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[karohemd]

Yesterday I got up even earlier than during the week to pick up mazzarc and drive to the European Centre of the TTCS in Colchester for a Tai Chi workshop. It was a very good one, not as big as the International one two years ago so we weren't too squashed in the practice hall. We went through a lot of basics and foundation exercises, concentrating on the first five moves of the set and on Parting Wild Horses' Mane on Sunday morning. Lovely and varied Chinese food was provided by the society's catering team from the purpose-built kitchen (full wok facilities with gigantic gas burners), there were at least three or four different bowls on each table (with at least one veggie option and steamed salmon at Saturday dinner and Sunday lunch), the special treat being freshly fried banana fritters with syrup as dessert for Sunday lunch.
Different this time was an introduction to Chanting, another Taoist Art taught and practised by the society. I'd only heard of it so wasn't quite sure what to expect. I'd imagined it being a rather ritualistic/meditative so wasn't quite sure about it but wanted to try. It turned out to be more like a singalong. I guess it's something you need to try when you aren't tired from a weekend of exercise.

We spend Saturday night at mazzarc's parents' in Maldon (which we found despite travelling rather small country roads, never quite sure where we were). I don't think I've been in bed so early for months (around 11) and slept like a log until 7:30 when I woke up and then snoozed another hour. Our hosts were lovely and fed us a huge breakfast in the morning (well, cereal and toast and jam). Thank you again for your hospitality!

The workshop finished around 4 and we made our way out of Colchester only to hit very heavy traffic on the A120. Thankfully, as soon as we were on the dual carriageway, it was plain sailing all the way to Cambridge. Dropped off Maz at home, came home and collapsed. Am going to have a light dinner of fruit yoghurt for dinner in a bit, I think.

Another busy week ahead. *groan* I'd rather have a couple of days to relax and sleeeeep...

Comments

[the-mendicant.livejournal.com]

Hi, sounds like a very 'centered' weekend.

Totally without any relevance, but please can you tell me how to prepare a butternut squash for roasting? Do I peel it like a potato, or just cut it into chunks with the skin on?

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

I've made butternut squash once and didn't roast it (chunked it and made a curry). The skin is really tough so you need to peel it before roasting in chunks or cut the whole thing in half, scoop out the seeds and bits around, roast it and scoop out the flesh when done.

[corone.livejournal.com]

How weird, Maldon is my hometown,
the idea of anyone going for any reason but to see their parents is slightly freaky :-)
Wondering now if I know your freind mazzarc from going to school there!

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Well, the event was in Colchester. Still freaky but not quite as strange. ;o)
I doubt it, there's quite a bit of an age difference.

[mazzarc.livejournal.com]

*waves* hello fellow maldonian!

Did you go to the Plume?

I was there for 6th form between 94-96 then worked there from 96-04.