Thesis in and so I'm back

Hello. It's me again. I'm back. Almost 2 months since I last posted. I have been slack and busy with the dreaded THESIS. Actually, it wasn't so bad after all, in that it is done and handed in and I can forget about it, at least for another week until we get the results of our MSc course. So now I have no excuse.

I was reading my cousin's Ghana blog the other day and it was really good, he's a great writer. Thus I was inspired to try and make mine live again. We shall see how that goes.

I'm in Swantown now, my new half-a-week home with X. It's lovely, right near the coast and cheap as chips (comparatively). We even have a study and a pretty large living room and it's all walking distance to the centre and cycling distance to uni and the station for X and me respectively. Downside is that it's not been let out in ages so there are lots of niggling problems with it here and there, which are getting fixed, but still cause inconvenience. The most tedious one (so far, but hopefully it's the last one) is the boiler and it's not working. Not having hot water is a total bum, particularly when it comes to not being able to wash my mane, err, I mean hair. Hopefully they will fix that up.

Alongside my thesis I've been to two weddings this summer, both of which were exciting and fun and also a bit stressful. My cousin's was in America and had loads of family present. We went over for 9 days and have now had our fill of family over there. Washington is a pretty cool place though - I'd love to go back and just visit all the museums. The other wedding was X's best friend's (X was the "best man"!) and that took place in Bath and was just beautiful. It was really small and intimate and the venues were awesome - the Bath Assembly Rooms and then around the old Spa buildings. It was really cool.

I have another week or so off before I start working on a telethon for the university (this time helping manage it, woo!) and then my DPhil starts on the 30th September, exciting and scary! I already have my first team meeting booked in in October so I am rather scared but hopefully I won't be too out of my depth.

That's all for now, I have to get back to my busy life of watching Sky and reading books. Oh to be a student. It'd be nice with some money though!

Some random stuff

I am feeling pretty psyched. I don't really know why. Hopefully it's nothing to do with the fact that I may well spectacularly write-off this weekend. I should at least try and pretend it's going to be calm. But really, it's the last wedding weekend of the month, and my cousin is getting married, and we have a three hour gap between the wedding and the reception in which to cause mayhem. In saris.

I pondered a "prime number" theme to my life, in that I would only contemplate dabbling in trouble on prime number days in month, similar to what I do with the Tuesday and Friday veggie thing. But I'm not sure I can stick to it. Plus, really, if I was going to do it, patently the prime number days would be the sensible days, giving me twice as many days to cause trouble in.

We watched this tonight. My mother was obviously enthralled. I admit, it was nice it kinda worked out for the people on it, but I'm still staying well clear.

And finally, I love Open Your Window by Reverend and the Makers, please check it out, and it's a great video too!

250! And a wedding

It's my 250th post! So I shall try and make it a good one.

Let's get the tangents out of the way. Haven't been to school all week, don't really want to talk about that, enough said. Diwali on Friday, happy Diwali everyone! Watched a really sad documentary about the conflict in Sri Lanka, made me feel really rather awful for not being satisfied with all the blessings we've been given, when there are people crying in Sri Lanka because they've lost everything, and their "everything" could probably be replaced using the cost of one of my little brother's average shopping sprees, and there are "death squads" and landmines and soldiers and all kinds of nastiness over there. I feel sad for them all, I really do.

On a more positive note, my father pointed out how life here is a blessing in disguise. Tamil people here are for the most part doing exceedingly well. This success was clearly evident at my cousin's wedding last night. If you know me, you know that I go to a lot of weddings. And I mean a lot. It's traditional to throw huge weddings, with your parents inviting almost everyone they know, and throwing a huge party and all that. But last night's wedding was different.

Firstly, my cousin D was marrying her long-term boyfriend F. D is Hindu, F is Muslim. Controversial, you'd think, but actually no, since she's converting (I think). Anyway, they had a far smaller affair, about 150 people, at The Palm Court in the Waldorf Hilton. This place is big time fancy, such a lovely venue, apparently it featured in the Titanic, or inspired scenes in it or something. Loads of marble and grand staircases and pillars and gold etc. The wedding itself was delightful, not just because it was only 30 mins long! Tamil weddings frequently run to two or three hours, with breaks in the middle, changes of costumes, food and drink served, people walking in and out. This was nothing like that.

My favourite bit was how so many different cultural aspects had been combined. D walked down the aisle with her parents and the whole set-up was like a church wedding, except with a hilarious Australian registrar. Sisters and friends gave readings from The Prophet Khalil Gibrain, Shakespeare, ee Cummings, Blake, and an Apache wedding blessing. They tied a thaali (a thick gold chain that a married woman wears) and swapped garlands, but they also swapped rings and made vows to each other (beautiful vows, I wish I had printed copies). The string quartet played Pachbel's Canon, Air on a G string, and Handel's Water Music. There were no crazy drummers and musicians, which while I love at the start of the wedding, when my ears begin ringing I get cross. The music and readings and everything was all moving and romantic and lovely. And the party after, wow, excellent DJ, great food, chocolate fountain, and catering for all the alcs on my side of the family by setting up a sneaky outside bar so that we wouldn't offend anyone!

I think it was all about details with this wedding. They had a guests' memory book so that people could sign their well-wishes, and also the video guy got people to record wedding messages. Everyone was dressed impeccably, both the families are prosperous, generous, and welcoming, and so things went wonderfully. Actually, it's more the sort of wedding I'd like to have, rather than a huge crazy thing where everyone tears their hair out and you can't remember half the people there. But we shall see. Check out the photos on Facebook. Oh and F's youngest brother, 16, gave a speech, which he opened with "funny how history repeats itself. Twenty-eight years ago D's parent sent her to bed with a dummy. Tonight they're doing it all over again". Hahaha!

So school tomorrow? Hmmm...

Engagement Party

Hohoho, don't usually do THREE posts in one day, but it's a special occasion. Had to point out that I haven't done any of the work I intended to do today including lesson plans for tomorrow, oh dear. Further, have tried to match my bro drink for drink at this engagement and it is only just hitting me. Thirdly, easily this is the most hilarious engagement I have been to.

Engagements are pretty new in my family, usually we just do wedding and reception, but what the hey, the more parties the better. Held at the lovely Prince Regent, this shindig for about 200 people would easily have set the in-laws back between five and ten k (free bar baby, oh yeah!) They had an excellent magician there, who did such tricks as making you pick and sign a card, and then your card appearing inside a brand new kiwi and also making you pick a card and then your card stick to the ceiling of the dining room. Amazing. My father has his card (business, not playing); I am both excited and concerned that he will be booked for my entirely unintended wedding.

What else? Well, the father-in-law of the bride's speech was just comedy. He talked about his younger son discovering he had a willy; about how the compere's mother would put a chair in front of the bedroom door to stop any rumpy-pumpy taking place; about how life is all about destiny; and about how marriage is a gamble and you should play your cards well. Funny stuff and serious stuff wrapped up into one. Will take the last quote to my kids tomorrow.

These guys aren't getting married until next September, how long is that?! Still, looking at the rock he put on her finger tonight, she will be happy to wait.

Weekend update

Friday night - reunion with the girls from school at Puja's place. Fruli, yum yum, Curacao, yum yum, cherry brandy, yum yum, Black label, oh dear. A night of fun and poker, won the first round (whoop whoop) then battled HW till almost 5 in the morning, ultimately losing. Four hours of sleep wasn't good, but the night was worth it.

Sat night - having slept through the day once I got home, went to a wedding reception. Nice and fancy schmancy. Crucially, the news broke that my cousin Dhushi has got engaged to her Muslim boyfriend. Only slightly controversial in the traditional sense - more alarming that now there is only one female cousin before it is officially my turn to tie the knot. Crumbs.

Sunday - went to the gym. Got screwed over by new parking restrictions and so landed myself a ticket. My "unnecessary costs of driving" now exceed £1000 i.e. a whole grand, a whole month's salary essentially wasted due to my poor driving. Don't even get me started on car insurance aka tax on the honest driver.

Aaaaanyway....had a nice piano lesson, then went to play Scrabble with Mouche, CK and Gid. Mouche is alive and well, and we bonded, very nice. Gid won the Scrabble, but that was ok as he had no sleep last night and is busy seeing two different boys on the trot. CK was all good, but then he got a phone call with some bad news about his grandfather. Am still a little shocked on his behalf, but hope he's ok. Had four pints of Guinness and haven't planned any lessons...the cumulative hangover is growing.

Busy day tomorrow, but, crucially, am seeing the doctor to think of ways to fix my head. Sure you'll love to hear the suggestions, so stay tuned.

Shout out to Yeen, by the way, looong blog no see. Nice to have you back.

Busy Weekend

I have lots of work to do. There's a surprise.

So my phone ran outta battery some time on Saturday morning, so apologies if I've not got back to you if you tried to get in touch. Crazy weekend. I will try and give you just the highlights, but you know what I'm like with the rambling.

School happened on Friday, pretty standard affair, nothing too exciting except I threatened some random child with an exclusion because he asked me if I was a "dyke" cos I taught football....how inappropriate! Plus I think "dyke" is in line with "paki" or "nigger" or "cripple" as offensive terms for things so had to cut that one down. I think the sports kit isn't really showing me off in the best light. Hahaha, anyway, he was pretty scared - I hope he doesn't realise I have no power at all to exclude anyone! I am proud of myself though - check me out challenging stereotyped views and standing up for equal opportunities and all that - Standard 3.3.14 all over!

Friday night went up to Oxford, had a few lovely drinks with Mouche, MeJij, Rouse & co. Mouche gave me a book and bought an excellent multi-sensory birthday present for MeJij. The Goooooose was just the same, I love it. Moved onto the Turf where there were lots of nice familiar faces and good catching up times to be had. Chatter was fuelled by numerous pints of Old Rosie, wicked stuff. Some unnamed people got pretty hammered and then there was a bit of a falling out. McDonald's was also involved at some point in the night (McPigeon Nuggets - gross!), alongside some deep and meaningful chats and all that drunken stuff. Essentially a fun night was had and a splitting hangover and sleep deprivation suffered the next day.

Not good since Saturday was graduation. Most of it passed by in a blur since there were many confusing moments and strange procedures. The whole thing was more or less in latin, and we had to bow at different people at different times and then walk to different rooms and wear our hoods and then walk back. Lots of stuff went on anyway, most of which I don't remember except for lunch (which was nice, and gave me a chance to knock back some wine, which woke me up substantially) and also lots of photographs. I did like wearing the crazy bat gown though, it's worth graduating just for that.

Missed the ball Sat night, but went up to Warwick with my family to take my brother out for dinner. Went to a nice Mexican restaurant and loaded up on deep fried cheese amongst other goodies. My father kept comparing tortillas to rotis and chapattis, and my Mum needed a steak knife to cut her chicken. My brother bought me a "bop-it" as a graduation gift, but I'm not letting myself open it yet, else the day will be written off (Bop-Its are like a bottle of SoCo to me). Good times.

Early start on Sunday for my cousin's wedding in Surrey. Was having sari nightmares - it get getting caught in the sequins of my shoes and also kept exposing my sari top - not appropriate for weddings! Lots of fun again though, maaaany cousins and family present, all of which keen to know how awful teaching is. Many bemused faces from people who seemed to think I was working in some kinda investment bank - also lots of disparaging commentary from my father about the exploiting of young graduates through TF, made me proud. Wedding passed well though with not too many tears from the little ones. Every wedding down is more pressure on the rest of us though - all the aunties and uncles spend ages winding us up about getting married and trying to introduce us to random sons of random other people. Apparently if you don't get married by 25 it will be much more difficult to catch one of the "good boys". I think I'll take my chances.

When we get the photos back, will post them up so anyone thinking I was bunking the Leadership Discovery Day will have proof that I wasn't!

Wise horoscopes

Firstly a big shout-out to Puja - well done! See, now I feel loved :) And contrary to popular belief, Puja is real. As is Mouche. And my cat. One day you will all be able to meet each other and certify your mutual existence. This day will probably be my wedding, so there'll be cake and saris involved (an unexpected bonus for you all!).

So, what's new today? Well, I think my Metro horoscope says it all:

‘I can see clearly now, the rain has gone,’ sang Jimmy Cliff (amongst others) and that’s your theme for the moment. Scales have fallen from your eyes. Illuminating insights about a person or situation flood in. Like what you see?

Indeed the rain does seem to have gone. And by that I mean, even when the little monsters try and destroy my soul, I can leave it behind me and move on. Let me quickly touch wood now [touches wood] because I don't wanna go back to what it was like last term. But really, I'm reaching a turning point. I'm starting to care about what I teach, and think about interesting and fun and engaging ways to teach it. I'm starting to do all that stuff we were always meant to be doing (differentiating resources, providing EAL support, modelling positive values, taking an interest in my professional development). Despite having an awful awful Y8 lesson (that little monster D is going on maths department report from tomorrow, he is sabotaging that class's learning) I still feel like today that I could be a teacher in the long-run. Yes, I know this contradicts the whole medicine plan, but it's nice to know that sometimes maybe I have found something that's right for me.

In other news, I'm very pleased it's the year of the pig. What a noble creature. Some useful excerpts:"People born in the Year of the Pig are chivalrous and gallant. Whatever they do, they do with all their strength. For Boar Year people, there is no left or right and there is no retreat. They have tremendous fortitude and great honesty. They don't make many friends but they make them for life, and anyone having a Boar Year friend is fortunate for they are extremely loyal. They don't talk much but have a great thirst for knowledge. They study a great deal and are generally well informed. Boar people are quick tempered, yet they hate arguments and quarreling. They are kind to their loved ones. No matter how bad problems seem to be, Boar people try to work them out, honestly if sometimes impulsively. They are most compatible with Rabbits and Sheep." (not sure what the school would say if I got "compatible" with a sheep...)

Sound like me? I feel kinda like I should be an elephant, but pig suits me fine :) Check your Chinese horoscope out here (this site's description of "pig" people is almost me to the tee. Ooh rhyming!