Hump Day.

The only thing worse than the incessant buzzing of my alarm on a Wednesday morning, is it buzzing on a Monday morning. However, despite the dull, overcast, drizzly weather this morning I felt like I had a spring in my step and it was thanks to the team at Jumpzone in Sandyford where I've been attending trampolining fitness classes for over two months now with a few buddies.

I'm not sure who sowed the seeds of the bouncing idea but we were all bored with running circuits, hitting the gym and power walking. Trampolining was definitely the answer- led by the wonderful, ass-kicking Eileen who has pushed and pummeled our squidge into shape. She promises an intense, cardio workout which, if you can keep the pace, burns 1,000 calories.

Our first time out on the trampolines was a shock to the system as our excited bouncing turned into jelly legs, tightened chests and gasping of breath. Though, as we've continued to practice, I've started to notice that I'm a bit more flexible, my muscles are a bit tighter and I'm able to work through the class without feeling like my heart is trying to escape from my chest.

Now, I feel like my energy levels have skyrocketed, like a burst of adrenaline. Now, Wednesday mornings aren't such a drag and hump day doesn't feel so humpy. So, if you're looking to burn some major calories in a fun, supported environment- give Jumpzone a call. You need to book in advance because the classes are super popular and often full.

Dressing for four seasons in one day!

Without sounding like an atypical Irish moaning ninny but this weather is wrecking my karma. Don't get me wrong, I was completely at home with the tropical heatwave that graced our shores and launched the first 'heat warning' issued by Met Eireann ever. It reminded me of my year in Asia where every day involved short sleeves, sandals, brightly painted toenails and a golden tan. What also reminds me of Asia, are the random monsoon bursts of torrential rain we are experiencing here and they're wrecking my buzz. More than once, I wished for a plastic disposable poncho as I sloshed around the slippy streets of Dublin. What's more, It's creating a serious wardrobe deliemma. Too hot for a mac or coat, but then once the haymaker dulls the sky, even the slickest of slickers isn't going to keep you dry. Skirts and dresses require a certain amount of daily maintenance and shorts are out of the questions- although, I did spy a girl this morning in a teeny pair of denim hotpants accessorized with an uber-sexy pair of Hunter wellies, I'll be honest- I internally mocked her under the security of clear blue skies this morning but was certainly laughing on the other side of my face by late afternoon as I stood in the teeming rain at an unsheltered bus stop. I can't seem to make the right fashion choices for this weather. My job dictates a lot of my decisions in terms of hemlines, patterns and colours as well as fabrics- all delicates (silks, satins, cashmere) must be avoided due to my clumsy interaction with whiteboard markers, red pens, glue sticks and photocopying toner every day. While, a uniform of shirts, pencil skirts, shift dresses and cigarette pants regularly see me slowly overheating in stuffy classrooms on a daily basis but once I step outside these days I'm blasted by a cold wind or followed by an ominous black cloud that doesn't open until I am well and truly out of range of any shelter. When I leave the house in the morning, I believe I have captured the trend, nailed the look and sashay to my car filled with confidence- but by the time, I get on the bus, sit for 2 hours among other hurried commuters and then walk to school, that confidence has been dashed as I wrestle wind, rain, scorching sun or all of the above. I often return home with frizzy hair instead of straight, my ballerina pumps expanding from immersion in too many puddles and a top that's changed colour ever so slightly. It's true what they say about Irish people, we're never happy. A bit of sun- we moan, a lot of sun- we whine bitterly to the point of fainting willy nilly in the street and I am no innocent. But wait, fellow Paddies- wait until the long, dark, overcast winter and I think you will rue the day you moaned about that shining orb of light in the sky. To be sure, as November slinks around the black, freezing corner, you'll pay any price to feel 30 degree heat on your bones, most likely courtesy of the isle of Lanzarote!

New Beginnings

My initial foray into the blogosphere began with my travel musings when I exited the rat race for a more relaxed life in Asia. I use the word 'relaxed' in its loosest form. Looking back with the benefitof  heinsight, I think the word I was looking for was- 'different'. You can check out my adventures on www.wordpress.com/lettherebenoforeignlands

Since returning home, I began to feel that a title like let there be no foreign lands seemed to loose its meaning as I was holed up in freezing cold Ireland. However, over the past few months some weird and wonderful things have began happening to me so I decided to relocate my old blog.

This will be a haven of thrifty shopping tips, travel and tourism titbits and a step by step documentary on the building of the much-awaited Chez Nous for myself and Bear (my long suffering and often considerably better half!). Not to mention all the good food and terrific nights out we encounter along the way with my gaggle of sanity-challenged best friends.

I am also- for reasons known only to God, starting college again at the ripe old age of 28 to study for the HDip and launch myself into the world of secondary school teaching. I was bad bad bad in a past life!

I am not narcissistic enough to assume that those of you suffering the ether of the internet are remotely interested in the goings on in my little life, but if nothing else it will serve as a shining beacon of youth for when I'm old and bedridden either that or a way for Papa to keep tabs on me....