My banishment

So, we've been spending a lot of time at our school at the moment... Teaching, planning, painting... Yep, we volunteered to repaint the school to make some extra shopping money for LA... Which brings me to my current banishment. Apparently paint and I do not get along. Or rather, we get along a little too well... As I am currently resembling some kind of crazy paint monster. It's not so much that I got a little paint on me, but that it at some point it looks like I rolled around and swam in the paint. Which has led to me sitting on a table, updating my blog while Michael paints. Oops!

The Perfect Day

First, I woke up (very very early), to presents and although you can't see them in this picture, loads of pink and silver balloons!

Then several awesome presents later, (including a gorgeous bag, perfume and books), we caught the coach to Seville...

And it was HOT there!

We wandered around for a bit, exploring and reacquainting ourselves with one of our favourite cities...

Before taking refuge from the heat and ducking into a Starbucks (which I have severely missed), and indulging in grande mocha frappuccinos....

Then we went shopping, and I bought another handful of books and some Starbucks mugs for our apartment... Then we took the train home and watched movies, played games, drank Mojitos and ate nachos and birthday cake, of course!

All in all, it was the best birthday ever! 

Birthday Countdown!

Oooh it's nearly my birthday! Under a week to go... Does anyone else get this excited about their birthdays still? I'm hoping to spend mine here:

We were originally planning to go to Grenada, but the fact that it's a lot further away, coupled with the fact that we've never been there before, makes me want to return to an old favourite: Seville. I'm not going to lie: I'm also more than a little excited to devour mocha frappuccinos again. Mmm Starbucks, I missed you....

Siestas and Thunderstorms

We're all moved in to our new apartment now! And besides the fact that it doesn't have a bath (I am heartbroken over this), the rest of the place actually far exceeds our expectations. Like, it has bar stools! I've always wanted an apartment with a breakfast bar and barstools! And I am working on creating my very own writing room... More on this later.

I have also re-experienced two things that I missed last year:

1) Spanish Siestas. Or, more specifically, siestas that last for hours, during which the streets are empty, the parks are empty, and it is the most fun to go shopping in the supermarket.

2) Thunderstorms. Yes, I know technically there are thunderstorms in the UK, but not like this. These are really dramatic storms that appear out of nowhere, flooding the cobbled streets and crash directly above you. So lovely and atmospheric when you're inside watching out the window.



image from here. Yes it's not my thunderstorm, but I like this picture.

Adios England!

So this may be my last post for a while as we're finally ready and packed to fly to Spain! Our shiny new apartment awaits us and I'm looking forward to getting unpacked and settled in. I love the idea of making it home as soon as possible and getting to know and love it. I'm a little nervous about the teaching, but I always am at first when I'm finding my feet.

In other news, I am soon to be featured on the lovely blog anonymous was a woman, in the "my favourite photo" weekly feature. So keep a look out for me!

I hope to get back into the swing of blogging and commenting again soon, but for now, adios!

Nurse Chelsea

So my younger sister Chelsea left for University today! I am so excited for her and know that she will make an amazing nurse :) Plus I think that she will love living in London, especially Greenwich. I would wish her good luck, but she doesn't need it as she is very clever and all sorts of lovely.

And Chels, if you're reading this, please please paint your nails like this:



hehe.


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Blackboard Walls

So I recently watched the movie (500) days of Summer, (which was really good), but the thing that struck me the most? The blackboard wall in his bedroom. Such a cool idea! Even better if you're good at drawing:



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So now I am going to Spain armed with some blackboard paint of my very own.... I can't wait to see what we can come up with!

When Teaching is Rewarding...

...As it is at the moment, it makes me really happy that I am moving to Spain next month, to teach! The class that I currently have every morning, are over from China and staying at a summer school in Milton Keynes. It is so much fun to teach them English! I love how creative and intelligent these students are - half of them want to grow up to become doctors or engineers. It is inspiring and refreshing... But also extremely exhausting!

I am truly awful at getting up ridiculously early for the commute. I swear it's making my Starbucks addiction worst...

So sorry that I haven't been updating my blog as much as I should have, or visiting yours, I'm crazy busy with all the marking, planning and trying to continue learning Spanish. I plan to write many comments this weekend!

I found this cool quote here:




I imagine this is quite hard to do, but oh so rewarding when you do! I shall have to put my all into my teaching work, because even just one, inspired student would be worth the extra effort!

Reason #22 why I miss Michael

He makes me so happy that I could, quite literally, jump for joy.



Now excuse me, as he is coming home today, so I need to go get ready and look extra pretty!

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Warning: This post will change your life

The crested Black Macaque is a monkey that resides in the wildest regions of Indonesia. It is so rare that it has unfortunately become critically endangered. The award winning photographer David Slater recently travelled to their habitat to capture them on film. However, his camera became hijacked.


What happened next?


Monkeys learnt how to use cameras...











Source
Credit also needs to go to the amazingly intriguing blog, B for Bel, who first drew my attention to this. Thank you!

Reason #21 why I miss Michael

He always reassures me when I'm worried, no matter how trivial the problem is! He always knows the right things to say to me.



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Reason #20 why I miss Michael

He's my best friend in all the world.



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A Room of One's Own

Or, to be more specific, a writing room of one's own. See, my writing is going better than I could have hoped at the minute, and now my mind is jumping forwards to when we will be moving into our own apartment at the end of next month. Or, more specifically, how to keep up the writing when combining it with work.

Even more specifically? How can I make a little, spare bedroom into a gorgeous little writing room for myself?

Que me Googling images and scouring weheartit for inspiration. Here are some of my favourites:

This one is quite cute and simplistic:




I am not too fond of this one, but I love how unique they've made it through their own ingenuity!




And I just adore this little, easy to make, yet bright space, although I'd change the frames and the clock;





In other news, I have become a columnist for The Progressive Playbook... I am not sure I fully believe everything the site endorses, but I am thrilled to have my own space for some more serious writing. My column went up today, here, but it has yet to receive any comments! If you feel like it, I'd love for you guys to check it out and support me, you're always so supportive on my blog and leave me the sweetest messages, which I really love and appreciate! So thanks for that :)

Also, extra brownie points if you get the meaning behind this post's title!

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Reason #19 why I miss Michael.

He instinctively knows what I need, when I need it. Whether that's reassurance, support, a hug or a treat. It's like he's psychic!



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P.S. If anyone knows how to make these delightful cookies/cakes, please let me know! I just fell in love with the picture : )

Reason #18 why I miss Michael

I miss the hours we spend together in Starbucks.



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Reason #17 why I miss Michael

He understands my love of reading. 

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Sometimes...

...I love to write. Not just the write a little caption and post a cute picture type writing that I tend to stick to here on my blog.

 Real writing.

The type that gives you goosebumps. You know the sort? When you have this raw passion bubbling up inside you, that you just need to let loose on some paper. Breathe life into characters that you've resurrected from the icy wastes of your imagination. Interweave the skeins of an engrossing story. See life through your protagonist's eyes, and feel, really feel their emotions as they race through the pages. The type of writing that you dream about every night, for it fails to relinquish it's tight grasp on your mind.


That sort.

And now that I have a new idea for a novel, I am going to be starting the whole process again. I can already feel the grip it has on me tightening, and whispering startling ideas into my brain...

Reason #16 why I miss Michael

I miss his cuddles.



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Reason #15 why I miss Michael

He has an inquisitive mind. As do I. Which leads to some pretty interesting conversations. Which are not the same when we're apart.




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Travelling Fridays

Seville, Spain, 2010

A guilty secret? Okay then... Sometimes I like to watch Knight and Day simply for the shots of Seville, then I get to say "I've been there!" 

My diet is going really well...

... But in the dead of the night, when all things are dark, with only silent shadows creeping across the floorboards.. I dream of chocolate truffles. With fluffy, praline centres, and a light dusting of sugar crystals resting on top of the solid, chocolate dome...

Reason #14 why I miss Michael

He indulges my love of shoes... And is STILL taller than me when I wear them!



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Today I bought....

... This




From Dorothy Perkins... And on sale! Woo!

I have made a few purchases recently, in a bid to update my wardrobe and get ready for our move to sunny Spain. Photographs will follow shortly!

Reason #13 why I miss Michael

How happy he is when I make him pancakes.



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Reason #12 why I miss Michael

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My Soup Addiction

Yes, I have a soup addiction. It's quite strange really. It started out when I was looking for a light, healthy meal to have instead of salad on my diet. There was some soup in the cupboard. And so began... My soup diet.

You see, I've tried to be a salad person, but I'm just not. I have to add lots of yummier, more unhealthy things for it to interest me. And then, I still sit there eating it with the facial expression of a martyr. So thus begins my love affair with soup. A small bowl of soup with some wholemeal toast to dunk in it. I've turned down my favourite, the ubiquitous cream of tomato for healthier versions with some protein, so that they make a good meal substitute.

Carrot and lentil, spiced Moroccan chickpea, lightly spiced roasted squash and sweet potato... (The last one was my favourite, mmmm). And the funny thing is, as long as I don't go crazy and eat healthily for breakfast and lunch, it's working! I've lost weight in just a week of doing this!

So now, I'm a girl on a mission.


Step One: Buy a blender in Spain. 






Step Two: Invent, find recipes and make my own, healthier soups. 









Step Three: Use lots of vegetables and experiment with beans and pulses. Just don't add cream!









So wish me luck and I shall keep you posted about how it goes!




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Reason #11 why I miss Michael

He bought me a copy of American GQ because he knew I secretly liked who was on the cover... Shh!

A Belated Travelling Friday

Well Michael came and went. Our introduction to our next job went really well. Busy busy busy! And now I have another 11 days without Michael... Which I will be counting down. I also have an article to write, as I now have my own, weekly column. But more on that later.

So here is my second travelling Friday feature! Only it is belated, so let's just pretend it's Friday today, shall we?

Antalya, Turkey, 2010:

A Little Note

I think you will have noticed the "Reason #_ why I miss Michael" posts.. One for every day that we have been apart while he has been teaching and staying in Chelmsford. Just so he knows I haven't forgotten about him :) But tonight he comes back for just a couple of nights, before he leaves again for another two weeks. So I shall be awol for that time, as I spend every second with him!

I hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Also, I noticed that I have a few followers now on bloglovin. While I appreciate your support, it is anonymous! So please follow me on the Google followers as well, so that I can check out your blogs as well!

Reason #10 why I miss Michael

He is romantic. He continually surprises me with little thoughtful gifts, love notes, and cute surprises. Also some big gestures... He took me to Paris for one birthday, Valencia for another... This is not the reason I love him, but he always finds a way to make my life extra special and sparkly.



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A Little Corner of the World

I love exploring new things and places. Equally, I love reading. So when those two pair up, it can lead to some pretty perfect hours. 

I have many favourite places to read... Curled up in a blanket on the sofa, when it's raining outside.... On a summery balcony in Spain... In Starbucks... On an island beach in Greece... On a train or plane to somewhere new, rushing along by night... 

But I think what takes the experience to a whole new level is when the pairing up of place and book just seems to fit. My most memorable pairing up was reading this book:

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On ruined castle walls....

Stormy beaches...

Clifftops...

It felt like we were forging a little corner of the world, all for ourselves...

So although I was more than happy to leave Aberystwyth, I made a lot of happy memories there, and miss living by the sea. Especially on a stormy day.