Engagement Ring

Well, I thought I should probably post a photo of this here ring:

And the potential band:

100 Things

I have decided to follow the suit of some of my favourite blogs and count down the

100 Best Things Ever.

There's a lot of greatness in this world. It's going to be hard to narrow it down....

100: Homemade cake

99: The *adorable* babies of faraway friends - thank goodness for Facebook

98: Weekends (Although I hated cycling, it was time spent with the love of my life)

97: Quirky Youtube videos

Breakfast Interrupted

96: Friends (literally...I love my two episodes a day)

95: Fascinators (I am so Ascot ready)

Best things ever... xx

Recovery: Update

I stayed home again today to focus on "re-feeding." Eating like 5,000 calories a day is exhausting. I'm very tired and somewhat achey - but the good news is that I am drinking plenty and taking it easy.

Rich prepared pasta sauce, tomato soup and a vegetarian cottage pie - divided it up into different meals and then froze them off in my freezer. I don't have to cook anything - just need to make sure I eat six meals a day.

I think I can handle it.

xx

Stomach Flu: Almost a survivor

No idea where I got it from, but I somehow contracted the Stomach Flu. We had a lovely weekend - went to Kent to see Rich's family. Lovely day shooting on Saturday followed by a gorgeous meal at Topes in Rochester (the location wasn't fantastic, but once inside- wow.), and then Sunday were treated to The Lion King in the West End from Rich's parents. It's not every day the big guy turns 30, right?

So what's his first duty as a 30 year old?

Take care of his sick girlfriend.

Monday morning we woke up and I was feeling a bit groggy - left it to hayfever. By lunch time, I was feeling rather nauseated and didn't want to further upset my stomach by eating. I went straight home after school, shaking uncontrollably, and climbed in bed. By the time Rich Skyped at 8:00, I was sobbing, shaking, burning up, freezing, feeling sick and hurting everywhere. He decided he was going to come to me straight from the hospital on Tuesday.

Didn't make it to work on Tuesday. The fever wouldn't go away and the shakes wouldn't stop. I went to the doctor and he said "This is the start of the flu. You're going to get a lot worse."

....I didn't actually believe him. Silly me.

By the time Rich arrived I was vomiting with a fever of 39 degrees and still shaking uncontrollably. He made the executive decision that I would not be well enough to return to work for the week and took me back to Leicester until the weekend. His theory was that at least in Leicester, someone could look after me.

....I didn't actually believe him. Silly me.

It's now Saturday and I only last night ate my first meal - a child sized portion of tomato soup. I still can't stand up on my own. A lot of feeding and recuperation is needed.

Not only did Rich drive two hours to look after me and then drive two hours back to his with me in tow, but he also ensured I had plenty of fluids, held my hair back, held the vomit bucket, helped me walk (as I look like a 99 year old when attempting on my own), washed all of my dirty laundry, made me homemade tomato soup, did a weeks worth of shopping and cooking for me so that I don't have to do any upon my recovery, gave me a bath (washed me while I attempted to wash my hair), and put up with my general vacant stares or groans of pain. And lets face it - no one looks good when they have the flu, but he still told me he loved every day and gave me a kiss.

Best boyfriend ever? YES. I could have cried just from how nice he was. He's just brought me a homemade banana milkshake (a whole tub of cream in three glasses apparently) - the next few days are a recovery mission. Mission: Fatten Jen up.

xx

Yorkshire Dales

Rich and I had a fantastic time in Yorkshire. I survived the walking - what's better - he survived a full week with me. I still can't believe I climbed.

One thing I will say - as much as I kicked off about not wanting to buy walking shoes/hiking boots -- they are actually necessary. I'll have to get them if I plan on doing that again. I think I can pull off "outdoorsy." Maybe. xx

So I've been learning how to play the ukulele...

I'm not saying I'm great, but I'm learning. For someone as awkward and clumsy as me, this is pretty fantastic. I'm getting there. Really Struggling with the E though. That, and I second guess myself pretty much all of the time. Lighting is pretty nonexistent...I couldn't be bothered to turn on the actual light!

Weekend Sunshine!

It was certainly a weekend for suncream. We went for a jolly jaunt along the River Great Ouse. Blue sky - green fields - glistening river. What more could you ask for?

A perfect start to a two week Easter holiday. Too bad I will be spending the first three or four days in work trying to catch up on all of the assessment marking!

xx

"It''s got to be better than nothing"

Long distance is awful.

Rich bought me flowers on Friday and they started to bloom today. Something to remind me of him he says.

"It's got to be better than nothing."

I'd take the real thing any day.

xx

Easter Holidays are right around the corner!

I've been feeling the end of term looming. Sheer exhaustion. I've lost the will to mark -- although I'm not sure that will was ever really there anyways. It was more a necessary evil. But what's worse - I've lost the will to bake!

In truth - you always become ill when it comes time to unwind. I'm battling something - whatever it is, it has left me tired, full of coughs and achy.

Through the aches and pains I decided to make soft pretzels. I then proceeded to eat them. Like- all of them. I thought it was well worth it.

I'm hoping once I survive the next four days (as I'm only in work for 9 days in the month of April) - I can turn my attention to baking. I need to invest in a proper mixer...I would love a KitchenAid - but I am aware of the hefty price tag. I need something - that's for sure!

xx

Mini Cheddars!

I decided to try my hand at making homemade Mini Cheddars. I was aiming for Goldfish crackers (love love love them -- probably one of my most missed snack foods from America) - but didn't have anything aside from a shot glass to cut my dough with! I adapted this recipe from Smitten Kitchen. Totally worth baking!

I opted for Red Leicester - usually I think it tastes a bit bland, but Sainsbury's own was actually lovely! I really should invest in some fun cookie cutters. The downside is that I burned the last batch a bit. My oven is crap -- the joys of a tiny flat on London Road!

At least I can justify eating the somewhat burnt ones!

xx

Cromer Crabs (not quite in season)

Rich came to Lynn for the weekend and we took a mini road trip to Holt and Cromer. Having been to Holt once, I was fairly confident I could navigate. Keeping me out of the boutiques was a slight nightmare. I did find a handbag in one of the shops -- I think I'm going to go back in two weekends time and make a purchase. As far as charming goes - Holt definitely takes the cake.

We carried on to Cromer - explored the sea side town. Had a pint on the pier and then a bowl of soup in one of the cute cafes.

If there's one thing Norfolk does, it's quaint English. Love Love Love it.

Bittersweet

...::'Cause it's a bittersweet symphony, this life trying to make ends meet::...

I have been entertaining the idea of moving to Leicester to live with Rich. It makes perfect sense. I love him, he's wonderful, I'm ready for our life together to head towards the next chapter.

The only problem has been the actual leaving. I'm in love with my other half, but at the same time, I'm in love with my job. You can't choose your career over your other half. It just isn't right.

I've been torn between going and staying - weighing up all options. I have finally decided that I was going to make the move - and was genuinely excited for waking up with the man I love every morning. I had an interview, and after about 4 minutes, I decided I couldn't do it. It wasn't my school. It wasn't right. I made it clear during the interview that I couldn't take the job, and fortunately I wasn't offered the job.

It wasn't until I was driving home - crying my heart out - that I realised I couldn't leave. I wasn't ready to leave my school or my department or my friends. I've done this once, and it was hard - so much harder than I actually give myself credit for.

Today I walked into my classroom and I couldn't wipe that smile off of my face. Little things like the kids in my classes, their mannerisms, the way a student will hold the door open for you or say "Thanks, Miss." The brightness of the rooms, the smell, the smiling faces, the familiar faces. I can't do it.

I love my other half more than words can say - but I also love my job and my job makes me who I am. I am ready to lose myself.

Half term bliss

Ah, a week off. Normally I take advantage of all of the free time and fill my week with various journeys and visits. This time? I've done nothing. Squat.

I journeyed to Leicester - the city of....terrible architecture....interesting

characters....uh....hearty markets? John Lewis looks pretty swish..... I am struggling for positives.

No, I need to give the East Midlands a bit more credit. Yes, it was bombed during WW2. I get it. You had to rebuild quickly - forget efficiency. In terms of visual appeal - Leicester hasn't quite stolen my heart. I think I'm a Norfolk girl at heart now - much to my dismay.

Regardless of the lack of ocular inspiration, I did have the opportunity to find two haunts where I was more than impressed. Almedia Coffee and Juice Bar - found in the Lanes, and The Red Cow pub in the outskirts of the city. Both were surprisingly pleasing. I enjoyed the coffee, sitting on my own, living it up like a true city girl (or at least trying to).

Rich and I enjoyed a quiet afternoon in the cozy pub - we were meant to go for a walk, but the weather didn't cooperate, making it a few hours in the pub rather than a jolly jaunt in the rain.

Check out the Red Cow here.

Do I love the East Midlands? No. But can I live there? Sure. I'm going to have to learn to love the area. I've even gotten ahold of the old "Great Britain travel" book and am tabbing places I would like to visit in the area.

I'm sure there's some beauty in the area. I just need to find it.

Half term is looming....

The only thing that gets me through the week is knowing that I have a week off. I could use a break. This time of year seems to drag. Maybe it's the weather, maybe it's the outrageous amount of marking I have to do every night. Who knows.

What I have learned is that baking seems to make the world go round. I had to experiment tonight, as I didn't want the whole thing to go tits up when it's meant to count.

Cake pops...cake balls....what have you. These are the chocolate, there are also pink almond disasters in the fridge. I don't know what went wrong with the pink, but they look like a three year old made them. Perhaps I can opt for the cute, homemade ambiance?

They taste awesome. That's all that matters in the end...right? Tomorrow the girls at work are getting a taste. Then Friday I'm gifting them to my beloved for a belated Valentines day. He is taking me to the spa. I am baking. We both get exactly what we want.

xx

Macaroons!

Recently, I've been entertaining the idea of running away to get a job working in a pasticceria or Patisserie, depending on the country. The appeal of Novara, Sicily has always struck me a little more than Paris, but I don't think I'd complain with either option. Truth be told, I like my baking, and I'm pretty good. But I want to be better - what better way to learn than work in the place where the magic happens? Ah, if only we weren't governed by money. I'd so do it.

I've decided for this weeks Sunday baking I would take a stab at Macaroons. They looks gorgeous in the photos I've seen online, so I thought I could give it a go.

I was more than amused by the amount of sugar these bad boys take, so it's no wonder that I have the shakes (probably a diabetic coma) coming on after the amount of batter I've eaten.

I opted for a raspberry cream flavour. Managed to make very little mess, and was fairly pleased with my make-shift piping bag. First time is always scary....

Admittedly, I still haven't worked out the heat of my crappy little oven, so I did burn the first batch slightly. Overall, they aren't too shabby!! I'll let you know when the shakes stop!!

I need a holiday

I'm desperate to get away. I don't know why, but I'm incredibly grumpy. Pissed off, in fact. I haven't seen the sun shine for weeks. It's grotty and rainy outside pretty much every day. And it's cold. And I hate the cold more than anything.

It's the same thing, day in and day out. Even when it's not the same thing, it's the same thing. If that makes sense.

So, I've been contemplating solutions. Focusing on the whole "I need a getaway" idea.

I've gotten nowhere. Stupid moral compass telling me to save money. And we have the government to thank for prices going up on everything. Pretty soon they are going to tax the air....breathing will be expensive.

I'm going to bed to mull over my problems. Perhaps wake up in a better mood and a brilliant idea.

I just checked the weather...possibility of snow tomorrow. Excellent.

Staring at the Ceiling

I was staring at the ceiling last night, loving the look of my chandelier against the somewhat peeling ceiling. It's the cold January nights that make me curl up in bed earlier than anticipated, and while trying to drift off to sleep I tend to go through the one million things bouncing around my head. I find that by thinking through a handful, I drift off to dreamland, and last night was no exception.

Things I considered while staring at the ceiling:

*I want a chandelier in every room of my house. Including the bathroom.*

*Nearly out of perfume...I wonder how my Boots points are looking.*

*((I wonder if I turning the power switch off for the kettle?))*

*Rich is going to have to get used to makeup, hair products and hair grips everywhere. I'll be sure to leave some lace knickers around as well...just to keep him on side.*

*Shoot. Forgot to mark the Year 12 Grouping essays!*

*Yawn*

*I can't wait until summer when I can be warm again.*

*Yawn*

*I think I'll wear my pencil skirt tomorrow...*

Ah. Drifting off into sweet, fashionable dreams. What a way to go....

xx

Driving....what a pain.

I hate driving.

I really do.

Sure, there's the novelty of coasting on the open road and singing along to the radio as you are zipping down the M25 at 70 mph.

But the reality is that there are very few roads in England like the M25. Very few with dual carriageway. In fact, most of the roads I get to travel on on a day to day basis are hardly wide enough for one car, let alone traffic coming both ways.

And the street signs? What street signs. Seriously. On main roads (like the M25), they are set off to the left, so when passing a lorry, you won't actually see that there is a sign - and in fact - your turn off in 100 meters.

I will not go into the fact that I got lost (both going and coming) due to overtaking a lorry and missing my exit and listening to the iPhone when it tells me to take a "alternative route" home that I know to be somewhat incorrect.

Let's just leave it to the fact that the roads are rubbish. Signposting is rubbish. iPhone map can - sometimes - be rubbish.

London was excellent though. A bit of shopping. A bit of coffee. A bit of wine. Cheeky photo taken in the pub, attached for your amusement.

I've resolved to buy a Tom-Tom. I'm also going to stay in next weekend. I aim to be in my pjs until an ungodly hour. Hopefully I don't have much work to do so I can just relax. No driving makes for a good weekend, agreed?

xx

London, Baby!

I'm off to the big city for the weekend.

Rich and I were meant to spend a day in London before Christmas, but the weather managed to destroy our plans of ice skating, mulled wine and enjoying holiday lights.

I'm happy to be spending the weekend in the city - it's better than sitting in the flat doing work!!

xx

I'm not a plumber....

When I made the decision to move into my own flat, I had no idea what I was doing. In the 3.5 years I have lived in the UK, I have always lived with others.

There was No. 47 - My first home away from home. Rich was probably the most normal of the occupants in that house. The others were....well...unique? I think the highlight of living there was being woken up at 4:00 in the morning by someone pounding on the door and ringing the doorbell. I had no idea who the guy was, but he insisted that he "mate" was our newest housemate and he had somehow lost track of him and he didn't have his keys and please could he come in to go to sleep. My thoughts? "I'm not really interested in dying tonight. No you may not come in. Good night."

After a few months I moved a bit further up the road (near enough next door to my place of employment) to No. 124. Another shared house, and this time with all medical students! The first batch were dirty, the second batch consisted of a lad who aired his pants in front of my bedroom door, a gay Spaniard who referred to himself as "Count" and Ro - a tea drinking Irishman who had a lovely girlfriend named Amy - friends I was happy to keep!

The upside? Quickest commute to work ever. The downside? When you can see your work from your window, you are never quite far enough away. Children took to shouting "JENNY!" up to my window - just to see if I would react. Needless to say, I had to put a few thousand houses between myself and these children.

I then relocated to West Lynn to live with my mate Wharfinton in the countryside. I Loved the countryside! Cute flat. Chavs living across the square claiming benefits by lying. A LONG distance from work. Cows. The occasional smell of fish from the docks.... The chavs provided interesting entertainment.... I saw why half of my students swear at me.... Yea.

The time came to move.

I wanted to have my own space. I ended up renting a flat in an old house on dodgy London Rd. Upon walking in, it was like entering Beirut, and not as a holiday location, but once inside the flat, it was lovely! Very chic. Very me. I took it! And then I realised I had coin operated electricity. What....

Which brings me to the present moment. The sink seemed to not be draining. Rich pulled the U bend out (because I'm a girl and I can't do things like that) and we learned that the blockage was further down the pipe. The landlord came. He saw. He got soaked. He said he'd be back tomorrow.

I'm still going to use the water. Hopefully no one is passing by tomorrow morning at about 7:06. I like my coffee around that time. And I'm not a plumber.

2011 is going to be a good year

The new year always provides individuals with an opportunity to reflect on their lives and look back at the previous year with insight and criticism. I'm not going to bat about the brush - 2010 was a tough year. I worked my ass off, had a nightmare travelling

(Rain in Gran Canaria, Flights to Greece cancelled twice [resulting in NO trip to Greece], and finally getting stuck in the UK when Heathrow decided they couldn't handle the snow at Christmas).

There were, however, some brilliant moments - I met (or rather came to a realisation that he was) the love of my life. I completed my masters (which was the 'working my ass off').

And I have the opportunity to develop my leadership skills within my department.

THINGS ARE LOOKING UP!

2011 is going to be good. Call it a hunch. I think things are changing, but changing for the good. After all, life is what we make it. And I'm on track to make it FABULOUS. Roll on, 2011. Roll on.