Hmmm well my last week before Christmas holiday was less active than intended, was ill off work on Weds, stayed in every night. Didn't go to the Latin Connection Xmas party the Sunday before as went out for Indian with housies, followed by City Church carol service (not JPC as I thought!)
Finished work on Friday 19th and by the time I got home, everyone else had gone home for Christmas without telling me! Went straight down to B'ham International on Sat morn to fly to Tenerife :-) Most of Saturday was spent travelling, on Sunday we explored Puerto de la Cruz in our hire car. Monday we went to Teide but didnt go right up to the top as it costs 25 euros per person! Tuesday was shopping, Wednesday was Loroparque, Thursday (Christmas day!) was the beach and Friday was a general drive round the island, going to Playa de las Americas and Los Gigantes. Came back Saturday.
Sunday was Grandpa's birthday in Shrewsbury (Jo and Simon weren't there because Oliver James was born on Boxing day night!) Monday I test drove a Nissan Micra and Ford KA in Worcester before coming back up here on the train. Have been at work yesterday and today. Done a food shop ready for Jo and Oli to arrive this evening. Still not sure what we're doing, might be going to a 'misunderstanding' themed house party. Am getting a new car this weekend! (Thanks mum and dad!) A blue Ford KA. Whoopee! Back at work after New Year on Friday, wish I'd taken it off now, is pointless coming back for one day.....
Currently organising the next work social for the end of the month. I love organising things!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Erm... Cant remember what I've done!
Finished German for the term - yes! Finished Lost season 3 also. Mary's been up with Oli for an evening (and graduated from her MSc). I've not been back to Intsoc yet, been out for IAMS team Xmas dinner at Flatbread Cafe followed by Popolos, Baby Lynch's and The Other Rooms because Digital was charging £16 to get in! Annie Mac was playing....
Last Saturday, I started my Xmas shopping and bought Anna and Steve's birthday presents. It was Fake Christmas with Anna's old housemates and so between the 2 of us we cooked for 12 people. Then I went to an International Society house pary afterwards (Laura's from Luxembourg). Last Sunday I generally spent in bed and swore I would never again drink to excess, this time I really DO mean it! Sunday was also Steve's bday but he was ill with the flu so we didnt do anything to celebrate it!
Monday was Anna's birthday so we gave her her presents then I went out to the LBS Xmas ball. Tuesday had been planning on going to the Salseduce Xmas party but was knackered and I had to organise Drivers Assist coming to pick up the hire car so I couldnt anyway. Wednesday was a quiet night in watching lost, Thurs was my last German class and Fri was the Black Swan. Yesterday was a bit more Xmas shopping (will finish it on Thurs night) and in the evening it was the Grosvenor Xmas social. Went to sleep about half past midnight and woke up 12 hours later! Anna's Aunt and cousin were up on Friday night from Cambridge and Leeds.
Tomorrow night I'm going swimming, Tues night its hopefully salsa at Bar Beyond, Weds night might be a drink with Andrea as Intsoc's finished for the term. Thurs is late night shopping, Fri is the Swan and packing for Tenerife!!! Tonight we're also going out for our house Xmas meal (instead of buying each other presents, we re just going out for a meal - probably at La Gabbia) with the Jesmond Parish Church carol service beforehand!
Finally have an appt on 6th Jan at Freeman Hospital about my ENT referral.....
Last Saturday, I started my Xmas shopping and bought Anna and Steve's birthday presents. It was Fake Christmas with Anna's old housemates and so between the 2 of us we cooked for 12 people. Then I went to an International Society house pary afterwards (Laura's from Luxembourg). Last Sunday I generally spent in bed and swore I would never again drink to excess, this time I really DO mean it! Sunday was also Steve's bday but he was ill with the flu so we didnt do anything to celebrate it!
Monday was Anna's birthday so we gave her her presents then I went out to the LBS Xmas ball. Tuesday had been planning on going to the Salseduce Xmas party but was knackered and I had to organise Drivers Assist coming to pick up the hire car so I couldnt anyway. Wednesday was a quiet night in watching lost, Thurs was my last German class and Fri was the Black Swan. Yesterday was a bit more Xmas shopping (will finish it on Thurs night) and in the evening it was the Grosvenor Xmas social. Went to sleep about half past midnight and woke up 12 hours later! Anna's Aunt and cousin were up on Friday night from Cambridge and Leeds.
Tomorrow night I'm going swimming, Tues night its hopefully salsa at Bar Beyond, Weds night might be a drink with Andrea as Intsoc's finished for the term. Thurs is late night shopping, Fri is the Swan and packing for Tenerife!!! Tonight we're also going out for our house Xmas meal (instead of buying each other presents, we re just going out for a meal - probably at La Gabbia) with the Jesmond Parish Church carol service beforehand!
Finally have an appt on 6th Jan at Freeman Hospital about my ENT referral.....
Monday, December 1, 2008
Getting fit
Have decided it's about time I got fit. Finally dragged myself along to East End pool this eve (admittedly only managed half a kilometre, but it's a start) Had to have a rest after pretty much each length! Also managed a good few minutes of water cycling leaning back against the edge with my arms stretched along the wall.
Tomorrow I have an induction session at the gym around the corner. Have decided I need to find something other than watching Lost etc to do with my evenings. Trouble is, really, all I really want to do is collapse on the sofa every evening! Last Weds I FINALLY made it to Intsoc for the first time since about first year! Maybe second year. Anyway, have made the first plunge, and now have a reason to go back, since I met lots of nice people so it wont be such an effort to drag myself along again.
Last Tues at the Cumberland Arms was weird, by the way - not my cup of tea at all! Last Thursday I of course had German, and went out for a (non-alcoholic) drink after at the Trent house with Phil, Sean and Natalie, cos I came straight from work with the car. Friday I spontaneuously ended up at drinks with former colleagues from Xtreme. Spontaneously meaning Alvin IMed me at work on Friday morning asking if I was coming to Floritas that evening. Had food at Wetherspoons and even made it the Black Swan! Thankfully my love for salsa has at least been rekindled by GBSEx even if I do find it smothering seing the same faces again. Pretty much given up on ballroom, at least as far as LBS is concerned. I want PROPER lessons!
Saturday I slept, and watched Lost. That's it. Had realised the state of my bank balance even though I only got paid on Thursday and decided I couldnt afford to do anything. Anna's older sister was up for the weekend so we hung out with her in the evening. Yesterday, Anna and Julia made a roast (my contribution was the stuffing, and even that I didnt get right!) and I went to Morrisons. Thats it. Oh, I did laundry too. My weekends are always so exciting.
Intsoc on Weds (and maybe Argentine Tango), German and drinks after on Thurs, and Iams consumer relations team Xmas dinner at Flatbread cafe on Friday. Mary is up for a visit tomorrow evening. 'House' Christmas with all of Anna's 8 ex housemates from Jesmond plus boyfriends at ours on Saturday night, and all my christmas shopping/Anna and Steve's birthday present shopping in the day.
Tomorrow I have an induction session at the gym around the corner. Have decided I need to find something other than watching Lost etc to do with my evenings. Trouble is, really, all I really want to do is collapse on the sofa every evening! Last Weds I FINALLY made it to Intsoc for the first time since about first year! Maybe second year. Anyway, have made the first plunge, and now have a reason to go back, since I met lots of nice people so it wont be such an effort to drag myself along again.
Last Tues at the Cumberland Arms was weird, by the way - not my cup of tea at all! Last Thursday I of course had German, and went out for a (non-alcoholic) drink after at the Trent house with Phil, Sean and Natalie, cos I came straight from work with the car. Friday I spontaneuously ended up at drinks with former colleagues from Xtreme. Spontaneously meaning Alvin IMed me at work on Friday morning asking if I was coming to Floritas that evening. Had food at Wetherspoons and even made it the Black Swan! Thankfully my love for salsa has at least been rekindled by GBSEx even if I do find it smothering seing the same faces again. Pretty much given up on ballroom, at least as far as LBS is concerned. I want PROPER lessons!
Saturday I slept, and watched Lost. That's it. Had realised the state of my bank balance even though I only got paid on Thursday and decided I couldnt afford to do anything. Anna's older sister was up for the weekend so we hung out with her in the evening. Yesterday, Anna and Julia made a roast (my contribution was the stuffing, and even that I didnt get right!) and I went to Morrisons. Thats it. Oh, I did laundry too. My weekends are always so exciting.
Intsoc on Weds (and maybe Argentine Tango), German and drinks after on Thurs, and Iams consumer relations team Xmas dinner at Flatbread cafe on Friday. Mary is up for a visit tomorrow evening. 'House' Christmas with all of Anna's 8 ex housemates from Jesmond plus boyfriends at ours on Saturday night, and all my christmas shopping/Anna and Steve's birthday present shopping in the day.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
GBSEx
Well, did a couple of hours rehearsal with my partner, Jose, last Sunday for P&G's got talent last Thursday. Did an hour and a half on Monday night, 2 and a half hours on Tuesday night, 2 - 2 and half hours on Wedneday night and then the dress rehearsal on Thursday morning. We came 4th and I was very nervous!
On Friday, went down to Manchester for the GBSEx (Great British Salsa Experience)and wrote me car off on the M62 on the way at Rochdale! I now have a Mercedes A150 courtesy car.... Thankfully we all escaped relativeley unscathed, just a bit of whiplash. So on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday night there were performances by professional dancers worldwide - USA, UK, Spain, Argentina, Holland, Italy etc etc and social dancing afterwards till gone 5am most nights (we didnt last that long).
On the Saturday during the day, I did a turn patterns intermediate/advanced on-1class with Pablo and Diana from Argentina and Colombia respectively. I had a ladies styling workshop with Susana Montero (originally from Madrid but represents Britain at Internatonal level and is AMAZING - she did a show with Inaki and Leon Rose on Sunday night which was WOW!) I had another turn patterns intermediate/advanced on-1 class with the Cobo Brothers from North Carolina, and a performance skills class with Irene Miguel, who's a famous dance group director, performer, actress and choreographer.
On Sunday, I had a lifts, tricks and dips workshop with Pablo and Diana (with scary, proper lifts and twists - all taught very safely, of course). I had (supposedly) and intermediate/advanced turn patterns on-1 with Eider and Caterina from South America/Dubai, but really it was improvers level and not really turn patterns! Theyre famous Argentine Tango dancers, who happen to teach not-so-great salsa classes at congress, it seems! Then I had a shines class (on-1) with Robert Charlemagne, who I think is British, and finally an introduction to reggaeton with Elisa Aloe who is half British/half Italian who has been on TV documentaries and all sorts working with offenders in the criminal justice system, teaching them dance as part of rehabilitation.
There were wow performances from Hacha y Machete, los hermanos, the Cobo Brothers, Mamboleo, and many many more whose names I forget!
Tonight I'm off to the Cumberland Arms (was going to go to salsa, but I can got ot salsa anytime, and there's some performance by Tom and Nicks's uni tutors on tonight at the Cumberland Arms, so I'm going to that instead. Almost finished Lost season 2!
On Friday, went down to Manchester for the GBSEx (Great British Salsa Experience)and wrote me car off on the M62 on the way at Rochdale! I now have a Mercedes A150 courtesy car.... Thankfully we all escaped relativeley unscathed, just a bit of whiplash. So on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday night there were performances by professional dancers worldwide - USA, UK, Spain, Argentina, Holland, Italy etc etc and social dancing afterwards till gone 5am most nights (we didnt last that long).
On the Saturday during the day, I did a turn patterns intermediate/advanced on-1class with Pablo and Diana from Argentina and Colombia respectively. I had a ladies styling workshop with Susana Montero (originally from Madrid but represents Britain at Internatonal level and is AMAZING - she did a show with Inaki and Leon Rose on Sunday night which was WOW!) I had another turn patterns intermediate/advanced on-1 class with the Cobo Brothers from North Carolina, and a performance skills class with Irene Miguel, who's a famous dance group director, performer, actress and choreographer.
On Sunday, I had a lifts, tricks and dips workshop with Pablo and Diana (with scary, proper lifts and twists - all taught very safely, of course). I had (supposedly) and intermediate/advanced turn patterns on-1 with Eider and Caterina from South America/Dubai, but really it was improvers level and not really turn patterns! Theyre famous Argentine Tango dancers, who happen to teach not-so-great salsa classes at congress, it seems! Then I had a shines class (on-1) with Robert Charlemagne, who I think is British, and finally an introduction to reggaeton with Elisa Aloe who is half British/half Italian who has been on TV documentaries and all sorts working with offenders in the criminal justice system, teaching them dance as part of rehabilitation.
There were wow performances from Hacha y Machete, los hermanos, the Cobo Brothers, Mamboleo, and many many more whose names I forget!
Tonight I'm off to the Cumberland Arms (was going to go to salsa, but I can got ot salsa anytime, and there's some performance by Tom and Nicks's uni tutors on tonight at the Cumberland Arms, so I'm going to that instead. Almost finished Lost season 2!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
It takes some getting used to, this P&G speak. ER, GCR, EMEA, Records management retention training etc etc. Lots of corporate MNC luncheons, meetings, video links and events going on. Have a lunch at the Village Hotel on Tuesday to celebrate the fact that we won the National Consumer Relations Team Award this year. I think. Have 2 days of diversity events this coming week, including P&G's got talent which I'm now in, though havent even thought about a routine yet!!!! Have been to quite a few charity sales of products this week too, so picked up loads of posh face cream for next to nothing.
Last Saturday I went so see the Sunderland-Portsmouth game, cant remember if I wrote that in last post. Has been a quiet week. Went to Old Orleans, Frankie & Bennys and Bar Bacchus with Phil on Monday night, didnt go to Argentine Tango, Intsoc or Bijoux on Weds night - did got to the Chillingham Arms though, had German on Thurs then straight home to bed with a headache, and last night was Children in Need! Declined Julia's invitation to go round to one of her friends' house in Fenham tonight for takeaway and DVD, did some housework and watched Lost instead!!!! Started on my translations for MATSI, got a lot to do tomo. French and Spanish translations, German homework, Morrisons shop, drive to Wallsend and maybe Newburn Riverside. Today I slept and popped into town briefly.
Watched A LOT of Grey's Anatomy and Lost this week!!!! Its only 10.15 but once Ive got my washing out the machine Im going to bed so I can get up vaguely eary tomorrow :-)
Last Saturday I went so see the Sunderland-Portsmouth game, cant remember if I wrote that in last post. Has been a quiet week. Went to Old Orleans, Frankie & Bennys and Bar Bacchus with Phil on Monday night, didnt go to Argentine Tango, Intsoc or Bijoux on Weds night - did got to the Chillingham Arms though, had German on Thurs then straight home to bed with a headache, and last night was Children in Need! Declined Julia's invitation to go round to one of her friends' house in Fenham tonight for takeaway and DVD, did some housework and watched Lost instead!!!! Started on my translations for MATSI, got a lot to do tomo. French and Spanish translations, German homework, Morrisons shop, drive to Wallsend and maybe Newburn Riverside. Today I slept and popped into town briefly.
Watched A LOT of Grey's Anatomy and Lost this week!!!! Its only 10.15 but once Ive got my washing out the machine Im going to bed so I can get up vaguely eary tomorrow :-)
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Work has begun!
Right, well I guess I am now a fully fledged member of global consumer relations at Procter & Gamble Western Europe - eeek! We're not meant to be going live until tomo, but we took a few calls on Friday (7, personally).
Have completed all my privacy training and confidential data stuff, didn't managed to print off my end-of-training certificate, though! Done my animal rights and complaints training, still dont feel ready enough to handle calls on those yet though. Have decided Gran Canaria in Feb and Essen before Xmas are not gonna happen. Also cant be bothered to apply for the MEB this year, even though is legit. Might try next year for 2010 entry if not happy at P&G. Have translations to do for the MATSI application (Leeds).
Have done quite a lot of French translations at work. Most importantly, transcripts in English of 3 of Julie's calls for her coaching session. Friday before last, went to some random person's Halloween party (I guess you could say I gatecrashed, since I didnt know the hosts) and then v v v briefly, to the Black Swan (for all of ten minutes). Saturday was the LBS Halloween social. Around about that time I started Grey's Anatomy season 1 which Ive now nearly finished. Monday night, I had a few house matters to sort out with Anna over dinner (a yummy chilli con carne which she cooked) I think all misunderstandings were suitably resolved. Also drove out to Hexham and back that evening to drop off Pride & Prejudice and Lost season 1 at Mary's and pick up Lost seasons 2 and 3!!!
Tuesday I went to the cinema to see Quantum of Solace and for a quick drink with Phil and Wednesday was bonfire night in Walker park with hot chocolate and chocolate fondue at Becca's afterwards. Thursday was German and soft drinks in the Goose before counselling current LBS President Freya who I picked up from Castle Leazes to come here for advice. Friday night was a quiet one in watching Grey's Anatomy, and last night was the Newcastle Tango Society Ball at the Northern Constitutional Club. So all in all, a busy week!!!
Have completed all my privacy training and confidential data stuff, didn't managed to print off my end-of-training certificate, though! Done my animal rights and complaints training, still dont feel ready enough to handle calls on those yet though. Have decided Gran Canaria in Feb and Essen before Xmas are not gonna happen. Also cant be bothered to apply for the MEB this year, even though is legit. Might try next year for 2010 entry if not happy at P&G. Have translations to do for the MATSI application (Leeds).
Have done quite a lot of French translations at work. Most importantly, transcripts in English of 3 of Julie's calls for her coaching session. Friday before last, went to some random person's Halloween party (I guess you could say I gatecrashed, since I didnt know the hosts) and then v v v briefly, to the Black Swan (for all of ten minutes). Saturday was the LBS Halloween social. Around about that time I started Grey's Anatomy season 1 which Ive now nearly finished. Monday night, I had a few house matters to sort out with Anna over dinner (a yummy chilli con carne which she cooked) I think all misunderstandings were suitably resolved. Also drove out to Hexham and back that evening to drop off Pride & Prejudice and Lost season 1 at Mary's and pick up Lost seasons 2 and 3!!!
Tuesday I went to the cinema to see Quantum of Solace and for a quick drink with Phil and Wednesday was bonfire night in Walker park with hot chocolate and chocolate fondue at Becca's afterwards. Thursday was German and soft drinks in the Goose before counselling current LBS President Freya who I picked up from Castle Leazes to come here for advice. Friday night was a quiet one in watching Grey's Anatomy, and last night was the Newcastle Tango Society Ball at the Northern Constitutional Club. So all in all, a busy week!!!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Finished lost!
Meant to be at German now but am skiving! Just paid my rent and council tax and got myself out my natwest overdraft, so I now have £180 in my nationwide account to last me until 30th November!!!! I received my first pay from P&G today...
Have been to the Goose lots and Wokmania, to the Forth, Head of Steam, Tilleys, Lloyds and the Cumberland Arms again, briefly. To Mr Lynch, Hancock, Popolos, Switch and The Dog for Tom's bday (not Camp David and Intermezzo as planned).
When parents were up we went for meals at La Gabbia and Rumana, and to the Metrocentre briefly. Last night I was in Florita's and Union rooms for Alvin's leaving drinks from Xtreme.
I even popped along to LBS Sunday workshop last weekend! Didnt manage the Seaton Sluice dogwalk on Sunday morning though. STILL not managed to go swimming. Ever. Weds night I didnt go see High School Musical 3, or to the intsoc social at Nancys (still not made it to intsoc at all either) or la noche cubana at Bijoux. Some things never change like my inability to do what I intend to do every wednesday.
I now have a PC at work and access to my email account! Which means I have now joined the P&G network on facebook lol. Have requested a key for my tambour unit (through the IT system), updated my people finder profile, started my standard operating procedures training, registered for my American Express Company Credit Card, drawn up a table of all the new hires' details including SAP numbers and T numbers for my boss, accessed the electronic payroll system, created my personal signature and favourites list and written up notes on the Compendium content, incl a mock roleplay re an overweight siamese cat!!!!!
Have started on French and Spanish glossaries, had 2 team meetings and one initiatives and advocacy meeting, and drafted out some emails on Maria's computer...
Tomorrow night am going to a halloween party and Saturday night its the LBS social. I was planning on spending my first payslip on clothes in town on Saturday but it's already disappeared! Got to drop off the DVDs I borrowed from Mary's parents back at her house in Hexham, and start thinking about booking Essen and Gran Can...
Have been to the Goose lots and Wokmania, to the Forth, Head of Steam, Tilleys, Lloyds and the Cumberland Arms again, briefly. To Mr Lynch, Hancock, Popolos, Switch and The Dog for Tom's bday (not Camp David and Intermezzo as planned).
When parents were up we went for meals at La Gabbia and Rumana, and to the Metrocentre briefly. Last night I was in Florita's and Union rooms for Alvin's leaving drinks from Xtreme.
I even popped along to LBS Sunday workshop last weekend! Didnt manage the Seaton Sluice dogwalk on Sunday morning though. STILL not managed to go swimming. Ever. Weds night I didnt go see High School Musical 3, or to the intsoc social at Nancys (still not made it to intsoc at all either) or la noche cubana at Bijoux. Some things never change like my inability to do what I intend to do every wednesday.
I now have a PC at work and access to my email account! Which means I have now joined the P&G network on facebook lol. Have requested a key for my tambour unit (through the IT system), updated my people finder profile, started my standard operating procedures training, registered for my American Express Company Credit Card, drawn up a table of all the new hires' details including SAP numbers and T numbers for my boss, accessed the electronic payroll system, created my personal signature and favourites list and written up notes on the Compendium content, incl a mock roleplay re an overweight siamese cat!!!!!
Have started on French and Spanish glossaries, had 2 team meetings and one initiatives and advocacy meeting, and drafted out some emails on Maria's computer...
Tomorrow night am going to a halloween party and Saturday night its the LBS social. I was planning on spending my first payslip on clothes in town on Saturday but it's already disappeared! Got to drop off the DVDs I borrowed from Mary's parents back at her house in Hexham, and start thinking about booking Essen and Gran Can...
Monday, October 20, 2008
Just a little random update
Erm...cant remember much of what Ive done - sorry! Mary's been round for dinner (she s now working in Norfolk!) Had a couple more German classes, been ill :-(, seen the Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, been to WHQ and shopping at Silverlink. Didnt manage to see Angie when she was up the other weekend - oops. Been to the Cumberland Arms for Toms bday - amazing open-mike night except not - a great county and folk group, bought lots of cheap stuff from the P&G shop been to London - met the McKamys (yay!) - went shopping on Oxford St w Sarah, had dinner in the Globe pub at Baker St, stayed with Hels out at Barnes, drank wine with her housemates when she was out, saw Carolyn in Luton, met Anna for coffee at High St Kensington......been back to work, knocked the wing mirror again! Watched Lost....
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
P&G
It's hard keeping up a blog when you're a working professional! So Thursday night last week I made a (quite successful) cake to take into work for my last day! I was expecting a card, maybe, but in actual fact around 11am on Friday nearly 20 people or so that make up my old department came and stood in a crowd and watched me open my presents - a box of chocolates, a breakfast set and a plant. Leaving drinks were in Wetherspoons with a good ten or so people there all in all, went to the Black Swan for a bit too!
Saturday was German refresher class again, champagne-buying, drinks in the Goose and a lovely bubbly dinner party at B's to celebrate her finishing her PhD. Sunday was a lie-in (no Great North Run), preparation for P&G including a practice-drive and finishing watching Pride & Prejudice. I also applied for a job in Paris and have since turned down an invitation to interview due to very bad timing.
Since Monday morning, I have been being paid to arrive late and finish early and have longer lunch-breaks, drink coffee, chat to my new colleagues, watch powerpoint presentations and DVDs, shadow people, read some stuff and maybe make a few notes. Oh, and eat nice yummy food after some important P&G guy from the states comes over for a breakfast meeting and early morning awards ceremony.
Anna had Simon and Carly round for dinner on Monday, and Lucy round for dinner tonight, and yesterday I was at Bar Beyond for salsa (for once). Tomorrow I have German and then Im going to the Turkish baths, and then Friday its the Black Swan and the Cooperage. No wonder I am knackered. Plus, I have all my nutrition training to learn!
Saturday was German refresher class again, champagne-buying, drinks in the Goose and a lovely bubbly dinner party at B's to celebrate her finishing her PhD. Sunday was a lie-in (no Great North Run), preparation for P&G including a practice-drive and finishing watching Pride & Prejudice. I also applied for a job in Paris and have since turned down an invitation to interview due to very bad timing.
Since Monday morning, I have been being paid to arrive late and finish early and have longer lunch-breaks, drink coffee, chat to my new colleagues, watch powerpoint presentations and DVDs, shadow people, read some stuff and maybe make a few notes. Oh, and eat nice yummy food after some important P&G guy from the states comes over for a breakfast meeting and early morning awards ceremony.
Anna had Simon and Carly round for dinner on Monday, and Lucy round for dinner tonight, and yesterday I was at Bar Beyond for salsa (for once). Tomorrow I have German and then Im going to the Turkish baths, and then Friday its the Black Swan and the Cooperage. No wonder I am knackered. Plus, I have all my nutrition training to learn!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
A little bit ill...
Not at work today, am off ill though I probably could have gone in had I thought my presence would be missed. Since we only had 5 ads yesterday I doubt they re too fussed. My boss offered to send me home ill yesterday if I wanted but I stayed so I dont think she was expecting me to come in today! 2 more days left, then its P&G as of Monday.
Have moved into Cardigan Terrace and painted the lounge, kitchen, 2 bedrooms and bathroom. Have bought all my stuff back from Mary's (obviously) - bought her parents some nice flowers and wine and a card. Been to Morrisons. A lot. Stocked up our drinks cabinet with 30 bottles of wine!!!! Cooked in our new but still v messy kitchen, collected some post from hotspur street, sorted out bins, bath and curtains here, parked car in yard, been to Julia's housewarming and to the doctors about an ENT referral in the Northeast, seen the Stepbrothers at the cinema, had 2 Indian takeaways, tried to watch SATC the movie and been to one of my two German level 1 refreshers courses. Been for more work drinks at Union rooms and Gotham town and the Forth.
Still need to watch Lost season 1 and Pride & Prejudice (BBC version) which Ive borrowed from Mary's house, as well as Grey's Anatomy still. Want to watch the Duchess and Eurotrip, am making a cake tomorrow night to take into work on Friday with some chocolates, and still need to get into the routine of going swimming, to the gym and to the intsoc socials. Friday I WILL make it to the Black Swan after my leaving drinks. Saturday night Im going to a dinner party at B's (she's just finished her PhD hence the celebration complete with champers and is apparently an amazing cook, and she s from Thailand so hopefully it ll all be yummy Thai food).
In the midst of sorting out paying for rent, bills, council tax and TV licence, and want to book to see some things at the Theatre Royal and the Sage. Aargh! Too much time, and now that I have a full-time job, no time to do it in!!!!
Have moved into Cardigan Terrace and painted the lounge, kitchen, 2 bedrooms and bathroom. Have bought all my stuff back from Mary's (obviously) - bought her parents some nice flowers and wine and a card. Been to Morrisons. A lot. Stocked up our drinks cabinet with 30 bottles of wine!!!! Cooked in our new but still v messy kitchen, collected some post from hotspur street, sorted out bins, bath and curtains here, parked car in yard, been to Julia's housewarming and to the doctors about an ENT referral in the Northeast, seen the Stepbrothers at the cinema, had 2 Indian takeaways, tried to watch SATC the movie and been to one of my two German level 1 refreshers courses. Been for more work drinks at Union rooms and Gotham town and the Forth.
Still need to watch Lost season 1 and Pride & Prejudice (BBC version) which Ive borrowed from Mary's house, as well as Grey's Anatomy still. Want to watch the Duchess and Eurotrip, am making a cake tomorrow night to take into work on Friday with some chocolates, and still need to get into the routine of going swimming, to the gym and to the intsoc socials. Friday I WILL make it to the Black Swan after my leaving drinks. Saturday night Im going to a dinner party at B's (she's just finished her PhD hence the celebration complete with champers and is apparently an amazing cook, and she s from Thailand so hopefully it ll all be yummy Thai food).
In the midst of sorting out paying for rent, bills, council tax and TV licence, and want to book to see some things at the Theatre Royal and the Sage. Aargh! Too much time, and now that I have a full-time job, no time to do it in!!!!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Hexham
Still waiting on references from Sandra and Angela, but theyve both definitely agreed to do them. Have started the applic for the MEB (ESCP-EAP) but wont start the next stage of the application for a few weeks until I have copies of all my certificates etc. Have done 3 and a half weeks at Xtreme Information Ltd, move to P&G in 3!
Currently trying to plan another trip down to London on the 17th for a long weekend to meet up with Sarah, Jerry snd Vicky McKamy from Washington DC. Hopefully going down to Manchester in Novemebr for the Great British Salsa Exerience. Cant actually pay for these things until Ive had my first payslip! Also already trying to plan a trip out to Gran Canaria during carnival next Feb with AO friends,the other former GC language assistants and uni friends. Moving into the new house asap after the 22nd September, will spend all of next weekend decorating it.
Have booked my German classes (and an intensive revision course) and as soon as move back to Heaton will start going swimming and to the gym regularly and get back into salsa. Since have been back up here, Ive seen Man on Wire at the Tyneside cinema, had paella evening (I cooked), cleaned most of 181 Hotspur Street, watched the Devils Advocate and Sleepless in Seattle (will watch Meet Joe Black tomorrow), finished Prison Break (about to embark on Greys Anatomy), made a roast with Mary, panicked about Marys dying cat (hes still not acutally died but he keeps on threatening to), met up with Kate who was up visiting for the weekend from Sheffield, been to the Laing and down to the Quayside (we had hot chocoloates in the MalMaison bar!), met up with Julia in Cafe Neon and Caffee Nero quite a lot, been for a meal at the Spice Cube, and been out for work drinks/food at the Charles Grey, Puccinis and the Union rooms, but I didnt go to Vanessa's leaving drinks at Bar Bacchus since Ive never actually met her!
When you put it like that, it acually sounds like quite a lot but its really not when you spread it over 4 weeks. Would like to go to see The Duchess at some point, watch the Great North Run, do some serious shopping once I have some money, and in a few weeks when job and house-miving has settled down, would like to do daytrips to Tynemouth and Stanhope, also plan to visit Kate for a weekend in Essen in December for the Christmas markets if I can afford it, as she ll be doing an AIESEC intership out there by then...
Currently trying to plan another trip down to London on the 17th for a long weekend to meet up with Sarah, Jerry snd Vicky McKamy from Washington DC. Hopefully going down to Manchester in Novemebr for the Great British Salsa Exerience. Cant actually pay for these things until Ive had my first payslip! Also already trying to plan a trip out to Gran Canaria during carnival next Feb with AO friends,the other former GC language assistants and uni friends. Moving into the new house asap after the 22nd September, will spend all of next weekend decorating it.
Have booked my German classes (and an intensive revision course) and as soon as move back to Heaton will start going swimming and to the gym regularly and get back into salsa. Since have been back up here, Ive seen Man on Wire at the Tyneside cinema, had paella evening (I cooked), cleaned most of 181 Hotspur Street, watched the Devils Advocate and Sleepless in Seattle (will watch Meet Joe Black tomorrow), finished Prison Break (about to embark on Greys Anatomy), made a roast with Mary, panicked about Marys dying cat (hes still not acutally died but he keeps on threatening to), met up with Kate who was up visiting for the weekend from Sheffield, been to the Laing and down to the Quayside (we had hot chocoloates in the MalMaison bar!), met up with Julia in Cafe Neon and Caffee Nero quite a lot, been for a meal at the Spice Cube, and been out for work drinks/food at the Charles Grey, Puccinis and the Union rooms, but I didnt go to Vanessa's leaving drinks at Bar Bacchus since Ive never actually met her!
When you put it like that, it acually sounds like quite a lot but its really not when you spread it over 4 weeks. Would like to go to see The Duchess at some point, watch the Great North Run, do some serious shopping once I have some money, and in a few weeks when job and house-miving has settled down, would like to do daytrips to Tynemouth and Stanhope, also plan to visit Kate for a weekend in Essen in December for the Christmas markets if I can afford it, as she ll be doing an AIESEC intership out there by then...
Monday, August 25, 2008
Back in Newcastle
Got back up here last Saturday night. Went to la Gabbia for food with mum. Sunday I just unpacked and tried to prepare for my tests and interview last Monday at P&G. Despite arriving late having gone to the wrong branch and getting lost on the way to the right one, it went really well! Will know the outcome tomorrow. Went to the Hnacock on Monday evening for Chris' bday drinks. Tuesday I went shopping for officewear and a few other things before starting my job on Wednesday.
Is a little boring but ok. Had work drinks on Friday, have had an incredibly lazy bank holiday weekend only venturing out so far to go to Morrisons and meet Julia for coffee. Hopefully off to Tyneside cinema tonight. Have finished season 1 of Prison Break. Was going to drive to Tynemouth today but cant find anyone to go with me, and the weather isnt great. Plus, with it being bank holiday, I doubt Ill find anywhere to park. Think will go 2 weeks today with Mary and co. In the process of getting a reference for French from Sandra for my my MA application...
Is a little boring but ok. Had work drinks on Friday, have had an incredibly lazy bank holiday weekend only venturing out so far to go to Morrisons and meet Julia for coffee. Hopefully off to Tyneside cinema tonight. Have finished season 1 of Prison Break. Was going to drive to Tynemouth today but cant find anyone to go with me, and the weather isnt great. Plus, with it being bank holiday, I doubt Ill find anywhere to park. Think will go 2 weeks today with Mary and co. In the process of getting a reference for French from Sandra for my my MA application...
Friday, August 15, 2008
Leaving Worcester!
Have been to Pershore (to the abbey to look for Cath), Ombersley twice (once to meet up w Carolyn at the Kings Arms) and Droitwich, just for drives mainly. Have tried to watch Love in the time of Cholera (boring) and been to see The Winters Tale in College Hall at Kings, and Love and Lust at the Cathedral (Philarmmonic Orchestra).
Been to the pub quiz at the old Poachers Pocket out at sixways, bought series one of Prison Break and Gery's Anatomy off Amazon, and season 4 of SATC, half way through Prison Break already. Been to the launch night of Worcs Music Festival at the Drummonds, and for food at Little Venice, going to the Beer festival this afternoon, was in Shrewsbury yesterday - went out for a meal there at the Riverside Inn.
Vicki's girly night got cancelled, havent dared to drive out to Suckley, have been to the Dragon once or twice, and to London. Saw Trini and her friends some ofwhose names I forget, stayed with Helen, and met up with Angie in St James Pak, and Antony out at the wharf. Went to Covent garden, leicester square, trafalgar square, piccadilly circus, notting hill gate, national gallery and to the entrance of the British museum (already been). Saw Buddy the musical (Hels knows Dean Elliott wh plays Buddy), and went to Chinatown and Bar Salsa for food and a quick dance, and went to Tower Hill for the bridge and tower of London, but was too expensive to go in....
Up to Newcastle tomo, got to practise online tests for Procter and Gamble on Mon, have interview with Hays then too. Have DVDs for touch-typing and ECDL to do too, some time soon.
Been to the pub quiz at the old Poachers Pocket out at sixways, bought series one of Prison Break and Gery's Anatomy off Amazon, and season 4 of SATC, half way through Prison Break already. Been to the launch night of Worcs Music Festival at the Drummonds, and for food at Little Venice, going to the Beer festival this afternoon, was in Shrewsbury yesterday - went out for a meal there at the Riverside Inn.
Vicki's girly night got cancelled, havent dared to drive out to Suckley, have been to the Dragon once or twice, and to London. Saw Trini and her friends some ofwhose names I forget, stayed with Helen, and met up with Angie in St James Pak, and Antony out at the wharf. Went to Covent garden, leicester square, trafalgar square, piccadilly circus, notting hill gate, national gallery and to the entrance of the British museum (already been). Saw Buddy the musical (Hels knows Dean Elliott wh plays Buddy), and went to Chinatown and Bar Salsa for food and a quick dance, and went to Tower Hill for the bridge and tower of London, but was too expensive to go in....
Up to Newcastle tomo, got to practise online tests for Procter and Gamble on Mon, have interview with Hays then too. Have DVDs for touch-typing and ECDL to do too, some time soon.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
I have a job, it's crap pay
I start on 20th August at Xtreme Information, a company that archives and montiors TV adverts from all over the world, checking they comply with universal regulations. I will be an Adcheck monitor/translator on the Jump Start Project within the Microspft department. The salary is only 12k! Plus, P&G have just got back to me saying I can proceed with the application process, so have just done the online form. Still have an interview with Hays on 18th August re a job as a French-speaking Customer support role in some IT company in Sunderland.
Had a voicemail message from another agency this morning, wanting me to register with them, haven't bothered yet. Went out for a meal at Ask with Vicki, Steph, Charlie, Hannah and Ruth on Monday night. Was at th Big Chill from Thurs avo to Mon morn, went out for a meal for mum's bday on Thurs lunchtime at the Talbot out at Knightwick. Off to the cinema this avo to see Dark Knight, going out with Hannah and co on Thurs, on Fri we're hopefully going to Charlie's parents' flat in Malvern, though Im supposed to be going to the theatre with Mum, and Saturday it's round to Vicki's for a girly night. Hummmm
Had a voicemail message from another agency this morning, wanting me to register with them, haven't bothered yet. Went out for a meal at Ask with Vicki, Steph, Charlie, Hannah and Ruth on Monday night. Was at th Big Chill from Thurs avo to Mon morn, went out for a meal for mum's bday on Thurs lunchtime at the Talbot out at Knightwick. Off to the cinema this avo to see Dark Knight, going out with Hannah and co on Thurs, on Fri we're hopefully going to Charlie's parents' flat in Malvern, though Im supposed to be going to the theatre with Mum, and Saturday it's round to Vicki's for a girly night. Hummmm
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Jobs, jobs, jobs
Been out for a meal at the Marwood, had Mike and Katie round for dinner, been out for Chinese for Paul's bday, watched 3 films from Blockbuster (The Devil wears Prada, Crossroads and Step Up 2), had a phone interview for a consumer relations role in the petfood dept of Procter and Gamble! (French-speaking), made cottage pie, done more applications. Off to meet Ruth for a drink later.
In the last 8 or 9 months I have shown interest in/considered the following jobs/companies/agencies/further study options:
KPMG European Audit scheme
KPMG UK Audit scheme
AXA Human resources Scheme
Graduate Fasttrack Recruitment/HR
Temp team UK
Newcastle Gum Tree
NGDP talent pool
Graduate Advantage
Totaljobs
My Newcastle jobs
Office Angels
RWS
NRG
EVS
Blue Lynx
P&G
Reed Solutions
Solution Recruitment
Hays recruitment
Blue Arrow
Europcamp Area Assistant
Xtreme Information
3 NHS admin/clerical posts
Tolocalise internship
A French-speaking customer support role
GDL at the College of Law
A Masters in T&I at Leeds (looked at Bath and Edinburgh as well)
Masters in European Business (but not applied)
An internship with the British Council in Colombia
An admin role with World Challenge in Buxton
A language assistant post in France/Spain
An admin job with Bosch in Paris
A job in real estate in Montpellier
A job with Travel & Tours in Worcester
Teaching English in Argentina and a hospitality internship in Shanghai
P.A.B Recruitment
FCO
A random translation agency whose name I forget
GCL direct
Metamorphose
The Leonardo Da Vinci programme
An internship in New York
In the last 8 or 9 months I have shown interest in/considered the following jobs/companies/agencies/further study options:
KPMG European Audit scheme
KPMG UK Audit scheme
AXA Human resources Scheme
Graduate Fasttrack Recruitment/HR
Temp team UK
Newcastle Gum Tree
NGDP talent pool
Graduate Advantage
Totaljobs
My Newcastle jobs
Office Angels
RWS
NRG
EVS
Blue Lynx
P&G
Reed Solutions
Solution Recruitment
Hays recruitment
Blue Arrow
Europcamp Area Assistant
Xtreme Information
3 NHS admin/clerical posts
Tolocalise internship
A French-speaking customer support role
GDL at the College of Law
A Masters in T&I at Leeds (looked at Bath and Edinburgh as well)
Masters in European Business (but not applied)
An internship with the British Council in Colombia
An admin role with World Challenge in Buxton
A language assistant post in France/Spain
An admin job with Bosch in Paris
A job in real estate in Montpellier
A job with Travel & Tours in Worcester
Teaching English in Argentina and a hospitality internship in Shanghai
P.A.B Recruitment
FCO
A random translation agency whose name I forget
GCL direct
Metamorphose
The Leonardo Da Vinci programme
An internship in New York
Friday, July 25, 2008
I have a car!
After test driving 12 cars, we settled for a bright red S-reg ford fiesta. Have been away up in Chester most of the week so havent driven it much. Drove it back from the garage, to Malvern for the CBSO and to B'ham New Street to get my train up to Crewe as well as to the Docs today and to the Marwood this evening (took my parents out for a meal!)
Last Friday went to the Conservatory, Heroes, Sin and Bushwackers with Steph and her housemates (mainly). In Cheshire, we went to Claudia's funeral and also went on 2 country walks and shopping in Chester with Jo. Played lots of cards, ate lots of German food, and read all the cards with memories of Claudia from the service. Will be at the Big Chill this time next week!
Last Friday went to the Conservatory, Heroes, Sin and Bushwackers with Steph and her housemates (mainly). In Cheshire, we went to Claudia's funeral and also went on 2 country walks and shopping in Chester with Jo. Played lots of cards, ate lots of German food, and read all the cards with memories of Claudia from the service. Will be at the Big Chill this time next week!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Worcester boredom
Have been test driving cars all week - a ford KA, a peugeot 106, a VW polo, 3 ford fiestas, 2 vauxhall corsas, a skoda felicia, a nissan micra and a daihatsu charade. Also sat in a clio and a yaris. For various reasons, have not settled on one yet.
Met Steph for coffee today and we wandered down to Diglis, have just seen Mamma Mia -amazing! Off to the Conservatory/heros tomo night with Steph and some of her PGCE chums/housemates.
Started an application for an MA in T&I at Leeds, put a personal ad on a temp job website, and sent a querying email to one more company - not seriously started yet. Is Jo's mum's funeral on Monday so going up to stay with Jo in Cheshire for a few days nest week. Off to B'ham on Saturday night hopefully to see the CBSO. Erm...been out for a curry and drinks with mum and dad once, thats about it. Oh! And watched the entire season 3 of SATC in 3 nights. THATs what Ive done lol
Met Steph for coffee today and we wandered down to Diglis, have just seen Mamma Mia -amazing! Off to the Conservatory/heros tomo night with Steph and some of her PGCE chums/housemates.
Started an application for an MA in T&I at Leeds, put a personal ad on a temp job website, and sent a querying email to one more company - not seriously started yet. Is Jo's mum's funeral on Monday so going up to stay with Jo in Cheshire for a few days nest week. Off to B'ham on Saturday night hopefully to see the CBSO. Erm...been out for a curry and drinks with mum and dad once, thats about it. Oh! And watched the entire season 3 of SATC in 3 nights. THATs what Ive done lol
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Istanbul - Home!
So got home on Wednesday night. Istanbul was amazing! If a little hot and I was a little ill. The tram was an experience, definitely! Saw the Aya Sofia from the outside, went in the Blue Mosque, bought presents in the Grand Bazaar, went to Top Kapi Palace, and had a ferry ride on the Bosphorus (sp?). We went to the pudding shop, a fish restaurant called Tres recommended by Alasdair, and a nice terrace restaurant - twice! Saw some whirling dervishes and heard about a terrorist attack near the US embassy on the news...
On Thursday we travelled up to Necastle for my graduation via Shrewsbury for lunch and to pick up Grandma and Grandpa. Met up with Anna and Mary, had the school reception, the ceremony and the general reception, posed in my gown, had the formal photo taken and lunch in the Courtyard cafe. Picked up my parchment and had a fancy dinner with Mum and Dad at the Malmaison. Salmon for starter, rabbit for main and Creme Brulee for dessert. Took us most of yesterday to get back down here, stopped off at the house again yesterday morning to drop off presents for Anna and Steve (had been there on Friday evening to help dye Anna's hair among other things!) Sorting stuff out today and tomorrow (CV updating, clearing room out, sorting through paperwork, getting photos developed, writing letters and cards and making a few important phonecalls, registering with the PROFEX system and booking Trini's train tickets!)
On Thursday we travelled up to Necastle for my graduation via Shrewsbury for lunch and to pick up Grandma and Grandpa. Met up with Anna and Mary, had the school reception, the ceremony and the general reception, posed in my gown, had the formal photo taken and lunch in the Courtyard cafe. Picked up my parchment and had a fancy dinner with Mum and Dad at the Malmaison. Salmon for starter, rabbit for main and Creme Brulee for dessert. Took us most of yesterday to get back down here, stopped off at the house again yesterday morning to drop off presents for Anna and Steve (had been there on Friday evening to help dye Anna's hair among other things!) Sorting stuff out today and tomorrow (CV updating, clearing room out, sorting through paperwork, getting photos developed, writing letters and cards and making a few important phonecalls, registering with the PROFEX system and booking Trini's train tickets!)
Friday, July 4, 2008
Bucharest - Sofia
Ive only got one place left after this! Train arrived at 6am this morning (Im in Bulgaria now - slept on the floor of my seat cabin on the train), found my hostel, but wasnt allowed to even crash on a chair in the communal area until I could check in at 11.30 so I tramped around the local area like a zombie for a few hours, before finally falling asleep on and off for about 4 hours in my freshly-made bed! In a half daze, have seen quite a few sights already.
Leave here to go to Istanbul tomorrow night. Get in at half 8 on Sunday morning, although this train is apparently always late. My parents are flying out to meet me for my last few days and will come back with me. Except theyre staying in a nice air-conditioned hotel, and I will be in a hot stuffy hostel!
So, in Bucharest I met loads of people - Brits and Yanks mainly, went to a REALLY nice traditional Romanian mediaeval-themed restuarant(!) and shared the biggest platter you have ever seen with Adam from Nottingham!!!! Im not sure we even got half way through! Went to a bar and a club in the eve (my first and probs only club on this trip! Its harder to go out clubbing when you re on your own in generally not v sociable hostels lol). This was after we saw the very very impressive presidential parliament building - huge! Was too late to go in though. Wandered around Calea Victoriei and the surrounding area, where all the sights are, but didnt really pay attention to what each individual building was, as I was so hot and bothered - just know that I saw all the important buildings in some order! Would have liked to have had an extra day in Romania to go to Dracula's Castle, but apparently its not really worth it anyway, it just all tourist hype.
Bucharest was amazing - such a mix of buildings - some v nice and grand, and others totally delapidated. You d see some exquisite architecture, turn a corner and be in a slum! So here in Sofia there's more Churches and Mosques and a Cathedral to see, Parliamentary buildings, etc etc the usual - a nice park, lion's bridge... Tonight Im meeting up with Youri, who I met at my hostel in Copenhagen, who's staying in a hostel just round the corner until tomorrow! I love it when that happens!
Anyway, the nice guesthouse owner is currently doing my laundry for me - definitely required as I have no clean clothes left. The shower here is quite hilarious, it just rains from the ceiling in the middle of a long corridor-like bathroom. Just a slight slope in the floor and drainage hole and a scary-looking shower head I didnt even notice until she pointed it out to me. There is a mop for DIY floor de-flooding afterwards! Am happy cos got my bed reservation, money-changing and tram-ticket negotiating out the way in the early hours this morning at the train station - so I can just chill out till I meet Youri later. I quitejust want to go to sleep again actually!
Leave here to go to Istanbul tomorrow night. Get in at half 8 on Sunday morning, although this train is apparently always late. My parents are flying out to meet me for my last few days and will come back with me. Except theyre staying in a nice air-conditioned hotel, and I will be in a hot stuffy hostel!
So, in Bucharest I met loads of people - Brits and Yanks mainly, went to a REALLY nice traditional Romanian mediaeval-themed restuarant(!) and shared the biggest platter you have ever seen with Adam from Nottingham!!!! Im not sure we even got half way through! Went to a bar and a club in the eve (my first and probs only club on this trip! Its harder to go out clubbing when you re on your own in generally not v sociable hostels lol). This was after we saw the very very impressive presidential parliament building - huge! Was too late to go in though. Wandered around Calea Victoriei and the surrounding area, where all the sights are, but didnt really pay attention to what each individual building was, as I was so hot and bothered - just know that I saw all the important buildings in some order! Would have liked to have had an extra day in Romania to go to Dracula's Castle, but apparently its not really worth it anyway, it just all tourist hype.
Bucharest was amazing - such a mix of buildings - some v nice and grand, and others totally delapidated. You d see some exquisite architecture, turn a corner and be in a slum! So here in Sofia there's more Churches and Mosques and a Cathedral to see, Parliamentary buildings, etc etc the usual - a nice park, lion's bridge... Tonight Im meeting up with Youri, who I met at my hostel in Copenhagen, who's staying in a hostel just round the corner until tomorrow! I love it when that happens!
Anyway, the nice guesthouse owner is currently doing my laundry for me - definitely required as I have no clean clothes left. The shower here is quite hilarious, it just rains from the ceiling in the middle of a long corridor-like bathroom. Just a slight slope in the floor and drainage hole and a scary-looking shower head I didnt even notice until she pointed it out to me. There is a mop for DIY floor de-flooding afterwards! Am happy cos got my bed reservation, money-changing and tram-ticket negotiating out the way in the early hours this morning at the train station - so I can just chill out till I meet Youri later. I quitejust want to go to sleep again actually!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Ljubljana - Bratislava
Off to Bucharest tonight. What have I done since I last wrote?
Have met a hell of a lot of English girls, a good ten or so in Bratislava. Have spent today wandering around with Lesley and Charlotte from Manchester who are now on a train to Budapest, Lots of Americans and Canadians here too, apparently only males though! Had a stress over laundry in Bologna - I never knew doing it could be so difficult!
Ljubljana: Main square, triple bridge, Cathedral, Castle, University buildings, Philharmonic Orchestra building, church, statue, dragon bridge, town hall, a day in Bled by the lake, met Patricia from France/Dublin - the only person I met in 3 days cos there was no one in my hostel!!! Metelkova and Hostel Celica too, long walk into town.
Now read 4 books and desperate to find another. Have read The Pact, The Predator, Another Woman and Dealbreaker. There was v nice helpful Austrian lady on my train to Bratislava, who made sure I got my connection at Vienna ok! So far have had changes in Zurich, Venice and Vienna. change at Budapest this evening. Arrive in Bucharest at 2.15 tomo avo.
Bratislava: General wander, Tesco, Comenius University building, several statues, port area, Casino, National Theatre, Cathedral, Main Square, 2 palaces, St Michel's Gate, Franciscan Church, Cuppuccin (sp?) Church, breakfast in bisou and lunch in Slovak pub cos got discounts there....
Have met a hell of a lot of English girls, a good ten or so in Bratislava. Have spent today wandering around with Lesley and Charlotte from Manchester who are now on a train to Budapest, Lots of Americans and Canadians here too, apparently only males though! Had a stress over laundry in Bologna - I never knew doing it could be so difficult!
Ljubljana: Main square, triple bridge, Cathedral, Castle, University buildings, Philharmonic Orchestra building, church, statue, dragon bridge, town hall, a day in Bled by the lake, met Patricia from France/Dublin - the only person I met in 3 days cos there was no one in my hostel!!! Metelkova and Hostel Celica too, long walk into town.
Now read 4 books and desperate to find another. Have read The Pact, The Predator, Another Woman and Dealbreaker. There was v nice helpful Austrian lady on my train to Bratislava, who made sure I got my connection at Vienna ok! So far have had changes in Zurich, Venice and Vienna. change at Budapest this evening. Arrive in Bucharest at 2.15 tomo avo.
Bratislava: General wander, Tesco, Comenius University building, several statues, port area, Casino, National Theatre, Cathedral, Main Square, 2 palaces, St Michel's Gate, Franciscan Church, Cuppuccin (sp?) Church, breakfast in bisou and lunch in Slovak pub cos got discounts there....
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Bologna
Ggggrrrrr just deleted my post before publishing and couldnt get it to undo! So here is a brief summary of what I said!
Trip to Bologna: Horrible, hot, long, smelly, stale coffee on t-shirt, weird men. Unnecessarily expensive and complicated, wrong queues, long walks to bus stops, stupid ticket systems resulting in potential fines, late buses, lack of announcements.
Hostel here may be in the middle of nowhere but staff are friendly, place is clean and my dorm is relatively quiet and cool. Have taken in instant disliking to one of my form mates, though.
Bologna: Piazza Maggiore, Trattoria recommended by Alasdair, Cathedral, Tower - knackering but amazing view, Chiesa San Stefano, Museo della Musica (shut), University (Via Zamboni). Tomorrow: San luca, laundry, poss bit of cheap clothes shopping, another main street. Lots of coffee and ice cream
Milan: Duomo and main square, Palazzio Reale and Art exhibition I couldnt go into, posh shopping centre, Teatro Scala, Pinacoteca di Brera and Castello Sfortezco, Liceo de Bella Arte, pasta and drinks with a Canadian and an American. Coffee and ice cream.
Have splashed out on food since being in Italy (and ONLY in Italy). Have temporarily moved away from my staple diet of on-the-move falafel and shawarma, kebabs, pizza slices and the occasional hotdog!!!
Trip to Bologna: Horrible, hot, long, smelly, stale coffee on t-shirt, weird men. Unnecessarily expensive and complicated, wrong queues, long walks to bus stops, stupid ticket systems resulting in potential fines, late buses, lack of announcements.
Hostel here may be in the middle of nowhere but staff are friendly, place is clean and my dorm is relatively quiet and cool. Have taken in instant disliking to one of my form mates, though.
Bologna: Piazza Maggiore, Trattoria recommended by Alasdair, Cathedral, Tower - knackering but amazing view, Chiesa San Stefano, Museo della Musica (shut), University (Via Zamboni). Tomorrow: San luca, laundry, poss bit of cheap clothes shopping, another main street. Lots of coffee and ice cream
Milan: Duomo and main square, Palazzio Reale and Art exhibition I couldnt go into, posh shopping centre, Teatro Scala, Pinacoteca di Brera and Castello Sfortezco, Liceo de Bella Arte, pasta and drinks with a Canadian and an American. Coffee and ice cream.
Have splashed out on food since being in Italy (and ONLY in Italy). Have temporarily moved away from my staple diet of on-the-move falafel and shawarma, kebabs, pizza slices and the occasional hotdog!!!
Monday, June 23, 2008
Lake Contance - Milan (lovely train ride through Swiss Alps)
Am in Milan now and its boiling!!!!! Arrived at my hostel about half 8 last night a big sweaty mess! Asked for directions to nearest place for food and had a yummy cheap pizza. After that had a refreshing shower only to be all sweaty again within half an hour. As it was an all girls dorm I gladly slept on top of my sheets in just knickers last night and was STILL too hot. Seriously comtemplating paying extortionate rates for a hotel with aircon. Anyways, not yet ventured back into the centre, staying indoors as much as possible lol. Plan to see the Duomo and a few museums around it this avo, taking it slow and drinking lots of iced tea, before heading to Bologna tomorrow avo.
Saw Conny on Friday and Saturday!!! (German language assistant who I met in Gran Can last year - lived with Sasha and Alex) Hostel in Konstanz was not so nice - expensive but with free disgusting food - and I was on the 8th floor of a converted water tower with no lift! Also arrived too late to get a bus there so had to get a taxi.
So I wandered round the lake with Conny, saw the Cathedral and the university, went over the border into Switzerland where I had my lunch, had a coffee by the port and got sunburnt! Her parents also took us to the Rhein waterfalls in Switzerland, where we did a half hour boat ride - amazing! And to a castle somwhere but I forget the name. Didnt manage to get to Hornle beach though and Mainau Island was too expensive. Went out for cocktails with some of her uni friends on Saturday night at this cool beach bar. Havent really been out much so far as dont wanna spend money and havent been v lucky finding people in my dorms since Copenhagen. Though have met a few other travellers in hostel bars, I suppose I could have made more of the nightlife in Heidelberg and Cologne but Im generally knackered in the evenings and quite happy making just small talk with dormmates and reading/planning the next days adventures/listening to music.
Have met Dominika (sp?) from Poland, a girl from Taiwan, 2 girls from Singapore, and 2 girls from somewhere in Germany recently. Right, gotta go get something to drink!
Saw Conny on Friday and Saturday!!! (German language assistant who I met in Gran Can last year - lived with Sasha and Alex) Hostel in Konstanz was not so nice - expensive but with free disgusting food - and I was on the 8th floor of a converted water tower with no lift! Also arrived too late to get a bus there so had to get a taxi.
So I wandered round the lake with Conny, saw the Cathedral and the university, went over the border into Switzerland where I had my lunch, had a coffee by the port and got sunburnt! Her parents also took us to the Rhein waterfalls in Switzerland, where we did a half hour boat ride - amazing! And to a castle somwhere but I forget the name. Didnt manage to get to Hornle beach though and Mainau Island was too expensive. Went out for cocktails with some of her uni friends on Saturday night at this cool beach bar. Havent really been out much so far as dont wanna spend money and havent been v lucky finding people in my dorms since Copenhagen. Though have met a few other travellers in hostel bars, I suppose I could have made more of the nightlife in Heidelberg and Cologne but Im generally knackered in the evenings and quite happy making just small talk with dormmates and reading/planning the next days adventures/listening to music.
Have met Dominika (sp?) from Poland, a girl from Taiwan, 2 girls from Singapore, and 2 girls from somewhere in Germany recently. Right, gotta go get something to drink!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Cologne - Heidelberg
Did indeed go all of those places in Bremen! Also went to the Uberseemuseum there which was AMAZING!!! Def worth the 4.50 entrance fee! Didnt take me very long so got a bit bored. Have briefly met a few more people, but only chatting and small talk in hostel bars/dorms etc, not really done day trips or anything with anyone recently. A few Irish, couple more yanks, a girl from a competition-winning Hip hop group called Semier from Estonia (they were in Bremen for the IDO championships! A Dutch guy, a Chinese girl, Jon from Maidstone, an Ozzie, a guy from Lake Constance area where Im off to this evening and some Briitsh lads from Yorkshire.
Ive had a good dose of communal showers, only showered in a private cubicle twice so far. Anyways in Cologne I wandered round a lot, Stared in awe at the wow-factor cathedral and went in but not up the tower, went to a bar for a typical small Koln beer, the Gestapo museum and the Chocolate museum.
When got to Heidelberg I cheated and got a taxi to my acommodation (gave up after looking for the bus stop for not v long - it was quite late) which I regretted cos was further than I thought. Was a few dorms above a restaurant which doubled as the reception so I was really confused when I opened the door laiden with backpack et al to be faced with a full-on bar and restaurant - seriously thought Id got the wrong address while everyone sat there gawping at me for a while over their beers.
Have done laundry here, had a stress over accommodation in Contance (found somewhere now so wont be wasting a good extra 40 euros on a hotel like I did in Bremen and could probably quite easily have avoided had I taken the risk and just waited till I got there!) That said, tourist info was shut when I arrived. Been up to the castle and the Apotheke museum and the university prison for unruly students until 1914. Had a decent sit-down meal of wienerschnitzel last night cos you get good cheap rates on the restaurant downstairs if youre staying there.
Ive had a good dose of communal showers, only showered in a private cubicle twice so far. Anyways in Cologne I wandered round a lot, Stared in awe at the wow-factor cathedral and went in but not up the tower, went to a bar for a typical small Koln beer, the Gestapo museum and the Chocolate museum.
When got to Heidelberg I cheated and got a taxi to my acommodation (gave up after looking for the bus stop for not v long - it was quite late) which I regretted cos was further than I thought. Was a few dorms above a restaurant which doubled as the reception so I was really confused when I opened the door laiden with backpack et al to be faced with a full-on bar and restaurant - seriously thought Id got the wrong address while everyone sat there gawping at me for a while over their beers.
Have done laundry here, had a stress over accommodation in Contance (found somewhere now so wont be wasting a good extra 40 euros on a hotel like I did in Bremen and could probably quite easily have avoided had I taken the risk and just waited till I got there!) That said, tourist info was shut when I arrived. Been up to the castle and the Apotheke museum and the university prison for unruly students until 1914. Had a decent sit-down meal of wienerschnitzel last night cos you get good cheap rates on the restaurant downstairs if youre staying there.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
London - Copenhagen - Hamburg - Bremen
So had Anna´s Church Charity Ball on Friday 6th, was back up to Newcastle and home again in just over 24 hours. On Sunday I went to London to see the GC girlies. We had picnic lunches in Green Park, wandered to Buckingham Palace, went shopping in Debenhams and John Lewis on Oxford St, stopping for J2Os in the cafe in JL and went to Westminster and had McFlurries cos it was boiling.
Then on Tues morning, I flew to CPH from Bham - it was that morning that I learnt Donald Trump is a distant relative of mine!!!! Had a little explore once Id found my hostel, went to a supermarket for a few snacky things and chilled out in the hostel with Youri (French-British) and Arthur (Romanian) - and met Micah from the US as well as 2 US girls and a Canadian guy. On Wedsnesday, the weather was crap - I still managed to do the walking tour all the same, stopping at a cafe or 2 along the way for shelter. In the eve I went out for another explore and to 2 bars with Micah and we ended up in Pasta Basta for tea around 10pm!
On Thurs, went to Christiania with Micah and saw the clock in the Radhus. There was a free party for an hour or 2 in the main square where i drank a bit of free wine and beer, and got 3 free sausages - took an age to queue though. It was thrown by the council to celebrate the fact that CPH is the Worlds Best City according to some magazine.Then had falafel from a stand and went to Heidis bar and The Moose with Micah and Subramani, originally from Dubai, now living in Washington DC. Also went to the Frihedsmuseet at some point and spent a long time in Tourist Information, didnt manage to have a BBQ with Arthur or go some club where he works.
Got to Hamburg around 2pm yesterday. Got the shock of my life when I looked up from my book on the train to see that wed rolled onto a ferry! Had to get off for 45 minutes to go up to the deck where I had a disgusting spag bol for lunch. Hamburg hostel was v sterile and the staff werent v helpful but otherwise was ok, didnt do anything yesterday evening really - spent an hour booking hostels as far as Constance and have just spent an hour and a half now booking the rest. Wondered round the HUGE station, had a much-needed nap and read. This morning I checked out and wondered from the Hauptbahnhof to the Kunsthalle, to the Rathaus, to St Nikolai Church, where I went up in the lift, to St Michaelis Church to Landungsbrucken port area, to the St Pauli Fischmarkt, where I completely accidentally left the cafe without paying for my sandwich - oops. Every now and then I have to remind myself to remember to pay after my meal, since they dont charge you when you order - even if you go up to the till, like I did. Have only had 2 sit-down meals so far, which is still more than I was anticiapting by this stage.
Stopped for a yummy cheap white chocolate moccha, and then went to Reeperbahn (redlight district) tried to wander down the illegal Hebertstrasse, but a hooker eventually stopped me - everyone else was, blatantly tourists too! Also ended up in some free temporary funfair thing, but never found out what it was in aid of. That took less time than I expected so since Id already checked out and there wasnt much else for me to do - I did all that was suggested to me and more at Tourist Information - I went back to my hostel at Konigstrasse on the metro and caught an earlier train here. (I got a train at 3.30 instead of 8.30) Hostels here were all booked out tonight so Ive had to go for a hotel!!!! I obviously considered staying on an extra night in Hamburg so as not to have to stay in the hotel here tonight, but all the hostels were booked up in Hamburg tonight too! Its cheap here I suppose as far as hotels go, but Im not v happy. 59 euros. Although I do get my own room and a TV. But I went for shared bathroom, obviously cos its cheaper.
Have plans to see Anmarkt, Rathaus, Dom-Museum St Pedri, Bottcherstrasse, Schnoorviertel, Wallanglen, Kunsthalle, St Martini Kirsche and maybe Ostertorsteinweg near Am Dobben tomorrow before my morning train to Cologne on Monday. So Im moving to a hostel just down the road tomorrow morning. I tend to just admire things form the outside cos a) its quicker and so I see more and b) I dont want to pay entrance fees. Unless its meant to be spectacular, or free, I dont go inside, so I just walk round and round cities for a few hours.
Then on Tues morning, I flew to CPH from Bham - it was that morning that I learnt Donald Trump is a distant relative of mine!!!! Had a little explore once Id found my hostel, went to a supermarket for a few snacky things and chilled out in the hostel with Youri (French-British) and Arthur (Romanian) - and met Micah from the US as well as 2 US girls and a Canadian guy. On Wedsnesday, the weather was crap - I still managed to do the walking tour all the same, stopping at a cafe or 2 along the way for shelter. In the eve I went out for another explore and to 2 bars with Micah and we ended up in Pasta Basta for tea around 10pm!
On Thurs, went to Christiania with Micah and saw the clock in the Radhus. There was a free party for an hour or 2 in the main square where i drank a bit of free wine and beer, and got 3 free sausages - took an age to queue though. It was thrown by the council to celebrate the fact that CPH is the Worlds Best City according to some magazine.Then had falafel from a stand and went to Heidis bar and The Moose with Micah and Subramani, originally from Dubai, now living in Washington DC. Also went to the Frihedsmuseet at some point and spent a long time in Tourist Information, didnt manage to have a BBQ with Arthur or go some club where he works.
Got to Hamburg around 2pm yesterday. Got the shock of my life when I looked up from my book on the train to see that wed rolled onto a ferry! Had to get off for 45 minutes to go up to the deck where I had a disgusting spag bol for lunch. Hamburg hostel was v sterile and the staff werent v helpful but otherwise was ok, didnt do anything yesterday evening really - spent an hour booking hostels as far as Constance and have just spent an hour and a half now booking the rest. Wondered round the HUGE station, had a much-needed nap and read. This morning I checked out and wondered from the Hauptbahnhof to the Kunsthalle, to the Rathaus, to St Nikolai Church, where I went up in the lift, to St Michaelis Church to Landungsbrucken port area, to the St Pauli Fischmarkt, where I completely accidentally left the cafe without paying for my sandwich - oops. Every now and then I have to remind myself to remember to pay after my meal, since they dont charge you when you order - even if you go up to the till, like I did. Have only had 2 sit-down meals so far, which is still more than I was anticiapting by this stage.
Stopped for a yummy cheap white chocolate moccha, and then went to Reeperbahn (redlight district) tried to wander down the illegal Hebertstrasse, but a hooker eventually stopped me - everyone else was, blatantly tourists too! Also ended up in some free temporary funfair thing, but never found out what it was in aid of. That took less time than I expected so since Id already checked out and there wasnt much else for me to do - I did all that was suggested to me and more at Tourist Information - I went back to my hostel at Konigstrasse on the metro and caught an earlier train here. (I got a train at 3.30 instead of 8.30) Hostels here were all booked out tonight so Ive had to go for a hotel!!!! I obviously considered staying on an extra night in Hamburg so as not to have to stay in the hotel here tonight, but all the hostels were booked up in Hamburg tonight too! Its cheap here I suppose as far as hotels go, but Im not v happy. 59 euros. Although I do get my own room and a TV. But I went for shared bathroom, obviously cos its cheaper.
Have plans to see Anmarkt, Rathaus, Dom-Museum St Pedri, Bottcherstrasse, Schnoorviertel, Wallanglen, Kunsthalle, St Martini Kirsche and maybe Ostertorsteinweg near Am Dobben tomorrow before my morning train to Cologne on Monday. So Im moving to a hostel just down the road tomorrow morning. I tend to just admire things form the outside cos a) its quicker and so I see more and b) I dont want to pay entrance fees. Unless its meant to be spectacular, or free, I dont go inside, so I just walk round and round cities for a few hours.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Back in Worcester, no longer a student!
Got back to Worcs just under 24 hours ago. Since then have not stopped! Unpacked and had a massive clear-out which I got done in just over 5 hours. Now the spare bed is piled with shoes, handbags, belts, books, DVDs, CDs, and one hell of a lot of clothes I no longer want. The more I can sell rather than give away, the better.
Last exam was on Monday, went ok I think. Celebrated with 3 pints of diesel at the union before going home where Anna's Aunt cooked us a lovely meal as a thankyou for having her to stay, then went to meet salsa people at Osbornes. Thurs night - Sturday night my parents had been up to take my stuff home, we went for Tapas the first night, then a pub meal at the Keelman out at Newburn on Friday, before a curry at Rumana at Cowgate on the Saturday.
Friday night was especially good cos went to the Black Swan for once as Mo and Angie were up visiting, did the traditional Mango's trip afterwards, not that I ordered anything!!!!
Had a dentist appt this morn, its the docs tomo morn, and the opticians on Friday morn! Then heading back up to Newc for 24 hours for the ball. Today, Ive started redownloading itunes, its currently converting all my files, then gotta copy ALL my CDs before I get rid of them, and sync my ipod whilst downloading more songs from limewire. The modern world is such an effort! It will take me all of today and tomorrow to sort out my ipod before interrailing!
Ive cancelled my phone insurance, rung up for my payroll number from the Hilton and filled out the relevant P forms, set up my nationwide account properly online and transferred money, printed off insurance documents for Europe, updated my travel list, sorted out the mess in the spare room and checked through my certificates file and sorted through photos on Facebook, whilst checking my CV. Bureaucracy!
Have still got to: thank A. Anne and U. Ian for my present, email Colin and Trini, apply for an internship with AIESEC, get 5 CDS worth of photos developed, send a SA envelope to Abi, send tax info, buy/find a large memory card, a mask and an earring holder, sort out my finances, collect dress from drycleaners, get my fringe cut and bikini line done, pay parents back, contact H &S?, sort out Caroline's present and SIGN ONTO THE DOLE!
Off to London on Sun to meet up with the GC girls!
Last exam was on Monday, went ok I think. Celebrated with 3 pints of diesel at the union before going home where Anna's Aunt cooked us a lovely meal as a thankyou for having her to stay, then went to meet salsa people at Osbornes. Thurs night - Sturday night my parents had been up to take my stuff home, we went for Tapas the first night, then a pub meal at the Keelman out at Newburn on Friday, before a curry at Rumana at Cowgate on the Saturday.
Friday night was especially good cos went to the Black Swan for once as Mo and Angie were up visiting, did the traditional Mango's trip afterwards, not that I ordered anything!!!!
Had a dentist appt this morn, its the docs tomo morn, and the opticians on Friday morn! Then heading back up to Newc for 24 hours for the ball. Today, Ive started redownloading itunes, its currently converting all my files, then gotta copy ALL my CDs before I get rid of them, and sync my ipod whilst downloading more songs from limewire. The modern world is such an effort! It will take me all of today and tomorrow to sort out my ipod before interrailing!
Ive cancelled my phone insurance, rung up for my payroll number from the Hilton and filled out the relevant P forms, set up my nationwide account properly online and transferred money, printed off insurance documents for Europe, updated my travel list, sorted out the mess in the spare room and checked through my certificates file and sorted through photos on Facebook, whilst checking my CV. Bureaucracy!
Have still got to: thank A. Anne and U. Ian for my present, email Colin and Trini, apply for an internship with AIESEC, get 5 CDS worth of photos developed, send a SA envelope to Abi, send tax info, buy/find a large memory card, a mask and an earring holder, sort out my finances, collect dress from drycleaners, get my fringe cut and bikini line done, pay parents back, contact H &S?, sort out Caroline's present and SIGN ONTO THE DOLE!
Off to London on Sun to meet up with the GC girls!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
2 down, 1 to go!
Hey, had Spanish writing this morning. Since talking to people afterwards, realised I messed up the essay a little bit content-wise. Since will still get marks for structure and language (and SOME content) and the essay itself was only worth 1.75% of my total degree (there were 4 equally weighted parts in the exam which was worth 7% of my total degree), I'm not too worried!
Have had very concerned invigilators in my exams so far! In French, I was continually sneezing my head off and blowing my nose, and the invigilator kept on asking me if I was ok and if I needed anything i.e. more tissues, and this morning I got the shock of my life when the invigilator told me I had been allocated extra time!
I told him he must have got the wrong person, so he checked the name against my smart card, and went to the front of the hall to get the main list to bring back to my desk to show me. Sure enough, someone had written a 't' next to my name on the printed list of candidates. I can only assume someone mistakenly put it next to my name instead of the person above or below me. Since I assured him I didnt need it, he told me I was, as far as he was concerned, entitled to it whether it was a mistake or not, so it was up to me whether I took it or not. Didnt need it anyway.
Anyway, the dossier to prepare for Spanish was all on Fidel (and Raul) Castro, the history of Cuban politics in general, Felipe Calderon, Hugo Chavez, and other Latin American political leaders/revolutionaries. The English-Spanish translation was a bitch - all about fossil fuels, ethanol, bio-ethanol pumps, flex fuel engines, sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide, and sugar cane crop harvest and plantations. Had NOT predicted that! Consequently had to guess most of the core vocabulary. Spanish-English translation was on consumer spending, sales and marketing ploys.
French topic for dossier was the banlieue plan, planning to eradicate deliquency and unemployment in the Parisian suburbs - tackling education and training, employment, security, transport and rehabilitation. Not going to Simon's BBQ tonight, carrying on with mediopassive revision. Sex and the City was all sold out today so booked to go tomorrow. Had lunch, drink AND a coffee with Kate earlier, not done much else.
Here are some photos:
Sunday, May 25, 2008
WILL GET PHOTOS ON HERE SOON!
Just uploaded photos of my birthday to facebook. Had fun watching the Eurovision Song Contest last night in amongst revision, got bored at the counting of the votes stage.
So last Saturday (17th) was the MLS Ball - amazing!!! That was after a stressfull-ish day blowing up helium balloons and carrying them there, attaching weights, and positiong place names, buying last minute table decorations cos got missed off internet order, whilst getting ready (I had a make-over at Fenwick and Anna and Jo spent three quarters of an hour curling my hair).
Had been to the Summer Swing Shindig the Monday before that. So my birthday was Tuesday, went to the Cluny for a drink with Simon then he came round for a cup of tea later on in our yard. Jo and Anna cooked us Thai green curry then they all gave me my presents (individual art pieces - even one by Steve!) and gave me the birthday bumps and there was a birthday cheesecake complete with candles from Morrisons! I hadnt expected anyhting on my actual birthday since Id organised studd for the following 2 nights. Later on, Anna entertained herself on singstar (karaoke) making up stupid lyrics to all the songs.
Wednesday was my French exam (first one), then went for quick drink at Pacific with Mary and the salsa crew before coming back to grab some pizzas before a few people came round for the Match - Anna was ecstatic that Man U won!!!! Then around midnight we headed out to Tup Tup, got to bed around 3.30 - which was ok for me as I had nothing to get up for, but felt bad for the others.
Thursday night was Tapas at El Coto - there were meant to be 19 of us, but Chris and Robin couldnt make it in the end - was good fun though! Am off to the Lounge tonight for salsa for the first time ever there! Watching Sex and the City the movie on Weds when it comes out, after my exam, and then on to a BBQ at Simon's. Its the others' degree show launch party on Friday, and parents and Mo and Angie will all be here next weekend!!! Only 9 days left in Newcastle now! (Which is why I cant be bothered to wash my bed linen again - its had its 2 weeks already and should be going in the wash this weekend!)
So last Saturday (17th) was the MLS Ball - amazing!!! That was after a stressfull-ish day blowing up helium balloons and carrying them there, attaching weights, and positiong place names, buying last minute table decorations cos got missed off internet order, whilst getting ready (I had a make-over at Fenwick and Anna and Jo spent three quarters of an hour curling my hair).
Had been to the Summer Swing Shindig the Monday before that. So my birthday was Tuesday, went to the Cluny for a drink with Simon then he came round for a cup of tea later on in our yard. Jo and Anna cooked us Thai green curry then they all gave me my presents (individual art pieces - even one by Steve!) and gave me the birthday bumps and there was a birthday cheesecake complete with candles from Morrisons! I hadnt expected anyhting on my actual birthday since Id organised studd for the following 2 nights. Later on, Anna entertained herself on singstar (karaoke) making up stupid lyrics to all the songs.
Wednesday was my French exam (first one), then went for quick drink at Pacific with Mary and the salsa crew before coming back to grab some pizzas before a few people came round for the Match - Anna was ecstatic that Man U won!!!! Then around midnight we headed out to Tup Tup, got to bed around 3.30 - which was ok for me as I had nothing to get up for, but felt bad for the others.
Thursday night was Tapas at El Coto - there were meant to be 19 of us, but Chris and Robin couldnt make it in the end - was good fun though! Am off to the Lounge tonight for salsa for the first time ever there! Watching Sex and the City the movie on Weds when it comes out, after my exam, and then on to a BBQ at Simon's. Its the others' degree show launch party on Friday, and parents and Mo and Angie will all be here next weekend!!! Only 9 days left in Newcastle now! (Which is why I cant be bothered to wash my bed linen again - its had its 2 weeks already and should be going in the wash this weekend!)
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Streeeeeeeeessssssssss!
Now into 5th day of revision for History and Syntax of Spanish - still struggling to understand stuff, about to try practice essay. Am working so so so hard this semester and am not even confident about getting a 2:1 anymore. I've gone from being a comfortable ish one, to borderline - and Im not happy enough about the upcoming exams to feel I can push up my grade.
Why are firsts so hard to get in Modern Language?!? I'm not even aiming for one - never have been really, but it means that 2:1s seem hard to get also. Also, ball-planning for Saturday is underway. At some point tomo inbetween French dossier prep and this revision, I have to write out 219 place names, and then Friday morning is a goody bad production line meeting. Aaaaarrgh!
Why are firsts so hard to get in Modern Language?!? I'm not even aiming for one - never have been really, but it means that 2:1s seem hard to get also. Also, ball-planning for Saturday is underway. At some point tomo inbetween French dossier prep and this revision, I have to write out 219 place names, and then Friday morning is a goody bad production line meeting. Aaaaarrgh!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Still not made it to the Black Swan or Cooperage. Anna's bday night out was fun, saw Dirty Dancing (a free outdoor screening) at Monument last Sunday night - amazing! LBS Ball on Tuesday was soooooo much fun, even if I didnt have a ball dress and had to go in a cocktail dress! Got some really good profesional photos too.
Didnt go to Dance social at As You Like It, Intsoc social, Jo's friend's BBQ or Jess' BBQ on Weds night, but did go to the Bluebell pub quiz instead. On Thursday night I did 6 practice translations. Think have finished French lit essay (yes!) and have started on History and Syntax of Spanish revision - horrible horrible horrible - dont understand a thing! Got books out the library yesterday cos realised we ve not been taught anything we need to know...
Monday night we had a v brief impromptu karaoke session at home, last night I went Sequence dancing with the old grandpas - good fun, then back to Simon's for a glass of wine afterwards. Tonight Im off to the Lounge for Salsa for the first time ever, and tomorrow night I really want to go to the Swing Shindig, but really really really have to revise. Have organised bday celebrations on 21st/22nd - Osborne Road, Tapas, Tup Tup. Is the MLS ball this Saturday!
Right back to the books
Didnt go to Dance social at As You Like It, Intsoc social, Jo's friend's BBQ or Jess' BBQ on Weds night, but did go to the Bluebell pub quiz instead. On Thursday night I did 6 practice translations. Think have finished French lit essay (yes!) and have started on History and Syntax of Spanish revision - horrible horrible horrible - dont understand a thing! Got books out the library yesterday cos realised we ve not been taught anything we need to know...
Monday night we had a v brief impromptu karaoke session at home, last night I went Sequence dancing with the old grandpas - good fun, then back to Simon's for a glass of wine afterwards. Tonight Im off to the Lounge for Salsa for the first time ever, and tomorrow night I really want to go to the Swing Shindig, but really really really have to revise. Have organised bday celebrations on 21st/22nd - Osborne Road, Tapas, Tup Tup. Is the MLS ball this Saturday!
Right back to the books
Friday, May 2, 2008
Dont think am going to Cooperage tonight, is Anna Collins' bday night out tomo night so going to that instead. Plan on finishing my essay over this weekend, and maybe starting on History and Syntax revision. Was Anna's pre-degree show exhibition last Friday evening, which was fun - went back there with Open Door, her asylum-seeker project on Weds.
On Tues we won the Best Departmental Scoiety Award again AND the Accenture Society of the Year!!! Weds was Jo's bday night in the Bluebell, and had my Span writing mock yesterday - the translation mock on Tues was fine. Have been to Ikea today looking for table decorations for the ball, not done much else today, mind...
Soon to make plans for bday celebrations. Is the LBS ball on Tuesday
On Tues we won the Best Departmental Scoiety Award again AND the Accenture Society of the Year!!! Weds was Jo's bday night in the Bluebell, and had my Span writing mock yesterday - the translation mock on Tues was fine. Have been to Ikea today looking for table decorations for the ball, not done much else today, mind...
Soon to make plans for bday celebrations. Is the LBS ball on Tuesday
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Had a lazy morning, going to treat myself to one episode of Desperate Housewives before I start on my coursework today. Wrote 1381 french words yesterday of my first draft (2500 words). Should finish draft by tomo if not tonight.
We went to the dogs last night lol! I bet on a three races (just a pound each time) and didnt win anything. We got free pie and peas with our ticket! What else have I done this week? On weds it was a MLS social to Electro-Flamenko and Venue, although we arrived late and missed most of it. Other than that have had a quiet week, just doing uni work! Started DH3 though. Sold tickets for the MLS Ball and spoken to Jimmy of the Latin Connection re performing at it.
Not much else to report really! Getting my haircut on Mon... Society Award ceremony at the Thistle Hotel on Tues night, Jos bday night on Weds (over a month late as was in the hols!) Off to the Swan and Cooperage on Friday, Marie-Pierre (friend and housemate from the chateau last summer) MIGHT be coming up to visit next weekend. She s working as an au pair in sevenoaks this year.
We went to the dogs last night lol! I bet on a three races (just a pound each time) and didnt win anything. We got free pie and peas with our ticket! What else have I done this week? On weds it was a MLS social to Electro-Flamenko and Venue, although we arrived late and missed most of it. Other than that have had a quiet week, just doing uni work! Started DH3 though. Sold tickets for the MLS Ball and spoken to Jimmy of the Latin Connection re performing at it.
Not much else to report really! Getting my haircut on Mon... Society Award ceremony at the Thistle Hotel on Tues night, Jos bday night on Weds (over a month late as was in the hols!) Off to the Swan and Cooperage on Friday, Marie-Pierre (friend and housemate from the chateau last summer) MIGHT be coming up to visit next weekend. She s working as an au pair in sevenoaks this year.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Future plans
Back again! Managed 3 hours of coursework prep today - well 3 hours in length, not 3 hours in terms of productivity. Now enjoying a glass of cabernet sauvignon before starting on normal homework. Thought Id procrastinate a little longer (have just tidied my room) by updating this again with my plans for the next few months.
My coursework is due in on 14th May and then 3 days later its the Modlangsoc Ball. Exams finish on 2nd June then might at some point soon after go to Dublin with house. Will be in Worcs around the 6th ish for an opticians appt, then is supposedly Grad ball on 12th but we're not going - too expensive and generally said to be rubbish. Instead we'll probs go to Anna's Church charity ball cos is less than half the price and sounds just as good, thats on 6th June also. Soon after that Ill be in London for a day meeting up with GC girlies.
Then am planning on going interrailing with Hannahs S and Ruth until the end of July, coming home inbetween for graduation (11th July). In early August I might go to the Big Chill with Anna cos never been to a festival before and is really near home, and visit Trini one day, who'll be in the country around then) before heading out to France mid-to-late August. May arrange to fly to London at some point between 12th and 19th October if I can as thats when the McKamys wil be over from the states to visit their daughter who'll be on exchange then, so I'd quite like to meet them all!
My coursework is due in on 14th May and then 3 days later its the Modlangsoc Ball. Exams finish on 2nd June then might at some point soon after go to Dublin with house. Will be in Worcs around the 6th ish for an opticians appt, then is supposedly Grad ball on 12th but we're not going - too expensive and generally said to be rubbish. Instead we'll probs go to Anna's Church charity ball cos is less than half the price and sounds just as good, thats on 6th June also. Soon after that Ill be in London for a day meeting up with GC girlies.
Then am planning on going interrailing with Hannahs S and Ruth until the end of July, coming home inbetween for graduation (11th July). In early August I might go to the Big Chill with Anna cos never been to a festival before and is really near home, and visit Trini one day, who'll be in the country around then) before heading out to France mid-to-late August. May arrange to fly to London at some point between 12th and 19th October if I can as thats when the McKamys wil be over from the states to visit their daughter who'll be on exchange then, so I'd quite like to meet them all!
Busy week back in Newcastle!
So got back from Majorca late last Sunday night. Mon I had loads of 'stuff' to sort out, nothing v interesting: paying rent, complaining about Red Ridge not fixing my window, trying to get a non-maestro card for my Natwest account (to no avail), making doctors appointment, taking back library books, trying to develop photos (also to no avail), organising GC reunion, trying to book Dublin, grad ball and meal and accom after graduation ceremony, texting few people, shopping for odd bits and bobs I need, doing Laundry and emailing a few people! Had a quiet night in, doing French coursework!
Tues was back to lectures, more coursework, shopping for jewellery, few other things here and there, back to the library again, and then to Bar Beyond for Salsa. Weds had my asylum seeker project in the avo after French, then after more coursework I met Kate for a drink at the Trent House. Thurs, much the same: lectures and coursework, interspersed with doctor's appt, then hike over to Castle Leazes to buy ticket for LBS ball and a brief 10 minutes watching the class. Fri, lectures, MLS meeting , typing up minutes and newsletter, then ringing round looking for a table magician for the ball. Evening was drinks at Head of Steam. Yesterday was more coursework - all day, delivery of online shop and then the Facebook Salsa party in the eve.
Today doing more coursework, and rest of homework. Was gonna pop to the Lounge tonight for more salsa, but cant be bothered! So there you go!
Tues was back to lectures, more coursework, shopping for jewellery, few other things here and there, back to the library again, and then to Bar Beyond for Salsa. Weds had my asylum seeker project in the avo after French, then after more coursework I met Kate for a drink at the Trent House. Thurs, much the same: lectures and coursework, interspersed with doctor's appt, then hike over to Castle Leazes to buy ticket for LBS ball and a brief 10 minutes watching the class. Fri, lectures, MLS meeting , typing up minutes and newsletter, then ringing round looking for a table magician for the ball. Evening was drinks at Head of Steam. Yesterday was more coursework - all day, delivery of online shop and then the Facebook Salsa party in the eve.
Today doing more coursework, and rest of homework. Was gonna pop to the Lounge tonight for more salsa, but cant be bothered! So there you go!
Monday, April 14, 2008
Back in Newcastle
Got back from Majorca last night, was good fun, very laid back. Arrived at our resort (much nicer than expected!) around half 3 on Mon. Unpacked, had a siesta after our early morning flight, went for a wander and in the evening, found a bar for a hot choc with Baileys - yum! Was definitely a week on a budget!
On tues, lazed round the pool and enjoyed a bottle of wine, Weds we spent the day in Palma and tried out the indoor pool, sauna and jacuzzi. Thursday we went to Inca market and I had churros, and then went to the cine to see 27 dresses. Bought a bottle of Cava in celebration of Conny's birthday in Germany!!! (GC assistant, who we drank many a bottle of cava with last year) Friday and Saturday we vegged, weather wasnt great. Went to the supermarket a few times, and on Sat we walked to Alcudia briefly. Also popped back to our bar from Monday night for a cuba libre or two! Thats it! Flight back was terrible though. I had a horrible headache and was sat between some loud Geordie lager louts sporting sunhats from Magalluf and there was a screaming toddler in my row too!
On tues, lazed round the pool and enjoyed a bottle of wine, Weds we spent the day in Palma and tried out the indoor pool, sauna and jacuzzi. Thursday we went to Inca market and I had churros, and then went to the cine to see 27 dresses. Bought a bottle of Cava in celebration of Conny's birthday in Germany!!! (GC assistant, who we drank many a bottle of cava with last year) Friday and Saturday we vegged, weather wasnt great. Went to the supermarket a few times, and on Sat we walked to Alcudia briefly. Also popped back to our bar from Monday night for a cuba libre or two! Thats it! Flight back was terrible though. I had a horrible headache and was sat between some loud Geordie lager louts sporting sunhats from Magalluf and there was a screaming toddler in my row too!
Saturday, April 5, 2008
To Majorca!
Not done much since getting back from Turkey. Made a few draft notes for my French lit essay, been out with Steph to Postal, Pitcher & Piano, Vibe and Tramps, been for my pamper day at the Marriot and made my perfume. Been for a curry with the ARGOS teachers and Bath for a day w family. Didnt go to the forest of dean yesterday with the ARGOS french exchange.....
Off back up to Newc tomo to catch my early Mon morn flight to Majorca! Going out for lunch tomo before my train, having my 3rd Indian of the week tonight.....
Off back up to Newc tomo to catch my early Mon morn flight to Majorca! Going out for lunch tomo before my train, having my 3rd Indian of the week tonight.....
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Back from Turkey
Well, got back from Turkey around 6.30 this morning, after 7 nights in marmaris all-inclusive with Ruth. Was brilliant! And I've finally met my little niece Ruby-Jane! Just fed her and burped her which was a new experience. Off to G&G's wedding anniversary tomo in Shropshire.
So, arrived around 5am last Saturday morning at Marmaris Palace, our 4 star hotel (except for the beds, which def werent 4 star standard). Saturday we just spent down by one of the 2 pools. Sunday we went down to the beach, drinking lots of cocktails, of course. In the evening, we saw the comedy show (crap) and tried to find the disco afterwards, but didnt succeed. Monday we went on the shopping trip, stopping off at a gold centre, leather company (where I modelled a cringe-worthy pink leather coat), a Turkish delight-making place, where I bought lots of it even though personally I dont like it, and finally to the bazaar at Marmaris where I bought a scarf, fridge magnet, belly-dancing skirt, lamp and plate.
Tuesday we had a Turkish bath (scrubbing with an exfoliating pad), then a soap down with this giant bubby airbag - both of these after a wet steam room, of course. In the eve we just chilled out in the reception area over a few beers and gin and tonics and played cards. We couldnt afford to go on the trip to the ancient ruins at Ephesus. On Wednesday we went to Icmeler market on the Dolmic bus, but I had no money to spend.
On Thursday we went to Dalyan. We went by bus to a carpet cooperative, then we went by boat down the river to the mud bath and spring bath. We then went back on the boat to a restaurant down the river for lunch before looking out for loggerhead turtles and seeing the ancient tombs in the walls of caves and ending up at the beach. Shortly after which we went back to the bus and came home. In the evening we wen to a Turkish night at a local bar where we had a 3 course meal (def nothing special!) and unlimited wine and watched traditional Turkish musicians and dancers, a fire-eater and belly-dancers, and I got roped into taking part in a belly-dancing competition. The 3 of us competitors got a bottle of wine afterwards! There were over 150 people there, Id say.
Yesterday we went back to Marmaris so Ruth could buy some more presents (I had no money let - had managed to buy a second scarf in Icmeler). Sadly, due to money and time restrictions, weather issues and clashes in timetables; we couldnt go to the dinner and jazz evening, visit the hotel's indoor pool, hire bikes, go on pedalos or canoes, or do the boat trip either....
So, arrived around 5am last Saturday morning at Marmaris Palace, our 4 star hotel (except for the beds, which def werent 4 star standard). Saturday we just spent down by one of the 2 pools. Sunday we went down to the beach, drinking lots of cocktails, of course. In the evening, we saw the comedy show (crap) and tried to find the disco afterwards, but didnt succeed. Monday we went on the shopping trip, stopping off at a gold centre, leather company (where I modelled a cringe-worthy pink leather coat), a Turkish delight-making place, where I bought lots of it even though personally I dont like it, and finally to the bazaar at Marmaris where I bought a scarf, fridge magnet, belly-dancing skirt, lamp and plate.
Tuesday we had a Turkish bath (scrubbing with an exfoliating pad), then a soap down with this giant bubby airbag - both of these after a wet steam room, of course. In the eve we just chilled out in the reception area over a few beers and gin and tonics and played cards. We couldnt afford to go on the trip to the ancient ruins at Ephesus. On Wednesday we went to Icmeler market on the Dolmic bus, but I had no money to spend.
On Thursday we went to Dalyan. We went by bus to a carpet cooperative, then we went by boat down the river to the mud bath and spring bath. We then went back on the boat to a restaurant down the river for lunch before looking out for loggerhead turtles and seeing the ancient tombs in the walls of caves and ending up at the beach. Shortly after which we went back to the bus and came home. In the evening we wen to a Turkish night at a local bar where we had a 3 course meal (def nothing special!) and unlimited wine and watched traditional Turkish musicians and dancers, a fire-eater and belly-dancers, and I got roped into taking part in a belly-dancing competition. The 3 of us competitors got a bottle of wine afterwards! There were over 150 people there, Id say.
Yesterday we went back to Marmaris so Ruth could buy some more presents (I had no money let - had managed to buy a second scarf in Icmeler). Sadly, due to money and time restrictions, weather issues and clashes in timetables; we couldnt go to the dinner and jazz evening, visit the hotel's indoor pool, hire bikes, go on pedalos or canoes, or do the boat trip either....
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Home-ward bound
Tuesday's rehearsal was not great, Chinese lesson was good though! Meal for Shab's bday was v nice (we went to Coco Mo's) then we joined the not so great modlangsoc pub crawl in Boom (Tom and I) before heading with them on to Tup Tup. Thursday's LBS social in Kaz Bar was alright, although I didnt go on with them to Madison's.
Fri I didnt got to the Swan - was going to meet my partner there for a last rehearsal but he came round to mine on Sat instead. Had my German assessment on Sat morn (I speak German with a v French accent which my teacher finds highly amusing!) Then went out for a quick lunch with some of the people in my class as its the last time Ill see any of them because Im not carrying it on next term. No time and Ill have left Newcastle before the end of the course term.
Sunday morn headed down to London on the 8.55 train with most of the rest of the dancing group. Got in to Kings X just after 1, took us the best part of two hours to get out to the theatre in Catford by combo of tube and train. Hung around the theatre basically all avo for the technical rehearsal, popped out briefly to the pub over the road for a quick tea before going back to do make-up and hair etc. We werent on stage until about half 9, so some of our lot watched the first half in the audience,it was all little kids from stage school!!!
Performance was alright - my partner's headpiece came off in the first move which was more than a little offputting. Left theatre after finale about 11ish, didnt arrive at our flat until 2am!!!! It took us basically 3 hours to find our way there. Grrrrr, flat was a complete state, we were not impressed esp as we had agreed to pay a tenner each, so this ramdom guy made over a hundred quid just for sleeping somewhere else for a night and leaving his flat lookin like a bomb had hit it!
Got to sleep about 3am (was squidged next to Elle and Raj and Kirty on the lounge floor next to a binbag of rubbish) - just my thin kid's sleeping bagv from Tesco Kingston Park, no mattress or anything obviously. Got up at 8, left there about half 9, went for brekkie in a nearby cafe then went to walk in St James' Park and Hyde Park, saw the changing of the guards at the Palace, watched an opera singer perform in Convent Garden (amazing - esp for free!) then went to the British Museum, before heading to Kings X early to meet up with Hels breifly before our train left.... Got back here late last night, back to Worcs this eve.
Fri I didnt got to the Swan - was going to meet my partner there for a last rehearsal but he came round to mine on Sat instead. Had my German assessment on Sat morn (I speak German with a v French accent which my teacher finds highly amusing!) Then went out for a quick lunch with some of the people in my class as its the last time Ill see any of them because Im not carrying it on next term. No time and Ill have left Newcastle before the end of the course term.
Sunday morn headed down to London on the 8.55 train with most of the rest of the dancing group. Got in to Kings X just after 1, took us the best part of two hours to get out to the theatre in Catford by combo of tube and train. Hung around the theatre basically all avo for the technical rehearsal, popped out briefly to the pub over the road for a quick tea before going back to do make-up and hair etc. We werent on stage until about half 9, so some of our lot watched the first half in the audience,it was all little kids from stage school!!!
Performance was alright - my partner's headpiece came off in the first move which was more than a little offputting. Left theatre after finale about 11ish, didnt arrive at our flat until 2am!!!! It took us basically 3 hours to find our way there. Grrrrr, flat was a complete state, we were not impressed esp as we had agreed to pay a tenner each, so this ramdom guy made over a hundred quid just for sleeping somewhere else for a night and leaving his flat lookin like a bomb had hit it!
Got to sleep about 3am (was squidged next to Elle and Raj and Kirty on the lounge floor next to a binbag of rubbish) - just my thin kid's sleeping bagv from Tesco Kingston Park, no mattress or anything obviously. Got up at 8, left there about half 9, went for brekkie in a nearby cafe then went to walk in St James' Park and Hyde Park, saw the changing of the guards at the Palace, watched an opera singer perform in Convent Garden (amazing - esp for free!) then went to the British Museum, before heading to Kings X early to meet up with Hels breifly before our train left.... Got back here late last night, back to Worcs this eve.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Well, was ill all of Thurs, didnt got out Friday night either - or Sat (was gonna go to WHQ) Had German on Sat morn, and rehearsal Sat and Sun eve. Didnt go to Attic last night either, just been out for Dan's bday drinks (briefly).
Had more committee meetings, done rapport, essay, translation, finished 4th book and started lit analysis, just gotta do practice essay and German revision this week now! Have Chinese taster session and rehearsal tomo night, Shabba's bday meal and night out on Weds and LBS social on Thurs, followed by BS on Fri....
Had more committee meetings, done rapport, essay, translation, finished 4th book and started lit analysis, just gotta do practice essay and German revision this week now! Have Chinese taster session and rehearsal tomo night, Shabba's bday meal and night out on Weds and LBS social on Thurs, followed by BS on Fri....
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Busy bee
So now Anna, Steve, Julia, Andrew and Emma are all coming to watch me in London on the 16th - yay!
Didnt have rehearsal on Sunday in the end - didnt go to Attic in the evening either, since heard someone had their throat slit on our street the night before so was too scared to leave the house!
Monday night I went to see the Fashion show at Box and popped into Seccos but didnt manage to meet up with Kate Jones for her birthday drinks. Yesterday I went to Salsa at Bar Beyond and then on to Elephant at WHQ. Tonight I went to see Juno at the cinema, havent gone to the Ceilidh at the Irish Centre, to the informal evening at Open Door, to the play at Northern Stage or the open mike bar with Jimmy and the salsa crew. Tomorrow it's a toss-up between Erasfest in the Union and the Comedy club, Friday its maybe karaoke and the Swan and Saturday its maybe karaoke and WHQ and Sunday is defninitely Salsa at Attic.
Had Open Door this avo, tomo am meeting up for lunch with the Salsa girls, today have been to the Library and got lots of textbooks out for the holidays. Have read Brian Stimpsons Book in the Student Text Collection (bits of) and done a bit of essential shopping.
Didnt have rehearsal on Sunday in the end - didnt go to Attic in the evening either, since heard someone had their throat slit on our street the night before so was too scared to leave the house!
Monday night I went to see the Fashion show at Box and popped into Seccos but didnt manage to meet up with Kate Jones for her birthday drinks. Yesterday I went to Salsa at Bar Beyond and then on to Elephant at WHQ. Tonight I went to see Juno at the cinema, havent gone to the Ceilidh at the Irish Centre, to the informal evening at Open Door, to the play at Northern Stage or the open mike bar with Jimmy and the salsa crew. Tomorrow it's a toss-up between Erasfest in the Union and the Comedy club, Friday its maybe karaoke and the Swan and Saturday its maybe karaoke and WHQ and Sunday is defninitely Salsa at Attic.
Had Open Door this avo, tomo am meeting up for lunch with the Salsa girls, today have been to the Library and got lots of textbooks out for the holidays. Have read Brian Stimpsons Book in the Student Text Collection (bits of) and done a bit of essential shopping.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Strangely relaxing week
As you will see, somehow I managed to post the same photo twice in the last entry with photos.
Have had v little to do this week. Have busy week next week though. Mon didnt really have much uni work to catch up on, have even been to all my lectures this week! Tues was the modlangsoc social to see The Diving Bell and the Butterfly - v v v good. Afterwards, we went for a committee meal to Rumpoli's. Wednesday was Open Door as usual in the afternoon (asylum seeker project) and then was meant to go to the Intsoc social in the eve, but Kate bailed on me. At 5pm yesterday I went to the Hatton Gallery opening for free nibbles and wine.
Stayed in and drank red wine with Anna and Jo yesterday and Weds night. Tonight am in theory going to the Black Swan for the second time this term. This avo have started my third lit book and done my German catch-up hw from last week. The class tomo morn is cancelled, have London rehearsals tommorrow and Sunday afternoon......
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Last post was very temperamental so gave up on it - will get some more photos on here soon.
So last week I was very naughty - didnt go to Spanish translation, Spanish writing or Spanish syntax. Did go to French writing and three quarters of French literature, however. Have now finished two of my four books for French lit - la Vagabonde by Colette and l'Amant by Marguerite Duras, also watched a TV interview with Duras.
Last tues had a disastrous selection day in the Union for graduate fasttrack - have def decided graduate training is not for me - any company with that vigorous and impersonal a selection process is not the right company for me! Had a final rehearsal for salsa in the eve. Weds went out w Jenna and Catherine for a meal at Wagamamas and then out for a drink at the Charles Grey. Thurs was the IGf - v good. Went to the start of the unoffical afterparty at Reds bar before coming home while the young whippersnapper firstyears headed on into town!
Fri morn we (Mary, Anna and I) left to go down to Staffs in Mary's car to see Vik for the weekend. Had a chilled out fri night eating Vik's mum's yummy home-cooked Chinese and had a good catch-up. Sat morn we went for a walk in Bishops wood, then had Staffordshire oatcakes for lunch before heading to the pub to watch the rugby. Went out last night in fancy dress (my costume was definitely the stupidest and I deepy regretted leaving the house after a while!). Went to Wetherspoons and the Crown & Anchor. Left there about 12 today and got back just before 5, supposedly in time for me to go to the London rehearsal, except I didnt go and went to bed instead. Have been reading l'Amant and learning German this eve.....
So last week I was very naughty - didnt go to Spanish translation, Spanish writing or Spanish syntax. Did go to French writing and three quarters of French literature, however. Have now finished two of my four books for French lit - la Vagabonde by Colette and l'Amant by Marguerite Duras, also watched a TV interview with Duras.
Last tues had a disastrous selection day in the Union for graduate fasttrack - have def decided graduate training is not for me - any company with that vigorous and impersonal a selection process is not the right company for me! Had a final rehearsal for salsa in the eve. Weds went out w Jenna and Catherine for a meal at Wagamamas and then out for a drink at the Charles Grey. Thurs was the IGf - v good. Went to the start of the unoffical afterparty at Reds bar before coming home while the young whippersnapper firstyears headed on into town!
Fri morn we (Mary, Anna and I) left to go down to Staffs in Mary's car to see Vik for the weekend. Had a chilled out fri night eating Vik's mum's yummy home-cooked Chinese and had a good catch-up. Sat morn we went for a walk in Bishops wood, then had Staffordshire oatcakes for lunch before heading to the pub to watch the rugby. Went out last night in fancy dress (my costume was definitely the stupidest and I deepy regretted leaving the house after a while!). Went to Wetherspoons and the Crown & Anchor. Left there about 12 today and got back just before 5, supposedly in time for me to go to the London rehearsal, except I didnt go and went to bed instead. Have been reading l'Amant and learning German this eve.....
Monday, February 18, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Well, last Thursday I completely forgot to go to an extra dance rehearsal on Thurs night. Friday night was Mary's bday meal (curry) and Jazz cafe afterwards. Then had 6hours dancing on Sunday and parents came up. Monday we went to Rothbury, Alnwick and through Morpeth on the way back, and Tuesday afternoon after lectures we went to Beamish. Tues eve was the Erasmus quiz at the Hancock. Other than that, not done a lot!
Another rehearsal tonight whch i *will not* forget to go to! Angie's coming up this weekend, so hopefully meeting up with her on Sat for lunch. Meeting Sarah C for coffee tomorrow avo, not seen her since 2nd year!!! Then the last 6 and a half hours rehearsal on Sunday before the IGF a week today!
Another rehearsal tonight whch i *will not* forget to go to! Angie's coming up this weekend, so hopefully meeting up with her on Sat for lunch. Meeting Sarah C for coffee tomorrow avo, not seen her since 2nd year!!! Then the last 6 and a half hours rehearsal on Sunday before the IGF a week today!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Jobs again
So far, one way or another I have applied to:
*KPMG - European ACCA Audit scheme
*KPMG - ACA Audit scheme
*British Council - Language Assistant in France (Paris, Nancy or Nantes)
*AXA - Human Resources scheme
*World Challenge - Overseas Leader Recruitment Assistant
*P.A.B Recruitment - Graduate Trainee Recruitment Consultant
*Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO) - Services Delivery
*GCL Direct - Graduate European Language Career Opportunity
*British Council - Project Assistant Internship in Bogota, Colombia!
Not doing any more applications till after graduation when will be eligible to apply to Graduate for Business in the North East and the National Graduate Development Programme. Events management, Project management and Hopsitality also appeal. Careers lady suggested I wait until at least graduation if not the autumn, to recommence applications. Not heard back from half of the above, yet!
Careers lady also thinks that from what I told her, I should consider 2 options:
1) Go to France next year, do the teaching assistantship, and use my stay in France as an opportunity to network, knock on doors etc for a possible job in France afterwards and stay there
2)Take a 'year out' next year, gaining 'business and commercial awareness' in the UK by working for any old firm, before applying for a 2009 graduate training business-related scheme in a competitive company (having practised more numeracy tests!) with a view to possibly moving abroad in the future.
Tonight is the Modlangsoc National Stereotypes pub-crawl, but I'm not going. Going to the docs tomorrow, cos I'm always exhausted and I don't know why!
*KPMG - European ACCA Audit scheme
*KPMG - ACA Audit scheme
*British Council - Language Assistant in France (Paris, Nancy or Nantes)
*AXA - Human Resources scheme
*World Challenge - Overseas Leader Recruitment Assistant
*P.A.B Recruitment - Graduate Trainee Recruitment Consultant
*Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO) - Services Delivery
*GCL Direct - Graduate European Language Career Opportunity
*British Council - Project Assistant Internship in Bogota, Colombia!
Not doing any more applications till after graduation when will be eligible to apply to Graduate for Business in the North East and the National Graduate Development Programme. Events management, Project management and Hopsitality also appeal. Careers lady suggested I wait until at least graduation if not the autumn, to recommence applications. Not heard back from half of the above, yet!
Careers lady also thinks that from what I told her, I should consider 2 options:
1) Go to France next year, do the teaching assistantship, and use my stay in France as an opportunity to network, knock on doors etc for a possible job in France afterwards and stay there
2)Take a 'year out' next year, gaining 'business and commercial awareness' in the UK by working for any old firm, before applying for a 2009 graduate training business-related scheme in a competitive company (having practised more numeracy tests!) with a view to possibly moving abroad in the future.
Tonight is the Modlangsoc National Stereotypes pub-crawl, but I'm not going. Going to the docs tomorrow, cos I'm always exhausted and I don't know why!
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