Catch up!

20 January 2013 10:00PM

 

 

Hi everyone can’t believe this is the third week in January already and this is just a quick catch up before I take Butler and Gracie for their last walk of the day, then off to bed.

Monday morning starts with a visit to the Lord Mayor’s parlour for morning coffee and a chat. Sounds interesting, don’t you think? Well we have lots to discuss so I will keep you posted but, one thing for sure I will be giving the Lady Mayor a ‘Save the date’ card for the next Chavos Ball. Yes all booked and although I can’t wait, I don’t want to wish the time away. Heaps of stuff to do before then….

Meanwhile I hope you are all still feeling positive and believing that 2013 is going to be a special and productive year. I suppose it’s difficult for some people, especially when we listen to the news and it all seems to be doom and gloom. I always find it hard to understand why our media platforms spend so much time focussing on the negative stuff, when there are actually lots of great and positive things happening in the world. One thing hopefully is that as we hear about some of the not so pleasant things around us, and the needs of others particularly in our locality, it is that which inspires us into action.

So if you are bewildered and don’t have much vision at the moment, help someone else with theirs until you own unfolds. Everyone has gifts and talents and at the right time they will be realized. Always remember that the vision has an appointed time and, never be envious of others around you. Your time will come…

I’m still waiting and believing for so much but I won’t give in and I will always encourage those around me.

O.K. On another subject, last week I went to the movies and took my parents to see the Life of Pi. As I had already seen the movie but wanted to treat them, especially Dad who is a great animal lover, I decided that I would put on my 3D glasses and sleep. I was s-o-o-o- tired, but naturally didn’t tell them. Well it was then that I realized what a great movie it was as I sat mesmerised through the whole film for the second time. I loved the opening scene, the music was fabulous and quite frankly I thought the whole film was spiritually thought provoking and captivating. Not normally a great movie attendee myself, I expected to sit through the 30 minutes of trailers thinking I was going to be annoyed and, wishing they would just get on with the film. Surprisingly, I just kept uttering the words to Dad, ‘I want to see that one, need to see that one’. And more! So this week the top of the list is Les Miserables, though I can’t imagine how I will respond to it, being the great lover of theatre that I am, and having seen it three times in the West End – the greatest musical of all time.

Well! This weekend I have been ‘snowedin,’ conveniently so I think. Of Couse I could have gritted and ploughed my way out if I had wanted to but, it felt like a great excuse to stay indoors, relax and write. Whoop whoop! So happy as I have felt refreshed, revitalised and YES done lots of writing. So hereby follows a word of encouragement for all you ‘want to be published’ authors out there.

It’s not easy and never will be.

It demands so much time and commitment. Not to mention patience with oneself and others. You know, all those people who don’t believe in you. And there are plenty of those!

So let’s remember that dreams come a size too big so that we can grow into them and I’m growing into mine.

Kids I hope I can inspire you when I visit your school and the first school this year is, St. John’s Primary School, Knaresborough so look forward to seeing you. Praying there will be no snow of course. And by the way Knaresborough is the first of the 12 places to visit on my Yorkshire Life ‘Bucket list.’ Check out my diary on www.chavos.org for more details.

Happy Chavosing and have a good week.

Anna

Busy in London

10 November 2011 12:00AM

 

   I arrived in London a few days ago and feel as though I have been here for weeks. The visit began on Monday evening when I arrived to miserable weather but a vibrant busy city, as always. Quite frankly I have forgotten what I did on Monday evening but Tuesday I was out and about early and found myself mooching around Covent Garden. It is years since I wandered around the quaint little gift shops and enjoyed a coffee whilst listening to the operatic voice of one of the young students who desperately wanted to get noticed, and had aspirations for the West End. She was good but not as good as the Soprano who sang at the Chavos Ball last week. I would say that wouldn’t I?  Fortunately it was a quiet day unless I just dropped lucky and there was a lull between those pre- Christmas shoppers. Whatever, I didn’t have to queue nor wait for anything, though I only bought a few trinkets for my granddaughter. I spent a while chatting to the guy who wanted me to buy his last ‘Big Issue’ and then went in search of the most appropriate venues to launch my books in London in the New Year.

Wednesday saw me confined to my room…I really needed to finish that piece of writing. Then I was off for some fresh air and to stretch out those aching muscles, but soon hurtled back to the hotel when some irritating man- who was nothing other than kerb crawling- insisted on following me, and stopping me in my tracks 3 times.  Should I be flattered or insulted? Neither. He insisted I look Italian and wanted to show me his Armani collection of women’s clothes  which he thought I might like for a small favour. What Ho!  I grabbed on to the first fella walking towards me and smiling asked if he would kindly pretend he was meeting me and could I walk with him for a while. Out of the frying pan, into the fire. No actually he was very nice and we walked together in the direction of my hotel until I released him. Ha! Ha! Then the evening invitations came. Three invites and genuine invites they were too, but alas, all for the same evening. Typical and so frustrating, but I was already committed to my canapés and cocktails at the Ambassador’s residence.  I flagged down a London cabby and talked non-stop till he dropped me at my destination, asking why I was going to the Embassy, and was I famous? Bless!  After being greeted by the lovely Mrs Laura Medina-Mora, the Ambassador’s wife, I was thrilled to see some familiar faces. After the press had done their part we listened to both The Mexican Ambassador and the British Ambassador to Mexico, as they discussed various topics including the 2012 G20 Summit to be hosted by Mexico. Government policies on crime and the drugs war. Anglo-Mexican relations, Tourism and more. What an interesting evening and of course I met plenty of people I would like to keep in touch with, or invite to the next Chavos Ball! I don’t give in do I? And it has been noted by people other than myself that we need to do one in London.

O.K. so what next. I have just visited my first inner city London school and was thrilled because the Head-teacher and Year 6 teacher were very professional and welcoming. That comment suggests that not all schools are as good, doesn’t it? Uhm. I will say no more. Now I am waiting to meet a pal from Yorkshire who is down here on business and we are going to grab a quick bite at my favourite Mexican restaurant in Villiers Street. Lupita of course.  Then he is heading North and I will be following in his footsteps early tomorrow. Meanwhile tonight I want to do some more writing.  I am Chavosing as they say.

Chat soon.

Anna