Free Lunch

 

 My friend Liz gave me an invitation to a free lunch at Blue Ginger! The restaurant opened about a month ago and is inside the Themi suites complex at Njiro. I guess nobody knew they were open, so they decided to do the free lunch as a promo event.

You could order whatever sandwiches/ croissants you wanted and they made them for you with the fillings. I got a sandwich at first but then I was so jealous of Jouni's croissant that I ordered one of those too!

It was going to be a ladies lunch, but since it was happening two minutes away from Jouni's work I had to call him and inform him of the bounty.

 I wore my hair in this 'fashionable' style that I got from watching Lizzie Mcguire. I recommend trying it. It only took five minutes and your head stays cool on a hot day.

Perhaps in honour of the free lunch the chef had created some impressive bread sculptures:

I guess the free lunch promo tactic worked because a lot of people said they would go there for lunch regularly now that they know it is there. I would, too, if it weren't over an hour from my home! To be honest, everything is far away from my home: we live in the countryside.

I made friendship bracelets

I got a kit from the UK and made these colourful bracelets (besides the beaded one, which I bought from the Maasai Market). I learnt three new ways of making them! The kit I got is for tweens and so uses thick thread so that they get finished quicker. So they didn't take long to make and were more fun to make than usual because you can really see the progress.

Top Ten Underrated Teen Angst Movies

Sometimes I worry that I have not grown up properly because I still favour teen books, films, magazines and fashion. Surely some chemicals in my brain should have arrived by now to turn me into a 'real' adult? Anyway. There's a lot of great films out there which I think not enough people have seen, perhaps because they watch movies with adult characters or perhaps just because they missed them. So here they are: my top ten underrated but brilliant teen angst films. Not feel-good teen movies, nesessarily, but ones which say, Hey. Growing up is hard. It might get better someday.

10. Daydream Nation

This is a cool, complex film where all the women are strong and all the men are weak. It's really quiet and has a great soundtrack. Also there's lots of moody shots of Kat Dennings in short skirts and ankle socks. What's not to like?


9. The Art of Getting By

Have you ever done the barest minimum, feeling sort of passive-agressive about it? Maybe you found school too easy or maybe you just didn't see the point? That's what this film is about. It's not aspirational in the least, but you can sure identify with it.


8. The Perks of Being a Wallflower

 I had to put this film on this list, because it belongs here. But please. Read the book. READ THE BOOK. Read the book and you'll have a better time than if you watched any of the movies on this list. It's short, and you'll come out of it as a better person. Please. Just read it.


7. Paper Heart

 About feeling ugly and awkward and not good enough. Funny and cute and real-seeming enough that you want them to be together in real life.


6. Thirteen

 I don't enjoy watching this film, and you might not either, but it's the angstiest, most self obsessed teen film and for that reason it deserves a place on this list. It's basically about two girls who want to grow up overnight and do everything they think adults do (and then some).


5. Wicked

 Hey, life's hard when your a teenager. Who happens to be in love with your father. In the middle of a thriller. Super-young Julia Stiles gives her most interesting performance to date.


4. The Craft

 Wondering what to do when you're a teenager and don't fit in? Don't get mad, get even. Become a sexy, dark teen witch and control your world, of course!


3. Mermaids

A fresh-faced Winona Ryder tries to escape her mother's overbearing sexiness. She wants to become a nun but is also crushing on a cute guy. She's neurotic, daydreaming, and totally angst-ridden.


2. Charlie Bartlett

Charlie is a super rich genius who decides to be a psychiatrist and deals pharmaceutical drugs to the students of a high school based on the psychological symptoms they describe. It's surprisingly funny and smart. Charlie is really likeable, sort of a child and an adult at the same time.


1. Ghost World

Two teenage female leads with character depth: not just teen girls, but also humans. Despite all her flaws, Enid is actually a great role model. Perhaps the best film I've ever seen in terms of giving the message, Hey. We are all just people. We're messed up but we're trying.

African Violet

I finally finished making the set of houseplants from Jeanette Lim's book 'Little Big Felt Universe'. Of the three plants I was the least excited about making the african violet but now that it's done I like the look of the three together. Here's another view:

Now I've started making a doll, for the first time in my life I think. I'll let you know how it turns out!

Goan Carnival

 My friend Susan invited some friends and I to attend a carnival night, organised by the Goan Youth of Arusha. She told us to wear feathers, so I wore this hair accessory which my husband Jouni made for me. I actually wore it not just for the carnival, but for the whole day!

 We were asked to be the judges of the fancy dress contest and had to score everyone out of ten for costume, makeup and dance moves. The carnival king led the possession and gave everyone lollipops!

This was the first Goan occasion I have attended in Arusha and I was surprised by how many people I knew: students from my school who were up late dancing the night away!

I made a felt breakfast!

 I didn't use a pattern, I made up my own. Toast, eggs, and bacon. They were fun and quick to make.

Where am I going next?

This part of my life is driving me crazy, because I don't yet know which country I'm going to next. I've sent out job applications to a few schools and I have not yet heard anything back (well, that's not quite true. I've had one 'Thanks but no thanks'). I'm so impatient.

Normally I feel quite relaxed about where I live, but I don't like feeling as though I'm not in control and I'm tired of waiting. I have heard that in general Asia are a bit scared of Africa and I am wondering if that is why they are hesitant to employ me. I really am a good teacher and I will work hard. I have qualifications and experience. These schools should totally hire me: they won't regret it!