Finally, I write this as I hit the last week of term! I am sorry it’s late, but life has been hectic in different ways.
Let’s give you a quick recap, along withour weekly drink! Ready?
If we were having chai I’d start by telling you that I wasn’t at school, at all last week… Yup, our bubble popped, due to a staff member testing positive, and as a result the nursery, and my Reception class was affected. So, instead of celebrating the last full week with the kids, I was drafting up home learning again, with the children, recording stories, and catching up on the mountain of emails accumulated in my work in box. It was very productive, but I really wish I had been at school, instead!
If we were having chai I’d tell you that I have been horrified by the racism that poured out onto the screens on social media, and even out there, in reality, focussing on three individuals who happened to be black-skinned, and who missed penalties, meaning that England unfortunately didn’t win the Euro 2020 final… sickened, I was…
If we were having chai I’d say that the temperatures have been getting higher and higher, ending in an extremely warm weekend, so it stands to reason that we spent a long time in the garaden. The inflatable pool was out, ice cold drinks, ice creams, and fun!
If we were having chai I’d tell you that I have been sitting here, stewing over the prospect of #FreedomDay that Boris Johnson has decided wil happen today… wheree all restrictions will be lifted, more or less, because, desipte numbers rising, he says, “Well, we have to do it some day…” I really don’t know what to say… Actually, I do… My thoughts on Instagram, yesterday…
This week, it’s the last week of term, so there will be lots of fun, on top of the push to continue to plug gaps created by lockdown. The children met their new teachers today, and I spent all day calling my new parents for next year. Had my end of Year Performance Management, finished doing all the ones I needed to do on my team, changed display boards… The rest of the week will be a mish mash of the same, with 5 days of cricket training or matches, and hopefully, I’ll end the week, with a meal out with our management team, fingers crossed!
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!
Picture of quote by Mrcus Rashford, England Football Player
Spidey felt this was pretty important to discuss, this week, after all the drama of the last week, after the final.
Now, you now I am not football’s biggest fan, however, when there is something big to support, I am there. As I was last week, at the Euro 2020 finals.
The tension was palpable, as we cruised through the first half, then ended up on the edge of our seats in the second half when Italy equalised. A tough half an hour of extra time gave nothing, ending the night in that craziness that is penalties. All that hard work, of playing a whole match, essentlially left to the luck of the kick for the players chosen to take the penalties.
And we started them so well… Then the first England miss happened… followed by two more.
Is it not a sad thing that as soon as the realisation hit, that the three that missed, were black players, many of us already dreaded the backlash of abuse that would pour from the mouths of the racists fans who just need an excuse for their hatred and racism to show?
We weren’t wrong, unfortunately.
Whereas many of of us applauded our lads for reaching the final, and giving it their best shot, there were those rcist trolls who took great delight in spouting their hatred and opinions about those players who missed, callingn them all manner of names, threatening them, and using their skin colour as the anchor for their abuse.
Marcus Rashford, who I quoted above, was one of the unfortunate targets.
Do these peope have such short memories? Because of this young footballer, and his tireless campaigning, many impoverished school aged children were provided with food, over lockdown and the school holidays. And you can beet your bottom dollar that many of those who were speaking ill of him, had children who benefitted from Rashford’s good work.
Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were also targetted, yet even they, despite their age, have done so much for their communitites…
All this forgotten, because they missed a penalty?
It disgusts me, and I know it disgusted many others.
But what will be done to curb the loutish, racist behaviour of these football hooligans?
The turning on the players of their own team was the icing on the foul tasting cake, served by them this tournament, with England fans disgracing their team and country, by jeering the national anthems of other countries, lighting flares in the stadiums, shining lazers into the eyes of the opposition’s goal keeper, general violence and shameful behavior, is inexcusable.
I, for one, am so proud of this team that worked so hard to get further than any other England Mens team, since 1966. (I won’t mention that the Womens team have been kicking it during that time!) They handled the defeat with grace and aplomb, yet had to hang their heads, due to the behaviour of their supporters.
Supporters like that? I think enemies would be better behaved!
Come on, England Supporters. We need to get this right. Why colour the reputation of your whole county? Show a little pride in yourselves.
So… tell me, what were your thoughts on the happenings after the Euro Final?
So, we are finally at the penultimate week of term, and it’s going to be different, but that’s for next week! Last week? Well, read on!
Let’s give you a quick recap, along withour weekly drink! Ready?
If we were having chai I’d let you know that we had another interesting week at school. It was all a bit higgledy piggledy, because we had staff in and out, school work experience pupils in, and with Monday being a staff INSET day, that left us with just 4 days with the children. We also had the height, weight and vision xhecksfir them, that are usually done much earlier in the year!
If we were having chai I’d mention that we did manage to have our children’s first ever sports day, of sorts. it wasn’t the way things usually are, with the parents coming, and EYFS and KS 1 joining together, because of needing to avoid bubbles mixing, but the children had a whale of a time! We had balancing races, the egg and spooon race, the over under game, a sack race, as well as some running races at the end. And, I won the teacher race too! That is more of an achievement, to be honest! 😂
If we were having chai I’d tell you that data and reports are done, all proof read and printed out, ready to go out.
If we were having chai I’d let you know that I am trying so hard to make sure I read, little and often, as it isn’t easy right now, and I need that wind down time, but it’s little and not as often as I’d like!
If we were having chai I’d share that Lil Man had the last match of his Under 16s league and their team won. He was even more excited that he came out as the top wicket taker of the team for the year so far! I was extremely excited that I got to try a new Kitkat at the match!
If we were having chai I’d tell you that I am writing this before the BIG MATCH. As you are all mostly going to be aware, England are in the Euro 2020 finals, and the country is going mad. The first major tournament final that has been reached by the Mens team, since 1966! Still got my fingers crossed! UPDATE: So, it was a nail-biting game, with an early goal by England, which got equalised in the second half. Another 30 minutes of extra time gave no winning joy. So, we went to penalties. And in the end, Italy won at 3-2 penalties. Well played Lions. We’re proud of you. I dread to think how fans reacted, last night, though…
If we were having chai I’d end by updating you on tha cat of mine, Sonu Singh. He’s been doing his usual, and though there was no sneaky treat stealing, he has been begging for food a lot more! Oh, and he spent lots of time with me, up in my writing room, in Saturday, as I read, while he lounged on the armchair with me!
This week, it may feel a little slower, but that doesn’t mean I get an easy ride. There is still so much paperwork for me to do, along with keeping the kids (mine, as well as my class!) on track, so I will just keep trucking along, and hope the week passes smoothly!
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 and I apologise for having football hijack the post again, this week, but, come on, who could blame us?
England are playing in their first MAJOR football tournament final, since 1966!
So, you know I am not that interested in sports. But, on Wednesday, I ended up spending 120 minutes of my time (plus injury time) watching the semi final against Denmark, on tenterhooks, along with most of the nation. I actually had a book in my hands, but didn’t read more than a few pages.
Even my colleague who HATES footy with a passion ended up joining in with our WhatsApp group chat, as we second guessed how the match would end.
And, as you all know, it ended in our favour, with a 2-1 win. (Not without scandal, though, as the England team were fined £25K for the behaviour of their fans, jeering during the Danish national anthem, and allegedly pointing a lazer beam in the Danish goalkeeper’s eyes during a penalty. What a shame a team who has done us proud has to bear the scars of a bunch of nooligan fans who are hell bent on causing trouble!)
So, I hyped up my class the next day, because, if you remember, we have England as our class team, in the school sweepstakes. Sure, there are some kids who have no clue what I was going on about, but we have some die hard fans, too, who were so excited!
And on Friday, as we left, I popped on the Three Lions Song and we all sang “It’s Coming Home!” together.
Who knows.
What has made me giggle, though, is that some people have asked the Government for Monday to be a national Holiday, because they fear the amount of people who may not even be in work, or school, due to a late night filled with drinking, shouting at TVs, celebrating (or commiserating) and the inevitable hangovers!
Still, tonight we find out whether it is actualy coming home, or popping off to Italy, instead. But, we are definitely hoping for a positive result, in our favour, of course!
I am delighted to invite my dear friend, and blog sis, Marjorie Mallon, to my blog today to let you all know about the re-release of her first novel, Bloodstone: The Curse Of Time Book 1. It has recently been picked up by a publisher, been given a makeover of sorts, and is back out there, in the book wild, and I, for one, am thrilled for Marje, because she has worked so hard for this! I read it the first time round, and I’ve also had a sneak peak at a very early draft of Book 2. Lots of fun in store for readers!
Let me pass you over to Marje!
Thank you so much Ritu for being part of my impromptu blog tour for my re-release of Bloodstone, The Curse of Time Book 1.
Next Chapter Publishing – YA fantasy The Curse of Time series:
Bloodstone – The Curse of Time Book 1
Genre: YA Fantasy/Paranormal
Fifteen-year-old Amelina Scott lives in Cambridge with her dysfunctional family, a mysterious black cat, and an unusual girl who is imprisoned within the mirrors located in her house.
When an unexpected message arrives inviting her to visit the Crystal Cottage, she sets off on a forbidden path where she encounters Ryder: a charismatic, perplexing stranger.
With the help of a magical paint set and some crystal wizard stones, can Amelina discover the truth about her family?
A unique, imaginative mystery full of magic-wielding and dark elements, Bloodstone is a riveting adventure for anyone interested in fantasy, mythology or the world of the paranormal.
A tremor shook my body, and my teeth chattered. My ears rang with the sound of the earth cracking below my feet. It meant that I had left it too late to run. My eyes fell downwards as the world tilted on its axis, and the realisation came to me that the only way out was via a slide that suddenly appeared at my feet.
With one glance, I could tell the slide had a definite beginning but no visible end. I placed a tentative step onto the slide. The minute I touched it, I knew there was no time for fear. I swallowed hard and plunged into the darkness, sliding into oblivion. Every emotion I possessed had compressed into mere seconds—a momentary adrenalin rush. Sensations continued like the aftermath of the wildest rollercoaster ride. Fuelled by fear, it sent my senses reeling, the ultimate blood-pounding, stomach-churning thrill.
I slipped down the slide and landed on a stone floor, yet it cushioned my landing like a silky feather down quilt. No longer afraid of the shadows, I felt welcomed, at home. With wide-eyed astonishment, I took in the magnificent interior of the Crystal Cottage. Gems in a myriad of welcoming shades—purple Amethyst, white Quartz, red Jade, blue Topaz—covered the walls. A riot of colours reflected in the facets of the crystals, which welcomed me with their brightness. This magnificent display promised more, luminous lights twinkled and burst forth from each separate gem in a firework-like extravaganza. I gasped. My breath caught in my throat, and I glanced down at my hands. They were sparkling as if they had touched an enormous glitter ball. A crystalline light bounced off the walls of the cottage, finding a resting place on my face. The brilliant light caressed me.
My heart filled with wonder at this miraculous event and I wished the exquisiteness of the moment would last forever. I willed this spectacle to carry on and on, but the glowing display tapered off. The colours became darker, and glimmers of the crystals’ bright lights darkened to a menacing black, then lightened to a grey, washed-out colour before turning a muddy brown.
In horror, I could feel the skin on my face puckering like an orange peel stripped of all moisture. My body shivered, and I shook. I stirred in my sleep, suspended in the haze of the dream. I struggled to remain, not wanting to leave the beauty and comfort of the Crystal Cottage. So I remained, floating in the abyss, fearful but longing to find out more.
In my dreamy state, I lifted my head and looked up. All I could see was the strange creature a short distance above me, standing as if he waited, but for what I could not tell. He held a ladder—two long ropes connected by short crosspieces made of skin and bones—which he dangled down. I grimaced, but with no other choice open, I reached out and latched onto the gruesome ladder device. The creature hoisted me out, and we stood side by side, motionless for a second. We exchanged no words. Once again, I felt the ground beneath my feet shudder and crack wide open into a large gash of exploding brown earth. I stepped back, afraid of the black void looming in front of me. I shrieked as I observed the creature as he plummeted into the depths of the earth, the whole time reaching his arms out towards me as he fell.
My alter ego is MJ – Mary Jane from Spiderman. I love superheros!
M J Mallon was born in Lion city Singapore, a passionate Scorpio with the Chinese Zodiac sign of a lucky rabbit. She spent her early childhood in Hong Kong. During her teen years, she returned to her father’s childhood home, Edinburgh where she spent many happy years, entertained and enthralled by her parents’ vivid stories of living and working abroad. Perhaps it was during these formative years that her love of writing began inspired by their vivid storytelling. She counts herself lucky to have travelled to many far-flung destinations and this early wanderlust has fuelled her present desire to emigrate abroad. Until that wondrous moment, it’s rumoured that she lives in the UK, in the Venice of Cambridge with her six-foot hunk of a rock god husband. Her two enchanting daughters have flown the nest but often return with a cheery, heart-warming smile to greet her.
MJ’s writing credits also include a multi-genre approach: paranormal, best-selling horror, supernatural short stories, flash fiction, and poetry. She has worked with some amazing authors and bloggers compiling an anthology/compilation set during the early stages of COVID-19 entitled This Is Lockdown and later she wrote a spin off poetry collection, Lockdown Innit.
She’s been blogging for many moons at her blog home Kyrosmagica, (which means Crystal Magic,) where she celebrates the spiritual realm,her love of nature, crystals and all things magical, mystical, and mysterious.
Her eclectic blog shares her love of reading, reviewing books, writing, and photography: https://mjmallon.com/
To always do what you Love, stay true to your heart’s desires, and inspire others to do so too, even if it appears that the odds are stacked against you like black hearted shadows.
Her favourite genre to write is
Fantasy/magical realism because life would be dull unless it is sprinkled with a liberal dash of extraordinarily imaginative magic!
But I Smile Anyway... 