A nine year anniversary

Nine years ago, in January of 2002, my love affair with exercise began.

I'd been rather active as a young child (I danced, played soccer, and did synchronized swimming), but at some point, it all stopped. I began loathing exercise and doing everything in my power to avoid doing it.

I went from this...

To this...

I won't go into all the painful details, but suffice it to say that body image is something I've struggled with a lot.

And it only got worse when I got to university. We've all heard of the Freshman 15... well, for me it was the Freshman 50. I was so freaked out by the number on the scale when I finally stepped on one in the middle of my 2nd year, I made the most important new year's resolution of my life right then and there: I was going to take up exercise.

And I wasn't kidding! For the next year and a half, I worked out nearly every single day. It got to the point where I was regularly spending 2.5 hours at a time sweating it out in the gym. I lost 70 lbs. I was in the best condition of my life. And more importantly, I was enjoying it. Exercise felt really good.

There are some more painful details that I'll skip over, but my relationship with exercise has been on again/off again ever since. There was a brief period a couple of years ago when I decided to devote 100% of my energy to fitness and nutrition (and I really mean 100% -- I was doing it in lieu of having a job) and I got back pretty much to where I'd been a few years before. But eventually, I had to start work again and it all began to slide away. My only saving grace was my night job as a dancer.

Enter Europe. Most people lose weight when they come to Europe. After all, this is the land of healthier food and more active lifestyles. But for me, hoofing it a couple of miles and trudging up the Underground steps as part of my daily commute weren't boosting my activity levels at all. Because of money, distance, and timing, I'd basically given up the one consistent factor keeping me happy and healthy for the previous 6 years. I went from dancing 5-7 days a week to dancing once every couple of months. I gained 30 lbs... and lost a lot of my will to do anything.

Now, I don't earn a lot of money as a TA and gym memberships in London aren't cheap. I eventually sucked it up and started dishing out £50/month for the Central YMCA, but had such a horrible experience that I demanded to be let out of my contract shortly thereafter. I danced a lot when I returned to Canada this summer, but that was destined to be short-lived. The decision I made in September to start treating myself better did result in a few dropped pounds, but something else still had to be done. Thankfully, when I moved to my new house in Camberwell, the answer came: Peckham Pulse is conveniently located right along my daily route and, thanks to the school where I'm working, I got a pretty decent rate.

I had my first workout there today. The people were friendly and the machines were pretty sweet (I can play movies from my iPod or USB stick on my personal cardio screen!), but the best part of all was how I felt when I finished: alive.

I'm not making any resolutions this year, but I am recommitting to this 9 year old relationship. Just like any relationship, it takes work to keep it going... and that work has to be done for the right reasons. The reason I first entered into it isn't the right one for me anymore. Of course I'd like to lose weight and look good and fit into my old clothes again, but that's not enough. Over the years, I've discovered something much more important. Exercise feels good. It makes me want to take life by the reins. It makes me want to climb mountains and shout out from the peaks how very happy I am to be alive.

And it's for that reason I'm going back to the gym at 11 tomorrow morning.

On being Cana-British

I've been struggling for a while now to sort out my national identity. I'm a dual citizen with 26 years of life experience in Canada, 15 months of life experience in Britain. So much of who I am has been shaped by those first 26 years, and yet I'm happily settled here and feel more and more like a local every day. I actively avoid referring to Canada as "home." I feel strongly that this is my home now, but part of me feels like a traitor because of it. And I don't really identify with the term "ex-pat" anymore. So am I Canadian or am I British? The truth is that I'm both. I am a hyphen.

British-Canadian rolls right off the tongue, but that's not what I am. That would imply that I had been born British and become Canadian. Canadian-British? Just doesn't sound right. And so, I have finally settled on my own made up term...

I am a Cana-Brit, and proud of it.

Why I love London: Reason #42

People often compliment me on the courage and determination it must have taken to move across the ocean. I never quite know how to respond to this, because as far as I'm concerned, moving here was no act of courage at all. It actually would have been a much greater struggle for me to stay put. I moved here, quite simply, to scratch my interminably itchy feet.

I come from a long line of wanderers. You don't have to look far to see it: my family is spread far and wide, and my mother alone has lived across (and holds citizenship in) three countries. Look a little further down my family tree and you'll find explorers, pioneers, Vikings, and conquerors. You'd be hard-pressed to find a European country that isn't somehow involved in my lineage.

I'm also hugely interested in everything relating to human behaviour and the mind. I love travelling to new places because there's very little that excites me more than experiencing, for the first time, where and how a group of people live. But of course, sampling a culture for a few precious days isn't the same as becoming a part of it. Here in London, I'm perfectly placed to be involved in both the breadth and depth of anthropological observation.

Not only am I living in a new country and within easy reach of dozens more, but London itself is a pretty reasonable microcosm of the globe. With over 300 languages regularly spoken here, and nearly 30% of its population having been born outside the UK, London is one of the most multi-cultural and cosmopolitan cities in the world. It's impossible to escape the beautiful array of accents, colours, and flavours, and nearly every street and alley I step into in London feels like a different reality. It's mind-boggling just how much diversity there is here.

And that's part of what's making my next move (a much smaller one this time) so exciting. South London is even more multi-ethnic than the city centre, and among the neighbourhood pubs (Hermits Cave! What a brilliant name!) are restaurants specialising in Bengali, Nigerian, Eritrean, and countless other lesser-known cuisines from around the world. Not to mention a highly-rated Spanish tapas bar, so I can get my taste of Spain after all.

Cake: I am having you. And eating you too.

5 x 15

One of the best things about London is the assortment of neat and quirky events that are always happening around the city. Last night, I had the pleasure of attending 5 x 15 -- an evening of entertainment that features 5 speakers, each telling a 15 minute cross-section of their personal stories or areas of expertise. Somewhat reminiscent of TED talks.

The topics ranged from how to get into Oxford on blind luck, what it's like to grow up with an eccentric gay dad, the reformation of a hardened criminal, a behind-the-scenes peek into a documentary on Peter Mandelson, and the sexual nature of cars. Quite an eclectic mix of subjects, and an equally eclectic mix of personalities.

I think I was most touched by Noel 'Razor' Smith's account of how he turned to a life of crime after having been victimized and harassed by the police. He spent the majority of his adult life in prison, where he taught himself to read and write, and eventually realised he could raise more havoc by writing complaints than he could by punching out the guards. The real turning point, though, was when his son died and he wasn't allowed to attend the funeral. Despite never having done any public speaking before (except "from the witness box at the Old Bailey," he quipped), he had a captivating presence and I didn't want him to stop. Alas, the bell rang and he was cut short. Just to give you an idea of how enraptured I was, the bell apparently rang several times and I never even heard it.

To give the evening a little more texture, there was also a musical interlude. Lulu and the Lampshades were absolutely enchanting. Their creative use of instrumentation, rhythm, and melody sucked me right in.



This little number is their most popular on YouTube. I think I might have preferred some of their other songs, but I love how they've incorporated the cup game here. Their stage rendition was even better, backed by a flute, guitar, and more percussion.

This all took place at Union Chapel, a Gothic church souped up with red stage lights, candles, and strung up number cut-outs. There was even a proper trendy bar upstairs where we hung out with a diverse crowd of hip 20-somethings, middle-aged professionals, and the retired elite during the intermission. A perfectly quirky venue for a perfectly quirky evening. They run these events regularly, and I think I might be hooked.

I have a new blog!

I've finally decided to separate my personal and professional blogging. I now have a new blog for musing about all things teaching and learning. Stop by if you're interested, or simply enjoy the fact that you'll never have to endure my rants about education here ever again.

London in Autumn

From the time I was a small child, I've been told the natural order of autumn leaves is for them to first change colours, then fall to the ground. But in London, this "law" of nature is only obeyed sporadically.


The majority of trees here go directly from green to barren. At first I thought the leaves, once turned, must fall right away... but then I started noticing an abundance of fallen, dried, green leaves. It's messing with my head! And is a little bit sad too; I feel as though I'm missing out on one of the best parts of autumn.

Another of the best parts is Halloween--a holiday mentioned only cautiously and with disdain in this part of the world. Several of my English friends have speculated it's because people here still associate the festival with its controversial past. Others have noted it serves mainly as an excuse for rebellious British youth to make mischief. But I, for one, think it's a crying shame.

That's why I was overjoyed when I was asked to carve a pumpkin with the children at school on Wednesday. I even got to roast the seeds! I was on a high from it the entire day, and I think I might buy another pumpkin and do it all again.

Ironically, despite the lack of qualities that have traditionally reminded me that this is a great season, I'm actually enjoying autumn a lot more than I have in many, many years. I've always found it difficult to enjoy the present when it serves as a constant reminder that the days are getting shorter and colder, and that soon we'll be plunged into the depths of winter (my most despised time of the year). But although my first British winter was hard on me, I think its relatively short lifespan coupled with a long, hot summer (I managed to be in India, Spain, Hawaii, England, and Canada at all the right times to maximize the heat) have made me much readier for winter this time around. We'll see how I feel about it in a month or two, but so far I'm doing ok.

In the meantime, we've arrived at our first break of the school year. I had hoped to spend this time in Italy, but unfortunately circumstances conspired against it. Instead, I'll be messing around with recipes, working on creative projects, and preparing to move. Yes, you read that right, I'm moving next month! Not to Spain, but to Camberwell--a charming area of South London only a 15 minute walk from my school. I'll be living in a lovely Victorian townhouse with four other really cool people. I think it'll be good for me.

Special Needs London

When I was little, I delighted in the gifts my parents brought home from their work conferences: pens, paperweights, bags, lanyards, stress balls, and sometimes even toys. I gleefully attended home shows where I scarfed down beer nuts while attempting to convince my parents they needed to buy me a trampoline. And I still have a framed computer-generated image of my aura that I got at a health and wellness show a few years ago. In short, I love conventions.

Today, I attended my very first career-specific exhibition. I was excited. But did Special Needs London live up to my expectations?

I'll be honest, I was looking forward to freebies of the ilk of those given to me as a child. Instead, I came home with an impressive collection of catalogues and brochures (my school will be happy), a demo CD of a literacy computer program, and a cute bookmark. I also wish there'd been more stalls offering information about SEN (special educational needs) rather than businesses trying to sell their wares.

But what about the workshops? I attended two seminars, and while they were certainly the best part of the event and succeeded in getting me thinking, I'm not sure I learned very much from them.

Narrowing the gap - practical ways to raise the achievement of vulnerable learners
There's a lot of talk in the UK about "narrowing the gap" between high and low achievers in schools, but Neil MacKay approached this topic from a different angle: narrowing the gap between a child's ability to think and their ability to present information/ideas or write them down.

Things I especially liked:
- He was clearly a skilled teacher and presenter
- He got us talking to each other, which originally I wasn't keen to do, but quite enjoyed in the end
- I learned that OFSTED considers gifted & talented students to be one of the two most vulnerable groups (yay, people are finally recognising this!)
- He talked about educating the parents about how their children learn and how they can support them, and said that by making the parents less vulnerable, their children become less vulnerable too
- He talked about how our teaching and assessment strategies can create (or eliminate) vulnerabilities in certain children

I didn't like so much that he referred to jargon and acronyms that I'm not familiar with yet and didn't spend much time talking about specific strategies. But I think most of the other attendees, who have more experience with the British education system than I do, understood what he was talking about and could see the applications. I guess I'll just have to do more research.

Not just talking: why children have behavioural, social, and emotional difficulties nowadays
This wasn't what I was expecting it to be, but was interesting in theory nonetheless. It was delivered by speech language therapist Sioban Boyce and was centred on the fact that many children growing up these days have limited exposure to normal human interaction, and therefore never develop important non-verbal communication skills. This lack of non-verbal communication ability leads to confusion and frustration that manifest themselves in behavioural, social, and emotional difficulties. Great stuff.

The trouble was that she was not a very good orator (and was visibly nervous) and she spent the entire hour basically bragging about how her work with these children has impressed people. She didn't really present us with any strategies we can use ourselves, short of sending them to do 1:1 intervention and speaking to them in ways that won't be overwhelming. I would have loved to know more about how she works with these children, not just that it works. She did happily point out, however, that she has books for sale and offers intervention courses. Based on her presentation today (essentially an infomercial that I paid £14.10 to see), I'm wary of giving her any more money for products that may not actually teach me anything.

----

In conclusion, I'm glad I went but I was a little disappointed with what I got out of the experience. I think I might possibly have been spoiled by TED talks.

I did pick up one very important bit of information, though: Angel is a really cool area for shopping. I want to go back there soon, preferably with money.

Yo practico espanol

A couple of weeks ago, my agency presented me with the possibility of going to Madrid for a few months to work as an English tutor. I have no idea whether or not I'll get the job (though I have my fingers very firmly crossed -- I *heart* Madrid!), but I've started (again) to teach myself Spanish just in case. It's something I've been meaning to do for ages, anyway.


I study at least a little bit every day, and I've made noticeable progress, though I'm completely useless unless I can see the words. Castilians speak so quickly and with such a funny accent (my North American ears are more accustomed to Latino Spanish) that I have no idea which words have been said, let alone what they mean. I guess immersion and time are the only answers.

In the meantime, if you have any tips, resource recommendations, or want to teach/practice with me, I'd love to hear about it!

Same difference

The neat thing about supply teaching is that every school is different. I've learned so much just from observing the ways things are done from one place to the next. So far this year, I've had two placements which have had the following things in common:

- They're both in nursery
- They're in the same part of town and the same bus takes me there (though thankfully the new school is a little closer)
- They're both a little overwhelming in scale, but in different ways

The last placement was in an enormous, multi-building labyrinth of a primary school, but the nursery itself was small, calm, and easy to manage. I learned all the kids' names in one day. The new placement is in a much smaller building but it is strictly a nursery school and there are approximately 100 kids there at any given time, all free-flowing throughout the grounds. I have no idea how I'm ever going to remember their names.

I spent the morning floating around, playing with the kids and getting a sense for the place. I have to say, it was pretty impressive. They have so many cool things going on, and they have two fantastic outdoor areas, better than any other that I've seen. In the afternoon, I went along with one of the other TAs to look after a little boy with severe Autism.

I've never been given so little responsibility on a first day. It made me a bit uncomfortable (because I felt like I should be more focused/doing more) but it was nice. The school is nice. And so are the kids, the staff, and the parents. Lots and lots of nice.

I got to spend a fair bit of time in the sensory room, too, which is always a treat. If you've never seen one, sensory rooms are basically spaces loaded with, well, sensory things: lights, projectors, disco balls, bubbles, pillows, mirrors, music, massage stuff, etc. They're really lovely. Great for Autistic children and, I think, for their teachers as well. I always feel refreshed and rejuvenated after spending time in one.

That being said, I was definitely tired by the end of the day. I didn't even realise it until after I left. I don't know if it was the weather or the work or the lack of sleep I got last night (probably a combination of all three), but it took everything I had just to stay awake on the bus ride home. I have a feeling I'm going to sleep very well tonight.

A Statement that is Personal

I mentioned last time that I'm applying for PGCE programmes. As part of the process, I have to write a personal statement. I'm nervous because all of the resources I've consulted have insisted that competition is fierce and my personal statement is the most important part of my application. So before I submit it to the universities, I'm submitting it to you for your feedback. Please be gentle.

I’ve known since I was thirteen years old that I wanted to become a teacher. It began innocently enough, with a love of helping people and a preference for process over product in the arts. I knew, for example, that I didn’t want to become an actor, but I liked the idea of becoming a drama teacher. When I arrived at university, my eyes were opened to a new possibility: using drama as a tool to teach subjects across the curriculum. From then on, my passion for teaching became unstoppable.

As part of my studies in Drama in Education, I learned how to engage students with different learning styles; how to use games and creative techniques to enhance, support, and direct learning; how to assess students at the beginning, middle, and end of a process; how to structure lessons and write lesson plans; how to adapt when things don’t go exactly as planned; and, through my placements, how to carry it all out in practice. With the emphasis on child-centred learning that has emerged from the new National Curriculum, my degree training gives me a distinct advantage because I am already accustomed to focusing my teaching in ways that are most relevant to my students.

For the past year, I have been working as a TA and LSA in inner-London state schools. Working through an agency has given me the opportunity to gain experience with a variety of schools, age groups, and learning needs, as well as the chance to observe a variety of teachers. Through this process, I have proven my ability to adapt and think on my feet, as each new setting has inevitably presented different responsibilities and challenges. I have also proven my ability to work effectively with children, parents, and other teachers and TAs.

Of all the schools I’ve worked in, one of my favourites was a long-term placement supporting a Year 2 student with Global Delay. In addition to supporting her and other students in the classroom, I also had free rein over planning our daily literacy, numeracy, and physical development sessions outside the classroom. I really enjoyed having the chance to discover and develop methods that worked with her abilities, interests, and personality. In the three months we worked together, she went from making random scribbles on a page to correctly spelling CVC words and independently writing recognisable symbols on the lines. She also dramatically improved her counting ability and began to demonstrate understanding of simple addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. This, along with my other TA experiences, has given me great confidence in my ability to innovate, motivate, and effectively use strategies that are accessible and meaningful to my students.

Being a TA is not always easy, but despite the low pay and the occasionally stressful conditions, I have stuck with it because I love it and I gain something from every challenge I overcome. For example, I am still working on the delicate balance between being a firm authority figure whilst remaining approachable, but my observations of other teachers--as well as resources such as Teachers TV and TES--have been very useful and I am making good progress in this area.

In addition to working as a TA, I have taught dance, drama, and musical theatre to children, have trained as a child yoga instructor, and have recently joined Kids Company as a volunteer. I seek out new learning experiences whenever I can—for example, I am registered for several seminars at this year’s Special Needs London convention. My ICT, teamwork, and organisational skills have additionally been enhanced by years of working in administrative and human resources roles.

I’ve never felt happier than when I am teaching and know this is a role I was born to fill. Despite my affinity and aptitude for education, I still have much to learn and I look forward to the intensive training afforded by a PGCE programme.

Things you'll already know if you follow me on Facebook...

I finally have work! Well, sort of. I'm working half days in a Nursery (3 year olds) until next Friday (though I wound up staying a full day yesterday). It's a really lovely school and the staff have been extremely friendly to me (quite unusual!) and the kids are actually well-behaved (even more unusual!).

I remember last year when I was doing supply, I always felt as though I was fumbling through the day. Every school/teacher was different and I never knew exactly what was expected of me, much less where to find things or what the kids' individual needs were. But I guess a year of experience has done me some good, because I haven't felt that way at all this time. It was actually shocking to me, how confident I felt. And the other teachers seem to have noticed it too, because they made it abundantly clear they wanted me to apply for their permanent position. Of course, the application deadline was yesterday and I didn't find this out until after lunch, so I had to stay after school and write as quickly as I could in the half hour between the end of school and the deadline. (It meant missing capoeira too, grrr!)

There are a few cons to taking this job (the long, boring bus ride and the lack of challenge being two) and I don't even know whether I'll get it... but it feels really good to be appreciated and to have it confirmed that I can do this work. Sometimes I doubt myself. Being an agency employee in London can be pretty rough. Often the permanent staff will treat you like you're disposable and not a real human being.

It's also grad school application season. I'm applying for PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education) programmes at both the Institute of Education and Roehampton University, but I also found a sweet MA in Special and Inclusive Education programme (about as ideal as it gets, seeing as I want to conduct my research on how children with Autism respond to creative education) at Roehampton that doesn't necessarily require me to get my PGCE first, so I'm applying for that too. The only way I'll be able to afford school is to go part-time, so heading straight into my MA would cut 2 years off my completion time. But it might also limit my career options when I'm finished. I'm not sure which option is better.

Other things:
- I'm continuing to stay busy and meet new people. I'm having a blast, but I'm also exhausted now that I'm back at work (I'd forgotten how tiring teaching can be).
- I'm in the process of becoming a Mentor for Kids Company. I can't even tell you how excited I am about that.
- I'm now in charge of planning workshops for Blues Revolution (which I have finally officially joined), and I have two coming up... a brand new one that I'll be teaching in October and our usual Beginner Intensive that my lovely friend Kavita will be teaching in November. Carter will of course be teaching both, because he's awesome like that.
- I have used parentheses excessively in this entry, and I will not apologise for it.

Chasing the blues away

I'm cheating here, because it's past midnight and therefore no longer September 8th... but since I haven't gone to bed yet, I feel entitled to say that I moved to London precisely one year ago. A lot has happened and changed in that time, but one thing is the same as this time last year: the stress of not having a job.

Finding work at the beginning of the school year is a challenge. Schools are still sorting out what they need in terms of long-term positions and daily supply roles are few. I have hope that because I have more experience now, I'll have an easier time landing something long-term. But in the meantime, it is rather stressful. Add to that a few other personal issues, including the fact that I have outgrown my shoebox of a room, and you get a Bryn who is not sleeping properly, not eating properly, experiencing headaches and physical tension, and suffering from miniature panic attacks. Not fun.

I'm doing my best to counteract this by getting out, meeting people, and doing things. Last night, for example, I went out to two dance venues (one WCS, one lindy hop). Had a great time and felt significantly better afterward. Fantastic, so long as I don't think about the money I spent.

My friend Desirée has been great about getting me out, too. I've already met two of her friends (both really interesting people) on two separate occasions this week. On Sunday, we tried to go to a free outdoor theatre thing on the south bank, but it turned out to be children's theatre... and pretty weird children's theatre, at that.


I think they were singing a Lady Gaga song at this point. Anyway, we didn't last long and hightailed it to a pub, where we got to make fun of the terrible trumpet player. Perhaps I should pursue a performance career here if it's that easy to get gigs.

Also on my radar is capoeira. I've been meaning to get back into it for ages but have been kind of afraid. My capoeira sessions at Carleton University were really intense. I was in good shape at the time and still had difficulty walking for days afterward. In any case, I've decided I'm finally going to lay my fears to rest and return to capoeira tomorrow. I'm quite excited, but once again, I will have to ignore the money being spent. Though it is not much, it adds up quickly when you have a budget of roughly £0 (or actually, negative hundreds of pounds).

But you see, last year, I let my lack of disposable income stand in the way of me doing fun active things. Contrary to most people's experiences, I actually put on a whole bunch of weight after moving to Europe. Not to mention the general feeling of malaise that goes along with dropping your activity level. No. I will not let it happen again, no matter the costs.

Of course, being active doesn't always have to cost money. I'm also doing the two hundred sit-ups challenge. I naturally have pretty good core strength and the programme isn't actually that difficult for me, but it is useful for making me do regular core workouts. I just finished 184 crunches and it feels good. I will eventually do the 100 push-ups programme too... but that one intimidates me. I cannot do push-ups. At all. Hopefully a few weeks of capoeira will help prime my upper body strength, though, and make it more manageable.

As for more free things that get me doing stuff, this coming weekend is The Thames Festival (one of the big highlights of last year for me). It's totally awesome and doesn't cost a thing! So far nobody has expressed any interest in joining me, so if you're out there and interested, please let me know! Festivals are always much better with company. Here's last year's blog post about it and here are some more pictures (mainly from the fire garden, as it was my favourite part).

South Bank

Free running/parkour

Fire garden




Now that I have a better camera and I'm working on my photography skills (more on that soon), I'm hoping this year's photos will be even better!

Whirlwind tour

Two days ago was the one year anniversary of this blog, and I had meant to write my 100th post that day... but I got caught up in the craziness that was Summer Hummer -- a major West Coast Swing event outside of Boston. More on that later.

My last couple of weeks in Ottawa were fun and busy. Plenty of teaching and socialising and side gigging ensued. But now that I'm looking back on it, even though it's only been a few days since I left, it feels so long ago.

Fresher in my mind is the trip down to Boston. Imagine the look of shock on the customs officer's face when he realised a stuffed animal was driving our car.


Ok, maybe not. He did ask us if we knew anything about the terrorists in Ottawa, except he worded it as: "What's happening in Ottawa?" Um... well there's the parliament, which seems to be perpetually on vacation. There are some shopping malls and museums and bike paths. Oh, there's swing dancing! You should go there and check it out. But no, we don't know anything about the terrorists.

Summer Hummer was fun. Relaxing, as far as dance weekends go, since it was workshop and pool party and competition intensive and I only really danced around 3 hours a day. Sunday was the best part of the weekend. I ate real food (trust me, this was a big deal), took an awesome private lesson from my favourite WCS follow (Melissa Rutz), and danced my face off at the after party.

Monday, I spent countless hours in airports and on airplanes. Tuesday morning, I arrived home, took care of a couple important business matters (bank and grocery store), and promptly fell asleep. I slept for 14 hours, woke up for 6, and then slept for 6 more. I now have a killer headache. But I'm home! And now the challenge of finding work begins.

Couch surfing!

I've been hearing about CouchSurfing for years, but I haven't been brave enough to try it... until now. I finally have an account and I'm hoping to give it a shot (with a friend) in Italy this October. If you're on the site, please add me as a friend -- my username is Brynzapoppin. Maybe even write me a recommendation if you feel so apt! :)

I'm hoping this will be a great way to save money, meet people, and become better acquainted with the places I travel to.

Travel plans 2010-2011

This past year (September 2009 to present), I visited 5 countries I'd never been to before: Iceland, Wales (yes, I'm treating all the nations in the UK as separate countries), Spain, Sweden, and India. This coming year, I want to visit at least 10 more.

My plans are certainly subject to change, but I thought I'd start loosely plotting now... mostly because it's fun and exciting to think about it. I'm looking for travel buddies! If you'd like to come along, meet me somewhere, or invite me along on your adventures, please do. My travel dates are pretty much tied to the UK school schedule, though.

Late October: Italy (Genoa for Be-Lindy Zena Camp, Cinque Terre, Rome, Naples)

Early December: Ireland (quick getaway in Galway for The Crave)

New Years: Sweden (Stockholm for Snowball)

Late February: Tour through the Netherlands (Amsterdam), Germany (Berlin, Dresden, Frankfurt), and Czech Republic (Prague)

Mid April: Portugal for surf camp? Tour of Southern France? Who knows...

Late May/Early June: Greece (some island somewhere)

Late July/August: Africa (Ghana + possibly others)

That brings me to at least 7 or 8 new countries right there (since I've already been to Sweden and France). Somehow, I also want to sneak in trips to Belgium (Bruges!), Scotland (Edinburgh!), and other parts of England (Cornwall!). I'm also looking for a way (if I can afford it) to rack up 4000 more Aeroplan/Star Alliance points before the end of 2010. I want my Elite status, baby!

I'm also happy to go wherever you want me to teach, of course. And next time, I'll even build in at least a day for sight seeing. It feels like cheating to claim I've been to Sweden -- I never got to see anything!

Ahhhh another exciting year is about to start. I've experienced and grown so much over this past year, and I can't wait to see what lies ahead.

Feels so great to be Dancy McDancerson again!

To me, there's nothing better than the overwhelming stinging sensation in the days following a good workout. It reminds me that I'm alive and that I'm getting stronger, and has the added bonus of giving me an excuse to complain. 'Cause we all love to complain, don't we?

I've been fortunate to have been welcomed back with open arms into the swing dance family I left behind when I moved to London. For a multitude of reasons, I don't get to dance a lot in my new home, so getting the opportunity to social dance, teach, and take part in team practices a few times a week has been a real treat. Not to mention the social benefits!

Yesterday was particularly great. I woke up feeling tired and lazy after the social dance the night before, but was able to remind myself how much I love exercising and how soon I won't have this opportunity anymore, so I dragged myself to the All Teams practice (Swing Dynamite runs a number of performance teams, and every once in a while, they like to bring them all together).

Now let me start by saying that I'm nowhere close to the shape I used to be in when I took part in these practices regularly. The warm-ups are intense, designed not only to warm people up, but to increase their physical fitness so they can do cool stuff more easily. So during the few times I've taken part since I got here, I've visibly struggled a lot more than everyone else in the room. But what does that make me want to do? Do them even more until I'm able to keep up again!

After the warm-up, we worked on the very first team routine we ever did--Shout and Feel It.



I think it's awesome that 4 years and many generations of team members later, we all still have this routine in common.

After practice, we all headed out the 4th Annual Swing Dynamite BBQ, which is always a great time. It was pouring rain so we didn't get to do any of this...





(All photos taken at last year's BBQ)

... But it did give me a chance to hang out with old friends and get to know many of the new faces who've become a part of the family since last year.

Tonight, I'm heading to Bar 56 to listen (and hopefully dance a bit) to Renée Yoxon's incredible voice, and possibly try to sneak in on another team warm-up beforehand. If you're in Ottawa, I hope you'll join me. And also (shameless plug) please join me at these classes that I'll be teaching:

- Social Lindy Hop Moves & Technique: 3 week series, starting Tuesday, August 10th, 7:00-8:30 pm
- Intro to Blues: Free drop-in lesson prior to the dance at Bar 56, Monday, August 16th, 9:15 pm
- The Art of the Diva Drop-in Series: 2 weeks (come to one or both), starting Wednesday, August 18th, 7:00-8:00 pm -- ladies only for the first class, gentlemen welcome to join for free for the second class
- Charleston Drop-in: 1 class only, Thursday, August 19th, 6:30-7:30 pm
- Blues Dancing Drop-in Series: 2 weeks (come to one or both), starting Thursday, August 19th, 7:30-8:30 pm

For more info, see the Swing Dynamite website.

Dancer, Singer, Actor... Novelist?

I am always so much more productive in coffee shops. Sometimes more than I intend or expect. So yesterday, I sat down in Timothy's to jot down some ideas for a play I wanted to write and, instead, wound up with the first chapter of a novel. One that I think I'd really like to keep working on. Here's what I have so far...

Vanessa traced her eyes up the grey-white wall in front of her. There was a crack running along the baseboard that she’d never noticed before, and a few scattered patches where her photographs had once hung. There'd been a photo of her and her childhood friend Emily jumping through the sprinkler, their knees scraped and their faces painted with innocence. Another of Mouse, her yellow tabby cat, curled up on the tattered blue window seat. Then Logan, her first boyfriend (and continued love of her life), his hazel eyes shining and lips curling just so. Logan was like the Mona Lisa; people were always left wondering what was going on behind his smile (she'd never forget the day she found out it was his way of concealing and celebrating his lies). There had been a few horse race ribbons on the wall, too; purple, orange, and white, each one a symbolic way of saying “better luck next time.” A yellow and black Nirvana poster with a funny smiley face had hung over her poster bed, the corners ripped and frayed from having been moved so many times. But now, the wall was completely bare. And there she was in a crumpled heap on the brown shag carpet.

Had it been seconds, years, or a lifetime ago that she’d spoken to the man in the tweed suit, standing right there in front of her with his left hand casually propped up on the dresser? She couldn’t remember. It was the first time she’d met him. He’d brought along with him the faint aroma of cigars, which she’d found preferable to the usual scent of dust and rotting apple cores, and he’d told her his name was Eddie. His voice had been deep and soothing, like Papa’s, and there was something familiar about the creases around his eyes. She’d known right away that she could trust him.

“Ness,” he’d said, his face softening, “I know you’re feeling really alone and like nobody cares about you, but I do. I’m here for you.”

That was it—the end of her memory. She didn’t know if she’d thanked him or if he’d said anything else. She couldn’t remember how he’d entered the room, or how or when he’d left. She didn’t even know anything about him; who he was or how he’d known that at that moment, those were exactly the words she’d needed to hear.

“Nessa!” The shrieking voice wafted in through the open doorway and interrupted her thoughts. How had the man known to drop the ‘a’ in her nickname when her own mother couldn’t remember? “Nessaaaaaaaaaa! You forgot to clean up your dishes!”

No one in her house ate together anymore. Since Papa had died two years ago, her mother and sister had had to get jobs to pay the rent, and claimed to be too tired at the end of the day to bother with cooking family meals. Vanessa, although more than old enough to work, was under strict doctor’s orders not to. She used it as an excuse to get out of household chores, too.

“Sorry, Ma! I’m not feeling too well. Could you do them? Please?”

An aggravated sigh, followed by the sound of running water, emanated from the kitchen. Vanessa smiled to herself. “Works every time.”

Eddie. She found herself rolling the name around in her mind, wondering whether it was short for something—maybe Edward or Edmond or Edgar—but then quickly decided she didn’t care. She’d liked that he’d called her Ness. Eddie was the only name that mattered.

Still needs work, but I'm pretty excited to find out where it's going.

Standing too close to reality

Today is one of those days when the realities of life and death have come out screaming in my face. They are standing so close and shouting so loud that I can barely process it all. I don't know how to feel, so I feel... shock.

Last night, for the first time in my adult life, a friend passed away. He died in his sleep, presumably without warning. I am half comforted and half scared by that fact. He was 31 years old.

My heart goes out to his wife and two daughters, whom he loved with all his heart and who loved him with all of theirs. They were a beautiful family. The type you look up to, hoping to have the same one day.

RIP Keith Shapiro. You gave us all so much.

"Home"

I'm back. Two glorious weeks in the bubble that is Long Bay Camp... a world without internet, money, or other modern distractions. Just nature, people, and art. Lots of art. I did so much art, I was bursting at my creative seams.

It's nice to be back in the real world among friends, dancing, proper beds, and social media, but I have to be honest... I miss London a lot. In a way I just couldn't while I was at camp.

Ottawa is a sort of middle ground; not a megacity, not the middle of nowhere. I think that's what I've always liked about it, but now it feels like it's not enough of one either one. I want either a dock on a lake or a thriving metropolis. Not this tame, manicured, small-yet-clumsily-travelled-without-car, quiet little city (in the country of expensive food!). I used to believe (not very long ago) that Ottawa would always be my home, no matter where in the world I lived. How quickly that has changed. It's a tough realisation.

Ottawa does still hold two big pieces of my heart, though: dancing and friends. I plan to take advantage of both, as much as possible, so long as I am here. And make a bigger effort to introduce more of both in my daily life when I get home.

I leave you with some of my memories from camp...

Two of my favourite campers.

A captured moment.

One of my best friends visits me.

Day trip to Westport.

Multicoloured fire.

Synchronized jumping competition.

The staff team's genius plan to lose until the last second in the swimming race.

Synchronized swimming.

On set for our musical, The Venus Fly Trap.

More Venus Fly Trap.

A promo shot.

Dance party in the barn.

Panorama shot outside the barn (how I love my new camera).

And with that... So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye.

Into the Woods

Just a quick note to say that I've been safe and sound in Ottawa for the past week, and have been having a lovely time. Tomorrow I'm off to teach musical theatre at camp for two weeks and it's in the middle of the wilderness, so you probably won't be hearing much (or anything) from me until I get back. Be well!

Freedom (almost)

I went dancing last night and remembered why I love it. Then I dragged myself into work this morning and remembered why I don't do it more often.

Two more days of work and then I can dance to my little heart's content! (But I'm going to cry when I say goodbye to those kids).

Teaching children with exceptionalities

My apologies: this is going to be a long one.

A while back, I mentioned the school I want to create one day. Ever since I first came up with the idea, it's been running marathons in the back of my mind. I am constantly thinking about everything from building design and location, staff recruitment and development, funding and scholarships, daily schedule, how to incorporate a myriad of subjects/topics/methods/projects (and how to present them to a diverse group of "exceptional" kids), individual education plans, mentorship programs... everything. It literally never stops. What I should really do is acquire a notebook for recording all of my ideas, and actually I think I will do that at some point this weekend. But in the meantime, I'm going to do a bit of recording here.

This morning, I headed over to my local Eat. for coffee, breakfast, and some leisurely Saturday morning textbook reading. I have this wonderful book--Children with Exceptionalities--that I acquired for a distance ed course that I never finished (shame on me). I love that terminology because it's much more inclusive and positively spun than "special needs."

Quote:
We all have certain strengths, we all have limitations on our mental and physical ability, and we all have some disabilities, however minor, when it comes to learning. Most of these problems fall into common areas--a tendency to be easily bored, distractibility, poor study habits, poor memory, inadequate motor control, family interference, and so on. Some of us have problems learning a foreign language; others forget directions or people's names. For most of us, a perfect backhand is an unreachable goal. ... In some students, the learning difficulties are more serious, and the children deviate more significantly in one way or another. These are students who are exceptional. ... In an educational context, children are considered exceptional only when their educational program must be altered to meet their unique needs. ... Children who are gifted and talented are recognized as exceptional because they too need specialized help from professionals to fully develop their unique abilities. (4-5)

This is my target market. Children who are exceptional because they fall on either side of the normal range for mental, physical, or social ability, and therefore require an altered program to fully develop their skills. The range of skills and abilities therein is ridiculously broad and diverse. My challenge is to create a program that can be adapted to suit all of their needs. And not just to a regular mainstream standard, either. I want my students to possess a superior understanding of the world and develop the skills to successfully make positive changes within it. No small feat.

So how do I plan to achieve this? The answer to that is still a work-in-progress, as I still have many years of learning, research, brainstorming, and experimentation ahead of me. To be honest, I don't think I will ever perfect the system, but hopefully I will touch a few lives and get people thinking about how they can improve education (for all children, not just the exceptional ones).

So far, here's what I want for my school:
- Small classes with low staff to student ratios
- IEPs with regular reviews for every child (with which all staff will be familiar)
- Comprehensive staff development programs and a focus on teamwork and idea generation within the team
- Recruitment and selection processes for both staff and students that are designed to find people who are diverse but equally likely to thrive within the school's environment
- A "firm but fair" behavioural management policy that aims to work with individual children's needs and personalities and encourage child and familial input, but demands child effort and improvement to ensure that all children involved in the program can make most of it
- Child yoga and other similar activities every single morning (I've been doing yoga lately with my kids at school and not only do they love it, it's really having positive effects)
- Balance of structure and child-generated learning based on a Mantle of the Expert model
- Using the above mentioned Mantle of the Expert, learning through the arts, and other techniques to investigate a broad range of subjects and ensure holistic/cross-curricular learning and skill development
- Focus on real world applications
- Focus on school, community, and global involvement programs
- Lots of open, frank discussion and debate
- Peer tutoring and mentorship
- Employment of technology, social media, and old fashioned pen and paper to communicate and learn from people all around the world
- In the secondary program, allowing children to focus their studies on a particular area (if they so choose) while ensuring they also round out all other basic and related skills
- Co-op and entrepreneurship programs
- Creative problem-solving to implement high impact, low cost solutions
- A bunch of other stuff that I should have written down and will hopefully remember
- A bunch of stuff that isn't really relevant to this post
- A bunch of stuff I haven't thought of yet

Right now, I'm thinking a lot about how I can use this sort of approach to get kids to teach themselves more than just how to use a computer. I've also been thinking for a while about how my system applies to children with autism (mainly the primary module, as I already know the secondary format would be awesome for them). This blog post made me realize it might be a lot more relevant to them than I originally thought, but I plan to do a great deal more investigation on the subject (quite possibly through my Masters studies).

My current belief is that education that is relevant, hands on, and student-driven is adaptable enough to be useful and attractive to nearly all children. Every child will develop skills that will help them survive, flourish, and even make a difference in the real world. And every child will be able to pursue subjects that interest them to the fullest extent that they can. The idea is to encourage a love of learning, investigation, and creativity.

Just like the eventual program itself, I aim to make its development a collaborative effort. One of my challenges is making sure that everything I do transfers to a diverse range of children, not just what I think would have worked well for me. So my questions to you are: What made a real difference to you during your school years? What do you wish you'd had (more of) in school? What ideas for education have you come across that resonated with you? How would you expand on or modify any of the ideas I've mentioned? How could they have been adapted to best suit you or your siblings/children, particularly if you/they are considered exceptional?

I have piles of specific projects that I want to try, but I'll save those for another day.

Sometimes the road less travelled is the best way to go

One by one, some of my fellow Canadians teaching in London are revealing that they feel as though they're putting their lives on hold or even regressing by being here. They watch from afar as their friends back home are reaching new milestones--graduations, marriages, babies, home ownerships--and are judging the progress of their own lives by the same yardstick.

I can relate to that feeling, but from a completely different context. I graduated from high school two years early and was on a path to earn 5 degrees by the time I turned 25. I'm about to turn 27 now and I only have one degree that I just earned last spring. On my way to getting there, I felt pathetic about my measly progress as I watched what seemed like my entire high school cohort (and several cohorts behind me) go on to earn their postgraduate degrees.

But now that my BA is proudly hanging on my wall, I see things a little differently. I realize now that the path I took made me who I am today. I have a wealth of real world experiences that I never would have encountered in school. And I have training in other areas that were never on the original plan. Inadvertently, I am now better prepared for the things I want to do with the rest of my life than I ever could have hoped, otherwise.

I suppose I don't feel the same way about being here because living abroad has always been part of my life plan. I spent years filled with envy of the people I knew who were travelling the world. I feel as though I've accomplished a great deal by coming here (although I feel that I still haven't travelled enough). There's still so much more for me to do, but owning a home doesn't even come close to being on that list.

I have a plan for the future, and another year of travelling and gaining experience in London schools is step number 1. Those are the most important things for me to be doing right now, and I feel sure that the future will thank me for it.

On Modern Jive

I felt this topic deserved its own separate entry.

Last Sunday, I had my first ever bonafide Modern Jive experience. I headed out to the Marylebone Summer Fayre knowing there would be Modern Jive but expecting there to be a fair bit of West Coast Swing, as well. Alas, there was practically none, and so I had to have a go at this slightly-scary-to-me dance that I'd heard so much about.

Allow me to explain. Modern Jive (also known by the brand name Ceroc) is a dance form practically unheard of in North America but very popular in Europe. Inspired by swing, salsa, and other partner dances, it has simplifed footwork so that it's very easy to learn.

I first heard of it several years ago in a blues dance forum. We had a hot (and somewhat nasty) debate over the inherent evils of Modern Jive, which (as far as any of us could tell from descriptions and YouTube videos) taught people to dance with little-to-no connection, musicality, or technique. If you're a swing and/or blues dancer, you'll know that lack of connection, musicality, and technique = Satan. I decided that it wasn't fair of me to judge a dance that clearly had different values from my own, and so I put it on the shelf with other things that I don't personally care for but don't necessarily oppose.

Then I moved to Europe. Suddenly, Modern Jivers were a part of my reality. They were coming to my blues dance classes and made up the majority of the West Coast Swing scene. I was surprised to realise that these Modern Jivers actually made really good westies. They had style, they had technique, they had musicality, and they had connection! One of them explained to me that the MJ scene had stagnated several years ago, and so they'd turned to learning WCS technique.

But how was my experience actually dancing Modern Jive? I had a good time! Some of the dancers were pretty good, and although the dance style itself didn't do much for me, I also really understood for the first time how great it is that it exists. Many of us who partner dance often lament about how tragic it is that social dancing is no longer a part of popular culture. We go on and on about its social, emotional, and physical benefits. And yet, in the same breath, we are prescriptive about how this social dancing must be executed and which values people who participate must share. Thereby excluding a large number of people who might otherwise enjoy social dancing and its benefits.

The truth is, no matter how much joy and fulfillment some of us find in practicing and developing our craft, the majority of people in the world don't have the interest, the time, or the opportunity to focus on this particular pastime. Perhaps dancing intimidates them. Perhaps dancing isn't one of their primary passions in life. Perhaps they'd like to make it a priority but other realities stand in their way. But I believe dancing can and arguably should be a joyful part of any person's life, no matter how casual they want or have to be about it. Those who want to learn more, will.

What I saw last Sunday was a group of people who enjoyed dancing and who enjoyed the benefits of the social community they had formed. These are the parts of social dancing that are most important when it comes to the social, emotional, and physical benefits we extol. These are the sorts of interactions that are missing from our every day modern society. And these are the things that our society can reclaim if everyone is made to feel welcome dancing whichever style they want, with whatever skill or commitment level they have to offer.

Back in the golden era of swing, people weren't all Frankie Manning and Norma Miller. Most people just had fun messing about, moving to music, and socialising with people. Most of their dancing was bloody awful by today's swing scene standards. But they had something that most people today lack, and I for one would love to see us claiming it back.

If you don't already partner dance, I really encourage you to give it a try. The benefits, as I've mentioned, are enormous. Start with a dance style done to music you enjoy so that you'll remain inspired and can have fun even if you're sitting out for a while. If you're mostly into contemporary music and worry that you have two left feet, Modern Jive may well be a good option for you. It doesn't matter what you do, so long as you get out there and do it.

Incidentally, I think the rest of us dancers have something to learn from Modern Jivers. Many of them have said to me, "When I tell other dancers that I'm into Modern Jive, they tend to snub their noses up at me. I don't understand why they do that. I don't do that to them."

Life goes on

Ok, so it's been a while...

Nathan and I broke up last week. I sort of had over a month's warning, but I'm still having a rough go of it, cycling through the 5 stages of grief on repeat.

We remain good friends, though. Last weekend, we even managed to spend a perfectly delightful day together in Brighton, wherein I dipped my feet in the (much colder than in Hawaii) ocean and we strolled along the pier, sampled sinfully indulgent Thai food, poked through a museum where I found a chair that I will one day own, browsed (ok, shopped) in quirky little shops, played board games in a pub, and generally decided that Brighton is much more than what meets the average tourist's eye (though the touristy stuff was fun as well). There are no pictures, sadly, because my dad managed to drown my camera on our dolphin excursion and Nathan was lazy about using his ;)

Other than that, I'm looking forward to heading back to Canada in 22 days. Spending a few hours with friends during my layover in Ottawa was amazing but also made me really homesick for the first time since I moved here. I'll be spending a week in Ottawa followed by two weeks at the best camp in the universe followed by four more weeks in Ottawa and then topped off by a weekend near Boston (for a dance event). Then home. Yes, London is home.

Once I get back, I have no idea what the next year will have in store for me. But I didn't know what to expect when I first arrived, either. If there's one certainty I can cling to, it's that it won't be boring.

My life is rough, I tell ya

As we speak, I am lounging on a deck chair, listening to the roar of the Pacific Ocean. I never want to leave.

Yesterday, we took a boat out to the sandbar, which is essentially a beach in the middle of the ocean. People set up chairs, tents, and even barbeques... right in the water.


Today, we headed out to Coconut (Gilligan's) Island.


Famous for its place in the opening credits of Gilligan's Island, it is now a research facility owned by the University of Hawaii. We got to learn all about its history and a little about their current research. I met some sharks, conspicuous sea cucumbers, feather duster worms, a baracuda, and a very friendly puffer fish who followed us around.


This afternoon, we headed over to Honolulu to go parasailing.


This isn't us, but it could have been. I'm regretting not bringing my camera up for the ride. I was going to, but then chickened out... worrying that I might drop it in the ocean. But the ride is fairly gentle and I could have held on to it, no problem. Oh well. I'll know for next time!

Tomorrow, we're getting up at the crack of dawn to drive to the other side of the island for our dolphin/sea turtle adventure. Can't wait!

Have I mentioned that I never want to leave?

Sunshine and lollipops (no more rainbows for now, please... I'm tired of the rain)

Forgive me, readers, for I have sinned. It has been 3 weeks since my last blog entry.

Last time I wrote, I spoke of my loneliness in London and my plans to do something about it. Do something, I have. My social calendar has been downright packed ever since! The changing weather has helped a lot too. I think the dreary London winters really encourage people to crawl into their holes, but as soon as the sun comes out, they all crawl out again in droves. Literally. Anyway, the combination of sun and socializing have gone far toward improving my mood.

And so has... being in Hawaii! I arrived here on the island of Oahu a couple of evenings ago. It's remarkable how very different it is from London and yet how very at home I feel. We're staying in an incredible beach house in Lanikai/Kailua. And yesterday, in fulfillment of the main purpose for my trip, my dad and his wife had their ring blessing here. It was fun and lighthearted and I met dozens of new people.


Isn't it beautiful? That's the view from our back yard!

Other than that, I haven't been up to much yet. After encountering at least 40-50 Man o' Wars on the beach yesterday, I wasn't brave enough to get in the water.

I have quite a few exciting plans for the rest of this trip, though. Swimming with wild dolphins and turtles, surfing, parasailing... the list goes on! I can't wait. But until then... aloha!

Alone... hopefully not for long

I was warned before I came over here that London could be very isolating. I didn't mind that at first; I had my fellow Canadian teachers, my dance friends, and my new boyfriend to keep me company. I actually quite liked being able to disappear into anonymity whenever I wanted to.

But then a series of things happened: I stopped going dancing, I stopped hanging out with my new friends, I switched to a bigger school where the staff barely talk to one other, and my boyfriend moved to India. Now, I am quite thoroughly alone, and London's anonymity is no longer a positive trait.

The past few days have been stressful and I've realized more than ever how much I miss having friends I can hug or even just talk to. I miss my social network in Ottawa and I regret neglecting my social network here.

But it does no good for me to just moan about it. It's time to take action and start rekindling and building new friendships. People of London, I want to spend time with you! This is such a great city, and there's no excuse for me not to be rocking it out.

It starts today with a trip to Portobello Market.

Looking on the bright side

Today has been pretty rough, but at least I have....


... to look forward to in T - 20 days.

Honey, I'm home!

Ok, so I've been home for 4.5 days now, but I spent all of that time working and recovering from my trip. Now it's a 3 day weekend and I can finally breathe a sigh of relief!

Let me just say... Madrid is amazing. It is one of the prettiest places I have ever seen. Since I had no map, guidebook, or clue, I decided to bite the bullet and start my trip with an unusual-for-me indulgence: a double-decker bus tour. Worth every euro.






We even went past the Museo del Jamon (Museum of Ham) and an elephant standing on its trunk.


None of the elephants I saw in India (limited to cartoony statues at the train stations) were anywhere near this cool.

After a few hours of bus riding, I capped off the day with a stroll through the Botanical Gardens...


... and some yummy gelato in a plaza. Essential to any European holiday.

At the end of it all, I was just as wiped as I am after writing this entry. And so, mis amigos, the rest of my trip will have to wait to be documented another day.