charmaine mergulhao's blog

It has been a looooooong time!

Sun, 09 Mar 2008 10:21:09 -0700

HI EVERYONE! IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE I HAVE WRITTEN IN THE BLOG. GUILTY AS CHARGED! I HAVE TO SAY I AM NOT ENJOYING MYSELF. I AM MISERABLE! DO YOU WANT TO KNOW WHY????? WELL I HAVE SEEN ENOUGH SNOW TO LAST ME A LIFETIME. IT IS COLD, WET AND WINDY. I CAN'T WAIT FOR SPRING TO GET HERE. MAYBE THEN YOU WILL SEE A SMILE ON MY FACE. FOR ALL THOSE THAT LOVE THE SNOW AND THE COLD PLEASE MOVE TO ALASKA OR THE NORTH POLE. I LOVE THE GREEN GRASS, FRESH FLOWERS AND WARM SUN ON MY SKIN. SPEAK TO YOU SOON

Summer is almost here!

Sat, 12 May 2007 06:47:21 -0700

Hello everyone! I hope you are finally enjoying the warm weather. It is really about time! I just want to say bye to 4 wonderful students in my class and they are Boom, Sirin, Ploy and Yumiko. The 4 of them are wonderful students with a great work ethic. They are helpful, kind and a joy to be around. I hope life brings you much happiness and everything good you deserve. To all the students who have left, I hope you will have fond memories from your stay in Toronto and to those who have not yet arrived, I am sure you will have a blast here! For those that are here now, the warm weather brings you many things to do and enjoy while you are here. My suggestions, a stroll in High Park, Niagara Falls, Algonquin Park and many of the delightful cafes located around the city. If you need anymore suggestions, let me know! Remember study, have fun and stay safe!

Well done!

Wed, 29 Nov 2006 18:34:45 -0800

Hello Everyone! I hope everyone is enjoying the strange weather. Can you believe it is 17 degrees at the end of November. I would just like to acknowlege the good work the students are doing at the school. Congratulations on the great test results, participation in activities, speaking in English at all times and of course the smiles on your faces! Unfortunately December is a month where a lot of the students return home. I want to say bye to all the students who are leaving(you will be missed) and continue with the excellent work for the students who are remaining for the holidays. Happy Holidays!

Hey everyone

Mon, 30 Oct 2006 12:54:28 -0800

Hi everyone! I have not written in a long time and I thought it was about time. At this time there are a few students that are leaving that have been here for a long time. I want to say goodbye to Aaron, Nora, and Sebastian. These three students started in my beginner class back in March and April. They are all in my advanced class now. Wow! I can't believe how time flies when you are having fun. I want to thank all of them for everything they have done. They all participated in school activities, helped new students, did well on their tests, spoke English and were a pleasure to teach! Congratulations guys on all your hard work! It all payed off. I wish for you a life of happiness and success. I hope to see you soon!

I'll be there

Thu, 21 Sep 2006 07:22:20 -0700

hello~^^

I'm Jong from Korea.

I arrived in Toronto at 24/08/2006.

And I'll come back home at 03/01/2007.

Before leaving here, I want to enjoy a good experience in Toronto with you.

My birth day is 17/07/1984. Remember~!

I love sports... especially playing sport like

soccer, basketball, table tennis, martial arts...

haha~

Anyway, Let's enjoy our life!!!! yuhu~~

Jessica I am really going to miss you!

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 20:14:51 -0700

Jessica I just want to say I am really going to miss you! You are truly a generous, honest, kind and of course crazy person. You were the first teacher to say hello and welcome me at the ESH Bay location last year. For this I will never forget you. I will miss having the glass partition between our classes, the contagious laughter and boy talk. I want you to know that I appreciate everything you have done for me and all your assistance. You are one in a million. I am sure the students and staff will be sad to see you go. I wish you good luck with school and all your future endeavours. If you ever need a helping hand, mine is always available. I am not saying goodbye because I am sure I will hear your laugh again! Big Hug and Kiss Char

THANK YOU

Sun, 30 Jul 2006 09:41:03 -0700

Hello Everyone! I can't believe it has been over one year that I have worked at ESH. It has been a wonderful and enriching experience. I have had the pleasure of meeting many students from all over the world and teaching them as well. I want to say a special thank you to all the students who have come and gone! You have made me laugh and cry with your kind words, eagerness to learn and thoughtfulness. I wish for you everything good in life! To all the teachers, you are all fabulous! Thank you for your patience, dedication and smiles! Mark, Jong-Mi, Maria, and Alison thanks for your confidence in me, your patience and your generosity! You are a pleasure to work for. To all the students, staff, and friends at ESH thank you for everything! Life is easier and better with all of you in it. Hugs and kisses Charmaine.

CONGRATS VICTOR AND GRAZIELLA!

Thu, 06 Apr 2006 15:49:31 -0700

Hi Everyone!

I just wanted to congratulate two students in my class, Victor and Graziella on a job well done. I am sure everyone knows Victor and Graziella and if you don't , you should get to know them. They started in my beginner class in the middle of January and this week they finally moved up to the Intermediate level. I think their first week of classes were very frustrating and depressing for them because they did not understand much and certainly could not express what they were feeling.

Why does it take a minute to say hello and forever to say goodbye?-author unknown

Sun, 05 Mar 2006 08:43:55 -0800

The other day, one of my students asked me "how do I say goodbye" ? The student had a really difficult time saying goodbye to one of his new found friends here at the school. Here at ESH, students are always coming and going. They arrive from different parts of the world including Japan, Korea, Italy, Brazil, Mexico and the list can go on..... and then they return to their respective countries.

baby Leandro

Sun, 19 Feb 2006 12:34:37 -0800

Hi everyone! I hope everyone is enjoying the frigid Canadian temperature outside because I know I am not. This weekend I hibernated in my house. I watched movies (40 year old virgin, castaway and the machinist) all were very good. I did manage to leave my house for a really good reason. One of my best friends, George and his wife had a baby on Feb 13th. They had a baby boy named Leandro Liolis. He is the cutest! I am very happy for my friend George because he will make a wonderful father. He was really nervous and scared about being a dad but I think he has a lot of experience. My friend George works with children with disabilities and he treats them like they were his own. I leave you with a pic of baby Leandro and I will talk to you all soon!

Poetry

Sun, 05 Feb 2006 12:06:25 -0800

True Beauty

by Chad A Booher

Beauty is a thing seldom seen
No one sees it because no one looks
Or at least not in the right place
Beauty is held by all
Within the soul it lies
Waiting to come out to the surface
Only it can't
Beauty is suppressed by the evils of the world
Only love can bring beauty out
Once seen
Beauty never hides again
Not even hatred can deny beauty
Of it's true design
Beauty although possessed by all
Will only ever be truly seen by few
And fewer yet will ever see
One of the most beautiful sights
The beauty held by you

I am an avid reader of poetry. I chose this poem because my class is discussing what "true beauty" is in their eyes. If you have any comments on this poem or would like to share some of your favourites, please feel free to do so.

Speak to you all later! Charmaine.

What's for dinner?

Sat, 28 Jan 2006 12:58:23 -0800

Hi everyone!

Yesterday, I went out for dinner with my friends to one of my favourite restaurants in Toronto called "Masa". My friends and I try to go out for dinner at least once a month to different restaurants. It gives us a chance to catch up on the latest news and of course to try some of the exotic, colourful and delicious foods Toronto has to offer.

If you are wondering, "Masa" is a Japanese restaurant. It is located at 15 Charles St, east of Yonge. (10 min from ESH). It offers an a la carte menu and an all you can eat buffet. I know some of you do not like sushi but there are an array of other dishes that I am sure will wet your appetite.(tempura, teriyaki, meat and vegetables dishes, fried rice, green tea ice cream and the list goes on.......). The "Masa" buffet is unique in that each table checks off on a menu as much food as often as they like, guaranteeing that everything is freshly prepared. The buffet is inexpensive and ranges from $16-$18.

Some former students and I went to "Masa" a couple of months ago and they all loved it! They said it was the best Japanese restaurant they had found in Toronto. Toronto offers many tastes and delights. It is just one of the reasons I love living here. I can recommend some great places to dine ranging from dirt cheap(Burger King) to the highly expensive and elegant(Canoe). If you have any suggestions of your own, please let me know! I am always a connoisseur.

Hugs to all! Bon appetit!

See you later! Charmaine.

My First Blog

Sat, 14 Jan 2006 11:23:08 -0800

Hello Everyone! My name is Charmaine Mergulhao. I am a teacher at ESH. Currently, I am teaching the High-Advanced class and the evening French classes at the school. Students often wonder what my background is. Well, I was born in Kenya and came to Toronto when I was 3 years old. My mother is Portuguese and my father is British, Kenyan and Portuguese. I guess you can say I am a "Cultural Mosaic" of sorts.

My experience at ESH has been wonderful! The administration team, fellow teachers and students all evoke a sense of pride I have for this school. Teaching has rewarded me in numerous ways. It has given me the opportunity to travel extensively, experience cultural diversity and has profoundly touched me with lasting memories. Most of all, the students have rewarded me with friendship, respect and laughter. The people who know me, refer to me as a "laughaholic". For me, laughter is the best medicine for whatever ails you, especially when you are homesick.

When I am not torturing you with homework, I enjoy cooking and of course eating(many of my students have shared their personal recipes with me). I love traveling, taking pictures and making people laugh. I would like to say a big hello to all the students(past, present and future), and my fellow colleagues at ESH.

Talk to you all soon! Charmaine