So I am officially being bullied. Yes that's right...bullied. I am working at a Secondary School in Central London and it is rough. I cop the wrath of cruel comments daily. Last week I was getting lunch from the kitchen and filled my tray with sloppy goodness. As I wandered away one handed the tray flipped and spilt all down me crashing on the ground. The hall went silent. I heard muttering, "Who the hell is that?...Is that a teacher?...How embarrassing, Miss just dropped her tray." O the humiliation. I bent down to try scrape up some of the mess but instead my bag dropped in it and quickly soaked right through, acting as a substitute mop. Could it get worse? Indeed it can. That afternoon as I walked to get my bike I dropped my beanie on the ground and turned around to see 3 girls running away cradling my beanie and giggling. Stolen! Just like that. Thieves! As I walk the corridors they stare, hands raised hiding whispering mouths.
However, I must say, I find it ever so amusing. It makes joyful stories to tell when I return home. Plus I finish at 2:30pm! Everyday! Just in time to see the last bit of light for the day. (Yes sunset is around 3:30pm)Oh the price I pay for bullying. High School is a scary world and to be on the "staff side" is mean!

A very Parsifal Christmas

It was Monday night. It was cold outside. Mariah Carey Christmas tunes were blasting. Paper snowflakes were made and hung. A recycled, half dead Christmas tree was decorated. The turkey stuffed. The Parsifal People had all arrived.
Secrets were spilled around the dinner table followed by the exchanging of gifts which got Elliot into his tiger onesie and Emily making balloon unicorns. The night went on and games were played ending with chocolate covered faces from the after 8 mint game and Elliot passed out on the ground after Murder in the Dark. I have a lot of love for everyone in our home. Dave sits next to me now serenading me on the guitar, Megan and me have girl talk where the name "Ian" is dropped just a few times and Elliot and me cook eggs and I burn the plastic handle and he lectures me about poisonous fumes. Then there is Emily and me who seem to always get on the topic of marriage and finish our days with an episode of One Tree Hill. Larissa wanders into my room when she wants the goss saying "so Erika, who were you out with last night?" and Mike and me argue about everything but also we are great friends and he gives me some of the best advice.
I went to bed that night with a full tummy and cramps from laughing way too much. Christmas time is incredible. I am so thankful for my mum who forced christmas upon us until we were all obsessed with it. I can honestly say that I am obsessed!

Oh I have been so neglectful towards my blog. So many times do I say to myself "I should write that in my blog" but now I can't remember many of those moments. London life is still joyful and wonderful and far better than I imagined.
No longer do the autumn leaves make me at peace but now the falling snow flakes. I have completely embraced the winter season with two hot chocolates daily, my ski gloves when I ride my bike and my mustard sweater and "hobo" boots occasionally making an appearance. It is chilly. The smell of winter is truly in the air. I am layered up and happy.