Pectorally-Blessed

Hey-ho,

It's my newest greeting: it's what I say to jolt the kids into a place of attention from their reverie of air-headed-ness. I loves it: hey-ho.

I'm writing an actual piece today to fill you all in on what's going on. Life has been moving along at breakneck speed as of late and to celebrate its halting to an abrupt end yesterday, I have spent most of the last 24 hours in my bed. I've made it as luxurious as humanly possible: the smells in here are intoxicating and the bedding is just about as good as I'll allow it to get, being that I still consider myself a nomad. I'm in new jams and I'm just chilling RIGHT out.

The year 11's will write their math exams on the Monday and Friday we get back from vacay, which started yesterday at 3:31 pm. As I've said, we're off for a week (thank the heavens...this term has seemed ULTRA long though it's been the shortest we've had) and though I can say it's all just the weather and the extended periods of light that are making me tired, that just isn't true. I'm stressed out to the max so much so that my pajamas wind up around my neck by morning, pillows are literally strewn about, and my upper body is as tense as its ever been. And those of you who have had an experience spending the night with me ;) will attest to the fact that I sleep like a dead person most of the time: I don't move; don't thrash; certainly don't throw pillows around. And yet, the dreams are all about my imminent failure (read: the kids failing and my internalization of this failure), falling down, running on a beach (read: running away from something), and absolute isolation with a very pectorally-blessed man (read: I really want to get away from life right now and find myself crashing with a large, pectorally-blessed man).

All kidding aside, we've all been sleeping poorly. We're all stressed out, so rest assured (because I'm not), I'm not alone in this plight. BUT with all that said, the journey is just about over now. I have the big picture, I understand fully what my job is now, not only for the older kids, but for the younger ones as well, and I'm fully in the groove. The revision sessions will continue through the holiday, but I fully intend on being totally and completely intoxicated on champagne whilst in Paris for those glorious four nights, so I will have no idea about any math at home. And so it should be.

Last night I made myself some pasta, downed a bottle of wine without feeling much affect at all, and slept blissfully (or as blissfully as a year's worth of stress finally coming to an end will allow) until about 8 this morning. We had to work (more kids; more math...argh), but then it was rest time. I slept today from about 2 until 6:30. I guess I was tired. I'll catch up on the resting until Tuesday and then I'll catch up on the champagne drinking. I'm not kidding: this is Paris in the spring...it's time to live it up.

On the agenda are three main things:
1. A walk down the Champs Elysees to Jardin Tuilleries.
2. Picnic lunch in the Parc du Champ de Mars (killer view of the Eiffel Tower).
3. A day at Versailles.
(oh! And Sacre Coeur and Notre Dame too, but I've seen them already. I'll just need a refresher)

I'm sure there will be other gems thrown in, but those are the main ones.

What else is going on? I'm preparing to come home. The Jays game is booked on the calendar for August 13 at 1 pm against the (who really cares?) Angels. If you are coming, I can't wait to see you :) I think there should be some drinks at the Distillery District once the game is over and a sufficient amount of Baseball Beer has been consumed. Any great places you can suggest?

I'm off now to meet the good doctor in London. Oh and it's Sunday...I've skipped a day and taken a looong time to write one post. Have a great Sunday.

x x x