Newest pondering:
IF Jesus lived now days would he have had fillings, as he was human, or would he have maintained his body perfectly??You could spend your whole life being very busy looking after yourself perfectly, and you'd have very little time for anyone else....
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Happy Christmas 2013
Looking at her handy work.
Smelling it?
Happy Christmas. God is Love.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Team Ambition
Last night was my work Christmas do. It was fun, but I left at 8pm when the last 7 started dancing and being so drunk that when they weren't dancing they were happy to sit in a chair staring into space. It was great to start making new friends at work as I have been pretty lonely there for a while. I learnt a lot about my new team mates, and what impressed me was some of their life dreams. Ones' was to cycle around the world! He even had a plan on how to do it. Another was into extreme sports, which got me thinking, 'well, I'd quite like to do a skydive if the chance ever presented itself'. And that's where my mistake lies. How is this chance ever going to present itself (to be fair I'm not sure I could actually go through with this) but if you don't seek it out, adventures rarely fall in your lap.
If I want to be the sort of person who has a tea pot, I've gotta go out and buy it!!! New years resolution, buy a teapot. That's genuine. However, I also really want to build a family home out of storage contains, or an old bus. How do I start that happening?
If I want to be the sort of person who has a tea pot, I've gotta go out and buy it!!! New years resolution, buy a teapot. That's genuine. However, I also really want to build a family home out of storage contains, or an old bus. How do I start that happening?
If you want a Happyland empire, you got get it out the box and build it! (and if you're really creative throw in a box of passata for an abstract element).
26/52 Happy? I CAN create an adventure next year.
Monday, December 16, 2013
The 13 sins of Starbucks
1. Starbucks wakes up and emanates the most annoying sound known to man from her cot. Its a cross between deep breathing and a car with a broken exhaust sound, she makes it continually without break until she sees someone. She gets collected from her cot with a warm greeting and deposited into our bed with the hope that one day she will lay there and go back to sleep for a few hours. snug.
2. After 30 seconds laying there Starbucks begins shouting. Its probably not shouting, but when you've not heard anything for 8 hours, its definitely louder than anything you want to hear. 'Mummy, mummy, daddy' accompanied by pointing labelling you.
3. After having had it reaffirmed that no-one name has changed over night she stands up unsteadily on the pillows and begins looking at the books on the shelf above our head. She grabs one, but its so heavy it falls from her grip and hits Xss on the head. aahh! (we remain laying down as long as possible to maximise energy savings settings).
4. Starbucks finds this new reaction funny and continues to make her own 'aahh!' noise. She drops another book onto our pillows while shouting 'aahh' in a hope that we will also make the noise again. Time to get out of the danger zone, thus forced to get up
5. On entering the kitchen Starbucks pushes the chair over to her highchair and climbs in (a handy new trick). She then spends a while thinking about what cereal she wants while the wheatabix or corn flakes are placed in front of her. She points to the wheatabix box but then makes a loud shouting noise when you try to get it out. She wants corn flakes. I apologise and try to serve her corn flakes, to which she shouts, 'NO'. She wants Wheatabix but not for me to touch the packet.
6. I try to allow her to get it out, but there's A LOT of pressure in those small fingers and all she does is chip the wheatabix into crumbs that proceed to get stuck over her PJ's. (they don't wash out either for some reason).
7. She then wont let me put her bib on. i remove her breakfast from reach and a stand off ensues, before she calmly agrees to let me put it on after all.
8. I give her a cup of water, which she puts her spoon in to stir. She then begins to try to drink it using her spoon and it spills over her chair. I have to dry everything off with a cloth.
9. She finishes eating her cereal and begins drinking the milk from the bowl. However the only part of this she has mastered is putting the bowl to her mouth height. She pours the milky wheatabix cement down her front, the chair and the floor/wall. She is satisfied that she has done an adult thing and smiles.
10. As i bend down under the table to wipe this all up she patronisingly pats me on the head. Wheatabix hair, a great look I'm beginning to perfect for work.
11. I take Starbucks to the bathroom to wash her hands and do her teeth. She stands on the table next to the sink and labels the toothbrushes, 'mummy, dadddy'. She chooses her own and demands paste and water on it. I do mine at the same time to save time. As i spit into the bowl Starbucks stops brushing and pokes at my spit with her finger. I tell her not to.
12. So she does it again and then hurriedly eats it.
13. I promptly wash the spit away and continue. As i try to continue spitting out toothpaste and stopping Starbucks from touching it i accidentally spit on her head as she leans into the way.
I continue to try to sound chirpy, but she's only been awake 20 minutes.
25/52 Happy? More often than not, I don't care about all these things happening to me. Just go with it. It's only going to get worse when/if we have more.
2. After 30 seconds laying there Starbucks begins shouting. Its probably not shouting, but when you've not heard anything for 8 hours, its definitely louder than anything you want to hear. 'Mummy, mummy, daddy' accompanied by pointing labelling you.
3. After having had it reaffirmed that no-one name has changed over night she stands up unsteadily on the pillows and begins looking at the books on the shelf above our head. She grabs one, but its so heavy it falls from her grip and hits Xss on the head. aahh! (we remain laying down as long as possible to maximise energy savings settings).
4. Starbucks finds this new reaction funny and continues to make her own 'aahh!' noise. She drops another book onto our pillows while shouting 'aahh' in a hope that we will also make the noise again. Time to get out of the danger zone, thus forced to get up
5. On entering the kitchen Starbucks pushes the chair over to her highchair and climbs in (a handy new trick). She then spends a while thinking about what cereal she wants while the wheatabix or corn flakes are placed in front of her. She points to the wheatabix box but then makes a loud shouting noise when you try to get it out. She wants corn flakes. I apologise and try to serve her corn flakes, to which she shouts, 'NO'. She wants Wheatabix but not for me to touch the packet.
6. I try to allow her to get it out, but there's A LOT of pressure in those small fingers and all she does is chip the wheatabix into crumbs that proceed to get stuck over her PJ's. (they don't wash out either for some reason).
7. She then wont let me put her bib on. i remove her breakfast from reach and a stand off ensues, before she calmly agrees to let me put it on after all.
8. I give her a cup of water, which she puts her spoon in to stir. She then begins to try to drink it using her spoon and it spills over her chair. I have to dry everything off with a cloth.
9. She finishes eating her cereal and begins drinking the milk from the bowl. However the only part of this she has mastered is putting the bowl to her mouth height. She pours the milky wheatabix cement down her front, the chair and the floor/wall. She is satisfied that she has done an adult thing and smiles.
10. As i bend down under the table to wipe this all up she patronisingly pats me on the head. Wheatabix hair, a great look I'm beginning to perfect for work.
11. I take Starbucks to the bathroom to wash her hands and do her teeth. She stands on the table next to the sink and labels the toothbrushes, 'mummy, dadddy'. She chooses her own and demands paste and water on it. I do mine at the same time to save time. As i spit into the bowl Starbucks stops brushing and pokes at my spit with her finger. I tell her not to.
12. So she does it again and then hurriedly eats it.
13. I promptly wash the spit away and continue. As i try to continue spitting out toothpaste and stopping Starbucks from touching it i accidentally spit on her head as she leans into the way.
I continue to try to sound chirpy, but she's only been awake 20 minutes.
25/52 Happy? More often than not, I don't care about all these things happening to me. Just go with it. It's only going to get worse when/if we have more.
Monday, November 25, 2013
The magic happens at home
What makes a good parent? The typical society answer is something about Love. But pretty much everyone loves their children, even if they abandon them and abuse them, they will often still love them. sorry, this wasn't supposed to be depressing. I have been trying to conceptualise what it is that makes some mums (a more available subject to study than dad's -rarely seen Mon-Fri) impress me. One part of this answer is creativity. Parents who continually think of ways to challenge, inspire and create memories with their children through the activities they think up.
One mum today made play-doh with cinnamon and mixed spice in, there was then a bowl of star anise, and other seeds and spices i don't know, to stick into it. It was incredible. She also got a lump of clay, and a bunch of twigs, leaves and bracken and then encouraged the children to make a clay island which they 'planted' the winter leaves. It was brilliant. (oh how my the concept of what is brilliant has changed since having a baby!)
That's not the best though. A mummy friend found a blog by some brilliant parents (creative parents), who have created DINOVEMBER> whats dinovember you ask? Obviously, it is a month of nights when toy dinosaurs everywhere come to life and cause carnage in the house while the kids are asleep. There is plenty of photographic evidence on their blog/facebook page. Its amazing.
Starbucks is a little young at the moment, and we don't have any dinosaurs yet. I don't think the plastic baby walker would lend itself to such expression. But when we have something similar we will for sure.
check it out.
24/52 Happy? Admiring creativity.
One mum today made play-doh with cinnamon and mixed spice in, there was then a bowl of star anise, and other seeds and spices i don't know, to stick into it. It was incredible. She also got a lump of clay, and a bunch of twigs, leaves and bracken and then encouraged the children to make a clay island which they 'planted' the winter leaves. It was brilliant. (oh how my the concept of what is brilliant has changed since having a baby!)
That's not the best though. A mummy friend found a blog by some brilliant parents (creative parents), who have created DINOVEMBER> whats dinovember you ask? Obviously, it is a month of nights when toy dinosaurs everywhere come to life and cause carnage in the house while the kids are asleep. There is plenty of photographic evidence on their blog/facebook page. Its amazing.
Starbucks is a little young at the moment, and we don't have any dinosaurs yet. I don't think the plastic baby walker would lend itself to such expression. But when we have something similar we will for sure.
check it out.
24/52 Happy? Admiring creativity.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Monday, November 11, 2013
Amsterdamn
This man was taking this small person for a walk in Amsterdam, what he doesn't know is the pavement ends soon, there is a canal with no fence the other side of the road, and she will repeatly say 'ushchair' until you want to shout, 'WHAT ABOUT the bloody ushcahir?!'
Amsterdam was pretty but there is not much pavement for a young child, or pushchair to chundle along, the narrow picturesque warehouse style houses seem to all contain steep staircases with no way to bring a pushchair up, and who stole all the highchairs? we only found one all week. Also there are swings, but no baby swings, the longest Starbucks managed to stay on a normal swing was 40 seconds before she fell off. We tried a few times for our amusment.
I think ultimately i was upset as they had all these little independent coffee shops (there are two types there 'coffeeshops' - which sell weed, and coffee shops which sell coffee- hard to determine when you dont speak dutch.) We hoped to come to Amsterdam to laze around, go to the park and drink coffee in nice places. However, due to everyone having such large un-covered windows open to the street you're never sure when you step into a shop if you are walking into a clothes shop, a bar, or just someones living room.
I don't like coffee, so i'm loath to admit it, but by association, i dont like independent coffee shops. Lazing around was limited to parks and Ann Frank house.
Monday, November 04, 2013
Weird baby stuff....
i thought i'd share this, as i personally thought i was going mad:
Two Christmas's ago, Xss and I went to see Arthur Christmas the movie. It was great, I love a good Christmas themed animation, during this film I felt Starbucks move for the first time. It was a little underwhelming, but undoubtedly I had felt an unborn person pushing me around from the inside.
Although I have all the outward signals that I am not pregnant (periods, no bump (well a small chocolate eating bump) I was half certain that I must be pregnant, and at least 4 months along, as I would often feel a baby moving inside of me again. Interestingly this is a common phenomenon! Luckily, I am not secretly pregnant despite being able to feel another human being in my abdomen!
Theories about why this might be include- being more aware of this sensation of your womb moving and recognising this now despite it having happened pre-pregnancy as well, wombs taking longer to contract than previously thought and these movements being my womb still shrinking down to its pre-stretched size... whatever the reason, it was so good to read that I was not going mad, nor permanently 4 months pregnant, although having such s small bump so far along would be brilliant.
Another joy of pregnancy, feeling an imaginary baby pushing you around for years after the actual event!
21/52 Happy? Not being pregnant and having another human being stuffed into my belly.
Two Christmas's ago, Xss and I went to see Arthur Christmas the movie. It was great, I love a good Christmas themed animation, during this film I felt Starbucks move for the first time. It was a little underwhelming, but undoubtedly I had felt an unborn person pushing me around from the inside.
Although I have all the outward signals that I am not pregnant (periods, no bump (well a small chocolate eating bump) I was half certain that I must be pregnant, and at least 4 months along, as I would often feel a baby moving inside of me again. Interestingly this is a common phenomenon! Luckily, I am not secretly pregnant despite being able to feel another human being in my abdomen!
Theories about why this might be include- being more aware of this sensation of your womb moving and recognising this now despite it having happened pre-pregnancy as well, wombs taking longer to contract than previously thought and these movements being my womb still shrinking down to its pre-stretched size... whatever the reason, it was so good to read that I was not going mad, nor permanently 4 months pregnant, although having such s small bump so far along would be brilliant.
Another joy of pregnancy, feeling an imaginary baby pushing you around for years after the actual event!
21/52 Happy? Not being pregnant and having another human being stuffed into my belly.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Starbucks the boy
The latest outfit which envoked a 'Good Boy' comment from the shop assistant when handing Starbucks the massive loaf of bread she wanted to carry home.
I thought now days the bunches might be a give away?
Perhaps only boys get snotty noses?
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Green Tomato Chutney
I am very good at growing green tomatos, infact i've never managed to grow a red one in our garden in London. It got me thinking, and in the grand scheme of life- how do you know you have done well?? For me one of those things is being a 'homemaker' - is that a word already? I like baking, and i want to be a domestic goddess. When i knew i was having a baby i pledged to have at least one homebaked biscuit/cake/sweet permenantly in the house. I tried for a while but the time, and the fact that i then continually eat such things mean i gave up.
However, i think you must have made it in this world, as a woman, if you've made chutney. yep. i stand by that. So i made green tomato chutney. It was of limited success. I'd like to make the disclaimer that perhaps it was the green tomatos- as since they dont taste like tomatos do, add no merit to a product, and therefore any pickle with green tomato in the title seems like it could be relabeled simply, 'pickle'. My green tomato chutney filled the room with fumes as i boiled off the 2 pints of vinigar the recipe called for. The resulting spread is suitably brown, but tastes like maple syrup drizzled over 'stuff'. chewy pasta?
Anyone any other suggestions of how you can know if you;ve made it in the world. I recon a home made bedspread might count, but i dont have the effort for that!
20/52 Happy? i dont have to eat this chutney i made!
However, i think you must have made it in this world, as a woman, if you've made chutney. yep. i stand by that. So i made green tomato chutney. It was of limited success. I'd like to make the disclaimer that perhaps it was the green tomatos- as since they dont taste like tomatos do, add no merit to a product, and therefore any pickle with green tomato in the title seems like it could be relabeled simply, 'pickle'. My green tomato chutney filled the room with fumes as i boiled off the 2 pints of vinigar the recipe called for. The resulting spread is suitably brown, but tastes like maple syrup drizzled over 'stuff'. chewy pasta?
Ah well, here is a picture of Denzil the dog showing it off.
Anyone any other suggestions of how you can know if you;ve made it in the world. I recon a home made bedspread might count, but i dont have the effort for that!
20/52 Happy? i dont have to eat this chutney i made!
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
October Womenhood - Gentleness
My principle aim when i went on maternity leave was to spend some time each week with other Christian women learning from the bible. I began looking when i was pregnant and failed at the first hurdle when the leader from a very academic church in the city, politely met me for coffee (I paid) in a posh cafe, and went on to say i was not welcome to attend her group until i was well established at their church. hmph. i'm not moving churches.
My quest improved and i attended several different groups, until eventually Lorax and I started our own group at our church. This was brilliant and i learnt a lot from her, our babies seemed to become friends, as much as a baby can like anyone else who doesn't recognise their ultimate authority. Lorax left last week :( but before she went she gave me a book. 'A Year of Biblical Womanhood' by Rachel Held Evans. I am so excited to read it. In this book Rachel details her attempts to live a year according to biblical rules about being a women. What a challenge, and what is the point?
It seems ridiculous to obey some parts of the bible, but not the bits you don't want to. So I'm encouraged to think about rising to the challenge. She tried to obey some commandments for the whole year, but others she just did for a month (thank God, one of the rules is living in a tent when you have your period) The first month she focused on 'Gentleness'. In specific, a good wife should:
Cultivate a gentle and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:3-4)
Immediately challenging. Does kick boxing, arguing for the oppressed and shouting along to rock music constitute a 'gentle and quiet spirit?' Are all these behaviours inconsistent with being a Christian? God made us unique. I used to worry that I shouldn't kickbox, that perhaps it wasn't right to a) hit people in the face (even with gloves on) or b) practice the best ways to hurt people quickest on a weekly basis. But for numerous reasons I think God wants me to kickbox. what a statement!
However, i do believe that it is ever so powerful and self-fulfilling to be at one with yourself. To be quiet inside your soul. I think this comes from knowing who you are and resting assured in that. Not constantly spending your life defining yourself by comparing yourself to other people, or doing things that prove your worth. I think this is most peoples biggest problem (mine included- although it's easier to analyse others). The sexiest person i know sleeps with lots of boys to prove that she is sexy, when she could just walk outside with unbrushed hair in tracksuit bottoms and her sexiness would show through.
So i think there is truth and meaning in this verse, but i'm not convinced that it means that all women should not shout. I think it means all women should believe in themselves and their unique value. There are some great role models of women in the bible, and they did not sit around knitting and making dinner.
19/52 Happy? Knowing who i am. Today i drove home from Kickboxing in a tiny yellow car, singing along to Guns 'n' Roses (Use your illusion 2) really loud. I don't care if all the business people in suits saw me and thought i haven't made it in this world as i wasn't driving an Audi TT and listening to Noah and the Whale. If i could, i wouldn't. This is who i am. Also i like pigeons and wearing shoes with big tongues! This is my quiet spirit.
My quest improved and i attended several different groups, until eventually Lorax and I started our own group at our church. This was brilliant and i learnt a lot from her, our babies seemed to become friends, as much as a baby can like anyone else who doesn't recognise their ultimate authority. Lorax left last week :( but before she went she gave me a book. 'A Year of Biblical Womanhood' by Rachel Held Evans. I am so excited to read it. In this book Rachel details her attempts to live a year according to biblical rules about being a women. What a challenge, and what is the point?
Starbucks struggling to engage with Hope who would not recognise her authority on what part of the blanket to sit on.
It seems ridiculous to obey some parts of the bible, but not the bits you don't want to. So I'm encouraged to think about rising to the challenge. She tried to obey some commandments for the whole year, but others she just did for a month (thank God, one of the rules is living in a tent when you have your period) The first month she focused on 'Gentleness'. In specific, a good wife should:
Cultivate a gentle and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:3-4)
Immediately challenging. Does kick boxing, arguing for the oppressed and shouting along to rock music constitute a 'gentle and quiet spirit?' Are all these behaviours inconsistent with being a Christian? God made us unique. I used to worry that I shouldn't kickbox, that perhaps it wasn't right to a) hit people in the face (even with gloves on) or b) practice the best ways to hurt people quickest on a weekly basis. But for numerous reasons I think God wants me to kickbox. what a statement!
However, i do believe that it is ever so powerful and self-fulfilling to be at one with yourself. To be quiet inside your soul. I think this comes from knowing who you are and resting assured in that. Not constantly spending your life defining yourself by comparing yourself to other people, or doing things that prove your worth. I think this is most peoples biggest problem (mine included- although it's easier to analyse others). The sexiest person i know sleeps with lots of boys to prove that she is sexy, when she could just walk outside with unbrushed hair in tracksuit bottoms and her sexiness would show through.
So i think there is truth and meaning in this verse, but i'm not convinced that it means that all women should not shout. I think it means all women should believe in themselves and their unique value. There are some great role models of women in the bible, and they did not sit around knitting and making dinner.
19/52 Happy? Knowing who i am. Today i drove home from Kickboxing in a tiny yellow car, singing along to Guns 'n' Roses (Use your illusion 2) really loud. I don't care if all the business people in suits saw me and thought i haven't made it in this world as i wasn't driving an Audi TT and listening to Noah and the Whale. If i could, i wouldn't. This is who i am. Also i like pigeons and wearing shoes with big tongues! This is my quiet spirit.
This tongues are not big enough, but i had to compromise as we were travelling.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Is that my skinny grande caramel machaito?
Is there anything more embarrassing than ordering a drink at Starbucks, collecting it at the other end of the til, then finding out that it is not quite correct, taking it back to the cashier who confirms that it is not what you ordered, and as you debate this, your actual drink arrives at the collection point, and you have face the person who's drink you've wandered around the shop with?
18/52 Happy? That this only happens once a month or so. :)
18/52 Happy? That this only happens once a month or so. :)
Wednesday, October 09, 2013
I want a cupboard
This week I went to True's new house and discovered a new jealousy of mine. Cupboard envy. Oh how glorious it seems to be to have storage, lots and lots of storage. Spaces with doors and shutters (what's a shutter inside a house?) where you can put things somewhere and close them away from sight! This to me seems like the biggest freedom in the world right now. Forget prisons (if they have cupboards with doors they are as free as me) or those agoraphobics stuck inside ( if they had unlimited cupboard space they could spend their time inside organising and re-organising these spaces.)
True has a shoe cupboard big enough to hang a family of 4's coats in, a playroom to hide her boys toys in, a cupboard to cover her washing machine, an outside shed to hide bikes, another to hide other shed type things in, a garage to hide the car, a very random cupboard outside the back door to hide the 'overflow fridge' in. Her bedroom has no less than 6 built in wardrobes, allowing her separate spaces to hang tops, bottoms and items not in season. She even has some empty cupboards she doesn't know what to do with. Today I really wish I had a built in cupboard, I really do.
I live in a silly new build with no storage. if you visit my house you can take an itinerary of everything we own as you walk through to our lounge. If you can't see it, we don't have it. I want one big enough for my ironing board. I want one to hide the Hoover, I want one so that I can buy a broom or a mop and bucket.
Xss and I discuss this sometimes as he has a perhaps rational fear, due to my comment above, that when you get storage you fill it. Like it's a law. He's worried that if I get a cupboard by the time we move to bigger house I will have accumulated enough stuff to so densely populate the new place 1the merit of moving will have been nullified.
I still want a cupboard, even if it's true.
17/52 Happy? The possibility that my future has a built in cupboard in it.
True has a shoe cupboard big enough to hang a family of 4's coats in, a playroom to hide her boys toys in, a cupboard to cover her washing machine, an outside shed to hide bikes, another to hide other shed type things in, a garage to hide the car, a very random cupboard outside the back door to hide the 'overflow fridge' in. Her bedroom has no less than 6 built in wardrobes, allowing her separate spaces to hang tops, bottoms and items not in season. She even has some empty cupboards she doesn't know what to do with. Today I really wish I had a built in cupboard, I really do.
I live in a silly new build with no storage. if you visit my house you can take an itinerary of everything we own as you walk through to our lounge. If you can't see it, we don't have it. I want one big enough for my ironing board. I want one to hide the Hoover, I want one so that I can buy a broom or a mop and bucket.
Xss and I discuss this sometimes as he has a perhaps rational fear, due to my comment above, that when you get storage you fill it. Like it's a law. He's worried that if I get a cupboard by the time we move to bigger house I will have accumulated enough stuff to so densely populate the new place 1the merit of moving will have been nullified.
I still want a cupboard, even if it's true.
17/52 Happy? The possibility that my future has a built in cupboard in it.
Wednesday, October 02, 2013
Blackpool - trip of the year
Myself, Honestly, Princess and Lovely went on our 'annual girls trip away' (we dont often go). It was AMAZING. I'd like to say I love Blackpool, but i don't. I love being away from everything (including Starbucks) and spending time with my girlfriends talking about everything, drinking, sleeping, talking about everything again, etc.
We did so many fun things in one day it was immense. Unlimited by a baby and set meal times (my main grumble about having a small person in our family) we walked from out hotel to Blackpool pleasure beach doing EVERYTHING fun along the way. We played pirate crazy golf, i had fresh made doughnuts for lunch, drank pitchers of mojito, ate chips with every meal, went on the pier and realised that once you win big on the 2p machine the joke is on you and your pockets for the rest of the day. We sat at the end of the pier and drank tea and listened to an waltzer- and in Blackpool you can officially share a pot of tea (i'm sure in London they make up rules about having to have only 1 cup per pot or frowning on you if you dare suggest sharing- like it's stealing because if you ask for more hot water, or more milk, you technically are getting something for free?). At midnight we went on the feris wheel whilst eating ice-cream. Some people were so scared that there was a volume of melted ice-cream dripping over cluched metal handles at the end and very little eaten.
Blackpool was fun, but it is obviously struggling with poverty. Behind the front beach lined road it very quickly gets poor and dischevled, and the locals seem to have fallen out of love with it, perhaps guilted by years of promise with no regeneration. Watching their town decay around them. Luckily we only stayed 2 days and left them to it, to enjoy the luxury of London. It was odd to be pretty low earning girls in London, living plain, simple lives but to feel relatively affluent and free to spend unrestrained up there. There are various issues with this north south divide, but i as i often do, (often wrongly) ignored it with the thought that i'm helping my own poor teenagers in Peckham. Thats a kind of get out of jail free card on any other caring issue isnt it?
We got ID'd everywhere we went, but i think it was because they were illequiped to judge how old people not wearing make-up, revealing clothing nor caring that they were all dressed in sensible walking shoes and coats, were. 31.
16/52 Happy? having the choice and resources to do new things
We did so many fun things in one day it was immense. Unlimited by a baby and set meal times (my main grumble about having a small person in our family) we walked from out hotel to Blackpool pleasure beach doing EVERYTHING fun along the way. We played pirate crazy golf, i had fresh made doughnuts for lunch, drank pitchers of mojito, ate chips with every meal, went on the pier and realised that once you win big on the 2p machine the joke is on you and your pockets for the rest of the day. We sat at the end of the pier and drank tea and listened to an waltzer- and in Blackpool you can officially share a pot of tea (i'm sure in London they make up rules about having to have only 1 cup per pot or frowning on you if you dare suggest sharing- like it's stealing because if you ask for more hot water, or more milk, you technically are getting something for free?). At midnight we went on the feris wheel whilst eating ice-cream. Some people were so scared that there was a volume of melted ice-cream dripping over cluched metal handles at the end and very little eaten.
Blackpool was fun, but it is obviously struggling with poverty. Behind the front beach lined road it very quickly gets poor and dischevled, and the locals seem to have fallen out of love with it, perhaps guilted by years of promise with no regeneration. Watching their town decay around them. Luckily we only stayed 2 days and left them to it, to enjoy the luxury of London. It was odd to be pretty low earning girls in London, living plain, simple lives but to feel relatively affluent and free to spend unrestrained up there. There are various issues with this north south divide, but i as i often do, (often wrongly) ignored it with the thought that i'm helping my own poor teenagers in Peckham. Thats a kind of get out of jail free card on any other caring issue isnt it?
Princess on the beach at sunset.
Princess (pretending not to be scared of the donkeys), Honestly and Lovely
P
Tea on the pier: Lovely, Princess and Honestly.
We got ID'd everywhere we went, but i think it was because they were illequiped to judge how old people not wearing make-up, revealing clothing nor caring that they were all dressed in sensible walking shoes and coats, were. 31.
16/52 Happy? having the choice and resources to do new things
Tuesday, October 01, 2013
Joys of our childhoods
I like making dens. I innately try to encourage Starbucks into everything I like, therefore she has begun loving den's too. Our latest one is made of sheets spread over the clothes horse. She has spent the last few days decanting our cupboard into the tent den and then arranging and rearranging. It's so cute to see.
Stocking up on the festival necessities.
Other things i like to encourage her to do - climbing into the duvet in between the cover and the actual duvet (a mysterious twilight world), jumping on anything she can (sofa, bed, table-opps), splashing in the bath, making things out of cardboard boxes, listening to Guns 'n' Roses, patting people on the head when they have done well (a great air of condescension when done by a baby), being held upside down, swinging her around while holding her hands, going down the biggest slides that we can find! [Its annoying that your default line for parenting comes from your own experience, even if you think that much of your own childhood wasn't great. If i continue to recreate my own childhood for Starbucks it's not going to be pretty later on. ]
15/52 Happy? Squashed in a tiny den with my daughter while she rearranged her bottles of beer and onions.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Sorry.
ok, so i've specatularly failed at writing a post a week, but i have managed to finish my first year of my degree (i am yet to find out if i have passed). Prioritising studying meant a lack of housework completed, and less relaxing for me, but now that i no longer have to revise i seem to be surrounded by free time!! This is amazing. i cant believe how much time i now have. This is odd, as i still have a small child, a job, a husband, friends and a household to organise. New plans involve:
-dying my hair blue?? this was a goal of mine when i was 18!
- getting my teeth cleaned at the dentist
- DIY around the house (this will take up a lot of time as each thing i do will ruin something and take a lot more effort to fix).
- watching TV
- Drinking Starbucks
- sewing something??!?
what fun
14/52 Happy? Free time to be me and get things done
-dying my hair blue?? this was a goal of mine when i was 18!
- getting my teeth cleaned at the dentist
- DIY around the house (this will take up a lot of time as each thing i do will ruin something and take a lot more effort to fix).
- watching TV
- Drinking Starbucks
- sewing something??!?
what fun
14/52 Happy? Free time to be me and get things done
Church Love
I love my church because it is diverse, very diverse. Economically, culturally, racially and socially.
Recently i had a headache (long story around me never having had a headache before, going to A&E, being diagnosed as having a headache, being informed i had to eat the tablets they gave me without knowing what they are then returning home, humbled, embarrassed and ever so thankful that there is free health care in England) and could not attend church. I had lunch plans with someone after church so politely text her saying, 'i do not feel very well, i will be unable to attend our meeting today, sorry. Please forward me the notes'.
And why our church is socially diverse:
She replied, 'oh, we prayed for you. I hope it is nothing as serious as an ectopic pregnancy'.
I am not sure what the correct response to that is. 'no'?
The next week she cancelled our meeting stating that she had to meet Chris after church. ' Sorry to cancel but i have to meet Chris after church today and he has a way of explaining things in great detail'.
Lastly, One of Starbucks' Godmothers gave us a belated birthday present for her recently. It was a white fur coat, unusual, but kinda cool. As i got it out the bag, it seemed to get bigger and bigger. Then i tried it on, and it fitted me. The label inside says "34". Although i find it funny, and not a problem, i am still left wondering what to do. Do i make Starbucks wear it to church one week? How do i get it to stay on? Do i try and take a photo of her wearing it and show the Godmother, or do i just give it to a charity shop and never mention it again? Oh the joys of a socially diverse church.
13/52 Happy? Knowing such a variety of people
Recently i had a headache (long story around me never having had a headache before, going to A&E, being diagnosed as having a headache, being informed i had to eat the tablets they gave me without knowing what they are then returning home, humbled, embarrassed and ever so thankful that there is free health care in England) and could not attend church. I had lunch plans with someone after church so politely text her saying, 'i do not feel very well, i will be unable to attend our meeting today, sorry. Please forward me the notes'.
And why our church is socially diverse:
She replied, 'oh, we prayed for you. I hope it is nothing as serious as an ectopic pregnancy'.
I am not sure what the correct response to that is. 'no'?
The next week she cancelled our meeting stating that she had to meet Chris after church. ' Sorry to cancel but i have to meet Chris after church today and he has a way of explaining things in great detail'.
Lastly, One of Starbucks' Godmothers gave us a belated birthday present for her recently. It was a white fur coat, unusual, but kinda cool. As i got it out the bag, it seemed to get bigger and bigger. Then i tried it on, and it fitted me. The label inside says "34". Although i find it funny, and not a problem, i am still left wondering what to do. Do i make Starbucks wear it to church one week? How do i get it to stay on? Do i try and take a photo of her wearing it and show the Godmother, or do i just give it to a charity shop and never mention it again? Oh the joys of a socially diverse church.
13/52 Happy? Knowing such a variety of people
Sunday, September 01, 2013
How to solve a problem work style.....
I have no major problems in my life, so i like to get overly worked up about the small ones. The latest of these is Xss going to bed late and waking me up when he does. The first night it was loud whistling in the bathroom, the next shaving with his electric razor (at 11:45pm!!). Rather than get mad (i was silently mad- but when you're in bed, in the dark this might just seem like you are asleep- the opposite of what i wanted). (i tried some angry tossing and turning,to try and make him feel bad). Anyway. whats the adult way to solve a problem like this with your partner? Go to work mad and fire off lots of passive aggressive emails to my friends Honestly and Lovely. All prefixed with, 'Xss is really great BUT.....'
So i asked for inspiration from their jobs. How would they tackle this problem at work?
In my work i would:
- tell him his behaviour is 'unacceptable'
- work out suitable rewards and sanctions for good/poor behaviour
- Issue Xss an Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC/ASBO) detailing what specific behaviours are not allowed in the bathroom at what times (which takes a lot of work, and then means nothing once broken)
Lovely, who works for a well known homeless charity suggested that her work would:
- swear
- write a letter saying that if he looses his home because of his behaviour, he’ll be found intentionally homeless and then no one will help him.
- tell his mum (this is one of Lovely's very effective and non-protocol techniques with her younger teenage clients)
Honestly would:
- Use a Measurement framework (a flow diagram) so that you can measure progress of your responses to his behaviour, learn from that and then adapt your response until it’s perfect (and you sleep well!)
- campaign for change by getting large organisations and MP's involved
12/52 Happy? Having only small things like this to 'worry' about.
So i asked for inspiration from their jobs. How would they tackle this problem at work?
In my work i would:
- tell him his behaviour is 'unacceptable'
- work out suitable rewards and sanctions for good/poor behaviour
- Issue Xss an Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC/ASBO) detailing what specific behaviours are not allowed in the bathroom at what times (which takes a lot of work, and then means nothing once broken)
Lovely, who works for a well known homeless charity suggested that her work would:
- swear
- write a letter saying that if he looses his home because of his behaviour, he’ll be found intentionally homeless and then no one will help him.
- tell his mum (this is one of Lovely's very effective and non-protocol techniques with her younger teenage clients)
Honestly would:
- Use a Measurement framework (a flow diagram) so that you can measure progress of your responses to his behaviour, learn from that and then adapt your response until it’s perfect (and you sleep well!)
- campaign for change by getting large organisations and MP's involved
12/52 Happy? Having only small things like this to 'worry' about.
That girl thing
I've had a girl baby. We'll I've had one for over a year now. One of the more interesting (academically) concepts to arise from this is 'does gender exist separate from society?' Not sex, but gender. I hate pink. I also consider myself to have been raised by a gang of boys (and i mean gang in the old fashioned sense, so a tight knot group of friends that hangout a lot- not the modern word that adults bandy about now days when they are scared). Needless to say raising a girl is an issue for me, i think? I was really disappointed when i heard she was a girl, yes, i freely admit it, as i can freely admit that i am now more than 100% happy that she was a girl and not a boy. girl = mummy's friend, boy = future silverback. See, i have already done it! stereotyped gender!
Sometimes when Starbucks is good people will say, 'ah, it's because she's a girl'. I find it INCREDIBLY annoying. What so girls are good and boys are bad, my parenting has no influence??
Anyways, i have always tried to dress Starbucks in anything but pink, with the result being that most people think she is a boy. I thought it might be fun to include some pictures of her clothes here so you can decide for yourself if i am dressing her like a boy.
Sometimes when Starbucks is good people will say, 'ah, it's because she's a girl'. I find it INCREDIBLY annoying. What so girls are good and boys are bad, my parenting has no influence??
Anyways, i have always tried to dress Starbucks in anything but pink, with the result being that most people think she is a boy. I thought it might be fun to include some pictures of her clothes here so you can decide for yourself if i am dressing her like a boy.
( These photos are all the same way around on my computer?) Boys or girls?
Boys or girls? Dinosaur and combat colours?
Black long sleeve?
The most girly we go. It's got slight frills on the arms and its a cat
Boys?
My favourite band. Surely black is unisex?
Cookie!! but blue is a 'boys colour?
I'd be interested to know your thoughts, but when i go through this, i think most of these items are boys. Does that mean that Dinosaurs, 1980's clothing, stripes and combat are all only for boys. If so, what do girls like? shoes and cats? curious.
11/52 Happy? That i am a girl. I can grow humans!
11/52 Happy? That i am a girl. I can grow humans!
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Saving fashion energy
I'm pretty sure that I'm not supposed to ask this but does anyone else become so happy with their choice of outfit on a particularly fashionable day that they decide to wear it again the next day?
Not an outfit I've run a mile in the rain in, or fallen over in a sand pit in or poured my breakfast milk over when wrestling a bowl off of someone else-with-a-surprisingly-strong-grip-for-a-small-person-who-drops-things-all-day-whilst-shouting-Uh-o (typical occurrences in my life at the mo) just an average days outfit with an average days grime added? I'm sure I'm not supposed to admit to this, along with not supposing to admit to NOT SHOWERING every day!!! When Xss and I went travelling this is really something that stood out, not our smell and grime, but the decadence of the western world washing every item of clothing after only one wear. We only had two of everything (apart from underwear - that's pushing this a bit far) with us, and it was surprising how long we could wear stuff before it actually became unwearable. I know travelling has its own standard of social etiquette but it was also a lot warmer. I barely sweat most days in England, so is it a big deal if I wear the same outfit tomorrow? Probably. I'll just have to make sure I don't see anyone I saw today.
10/52 Happy? My new Nirvana T-shirt and blue ripped jeans, my 14 year old self would be so proud!
P.s is it also terrible that I consider an oversized Nirvana outfit fashionable? AND I recognise that a teenager in the 90's would like it? Perhaps I'll upload it here so you can judge....
Not an outfit I've run a mile in the rain in, or fallen over in a sand pit in or poured my breakfast milk over when wrestling a bowl off of someone else-with-a-surprisingly-strong-grip-for-a-small-person-who-drops-things-all-day-whilst-shouting-Uh-o (typical occurrences in my life at the mo) just an average days outfit with an average days grime added? I'm sure I'm not supposed to admit to this, along with not supposing to admit to NOT SHOWERING every day!!! When Xss and I went travelling this is really something that stood out, not our smell and grime, but the decadence of the western world washing every item of clothing after only one wear. We only had two of everything (apart from underwear - that's pushing this a bit far) with us, and it was surprising how long we could wear stuff before it actually became unwearable. I know travelling has its own standard of social etiquette but it was also a lot warmer. I barely sweat most days in England, so is it a big deal if I wear the same outfit tomorrow? Probably. I'll just have to make sure I don't see anyone I saw today.
10/52 Happy? My new Nirvana T-shirt and blue ripped jeans, my 14 year old self would be so proud!
P.s is it also terrible that I consider an oversized Nirvana outfit fashionable? AND I recognise that a teenager in the 90's would like it? Perhaps I'll upload it here so you can judge....
Sunday, August 11, 2013
European Restaurant Workers (ERW's)
I love European restaurants, and yes i mean this in the typically British way, as if Britain is not part of Europe.
We went to Pizza Express on Saturday: Xss and I were tired, the baby wasn't. As soon as we entered the male host on the door started speaking to Starbucks. Within 5 minutes he was walking around the restaurant carrying her on his hip and showing her to everyone. Xss and I sat and sipped our drinks.
How different this is to British culture when if the baby makes a squeak then disapproving looks are cast (unless they are parents themselves, in which case a sympathetic 'sorry others will disapprove of you' look occurs). In Europe they actually like children, actively seek them out and cherish them. I'm not sure that in our culture we aren't supposed to have got upset, demanded the child back immediately and not let her out of our sight, or assumed that the waiter was a paedophile abducting her from under our noses. Similarly the British waiter, would have been overtly worried about hurting Starbucks in some way, and then being sued.
Starbucks was returned 10-15 minutes later, and then immediately colouring pencils and paper appeared. She was then spoken to every time a waiter or waitress passed, except when she was busy eating. It was lovely. Sometimes i just wish our culture was a little different, a little more welcoming and sensible, not worried and closed. Why cant we cherish every child we meet?
9/52 Happy? The European attitude to children.
We went to Pizza Express on Saturday: Xss and I were tired, the baby wasn't. As soon as we entered the male host on the door started speaking to Starbucks. Within 5 minutes he was walking around the restaurant carrying her on his hip and showing her to everyone. Xss and I sat and sipped our drinks.
How different this is to British culture when if the baby makes a squeak then disapproving looks are cast (unless they are parents themselves, in which case a sympathetic 'sorry others will disapprove of you' look occurs). In Europe they actually like children, actively seek them out and cherish them. I'm not sure that in our culture we aren't supposed to have got upset, demanded the child back immediately and not let her out of our sight, or assumed that the waiter was a paedophile abducting her from under our noses. Similarly the British waiter, would have been overtly worried about hurting Starbucks in some way, and then being sued.
Starbucks was returned 10-15 minutes later, and then immediately colouring pencils and paper appeared. She was then spoken to every time a waiter or waitress passed, except when she was busy eating. It was lovely. Sometimes i just wish our culture was a little different, a little more welcoming and sensible, not worried and closed. Why cant we cherish every child we meet?
9/52 Happy? The European attitude to children.
Thursday, August 08, 2013
Clara May!
I have a new niece!!! that brings my totals up to 2 x Nephew and 3 x Niece. Cool.
8/52 Happy? I LOVE having nieces and nephews. No official pictures been released yet but when they are i'll post one here.
Clara May. To young to smile yet.
Monday, August 05, 2013
Tea in the Shower
7/52 Happy? A cup of Tea in the shower. Kind of makes you think that you are showering in tea, but not getting dirty. bliss. only thing better? Tea with an unlimited side of chocolate buttons, with a good book.
So many good moments can be built on the foundations of a good cup of tea.
Friday, August 02, 2013
Lighting the way
I love Starbucks' nursery worker. It is possibly inappropriate how much i like her. Sometimes i buy them biscuits or chocolate treats to make their tea breaks nicer. A happier worker, makes for a happier child at nursery. That's my theory.
Yesterday when i went to collect Starbucks, (she only goes two days a week while i work) it was only her and her worker, Ludi, in the room. Ludi started at the same time as Starbucks and they grew an instant bond. Its fairly easy to tell that Starbucks is Ludi's favourite baby. She always has lovely anecdotes to share when you collect Starbucks and she is always so excited about any new developments. She is, in fact, so much like Xss and I in the way we play with Starbucks, that she jokes that Starbucks is getting annoyed with her following her around trying to be her friend. Since Starbucks has learnt to run (yep run- i am proud), she is putting this to good use running away from people at inopportune times, and using this skill to create an air of disinterest and disdain for anyone with the slightest interest in being her friend (adults only).
Anyway, yesterday as i collected Starbucks she was trying to write with a pen. Ludi and I joked about what she might be trying to write to tell us and Ludi replied, 'i recon she's writing, Piss Off Ludi'. ahaha. I laughed, but Ludi had to apologise for her inappropriate comment in a childcare setting. This makes me love Ludi more, she is a real person. She truly loves Starbucks and views her as an independent person, with her own views and wishes despite not having a voice.
Yesterday when i went to collect Starbucks, (she only goes two days a week while i work) it was only her and her worker, Ludi, in the room. Ludi started at the same time as Starbucks and they grew an instant bond. Its fairly easy to tell that Starbucks is Ludi's favourite baby. She always has lovely anecdotes to share when you collect Starbucks and she is always so excited about any new developments. She is, in fact, so much like Xss and I in the way we play with Starbucks, that she jokes that Starbucks is getting annoyed with her following her around trying to be her friend. Since Starbucks has learnt to run (yep run- i am proud), she is putting this to good use running away from people at inopportune times, and using this skill to create an air of disinterest and disdain for anyone with the slightest interest in being her friend (adults only).
Anyway, yesterday as i collected Starbucks she was trying to write with a pen. Ludi and I joked about what she might be trying to write to tell us and Ludi replied, 'i recon she's writing, Piss Off Ludi'. ahaha. I laughed, but Ludi had to apologise for her inappropriate comment in a childcare setting. This makes me love Ludi more, she is a real person. She truly loves Starbucks and views her as an independent person, with her own views and wishes despite not having a voice.
Starbucks practising her drawing skills on the wall. She drew a zigzag.
Finishing her picture off with an extra straight line.
6/52 Happy? Having someone you like raise your child while they are at nursery.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Toothpaste wars
Every family has their unspoken rules. In ours, it's that you shouldn't start a new toothpaste until ALL of the last one has gone.
Sometimes our house is like the three bears. Evidenced by mummy, daddy and baby toothbrushes and toothpastes in our bathroom.
When our toothpaste is feeling decidedly pasty (haha), when all you can feel is tube and not paste, the real competition begins. Who can bend it, push it and manipulate it enough to continue getting toothpaste out. I always lose and end up being the person who late at night has to rummage around in all the packets under the bathroom sink hoping that there is a new tube there somewhere, while planning how to cut the tube open and formulate a lump from the slim remains in order to brush my teeth.
Just lately, i am proud to say, i am winning toothpaste wars. I am winning by proxy. Xss has moved on to the Sensodyne toothpaste behind and abandoned the family Mcleans. If he stays on it long enough I'll be able to get the last toothpaste suck out and i will win.... It'll be just my luck that he will revert back to Mcleans for the last little bit of paste, and I'll lose..... Then again, if he doesn't move back, I'll get the last bit and I'll still have to eventually open a new tube and then I'll lose again.... Worst of all, Xss might not even be aware of these toothpaste wars. He probably just cleans his teeth and doesn't think in toothpaste manipulation tactics. He probably just puts toothpaste on his brush, and brushes. Some people say i am overly competitive.
5/52 Happy? making myself feel like a winner by over complicating minor household events. score. Next week I'll tell you about the competition of how to stack the washing up on the draining board the highest!
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
In Mourning
Happy has been a challenge to me this week. I thought it might be a challenge when i started, as i very much live in the real world. Its not fluffy, and its not nice. kids get raped by HIV positive gang members everyday (frank, but true). Most days i feel like i am addressing this though (through very minor steps!) but this week just sucked and i did nothing but moan,
The good thing about trying to record 52 weeks of happy however, is that when you are miserable it often highlights just how lucky you are, or were.
This week sucked because i realised i have no friends. And although this is somewhat driven by a teenage-style over dramatic tantrum, it is also somewhat true. I do have numerous great friends, that i am limited in my ability to see. Either they live far away, they also have children so a conversation is nigh on impossible around all the kids, they are dealing with stuff in their own lives.. the list goes on.
This week i realised that my favourite two mummy friends are moving away in September. Coupled with seeing very little of my London-friends-without-kids, i then came to the realisation that i have no friends at work. This adds up to a prospective September of seeing no-one on my two days off with Starbucks, speaking with no-one in my 3 days of work at the office, and seeing no-one in the evenings and weekends, apart from Xss and Starbucks. I'll admit it, i cried.
So where is the silver lining in this moan? Did my tears give the chocolate bar i was comfort indulging in, a salty/sweet combo that could be sold for marketed for millions? No. But it made me realise just how much i loved my old job, especially my colleagues.
Work makes up a huge percentage of your identity. Or i should say, what you do with your day time is a large part of who you are. For 5/7ths of my life before Starbucks i was a worker on a close knit team. I knew what to do, and i enjoyed doing it. When i was in the office i could discuss cases with colleagues if i was stuck, i could have a joke if i was down. I could phone any of them when i was on the street and ask them to look up a phone number or give me directions or guidance. There were numerous lunch time options. Takeaway could be communally ordered. We created games, ongoing jokes, discussed ways to make work better. My manager was my friend. I was good at what i did, and people told me this.
4/52 Happy? Having had the opportunity to work in a brilliant, well organised job with inspiring people who worked for the same goals as myself.
The good thing about trying to record 52 weeks of happy however, is that when you are miserable it often highlights just how lucky you are, or were.
This week sucked because i realised i have no friends. And although this is somewhat driven by a teenage-style over dramatic tantrum, it is also somewhat true. I do have numerous great friends, that i am limited in my ability to see. Either they live far away, they also have children so a conversation is nigh on impossible around all the kids, they are dealing with stuff in their own lives.. the list goes on.
This week i realised that my favourite two mummy friends are moving away in September. Coupled with seeing very little of my London-friends-without-kids, i then came to the realisation that i have no friends at work. This adds up to a prospective September of seeing no-one on my two days off with Starbucks, speaking with no-one in my 3 days of work at the office, and seeing no-one in the evenings and weekends, apart from Xss and Starbucks. I'll admit it, i cried.
So where is the silver lining in this moan? Did my tears give the chocolate bar i was comfort indulging in, a salty/sweet combo that could be sold for marketed for millions? No. But it made me realise just how much i loved my old job, especially my colleagues.
Work makes up a huge percentage of your identity. Or i should say, what you do with your day time is a large part of who you are. For 5/7ths of my life before Starbucks i was a worker on a close knit team. I knew what to do, and i enjoyed doing it. When i was in the office i could discuss cases with colleagues if i was stuck, i could have a joke if i was down. I could phone any of them when i was on the street and ask them to look up a phone number or give me directions or guidance. There were numerous lunch time options. Takeaway could be communally ordered. We created games, ongoing jokes, discussed ways to make work better. My manager was my friend. I was good at what i did, and people told me this.
4/52 Happy? Having had the opportunity to work in a brilliant, well organised job with inspiring people who worked for the same goals as myself.
Sunday, July 07, 2013
My letter to the camera fixers
Why do people write such boring straight forward things? This is my latest letter to accompany my camera which is being fixed, it's not brilliant and that 'out-there' but much too conversational for us Brits. And if it doesn't raise a smile, i recon at least it will raise a hesitation about calling me to confirm receipt:
Geek Inn
Annoying block of flats with extortionate managing agent fee's
London
SE
Hello.
Please can you fix my camera because it is broken and the men on the phone said to send it in.
When you turn it on sometimes only half the lens cover moves leaving half out obscuring the lens, also there is a black patch on the screen on the back. I am unsure how this has happened- it just appeared one day.
My reference numbers are 276rh and 346628.
Thank you for your help. I hope your office has nice windows that you can look out of and you are not stuck in a dark room like machines.
Please call me if you have any questions (about this enquiry, i do not have a great 'General Knowledge') (although i did learn the other day that ants can wage war on other groups of ants with each ant having a different specific job - only humans can also do this).
Thanks again,
LE Geek
01555-252 1879
3/52 Happy? trying to brighten someones day
Annoying block of flats with extortionate managing agent fee's
London
SE
Hello.
Please can you fix my camera because it is broken and the men on the phone said to send it in.
When you turn it on sometimes only half the lens cover moves leaving half out obscuring the lens, also there is a black patch on the screen on the back. I am unsure how this has happened- it just appeared one day.
My reference numbers are 276rh and 346628.
Thank you for your help. I hope your office has nice windows that you can look out of and you are not stuck in a dark room like machines.
Please call me if you have any questions (about this enquiry, i do not have a great 'General Knowledge') (although i did learn the other day that ants can wage war on other groups of ants with each ant having a different specific job - only humans can also do this).
Thanks again,
LE Geek
01555-252 1879
3/52 Happy? trying to brighten someones day
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Starbucks makes me happy
I love Starbucks. An easy deduction, but today i am writing about the delicious Mocha Cookie Crumble frapaccino.
I went to university today (one lecture left and then I'm done) which was brilliant and terrible in waves. Only two of us turned up, and the other girl annoys me to say the least. At several stages during the lecture i considered whether i should, 'social work' her to demonstrate my person skills to the lecturer, (whom i love and have decided i want to work for in the future). Often the lecture seemed like a visit at work. The best conversation was as follows (remember this is 6 months into the social work course):
teacher: '...now this is a skill that you will need a lot as a social worker'
Annoying girl: 'oh. No. I don't want to be a social worker'.
Teacher: 'so what do you want to be?'
Annoying girl: 'a teacher'.
moment of silence as social work class grounds to a halt.
Me: ' So why are you doing a social work degree?'
Annoying girl: 'because a teacher i know told me i needed to get a degree, any degree, and then do a PGCE conversion course to become a teacher'.
amazing.
We then had a long, slow drawn out conversation about how if you wanted to be a teacher, perhaps a teaching degree was the best option, and the quickest. She asked a couple of times if she has just wasted a year doing the first year of a social work degree. It seems likely but neither I, nor the tutor had the heart to admit it.
She then refused to do any work, whenever she was asked a question answered with, 'i don't know', 'i've got a headache' or 'ask someone else'. When eventually i got really annoyed i asked her why she had come, to which she replied that she wanted to learn. Its amazing how you can never see whats in front of your face. She was refusing to learn AND hindering me from doing so. Eventually she left after saying 'Bye Kelly' and when i corrected her, she stated, 'i thought your name was Kelly' in such a way that it felt like a challenge that perhaps i had secretly changed my name over the course of the 6 months she has known me. cheers love.
Anyways once she left i got my geek on and got to chat social work politics and theory one on one with my idol. sorry. lecturer.
Following this annoyance, i felt like she ruined my lecture, i got trapped in the hell that was Gay Pride. I've never realised how illogical it is to let people march down oxford street and not have ANY WAY TO CROSS IT. There were crowds of terribly slow walking people all trying to hit me with their big yellow Selfridges bags thrown over their shoulders. The police had no information on where to direct people and I got very lost of backstreets looking for a way to get to ANY TUBE STATION. I found my way to Starbucks.
Option: drink Starbucks or sit on the pavement and cry (and i never cry). Starbucks won. I became more rational, called Honestly who was sitting at her laptop and directed me out of the mess via phone. I really need an I-Phone. not only would it help me navigate unfamiliar streets, it could mark out all the Starbucks for me :)
2/52 Happy? Starbucks Mocha Cookie Crumble Frapaccino!
I went to university today (one lecture left and then I'm done) which was brilliant and terrible in waves. Only two of us turned up, and the other girl annoys me to say the least. At several stages during the lecture i considered whether i should, 'social work' her to demonstrate my person skills to the lecturer, (whom i love and have decided i want to work for in the future). Often the lecture seemed like a visit at work. The best conversation was as follows (remember this is 6 months into the social work course):
teacher: '...now this is a skill that you will need a lot as a social worker'
Annoying girl: 'oh. No. I don't want to be a social worker'.
Teacher: 'so what do you want to be?'
Annoying girl: 'a teacher'.
moment of silence as social work class grounds to a halt.
Me: ' So why are you doing a social work degree?'
Annoying girl: 'because a teacher i know told me i needed to get a degree, any degree, and then do a PGCE conversion course to become a teacher'.
amazing.
We then had a long, slow drawn out conversation about how if you wanted to be a teacher, perhaps a teaching degree was the best option, and the quickest. She asked a couple of times if she has just wasted a year doing the first year of a social work degree. It seems likely but neither I, nor the tutor had the heart to admit it.
She then refused to do any work, whenever she was asked a question answered with, 'i don't know', 'i've got a headache' or 'ask someone else'. When eventually i got really annoyed i asked her why she had come, to which she replied that she wanted to learn. Its amazing how you can never see whats in front of your face. She was refusing to learn AND hindering me from doing so. Eventually she left after saying 'Bye Kelly' and when i corrected her, she stated, 'i thought your name was Kelly' in such a way that it felt like a challenge that perhaps i had secretly changed my name over the course of the 6 months she has known me. cheers love.
Anyways once she left i got my geek on and got to chat social work politics and theory one on one with my idol. sorry. lecturer.
Following this annoyance, i felt like she ruined my lecture, i got trapped in the hell that was Gay Pride. I've never realised how illogical it is to let people march down oxford street and not have ANY WAY TO CROSS IT. There were crowds of terribly slow walking people all trying to hit me with their big yellow Selfridges bags thrown over their shoulders. The police had no information on where to direct people and I got very lost of backstreets looking for a way to get to ANY TUBE STATION. I found my way to Starbucks.
Option: drink Starbucks or sit on the pavement and cry (and i never cry). Starbucks won. I became more rational, called Honestly who was sitting at her laptop and directed me out of the mess via phone. I really need an I-Phone. not only would it help me navigate unfamiliar streets, it could mark out all the Starbucks for me :)
2/52 Happy? Starbucks Mocha Cookie Crumble Frapaccino!
Sunday, June 23, 2013
52 Weeks of HAPPY.
I often struggle to know what to write on here. Although I love writing, I also want to write something that people want to read, not something they read the first two sentences of and then move on.
Are you still here?
Great.
So thanks to Spinster's idea, I am going to try to blog 52 weeks of happy. Reasons to be happy, things that make me happy. Glorious good stuff. That's not to say I wont mention my unprofessional conduct at work (latest exploits around not being allowed to attend court due to my trainers and having people struggle to understand that in normal life you only need one pair of shoes for one pair of feet, and that in the world of trainers- the bigger the better is the rule) or stories about Starbucks latest exploits (recent ability to walk in slow motion acquired).
So todays happy? The spa. This weekend I was lucky enough to attend York hall Spa in Bethnal green. There is something glorious about being near naked and warm. On top of this I went with my best friend, True. The overlooked aspect of a spa is that when you attend for a session, that is all that you do for those 3 hours. No mobile phones. No list of chores. No other agenda than chatting and relaxing. How often does this happen in modern day life. A few hours of being still.
The bible mentions quite frequently 'being still', and I think its an art. One that yoga and meditation enthusiasts might be able to champion better than myself. But being in a moment, complete and with no forward facing agenda, no baggage of history, but just being alive in a moment is a powerful place to be.
This is also what I like about the culture of having a cup of tea. A moment around a table with a friend, both holding a mug, that is the activity, nothing more. Just you two and an activity you need not think to do.
We didn't have any treatments at the spa, just enjoyed the sauna, steam rooms, tepiderium, bucket shower, plunge pool etc. Brilliant. Did you know it feels like an achievement to stand under a bucket of cold water and pull it over you, or to submerge yourself in an icy pool? Why cant you write things like this on your CV? you'd get a much clearer picture of what sort of person you were.
1/52 Happy? Going to the Spa with an interesting person.
Are you still here?
Great.
So thanks to Spinster's idea, I am going to try to blog 52 weeks of happy. Reasons to be happy, things that make me happy. Glorious good stuff. That's not to say I wont mention my unprofessional conduct at work (latest exploits around not being allowed to attend court due to my trainers and having people struggle to understand that in normal life you only need one pair of shoes for one pair of feet, and that in the world of trainers- the bigger the better is the rule) or stories about Starbucks latest exploits (recent ability to walk in slow motion acquired).
So todays happy? The spa. This weekend I was lucky enough to attend York hall Spa in Bethnal green. There is something glorious about being near naked and warm. On top of this I went with my best friend, True. The overlooked aspect of a spa is that when you attend for a session, that is all that you do for those 3 hours. No mobile phones. No list of chores. No other agenda than chatting and relaxing. How often does this happen in modern day life. A few hours of being still.
The bible mentions quite frequently 'being still', and I think its an art. One that yoga and meditation enthusiasts might be able to champion better than myself. But being in a moment, complete and with no forward facing agenda, no baggage of history, but just being alive in a moment is a powerful place to be.
This is also what I like about the culture of having a cup of tea. A moment around a table with a friend, both holding a mug, that is the activity, nothing more. Just you two and an activity you need not think to do.
We didn't have any treatments at the spa, just enjoyed the sauna, steam rooms, tepiderium, bucket shower, plunge pool etc. Brilliant. Did you know it feels like an achievement to stand under a bucket of cold water and pull it over you, or to submerge yourself in an icy pool? Why cant you write things like this on your CV? you'd get a much clearer picture of what sort of person you were.
1/52 Happy? Going to the Spa with an interesting person.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Starbucks is ONE!!!!!
I've survived a year, and more importantly so has she!!
To celebrate i made cup cakes that look like cookie monster. What better way to celebrate than feed your fledgling a humungous amount of blue food dye laced with sugar just before bed?!!
To celebrate i made cup cakes that look like cookie monster. What better way to celebrate than feed your fledgling a humungous amount of blue food dye laced with sugar just before bed?!!
The Cookie Monster cakes i made for her.
Starbucks may look unimpressed but she ate that cake at great speed a second later.
Friday, April 19, 2013
Mental health titles you psycho
Did you know i am studying for my social work degree? Well i find the content very interesting (which is good as it motivates my studies). Here is my latest fascinating find:
1913 - Mental Deficiency Act (England and Scotland) made it a duty for local education authorities to identify all children with learning disabilities between the ages of seven and sixteen. It established four categories of ‘mental deficiency’: ‘idiots’, ‘imbeciles’, ‘feeble-minded persons’ and ‘moral imbeciles’.
(as quoted from K101 An Introduction to Health and Social Care, Open University Course)
I guess these words have changed in time, but i cant work out what the hierachy is amongst these, can you? i think an imbecile is worse than an idiot? Only because in my culture it is more offensive.
Also weren't all women called 'feeble minded' for a while?
1913 - Mental Deficiency Act (England and Scotland) made it a duty for local education authorities to identify all children with learning disabilities between the ages of seven and sixteen. It established four categories of ‘mental deficiency’: ‘idiots’, ‘imbeciles’, ‘feeble-minded persons’ and ‘moral imbeciles’.
(as quoted from K101 An Introduction to Health and Social Care, Open University Course)
I guess these words have changed in time, but i cant work out what the hierachy is amongst these, can you? i think an imbecile is worse than an idiot? Only because in my culture it is more offensive.
Also weren't all women called 'feeble minded' for a while?
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
I'm not being prejudice but....
An email i wrote earlier today after a shameful dentist trip:
Honestly,
I just went to the dentist and they said I have gum disease so my teeth may fall out. I think this is a while off, but if I am only 30 at the moment, it is not good. so now:
- I will have to divorce Xss as he cannot go out with someone with false teeth.
- Never go out and socialise as people with false teeth can only go down an old mans pubs or to places where women have beards.
-I am not allowed to eat chocolate or cakes for the rest of my life as this is the cause of this
- I am intrinsically a bad mother as if I cannot even keep myself in good health, how can I teach Starbucks?
- I can't get those beakers on that website you showed me, because people with false teeth can only drink out of badly tea stained mugs, often with only the remnants of a handle.
- I am angry as to how everyone else could have let this get this way!! Why did no one tell me or stop it. It is obviously not my own fault AT ALL. The blame list is: the dentist, my parents, the government, then the world for conspiring against me. I hope you were not in on it......
As you can see I am in a good mood.
Hope works ok
Geek
From: LE Geek
Sent: 10 April 2013 10:44
To: Honestly Work
Subject: My teeth are doomed
Sent: 10 April 2013 10:44
To: Honestly Work
Subject: My teeth are doomed
Honestly,
I just went to the dentist and they said I have gum disease so my teeth may fall out. I think this is a while off, but if I am only 30 at the moment, it is not good. so now:
- I will have to divorce Xss as he cannot go out with someone with false teeth.
- Never go out and socialise as people with false teeth can only go down an old mans pubs or to places where women have beards.
-I am not allowed to eat chocolate or cakes for the rest of my life as this is the cause of this
- I am intrinsically a bad mother as if I cannot even keep myself in good health, how can I teach Starbucks?
- I can't get those beakers on that website you showed me, because people with false teeth can only drink out of badly tea stained mugs, often with only the remnants of a handle.
- I am angry as to how everyone else could have let this get this way!! Why did no one tell me or stop it. It is obviously not my own fault AT ALL. The blame list is: the dentist, my parents, the government, then the world for conspiring against me. I hope you were not in on it......
As you can see I am in a good mood.
Hope works ok
Geek
Monday, April 08, 2013
Why the Swedish are better mothers than us Brits
I recently went to Sweden for a wedding (another excuse for not writing on here as often as i would like). Initially we thought it was in Stockholm, then further north, but eventually as understanding dawned on us, the wedding was in the Arctic circle!! It was cold, but you just wear more coats (plural) don't you? (And no we didnt see the stupid northern lights, but we're not going back.)
I think some pretty stupid things for a relatively intelligent person, so i was worried about attending this wedding as a parent, after all everyone knows that the Scandinavians are brilliant, natural mothers. I couldn't help but think they they would be attending this not-so-baby-friendly-event with their offspring who would not cry, would be cute (perhaps do a twee dance or ditty for strangers on demand) and would fall asleep during the evening and happily sleep on the chairs round the edge, undisturbed by the loud music, dancing and merriment. I also thought that they would look down on me, think me stern and strict with my daughter and as i struggled with her wiggling torso on an hourly basis wonder if i had perhaps stolen this baby from someone else only a few days earlier.
Luckily, a baby is a baby. This i learnt. Five babies attended the church, and by the end five parents were walking around quietly at the back trying to keep their offspring occupied and quiet. Starbucks did let out a big cry as we tried to restrain her from making happy screeching noises, but there were four other babies there and I'm not owning up. At the reception (which had no accompanying rooms for babies to branch off into or crawl around (without the minor peril 100 pairs of feet presented) three babies attended and the two others retired before Starbucks to bed with the male in the family.
But here is the main difference. The mum's didn't worry. They didn't think it 'looked bad' that their partner had to leave the room to settle the baby, they didn't care that food ended up on the floor, and they seemed completely unconcerned with continually changing places and swapping seats with their overactive little treasure. This is a sad indictment on our British society. Why do British woman feel so obliged to live up to a ridiculous standard of motherhood. One that doesn't even make sense. You can't tame another human being, even small ones.
You could put it back on society and ask why does our society dictate that its better to see a cute, clean, child sitting still than it is to see one noisily, joyfully, throwing themselves around eating alternate mouthfuls whilst throwing the other on the floor? I can honestly say from the group of mothers i have met since having Starbucks, everyone (myself included) is trying so hard to ensure that their baby inconveniences the least people at every given opportunity. Its stressful, its hard work and its unrealistic.
Swedes are better mother, because they recognise that a baby is a baby, they are not embarrassed by it, worried about it, or concerned with how anyone else is treating theirs. They are making it simple - they are being mothers to their babies.
I think some pretty stupid things for a relatively intelligent person, so i was worried about attending this wedding as a parent, after all everyone knows that the Scandinavians are brilliant, natural mothers. I couldn't help but think they they would be attending this not-so-baby-friendly-event with their offspring who would not cry, would be cute (perhaps do a twee dance or ditty for strangers on demand) and would fall asleep during the evening and happily sleep on the chairs round the edge, undisturbed by the loud music, dancing and merriment. I also thought that they would look down on me, think me stern and strict with my daughter and as i struggled with her wiggling torso on an hourly basis wonder if i had perhaps stolen this baby from someone else only a few days earlier.
Luckily, a baby is a baby. This i learnt. Five babies attended the church, and by the end five parents were walking around quietly at the back trying to keep their offspring occupied and quiet. Starbucks did let out a big cry as we tried to restrain her from making happy screeching noises, but there were four other babies there and I'm not owning up. At the reception (which had no accompanying rooms for babies to branch off into or crawl around (without the minor peril 100 pairs of feet presented) three babies attended and the two others retired before Starbucks to bed with the male in the family.
But here is the main difference. The mum's didn't worry. They didn't think it 'looked bad' that their partner had to leave the room to settle the baby, they didn't care that food ended up on the floor, and they seemed completely unconcerned with continually changing places and swapping seats with their overactive little treasure. This is a sad indictment on our British society. Why do British woman feel so obliged to live up to a ridiculous standard of motherhood. One that doesn't even make sense. You can't tame another human being, even small ones.
You could put it back on society and ask why does our society dictate that its better to see a cute, clean, child sitting still than it is to see one noisily, joyfully, throwing themselves around eating alternate mouthfuls whilst throwing the other on the floor? I can honestly say from the group of mothers i have met since having Starbucks, everyone (myself included) is trying so hard to ensure that their baby inconveniences the least people at every given opportunity. Its stressful, its hard work and its unrealistic.
Swedes are better mother, because they recognise that a baby is a baby, they are not embarrassed by it, worried about it, or concerned with how anyone else is treating theirs. They are making it simple - they are being mothers to their babies.
Starbucks being a baby (busy eating a spoon on a shopping centre floor in Sweden).
Thursday, April 04, 2013
Happy Easter Everyone.
I know preaching at people is not cool, and i know that as an adult most people have already decided what they think about God. But in case there is some room for change in your opinions:
God Loves you.
Through his death Jesus made a statement; has said that he will stand up for you when you meet God at the end of the day and have to account for the things you have not done in your life. He believes you are worth dying for, even if you continue to do wrong or never even acknowledge it. There is no greater love than this.
If nothing else believe that Jesus showed us how to live a life full of love; and he wasn't always wandering around clapping his hands joyfully, telling everyone off in a patronising manner.
Happy Easter. I hope you know you are loved.
Starbucks and her friend Hope, acting out the scene when Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene after his death. From their facial expressions you can really tell that they have got into character! Ah what a great life it is not having to work and having no outlet for our creative energy.
Uses #104 & #105 for a muslin cloth!
God Loves you.
Through his death Jesus made a statement; has said that he will stand up for you when you meet God at the end of the day and have to account for the things you have not done in your life. He believes you are worth dying for, even if you continue to do wrong or never even acknowledge it. There is no greater love than this.
If nothing else believe that Jesus showed us how to live a life full of love; and he wasn't always wandering around clapping his hands joyfully, telling everyone off in a patronising manner.
Happy Easter. I hope you know you are loved.
Uses #104 & #105 for a muslin cloth!
Saturday, March 02, 2013
Help. I need somebody
Why do we often call problems at the beginning of something 'teething problems'? When i struggle i don't try to eat the problem. Is it because teething problems are the first we encounter in our lives? If so, it's very inaccurate, there are many problems for babies before teething (and after) here Starbucks will act some out:
The i need to breathe for the first time problem.
The why am i not living in a water sack problem.
The I've been awake a whole hour and am now suddenly, unbelievably tired problem.
The i don't want to wear this hat problem.
The what is that horrible crying noise problem.
The snow is trying to attack me problem.
The i don't want to be carried, pushed, crawl or sit still problem.
The this doesn't taste like pizza problem.
Thank goodness its easier to be an adult....
Thursday, February 21, 2013
And in the blue corner weighing in at 1 oz - WHEATABIX
There is nothing stronger than Wheatabix. honestly. We should build houses with the stuff, i don't know why we don't already. Perhaps i need to market it, or perhaps the smell of wheatabix with dried out milk would make the house uninhabitable?What about wheatabix made up with orange juice?
So Starbucks has been throwing her breakfast around, a lot. Xss and I agreed that we are going to try not to be annoying parents who constantly try to control their offspring to protect their nice furniture. Ours can go wild and trash it. So the solution to the wheatabix? Wait until she grows older and then repaint the wall. You might think that i should just wipe the wall- but once the wheatabix is on, if it comes off, so does the paint underneath! it has a terrific grip, so I've given up.
We have also begun safeguarding the child from the furniture's revenge attacks and have therefore taped down the TV- see below. Lets face it, the TV was free, the DVD player was free and the table was free- I'm hoping the Humax (TV recorder) comes out ok as it is in the middle. No need for complicated aids, just a big roll of duck tape!
Everyone taking shelter in nearby cardboard boxes to avoid falling items. [Starbucks with the obligatory tongue sticking out, it's possible she is a bit special. Jury still out until she can talk, but she was also rocking backwards and forwards in silence today!]
So I'm busy protecting the baby from furniture and falling books now days (its irrelevant that most things that fall on her are a result of her own hand), and when I'm not I'm cleaning, cooking, washing or studying! Studying is my new pleasure. I have started my Open University course (correspondence course) on Social Work and i really enjoy it. I feel there are certain liberties you can take in the world of academia- one of which is making up words. This week i made up Uniculture. a place with only one culture. Xss pointed out that this is actually Monoculture!
So sorry for the sparse blogging, but when i sit down at the computer i feel that i must study, not blog. It's a shame, and I'll try to keep up both activities, just for my loyal fans ;)
So Starbucks has been throwing her breakfast around, a lot. Xss and I agreed that we are going to try not to be annoying parents who constantly try to control their offspring to protect their nice furniture. Ours can go wild and trash it. So the solution to the wheatabix? Wait until she grows older and then repaint the wall. You might think that i should just wipe the wall- but once the wheatabix is on, if it comes off, so does the paint underneath! it has a terrific grip, so I've given up.
We have also begun safeguarding the child from the furniture's revenge attacks and have therefore taped down the TV- see below. Lets face it, the TV was free, the DVD player was free and the table was free- I'm hoping the Humax (TV recorder) comes out ok as it is in the middle. No need for complicated aids, just a big roll of duck tape!
The TV complete with modern baby protection.
So I'm busy protecting the baby from furniture and falling books now days (its irrelevant that most things that fall on her are a result of her own hand), and when I'm not I'm cleaning, cooking, washing or studying! Studying is my new pleasure. I have started my Open University course (correspondence course) on Social Work and i really enjoy it. I feel there are certain liberties you can take in the world of academia- one of which is making up words. This week i made up Uniculture. a place with only one culture. Xss pointed out that this is actually Monoculture!
So sorry for the sparse blogging, but when i sit down at the computer i feel that i must study, not blog. It's a shame, and I'll try to keep up both activities, just for my loyal fans ;)
Saturday, February 09, 2013
Reasons to love London....
Number 47
I met Lovely for lunch today in the Crypt at St. Martin's in the field (in Trafalgar square) following my university lecture (for social work). Afterwards we went upstairs to admire the church, it is truly stunning. And in there an orchestra was rehearsing. Now this was probably a world class orchestra, warming up for that evenings performance. So sitting in the pews listening were many, very dignified, people getting a free intermittent concert. In the back rows and all around the outside walls were homeless people, asleep in the warmth. All in this spectacular church. How this combination of people and experiences can all combine so harmoniously and easily is something that i find London does so well. I will miss it when we leave.
I met Lovely for lunch today in the Crypt at St. Martin's in the field (in Trafalgar square) following my university lecture (for social work). Afterwards we went upstairs to admire the church, it is truly stunning. And in there an orchestra was rehearsing. Now this was probably a world class orchestra, warming up for that evenings performance. So sitting in the pews listening were many, very dignified, people getting a free intermittent concert. In the back rows and all around the outside walls were homeless people, asleep in the warmth. All in this spectacular church. How this combination of people and experiences can all combine so harmoniously and easily is something that i find London does so well. I will miss it when we leave.
Thursday, February 07, 2013
The americans are coming....
Sorry, again, for the long delay. I had guests come to stay with us from America, and since with a baby i can only get one small thing done a day it too a bit of preparation and time. Also i have started studying my Social work degree through the open university, so every time i turn on the computer i feel bad if i do anything other than coursework.
The visit from the Americans was awesome! They are a couple who took me in when i was 18. I was a broken and lonely teenager feeling like no-one cared about me and life was pretty grey. However, these nice people chose me to come and live with them, then slowly built me up over the year and set me free a confident young woman. I will always feel in debt to them, but not in a bad way, and we have remained in contact the THIRTEEN years following! (now you all know how old i am!). So Xss and I got them flights over, to see London, our home, and meet Starbucks. They seemed to enjoy themselves, although in many ways our lives are very, very different. And Starbucks loved the company. I love the fact that they now know exactly what my life looks/smells and feels like, and smile often when i re-picture them sitting in my house, or other everyday situations.
At the moment i am HAPPY.
P.S Spinster, they left a box of kraft Mac & Cheese if you are missing it?
The visit from the Americans was awesome! They are a couple who took me in when i was 18. I was a broken and lonely teenager feeling like no-one cared about me and life was pretty grey. However, these nice people chose me to come and live with them, then slowly built me up over the year and set me free a confident young woman. I will always feel in debt to them, but not in a bad way, and we have remained in contact the THIRTEEN years following! (now you all know how old i am!). So Xss and I got them flights over, to see London, our home, and meet Starbucks. They seemed to enjoy themselves, although in many ways our lives are very, very different. And Starbucks loved the company. I love the fact that they now know exactly what my life looks/smells and feels like, and smile often when i re-picture them sitting in my house, or other everyday situations.
At the moment i am HAPPY.
P.S Spinster, they left a box of kraft Mac & Cheese if you are missing it?
Friday, January 18, 2013
The quiet Snow
Does the snow make the world quiet? Is it a romantic notion that it 'blankets' the world and muffles the sound? I was housebound today due to an ill baby, (who seemed to just cry at me all day) so didn't get to hear the world until Xss got home and i was free to roam. It was lovely and peaceful outside: Unusual for London. The cars were few and slow, there were no people, and no noise came from each house, it was brilliant. I relished my slow walk to the local shops, there is something magical about being isolated in a massive city. [ i can still distinctly remember being in a hustling Ljubljana airport, not knowing the language and loving it, isolated in my linguistic ignorance free to be a mute observer].
I don't mind if the snow goes or stays for once, as now with a baby in tow (who cant interact with this new environment) i cant really go out in it for fear of falling and dropping her, or her freezing to death (not really, but she might well continuously cry with cold and i couldn't bare that either). I wanted to get a photo of her and the snow, but this is hard as she cant really sit in it. So i took the one below when it was actually snowing yesterday, however you cant see the snow :( I now love carrying Starbucks like this, it keeps us both warm and is like we have a joint secret conspiracy against the world. And she looks cute.
I don't mind if the snow goes or stays for once, as now with a baby in tow (who cant interact with this new environment) i cant really go out in it for fear of falling and dropping her, or her freezing to death (not really, but she might well continuously cry with cold and i couldn't bare that either). I wanted to get a photo of her and the snow, but this is hard as she cant really sit in it. So i took the one below when it was actually snowing yesterday, however you cant see the snow :( I now love carrying Starbucks like this, it keeps us both warm and is like we have a joint secret conspiracy against the world. And she looks cute.
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