Cogitationes Dazissimi

The world according to Mr Dazzy - Le Monde d'après Monsieur Dazzé

2009-04-18T18:04:00.001+01:00

I've started a new blog at mdazze.wordpress.com - which will include my posts in French.

Updated

2007-09-23T11:31:00.000+01:00

create your personalized map of europe
or check out our Barcelona travel guide

The difference is that Andorra is added!

My daemon?

2007-09-22T23:08:00.000+01:00

Visited European countries

2007-06-04T23:06:00.000+01:00

Create your personalized map of Europe.

Photos of Lunar Eclipse last night!!!

2007-03-04T08:38:00.000Z

This is my first poor attempt at astrophotography(!) I enjoyed doing it as I was just experimenting using my Treo handset with my 80mm refractor telescope and I was rather surprised with the result!

Let me know what you think and any advice/tip would be gratefully received as this is an area that I would like to pursue...

Rather awesome

2007-03-03T23:37:00.001Z

Been watching the lunar eclipse - my 2nd one (but it's first time for
Martin). Have been trying out very amateurish 'astrophotograhpy' using
the photo feature of my mobile phone(!).

Will publish them as soon I have them on my computer...

BTW, saw Saturn for the first time through the telescope - very very
impressive as I could see the rings and the space between the rings and
the planet! I was gobsmacked!

Catch up!

2006-07-27T18:38:00.000+01:00

Remembering Pasqua Siciliana...

2006-04-13T21:34:00.000+01:00

We visited Sicily last year during Easter with very close friends of ours. Her family has a house in a laid-back Sicilian town and we witnessed so much there especially with the Easter processions. They do know how to celebrate Easter than we do in misty ol' England!

Correcting BBC News Website!

2006-04-12T18:23:00.000+01:00

BBC News made a mistake on their website re: Italian Election results! Oops!

Film Review: Brokeback Mountain

2006-02-22T19:58:00.000Z

3° e Ultimo Giorno a Milano...

2006-02-06T14:18:00.000Z

Today is my last day in Milan :( but I'm looking forward to go home to see Martin again :)

Today did nothing much, managed to pack everything (books etc) into the suitcase - phew :) Had a stroll around the city before having a delicious pizza for lunch.

Am at hotel now - planning to leave shortly for Central Station to catch a coach to Bergamo airport. Really enjoyed Milan despite nothing much to see - well there are several sights but not as many as one would find in Florence, Venice and Rome :) Yes, I'd like to come back again with Martin and hopefully have better luck in acquiring the most popular ticket to see The Last Supper! Perhaps we could use Milan as a base to visit other places in Lombardy, Piedmont and Liguria. I don't think Milan is an ideal place to stay for a full week but a weekend stay is enough.

A friend of mine, Alex, has offered to pick me up at Luton - could catch train to St Albans, but I don't think I could face catching a bus to the station and get on a train to St Albans and then either taxi or bus from St Albans station to home... At least I get a lift and an excellent company :)

Can't wait to see my baby tonight! :)

2° Giorno a Milano

2006-02-05T23:33:00.000Z

Had really nice lie in this morning and thought I have caught up with all the sleep I lost in the previous night! Breakfast at the hotel was nice and simple.

Decided to not use metro despite having a 2-day ticket cos I felt like walking and making the most of the sun. My first stop was Santa Maria alla Grazie church - the museum next to it has the main attraction in Milan - the painting of the Last Supper. My planned visit is not because I'm christian (which I'm not) - its because of the book I read the year before. Yep, you guessed it - The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown! :) I turned up at the entrance only to be turned away - they were sold out for the day. I knew one had to phone in advance to book a ticket but I was hoping they would have some cancellations - ah well. They're closed tomorrow so little point in asking for reservation for tomorrow...

Onwards I went and wandered through the streets of Milan towards Piazza del Duomo. Found a little church dedicated to St Maurice (a saint I've never heard of) and thought I have a peek inside - it was stunning - very small and the frankincense was smoking in the air - very striking experience. Feels very orthodox-y but the sign assured me that it is catholic :) The people were queuing up at the altar which was only about 10 metres away from me (I was standing by the entrance - yes that's how tiny the church was!). These people were queuing to receive some sort of sweet/pastry and they kissed the small icon which was in the hand of an 'acolyte'. I assume the icon is the picture of St Maurice. It was rather interesting to watch all these and see how people take part in a ritual.

Anyway I got to the Piazza del Duomo - it was full of people feeding the pigeons - reminded me immediately of Trafagalar Sq :) Visit the Duomo - very stunning and grand. Found myself in the middle of midday mass so had to creep out discreetly as possible without receiving any frowns from the Duomo regulars!

My next stop was Teatro alla Scala - the infamous Opera house in Milan. Its museum was closed so I walked further to another museum called Poldi Pezzoli. It was ok but I got to see a couple of Botticelli's work (I'm a Botticelli fan!) - and particularly liked Madonna del Libro - rather appealing. One could sort of recognise the hand used on her hair with the infamous painting of Botticelli - La Nascita di Venere which I got to see few years back in Florence. At least I get to practise my Italian by reading the titles of the items displayed in this museum which was rather fun - a bit sad I know!

After late lunch I wandered around the shops (including the likes of Armani, Gucci, Prada and Vuitton) I found myself in several more of librerie! Yes, bought more italian books!! I think I have enough books to take home and have vowed to not buy any more from now!

After having a quick nap at the hotel I thought I try the 'Deaf Club' in Milan - ENS Milano. Found it but only to be met by a Deaf cleaner telling me not to cross the floor that has just been mopped. From a short distance we conversed in International Sign and that he was sorry to inform me that they were closed at 7pm (it was after 8pm). He wasn't very talkative so I let myself out - ah well at least I know where it is and I can try again next time I come to Milan :) Found a nice pizzeria near the Central station. Before I went back to the hotel - visit to the very same gelateria I went last night at Piazza del Duomo - yes bought myself another tub of gelati! Like last night, I sat down in the square eating gelati and admiring the illuminated steeples of the Duomo against the cold black sky.... :)

Giorno 1° a Milano

2006-02-04T22:28:00.000Z

Did not have very much sleep last night cos I had to be up at half three in the morning ready for taxi to take me to Luton airport at 4am. That's only because I had flight to Milan booked at half six in the morning *groan*!!! Let's fast-forward a bit to when I arrived at Bergamo airport - it was great as the sun was shining despite weather forcast predicting a cloudy day. Got coach to Milano - the whole experience was a bit unnerving as I was travelling on my own - first time for 10 years since I backpacked on my own around Europe!

The hotel was nice and the metro is easy to use. The 'Duomo' (cathedral) is impressive even if most of the facade is covered for restoration. The city need to get used to before one can fully relax and roam around - I don't know why I felt like that but I had opportunity to have a taster - by having a quick tour around the city and to see what's on offer.

I have confession to make - I've made too many visits to Milan's several 'librerie' - I just cannot tear myself away from these bookshops! It's not very often for me to have chance to buy 'libri italiani' from 'librerie italiane' - that's obvious because I don't live in Italy!!! :) Have made a stock of books including cookery books and I hope Martin will like them as well so that I won't feel too bad!! After dinner this evening I found a nice gelateria in Piazza del Duomo - treated myself to a tub of gelati. Even in winter - the italians adore eating them, so I don't feel bad for eating them! :) Sat in the square watching the night air swirling around the steeples of the Duomo while gorging on delicious gelati - heaven!

Bed starting to beckon and I think I'll have a good night's sleep to catch up before I can really explore Milan tomorrow :)

Buona notte e sogno d'oro.

Taking care of Gaia

2006-02-03T22:57:00.000Z

www.climatecare.org
www.good-energy.co.uk

Thoughts on LibDems' Leadership Contest

2006-01-19T21:26:00.000Z

WARNING: 9 minutes in duration - definitely not for the light-hearted!

Update: Sunrise lamp

2006-01-18T20:07:00.000Z

HODIE LASSVS SVM

2006-01-11T18:40:00.000Z

hodie scribere in latina mihi certum est. nimius hodie arduum laboratus sum atque lassus sum!

cras laborare ad Aquae Sulis ibo tum meum genitorem et meam genetricem Bristolii videbo.

2006-01-10T19:45:00.000Z

Subtitling vlogs...

Watch the video

2006-01-06T18:45:00.000Z

Scattered thoughts

Watch the video

Thoughts on 1st working week of the year coming to an end, Christmas tree on 5/6th Jan & Deaf-Blogs.com.

2006-01-04T14:45:00.000Z

January Blues

Watch the video

Festive celebrations now behind us - 2006 begins with January, in my opinion the most depressing month of the whole year :(

2006-01-03T13:54:00.000Z

Testing vlog

2006!

2006-01-03T13:10:00.000Z

Back home yesterday from France where we've been spending our New Year's celebrations. It was absoluting dead in Dijon on New Year's Eve. It seemed that the French, or Dijoneses, don't do New Year with a bang as we do in England but Martin and I had romantic candlelit dinner followed by a stroll around Dijon ending at the main city square before the stroke of midnight. As soon midnight was struck, the Dijoneses appeared from nowhere to wish everyone 'Bonne Année'! It was then when I popped the question to Martin - who was very surprised and did not expected it at all. Delightfully he accepted :)

After Dijon we stopped over in Lille - a terrific place to shop and we certainly shall be coming back soon to shop there for a weekend :) Got home yesterday and went over to Alex and Mike's - had lovely homemade pizza together (Alex does mean wholemeal pizzas!) and watched The Jerry Springer Opera DVD (the one I bought Martin for Christmas) - the DVD was so good - laughed so much and we all want to see it live this year!

Good start to 2006 - may it continue for the rest of the year!

I did it again!!!

2005-11-10T09:59:00.000Z

We've been to the gym last night and guess what????

I've lost another 4lb - 12lb in total in the last three and half
weeks!!!! Martin also lost 4lb too :) even though he said he cannot
see the difference (but I can). Getting personal trainer is the best
thing we have ever done - she looks at everything about us - our
lifestyles and eating habits - she then gives us advices on how to
improve without doing any drastic changes...

Am feeling much lighter and am walking much faster - feeling much
more energetic than I was a month ago. Gym has changed our lives for
good - just hope that we can keep it up though!

I did it!!!!!

2005-10-30T13:05:00.000Z

Been going to gym since Sept and began to have Personal Trainer few
weeks ago with Martin for an hour once a week.

The result is showing as I've lost 8lb in two weeks! I feel terrific!
Our Personal Trainer is not there to supervise how much activities we do
in the gym but she is there to supervise our whole lifestyle and our
eating habits through looking at our food diary.

Gym now is pure maths for me - the machine tells me how much calories
I've lost and I can work out how much calories I've lost through gym per
week - and I watch how much I eat - these two go hands in hands and its
finally working for me now. Years of fad dieting are now gone - its
pure effort - watch what you eat and exercise!

Feeling good about myself now and I hope I can keep up with the momentum :)

It's been a while...

2005-10-06T17:22:00.000+01:00

...since I wrote anything in my blog!

Ireland: it was fantastic - really enjoyed the Dingle Penisula and
Dingle town. Kerry was particularly beautiful especially off the beaten
track through the mountain passes. Cashel and Kilkenny - cute. Dublin
was fantastic! Loved pint of Guinness at the end of our Guinness tour :)

Its been work work work since we got back and I've got exams coming up
(next Fri - 14th Oct) *gulp* For me I finished my course when I did my
final assignment and can't bring myself to revise for the exams. I
suppose I will do some revision tomorrow and next week.

Autumn has started - its pitch dark at 8pm here. Sad that long sunlit
hours are gone - but I love crispy autumn air with sunshine - so cold
you cannot feel the sun. Christmas is coming up too - can't wait :)
but we can't start planning for Christmas until Hallowe'en is celebrated!

SW Ireland

2005-09-04T09:35:00.000+01:00

Visited Mizen Head yesterday - the most south western Ireland! Camping at Ballylickey near Bantry in County Cork. Either today or tomorrow off to County Kerry - yay!

Ireland!

2005-08-31T14:34:00.000+01:00

Boarded finally on ferry at Pembroke Dock - our Irish holiday begins! So so looking forward to relaxing for the next two weeks roaming the Emerald Isle!

Holidays are here (well almost!)

2005-08-25T19:54:00.000+01:00

Today was my last working day before the holidays! Yay!

I can't say how much I'm so looking forward to our Irish trip - its been
a while since we both had proper holiday! India was a lovely holiday
but it was more of an expedition rather than holiday (we indeed had
holiday from our work!) Sicily was lovely but Martin and I were ill
during some of the holiday! Now we're having a restful and relaxing
holiday this time and hopefully the emerald countryside will soothe us
and forget everything about our work! :)

However, having said that, I have endless of errands to do before our
hols - ho hum!

Locked out!

2005-08-23T09:56:00.000+01:00

Here I am - writing this email using my mobile phone. It's so fortunate that I put my mobile in my pocket as have just locked myself out - barefoot! All because i was doing something good ie putting rubbish out!

Just texted Martin and he'll be on his way to let me in again. So funny that it happened after we had this discussion just last night about getting our keys cut for our dear friends in Hemel should we ever lock ourselves out! Talking about cruel fate!

August - wet or dry?

2005-08-09T09:41:00.000+01:00

The weather has been very interchangeable in the last month - fingers crossed for dry and warm weather for August AND Sept in Ireland!!

A huge project which I'm involved at work is soon coming to an end - I'm so grateful for this project for giving me opportunity to develop/learn and to gain confidence even more in my own abilities. However at the same time I'm looking forward to the end of this project and take a well-deserved holiday! Our holiday cannot come any quicker - still three weeks away *groan*

At least the weather is bright outside and I'm making a good progress with my study and not forgetting I'm reading a rather good book called "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman. Three weeks shall fly past and before I know it, we'll be on our way to Ireland!! :)

My birthday in Yorkshire

2005-07-03T17:46:00.000+01:00

Had really lovely day yesterday. Martin joined me at York in the evening (he got the train from ALDC conference in Leeds). Last night we dined at co-operative Spanish/Latin cafe which we totally recommend! Today we visited Fountains Abbey - it was so breath-taking! Have added a picture here.

We will definitely be coming back here again soon! We're in car now - Martin's driving the 2nd leg of our journey home!

2005-07-02T13:42:00.000+01:00

York Minster

Old York! Old York!

2005-07-02T13:23:00.000+01:00

York is cute, quaint, and beautiful! Can't believe I haven't been here before today! Can see myself visiting this city again and again! So many alleys radiating off the streets which lead to small secret treasures of the city! Just been to Richard III museum and the Treasurer's House. Now contemplating my next move! :)

Greetings from Yorkshire!

2005-07-01T23:40:00.000+01:00

Drove up to Leeds as soon Martin finished work and the car serviced! Well I didn't drive all the way up - Martin did the most of the way!

Martin is now fast asleep - knackered from motorway driving and I'm here writing this entry (managed to find a wireless service - three quid for
30 mins. Expensive I know but I don't care!)

Tomorrow Martin's off to ALDC Conference (Association of Liberal
Democrats Councillors) in Pudsey - I'll be dropping him off tomorrow
morning there and then drive to York where I shall be on a shopping
spree!!! Its my birthday weekend and it's a perfect excuse :) Martin
will meet me up later in York and we'll go out for a birthday dinner.

Martin gave me his present to me this afternoon - there wasn't any point hiding a huge packaging in our car! Its a DVD recorder with HDD - 80GB
meaning I can record up to 227 hours on its hard drive - cool or what?
I'm so over the moon - but the downside is that I can't use it until we
drive back home on Sunday - heheh :)

Gonna sleep now - night night

Yippee!!!

2005-06-21T22:13:00.000+01:00

Martin passed his driving test yesterday!! :)

Am so so pleased for him and so proud! Hurrah to lots of driving-sharing especially when we plan to do driving holiday in Ireland in September! Been looking at ferries etc - still undecided where to catch ferry to Ireland. Prices between Holyhead/Dublin, Fishguard/Rosslare and Pembroke/Rosslare are all similiar - 200 quid for return. Hmmm.

New tent!

2005-06-13T19:20:00.000+01:00

New tent!
Originally uploaded by dazissimo.

This is the picture of our new tent - Martin got this us for our 3 years anniversary last Weds :)

Tested this out last Saturday in Cambridge for the night - it is much more roomer than our last tent. We now have a boudoir, and a modest palour with space for our attire and canapes! If you look carefully in the picture - you should be able to see Martin (on his knees) clearing out our 'boudoir' before we took it down.

Can't wait to go camping again :)

Post Whitsun

2005-06-03T13:48:00.000+01:00

Lots of things have happened since my last entry. I've been caught speeding in Dunstable area - driving 40mph in 30mph zone - I honestly thought it was 40 but it isn't the case and now I've got 3 points (first time ever since I passed driving 8.5 years ago!) and a fine of 60 quid. I've requested the photographic evidence and proof of camera calibration be sent to me before I proceed with the penalty. :(

And guess what - I was issued with two parking fines on two different days - the parking is rather crowded round here and I tend to park on double yellow lines late in the night and drive away early next day. I've been doing it since we moved here two years ago. Ah well, this means I have to find a legal parking space in the future - there are always a parking space somewhere in this parking zone but it sometimes mean couple of minutes walk away. I'm so lazy - suppose this is a wake up call for me :)

Weekend was lovely - saw Twelfth Night at Royal Stratford Theatre in Stratford Upon Avon - with open captioning. It was my first experience (using open captioning/stagetext) and it is fantastic - don't need to rely on incompetent interpreters or competent interpreters with different understanding of the play which influences their translation - for the first time I'm able to engage with performance on an equal footing with the rest of the audience and for the first time I was able to follow the humour/pun and share it with Martin. It was fantastic and I'm certainly coming back again to watch other performances with open captioning. Next one is on 25th June - A Midsummers' Night Dream :)

On Sunday we didn't want to come back home so we escaped to mid-Wales!!! Martin drove all the way to Llandrindod Wells and we stayed in an old (16th century) coaching inn which was nice (but dusty!!). On Monday, we went to Hay-on-Wye where they were holding a Book festival. It was busy but had lovely time browsing for interesting books. Saw Carluccio doing his book shopping - almost approached him and say how much I loved his breakfast (We have Carluccio's restaurant a stone throw away from where we live!) but fortunately my senses came back and I didn't make a fool of myself ! :)

Anyway I'd better get on with my studying before going to meditation group this evening...

Weekend's over :(

2005-05-23T08:22:00.000+01:00

The weekend was nice - the highlight was Eurovision final last sat! We were at Alex's stuffing our faces with her delicious homemade pizzas! So Greece won - to be honest it wasn't the best song! Shows how the contest is ridiciously political! I suppose that's the fun part - one can't predict who will win! Sunday was spent with Mikeypops and gorgeous Melissa! She's so adorable and never cease to amaze me with what she's able to do at the tender age of 18 and half months! :)

Contemplating about my academic future...

2005-05-21T12:41:00.001+01:00

Hurrah to weekend! :)

But boo to weather :(

Its pouring down heavily with rain here at the moment. Had to drive to Enfield as Martin e-bayed a really good bargain for a massive server weighting 50 kilos! Just got back and Martin is now playing with his new toy! I'm supposed to be doing some studying and I will after typing this - I need to catch up with the study - we're going away in September possibly to Ireland when I should be doing my big final essay of the whole course on culture, power and identity of the Roman empire. Therefore I need to be ahead with the study schedule so that I can fit everything I need to do around our hols.

Have been contemplating of doing Masters in the last few days. I've been toying with the idea of doing Classical Studies at this level (Open Uni offers really interesting course which can be found here). At the same time, I'm really keen with the thought of doing Translation studies at this level as well and found really good course with the University of Birmingham who offers this course on distance learning basis (for a quick glimpse of this course, click here). To be honest, I'm torn at the moment as I cannot decide which! The translation studies is probably more useful in my current field of work as I am in the process of setting up BSL/English Interpreting training course/assessment. But I don't think I'd like to be stuck in this field forever though...

Oh hum - there's no hurry anyway :) I'd better get back to studying now and try to be ahead of the study schedule.

Eurovision's getting closer...

2005-05-19T16:08:00.000+01:00

Woah - what a day! Just finished! Am so happy that the day at Herts is all over as I've been dreading it since couple of weeks ago. Now i can put this aside and get on with things. Things like Eurovision tonight! :)

It's lunchtime!

2005-05-19T13:13:00.000+01:00

Am at University of Herts leading drama workshop for Teachers of the deaf today and it's lunchtime now which gives me a bit me a breather before this afternoon! Am so looking forward to finishing my working week as I don't work on Fridays! Yippee! Means I can catch up with my studies :)

Oh what a beautiful morning!

2005-05-17T08:16:00.000+01:00

Well its Tues morning - bright and breezy. A beautiful way to start the day! Am on train to Moorgate - working at the RNID today. Like last Thurs its going to be a selection day but for a different course though. But it still means report writing for every single applicants :( Ho hum that's life for me!

Bleary eyed - update!

2005-05-16T18:56:00.000+01:00

Wow - what a day! The shoot went well but it was rather complicated requiring some re-takes to get it right! Rather tiring but I managed to get all my lines across in right mood and context (i.e. lines delivered in right way with appropriate actions etc.) Well, am now on train home and won't be arriving at St Albans until an hour later so will use the time to reflect the chaotic day and unwind before going home to my adorable Martin :)

Bleary-eyed

2005-05-16T07:49:00.000+01:00

Goodness me! I'm doing some presenting for CoI (a governmental dept aka Central Office of Information) and the shooting location is at Wimbledon! The good thing is that there are direct trains from St Albans but the downside is that I had to catch 06.05 train :(

Here I am, typing this away at Coffee Republic at Wimbledon - just opposite the departmental store where I'm filming all day. Haven't learnt my script and I hope to wing it today! Should be okay - I keep telling this to myself! Just hope everything will come together today and that I don't need to retake too many for each PTC and that I remember everything.

Better make a move now - the crew is meeting at 8.00am at staff entrance of this dept store - hope I can find it! Bye!

Another picture!

2005-05-15T19:29:00.000+01:00

Close up of my altar
Originally uploaded by dazissimo.

Here's another picture of my Buddhist altar which now is in its new home - in one of the new shelves in our bedroom (the top shelf at far right). You can see an incense burning away - shame this blog can't do 'stratch'n'sniff' cos this incense is my favourite smell :)

Bookcase cum chest of drawers

2005-05-15T15:29:00.000+01:00

Bookcase cum chest of drawers
Originally uploaded by dazissimo.

We've been working our arses off all day yesterday doing some of DIY. We finally decided that we need a chest of drawers and took ourselves to IKEA yesterday afternoon. After trying to find a good chest of drawers - we decided we didn't like what they offered but spotted a bookcase. We decided to experiment it with adding some boxes that could act like drawers and hey presto - look at the picture! Looks good or what? :)

The day of Jupiter - Thursday!

2005-05-12T09:20:00.000+01:00

Thank goodness I'm currently working four days per week - so therefore today is my last working day of the week! Hurrah!

Work today is going to be heavy going - selecting a number of prospective candidates to go on NVQ course - which isn't too bad but this always mean lots of individual feedback report for every single of them which is rather time-consuming. Ah well!

Its beautiful outside - I hope it stays like this for the rest of the week so that I can hang up the washing! Oh listen to me - I sound like my own mother! :)

Liberty under threat

2005-05-11T20:34:00.000+01:00

I've just had a look at Liberty website (you can find them at: www.liberty-human-rights.org.uk)

We, in Britain, have definitely taken our civil liberties for granted... Under the Labour Government we can't any longer assume that our civil liberties would be left untouched. With the prospect of having ID card bill introduced in the Parliament and the thought of having trial without jury makes me shutter - I think I'd better do something and join Liberty to support their campaign.

Election 2005 afterthoughts

2005-05-11T20:24:00.000+01:00

Some good - some bad.

The good thing is that the Labour Party has reduced majority - they cannot override the House any more. However, for me, the best thing is that the number of Liberal Democrats has gone up to 62 - but unfortunately lost five seats to the Tories, notably Guildford.

However the frightening thing about the election results is the increase number of Conservatives - and the fact that Labour lost St Albans seat to the Tories. Its good that we got rid of Kerry Pollard - pretty useless MP if you ask me but we ended up with Anne Main - Conservatives. :( I don't know who I would choose if I had to choose between Kerry or Anne - this probably would be the only time I choose to not vote or spoil my ballot paper.

Thank goodness for the REAL alternative - Lib Dems! Without this party I probably would be very disillusioned with UK politics.

Surprise surprise!

2005-04-24T00:29:00.000+01:00

Who should I vote for?

Your expected outcome:

Liberal Democrat

Your actual outcome:

Labour -8
Conservative -95
	Liberal Democrat 125
UK Independence Party -36
	Green 68

You should vote: Liberal Democrat

The LibDems take a strong stand against tax cuts and a strong one in favour of public services: they would make long-term residential care for the elderly free across the UK, and scrap university tuition fees. They are in favour of a ban on smoking in public places, but would relax laws on cannabis. They propose to change vehicle taxation to be based on usage rather than ownership.

Take the test at Who Should You Vote For

Wesak + scattered thoughts

2004-04-24T21:02:00.000+01:00

Its been YONKS since I wrote anything! Time I "carpe diem" and do things I want to do!

Martin and I took time out to do something different today by attending a festive ceremony at Reading Buddhist Priory this morning which takes place every year near Taurus Full Moon. This festival is called Wesak - or Festival of Buddha's Birth.

It was first time I took Martin to the Priory - and I was over anxious how he may perceive the ceremony or Buddhist's Teaching so I took a lot of time out explaining to him about things that he may see strange. In the end - Martin told me to chill! I guess this was one of the old pattern arising - having had experience of having a partner from the past who told me that I should forget the whole Buddhist thing after having attended Wesak ceremony. There were things I didn't tell him - that we do full prostrations during the ceremony (as part of process to let things go and to experience true graditude), but all my fears were proven groundless!

The Wesak ceremony was inspiring and meeting the new people at the Priory was rather nice - teaching me the true meaning of impermanence as I was expecting to see a room full of old-timers. It was also lovely to see the Prior, Rev Olwen, who taught me how to meditate when I first visit the Priory back in 1997. When we left at lunchtime, I felt nothing but exquiste joy - there is more to this life. Life is full of meanings - life isn't all about commuting/work/trying to get by - Life is there for us to grasp it and make the most of it to the best of our ability. The "......." is here and now and I don't need to run after it or find it elsewhere. :)

Today I've decided that I should go down to the Priory more often. Happy Wesak! :)

I'm free :)

2003-05-20T16:21:00.000+01:00

Yesterday was my last day in office at NSPCC - it wasn't as bad as I expected - few people were in office. Was able to keep goodbyes brief and simple - even got card from them - something I never expected but it doesn't change anything and I had difficult five months there - not being able to express myself freely....talking to my line manager alone was impossible as he was always mega-nervous when he is left alone with me...a very weak man I must say...but it doesn't mean he was horrible - just useless. Often I wish he was horrible - and strong so that I can kick back....but alas no - he's a weak man and I can't do anything but tiptoe around him!! Almost! However, as I said my goodbyes to David my line manager - the interpreter disappeared and we both had nice but short conversation and he was fine - I uderstood him and he understood me...and I was leaving!!!!!! Ah well!

I was suppose to go to Derby today but I'm felt I couldn't be bothered so Martin agreed to call one of my ex-colleague-to-be that I was ill and have extreme stomach upset - we even thought about telling her that I fell down the stairs (Honest - we did thought about it - but somehow it became ridiculous and decided to stick to simple excuse)!

Been washing, ironing and packing all day - martin had to catch up with OU studies this morning and posted his lastest assignment which was overdued...and now he's taking his driving lesson (whole two hours - and I felt for him when I dropped him off - he was nervous and excited at the very same time - reminds how I felt when I started to learn drive) :)

I'm so looking forward as we're going to Hemel tonight and see Alex and her gentle giant Mikeypops. I hope that I will be able to sleep tonight as we're flying to Florence tomorrow for four nights - I'm so looking forward to it - Martin and I really needed that break... :)

Long time no write :)

2003-05-06T21:54:00.000+01:00

...blimey time flew so quick!

Let me see what have happened since my last entry - Martin is looking for other job. I handed in notice to leave NSPCC after working there for 4 months. I'm feeling much happier about that - I have never been happy during my first four months there - I felt that I wasn't employed by them because of my skills but because of the fact that I am 'Deaf'. I had my first appraisal and I received nothing from my line manager apart from the fact that I have contributed greatly to NSPCC as an organisation with the fact is that I am 'Deaf'!?!?! I was so greatly disappointed and felt let down by them. I decided to move on and fortunately few days before my appraisal I was short listed for this post at BBC - as In-Vision signer (interpreting programmes into BSL for BBC Sign Zone that usually screen Tues/Weds night and Weds/Thurs night every week. The interview itself was gruelling as I had to interpret three five mins long clips - all three very different from each other in terms of speed, register, mood etc... I was absolutely nervous and I could feel my knees knocking against each other (the last time I had this was when my old headmaster caught me smoking!!). After I interpreted the three clips, I thought I did well and have thoroughly enjoyed doing it. The interview process after filming my interpretation for the three clips was itself as gruelling - but I felt I gave across my enthusiaism of languages and in particularly BSL.

Anyway few days after the appraisal I was offered permanent contract (3 days a week - I told them I didn't want full time). I was really overjoyed :).... where was I... oh yes - so I handed in my notice and NSPCC acted hastily and tried to make me reconsider...but I was determined and told them to get their act together with long lists of suggestions for improvement before they employ another deaf person to fill in this position which I am leaving at the end of May.

I'm excited as things are changing for me and Martin too as he is currently looking for other job - things are changing for better. :)

Another exciting news - one of my closest and dearest friend is preggers! She has been great and did well through the difficult period of her father death - and how she supported her immediate family who doesn't live nearby. I'm truly honoured to have her as my friend and for all the teachings she has given me unbeknownst to her.

Here endeth my current diary entry. :)

Ι'm back :)

2002-09-11T14:38:00.000+01:00

Hello! Oh my - it has been ages since I entered anything in my LJ.... so much has happened since.

I am happily settled in Hemel Hempstead (I've learnt to love the place *grins*) and I'm still very much in love with my Mart - he's fantastic...(sorry Mart - but it's true :))

Few opportunities came up for me - training as BSL assessor at NVQ level 3 in London (the course was tiring but hey, this would promise me some freelance jobs after christmas and I will get to meet interesting people)... Job at BBC came up but I could not take it up cos I would be away in Italy... and finally I was involved with Shakespeare Link project - translating Twelfth Night into BSL and perform on video. That was lorra fun - I played the part of Orsino (which meant I get to chill most of the time *grins*). As soon this project finished (it took two weeks) I rushed home to get ready for our hols in Italy (and Sicily)

The Roman experience was fantastic and I thoroughly enjoyed it with Mart - thank goodness we get on really well as travellers as we do as partners :) We got on overnight train to Palermo in Sicily. The highlight of our travels was hiring a car for cou-ple of days - we drove all over Sicily and stopped at various villages (some few thousand feets above sea level!) far away from tourists visiting the island. Met ippola and Mikey in Sicily and we all went up Mount Etna. That was most exciting - as we got to near the crater which erupted last year - sulphur and heat was flowing from that crater....I've never seen so much volcanic rocks and ashes :)

Got back to Rome and back to Pescara (got cheap flights to and from this place - this place is horrendous - don't even try and fly to the place!)

Got Post-holiday blues for the last few days...but am feeling much better...cos Mart and I have been contemplating of our next travels before christmas! Yay!

Am in my office at Reading University - trying to sort out all rubbish cos I'm leaving at the end of this month...so that I can 'fly'...scary and exciting!....

Better get back to work...

The Weekend

2002-07-22T14:12:00.000+01:00

Eeeeek! It's all over and I'm one happy bunny (watch out! - hehe).

It has been a long and painful experience - I could not stop packing and moving until so late last night - so long I got into a trance. It was it that I decided to stop! Luckily I got out of trance with help of hot shower.

I finished off this morning - throwing bits and pieces away...and packed the last box. Now its all over - got bit emotional though...I see the flat as a person...a person that I got to know over 21 months. I wonder if others think like I do?

Ippola and Mikey popped over for an hour last night...to pick up stuff etc. Bless 'em - they brough delicious ice cream to 'celebrate' the new phase of my life including Ippola's. It was exactly last weekend a year ago that Ippola and Mikey moved out where I live (or I should say 'lived').

Got to Stace late last night after that well-deserved hot shower. Yonni and Caroline was there - we had an indian, and we all became rather philiosophical...we ended up talking til early hours of the morning!...

Saw Stace today - I got rather emotional as she left for dog-walking with Heather...it just hit me that I'm leaving Reading :( I lived in Reading for 6 years and I can recall my first day here - I absolutely hated Reading, but now I love it :)

I'm here in my office to do some last minute thingy...then I'm going over to London this evening to see Mart - Yay! *Grins*

Phew! :)

2002-07-16T17:37:00.000+01:00

I've been trying to send Mart text messages few times yesterday and today but the reports I received said that the messages failed to reach him.

First I thought that he could be in awkward places where no signal can be reached....but I just thought - if that is the case, the network should be able to hold on to the messages for 72 hours until his phone can pick up the signal. Why did they returned to me undelivered?

Silly me - I began to wonder if he had enough of me... or perhaps wanted to ignore me.... I thought I was overreacting yesterday...

But today, I thought something was wrong...I could not get my mind at rest but wondering what could be wrong. Perhaps he dropped his mobile phone in the canal or maybe it is stolen and the network has put stop to his SIM card... the list goes on and on.

How relieved I was when I checked my e-mail - he emailed me to say that he realised he has forgotten to pay his mobile phone bill :) silly Mart! He says he loves me very much... I need to relax! *grins*

Saw Alex earlier very briefly this morning over a cup of organic raspberry and pear juice...but will see her properly when we go for something to eat this evening - so looking forward to talking about life with her :)

Sorting out my emotional baggage...

2002-07-15T21:22:00.000+01:00

Dearie me....the day is ending...I've spent last three hours throwing away all my stuff. I have this chest of drawers consisting three large thin drawers. Guess how many rubbish I had in these drawers = loads! I needed two black bin bags to hold them all! Mainly it is all paper... but with memories on them. Receipts, scribbles, old faxes, letters from the bank, and from my credit card company (all demanding payments!), leaflets, scribbles again, more receipts. I got rather emotional throwing them all away...they did nothing but hogged space in my drawers.

I am moving all my stuff into storage space this weekend..and I want to throw all rubbish out before I do that. My goodness, I have really got rubbish all over this flat! Why did I become comfortable living with them - the flat feels a lot better with these three drawers being empty now! :) Talking of becoming comfortable in awkward circumstances in your life... at least I've handed in my resignation last Monday... After sorting out my baggage - I now know the decision I've made is absolutely right for me now. But I don't know what jobs I will do after I leave in Septebmer - haven't looked yet! I don't know where exactly I will be staying in the next few weeks after I have moved out. Alex and Mikey have kindly offered me their spare room should I need it. I am truly grateful to have friends in my life...especially Alex - how would I cope without her :)

I better stop and chill for the night :)

Can't sleep!

2002-07-15T00:45:00.000+01:00

God! I've been trying to go to sleep - its 12.30am....I know it ain't late...but its school night tonight!

Various things going through my head.... work to catch up tomorrow....and I have to finish them all by 5pm tomorrow - why? I'm moving next weekend!! I'm going to move all my stuff to a storage space and become 'free'....but how I'm going to feel free while I feel pressurised now.... I gotta start throwing all stuff out and pack! ARGH!

I guess I'm missing Martin....he's in Ireland - on holidays with his lovely friends... I'm happy for him that he's taking a break from work. But that doesn't stop me missing him....*blushes*

I can't believe I handed that letter of resignation last Monday... I'm leaving my job at University of Reading.... and that I'm leaping into darkness.... Martin tells me that being frightened is often good....I know definitely that it is good for me this time...Yay - I feel I can fly... :) Who knows - I probably get to fly for real next week after I've moved out of my pad ....

Getting sleepy now :)

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..

.................

My lesson of being alone :)

2002-07-14T15:34:00.000+01:00

Gosh - my first ever entry! :)

Today has been an experience for me. Today it just hit me that all my closest and dearest friends are abroad - Ippola in Belgium and Stace in Portugal; including my gorgeous babycake - Martin - who is in Ireland... I am alone today!!!! :)

Determined not to attempt to re-create Greta Garbo's life in her later years (she wanted it and I don't!)....I decided to pop over to Asda in my trusty old car. Sun was shining in heaven, heat sizzling from the ground - a perfect weather for relaxing alone :)

After my brisk visit at Asda - I drove back home, feeling that the car has turned funny - argh! A punctured tyre! Panic button!!! (hehe). Wanted to text Ippola - she's on mainland Europe..and she won't be of any help several hundreds of miles away!..Stace, nope -she's in Med and would not be able to help....Mart - too busy negiotating canal locks in Ireland..and beside he knows nothing about car anyway - bless his heart.. Then I thought 'ARGH' *a huge melodramatic moment fit enough for a drama queen*.....

I decided to face this challenge *alone* - so out of the car I got, to fetch the spare tyre in the boots. I was wearing my white top with cream bottoms with skimpy scandals, prone to get blackened! Anyway I changed the tyre *alone*....did it all in 40 minutes...tightening the nuts was tricky with my scandals and crowbar type thingy...but I did it *alone*!

The fact I did it *alone* I was able to achieve this challenge *alone* and overcame my fear *alone* - how liberating that was! But I didn't have anyone around to celebrate my 'indepenence'! heheh :)

I guess that was my lesson of the day - being alone for the day doesn't mean necessarily a bad thing....it can be liberating :)