My saga continues..

All the time I was living in Valladolid, I feel I didn't really ever give it a chance. Because I felt so hard done by half the time and that this was not somewhere I belonged ..I didn't venture out enough and I regret that. I was continually thinking that nothing even remotely important or interesting happens here. But I was wrong and ignorant to think that. If nothing else, it will have a special place in my heart because it is the city in which I began teaching. 

More than that, I stumbled upon a different way of life - the laid back (but moany and tantrumy) and serene. I met people I never would have met in a million years in  England. I have picked up countless words in Spanish and I really want to build upon it and not lose what I have already acquired. So I MUST MUST MUST go back to the beginning and study, particularly grammar as I never sat down to learn.. it just naturally rubbed off on me from the children. 

By far, the greatest part of my school year in Espana was the children I had the pleasure of teaching. It is amazing to be entrusted by their parents in the capacity as a teacher. Every day I laughed with my classes and loved them more and more, as I got to know them better. I was truly lucky to have had the incredible students that were assigned to me and they got me through what was a lonely chapter in my life. If it weren't for their smiley faces, enthusiasm and cheerful characters I would never have made it through. I couldn't have asked for a more fantastic first year of pupils to kick off my career. I know that I will always remember them fondly and that they will all go on to do brilliant things with their lives.  I just wish that I could be there to see it. I hope that I have made a difference to them and that they feel they have learned from me.. just as I have from them. 

So thank you to the region of Castille y Leon for allowing me to chase my passion. Thank you to the parents for not sending me any nightmare kids just you cheeky cuties, who I miss so very, VERY much. Thank you to my clever students and your adorable little personalities; I'll never forget any of you. If I get another opportunity to teach ESL, I'd be so fortunate to have classes just half as wonderful as those. 

Gilmore Girls Gems *Rory's Dance*

1) 'You should have a decent reason for hating something before you really decide you hate it.' We don't get to have an opinion (or base them on a viewing of an eighties movie) or disdain of something we haven't tried and thus have nothing to compare it to. 

2) Don't miss out on any experience that may seem silly and frivolous 'because you're too afraid' when it could be all 'sparkly and exciting' with some great-looking guy. Seize chances to do those things you would ordinarily NEVER do. Throw caution to the wind! 'These are the kind of experiences you regret missing later.'

3) Should you find yourself spending a lot of time not kissing other people, have *the* talk to determine if you are of girlfriend/boyfriend status.'We've been dating a few weeks. Where do we stand? What are we to each other? If another girl asks you out, do you feel free to go?' The likelihood is you already are, if he wants to follow you everywhere and is hanging out in the trees in your garden, waiting for you. 

4) Enunciate these chats with your gentleman caller for your bored friend in need of entertainment, who is reading lips outside. At least you'll be tortured together, if your bean-stocking boyf consents to accompany you to the dance and it is as lame as you imagine. 

5) The serving of chicken (one can assume) in no way factors into your choice of attending or not attending a social event. Though it often is at these kind of things 'because it's probably cheaper and people eat it.'

6) Take photos a-plenty to chronicle  'once in a lifetime events', including all the boring crap of getting ready that led up to it. Grandmothers will hint until you relent and then 'maybe bind them together, make a flipbook out of them.' 

7) 'The guy's supposed to buy the tickets.' Unless the girl likes 'em cheap. Sloppy too-- bald spot, beer gut, you know and the pants that kind of slip down in the back, giving you that good plumber shot. That sends me through the roof.'  It's a giant leap backwards for womankind, if we can't even fork out for a date once in a while. 

8) 16 year olds who have been hit 'with a pretty stick'; have skin like a baby's ass and with that said, 'there's nothing to primp!' When they look as beautiful as a movie star, their escort won't know his elbow from his oesophagus! 

9) Holy mother of destruction, heels hurt! As does hairspray sprayed directly into your eyes, sticking all your eyelashes together. 'Well beauty is pain!' SIDENOTE: Mind that you shield the tacos from such substances. 

10) 'There is nothing normal about a back spasm. The very fact that it has the word 'spasm'  in it, means it's not normal.' This is a problem that has a solution so stop pretending to be fine, by minimising the discomfort you are evidently in. 

11) 'Do not go running out the door when a boy honks. It certainly is not fine. This is not a drive-through. She's not fried chicken.' 'If he wants to take you out, he will walk up to this door and say "good evening" and come inside for a moment like any civilised human being would know to do.' Your nana will be close to running him down with her car if the boy isn't bright enough to abide by these precepts. Oh and don't rush 'a lady never rushes.' 

12) How can you possibly leave your only child, 'stranded on the sofa' when they're obviously in pain? You might groan and wince audibly but really you mean 'thank you Mommy.' Whether you're three or thirty three you secretly like having your mama take care of you and tuck you in. 

13) 'Really, really happy monkeys' 'holding coconuts and leering' on a 'semi-pornographic' lamp are irreverently funny. But not in the eyes of a snooty gift giver who notices you have cast off their lovely, crystal candlesticks (you didn't have a big use for) in exchange for this 'ridiculous, slightly sinister barroom decoration.'  

14) Your gown is gorge when it impresses 2 of the yippy mongrels, who normally can't stand you. 'Great dress.. who's it by?' It makes it all the more delicious when they are envious of your dish of a date!  

15) Please don't make us eat mashed banana on toast, like you used to when we were a little girl that got sick; as it looks like something 'someone already ate.' If you feel a need to show your agreeable nature by sampling, you'll realise it is 'even more disgusting than you thought it was gonna be!'

16) I believe the words you're looking for are SLIMY CREEP, when a guy who came to the dance with another girl innuendoises (making up words again) 'so there's still a little room room to play?' So maybe they shouldn't be asking for your number or hitting on you. 

17) We really do enjoy teasing and toying with our Mums. Yet a sincere compliment ('you did a lovely job. With Rory and the dress.') from the not-really-into-mushy-wushy things, stoic woman who birthed us means so much more than we will ever let on. 

18) The blurting out of information you'd hoped to be kept secret (i.e: how your mother had to ask your cousin to take you to the dance and pay for gas as you couldn't find a date) is a crowd pleaser. Particularly when the very person with said secret is the one (who is a huge horses heiney and loathes you) to screech it out at the top of their lungs, not knowing it had not been divulged. 'Go ahead. Tell them.' 'I don't have to, you just did.' 

19) A suited and booted boy is filled with jackassness, should he be under the misbelief that he can act tough when wearing a tie! 'It'd be like fighting an accountant!'

20) A whippersnapper that does nothing but insult you and make you miserable, most definitely 'has a thing for you.'  Thusly, he shall try to poach you from your 'big, strong protector' lest he is warned to never go near you.

21) The whole defending your honour 'is very boyfriendy, but only in the broadest sense of the word.' You needn't worry that the discussion you've been avoiding will be difficult, as he'll want to be your real boyfriend and so it's settled. 

22) There's no explaining being caught in a compromising position, when 2 spooning teenagers sleep out all night and are found by a group of women the next morning in a dance studio. 'You shouldn't be anywhere near my house right now.' As perfectly innocent as it was, smoke will be exhumed from ears!!! 

23) The frantic yelling that ensues on awaking to 'the feeling of complete terror when your kid isn't in her bed in the morning' will not help. 'Just try to be calm until we know what happened.' Your protective maternal instincts kick in as you stand up for your good, smart child who won't ruin her life. 

24) Accidental situations can look so much worse in the harsh, cold light of day. 'WHAT WERE YOU THINKING? STAYING OUT ALL NIGHT! ARE YOU INSANE?' When your mother is 'the Queen of staying out all night' and she 'invented the concept', 'You can't do this. Period.' then as amazing as your relationship may be she might not believe that nothing happened. 

25) Oh, what a bad (next) day your wonderful, perfect night of dancing and talking with your newly appointed boyfriend can turn into! 'I'm sorry that I screwed up and I'm sorry that you got yelled at, but I didn't do anything and you know it!'

30 things to do before I turn 30

I refuse to turn the ripe old age of '30, flirty and thriving' years prior to completing all the below:

1) Go on an Australian adventuring Rianney-moon (because I may never be a wedded woman) I've been meaning to do this for so long but something has always gotten in the way. It's more than high time to fulfill this dream in the land down under and besides my travel window of fun has been shut for too long. 

2) Cuddle a wombat - these mega adorable marsupials have become my very favourite animal. They're just a big old pile of fluffy love and cuteness <3 :) <3

3) Tour Ramsay  Street - And wedge in a word or two about how great I would be as a British extra in the Aussie soap ;) Erinsborough is the happiest fictional town in the history of the entire planet; so to get to roam around the cul-de-sac I've watched all of my lifetime would be AWESOME. If I meet Dr Karl Kennedy too and *that* level of manhood - life would be complete. 

4) Put my heart into learning as much Spanish as possible over the next 12 months. In order to become a master of the idioma rather than an IDIOTA. 

5) Blow a glass bauble. There's really no way I'll excel in the art but I'm excited to try my hands at it all the same. 

6) Sound of music-ing in Salzburg, Austria. By gum, if it's good enough for Julie Andrews my heart will be blessed with the hills that are alive!!

7) Conquer my fears of swans (the evil psycho ducks that conspire against me) and walking over bridges. Or at least give it a good crack. Screaming and crying is no longer an option, so I will endeavour this one last attempt at a 'fix' for my phobias. 

8) Dancing in the moonlight. I'd be so pathetically happy that there will be a glow from my heart paralleling the orb of the night sky. No moonies under the moon howevs :P

9) Partake in the grown up sophistication of classical music during the Salzburg festival. In my first official visit to Mozart town, I aim to stand corrected that an immersion in cultured refinement is not snooty and no fun. 

10) Find that all encompassing, heart-stopping, makes-you-weak-at-the-knees, starry-eyed, eternal love. Definitely need to throw out some positive, mushy wushy vibes to the universe for this one as I can feel life just passing me by. Man, it's a depressing thought that I have been alone for essentially 1/3 of my life! :( I don't want to continue this single pringling, so I better get MINGLING ;) cos the crazy need love too.  

11) Follow the wayfaring spirit of wanderlust. By rocking up to two countries in one day. And no, doofus - from airport to airport does not count!! 

12) Attend a gig of a band I've never heard of. Where no doubt I'll be trampled by head-banging moshers while I remain sort of unsure and frozen (and not in the Disney sense) to the spot. But LOVE it nonetheless. 

13) Surprise someone I loveeeeee far away, in probably the cutest and creepiest custom I can. In the hopes, that the gesture will be appreciated. 

14) Enjoy a movie moment of my own with an undefined male partner. Failing that, recreate an iconic scene from one of my go-to films of funniness. 

15) Stay up all night and watch the sun rise - drinking it all in. I'm generally a morning hibernator, which I know is bone idle and not an excellent use of time so I often miss the splendour of daybreak. (The time we attempted this camping at the Lake District, we were facing the wrong direction so totally missed it!) 

16) When in Rome, feast as the Italians do. Figuratively wolf down my weight in pasta, pizza, bruschetta and gelato. In spite of my insight, that 'the more I gobble, the greater I'll wobble!' Sooooooo worth it even if I won't be body beautiful :D 

17) Purge myself of useless stuff and light up a bonfire of bad memories. Out with the old, in with the new, may this be the start of a brand, new YOU. 

18) Dream up my own dessert recipe - a button-popping, belly-bloating, gluttonous gutty kind. It must be something that smells, looks and tastes CRAZY GOOD. So much so that I'll never maintain a swimsuit figure!

19) Have chocolatey-coloured hair so I'll no longer look like Freddy Krueger's sister who just died twice!!!

20) Uncover an 'undiscovered' (by me and the world at large) gem in my city. Where, you may wonder? No clue... the sky is the limit it seems. I should be the go to girl for Southampton, having lived here so long but I haven't been a tourist of what is on my own doorstep. Impress me, Soton! 

21) Impromptu day seizing - Take the chance to do something I ordinarily wouldn't by throwing caution to the wind; something so remarkably bold that I won't believe I got to do *that!*

22) Experience the wonder of a musical movie marathon. Can I handle the merriment of endless hours of warbling? 

23) I-pod dance date around the town (as inspired by the movie Begin Again). I'm so sorry in advance a) to whoever I rope into coming with me b) to whomever crosses our path  - because I'm a NUT and I don't  (excuse the atrocious grammar) 'got the moves like Jagger!' 

24) Read a Jane Austen novel or 2 - just reading her words will make me feel smarter. Sure, I've swooned over Colin Firth's dastardly, dashing portrayal of Mr Darcy, but it's not RIGHT that I get to 30 years of age without having read Pride and Prejudice in print. 

25) Possess a pretty, PRETTY power outfit that I've paid top dollar for. Just because. Why do I need an occasion? I'm somewhat of a fashion accident at present so I'll probabababably need assistance picking it out. 

26) BAZINGA a person in a ball pool or someplace bonkers. How very Sheldon Cooper of me!! 

27) Release floating lanterns into the sky like on Disney's Tangled, as my ridiculously deluded heart believes it will be a night of magic and at last I'll 'see the light.'  

28) De-stress with a hot stone massage on a whim. I feel like it would be serene, relaxing and therapeutic, so should I find myself sinking into a deep depression - I'll book one! Even if I don't, I'll get one anyway cos I darn deserve it!!!

29) Be followed by 500 on Instagram. I'll Insta my pics off and I'll find it loverly :) 

30) Be a Canuck cliche on my birthday, eh? It's ABOOT time I indulged in all that is Canadian in Canada. I hereby fully intend to: mingle with mooses, mount a Mountie, ingest true maple syrup, all manner of wintry activities (sleigh ride, toboggan, ice hockey, sledding), build an igloo and all that is Buble-related. November 19th 2015 seems like a fine day to start my 30's in a SNOWtally 'cool' way. 

These will not be checked off necessarily in order and I will blog my progress :) Wish me luck xx

Gilmore Girl Gems *Love and war and snow*

1) According to Taylor Doose 'There is no use for a lava lamp unless you're on drugs.' They may be a poor man's volcano but aren't they fun to look at? MEH to you Taylor, happiness hijacker! 

2) Likewise it is mirthful to eyeball (with snacks, naturally!!) a man: turn red, shift in his seat, and adjust the cap, before the urge he's fighting wins. There's no derailing that rage train and you can bet  '5 bucks says somebody ends up in a headlock.' 

3) We want the Lorelai feel-good-and-tingly (Spiderman styley) snow-smelling sense 'Everything's magical when it snows, everything looks pretty. The clothes are great. Coats, scarves, gloves, hats.. thermal underwear, wool socks, ear flaps.' Don't you yearn to have a snowy winter, where all the best things in your life happen?  

4) Relisten to the phone message from the 'grammatically correct' paramour who hopes to spend time with beautiful you, over and over 'til it stops being sexy'. Which is never. How could linguistic acrobatics ever not be hot?

5) Holy freakin' whaaaaaaat? 'Not everyone finds the idea of being pelted with frozen water appealing.' 'And how sad for them!' And what nincompoops these peepsicles are that loathe this thrilling sensation!! 

6) It's always a plus when you just meet your not-gangly-anymore soul mate who has this amazing, perfect hair 'thick but not too thick, and its got really good natural wave, so he probably uses way less product than most guys.' Could be completely awkward if he's never even looked at you like you're a girl 'or something resembling one!' Well not to worry, there'll be 68 men on tinder who who'd gladly swipe you ;) 

7) It's SERIOUS when you're 'bringing baked goods to a boy'. Romantically woo him with rocky road cookies, despite your hatred for the confection.*sing song tease* 'Cookies for the love and the Dean and the cookies for the love.'

8) The magic of the (mc)flurry: 'The world changes when it snows. It gets quiet, everything softens.' The 'first snowfall of season' is 'very lucky, make a wish.' 'The snow was not there for me personally. But still, when it snows, something inside me says "hey, that's your present." 'Snow is like catnip' for some personages. 

9) Mouth McGees muse that traditions are traps. 'It allows people to stick their head in the sand. Everything in the past was so quaint, so charming. Times were simpler. Kids didn't have sex. Neighbors knew each other. It's a freaking fairy tale. Things sucked then, too. It just sucked without indoor plumbing.' These views explain sooooooo much behind their pessimism towards the planet. 

10) 'Why would a sane person' engage in some light perfect hair strokery of the boy they really like, without his permission? As a pubescent, periodically our hands have a life of their own, with 'a little help from hormones.' 

11) 'Great's an understatement' when fate has it, that the teach's car (who has been asking you out) has decided to stop, coincidentally leaving him stranded in the strange town, you happen to live in. As 'the one who did the canceling after you did the asking, therefore you forfeit your taking rights to me, the canceler' in this predicament, it enables the two of you to date up a storm in the snowstorm. 

12) Frozen pizza may be 'food you eat at a carnival or in a Turkish prison' in the minds of those who don't even know where their own cookie sheet is, but we promise you're gonna love it. Set these quibblers on the path to righteousness! For pizza pizzazz - add some extra Parmesan it makes all the difference and 'if you wanna get really crazy, you can pick it up' with your own bare hands. Wonder of wonders!!

13) 'What good is it to have a best friend when she's never around and she never listens and she has no interest in the fact that you're in love?'  Apoligising is in vain - 'don't be sorry, be here.' You may have a new relationship and are now living life slanted in favour of your bloke but don't cast aside your bff when they really really need someone to talk to. 

14) 'It's very important' that your datee knows your 'faults as well as your many attributes.' So as you begin your delightful journey of date-dom, thoughtfully expose how very annoying you are in movies and the like. Next lean in for a very lovely kiss so they suddenly find themselves thinking 'this woman is absolutely perfect.' Works like a charm. A CHARM, I tell thee. 

15) Flicking through old photo albums allows us to remember nice nostalgia of our beautiful little princesses, a vision of pure class in their fluffy white dresses with 12 petticoats no less (because 13 would have been TOO excessive!!).. BUT they also bring up the bad memories alongside. 

16) Can we get a cheers for the cute curmudgeon who is being so amazing to the re-enactors in the freezing cold? By 

bringing out hot beverages, de

spite their forefathers not having any many moons ago - on that long, historic night of standing. 

17) It comes as a big shocker when you spot a couple, walking hand in hand, all adorably snuggled up in the snow and kissing in the magic way that she gets excited about. You know it should be you, instead of that no good gorgeous man as you're left to watch on sadly. 

18) When the daughter's away, the single mama will play ;) Think this thing out of inviting a good looking piece of man meat into your home, when you've established strict dating rules. To keep a personal life totally separate from your child (who comes first) so as not to unsettle her, when you've been enjoying the hell out of yourself is muy difficile. 

19) 'At some point in your life, you're gonna have to decide that some guy is worth opening the front door for.' If you have a sweet guy on your door step volunteering to be the one and not expecting anything weird or funny, what in the bluest of blue hells is holding you back, woman????? 

20) Verify that the house truly is free of kiddies before making out like teenagers and touching each other up. So as to not be caught in the act, red-faced while you're kissing it all up in there! It's a freaky thing for a youngster to witness grown ups about to get their freak on. 

21) A parental perspective for when you've been extra girl-weird: 'You have so many years of screw-ups ahead of you, view this as a trial run for really grown up humiliation. Everybody does stupid things in high school it's like a requirement.' We all screw up, 'it's what you do with them and how you handle the experience - that's what you should judge yourself by.' 

22) After a 'really bad teen day' of behaviour that is kinda unusual for you, 'crash someplace sympathetic.' Mother figures cannot kick cute little butts out of their home when said sweet sixteen has had 'a major Judy Blume moment.'  

23) Nobody should have to be greeted by the startling sight of their English teacher asleep on their couch after staying the night. Discovering this dude is a huge turn of events that weirds you out, regardless of being informed that nothing happened. Non-strangely, our primary concern is not that he may have 'smushed the couch pillows out of shape'!

24) Granted your Mom may well be smokin' hot and have had a world series level date, but if you know she's not a cat person she 'truly will be alone if she doesn't find someone.' We'd love for our mothers to be happy and for them to be sure it's 'the guy' before that someone is brought home. 

25) Be better to your best friend, (that girl needs a Valium) who totally fits in your life (and we're 'talking Legos') as they came first. Your new boyfriend will have to love it. The bestie gets '24 hours a day at your disposal' dibs.