Hostess with Mostest

As someone that loves to be known as the hostess with the mostest, I now know what I am missing to be the best ever..

A fancy dress box! How fabulous and how fun at a dinner party. Karen definitely wins as top hostess, dressing me up as my childhood hero, genius, I am so getting a fancy dress box!

Old Times

I love that even though I have not seen Ben properly for almost two years (bar a rushed moment or two in Bruton) it is like we were never apart. After catching up on our lives, which took all of two minutes, we were right back to the old days. Which meant of course heading straight to the pub for some footie..
Something's never change... And how great to have Suzanne back albeit for about 10 hours!!

Final Minutes

It is the last day of school, well actually last hour of school, the kids left yesterday and today we are tying up the odds and ends (which means a lot of tidying, definitely not a strength of mine).  I am now just counting the minutes (57 now) till I start my absolutely jam packed filled summer begins, well actually that is not quite true, the celebrating started last night with our staff do.

And now I am very excited to be returning to my first house guest of the summer, Ben (in only 55 minutes:)

Differentiation the way Forward

What a brilliant course I have just been on supporting something I have believed in since I was a baby teacher, that streaming is not the most effective way to structure classes. In fact, I would go as far as saying it can be limiting and even damaging to some children's learning. This course has not only given me the evidence to support this but also and more importantly the tools to create an effective exciting differentiated classroom. I am actually a bit disappointed that school is over as cannot wait to try my new strategies. I thought I was a pretty good teacher before the course but have come away with so many great ideas and the realisation that I have a ways to go before I can be the teacher I want to be. A big thank you to David Suarez, who was a brilliant course leader and a teacher I can only hope to be half like one day.

Small Small World

I think it is amazing how small the world has become, or maybe it is the more you go the smaller it becomes, I am not sure. I just love that I come to a course in Genoa, a place I really had never heard of, bump into a friend on the course (Dan) and end up tonight having dinner with Mari's (good friend in Basel) favourite cousin and partner.

Got Lucky

Sometimes you just get lucky. I was so excited for this course and its content that I really thought one is going to disappoint, but nope, better than all expectations. Genoa is a hidden treasure and the course thus far has been fantastic.

Basel-Milano-Genoa

Well it has been a long old journey down through Switzerland and then through Italy on the way to my course. But I loved taking the train just so much easier and relaxing than flying. The train ride through the alps was beautiful..

 The station there was beautiful.

Our delay in Milano allowed me to catch some rays.

 I have now arrived at my hotel in Genoa, although I did question if my school had actually sent me to a convent upon entering my room..

 But it has a huge patio off my room, and with the sun shining I think I will manage somehow..

To be fair they could have put me anywhere, I just love love Italy!

Time flies

I cannot believe I have completed two years at ISB, it has just flown by. Although I still have a couple in service days next week, I finished actual teaching today as off to a course in Genoa, Italy tomorrow. I am very excited as, well what it is not to be excited about, first it is Italy, it is on the coast, it is hot and most importantly I really believe in the course content 'differentiation in mathematics'. Overall I had a great school year and lovely last kid day, I adore all my pupils and really will miss them over the summer.

Sports Day 2013...

...was amazingly hotter than last year, some may argue too hot, but not me of course :). I refed 17 basketball games, had to play in one (gr. 11 purple short on players and stupidly was wearing purple), and ended the day by the pool.

Picnic in the Park

What a difference some sun and heat can make. The city is buzzing and everyone is out enjoying the weather. I was meant to host a lunch today but realised there was no way I could be inside so instead had a picnic in the park.

Lovely day with the Rawson's, Ellie and William.

It is meant to get even hotter this week, so I can see a lot more picnics and BBQ's in the very near future :).

Also wishing the most important fabulous man in my life a very Happy Fathers Day, I love you! x

My Favourite Day...

...of the school year is hands down the international fair (keep in mind this was only my second one but fabulous). The only thing to do is go country to country eating and drinking, totally my thing. A great day, fun had by all.

Canada and UK were represented, next year for sure I am doing Barbados (just serving rum and water)

Girl Guides

Last night I went to Emily's new house for what I thought would be a regular dinner, but what I did not know is Emily had a little adventure planned. Half way thorough eating she had to pop out to pick up Dave, and as my car was last in the drive I told her to take it. Five minutes later she rang having punctured a tire. I am an advent watcher of Come Dine with me, and I have yet to come across better dinner time entertainment..

First thing to discover is I have no spare tire, so I drove Emily's car home to get a winter one, while super Dave jacked the car.  Dave and Emily worked hard, but sadly could not get tire off, called insurance company and waited for help. And after years in girl guides I know to always be prepared, so may not have had a spare tire but of course had my emergency wine.
To add to the fun, in two hours the temp had dropped from about 28 degrees to 15 and rain, my favourite!
After three hours my hero arrived, took a hammer and banged the wheel off (he made it look so easy but we did try), it was a real adventure. The only down side is I never got my pudding, so that drops her score to 8 out of 10, who knew standing in pouring rain for hours could be such fun.

Disclaimer: I had one swig of wine for effect, no more (to be fair it was hard to peel away from Dave ;)

Just call me Rocky

Last fall, some will remember, I began training for the next Olympics both in rowing and touch rugby. As these dreams have vanished (rowing died a death and not sure women's touch rugby will get a spot in the Olympics just yet), I have now started training for a sport that actually may get me there, boxing..
I think with a lot more hard work and training you may see me in the next Olympic for boxing.  Thank you Pia for introducing me to it.
My failing may be going out for meals straight after, but Liam and Marietta's Thai was definitely worth it! Food training starts today ;)

Grumpy Girl

I am not sure exactly why, I guess a combination of things, careless loss of money, the inability to organise small things due to language (or lack of), a picture, a memory, but for whatever reason(s) I woke up in the worst mood ever yesterday. Even the boiling hot weather and blue skies could not cheer me up. In this happy state, I attended Marks 3rd annual beer pong tournament where it was embarrassingly evident I was not my usual sparkling self. But thank god I have amazingly forgiving and supportive friends and enough sense to leave for a short break and sort my head out. After realising I was being a sulky silly cow I returned to the party, begged forgiveness and enjoyed a large wine (always helpful!).

 I then headed to Karen's to start a great and happy girls night out.

Lovely night with lovely ladies

Two Years of Wine

Probably seems like a weird title to most, as I am sure it seems that my mother nursed me with wine (I am pretty sure she didn't, but not positive..), but it is to commemorate the completion of two years of the Basel ladies wine club. Two years of learning, sophisticated evenings ;), and a little bit of chatter, the group is as strong as ever and we will recommence after a summer break.
Skyler hosted one of the last ones of the year, lovely evening!

Summer fully arrived for it (seems we missed spring but whatever) and a beautiful evening was had.

Charity Circuits...

...in the park is the reason I am not sure I can physically get out of bed right now. Super fit Pia does circuit training in the park on a Tuesday and the money she charges she donates to charity at the end of the summer (although secretly I think this is only a small reason she does it, more to see people like me in pain!). She is a very talented and trainer and although I vehemently disliked her during the hour and a half of pain, this morning as I lie here suffering (gotta be a good sign) I love her once again.

The Roberts

I love meeting my friends parents and family.  In fact I could hang out with loads of my parents friends happily with my friend no where to be seen.  So on Friday when I was invited for dinner to meet Karen's parents and God parents, I was thrilled.  We had such a lovely time on Friday that I invited them to mine last night for dinner.  We had two great evenings, where I have learnt a bit more about Karen (her first real job tops any that I have ever heard before, she must been able to source the best Christmas presents ever;)), and got to know her great parents and God parents.

Raclet at Karen's on Friday, Mexican at mine on Sunday. 

Watch out Boys..

... the girls are taking over! Twelve awards to be had at high school graduation yesterday and eleven went to the gals. Now I am not saying that females are the more intelligent and dynamic gender but also would hate to argue with the evidence ;) Besides the awards it was a fantastic event, my own university graduation did not even come close to the event these students were given, amazing venue, food, drinks, outfits, all of it was really fantastic.

One of my favourite mothers, celebrating her sons graduation and acceptance to Cambridge :)