Yes folks, SG has come to the end of the road.  She is no longer me and I am no longer her.  I am stopping this blog.

I may start another, and if I do I’ll email those people who regularly leave comments to let you know.  Anyone else who wants to contact me can do so by emailing stratfordgirl@hotmail.co.uk … although, be warned, I don’t check that email very often.

Thanks to everyone who has read the narcissistic drivel, rants and incoherant ramblings over the last year.  I have really enjoyed  ‘meeting’ you all … and I’ll definitely keep reading and commenting on your blogs … but under a different name. 

So long … and thanks for all the comments!

Update 5.10.2006: 

I have a new blog!  If you’d like to read it, email me and I’ll send you the link: stratfordgirl@hotmail.co.uk

Can’t seem to find the answer on the web and my students need to know for a guide they are writing about East London markets.

All ideas appreciated – thank you! 

Normally it’s because I’m tired from work, even though, ironically, running makes me feel more alert and awake.  It also takes up lots of time … something I’m always short of. 

My plan was to start training again today … but, alas, it’s pissing down with rain out there. 

So, instead, I am going to watch a trashy DVD and no doubt eat a couple of biscuits.

I had better get my arse into gear soon, though, as I have registered for the following:

• Race for Life (5km), Regents Park, 19th July (with the M.C. and two other girlies, E. and H.)
• The Great South Run (16 km), Portsmouth, 26th October (with E.) 

Am I mad?  Probably.  But by the end of October I’ll be a toned, fit, goddess-like creature, with not an ounce of fat in sight.

Here’s hoping, anyway.

I love my birthday, but normally I don’t celebrate it as such.  Usually I just take the day off work and chill out at home, or walk around by myself with a secret smile, knowing that today is my special day!

But this year, Maths Chick suggested that I actually DO something on the big day itself.  So, after work (yes, unfortunately, I have to work on Wednesday) … I will be meeting up with the M.C. and another friend from school, E. and heading into town to see Sex and City (can’t wait) before having cocktails, food and catching up with the scandal*.  And I’m really excited!

I just wish that I wasn’t quite as old as I am/ will be. 

* Essex speak for ‘gossip’.

*Oh yes, worryingly, it happens.

I’m always up for a bit of lazy blogging so here are my answers …

4 Things I did / that happened 10 years ago (1998):
1. Lived in Lannion (Brittany)
2. Took the fateful decision to apply to do a Masters in Speech Therapy
3. Worked as a translator
4. Lost two of my grandparents

4 Things I did/ that happened 5 years ago (2003):
1. Went to Greece
2. Had a tumour removed from my breast
3. Worked too much (probably)
4. Lived in a slum in Manor House, North London

4 Things I did yesterday:
1. Bullshitted my way through a talk to parents of children with autism
2. Got randomly phoned up by someone and offered a job!  (speech therapy one, unfortunately, but an ego boost nontheless!)
3. Got really pissed with a techy guy who was supposed to come and repair my computer at work but didn’t turn up
4. Drove past the place where Jimmy Mizen was killed, and felt very sad about what happened

4 TV shows I love to watch (that are currently showing):
1. Peep Show
2. How to Look Good Naked (Gok rules!)
3. The Apprentice
4. Have I Got News For You

4 Things I love to do:
1. Eat
2. Speak foreign languages
3. Watch a really good film, on my own at home whilst it’s raining outside
4. Read a book that is totally engrossing

5 Things in my bag:
See here for details!

5 Fav things in my room:
1. Photos of family and friends
2. My new jeans – skinny ones – whey-hey!
3. Painting done by my nephew
4. A laminator
5. Books

5 Things I’ve always wanted to do (and will do!):
1. Drive along Big Sur
2. Live in Spain for a bit
3. Leave speech therapy! (although this hasn’t been all my life, obviously)
4. Trace my family tree
5. Speak a non Indo-European language fluently

5 Things I am currently into:
1. All things German
2. The Mind Gym
3. David Lodge
4. Running!
5. Smoothies

I won’t tag anyone, but if you’ve nothing better to write about, feel free!

And I then I realised the reason why I haven’t been feeling relaxed: a constant nagging feeling that I haven’t quite finished everything and that there’s still something more that ‘needs’ to be done.

Partly this is true.  At (my speech therapy) work there are always more reports to be done, and there’s always other stuff that’s outstanding or overdue.  I also have plenty of things that need doing at home … cleaning to do, letters to write, things to sell on ebay, people to call etc …  Normal stuff, that everyone has to do.

But mainly my problem is accepting that this feeling is irrational.  There are always going to be more things that ‘need’ to be done.  As Richard Carlson would say, my ‘inbox’ will never be empty – that’s the nature of an inbox.  And if it ever is, then I may as well give up – an empty inbox makes for a dull life. 

So, in the last week, I’ve been trying to chill a bit.  Leaving work early, and trying not to let this feeling of ’unfinishedness’ totally consume me.

Not sure how long it’ll last.

Oooh! Oooh!  I think Chelsea may have scored!  I can hear the cheers and L. is being strangely silent.

Half time.  Can’t believe I am writing about football.  I never watch it – unless it’s an international game. 

45 minutes left.  I wonder if it’s worth watching the end of The Apprentice or whether I should watch it on-line?  I was so looking forward to seeing it today.  My allegiances have changed completely now.  I think Raef is cool, in spite of his strange eyes, and I have a soft spot for Lucinda.  I’ve gone off Alex … and Michael has turned out to be a complete wally (cf. the whole Halal/Kosher debacle).

Changing the subject, I tried to introduce the concept of emailing to my Bangladeshi students today (five women in their early twenties).  It turned out to be a real palaver!  They have only just begun to use computers – the first time we used them in class, they didn’t know how to turn them on.  It took the whole afternoon to help them set up a hotmail account each, and for them to get the knack of writing an email and pressing send.  They kept typing in each others’ email addresses incorrectly (e.g. using spaces where none were required) and clicking on all sorts of things that they shouldn’t, so I spent half the afternoon closing down ‘On-line Poker’ pop-ups. 

And after all the effort, I don’t think they could really see the point of emailing someone in the same room!  My suggestion that they could use it to keep in touch with family back home didn’t seem to hold much appeal, either…  I think they kind of enjoyed it, though …  Maybe one day they’ll see the emailing light.

3 minutes of the match left.  It’s going to extra-time.  Oh dear, looks like I won’t be seeing the end of The Apprentice after all, then.

Post-match analysis:  OK, I admit it.  In the end, it was quite exciting with the penalties and everything.  And I’m not that bothered about Chelsea losing as I only really started supporting them this evening in an act of rebellion!  Still annoyed about missing The Apprentice, though.  Need to try to avoid speaking to anyone about it before I get to see it – don’t want to know who got fired!

Have just sent one off this morning.

“On Saturday I went to Sainsbury.  After I came back home.  After that I gave food to my children.  On Sunday I did the wandry [laundry] then I cooked and served my family”.

That’s got to be against the law, hasn’t it?