My Favorite Things – The Chronicles of a Happy Divorcée

Chapter 53 – Five And Counting

Tuesday, 16 February 2016.

Day 58

After Kristiina’s late call yesterday, Anna remebered it was payday and she still had to pay all her bills on Nordea’s netbank, so she’s pretty exhausted…

So little sleep! Eurgh…

Christian’s good morning cheers Anna up.

10:46 Morning! 😊 5 and counting. Just getting up.

11:07 Lucky you. I need a power nap. 😊

Haha. Do it. ☺️ Get under your desk. And put your feet up.

11:15 Under the desk already. 15 good min. – then I can work again with joy and creativity.

11:16 Still lost? Haha. Sorry for the confusion. Our dates are written in granite. 😊 I’m feeling ill today. Finally my cold is coming out. Will work from bed today. Hope you have a good morning!

Sorry for your cold. Take care, stay warm!! Hope you get well soon. And if you don’t, I completely understand if you can’t make it on Sunday, Monday, etc… Although it would be a pity. Did you buy that Berocca? And if you have a cough, Vick Vapourub under your feet and warm socks before you go to bed. Shouldn’t cough at all at night. 😊

12:11 Thanks. Got the Berrocca and feeling a bit better. Vicks on my feet?? Never tried that before! 😊 Thanks for the tips. I’ll certainly be well by Sunday.

IMG_2425 – kopio

12:31 I got this mug from my best friends this month. Happy you’re planning on getting better til Sunday!

13:03 Ahh. That’s nice. Did one of your students bring you an apple? I thought that only happened in the movies. 😊

13:11 Yeah, unfortunately only in the movies, but then again, poisoned apples only happen in Snow White. So, all’s good!

13:30 Haha. Safer to buy your own then. Send me some selfie inspiration please?

Anna sends him two.

.
Nice pictures!! I have to admit, I’m not looking my best today. But I’ll send you my smile selfie a little later. Promise.

14:25 Good!

Talking of promises, remember my pupils’ tasks? Their own list of “My Favorite Things”?

Here are the results:

IMG_2426(1) – kopio

Ah… I just love inspiring the pupils to find their best work within themselves. So proud of them! Here are three of my favorites:

IMG_2421 – kopio

14:27 Amazing, isn’t it?

IMG_2428 – kopio

14:29 Awe-inspiring. This girl is just genious!

IMG_2418 – kopio

So romantic! Oh, so very relatable.

Obs. Artwork published with the pupils’ permission (and no names)!

All names have been changed, and chat messages were published with the match’s kind permission.

Obs. Day 58 and five to go?

Chapter 40 – I Simply Remember

Monday, 8 February 2016.

Day 50

And the lesson goes on.

“My dear 8C, now that you’re all awake… Your homework was to think about your favorite pastimes and such, writing a list with at least ten items. Who has done that?”

Hands go up everywhere.

Anna shows the class a video – My Favorite Things, from The Sound of Music – one of her favorite movies. And the boldest of her pupils sing along with her.

“🎶 I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don’t feel so bad!”

Ah… Nice.

“Encouraging, isn’t it?” — she smiles.

“So, today your task is to be creative. Take your list of favorite things and transform it into beautiful art. A poster, a video, a play. The sky is the limit. If you’re not good at drawing, write a colorful list that will look great on the wall.

“You can also draw stick men, like I did.”

Anna told Christian (one of the nice Englishmen from Tinder), that she’s been working on this theme at school. He insisted she share her list with him – wouldn’t take no for an answer. So endearing! So she drew it for him.

How Anna loves feeling inspired with the silliest of things!

Now, she projects the images she drew on the smart board, hoping to ignite her pupils’ creativity. First, she wants them to speak up and practice their English.

“Hey look, here are my very own favorite things. Can you tell me what they are?”

ft1 – kopio

ft – kopio

ft2 – kopio

ft3 – kopio

Chatting with Chris has been so lovely. A mix of witty, smart, gentlemanly and flirty. Guys are a mystery, but it’s gradually getting warmer.

She drew him a couple of extra (burning hot) pastimes on the back side. 😍

Completely scratched over now, of course!

Hmm. We shall see…

Obs. Day 50 since moving out. Warm beginnings!

Chapter 29 – To Tinder or Not to Ignite – That Is the Question

Thursday, 4 February 2016.

Day 46

Dazzling! — she exclaims to herself looking out her classroom window.

It’s just one of those rare Finnish early-winter mornings. Sunny. Gorgeous. Energizing.

Anna woke up earlier than usual to wash her hair and look as good as possible. She’s already chosen this evening’s outfit and left it on a hanger over her couch.

For her date with Riku, remember?

After lunch, she happens to have a two-hour empty slot with no teaching before her last lesson of the day. She goes for a brisk walk in the forest behind her school.

Man, is Anna excited! Happy with the sun shining bright over the white snow, she strolls and sings along with Shania Twain.

🎵 I’m going out tonight. I’m feeling alright. 🎶

She’s feeling feisty.

Lively, spunky and self-reliant. Simply put, she’s made a choice. Not to dwell on the past and feel downcast, but accept reality and just be as joyous as she can.

I’m healthy, I’m young enough. I’m cute and cool. My life’s ahead of me. Life is good.

Uh-uh, I won’t waste it. Nuh-uh.

🎶 The best thing about being a woman
Is the prerogative to have a little fun 🎵

And there is someone out there for me!

I know it.

Anna has been the tenacious type since childhood.

She used to have these never-ending arguments with Riitta, her strong-willed mom, because she wouldn’t cave in without a fight.

Sorry, mom!

On the other hand, Anna’s always been peaceful, as well. When she was a year old, Riitta would put her on top of a blanket with toys on the living room floor, where she’d play content for hours and hours without running away.

Her father? Oh, he’s always affirmed her to be a bridge builder who wants everyone to be friends and just get along.

Stubborn in all her endeavors, from sitting high up in a mango tree in South America for her daily diary entry, to buying a big copying machine, at the age of fourteen, so she could produce her own newspaper for her many pen pals from around the world, she’s wondering, what now?

🎶 Oh, oh, oh, get in the action, feel the attraction
Color my hair, do what I dare
Oh, oh, oh, I wanna be free, yeah, to feel the way I feel 🎵

Ding! A notification pops up on her iPhone screen.

Good morning. 😘 Did you sleep well? You asked me for a new picture. Well, here goes one from the time I lived in South Africa.

It’s Christian, one of the Englishmen. She opens WhatsApp and…

God!!

Looking elegant in a casual outfit, there’s friendliness and satisfaction in his smile, as he squats to give water to some camels, looking sideways toward the camera.

He’s gorgeous! Much better looking than in his profile pics on Tinder. I’ve gotta call mom!

Would you also send me one later? Maybe a selfie? 🙂 Have a great day at work! P.S. What are you teaching today?

Morning 🌞. I slept really well, thanks! What about you? 🙂

Oh, today I’ve started an activity called ‘My Favorite Things’ with my pupils. I feel inspired. I’ll tell you all about it later, OK?

Just out for some steps in the snow. You? Playing with your son this morning?

Btw, thanks… Here’s a selfie for you.

P.S. You look great. Xx

Ah, Tinder! What does tinder mean??

Definition: “Small pieces of something dry that burns easily, used for lighting fires.”

Hey you, I’m feeling quite dry. Can you feel it? Long time no see, no feel, no touch, no hug.

🎵 I get totally crazy
Can you feel it
Come, come, come on baby
I feel like a woman! 🎶

Obs. Day 46 after moving out.