Museum trip



I went to the British Museum the other day. I was a chaperone on a field trip with the 10th graders in their European History course. As you can imagine from the pics above, the topic was ancient Greece and Rome.

I haven't been to the British Museum in ages! It was so cool! I looked at pieces from the Parthenon, old jewelry and statues that had amazing details. And this was in only a few rooms!
I am planning on going back some time this winter to see the newest exhibition, the Terracotta Army. It's a shame that I don't ever take the time, especially during the summer, to see all these amazing sites that are here on offer in London. I ought to be ashamed of myself. So I'm going to do it. After hockey season is done with the kids, I'm going to try to take one afternoon a month (at least) to explore museums.

In Memorium

This picture shoes the last time I spent with my dog, Amber. It was the day after my wedding and I was heading packing things up. Amber decided she needed to keep me there and plopped herself on my stuff. We got to have a little cuddle and then she went home to my brother's house.

I got Amber when I was working at EHS, a boarding school in Virginia. She was rescued from a family who just couldn't keep her. They hadn't trained her and she was wild. They said she was four, but when I took her to the vet, they said she was only two...and still a puppy. Amber learned to live by my rules and became a much better behaved young lady of a dog. She was a friend through all my stress of working with teenagers. And she protected me from the bad men who tried to break my heart...she knew before I did that they were not nice...or in one instance, that the guy was cheating on me. She had the best instincts...and I learned from her.

When my brother starting talking about how they'd love to have a dog, but weren't sure about training...and I knew I was going to be moving to a place which wouldn't accept dogs...I knew that she was meant for him and my sis-in-law. And they have loved her like I did. Amber became the protector of their baby as soon as he was born. I wish Ryan would have had more time with his dog.

Amber was special. And a lot of us will miss her. Someday I'll get another dog...but it won't be the same as my first 'best friend'. Love ya Amber. Miss ya!

Sad News

This is an email my sister-in-law sent to me about Amber, a gorgeous platinum blond yellow lab and I gave up when I moved....she is currently living with my brother, sister-in-law and their baby. She's so protective of Ryan...And she's the first dog I've ever owned on my own. I miss her.

"Glad all is going well. Just wanted to give you an update on Amber in case we have some more bad news later today. Amber has been struggling with her right back leg since earlier this summer. At first the vet thought she had clown out her knee. She was on some medication and limited walking. She had a great time in Maine and swam a lot. We took her back for a follow-up visit when we returned and he figured out (at least said he figured out) that her problem had something do with her spine and spinal fluid. She was limping a bit but could walk more. Basically something was effecting her nervous system as she often curled up her right back foot when she stood. Well, yesterday we can home and she couldn’t put any weight on her back right leg. She was fine in the morning and Ev picked up Max earlier in the afternoon and said something was wrong with her back leg. I assumed just that she was limping a bit. Worse than that – she is basically a 3 legged dog at this point. We have a call into the vet and will most likely be in there some time today. She can eat and drinks her water, but can’t move much beyond the door way and it took lots of effort just to take her out to pee. She can’t do anything else. I’m very worried, but she is at least in good spirits and eating. I tell you this not to worry you, but just to let you know and keep you updated. I have a bad feeling in my stomach, but we’ll just have to wait and see what the doctor has to say.Sorry to lay this on you know, but I didn’t want more information to be a total shock. Take care, C."

Edited on 21 Sept: Here's a pic of my lovely dog with my nephew...she's always trying to be around him. They find out today if she needs to be put down. Keeping my fingers crossed...

It's all relative!

This past weekend I got to meet up with a few of Roy's relatives. We met at his parent's house and then off to dinner at the Gaucho Grill in Hampstead. It was a party of six - his parents, his aunt and uncle (mom's side) and the two of us newlyweds. The Gaucho Grill has very yummy steaks and is quite a funky restaurant. It's not a romantic place, as the music is loud and the place is very dark. Chairs were covered with animal print, dark wood was all over the place and lights were dimmed with a reddish tone. Even the bathrooms were darkly lit with what seemed to be candles. I guess it's a place for mystery or to be 'seen'.

We had a good time and the visiting relatives tried to pay, but Roy's mom got to the waitress too fast. They still tried to ply their credit card on the waitress, who asked, quite cheekily, if she could use it to buy a new Fendi bag. Cute.

We left the restaurant to wait for Roy to bring the car around...yes, we packed ourselves all in one vehicle (illegal, yes, I know). And as we were waiting, I could hear the uncle say, well, we didn't get the waitress a bag, but we could get one for Liane. "Hey, Liane...what colour bag would you like? Do you like black?" I played along thinking that this would never happen...and yes, black is always my preferred bag colour though I do own several other coloured items.

I don't know why, but we offered to cook dinner for everyone on Tuesday night (last night). With all the craziness going on in my life, it wasn't the most brilliant idea, but in the end it worked out.

I baked a bit on Sunday...trying to make baked donuts which really resembled a nice yeasty bun instead...so we decided to use those for dinner. We chopped all the veg on Monday night and let it marinate with chili and olive oil.

There wasn't too much to do on Tuesday evening, after walking home from my high school field hockey practice...I chopped a bit, put a few things together, cleaned a touch and then put it all in the oven. Garlic and parmesan crusted chicken. No, I don't have a recipe I follow, it's just become my easy signature dish. The side was veg (potato, onion, garlic and pepper) baked in tin foil. It turned out all lovely and yummy.

We all enjoyed some wine and the meal. And surprising me, was a gift of a bag from DKNY. It's a lovely black bag, medium sized...much nicer than anything I currently own. Woo hoo! Cooking for relatives as a newlywed definitely has it's perks!

So they leave tomorrow and I'm meant to head to the in-laws for dinner tonight. Not sure how I feel about it as I'm struggling to stay awake as it is...and coughing up a storm. Wish this cold would go away. But it will be something I'll do...because it is expected. And yes, I am a good wife with Indian relatives. Sometimes you just have to play the game. And I'm lucky that it's not that hard to do, cause my new relatives are all so nice!

Up, up and away....

I always complain about men being big ol' babies when they get sick. I usually power through and do what I have to in work and home. But the past few days, I just want to be a baby too...I feel like whining up a storm...staying home and sleeping in. Not doing any work. Awww...poor me. Which is so pathetic. And so not me.

I was raised by a man who was so proud that he had only missed two days of work in 25 years of service to the school where he worked. Now this meant that he probably passed on some serious illnesses to the kids he worked with...but he was there. He was a guy who never went to the doctor - that was for wimps. And he passed this on a bit to his kids. We were the ones who had the spotless records at school...several years of perfect attendance. And when we got to work - how could we miss for any reason? I've moved beyond my dad and won't go in if I'm throwing up or feeling like death...but I still made it to work once during a blizzard, to keep the office going (I worked as a PA at the time).

I do go to the doctor, but only in extreme emergencies, like breaking a wrist. But didn't go when I dislocated my jaw...ice would work out fine.

I don't like that I've learned this habit. As a counselor, I preach taking care of yourself both physically and mentally. I don't want to be superwoman. I'm human. And I don't want to pass this on to any future generation.

So this week I did do a few things for myself. I took one day off from coaching and I came in later to work today (missed the first period class). I probably ought to have called off sick for the full day...but I couldn't let down a few kids who needed to see me today.

I'm not totally moving from being a superwoman...but at least I'm slowly admitting to being more like the human I am.

In the midst of madness...

It's been a while since I've written anything in here. But then again, I haven't exactly been spending a lot of fun or quality time on the internet. I have been, in a word, busy. It's a busy that I haven't experienced in a long time. It's been an OVERWHELMING sort of busy. One where I almost cried in front of my boss. One where I've gotten sick cause I just can't slow down. And that's huge. I NEVER get sick. Hardly ever.

It seemed to hit all of a sudden - teaching two classes, grading, coming up with a curriculum for my two programs, meeting with teachers, parents, students during day and evening (two nights out until 9pm at school), coaching and starting to play field hockey, plus all the paperwork involved in getting a bunch of groups out on a field trip to a variety of places (damn paperwork!).

So I'm tired. I feel dead. I'd love to have a sick day, but don't have the time...something that is crazy to me, but so true. I never understood people who said that until now. I truly cannot miss work right now. And once I get back to that point, I'll probably feel fine.

Tonight I'm giving my personal field hockey practice a miss. I just need the relaxation from 7pm onward. I couldn't rush home, eat a small something and then head out to practice from 8-10 pm. I don't get to bed until well past 11pm as I need to shower and relax before sleep will come. It's my one concession that may cost my place on the Ladies' First Team...and to be honest, right now, I don't care. I just want a good solid night of sleep. And time to spend with my gorgeously lovely husband.

I want to talk to him about selling our flat (which got a very low offer the other day, by the way). What to do about our estate agent who isn't sending us our contract and so we're not in any advertisement. To talk about our strategies.

One good thing that is happening today - we are having our flat cleaned for us. It will be a weekly thing. She arrived at 9am (hopefully) where Roy gave her keys and showed her the cleaning materials. I do hope it works, as it will take a lot of stress away. I never thought I'd have someone come to clean...but right now I just can't take that on as well. It'll be a short-term solution, but one I welcome!

So those are a few things I'm going to do to help keep me sane and healthy. I hope to feel better so I can go to the gym this weekend as well as play field hockey. I'm trying to eat better and drink tons of water. Even in the craziness of it all...I still try to do something nice for myself.

And it begins...

So...we decided to invite our preferred real estate agency to come and valuate the flat. They arrived yesterday, met by Roy, and took a look around. They then stated that the flat is worth a minimum of £275,000...but that we ought to put it on the market for £290,000 and realistically, it ought to sell for around £285,000. So after some thought, we decided to go with this agency and they came tonight (I'm still at work for 'Back to School Night') to take pics and get the contract signed. They already have viewings lined up - two tomorrow and two on Saturday!!! Can you believe it? We may have it off the market in a few weeks!!! Fast moving market or what?!

Therapy

One of the toughest decisions for some people to make is the one to see a therapist. And that's understandable. Even in today's supposedly enlightened world, there are still some taboos about seeing someone to help you with a problem. It's a shame that some people see seeking out help as being weak instead of being strong...but that will probably never change.

So, let's say you have decided to see a therapist. Who do you go and see? The best thing is to get recommendations from people you know (if you are comfy doing this). If you don't know anyone who has seen a therapist, then as your doctor for a recommendation. For most problems, the first stop is a psychologist, who can assess your issues. But if you think you have a very severe problem, such as clinical depression or anxiety, then it might be best to find a psychiatrist. What is the difference? The psychiatrist is medically trained and therefore is the only type of counselor who is able to give you medication.

There are many different types of therapists and their views on therapy. Don't feel that if you go to one and they don't fit or feel right, that you need to stick with them. Therapists will often even help you find someone new. But don't move only if you feel uncomfortable in therapy - that's a big part of the process. Move if you feel they don't 'hear' you or they seem to be giving you advice that runs totally counter to your instincts. I tend to encourage people to give a therapist at least 3 sessions before they move, just to work through the discomfort of just being in therapy.

Therapy is hard work. It is not fun. You may feel even worse on some days when you leave. But it should always make you think. You should leave with questions for yourself...things to work through.

I'm a huge fan of cognitive-behavioral psychology for a lot of problems. The focus is on changing the way you think, which in turn may help you deal with your behaviors and your emotions. It's used a ton in sports psychology, for anxiety and stress as well as many other issues. But most therapists, even if they have a particular 'bent', will also use techniques from other types of therapy.

When I'm looking for an outside therapist for a kid, I ask them a few questions:

a. Do you want a male or female. For some people, this is very important. For others, it just doesn't matter.

b. Do you care if the person is younger or older. Some people want the long-term perspective and experience, others want to work with someone who is closer to their age and may understand what's happening to the youth of today.

c. Are you ready to be open with this person.

And that is the most important question of them all. A person who is not open will not gain a thing from therapy. This is a person who will not judge you...they have probably heard a lot worse than anything you will tell them, and even if not, this is their job - to listen. If you hold back, then you are keeping a therapist and, quite honestly, yourself, from doing the best job. Cause that's one thing people forget or don't know about therapy - YOU know yourself the best, and so YOU are the one who can help yourself more than anyone else...a good therapist will help guide you and ask you the questions that you might not want to/be able to ask yourself.

We made it!

TGIF! During my summer holiday, specific days lose their meaning. Monday? Just another day. Friday? So what the weekend is arriving...I have off today anyway! But now that I'm working, Friday means so much more.

Now don't get me wrong. I truly love what I do. I like seeing the new faces looking all interested in what I'm teaching or coaching. I like having students come to my office for the first time to talk to me about a problem. And then there is my small bunch of girl groupies who come to my office just to 'chat' at least a few times a week. I definitely love that part of my life - to be the equivalent of a young aunt for these girls...mentoring them through those teenage years.

But at the same time, it's very tiring. (Yes, I know, whine, whine) So now, Friday means that it's the last day that I have to wake up at 6:20am...at least until Monday. I get to stay up a bit later and sleep in. So it's worth looking forward to. I do love my sleep!

This weekend will be the beginning of my club field hockey season...we have a fun day of seven-a-side teams from noon to 4pm. I can't wait. And then training begins on Wednesday. It's back to hard work!!

Sunday will see me cleaning like a fiend as we get ready to put our flat on the market. Our lights are fixed, we've moved everything we can...we are ready!

Have a good weekend!

And lift-off!

I survived the storm...otherwise known as the first day of school. Everyone take a deep breathe!

On this day, we start out with a meeting of the entire high school in our gym (cause our theatre is being worked on). This went on from 8:05 to 8:30...then we went on to grade meetings. I joined the freshmen as I have some programming I do with them and had to explain it. I also get my face out there and kids tend to find me to ask me questions and eventually to talk about issues. Already I think I've found a few kids who will be in my office a LOT. But that's what I'm here for and I look forward to this year's challenges.

This meeting went on for another 45 minutes or so. Then classes began. We were going through all eight periods, twenty minutes at a shot. Our normal class day consists of four periods of 80 minutes. Yes, LONG classes.

Then we had the athletics meeting with the kids followed by sign-up for autumn sports (I coach field hockey). And the final meeting of the day - coaches' meeting. By that point we were all fried and not up for it...but we took it decently well with a few snide remarks said quietly. Yes, we are worse than the kids. Much.

I was dead at the end of the day. Went home, put up my tired footsies and ate my dinner. Roy had a football match, so I was alone to process how the day went. And overall, it had been a good one. Busy as all else with organizing things and getting ready for today and tomorrow...but good.

Today I teach one of the two sections of Intro to Psych. I have a well planned afternoon. And we'll have our first field hockey try-out. It's the beginning of really long days...arriving around 7:50 a.m. and leaving around 6-something or later p.m. But it's totally worth it and I have had a long break leading up to this. I'm ready.

My wine and whine

Roy and I went to a wedding reception last night. There's an interesting tradition in England. There are two parts to the wedding festivities...a day invite and an evening invite. The day invite is for people to come to the dinner onward and the evening invite is for the second tier - people are invited for the dancing and drinks portion. Now, I find it tough. It's basically telling someone that you aren't QUITE good enough friends to come to the whole shindig, but good enough to come to the dance.

Now, one would think, that if you have invited someone to this portion of the evening, that you'd include the drinks - cause you've already told the people that they aren't quite good enough for dinner. But in many cases, including last night, it was a cash bar - so really, people are potentially travelling to go to a disco and pay hotel prices for drinks.

Nothing against the couple who invited us, but I personally think it's rude to expect people you've invited to a party to pay for drinks. Cash bars are WRONG. Especially if you are asked to travel to get to the wedding. This couple did provide Pimms & Lemonade for free...but it's something you can only have a few of cause it's so sweet. And personally, I like my wine...and to whine about this option. If you cannot afford to pay for the entire evening (or at least until a certain hour, like 11pm), then you ought to do something else - don't invite as many people...have it in a different venue...don't buy certain items. As a guest to a party, I should be treated to nice things, not have to pay for them.

So Roy and I decided to think of this as a night out of town. We happened to meet up with friends there, got to dance and stayed at a lovely hotel, the Falaise House. We stayed in their smallest room, which ended up being lovely! And the breakfast, which was included, was very yummy. The hosts were a wonderful and caring couple. It's a place I would suggest.

The cutest of cutie pies

I just have to show you how CUTE my nephew is. He is about 9 months old and absolutely the most adorable little boy I've ever laid my eyes on. His 'specialness' is furthered by the love my old dog, Amber, has for him, which you can see in one of the pics. Almost every third pic taken by my brother and sister-in-law shows Amber by my nephew's side. Devotion is definitely there!

I wish I could be closer to PA to be able to spend time with my little love. He's learning so much and changing so much. But I just have to live through all this in pictures, which is mom is so good about sharing online. I hope that eventually he comes to think of me as that cool aunt who lives in London...I'm sure I'll get a visit from him as a teenager who wants to explore the world. I plan on taking him all over Europe if given the chance.

I think it's due to seeing how wonderful this little boy is, that I've contemplated having one of my own. You could say that he has definitely turned on the 'baby urge' a bit...it's not complete, and I know I'd be fine without a child, but I can see the positives of having such a cutie pie!

Lucky

Once again, I am one of the luckiest girls on the planet. This past week a very strong storm (on it's way to becoming a hurricane) hit St Lucia. Winds tore through the small island causing all sorts of havoc.

I am both grateful and lucky that we went on our honeymoon during June instead of now. I was able to have an amazing honeymoon that was barely marred by rain, no less winds. For that, I will be forever grateful. And I feel sad for those people who have not gotten such a good experience due to the forces of nature. And even more so, for the wonderful people who work and live on the island who treated me & Roy with such grace and courtesy.

I have had quite a charmed life. No, I'm not the daughter of a millionaire nor have I become famous for something. I am not a girl genius (in terms of intellect) nor did I have the talent to become a great athlete. But I have survived quite a few experiences that could have gone very, very wrong...and I was born into a good life with wonderful (albeit flawed human) parents.

My first test in life was at birth. My mom had an extended contraction which cut off all the air supply to me for at least 15 minutes. I was born with an Apgar scale number of one Let me break this down for you:

Here's how they're used to rate your baby:
Activity (muscle tone) 0 — Limp; no movement...1 — Some flexion of arms and legs...2
— Active motion
Pulse (heart rate) 0 — No heart rate...1 — Fewer than 100 beats per minute...2 — At least 100 beats per minute
Grimace (reflex response) 0 — No response to airways being suctioned...1 — Grimace during suctioning...2 — Grimace and pull away, cough, or sneeze during suctioning
Appearance (color) 0 — The baby's whole body is completely bluish-gray or pale...1 — Good color in body with bluish hands or feet....2 — Good color all over
Respiration (breathing) 0 — Not breathing...1 — Weak cry; may sound like whimpering, slow or irregular breathing...2 — Good, strong cry; normal rate and effort of breathing

So, yeah, I was born completely limp, like a rag doll, had no airway response, had a very light pulse, was completely blue and wasn't breathing. It was NOT a happy day for the parents. But I both survived it and, after one year, they discovered that I was not brain damaged (no matter what my brother says!). The only legacy to this experience is a difficulty in short term memory at times. Not bad and makes me VERY lucky.

Another example I can give was when I was 12. I was riding a bike and my brakes failed. I hit a 3 foot high wall and fell about 15 feet down into a stream. My face was inches from a huge rock and I only ended up with a hole below my lower lip, needing a fake front tooth and a broken arm. How lucky is that?

So, yeah...I have to say that I have been a fortunate girl. When I was younger, I always wondered if I was alive to do something special. If surviving these accidents was a way of keeping me around for a purpose. I used to pray that I would live at least to 30 (yes, I did at one time think that was OLD). I no longer feel that way. I don't think I have a 'job' to fulfill. Or that I was destined to do something important. I just feel lucky. Plain, old, lucky.

Nestie

The nesties rock.

I met two of them on Thursday evening for dinner. We went to Navajo Joes in Covent Garden for a yummy dinner (well, at least mine was). These two were great! So friendly and had the perfect level of sarcasm and bite...kinda similar to my friend Alicia who moved back to the States.

Then on Saturday I went to a larger gathering at one of the nestie's house. We had a baby shower for a few of the women. It was a great time to meet a few women who I had only gotten to know on the board. Some of us then went on to the city...I couldn't hang out with them for long as I was having 'date night' with Roy...but I suspect that I'll see a few of them soon again!

It's quite different to be part of this sort of community. How do you explain that you met people from the internet without sounding...different? You feel like you sorta know them and yet, you don't. I have met quite a few people from internet groups and really enjoyed it. I've made some good friends and some lovely acquaintences.

I think I'm going to write more on this at another time...but right now I have Sunday brain...

Lessons learned..

I don't want anyone to think that my husband is a complete ass. He's really not. Nor is he an alcoholic, though, like many Londoners he tends to drink too much on occasion. He really doesn't drink regularly (other than a glass of wine for dinner once in a while). And last night he came home from work and dragged me onto the bed to have one of our bed chats (don't know why but we seem to be able to talk better in bed).

He had talked to his friend, Tom, about the situation last night. He basically told him that even if it was a pain or meant that he was going to be late, that he would always leave the car at home if he was going to be drinking. Or if he couldn't, that he'd just leave the car. And if he thought that he hadn't drunk too much, but had, that Tom could call me or take away his car keys. I was proud of my hubby for coming up with a plan. He again apologized to me for his behavior. It's one of the things I do love about him...he's willing to own up to his mistakes and to talk about things.

Hunger, anger and hope

This is bad. It's only 11am and I'm already hungry. I don't know what I'm going to do when I eat at 6:45am instead of 7:30am...I'll be done for by 10:30! I guess I need to start planning in some healthy snacks. Like yogurt or something like that. It's the downside to starting work again - having to get up earlier and then not being able to eat lunch when you feel like it. Oh, well.

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DH scared me last night. Actually, no, he pissed me off. We live in London, land of transportation. We have access to public transport and a gazillion cabs. So there is absolutely NO reason for anyone to drive when they go out drinking. Roy played in a football (soccer) game last night and then went out with a friend (his best man). Now, I understand the car for football as it's tough to get to otherwise, but he ought to have dropped off his car and then taken public transport to the pub. But no. He drove. And then didn't want to leave his car there cause he would have had to either leave it there and get a £180 fine or wake up at an ungodly hour to pick it up. So he chose to drive after drinking way more than he ought to have. I reamed him out last night. And again this morning. It's unexcusable. He could kill or hurt himself or someone else. Yeah, he felt in control, but don't all drunks. No. It's not acceptable. He also now has a responsbility to me. He could even just call me if he wants. I only had one drink last night in my girlie night out, so I would have been fine to drive. Upset with him for doing this dumb thing, but okay to drive.

He will not do this again. I've put such a kabosh on it that I'm quite sure it'll stick. He felt my wrath. Hugely. Which, when you are hungover, is not so much fun. And quite honestly, it disgusts me that as an adult, he'd even consider it. Come on...have you learned nothing since you were young, dumb and full of "*&£()&?

I've done the drunk driving thing once. And the results scared me so much that I never did it again. I had to pull off a highway, into a parking lot, lock the doors, put my keys somewhere unfindable by another person and sleep for a while. In NJ. I could have been killed, maimed, taken...or done so to another person on the road while I was driving. Never again I said. I hope that my DH will also learn. He better or I'll have to do something about it. And that would make our relationship very uncomfortable. But better that than death.

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Anyway...work is going to be okay. Busy, crazy and tiring, but okay. I just have so many new ideas of things to do - I think I'm going to be working some seriously late hours and spending much less time online..which is good. I hope the kids like what I'm going to do!

Autumn?

I woke up at 6:30am. Wide awake. That kind where you know you just won't find any way to fall back to sleep. Sigh. So I got up, trying to let Roy sleep his one more hour. I started out on the couch, and had my cereal as per usual and turned on the news. I wasn't so excited about it all. I'd rather have had my sleep. But life sometimes intervenes. And then, it hit 7:00am. Ah, yes, I have a package to pick up from Royal Mail. And they open at 7:00am. Cool. I'll do that.

I was thinking about wearing just a tee-shirt with jeans, but decided for some reason to wear a fleece instead. And a good thing I did. I walked out of the door and felt it. The feel of autumn. You know it...a cool tinge in the air. The weather that feels chilled in the morning but warms a bit as the day goes on. And it was. Chilly that is. I actually felt like I could have used another layer. My breathe felt much fresher. A small breeze bringing the little hairs up from under my headband. My cheeks. Definitely turning red.

So, summer is heading toward it's ending. I supposed it's appropriate in my last day before returning to school full-time. It'll make it much easier to return than hot and sunny days!

If feet turn you off...don't read any further!


Today was 'make me look better before the kids return' day. So I left at 10:15am today to go get my hair cut and coloured. Yes, folks, at the ripe ol' age of 38, I have a head full of greys. It's quite sad. I have to go every 4-5 weeks to get it done. Sigh. Unfortunately, my hairdresser dyed it a bit darker than I wanted..wah! But I'll get over it. I wanted it lighter to go with my summery look I have going on (aka bleached lighter reddish brown by the sun). I'll have to attack it with lots of shampoo and red treatment to get it to where I want it. But the cut will be nice. Easy to maintain.


Then I went on to get a mani/pedi. I haven't had a pedicure since before my honeymoon. Yes, I've used a scrubbing brush on it, but no professional had gotten their hands on my tootsies in over two months. And it showed. After a lovely soak, she started in on my cuticles. Lots of gunk was removed. And then the shaving of skin. I've never seen so much skin come off my body in one fell swoop...shavings and shavings of it. Kinda turned me off I have to say. And I tend to like my feet. Then a scrubbing. At least the outcome was good - pretty dark hot pink toes with soft soled feet. Lovely.


The fun part of this experience was watching people sit on the bench outside the nail salon. The first was a woman who seemed surgically attached to her mobile phone. On and on she went. Even after she decided to remove herself from the seat, she was still on the phone, clutching her packages to her side in one hand...quite precariously I must say. Then on came the workmen. Four of them. One was a skinny sort who didn't seem to quite fit. He was there first, followed by a more hardy fellow. They both brought over their bread and, what looked like, tubs of soup. Then two more, even bigger men, arrived and pushed the poor small guy to the edge of the bench. They were hoisting up these MASSIVE sandwhiches, the like I've never seen before. Seriously. I mean HUGE. GYNORMOUS! The three bigger guys were joshing each other and pointing at various people outside the shop. I just really wanted to know what they were saying...but then it was time to go get my nails dried...and when that was done, they were gone.


I headed back home, on my way to finishing up the painting. Tomorrow I get to hang out at home...carpet for our bedroom will be delivered and installed. That will be it. Done with decorating. All to do will be cleaning and organising. Woo hoo!

What?

I've noticed something recently. Which is a change. Cause what I've noticed is that I've stopped looking at the world. Yes, I see things happening and all that, but I've lost a bit of that sense of the world as a place to be watched. I'm not sure if I can explain it well...but I remember noticing small details that struck me. And now I'm not. I don't like it. I want that back. And so I'm going to try, even though I'm in the beginning of a newly stressed out phase of life (going back to work and field hockey), to pay attention to my environment much more! And write about it. Cause, quite honestly, sometimes even I find my life to be a bit boring...can't imagine anyone reading about it doesn't either at times!

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So I'm sitting here at work...and just got introduced to all the new teachers. A nice bunch, or so they look. And even more fun - one of the newbies is a teacher from my last school...one who I liked! Woo hoo! She's going to be doing tech work in the theatre and teaching that sort of thing. The kids will LOVE her as she's just so chill...and the faculty will get on with her too as she's so NOT obnoxious in any way. I'm happy she was able to leave BB&N, as she felt quite the same way about it as I did.

Crush them Ally Pally gals!

What a great day! Sunday we played against our rivals, Alexandra Palace. This was a team that smashed us last year - just creamed us in cricket. But we were back, stronger batters, stronger bowlers and NOT intimidated by their crap.

The team, when you aren't playing them, are totally lovely people. There are some serious characters on the team, a few that we are 'iffy' about...but they are nice overall. Just like most of the teams in our league. But on the field, they can be nasty. One woman, who had played for us in the past, heckled a past friend of hers. Come on! And it was a gross heckle too - something about your unborn child and the like. The woman who was heckled got hers back though - she got the heckler out, who went on to have a temper tantrum, throwing the bat on the ground and kicking it. HA!

Their stronger batters were just not on. One woman who had previously scored in the 40s, got a 1...another who had scored in the 30s, got a 3. We held them to 58 runs...all out...in less than 20 overs (in a 25 over game). For those of you who are clueless about cricket, let's just say that this was VERY good (they didn't score much, they all got out in some way or another and they were all out before the end of their batting 'time' so couldn't continue). So we only had to score 59 in 25 overs. Very doable.

Now I am the first batter on my team. That means I have to stay in against the harder bowlers (usually) and not get out...let them get tired...let the less good bowlers come in. And I did. I stayed in for 12 overs, which was enough to get rid of their spin/swing bowler. Sweet. Didn't get a ton of runs, but got us to our best batters who took the score in hand...and we won, 59 for 3, after only 17 overs. It was good. Very, very good.

And so we all hung out afterwards, had a few drinks, ate some barbeque and just enjoyed the summer sun while watching the boys play. What a good day!