tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70848019425702508242024-02-07T06:02:15.136+00:00girl who walks in the rainOne girl's thoughts on motherhood and lifegirlwhowalksintherainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11977842335638833985noreply@blogger.comBlogger108125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084801942570250824.post-63174164174258986792014-06-27T20:35:00.000+01:002014-06-27T20:35:03.398+01:00Ten monthsIt's been a very long time since my last post. We've been in Abu Dhabi for ten months now. And in a less than a week, we'll be back on a plane London-bound for our first holiday back. The last ten months have had its ups and downs and much as I do enjoy living here, I miss home.<br />
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I have been wondering whether to keep this blog going or not. I'm more a reader than a writer. It has been on my mind and I've been mentally posting posts on this blog. We'll see how it goes...girlwhowalksintherainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11977842335638833985noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084801942570250824.post-69621675203536206362013-08-10T22:07:00.001+01:002013-08-10T22:07:34.131+01:00Each and every night for the last two weeks of Ramadan I intended to post pics for the Ramadan Journal and I failed miserably at it. Instead, I've been packing then re-packing, then unpacking and packing again. I honestly don't think it will stop till the shippers come and we finally get on the plane. <br /><br />We've had three different shipping companies in and had three very different estimates on how much stuff we have. It's been quite an experience. I now have to send the quotes I have to the HR department and they get back to me with the company I should go with. <br /><br />Besides all the packing, we celebrated Eid at my Aunt's house as we do every year for both Eids. I have always wanted to make a big celebration out of it so it's something my children will look forward to but it just wasn't possible this Eid. Maybe once we're in Abu Dhabi it'll be easier. Eid,for me as a child, was always so very boring. <br /><br />Tomorrow is my wedding anniversary marking six years of being married to a wonderful though often infuriating man! It's like having three kids instead of two sometimes. I also celebrate my birthday and move to Abu Dhabi. It's a big month ahead...<br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from m<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Total%20flop%20with%20the%20Ramadan%20Journal&z=10'>Total flop with the Ramadan Journal</a></p>girlwhowalksintherainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11977842335638833985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084801942570250824.post-81421444130020862162013-07-25T06:39:00.001+01:002013-07-25T06:39:34.028+01:00The calm before the storm<br />It's that rare (I cannot stress how rare) moment before the kiddies wake up and I have a tiny bit of time to myself - the calm before the storm. It's also the first days of the holidays and he, I'm up at 6:37am. Well, earlier, but that's the time now. So many many things need to get done in the days ahead. I need to find a few more shipping companies; pack what we want to ship and what we're going to take with us on the plane; arrange an MOT; sort out other household affairs and make a baby blanket. <br /><br />For now though, I'm going to enjoy this moment of calm before the baby - who is stirring- fully awakes. <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/07/24/3048.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/07/24/s_3048.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad<br />girlwhowalksintherainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11977842335638833985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084801942570250824.post-60156478843252666502013-07-25T06:24:00.001+01:002013-07-25T06:24:39.500+01:00Ramadan Journal Days 11 Iftar/Evening; Day 12 Prayer/ Mercy; Day 13 In my Kitchen; Day 14 Now Playing and Day 15 Me<br />I've missed out a lot of days! My hubby came back from Pakistan on Monday after being away for 22 days and it was the last week of term and my last week at school. It's been a crazy, emotional week and it's not even Friday.<br /><br />I haven't taken a "In my kitchen" picture yet. It's full of boxes and things we want to take to Au Dhabi with us.<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/07/24/2987.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/07/24/s_2987.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/07/24/2988.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/07/24/s_2988.jpg' border='0' width='158' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/07/24/2989.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/07/24/s_2989.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />girlwhowalksintherainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11977842335638833985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084801942570250824.post-13262722047137117852013-07-19T23:06:00.001+01:002013-07-19T23:06:18.333+01:00Ramadan Journal: This happened today and Grateful for I usually end up falling asleep when putting the kids to bed and that's why I end up posting two Ramadan journals together. The kids actually fell asleep before i did tonight. <br /><br />As it happened, something did happen yesterday. Actually two things. First tickets to Abu Dhabi were emailed to me and the second was a phone call from my mum asking me to rescue her from my daughter who was crying her eyes out whilst my mum took her around M&S. My daughter has developed a clingy-ness to everyone. It doesn't matter if there is already someone with her but if someone makes a move to leave the room she will start crying her little eyes out. And I mean at-the-top-of-her-lungs-till-she's-red-in-the-face crying. This makes doing anything difficult. I didn't even need to call my mum to find out where in M&S she was. I could actually hear her crying from the second floor when she was on the ground floor. No joke!<br /><br />As for what I'm grateful for: my son - who is such a good older brother. He's so loving towards his little sister and when she was crying her eyes out in the car today and I was at the end of my tether, he started playing peekaboo with her. He's a darling. <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/07/19/1733.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/07/19/s_1733.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/07/19/1734.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/07/19/s_1734.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />girlwhowalksintherainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11977842335638833985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084801942570250824.post-90968221462401052552013-07-17T20:53:00.001+01:002013-07-17T20:56:59.431+01:00Ramadan Journal Day 8: Handwriting<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/07/17/1505.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/07/17/s_1505.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/07/17/1506.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/07/17/s_1506.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/07/17/1517.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/07/17/s_1517.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I'm also a bit of a doodler. The above was an inset session on learning to learn. <br />girlwhowalksintherainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11977842335638833985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084801942570250824.post-47151859690917601602013-07-16T22:15:00.001+01:002013-07-16T22:15:33.328+01:00Ramadan Journal Day 6 and 7: Workspace and White<br />I forgot to take a picture of my workspace and was supposed to do it today and I forgot again! I have the memory of a goldfish. So instead I'm posting a picture of my son's workspace.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/07/16/1618.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/07/16/s_1618.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />As for the white, lilies are my favourite flower. Especially white ones.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/07/16/1619.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/07/16/s_1619.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />girlwhowalksintherainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11977842335638833985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084801942570250824.post-19631406333871878382013-07-14T22:27:00.000+01:002013-07-14T22:27:40.612+01:00Amber teething necklace updateBirdie has been wearing her amber teething necklace since Friday afternoon and believe it or not, it seems to be helping her! She back to sleeping properly and is MUCH less fussy. Result!girlwhowalksintherainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11977842335638833985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084801942570250824.post-60416235527933108542013-07-14T22:18:00.001+01:002013-07-14T22:18:00.733+01:00Ramadan Journal Day 4 and 5: What I'm reading and what I'm craftingSince my daughter's teething was getting so that she couldn't sleep properly, I haven't had the evenings to myself much. Hence I haven't had much to read or craft. When I do read, I usually have two or three books going at once unless I am particularly engrossed in one and I concentrate on the one. I was averse to eReaders until about two years ago following a conversation with a friend's friend regarding Kindles. Now I have far too many books on it to count which is just as well as I had also once earned the name "girl with books to the ceiling" at one point. Anyhoo, here are the books I'm currently reading both in paperback and electronic versions. <br /><br />As for my crafting, I'm trying to make a baby blanket for a friends impending arrival. One panel of it is complete. I have 10 more to go! The crochet bow is a brooch I have made for my son's teacher. I hope she likes it!<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/07/14/2095.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/07/14/s_2095.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/07/14/2096.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/07/14/s_2096.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />girlwhowalksintherainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11977842335638833985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084801942570250824.post-78628972597633986772013-07-12T22:40:00.001+01:002013-07-12T22:40:17.970+01:00Ramadan Journal Day 3: On my tableMy table is a mess. It has all sorts of stuff my son keeps putting on it. Every now and then it all bugs me and I go through a phase where I have to tidy everything and so I cheated and put some of my things on my husband's bed side table because he's away and his is much neater. Then I thought I might as well take a picture of the mess anyway. So here's both. <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/07/12/1507.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/07/12/s_1507.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/07/12/1508.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/07/12/s_1508.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />girlwhowalksintherainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11977842335638833985noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084801942570250824.post-72626182786590695482013-07-11T22:56:00.001+01:002013-07-11T22:56:31.028+01:00Ramadan Journal Day 2: PrayerI came across the idea of the Ramadan Journal through <a href="http://harlequinteaset.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">The Harlequin Tea Set blog</a> and thought I'd jump onto the band wagon too as I've been wanting to do something similar for ages. It started last year by the blogger Nielouphar Abdurahiman of <a href="http://creatingmemorieswithtna.blogspot.ae/2013/07/ramadan-journal-2013.html?m=1" target="_blank">Creating Memories</a> but I have only come across it this year.<br />
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I missed Day 1 and am trying to document Day 2 on my phone without waking up Birdie (I'm also not quite sure how to insert a photo from my phone). I only really came into praying after a particularly bad time in my life. It wasn't something we were brought up with though my mum made sure we went to Quran classes to learn how to read it. I didn't actually learn how to pray till I was about 12. From then until the age of about 30 I prayed sporadically and more because I had to rather than because I wanted to. Now it's more of a case of wanting to. I don't always get to say all five in a day what with work but I try. This month I aim to try harder and get more out it <br />
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<img height="200" src="webkit-fake-url://1C8EC45E-A0F7-40A0-8C84-BA67C2C7E4FA/imagejpeg" width="200" />girlwhowalksintherainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11977842335638833985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084801942570250824.post-13591915794952076422013-07-10T23:46:00.000+01:002013-07-10T23:46:01.633+01:00Teething Round 2I've already been down the teething route so I thought I had it all down to pat. I was wrong. Chunky monkey, also known as Birdie because she likes to open her mouth like a little bird whenever we eat something, is so very different from my little man. She's had high temperatures, sleepless nights, grumpiness - the lot. And still no teeth.<br />
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As I was complaining about it in the staff room a colleague suggested I try amber teething necklaces. I had heard of them before but thought them too much of a safety hazard. However, I'm at that stage where I'll try anything as she's really suffering and I need my sleep now I'm back at work and hubby is away. Plus, if they do work as all the sites I've researched say they do, they're safe as long as they are used as they're supposed to. Amber is a resin, not a stone. Something I learnt yesterday and works as a natural analgesic when warmed by the skin. I'm still not entirely convinced but I've ordered one from eBay so let's see.<br />
<br />girlwhowalksintherainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11977842335638833985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084801942570250824.post-64196248720838153962013-06-21T17:16:00.001+01:002013-06-21T17:16:09.528+01:00Too much on my plate<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/06/21/902.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/06/21/s_902.jpg' border='0' width='200' height='161' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Image above from http://barbaracolebythesea.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/plate.jpg<br /><br />Wow! It's been a busy few weeks. I'm back at school full time and in between supporting a Year 4 class, covering for PPA in other classes and then running around to find somewhere to pump breast milk during the break, I've also been sending documents to my new school and trying to pack!<br /><br />There are certain things I still need to find out such as what happens to my Teachers Pension if I work abroad, do I still continue to be part of a union here etc etc and once I find out I'll post it in case anyone else is interested to know.<br /><br />Of my various projects I wanted to start, I began on my daughter's scrapbook, finished one panel of 11 for my friend's baby blanket and printed out the quotes for my other friend's secret project. I haven't even looked at my web designing course or the TEFL. I'm only blogging because the little guy is playing his much loved Lego Batman game and the little one is having an unexpected nap! <br /><br />It's raining as I type and though I know everyone else is wondering where the supposed heat wave has gone, I'm enjoying it. I sat down and had a green tea with a cranberry and orange cookie (that apple cider vinegar drink has begun to curb my appetite and I feel much fuller for longer - I've also lost a bit of weight!) so I thought I'd treat myself to a cookie and not feel guilty about it. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/06/21/903.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/06/21/s_903.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='125' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Image from here:http://notquitecookiecutter.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/A.png<br /><br /><br /><br />girlwhowalksintherainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11977842335638833985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084801942570250824.post-2219451553924246432013-06-09T23:30:00.000+01:002013-06-09T23:30:09.376+01:00Paperwork Update...Even though the GTC certificates are not listed on the FCO website, they do legalise them. I sent mine on the off chance they'd do it and I got them back all legalised.girlwhowalksintherainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11977842335638833985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084801942570250824.post-75439870435200242382013-06-09T23:27:00.001+01:002013-06-09T23:27:35.238+01:00Wibble Wobble<div style="text-align: center;">
Jelly on a plate</div>
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Jelly on a plate</div>
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Wibble Wobble </div>
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Wibble Wobble</div>
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Jelly on a plate</div>
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Jelly on my spoon</div>
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Jelly on my spoon</div>
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Wibble Wobble</div>
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Wibble Wobble</div>
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Jelly on my spoon</div>
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Jelly in my tummy</div>
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Jelly in my tummy</div>
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Wibble Wobble</div>
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Wibble Wobble</div>
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Jelly in my tummy</div>
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This is a rhyme I learnt at <a href="http://www.tinytalk.co.uk/" target="_blank">Tiny Talk</a> when I used to take my little chunky monkey for baby signing. It's what my belly is like at the moment and should go My belly is like jelly, My belly is like jelly, Wibble Wobble Wibble Wobble, My belly is like jelly.<br />
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Of course, I have no time (or inclination if I'm being brutally honest) to exercise and I love my food too much. So, I've decided to just pay attention like mentioned in <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0552779180" target="_blank">French Kids Don't Throw Food</a>. I've also been <a href="http://www.eatingbirdfood.com/2012/02/health-benefits-of-apple-cider-vinegar-acv/" target="_blank">drinking raw apple cider vinegar and lemon juice mixed in water</a> before every meal. Let's see if that works.girlwhowalksintherainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11977842335638833985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084801942570250824.post-3157121013552375702013-06-05T00:20:00.000+01:002013-06-05T00:20:01.658+01:00And so the paperwork begins...Apart from the shopping and the packing and then being back at school after maternity leave ended last week, I have been busy getting papers attested and filling in forms. The UAE like to have degree certificates attested so first I had to get them notarised by a notary public, they've been sent off to the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/get-document-legalised" target="_blank">FCO</a> in Milton Keynes for legalisation and then they need to be attested by the <a href="http://www.uaeembassyuk.net/" target="_blank">UAE embassy</a> here. To add to all of that, since I got married in Pakistan, my marriage certificate needs to be attested by the Foreign Ministry there and the UAE embassy in Pakistan! Oh, and I just realised my son's passport expires February of next year so need to renew that too.<br />
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On a more cheerier note: 35 working days left till the summer holidays!<br />
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Off to bed I go. I have school tomorrow! <br />
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<br />girlwhowalksintherainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11977842335638833985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084801942570250824.post-80268976333527439872013-05-29T00:19:00.000+01:002013-05-29T00:19:29.252+01:00Another scrapbookOk, so I still haven't actually started the baby scrapbook but my mind is always full of ideas on what to make next, sometimes before I have even begun one of my projects in waiting. I haven't started on the baby book and my mind is already on making a scrapbook for a dear friend of mine before I leave. She loves sending me images of those <a href="http://www.someecards.com/" target="_blank">someecards</a> via Whatsapp. We both love sarcasm and the ecards make us laugh. It particularly makes her happy as she's been going through a pretty rough patch both in her personal and professional life. My idea was to put them all together in a book and then give it to her before I leave. The idea has been on the back burner for a while because now I've decided to add our love of lists to the book. I bought her a copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Listography-Journal-Your-Life-Lists/dp/0811859088" target="_blank">Listography</a> for her birthday (or maybe it was an Eid gift). On her trips to Cyprus, we would agree to work on a list and message each other what we had written. Recently I came across a <a href="http://www.moorea-seal.com/" target="_blank">blog by Moorea Seal</a> who is undertaking a <a href="http://www.moorea-seal.com/p/52-lists.html" target="_blank">52 lists project</a> whereby she writes a list once a week on a different topic she comes up with. I want to do something similar for my friend's scrapbook. There are some other ideas I have for the book but I don't want to let the cat out of the bag completely. <br />
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Now of course, all I have to do is stop writing about it and actually start making it!<br />
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Image below from <a href="http://www.someecards.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<br />girlwhowalksintherainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11977842335638833985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084801942570250824.post-66717043883134881422013-05-23T23:08:00.001+01:002013-05-23T23:08:39.739+01:00Baby book scrapbooksBack when my little man was a newborn I made good use of the time he slept and made him a baby book. I've been wanting to do the same for my chunky monkey but just haven't gotten around to it. There are so many projects I want to do I don't know where to start. And my maternity leave is coming to end very soon.<br />
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I decided to spend more time on it tonight for a few reasons:<br />
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1. Maternity leave ends on 2nd June<br />
2. The printer is in my brother's room and he's out so I can print without disturbing him<br />
3. I didn't feel like crocheting tonight<br />
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Anyway...in my search for all things cute, I came across some gorgeous free fonts. I have no idea how to make those <a href="http://pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=free+fonts" target="_blank">free font picture thingummy things</a> that all these other craft blogs put up so I just pinned them to my <a href="http://pinterest.com/ai5ha/typoletteringraphy/" target="_blank">TypoLetteringraphy</a> board on Pinterest. On my travels through cyberspace, I also came across two absolutely gorgeous blogs: <a href="http://mysunnysideuplife.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">mysunnysideuplife</a> and <a href="http://www.smartschoolhouse.com/" target="_blank">Smart School House</a>. They are definitely worth checking out.<br />
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Now, instead of writing a post, trawling the net more more cute, free fonts and just generally doing everything but, I need to get started on that scrapbook. I have everything I need put together. I suppose it's the getting started.girlwhowalksintherainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11977842335638833985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084801942570250824.post-20612195892911788342013-05-19T23:06:00.002+01:002013-05-19T23:07:08.924+01:00Washi Tape NotebookI went into Paperchase a while ago ( I can never go in without coming out with something) and then went a little crazy with the washi tape.<br />
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girlwhowalksintherainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11977842335638833985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084801942570250824.post-49491731242736185332013-05-18T23:01:00.000+01:002013-05-18T23:01:14.104+01:00Success!I have a job in Abu Dhabi!! With a private school. And everything seems to be happening all at once. We need to be packed up and ready for the move by the end of August. It doesn't seem like there's a lot of time between now and then, especially since I have to go back to work after the half term holiday. So much to do and so very little time. It's exciting though! <div>
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I've started looking at properties to rent, shipping companies to transport our things and make sure all my paperwork is in order. For a while I was really beginning to lose hope that anything would happen this year and really thought I would have to try again next year. I had started looking at jobs in November and things only really took off this last month. The benefits I have been offered are really good: shipping expenses, flights out to AD and annual flights home for the entire family, education for my children, an accommodation allowance, furniture allowance, sponsorship and medical insurance for the family. Everything seems to be falling into place. </div>
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It's still a little hard to believe it really is happening...</div>
girlwhowalksintherainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11977842335638833985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084801942570250824.post-61955102830361655932013-05-17T22:22:00.000+01:002013-05-17T22:22:00.128+01:00French Children Don't Throw FoodMuch as I love reading books, I don't like writing book reviews. I enjoy reading them, I just don't write them. And so, this is not a book review as such. I saw this book by Pamela Druckerman in Tesco a while back and was taken in by the title.<br />
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It then sat on my shelf amongst a pile of other books waiting to be read. I finally picked it up about two weeks ago and somehow, despite having two kids and a million other things I have to do, managed to finish it in under a week (which is pretty fast for me now). I have to say I really enjoyed it. I wish it had been written four years ago - there are some parenting tip gems in there, from the Pause to get your little one to teach themselves to sleep; great eating tips (3 times a day plus a gouter with no snacking in between) to paying attention to what you eat. Oh, and not feeling guilty about having me time.<br />
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Of course, there are some things in there that I don't always agree with but that goes with every book written about parenting. You just take the good and discard all the rest.girlwhowalksintherainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11977842335638833985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084801942570250824.post-73344843945865515222013-05-11T22:10:00.004+01:002013-05-11T22:10:46.499+01:00Two more places......to add to my growing list of places I have breast-fed:<br />
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1. Busaba disabled toilet<br />
2. Staff room at workgirlwhowalksintherainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11977842335638833985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084801942570250824.post-83352834132186016912013-05-11T22:08:00.000+01:002013-05-11T22:09:09.812+01:00Guilt-free "Me" timeI went out with a friend to my local Westfield today to buy a birthday present for another friend. We were only there for two hours but it felt to go out sans baby and 4 year old. I so needed the break. When I had my little man, I used to feel guilty whenever I went out. I'm not sure where that guilt comes from or why...but I could never enjoy myself properly.<br />
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Other than keeping an eye on the time for car parking charges purposes as well as feeding baby purposes, I didn't once feel guilty. Result!girlwhowalksintherainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11977842335638833985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084801942570250824.post-10734383803679075132013-05-06T00:07:00.001+01:002013-05-06T00:08:11.016+01:00Interviews and short breaksWell, I went for that second interview for ADEC which was held in a hotel along the South Bank. There were about 20 other people who were there for it too - mainly, from what I gathered, secondary school teachers. They seemed to like me because they say I have been accepted and now just have to wait for all the paperwork detailing my contract etc.<br />
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The interview was on Sunday morning at 8am where they did a little briefing on what to expect from them beforehand. Some people came from Dubai, Austria, Glasgow and Folkestone for it! that is called dedication. And here I was grumbling at having to get up at the crack of dawn to get ready for an interview.<br />
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The following Monday, we all packed ourselves into two cars and headed off to Centre Parcs for a short break. Apart from a handful of places, I have not really been anywhere outside of London. I wanted to have a little break before I head back to work on 3rd June. I've been put off by prices at Centre Parcs, especially during half term breaks so we almost didn't go. I'm glad we did though. It was lovely.<br />
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Their website isn't the best for finding information - try finding prices for the activities you can book online. Unless you make a booking for a lodge (or google prices for the activities) it is near impossible to find a link for prices. I also somehow missed the link the first time visitors which tells you that you can drive your car to your lodge to unload your luggage and then drive it back to main car park. So yes, we lugged all our stuff from the car park to the lodge with a moany 4 year old in tow.<br />
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You also need a either take your own cycles or hire theirs to get around. You could walk but again with little kids, not always the best idea. And if the website says all the cycles are sold out, go to the Cycle Centre to find out if they have any. I did this the day after checking the website and so missed out on a days worth of cycling around thinking they had no cycles left. Oh, and they have trikes for grown-ups! My mum doesn't know how to ride a bike - bless her - and was like a little kid when she found out they had trikes for hire and took hers out for a spin.<br />
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We took enough food to last us a month so we didn't spend on any except for some milk when we ran out. The activities weren't too badly priced either. My little man got to do Little Outlaws archery on Tuesday, football training on Wednesday and balance bike training on Thursday. We also played ten pin bowling, hired a pedalo and tried not to crash onto the lake shore and just generally chilled out and enjoyed ourselves.<br />
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It was bliss having en-suite bathrooms in every bedroom and I'm kicking myself for not trying the sauna or the hydrobath in our lodge. Ducks would waddle up to the patio door in the morning and tap their beaks on the glass asking for food and the odd deer would make an appearance too. It was an all in all wonderful break away and my little guy declared he didn't want to go home. If you knew my little man you'd know that is a big compliment coming from him because he's such a home boy.girlwhowalksintherainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11977842335638833985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7084801942570250824.post-39657968284687564852013-04-22T22:41:00.001+01:002013-04-22T22:51:12.193+01:00On second thought...I have been thinking long and hard about going down the ADEC route to teaching in Abu Dhabi and have decided to go on with my application. I have an interview booked on Wednesday with someone in Canada, I think. I'm really hoping I'm successful. My son won't much like the change. He didn't like it when we changed the gate (he demanded we put the old one back) but I'm hoping this isn't just a good change for me but for my entire family. <br />
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Let's see what happens on Wednesday...<br />
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<br />girlwhowalksintherainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11977842335638833985noreply@blogger.com0