Spiderman | But I Smile Anyway...

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 272 – Change

17 May 2020 29 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Change, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“The only way to make sense of change, is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”
Alan Watts

Thanks, Spidey, for another corker.

Change.

It’s all around us, right now.

Eight weeks ago, we were all faced with a rather sudden change. Lockdown.

That was a tough cookie to swallow, but we had to do it for our safety, as well as the wellbeing of loved ones, friends and the wider community.

Then we all got comfortable.

Used to stepping two metres away from people, no hugs or handshakes, unless in your household. Used to queueing to get into a grocery store. Used to phone consultations with your health providors. Used to working from home. Used to the same faces around you, 24/7. Used to (for some, at least) home schooling.

And now we are faced with the next change. People tentatively going back to work. We’ve already become comfortable with our new normal. Easing back into the old one is the only way forward, given the risk of a second spike of infections.

If things work as the government want, then stage two will be of the easing, and that includes going back to schools for some pupils. I know I’ve already voiced my concerns about the government already giving a date to the wider public.

They said, at the earliest, June 1st.

The thing is that date is now fixed in everyone’s head. That it will happen then for definite. Some are worried it’s too soon. Some can’t wait to get their kids back to school. Most are just not sure.

But I have to keep reminding myself it is still a possible date of return. And when we do, the way we operate will be hugely different to normal school. I just don’t exactly know in what way it will be different. Smaller classes, less year groups in. That I know. It’s just how it will all pan out.

So, right now, all I can do, and all we can do, is wait, and try and embrace the changes, adhering to what we are advised, and hoping for the best.

But rest assured, I haven’t been sitting on my arse all this time, fully paid, doing nothing, as a certain evil cretin called Katie Hopkins has suggested all teachers are, on Twitter. (I’m not giving her the pleasure of sharing her tweet on my blog, but if you want to check it out, she had it pinned to her profile – stupit, stupid woman. Seething.)

I have been in with children some days, and at home, planning work, setting work, marking work, looking at plans for the future, and doing courses to make my teaching better in the long run. As well as looking after my own family too.

I had to mention that because it came to my attention that there are many folk who seem to think that is the situation for all teachers at the moment. Doing nothing, and being lazy, and now also selfish if anyone has said they don’t feel it’s the right time to go back…

So… tell me, if you are a parent, how are you feeling about schools opening?

Have a peaceful Sunday Peeps And enjoy your week! ❤

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 271 – VE Day 75th Anniverary

10 May 2020 45 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday, VE Day

“Never give up, never despair.”
Queen Elizabeth II

In case it missed your spot in the world, we were celebrating the 75th anniversary of VE Day, here in the UK, in the midst of lockdown.

VE Day – Victory in Europe Day. The day Europe officially won the war against Hitler and the Nazi regime. Of course, it went on in certain places a little longer, and declaring a win didn’t automatically mean that all the soldiers were miraculously back at home, homes weren’t suddenly rebuilt, the world wasn’t back to normal, by any means.

But it was a momentous day because hope was restored. It wouldn’t be long before the troops came back. Lives could be rebuilt and slowly, normality would resume.

It was going to be aa huge thing here, pre-Lockdown.

Our usual May Day bank holiday was even changed from a Monday to Friday as it fell on the 8th May, which was the exact date the anniversary would be.

The plan was for huge street parties to mirror the celebrations that took place three quarters of a century ago. Bunting, flags, decorations. Music, food and drink. A real sense of community spirit.

But then Lockdown happened.

The whole huge event was going to be a muted affair.

But how can you let it go, unmarked?

At school, on my teaching day, we talked about VE Day and its meaning. We watched a video, made bunting and even a bunker out of huge cardboard boxes, because that’s what the kids wanted to do.

And an invitation was popped into our letterbox for a socially distanced street party too!

So we baked and dressed in red, white and blue. Quick home made patriotic decorations were hung from windows and doors.

And it was lovely to see the community coming together.

We stayed, the kids and I for a short while, seated at a safe distance from others, but able to talk a little.

The children blossomed at the chance to see other faces, and chat to friends they were unable to see usually, from a distance, of course.

We left before things started to get a little crowded. As the drink flowed, I’m sure the urge to break social distancing rules would win against staying safe.

So we came home to do some mindful colouring in the garden instead!

So… tell me, did you celebrate VE Day? What did you do?

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 270 – Knowledge

03 May 2020 42 Comments

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

“Spend each day trying to be a little wiser than when you woke up.”
Anon

Well, thank you for that one, Spidey. It’s quite appropriate for me, and many others, right now, too.

During this strange time of lockdown, we have been granted the gift of time.

I know, sometimes, it doesn’t feel like it, but we have.

There is the extra time in the day where you would be commuting to work, Or if you are working from home, you might find that as other businesses are in the same boat, there is less to do, so you gain more time there.

So why not use that extra time to be productive? Do things to improve your own self?

At the beginning, I had all sorts of plans, then the whole change of lifestyle rendered me incapable of doing anything.

I adopted the mantra du jour of “It’s not a normal time, it’s okay to not be productive.”

A couple of weeks in and I settled into a routine: my #newnormal.

Though I still have to go into school, periodically, and, when I am home, I need to makes sure the kids are up and ready for their remote learning, as well as doing some online training myself, and planning. I still find myself with time.

Time to do other things.

So I’m reading more. I’m (finally) writing more. I have started back up with a writing course I signed up to last year, and nearly finished it.

And I have even done an Instagram course, on how to build a brand there.

I’ve done two modules of a course in Calligraphy. (It’s all been theory so far, but I look forward to the practical bit!)

And I have been learning about Scrivener, a new to me piece of software that I have invested in, to help with my writing.

Last night, I watched a free webinar about some basics on the software and it blew my mind! I am so excited to use it now, knowing a few more tricks of the trade, and I have signed up for another course, in more detail, so I can learn exactly how this software will be useful to me.

See, learning new things every day, here!

And the best thing?

Once I’ve learned it, I know my knowledge may be of use to someone I know, and I can pass it on.

After all, to learn, is to teach, is it not?

So… tell me, what is something new you have learned, over these strange lockdown times?

Have a peaceful Sunday Peeps. And enjoy your week! ❤

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 269 – Middle Aged

26 Apr 2020 57 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Middle age, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“You know you’ve reached middle age when you’re cautioned to slow down by your doctor, instead of by the police.”
Joan Rivers

Yeah, thanks for rubbing it in, Spidey.

He’s been laughing at me for the last 48 hours, you know.

Why?

Because I am sitting here all stiff and achey.

Because I am definitely not as young as I used to be…

Because I took a spectacular fall on Friday morning, while climbing up. on Lil Man’s bed to sort his curtains out.

One minute I was upright, the next, flat on my back, on his floor, narrowly missing his newly fixed laptop and pair of glasses, which were on the floor, but I did manage to land kinda on to corner of one of his dumbell weights.

Yup, guess who’s feeling like a dumb belle right now?

All jokes aside, I am definitely feeling the pull of middle age now. If I do anything fitness based, that is not just a good walk, regardless of warm ups and cool downs, I feel it for a good couple of days after.

I walk around like a zombie.

And the knee is playing up. My heel is too, I think the Planters thing is making a reappearance. My shoulders ache…

I need a full body MOT right now.

And, if I could get to a doctor, for a bog standard appointment, I am pretty sure he’d be telling me to take it easy. To slow down.

Am I going to listen?

Well, right now, there isn’t much choice, but to slow down in normal life, but it doesn’t stop the world turning, does it, this COVID-19?

We still need clean clothes, beds, towels, the house needs to be kept clean too. Food needs to be made, shopping needs to be done, and making sure the the kids wake up to do their online learning, and hubby is well watered as he settles at his new office space that used to be known as our dining room, as well as either going into work, or working from home…

Nope. Still can’t slow down…

So… tell me, how are you feeling, right now?

Have a peaceful Sunday, Peeps. And enjoy your week! ❤

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 268 – Laughter

19 Apr 2020 31 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Laughter, smiles, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it’s the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It’s probably the most important thing in a person.”
― Audrey Hepburn

Thank you, Spidey. I’m definitely an advocate for smiles!

You know, I’m aware that laughter, smiles and giggles aren’t going to cure this pandemic, but I tell you what, during this time of self-isolation, social distancing and quarantine, a good old belly laugh sure helps get through.

I’ve been trying to read books that are light-hearted. If they are an arc I requested, that are a bit heavy, I’ve found them hard to get into. But a good old Rom Com or a bit of humour has been very well received.

I’ve definitely been clicking on and reading more posts via the blog and other social media platforms that are more likely to make me smile.

I’ve watched films that are high in comedic factor, or old, nostalgic films have been getting a revisit. Things I know will leave me with a smile on my face.

And… I discovered TikTok.

A very dangerous app in my hands!

I’ve been aware of it for a long while, impossible to avoid, when you have teens, especially in the shape of Lil Princess, who is always doing funny little snippets of dances. It took a while, but I realised she and her friends all learn the moves to these snippets of songs, and the choreography originates from these mini clips.

Now TikTok isn’t just all dance. People use the medium and it’s various effects to create little video clips that can be really funny.

So… after a long time, I decided I would download it to see what the fuss was about. I haven’t created a public profile, as I don’t think I could cope with ANOTHER platform to manage, but we’ve been recording really silly videos.

Of course, you know, I don’t post my children at all, but I did manage to make some silly skit style videos, that feature just me… and posted them on my Instagram.

So… did you want a giggle?

Oh, okay then (yes, I know you didn’t need to twist too hard!), here’s one…