Missing Dublin Terribly........

.........wish I could tune into Ireland AM every morning like I used to
.........or listen to my favourite Irish DJs as we drove to school
.........be surrounded by the lovely Irish accent once more
.........have a coffee morning with my friends again
.........have another couple of massive Diwali parties like every year

How did I get so lucky to have such brilliant people as friends in Ireland?

Loving Gilmore Girls

I've just discovered 'Gilmore Girls' and I'm so glad! I'd heard about it, but somehow never got around to watching it. And now, recently, I was surfing channels when I stumbled upon the pilot. I hate following a story from the middle and would never have watched it if it was the 2nd or the 3rd episode. Anyway, thanks to Channel 4 nth re-runs, I have something heart-warming to look forward to each day! And I cannot watch an episode without a mug of hot coffee and a bar of chocolate, which must be a good thing (?). Coffee, chocolate, GG....ah the good things in life - my daily treats!

Being Happy....

Craving Shoes

I cull my wardrobe regularly, trying to only keep stuff that I truly love and wear frequently. Yet, I find that I'm running out of space - not helped by the fact that my closet in this rented house is tiny compared to my old one. Therefore, I'm trying very hard not to buy any new items for my wardrobe (as if I wasn't depressed already! I'm such a glutton for punishment!). As a result, I've got the pink elephant syndrome. Craving some yellow mary janes right now! Do I sense a visit to Next coming on?

Strange Day......

It was my intention to be a little more spiritual today. I haven't really been able to pay any attention to that aspect of my life during the past few months, what with the moving, travelling and all. So, on the occasion of Angarika Sankashti, I fasted as normal and prayed for all those I love and cherish. I meant to break my fast after looking at the moon, but I'm glad I didn't wait. It's nearly 10 pm and I still cannot see the moon. Now that I'm addicted to coffee, I find that I have the mother of all headaches on Sankashti, brought on, no doubt, by the combined lack of blood sugar and caffeine. I resisted taking tablets, but by 3 pm the headache was so severe I didn't think I could drive to school safely.
The kids were really upset today. I picked R up early because he was sick. It has been a strange mood in the house - all three of us were missing Dublin a lot, but not saying it for the fear of upsetting the others. Then at bedtime, the kids were telling me how they really, really, REALLY miss GV and this school just doesn't compare. I try to be strong for them and tell them things I'm not sure I believe in yet. I don't even know if I sound half as convincing as I like. I miss Dublin too, but my heart bleeds for my kids when they have tears in their eyes. I cannot bear to see ocular humidity as far as they are concerned.
Didn't get much accomplished today - not that I was planning to do much. Wendy dropped in and I made dinner, but nothing much besides. Yet, the day has gone very busy and I'm wrecked. Looking forward to my cup of Java tomorrow am.
Socially, I was a hermit. I managed to speak to a few mothers at the school all these days, but today I didn't want to make eye contact with anyone. Just wanted to pick M up (I'd missed her more than ever today) and crawl back under my rock. It was a beautifully warm and sunny day though. I remember thinking as I drove to school, if this were Lucan, I'd be so excited about the sun shining. Here I cannot summon any enthusiasm. Just hoping all this is temporary.

Worried....

.......about someone very precious to me.
.......that I might have lost something. I hate losing things - more because of their sentimental value than the cost.
.......that I'll have to socialise with a hundred strangers before I find one that will perhaps be my friend.
.......that I might have hurt the feelings of someone very special to me, that they deserved an explanation. Heaven knows I tried, but opportunity never knocked. And then it was too late. Maybe it is for the better. Then again, maybe not.
........that I'm comfort-eating more than usual these days. A cheese sandwich and chocolates at midnight maybe extremely good for the soul, but after a big dinner, not so good for the backside.

Sigh! Too many worries, even for a worrier like me. Perhaps I need to get myself some Muñecas quitapenas. If only life were that simple.

Saying Goodbye.....

Tears in my eyes

As I say my goodbyes

A bleeding heart

As I prepare to part

From friends and special people that I leave behind

Will I ever meet more of their kind?

Poems on My Kitchen Wall

• Home by Edgar Albert Guest. What a beautiful piece of work! I particularly identify with it now more so than ever.
• Normal Day by Mary Jean Irion . The poem is under the picture. There's more to it than that, but I can't find the longer version online.
• Dorothy Parker's Résumé , Love her wit!
• Emily Dickinson's Life, Not in Vain
• Some by Ogden Nash

'A Heavy Heart'

Now I know exactly what that phrase means.

Currently Loving.....

...Jai Ho (You Are My Destiny)
...Halo
...Never Gonna Leave Your Side

My Favourite Golden Oldies

• Dil Ka Bhanwar
• Chod Do Aanchal

Some Nuggets from YouTube - East Meets West

• Will Smith asks, "Aati Kya Khandala?"
• Nelly Furtado sings "Kabhi Kabhi", and here's the original, more beautiful version.
• Punjabi Terminator
• Mr. Bean Punjabi Remix
• And Now it's MJ's Turn, Thriller

The Bake Sale Was A Great Success!

Raised over 650 Euros. YAY!

Snow!

It's not like I haven't seen snow before, but this past week has been so exciting. It's my first experience of proper snowy weather - by that I mean snow on the ground that has lasted for days, forming a blanket in our backyard at least 5 inches in depth.

Currently Reading...

......The Inheritance of Loss

Feel blessed....

......for the countless phone calls I received yesterday - the phone was ringing off the hook!
......for all the wonderful people I know and love - my family and friends.
......for being able to do things I love, mainly motherhood and my job - it's great working with kids!

Someday I hope to....

• ....work my way through most of the books on this list
• ....do some volunteering work for the poor and/or the elderly
• ....go on a gastronomic tour of Italy
• .....join a dance class

Memo to Self

Some reading material for the 2nd of December:

http://www.fromsingletomarried.com/2008/10/13/monday-musings-growing-old/

I Shall Not Live in Vain

Since I was ye high, I've loved this poem by Emily Dickinson:

http://www.inspirationpeak.com/cgi-bin/poetry.cgi?record=41

I Love.....

.....the colours of the leaves in autumn.
.....the miracles that are my children - everyday they do or say something that makes me smile.
.....colours - in my wardrobe, in the sky, in the paints department of B&Q. I love even more the fact that you can mix and match colours like lego blocks.