After the dark age of Facebook (during which I was seduced away from blogging by Facebook; given blogging seemed like rather one sided communication when compared with the fun of Facebook... ) I am back! On a shiny new blog, which consolidates all my previous blog incarnations into ONE:
http://cathbarr.wordpress.com/
Facebook has officially bored me. |
What to report?
The new job is going really well, but I forgot how overwhelming it can be to make such a big change. I miss my handful of friends from JWT the most... I only ever had a handful for friends at JWT, which was tough after HSBC where I had so many genuine relationships; but I really loved that handful. It's hard to give them up.
Anyway, there's not much I can do about the transitional period but hang-in there. Settling into a new place just takes time - especially with the English... (what's with this culture? I'm never going to fall in love with it, but you all know that by now!!)
Other than that, Sam and I are fabulous.
Congrats to him as well... he has a new job starting in early 2008 (the NHS move soooooo slowly), plus the band is doing well. PLUS we're off to Slovenia soon. Whoop whoop! |
This is the end of my week off, and I think it's taken a baby-cold to finally calm me down about my new job start tomorrow. Typical, I'm about to start a new job and here comes the cold. At least it has calmed me down and ironically I'm feeling better about Monday.
(now, if I could only get past the cold sweats... everything tomorrow will be dandy).
The tiny spanner in that Sam's band (Geniac) are playing at The Marquee at 10:20pm tonight. I start at McCann tomorrow morning. Normally I would attend regardless; and cope the next day, however with the cold too... ergh, I'm not sure if I can manage. I'll chill out all day today and see how I feel around 8pm. I want to go (and Sam would be rather displeased if I didn't make it! lol).
Other than that, 5 days until JWT pay day. And 4 weeks until the Christmas break! Whoohoooo! |
My completely apathy of this city continues. How boring can London get? People here are either stupid or mean, or both.
Sigh. I'm becoming one of them too. My brain is eating in on itself.
Anywhooo, to knock the edge off, I've book a weekend away in Slovenia for January, which is as soon as I can get away. (It was either Slovenia or Grenada; and as Ljubljana is not only the more interesting option, but cheaper too, it won)
Slovenia 1, Espana 0 |
Huh, so I'm on random holiday in London, again (I took two weeks off in Oct - when I stayed in London to job hunt).
The job hunting paid off, but London is painfully boring and I swore I'd never spend that much free time in London again. However, two weeks on..... here I am. In London.
Oh well.
Actually, I've got too many commitments on to be able to go away from the UK this time round. For a start, McCann's Christmas party is this Friday - which sounds like a minefield and a Half!!! But I shall be in attendance, and therefore can't really get away.
(Pray for me)
As for today... I'm going on a little exploration trip to the UK's only decently large mall - Bluewater. Mall visits on the lead-up to Christmas, probably unwise, but why not?
Tomorrow should be a little nicer, I'm going to pop down to Canary Wharf to visit my old team at HSBC. Yay! They were much nicer than the people at JWT (with exception of David, Julia, Kim and Brooke). I still miss them. Sane people - it'll make a nice change. |
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Resigned from JWT, moving onto McCann Erikson. I'm just really glad JWT is over. |
Like the rest of the English speaking world, I've been overwhelmed by my love of Facebook.
I thought I would never need another website again.
Ok, honeymoon period over. I haven;t made it back to my web email sites yet, but I've decided I miss my blog. I enjoy rambling to myself.
Hmm, it's been 4 months since I posted... since which I've been on holiday (Spain was exceptional!); finished my rancid affair with the most imbecilic man alive (I have finally learnt that French = offensive); got mugged (a thankfully non-violent and unexpected watershed for my life); and fallen wildly in love with the substantially brilliant Sam.
AND I've just booked flights to the Hong Kong Sevens next year!!! Whoooohoooo! The plan has super-Sam and magnificently-entertaining-Julia, both locked in for the trip. Sam and I will be out at home for two weeks, Julia will join us for a week over the Sevens weekend.
Inspired by my itchy feet, Sam and I have also booked a short breakaway to Boracay, during our trip.
PLUS, Sam's band is playing in Islington Sunday night.
Ah, LIFE IS SO GOOD!!! |
Ok, I woke up Monday morning and realised I would probably get well-bored on my own in the Polish mountains.
So I'm going to Alicante / Valencia / Barcelona instead (all three over two weeks).
It's been ages since I went travelling on my own. So in a spur of the moment act (do I act in any other way?), I booked myself off work for two weeks in June; flying into Alicante and out of Barcelona. The in between part I'll figure out.
(If I can do a solo trip around the Philippines on my own at 18, I can do that)
I'm excited. It's been (some!) years since I've been backpacking (though travelling in China is somewhat close...). I'm really looking forward to wandering and just hanging out with other people in the sun. (I am mildly worried I might be starting to get too old for the backpacker thing.... but eh! Next month will tell!) |
I've been holding out and holding out for an idea of what to do for a holiday this year. I keep coming up with a plan, then losing enthusiasm for it; then planning another, then deciding I can't be bothered. (of course, several other plans are out of the budget... hence sorry Dad, no HK for now; and sorry Ritesh, no Kenyan wedding attendance)
HOWEVER.. I THINK I'VE FOUND IT. Poland. Tatra Mountains. Zakopane.....
After a day of web surfing, I've decided nothing could be more fun than getting my tush over to Krakow, hopping on a bus down to Zakopane, and spending a week wandering the mountains of the Polish/Slovac Tatra mountains. They look fabulous.. here's a pic:
http://academic.emporia.edu/aberjame/ice/lec14/f14b.jpg
and a few more
http://www.memoria.travel.pl/index.php?pageid=5821
Ok, if I wake up Monday and still want to do it, it'll be all systems go for June.
I wonder if I could convince Nicole that this would be more fun that Marrakesh/Alicante.... |
I've seen Four Weddings and a Funeral at least a dozen times and I'm watching it again right now, it's on Film4.
Following Amy's wedding today, it feels like I'm watching it for the first time. I really does.... I never ever ever ever perceived my life would relate to this movie, but hey, life is surprising me a lot these days. (more about that in a minute)
Anyway, perhaps I'm just in awe of how life has changed, after spending a wedding day with my gang from uni. During all those sambuca shots and random hook-ups, who would have thought we'd end up loving each other so much and that we'd end up watching each other get married? (to other people, I might add!) And this is just the start (and we thought it was all over). That's the strangest part...
Astounding.
Anyway, I'm sure I'll get over it soon enough. In the meantime, back to nice surprises; I have the most attractive new boss in the world to distract me from it all. Ha. |
So, David arrived last week.
This really needs so much more commentary, but I'm too awe struck right now. (wow) |
I have never loved Kareoke (or even really liked it), but Aimes' Hen do last night brought out my inner Asian. I think I've found a new love, I've finally evolved and seen the Kareoke light.
Anyway, the genes did me proud, with myself and Anna Dejean particularly shameless in our (multiple) renditions of Ace of Base's "(I saw) The Sign". We should tour. Watch out YouTube, here we come.
(Ok, there is a chacne the video from last night may end up on YoueTube, but I don't actually want that to happen) |
One week and counting until David arrives from the NYC office to take the workload from hell off my shoulders.
One week.
Just one more week.
Deep breath. |
So, Jared and I have decided to give a name to the act of taking the 'safe choice' instead of going after what you really want. Second Choice syndrome. Scariest thing known to man.
I bring this up as guy #2 is now out of the picture; for the reason that I realise he's definltey #2. Number 1 really is not going anywhere (that I can live with), but the only way I could actively make it worse is if I ended-up actively pursuing #2 as a result.
That would be a horrble place! The "safety choice" never magically grows into #1. |
DUDE! What was with THAT?
That has had to have been the longest four-day-week I have ever had! Euughhrhh. Hack. Work has been tough, and my social life too lite, I'm really glad it's the weekend!
One rather surreal thing happened this week - Catherine and Larry came back from Val D'sere; and whilst on holiday had given some thought to giving me a key to their house. The general premise being: I have a key in case of emergency, for last minute cat-sitting, and if I want to let myself into their house in general. So I now have a key to their place, which though I was really touched by....... I don't know whether to be delighted or mortified that my relationship with my friends has reached a new level....
Anyway, the weekend is just beginning and I need go surf the web for a restaurant tonight. |
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Everyone's out of town this weekend, so I had a great day just wandering around town. The sun couldn't be more sunny. Is there anything better than that??? (living in London, honestly, there couldn't be) |
After yesterday, I've heard about SO many engagements and weddings (two going on this very weekend) that I'm going to give up keeping track.
My new default assumption: if I haven't seen the person in two months, s/he is engaged. Longer than two... s/he is getting or just got married.
I'm kinda grateful I'm living in London.... it appears to be the last centre of single people over 26....................... |
Ok, to say that the five friends I saw yesterday composes my HK experience and can be dubbed a 'reunion' is deranged and a little rude to my other friends; however, with a few unexpected people from high school coming out of the woodwork for Easter, we got together for dim sum yesterday (Friday Bank Holiday).
NB - FOUR DAYS OFF IN A ROW, WOOOOHHOOOOOOOOOOO.
It's been at least 4 years since I saw Vicky, who has now moved back to London... and longer since I last saw Vishal (6 years), who is on his way to a wedding in Vienna. So it was quite an event to see them - as well as Hussein, Aruna and Nick (with new boyfriend in tow! And a very attractive Swedish one at that, good job N!) |
The IPA results came out today (The Advertising industry body's accreditation exams).
Ok, I didn't take it all that seriously before, but now that I've found out I've done silly-well; I'm taking them much more seriously ;) hahah, so feel like gloating a little. I got the highest marks you can get (a handful of people do) - implications being that my name will be in all the Advertising Press in a fortnight's time (Media Guardian, Campaign, Marketing Week.. etc etc etc) plus I will get showered with praise and champagne at the IPA party / my agency.
Woooooohoooo. It feels good to be me today. |
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Apr. 5th, 2007 @ 09:31 pm
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Life continues at full speed! Following my boss' departure from the agency; the Huggies account has complete taken over my life... I am officially a diaper. And the one individual in the world who knows the most about European Huggies ad copy. Seriously. There is little more I could possibly know about ads with cute babies.
So the long hours continue at work.
Also, it has to be said, dating is a crazy concept. Like, I mean, who thought up this stuff? Seriously? Life certainly isn't dull. To stir things up a bit more, guy #2 gets back from holiday & the Rugby Sevens next week... and I thought I would have made my mind up on guy #1 by then. Nahdah. #1 threw in a few wild cards before HE went on holiday to France... so.... yeah.... life is good-crazy, but I'm not ready to make things less complicated yet. |
With all these wedding announcements - I almost forgot! Aside from my last post, yet further wedding congrats has to go to Sarah Fidler on her very recent engagement :). Yay Sarah! I heard her news by email on Thursday. Congrats!!!!
Sarah and I know each other from yet another era ago... back when we were both working at the Business Psychology Consultancy, Nicholson McBride (a small private sort of hell). Interesting times... which we're both are glad are behind us! hahaha |
Phewww. Thank god for the weekend!
It was amazing seeing Maya again last night at her gig. It was amazing and, in a minor way, chilling (?) When you see people who you haven seen in ages, and witness how they've come along in life.....
Overall, I have to say Maya is doing really well and looking good; on the other side, I guess, she has changed in a way I'm not sure how I feel about. We all absorb some part of our chosen career paths, it's unavoidable. Part of what we do becomes part of our personality. It that way, she's become much more rock and roll. It's a little uncomfortable. But perhaps it was just last night.
Building on that topic: through her I found out a mutual friend of ours, from way back, is getting married and have a party on Monday to celebrate (what exactly, I'm not sure. The engagement? wedding? London-pit-stop of the wedding tour? She is German afterall....). Anyway, I hope to tag along on Monday and catch-up with Maya, plus with a few others. It'll be another world, attending this party - Maya mentioned names from the past I hardly recalled. Stephanie. Robert. Marco. They were all on my BSc course at LSE. We all knew each other once. The idea of seeing them again fascinates me completely. I want to know what happened next...
In the meantime, tomorrow is yet another BBQ party at Cath and Larry's. However, this time they Apthrops are making a conscious effort to bring 'new blood' to their social events, so all us 'regulars' have invited along friends from our other social circles to come along. It should be a big fun day - regardless of the weather (which I'm not banking on!). Looking forward to it.
Time for more sleep. Cx |
Still busy!
We're down an Account Manager and an Account Coordinator on Huggies, so I am absolutely up to my eyeballs at work at the moment. 1 month until "Dave" (this is all I know about the guy) transfers over from the New York office, to take off the workload...
That's 18 working days and counting (two bank holidays in between :)
Bring on Easter hols! I'm going to sleep for four days.
On another note, I am having *some* fun and loving in between. :) For one, I'm heading off to see Maya's gig this Friday, check it out - http://www.sohodolls.co.uk/main.htm . I'm really looking forward to it. I haven't seen her perform in years, and they've become really successful since the last time I saw them. It's going to rock. |
WHooohooo! Ritesh and Supna are getting married at end the of July, so it's off to Kenya for me, for the 3 day Indian wedding.... :)
Ritesh and Supna are friends of mine from LSE; which means Hussein, Sandy and Pete will be in attendance at the wedding-holiday-extravaganza too. I'm so excited (for me AND them.. ahaha).
Must now go count pennies in order to book flights.... |
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Blah, am ill. And so is over half my team... icky London viruses. |
Ok, I didn't quite keep up with January, but there's a lot to report! January was *some month*.
Firstly, Jono and I broke up just before Christmas - a move which was a long time coming; but I didn't say anything in my last two posts as we were still sorting out the logistics of him moving out; and I wasn't sure what to say.
Anyway, the break-up was all a while ago now. Even though this is the first time I've mentioned it on this blog, it's very public knowledge here in London; plus it feels like we broke up ages ago, I just haven't gotten around to sharing the news with those outside the UK. (For those of you outside the UK, who haven't seen me in 2007; don't worry, I'm in very high spirits and it's been a very good decision!)
So, big news but kinda old news.
Following on from that, more big change news! My flatmate, Iona, has decided to move in with her boyfriend. (Congrats!) And whilst it's great news for her, I'll admit it was a little awkward in terms of timing (and dealing with the logistics of Jono moving out). Now it's all fine, and I'm calm cool and collected (just!). Iona will be moving out in two weeks, when her notice period for the flat ends; and, as these things are, everything is falling nicely into place......
The other night I interviewed a girl as a potential flatmate; who, by total coincidence, is a colleague of, and good friends with Miles' flatmate, Ed. Rosie is a post-doctoral researcher at UCL and will be moving in on March 1st. Hurrah! No more panic! No more concern about my 2007 holiday budget being sunk into rent money! Yay! I'm looking forward to living with Rosie; she's a little, quiet person, about my age, who - as mentioned - is a Researcher by day; but also a jujitsu teacher by night (no joke!). I'm going to see if I can weasel my way into one of her courses at some point.....
What else? I swear there's more. Everything that could happen, did happen, in January.
Oh! I lost my mobile (first time EVER); so if you need my new number, email me or post a comment here and I'll get back to you with it).
Work? Oh we all know about that... I have a new account, new boss, now company structure.... it's too boring to go into; in essence: work is much improved, as is my standing at work; though it's very very very busy right now.
Lovelife? Hmm, I went on a date the other day; to make an effort with maintaining work-life balance, but he was boring. I've been bored by a few others since then too. So, whilst this part of my life is not very interesting - it hasn't quite died. :) Perhaps a goalpost to address in March? (I'm still recovering from the upheaval in my life in Jan..)
Hope everyone is well. I *WILL* update more in Feb!
Cath xxx |
So, I'm teaching weekly Mandarin classes at work - yes, you cynical lot, it is a very basic class - but they are classes all the same and is doing me some good. I can't remember if I've mentioned it before, since I've let this blog lapse into a long period of silence (and am too lazy to check otherwise); but I thought I'd start bringing this blog up to speed by talking at the classes.
I'm having a good time. And let's be honest, it's a mildly political move too.
For starters, it's nice to still teach a little again - a class of my own free will, and a course that I am in total control of. It's also been a good way to meet people in the company and get to know some of them a little better (plus earn a little guanxi).
Mostly though, I am on a one track plan to get back to China (this time with a very different career), and teaching a class here as been ideal for meeting people with similar goals with China (goals which are oddly rare, given what China means for our industry).
An aside: why are people so blinkered? Ok, I'm not going down that digression today, but wow. It's all about what you want to believe I guess.
Right, time to go home. All is well in land of Chinese classes, cereal and nappies. |
If anyone still checks this site... I'm alive! Happy New Year!
Mmm. I haven't posted since October, that's some time. Anyway, as I think I've finally settled in at work, it is safe to say that I'm back on my blog for 2007. With more frequent, though mini, postings.
My latest work news is that I'm still paying my bills, though 'moving on up' in my world. Hurrah for me. In addition to Kellogg's Cornflakes and Optivita; as of *today* my little world of Account Manager control has expanded to include 'Huggies' Europe. Cereals and nappies, plus incontinence pants. For real.
What does it all mean? Is that a promotion? Should I be celebrating? Why aren't I being paid more? Is this the path to being paid more?
I can't be arsed to analyse, but it sounds like a reason to celebrate to me. More power. Plus free incontinence pants. (I can hardly fit into my own pants after that Christmas break, perhaps they can double up as fat pants.)
Happy New Year to all!! |
My back is getting better (I keep throwing the damn thing out). I've become so fed up with the problems that I've gone to solution-finding overload.
Firstly, I've started to see a acupressurist down in Peckham (I have a deep and growing fondest for the ghetto). My Chinese Dr is fab, plus he totally indulgences my attemps practice my Mandarin with him. I have officially become a language goon.
Next, a friend of ours - Gemma (one of the Australians, via the Cath and Larry connection) is a Pilates instructor. She's been super generous and has given me a posture assessment and taken me through some rehabilitation exercises. In London that kind of one to one assessment and session costs a fortune... so I'm really lucky she's just volunteered to help me out :) Thank you Gemma! On a side note, she's just gotten a job offer to be an instructor in Switzerland, so she'd off there in January.
And last, Work has set up inhouse Yoga classes, which I plan to try out and see how it goes. |
Last weekend Jono and I went to Catherine's (Luton - Larrys girlfriend) new play. We have too admit, having heard the odd strain of Jewish Folksong coming out of rehearsals whilst we were crashing with them last month (mid-moving), Jono and I were a little apprehensive about how much we'd actually enjoy it.
Our expectations were abstract-independent-crazy-french-arty.
THNAKFULLY, it was actually very fabulous. Witty and layered, I really liked it, though I don't think I would have enjoyed the components separately. It was impressive and unexpected, she should be on top of the world with that achievement (will tell her so later at the BBQ today).
Anyway, back to my fav topic (me). At work, this week has been our own creative week. We were given an brief, to write a new print campaign for Ann Summers, which I had an absolute blast with.
Tomorrow we get our creative work reviewed, but unofficially, my creative partner (Hamish) and I have received a wheelbarrow and a half full of praise for our campaign ideas and artwork. I don't know how else to put it, I'm flattered and over the moon. Coming from anyone, respect for one's ideas is nice, but coming from people who do creative for a living, there's nothing that could really top it. |
I'm back!
Sorry it's been a while, I've been overloaded with all the change going on this month and in trying to assimulate it all, plus pepto bismal has featured a few more times in my life in the past month....(the PB was required for a post-client-party morning, and today... but I think today I've got a stomach bug).... but everything is moving along really well in spite of my blog-silence :)
Anyway, at JWT I've been hit training overload, which is a pleasent surprise really, as I'm being paid to relive university. The only difference this time round is that my lectures are at *least* 9am-5pm, 5 days a week, and there are only 8 people in my "class". Today is the end of week 4, with another three weeks of lectures to go before I move to my real job and the Kellogg's account full time, as an trainee in Account Management.
(I'm still struggling with the idea that I am a "Graduate Trainee" again, let's not bring that up too often..... Square one... again, but at least it's a fab Square One this time)
I'm really thrilled about my account. As I said, I've joined the Kellogg's team, and am specifically working on the Cornflakes and Optivita TV ad campaigns. Related to the account, last week I went up to Manchester for the Kellogg's 'Summer' party. The party pretty much destroyed me mind, body and soul, but was a very good two days and a great way to meet the clients / my team.
Argh, I can't articulate anything at the moment and this post isn't doing the past month justice. I blame the stomach bug. Boo. I'll updat more later... when the brain comes back - but in the mean time this is just a quick post to let you all know I'm still alive! |
I'm *finally* FINALLY on the other side!
Job over!
Move done!
Jono and I moved in four days ago. It's now Sunday, and we moved in last Thursday :) The builders are still around and about, but - in the way that builders are, we have not actually seen them for four days... I have only one word to describe their work behaviour, pathetic. Thankfully, they only have left to install the cooker hood and cover some pipes in the bathroom, so we have been able to move in properly.
The flat is great, Dave's done a great job with the works and new furniture. It's fabulous to be able to come home to our own place.
With even better news - Iona loved the flat, and will be moving in in two weeks time. :) I'm really looking forward to having her as a flatmate. She's hilarious, sane, and adds another dimension to my social life. I'm really happy she's going to be around, and if we have to share a flat with anyone, that we get to share it with her.
I also get to retain some links with my old team at HSBC, as she works there.
Parallel to all this, it was my last day at HSBC on Friday! :) Ok - I have to share my indiscretion here: I had my leaving drinks on Thursday, which went very very well... and was very well lubricated. All of my team came along, however these conditions were NOT conducive to turning up at work on my final day. To clarify: I didn't arrive for work until 1pm on my last day..... hahaha, which was a first for me, but everyone had a sense of humour about it, except for Lord Farquaad. It was *a little* naughty, hehehe, but we all need tales to tell. :) And besides pushing Lord Farquaad's irritation button, there was no other love lost.....
So my last day consisted of 4 hours, hungover, Pepto Bismal in hand. And I might add that excluding the late-in element, I was not the only one. My party took out half of HSS Head Office last Friday.
It goes without saying - as for the leaving do itself - it really was a great laugh, and I am quite sure I will be remembered.
And with that last point, you're all up to speed with my last few days. I've got half a day before I start at JWT... and I have some homework to do (typically, I had a friend of Jono's wedding to attend yesterday, and today I am unable to access my personal email - to remind myself exactly what task I have to prepare for work tomorrow). Nevermind... I *think* I remember what I need to do....
(Prepare three examples of communication that has influenced me over the past two weeks)
Got two, one more to go.
However, a little distressing still: what am I meant to wear tomorrow?
Whatever I choose, it's not going to cut the mustard. I feel like I'm going back to school. Outfits were never my forte...... |
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Aug. 22nd, 2006 @ 09:04 pm
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Iona is back, and is going to check out our spare room tomorrow. 4 days until I move (technically). |
I'm munching on roast-for-one, whilst juggling household items between various cardboard boxes. Packing isn't the most invigorating of activities, so I decided to colour it with a bit of lamb. Sadly I have enough roasdt for three, but there's no one around to eat it; and why would this occur in the first place? Well I wanted roast lamb, so if I have to eat anyway, why not make it?
After waking a little later than optimal this Sunday morning (partially due to Margo's fantastic birthday party last night - the best party I've been to in a while), I've spend the rest of the day running packing-related errands (i.e. buying brown packing tape and food for sustenance), and.... packing.
The packing is going well. Jono is at a stag do this weekend, so I'm on my own, which is quite fun as I can be totally irrational throughout my day - intermingle packing with spates of trying on outfits (which then get packed), cook an entire roast for myself, and have three cans of diet coke opened at very "key packing locations" for easy access drinking whilst I pack at each 'station'.
My flat is currently a tip, but I'll get there in the end. As you can see, this journal entry yet another of the mid-packing diversions. The next diversion will be my nails.
5 more days to go! |
What more could a girl desire?
Well, obviously a delivery of champagne and pressies first thing on a Saturday morning, which is what my new company sent me today.
Ah, being seduced by my company, I feel so Satan-foot-solider already. ;) It's so filthy!
Can't say I'm into Champagne before bacon, in all honesty, but I'm quite content to be superficially charmed by PR gestures first thing on my Saturday. |
Yay, despite missing out on the Denmark grand *Reunion*, Joe and Lize are back in town and coming over for dinner tomorrow... AAAAND, it's the BIG BROTHER FINAL. ALL IN ONE NIGHT.
What more could a girl possibly desire? |
Well, I might be less than hardcore - giving up on denmark and al -, but Dave and Flavia certainly aren't (new landlord and girlfriend) and made it over to the UK, after driving for 8 hours in the night.
Soooooooooo - yay them, and as a result, Jono and I have seen our new flat :) :) :) I won't even go into the hard labour that Dave and Flavia engaged in, after an 8 hour drive, but they had their work cut out for them - including half a day in Ikea, swedish meatballs and all. I'm sure Dave wanted to get the flat renovation started and administration all done and out of the way, but I am *extremely* grateful for their near-religious dedication of the flat............
Yay! New flat! 12 days!!!!
FYI - going back to what I would have been doing. Ryan-Air are still cancelling flights and UK airports remaining the sixth circle of hell (you have been warned!), so it was more than the right decision to postpone my self-introduction to the Danes.
Danish world, Catherine will be with you soon enough (October, when it will have just reached beyond the heat retaining boundaries of wardrobe). Coat? Maybe I can superglue my two jackets together. |
It was Airport *chaos* today, with Heathrow all shut up, Stansted and Gatwick kidding themselves, and with KLM, AirFrance and EasyJet giving up on all their UK flights altogether.
Oh the implications.
Firstly, I've got to decide how badly I want to go to Denmark this weekend.
The current travel advice is to not. Unless its essential. I don't think my social life counts as essential. But even if I did think it was essential, even if my flight doesn't get cancelled to make way for a more popular route (I can see the London-Aarhus route falling by the priority wayside)....... the security checks, no-hand-lugguage problem, and the odds that I will waste most of the weekend sitting in queues trying to beg my way onto flights, has kinda put me off.
(looks like no Denmark then)
Secondly, my future landlord is due to fly over to London with EasyJet tomorrow, to start proceedings. Hmm. Since EasyJet gave up so easily today, and the airport chaos no where near over, I reckon EasyJet will lie down and play dead as soon as the going gets tough tomorrow too. If no landlord.... then no new bed purchases this weekend, and no builders starting....
Disturbing.
Thirdly, there goes my two day escape from Ed-the-loser. Sigh. |
Urgh, I have found myself a stomach bug and was rather ill last yesterday, and so called in sick today, however I'm on the mend now and researching entertainment for the weekend on the Internet. Jono will also be down here in a few hours - delivering DVDs, player and TV (important bedroom accessories), expecting my illness to be in full swing.
Cath and Larry are up for a show, however.... so we might do that. Catherine is handing notice in at *her* workplace today, and is real nervous about it. I can empathise, I think we're both solidifying the following concept in our worldviews: people are *really* difficult when faced with things they don't want to hear.
As for my general mood, I am *soooooooooooooooo* excited that there are only about a few weeks until Jono and I move into our new flat. Sooooo thrilled. We've also started the flatmate hunt now... time will tell how that goes. Will report back.
Related to the impending move, I'm pulling everything together and trying to prioritise my budget. I'm dying to buy myself a sewing machine, but that really has to be at the far end of my priorities...! Moving will probably entail having to buy the odd bowl and side table, plus the career switch has laid a mire of fashion problems between me and September 11th. Against my values, but in line with having to play the game, I know I will have to lay down some amount of cash to tame/rectify.
Having said that, I guess there are worse things one could be forced to spend money on... plumbing disasters, wigs, anger management classes......
Right, time to go to the supermarket and find myself some food for the sick-day. |
I'm in a very good mood. My last weekend was spectacular, for no other reason than the sun was shining and I was with Jono. We walked around a reservoir, eating warm cheese and there was nothing I would rather have been doing. That's love.
Stocked with my overflow of goodwill, my week continues as really positive, despite my flatmate/secret gremlin king, Ed, doing his best to bring it soil the elation. 25 more days I move! Singing in the streets.
I'm really excited about the house move, plus the change in jobs. It's all systems go for August - my notices for both the job and flat have been handed-in, and new flatmate hunting to start next week.
Jono and I have given ourselves a little margin in the flatmate hunt, and though we move in at the end of this month, have given ourselves until the end of Sept to find ourselves someone fun to share the place with. Other than that, there is so much admin to take care of - particularly, opening a joint account together. Disturbingly domestic - when one has to fill-out anti-money-laundering paperwork with another. |
I've handed in my notice!
Yaaayyyy!
Freedom from Lord Farquuad!
I can smell his paranoia from my little open plan desk.
Mwaaahahahahahahaaaaa. |
This weekend was pretty relaxed, Jono, Larry, Catherine and I caught a movie on Saturday night, and I spent this afternoon over at Kate (one of the girls who came to Hong Kong)'s BBQ. Which introduced trifle, to the list of things I would like to eat more of.
An update on work: I had to tell a few of the guys on my team - Mike and John D. that I would be resigning soon. They were really fabulous about it, but the recommended I tell my boss sooner rather than later, so, the cunning plan is to tell him tomorrow (eep!). I'm not as nervous as I thought I would be, but then it's probably because it's not tomorrow yet... hahaha. Anyway, it'll be nice ot get it in the open... but he'll probably need some time to calm down, so I might wait until the end of the day to tell him.
Right, fingers crossed that delivering the bad news (as far as my boss is concerned) will not bee too rough a ride tomorrow! |
Ah, I've calmed down since my last post, but flatmate relations are hideous. To cut a long story short, conflict management is in effect and we tolerate each other.
Anyway, no more about Ed - the end of the relationship draws near (50 days, so exciting).
Since I last wrote not too much as changed in my life, but my mood is really coming round.
I can finally see that the changes, which I've been working towards for nearly a year, are just round the corner. I almost forgot about them, and now they're nearly on top of me.
I handed in the notice for my flat last week, in three weeks I'll be handing in the notice to my job, in 6 weeks, I'll be living in my super new place with Jono, and in 7 weeks I'll be starting my super duper new shiny career.... and this weekend I started to really feel that these things are happening. Yay! |
Right, I have had just about enough of my flatmate. I have been more than easy-going about his selfishness, but today I've totally had it and have said as much to him. Git.
Long story short: the boy is incapable of a) cleaning after himself, b) feeding himself c) even locking the front door (really).
So, due to (a), several months back I quite contently agreed to split the cost of a cleaner, unfortunately it has now descended to a situation where I always rearrange my evening schedule to make sure the cleaner can get into the flat to clean *his* bathroom (I am fully capable, and often do, clean my own).
The last straw came today when Ed claimed that it looked like he would be caught up at work - and emailed me, to ask if I could make sure I would be home all evening tonight, to coordinate with what is essentially his cleaner.
I was slightly annoyed that I had to work round his "busy schedule" yet again, but I agreed to help out. What's the point in conflict?
Then it dawned on me that the World Cup Semi Final is on tonight... and he wouldn't be caught up with work at all. So he has asked me, to make sure I'm home this evening, to sort out his cleaner, so that he can go out and watch football instead. Total toss pot.
I emailed him (admittedly with a more diplomatic tone than the above), to say that his behaviour was just not cool. He has totally ignored my email. I was sorely tempted to equally ignore letting his cleaner in this evening, and let him live in his filth (honestly, he's waited 6 weeks for this and still won't clean his own bathroom himself); but wasn't not her fault... and it was too late to be fair about canceling on her, as she would have been expecting the working hours (as a once freelancer, I can relate).
Maaannn, what a total Git. Absolute immature eejit. And I wondered why he has such few friends, who never answer his calls. He's so getting payback for this. Suggestions welcome. |
Well well, it looks like this summer will be all about The Qi.
Actually, I'm well pleased. Firstly, Joe and Lize, a couple I used to work with at EF in Urumqi, will be touring through Europe, on a summer break from Sichuan, beginning next week. I've won a day in their busy agenda - a Saturday no less! - so will be spending July 15th hanging with those two. It will be amazing to see them - for a start it's been well over a year.
Secondly - in the way that buses all come at once - Susi, Nikolaj and I have all come out of a slow phase of email correspondence; and the next thing I know, I'm sitting on e-tickets for Aarhus and will be going to visit them at the beginning of August. Susi and Nikolaj also worked with Lize, Joe and I at EF. These four are all super enjoyable people, which I cannot wait to see again.
Super enjoyable people can definitely like buses..... and London feels like a ghetto-zone-four-bus-stop at 3am, in minus 5 drizzle this week. It's about time they all came at once. |
Birthday was good :) Thank you all.
Then, this weekend I went to Amar's leaving-do - fab evening at a bar called Fluid; plus saw him again today, following dim sum with Miles, with more of his mates at a Brazilian festival on the South Bank today. Was also good. Caipirinhas good. Particularly raspberry spin-off-Caipirinha. Gooooooood.
The sun is shining in London town. Apparently next week is meant to be a heatwave....
ASIDE
Oh my God, I'm watching "Big Brother" on TV right now... it's addictive and I like it... aside from that issue, however, it needs to be said that Nicci on Big Brother is a TOTAL social retard. I love her. Utterly spectacular. I mean, Jesus - how is she still alive? And if the world in general hasn't killed her off yet - how hasn't someone else decided to kill her? Out of pure annoyance???? She's amazing. A hero for social disasters the world over.
ASIDE OVER
What does one wear to work in a heatwave? I come from Hong Kong - and there's no "heatwave" in no Hong Kong officcce - airconditioning to the death!
But London? Eh? Airconditioning on normal???? What do people wear to work when they don't want to fling flesh around the office?
Will observe and report back. |
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Happy 'day to Jono today! Mine tomorrow. Yay me. |
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Cake
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Jun. 22nd, 2006 @ 06:03 am
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I made cake!
Ahh, a day off at home was just what I needed. I'm in a much better mood than I've been for teh past three weeks.... I was getting seriously mean-grumpy. I didn't know it, but I really needed the break - just a day off from having to even think; plus I have a freshly baked cake to show for it.
Chocolate and ginger. Very gingery. Good. Got recipe from Google and tin from Tesco's. |
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cathbarr's journal
