I don`t particularly progress well but then again, I have not particularly allowed myself a lot of time. I understand the Spanish from the CDs, but to speak it is a different story.

While I progress through the CDs on my way to and from work, I often think what a marvellous invention these language courses are!

Particularly in this country, where learning foreign language is not valued very highly at school, people often say: “I wish, I could speak a foreign language!” But there is often no time or money for evening classes.

Most people work (particularly those lacking time!) and usually, this means that you have to get there by car or bus. On the bus, I used to read, in the car, I used to listen to the radio or music CDs.

I think it`s a marvellous idea to use this hour to learn a language. Even if I won`t go far until the holidays, I may carry on…

On the whole, I do not find the new Channel 4 show overly exciting - too many similar dieting, slimming and nutrition shows around recently, which are all aimed at humiliating candidates.

But THAT, that is just...
Sex on legs. Juergen Klinsmann 10 years ago. (Sorry, topcat...)

Imagine stripping down in front of this man and getting weighed and scrutinised by this man... er - nooooo....

... but you only have to earn £ 46.000 in order to count yourself to the top 10% earners of the UK.

I watched "What Britain Earns" yesterday and found this rather interesting viewing.

Although I do admit that it made me a bit uncomfortable when someone suggested that the pay scale I am on is not enough to live (then again - it isn`t. Not if you are single with a mortgage).

Trivia: Did you know that in German language, we have the same vocabulary for "to earn" and "to deserve"?

... which sounds rather a lot! But if I think about it...

If I think about what we spent and then imagine we had the (average) 2 kinds to buy for and would host Christmas dinner for the family rather than being invited, I guess I`d come pretty close! (I hope the £ 780.00 is per household, though, and not per person.)

I`ll never be able to understand how people get themselves into financial difficulties in order to lavish expensive presents on their loved ones. Yet, according to the above study, many have run out of money for January already as the credit card bills come in...

I give what I can. It`s easy, really. This year, it was a little less than in previous years. And everybody will have to be understanding about that...

We went to see St Trinians yesterday, and I can thoroughly recommend it! A real feel-good movie which is my sense of humour and made hubby and I laugh all the way through!

I have not been to the cinema since Dreamgirls in February 07, and hubby mentioning that he wants to see something because he remembers it from the 60ties usually makes me slightly apprehensive or even resistant.

I was glad that I went and found the following trailers to wet your appetite:

Since a few weeks, they are advertising a certain fibre supplement on telly. Today I finally had the opportunity to examine the package at Boots.

Cost: £ 8.99.

One portion contains 2g fibre.

It is recommended that we take 18g fibre a day in order to keep our guts active.

Bet I manage this in half a day, without expensive supplements? I have plaid a little with www.fitday.com to find out, and it didn`t take me long:

breakfast: 3/4 cup oat flakes with 1 cup milk and 1 tbsp honey

Elevenses: 1 apple and 1 banana

= 19 g fibre

Sounds quite realistic, doesn`t it? You won`t starve or rely on expensive health foods.

It angers me that such products exist at all. They sell us an excuse/a reason not to try to eat healthily. Why don`t they simply tell us to eat more fruit and whole grains rather than selling us such overpriced products?

I have recently found something interesting through an advert in a magazine, I`d like to share (not a paid entry!).

If you love reading, do not necessarily want to keep all the books you have read and cannot afford to buy a new book every time, this may be just the thing for you.

This is an online book swapping community where you can enter all the books you are willing to give away, in exchange for another book. All you pay is postage, the service is absolutely free.

If you find a book in the library which you`d like you simply contact the owner and offer a swap. The owner can have a look at your list, chose a book she would like in exchange or, if she does not find anything she likes, simply declines the swap.

I`m a member since a week now, have entered 9 books, had 2 swap offers but none got to anything so far as I was not too keen on what they had to offer.

Did anybody else notice? They are taking over!

Previously, cookery shows used to run in the early evening, at dinner time. Too early for me to notice or watch, I just knew they are there.

Now, today, for example, we have Nigella at 8.30pm and Gordon Ramsay at 9pm.

Then we have The Restaurant (brilliant new competition which is not only about cooking! I really enjoyed it!) twice a week and Rick Stein (also a favourite, as I love exotic foods). Then, there is "Dine with me" (you know the entertainment competition where people have to cook for each other), and those are just the ones I remember off hand.

The funny thing is - they are hugely popular, and yet, we are cooking less and less.

How is this possible?

The next time, have a pad and pen, note down your favourite recipe and just try it!

I think we all agree that this problem is ever increasing. Colleague v colleague, boss v subordinate, subordinate v boss. Most of us have at least witnessed this.

But what do we do if we have to witness a less powerful and confident person being continously targeted and put down by someone more powerful?

In a previous workplace, union members who felt distressed by having to work in this environment, could complain on the victim`s behalf, even if he was not a union member, and they would take this up.

What else can you do w/a becoming a silent, i.e. colluding, bystander?