New BLOG!

Hello everyone!

As promised, I've created a new blog to go along with my new adventure.  You can access it by clicking the link below:

http://dubaijthompson.blogspot.ae/2013/08/re-learning-how-to-sweat.html

I hope you enjoy my new desert adventure!

Summer Time!

I've been back in Ontario for a little over two months and what an intense two months they've been! Spent some time at the cottage in Bracebridge http://www.bracebridge.ca/ and had an experience that makes me truly believe that the world is a very small place.  

Sarah Zoolander and I decided to go to town, walk Manitoba Street to peek in the shops, and then head for supper.  The most incredible thing happened.  We parked and got out and were soon approached by two guys pushing a stroller.  They politely asked if we knew the closest place to buy beer.  I directed them to Muskoka Brewery http://www.muskokabrewery.com/ but it was after business hours so it was closed.  Then next closest place was The Beer Store/LCBO plaza but that wasn't in gentle walking distance so the guys offered to buy us a 12 pack if we drove them.  I NEVER pick up hitch hikers but the baby in the stroller sold me on the idea, plus Sarah knows kung fu.  Anyway, we jam the stroller into the trunk and all jump in my car.  On the way to The Beer Store we do a round of introductions: Phil is a marine biologist from BC, Leon is an awesome baby, and Ian is a teacher from Pond Inlet... who just so happens to be science buddies with my friend Adam from Gjoa Haven.  SMALL WORLD. So yeah, 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon or whatever and here I am taking pictures with a fellow Arctic teacher who I met and picked up randomly on the streets of Bracebridge.  Go figure.



Ian decided it would be a super idea if we take a photo to commemorate the world being small.



The week spent at the cottage only continued to get better.  I lit a fire with one match and got to spend my birthday with some super wonderful people.


July was filled with wedding preparations for Melanie and Chris.  Everything went off without a hitch.  Here we are looking glamorous. 

This summer also marks a big change in location for me.  I sought out a teaching position in The United Arab Emirates.  My next adventure is as the ELL teacher at a private school in Dubai.  I leave this Saturday.  Some would argue that the huge temperature extremes may be hard to deal with.  But I just flippantly say I'm trading one desert for another.  I'm going to see about setting up another blog or see about changing the formatting of this blog.  Will keep you posted.