Hello

Hello and welcome back . . . to me!!!

Yes, erm the reason I haven't been blogging on this for a long time is that I forgot my username and password! But I have now finally returned to the world of blogging!

I haven't been up to much, just doing a bit of everything work-wise to keep me going.

The biggest news I have is that in January I will be going to New Zealand with SU for 6 months! That's one of the reasons I made a special effort to remember how to get into this thing, because while I'm away I would like to keep you posted on what's going on with me!

I will post again soon with some more news about the big trip, but at least I got back on here for now!

Hi Stavroula!

(I really hope I have spelled your name right!)

Elia was saying yesterday that you missed people updating their blogs so I thought I'd say hi! I haven't really anything interesting to write on my blog, got my ears pierced, that's about it. Maybe I'll put up some photos sometime!

Oh and by the way...

... the reason I have so much to say today is because I'm off sick - I woke up with this annoying nausea which hasn't as yet turned into any puking (thankfully) but hasn't quite lifted yet. So I'm at home sitting on my couch (the literal one, as well as the blog) and doing a mixture of internetnetworking and tv watching. When I feel better I will do a bit of work for Monday as it's my birthday this weekend and I don't really want to be working then, I want to enjoy being at home with friends and family and doing fun stuff and relaxing and basically that which I feel I never usually have time to do.

On the weather front it's looking quite nice today again for the 4th day in a row, and I'm looking forward to sitting in the garden and recouperating with a nice big cup of tea. I think the weather is going to break before my birthday :(

PS I that is the second sad smiley I have drawn in the last two posts, but don't worry I'm not as sad as that may suggest.
PPS when I read what I had written above it sounded a little bit like morning sickness. But that is impossible because I am NOT pregant (nor will I be until I find a good man to marry and that seems unlikely since good men do not exist - only kidding), unless food babies count - they have accounted for a little stomach bump so maybe food babies can give you morning sickness too? There's some food for thought... which of course I will not be eating given that I need to lose some weight!!!

Oh how i wish i could change my url...

I realise I haven't blogged in ages and it's probably because I haven't had anything to say. And because the little bits of news I have shared has been shared in my status update on Facebook. And because my photos are on Facebook because I've run out of space on Flickr [note to self: BUY A FLICKR PRO ACCOUNT!!!]

And all I have to say right now is that I wish I could change my url just like I changed my blog name a little while ago. You see 'The Couch' was the original name of my blog, and that derived from my msn spaces blog, and the reason for the name 'The Couch' was that it was a comfy space - get it? The tag line on my msn blog explained this a little although right now I can't remember exactly what it said! But you see without all that history 'The Couch' as a blog name just makes me sound like some kind of shrink, which I'm not. So I changed my blog name to 'Rhapsody in Pink' which I thought reflected more the type of person I am - whimsical, musical and a little bit girly (but only with a black background!) But, and this is the big BUT - once you register your blogger url, it's yours for life, and unless I want to set up a whole new blog (no thanks!) then I'm stuck with http://thecouch85.blogspot.com. :(

So I suppose that will explain the url if you were wondering (which you probably weren't) and explain why Dermo has me linked as 'The Couch' (you probably weren't wondering about that either) and maybe makes you think I'm a little bit insane, or at the least a chronic perfectionist!

Just as a wee note, I thought Anonymous' anonymity blog post was very interesting. Read it here on I Might Be Wrong. Think me old-fashioned but I subscribe to that sort of idea as well, I think the world wide web is a very useful thing, but a little bit dangerous to be putting all sorts of personal info out there for the world to read!

Liar of the Lost Ark

Did anyone watch tonight's Channel Four documentary about the Ark of the Covenant?

I did, and strangely found it very interesting. The man (can't remember his name) did provide some very good clues as to where the Ark was and he seemed to stick pretty closely to the Bible text. What he said about the distant Israelite tribe in South Africa also ties in well with the Diaspora (scattered Jews) talked about in Acts. However he unfortunately lost the plot in what he said of the Ark being misconceived as golden and ornate. Not only did I disagree with his thinking because it was in direct conflict with what the Bible teaches, but his main argument for this was fundamentally flawed even by his own loose translation. He said that the Israelites wouldn't have had that much gold out in the desert ... however ... did he forget in his journey through Exodus to read Exodus 12:33-36 where it is written that the Israelites asked the Egyptians for gold objects which they gave freely! The idea that some african drum is the lost Ark of the Covenant is preposterous. However I did enjoy watching the programme even just from a purely intellectual point of view and it gave me a chance to research that section of the Bible again when I was testing his theories against the truth!

Current Adverts

I never cease to be amazed with Apple's impeccable eye for detail - even the adverts are so stylish and simply done! I was just watching the latest one for the Apple Airbook where it comes out of one of those v cute envelopes with the two discs and the string to secure them!

On the other hand, the Sacla advert in my opinion encourages dangerous knife wielding - I know the advert uses several frames but to me it just looks like the guy is jumping around the kitchen with a knife and in the frame where he's on the far left hand side please tell me it is not the knife he has down by his side???

published photographer...

You can actually see my picture on BBC - I was just looking in the wrong place!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/7296452.stm

Happy viewing!

Walking Pictures

I did mention in my earlier post that I had walked from Portstewart to Portrush. In fact I did it twice - on Sunday I walked only one way, and on Monday I walked there and back - Monday's walk was about 6 miles!!!

Sunday's walk was abosolutely gorgeous. Monday's was actually sunnier, although I didn't wear enough so I was pretty cold. Especially on the way back. I did actually intend to get the bus back on Monday, but of course there were no timetables on any of the bus stops, I had no credit to ring Translink and I just kept walking. Eventually halfway home and between bus stops a bus passed me but I couldn't be bothered running for it (it would probably have been impossible anyway). My legs are aching :(

Here are some pictures:

I'm a famous photographer! (Not really)

The other day I was looking at the BBC NI Big Picture and it said you could send pictures in! So, for a laugh, I sent a photo in, and apparently (although I didn't see it myself) it appeared on the news website today! So for those of you who missed it, here is the picture below:




I also have a few pictures to put up of my recent walks from Portstewart to Portrush, but they can wait! On Monday I walked a total of 6 miles! My legs are wrecked.

I like this quote...

"A woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle"

By some famous feminist.

A little bit of an opinion poll - sorry girls only!

I recently had a discussion with a friend about Colin Firth and to my surprise discovered she did not find him v attractive! Testing out my 'theory' I then asked did she like Hugh Grant to which she said yes!

My theory is that you either like Hugh Grant or Colin Firth, girls do not usually like both. Personally I find Hugh a bit smarmy, wheras Colin Firth TOTALLY made Pride and Prejudice for me, the perfect Mr Darcy.

So here's the question - who do YOU like? Colin Firth or Hugh Grant? (Colin Firth in Pride and Prejudice, Bridget Jones; Hugh Grant in Bridget Jones, Two weeks notice...)

Don't read/watch Little Women unless you want a good cry!

Seriously.

I used to read Little Women as a teenager and I always cried when Jo refused Laurie. Then I got Good Wives and I cried even harder when Beth died. It's such a sad book I don't know why it was written for children/teenagers. I watched the film tonight for the first time and again I cried my eyes out.

The only consolation is that I don't hate Mr Bahr anymore. I've grown to see that even though he was old and eccentric he was right for Jo in every way. Maybe it was how he was cast in the film though, I'm not sure.

In honour of Valentines Day

Okay so it's not Valentine's Day, and as I've told many people in the past week, I don't really believe in Valentine's Day (it's just another way to make single people feel bad), but a friend sent me this and it's really good. It's how to do Valentine's Day God's way...

If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.

If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it.

He sends you flowers every spring.

He sends you a sunrise every morning.

And a sunset every evening.

If God took vacations, He'd take His with you.

He's with you every second of every day.

He wrote His songs just for you, and created the birds to sing them.

Whenever you want to talk, He listens.

And He hears your every word.

He can live anywhere in the universe, yet He chooses your heart.

Trust me...He is crazy about you!

1 John 4.7

Life wouldn't be the same without...

my annual trip to casualty!

I've been to casualty roughly once a year since about 3rd year in high school. Now let me make it clear, I have never actually had anything serious wring with me, my most serious injury was my broken toe, the one that started it all off in 3rd year! But with various sprained ankles and suspected broken bones, I've been to casualty quite a lot.

So what was I there for this time? Well earlier on today in school I jammed my finger between my chair and my desk which was pretty painful, but later on I realised it was quite sore to bend my finger. Okay so it wasn't causing me an excessive amount of pain, but I thought if it was broken and I didn't get it sorted ... well I play the piano so I thought I'd go and get it X-rayed. Turns out it wasn't broken after all, and I can still type so it probably won't be sore for that long.

But I did learn two things from this particular casualty visit - 1. I can go to casualty on my own and 2. Hospitals aren't scary!

It tastes just like real food...

I have started making real food for dinner - not just micro meals or gravy chips or micro chips or pasta stuff (apparently it's not real food unless it has potato according to my auntie!) but tonight I made sausages and mashed potato and beans, last week I had mashed potatoes and boiled potatoes and all sorts (with meat and veg also of course)!!!

Some Overdue Congratulations...

Congratulations to Dave and Cara who have just had a beautiful baby girl called Leah and whom I have yet to see due to being up here - looking forward to seeing her soon though.

Congratulations to Kim who is about to have a baby probably any day now!

And congratulations to Claire who I've just found out is having a baby in the Summer!

It's okay Sarah - you're not the third! It was Claire all along!

From one Brown's Bay to another...

Some of you may know that I've been considering going to New Zealand next year for about 6 months, and today I was doing my research on the beaches around Aukland where I would be. I came across a Brown's Bay which looks very nice, I'm not saying it is nicer than our Brown's Bay, but it will definitely be warmer!

Okay I admit it is a lot nicer than our Brown's Bay, but I still like our coast!

Happy Birthday Lego

It's the 50th anniversary of Lego today, as I found out on Google today. I don't think kids today get as much enjoyment out of little plastic bricks as we did, what with playstation and dxlite and all that! Do you remember hours of enjoyment we had making different designs of houses etc. Hooray to the humble Lego brick!

It's blowing a gale...

Quite literally! It has been very stormy all day today on the north coast although fortunately no rain (that was actually quite a weird weather system to walk out to this morning!). Well apparently the wind is to get stronger, up to about 60 miles per hour. I did write before about thinking my house was going to fall down, well I think tonight is the night when it might just happen!

Arty Day

So, I finally worked out how to add video to my blog, now I have also put a slideshow on the sidebar - my blog is rockin' now!

I don't know why I suddenly started talking like that. Please ignore slight street deviance.

Tonight I am laminating children's names for various taskboards, behaviour charts etc etc - it's quite a tricky business and requires me to cut out the names twice, once before laminating, and then once again afterwards. To do it without cutting the names out first means they will probably separate after a little use. A tip you will probably never use unless you're a teacher or are creative and fond of laminating.

I have been looking through some old photos and came across a fairly artistic doodle so I'll put it up here. I also found some other artwork I'm quite proud of - please don't think this is an 'I Love Me' post, I just got really inspired by a great art lesson today and thought I'd share some art.

Pop-Up Laura

I know that last night I was going to post about something, I think it was the fact that Edwin lent me his guitar and I have now learned B minor which opens up a whole new set of songs I can play!

The reason for today's post is entirely different. Today I am taking advantage of the new video-posting feature on Blogger, to display a video taken on our Paris holiday in 2006! Watch it and see why it is called pop-up laura - i didn't know lisa was taking a video, let's just say that.

Soundtrack to my Life...

Try this . . . copy and paste onto your own blog and follow the instructions. But first read mine!

Music from and inspired by the life of Laura
If your life was a movie, what would the soundtrack be??? Copy this and post it again with your answers!

So, here's how it works:
1. Open your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question, type the song that's playing
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button6. Don't lie and try to pretend you're cool....because you're not!

Opening Credits: Counting Crows – Accidentally in Love

Waking Up: Snow Patrol – We can run away now they’re all gone

First Day At School: Sheryl Crowe – Talk to the One Who Made You

Falling In Love: Jack Johnston – If I could

Fight Song: Gregson and Williams – Fiona’s Secret

Breaking Up: Hanson – Strong Enough to Break

Formal: Avril Lavigne – I’m with You

Life's OK: The Feeling – Same Old Stuff

Mental Breakdown: Sheryl Crowe – Everyday is a Winding Road

Driving: Gregson and Williams – Merry Men

Flashback: Five for Fighting - Superman

Getting Back Together: Switchfoot – Dare You to Move

Birth of Child: Keane – Leaving so Soon?

Wedding: Avril Lavigne – Naked (!!!)

Final Battle: Gregson and Williams – Singing Princess

Death Scene: Coldplay – Track 13 (Got No Names from this CD) – but something about my time has come so pretty relevant.

Funeral Song: Gregson and Williams – Ogre Hunters/Fairytale Deathcamp

End Credits: George Gershwin – Left All Alone Again Blues (Piano song)

Actually the only one that wasn't in any way relevant was the driving song, perhaps for the fight, the airy fairy music of shrek might not be the best either.

Lesson to Learn From...

I just read this article in BBC News and found it hilarious. Apparently Jeremy Clarkson rubbished claims that the stolen disks could help fraudsters and published his bank details in a newspaper. Read the story to find out what happened. I especially love the last like (his turnaround) so make sure you read to the end.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7174760.stm

I actually don't think that's made a link, so copy and paste the address into your browser (becuase I know it's not correct to say 'Internet Explorer' due to people using Firefox, or dear forbid 'THE INTERNET'!!!)

So...It's been a while/Happy New Year!

I thought it was about time Jennifer Anniston ceased to be at the top of my page - especially since the photo is of her smoking!!!

Happy New Year to everybody who reads this blog (probably about 5 people judging by the comments, but I could be wrong!) I hope you've been having a good one so far, I have had a busy one, just starting to calm down now in time for the new term. (For which, by the way, I still have to wash all my work clothes!)

We had the most amazing praise band practice today, I don't know what was different about it (I know I certainly didn't play my best) but there were just a lot of creative ideas being bounced about. And then we went out for lunch in Springsteens which was equally good.

Note: don't ever go to Springsteens for lunch if you don't want to eat a lot!

So... what am I doing the rest of the day? Well, washing my work clothes for a start, then a little bit of maths/PE/Thinking Skills planning, maybe making some resources, then hopefully out for dinner with Lisa and Gayle.

:)