If we were having coffee, I would tell you that I am back from our family vacation – and have been for a week. We arrived last week Sunday in the early evening. We were exhausted from the trip and glad to be back home. We had spend some solid family time together in Paris and we had loved every minute of it. But we were tired – we had done a LOT of walking! At the end of the day on Sunday, my husband and I lay our heads down on our pillows with a sigh of pleasure. We had missed sleeping in our own bed covered by our own duvet.
Our family vacation in Paris was wonderful and I enjoyed walking the streets of this fair city after 29 years. Little things had changed, but so many things were the same. I enjoyed seeing things like the Eiffel Tower again, and remembering the walks I had taken down the Champs Élysées. It was a treat to see the paintings by Monet and Renoir again, as well as the painting of Napoleon’s coronation at the Louvre. The best thing for me about the vacation, however, was spending quality time with my family. Unlike when we went on holiday at a resort, the five of us were together all of the time. Eating together three times a day, we had the opportunity to talk a lot. Many meals were picnic-like , though we did treat ourselves a number of times at a restaurant.
If we were having coffee, I would tell you that during the past week I attended a teacher’s workshop – even though I was not fully recovered from our vacation. The workshop was centred on Math for the K-2 grades. Even though I already knew most of what the presenters spoke about, I did learn a few nuggets that I will implement in my classroom this year. It is important, I feel, to keep on learning and to work on improving my teaching practice. In this way, I prevent boredom from setting in – and I figure out ways to reach all of the students in my class.
If we were having coffee, I would tell you that right now it is HOT. All I want to do is sit in front of the fans and read / watch Netflix. I have a number of books that I still want to read before I go back to school and have placed them on the table next to the bed. Our vacation in Paris meant that I did not have much opportunity to read in July as we had spent a lot of time sight seeing. I intend to play catch up during the month of August.
If we were having coffee (of course, iced), I would tell you that my plan for the forthcoming week is to do a little bit of tidying up in our place (if it is not too hot). I like the place to be cleaned from top to bottom before the school year starts as I do not have much chance to do so during the school year. I also plan to read, and to catch up on my book reviews – I have a number to do for the month of July. It is only a couple of weeks left before I begin to get ready for the new school year.
If we were having coffee, I would wish you a wonderful week. And if you are like me and live in Ontario, Canada enjoy the public holiday tomorrow.
What would you tell me if we were having coffee?
© Colline Kook-Chun, 2018
(This post is linked to Eclectic Alli and the Weekend Coffee Share)
I would complain about the heat, pry into your Parisisn adventures and compare them with my own time there , Wish you luck in the coming school year !😊
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The heat can be unbearable at times. I am currently wishing for rain so that the city can cool down a bit.
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I’m looking forward to the fall.
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Me too!
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Welcome back. It was great to see all of your Paris photos on Instagram! I hope to go back in about three years.
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I will share some more pictures on the blog.
Three years will arrive in no time and you will be able to enjoy the city.
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Hi Colleen. It’s good to have you back S&S (Safe and Sound). It sounds like it was a wonderful trip. It has been so many years ago that my wife and I visited Paris that it would be like new for us to go again. Go rest up – you still have a big summer ahead of you I bet. Warmest regards,
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I have a month left before I begin teaching again – still many days of rest 😊
Keep a look out for posts on Paris – i took a number of photos.
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So glad your family had such a wonderful time together. My sister tells me that when she visits Paris, she walks A LOT as well. It seems that’s the best way to see everything and really enjoy it from a personal level. At least you’ve gotten in enough exercise that you won’t have to feel guilty if you take it easy physically for a week or two now. 🙂
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If you take the metro you are underground and miss out on seeing the beautiful city. And we were there only for a couple of weeks – unlike the inhabitants who see those buildings every day.
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It looks and sounds like you had an amazing holiday in Paris, Colline. It is a city that I have always wanted to visit and I hope that I will do so some day. I saw some of your lovely photographs on Instagram. I hope you have a restful remaining month of your holiday.
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You never know what life might bring you. My husband has always wanted to visit the city as well and he finally had the opportunity.
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welcome back, Colline! 🙂 Paris sera tjs “ma ville de cœur”: nous y avons vécu plusieurs années et nos 2 “old babies”(LOL!) y sont nés… ❤ et comme disait Sacha Guitry:“Être Parisien, ce n’est pas être né à Paris, c’est y renaître!” 🙂
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bonne semaine, bon courage et des océans d'inspiration! amitiés toulousaines… 🙂
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Merci Mélanie. Ma visite à Paris m’a rappelé du séjour j’ai fait d’un an quand j’ai fini à l’université.
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Someone did have a great time :). Paris is a beautiful city, though I only remember the Eiffel Tower where I spent 70% of my time.
I was supposed to visit Toronto this Friday, but life has interrupted so I won’t for the time being. What would you, as a local, recommend I do? I am looking forward to visiting.
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The city does not have as much history as the European cities. The CN tower is a good place to start. The Harbourfront is interesting too – and you could even go on a boat ride on the lake. Depending on how long your visit is, you may even visit the ROM or the Science Centre.
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i am praying for another opportunity to return and see the places I missed the first time Bob and I were there (especially the countryside); I get excited to read shared experiences with people I know and it gives me such a lift that I can identify with the joy they feel. welcome back, Colline 🙂
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It gives you a good excuse to visit again 🙂
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Welcome, home, Colline.Your trip must have been memorable especially having time to be with your family. Hope you get a chance to catch up on your reading. It’s difficult once you get back to work. Relax and enjoy the rest of your time off. Blessings!
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Thank you. I am slowly reading through the book pile. The problem with being on break, though, is that I keep adding to it 😊
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