Rosie Scribble

A hint of mild panic

This evening we have a little talk about stress and the importance of remaining calm.

It’s been a sensible, insightful discussion between the two of us and valuable lessons have been learnt:

• On why it’s important not to panic and to remain focused
• On the benefits of making a list and tackling each item one at a time
• On the benefits of switching off the television and focusing on the task in hand
• On not trying to do everything at once
• On not logging onto the computer as a form of distraction
• On not leaving everything to the last minute
• Why no-one will notice if your hair isn’t perfect or you have a spot on your chin
• Why there’s no point in spending hours deciding what to wear when no-one will notice anyway
• And why worrying too much takes the fun out of anything so it’s better to calm down and relax.

Once again, IJ is spot on and everything she has told me makes sense. I’ve listened to her suggestions carefully and made note.

So I’m going to go off and write a list and calm down a little as I have been panicking somewhat.

I still have absolutely loads to do if I’m to make it to Cybermummy on time and in one piece and with enough in my suitcase to last me a whole ten days away from home. But I’ll get there as long as I don’t keep logging on to Twitter I remain calm and remember to pack my passport.

If you’re going to be at Cybermummy on Saturday I’ll see you there. I’ll be in a slightly flustered state, no doubt. If you’re not for whatever reason it’s not the end of the world (although it will be if I don’t make it because Little Dodo is sending me there with feathers and a dodo).

Note to Jay: that’s dodo as in the bird, not to be confused with your late night party plans!

Announcing my absence

IJ has spent the evening walking round with the weight of disappointment on her shoulders.

Life can be a burden when you’re seven, her body language is telling me, and sometimes your parent(s) can really let you down.

You see, we’ve had a little chat.

The two of us have curled up together on the sofa with my diary and I’ve explained to her the number of days I’ll be away from her over the next couple of weeks. We’ve circled the day I take the train to London for Cybermummy, then the day I fly off to Israel, the day I return to the UK and the day I’ll arrive back home, thrilled to bits to see her and possibly carrying presents.

For a little girl that’s a long time away from her mummy. She’s managed without me before and I know she will be absolutely fine. In fact, it will be an adventure for her. She’ll stay up too late and eat too much chocolate but she’ll enjoy spending time in the capable hands of her grandparents.

At the news we will be away from each other for ten whole days, IJ’s face fell.

It was one of those parenting moments that tugs at the heart strings and makes you want to scoop your child up and hold them forever.

Except it wasn’t.

IJ wasn’t disappointed about my planned absence at all. “I wanted to stay with granny and grandpa for a whole year,” she said.

Her disappointment was obvious.

And possibly mine too.

On the other hand, it does mean I could try and extent my trip and take in Morocco, Mexico and Canada before heading home via lunch in Paris and a spot of shopping.

There’s a thought.

Cybermummy - Heathrow - Tel Aviv

Excitement is growing in our little household as once again there is a rare opportunity for me to dust off my passport and familiarise myself with the challenging layout that is Heathrow Airport. Thankfully I am better prepared than last year when the issue of liquids in hand luggage was completely new to me and tight airport security was not something I had experienced before.

So in a weekend that will see me either dancing around with excitement or slumped in a corner with exhaustion, the plan is to travel from Cybermummy to Healthrow and on to Israel to take part in a Vibe Israel tour for bloggers courtesy of Kinetis, a non-profit organisation whose mission is to raise awareness of Israel as the creative energy capital of the world.

Israel is a nation known for its history, its religious heritage and biblical landmarks but also for its conflict, so I am unsure exactly what to expect but it will be an experience nonetheless. We’ll be offered a glimpse into real Israeli life and the opportunity to talk to parents, women in business and also to visit children’s centres and a kibbutz, whilst avoiding the areas where travel is not advised.

Exmoorjane is also hoping for a camel ride. Or to sell me for some camels. One of the two. It will all add to the experience. I’m looking forward to seeing a little sun and soaking up a different culture, although the chances of developing a beach body at this late stage are remotely slim, for want of a better word.

I’ll be travelling to Cybermummy with the winner of Little Dodo’s competition to find a new mascot. None of us could ever have envisaged that it would then be travelling on to the Middle East, if it gets past security that is. I’ve always said that the world of blogging is strange and unpredictable and that has once again proved to be the case.

Now I’m just hoping those Cybermummy goodie bags aren’t too heavy!

Photo credit.