Typewriters

I am currently messing around with my favourite Christmas present (I know, I’m bored of that word too) A Typewriter! What a lovely idea! After faffing around and buying new ribbon, which is surprisingly easy by the way, I’m readying myself for lots of letter writing. I still maintain that there is nothing nicer than getting something in the post that isn’t a bill or from your bank telling you how much money you don’t have. I’ve started up a correspondence with my Granny who lives abroad and who still doesn’t own a computer, so I can’t use the magic of e-mail, and it’s weirdly refreshing. Plus there’s the added fun of buying fancy stationary, as well as that pleasant clacking noise the keys make as if you’re writing something of the utmost importance. 'scuse the mess by the way!

Dogs Are Everywhere...

Two of my housemates are ridiculously obsessed with dogs. No matter how big or small, you are always aware of a dog in the vicinity purely by the squealing that ensues at the sight of them. Initially annoying and then somewhat endearing, this thrill at seeing a jolly dog jogging along has started to rub off on me. Everywhere I seem to look there are tiny puppies tucked under arms, little dogs running after balls and big dogs with their tongues lolling out. Each and every one I see now makes me smile and brightens my day just the tiniest bit. There’s nothing sweeter than a wet nose and a happily wagging tail.

Here's a photo of our old dog 'Rudi' who was always such a jolly chap. Looking very young and dapper here, taking a rest from raiding workmans lunchboxes!

Hand in Hand

My friend and I made a deal –amongst others- a couple of years ago when we first moved to Brighton. We aimed to meet on a regular basis and seek out all the great pubs that we would never end up finding with anyone else. The last little gem we found was Kemp Town’s ‘Hand in Hand’. Noted as ‘the smallest pub in Brighton’ with vintage newspapers on the wall, micro brewery out back and jazz on a Sunday; what more could you possible wish for? Chin Chin!

And breathe in...

So I joined the gym. Yeah I’m not sure why either. It’s costing me silly amounts of money I don’t really have and I’m not even that keen on exercise. However- exercise classes are included in this horrendous fee, of which Pilates and Yoga I frequent. At the risk of sounding incredibly middle class and airy fairy I must point out that I am doing these merely for medicinal purposes. My back and neck have always been an issue for me but I seem to find that a good stretch sorts me out. The first few lessons were somewhat bizarre- mainly due to all the heavy breathing that goes on. Having managed to refrain from laughing at this curiosity I stupidly invited a friend along to join me. One aghast glance from her set me off with the giggles and I nearly toppled over trying not to laugh out loud. Never again! Humorous exercise should only be undertaken in private.

Walking The Line

Maybe it's the child in me, but everytime I see any form of raised line - the division between pavement and cycle lane, low walls, the occasional disused rain track, I feel the need to walk along it. Palms outstretched to my sides and a curious wiggle as one foot is firmly planted infront of the other I can pretend I'm a gymnast balancing on a beam or merely a kid trying not to fall off a wall. Looks like Johnny Cash gets the same feeling.

Nostalgia

This week has been an odly nostalgic one, smells and sounds have transported me back to my childhood and bought back memories I'd completely forgotten. Here are a few of my stops down memory lane...

• Smelling banana shampoo in Body Shop made me grin madly to myself. Crouched on the floor- open bottle in hand reminded me of when having hair that smelt like bananas was the paramount of importance.

• Listening to Erik Satie- my aunt used to play one of his songs on my Granddad’s piano when I was tiny. I remember standing in the hallway just crying because it sounded so beautiful (I was a strange child!) hearing this music again at 21 still makes my stomach knot up and feel a little overwhelmed. Weird as I don’t usually like anything classical.

• Buying fennel tea only to find that the smell reminds me strongly of my Granny who inexplicably always smells of fennel. I remember wandering around in the garden at her old house picking at the chives and avoiding the fennel because it tasted too strong and liquorice-like.

More Japanese!

After my Japanese experience I realised how incredibly (and i’m going to extend this to all us Brits here at risk of offence) lazy we are at learning new languages. Strangely, at the same time of thinking this I was browsing Gumtree , I have become a slight addict of this amazing website. And on this said website was an offer of free Japanese lessons, so who am I to turn that down? I’ve had a months worth of lessons so far and although I’m learning slowly – the script is particularly confusing yet beautiful- I’m actually really enjoying it. I am aware that adding another language- I’m also currently trying to teach myself French on top of my degree- is a difficult task but I figure it’s another string to my bow and can only be useful.