2013

02 January 2013 01:00PM

 

 

So here we are again facing the challenges of another year and wondering what happened, how did we get here so fast!

What I do know is that if we allow it life will have passed us by and all those good intentions, dreams and visions may never have become reality. Why? Perhaps because we didn’t get off our butt and do something about it. Or maybe we were too full of excuses. Too old, too busy, can’t do it and more!

Or did we allow the assaults on our life over those past years to hinder us? Is it ever too late?  I think not… So if you are reading this blog and you are wondering. What if? I challenge you. Don’t look back with regrets. Your yesterdays, good or bad were a learning curve and made you what you are today. You decide how to use that knowledge and wisdom. Turn that imagination into creation. Get on with it and make 2013 count.

So here’s to 2013 and hoping that we can all be kind to one another and accomplish those God given dreams. Let’s do more than we could have ever imagined because, dreams are made too big for us so that we can grow into them you know.

 

 

 Happy New Year.

 

God Bless and may all your dreams come true in 2013.

A New Season

16 October 2012 12:00AM

S-o-o- here I am in Spain and so far to date my time here has been most unusual. But first….The Chavos Ball;

What an amazing night. Clearly this function is going to just get better and better and already looking forward to the next one. I suppose the question is which will come next. Leeds once again or, London. Uhm!

Well a huge thanks to those who made it special including as always our Mariachis, Suzi our Soprano and the Folkloric dancers. Thanks to the boys who sold raffle tickets all night until they finally ran out and to all the people who worked so hard to make it a great event. A big thank you to Amathus drinks for a fabulous tequila cocktail reception and what about my consort who looked very dashing. Let’s see if I can book him for the next event!

I was so pleased that both the Lord Mayor of Leeds and Lord Mayor of Wakefield were able to attend and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Both were women, so power to the girls. Love it!

If you missed it this year I suggest you don’t miss the next one. Check out my facebook fan page as photos go on over the next week or so.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151068794987077.432031.114090792076&type=1&l=76cd3be04d

Can’t remember whether I kissed any frogs or not that night ‘cos I had a few tequilas and then dashed off to Spain soon after, and of course I’m still there. Let’s see what’s waiting for me when I get back to the UK but, I really needed this time out. God’s perfect timing, as they say.

I know the Chavos Ball marked both the end of a season and the beginning of something new. With so many plans in the pipe-line and so many decisions to make, both personal and business. Not to mention books to get to the printers, people to see, places to go…..

I will tell you more about the ball, how much money we raised, what we are going to do with the money and what’s happening in Spain soon.

Luv and stuff

Anna

Choices

06 September 2012 12:00AM

Someone in the office just asked me what happened to the car and mentioned that it was over a week since I blogged. Oh my gosh! I blinked and another week gone by. AND, may be just may be they have more free time than me. In fact, I don’t have any free time! How do these people blog every day?

Well, the car cost an absolute fortune. A burnt out clutch and more! The garage puzzled as to how I had managed to drive from Lincoln to Leeds with it in such a dreadful condition. ‘Someone was looking over you luv,’ exclaimed the mechanic.  

S-o-o- a few days without a car – no problem – friends and family to the rescue, then  a couple of days with my little granddaughter and some hectic days in the office. With so much to do, not to mention finalising the plans for the Chavos Ball, it’s been a crazy busy week. If you’re in Leeds Yorkshire on the 6^th October you have to be there.  A tequila cocktail reception sponsored by Amathus Drinks, special guests, mariachis and folkloric dancers.  Whoop! Whoop! A night not to be missed.  About 100 guests have confirmed so far, but with a few weeks to go numbers are increasing everyday.

I have managed to watch some of the Paralympic Games this week which actually are due to end on the 9^th September. As far as inspiring a generation I can’t give enough credit to all those participants who have achieved so much and overcome such incredible odds. I’m certainly inspired.

Meanwhile, anyone who knows me by now is aware that I am more of a performing arts fan myself and, did I tell you that last weekend I went to the Theatre Royal Wakefield, youth production of Flashdance? It was awesome and I am looking forward to the next production performed by these kids. I’m told that their previous production – Les Miserables  – was spectacular. Well done kids. Seems I’m always quoting my little granddaughter but isn’t that what a proud nanny would do? Prior to the performance we went out for a meal – her favourite, chicken tikka masala, then ice-cream and sweets at the theatre, as you do. Quote –‘Nanny I have tummy ache.’
‘Do you darling. Perhaps you have eaten too much. When we get home I will give you some medicine and a warm drink.’
‘Nanny, I didn’t eat too many sweets,’ she says showing me the empty packet and then proceeding to raise her t-shirt. ‘Look is it because I have dirt in my tummy button.’
Awh! Don’t you just love children? We are now looking forward to a quick hike to London in a few weeks to see Matilda.

As far as work goes it has been one of those irritating weeks when nothing seems to go right and you feel as though you are going around in circles. Lots of decisions to make, possible opportunities and untold choices, but some confusion and doubt bring to mind that old Yorkshire saying. ‘If in dowt, do nowt.’ It always works. Sometimes it’s the right decision but at the wrong time, so I figure it’s time to step back, get away from the crowd and have some peace and quiet.  Maybe Spain is calling. What, again? I can’t help it. That’s where I seem to get all my inspiration and refreshing. It’s just annoying that those cheap air fares don’t seem to exist anymore. Better check out my Jet 2 points and see if I can get a free flight. If so, I’m off for a long weekend. Sounds good eh?

AND Leeds City Council are doing my head in. One parking fine, a couple of minutes over and another for fleetingly crossing a bus lane.  Argh!!!!!!

Chat soon

Chavos Ball 6th Oct Leeds.

Chavos Ball 6^th Oct Leeds.

Here’s a quick update on the Chavos Ball before I blog anything else. And if you go to my new facebook  fan page all the information is there on the events page. Please come to the Ball if you are in the area.

And I will be wearing the same dress for very good reasons. Will tell you why later if you can’t guess!

Only 9 weeks to go…

During a drinks reception guests will be entertained by several young musicians until the Ball is officially opened when Suzi Saperia, Soprano from the Guildhall School of Music and Dance London, will grace us with her presence and sing an opening song before dinner is served.

Mariachi Mexteca, the UK’s leading Mariachi band, make the first of their two appearances of the night before coffee is served.

Later in the evening  they will be accompanied, during their second appearance by Mestizo’s Folkloric Group, when I am told that we can expect a visual explosion of music and colour, filled with incredible power and energy. Their performance aims to highlight some of the most famous Mexican Folkloric dances. Can’t wait! How awesome is that?

Mestizo Mexican Folklore Group

No doubt when the dance floor opens they will be encouraging some of those attending Mexicans and shy Yorkies onto the dance-floor. And before anyone reading this goes all politically correct on me, I’m proud to be a Yorkie, so should they. We need to lighten up some times! Can’t say this can’t say that…we may offend!!!!!!!!!!!

Of course there will be the usual fun things on going such as raffles and auctions, a quick speech here and there and a visual presentation. And that reminds me. I must blog last year’s presentation – music courtesy of Paul Bell. I love it!!

All profits from the ball go to the work that I have started with children both in the UK and overseas and there’s no reason why we can’t have fun while raising money is there?

Chat soon.

Anna

https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/437709422909114/

http://suzisaperia.com/

http://www.mariachimexteca.com/

Mexico 01/07/12

Mexico Blog

01 July 2012 12:00AM

1.30am and just thinking about getting some sleep. Had a great evening but if you ask me doing what, the answer is I don’t really know. We all have evenings like that when we potter. A little bit of this and a little bit of that, probably nothing really exciting but necessary.

Actually, I have chatted with friends, watched some Mexican TV, sorted out my stuff ready for my return to the UK and…what did she say? Yes, return to the UK in a few days. But watch this space because anything can happen between now and then, especially as Mexico goes to the polls tomorrow. Oops, no. Today!

I just received a call from one of my Mexican friends and she said, ‘Anna, this is the worst time to come to Mexico.’

Nnnooooo!

As long as they don’t close the airport we will be fine. Ha! ha!

And I think we all know who is going to win. Its fixed isnt it? I cant believe they were actually on TV this week signing an agreement that they would accept defeat quietley if they lost. What a crazy carry on.The party leaders might behave but what about the people? How many thousand were in the Zocolo earlier this week supporting Obrador? All of Mexico some say.  Well may be not quite. But guys, your man is not going to get in. But then apparently they admit he did win the last election after all. But that’s what I hear. What do I really know, I’m just a visitor in this land.

Buenos noches or if you’re in the UK, Buenos dias.

Anna

Mexico 0.6

Mexico Blog

27 June 2012 02:00PM

Day 5

Need to tell you more about yesterday on the streets, so it seems I’m blogging backwards because I haven’t told you about day 5 as yet, and now its day 7. Get it?

OK day 5 which was Monday, had been reserved for meetings and we certainly packed them in. Starting with the first meeting down-town with one of the Institutions working with street kids, I arrived on time – surprisingly with the Mexico city traffic – to be greeted and told it was great to see us and we should arrange a meeting. W-h-a-t !  Didn’t we just do that? Arranged 2 weeks ago from the UK and confirmed several times by email. ¡No comprendo! O.K Is this how they do business in Mexico? I’m learning! I arranged a meeting for the next day but something was bubbly inside. Uhm! Better not upset anyone just yet and I’m a big believer in second chances.

To the next meeting, but with a couple of hours to spare being that my first meeting was not a meeting after all; time to stop off on the way for coffee in a delightful little coffee shop / bar / or something –  whatever they call them in Mexico – and enjoy coffee and sunshine in a leafy corner. My travelling companion on this occasion just so happens to be Mexican which is rather nice as I usually travel alone; – on this trip something told me that I needed back-up. We did leave ample time to get to our next meeting with the very prestigious law firm near the picturesque Chapultepec Park, until we realised the hire car had been clamped. Ooops! Well we did get free fairly quickly by some miraculous force but it cost 500 pesos. Not pleased…

I didn’t mention that we were up particularly early and a good thing too as Rebeca – she won’t mind me mentioning her time – was having hysterical moments as all her social network sights and personal emails had been hacked, with unpleasant consequences.

So far, not a good day. The next question, did we have enough ID to get into the officers to see this lawyer and quite frankly, I wasn’t even sure why I had made an appointment with him in the first place. It just sort of felt right having met him in the UK during Mexico Week, earlier in the year. AND, he happened to be great friends with another Mexican gentleman who I had the privilege of meeting many years ago, who has held several Government positions and just so happens to be a movie producer. Uhm!

Getting interesting? May be!

They did finally let us in though we had to park in the barrels of the earth – I hate being underground –  after producing 2 pieces of ID, smiling into the camera and being videotaped.  Then a further check point, the issue of security passes and a frisk. Only joking! Think it might have been easier to get into Buckingham Palace though, but this is Mexico City after all. Is it possible to love it and hate it at the same time?

The meeting went well. Our hosts were gentleman. And I presented suggestions as to how we might work together in the future. Am I crazy or what? Well I just think this is a trail I seem to be following that is going to have interesting consequences. So stay tuned. Besides it was worth going to see these guys just for the spectacular views of the city. I didn’t have a clue what floor the elevator took us to, and dare not ask. I hate heights.

So this amazing city of contrasts, leads me to ask many questions which may never be answered.

I must tell you about the other two meetings but just signing out for a moment. Things to do!

Oh! I have just been told Chapultepec Park is otherwise known as Grasshopper Hill and is the largest city park in the world. And I thought it was Hyde Park.

 

Anna

Mexico Blog 0.1

Mexico Blog

20 June 2012 10:00AM

This is it, finally on my way and I suppose well overdue. I have been so busy in the UK that it’s hard to believe I have not been to Mexico at all this past 2 years. So one of the leading questions will undoubtedly be; what’s changed and is it for the better?

It was manic in the office just before I left with meetings to finalise the Chavos Ball, ideas for fundraising events being bantered around,  several books under review prior to print, end of year accounts, and tons of other things which I will not bore you with  because I want to chat about the task in hand, Mexico! Thankfully I’ll be there and back before the Olympic madness hits London because I would hate to be flying into Heathrow amidst all that. Although I will be in Mexico City during the elections so I could get caught up in any amount of stuff and nonsense depending on the results.

I was in the city in 2006 during the elections when Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador lost to Felipe Calderon and insisted it was a fix. Mexico City fell into chaos for quite some time whilst he encouraged thousands of people to take to the streets and demonstrate their support for him, demanding a re-count. Thank goodness I was staying on that occasion with my Mexican friends and not in a hotel on the Paseo de la Reforma, as I understand some of the hotels were actually closed due to the chaos.  

Well as we know Lopez Obrador finally conceded defeat but it seems he’s standing again. We wait with baited breath.

So, Manchester  to Mexico City via Heathrow, I’m airborne.

A busy itinerary awaits me.

Keep you posted.

Anna

Father’s Day

17 June 2012 05:00PM

 

Well, I just had to do a Father’s Day blog didn’t I?  In spite of the fact I didn’t get to see my daddy on the actual day, I did manage to have a bite at the local pub in the park with him and presented him a bottle of his favourite whisky which never fails to put a smile on his face.

Then the rest of the day I spent racing around, catching up on errands, packing for my Mexico trip, and I went to Church!  The message most suitably was about fathers and how we should honour them, leading onto our Father in Heaven!

Personally I think it’s such a shame that they have taken God out of so many of our schools and huge numbers of people in society today think they don’t need Him in their lives. Many even question His existence, or seem quick to blame Him for all the things that are going wrong in their lives. He did give man free will you know. So be it, each to his own! For sure I will never try and force my views on anyone. Suffice to say that, He’s there for those who search long and hard enough.

 ‘Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you,’ the Bible says. Ha! Ha! Now it sounds like I’m preaching!

So this past weekend for me at least, was about honouring my real daddy who I love to bits. Now, that’s such a strange expression, why do we say that? And, spending time with my Father in heaven! The worship was lively and the men even serenaded us.

Then shopping, and I so hate shopping, even though my friends tell me that is most unusual for a woman. Is it?    

The truth is I find it such a bore whether it’s a food purchase or clothes. Give me on-line shopping any day. Besides, I consider myself most fortunate that my best buddy has her own shop in town which seems to stock everything that I like.  A coffee, a glass of wine and a new frock, how fab is that?  As for shopping malls, I hate them and try to avoid them at all cost.

So shopping finished I sped off to spend a few lovely hours with my little granddaughter who never ceases to amaze me.

 

Chat soon.

Anna

Chavos Ball

03 August 2011 12:00AM

Chavos Ball

Today someone in the office told me how many weeks it was to Christmas. I don\’t even want to think about it. Far too many things to do before then. Besides, I have just realised it is 12 weeks to the Chavos Ball. What happened? Last time I looked it was 16 weeks. Today all the musicians confirmed. Sooooo exciting! We have the 7 Mariachis coming up from London. http://www.mariachimexteca.com. Some very talented young musicians from the National Youth Orchestra and Wakefield Jazz Club. We also have some young people from Stage 84 School of Performing Arts who intend to surprise you on the night and other things yet to be announced. 

This is going to be a prestigious black tie ball, which whilst raising money for street kids in the UK and overseas will certainly be a night to remember. The venue, The Queens Hotel in Leeds is also offering reduced room rates for those attending the ball who wish to stay over. So girls, now we have the insentive to shed those extra pounds and get into that ball gown. As for me, I just so happen to be in London again this weekend so I\’m going to look around for something special.

Contact julie.sambrook@sharonhousepublishing.com if you haven\’t purchased your tickets yet.

Luv & Stuff

Anna