A new post up on my author site Ritu Bhathal.
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Writing A Book Isn’t Easy
28 Jul 2019 Comments Off on Writing A Book Isn’t Easy
in My Writing Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Ritu Bhathal, writing
Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 230 – Dreams
28 Jul 2019 26 Comments
in Spidey's Serene Sundays, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Dreams, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday, Walt Disney
“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”
Walt Disney
Well thank you very much Spidey, for finding something so apt for me today.
There are many dreams I have in life, and for the first time in a while there appears to be a chance for two big ones to finally be realised, but not without a lot of hard work on my part, and support from all those around me.
The first is my work dream. I have finally, after a good few years, got my own class and own classroom. Yes I have been teaching for a while now, but I have always been part of a partner teach team, so there has been someone else there with me, usually already established in that classroom, and the last 3 years I have been split in two at school, being a partner teacher in two classes so I have been pulled from one side to the other, trying to make my mark, educate children, and keep my sanity in tact.
From September though, I finally have my own home! I am in the throes of visiting school over the first week of the holidays, to set up my room, as I want it to be, putting up displays, creating a reading corner that I hope the children will love, and generally making the place a room I would want to come to every day as a child.
I’m also nervous, as the future of these children, their learning for the next year, and any progress they make, will be 100% on my head. Adding to the mix is the possibility of 3, maybe 4 of my intake having Special Educational needs, and some parents not quite on board with the thought…. that will be an interesting one!
Still, excited am I! Wish me luck!
The next dream that is within reach, is that of my writing.
Two years ago, I decided that I would create my own NaNo month, #RiNoWriMo, which prompted me to really go for getting my WIP in a decent shape, and it really helped me to have myself focussed on writing.
I have decided that this August, I shall have another dedicated month, do something.
#RiNoEdMo
Ritu’s Novel Editing Month!
So, I have decided that in August, I might forfeit my time taking part in blog challenges, and concentrate on working on my editor’s notes, rewriting, tweaking and getting this WIP into a place of readiness for possible publication!
That is an exciting thought!
And though I haven’t fully made up my mind as to what I want to do, I have even got a prospective cover commissioned, if I decide to self-publish, or go Indie!
Wish me even more luck!!!
So… tell me, which dream of yours are you ready to realise?
#SoCS July 27/19 – Dirty/Clean
27 Jul 2019 39 Comments
in #SoCS Tags: #SoCS, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Dirty/Clean, Heatwave, Linda G Hill, Stream Of Consciousness Saturday
Linda’s #SoCS prompt this week:
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “clean/dirty.” Use one, use both, use ’em any way you like. Enjoy!
Dirty is exactly how I felt today.
If you aren’t in the UK, we are in the midst of a mini heatwave. The temperatures have hit over 100°F/38°C in some places and we have been sweltering.
I know there are pther places who regularly deal with heat that is over 40°C. In fact my brother sent a photo today showing that where they are in Finland at the moment had a temperature of 48.1°C!
OMG!!! I’d die!
Anyway, here in the UK we are ill prepared for weather that is heatwave worthy. The houses and places of work aren’t generally equipped with air conditioning, and fans – well we all know how much help they are in the heat… pushing hot air around, rather than cooling you down.
The heat itself is just different. The humidity is high and that is what makes it uncomfortable. Days you spend perspiring (not gently, at all) and nights you spend tossing and turning, frantic to find a cool spot on your sheets.
Thursday was my last day at school, and it was the official hottest day of the summer so far. Great day to have all my nursery babies in, with their parents, to celebrate their progress in class this year, in a room that had a tiny fan… twice over!
I started the introductions and whatnot, and could feel rivulets of sweat rolling down the side of my face, dripping down my back, just generally everywhere. A handheld fan made no difference whatsoever. The morning session ended with us saying goodbye, and the hugs we gave the students were sticky.
Then I had a staff leavers assembly to attend. 420 kids in a hall and lots of adults… no AC. It was torture!
After that we had Lil Princess’s leaver’s assembly which was emotional, and I needed tissues for my eyes as well as for mopping my damp brow. They then went outside for photos and general hugs, but it was too hot!
As I began to melt, the children were sent in and parents waved off.
A quick lunch then I had Nursery celebration take 2 with the afternoon session. The sweating was even worse!
We ended the day with a cream tea in one of the 4 classrooms in our school that actually has AC. It was bliss!
Then back into our own rooms that were stifling.
I looked at the mirror. My hair was plastered to my head. I felt itchy. My scalp, dirty with the grime of a busy day.
All I wanted to do was get home and jump in the shower to wash my hair clean.
But I couldn’t. You see there is some crazy superstition in the Indoan culture about washing your hair on a Thursday being bad luck for your brother. Don’t ask me. I just get told these things and they stick in your head.
So I didn’t wash it.
I wasn’t about to yesterday morning either. I had a day full of heaving furtniture around in my new clasroom and I knew I would be sweating buckets again.
What’s the point?
Better I wash it and have a lovely end of day shower.
And, oh my, you should have seen the water as it rinsed off my head… YUCK!
I came out of the shower fresh as a daisy, feeling so cool and CLEAN!
For precisely one minute.
Seriously. That is how long it took for beads of sweat to start forming on my upper lip and forehead again.
What was the point???
But surely rather than hair staying dirty another day, it was better to have at least a moment of clean!
July 25: Flash Fiction Challenge – For One Day
26 Jul 2019 32 Comments
in #CarrotRanch Tags: 99-Word Fiction, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Carrot Ranch, Charli Mills, Flash Fiction, For One Day
Charli’s Carrot Ranch Fiction challenge this week:
July 25, 2019, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that includes the phrase “for one day.” The words single out a special occurrence. What is the emotion and vibe, where does it take place and why? Go where the prompt leads!
The Ugly Duckling Bites Back
I’ve spent my life in her shadow; the beautiful sister, tall, willowy, popular.
And me, well, I’m just me. Plain, average in every way, and described as ‘nice’.
But not today.
Today is my day.
I was the one who managed to find a lovely lad.
I was the one proposed to at the top of the Eiffel Tower.
I am the one looking at my reflection in the mirror today, unable to recognise the princess that stands here in my place.
I am the bride walking down the aisle.
For one day, all eyes will be on me.
Aflame #writephoto
26 Jul 2019 37 Comments
in #WritePhoto Tags: #WritePhoto, Aflame, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Etheree, Photo Prompt, Sue Vincent
Sue’s #WritePhoto prompt this week:
It
Is not
Only the
Sky that's aflame
Right now the whole place
Feels like it it burning
A heat that's unbearable
Making us feel like we're melting
We always ask rain to disappear
Right now I think we'd welcome a downpour!
Ritu 2019
