"Don't stop believing unless your dream is stupid..."
Agreed.
Now all I gotta do is find out what my dream is...?
Wait - should I already know this? 
OH really!?! 
CRAP.
Well...I still don't know.
(exasperated sigh)
So...yeah

Thanks Kid President - I feel much better now (?)
Yours truly,

(and as confused as ever)

Ms.Wells

What did I see running today?

When you go for a run (no matter where you are in the world) you never know what you may find...

First we saw this little guy...



WATER SNAKE - YUK!

Then we saw this ugly thing...



A small Asian mongoose...VICIOUS!



COOL...a car???

(for the men who read this blog - these cars are pretty old and not so easy to come by in the Desh)

My running and fellow colleagues Chris seemed to think this was AWESOME!

(For Dhaka I would also agree - yes KOOL CAR!)



Then (of course) this happened...ouch!

And just when I thought we had seen it all,  this happened to walk right in front of us...A PONY!



IT WAS MAGICAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(they don't have many horses in Bangladesh let alone PONIES so I just about died)

All the events that took place before you were indeed true.

And as my students would say - "You had an EPIC run Ms.Wells"

Indeed I did guys, indeed I did.

Ms.Wells

Not Sure My Mom Gets It

Seeing photos like this from home is NOT helping me stay

FOCUSED, ON TASK and DRY-EYED at work.

Mom I love you but no more photos of long lost friends & neighbours getting together
for a Sherwood Sunday brunch...okay?

(clearly someone is a CRANKY pants this morning)

Mom, did I already mention that I love you?

*sigh

I'm just jealous so you know? Just keep sending pictures - in fact, SEND MORE!

(especially ones of the all the kids)

I love the PAIN.

Pain makes me stronger and puts hair on my chest - niiiiiice!

Cheerio

Lolo

p.s. Holy MOLY though...I wish I had been; what a  BLAST from the PAST of friendly faces!

Tooth DECAY - don't DELAY!

A huge filling fell out the other day...

Had the biggest hole in my mouth for three WEEKS!

(awful digging out food after every meal)

Finally went to see the dentist and he fixed me all up.

Only one problem.

He was so delightful I want MORE work done!

Maybe someone could punch me and break my new filing or some teeth?

(it's a THIRD of the cost to get your teeth done in Dhaka)

That alone makes me 

SMILE.

Looking for Inspiration? Click here - boom!

There's less than four weeks of school and BAH that doesn't
get me the least bit excited.
I'm so tired - too tired.
That's it - GIMME A SHOT!
A shot of INSPIRATION that is.
(hey, what did you think I was talking about?)

A child watches jellyfish swim at the Vancouver Aquarium in Vancouver, May 16, 2013.
http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/05/24/20-timeless-photos-that-made-our-week/photo/a-child-watches-jellyfish-swim-in-a-large-tank-at-the-vancouver-aquarium-in-vancouver/

What I would give to be one of the little guys...nothing to do but roll around with 

all your friends, light as a feather, in clean-crystal chlorinated water.

*sigh

Dr. Konrad Lorenz, a Viennese scientist and animal behaviourist, is followed by goslings who have accepted him as their mother, at Woodland Institute, on June 1, 1955.

http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/05/24/20-timeless-photos-that-made-our-week/photo/00968531-jpg/

Once upon a time, a long time ago....I had some baby ducks.

I loved them and they loved me.
They all had names and followed me everywhere.
We were inseparable.

Until they were all eaten by one hungry coyote.
I have never been the same since.

The end.

Children watch the story of "Saint George and the Dragon" at an outdoor puppet theatre in Paris, in 1963.

http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/05/24/20-timeless-photos-that-made-our-week/photo/01_00760343/

My favourite kid?

Check out the girl with the glasses in the right hand corner of the picture.

That face, is MY FACE when I see ponies, galloping together in a field.

Okay, okay. You're right. 

That's my face when I excited about anything.

(awkward silence)

So...yeah. 

U.S. President Barack Obama greets Nicholas Tamarin outside the Oval Office in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 26, 2012.

http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/05/24/20-timeless-photos-that-made-our-week/photo/obama-in-the-white-house-prior-to-halloween/

My last and favourite picture?

Priceless.

(and I don't even like Obama - ha!)

Je joke.

Ahhh - I feel better.

Don't you?

p.s.
Thanks for the idea Big Al

Some People Never Grow Up; Lucy 1st - Me 2nd!

How often do you get the chance to participate in a game

called WIPE-OUT ?

Okay - but in Dhaka, Bangladesh?

That's what I thought.

Check this out...so dumb but so fun!

(this is only a recording of the first bit - ha!)

Thank LUCY!

You are a star for getting my BUTT out there!

I cannot take credit for participating in this KOOL event at the Nordic Club

It was all word of mouth/follow the leader from a more adventurous woman 

then me!

(yes; it is possible)

L - U - C- Y!

Boom!

WIPED-OUT in the Dhaka Down-Pour - DUH!

For once, I will let the pictures speak for themselves...

...thank gawd I got that pedicure!.

NOT!!!

*sigh

;-)

Awesome Resource for Teaching & Smiling

Oh Robert Frost...if only you knew who was reading your poem.

Share this with someone you know and watch their frown become a

GRINNNNNNN!

Pho-show!

This is why I love technology.

YouTube, sharing of links, fast internet - thank you ERIN HAGEN!

This would not have been made possible without YOU.

Luv you friend.

(smiling)

Brian Adams SHOUT OUT!

I'm excited to see this GANGSTER when I come home...or maybe

from the looks of things in this picture - a sugar-daddy?

Bah - HAHAHAHAHHAHAHA!

Brian Adams, start counting down the days...I will be by your side SOON.

THE CIRCUS IS COMING TO TOWN!!!

You didn't think this was a TWO MAN show did you?

Space cadets always some in pairs - HA!

Enjoy the peace and calm before the storm Brian Adams.

Luv

One of your lovely nut-job.

Chasing ICE - BRILLIANT!

If you haven't seen this documentary then I suggest you do.

If you are a teacher then I suggest you somehow make it fit in your curriculum.

(it's the end of the year - anything is possible)

If you are not a teacher then may I suggest you NOT become one -

we have enough already!

ZING!

Just kidding.

No, I cannot suggest a way this could fit into a math lesson

BUT

I can suggest you figure it out?

(even math teacher's like YOU handsome Jay)

WHY ? Because you are missing out.

Okay-okay.

What's the documentary called again?

I mean, come on.

If I can make it work in drama...?

(I want you to BE the glacier, feel the coldness of the character; be one with the ice)

The star of the film you ask? What's he like?

Impossible to describe in one word.

James Balog is plain crazy, driven, relentless, determined, hard-working, honest, devoted and

UNDOUBTEDLY CHARISMATIC!

Perfect star of any film.



I promise, this is NOT a waste of 90 minutes.

I'm no bully - JUST DO IT or I'll punch your LIGHTS OUT!

I'm guaranteeing (big sale pitch now) that this documentary will make you a better person

without a doubt...money back guaranteed if it doesn't.

That's my commitment to you.

WHAT SAY YOU?

What did Rhiannon say?

Good question.

Let me go ask.

(smile)

The Stuff Dreams Are Made From - Quinoa

This is what I miss about you, quinoa...

Quinoa cloud cookies - don't mind if I do.

Quinoa patties? For lunch? Or a plane ride home from the Desh to Canada?

Done and DONE!
(It will be my little science/food experiment while traveling)
sigh*
I should have been a scientist - I'd look so good in a lab coat.

Normally, I don't eat bread. In fact - I don't like it.
HOWEVER;
this crunchy weird-looking quinoa concoction does tickle my fancy...
...Un petit peu.

This dish however TAKE THE CAKE!
 (ding - dong)
Heaven? Is that you at my door.?
YUP.
Can't wait to get my PAWS on some of dat'QUINOA!
Quinoa, get back in my life already - I miss you.

(Oh stop with the rolling of the eyes people - one year without quinoa would make
you a little desperate too, non?)

Bah - HUMBUG!

I take it back - nobody asked you!

(cheeky)

p.s. All the photos come from one site which you can access from the following link
http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/double-broccoli-quinoa-recipe.html

Moment of Weakness - Then POUFF Gone!

My brother David sent me a photo this morning of the kids.

All my beautiful little NIECES and NEPHEWS.

Starting on the left that is Sammy D (newest member of the Wells clan, then there is Malcolm (older brother) than there is my darling princess Leia (1st cousin) and then her little (now big) brother Baz.

This was my reaction - word for word.

Once you break the seal, the tears just start flowing...

What this photo does not show is the snot build-up.
Forget tears I get all  snotty, snobby and slobbery...awesome!

20 minutes later I'm BACK!

What the heck am I doing?

Oh right, blowing a kiss to the family that I love and miss so much.

CANNOT WAIT TO SEE YOU!

But gotta finish things over here first - UGH!

Or wait a second, maybe I'm about to sneeze?

Can't remember - short term memory loss.

Where's my coffee?

Gotta run - life of a teacher the last few months of school SUCK.

(smiling)

Morning Poodle - UGH!

Those people who say - Ohhhh I love you're curls?

Or how did you do that?

Is it hard to curl them every morning?

Nope. It's a natural POUFFF!

It's called going to bed with semi-wet hair from 

washing or just plain sweating.

YUP.

Gross but true.

And the result?

The ugly POODLE look - boom!

Who wants to look like this?

No one.

It's been 30 years and I still don't know 

how to work with this...it's losing battle that I continue to

fight.

I can't even drink my coffee without getting a 

~ GULP ~

 of crazy, goat-hair, a la mop - delish.

Oh hey, there you are - hah!

Nope, curls take over again.

UNTIL A MAN by the name of 

BOB LEPINE change my life with THIS dynamite little devise.

These little beauties are life changers for me on bad hair days.

Although occasionally I get the

"OUCH - what the h*** is in this hat? Ahhh COOL, I was looking 

for an extra bobbi-pin! How you get lost in there little fella?"

Hah - love it!

Quite often, as I'm sure you can imagine,

I'll be having a conversation with someone 

(boss, colleague, student - take your pick)

 and find a mysterious bobbi-pin  that I never knew was there!

What a FIND! Or as I often say when this happens -

Of course, this results in me getting a sheepish look or the other person 

whom I was talking to giggle...Ms.Wells? What's wrong this you? 

I 'm always dumbfounded - What?!?!?!

It's the little things in life...right?

Yeah, that's what I thought!

And DON'T YOU FORGET IT !!!

Right.

So...yeah.

What were we talking about again?

My Birthday Brother - Boom!

Dave has always been the "rock" in our family.

From the very beginning...

Here is the next generations of family "rocks"

Happy Birthday Dave!

Hope these little monkeys were good to you on your 

BIG - DAY!

Wish I could have been there to make you a PIZZA - PUMPKIN

birthday - pie.

Just saying.

Boom!

YOGI TEA talking nonsense AGAIN!

The message on my tea last night...

"Wherever you go, go with all of your heart"

-Yogi Tea Black Licorice

Not sure I wanna go anywhere with

my whole flipping heart anymore Mr.Yogi Tea.

Might end up falling in love 

with a place like...Oh SHUCKS!

It's happened.

First Switzerland now Dhaka.

Like a baby duck I imprint on each

place I live and then 

fall head over feet for the DANG location.

(So when I am at home I miss Swiss, 

when I'm in Swiss I will miss home 

and now in Dhaka well, I miss both)

Lauren, learn to say NO!

 Repeat after me;

I will not like or love this place.

I will not think about it when I leave.

I will not like nor will I miss the noise,

 heat, monsoon rains or morning tropical smells and glorious setting suns.

(*sigh)

How dreadfully annoying.

Yup. 

I'm one confused little duckling.

Thinking of YOU...Andrew Todd

Andrew Todd.

Probably one of the nicest people I know.

Absolutely 100% fact.

***

Last week Andrew was

hit while biking to rowing practice in London, Ontario.

London, Ontario is where I grew up and pretty much my hometown.

On behalf of all Londoners 

and all the unfortunately CRAPPY NON-BIKING FRIENDLY DRIVERS

(again, I feel like I can say this being a Londoner myself who biked there for years) 

SORRY WE ARE SUCH JERKS!

***

In all seriousness,

I'm thinking of you Andrew and hoping you are getting good care and  treatment.

Keep your chin up.

Do you know how many people CARE about YOU!?!

A lot.

So you get better soon, will ya?!?

(This is my serious I will KICK YOUR BUTT FACE if you don't get better soon)

Smile.

Sending you hugs, good energy and mosquitoes from Dhaka.

.HUG

(but not too tight)

Lauren

WIPE-OUT for Adults

Who says you have to grow up?

Naaaaa, whom ever said Peter Pan had to grow up
was wrong, ohhh so very wrong!

Loved the idea of an obstacle course for adults
(based off show WIPE-OUT)
Never seen the show either but WICKED idea - fun and EXCITING!
And
how often do you get to make yourself feel like a complete
and utter fool?

That's what I thought - NEVER!

The team and I.
Fred on far left, lovely guy in the middle
(umm forget his name - just met him that night!)
and Red Hot on the far right.
(a.k.a. A nickname given by my fellow colleagues Red Hot Mess)
(I don't get it)

I stronger disagree with whomever told Peter Pan he had to grow up!
That is a load of B.S.!

YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE, right?
(why not participate in an adult obstacle course?)

Beats me.

Smiling

More Coffee Tasting? No, certified Barista - WHOA!

Okay - okay, esay tigers!

Not so certified that I could make an AMAZING cappuccino

BUT

I did learn a thing or two about being a Barista...and some good tips

about ordering coffee in general.

1) It's espresso, not expresso - DUH!

2) Milk gets sweeter when you heat it up (between 60 -70)

but NOT above or it's too hot to drink - ouch!
(I can't feel my tongue)

3) Taping requires patience and skill when being a Barista.

4) What is tapping? I am not really sure.

This is me trying to tap...

...so yeah. Still clueless and terrible at tapping.

(should go back and get a refund)

 5) I was really good at frothing milk, pouring and
(DRUM ROLL PLEASE)
designing/drawing with the FROTH!
Can you believe it?

Notice the improve from RIGHT to LEFT?

Oh yeah...I did good.

Then I made Marshmallow Man from Ghostbusters.

A natural, right?

So proud of my work that I refused to give it the 

his drink...well, no. That's a lie.

He didn't want my perfectly good Marshmallow Man from Ghostbusters.

Fine.

I WOULD have refused, had the a customer WANTED my brilliant concoction.

Jerk.

6) Last but not least, learnt that I love coffee breath 

and need to end up with someone who like coffee as much as me.

(well not so much that they drink all my coffee)

  At this point in the year as a teacher, working coffee for the rest of my days
sounds like a better way to pass the time.

*le sigh.

Who needs a coffee?