I was originally planning to write a series of blogs on James Bond this month full of my usual humour and smutty remarks (I know I'm a bit late to the bandwagon, but does anyone really care?). However you all will just have to wait for those with baited breathe, while I get serious for this one.
Today (8th of March) is International Women's Day and I thought I should take a few moments to show appreciation to the women who have affected my life personally. I have been lucky enough to know a lot of magnificent women and though they may not be famous (yet), they do deserve a mention. (Please note that I will be using only initials for some of the women as I haven't told anyone I am writing this and they may wish to protect their privacy, they will hopefully know who they, if not they can ask).
Let me begin at the very beginning with my Mother. You may find this hard to believe however I'm not always the easiest person to get along with, there is the moodiness, the cynicism, the sarcasm and the undying belief that I am always right. All that and we won't even go into my teenage years, throughout all this my mother has always been there. Being an immigrant to the UK, her life hasn't been easy but she has worked hard (still does) and raised 4 children during testing times. Though I may not say it often I do love her dearly.
Next my two sisters (C and R), both of whom have had to put up with a lot of my crap over the years and yet still can bring themselves to talk to me. Both are younger then me (but mentally a lot more mature) and have both grown into strong independent women of whom I am very proud.
Speaking of strong, independent women in my family I should also mention my cousin MB who was also an immigrant to the UK, has made a wonderful life for herself, works hard with charities and raised a family which also includes the first in the next generation of strong brilliant women, her daughter PB. PB is one of the smartest people I know, also she is someone who won't take any crap from anyway (which is cool).
Other women I would like to show appreciation would be the teachers who helped shape me into the mad genius you all know and love today. I can't remember all of them for which I am very sorry (however I am getting on a bit). From North Combined First and Middle School, Mrs Nunn, Miss Ryder (who started my taste for writing) and Miss Nicholson (who first recognised my ability to act). From Villiers High School there was Ms Halford (a most excellent form tutor and French teacher), Mrs Garcha (who got me through Chemistry), Miss Fortune (who gave me my love of History), Mrs Chana (who made maths fun) and Mrs. Bennett (who got me to write for fun, so you can blame her for this blog).
Finally we get to the present, for some strange reason (not that I'm complaining), the vast majority of my friends are women, all of whom are strong, smart, talented and supercool. Some of them have had a tough time over the last year and a bit (I won't go into detail as they wouldn't appreciate it and I want them to carry on being my friends), So let me just say this SB (back home), KC and CM (here in Prague), EP (out in Malaysia) and KC (in Canada) I am lucky to know each and everyone of you, you are all fantastic in your own ways and I hope you always stay so.
