The magic of Pandora

I'm sat here doing my Latin practice, using Pandora to fill the empty spaces with Ray Lamontagne radio, when what should it play but Nizlopi, and their JCB song. I found this song last night when I was making paper stars to decorate my house with during the coming festive season.

The stars look appropriately festive strung along white cotton threads, and the song, even though the protagonist was of the opposite gender appropriately summed up the fun I used to have with my dad in the car, us pretending the buttons of the dashboard were not for emergency lights or the fans but for ejector seats and rocket boosters. It captures that feeling of being the smallest people on the world and how everything is big and exciting and new. I remember on one long journey Dad kept me amused by saying the car was a submarine and I had to tell him what we could see under the sea. Why do so many people lose the ability to be pleased by the little and lovely things in the world? Like paper stars and makebelieve?

Looking back on it, I had the best childhood. I really really did.


------------------

The magic of Pandora

I'm sat here doing my Latin practice, using Pandora to fill the empty spaces with Ray Lamontagne radio, when what should it play but Nizlopi, and their JCB song. I found this song last night when I was making paper stars to decorate my house with during the coming festive season.

The stars look appropriately festive strung along white cotton threads, and the song, even though the protagonist was of the opposite gender appropriately summed up the fun I used to have with my dad in the car, us pretending the buttons of the dashboard were not for emergency lights or the fans but for ejector seats and rocket boosters. It captures that feeling of being the smallest people on the world and how everything is big and exciting and new. I remember on one long journey Dad kept me amused by saying the car was a submarine and I had to tell him what we could see under the sea. Why do so many people lose the ability to be pleased by the little and lovely things in the world? Like paper stars and makebelieve?

Looking back on it, I had the best childhood. I really really did.


------------------

Two things that make me happy

I have a cute bf....look! He also has a cool bathroom. Generally cool that man.

And this is a hand sewn minnie mouse dress. I have decided the skirt needs to be shorter, the sleeves need to be cap sleeves and I'm sat here right now taking in the darts.

------------------

Two things that make me happy

I have a cute bf....look! He also has a cool bathroom. Generally cool that man.

And this is a hand sewn minnie mouse dress. I have decided the skirt needs to be shorter, the sleeves need to be cap sleeves and I'm sat here right now taking in the darts.

------------------

Homeward bound

This is Verity, my youngest sister. She is 11, loves the new Dr. Who, and is a proper little tomboy tweenager - cheeky but cute.

This is my dad, 45 years young. I mean young, he has a huge collection of scaletrix and model lorries. I love him more for it. Even if all male friends get accosted and treated as great allies. He does have to live with 3 or 4 women all the time.

Isobel and Brian. They are friends of my parents and just lovely. I think Isobel is laughing at Brian making a silly face. He's a fab photographer, but always pulls a face when I go to photograph him. Sabotage?

Hetty and Eleanor, Isobel and Brian's girl. Kind of another set of sisters. I think my mum at least is one of their godparents, so they are godsisters I suppose.

My dad getting excited about the champagne the people at work gave him. It was very nice.

Yummy Chinese food. I had crispy duck and chilli prawns.. YAY!

Finally, my lovely mum. Since I've been at uni, we've got on alot better, mainly because we're not living in each other's pockets. She sends me a letter or a postcard each week with out fail that brightens my day. She is also a jack of all trades and a master of everything I've ever seen her try. Whilst her overprotectiveness annoyed the hell out of me when I was living at home, I've come to embrace that yes I am like her, and to be honest, if I can be half as nice, kind and talented as she is I'll be a very blessed person.

After having been home for a weekend, I thought I'd chronicle a small slice of Westbury home life. I went back for my dad's birthday, and he was so very pleased to see me. He also liked the Zuton's CD I had purchased months in advance. Forward planning me. It was nice to be home, even though I bought the wrong Chris with me. Chris' housemate, also called Chris, was going to see our mutual friend Amy, and Westbury happens to be the nearest station to her village.

It was particularly fun taking this Chris on the journey from Soton to Westbury. IT goes from industrial to green, and Chris is a city boy. He even asked if we had electricity yet in Wiltshire. It was lovely to have company on the train though.

The week so far at uni as been stressful and delightful at turns, with knitting and sewing being my relaxation. I played nursemaid to a vomiting Chris on Fri, who miraculously recovered to brave taking me to the ballet. He even enjoyed it and said he'd go again. It was fantastic to share my love of dance with him. I like all the cultural pretension and giggling about if the male dancers pad their jockstraps...lol.

The rest of the week after my trip home has been full of research. My Old Testament essay is on the horizon and after a consultation about it, I'm feeling slightly more confident. I'm going to look at the book of Esther. It seems such an anomaly to me, a Jewish woman marrying a non Jew, saving her people with her looks, and not one mention of God in it at all. I think I'm going to focus on how it became canon and what influence it extends in today's world.

Knitting wise has been Christmas presents so I can't really extrapolate upon them. Just one more accessory and I think that's it. The real crafty focus has been my minnie mouse dress that I've being working on. I've been sewing it by hand as I've not got a machine here, but I think I've been doing ok. Teeny weeny backstich on the seems, all of 12 stitches to the inch, and whipping stitch to hold edges and things. Putting in the sleeves tomorrow so I'll post pics if I can.

-----------------

Homeward bound

This is Verity, my youngest sister. She is 11, loves the new Dr. Who, and is a proper little tomboy tweenager - cheeky but cute.

This is my dad, 45 years young. I mean young, he has a huge collection of scaletrix and model lorries. I love him more for it. Even if all male friends get accosted and treated as great allies. He does have to live with 3 or 4 women all the time.

Isobel and Brian. They are friends of my parents and just lovely. I think Isobel is laughing at Brian making a silly face. He's a fab photographer, but always pulls a face when I go to photograph him. Sabotage?

Hetty and Eleanor, Isobel and Brian's girl. Kind of another set of sisters. I think my mum at least is one of their godparents, so they are godsisters I suppose.

My dad getting excited about the champagne the people at work gave him. It was very nice.

Yummy Chinese food. I had crispy duck and chilli prawns.. YAY!

Finally, my lovely mum. Since I've been at uni, we've got on alot better, mainly because we're not living in each other's pockets. She sends me a letter or a postcard each week with out fail that brightens my day. She is also a jack of all trades and a master of everything I've ever seen her try. Whilst her overprotectiveness annoyed the hell out of me when I was living at home, I've come to embrace that yes I am like her, and to be honest, if I can be half as nice, kind and talented as she is I'll be a very blessed person.

After having been home for a weekend, I thought I'd chronicle a small slice of Westbury home life. I went back for my dad's birthday, and he was so very pleased to see me. He also liked the Zuton's CD I had purchased months in advance. Forward planning me. It was nice to be home, even though I bought the wrong Chris with me. Chris' housemate, also called Chris, was going to see our mutual friend Amy, and Westbury happens to be the nearest station to her village.

It was particularly fun taking this Chris on the journey from Soton to Westbury. IT goes from industrial to green, and Chris is a city boy. He even asked if we had electricity yet in Wiltshire. It was lovely to have company on the train though.

The week so far at uni as been stressful and delightful at turns, with knitting and sewing being my relaxation. I played nursemaid to a vomiting Chris on Fri, who miraculously recovered to brave taking me to the ballet. He even enjoyed it and said he'd go again. It was fantastic to share my love of dance with him. I like all the cultural pretension and giggling about if the male dancers pad their jockstraps...lol.

The rest of the week after my trip home has been full of research. My Old Testament essay is on the horizon and after a consultation about it, I'm feeling slightly more confident. I'm going to look at the book of Esther. It seems such an anomaly to me, a Jewish woman marrying a non Jew, saving her people with her looks, and not one mention of God in it at all. I think I'm going to focus on how it became canon and what influence it extends in today's world.

Knitting wise has been Christmas presents so I can't really extrapolate upon them. Just one more accessory and I think that's it. The real crafty focus has been my minnie mouse dress that I've being working on. I've been sewing it by hand as I've not got a machine here, but I think I've been doing ok. Teeny weeny backstich on the seems, all of 12 stitches to the inch, and whipping stitch to hold edges and things. Putting in the sleeves tomorrow so I'll post pics if I can.

-----------------

A story...

Once upon a time there was a tortoise who came to visit...
....and was so exhausted after learning all day he fell asleep in my room...
...so I crept up on him and put the carefully hand made socks on him and took photographic evidence.

Because I'm evil.

------------------

A story...

Once upon a time there was a tortoise who came to visit...
....and was so exhausted after learning all day he fell asleep in my room...
...so I crept up on him and put the carefully hand made socks on him and took photographic evidence.

Because I'm evil.

------------------

Rantage and falling leaves

Oh Grrr!

I hate it when you look forward to something, but you know inside, if you're really honest with yourself, that its just not going to happen. But then your optimistic side jumps in and goes "Stop being silly and pessimistic, it might happen". Then for a while, you believe optimistic you, and dare to hope and start thinking that something is happenning.

Because when you get to that stage, it never happens.

*sigh*

I think its best if from now on I expect nothing but disappointment. That way I won't feel so angry when whatever it is I've looked forward to doesn't happen.

On a lighter note, I played Photographer for the Chaplain's charity event today. Whilst he gamed amusingly with GameSoc and indulged in some light dramatics, as fittingly a very sane priest character in the game, I took photos and added stupid comments.

I also took pictures of Autumn leaves on my walk down to the campus. Autumn is late this year, removing my hope of a white Christmas, but making me happy nonetheless. Crunchy leaves bring out the child in me that is rarely far from the surface, and I love to bask in their yellow glow. It's as if the sunshine has fallen to the ground in leaf form. Leaves like this make me remember walks home from school, collecting sycamore keys to play helicopters that we threw over the bannisters when I was little. Or walks home from sixth form when we were let out earlier and I knew I'd come home to an empty house and have my half hour of peace before the family decended. Those days I'd pick up the prettiest leaves and twiddle them between my fingers as I hurried along.

I've been feeling out of sorts again lately. Perhaps I've not stopped to pick up enough leaves.


------------------

Rantage and falling leaves

Oh Grrr!

I hate it when you look forward to something, but you know inside, if you're really honest with yourself, that its just not going to happen. But then your optimistic side jumps in and goes "Stop being silly and pessimistic, it might happen". Then for a while, you believe optimistic you, and dare to hope and start thinking that something is happenning.

Because when you get to that stage, it never happens.

*sigh*

I think its best if from now on I expect nothing but disappointment. That way I won't feel so angry when whatever it is I've looked forward to doesn't happen.

On a lighter note, I played Photographer for the Chaplain's charity event today. Whilst he gamed amusingly with GameSoc and indulged in some light dramatics, as fittingly a very sane priest character in the game, I took photos and added stupid comments.

I also took pictures of Autumn leaves on my walk down to the campus. Autumn is late this year, removing my hope of a white Christmas, but making me happy nonetheless. Crunchy leaves bring out the child in me that is rarely far from the surface, and I love to bask in their yellow glow. It's as if the sunshine has fallen to the ground in leaf form. Leaves like this make me remember walks home from school, collecting sycamore keys to play helicopters that we threw over the bannisters when I was little. Or walks home from sixth form when we were let out earlier and I knew I'd come home to an empty house and have my half hour of peace before the family decended. Those days I'd pick up the prettiest leaves and twiddle them between my fingers as I hurried along.

I've been feeling out of sorts again lately. Perhaps I've not stopped to pick up enough leaves.


------------------

Presents! (Ghirardelli Chocolate Peppermint Bark Review)

I love receiving presents...who doesn't!?!? They make me feel special. I love giving presents too. Especially finding the perfect gift for someone, the thinking and planning, the trawl through the shops or the hours of making. I like my presents to say "I think about you. I care about what you care about, and I love you enough to listen and work out what you like".

My boyfriend Chris came back from his trip to Google today, and he had very kindly bought me a present or two from California. One is a Google Girl T-shirt, that is on order, and will be here soon. Yay girly googleness! The other is a bar of Ghirardelli's Peppermint Bark. The Tortoise knows I love chocolate. Ghirardelli is a San Francisco icon, and open since 1852.

Image Copyright Ghirardelli's http://www.ghirardelli.com/products/images/gifts_seasonal_xmas_c.jpg

Now from the food blog world, I know that Ghirardelli's chocolate is supposed to be very very very very good. So I thought I'd blog a little review as I nibble my first pieces.

The Blurb on the Back:

"This limited edition Peppermint Bark, inspired by your favourite holiday indulgence,is the perfect blend of intense dark chocolate and creamy white chocolate with a hint of peppermint and crunch to create a rich yet balanced chocolate sensation. Experience moments of timeless pleasure with Ghirardelli's Limited Edition Peppermint Bark Bar."

The First Bite...mmm...mellow, , slight burnt cocoa taste, then a rich creamy flavour, followed by a minty aftertaste. It has a lovely mouthfeel, very smooth and creamy. It has slight crunchy pieces in it which add a nice variety of texture. If we were to compare it to British chocolate, it makes me think of a higher class version of the flavour of a mint Areo but with the crunchy texture of Cadbury's Mint Crisp.

All in all a very nice present! Thanks Chris!


------------------

Presents! (Ghirardelli Chocolate Peppermint Bark Review)

I love receiving presents...who doesn't!?!? They make me feel special. I love giving presents too. Especially finding the perfect gift for someone, the thinking and planning, the trawl through the shops or the hours of making. I like my presents to say "I think about you. I care about what you care about, and I love you enough to listen and work out what you like".

My boyfriend Chris came back from his trip to Google today, and he had very kindly bought me a present or two from California. One is a Google Girl T-shirt, that is on order, and will be here soon. Yay girly googleness! The other is a bar of Ghirardelli's Peppermint Bark. The Tortoise knows I love chocolate. Ghirardelli is a San Francisco icon, and open since 1852.

Image Copyright Ghirardelli's http://www.ghirardelli.com/products/images/gifts_seasonal_xmas_c.jpg

Now from the food blog world, I know that Ghirardelli's chocolate is supposed to be very very very very good. So I thought I'd blog a little review as I nibble my first pieces.

The Blurb on the Back:

"This limited edition Peppermint Bark, inspired by your favourite holiday indulgence,is the perfect blend of intense dark chocolate and creamy white chocolate with a hint of peppermint and crunch to create a rich yet balanced chocolate sensation. Experience moments of timeless pleasure with Ghirardelli's Limited Edition Peppermint Bark Bar."

The First Bite...mmm...mellow, , slight burnt cocoa taste, then a rich creamy flavour, followed by a minty aftertaste. It has a lovely mouthfeel, very smooth and creamy. It has slight crunchy pieces in it which add a nice variety of texture. If we were to compare it to British chocolate, it makes me think of a higher class version of the flavour of a mint Areo but with the crunchy texture of Cadbury's Mint Crisp.

All in all a very nice present! Thanks Chris!


------------------

Here

In this fabulous room, with new wafty, light, pink curtains I sit and knit thing like this...

...because I can. I'm fabulous and procrastinating. Kick it!

------------------

Here

In this fabulous room, with new wafty, light, pink curtains I sit and knit thing like this...

...because I can. I'm fabulous and procrastinating. Kick it!

------------------

Gym Bunny

I'm addicted to the Gym. Is there a cure for this? Its the first thing I think of when I wake up each morning. When I'm there all I can do is count the calories being burnt away, taking the food transgressions away. Like the four Penguin bars I just ate because I was craving chocolate.

I can lift about 30kg on most of the machines, and go at level 10 on the elliptical trainer, the rowing machine and the bike.

But I've not seen enough results. I want to take this seriously. I want to be healthier, but its vanity thats driving me. I want to look better. I am unhappy with the way I look. My stomach is flabby. My arms are flabby. My back is flabby. This is not your usual "I'm a girl I'm gonna moan about the way I look becasue I'm insecure." I am not ok. I am overweight. This is because I eat too much and exercise too little. I know I look ok, but you've not seen me naked. (And you're not likely to either...) When you are as short as I am, every extra pound/kg counts.

I am currently 59kg. I want to be 50kg. If you see me wondering around about to eat cake, stop me. Ask me if I've been to the gym today. I need all the help I can get.


------------------

Gym Bunny

I'm addicted to the Gym. Is there a cure for this? Its the first thing I think of when I wake up each morning. When I'm there all I can do is count the calories being burnt away, taking the food transgressions away. Like the four Penguin bars I just ate because I was craving chocolate.

I can lift about 30kg on most of the machines, and go at level 10 on the elliptical trainer, the rowing machine and the bike.

But I've not seen enough results. I want to take this seriously. I want to be healthier, but its vanity thats driving me. I want to look better. I am unhappy with the way I look. My stomach is flabby. My arms are flabby. My back is flabby. This is not your usual "I'm a girl I'm gonna moan about the way I look becasue I'm insecure." I am not ok. I am overweight. This is because I eat too much and exercise too little. I know I look ok, but you've not seen me naked. (And you're not likely to either...) When you are as short as I am, every extra pound/kg counts.

I am currently 59kg. I want to be 50kg. If you see me wondering around about to eat cake, stop me. Ask me if I've been to the gym today. I need all the help I can get.


------------------