Tuesday, 25 October 2011
An Idiot Abroad
M and I have watched a few episodes of this show An Idiot Abroad and have been killing ourselves laughing.
Unlike any travel documentary I've ever seen, this show was created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant and the series follows their "friend" Karl Pilkington as he travels around the world visiting the Seven Wonders.
However, Karl doesn't like travel. He doesn't like being put out of his comfort zone. He's only ever been to Wales and didn't really like it much.
Essentially, Ricky Gervais describes him (fondly) as a typical little England moron who is fun to poke with a stick. Which they do by deliberatly sending him to places that he will find challenging and uncomfortable.
It makes for pretty funny TV as Karl's reactions are genuine and unscripted.
Trailer below:
Ricky Gervais' laugh kills me.
xxx
B
PS: Raj says hi!
Friday, 21 October 2011
Quickie
2 quick things before I forget them:
1. One of my primary students pee'd on my foot yesterday.
She came up to ask me if she could go to the toilet and by the time I'd said yes there was a puddle on the floor and on my foot.
My bare foot.
Nice.
When I told my sister this story today she said it was probably good practice for parenting where my life will revolve around poo and wee and vomit.
Valid point.
moving on ....
2. As I was driving home today I pulled up next to a man on a motorbike/scooter (one of those weird ones that has two small front wheels instead of one big one - have you seen these? I hadn't until we moved here. They look a bit golf-cart/motorized wheelchair-like ya know?)
Anyway - this gentleman of a certain age was:
- wearing a helmet - ok, good - normal
- smoking a pipe - a little odd, especially while wearing a helmet
- had a bag full of groceries at his feet that I could see included about 5 baguettes and a few bottle of wine -right, ok, so a logical thing to transport on your motorbike
- and had a huge wreath of GARLIC wrapped around the handle bars - WTF??
If only he had a little mustache and was wearing a beret (which he might have been under his helmet, I couldn't verify this) he could have been a perfect - if slightly disconcerting - French stereotype!!
But what do I know - maybe he is actually a Vampire Hunter. That could also explain the garlic.
That's all I wanted to say!
It's Toussaint Vacation time here - which means a week and a half of sleeping in, wearing my super comfy yoga pants every day and watching a whole lot of crappy TV.
And on that note - Project Runway awaits.
P.S - Raj says hi!
xxx
B
Saturday, 15 October 2011
Pregnancy = a lack of style!
I was nominated by my lovely friend Sara for the Stylish Blogger Award – an honour I’m sure I don’t deserve given the utter lack of style ‘round these parts and my pitiful lack of blogging but I am very grateful.
The ever stylish Sara made her list about the 7 things she is looking forward to about autumn.
I tried to think of 7 autumn related things I was looking forward to but all I came up with was not being sweaty and being able to say “Autumnal” all the time. So that was a bust.
Instead I thought I’d talk about a few of things about being pregnant that I was slightly unprepared for.
Thus my Stylish Blogger 7 things list is Seven Unexpected things about being Pregnant!
Just as an update - we’re at 20 weeks – so officially the half-way point.
Other than the sickness, I have been so, so lucky thus far and am actually enjoying this whole process quite a lot.
I love feeling the baby moving – which is happening more and more, and I’m so excited about meeting this little person who I love so much already.
But here are some things I’ve found curious about the journey so far:
1. Endless nicknames
We have taken to calling the baby ‘Raj’ which is a shortened form of Ra-Ju (the start of our surname + junior). It has kind of stuck with us and it has lent itself to a whole host of other names – mostly from M.
For example, since I am hosting Raj, I am therefore Raj-istan. M and I are the Entou-Raj. When I am feeling unwell M asks if I am feeling Aver-Raj. When Raj is moving about we call is Raj-y-bargy.
The options are rather endless and it makes us both giggle like loons.
Pity the poor child, especially if it ends up being a girl and her nickname for the rest of her life is “Raj”!
2. Hormones make my cry. A LOT.
At the moment I seem to cry over everything and nothing.
Things have that have made my cry include (but are not limited to): The film Bridesmaids (which is a comedy and very very funny btw!) M arriving home from work, M leaving for work, a poignant moment on Masterchef, Gossip Girl, a particularly moving story on CNN, the dishes being dirty, not being able to find my black leggings, being tired, watching sad Glee videos on YouTube, having to wash my hair.
Yeah. I’m losing the plot. Blame the hormones!!!
3. Food has lost its regular appeal.
I know I’ve mentioned this before, but for a food lover this aversion and ambivalence to one of the greatest joys on earth (which would be eating) is slightly disconcerting. For a long time I think it was due to the nausea and morning sickness which seems FINALLY to have left the building but even still – I’m so “meh” about food.
It’s like having the opposite to cravings. There is still a list of things I don’t want to eat but other than that, it’s just fuel to get me through the day.
It’s tragic people! I can’t even get excited about chocolate! Who am I??
4. Horror stories
Everyone has heard a horrible story about a 45 hour labour. Or tragic stories of still-born babies. Or nightmarish tales of surgeries gone wrong. I know that these things can happen, I’m not naive. What I don’t understand is why everyone feels the urge to share ALL these stories, whether their own or something that happened to a friend or their cousin Belinda, with a newly pregnant woman??!!??
I've learnt about “incompetent cervixes”, foetal abnormalities, 3 day pain-relief-free labours, incontinence, scarring, inverted nipples, silent reflux, miscarriages at 5 months, failed epidurals – ENOUGH!!! Stop scaring the pregnant women!
5. Body changes
This one wasn’t unexpected – obviously your body changes when preggers, duh. But some of the changes are still curious. Hair in unusual places and changing colour and texture, fingernails that grow ridiculously fast, bigger boobies, skin sensitivity and itchiness, a slowly changing centre of gravity that affects gait and movement – I’m not waddling yet but I’m certainly not striding normally.
And best of all – a belly that is slowly starting to look less “who ate all the pies” and more “baby on board”. This bit isn’t a surprise but it is totally brilliant.
6. Mummy Battles
I’m not quite sure what it is about women but we sadly seem to feel the need to out-do one another and prove ourselves as superior to other women in a whole variety of ways. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the world of babies and children where women can be incredibly supportive and kind or judgemental and condescending.
Oh holy heck, there are a lot of opinions out there and people seem more than willing to share with you theirs, even if you didn’t ask for it. My wise mother always says “Opinions are like Assholes. Everyone’s got one”.
I haven’t been personally bombarded with “advice” as my family and friends are awesome and chilled but as soon as you start researching or looking online or reading through forums - Wowza. It’s a jungle out there and the claws are out. 3-wheeler prams v 4-wheelers. Cloth nappies v Disposable. Breast v Bottle. Natural birth v C-Section. Everyone has an opinion (which they are often happy to present as FACT) and it makes the whole thing rather headache inducing.
Which is a pity. As trying to decide on a pram is freaking hard! There are literally 100s of choices out there!!
7. Becoming a family
We’re still a long way from Raj making his/her appearance into the world but already I am surprised and awed by how much closer this experience has brought M and I. Suffice to say, I haven’t been the most useful wife the last 4 months or so and M has more than picked up the slack doing about 90% of all the cooking/cleaning/shopping etc. Quite frankly, he has been amazing.
He is also so excited and involved in everything – making sure he attends all my appointments, reading the chapters in the book, making sure I’m eating/resting/sleeping enough and asking me every day “how is my Raj doing?” As my belly is getting bigger he also spends time rubbing and talking or singing to the baby (who I don’t think can hear him yet but ..... don’t tell M that!)
While his song choice leaves a lot to be desired, his love for our baby and for me is something to behold. Raj and I are very, very lucky to have him.
So there you have it.
Not terribly stylish I’m afraid!
Raj says hi
B
xxx
The ever stylish Sara made her list about the 7 things she is looking forward to about autumn.
I tried to think of 7 autumn related things I was looking forward to but all I came up with was not being sweaty and being able to say “Autumnal” all the time. So that was a bust.
Instead I thought I’d talk about a few of things about being pregnant that I was slightly unprepared for.
Thus my Stylish Blogger 7 things list is Seven Unexpected things about being Pregnant!
Just as an update - we’re at 20 weeks – so officially the half-way point.
Other than the sickness, I have been so, so lucky thus far and am actually enjoying this whole process quite a lot.
I love feeling the baby moving – which is happening more and more, and I’m so excited about meeting this little person who I love so much already.
But here are some things I’ve found curious about the journey so far:
1. Endless nicknames
We have taken to calling the baby ‘Raj’ which is a shortened form of Ra-Ju (the start of our surname + junior). It has kind of stuck with us and it has lent itself to a whole host of other names – mostly from M.
For example, since I am hosting Raj, I am therefore Raj-istan. M and I are the Entou-Raj. When I am feeling unwell M asks if I am feeling Aver-Raj. When Raj is moving about we call is Raj-y-bargy.
The options are rather endless and it makes us both giggle like loons.
Pity the poor child, especially if it ends up being a girl and her nickname for the rest of her life is “Raj”!
2. Hormones make my cry. A LOT.
At the moment I seem to cry over everything and nothing.
Things have that have made my cry include (but are not limited to): The film Bridesmaids (which is a comedy and very very funny btw!) M arriving home from work, M leaving for work, a poignant moment on Masterchef, Gossip Girl, a particularly moving story on CNN, the dishes being dirty, not being able to find my black leggings, being tired, watching sad Glee videos on YouTube, having to wash my hair.
Yeah. I’m losing the plot. Blame the hormones!!!
3. Food has lost its regular appeal.
I know I’ve mentioned this before, but for a food lover this aversion and ambivalence to one of the greatest joys on earth (which would be eating) is slightly disconcerting. For a long time I think it was due to the nausea and morning sickness which seems FINALLY to have left the building but even still – I’m so “meh” about food.
It’s like having the opposite to cravings. There is still a list of things I don’t want to eat but other than that, it’s just fuel to get me through the day.
It’s tragic people! I can’t even get excited about chocolate! Who am I??
4. Horror stories
Everyone has heard a horrible story about a 45 hour labour. Or tragic stories of still-born babies. Or nightmarish tales of surgeries gone wrong. I know that these things can happen, I’m not naive. What I don’t understand is why everyone feels the urge to share ALL these stories, whether their own or something that happened to a friend or their cousin Belinda, with a newly pregnant woman??!!??
I've learnt about “incompetent cervixes”, foetal abnormalities, 3 day pain-relief-free labours, incontinence, scarring, inverted nipples, silent reflux, miscarriages at 5 months, failed epidurals – ENOUGH!!! Stop scaring the pregnant women!
5. Body changes
This one wasn’t unexpected – obviously your body changes when preggers, duh. But some of the changes are still curious. Hair in unusual places and changing colour and texture, fingernails that grow ridiculously fast, bigger boobies, skin sensitivity and itchiness, a slowly changing centre of gravity that affects gait and movement – I’m not waddling yet but I’m certainly not striding normally.
And best of all – a belly that is slowly starting to look less “who ate all the pies” and more “baby on board”. This bit isn’t a surprise but it is totally brilliant.
6. Mummy Battles
I’m not quite sure what it is about women but we sadly seem to feel the need to out-do one another and prove ourselves as superior to other women in a whole variety of ways. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the world of babies and children where women can be incredibly supportive and kind or judgemental and condescending.
Oh holy heck, there are a lot of opinions out there and people seem more than willing to share with you theirs, even if you didn’t ask for it. My wise mother always says “Opinions are like Assholes. Everyone’s got one”.
I haven’t been personally bombarded with “advice” as my family and friends are awesome and chilled but as soon as you start researching or looking online or reading through forums - Wowza. It’s a jungle out there and the claws are out. 3-wheeler prams v 4-wheelers. Cloth nappies v Disposable. Breast v Bottle. Natural birth v C-Section. Everyone has an opinion (which they are often happy to present as FACT) and it makes the whole thing rather headache inducing.
Which is a pity. As trying to decide on a pram is freaking hard! There are literally 100s of choices out there!!
7. Becoming a family
We’re still a long way from Raj making his/her appearance into the world but already I am surprised and awed by how much closer this experience has brought M and I. Suffice to say, I haven’t been the most useful wife the last 4 months or so and M has more than picked up the slack doing about 90% of all the cooking/cleaning/shopping etc. Quite frankly, he has been amazing.
He is also so excited and involved in everything – making sure he attends all my appointments, reading the chapters in the book, making sure I’m eating/resting/sleeping enough and asking me every day “how is my Raj doing?” As my belly is getting bigger he also spends time rubbing and talking or singing to the baby (who I don’t think can hear him yet but ..... don’t tell M that!)
While his song choice leaves a lot to be desired, his love for our baby and for me is something to behold. Raj and I are very, very lucky to have him.
So there you have it.
Not terribly stylish I’m afraid!
Raj says hi
B
xxx
Sunday, 9 October 2011
Bon Appétit!
After surviving the early start and rowdy football game last Saturday morning (helped along no doubt, by some delicious pancakes and an emphatic win by the mighty Geelong Cats!) it was with no small amount of excitement that I waited for the arrival of our awesome visitors - namely Sara, The Husband and Disco Gayle!
I was so looking forward to seeing my bosom-buddy Sara, my boyfriend-for-life The Husband and was eagerly anticipating meeting Disco Gayle who seemed from Sara's tales like a hilarious and groovy chick and who I'd been told reads as much as I do - winner winner chicken dinner!
No sooner had they arrived, unpacked, gone tee-tee and we were off! - a quick car trip to Monaco for some sight-seeing and eating. Indeed, the whole weekend had a decidedly gastronomical feel to it. That's why these are my people.
Monaco was lovely, as always, and the weather was spectacular. A long, relaxed lunch near the casino was followed by a slow stroll around the port and up to the old town and palais square.
After all that glitz and glamour, dinner was a relaxed affair on the balcony with much laughter and funny stories.
The next morning while I cooked up another batch of pancakes, the others watched the Rugby and M risked his life by cheering against Ireland. I thought Sara was going to go all out ghetto-fabulous on his ass!
All rivalries resolved, we meandered into Cannes for more glorious sun-drenched wandering and another lovely long lunch with great people-watching at one of the beachfront restaurants along the Croisette. Where we continued our tradition of annoying the hell out of The Husband by saying "bon appétit" a la Julia Childs at any and all opportunities. He hates it. So much. So we keep doing it. We're big meanies.
All too soon it was time for our visitors to head back to le petit village with firm plans to catch up soon.
I know I've said it before, but it bears repeating that one of the BEST things about our time living in France has been the amazing friendships and connections we've made with people we never would have encountered otherwise. I feel like I've known Sara forever and she makes me laugh til I nearly pee my pants (which these days, with baby pressure on the bladder is actually a likely possibility!) and I honestly adore The Husband. He opened my door for me every time we stopped. Literally EVERY. TIME. Awww. He is such a gentleman and is so good natured about having three women shrieking and giggling and speaking rapid-fire English around him. He and M spent a lot of their time rolling their eyes at us and discussing the Rugby. And Disco Gayle exceeded expectations. She's awesome, I may have a slight girl crush.
I can't wait to see my lovely friends again soon
Until then - Bon Appétit!
xxx
B
P.S - I've been nominated for a Stylish Blogger Award which is flattering and ironic given my poor blog efforts of late but I will be back in the next few days with my 7 things ... TTFN!
I was so looking forward to seeing my bosom-buddy Sara, my boyfriend-for-life The Husband and was eagerly anticipating meeting Disco Gayle who seemed from Sara's tales like a hilarious and groovy chick and who I'd been told reads as much as I do - winner winner chicken dinner!
No sooner had they arrived, unpacked, gone tee-tee and we were off! - a quick car trip to Monaco for some sight-seeing and eating. Indeed, the whole weekend had a decidedly gastronomical feel to it. That's why these are my people.
Monaco was lovely, as always, and the weather was spectacular. A long, relaxed lunch near the casino was followed by a slow stroll around the port and up to the old town and palais square.
Some glamorous people outside the Monte Carlo Casino
Pretty stock-standard Monaco sights ....
That belly is about 50% baby and 50% the delicious dessert I just ate.
Monaco: knows how to keep the bogan tourists inline.
Not to go all Carrie Bradshaw on you but, when we were here, it got us to thinking: do you reckon Prisoner Bride (aka Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene) every ducks out of the palace, and goes across the square for a beer and a nutella panini?
Probs not.
After all that glitz and glamour, dinner was a relaxed affair on the balcony with much laughter and funny stories.
The next morning while I cooked up another batch of pancakes, the others watched the Rugby and M risked his life by cheering against Ireland. I thought Sara was going to go all out ghetto-fabulous on his ass!
All rivalries resolved, we meandered into Cannes for more glorious sun-drenched wandering and another lovely long lunch with great people-watching at one of the beachfront restaurants along the Croisette. Where we continued our tradition of annoying the hell out of The Husband by saying "bon appétit" a la Julia Childs at any and all opportunities. He hates it. So much. So we keep doing it. We're big meanies.
All too soon it was time for our visitors to head back to le petit village with firm plans to catch up soon.
I know I've said it before, but it bears repeating that one of the BEST things about our time living in France has been the amazing friendships and connections we've made with people we never would have encountered otherwise. I feel like I've known Sara forever and she makes me laugh til I nearly pee my pants (which these days, with baby pressure on the bladder is actually a likely possibility!) and I honestly adore The Husband. He opened my door for me every time we stopped. Literally EVERY. TIME. Awww. He is such a gentleman and is so good natured about having three women shrieking and giggling and speaking rapid-fire English around him. He and M spent a lot of their time rolling their eyes at us and discussing the Rugby. And Disco Gayle exceeded expectations. She's awesome, I may have a slight girl crush.
I can't wait to see my lovely friends again soon
Until then - Bon Appétit!
xxx
B
P.S - I've been nominated for a Stylish Blogger Award which is flattering and ironic given my poor blog efforts of late but I will be back in the next few days with my 7 things ... TTFN!
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