Rainy Day Activities

This is the view from our flat this morning. I'm busy with my to do list anyway (as far as being indoors allows) but I thought I'd share some ideas for what to do when you're stuck inside.

• Play a board game or cards.
• Do a jigsaw.
• Ring a friend - I'll be catching up with my gran today.
• Write a letter.
• Get crafty! Painting, sewing, knitting...
• Have a hot bath.
• Experiment in the kitchen. Try to make something from your cupboard ingredients (saves shopping in the rain).
• Have a clearout - that wardrobe is still on my list.
• Read a good book.
• Watch a film.

The possibilities are endless. I'm off to get cracking!

30 things - Write my 40 things list

I've been working on this one for a while. I finally finished it this week but I won't be revealing it in full until April when I start it. It was a little easier than my 30 things list as I knew I'd have a whole ten years to complete it so it's a little more ambitious. Some of the highlights include, visiting South America, eating at a Michelin star restaurant and running a half marathon. Exciting!

March Goals

Well, March is here - I hope you remembered your "white rabbits" this morning!

With the new month comes a new round of goals for me.  Quite a lot on there this time including one that doesn't really fit in with my goals for the year but I am thinking that with year nine on work experience and then the Easter holidays, it should be manageable! 

Goal Review

Well, February is almost over already so it's time to review those monthly goals.

I was really pleased to achieve my January goal of losing two kilos at last.

Claiming my evening class money and using it to pay off several debts and my London trip felt great.

I wrote at least four letters this month as well as sending some birthday presents and the invitations so I feel very in touch with people at the moment.

With the wine cellar tour, drawing sessions and message in a bottle, this one also worked out well.

We booked our flights and some accommodation on Sunday - so excited!!

My reading list

As I warned a couple of weeks ago, my reading rate has been slowing down lately as I am getting back into reading in German and starting on Anna Karenina at the same time!  This means I don't have a review this week although both of the books mentioned will be coming up in the future as I am really enjoying them both.  So this week I thought I'd share with you my own 'reading list' for the near future.  I'm still getting used to not having a proscribed reading list from school, college or university and being able to read purely for pleasure and I'm loving it.

As with Anna Karenina, I like to read books before I see them in film.  This is why Les Miserables is also sat waiting on the overflowing bookshelf at the moment.  However, I think I will need a break after Anna Karenina before I start on that one - I could use both of them as door stops!

Also waiting is Songbird.  When I reread Winter in Madrid last year, it mentioned that lovers of that book would also enjoy Sebastian Faulkes works so I had a browse and settled on this one.  If you've read my other reviews, you will know how much I love novels that combine a bit of history so I am really looking forward to this one.

My next German novel will be the second in the Harry Potter series.  I like reading new novels in German but it is obviously easier if I already know the content and it helps me expand my vocabulary.  I actually bought this one after last Christmas with vouchers from one of my classes but forgot I had it because it looks so similar to the first on the shelf!  

The last one sat waiting here is Wolf Hall.  Having read the second in the series - Bring up the Bodies - first, because of the rave reviews, I though it would be good to go back and have a look at this one.  Again, I love the history aspect although the Tudors are a relatively new one for me.

So I think these will last me a while and come in handy for the amount of travelling I have got coming up this year!

September

Well, as it draws to a close, a little look back, an idea from Elise.

working hard with our new class.

drinking vanilla lattes with friends.

watching series one of the Killing.

cycling through all weathers.

sleeping as much as possible.

stepping on the scales with more confidence and success.

making social plans with friends and family.

running in the park.

listening to some classic Queen.

watching the leaves turn brown and fall.

wearing raincoats and capes on the way to work.

eating better.

snuggling under blankets with Nico and Pete.

building furniture.

buying books to get me through Autumn.

loving that Autumn means we're on the countdown to Christmas.

reading Robinson Crusoe.

rereading Cloud Atlas.

enjoying being a permanent employee.

feeling cold.

looking forward to October!