In my day...

Yesterday was my first research field trip in Northern Ireland. We went to a Catholic Grammar School in the town of Lurgan. Lurgan is a very divided community, and has a reputation for violence, alcohol abuse and rioting. There is an invisible line down the centre of the town that divides up where the so –called Catholic and so-called Protestants live and hang out. This area is a poor area, and features in the news very often for various reasons. The aim of the study is to determine what the youth think can be done to improve the area, as well as what can be done to improve community relations between Catholic and Protestant youth. 

Anyway, my point is that I was horrified at what the girls were allowed to wear to school! In my day*, we weren’t allowed to wear nail polish, colourful earrings (several in one ear!), make-up, rings, loose hair and multi-coloured backpacks. They were also wearing all kinds of black pumps! Some girls looked like they were ready for a night out instead of going to school. And that’s one of the better schools in this country! I shudder to think what our kids will be allowed to do when they are of school-going age. Might just have to send them to school back home!

 *how old do I sound! ;)

and more cake!

On the way home from work today, my husband remembers that he has to take cake to work tomorrow to celebrate the end of his probation period! So as soon as we got home, I put him to work making dinner, and I made his cake. Luckily I had everything in my cupboards. Only just climbed into bed, and my feet hurt from wearing heels all day. Defo wearing my flat boots tomorrow for my first bit of fieldwork. And yes, the cake tastes as good as it looks ;)

My gratitiude list

We all get so caught up in what’s missing from our lives or what we can do to improve it, but we don’t often stop to count our many blessings, so I’ve decided to do just that: 

STOP and think of a list of things that I am grateful for.

I am grateful for/that:

 

A wonderful husband who goes over and above the call of duty EVERY TIME!

True friends who are there for you when it really matters

My parents (all five of them!)

My siblings and all the laughter they bring

My best friends

Hot baths

Decaf tea

Internet shopping

My part-time job which allows me to have pocket money AND me-time :)

Cold weather when I have to do my hair

Skype so I can catch up with my friends and family

Being able to read and finish my book in my own time

Coke Zero!

That I got to attend one of the most prestigious universities

My warm fleecy socks :)

Blackberry messenger

Learning to let go the things that don’t matter

Freedom to do things I am passionate about

Not having to do life alone

Chocolate

New beginnings

That I live in a beautiful area with easy access to the most amazing scenery

My swing cd set (4 cds)

My kindle

Date night ;)

My fireplace in the cold winter

That I have learned not to second guess myself and to stop ignoring my intuition

My health and the good health of those I love

For friendships: past, present and future

My toaster

Snow

My electric blanket

Nap time

Being able to travel

The little things

Today

Try it, it really helps/works.

Things I miss...

Today was Karl's first day back at the office, and I think I'm suffering from separation anxiety. I also have a really bad cold, which is making me feel very sorry for myself today. I got up and made something to eat, started watching a movie, and then feel asleep and woke up at around lunch time. Actually feeling a lot better. Gonna just get up and shower and then get back into bed and rest. I'm going back to the office tomorrow too, so just gonna enjoy a day reading and watching my lovefilms. 

Was thinking the other day that the things you miss most about being away from home are the really arb things, here's my list so far:

The sun!

Rooibos tea

Corenza C

Cavendish Square, more specifically walking in and knowing what I need/want and exactly where to get it!

The smell of hops in the air from our old flat

Kfm

NORMAL TISSUES (not the pop-up kind!)

Our Sunday evenings with the Klaasens

Mommy’s veggie soup and rusks

My PVR decoder

Tagores

Woolworths madeira cake

Bootcamp

Marcel’s frozen yogurt