The Weekend I got my Snuggle Blanket

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Humans can be the most wonderous beings sometimes. Sitting here on a Monday morning after my birthday weekend, I’m reflecting on the power of people. Over the past few days, there have been so many words and gestures, actions and thoughts from so many different people that have lifted my spirits, that it is difficult to know where to start.

The number of people wishing you a happy birthday on Facebook has become a modern measure of, well I don’t know what, popularity perhaps (65 if you’re wondering). I had some beautiful messages from around the world. Some meant more than others, that is true. It was nice to read through them all, and think about the last time I saw them, or what they are up to in life. My sister wrote me the most beautiful poem and posted it on my wall, it was so touching, personal and heartfelt, I am reminded of just how important she is to me.

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1020 & kahlua krunch

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Today’s ice-creams come not from a tub, but from the famous Marianne’s near the ocean. Heidi has been the most amazing friend to me, so the least I can do for her is but her an ice-cream, right?

Heidi has joked many times that she can take me to almost any ice-cream parlour in Santa Cruz, and I could rock this item off my list. She was not kidding. We rocked up and they had 102 flavours to choose from. 102.

So I chose kahlua krunch and 1020. 1020 is caramel ice-cream with Oreo cookie bites, and a local favourite. Although sold in many ice-cream shops in the Santa Cruz area, it originates from Marianne’s and is named after their street address: 1020 Ocean Street. Kahlua krunch is coffee liqueur ice-cream and chocolate biscuit pieces. Continue reading →

1 down, 99 to go

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Yesterday was the start of my ice-cream dreams. Something tells me this is going to be one that I absolutely smash. All I have to do is try a new flavour of ice-cream approximately every 10 days.

And what was my first flavour? Ben & Jerry’s Coffee Toffee Bar Crunch. And it was divine. Creamy coffee ice-cream with these chunks of sugary toffee. They were like pieces of Scottish tablet, with that lovely sugary crunch. 

Heidi and I were watching The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, a heart warming giggle of a film. So full of light and life. And a reminder that I probably have a good 50 or so years of ups and downs and unexpected plot twists to relish.

So… today I drank beer…

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After a tough morning eating pancakes (thanks Jay!) and watching Heidi run a half marathon (well done Boo!), we went off to meet the rest of Heidi’s running club, Team in Training. We were a little bit early, so had to find somewhere to shelter from the English weather I seem to have brought with me. The only place open near by was the Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing Taproom (oh, and a bakery, but the wisdom of the group decided on Taproom).

A perfect opportunity to start work on a bucket list item – learn to enjoy beer. So, in my infinite wisdom, I decided to order a flight of beers, and roped Heidi in to help me. I was looking forward to trying the best three or four beers the brewery had to offer. Little did I know, I’d ordered a flight of 8 – EIGHT – beers.

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Bye bye UK, hello US

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This week I said goodbye to England, and jetted off to visit my wonderful friends Heidi & Jay in Santa Cruz, California. My journey was not without it’s drama – Heidi turned up to get me from the airport, and there was no Sallie to be seen. Somehow, I had managed to get the date of my flight wrong. Fortunately, Heidi worked her magic and got me on a flight the next day.

They have taken me in for four whole weeks, and I am so happy to be able to spend this time with them. I’ve missed Heidi unbelievably much since she left the UK, but she looks so well here. The lifestyle is good for her. It brings me joy to see her find her place in the world.

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Purge: part 1

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I have a confession to make: I’m a little bit of a hoarder. Things mean things to me. I love to rifle through, and remember the associations my belongings have to me. I also think everything is useful, and so never throw anything away. A dangerous combination.

Yesterday, I purged my wardrobe. My beautiful dresses, stunning suits, and a few slightly odd outfit choices that I thought I might be brave enough to wear one day. 90% of my clothes that I haven’t worn in the past 12 months are now in the hands of my step-sisters. 

After they’ve picked through them, the rest are off to the charity shop. And I still have far too many clothes choose from…

Mission: Playtime - 30 before 30

An introduction to Mission: Playtime

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It was once said by the revered George Bernard Shaw that life isn’t about discovering yourself, it’s about creating yourself. With these words, I embark on Mission: Playtime. Some people call it a bucket list, or do a 30 before 30. Mission: Playtime is in the same vein as these challenges, but each is rooted in the spirit of life long learning and improvement. Being the best me that I can.

The role of this blog is to share my journey with loved ones, and also to hold myself accountable for completing my adventures before my 30th birthday (and hopefully finding my next set of adventures). Mission: Playtime is not about becoming the perfect person, for perfection does not exist, but finding the pleasure in life and becoming happier as a result of it.

You may have been waiting for the Eat, Pray, Love reference to come along, so here it is. Liz is told in Italy that the Americans are masters of entertainment, but know nothing of pleasure, whereas the Italians are masters of pleasure. Specifically dolce far niente, the sweetness of doing nothing. It is through accomplishing these tasks and connecting with others that I seek pleasure, rather than entertainment.

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