Two Words

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Subway mariachi.

childrensillustrationartist.com

childrensillustrationartist.com

I love the mariachi on the subway. But today the mariachi band was not a band, it was just one old guy. And he was awesome. That’s all.

There’s This Woman

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There’s this woman that I often see in my neighborhood, usually standing outside the Financier Cafe. She’s an interesting woman and I have to giggle when I see her because I just don’t get her. I call her “Sunscreen Lady”.

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Zinc nose!

She stands with her cart full of stuff, reading the Times, long stringy hair resting on her shoulders, face white with sun screen (I think), and sometimes wearing a down jacket or some other heavy outer wear on warm days. In the tiniest, quietest voice she may ask for something as you walk by – never money though. Usually a bottle of water, orange juice or the Sunday Times. Something useful.

So this one time – maybe last fall, Brett and I were at one of the Starbucks in the neighborhood when she walked in and seated herself next to me on the bench. She sat and read for a while, while I continued my work.

Not long after she sat down, she nodded off. A nice gentleman bought her a turkey sandwich and placed it on her table while her eyes were closed. Not more than a few minutes later, she woke up and saw the sandwich. She started mumbling in her tiny voice, wondering about the sandwich and then offered it to me. Yes, that’s what I said – she offered me the sandwich! She didn’t want it, guess she wasn’t hungry?! I declined graciously of course, hoping she would keep it – but she would not accept the sandwich! She said she felt bad throwing it out, but then thought she could give it to someone else who might want it. After a little deliberation with herself, she decided to toss it.

I’m thinking – did that just happen? This lady who I assumed is homeless, who we all assumed is homeless – just offered me a sandwich that someone else bought for her. Granted the gesture was nice, but … what??

I was seriously confused (and still am) and decided she must be one of those people who is actually a millionaire and is homeless by choice. I read about a lady like that once.

I saw Sunscreen Lady today at Walgreen’s on my way home from yoga tonight. But that’s another story 😉

Back to Semi-Routine, for a Couple of Days Anyway

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The new school year begins.

The alarm woke me up this morning, begrudgingly. A couple of teacher days, a four-day weekend, then the new kiddies come in next Monday.

I like getting back into routine even though it means that soon I will be getting up in the dark. That’s the worst part. Once I’m up and awake I’m fine with the rest of the routine-filled day. I bet our days are not so different…

6am – Get up & get ready

6:30-6:45am – Get picked up to go to work

7:00am – Arrive at school and prep for the day

8:00 – 11:05am – Pick up the students & teach

11:10am – Lunch

11:55am – 3:00pm – Pick up the kids from lunch then teach some more

3:05pm – ? – Clean up, prep, plan for the next day, maybe attend a meeting

Late afternoon – yoga or run

Early evening – get home, change, cook/order/eat, veg out, shower

Between 10:00pm-11:00pm – Bed

Then wake up and do it all again. Makes me feel like Bill Murray on Groundhog’s Day…

imbd.com

imbd.com

And by Friday, I’m ready for no routine 🙂

It’s September and I’m Okay With It

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There’s no denying summer goes fast every year, sadly of course. But I really can’t complain that today it is September. My summer has been full of amazing experiences and I got to cross many to-dos of my to-do list.

I’ve always lived where there are four explicit seasons (well, Alberta spring and fall are questionable). I’m not sure what it would be like having the same climate all year because I do love fall. I love the coolness in the air in the mornings and evenings; I don’t mind throwing on a light sweater. Fall for me is like New Year but the weather is better and it lasts longer. I’ve always looked forward to the start of a new school year. A ripple in the calendar year when new programs begin, when we pick up new clothes/supplies for the changing season, when many of us have a fresh start and a refreshed outlook thanks to time away at summer.

So enjoy your Labor Day weekend. And remember – along with fall also comes apple and pumpkin picking, changing colors and pumpkin beer! Cheers. 😉

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Pumpkin patch near Bethpage, LI

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Summer recap to come…

Lessons from Mufasa

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Yes, I said Mufasa. As in The Lion King.

Love each other.

Love each other.

Whilst in London, Brooke and I went to see The Lion King at the Lyceum Theater while the guys went to a football game (apparently an experience like no other!)

I’ve seen the Lion King twice before, but when Brooke asked if we could go, I had no hesitation in experiencing it again.

Time 1: July 2005 during my first vacation to NYC with Brett

Time 2: July 2011 again in NYC but at a different theatre with good friends

Time 3: August 2013 in London with Brooke

Can I tell you – if you haven’t seen it, you must.

The first five minutes are magical. The singing, the costumes, the “animals”, the set. The character of Rafiki grabs you with a strong and endearing presence, and undoubtedly a voice that will take you beyond the parallels of the stage. That live version of Circle of Life will bring tears to your eyes no doubt, and if it doesn’t – there’s something wrong with you 😉

So what could I possibly have learned from Mufasa, Rafiiki or Timon after watching three live performances and umpteen movie viewings? Where do I begin…

“You have forgotten who you are and so forgotten me.”—Mufasa to Simba

Lesson 1: Take pride in who you are and what you do.

Lesson 2: Think about how your actions affect others.

Lesson 3: Don’t worry about the things that won’t make a difference in the bigger picture.

Lesson 4: Sometimes removing yourself is the best thing at the moment.

Lesson 5: We are codependent, interdependent and must also be independent.

Lesson 6: Look within yourself for strength.

Lesson 7: Do not underestimate yourself.

Lesson 8: Be someone on which others can depend.

Lesson 9: Take care of each other.

Lesson 10: Stand up for what you know is right.

I could keep going, but I think you can see that all of life’s lesson are wrapped up in one of the greatest Disney movies of all time.

Please view: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pgZtzDj_7o

I look forward to your comments and/or lessons learned from Mufasa, or any of your favorite characters.

Regret

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This past week in London has been so amazing on so many levels. Tons of experiences, learnings, sites seen.

But as I walk the streets – listening, eating, observing amongst Londoners; I know I now have one big regret.

Before moving to New York I interviewed in Edmonton for a teaching position in the London area. I went to meet the recruiters at a hotel where interviewing was taking place. They interviewed me, we talked and they hired me. They arranged the paper work. I sent my passport away and it came back with my working visa in it. Then….

I investigated living abroad and I learned how expensive it really was to live here, so when it was time start making more decisions about moving, I didn’t think I’d be able to afford it. Damn!

Looking back, I should have moved anyway. I probably could have made it work. I didn’t try very hard to make it work, besides getting the job lined up. I should have tried harder. I had already lived through a few years of struggling financially as a student and then as a temp after getting a degree in a city that had no jobs to support me.

So time went on. I starting subbing, my visa expired and the opportunity passed me by.

I’m not one to regret what I’ve done or haven’t done. I learn from my mistakes and experiences and move on, but this is one mistake I made and I regret it.

Leaving tomorrow, sniff. We <3 London.

Leaving tomorrow, sniff. We ❤ London.

Versatile Blogger Award – Live from London

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I want to send a HUGE thank you to Zee, the witty blogger of Catching Zees for nominating me for my second blogger award: The Versatile Blogger Award! Who knew I’d be getting these blog honors?! It’s awesome!

So the first thing I have to do, besides thank Zee of course, is display the award!

versatile-blogger

Second blogging award!

FYI – The Versatile Blogger Award is to celebrate fellow bloggers you enjoy reading and following. It’s a great way to appreciate each other!

Now to fulfill the other requirements. Good thing for our low-key night of Indian take-in.

THE RULES:

1. Display the Award Certificate on your blog – DONE

2. Announce your win with a post and thank the blogger who nominated you – DONE

3. Present 15 deserving bloggers with the award – PRESENTING!

4. Link your nominees in the post and let them know about their nomination with a comment – WILL DO AFTER PUBLISHED!

5. Post 7 interesting things about yourself (I won’t repeat any from my Inspiring Blogger Award…)

  • I have a growing obsession for destination running.
  • I have a very keen sense of smell.
  • I enjoy reading YA books.
  • My feet get a permanent dirt on them in the summer.
  • As I age, my irrational thoughts get stranger and more frequent.
  • I collect Starbucks mugs when I travel.
  • I hope that my need for sleep decreases as I get older.

I want to thank Zee again for the honor. I know there are tons of blogs to read out there and it is really cool when someone else enjoys yours!

Cheerio!

tameramb

London Learnings

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Today I learned that:

  • underground escalator étiquette is the same as NYC subway escalator étiquette
  • 0% chance of precipitation means it will rain
  • sausage on a baguette = good
  • we are just a few blocks from St. Mary’s Hospital, where Prince George was born
  • lines move very quickly
  • the tube is really tube-shaped
  • it is more difficult to figure out which Oyster card you need than to figure out the underground system
  • the aquarium is a better place for me than the London Eye, hence no heart attack
  • vacation races are something I want to do more of. BBC 10k completed!
  • although there are millions of people, the city does not feel crowded
  • I really like the simplicity of the bridges but also love the majestic-ness of the Tower Bridge
  • beer after running is never a bad idea (but I already knew that)
  • there are only 24 more to my half marathon – and I definitely need new running shoes!
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Tube riders are mostly newspaper readers

The Thing About London

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The thing about London is that:

  • the old architecture is amazing
  • it’s really, really big
  • the underground is complicated
  • there are way too many things to do in a week
  • you have to look right first then left when crossing – more difficult than you would think
  • the London Eye may be the death of me
  • the River Thames has incredible views from so many points
  • the map lies, it’s really far to walk between places, this is no NYC
  • people’s accents are cool
  • the service is questionable, hence no tips
  • it’s freaking expensive
  • it’s pretty awesome on many levels
  • there’s tons of really cool neighborhoods
  • it’s not all about Kate & William, only a little
  • Big Ben, the Tower of London, London Bridge, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, etc are crazily overwhelming and so amazing
  • the food is pretty plain so far
  • there are a lot of good parks to run in
  • the parks are larger than you originally anticipate and are too dark at night
  • the grass is dried up and brown in many areas
  • I like using British words like – lift, loo, tube
  • I’ve been called ‘mum’ by a lady when asked if we wanted to be seated in the rose garden
  • you have to do afternoon tea in multiple locations
Fish & Chips and "The Cod Father" at an English Pub

Fish & Chips and “The Cod Father” at an English Pub

Ok, so that’s after 2 days here.

Let’s see how many more times I will use the word amazing to describe this place.

Cheerio!

Hadad’s Movie Trailers

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If you live in New York City, you’ve definitely seen the Hadad trailers around the city.

If you’ve visited New York City, you’ve probably seen them too. These trailers occupy blocks and blocks of space. Why? To film TV and movies which is a major revenue for the city.

In the last week, there have been signs like these:

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Trailers were set up on my street this past week said this:

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Other shows and movies filming in the neighborhood: Squirrel to Nuts featuring Jennifer Aniston, White Collar, The Good Wife, and a couple others I can’t think of right now. So that means guaranteed celeb sightings? Not always.

But of course, when you least expect to see someone in the business, you will.

Today the four took the bus down to the East River Ferry terminal at E. 34th Street to venture over to Williamsburg for the Flea. As we were waiting to board the ferry, the arrivals were disembarking and out first was Toni Collette and her daughter.

They were in a hurry, hence no pic. Sorry.

Other celebs I’ve seen in the past, in no particular order – A-listers to D-listers:

  • Susan Sarandon crossing W. Houston and shopping in a yoga store
  • Bruce Willis buying Sabrett hot dog
  • Katie Holmes walking in Greenwich Village
  • Tony Bennett crossing the street by Bloomy’s
  • Mark Ruffalo at the Crosby Hotel at a movie event
  • Julianne Margulies on Lex
  • Al Roker, Matt Lauer, Meredith V, Savannah, Natalie, Ann Curry at the Today Show
  • Regis Philbin outside the ABC studios
  • Bryce Dallas Howard walking into the Today Show
  • Keith Morrison from Dateline at Pink Bar
  • Kirsten Dunst walking her bike in Central Park
  • Hoda running in Central Park
  • Leighton Meester filing Gossip Girl at the St. Regis
  • Josh Charles at a movie event and out for dinner at the Crosby Hotel
  • one of the NJ Housewives outside the Pierre Hotel
  • Jimmy Fallon for tapings – guests were Michael Moore and Jennifer Aniston
  • Jon Stewart for tapings
  • Don Trump Jr walking on 2nd Ave
  • Matt Dillon outside The Waverly Inn
  • Kelly Rutherford at dinner at The Waverly Inn
  • Kiera Sedgewick crossing Madison Avenue
  • Matthew Settle leaving Pastis
  • Simon and Alex from NY Housewives
  • Rosie Perez in my school neighborhood for an event
  • Wilmer Valderamma at a school event
  • Adam Sandler by Starbucks on E 84th
  • Hugh Jackman at John Leguizamos’ show Ghetto Klown (we were sitting a few rows behind him!!)
  • Miley Cyrus in Times Square
  • Nick Cannon DJ-ing
  • Portia de Rossi and Rupert Everett at book signings
  • my very first celeb sighting was Matthew Modine – we were here on vacay in 2005, and since then I’ve seen him again on the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard and he visited my school to promote bike riding and safety

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Brett has seen:

  • Ryan Reynolds!!!!! I was so disappointed I wasn’t there…
  • Bethenney Frankel
  • some reality show guy that we still haven’t figured out lol!

Keep your eyes peeled, you never know who you will see!