Saturday, 28 May 2011
Bomb Alerts!!! All Fourteen of them!!
What a lovely place Northern Ireland is....except for a few idiots that find it amusing to cause disruption by creating bomb alerts - 14 of them!!!! It all started last night in South Belfast, then there were 3 today in my local area. Thankfully they were all hoaxes and to my knowledge no one was hurt. I mean, 99.9999% of the people in Northern Ireland want PEACE and they want to move on, it's just this tiny minority that want to cause problems. I mean a journey that normally takes me 5 mins, took me an hour today because of the road closures caused by the alerts!! I'm glad the PSNI have already arrested 5 people because of what happened..
Thursday, 26 May 2011
Woop woop!!
I forgot to say I received 87% in my final Latin assignment, which is the equivalent of an A grade. I received four A grades since I started. I am not blowing my own trumpet. No. But I am proud of the fact that my hard work has paid off , and three weeks today will be the final exam. I am excited at the prospect of being one step closer to getting a degree. Woop Woop!!
Sunday, 6 March 2011
Well done on my Latin!!
My Latin is going so well that I must give it a mention before I write anything else.
I received 92% in the first assignment and 95% in the 2nd. The third I am about to do next week.
I attended the tutorial last week in Belfast and I felt happy that the tutor was so helpful. There were only 2 of us that attended. Myself, and a girl that travelled up to Belfast by train from Kildare. Now that is dedication. I admire people like that I truly do. At the minute I am tackling the future deponents (grammar) and just hoping my brain will retain it all and let me reproduce it on the day of the exam....I hope so. Exam nerves have been known to get the better of me but I will make pretty sure that I get a decent grade...so it's revision, revision, revision all next week!
My daffodils and crocuses have appeared in my garden and they are lovely. I LOVE fresh flowers - nothing like a good colourful bunch to brighten up your day!!
I received 92% in the first assignment and 95% in the 2nd. The third I am about to do next week.
I attended the tutorial last week in Belfast and I felt happy that the tutor was so helpful. There were only 2 of us that attended. Myself, and a girl that travelled up to Belfast by train from Kildare. Now that is dedication. I admire people like that I truly do. At the minute I am tackling the future deponents (grammar) and just hoping my brain will retain it all and let me reproduce it on the day of the exam....I hope so. Exam nerves have been known to get the better of me but I will make pretty sure that I get a decent grade...so it's revision, revision, revision all next week!
My daffodils and crocuses have appeared in my garden and they are lovely. I LOVE fresh flowers - nothing like a good colourful bunch to brighten up your day!!
First of all I must say how dreadfully ashamed I am for not having updated this for a while, life has just been so hectic that I have barely time to blink, I've been rather busy and I hope that this post will somewhat make up for that.
My mother had her 60th birthday 2 months ago. It was a big thing that took months of planning by my closest sis' and step dad. To cut a long story short, my mum enjoyed herself tremendously which was great but she stiil is a workaholic. Something I doubt will ever change.
Everything changes so fast, my son is getting bigger and more curious than ever - mummy , he says to me today. 'Are you Chinese or are you Chinese & English like me?' Dear love him. I tried my best to explain to him and he wants me to teach him more Chinese words....not that easy since his father is English speaking and most of my friends speak English!!
I have been putting on a little bit of weight lately , not good. Still am unable to decide on an outfit for my cousin's wedding. A top and slim black trousers seem too 'casual' yet, if I wear a smart/posh-ish frock I would feel overdressed (I really would) so am at a loss as to what to wear! I have 4 months to decide!
My beauty tip of the week - Homemade face mask
Step 1. Mix some honey with flour to make a paste
Step 2. Add a good few drops of lemon juice.
Step 3. Apply to your face ( the lemon will help remove blackheads) for 10 minutes and rinse off.
Beautiful skin!!
My mother had her 60th birthday 2 months ago. It was a big thing that took months of planning by my closest sis' and step dad. To cut a long story short, my mum enjoyed herself tremendously which was great but she stiil is a workaholic. Something I doubt will ever change.
Everything changes so fast, my son is getting bigger and more curious than ever - mummy , he says to me today. 'Are you Chinese or are you Chinese & English like me?' Dear love him. I tried my best to explain to him and he wants me to teach him more Chinese words....not that easy since his father is English speaking and most of my friends speak English!!
I have been putting on a little bit of weight lately , not good. Still am unable to decide on an outfit for my cousin's wedding. A top and slim black trousers seem too 'casual' yet, if I wear a smart/posh-ish frock I would feel overdressed (I really would) so am at a loss as to what to wear! I have 4 months to decide!
My beauty tip of the week - Homemade face mask
Step 1. Mix some honey with flour to make a paste
Step 2. Add a good few drops of lemon juice.
Step 3. Apply to your face ( the lemon will help remove blackheads) for 10 minutes and rinse off.
Beautiful skin!!
Thursday, 23 December 2010
Also....
Forget to mention, I did very well at my first Latin assignment.....woohoo!! Tomorrow (Christmas Eve) we are having a Mongolian Hotpot dinner with my cousin John and his family. Can't wait!! The second in two weeks! (I'm so lucky - the last time I had it was over 15 years ago. My dad used to make M. hotpots al the time)..it's a Chinese get-together type of thing... (More info).
Christmas is here
So , here I am putting the final touches to the preparations for Christmas day....just hope it is all worth it.
I did some sums and between my partner and I , we have spent an equivalent of a week's holiday in expenses for Christmas gifts, food, drinks. I KNOW it will be worth it, to see the look on my son's face when he opens the presents. It seems year after year, there is always more people to buy for. Of course Christmas isn't just about the presents. It is about family, spending time together, being nice, catching up plus lots more...
I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!!
I did some sums and between my partner and I , we have spent an equivalent of a week's holiday in expenses for Christmas gifts, food, drinks. I KNOW it will be worth it, to see the look on my son's face when he opens the presents. It seems year after year, there is always more people to buy for. Of course Christmas isn't just about the presents. It is about family, spending time together, being nice, catching up plus lots more...
I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!!
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....
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....
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??!!
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)....
* * *
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!
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)....
* * *
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!
Wednesday, 20 October 2010
5 reasons why we should be more compassionate as a race....
- Ever hear of the phrase 'Today, give a stranger one of your smiles, it might be the only sunshine he sees all day long'? - Well, I believe in it strongly. I truly do. I know what some of you are thinking, perhaps you have some grievances of your own....the last thing you wanna do is smile at a stranger - but, compassion and love are qualities that need to be cultivated in one's life in order to achieve inner peace.
- Being kind and considerate doesn't cost a penny (or cent).
- Thoughts are like a magnet - this theory in the 'self help psychology' department has become an important point. When I was a lot younger the American authoress Louise Hay (of the famous book 'You can heal your life') influenced my life and saved me from the darkest depths of depression...her theory is simple, if you think happy thoughts, you have more chance of being happy, if you think dishonest thoughts, then you will not acheive real honesty in life and so on. So, in a nutshell your thoughts will come back to you like a boomerang!
- We are all equal...yet different. We are all like counterparts of huge gigantic kaleidoscope. So, everybody has their own unique qualities. (Lousie Hay's books radiate love and I highly recommend her works to anybody who is in need of any form of 'healing'). What I'm saying is...do we really gain anything by judging people?
- I dislike violence/crime/war of any sort. I grew up seeing my parents go through an unhappy marriage and often domestic violence was a problem. And, it disturbs me greatly to see such suffering in the world. Why can't we all get along? World peace can become reality if we believe in it enough, in fact anything is possible!..Therefore becoming more compassionate should be compulsory for everybody.
My living space....
The entrance hall (I think the scroll means something like 'thousands & thousands of good fortune wishes'or something like that,if anybody knows the exact translation, I'd love to know!)
Monday, 18 October 2010
Sunset near my home
We went for a walk down by Belfast Lough last night; as you can see the sunset is lovely.
It was quite a pleasant night; Ryan enjoyed the kid's park.
I love to take pictures, it's like an addiction for me.
I don't often feel the urge to be snap happy, but when I do, it's a perfect way of expressing myself.
Saturday tutorial & Christmas memories....
I will be attending the Latin day school (for my OU course) for two hours on Saturday and am actually glad to say...I am rather looking forward to it. However I just don't hope it's just myself who's going as I have been following the Latin Forum online and it seems I am the only one who is doing it in N.Ireland (well, who has posted on the forum anyway)
* * * *
I bought a Christmas tree at the weekend.
I LOVE Christmas....that magical time of the year - can't wait 'til it comes, Andrew says I'm a kid and I don't deny that I'm a big kid at heart. And, why not?
* * * *
I bought a Christmas tree at the weekend.
I LOVE Christmas....that magical time of the year - can't wait 'til it comes, Andrew says I'm a kid and I don't deny that I'm a big kid at heart. And, why not?
Friday, 8 October 2010
My lunch today......
Well, an example of this anyway.
I treated myself to mouthwatering siu mai dumplings (very popular and generally made from shrimps, mushrooms and pork), scrumptious lo mai gai (click here for info), squid with garlic sauce and more!
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