Awesome websites you should check out!

Numbero Uno - Postsecret.

This is one of my favourite websites of all time, and you can find it at http://www.postsecret.blogspot.com It's a site where people from all over the world can 'post' their secrets for everyone to see. The deal being, that you send your secret in to them in the form of a postcard, which can be as creative and unique as you like, and it is then posted up on the site. New secrets are posted every Sunday on the site. I found this secret there recently, and thought it was a good example of the creativity that goes into some of these postcards. Anyway, telling your secret to the world (albeit anonymously) is a great way of getting something off your chest and just letting go of it. Perhaps you should give it a try? I can't recommend this website enough, go check it out!

My latest project!

My latest project is going to involve making a book for my Grandad - one that will show pictures of all his family - from the 1920's in Buckie, Scotland, to present. Now, if you haven't checked this site out I suggest you check it out now: www.blurb.com - a site where you can design and make your own 'coffee table' type books from scratch. I've already made one - for my Mum's birthday, and she was so overwhelmed by it, and so is everyone else who has seen it. It's a fantastic idea for a lovely gift for someone who has everything..... I mean, how many people can say that they've had a book published for them? not many! anyway, so my project over the next few days involves scanning lots of family photos, like this one above. I find old photos fascinating. For instance, this one, of my Grandad (front left) and his siblings, was taken in the late 1920's in a fishing village called 'Buckie', in Scotland. It's hard to believe that this photo is over 80 years old, and crazy to think of all the changes that must have taken place during that time......

So yes, a good project to keep me busy while I'm off work recovering from the surgery! oh, and I'm always keen for visitors, just in case you're wondering. As long as you bring Chocolate. Kidding!

I'm back at home now, yay!

Hi everyone,

I just got back home from Wakefield hospital. I'm happy to say that my sinus operation went really well, and that I'm recovering nicely. Poor old Tim is running around after me, isn't he lovely? anyway, here is picture taken in the hospital yesterday, after surgery. As you can see, I'm a wee bit out of it! and yes, I still have to wear that funny bandage on my nose! haha!

Twas the night before surgery

You know, when I was little - about two years old, I used to be able to recite 'The night before Christmas' from beginning to end. Anyway, that got me thinking of an appropriate title for this entry, and in a way, I feel a bit like its the night before Christmas, except that there is more nervousness and less excitement! however, I am looking forward to having my 'functional endoscopic sinus surgery and septoplasty out the the way. I guess what I'm really looking forward to is feeling better, and being able to breathe through my nose again, at long last. I've never had an operation before, so that part of it is scary - basically the fear of the unknown. And also because I've always found it incredibly difficult to rely on others. I'm a bit of a control freak in that I like to get everything done myself and find it hard to sit back and let other people take over. It was difficult leaving my class today, everyone's telling me not to rush back, but a part of me wants to go back as soon as possible and hates the thought of leaving everyone there in the lurch. I'm gonna miss the kids too, they always seem to brighten up my day (when they're behaving themselves, anyway! lol!). So anyway, once I've had my operation, I'll post a picture up here of my post-op face (for your viewing pleasure, dear reader). Until then.........

a tip down to the old hometown

Hi everyone!

This weekend was spent living it up in Christchurch! we took the garden city of nz by storm during our three day visit....... barely stopping to pause for breath.

On the first day, Tim and I decided it would be fun to go tramping around the hillside, up at the sign of the Kiwi. We were fortunate enough to experience the most amazing weather and scenery, during our 45 minute walk. Also, as a bonus, no ankles were sprained, and no ligaments torn - although Tim did hit his head on a branch while walking through a particularly foresty part, and Fi tripped up down some steps when her shoe got entangled in a flax bush! but luckily for us, we made it back to civilisation ok.

The second day was mainly all about catching up with various people..... and a fantastic picnic in Hagley park! we met up with a few friends and decided we would go out for dinner. What we hadn't counted on, is that not many restaurants had spare tables for ten people at such short notice. So instead of announcing defeat, we wandered to the local fish and chip shop and got some takeaways to eat in Hagley park. Armed with a bag full of cups from 1B Bealey Ave, we soon sat down to a meal reminiscent of teenage hood - fish n chips combined with white wine...... all crowded around a picnic blanket in the dying sunlight. Needless to say, there were a few silly jokes told that night, and some embarrassing stories about 'deflowerings' etc.

The things we wish we'd written on exam papers.....

Ok, so we've all seen these types of things before. But I found these especially funny - I got sent some of these in a forward this morning by my sister, and have to congratulate her on her good taste. She knows my silly sense of humour well......

Ah, its almost the end of the week!

I just thought I'd introduce you to some of my workmates, at Kapi Mana School. Those poor things, having to work with me, day in and day out!

Here is a picture of Raewyn, looking summery as usual. She's been working with me now for over a year, and she's a great person to have around - somehow managing to keep her head in the middle of a crisis!

Here is Tracy, who has also been working with me for over a year now. She's also an excellent person to have around - and we always have a good laugh together about some of the crazy stuff that happens in our class each day! For instance, today, one of the students from the class next to us went mad as he wasn't allowed any more grated cheese on his pasta at lunch time. So we heard him screaming and storming down the corridor, and into the kitchen which is next to our classroom. Apparently, he was searching the whole kitchen for grated cheese - pulling cupboard doors open and giving the fridge a good going over - not to mention scaring the cook half to death! (she told me later she found herself backed into the corner in a kind of boxing pose!). Anyway, they eventually managed to drag him out of there, thank goodness! yeah, just one of the day to day things that happens in my job! I'm so lucky I've got awesome staff who work with me, who can also laugh about it with me, at the end of the day. It helps keep you sane, believe me!