Hungry Hungry Hippos!

There are always games that parents regret giving to their kids.  Anything that is noisy or has a constant tune is always a no-no.  One of the games that my sister and I had when we were little was the Hungry Hippos game.  I haven't played that game for years, but I do remember it being a noisy game and Dad shouting at us to play something quieter.

Sarah and Marc came round for dinner last night and for a reason I cannot recall right now, they brought the Hungry Hungry Hippos.

I'd forgotten how noisy and competitive it can be.  It always surprises me how quickly the inner child comes out when playing a game like this.  And I think we definitely saw Marc's last night.

Quiz Night with the Trini's

My Little Sis has married a Trini, she is now a Rampersad.  I haven't seen her in months and this weekend was somewhat of a reunion.

The immediate Rampersad family all live in Dartford or the surrounding London area.  Saturday night included the usual suspects for curried goat, roti and some fun playing games.  Saturday night's game of choice was called 'His and Hers', so we were split into 2 teams; boys versus girls.

The questions were very entertaining.  I have to admit my Little Sis carried the girls team and Randy, my brother-in-law's brother, carried the boys team.  I was particularly rubbish, although I did manage to answer the question about Take That.

My Little Sis has this affinity to remember all sorts of random things.  I don't know how she does it, but I think she can retain knowledge like Mum.  Randy on the other hand is similar, but his mind works in a way that is rare; he can think his way around a problem in such a way that you think he's heading in the wrong direction and before you know it he has come up with the correct answer.

The best question of the night was asked to the boys... "What is the name given to a sexually excited male?"... Everyone just looked at Randy and burst out laughing.  Apart from his name being the literal answer to the question, he is also quite the ladies man... enough said.

This weekend was the Chinese New Year.  The pictures in the blog today are all from the outing in London on Sunday.  London was rammed but we still managed to fit in a bit of Dim Sum at the Golden Dragon, very appropriate as we are now in the year of the dragon.  The streets were too rammed to get a picture of the Dragon dance, but I got myself a paper dragon, which my Little Sis managed to break on the train, I've got the evidence!

Happy New Year.

There Ain't No Party Like A Center Street Party

Center Street house parties are legendary; they entail consuming copious amounts of alcohol up into the early hours of the morning.

There are many stories about Center Street parties, they often involve wooden spoons (I shan't elaborate), mystery vomiters and alcoholic turns; one minute a person could be talking coherently and the next they've turned jabbering on about everything and anything, making no sense at all.

This weekend, a Center Street party was held in honour of Jose moving on to greener pastures in Switzerland.  It was 70's themed, which I had completely forgotten until I had arrived at Will and Rach's.

Luckily Will isn't into costume parties either, so we both turned up in our regular clothes.  Although 30 minutes later, I did find myself sporting a seventies head band and scarf, whereas Will got given a 70's shirt and some side burns.

As always the alcohol was flowing. Charlie, a.k.a the "Godfather" of Center Street was on true form, dishing out random shots of alcohol.  Although a little cautiously I might add.  He wasn't as persuasive as per previous occasions.

I think he's learned from the last party that this role has a heavy price to pay; an obligation to do a shot with every group of people you hand them out to. Needless to say he wasn't very "well" after the last party...

I was flicking through my iphone to recap the events of the night and I realised that people were drinking out of a teapot. What was in it? - I imagine some kind of lethal alcoholic concoction, but it's best not to know the details.  Why a teapot?  Your guess is as good as mine.

The drama of the evening was the next door neighbour, banging on the door because the party was too loud for her child to get any sleep.  I had to handle it as I made the unfortunate mistake of opening the door.  I must of handled it ok as turning the music lower seemed to have kept the cops away.  Either that or the cops have become accustomed to Center Street parties.

I have to say it was one of the tamer Center Street parties I've been too, but then Will and I left around 3.30am.  Rach had given us a curfew of 1am so that we would be around when little Isobel would wake at 7.30am.  But that clearly didn't happen.

So there could have been many things that could have happened after we had left, but I guess they are Monday's stories now.

The Symbols of Wroclaw

Work has me visiting Wroclaw, Poland again.  And I'm slowly getting to know the culture, although the language with all it's c's, z's and w's put together is still a mystery to me.

Another mystery are the Gnomes (Krasnales in Polish).  Everywhere I look there is a Gnome.  Even at work overseeing the day to day business.

Story has it that the incarnation of the Gnome began in the 1980's as part of the 'Orange Alternative Movement', led by Major Fydrych.  During this communist era, any graffiti or public art was not allowed and was painted over by the militia.  To protest against this, or perhaps it was to irritate the militia, members of this movement would re-paint the walls with pictures of Gnomes.  Since then Gnomes have become a symbol of Wroclaw.

Since 2001, artists have been commissioned to produce statues of Gnomes partaking in various activities.  To the point where there are now over 180 statues dotted all over Wroclaw.

It is a treasure hunt of sorts to see how many you can find.  Even today as I was wondering around the Main Square, I was not alone in the quest for finding Gnomes.

I managed to find 27.  No where near meeting the goal of a 180, but then I didn't venture too far outside the city centre.

With so many around my favourites were, the one outside Pizza Hut; the Gnome was lying horizontal having had way too much pizza;

The pair trying to push the concrete balls in the Main Square;

The one trying to get cash out of the ATM;

The one outside the post office delivering mail;

And the one on the motorbike giving passers by a wave.

Map of Wroclaw's Krasnals

A very fun way to explore Wroclaw.

Home Sweet Home

This week is moving house week.  You never realise how much stuff you have until you have to pack it into suitcases and boxes.   In my case, when you're moving from a 3 bed town house in a small town to a 2 bed flat in the city, you can pretty much guarantee that it's not all going to fit in.

Moving is a bit of a chore - my 2 pet peeves; packing and unpacking.  But the upside is laying out the furniture and your things exactly as you want it.

My aunt is a great believer in Feng-Shui and creating an energy within the space you live in to enhance your life.  She uses the following rules for guidance:

N - Relates to career

NW - Relates to helpful people

E - Relates to health

SE - Relates to money

S - Relates to popularity and social life

SW - Relates to relationships and romance
W - Relates to children and creativity

When I first moved into my town house in Banbury, my aunt walked into my place and was aghast with the picture I had above my bed; a gargoyle spouting water.

Pictures in Feng-Shui carry a lot of energy and so the wrong picture can go against the energy you want to create in the room.  So for Feng-Shui and my aunt, this picture has been contributing to my lack of love life.  So for the past couple of years, my aunt has been on my case to take the picture down.  Even my uncle asks from time to time - "has she taken that picture down yet?"

Well with this move; aunty and uncle, you will be happy to know it has finally come down!!  But what to replace it with is another question.

Do I believe in Feng-Shui? I'm not sure.  I like the concept, but does it really work or is it just a state of mind? A while ago, my aunt gave me a money tree (to bring in money) and bamboo (to bring me good fortune).  I placed them in the appropriate areas according to Feng-Shui principles.  A couple of weeks later I get a monetary award at work and a promotion - would I have got it if I didn't have the money tree and the bamboo?  Maybe Feng-Shui isn't the reason I got it, but perhaps it facilitated in getting it quicker?


Just in case, I've followed the principles loosely to ensure good chi within my new home.

Home Sweet Home.

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012

Goodbye 2011.  I have to say I am very sad to see you go.  It has been the best year of my life and I don't see how 2012 is going to top it.  But then perhaps that's what my New Year's resolution(s) should be about.

Hmm,  2011 started with a new ACL in my left knee.  Perhaps not the best start to 2011, but perhaps the resolution for 2012, is to not cause my body any more injuries for it to deal with.


A big birthday was had in 2011.  I turned 30 and I was quite indulgent with the celebrations, but it was a lot of fun going to the zoo and having lots of dinners and nights out.  I think this year I should take advantage of the fact that my birthday is on a Saturday and perhaps go away to celebrate?

Partying was a big theme of 2011.  In addition to my 30th birthday, my sister and my 2 cousins got married.  This year I have a hen do and 3 weddings to go to.  I think partying will be a big theme of 2012 too.

Partying of the royal variety.  2011 was the year Prince William and Kate Middleton got married.  This year it is the Queens Jubilee.  So thanks in advance for the extra days holiday we will get this year.


Year of watching sport.  One of the highlights of 2011 was to watch the Men's Final at the US Open.  This year the UK is hosting the 2012 Olympic games and I have already planned ahead to be able to watch the Tennis Open in Paris this year.

New friendships and maintaining old.  Spending 6 months in New York meant that I got to meet a lot of new people.  With many I hope to maintain a friendship with for years to come.  With starting a new job and moving to a new city, here's to continuing to meet new people and keeping my life interesting and spontaneous.

Enjoying life in the city.  One of the things I loved about New York, was that I was reminded about how much I love city life. 2012 is about making the move to Birmingham city and moving away from Banbury.


With living and working in a new country, I took advantage and made time to explore my surroundings.  Being back in Europe and having friends located in different parts of the world.  I need to be conservative with my money to make sure I can save, save, save to ensure I can go out and see them.

Young Cerys was born July 2011.  The daughter of my friends Gareth and Jo, who are like brother and sister to me.  They have asked me to be her Godmother.  2012 is about watching Cerys grow and treasuring this early time with her.

Regrets?  2011 was a fantastic year and I have no regrets.  I hope that 2012 will be just the same.

Happy New Year.  I hope 2012 brings you lots of love, wealth and happiness.