Miss Teacher

1.18.2011

TIPTOE THROUGH OUR SHINY CITY, WITH OUR DIAMOND SLIPPERS ON

I have been having the weirdest dreams lately. Sunday night I dreamt I was chased by people who wanted to kill me, and I ran all around the city trying to escape. Monday night I dreamt I was running the marathon, but every 5k or so I had to climb extremely tall ladders. Whatever my dreams may signify, in real life I have been running faster and for longer each time I work out, as my marathon training is now in full swing. And good thing I got these wonderful new loafers, purchased in Yaletown this weekend, which allowed me to run around and play dodgeball in class with my grade fours today. It seems there is currently a pattern dans ma vie...

Shirt: Club Monaco (stolen from my brother)

Shorts: Gap

Tights: The Bay

Loafers: Matiko

Diamond Ring: Club Monaco

Silver Ring: from Sweden

Amethyst Ring: Blue Ruby

Crocodile Ring: from New Orleans
Necklace: handmade by a student's mother

1.15.2011

AND YOU LOOSED THE CHAINS

“Fate: something that unavoidably befalls a person; synonymous with destiny, luck, kismet.”

Happiness, success, and love – all fates I believe we are entitled to. But perhaps a most serendipitous fate is that of fashion fate. For me, I experienced a fashion fate so clever (and a bit ridiculous) that I cannot take credit for. While out last night for drinks, my date showed obvious curiosity in my new Coach purse. He proceeded to unhook the chain strap and attach both ends, making a long chain necklace. “You should wear it like this,” he said, as he slipped it around my neck. Can you see the light bulb flashing brightly above my head?

Genius? Maybe. A bit silly? Probably. Resourceful? Definitely. Fate? Perhaps...

Shirt: Wilfred

Leaf ring: Aldo

Diamond ring: Club Monaco

Earrings: American Eagle

Chain: Coach

1.13.2011

I BELIEVE THAT MY LIFE'S GONNA SEE THE LOVE I GIVE RETURN TO ME

It has been a wild week. Teaching grade one is very different than what I am used to. Little kids need you for so much - putting rain boots on, opening snack containers, sharpening a pencil... But through a busy first few days, those little kids have shown me love, pure and simple. How to share with others by giving them half your goldfish crackers, how to show friendship by holding hands, how to help someone by finding their gloves in the coatroom – it is that easy. They never question kindness; it just comes naturally to them. And there were situations this week that made me realize love in other ways too. Bringing in my speakers and sub to blast one of my favourite classical pieces of music for my grade three’s, Mars, from The Planets by Gustav Holst = LOVE. My friends and brother returning from holidays to bring me back chocolates (3 boxes I got in total) = LOVE. A handmade necklace by a student’s mother in my grade four class, given to me yesterday = LOVE.

I wish you all to live with love as well :)

New puppets! Little ones for my little grade ones.

Shirt: Anthropologie

Red Heart Necklace worn as bracelet & Turquoise Heart Bracelet: Blue Ruby

Diamond Heart Bracelet: Vintage

LIVE WITH LOVE Necklace: handmade

Silver Rings: from a roadside vendor in Squamish

Makeup: idea stolen from Raiders of the Lost Ark

1.10.2011

LET'S ROLL

It is hard to believe that we can even be thinking about warm weather when snow is in our Vancouver forecast, but recently released Spring/Summer 2011 collections make the beach-appropriate fashions hard to ignore. My mindset is still stuck in scarves, gloves, and toques, but I cannot help to look at outfits that demand sunshine in order to be worn. Upon a recent trip to Seattle, I visited (and always visit) one of my favourite stores, ALL SAINTS. Although most S/S 2011 collections this year are bright and colourful, ALL SAINTS maintains an edgy look. Dark, grungy, yet super feminine, I am praying for this store to come across the border sometime soon...

1.08.2011

SOMETHING NEW

In the teaching world, jobs come up and are snapped up fast, faster than you have time to submit your resume before the posting closes. I have had my fair share of jobs I've applied to filled by others with more experience, and it can be pretty discouraging / heartbreaking. Yet, sometimes it seems as though luck has more to do with getting a job than anything else. Now finally, (finally!), I am working full time, having just recently receieved a new job teaching Grade 1 along with my Grade 3 and Grade 4 jobs. I spent the past Friday with the lil' ones, meeting them and trying to remember all their names. Running commentary in my head consisted of "aww" for the entire class.

Naturally I decided to treat myself. A little shopping and dinner/drinks with friends capped off the perfect first week back to work, and also serves as the final indulgence before marathon training begins next Tuesday...

Shirt & Skirt: French Connection

Necklace: American Eagle

Horseshoe Charm Necklace (as bracelet): Frug

Diamond Ring: Club Monaco

Silver Ring: from Sweden

1.05.2011

TERM TWO

Six o'clock rolled around this morning and I was less than enthusiastic about going back to work. But there is no better wake-up than twenty-two happy little faces greeting me with “bonjour!” And today was extra special because I received new whiteboard markers from Santa this Christmas (thanks mom) and finally got to use them today for my lesson (total geeky teacher-ness I know). We are learning about Space in grade 3 Science in term two, and aujourd’hui we reviewed the order of the planets.

If you’re wondering why it says << VOUS ETES INTELLIGENTS >> above – I try to write some inspirational thing on the board everyday! And you know, I think it works, putting up a message like that for them. My students were so amazing today! Most definitely intelligents.

I hope you all had wonderful weeks back at work! 2011 is off to a good start :)

Shirt: Made by me

Earrings&Ring: Blue Ruby

Nail Polish: Revlon in Minted

Hey! I like you! You can like me too on Facebook!

1.03.2011

BACK ON TRACK

I went for my first run in a month today (that's a lie, two months actually...). My iPod died on me back in October and my workout was lost. Although I know it should not be necessary to have music to exercise, for me it's a MUST. Have you ever been working out, and suddenly a song comes on that pumps you up so much that you work even harder than you were before, and you can't believe you are going harder because you didn't think you had it in you? Well, that's how I like to feel ALL THE TIME when I work out - exercising to my fullest. And, the perfect playlist enables me to exercise like a champ. Last year I ran numerous 10k runs and the Scotiabank Half Marathon. This year I will be aiming for a full Marathon in May. Song choices are crucial, and as of late my iTunes are majorly lacking in critical-pump-up tracks.

Do you have any great tunes that pump you up? If so, let me know!

Exhausted.

Shorts & Top: Lululemon

Also vital to a good workout:

Runners: Nike

Weights: Alex Vinyl Dumbbells

Watch: Roots

iPod: track Boy and His Computer by Felix Cartal

1.02.2011

AT HEART

After a dinner of Alphagetti and a night of watching Toy Story 3, I realize that I am really just a big kid. I guess that bodes well for me as a grade 3 and 4 teacher, although perhaps I should leave the kidding around for school time and act more mature during my outside life. Nah...