Totes Amaze!

What is it with British television insisting on appearing cool and using language that quite frankly makes me cringe. I've noticed for a few years that text speak and slang have been making their way into programmes aimed at children and teenagers which is bad enough but I understand that they have a target audience and must cater to them. However it seems nothing is safe now.

I have watched a show called This Morning for many years, it is daily light entertainment and aimed at adults. It includes informative discussion and debate, interesting subjects and it's presented by people who are articulate and educated. However it has now lowered itself by allowing people to present who simply cannot speak English correctly (or choose not to). One competition prize is described as being 'totes amaze' and it honestly makes me cringe.

The state of our education system is constantly in question and one of the subjects most often debated is English. Our current school leavers are declared, by small business owners and multimillion pound corporations alike, as unprepared for the work force and unable to spell, punctuate or use correct grammar. These are children who have spent years going through our education system and yet are apparently deemed uneducated by the national workforce. We shake our heads, the Government promises changes and pumps millions of pounds into reforming the National Curriculum. So what is the problem? Why is nothing changing?

If the media makes incorrect English the norm then is it any wonder that children can't form proper sentences. I'm not completely against slang, and in the correct context such as a drama or play it can be used well. However to use it when presenting what is intended as a quality production is very wrong and misguided.  Until we begin to lead by example I fear nothing will change and children's skills in speech and the written word will continue to decline. We need to use television as a positive influence in the lives of children, so I beg don't dumb it down but raise it up.

Going vegetarian.

I need a lifestyle change and have decided to try a vegetarian diet.  I have a few different reasons but my main one is the aim of improving my health.  I need to make different choices in terms of the food I eat. Although I eat good meals I am sure that I do not receive the nutrients I need on a daily basis. My dad died at the age of 64 of a sudden and massive stroke. I am sure a large factor that contributed towards this was his lifestyle. I definitely take much of my make up from my dad and I worry this leaves me open to the same risks. I spend more time than I know is normal worrying about my health and cancer for example. Instead of worrying I need to actually do something about it. As a lover of meat I know this won't be the easy option but I'm going to give it a good go. My first aim is to last a month and see how I feel after that time. Once my month is up I will consider whether I want to continue for a further month. I will do this until I feel able to make a long term decision. Hopefully this will be the start of something good.

This photograph makes me chuckle.

Best Christmas present to myself EVER!

I was out shopping for last minute bits and bobs for Christmas when I stumbled across this beauty in a charity shop. Santa Claus The Movie is my favourite Christmas film of all time and I watch it every year without fail. I have literally grown up with this movie as a constant part of Christmas. I didn't even know that this record existed but as soon as I saw it I quite simply had to have it :)

This is the front cover. Isn't it gorgeous. That picture explains everything about the film and for as long as I live I will always picture this guy as the man in the big red suit. 

This is the back cover. I'm sorry its a bit blurry but it basically has pictures from the film as well as a list of the songs on the record. 

I am so thrilled with this buy. It is the best 99p I have ever spent. I would show you a picture of the record itself but it is currently in my record player getting me in the Christmas mood. I'm certain this record will continue to play and give me hours of enjoyment for years to come. 

 

 

RIP Little Angels

Words cannot describe the sadness I am feeling at the news of the elementary school massacre in Connecticut. I read the news this morning with tears streaming down my face. Those children were sent to a place they viewed as safe and was as familiar to them as home. I can't imagine the fear they experienced or the horror of the adults who in that moment knew they had to protect not only themselves but a school full of vulnerable children.

I recently began working in a school. I assist in a class of nine year old children, these children are the same age as the children locked in a closet by their music teacher during the shooting. It really hit me because we also have a closet in our classroom and I couldn't imagine having to gather all those children in that enclosed space in an attempt to save them. Children are such a blessing and I can fully understand how the teachers lost their lives trying to protect them. I know I would do everything I could to protect the children in my classroom and I hope to God that I never have to.

Schools should never be targeted this way and I always struggle to understand why it keeps reoccurring. Every once of my moral compass and heart tells me children are to be protected. I have a wonderful niece  and nephew and during the times I have them in my care my protective nature goes into overdrive. The same at work, you constantly watch for moments when the children could fall on the play ground or from the jungle gym. It is instinctual to protect them from harm. Therefore I simply cannot imagine what kind of person it takes to walk into a school and turn a gun on people, but especially the children. All I can think is they must be extremely ill. As always I pray that this is the last time we hear of a news story like this. Please let people learn this time and don't let these teachers and children die in vain.

RIP to the students and children of Sandy Hook Elementary School

It's Christmas (almost)

The 1st of December has been and gone which means we are now well on the way to Christmas! I love Christmas and essential to my festive overload is Christmas music. This is my all time favorite Christmas CD,  Snowed In by Hanson.  It is cheerful, cheesy and yes Mr P hates it. However he does kindly put up with it because he knows I love it so much. This year I even had the joy of listening to it while putting up the Christmas tree.  It is perfect for a family as it is written by kids for kids. I love it and know I always will.

 

Believe it or not this picture is in focus, the album cover is designed that way.

(It took me a few photos to figure that out haha!) 

I was given this album on Christmas Day 1997 by my late Grandad Charlie. Due to his own love of music we were always advised to send any musical gift requests his way. If I remember correctly I placed this request very late in the month of December after seeing it advertised in a magazine. I really shouldn't have got it at such a late date but I was truly spoiled that year. I can honestly say I have listened to it every year since then and it has become my strongest connection to my Grandad whom I miss dearly. I am thrilled that I still have the original CD, case and cover he gave me and it remains as good as new.  It goes to show that sometimes its the smallest gifts that hold the strongest memories. I'm sure of all the gifts he gave me over the years he never expected it to be this last minute CD that I would hold so dear.

Wonderfully cold and frosty winter morning.

I was walking home from the village early yesterday morning and found the images around me breathtaking. We live in a very rural area and when the frost comes in tends to stay all day. We also seem to live in a small bubble, separate from the rest of the country. At the moment everyone else is experiencing snow, while we simply have a wonderful layering of white frost. It is raw beauty!