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#TankaTuesday Weekly #Poetry Challenge No. 288, #TasteTheRainbow Seasons

06 Sep 2022 27 Comments

by Ritu in #ColleensWeeklyPoetryChallenge Tags: #ColleensWeeklyPoetryChallenge, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Haiku, Taste the Rainbow

I am back, three Tuesdays in a row to take part in Colleen’s Syllabic poetry challenge!

This week, choose your own syllabic form and a color to feature in your syllabic poem. Think about the different ways you can use color in a poem.
Colleen Chesebro

Rainbow hued flowers
Give way to the russet golds
Of the autumn leaves

Nights are drawing in
Clear blue skies vie for their place
Against winter grey


Ritu 2022

https://wordcraftpoetry.com/2022/09/06/tankatuesday-weekly-poetry-challenge-no-288-tastetherainbow-color-poetry/

Chai And A Chat #202 #ChaiAndAChat

05 Sep 2022 35 Comments

by Ritu in Chai and a Chat Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Catch Up, Chai and a Chat

Hi there, Peeps! One partial week of school done!

It was good to be back, but I am ready with my cuppa to let you know how it went!

If we were having chai, I’d tell you that Monday was a bank holiday, so we chilled out as much as possible. Well, I did, anyway, since the rest weren’t back until Friday!
If we were having chai, I’d say that school started for me on Tuesday, with two Inset days. We had a motivational speaker in to help us learn how to respond to situations productively and not to dwell on the small stuff, and then there was some time in our classrooms and a few other meetings. It is strange this year since I don’t have my own room, as I will be teaching across both Reception classes, which will be good for me to understand the whole cohort, but it also leaves me without a home! Still, we got stuff done. Then the last two days were home visits to the children who will be starting next week but who didn’t attend our nursery. They are always a good opportunity for the parents to speak to us in their own home environment, as well as for us to see the child in a secure place for them. I think we are ready for Monday when the children will attend all week, but just in the mornings, but the question is… are they ready for us?

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If we were having chai, I’d say that I definitely knew I was back to school since my eyes start to close at 9.30pm! But i am 100% certain that I am feeling a lot of things due to Perimenopause. I was speaking to my beautician, too, and she suggested I talk to the doctor about HRT, before my symptoms get worse.
If we were having chai, I would share with you that it was my birthday on the weekend, and though I had an awful headache that day, it was still lovely. I was spoilt by my family. What more could I ask for?

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If we were having chai, I’d tell you that we had the final cricket training and match on Saturday, and he finished with a bang! No batting, but he bowled exceptionally well; 5 for 35 off 9 overs, and one of the wickets he took, he bowled and caught, one-handed! They won, and I think they finished second in their league, and it looks like a promotion for next season! A great finish!

If we were having chai, I would end, as always, with Sonu Singh. I think it will hit more this week, but he could see the changes happening this week, with me being out every day and the kids not there on Friday… I hope he’s not too lonely going forward! He had great fun knocking my cards down, though, constantly!

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This week, as I mentioned before, my classes will be in, but only for half days. It’s like the calm before the storm, you know! But it will be good to see the children where they should be; with us, enjoying learning! The rest of my life is pretty chilled, thankfully, because I have my editing to do!

And while you’re here, did you sign up for my mailing list? I am in the middle of writing an exclusive Chickpea Curry Lit story for my subscribers, and there will be news, tips and even recipes! You know you want to join… go on! Click the pic below to sign up!

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 391 – Another Year Older

04 Sep 2022 35 Comments

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

“Wisdom can be found in the most unexpected places.”
Ritu Bhathal

Thank you, Spidey, for giving me a chance to use my own quote, today!

It is the day after my 47th birthday, and I wonder whether I have gained any more wisdom with the addition of that extra year.

Well, I was on good old Facebook, and there was one of those quizzes where it chucks random statements or facts out, allegedly about you.

Usually, they are just silly, but once in a while they throw you something to think upon.

This was apparently a lesson I have learned from the past year.

And, oh my goodness, what truth!

It takes a while, I think that for this to register in our minds, but it’s true that over the last couple of years, I have realised that I am who I am, and I am a good person.

We all have traits that may not be liked by everyone, but when I take everything into account, I am happy with me.

I am happy with who I am.

I am happy with how I live my life.

I am happy with my thoughts and opinions.

I am happy with my preferences.

I am happy with my grey hair.

I am happy even with a little extra weight on myself, right now.

And there will always be people out there with toxic opinions.

But I really don’t care!

And that. is the wisdom I gleaned from a Facebook Quiz, yesterday!

So, are you able to accept who you are and live in peace with yourself?

Wishing you a wonderfully peaceful Sunday, Peeps!

#SoCS Sept. 03, 2022 – Why, it’s my Birthday!

03 Sep 2022 53 Comments

by Ritu in #SoCS Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Linda G Hill, Socs, Why

Linda’s SoCS prompt.

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “start with why.” Begin your post with the word “why.” Have fun!

Why am I smiling slightly wider, today?

Well, it’s my birthday!

That’s why!

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Sept. 3, 2022

Throwback Thursday #54 – Favourite Things #RememberWhen #TBT Memory

02 Sep 2022 13 Comments

by Ritu in Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, throwback Thursday

Having another go at Maggie and Laurens, Throwback Thursday challenge! This week it is Maggie at the helm!

This week’s prompt is: Favourite Things

Pick any period of your adolescence and think back to all your favorite things. Feel free to elaborate as much as you want.
Maggie

I shall think about my secondary school years. I attended an all-girls private school, and I have many fond memories of that time.

Who was your favourite relative? Not to play favourites, but who was the person you connected with more than others? Aunt, uncle, cousin, grandparent, or parent? Why were you closest to them?

I had many favourite people. I was close to a lot of my family, and I think I still am. At the time I think I heavily identified with my cousin who was the same age as me but in a different country. We would exchange letters, and spent a lot of time together in the summers and when she came to stay with us for a while. We lived such similar, yet different lives, and we were very close.

What was your favourite TV show? Share a clip if you can find one.

I was a big fan of Neighbours at school, and it only just finished its TV run this summer!

What was your favourite book or favourite family story?

I had a huge pull towards My Sweet Audrina by Virginia Andrews as a teen. I don’t often reread books but I read this several times.

What was your favourite song, record, or album? Feel free to share a YouTube video of it.

I loved Don’t Worry Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin. Still do!

Who was your favourite teacher? What grade were you in, and what subject did they teach?

I loved Mrs Kimpton, my drama teacher. She taught me from the ages of 11-17. She was a wonderful soul, so gentle and encouraging.

What was your favourite subject (not teacher) in school?

Drama was my favourite subject!

Who was your favourite (aka best) friend? What things did you do together?

Honestly, I didn’t have a best friend as such, at school. As I mentioned before I had so many things going on in my life that were family based that I wasn’t given much time to be besties with anyone however I was good friends with another Indian girl who related to what my life was like and we were pretty close. We would send notes to each other in class, and giggle over all sorts of typical teenage girl things and I went to her house to hang out a couple of times.

What was your favourite way to pass the time?

As if you need to ask! I loved reading! I always had a book on the go!

What was your favourite holiday? How did you celebrate?

I loved celebrating everything. Specific to us was Diwali where we would go to other family houses and eat, and enjoy the fireworks!

What was your favourite toy or possession? Doll, camera, radio, bicycle?

Probably my walkman, as I enjoyed listening to music.

Bonus: What was your favourite adventure? Family trip, amusement park, field trip, or vacation, perhaps.

I was lucky enough to go on several holidays through the school years but my favourite trip was when we went to Russia with my school. I was 16, and it was such an adventure. We visited Moscow and St Petersberg. It was shortly after the first McDonalds had opened up out there, and the queue for a burger was a mile long!

Again, I do have photos… but they are so far away!

See! I told you I would be late. You can tell I am back at school, now!