Dude 1

To earn my degree, I have to complete a project and dissertation in this, my final year. My project consists of cleaning and reassembling the bones from 5 boxes. Presumably there are 5 individuals, but this may not turn out to be the case. These bones are from either the 5th or 6th centuries, and were found in Southern England. So far I have one male, and one female appropriately named: Dude 1 and Dudette 1 respectively. I'm now working on the third box, which I think is going to be 'It 1' as I can't really see whether it's a male or female.
As it is my project, I can take photos of the bones. Below are some photos from Dude 1. I will post photos of Dudette 1 later on.
xox

They're Back!!!


I checked out the pool again to see if there were any more squatters in the skimmer. Sure enough, there were more toads back!! I fished them all out, not without a challenge. Some of them were hiding deep within the leaves in the skimmer, there was a frog, and one little guy with a toe trapped in the basket. I released him safely, and got all the toads and frog out and into the handheld basket. I counted 18 baby toads, 2 big toads, and 1 green frog. I don't know what draws them into the pool, but they seem very happy there.

xox

Toads in the Skimmer!


Today, on my inspection of the pool, I found a few toads living in the skimmer basket. They had quite a happy little living arrangement in the skimmer, because the water level wasn't high enough to let anymore water in, and the leaves in the basket were too dense to drain the basket, so the amphibians were living in the sludge that had accumulated. Once I'd taken out the basket, let the water drain out, and taken out all the stinky leaves, I let all the toads go into a grassy patch away from the pool and other such dangers. Not before taking a view snaps and movies of them, though.

I love toads, not just because of their colour (my favourite colour's green), but also because of my nickname given to me by my Father... "Toad."

Here are a few pictures I took of my little green friends.
xox

My Daddy



I have been away from my blog for so long, I feel out of touch. However this posting is written with a heavy heart. My Daddy passed away peacefully in his sleep early Sunday morning. After a life full of enjoying life, working hard and trying to make every life he came in to just that little bit better, if he could, he now rests and looks out after us all. He has spent the past five years here in England living a dream he has worked for for over a decade. Everything he did over here was approached with strength, and and a caring touch. Dad was selfless, and never complained, yet even our Maker needed a Sabbath and I guess it was time for my Dad's. As for all the PhD's he's made possible, they will continue to push boundaries; and the couple's he's married they will live in love and make babies; and the babies he baptized will grow up so blessed; and as for us girls- his three daughters, we have a torch most bright to carry. One fueled by love and knowledge and strong genes. A torch I am more than proud to carry.

Daddy, Padre, father, Thor, and any other way you were known, you will be missed as long as I live, and loved for even longer.

Morse!

My Godmother Dorothy got a new dog to succeed Muffin. His name evolved somewhat. Dorothy wanted Moses, and her husband Graham wanted Bruce, so I suggested an amalgamation of the two and came up with 'Muce' (pronounced 'Moose'), which then evolved into Morse. He has a toy called 'Lewis'...how fitting! He's an absolute sweetheart, and will definitely be welcomed in our house :D
xox

My New Fishies: Huff & Puff!!!

After my dear Simon went to the big goldfish bowl in the sky, I felt that an empty tank wouldn't do, so I went out with Mum to get a new one. As it turns out, one Oranda fish shouldn't be kept in a tank as small as the one I have (10 l), and therefore it was no wonder he got sick! The poor Dude who sold it to me, was going to get in trouble because he didn't give me much information at all about him. (At least he was nice to us!) Over the last little while, I've been watching their mannerisms, and I've noticed that Puff is more the hyperactive toddler, who doesn't do any cleaning; and Huff is the nagging clean freak :) They're always fun to watch, and make me smile when ever I go into the kitchen :D xox

Their home!

Huff...

& Puff!

To My Fabulous 'Sistors'!

Recently, I have a bit a 'situation' in my life, and haven't felt at my best- my sisters have been there for me, supporting me, and letting me I'm okay :)
Thanks you two!!!
xoxoxox

AND TO MY PARENTS WHO WERE THERE THE WHOLE TIME!!!

Pretty Fireworks!

At the end of term, the University put on the Arts Fest, where the entire campus what dedicated to showing off musical talent from all over campus. I with a bunch of my friends hung out on the main field while listening to bands and DJs play into the night. At the end of the show, there was an awesome fireworks display, and we all flocked down to see it. These are some of the photos I took of the very load display :)
xox

Ode to Simon the Great

Despite my best efforts, by beloved Simon didn't make it through the weekend :(
I tried a few things with his diet and water, but to no avail. I know I tried to help, but all I can hope is that I made his last few days comfortable and interesting- what with his new food and crystal clear water.
As part of a life long tradition I have with my pets, I will bury him in the garden. Simon will keep our dog, Bonnie company out with the snow drops and daffodils. I think they'll make a great pair :)
xox

My Oranda Goldfish Eats Peas!

My poor little Simon has been a bit sick lately :( My Mum wakes up in the morning and before coming downstairs to the kitchen (where Simon lives) asks "is he still alive?". I too have been quite worried about him. If you remember back to when I got him, and posted the video- well, he doesn't look like that any more. He developed fin rot on his back fin, ammonia burns on his head and dorsal fin, and now I believe he has swim bladder problems. Typically, I've been doing extensive research into all his conditions and how to treat them. Did you know, for instance, they can develop something called 'ick'? It's when they look like they've been sprinkled with salt. There are many other ailments they can pick up, but I was looking at his three in specific. Overall, I've learned one begot the other, which was a sign of something else, that explained something other thing. What I've decided (in my expert opinion :D), is that when I cleaned out his tank, he was getting stressed, which kicked things off. I have learned that stressed degrades the mucous membrane that protect his skin, and against infection. Because he was stressed by the stone hoover, this membrane broke down and he was vulnerable. I feel this is where he got his fit rot to start. Later on, when I was away doing my exams, despite my parent's best efforts, the tank wasn't clearing, and went quite green. (We later learned the filter wasn't turned up enough). All the sites I've looked at have said that poor water conditions aggravate any ailments your fish has. I don't think the water helped my Simon's fin rot, and ended up loosing his right fin, and the bottom half of his gorgeous fanned tail. The poor little guy now deserves a disabled parking badge :) Needless to say I was changing his water and feeding regularly...too much as I then found out. After he developed these little black marks, as though someone has outlined him in black, I did more research. I found out this was due to ammonia poisoning. The site said that fish are ammonia producers, and when they produce too much it burns their skin. Too many fish in pond or tank can do this, or the amount of food they eat; The more they eat, the more ammonia they produce. This is why I think I was feeding him too much. I read it was better to feed them small meals throughout the day, rather than one big one. I guess they weren't small enough. Finally, he's been swimming around...oddly. Not in a straight line, and flipping around a lot. This can be attributed to swim bladder problems- an organ that regulates buoyancy. In Oranda fish this is quite common, because their gut is a bit compacted. Therefore, if you overfeed them, feed them too much flaked food, or if they swallow too much air, they become constipated (which I think he is), and their guts become blocked.
So far, I've cleaned his tank completely, treated the water with ammonia reducing stuff, I'll stop feeding his for three days, then start feeding him peas. Yes, that's right...peas. This should clear his blockage. I'm also continuing to medicate him for his fin rot.
I shall keep you posted on his health.
xox

Fiona's Visit

I had a great visit with my friend Fiona from Montreal. She and I hung out a lot while I was there last Summer, and we had a blast! Therefore, when she said she's be coming over the UK to visit her parents in Scotland, and pop over to see me- I was thrilled :D We rang bells, had pub lunches, and generally chilled out. xox

DONE!!!

This isn't going to be a long posting, but just to say that I finished my second year exams today :) I'll post what ever photos I've been taking when I'm back in OX.

xoxox

Moose Drool

I was looking through Google images for pictures to put on a t-shirt for a birthday party, I came across this: http://www.bigskybrew.com/process/moosedrool.html
I couldn't resist bringing to my blog-follower's attention :)
I've never had it before, but I love the name!!!
xox

Happy Birthday Sistor!!!

We all know you're life is not exactly calm...or quiet...or peaceful, but it's full of just that: Life.
Hope your Birthday was great, and that you have an awesome dinner with your Man :)
Lots of Love,
Sarah-Bear
xoxoxox

My 21st Birthday!!!

Much to my parent's horror, I am now in my 20s! Ed came down for the weekend, and both he and my parents went out for dinner with my the evening before my birthday. We went to a preferred Chinese restaurant of mine, and had a fabulous time! We came home afterwards, and had the 'fish cake' that my Mummy made for me, with a glass of champagne to accompany it. Today, on the actual day, I had church in the morning, which was followed by a lovely tea party with my parents, Ed, Dorothy (my Godmother), her daughter Vicky, and Gill & Sara. We had 'English' sandwiches, cake, cookies, and tea. It was a great was to celebrate. It's touching getting cards, and hugs saying 'happy birthday,' because you know you're being thought of. Thanks to all who sent cards, gave me hugs, or even just thought of me. It wasn't just the weather that warmed me today, but all the good thoughts.
xox

Day Trip to Stratford

Yesterday, my parents and I went out to Stratford for the day. We enjoyed baguettes and ice cream by the water, and we walked around town looking for bargains and pretty things. While I was there, I saw lots of things Ed and I can do if we go there in the summer, like renting a row boat, and seeing a Shakespeare production by the water. It's great having these things so close to where we live :D
xox

A New Man in my Life!

No, I haven't broken up with Ed. As an early birthday gift from my Mum and Dad, I received a goldfish!!! I haven't had a fish in years, so this is quite a treat :D My Mum suggested a name which has stuck: Simon (our fish monger's name is Simon). His full name is 'Simon the Great'. As you can see by the photos, he's happy in his new pond. I'm debating whether I should get him a toy to play with. Any suggestions?
xox

He matched his tank and his gravel!

Spot the fish!

He plays with his reflection...

xox

DONE!!!
...at least until my exams. Last Friday, I handed in my last two assignments well within the deadline, after having a great night's sleep :D All our friends had huge grins on their faces that said: "It's all done!". The weekend before that I had gone home with Ed, to pick up the car, and drove back to Canterbury. Which meant instead of pelting up the hill at the last minute to hand in the assignments, I could drive them up. Extravagant, I know, but I think I've earned it! ;P After term was over, I gave Ed a lift home to drop of his stuff, and stayed a couple days to visit. Then I drove back to big bad Tew...alone! I managed it all right though. Apart from shouting a few deleting expletive at a stupid, blind truck driver...grrrrrr... I now sitting having tea with Mum and Dad watching CSI. It's all good. Easter may be a break from classes, but revision, jobs from the "job jar," and other stuff...I wont be resting. xox