Little Aims

Today is the day that people generally look back on their year that has just been. Sometimes that can be really good medicine for the soul. It's important to not just let life pass you by but actually make the most of it, which is why I think it is a great idea to think about what's been going on in your life; accept things and decide on things that you would like to change or achieve in the following. To put it simply, I'm talking about New Year's resolutions. I haven't had much time to reflect lately as I've been bogged down with assignment work but I know that I want to make five accomplishable New Year's resolutions; things to aim for and to put things into perspective. I encourage you to do the same! Don't dwell on the past, worrying about things you can't change now. Be positive, be active!

Never too old to...

There seems to be some hidden rules about what you use to do as a child isn't acceptable when you reach a certain age. Some things I agree with like grannies shouldn't wear a skirt that's quite a distance above their knees and sucking a dummy when you're a teenager. However....

You're never too old to like disney or any other animated film

You're never too old to fly on the swings

You're never too old to be bribed with chocolate

You're never too old for cuddles

You're never too old for dancing like no one's there or to dance at all in fact

You're never too old to get excited about your birthday or christmas

You're never too old to learn

You're never too old to hate housework

You're never too old to be afraid

You're never too old to eat jelly

You're never too old to have a box of treasured things

You're never too old to play games

You're never too old to dress up

You're never too old to hope for something

You're never too old to love surprises

You're never too old to have a money box

You're never too old to giggle at silly things with your friends

You're never too old to need you're parents

You're never too old to make new friendships

You're never too old to PLAY IN THE SNOW!!!

Poetry

The other day I had a literacy seminar on how to teach poetry to key stage two children, which I was pleased about because I love poetry and I had just had the most boring mathematics seminar on how to make links for a medium term plan. I came across a poet I had never heard of before, his name was Benjamin Zephaniah..heard of him? We were asked to read some poems from his book 'talking turkeys' and then to perform them from to the class. I love performing so i thoroughly enjoyed interpretting his work. The class clapped at the end so I guess that's a good dign :-) When I was reading the different poems with my group, the words were like little rays of sunshine. He writes about deep topics with such a great light-hearted sense of humour. I think I may just buy the book! Anyway, I enjoyed reading them so much I thought I should just share a one.

Eat your words

I am a veggie table

A table made of veg,

There's so much fruit upon me

All living on the edge,

Life is hard

But so are plates

And tea can be quite hot,

And vegetarian poets

Make me nervous quite alot.

De-stressing

I have been having nearly fainting spells lately so I had a blood test and the results came back clear. Therefore, the only other reason that people have suggested and I agree, that they are a result of stress. So now it's my mission to find ways to de-stress. I know that I can gain strength through Jesus building me up and giving me peace in my quiet times with him but is there any other actions that I could be doing that could lead to the disappearance of my fainting spells along with the stress?

The stress aint gonna go away anytime soon with my choice of degree and the other activities I do alongside so I guess I need to start being proactive and not allowing myself to get caught sinking like as if I'm in quick sand.

Smartie Challenge!

Yesterday I was reading an article in the magazine 'liberti' about how to be a blessing and I came across an idea which I am now doing. It's called 'the smartie challenge'. This activity is where you put 5p into a smartie packet everytime God answers a prayer about something little, for example I asked God to help me to arrive at uni on time yesterday and I did therefore I have to put 5p into the smartie packet. Once it's been three months you can marvel at how many smartie packets you've filled up with 5 pence pieces and send all the money off to cherish uganda or another charity. I'm up for the challenge and I am rather enjoying munching on the smarties too, I haven't had some in years!

It's the simple things...

Sometimes when you don't have anything to say, it's not that you don't have anything to say but more there are too many things to say..I guess that's why I haven't been able to write a new blog

post lately.

It's the simple things like a nice, soft and runny boil egg that do it for me!

I only occasionally have breakfast. I don't know why. Maybe it's because I don't have the time or that I don't know what to have. However, on this occasion that I decided to have breakfast I chose to have a nice, soft and runny boiled egg..the way I like it, how do you like it? It's simple but there's something about it that makes me feel comforted and homey. And yes, I still make it with toast soldiers the way my mum use to make it for me. Funnily enough, I did feel ready for the day like they all say breakfast is meant to and for that day I started thinking maybe I should have breakfast everyday but then that idea slowly disappears when I have to rush out because I woke up late the next day. And now I think about it, if I had a boiled egg everyday would that take away the happy and homey feeling that I get when I only have it on occasion?

If any of you have got a breakfast delight, try me and I may just give it a go ;)

Try something new today :)

I've always liked Sainsbury's catch phrase 'try something new today' even though I never shop there. Something about that phrase suggests there's an exciting world out there that you need to explore..so go get some! That's what i've been doing lately..trying some new things.

Acting since I left school: I was asked to be the one of the main characters in a performance my church was doing with kids club. I played a troubled young teen who didn't feel worth anything due to events in her life that made her feel that way, until she meets Jesus who isn't what she expected. It was so great to feel the buzz again that always fills me when I am doing acting. I'm definately not gonna stop continuing to carry on that passion of mine!





Cakes: I was watching the tv programme 'cook yourself thin' which attracted me because they had the motto of not dieting but cook healthier. There was this cake recipe that just looked so delish I had to try it out. Also, it included a courgette in the recipe and the woman claimed that you couldn't taste it. Well I found that strange and wanted to find out for myself. So I grabbed my friend maria, we put on our pinnys and got to work. I hadn't baked in ages coz my mum doesn't really have time to bake cakes. I was sooooo pleased! :) they turned out terrific, sweet and presentable..luvly jubbly! annnndddd...she was correct, you couldn't taste the courgette.

Here's the link for the recipe:

http://www.channel4.com/food/recipes/healthy/cook-yourself-thin/strawberries-and-cream-cupcake-recipe_p_1.html

Dragon fruit: I was in tesco when I came across an odd but pretty looking fruit which I had never seen before. I thought I wonder what that tastes like as I am a person who loves fruit. So I bought it and then realised I had no idea how to prepare it. So it was time to do a bit of research.

This is what I found out - Pitaya or more commonly known as Dragon Fruit is the fruit of Hylocereus cactus species, which only blooms at night with large white fragrant flowers called 'moon flower' or 'queen of the night' which I think sounds beautiful. They are native to Mexico and Central and South America but are also cultivated in Asian countries. To me the fleshy white pulp looked alot like the flesh of a kiwi apart from the colour.

However, although this fruit looked tropical and attractive the taste was totally not! It didn't taste of anything which was a real disappointment. Maybe I got a bad one, I dunno but to me I only could eat one mouthful as it was so tasteless. I was glad I tried it though.

Prayer Diary: I have also started a prayer diary where I not only write down church service notes, verses and pictures God gives me but now I write down the things I pray about to. It was an idea I got from reading the book 'too busy not to pray' by Bill Hybels, which I would recommend to you all. It helps me to slow down, give God the private time He deserves, lets me analyse my life and puts things into perspective. Not only that but I found that since I started to write my prayers down now my prayers aren't just I need, I want..ask ask ask, if you get my drift but now I am reminded to include adoration, confession, thanks as well as asking God for help with things..which is important too!

So yeah if you've got any ideas of what else I could try I'd love to hear it :)

Race for Life!

My excuse for not blogging lately is that I have been really tired preparing for the cancer research race for life which happened on sunday. I had to force myself to really go for it in the last couple of weeks before the run because I wasn't someone who used to enjoy running, I wouldn't even be bothered to run for a bus! lol. Now on the other hand, I am actually considering jogging as a hobby :) Unfortunately, me and my good friend Avril (shown in picture with me) had to cram in preparation in the last couple of weeks as our lives have been very hectic with uni and other issues. Next time we do it, it would be much better to spread out the preparation jogging over a longer period of time..although this may have to be by ourselves as she is situated in Scotland, long way to come for just jogging practise!

Anywhooo, we both finished the 5km,jogging the whole way and to say it was harder than anticipated is an understatement. There was many hills, uneven ground( I tripped once, doh!) and people that were walking when they went to the jogging category who were not moving out the way to help those who actually wanted to jog. This won't matter to you if your not an eastenders fan like us, but Zainab Masood was jogging like a metre away from us! cooool :D We jogged the whole 5km in 42 minutes, which I am very proud of..next time we are aiming for under 40 minutes. My leg muscles are still tight and aching even now! I'm very pleased we decided to do it and we raised well over £100 for the charity. Without wanting to sound too cheesy..we really were RACING FOR LIFE.

R.I.P Grandad Minnie - I miss you but I know your happier where you are now..Thanks to God that he found Jesus before he died of the horrible disease.

Still praying for Uncle Rob, who is still fighting cancer.

End of yr 1 teaching and brooooooom broooooom off I go!

I finally finished my 1st teaching practise last friday and we had a celebratory BBQ, just me, raz, mum, dad, lil, ali barbar and warren which was lovely because luckily it didn't rain..there's nothing nice about soggy burgers! My class gave me a huge hand-made card, box of malteasers and a gerainium which made me feel so happy I felt like I was going to cry.


Here is the final product of all my teaching:


AFTER
BEFORE

It was an experience I will never forget, full of so many different emotions. I definately underestimated how much paperwork there was going to be..I was swamped! I enjoyed teaching year one when they behaved lol It gave me an opportunity to be creative which I liked and I thank God for being with me always. I will miss them, all of their very different characters and maybe some day I may just bump into one of the little treasures, I doubt they will remember me though. My confidence grew and my timing in the lessons improved but as always there will be tons more to learn. On to key stage two...but I'll have my much needed holiday first ;)

Driving Lessons:

On a slightly different note, I started up my driving lessons again and the lesson went on for an hour. I was nervous and I thought I had forgotton everything but as I began driving it fell back into place, not everything but most things which I am grateful for. I need to do my theory test soon.

Whirlpool Galaxy

LOOK WHAT GOD MADE

and right at the heart of the billions of lightyears away whirlpool galaxy is a cross :)

AMAZING

Now every time I look up to the stars I will think to myself it is undescrible how great our God is.

We are not even a tiny speck in this beautiful world that God made but he still sent his own son to die for us, I don't know about you but that makes me feel special and loved and sorry for when I underestimate God's power.

If you haven't watched Louis Giglio's talks..I highly recommend you do! It deffo puts things into perspective.

Paul Klee

This week, at the school I am doing my first experience placement at, it was art week.

We looked at an artist called Paul Klee which I found throughly interesting.

He said 'art is just taking a line for a walk'.

Him saying that made me feel as if it's possible for anyone to produce a great piece of art work. His work is fascinating to look at because it can look like different things for different angles or to a different person. Art like drama is totally down to a person's perspective. The picture above is just one of his lovely pieces of work.

So much to do so little time!

Daffodils bringing sunshine to my campus..I couldn't miss the photo opportunity :)

Sorry about the lack of bloggage lately, I'm afraid it's going to come to you all at once today.

Ramone's Birthday:

Well, I took the day off work so that we could have the whole day to celebrate my boyfriend Ramone's 19th birthday, also we went out the night before to a club in Leceister square called Penthouse so we got back in the very early hours of the morning anyway. I had never been to Penthouse before and when I arrived there I was disappointed with how packed it was. I mean,it was so packed that we were literally touching other people and it was very hard to dance with people keep pushing you out the way to get past. On his actual birthday, 20th March, we first when to TGI Fridays. For those of you who don't know, TGI Fridays is a american style restaurant with very yummy food. For me it was half a rack of ribs, shrimp and fries with a cocktail :p For desert we popped over the road to the Krispy Kreme shop, if you've never had a krispy kreme doughnut..U NEED TO! it's heaven in the shape of a doughnut. We then had to rush home to get our Arsenal shirts on as we were going to watch Arsenal Vs West Ham at the Emirates Stadium. It was a definate adventure trying to get there..to start it off we left our houses late and by the time we reached the station they wasn't letting anyone through because someone had had a heart attack on the train. What to do???!!!?? There was 15 minutes until kick-off and no train..so I did the most sensible thing I could suggest, we got a cab to the stadium. When we got there, I ran like my life depended on it, trying to keep up with Ramone who was getting more eager as he heard the fans singing from inside the stadium. We had to first find out what part of the stadium we were sitting in, and it had to be round the other far side! More running! We got there,missed Arsenal scoring their first goal but we got there which was the main thing :D. Arsenal won 2-0 so we left with smiles on our faces. I was totally knackered but I couldn't go home and lay on the sofa..I had Ramone's 2nd party to go to with his other group of friends. We met his mates in a pub then headed off to O'neills(a pub-club) ...to say it was an eventful day wouldn't cut it.

3 Year Anniversary :

On 24th March, Ramone and me had been going out for 3 years so to celebrate we went out on the 23rd as Ramone was working on the 24th. We went to Alexandra Palace and played 'Pitch and Putt'. We both had never played golf before and it was a throughly enjoyable experience. I would like to go again in the summer when it is better weather as it was raining on and off when we were playing. Ramone won the game, but then again he always wins things like that I must admit lol. We then went out to a restaurant in Knights Bridge, where his older brother use to work. It was like something out of a movie the restaurant, just so special and even more so because of who I was with. He bought me a pair of earrings and a silver trinket box that said 'I love you' on it. I bought him a watch and a pendant with the letter 'R' engraved on the front and on the back '3 years, I love you'. Those presents were just a small symbol of how we feel about each other. I wouldn't change one moment of my time of going out with Ramone or choosing to give my heart to him. I love him and I can't wait to make more memories with him.

School Placement Preparation:

Last week was the first week of my school preparation week for my teaching block.

The topic I will be teaching is 'seaside rescue'. I have so many lesson plans to do, so much to do for my folders and I still haven't finished my assignments due on 19th April. If I didn't know God was with me and this is what he wants me to do at this time, I think I would have 'fallen off the edge' so to speak. I am nervous. I am excited. I am stressed. I am happy. This is one emotional rollercoaster and then I think to myself 'this is life'...one step at a time approach is needed.

Easter:

It was Easter Sunday yesterday. My family gave me a lovely lindt chocolate bunny with carrots and my boyfriend gave me a yummy dairy milk chocolate egg. I fell in love with Jesus all over again. It's easy for Easter, like Christmas to become just full of routine and listen to the same stories forgetting what they are TRUELY talking about. He was PAINFULLY nailed to a cross and slowly died a humilating death FOR ME, taking MINE and everyone else's sins with him so that we could be FREE. HE ROSE AGAIN and is with me NOW, NOTHING can separate us :D I want to feel that amazing freedom everyday and that amazing love completely everyday.

Work hard, Party Harder!

Wednesday 10th March - The UV Party! :)

*My memory in the form of a poem*

The uv party with lots of uv light
my purple painted heart glowing so bright,
Lots of work with dedication
but it was time to change the station,
Dance like I've never danced before
The beat was something we couldn't ignore,
Drunk sports students pinch her bum
Waiting for the opportunity to get some,
One or two drinks but no more
otherwise you would hit the floor,
Giggling with all your friends
all looking stunning in the latest trends,
My camera was at the ready
trying to keep my hand steady,
Getting lost in the midst of time
Going with the song my body was full of mime,
Happy as Larry but it was time to go,
The traffic on the way home was super slow,
The next day in the SU there was no trace,
only the last crumpled cup in that small deserted space.

(by Daisy Minnerthey)

Bring on the summer and rebuke these colds!

The sun has been trying to peep out lately but it is still freezing & I have an annoying cold which our family keeps rebuking in Jesus' holy name. It's amazing how a change in the weather can completely changed the frown on people's faces upside down :) so bring on the sun please! The song below speaks to me in mountains lately and relates a few thoughts/feelings of my own as sometimes when you don't know what to say..it's because you have too much to say therefore get someone else to explain for you ie: through Corrinne Bailey Rae-

'Three little birds, sat on my window.And they told me I don't need to worry. Summer came like cinnamon

So sweet,Little girls double-dutch on the concrete.

Maybe sometimes, we've got it wrong, but it's alright

The more things seem to change, the more they stay the same

Oh, don't you hesitate.

Girl, put your records on, tell me your favourite songYou go ahead, let your hair down

Sapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams,Just go ahead, let your hair down.

You're gonna find yourself somewhere, somehow.Blue as the sky, sunburnt and lonely,Sipping tea in the bar by the roadside,(just relax, just relax)Don't you let those other boys fool you,Got to love that afro hair do.Maybe sometimes, we feel afraid, but it's alrightThe more you stay the same, the more they seem to change.Don't you think it's strange?

Girl, put your records on, tell me your favourite song You go ahead, let your hair down

Sapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams,Just go ahead, let your hair down.You're gonna find yourself somewhere, somehow.'Twas more than I could take, pity for pity's sake Some nights kept me awake, I thought that I was strongerWhen you gonna realise, that you don't even have to try any longer?Do what you want to.

Girl, put your records on, tell me your favourite songYou go ahead, let your hair downSapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams,Just go ahead, let your hair down.Girl, put your records on, tell me your favourite songYou go ahead, let your hair down

Sapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams,Just go ahead, let your hair down.Oh, you're gonna find yourself somewhere, somehow'

Put Your Records On - CORRINNE BAILEY RAE (She has such a way with words to go with that lovely voice)

The weekend away and my first day @ my new school placement!

Well, the past few days have made my mind feel blah! but now I feel ready to share :) Last friday I packed up my things in my lovely eeyore travel bag and set off in Jenny and Mark Gladman's car with my great boyfriend Ramone. The destination was Carrotty Wood in Kent and the reason for going was to have a weekend away with the older youth to have fun and hopefully deepen our relationships with God. I certainly did that! The weekend contained two altogether meetings involving worship and talks, my group was the second group where we taught everyone Guvna B's dance the 'kingdom skank' (which everyone got excited about learning something new,especially the adults lol)and I was very proud of Ramone who delivered a powerful talk. From both meetings we came to the conclusion that God is going to set the youth alight for him which makes me want to burst with happiness and fear at the thought. There was also three activities of team building where we had to play games involving team skills, swimming which was so nice to be back in the pool as it feels like it had been forever and finally, low ropes which was a series of ropes,logs and tyres which we had to cross. The night before the low ropes it had been raining therefore when we did the low ropes it was so muddy. I think I took home most of Carrotty Wood with me! lol Me and Ramone won first prize for getting the most covered apparently. When we wasn't doing outdoor activties, we were playing games like bananagrams and watching movies. One of the movies we watched was 'cool runnings' and three people in my youth, Ramone being one of them, especially became fascinated with it which meant we heard Jamaican accents throughout the whole weekend. So overall, it was a very beneficial trip for my relationship with God and really enjoyable to be with all the lovely people in my youth. One negative however was the complete flatness of my pillow..not great!

The monday back was my first day link visit in the school my placement is in. I will be going there every monday doing alot of first hand experience and observation. Unfortunately this means I've lost my day off now..doh! My school placement is in one of the year one classes in Chapel End Infants School in Walthamstow. I had never heard of this school before and as I am a natural worrier, it was very nerve-racking but I was excited at the same time. God has blessed me with a teacher who has only been teaching for three years therefore remembers what it is like being in my position so she is very willing to help. The class seems like a good class with not too many difficuly children which is a good sign as I will have to manage this class soon which I do my block placement of teaching them. I tried to get a feel for the school by getting involved in helping the children write about their holiday news, paint the towers they had made and assist them in the exploration of websites in ICT. It was very unusual to eat my lunch in the staff room because for many years the staff room was out of bounds for me and the teachers probably thought who is this alien?! Hopefully, the will begin to feel comfortable around me to talk to me. Also, I went to the staff meeting after school which I found quite boring as the information didn't apply to me right now but I knew it would eventually so I will still go to the next meeting. I am looking forward to the events that will happen next monday!

A rose says...

James Morrison wrote in his song called 'You Give Me Something' : 'I can say I've never bought you flowers, I can't work out what they mean'. Well, in my opinion every flower can say something different depending on the person. To some people a rose may simply be something that is nice to look at but to others it may have more meaning. Valentine's day has passed just recently and alot of flowers would have probably been sold, including one single red rose which was given to me. There is a chance that some people would have just bought the flowers for their valentine because it is the routine thing. From my perspective a rose means so much more than something that is pretty to look at, even though it is that too :).. (which I why I've taken quite a few photos of it on my phone)

A rose says you're special
A rose says I thought of you
A rose says you're beautiful
A rose says thankyou
A rose says I appreciate you
A rose says you're important
A rose says God is good
A rose says you mean the world to me
A rose says I care about you
A rose says life is better with you here
A rose says sorry for when I've been annoying
A rose says remember me
A rose says the world is full of good too

A rose says cheer up
A rose says you're unique
A rose says I haven't forgotten what's important
A rose says I Love You
A rose says...things that are just too hard to explain

My sponser :)

Today when I returned home from uni I found a letter on my kitchen table. I don't know what it is about letters but whenever I recieve one I always feel that bit more special, unless they are from the bank giving me my statement on how much money I've spent! I use to have an Austrian pen friend who I met when I was on holiday in Kent when I was 7 and we wrote to each other for years, which would always be exciting to hear more about her and her antics. Sadly this gradually fell to a hault. This particular letter I couldn't tell who it was from so I eagarly opened it in seconds. To my joy, it was a letter from the child from Uganda who I sponser through the charity 'Compassion'. I had already written a brief letter to Kedi last month asking him questions about what his hobbies are and if there was any prayer requests but I thought that it would be months and months if I would ever hear back from him. However, he replied very quickly and it definately put a smile on my face after a tiring day. He drew pictures, thanked me for sponsering him and told me about his interests. He is 7 years old, his favourite game is football, he would like to visit England to see how it looks and he wants to be a pilot in the future. I plan on replying to his letter and sending some photos of England for him with it. After recieving that letter, it really brought it home to me how such a little thing can make a impact somewhere far away and is very encouraging! Also, I've been told through church sermons how being a Christian makes places around the world a responsibility to us therefore I am pleased to be starting to except this responsibility even though sometimes it seems too difficult.

But then it landed on my nose!

Today I wanted to write a post but I couldn't think what to write about. I had a fantastic weekend of celebration as my dad had his 53rd birthday on Saturday and yesterday my cousin Katie got baptised but today was just work, work and yet more assignment work! and so there wasn't much to say as I already wrote a blog about my storytelling research antics. However,I tried Rosemary Shrager's chicken and chive Philadelphia recipe tonight which was simply delish and my boyfriend was after some but I didn't think there was enough but in the end there was. This led me to wrap it up in tin foil, put on my coat and make my way to my boyfriend's house to give him he's treat. I stepped outside and to my surprise a small frosty sparkle landed on my nose! :D It's snowing again! Anyone who knows me well knows that I absolutely adore the snow and God gave me my white Christmas period last year that I had been shaking my snow globe all the time hoping for. Just when I thought all the sleet would be over,it shivered into my life again. Although the snow results in ice causing so much havoc because this is England lol, it just makes life seem more magical to me. Perhaps it's because of all the romantic movies I've watched but it just adds something special to the day. Also, it reminds me of how AMAZING God is because of all he created, all the little details. It's the same feeling I got when I was climbing the Great Wall of China(apart from the tiredness lol) as I saw all the picturesque scenery..just WOW,you can just see God's image in it and I feel all the more of his magnificent presence. So instead of just rushing round to my boyfriend's house, I walked slowly, enjoying every minute of the snow falling down perfectly and thinking to myself what a wonderful world.

Storytelling

As part of my spring term assignments for my primary teaching degree I have been researching storytelling, the history of it, what makes a good tale to tell and what make a fabdabbydozy storyteller. Today I came across this gorgeous quote that took my attention and thought I should share it before I forget it.





'The Storyteller's Creed I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge. That myth is more potent than history. That dreams are more powerful than facts. That hope always triumphs over experience. That laughter is the only cure for grief. And I believe that love is stronger than death. '- Robert Fulghum





Even though by the end of these assignments I will probably feel sick of anything to do with storytelling for a while, from what I have been reading already I can honestlly say that I didn't realise how important storytelling is. Especially when I saw that many historians,anthropologists and psycholoists suggest that storytelling is one of the many things that defines humanity.

Now I have to find a story to tell myself (Any ideas people?!)and because I love acting, hopefully this will have a positive effect on my storytelling technique!

See, I've been getting so lost in the world of storytelling that I have forgotten about my gammon knuckle cooking away downstairs!!

Helloooooo bloggers!

This is my first blog that I have written during my ICT primary teaching seminar and hopefully it will be something that will continue :) Enjoy your day! X