"What Would She Say" refers to my twin sister,Rhiannon. Rhiannon is challenged with autism and does not speak, cannot look after herself and will never develop past the capabilities of a 3 to 4 year old. However, all is not lost. I would like to think (even if some people believe this to be false) that Rhiannon and I share a special bond. So I try to ask myself as often as possible...what would Rhiannon say about this...? And thus the title was born - BOOM!
Good Morning people of Lauren's world! This is Erin making a guest appearance. I know you don't know me... and I don't know you, but Lauren has begged me to make a guest appearance... something about being exhausted, Dhaka, wedding, quotes, yada yada yada. It's always something with this one! Je joke Lo! Je joke!
Now, I don't have much to say, and I'm assuming she just wants something typed so y'all know she's still alive. Don't fret, she's still alive, she'd call you but she lost her cell phone yesterday (a great Lauren Wells story... ask her about it some time!)
Today is the Day of the Eve of our dear friend, Tina's, wedding. Lauren, being the Maid of Honour, is off to help the bride with last minute stuff. I, on the other hand, have very little responsibility. I only have to make a delicious, beautiful wedding cake for 80 people... no pressure. I think Lo forgot about this part and that's why I'm sitting here typing instead of decorating the cake!
It is also the Day before the day before the day that my dear friend leaves on her great adventure. I can't tell you enough how excited I am for her. She is going to make Dhaka her home and win the hearts of those around her. (If you're reading this and you're a new teaching friend of Lauren's - CONGRATULATIONS... you are a very lucky person to have her damn sunshine brightening your world!) I am also so, so, so excited for her students. Lo, you're going to be one of those teachers who make a difference. You're going to be GREAT... not just good, or average... GREAT! Your passion, dedication, and enthusiasm are things to admired and emulated.
Wow! Don't know think that's where Lauren thought I would go when she asked me to write today. I think she thought it was going to be light and funny, but I'm tired and funny take energy!
So that's it... I'm going... a cake to decorate. I'll have Lo post a photo of it... well only if it turns out properly!
Good bye friends of Lauren... I hope you all have a wonderful day... it's sunny and beautiful and I'm sure there's a patio somewhere calling your name- have a drink for me... or maybe I'll have one for each of you when I'm done the cakes! Yeah, that sounds like a better idea! I'll have a drink for you! Thanks for being you and giving me a reason to drink (ha! now that was funny!!!)
I'm BACK!!!
Back in Canada (almost didn't let me in), back in O- town!
(nobody calls Ottawa O-town, do they?)
AHHH - already enjoying my bridgehead fix.
Mmmmmmm.
Coffee in the desh just ain't the same.
***
Good question, why back so soon?
Did I quit?
NOPE
Fired then?
NOPE (not yet...at least ha!)
Did I forget something?
MY INSANITY - YES!
But no, that is not the reason for returning either...this is why.
This lovely LADY is getting married, hitched, tying the old knot - whatever kids call it these days.
And I have the honour of being the MAID!
BOO - YEAH!
Maid of Honor that is.
Yes, I am going to have to brush my hair a little and clean myself right up.
That may take a while...but when I do clean up, it's not so bad.
Don't believe me?
Well crap...what can I say then?
Regardless,
FEELS SO GOOD TO BE BACK!
And SUPER EXCITED FOR THIS GRAND EVENT
and even more EXCITED TO SEE TINA and JL GET CAKE ALL OVER THEIR FACES - bahahahaha!
And see so MANY wonderful faces...I'm peeing my pants already.
I'm gonna have to wear a diaper I am just that excited.
(some of you are shaking your heads at this last comment)
Too much information Lauren!
Who me?
NEVER!
***
Living life to the fullest these next few days.
Why not join the club!?!
Made tea last night before bed and read the Yogi message and thought,
"Hey, that's what I'm trying to do!"
Inspiring others towards
happiness brings
you happiness.
No, not by doing this BLOG DUMMIE;
TEACHING OF COURSE!
I hope everyone finds or has the one thing (more than one thing for some people) that fuels them to wake-up every morning? Or makes them so passionate they total lose track of themselves and the time?
OR IS THAT JUST ME?
Teaching is going to be my new drug.
Man OH Man, somebody pinch me - harrrrd. But my sleeves are rolled, ready with my
(Sir John we like to call him- he's Welsh and has always claimed to be of Royal Blood)
(that's why the moquitos always go after him, he says "They go for quality Lauren - but you don't have to worry about that")
My dad feels very strongly about the issue of foreign aid.
To be specific, the money that Canada gives every year to impoverished countries from
our national GDP.
He is not a fan nor is he fond of this idea at all.
Why?
Because essentially he thinks that it's a waste of time.
Not in so many words but at his age (70-ish I think?), he has seen so much aid money put in the wrong hands.
He does not trust where the money goes or the organizations (maybe UNICEF he said) which handles the redistribution of foreign aid money.
However, most countries in the world,
specifically the most impoverished countries,
(he points his finger mostly at African countries)
have a corrupt government that take advantage
of foreign aid money. He doesn't trust where it goes. My dad (like most people I would think) want to see the change in government first instead of essentially just "throwing it away" as he thinks.
And my dad is just talking his head off.
Sure, he is adamant about this topic but for good reason. He is well read, watches the news,
reads the paper, has even travelled all over the world. He has first hand examples of corrpution. He freaking lived in Africa for a while which
I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW!
"I'M TIRED OF WATCHING MY MONEY GO TO WASTE! WHY NOT ST|ART WITH THE GOVERNMENT and THE COUNTRIES BLOODY POLITICIANS FIRST? I WANT A GUARANTEE THAT MY MONEY GOES TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE BUT UNTIL THEN - IT'S ALL RUBBISH! "
At this point, he was yelling at me.
We kinda got in a bit of a
HEATED DISCUSSION.
It started when I showed him this...
This was done by UK Aid and I thought a good method of
informing the average person about their countries financial
involvement in International Aid but also
the BILLIONS of lives it helps save.
So...How much aid does Canada give? In 2010, Canada’s aid rose to over $5 billion for the first time. However, the government says aid will be frozen at that level through 2015. Canadian ODA is now equivalent to 0.33 percent of the economy (GNI); the freeze is expected to reduce that figure to 0.28% by 2015. Canada’s current level falls well below both the agreed international target of 0.7 percent of GNI, and the current donor average of 0.47 percent. Canada gives less aid than countries of similar population and economic clout, like Spain and the Netherlands.
Did you know this already? Perhaps you did. I had no idea.
But it's an interesting topic - no?
Why isn't Canada giving more foreign aid?
What do you think?
Personally, I would like to have another "discussion" with Sir John.
But perhaps after I get a little more field experience
and can see how this aid really helps impoverished
countries like for instance Bangladesh.
Until then, I'm not saying another word about it - ha!
It's really important to be safe, especially at the cottage.
Although I sometimes forget to wear my seat belt in the car...I NEVER
forget to wear my life jacket at the cottage.
(except when I am windsurfing or intoxicated...or both - ha!)
That was a joke.
So naturally, Malcolm seems to think he is too "cool" for life jackets
Who better to show him how KOOL looks than Auntie Lolo?
It started first thing this morning; put the life jacket for breakfast.
While my mom is making breakfast in the background,
Lauren is rocking the "kool" look.
As you can see, Mal is floored.
I make it look so easy, don't I?
I should have been a lifeguard.
*sigh
Small Aside: Remember last WEEK when I said I was working on
posts with a bit more substance?
Actually interesting? Maybe intelligent? Or I dunno,
THOUGHT PROVOKING!
Well it finally happened - I had a brain fart.
(It's a rare that this happens, in my head that is - bah-hahahha!)
Hats off to the baker!
