Movement

Naughty, naughty!

I went out on a SCHOOL NIGHT!

Yes, even at the age of 37, I still get a secret little thrill about going out during the week.

My parents never let me do that when I was in grade school or high school. I’m almost certain that it never happened. Maybe once. But I definitely was not one of those people who were allowed to go to concerts or movies on a Thursday. It was a school night.

Now, of course, once I hit college, all bets were off. I went out on school nights all the time. It wasn’t really a great idea as it killed some of my grades. But I did have a ton of fun! And I did go out once in a while during the week when I was in grad school…but this time my grades did not suffer at all.

But once I was in the working world, it was back to going to bed at 10pm (love my sleep) and giving up some social functions.

The next few weeks I’ll be going out quite a lot. ‘Tis the season. But going to a MOVIE on a Wednesday night…one that STARTS at 9pm…now that is decadent for me. (And yes, I’m paying for it this morning!)

I went to see DejaVu last night. I know it’s out in the US, but the movie isn’t slated to come out to every theatre over here until Dec. 10. Someone dropped off a bunch of special invites a special opening show in London and I was able to get two. So R & I went out to dinner in Leicester Square and then on to the Empire Theatre for the show. It was packed.

The movie was okay. Not great. But definitely rentable. So I had fun. And wasn’t able to get to bed until midnight. Now, note that I have to get up at 6:30am, so midnight is really pushing it for me! But it was worth it!

Woo hoo…goin’ out during a school night. Aren’t I the bad girl?

Growing up is hard to do

Because I work with teenagers, I’m constantly reminded of how I felt during that stage of my life. And sometimes it’s a time that I don’t want to remember at all. While it wasn’t horrible, it was also not easy. Like most teens I just didn’t know who I was or how to figure that out.

I start off in high school looking VERY young (and this doesn’t change at all throughout the 4 years). Even though I’m one of the oldest there, I probably could pass for pre-pubescent. I had barely developed (no boobs) and was just getting out of the age when I thought playing ‘kill the man’ was totally cool. I was a serious tomboy - more into sports than anything else. But at the same time, I had grown a sort of fearfulness. Not sure where that came from. At one point I had been full of fire, but somehow lost it in those middle school years.

I wish it had been an era where being sporty was really cool - here at my school, the talented sports chicks are ‘it’. Yes, there are still some that are seen as geeky (which I was), but overall talent is celebrated.

I was a teacher’s child at a private school (part boarding, part day). We didn’t have hardly any money. Especially compared to most of the kids at the school. It was one area that kept me apart. And then there was just being the kid of the school counselor. Everyone thought I’d be the one to ‘tell on them’…to be a ‘rat’. But that wouldn’t have been my style. But I was considered square, and so never invited to parties.

With all of this going on, I developed into a quite shy young woman. I hid in black while also pushing myself out front by getting funky haircuts. There was still some fire hidden within & it showed in being as alternative as I could in this preppy school. ‘Pretty in Pink’ pretty much sums up what it felt like to be in school on some days, though I didn’t win the coolest prepster guy at the prom.

I think my situation fed into my being introspective. I thought a lot. I thought about who I wanted to be…did I want to fit in (yes, kinda), did I want to be a professional (yup), did I like who I was (well…not sure). I tried on all sorts of guises throughout high school and college, trying to see which ‘hat’ would fit the best.

After I left high school, I decided that working on the shyness thing would be better than focusing on grades. I had done very well for myself and ended up at a top rated university where I was playing varsity hockey. I knew that the next thing I needed was to develop my sense of self and some esteem. And so with the help of the numerous books on my dad’s shelf, I built myself up.

I came out of college still unmolded…but with a better sense of who I wanted to be. And I’ve kept at it. Still growing, still changing, but not as much. My dress sense is still a bit different, though I tend to wear more preppy clothing with more than a touch of black. I still have fun with my hair, though that tends to be more restricted to the colour and not the cut. I still think a LOT.

High school was interesting. There were moments when I wasn’t sure I was ever going to make it through without losing it. And I hope that my memories help me be a better counselor. The interesting thing I’ve found through my work though…something I wouldn’t have imagined back when I was 15…is that every kid, even the most popular, have a similar sense of just not fitting. Not as much as I did. But every kid had their moment of a loss of faith in themselves. A worry about not being enough. Some hid it better or handled it with more grace.

As I head closer and closer to my 40th birthday (my 38th is next month), I feel like I’m back to that place where I had to make lots of decisions about my self. Who do I want to be as I head toward middle age? If I become a mother, what sorts will I be? And if I don’t, how will I define myself then?

I think at every age, it’s possible that self-exploration is a need. In my teen years it was all about where I wanted to fit. My 20s were all about who I wanted to be when I grew up. My 30s have been a bit easier, as I’ve accepted my life, my body and the person I am still growing into. But it’s a time that once again I need to look within.

The holiday season is a comin’

So I surived my first day back at work after the holiday. I have to say, getting up was VERY difficult. All I wanted was to just stay under the duvet and snuggle up with R. But alas, I couldn’t do it.

The weekend was such a ton of fun. There were parties, hockey matches, lots of wine and much sleep. Bliss.

Now I can’t complain (though I’m sure I will) over the next three weeks as I’ll be getting another holiday starting on the 15th of December. We have a half-day at work and then I’ll be heading out to the airport to head back to the States.

My first week back in PA is almost fully booked. I arrive on Friday night. Saturday morning I have a manicure (nooooo complaints there), then my bridal shower. It’ll be a load of fun - my sis-in-law is hosting it at a ‘tea room’…oh, so very British, my dear. Then Sunday will be filled with going shopping (crazy pre-Christmas danger). Monday through Thursday is just filled with appointments for florists, hair, Indian wedding dress shopping, DJ, photographer…as I told my step-mom, I will be in need of much wine. MUCH!

Thanksgiving in the UK

10am - do the finishing touches of cleaning of house…focus on bathroom as it truly needs it!

Noon - make giblet broth

12:30pm - dice onion & garlic for soup; saute; place in slow cooker

1:00pm - put liquid and pumpkin into slow cooker

1:40pm - make stuffing

1:50pm - dry out turkey & season

2:00pm - stuff turkey, preheat oven

2:15pm - put turkey into oven

3:45pm - change heat on turkey (un-tent)

5:30pm - make cranberry sauce (homemade)

6:15pm - change heat on turkey (re-tent)

6:30pm - peel potatoes & chop up; cut carrots

6:40pm - bake camembert

6:55pm - cook potatoes; remove camembert & put on table along with other cheeses & crackers

7:00pm - cook carrots; add cream & spices to soup

7:15pm - remove turkey & let sit

7:25pm - caramelize carrots; mash potatoes, make gravy

7:30ish pm - sit down, grab a glass of wine & enjoy! Hope that friends & R. enjoy their meal…but if not, there’s plenty of wine!!!

Cold (for England)

Brrrr….Today was the first day when I truly felt the need for gloves, a scarf and my big ol’ woollen jacket. It’s COLD. Not just cold. Not just cool. But bone chilling damp cold.

London doesn’t really get too cold. Not like Boston cold or NEPA cold. But the damp cold after a long period of quite reasonable temps feels frigid!

If I had straight hair then I’d even go out and buy a cute hat to wear. But with my curls I’m stuck hatless (unless I want to look like a complete dork at work with tons of frizz and curls astray).

(Well, I know I’m a complete dork already, but why prove it even more?!)

It’s the kind of day that makes you think of snow. One that reminds you that winter is almost here. A day where it’s sunny and you just want to be all bundled up in your warmest wear…walking through the woods and looking at the stark beauty of leaveless trees. It’s a day for hot cocoa and peppermint schnapps. A day for a lab to run after a tennis ball, joyously comfy in her warm coat of fur. Perhaps even a day to think about Christmas shopping.

Brrrr…shoulda worn trousers.

Gift registry

Woo hoo! Why am I so happy? Well…I decided to check out my online wedding registry and guess what? Someone bought something!! We’re getting a new set of towels. I’m quite pleased. (Can you tell?) And truthfully, it’s made the wedding much more real.

The reason someone bought us (ok…I was thinking ‘me’) a present already, more than 4 months before the wedding is that my shower is taking place on December 18th. I’ll be heading back to the States for my last hurrah (aka planning, buying, etc) before April. And so now people will start buying me stuff. Us. Sorry R.

And it’s cool!

That’s all.

Plans

10 stone, 6 lb.

It was a good weekend. Though a bit busy.

Friday night we had our end of season dinner for field hockey. I had put together a power point of pics from the season. We gave a ton of certificates away and a few awards. The kids and parents had a really great time. As did I. They are so sweet. And the parents gave us some really nice presents. I got a bunch of fragerant flowers, some chocolates and gift certificates for Selfridges. Very generous! The coaches then all met out at a pub after for a few beers. I left a touch early as I wanted to see R. and didn’t want to drink much.

Saturday we were meant to have a hockey game. But our oppo decided that the pitch wasn’t safe and they walked off. The fact that other teams played there with no problem… Not a good moment. I guess we’ll be playing them later in the season. I think they just didn’t want to play us - perhaps no subs, or just didn’t feel like it. It was stupid! And then I did a bit of umpiring. Let me tell you - boys whinge a ton when they play sports. A lot more than women do! Later that night I went to the hockey club for a social. The theme - Chavs and WAGs. I dressed more like a Chav than a WAG, but it was kinda fun irregardless.
Here’s the outfit:

• lots of bronzing powder. I looked like I lived for the tan. R. hated it. Hee hee! And lots of makeup…LOTS
• a very, very short jean skirt
• a tight black low cut shirt on top of a red bra
• knee high black boots

Yeah…kinda slutty. But then again it seemed as if everyone was innit.

Today, Sunday, was a mix of relaxation and work. Woke up late. Sat around for a while. Vaccuumed. Went out shopping with a friend as well as ate dinner with her. Came home and did some painting (wall not picture). A good day. And now I’m waiting for R to get back from seeing the new Bond movie.

As you can see..a not so bad weekend!

Bridget Jones, here I come!

So last night R. got to see me cry. I keep talking about wanting to lose weight, but I’ve done nothing about it. I go one day or two and then the resolve breaks down. And I have to say that R. doesn’t help as he brings in fatty foods and has an excuse not to go to the gym.

I tried on a pair of boots last night that I haven’t worn since last year. I’ve always had trouble with boots due to muscular calves and these were a bit tight last year…but I can’t even zip them up, not even close…it was so disheartening as they are VERY expensive and nice boots. It was the last straw I think. I made me realize just how much weight I’ve gained this year and that it has to stop. I can’t keep thinking that I can do things in moderation. I don’t work that way. And I’m getting older which means cutting back on certain foods for my health. I just have to do it. I’m the type who gains most of her weight in her belly, which is not good for heart health.

So. Once again. I keep saying it. I keep not doing it. But I’m going to. I have to. I not only want to look good in my wedding photos, but I also want to be healthier and fit. So it begins. Today is step one. And each day will be a step.

I may post every day how things are going. I’m going to have to finally weigh myself regularly. It may be the only way I can do this.

How do you ‘do’ your mornings. Since I was young, I’ve gotten ready for school or work in the same manner. It’s hardly ever changed, even with living with someone now. And I can’t imagine doing anything differently though I suppose if I ever have a kid then it’ll change dramatically. What a shocker that will be.

So here’s my morning:

6:30 am (this has changed over time depending on commute & time to be somewhere)
I get up straight away with the alarm. Some days I’ll actually wake up before the alarm (like this morning I woke up at 6:26). Or just the sound of the cd player will do it. I’m a light sleeper so almost anything works as an alarm. And I’ve always been this way. I tried once to do the ’snooze’, but I just didn’t see the point. I might as well sleep as long as possible and then just get up.

6:32 am
I get into the shower. I like my showers to be quite warm but not hot. With having rosacea it’s a good idea NOT to have too hot a shower so it’s perfect that I tend to like it that way. I’m not one for hot weather or very cold weather. London is perfect for me as it’s so moderate.

Every other day or so I’ll wash my hair and then condition and then use my red hair stuff that’s supposed to keep the colour. On some days I’ll do deep conditioning. I shave EVERY day. (perhaps TMI?).

Once I get out, I put on my body & face moisturizers and then do my hair. Leave-in conditioner, mousse and a serum to add body (love Tigi). I never, ever brush my hair. Only the big comb for me and only to get out the tangles.

6:45 am
Head out to the living room in my robe and pj bottoms with the towel wrapped around my head (to do some natural drying…curly hair demands it). I close the door to keep the noise down, turn on the news and go get a bowl of cereal. I sit, watch the news and eat my cereal. I sit a bit more.

7:00am
Time to blow dry my hair. I don’t dry it all…otherwise I’d be a frizz head. It’s tough in the winter as I tend to have frozen hair, but must do it. I then get dressed. If I didn’t do the ironing the night before I have to quickly do that. But I always lay out my clothes in the living room the night before so I don’t bother R.

7:15am
Head back to bathroom to brush teeth and put on SPF on my face and neck. Head into bedroom and give R. a kiss (he wants it even if he’s asleep!). Do final stuff to get ready.

7:24 am
Begin to head to train station. Have to catch the 7:30am train. Luckily it’s only a 4 minute walk.

I get to school around 7:55am, go to my office, turn on the laptop and then check my work email. If I’m not teaching first period I head to the staff lounge and fill up my 32 oz water bottle (try to drink two of these if I can in the school day) and get a cup of tea.

It’s time to start my day!

For hire

R. and I have been discussing the idea of getting a cleaner every other week. And I think we’re heading toward an affirmative answer on it.

Part of me feels like it’s an extravagence to have someone clean a small two bed-two bath flat in London, when there are two very able people living there. We could spend the small amount of time needed to do the cleaning if we just did it more regularly (every night a task) instead of waiting for our free weekend time (aka Sunday) to do it all.

But then a part of me also thinks…I do a lot. R. does a lot. We’re very involved people who have tons going on in our lives (mostly really cool stuff!). And to have the freedom from cleaning the shower or thinking about the drapes on a regular basis….oh, it just sounds lovely.

What it would mean is that we’d have to give up going out twice a month. Or cooking, instead of ordering food (which is something I tend to enjoy anyway). And we could do this easily.

I know I’d still have to do some cleaning (after cooking for example). But the big stuff would be done twice a month. And that would be nice. Really, really nice.

But I’m still not completely convinced. I guess the conversation needs to continue.