Pinkberry yummyness...

I just discovered a new love for 'pinkberry' whilst shopping with a friend in Bahrain today... We indulged in gorgeous pomegranate goodness with fresh fruit toppings... I am craving another now, yum!

Namaste Nepal

I have just returned from an incredible and eye-opening two week trip in Nepal ...

I spent half of this time, trekking in the Himalayas... The Annapurna range to be exact. All the way up to 'Poon Hill' (3000 or so metres above sea level)... I thoroughly enjoyed the trek, feeling such a strong achievement at the end of each day, and waking up 'to make the next point on our route'... whether it be an 8-hour climb down steep stairs or crossing rickety bridges peaking altitude.... Our guide 'Sherpa Karma' was insightful and inspiring... The highlight of my trek was meeting many different Nepali people from various villages and being lucky enough to experience their 'simple, yet happy' way of life... The children were so content with their lives, no fancy toys or technology... yet so happy... Doesn't this prove something about the way in which the western youth lives? I definitely would like to return to the Himalayas and hopefully climb and reach 'Everest Base Camp'...

The second part of my trip involved helping at a local orphanage run 'The Love Company: Innocent Children's Home' in Pokhara... Again, another inspiring moment in the trip, meeting the owner, a simple yet incredible man named Krishna who dedicates his life to helping street children in Nepal... I was lucky enough to spend time with the children currently staying at the orphanage... They will always have a special place in my heart and I will keep to my 'pinky promise' of returning to see them again... I also was able to contribute to their local school renovation by painting some old classroom walls which definitely needed the refurbishment...

School is out - Summer is on...

Having completed my first year of teaching, I am feeling ready for the relaxing summer break ahead... I cannot be more thankful for the amazing children, teachers and moments I have experienced in my 'NQT' year...

I have grown and learnt so much as a teacher and individual... I remember how nervous I felt about completing my first 'dreaded' parents evening and writing 400 + reports...

The best feeling is at the end of the year, when the children you have inspired - give you incredible cards and notes to simply 'thank you' for your teaching... These are hte most precious and will remain in a special place in my heart...

I can now look forward to having my own class next year, 'Year 4W' :-)

Bello!

As an avid luxury hotel lover, I found this amazing list of the world's 'Top 10 most breathtaking hotel pools'... If only I had the opportunity to visit each one!

As visiting Italy has always been a dream of mine, it was strange that the number 1 on the list is on the Amalfi Coast...

One day ;-)

Have a look: Top 10 Breathtaking Hotel Pools

This photo of Hotel Caruso by Orient-Express is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Sweet Dreams

As I'm about to tuck myself into bed... I discovered this beautiful song by none other than one of my favorites, John Mayer... replicating the soulful Sinatra...

What a perfect bedtime song...

Goodnight :-)

xox

My Muay Thai love

I have been taking Muay Thai classes at Reza's Martial Arts Centre in Duraz, Bahrain for about two years now... and it is an addictive style of fitness. I experimented with Capoeira at the same centre, but quickly realized my love was in the boxing... 

What all sources agree on is that Muay Thai began as a close combat battlefield fighting skill... More deadly than the weapons it replaced...The sources aren’t clear and often contradict each other. But there are two main theories:

1) One says that the art developed as the Thai people moved down from China; honed in the struggle for land

2) The other theory of the history of Muay Thai says that the Thai people were already here and that Muay Thai developed to defend the land and people from constant invasion threats...

The history of Muay Thai second theory, while controversial, has considerable academic backing and archaeological evidence... The first is, however, possible as the area opened up to the early pioneers...

What is known is that the history of Muay Thai was an essential part of Thai culture right from its dawn. And in Thailand, it’s the sport of kings.

Muay Thai has changed across the years... Changed and evolved from a battlefield close quarters killing ground technique based on a fighting tradition passed on from generation to generation up to the present time...

But despite the changes of history, Muay Thai has lost none of its exotic appeal and even mystique... Muay Thai is still the fighting art to beat... The fighting art that defeats all challenges from Kung Fu, Karate, Taekwando and the latest kickboxing fashions... They have all come to Thailand, not just once but many times and from many places to test themselves...

Muay Thai has lost none of its appeal in Thailand... The television fight broadcasts rate among the Kingdom’s most popular programmes... In the provinces, villages cluster around any available TV to watch... In the city, people disappear from the streets while Thailand is watching Muay Thai... I remember walking down the streets of Pattaya, wedging among huge crowds gathering at the bars, cheering excitedly at the opponents... What an amazing atmosphere it was!

I am continuing to dedicate myself to this form of fitness I truly love and enjoy - always an perfect combination :-)

Beautiful surprise

I received a thoughtful special gift from a favorite person of mine delivered secretly to my workplace...

How lucky am I ? :-)

Put the biggest smile on my face...