Random Tuesday Ramble

Thought I'd start with a couple of pictures from our night out with some friends on Saturday night. Thanks for taking the pictures Sue.






At work we have one of those desktop calendars where you can tear each day off, each page has random phrases and sayings on it. Here's a few of my favourites from the last couple of days.

"If at first you don't succeed, ask yourself "Why?"
The only really dumb questions are the ones you do not have the courage to ask.

Next up is a list of my favourite man candy, including Television, models etc. I'd include pictures of them but don't have pictures of some...so you'll have to do without.

1. My wonderful Fiance (obviously number one.)
2. George Lamb - Presenter of Big Brother's Little Brother
3. Ed Westwick - Chuck Bass from Gossip Girl
4. Wentworth Miller - Prison Break's Michael.
5. Alex Zane - Television Presenter
6. Dev Patel - Skins and Slumdog Millionaire
7. Matt Di Angelo - Hustle
8. Shia La Beouf - Transformers
9. Tom Welling - Smallville, Twilight.
10.James Sutton - Ryan from Emmerdale.
11.Paxton Gibbons - Male Model.

Monday's 20 Questions 10 August.

1. Where did you go on your first airplane ride?
That would have to be when I was 18months old on a Dan Air flight to Caspoggio with my mum and dad and god-parents.

2. What is your earliest memory?
The very same trip to caspoggio and having to wear my Paddington Wellies because the boots weren't small enough to fit me, then losing it in the snow. Uncle Fred bringing it back up the ski-lift.

3. What was your second grade teacher's name?
Miss Castle.

4. What was the last thing you watched on tv?
How Clean is your House? On now.

5. My uncle once:
Got a Pea stuck up his nose when he was little!

6. How long was your longest relationship?
The relationship I'm in now with Kevin. We've been together nearly three years, have just got engaged and I love him to bits!

7. What do you want to be?
healthy. kind. generous. gentle. gracious. lovable. oh & let's throw cute in there too.

8. What was the last thing you received in the mail?
My car tax.

9. If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
All the war and fighting, especially Afganistan and Iraq. The terror threats.

10. Would you prefer 10 inches of snow or 100 degree weather?
I really don't mind snow. And I've experienced temperatures of 100 degrees plus so it doesn't bother me.

11. What is your homepage set to?
It was set to my igoogle but now its just google.

12. Last 5 websites you visited:
obviously blogger, facebook, vodafone, virgin, yahoo and my bank.

13. Were you a planned baby?
I think so yes. Even if my mum and dad did wait 7 years before they had me!!!

14. What do you believe is the meaning of life?
I honestly don't know.

15. What bill do you hate paying the most?
All of them, bloody all of them. If had to pick one though, that would be my credit card.

16. How many schools did you attend through grade twelve?
One.

17. The Cosby Show or The Simpsons?
I love them both.

18. Three signs Summer is here:
1. The fit men all come out. Air-conditioning. The rain.

19. The last time you had your feelings hurt:
About two weeks ago. I won't go into it because I'll only end up getting upset.

20. Who was your first best friend?
A girl called Cassie in Nursery school. I don't have a clue where she is now, but I still see her mum driving round in her jeep.

Random Monday Ramble

1) current candle scents:
Clean Cotton, Midnight Cove. French Vanilla

2) what i am currently reading:
A Man Called It.

3) newest music i added my playlist:
Rick Springfield - Jessie's Girl. U2, Angel of Harlem.Jordin Spark, No Air. Enrique Iglesias, Taking back my Love.

4) movies i saw:
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

5) something yummy i made this month:
I haven't.

6) the last place i ate out:
Does Top Taster's chicken fillet burger count?

7) something that made me cry:
Kevin buying me my engagement ring and then Pinky putting it up on the big screen in the pub!

8) something that made me laugh:
Steph throwing piles of clothes at Hayley in delivery this morning.

9) something i looked forward to this month:
Getting engaged to my wonderful Boyfriend Kevin.

10) something i am thankful for:
My job and my wonderful Fiance.

11) something i want to remember about this month:
reading this quote from Judy Garland: "Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else." That it was the best month of the year so far. Because Kevin proposed to me.

Friday 's Fantasy Man

I first saw him in Cheaper By The Dozen with Steve Martin and all I can say is Phwoarrrrrgh!!
I was never really a big watcher of Smallville but have seen a few episodes and didn't recognise him at first. But then a couple of weeks later I was watching Cheaper By the Dozen and thought...Hmmm isn't the the guy off Smallville? He's certainly a lot sexier now. I'll be catching up on Twilight too if he's in it!


Who can resist that?











If only Superman really did exist.

Small Steps - Exercise Rambling

S. Self esteem & confidence improves
M. Muscles become toned
A. Anxiety and stress is relieved
L. Lowers your risk of heart disease /diabetes
L. Lowers your blood pressure

S. Sleep better
T. Target - easiest way to maintain it
E. Energy levels increase
P. Posture & body shape improves
S. Strengthens bon

A few weeks ago, my list of adjectives to describe exercise or activity would have begun: time-consuming, tiring, embarrassing, expensive… I was wrong.

Winston Churchill famously said “When I feel the urge to exercise coming on I just lie down until it wears off”. And he was not alone. Dolly Parton is reported to have said “I have all those Jane Fonda videos and just love to sit and eat cakes while I watch them.”

Which just goes to show that

Exercise has a huge image problem!

Forget sweaty exercise classes – think sexy salsa dancing

If running isn’t your thing – try rollerblading around the park

You might find walking dull – but not if there’s a pub at the end!

Include an element of competition and go 10 pin bowling with your mates

Go green, save on petrol and get fitter - cycle to work.


The term “activity” is practically all-encompassing, and includes formal workouts as well as “lifestyle” exercise. Does your idea of activity include things like this:

Be impatient
Don’t wait for the lift, walk up the stairs! Prefer the escalator? Walk up those stairs too!

Support your local shops
Leave the car at home, and walk to your local shops. Regular walking helps to strengthen your heart and lungs, and carrying your shopping home will give your arms a work out too.

Do It Yourself!
If you’ve been inspired by the dozens of interior design programmes on TV, do something about it! Decorating is a great way to burn calories – and both you and your house will benefit.

Fidget
The fight for the remote control is over. Hide it somewhere safe, and change the channel by hand. A recent study showed that using the remote to change channel conserves 1 calorie each time you use it! And when you do watch TV, why not avoid the commercials by racing around the house, doing those little jobs that otherwise get forgotten.

Enjoy Yourself
Don’t smile lovingly as the children play tag in the garden – join in! Fancy a go on the adventure playground? I dare you! Piggy back races in the park – bet you can’t beat me!

Including regular moderate activity in your lifestyle:

helps prevent weight gain
On average people tend to gain around 1-2lbs a year throughout their adult life. However, keeping active can help you remain a healthy weight. Studies show that physically active people tend to have lower body fat levels, weigh less and are more likely to avoid weight gain over time than inactive people.

helps you lose weight
Exercise alone has only a modest effect on weight loss and it’s true that much greater losses can be achieved by changing dietary habits and Food Optimising. However, the combination of Food Optimising plus increased activity gives better weight loss than either alone.

Synergy
Body Magic is the synergy created by Food Optimising plus the right kind of moderate activity. Body Magic brings results that are so much more than simply burning up a few extra calories. In fact, the whole synergistic effect is nothing short of magic

Activity helps you lose weight due to the extra energy expended while exercising, plus it helps preserve lean muscle tissue and hence metabolic rate so you also burn more energy even while at rest. When you slim you always lose some lean muscle tissue along with body fat. As muscle tissue constantly burns energy it raises your metabolic rate. Therefore, as you lose it, your metabolic rate slowly decreases. However, increasing your activity levels prevents or helps reduce the amount of muscle tissue lost and therefore help maintain a higher metabolic rate. If you’ve been particularly inactive for some time, increasing activity levels can even help you build up muscle and raise your metabolic rate.

Increasing activity will mean that more of the weight you lose will be body fat.

There is plenty of evidence that regular activity is a key factor in successfully maintaining weight loss. Data shows that no matter whether weight was lost through diet, exercise or a combination of both, the people who keep weight off in the long term are those who have included and continue to include regular physical activity in their lifestyle. The exact reason why exercise is so important in maintaining weight loss is not yet fully understood. We know it will burn energy and help maintain muscles and metabolic rate. It is also known that psychosocial factors such as the feeling of empowerment, improved confidence, body image and self-esteem are important too.

Now that Nike have finally made their for use without an ipod nano in the form of a sports band that you put around your arm. It's exactly the same as the Nike+ sensor that is used with the ipod nano but apparently you don't need the ipod nano! Whay Hay! We have them at work for £31.99 so I think I might just buy one of those come friday!

My ring

Kevin bought me this on saturday. We decided that we would go and choose it together as I think its more romantic choosing your engagement rings together. Kevin decided on a simple silver band with small zirconias in it. But dont go congratulating us yet as its not official until 8 august. That's when kevin is going to propose properly. I cant wait until i can tell the world that we are engaged! I am so happy!

Random Questions.

1. What time did you get up this morning? 7.25am

2. How do you like your steak? Well Done

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Harry Potter & The 1/2 Blood Prince.

4. What is your favorite TV show? It used to be Dream Team. Now probably Heroes.

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Salou on the Costa Dorada or Australia.

6. What did you have for breakfast? Wholemeal toast with cottage cheese.

7. What is your favorite cuisine? Italian, Chinese and Indian.

8. What foods do you dislike?? Rice Pudding. Yuk!!

9. Favorite Place to Eat? A cosy restaurant.

10. Favorite dressing? Don't really like dressings. If had to though, a simple balsamic vinegar, mustard, white wine vinegar, oil and mayonaise.

11.What kind of vehicle do you drive? At the moment a peugeot 106 quicksilver. But what I really want is the car featured in this post. My Next car.

12. What are your favorite clothes? My jeans and tshirts. Comfy clothes really.

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? America - New York, Chicago, San Francsico.

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? 1/2 Empty.

15. Where would you want to retire? Salou.

16. Favorite time of day? Evening so that I can chill out.

17. Where were you born? Toruń, Burnley, England.

18. What is your favorite sport to watch? Football.

19. Who do you think will not tag you back? Not really bothered to be honest.

20. Person you expect to tag you back first? Not bothered really.

21. Who are you most curious about their responses to this? Everyone.

22. Bird watcher? Not really. More a random photo taker.

23. Are you a morning person or a night person? Night Hawk.

24. Do you have any pets? No, did have hamsters, 3 rabbits.

25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? Yes. But it's a secret at the moment.

26. What did you want to be when you were little? A Vet.

27. What is your best childhood memory? The Gite in Sarzeau - France.

28. Are you a cat or dog person? I'd love a dog!

29. Are you married? Not yet. Hopefully one day.

30. Always wear your seat belt? Yes

31. Been in a car accident? Yes. When I was little but don't really rememember it.

32. Any pet peeves? Annoying people. People who make snide comments about things they claim to know about but don't.

33. Favorite Pizza Toppings? Pepperoni, duck and hoi sin.

34. Favorite Flower? Roses, Tulips.

35. Favorite ice cream? Cookies and Cream. Neopolitan. Chocolate.

36. Favorite fast food restaurant? Mac D's, KFC.Red Rooster (only when in australia) Taco Bell, Jack in the Box, El Pollo Loco, Acapulco (only in America).

37. How many times did you fail your driver's test? Once. Passed 2nd time. Hurrah!!

39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Matalan, Jessops, Pc World!

40. Do anything spontaneous lately? Nope. Planning a surprise for my ickle Kevin though.

41. Like your job? I like my job at my dad's but not at Sports Direct.

42. Broccoli? Oh Yes, especially with Blue Cheese like had on holiday in Salou!

43. What was your favorite vacation? This one I've just come back from. But all time favourite...Australia.

44. Last person you went out to dinner with? Kevin probably.

45. What are you listening to right now? Not listening to any music. Just dad on the phone.

46. What is your favorite color? Purple, white, anything purple really.

47. How many tattoos do you have? I still have the remains of a Henna tattoo that i had done on holiday. Want my name tattooing in Assyrian though. With Kevin's name in Assyrian too.

48. How many are you tagging for this quiz? Not many.

49. What time did you finish this quiz? 10.30am.

50. Coffee Drinker? Occassionally. Prefer a nice cup of tea.

Street Music

IMG_1111
Originally uploaded by whitewitchy_2001uk

I was fotunate enough to catch these guys in Manchester's St Ann's Square, they were attracting quite a bit of attention with their catchy songs.

London Eye

IMG_0020
Originally uploaded by whitewitchy_2001uk

I like this one too, the way I have captured the people in the foreground is clever too.

The Manchester Eye

IMG_1198
Originally uploaded by whitewitchy_2001uk

I found this whilst looking through my photos on flikr, I think it's quite an interesting photo and is probably one of my best pictures from the last couple of years.

Six Questions to Ask Yourself Before Starting a Business

Six Questions to Ask Yourself Before Starting a Business

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Another MJ Tribute from Calypso

Med Playa theme song.

Every Night the kids would dance along to this...Love this song!

Michael Jackson Tribute - Calypso 2009.

I was disappointed that we didn't get to see this when we were there...as we arrived on the Friday, this would be shown on the Tuesday that we were coming home. Our friend Encarna said that it had been changed slightly from last year. So here it is for you all to enjoy.

Random Thursday Ramblings

Well It's been exactly a week now since Kevin and I returned from sunny Salou, and quite frankly I can't wait to go back. If I could (and assuming I had £1m or £500.000), I would jack in my job right now and tell Kevin to do the same. I'd take us both out to Salou and book us into the Calypso for 6 months. Ok, maybe for the rest of the season. When the season ends, I'd find us a nice little apartament to rent until christmas. Then we'd come back here for Christmas and New year, only to head back out again to Salou to wait until the season begins again. It would be amazing to have that amount of money and just spend a year or two travelling round Spain and seeing sights that I have not seen there before. If Kevin didn't want to do it then I'd do it on my own. I'd love to travel America too. Just the thought of being able to visit New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Memphis, amongst other places. I'd also fly out to Hong Kong and spend a couple of days there before heading out to Melbourne to surprise my nan and auntie by just turning up on their doorstep.

After a month staying with my nan and auntie, I'd fly us both up to Sydney to visit Susie, Caroline and Christina. We'd stay there a month and then I'd come back down with then and stay a couple of weeks with Uncle Edward, Nichola, Joshua and Caitlin.
Then it would be off to New Zealand to sample the Fjords. Finally flying to Los Angeles or San Diego to visit Aunt Elsie and Uncle Adrian for a couple of weeks before finally returning home to Kevin.

For some people this is a reality...but for me it is just a dream. A very nice dream.

Silly Random Questions

1. First Wage Packet
My first proper wage was £15 for 5 hours working on a saturday night at my local chinese restaurant.

2. Fantasy Job
Probably as a holiday rep in Salou or just working there doing anything for 6months of the year.

3. What Gets under your skin?
People who call me and if I don't answer they wont leave a voicemail. My boss asking me at the last minute if I can work extra.

4.What would I do with £1million?
Pay off all my bills, take myself and my wonderful boyfriend on a 6month holiday back to Salou. Buy us both a house. Give some to my family and maybe some to charity.
Spend the rest on myself and my boyfriend.

5. Ultimate dinner guests?
David Beckham,Ben Stiller and Cheryl Cole. Paris Hilton. Tanni Grey-Thomson
6. No expenses day out.
Flying down to London and having a facial, haircut, beauty treatment etc. Spending spree. Then dinner at the Ivy and watching a show.

7. Last Holiday destination?
Salou on the Costa Dorada. I love it there now and can't wait until we go back. If I had the money or I could get a job there then I would!

8. Last film I saw?
Harry Potter and Half Blood Prince.

9. All time sporting Hero?
I'd probably have to say Tanni Grey-Thomson, because like my boyfriend she was born with Spina Bifida, although hers is the full blown version which explains why she is now in a wheelchair. My other half has the occulta type which means that although he has the scar on his back to prove it, he shows no other visible signs of having it. I think that she has proved that you don't have to be paralysed or have no use of your limbs to achieve success. Also the squad of Burnley FC, they have shown that they have what it takes to be able to play against the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United by winning the Play off's at Wembley and gaining promotion to the Premiership.

July's 20 Questions.

1. If you had to could you take a vow of silence for 48 hours?
If I had to then yes I think I could....assuming I was not in work.

2. What is your favorite kind of soup?
Chicken and Sweetcorn or Hot n Sour

3. How often do you cut your hair?
Probably every 6 - 12 Weeks.

4. If you had to could you do your own income taxes? And have them be correct?
If I had to yes.

5. What is your method to reading a magazine?
Flick through to the interesting articles first. Then start at the front and slowly read from cover to cover, pulling out anything of interest.

6. How many magazines do you subscribe to?
None at the moment....I'd love to subscribe to digital photography magazine and company.

7. What is/was your paternal grandfather's name?
Jack.

8. And your maternal grandfather's name?
Hawil.

9. I know I'm tired when:
I lay on my bed with the telly on and wake up hours later when it's light again outside.

10. What color(s) do you associate with Spring?
Green's, Pastel Blues, Purples(lilac, lavender), Yellows.

11. What color are your eyes? Did you inherit them from or pass them on to anyone in your family?
My eyes are brown, my mum's are brown, as were my mum's dad and also my nanna's. My dad dad has blue eyes, my other nanna has brown eyes. So i guess they have been inherited from two nanna's and my grandad. I haven't passed them on to anyone yet.

12. What do you have in your glove compartment?
A mini first aid kit, phone charger. Junk. Petrol receipts,cd's. a pair of manky leather gloves. some old sunglasses. pens.

13. Who are you in 6 words?
Easy-going, funny, outgoing, emotional, happy,bubbly.

14. What is your favorite current tv drama?
I don't think I have one at the moment...probably Heroes.

15. Who do you think is NOT funny, but others think IS funny?
Family Guy.

16. Three things you've been meaning to do, but haven't gotten around to yet:
Re-organise the crap under my bed and put my old shelves back up. Read all of my harry potter books in one sitting!

17. What is your noodle of choice?
Pot Noodle.

18. What commercial are you so sick of?
Anchor Butter!!!

19. If you gave birth today to octuplets (OMG!) and had sole naming rights, what would you name them? You can assume four of each sex, or make your own mix-up.
Ethan Jake. James Owen, Kevin Hawil,Susan Elizabeth, Lewis John, Kelly Amanda. Shamiran Danielle.Helen Louise.

20. Is there something hanging over your head that you need to do right now?
Find a new JOB!!!!!!

Holiday Report

Well I'm finally back from Salou and wish I was still there. I've left the sunshine and the heat to come back to gloomy, damp weather. Although it was quite nice when it brightened up after tea. Here's a few snaps from our holiday. I think if I won the lottery I'd take us back out to Salou for six months of sunshine.



Kevin poses for the camera




Me and Kevin with Encarna from the Apple Bar.



Me and Encarna




Kevin and Encarna



Kevin



Me and Kevin



Me and kevin again.



I'm having a faaaag!!!



Me



Kevin



Kevin



Beach



Kevin



Me

Twenty Questions

1. What is your favorite physical characteristic in the opposite sex?
I love a nice friendly smile. I look at their eyes too. I'm a sucker for big brown eyes and a cheeky smile. That's what attracted me to Kev.

2. What is the first TV show you remember watching as a child?
I always remember saturday evening with The Dukes of Hazzard and eating tea whilst watching it.

3. What is your favorite quotable line from a movie?
my favorite movie quote is: "Have fun, that's what your twenties are for. Your thirties are for learning the lessons and your forties? Are for paying for the drinks." (Carrie Bradshaw in the S&TC movie)

4. What is your favorite kind of sandwich?
Cheddar and lancashire cheese with chopped spring onion, beef and horseradish sauce. Chicken and Bacon. BLT. Too many to mention really. I'd be here all day.

5. How old were you when you got your first kiss?
I think it might have been with some French lad on the french exchange in high school.

6. I don't understand:
how anyone could ever intentionally harm a child.

7. Your opinion about love at first sight:
It's not uncommon. I didn't believe in it at first but now I guess I do.

8. How does it make you feel when you hear people argue?
Uncomfortable.

9. Have you ever fallen for someone who turned out to be nothing like they seemed?
Yes and it turned out to be for the best in the end because I'd never have met my lovely Kevin if I'd stayed with that knob of an ex.

10. Do you mind sharing the food that is on your plate with someone?
Hell Yeah. But If they asked if they could try some then I wouldn't mind.

11. Somewhere, somebody is asking him- or herself whatever happened to you. Who is it?
I would like to think it will be someone I knew back when I was fortunate enough to visit my aunt in CA whose name was Ryan.

12. How did your car get that little scratch/dent?
I don't recall that moment.

13. Would you rather get up early or sleep in?
If I'm off at the weekend then I'd sleep in. Which is what I'll be doing this sunday as I'm not working until 1pm.

14. Last person to leave you a comment?
I don't recall anyone leaving me one :-(

15. Who out of your friends has the next birthday coming up?
I have my mom's brithday next week and then I'd probably say Hayley's.

16. What is your favorite Disney movie?
Jungle Book or Bambi

17. In what position do you sleep?
Mainly on my right side if I'm in my own bed. If I'm in Kevin's bed then my left side.

18. How long does it take you to get out of bed in the morning?
It depends, some mornings I jump out as soon as the alarm goes off and others I'll wake up before the alarm and lie there until it does.

19. What do you have for a ring tone?
I change My ringtone on a regular basis. At the moment though it's Lady Gaga's Poker Face.

20. What scent is the air freshener in your bathroom?
Clean Linen - Yankee Candle

Totally Awkward Tuesday 23/6/9. The Door Chime

Well it's that time of the week again when I'm going to share my TAT moment.
As many of you who read my blog (not that there are many of you!) you will know that I am madly in love with my wonderful boyfriend Kevin. Anyway on to TAT day. I was going to share my Tat moment with Kevin's mum today but i'll leave you with that one next week before I head off to Salou for 11 days. Here's this weeks.

About two and a half years ago, not long after Kevin and I had started going out, we were at his house one Saturday evening after having been out for a few drinks with friends. We didn't have much time as my lift home would soon be arriving and being a little tipsy we were fooling around as you do. Making out on his settee.
Now Kevin's folks have a chime thingy on their door, just so that they know who is coming and going through the day if they're home. His mum was already in bed and his dad was down at the club with his buddies. "He'll be ages yet". Kevin whispered.

So we carried on making out, one thing lead to another and well you can imagine what happened next.So there we were, pants round ankles etc....suddenly we hear the door chime, like music to one's ears. We began a mad dash round the small living room to put on our clothes and make ourselves look respectable...we managed to get ourselves straight just in time before his dad walked into the living room. I'm sure he knew what we had been up to....I couldn't look at him for a month after that.


Tova