Mezes and Mascara

I'm So Old

2010-06-20T09:07:00.003+01:00

Things that make me feel really old! I can remember....

£1 notes
1/2p coins
when Neighbours first started
when pubs would shut in the middle of the day
no mobile phones
no internet
no cable or satelite TV
buying a 10p mix bag of sweets
buying songs on vinyl and cassette
making mix takes on blank cassettes
getting home from school to watch Sons and Daughters or Young Doctors
drinking Metz and Moscow Mule - whatever happened to them

It makes me feel old that....

there are girls who are adults who are called Kylie because they were named after Kylie
my baby brother has now left school
that the Bridget Jones movie came out almost 10 years ago and I am now the same age as the character
I inwardedly tut at what girls wear out when my skirts were probably shorter and my heels higher 14 years ago
that I started University 13 years ago
I have friends who have never heard of Bros and Five Star because they are too young

Books, Books and More Books

2010-05-13T13:08:00.006+01:00

So far I have read 5 of the books that were recomended to me by friends

PS, I Love You - Cecelia Ahern
Olivia Joules and the Over Active Imagination - Helen Fielding
The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
The Interpretation of Murder - Jeb Rubenfeld
A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini

All of them were excellent reads and highly reccomendable with the exception of PS, I Love You which, controversially, in my opinion is not as good as the movie. And not just because love god Gerard Butler is in it.

So far this year I have also read;

The Beach House - Jane Green
Love Letters of Great Men
quite a few of my Roald Dahl collection
The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold (read with a box of tissues)
Re-read both Bridget Jones
Plus my childhood faves I have already blogged about

My fave so far has to be The Lovely Bones and I'm looking forward to seeing how well they do the movie.

I also read the famous Bitter Lemons of Cyprus and after struggling through a third, gave up. What complete pants. All he went on about was how well he understood Greek culture and could manipulate them into doing whatever he wanted and how he was best buddies with the bigshots in town and how well he impressed everyone with his greek - bore off.

I am loving reading the books reccomended to me on varing subjects and thanks so far to Frenchie, Kate and Abi.

Athenian Dream

2010-05-05T13:44:00.004+01:00

I have just spent a lovely Bank Holiday weekend in hot sunny Athens for some historical sight-seeing and nice food (that was improved by a side plate of chips at every lunch and dinner). Me and my friend Emma went to the Acropolis of course which includes the Parthenon, the Houses of Parliament for the changing of the guard, the National Gardens, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hardian's Arch, Hadrian's Library, the Flea Market and Monastriaki Square and one other very special place but more about that later. We arrived on Friday night and spent the Saturday souvenir shopping and walking round the shops and eating nice food as it was a Greek Bank Holiday and the monuments were shut. Saturday was also the day of the protests which happen every year on the May Day Bank Hols but were more of a big deal this year because they were also protesting against the austerity measures. We saw the protestors marching and riot police but didn't see any rioting or fighting as was reported.

We also had time for a bit of star spotting. Emma recognised the lady in photo (right hand corner - like my sneaky photo taking) from the TV but couldn't place her. When we left the cafe we bumped into again so Emma asked. She was in Bad Girls (which I never watched), is called Helen Fraser and she played the warden called Sylvia Hollamby or Bodybag. Wikipedia tells me she has also been in Casualty, One Foot in the Grave and Corrie.

We all have a list in our heads I'm sure of places you really, really want to go or things you want to see, for me they are the Eiffel Tower and Berlin Wall which I have done, Vatican City and the Pyramids which I have yet to do. And one other. I have always wanted to go to wear the very first Olympics were held, before they were official worldwide Olympics were arround and the Greeks were inventing it. I didn't realise until looking in the guide book that it was the same stadium that hosted the first official Olympics in 1896, and neing an olympics fan that made it doubly exciting. The stadium was renovated for the 1896 and 2004 games so is in good condition and probably little of the orginal BC stadium remains but I don't care, that's where it was, were the first Olympians invented the games and competed naked. A dream come true, a big thing off my TO DO LIST.

Apart from that my favourite sight was predictably Acropolis, in particular the statues/columns of the ladies blew me away, they were beautiful.

It was great to get away form Cyprus for a few days even if it was still greek food and language, although I actually didn't have any homous or pitta bread while I was there. Amazing.

Songs To Serenade Me With Please

2010-04-28T14:08:00.003+01:00

Every girl would like the man of her dreams to serenade her to win her over. I'm thinking 'A Lot Like Love' when Ashton Kutcher pitches up with a guitar and belts out Bon Jovi's 'I'll Be There For You'. Although if that situation were ever to happen we wouldn't get to choose the song, I know that, however, just in case, the following songs would be good for me.

The Wonder of You - Elvis Presley (there has to be an Elvis one on there)
Hello Again - Neil Diamond (again there has to be a Neil Diamond one in there)
I'll Be - Edwin McCain
Can't Fight This Feeling - REO Speedwagon
I'll Be There For You - Bon Jovi (watch the movie your'll understand)
Suddenly - Angry Anderson (super cheesy but would still be fab for any Neighbours fan)

And songs not to use....

Zoom - Fat Larry's Band
Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You - Glenn Medeiros
I'd Do Anything - Meatloaf
You Raise Me Up - Josh Grobin/Westlife (Westlife ruined it as per)

After making my list I couldn't resist googling to see if anyone else put a list together. I found this one....

I Can't Help Falling In Love - Elvis Presley (like I said there has to be one)
Everything I Do (I Do It For You) -Bryan Adams (no originality)
Said I Love You But I Lied - Michael Bolton
Hello - Lionel Richie (anyone who had seen the video couldn't take this seriously)
A Groovy Kind Of Love - Phil Collins
Lost In Love - Air Supply
I Swear - All For One
You Are Not Alone - Michael Jackson
Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You - Glenn Medeiros (!!!!!!!!!!!!)
I Just Called To Say I Love You - Steveie Wonder (much better Stevie songs than this)

Conclusion is that the cheesiest person in the world wrote this and mine is much better

Easter hols pics

2010-04-20T14:13:00.004+01:00

Easter Hols

2010-04-18T13:45:00.005+01:00

For Easter one of my best friends Emma Conway came out to Cyprus with her hubby Stephen. It was fab to see them and along with another Emma (Davies) we did some sight-seeing and spent a lot of time lying down on the beach. A lot of chips were also eaten and I put on 3lb - oops.

On Easter Monday with everything in the south being shut we went over the boarder to Famagusta which was very pretty with it's Venetian Palace ruins and the friendliest waiters in the world. We swung by Protaras on the way back for some beach action and dinner but the only place open was Pizza Hut where Stephen polished off a meal for 2 by himself (I helped by having a slice of garlic bread).

The week was a blur of singstar, sun, beach, eating out, movie watching and went far too quickly but will see them again in August in the UK. Can't wait.

Blog is not letting me load pics at the moment, will add some when it lets me

Sport Relief

2010-03-28T12:08:00.003+01:00

Last Sunday Akrotiri had it's Sport Relief runs of 1 mile, 3 miles and 6 miles. Not being a runner but being a big charity supporter I was going to do the 1 mile run until I saw that it was the childs one. Instead I decided to help out and was a marshall instead making sure all the runners went in the right direction.

The morning was a huge success with a big turn out and fabulous weather. My friend Will won the 6 mile run and my friend Kate was the second girl to finish the 6 miles, so big well done to both of them.

Crazy Cat Lady of Kolossi

2010-03-16T14:21:00.006Z

Last year when I arrived in Cyprus and I wanted to help with the dreadful animal situation I decided to take in and rehome kittens (as well as my own from Ally who had not been neutered after all). At one point I had 13 cats in my house and in total 17 cats have been found homes by me. After a year and after the sad loss of Binx I now have 2 cats, mom Ally and son Presley. Ally is approx 2 years old and came to me after a guy who took her from a sanctuary got short toured and had to leave the island. He didn't have time to get her Pet Passport done and at the same time I was looking for a cat. I had always wanted a grey cat and here is Ally when she first came to me a year ago. She was called Neko (Japanese word for cat) which I didn't like so I changed it, I was watching Ally McBeal when she arrived and it suited her. It turned out Ally was pregnant and 5 weeks after she arrived so did 3 babies. She loved being a mommy so much that 5 weeks later she got pregnant again and had another 5 kittens, including Binx. Ally is now neutered. She is a very affectionate cat who loves nothing more than to eat and to curl up on my lap and have her tummy rubbed. She used to be a bit of a wanderer but since the death of Binx she has barely left my side and stays very close to the house. She is very friendly and will go up to anyone, she is known for sitting on the terrace wall greeting any visitors to the apartment block, she is even friendly with next doors dog. Ally was quite skinny when I got her but now after 8 children and being spayed she is a proper chunkster.

Presley is, as you can see, the most beautiful cat in the world and is 1 year old this week. From the day he was born I could see he was going to be stunning, although I wasn't going to keep him, I was going to keep his sister, who is now with a friend (who also had 2 from Binx's litter) and is called Ella. Presley, after Elvis Presley of course, is shy and reserved with people he doesn't know but loves to play and run around like a lunatic. Since Binx's departure Presley has decided that there is not enough naughtiness in the house and now has a few tricks in his fur. He can now open the cupboards and wardrobes and every day I come home to find a different door open, and sometimes clothes on the floor. And the other day he went out for his usual ramble and came back covered in red dust, I had to use my cleansing wipes on him. He also likes to sit on my dressing table amongst my girl things.

Presley and Ally adore each other and Ally is still very much the mother and still washes him and cleans his ears out. They play together with toy mice for hours and if Presley catches an insect outside he will bring it in for the them to play with/torture it together. I often find bits of grasshoppers on the floor.

I don't care if people call me Crazy Cat Lady of Kolossi for the rest of my tour here, I adore my pets and wouldn't be without them, they will be coming with me when I leave.

2010 Reading List

2010-03-06T08:29:00.004Z

I recently asked my friends on facebook what books they recommend to help me get a reading list together for 2010. As suspected a number of the suggested authors and books were ones I have already read and loved; Wuthering Heights, The Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, The Time Travellers Wife, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, Janet Evanovich, Sophie Kinsella and my favourite 'chick lit' author Marian Keyes. But there were many more suggestions of books and authors I haven't heard of or haven't read.

My old school friend Sarah - Another Roadside Attraction by Tom Robbins
Cyprus friend Clare - Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein and Life of Pi by Yann Martel which I have tried to read before but couldn't get into
Cyprus friend Kate - Ghostwritten by David Mitchell and A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseni (that and Kite Runner have been on my reading list for ages now)
Raleigh/Borneo friend, and fellow Marian Keyes fan, Sarah - The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon and Lucia Graves, The Interpretation of Murder by Jed Rubenfeld and anything by Agatha Christie
Another Raleigh/Borneo friend Dee gave me a list of authors - Simon Kernick, Rachel Hore, Nicci French and Mark Hill
Cyprus friend Tamaryn - Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris, Good Omens by Terry Prachett and Neil Gaiman, Life's Too Short to Frost a Cupcake by Rosie Wilde which I like the title of very much, and anything by author Carl Hiassen
Cyprus friend Abi -Olivia Joules and the Over Active Imagination by Helen Fielding and PS I Love You by Cecelia Ahern which are both actually in my book pile
My Dad is a big reader and on my last visit home he gave me the triology by Stieg Larsson - The Girl Who Played With Fire, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest

These are now all in my Amazon wish list but I will get what I can from the library in Akrotiri. I haven't looked what they are about so will just get them and be surprised. When I was fundraising for my trip to Borneo I held a book sale, people from work loved a good cause and generously donated their unwanted books by the box full. After the sale there was quite a lot left so I bought quite a few myself knowing I was coming to Cyprus and imagining afternoons spent reading on the beach soaking up the sun. Consquently I now have a huge pile, well 2 piles, of books that I haven't yet read, including His Dark Materials Triology by Philip Pullman and The Duchess by Amanda Foreman.

As for my recommends - Rachel's Holiday by Marian Keyes, The End of Mr Y by Scarlett Thomas, The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom, anything by Ben Elton and the Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella

Murder at the Juice Joint

2010-03-02T12:24:00.005Z

Last Friday after a few months of planning it was my Murder Mystery night set in a Chicago Speakeasy in the 1920s and as you can see by the pics it was amazing. The 20s have been my favourite decade since reading The Great Gatsby when I was a teenager and then at uni I got to study it as part of American history. I just love the glamour, the drama, the decadence, the whole feel of it and was unbelievably excited to finally be able to wear strong make-up and go out in a feather boa and headband. Jim and Clare Mansell were in attendance, Clare's blog can be found at http://mansellcyprus.blogspot.com

There were 73 guests and all bar one dressed up for the occasion and everyone looked amazing. I was so impressed with the effort they made and was considering asking Amazon for a commission for the money they must have made. I was also impressed with how much everyone got into character, people were shouting and fighting and flirting and a handful even did an American accent.

Notorious Nick, a mob boss was murdered by the Police Chief but only 2 people (not including the Police Chief) solved the murder. One because she thought it would be the police and there were only 2 characters so she guessed and the other one because he bribed me with alcohol and I gave him a clue, only a clue, not the answer. I also gave this clue to the guy playing the PI but he dismissed it saying it couldn't be him as the murderer is a girl. And this guy is a real life policeman!!!!!

An amazing night was had by all and I am very touched by the texts, facebook messages, emails, phone calls and notes to say thanks. I have organised a lot of events in the past but never has one felt more appreciated. The problem is now that people keep asking when I'm doing the next one and it's even been suggested that I join the Mess committee - yikes that wasn't the plan I just wanted to wear a feather boa and walk round with a gun and cigarette holder.

Multi up-date

2010-03-02T12:17:00.002Z

Lent - been very good, as I am doing 3 things I am allowing myself 2 packs of crisps a week but no chocolate and no diet coke. Have only had one Lucozade and that was hangover driven. 10 points so far. Childhood books - Have re-read Danny Champion of the World which I just love and never get bored of reading it. Am now on Little Women. Trialthlon - after tonsilitis, virus, migraine and medication issues triathlon training is resumed, went to swimming club last week and going again tomorrow and hopefully at the weekend will add the running and cycling, am aiming to do my first triathlon end of May.

Lent

2010-02-16T13:12:00.003Z

Tis Lent tomorrow and shall be giving up Diet Coke as usual but also chocolate and crisps. That's right chocolate AND crisps. Trying to purge myself of some of my badness. Will also try to not let my Lucozade consumption go up as is also usual.

Childhood Books

2010-02-14T10:32:00.006Z

I am currently re-reading some of my fave books from childhood. Last week it was The Secret Garden and last night I finished Charlotte's Web.

Reading them as a adult did not diminish the magic and joy I got from the stories as a kid. Reading The Secret Garden I felt I was once again in the garden with Mary Lennox, watching her and Colin transform from horrible brats into happy playful children. Just as the garden transforms from being dead and neglected to alive, full and magically. This story truly is the most special to me from my childhood and is always the one I think of as my favourite children's book. Despite this I have never read any other Frances Hodgson Burnett books but I have seen the movie of The Little Princess and the book of that and Little Lord Fauntleroy are in my Amazon Wish List.

Charlotte's Web is a book that was read to me at school and being a life long animal lover I adored it. It's a short simple story of friendship, justice and of how anyone can make anything happen. I have often thought about calling pets Wilbur and Fern, (in fact, I probably still will at some point) and spookily as I finished reading it last night a dog whose owner was visiting my neighbour ran into my house. It's owner was calling it, can you beleive the dog was called Wilbur!!!!! Spooky but true. Like The Secret Garden I can't watch the movie of this book. I did see the animated version that is years old but I haven't seen the new live action movie and probably never will.

Tonight I am starting the Roald Dahl classic Danny Champion of the World which was also from my school days and then Little Women - oh joy, how I love that novel. Then I need to buy the series of The Worst Witch (I do have this movie from way back with Tim Curry on DVD and I love it) and the series of The Naughtiest Girl in School by the best childrens author of all time Enid Blyton.

I will let you know how I get on with Danny, Mildred and Elizabeth as well as Jo and co.

Binx and Wilma - A Love Story

2010-02-12T15:26:00.010Z

Binx; 4th July 2009 - 10th Feb 2010

Wilma; 9th July 2009 - 15th Dec 2009

2 days ago I lost my beloved cat Binx when he was hit by a car, he was only 7 months old and I adored him. 2 months ago I had to have my foster kitten Wilma put to sleep due to illness. Binx and Wilma were a couple, they were so in love with each other and I want to tell you their story.

My cat Ally was victim of the infamous Cyprus animal problem of not being neutered by the shelter she was in. When I adopted her she was pregnant, I kept one of the kittens (Presley) and planned to get her spayed. However, when the time came she was already pregnant again and on 4th July had her 2nd (and final) litter. I found homes for all 5 of the kittens but had thought that if I was to keep one it would be the black and white boy. I have had 2 tuxedo boys in the past (Sweep and Jezz) and have a real fondness for them. But I had found him a home and the day arrived for his new owners to pick him up - they never came. I didn't have their contact numbers and decided I would give them until the next weekend to get in touch or I would find him a new home. A week later and Presley and the kitten were best friends, played together non-stop and slept curled up together. I couldn't separate them and so I kept him and called him Binx after the cat in the movie Hocus Pocus.

On the 9th July another litter of 5 kittens was born in Akrotiri and to help out the owners who were leaving I took the mom and kittens in to foster them and find them homes. I found homes for all but one, a girl I had called Wilma. As hard as I tried no one wanted her, she was a bit small and skinny, the runt of her litter.

When it came to be that I just had Wilma and her mom left I mixed them in with my cats and Binx and Wilma met. 4 days later they were completely devoted to each other, and I mean completely devoted.

Binx, Wilma and Presley would all play together during the day but in the evening, that was couple time. Every evening without fail Binx and Wilma would snuggle up on the sofa and Binx would groom her. Binx loved nothing better than to groom both Wilma and Presley and whilst he love have to literally lie on top of Presley to do it, Wilma loved to just lie there and be washed by her little boyfriend.

As the weeks went on it became obvious that Wilma wasn't growing, she was also allergic to meat (having to live on just biscuits) wasn't putting on weight and was having problems with digestion. After many trips to the vets, including a Saturday night emergency call out and 2 night stay, it became time to make the hard choice. Due to being the runt and possibly premature, her digestive system wasn't formed properly and due to her size and weight the vets were limited in what they could give her or do for her. After trying all the available options nothing was working and she was in discomfort even when not in pain, I decided in was in her best interests to put her to sleep, the vet agreed and so on 15th Dec little Wilma went to heaven.

It seemed like I was destined to have Wilma in my family for her short life. It was like God sent her to me to make sure she had a good loving home and got to spend her life with Binx, whom she worshipped. 2 nights ago, 10th Feb, I was calling Binx to come in, he usually takes about 10 minutes so when it got to half an hour later and there was no sign of him I decided to walk round the back of the block and call him from there. When I got to the end of the road I saw some white in the road. As I walked over to it I was praying, please don't be Binx, please don't be Binx. Sadly however, it was my little darling Binxster.

I am devastated and the only thing that comforts me is that Binx and Wilma are together again cuddled up on a sofa somewhere in heaven. I think that maybe Wilma couldn't cope without him and God decided that she needed him more than me, Presley and Ally did.

Miss you both dearly, sleep well my sweethearts

Hilary Duff

2010-02-09T15:57:00.003Z

My friends Emma and Lisa will be thrilled Hilary is on there, they both say thay can't see her on the TV without thinking it's me. I can't see it. I tried to do the morph feature but it was broken, will try that another time.

Celebrity Collage by MyHeritage

2010-02-09T15:52:00.002Z

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities - Collage - Morph

Celebrity Collage by MyHeritage

2010-02-09T15:36:00.002Z

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

Celebrity Collage by MyHeritage

2010-02-09T15:20:00.002Z

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

Celebrity Collage by MyHeritage

2010-02-09T15:14:00.002Z

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

Celebrity Collage by MyHeritage

2010-02-09T14:57:00.002Z

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities - Collage - Morph

Celebrity look a likes

2010-02-09T14:51:00.002Z

When in Borneo I 'wasted' many an hour on a website called 'My Heritage' finding out which celebs my Borneo chums looked like. The website has revamped itself a bit now and can post the results to blogs. I'm gonna give it a go now with some of my Cyprus friends. Watch this space.....

Sunny Bonfire Night

2009-11-07T17:10:00.003Z

The RAF Akrotiri Bonfire Night only lasted 2 hours but was an excellent night with brilliant toffee apples and candy floss and a DJ who seemed to be obsessed with Wham!!!!

It was weird to attend a Bonfire and not have to wear a coat and scarf and want a cold drink instead of tea. Novenber and still no coat weather.

Funniest moment of the evening was when me, Pob, Jenny and Charlie were queuing to get the bus back. Me and Pob thought it was the wrong queue and suggested we move, Jenny and Charlie chose not to. First bus that turned up pulled up right in front of me and Pob. Jenny looked pissed when we saw her after, but it was funny.

Triathlon Training - First week

2009-11-05T12:52:00.002Z

First session, Wednesday evening with Tri Club coach. He wants to see how I swim front crawl, this should be funny. Remember I use to do swimming club when I was young. Well backstroke was always my favourite so I have a reasonable backstroke going on. Breaststroke is not bad, could be better, could be faster. Front crawl - appalling. I am all over the place and absolutely can't put my head under the water and do the breathing thing that is kinda vital to front crawl. Well at least I warned him, and at least I am not the only one in the beginners coaching lane.

This man works miracles, in one lesson I am swimming in the correct posture (which feels completely different to what I was doing before) and I swim over 3/4 of a length doing the head under the water thing. Amazing. By the end of the lesson I realise I have never swam like that, I want to cry I hurt so much, and so tired, and actually feel like I am going to be sick. Next day my upper arms and stomach muscles hurt sooooo much. Ouch. The coach emails me a training programme and tells me I need to do 3 sessions a week.

Second session, the following Monday I go to the pool for lane swimming armed with my goggles, orange juice/water mixture and training plan. I do the warm up thing, upper arms start to hurt immediately, the head under the water thing is hard and hurts. I won't give up though, it's only my 2nd session I will persevere. Especially when the life guard comes over to me and says how when she saw me at the Tri Clube last week she was 'thrilled to see a normal person there rather than all these athletic types'. I think she was trying to be nice and supportive!!!!! I'll show her I'll be almost an athletic type soon enough. I carry on with the drill session and manage to do most of my lengths the proper way only having to stop to catch my breath a couple of times. I am impressing myself here, working hard and can see the improvement for myself. Then doom. I think I have overdone, pushed myslef too hard. I am actually nearly sick. I skip the next section and do my cool down and leave. Slightly disappointed I couldn't do the whole thing but I did go solid for 45 minutes and it's probably best not to be sick in the water. Am completely shattered and want to go to bed by 1930. Legs and upper arms hurt. Back in the pool Wednesday.

Wednesday - rained off. Thunderstorms mean the semi enclosed pool closes early.
Thursday - ditto. Boo to storms when you want to swim.

Triathlon Here I Come - beware some of the pics may make you feel sick (they do me)

2009-10-29T13:17:00.022Z

I have decided to start triathlon training for several reasons. 1 - to lose the last bit of weight and get my body shape back. 2 - to get fit. 3 - to achieve something sporty again. When I was in junior school I was a really sporty kid, I was on the school netball team, rounders team and swimming team and outside of school I did swimming club and karate but somewhere along the way it all fell flat. I was a chubby pre-teen only losing weight when i became vegetarian at 14. In the February (when I went veggie) I was a size 16 and by the Christmas I was a size 10. It stayed that way until about 16/27 thanks to swimming, yoga, the gym and 6 shifts a week in a nightclub. Then disaster. The migraines I had suffered from since I was a kid got steadily much, much worse, until it got to the point that they were a daily occurence.

During this time it was so bad that I couldn't go to the gym and the do the exercise I had been and I guess my eating habits also suffered and I put on a stone. Eventually the doctor put me on preventative medication called Pizotifen. It worked - great. But it also has a listed side effect of weight gain, 1st month = 1 stone, 2nd, 3rd and 4th months 1/2 stone each. That is 2 and 1/2 stone in only 4 months, plus the previous stone. I wasn't the only one who suffered at the hands of Pizotifen, lots of people had the weight gain problem; I Googled it. So there I am 3 and 1/2 stone heavier and several dress sizes bigger. At first I don't care because I am just so happy that my head is not in constant agony, but then the weight becomes the main problem. It's not just the size you are, it's the loss of confidence, it's the comments from people who are supposed to care about you but seem to be missing the sensitivity gene, the completely demoralising act of having to buy clothes in a bigger size, the extra pressure on your body and how it's not so easy to do things as it used to be, the humilation of being described on a mystery customer report as having a 'heavy build'. Time to start losing the weight and get back to normal.

I join the gym, I go swimming, I do Body Balance, Body Attack, Body Combat and diet. Nothing works, it won't shift, with all the dieting and exercising I am doing I should look like Victoria Beckham, instead I look like Michelle McManus. Despair. I give up, eat as much choclate and crisps as I want and reduce the exercise, doing just enough to keep me from feeling like a couch potato.

About a year after I started taking Pizotifen it stops working, migraines come back. No point in taking it if it doesn't work, so switch to a different medication. 6 weeks later I am 1 and 1/2 stone lighter and have gone down 1 to 2 dress sizes. After trying a few different kinds I finally find a medication that works and has no side effects but with all my fundraising for my Raleigh trip to Borneo I don't do the exercise to lose the rest of the weight. 14 weeks in Borneo and I lose another stone so when I move to Cyprus in Jan 09 I have lost the medication weight but am still carrying the orignal stone gained. THE CYPRUS STONE. No one warned me, only after I had gained The Cyprus Stone did people start talking about it's existance. So now I am 2 stone heavier than I should be in my fantastic new life in the sun. I join Slimming World and it starts to come off, I go down 1/2 a stone then get stuck, I spend a few months bouncing up and down the 1/2 stone but the weight won't go any lower, and not only that, I feel ill, all the time. I am so tired that my social life suffers as I have no energy to go out and am relying on chocolate and caffeine to get my through the working day. Something is very wrong here. A blood test at the docs reveals a Vit B12 deficiency, easily rectifed and within weeks I am feeling much better and have bundles more energy. So, long story I grant you, but now you are up to date, Oct 09 and 1 stone and 5 lbs over what I used to be. Time for action. The Cyprus/RAF base life is very sport orientated and very outdoorsy. I don't want to join one of the many teams out here, netball, hockey, football, rugby, volleyball, basketball as I am not physically competitive at all. Put me on a quiz team and I want to win. Put me in front of a Connect 4 board and I want to win. Put me on a sports team and I couldn't care less, I am a just play for fun person. So what can I do that will get me really fit but doesn't have a whole team of people relying on me to 1-be any good, and 2-care! Yay for Triathlon. Triathlon, as the name suggests is an event with 3 discipines. Start off with a sea swim, then a road cycle and finally a road run. Swimming I love so all good there. Cycling I haven't done since an accident when I was 14 and spent a week in a wheelchair. And finally running. My nemesis. I have tried before several times and even did 2 5k charity run/walks but I just can't conquer it. This time I shall. Now I know what you are thinking, Triathlons are competitive races. Well, yes and no. Of course I want to do the best I can but I don't care if I come last everytime I do one as long as I can finish and improve. So I talk to the Triathlon club (K1) coach, explain how crap I am and commit myself to start the swimming coaching, I warn him I have absolutely no front crawl technique and he promises to fix me. The season is about to close and restarts in April by which time I shoudl be in a position to do the Try-a-Tri and take it from there. Stay tuned to see how I get on with my training.

2009-10-27T12:20:00.000Z

Yes it's been too long, I'm rubbish. But here I am again ready to blog.

Top Tip

2009-05-18T14:34:00.000+01:00

When you and some friends are going to Nicosia for the day and are planning to cross over the border to the Turkish side for lunch, don't all 3 of you forget your passports. Forntunately it was all 3 of us so it was funny and we realised before we got to the passport contorl crossing point so we didn't look stupid. So we had lunch on the Greek side, went to Ikea and listened to the Les Mis soundtrack all the way home. Good Day.

Sorry Sorry

2009-05-10T11:54:00.002+01:00

have not updated lately as I had a visit from my Dad and now I can't get online from my laptop. I will try to get updated on Tues with all the latest news.

My Top 10 Movie Quotes

2009-04-18T10:22:00.003+01:00

'I offered him my body once, he settled for a pizza' - The Jazz Singer
'How'd you get so tough?' 'I married a fighter' - Rocky 3
'You had me at dicks fuck assholes' - Team America
'My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the armies of the North, general of the Felix legions, loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next' - Gladiator
'Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn' - Gone With The Wind
'I truly believe that happiness is possible, even when you're 33 and have a bottom the size of 2 bowling balls' - Bridget Jones, The Edge of Reason
'Oh, sod a dog. I've made the wrong decision haven't I?' - Notting Hill
'Honestly, if you're not willing to sound stupid you don't deserve to be in love' - A Lot Like Love
'I don't care how liberated this world becomes - a man will always be judged by the ammount of alcohol he can consume - and a woman will always be impressed, whether she likes it or not' - Cocktail
'You have no power over me' - Labyrinth

I Pity The Fool

2009-04-18T07:55:00.003+01:00

I love Truflle Shuffle and buy fab retro T-Shirts from there. My fave recent purchase however is a mug. Not just any mug, a Clubber Lang 'I Pity The Fool' mug.

Love it, Rocky 3 is my fave movie ever it has all the best bits about Rocky in it.

It's the one where Mickey dies
Rocky and Apollo become friends
It is the Eye Of The Tiger movie
It has the beach running scene
Adrian gets tough
Mr T is in it

Let's face it, Rocky rocks

http://www.truffleshuffle.co.uk/store/

Thats better

2009-04-17T16:49:00.001+01:00

Have gone for a less pink more sophisicated look. I like it

My Big Fat Greek Body

2009-04-15T17:54:00.002+01:00

Ok I had done so well losing loads of the weight I put on over the last few years. Then after only 10 weeks in Cyprus one whole stone on. I blame the olivey oily food entirely! So I have now joined Slimming World and in the first week lost 3 1/2 lbs, second week I stayed the same and considering what I ate over Easter I was amazed. So far, so good. Will keep you posted.

Laughs at Limassol Castle

2009-04-11T21:02:00.005+01:00

As most of the girls have gone back to the UK for Easter there is only me and Helen around so we decided to do some more of the tourist stuff, so after a little light (very light on the purse heavy in the bag) shopping at the fruit/veg market we went to nearby Limassol Castle.

As soon as we walked in we could see the signs saying ‘No cameras’ so we had to be a bit sneaky to get some snaps for Facebook.

Kuriousities in Kourion and Kolossi

2009-04-11T20:36:00.006+01:00

Yesterday me and my friend Helen visited Kourion Archaeological Site and Kolossi Castle in an attempt to get some culture and not waste a Bank Holiday off work.

Kourion is a massive site full of Greek and Roman ruins, mosaics and an impressive amphitheatre. It was originally built in the 2nd Century B.C. and some of the B.C. parts still stand like the Public Baths which were built in 50 B.C.

It was a beautiful site to walk round, (even if I did get sunburn for my troubles) and you could imagine the site at it’s former glory looking like scenery from the movie Troy whilst walking round the House of Achilles, the Gladiators House and an area dedicated to Nymphs with columns and mosaic picture floors.

The Ampitheatre is currently used for musical and dramatic shows and seats 3500 people but I thought with it’s gorgeous sea views and old stone that it would be an amazing place to get married, though obviously there would be slightly fewer than 3500 guests.

Kolossi Castle is just down the road from where I live, I drive past it a lot and so after 3 months of driving past yesterday I went in. the orginal castle was built in 1210 and the castle that stands now was rebuilt in 1454 and has played host to the Knights Templars and King Richard I of England. Oh, and they used to make sugar there.

Cosmic Ordering a Man

2009-03-05T14:34:00.008Z

Most people by now should have at least heard of Cosmic Ordering even if they don‘t know what it is, there are countless books on the subject and countless public figures pay tribute to it‘s magical powers. You just ask the universe for what you want and it will get it for you, that’s the theory. It can be as small as ’someone will buy me a cup of coffee today’ or as big as ’I want a husband’. Obviously it is not as simple as that though, nothing ever is, the trick to it is that you have to believe 100% that it will happen. That’s the problem, how many of us have 100% faith in something. Personally speaking this is my problem, ask me if I 100% believe in God and spirituality and I will answer Yes in a heartbeat; ask me if I 100% believe that there is someone out there who will completely adore me and want to marry me and spend his whole life with me then I have to be honest and answer No, I would like to believe it but I don‘t, not 100%.

I really need to get past this obstacle though as I know that Cosmic Ordering works, and can work fast, often within hours. I have tried it on many occasions on small things and big things and it just works (getting a new job; someone providing you with a free car on loan just when you need one most; or just someone telling you your hair looks nice) but it does have to be something you really need and believe will happen. So if I can really believe the perfect man for me is out there and I ask for him it will happen. Well not quite that simple either, when it comes to asking for the perfect man you can’t just say ‘I want my perfect man’ you have to list the qualities that you want in a partner so that you are really clear and focussed on what you want. Another snag is that you can’t ask for a specific man as this is selfish and goes against the universe apparently, so unfortunately however much I ask for him, Gerard Butler still can’t be mine.

There must be something to it as there seems to be more and more women these days talking about how they got their man by Cosmic Ordering him, telling the universe what they want in a man and asking the universe to bring him to them. Celebrities talk in interviews of how they did this and that it worked, indeed one of my closest friends did it, then joined an online dating agency and the very first guy she met was it, they have been together for over 2 years and live together (although she does complain that she forgot to ask for someone who wasn‘t afraid of spiders).

As spiritual and open-minded as I am (and I am) I have ask myself, can writing a list of all things you want in a partner and then sending it out into the universe really work, or is it a sign of true loneliness and desperation. Well I have been single for quite a while and whilst I don’t consider myself lonely or desperate in the slightest I do want someone to love me and someone for me to love so while there are things I am still reluctant to try in the man hunt arena I am willing to give this a go and allow myself to really believe it will happen. Here then is my list, with no one in particular in mind, I promise.

Cosmic Ordering Man List What He Should Be Like In No Particular Order

Physically attractive to me (sorry but it’s important)
Ambitious but not ruthless
Knows the importance of family and friends
Genuinely thoughtful, kind and generous whilst retaining masculinity (i.e. not wimpy and needy)
Is passionate about things and life and people in all the ways you can be passionate
Works to help people and make a difference to the world (in some way at least if not through his job)
Wants children
Has faith whilst not necessarily religion
Has a bad boy twinkle in his eye that makes him manly and rugged and just that bit more yummy
Is independent
Is not afraid to take a risk
Wants to make the most out of life
Has adventure in his life
Is articulate and intelligent
Has shoulders and arms that can just wrap around me and make me feel safe
Gives me butterflies when I look at him
Can sing and move (doesn't have to be great at it but it's the sexiest thing ever to me)
Is not afraid of spiders

How He Is With Me

Appreciates my need for independence and freedom
Is not afraid to let me get to know the real him and show some vulnerability
Supports and encourages me in whatever is important to me and in times of need
Won’t try to restrict me or limit me
Won’t try to control me
Does not think I’m weird for liking cats even if he doesn’t like them himself
Looks after me and makes me feel cared for and protected without being smothered
Tells me how great I am lots
Makes me feel special and important emotionally
Makes me feel like a goddess physically
Will make every effort required to snag me and be with me

It’s this or just writing out the lyrics to Bonnie Tyler’s Holding Out For A Hero, either’s fine.

Universe, if you can hear me this is what I want, now please find him and send him, I’ll be in Southern Cyprus quite close to Limassol and I‘m on Facebook.

We Won!! Quick Let's Run!!

2009-03-01T10:49:00.002Z

I joined the quiz team at my new work partly as a way to get to know some of my new colleagues and partly because I just love quizzes. I have a vast databank of useless knowledge, if you want to know anything about celebrities, 80s or 90s music, movies or literature then I’m your girl. My knowledge is legendary. On a recent expedition to Borneo we had a quiz night and one of the girls on my team went out to buy the prizes, she bought a prize that she wanted because she knew our team would win because I was on it. That’s confidence. Well obviously we did win and she got her prize and I spent the rest of the expedition being called ‘the girl who knows everything’.

But I digress.

I kept my knowledge a secret from my new colleagues, I didn’t want to brag, and they had no confidence that we would do well at the quiz it was just a bit of fun,. If I told and we did badly I would look a fool. And then it started, the theme of the quiz, 2008, rounds included; Picture round of celebs in the news in 2008

Famous couples that got together, married or broke up in 2008 Movies from 2008 Music from 2008 Celebrity deaths from 2008 TV from 2008

Wow, this quiz was made for me, I shone. Every round only made my colleagues more and more impressed with me. Who knows the name of Ryan Reynolds new wife? Who knows what British game show host died last year? Who knows the name of the movie starring Katherine Heigl about bridesmaid dresses? Who knows the name of Jade Goody’s boyfriend? I DO, I DO, I DO.

We were the only team from outside the organising unit and throughout the night the organisers kept teasing about how we couldn’t be allowed to win. After every round the scores were totted up and we were only behind by a few points the whole way through 10 rounds. After the final 11th round (about 3 hours later) the scores were announced and we were declared the winners. We had done the sums and thought surely that’s not right, surely we came second. People groaned that the outsiders won but nobody protested. Then it happened, we were handed the prize money (50 euros between 5 of us) and a trophy, great we thought, we’ll take that.

As soon as the divided up money was in our pockets and we accepted the trophy we started hearing the dreaded words - RECOUNT. The team that we thought had actually won were asking for a recount. The 5 of us looked at each other and had a telepathic moment when we all conveyed to each other the words ‘LET’S GO’. We scarpered with the money and trophy while we were still the official winning team and while the actual winning team (who had been a bit too cocky all night in my opinion) were harassing the organisers to recount the scores.

We knew we hadn’t won. They knew we hadn’t won (we actually came second by 1 ½ points). We refused to give the trophy and money back because it was just so much funnier that way.

Next month is the rematch and I have a feeling claws will be sharpened.

As they say in the cheerleader movies ‘Bring it on’, ‘Oh, it’s brung’.

My 25 Random Things About Me

2009-02-24T15:09:00.002Z

Everyone else is doing it so why not

My biggest fear is being eaten by a shark but I still watch Jaws whenever it is on TV
My most favourite movies ever are ‘Rocky III’ and ‘The Slipper and the Rose’
The smell and taste of wine and champagne make me want to vomit
I spent one year working for the Council Tax office trying to track down people who were trying to avoid old bills
I have lived in the south, middle and north of the UK
I was once asked out by an Aston Villa player and said yes just because he was famous
If I never find love I will be a crazy spinster cat lady and be perfectly happy
I went to a police line up after witnessing a mugging and found it inappropriately amusing
My favourite song is ‘Beyond the Sea’ by Bobby Darin
When I was a kid I hated the nickname She-ra but now love it
I have fainted 5 times, in church on Christmas Day, in the Doctors Surgery, at the top of the stairs at home, on the escalators in the Pavillions in Brum and in a pub at my brothers gig
The thing I despise the most is Bananas, can’t stand the look, smell, texture or taste of them
My Ally McBeal style ‘theme songs’ that make me feel good are ‘Eye of the Tiger’ and ‘What a Feeling’
I spent New Years Eve 1999/2000 dressed as Marilyn Monroe
After years of working in bars I have met countless celebrities, my favourite is Hunter from Gladiators
I just love love love musicals, could spend the whole day watching them
Every time my Mom says ‘tek’ instead of ‘take’ my whole body cringes
I can play ‘Colours of Day’ on the recorder flawlessly
I think Elvis Presley and Neil Diamond have the sexiest voices ever
On separate occasions 2 friends have told me that if they could look like anyone in the world they would look like me and I still don’t know what to say to that
It took me 7 years to get a tattoo
The Priest at my first primary school told my Mom he thought I would become a Nun because I loved Mass so much
The only part of my body I like is my green eyes
My first memory is the day my brother Mark was born, I was 2 ½
I never wanted to travel to Asia to ‘find myself’ but I did

Sisters say the nicest, truest things

2009-02-24T14:50:00.005Z

I was watching a movie with my sister over Christmas, The Holiday, a nice Christmassy movie for some QT with the sis during my brief visit back to the UK and she, in her 13-going-on-20-year-old way told me that the character played by Kate Winslet is me. She repeated this over and over and found it endlessly amusing. Whenever Kate’s character would get excited or cry my sister would laugh and say ‘that’s so you’. And this is why apparently - fair skin, blonde hair, excitable and emotional (that being crying).

After brooding on this for several weeks I still can’t decide how I feel about it. My sister knows me very, very well and would only have said it if she meant so it seems that must be what I am like.

Yes, the character has some charms, she bounces back, she has the strength to change her unhappy life, she believes in love and happy endings (and gets one). They are all things I would like to be like.

However, she also tried to kill herself by sticking her head in her oven and was pathetically in love with a man who strung her along for years and didn‘t love her back. I hereby vow to never do either of those things.

Have you ever been likened to a character or had someone nail your personality with one sentence and completely blow your mind with it? It’s a revelation but not exactly a pleasant experience.

Let's start with Hello and Why

2009-02-24T14:14:00.006Z

I’m a bit late to blogging I know, but I only just now feel that it will be good for me to do it. So why now, well 2008 (Jan to August anyway) was without doubt the worst year of my life. Personally and professionally it was just shit, if it could go wrong it did, and boy did it. It nearly destroyed me. Oh yeah, I also started the year newly 30 and heavier than I had ever been by about 2st.

The only thing that got me through the first half of the year was knowing that I was going to be spending mid Sep to mid Dec on a charity expedition in Malaysian Borneo with Raleigh. I had worked hard to get on the programme and I was very, very excited about it and what I could get out of it. Not only would it physically remove me from the problems back home but it would give me time to focus on me and sort through some of the clutter in my head.

By about July it was very clear to me that when I returned from Borneo I wouldn’t be able to continue in my current job, the situation had become untenable and most importantly I was bored and needed a new big challenge and dramatic change of lifestyle. Fate clearly decided that I was right and helped me out big time by securing me a new job (only 2 weeks before I flew out to Borneo) on the sunny southern Cyprus coastline that would be ready and waiting for me to start in Jan 09.

So September finally came and I spent 17 long hours travelling to Borneo and had my first big adventure in life. I met some amazing people who will hopefully be in my life forever, saw amazing things like villages and communities, the mountains, the jungle, the most stunning beaches in the world and monkeys in the wild. And I did amazing things like trekked through and slept in the jungle in hammocks (even got my very own jungle injury), swam in rivers, got attacked by hundreds of mosquitoes at once and managed to avoid Dengue Fever, sang karaoke for the first time and got to genuinely help people and make a difference to some lives. It was very cool indeed. What was most amazing about it was how it changed me and challenged me in the ways I didn’t expect. Dealing with difficult and changing group dynamics, living with and dealing with other peoples deep seated issues and dramas that affected the whole house, coping with my own crap health issues and trying to get on with people that, quite frankly, I just didn’t like. The most unexpected and challenging thing for me was having the character traits I don’t like abut myself mirrored back at me by other people. This was VERY unnerving and caused me to do a lot of soul searching. I had no option but to accept that I had some of these traits that were just awful to witness in other people and was determined to cast these aside and start again when I got to Cyprus. I was determined to get back to the old me of my early to mid twenties that I used to like, that used to not let life affect her so much. Obviously I know I will never be the same as my early twenties, every experience I have had since then has left it’s mark but my aim now is to not let it scar me too deeply and to get everything out of life that I want and, God damn it, that I deserve. I didn’t leave Borneo with everything being magically fixed, that’s a work in progress (I actually left still a physical and emotional mess); but I left knowing what needed to change, and that’s what was most important. That and a handful of really, really good friends. So this is why I’m a blogger now, so I can record what I wanted to happen and change and remind myself of that when times get tough (which they surely will) and just get down in writing how I am feeling about certain things, events and issues. I’m in Cyprus now, am getting to grips with my new job (which is exactly the challenge I need), my new lifestyle (which still needs some tweaking) and new mindset (which is pretty good at the moment). I have started to make friends, I have got a cat (a grey and white cutie called Ally) and I like the people I work with (which is a relief), so, so far so good. Now is the time to put the changes into practice, the scary bit. Wish me luck