Talent show

Well, I am happy to report that this week is not really going any better than the last, so I am quite happy with my decision and I am very much looking forward to not coming back here in January. Tonight is the Talent Show... I hate talent shows, especially when they are a contest like this one is. But the kids really enjoy them, so I am helping out (instead of going to soccer practice, drat.)

Adam and I went to see the new Tenacious D movie last night. It was quite funny, I thought. I really like Jack Black, and he is actually a really talented singer.

Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny

Last night, we once again made a trip to the theatre - this time to see the new Tenacious D movie.

For those of you who don't know, Tenacious D are a rock/comedy band fronted by commedian actors Jack Black (left) and Kyle Gass (right) that have been around for about a decade making random apprearances (they play a song in "Bio Dome"). Prior to the movie soundtrack, though, they had released only one album - their excellent self-titled album in 2002.

The movie - "Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny" - is a mock story of how the band was formed. It was directed by Liam Lynch (does anyone remember his "the United States of Whatever" song, or his "Clone High" cartoon show?) and Lynch co-wrote the movie with JB and KG.

Troë and I both quite liked the movie, but then we're both big fans of the band. The movie was crude in places (like their music can be) and silly in other places (like their music always is) but overall was just fun. There were loads of celebrity cameos through-out the movie (it is produced by Ben Stiller...) all of which were halarious. Dave Grohl - of "Nirvana" and "Foo Fighters" fame - plays drums for Tenacious D on their album and is in the movie reprising his role of Satan from the music video for the single "Tribute".

I'd definitely recommend the movie for fans of the band - there are loads of inside jokes relating to the album - but if you've even heard "Tribute" or "Wonderboy", and don't like stoner comedy, then you should probably pass on the movie.

A visitor!

That was a nice weekend! Tiff came to visit us! We spent Saturday in the downtown core of Bournemouth shopping while Adam was at work. It was really nice to just hang out with one of our Canadian friends again. I mean, I like hanging out with people here, but it's just not the same. Sunday was supposed to be a football match of mine that Adam and Tiff were going to come and see, but the game was cancelled due to the heavy rain here as well! So we discovered a new part of Bournemouth that Adam and I hadn't been to yet either, a mall. It wasn't all we thought it might be, downtown shopping is definitely much better. However, this new excursion did take us into another, bigger Sainsburys - this one did have Chai tea! Horray!

Three and a half more weeks to go of school. Could not be looking forward to Christmas holidays more.

Casino Royale

This past Wednesday saw us return to the cinema following the dismal outcome out last weeks attempt.

This week the theatre let us use an Orange 2for1 code (thanks TA) and we were finally able to see "Casino Royale" - the new bond film.

Both of us quite enjoyed the movie. The new bond, Daniel Craig, fit the role quite well. The movie is set as bond first becomes a 'double-oh' agent - placing it chronologically before the other twenty something movies - but it still takes place in present day. Craig portrayed just the right character mixture to be smooth at times and rough at others.

We've heard complaints from others that the movie doesn't have very many gadgets (which is doesn't) and it's quite violent in places (which it is) and the new car is under-used (well - it only a car). Personally, none of these things bothered us much.

The movie has a bond who is brand new to having a license to kill and is getting used to being a secret agent. I thought it was an interesting side to the character. There is some excellent free-running early in the movie, and Bond has to out-think and out fight his enemies - not just blow them up with some ridiculous gadget.

Decisions, decisions

The weekend was good. A much needed weekend. On Saturday we had a few people over for dinner. It was nice. We had a bunch of finger food. Almost all of my recipes had to be tweaked in some way though, which kind of sucked, and I thought the food suffered as a result, but everyone else seemed to enjoy it. To my Vancouver friends, you are not going to believe this but... spinich dip is yet another thing that I cannot seem to find. Unfortunately, I didn't leave myself enough time to make it from scratch either, so it had to substituted for humus. Also good, but just not the same. No good salad dressings for dip either (aka, no ranch), nothing for Russ' stuffed tortilla wraps either. Even the danish puff didn't seem to cook properly - though I think that's just my oven being stupid, not the ingredients. Oh well, in the end it was still fairly successful. I think I'll have to get some British recipes though to go with the British groceries that are available here. Oh, and none of the people I had over had ever heard of Devil'd eggs!

On another note, thank you all for your comments and support. I came back into school this week after taking Monday off. I really needed it. Unfortunately, I came back to a trashed room and some things stolen from my desk. After thinking about it all last week, and after everyone's advice, talking it over with several of you, and with Adam, I have come to a decision. It was a difficult decision to make, but at the end of the day, I have to do what is best for me. I do not think I will be continuing at Rossmore after Christmas. Again, it was a difficult decision as I do like aspects of the job, like the production, which will not be finished by then. But if you know me, then you know that the rest of this place has to be pretty aweful if I would leave in the middle of a production because those are what I live for. But I simply cannot continue here. I have spoken to the supply teaching agency and I should not have a problem getting continual supply work in the spring. We may come home a couple months early, but we have not decided that yet. Will keep you all posted.

The end of a horrible week

Well, I have had the week from Hell basically. Considering leaving the school. I am, after all, a supply teacher (TOC) and therefore could leave whenever I wanted to. I think I'll probably stick it out for a while longer, at least till Christmas, and see how things go. I don't really like teaching here at all, but I would be letting some students down, the production, other teachers, etc. But at the end of the day, if I go home and I can't even have a decent conversation with my husband because I am so upset by the day, then I am not sure that it is worth it. We'll see.

On lighter notes... Adam and I didn't go see a movie for the 2-for-1 Wednesday this week. Everything that was playing looked like crap (or we'd seen it) and the only good thing that was playing was a sneak preview of 'Casino Royal', but it was £20 a person to get in!!! That's about $40 each!! No thanks, we'll wait for this week when we can see it for £7.20 for both of us.

Oh, I figured out something else that we are missing over here that I am really beginning to crave! Chai tea. I can't find it anywhere! Which I actually find quite surprising. John, any ideas where I might find some?

Well, that is really all that is new with me for now. I hope everyone is doing well, and we really miss you all!

A Few Words From The Birthday Boy

Yesterday was my birthday. I am now 24 (making me the same age as Troë, and once more a year older than John).

Thank you so very much to everyone who send a card or present or e-mail, or who called or posted a comment wishing me a "happy birthday". I really appreciate it.

I had a decent birthday - overall. I had to work all day and it was the first day of a huge new sale, and only our third day with a brand new till system. And both of my managers had the day off. So work was a mess.

Afterwards, though, we went out to dinner at Coriander (the great local Mexican restaurant) with a few of our new friends: Hannah, James, Annette (teachers from Troë's school), and Keely and Kirsty (two girls from Beales). Dinner was great and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

The day just wasn't the same without all of our friends and family around, but I still enjoyed myself. We miss you all, and thanks, again, for letting us know you're thinking of us too.

"The Prestige"

Last night we went to the English cinema.

We don't have "Orange" mobiles, but we still managed to find a way to get ½ price tickets. (Many thanks to Flik for the idea, and John and T.A. for helping us execute it.)

We didn't really know what was playing here, and seeing as how the only two theatres in town and right nexct to each other we just showed up at the cinema at 7:30. (British movie have only 1 evening showing - around 8pm.) We were quite surprised at the large queue for the box office - but quickly understood that the theatre was showing an advanced screening of "the Prestige" - a movie we've been waiting to see. So we went and saw that.

"The Prestige" is a movie about two rival stage magicians - played by Christian Bale (Batman) and Hugh Jackman (Wolverine) who live in London at the end of the 19th century. I am a big fan of the magic subject matter - go read "Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell" by Susanna Clarke - and am thrilled that there are two movies (this one, and Edward Norton's "The Illusionist") coming out this season about Victorian era magicians.

This movie co-stars Michael Caine and Scarlett Johansson, and has a minor role filled by David Bowie. Personally, we like all of these actors. Also, it's directed by Christopher Nolan (Momento, Batman Begins) - an amazing director - so, understandably, we were quite excited to see the movie. (I mean, it has Batman and Wolverine!)

We were not disappointed. The movie was really good, and has a lot of plot twists and turns. It has Nolan signature dark aspects to it, and the whole thing is pulled off quite well. Some of the plot twists we were able to see coming, but not nearly all of them. Also, many of the twists were quite different then we expected. Additionally, when the movie was over, and we had a chance to think about, and discuss, it we realized that overall the movie was really quite intelligent.

Definitely go see it.

Christmas Shopping!

Hey everyone! So, Adam and I have started our Christmas shopping! (Even though Adam complains that it is not even December yet, but I say it's never too early!) We would like to send everyone back home something small, even if it is only just a card, but if there is some kind of souvenir or something small that you would like or need, then pass it on to us and we'd be glad to send something to you! We have a few things for a few people, including some souvenirs that we got in Scotland, but more requests are welcome please!
Hope that everyone is doing well!
Oh, and Happy Birthday to John, Caran, and of course, Adam!

Hey, You Asked For It...

Just for John - a picture of the broom. Enjoy:

And, finally, the pictures...

So - the pictures of our trip have finally been posted. You can look at the pictures, now, along with their respective posts.

We encourage you to go back and take a look.