Rows of tables, whiteboard, overhead projector, whitewashed walls... yes, I was definitely back in a classroom!
Having worked for a French company for the last year, I finally decided that I was sick of listening to my colleagues speaking in french and not being able to make sense of at least half of what they were saying, so I enrolled for one of Warwick University's Lifelong Language Learning french courses.
I don't technically need to speak french for my job as most of the people I work with speak extremely good English, even those based over in our company's head office over in France, however I still got this nagging feeling that I was expecting my colleagues to fit in and speak English all the time, and yet as over half of our office based employees are French, I wasn't making much of an effort to fit in with with them.
Finally though, I enrolled in a uni course, and when I went along to an assessment (what seems like an age ago now) I was surprised to learn I came under the category of 'lower intermediate' - showing that I hadn't quite forgotten as much of my GCSE french as I thought, either that or I'd been picked up more from my colleagues than I'd originally realised!
Friday, 15 October 2010
Thursday, 14 October 2010
'Keep Calm' - Opening Night
I confess I'm a little nervous, as tonight is the opening night of our play - one of two that Cubbington Players are putting on this October. I feel a little out of practice as the panto was 9 months ago now, and although I was involved in the May production I wasn't actually on stage. What seems to be making me feel worse is that I've got 2 friends coming along to see this one as well - no pressure then!
Luckily I have one of the smaller roles in 'Keep Calm', as this is technically my first production as an adult, or at least one that doesn't involve either custard pies or generally acting the fool. I play the part of Mary Grant - a not dissimilar character to Sybil Fawlty, who leaves her husband in charge of looking after the household and baby while she goes out for lunch.
Apart from the fretting and fidgeting before my exit, in contrast to my character when I do finally leave 'for lunch' I can quietly relax back stage while all hell breaks loose, and prepare for my emotional outburst at the end... it promises to be quite something.
ST
http://www.cubbingtonplayers.com/
14th, 15th & 16th October - Keep Calm (Louis Goodrich) & Babysitting Calvin (John H Newmeir)
Luckily I have one of the smaller roles in 'Keep Calm', as this is technically my first production as an adult, or at least one that doesn't involve either custard pies or generally acting the fool. I play the part of Mary Grant - a not dissimilar character to Sybil Fawlty, who leaves her husband in charge of looking after the household and baby while she goes out for lunch.
Apart from the fretting and fidgeting before my exit, in contrast to my character when I do finally leave 'for lunch' I can quietly relax back stage while all hell breaks loose, and prepare for my emotional outburst at the end... it promises to be quite something.
ST
http://www.cubbingtonplayers.com/
14th, 15th & 16th October - Keep Calm (Louis Goodrich) & Babysitting Calvin (John H Newmeir)
Monday, 11 October 2010
Bloggers are what!?
As someone who has tweeted (twittered... I'm actually unsure of the past-tense of the verb 'to tweet' now I come to think of it) profusely for some time now, there is one thing I've noticed - twittering and blogging are, in more instances than not, things that go hand-in-hand - it is a shame then, that someone I had come to admire on the BBC has branded blogging as the "spewings and rantings of very drunk people late at night".
I'm sure that Andrew Marr did not mean all bloggers, but it is unfortunate that he did not seem to make much of a distinction in his statement.
I'm sure that Andrew Marr did not mean all bloggers, but it is unfortunate that he did not seem to make much of a distinction in his statement.
Friday, 8 October 2010
Ristorante Etna
We walked into Etna on a Friday evening and I could immediately see why this particular restaurant had mixed reviews from the people who had eaten there over the years. Although I had read that this was one of the first restaurants in Coventry's Restaurant Quarter, it seemed to lack the sort of atmosphere that I would have expected for an eatery that has been around for more than twenty years. The interior had been redecorated in recent history, but unfortunately it has left the venue with a certain clinical air to it, everywhere was clean but it seemed lacking in any particular personality (the decorations for example seemed a little disjointed) and lacked the friendliness of other Italian restaurants that I have visited.
The menu itself was large and varied, and along with the specials board catered for most tastes whilst
The menu itself was large and varied, and along with the specials board catered for most tastes whilst
Thursday, 7 October 2010
My First Football Match
Pretty much anyone who knows me would vouch for the fact that I'm a bit of a tomboy and have been from an early age. I've never been one for wearing skirts, I have a severe aversion to pink, I've always liked cars and Top Gear, so it's a bit surprising that I've never found myself overly interested in football - having said that, I am fully aware of what the off-side rule is!
It isn't even as if I've never watched a match, it's just that I'd never been to one, even though I had pestered my dad at least once a year to take me to a live game, any game... even a Port Vale one.
My dad, uncle and cousin have been supporters of 'The Vale' for quite some time having lived in Stoke-on-Trent for a large proportion of their lives, and in my dad and uncles case having lived within 10 minutes walk of their home ground. I admit that over the last 20 years I've gently ribbed them on a regular basis about the state of Vale's reputation, feeling that as I was brought up in Leamington/Shropshire that I was as far away as possible from having any connection with a team that had such a big propensity to lose... a lot.
As we got out of the car I felt rather excited, giddy even
It isn't even as if I've never watched a match, it's just that I'd never been to one, even though I had pestered my dad at least once a year to take me to a live game, any game... even a Port Vale one.
My dad, uncle and cousin have been supporters of 'The Vale' for quite some time having lived in Stoke-on-Trent for a large proportion of their lives, and in my dad and uncles case having lived within 10 minutes walk of their home ground. I admit that over the last 20 years I've gently ribbed them on a regular basis about the state of Vale's reputation, feeling that as I was brought up in Leamington/Shropshire that I was as far away as possible from having any connection with a team that had such a big propensity to lose... a lot.
As we got out of the car I felt rather excited, giddy even
Friday, 1 October 2010
Harringtons on the Hill
Even though I have lived in Kenilworth for nearly a year, either living the other side of town, or general ignorance meant that I had not come across the name of Harringtons before. Unfortunately, I entered the restaurant with trepidation after a few interesting comments by my twitter followers, ranging from "I hope you don't get food poisoning/roaches in food/bleach squash" to "Hope it's improved since we were last there (on the plus side it couldn't have got any worse)" - Nice.
The restaurant itself was pleasant and clean, and was well lit considering it was already dark outside. It had a nice 'cottagy' feel about it (as do many of the buildings in Kenilworth) with a relatively low ceiling, wooden beams throughout and a cosy atmosphere mainly due to its small size.
The one thing myself and my companion noted was that the menu was quite large, and although there was certainly plenty to choose from the main menu as well as the specials meant that it was a little overwhelming.
We both decided on seafood starters and duck for our main course - I had the Crab Coctail, followed by the Pan Fried Gressingham Duck, and my friend had the Scallops and the Duck from the specials. The duck was well cooked and perfectly tender. The sauce that came with my dish was Mango and Chilli, which I thought was an excellent combination that suited the duck well and gave it a sweet and sour flair accompanied by the stir-fried vegetables. The two puddings, Cheesecake of the Day (Strawberry) and the Sticky Toffee Puddings suitably rounded off the meal.
I thought the restaurant was lovely and cosy, perfect for an evening meal as the winter draws in. The staff were friendly and helpful, and the dishes were brought out promptly but without any feeling of being rushed.
I'd recommend this as a nice restaurant to go to as a couple, or a small group of friends, as due to its size it is probably unsuitable for large parties.
Harringtons on the Hill
42 Castle Hill
Kenilworth
http://www.harringtonsonthehill.com/
The restaurant itself was pleasant and clean, and was well lit considering it was already dark outside. It had a nice 'cottagy' feel about it (as do many of the buildings in Kenilworth) with a relatively low ceiling, wooden beams throughout and a cosy atmosphere mainly due to its small size.
The one thing myself and my companion noted was that the menu was quite large, and although there was certainly plenty to choose from the main menu as well as the specials meant that it was a little overwhelming.
We both decided on seafood starters and duck for our main course - I had the Crab Coctail, followed by the Pan Fried Gressingham Duck, and my friend had the Scallops and the Duck from the specials. The duck was well cooked and perfectly tender. The sauce that came with my dish was Mango and Chilli, which I thought was an excellent combination that suited the duck well and gave it a sweet and sour flair accompanied by the stir-fried vegetables. The two puddings, Cheesecake of the Day (Strawberry) and the Sticky Toffee Puddings suitably rounded off the meal.
I thought the restaurant was lovely and cosy, perfect for an evening meal as the winter draws in. The staff were friendly and helpful, and the dishes were brought out promptly but without any feeling of being rushed.
I'd recommend this as a nice restaurant to go to as a couple, or a small group of friends, as due to its size it is probably unsuitable for large parties.
Harringtons on the Hill
42 Castle Hill
Kenilworth
http://www.harringtonsonthehill.com/
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