Chai And A Chat #90 #ChaiAndAChat #CoronaDiaries Week 14

29 Jun 2020 28 Comments

by Ritu in Chai and a Chat, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: , , , , , ,

Hello, my dear Peeps!

So, we have lived fourteen weeks in this strange new world…

Go, grab a drink, I’m here, waiting, with mine.

  • So, the second week back at school was interesting, in a different way. The children have settled down to this alternative way of leraning, and I am surprised how they aren’t asking to mix with the other classes, satsified with their own little bubble for company. I’m not complaining, it would be harder if they weren’t enjoying it. I hav been told I have one of my Special Ed children coming back, on Monday, but for a trial, as if he cannot cope with the way we have to school at the moment, he won’t be able to stay. But Monday will tell us what we need to know.
  • I also had a meeting with the Head to discuss next year. I cannot tell you the BIG news, but I can confirm that I will still be in Reception next year, and maybe I’ll be able to complete a full year with no craziness, this time!
  • In other worlds, the pains are still there, but not as bad, but I am still tired after a day at school. Naps happen without me intending, if I sit for a moment.
  • But, I have been busy with other things too. I thought that, to combat my low energy levels, I need to do something healthy, so I signed up to Couchto5k. This is an NHS approved app, which helps you begin to run, in small increments, building up your stamina and fitness. And I completed the first week’s 3 runs! It’s been very hot here the last week, so aside from the first day, where I stupidly decided that 5.30pm would be aa good time to go, and I melted, slightly, Lil Man and I have been going together, as he has signed up too, even though he can run 5k with no worries. See, my supportive son ❤
  • I also downloaded two other challenge apps, the 30 day Plank Challenge and the 30 day Flatter Tummy Challenge, so I am trying to do those as well…
  • Aaaaand… I am trying my hand at Keto eating again too, for a while, to hopefully lose some of this fat! I did attempt this before but found the prep hard work, but this time I am determined. Sunday brunch was yummy, and totally diet friendly! Keto Almond flour and coconut oil pancakes with berries!
  • We’ve continued our walks on the days we don’t run, and saw a beautiful sunset as we walked along the prom. It was gorgeous.
  • On Saturday we had a socially distanced celebration for my Brothe-in-law and his wife as it was their 10th wedding anniversary. Typical that the gift we ordered didn’t arrive on time, so I hope I can get it to them on Monday instead.

This week, I have two special birthdays to celebrate. They’re today, actually, you’ll see a post it a short while. Lil Man is 15 and my darling mum is 70! Wow! Where does the time go? Aside from school, and the exercise, my aim is to get my writing mojo back now too. Wish me luck!

Oh, 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!

What have you been up to?

Stay safe, my dear friends!

Chai And A Chat #89 #ChaiAndAChat #CoronaDiaries Week 13

22 Jun 2020 54 Comments

by Ritu in Chai and a Chat, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: , , , , , ,

Hello, my dear Peeps!

Week thirteen… lucky for some, they say.

Got a drink? Right then…

  • Monday loomed ahead of me, last week. Back in school FULL TIME! I was looking forward to it, but dreading it as well. And…
  • It wasn’t that bad! I had a third of my children back. They have all grown so much, and though I was exopecting some emotional outbursts, the little lovelies settled right back in. We have a different TA in our class, but she is someone who is familiar. The difference was we have another teacher in, in the afternoon, so my lead and I have time to get set for September, with class lists, different policies etc. and planning and preparation for this class.
  • I reckon about an hour of the day is taken up with lining up ad hand washing. Some children are positiely surgical about it. Some a bit slapdash, but we send them back!
  • The children are dealing with a change in timetable, and a change in what they are allowed to use in the classroom. I am sure they find that rather strange, seeing as they had more or less free rein in the room, before. But, I am getting more one to one time with them, so that is wonderful. I can really see which children are flourishing, and which ones have stepped back, so need the extra support. It does make me wonder what sort of catch up we will have to do with the rest of the class coming back.
  • The world is strange, having to be in a bubble. But we are adapting, slowly.
  • Being back at school has knocked me for six, though, I tell you. I haave been exhausted, falling asleep early, most nights, apart from the first, where I was overtired, and ended up awake until 2am. That meant a zombiefied Ritu on Tuesday!
  • In other news, an update on our feline child, Sonu Singh. I think he may be broken… either that, or he’s too plump for the box, choosing to lay on the flap instead!
  • It was Father’s Day on Sunday which was lovely. After Hubby Dearest had his lie in, we got ready and went for a socially distanced lunch with the in-laws then chilled together at home. I spoke at lenght to Pops too, and only wished I could be there to see him, and get one of his legendary hugs. The present I got for him still hasn’t arrived and this is really frustrating me, but it will arrive soon enough.
  • I was also blessed with this comment on Instagram, this week. Fancy being someone’s favourite read! And another reader told me they were about to reread it! I feel on cloud nine. Now, someone give me time to write book two, please! If you want to have a read, click here.

This week, as well as being back at school, I have a meeting to discuss the plans for next academic year, with regards to what I will be doing. Will I be in the same year group? A different one? Who knows?

Oh, 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!

What have you been up to?

Stay safe, my dear friends!

Chai And A Chat #88 #ChaiAndAChat #CoronaDiaries Week 12

15 Jun 2020 44 Comments

by Ritu in Chai and a Chat Tags: , , , , , ,

Hello, my dear Peeps!

Twelve whole weeks, we’ve adapted and adjusted. TWELVE!

Go, grab a drink, I’m here, waiting, with mine.

  • The week started with school, for me. We had a training session booked, by a company called Team Teach. This had been booked pre COVID-19 and after a lot of umming and aahing, our management decided to ask who would be willing to do a socially distanced version of the training. Team Teach basically gives us the knowledge and understanding about restraining a child, if the need ever arose, and you’d be surprised the amount of times we need to know how to do this safely, gently, and correctly, with primary school childen. The training has to be done every three years to keep us up to date with all the changes that happen in the world, and this training came at a particularly sensitive time, what with the George Floyd case in hand. Now, as a training about suitable restraints and techniques, usually it is a very physical session, but as we couldn’t touch anyone, the trainer brought his wife along to demonstrate holds, and refresh our memories. It was good, though, because we had a lot of talking time, so we could discuss things like de-escalation, and diversion, and techniques that would avoid the need for physical restraint, if possible. But I tell you what, I ended up with a bad back after… sitting on one of those chairs for a whole day, in the hall, which was cold, was no fun!
  • I had another day in with the children, a grand total of nine keyworker kids, which was fun, even though it rained the whole day! We did plenty of arts and crafts, then we spent time doing some of their online learning in the computer suite. One more morning was spent in school, tweaking and setting up the classroom, ready for the 15th, when my much reduced class is due to start back up.
  • Home-wise, it’s been quiet. I haven’t really done much writing, but I read lots. Cooked, cleaned, did a lot of laundry and made two trips to the supermarket. I have been used to going on a Tuesday, during the lockdown, but as of tomorrow, I am back fulltime, so I did my normaal shop on the Tuesday, then went on Sunday for this week’s shop. We’ve been lucky, with no queues the last few weeks, but when I got there the second time, on a Sunday the queue was huge! Still, it moved quickly and I got all we needed.
  • I have been carrying on with my brush lettering, and the final project was to make bookmarks. What do you think?
  • Saturday marked the Queen’s official birthday, and usually the day is marked with much pomp and circumstance. This year the event waasa televised, and the Queen watched her guards from a little marquee in the grounds of Windsor Palace. See, we all have had to adapt… even the Queen.
  • We decided to try a special make at home pizza kit this week, from a local business, Saucy Dough. They provide dough, tomato sauce and the cheese ready for you to roll the base out and make up your pizza yourself, before baking it. The kids really enjoyed it, and I liked adding my own toppings to it, too!
  • I must tell you a funny story. Last week, I decided to run a FaceBook ad, which I have done once or twice before. I realised last time, that I needed to (unfortunately) leave out countries lile India and Pakistan, because of the unsolicited messages that would come from random men. But I forgot to take India off the country list this time… The ad below, is something like what I would have posted, with the same wording. This time, however, I have ended up with over a HUNDRED, if not more, messages from random, desperate Indian men, either sending hello, hi and good morning messages, or what can you do for me, style questions. And a marriage proposal from a 50-year-old, and a photo from a man, with him posing with his mother… (so I can see what a lovely mum he has?) but the worst? Proclaimations of love on my posts, and then… pornographic images! NOTE TO SELF: DO NOT FORGET TO TAKE INDIA OFF THE NEXT AD!!!!
  • Aside from that, the world is still going mad, with the Black Lives Matter movement, and the demand to remove historic statues from places around Britain… I’m doing what I can, but I am upset with how some people are dealing with things…

This week, I am back to school fulltime, with my much reduced class, so I anticipate a lot of tiredness, and high emotions over the week. Time will tell how things go… wish me luck!

Oh, 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!

What have you been up to?

Stay safe, my dear friends!

Chai And A Chat #87 #ChaiAndAChat #CoronaDiaries Week 11

08 Jun 2020 31 Comments

by Ritu in Chai and a Chat Tags: , , , , , ,

How are you all holding up, my dear Peeps?

We’ve now wrapped up eleven weeks in this strange #newnormal… and things have got a lot stranger this week…

Go, grab a drink, I’m here, waiting, with mine.

  • Let’s start with the stuff world stuff… I know no one will have been able to miss all the escalation of the #BlackLivesMatter movement, since the sand and unnecessary death of George Floyd. This week, I haven’t been well (more on that below) but, I have been following events and happenings around the globe, either in support of, or against this movement, in horror, anger, and solidarity. This is definitely something I will write about at length, in another post, but it has been great to see the resources that have flooded the internet specifically targeted at South Asian folk, and for them to turn their eyes inwards for a moment, before jumping on the bandwagon, because there are deep-rooted stereotypes and offensive behaviors within our own culture, that we could and should be addressing, to help educate this movement. (Some words I already wrote regarding this… here.)
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I am one of the #BAME Proudly I stand as a #POC But this #POC is more #AME And I want to stand for my brethren #B How do I help? What can I do? At least I can start By educating a few I needn’t look far Just sitting at home There’s topics to raise Face-to-face, on the phone Call out the comments Question the views How would you feel If you were in their shoes? It’s not just about Being treated the same But respecting differences Trying to say names Not just assuming That because of their hue That person is better or worse Than me or you #AllLivesMatter We all know that But #BlackLivesMatter And it ain’t showin, that’s a fact Ritu 2020 #poetsofinstagram #BAMEpoet #BlackoutTuesday #StandingWithMyBrethren #georgefloyd🙏🏾 #BAME #BAMEpoetry #BLM

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  • Then there was 1984 and the Operation Blue Star attack on the Sikhs in India. This week marked the 36th anniversary of the huge genocide that occured in the holy city of Amritsar, and across many places in India… Again, another time to reflect, educate and try to change… (I wrote about this earlier in the week too… here.)
  • I mentioned being unwell. Yup. I had a strange week, to be honest. It all started with a strange stomach ache on Sunday which kept drifting back and forth, followed by more aches and pains, and fatigue… Oh, the tiredness. It was awful. I spoke to school and said that I had planned on popping in to do some preparation, but I was going to rest up. That was all fine… then on Wednesday, a cough. A new cough. No temperature. I was still smelling and tasting fine, but this cough, was coming and going. Was it the dreaded virus? A heaviness on my chest as well. I was scared. Maybe it’s anxiety. Who knows. The next day, things were the same, so I checked with 111 and then the GP, who said he didn’t think it was anything to worry about, but, and especially, as I was going back to school soon, and I had family back home, I should get tested. I agreed. Deep down, there was a gnawing fear that I may have picked up COVID-19 from somewhere… I booked the test at one of the pop up drive in centres local to us, and anxiously counted down the hours til I had to go. It was a surreal time. I could still drive, so I took myself off, having given myself a scare already, by watching the videos of what test involve. The centre was filled with signs saying KEEP WINDOWS CLOSED. I had to keep my email open on my phone with a booking in QR code that was scanned at several points, through the window, to register that I had arrived. Then I was given the choice of whether I wanted to do the test myself, or get a professional to do it. I opted for the professional, as I knew I’d gag if I did it myself, and possibly not get the sample they needed. Then after driving through around three checkpoints, I arrived at the place I was allowed to open my window. (Can’t do the test through glass, obviously.) After a quick chat about what was going to be done, I bravely opened my mouth to have my non-existent tonsils tickled for ten seconds by a rather long swab. Uncomfortable, but bearable. Then it was the one I was really dreading… the nasal one. After blowing my nose I offered my nostril, and fought back the “ouch!” and tears as the swab was stuck up my nose, and twisted around, gently, but painfully, for ten seconds, before being sealed up swiftly. I was told results would be with me within 48 hours but they were often sooner. Good job, as it was Thursday, and I needed to know the next day, as it impacted my work too. Ten minutes was all it took, and I was lucky there was no queueing. Apparently they’d had a lot of teachers coming in recently. It was a tense wait, for that result to ping back, and by mid afternoon, I got the confirmation that I was negative for COVID-19. It eased a little of my anxiety, but meant that my health was probablu a mixture of another virus, hayfever and the mysterious joint thing that hasn’t been diagnosed yet. But I AM OKAY, and for that I am so THANKFUL!
  • The rest of the week was filled with a little writing – not as much as I wanted, because I hadn’t been feeling it, but still, some more words are better than none. And a few modules on various courses I have signed up to for marketing purposes and learning new softwares I am using. If you remember, I have been learning lettering, too. I earned a Calligraphy diploma a couple of weeks ago, and though I love the structure of the traditional Calligraphy script, I have always been mesmerised by brush lettering, or hand calligraphy, with it s softness, uniformity, but also the ability to create it your own. So I have been doing a course in that too, and I have found it to be so theraputic. I had a little project to complete as part of it, where we had to create a background as well as some lettering… what do you think?
  • I had requests from some of my Insta followers, to write specific things, and one was to write Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. I joked that I didn’t have a piece of paper long enough, then, you know me. Don’t challenge me if you don’t think I can do it… determined Ritu managed this (even with one spelling mistake, but with a word that long, one mistake is forgiveable, don’t you think?)
  • Sonu Singh has been by my side a lot, and even tried to take centre stage when I was preparing for a school Zoom meeting!
  • The rest of the family are well, they’re back onto the home learning, after their week off, and either it is a chore to wake them, or they surprise me by being up and at their computers before I ask.

And that was weel eleven!

This week, I am in school on Monday and Wednesday, as timetabled, and quite likely, I’ll be in another day too, to prepare for the eventual opening on the following Monday. We have had to do the parent surveys again, to see who wants to send their children in. Some will be more confident, having seen other schools already open. Some may have changed their minds, not convinced that the situation is any better, since lockdown began to be eased. After we get the new numbers, there will be more to do, again…

And, since it wasn’t as successful last week, I hope to get some more words down… Marriage Unarranged is getting lovely feedback and there are calls for another one… I need to get a wiggle on!

getbook.at/MarriageUnarranged

Oh, 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!

What have you been up to?

Stay safe, my dear friends!

Chai And A Chat #86 #ChaiAndAChat #CoronaDiaries Week 10

01 Jun 2020 43 Comments

by Ritu in Chai and a Chat, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: , , , , , ,

TEN WHOLE LOCKDOWN WEEKS!

That’s how long this #NewNormal has existed for us… how are you holding up?

And… can you believe it’s JUNE already?! We will be celebrating Lil Man’s 15th Birthday at the end of the month… who knows what the situation will be then…?

Grab your drinkn. I’m supping mine as I type!

  • It was a bank holiday on Monday and officially, half term, in our school. My head teacher (who is an angel) was more than conscious of the stresses and strains of the last few months on everyone. After speaking to the parents of keyworker children, she confirmed that the school would be shut for the week, to allow for full recuperation, in readiness for the madness that June 1st was sure to bring. We were all, in our own ways, ready, but extremely nervous. Thing is, the government feels the right time to release pertinent information, relating to the reopening of Early Years settings is a week before, during a bank holiday weekend on a SUNDAY, at the start of HALF TERM, when some schools, like ours, were closed! There were so many ‘interesting issues’ brought up in this thing, that the relative calmness I had been beginning to feel, disappeared. We were so not ready, in the way the Govt seemed we should be, anyway. Then on Tuesday, a much appreciated message came from my angel boss. School would not be reopening to the fist lot of classes until the 15th June at the earliest. The powers that be, including my head, who was in dire need of a break, spent Sunday aand Monday rehashing plans, and decided that there were still too many risk factors to consider. So we have now got two weeks more to get prepared. Thank goodness! I just hope this next level of relaxing the lockdown hasn’t come too soon, and a second waaave isn’t imminent, because this could throw our reopening plans anyway. Still, I miss my class. I miss reading them stories, and talking to them. I miss seeing their expressions the moment something ‘clicks’. In honour of my love of my job, I got myself a new T-Shirt!
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Love my new t-shirt! Teacher! #slogantshirt

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  • Knowing we weren’t headed back to school officially, on Monday gave me a chance to really relax over the week. I spent a LOT of time reading, and bumping up my Goodreads challenge number. Surpassed my goal a few weeks back, and I am at around 64 books read for this year now!
  • I have managed to write a short story every day, as part of the Story A Day In May Challenge that I signed up for. All in all, nearly 30,000 words were written! I’ve even earmarked one of the stories, that I started, as a possible reader magnet for the new Newsletter that I have set up… Oh, didn’t you know? Yes, I, Ritu Bhathal, have now got a mailing list, and a landing page, and the option to do a newsletter! I am so ridiculously proud of myself, as I have wanted to do this for a long time, but was scared. If you are interested, click this link to sign up! https://www.subscribepage.com/ritubhathal

In other news, we’ve still been cooking, though a little less imaginatively, this week… standards have included the usual pancakes, pastas, Indian meals, Lasagne, crisp sandwiches, (yes, I did sink that low!) but, Lil Princess and I did make bread rolls on Saturday!

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So we baked bread rolls today!

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  • I don’t know if you are the same, but we have found that our electronic devices have been our saviours during this lockcown period. More than before. A way to communicate with friends and family you can’t see, watch programmes and take silly videos. But they can also be responsible for allowing some to withdraw more than is good for them. With this in mind we decided that we need to make sure a mealtime Electronics Amnesty was adhered to. Not easy when one wants to watch something different to the other. (Can’t eat in the dining room at the moment, it’s been commandeered by Hubby Dearest and his work stuff!) And I am guilty of sinking into a book as I eat. So Sonu Singh has been guard of our devices for mealtimes. He takes his duty most seriously. It’s worked for a day, at least!
  • In other news, Lil Man has decided he wants to run, daily. My knees are not up to running, so we have devised a plan where we start off together, and he runs as I walk in the opposite direction, around the same block. We meet up, then he walks an extra block with me! That has been lovely, especially with this lovely weather we are experiencing. I even got my hat out!
  • I completed my traditional introduction to Calligraphy course last week, and my new one is a brush lettering one, which I am really enjoying! I love how brush letters are formed, so bring on my ability to write pretty things!

And there you have it… my week in lockdown at half term!

This week, there is no rush to get back into the physical classroom, and I am not on any rota until the next week, but I am sure that I’ll be in at some point to change things up that need altering in the classroom.

Other than that, I’ll be sorting out online learning, and now that I have finished Story A Day in May, I can get back to trying to write more words on Book Two!!

What have you been up to?

Stay safe, my dear friends!

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