...because I like waffles and blethers

Butternut Squash Risotto

2012-01-25T20:27:00.000Z

Easy, yummy and one of my favourites...This recipe makes enough for two hungry grown-ups. It might seem a little awkward what with using 1/2 an onion and 1/2 a butternut squash but you can easily use the other half of these for something else within a couple of days. Most risotto recipes use parmesan on the top to add some flavour I can never be bothered to buy it so my recipe uses cream cheese, which I usually have in the fridge anyway.

Ingredients
1/2 butternut squash
2/3 cup of risotto rice
1/2 onion (chopped)
2 tablespoons cream cheese
Dried sage
Vegetable Oil
1 litre vegetable stock
Knob of butter

1. Drizzle vegetable oil over the butternut squash half and sprinkle with sage. Roast in the oven for half an hour.
2. While the butternut squash is roasting away. Fry the onions in the butter for five minutes-ish.
3. Stir in the risotto rice then add the vegetable stock bit by bit, allowing the rice to absorb it.
4. Add as much dried sage as you fancy.
5. Once the butternut squash half has done it's time, cut it into cubes. Mash about 1/3 of it and add to the pan of rice.
6. Stir in 2 tablespoons of cream cheese and the butternut squash cubes.
7. Taste a generous spoonful to make sure the rice is cooked.
8. Lick you lips and serve up, preferably with a glass of white wine.

This Week I've Been... (ii)

2012-01-22T20:53:00.000Z

...really, really busy...

Work's been pretty mad again this week but I've managed to slot in:

Skiing...at the Snow Centre at Hemel Hempstead

Eating...tasty butternut squash risotto...recipe to follow.

Crocheting...my crazy, colourful blanket. Lalala. It makes me happy, when skies are grey.

Reading...Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. I finished it this week and I think it might possibly be my favourite book of all time.

Playing...lots of Wii tennis

I hope to have an equally colourful week next week!

Work-life Balance

2012-01-19T18:59:00.001Z

I'm enjoying my first "normal week" back at work this week. I say "normal week" because really there's no such thing in my job. Life with 30 ten/eleven year olds and one 23 year old cooped up in a slightly undersized room for six hours a day is always going to be a bit unpredictable. Welcome to my classroom.

I love my job. I can honestly say I have never, ever, hand-on-heart, been bored at work. I am constantly busy and always being challenged. However, while it is a huge privilege to be responsible for 30 young people's education for a year, and a blessing that I'm never bored in my job. This does come with a downside.

I only ever truely stop thinking about work for any extended period of time (by that I mean more than a few hours) in the summer holidays.

Last Sunday evening, I watched a film, crocheted a bit of my blanket. looked up the names of all the American states, taught myself the rules of basketball and made this peg doll (she's called Hazel). The latter three activities were work related

I was working on my Sunday evening. What does that say about my work-life balance?

Saying that, I did enjoy it, so can I really complain?

What I Wore Wednesday: The Favourite Top

2012-01-18T17:31:00.000Z

This week I thought I'd take the opportunity to show you my favourite top.

I bought it when I was 16 for just £5 in the Bay sale. I remember finding it, trying it on in the shop and loving it. I thought I was just the bees knees because of the sophisticated lace and ribbon trim. I wore it to some of first "grown-up" parties and I wore it with pride. When I was 17 I was wearing it when I kissed the boy I'd fancied for months and months and months.

I re-found it in my chest of drawers at in my bedroom at my parents home and had to bring it back down to England with me. Here I am aged 23, still wearing it with pride.

Top - Bay Trading

Cardigan - Marks and Spencers

Skirt - Hand-me-down

What's your most long-standing, faithful wardrobe item?

This Fortnight I've been...

2012-01-15T19:36:00.000Z

Wow! What a crazy couple of weeks! I went back to work (a day early) by mistake! Then right at the end of the training day we got the phone call...

Inspection!

Cue six days of working 12 hours + per day on getting plans ready, changing display boards and frantically running around in a bit of a panic.

Nevertheless, despite an absolutely insane time of it at work, I've still managed to have some lovely, jolly moments.

Enjoying...an extra, bonus day of holiday - my final accidental, Christmas present to myself.

Crocheting...a headband/ear warmer with leftover wool from my knitted sock, more of my cushion cover, the beginnings of a blanket and bunting.

Catching up...with Rhiannon with a chit chat and noodles at this place.

Celebrating...five years with Steve, with a lovely trip to Oxford and a seven-course Japanese meal cooked by him while I frantically lesson planned.

Cooking...fish pie for Saturday lunch and Wii playing with some friends.

I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to a nice normal week...

What I Wore Wednesday: Hogmanay

2012-01-04T05:55:00.000Z

I'm back at school today (for the second time this term!) but wanted to take this opportunity to show you what I wore for Hogmanay (New Year's Eve).

I spent New Year's Eve at a friend's Roman themed house party so decided to make myself a toga dress. I've always wanted to have a go at the one seam Infinity Dress so pottered down to my local charity shop, bought a white sheet and began to attack it with a pair of scissors and a sewing machine.

Toga Infinity Dress - Homemade!

I was really rather excited to be starting 2012 surrounded by friends and wearing something homemade!

How did you start 2012?

A Free Gift

2012-01-03T10:40:00.000Z

After the lovely festive season and all the indulgence that goes with it, most of us, albeit unwillingly, crawl back to work in January with aspirations for the new year.

I was no exception: I went back to school this morning with lots of determination to work hard, be more organised, less stressed and generally make a good job of things this term. I spent yesterday evening a little frustrated that I hadn't got round to finishing all the lesson planning I had meant to do and hadn't got as "on top of" my dissertation as I'd meant to. Starting the new school year with unfinished projects bothered me.

So I turned up at school this morning at stupid o'clock

...and well...

...turns out...

...it was just me...

...and the caretaker...

...school doesn't start until tomorrow!!

When I found out I was absolutely ecstatic. Properly ecstatic: stomach doing flips and everything. I love being busy and as a result time is very precious to me.

I've just given myself a final, accidental gift! The gift of a free day.

I have a whole day to finish all my jobs from 2011 before the new school term, crochet, eat chocolate and just enjoy the fact that I have an extra day of holiday I didn't think I had.

What would you do with an unexpected free day?

PS Please don't reply: I'd spend the day checking future term dates and organising yourself better!

This Week I've been...

2012-01-02T21:42:00.002Z

Crocheting...a second cushion cover

Watching...Mission Impossible at the IMAX

Eating...chocolates I was given as gifts by my pupils, egg 'n' toast!

Drinking...Mojito in York

Reading...Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Making...a knitted sock (my first time actually following a knitting pattern), thank you cards for my lovely Christmas presents

Enjoying...Wii Zumba, Hogmanay celebrations

Finishing... another wonderful school holiday :-(

Looking forward to...lots of Out of the Ordinary Moments courtesy of Sarah Rooftops.

What have you been up to during the end of last year and beginning of this?

What I Wore Wednesday: Christmas Day Outfit

2011-12-28T19:08:00.000Z

Last week, prompted by this post at The Small Fabric of My Life, I had a wee ponder about what my perfect Christmas Day outfit. Comfortable, smart, cosy. And hopefully involving something new. If I'm a very lucky girl.

And here's what I ended up wearing...

My parents gave me this lovely swing skirt from M and Co and this lovely spotty top and black cardi from Marks and Spencer. Santa gave me the purple tights in my stocking and Steve gave me the cosiest ever slipper boots.

It was literally the perfect Christmas Day outfit for a lovely Christmas Day!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year everyone!

What I Wore Wednesday: Cosy Vintage Cardigan

2011-12-21T09:37:00.001Z

This week I've been busy finishing off my Christmas presents and lesson planning like mad for 2012.

It's been pretty chilly but I've been cosy in my "cardigan of the moment" - this striking, chunky £3 charity shop find.


Cardigan - Charity Shop (Nicolucchi)

Admittedly, I did have to remove a pair of totally hideous 80s shoulder pads before it was wearable, but definitely worth the wee bit of bother.

What are you wearing?

Book Review: The Cool Girl's Guide to Crochet

2011-12-19T15:36:00.000Z

I picked up this book from The Works for just £3. I just couldn't resist it - I had just started to teach myself to crochet and I also consider myself to be relatively cool. Oh yes. Unashamedly cool.

The Cool Girl's Guide to Crochet by Nicki Trench

The early parts of the book give you all the guidance you need to learn the basic stitches and techniques in a clear informative way. I have to confess that I used HobbyCraft's free booklet to teach myself these initial stages so I can't really comment on how the book would be for a complete beginner, however the images do look really clear, and if you're ever stuck there are a wealth of video tutorials on youtube.

The book has come under quite a lot of criticism for being confusing for beginners. However I think this may largely be to do with the fact that it uses British crochet terms, and, while it does contain conversion charts, I probably would not recommend the book to US crocheters.

Saying all that, the latter parts of the book contain the most beautiful patterns, which alone make the book an absolute gem. I made these slippers for one of my colleagues without a great deal of difficulty and I am so, so, so proud of the outcome.

Honestly I would recommend this book just for this one pattern.

"It's done!" List

2011-12-18T17:37:00.001Z

Massive unachievable "To Do" list with treats to help me through it

Like many busy boys and girls I use "To Do" lists to organise my life. I tend to have several on the go at any one time and I tend never to get to the end of a list before I re-draft it, adding more items at a rate faster than I tick things off.

I don't mind never finishing my "To Do" list. I like to be busy and I can cope with the fact that the nature of my job means that my work will never be truely finished. I also work on the principle that even if I only complete some of the things on my "To Do" list, as long as I prioritise, properly, I will at least be achieving some of the things that I should.

Recently I came across this post: "How to be Happy". It contains 9 proactive suggestions to try for that "elusive halo of happiness". One of these steps is to write an "It's done!" list. I really like the idea of taking a break from making lists of things I have to get done or of things that I want to achieve and actually taking some time to look at what I've managed to do.

So here goes.

Here's my "It's done!"list for 2011. (I'm deliberately writing the first ten things that come to my mind rather than spending ages self-indulging in this activity! Ten achievements is plenty!)

1. Completed my first year of teaching

2. Learnt to and became totally hooked on crochet

3. Learnt to ski

4. Been to the theatre by myself

5. Been on 3 lovely holidays (Scotland, Devon, France)

6. Handmade all my Christmas cards

7. Started an after-school art club

8. Got a scholarship for my Masters degree

9. Did my first overnight school trip

10. Got out my clarinet from the back of the cupboard and played Jingle Bells

So what would you be on your "It's done!" list for 2012? Do you take time to celebrate your achievements? If so how?

Grateful for a Great Week

2011-12-11T12:35:00.000Z

As far as I'm concerned the main purpose of this blog is to record happy memories so that in a few years time I can look back and smile at wee snap shots of my life.

I'm joining in with * Maxabella loves... to celebrate happy times from my week.

Tuesday: Hot showers. After a 3 mile walk home from work in the cold and rain, there is nothing better.

Wednesday: Red wool. I'd been trying to buy some for a few days but my local shop had run out. Finally I can look forward to another evening of crocheting mini stockings.

Thursday: A good night's sleep. Simple pleasures!

Friday: Spicy bean fajitas. This is the second time we've had these. There is something really fun about eating dinner with your fingers :-)

Saturday: Christmas party at Joe's. An evening spent engaged in chit-chat, wearing a cosy vintage cardigan and drinking mulled wine.

Sunday: Christmas lunch and finishing off Christmas cards. Eating and making lots and lots, all in the same day.

Have a Mini Christmas!

2011-12-07T22:00:00.000Z

Yesterday my flat saw the official putting-up-of-the-Christmas-decorations ceremony.

I love this: at my parents house we had a very set routine for putting up the decorations, including arguments about which sister would put the top branch of the tinsel tree into place and who would hang the longest bit of tinsel. I love the feeling of having a couple of weeks of enjoying a bit of family time and time off ahead of you and get very over-excited (as shown in the picture below from December 2008).

Since living with Steve we have less of a set routine. The first year we had a real tree - although I HATED hoovering up all the needles and we spent most of January with a dead tree in our wee flat because we didn't have a car to take it to the tip. Note to self: riding on a bus on February with a dead tree will give you funny looks.

Last year we borrowed an artificial tree, but this year I spotted this Christmas tree. It's so cute. It's perfect - all 6 inches of it.

We had a right laugh putting up our Christmas decorations. Turns out that listening to the Wombling Merry Christmas, drinking mulled wine and working out how to decorate a 6-inch Christmas tree really is a fun way to spend a Tuesday evening.

Our old star seemed a little big...

...in the end I wrapped my pearls round and we stuck some wee bits of tinsel between the branches and wrapped my pearls round it.

Steve insisted that we needed a full-size Christmas decoration on our wee tree too...just because. That explains the over-sized bell that's attached.

In other mini-Christmas-related news, I've been busy crocheting 30 mini stockings for my class. I've done 10 and have 20 to go but am loving it.

I used this free pattern (although watch out because it is American and the stitch names are slightly different - it's really straightforward and I think really effective.

What I Wore Wednesday: Warm for Winter

2011-11-30T10:48:00.002Z

I haven't left the flat for a couple of weeks now without my boots and winter coat. They're like my armour and shield from the wintery weather that seems to have sprung on us.

Here they are on a little outing to Kew Gardens.

Coat - Dorothy Perkins

Boots - TKMaxx (Hush Puppies)

Jeans - Charity Shop (UNIQLO)

Scarf - gift (from a pupil!)

Kew Gardens is great - loads of interesting stuff to look at especially if you know lots about plants. Even if (like me) plants aren't really you're thing, it's still a really great afternoon out and a nice place to wander.

What clothes are keeping you cosy?

Red and White

2011-11-24T18:51:00.015Z

Train tickets for Christmas holidays

I was exceedingly excited about these arriving - I can't wait to be snuggled up with my family eating homemade mince pies and chilling out. When they arrived in these amazing red and white spotted envelopes I was even more excited.

Tea bag dish with green tea bag

I'm drinking so much tea at the moment. According to my mum green tea is detoxifying so I'm having lots of it to wash away all the chocolate and cake I've been eating. :-)

Sewing box with my homemade crochet hook holder

Yes I am officially addicted to making things

Gingerbread Latte a. k. a. Christmas in a cup


Let's rediscover why we're best friends., a photo by coronanguyen on Flickr.

I had one of these in the Starbucks near Bond Street accompanied by a very lovely chin-wag with my friend Laura. A splendid Sunday afternoon.

Sneaky post-work bowl of chips with ketchup and mayo

Which colours are making you happy!?

Hooked!

2011-11-13T21:18:00.000Z

So...over the past week or so... I have become ever so slightly addicted to crocheting!

I've now finished this cushion cover using a pattern from this crochet book, which I borrowed from my mum. This was the first time I managed to crochet rounds to make squares - actually not too tricky and pretty fun.

Then I had a go at these snowflakes from my new favourite website - beautiful.

They're really quick and therefore super-addictive. I lost my crochet hook in my classroom last Friday and literally could not stop going on about how upset I was until I found a shop where I could buy a new one (Steve sighs with relief).

I'm sticking these snowflakes to cards so I can share the crochet love with my friends and family this Christmas.

What I Wore Wednesday: Charity Shop Find

2011-11-02T21:54:00.001Z

Amongst other wonderful things that I did in my half term, I was lucky enough to have the chance to rummage in the charity shops in Glasgow's West End.

I found this amazing dress in the Salvation Army shop for just £1.99!

Dress - Charity Shop (New Look)
Cardigan - Primark

I wore it out on Saturday night and also to work. I love it.

I love the detail on it.

To me this dress alone is sufficient evidence that the number of charity shops on UK high streets should not be capped. Mary Portas - are you insane? Why would anyone want to limit an opportunity to make money for charity by turning someone's trash into someone else's treasure?

Winter Warmers

2011-10-31T06:38:00.001Z

After our energy supplier (not naming anyone in particular *cough* npower) announced our prices would increase by 48.4% for electricity and 25.8% for gas this month, Steve and I were 'no chuffed'.

Practical Steve set to work researching all the different tariffs and following advice from everyone's favourite Money Saving Expert, he kindly organised for us to switch.

I took a slightly more creative approach and set to work on this...

Remember I introduced you to Mr Snuggly a while back?

....well now Steve and I have our very own quilt to keep us cosy this winter.

I used some leftover fabric from ebay as well as an old duvet cover and a blanket I found in a charity shop.

I sewed the pieces of fabric together for the back and front then quilted them together with the blanket.

How are you going to save on energy this winter? Will you be taking a practical or a creative approach?

Crocheted Cover

2011-10-28T09:21:00.002+01:00

This summer I started to teach myself to crochet using a book my mum bought. I've loved crocheting so far, I find it a wee bit harder than knitting to learn initially but once you've got the basics I think it's easier.

This week I've crocheted this mobile phone cover to keep my new mobile phone cosy.

I used a 4.5mm hook and double crocheted a length which was just over double the length of the phone.

Once I'd done this I created the triangle shape by decreasing one stitch from each side before fastening off.

Next I double crocheted up the sides and round the base.

Then I sewed on a couple of wee pieces of velcro and a button on.

Finally I smiled and felt proud of myself. :-)

Megabus Journeys

2011-10-26T07:57:00.005+01:00

Perth-Megabus.com, a photo by scotrailm on Flickr.

Since starting uni in 2006 I've travelled up and down between England and Scotland countless times.

When I was a student, I used to always get the train. I enjoyed looking out of the window, listening to the accents change as the journey progressed and feeling the gradual temperature change (!).

Now that I actually have a salary, I choose to get the megabus. My friends think I'm more than a wee bit mental.

The thing is now that I have a job, my holiday time is precious. I don't want to spend two days of my holiday travelling. I'd rather get on the bus at night in London and wake up in Scotland the next day.

Yes I'm always a bit tired on the day I arrive but travelling at night means that I can make every day of my holiday count.

How to survive an overnight megabus journey

** Take a travel pillow
** Take your contact lenses out before the journey
** Don't drink too much fluid (the loo is a wee bit grim)
** Wear a comfy hoodie
** If travelling alone wait until towards the end to board so you can choose a skinny person to sit beside to maximise your space
** Yo save even more money use your clubcard vouchers to buy your tickets

What I Wore Wednesday: Speed Dressing

2011-10-19T17:54:00.001+01:00

Thanks to Transatlantic Blonde for the post inspiration.

You know that horrible feeling when you sit up bolt upright after some happy snoozing, and think oh-my-goodness-dearie-me I have no idea how many minutes have passed since my alarm went off?

Several rude words later, you're rushing around the flat flinging clothes on as fast as you can to try and avoid making yourself any later.

Sound familiar?

Well that's what happened to me this morning.

Anyway I flung on this outfit:

Dress - New Look Sale
Cardigan - Charity Shop (Zara)
Tights - M & S

I love wearing dresses - mainly because you don't have to then worry about matching skirt and top combinations. This is one of my favourites - it's one of the only ones that survived the black floral print dress cull I did a year or so ago.

Which faithful clothes do you own that you can throw on in a hurry and still feel reasonably dressed?

Freezer Bags

2011-10-11T20:07:00.012+01:00

Here's a quick mid-week tip that I wanted to share with the world. I learnt this from my mum, who in turn learnt it from my clever grandmother.

How to avoid hunting around for pegs to re-close your bags of frozen chips/peas etc

Step One: Cut a strip along the top of the bag to open it

Step Two: Use the strip to tie the bag closed again. You don't need to do it too tightly. It's pretty grippy.

See, isn't this genius? So simple yet so sensible. I bet you can't believe you never thought of this yourself.

Cheap Laughs

2011-10-09T20:06:00.000+01:00

Last night I went to Reading to go see this comedy gig. Best still we got tickets for it for just 1p + £1 booking fee. Total cost for two people = £2.02 + drinks. The normal ticket prices are £17 (a wee bit steep admittedly) But £2.02 is Amazing! I found this offer through Money Saving Expert and you simply type in the code when you book.

There are nine venues across the country including Edinburgh and Glasgow so I may go again when I'm in Scotland in half term. The offer is valid for the rest of the month so if you get the chance do do do do go!

Before the comedy, we went shopping and I bought myself a new dress in the Gap sale.

Then of course, given that I was wearing scruffy jeans I decided I wanted to wear it so I went to buy some new tights and New Look sale shoes.

I then changed outfits in the toilets of a bar before airing my new dress while consuming some lovely 2 for 1 cocktails.

Shopping, wearing a new outfit while drinking cocktails, then comedy - what a lovely sequence of events!

Better still, I was able to get changed back into my flats and scruffy jeans for the train ride home, so I ended the evening happy and comfortable. I highly recommend combining shopping for new outfits and going out in the same outing!

Lentil Dal

2011-10-04T20:37:00.000+01:00

I love this. It joins cauliflower cheese and chocolate buttons to make up my top three comfort foods of all time.

Inconveniently, Steve doesn't really like lentils so I don't make it very often. He's been away for a couple of nights so I've been making the most of it by batch cooking this (yes, I know, how to live life in the fast lane!).

Per portion (I usually make up to 4):

100g red lentils
1/2 tspn turmeric
Oil
1/2 tspn cumin seeds
1/2 onion, chopped
garlic clove, crushed
1 tspn chilli flakes
1 tspn coriander

Rinse the lentils in a sieve.
Put the lentils and turmeric in a pan with enough water to cover.
Bring to the boil then simmer for 25 minutes.

Meanwhile heat the oil, add the cumin seeds and cook for a few seconds before adding the onion and garlic.
Cook gently for 20 minutes.
Add the chilli flakes and coriander.
Cook for a further five minutes.
Mix the contents of both pans together.
Serve with naan bread.

Happy Days

2011-10-01T20:36:00.000+01:00

I've had a lovely time in the sunshine today: reading, chilling and lusting after those lovely student days spent pottering around Oxford. Steve's there this weekend and I'm more than a little jealous.

I've got so many happy memories from my three years in Oxford and I still get little pangs for my student days. I wouldn't want to be a student again; I had such a good time first time round, but I would love to re-live it all exactly as it happened.

You have absolutely countless opportunities when you're an undergrad in Oxford. There's always something going on and you're surrounded by beautiful buildings and interesting people.

Amongst these opportunities is access to the Bodleian Library. For those who don't know, it's a legal deposit library - that means it can request a free copy of every book copyrighted in the UK. For a while it every UK copyrighted book was stored there.

One afternoon in my first year, after a few cheeky afternoon beers, Steve and I decided we'd go and visit. Even though he was in his last year, he'd never been. Copies of all the science books you could ever want were in the Radcliffe Science Library.

We couldn't let him graduate without a visit.

We did it with style.

We giggled as we showed our library cards to the librarian.

We chased each other around, trying not to break into a run and draw attention to ourselves.

We had absolutely no idea where we were going.

Our aim was to find a copy of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle.

Never.

Going.

To.

Happen.

We "sssshhhhhhhed" each other really loudly whenever we "tiptoed" like elephants past students who were actually trying to work.

Do I feel bad that this was my only experience of the second biggest library in the UK? And that the only book I tried to borrow was for a joke?

Absolutely not.

I worked insanely hard at other points during my degree, but I'm glad I also spent the three years not taking life to seriously and having as much fun as I possibly could.

Pretty Presents

2011-09-26T21:21:00.000+01:00

I'm currently drinking tea out of one of my birthday tea cups that Steve bought for me and thinking about all the lovely cards and presents that I received last week.

I particularly loved the card below. It was from my mum and dad and the image on the front is the West Sands in St Andrews and is by Jennifer Thomson.

Becky gave me this super-cute hanging heart and coaster from one of my favourite St Andrews' shops Bonkers. She even made a gift tag too!

My mum made me this lovely turquoise jewellery, which even my boss admired last week :-). I'm guessing she got the beads and fastenings in this amazing shop in Perth.

I'm not a huge one for outfit posts, but Laura bought me this gorgeous top and Rhiannon bought me this lovely necklace. Today was a bit of a big day for me at work so I wore them and felt good!

My mum also crocheted this lovely wee gift bag which she filled with shiny stars, sweeties and my lovely jewellery. You're impressed right?

These are just some of the presents that I received from friends and family. I am a very lucky girl with lots of lovely people around me that know me very well!

Surprise!

2011-09-22T20:32:00.000+01:00

Yesterday was my birthday!

On Saturday Steve suggested we went to London to go round the Hunterian Museum. Its a display of all kinds of really old specimens: mainly in jars. A slightly odd way to spend an hour or so although it was fascinatingly odd.

Anyway after I'd arranged to meet up with my lovely friend Laura and her boyfriend Sam. In the pub loads of my friends started arriving too. Steve had secretly got in touch with everyone and arranged for us to all go here for dinner.

The evening was awesome. Reasons:

i) so honoured so many of my friends turned up at such short notice

ii) so excited that the restaurant had put out balloons for me

iii) so delighted that as we were the only people in the restaurant so Joe could put his cheesy iPod on

iv) so excited when the staff pushed the tables back so we could dance to "Greased Lightening"

v) so loved the food

Anyway. Go to Terra Restaurant, 53, Cleveland Street, W1R 4JJ. The staff could not be friendlier. The food is fabulous and prices are very reasonable (not much more than Pizza Express). You'll love it.

Introducing Mr Snuggly

2011-09-11T08:31:00.002+01:00

So I felt an unfamiliar feeling today...the feeling of being a just a wee bit chilly.

We're well into September now (time flies when you're having fun and all that) and I can just feel the last of the summer steadily, metaphorically slipping through my metaphorical fingers.

I'm a bit of a fair-weather girl. I like the feeling of sun on my skin and I way prefer summery clothes, so I always try and ignore the fact that Autumn is coming for as long as possible.

However this year, to celebrate the arrival of the colder weather I am going to introduce you to Mr Snuggly.

Mr Snuggly lives at my parents' house. He used to be a limp, anaemic cot duvet. He still lives on our sofa ready for those chilly winter evenings where you want to snuggle down and read or watch TV and not move for hours.

This year Mr Snuggly has received a makeover. My mum, my sister and myself all knitted squares to sew together. Then my neighbours got wind of this and decided to get involved too. Slowly but surely, Mr Snuggly changed from a slightly anaemic cot duvet to a funky, cosy and really cuddly gent.

And the coolest thing about him is that all the squares remind me of someone who helped with his makeover. Family, friends, neighbours got excited about knitting and helped to give him a face-lift.

I can't wait to go visit him (and my family) in October!

One Day

2011-09-04T21:43:00.001+01:00

David Nicholls One Day 2009

I read this for the first time a couple of years ago and absolutely loved it. The book totally captured my imagination and even made me shed a wee tear - something that very few novels manage.

Since the film has been released the country seems to have gone mad for the book. I decided to re-read it - something I don't do it very often. After weeks of searching in charity shops I still could not find it, yet everywhere everyone around me was reading it.

I finally succumbed to buying it off Amazon and devoured it over the weekend. I have to say it is one of the most emotionally gripping books I've read for a long time.

Given the huge amount of press the story is getting at the moment I'll not say much about the plot here. Just that it's a story about how the friendship between Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew develops over 20 years. It is witty, interesting, touching and just lovely.

Read it.

Incidentally I've decided not to go and see the film. Reviews have been mixed (Rotten Tomatoes = 37%) and I'm a little scared this may spoil my love for the book.

Have any of you been to see the film? What did you think?

Back to School

2011-08-30T15:04:00.000+01:00

I remember the feeling of going back to school in September. It was exciting. I loved the anticipation of what the new year would hold. I loved the new pencil case I was carrying in my rucksack and the neatly sharpened colouring pencils. I enjoyed catching up on everyone's holiday news and secretly rating everyone's new haircuts out of ten.

This September will be the first year I'll be going back to school as a grown up! I've got that same excited feeling now. This time I'm looking forward to getting to know my new class, getting involved in interesting school projects and being able to build on what I learnt last year.

I have had such a lovely summer holiday and I generally feel great about going back. I'm lucky that I am someone who genuinely loves my job. However a little part of me suspects that in a couple of weeks time, once the tiredness sets in, I'll be grumpy and willing for the next holiday to arrive...

Do you love your job? How do you keep your enthusiasm going even when you're not feeling so refreshed and raring to go?

Summer Holidays: Week Five

2011-08-30T08:23:00.000+01:00

Train. Paignton Zoo. Pie. Guest House. Steam Train. Ferry. Dartmouth. Beautiful. Bunting. Lots of it. Boat Trip. Totnes. Cool shops. Cream Tea. Salmon. Beach. Sea Swimming. Coastal Walk. Torquay. Sushi. Good Will Hunting. Exeter. Heritage Trail. Tapas. Live music. Cinema. Walk. More salmon. Dartmouth Castle. Dartmouth Regatta. Train. Fish and Chips. Red Wine. Sunday Roast. Perfection.

Summer Holidays: Week Four

2011-08-29T16:09:00.000+01:00

Lesson Planning. Pub Lunch. Chilling. West Hampstead. Rhiannon. Catch up. Bournemouth. Lovely University friends. Beach. Ice cream. Barbeque. Dancing on the beach. Amazing. Boat Trip. Sea swimming. Coach. Packing.

Things I Love Thursday: Homemade

2011-08-18T14:17:00.013+01:00

I've absolutely felt spoilt rotten recently with the amount of time I've had to chill and just do what I want to do. One day this week I went for a cheeky mid-week pub lunch and literally spent most of the day there. I love having time to do things like this...

....picking brambles from our local common then making apple and bramble crumble...

Blackberries, a photo by 0xDE on Flickr.

...baking it in my red and white spotty dish...

...making and eating homemade chicken soup...and lots of it...

...learning how to crochet...

...buying my new diary for 2011-2012...

...bring on the new school year!

I'm not quite sure who to thank for the idea of Things I Love Thursday but I first saw it over here at Thrifty Chick's place and loved it! Please do let me know if you know where this idea originated from!

Domestic Bliss

2011-08-16T09:09:00.000+01:00

I came home from my two weeks in Scotland. The fridge was full of lovely things. The "mini-bar" was stocked with my recently-discovered favourite Elderflower Cordial not to mention a bottle of Martini. The dishes were done. There was a bunch of bright pink carnations on the dining room table.

Some of the huge advantages of living with a boyfriend.

While I was growing up, I shared a room with my sister. It usually looked like this.

Chaos.

I loved it. I shared a room with Cat for more than 18 years. We gossiped, we chatted, we played silly games, we cried, we argued, we had endless fun.

Most of all it taught me how to share. It sounds silly but I think this made moving in with Steve so much easier. I was used to sharing my room and possessions with someone. I was used to taking in turns to use the mirror. For me, sharing is the default state.

I really think if I have kids myself I'd let them share a room. Especially if they're both girls. Sharing hair bobbles and kirby grips is an important life skill.

Summer Holidays: Week Three

2011-08-15T17:44:00.002+01:00

I love Peckham wall - v2 | 13.8.11, a photo by louise_a on Flickr.

Megabus. Power Nap. Pink Carnations. Crocheting. Elderflower Cordial. Riots. Glued to BBC News 24. 6 mile walk. Lesson Planning. Theatre Trip. Pygmalion. Amazing. Lesson Planning. Hyde Park. Picnic. Brick Lane. Curry. Lie In. Sunday Roast. Cherry Pie. Chicken Soup.

Pygmalion

2011-08-12T12:34:00.000+01:00

I finally made it to see Pygmalion on Thursday afternoon. I absolutely loved it!

It was the first time I've been to the theatre by myself. I felt so totally self-indulgent - a total lady of leisure! I'm not sure I'd go to the theatre alone again as I missed the "half-time' and "post-match" chat, but one of the huge advantages of going solo was that I got a fantastic last minute only three rows back from all the action.

The play tells the story of Eliza Doolittle, a cockney speaking flower-seller from Covent Gardens, and Henry Higgins, an egocentric phonetics expert. Higgins is convinced that in the matter of months he can turn Eliza into a well-poised upper-class lady.

The script itself is fantastic. George Bernard Shaw explores all kinds of aspects of morality, social-class divides and feminism. It's also funny, smart and I was totally enchanted (although I normally am in the theatre!).

Kara Tointon (Eastenders and Strictly Come Dancing) played Eliza and Rupert Everett (My Best Friend's Wedding) played Henry. I thought both were really convincing. Everett, in particular, did a great job of presenting Henry's blunt, brooding, egocentric characteristics while still convincing the audience to love him. Which I most definitely did.

Bucket List: Review

2011-08-10T11:01:00.001+01:00

Just over ten weeks ago I started working through a list of ten things that I wanted to do purely for myself. You can see the ten things here.

1. Make cupcakes - check.

2. Go and see Pygmalion - I didn't manage this but I have booked it for tomorrow!

3. Read 3 books - Yep. Here, here and here.

4. Make homemade thank you presents - Yes. And thank you cards.

5. Register for doing my dissertation. - Yes.

6. 1 month alcohol free - No. See my story here and here.

7. Frame nice photo of Steve and me - I didn't manage this one but I've eye-balled a photo.

8. Keep a spending diary - Yep, but this was boring and didn't reveal anything I didn't already know.

9. Walk to and from work for 1 week - Decided not to - 3 miles a day is already enough.

10. Finish making grey dress - Indeed!

So as you can see a mixed bag in terms of success rate. One thing I will say about this bucket list is that it did force me to have a go - or at least seriously contemplate having a go - at a lot of the stuff I've thought I'd wanted to for ages.

The fact that I ended up choosing not to do a couple of the bits on the bucket list is a good thing. It was supposed to be for enjoyment. Arguably the stuff I really wanted to do I'd have got round to doing anyway in my own time. The stuff I didn't get round to doing can't be that important to me after all.

So I'm still not sure how I feel about the worth of bucket lists, but I have had a lovely ten weeks!

How to Teach

2011-08-09T18:02:00.000+01:00

Phil Beadle How to Teach 2010

“Most schools have a ‘no eating in lessons’ rule. I’m not sure what I think of it. Personally, I wouldn’t give a toss if it were allowed and kids delved greedy hands into crisp packets this the hand other to that with which they write. Indeed learning styles experts, (now there’s an oxymoron for you) will tell you that these children have ‘intake needs’ and it will help them with their work if they are allowed to munch as they number crunch.” P13

I first read this book this time last year and found the advice Beadle gives to be invaluable for my first year of teaching. Given I’ve got an even trickier class this coming year I thought I’d give it another go to refresh my memory. Plus I really enjoyed it first time round.

This time I read all 200-odd pages on the train ride from London to Edinburgh. I was laughing out-loud to the point that the couple opposite me quizzed me about what I was reading. It’s not often a teaching manual makes you laugh out-loud.

Beadle has a real knack for breaking down exactly what makes him a good teacher and passing on his knowledge in a realistic, coherent, practical and light-hearted way.

If you are a teacher, thinking of going into teaching, or currently teacher training, read this.

Summer Holidays: Week Two

2011-08-08T16:33:00.005+01:00

candy break, a photo by pilgrim_lee on Flickr.

drawpilgrim.com

Long walk. Green and black cardigan. Glasgow. Lesson planning. West End charity shops. Amazing. Cat. Spritzers. Pub lunch. Bus. Cava. Gossip. Lie-in. Laura. Exciting news. Stand and Deliver. Dinner party. Girl's night in. Pizza. Sundaes. Haribo. Bride Wars. Rain. Family Come Dine With us. Waltzers. Curry. Megabus. 12 hours. Home.

Summer Holidays: Week One

2011-08-02T17:45:00.001+01:00

Cluedo, a photo by unloveablesteve on Flickr.

Train. Scotland. Dog walk. Beach. Three-course meal. Parents. Sister. Drive. Blair Atholl. Walk. Hens. Picnic. Walk. Amelia. Spaghetti Bolognaise. Ben Vrackie. Too hot to climb. The Hermitage. Another three-course meal. Bus. Glasgow. Riverside Museum. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Pizza. Beer. Ashton Lane. Byres Road charity shops. Scotland’s School Museum. Bus. Park. Dinner. Glenturret Distillery. Prize-winners. Courgette and chilli soup. Haggis. Neaps. Tatties. Tennis. Walk. Cluedo.

Life and Laughing

2011-08-01T17:41:00.000+01:00

Michael McIntyre Life & Laughing My Story 2010

“A child’s job is relatively simple. At breakfast-time your goal is to eat the sweetest option available, Frosties, Ricicles, Sugar Puffs, or ideally just a bowl of sugar with a sprinkle of sugar. If you’re leaving the house you want to leave it until the last possible minute when your mother reaches a certain decibel of helplessness.” P54

After giving up on two books in a row and feeling a little fed up with reading, my mum leant me Michael McIntyre’s autobiography and I devoured it within two days (largely due to a five hours spent on buses across Scotland). It’s great. It’s interesting because it mainly focuses on his life experiences from before he became really famous. It explores how his past has shaped his comedy career and it made me laugh lots. Always a plus.

I wonder about these celebrity autobiographies. How does a busy celebrity have time to write a full-length book? I hope Michael McIntyre did in fact write this one. I like the idea that he bought a new computer, desk and chair to help his creative juices flow. I think it is well-written and love the tone of voice (hopefully) he himself uses.

Have you read any decent autobiographies recently?

Things I Love Thursday: School's Out

2011-07-21T16:35:00.000+01:00

I'm not quite sure who to thank for the idea of Things I Love Thursday but I first saw it over here at Thrifty Chick's place and loved it! Please do let me know if you know where this idea originated from!

So to celebrate the end of term I'm going to spend a little time thinking about some of the things that have made me happy in the last week or so.

Giving out homemade thank you cards and presents at the end of term.

Discovering a new love for lemon curd on toast.

Finding time to make scotch pancakes.

Two hours of cross stitch and The Apprentice final.

Looking forward to almost 6 weeks of holiday!

School's Out (02) © Zara Dalrymple, a photo by Zara Flora on Flickr.

Unexpected Learning

2011-07-19T18:02:00.000+01:00

I'm coming towards the end of my first year of teaching now. I can't believe what a long way I've come. In September I was nervous just about standing in front of my class. Now I have had a really successful year where 30 ten-year-olds have made super progress and I've watched them all grow up into (mostly) mature young adults.

Below is just some of the unexpected learning I thought I'd share here.

Some "digital art" I produced to model ideas to the kids. I taught myself how to use Photoshop Elements and felt proud!

Light-hearted Tips for Newly Qualified Teachers

1. It is OK to hide some of your marking - if you are still at school at 6pm buried under heaps of workbooks and papers and provided you are sure the children would not benefit from feedback, it is definitely OK.

2. It is also OK to find this work 7 months later still unmarked. The children definitely won't benefit from feedback now!

3. It is OK to assume that a school trip involving taking 90 children on the tube is going to be stressful and exhausting.

4. It is OK to say that you don't know the answer.

5. It is OK to invent “quiet writing tests” for the odd Friday afternoon where you just want some peace and quiet and a cup of tea.

6. It is not OK to use this tactic more than once a year. Friday afternoon's should be fun!

7. It is not OK to assume that 10-year-old children will not need explicit instructions not to wipe their hands on each others school uniform after clay-modelling.

8. It is not OK to then assume that this oversight won't lose you parent popularity.

9. It is not OK to own up to not enjoying PE.

10. It is not OK to assume that you will know more than the children when it comes to teaching ICT. Even if you have spent a good 6 hours trying to work out how to use Photoshop Elements.

Finish Line

2011-07-17T08:01:00.010+01:00

Finish Line, a photo by jayneandd on Flickr.

This last couple of weeks I've been pretty tired out. For just over a week I have felt I actually need the summer holiday. At school I've been grumpy. I've not been teaching my best. At home I've been emotional and irrational. In short, I'm pretty exhausted and am struggling to power through until next Friday.

However last Friday I experienced a moment of complete elation...

I won the teachers' three-legged race!!

As a child, Sports Day was a moment I dreaded. I was the one that got the “Well Done” sticker for always coming last. I remember one year in particular walking round with three “Well Done” stickers. I felt so ashamed. I may has well have been wearing three dunce caps.

As a first-year teacher, I was also kind of dreading Sports Day. I was tired, the kids were off-the-scale excited and an afternoon of sports is never my cup of tea.

However, as usual, I threw myself into it – this time with lots of fake enthusiasm. I volunteered for the teachers' race and persuaded one of my other not-so-sporty colleagues to join me. And we one. Just through sheer determination and teamwork.

Honestly I haven't felt that excited for a long time. I was so elated!

And it sounds daft but it totally felt like a turning point...I'd just won my first ever 'competitive' sports event, I had just one more hour until the weekend and just five more working days until the holiday. Suddenly life didn't seem quite so bad!

Bucket List: Dressmaking

2011-07-11T18:05:00.000+01:00

During my obsession with black patterned dresses I began to turn charity shop clothes that I liked the patterns of into pretty dresses. I had never actually made a dress from scratch. I saw a pattern for a simple silk dress in this book that I found in a closing down sale in a local bookshop and thought I’d have a go at using an old curtain.

I thought this. I thought about this some more. And some more. And then I added it to my bucket list so I might actually get round to doing it.

It was always going to be a bit of an experiment.

Anyway one Monday evening I got home from work at a reasonable time, poured a glass of elderflower cordial, helped myself to a cupcake and got out my sewing machine and fabric.

I followed Eithne’s pattern to a tee. Then I discovered I’d sewed right side to wrong side on a couple of the seams so cut the seams and then re-started. I figured I’m quite a small person so just thought the dress would end up a little tighter.

I finished. I could not fit the dress over my bottom. Oops.

A couple of extra emergency panels later, a bit of extra hemming, a few stitches on the sleeves which I thought hung weirdly because of the stiffness of this fabric...

I’m not sure how successful this dress is. I don’t feel super-glam and “yeah-look-at-me-I-make-my-own-clothes-aren’t-I-awesome” in it, but for a first dress-making attempt I don’t think it’s too bad!

Bucket List: "Alcohol Free Month"

2011-07-06T14:35:00.004+01:00

Yesterday marked the end of my “alcohol free month”. Those of you who read this post will know that I’ve put this in inverted commas because it turned out to be an “alcohol free month” in a very loose sense.

I have however not drunk any alcohol on any school night this month. It wasn’t as if I usually drank a lot during the week but getting rid of the couple of glasses here and there has helped me to sleep better and I do feel fresher when I wake up for school at 6.30 every morning.

I’m glad I tried this bucket list item. It’s helped me discover a new passion for elderflower cordial.

I’m also glad I didn’t stick with this bucket list item. I enjoy relaxing with a cheeky bevy. The whole point of the bucket list was to do things that I’ve wanted to do for a while but haven’t got round to.

It turned out that I only thought I wanted to try giving up alcohol for a bit. I had to try it to find that out.

Every Little Helps

2011-07-03T15:30:00.000+01:00

After much careful consideration, I decided I felt I did need to strike on Thursday. In the end I felt so strongly that I needed to stick up for myself and other people in my profession and this was pretty much my only chance.

I have to clarify at this point. I do not believe that teachers’ pensions can continue as they are. I also understand, being at the beginning of my career, I can’t expect to get the same deal as a teacher who is about to retire in the next year or so.

The country’s situation means everyone does have to make sacrifices. I get that. I just think the sacrifices need to be more moderate. But Every Little Helps.

My class, along with most of the other classes in the school, were asked not to come in on Thursday. I was pleasantly surprised that parents were generally really supportive. Once I’d explained the issue to the pupils (in a balanced, offering- trade-unions’-and-Michael-Gove’s-point-of-view sort of way) they were also surprisingly understanding. Once they’d got over the excitement of getting a day off!

I felt strange all day. It was strange waking up and not having a job to go to. It was strange just before 9 o clock as school children started arriving at the school opposite my flat. However at least now I know I’ve had a chance to voice my opinion on the matter. But Every Little Helps.

Weight Loss

2011-07-01T15:53:00.000+01:00

I’m sure any girl would agree: the bigger your handbag the more things you seem to carry around.

I used to carry around a whole lot of excess junk around with me. Every so often I’d have a clear-out and find dirty tissues, crumpled unusable receipts, more Kirby grips and tampons than I ever thought I owned and crumbs. Lots and lots of crumbs.

Since the weather has been warmer it’s felt a bit wrong carting around a big, black handbag. Also, it can’t be good for us constantly carrying all this extra baggage on one shoulder. For a while now I’ve been thinking about downsizing and over the last few weeks, I’ve been hunting the charity shops for a smaller, lighter bag.

Last week I found this in my local Traid shop. I love this shop. There’s always really good stuff in there and at the moment every item is £3.

This week this is all I have carried round:

I feel lighter!

Vegetable Lasagne

2011-06-25T15:56:00.000+01:00

This is one of my favourite mid-week meals. It doesn't require many tricky-let's-plan-our-meals-in-advance-type ingredients. It's cheap. It's also very easy. Mainly because there's a bit of cheating involved. Shhhh!

Serves 2 hungry grown-ups

For cheese sauce:
Vegetable Oil/Butter (about 1 tablespoons worth)
Self-raising flour (by judgement!)
Milk (by judgement!)
Cheese (to taste)

For lasagne:

Dried lasagne sheets

Tin of ratatoiule (this is the cheat!)

Sweetcorn (I use frozen)

Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees C.

Heat the vegetable oil/butter in a pan. Mix in self-raising flour until you have made a ball or roux.

Gradaully add milk, stirring continuously to ensure no lumps start appearing. I often use a wee whisk to help the stirring along.

Once you have got a lovely, saucy consistency, take the sauce off the heat.

Cut the cheese into small cubes. Return the sauce to the heat and melt the cheese into the sauce. Keep stirring!

Once the cheese has all melted in turn off the heat.

Mix the ratatoiule and the sweetcorn. Layer the mixture with the lasagne sheets in an ovenproof dish.

Pour over the sauce and put in the oven for around 40 minutes.

Enjoy!!

Industrial Action

2011-06-23T07:29:00.001+01:00

Picture from www.atl.org.uk

My trade union balloted it's members and decided that strike action was necessary to send a message to the government that we don't want to pay more into our pensions only to receive less and later in life.

I feel very uncomfortable about doing this.

I spend a large proportion of my time at work emphasising to children how important their learning is and how they shouldn't be late or skive or miss a single minute of learning time. Yet on a day that I should be teaching them I will not turn up for work.

I chose to join the ATL because I didn't want to be involved in industrial action. In the 127 years of its existence it hasn't been involved in one strike. I felt that teachers, above all, have a responsibility to their pupils and that the nature of the job is to put the pupils' learning first.

I feel really uncomfortable about forcing parents to sort out alternative child care. It worries me that on the 30^th June, some children will be left unsupervised for the whole day while parents go to work and teachers go on strike. Most of all I feel really uncomfortable about giving the children the idea that their learning is not the most important thing.

Yet here I am, less than a year into my teaching career and I am faced with a situation where I have to choose between sticking up for myself and my colleagues or giving the children the day of teaching that they deserve.

Teaching is a huge privilege. In no other profession would you have the privilege of being responsible for the learning of 30 unique and dynamic individuals. I love my job, I want to go to work everyday.

However, when I am 68+ I will be ready for a rest. Once I'm too old to do the job I enjoy I will want to know that I can continue to have a good quality of life. I don't think any of my class will be wondering how their lives could have been different if only they had been taught on 30^th June 2011...

I'd love to know what you think about teachers striking.

The Hand That First Held Mine

2011-06-20T08:24:00.002+01:00


Maggie O'Farrell The hand that first held mine 2010

“And just as she was sure that this was the way her life would be for ever, that this was her, finally and immutably, something changed, just as it always does.” p248

The story begins with two sub-plots. One of a girl, just out of university, who moves from rural Devon to 1950s Soho to make a new, exciting, vibrant life for herself. The second of a young couple, who upon the arrival of their first child, are adjusting to their new lives in 21^st century London.

Throughout the book the reader tries to draw parallels between these two sub-plots, desperate to know how O’Farrell will weave these two plots together in the end.

The relationships between the characters and the journeys they undertake are so beautifully captured by O’Farrell’s realist style. I was moved. I was fascinated. I was captivated by desire to find out the characters’ secrets and to know how O’Farrell would resolve everything.

This is the third of Maggie O’Farrell’s books that I have read and, I have to say, this is my favourite.

Bucket List: Alcohol Free Month

2011-06-16T14:15:00.002+01:00

For those of you that know me, this bucket list item might seem a bit of a strange one. I enjoy a drink or two. Or five.

However for a couple of years now I’ve always said I’d like to give up for an extended period of time. Just to see what it was like.

Due to unfortunate booze-related circumstances earlier this year, one of my friends has given up drinking and he says he feels much better for it. After a rather heave hen party weekend, I decided now might be the time for me to try 1 month of no alcohol.

Yes, there’s various parties coming up. Yes, there’s the barbecues and the long summer evenings. But there’s never going to be a perfect time.

Also there were a lot of reasons to give it a go. Over the last few weeks I’ve felt pretty tired most of the time. I also haven’t been sleeping fantastically. I thought maybe giving up alcohol for a bit might help.

I started last Monday.

Monday to Thursday

No problems at all. “I can so do this. Elderflower cordial is great” Emma prematurely says to herself.

Friday

Steve brings home a bottle of lovely rosé wine. It’s chilled. It’s Friday evening. It’s been a busy week. Elderflower cordial just isn’t quite the same...

Emma begins to think that maybe this bucket list item wasn’t such a good idea. It is actually preventing her from enjoying life as much as she would otherwise and that most certainly was NOT the point of the bucket list.

However she resists and spends the evening sipping elderflower cordial before falling asleep in front of the TV.

Saturday

Emma returns from Thorpe Park, having spent most of the day thinking she was about to die on a roller coaster. She’s not dead. It’s Saturday night. Time to celebrate. Half bottle of rosé open in the fridge. Now in a wine glass in front of her. Amazing.

I enjoy a drink.

I think I did sleep slightly better this week so I’m going to continue not drinking during the week. But I work hard, my weekends are my time and I’m not going to deprive myself something I enjoy.

I tried my alcohol free month and decided I didn’t want to do it.

Now I know.

Emmaxx

Bucket List: Cupcakes

2011-06-14T14:07:00.001+01:00

As part of the hen weekend I went on at half term we booked a cupcake workshop! I loved it and would totally recommend.

Here are my efforts

For most of the Sunday, I carried them carefully round Bath with me with the intention of eating them back at home. However it started to pour with rain so I decided that the best bet was for me and Steve just to eat them before they went soggy. So we stood at the side of the road in the rain and stuffed our face and got butter icing on our noses.

Never mind kissing in the rain, turns out eating cupcakes in the rain is an under-rated activity.

Emmaxx

Theme Park Thrills

2011-06-13T08:59:00.005+01:00

I’m not a huge fan of scary rides. I’m not very brave. I don’t really like being upside-down.

On Saturday, Steve had organised for a gang of us to spend the day at Thorpe Park. I looked at the rides on the internet before we went. And there were pretty much none I fancied.

Was I just going to go along and wait in queues with my friends then quickly exit before getting on the rides? Was I going to have to nod and smile as they recounted adrenaline-fuelled stories from various horrendous roller-coasters that they’d been brave enough to go on?

No.

I was going to try them out too.

I had a fabulous time. Although I’m not going to lie, I spent most of the day absolutely terrified and on more than one occasion I was convinced I was going to die.

My face in this picture pretty much captures how I looked for the entire day!

I’m still not a huge fan of scary rides. I’m still not very brave. I still don’t really like being upside-down. But I did really enjoy myself and I’m not really sure why! I guess being scared is kind of exciting!

I was so absorbed by the whole scary ride thing that when we passed Wembley on our way home I couldn’t stop thinking about what a terrifying rollercoaster it would make.

Emmaxx

Ten Things

2011-06-12T09:44:00.001+01:00

Here is my ten week bucket list!

1. Make cupcakes

2. Go and see Pygmalion

3. Read 3 books

4. Make homemade thank you presents

5. Register for doing my dissertation

6. 1 month alcohol free

7. Frame nice photo of Steve and me

8. Keep a spending diary

9. Walk to and from work for 1 week

10. Finish making grey dress

Emmaxx

Bucket List

2011-06-10T17:55:00.007+01:00

"A list of things to do before you die. Comes from the term "kicked the bucket". Thank you Urban Dictionary.

These lists seem to be everywhere.

101 things to do in 1001 days

43 things

13453645 things to do before you die

You get the picture.

bucket and spades, a photo by Jon Evans on Flickr.

I like bucket lists. I like lists. I would go as far as to say that I couldn't do my job without making lists.
I get excited by ticking things off. So much so that I am that girl who writes stuff on a to-do list just so she can tick stuff off.

Cat came to stay for Half Term and brought her new bucket list with her. She has a four month university holiday and wants to make the most of it. She wants to be able to show at the end of the four months that she's had a good time and done loads of cool things.

I got really excited about her list so have decided to start my own. My reasoning is kind of different.

I work hard. My weekends are usually booked up weeks in advance yet I always have wee things I want to do or try out that I never get round to. I've made a list of ten things I want to do just for me. Not for my job. Not for any particular sensible reason. Just for because I want to.

And just to add a bit of pressure I'm giving myself a ten week time slot to do it all ten things...

Emmaxx

Half Term (First Half)

2011-06-02T16:50:00.000+01:00

Half term is well and truely happening! Here's what has happened so far...

Cat arrived from Scotland - 5 hours late due to silly train delays but she made it!

We went to IKEA and sat on a red and white spotty sofa.

We dyed my hair (this is the first time I've ever done this so it was very exciting!).

We played some silly games.

We posed our way around Camden.

We went museum hopping around South Kensington. Here is Cat and the V & A.

It's been such a fabby few days!

Emmaxx

Yo Picasso

2011-05-29T12:36:00.005+01:00

At work this week we have spent the week doing art. On Monday we had an artist in to work with the kids. He dressed up as Picasso and took us through Picasso's life and works. Everyone then had a go at producing their own Picasso-inspired art.

One thing that really struck me was this quote from Picasso the man himself:

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up."

I think that the work that the kids produced for our gallery in just four days illustrates the first bit of the quote perfectly.

Their efforts, both in terms of quantity and quality, were awesome. It made me wonder why as adults we struggle so much with being creative - at some stage in our life all of us must have been willing to pick up a paint brush and just have a go...

Why do so many grown-ups not feel inclined to be creative? Is it a lack of time? Is it a fear of not being successful? Is it a lack of motivation?

I really enjoyed just having a go at painting this week. I was given a bit of time where I wasn't teaching. I didn't need to justify the fact that I was spending a chunk of my day taking part in an activity that had no obvious gain.

I wasn't scared of not being successful because I knew that the kids just liked the fact that the teacher was joining in with their activity. They weren't judging the end-product.

I had fun. I was an artist. But I won't be uploading my attempt for the "grown-up world"
to see.

Emmaxx

Apple Crumble

2011-05-27T18:46:00.002+01:00

I don't normally bother with pudding but I love this.

Serves 4

2 apples skinned and finely sliced
75g plain flour
75g porridge oats
75g caster sugar
75g butter cubed
2 dessert spoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon

Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees C.

Arrange the apples in a red and white spotty ovenproof dish.

Mix the flour, oats, caster sugar and butter (NB weights are only rough, I never weigh, I just guess and it usually turns out fine :-P).

If it is difficult to mix in the butter, sling the whole lot in the microwave for a minute, then stir again.

Spoon the mixture over the apples and spread evenly to the edge of the red and white spotty ovenproof dish.

Sprinkle over brown sugar and cinnamon.

Place in the oven for half an hour.

Before you spoon over the crumble, you can add any other fruits. I like apricot and raisins.

Serve with icecream or custard.

Enjoy.

Emmaxx

Sunday Smiles

2011-05-22T21:56:00.000+01:00

I'm going to give blogging another go. I've kind of been thinking about coming back to it for a wee while. So here I am. Giving it another go.

Recently I've had a string of wonderful weekends and this one has been no exception.

Here are some of the things I got up to:

Partying at Joe's - catching up with friends and having a good old chat in the pub beforehand.
Wine tasting at Vinopolis - this was really fun. Steve and I also did the champagne tasting which was ah-maze-zing.
Partying at Dom's birthday - fun night pub night then house party. Highlights from this included getting to try on a merman's outfit (thankfully no photos were taken!).
Buying myself a red and white spotty dish, making and eating apple crumble.

Hope you have had a good weekend too.

Emmaxx

Wardrobe Malfunction

2010-09-05T19:44:00.000+01:00

OK so I've kind of failed on the the whole capsule wardrobe challenge. I've just had to expand it.

Only by 1 item.

But nevertheless.

I didn't put these in to my capsule closet because I was trying to wear more smart clothes but I just couldn't manage to live without these:

Since Wednesday I've been walking 3 miles and back to school and there's just no way that any of my other shoes were comfortable enough.

And I kind of found that I've enjoyed being comfy so I've actually worn them quite a bit.

So yeah, sorry Gok, 25 key pieces is it.

Stay tuned for my catching up with my outfit posts!

Emmaxx

Bank Holiday

2010-09-01T20:26:00.000+01:00

Now I remember how easily I managed to neglect my blog for such a long time.

After one day back at school I'm already two days behind with my outfit posts and starting to struggle with the capsule wardrobe challenge.

Monday was spent wandering around Windsor in the beautiful sunshine.

Lovely.

I wore:

Black Pumps
Black Skinny Jeans
Black T-Shirt
Grey Cardigan
Blue and Red Scarf
Black Leather Handbag

Emmaxx

Sunday Roast

2010-08-31T17:38:00.001+01:00

Hello Dear Readers!

I had a lovely bank holiday weekend. After going out on Saturday night, Sunday was spent having a lovely walk around here.

This was followed by...

themostamazingSundaylunchever.

It was lovely and made me want to smile constantly for the whole of the 24-hour period that followed it's consumption.

I wore:

OK so I wore a repeat outfit :-S. I'm getting far toooo lazy. I really need to go back to work now!

But it was practical and comfortable for a nice Sunday walk.

Black Skinny Jeans
Turquoise Vest Top
Pink Cardigan
Black Pumps

Emmaxx

P. S. Bank holiday outfit to follow soon.

Clutch It

2010-08-29T21:31:00.000+01:00

Day 9 of the capsule wardrobe challenge. I've been wearing a lot of casual outfits recently and have spent a bit too long in my black skinny jeans and black pumps.

Well not yesterday!

I went out in London to a couple of bars near Covent Garden and had a lovely time wearing this outfit from my capsule closet.

I wore:

Black T-Shirt
Black Double-breasted Belted Jacket
Blue Mini-Skirt
Blue and Red Sequined Belt
Black Sequined Clutch
Red Heels

Excuse me I would have cropped out the random plug and laundry basket but I wanted to leave my red heels in the picture!

I think this is my favourite capsule closet outfit so far :-).

Emmaxx

Knit Wit

2010-08-28T13:00:00.001+01:00

Yesterday I went into school to start getting myself psyched for the beginning of term.

I also went for a big, long walk (around 6 miles) and ate two bowls of porridge. As you do.

Another casual outfit today...

I wore:

Black Pumps
Black Skinny Jeans
Black T-Shirt
Purple Gilet

I'd like to take this opportunity to just emphasise how cool my purple gilet is. It was handmade by the lovely Cat (pictured below knitting last winter on the underground).

I love the fact that it's been made especially for me with lots of time, love and care.

Emmaxx

PS I'm not such a good knitter but I'm really proud that I made this phone sock...

...so wanted to show it off!

Dress Circle

2010-08-27T17:03:00.000+01:00

Last night I went to see Les Mis. We had seats in the dress circle right at the side.

I was totally captivated and pretty much spent the entire time leaning over and druelling over the balcony rail at how amazing it all was.

I also may have shed a tear or two so for those who were in the stalls beneath me, I apologise.

(Image from here)

Honestly, it was...amazing. If you get the chance...go!

I wore:

Pink Dress
Black Heels
Black Leather Handbag

Emmaxx

Lazy Days

2010-08-26T11:48:00.006+01:00

I had such a lovely lazy day yesterday.

Pub lunching.

Planning.

Eating pizza.

Playing my purple ukulele.

Solving 1-side of a Rubiks cube.

I feel sooooo relaxed and lazy.

I wore:

Black Skinny Jeans
Turquoise Vest Top
Pink Cardigan
Black Pumps

I think I'm enjoying the holidays a bit too much!

Emmaxx

In the Pink

2010-08-24T21:09:00.000+01:00

Had a very chilled out day today.

Drank a lot of tea.

Planned a lot of lessons.

The calm before the storm.

I wore:

Floral Top
Black T-Shirt
Blue Mini-Skirt

Comfortable and chic (-ish).

Emmaxx

Wolf Whistle

2010-08-23T20:14:00.000+01:00

Day 4 of the capsule wardrobe challenge and I'm really enjoying myself.

I've noticed one of the convenient bi-products of my capsule wardrobe is that I have gained a new piece of furniture.

Normally this armchair doesn't see the light of day because it is simply covered in by various black patterned dresses, but having 24 pieces has accidentally and suddenly made me tidy and organised. Score.

Also, today, my capsule wardrobe gained me a wolf whistle! While this is not particularly exciting in itself, I am reading it as a "yes even though you are not wearing a black patterned dress teoday, I have still noticed you" kind of wolf whistle. Score.

I wore:

Blue Mini-skirt
Turquoise Vest Top
Black Double-breasted Belted Jacket
Black Pumps
Black Leather Handbag
Black Leather Belt
Blue and Red Scarf

That's 7 pieces out of a possible 24, so almost a third of my wardrobe!

Emmaxx

Hello Man Shirt

2010-08-22T17:08:00.000+01:00

Having a very relaxed day today. I went for a nice wee walk this morning and have had lots of cups of tea and iced buns which always makes me happy.

I also wore my new man shirt out in public!

Today I wore:

Black Skinny Jeans
White and Grey Striped Man Shirt
Black Pumps
Black Leather Handbag
Black Leather Belt

I felt very sophisticated and stylish today, but I'm thinking I should try moving away from my black skinny jeans and pumps tomorrow!

What do you think?

Emmaxx

People Watching

2010-08-22T14:15:00.000+01:00

Yesterday was Day 2 of the capsule wardrobe challenge. Steve and I went to the Who am I? exhibition at the Science Museum.

We also had a lovely time wondering about Kensington looking at all the rich and fashionable people and what they were wearing.

I have to confess I saw lots of expensive-looking investment items and not very many black patterned dresses!

I wore:

Black Skinny Jeans
Turquoise Vest Top
Blue And Red Scarf
Black Pumps
Black Leather Handbag

Emmaxx

Casual in Camden

2010-08-21T20:27:00.013+01:00

Yesterday Steve and I went shopping in Camden AND Oxford Street where I bought my manshirt and scarf.

I also counted it as Day 1 of 30 in my capsule wardrobe challenge.

I wore:

Black Skinny Jeans
Black T-Shirt
Blue And Red Sequined Belt
Black Pumps
Black Leather Handbag

A very successful Day 1 of the capsule wardrobe challenge!

Emmaxx

Wardrobe Workout

2010-08-21T18:58:00.001+01:00

After a bit of lively discussion with my fashion advisors and a bit of wardrobe assessment I have put together my capsule wardrobe.

I've used mainly pieces that I already had, just to test the idea, and if I succeed in the capsule closet challenge I can then treat myself to a few key investment pieces.

1. Black Skinny Jeans - Cherokee @ Tesco ages ago - around £15
I bought them for working in the guest house. I turn up the bottoms because I'm petite.

2. Tailored Black Trousers - New Look

3. Blue Mini-Skirt - Bay ages ago - around £4 in the sale

4. Black Pencil Skirt - hand-me-down

5. Satin Black and White Pencil Skirt - altered from a pair of over-sized trousers I found in a charity shop

6. Black and Pink Flowery Dress - altered from an oversized skirt I found in a charity shop. OK so it's a black patterned dress - but it is the only one I'm allowing myself to put in my capsule wardrobe.

7. Pink Dress - Next - a present - I don't wear this dress often but it really is beautiful so by putting it in my capsule wardrobe I'm planning to give it more outings.

8. Floral Top - Oasis - a present

9. Pink Cardigan - Marks and Spencer - a present

10. Purple Gilet - handmade by my wonderful sister and fashionista Cat

11. Grey Cardigan - hand-me-down

12. Grey Fitted Jacket - Charity Shop - £5

13. Black Double-breasted Belted Jacket - New Look

14. Turquoise Vest Top - Next ages ago

15. Black T-Shirt - Tammy ages ago

16. White and Grey Striped Man Shirt - John Rocha @ Debenhams - £17 in the sale. This was Laura's suggestion and after trying on one of Steve's shirts I insisted that he helped me buy one of my own. This is one of two new items I've bought for the challenge.

17. Black Pumps - Florence and Fred @ Tesco - £5

18. Red Heels - Charity Shop (never been worn) - £5

19. Black Heels - Charity Shop (never been worn) - £5

20. Black Leather Handbag - Debenhams - a present

21. Black Sequined Clutch - Accessorize - a present

22. Black Leather Belt - on semi-permanent loan from Cat (thank you!)

23. Blue and Red Sequined Belt - a present

24. Blue and Red Scarf - Tie Rack - £3.99 in the sale. This is the other new item I've bought for the challenge.

So that's it.

That's the lot.

And I realise that my capsule wardrobe contains red and pink and that's probably not cool but I like these clothes.

So tough.

Bring on the fashion police...

Emmaxx

Fashion Fix

2010-08-21T09:00:00.000+01:00

OK so once I decided that my wardrobe needed a wee bit of a re-think I consulted a few people who I thought might be able to help.

Cat - one of the most well-dressed people I know.

Steve - has a habit of picking out things that really suit me that I would never look twice at on the hanger (basically because they're not black patterned dresses).

Laura - another of the most well-dressed people I know.

So we chatted a bit and in particular discussed what we thought about Gok Wan's capsule wardrobes. I like the idea of having fewer, carefully selected items in my wardrobe so I have decided to put together my own.

So for the next month I am going to be living in my new 24 piece capsule wardrobe...

I hope you're all excited!

Emmaxx

Pretty Patterns

2010-08-20T19:29:00.005+01:00

One of my life developments since finishing my finals has been that I have become totally and utterly obsessed with black patterned dresses.

It all began when I made this dress from an oversized skirt that I bought from a charity shop.

It's been so useful to wear with tights and boots in winter and bare legs in summer.

And wearing a dress means that you don't have to think about matching tops and bottoms.

So then I bought some more black patterned dresses.

And then I made some more.

Until everywhere I went I was wearing a black patterned dress.

And everywhere I went all I could think about was wearing black patterned dresses.

And in every shop I went into I couldn't buy anything except another black patterned dress.

But life was good...

...until one of my 5 year old pupils came running up to me and exclaimed those fateful words...

Miss M, Miss M, you're wearing another black patterned dress today!"

Time to re-assess my wardrobe...

Emmaxx

Big Break

2010-08-20T18:10:00.001+01:00

Wow! This has to be the biggest blogging break known to blogkind.

As Joe pointed out to me in a facebook message:

I love how all your blog updates were done while you had exams :P

And he's right, once I finished revising for my finals I didn't want to be at a desk or in front of a computer for a very, very long time.

So blogging didn't happen for a few weeks.

Then weeks turned to months.

Then months turned to years.

But now thanks to my genius friend Laura I have some new blogging material.

Stay tuned...

Emmaxx

Final Countdown

2009-06-03T20:19:00.006+01:00

Hello Blogosphere...

I've been rather busy doing crazy amounts of revision but it definitely paid off as I came out of my first final this morning feeling like I did the best I possibly could have done.

The weather is totally amazing here in Oxford and it's really making me feel really chirpy. Having all this revision to do should be making me feel miserable but actually I am happy, happy, happy, happy, happy.

I thought...

(and I hope she doesn't mind spreading the happiness around)

...I'd do a Lauren-style happy post like this one or this one or this one. You get the idea right? Go check out Lauren's blog, it is guaranteed to put a super-size smile on your face.

...so...

What's Emma happy about?

1. The amazing weather and the fact that I can revise in the sun...

See that watch strap mark? Tell me that is not the most exciting thing you've seen this week

2. The fact that some of my friends have already finished their exams...

I'm feel so proud of them, I totally can't wait for it to be my turn. I can almost taste freedom!

3. All the beautiful good luck cards I've received...

Thank you! It's so nice to know I've got so many people rooting for me. I feel so loved!

4. This one specific "good luck" card that Cat sent me...

Just to clarify, divorce is NOT funny, but the fact that this card exists makes me chuckle so very much. Also the look of confusion on my face when I received it would have made any one giggle.

5. Revision treats...

I like food. Enough said.

6. Fabulous awards from lovely, generous bloggers like the girl in stiletto...

Go have a wee nosey over at her blog it's brilliant.

7. The fact that I have one week...until the beginning of life after finals.

What are you happy about?

Emmaxx

Spot the Difference

2009-05-12T20:42:00.003+01:00

In amongst the revision I've started to get pretty nostalgic about my degree and how much I've grown up since I started uni and all that.

Also in amongst the revision I managed to go to Hilda's College Ball last Saturday. Basically just a bit of an over-elaborate drinking session but great fun.

Anyway so photos such as the one above are currently circulating round Facebook, providing me with endless procrastination opportunities. This is when I found the following photograph from Hilda's Ball 2008...

So although it doesn't help that I recycled the dress and am standing between the same people, I certainly don't seem to have changed at all in this last year.

But worse than this...check these out....

This one is from Saturday night. And before you ask, I wouldn't normally play on a quiz machine at a ball but as St Hilda's has the cheapest ball in Oxford by 1am we did feel the need to turn to the quiz machine for entertainment.

This one is from the last night of my first year - so June 2007.

Spot the difference!

Has my Oxford degree actually made me a more rounded, sophisticated, mature person at all?

Judging by these quiz machine photographs I'm starting to think that maybe it is about time I moved on.

How many years would my degree have to be before photos like the one above became a thing of the past?

I don't even want to think how many 50p pieces I've fed that machine.

Emmaxx

Crazy Eights

2009-05-07T14:13:00.001+01:00

I got tagged a wee while ago by the girl in stiletto and this looks like fun so here goes...

Eight things I'm looking forward to...
1. Holiday in Croatia
2. Hilda's Ball
3. Summer without having to use my brain
4. Going to bed
5. Teacher training
6. Finally having an income
7. 21st Birthday
8. Finishing finals

Eight things I did yesterday...
1. Spent the evening in my dressing gown
2. Made lists!
3. Phoned home
4. Drank tea
5. Drank even more tea and ate cake
6. Ate porridge for breakfast
7. Watched Waterloo Road
8. Watched The Apprentice

Eight things I wish I could do...
1. Worry less
2. Have a photographic memory
3. Be better at sports (or at least have some hand-eye co-ordination)
4. Have a longer concentration span
5. Get paid to revise
6. Get up when my alarm goes off without pressing snooze a gazillion times
7. Have an unlimited supply of tea and cake
8. Learn how to wear make-up properly like a sophisticated grown-up woman

Eight shows I watch...
1. Eastenders
2. Waterloo Road - love it
3. The Apprentice
...that's about all I've got time for really!

Eight wonderful blogger friends I tag...
...well I feel like I've done quite a lot of tagging recently so feel free to tag yourselves if you're looking for blog material - comment and let me know so I can see your Crazy Eights!

The girl in stiletto was also kind enough to pass on this fabby friendship award to me :-).

I'd like to pass this award onto anyone who's new to my blog and wants to be bloggy friends!

Emmaxx

Lots of Thanks

2009-05-04T18:01:00.000+01:00

I took on board your advice and tips from this post.

I've made lists.

Lots of lists.

On red paper to make them stand out.

And now I'm slowly ticking things off one-by-one.

And drinking tea.

Lots of tea.

And treating myself to pastries every once in a while.

And so far it's working.

I'm managing to remain a happy reviser, so thank you all :-).

Emmaxx

Telling Tales

2009-04-29T21:08:00.000+01:00

Happy Birthday Becky!

Yep it's my wee sister's birthday today. Unlike in this photo...

...ahem, yeah so, about those birthday badges...

So strictly speaking it wasn't any of our birthdays on 31st March, but seeing as the Disney holiday was sort of a 21st present for me and an 18th present for Cat and a 9th present for Becky, we, along with some lovely Disney employee, figured it was alright.

Afterall we were all celebrating a birthday this year.

To everyone who wished any of us a happy birthday on 31st March 2009,

I love that you are such a trusting person that you believed all of us (who you must have been able to guess were sisters) shared the same birthday. How naive and un-questioning you must be for it not to have even crossed your mind that us three genuine-looking girls might not be telling the exact truth.

I am sorry to have deceived you but I'd like you to know that Becky, Cat and I had a lot of fun on our "birthday" and it was all thanks to sweet, naive, gullible, trusting people like yourself. Well that and the free puddings we got given as "birthday" presents.

Yours untruthfully,

Emma

I know, I know. I am a bad person.

But it is so fun to misbehave from time to time!

Emmaxx

Rote Learning

2009-04-27T08:31:00.004+01:00

Finals revision is now well under way and so far I think it's going alright.

There's got to be something ironic about the fact that I spent yesterday learning about rote learning for my Education and Psychology module.

Anyhoo, I thought I'd ask for tips to help to keep me motivated over the next few weeks? Any ideas? What do you do to keep yourself motivated?

Emmaxx

Safety Hazard

2009-04-15T15:39:00.005+01:00

So last week I used my blog as a medium for sharing Cat's most embarrassing moment from the holiday, it's only fair that I share mine...

So I decided to try and be the "cool" big sister and accompany Becky in "Ariel's Grotto" - an interactive children's water play area for under 5s. I know she's not under 5 but that just made me think the decision was even better. After all, everyone loves a good act of rebellion.

I started to get way too excited about dodging water fountains...

...so I decided to see if I could run through them without getting soaked (Yes I am 20 years old, yes I sometimes forget to be sensible).

Next a wee mis-judgement about the slippiness sent me to the ground.

My pride was crushed as I realised that I'd never fulfil my role as "cool" and rebellious older sister who gate-crashes under 5s' playparks.

I got up, hoping to goodness that my audience might be laughing with me.

Alas, no.

Some disapproving looks, some just trying to avoid eye-contact.

I am officially uncool.

And worse still, shortly after I slipped they actually switched the water off.

I actually think I may have been deemed a safety hazard. How many other people can say that?

Emmaxx

Lemonade Award

2009-04-11T15:40:00.006+01:00

I am very honoured and excited to have received the Lemonade Award from the Girl in Stiletto.

Thank you so much!

There's that saying: "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade", I'm guessing the award is inspired by that because it's meant for bloggers who show either a great attitude or gratitude.

I'm passing the award onto the following 10 individuals who I believe let their wonderful attitudes to life shine through in their blogging:

Nilsa
Daisy Chain
Sharon Rose
Emmie
Chell
pj
Sarcastically Bitter
Jess
Lauren
the tea drinking english rose

Happy Easter everyone :-).

Emmaxx

Over in a Flash

2009-04-09T21:58:00.003+01:00

As y'all know I've been visiting these guys in Florida...

...and as y'all can imagine it was absolutely awesome.

Anyway have been back a few days now and am back to the Finals revision. It all seems like an over-elaborate dream now but I'm going to re-count some of the bits that are worth sharing on this here blog.

One of the things that really struck me about Disney World was the amazing helpfulness of all the people that work there. I promise you to stand around loooking at the guide map for more than 30 seconds without some lovely, friendly "cast member" asking if they can help you to find anything.

But not in a pushy way.

In a really nice, friendly, helpful, smiley way.

But it wasn't just Disney employees that were friendly and polite...it might just have been the magical Disney atmosphere but everyone was awesome. Everyday at least one family heard our accents and asked where we were from and introduced themselves.

Parents spoke politely to their kids.

Everyone was smiley and happy.

Everyone treated each other with respect despite it being really crowded at times and said "that's a pleasure" in response to a "thank you".

Even when... my sister's bikini came unattached from her body on one of the water slides (hahahahaha by the way), the most extreme response (of genuine shock) was "Oh my goodness that women's top's come off!".

Despite the fact that me and the rest of my family (looking nice and smiley, happy, polite and friendly below) all spent a good 20 minutes making sarcastic comments and taking the mickey (no pun intended) out of her, everyone else of the large number of people who saw stayed composed and acted in a polite and respectful way.

There is no way if this had happened in the UK that there wouldn't have been wolf-whistles and choruses of "get your tits out for the lads". So what was it, was it the magical Disney atmosphere that made people behave so well? Are Americans just more polite? Or just more accustomed to seeing girls accidentally flash on water slides?

Emmaxx

PS Sorry Cat, but it made me laugh so it's definitely blog-worthy!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

2009-03-26T22:05:00.000Z

I'm off to Disney World (!!!!), so I'll be out of the blog-loop for a wee while.

Have a lovely week everyone!

Emmaxx