ooooppppps. Not quite sure how it has been so long since last I blogged, but it has. Now March 2011. I suppose this is a function of busy, which we are. Incredibly.
Taking a few moments out from editing my book, writing classes for the RRC and Atlantic University, and other book chapters to do a very brief update...
Steve has been working at the Hawbridge school since august last year; and me at the Rhine Research Center.....soon to be starting a new grant on synaesthesia - all very exciting.
Sienna is 3 and a half, and quite the character. She is coming out with some interesting questions about the world, and yesterday wrote her own name for the first time (no dots or copying involved). Amazing.
We have a new baby on the way - due in June, so life is about to get more crazy yet. We are not going to find out the gender, so everyone is going to have to wait and see!!!
So this is going to be a double chronicling of baby simmonds-moore, as soon our little family is going to expand muchly. Sienna thinks the new baby is going to be a girl, whilst Steve is thinking boy. I have no clue!
Ok, back to the book....and more tea to lubricate the little grey cells.
Friday, 18 March 2011
Monday, 26 July 2010
even hotter.
Ah yes. It is officially too hot. it has been 100 degrees, consistently....and the humidity makes it hard to handle, even for little ole cold blooded me. Steve and I are thinking that we should plot to escape to britain [at least] once a year, now that we are staying here in North Carolina (er, we are staying here - steve has been offered a full time teaching job at the Hawbridge school in Saxapahaw, and looks like I will be working part time for 6 months at the Rhine Research Center - parting from Liverpool Hope officially at the end of August. Hard decisions, but we got there in the end....and now feeling rather excited about The Future, except for The Heat!). We think the summer would be a good time to exit, and have the best of both worlds!
Sienna is having a fabulous heatwave summer as she has decided that The Pool is simply The Place To Be, and happily zips around in her groovey dora lifejacket. We are going to the pseudo beach this week, and next week....when John arrives for his adventure....we will take a trip to the Outter Banks, via a visit to Ms Cathy (and Matt and baby Morgan) at Washington NC. I am CRAVING the ocean. I dont think it has ever been this long in my adult life (one of the reasons I was so drawn to Swansea was the existence of campus opposite the ocean, and the proximity of the Gower just made my university years magical). And liverpool was on the coast. So I am feeling somewhat land-locked, and cannot wait to dip my toes in. And i know that Sienna will have fun with it this year, as she was into it last year in Wales.
Working on 3 grant proposals at the moment - hoping that I get at least one of them. all three are very exciting (to me, the nerd) and hoping that the funders may think so too. If I got at least one of them, life post February will be both intellectually stimulating and financially secure for a while. And then, I hope that I might get that academic job for 2011...and if not...well, we will see.
Sienna's birthday looms on the horizon. I can hardly believe my baby will be 3. It is true that time really does go so very quickly when you have a little person. It is like seeing time in action as there she is, a little girl who loves pink and currently very into the idea of being a fairy princess (managed to procure an early birthday present of princess shoes from me, as I am a wimp and couldnt resist giving them to her).
back to grants....
Sienna is having a fabulous heatwave summer as she has decided that The Pool is simply The Place To Be, and happily zips around in her groovey dora lifejacket. We are going to the pseudo beach this week, and next week....when John arrives for his adventure....we will take a trip to the Outter Banks, via a visit to Ms Cathy (and Matt and baby Morgan) at Washington NC. I am CRAVING the ocean. I dont think it has ever been this long in my adult life (one of the reasons I was so drawn to Swansea was the existence of campus opposite the ocean, and the proximity of the Gower just made my university years magical). And liverpool was on the coast. So I am feeling somewhat land-locked, and cannot wait to dip my toes in. And i know that Sienna will have fun with it this year, as she was into it last year in Wales.
Working on 3 grant proposals at the moment - hoping that I get at least one of them. all three are very exciting (to me, the nerd) and hoping that the funders may think so too. If I got at least one of them, life post February will be both intellectually stimulating and financially secure for a while. And then, I hope that I might get that academic job for 2011...and if not...well, we will see.
Sienna's birthday looms on the horizon. I can hardly believe my baby will be 3. It is true that time really does go so very quickly when you have a little person. It is like seeing time in action as there she is, a little girl who loves pink and currently very into the idea of being a fairy princess (managed to procure an early birthday present of princess shoes from me, as I am a wimp and couldnt resist giving them to her).
back to grants....
Thursday, 27 May 2010
hot
And it is going to get a lot hotter. I am happily ensconsed in the air conditioned library, working on my big book chapter. Coming together, but needing some extra tweaking. Sienna is out with Ferrell this pm - they spend every thursday afternoon together, while I go and work on writing.
Book deadline approaching in September, and lots to do before that...but very excited about it. All about health and exceptional human experiences, and based on papers presented at the conference in Liverpool last September.
Sienna is a wonderful little person. [only negative is that we are having a few issues with hitting, but I am hoping this is just a phase....].
Her language amazing, and she has recently become quite an expert at going to the loo, and starting to (occasionally) sleep in her own bed all night long, until I say that, and then The 3am migrations start up again. Preschool ends next week, and so we are going to need to get on the ball in terms of finding some fun things for her to do with other little people. Thinking of Salsa tots, and possibly a gym class...will have to get ourselves organised.
Book deadline approaching in September, and lots to do before that...but very excited about it. All about health and exceptional human experiences, and based on papers presented at the conference in Liverpool last September.
Sienna is a wonderful little person. [only negative is that we are having a few issues with hitting, but I am hoping this is just a phase....].
Her language amazing, and she has recently become quite an expert at going to the loo, and starting to (occasionally) sleep in her own bed all night long, until I say that, and then The 3am migrations start up again. Preschool ends next week, and so we are going to need to get on the ball in terms of finding some fun things for her to do with other little people. Thinking of Salsa tots, and possibly a gym class...will have to get ourselves organised.
Thursday, 6 May 2010
approaching summer
It is a beautiful May day. I am in the library, and realised that it has been an aeon since I last posted about the developments in our world. I have 4 minutes left on my library time, so will have to save a long blog for another day.
But, we are about to enter a new era for our family...looking to stay in Carrboro for at least another year (dependent on whether my career break at Hope gets approved, or not). All very exciting, and scary, simultaneously!
Sienna is a wonderful little person....full of the joys of spring. She has learned to ride her tricycle, and is quite the little girl, who currently has a very strong English accent (yay) after our recent visitation to Blighty and the influence of cousin Jasmine. More soon....
But, we are about to enter a new era for our family...looking to stay in Carrboro for at least another year (dependent on whether my career break at Hope gets approved, or not). All very exciting, and scary, simultaneously!
Sienna is a wonderful little person....full of the joys of spring. She has learned to ride her tricycle, and is quite the little girl, who currently has a very strong English accent (yay) after our recent visitation to Blighty and the influence of cousin Jasmine. More soon....
Thursday, 14 January 2010
January chill
It has been mighty cold, but today the sun is shining which makes me a very happy person indeed. I have been a tad envious of the British snow, but I am a reptile, and so would always prefer to be sun kissed and happy. Just seen Steve and Sienna for a quick lunch, than grabbed a coffee whilst I waited for a computer at the Cybrary....I am working on 6 things at the same time which is a particular pattern of mine. Working on a PK questionnaire, with Sally Rhine Feather...hoping to get it up and running very soon, and then take some of the results to present in Paris in July (where the Parapsychology Association Convention is taking place this year -very very exciting). Also working on participant recruitment for my upcoming study....and reading and reviewing a book on magic.
Better get back to it, as this is creative faffulation, and I have a lot to do!
Better get back to it, as this is creative faffulation, and I have a lot to do!
Tuesday, 22 December 2009
Snow is falling
And so are pine needles; on my living room floor! This is a strange experience. I have been in the US for the "holidays" before, but just as a visitor. This is the first time I have actually experienced the entire thing, as a person who lives here (abeit non-permanently) and it is all making me miss the UK and its christmas spirit. Despite the festitivity everywhere, I am noticing subtle and not so subtle cultural differences. One main thing is that in the UK, things are predominantly still "christmas", whilst over here, in an excellently pc manner, all religious approaches to the holidays are embraced in an equal manner. Which I think is great. But it also feels strange to me, being so embroiled in "christmas" for my entire life. So, I have been feeling some pangs for Britain.
So much of christmas in the UK usually annoys me, but I have found myself buying a really awful christmas cd; and hunting high and low for mince pies (omnipresent in the UK and something of an expensioso gourmet item over here!!!). Very amusing to my family who cannot believe that mince pies could be so rare. Steve actually found some in the international supermarket in Charlottesville (where we visited last week), and I am going to (attempt to) make some prior to our festive party, which will now take place on 2nd January. It was supposed to happen on saturday (19th) but we have had a poorly Sienna so we had to move it back a couple of weeks.
Still have a few prezzies to purchase, so will need to be zooping around a little today and tomorrow. And then we are off to Winston Salem to spend christmas eve and christmas with Harald and Vickie and Lena, Steve's parents and Vickie's parents. We are having Italian Christmas; with fish on christmas eve and lasagne on christmas day. Then, Steve and I are going to cook British Christmas dinner on saturday or sunday in sunny Reidsville (so, I will get my brussells sprouts! Steve thinks noone else will eat them, but maybe sienna will be a fan?!?!?!).
Generally, Miss Sienna is getting very excited about christmas; which is so gorgeous to watch. I cannot wait to see her open her presents!!
Missing British friends and family a LOT; so sending you all a massive christmas hug and a happy new year for 2010.
So much of christmas in the UK usually annoys me, but I have found myself buying a really awful christmas cd; and hunting high and low for mince pies (omnipresent in the UK and something of an expensioso gourmet item over here!!!). Very amusing to my family who cannot believe that mince pies could be so rare. Steve actually found some in the international supermarket in Charlottesville (where we visited last week), and I am going to (attempt to) make some prior to our festive party, which will now take place on 2nd January. It was supposed to happen on saturday (19th) but we have had a poorly Sienna so we had to move it back a couple of weeks.
Still have a few prezzies to purchase, so will need to be zooping around a little today and tomorrow. And then we are off to Winston Salem to spend christmas eve and christmas with Harald and Vickie and Lena, Steve's parents and Vickie's parents. We are having Italian Christmas; with fish on christmas eve and lasagne on christmas day. Then, Steve and I are going to cook British Christmas dinner on saturday or sunday in sunny Reidsville (so, I will get my brussells sprouts! Steve thinks noone else will eat them, but maybe sienna will be a fan?!?!?!).
Generally, Miss Sienna is getting very excited about christmas; which is so gorgeous to watch. I cannot wait to see her open her presents!!
Missing British friends and family a LOT; so sending you all a massive christmas hug and a happy new year for 2010.
Saturday, 28 November 2009
Thanksgiving in Winston Salem
We are back in Carrboro for the weekend after a couple of days in Winston Salem celebrating Thanksgiving....A family festive fest where one eats a very large Turkey meal and lurks with the family in a manner very similar to christmas. Still feeling a little like we are "just visiting", so rather liminal....just trying to live in the moment and enjoy. The weather is still glorious by day, autumn colours continuing to radiate against a blue sky....but cold by night...it does feel very festive. Ms Sienna had a wonderful time with Ms Lena, running around like total loonies and up to all sorts of games. Sienna told Lena she was her best friend yesterday; all very cute. And today, she is continuing to play the games they started yesterday, fetching pretend drinks from a mysterious magical source and giving them to me. Today we went for breakfast at Johnny's - crepes and coffee outside! looked at a few christmas trees and met with another carrboro couple who have littluns. I have bought advent calendars and lights for the house...and generally feel excited about christmas this year - as I think that Sienna is just going to love it. It is a good feeling being in our own home today....and just pottering around. Wish we could go back to UK over the christmas holidays! Missing UK people a lot, but still grateful for an opportunity to be here.
The Project is plodding along nicely - steve is writing The Program, and I am working on finding participants....all very exciting. Hoping to start testing bods in January, so sort of on schedule.
Hoping to make british crimbo cake - but need mum to send me the recipe,and find things like marzipan over here...and hoping to host a little festive gathering at our tiny place with mulled wine and mince pies (if we can find them over here!!).
Phew, I am stuffed (just eaten a large slice of pecan pie after thanksgiving, so tihnk am going on a healthy eating plan from now on).
The Project is plodding along nicely - steve is writing The Program, and I am working on finding participants....all very exciting. Hoping to start testing bods in January, so sort of on schedule.
Hoping to make british crimbo cake - but need mum to send me the recipe,and find things like marzipan over here...and hoping to host a little festive gathering at our tiny place with mulled wine and mince pies (if we can find them over here!!).
Phew, I am stuffed (just eaten a large slice of pecan pie after thanksgiving, so tihnk am going on a healthy eating plan from now on).
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