But I Smile Anyway…

Linda’s SoCS prompt.

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “starts with or contains ‘cel.’” Find a word that begins with or contains “cel” and use it in your post any way you’d like. Have fun!

I am late because I was out last night, at a celebratory meal with my colleagues!

Sorry for the delay! But we needed to let off steam after a highly stressful few years and a tense last few weeks.

It involves the dreaded OFSTED, and our results, which I am still hesitant to put on the blog, as the report is due to go live on Monday, but I thought I’d share a photo of the little chocolate our Head had printed, with a direct quote from one of our pupils to the Inspector.

It truly sums up what our school strives to instil in every child, and that quote says a lot…

Off to be lazy again!

Linda’s SoCS prompt.

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “your favourite word.” Decide on your favourite word and use it in your post any way you’d like. Enjoy!

Wow, Linda, you have totally bamboozled me with this one.

I can honestly say I don’t have a favourite word, because I love words, in general, so much!

I love speaking them, hearing them, teaching them, reading them, and writing them!

I probably have many overused words, but are they my favourite?

Not necessarily.

Please, don’t do this to me!

Words
Are my
Favourite
All of the words!
Please don't make me choose
Just promise me
You won't take
away my
words

Ritu Bhathal 2022

Linda’s SoCS prompt.

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “element.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!

When I read this prompt, the word element brought up one funny story from my call centre past.

I had not been working there long, but we were a small, tight team of 6 who worked in an enclosed area. We all had our spots and didn’t disturb each other, but it also meant we were able to hear each other’s conversations when there was a lull.

One day, one of the others was talking to a customer about a specific coffee machine (I used to work with a company that dealt with the catering helplines for Nestle and Nescafe, Kellog’s, McVities and KP, and General Mills!) and why it would be best for that particular customer.

“Yes, Sir, I believe you should go for this one because there are three main elephants…”

She was also pregnant at the time and had been saying how big she was feeling just before answering the call.

The rest of us collapsed into giggles because she had meant to say three main elements!

How she kept herself composed for the rest of the call, I don’t know, but she did, only to turn around after ending it with a pink face, exclaiming “Elephants?!“

I know. It was a ‘you had to be there‘ kinda story, but it still makes me giggle. 🤭

Linda’s SoCS prompt.

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “bowl.” Use it as a noun or a verb—use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!

Going for a proper SOC post, today.

Bowl means many things, but to me, cricket is the first thing that comes to mind. My son, Lil Man is an epic (apparently) leftie spin bowler. He loves chucking that little red ball round, making it curve delightfully, to the surprise of the batter at hand!

Bowl equally means a vessel to fill to the brim with cereal or your favourite hot soup, or if you’re feeling a little naughty, all the icecream you can cram into it!

Then there is that washing-up bowl in the sink, which, it seems, you are the only one capable of emptying…

And who could forget bowl haircuts? mine was definitely one of those, the first time I had it done, though it was cleverly labelled as a ‘Pageboy’ cut… Nope, definitely a bowl!

Linda’s SoCS prompt.

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “happy place.” Write the first thing that comes to mind when you think of “happy place.” Have fun!

Where is your ‘happy place’? I have a few, but that’s because I’m easily pleased!

• My favourite happy place is with my family, be it in my own home or with my parents.
• I also love visiting a bookshop. That is always sure to make me smile.
• In a sweet shop…
• Sitting in my reading and writing room with a good book, a hot cup of tea and Sonu Singh dozing by my side.

But, honestly, I can make anywhere my happy place by the way I use my mindset. 🙂