It's Only Been a Week...?

It's been one week of no blogging, little internet and well....lots of 

WILDERNESS!!!

I am at the cottage, on  the island, in the Lake of the Woods 

and 

there is currently a massive storm that is raging all around us.

Perrrrfect time to be blogging and using internet Lauren!

But it ain't that bad....not compared to some downpours in the DESH.

Good to be home.

Good to be in Canada.

Good to get more than 9 hours of sleep EVERY night.

Boom.

Who's 60? 

ME!

Stay tuned.

Ahhhhh - c'est la vie!

When in Rome, do as the Romans do....freaking RELAX Lauren!

Tried to take a selfie but blinded by the light - hahahha!

The Face of Art and no, it's not ME!

This is the face that greets me everyday when I walk in the door.

Not the worst face to greet you every morning, eh?

Thank goodness this looks nothing like me....

Thank you - thank you Jeong Min.

Sometimes being a teacher is plain lucky...

...because getting incredible leftover art is the

best thing in the world.

Well, it makes my world a little better.

Period.

*smiling

Old Friends Leaving...hurts a little!

I hate saying good bye...and it doesn't help that I am CRAP at it too! 

Bahahha!

A great moment and lots of memories...

....Peter you will be missed

by me and everyone else you harassed with 

that delightful English accent,

your speech impediment 

and you forgettable sense of humour

(especially when teamed up with Matt ~ always so much fun to hear&watch)

I will miss you.

Well, maybe just a bit.

When I say bit, I mean a little.

Teeny - tiny really.

More like a smudge.

Perhaps it's best measured by a spot?

Yes - yes!

I will miss you the size of a spot.

Ahhh - perfect.

(smiling)

Too many wonderful people from all over the world 

has made me the biggest freaking 

CHEESE BALL.

Sick.

Pop QUIZ in Humanities class ~ typical Ms.Wells style

So you think you can draw?

So you think you can draw the world?

On a BALLOON?!?

Errrr, maybe?

HaRRRder than it looks, eh?

Umm, yeah! 

This is sooo hard Ms.Wells!

Ohhh Labibi...you are hilarious!

Pssst! I'm not even sure if I could do this - could you?!?

Yes, using a GLOBE is allowed for this quiz!

Students who are focused...

We have progress!

And perhaps a few mistakes.

And a few more mistakes...no big deal!

MAKING MISTAKES is the kinda STUFF I LOVE!

Great day being a teacher ~ !

p.s. it was a Pop QUIZ! 

Mou-hahahahhah!

Life Lessons NOT from Me

One of my best friends told me about this wonderful blog
that I should start following.

Yeah-yeah I thought ~ like I have time for that CRAP!

But I finally looked it and now its apart of my day.
One more habit to add to the list.

WHO is this person and WHY am I telling you about her? 

RACHEL BRATHEN is the name.

Yoga instructor, Swedish beauty and plain

wonderful person ~ truly.

Her message are short, sweet and inspiring.
Not cheesey but just plain lovely.

Don't believe me?

Read some of her life lessons.... 
(she is getting married soon and I think just reflecting on life, love and new experiences?!?)
...that she just happen to write for FUN. 
(bloody brilliant if you ask me)

1. You get what you need, not what you want.

2. The universe will never give you anything you can’t handle. 

3. There is so much love within every single one of us, it’s difficult to grasp. So much love. Love is always here. It can never be lost.

4. Allow yourself to be vulnerable. Risk getting your heart broken. It’s worth it. 

5. The earth is part of us, as much as we are a part of it. Caring for nature means caring for ourselves.

6. Move past your fears. They are here for you to learn. Let go, and only love remains.

7. Who do you need to forgive? Know that no one suffers from holding on to past pain but you. Forgive everyone for everything. For your own sake.

8. Do no harm. But take no shit!

9. Be truthful. Tell the truth, tell the truth, tell the truth. To yourself. To you loves ones. To the world.

10. Miracles happen every day. Keep your eyes and your heart open, and you’ll see.

And that is what I am doing.

When I feel sad, I look up.

When I feel so overwhelmed by work, I laugh.

When the world throws crap my way, I breath deep and then

play some Beiber and dance - Harrrrd!

Or when loves gets me down, I just keep looking 

up - up - and up...towards to the sky.

(Watch out for rickshaws though, or you may walk right INTO one ~ hah!)

Just a little blog, that might help LIFT your spirits
when having a shitty day.

JUST SAYING!

Thank you Tina ~ and Rachel  - haha!

Just keep looking up Lauren, eventually you will get better at selfies!

haha

Just keep swimming, just keep smiling.

Bringing tennis to a New Level !

This is Joel and the lovely Emma.

Joel and Emma play tennis.

Joel is aggressive and sometimes angry.

This photo was not taken in action...this is Joel playing doubles, 

waiting to receive the return from the opponent.

Otherwise known as his receiving stance.

Emma serves hard.

Return is made.

Comes fast over the net but Joel is ready.

Aggressive volley (body shot to the face) opponent never saw it coming.

Just another day for Joel at the net.

  

NAILED IT!

Now tensions are high, war has erupted.

"They want more?" Joel asks

Ohhh, they'll get more where that came from.

Joel takes his stance.

Part two.

The man is a machine.

He patiently waits for his prey and then...

ATTACKS!!!

I wish everyone was as good as Joel ~ you're right.

Maybe not as good as Joel 

(because then you would have a squad of angry people with rackets chasing

you outside the Bagha with nosebleeds and swollen faces)

but definitely as good as his wife, Emma.

Emma is the wild card.

Sweet but vicious forehands.

Lovely smile but killer lobes.

Off court nicest person around...on court, she'll punch your teeth in ~ oppsie!

Sorry but the truth is OUT!

(sorry)

Questions?

You in  he blue.

What kind of team do they make together? 

~DOUBLE TROUBLE~

(and obviously the winners of the BAGHA tournament this past weekend!)

Period.

So many great tennis players leaving this year, you both will truly be missed.

Yes, even Joel's ridiculous stance.

Love you both and of course, good luck!

*smiling

Squatting vs. Sitting

An exert from a 2013 - 2014 Pooh Calendar.

Squatting is actually a more effective and efficient way to expel stool from 

the body than sitting on a toilet seat. 

(Really!?!)

The act of squatting changes the orientation of a group of muscles

called the "levator ani, "

(Say what?!?)

which actually serves to stretch open the accordion-shaped rectum.

(Wow - not sure I want to keep reading at this point)

This creates a "straight shot" for the poo to effortlessly 

make its way out of the body.

(Are you sure Pooh Calendar?)

Just as some naturalist have touted the benefits of breaking-feeding

and 

natural childbirth, there is a burgeoning movement that believes

squatting can improve digestive health

(so let me get this straight, squatting over the toilet or

on the toilet could be better for MY digestive system?)

Hmmm.

Squatting, also konwn as the bombardier method, will also 

give you quds of steel!

WELL WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY SO EARLIER?

Done  &  Done.

This is Where I'm Heading; Wildcat

I will be here in less than 3 weeks!!!

Hellooooooo Wildcat!

Morning bedhead and all.

Ahhhhh ~ cannot wait for all that rest, relaxation 

and P90X on the deck with TINA!

Can't even think about it right now ~ get far too excited!

Home sweet home.

Sweat anyone? I got PLENTY!

It's full on heat and humidity in the Desh right now....pure loveliness for running!

Don't believe me?

After my morning runs, I always look like this....

Warning: people who don't like sweat should
refrain from looking at photos below.

This shirt used to be a light pink colour.

I wonder if I smell?

Yup.

Ipod shuffle can be seen through shirt - ewww!

Shorts are heavy and weighing me down.

The red cheeks, wet shirt and look on my face says it all....

....I am no longer in running shape.

Noooooo!

Yes, you are right. I should just give up while ahead.

*sigh

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming Lauren.

25 Reminders About Losing Weight - PLEASE READ!

When I am not teaching little kids that 2 + 2 = 5

I am teaching a community Ed class to adults at a neighboring school twice a week.

Every now and then, I have people come up to me after class
and ask me what I do to stay in shape?
What I eat?
How often I train...?

Errr well - I can't possibly tell them the truth, right?

(Truth: That I am crazy, workout too much and probably
bake and eat the weirdest things)

So to keep face, especially when it comes to losing weight
and trying to get in shape.....I forward them this list.

(better advice then this nutbar)

1. Fancy shakes are not a requirement to being healthy or losing weight.
2. You don’t have to eat less to lose weight.
3. Cardio is not necessarily the answer.
4. It’s how your clothes fit that matter.
5. Fitness should be considered a boost to your efforts but not the overall answer for losing weight.
6. Some of the best foods for weight loss are those with the highest calories.
7. Breakfast is optional.  Be mindful of when you are hungry instead of eating out of habit or on the clock.
8. Your greatest success in losing weight centers around reducing sugar.
9. Fat doesn’t make you fat.
10. If it’s too good to be true, it is. Stop the cycle of purchasing weight loss promises.
11. A combo of HIIT workouts and resistance training is the best way to boost your metabolism and burn fat.
12. It takes three months to establish new habits. Give yourself the time you deserve to make it work for the long-haul.
13. If you reduce sugar you will crave it less.
14. When you slow down at meal times, you automatically eat less.
15. If it’s in the house you will eat it.
16. Grains are not a necessary component to your diet.
17. You can still eat bacon.
18. Eat your vegetables; you’re not five.
19. Gluten-free doesn’t necessarily mean healthier to the average (non-Celiac) person.
20. Dehydration can mask itself as hunger.
21. Small plate = less eating.
22. Pay attention to the bliss factor when snacking. When something stops tasting blissful (usually around 3-5 bites), stop eating it.
23. You probably need less protein than you think.
24. Juice is not healthy. Eat your fruit. Drink water.

Eat with purpose.
BOOM!