last day!

I've been doing teaching prac for the past ten weeks as part of a PGCE (Post graduate Certificate in Education). I completed a Bachelor of Journalism - with a specialisation in graphic/communication design from Rhodes University back in 2007 - but while I was teaching English in Korea I thought, eh... may as well get another ol' profession on that resume of mine so I decided to start studying towards my PGCE to become a teacher. (not that I want to be a teacher, but you know.... one day, it might be handy {also a sucker for the books} lol). I completed all my theoretical study whilst in Korea - and had ten weeks of teaching prac to then complete in South Africa. For the past ten weeks I have been carrying out my teaching prac at Laddsworth Primary School in a Grade 5 class. Those 26 little delinquents have really wormed their way into my heart (yes, even the "most angelic" ones) and today is my last day of teaching prac. As a little goodbye I've made each of the kids a little goodie bag  -

 

Some mini-squishy-face-stress-ball type toys with woolly hair.  

Heart erasers for the girls and dinosaurs for the boys 

Popcorn.

 

Kids. Candy. Can't go wrong. 

I also made them a fun crossword - with all of their names hidden somewhere in the clues or answers and things we have learnt about together in the past term at school. 

Their name-tags for the goodie bags - yes, there are three Hannah's in this class. 

Going to miss these little nugget-faces!

Because I said so.

Now here's a smart guy - Nathan Ripperger. He's taken phrases he's said to his children and made some rad posters out of them. When you take all these (totally-legit-things-you-would-say-to-your-children) out of context, they are pretty lol-tastic.

Fantastic!

Why?

Because I said so.

You can buy some of these gems from his Etsy store.

How to plan your wedding budget

However, 

(No. this is NO good)

don't be afraid! 

It's for your own good. 

You may adapt techniques from this blog-post to guide you.

You may wish to practice this face in the mirror several times, from various angles.



If you are NOT the only one. You should have already taken care of this as per Step 1. Keep up.

that's not cute.

LIKE THIS:

See what i did there with the face again? 

Do that.

You want to make sure that you leave the most vital people on the list - Those ones you need to make jealous and those dumb girls who thought you could never bag such a gem. Twitter friends and Facebook pals are also good to keep on the guest list to boost your online rating. Scratch all the beautiful people - you don't want to be upstaged.

You will look a treat! And friends will be very impressed with your craftiness. It's a double-win.

Think of any other ways you can curb the wedding spending - Your 12 year old cousin just got a new camera for her birthday? GREAT! Photographer - SORTED! Your niece plays recorder? Music! DONE! Turn your wedding into a CARNIVAL! Set free some cows and chickens and let guests catch their own food! Entertainment and Cuisine in ONE! And why didn't you TELL me your granny bakes cakes?!

* * * * * *

There really is a lot of expense that goes into planning a wedding. There are sites like The Knot  which have free wedding planning budgeting sheets for those who have signed up to their site (it's free). Also most good wedding planning files will have a section dedicated to budget-estimates and actual spendings. From what I have read and also in my own experience of "crafting", DIY-ing your entire wedding does not always guarantee that things will be cheaper. More often than not, people who have been in the industry for a while have connections and are able to source things for you much more cost-effectively than trying to do it yourself. If, on the other hand... you love things DIY (budget or not) there are some amazing blogs and websites with awesome ideas to make your day special and unique.

A few that I've stumbled upon in my travels so far - 

DIY wedding

Austin Wedding Blog

100 layer cake

Snippet and Ink

A paper proposal

And some South African links -
Tie the Knot
Bride with a blog
The Aleit Group

There will be plenty more where that came from... I've even steered clear of Pinterest for a little while in fear that it might explode.

* * * * * *

On a side note I want to say a huge thank you, dad and mom, for making our wedding planning (so far) an absolute pleasure. We already have the most stunning and special Wedding Venue of our dreams! As well as an excited caterer and an awesome photographer pending :) Thank you xo

7 things

7 Random things from the Week:

1. You think white sauce is a cinch to make, and then it tricks you and you end up with 2 litres of play-dough.
2. There used to be a time when pyjamas, tv, couch and wine was the most boring Friday ever and then you realise that it's actually rather perfect.
3. Rain showers on a Sunday afternoon warrant wonderful napping conditions.
4. Pickling Pepperdews will no doubt lead to the invention of many a tongue-twister.
5. Sometimes a little bit of effort is worth the result.
6. Having your knees strapped will leave you feeling strangely both physically and mentally challenged.
7. Dom Pedros are a good way to round off a yummy meal.

How to plan a wedding

Since I recently got engaged (WOOHOO!!)



The Mom: I think you should start making a list of all the things you already have organised and sorted for the wedding.
Che: ok! 1.... The Venue. 2.... Oh, wait, that's it. wow. That was strenuous. I need a nap.

* * * * *

The Mom: Have you thought about any dress designs or styles or designers? Should we go and have a look at different dresses?
Che: I've only been thinking about the paper-goods thanks.
(Walks down aisle in newspaper)

* * * * *

But seriously, we have only been engaged for two weeks (today!) and we already have The Date, The Venue, The Chapel and a Potential Photographer. Now where's that four point wedding checklist when you need it?

PS. I posted this post this morning and only when i checked it again - did I realise that it had posted a blank blogpost. Oh the irony. 

Somewhere right now....

Somewhere in the world right now....

1. Someone is helping someone else in a life or death situation
2. Someone is watching a gorgeous sunset with someone they care about
3. Someone is getting hopelessly intoxicated. (nope, it's not me)
4. Two teenagers are sharing their first kiss
5. Someone is getting their heart broken
6. Some person or a group of people are fighting for a cause they believe in
7. Someone is traveling and experiencing something new from an exotic culture
8. Someone is wishing they were with someone else in someplace else
9. A woman is giving birth and a new life is entering this world
10. Someone is leaving this world. People are grieving
11. Someone is succeeding at something they have been struggling with
12. Someone is eating cupcakes
13. A mother or father is reading a bedtime story to a child
14. Someone is bungee jumping. 
15. Someone is eating something very exotic. Think spiders, locusts, slugs
16. A group of girls are having fun together at a beauty spa
17. Two people are getting married
18. Two people are filing for divorce
19. Little children are watching new puppies being born
20. A grandfather is telling a story to his grandchild
21. Someone is exercising even although they really didn't feel like it
22. Someone is studying for an important test
23. Someone is struggling with a big decision
24. A nervous man is getting down on one knee and asking a woman to marry him
25. A single mother is working two jobs to provide for her family
26. Bored kids are sitting mindlessly in front of a TV
27. Children are working tirelessly to help their families
28. Someone is ordering a Big Mac and Coca-Cola
29. A diet conscious woman is ordering a salad, when she really wants the lasagne
30. Families are reuniting after a long time apart
31. Planes are taking off, ferries are leaving dock, motorbikes are roaring, trains are in motion and cars are being parked
32. Someone is doing something they are going to regret
33. Someone is biting into an apple
34. Someone is looking through old photographs
35. People are playing slot machines and gambling on tables and losing track of time
36. A mother is singing to her baby
37. Someone is cleaning out their cupboard
38. A businessman is checking his emails
39. Someone is lazing on a tropical beach with a cocktail in hand
40. A baby has just taken it's first steps
41. A mother is making school lunch for her children
42. Someone is being fired from their job
43. Someone, old or young, is learning to read
44. Backpackers are being scammed
45. A couple is watching the sun come up
46. A schoolboy is doing his homework
47. Someone is learning a new language
48. A Newly-wed couple are having their first argument 
49. A boy is unwrapping a birthday present
50. Someone is clicking their pen

What are you doing right now?

zoo biscuits

A day at the zoo

Remember when Zoo biscuits actually looked like zoo biscuits.
Now they are more sort of Rorschach ink blot samples. oh life in the good ol' days. sigh.
And credit to the gorgeous Robyn Hobson who sparked this convo on twitter.

SO....

Wedding planning is going really well.

clearly.