mum was right...

... it really will all end in tears...

Last week we finished our lectures on play and creativity. So I put into practice what I had learned about play:

Playing with the dog belonging to my boss, Poppy. (The dog that is, not my boss).

Dressing up S in lectures (still can't believe she let me draw on her. Funnily, she wouldn't go for the full 'tache and goatee).

Cuddling up to R on the sofa, watching crap tv.

Making good use of the airbed (In my world this is a... magic carpet, titantic, car, horse, bouncy castle - complete with suitable soundtracks). All went well until it became a surfboard (to the sounds of the Beach Boys, natch).

It turns out airbeds aren't meant to have 2 adults bouncing on them pretending to surf, and it may have slightly, well, burst.

We bought J a new bed, and a big box of chocolates, but the moral of the story> Have fun, but not too much fun!

In tribute to the 'unfortunate incident', I will now be forgoing all fun for the foreseeable future, and writing 3 essays, conducting 5 interviews, doing usual work, exercising and dieting...

It's going to be a loooooooooooong fortnight!

Film - The Best Most Exotic Marigold Hotel

I'm so excited about going to India!

LOVED this film. It's just a nice, beautifully acted and shot, feel-good, assault on all your senses - you can practically smell India, and I got so involved in each of the character's stories. Beautiful.

Also, do you think Judi Dench and Maggie Smith would be my adoptive grandmothers? I seem to have lost mine, and I think they'd be an admirable 2nd string...

Film - Chronicle

It's ummmmm, well. It's ummmmmm.

It's ok.

I think it could have been amazing, but the first thing I said on leaving the cinema was 'why?'. It just didn't really go anywhere. There was no real point to this film. Which was a shame because it could have been a study of what can go wrong when people get power they can't control, or how society can mess people up, or anything really.

It was a bit like Big Brother. Nice idea, but sold out...

forget your troubles come on get happy

Ok, so I took these on Sunday, but they show something of the glorious weather we've been having recently...

Spent the last 2 days working, dieting and doing exercise (lovely walk with Mum yesterday, Zumba earlier tonight). Typically I managed to tweak my back when we were warming down, but I'm sure all will be fine.

Maybe getting life/ work balance more sorted and doing more exercise is part of the reason I'm feeling pretty darn chipper at the moment? Also, have been chatting loads on Horsey Hotties - is v funny website, and once you get over the fear and embarrassment, is quite fun. Also planning on joining My Single Friend when I get paid. I have to try something. After all, nearly 30, and don't want to be an old maid forever. Think am already turning into Bridget Jones, what with constant need to diet, obsession after obsession and panic that will die alone and be eaten by Alsatians. It could happen. V real possibility.

I'll keep you posted...

once there was a thing called spring

Oh Ella. Ella Ella Ella.

If my heart could sing songs, its voice would be yours.

Note to self: Must trawl iTunes for beautiful old songs a la Ms Fitzgerald.

Anyhoo. my weekly update is shaped by the horrid cold I have been suffering. Not suffering in silence I might add. Oh no, I've been very pathetic, and haven't cared who knew it!

On the plus side, I got to ride:

I got to play with the puppies, and N's gorgeous niece and nephew, I've been to the cinema twice, have made a good start on my dissertation research, planned the hen weekend, found a bridesmaids dress, drunk a £60 bottle champagne (by accident - honest!), lost another 2lbs in weight (1 1/2 stone now - painfully slow but going in the right direction), window-shopped loads of nice clothes to buy when I'm thin (and rich?), it's been a beautiful sunny (if sharply cold) day today, and overall, life is feeling pretty good.

I know it's technically not spring yet, but a bit of sun makes all the difference, no?

Still, it's been easy to forget that other people still have bad stuff happening, and life is not always easy. So I got to wondering, what is there I (we) can do to help out/ make a difference/ live with righteous anger (guess the subject of the service tonight?!)?

As Lent starts on Wednesday, I'm not giving anything up. I will be committing to praying (praying hard) for 40 different people, one a day until Easter. I'm making my list, and I will be sticking to it (if I managed to give up chocolate last year, I can do anything!).

Can't wait!

Film - The Muppets

I. Love. The. Muppets.

End of.

I really enjoyed the film - LOVED the new songs written by Bret McKenzie (Flight of the Conchords). Really fun - took me back to childhood!

Am I am man or a muppet?

Film - The Woman In Black

Loved it! Went to see it with S, who promised he was brave. What. A. Fibber. Film was v jumpy - can't believe it is only a 12, and every time something happened, we both shot out of our seats - and I've never heard S swear so much before!

Not as scary as the play, but enough to make me drive home looking over my shoulder to check the back seat was clear!

Also, is it me, or is Daniel Radcliffe all grown up, good at acting, and really quite fit now..?

i have confidence in sunshine

Oh, I must stop these doubts, all these worries
If I don't I just know I'll turn back
I must dream of the things I am seeking
I am seeking the courage I lack

I have confidence in sunshine
I have confidence in rain
I have confidence that spring will come again
Besides which you see I have confidence in me

I do love The Sound of Music! And so, you see, this week is all about confidence. After a very major wobble earlier in the week (sort by the bf who plied me with wine, a kind ear, and a good kick up the backside) I am now back on track. Hurrah!

This morning I went riding, and realised that I have all my old confidence back, which feels soooooooooooooo good. I can thank two horses for this:

This is Roogie. He is very kind, totally bombproof, but not boring - basically an overgrown pony! We have a lot of fun together, and I don't take him very seriously.

And this is Splodge. He was a big posh show horse (placed at Horse of the Year Show dontchaknow) until injury ended his showing career. He is to be taken more seriously, but is still one of the kindest animals you'll meet.

So, taking time with these two boys has really got me 'back in the saddle' and enjoying my riding again, and that has given me the confidence to ride other horses:

This is Rhino. Officially the ugliest horse in the world. Ever. He is 3 (still a baby) but he is now getting stronger and turning into a stroppy teenager. 6 months ago I'd have been terrified of him, but now I just laugh when he throws himself around, hold on and get on with it. Situation normal. And I can't tell you how good it feels. And that confidence translates. We'll see how long it lasts, but until then...

I have confidence in confidence alone
Besides which you see I have confidence in me!

just desserts

Oh dear... this diary keeping isn't going too well, is it?!

My week can mostly be summed up by the pictures of, and eating of, puddings! (diet also not going that well...).

Firstly, I had the discovery of microwave cake in a cup:

So quick and so easy - to be eaten when needed as a quick fix-me-up, taught to young people to fill time in youth groups... A thing of beauty!

We also had our first pudding club (!), each offering was judged individually on artistic interpretation, technical merit,  nutritional value, and taste. In order of final placings, may I present:

1st Place: N's Profiteroles. Looked shop-bought. Tasted INCREDIBLE!

2nd Place: MY LEMON MERINGUE PIE!!!!! V excited by this! They are scrummy, if I do say so myself. Good old Margueritte Pattern. Think I might have won if I hadn't admitted to shop bought pastry. Doh.

 3rd place: S's Jammy/ coconuty crunch thing. Liked the twist on jam tart, extra points for use of 2 fruits (good nutritional value), but I did feel like my teeth were going to fall out after eating - soooooooooooooooooooooooooo sweet!

4th Place: S's Rum n Raison Bread and Butter Pudding. I hate bread and butter pudding, but this was gorgeous... He lost marks on technical merit...

5th Place: D's banoffee pie. One of my favourites, but artistic interpretation let hm down, sadly.

So, this is basically my week. Have piled on the weight, but had fun doing it! After feeling v ill having eaten 5 puddings each, we have decided next pudding club is 'Carrot Night'. 5 exciting things to do with a carrot!

I'll keep you posted...