All About... Tragic & Lovely

One of the things I enjoy the most about my 'Bug Another Blogger' series is the insight it gives me into the lives of fellow bloggers. We certainly all share a passion for writing, but that aside, we are a wonderfully varied group of individuals. This week I asked Karissa from Tragic & Lovely a few questions about herself:

1. What accomplishment in your life to date are you the most proud of?
I'm proud of persevering - sticking in out through the hard stuff. Because my husband and I didn't give up when things were hard, we have a stronger marriage. Because I didn't quit my job when it got difficult and exhausting, I am a better teacher.

2. Do you think people are a product of their environment?
To an extent, yes! What we are taught when we are young generally remains our core. However, my brother, sister, and I are so different, despite being raised in relatively the same way by the same parents - thus, personality and personal choices greatly influence self.

3. What is your signature dish?
Chicken! I'm not a big fan of red meat and also find chicken the easiest to cook. Sometimes my husband will say, "Please, anything but more chicken!" But what I make over and over (and always get guest compliments for) would be either my mom's chicken enchiladas or the mustard glaze I put on salmon.

4. Why did you decide to start blogging?
I wanted a place to share creativity, to meet new people, to practice my writing... Plus, it's really fun!

5. What’s your favourite item in your wardrobe right now?
Since autumn is my favorite season, coats and scarves are the best! I have a beautiful coral coat that my parents gave me and a black and ivory scarf - I wear both often.

6. If you won the lottery, would you still work?
Yes! Probably mostly volunteering-type stuff or focus on my writing - but I'd be bored just sitting around.

7. Autumn or Spring?
Autumn!!! I'm obsessed. I've even begun a pinterest board dedicated to it.

8. When did you last see your best friend?
Fortunately, I see her every day - we work together :)

9. If you could live anywhere in the world (other than where you currently live) where would choose to your hang your hat? 
I really love Colorado and am quite happy here! But I really love Isla Roatan in Honduras and would happily live there. Or maybe semi-rural Pennsylvania.

10. Describe yourself in one sentence.
Tough! Good thing you asked an English teacher who can be tricky with punctuation ;) Here goes... I am an introspective, Jesus-loving, introverted, married teacher who loves reading, writing, and animals (among other things); I have few friends but am dearly loyal to them; I'm thankful to say I'm happy in my life - always up for improvement but generally content with where and who I am.

image credit

What is Love?

It has been a barren few weeks on the blog front for which I must apologise profusely. (I blame it on the fact that I am currently in the middle of moving house, which involves building flat pack furniture, which in turn involves me having to lie down for extensive periods of 'recovery' time...)

In short, normal blogging services shall return very soon. In the meantime though, I thought it would be nice to share this little thought with you....

'Love is... to listen'

I volunteer for a local charity and the other evening I came across a painting in the branch with these words on it. And how true they are - one of the kindest things we can offer to our fellow human beings is a sympathetic ear. We all have vastly differing journeys through life but a common element is that at some point we will all face difficult patches. At these times, having someone to listen without judging or throwing advice at us can make all the difference. Surely that's love in one of its most selfless forms?

Why not give it a go and see what happens....

image from dreamstime
 

My Week in Photographs: 31st August - 6th September

It's official - Autumn has arrived in the UK! I have no idea exactly how or when this happened (we haven't even had a summer yet!) but it has begun. It's a little sad to see the nights drawing in but I can't help feeling a sense of anticipation about the start of the prettiest season of the year. I love Autumn and all the beautiful colours it brings.

It's just as well then that my colleague and I passed the exam for our 1 star kayaking qualification after work on Wednesday this week, as the evenings are now almost too dark to get out on the lakes for a paddle.

In a bid (of denial) to prolong the summer, I treated myself to a new and very summery coloured nail polish this week - 'Strawberry Fizz' from Rimmel. Whilst strolling home from work admiring my very pink toenails, I stumbled across this charming cottage. I think it's time for an eye test as I walk past this house every day but have never noticed it before!

Last weekend I finally went to see Broadway Tower in the Vale of Evesham. Visiting this remarkable folly has been on my to-do list for some time. I also went down the nuclear bunker on site (it's a little surreal going down a nuclear bunker that's in the middle of a field surrounded by sheep, countryside and not much else!).

Also this week:

• Spent a rainy sunday in Bristol with a friend shopping at the Mall in Cribbs Causeway, which involved trying on the biggest coats and strangest hats we could find!
• Came across Costa-Rican red bananas for the first time at my local greengrocers
• Walked almost every day on my lunch break as the weather has been glorious
• Found a French sweet company in desperate need of help with their branding - gross!

How has your week been?

The Science Museum, London

Yes, it's science, but there isn't a whiff of geekiness in this museum. In fact, strolling through the exhibits, I was taken aback by just how cool the Science Museum is. With over twenty different galleries spread over several floors, you can easily while away an afternoon, or even a whole day in here.

Exploring the exhibits, it's difficult not to feel a sense of pride and awe over the extraordinary accomplishments of scientists and pioneers over the centuries. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the Making the Modern World gallery, which showcases hundreds of the world's most iconic inventions from the 1700s through to the 21st Century. You'll find the Apollo 10 command module here, along with Stephenson's original 'Rocket' locomotive, the Raleigh Chopper children's bicycle and Crick and Watson's DNA model. Prepare to be enthralled!

Another absolute treat is the Exploring Space gallery that follows the history of the space age starting from 1957 with the launch of Sputnick 1, to sending spacecrafts to other planets, walking on the moon and launching thousands of satellites across the world.

Also on site is an Imax cinema and a museum shop that's brimming with gadgtes, science toys and gifts. There are also a couple of cafe's and restaurants which are ideal if, like me, you need to sit down and consume copious amounts of coffee and cake to get over the fact that you're extraordinarlily stupid compared to the remarkably talented inventors of the bygone eras. (I had two pieces of cake...)

As with all the major museums and galleries in London, the Science Museum is free, so there's really no excuse not to drop by for a little lesson in all things scientific.

For further info check out the Science Museum's website here



 

Word of the Week

Palliative

 

(Noun/ Adj.) Remedy that alleviates pain without curing or dealing with the underlying cause

 

Synonyms: alleviant; alleviator, soothing 

 

'Not even his charming company could serve as a palliative for her solitude.'

 

'Living is a sickness to which sleep provides relief every sixteen hours. It's a palliative. The remedy is death.'

 

'Palliative care is sadly lacking for patients with certain illnesses.'

 

 

image from dreamstime

'Mission Kayak' Accomplished!

There's nothing quite like the feeling of accomplishing something new! This week, I am basking in the warm fuzziness of that feeling because I have just completed my 1 star kayaking qualification from the British Canoe Union.

The course ran over a series of five weekday evenings and covered all the basics of canoeing and kayaking, including elementary manoeuvres, embarking and disembarking from boats, capsizing and of course health & safety and rescue procedures.

Another requisite for the award is to complete a river trip. I had this pleasure back in August on an all day kayaking excursion along the Thames in Oxford. We had dreadful weather that consisted of perpetual rain, thunder and lightning! (But I did it!)

Admittedly I still have a lot to learn - my kayaking skills are more 'learner driver' than 'formula one' racer at this stage, but I intend to persevere with it, as I would love to become proficient enough to be able to go sea kayaking in the none too distant future.

But let's not get ahead of myself. For now I shall simply pat myself on the back and enjoy practising my new found skills. :)

 

My Week in Photographs: 24th - 30th August

It never ceases to amaze me just how much fun fancy dress parties are! Last weekend saw Suze's 4th/ 5th/ 6th? (I lose count!) consecutive year of celebrating her birthday in unusual attire, although the fun started in the office on Friday when the wig for her costume arrived, and was subsequently modelled by half of the office!

The fancy dress party proved an enormous hit as always and we were tripping the light fandango into the early hours of the morning. I then got up and did it all again the following day - albeit this time in a party dress rather than fancy dress! - for a good friend's wedding. And what an extraordinary wedding it was. (Greek weddings rock!)

Between all the partying, I also managed to finally see one of Royal Mail's golden postboxes in Cheltenham. I love the fact that it looks like a child is stuck inside this postbox!

There was also excitement and greedy bellies this week when we discovered that a delightful new waffle house has opened up in Cirencester. Nom nom!

In keeping with the food theme, I also dined at the lovely Hampton Manor Hotel in Solihull this week. The food was spectacular and the hotel is rather grand too!

Other than that, the only other 'mini' entertainment was a road closure as a result of a tractor dropping its hay bales everywhere. Welcome to the Cotswolds!

 

 

How has your week been?