Thoughts Opinions & Memories | But I Smile Anyway...

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 115

30 Apr 2017 19 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Self Belief, Serene, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.” ― Jim Valvano

Last week I was nervous as anything, with that dang observation hanging over my head.

Deep down I knew I should be ok, but there was still an element of self doubt.

I guess that fear is not a bad thing. It means that you really care about whatever is going to happen.

But one thing I had behind me, was the support of my parents, husband and family.

My Pops and Mum have always been there, right behind me, believing in me from the off.

Once I had received my feedback and let everyone know how I got on, I got this message from Pops.

Yes… emoji use runs high in my whole family!

It touched me that no matter what, his faith in me is unerring.

And to have the backing of all these people who love me and believe in me, is a blessing indeed.

If I have one wish for you all Peeps, it would be that you also have someone who believes in you, behind you all the way.

Happy Sunday Peeps!

#SoCS Apr. 29/17 – Yard

29 Apr 2017 19 Comments

by Ritu in Socs, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Linda G Hill, Socs, Stream Of Consciousness Saturday, Yard

Linda’s #SoCS prompt this week.

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “yard.” Use it any way you’d like. You can even add letters to it to make a whole new word! Have fun!

Yard – like my back yard? Well, I’ve never referred to it as a yard, I find that quite Americanised! It has always been my back garden

A yard, in my eyes is a place with no grass or flowers, an area with a dirt ground, almost a dumping ground!

Then I think of knackers yard – The place in a slaughterhouse where carcasses unfit for human consumption go to be disposed of. Sometimes we say “Oh so and so is only fit for the knackers yard” meaning he is not fit for purpose any more. (Bit extreme, I know, but it’s true!

Yards – the measurements still used when we go to buy fabric for Indian suits (unless there are a few modernised folk who talk about metres!) – and also the measurements for the markers to say how far the next junction is on the motor way.. you know, 300 yards… 200 yards… 100 yards.. – it was at the 100 yard sign that my accident happened too!

Yardies – defined as Black, Jamaican (Kingston) born gangstas found in rough parts of London. Associated with BMW’s, gold jewellery, and automatic guns. Responsible for a lot of murders and other crimes (mostly drug related) in the Urban Dictionary.

And finally Yardley, or South Yardley. Where I spent the lion’s share of my formative years, growing up, my home town, within Birmingham!

What a mish mash of a Stream of Consciousness post. But that was definitely my stream of thought as I wrote this!

Have a great Saturday Peeps!

Ritu’s Healthy Eating – Week 38 – #icandothis

28 Apr 2017 27 Comments

by Ritu in Health, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Health, Healthy Eating, Slimmig World, tip, Water

It’s been a stressful week, with me being tense with this dang lesson observation!

Sleeping erratically and eating healthy during the day, and snacking at night take their toll!

Weigh in today… Ok, another half a pound on, but I am still below my ceiling weight so I am not worried!

And I have eaten a mix of Slimming World meals and the same as the family meals, because when your son starts Food Technology, you can’t say “Ooh that looks lovely son, I just can’t eat it!”

I really must get some exercise worked in to my routine. It has taken a total back step in my life recently!

I’ll leave a tip for today…

Whenever you’re ‘hungry’ go drink a glass of water. It is common for us to misunderstand thirst for hunger, and snack instead of drinking, thereby overeating! If you are not keen on water, infuse fruit in it, using one of these great infuser bottles that are available now! Or maybe drink a cup of fruit or herbal tea. It all counts towards your recommended 2-3 litres a day!

Observation Expectations

27 Apr 2017 58 Comments

by Ritu in Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Feedback, Lesson Observations, Relief

Yes, yes you all know what I was doing today.

Stressing myself silly about that lesson observation!

And I am here to report back and tell the tale, so to speak!

The kids, though wonderful at times, were pretty overexcited. It can always throw some of them, having a strange person in their environment. Make that two new faces and well, you can imagine…

Still, they did exactly what I thought they’d do, the Head has seen some of the children that may need additional support through out school too.

There was much watching then conferring. You know how that can get your hackles raised… what are they talking about?

Oh man, were the kids really behaving that badly? My behaviour management techniques were going to be questioned. Had the kids answered questions thown at them with the words they were hoping to hear?

It was a tense half an hour. Weeks of stress, a week of sleepless nights for that half an hour.

Was it worth it?

Hell yeah!

In my feedback, I was told that the Head thought it was a ‘strong Good’ rated lesson! My line manager gave my lesson an overall ‘Good with Outstanding features’ rating!

The kids were on plan, busy and actively learning.

The staff were all reading from the same hymn sheet.

I did the best I could with the behaviours that were displayed.

They showed that they understood, learned and retained facts through activities and play!

Phew!

I can breathe now!!!

Thank you ALL for your faith in me, it sure helped me along today!

I will not be needing any more observations this academic year now, so can relax and enjoy the rest of the year with my little class of crazies!

And so to a peaceful nights sleep!!!!

Child – #writephoto

27 Apr 2017 34 Comments

by Ritu in #Writespiration, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: #WritePhoto, Antique Toys, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Child, Freku, poem, Sue Vincent

Sue’s #writephoto prompt today

A freku for today – A poem followed by a haiku to sum the verse up.

Antique playthings
Once gave so much pleasure
Antique playthings
Surely things to treasure
Antique playthings
Memories roll back
Antique playthings
Dolls house and train track
Antique playthings
In an old nursery
Antique playthings
Looking quite freaky
Antique playthings
With eyes that follow you
Antique playthings
They know all that you do
Antique playthings
Bear witness to it all
Antique playthings
They see your rise and fall

These antique playthings
Valuable yet horrific
No comfort given

Ritu 2017