And here we are, I’ve had my year 6 class since September.

I don’t meet many teachers who have left and returned, but I suppose I’m not like many of the teachers I meet! I was even hired by a school that had a no visible tattoo policy…..!

Since September I’ve taken my class to the Isle of Wight for 5 days, and had the absolute privilage of seeing some children see the sea for the very first time (and therefore decide that we’d all be going in, in our clothes to celebrate!). I’ve given and marked a complete set of SATs mock exams, gone on 3 school trips and been assigned my first student teacher.

It’s certainly keeping me busy. I work an average 11 hour day, from 7:30-6:30 in school, but so far I’m succeeding in not taking any extra work home with me on weekends and evenings. Well apart from this weekend, but let’s skip over that for now.

Teaching was summed up, pretty accurately, by my boyfriend, as “Basically having to do adulting all day.” It’s completely this. I have 30 children in my care from 8:45 - 3:15, with not much time to pause, or have a break. I have to be the ultimate adult - in charge, keeping people safe, helping them learn, setting a good example, etc etc. That’s the most tiring part of teaching - being in charge and in control, without waivering.

I’ve now been a full time teacher for a half term, and two weeks, and so far so good! I’m finding my way through a new National Curriculum (it was different when I last taught!), the SATs, and coping with early starts and long days. I’m developing relationships with my children that seem to make them feel safe and secure in our classroom, and so far have maintained my sense of humour too! There are tougher days, and easier days, but that is certainly true for life itself, and most jobs.

Teaching has many struggles and challenges, but it has three core positives. Days are never boring; they whizz by. We get 13 weeks holiday. You get to feel part of something that has purpose. And that all feels good to me.

Last year I volunteered with Crisis at Christmas, as a salon manager at one of the vital sites they set up for the xmas period. The work they do goes so far beyond a warm, safe bed and hot food. Access to doctors, opticians, hair salons, legal advice, the internet, and much more is provided for each and every guest. I was keen to return, and when the volunteer sign-ups opened for this year in October, I signed up. This year I went for volunteering for the dog care site, looking after the guests’ dogs, so that they are free to access all of the services, knowing their precious pets are safe and taken care of.

I signed up, got excited, and tweeted, letting people know that they could sign up should they fancy it. I loved that that same day, I had a response saying someone had done just that!

This just promoted me to volunteer for the first time. Which I’ve been meaning too for ages. Thank you!

— Leah Kendall (@Leah__Kendall) October 9, 2018

Here comes the embarrassing bit. I’ve now cancelled my shifts. Ugh.

Confession - I was offered an opportunity to go on holiday over that time, and I decided to take it. I definitely feel lame. My first act of re-balancing the sh*tty karma was to buy two ‘dinners’ with Crisis at Christmas. It’s called “Reserve a place” and you can reserve a person’s spot for £28.18. Secondly, we’ll both be volunteering at the start of the year in some other capacity. So here I am, being honest. I quit my planned volunteering to go on holiday. Ugh.

A double dose of cat updates for you lucky lot. Corbyn, the shyest little boy, went to a wonderful home, with a new cat pal, and a very understanding cat owner. I’ve been getting updates, which is amazing, and when I got a pic from night two of Corbyn curled up on a human lap, I knew he was in a great place.

Sadly, not so joyous for Jerry the foster cat.

Jerry was adopted maybe 4 months ago, and I’d enjoyed his updates too. I discovered today though that the owner was returning him to the charity :-(

The owner rents their home, and had permission to have a cat. Now the landlord needs the property back, and the owner is now moving to a cat-free property. This is often why some charities won’t allow adoptions to renters, as situations can change so much. It’s also why I fostered, as I knew I couldn’t commit longer term.

I’m really sad, and disappointed for Jerry. He’ll now have to return to fostering, and then a new home, which is a lot of changes in a short space of time.

Poor wee mite.

So this weekend I was a tourist in my own city; I stayed in an authentic gypsy caravan, tucked away in someone’s back garden in Kentish Town. I wanted to be able to head out dancing in Camden, and just head back to somewhere fun. To make it feel more like a weekend away.

What had always put me off using air b and b was having to be in somebody’s home. The thought makes me a little anxious, although I know many people love the social factor that comes with their bookings. This little caravan was perfect then, as it had its own garden gate entrance. No social interaction necessary!

It was a weekend to celebrate my birthday so I’d been given roses and a present (not from air b and b of course!) and on top of that the caravan didn’t disappoint. It was certainly a little surreal to be in the middle of Kentish Town, but once inside, you were transported. It was a really fun way to take a break from the working week.

What was my gift? These badboys, which I’d been appreciating in the shop the week before.

I’m working such long hours at the moment, that I’m really trying to make the weekends count. To go and do things that are out of the ordinary to make them feel really different to the working week. I’m finding it really helps me feel refreshed and ready for the week ahead.

Let me introduce my latest foster cat; Corbyn. He's been here 19 days and officially has the crown for the most invisible cat I've ever cared for. He still will not come out from under the bed.

His owner sadly died, and Corbyn was living alone for a while, being fed by kind neighbours. The neighbours were going on holiday, and were worried about who would care for Corbyn. I was advised ahead of time that he was a super shy cat, but friendly, so I wasn't surprised when he tried to run away from me, pretty much as soon as I opened the cage. My heart broke a little as he tried to get under the wardrobe, which is far too small, so it just resulted in him bashing his head against it in panic a few times. Sob.

He then found the open wardrobe, and hid there for a few minutes before scooting off under the bed. Where he's lived for almost 3 weeks since.

Corbyn comes out when I'm asleep, he eats a bit, and he uses the litter tray. He rolled in some catnip one night I left it out, but ignored it from then. I've bought a Feliway plug to try and relax him, but so far, no improvement. He's even received distance reiki.

It's so hard, because he needs time, but time just feels so sad, and of course the dream foster cat is one who gives some fun and joy in return! I haven't given up hope at all, but he breaks my heart a little each day, as I think of him, all sad and lonely under the there.

I hope he starts to feel safe, and that he'll edge out to investigate soon.

ETA - At the 3.5 week mark I decided to reduce his hiding spot, and by the turn of week 4, he was snuggled up to me in bed. He now sleeps ALL night with me, as the little spoon. What a turn around!

Last month I rushed from a day's supply teaching to do an interview and photoshoot with Stylist Magazine. I was interviewed alongside the incredible Laurence Sessou and our fabulous photographer was Sarah Brimley.

I have to confess, when I arrived knackered and sweaty after rushing from a day's teaching, my heart sunk a little when I saw my photoshoot partner. I mean she's a model. If she wasn't so sweet and open, it'd be easy to envy-hate her, but Laurence was wonderful. We both found it hilarious how 'opposite' we were. Her tattoos and scarifications are all so spiritial and reflective of her sense of self, whereas mine are a jumbled collection of souvenir fridge magnets. When she explained why she had a lot of snakeskin tattooed on her (its her power animal) I asked her how she knew what her power animal was. I was treated to an incredible story about climbing mountains and closing yourself off from the world in a hut. I'd then explain how I just picked most of mine out of books!

Being interviewed is always interesting. You're laying yourself out, and you're often edited in a way that isn't completely accurate. I'm not blaming anyone for that, it would be an awful article if it was the whole interview, but it's always odd to read words that are being credited to you, but that you didn't ever say. Years ago, I was in More Magazine, and I learned this when the headline was something like, "Men love stroking my tattoos". The interviewer had simply asked "So, do men love stroking them?" and I'd said something like, "Well, its my naked skin so I guess so, but it's not as though you can feel them."

You can hear in the video, my tone signifies being half way through all of my sentences, and it's interesting to consider how cropping thoughts in this way slightly tweaks the meaning of what I'm saying. Again, nothing that I hate, but its just interesting to notice. For example, it sounds like I got my READ MORE knuckles instead of a pedicure. It sounds like I said I regret my back tattoo. I'm not even sure what the ending of the story about my Valerie Vargas woman face tattoo was!

You can read the full interview online but of course seeing it in the magazine is always the most real!

It's a shame they picked the photo but there you go! 

I am aware of the heavy irony of this blog post, sharing the workshop I recently taught at CityLit, since I've been blogging a lot less in the past few months! But that's the beauty of a blog; it's your corner of the internet where you're in charge and set the rules!

You may have seen that I gave supply teaching a go recently, but I also tried something else new - teaching adults! 

My first day-long course was Blogging for Business, and I was a bit nervous! I arrived at City Lit, and firstly had to work out where my classroom was, and how to get into it! Next challenge was finding my register, and working out how to log into the PC. Final prayers were given that my powerpoint presentation would work. Woohoo.

The students were such a mixture, which is always the case with blogging, and everyone's goals and desired outcomes always vary. We had people who were doing something with Blockchain, from people in HR and yoga instructors. This is what can make blogging tricky to 'teach', as its almost just a genre, like writing. It can mean so many things!

My nerves soon melted away, as I realised I had a great bunch of people, and we all had things to share and discuss. Teaching adults is such a different pressure to teaching kids; they've paid some money, given up a Saturday, and expect a return on their investment.

I recieved a lovely email, afterwards, from a student, which sums up this pressure perfectly!

"...we thought WTF were we doing a blogging course on a warm summers day. We agreed we'd leave at lunch if it was as boring as expected. Well we couldn't have been more wrong - it was such a fantastic day, equally great in term of all the useful content and your engaging and captivating delivery of it."

Can you imagine the awfulness of students not returning after lunch? It makes my belly hurt with the thought of it! Ha!

At the end of the session, students are asked to leave feedback too, and again, once collected up and in an empty classroom, I opened with slight trepidation. This feedback goes to the my bosses at the college, and more than that, is just scary to read! It was so lovely to read such positive comments, and I forced myself to allow myself to feel some pride. Its an emotion many of us struggle with, I'd argue women, more than men, but definitely lots of us. So here are some of my comments:

"Phenomenal course."

"Really enjoyed the teaching style and conversations."

"Excellent at picking up and responding to individual people on the course. Would definitely do another course by Ree."

"Great how we individually got advice on our own businesses. Excellent teaching style."

"ReeRee was brilliant - highly entertaining and informative. Way exceeded my expectations."

I hope I haven't jinxed my next one now! I'm teaching "Writing for blogs: A taster" on 11th August (and again in December). Wish me luck! Teaching kids is much easier!

I've officially done 17 days of primary school supply teaching now, so I thought I'd reflect on what I've learned so far.

Turns out, its possible to teach with hand and neck tattoos. I get asked a lot about this on social media, but its been largely unspoken of at school. The caveat to this is that I've only been to two schools - I just kept being rebooked by the same places. I have no doubt that some schools refused me, of which I'm blissfully unaware, but it's clear that its not impossible. One school was a church school (I attended weekly church with them 3 times), and the other a regular primary.

I've also been asked a lot about my changing hair (otherwise known as my wig collection), and as you can see from my supply teaching selfies, I rocked my hair as usual. The kids ask, I tell them, and then they like to tell me if they especially like one. They ask why, and I either ask why they were their clothes, or just because I like to.

I've been reminded that I'm willing to throw myself into things. I taught nursery, despite having never having stepped foot in a nursery classroom since I was in nursery myself. I've been in nursery, reception, year 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Which has been great for expanding my school experience. I qualified in 2007, and taught for a few years, before launching Rockalily in 2011. So it's been a long time since I've been in the classroom!

I was surprised at how, even on day 1, it almost felt like I'd never really left at all. I can notice some of the newer curriculum changes (definitely hating the new literacy, and have many questions about the new maths) but generally teaching is just teaching.

It's been nice, that even in a short time, I feel part of a community. Parents stop and talk to me at the end of the day, and I'm part of a staff team (as a business owner you can often feel lonely). The same frustrations are still there; children who can't behave during class, children who steal our learning time from us. Classrooms that are too small and too stuffy to comfortably house 30 children and the accompanying adults in. 

I've had better days, and worse days. I mean, it is called work and not play, and teaching is especially focused on the 'work' part of that phrase. Unlike when I worked in an office, you get almost zero 'down time'. No ten minute chat with a colleague, or an hour doing something a little more peaceful with your headphones on. No going to the toilet when you need to. It's full on, all of the time. But there are certainly worse ways to earn a living.

I only take prebooked supply work, I'm not up for waking up at 6am, waiting for the phone to ring, so I've been lucky to stumble into two school that have kept me basically booked 4-5 days a week. I'm now booked for the next two weeks, still at the same school, and then I'm off on my holiday to Spain!

I've had foster cats Miss Katie and Kelly for about 9 days now, and they've certainly required more 'care' than other foster cats I've had. Their old age means that they don't always use the litter tray, and they're very messy when they eat and drink. I've forever cleaning up after them. They're also very 'chatty', which again is most probably age-related. Kelly has confirmed kidney failure, and I'm 90% sure that Miss Katie has it too. They're old ladies, it's what happens.

They have this ability to spill each and every bowl of water they drink from, which gets pretty wet. 

Miss Katie sleeps next to me each night, whereas Kelly loves her cat cave. They're super annoying but super cute! They don't do much, they sleep, wake up, meow for 15 minutes, eat, pee and sleep again.

After wanting to be a parkrunner for ages, I finally ran my first official Parkrun today! Firstly running as part of a large group is so different to running solo. It gives you a pack to belong to, as well as giving us that drive not to quit.

Parkrun is free, and happens every Saturday morning, and they try hard to foster a sense of community. There is a meet up after each race, and lots of cheering for others. As they say, its a run not a race, and its super inclusive.

This Parkrun was 5 laps of 1km, and laps 3 and 4 were tough. I annoyingly had to walk a few times, to give my body a little break, but my finishing time of 30:55 was still one I was happy with.

I've been working a lot recently, basically supply teaching full time for a few weeks, on top of owning the salon, so my fitness has taken a little back seat (remember, we can do anything, but not everything),  but running on a Saturday has remained constant. Its actually even been helped, as I'm now used to getting up early!

No matter how big or small, setting a goal, and then achieving it, is always good for us. Especially when it can feel tough going, or easy to quit. I wanted to run a Parkrun, and now I have. Next up is becoming a regular Parkrunner.

My top investments are my Hoka One One running shoes (£110) which instantly stopped me getting worryingly tight calves every run, and my BooBuddy (£20), which instantly made my boobs stop being an issue when I run.

10 weeks ago I joined a beginners running group which I'm guessing is pretty similar to the 'Couch-5k' programme. I've written a lot about running over the years, which surprises me, as I so rarely think of myself who runs. I've blogger about 5ks, 10ks, Goodgym, Nike Runs, and what being a runner feels like.

My very first 5k run was 5 years ago, when Living Social put together a bloggers' running group to run the Brighton Colour Run. 

About 6 months on, another sponsorsed post set me the challenge to run my very first 10k, which I managed to complete under an hour, almost by accident. Run to the Beat was then my first official 10k race that I tried. Since then I've dipped in and out of running. In a period of being 'out' of running, I felt a little lost at how to return.

I found joining a group worked perfectly for me. We paid in advance for the 10 weeks, which means I turned up every week! Last week we did our first 25 minute run, where I ran 4km, and I secretly hoped for a 5km run this week when we'd be running for 30 minutes. I definitely prepared myself for that being unlikely though.

The run was tough. It was hot, and I felt really tired. I stopped and walked about 5 times, which is really unlike me. But I did it! I did 5km in a smidge over 30 mins (10 seconds over). I was pretty gobsmacked. I've got park run next week, and not really feeling great about it, as this run was tough. But I'm going to tweak my caffiene intake prior to the race, to hopefully lose the horrible tiredness I felt.

Wish me luck.

P.s - I blogged about buying expensive running trainers to help my tight calves....yeah it completely worked. I don't have tight calves anymore.

On Friday night my new foster cats arrived. These two, Miss Katie and Kelly, and elderly ladies whose owner is currently unable to care for them. Their grumpy faces made me bond with them instantly. It's now Sunday, so I thought I'd share how we've settled in together.

Miss Katie arrived covered in sick and poo (from sharing a cat carrier with a male cat they'd lived with, who didn't travel well), so that gave us a rather smelly start. She wasn't cleaning herself, but did allow me to give her a little rinse under the tap. 

Foster cat Miss Katie is braver than Kelly, so I've learned more about her so far. Her back legs are pretty wobbly, and she's got a swollen lump on her front paw. Both sisters seem VERY thirsty, which could be kidney failure, diabetes, hyperthyroidism or a UTI.  Miss Katie has already learned that the bed is a nice place to be, and she curls up on it with me. She really likes to be brushed. She had been using the litter tray, but this morning she tried to poo on the doormat (cue me grabbing her and moving her swiftly, mid-poo to the litter tray). I wonder if she's just slightly suffering from dementia. She's very vocal. 

Foster cat Kelly is much shyer, and is still hiding away most of the time. She comes out to eat and drink, and once Miss Katie starts howling, Kelly often starts chatting back. They seem to like a good chin way at 4am.....

Kelly has had one litter tray accident so far, peeing on a scratching post instead of in the tray, so fingers crossed she figures it out soon.

A challenge for charities that offer fostering is that they often come with many medical issues, and there is a tightrope to walk regarding how much money you spend on each cat. This is especially true when you foster elderly cats, who will have a myriad of conditions no doubt. It would be impossible for each charity to magically pay for every medical condition to be fixed or tested for. They have to continually weigh up the small budget they have, with the needs to the cats they have in their welfare, and the ever-long list of people asking for their services. these two little ladies have been to the vet enroute to me, and I believe we're taking them on Thursday for vaccinations. I hope to go with them, as I'd like to work out whether they're in pain, or just very grumpy moany old ladies.

Jerry the fostercat has finally gone to his furever home. He arrived exactly 12 weeks ago, and after taking about two weeks to brave his way from under the bed, he settled in to being the perfect little cat pal. Unassuming, but loving, he would mew quietly when hungry, and curl up on my bed just chilling for most of the time. He wasn't interested in cat toys, nor catnip. He loved the same piece of string that my first fostercat Bronwyn loved though, who knew hessian string could be so exciting!

When I foster, I take a lot of mental effort to not 'fall in love' with the cats, and I'm quite conscious about the language I use in my mind, and when I talk about them. They've never mine. They're always called my foster cat. I talk about their future forever homes, and when they'll be ready to find one. It's called a failed foster when a foster carer decides to adopt instead, and foster homes are hard to find, so I'm proud to be one.

It's often said that fostering saves lives, which may sound a tad dramatic, but it is true. Cats that need a new home can only be taken in if they have somewhere to actually go. I don't think people fathom how many cats there are that are in need, and it's easy to just think that charities can just absorb the impact. But every cat needs an actual bed, and charities are full. They can't magic up space everytime someone decides they can't care for their pet anymore, or when an owner dies. Or when a new stray cat is found. A foster home allows a cat to be take in, and provides that window of time for a permanent home to be found.

Jerry was originally fostered in the hope he could return to his home, after his owner become ill. That's why he was with me for a while before he was listed as available for adoption. Sadly he was unable to return home, but I still enjoy the idea that his owner knew that his cats were being taken care of, and that he had the possibility of having them back. People's cats become their families, and when people (perhaps financially struggling, or isolated) are ill, the possibility of having their pet fostered and returned is a magical gift to give someone.

Jerry is now with his permanent owner, and she's already sent me some pics! He's braved some strokes, used his litter tray and had some food. So I'm relieved that he'll soon be sleeping on her bed too, and feeling safe and secure.

I had planned to have a cat-fostering break as I have a holiday next month, however....it's hard to say no, and I think I have one due at the end of the week!

Yesterday I awoke with a BBQ hangover, and looked out to see another hot day ahead of us. I didn't want to waste it, but didn't have any plans, so I googled what was happening today. Turned out that there was a free outdoor cinema screening of the film 'Suffragette' followed by a panel discussion. Perfect!

It was the perfect day to sit in a park, and I only regretted not bringing a cushion, after an ignored fleeting considersation to. I sprawled out and enjoyed listening to some actors who read (what I presumed to be accurate) speeches, as if we were back in time, hearing people give speeches for and against votes for women. Speeches were so critical then, as a way of spreading ideas and winning favour. The actors were great, and I really enjoyed hearing from the suffragettes, the suffragists, women against women getting the vote, and the men.

The film started, and I blame the sunshine for the 25 minutes I slept through. I enjoyed it though! It told the suffragette story through the experience of the average working women, who were so critical in the movement, but whose story hasn't yet been told by Hollywood. It showed how women lost their homes, their children and their jobs. Watching Emily Davison step out in front of the king's horse made my heart stop, despite knowing it was about to happen!

There was a panel discussion afterwards, with some historians, including Helen Pankhurst, the great granddaughter of Emmeline, and granddaughter of Sylvia. I couldn't resist getting a book signed afterwards.

It's been too long since I just went out and did something nice, flying solo. I guess it's harder during winter, but summer, especially summer in London makes it much easier!

I recently shared my brand new 'back to school' bag and some of the things I'd prepared to take with me on my first day as a supply teacher......well here I am, safely out the other side!

Firstly, I am fully aware that my face is here, back when I was a teacher 'proper' 8 years ago, I shared my life anonymously online (I've always shared my life online in some form), and I only 'revealed' my face on my blog once I'd left teaching. I also covered all my tattoos when I taught back then. I was younger, and less sure of who I was I guess. So it's just something I need to bare in mind. But the world is different now. I'm different now. And it feels ok.

Being in a school again, after so long, felt a little alien, and the building was a modern purpose-built school, which is the opposite to the schools I used to work in (old Victorian schools). It was a rather unusual start, as the class teacher was actually in the school that day, but working on a different project. So they were able to show me their room, and quickly run me through the day. The downside was that the class teacher was there when the children entered, which made it harder to establish the tone that you'd usually want to do as a stranger in the classroom. But all good.

If there is a supply teacher god, they blessed me for my first day. The class were a joy, and the lessons went as planned. We managed to get the work done, enjoy a story, and leave the classroom tidy. I marked the maths books, and even had time to call the children back who had made errors, and go over their mistakes with them (the fancy term for that is 'Assessment for Learning, where assessment of work isn't just for scores, but for helping children move forward).

At lunchtime I was told the school had already asked me back, which gave me a nice pat on the back, and that evening I was booked for 3 dates at this school, and 3 at another. 

While it was a relief that my first day supply teaching went smoothly, I know I can't get comfortable. I know that I'll stumble across children that prove more challenging, and classrooms that are less easy to slot into. 

The school was very very different to the schools I've worked in before. In so many ways. It was fascinating to be reminded that not all schools are like the ones I've known.

Day 1 - tick achieved!

I've been running again for about 7 weeks, and I've been getting such tight calves. Its not an injury as they loosen up when running, but gosh they started feeling so short and painful. To prevent injury, and of course to lose the pain when I start running, and after trying stretches and ball rolling, I decided to buy some 'proper' running shoes. You know those trainers that are expensive but not really the main brands you've heard of? Those.

I arrived at the running shop, and asked for help buying some shoes. Now I've read on the internet that measuring gait is pseudo-science, but having someone just help me pick some decent shoes should help at least. I was previously running in some Adidas running trainers, that cost me about £45. 

He brought out these pink trainers as a starter pair, to run on the treadmill with. I was definitely wearing the wrong bra. He filmed me running, and then declared that I was largely 'neutral' but perhaps my right foot was slightly pronated. Anyhoo, he also taught me that my running shoe was supposed to be half a size bigger than my foot, which I hadn't know. Silly me.

He went to bring me an assortment of trainers to try on, but I told him I was strictly no pink. He explained that I'd have far fewer options if I wouldn't wear pink. I said that was bullshit wasn't it, and he said that many female customers complained to him about the same thing. In the end I chose these HOKA ONE ONE shoes.

The first run out felt very bouncy, like walking with moon boots, and I found I caught my front toe a lot, as I had to learn to lift my feet higher! But I liked them enough to be excited about whether they'd show any improvements. That week I continued using a ball to roll my feet and my calves, and then ran again with the new shoes. I found my tight calves were definitely less tight, so I'm hopeful that over a few more weeks I'll have some new stretchy calf muscles in no time!

I was also sent some beautiful yoga leggings from Yoga Design Lab to review recently, and look how cute they are!

I was sent a size Small, and like every time I look at a pair of gym leggings, I panic they won't fit, but actually they were a great fit. They're not highwaisted, which is what I usually go for, for comfort, but they didn't roll down at all.

The mistake I made was to sprint in them. I sort of forgot that they were yoga leggings, and that different leggings suit different activities. Running in them caused them to scruff up on the inside seam, so I'll keep them for weight training days, rather than running! 

They're so cute I may even just wear them for a lazy weekend outfit....that's ok these days right? 

This week Rockalily Cuts recieved 3 finalist positions, two in the Salon Business Awards 2018 and one in the Hair Awards 2018. There is no voting to promote, we just need to wait and see!

Even if we don't win, being nominated against some big-boy chains is still something to be proud of. 

My salon has been open over 6 years now, and from a crazy impulsive dream from a blogger with no experience, to a really kickarse little business with 5 members of staff (plus me!) it's been a really colourful journey.

I'm so proud of my team, and so pleased that we have so many loyal and lovely clients. Thank you if you've ever visited us, or ever told someone about us. 

So we're up for 'London Salon' in the Hair Awards 2018, and 'Digital Salon' and 'Ultimate Salon' in the Salon Business Awards 2018. It would be amazing to win, but as a small independent I don't expect to. However the finalist positions feel pretty awesome as they are! Wish us luck!

I left school almost 20 years ago, but I still remember the excitement of getting a new school bag. So, when I got booked for a day's supply teaching, I knew I'd have to treat myself to a 'supply teacher' appropriate bag. It came with the toucan patch, but I added the Punky Pins after they were sent to me to review (review sounds silly, they're pins, but you know what I mean).

I used to be a primary teacher, perhaps 8 years ago now. If you want to learn more you can read about in these old blog posts:

10 things I learned from being a teacher and What was the final straw that made me leave teaching?

I completed a 4 year degree in teaching, including a placement in Arizona, and summer camp teaching in New York. I taught in London for about 2 years, and then I became a secondary school librarian. Then I quit it all, and started my own business. Fast forward to over 7 years of self employment, and I fancied dipping my toe back into the education world.

So I've decided to supply.

This could well be a fantastic idea, or a terrible one, but worth a try I reckon! Some of my old colleagues who left education have also returned to long term supply, and they're loving it, and if I don't like it, I don't have to continue, right?

Me, being me, it's been a great excuse to buy some stuff, and get organised. 

Of course I printed personalised labels with my name on. Of course I ordered a personalised marking stamp. 

I've used it as the excuse to buy new books, and I started with Ada Twist, Scientist, as a the ideal filler story. Off the back of it, you can work on rhyming pattern, a research project on Ada Lovelace, science explorations with any questions we can come up with etc. I also bought a billion stickers, as children just never get tired of them. They're great rewards. The pug ball is great for controlling who talks, or who has a go next, when you throw her around the room.

I'm so extra that I designed my own note to leave the teacher, because why not do what makes us happy, right?

Now, after all the faffing, the day has finally arrived, tomorrow I'm due to do my first day's supply. I'll be very nervous, I'm so out of the game I've long forgotten all of the rules. But I'll focusing on turning up, and seeing what happens. Wish me luck.

Today I visited my new GP, after discovering a mole that seemed itchy on my back (I'm very moley). I entered the room, happy to find a young female doctor sat waiting for me. She checked my shoulders, and said she couldn't see anything that seemed off, so I said thank you and started getting my stuff. It'd taken all of a minute. 

She said that as I was there, I could just complete some data about me. She asked if I smoked, to which I said no, never. She asked if I drank, and I explained usually once, every one or two weeks. All good there.

She then said they didn't have a weight for me, so could she weigh me. I stepped on the scales, and then removed my shoes to have my height measured. I apologised for the big hair.

As she entered the data into her system, she mumbled my weight and height, and then my BMI (27 I think?), and she said that I would have to lose  a stone if I wanted to be in the healthy bracket, "...if I cared about things like that".

Firstly, for an exchange that lasted two minutes, half of which were spent looking at moles, I don't see how telling me my BMI, and that I needed to lose a stone to be a healthy weight is useful or warranted.

I include my photo from today, but sort of know it is irrelevant at the same time. Say I was carrying more weight than I am; say that the amount could be a potential warning for health issues....I'd obviously know that. Who on earth doesn't know that excess weight can carry health concerns? Does telling me my BMI magically make me aware of that fact? But I include the pic to also show that I honestly don't believe the weight I carry is what my doctor should be concerning herself with, in a short appointment.

She doesn't know if I've had eating disorders, or if my weight has fluctuated massively recently. She didn't know if her super fast comment/advice would send me into an eating binge or self harm hole (it didn't....but still).

If she's telling me I'm carrying extra weight to try and keep me healthy, shouldn't she have asked about things that relate to my health? Do I exercise (Yes, 3 times a week, I run and lift weights), and how is my diet (generally pretty healthy, with fruit and vegetables heavily featured). Or how about whether my bowel movements are regular, or what my periods are like, or whether I check for breast lumps regularly.

I've read some things online about why the NHS still use BMI in this way, and it all seems to say stuff like, "It's a useful tool to use to judge when people are overweight, because being overweight generally comes with health concerns." When arguments are made about it's pointlessness (particularly in reference to muscle-heavy athletes), they just shrug and say most people aren't athletes. That BMI is relevant to most people.

I've yet to work out why we/they need a scale like BMI at all, to work out if someone is overweight (and therefore worthy of being concerned about their health and potential issues they may face - which is a whole other debate). Surely doctors can just tell by looking at us? I just can't work out why GPs are still chucking our BMIs in our faces constantly? What do they even imagine it does?

Don't get me wrong, this rant isn't about my weight at all. It's about the fact that in a two minute appointment, my GP randomly told me my BMI, and what I'd have to do to be in the healthy BMI range. Who is telling her to do this? Why do they think it is a valid thing to say? 

I am fully aware that people who carry more weight than me, deal with this nonsense with almost every medical professional that they meet. That it is common for every ailment they bring to a doctor ends with a discussion about their weight, and the apparent revelation that they are deemed obese. I am sharing my experience as it angered me, but I aware that for many people this is a constant, and even more stupid issue than my two minutes with my GP.

Chucking someone's BMI at them is at best pointless and silly, and at worst harmful and damaging. 

I shared my experience of having 10 sessions with a PT after having a personal trainer for 5 weeks, and now I've reached month 4, I'm back to update my experience 24 sessions later.

At the beginning of January I signed up with a PT. I'd fallen off the fitness wagon, and just lost my confidence with it. I really missed feeling strong, and most of my clothing didn't fit anymore, but I was just struggling to get into the mindspace on my own to return. 

I started with 2 half-hour sessions a week, which over time, dropped down to one session a week, as I added in other fitness activities (I joined a running club, and started going to my gym again). Its now the end of April, and in total I had 24 sessions with my PT, at a cost of over £700. Was it worth it?

After 10 sessions I'd learnt the following:

1. Exercise should feel hard. That's the point of it (if you want to change your body).

2. Target all muscles, not just your favourite ones!

3. It's absolutely part of the process to attempt and fail certain moves. The attempts are the exercise.

Do I have anything more to add, now I'm 24 sessions in? So much of exercise if about your mind, but at the same time, if you waited to 'feel like it', we'd never achieve much at all. I've learned the power of grit, and commitment. That I just need to make sure I keep turning up. I've learned that I can push my body pretty hard, and that's all that matters. It doesn't matter if the person next to me is performing the move better/faster, all that matters is that I'm pushing hard. That's what exercise is, and no matter how fit everyone is in the room, we should all be feeling that it's hard. That we're all pushing hard. That's the point.

Paying for a PT has done what I needed it do; I'm now going to the gym, and exercising in some way 2-3 times a week. I'm not returned magically to the body I used to have, as my diet isn't as committed as it was back then, when I was at my strongest/smallest, but I have changed my body a bit. Its definitely stronger. I've lost a bit of weight from my face. Fitness is back in my life again, and that was the point. Money well spent I'd say.

It's not something I can afford permanently, but this investment in myself was worth it.