My guilty secret...

Now that I am studying, my TV consumption has declined significantly but I have a guilty TV secret – The Real Housewives of New York. I LOVE it!!! The trials and tribulations of Bethany, Alex, Jill etc bring light relief to the demands of uni.

Tonight’s episode, which I had to tape (whoops, sorry, sky plus) was TV gold, thanks to the playground politics of the NY gang. Bethany doesn’t want to be pals with Jill any more so got Alex to tell her. Only the erstwhile Alex did that in front of Kelly and Ramona – so it turned into a complete circus.

`Obviously this would contravene every ethic in the rule book of Countess Luann – who was annoyed at Jill’s interruptions at the launch of her new book. ‘How to be a very posh person and look down on the plebs’ – well, it was called something like that.

I have to admit that I like Bethany – of all the women, she is the one I would most want to gossip over a bottle of Shiraz with. Alex as well, but only if she left Simon at home for once, as nice as guy as he seems to be!!!

Anyway, back to the books for the few days but roll on the next episode of the RHONYC!!

Stresses with the tresses

I am now three weeks into the PGDE and loving it. It’s challenging, hard work and exhilarating!

It’s also full of people a lot younger than me!!

That’s why, when I got my hair cut this week, instead of getting my usual curls, I asked for it to be blow dried straight. And I loved it – sleek, stylish and flattering!!

So, I thought naively, it must be easy to re-create the look. Off I trotted to Boots and stocked up on large hair clips and scary looking hair brushes (that more look lethal weapons to be honest!!).

While the kids and M were watching Dr Who, I tackled my tresses!! And it’s a good job the TV was on loud, as my language wasn’t befitting of a middle aged wifie!!!

I can’t believe that it’s so difficult to blow dry hair straight. It was completely beyond my abilities! I now look like the equivalent of a hair Minotaur – half curly, half straight!!!

I think I will be leaving blow drying to the experts and return to the classroom on Monday with my usual untamed, curly mop!

But, in all honesty, who cares as long as I am there!!

The time has come....

I feel like I am about to go back in time. To 1985. October 1985 to be precise.

That was the month that, as a fairly shy 17-year-old, I came up to Aberdeen to study at university.

My folks brought me up in the car – I remember my brother was sick just as we drove into the city.

Midge Ure – the object of my teenage affections – was Number 1 with ‘If I Was’ (still love the song!) and playing on the radio.

I was kitted out in my stonewash jeans, pink court shoes and bad mullet hair cut, anxious and excited about the student life which lay ahead.

Now 26 years on, I have a very similar feeling because tomorrow I register for my PGDE (though thankfully without the dodgy fashion sense!).

My stomach has been churning for days – at first I thought it was a bug, then I realised it was just good old-fashioned nerves!!

I can’t wait to start the course, teaching is what I want to do and I am so pleased to have secured a place but that doesn’t stop all the thoughts zooming about in my head (competing against the butterflies in my tummy!!!).

At least I won’t have to face the horrors of Fresher’s Week this time round – I wouldn’t be able to fit it in around my kids’ parties, activities and general social diary.

Deep breath and bring on tomorrow morning. Wish me luck….

Back to School

I am a 43 year old mum of two and, I think, I am going through my mid life crisis.

Have I traded the reliable family saloon in for a flash two-seater sports model? Nah, no interest in cars and not enough money! Maybe I have traded in my man for a younger, sleeker model? Nah, no energy and I quite like the one I have already! (well, sometimes but I am sure that will be the subject of many a blog to come!). Or perhaps I traded in my 20-plus career in the media (journalist, in house PR and consultancy)…. Hey now you are talking!!!

So that is what I am going to do. I am less than two weeks away from retraining as a secondary school teacher in modern studies and, you know what, I can’t wait.

Although, as the time approaches, I have to admit that I am getting more and more nervous. Thoughts of doubt spin round my head. Will I be the oldest one there? Will my classmates think I am someone’s mum come to pick them up? Will I be forced to take part in a three legged pub crawl through the streets of Aberdeen? Will I have to start listening to the Top 40 on a Sunday (it’s still Paul Gambaccini who presents, isn’t it?)

So this blog will be my story, starting now. The trials and tribulations of returning to student life after more than two decades; how I juggle studying with family life (made all the more challenging as my partner works away from home for chunks at a time). And, most importantly, what bargains I get with my student card.

And, no doubt, there will be the odd rant and funny ‘kids/man driving me nuts’ story along the way.

The journey begins now. Hop along for the ride.