Chai And A Chat #80 #ChaiAndAChat #CoronaDiaries Week 4

Yup, a month of this and we are still going…

  • Another week of not really knowing what day it was, and what I was meant to be doing with myself! Oh, but I did discover TikTok… which you’ll know about if you saw yesterday’s Spidey post!
  • I was featured on Cysters.org, with an article about my journey with PCOS, which was rather special. It was one of the pieces of writing I did the week before… 2,500 words of pain…
  • On Tuesday I spent time updating my Character Bible. It is a great way for me to keep track of the different characters in my books, and as they are interconnected, all the more important when referring back to
  • And got a little more writing done, with my muse in tow!
  • On Wednesday, I had to brave the local hospital for a set of blood tests, as requested by the consultant after my phone appointment. They took a LOT of blood samples! And I have to go back for one more test, as they failed to mention I needed to leave a (#1) sample as well, on the phone. I was dreading going to the actual building, but it wasn’t as bad as all that. They set up a queueing area and as you came in, you were asked if you had a temperature or cough. The nurse at the door checked your temperature before allowing you in. The actual phlebotomy clinic was empty so I was in and out in ten minutes!
  • Oh Thursday, most schools reopened for the next term. When I say open, I use that term extremely loosely. Basically we are still doing the same as before. But we need to add more plans to the school website for the children’s learning. We spent a couple of hours getting a plan ready for the first week, then decided that it would be a great idea to film me reading a story, the next day, to put online for the kids… however, did you know of the minefield of copyright with this? I never did, because there are so many people who upload videos of themselves reading on YouTube. Apparently, it is illegal, unless the books are available. in the Public Domain. And that means a work needs to be well old, basically… However, most publishers and authors are being very good about the whole school and home learning issues at the moment, and have relaxed their rules. As long as we contact them with details of the book we are reading, and name it, along with author and illustrator, upload it on a private educational site, or as unlisted on Youtube, we can record our own, with no comebacks. As long as the videos are removed by the end of the academic year. It’s a bit of a faff, but I’d do it for our babies!
  • Friday was another day of school but I didn’t end up going in, as my team teach wasn’t too well, so. we weren’t going to be able to record stories or plan. That meant another day at home. The kids (mine) have to get used to waking up earlier as well, again, now, as they have been rather lazy over their official holiday… so I was hearing plenty of annoyed moans and groans from them!
  • But, once Lil Man was done with his work, we did a thing. Have you seen the 5 challenge? Run 5 Km, Donate £5, Nominate 5? Basically, you run (or walk. I cannot run!) 5km, then donate £5 to a charity, and then nominate 5 others to do it. I have been walking pretty much daily with him, but it gets a little boring doing the rounds at the walking track we use at the temple sports ground, so we did a long walk along a different route and smashed it! We even managed another 5 km one on the Sunday with the whole family, and I learned of another beautiful green space. walking distance from our house to visit too!
  • I think I truly exhausted myself on Friday because saturday was a day for doing NOTHING! I initiated the kids to a couple more classic Bollywood films from the late 90s and early 2000s and read lots. A perfect day, but definitely nowhere near the steps I should have taken!
  • As I mentioned, the Sunday involved another walk, but we had an Indian style lunch, with me making parathas!

Another week of meh-ness, but we cope. As I type we have been told that we are going through another three week cycle of social distancing and lockdown, before the government can review. Some papers deem it fit to publish information that hasn’t been confirmed, such as some schools may ppen by May 11th… But that has not been confirmed at all. As I mentioned before, I am trying hard not to watch too much news, but I get annoyed when I read misinformed posts and articles. We are going through enough confusion as it is, without publications that many readers trust, publishing untruths or uncomfirmed facts.

But, it’s Monday, again. I might just go and get a story recorded, who knows? And I’ll be with the Key Worker kids on Wednesday, all day. Who knows what the rest of the week holds?

How has your week been? ?

Writing My Way Through A Pandemic

Pop over to http://www.ritubhathal.com for some updates on the world of Ritu the author!

Ritu's avatarRitu Bhathal

Well, hello there, my dear readers.

Firstly, can I apologise, profusely?

I have been very naughty, not posting on here properly for the last six weeks or so, thanks to this ‘thing’ that is happening around the world.

What thing?

Oh, come on, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

That coronavirus, or more specifically, COVID-19.

It sure is a surreal world we are living in right now.

Who would have thought that something regarded as a flu of sorts, would bring pretty much all of the world to a standstill? (I know it isn’t like the flu at all, but that is what most people thought at first.)

As reality slowly hits, people you know become affected, infected, and either recover, or the other option. I, personally know of at least two people who have passed away, including a member of our family.

It’s serious, you know, this…

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PCOS-er And Proud! – Cysters

Please follow the link below to read an article about my life, and journey with #PCOS

I was introduced to cysters.org by a research onto Asian women and PCOS, and they published my story.

http://cysters.org/pcos-er-and-proud/

Awesome Blogger Award!!!

Dear Helena of Penable Me Blog, nominated me for a blog award.

Now, as you know, I am most appreciative of these tags, but I operate an Tag Award-free blog.

But…

You knew that was coming, didn’t you?

She wanted me to answer the questions, and, because she’s an AWESOME Bloggerm herself, I thought “Why not? It’s not like I have anywhere to rush off to, right now…!”

So, here goes.

  1. Name three people who have inspired you on WordPress –

There are so many bloggers who have inspired me, for so many reasons, it would be hard to just pin it down to three. From those that have become friends, and sources of mutual support, that’s my blogily, to those who have given me inspiration to actually write, to those that are just amazing individuals! Below are some special peeps who I have met, from the blogging community, who continue to influence me, daily ❤

2. Winter or summer and why

I love summer because I like to feel the warmth on my skin, but equally, I enjoy the coziness of winter.

3. What is your favourite piece of poetry and why

Honestly, I really don’t have one favourite poem. There are such different genres of poetry, as there are books to read. I love the humour in Pam Ayres poems, though!

4. Name three books you remember reading in your childhood

Books were an integral part of my childhood. You’d never find me without something to read in my hands. I loved Enid Blyton, and still have an original set of Noddy books from when I was four years old, complete with Gollywogs still in them! Then there was the A.A. Milne Winnie the Pooh books. They. impacted me so much that my reading corner in my classroom is based on the Hundred Acre Woods! Roald Dahl, and his Revolting Rhymes was another. I can;t get enough of his imaginative world building for younger kids, and the made up words!

5. Tell me something you have cooked/ baked that you are proud of

Cooking is something I really enjoy, but I don’t usually get much of a chance, as my mother in law cooks up a storm, and feeds the family in normal times. Now, however, I have my kitchen, no mother in law, as she lives in a different house, a pandemic and a lockdown, so plenty of time to cook. I’ve been experimenting with plenty, the last few weeks. But in terms of being proud, it has to be cakes I have made and decorated in the past, from my rainbow multi-layer cake, to a Hello Kitty one for Lil Princess, when she was younger.

6. What was the funniest moment of your life?

Too many to choose just one! Oh, my goodness, I am such a procrastinator, aren’t I? 😂😂 One that springs to mind, was when I was presented with an award for gymnastics, and, gracefully as I could, I glided down the centre of the school hall, and unceremoniously tripped up the stairs to the stage, on the way to accepting the award. More embarrassing for me, but hilarious for those watching!

7. Have you ever cried during a film, if so, which one?

I cry at films, soap operas, charity appeal shows, books… you’d be better off asking what I don’t cry at!

8. Give three things your friends would describe you as

Positive, happy, NUTS!

9. Have you ever got late for school when you were younger and made up a ridiculous excuse? If so, what was it?

No, never had a chance to be late, at school, as I lived far away from my school, so my mum used to drop me in the car.

I was, however, late for plenty of university lectures, as I toyed with being a rebel… but it didn’t last past university. I have the punctuality gene ingrained in me by my parents, who were always early for EVERYTHING!

10. Would you rather spend a night in a haunted house or by yourself in the woods??

I think I’d take my chances in the woods… at least I could run if scared. With a haunted house, who knows… could be locked in!

Read Helena’s post at https://penableme.wordpress.com/2020/04/11/awesome-blogger-award/

Speaking with Writers: Ritu Bhathal

Pop over to Liesl’s website where I have been interviewed!

Chapterccino's avatar

Hello everyone, and welcome to today’s episode of ‘Speaking with Writers’! If you’re new around here, I like to conduct Q&A sessions with my fellow writers – published or not – so that we can all learn more about their experiences.

I have had the pleasure of speaking to Ritu Bhathal. I hope you enjoy the Q&A!

Ritu Bhathal

Who are you, and where are you from?

Hello! My name is Ritu Bhathal. I am a teacher and author from the UK.

What’s an interesting or unusual fact about yourself?

My heritage is rather colourful… I am a British Born Indian, born to Kenyan born Indian parents, whose own parents were born in India! So plenty of culture there to colour my writing.

When did your ‘writing journey’ begin?

I have enjoyed writing since I was a young girl, but the journey to actually publish a book started in the year 2000…

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