Blogger Award. A Little More About Me
28 March 2009 3:16 pm
My lovely friend Claire nominated me for a blog award.
All I have to do is list 7 things that I love. For me it is all very simple yet that's why I find it harder to focus on JUST 7 things.
Needless to say my family are my life so I won't focus on that but I'll try to give a little more about the person behind the writing and what is actually hidden behind the big family persona.
1. The Seasons.
Although it maybe very arguable that England only has one season, The Wet Season, I do love it when we see changes in nature.
Right now we have the buds on the trees, the early birds chirping in the sunshine, the daffodils, hyacinths and the slight rise of temperature.
I also hold Autumn very dear, not only is it my birthday but again it's time of big change. The summer sun begins to fade into shorter, cooler days yet often remain rather pleasant. It's not very often I go out for a birthday drink or meal and cannot sit out in the pub garden for a good part of the evening.
I do love summer, the cheeriness it brings upon people, the brightness, the get up and go that arises in many of us with the help of some sunshine.
The bustle of winter with the christmas shopping is always a joy to me as I do it early. There is not the stress and as we all know, there will be queues, things do take longer and as long as you allow for it, then it won't be stressful. After 2 winter babies I feel that winter is that little bit more special than it ever was. Christmas becomes a new experience once you have your own children. It sounds cliche but having children does make you less selfish and you see how simple things were back then and how we expect so much more as we get older. A child often loves the wrapping paper, the giant cardboard box they can hide in much more than any gift as it's a source of adventure to them. We as adults lose that and can be self centered. A child brings back the magic and hope we once had ourselves.
2. Diaryland.
I have tried many other blog sites over the years but I still find it hard to say goodbye to diaryland. It's my home and I am happy here. I would welcome some changes but in general it is versatile. I find some other blog sites too official, some too "sterile" and some too limited. I like the ability to change as and when I feel. I like the freedom of creating my own designs, my own style without having just a limited range of templates. I do change my template alot as I am always in search of something different and that reflects me at a certain time. I've learned html through diaryland and experimenting, I've learnt uploading pictures, I've learnt how to create my own templates. Diaryland has been a little creative and open outlet for me over the years.
I think I first opened my account in 1998, that brings me to 11 years as a blogger and so much of my life has changed in that time.
Unfortunately I don't have access to my oldest entries as I chose to end that diary and open this.
My original diaryland name was solo1 as it was a life of being 18, young free and single and living the life I wanted. I changed in early 2002 following a few ups and downs and wanting to leave the past behind. Bitterwineuk was formed when I wanted to name my diary after one of my favourite songs at the time. Bitterwine was taken so I put UK on at the end. Genius huh? :) I've never really been bitter although I do occasionally love a good glass of wine.
3. Pregnancy.
Like everyone, I get uncomfortable at the end. I get emotional. I get stressed. I do feel bad at times but overall I love being pregnant. I do my best to not let the negatives outweigh the positives. Of course there are times hormones over-rule straight thinking. When I do get to the stage I've had enough of being pregnant, it's more down to the fact I am SO ready to be a mother rather than I can't take it much more. There is something indescribable about being pregnant. There is the knowledge that your body created this (with a little help), that your body is nourishing this, that you are bringing a new life into this world. Having a baby is the greatest feeling in the world. Not quite so much the days you need to pee every hour, feel like you need an extra 4 hours sleep to feel human and the pregnancy niggles like sickness, nausea, headaches, well, they do go and everything you go through in pregnancy is worth it the second you give birth.
Nothing prepares you for the movement in the pit of your stomach when you feel a baby move. It's just so lovely and reassuring. Each pregnancy is as magical and special as if it is your first and you relive the excitement every time. It seems more often than not, that all you hear about is the terror of childbirth, well, it's really not that bad. Yes it hurts releasing a baby through thereand I've been lucky with 2 fast deliveries but it's still an everyday miracle in it's own right. I just love it. I'm sort of sad that this is the last one I plan to go through. Still who knows, if I had the space and the money, I'd have more. I'll carry on playing the lottery.
4. Music.
I will listen to pretty much anything. I love music of most types and will spend more time with a playlist/radio/music channel on than watching tv or anything. I suppose I like the feeling I can switch it on and switch off. I can do other things at the same time without missing anything.
5. Food.
Food is not just a means to live, it's a whole new world of fun and experience to me. I love trying new foods, I don't eat shellfish and I can't eat anything with lemongrass in it (that rules out ALL Thai) as it makes me feel ill. I don't like the flavour and just the smell churns my stomach but in modern day society we are spoilt for choice.
Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Indian, Morroccan, Meditteranean, English, French, Thai, American, South American. The list goes on.
We are lucky to have so much readily available. I also think that it is a social thing. I think food is best enjoyed with great company, good comfortable surroundings and should be an important part of the family day. I love to cook and I am not afraid to experiment with whatever is in the cupboard. I like to be creative and cook exciting nutritious meals for us all. I think it's important to get kids into eating things homecooked and although we dine out fairly often, I do like to get on with it in the kitchen.
Of course, dining out is so different. It is great to relax and have someone else cook for you and just enjoy the location with whomever you choose to dine with. Then there is the added delight of no clearing away pots and pans, plates or cutlery. It makes it that little more special.
6. Simple Luxuries.
There's things you grow to enjoy when you have kids that become an occassional treat. For me this includes an hour long bath. A nice hour completely to myself comes once in a blue moon and I get to enjoy a little pamper. I'm not a wash the hair in the bath type girl, I have to do that in the shower. I hate rinsing in soapy residue so a quick hair wash in the shower is normally followed by a hot relaxing bath with the luxury of Lush bath bombs (my favourite being Sex Bomb) that bubble away to nothing. They are entertaining to watch, smell lovely and moisturise the skin so whilst they are not used very often, they are a unique little pleasure to myself. Not only do I get time to de-stress, unwind, do both my hair and get to shave my legs with no hurry, there is normally time to read a good part of a magazine or a few pages of a girly book. I like this little basic luxury. Oh and for special occassions, I even have time to dress up and straighten my hair instead of just having it tied back as I do 99% of the time. :)
7.Being British
I suppose it is very debatable about what "being British" actually means. We tend to live in a society at the moment that is partially racist to the non British. The news is always on about too many immigrants, how they effect the economy, how they take jobs from the British. From what I see they take on alot of the jobs we don't want to take on. The local 24 hour independent shops are never run by English people, we are too comfortable with the 9-5 perception. The cleaners who do sometimes do rather unpleasant jobs that no one wants to do as they don't want to get their hands dirty. The medical professionals who are experts due to the fantastic training they recieve in other countries. I have no problem with these people at all and as long as they do something to help Britain then I think they should be welcomed. I also think that anyone allowed into the country should work, if there are no jobs available, then it is time to draw the line. The main argument against immigrants are that too many come over for an easier life. The social housing and the benefits they get paid so they don't need to work. This is where the system is wrong. The British government put that down to being compassionate. There is being compassionate and being taken for mugs. This needs to be addressed so much more.
Despite it's minor problems in certain areas, I do think Britain is a very giving and accepting country. Most of us have friends of other nationalities, race and sexual orientation and it makes no difference whatsoever. If anything, I think we are too giving. We give alot of money through fundraising to third world countries but I know I am being quite self centered here but there are alot of people in our own land that needs help and charity. Our NHS could always do with a fund boost, the homeless, children of abuse, the disabled are all in need. Although we do all have clean water and food we should help those closer to home. Third world debt continues to RISE as more money is given to them leaving them in as bad a position as they were before. It's a complicated matter I could discuss for hours.
Then we have London. Our world famous monarchy. The landmarks such as Tower Bridge, London Bridge, The London eye, 02 arena (previously The Millenium Dome) The Tower Of London. Eastenders (hehe tv prog for those not in the know). Again all cultures are catered for, world cuisine is rife and apparently there are over 600 restaurants in London alone making it one of the worlds dining capitals. We have our sporting heroes. We complain we don't win as many medals in Olympics as the US, Canada and China, but when you compare the size of GB to these countries, you realise just how well we do. We are just a blot on the landscape compared to these super powers so I think we are overall pretty good.
So, pushing aside the whole government problem I think it's pretty good to be British.
Finally, I have to link 7 blogs/diaries I think worthy of their own awards.
My vote goes to:
1. Ashnwesten(locked)
2. Kiracharleen
3.Leebeenz
4.Lindzeeleigh(locked)
6.Bunnymama(locked)
7.X
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