Find me online
Miss Write
  • Home
  • Blog
  • My Writing
  • About
  • WIP

Ode to a Foreign Field

30/6/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
So I'm here in Costa Rica, two weeks into an 8 week expedition with Raleigh International.

I realised I've not written much aside from my travel journal in over 14 days, and am suffering withdrawl symptoms. Now poetry ain't normally my bag, but below is a quick one I created this morning...



Picture
Ode to a Foreign Field

Costa Rica, happy and hot,
My schedule’s been a busy lot.
But a thought crossed my mind
Morbid but positive in kind.

If I should die this day
By snake bite or sun ray
Think only of me, your own,
In a field, far from home.

No more skits or mozzy bites
Sleeping comfy in celestial heights
A girl who has to eat no more
Refried beans from Raleigh stores.










All the best

Lou x

0 Comments

Waxin'. Packin'. Panickin'. Chillin'.

13/6/2012

2 Comments

 
Picture
So it's my final evening in the UK before I take off to Costa Rica for the summer. I will be volunteering as a Project Manager for the next 8 weeks with a charity called Raleigh International. I will be leading teams of lots of young adult volunteers from the UK on environmental and community projects, and hopefully ending it all with five caving, canopy walking, white water rafting and exploring days in the beautiful South American country. 

So how did I spend my final day in Towcester, Northants? Well, I took the day off to pack. And boy, am I glad I did! It took me four hours to fill my backpack. Before I got started, I had my 'vacation' waxing appointment. Joy of joys, trying for a near perfect hairless body in anticipation of summer clothes, well, 'scruffs' and work clothes, on project in Costa Rica. Eyebrows, bikini, legs... All done, hoping for no nasty reaction this time. I went home for lunch - jacket potato and beans - proper UK comfort food. Mmm! 

Then I watched an episode of The Big Bang Theory. I'll miss that show! 

Then I watched a documentary called "The House The 50's Built" I'd recorded and meant to watch before I go. 

Finally I started packing. No use putting it off any longer. (NB. One of my friends is STILL procrastinating at time of writing and it's almost 4pm!).

Now, I am not packing for a holiday. Far from it. We will be working our little behinds off in Costa Rica to help promote sustainable environmental management and helping to develop the more rural and remote areas in the country, so it's not just swimsuits and suncream. I pride myself in being a good packer, having travelled a fair bit, and I owe my skills mainly to World Camp, Norway (1999) with the Guides, but it was tough. I'd gathered everything on my kit list into a cupboard so it was all in one place - that helped me get started. I prioritise every thing, thinking the only thing I could leave out was my mess (meal) kit and possibly my book, God forbid.

I spent four hours meticulously rolling my few clothes, waterproof bagging my things which shouldn't get damp, bagging up a gigantic First Aid kit, and shoving that essential pair of flip flops into the pack. Lucky we get a carry on bag too, holding my netbook, travel documents, a few toiletries etc, but I managed to get it all in. First time too! My friend Harri went to India in January of this year with Raleigh, and she did 'primary, secondary and tertiary' packing, so I was pretty chuffed with myself. I just hope it's not overweight when I get to the airport tomorrow morning.

Relieved and feeling liberated, I headed out to the pub next door to escape the ominous gaze of my backpack. I logged on to the internet to check-in at Terminal 5, Heathrow airport. Technology is brilliant, isn't it?! One less thing to do tomorrow. 

All checked in, British Airways took their final chance to remind me of a whole list of things not to take on the plane. Easy - no poisons, compressed gas, matches or lighters... Wait. Lighters??? I've never travelled with any lighters before but had diligently packed three in my pack earlier today. They weren't on the official Raleigh kit list, but I'd added them myself. They're always useful. Three. Bugger. 

Picture
Finishing my coke quickly, I went home, dreading the next task. Due to my careful planning and packing in relevant sections (First Aid in one dry bag, bits 'n' bobs in another, clothes rolled, things I'll need on arrival in an easy to reach compartment), I found the offending lighters fairly quickly. Phew. I actually gave myself a little 'hooray' and a pat on the back before re-packing. This was relatively hassle-free, and I was done. Done, done, done. One hiking backpack, one small carry-on bag and a pair of boots. I'll wear them tomorrow. 

Argh, what am I wearing tomorrow?? Something comfy, no jeans, and nothing too scruffy. You never know when you might be able to wangle an upgrade to Business Class! One thing I might have to down-play at the airport is my hoodie, hardly business-y, but I'll deal with that later. I plumped for a travelling outfit of brown cotton trousers and a plain t-shirt, carefully chosen and trusty socks, pants and a bra.


Now I'm chillin'. Watching Channel 4's documentary (yep, I like my docs!) featuring Martin Clunes in Madagascar studying endangered lemurs - or 'lee-m-yurs', as he calls them. Cuppa in my hand, I plan to chill for the rest of the evening, with a roast chicken dinner and my boyfriend who's staying home this summer.

There's a chance I may be able to blog a little while I am away, but please stay in touch. Let me know your packing tips, if you've worked with Raleigh before, and what you're up to this summer. I hope the sun shines for you! 

There is a blog under way for the project I am on in Costa Rica; take a look here if you're interested in seeing the work we're doing. See you in late August. An excited "Adios!" to you all!

Lou x 

2 Comments

A Hard Decision

13/6/2012

1 Comment

 
Picture
I will leaving for Costa Rica this week. Far from a holiday, I am going to be working on a Raleigh International expedition for 8 weeks, and have to select some books to take with me. Harder than it sounds! 

Should I choose the books with the thought of swapping them with fellow volunteers when I'm done with them? Should I take ones I wouldn't mind leaving behind should I struggle for backpack space on the return journey? Should I pick something trusty and well-thumbed? And most importantly, should I go for a new and unknown author and story, therefore taking a risk it might not be that great a read? I bravely went for the latter, choosing one by an author I discovered early this year, and one recommendation by a great friend of mine, Ali Walker. Thanks Ali - but on YOUR head be it! *jokes* Wish me luck!

Lou x

Picture
1 Comment

I've Won A Versatile Blogger Award!

9/6/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
One criticism I have had about my website is that it doesn't reveal that much about me as a person. I was hoping my blog would help on that score, but this award nomination has gone even further and forced me to reveal more (avert your eyes now, I'm showing an ankle!).

So, to start with, I want to thank fellow writers Missy Frye and Katheryn Lane for my nomination. It's an honour to be nominated and in your top blogs list, so thank you very much. They're lovely ladies, so do take a look at their blogs and Twitter feeds sometime!

Here are my nominations – 15 blogs that you should definitely check out:

1. MISTAKES WRITERS MAKE (AND HOW TO PUT THEM RIGHT) - the first writing flavoured blog I followed and it remains one of my favourites. I enjoy and have learned to much from this guy, you should definitely take a look!

2. BOOK COVER CAFE - voted 'best website for authors' and I can see why. Great job, guys!

3. JEFF GOINS - always varied, very nicely laid out, encourages me to keep checking back for more writerly goodness. Plus, I love his cover picture.

4. FREELANCE WRITING TIPS - a sporadic blog, but the podcasts are a great resource.

5. MOODY WRITING - I particualrly enjoyed this post on WRITING WEBSITES I'D LIKE TO SEE. Good headlines, interesting, and the content is both thought and creativity provoking.

6. WRITERLY LIFE - A more serious blog, but has some inspiring and considered posts. Best use of inspirational 'photo of the week' I have seen for a while.

7. Jan Moran Neill and her BOX OF BLOGS - great name, and the first place I saw Technorati being used.

8. THE CREATIVE PENN - all about publishing, marketing, and of course, writing. I definitely recommend you sign up to their newsletter. It's FAB!

9. SOCIAL MEDIA MAVEN - helping small businesses and individuals navigate the ever-changing world of social media. This blog had a pivotal role in convincing me to get Tweeting.

10. BLURB IS A VERB - This one shouldn't be so down the list I suppose, as it's in my top 3 favourite blogs. It caught my eye with the great title, but the blogging is creative, useful and insightful.

**All of the above can be followed using Google Reader. That technology has changed my life! Not sure if the next few can be done that way - if they can I have yet to work it out!**
 
11. THREE HUNDRED AND SIXTY FIVE STORIES - One brave soul writing a short story every day. An impressive power house of production!

12. IN THE WRITING GROOVE - and this blogger certainly is in the groove! Regular blogging on writerly bits.

13. TONYA KAPPES - a prolific and unseful resource for writers, strongly supported by her great Twitter presence. She's full of great tips for aspiring and prolific writers alike.

14. JODY HEDLUND - really good insight and tips here - have referenced this website quite a bit having featured it over a week or so on my Facebook page. Well done Jody!

15. And lastly, this is the most recent blog I have discovered: THE STUFF OF LEDGE. It's not about writing, but it's a great read by a friend of mine.

Picture
There are more fantastic blogs I could mention, but I'm only allowed 15. Save them for another day maybe.

Now as a nominee for the Versatile Blogger Award, I have to reveal seven things about myself. Here goes...

1. I am going to Costa Rica this summer to work for Raleigh International. I'll be there for 8 weeks working on community and environmental projects with a whole pack of young volunteers who want to make a difference. I have been fundraising like mad and now comes the real challenge - packing. Just kidding, I am so excited for the expedition, to see a part of the world I have wanted to visit since I was a kid, and to get stuck in with some lasting, sustainable, good work and karma.

2. If I could wake up one day and be Olympic standard at any sport, I would pick ice skating. I can't skate very well at all, but I would love to be able to spin and jump to impress crowds of people. 

3. I have been collecting postcards and sugar sachets since I was small. I have shoeboxes full of them! Postcards, yes, kind of understandable given my travels and travelling friends and family, but sugar packets? I can't remember how that started, but trust me, it's addictive.

4. My biggest fear is bring trapped in a burning car. I cannot imagine a more horrific way to panic!

5. I get most of my 'books to read' recommendations from my mum. She knows what I like to get absorbed into better than I do!

Picture
6. Flying runs in the family, as my brother, uncle, dad and great uncle are/were all pilots. I guess that's where the travel bug comes from!

7. My first love was Jason Donovan, and I have no shame! We all have our secrets... I still own all his albums (on tape of course!)from when I was eight years old, or there abouts. I had to wait until I was 19 to see him perform live though, in a crummy bar in Swindon. He only did 3 songs, and one of them was the Home & Away theme!

And we're done! Phew! Now I'm blushing. Thanks again for the nomination, keep writing!

Lou x

0 Comments
    Picture

    Author

    I'm a writer from Bristol, UK, with an unhealthy obsession with stationery and baking. I mainly blog for my own sanity, but I'm also working on a novel. Still. 

    Archives

    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    August 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    May 2017
    April 2017
    August 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 1970

    Categories

    All
    April 2013 Blog Challenge
    Baking
    Being A Mum
    Blog Hop
    Books
    Campaigns / Charity
    Christmas
    Competitions
    Contemporary Fiction
    Craft
    Cycling
    Ebooks & Apps
    Environment
    Events
    #fail
    Films
    Fun Life Stuff!
    Gifted Reads
    Guest Bloggers
    Halloween
    Holiday Reads
    International Women's Day
    Lockdown
    My Wedding
    My Writing
    Out And About
    Poetry
    Random Inspiration
    Rant
    Reading
    Reviews
    Social Media
    Treasured Reader
    Wedding
    Well Being
    Well-being
    Women Writers
    Writing
    Writing Tips

    Get your own free Blogoversary button!

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.