Challenge day 14: Happy Birthday Michaela

Today was the birthday of my 12 year old cousin Michaela and we had to leave early to help setup her party. We said goodbye to my American cousin Mercedes and her friend. Then picked up my sister and 40 bottles of soft drinks for the party, luckily this wasn't coming out of my budget.

We then went to my cousins house before helping to set-up at a local club, where my cousin's party was being held. Then proceeded about four and a half hours of screaming 12 year old girls, whilst me and my sister acted as security, making sure everything went to plan.

Personally, I didn't want to be that guy that told everyone off for having irresponsible fun, but for my sister, the primary school teacher, it was second nature, so I let her do most of the telling off. What also surprised me, and now stating this makes me feel old, is that I was surprised that the kids knew all the words to all the latest rap songs, despite the subject matter, which I deemed to be of adult content. Additionally, who the hell is Justin Bieber?

Actually, I take that back, I wasn't surprised they knew the words at all, I just hope that they don't fully understand what they meant. Just like when I was asked to write my year 4 (age 8) book report on Red Dwarfs "Backwards", and when asked to write the new word I had learnt by the teacher, I chose..........Gonads. My parents were called in and the teacher explained that she didn't mind me reading those books because I was quite mature for my age (a weird definition of mature that involves knowing the word gonads) but she didn't think the other children in my class were ready, so in future it would be better if I kept my gonads to myself. I'm pretty sure at age 8 I didn't understand the full meaning of gonads, just like the 12 year old girls didn't fully understand the meaning of "eenie meenie miney moe lover", especially as I recently found the book report in my old bedroom, and was confused as to why the teacher circled the word gonads in red, adding the words "oh dear" by the side.

The party went on until late and I snuck away for a bit to eat my final portion of the tuna risotto I had made on Wednesday (Added to my pesto, pasta and red pepper lunch I had again spent nothing). What's strange is that it tasted better every time I heated it up. Just as I finished it was time for the speeches. There were four speeches in total, one by Michaela herself, one by my aunt and uncle, and two by some of Michaelas best friends. I was surprised at how inventive and articulate they were, with two girls (who were twins), whose speech was a quite a witty and cerebral dialogue that explained why they were such good friends, then the final one was a girl who used a pop song and changed the lyrics to fit why she was best friends with Michaela too.

The party was a great success and me and my sister went home exhausted.

Happy birthday Michaela!

Alex

Spent £108.02

p.s here's a graph I made out of boredom

Challenge Day 13: Borough Market and the Morris Dancers

Two of the many important life lessons I learnt at university were:

1: When you're a student, unlike when you live with your parents, food doesn't automatically replenish itself and it doesn't fail to ever go off (mainly because my father is over paranoid about sell-by dates).

2. Cheese is very expensive.

As I was now out of cheese I decided to set myself the challenge of filling my lunchtime sandwich with cheese for free. Luckily for me I knew the best place to go to do this......Borough Market.

Borough Market is today located near Southwark Cathedral and London Bridge tube station. However, it was first mentioned in 1276, although the market itself claims to have existed since Roman times and was subsequently moved south of St Margaret's church on the High Street. The City of London received a royal charter from Edward VI in 1550 to control all markets in Southwark, which was confirmed by Charles II in 1671. However, the market caused such traffic congestion that in 1754 it was abolished by an Act of Parliament.

The Act allowed for the local parishioners to set up another market on a new site, and in 1756 it began again on a 4.5 acre (18,000 m²) site in Rochester Yard. During the 19th century it became one of London's most important food markets due to its strategic position near the riverside wharves of the Pool of London.

The present buildings were designed in 1851, with additions in the 1860s and an entrance designed in the Art Deco style added on Southwark Street in 1932.

A refurbishment began in 2001. Work to date includes the re-erection in 2004 of the South Portico from the Floral Hall, previously at Covent Garden which was dismantle

d when the Royal Opera House was reconstructed in the 1990

Stallholders come to trade at the market from different parts of the UK and traditional European products are also shipped over and sold. Amongst the produce on sale are fresh fruit and vegetables, cheese, meat, game and freshly-baked bread and pastries. There is also a wide variety of cooked and snack food on sale for the many tourists who flock to the market.

On a Saturday the market is open from about 9-4pm. I wanted to get there for my lunchtime so I could get all the free tasters (or at least enough to fill my sandwich). The market itself is quite expensive, but it is the closest thing London has to countryside produce without leaving the city.

Laith, who had never been there before, decided he wanted to go too, so I met him by London Bridge Station. We stopped in a cycle shop because he was still looking for a new bike, although he told me he had an ebay bid on one already, and so would tell me later if he got it. We went to the market and I managed to try:

1. Eight different types of cheese, sometimes more than one of each, including a parmesan cheese that had taken three years to mature.
2. Three different types of home made organic pestos.
3. Two different Sicilian olive oils and a Sicilian marmalade.
4. Two Different types of Jam, including a strawberries and cream flavour.
5. A type of gluten free cereal mix and
6. A black and then a white organic truffle oil.

Finally there was a stall with nacho pieces in front of a selection of spicy dips they were selling, ranging from mild to seriously hot. Now to me, and anyone else lacking sensibility, this sounded like another challenge. Considering I had once eating a giant ball of wasabi whilst in Tel Aviv (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEiAMnsy8Ug&feature=related), I decided this should be easy. It was quite hot but not really in comparison to the wasabi.

As for Laith, I think he felt it a bit more than me.

After I had taken my fair share of food we went to the fruit section where I had some free watermelon and pineapple slices. We both encountered the same slightly strange feeling of being full, but not really believing what we ate could of made us full. For this reason Laith wanted to go to a restaurant instead. On the way I noticed a man wearing quite a strange outfit, although he vanished around the corner before I had a chance to look again. As I walked past I noticed he wasn't alone. Waiting outside a pub near London Bridge station were the "Crownstones". A group of Morris dancers originally from Huddlestone in Hertfordshire, who first met in the Crown pub.

I got my picture taken because I had nothing better to do:

After Laith had his lunch I went home to see my cousin Mercedes and her friend Adriana who were back for the evening. I cooked the second of three portions of my tuna risotto I had left in the fridge since Wednesday and wrote up my blog. I then had a phone call from Laith telling me he had bought his new bike and so would give me his old fold-up one for free on Monday. I then went to bed, as I had to be out the house early to help setup for my 12 year old cousin's birthday party in Wembley.

Spent £108.02

For more information on borough market watch the video here http://www.visitlondon.com/attractions/detail/285604 or go to the official website here http://www.boroughmarket.org.uk/

Challenge Day 12: Free Tapas with Matisse

I woke up this morning and finished off the remaining cheese for my lunchtime sandwich.

At work many people were talking about my challenge. A colleague suggested that I go to the Harry Krishna van, which gave out free food on a Friday lunchtime. I already had my sandwich but thought it was good idea if it wasn't the fact that wearing a suit made it slightly unconvincing that I was in desperate need for free food.

As soon as work was over I went to the Tapas place and met Joao. We talked about the volunteer position and my challenge, he said that he was enjoying my blog. He then gave me an Omelette for free as we continued to talk about how the challenge was going and my plans for the coming weeks.

On the way home I stopped at the Helly Nahmad gallery near Regent Street, as it was the last day Henri Matisse was on show. After a browse round I got the bus home expecting to see my cousin Mercedes and her friend Adriana, who were down for the weekend again. Unfortunately, they were unwell so had decided to come down on Saturday instead.

Today was payday, not that it mattered to me. After an exhausting week I wrote some more of my blog and headed to bed.

Spent £108.02

Thank you very much to Jennifer, Louise and Steve for sponsoring me.

Alex

Challenge Day 11: The Challenge Goes Global and the Free event that never was..

The day started as normal; Porridge>make lunch> bus> arrive at work. Today at work I was meeting one of our community champions to talk about potentially setting up a voluntary support group.

The Community Champions training is a course, run by two members of my team, for people from diverse communities and hard to reach groups. Often health trainers or doctors from these communities are the ones to attend, and the point of the training is to turn them into ambassadors for Diabetes UK, being able to speak to their various communities and show them how they are affected, the risk factors, the myths, what care they should be given and what they can do to prevent the onset of diabetes. As the ethnic population grows parallel to the incidence of diabetes within those communities, the work of the Community Champions will be vital in saving lives in the present and saving money (that would be spent on treating the complications of diabetes) in the future.

Whilst I was at work one of the digital media team told me they had publicised my challenge by posting it on the Diabetes UK Facebook group. The post received many comments and it was not surprising to see that many people have to live on a lot less than £10 a day and unlike me, many of them have to care for more than just themselves. I want to say now that I chose the £10 (£6.25 excluding rent) a day figure because of the report from the Joseph Rowntree foundation and by calling it a challenge for myself I hope that I have not come across as insensitive to those that are struggling to cope with financial pressures on a permanent basis. I really hope I can provide some good tips in the process of my challenge.

After 11 days without attending any free things in London I decided I was long overdue in practising what I preached. I decided I would go see a free preview of the Edinburgh Fringe Comedy Festival that was being held in the Kingsway Hall Hotel near Holborn station. My friend Laith text me to say he wanted to search for bikes again in Camden, so would meet me later and we could go to the comedy event together.

I then received an email from my friend Joao, who worked in the Tapas bar around the corner. He had just finished his degree in Marketing and had found a volunteer position at Diabetes UK and wanted my help, in return he would get me my favourite dish for free (Spanish Omelette). I had reserved Friday evening for my treat of a Pizza, but decided if I could have Spanish Omelette for free then I would have Pizza tonight instead.

Work ended and I bought my gluten free pizza for £1.95 (in comparison to 62p for a normal one).

I then met Laith. We cooked our pizzas in the international hall of Kings College University in Russell Square (where he lived with his girlfriend). It was interesting that there was a place in the building where international students left possessions they didn't want to take back with them when they finished university. I didn't find anything of interest but thought it was worth a look.

We quickly finished our dinners and headed to the Hotel for the comedy event. We entered the Hotel and went to the desk. I asked where to go for the comedy event and in return was given a slightly blank expression of confusion by the two people behind the desk. "Errr maybe next door" the lady said. We went next door and no luck, it seems Time Out magazine had made a mistake in location, and five or six other people then turned up, also looking for the comedy event. The staff checked their schedule again but still no comedy night. Me and Laith then decided to go home, although we needed to drop by his to pick up my bag.

On the way we heard some interesting sounds coming from the Student Bar of the Institute of Education. They had a Gypsy folk band playing, which was amazing. We sat down and Laith got a drink, I kept to tap water. Not feeling like I had wasted my evening completely I headed back home.

Spent £108.02

Thank you very much to Vicky, Jessica, Allan and Rose for sponsoring me. Additionally, thank you to everyone who wished me well on the DUK Facebook page.

Challenge Day 10: Working Lunch or Free Lunch

I woke up and my ankle was in a lot of pain. I had to rest it before I started the day and got ready for work. Today at work I was helping at a fund-raising event in Chancery Lane. My job at Diabetes UK is London Region Volunteer Development Officer. Basically it means that I help people who want to volunteer for Diabetes UK and live in London.

I don't usually attend Fund-raising events, but the London Fund-raising manager was on maternity leave and my colleague who usually covers her post was on annual leave, so I volunteered to help out. Especially, as I had managed to recruit two new event volunteers who were attending.

The event itself was a tennis tournament run by Lexis Nexis in aid of Diabetes UK. They had rented out the three tennis courts in Lincoln Inn Fields located between Holborn and Chancery Lane tubes. Lincoln Inn Fields, laid out in 1630, is the biggest public square in London and one of many verdant areas tucked away within the concrete metropolis.

We setup the Tennis Courts and adjacent pavilion, that belonged to the ostensibly lavish restaurant, with Diabetes UK banners, balloons and articles. We then waited for the players to show up and at about 2pm the matches, both a doubles and singles tournament, began.

I then began to mingle with spectators and non-active tennis players, talking about Diabetes and the work of Diabetes UK aiming to persuade them to make it an annual event rather than a one off . As I sat down on one of the tables, a waiter placed a bowl of sautéed potatoes and a plate of marinated chicken pieces on the table. I wasn't quite sure where I stood in terms of free food on the challenge, but I deemed it acceptable, as well as a lot more enticing than another cheese sandwich. I followed it up with two helpings of quail egg risotto and strawberries with cream for pudding, stopping only to umpire one match and help ball boy for another.

I was reminded of my secondary school for two reasons. Firstly, because my year were picked to ball-boy for Wimbledon whilst I was there and secondly because I did my work experience in Chancery Lane, which led to my first ever job.

Growing up I had always wanted to be a Civil rights lawyer, mainly because I was inspired by my best friends dad, Michael Mansfield QC. A man who was recently proclaimed as Britain's boldest and best-known Civil Rights lawyer. After a successful application to do my work experience within his Chambers, I quickly got to grips with life in Chancery Lane. To begin with my jobs involved making cups of tea, sorting the post and fixing computers. However, soon after I was delivering important papers to the Old Bailey, sitting in on trials and one of my favourite tasks, which was to help the junior clerk buy and carry the Champagne after a big case was won.

The chambers was in the process of moving location to Farringdon and I was asked back over the summer for paid work assisting the junior clerk during the move. This was hard work as I was usually cleaning out offices, yet it was also quite fascinating as I was able to read some really high profile case files, from the murder of Stephen Lawrence, to the death of Jill Dando. At one stage when I was cleaning up a CD fell on the floor with the emblem for the Anti-Terrorist Network of Scotland Yard written on it. I wanted to pocket it but was paranoid that if I put it in my home computer a swat team would instantaneously fly in through the window and arrest me.

Unfortunately, I was not working there during the Diana inquest or the Jean Charles de Menezes case, but I still learnt a lot in my time there, including the fact that wherever I chose to work, it would have to be in an office capacity and I would have to wear a suit.

Michael also taught me two very important lessons. Firstly, to be successful in life and business it's all about who you know, not what you know. Secondly, wearing brightly coloured socks is a great way to catch a girls attention.

Anyway, sorry for heavily drifting off topic. After umpiring for the doubles final I was told I could finish. I volunteered to take some of the stuff back to head office in Camden, as my friend Laith who came to meet me, was hoping to buy a new bike in Camden. He told me that when he bought his new bike I could have his fold-up one for free. This would be very useful as soon as my bus pass ran out, assuming my ankle had healed.

He searched a few shops before deciding he would wait a few days until he found the one he had in mind. I caught the bus back home and, despite my lunch, cooked myself a tuna risotto that would last for a few days.

Again nothing spent

Spent £106.07

Challenge Day 9: Back to work, a tale of two buses

Tuesday morning I woke at 6am to get the bus to work. Usual start, porridge> make lunch > get the bus.

I got on the bus about 7:30am and we made good time until we got to Oxford Circus. Usually, the slowdown was a cause of traffic, but today the streets were reasonably clear. Instead by the time we got to the beginning of Regent Street the entire bus STANK!!!!!

It smelt like someone with a passionate avoidance of bathing had soiled themselves into the air conditioning unit. The smell was so bad that the bus stopped in Regents Street and everybody had to get off. After my previous pasta-pesto affair, I was painfully paranoid the addition of spring onions to my cheese sandwich was the cause of the whole problem. I think I smelt my sandwich about five times, although due to engulfing smell around me I had no idea if it was me or not, adding to the paranoia.

If it had not been for my ankle I would have run to the next bus stop, however, I didn't have to wait too long for the next bus to take me to the next stop. There I got off smelt my sandwich again, which was clearly not the route of the smell, and waited for the subsequent bus. Considering London buses don't have an on-board toilet (this is definitely not a request), the smell will forever remain a mystery.

Anyway, I got to work and was excited about the big event of the day, the post work charity softball game. Now after joining Diabetes UK I was very glad to help setup a 5-a-side football team. I love football almost as much as me and my dad love cricket. However, I had stopped playing cricket a few years ago and softball to me sounded a bit too much like rounders, and rounders in comparison to cricket, like most things that happen on Clapham Common, sounded a bit fruity.

However, I'm very glad to say my prejudice was completely unjust. Not only did 30 cans of lager for the team (to be consumed whilst playing before the mandatory post game trip to the pub) provide a great social activity off the pitch, but on the pitch, the game itself, with its superior frequency of match winning decisions and rulings without unbiased umpires, made some games extremely tense and ready to kick off at any point. Charity softball was in no way a light hearted affair.

The latest game was no exception. The match was against one of leagues top sides, if we won, we would have a great chance of reaching this years finals, if we lost our chances wouldn't be in our hands. I was gutted to not be able to play because of my ankle and wrist but I had faith in our team. Unfortunately for us, we were a player down to begin with and Raleigh, batting first managed to get 7 runs. However, we fought very hard and after 2 of the 4 innings we were leading 12-10. They then got another 7 runs and in our third innings we didn't manage to score. They scored another 2 points in their final innings to leave us 7 behind with one innings left.

We didn't make it, only getting two more runs, but the team played really well and can take a lot of positives from the performance, especially as the other team never look evidently better than us at any point.

We headed to the pub, but the walk from Hyde park station to the pitch, added to the walk to the park had ruined my ankle. I limped to the bus stop near Knightsbridge station and caught the bus home. After walking to the bus a girl accidentally walked into me trying to get on, I let her get on first and we started a conversation as we sat down together. She lived in Clapham too, but was originally from Manchester, just living in London on her placement year. She was working in the toy section of Harrods during her summer break. I asked her if anyone actually buys those £10,000 replica cars at the entrance of the toy section of Harrods. She said no, but there was no shortage of kids rocking up to the counter with £400 worth of toys, paid for in one go by a succession of £50 notes.

We continued to talk and before I knew it, it was time to get off and cook the remainder of my spaghetti bolognese from the previous night.

First day back at work and I actually spent.........nothing.

Spent £106.07

P.s I have updated yesterdays entry and would also like to say a big thank you to Ryan, Anna, Will, Richard and Shaun for donating.

Thanks for reading and remember if you have any tips, hints or suggestions for things you would like to see in the blog then email me on alex.silverstein@diabetes.org.uk. Take care.

Alex

Challenge Day 8: Last day of rest

I decided to listen to my Doctor and maintain my five days of rest by taking the Monday off.

I spent most of the day catching up on my blog, highlights included meeting my new neighbour and meeting a French girl who was collecting for Red Cross.

Additionally, I took care of my travel for the next month by buying a months bus pass for zones 1-2 for £63.80.

Near the start of my challenge I wondered if anyone had decided, like me, to live on a reduced budget. I did this partly for inspiration and good tips, and partly because I was beginning to wonder whether people were right to look at me like I needed counselling when I told them about my challenge.

The book I found made me look like a king (like a good saver I ordered it from the local library). The Author Katherine Kelly, a teacher from Bristol, lived for one year on just £1 a day, or at least that's what the title suggested. I read the first 50 pages and will definitely post some of the tips she suggests, but I felt I now needed to justify my £10 a day in comparison to Ms Kelly.

Firstly, I don't have a roadworthy bike. Additionally, not only was she travelling in Bristol not London (somewhere, despite Boris's new blue cycle lanes, is one of the most dangerous places for a bicyclist to ride).

Secondly, she put her health at risk by occasionally deciding to just eat toast and fruit crumble for the entire day. I want my challenge to promote one of Diabetes UK's key strategic aims; that of Healthy Living. Therefore, I am still eating three meals a days with snacks (mainly of fruit) and making sure I have at least the daily recommended amount of fruit and vegetables.

Finally, she was given and borrowed a lot of free stuff from friends.

Anyway, not to take anything away from her, it does sounds like a great story from what I have read so far and will keep you updated with tips and ideas worth mentioning.

Back to work tomorrow.

Spent £106.07

Diabetes Blog 2: What are the risk factors and myths of Diabetes? (From Diabetes UK)

Causes and risk factors

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is when no insulin is produced at all because the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas have been destroyed. Nobody knows for sure why these cells have been damaged but the most likely cause is the body having an abnormal reaction to the cells. There is nothing that you can do to prevent Type 1 diabetes. This type of diabetes is always treated with insulin injections.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is when the body either does not produce enough insulin, or the insulin it produces does not work as well as it should (insulin resistance). This type of diabetes is treated with lifestyle changes, following a healthy balanced diet, increasing physical activity, and losing weight if you need to. Some people may need medications and/or insulin injections to achieve normal blood glucose levels.

Some of the risks factors associated with Type 2 diabetes are out of your control while others, such as being overweight, you can act on to reduce the risk of developing diabetes. You should ask your GP for a test for diabetes, if you:

• are white and over 40 years old
• are black, Asian or from a minority ethnic group and over 25 years old
• have one or more of the following risk factors.

The risk factors

• A close member of your family has Type 2 diabetes (parent or brother or sister).
• You're overweight or if your waist is 31.5 inches or over for women; 35 inches or over for Asian men and 37 inches or over for white and black men.
• You have high blood pressure or you've had a heart attack or a stroke.
• You're a woman with polycystic ovary syndrome and you are overweight.
• You've been told you have impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glycaemia.
• If you're a woman and you've had gestational diabetes.
• You have severe mental health problems.

The more risk factors that apply to you, the greater your risk of having diabetes.

Myths

Knowing the facts about diabetes is important when it comes to managing the condition. There is so much information out there, but it is not all true. It is often difficult to know what is right and what is not. This section aims to help dispel some of the most common myths about diabetes – let's have a look at some of them...

Myth: Type 2 diabetes is a mild form of diabetes

There is no such thing as mild diabetes. All diabetes is serious and, if not properly controlled, can lead to serious complications.

Myth: People with diabetes cannot have sugar

Having diabetes does not mean you have to have a sugar-free diet. People with diabetes should follow a healthy balanced diet – that is low in fat, salt and sugar. You should still be able to enjoy a wide variety of foods, including some with sugar.

Myth: People with diabetes should eat 'diabetic' foods

'Diabetic' labelling tends to be used on sweets, biscuits and similar foods that are generally high in fat, especially saturated fat and calories. Diabetes UK does not recommend eating 'diabetic' foods, including diabetic chocolate, because they still affect your blood glucose levels, they are expensive and they can give you diarrhoea. So, if you are going to treat yourself, you should go for the real thing.

Myth: People with diabetes eventually go blind

Although diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in people of working age in the UK, research has proved you can reduce your chances of developing diabetes complications – such as damage to your eyes – if you:

• control your blood pressure, glucose, and blood fat levels
• keep active
• maintain your ideal body weight
• give up smoking.

Myth: It's not safe to drive if you have diabetes

Providing you are responsible and have good control of your diabetes, research shows that people with diabetes are no less safe on the roads than anyone else. Nevertheless, the myth that people with diabetes are not safe persists, and Diabetes UK is currently campaigning against legislation that prevents people, who treat their diabetes with insulin, from driving certain vehicles.

Myth: People with diabetes can't play sport

People with diabetes are encouraged to exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle. Keeping active can help reduce the risk of complications associated with diabetes, such as heart disease. Steve Redgrave, Olympic gold medal-winning rower, has achieved great sporting achievements in spite of having diabetes. However, there may be some considerations to take into account before taking up a new exercise regime. Talk to your healthcare team for more information.

Myth: People with diabetes are more likely to get colds and other illnesses

Not true. You are no more likely to get a cold or another illness if you’ve got diabetes. However, people with diabetes are advised to get flu jabs. This is because any infection or illness interferes with your blood glucose control, putting you at risk of high blood glucose levels and, for those with Type 1 diabetes, an increased risk of ketoacidosis.

Myth: Having diabetes means you can't do certain jobs

Having diabetes should not stop you from getting and keeping a job. However, despite the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), people with diabetes still face blanket bans in some areas of employment, including the armed forces. Diabetes UK campaigns to lift discriminatory blanket bans.

Myth: People with diabetes can't wear flight socks

Many flight socks carry the warning that they are not suitable for people with diabetes. If you have any circulatory problems or complications with your feet, such as ulcers, then speak to your GP before using them. If, however, your feet and legs are generally healthy and you are normally active, using flight socks is unlikely to do you any harm.

Myth: People with diabetes can't eat grapes, mangoes or bananas

People sometimes think that if they have diabetes they can't eat grapes and bananas as they taste sweet. But if you eat a diet that includes these fruits, you can still achieve good blood glucose control. In fact, grapes and bananas, like all fruit, make a very healthy choice. Fruit is high in fibre, low in fat and full of vitamins and minerals. It helps to protect against heart disease, cancer and certain stomach problems.

Myth: People with diabetes can't cut their own toenails

Not true, the general advice on toenail cutting applies to everyone. If you have diabetes you should keep your nails healthy by cutting them to the shape of the end of your toes. Don't cut them straight across, curved down the sides, or too short. Remember, your nails are there to protect your toes. It is safest to trim your nails with a pair of nail clippers and to use an emery board to file the corners of your nails. If it is difficult for you to care for your nails, you should seek help from a podiatrist.

It is important to realise that there is a lot of misinformation out there. Make sure you get your information from reliable sources, such as your diabetes healthcare team or Diabetes UK.

Upcoming things to do in London Week 2 :19th July

Date	Description	Location	Price	Type
Until July 31st	The City stripped bare: Images of the city's underbelly by five photographers including Burt Glinn, Leonard Freed, Jim Goldberg.	Magnum studios EC1V 3RS	Free	Art
Until july 26th	Tenth year for this annual opportunity to see work by graduates across art, design, fashion and photography, from colleges in London and across the UK. Shows change every Friday.	http://www.free-range.org.uk ful details	Free	Art
Until Sat Aug 7th	Young gods: Work by selected 2010 graduates from London art schools.	EC1V 9DR	Free	Art
Until Jul 23rd	Works by Henri Matisse	Cork St, W1S 3LB	Free	Art
Tuesday Jul 20th	Itunes festival: Pixie Lott and Rachael Furner	Roundhouse NW1 8EH	Free	Music
Wednesday Jul 21st	More London Free Festival: London Fusion Orchestra (up and coming jazz players).	SE1 2DB	Free	Music
Thurs Jul 22nd	Dubmatix: Roots and dub reminiscent of '70s reggae-rock style.	95 Effra Rd, SW2 1DF	Free	Music
Sun Jul 25	Blaze Festival: Choc quib town Headlining tonight are the Afro-Colombian, Latin Grammy-nominated hip hopsters CQT.		Free	Music
Fri Jul 23rd	Charing Cross Road Comedy 14 new acts	WC2H 0EA The Royal George	Free	Comedy
Thurs July 22nd	A double-bill of Edinburgh Fringe previews from Belgrave & Manera's Music Club and Abandoman.	Kingsway Hall Hotel WC2B 5BX	Free	Comedy
Various	Free culture http://www.timeout.com/london/features /2889/Free_culture_in_London.html			Culture
Weds Jul 21st 18:30	Tom Rubens, SPES member, author and teacher of humanities discusses his latest publication in the Societas series.	South Place ethical society Brockway Room WCIR 4RL	Free	Talk
Mon 2nd August 6:30pm	The Quest for Meaning	Hong Kong Theatre LSE WC2A 2AE	Free	Talk
Wed Jul 21st	Just Jam hip hop, D&B, R&B and funk	E8 The Alibi	Free	Club

For more information visit http://www.timeout.com/london/

Challenge Day 7: The discovery of gumtree

On the last day of my first week. I kept my promise of the previous day by making apple crumble and macaroni cheese. I also asked my parents to get some more things for the following week. In total it came to about £10 that should last me until Wednesday or Thursday.

During the day I decided if I could find more free things to do around London for the following week and had heard about gumtree being a good place to look. Unfortunately, I was easily amused and sidetracked on my first visit to the gumtree website by the section called gumtree fun. It seemed a place for people to anonymously post their inner most feelings. These included:

Someone who posted 10 reasons why they hated their ex-boyfriend and how he had ruined her life.

Someone who had fallen in love with his girlfriend's brother's girlfriend.

Someone whose boyfriend was blatantly in love with another girl, who was jealously in love with the boyfriend after breaking up with her fiancée, and didn't know what to do.

And my personal favourite from someone, who like me, found the anonymous posting of inner most feelings amusing rather than serious, wrote this under the title of "I just can't hide it anymore"

...i eat far too much watermelon - it's become my secret shame. i thought i could pass it off as getting my five-a-day but it's cost me my job, my relationships and my subscription to Fruit Fetishist monthly magazine...i live in a mess of pips and rinds and am miserable....surely i'm not alone, am i?

*pitiful weeping ensues*

Despite the collection of ads not worthy of an agony aunt column, I did find one that could have been of great use. A guy had posted an advert stating that he was soon to go travelling for three months and therefore wanted to sell his Oyster card with all zones for a grand total of £120.

Considering my ankle meant I was now most likely needing to be getting the bus home everyday too, this seemed like the perfect opportunity to save money and have free travel for work and social time. I sent him a text, but considering the ad was posted on Wednesday and had already received 50 views I wasn't too hopeful.

My friend Matt then unexpectedly showed up. It was nice to have a visitor and I showed him my day's findings on Gumtree. After searching again for free classes I then found a post for this:

http://www.cuddlegroup.com/

Now to me, the name cuddlegroup sounds a little weird, but I was willing to give it the benefit of the doubt and so decided to check their website. The first line intrigued me further...

"Welcome to the Cuddle Group where people come together to connect with each other in an amazing way."

They sounded like they had invented cuddling, either that or they had confirmed my initial suspicions of weirdness. Next came:

Touch is a vital part of everyday life. But with today's busy lifestyle some people are not able to be as tactile and have the human connection with others that they would like. Being tactile with other people can help reduce stress and increase positivity. Even if you are not too used to being cuddled or hugged you can come along and enjoy the safe environment of the Cuddle Group"For information on what happens at a Cuddle Group please go here and also read through the frequently asked questions here"

Now I couldn't resist reading on, including the FAQ, I'm not going to list them here but feel free to check them out yourself.

Anyway, after Matt had left with a handshake rather than an amazing dose of positivity, I cooked dinner and then went to bed.

Spent £42.27

Challenge Day 6: A free lunchish

On Saturday whilst my cousin and her friend went around London with my sister I stayed at home again reading my Italian book.

When they returned in the evening though I was treated to a free dinner (Im not sure if this is allowed, but I couldnt exactly turn them down). They had bought a Nigella Lawson cookbook and had made me and the family Omelette with chicory and cottage cheese. For pudding they prepared a handmade rice pudding.

I don't really know how to charge myself so I decided the following day I would make them all macaroni cheese and apple crumble in return. This meant I needed a sandwich for Lunch instead of having a lunch and dinner of macaroni cheese.

Spent £32.27

Challenge Day 5: A day of Cousins

Today at 7:30 am in North London my cousin Michaela was having her Batmitvah. Unfortunately, I was still recovering from my ankle injury and woke up at 7:30 to an empty house (my parents had woken at 5 :30 to get there in time).

My Brazilian cleaner Rosa then woke me again, as she entered the house at about 8:30. I greeted her in Portuguese and she quizzed me on what I had learnt so far.

Although, I had missed out on seeing one cousin, I had to prepare for another one, who was visiting with a friend for the weekend from New York via Oxford.

Mercedes (my cousin) and her friend Adriana were staying in Oxford during the summer. They were taking part in an international summer school on Shakespeare that gave them additional credits towards their degrees. After a brief catch up they went off to discover London and I went back to the sofa to read my new book.

Over the past two months I had began learning Italian at work, taught by my fellow colleague Ilaria. I decided although I could no longer afford weekly lessons, I would buy the textbook myself and then rejoin after the two months were over, hopefully having not fallen behind too much. I found a used copy from Amazon for £1.87, which had arrived that morning so I began my first lesson, whilst not forgetting my fifth Portuguese lesson too.

I decided against visiting the free Proms and fireworks in Shoreditch park, not just because of my ankle, but also because the girls felt they could watch fireworks in America, unlike the opportunity to spend a few extra hours in London, so they didn't want to go either. My friend Laith still went and said he enjoyed it.

After dinner I suggested to my cousin and her friend that they take a drive around London at night time with my mum. I came along too as I always enjoy seeing the Houses of Parliament, Millennium Wheel and most importantly an illuminated Harrods at night time.

Spent 32.27