anna_lise_a

Camping in Cornwall

2008-11-01T18:07:31Z

Pictures up at my blog - http://here-today.blogspot.com

Cold but beautiful!

Home from the Highlands

2008-08-01T20:55:57Z

Pictures of this week's camping trip in the Scottish Highlands up at my blog. :-)

http://here-today.blogspot.com

Tintagel pictures

2008-04-16T19:35:00Z

Pictures of our recent trip to beautiful Tintagel up at my blog -
http://here-today.blogspot.com

:-)

Morning routine ... via Carrie

2008-03-11T20:04:26Z

The alarm goes off at 5.30 and the shipping news comes on. I find listening to cryptic numbers related to obscure places soothing. Lie in bed and snuggle up with Bobby, listening to the news on radio 4 till 6 (falling asleep every now and then, which makes for a surreal feeling when I'm not sure if I've heard something on the news or if I've dreamt it) when the bread machine beeps. Run downstairs, take the dough out of the machine, punch it down, shape it into rolls and leave it for its second rising. (We are trying to bake all our own bread products. This is the third week now; am hoping it'll soon feel totally routine. At the moment it still feels like a bit of nuisance.) Run back upstairs, (two flights of stairs these days, since we did the loft conversion) shower, get dressed into work clothes. 6.30, give Ems a lift to the start of her paper round. 6.40, get back home and put the rolls into the oven. (Sometimes Bobs does the lift for Ems. Now that it's getting lighter in the mornings, she will soon be able to walk the mile to the start of her round again... ) Unload the dishwasher. Set breakfast table. Go back upstairs, climb into bed with Sophie, cuddle her for a while. Then force her to get up, because now it's 7am. Back downstairs, take rolls out of the oven, put the kettle on, make tea for the girls and coffee for us. Stephen hates all hot beverages, so nothing for him ... 7.15, Ems gets home, we eat breakfast. Pack lunches if we didn't get round to it the night before. Table cleared by 7.50 or so, leave for work at 8.

Friday Five, on Saturday

2008-01-12T16:17:02Z

1.What is your favourite fruit?
Raspberries

2.What is the last book you read?
"Making History" by Stephen Fry. Quite amusing. Will be starting "Half of a Yellow Sun" later tonight.

3.Do you like any of your school photos?
I think I looked sweet when I was little though at the time I didn't really like the way I looked...

4.Do you ever blowdry your armpits to get the deodorant to dry quicker?
That is a very weird question. No I don't.

5.What was the last film you watched?
Enchanted. I practically threw up when watching it, the sexism was so nauseating. Before that, we saw the Golden Compass, which I liked very much. (Though obviously not as much as the book).

Real life resumes...

2007-06-10T19:26:11Z

Pictures of our Paris trip up at my blog ...

And now I'm going to try to catch up on two weeks of lj/blog reading :-)

Meme for a quiet Sunday morning

2007-05-13T06:54:37Z

From Wendykh, because outside it's raining and inside everyone else is still sleeping ...

1. What does your LiveJournal name mean?
Some other person had already taken Annalise, and I wasn't feeling inspired to come up with anything unrelated to my actual name.

2. Elaborate on your default photo.
Daffodils at the moment; I should change it to something more summery because daffodil season has been over for a while.

3. Do you still talk to your ex? Why?
Nope; I've been married for almost 18 years, so all exes are well and truly in the dim distant past.

4. What's your current relationship status?
Happily married.

5. What exactly are you wearing right now?
Bobby's robe.

6. What is your current problem?
It's raining and I wanted to do outdoorsy things today. Not too awful a problem I must admit.

7.What do you love the most?
Hugging the children.
Reading the paper with a cup of coffee.
Bobby
Rock climbing.

8. What makes you happiest?
Being outside somewhere beautiful with my family.

9. Are you musically inclined?
Not really.

10. If you could go back in time, and change something, what would it be?
Might go do something about that electoral fuck-up that led to Bush taking power a couple of US elections ago... I think that might have prevented a lot of deaths across the globe.

11. If you MUST be an animal for ONE day what would you be?
A sea bird.

12. Ever have a near death experience?
Not very near, touch wood.

13. Name an obvious quality you have?
I am a good listener.

14. What's the name of the song that's stuck in your head right now?
I watched the Eurovision song contest last night, so there's a whole range of quite dire tunes competing for space in my head. ;-)

15. Who did you cut and paste this from?
wendykh

16. Name someone with the same b-day as you:
Uri Geller.

17. Have you ever vandalized someone's private property?
Nope.

18. Have you ever been in a fight?
No.

19. Have you ever sang in front of a large audience?
No. Well, as a small and anonymous member of a school choir.

20. What is the first thing you notice about the opposite sex?
Build, height...

21. What do you usually order from Starbucks?
Haven't been in Starbucks in ages; I would order a regular coffee as I really don't like the flavoured sweetened stuff.

22. Have you ever broken a bone?
No.

23. Has anyone ever said that you look like a celebrity?
Used to get Meg Ryan quite a lot, I think I look less sweet and more frazzled these days ;-)

25. Do you still watch kiddy movies or TV shows?
No.

26. Do you wear braces?
I did, for years, and my teeth are still crooked.

27. Are you comfortable with your height?
Yes.

28. What is the most romantic thing someone has ever done for you?
Long ago, before we were married, Bobby and I went away for the weekend with friends. I was vegetarian at the time, he wasn't, but he ate veg food all weekend because the people we were with had been a bit snotty about picking out some non-animaly foods when we were shopping for the trip.

29. Do you speak any other languages?
Afrikaans ... quite rusty though.

30. Do you have a crush on someone on your myspace/LiveJournal?
No.

And where is question 24, I wonder?

in case anyone else likes reading grocery lists ...

2007-03-07T15:41:27Z

Here's what's arriving between 6 and 7 tonight. And what I'm going to cook with it. :-)

2 x Sainsbury's Clementines x8 - Total Price GBP 2.00

7 x Sainsbury's Onions Loose - Total Price GBP 0.73

1 x Sainsbury's Carrots, Organic 750g - Total Price GBP 0.71

1 x Sainsbury's Baby Leaf & Sweetcorn Stir Fry 300g - Total Price GBP 1.99

1 x Sainsbury's Fresh Chinese Noodles 300g - Total Price GBP 0.78

2 x Sainsbury's Tomatoes, Flavouripe x6 - Total Price GBP 1.98

1 x Sainsbury's Celery, Organic - Total Price GBP 1.09

2 x Sainsbury's Honey Roast Ham, Taste the Difference 160g - Total Price GBP 4.50

1 x Sainsbury's Cheddar, Mild, Basics approx. 568g - Total Price GBP 1.89

1 x Sainsbury's Double Cream, Organic 142ml - Total Price GBP 0.40

1 x Sainsbury's Free Range Eggs Medium x12, Organic - Total Price GBP 2.69

2 x Sainsbury's Fresh Milk Skimmed, Organic 1.13L (2pint) - Total Price GBP 1.68

2 x New Covent Garden Our Best Chicken Soup 600g - Total Price GBP 3.00

2 x Hovis Granary Square Cut Thick 800g - Total Price GBP 1.98

1 x Vogel Soya and Linseed Bread 800g - Total Price GBP 1.05

1 x New York Bagels x5 - Total Price GBP 1.19

2 x Kingsmill Great Everyday Wholewheat Rolls x6 - Total Price GBP 1.20

3 x Sainsbury's Kids Cheesy Wedges x6 - Total Price GBP 4.47

1 x Sainsbury's Braeburn Apples, Organic x5 - Total Price GBP 2.19

1 x Sainsbury's Raspberries 250g - Total Price GBP 2.49

1 x Sainsbury's Chestnut Mushrooms, Organic 250g - Total Price GBP 1.19

1 x Discovery Red Jalapenos 200g - Total Price GBP 1.18

1 x Sainsbury's Mixed Peppers x3 - Total Price GBP 1.29

1 x Sainsbury's Skipjack Tuna, in Spring Water 400g - Total Price GBP 0.98

1 x Sainsbury's Cucumber, Whole, Organic - Total Price GBP 0.88

1 x Sainsbury's Romaine Lettuce Hearts, Twin Pack, Organic, x2 340g - Total Price GBP 1.29

1 x Kraft Light Honey and Mustard Dressing 250g - Total Price GBP 1.18

4 x Sainsbury's Apple Juice, Organic 3 x 200ml - Total Price GBP 3.44

1 x Sainsbury's Olive Gold Reduced Fat Spread 500g - Total Price GBP 0.89

1 x Sainsbury's Double Action Handgrip Sponge Scourer x3 - Total Price GBP 0.45

2 x Sainsbury's Onion & Goats Cheese Mezzaluna, Taste The Difference 300g - Total Price GBP 4.98

1 x Sainsbury's Chocolate Spread, Belgium Milk Chocolate 400g - Total Price GBP 0.69

1 x Sainsbury's Roasted Tomatoes & Balsamic, Taste The Difference 300g - Total Price GBP 2.09

1 x Sainsbury's Fairtrade Golden Sugar 500g - Total Price GBP 0.47

1 x Sainsbury's 2in1Liquid Lavender & Jas 1.5L - Total Price GBP 2.50

4 x Sainsbury's Home Bake Baguettes, White x2 - Total Price GBP 2.24

1 x Comfort Vaporesse, Blue 1L - Total Price GBP 0.99

1 x Sainsbury's Chilli & Corriander Sausages x6, Taste the Difference 400g - Total Price GBP 2.19

1 x First Cape First Selection Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 70cl - Total Price GBP 3.99

1 x Quorn Pieces 350g - Total Price GBP 2.88

1 x Sainsbury's Tenderstem Broccoli, Organic 200g - Total Price GBP 1.32

1 x Sainsbury's Boneless Pork Loin Joint, Organic (approx. 1.4kg) - Total Price GBP 8.38

1 x Meridian Tahini, Light 270g - Total Price GBP 1.19

1 x Sainsbury's Rosemary, Bunch 25g - Total Price GBP 0.75

2 x Sainsbury's Chick Peas, in Water, Organic 410g - Total Price GBP 1.46

2 x Sainsbury's Dry Cure Smoked Bacon, Taste the Difference 240g - Total Price GBP 5.00

1 x Sainsbury's Soft Cream Cheese, Light 200g - Total Price GBP 0.39

1 x Sainsbury's Coriander, Bunch 80g - Total Price GBP 1.59

1 x Sainsbury's Yorkshire Pudding, Basics x15 230g - Total Price GBP 0.55

The meals :

Tonight I am making a chicken and mushroom pie with ingredients I already have.
Thurs : pumpkin gnocchi and spinach, with sausages for the kids because they made retching noises when I suggested this one
Fri : Quorn stirfry
Sat : Baguettes, salad, hummous
Sun : Roast pork with all the trimmings, broccoli
Mon : that rather yummy sounding goats cheese pasta, salad
Tues : chicken soup, bread from the machine
Weds : homemade pizza and salad

School lunches will be ham rolls and fruit and cheese.
Breakfasts are porridge or toast at the moment, except for Saturday when we'll have crepes and Sunday when we're having bacon and eggs at Steve's request.

grocery list :-)

2007-01-08T19:43:35Z

Mammogram angst at my blog (nothing scary, just a check-up) and, for your reading pleasure, this week's grocery list is behind the cut. Very easy for me to do, because I order online so I just cut and pasted it in. :-)

The meals that we will be having will be

Chicken soup (bought, but it's all fresh ingredients and v.yummy, she said guiltily)
Home made pizza
Quorn lasagne
Slow-cooked beef stew with beer
Lentils and quorn sausages
Chicken stirfry and rice
Something with leeks and butternut and chicken. Not sure what yet. :-)

There is more quorn that usual on the menu, but that's because it was on special. And darn, just realised I forgot to get mushrooms.

Trolley Summary
Quantity Product Price

1 PG Tips Tea Bags, Pyramid Bag 80s, 250g £1.52
1 Sainsbury's Tomato Puree Jar, Organic 312g £0.69
1 Dove's Farm Organic White Flour, Farm 1kg £0.75
1 Young's London Ale 500ml £1.36
1 Sainsbury's Fresh Milk Skimmed, Organic 1.13L (2pint) £0.81
1 Sainsbury's Skipjack Tuna, in Spring Water 400g £0.98
1 Sainsbury's Cheddar, Mild, Basics approx. 568g £1.90
1 Schwartz Authentic Mix, Beef Casserole 43g £0.65
1 Sainsbury's Ginger Nut Biscuits, Organic 200g £0.89
1 McVitie's Mini Cheddars 25g x 12 £1.99
1 Organix Gingerbread Men £0.99
1 Kellogg's Coco Pops 600g £2.59
1 Sainsbury's Carrots, Organic 750g £0.75
1 Hovis Enjoy Granary Multiseed 800g £1.26
3 Muller Crunch Corner Yogurt, Toffee and Cereal Hoops 150g £1.26
4 Sainsbury's Apple Juice, Organic 3 x 200ml £3.44
1 Heinz Baked Beans, Organic 415g £0.59
3 Muller Crunch Corner Yogurt, Vanilla with Chocolate Balls 150g £1.26
1 Sainsbury's Flavours of the Orient Sauces, Szechuan Sweet and Sour 200g £0.99
1 Discovery Red Jalapenos 200g £1.18
1 Sainsbury's Sage 14g Jar £0.35
1 Sainsbury's Baby New Potatoes 1kg £1.29
1 Sainsbury's Mange Tout, Trimmed 200g £1.29
1 Sainsbury's Pickled Gherkins, in Sweet Vinegar 675g £0.59
2 Sainsbury's Triple Pack Baguette , Be Good To Yourself 510g £2.38
2 New Covent Garden Our Best Chicken Soup 600g £2.68
1 Sainsbury's Honey Roasted Salmon Flakes 135g £2.99
1 Quorn Mince 350g £2.88
1 Sainsbury's Romaine Lettuce Hearts, Twin Pack x2 340g £1.29
3 Sainsbury's Red Pepper £2.04
2 Sainsbury's Cucumber, Whole £1.28
1 Sainsbury's Red Onions, Organic 500g £1.05
1 Sainsbury's Butternut Squash, Organic (loose) £1.44
2 Sainsbury's Sweet Potatoes (loose) £0.70
1 Sainsbury's Mixed Vegetable Stirfry 300g £0.79
2 Sainsbury's Tomatoes, Flavouripe x6 £1.50
1 Sainsbury's Leeks, Organic 400g £1.48
1 Sainsbury's Braeburn Apples, Organic x5 £2.19
2 Sainsbury's Clementines x8 £1.79
1 Sainsbury's Raspberries 250g £1.99
1 Sainsbury's Blueberries 150g £1.50
3 Sainsbury's Avocado Hass £1.17
1 Sainsbury's Apricot Punnet 500g £1.50
1 Sainsbury's Red Grapes, Organic 400g £1.90
1 Sainsbury's Celery, Organic £0.79
2 Sainsbury's Beef Diced, Organic 400g £6.00
2 Quorn Tandoori Pieces 140g £1.99
2 Quorn Smoky Pepper Sausage Sizzler 250g £1.99
2 Sainsbury's Chicken Skinless Breast Fillets 520g £5.99
1 Durex Condoms, Sensations x12 £4.38

Items in your trolley : £85.03
Delivery cost : £0.00
Total cost: £85.03

Bobby put the condoms in. I always find the idea of someone else collecting up our birth control for us rather off-putting, but he has no shame about this issue. A vasectomy is under discussion at the moment, so maybe we won't need any condoms before too long ....

via jo and rachel ...

2006-11-10T23:13:41Z

1) If you had to move 100 miles or more to the north, east, west, or south, which would you choose, where would you end up, and what's so great about there?

100 miles south - I'd be in the English channel.
100 miles east - Likewise. This is quite a small island. I would have just overshot Canterbury, though, which is rather a nice place.
100 miles north - closest place seems to be Cambridge. Not bad, but too flat for me.
So I think I would opt for 100 miles west, which would put me near Bath.

2) Do you have a favorite stretch of highway or byway for driving, touring, or wandering?

Hmmm. Not all that keen on driving or touring, though I did love driving through the SW US last year. I grew up walking on the slopes of Table Mountain in Cape Town, and that is probably still one of my favourite places.

3) Are you happier to start a trip or return home?

Oh, always to start. I love all the excitement. Getting home always feels like work, and then there's all the post-trip laundry and that flat what-now feeling ...

4) Plane, train, automobile, bicycle, or foot?

Car is my least favourite method of travel. In day-to-day life I try to walk as much as possible - we have got our car usage down to almost nil at the moment! Of the others, I like train travel the best.

5) Do you overplan or under plan your travels? (Assume that "no" is not a valid answer.)

I think we generally manage quite a good balance of spontaneity and planning. Some of the best times we've had have been completely fortuitous and unplanned.

Two words

2006-09-28T19:06:05Z

Moving details at my real blog, 2-word meme below.

1. When was the last time you shaved?
This morning

2. Explain what ended your last relationship.
Good sense

3. What were you doing this morning at 8 a.m
Washing dishes

4. What were you doing 15 minutes ago?
Eating dinner

5. Are you any good at math?
Not bad

6. Your prom night?
Teen angst

7. Do you have any famous ancestors?
Doubt it

8. Have you had to take a loan out for school?
Sadly, yes

9. Do you know the words to the song on your myspace profile?
No myspace

10. Last thing received in the mail?
job application

11. How many different beverages have you had today?
Exactly four

12. Do you ever leave messages on people's answering machine?
Of course

13. Who did you lose your CONCERT virginity to?
Johnny Clegg

14. Do you draw your name in the sand when you go to the beach?
Every time

15. What's the most painful dental procedure you've had?
Just fillings

16. What is out your back door?
Apple trees

17. Any plans for Friday night?
Packing boxes

18. Do you like what the ocean does to your hair?
Love waves

19. Have you ever received one of those big tins of 3 different popcorns?
Not me

20. Have you ever been to a planetarium?
Love them

21. Do you re-use towels after you shower?
Afraid so

22. Some things you are excited about?
new opportunities

23. What is your favorite flavor of JELLO?
Hate jello

24. Describe your keychain(s)?
black carabiner

25. Where do you keep your change?
Battered purse

26. When was the last time you spoke in front of a large group of people?
Last week

27. What kind of winter coat do you own?
Black knee-length

28. What was the weather like on your graduation day?
Hot sunny

29. Do you sleep with the door to your room open or closed??
It varies

Pretty accurate ...

2006-09-14T17:34:13Z

Your Personality Cluster is Introverted Feeling

You are:

Tolerant, flexible, and open to new ideas.
A stickler for integrity and authenticity.
Passionate about causes, beliefs, or politics.
Likely to have many "best friends" from many walks of life

What's Your Personality Cluster?

Interests collage ...

2006-09-08T15:04:43Z

I had to click a few times to get an Ikea image that didn't involve some kind of bondage.

Create your own! Originally Written By ga_woo, Hosted and ReWritten by darkman424

Home again

2006-08-07T21:40:04Z

Some pictures of our camping trip in beautiful North Devon up at my blog.

http://here-today.blogspot.com

Still sickish, but feeling better than I did last week ...

From piscesgirlie ...

2006-07-21T10:37:48Z

1. Tell me something in my house that you want me to take a picture of , be it a location, an item or a piece of furniture.
2. Anything that would be found within my house is fair game. Go nuts.
3. If you have a digital camera, repost this in your LJ so that i can ask for pictures from your house.

Weekend pictures ...

2006-07-04T13:01:06Z

are up at my blog.

http://here-today.blogspot.com

It was a wonderful two days; exactly what I needed to get rid of that tired bored hamster-on-a-treadmill feeling I'd been suffering from.

Question Time

2006-06-11T15:51:26Z

1. What color are your kitchen plates?

These ones Discontinued now, though, which is a pity because a couple are chipped. I like them because they are so cheerful. We only have one set of plates, though I guess they are kitchen plates, because that's where the diningroom table is.

2. What book are you reading?

Almost finished Geraldine Brooks' "Year of Wonders" which I am loving.

3. What's on your mouse pad?

Don't have one, the mouse slides around on a piece of paper which generally has phone messages scribbled on it.

4. Favorite board game?

Cranium.

5. Least favorite smells?

Vomit.

6. What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning?

What's the weather like?

7. What are your favorite colors?

I don't do very well at picking out favourite things. To wear, I like black and earth shades. Blue sky and sea and green plants outside. Inside, I like white walls and wood.

8. Least favorite colors?

Murky green and maroon and mustard shades. I like clear colours.

9. How many rings until you answer the phone?

Generally can't find it, so probably five.

10. Future child name?

Don't plan to have more children, but I like Rose for a girl and James for a boy.

11. Chocolate or vanilla?

Both.

12. Do you like to drive fast?

Yes.

13. Do you sleep with a stuffed animal?

No, I've never really seen the point of stuffed animals.

14. Do you like thunderstorms?

Yes.

15. What was your first car?

'89 VW Golf

16. Is your house clean or messy right now?

Clean-ish. The desks could do with dusting and there's a bit of picking up to be done though.

17. Do you eat the stems of Broccoli?

I eat the stems but often leave the tops, especially if the broccoli is cooked. I don't like the texture of the leafy bits.

18. If you could have any job what would it be?

Publisher.

19. If you could have any color hair, what would it be?

Blonde or black or red. Any colour but my own boring brown.

20. Is the glass half full or half empty?

Half full.

21. Favorite movies?

Amelie. Truly Madly Deeply. About a Boy. The Romeo and Juliet with Kate Winslet and Leonardo di Capricio. Together. And I liked the one we saw last night - The Squid and The Whale.

22. Do you type with your fingers on the right keys?

Yes.

23. What's under your bed?

Dust.

24. Your single biggest intense pain?

The time I scrunched my back when Soph was a baby and couldn't walk.

25. Person most likely to respond?

Don't know.

26. Person least likely to respond?

Don't know.

27. Ketchup or mustard?

Mustard

28. Hamburger or hot dog?

Neither

30. The best place you have ever been?

The Drakensberg mountains.

31. What screen saver is on your computer right now?

A picture of Stonehenge.

32. Favorite fast food?

Nando's chicken. Though it's not very fast. Portuguese peri-peri chicken - delish.

33. What is your birth name?

Annalise Vivian.

Fuck

2006-05-31T16:05:00Z

I just dropped the glass inside bit of the coffee-press. Ten million tiny glass shards on my kitchen floor. Second one in two weeks.

Maybe this is a sign that I should give up coffee.

Wasting time ...

2006-05-31T13:11:48Z

English Genius
You scored 100% Beginner, 100% Intermediate, 100% Advanced, and 80% Expert!

You did so extremely well, even I can't find a word to describe your excellence! You have the uncommon intelligence necessary to understand things that most people don't. You have an extensive vocabulary, and you're not afraid to use it properly! Way to go!

Thank you so much for taking my test. I hope you enjoyed it!

For the complete Answer Key, visit my blog: http://shortredhead78.blogspot.com/.

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:

<a

Coming in late with the user pic thing ...

2006-05-25T21:20:00Z

That is Sophie, aged four, nursing as we wait for the fireworks to start at Disney.

The ten-year meme

2006-05-20T08:05:07Z

How old were you?

THEN: 26
NOW: 36

2) Where did you go to school?

THEN: I'd finshed school at the end of '92.
NOW: Nowhere

3) Where did you work?

THEN: I was lecturing English at Promat College in Durban, an NGO whose purpose was to help rural black teachers upgrade their qualifications. It was a lovely job - very rewarding, great hours (8 to 12, basically, which was perfect with Steve's school hours and Em's preschool) and excellent pay too.
NOW: Learning support worker at a secondary school. Definitely a slide down the career ladder ... The mission for the next while is to find a family-friendly way of working my way back up again.

4) Where did you live?

THEN: Durban, South Africa, in a rather sweet little duplex.
NOW: Reigate, just south of London.

5) How was your hairstyle?

THEN: Chin-length bob.
NOW: Much shorter :-)

6) Did you wear braces? 7) Did you wear contacts? 8) Did you wear glasses?

THEN: No, yes, sometimes.
NOW: No, yes, sometimes

9) Who was your best friend?

THEN: Bobby has been the constant. But my best girlfriends then were my playgroup friends - Pomme, Adele, and Chantelle. None of whom I'm in contact with now. Such a pity...
NOW: Bobby. And best girlfriend - sadly I don't have one at the moment. Quite a few people who I'm friendly with, but no-one I'd pour my heart out to.

10) Which of your pets were still alive?

THEN: We were petless.
NOW: And we are again. Though as soon as we move, we'll be getting a kitty.

11) Who was your boyfriend/girlfriend?

THEN: Bobby
NOW: Bobby

12) Who was your celebrity crush?

THEN: I didn't have one, really.
NOW: I am quite keen on Alan Rickman.

13) Who was your regular-person crush?

THEN: Bobby
NOW: Bobby

14) How many piercings did you have?

THEN: None
NOW: One in each ear.

15) How many tattoos did you have?

THEN: None.
NOW: None. I am far too fickle to put something permanent on my body.

16) What was your favorite band/singer?

THEN: I remember like Just Jinger a lot at that time. I wonder if they still exist? Jut googled them - looks like they are still going strong.
NOW: I am hardly listening to music at the moment. It's one of the things I need to do more of.

17) Had you smoked cigarettes?

THEN: No.
NOW: No

18) Had you gotten drunk?

THEN: Yes, but not recently.
NOW: Yes, but not recently.

19) Had you DRIVEN?

THEN: Certainly
NOW: Yep, but we are enjoying reducing our car use as much as possible.

20) If so which car?

THEN: Toyota Corolla
NOW: Kia Carens. Funny, 10 years ago we were a one-car family through necessity, and now we're that way by choice.

21) Looking back, are you where you thought you would be in 2006?

No. Not at all. If I'd had to make a prediction, I'd have guessed that we'd still be in South Africa, and I'd be doing quite well career-wise. Instead, we conceived Sophie towards the end of '96, then spent a few years travelling, and now here we are in England. I think my life has been more interesting than I would have predicted.

Just to say ...

2006-05-12T19:15:08Z

Thanks to dear Laura, for sending my a LJ nudge :-)

In case any of you on my friends list don't know, I don't write here much - most of the time I stick to my "real" blog - http://here-today.blogspot.com. If I could move all my archives across here I'd abandon the blogspot blog, since it would be nice to make some posts friends-only, but I really like the fact that there's over four years of my history there ...

That meme - late as usual.

2006-04-29T12:34:43Z

1. What does your Livejournal name mean?

I wanted annalise, but some imposter Annalise got there before me. For some reason I have a hard time with nicknames; I feel quite uncomfortable referring to people by their LJ usernames (as seems to be good etiquette here) rather than by their given names.

2. Elaborate on your default icon?

Right now it is a picture I took when the daffodils came into bloom here. This is the first time I've lived in a place where you can actually see the seasons change.

3. Make up a question.

Why not?

4. What's your current relationship status?

Happily married.

5. What EXACTLY are you wearing right now?

Dark low-rise pants, black panties (one of my few pretty non-granny pairs), white bra, sea-green t-shirt, earrings made of silver and some kind of blue-y green mother-of-pearlish stuff, watch, wedding ring, engagement ring, and a pretty bracelet made of semi-precious stones that Sophie brought back from her school trip as a gift for me.

6. What is your current problem?

Right now - kids bickering over who should clean what in the kitchen. (They are supposed to be cleaning it together as an exercise in cooperation.) Though thinking about it,that's not my problem if I don't let it be.
Medium term - sorting out our house move. See regular blog for more angst.
And longer term - figuring out how to get a family-friendly job that pays well and that I actually enjoy.

7. What do you love most?

The sea. Mountains. Space.

8. What makes you most happy?

When we achieve family happiness - when everything's in balance and everyone feels loved and content; falling asleep with Bobby; waking up with him.

9. Are you musically inclined?

Unfortunately not.

10. If you could go back in time and change something, what would you change?

I think I might have opted for degrees which would have made me more directly employable, rather than just studying things I enjoyed.

11. If you MUST be an animal for ONE day, what would you be?

Something that could fly. A seagull, I think.

12. Ever have a near death experience?

No.

13. Name an obvious quality you have.

It seems to be obvious to everyone that I'm foreign - the comment I most often hear is "you're not from around here, are you?". I don't know how they know.

14. What's the name of the song that's stuck in your head right now?

There isn't one.

15. Who did you cut and paste this from?

[info]harshbetty

16. Name someone with the same birthday as you.

Nadine Gordimer. I did not know that till now! See, these memes are good for something.

17. Have you ever vandalized someone's private property?

No

18. Have you ever been in a fight?

No.

19. Have you ever sung in front of a large audience?

Only with the school choir, and I think they accepted anyone onto the choir, regardless of ability.

20. What is the first thing you notice about the opposite sex?

Height, hair, and general demeanour, I guess.

21. What do you usually order from Starbucks?

Medium regular coffee. A variant of my nick-name phobia kicked in when I used to order from them; I just couldn't bring myself to use their grande whatever whatever terminology. There are no Starbucks' anywhere near us at the moment; lots of indie coffee shops though.

22. Has anyone ever said you looked like a celebrity?

Meg Ryan, quite frequently. I don't see it myself though.

23. Do you still watch kiddy movies or TV shows?

No. The kids all seem to have grown out of them these days so they're never on anymore. Sophie at 8 seems much older in some ways - comes from having older siblings I suppose.

24. Did you have braces?

Yes, for absolute ages, and the tragic thing is that after a while my teeth went crooked again.

25. Are you comfortable with your height?

Pretty much. I'm 5'3" ... Wouldn't mind being a bit taller; pants and skirts are always too long for me.

26. What is the most romantic thing someone has ever done for you?

Way back when, before we were married, Bobby and I and another couple spent a week on holiday at a cottage in a game reserve. We all went shopping together for food for the week. I was vegetarian at that time of my life and the other couple were not keen to pick many non-meat items. So Bobs ate only vegetarian food too, in solidarity.

27. Do you speak any other languages?

Supposedly I speak Afrikaans (was compulsory to have it as your second language in South Africa). However I haven't spoken it in years and have become extremely rusty, which makes it quite embarrassing when the (very nice) SA geography teacher tries to bond with me by chatting in Afrikaans.

I have a few Zulu phrases; just enough to appear polite.

28. Do you have a crush on someone on your LJ?

No, I'm not a crush-y person.

Anyone heard from Rachel (of the gaggle of girls?)

2006-04-14T21:10:24Z

It's been ages ... Last I heard she thought she might have Lyme disease? Anyone know how she is doing?

How fortunate!

2006-04-01T21:24:45Z

You Belong in London

You belong in London, but you belong in many cities... Hong Kong, San Francisco, Sidney. You fit in almost anywhere.
And London is diverse and international enough to satisfy many of your tastes. From curry to Shakespeare, London (almost) has it all!

What European City Do You Belong In?