I don't often go back to places. I've been told I'm always in different places, which is kind of true, but I hardly ever go back. This year I've done it twice.
I went back to Bournemouth, where I'd done my first tefl job, met some cool people and had a good time. This time round everyone had either swine flu or expected swine flu, no one really clicked and most of the students (who we got on wekl with last time) were just too rich, and unaware of it (always asking us to do things we couldnt afford etc, waving 50s in our faces, that kind of thing).
Portugal round 2, where I'd worked last year.
Weather wasnt as good, though seeing my old house, in Ajuda, going back to Cambridge and training with my old training partner Pedro, were all good.
I have to say I hadn't expected to feel nostalgic or sad, but there were feelings of doubt. Should I be back in Portugal, doing a second year? I did def miss speaking Portuguese, and some of the characters in my old life. I even missed my eccentric landlord.
I'm glad I went back, but resolved to try to carve out a new year, doing different things.
Heck, I can always go back...... another time!
Sunday, 8 November 2009
On going back to places
Friday, 30 October 2009
wrist woes
2/3 weeks ago I had problems with my wrist. After training they would click and be painful. Flu, worstened the symptoms so that the tendons also hurt, and it began to hurt to type.
Growing up is about responsibility. Although it is funny to talk about responsibility within a dance/athetic context I wasn't acting responsibly toward my body.
The painful truth is not the physical pain, but the need to restrain, and not train. My week in Portugal, with minimum training. I'm sure I'll be fine,.... in the sun!
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
Thoughts on getting a website
In need of a website, long over due.
Content mainly, though still need to find a designer,.... hmmm....
in reference to: Sidewiki : Troubleshooting - Toolbar Help (view on Google Sidewiki)
www.eurolanguageholidays.com is one of my websites
The other is www.reelfilmproductions.co.uk
Content mainly, though still need to find a designer,.... hmmm....
in reference to: Sidewiki : Troubleshooting - Toolbar Help (view on Google Sidewiki)
www.eurolanguageholidays.com is one of my websites
The other is www.reelfilmproductions.co.uk
Monday, 19 October 2009
Back to P'gal
Booking my coach today.
Plans to go volunteer on a farm stray from my usual desire to earn a bit of money, though should be interesting enough to be sustainable, for a week or so.
Hope to meet up with Maria and Pedro, and my old teaching buddies.
Hope the coaches(to the airport) aren't sold out though!
Saturday, 17 October 2009
The camera that is so good why would you buy a video cam?
After uploading some stuff I thought about writing a post gloryifying the greatness of an old piece of tech I bought a while back (why buy a new gizmo when an old one still kills it!).
I bought my digital camera about 18 months ago, though a similar model was around before it, and possibly one before that.
I wanted a high spec, easy to use camera that had the potential to be a good video camera. I got it.
The Casio Exilim Youtube digital cameras are the s**t if you want a no hassle good quality (mine is 10.1 megapixels, top of the range 18 months ago and still damn good now) digital camera. The added bonus is it is soo good it works very well as a video camera, saving me over 300 odd pounds on buying one of those.
The best shot feature, which adjust settings such as the amount of light let in, shutter speed, flash and colours works very very well. There are settings for parties, outdoor, portraits, autumn leaves, flowers etc.
Cheap as well- I got mine for just over £100!
I very much recommend it!
Comment below about your own digital cameras!
First entry in a loooong time!
First entry in a long time.
Will update further.
Now using sidewiki- seems interesting.
Take care all!
Monday, 6 July 2009
changing places; The ups and downs of moving once, twice, thrice.
Having left Lisbon on a high note I came back to the UK, sunny and rainy- not able to make up its' mind, typically. Odd jobs (of no particular interest to the outside reader) had to be completed. A Saturday with my beautiful girlfriend followed that, and, despite being exhausted from lack of sleep and a pretty horrendious journey back, I was packing up again to venture to summer school once more.
Bournemouth. Ups and downs? Not having accommodation was a downer, though rooming with a mate was good, till I saw the room. Sleep has been an issue.
Highs? Competed in a regional bboy champs, although feeling unprepared, with a lack of sleep and training meant I was pretty mortified by my overall performance. That said, we got to the semi-finals (3 on 3s, no doubt because of the other two bboys I was with).
Other ups? Seeing old faces from last year's been nice. Catching up, or what catching up I've been able to do as yet. A bizarrely positive side effect of a general lack of sleep has meant my average wake up time has slowly come from the Portuguese style 11am/midday, to the slightly earlier time of 6am, or there abouts.
Having come out of my teenage years and into my 20s I've slowly come to recognise the benefits of getting up earlier.
We shall see if I can keep it up,...
Right, its getting on past 7, should get ready for work...
Bournemouth. Ups and downs? Not having accommodation was a downer, though rooming with a mate was good, till I saw the room. Sleep has been an issue.
Highs? Competed in a regional bboy champs, although feeling unprepared, with a lack of sleep and training meant I was pretty mortified by my overall performance. That said, we got to the semi-finals (3 on 3s, no doubt because of the other two bboys I was with).
Other ups? Seeing old faces from last year's been nice. Catching up, or what catching up I've been able to do as yet. A bizarrely positive side effect of a general lack of sleep has meant my average wake up time has slowly come from the Portuguese style 11am/midday, to the slightly earlier time of 6am, or there abouts.
Having come out of my teenage years and into my 20s I've slowly come to recognise the benefits of getting up earlier.
We shall see if I can keep it up,...
Right, its getting on past 7, should get ready for work...
Wednesday, 1 July 2009
Being shit at endings
A few weeks ago I was planning good endings, things to say to people, presents to give, things to do, ideas about what places to go to etc.
What happenend? You'll see...
The final week was a haze of things to get sorted. I managed to hit the Barrio Alto, to much dissapointment to the bboy in me ( or have I always wanted to do things? Yep, could never hack the 10 kids in a room round a computer). I did the staff meal. I trained.
But I failed at the endings.
Saying goodbye to people merged into the days normal events. Signing registers, going from classroom to classroom. Like time should have stoppped for the ending, but it didn't, it ploughed on ahead.
Typically afflicted by both being a man- ie not being that able to express myself in tough situations, and being English- so feeling a bit weird about it at the same time. Not good when the seconds are flying past.
Leaves me wishing I could materialise some the of the plans flying around in peaceful times, only to shatter in times of need. Guess no one is perfect.
What happenend? You'll see...
The final week was a haze of things to get sorted. I managed to hit the Barrio Alto, to much dissapointment to the bboy in me ( or have I always wanted to do things? Yep, could never hack the 10 kids in a room round a computer). I did the staff meal. I trained.
But I failed at the endings.
Saying goodbye to people merged into the days normal events. Signing registers, going from classroom to classroom. Like time should have stoppped for the ending, but it didn't, it ploughed on ahead.
Typically afflicted by both being a man- ie not being that able to express myself in tough situations, and being English- so feeling a bit weird about it at the same time. Not good when the seconds are flying past.
Leaves me wishing I could materialise some the of the plans flying around in peaceful times, only to shatter in times of need. Guess no one is perfect.
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
How to stop Mosquitos from ripping you to shreds.
Please bear in mind these tips are for stopping mosquitos that are in your house, or trying to get in from outside- not for when chilling outside near a mosquito infested lake or what not. This for the home dweller, which I assume most of my readers are- unless you have magically powered a laptop with bamboo or grass or something...... I digress.
So it took me a few bites here and there to get this guide together. Plus, some of the tips are not mine, and, although they seem bloody obvious, they weren't to me. So, by logical reasoning, unless I am the DUMBEST person alive, which is conceivable, others may benefit from this article.
How to keep them out.
Most people want to keep their rooms cool at night in summer. Here, in this effing hot climate the best way to do this is having shutter control. This was the shizzle I had to be told (by my proud landlord, ever ready to both give advice and critise at the same time- how many people can do that!). Trick is, is to only open your windows early in the morning, and, if it is less than say, 26-28C in the evening(I found opening the windows at night virtually useless when it was 28C in the evening! It blows warm air into your room) leave them shut. Windows should be shut and shutters closed when the sun comes round to face your room. Just remember- windows open when there is shade, closed and shuttered when there is sun.
Noted, all this depends on where you sleep and when the sun hits your windows. I'm lucky that the sun hits mine in the afternoon, so cool morning air can cool my room and I can keep it cool by shutting out the sun all day and night.
But what if it is still hot? Well. There are a number of things you can do.
You can risk opening the windows at night. If you do, do not leave all the lights on- they love lights- your sweat and lights will attract them. If you have to have lights on make sure they don't display or advertise your room from outside- ie produce a shine from the street- lamps are good, big bright overhead ones not so good.
Or, you can buy a fan and try to keep your windows sealed.
Lastly, wetting your face before bed is cool, keeps you cool for a bit. Others have said to wet your clothes, but I haven't yet gone to bed soaking with wet clothes- not sure if I'm going to try that one,...
What to do if they are in your room/house
If they are in your room I have worked out a killa system. Cover yourself as protection (long sleeved shirt etc) and look around the walls and ceilings, they hide high up. If you see them flying around pick up something big and flappy- I used a teeshirt but gravitated to a dressing gown- then, flail big time, hitting in front of you- side to side and behind you- it does not matter if you cant see it- they will flee (if you cant picture this, think POI that circus/hippy thingy with the fire circles OR an English lad/hooligan doing massive circular punching motions in every drunken direction). Then, leave the room and shut the door. They will be panicking and will retreat to the walls or ceilings. Wait a few seconds outside then go back in with the eagle eye, looking for them.
When you find them use something wide and swat the fuckers. It is actually really easy ( they wait on the walls and won't move unless you miss.
This procedure should be followed if you hear them when you get into bed. Just jump out, swipe, go outside, reenter the room, and swat. Takes like 2 mins and you sleep well afterwards.
What to do if they are in the house but not in your room
Just keep your door closed.
Other tips:
-Apparently sugar in your blood attracts them- limit it before bedtime.
-Shower before bed if it hot- this will get rid of sweat that attracts them
- Cover your body, or as much as poss when sleeping- they will hate you for this.
- Fans can be used to cool you AND they fan the fuckers away from you.
You could use those repellants or pills- but personally I am not that into them.
Hope these are decent. One up to the humans.
So it took me a few bites here and there to get this guide together. Plus, some of the tips are not mine, and, although they seem bloody obvious, they weren't to me. So, by logical reasoning, unless I am the DUMBEST person alive, which is conceivable, others may benefit from this article.
How to keep them out.
Most people want to keep their rooms cool at night in summer. Here, in this effing hot climate the best way to do this is having shutter control. This was the shizzle I had to be told (by my proud landlord, ever ready to both give advice and critise at the same time- how many people can do that!). Trick is, is to only open your windows early in the morning, and, if it is less than say, 26-28C in the evening(I found opening the windows at night virtually useless when it was 28C in the evening! It blows warm air into your room) leave them shut. Windows should be shut and shutters closed when the sun comes round to face your room. Just remember- windows open when there is shade, closed and shuttered when there is sun.
Noted, all this depends on where you sleep and when the sun hits your windows. I'm lucky that the sun hits mine in the afternoon, so cool morning air can cool my room and I can keep it cool by shutting out the sun all day and night.
But what if it is still hot? Well. There are a number of things you can do.
You can risk opening the windows at night. If you do, do not leave all the lights on- they love lights- your sweat and lights will attract them. If you have to have lights on make sure they don't display or advertise your room from outside- ie produce a shine from the street- lamps are good, big bright overhead ones not so good.
Or, you can buy a fan and try to keep your windows sealed.
Lastly, wetting your face before bed is cool, keeps you cool for a bit. Others have said to wet your clothes, but I haven't yet gone to bed soaking with wet clothes- not sure if I'm going to try that one,...
What to do if they are in your room/house
If they are in your room I have worked out a killa system. Cover yourself as protection (long sleeved shirt etc) and look around the walls and ceilings, they hide high up. If you see them flying around pick up something big and flappy- I used a teeshirt but gravitated to a dressing gown- then, flail big time, hitting in front of you- side to side and behind you- it does not matter if you cant see it- they will flee (if you cant picture this, think POI that circus/hippy thingy with the fire circles OR an English lad/hooligan doing massive circular punching motions in every drunken direction). Then, leave the room and shut the door. They will be panicking and will retreat to the walls or ceilings. Wait a few seconds outside then go back in with the eagle eye, looking for them.
When you find them use something wide and swat the fuckers. It is actually really easy ( they wait on the walls and won't move unless you miss.
This procedure should be followed if you hear them when you get into bed. Just jump out, swipe, go outside, reenter the room, and swat. Takes like 2 mins and you sleep well afterwards.
What to do if they are in the house but not in your room
Just keep your door closed.
Other tips:
-Apparently sugar in your blood attracts them- limit it before bedtime.
-Shower before bed if it hot- this will get rid of sweat that attracts them
- Cover your body, or as much as poss when sleeping- they will hate you for this.
- Fans can be used to cool you AND they fan the fuckers away from you.
You could use those repellants or pills- but personally I am not that into them.
Hope these are decent. One up to the humans.
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
Things I'll miss and things I won't
Things I'll miss about Portugal
The SUN.
The warm nights.
Damn good soups
The helpfulness of the people, on the most part.
Speaking and hearing Portuguese
Their appropriate dress sense (take a note brits!)
The beach
AJUDA- plants, trees, lizards, people, tranquility etc
The reliable metro
The teachers at my school
Staff room banter
A percentage of my students
My room!
My dope multicoloured plastic mirror things.
My housemates
The cat when it is not running round like a crazy street cat.
Training spots here. Benfica school- their floor is incredible
Helpful bboys here
Maria, Pedro and all the other bboys and bgirls here. Rock the beat yo.
Portuguese soaps, hah.
Fresh food here. It is soooooooooo good.
Lemon trees in my garden.
Lettuce and herbs in my garden, growing at a rate of knotts.
The roof garden.
The view from my room. The sky and the sunsets.
Having free mornings.
Things I will not miss
Baratas!
Some BS at work.
Some students, not naming names.
Finishing late at night, eating most of the time at 11pm or even midnight(dinner that is!)
Speaking English reluctantly with non natives when all I want to do is speak the native tongue here (this is outside of my role as an English monkey)
Correcting people everywhere I go, as the Cambridge ting never wears off.
The mentality that it is OK for others to be late, or not show up.
The all over rain in January. No umbrella can save you from that.
Torrents of neverending criticism from my landlord because 'he likes me'(It'll do you good kinda thing). (housemates keep quiet on this one or I'll get more!)
The imbedded stress that creeps in here.
Overall, quite balanced. I wouldn't regret my time here. I have a good time, though it is my time to move on. No regrets.
The SUN.
The warm nights.
Damn good soups
The helpfulness of the people, on the most part.
Speaking and hearing Portuguese
Their appropriate dress sense (take a note brits!)
The beach
AJUDA- plants, trees, lizards, people, tranquility etc
The reliable metro
The teachers at my school
Staff room banter
A percentage of my students
My room!
My dope multicoloured plastic mirror things.
My housemates
The cat when it is not running round like a crazy street cat.
Training spots here. Benfica school- their floor is incredible
Helpful bboys here
Maria, Pedro and all the other bboys and bgirls here. Rock the beat yo.
Portuguese soaps, hah.
Fresh food here. It is soooooooooo good.
Lemon trees in my garden.
Lettuce and herbs in my garden, growing at a rate of knotts.
The roof garden.
The view from my room. The sky and the sunsets.
Having free mornings.
Things I will not miss
Baratas!
Some BS at work.
Some students, not naming names.
Finishing late at night, eating most of the time at 11pm or even midnight(dinner that is!)
Speaking English reluctantly with non natives when all I want to do is speak the native tongue here (this is outside of my role as an English monkey)
Correcting people everywhere I go, as the Cambridge ting never wears off.
The mentality that it is OK for others to be late, or not show up.
The all over rain in January. No umbrella can save you from that.
Torrents of neverending criticism from my landlord because 'he likes me'(It'll do you good kinda thing). (housemates keep quiet on this one or I'll get more!)
The imbedded stress that creeps in here.
Overall, quite balanced. I wouldn't regret my time here. I have a good time, though it is my time to move on. No regrets.
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