Sunday, June 10, 2007
Things that go bump in the night
We left the island at 2AM to bring our student to the airport. I don't know if you believe in omens or whether you are superstitious or not, but there was a very foreboding feeling as we drove off island and saw the presence of a large, blood red crescent waning. I remarked at how beautiful the sight was. It was so breathtaking, yet eerie at the same time.Hubby told our student about the beliefs and superstitions of the Blood Moon. Hubby said that if there's a full moon and it's red like how it was last night, somebody close to you is going to die. Last night it wasn't a full moon (it was the crescent waning), but there was still the feeling of danger.
On our early morning trek to the airport, we saw the glowing eyes of deer as they darted across the empty highway. We saw a porcupine, a raccoon, two skunks, a turtle, a beaver and a black bear. We were all shocked, since we don't see bear up here on a regular basis. This was my third bear I've seen while driving. My student was saying that he was upset that he'd been in Canada for so long and hadn't seen a bear yet. Well, he saw one this morning and it was too close for comfort! We were within just about a foot of the bear as it ran across the highway. I felt my heart jump into my throat and wasn't sure if it was more the horror feeling like we could have had a serious accident and not have been able to make it to the airport or the sickness I felt at the thought of killing that bear.
By the way he was walking/running, it looked as though he was a male. Judging by its size, Hubby thinks he may have been a little older than a yearling. He was probably 200 lbs or in that range. It was a gorgeous sight though. The things I've had the opportunity to see just by living on the island really amaze me.
Hubby saw a shooting star and as daylight broke, the mist from the lakes painted a pretty picture amongst the soft pinks and purples and oranges of the morning sky.
Things at the airport went well. Hopefully, the rest of my student's journey home will go off without a hitch.
It will certainly be quiet without our homestay student living in our house. Now we have a brief few weeks of just Hubby and me until the next batch of students arrive in July.
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Creepy!!!
A student of mine once told me a story that really made me feel uneasy. It was about a movie that he saw, but said he thought it was based on a true story.
There once was this man in his thirties or forties, who was in severe financial troubles. He lost a lot of money and was going to be in serious trouble with his company. His father had a lot of money (in the billions, I think), so the son decided that he had to kill his parents to get the money. The son went to his parents' house and stabbed both his parents to death, but when he stabbed them, he accidentally sliced part of his finger and nail with the knife.
When the autopsy results came in, they found the bit of finger and nail in his mother's throat. This meant that instead of letting her son pay the punishment for his crimes, the parents would rather protect him. She had swallowed the evidence that would connect her son to their murders.
This story really troubled me. I know parents' love is really deep, but what is this teaching their kids? That it's okay to do things that are wrong and even criminal, and in the end, your parents love you and whatever you do will be okay?
My student argued with me when I started to talk about "tough love" and how sometimes valuable lessons can be learned when one has to assume responsibility for their actions and decisions. Sometimes the toughest lessons in life and being accountable for one's decisions can teach a person more than what just receiving a pat on the head and hearing "Everything will be okay" can.
What do you think?
There once was this man in his thirties or forties, who was in severe financial troubles. He lost a lot of money and was going to be in serious trouble with his company. His father had a lot of money (in the billions, I think), so the son decided that he had to kill his parents to get the money. The son went to his parents' house and stabbed both his parents to death, but when he stabbed them, he accidentally sliced part of his finger and nail with the knife.
When the autopsy results came in, they found the bit of finger and nail in his mother's throat. This meant that instead of letting her son pay the punishment for his crimes, the parents would rather protect him. She had swallowed the evidence that would connect her son to their murders.
This story really troubled me. I know parents' love is really deep, but what is this teaching their kids? That it's okay to do things that are wrong and even criminal, and in the end, your parents love you and whatever you do will be okay?
My student argued with me when I started to talk about "tough love" and how sometimes valuable lessons can be learned when one has to assume responsibility for their actions and decisions. Sometimes the toughest lessons in life and being accountable for one's decisions can teach a person more than what just receiving a pat on the head and hearing "Everything will be okay" can.
What do you think?
Friday, June 08, 2007
What I Need
Here's what you do: Google "your name + needs" and pick the first thirteen that make sense. This is hilarious! Thanks for posting this, Ms.Mamma! You sure made me laugh when I most needed it!
1. Christine needs only to cough and sneeze and then she could have a brain hemorrhage. Ummm...okay.
2. Christine needs to do something more than just fast sex and a roll in the hay. LOL!!!
3. Christine needs to stop looking at clothes. *sigh* Yes, this is true.
4. Christine needs to know where her inventory is located at all times. *sigh* True again.
5. Christine needs parents who will be patient, as she needs much repetition to develop. Unbelievably true!!!
6. Christine needs to go to sleep. Yes, I do!
7. Every three months, Christine needs to see her doctors at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan.
8. Christine needs constant attention. I for one, do not think I need constant attention!
9. Christine needs a personal assistant twice a day to help her get out of bed and ready for the day and in the evening to help her get ready for bed. Hmmm...
10. Christine needs your help! LOL! For what?
11. Christine needs to go back and read some of her earlier books and remember what made
them great. Yes, again.
12. Christine needs her own reality show. I probably do!
13. Christine needs someone to help make it click in her head! Make what click in my head?
Thanks again, Ms. Mamma (and J). This was fun. Jimmy, I swear I'll finish your meme soon!!!
*Just added*
I thought it would be funny to see what would happen if I put Hubby's name + needs into the Google search. His "needs" are MUCH funnier than mine! LOL!
1. John needs operation after hooker bites penis for non-payment. HAHAHA!
2. John needs a matched donor.
3. John needs to get his patootie back here.
4. John needs to embrace family values.
5. John needs help.
6. John needs more paper.
7. John needs our votes.
8. John needs our presence.
9. John needs to go.
10. John needs a band.
11. John needs an iron.
12. John needs a new phone.
13. John needs to clean up his act soon.
1. Christine needs only to cough and sneeze and then she could have a brain hemorrhage. Ummm...okay.
2. Christine needs to do something more than just fast sex and a roll in the hay. LOL!!!
3. Christine needs to stop looking at clothes. *sigh* Yes, this is true.
4. Christine needs to know where her inventory is located at all times. *sigh* True again.
5. Christine needs parents who will be patient, as she needs much repetition to develop. Unbelievably true!!!
6. Christine needs to go to sleep. Yes, I do!
7. Every three months, Christine needs to see her doctors at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan.
8. Christine needs constant attention. I for one, do not think I need constant attention!
9. Christine needs a personal assistant twice a day to help her get out of bed and ready for the day and in the evening to help her get ready for bed. Hmmm...
10. Christine needs your help! LOL! For what?
11. Christine needs to go back and read some of her earlier books and remember what made
them great. Yes, again.
12. Christine needs her own reality show. I probably do!
13. Christine needs someone to help make it click in her head! Make what click in my head?
Thanks again, Ms. Mamma (and J). This was fun. Jimmy, I swear I'll finish your meme soon!!!
*Just added*
I thought it would be funny to see what would happen if I put Hubby's name + needs into the Google search. His "needs" are MUCH funnier than mine! LOL!
1. John needs operation after hooker bites penis for non-payment. HAHAHA!
2. John needs a matched donor.
3. John needs to get his patootie back here.
4. John needs to embrace family values.
5. John needs help.
6. John needs more paper.
7. John needs our votes.
8. John needs our presence.
9. John needs to go.
10. John needs a band.
11. John needs an iron.
12. John needs a new phone.
13. John needs to clean up his act soon.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Sometimes you just wanna vent
...or have a nice, cold drink! Many of you know that I don't drink and party as much as I did back when I was in college and university. Pyramid of shots, anyone? Or perhaps a 'standing on your head and chugging beer' contest? Those party days seem so far away now. I don't even like the taste of beer. I never did.
Our current lifestyle doesn't really allow for many days nursing hangovers. Now we have responsibilities like operating our own business and farm, and being role models to our students. With Hubby being on call all the time for First Response and Firefighting, he can't be under the influence when there's an emergency he needs to get to. I also feel the biggest guilt when I know how many calories and how much sugar go into an alcoholic beverage...especially the ones I like!
I'm not saying that we never drink. We do on special occasions and sometimes with friends. I'm glad that Hubby and I both don't drink much. It's so rare to find a partner who doesn't drink or smoke! However, sometimes (and I know this is bad), when life tosses you some pretty brutal curve balls, you just wanna sit back...and have one of these!!!
Tonight is one of those nights when I feel like having one of those babies. Unfortunately, since we don't drink much, we don't have anything alcoholic in our house. Okay, that was a lie. I think we have a bottle of ice wine (from the Niagara region, of course!) that one of my Colombian students gave me as a present. Oh, and perhaps a bit of vodka from our wedding last year! LOL! Oh right...and that one lonely bottle of mixed berry wine cooler in the fridge! I remember getting those in high school and thinking we were cool. I later realized that it was more like just a fizzy, carbonated fruit drink than an alcoholic beverage. Those were the days.
Our current lifestyle doesn't really allow for many days nursing hangovers. Now we have responsibilities like operating our own business and farm, and being role models to our students. With Hubby being on call all the time for First Response and Firefighting, he can't be under the influence when there's an emergency he needs to get to. I also feel the biggest guilt when I know how many calories and how much sugar go into an alcoholic beverage...especially the ones I like!
I'm not saying that we never drink. We do on special occasions and sometimes with friends. I'm glad that Hubby and I both don't drink much. It's so rare to find a partner who doesn't drink or smoke! However, sometimes (and I know this is bad), when life tosses you some pretty brutal curve balls, you just wanna sit back...and have one of these!!!
Tonight is one of those nights when I feel like having one of those babies. Unfortunately, since we don't drink much, we don't have anything alcoholic in our house. Okay, that was a lie. I think we have a bottle of ice wine (from the Niagara region, of course!) that one of my Colombian students gave me as a present. Oh, and perhaps a bit of vodka from our wedding last year! LOL! Oh right...and that one lonely bottle of mixed berry wine cooler in the fridge! I remember getting those in high school and thinking we were cool. I later realized that it was more like just a fizzy, carbonated fruit drink than an alcoholic beverage. Those were the days. Anyway, I would really love a Peach Bellini right about now. I remember having a really good one in a restaurant in Toronto with Dina when we were roomies. For now, all I can do is dream of this recipe that I will one day try again.
INGREDIENTS
The Drink
2 large peaches, cut into chunks
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 bottle Champagne or sparkling wine
Garnish
1 large peach, cut into 6 slices
6 mint sprigs Combine peach chunks, sugar and lemon juice in a bowl. Allow to rest 30 minutes. Place mixture in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook 15 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Pour through a strainer, pressing solids to extract flavor and juices. Chill. Discard any solids.Place about 1 tablespoon peach syrup in each flute and fill with Champagne. Garnish with a peach slice and mint sprig.
FYI: I nabbed this recipe from the Oprah Winfrey site!
My Special Time With Dad
Mama Doggy Love posted the sweetest story about her special time with her dad. In honour of my Dad and since Father's Day is fast approaching, I would like to write a little something about my special time with Dad.Almost a decade ago, I was teaching English in Japan. I had left my friends and family and ventured to the other end of the globe. It was the biggest adventure of my life and the best thing I could have done for myself.
While I was overseas, my one of my uncles had suddenly passed away. Soon after, my grandfather had died. I was having so much fun being independent and adventurous overseas and it wasn't until I heard about our family's misfortunes (the loss of two of my beloved family members), that I began to feel a little bit of homesickness. I remember crying and crying because I couldn't be with my family in those really difficult times. My family members went to the funerals and mourned together. I felt that because I was so far away, I was unable to have proper "closure".
My dad surprised me and told me he was coming to visit me in Japan! He was on a business trip in Hong Kong and decided he would hop over to Japan on his way back to Canada and spend a week with me!!! This would be the very first time that Dad and I had ever had real quality time together as father and daughter. I have two younger brothers, so I never really had time alone with Dad.
For one week, Dad and I did the touristy thing. I managed to get some time off work and on the days that I had to teach, my students and friends took my dad sightseeing. Dad and I had so much fun traveling together, going out to restaurants, hanging out with my friends from Japan, England, Scotland, France, Australia, the US and Canada.
Dad and I even went to karaoke bars with my friends, went to "game centres" to play "Dance Dance Revolution" and take "print club" (pron. purikura in Japanese!) photos... and we even hung out in bars together after I was done work! I never did anything like this with my Dad! It was the craziest, most surreal experience to actually be spending time with my dad in an environment so different from the one we lived in back home.
While I was at work, Dad went to the grocery store and bought and prepared my meals. It was so cute to see all the excitement in his face when he found new and interesting items in the stores! Of course, with Dad not being able to read Japanese, it was always a surprise to see what he found! Dad would wake up in the morning and roll up my futon and so my apartment (which was the size of a small bedroom!) would look more spacious. The futons over there are different from the ones we know in Canada. They aren't fold up beds/sofas, but rather a mat that is put on the floor so you can sleep on it and then you fold it up during the day. Dad and I were so cramped in my tiny apartment. It was so funny!
I remember the sadness I felt when Dad had to return to Canada. Our week was up and I never knew that I'd miss him that much. That time Dad spent in Japan with me is one of the many wonderful and memorable times I have shared with him.
Though Hubby and I live close to our parents' houses, we don't see them often because work and life get in the way. Thanks to Jane's post, I have been reminded of how special my dad is and that I really ought to spend more time with him. Once a Daddy's girl, always a Daddy's girl, I guess!
* The only pics I have available of Dad and me are the ones posted here. I really must get our scanner fixed so I can post more oldies but goodies (and finally join in Sharon's, Jane's and Audrey's Throwback Thursdays)!! The pic of Dad and me (in the middle) wearing matching white t-shirts is my favourite photo of all. The last pic on the bottom right was taken by Dad in my tiny apartment in Japan. See me kneeling as I eat sushi at my 'kotatsu'?
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
If you want something done...Do it yourself!
If you want something done...Do not ask your husband! Okay, let me rephrase that. If you want something unreasonable, irrational, ludicrous, and totally insane done, then don't ask your husband! LOL!
I have been blessed with having a husband who is so patient with me. He's wonderful, loving, caring, understanding and unfortunately for me...rational! He'll do the craziest things to make me happy, but there are some things that are just too off the wall that he won't do. He would be so sweet enough to go to the kitchen and make me a cup of hot apple cider even if he had just been in the kitchen only minutes ago. He'll go out and bring me the most thoughtful trinkets of his love and appreciation (like that amazing fruit press I posted about)! He's there to bring me back down to earth when I get carried away with things I need not waste my time nor energy for. He's just a soothing, comforting presence and he complements (and compliments!) me well! Hey, don't get me wrong...I do my fair share of thoughtful deeds and complementing! :)
Anyway, it was 2:03 AM and I couldn't sleep. When I came home from Kingston the other weekend, I asked Hubby how things on the homestead were. "Oh, everything is great! We're all fine. Oh, except we're down one cat." "What?" "Yes. She tore a hole in the window screen in the living room and jumped out and fled." "OMG!" I was saddened because Fred (George's sister/littermate) was my little cuddle bunny! She always slept in our bed and she was always vying for my attention! I was also sad because I just knew she went out to get pregnant! Just what we need...more kittens! These girls are going to get fixed after they've weaned their babies!
Okay, so I was in bed awake at 2:03 this morning, thinking of Fred. Then, the craziest thing happened. I almost couldn't believe what was going on! I heard Fred's meeeeeeowing and it sounded like she was in our room! I then realized that she was outside our window!!! This is crazy, because our master bedroom is on the second floor, in a loft! I guess Fred had climbed up the greenhouse walls and ended up outside our window. Our windows are so old and they do not open, so I couldn't let her in. It was pouring rain last night/this morning and Fred was making a lot of noise, wanting to come in. The Prodigal Son (ummm...errr...Daughter...make that feline daughter) had returned!!!
She was scratching at the windows, trying to get in. There was no way I could get her, since she was on top of the greenhouse under our bedroom window. She had climbed to the top of the roof! It was dark, rainy, wet, slippery...I entertained the thought of finding a ladder to retrieve her. I then realized how dangerous that would be.
Me: Honey!!! You have to get her! She's crying and she's getting wet!
Hubby: She'll come down on her own.
Me: Hmph!
5 mins later
Me: Hubby...Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!!! You need to go get her!
Hubby: I need to go to sleep! It's after 2AM.
Me: Well, you can't sleep now with all that noise she's making. If you get her, then you'll be able to sleep!
Hubby: Ummm...That's not the only reason I can't sleep!
At this point, I already knew I was being unreasonable and irrational. If you know me, you already know that once I get a thought in my head, no matter how crazy it is, I always follow through.
Me: Fine then. I'll get her myself.
Hubby: (half asleep) Hmmm.
Rather miffed at this point, because things weren't going my way, I stormed outside in my green rubber boots and fuzzy purple housecoat! "C'mere! Fred! C'mere!!!" (She always answers to C'mere..you know, as in 'come here') After much prodding and persuading, she finally relented and came down. Almost an hour later, and fully drenched, I returned to our bed with the cat.
Me: I guess if a wife wants something done, she shouldn't ask her husband!"
Hubby: Hmmmm. (He was fast asleep and wasn't listening to me at all).
This morning when we were all up for breakfast around 7AM, I told Hubby that I had retrieved the cat from the roof in the pouring rain at 2 something in the morning. Hubby just said, "Wow! I didn't hear a thing!" LOL! *sigh* You've gotta love Hubby. He's too funny. Oh, and yes...I am sometimes irrational.
I have been blessed with having a husband who is so patient with me. He's wonderful, loving, caring, understanding and unfortunately for me...rational! He'll do the craziest things to make me happy, but there are some things that are just too off the wall that he won't do. He would be so sweet enough to go to the kitchen and make me a cup of hot apple cider even if he had just been in the kitchen only minutes ago. He'll go out and bring me the most thoughtful trinkets of his love and appreciation (like that amazing fruit press I posted about)! He's there to bring me back down to earth when I get carried away with things I need not waste my time nor energy for. He's just a soothing, comforting presence and he complements (and compliments!) me well! Hey, don't get me wrong...I do my fair share of thoughtful deeds and complementing! :)
Anyway, it was 2:03 AM and I couldn't sleep. When I came home from Kingston the other weekend, I asked Hubby how things on the homestead were. "Oh, everything is great! We're all fine. Oh, except we're down one cat." "What?" "Yes. She tore a hole in the window screen in the living room and jumped out and fled." "OMG!" I was saddened because Fred (George's sister/littermate) was my little cuddle bunny! She always slept in our bed and she was always vying for my attention! I was also sad because I just knew she went out to get pregnant! Just what we need...more kittens! These girls are going to get fixed after they've weaned their babies!
Okay, so I was in bed awake at 2:03 this morning, thinking of Fred. Then, the craziest thing happened. I almost couldn't believe what was going on! I heard Fred's meeeeeeowing and it sounded like she was in our room! I then realized that she was outside our window!!! This is crazy, because our master bedroom is on the second floor, in a loft! I guess Fred had climbed up the greenhouse walls and ended up outside our window. Our windows are so old and they do not open, so I couldn't let her in. It was pouring rain last night/this morning and Fred was making a lot of noise, wanting to come in. The Prodigal Son (ummm...errr...Daughter...make that feline daughter) had returned!!!
She was scratching at the windows, trying to get in. There was no way I could get her, since she was on top of the greenhouse under our bedroom window. She had climbed to the top of the roof! It was dark, rainy, wet, slippery...I entertained the thought of finding a ladder to retrieve her. I then realized how dangerous that would be.
Me: Honey!!! You have to get her! She's crying and she's getting wet!
Hubby: She'll come down on her own.
Me: Hmph!
5 mins later
Me: Hubby...Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!!! You need to go get her!
Hubby: I need to go to sleep! It's after 2AM.
Me: Well, you can't sleep now with all that noise she's making. If you get her, then you'll be able to sleep!
Hubby: Ummm...That's not the only reason I can't sleep!
At this point, I already knew I was being unreasonable and irrational. If you know me, you already know that once I get a thought in my head, no matter how crazy it is, I always follow through.
Me: Fine then. I'll get her myself.
Hubby: (half asleep) Hmmm.
Rather miffed at this point, because things weren't going my way, I stormed outside in my green rubber boots and fuzzy purple housecoat! "C'mere! Fred! C'mere!!!" (She always answers to C'mere..you know, as in 'come here') After much prodding and persuading, she finally relented and came down. Almost an hour later, and fully drenched, I returned to our bed with the cat.
Me: I guess if a wife wants something done, she shouldn't ask her husband!"
Hubby: Hmmmm. (He was fast asleep and wasn't listening to me at all).
This morning when we were all up for breakfast around 7AM, I told Hubby that I had retrieved the cat from the roof in the pouring rain at 2 something in the morning. Hubby just said, "Wow! I didn't hear a thing!" LOL! *sigh* You've gotta love Hubby. He's too funny. Oh, and yes...I am sometimes irrational.
Monday, June 04, 2007
Living in the World of Excess
Temper tantrums, bullying, wanton disregard
Lack of consideration, ingratitude, and never trying hard.
Babying, pampering, no inkling of "tough love"
Manipulation, being two-faced and feeling that you're above
all the others in the world and walking away unscathed.
Everything handed to, yet not knowing how to give back
No accountability for one's actions and always 'under attack'.
The result of this, no lessons learned,
but do as you wish and walk away
leaving not you, but others spurned.
LOL! Just some late night ramblings :) No real meaning to my crappy 'poem'. Yes, I know. It's horrible! LOL!
Lack of consideration, ingratitude, and never trying hard.
Babying, pampering, no inkling of "tough love"
Manipulation, being two-faced and feeling that you're above
all the others in the world and walking away unscathed.
Everything handed to, yet not knowing how to give back
No accountability for one's actions and always 'under attack'.
The result of this, no lessons learned,
but do as you wish and walk away
leaving not you, but others spurned.
LOL! Just some late night ramblings :) No real meaning to my crappy 'poem'. Yes, I know. It's horrible! LOL!
Pretty in Pink
The lovely ladies at Pinks and Blues are having yet another one of their wonderful contests. Visit their site and show them some linky luv as well! This week's prize?
* A cute Dooney & Burke bag
* A pink Juicy Couture vintage-inspired tee
AND
* TWO pairs of Victoria's Secret bikini undies!!!
* A cute Dooney & Burke bag
* A pink Juicy Couture vintage-inspired tee
AND
* TWO pairs of Victoria's Secret bikini undies!!!
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Fun in the sun
Saturday began like all other Saturdays. I had full intention of doing housework and laundry, and perhaps getting more of my garden planted. I also had promised myself to take it easy, since in the evening we had our Island Singers Concert at the Burns Wharf Theatre. After the concert, we were to go to a Trinidadian fete for our friend's birthday. The night would include delicious food (lots of jerk seasoning and spicy dishes) and some of the guys singing Trini tunes and playing the quatro (a four string musical instrument, smaller than a guitar). The day was nothing as I had anticipated it would be...as is usually the case.
Our nieces, Pook and Toad came over, since they were going to attend our concert with Hubby and P1. They played with the kitties, who are now almost two weeks old. Look how much they've grown!
It was I who complained about the heat and decided that housework would always be there waiting for me when we returned. It was I who mentioned to Hubby that we should take the kids to the beach to cool off. We took the kids and pup to the rocky beach. I'm quite partial to sandy beaches, but again, we didn't want Chance to drag sand into the vehicle.
Me: Kids, don't get tooooooooo wet! We don't have time to dry your clothes before the concert. Absolutely no swimming!
Kids: (in unison) Okay, we won't swim! We'll just roll up our shorts and just wet our legs.
Our nieces, Pook and Toad came over, since they were going to attend our concert with Hubby and P1. They played with the kitties, who are now almost two weeks old. Look how much they've grown!
It was I who complained about the heat and decided that housework would always be there waiting for me when we returned. It was I who mentioned to Hubby that we should take the kids to the beach to cool off. We took the kids and pup to the rocky beach. I'm quite partial to sandy beaches, but again, we didn't want Chance to drag sand into the vehicle.
Me: Kids, don't get tooooooooo wet! We don't have time to dry your clothes before the concert. Absolutely no swimming!Kids: (in unison) Okay, we won't swim! We'll just roll up our shorts and just wet our legs.
Now, enter the cheeky monkey (aka: Chance). Me being as brilliant as I am, I decided what fun it would be to get Chance to swim!! Lesson learned: Do not try to force a pup to swim if he absolutely does not wish to do so at the moment. He will do it on his own and when he wants to.
I guess you can imagine what happened next. I had Chance by the collar, leading him further into the water...and...*~SPLASH~* It was I who ended up going for a swim! Yes, Chance was the one who dragged me into the water. I was drenched (and more embarrassed than anything)! It was a good laugh and the children thought it was funny since I had said that they were not to get wet!
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Art you can drink
Gift giving is part of many cultures and when you visit someone's home, many people bring tokens of their appreciation and friendship. This is true for most of my students. P1's mom packed a bunch of presents for us and one of the gifts from Korea was a pouch filled with these amazing little fragrant balls of dried flowers. You're supposed to boil some water and fill a tall, clear glass or teapot and put the dried up ball in it water. Then, you watch it steep for 3-5 minutes and you'll be dazzled my the most amazing sight.We (P1, P2, their mom, my mother-in-law, my two nieces, my husband and myself) all sat around the dining room table and marveled at the sight! Slowly, the ball opened up and "blossomed"!
Amazed, I "Googled" the special green tea and discovered that the ball is actually carefully woven groupings of jasmine, lily and osmanthus flowers. How on earth does one weave dried flowers and make it in a way that they open up like that in hot water?? Is that pure genius or what?
Not only is it beautiful to watch the flowers as they unfold, but the tea is delicious too. It's a really smooth, gentle, fragrant and flavourful tea.
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About the Blog Author
City girl moves to the country, falls in love, and marries a farmer. She tries to incorporate her city ways with her new country lifestyle and blogs to keep in touch with friends, family & students who live far, far away :) Can this city girl go country? Watch as she learns all sorts of exciting things about life on the farm and in a small rural community. *UPDATE* We are now parents! Our baby girl was born on Nov. 11, 2008 (at 28 weeks gestation- 12 weeks premature, but she's quite the trooper)!!!
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