I know I've been rubbish at posting much in the last week and a half. I'll get back on it soon. I've been busy with school.
My friend, May, sent me a link to this. I had to share.
Monday, 30 March 2009
Saturday, 28 March 2009
EARTH HOUR TONIGHT FROM 8:30-9:30!!!
Please switch off your lights tonight from 8:30-9:30 in support of Earth Hour.
More information on the WWF site
And here's a video for you to watch as well.
More information on the WWF site
And here's a video for you to watch as well.
Friday, 20 March 2009
Answer Time (as opposed to Question Time)
I'm done. I passed in 9 minutes (out of 45), but I'm glad I studied. Most of the questions I only knew because I had studied. Some of my friends and colleagues who have taken this test have gotten easy pease questions ('What do people do on April Fools Day?') but my test only had 2 or 3 easy peasy ones.
So as for the mini- test I gave you all, here are the answers...
1. How many seats for representatives from the UK are there in the European Parliament?
a. 78
b. 88
c. 98
d. 108
2. What is the population of Wales?
a. 2.9 million
b. 2.2 million
c. 1.9 million
d. 1.2 million
3. Which of the following countries does NOT use a proportional representation electoral system?
a. Wales
b. England
c. Scotland
d. Northern Ireland
4. From which TWO locations did Britain admit refugees during the late 1960s and early 1970s?
a. South East Asia
b. Ethiopia
c. Turkey
d. Uganda
5. How many member countries are there in the EU?
a. 17
b. 22
c. 27
d. 32
6. What proportion of people in the UK own their own home?
a. One-third
b. One-half
c. One-quarter
d. Two-thirds
7. During the 1980s, the largest immigrant groups to the UK came from which countries?
a. China, Japan and South Korea
b. Russia, Poland, Belarus and Ukraine
c. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh
d. United States, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand
8. What is the difference in the average hourly pay rate for men and women?
a. The average hourly pay rate is 5% lower for women.
b. The average hourly pay rate is 10% lower for women.
c. The average hourly pay rate is 20% lower for women.
d. No difference- the average hourly pay rate for women is the same as men.
9. What proportion of young people who became first time voters in the 2001 general election actually used their vote?
a. One in two
b. One in three
c. One in five
d. One in six
10. Why did Britain admit 28,000 people of Indian origin in the late 1960s and early 1970s?
a. They were escaping religious persecution
b. Because of an agreement with the Indian government
c. They were forced to leave Uganda
d. To address shortages in skilled labour
11. What percentage of England's population is made up of ethnic minority groups?
a. 3%
b. 9%
c. 18%
d. 24%
12. According to the 2001 Census what percentage of the UK population reported that they had a religion?
a. 45%
b. 55%
c. 65%
d. 75%
So....(drum roll)
Pristyles- you got 100% of the 3 you answered correct. Still you didn't do the rest, but yes let's go for a drink. Oh and hell for trying at least part of it, I'll buy you one. :-)
David de V- You got 4 wrong. Thus, you didn't reach the 75% mark. However, quite a valiant effort on your behalf, so I'll buy you a drink. I'm sure that will be happening soon. :-)
Augeas-You also didn't reach the 75% mark, but your comments made me laugh out loud at points. So, I'll gladly buy you a drink sometime. :-)
See, now don't the rest of you wished you had given it a shot.
And now, I'm off to meet the gals and up Tower 42 to Vertigo where we will have some bubbly. Wooooo how posh am I? (har har har)
So as for the mini- test I gave you all, here are the answers...
1. How many seats for representatives from the UK are there in the European Parliament?
a. 78
b. 88
c. 98
d. 108
2. What is the population of Wales?
a. 2.9 million
b. 2.2 million
c. 1.9 million
d. 1.2 million
3. Which of the following countries does NOT use a proportional representation electoral system?
a. Wales
b. England
c. Scotland
d. Northern Ireland
4. From which TWO locations did Britain admit refugees during the late 1960s and early 1970s?
a. South East Asia
b. Ethiopia
c. Turkey
d. Uganda
5. How many member countries are there in the EU?
a. 17
b. 22
c. 27
d. 32
6. What proportion of people in the UK own their own home?
a. One-third
b. One-half
c. One-quarter
d. Two-thirds
7. During the 1980s, the largest immigrant groups to the UK came from which countries?
a. China, Japan and South Korea
b. Russia, Poland, Belarus and Ukraine
c. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh
d. United States, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand
8. What is the difference in the average hourly pay rate for men and women?
a. The average hourly pay rate is 5% lower for women.
b. The average hourly pay rate is 10% lower for women.
c. The average hourly pay rate is 20% lower for women.
d. No difference- the average hourly pay rate for women is the same as men.
9. What proportion of young people who became first time voters in the 2001 general election actually used their vote?
a. One in two
b. One in three
c. One in five
d. One in six
10. Why did Britain admit 28,000 people of Indian origin in the late 1960s and early 1970s?
a. They were escaping religious persecution
b. Because of an agreement with the Indian government
c. They were forced to leave Uganda
d. To address shortages in skilled labour
11. What percentage of England's population is made up of ethnic minority groups?
a. 3%
b. 9%
c. 18%
d. 24%
12. According to the 2001 Census what percentage of the UK population reported that they had a religion?
a. 45%
b. 55%
c. 65%
d. 75%
So....(drum roll)
Pristyles- you got 100% of the 3 you answered correct. Still you didn't do the rest, but yes let's go for a drink. Oh and hell for trying at least part of it, I'll buy you one. :-)
David de V- You got 4 wrong. Thus, you didn't reach the 75% mark. However, quite a valiant effort on your behalf, so I'll buy you a drink. I'm sure that will be happening soon. :-)
Augeas-You also didn't reach the 75% mark, but your comments made me laugh out loud at points. So, I'll gladly buy you a drink sometime. :-)
See, now don't the rest of you wished you had given it a shot.
And now, I'm off to meet the gals and up Tower 42 to Vertigo where we will have some bubbly. Wooooo how posh am I? (har har har)
SUBMISSIONS CLOSED for Previous Post
I have had 2 and 1/2 brave souls attempt to answer my mini-version of the "Life in the UK Test." I will post the answers as soon as I take my real version, which happens in a few hours.
Am I doing final revision for this test? Well kinda. Actually I just spent some time online am examining NCAA Basketball Championship brackets instead. Not very British of me, but it's March Madness! I am wearing my NCAA Basketball Championship shirt and have been sleeping in it as well in hopes that those champs will be this year's champs. "Who were the college basketball champs in 2000?" you ask. Why that would be my alma mater, Michigan State University. They play tonight. C'mon STATE!
Too bad that question isn't on my test today. Oh and I'm not going to get to see their first round game against Robert Morris, as I'll be sleeping then.
So time to revise!
Am I doing final revision for this test? Well kinda. Actually I just spent some time online am examining NCAA Basketball Championship brackets instead. Not very British of me, but it's March Madness! I am wearing my NCAA Basketball Championship shirt and have been sleeping in it as well in hopes that those champs will be this year's champs. "Who were the college basketball champs in 2000?" you ask. Why that would be my alma mater, Michigan State University. They play tonight. C'mon STATE!
Too bad that question isn't on my test today. Oh and I'm not going to get to see their first round game against Robert Morris, as I'll be sleeping then.
So time to revise!
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
Okay my British friends, what do you really know...
... about 'Life in the UK'?
I’m nearing the end of my fifth year here. This means that it is time for me to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. Yup, I’m here in this rainy country indefinitely and more than likely permanently. What can I say? I love it here. As part of the process to get my Indefinite Leave I have to take a ‘Life in the UK Test.’ Now some of these questions are no-brainers if you have been here for as long as I have, but then there are these.
So, I put forth a challenge to all you UK citizens. Answer these questions without looking them up anywhere (online, in books, etc). After all, aren’t you expected to just know this? Then, leave your answers as a comment (Yarp) or email me (you can find an email link in my Blogger profile) with your answers. You must submit your answers before 9AM GMT on Friday the 19th March. That is the day that I will be taking my ‘Life in the UK’ test for real. If you pass my little version of this test with 75% (9 out of 12 questions correct), I will buy you a pint (provided you live within the London metropolitan area). 75% is what I’m expected to get in order to pass.
I will publish the answers after I take my test. Of course I'll also be letting you know how I scored.
Good Luck! And no cheating!
1. How many seats for representatives from the UK are there in the European Parliament?
a. 78
b. 88
c. 98
d. 108
2. What is the population of Wales?
a. 2.9 million
b. 2.2 million
c. 1.9 million
d. 1.2 million
3. Which of the following countries does NOT use a proportional representation electoral system?
a. Wales
b. England
c. Scotland
d. Northern Ireland
4. From which TWO locations did Britain admit refugees during the late 1960s and early 1970s?
a. South East Asia
b. Ethiopia
c. Turkey
d. Uganda
5. How many member countries are there in the EU?
a. 17
b. 22
c. 27
d. 32
6. What proportion of people in the UK own their own home?
a. One-third
b. One-half
c. One-quarter
d. Two-thirds
7. During the 1980s, the largest immigrant groups to the UK came from which countries?
a. China, Japan and South Korea
b. Russia, Poland, Belarus and Ukraine
c. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh
d. United States, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand
8. What is the difference in the average hourly pay rate for men and women?
a. The average hourly pay rate is 5% lower for women.
b. The average hourly pay rate is 10% lower for women.
c. The average hourly pay rate is 20% lower for women.
d. No difference- the average hourly pay rate for women is the same as men.
9. What proportion of young people who became first time voters in the 2001 general election actually used their vote?
a. One in two
b. One in three
c. One in five
d. One in six
10. Why did Britain admit 28,000 people of Indian origin in the late 1960s and early 1970s?
a. They were escaping religious persecution
b. Because of an agreement with the Indian government
c. They were forced to leave Uganda
d. To address shortages in skilled labour
11. What percentage of England's population is made up of ethnic minority groups?
a. 3%
b. 9%
c. 18%
d. 24%
12. According to the 2001 Census what percentage of the UK population reported that they had a religion?
a. 45%
b. 55%
c. 65%
d. 75%
(Note: This competition is over, but try anyway and then check your answers here)
I’m nearing the end of my fifth year here. This means that it is time for me to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. Yup, I’m here in this rainy country indefinitely and more than likely permanently. What can I say? I love it here. As part of the process to get my Indefinite Leave I have to take a ‘Life in the UK Test.’ Now some of these questions are no-brainers if you have been here for as long as I have, but then there are these.
So, I put forth a challenge to all you UK citizens. Answer these questions without looking them up anywhere (online, in books, etc). After all, aren’t you expected to just know this? Then, leave your answers as a comment (Yarp) or email me (you can find an email link in my Blogger profile) with your answers. You must submit your answers before 9AM GMT on Friday the 19th March. That is the day that I will be taking my ‘Life in the UK’ test for real. If you pass my little version of this test with 75% (9 out of 12 questions correct), I will buy you a pint (provided you live within the London metropolitan area). 75% is what I’m expected to get in order to pass.
I will publish the answers after I take my test. Of course I'll also be letting you know how I scored.
Good Luck! And no cheating!
1. How many seats for representatives from the UK are there in the European Parliament?
a. 78
b. 88
c. 98
d. 108
2. What is the population of Wales?
a. 2.9 million
b. 2.2 million
c. 1.9 million
d. 1.2 million
3. Which of the following countries does NOT use a proportional representation electoral system?
a. Wales
b. England
c. Scotland
d. Northern Ireland
4. From which TWO locations did Britain admit refugees during the late 1960s and early 1970s?
a. South East Asia
b. Ethiopia
c. Turkey
d. Uganda
5. How many member countries are there in the EU?
a. 17
b. 22
c. 27
d. 32
6. What proportion of people in the UK own their own home?
a. One-third
b. One-half
c. One-quarter
d. Two-thirds
7. During the 1980s, the largest immigrant groups to the UK came from which countries?
a. China, Japan and South Korea
b. Russia, Poland, Belarus and Ukraine
c. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh
d. United States, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand
8. What is the difference in the average hourly pay rate for men and women?
a. The average hourly pay rate is 5% lower for women.
b. The average hourly pay rate is 10% lower for women.
c. The average hourly pay rate is 20% lower for women.
d. No difference- the average hourly pay rate for women is the same as men.
9. What proportion of young people who became first time voters in the 2001 general election actually used their vote?
a. One in two
b. One in three
c. One in five
d. One in six
10. Why did Britain admit 28,000 people of Indian origin in the late 1960s and early 1970s?
a. They were escaping religious persecution
b. Because of an agreement with the Indian government
c. They were forced to leave Uganda
d. To address shortages in skilled labour
11. What percentage of England's population is made up of ethnic minority groups?
a. 3%
b. 9%
c. 18%
d. 24%
12. According to the 2001 Census what percentage of the UK population reported that they had a religion?
a. 45%
b. 55%
c. 65%
d. 75%
(Note: This competition is over, but try anyway and then check your answers here)
Monday, 16 March 2009
I Was On The Lamb This Weekend
This was my first weekend as being 100% single since the beginning of October. Unlike certain other new singles (ahem) I didn't go out on the pull. Nope I spent it with fabulous friends.
On Friday night I had a few drinks with Beka and Kellie. Kellie had been in Oz for the last 6 weeks or so and thus we had some catching up to do. I had to recant the whole tale of woe. It was painful to say the least, but then I got her to talk about Oz. She had a brilliant time and I loved hearing about her trip.
On Saturday my friend, Russ, came over. I think he has some sort of H~ Heartache radar. I've dated a few different men since I've moved here, but only have had 3 serious bruises to my romantic aortic pump, J- being number 3. Each time Russ has been there within a week to take my mind off my heartache with fun and frolics. He appears without my summoning. I'm lucky to have such a friend like him. In addition to Russ I have to say that all my friends here have been wonderful and patient during this time of 'me me meness' that I've been putting them through with all the crap that's been going down. I'm really blessed. Most of them were out that weekend as well. And so we had some fun and did some frolicking.
The Lamb, a favourite local of mine, (I had my last birthday party there) celebrated the 2nd year that Adam and Liz had taken over management. Since the 2nd anniversary is cotton, they had a Cotton Eyed Joe Theme. Thus people were dressed up as Cowboys or 'Indians.' I have this orange shiny cowboy hat, which Seattle Julia got for me in New Orleans right before I moved to Mexico. I wore that and then keeping with the theme of my Disco Cowboy Hat, I wore a rather sexy seventies dress. And here I am.
Russ told me to use what I had and so I did.
And so off to the Lamb. As I said many of my mates were there. Here is a pic of a few of them. As you can see they are all related. ;-)
The best bit though was the bucking Lamb. Yes, not a bucking bull but a bucking Lamb. I was able to ride it for 16 seconds... on my 3rd attempt. Kellie was also there and she got a brilliant shot of me riding it.
Not bad for a camera phone with no real flash, eh?
On Sunday I went with Kellie and London Julia to Twickenham where we watched England stomp on France in the rugby. 34-10. We met up with some other people and had a lovely time.
So, not bad for my first weekend as a renewed single woman. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed the simplicity and levity of it all.
On Friday night I had a few drinks with Beka and Kellie. Kellie had been in Oz for the last 6 weeks or so and thus we had some catching up to do. I had to recant the whole tale of woe. It was painful to say the least, but then I got her to talk about Oz. She had a brilliant time and I loved hearing about her trip.
On Saturday my friend, Russ, came over. I think he has some sort of H~ Heartache radar. I've dated a few different men since I've moved here, but only have had 3 serious bruises to my romantic aortic pump, J- being number 3. Each time Russ has been there within a week to take my mind off my heartache with fun and frolics. He appears without my summoning. I'm lucky to have such a friend like him. In addition to Russ I have to say that all my friends here have been wonderful and patient during this time of 'me me meness' that I've been putting them through with all the crap that's been going down. I'm really blessed. Most of them were out that weekend as well. And so we had some fun and did some frolicking.
The Lamb, a favourite local of mine, (I had my last birthday party there) celebrated the 2nd year that Adam and Liz had taken over management. Since the 2nd anniversary is cotton, they had a Cotton Eyed Joe Theme. Thus people were dressed up as Cowboys or 'Indians.' I have this orange shiny cowboy hat, which Seattle Julia got for me in New Orleans right before I moved to Mexico. I wore that and then keeping with the theme of my Disco Cowboy Hat, I wore a rather sexy seventies dress. And here I am.
Russ told me to use what I had and so I did.
And so off to the Lamb. As I said many of my mates were there. Here is a pic of a few of them. As you can see they are all related. ;-)
The best bit though was the bucking Lamb. Yes, not a bucking bull but a bucking Lamb. I was able to ride it for 16 seconds... on my 3rd attempt. Kellie was also there and she got a brilliant shot of me riding it.
Not bad for a camera phone with no real flash, eh?On Sunday I went with Kellie and London Julia to Twickenham where we watched England stomp on France in the rugby. 34-10. We met up with some other people and had a lovely time.
So, not bad for my first weekend as a renewed single woman. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed the simplicity and levity of it all.
Friday, 13 March 2009
How Many Ways Do I Have To Stop Talking To You?
Right, so the modern world provides us with a plethora of technology that is supposedly meant to make it easier for its inhabitants to keep in touch no matter what the distance. However in my opinion, what it's really done is made staying out of touch more complicated.
When he first met me, J- paved several avenues of communication. He asked our mutual friend for my number and started texting me the day after we met. That same day he added me as a friend to Facebook. Later that evening he added my Yahoo messenger id to his MSN. Since there were technical glitches at times between Yahoo and MSN, he insisted on knowing my MSN id. I gave it to him and logged back onto MSN, which I hadn't used in about a year. About a month later he got himself a Yahoo id so we could use web cams (The Mac version of MSN doesn't support webcams). Then he discovered that I have AIM to keep in touch with my parents, so he added me to his AIM. He found out I have SKYPE. He added me to that. More recently he started following me on Twitter. I started following him as well.
When I stayed with him at his parents place he gave me a second mobile number that he now uses for work. Thus I had that too.
In addition to all of this J- would get on to Facebook, go through my friends and add all the ones he had just met. I thought this was sweet and was his way of saying that he wanted to know me better and intended on sticking around. What I wasn't taking into account was the fact that J- already had about 400 friends at that point. He is what I would call (and have called) a Facebook whore. Currently he has almost 900 friends on Facebook! Anyway, at the height of our relationship I had more friends in common with J- than I did with anyone else.
So it's over. I need some distance, but sheesh. What a pain in the ass this has been! I've had to delete two phone numbers in addition to about 500 texts and clear my phone log, so his number is nowhere in my mobile. This will prevent me from having temptation to contact him during those vulnerable 'I miss him' moments (drunk dialling or intextication will also be avoided). I did write his numbers down so that I have a way to get in touch if I need. He does still owe me money, after all.
And so on to the internet. As I mentioned earlier, I removed my profile from Facebook so I could avoid seeing (or having the temptation to see) what he’s doing. Before I did this I had to write about 100 people and explain simply to avoid worried and shocked emails. (I’m the last person you would expect to leave Facebook). Then, I stopped following him on Twitter. Finally, I proceeded to delete him from the four previously mentioned messengers. I didn’t block him, though. If he wants to chat with me he will. Plus, there is a bit of a charge knowing that if I am on line he will see me, but I won’t see him. (Yeah, I know. That’s a bit sick.) Eventually I would like it if we were friends, but right now I really just don’t want to think about him or see him if I don’t have to.
And so, I’m exhausted. In the days before all this technology, breaking up was so simple. You just threw out their number and didn’t call them. There were no computers to confront you with their existence and you didn’t have to delete your ex in 50 million ways.
My next boyfriend will only be allowed to write me emai--OH CRAP! I still have J-’s email in my yahoo and gmail address books!!
When he first met me, J- paved several avenues of communication. He asked our mutual friend for my number and started texting me the day after we met. That same day he added me as a friend to Facebook. Later that evening he added my Yahoo messenger id to his MSN. Since there were technical glitches at times between Yahoo and MSN, he insisted on knowing my MSN id. I gave it to him and logged back onto MSN, which I hadn't used in about a year. About a month later he got himself a Yahoo id so we could use web cams (The Mac version of MSN doesn't support webcams). Then he discovered that I have AIM to keep in touch with my parents, so he added me to his AIM. He found out I have SKYPE. He added me to that. More recently he started following me on Twitter. I started following him as well.
When I stayed with him at his parents place he gave me a second mobile number that he now uses for work. Thus I had that too.
In addition to all of this J- would get on to Facebook, go through my friends and add all the ones he had just met. I thought this was sweet and was his way of saying that he wanted to know me better and intended on sticking around. What I wasn't taking into account was the fact that J- already had about 400 friends at that point. He is what I would call (and have called) a Facebook whore. Currently he has almost 900 friends on Facebook! Anyway, at the height of our relationship I had more friends in common with J- than I did with anyone else.
So it's over. I need some distance, but sheesh. What a pain in the ass this has been! I've had to delete two phone numbers in addition to about 500 texts and clear my phone log, so his number is nowhere in my mobile. This will prevent me from having temptation to contact him during those vulnerable 'I miss him' moments (drunk dialling or intextication will also be avoided). I did write his numbers down so that I have a way to get in touch if I need. He does still owe me money, after all.
And so on to the internet. As I mentioned earlier, I removed my profile from Facebook so I could avoid seeing (or having the temptation to see) what he’s doing. Before I did this I had to write about 100 people and explain simply to avoid worried and shocked emails. (I’m the last person you would expect to leave Facebook). Then, I stopped following him on Twitter. Finally, I proceeded to delete him from the four previously mentioned messengers. I didn’t block him, though. If he wants to chat with me he will. Plus, there is a bit of a charge knowing that if I am on line he will see me, but I won’t see him. (Yeah, I know. That’s a bit sick.) Eventually I would like it if we were friends, but right now I really just don’t want to think about him or see him if I don’t have to.
And so, I’m exhausted. In the days before all this technology, breaking up was so simple. You just threw out their number and didn’t call them. There were no computers to confront you with their existence and you didn’t have to delete your ex in 50 million ways.
My next boyfriend will only be allowed to write me emai--OH CRAP! I still have J-’s email in my yahoo and gmail address books!!
A Holiday from Facebook
I've decided to remove myself from Facebook for a while. Last night J- posted a status asking if anyone was up for going to a club in London Friday. I imagine the original intent was to go with me (or I'd like to think so), but regardless I don't need to see him merrily coming down on a Friday eve when one of our issues was that he couldn't be bothered to come down on a Friday to see me in the past as it was just too much of a hassle. However, if there is clubbing involved...
To be fair, I don't think that J- is a complete jerk. He may have acted like one in the last few weeks, but as I mentioned we had a good long chat and ended amicably. He does really want us to remain friends and eventually I would like to do so as well. Thus, I don't want to delete him entirely. However for now, I need to not see his activities constantly updated through my newsfeed. Even with changing preferences to hear less about him, I still see them and there is still the masochistic temptation to take a peek at his profile, which unfortunately I have been doing quite a bit since Monday.
But the most important reason for my Facebook holiday is that I'm a bit of a (HUGE) Facebook addict. I find that Facebook sucks up a lot of my free time when I could be doing other more productive and creative things.
And so, it's time for me to get back on track and become balanced again. And perhaps I'll be writing a bit more about more entertaining topics without constantly checking to see if J- is on line.
To be fair, I don't think that J- is a complete jerk. He may have acted like one in the last few weeks, but as I mentioned we had a good long chat and ended amicably. He does really want us to remain friends and eventually I would like to do so as well. Thus, I don't want to delete him entirely. However for now, I need to not see his activities constantly updated through my newsfeed. Even with changing preferences to hear less about him, I still see them and there is still the masochistic temptation to take a peek at his profile, which unfortunately I have been doing quite a bit since Monday.
And so, it's time for me to get back on track and become balanced again. And perhaps I'll be writing a bit more about more entertaining topics without constantly checking to see if J- is on line.
Wednesday, 11 March 2009
What the????
Is there something in the water or something? It seems like I know far too many people who are going though relationship kerfuffles and/or break-ups. Myself included of course.
I think it's government conspiracy.
I think it's government conspiracy.
Tuesday, 10 March 2009
I Didn't Know...
that a human breast could be flattened and smooshed like that. Ouch!
And now I believe I have some explaining to do.
Almost 2 weeks ago I had a heavy discussion with J- where I had expressed my unhappiness with our relationship and stated what I wanted to be different. Afterwards I took a long hot bath. As I was bathing I thought it was probably the right time to do the regular breast check. So, I did. To my horror, I found a lump. I freaked.
Now our previous talk had concluded with J- saying that he needed to think about things. He had reassured me that he cared for me etc. but he wasn't certain that he was ready for the serious route our relationship was taking after being together for five months. Despite this my first instinct was to pick up the phone, ring him and tell him what I had just found. However, I didn't want to do that without any medical consultation. So I didn't. This was the Friday before last.
The weekend passed and J- and I had scheduling difficulties that kept us from speaking to each other. We sent texts, but that was about it. The conversation J- said he would finish remained unfinished and I was silently going through my own little piece of hell due to this unwelcome lump in my breast.
Okay, so I can never be completely silent. I told a few friends. On Sunday night, however, despite reassurance from a friend who had been in the same position as me, I couldn't sleep at all.
That Monday I had a doctor's appointment. It was confirmed that yes, I did indeed have a lump. The doctor said it was probably nothing serious but wasn't 100% certain. He referred me to a breast surgeon. I was terrified. Added to that was the fact that I didn't sleep much the night before and so I was wreck. I ended up telling J- about everything on messenger that night. I still wanted to finish our conversation despite this and asked him to ring me. He thought it was best to wait and that I should go to bed considering everything. I did and slept like a log.
The next morning J- sent me a text asking after me. He also chatted to me on MSN, but still didn't ring. The week went on like that. He would text and MSN and not call. I was riding an emotional roller coaster going from thinking all was fine to being petrified. On the bright side , there was a possibility that J- would come down to London on Friday due to work. The fact that I would see him made me feel better about a myriad of things. We would be able to talk through things face-to-face and he would provide me with the loving, calming support I needed.
The work arrangement fell through. I asked him to come anyway considering all that was going on for me. He wouldn't for reasons which all had to do with what was convenient for him and showed absolutely no understanding for what I was going through. I was angry. We had words on line. I asked him to ring me (it was this last Friday eve now) and he said he would. Then he sent a text asking if he could ring me on Saturday during the day please and that on top of everything else that was going with us was the camel's back for me. I didn't need this crap while also going through health concerns. Plus, when I had asked 2 other male friends what they would have done in the same situation, one had said he would have come down and one had said he would have already been down to see me. I was so annoyed I didn't respond to J-'s text.
Then he vanished. At this point all I wanted to do was finish it and get this relationship out of the way so I could focus on myself. I assumed that he was avoiding me because he knew what was coming. So I published this post with some Seinfeld clips for humour. However, I came to find out he wasn't avoiding me at all. He was in fact in hospital after cutting himself and had complications due to another issue. Boy did I feel bad, but not bad enough. It was still over as far as I was concerned.
So on Monday eve we finally spoke on the phone. I told him off a bit and ended it without being wholly confrontational. J- was apologetic. Apparently when we first spoke of our difficulties, he had thought and come to the conclusion that despite how much he cared for me, he couldn't give me what I wanted right now but we never had a chance to talk. Then I found my lump and he didn't feel like it was the appropriate time to tell me what he had decided. He thought it would be horrible for me to hear that he thought he couldn't give me what I wanted while I was going through this issue with my health. And suddenly it all made sense to me. Although he didn't say this, I now understood that the result of how he was feeling ended up with him acting like a wanker- texting and messaging but never calling and not coming down when I needed him the most. Thus, we ended things amicably and J- insisted that I let him know the result of my impending appointment with the surgeon.
As I said earlier I didn't know that a breast could be flattened and smooshed like that. Yesterday I was examined, mammogramed, and ultrasounded. My breasts have never had so many hands on them in one day! All the hands who felt my breast said they could feel the lump and the tests showed....absolutely freaking nothing!!
Apparently I have a hormonal fibrous condition which can result in cysts and will probably just get worse as I get older. (Great!) The breast surgeon said I should have mammograms every 2 years from now on and recommended I take evening primrose oil tablets as that usually helps. I don't really fancy having lumpy boobs, so I will be buying those tablets.
My luck seemed to continue yesterday as I discovered that the drinks were free at the London Bloggers Meet Up and then I won the raffle and now will be able to watch the rugby for free this May.
And so dear readers after 2 weeks of hell, I come to a happy ending. I'm single again but with no hard feelings, I'm healthy and I met some cool and interesting people last night while winning rugby tickets.
Now if I only hadn't woken up this morning ill...
And now I believe I have some explaining to do.
Almost 2 weeks ago I had a heavy discussion with J- where I had expressed my unhappiness with our relationship and stated what I wanted to be different. Afterwards I took a long hot bath. As I was bathing I thought it was probably the right time to do the regular breast check. So, I did. To my horror, I found a lump. I freaked.
Now our previous talk had concluded with J- saying that he needed to think about things. He had reassured me that he cared for me etc. but he wasn't certain that he was ready for the serious route our relationship was taking after being together for five months. Despite this my first instinct was to pick up the phone, ring him and tell him what I had just found. However, I didn't want to do that without any medical consultation. So I didn't. This was the Friday before last.
The weekend passed and J- and I had scheduling difficulties that kept us from speaking to each other. We sent texts, but that was about it. The conversation J- said he would finish remained unfinished and I was silently going through my own little piece of hell due to this unwelcome lump in my breast.
Okay, so I can never be completely silent. I told a few friends. On Sunday night, however, despite reassurance from a friend who had been in the same position as me, I couldn't sleep at all.
That Monday I had a doctor's appointment. It was confirmed that yes, I did indeed have a lump. The doctor said it was probably nothing serious but wasn't 100% certain. He referred me to a breast surgeon. I was terrified. Added to that was the fact that I didn't sleep much the night before and so I was wreck. I ended up telling J- about everything on messenger that night. I still wanted to finish our conversation despite this and asked him to ring me. He thought it was best to wait and that I should go to bed considering everything. I did and slept like a log.
The next morning J- sent me a text asking after me. He also chatted to me on MSN, but still didn't ring. The week went on like that. He would text and MSN and not call. I was riding an emotional roller coaster going from thinking all was fine to being petrified. On the bright side , there was a possibility that J- would come down to London on Friday due to work. The fact that I would see him made me feel better about a myriad of things. We would be able to talk through things face-to-face and he would provide me with the loving, calming support I needed.
The work arrangement fell through. I asked him to come anyway considering all that was going on for me. He wouldn't for reasons which all had to do with what was convenient for him and showed absolutely no understanding for what I was going through. I was angry. We had words on line. I asked him to ring me (it was this last Friday eve now) and he said he would. Then he sent a text asking if he could ring me on Saturday during the day please and that on top of everything else that was going with us was the camel's back for me. I didn't need this crap while also going through health concerns. Plus, when I had asked 2 other male friends what they would have done in the same situation, one had said he would have come down and one had said he would have already been down to see me. I was so annoyed I didn't respond to J-'s text.
Then he vanished. At this point all I wanted to do was finish it and get this relationship out of the way so I could focus on myself. I assumed that he was avoiding me because he knew what was coming. So I published this post with some Seinfeld clips for humour. However, I came to find out he wasn't avoiding me at all. He was in fact in hospital after cutting himself and had complications due to another issue. Boy did I feel bad, but not bad enough. It was still over as far as I was concerned.
So on Monday eve we finally spoke on the phone. I told him off a bit and ended it without being wholly confrontational. J- was apologetic. Apparently when we first spoke of our difficulties, he had thought and come to the conclusion that despite how much he cared for me, he couldn't give me what I wanted right now but we never had a chance to talk. Then I found my lump and he didn't feel like it was the appropriate time to tell me what he had decided. He thought it would be horrible for me to hear that he thought he couldn't give me what I wanted while I was going through this issue with my health. And suddenly it all made sense to me. Although he didn't say this, I now understood that the result of how he was feeling ended up with him acting like a wanker- texting and messaging but never calling and not coming down when I needed him the most. Thus, we ended things amicably and J- insisted that I let him know the result of my impending appointment with the surgeon.
As I said earlier I didn't know that a breast could be flattened and smooshed like that. Yesterday I was examined, mammogramed, and ultrasounded. My breasts have never had so many hands on them in one day! All the hands who felt my breast said they could feel the lump and the tests showed....absolutely freaking nothing!!
Apparently I have a hormonal fibrous condition which can result in cysts and will probably just get worse as I get older. (Great!) The breast surgeon said I should have mammograms every 2 years from now on and recommended I take evening primrose oil tablets as that usually helps. I don't really fancy having lumpy boobs, so I will be buying those tablets.
My luck seemed to continue yesterday as I discovered that the drinks were free at the London Bloggers Meet Up and then I won the raffle and now will be able to watch the rugby for free this May.
And so dear readers after 2 weeks of hell, I come to a happy ending. I'm single again but with no hard feelings, I'm healthy and I met some cool and interesting people last night while winning rugby tickets.
Now if I only hadn't woken up this morning ill...
Sunday, 8 March 2009
Update!!!
So after posting this, I now come to discover that J- wasn't avoiding me. He was in hospital. Boy do I feel like a shit head now. Although for the reasons I'm thinking about ending this, I don't feel that shitty-just a little bit. Like one of those poop pebbles.
Anyway, at least I know now he wasn't a creep who was avoiding me because he owed me money. In fact he's sending it to me. So that's good. Phew!
Anyway, at least I know now he wasn't a creep who was avoiding me because he owed me money. In fact he's sending it to me. So that's good. Phew!
I Wonder...
If you can't get a hold of your boyfriend to break up with him, is the fact that the relationship is over implied? Am I now free to date other people although I have not had the opportunity to tell him that I would like my life a lot better without him as my boyfriend. He owes me some money and has my keys, so I don't want to piss him off by ending it via text or email.
This reminds me a Seinfeld episode where George is avoiding his girlfriend, Alison, because he knows that she wants to break up with him. Here's a clip.
Perhaps I should get a mutual friend of ours to break up with him for me. This what Alison eventually had to do. Ironically the reasons Alison had or very similar to mine.
I'm hoping that when I do finally speak to him and let him know it's over, he doesn't behave like Maura did.
So should I just proceed with my life as though I'm single although I can't get a hold of him to end this properly or am I stuck as a lame duck girlfriend until he actually hears me say the words, "It's over"?
Many thanks to Seinfeld for providing me with humour about this whole affair.
This reminds me a Seinfeld episode where George is avoiding his girlfriend, Alison, because he knows that she wants to break up with him. Here's a clip.
Perhaps I should get a mutual friend of ours to break up with him for me. This what Alison eventually had to do. Ironically the reasons Alison had or very similar to mine.
I'm hoping that when I do finally speak to him and let him know it's over, he doesn't behave like Maura did.
So should I just proceed with my life as though I'm single although I can't get a hold of him to end this properly or am I stuck as a lame duck girlfriend until he actually hears me say the words, "It's over"?
Many thanks to Seinfeld for providing me with humour about this whole affair.
Tuesday, 3 March 2009
Sigh of Relief!
My students are quite young, 10 and 11. In my school this is the lowest level of the Middle School, and as a result they have the amount of innocence varies from child to child. Some still believe in Santa others don't. Some more a bit know about the birds and bees than others. They do have the beginnings of 'Sex Ed' at this year level, so by the end of the year they all know how they came to be.
As a teacher I am legally required to report any suspicion we may have of a child being abused. This is something I take extremely seriously. I came across something yesterday that gave me pause. One of the fables written by a little girl in my Resource Support class was disturbing. Now, this little girl is a lovely, quiet girl who always tries her best and really wants to do well. However, when I read her fable I was horrified. In her story a bunch of animals gang up on a wolf who kept trying to eat them. That would have been fine, but she wrote. " They got some rope. They raped him. The wolf begged them to let him go, but they refused until the wolf promises not to try to eat them any more."
I freaked. It was 5:30 in the morning (I get up early to do my marking), so I jumped online and emailed our counsellor, my principal, and assistant principal telling them about what she had written. The counsellor suggested I ask her if she really understood what she wrote, gauge her response and we would continue from there.
I was nervous about this. What was going on with this poor little girl that she felt the need to express this in a fable? What horror was she going through and by whom? After I had handed back their papers and had my class on their individual tasks, I pulled her aside and asked, "Can you tell me what this means?"
"Oh," she looked as if she had just had a realization, "I see. I left out words. 'They wrapped him up with it' was what I was meant to write."
So she thought 'wrapped' was spelled 'raped' and of course spell check hadn't corrected her.
Phew!
As a teacher I am legally required to report any suspicion we may have of a child being abused. This is something I take extremely seriously. I came across something yesterday that gave me pause. One of the fables written by a little girl in my Resource Support class was disturbing. Now, this little girl is a lovely, quiet girl who always tries her best and really wants to do well. However, when I read her fable I was horrified. In her story a bunch of animals gang up on a wolf who kept trying to eat them. That would have been fine, but she wrote. " They got some rope. They raped him. The wolf begged them to let him go, but they refused until the wolf promises not to try to eat them any more."
I freaked. It was 5:30 in the morning (I get up early to do my marking), so I jumped online and emailed our counsellor, my principal, and assistant principal telling them about what she had written. The counsellor suggested I ask her if she really understood what she wrote, gauge her response and we would continue from there.
I was nervous about this. What was going on with this poor little girl that she felt the need to express this in a fable? What horror was she going through and by whom? After I had handed back their papers and had my class on their individual tasks, I pulled her aside and asked, "Can you tell me what this means?"
"Oh," she looked as if she had just had a realization, "I see. I left out words. 'They wrapped him up with it' was what I was meant to write."
So she thought 'wrapped' was spelled 'raped' and of course spell check hadn't corrected her.
Phew!
Monday, 2 March 2009
Random Ramblings
-I got my hair cut this weekend. I've been trying to grow it out and I told my hairdresser this. After I added that I wanted some fringe (that's bangs for you folk in the US), he talked me into layering the top as I grow it out. That night I went out with some friends and one of them took a pic of me. Now I ask you, does this look like I'm growing my hair out? 
It’s the shortest it's ever been!! My hairdresser is fantastic and I get what I pay for. (I've been known to practically not eat for a week so I can afford him) But I don't know how this is growing out my hair. People are all complimenting me on it, but I find myself tugging on my hair as if that will get it to grow faster somehow.
-Someone new has been reading blog and spent most of last night reading it. There are about 70+ page views from this IP Address so far. Their first visit was this past Friday. Well that is the first visit I saw was on Friday within the last week. If their visits began before last week, I can't tell and I've not been checking Sitemeter much. Maybe I should. I'm thrilled I have an avid reader, but 70+ views??? Surely, I am not that interesting. The location is unknown, but the language is English UK. So it's someone in the UK, but who? I think I may know and if I'm right, I will be finding out soon.
-Because of those 70+ views by one person, I have done some minor editing of previous posts so as not to be obvious as to who I am or where I live, etc. I've also deleted a post or two. If you left me comments on those blogs, my apologies. (Oh and if you are the one who spent most of your Sunday night and part of your Friday and Saturday reading my blog, please feel free to follow it. See "My Stalkers" on the right-hand side. And welcome!)
-I couldn't fall asleep until 1AM and was wide-awake at 4:26. There are many things rambling about in my head concerning health, relationships, work, money, visa crap, etc. Many of which I can do nothing about as I lie in bed at 4:30AM. I got up and did what I could do, but now I'm shattered and procrastinating by blogging instead of working. Oh and my little darlings with no concept of self-editing are saying things like, "Your hair looks great Miss M, but you look exhausted." Always good to know when you feel horrid that yes it's true-you do in fact look like shit. But hey, I've got great hair.
-My "Inner Angst Cure" is working somewhat, but then more crap just piles itself on my plate. One of those pieces of crap finds me going to the doctor straight after school today. Yuch! I hate hate hate going to the doctor. The dentist is the only one I hate more. But needs must.
So that’s it for me for now. Happy Monday! I hope this week is not nearly as long as last week.
It’s the shortest it's ever been!! My hairdresser is fantastic and I get what I pay for. (I've been known to practically not eat for a week so I can afford him) But I don't know how this is growing out my hair. People are all complimenting me on it, but I find myself tugging on my hair as if that will get it to grow faster somehow.-Someone new has been reading blog and spent most of last night reading it. There are about 70+ page views from this IP Address so far. Their first visit was this past Friday. Well that is the first visit I saw was on Friday within the last week. If their visits began before last week, I can't tell and I've not been checking Sitemeter much. Maybe I should. I'm thrilled I have an avid reader, but 70+ views??? Surely, I am not that interesting. The location is unknown, but the language is English UK. So it's someone in the UK, but who? I think I may know and if I'm right, I will be finding out soon.
-Because of those 70+ views by one person, I have done some minor editing of previous posts so as not to be obvious as to who I am or where I live, etc. I've also deleted a post or two. If you left me comments on those blogs, my apologies. (Oh and if you are the one who spent most of your Sunday night and part of your Friday and Saturday reading my blog, please feel free to follow it. See "My Stalkers" on the right-hand side. And welcome!)
-I couldn't fall asleep until 1AM and was wide-awake at 4:26. There are many things rambling about in my head concerning health, relationships, work, money, visa crap, etc. Many of which I can do nothing about as I lie in bed at 4:30AM. I got up and did what I could do, but now I'm shattered and procrastinating by blogging instead of working. Oh and my little darlings with no concept of self-editing are saying things like, "Your hair looks great Miss M, but you look exhausted." Always good to know when you feel horrid that yes it's true-you do in fact look like shit. But hey, I've got great hair.
-My "Inner Angst Cure" is working somewhat, but then more crap just piles itself on my plate. One of those pieces of crap finds me going to the doctor straight after school today. Yuch! I hate hate hate going to the doctor. The dentist is the only one I hate more. But needs must.
So that’s it for me for now. Happy Monday! I hope this week is not nearly as long as last week.
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