Scraps

I haven't written a "real" blog in awhile but I thought I would update with some random bits and pieces just to give you a bit of a look into what I've been up to and what I have planned.


Weight Watchers
I've been back on the points for a month now because my clothes were starting to feel mighty restrictive and I liked them too much to replace the entire wardrobe. It's not always easy to stick to but the fact I can get my butt back in to a pair of trousers I barely fit into when I bought them (I figured I had two other pairs in different colours in that size so these should also fit) means a lot to me. They are even a bit baggy which is fabulous. I also have a pair of skinny jeans I bought in California that I couldn't even get past my butt about a month ago. Seriously, they would not go any further than just under my bum and getting them off my legs again nearly required scissors. I dared to try them on again today and, though still very tight, they not only pass my posterior, they also close! Yippee!!! Long live WW and achievable goals!

I am going to have a glass of wine that is no longer in my points tally for the day to celebrate. Hey, gotta live in the moment, right?

Travel
I am really looking forward to my trips to Liverpool and Canada. Julie and I have been gabbing on MSN a lot lately just chewing the fat and looking forward to doing it for real very, very soon. I think she may have planned a teensy bit too much for the eleven days I have but I can't blame her at all and I can't wait to see what she's got up her sleeve.

The HfH build in Liverpool is another exciting weekend coming up at the end of May. I sure hope I don't completely suck at house building. :S

Then there's the new idea to go to LA in the spring break which is one that I really hope gets realized. I actually miss the place a lot and I want to go to LA Ink for a new tattoo. Hahahaha. I have it designed and everything. Fingers crossed that that works out!

Work
Is going very well. If I can manage to get a permanent job there (again) I am seriously considering going back. Funny the circles you sometimes have to walk in to realize you're on the right path.

Even if it doesn't work out at Dream School, I have learned that I really do love teaching and it's what I am supposed to be doing.

Health
While I am loving going to the gym and beating up invisible people at BodyJam or reaching mini zen in BodyBalance, I have noticed recently that my hips don't like the action much and my legs aren't walking me as far as they used to. I hope it's just a weather thing or me having to get used to the movement again because if this is the beginning of some kind of deterioration I may have to have a wee panic.

I am sticking to my healthy eating plan way better now that I am on the points again and feeling the effects not only in the trouser department but also in the skin department. I had major break outs not that long ago and my chin looked horrible but it seems to be on the mend.

Other
* I still have my mini Christmas tree up in the living room
* I really need to clean my apartment
* The puss-cats are great and destroying everything with healthy gusto
* I turn 32 next month
* I am reading more
* I am sticking to my budget and saving monthly
* I am very happy

I hope you are, too.

The Pen Is Mighty

I have a system when I teach for kids who forget pens, books or anything else they need to be successful participants of the lesson. They have to trade something valuable of theirs for whatever they need to borrow from me. That way I know they'll remember to give me back my belongings at the end of the lesson.

Some students, who have remembered to bring their own pens, will still trade with me for one of mine because, according to them, mine are "better". I suppose they mean nicer but even that is a stretch. The kicker is that they have Bic pens and I have Bic pens. The difference is that their Bic pens are Dutch and my Bic pens were purchased in America. It's all Bic but the kids insist that mine write better and just are better.

What does that mean? They write better. I understand that some pens are easier to write with, glide over the page better but does improved penmanship influence the written word? Will a good pen make you a good writer? Will you pay more attention to what words you write if they look good when you write them?

Does having a pen that writes well make us write well?

Twitterpated

So, I've joined the ranks of the Twitter community. You can find me at http://twitter.com/TeachJoanne. I reserve the right to block you if I have no idea who you are or where I know you from.

I was skeptical about Twitter at first. What's the big attraction to seeing people's status updates? Sure, I enjoy them on Facebook but that's what I have Facebook for, right?

I can't see Stephen Fry's status updates on Facebook, though. Nor Neil Gaiman's. Or Barack Obama's, for that matter. He hasn't updated in awhile. Whoever mans his page was kind enough to add me to the list of people he follows. The idea that Barack Obama would see that I just burned my tongue on my soup is hilarious to me. Seeing Stephen Fry's holiday pictures as he uploads them is an amazing opportunity for voyeurism. I love it. It's like having the man himself in your living room. Neil Gaiman's often read like code but he occassionally reports on the progress of his latest story. I feel utterly privileged to be allowed to take a glimpse into his writing process.

Some people write horribly boring things, others write cryptic things. People moan, cheer and report. People post pictures and interesting links. Comic Relief updates on the progress of its climbers and fund raising endeavours. And yes, 30 Seconds to Mars are there, too, telling us how they're getting on in the studio. Well, sort of.

It's nice to know what people are up to. Some of the updates are simple little confirmations of life. Not big enough to blog or mail about but nice to know about someone.

Right now I have a view of a beautiful pink, blue and lavendar sunset. Think I'll go tweet about it. With a mobile phone pic. :)