holiday nothingness

What has Fflur been doing, I hear you ask? Well not a lot is the short answer to that, but that would be a boring post wouldn't it?
I have been doing what most teachers do during this time. I have been celebrating Christmas (you don't have to be a teacher to do this one actually) I have been spending quality time with my son (playing table tennis, watching him swim and timing how long he can hold his breath under water, going biking with him, doing running races with him, playing tennis etc etc)
I have also been spending time with my Mum, sisters, aunt, uncle, cousins etc - playing board games, drinking G&Ts and chatting about everything and nothing.
I have also spent some time alone, watching loads of dvds and reading books. I wish I could report that I have read something amazing but I haven't, they have all been hoilday worthy books (ones that don't make me think too much) I have watched a lot of dvds, most of them are what would be called chick flicks, why do woman like these types of movies so much? I don't really know, they are so predicatable and really unrealistic but I just love them.
And that, ladies and gentleman is all Fflur has been up to since her last post. Not a lot. A lot of nothing, but that is quite nice for a holiday. In about 9 days we head to the South Island and then I may have more to post about.

Have you missed me?

Probably not - cause as Richard likes to point out I do not post as frequently as others. I like to think this is kind of like Christmas. Let me elborate; if I only post once in a while, it is special, exciting, giving to others, merry - just like Christmas. If I post every day it is tedious, expected, onerous - just like being at work. Would you not rather have Christmas?
Well lucky you, here is Christmas; you can unwrap me if you like.
I am at home with my mother, drinking gin and tonic - it is very merry, just like Christmas is meant to be.
I hope you are all having a very merry christmas season, and you enjoy me very thoughful gift of a new post this christmas.

Too much time on my hands...

The title of this post may be a little misleading, as I don't mind having all this time, in fact I even think I deserve it! But obviously I am used to being busy and with Bennett still at school, my housework all done and most of my Christmas shopping complete, I decided to embark on a baking frenzy. Please peruse the results at your pleasure and make lovely comments about my efforts which will boost my ego.

End of year

Dear Santa,

Thank you for Christmas. As you know I am a big fan of the season, even though I only get 2 presents (no matter how good I have been!) I love all the food we get at Christmas time because deep down I am a gluttonous pig. I love to eat until I feel like I am going to vomit, at which point I usually lie down for the mandatory Christmas day sleep. However, this year Santa since I have been extra, extra good could you please deliver me one of these for Christmas

It does not have to be this particular variety, although something close would be gratefully accepted. In fact I am not feeling particularly fussy at all at this time of year Santa, anything will do.

Yours gratefully,

Fflur (the very good girl who deserves a reward)

Now in high definition for your viewing pleasure

fingers crossed

I say fingers crossed cause I am not sure I have embeded this properly, but if I have this is a very poor quality video of the staff stage challenge. (probably filmed on a cellphone) There was a better filming of it and photos which I will add later - but I know you have been waiting with bated breath. I am the first one to come on in the gaga dance and the last one to leave if you are looking for me. It will give you a good idea of why my ears were ringing after wards, and why I felt like a superstar.

verbatim

Setting: outside house, 5:40pm, 20mins before Bennett attends Year 8 leavers dinner. Bennett is anxious to get to resturant on time, Mother is wanting to capture an important moment/milestone in her son's life.

Mother: Smile
Bennett: groan
Mother snaps one photo where Bennett has perfected the art of the stanch rugby boy look.

Mother: tring to coax him into a smile: Think about something happy - like Loki maybe? (the cat, whom Bennett adores and never fails to raise a smile on Bennett's dial)
Bennett: hurry up!
Bennett runs to car and tries to get in, avoiding mothers photo snapping
Mother: One more
Bennett: It's not important!
Mother: (with a tear in her eye and a breaking heart pleads) It's important to me.
Bennett: groans
Mother snaps another couple of shots where Bennett looks annoyed. These look remarkably like Bennett's first day of school photos which mother can not scan to show anyone on her blogspot.


Bennett: Let's go, we will be late.
Mother: One more, with a smile?
Bennett: No

Mother and Bennett get into car where they have a mostly quiet journey to restaurant. Mother thinks how sad it is that her son has grown up so much. Bennett probably thinking about food.

Reclaiming my youth?

Last night I went to see Bon Jovi live in concert - the last time I went to see them live in concert was 21 years ago, so it is fair to say it was a very different experience this time. I remember 21 years ago, being in absolute awe at seeing a famous person in the flesh, loving the songs and being pushed and jostled around until my Dad hoisted me on his shoulders for a while. I am not the only one that was a lot older this time around, the crowd was mostly (but not all) older and the band themselves were a lot older (although Jon Bonjovi has a much better plastic surgeon than his guitarist Richie Sambora)
I thought I might not like it as much as I did when I was young, but I was wrong. I danced, sang, clapped, cheered and hollered like I a teen with no inhibitions. I thought I would not like that there were allocated seats (even though I stood for the entire performance) But I did. I loved that I was not pushed, pulled, yanked, stepped on, or burned by cigarettes and covered in someones beer. I had an amazing seat, right in the middle about 15 rows back and I could see the band clearly all night.
It made me feel young again while I danced and sang. It made me feel mature that I liked the civilized nature of it. And it made me feel old when I could hardly move at the end because of cramping up muscles, and that I couldn't be bothered going to town afterward, but headed home to bed. I am not the rock chick I once used to be. Is it the sign of being older when you would rather be at home than out partying? If so, I am happy to be older and I have no desire to reclaim my youth, but don't mind visiting it once in awhile.

Oh the pain!

I was determined not to look foolish come Wednesday when we perform our staff stage challenge - so along with my new exercycle/walking exercise regime I have added 30mins of practising my dance to my nights for the past three nights. I woke at 4am this morning and briefly wondered why I was awake, before it dawned on me that I was in immense pain. A muscle in my dodgy back was reminding me why I have become the non-toned, unfit creature that stands before me in the mirror. I rolled around in bed trying in vain to get comfortable until the alarm went of at 6:40 and I painfully pulled and pushed my way out of bed. I struggled through the day (and another dance practice at school, cause we had to learn the finale dance) and then promptly took myself to the chemist to get some better anti-inflammatory medication. I have spent the last couple of hours with medication lying on the couch, dozing. On the plus side, I have nailed the dance!