It is my last full month overseas! What?

I started the month in the wake of the half term break. I was spending every spare moment organising university applications and auditions. The first weekend I had an inspirational lesson with Brigitte then on Sunday I went to see the Lion King. Wow. What a spectacle.

Monday night I popped over to Ronnie Scotts to see Brigitte singing. It was a pretty sweet show. Also, I met some cool musicians and some cool Italians, but I had to cut the night short because of a 7:30 start the next morning, our last rehearsal before the Autumn Concert! The Autumn Concert was on Wednesday at St. Johns, Smith Square. I spent the day with Charlotte and Dan setting up, running rehearsals and just managing the general chaos. At the concert, my year 7 choir, Voices, did me very proud singing Heyo and Song for a Russian Child; I lead Chorale, the year 8 and 9 choir who sang Zamina; Close Harmony, my senior girls ensemble sang an African medley (Shosholoza, Siyahumba and Sing Gen Gen) and All The Wild Wonders; I played in the Wind Band; and I sang in the Senior Choir. It was a massive night, finished in the pub down the road with all the Music staff. What a night! On the Thursday afternoon I had my VCA audition and rehearsals on Friday to end a busy week. 

That weekend, I went off to Cambridge to visit Susannah and Kiki. Woo. I had coffee with Susannah then met up with Kiki to see Kings College Choir and then we went for dinner. Afterwards she introduced me to all her way cool Cambridge friends. Sunday was BRUNCH DAY! Woo! After brunch we went for a walk around the town, saw Trinity Hall, Jesus and lots of other Colleges before going for a little shop and looking around the markets. In the afternoon we met up with the Selwyn crew and had afternoon tea which was super nice. That night, Kiki sang to me at Clare College Evensong, it was beautiful, followed by a yummy meal with the other Clare Colleg-ites.

Monday brought me another audition. This time for Melbourne. On Thursday I was joined by the Close Harmony girls n Bond Street to sing carols for the Great Ormond Street Charity. We raised over 100 pounds! Afterwards, Dan took Charlotte and I out to Gordon Ramsay's Claridges for martinis. Talk about classy!

That weekend I had a nice relax. On Sunday I went for a wander in town and through Hand Made and Bound market which was very cool. Then I went to the Barbican to see Hermeto Pascoal with Brigitte. MOST AMAZING SHOW I HAVE SEEN! It was so cool. He played the teapot, the bass flute, the keyboard... and every solo was greeted with a portuguese exclamation.

I spent the next week psyching myself up for the weekend. On Friday night I met up with Lisa and Kendra! Woo! We went out for curry on Brick Lane - Starter, main, naan, rice and drinks all for 10! Bargain!

Saturday we went to Portobello Markets which was a lot of fun perusing the clothes, makeup, food, antiques. Then we went into town to see CHICAGO starring AMERICA FERRARO. To be honest it was a bit of a let down. Poor singing, weak dancing, boring set. After that, I headed home for an early night while Lisa and Kendra went to catch up with a friend.

Sunday morning was a big sleep in (Lisa and Kendra didn't get home until 3:30am!) before heading over to Greenwich for my singing exam. Aah! But it all went smoothly. After that I met up with the girls (who had been at Camden Market) and we went to the Greenwich Meridian before going for High Tea at the cutest little cafe called Royal Tea! 

That evening, we just lurked facebook and packed before the girls early morning departure (4:30am, ergh). And that brought the end of the month!

We are on the final count down now! only 17 more working days to go!

Thirty days has September, April, June...

The month began in a most sublime way, on the shores of the Mediterranean in Italy. Once I hit London's shores again, I spent a few days getting into the swing of school again, with a smattering of touristic adventures. 

Wednesday night, on a tummy full of delicious Chinese, we went to the Queens theatre for Les Miserables. Wow. Wow. Wow. The singing, the acting, the music, the sets... It was just divine. Mum came out crying because it was just so magical. The rest of the week was quiet, saving up my energy for the weekend. Friday night Mum, Tessa and I had a little birthday celebration in the flat. Mum cooked some lip smacking San Choy Bao which we finished off with a big slab of mud cake.

Saturday morning I spent psyching myself up for a happy happy birthday of nudity, bike rides and parties. At 12 o'clock I set off on my bike to Hyde Park for the World Naked Bike Ride. After watching the Queens Birthday march and fly by, I introduced myself to Molly, Luke and Zoe, and we had a little picnic on the grass. The hour of 3 o'clock drew nearer when we received the call to the Secret Garden. We soon stripped off and got our Picasso on, painting ourselves and each other. Once we were all done, we set off again to the rendezvous point, along with over 1000 other naked bicycle enthusiasts. Then we were off. The route was about 6miles all up, going through Piccadilly, Westminster, Waterloo, St. Paul's... We definitely made a statement. That evening, I made my way back home and got all spruced up for a night on the town. Robbie came and picked me up and we went to a cute Italian restaurant in St. Johns Wood, the cannelloni was scrumptious. Next stop, the Purple Turtle, Camden. Robbie and I met up with Tessa and had a wild night, dancing the night away to 90s hits, and downing too many Jägermeister shots until 3am. Sunday was spent recuperating, surfing the net, lurking, making decisions about my future... I know I did something else, but I can't remember at the moment. My first shots. Jagermeister.

Monday started another working week dotted with rehearsals, concerts and trips before the weekend. Saturday was spent moseying around the Royal Academy. I listened to some amazing brass music, then had a look around the museum. Next stop was the Wellcome Collection. Sunday, Jungle Book. It was the day for setting up and technical rehearsals... So much Jungle Book.

Another week of rehearsals and concerts, which was finished by tea with Helen and mum in a cute cafe near home.

On Saturday I introduced mum to the wonders of Portobello Rd Market. We immersed ourself in possibly my favourite part of London for a few hours, had some Ghanian and Spanish for lunch before going on a bit of a spending spree. I came away the proud owner of many many scarves, a pair of pants and a 1940a vintage Liberty cape - it is DIVINE. After that we headed to Oxford St. to do some shoe shopping before walking to the Adelphi on the Strand. We got some Japanese for dinner before going to see Love Never Dies. It was pretty impressive, the end was a bit of a let down though. The hagen-daas at interval made up for that though : ) Sunday Mum, Susan (a friend from the hostel) and I made the most of the good weather and went for a walk through Primrose Hill and Regents park. The Queen Mary rose garden was really something! All those roses in the summer were stunning. We parted at 12 as I headed off to Chiswick to go to my free Mandarin trial class. My brain basically melted, but at least I know now that it is achievable if the need arises to learn Mandarin : ) I met up with mum again in the afternoon before heading over to Southwark for Compline in the evening. We sang some awesome music (i'll edit this and let you know when I find the composers) Then just a early night in.

The last week of June arrived unexpectedly, where has the month gone? But I made sure it went out with a bang. Monday was spent lounging around Hampstead Heath on the year 8 Bushskills excursion. What ana amazing day. We learnt all about making fire, making spears, making shelters, foraging and orienteering, topped off by an ice-cream in the summer sun. Mum and I went out for a goodbye dinner on Monday night, to Dans Le Noir? Pretty much the most amazing dining experience I have ever had. The restaurant is staffed by blind people, and you eat in pitch black darkness, as in you can't even see your hand when you hold it in front of your face. But that is only half the fun, you don'y actually know what you are eating, so you have to guess! Just wow.

Tuesday morning I was up early to say goodbye to mum before another day at work finished off with a Merbecke rehearsal. Wednesday evening was a Teatime concert. Close Harmony sang Siyahamb' and Zamina and were definitely the stars of the show : ) After that me, Tessa and Maddy were treated to Curry on Brick Lane with the Kays. It was sooo delicious and it was really nice meeting Helen's daughter Hannah, she was great : ) Thursday, the last day of the month was nothing special, except for the fact that all the teaching staff were on strike, so I played rounders (weird English version of softball) all day at the ground with the girls and packed for my Duke of Ed expedition which leaves tomorrow!

All in all, a pretty eventful month, but the big countdown to summer is on now! Woo!

Just some Pina Coladas before dinner...

No other month ends on the same day of the week as May

Ok. First day of the month was a beautiful spring Sunday. I began by riding east, to Colombia Road Markets<http:></http:>. I was caught up in the hustle and bustle of the flower stalls, my senses assaulted by the scents and sights. I involved myself with the Unlikeness project <www.unlikeness.org>, deciding I liked the image and taking it with me. After lunch in a cute Italian cafe, I went on to Brick Lane Markets<http:></http:>, the home of Indie, in London's indie center, Shoreditch. It was seeew indie. Monday was a bank holiday (thank you Will and Kate) which I spent relaxing after the Royal Wedding excitement. In the evening, I treated myself to a showing of Hamlet at the Globe, standing in the yard. It truly was world class. </www.unlikeness.org>

The next weekend was in Finland, which I have already indulged you with.

I was lucky enough on the 11th to accompany year 8 on an excursion to Kew Gardens. It is an awesome place. I saw trees which were centuries old, a vine planted in 1716, a Wollemi pine, some breathtaking avenues of acacias... All in a days work really.

That weekend started with a lovely, long yoga class, working out the week. Saturday night was spent babysitting. Making some extra dosh. Sunday began with a breezy bike ride across Hyde Park to the Royal College of Music where they were playing all of Bach's Violin Sonatas and Cello Suites, and Pagannini's Caprices all day, for free! It absolutely blew my mind. 

A highlight of the next week was the Visiting Music Teacher's(VMTs) of SHHS concert. I was helping organise and run the concert which took place at the beautiful St. John's, Downshire Hill, featuring the private music tutors who played some amazing music, from Schubert Piano Trios (MY FAVOURITE) to Rod's own Jazz guitar works. All up, we raised over £1200 for Cancer Research! Not a bad effort. On the Friday night, once dark had set in, Tessa and I made our way up to the Hampstead Observatory. They were open especially on this weekend to see Saturn. It was amazing! The rings were so clear. I almost thought they had got a sticky glow in the dark Saturn and just stuck it on the end of the tube or something! It definitely made me feel insignificant.

Saturday morning, Mum arrived in London! I made the journey to Heathrow to meet her. When we got back to my neck of the woods, I gave her a little tour around Swiss Cottage and Hampstead. After that, some Chinese chow and then bed. On Sunday I introduced mum to the wonders of Camden Market. We spent the morning perusing the stalls and then enjoyed a DELISH market lunch (Indian and Mexican) before continuing on to Oxford St for some more shopping. That evening was Compline, so mum was treated to a little Merbecke glory : )

On the Wednesday, mum and I went on a tour to Windsor Castle, Bath and Stonehenge. Windsor Castle was amazing. The history contained within those walls is incredible. We saw the tombs of King Henry VIII, and the Queen Mother amongst others. We also saw the state apartments, which definitely live up to their reputation. Next stop was Stonehenge. I am not sure if it was bigger or smaller than I imagined. Mum and I came to the conclusion that it was bigger than we thought it was going to be (as in the size of the rocks) but they were closer together than we expected (so it was smaller in area). Our last destination was Bath. We first saw the Roman baths and museum before heading off to explore a little bit, ending up and wagamama for some noodley goodness. Then it was the bus home to London!

Half term break started on that Friday, which was our cue to head off to Malta! But that tale is for another time.

Basically I have been here for 5 months now. Holy Guacamole! But it is simply fantastic. I miss you all dearly, so please drop me a line when you get the chance!

Spring into Spring

April april april, where did you go? 

I marked the beginning of Spring with a visit to the Borough Markets. I made my way there via the John Soane museum, an amazing miscellany of artefacts collected from all over the world. <http:></http:> Next door, at St. Lincoln-Inns-Fields I listened to a saxophone quintet rehearsing before continuing on my way to the Markets<http:></http:>. The smells, sights and tastes were just overwhelming! Every kind of cheese, mean, jam, chutney, bread, cake, pastry, chocolate, fruit, vegetable... endless! Once my senses had recovered from this initial assault, I had some lunch next to Southwark Cathedral. Next I crossed back over the THames and had a look at the Guildhall's Clock Museum<http:>before Evensong at St. Pauls.<http:></http:> The boys voices took my breath away. It was mesmerising, especially underneath the Cathedral's beautiful domes, I was in another world. Sunday was pretty relaxing before dinner with the visiting Duncan McArthur and then Ronnie Scotts, which I must say, was very very cool.<http:></http:></http:>

Then began the final week of term. Monday was the day of the annual SHHS Spring concert. After an intensive day rehearsing and making last minute tweaks, we put on a fantastic show. Close Harmony was a massive success singing Fragile and Java Jive. The Headmistress even submitted a special request for us to sing at the final assembly! Wednesday was the BIAAG charity walk.<http:> The staff departed at 8:30am to walk from Hampstead to Westminster. My station was on Carlton Terrace, instructing the girls to their next checkpoint. The walk ended at Westminster, next to the Houses of Parliament. After a lunch in the sun, we scored a free tour of the Houses of Parliament from an old SHHS girl, which was awesome.<http:></http:> After listening to the proceedings for a while, I went to a pub on the Thames with the staff for a catch up in the sun. The perfect way to finish the day. Thursday's final assembly performance went swimmingly, and the day was relatively easy, just tying up ends before the break commenced.</http:>

Friday, first day of the holidays was celebrated with a ride along Regents Canal which took me to the English Homes Museum and then on to Spitalfields Market,<http:></http:> returning home via the blooming squares of the city.

Saturday began with the Chocolate Festival over on the Southbank.<http:></http:>After surveying the stalls, I watched some cooking demonstrations and ate lots and lots of free samples and cookies, before meeting up with Robbie. We rode up to Camden to catch some Jazz <http:></http:> before heading home. Sunday started with a walk through Regents Park, then down to Hyde Park via the Sherlock Holmes Museum<http:></http:> and Selfridges. We stopped at Speakers Corner<http:></http:> and argued with people professing Evangelism, Meninism and all sorts of doctrines before having lunch in the park. Next stop was the Science Museum<http:></http:> before heading home again. The next day was my plane to Amsterdam, which I have already told you all about...

Sunday, my first day back, was spent recovering from my trip and doing loads and loads of washing. Monday I met up with the lovely Laura Begbie and her travel companion in Covent Garden before she treated me to the Ballet in the Royal Opera House.<http:></http:> Wow. wow. wow. I don't know how I haven't seen a ballet before?! It was Cinderella, music by Prokofiev. Tuesday, the last day of the holidays, was spend riding around the city, seeing Liberty<http:></http:> and some other shops.

Thursday afternoon I collected all our gear and headed to Buckingham Palace.<http:></http:> I set up our campsite and waited for Tessa to arrive from rounders and the night of epic proportions began. We introduced ourselves to the campers around us, Americans, Englishmen, Canadians, Phillipinos... Then the media frenzy began./ FIrst was a Spanish news, then the BBC and NBC wandered past, then SUNRISE! I jumped around like a lunatic with my Aussie flag yelling hellos to mum and home. Then I bumped into some fellow Australians who accompanied me to Kochie and Mel's hub, where we continued our cheers : ) My throat was starting to get hoarse, so I headed back to our camp spot to lay on the concrete for a few hours.  Over the night more and more well wishers arrived, and it became harder and harder to hold our ground. As the sun rose, Emma Alberichi from the ABC come over and had an interview with me, for TV and for Radio. Woo! <http:> And then Monique from 7 News came over and had a chat too. The festivities began around 9am when the police, soldiers and guards began entering and exiting the Spur. Then the dignitaries began to leave for the Abbey, which included the Queen and then Kate MIddleton herself. At 11 the serviece began, which was broadcast over big loudspeakers. It was beautiful and so so so exciting to hear William and Kate utter the words "i will" to each other. The Rutter, sang by the choir was equally as emotive. Jsut wow. Then the wedding party returned to the palace in their carriages, surrounded by knights in shining armour on their noble steeds, before making their way up to the balcony for the much anticipated kiss. Talk about a buzz!!! The celebrations ended with the fly over and then the crowds began to exit, which was a spectacle in itself. The afternoon was spent with Laura over tea comparing photos from the morning before an early night.</http:>

Saturday I met up with Laura again at Portobello Road, we had a good look around before I grabbed a divine filo pastry for lunch. Then the shopping got serious. I purchased a CD by the Robbie Boyd Band<http:></http:>, some lovely scarves, sunglasses and a beautiful vintage backpack. Yay. I rode home along the canal, passing through little venice, where some Saturday markets were on. All in all, a lovely day.

Sunday, the last day of the month began with some serious skyping sessions, catching up on all the royal gossip back home. Then I headed off across the city to Columbia Road Flower Market.<http:></http:> After perusing the blooms, and relishing the aroma's I bumped into a man collecting images for his Photography Project - Unlikeness <http:></http:> He took a photo, if I liked I got to keep it, which I did. That was exciting. Walking down the road, a girl on a bike comes up to me and asks 'Are you Alex?" Turns our it was Elenor, a girl who I used to sing with in Port Macquarie. Talk about a small world. After lunch in the cutest little Italian cafe, I continued on to Brick Lane Market<http:></http:>, pretty much the definition of Indie. I spent a few hours immersed in a world of vintage clothes, rayban sunglasses, homemade jewellery, vinyls, and exotic hair styles I made my way home for an early night.

Month 4 went very very smoothly, and the count down to summer holidays has already begun!

Three months and going strong

Three months have passed already! I am a quarter of the way through my time here. Ok. So, here is a little summary of the month of March to give you an idea of the mischief I have been getting up to : ) I'm Falling!

The month started with an amazing concert by the LSO playing Shostakovich and Mahler's 9th. Just wow. I have never experienced a silence so electric. That weekend I went to see Robbie in Essex. It was really nice to see a familiar face. I got the grand tour of Brentwood and I was introduced to the wonders of the Litten Tree. I also played basketball on Sunday.

The highlights of the next week were the Wihan Quartet on Monday. The Czechs were classic, and inspiring. On Wednesday I went on a Maths excursion with year 10 which was surprisingly interesting. It actually made me miss maths a little! But only a little.

That weekend was another with my big tourist hat on. First stop, 221B Baker St - Sherlock Holmes Museum. Next was Tate Britain. An amazing collection. Passing 10 Downing St, I made my way to Dover St market and held a 7000 pound dress! On my way home I stumbled upon the Wallace collection. Which was just beautiful. A collection of 17th-19th century french and dutch arts and artefacts. Sunday was St. Patricks Day. After basketball Tessa and I headed in to see the celebrations at Trafalgar Square.

The next week started with a trip to the Royal College of Music to see a free Brahms recital which was beautiful. Tuesday was Merbecke as per usual and the rest of the week was just a normal working week. Friday afternoon I went to the Freud Museum (conveniently located around the corner) before Robbie dropped by for dinner which was fun.

Saturday was a big riding day. I started off at Portobello, buying a polaroid for Ruthicles. Then I explored Notting Hill and Kensington. I looked around Holland Park, Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, stumbling upon lots of angry protesters outside the Bahrain embassy. Then I dropped by the Natural History Museum. Sunday didn't start until the afternoon. I went to Westminster Cathedral for Vespers before heading over the the Southbank to meet up with the girls to watch the world Free Running Championships.

The next week started with a bang. Monday was Bex's birthday so all the girls headed out to the Rosslyn Arms pub for a fun night out. Tuesday was my first babysitting gig with Eva. Wednesday I went to the BBC studio's to see Happiness HQ which proved to be very very entertaining. Friday was a break from normal routine, with the year 7 excursion to Tate Modern and St. Pauls. Aside from the girls incessant chat, giggling and whinging.

The weekend that was supposed to be relaxing ended up full of things. Saturday had a promising start, but as soon as I stepped out of the door, all hope of relaxing disappeared. I was making my way to Putney Bridge to watch the Universiry Boat race. I went via Selfridges, where I bought a Frankie; Hyde Park, where I encountered the biggest protest this decade in London - 500 000 people!; and Harrods. After the boat race, won by Cambridge, I went to Southwark for perform in the Lent concert. It was a great night. Sunday was more what I had in mind. It involved me laying in the sun and reading for most of the day. In the afternoon I strolled down to Camden Arts Center and then I went to Evensong at Hampstead Parish before coming home for an early night.

The last week of the month started with a lovely catch up with Annie who was visiting London for her April Holidays. Other than babysitting on Wednesday night, it was a very work-orientated week, making final preparations for the Spring Concert and end of term. I also did my audition for Dartington! Eek!

Over this month the weather has been steadily improving. The days are getting longer and longer. Daylight savings started too which has made it even more noticeable. Also, all the spring blooms are emerging. The gardens and parks are just blissful.Frolicking in the flowers London is transforming as the winter chill fades into memories and the suns starts to shine through : ) It has been really interesting experiencing a REAL spring. When I lived in the Riverina in Australia, there was a little bit of a Spring vibe, but this really is something else. Jonquils popping up EVERYWHERE, daisys, wild flowers, the joy is infectious : )

All in all, another good month. I have covered most of the major sights now, so I am starting to stumble upon London's smaller, obscured and quirky treasures. I am also really getting to know a lot of the girls at school a lot better. They are a pretty cool bunch : ) 

And so the adventure continues...

February. I have pretty much settled in now. Found my routine(ish), met most of the faces at school and began to cover my bedroom walls with photos, posters, cutouts and the like. Now I will cast my mind over the past month and pick out some highlights for you to envy over : P

I have Monday afternoons off, so I made use of my first one and walked to Highgate Cemetery <http:></http:> home to George Eliot, Christina Rossetti and Karl Marx... But it was closed when I got there. So I wandered through Waterlow park and back through the Heath, seeing the most beautiful sunset from Parliament Hill. I then walked home via Keats House <http:></http:>

During another busy week of SHHS choirs, orchestra's, bands, and basketball teams I went to the Royal Academy of Music <http:></http:> And saw the most amazing, FREE, concert of 2nd and 4th year jazz students with Julian Segal and Oran Marshall. Pretty much changed my life.

On Saturday I went to a Travel Expo at Earls Court with one of the substitute teachers from school to get some inspiration for my holiday travel. Once I was expo-ed out, I walked through Kensington, passing lots of Watangi Day festivities, making my way to the Victoria and Albert museum. There I met Aude, a French Au Pare. We had a look around the exhibitions together which was nice and swapped deets at the end.

Beautiful lanternsSunday was Chinese New Year! The festivities started at 12, so en route to China Town I stopped at the Wellcome Collection and saw an eye opening exhibition on the history of drugs in Western Society. The day was full of presentations, parades, performances, fire crackers, lanterns and street food. And it was SO busy, but a lot of fun.

The school week started again with a Chamber Music concert in one of the local churches. I also found time during the week to have a look around the next suburb across, Kilburn and Willisden Green which was cool. The whole of this city is just dotted with amazing parks, architecture and things. Its wonderful. Tuesday night I decided to go along to a Merbecke Choir <http:></http:> rehearsal (Because no one had replied to my e-mails) and ended up singing along and having an amazing time which resulted in a new recruitment : D Yipee. It also ended in the pub (as is the natural progression in this part of the world) and I met this AMAZING bunch of people : ) Oh and I also picked up my bike this week. Yay!Portobello Road

Saturday I went to PORTOBELLO MARKET, taking my bike on her maiden voyage. My new found love. <http:></http:> I spent all day wandering through the stalls. There is absolutely everything. Vintage clothes, antiques, jewellery, watches, cameras, collectables, shoes, furniture, bicycles, food, produce... just all things lovely, glorious, inspirational and wonderful. Just wow. I also met the most charming man, Leonardo, who owned a little stall and has been a seller for over 50 years. We are basically BFFL's now : )

Sunday I left for Scotland, which I have written about already... So I'm going to skip ahead.

Saturday (after I got back) was Brett Dean Day at Wigmore Hall, and the lovely Kiki lined up a free ticket for me, so on Saturday night I headed into town and we met up. Yay! We went out to some coffee and cake for a good catch up before watching the most amazing chamber music concert I have ever seen. Just magical <http:> Afterwards we went out for some Italian. Yum.</http:>

Sunday I headed east to Islington and went to Candid Arts Gallery to look at an exhibition. After that I rode to the Museum of London which is a fantastic museum. It was absolutely packed with Half-term kids which was a bit of a bummer, but it was still good. It takes you all the way from prehistoric London to modern day values and attitudes of Londoners. An amazing insight!

Then it was time for school to recommence. Busy busy busy. I went to Choir again on Tuesday, which picked up my spirits (even though I got lost on my way there). Wednesday I had the oportunity to go to an open rehearsal of the Berlin Philharmonic conducted by Simon Rattle! Talk about WOW. Best quote from one of the students - "This is what heaven would sound like". Cuuuute.

The rest of the week was quiet. Just spending my spare time in the library or on the internet planning some more holidays. It is so exciting. I think I am still recovering from my Scottish trip. Plus I have the most persistent cold in the world. 7 weeks and still going strong!

Now for another jam packed weekend before month 3 begins! Who knows where I will end up today!

I feel like I have been getting a pretty good grasp of this city now. I don't even have to agonise over the money at the checkout anymore, definitely a sign that I am finding my feet.