Teenagers

Why is it, that sometimes the only way to get the attention of a teenager is to act like one of them? Yesterday I moved my Year 13 class to the computer room and went to put up a sign saying " Period 4- E2" on our regular classroom door.

As I walked away a student from my class, let's call him Billy, shouted to some other students " We're in B7". I shouted back " No Billy! We are in E2". Billy turned and smiled at me clearly indicating that he had heard me but was choosing to be a pain. So I shouted again " Billy, tell them we are in E2". Billy looked at me and shouted in front of him " Guys, we're in B7".

Obiously Billy thought this was hillarious, but for some reason it made me irrate as I then had to then chase down the group of students walking in the wrong direction carrying my lap top and class folders ( that no body offered to carry for me as i was racing past)  and tell them to go to E block. As I ran past Billy I made it clear that I was angry, he had wasted me time, and therefore would be ignoring him for the rest of the day.

When I got to class, I gave the class their marked work from the day before. Poor little Billy needed help, but unfortunately I am a woman of my word, and had to follow through with my promise. So I said " Sorry Billy, you have already wasted enough of my time today, I won't be speaking to you". That REALLY got his attention and at the end of the lesson he stayed behind to apologize.

Ok- so maybe I over reacted. But seriously, this is the type of thing that puts me off wanting to have children, for fear that they will grow up to be rotten, annoying teenagers like Billy.

Go the All Blacks!

I want to take a little time out today to share how much I am LOVING living in Auckland right now.
The Rugby world cup has brought our community together, and there is celebration in the air.
Last night Tuks and I went down to Party central and watched the All Blacks Vs France game in the Cloud.

As we were walking down Queen street, a man in a suit jacket and stubbies interviewed us for his Yahoo commercial-  in typical kiwi style. Then he gave us a ride in an old English Taxi right down to the water front where all the action was. 

The game was fantastic 37-17 to the All Blacks and the feeling in the air was just electric, I have never seen Kiwi's come together like that before. So, I will relish in the joy of walking to the supermarket and having the tiller say " have a nice day, Go the All blacks!" for a little while longer.

Strange delivery

What would you think if you came home and found this waiting for you on your door step?

If you are like me your mind will jump to crazy conclusions like-  "Someone has been murdered, their head chopped off, stuffed into a bag and then put on my door step." 

Imagine my surprise when I opened the bag to find... books!!  For over a month I have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of Behind every good man -John Bytheway, No doubt about it -Sheri L. Dew, The book of Mormon for Latter day saint families-Thomas R Valletta and House of glory- S. Michael Wilcox and they are finally here!

Glad I worked up the guts to open this bad boy. Thank you Desert books!

Bogged down

It's school report time, and I have been bogged down all weekend.
Thurs- Writing reports.
Fri- And more reports.
Saturday- Woops I forgot someone.
Sunday-How do I say  "Your son sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them" nicely?

Talk soon, when I come back up for air.

Post Robbery cookies

Guilt-free choc chip cookies

3 bananas- mashed

2 cups rolled oats

2/3 cup ground almonds

1/3 cup coconut milk ( warmed slightly in the microwave so it isn't clumpy)

1/3 cup shredded coconut

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

1 teaspoon baking powder

Pinch of salt

1/2 cup dark chocolate pieces ( or whatever chocolate you would like to use)

Combine the bananas, vanilla essence, and (slightly warmed) coconut milk. Set aside. In another bowl whisk together the oats, ground almond, shredded coconut, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.The dough came out a bit wetter than normal cookie dough, but don't worry they still bake up fine. Drop balls of the dough onto baking paper and bake for about 12-15 minutes at 180 degrees.

I baked them for as long as I could without burning the bottoms and they came out lovely. Enjoy!

Like a thief in the night

This morning as Tuks and I were getting organized for work I realized I couldn't find my wallet. This didn't ring any alarm bells as I am notorious for misplacing important items- phone, keys, etc. I figured I must have left it in the car last night after I did the grocery shopping, so continued getting ready and then headed out the door.

It was cold and sunny in Three kings- beautiful really- and birds sang as I walked down the drive way. But when glass appeared shattered on the footpath my head cocked sideways with the realization that something was amiss. And sure enough, our entire passenger seat window had been smashed in.

My first thought was " Why didn't they just take the whole car!" ( Tuks and I have been on the lookout for a while and this would have been ideal). Instead we were left with a smashed window, a stolen G.P.S and ( curse my laziness) my wallet. Surprisingly, I didn't feel that annoyed by the whole situation. Instead I got on with what needed to be done. A quick phone call to the police, our insurance company, the bank, work and by 10am I was waiting for the glazier to come and fix the car.

And then, of course, with the window wide open, it began to rain. It seemed like the score for the day was Bad luck:2, Tiffany: 0.

12pm- I was still waiting for the glazier to arrive and slowly the rage was kicking in. I started to think about the costs of replacing my bank cards, drivers license, teachers registration, AA card and OH MY GOODNESS my precious student ID that allows me to go to the movies for $10!! Suddenly it felt like my privacy had been violated so seriously I needed to go kick some butt.

I remind myself that " Vengeance is the Lord's "and instead, do  what makes me feel good- bake. After 40 minutes of whisking, beating, stirring and poking I produce a beautiful looking banana cake. It is a pity I didn't actually feel like eating banana cake. What I really wanted was some chocolate chip cookies. Why is it that cookies always seem to make you feel better?

I had already used the last of our butter and sugar, which meant if I was going to make these cookies I needed to do a little inventing and I am pretty pleased with the result. I wouldn't say they were the best cookies I have tasted, but after a day like today they were just what the Dr ordered.  Once this whole ordeal with the car has settled down I will post some pictures of them and the recipe.