January ... ing

Isn't January a long month? So far it has been a whirlwind of life and it is likely to be full on until the very last day. 

Organising all sorts of things for my trip to Malawi. The visa application was a bit hairy but I got there in the end. I think I am just about ready to go. 

Except... re-writing lectures for Tuesday morning. I offered to do some additional teaching but didn't expect it to be quite so much and not on my first morning there. Alas. I like to tailor my teaching to the audience. I probably spend far too much time worrying about things like that. Annie who just corrected a transcript of my last live class tells me that I apologise a lot for things (like unstable internet connections and asking difficult questions).

Wondering what the weather is going to be like in Malawi. My local colleague says it is raining dogs and cats and that it has cooled down with the rains. I'll pack for a wet warm Scottish summer. 

Enjoying every extra minute of daylight I get every single day. 

Admiring fungi. Such amazing organisms. Good time of year to spot them on the bare branches of trees.

Spending a fortune on running shoes. Teenage feet grow too fast for my budget. We have two over-pronators that need well fitted shoes that keep them stable when running. No budget Decathlon shoes for them unfortunately. 

Also spending a fortune on physiotherapy for James (whose ankle I ruined with said budget Decathlon running shoes). Some things just can't wait for an NHS self referral. 

Feeling excited for Annie who has an interview next week for a year of study abroad. 

Having a proud mother moment when listening to Sam's practice presentation for his Honours project report. I didn't understand much of it at all (him training to be software engineer) but I could tell it is an ambitious project and he presented well and within the time limit given (my pet peeve number 12 - people that overrun their time for talks).

Eating empire biscuits that Annie baked while in Glasgow because of jury duty. She was dismissed after two days of thumb twiddling. The biscuits are truly the best empire biscuits known to humankind.

Feeling glamorous wearing my new bright green wide leg trousers (which I didn't make). The trousers are fit for a film star. I might never wear jeans again. 

Thinking about climate activism after listening to Science in Action on the BBC World Service. I am not much of an activist, even find strike action difficult to cope with. Maybe something to work on?

Listening to Lark Ascending by Silas House. I am circling back to dystopian literature. 

Reading (on my Kindle) Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller 

Sewing jogging bottoms and a key hole blouse (wardrobe essential posts to come)

With that, I'll leave you to enjoy the rest of your day. Thanks for visiting today 🙂