Thursday, April 28, 2011

29 more days...

So as the title says, I officially have 25 more days of work left! I complete my first year of 'teaching' on June 2nd. I cannot wait! I have been doing a lot of thinking on the issue, and wow this has been the hardest job I have ever had. I am not going back to teaching next year, as I will be doing full-time distance ed university. I have loved the journey and all the learning of teaching these little kids, but I am tired, and done.
I honestly would rather do full-time uni than go back to teaching, I just can't keep up. I have had a really interesting career path so far, with many challenging jobs, but still teaching pre-kindergarten has been the most challenging. Keep in mind that I am writing this at the end of my week, tired from a long week of teaching, and definitely lacking in sleep LOL... Anyways I will post more about the job in the next coming weeks as I approach my finish, even with a few pictures of my cute kids!

On a random side... nothing about work...
So the other day I needed some cash-ola. And well I had none on me and neither did Brad, so off to the bank machine I went. I pulled out 10KD, which is about $35CAN. This is how far money goes here...
I needed to break the 10KD to catch the bus since Brad had taken the car, so I went to the grocery store to pick up a few items. That night I was going to a pot-luck and was bringing a fruit tray, so I purchase some apples, pears etc. I needed water as I was shopping so I bought a bottle of water, and some gum. Then that evening I skipped out on taking the bus, and decided to split the cost of a taxi with someone also heading to the potluck, I paid for half of the approx. 20min ride. The next day after work I needed to fill up the tank of gas in the car.... gas stations here do not accept card, but cash only. Well no problem, I was able to fill up the entire tank of gas, and it was empty before. Well after I bought groceries, paid for a taxi, and filled my car completely... I had exactly 5KD 350Fills left over.... Yes all of my purchases came to $16.28CAN.... It is still hard to believe that things especially gas, are that cheap here.

Anyhow hope all is well back in Canada. I heard that Calgary is going through a blizzard right now. Hmm not fun. today was around 39degrees here.

Cheers,
Serena

Monday, April 18, 2011

Greece... how I love thee...

Well here is a little update as to what my holidays looked like...
I got the chance to go to Greece for a week! I have wanted to go to Santorini for such a long time, and finally it happened. I arrived in Athens, spent 2 nights there, and then went to Santorini for 4 days. I was planning to go to the Island of Mykonos, but there was no ferries running between the two island for the week. I guess that is because it was just before the really busy tourist season starts. I went to Greece with two of my friends from Kuwait, Claire and Stephanie. Brad was suppose to be in Russia at this time on a school trip, but it was cancelled due to Visa issues... He could of come with us, but I guess he figured being the only guy with 3 girls would be a little too much! ... Here are some highlights and pictures of my week in Greece. 
                                                 
Here is my first picture taken... in Athens near the Acropolis... just doing a little shopping!
Here I am in front of the Acropolis... this is more like the backside of it... the other side is under major restoration. 


More of the Acropolis...

More Acropolis...
 At the old port in Santorini
 On a boat going away from the Island... or town of Fira... 
 Lava Island... it was crazy the contrast in colors from red to back...
 More of Lava Island.. and the beautiful blue water surrounding
 Our boat... and the swim we had to make to go to the hot springs..
 Swimming in the hot springs (which were not that warm since it is open to the ocean)
 Water closet anyone??? 
  Beautiful sunset from Fira

 View of Athens from the Acropolis (oops out of order)

 Eating a tasty Greek Salad Baguette
 Beautiful homes... and buildings
 Oops out of order again... view looking up to the Acropolis
 A Harbor near the port were our ferry left from

 Morning view from our hotel on Santorini

 View of Fira

 We rented Scooters and ATV's for a few days... best way to see the whole island. And sooo much fun!
Claire, Stephanie and Myself (these are my two travelling buddies)
So much fun!! 
 We had to go up many windy roads to get up to this hill... but was a great view from the top! Also it led to Ancient Thira... 

 This is taken in Oia... on the northern part of the Island... 


 This was a view of the entire island... from the most southern point.


 A church at the Red beach
 Swimming??? It is a tad bit cold to swim in April...
 But I did it anyways!!! 

Another view of Fira...