Typhoons, Avril, cooking and Greys!

Helllooooo and happy almost-October!

Once October hits then that really is the first half of the school year gone! Before I know it, it will be Christmas and after that it is pretty much game over. I am having a lot of fun in the classroom so that might be a reason why everything is going by so quickly as well.

Last week we had a typhoon warning on Tuesday. The weather looked blustery and somewhat windy, but not bad. Some people were getting excited, predicting a 'typhoon day' but that had apparently never happned at TIS before so I wasn't holding my breath. That night the typhoon really kicked in... signs fell down and smashed, trees were down everywhere, fences, plants, everything possible was in ruins. I wish I got it on video!! The next day we got a phone call at 7am saying there was no school, and at that point the weather was quite bad still but not deadly. It's funny how quickly weather can change because by noon everything was opening and life was as usual. Regardless, we still got the whole day off- but I think that will be our 'free' card used up and from now on we will have to a least come in for a half day or something. The typhoon made for a very short week because we had a PD day on Friday- so we still had to be at the school just not teaching.

Also on Friday my roommate Pamela and I went to see... wait for it... Avril Lavigne!! Yes, she had her concert in Macau. The arena was fairly full which was good, but the crowd didn't really know how to be at a concert. Like when the singer puts the mic to the audience, you have to sing... and loudly! So the atmosphere was interesting because the audience was generally sitting down, clapping with glow sticks. There were a few good songs though where mostly everyone was up having a good time. The songs were censored but were cute. Even her husband from Sum 41 came out and sang. Overall I liked the concert- Avril's performance was good, she sang well live which is always a must!

Lastnight I was feeling as though I needed to attempt cooking. Believe it or not the only thing I have 'cooked' at home so far is oatmeal once and toast twice. And those do not count, really. It just happens that the restaurants are good and reasonable enough that I don't really eat dinner at home. So I went out to the supermarket and bought all the ingredients to make homemade spaghetti with meat sauce, with bread, olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette. It was delicious. I definitely need to make a point of cooking more often. Also, I really miss baking so I made cookies as well: peanut butter, oatmeal, raisin and cinnamon (I know, no chocolate... the no-dairy thing kills me sometimes!). I used our toaster oven and the only fitting pan I could find was more suitable for banana bread... so it turned out more like cookie loaf... and now cookie bars. But they are still tasty!

And... might I just say... thank you Internet. I was able to find the full season premiere for Grey's and now I am so excited for the upcoming season! I missed it. SO excited. Yes, I am addicted to Grey's, still. No spoilers...

In one month I will be hiking Mt.Kinabalu in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. Apparentl Gingko Biloba helps with altitude sickness so I will have to pick some up (thanks Bro-inLaw!)

I hope all is well for you!!! Take care and talk soon!

Lisa xo

Runners amnesia?

I think I may have some form of amnesia because I have just registered for another half-marathon. It is the Macau International Marathon on December 7th. Now I figure I am in better position to do well this time because I am already training whereas last time I really only started training with 2 months to go... and the training effort was average at best.

I have been running on my own as well as with another teacher so it has been great. Also, the knees are so far so good but my longest run has only been 8k so far.

Cross your fingers for me! Also, any tips? Send them my way!

Check out the website: http://www.macaumarathon.com/en/index.php

(For those reading this on facebook and getting fed up with the formatting, the actual link is lzmacau.blogspot.com )

October break booked - Kuching, Malaysia

I booked my flight with AirAsia last night and am officially going to Kuching, Malaysia for one week. Kuching is on the eastern side of Malaysia, right above Borneo which I hope to make it to as well.

The deciding factor (aside from cheap flight): Kuching has a national park with an orangutan reserve for injured orangutans! I know, very 'gorillas in the mist' but I was inspired when watching Animal Planet last year and haven't quite forgotten those cute little babies in the diapers that people can hold when visiting!

Anyone want to join me? :)

Teaching- Year Two!

I know that I have only been teaching at TIS for just over one week... here are my thoughts so far...

I am having a wonderful time. There is a part of me thinking that the 'honeymoon stage' will end soon and grade nine wrath is around the corner, but I am unsure of this. The kids are awesome, really creative and fun. They are eager to learn and are very curious. There is a definite range of students with different strengths and weaknesses which is a nice challenge for me. It is nice teaching only one grade (three sections), two subjects. Only two lesson plans per day!!! Yay! We have 'Curriculum Night' this week to meet the parents and introduce the courses which should be great. There is also a really great feel among the staff, new and returning.




My thoughts on Macau are getting better by the day and I am finally starting to establish some sort of routine.

I joined a gym over in Macau which has been a nice excuse for me to venture from Taipa. They have a decent amount of equipment and also offer classes. 50% succession rate so far with the classes... Hits: Fatbuster and Hatha Yoga. Misses: Fusion Dance and a class which was supposed to be Fatbuster with another instructor (but turned out feeling like a cheerleading class... then I left 10 minutes in). I can't even explain the Dance Fusion class. More like "I'm going to make up all the moves and confuse you all" class. So she didn't confuse everyone in the class as I am suspect there are some regulars but she definitely confused the 2 foreigners in the class. I miss my Crossfit, Jazzercise and Body Dynamics!!

Also, I have been running a lot in the early mornings and have been caught in some serious rain showers. What else to do but run home?

Holidays anyone?

Holidays…

So here it is; my holiday schedule for the year with ideas of where I think I may want to go. If you are seriously thinking about coming to visit and want to come during one of my holidays, the following information may be helpful!!

1. October 25 – November 2: undecided. Borneo? Mainland China?
   
2. December 20 – January 4: India
3. January 24 – February 1: Philippines/Indonesia/Japan (one of)
4. April 10 – 19: Laos, Cambodia, Burma (big maybe on the last one)

If anyone is travelling in the area (anytime throughout the year) and come to even Hong Kong you must let me know. Macau is a great detour, even if it is only for one night. I will always have room at my apartment for friendly faces!

Some helpful websites:

EVA Air (great flight deals from Vancouver): www.evaair.com

Macau Tourism info: www.macau.com

More Macau Tourism: www.macautourism.gov.mo