Tinkerbell's Pages

On catching a major lurgy and catching up with Buffy...

I have not been well for a week now. I do not usually get 'properly' ill and NEVER have time off sick from work, but last week I did both of these things. I was not planning for my Easter holidays to begin in this way, so I am not a happy bunny. Usually, if I feel a bit rough, I just struggle on as normal, but I've had a proper lurgy which meant I had to lie down on the sofa for days and I couldn't do anything. I am not good at lying around and not doing anything. I have not even made my usual holiday 'list of things to do'. I have had a very long list of symptoms and have cried most days due to feeling so frustated and so ILL. I even had to miss my half-brother's funeral because I just didn't feel well enough to go. It all started last Wednesday night, when for some reason I developed excruciating pains in my back and shoulders. Since then I've had (in no particular order): really bad pains in my knees and thighs; bad headache whilst continuously having to blow my nose; bad earache whilst continuously having to cough my lungs out; nausea; vomiting; complete loss of appetite; dizziness and insomnia.

The only good thing about not being able to sleep is the fact that the boyfriend is a bit of an insomniac anyway, so we've enjoyed each other's company whilst spending untold hours over the last week watching my Buffy The Vampire Slayer (Seasons 1-7) DVD boxset in the middle of the night. I had originally acquired this boxset before Christmas and thought I'd never get the chance to watch it. So that's good : )

On standing on the thighs of strangers ...

After a hot and tiring day at school and then having to make a mad rush out to the shops before they shut, I nearly skipped yoga tonight. I was knackered and just wasn't in the mood. However, when the boyfriend got back from work, he persuaded me to go saying I'd enjoy it once I got there and would feel much better afterwards. So I went. Naughty big sis made some lame excuse not to accompany me (again), so I braved it alone. The class wasn't very full tonight and everyone there had come alone. The teacher put us into pairs and while one person was lying on their mat, attempting to get their foot round the back of their head, their partner had to basically stand on their thigh to keep them down. A real ice-breaker to get you through those uncomfortable moments with people you don't know. It just struck me as a little bit weird ...

On my triumphant return to yoga ...

Well, I finally made it! I very nearly decided not to go to yoga after a very tiring day at school, but in the end I thought, 'If I don't go back today, I probably never will.' I eventually convinced myself it would be worth making the effort for (and I didn't really fancy sitting at home marking maths homework and science assessments), so I dug out my old yoga mat, put on some comfy clothes and headed off. I didn't have enough money with me to pay for the rest of the term, so I just paid for tonight's lesson (in the past, I've found that paying for the whole term in advance is a motivating factor in going to classes every week!) Anyway, thought I'd better see how it went before I signed myself up for the next three months!

On arrival, although there was a new teacher and I didn't recognise any of the people in the class, I felt really comfortable as soon as I got there. I expected to feel a bit strange going back after such a long break, but it actually felt really good to be back and I soon got used to it. The teacher asked if I'd ever done yoga before and I stressed that I had but it must be about two years ago since I last went. I started off doing the easier postures and stretches with the beginners, but I think maybe I underestimated what I could actually remember and what my body is capable of because soon the teacher had me trying out the more challenging positions along with the other Level 2 people (it was a mixed ability class.) I feel really great now and I'm so glad I went because I really enjoyed the class. I'm absolutely knacked and I know I'll sleep well tonight, but I hope I don't regret my enthusiasm when I wake up and can't move a muscle in the morning ...!!!

On contemplating returning to yoga classes ...

Hmmm, having been seriously thinking about returning to yoga classes for a while now. I used to go on a regular basis, but that was a while ago, before I had such a demanding job. Really think I need to take more exercise what with the summer approaching and the fact that I don't do any at all at the moment. The nearest I get to exercise these days is teaching three hours of PE a week, but it doesn't really count because I am one of those teachers who stands around doing nothing in my coat while the kids freeze to death outside in shorts and T-shirts. The thing about yoga is I actually really enjoy it once I get there and it does help you to relax and keep fit, but sometimes it is just SUCH AN EFFORT!

I've got no excuse really - the place I used to go to is even nearer since I moved into my current flat (it's actually in the next road, come to think of it). Got all inspired over Easter when I read an article in a magazine about yoga holidays and the like. Even went so far as to do a bit of research about going away on a yoga retreat, until I realised how expensive they are and the fact that it probably wouldn't feel like much of a holiday at all (what with all that sun salutation at dawn business!) Anyway, perhaps I should start off small and let my body get used to it again. I suppose writing it down here means that now I really do have to make the effort and go this week!

On diagnosing Man Flu ...

Oh dear, it's serious! The boyfriend has got the dreaded MAN FLU. He woke up this morning shivering dramatically and declared that he really wasn't feeling very well. He had to ring work to tell them that he wouldn't be able to crawl in. He wanted something to eat, but everything I suggested was too 'scratchy' and in the end decided that chocolate mousse was the only thing that would make him feel better. We didn't have any chocolate mousse, so I gave him a Lemsip and said I'd get him something nice to eat later.

I have always thought that I would make a terrible nurse because I have very little patience with ill people and besides, they're so boring because they don't really do anything apart from lie in bed and complain a lot. Anyway, after an hour or so of 'sympathy' from me, I had to go to the hairdressers as originally planned and leave the poor boy to fend for himself for a couple of hours. I was overjoyed to find that he had (just) managed to survive during my absence. I did get him some chocolate mousse on my way home though, so I feel that my nursing duty has been done for today.