Super, Duper Tuesday

Black headed Gulls (winter plumage)

Super Tuesday is the name given to the day in an election year when a group of US states hold simultaneous contests to help decide the Democratic and Republican parties' presidential nominations. Is the USA ready for its first black or female president??? Will wait and see. All I want is that whoever becomes President will try to clean up the mess the US had created.

I also took the day off cos was up half the night with tummy cramps. Seemed to get a lot lately. I hoped I don't catch anything serious. It was also Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day. I wanted to make some pancakes but I ran out of ingredients. In the end, we bought ready-made pancakes from Morisson. Traditionally in the UK, it is served with a sprinkling of sugar and a dash of fresh lemon. I had mine with lots of maple syrup.

Pancakes remind me of lempeng which my grandma used to make for breakfast in Malaysia. It's either plain or scattered with grated coconuts or mashed bananas incorporated into the batter. The plain ones are eaten with a curry, usually sambal sardines. I remember sitting cross-legged on the mengkuang mat, breaking pieces of lempeng and dipping it in the curry with the whole clan. All washed down with thick, black, very sweet ground coffee. Aaah...I'm drooling. I'm must make lempeng with sambal sardine this weekend. :-).

On Wednesday was the friendly between England and Switzerland. I'm pleased that the boys won 2:1. They need all the luck after being out of Euro 2007. I would also like to see more of the Italian manager in action.

Thursday was Chinese New Year. Wishing those who celebrate the Year of the Rat, Kong Hee Fatt Choy. May 2008 brings us great health, happiness, prosperity and lots of £££.

I have been going to the lakes during my lunch break this whole week. On Monday, I caught a glimpse of a Little grebe minding its own business. I managed to snap some photographs but they were so hazy. I brought my Fuji the next time and that little guy was nowhere to be seen. How predictable was that. But these cute guys, black-headed gulls (Larus ridibudus) were following me up and down the lake. I do know they want food. Must remember to bring some next time.

Next week there will major roadworks on the University grounds. It will be undertaken on different phases and the first phase will be from 11/02- 14/03. There are 2 entrances into the University and one of them will be closed. There's also ongoing roadworks on the Felmstead highway. Imagine the chaos??? And does the University cares about the difficulties their staff are going to face??? Surprisingly, NO. They are even being stroppy by saying that late comers won't be tolerated. If you're late, you make up the time!!!

The top guns are predicting that staff will be taking advantage of the roadworks and coming in late. F*&k. That's how much they value us. We did request for flexi time but no can do. You could literally see smoke coming out of our ears. We live 7 miles away and Kevin has to drive across the city twice daily. On a good day, like today, it took him 30 mins. On a bad day, 1.5 hours., one way. I work hard, always meet the deadline, articulate, a professional and dedicated to my job. It's an insult to me if my employers don't trust me.

Anyway, Thursday is National Marriage Week and lets celebrate all things matrimonial. Wink!Wink!

And council tax payers in Warwickshire face a 3.9% rise. Every thing's rising, rising. I'm gasping for breath!!!

I twisted my ankle as soon as I stepped into the office this morning. What a klutz. I was not even wearing heels. A first-aider, JC came to my rescue. I'd an icepack strapped to my ankle and a footstool was found to make sure my foot was elevated. What a sight. Thanks JC and the swelling has stopped.

Finally, we'd the biggest surprise today. The road behind and beside the library was cordoned off. What's up? An e-mail informed us that a funeral (?) is taking place in the Chaplaincy at lunchtime and the funeral cortege will be parked there!!! Is there anything stranger than that?