Who Says Horoscopes Don't Speak The Truth?

My friend, May, forwarded me a call for journalists from on-line fashion mag. It's not a paid position, but it could lead somewhere. Who knows? I was on it and wrote the contact this morning submitting 3 of my favourite blogs.

Then I wrote Richard because one of the links I submitted was my piece he posted on Rock'n'Roll 2.0. I wanted him to be aware of what I'd done in case someone contacted him about me. He wrote me back and sent me a link to an arts job site where they often have calls for writers.

Later the woman from the on-line mag wrote me back later in the day and showed interest in my writing. Tomorrow she is going to show me how I can register to start submitting articles and told me they would like about 1 a week.

Then I happened to look at my horoscope which said:

Are you an intellectual or a poet, dear Taurus, a novelist or a playwright? The celestial energy is leaving you alone with your anxieties and questions. You are sure of only one thing: words are friends you have decided to spend the rest of your life with. This is a kind of dream and a challenge that corresponds well to your Taurus identity. Get to work. You will find your vocation, as well as your passion, in your writing...

And, now I'm off to the Festival of Sins, and I'm writing a review of that as well.

Hmmmmmm....

Who Let The Snake Out?

Every now and again I have my students do something I call 'Grammar Practice'. It's just like Daily Oral Language in the US. Essentially I make up a sentence with grammar errors, put it on my electronic whiteboard and then the students write the corrected version into their exercise books. I usually have them do 2 sentences at a time. Then we correct it together in class, and I magically pull the corrected version out from behind the incorrect one. (The magic of interactive whiteboards.) There is a twist, however. I have the sentences make up a story, which keeps them interested.

So here's the one we have going so far. For your sanity, I will put up the corrected sentences. (Note: This is American grammar. I do an English grammar one as well or point out the differences when they arise. We are, after all, an international school.)

Before Stuart threw the snowball, he checked to make certain that his mother, father and older sister were nowhere in sight.

Upon feeling the cold snowball hit the back of her head, Shelia ran to her room and began to plot her revenge.

The next day seemed to be a calm one, but this would be a day that Stuart would never forget.

Stuart, screamed, jumped and fainted when he opened his locker.

Excited to finally be free, three mice scampered out of Stuart's locker.

Stuart, who was unconscious on the floor, was not aware of the three cute, little mice scampering around him.

When Shelia saw Karl faint, she thought it was the funniest thing she had ever seen.

However, Mrs. Thomas saw the entire thing, and she noticed that Shelia's locker had an empty cage inside it.

"Woah, what's meant to be in that bright, shiny cage?" Mrs. Thomas asked Shelia.

"Oh no, where's Fredrick, my pet snake?" replied a very shocked Shelia.

"Eeeek, there's a snake!" came a shriek from the classroom.

When Mrs. Thomas saw the snake's long body slither around the corner and into the hallway, she jumped, screamed, and fainted.

Hearing the mice squeaking behind the lockers, the snake turned its attention to that area.

Mr. Smith, the principal, came around the corner and asked,"What's happened here?"

My students are loving this. Most of them thought that Shelia put the mice in Stuart's locker and were surprised at the addition of the snake. I keep pointing out that we don't know if Stuart threw the snowball at Shelia or if Shelia plotted revenge against Stuart. And, I don't know. I'm trying to think of some crazy twist to end this, but I'm stumped a bit.

Just thought I'd share. Back to work.

April Showers

I have 'Sometimes it Snows in April' stuck in my head and for good reason. This is what I woke up to this morning. Here is the view when you look out my front window on to the street.



And, this is the view of my back garden.

It RARELY snows here in the Winter. But this, my friends, is meant to be Spring. The snowflakes are just getting bigger and it is now starting to stick to the pavement. There does not seem to be any sing of it stopping soon. I'm going to meet Ken, who is here for a 9 hour layover from Heathrow on his way from Seattle to Ethiopia. My plan was to take him into the city and show him the major sites, but I somehow doubt he'll prepared for this. Thus, I will make certain to bring a spare jumper (sweater) and hat for him.

About 8 years ago when I was visiting my grandmother in Tucson for Spring Break it snowed on Easter Sunday. It didn't last, but it was surreal to see Saguaros with their arms reaching in up to the sky, covered in snow for the short time it stuck. I wish I had some pictures of that. To wake up to this in London and in April is just about as surreal.

My Birthday Wish List (May 10)

Yeah, so this is cheeky, but here's a list of ideas for birthday gifts ONLY if you feel compelled to buy me one. You certainly don't have to get me anything as your presence at my birthday party is really the only present I require.


• Aveda Products
I'm kinda a freak about Aveda and should probably own shares of their stock. Anything from Aveda is fabulous. I'm a big fan of Smooth Infusion shampoo and conditioner. Gift vouchers are always appreciated. Bentalls in Kingston has an Aveda Spa now (hint hint)

• Gift Voucher to any music or book shop in London.
(iTunes is ok, but I don't use an iPod any more. Instead I use my phone for a music player-it has loads of memory and does quite well. I can't play any of the tunes that I buy from iTunes on my phone, unfortunately. Plus, I like to actually own the CD's.)

• Gift Voucher to John Lewis/Waitrose (There are some kitchen items I really want.)

• Gift Voucher to Clarks Shoes (I should buy stock in that company too.)

• Gift Voucher to any clothing store in London (fashion stores or sporty stores-I'm running and biking again these days.)

• Earrings or Necklaces (Not too heavy please-my left ear is a prime example of what happens if you wear heavy dangling earrings.)

• Nice wine or champagne is always appreciated

• A New Washing Machine (yeah right-I don't expect that. I do need one though.)

What NOT to get me:

• Scarves (I have enough)
• Smelly candles (candles from Aveda are very welcome, however)

So that's about it. I feel a bit slimy posting a birthday wish list, but hell you only turn 40 once.