It's been over a year since this blog was updated.
I am now approaching the end of my course.
My time as a mature student will soon be drawing to a close: fingers crossed i'll pass everything!

Many times over the last few months I have intended to post an update.
Not for anyone else but just to keep this blog going for my own future amusement really.
Nothing is spectacularly different about today.
I don't have any momentous news to report.
A quick summary of the last few monts would go something like this:

• University continues. The second year is definitely more intense than the first. Sometimes juggling the time required for reharesals, more than anything else can be a challenge. Right now is a pretty busy assessment time. So lots of extra stuff to sort out. In one peice of docu-drama last week I played the role of Slaggy Thatcher and ended up with a bra full of tea bags. Next week there's a seminar presentation and a performance taking place on the same day. Maybe not the best planning, but hey-ho. I'm still loving the course, and feel more fully engaged with it and the material. Completing the first year has definitely helped me to feel more confident, and sometimes I even know what some of the lecturers are talking about.

• J is lovely. A strapping 12 year old now with evidence of puberty hitting.

• My Grandmother has been seriously ill in hospital near her home in California over the last few weeks. She's amazingly well for a woman in her 90's. Latest news is that she's turned a corner and is back home in time to celebrate the Persian New Year with many family members.

• In 2 weeks J and I go to New York and are planning to meet up with Mum. It'll be her birthday while we're out there, so fingers crossed for a harmonious week in Mother-Daughter relations.

• I'm starting to consider how viable it will be for me to do some further studying after my degree finishes. Money's an issue, but I think it's worth doing if I can find a course which ticks my many boxes. Need to be mindful to set myself realistic expectations.

NYE

Looking back at this year as i'm sure many people will do.
It's a timely point to sit back and take note of any lessons learnt in the past twelve months, as well as making some choices about how I might be able to shape the direction of my life in 2007.
The most enjoyable experience which immediately springs to mind is last week spent with J in Gran Canaria. But obviously there have been many more. Having this blog actually helps me to remember some of them. So even though i'm hardly the most commited blogger on the planet, it's serving as an effective memory jogger.
To be away from all the pre-Christmas hustle and bustle sitting on a warm and breezy beach was just marvellous. As was the mother and son quality time enjoyed.

Overall I am hoping to approach 2007 with a positive outlook, sense of fun and an appreciaton of the ridiculous.

Wishing anyone and everyone a warm, fun and happy start to the new year.

Saddam.

Can't help having mixed feelings about the execution of Saddam Hussein.
Seeing the news footage of the noose being placed around his neck. It struck me that this was a man so proud and belligerent in his beliefs that thought of facing his own execution was somewhat unbelievable.
Who knows what thoughts must've been going round his head.

There's no doubt that the regime under which the Iraqi people lived during his rule was fierce, brutal and terrifying.
If anyone deserves to lose their life, then surely it's Saddam.
But there's still a part of me that feels sad that a once so powerful and seemingly indestructable force has been snuffed out in such a way.