Spidey | But I Smile Anyway...

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 75

24 Jul 2016 19 Comments

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

“There are some things you learn best in calm, and some in storm.” – Willa Cather

I think this is a particularly apt quote for me today, thanks Spidey!

My life during the academic year is definitely a bit of a storm! And during that storm, I learn a huge amount! Under pressure to perform, you learn all sorts of things to help you keep going, especially towards the end of the academic year, and it is important to appreciate the experience of colleagues you work with too. They have weathered these storms many years in a row, and have some amazing coping techniques!

Equally, in the calm of the holidays, there are so many other things out there, open to being learnt. You can learn so much about yourself, at a time when you can finally think of yourself somewhat.

That is what I am planning to do, over the next 6 weeks. Find myself, write more, and give my time to my family! In the process, I am sure I will learn lots about myself too!

Have a wonderful Sunday Peeps! I will be chilling, and packing, ready to go to my parents for a few days!

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 74

17 Jul 2016 29 Comments

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

“Sometimes you need to do the right thing by yourself too, not just think of what is good for everyone else.” Ritu Bhathal

Today, I don’t even really have the energy to help Spidey an inspirational quote by someone else so, Spidey noted what I was saying to him instead!

Today is my day. By that I mean, I am not going to live it depending on a whole host of outside factors.

Of course, my own little family will be around, and things will be done accordingly, but for the rest of the world, I am not available.

It’s the end of the academic year. There is one week of term left.

As a teacher, I am dragging myself to school every day, counting the days until we can officially say holidays are here.

As a mum, I am already wondering what I need to do to keep my own two munchkins occupied over the 6 weeks.

As a wife, I know I want to give more time to my long-suffering, neglected Hubby Dearest.

But in order to do all this, I need energy, and that is what I am lacking!

I have had a hectic 2 weeks, with the emotional and mental stress of the school inspectors coming (still no result, we’ll find out in September!), visiting new pupils, and encouraging the old, and physical exhaustion due to the late nights that preparations have caused.

This is not including the over-tiredness from hosting some lovely family who came over to visit. They didn’t expect much from us, but when you have visitors, you need an alertness of some sort, and I can create that, via the second wind syndrome, but now I’m all out.

I feel the need for a charger to be plugged into me, as my battery is totally depleted!

There is a function at the temple today, and the responsible Ritu feels the need to go, but this time I have realised that the more I push myself, the harder I will find everything. So I am not going. Some people may not like that, but I don’t care!

I am chilling. We may even take the kids out somewhere later, but for now, I’m thinking of me!

So please Peeps, have a restful Sunday. Take time out for yourself as well as others out there! I plan to!

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 73

10 Jul 2016 25 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Calm, Change, negative to positive, Quotes, Serene, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“All you can change is yourself, but sometimes that changes everything!” – Gary W Goldstein

Isn’t this the truth!

If we were to all try and change something about ourselves in a positive way, surely negativity would start to fade away?

Just a small thought for you to ponder over that Sunday.

Have a wonderful Sunday Peeps!

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 72

03 Jul 2016 30 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Calm, cricket, Positive, Quotes, Serene, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

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“Don’t be pushed by your problems, be led by your dreams.” – Unknown

Spidey saw this quote and showed it to me, and you know what? It totally suits today, for my Lil Man at least!

A few months back, I had posted about his worries and problems, regarding all the assessment that children his age were (and still are) being subjected to. He was at an all time low. Being pushed beyond his limits was breaking him, and I couldn’t see him like that. On top of that, despite being a cracking little footy player, he was being overlooked, because of his size, in the team he trains with. His confidence was at an all time low. Then there was the worry about which Secondary School he would get a place at. Stress was everywhere.

But something happened.

Things became positive for him.

He got a place at the school he wanted. The tests came and went, and he tried his best (results are still not in, but we aren’t worried about that!). And he discovered a love and talent for another beautiful game, cricket.

He went for one training session, and wowed them with his left-handed bowling and was fast-tracked to the A team! Since then, his enthusiasm has known no bounds! He’s been getting wickets, and making runs too. And the culmination of playing for a good team? Today we are going to watch him playing in his first Cup final!

His father played for the local county, my brother, his uncle, played at county level, and now Lil Man is carrying the cricket torch on into the next generation.

His taster day at his new school was also a success, with him making 5 new friends. There was always a niggle that his size would mean that he could get picked on. He’s a little pocket rocket, you know! I asked how things were, and he said “Cool! Even my new friends are my size!” The confidence is growing, day by day.

So proud of my Lil Man! Hope all his dreams come true!

And there is a lesson in this. No matter what our worries, or shortcomings, it is vital to always have that dream. Don’t allow those negatives to hold you back, instead, let your hopes and dreams grow wings, and fly you to the heights of success.

Stay safe and have a great Sunday Peeps!

Spidey’s Serene Sundays – Part 71

26 Jun 2016 43 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, EU referendum, Leave, Quotes, Remain, Serene, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday, Strength, Unity

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A family doesn’t need to be perfect; it just needs to be united – Unknown

In Unison there is Strength – Aesop

Everyone should strive to become a citizen of the world. Boundaries were created by Man, not the Creator. There’s no such thing as Them vs. Us. There is only We. – Suzy Kazem

Well done Spidey, you’ve unearthed some crackers there, which relate perfectly to my feelings about the whole EU referendum fiasco.

I was never sure who to vote for, as there was so much clashing information being bandied about by the two campaigning sides. But my choice was to Remain. My reasoning was for the future of my children, the opportunities that would arise from an ‘open world’, and a fear of the unknown.

Others I know who voted to Leave, had their own valid reasons. Many, who were older were saying they were around before the EEC, and they took part in those first votes. They knew what the country was capable of, without this added ‘support’ network, and generally, there was an air of nostalgia, with them harking back to the good old days. Some were voting so the promises of added funding to various national services would happen.

It’s too early to make sweeping statements about what will happen, and whether it was a mistake or not.

What is right or wrong, no one really knows, but whatever is going to happen, surely it is better to stay united and draw strength from each other, support one another.

We are like a large family, and as long as we are there for each other, we WILL cope with the ups and downs that are sure to face our nation.

Here’s hoping this is a chance for the politicians, who are the puppeteers in this whole circus, to really show us what is GREAT about GREAT Britain, and let’s hope that we can stay a UNITED Kingdom.

Peace out Peeps Have a united Sunday, and may you be blessed with sunshine, I fear we have rain!!!