Sweet Tooth

I downloaded an app on my phone which I guess you could call a "sophisticated version of Paint from your PC".

I had a bit of a doodle on it and I didn't come up with a masterpiece but I feel I came up with a style I like; a soft pencil, ombré shading with a messy, thin, black outline. I did try to put a fun, yellow background on it, but let's just say, your traditional pencil and paper wouldn't crash and close down on you every time you made an attempt to...

 

I'll have more of a play around with it and see how I go.

Nothing show-stopping but we've all gotta start somewhere right?

Keep smiling xxx

Mug Mugshot

So, I like mugs.

I have since I bought this little fella earlier this year from the reduced Christmas sales.

Cute right?!

 I may or may not have a virtual mug collection on eBay. Take of that what you will.

So instead of drowning myself in my own mugs, I like to buy mugs as gifts. I don't know if that's my way of justifying buying mugs or if it's become something instilled into me now that I'm a fully fledged tea-drinking teacher; probably not the latter.

But just look at these quirky little things!

So this one I bought for a teacher who taught taught me at sixth form. In the last few weeks of my teacher training, you are given the opportunity to "enrich" yourself. So I thought I'd return to the sixth form and work alongside the teachers who inspired me to go into the field. And might I add, if you ever have the opportunity to work alongside the people who inspired you to do what you do:

It's an invaluable experience and for me, it was just such a nice way to end my own teacher training to work alongside the teachers who taught and inspired me.

Anyways, back to the mug story. So yeah, I bought that mug for him because one, he's a computing teacher if you didn't already figure with the geeky code plastered over it and two, we both worked on a programming solution to a GCSE qualification together so this was like a little nod towards that. Plus, he loves coffee.

Again computing themed, this was bought for another computing teacher who also taught me at sixth form which I then had the opportunity to work alongside. The one that I bought was a blue version of this one. He was incredibly complimentary when I was working alongside him, which I never know how to react when receiving a compliment..."That looks good." "Yes."...*awkward shifty eyes*

Surprise surprise, another computing mug for, you guessed it, another computing teacher who taught me and then I got to work alongside her. This particular teacher has actually taught me when I was in high school as well so it was incredibly lovely to work alongside herself and then let her see me teach also! One of her favourite topics to teach was HTML which is a language that is used to program websites. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a HTML based mug so this I.P. address one just had to suffice. However, the reaction I got when she saw the mug was amazing! She loved it!

My final mug purchase was not for a computing teacher, which you may or may not be pleased to read, but it is for a friend of mine who was also teacher training this year. She was training as a primary school teacher and I can gladly announce, she too is now a fully fledged teacher! So to gift her on surviving the PGCE year, I have bought her this mug. I've yet to give this to her but I'm hoping she'll like it. Throughout this year, we've rang each other something like once a week every week to offload, rant and quite frankly, keep each other sane. This mug particularly fits her because for once in her life she got mega stressed, which is not usually her, hence the Keep Calm and to add to that, the lesson plans that she had to do was insanely, several pages long for each lesson. So that's the little nod to that.

Lo and behold, I too was given a mug as a gift for my teaching adventures and isn't it the cutest!

How coincidentally funny - when I opened this gift, I was smiling so much, one because it's so cute! But two because in my bag, I too had bought them mugs! We were just on the same brainwave. They mean a lot to me because they are the very people who inspired me to go into the teaching career that I'm in, in the subject that I'm in. So these mugs are only a very small token of my appreciation and thanks to them!

I can only hope to be even a fraction of how inspiring they are to me to my own pupils who sit in my classroom!

I Googled Myself.

There comes a point in a person's life, and in my case at midnight when sleep is a thing I should have been doing, where one Google's one self. The internet can be a scary place, but upon doing so, I found out a few things about myself that I never knew!

1. I'm a River in British Columbia, Canada?
   
2.  I am a book written by a South Asian, Canadian writer?
   
3.  I am a Society in Terrace, Canada?
4. I Cat Ski in Northern British Columbia, Canada?

I really don't know about you, but something is drawing me towards Canada...

Snapperoon: Somewhat a Haul of Some Description Something or Other

So I went shopping and...

You're welcome.

Snapperoon: Eid-ul-Fitr Mehndi 2015

Capturing my life in snaps.

So today marks the end of Ramadhan for this year.

To celebrate, we design our hands with mehndi/henna patterns.

From being fed up of having no one to do my mehndi growing up, I taught myself how to.

I'm not exactly mehndi artist of the century, but I can do the odd flower and paisley.

My sister's right hand accompanied with her blue and orange nail polish to match her Eid clothes.
(Apologies for the lighting - I'm clearly not photographer of the century either!)

 My sister's left hand - I like the design of the index finger here so will be making a mental note of that for future mehndi sessions!

This one is cute. Again, still my sister's hand. I like the simplicity of this one and I think the heart looks bolder with it being left empty and designs all around it. My sister's favourite and mine too I think!

And finally, my own hands. I've said this previously, but I really like the way simple designs look as opposed to a full hand of mehndi. I especially like the finger toppers on this one.

Honestly, I'm not too fond of this one. I'm kind of glad this one is in the palm of my hand rather on the outer. I do like it but the surrounding of the outer circle is messy and not a fan.

Despite all the time and effort it took to squeeze all these mehndi patterns out of the tube, what I failed to realise was that the mehndi tube I was using was an old one. And as a general rule of thumb, the older the mehndi, the lighter the stain it leaves. And to no one's surprise, the stain left if practically non-existent! Rookie mistake - I know! But ah well, it's all in good practice!

If you'd like to see my mehndi designs from last year's Eid-ul-Fitr, you can do by clicking this.

Cool. Right. Well, I'm off to enjoy the festivities.

Good day and keep smiling xxx

San Diego Comic Con 2015: I may have squeeled a little...

I'm just going to leave this here...

WATCH TILL THE END!!

Where have I been? Good question.

Hello lovely people!

I may have disappeared somewhat for the past five-ish months but I have returned humbly to my blog. Things got busier, crazier, stressfuller (technical term), and now are beginning to settle.

I have much to tell you.

1. I want you back. Want you back. Want you back for good!

So that is the question, I am back but am I back for good? Well, truth be told, I very much hope so! I feel like I get so busy in the academic year that around this time, is where I recalibrate and make a blogging return. I guess it's the hum of the summer that entices me!

2. I am just under 2 weeks-ish (technical term) from finishing my teacher training!

Yes, I am indeed and will indeed be graduating again this year with a Post Graduate Certificate of Education which in basic terms, I am a teacher. Even more excitingly, I have landed my self a permanent post as an actual full-time teacher! I am a teacher. Now that's something that still hasn't fully dawned onto me yet.

3. I am three episodes in!

Remember I said, or may have said, that I enjoy screenwriting? Well, nearly a year later from starting to write my very own TV series, I am two episodes in. Well finished two, now onto three - which, even I at times question, "It's taken you a whole year just to write only TWO EPISODES?!". And the answer is, "Sure has buttercup!". It's something still very new to me hence my slow but steady pace. Plus, I do like to let my ideas to simmer for a bit before putting pen to paper or rather fingertips to keyboard as it were.

4. Back to YouTube?

I sure hope so! I hope to make a come back on the YouTube-sphere on my own channel Skeena Keep Smiling, where currently two videos sit. All shall be revealed in due course (i.e.) in about a week or two. However, speaking of YouTube, myself along with some friends and colleagues have started another YouTube channel called Crash Bang Computing where we have already and will continue to create and upload videos about Computing in School. So videos about technological tools in the classroom, the Computing curriculum, lesson ideas and tips. Do check it out if it's your jam!

Anywhoozles, we shall converse again soon!

Arrivederci!

Keep smiling xxx

Throwing an Emoji Cushion around a Classroom!

At the end of my teacher training, I started up and run a new YouTube channel with other Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs) dedicated to sharing computing subject knowledge, lesson resources and teaching tips.

Here's my first solo appearance on the channel explaining a fun way to question pupils in the classroom concerning an Emoji cushion and the act of throwing it around the classroom!

Check out our other videos on the YouTube channel: Crash Bang Computing

or follow our progress on Twitter: @CrashBComputing and Facebook: CrashBangComputing

Three Cheers to 2014!

A bittersweet week full of inspiration and reflection.
Three cheers for 2014!

To the Past

If you've read my any of my previous posts, I am training to become a teacher. On Thursday, it was the end of my first school placement that I will do during my training and by golly, I'm going to miss that place! I was only there for over two months but the art of teaching really hit a chord with me. I've always had in the back of my mind that I'd love to be a teacher but this placement has set that in stone. It is one of the most rewarding jobs anyone can have - by no means the easiest, but the most rewarding for sure! I was sad to go but happy to know that I was definitely in the right place doing the right thing. I'm already half way towards becoming fully qualified! Where has the time gone?

"It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge."

Albert Einstein

To the Present

Yesterday was a momentous day, I finished writing the first episode of my something special. I will say no more but even if it doesn't become something that is ever produced, it's something that I have enjoyed writing and enjoyed the company of my own characters. I guess writing is the acceptable adult version of having imaginary friend and playing make believe.

"And as imagination bodies forth
The forms of things unknown, the poet’s pen
Turns them to shapes and gives to airy nothing
A local habitation and a name."

William Shakespeare (from A Midsummer Night's Dream)

To the Future

Today is Christmas Eve Eve - the day before the day before Christmas as it were! We are that much more closer to starting Chapter 2015. This year has been a good one and a grateful one. I graduated from university, I started this blog, I got back into creative writing, I started Youtube, I've met new people, new friends and I've started teaching to name oh but a few! I can only wish that Chapter 2015 holds more adventure in store for me because I'm going to give it all I got. I'm ready for the sad, the bad and the awful and pumped for the happy, good and the awesome!

You may not be in the content place where you'd like to be, but sometimes all it takes is that one little push and that one risk. Concentrate on all the little things in life because they take the biggest part of your heart.

Much love and keep smiling.

I believe in you.

Skeena xxx

P.S. On a final note, I write this post whilst listening to Ludovico Einaudi. You're welcome!

Does education need to change?

As a trainee teacher, the education system will and is becoming one of the focuses in my life. And something that many don't realise unless you're in the business, so to speak, is all the educational politics of the current education system.

For instance, does our current education support creativity or is it becoming more about processing children based on numbers and grades? Sir Ken Robinson, who is an expert around this are particularly, makes a very interesting stand in this direction.

Some may argue that this school of thought is completely radicalised and the current "Victorian Educational System" that some may refer it to, has worked for many upon many years; so why does it need to change now? And quite frankly, this is a fair, strong point. It has worked for many years and many of the most creative, successful minds of today come from this "Victorian Educational System". But I would question, surely as the newer generation of kids come through our schools with generally different norms, values and skill sets, surely a change in education is a step into the right direction?

We all probably know at least 1 toddler who knows their way around a phone, tablet, the new craze of "phablet" as you will, more than what you and I would've have known at their age. At it's the dawn of the tech age which is forever changing into bigger and greater things. We now have children who have never experienced life without technology. Technology that you can play with, interact with and do next to everything you ever need on it almost instantaneously to the extent where a second too slow is a second too long. This leading to low patience and attention span for our children of today. So does the current Victorian Education System need a modern twist?

For example, look at the work place before the Industrial Revolution. We had factories and mills full of workers who did all of our manual labour. But since the introduction of the new technology that took the form of machinery, the work place had to change in order to adhere to the Industrial Revolution. The work place no longer needed workers with manual skill sets such as weaving as we had machines who could do that for use and several speeds faster. So the work place changed just like how I believe the education system should change.

I personally don't think completely uprooting the education system is necessary as there are a lot of good things about our education system but certain changes with the right intentions can surely only benefit the children as their the main consumers of our education system. We have schools for children which can sometimes be hidden amongst labeling children, grades and target levels which is a debate in itself for another rainy day.

The current education works and they say you shouldn't fix what's not broken. But then how do we improve and make the way we do things better, efficient, and worthwhile?

I'm not expecting an overnight miracle of a change but a gradual one where we have the children's best interest at hearts. After all, they will be the one's running the planet in years to come.

She Reads.

What do you think of my second pencil drawing?

She Reads.

I used this photograph I found online below as a starting point.

Of course, all credit to the photographer (whom I couldn't find!).

In my last Shakespeare artwork, I blogged that I wanted to work on my perspective, making my 2D look for 3 dimensional and just generally drawing people. I picked this photograph based on all those things so that I can practice each of them.

What I've learned?

1. If it's closer to you, it's bigger!
   Logically, this makes no sense whatsoever. How can an object be "bigger" depending on where it is if it physically hasn't changed it's state? However, I've found that particularly in this photo, if you keep this unlogical, artistic logic in mind when drawing, you'll find it's bigger on the inside - (nope! Sorry that's Doctor Who!) - you'll find that it makes drawing things in perspective becomes that little bit more easier!
2. Your rubber is not only for mistakes!
   Now, we are taught from the moment we can pick up a pencil that the sole purpose and function of a rubber or eraser if you're from over the pond, is to get rid of any of mistakes you make on your paper. I found that it helped me a lot on the blending side of things when I was shading in the steps - in particular the side of the steps where it's darker nearer the top. Try it - who knew the rubber was so multifunctional!
3. Direction of shading is important!
   Looking at the steps mainly or even the shading on Anon(ymous) the little girl, focusing and establishing which direction you want to shade in helps make your drawing more realistic as we don't live in a horizontal/vertical lined world. The outline of the steps in my drawing are basically just long strips behind the little girl but with differentiating the direction of the shading for each strip, every 3 strips builds up one step - you following me? So for example, for the girls arms, I shaded using curved lines to try and make her arm look more cylinder-esque than rectangular.

Turning my Can't into Cans - not the Tin kind!

So I clearly still struggle with humans - not so much on a social level but more in the 2D world of drawings! I struggled quite a bit on her cute button nose and her right leg. Random, but true. Oh, and not to mention her left hand holding the book! That had to be by far the hardest part of the drawing that I found. Just generally the bottom half of this anonymous little girl had me stumbling over myself.

Having said that though, I'm really happy with how it came out as a piece overall. Yes, it's not a splitting image of the photograph but I'm happy with my attempt. Quite frankly, it came out better than anticipated! I am no means a Van Gogh but it's fun trying!

Pick up a pencil and doodle - you can thank me later!

Take care and keep smiling xxx

BLOG, I'VE MISSED YOU.

It's been a while blog-adile!

I definitely did not anticipate how busy I'd get; even too busy to post once a week! I'm ashamed. It started off only missing one or two and then another one or two was added and well, we both know what happened next.

I'm still busy and can only predict myself getting busier as the academic year progresses. But I still want to blog because I enjoy writing down my thoughts; otherwise they all get clogged up in my brain with a risk of explosion. Fact.

I may not be able to commit once a week but I will try my absolute hardest. I'm trying to manage my time a little better so if I schedule a specific time to dedicate to my blog, theoretically I shall still be able to keep up with it - even if it's not as regularly as I would like.

Update: I'm a teacher?

Just a bit of an update on what I've been getting up to, I've been busy being a baby in the teaching world and getting to grips on what kind of teacher I am. It's incredibly tiring but incredibly rewarding at the end of the day. I'm excited to refine the art of teaching for myself.

Arty Charcoal Pencil Pants

Speaking of art, I observed an Art lesson and the charcoal portraits on the walls just inspired me to spontaneously buy charcoal, a sketchpad and a mouldable rubber. Charcoal did arrive but it wasn't charcoal at all so have ordered another set. So in the meantime I have been experimenting with the simple pencil and I'm loving it. I'm currently working on a little girl drawing, which of course I shall post when I'm finished with it. I was feeling quite Shakespearean this Monday and spent the day drawing his humble abode, the globe and him, which you will be able to find on the Arty Pants page or see it directly by clicking here.

I do YouTube?

And finally, though I've not posted any written posts on my blog for a while, I did post a video of mine; The BBC Sherlock Tag (My Updated Version). I hope to post more Youtube videos because it's so much fun! But we'll both have to wait and see what will become of it! You can subscribe to my Youtube channel here (SkeenaKeepSmiling) so that any new videos I make will appear in your subscription feed.

That's all for me! I hope you've been keeping well since I posted last.

Take care and keep smiling xxx

Shakespearean it up in here!

After observing an art lesson, it inspired me to spontaneously buy charcoal pencils, a sketchpad and a mouldable rubber. The charcoal pencils arrived but were in fact NOT charcoal so whilst I wait for some actual charcoal to arrive in the post,  I decided to go back to basics with ye trusty ol' pencil et voila!

His Humble Abode, The Globe and Him. 

Getting to "Et Voila!"

I was feeling particularly Shakespearean,

so opted to first start off his his humble abode. I found this photo below online and as it's been somewhat over 5 years since I've actually drawn something, I thought that a house that was so geometrically pleasing to the eye would be a good start.

I then was left with a massive space in the bottom right corner of my page and what better to fill it with, but The Globe itself. I love how this photo displays the Globes circular nature with it's open top, thatched roof.

 

And finally, how could I draw a tribute to Shakespeare without including the Bard of Avon himself! The longer I stared at this portrait whilst drawing him, the more his eyes in the portrait felt alive staring right at me. Quite freaky but with a Mona Lisa-esque stare - his eyes will follow you whichever angle you make look at it! 

And there you have it!

Although initially I was going to leave it at that, I wanted to add a little colour into my drawing. I knew I definitely didn't want to colour in my drawing as such so I had the idea to write in and around my drawings in coloured pens. I thought it would be a nice little extra to have my scrawly scribbles surrounding Shakespeare as we all know him for his own scribbles in the form of his poems and plays.

Outside the Globe (the pink and green writing) reads who Shakespeare was - William Shakespeare, the playwright, the poet, the Bard. Inside the Globe (the blue and orange) are a selection of his plays - Macbeth, Midsummer night's Dream, Richard III, Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing, Henry VIII, Romeo and Juliet, Tempest, King John, Anthony and Cleopatra, Twelfth Night, Julius Caesar and Othello. 

Alas! Poor yorick! What would you improve?

I think with whatever you produce, it is always important to reassess and evaluate your work so that you can better yourself and go that one step further in refining your skill. So though I do like the outcome of this piece, there are a few things that I would like to work on.

One of the things I'd like to work on is bringing the 2D to life into 3D. I did try and attempt a bit of shading in this drawing which is a start. To help with this, I also need to look at perspective and how different elements of a drawing relates to other elements.

Out of the whole piece, I struggled the most with Shakespeare's nose. People and their features were always something I could never get right; noses, ears, lips, hands. But with practice, I hope these will become more comfortable to draw.

I've started to work on my second piece of a little girl and her reading book. I will be trying to work on my shading and drawing features and we shall see what the outcome is once I finish!

Thanks for reading!

Take care, keep it Shakespearean and keep smiling xx

SeptCharity - The Ice Bucket Challenge for MND Association

The Ice Bucket Challenge had me stumbling all over my words but I DID IT! 

I decided to monotise this video on 14th September and donate all the money made from its AdSense to the MND Association in exactly a year; 14th September 2015.

I have also set up a donation page for those who would like to go the extra mile and donate to the cause: Donate to MND Association. (The MND Association is the UK based charity of the ALS Association which is the USA based one.)

My hope is that I can make more charity videos in the months to come so stay tuned!

Keep smiling and together we have and will make a difference xxx

Decisions, Decisions and Many Laughs Later

A-level Dooms Day

So those of the age of 16-19 years old, all received their A-level results this week. Man, time flies! I remember the day I got my A-Level results so vividly. Excuse the cheese, but I remember it like it was yesterday! How I'm now a graduate going on postgraduate, just like that, I will never know. Time always feels so slow in the present but so fast in the past. Time works in mysterious ways.

Yes, I was the crier. I cried upon reading my A-level results. It was a make or break moment. Would I get into my first choice university or not? To be or not to be was most definitely the question no doubt. And to be 'twas!

I have never been so nervous for results before that. It was the most scariest thing just waiting to see where fate lives. I remember, I watched the sun set and rise. The one and only time I have ever done an all nighter. I was just so nervous, sleep was no concern of mine. The results would be online at half 8am before being able to collect them from sixth form. So naturally, I jumped on at 8am with my turtle of a PC. For 2 hours and a half straight, I sat at the computer desk watching it freeze and unfreeze before me constantly. Time stood still. Time, now, to collect results from the sixth form. And there stood 3 letters that confirmed my first choice university. I cried. Who wouldn't?

Robin Williams; You Are Billiant.

Sometimes, the happiest people who make us laugh, are the saddest of people who cry inside.

Nobody would have been able to predict this sadness. I found out through twitter and did not believe a word. My first instinct was telling me it was a rumor. I mean, it had to be right? But as the tweets became flooding onto my timeline, it was hard to ignore and as respected news articles were being circulated, it was clear - Robin Williams, Rest In Peace.

As a 90s kid, Robin Williams was literally my childhood. From Hook, to Aladdin, to Toys, to Mrs. Doubtfire, to Jumanji, to Flubber, to Patch Adams, to Night at the Museum - great talent.

Williams' publicist had announced that Williams was "battling severe depression". And his death has shown us the harsh reality of what depression can do to even someone of Williams' nature. It's a serious condition that sometimes can be shrugged off but just being sad is a major understatement. It goes way deeper than that, and the more we speak about it, the more
 

Stop War, Hug More, Cats Galore!

World War One Centenary

The beginning of this week marked 100 years since World War One. A few weeks ago, I blogged about my sister performing in a choir commemorating the centenary of World War One and the beginning of this week was the day that the world stood still to remember.

 From 10pm to 11pm on Monday, people in the UK turned off all their lights but one to remember the 17 million of the fallen during World War One.

(BBC One News coverage)

A very beautiful gesture that the Trafford Centre organised in salutation was the Million Poppy Cascade. This is where they let poppies fall to symbolise those who fell during the World War.

It's times like this when you begin to reflect upon the world you live in and are a part of. These soldiers and civilians put their own lives on the line for a better world for the future. Can we even start to imagine the bravery? It makes you think, would you do the same?

Are you someone who would sacrifice your own needs for another? And when I ask these questions, I don't only mean would you go to war to stand for something you believe in but also for the smaller things in life. Like when you see someone's car has broken down on the road, do you stop and help? Or when someone is teasing somebody else in a way that makes them uncomfortable, are you the type of person who would step in? Or when you see someone pickpocket someone but they are still unaware of it, would you try and stop them?

I'm no saint and I put my hands up, there have been times where I've stand and just watched things unravel. I guess it's the fear that you don't want to get involved that wins over the desire to help. But in a world where war and violence still exists strongly, not lending a small helping hand in everyday life seems petty in comparison.

There's a saying by Albert Einstein, "Be a voice, not an Echo.".

Make a stand in one what you believe in, even if you are the only one but I think that being an echo is still just as powerful. By being the echo, you constantly repeat what you preach, like how nothing should stop us from standing up for what we believe in; like how nothing should stop us from offering a helping hand.

If you were in their situation and asked for help, surely you'd hope that you would be someone who would.

 

WORLD CAT DAY.

Need I saw more? Pretty sure this was invented so that the cat's can regain their Ancient Egyption power but hey, you don't need to give me an excuse to post pictures of cats! To celebrate World Cat Day, I thought we'd celebrate the glorious internet cats we know and love.

Pusheen the Cat

Waffles the Cat

Grumpy Cat

Nyan Cat

Chemistry Cat

All dem internet catz!!!!!
(by Richard Swarbrick)

Mew Mew Mew-miaow! xxx

Snapperoon: Eid-ul-Fitr Mehndi 2014

Capturing my life in snaps. 

I am by no means a henna/mehndi artiste professional but I do try!

This is all from years of practice as growing up, I had nobody else to do my own mehndi but myself.

My little sister's mehndi with her red and gold polish to match her Eid clothes.

 My mum hardly ever wants to get her mehndi done and the one occasion that she allows me to, the mehndi tube clogs up half way through hence the small design!

And finally, my own hand.
I'm quite fond of the one-sided style.

 I think the simpler the design, the more pleasing it is to the eye.

This is my attempt of following a design I found on t'internet.

Eid, Commonwealth Mubarak & it'Scott to be his Birthday!

Eid Mubarak

The beginning of this week marked Eid-ul-Fitr which is a celebratory day at the end of the month of fasting; Ramadan. It's a day full of food, prayer, family (not necessarily in that order!) and most importantly gratitude.

The day usually starts of with Eid prayer at the mosque. If not already paid prior to Eid, Fitrana (also known as Zakat-ul-Fitr) is paid. This is a certain amount of money paid per person per household to the mosque. The amount can vary as it is based on how much 2.5kg of wheat costs. For example, a few years ago it was £2.50 and this year it's £5 per person.

The Fitrana money is then given and used by less fortunate Muslims to pay for any needs they may have for Eid. As Eid is a day of celebration for all Muslims, irrespective of wealth, therefore it is our duty to help others to celebrate it with us. For example, the money could help pay for a filling, Eid meal for a family or buy new clothes for them to wear.

After Eid prayers, the family gathers together to eat a banquet of food! And funnily enough, it's easy to think that now you can eat during the day that someone will have to pin you down to stop, but often you fill up quite quickly as your body is still used to the month of fasting.

Though physical presents can be given, money is often gifted from the elderly to the young (Eidi).So if you're a young'un with A LOT of elder relatives, be ready to collect millions as you run to the corner shop to buy yourself some millions!

As with anything, the novelty of Eid may start to rub off as you get older but either way, it's such a meaningful day where family come together, eat food and be merry!

Commonwealth Games

The Commonwealth Games in Glasgow ended this week. It just flew by! To be honest, I don't feel like I was even given enough time to breathe it all in and it's already ended.

What I do know though, is that England aren't all that bad at sport! ;)

(Taken from the official Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games website)

Hats off to the artist of this comic!

 

(Sorry, not sorry!)

The Andrew Scott Birthday Project

Last but most definitely not least, my friend who runs @andrwscttonline on Twitter launched the Andrew Scott Birthday project today.

Similar to what they did last year, Scotties are collectively making a birthday video to wish Andrew a Happy Birthday (which, might I add, he replied to in his own little video!).

Furthermore, similar to what was done for the Batch's Birthday, fans are raising money by donating to a charity. The charity for the Scott Project is Shaped Arts who supports the disabled within the arts and cultures sector. You can get involved and donate here.

Last time @andrwscttonline did a gift donation for Scott, it was earlier this year for Montage Theatre Arts who provide performing arts support for low-income families within their community. It managed to raise just over £700 and Andrew himself said that he would donate the matched amount from his fans to the charity which meant double the donation which is awesome!

Coincidentally, his birthday (October 21st) falls on the same date as my long-term, friend since childhood, friend of all friends' birthday! This is the friend who insisted I watched Sherlock last year just before Series 3 was announced hence introducing me to Andrew Scott! Been a fan ever since!

To get more information and get involved: Andrew Scott Birthday Project

That's all le updates from me for the week!
(Sometimes I think I'm French...I'm really not!)

Garder le Sourire xxx
(..totally didn't just Google Translate that...maybe...)