Giving people the right to what they deserve.

Posted on August 17th, 2010 by caroline.
Categories: Travel, philanthropy, volunteering.

“The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Dr Seuss

Whether it is a trashy novel, a celebrity magazine, a tabloid newspaper, a text book or a literature classic, those of us that can read often don’t realise how important it is to ensure learning.

I’ve always been a bit of a book worm, and I’ve always believed that reading is such an important part of life; and to not be given the opportunity to read, and to learn, is the same as denying a person food to eat.

For a very long time, I’ve toyed with idea of doing voluntary work.  I’ve done the charity running, I’ve attempted the fundraising event, but to actually be amongst it, and help those on a daily basis is something I’ve had on my bucket list, but haven’t had the chance to do until now.  I think the turning point for me was being recommended the book “Three Cups of tea”.

Having read the first few chapters, it pushed me enough to realise what is important, and in my case, right now, its helping those that need it.

In less than two weeks, I’ll be participating in a project helping local women, children and the community in Moshi, Tanzania.  Helping them speak English, read English, and giving them the opportunity to better their lives.

In a hectic city such as London, where it is common for people to ignore beggars on the streets, and walk straight past charity people asking you to fill in a questionnaire, I cannot begin to explain how overwhelming it is for people (my friends) to have taken the time to donate books, games, and stationary for me to bring across.  It means a lot.

Give people the right to what they deserve. An education.

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Feel the burn

Posted on March 29th, 2009 by caroline.
Categories: Fitness.


Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon from Royal Parks Foundation on Vimeo.

So I haven’t posted anything on here since November…life has been busy, but so far all is swell.  I decided in the new year that running would be a big part of my exercise regime.  One, because its free, and two because I find it a great stress reliever.

I’ve been working on running consistently throughout a week since the beginning of the year, and I’m hoping it pays off as I’ll be doing my first 10k in May, and last week I joined the masses to sign up to the Royal Parks Half Marathon in October.  Despite the site going down (am still secretly convinced that MJ is joining the rest of us on the big day), I was successful in getting a place for my very first attempt of doing a half marathon.

Running around my local area is a very different thing to running around the parks of London, but I’m determined to stick to this, despite questioning my sanity!

Lets see how it goes!

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Read it, Swap it

Posted on November 11th, 2008 by caroline.
Categories: General.

Just recently I’ve been getting back into reading books (and I don’t just mean the technical kind!).

After all, there is only so much a person can take in reading the previous evening’s news in the morning Metro, and then the day’s summary of celebrity gossip in the London Lite, and London Paper…I skim through the papers in a good 10 minutes, which still leaves me with a remaining 40 minutes to occupy myself on the tube…

The problem is that the rate in which I’m going through books, and the cost in which books are these days on Amazon (and lack of variety in the local charity shop), along with the credit crunchness of the current economic climate, I could do with as much help as I could get with fueling my demand for literature without costing too much.

Yes there is the option of the library, but I’m the sort who likes to own books…as well as acquire books that I know will just gather dust…so it was thanks to a dear friend that I was recently introduced to the site Read It Swap It.

The concept is simple…you read a book, and you either keep it for yourself, or add it to your profile as books you like to swap with other readers.  You create a wishlist of books (or simply search for books) you like, and initiate a swap.  All it costs is postage (which can be around £1), and that is it!

Recycling, and gaining books you want to read, in exchange for books you no longer want.  Sheer brilliance!

So get out there people, and join the read it swap it phenomenon..

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Sprites just got more interactive

Posted on August 26th, 2008 by caroline.
Categories: CSS, CSS & Standards.

Recently I’ve been delving into the use of Jquery over other library files. Primarily because it seemed easier to use, lightweight, and documentation on it seemed more readily available.

I’ve not had a chance to use it so much but having just read Dave Shea’s addition to A List Apart, it seems like a sure fire way to merge this library file, with web standards and css sprites perfectly.

YAY!

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Into the hoods

Posted on August 20th, 2008 by caroline.
Categories: Music.

I’m not what you would say a regular theatre goer, but if a show comes along that interests me, then I’ll go and watch it.

Into the hoods has been showing in London town for a number of months, with rave reviews. I’ve always preferred watching dance shows than anything else; and had been to watch a few in the Sadler’s Wells venue in Islington; but I’d heard so much about this street dance West End musical, that I had to check it out for myself.

I’d only remembered about it a few months ago when I went to a yoga class. One of the new girls was a dancer, and she’d mentioned the show. It was only when I googled for tickets that I realised the girl at yoga was in fact the woman behind the whole production.

Into the Hoods is based on the classic Into the Woods, but with a street twist (Cinderella=Spinderella; Little Red Riding Hood=Lil Red; Jack (from Jack in the beanstalk)=Jaxx who lives in a basement; Rapunzel = Rap-on-zel). I’ve never been to a show where there are crowds standing outside queuing to get in. The dancers were fantastic, the storyline entertaining, and the music enough to get you up on your feet and cheering the cast on.

The best thing for me was that even though the storyline was entertaining, the show was about the dancing! All the dialogue was pre-recorded and played over the soundsystem, and the cast just danced their way through the show. The group of us that went to see it were buzzing once we got out. We didn’t want it to end, and were raving on about joining Pineapple studios to take a few classes (even if we were all in our mid to late 20s).

If you haven’t seen this show already, then go for it. Its on until the end of August, and to be honest, I’d pay to see it again…and for the full price (rather than the lastminute.com offer) because it was THAT good!!

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