desh - 90 second clip

Alright, it had to be done...and now it has been DONE!

I humbly present to you some videos I took this break of me biking around the Dhaka and can I just say, it's not as easy as it looks....biking and taking video that is!

And ALSO - my bell is broken and therefore I needed to "Hoot-hoot" around the blind corners so again - my apologies for the weird 'bird' calls it sounds like I am making but no judging please. Well, if you want to judge go right ahead but I was trying to be safe...except of course, the day I decide to video is the day I forget to wear my helmet - BAH!  Promise that doesn't happen often. RARELY in fact.
(I can hear my family groaning from here. Sooooorry! Oppsie...love you guys?)

*sigh.

Space cadet!

Either way - ENJOY!
(more to come)

I got the GOLDEN ticket - 99%

Alright, so GUESS WHAT!?!

Dhaka now has available DARK CHOCOLATE 99% !!!

This is huge, in fact, it's bigger than HUGE it's EPIC.

(I can hear the groans from here...that is a terrible word choice Lauren - 

I know, even my gr.6 students use it however....it's REALLY EPIC!)

And here are the instructions on how to EAT dark chocolate

1) Small piece at a time

2) Let it melt in your mouth, do not CHEW right away

3) Coffee helps enhance flavor (unless you are like me and just gave up coffee, hot

brewed green tea will work just as well)

4) You need BLACK nails with sparkles to reeeeally enjoy it!

Look like a golden ticket, doesn't it?

Got the one eye twitching right now because I am OFF coffee...shakes baby!

I GOT THE SHAKES!

Green tea, decaf coffee, even the chai is NOTHING compared to 

my SINFUL double shot espresso.

(whimpering sound coming from the pit of my stomach)

Why is it when I try to take a decent photo of myself I end up

looking like the following;

1) Moufassa's son

2) Jane from Tarzan

3) Homeless, crazy-cat lady who doesn't own a comb

or just a 

TRAIN WRECK

This is what I say to all your haters...HUMBUG!

Now then...what were we talking about?

I've already forgotten.

UGH!

(I thought getting 9 hours of sleep every night during break would

have helped my fish memory...Mmmm)

Missing Tennis PEEPS

Gawd we were gorgeous, eh?

Was that REALLY only a year ago?

Mmmm - feels longer.

So...yeah.

I your honor I'm having a solo breakie at the American Club.

Lame?

I think not ~ can't a girl take herself out on a date?

Yeah, that's what I thought.

*smiling*

JAMMING to Smashing Pumpkins in CNG Cage

Every time I get into a CNG recently my thoughts turn to MUSH and suddenly I hear drums and a big beat.

Then the same FIERY theme song takes over and before I know it, my adrenaline is pumping, my fist have grabbed the bars ahead of me and my head is EXPLODING with loud pounding music of ...

SMASHING PUMPKINS OF COURSE!!!

(which I thought was totally appropriate to share with everyone this weekend will you are all eating 

and sharing in the thanksgiving celebrations across the country

a.k.a. eating a lot of pumpkin pie dessert! ha!)

 This is me going into my last day of school before the break.

Despite all my RAGE I am still just a RAT IN A CAGE!

Trying to HIDE the huge BAGS under my eyes with sunglasses....and no, that is just from 

being naturally exhausted - no funny business here people!

View from the cage.....song still thumping in my head

DESPITE ALL MY RAGE I AM STILL JUST A RAT IN A CAGE...

THEN SOMEONE WILL SAY WHAT IS LOST CAN NEVER BE SAVED.....Whoa sooo deep!

DESPITE ALL MY RAGE I AM STILL JUST A RAT IN A CAGE!

Yes, I do feel as exhausted as I look - indeed!

Despite my theme song, I always get to school on time, in one piece and survive the day.

So really, it can't be all that bad - can it?

Happy Thanksgiving Canada.

Here's to you never having to ride a CNG with an angry/exhausted school teacher!

(head banging to smashing pumpkins in her head)

So...yeah.

Weirdo.