tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-253873262024-03-14T02:00:42.813+00:00A sorta fairytalesharonfruithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577302207276777223noreply@blogger.comBlogger163125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25387326.post-71969352480892642042012-01-16T22:09:00.003+00:002012-01-16T22:28:01.619+00:00First Kew Gardens trip of 2012<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QyuR-2tWngM/TxSgoFZCEUI/AAAAAAAAB0o/MxNrAfus5pw/s1600/2012-01%2BKew%2B-%2BKates%2BBirthday%2B012.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QyuR-2tWngM/TxSgoFZCEUI/AAAAAAAAB0o/MxNrAfus5pw/s320/2012-01%2BKew%2B-%2BKates%2BBirthday%2B012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698356039032901954" border="0" /></a>This weekend brought the first proper frost I can recall seeing this winter. Amazing, considering that it's January already. Strange weather indeed!<br /><br />It was the perfect day to explore Kew Gardens - crisp and cold, with beautiful blue skies. What a contrast to the last time we visited (picnicking amongst the tumbling leaves of the October mini-heatwave)! There were definite signs of Spring, however, with lots of sprouting crocuses and daffodils. I was over the moon to see some beautiful snowdrops, although I felt there wasn't as many as I remember from previous years. Maybe more will have come through when I go back for the Tropical Extravaganza in few weeks!<br /></div>sharonfruithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577302207276777223noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25387326.post-66924030781998481432012-01-03T22:26:00.005+00:002012-01-03T22:35:58.419+00:00Back on the blogwagon (for now)...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vtJqGjUA3TU/TwOBS1BIhwI/AAAAAAAAB0Y/Luwa7NEAjPU/s1600/2011-12%2BChristmas%2B-%2BApple%2BDay%2B049.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vtJqGjUA3TU/TwOBS1BIhwI/AAAAAAAAB0Y/Luwa7NEAjPU/s320/2011-12%2BChristmas%2B-%2BApple%2BDay%2B049.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693536514395899650" border="0" /></a>This blog has died a death in recent times. I suppose I could never decide which direction to take it in. It could have become focused on bellydance or tea & cakes or science - all great loves of mine. However, I don't think I have the dedication (or time) to keep thinking of things to post on a single subject. Maybe, the blog just has to be a little of everything, depending on what takes my fancy in the moment. I have a tendency to make posting on the blog a chore as well. I need to get away from feeling that I need to write an essay, instead being content to just post a photo or a few sentences.<br /><br />I had a lovely, relaxed Christmas and Hogmanay despite it being a bit of a damp squib in some respects. G was ill and is probably one of a few individuals who lost weight over the festive period. Thankfully, he got better in time to enjoy some of the holidays. Hogmanay was probably quieter than we've ever had, but I feel it was what we both needed.<br /><br />So, 2012. The wedding now seems iminent (and it is). I could pretend it was ages away when it was 2011! Lots to do and think about, but we seem to be fairly organised on the whole.<br /><br />I can't write a post without mentioning our new obsession - Skyrim. G bought me the game for Christmas and we both love it. It's just a gorgeous looking game, right down to the last detail. *sad confession time* We takes turns at playing - I do magic and he hacks at things with a big sword!<br /><br />P.S. The photo is of Panpepato ("peppered bread"), an Italian delight I made to share at Christmas. It's so rich and lovely that you only need a tiny piece!sharonfruithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577302207276777223noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25387326.post-86415252029700986592011-08-17T20:13:00.007+01:002011-08-17T23:04:19.057+01:00Dance musings - dance geometry and fluidity in dance<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mPqEKcgzAIg" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" width="425"></iframe>
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<br /><div style="text-align: justify;">At the beginning of the month, I was lucky enough to attend another fabulous pair of workshops taught by <a href="http://www.hildebellydance.co.uk/">Hilde Cannoodt</a>. Hilde is fast becoming one of my favourite teachers of tribal fusion and I'm grateful that she's willing to make the trek from Brighton to London to teach workshops regularly.
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<br />The first workshop "Dance Geometry" was a complete geekfest! It's a unique dance workshop where the teacher is talking about concepts like the golden section in the first 1o minutes, but then it's a unique teacher who has a degree in maths. Hilde's idea is to take the mathematical patterns found in nature and use them in our dance - so curves, parallel lines, interesting angles etc. We spent the rest of the workshop working on a fun choreography using these concepts. One strong message I got from the workshop was that every element of the body should be considered when trying to make a performance that is pleasing to the eye. Even something as subtle as where your gaze is can make a big difference.
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<br />The second workshop "Fluidity in Dance" began with an epic electro-swing warm-up. Once the sweat was dripping off us, it was time to get work on some concepts to get our movements more fluid. We started by practising walking in a fluid manner - an absolute fundamental of dance! It was quite amazing how slight changes in technique made layering much easier too. Next was slowing moves down - all the way to an epic 32 counts. I wasn't convinced I was still moving anything by that stage! I actually found this part of the workshop pretty difficult and I think I need to play with this a little at home. Next up was a choreography using all sorts of little tricks like using moves that overlap, layering fluid movements over sharp ones and the use of negative space. I definitely feel that even if I wasn't a more fluid dancer at the end of the workshop, then I now know what to work on to improve that aspect of my dance. Job done, really!
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<br />So, two excellent workshops on the whole. Lots of food for thought and inspiration to integrate into my practice. I really would urge anyone with an interest in tribal fusion to take a workshop with Hilde if they get the chance. For a start, she does the best warm-ups you will ever get at a dance class!
<br /></div>sharonfruithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577302207276777223noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25387326.post-61507045596882073652011-07-17T22:57:00.006+01:002011-07-17T23:18:40.550+01:00Dance musings: No longer a Gothla virgin...<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">This weekend was my first trip to <a href="http://www.gothla.co.uk/">Gothla</a>, the UK’s largest gothic bellydance festival.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The deciding factor for me was the opportunity to take some workshops with <a href="http://www.boldbellydance.com/">Sera Solstice</a>, a truly excellent dancer and the founder of East Coast Tribal in New York.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The workshops certainly didn’t disappoint.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Sera has divided her dance into two distinctive styles – Solar and Lunar <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>-<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>and she taught a workshop on each.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Solar is energetic, powerful and reaches outward, whereas Lunar is more fluid and isolated, focusing on internal energies. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The first workshop “Solar” was challenging to say the least – lots of strong combos involving lunges, travelling moves and strong arm movements.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I think everyone must have had a fantastic workout, aided by the heat in the studio!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Sera also guided us through a meditation, which I had never really connected with on her DVDs, but it made much more sense in a group.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was a nice way to share space with fellow dancers and build energy for the class ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>One of my favourite parts of the workshop focused on travelling moves and how changes in speed can really alter the feel<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>of really quite simple movements.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Yesterday’s “Lunar” workshop focused much more on isolations, undulations and fluid arm movements.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>For the most part, I found this much more manageable than the solar moves, although it was still a challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There was a whole section where I felt a bit lost as I couldn’t see much of what was going on at the front of the class, but I did manage to pick up some bits up from watching people in front of me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I also realised that I need to work on my sidewinder/torso figures of eights as they aren’t strong at all.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They’re movements I don’t really use in ATS and I never seem to practise them.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>However, I love the way they look, especially with nice arm undulations.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">As well as the two workshops, I also attended the Friday night showcase, which included performances by the invited teachers as well as some guest performers.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The wonderful <a href="http://moiraitribal.com/">Jesse</a> (my ATS teacher) and equally lovely Marisa (from our student troupe, Apsara) were dancing the only pure ATS piece, which I was really pleased to see.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Personal highlights from the rest of the show were finally seeing the UK’s <a href="http://www.bexbellydance.co.uk/">Bex Priest</a> dance (she’s a <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>truly excellent Gothic fusion dancer), discovering the bellydance version of Bjork (<a href="http://www.elinkaaven.com/">Elin Kaavin</a> – the arctic fairy), as well as getting to see performances by <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"></span>Sera Solstice and <a href="http://www.ascendtribaldance.com/">Sashi</a> (another excellent US teacher).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It didn’t end there though, the last piece was a fantastic performance by <a href="http://www.morgan-website.com/">Morgana</a> and the <a href="http://www.excaliburdance.com/">Excalibur Dance Company</a>, which was inspired by The Matrix.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This had to be seen to be believed as words can’t do it justice!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’m praying for the video to appear on YouTube soon!</p>sharonfruithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577302207276777223noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25387326.post-67349596960008853592011-01-30T20:37:00.013+00:002011-02-05T22:19:11.596+00:00January review<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lcWw6t3fCUw/TU3L07LIb_I/AAAAAAAAA1c/GF7ZwcrsKQ4/s1600/2011-01%2BKew%2BHerbarium%2B062.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lcWw6t3fCUw/TU3L07LIb_I/AAAAAAAAA1c/GF7ZwcrsKQ4/s320/2011-01%2BKew%2BHerbarium%2B062.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570332424225189874" border="0" /></a>A month into 2011 already. How time flies! It's been a busy month too, with loads of interesting things going on. I think we surpassed ourselves in terms of exhibitions and museum visits!<br /><br />Highlights:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/venice-canaletto-and-his-rivals">Canaletto</a> at the National Gallery. A thoroughly enjoyable exhibition focusing on Canaletto and his rivals. Canaletto truly was the rich man's picture postcard painter - his paintings of Venice are exquisite and the composition is always excellent (even if it meant bending the truth slightly). It was interesting to note that he wasn't the first to fill that role, as painters such as Luca Carlevarijs had been painting <span style="font-style: italic;">vedute</span> of Venice for years before him. The rival who really stood out to me was Francesco Guardi, one of the last painters of the classical Venetian School. His work really captured the fading grandeur of Venice and seemed to portray Venice as she is now (he was painting around the 1760s). I especially adored how he turned the emphasis from Venice out towards the lagoon itself (becoming almost Turner-esque).<br /><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/exhibitions/gauguin/default.shtm">Gauguin</a> at Tate Modern. This was a mammoth exhibition - 11 rooms in total - looking at the themes and mythology in Gauguin's work. It was very hard work - far too many people allowed in at any one time and rather poorly curated. Much of the information seemed to be stuffed into corners, or (in the case of sculptures & carvings) hidden in a random location on the wall. As I found out from a friend later, the audio guide had excellent information but I don't really expect to pay out more cash after paying £13 for entry in the first place. Westminster Abbey and the Queen's Gallery include your audio guide as part of the ticket price, which makes much more sense! Anyway, depite that rant, the exhibition was well-worth attending. I had seen some of Gauguin's work before ("Vision of the Sermon" in particular) and the bold, vivid colours had stuck in my mind. However, I did find some of the paintings a bit menacing with their strange characters lurking in the background! One of my favourite things was the two rooms with photographs, books and other paraphernalia, which served to put Gauguin's work into context with the time in which he was painting. I left the exhibition wanting to know more about him, regardless of how arrogant and morally dubious as he seemed!<br /><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.wellcomecollection.org/whats-on/exhibitions/high-society.aspx">High Society</a> at the Wellcome Collection. This must be the most popular exhibition I've been to at the Wellcome Collection - it was heaving! Something to do with the subject matter no doubt - mind-altering drugs in history and culture. Starting with the discovery of these drugs and their effects (loads of written accounts of self-experimentation), the exhibition progressed right through the 19th century drug trade to the changing attitudes of today. I was fascinated to discover how much the British were involved in the opium trade - the East India Company had opium plantations and sold to Chinese smugglers, despite opium being illegal in China at the time!<br /><br /></li><li>Our first members evening at <a href="http://www.britishmuseum.org/">The British Museum</a> and an opportunity to view galleries after-hours. Bliss! This evening was focused around the current Book of the Dead exhibition, which we went to see before Christmas (excellent but really needs two visits). We spent some time in the Egyptian sculpture court and listened to a curator talking about how they can date stelae by identifying features unique to the artisan who carved the hieroglyphs - so clever! To round off the evening, there was a lecture by the curator of the Book of the Dead exhibition, which I wish I had seen before we went, as it was such a good introduction to the subject matter. I felt the member evenings really do make the cost of membership worthwhile, and I can't wait until the next one!<br /><br /></li><li>A members only visit to the <a href="http://www.kew.org/collections/herbcol.html">Herbarium</a> at Kew Gardens. This was a really fascinating insight into some of the behind-the-scenes work at Kew. The Herbarium was founded in 1853 to store dried plant specimens that were collected to be used to assist in identification and research. It still receives thousands of specimens every year and has staff dedicated to preserving and cataloguing them. One of the highlights was seeing specimens collected by Charles Darwin (in the photo above) and David Livingstone - it's amazing to think how different the world was when they were collected!<br /></li></ul>sharonfruithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577302207276777223noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25387326.post-45053909042573433432010-03-29T21:37:00.004+01:002010-03-29T21:49:18.595+01:00The Real Van Gogh at the RA<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lcWw6t3fCUw/S7ERSYZU-aI/AAAAAAAAASw/B2tPVqCD484/s1600/Still-Life-With-Basket-And-Six-Oranges.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 273px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lcWw6t3fCUw/S7ERSYZU-aI/AAAAAAAAASw/B2tPVqCD484/s320/Still-Life-With-Basket-And-Six-Oranges.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454159631206381986" border="0" /></a>On Saturday we finally got around to visiting “The Real Van Gogh: the artist and his letters” exhibition at the Royal Academy. As the title suggests, the exhibition focused on Van Gogh’s many letters displayed alongside artworks tracing his progression as an artist.<br /><br />One of the first things I noticed was his early works were so different to what we envisage when we think of Van Gogh. They were pen and ink works, which he used to practise perspective and, in some cases, I felt that the sketches in his letters were better realised than the actual artworks. He progressed to working on figures, especially country people, with limited success. It was when the artist began, at the suggestion of his brother, to work with colour and a more impressionist style that his work began to come into its own. The vibrant colours and textures of his still-lifes made me want to reach out and run my hand over the canvas, especially his “Still life with basket and six oranges”. (above) It was at this stage that he began to pair blue and orange so effectively as he did in his paintings of sunflowers.<br /><br />The final few rooms centred on the artist’s landscapes painted in the last years of his life, when his mental state was deteriorating. It was so obvious that Van Gogh had a great love of the countryside and I couldn’t help but feel that he really did find peace in the pastoral. The cool blues and greens of his “Olive Trees” and the swirling leaves of “Cypresses” were two of my favourites in the whole exhibition. The last room, which included his last, unsent letter to his brother (carried on him the day he shot himself), showed an artist at the peak of his creative genius. At this time, he was painting more than a canvas a day including the beautiful “Ears of Wheat” and “Hospital at Saint-Remy”.<br /><br />The pairing of Van Gogh’s letters with the associated artworks really did give an opportunity to understand the artist as a person. Even with my rusty knowledge of french, I could get an idea of the concerns in his life – even down to him finding a restaurant where he could eat for 1 franc. I genuinely felt that he was concerned about being a burden to his brother (who was his patron) and it was this that lead to his suicide. I felt he was an incredibly intelligent person fighting with inner demons at a time in which there was nobody qualified to help him.<br /><br />I think this exhibition has to be one of my favourites of all the art exhibitions I have visited while living in London. I left with a new found respect for an artist who I previously associated with sunflowers and madness. Seeing the actual paintings allowed me to appreciate the vibrant colours and textures more than I ever could looking at pictures in a book. It is almost unbelieveable that Van Gogh produced so much art (over 900 paintings) in less than 10 years. In many ways, it was only to be expected that he burned out and was reaped when he was ripe (a symbolism inherent in many of his paintings).<br /></div>sharonfruithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577302207276777223noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25387326.post-10623912966832375192010-02-18T20:36:00.003+00:002010-02-18T21:22:02.100+00:00Dance musings: the year aheadThis post is a little belated given that it's two months into 2010, but nevermind! 2009 was a good year for me dance-wise. I was lucky enough to dance with some amazing teachers (Sharon Kihara, Yasmina of Cairo, Lorna Gow and Paulette Rees-Denis spring to mind), try some new stuff (veil fans and fire props - not at the same time, I hasten to add) and just generally start to build some confidence in my dancing ability.<br /><br />This year, I really want to work towards performing more. Not solo stuff but small group choreographies and ATS style improv. This means making much more effort to practise. It also means getting some serious costuming together. I've decided to allow myself one bellydance treat a month (possibly more in March when I'm at Majma!) and so far, I have bought myself some lovely new zils and a red 25 yard skirt. I'm concentrating on ATS costuming at the moment, as I think a trip to Cairo is needed to get a proper egyptian costume!<br /><br />On that note, I've started Egyptian classes again after a year break, which I am thoroughly enjoying. We're working on a latin-bellydance fusion choreography that's great fun. My teacher, <a href="http://www.bellydance.me.uk/index.html">Krystina</a>, is such an excellent choreographer! She really knows how to add extra dimension to large group dances.<br /><br />So, my dance goals for 2010 are:<br /><ul><li>to sharpen technique and develop more muscle strength through stretching etc</li><li>to get some lovely costuming together</li><li>to attend as many events as I can</li><li>to invest in a lovely balanced sword (this is the one I am most excited about!)</li><li>to have loads of fun!<br /></li></ul>sharonfruithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577302207276777223noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25387326.post-49397249001684627982010-01-18T20:43:00.004+00:002010-01-18T21:49:43.630+00:00A few photos to share<div><embed src="http://widget-a4.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" wmode="transparent" flashvars="cy=bb&il=1&channel=10291364&site=widget-a4.slide.com" style="width: 400px; height: 320px;" name="flashticker" align="middle"></embed><div style="width: 400px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=10291364&map=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-a4.slide.com/p1/10291364/bb_t000_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide1.gif" ismap="ismap" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=10291364&map=2" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-a4.slide.com/p2/10291364/bb_t000_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide2.gif" ismap="ismap" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=10291364&map=F" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-a4.slide.com/p4/10291364/bb_t000_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide42.gif" ismap="ismap" border="0" /></a></div></div><br />Some photos from over Christmas and New Year, including a very frozen lake at Stowe Gardens and afternoon tea at The Dorchester. Ceviche was the dish that we made for starters on Christmas Day. It's a Peruvian recipe which involves marinating fish or other seafood in citrus juices instead of cooking. Very easy to make and very tasty!sharonfruithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577302207276777223noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25387326.post-2753433944270716392010-01-10T21:29:00.005+00:002010-01-10T22:57:35.536+00:00Welcome 2010!Ten days into 2010 already! I had a lovely Christmas and New Year with plenty of eating, drinking and merriment.<br /><br />On a personal level, 2009 was one of the nicest, most-contented years I've had in a long time. I found a job that I am really enjoying, which has made a huge difference to my life. I had a fabulous holiday which surpassed every expectation. I also started ATS dancing again and discovered a wonderful and friendly community of very lovely ladies. <br /><br />So, what would I like from 2010? I'm not sure really. I'd like to get my driving licence, but I still have doubts about my ability to keep my nerves in check. I plan on doing loads more dancing! I'd like to do more walking/trekking too. I'm not sure we'll get as far as Peru this year, but there are plenty of lovely places in the UK to keep us amused. I'm also aiming to get a lot more of the flat decorated. It would be nice for it to be completed at least few months before we decide to move elsewhere! Hmmmm, I think that's enough to keep me busy!sharonfruithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577302207276777223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25387326.post-71076969781369101542009-12-15T23:04:00.005+00:002009-12-15T23:36:19.138+00:00Counting down to Christmas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lcWw6t3fCUw/SygXfWM-9MI/AAAAAAAAAOo/egAp_tBd5Ho/s1600-h/Chrimbo+cards.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 258px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lcWw6t3fCUw/SygXfWM-9MI/AAAAAAAAAOo/egAp_tBd5Ho/s320/Chrimbo+cards.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415604379216442562" border="0" /></a>I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself this evening as, for once, we seem to be pretty organised for Christmas. I even managed to make some of my cards this year (some sneak peeks in the photo). I think the reindeer stamp on the right card has to be one of my favourites! They are all written and ready to go in the post tomorrow. Let's hope that's enough time to get them where they are going!<br /><br />I'm really looking forward to Christmas now. There truly is something magical about this time of year! I'm also looking forward to the Winter Solstice/Yule on the 21st, and the new light that it brings. I find these last few weeks where the day grows ever shorter so difficult, as I rely on my bodyclock to wake me in the morning (I have never been able to do alarm clocks). I tend to waken at the right time - it's just a real fight to get my brain going when it's still dark. It's so much easier in the summer!sharonfruithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577302207276777223noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25387326.post-28817343020662110012009-12-09T21:38:00.003+00:002009-12-09T22:41:32.267+00:0052 books in 48 weeksIn January I set myself the target of reading 52 fiction books in 52 weeks. I was counting up the list in my diary a few nights ago and realised I reached my target around the end of November - hoorah! <br /><br />My favourites from the 52:<br /><ul><li>The Tenant of Wildfell Hall - Anne Bronte</li><li>The Colour Purple - Alice Walker</li><li>Catch 22 - Joseph Heller</li><li>The Horse Whisperer - Nicholas Evans </li></ul>Disappointments:<br /><ul><li>Darkly Dreaming Dexter - Jeff Lindsay (yes, a TV series can be better than a book)</li><li>The "Twilight" series of novels - Stephanie Meyer ("Twilight" itself is good but by the time I got to "Breaking Dawn" I didn't really like any of the characters anymore. I still don't get how a relationship based on so much manipulation can be viewed as healthy, let alone a positive example for young adults)</li></ul>My favourite non-fiction (not counted in the 52):<br /><ul><li>Bonk: the curious coupling of sex and science - Mary Roach</li><li>The Covent Garden Ladies - Hallie Rubenhold</li><li>Courtesans - Katie Hickman</li></ul>So, on with the next 52!sharonfruithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577302207276777223noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25387326.post-17204915326613133822009-11-16T20:56:00.012+00:002009-11-22T18:03:35.445+00:00Dance musings: Helm workshop<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lcWw6t3fCUw/Swl8Fq3fv8I/AAAAAAAAAOc/KBwjdWN3fQk/s1600/P1010756.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lcWw6t3fCUw/Swl8Fq3fv8I/AAAAAAAAAOc/KBwjdWN3fQk/s320/P1010756.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406989264483237826" border="0" /></a>On Saturday I was lucky enough to attend a workshop with the wonderful <a href="http://www.helmmusic.com/">Helm</a>. Helm are a US based group who perform middle eastern/folkloric music tailored for belly dancers (especially ATS). The workshop was split into two groups -dancers and drummers - who worked seperately for a few hours before coming together during the last hour to work together.<br /><br />In the dancers group, we worked with Ling Shien to learn different zil patterns and put them together with foot patterns to dance to their song "Hosanni Oo". At first, it was really difficult to remember the zil and foot patterns together but as the workshop progressed I really began to see how everything fitted together. The zil patterns complemented the footwork which also complemented the music. By the end of it all, things had finally managed to make sense! It was a thoroughly challenging but enjoyable workshop, and Ling Shien is a wonderfully patient and supportive teacher.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lcWw6t3fCUw/Swl7mKaqziI/AAAAAAAAAOU/DykWUIXmnzA/s1600/P1010747.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lcWw6t3fCUw/Swl7mKaqziI/AAAAAAAAAOU/DykWUIXmnzA/s320/P1010747.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406988723196448290" border="0" /></a>After some lovely thai food with Tracy and Andrew, we headed off to the Firewater show with Helm and <a href="http://www.dajjah.co.uk/">Dajjah</a>. It was amazing to be able to hear Helm live, as we dance to their music all the time in class. I was blown away by how beautiful Ling Shien's voice is - so haunting! Moirai Tribal were dancing too and at one point, Tracy and I were coaxed up to dance. It was really nerve-wracking but good fun - we even managed some level three moves! <br /><br />We didn't know what to expect from Dajjah but they were really good as well. It was middle eastern music but with a truly modern slant. <a href="http://www.hannahdancer.co.uk/">Hannah</a> (whose classes I go to on a Wednesday) was dancing to their set and she was amazing. She has such a fluid style and an otherworldly look when she dances. Let's hope some of that rubs off on me!sharonfruithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577302207276777223noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25387326.post-25825038465589017952009-11-16T20:24:00.005+00:002009-11-16T20:44:15.510+00:00Escaping the city<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lcWw6t3fCUw/SwG2jrq_OcI/AAAAAAAAAN0/36DzhjX1COM/s1600/P1010590.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lcWw6t3fCUw/SwG2jrq_OcI/AAAAAAAAAN0/36DzhjX1COM/s320/P1010590.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404801751956011458" border="0" /></a>The weekend before last, Graeme and I, along with a group of friends, headed off for a weekend in Norfolk. We were so lucky with the weather - beautiful blue skies during the day followed by crisp chilly nights.<br /><br />It was so nice to escape from the hustle and bustle of London to beaches and autumn tinted woodland. When we arrived home on Sunday night everything seemed so noisy after the peace of the countryside.<br /><br />It was a wonderful weekend - the combination of good company, yummy food and beautiful surroundings made it perfect!sharonfruithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577302207276777223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25387326.post-19065521634345937022009-10-19T20:03:00.002+01:002009-10-24T13:14:21.547+01:00Dance Musings - Tribal Vibe, 16-18 October, AylesburyOn Saturday I attended Tribal Vibe - my first time at a bellydance event that was devoted to ATS/ITS.<br /><br />My day was kick-started with “Shimmy Queen” - a workshop with the wonderful Paulette Rees-Denis of <a href="http://www.gypsycaravan.us/">Gypsy Caravan</a>. I’d been to one of her workshops before in Edinburgh and she was as excellent a teacher as I remembered. We took a whistle stop tour through basic shimmies and then on to combos. It was an energetic workshop and my shimmies definitely felt the benefit.<br /><br />After lunch, it was time for some “Dynamic Duos” with Philippa and Jesse of <a href="http://www.hifigypsy.co.uk/">Moirai Tribal</a>. The workshop focused on a core group of moves and using them in passes, turns and lead changes with a partner. It was great fun and taught me how to add an extra dimension to dancing in duets.<br /><br />My final workshop was “Spins and Formations” with Sarah from Tribe of Kismet. We started off discussing elements that help when performing fast turns before trying to encompass them into a basic spin. Once we were well and truly dizzy, we moved on to formations and how to maintain them while changing lead. Finally, we combined practising formations and throwing in some fast spins for good measure. I did feel more confident spinning by the end of the class – I still can’t get the hang of spotting though!<br /><br />I was unable to stay for the whole evening show but I did manage to see the first half. It was amazing to see all the different styles of ATS/ITS in the one place. I wasn’t convinced by the performances with large chorus lines, but I think in a larger space they would have worked better. I was, however, very impressed with <a href="http://www.kalash-ats.com/news.php">Kalash</a> who danced with such amazing energy I swear I could feel it emanating into the audience. Moirai Tribal, and their student troupe Apsara, were as fantastic as ever, although I am terribly biased!<br /><br />Overall, I had an amazing day and learned so much from truly excellent teachers. I do hope Barefoot Bellydance decide to go ahead with next year’s event, as I will certainly be there!sharonfruithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577302207276777223noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25387326.post-24034492548119603612009-10-16T22:41:00.003+01:002009-10-16T23:34:53.857+01:00Ten days in...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lcWw6t3fCUw/StjpLnBRh8I/AAAAAAAAAME/egAPe5_Qg3k/s1600-h/peru+251.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lcWw6t3fCUw/StjpLnBRh8I/AAAAAAAAAME/egAPe5_Qg3k/s320/peru+251.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393316939438327746" border="0" /></a>... and it's all good. I started my training as a clinical scientist two weeks ago and I am really enjoying being back at the bench. For the first time since I finished my PhD, I feel like I am going in the right direction. I know it's early days yet but I really do hope I feel the same in a years time. Admittedly, I do have a lot of work to do getting my professional qualification and I may have to do an MSc (which I'm not thrilled about), but I am convinced that after the thesis trauma anything is manageable.<br /><br />Off to Tribal Vibe tomorrow for a whole day of ATS workshops followed by a show in the evening. Got to get up early to get to Aylesbury for 10am. Thankfully, I have all day Sunday to lounge around and recover!<br /><br />(the photo is a beautiful Peruvian butterfly. Too fast to catch open but just as beautiful closed!)sharonfruithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577302207276777223noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25387326.post-73660716008267533652009-10-04T22:42:00.004+01:002009-10-04T22:49:03.049+01:00We made it!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lcWw6t3fCUw/SskXOehtitI/AAAAAAAAALM/JqwaklCgTGk/s1600-h/peru+280.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388863966605576914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lcWw6t3fCUw/SskXOehtitI/AAAAAAAAALM/JqwaklCgTGk/s400/peru+280.JPG" border="0" /></a> G and I make it to Machu Picchu after four days of trekking - 26th September 2009.<br /><br />Currently sorting out all our photos and then I can share more about our amazing holiday!<br /><div></div>sharonfruithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577302207276777223noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25387326.post-23384081800877692662009-07-23T16:49:00.007+01:002009-07-30T23:10:53.430+01:00Suddenly I have a social life ;o)It's been such a busy week here. Even last weekend was busy! I'm looking forward to things being a bit more restful this weekend and next week.<br /><br />The weekend turned out to be themed around Oscar Wilde. It was totally by luck, not intended at all. On Saturday, G and I met up with my wonderful colleagues, Anna and Philippa, and their wonderful partners to go to see "The Importance of Being Earnest" at Regent's Park Open-Air Theatre. We were so lucky with the weather. After it being rubbish all week, Saturday afternoon was lovely. The performance was great - very well acted and wonderfully funny. We had a lovely picnic afterwards, which involved loads of Bubbly, canapes, cupcakes and so many different salads that I lost count. It was wonderful day and we were all well fed and watered.<br /><br />On Sunday, I inflicted Matthew Bourne's Dorian Gray on G. I say inflicted, as it's not really his kind of thing (he prefers plays to dance performances). I certainly think he was still impressed. I really do love Matthew Bourne - he has a way of making things his own without losing the message. Dorian Gray was no exception - it was funky and modern, while retaining the disturbing elements of the novel. The skull mirrorball was an excellent touch!<br /><br />The rest of the week has been completely mental. G's family seem to have descended on from all over the world. On Monday, we met up with his aunt and cousin from the US for yummy tapas. Wednesday was meze with his cousin from Australia (who's currently living in Mexico). Combined with Tuesday's ATS class and yesterday's trip to the hairdresser, I feel like I have never stopped!<br /><br />Tribal Fusion workshop tomorrow with the wonderful Darkstar. We're focusing on arms and upper body technique. I'm really excited about it, as my arms need a lot of work.sharonfruithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577302207276777223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25387326.post-25038097529435227102009-07-16T12:39:00.006+01:002009-07-30T23:09:37.822+01:00June catch-up<p>June was a busy month for both of us. Here's what happened:</p><ul><li>My Parents visited for a weekend. We went to Greenwich, as Admiral Nelson is one of Dad's heroes and he wanted to see Nelson's jacket in the Maritime Museum. On the Sunday, we visited the Wetlands Centre, which is just amazing. It was a glorious day and the ducks etc were out in full force.<br /></li><li>We got involved in the Story of London festival by taking full advantage of their Living History weekend. On the Saturday, we celebrated the marriage of Henry VIII and Katherine Parr at Hampton Court with a picnic and fireworks. On the Sunday, we celebrated Britain's victory at the Battle of Waterloo at Apsley House. The highlight was a re-enactment of the Battle using vegetables - very funny indeed!<br /></li><li>I started my new job at work. It all seems good. Much busier than the old one and a lot more challenging too. Should be a good way to spend my last few months there.</li></ul>sharonfruithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577302207276777223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25387326.post-21681180813324240372009-07-13T16:34:00.004+01:002009-07-16T12:39:27.773+01:00The elephant in the room...Well, it was a month before I could pluck up the courage to post that last post. I've been debating whether or not to mention my Mum's cancer, as I know that she sometimes reads my blog. However, I'm not sure I can write things and pretend everything is fine, while something which is utterly not fine is happening. Thankfully, everything seems to have gone well. Mum's surgery was a success and she is now on the mend. She goes to see her Consultant this week, and we're all hopeful that it's good news. I'm going to Scotland to visit my Parents in a few weeks and am very much looking forward to seeing them. Being here in London while all this has been happening has been incredibly difficult.sharonfruithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577302207276777223noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25387326.post-11143449404375484282009-06-15T16:57:00.006+01:002009-07-16T12:39:10.279+01:00The rollercoaster that is 2009 continues!2009 has been one heck of a year so far. Just when I think I'm getting the hang of things, there's another curve-ball coming right at me.<br /><br />On a personal level, 2009 is shaping up to be a pretty good year. I've had my promotion at work and on top of that, I've just been accepted into the NHS Clinical Scientist training programme. It's come as a bit of a surprise as I didn't expect that they would take someone who had been out of the lab for so long. However, it seems that it may have actually helped me to show that I had really thought about what I wanted to be doing. So, in October I will beginning to train as a Clinical Scientist in Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics. I am so excited about being in the lab again and actually doing something that matters! I can't wait to get stuck into the science too.<br /><br />I'm also really happy in myself and my life at the moment. I honestly think beginning ATS again was a major factor, as I now have something fresh to learn and goals to focus on. My class and teachers are wonderful and because you have to dance together, it's easier to get to know people. I'm also managing to attend a lot of workshops and try loads of new things. I'm even beginning to see the benefit of living in London (shock, horror).<br /><br />In addition to this, G has just passed his "part 3" examination, meaning that he is finally an architect. I'm so proud of him. It's a fantastic achievement and he deserves it after all his hard work. It's a huge weight off both our minds that he doesn't have to go through it all again.<br /><br />However, it's not all perfect. There's some family stuff going on that's worrying, mainly in terms of my Mum's health. She was diagnosed with lung cancer a little while back, and there's been a long period of "not knowing". Thankfully, she has been very lucky and the tumour has been caught at an early stage. This weekend she goes in for surgery to remove the tumour and part of her lung, so we're keeping everything crossed for a good outcome.sharonfruithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577302207276777223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25387326.post-76296744074471472692009-06-02T16:02:00.004+01:002009-06-16T15:19:18.839+01:00Dance musings: fun with fireI had an absolutely fantastic time on Sunday at the Fire in the Belly workshops. I was a bit nervous the evening before as I wasn't sure I'd have the stamina for 5 hours of dance. However, the pace was really nice and I was pleasantly tired at the end of it, but not exhausted.<br /><br />After an introductory talk on fire safety and considerations when using fire props, we started the first workshop playing with matches. I think a lot of us felt a little naughty after many years of being told not to do any such thing! It was actually a really good way to learn how even a small flame can enhance a performance. We then moved onto tapers and finally, dinner candles. It gave me loads of ideas about how fire can be used in a subtle way, without resorting to fire poi or fans quite yet!<br /><br />The second workshop was more focused on ATS and dancing with small candle holders. The teacher had taken a number of ATS moves and adapted them for dancing with fire. We worked on learning the moves and practising them in duets. After that, we learned some combos and did some more improvisation. It was fantastic fun and I thoroughly enjoyed dancing with one of the ladies from my ATS class, as I think we tuned into each other quite nicely!<br /><br />The final workshop was nothing to do with fire at all. Instead, it was centred on using a fan veil. As much as they look amazing, they are actually more difficult than you'd expect to work with. We explored lots of Chinese/Japanese inspired moves and worked up to a small choreography. The teacher, Mihramah, was amazing and so filled with passion and energy. Much more practise required with this though!<br /><br />The Fire in the Belly show in the evening was fantastic. It was great to see our teachers in action, and I also got to see my ATS teachers and their troupe dance. There were some real novel acts including an amazing juggling/tap-dance/drumming fusion and a trapeze artist. I would find it really difficult to pick a favourite though, as they were all excellent in their own way.<br /><br />I can't wait until the next event!sharonfruithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577302207276777223noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25387326.post-27173554772545155392009-05-26T16:50:00.011+01:002009-05-30T22:58:14.599+01:00Kew to Twickenham, and cream teas in Windsor<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lcWw6t3fCUw/SiGqk33pwBI/AAAAAAAAAKY/OD4PyAKIfhs/s1600-h/23-05+pics+045.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341738183487504402" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lcWw6t3fCUw/SiGqk33pwBI/AAAAAAAAAKY/OD4PyAKIfhs/s320/23-05+pics+045.jpg" border="0" /></a>What a packed Bank Holiday weekend we had! It was great fun and we could not have asked for better weather.<br /><br />Saturday saw us walk from Kew Bridge to Twickenham along the Thames towpath. It is such a gorgeous walk, which passes by Kew Palace, Syon House and Ham House. Amazingly, we managed to pop into Kew Gardens for lemon drizzle cake. What luck! There were boat races going on too, so that provided some welcome entertainment. On the way to get the train home, we found some gardens with a gorgeous fountain. We had no idea it was there until we saw the statues through the fence as we walked by. Talk about hidden treasures!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lcWw6t3fCUw/SiGqCw8JV-I/AAAAAAAAAKQ/f0jg795vilI/s1600-h/24-05+pics+024.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341737597511751650" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lcWw6t3fCUw/SiGqCw8JV-I/AAAAAAAAAKQ/f0jg795vilI/s320/24-05+pics+024.jpg" border="0" /></a>On Sunday, we decided to take the train out to Windsor in the morning. Not the best timing really, as it was packed with rugby supporters heading to Twickenham. However, we eventually got there in one piece. We wandered down to Eton first and investigated the College (from the outside as it was closed for maintenance), which is really quite something. Then it was time for some lunch beside the river. It was bliss sitting in the sun watching the boats going along the river. Afterwards, we walked round to the Long Walk leading down from Windsor Castle and lay on the grass for a little while. I'd have liked to go into the Castle but St George's Chapel is closed on Sundays (except for worship), so we're going to go back on a Saturday. Perhaps we'll go when my parents are here in a few weeks.<br /><br />Back to work now. Funny how four day weeks at work feel twice as long as usual weeks!sharonfruithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577302207276777223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25387326.post-38043755838502052532009-05-12T14:57:00.003+01:002009-05-12T16:10:28.014+01:00Dance musings: fire and fusionI'm a busy bellydancing bee at the moment. Admittedly, I did have a lazy week last week but the next few weeks will more than make up for it.<br /><br />I've got a Tribal Fusion workshop on Saturday with the wonderful <a href="http://www.kerrywilliams.co.uk/">Darkstar</a>. It's going to focus on pops and locks before putting them together in a short choreography. I'm really looking forward to learning more about muscle isolations and drills to strengthen them. <br /><br />At the end of May, I've signed up to do a full day of workshops as part of <a href="http://www.myspace.com/456977881">Fire in the Belly</a>. I'm not 100% sure I have the stamina for it, but I could not miss the chance of learning to work with fire props. It's something I've toyed with learning for a number of years. However, the opportunity never arose to indulge my pyromaniac side. Now that it has, I could not turn it down. As well as the workshops on dancing with fire props, there is a fan veil workshop that I am doing too. Loads of new toys to work with! <br /><br />As well as workshops, I have my ATS class that I am getting so much out of. I really wish I could get a little practice group together to work on leading/formations etc. I might have to speak to some of my classmates and post on some forums to find some SW London ATS addicts. I'm still working on my Egyptian/Cabaret style at home and I'm trying to focus on layering drills to tighten up my technique. I'd also like to really try doing some little choreographies but I never know where to start!<br /><br />Oh, I got my first proper choli for ATS too :o)sharonfruithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577302207276777223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25387326.post-41639541798128229782009-05-11T17:00:00.007+01:002009-05-11T21:56:12.536+01:00Kew Gardens should be charging me rent...<div><embed src="http://widget-4e.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" wmode="transparent" flashvars="cy=bb&il=1&channel=10244430&site=widget-4e.slide.com" style="width:400px;height:320px" name="flashticker" align="middle"></embed><div style="width:400px;text-align:left;"><a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=10244430&map=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-4e.slide.com/p1/10244430/bb_t000_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide1.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=10244430&map=2" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-4e.slide.com/p2/10244430/bb_t000_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide2.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=10244430&map=F" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-4e.slide.com/p4/10244430/bb_t000_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide42.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a></div></div><br />There has been lots of stuff happening here over the last few weeks. I've spent a lot of time at Kew Gardens. Last weekend I went by myself while G was studying. I really needed to get some space to myself and time to work through some of the things happening in my life right now. I discovered the rhododendron dell in full bloom and loads of beautiful bluebells. This weekend, I insisted on taking G and we discovered the lilac garden. The smell was truly divine!<br /><br />We've also been to the cinema a few times. We went to see Coraline 3D last weekend. 3D has come such a long way from the silly paper red/green specs. It looked amazing and was suitably creepy. On Sunday, we went to see Star Trek on the IMAX screen. It was my first time seeing anything in IMAX - all I can say is WOW! I actually really enjoyed the film. I thought it was nice that they threw the timeline out of the window and did something a bit fresh.<br /><br />On a boring work related note, I have managed to get a new job. It's still at my current place of work but it's more responsibility and more pennies. I think it's going to be a lot more challenging and a lot less boring than my current job. It's working on a hugely high-profile project too. As per usual, it's not perfect but it's closer to perfect than the current job.<br /><br />I'm also having a huge dilemma about starting an MSc course in the Autumn. After months of soul-searching (and I mean months), I came to the conclusion that I want to be working in Public Health. It has the research angle and the human angle - perfect. I was looking at doing the distance learning MSc at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine but it is TWICE as expensive as doing it part-time over two years. The downside of part-time is I can't afford to take a cut in salary and if I do compressed hours I'll be working 8am-6pm with no lunchbreaks. I really need to win the lottery! Hmmmm, best start buying a ticket then...sharonfruithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577302207276777223noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25387326.post-79526091926148786312009-04-27T16:01:00.006+01:002009-05-02T22:21:30.299+01:00Picnics and 'poles<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lcWw6t3fCUw/Sfy5StmLMgI/AAAAAAAAAJw/NssFTMwpkoc/s1600-h/tadpoles.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331339790028321282" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lcWw6t3fCUw/Sfy5StmLMgI/AAAAAAAAAJw/NssFTMwpkoc/s320/tadpoles.jpg" /></a>What a glorious weekend we had. Blue skies and sunshine! We managed to take full advantage of it too.<br /><br />Saturday was off to Kew Gardens for a picnic. I really don't think I can ever tire of being there. We met up with G's parents and family friends, so there were loads of laughs and good conversation. As an added bonus, there was also plenty of wine and champagne on the go. We even had a rather handsome male peacock keeping us company for a little while. He gave a fantastic display of his tail feathers at several points (mainly when idiots started sticking cameras in his face), which was amazing to see.<br /><br />Yesterday, I managed to entice G into leaving the flat and taking a walk to Putney Heath and Wimbledon Common. We walked down to the Queensmere Lake and were delighted to see it completely teeming with tadpoles! I had forgotten just how cute they are. It brought back memories of when Mum and I would go to a pond near our house to collect frogspawn. We would bring them home and then hatch them in a fish tank. We'd return them to the pond once they got bigger and more likely to hop off!sharonfruithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577302207276777223noreply@blogger.com0