Well ladies and Gentleman it's time to fill you in on our future. As you all know we had a few options. We could stay here in Abu Dhabi a bit longer and continue teaching, we could move to Alaska and teach, or we could move to Alabama so that Ben could do his Doctorate in Sports Pedagogy.
Well I am here to tell you today, that we will be moving to Alabama after our wedding!
Ben was accepted into the Doctorate program at the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa last October, but we didn't know about the the graduate assistant (the only way he would pursue this option.) until just recently. This is something that Ben has been thinking about for a while now and he knew that he didn't want to pass it up. So when he found out that he was rewarded the graduate assistant there wasn't much talk about what we would do. He eagerly said YES to Alabama!
So after our wedding in July we will be moving to Alabama to start our new life. The program is about 3 years and Ben will be very busy. I don't know what I will do, ha. If there is a PE position open at one of the schools I think I am a very good candidate but you don't know if there will be anything. I can always sub and of course coach gymnastics.
Ben and I are very excited to come back to the states, even if it is Alabama ;) . We are already looking at dogs and apartments. Probably more dogs then apartments, we can't wait to have a canine friend! I found an apartment complex that I really like. It's right on a golf course and you can golf for free! So if I can't find a job I can start working on that professional golf career that I have always dreamed about.
So what do all of you think!
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Tanya's First 10k race
When people meet Ben and I and look at us they know we are active, which is great because we are! Then they start talking to us and they learn that Ben is an endurance athlete; runner and ironman. Then they look at me and ask if I run. I always laugh and say "no no, I was a gymnast and have some sort of hip injury I can't really work out, it hurts to walk"
Well the old hip is feeling pretty good. Over the summer I started running a little bit, then when I got back here I continued to run. A friend I do yoga with and who works at Ben's school, Jess, said that she was going to do a 10k race in November. We started running with each other in the mornings. It was really nice to have someone to run with. We don't really run fast, because we are talking so much, but we get up at 5 am and we do it.
So yesterday was the day, the 10k run. It wasn't till 6 pm which I didn't love but it was a bit cooler because it was in the evening. There was about 800 other people who were running so it was tight at the beginning. The race took place at the formal one race track in Abu Dhabi. It was pretty neat being able to run on this track where cars were driving at 100+ mph just last week.
Now Jess and I usually run together, but I know she can run faster then me, she took off in front of me almost right away. I didn't want to push it so I just let her go. The first 5k I took it easy so that I wouldn't die at the last 5k (I had only run 5 miles two times, a 10k is 6 miles). I started to pick it up a little more in the second half and by the 7k marker I really tried to pick it up. I was feeling pretty good until the last kilometer, when my hip was aching a little bit. But when I saw the finish line I just went. I wanted to be under an hour and I needed to move it to do that.
My time was: 59:33. Nothing spectacular by any means but I was happy. I ran the whole time and was under an hour. Ben said my second 5k was about 3-4 mins faster then my first 5k so thats good.
I would love to put some pictures up but...My wonderful husband forgot the camera! He says that he forgot because he has never been a spectator in these sort of things, he is the one usually running!
Jess is doing a half marathon in February. I am thinking about doing it with her. I really enjoy the training and miss competitions. But I need to think about it a little more thats a long race!
Well the old hip is feeling pretty good. Over the summer I started running a little bit, then when I got back here I continued to run. A friend I do yoga with and who works at Ben's school, Jess, said that she was going to do a 10k race in November. We started running with each other in the mornings. It was really nice to have someone to run with. We don't really run fast, because we are talking so much, but we get up at 5 am and we do it.
So yesterday was the day, the 10k run. It wasn't till 6 pm which I didn't love but it was a bit cooler because it was in the evening. There was about 800 other people who were running so it was tight at the beginning. The race took place at the formal one race track in Abu Dhabi. It was pretty neat being able to run on this track where cars were driving at 100+ mph just last week.
Now Jess and I usually run together, but I know she can run faster then me, she took off in front of me almost right away. I didn't want to push it so I just let her go. The first 5k I took it easy so that I wouldn't die at the last 5k (I had only run 5 miles two times, a 10k is 6 miles). I started to pick it up a little more in the second half and by the 7k marker I really tried to pick it up. I was feeling pretty good until the last kilometer, when my hip was aching a little bit. But when I saw the finish line I just went. I wanted to be under an hour and I needed to move it to do that.
My time was: 59:33. Nothing spectacular by any means but I was happy. I ran the whole time and was under an hour. Ben said my second 5k was about 3-4 mins faster then my first 5k so thats good.
I would love to put some pictures up but...My wonderful husband forgot the camera! He says that he forgot because he has never been a spectator in these sort of things, he is the one usually running!
Jess is doing a half marathon in February. I am thinking about doing it with her. I really enjoy the training and miss competitions. But I need to think about it a little more thats a long race!
Friday, October 21, 2011
Bus Stories
I know we have seen this before
This was taken when I first got to Abu Dhabi and when Ben still didn't have a car. We explored the bus, such a big thing then. Now that I am living with Ben and I don't live so close to school I have to take this lovely bus everyday! So what was a novelty before has now become a necessity.
So everyday I wake up early so I can get the bus. First I thought I had to get the 6:35 bus to get to school on time. But last week when I was sick and slept in, I found out that I can actually take the 6:55 bus and still get to school on time, which is super exciting!
The bus is one dirham which is like 30 cents which is nothing. BUT sometimes I don't have a coin, and you have to have a coin. So I buy a bus pass for a month which cost me 40 dirhams. I take the bus 2x a day, so the pass pays for itself which is super exciting.
Because I ride the bus everyday I see a lot of different things. Here are some highlights:
- A women sitting next to me (there were several seats not taken up, so she didn't have to sit next to me) started yelling at the bus driver for the way he was driving! Not just in Arabic but in English too, she really wanted to get her point across.
- The man who brought a crow bar on to the bus one morning. The next stop someone had hedge clippers. hmm
- When the bus driver yells at men for sitting in the ladies section, always a favorite with me
- Running to catch the bus, I do this sometimes and I see many people do it.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Dish Jenga
I like to call this dish janga
Ben and I are pretty good about doing the dishes almost right away. Side note: There don't seam to be any dishwashers in the UAE, I guess thats because everyone has a nanny or maid. But sometimes after a big meal or us both being lazy there are a lot of dishes in the sink. Sometimes I will wash and Ben dry or vise versa but other times not. And this is when it gets interesting! I like to call it Dish Jenga. How many dishes can I pile on the drying rack without it falling down. Now I haven't had any catastrophes yet, but I am waiting for the day that everything falls and all our quality Ikea dishes shatter in a million pieces on our tile floor.
But they day has yet to come and here we are with all the dishes in the sink drying nicely on our quality ikea drying rack.
Happy Friday everyone!
But they day has yet to come and here we are with all the dishes in the sink drying nicely on our quality ikea drying rack.
Happy Friday everyone!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
PE Rocks!
Since there are 2 schools at 1 campus I have been sharing an office with these characters....
Left to right: Stella, Nick (Johnny on top), ME, Jen, and Helen in the back
Introducing the PE staff of GEMS Abu Dhabi
Introducing the PE staff of GEMS Abu Dhabi
Stella: Stella from Romania and has been here for about 6 years. She has an accent that puts fear into children but joy in their hearts. Her uncle is Arnold Schwarzenegger (kidding but hey she could kick your butt as fast as he could). She is the movement and music teacher at the new campus and loves dancing around with her 3 and 4 year olds to the song "Hey give me 5". She is a straight shooter and will tell you like it is. She was also a gymnast in a past life, we are waiting to see her tumbling skills!
Nick: Nick joins us from Thailand but is originally from the UK. His little friend on top is his 4 year old son Johnny. He had another 2 year old son (I don't believe him though, because we have never seen him) and a Wife (Emma) who is the English Language teacher. He will also be at the new campus running PE and organizing all the sports teams. He also has some sweet moves on the dance floor, as he showed off today to his KG2 class to the beats of "I got a feeling" by the Black Eyed Peas.
Johnny: Don't let those 3 inch eye lashes full you this kid will make you play hide and seek for hours! Johnny comes to school everyday to Ms. Sarah's class. He greets us in the morning sometimes slump over his Daddy's shoulder or runs in and says "chase me your a monster!". After a long day of school, when you think a 4 year old would be tired, he comes back to the gym, screaming "chase me your a monster!". Johnny really brings a new dynamic to the team.
Me: You better know who I am by now.
Jen: Jen is back and better then ever! Last year Jen and I shared the office on Najda street and it was cozy then. Now with three extra people, well lets just say its more then coozy! Jen will continue teaching PE on the Najda campus. I am sure she will continue teaching her kids sweet soccer moves and equally sweet dance moves. I do have to say we have a crazy dancing PE staff! When Jen isn't teaching you can find her kicking butt and taking names at boot camp and running half marathons all over the world!
Helen: Helen also joins us from the UK, and will be teaching PE at the new school. She is a basketball player at heart and busts out a few dance movies here and there, I think she is eager to get in the body sox (coming soon to a blog near you, the body sox). When Helen isn't making field goals on the basketball court she can be found watching coronation street on her Ipad because she doesn't have real tv yet because she doesn't have her visa.
So now that you know who all these people are I can get back to the post...
Nick: Nick joins us from Thailand but is originally from the UK. His little friend on top is his 4 year old son Johnny. He had another 2 year old son (I don't believe him though, because we have never seen him) and a Wife (Emma) who is the English Language teacher. He will also be at the new campus running PE and organizing all the sports teams. He also has some sweet moves on the dance floor, as he showed off today to his KG2 class to the beats of "I got a feeling" by the Black Eyed Peas.
Johnny: Don't let those 3 inch eye lashes full you this kid will make you play hide and seek for hours! Johnny comes to school everyday to Ms. Sarah's class. He greets us in the morning sometimes slump over his Daddy's shoulder or runs in and says "chase me your a monster!". After a long day of school, when you think a 4 year old would be tired, he comes back to the gym, screaming "chase me your a monster!". Johnny really brings a new dynamic to the team.
Me: You better know who I am by now.
Jen: Jen is back and better then ever! Last year Jen and I shared the office on Najda street and it was cozy then. Now with three extra people, well lets just say its more then coozy! Jen will continue teaching PE on the Najda campus. I am sure she will continue teaching her kids sweet soccer moves and equally sweet dance moves. I do have to say we have a crazy dancing PE staff! When Jen isn't teaching you can find her kicking butt and taking names at boot camp and running half marathons all over the world!
Helen: Helen also joins us from the UK, and will be teaching PE at the new school. She is a basketball player at heart and busts out a few dance movies here and there, I think she is eager to get in the body sox (coming soon to a blog near you, the body sox). When Helen isn't making field goals on the basketball court she can be found watching coronation street on her Ipad because she doesn't have real tv yet because she doesn't have her visa.
So now that you know who all these people are I can get back to the post...
With back to school night just around the corner we figured we would have a little fun with the PE profile picture. The above picture was not our first attempt by any means! We all thought it would be fun if we did a "jump" picture. Except no one was around to take the picture, so we said "pshh we got this stack of mats and a self timer" DONE!
So there we were all ready to take our "jump" picture after the 10 second timer....
So yes as you can see we didn't get it right the first time around. I mean I look like I am about to have an accident on the gym floor.
Take 2:
So there we were all ready to take our "jump" picture after the 10 second timer....
So yes as you can see we didn't get it right the first time around. I mean I look like I am about to have an accident on the gym floor.
Take 2:
GREAT! Oh wait, who is that still on the floor! Ugh Helen! Weakest link.
So this went on for...oh...about 10 mins. Until we gave up and took the very posed picture you see at the top.
Since blogger is uploading my pictures at a rate of about 1 picture every 10 mins I will not upload anymore tonight. But stay tuned for some awesome actions shots and learning about our little PE team.
Since blogger is uploading my pictures at a rate of about 1 picture every 10 mins I will not upload anymore tonight. But stay tuned for some awesome actions shots and learning about our little PE team.
Monday, September 12, 2011
We are BACK!
My basil plant! Don't mind the dirty window
Over the summer my mom and I went to a tupperwear party (yes they still have them!) and I bought this little handy contraption and brought it back with me. You put your herb of choice into it and the water bottle on the side keeps it all watered so nicely. This way I can totally forget about it (okay maybe not totally) until I need some basil, yum! I will keep you updated on how it is working.
So Ben and I are back in Abu Dhabi. Ben got here a few weeks before I did and I was delayed 5 days because of Hurricane Irene. But I got here, kicked jet lags butt, and here I am on my first day back with kids at school!
Last week we found out that the new campus would not be ready, not much of a shocker around here. Things in Abu Dhabi never happen the way they say they are, we take it all in stride. So what that means for us is that both schools are on one little campus. Now I wasn't going to go out to the new campus I was staying at the old one so it's been a bit of adjustment. So all 500 kids and 70 staff are on one fun filled campus! It's tight but we managed today pretty well. Last year I had a small gym that had foam under it and carpet. At the moment that room is storage for all of the things that can't go out to the new campus. And with lots of classes in the gym I have started going to each class and doing my lessons.
Today was interesting to say the least. I remember how tired it felt after doing the 3 year olds last year but you always hope for better! Well it didn't go horribly but they are only 3 and for that I think they did fine and I know they will get better and better as the year goes on! Today we talked about what the bell means (freeze) and we danced, ran, jumped, and swam around the room. As Ms. Tanya tried to learn all the names and who is Mohammed and who is Muhammed. Love different spellings.
Ben is doing well, he is riding his bike here and there and it hitting the weights in the weight room. No ironman this year but I think he will do some of the smaller triathlons in January and March. He has started his swim lessons and I will have to soon as well! He also plans on coaching the elementary swim team again this year, try outs start next week.
Nothing to crazy going on at the moment. Just trying to find that routine again and get back in it.
I know I said it last year as well, but I am going to try and do a better job of keeping this up to date ;)
Over the summer my mom and I went to a tupperwear party (yes they still have them!) and I bought this little handy contraption and brought it back with me. You put your herb of choice into it and the water bottle on the side keeps it all watered so nicely. This way I can totally forget about it (okay maybe not totally) until I need some basil, yum! I will keep you updated on how it is working.
So Ben and I are back in Abu Dhabi. Ben got here a few weeks before I did and I was delayed 5 days because of Hurricane Irene. But I got here, kicked jet lags butt, and here I am on my first day back with kids at school!
Last week we found out that the new campus would not be ready, not much of a shocker around here. Things in Abu Dhabi never happen the way they say they are, we take it all in stride. So what that means for us is that both schools are on one little campus. Now I wasn't going to go out to the new campus I was staying at the old one so it's been a bit of adjustment. So all 500 kids and 70 staff are on one fun filled campus! It's tight but we managed today pretty well. Last year I had a small gym that had foam under it and carpet. At the moment that room is storage for all of the things that can't go out to the new campus. And with lots of classes in the gym I have started going to each class and doing my lessons.
Today was interesting to say the least. I remember how tired it felt after doing the 3 year olds last year but you always hope for better! Well it didn't go horribly but they are only 3 and for that I think they did fine and I know they will get better and better as the year goes on! Today we talked about what the bell means (freeze) and we danced, ran, jumped, and swam around the room. As Ms. Tanya tried to learn all the names and who is Mohammed and who is Muhammed. Love different spellings.
Ben is doing well, he is riding his bike here and there and it hitting the weights in the weight room. No ironman this year but I think he will do some of the smaller triathlons in January and March. He has started his swim lessons and I will have to soon as well! He also plans on coaching the elementary swim team again this year, try outs start next week.
Nothing to crazy going on at the moment. Just trying to find that routine again and get back in it.
I know I said it last year as well, but I am going to try and do a better job of keeping this up to date ;)
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Our Wedding in Abu Dhabi
When we got engaged in December, Ben and I both didn't want to wait very long to get married, but living here and with the busy summer we knew that wasn't feasible to have it this summer. Although I think if I let my mom plan the whole thing she would ;) love you mom
Being over here is much different then the states. Ben and I both have our own apartments and are expected to live in them because it is against the law to live with the opposite sex if you are not married. Ben and I were both living in our own apartments but after we got engaged we were ready to be together and live together. We love each other very much and didn't want to wait any longer.
There have been a few teachers from Ben's school who have gotten married here and then have a wedding at home later. We decided that we would talk to Pastor Joe (the pastor at the Evangelical Church here) and see what it was all about. Talking to him and then talking to our parents we decided that we wanted to get married here so that we could start our life together.
We invited our teacher friends and had the sermon on the beach on a Tuesday afternoon, April 26th. Afterward we headed to a restaurant bar to have dinner and celebrate. It was a very nice event and we were blessed with how many of our friends and co workers came out to support us.
We were so fortunate we could do it here but we did miss all of you here. We are still planning on getting married in the states next summer, June 14th 2012 so mark it in your calenders because the next wedding is going to be bigger and better!
We have a wonderful friend who took some great pictures and I put together a little movie. I also had some video but couldn't figure out how to import it. Once I figure that out I will also share it with you.
We love you all and really can't wait to get home for the summer. We are really missing home these days!
Being over here is much different then the states. Ben and I both have our own apartments and are expected to live in them because it is against the law to live with the opposite sex if you are not married. Ben and I were both living in our own apartments but after we got engaged we were ready to be together and live together. We love each other very much and didn't want to wait any longer.
There have been a few teachers from Ben's school who have gotten married here and then have a wedding at home later. We decided that we would talk to Pastor Joe (the pastor at the Evangelical Church here) and see what it was all about. Talking to him and then talking to our parents we decided that we wanted to get married here so that we could start our life together.
We invited our teacher friends and had the sermon on the beach on a Tuesday afternoon, April 26th. Afterward we headed to a restaurant bar to have dinner and celebrate. It was a very nice event and we were blessed with how many of our friends and co workers came out to support us.
We were so fortunate we could do it here but we did miss all of you here. We are still planning on getting married in the states next summer, June 14th 2012 so mark it in your calenders because the next wedding is going to be bigger and better!
We have a wonderful friend who took some great pictures and I put together a little movie. I also had some video but couldn't figure out how to import it. Once I figure that out I will also share it with you.
We love you all and really can't wait to get home for the summer. We are really missing home these days!
Saturday, April 23, 2011
We are going on a picnic
As many of you know Ben is a laid back kind of guy. It takes a lot for him to get upset and with most things he lets it roll off his back pretty easy.
When Ben plays this certain video game and gets upset he takes it out on our coffee table. Now the table is from Ikea a
nd of course you get what you pay for. It's probably good the table isn't any nicer because Ben might actually hurt his hand! So to help hide Ben's anger problem while playing his baseball game we got a table cloth...
So now Ben can bang away in anger when he looses against the computer on his game and no one will ever know. I just looks like we are going on a picnic everyday. Ohh one day we will get this house decoration right.
Well a couple weeks ago Ben got this in the mail:
Thank you Nancy
When Ben plays this game he turns into someone I don't know. I don't mind that he plays video games, really I don't care. But when he plays this game he gets angry (mind you he plays against the computer). He gets so angry he does this...
Thank you Nancy When Ben plays this game he turns into someone I don't know. I don't mind that he plays video games, really I don't care. But when he plays this game he gets angry (mind you he plays against the computer). He gets so angry he does this...
And most recently this...
When Ben plays this certain video game and gets upset he takes it out on our coffee table. Now the table is from Ikea a
nd of course you get what you pay for. It's probably good the table isn't any nicer because Ben might actually hurt his hand! So to help hide Ben's anger problem while playing his baseball game we got a table cloth...Friday, April 8, 2011
Tanya's Spring break in Goa India!
I would have updated the blog a little earlier about my trip to India but this week at school was crazy. We not only had report cards to write for the students but we were also responsible for ordering. Since we are opening up a new school next year Jen (the other PE teacher) and I were responsible for ordering for that new school. A large undertaking and very stressful. So it was a little crazy this week.
Then every night when I got home Ben of course had already made dinner for me since he was off this week....NOT. haha just kidding he did make dinner a couple times this week. He also went food shopping before I got home and bought me raspberries. Which he knows I love but we never buy because they are expensive. But he did it anyway, he is pretty great.
India was good. I went to practice yoga with this man name Rolf and his wife Marci. People come and practice with him for sometimes 3 months at a time. Almost everyone there is practicing for more then a week. So when I was there the first couple of days they kept asking me how long I was there and I said "just a week" and they walked away. Haha, I obviously not serious enough about my yoga...no no of course not but, I think they didn't want to go too in depth since I was leaving in only a few days. The yoga was good, I saw some really neat things, and I am glad I went
Sunset the first night
Now the beach was the main highlight. I spent all day there. I had planned on maybe getting a scooter and exploring. But the taxi ride from the airport to my guest house I decided that would not be a good idea. People drive very differently there and I didn't feel comfortable. And my sense of direction is horrible, I would have gotten lost.
Nice Waves
So my days were filled with the beach and sunsets. I had some great food at this shack on the beach called Pete's and also some traditional Indian food at a restaurant with a guy who was also practicing yoga.
My taxi ride to the airport was funny. The driver was a real character. I told him I lived in Abu Dhabi and he told me he used to drive taxi there and also Dubai, Oman, Suadi, all over the Gulf. He then told me he used to drive for Sadam Hussan. Now I am a little sceptically but he told me oh yes he did and he had many nice cars, even American cars such as a Buick. Many cars he had, my India Taxi driver told me. Ha he made me chuckle a few times on the hour ride to the airport.
Now that both Ben and I have had our spring breaks we are pushing through till summer. We are excited to come home for Ben to do his Ironman, to travel to Utah, planning our wedding, and going to some baseball games. And most importantly seeing all our friends and family!
Then every night when I got home Ben of course had already made dinner for me since he was off this week....NOT. haha just kidding he did make dinner a couple times this week. He also went food shopping before I got home and bought me raspberries. Which he knows I love but we never buy because they are expensive. But he did it anyway, he is pretty great.
India was good. I went to practice yoga with this man name Rolf and his wife Marci. People come and practice with him for sometimes 3 months at a time. Almost everyone there is practicing for more then a week. So when I was there the first couple of days they kept asking me how long I was there and I said "just a week" and they walked away. Haha, I obviously not serious enough about my yoga...no no of course not but, I think they didn't want to go too in depth since I was leaving in only a few days. The yoga was good, I saw some really neat things, and I am glad I went
Sunset the first night
Nice Waves
So my days were filled with the beach and sunsets. I had some great food at this shack on the beach called Pete's and also some traditional Indian food at a restaurant with a guy who was also practicing yoga.My taxi ride to the airport was funny. The driver was a real character. I told him I lived in Abu Dhabi and he told me he used to drive taxi there and also Dubai, Oman, Suadi, all over the Gulf. He then told me he used to drive for Sadam Hussan. Now I am a little sceptically but he told me oh yes he did and he had many nice cars, even American cars such as a Buick. Many cars he had, my India Taxi driver told me. Ha he made me chuckle a few times on the hour ride to the airport.
I had a long flight back but finally made it, safely, back to Abu Dhabi. It was nice to be back to my own soft bed and air conditioning. It was hot there and there was no AC anywhere, only the airports.
Now that both Ben and I have had our spring breaks we are pushing through till summer. We are excited to come home for Ben to do his Ironman, to travel to Utah, planning our wedding, and going to some baseball games. And most importantly seeing all our friends and family!
Monday, February 21, 2011
It's been a while
So, so sorry for not writing in a long time! We have been really busy since we got back from Christmas vacation.
Ben is training, training, and doing more training for his Ironman in June. He completed a Olympic Tri in January and did pretty well. He had some trouble with his goggles during the swim and wasn't completely happy with the swim, but felt good on the bike and with the run. His next race will be in March and he rides his bike about 6 hours in one shot on Friday or Saturdays to get ready for it. Ben has also started softball this week. So he will be busy with practice for that after school for the next 8 weeks or so. ACS had their field day and for the first time in about 5 years there was no sand storm! It was actually a beautiful day, not too hot and sunny. He said it went off without a hitch!
I have started doing 3 gymnastics classes at my school on Friday mornings for 3 year olds, 5-8 year olds, and 10 and up. It has been a lot of fun and a great way to make some extra money (but don't tell my principal that! I am doing it only for the love of the sport ;) ), plus Ben is off on his bike all the time I needed to keep myself occupied. I also had a field day at my school. Since we don't have a huge field we had to do 3 sessions of kids. It was a long day but the kids had a blast and we had no issues! No sand storm and some of the kids were even cold when we were doing the sponge relays. I know its nothing like what you all are experiencing with all the snow! I hope spring comes soon and melts all the snow away. I know in PA it already is melting.
Some people have asked us about the wedding plans. Well, there isn't too much that we can do over here. We do know it will be at the church I grew up in, Pt. Pleasant Baptist Church and the reception will be at our fire house. My mom is apart of the ladies auxiliary there and is getting a great deal on the space. Too bad there is no fire pole :). I have looked at a lots of dresses online and found one I really like and can't wait to get back to the states to try it on. Besides that we haven't done too much. We will have a very busy summer of planning!
I hope all are doing well and I will try and make some more time for the blog! Love and miss you all!
Ben is training, training, and doing more training for his Ironman in June. He completed a Olympic Tri in January and did pretty well. He had some trouble with his goggles during the swim and wasn't completely happy with the swim, but felt good on the bike and with the run. His next race will be in March and he rides his bike about 6 hours in one shot on Friday or Saturdays to get ready for it. Ben has also started softball this week. So he will be busy with practice for that after school for the next 8 weeks or so. ACS had their field day and for the first time in about 5 years there was no sand storm! It was actually a beautiful day, not too hot and sunny. He said it went off without a hitch!
I have started doing 3 gymnastics classes at my school on Friday mornings for 3 year olds, 5-8 year olds, and 10 and up. It has been a lot of fun and a great way to make some extra money (but don't tell my principal that! I am doing it only for the love of the sport ;) ), plus Ben is off on his bike all the time I needed to keep myself occupied. I also had a field day at my school. Since we don't have a huge field we had to do 3 sessions of kids. It was a long day but the kids had a blast and we had no issues! No sand storm and some of the kids were even cold when we were doing the sponge relays. I know its nothing like what you all are experiencing with all the snow! I hope spring comes soon and melts all the snow away. I know in PA it already is melting.
Some people have asked us about the wedding plans. Well, there isn't too much that we can do over here. We do know it will be at the church I grew up in, Pt. Pleasant Baptist Church and the reception will be at our fire house. My mom is apart of the ladies auxiliary there and is getting a great deal on the space. Too bad there is no fire pole :). I have looked at a lots of dresses online and found one I really like and can't wait to get back to the states to try it on. Besides that we haven't done too much. We will have a very busy summer of planning!
I hope all are doing well and I will try and make some more time for the blog! Love and miss you all!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
A few more days in Chaing Mai
We were in Chaing Mai for about 5 days. The second day we just walked around and enjoyed the city and our pool. The long day of travel and all that elephant training really took it out of us. That night we went to the night bazaar and got some great deals on some stuff. We had a lot of fun haggling for our merchandise, maybe too much.
The third day we went on a Zip line trip. It was called flight of the gibbon and it was really awesome! There were 21 zip lines in the rain forest that we went through. This was Ben's favorite day of the trip. Our guides names were Bird and Woody and they really made the trip.
"come to me jungle friends!"
"come to me jungle friends!"The next day we took a Thai cooking class, Ben was hesitant at first but when he heard we got to cook and eat all day he was convinced. We made a lot of different dishes, we hope to re create them back home if we can find all the ingredients.
My awesome spring rolls!
My awesome spring rolls!Ben making fried bananas.SOO GOOD!
The chiefs name was Boom and she was great! She really helped us learn how to make these unique dishes and told us some substitutes if we couldn't find things when we got home. We had some really great meals and we were stuffed at the end. Although I think Ben wanted some food later that night, I thought he was crazy!
Our last day in Chaing Mai we rented a scooter and drove up a mountain to a temple at the top. Now we weren't big on Temple watching but people had told us that the view of the city is amazing and worth the trip. So we did and the view was really cool and the temple was probably the nicest in Chaing Mai. Afterward we went to a palace where the royal family stays when they come up North. The flowers here were amazing! So many different types and colors of roses and apparently we were in the blooming season so we were lucky. There were also a wide variety of other flowers as well. It was a nice walk and we got some great photos.
After all our walking around we were ready for some food and a cold drink, so we made our way back down the mountain. When we came to this part with an opening we saw 3 helicopters coming in for a landing and then taking off right away. It was quite the show and there were many people who stopped as well. At this point we really didn't know if we had enough gas to make it down the hill so we just coasted. It was a long decline so we figured we would be okay, and we were. I was laughing the whole way down, I thought it was pretty funny.
That night we left Chaing Mai late to leave for Phuket then off to Ko Phi Phi on the morning ferry. We met a girl at our guest house who was also leaving for the airport and we were chatting with her for a while. She was from Norway and was staying in Thailand a few months. She was heading back to Phuket to spend some time with friends she met there.
The chiefs name was Boom and she was great! She really helped us learn how to make these unique dishes and told us some substitutes if we couldn't find things when we got home. We had some really great meals and we were stuffed at the end. Although I think Ben wanted some food later that night, I thought he was crazy!
Our last day in Chaing Mai we rented a scooter and drove up a mountain to a temple at the top. Now we weren't big on Temple watching but people had told us that the view of the city is amazing and worth the trip. So we did and the view was really cool and the temple was probably the nicest in Chaing Mai. Afterward we went to a palace where the royal family stays when they come up North. The flowers here were amazing! So many different types and colors of roses and apparently we were in the blooming season so we were lucky. There were also a wide variety of other flowers as well. It was a nice walk and we got some great photos.
After all our walking around we were ready for some food and a cold drink, so we made our way back down the mountain. When we came to this part with an opening we saw 3 helicopters coming in for a landing and then taking off right away. It was quite the show and there were many people who stopped as well. At this point we really didn't know if we had enough gas to make it down the hill so we just coasted. It was a long decline so we figured we would be okay, and we were. I was laughing the whole way down, I thought it was pretty funny.
That night we left Chaing Mai late to leave for Phuket then off to Ko Phi Phi on the morning ferry. We met a girl at our guest house who was also leaving for the airport and we were chatting with her for a while. She was from Norway and was staying in Thailand a few months. She was heading back to Phuket to spend some time with friends she met there.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Chiang Mai, Elephant Farm
Well to start off our great Thailand adventure the night before Ben proposed to me. By now I am sure you all have heard. We are very excited and are planning on July 2012.
We left Abu Dhabi on December 18th very early in the morning. We had a layover in Qatar and when we got on the plane we learned that it was Qatar National day an that we would not be leaving on time. I was annoyed but had a tone of movies in front of me so I didn't put much thought into it. But then Ben turns to me 2 hours later when we are just taking off and tells me we will miss our flight to Chiang Mai. So then I was annoyed for 6 hours. Well we did miss our flight and we had to buy another ticket, not happy but we needed to get to Chiang Mai that night so we could go to the elephant farm the next day.
Our first day in Chiang Mai we went to Patara Elephant Farm. This is a place where they are breeding elephants because the elephant population is dimensioning in Thailand very quickly. We got there put on our trainer attire and met our elephants. The first thing we had to do is feed the elephants so they would be happy. They are happy when there ears and tails are flapping.
After that we had to look to see if the elephant slept last night by looking at sleeping marks on either side of the elephant, this is to check if they elephant is healthy. Then we had to check to make sure the elephant was sweating, the only place it sweats is by its toes. Then one last to check if it was health was to see if the poop looked healthy. Elephant poop actually doesn't smell and if it does it means the elephant is sick. It was very interesting!
Ben smelling poop, I think he likes it :)
We then had to clean off our elephant by brushing the dirt off its back and then washing it in the river. After that we learned how to get on our elephant. One way is to get on my using their leg and then climbing up. The second way is to by climbing on to their trunk and then they lift you up on to them, then turning around. I was the first one to try and took the trunk method. Its amazing how strong these animals are! It was nothing for my elephant to lift me up.
We then went on a long walk a waterfall where we could swim with the elephants and they could drink. The owner of the farm told us that elephants and can smell if the water is polluted and wont drink if the water is polluted. He said that a new resort was built near the farm and now the elephants wont drink the stream water near the farm they used to drink.
When we reached the waterfall the elephants got in and they just go right under and don't seam to come up. They loved playing in the water. We got in and also played with them. Every time we tried to sit on top of them they would turn sideways
and dunk us.
After a swim we had lunch and the elephants got to eat the leftovers. We then got back on our elephants and walked about 40 minutes with them on some very steep narrow paths but it was nothing to the elephants. They were so sure of foot on these trails. We then took a little rest so that the elephants could eat some more. Then Ben and I shared an elephant and rode back to the farm to say goodbye. We gave them some more bananas and said goodbye to them and our trainers that were so helpful.
It was an amazing day to say the least. We learned a lot about elephants and I was glad we got to see them in a safe and healthy environment. There are so many places in Thailand were they aren't treated right and then live shorter lives. It is an experience we will never forget!
We left Abu Dhabi on December 18th very early in the morning. We had a layover in Qatar and when we got on the plane we learned that it was Qatar National day an that we would not be leaving on time. I was annoyed but had a tone of movies in front of me so I didn't put much thought into it. But then Ben turns to me 2 hours later when we are just taking off and tells me we will miss our flight to Chiang Mai. So then I was annoyed for 6 hours. Well we did miss our flight and we had to buy another ticket, not happy but we needed to get to Chiang Mai that night so we could go to the elephant farm the next day.
Our first day in Chiang Mai we went to Patara Elephant Farm. This is a place where they are breeding elephants because the elephant population is dimensioning in Thailand very quickly. We got there put on our trainer attire and met our elephants. The first thing we had to do is feed the elephants so they would be happy. They are happy when there ears and tails are flapping.
After that we had to look to see if the elephant slept last night by looking at sleeping marks on either side of the elephant, this is to check if they elephant is healthy. Then we had to check to make sure the elephant was sweating, the only place it sweats is by its toes. Then one last to check if it was health was to see if the poop looked healthy. Elephant poop actually doesn't smell and if it does it means the elephant is sick. It was very interesting!
Ben smelling poop, I think he likes it :)
We then went on a long walk a waterfall where we could swim with the elephants and they could drink. The owner of the farm told us that elephants and can smell if the water is polluted and wont drink if the water is polluted. He said that a new resort was built near the farm and now the elephants wont drink the stream water near the farm they used to drink.
When we reached the waterfall the elephants got in and they just go right under and don't seam to come up. They loved playing in the water. We got in and also played with them. Every time we tried to sit on top of them they would turn sideways
and dunk us.After a swim we had lunch and the elephants got to eat the leftovers. We then got back on our elephants and walked about 40 minutes with them on some very steep narrow paths but it was nothing to the elephants. They were so sure of foot on these trails. We then took a little rest so that the elephants could eat some more. Then Ben and I shared an elephant and rode back to the farm to say goodbye. We gave them some more bananas and said goodbye to them and our trainers that were so helpful.
It was an amazing day to say the least. We learned a lot about elephants and I was glad we got to see them in a safe and healthy environment. There are so many places in Thailand were they aren't treated right and then live shorter lives. It is an experience we will never forget!
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