Now There's A Question

Most days start off the same in my little stopover here in Brisbane. Reluctantly leave my bed cozy, shower, dress (important one, that!) then take a gentle stroll to the train station, about 10 minutes' walk. Normally, my mind remains in a blissful early hours blankness at this stage, soothed with the tunes Trusty IPod™ provides into believing I could still at any second return to my slumber. Little known to me, today was to be full of vexing imponderables.

This morning, as I reached the station, I saw two birds sitting between the tracks, fighting over a worm (well, they do say the early ones get them!)

But here's the thing...as I looked closer, I saw it was a gummy worm. Yep, candy, in an (apparently) all-too-convincing worm shape. It brought so many questions to mind, most far too taxing for that hour of the morning. Are they fooled by anything worm shaped? Would they squabble over, say, a broken hair band (being long and stretchy also), or is the pretence of being a worm with a wee face painted on a must? Having won the battle for the worm, will they taste it decide they like & become eternal devotees, or leave it in disgust, feeling cheated? Most important, where can I get one?!! These questions remaining unanswered, perhaps for eternity, alas, alas, I continued along the platform.

Boarding the train and snagging for my very own bottom a coveted rush-hour seat, I spied with my little eye a helpful public service sign: "Please give up these seats for elderly people, people with disabilites and expectant mothers/adults carrying children". Very thoughtful, Queensland Rail are. So thoughtful, in fact, that they had translated it into Braille underneath. This posed for me a second set of questions for my brand-new day: Is blindness not considered a disability?Would you be perfectly within your rights to refuse to give up a seat for a blind person, saying, "Sorry, mate, feel the sign"? Do they list them in order of importance - what if you were forced to choose between giving your seat to an old lady or a lady pregnant with twins? Does QR provide guidelines for just such a dilemma?

As we neared Central station, Trusty Ipod™ kicked up a gear with "Sexy Bi&*@". This song is somewhat of a favourite with me right now, and every fibre of me wanted to break into the kind of shake-your-booty grind usually reserved for the drunker hours of Saturday mornings. For serveral seconds, I contemplated doing just that. What, do you think, would be the reaction of the 300 or so early-morning commuters, dressed identically in their white shirts/blouses and smart black pants, quietly and unobtrusively reading their novels or playing games on their IPhones, if this innocuous looking fellow commuter suddenly stood up and began busting moves to rival those of MCHammer? Answers on a postcard, please. Maybe one day I'll have the guts. For those of you who know me (and for those who don't me, how did you come to be reading my blog exactly?), you know this isn't just an idle threat. I'll keep you "posted" (tee hee).

Later, I happened upon a site that translates words into a multitude of other languages while searching for something for work (I swear). This site, too, was to leave me wondering. I typed in the word "plunger" in the hopes of gaining a valuable word to use in any situation, in any language when abroad (plus, I already know how to say it in Swedish, thanks Sarah!). Take a look at these two translations and tell me if you can guess what my question was:

Chinese (Simplified)) 跳水者, 活塞, 潜水者, 冒险的投机者

Chinese (Traditional) 跳水者, 活塞, 潛水者, 冒險的投機者

After work, tired and ready for a good sit down in front of FlashForward (and it's amazing, no?) I realized there was one more question in store for me that day, only this time, it's one shared by women everywhere and one to which, no matter how many times you answer it, it's ready and waiting to pop up on you the very next day. That question?

What the heck am I gonna make for dinner?!

UPDATE:

I found an answer to at least one of my imponderables (thank you Google/YouTube). See the post below for what would happen if you dance in a train station. Pretty cool. However, if you only want to watch one video today, that led me to the one below that, which is even more amusing :)

Dancing In the Train Station

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkBepgH00GM

Frozen Grand Central

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwMj3PJDxuo

Dog Days

So. I was flicking through ads for houses for rent this August. I'd been looking for 4 weeks and had seen every combination of bedroom, kitchen, living room and bathroom possible. Then I was hit by a pic very similar to this one. Look how cute! It must be the house for me. I met Ben, my lovely housemate, had a quick peek around and moved in shortly after.

Oh - but he 'forgot' to mention that there actually resided in the house two dogs - the 2nd quite a bit more enormous than Dennis, above.

What a joy it has been for me to have these two little fuzz-balls in my house. Such different personalities! Dennis, or Little Dog, is quiet and manly. He kept his distance until he got to know me a little bit better but surprises me every now and again by hopping up next to me and nuzzling into my lap. Often, it is just me and him at home, and he sits staring at me for a while, from a safe distance, then sits at the other end of the sofa. Then creeps closer. Then snuggles into me. Once, he surprised me by jumping right onto my chest and resting his head on my shouler, and promptly falling asleep!

Prawn, or Big Dog, is a baby in a giants' body. She only just turned 1 and is a puppy in every sense of the word. Watching her explore her world is such a delight. Yesterday, the fish pond in the garden was partially frozen with a thin layer of ice. I watched her trying to catch the fish moving under the ice, prancing in excited circles, dabbing at the ice with her front paw, ending up with 2 paws in the pond and the shock on her face when she stuck her head under the freezing water - so sweet!! She has NO idea just how enormous she is (she comes up to my waist and weighs a ton) and tries to fit into the most improbable places.

Doing shift work, I come and go from the house at all hours of the day and night, and they are always there at the front door with tails wagging softly , ready to sit silently and contemplate the world with me. What a treat it is to have dogs around. And plus, they're not mine, so I don't have to feed them, walk them or clean them. Bonus!!

(Things You Probably Didn't Know About Me)

T.Y.P.D.K.A.M #5: I once dressed as a giant cucumber (from VeggieTales) or a Kid's Holiday Camp at church. The costume was probably 6 feet tall and I looked through a tiny screen near my stomach :)

Sunshine On My Shoulders..My Biking Story

Today, I am feeling insanely, smuggly happy.

Things just seem great. I had an early night, fell straight to sleep, dreamt about nice things (although in that tantalizing way, I can almost remember what but can't *quite* remember) and woke up refreshed and ready to get up.

Soon, my lovely man will pull up on his amazing motorbike (CBR600 RR, red and black, sooo nice) and I will hop on the back for a ride in the sunshine.

I admit now, motorbiking has lost a bit of that sheen it used to hold for me. I remember how much I loved it when Mike first took me out. I could not stop grinning from ear to ear. It was the best thing ever to me and I was amazed at his handling of this huge machine. I was content to cling tight to him and enjoy the feel of the wind, the sun on our faces and the different smells as we drove through town and country, the small joys that make all the difference from travelling in an enclosed car. I said in an off-handed way that I would love to try driving myself and, generous as always, Mike offered to let me try his. I knew I would drop it though and declined. After all, I wasn't really serious, it was just a flash in the pan pipe-dream. Everytime we went out I would enthuse, saying how much I would love to be able to drive one myself, but not thinking it would ever really happen. It was like, wouldn't it be great to climb Mount Everest? A fun thing to dream about but the reality of doing it a little too daunting, always in the "what if?"future and never advancing to here-and-now reality.

It was thus I felt a little guilty when, with a huge grin, Mike presented me with a new shiny red helmet for Christmas so that I could pursue my dream of doing my motorbike training. Our relationship still relatively new, he obviously didn't know what I was really like, a big talker, afraid to be a 'do-er'.

I let my mind play about with the possibility more as it came into Spring. It was true Lindsay style decision-making. A little bit of internet research, "just too see". A million and one reasons why I could not (What would my parents think? What if I got hurt? What was the point when I could not afford to buy a bike anyway?) After a bit of fantasizing, the decision was always firmly made. No. It was ridiculous. I couldn't. I wouldn't.

But I always found myself back on the internet, researching. I even popped into the British School of Motoring to find out about their training. I scrounged up all my courage and called a trainer, expecting to get a bit of information. Instead, by the end of the phone call, my training day was all booked. My stomach literally went cold when I realized what I'd done. Then, typically Lindsay, immediately I began to worry: What if I failed? In fact, of course I would fail. I'd never ridden a bike in my life. Clearly, I would not even be able to make it move. There was no way I would be able to do it. How embarrassing to have to tell everyone I had tried and not even managed to get the bike going. Best to just cancel now. Oh...but I'd paid the deposit. OK. I would do the training, but I would not tell anyone.

So it happened that bright and early one Sunday morning, I was there at my training, clutching my still-gleaming red helmet, pathetically underprepared with no gloves, no jacket, no proper footwear. Jeans, runners and several sweaters to try to keep warm. The two other guys I was to train with had all the gear, leathers, gloves, you name it. And not even clever enough to think of a reason I would not be contactable all day, I had told Mike only that I was 'busy' and that what I was doing was none of his business (charming!)

Somehow, miraculously, I didn't do too badly. Sure, it wasn't easy. I felt like crying. But at each step, somehow, I managed to do what was needed. Start ignition, depress clutch, into gear, clutch out...hop, hop, stall. Hmm....start ignition, depress clutch, into gear, clutch out, hop, hop...I'm moving. OMG! I'm moving! I'm driving a motorbike!!

At the end of the day my head was pounding, I could have fallen asleep standing up and my shoulders were so tense you could have broken rocks on them. But I was clutching a piece of paper that said that I could ride a motorbike. Legally. On real roads and everything! I debated not telling anyone, but flush with excitement, could not keep it from Mike and showed him my certificate.

Of little use to me, though, as I didn't have a motorbike to drive and practice on. I looked around a little bit online but could not really afford to buy one anyway. It was still fun to go on the back of Mike's but I was jonesing to drive myself. I used to sit outside on beautiful sunny evenings and think, "I could be out riding now". Imagine my surprise when my lovely boyfriend showed up at my house one summer evening and announced that he had found a great bike at a great price and had bought it for me as an 'investement'. Meet Noel.

Noel and I were pretty much constant companions for the next year, as I moved further away from work and he was my only means of commuting (buses don't run when your shifts finish at 2am, and the hospital has very limited parking). I would strap into several fleece layers and hop on most icy mornings throughout the winter, and Noel never let me down.

It was thus, with a heavy heart that I handed over Noels' keys this August to a lovely young guy in Coventry. Reason: One rainy and I mean rainy day in the not-too-distant past, I got up at 5am to go to the Kingstanding Test Centre in Birmingham. There, Lee (ex-army, quite scary) put me through my paces in the torrential rain. U-turns, slow rides, manoeuvers, and...what? I passed?! I PASSED! Freed from the constraints of being a learner biker, Mike and I wasted no time in upgrading me to a Kawasaki ER-5.

It's been quite a journey and I have truly loved every second of it. Mike and I love going out for bike rides together (although his is still much more powerful than mine, I'm getting there at catching up with him!). Although one "near-miss" where the bike slid out from under me did knock my confidence a lot, I'm feeling like biking could be a part of my life for a lonnng time. I'm so pleased I have found something that I truly love and enjoy and can be proud of achieving. To be honest, this is the feeling I thought I would get from nursing but so far...well, that's a story for another time!

Anyone else out there have something in their life like this?

Winter Chilling

I want to blog but cannot think of a topic for today. Have just finished night shifts and only had 2 hours sleep, so there is always that nauseous, delirious feel to the day, but also a delicious feeling of being at liberty to be lazy without feeling guilty!! Having just started the official 6 weeks 'til Christmas Countdown, I am really getting into the winter mood. It is already dark and windy outside, adding extra reason to stay in and not feel guilty! I am curled up on the couch in my coziest Snowflake PJs and boyfriend's oversized sweater, wrapped in my soft fleece blanket, heating on full and fire roaring away. Drinking hot chocolate (if I was Holly I would have made it soo much better by adding Bailey's, but I can't find my bottle!), eating biscuits and watching the movie of the day on channel 5. It is truly bad 90s made-for-TV movie at its worst.



Thoughts I am currently experiencing:

• I have recently noticed my number of Facebook friends has dropped by 3, even though I've added a few new friends. Who has ditched me? Why? I can figure out who 2 of them are but not the 3rd. Did I offend? :(


• This movie I'm watching (called Suburban Madness, if you're interested in numbing your brain cells!) has been rated 2 out of 5 stars by the network, leading me to ask why they are showing it if even they realize how criminally bad it is!


• Why am I still watching this?!


• Am I the only one who sees absolutely no point in an air guitar contest? Call me girly but if someone suggested to me a night out watching people stand on a stage in a local beer-soaked pub pretending to play guitar, I would have to go with no


• Speaking of nights out, am excited for next week, to go to the Christmas market for a girls' day out, finished off with Strictly Come Dancing (yah, go Matt!) and curry. Also, Julie and I booked a mini-trip to London near Christmas for some a major shopping spree and to see The Lion King in the West End. Yah!
• Congrats to my cousin Jay and his lady Angie, on the birth of their new baby boy, Stanley, who was so desperate to be born that he was delivered by his Dad in their living room before the ambulance arrived.

Ciao, friends!

This Is My Life!

Eavesdroppers, UNITE!

I simply love people watching. I have a strong early memory of waiting in a parked car while my parents attended to some long-since forgotten errand. An extremely easily bored child with a scant attention span (nothing has changed into adulthood, alas, alas...) I was spoilt rotten by the constant attention of my 2 older siblings. On this occasion, my sister Bryony was amusing me by speaking outloud the thoughts of passers-by. I delighted in it, and it stuck with me - still to this day, I could people-watch for hours, conjecturing their names, occupations, nationalities, shopping lists, reasons for being in that exact place at that exact time and so on.

I go to extraordinary lengths to eavesdrop on an interesting conversation (I like to think I have perfected the "Don't-mind-me-I'm-just-minding-my-own-business" look) and indeed, my boyfriend has been amazed time and again at my ability to listen to and participate in a conversation between himself and I, while at the same time keeping one ear firmly on the goings-on around us. I will happily and without embarrassment deviate out of my way to pick up pieces of interesting looking debris or read signs on doors or tucked under windscreen wipers. It is therefore with a cry of joy, and a rallying call to all other nosy parkers, that I intend to become a regular at this website:

FOUND magazine - www.foundmagazine.com/find

Inquisitive minds from around the world send in things they have found (notes, pictures, whatever) for us to feast our prying eyes on. I love it!

On the topic of websites, I must offer up this gem of a quote from my Mum a while back, with a disclaimer that my Mum is actually very up on all things cyber-space and is not often caught out:

Jan: "You really seem to like this Facebook website. Do you think I should get an account?"(Affirming murmers from my direction) Jan: "You'll have to write the website down for me, I won't remember it. What is it again? Something like http://www.get-on-my-face.com/?"

No, Jan - that website may well take you to something quite different.

For Fitch

He says he was in Canada, but I can exclusively reveal that in fact, Ben Fitch was on a coach somewhere in the back streets of Albania last week! Time to fess up, Ben. And remember, next time, look to see if Lindsay is lurking just a few seats behind you! :)

Lights out on Blogs?

Back in the days before Facebook (is it possible?!) the first task of my day was to log onto Blogger and see if anyone had read my blog, possibly even left some comments. It was so exciting for me to have my own tiny corner of the worldwide web where I could let friends and family know my daily thoughts and activities that I even installed a little tracker on it, that would tell me who had viewed my blog from various regions of the globe (excitingly, if not very accurately)

Since Laura demanded I get onto Facebook (curses on your head, Mitchell!) my blogging has waned - nay, stalled. At first I felt a little guilty. I still used to log on and check for comments most days, then it became most weeks. I made a few half-hearted, tepid posts, low on inspiration and humour and with a view to getting back onto the realtime updates of Facebook.

And while we're being honest, I may as well admit that the second task of my day was to check up on other blogs I enjoyed to see if they had been updated. You know. Friends' blogs and things. Jani and her exotic, artsy life in Montreal. Holly and the exciting changes of motherhood. Laura and her big move across Canada. Arwen and Andy and their European adventures. And, um...well, a rather ecclectic collection of blogs that I had randomly stumbled across while blog-surfing (I never said I was cool, OK!) and had rather liked.

My collection of must-see blogs (there is even new-fangled term for this desire to check blogs for updates before getting on with your day: Blogjammed) includes the following:

• A Mormon stay at home Mom with 5 children, one of whom is disabled;
• a 40-something American guy who blogs about his intensely complicated affair with a woman who he would literally do anything for, but she is happy with her boyfriend and thinks of him as just sex on the side;
• a British woman living in the USA who delights me with her witty, insightful comments on differences of life over there;
• a Southern gal who takes amazing pics and blogs about her fun lifestyle;
• a Canadian gentleman in his 90s, who blogs about anything that interests him;
• a Venezualan woman living in the UK who is currently in the throes of schizophrenic psychosis but doesn't let that deter her from blogging!

My point is this: Although my own little blog is slowly crumbling to nothingness, I still check others' blogs (including those of my real friends!) most weeks. I find that most of them, too, seem to have been abandoned or are only half-heartedly updated. Could it be possible that such a randomly non-connected group (though I suppose connected to each other through me, in my own mini version of 6 Degrees of Separation) could all have been taken over by the Facebook/MySpace phenomena and therefore feel no need to blog?

I find it a little unlikely. Is it just that the Blog has had its day and is necessarily being phased out, going the way of cassette tapes and leg warmers? Is it lights out for my own little Bumblelou?

Jekyll/Hyde?

At this point in my life, where everything is so confusing, I feel like nothing is clear cut and the ground could fall through and swallow me up at any moment (and, in the worse moments, that that would not necessarily be such a bad thing!) I realize (after much reflection) that I am, possibly more so than anyone else I know, a complete contradiction!

I love learning about people but hate small talk.

I take everything seriously and spend a lot of time ridiculously and needlessly stressed but am ridiculously laid back

Will argue with anyone, strangers included, if I care passionately but hate arguements and change the channel if one is on TV.

Say things like they are but cringe and hide in the corner if others do the same.

Am a clean freak but crazily messy.

Need to be around people but value alone time more than anything.

A drama queen but socially awkward.

The one my friends watch, head shaking as they laugh at my embarrassing antics, but so old before my time and serious that I drive myself crazy!

Do things spontaneously at the drop of a hat but worry about things 10, 20 or 50 years down the line.

Love things that give me a rush but feel my stomach flip-flop in fear just looking at amusement park rides.

Am fiercely and proudly a Canadian in England but defend England to Canadians.

I could go on and on. Is this a recipe for craziness or what? And guys say girls are hard to understand!!

Open Letter

My Dear Blog,
Can you forgive me for how I have treated you the last few months? Facebook came into my life and you were knocked resoundingly into a distant second place. Many times I have thought of you - the good times, the witty comments, the joy we felt as we giggled together, scheming over just the right topic to discuss, what picture to upload. Whenever a funny moment happens in my life, my first thought is sharing it with the world through you, not through Facebook. You may never believe me but it is true. I was simply ashamed to return to you and as time went on it just got harder. I hope our time together was not in vain. Can you ever accept me back? Do you think it can ever be like the old days? CAN WE REKINDLE THE MAGIC?

Yours loving,

Lindsay a.k.a "Your Bumblelou"

PS. Can you stop off and pick up some milk and diapers on the way home?

For a really special occasion

For that special someone in your life: A beautiful rose, that oops... (tee hee)... turns into some saucy knickers when unwrapped. I don't think you can see from the picture but a main selling point (according to the manufacturers) is "real rose scented".

There is so much wrongness going on here that I am at a loss where to start, but seriously, if your model is gonna be wearing white see-through unmentionables, please make sure she is not sporting a bush the size of your average garden topiary. I would love to test out their one-size fits all theory as well!

I hung around so long at the gas station (and yes, they come from a gas station and are attractively priced at just 2.50 pound sterling...who says he don't treat 'chu good!) trying to wait for an opportunity to take this picture that I'm sure they have me listed under some kind of suspicious perv watch. I can never return!

Love you long time, baby!

This is my Wee Me. I like her. She is in London, drinking a delicious cold smoothie, listening to tunes on I-Pod, relaxing in the spring sunshine. She is me in virtual form. Fun. Mildly diversional. Not too much point really other than that...

Eerie

I believe it is now established, indisputable fact, with evidence clear throughout this blog, that I control the world, a la Bruce Almighty. With that in mind, it's time for a one-off feature:

Spooky Coincidence of the Week:
Today would have been my brother's 29th birthday. I felt I should mark the occasion some way or another, and as my sister was busy, I decided to go lay some flowers at a local cemetary. I bought some daffodils and set off. Not really sure what grave to choose, I set some possible criteria for myself. Perhaps someone who was born the same day? died the same day? same name? I wandered around for a while.

Just about to give up and put them on some random grave, I happened across this one:


Well, an Atkinson, obviously. But add alongside that the fact that he, too, was born on the 3rd of the 3rd, just like Greg. Also, Seaton is the village where my Grandad currently lives!

So spooky, I nearly pooped my pants!

Needless to say, that grave got the flowers, and I walked away feeling a little bit like maybe God has a great sense of humour and a darn big grin on His face!

Happy Birthday, Greg. We miss you! xx

Campest Ref Ever

After a rather grouchy last post, I decided to share this video and spred some smiles. This guy certainly adds his own brand of "je ne sais quoi" to "The Beautiful Game".

Success!

Am I Wonder Woman? I just might be! (Sshhh.... it's a secret!)

With a little help from my superpowers, after an 8 month battle with the people from whom I bought my cell phone, I went into the store and kicked some major ass today, resulting in a beautiful, shiny and very expensive new phone. For free! I was even mature and managed to resist choosing one of the phones just because it was pretty and pink. Yah me.

The laptop is back as well - it is not 100% better but it should last until I can save up for a new one. Welcome back to formatted text and images for added blogging pleasure. I did promise the regular features would be back...


SVEN OF THE WEEK Thankfully, there are not really many contenders this week. People who are jerks to me at work are a constant in my life, but I guess they have been the biggest stressor this week. It is not worth listing here the reasons people feel they must urgently call an ambulance and attend the ER, as you would not believe the ridiculous crap people attend with even if I told you. But why bother to come, wait around to be seen, then refuse to accept the recommended treatment and kick up a fuss? Stay at home and save yourself and us the stress.

And while I'm at it, if I manage to get the chance to offer you a drink (and no, it is not my job, I'm not a waitress, I do it out of the goodness of my heart and a desire to care for people), PLEASE dispose of the plastic cup or at the very least leave it somewhere visible. I only have a short space of time to clear the cubicle before bringing in the next patient, and it does not help when you hide them under the mattress, stuff them behind the door or in the storage drawers. Why do you do this?!?! The garbage can is right there and surely the easier option!

Rating:

4 penguin pokes, out of a possible 5

They win: A free plane trip to a third-world country, so they can see the kind of healthcare the world's less fortunate people have to contend with, and maybe realize how lucky they are to have free, effective health care.

WARM FUZZY OF THE WEEK

Well, that was quite a rant! This much nicer award goes to another family I encountered at work. Let's call them the Kaur family. They were absolutely delightful, the whole family. They were friendly, polite and understanding. There is a long story behind it, but basically, they were my favourite patients ever, we had a good chat, and the next day they returned twice to the department (I had not started shift the first time) to give me a hug and some chocolates as thanks! This is fairly normal for nurses on the wards but we never get chocolates or even a thank you in the Emerg!

Rating:

5 creme eggs, a perfect score, for making me float on air and grin like the Cheshire cat the rest of the day. My first proper thank you in 2 years!

They win: A great big smile from me. What more could you need?

T.Y.P.D.K.A.M

4) I skipped a week of university to go on an all-inclusive holiday to Greece and drink lots and lots of alchol. I then worked 14 shifts in a row, starting 7am the morning we arrived back in England, to make up lost time.

Fashion Tips From The Crypt

I am a devoted waxer. It is true. Some of you have been fortunate enough to hear my horror stories. But yesterday I decided to go a little different and get the old eyebrows threaded.

For those of you not familiar, you get tilted back in a chair and a woman leans over you with a skein of thread, which she holds between her teeth and somehow uses an ancient technique to shape your brows. The exact process, I'm not sure of, because my eyes were screwed shut tight. Slightly painful, but it was a success. I came away with brows beautified.

I should have stopped there. But I didn't. I got obsessed. I decided they were not celeb-worthy brows (what is our generation coming to, hey? Constant comparing to celebs). I read somewhere a while ago that celebs trim their eyebrows. My precision nursing scissors were sitting there, beckoning. And the mirror, telling me my eyebrows were not up to scratch.

So I did it. BIG mistake. Remember the trend for boy-bands in the early 90s to have that 'notch' in their brows, a la Vanilla Ice. Think like that.

It's bad, girls. Let this be a lesson to you all. So for the next few weeks, brown eyeliner is my friend.

Sigh.

Thanks for the comments. They have inspired me to blog :)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

It is snowing here. No, really. Sometimes, as a resident alien in this country and a patriotic Canadian, I have an inner struggle against making American-style ethnocentric comments, ie:

"You call THAT steak?!"
"You call THOSE mountains?!"
"You call THIS snow?!"

But for once, this is comparable to a real Canadian blizzard! It has been coming thick and fast for over 24 hours now. Slightly exciting! And compliments to the Limeys, who have coped surprisingly well, unlike last time it 'snowed' (for about 2 minutes, melted as it hit the ground) and people were stranded in traffic jams for over 8 hours. And my plane to Belfast was cancelled due to "unpassable snow on the runway".

RANDOM THINGS I AM THINKING ABOUT THIS WEEK:

~~I can never write the word 'beginning' without thinking of Mrs Sewell. It must be a disease.

~~The things people put in their baskets at the supermarket never cease to amaze me. I wish I had a job where I could reasonably interview people and find out why they are buying these items. Case in point: This Sunday, while buying ingredients for my steak and ale pie (yummy, thank you), the young university students in front of me had in their trolley:
5 boxes of Ferrera Rocher chocolates
2 packs of coconut milk
16 2-litre bottles of Nestea Ice Tea
6 loaves of cheap white bread
Tins of peaches and tomatoes
4 cheap air fresheners
Some baby cough medicine

What could they possibly be planning? Discuss.

~~I wish I was not so driven by whim. I decided today I wanted my hair cut and coloured. Now. But of course I can only get an appointment next week. I am now grumpy. I always do this. No foreplanning, just a sudden desire to cut my hair/book a holiday/get a new tattoo or piercing/cook an exotic meal/go to a local attraction I have heard about. And always, the attraction is shut (due to it being the middle of winter), the ingredients are not in my store cupboard (really, who among us has ready to hand 8 pounds of goat cheese, or whatever these things require) and more organized people have rudely and thoughtlessly taken the appointments I desire (If you are one of those people who take their diaries to the hairdresser, and book their next appointment while they are there, I mean you. Damn your perfectly planned lives)

~~In normal life, I am not a raspberry fan; give me strawberries any day. Yet, my shopping basket always has organic raspberry youghurt in it, and I had a personal crisis this week when they only had strawberry flavour left (I didn't buy it)

~~My laptop is back. Alas, not working. I miss it so much, and there are so many fun things I want to share with you guys (photos, videos, fun features) that I just don't know how to do on this Apple.

~~No comments from friends and family. Hmmm. Google Analytics has completely flatlined my blog, apparently I have had zero visitors for about 3 weeks now. I miss the little map the most, that shows you where people have been visiting from, and guessing who it was.

~~Neighbours is getting so good. It ended with a real cliff hanger today: Who is the real father of Sky's baby? Is it Dylan or Stingray? Will this ruin the brothers' relationship forever? Can I possibly wait until Monday to find out, or should I search the Internet to find out?

~~I want veneers and laser eye surgery.

T.Y.P.D.K.A.M.

3) I was in the Model United Nations in high school. Yes. I represented the grand nation of Costa Rica. Yes.

Happy Anniversary to Me!

Who would have thunk it. I have been in England 5 years today! Ah yes, good old 2nd February, 2002 (02-02-02, how could I forget!) So innocent I was.

Lindsay: The Innocent Baby Student Nurse, 2003

All your favourite regular features, as well as some semblance of text formatting, will be back whenever I get my laptop back, sometime next week I think. Until then, Flatmate Matt has kindly let me use his Apple, which although fancy and expensive, doesn't like letting me do very much (that's right Lindsay, blame the computer!)

I'm off to celebrate. I'm sure the etiquette guide says the appropriate 5th year anniversary present is a free trip to New Zealand....

Have a cup of tea on me to celebrate with this handy voucher: www.freecupofteafromlindsaybecauseshelovesyou.com

*Voucher only redeemable in Iceland*