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A multi -faceted look at one Chinese woman's life. including musings about travelling and family life...

Wednesday 24 November 2010

Swot not?!

Finally, I think I have mastered the interrogative pronouns/adjectives I've been learning all fortnight, and am now moving onto 3rd/4th conjugation verbs.  I've never been so committed to my studies as I am now...in fact it is a joy to learn grammar and consolidate all that Latin vocabulary.
Andrew's parents are coming up for their weekly visit tonight;  they spent 6 days in Glasgow, Scotland & came home on Monday.  My other half and I have visited this city three times since 2006.   There is a cool shopping street there called Sauchiehall Street, which is in close proximity to the Buchanan Galleries, considered to be the best shopping centre in Glasgow.  
Snow is forecast for the next few days, hope it's not too heavy though....
                                  Here is our tree

And our poinsettia.... 

Dominus regit me ....

I now know the meaning of the phrase 'Dominus regit me' after so many weeks of learning Latin.  I almost couldn't believe my ears when I heard that some of my co-students were already attempting to translate parts of the bible...gosh, ( I think to myself) now that would definitely be a challenge.  Turns out it means 'The Lord is my shepherd'  -  one of  the most famous verses in existence from Psalm 23. 
I was having a little difficulty with the interrogative pronouns/adjectives as I could not distinguish between the various forms of 'who?' or 'what?'...but after seeking help from my tutor it is a little less daunting.
And dear readers, I hope all this talk about Latin does not send you to boredom city....

Really, I do need to speed up my search for my next module with the OU. Should I do the level 3 'Mises au point' French or continue with the Latin ? Only thing is the 'Continuing Latin' module contains more literature-based study which I must admit is not my strong point!     But then again, I did pass all the assignments that tested my literature knowledge in my past studies at uni.    My essay-writing skills are a bit rusty I have to say....

A thought just popped into my head - quite peculiar actually. I used to have a crush on Hong Kong movie star Canti Lau (Lau Shek Ming) where is he now?!    I had friends in Hong Kong that belonged to his fan club and whenever he was out filming on location or doing functions, my friend Fiona used to take volumes of pictures for me.    The last time I heard she'd moved to Sydney in Australia.  I wonder if she still remembers
me?   

Life is funny sometimes - things seem to go round in circles or a pattern of repetition, like the seasons, like the tide.   That's the feeling I get from listening to Helene Segara's number 'Je vous aime adieu', it's a song that reminds me of breezy summer days (feel free to listen to it on my 'French related' blog http://www.cannyfrancophile.blogspot.com/ ).

These days I alternate between childcare responsibilities/study/shopping/crafts, although not necessarily in that order - I couldn't sleep and my computer was calling me to write.   My cousin John was supposed to call up with a toy car for Ryan tonight, perhaps he had to work overtime?    He's a busy lad though.  His daughter Eta is doing well in P.1, she has the looks of a real China doll, really pretty face on her.   She could pass for being a child model.     Lucy the hamster is chewing away at her nibbles - it's amazing how you can hear everything once the night is still and quiet.

I know I have come a long way in terms of my own psychological 'growth', I loved to read and I still do, nothing can take me away from my books.  What books do you like to read ?   And who is your favourite author/authoress?

On Saturday past there, my son , his daddy and I went to see the Christmas tree lights being switched on in the neighbouring village, well we TRIED to.  I'd parked my car in a space where there was a clamping warning sign, not wise I know but everywhere else was full.    As a result we only hung about for 25 minutes and not for an hour.   My son was happy nevertheless as he'd got himself a 'nice' machine gun 'toy', we don't believe in guns really even if they are only toys - but I'd rather he had the toy or else there would've been a screaming match in front of 120 people.         Some would say I need to assert myself as a parent, but I don't think I am a 'bad' parent.    As Lousie Hay once said, forgive your parents because they were only doing their 'best', so I tell myself I am also doing the best.    Self encouragement is big in my book, it makes sense, I learnt to be 'gentle' with self talk to myself after years of reading self help psychology books.  Perhaps I talk too much though??!!

Monday 15 November 2010

Winter is here!

I woke up today to a bitter cold morning. Thought I'd cracked my windscreen whilst trying to remove the ice, but thankfully I didn't....
I applied for a job with Royal Mail today -  I'm gonna register at the agency in town tomorrow - and have got to take a Royal Mail test  -wish me luck !!  (Really am optimistic about getting it, even though the girl told me 200 candidates have applied so far)....

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I am reading a novel called The Last Samurai by Helen De Witt (see left); normally I'm not one for  novels but this work by De Witt is very captivating, and has renewed my interest in reading.    Highly recommend this book!

Ryan sings......