The Adventures Begin!
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| 182/365: rainy day! |
I've added my bucket list and personal achievements list to a tab at the top of the blog so I can log my progress.
This week's piano lesson was good fun. I've started on a new and very simple duet, just for a change and to stop getting bored. I'd forgotten how long it takes to prepare for an exam but I'm still enjoying it and, as we've started trying to sort out how I can record myself, must be near to taking the actual exam.
The second session with Amy (personal trainer) was equally as good as the first one and I've now moved on to working with hand held weights for some of the exercises. I did new exercises with Amy but am repeating the three that I did last time for my two sessions at home, although I can add weights on one of them if I want to. I'm trying to be disciplined and incorporate time for these two sessions at home into my routine, currently trying for Thursday and Sunday mornings.
I'm continuing with the Duolingo App for the Italian but am also sourcing a tutor to improve my attempts at conversation, which is where I think the app doesn't meet my needs. I've discovered that it's currently too expensive to consider one of the local tutors for one-to-one lessons so have decided to use an online tutor, at least for starters. One of the issues has been that it's not easy to find a beginners conversation group. There are a few intermediate level conversation groups so I need to take a different route to bridge that gap and will then hopefully be able to switch to be learning in a group, in person rather than online. I have contacted a native Italian speaker who is offering one-to-one online lessons at a much more affordable price and am waiting to hear back from her. Hopefully it won't be a long wait and I'll be able to get that started fairly soon.
I have also started investigating the possibility of a course. I looked at distance learning A level courses ... when did they get to be so expensive? I was shocked at the cost enough to be doubting that a formal course is the way to go and it's not that I need the qualification for anything other than personal achievement. I did find a guide following a really interesting syllabus so have decided, at least for now, to read in-depth on the topics in the syllabus and complete the guided tasks, then review how it's going after a year. If I find I haven't kept up with the reading I'll know that the genuine interest isn't there and I will have saved myself a considerable amount of money, but if I am keeping up then I can decide whether I want to take the exam route or just carry on as I am. The guide has a reading list so the next step is a visit to the library to see if any of them are available for loan.
Today I am tackling one of the entries on my bucket list. I've booked a place for the 'Ladies That Lunch' meal organised by one of the pubs in Bradford-on-Avon, about three miles away. It's a set two course menu, which I was a bit dubious about but they have taken note of my food allergies so hopefully it will be okay, and they say that they'll make introductions to get the party started so to speak. This is a monthly event so it will be a nice filler for the diary if it works out and also has the potential to make new friends. I'll report back tomorrow!
That's a good idea to have your bucket list as a tab at the top of your blog. What you have started already and plan to do in the future is all very interesting. I look forward to reading about how your Ladies That lunch date goes, how exciting.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping having the bucket list on a tab will make it more visible to me and keep me focused. It feels exciting to be moving out of the planning stage and start working on everything. The Ladies That Lunch was a success and is the subject for tomorrow's post.
DeleteCould you try the Open Uni free courses? xx
ReplyDeleteI've had a look at their free courses and will probably use some but they don't have that much on British history, which is what I want to focus on. xx
DeleteA two course lunch out sounds a very tasty plan - have fun
ReplyDeleteIt was great fun, thanks Sue, and the food was delicious.
DeleteI'm so glad that you have had such a fun day. You seem to be enjoying the adventure. Have you checked out Future Learn. I've been on there a few times, never finished anything (of course) but they have some good free courses and they have some paid courses as well. That may be more manageable than the A Level.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lyssa. Today has been really good and has lifted my spirits. I've just been talking to my sister about it and as we spoke I realised just how much I had enjoyed myself.
DeleteI've looked at the Future Learn but there aren't enough courses covering the periods of British history I am interested in studying. I will make use of some of their courses and the more I've been looking at what's available, I'm getting a clearer idea of what it is I want to achieve with that particular personal achievement ... but that's the subject of another post!
Glad your ladies at lunch turned out enjoyable, your list is very interesting and very do -able,.. good luck.
ReplyDeleteThanks Chris. I feel I've got off to a good start with the lunch. Let's hope the rest goes as just as well!
DeleteSounds like you've had a great start to your adventures and bucket list! One of the things I admire about you is how you decide on something and then act on it! :)
ReplyDeleteYes, it has been a very good start and will be a regular event. In addition I had an email announcing a 3 for the price of 2 offer on the Treasure Trails so I will be choosing those today ... always good to be able to save some money.
DeleteThanks for your kind words although I'm not sure I really deserve them. I always feel, especially lately that I fail to follow up on a lot of my plans and ideas. That's partly the reason I am currently defining personal achievements and have created the bucket list ... to make myself accountable (to myself).