A-Z of Becky: L

L is for Language

The English language is so important to me. I am ridiculously pedantic about spelling and grammar. I started reading at the age of 3 and I have never stopped. I will read anything and everything: books, magazines, shampoo labels... You name it!

There is so much you can do with language. It can be used to stir any emotion felt by a person and used for both good and evil. Plus, you can have so much fun with it; Onomatopoeia is one of my favourite things!

As well as the English language, I also love the German language. I was pretty good at it when I was in school and considered studying it at A level. In the end, I decided against it but I wish I had now. Instead, I console myself by sporadically speaking only in German and confusing everyone around me!

Just don't ask me to speak Spanish or French: I'm absolutely useless!

11th September 2012

Cardigan: Tesco

Dress: Dorothy Perkins

I love this cardigan. My mum spotted it when she was doing her weekly shop as it matched my Henry Holland (read: H! by Henry Holland) skirt. The only downside is that all the kids at school have seen it in the local store and tend to shout "Your cardigan's from Tesco!" across the playground!

As I'm using this for the Proud of my Size link up, I'll tell you that my dress and cardigan are both a size 14. Ooh, a change after weeks of 16 clothes!

25 things fat people shouldn't do #3

Over at The Militant Baker, Jes has compiled a list of 25 things fat people shouldn't do and is tackling one preconception at a time. Unfortunately, I've been unable to join in the past 2 as I don't have access to a swimming pool to cannonball and I don't own anything mumu-like to wear. Luckily, this week is something super accessible: Create art of yourself.

I decided to draw a quick little doodle of myself. Then I thought it would be fun to colour it with Photoshop. I haven't devoted time to art in quite a while so it was a lot of fun!

Come and join in the fun! All sizes welcome!

9th September 2012

Cardigan: Primark

Dress: Topshop

Ok, I'm cheating a little. This is actually what I wore back to work last week but I've been so exhausted that I haven't had the opportunity to post it up.

As much as I have loved lying on the sofa for six whole weeks, it is good to be back at work. I think this is going to be a great year for me!

FF X

Jes is amazing. Fact.

Her 25 Things Fat People Shouldn't Do series is genius and I cannot wait to get involved this weekend! (Though I need to fashion a makeshift mumu... Any ideas?)
"Oh no! He caught me again" by Ddalki Jane.

Ddalki Jane draws the most adorable autobiographical illustrations.

I'm not usually one for animal videos on Youtube but this is absolutely hilarious!

Another video clip here. I am in love with this PG Tips advert. I don't even like tea and I am certainly not thrilled at the end of summer, but this advert makes me want to snuggle up next to the fire in a cosy jumper!

A-Z of Becky: K

K is for Knowledge

Yes, this is a photo of me behind library stacks.

I love to learn. Which I guess is a handy trait for a teacher to have. I adored university and I cried on my last day. Not because of the loss of friends (I only made a handful of lasting friends at uni) or because of the fading student lifestyle (I stopped drinking after my first year and never once went to the weekly student night at the SU). I cried because I was going to miss learning. Sitting in lectures, taking everything in, reading up on theory and writing assignments. I loved it all.

I'm hoping to find the time to squeeze in a master's degree at some point and my life ambition is to complete a PhD. Dr Bedbug has quite the ring to it, wouldn't you say?

I am absolutely serious when I say that if I won the lottery, I would be a student forever. I would just do degree after degree after degree. However, at the moment that has yet to happen, so I console myself by reading constantly. Fashion magazines, newspapers, true crime books, Wikipedia (yes, I know it's not reliable!). I visit art galleries and museums. I practice new skills constantly: My ukulele, photography, blogging, writing.

I immerse myself in learning. I dedicate my life to the acquisition of knowledge and skills, both for myself and for those I teach.

Aristotle once said "The one exclusive sign of thorough knowledge is the power of teaching". Damn straight!

Saturday in London: Platform 9 3/4 and Natural History Museum

We all know that I am a huge Harry Potter fan. So what does any self-respecting Harry Potter fan do on 1st September? Dress up in Hogwarts uniform and visit platform 9 3/4, of course!

It was, for some reason, the first time I'd been here so it was great fun, especially with a huge gathering of fellow Harry Potter fans in costume. (Although, as Laura pointed out, they should have been in muggle clothing and not had wands on show!)

Outside the station, is this amazing wall of coloured balls that you can spin to create words and patterns in the traditional station sign style. We spent far too long creating this heart!

We located the nearest Nando's and had a chicken feast. So much chicken!

Then we were in a bit of a pickle as we hadn't considered what to do next. Laura wanted to go to the London Dungeons but, as I pretty much cried from fear the first time we went on Pirates of the Caribbean (really), I vetoed that plan. Then we considered London Zoo or the aquarium but tickets were insanely expensive. In the end, I convinced Laura to go to the Natural History Museum.

I regretted the decision pretty much immediately. It was so hot in there and absolutely packed with people. Our feet were hurting and I was still shattered from the previous day trip.

We saw this sickeningly fascinating camel as a promotion for the Animals Inside Out exhibition. I wasn't sure if this was actual taxidermy or a reconstruction. I just looked it up and it's a real preserved camel. Ew.

Before going home, we found the energy to stop off in the Dino Shop. Last year, Laura bought me a tiny little plush dinosaur, which I named George, and I was determined to find his brothers and sisters. Here they are- a whole container of Georges!

Despite my pain and exhaustion, it was a great time. I can only see Laura during the holidays as she's also a teacher and lives about 50 miles away. It was great to catch up with her before we return this week.