Hi everyone,
I am a bad blog updater. I know, I know. But I am pretty darn good at emailing, so that makes up for it, right?! Anyway, guess where I am right now? Back in good old Kingston, Ontario, that's where!! Oh- it is good to be home. I love K-town so much. So many good memories. Anyway, I have been travelling constantly for the past 5 days. I left Bangalore Saturday evening and flew to Delhi. I left Delhi at 9:30pm Sat night and arrived in Zurich, Switzerland 8 hours later. Then, the kicker....I would now be delayed in Zurich for 14 hours.....not the original 3 hours to re-fuel the palne, but 14 frickin' hours!! So, after slightly panicking cause I just wanted to get home, I spent a few hours in downtown Zurich with some new fellow stranded-ees! When am I ever going to get to hang out in downtown Zurich again anyway?! So, then we finally left at 8pm the next day and I arrived at Pearson at10:30pm Sunday night (I was gaining time flying this way) John picked me up and I spent Sunday night and Monday with him, then trained it to Toronto to see Ginny (wow- her school is nice!- BSS is a downtown TO private all-girls school) Then, I trained it to K-town and saw Flemo for a few hours and I am currently preparing to go see Milligan and Shawn in their new house in the bustling metropolis of Napanee! Yay for visiting people, however, I also can't wait to get home and stay put!! I don't get home till the 24th (driving with Bub and Doug) but at least I get to see all my people!! Canada looks so good to me right now. Timmy's tastes just heavenly- so does everything else for that matter. We just have so much choice and variety in our lives here in North America. For example, the only cereals I can get in India are Corn Flakes and muesli, so I ate four bowls of Cheerios this morning in glee! Anyway, the last week of school was fun- I taught my kids all about the different holidays that take place around Christmas time- Chanukkah and Kwanzaa and all that. I will post some pics soon from the Christmas concert and from my brief visit to Zurich. It reminded me of Quebec City in a lot of ways. So- hope this update keeps you all satisfied till my next one in, like, a month and a half!! No- hopefully I'll get more posted than that!!
Happy Holidays all!
Love Jessie
Friday, December 23, 2005
Merry Christmukkah!
Hi everyone,
I am a bad blog updater. I know, I know. But I am pretty darn good at emailing, so that makes up for it, right?! Anyway, guess where I am right now? Back in good old Kingston, Ontario, that's where!! Oh- it is good to be home. I love K-town so much. So many good memories. Anyway, I have been travelling constantly for the past 5 days. I left Bangalore Saturday evening and flew to Delhi. I left Delhi at 9:30pm Sat night and arrived in Zurich, Switzerland 8 hours later. Then, the kicker....I would now be delayed in Zurich for 14 hours.....not the original 3 hours to re-fuel the palne, but 14 frickin' hours!! So, after slightly panicking cause I just wanted to get home, I spent a few hours in downtown Zurich with some new fellow stranded-ees! When am I ever going to get to hang out in downtown Zurich again anyway?! So, then we finally left at 8pm the next day and I arrived at Pearson at10:30pm Sunday night (I was gaining time flying this way) John picked me up and I spent Sunday night and Monday with him, then trained it to Toronto to see Ginny (wow- her school is nice!- BSS is a downtown TO private all-girls school) Then, I trained it to K-town and saw Flemo for a few hours and I am currently preparing to go see Milligan and Shawn in their new house in the bustling metropolis of Napanee! Yay for visiting people, however, I also can't wait to get home and stay put!! I don't get home till the 24th (driving with Bub and Doug) but at least I get to see all my people!! Canada looks so good to me right now. Timmy's tastes just heavenly- so does everything else for that matter. We just have so much choice and variety in our lives here in North America. For example, the only cereals I can get in India are Corn Flakes and muesli, so I ate four bowls of Cheerios this morning in glee! Anyway, the last week of school was fun- I taught my kids all about the different holidays that take place around Christmas time- Chanukkah and Kwanzaa and all that. I will post some pics soon from the Christmas concert and from my brief visit to Zurich. It reminded me of Quebec City in a lot of ways. So- hope this update keeps you all satisfied till my next one in, like, a month and a half!! No- hopefully I'll get more posted than that!!
Happy Holidays all!
Love Jessie
I am a bad blog updater. I know, I know. But I am pretty darn good at emailing, so that makes up for it, right?! Anyway, guess where I am right now? Back in good old Kingston, Ontario, that's where!! Oh- it is good to be home. I love K-town so much. So many good memories. Anyway, I have been travelling constantly for the past 5 days. I left Bangalore Saturday evening and flew to Delhi. I left Delhi at 9:30pm Sat night and arrived in Zurich, Switzerland 8 hours later. Then, the kicker....I would now be delayed in Zurich for 14 hours.....not the original 3 hours to re-fuel the palne, but 14 frickin' hours!! So, after slightly panicking cause I just wanted to get home, I spent a few hours in downtown Zurich with some new fellow stranded-ees! When am I ever going to get to hang out in downtown Zurich again anyway?! So, then we finally left at 8pm the next day and I arrived at Pearson at10:30pm Sunday night (I was gaining time flying this way) John picked me up and I spent Sunday night and Monday with him, then trained it to Toronto to see Ginny (wow- her school is nice!- BSS is a downtown TO private all-girls school) Then, I trained it to K-town and saw Flemo for a few hours and I am currently preparing to go see Milligan and Shawn in their new house in the bustling metropolis of Napanee! Yay for visiting people, however, I also can't wait to get home and stay put!! I don't get home till the 24th (driving with Bub and Doug) but at least I get to see all my people!! Canada looks so good to me right now. Timmy's tastes just heavenly- so does everything else for that matter. We just have so much choice and variety in our lives here in North America. For example, the only cereals I can get in India are Corn Flakes and muesli, so I ate four bowls of Cheerios this morning in glee! Anyway, the last week of school was fun- I taught my kids all about the different holidays that take place around Christmas time- Chanukkah and Kwanzaa and all that. I will post some pics soon from the Christmas concert and from my brief visit to Zurich. It reminded me of Quebec City in a lot of ways. So- hope this update keeps you all satisfied till my next one in, like, a month and a half!! No- hopefully I'll get more posted than that!!
Happy Holidays all!
Love Jessie
Monday, November 21, 2005
John in Hyde Park
Here is John at the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park. It's a really neat fountain that flows two ways!
Cool architecture shot of the London Eye
Here is a (once again, sideways!) shot from The London Eye, from my trip to the UK. Cool, eh!? What a good photographer I am!!
Heehee :)
Sunday, November 20, 2005
The Girls!
Here we are at Michelle's house with one of the feasts we made for Desperate Housewives! We are all posing as if we were in Better Homes and Gardens or something!! L to R is Ashi, Bina, Michelle, Cheryl and Me!
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
The Eurotour!
Hi all, here's the email I sent out after my trip to the U.K.--just for those of you who didn't/couldn't receive my mass email:
Hello hello,
So, everyone- you can rest and relax- I am officially back in Bangalore! Eurotrip 2005 is over (sob!) But was it ever great :) I will try my best to keep it brief (using point form) and highlight, well- the highlights!
Monday- arrived in Heathrow- Johnny is there waiting :) To the hotel (Thistle Lancaster Gate- near Notting Hill), which is very nice....dinner at a lovely Italian restuarant. It was soooo nice to have 'normal' food and to be 'anonymous' again. The anonymity alone almost brought tears to my eyes- for real! The air also smelled so fresh after the Bangalore pollution. The trees were changing, the air was crisp- ahhhh- it was a much needed break! Weather was good- 2 sunny/clear days, 1 rainy umbrella day and the rest were gray/spotty (typical London!) Tuesday- went on the London Eye as the weather was clear. Very cool- in a little 'pod' and you get great views. I loved the blue and white bridge- Westminster Bridge- is that it?! Shoot- I forget- Johnny? Walked along the embankment after and saw the Queen and Prince Philip drive by- no joke! It was an anniversary of the bombings, so they were attending that I guess. They drove by in the Royal car, reslpete with cops clearing the road ahead of them! I didn't see the Queen's face, just her hat, but I saw Philip's face...he was kinda scowling :) Pretty cool. That night I think we ate at a pub- fish and chips- yummy! All the food just tasted to gooooood- I craved a real banana and got one wherever I could. Who knew I liked bananas so much until I can't get 'em the way I like 'em!!?? Wednesday we did the Tate Britain and then took the connecting riverboat to Tate Modern, which unfortunately had a whole floor closed, but hey, it's free, so you can't really go wrong. After that I think we did some shopping and had dinner at this great Moroccan/Lebanese place in Soho- and it just happened to be the night that George Clooney got in a brawl just a few places away- we almost has a second celeb sighting, and I must say, George would beat the Queen :) Yup- had amazing red wine that I will remember, as I kept the label. Thursday I think we went shopping...and one of these nights here we went to a presentation of King Richard II at The Old Vic- I think that was Tuesday actually (I am getting my nights muddled!) Anyhoo, Friday we met up with John's Uncle Ant, who showed us around- and took us to our very first opera! It was an English opera called Salome, which is some gory Biblical story. It was quite neat though, albeit comical in parts where the person would sing in falsetto 'what is that on the floor that I just stepped on....?' So funny. Mmmm- had lots of great tea and coffee- and roast chicken and pepperoni pizza and a hamburger- and smoothies and salad that I could eat without worrying about getting sick!! Can ya tell I liked that part!? The girl at the chicken place on the last night was so amused, she said she's never seen anyone so excited at their food before. Saturday was so fun- we went to a football match (read: soccer game) in John's Dad's old neighbourhood- Queen's Park. We cheered on the Queen's Park Rangers as they faced Ridley..no- R something- darn it, what was it Johnny?? Johnny got all the 'schwag' as he calls it (football jerseys etc.) I got a Team England jersey for fun. I didn't go mad shopping either. I got one necklace at TopShop....although, believe me, that was my shopping paradise- it's just everything's so damn expensive :) I got a pair of fun pink and gray puma 'trainers' (reminds me of About A Boy) for 10 quid (about $25 Cdn). Hmmm- I bought some groceries too- stuff I can;t get here, although supermarkets in England are not as extensive as ours in Canada. I'd have had to go to many specialty shops to get all the stuff I could get in one aisle of Loblaws. Bless you Loblaws, I miss you! Anyway, I got my rye bread and my mustard and my salsa- too bad everything was in glass jars, my baggage was too heavy to check at first- Johnny was kind enough to take some stuff back with him for me :) Yup, as of right now I've been up for 20 hours and have just taught a full day of Grade One! I am soon going home to CRASH! I am skipping Bollywood dancing tonight. The flight home was okay- I was sad, and only in regular class because- tada! On the way there it was the inaugural BA flight direct from Bangalore to Heathrow and I was their first passenger EVER!! So, I got bumped to first class which was swishy- and got my photo taken with the manager and all that. He also told me I'd be on BBC, but who knows if I actually was. Anyone see BBC on the 31st? We all got a commemorative coin and a certificate and stuff like that for being on the first flight ever. Very cool. Oh, and in the airport going back I saw Simon Cowell of American Idol fame!! That's almost 4 celebs in less than 6 days! Woowee! So, I arrived back in Bangalore on time (5 am local time) and proceeded to find myself in the busiest airport I'd ever seen. I guess an Indian Airways flight had been waiting over 2 hours for their luggage- so there were many angry Indians! So, I just sat back and waited....and waited....and waited. Whenm I has waited until 7 am I started to get worried/ticked off. Most of the BA passengers had their bags- then they said they were all off. And mine was nowhere to be found....so- I had to file a missing bag report and stuff and they promise to deliver it to the school as soon as it arrives. The BA flight direct to Heathrow flies 5 times a week now, so it may be here tomorrow. It must have never been put on the plane in London for some reason. Anyhoo, I'm not as pissed as I thought I'd be- I just hope everything gets to me eventually. I am luckier than most I guess, as there were a few ticked off white businessmen whose luggage also didn't arrive, who dodn't have the luxury of giving a permanent address where the found luggage could be taken to :) Gotta look at the bright side, eh?! So, I am here and I am safe and my house is safe and sound. Oh, and they also gave me INR 2500 for my troubles at the airport (about $75 bucks Cdn) which is cool as I wasn't expecting anything! They do that for 'mishandled' luggage as they called it. I am going home now- no Bollywood dancing for this girl- I need to resort myself and shower and sleeeeeep! I am aiming for 7pm.....fading fast!!! I have all your emails eagerly awaiting me in my inbox, but I won't get to them until tomorrow I am afraid. I do miss you all dearly though- a taste of home just reminds me of what I have back in the great white North!! xoxoxoxox,
Jess
ps- Some things I forgot....Richard the Second was starring Kevin Spacey! Pretty cool- lots of celeb sightings on this trip! Also, the night after the footie game was Guy Fawkes night, celebrating the fact that a man named Guy Fawkes was UNSUCCESSFUL in burning down the parliament buildings 400 years ago! We saw a huge fireworks show and saw the largest bonfire I've EVER seen at a park that night....the fireworks show was just massive, although they didn't have those neat heart shaped ones we saw at Ipperwash this past summer! I think that's all I forgot....
Hello hello,
So, everyone- you can rest and relax- I am officially back in Bangalore! Eurotrip 2005 is over (sob!) But was it ever great :) I will try my best to keep it brief (using point form) and highlight, well- the highlights!
Monday- arrived in Heathrow- Johnny is there waiting :) To the hotel (Thistle Lancaster Gate- near Notting Hill), which is very nice....dinner at a lovely Italian restuarant. It was soooo nice to have 'normal' food and to be 'anonymous' again. The anonymity alone almost brought tears to my eyes- for real! The air also smelled so fresh after the Bangalore pollution. The trees were changing, the air was crisp- ahhhh- it was a much needed break! Weather was good- 2 sunny/clear days, 1 rainy umbrella day and the rest were gray/spotty (typical London!) Tuesday- went on the London Eye as the weather was clear. Very cool- in a little 'pod' and you get great views. I loved the blue and white bridge- Westminster Bridge- is that it?! Shoot- I forget- Johnny? Walked along the embankment after and saw the Queen and Prince Philip drive by- no joke! It was an anniversary of the bombings, so they were attending that I guess. They drove by in the Royal car, reslpete with cops clearing the road ahead of them! I didn't see the Queen's face, just her hat, but I saw Philip's face...he was kinda scowling :) Pretty cool. That night I think we ate at a pub- fish and chips- yummy! All the food just tasted to gooooood- I craved a real banana and got one wherever I could. Who knew I liked bananas so much until I can't get 'em the way I like 'em!!?? Wednesday we did the Tate Britain and then took the connecting riverboat to Tate Modern, which unfortunately had a whole floor closed, but hey, it's free, so you can't really go wrong. After that I think we did some shopping and had dinner at this great Moroccan/Lebanese place in Soho- and it just happened to be the night that George Clooney got in a brawl just a few places away- we almost has a second celeb sighting, and I must say, George would beat the Queen :) Yup- had amazing red wine that I will remember, as I kept the label. Thursday I think we went shopping...and one of these nights here we went to a presentation of King Richard II at The Old Vic- I think that was Tuesday actually (I am getting my nights muddled!) Anyhoo, Friday we met up with John's Uncle Ant, who showed us around- and took us to our very first opera! It was an English opera called Salome, which is some gory Biblical story. It was quite neat though, albeit comical in parts where the person would sing in falsetto 'what is that on the floor that I just stepped on....?' So funny. Mmmm- had lots of great tea and coffee- and roast chicken and pepperoni pizza and a hamburger- and smoothies and salad that I could eat without worrying about getting sick!! Can ya tell I liked that part!? The girl at the chicken place on the last night was so amused, she said she's never seen anyone so excited at their food before. Saturday was so fun- we went to a football match (read: soccer game) in John's Dad's old neighbourhood- Queen's Park. We cheered on the Queen's Park Rangers as they faced Ridley..no- R something- darn it, what was it Johnny?? Johnny got all the 'schwag' as he calls it (football jerseys etc.) I got a Team England jersey for fun. I didn't go mad shopping either. I got one necklace at TopShop....although, believe me, that was my shopping paradise- it's just everything's so damn expensive :) I got a pair of fun pink and gray puma 'trainers' (reminds me of About A Boy) for 10 quid (about $25 Cdn). Hmmm- I bought some groceries too- stuff I can;t get here, although supermarkets in England are not as extensive as ours in Canada. I'd have had to go to many specialty shops to get all the stuff I could get in one aisle of Loblaws. Bless you Loblaws, I miss you! Anyway, I got my rye bread and my mustard and my salsa- too bad everything was in glass jars, my baggage was too heavy to check at first- Johnny was kind enough to take some stuff back with him for me :) Yup, as of right now I've been up for 20 hours and have just taught a full day of Grade One! I am soon going home to CRASH! I am skipping Bollywood dancing tonight. The flight home was okay- I was sad, and only in regular class because- tada! On the way there it was the inaugural BA flight direct from Bangalore to Heathrow and I was their first passenger EVER!! So, I got bumped to first class which was swishy- and got my photo taken with the manager and all that. He also told me I'd be on BBC, but who knows if I actually was. Anyone see BBC on the 31st? We all got a commemorative coin and a certificate and stuff like that for being on the first flight ever. Very cool. Oh, and in the airport going back I saw Simon Cowell of American Idol fame!! That's almost 4 celebs in less than 6 days! Woowee! So, I arrived back in Bangalore on time (5 am local time) and proceeded to find myself in the busiest airport I'd ever seen. I guess an Indian Airways flight had been waiting over 2 hours for their luggage- so there were many angry Indians! So, I just sat back and waited....and waited....and waited. Whenm I has waited until 7 am I started to get worried/ticked off. Most of the BA passengers had their bags- then they said they were all off. And mine was nowhere to be found....so- I had to file a missing bag report and stuff and they promise to deliver it to the school as soon as it arrives. The BA flight direct to Heathrow flies 5 times a week now, so it may be here tomorrow. It must have never been put on the plane in London for some reason. Anyhoo, I'm not as pissed as I thought I'd be- I just hope everything gets to me eventually. I am luckier than most I guess, as there were a few ticked off white businessmen whose luggage also didn't arrive, who dodn't have the luxury of giving a permanent address where the found luggage could be taken to :) Gotta look at the bright side, eh?! So, I am here and I am safe and my house is safe and sound. Oh, and they also gave me INR 2500 for my troubles at the airport (about $75 bucks Cdn) which is cool as I wasn't expecting anything! They do that for 'mishandled' luggage as they called it. I am going home now- no Bollywood dancing for this girl- I need to resort myself and shower and sleeeeeep! I am aiming for 7pm.....fading fast!!! I have all your emails eagerly awaiting me in my inbox, but I won't get to them until tomorrow I am afraid. I do miss you all dearly though- a taste of home just reminds me of what I have back in the great white North!! xoxoxoxox,
Jess
ps- Some things I forgot....Richard the Second was starring Kevin Spacey! Pretty cool- lots of celeb sightings on this trip! Also, the night after the footie game was Guy Fawkes night, celebrating the fact that a man named Guy Fawkes was UNSUCCESSFUL in burning down the parliament buildings 400 years ago! We saw a huge fireworks show and saw the largest bonfire I've EVER seen at a park that night....the fireworks show was just massive, although they didn't have those neat heart shaped ones we saw at Ipperwash this past summer! I think that's all I forgot....
Monday, October 24, 2005
Me and Miss Ashi!
Here is a pic of me and Ashi (the other Grade 1 teacher) having dinner at Sunny's (a really nice eatery in town) Aren't we cute!!?
My cutie kid!
This is my cutie Julian- and the Austrian flag he made with blocks! He's soooo cute, eh!?
ps- I am once again loving India- I was goig through a 'down' swing and I am now on the up and up- maybe that's cause I know I have a holiday in a week!!
Monday, October 17, 2005
Pics finally!
A cow on the beach in Maha- what a life!!
Here is a cute little boy in Pondy- I love this shot! I hope I didn't send this one to you all by email- forget what I sent!
Saturday, October 15, 2005
The ups and downs of India
Hi everyone,
Just thought I'd add a few comments to my blog....considering more than one person has said they're getting sick of looking at Ganesha (!) So- for those of you who haven't been receiving my update emails, I had a great long weekend on the East coast two weekends ago. I went with Cheryl to Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry via Chennai (Madras). I loooved Maha and Pondy was okay- more of a big city than I was expecting. Maha was a little hippie beach town, whihc suited me just fine- so relaxing- and the cows on the beach were so funny! Who ever heard of cows on the beach!? There are cows everywhere- they've just become a daily part of life :) The weekend ended badly though as I came home to find that there had been an attempted roberry at my house, and a robbery at Shallin and Mark's below me. Sad state of affairs-they took all their documentation and mP3 and I-Pod and all that- and Shallin's favourite jeans, which is what she says she misses the most! So, we have upped the security on our places- getting grills put on the doors and heavier padlocks. But I guess if 'they' want to get in, 'they' will find a way- the cut through steel bars on Kathy and Chris's place last year! Anyhoo, that made me a little disillusioned with India...and I still am a bit. They say that you go through ups and downs in a 'W' shape, so I have been up and now I am down. India is getting on my nerves....and I am suspicious of everyone now, cause they could be the one who robbed Shallin and Mark. Not a good mind set, I know- everyone should be innocent until proven guilty, but it's hard...especially when everyone looks at you (me) with such skeptical eyes....like 'what is she doing in my country!?' I am tired of being stared at wherever I go and being ripped off just because of my skin colour- huuuuge racism wake-up call. Anyway, I hope my next upward swing starts soon- maybe my trip to the UK at Diwali will kickstart that :) I am so excited for my week-long getaway- comfy hotel beds and 'real' food!! Yippee! Well, it looks like the server here at school is too busy too download any pics onto my blog- I will put some on it this weekend- I promise!! So, you'll just have to settle for some reading material for now y'all!
Peace from India...
Jess
Just thought I'd add a few comments to my blog....considering more than one person has said they're getting sick of looking at Ganesha (!) So- for those of you who haven't been receiving my update emails, I had a great long weekend on the East coast two weekends ago. I went with Cheryl to Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry via Chennai (Madras). I loooved Maha and Pondy was okay- more of a big city than I was expecting. Maha was a little hippie beach town, whihc suited me just fine- so relaxing- and the cows on the beach were so funny! Who ever heard of cows on the beach!? There are cows everywhere- they've just become a daily part of life :) The weekend ended badly though as I came home to find that there had been an attempted roberry at my house, and a robbery at Shallin and Mark's below me. Sad state of affairs-they took all their documentation and mP3 and I-Pod and all that- and Shallin's favourite jeans, which is what she says she misses the most! So, we have upped the security on our places- getting grills put on the doors and heavier padlocks. But I guess if 'they' want to get in, 'they' will find a way- the cut through steel bars on Kathy and Chris's place last year! Anyhoo, that made me a little disillusioned with India...and I still am a bit. They say that you go through ups and downs in a 'W' shape, so I have been up and now I am down. India is getting on my nerves....and I am suspicious of everyone now, cause they could be the one who robbed Shallin and Mark. Not a good mind set, I know- everyone should be innocent until proven guilty, but it's hard...especially when everyone looks at you (me) with such skeptical eyes....like 'what is she doing in my country!?' I am tired of being stared at wherever I go and being ripped off just because of my skin colour- huuuuge racism wake-up call. Anyway, I hope my next upward swing starts soon- maybe my trip to the UK at Diwali will kickstart that :) I am so excited for my week-long getaway- comfy hotel beds and 'real' food!! Yippee! Well, it looks like the server here at school is too busy too download any pics onto my blog- I will put some on it this weekend- I promise!! So, you'll just have to settle for some reading material for now y'all!
Peace from India...
Jess
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Ganesha pics!
Dunking the Ganesha in the 'dunk tank'....and one of the decorated Ganeshas from the festival. Once again, sorry it's sideways!!
Monday, September 12, 2005
My kids and my class!
Hi all,
As it seems to virtually take hours to post pics on my blog, I am going to try and send them out to the email update group....so sorry in advance for crowding your inboxes!!
Jess
As it seems to virtually take hours to post pics on my blog, I am going to try and send them out to the email update group....so sorry in advance for crowding your inboxes!!
Jess
Thursday, September 01, 2005
More pics
More staff! Left to right is Shallin (who lives below me), Chris (Kathy's man), Mark (Shallin's partner), Bina, Tom (Ilana's hubby), Bob Murphy (Mr. Murphy from Banting's brother) and Laura Carrothers (The Rawson's cousin- from London)!
Why, why, why are all of these sideways? I can't get them to turn! Oh well. This is the wallhanging I made in Education year- some of you might recognize it. It's hanging in my living room!
On my wall
Me and Mom at the Leela Palace Hotel where we had the amazing brunch. Those are some of our desserts!
Here are the elephants that hang on my wall in my house!
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
More words of wisdom...
Never be anybody's slogan, because you are pure poetry....
The highest goodness is like water. Water benefits all things and does not compete. It stays in the lowly places which others despise. Therefore it is near the Eternal. - Tao Te Ching-
The highest goodness is like water. Water benefits all things and does not compete. It stays in the lowly places which others despise. Therefore it is near the Eternal. - Tao Te Ching-
Monday, August 29, 2005
Abe Lincoln
Here is Abraham Lincoln's pretty progressive Letter to his Son's Teacher (for all you teachers out there!) I am sure he meant it to apply to his daughter too, if he had one ! Don't really get the line about bees in the sun, but oh well! I love the part about sublime faith!
He will have to learn, I know
that all men are not just
all men are not true.
But teach him also that
for every scoundrel there is a hero;
that for every selfish politician
there is a dedicated leader...
Teach him for every enemy there is a friend.
Steer him away from envy,
if you can
teach him the secret of quiet laughter.
Let him learn early that
the bullies are the easiest to lick...
Teach him, if you can,
the wonder of books...
But also give him quiet time
to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky,
bees in the sun,
and the flowers on a green hillside.
In the school teach him
it is far honourable to fail
than to cheat...
Teach him to have faith
in his own ideas,
even if everyone tells him
they are wrong...
Teach him to be gentle
with gentle people
and tough with tough people.
Try to give my son
the strength not to follow the crowd
when everyone else is getting on the bandwagon...
Teach him to listen to all men...
but teach him also to filter
all he hears on a screen of truth,
and take only the good
that comes through.
Teach him if you can,
how to laugh when he is sad...
Teach him there is no shame in tears,
Teach him to scoff at cynics
and to beware of too much sweetness...
Teach him to sell his brawn
and brain to the highest bidders
but never to put a price tag on his heart
and soul.
Teach him to close his ears
to a howling mob
and to stand and fight
if he thinks he is right.
Treat him gently
but do not coddle him
because only the test of fire
makes fine steel.
Let him have the courage
to be impatient...
let him have the patience to be brave.
Teach him always
to have sublime faith in himself,
because then he will have sublime faith
in mankind.
This is a big order,
but see what you can do.
he is such a fine fellow,
my son!
He will have to learn, I know
that all men are not just
all men are not true.
But teach him also that
for every scoundrel there is a hero;
that for every selfish politician
there is a dedicated leader...
Teach him for every enemy there is a friend.
Steer him away from envy,
if you can
teach him the secret of quiet laughter.
Let him learn early that
the bullies are the easiest to lick...
Teach him, if you can,
the wonder of books...
But also give him quiet time
to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky,
bees in the sun,
and the flowers on a green hillside.
In the school teach him
it is far honourable to fail
than to cheat...
Teach him to have faith
in his own ideas,
even if everyone tells him
they are wrong...
Teach him to be gentle
with gentle people
and tough with tough people.
Try to give my son
the strength not to follow the crowd
when everyone else is getting on the bandwagon...
Teach him to listen to all men...
but teach him also to filter
all he hears on a screen of truth,
and take only the good
that comes through.
Teach him if you can,
how to laugh when he is sad...
Teach him there is no shame in tears,
Teach him to scoff at cynics
and to beware of too much sweetness...
Teach him to sell his brawn
and brain to the highest bidders
but never to put a price tag on his heart
and soul.
Teach him to close his ears
to a howling mob
and to stand and fight
if he thinks he is right.
Treat him gently
but do not coddle him
because only the test of fire
makes fine steel.
Let him have the courage
to be impatient...
let him have the patience to be brave.
Teach him always
to have sublime faith in himself,
because then he will have sublime faith
in mankind.
This is a big order,
but see what you can do.
he is such a fine fellow,
my son!
Saturday, August 27, 2005
Staff!
Me and some of the staff on Wednesday. That's Niv Sharma, the art teacher beside me. Infront of me is Marilyn D'Mello, the Grade 3 teacher. Beside her is Cheryl and that's Rachel's brown-haired head facing us. (She's Grade 2) More staff pics to come- it just takes so long for them to upload!
New photos finally!
I don't know how to shift this upright- but this is my new friend Cheryl (she did Teacher's College last year at OISE in TO) pouring drinks at the Dominion Club at the Wednesday staff afternoon. She did some student teaching here at the school last year and her sister worked for Brian Tinker in Trinidad. She is my age- the closest one here. She is teaching 1-3 Phys Ed., one highschool Phys Ed and a highschool English.
Saturday, August 20, 2005
Internet access!
Hi everyone!
I am finally at the school and able to use regular internet here! Woo hoo- finally, contact. Okay, well, contact through wires and large annoying machines, but oh well, I'll take what I can get. I am trying now to post some of my first pictures from Delhi. The school is almost closing though, so more will come this week.
Hugs,
Jessie
I am finally at the school and able to use regular internet here! Woo hoo- finally, contact. Okay, well, contact through wires and large annoying machines, but oh well, I'll take what I can get. I am trying now to post some of my first pictures from Delhi. The school is almost closing though, so more will come this week.
Hugs,
Jessie
Monday, August 08, 2005
To have joy...
To have joy, one must share it.
*Lord Byron
If you think you're too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito.
* Bette Reese
We are the music makers and we are the dreamers of dreams. * Arthur O'Shaughnessy
*Lord Byron
If you think you're too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito.
* Bette Reese
We are the music makers and we are the dreamers of dreams. * Arthur O'Shaughnessy
For Love Of The World
For Love of The World
Charlotte Tall Mountain
For the love of a tree, she went out on a limb.
For the love of the sea, she rocked the boat.
For the love of the earth, she dug deeper.
For the love of community, she mended fences.
For the love of the stars, she let her light shine.
For the love of the spirit, she nurtured her soul.
For the love of a good time, she sowed seeds of happiness.
For the love of the Goddess, she drew down the moon.
For the love of nature, she made compost.
For the love of a good meal, she gave thanks.
For the love of family, she reconciled differences.
For the love of creativity, she entertained new possibilities.
For the love of her enemies, she suspended judgement.
For the love of herself, she acknowledged her worth.
And the world was richer for her.
Well, everyone- tomorrow I am off for the biggest adventure of my life! India isn't going to know what hit it! Plans are to leave around 1pm tomorrow afternoon and be at the airport between 5pm and 5:30pm to leave on our 8:50 flight. Me and Mom: 14 hours in the air- bring it on!! I am so excited. I am very fortunate to have been able to see my very good friends before I left- Milli and Shawn braved Toronto just to see me! Thanks guys. I will miss you all- and will talk to you all soon.
Jess
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Japanese with my Grandparents
We went out for dinner tonight with my West Grandparents to a great Japanese restaurant called Shiki. Great sushi and tempura!
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
My friend Jelena is going to Madrid!
These are pics of me and my good friend from highschool, Jelena. The handsome man in the first pic is her fianceé Thom (he's so great!) Jelena and Thom are going to Madrid, Spain in September to start work at an architectural firm there (they both did architecture at Waterloo- Thommy just finished his Masters.) Jelena is the friend that I travelled through Europe with after our first year of University.
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Monday, August 01, 2005
Night Out!!
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This is the best pic of me and Andrea EVER! Andrea is my best friend from home. Here we are Friday night of the August long weekend at Joe Kool's in downtown London.Andrea and some guy she works with (This pic wasn't supposed to go on the blog, but I can't figure out how to erase it!)
Andrea attempting some Coldplay on guitar.
Our new buddy James!
Andrea and her sister, Erin. Aren't they cute!
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Minor Truths
Minor Truths I Have Found
The true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching.
Fortune favours the bold. ~Virgil~
A Poet looks at the World the way a man looks at a woman. ~ Wallace Stevens~
Everything is complicated; if that were not so, life and poetry and everything else would be a bore. ~ Wallace Stevens~
It is the unknown that excites the ardor of scholars, who, in the known alone, would shrivel up with boredom. ~ Wallace Stevens~
Perhaps the truth depends on a walk around the lake. ~ Wallace Stevens~
Dante said that “the hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in times of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.”
Just as my fingers on the keys / Make music, so the selfsame sounds / On my spirit make a music, too. / Music is feeling, then, not sound. ~Wallace Stevens~
I do not know which to prefer, the beauty of inflections, or the beauty of innuendoes, The blackbird whistling, Or just after. ~Wallace Stevens~
The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by surprise. It is not that we seize them, but they seize us. - Ashley Montagu
Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling.
The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life and elevating them to an art. - William Morris
Blessed is he who has learned to laugh at himself for he shall nevercease to be entertained. - John Boswell
It isn't enough to talk about peace, one must believe it. And it isn't enough to believe in it, one must work for it. ~ Eleanor Roosevelt ~
"I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones." ~ John Cage ~
The true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching.
Fortune favours the bold. ~Virgil~
A Poet looks at the World the way a man looks at a woman. ~ Wallace Stevens~
Everything is complicated; if that were not so, life and poetry and everything else would be a bore. ~ Wallace Stevens~
It is the unknown that excites the ardor of scholars, who, in the known alone, would shrivel up with boredom. ~ Wallace Stevens~
Perhaps the truth depends on a walk around the lake. ~ Wallace Stevens~
Dante said that “the hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in times of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.”
Just as my fingers on the keys / Make music, so the selfsame sounds / On my spirit make a music, too. / Music is feeling, then, not sound. ~Wallace Stevens~
I do not know which to prefer, the beauty of inflections, or the beauty of innuendoes, The blackbird whistling, Or just after. ~Wallace Stevens~
The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by surprise. It is not that we seize them, but they seize us. - Ashley Montagu
Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling.
The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life and elevating them to an art. - William Morris
Blessed is he who has learned to laugh at himself for he shall nevercease to be entertained. - John Boswell
It isn't enough to talk about peace, one must believe it. And it isn't enough to believe in it, one must work for it. ~ Eleanor Roosevelt ~
"I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones." ~ John Cage ~
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
The Fam
My brother actually smiles for a photo for me! Alert the media!!
Mom and Michael at Aunt Penel's
My Daddy on the porch at Aunt Penel's (His t-shirt says 'Get a Life- Get a Lab!)
The Bass Family
Me and my Aunt Jan (Chris and Mary-Claire's Mom). In this photo I am only wearing one earring because I went half the day before I realized I was missing one. Luckily, Dad found it on the driveway.
Mom and Chris playing Rook (I don't know why it's there twice, but I can't delete it!)
Me and my cutie-pie cousin Mary-Claire.
Mom and Chris playing Rook (I don't know why it's there twice, but I can't delete it!)Me and my cutie-pie cousin Mary-Claire.
Family Reunion at Aunt Penel's
Here's Aunt Penel being goofy!
I just spent Thursday to Sunday at my Aunt Penelope's house in Watson's Corners, which is near Lanark and Perth. Mom and I also went into Ottawa to get my VISA and to have lunch with Ginny and her Mom. We ate at the Black Tomato for those of you who know Ottawa's Byward Market well. Here are some of the best shots of my cute family. We are huge card players, so a lot of the weekend revolved around games of Rook and Cribbage! And of course, food! I got lots of well-wishes for my trip.
I just spent Thursday to Sunday at my Aunt Penelope's house in Watson's Corners, which is near Lanark and Perth. Mom and I also went into Ottawa to get my VISA and to have lunch with Ginny and her Mom. We ate at the Black Tomato for those of you who know Ottawa's Byward Market well. Here are some of the best shots of my cute family. We are huge card players, so a lot of the weekend revolved around games of Rook and Cribbage! And of course, food! I got lots of well-wishes for my trip.
Monday, July 25, 2005
Pics from the weekend.
Chris and my Uncle Bobby pre-fishing trip (Uncle Bobby lost this hat in the rapids after falling in!!)
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Visited Baltimore.....Ontario!
I just got back from visiting John in Baltimore, Ontario (near Port Hope/Oshawa). His front road was being ripped up, and there was lots of heavy machinery around. Now, Gin and Milli know how much I like tractors and stuff like that- so this was so much fun!! We took some pics just to be silly :) I had chips with me and John had a beer, it was a regular John Deere par-tay!
One of my paintings
Hi all- Here is one of my most recent paintings- inspired by the kids book 'The Great Peace March' by Holly Near.
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Cottage Life
The new red furniture at the cottage- it looks so good!
My Mom and Dad at the cottage- aren't they cute!? 
I learned How to Use My Digital Camera!
These are all the wonderful people I worked with in May and June at CLiC! Hello everyone and welcome to my blog!
I will be posting pictures and thoughts on this site while I am in India. I got a digital camera for graduation, so here are some of my favourite shots from my first ever batch of digi pics!!
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
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