Saturday 23rd January 2015

The end of the week and last night went out for dinner and drinks with OH, not planned but very enjoyable.  This morning was a little slow to get started due to plenty of vino last night.  Still managed to get a lot of chores done and then headed out to visit mum.  When I got back DS had prepped the dinner and was working out on the new treadmill in our bedroom.  Thought it was going to come through the ceiling :)

Watched a very moving documentary on Channel 4 about the liberation of the Nazi concentration camps to honour Holocaust day.  Its hard to imagine that such things actually happened and these films serve to remind us that such events should never happen again.  Nevertheless when I think of the different atrocities that have happened since 1945 I wonder if human beings are capable of living in a state of peace and love for their fellow humans for any real length of time.

Namaste
Marie.

Thursday 22nd Jan 2015

An early start today as getting lift to college at 7,45 from DD1.  It was dark, dank and cold when I got there and walked the rest of the way from the gate to the library building.  Met a friend at 8.30 and then headed to the library to print out some readings for next weeks lectures.  Had a nice enough day as I met up with a few different friends and also had training from 1-2 (Endnote X7) which is helpful when researching and doing bibliographies so every little helps.

Met another friend at 2.30 so it was a very social day.  Had a lecture from 4-6pm on the History of Feminist Politics which was very interesting indeed.  Home at 6.30 and OH had a lovely beef stew made which was delicious.

Now curled up in bed watching the BBC1 News about 'quantative easing in the eurozone'.  Exciting.


Namaste.
Marie.

Results day 21st Jan 2015

Today our semester results were published and I have to say I was delighted with mine.  Nevertheless its all to do again to get stuck into new subjects and assignments but I wouldnt have it any other way.

Today was my first official mentoring day of 2015.  Firstly I met with my co-ordinator to review my progress and then get my mentee's opinion of how she feels things are going.  Overall it went very well and I am happy with both sets of feedback.

After finishing the session I went to visit my Mum and she is bedbound with a cough and a cold but otherwise in good form.  When I got home DD2 had also received her results and did very well, 3 a's, 2 b's and 1 D+ - on a course she dosnt like and is dropping out of !!

Tonight I think I will treat myself to a glass or two to celebrate my 2 A's and watch BBC2's Wolf Hall starting tonight - from the books by Hilary Mantel on Thomas Cromwell, Henry VIII and Ann Boleyn.  My all time favourite period in history:)

The man himself.............. courtesy www.sundaytimes.co.uk/google.images.co.uk

 

Namaste
Marie.

Back to UCD :) 20th Jan 2015

Today was my first day back since end November and glad to be back although I was not up as early as I had wanted to.  Nevertheless I got up made lasagne, hung up wet washing, stocked up the wood burner with wood and made myself some porridge with honey and fruit.  Gosh was I shocked last night watching a program about the amount of sugar in all our foods.  It sure is awful what food companies are doing to us and even though its on packets whats in food how many of us actually read those labels.

I was out the door by 11.30 and in the library at 12.00 courtesy of my trusty bike.  Did an hours reading prep for lecture at 2-4 and then met a friend for coffee (not planned but nice all the same).
Then headed to lecture at 1.45.  It was fascinating.  It was about travellers, rights and nomadism and is being held by a phd student from UL (University Limerick) herself a traveller.  I really had my eyes opened to the rascism and inequality that is meted out to travellers in every area of life.  For example it is hard to believe in this day and age that the life expectancy of a male traveller is 9.9 years LESS than a settled male.  Unbelievable.

Anyhow really enjoyed it and finished off class with a photo as this was an historic occasion - the first lecture on travellers in UCD given by travellers so it is nice to be part of something historic.

Home at 4.30 and back to normal feeding the troops :)

Image courtesy of http://www.ict.mic.ul.ie/

Namaste
Marie.

The end of an era.............. 19th Jan 2015

Today was a rather emotional day as myself and my brother had to go to the solicitors and sign the papers for the sale of Mum's house.  As she is now in a Nursing Home her house needed to be sold to enable us to keep her there as the grant from the Govt dosn't cover the full costs.  Needs must.  We did the necessary and then we went for lunch which was nice as we do not see each other v much and we had a chance to catch up and spend some time together.  He has done so much since Dad died and without him I don't know how I would have coped with everything.

Got home and needed to rest as I had walked into town and back and for some reason have a rather bad pain in my right leg and needed to put it up so I am now in bed with laptop on lap and DS doing the dinner.

Namaste
Marie.

Sunday and its a cosy day 18th Jan 2015

After a few days away from the blog I am back.  Nothing too exciting to record since my last post and I have spent the last few days perusing other peoples blogs.  I especially like moneysavingexpert.com which has lots of different blogs which can keep me occupied for hours if I let it.

Today I was up early and made OH and DS poached eggs with toast and tea.  After feeding myself decided I would head on foot to the nearest ALD? to get the weeks shopping in using a list and a budget.  DS decided he would come with me so of course the budget was blown, still managed to get a lot of food and meat etc for a good price.  If it lasts the week it will be even better.OH collected us from the supermarket and when I got home just prepped the dinner for later - roast chicken pots, hm stuffing, carrots, brocolli and roasted courgettes.  Followed by eton mess (well my version of it - yum. )

House is lovely and cosy as it is meant to be very cold tonight and DD2 is up in the bf's on her bike and has to come back on the bike so I hope she stays safe and dosn't stay out too late.  There is some of the white stuff forecast but we have been lucky so far not a sign of any.  It is indeed very pretty to look out at but if you need to go anywhere or do anything forget it.

image www.googleimages.ie

More of the same .......... 15.1.2015

Well Hurricane Rachel arrived but overall there was less damage than had been anticipated. Nevertheless the house certainly rocked last night as the wind howled and the rain lashed against the windowpanes.  Happily and thankfully we were all tucked up in our beds oblivious.  This morning everyone was slow to get moving except DD1 and DS - she was up for college and he was up to go to help a mate with some painting, he lives close by, just moved a few weeks ago.

I was determined to stay indoors today and get some more chores done, later on myself, DS, DD2 and her BF went to the local village to go to the bank, alterations place, Carphonewarehouse and LIDDLYs to get some supplies.  Got home and prepped dinner of pizza, chips (oven) salad and courgettes roasted in the oven, and I had mine washed down with a glass of Sauv Blanc  Lovely.

Tomorrow I will be up early as am heading out to Bray to get my hair done and visit Mum.
So up to shower and get ready and be presentable.  Love being in college but the holidays are too long and lead to lazy ways, I must try harder.

Namaste
Marie

The windy city............Wednesday 14th Jan 2015

Gosh its windy out there.  Today started out frosty and snowy and ended up torrential rains and high winds  Weather alert is code Red, highest warning.  Batten down the hatches  I know many countries in Europe have experienced high winds, rain and storms, so Ireland is not alone in this weather. Hurricane Rachel has arrived on our shores.

This morning I met with a friend from college and we went to a very nice local hotel for tea and danish pastries but boy did we pay for the experience.  Nevertheless it was nice to sit in the lovely surroundings enjoying the soft furnishings, looking out at the beautifully manicured gardens and being served by very polite and efficient staff.  I guess one has to pay for such service.  Back home at 11.30 to more mundane matters, tidying, putting away stuff, hoovering, my exciting life.

image google images of storms in Sligo in Feb 2014, not quite so bad hopefully this time around

Namaste
Marie

Not a lot happening........... Jan 13th 2015

Today was an uneventful kind of day.  After a late start (I am falling into lazy ways) I got stuck into the decluttering and tidying of the kitchen, and got everything that I wanted to get done done iykwim. Used up all the left over bits and bobs of veg and made a lovely veggie soup with some turkey stock from the freezer that was left over from Xmas.  OH, DS, and DD2 and myself had a bowl for lunch, it was delicious if a little thin.  I usually make and go for thicker soups but it went down well with everyone.

Later this afternoon myself and DD2 went for a long walk and on the way back got caught in a really cold snow shower, brr it was freezing, was I glad to get home to my warm and cosy kitchen (I had left the stove ready to light) and OH had arrived in before us and lit it.  DD1 was at her course and afterwards she was heading to a information evening in UCD for Mature students. She is hoping to get into the Level 8 Veterinary Nursing course in September 2015 so fingers and toes crossed.

After dinner we all had some gorgeous red velvet chocolate cake (courtesy of T--co) which was luscious with cream and Lidly's bourbon vanilla ice cream.  The reason we had it was our spanish student Eduardo was 19 on Friday but he was out and about for the last 3-4 days and it was the first chance we had to celebrate with him.

Will be hitting the hay early tonight, For some reason I am exhausted these days.  Must be all the extra walking and exercising, its helping me sleep anyway which is a bonus.  Image below from google.ie and is similar to the one we had this evenng.  Nom nom. :)

Namaste
Marieever

A week later...........Monday 12th Jan 2015

Where do the weeks get to?  Cannot believe I havn't blogged since Nollaig NaMban.
It was a lovely evening, met my friend at 7.30 and we strolled down O'Connell Street to the Irish Writers Centre and met up with many other women (and a few men) and had a complimentary glass of vino, and put our books on the table for the later KK (which was limited to those who had brought a book which was only fair).  The event was a little late starting at 8.20 pm and it started with various 'soapboxers', whom who stood up and for 2-3 mins spoke about various topics which were dear to their hearts or annoyed them or whatever !! It was very interesting, however it was a pity that the audience were not able to join in and make comments on the topics discussed.  Then there was a round table discussion on different feminist books and authors such as Lena Durham and Nora Ephron.  It finished with a rush to the KK table to choose a book in exchange, I got a very good one on 10 buildings in Dublin which I will find very interesting as I live in Dublin.  We finished off the evening with two hot chocolates in Bewleys of Grafton St.

The rest of this week has gone by in a blur of chores, visits to Mum and also bringing DD2 to Limerick on Saturday to University of Limerick open day.   She has now decided that she wants to do Equine Science at UL which means she will have to have accommodation and stay on campus.  This week myself and DS have been walking every day to lose some weight and get fitter.  Sunday we walked into town and went on the Je Suis Charlie walk to show support for the French after the awful week they have had.

Today I was meant to be going to Madrid but decided over the weekend that I would not go for various reasons.  So today I spent the day getting rid of food that was out of date, tins, flour etc and getting some space in my cluttered cupboards.  Tomorrow I will continue clearing out and making space.

Now settling down to watch Jurassic Park 3 (for about the 100th time :)

Namaste
Marie.

Tuesday 6th Jan Nollaig NaMban - little christmas and women's christmas

Today in Ireland we celebrate 6th Jan as Nollaig NaMban, Women's Christmas where traditionally the woman or mother of the household did not have to do any household chores and was free to enjoy the day as she wished.  Its an old tradition but tonight I am heading to an event for Nollaig NaMban in the Irish Writers Centre in Dublin City Centre to celebrate with readings and meeting up with other women to celebrate it.  We have to bring a book from a woman writer, wrapped in newspaper with a label on giving a little of information about the book or the author.  I chose Rebecca Millars book 'the Secret Life of Pippa Lee' and in return I will receive a book - its a Kris Kindle type of thing.  I am meeting up with a colleage from college who has been on the MA course with me since September and it should be an interesting night with talks from women guest speakers such as Una Mulally and actress Tara Flynn............ I am looking forward to it.

We got back from Kerry on Saturday and Sunday was spent cleaning and hoovering the house and getting back to normal.  Monday I went to get my hair done, met my friend (vbf) and then visited my mother where I sorted out her clothing, put her name on most of her stuff, put her laundry in her new laundry basket and sorted out some of her drawers which were in a bit of a mess.  She is in a Nursing Home and is increasingly becoming disinterested in her appearance and clothing, she has Dementia, which is v. sad as Mum was always very smart looking and kept herself well.

Now I am off to meet DS to have a walk and meet him to carry home the groceries which he went off to get, also having a walk and getting his hair done in the process.

Namaste
Marie.


image courtesy google images.ie: old fashioned photo of women enjoying Nollaig NaMban, they look like very posh women to me !!

The first of many........ Jan 1st 2015

Today in Kerry it is blowing a gale and this has led to a change in plan for the day.  I was planning a walk on the lovely beach at Ballinskelligs with the dog and OH but the weather has defeated this plan....... at least for the moment, SO I am tucked up in my bed looking out at the windswept countryside, surfing the MSE forums and having a duvet day :)

One of the major goals I have for 2015 is 'I'm not buying in 2015'.  By this I mean I will not excessively consume goods.  I will obviously have to buy food and essential items such as personal care, dental care etc. but apart from these I will endeavor not to buy anything unnecessary for the whole of 2015 and hopefully beyond.  Additionally I want to declutter the vast amount of junk in our home, OH is a devil for bringing home 'stuff' and it stays in our home which gets more cluttered with each passing year.  So I am going to be bagging up, and bringing to the charity shop or selling more quality items on DoneDeal and such sites to generate a bit of cash.

As I am in college and will be for the next 18 months of so I am not working so this plan should help to keep my funds firmly locked in my pocket.  Similarly in conjuction with this I will be logging NSD days or Non Spend Days so Jan 1st is a NSD. 1/31


Namaste
Marie.