Last Knitting Project

In the end I did do the last knitting project from the beginners kit this week and here it is.  I was pleased with this one as it was easy and quick as I'm getting used to it all.  This week I'm having some lessons from my Mum to get my next non-beginner project started!

28 New Things...play chess.

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This weekend, I finally convinced Nico to play a game of chess or two with me.  I discovered that, some books teach you nothing.  I also discovered that Nico is the master of the understatement - "I've only played a bit, I don't remember much".  (Or maybe I am just rubbish.)  The whole experience took me back to my childhood when instead of Nico whooping my ass, it was my Dad!

So far I have made the experience sound quite negative, however, I did enjoy finally getting some practice in rather than reading about chess.  I did learn from thee first game, I could tell this because the second game took much longer.  I plan to keep on practicing, when I can talk Nico into it again...

The Usual Suspects

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I believe I watched part of this film before, I think it was when I took media studies but I'm not sure.  During my media studies AS level, we watched clips of several films that left me wanting more, many of which I still haven't gotten around to.  Another one that pops to mind is Shallow Grave.  One that I definitely did not want to see again as it falls into one of my two least favourite catagories (Westerns and alien films) is The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

Anyway, last week I was doing some ordering on Amazon and found The Usual Suspects at a good price and we watched it at the weekend.  At first, it put me in the mind of Reservoir Dogs in that it was a crime thriller and had flashbacks however, although I loved Reservoir Dogs, I much preferred The Usual Suspects.  For me, it required more thought from the viewer, both films had good twists but somehow, this one was better for me.  I am my father's daughter and had this one figured out before the end but there was a lot of drama and suspense as well as a host of brilliant actors.  I won't spoil things, but I highly recommend it.

Tomato progress

The first tomatoes have finally appeared on the plant - have a look above!  It's very exciting watching them grow, can't wait to eat some!

Greetings

I haven't posted about my card making activities for a while but I have been diligently working away at handmade cards all year and this month, I think I'm safe in that none of the recipients read the blog so here goes (sorry if I do spoil any surprises).  

This month I have done two cards, one quite modern one and one more traditional.  The modern one is based on an idea that came with the special set in Idee.  I have really enjoyed those cards - I also used them for Mother's Day and for my niece's birthday - and I may buy some more.

This more traditional card is my own design using products from a card magazine I bought last month (at extortionately high import price - damned impulse buys, now I have to get my money's worth).  I'm pleased with both designs and looking forward to more experimentation and some special birthdays next month!

The Saturday Update

Weekend breakfast in bed

 Good morning and Happy Weekend everyone!  This is how our weekend started - beautiful sunshine and a delicious breakfast in bed.  When we first talked about moving in together over a year ago now, the idea was to have less stress with travelling between flats and to be able to get a cat.  This morning really made me realise how many of our dreams have come true this year when we were in bed with breakfast and the cat watching German TV and just enjoying the weekend.  It's just wonderful!

 

 

 

Delicious gluten free croissants that Nico bought me

It's been a great week although very busy.  I finished another knitting project which I'm very proud of, conducted and marked the year ten English exam for my group and they did really well!!, and had another lovely lunch with Loreto, making a new friend - Camila and practising my Spanish!

On Tuesday I had a strange day when I managed to lock a pupil in a classroom over break, oops!  Luckily he wasn't as sensitive as I would have been and took it well...  It's made me a lot more cautious though!  I also had an interesting languages hiccup with a pupil which may have knocked my reputation at school.  He came to the staffroom asking for water and I wanted to tell him that we only had tap water - unfortunately I have visited one too many bars in Germany and said 'vom Fass' (from the barrel / on tap) instead of 'vom Hahn' (from the tap).  So while I may have gained a reputation as an alcoholic, I won't be making that mistake again and he took it in good spirit.  Tuesday also saw the last Spanish department meeting with our current head of department who is retiring at the end of this school year.  It was inspiring to hear her talk about her career at the school.  It made me both inspired to work harder in my Spanish classes and a little sad that I hadn't gotten to know her better over these two years.  It seems strange but I'm only just starting to feel like I belong in the school and that I'm part of a team there and not just the foreigner who's going to disappear again soon.  Still waiting on that contract though...

Wednesday was the exam day so it seemed really long, but as I said, the kids mostly did better than expected and when I worked out their overall grades, none have below a four which is good.

On Thursday I had a drink with my English students which was nice after not getting together for a while with holidays.  I don't always look forward to the meeting as it is a bit later in the evening and I'm tired after work but I always come away feeling good.

Friday was really nice as I had cover lessons now that year ten have finished and watched an English film with the year seven pupils.  I got all my cleaning and washing done before heading out in the glorious sunshine for a lunch with Loreto and Camila.  I find it hard to stay on track when eating out.  I guess it depends where you eat but we tend to eat at a restaurant which only has two salad options and neither of them sound very filling as they offer bread as a side which I can't eat.  I did okay though with a jacket potato and allowed myself a glass of wine.

This week I have stayed the same on the scales which is good considering how busy I have been and how I haven't had the energy for zumba in this heat.  We may head out to find the lake in Huchting later for a cooling swim so at least that will be some form of exercise and I have been cycling a lot including to work and back one day this week.  (It would have been two but a motorway accident on Friday meant that our route had very heavy traffic and I'm not comfortable enough on the bike to cycle through that.

Next week we will be having a visit from Mum and Doug so we will be out and about a lot.  We also have a nice long weekend due to a bank holiday Monday (with Tuesday off too) so let's hope this weather holds out!  We are visiting Fischerhude with Loreto on Tuesday which I have heard a lot about but will be new for me too so I'm excited about that too!  Have a good week!

Belt purse

 Another week and another knitting project finished.  I really like breaking each project down into stages and knitting away each evening.  It also stops me nibbling.  This week I made a purse that fits onto a belt.  I don't actually own a single belt here in Germany and I'm not sure how much use I would get out of this if I did but it was a fun project and I learned some new knitting skills such as - sewing holes into things (on purpose), sewing my seams the right way round (thanks Mum), and adding buttons!  I was really inspired by the colour on this project as the lighter shade of blue is one of my favourites.  All in all a lot of fun!  What do you think?  This was the penultimate project from my starter kit.  I'm having a break next week for a family visit and will crack on with the mobile phone case the week after.  Then I have to start thinking bigger...  I see a trip to Idee in store for Mum and me next week!