Having recently celebrated my 27th birthday, I thought I would take a moment to share with you 27 things that have made me smile in the five months since I left Toronto. (I know it's been ages since I've posted regular updates on here, but I like my lists, so bear with me for a little while longer while I update you on my new life in the UK thus far with points of interest.)
1. Watching an entire country come to a standstill over 2 inches of snow.
2. Listening to Oasis over dinner at a restaurant in Manchester.
3. Having a friend's cat watch my every move whilst getting ready to leave their flat around midday. Poor Finn wasn't used to having so much company in the day, what with Jen and Jack at work from the early morning to the early evening, so she was very interested to see what I was up to in her home.
4. Watching Lee Evans on TV with Mark, and laughing so much it hurt.
5. Fighting against the wind on Brighton's seafront... nothing makes me smile quite as much as the many happy memories that the wind in Brighton brings me.
6. Going to dinner with Sarah - no matter where we end up we are always seated next to individuals who combined would easily make up the world's strangest people.
7. Walking to work on my birthday while the sun slowly emerged from behind a very scary looking cloud.
8. Going to the cinema at Leicester Square by myself on a Saturday night. I really am a fantastic date.
9. Being told by some of my lovely male friends that I looked gorgeous on my birthday.
10. Watching my colleague Joel gawk at attractive women as they pass us by outside of Parliament.
11. Going swimming.
12. Each and every time I get a piece of mail I smile.
13. Laying in bed listening to the latest Kings of Leon CD on my iPod for the first time in absolute darkness.
14. Being called "love" and "my dear" on a regular basis by friends and shopkeepers.
15. Walking past Buckingham Palace on the way to work.
16. Listening to the rain fall on skylight windows while cuddled up under a warm duvet.
17. Playing Deal or No Deal with Ru on the night before his birthday.
18. Receiving a phone call from Kevin nearly once a week.
19. Knowing that I am going home to Toronto for a visit very soon.
20. Climbing into my bed at night to feel the cool, smooth fitted sheet I bought from IKEA
21. Having Allison nearby, especially on the days when we both really need a good friend.
22. RIO - the carbonated beverage that I often associate with a very memorable weekend in Brighton and the very good friend who introduced me to it.
23. Riding on a nearly empty double decker bus, in the front seat upstairs.
24. Treating myself to expensive luxuries from time to time - for example the hand cream I bought myself at Rituals over a month ago... still makes me smile each time I use it.
25. Being asked directions and knowing the answer.
26. Walking aimlessly around The City on a weekend when it is nearly deserted of all cars and pedestrians.
27. Finding a good deal on a coach or train ticket to a new part of the country.
Showing posts with label Brighton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brighton. Show all posts
Sunday, 17 May 2009
Wednesday, 2 January 2008
38 for the start of 2008
Stolen, nay borrowed, from Nicole... To sum up 2007 and bring in 2008.
1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?
I went crab and lobster fishing in the English Channel - true, I didn't do any of the hard work, but I was on the boat before 8am in February... brrr (but I'd do it again in a heartbeat)
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't really make resolutions, but I do try to make changes every so often (as any of you who have read my blog before should know)... in 2007 I made a promise to be more honest about my feelings and to put myself first. It wasn't as easy as I had hoped it would be to do those things, but I am getting better every day.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My wonderful friend Anna gave birth to her gorgeous son Kofi in February. I was so sad to have missed both her pregnancy and her son's birth, but am so proud of her and absolutely adore my little "nephew".
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My granny's sister passed away while I was overseas. It all happened to fast and not being able to say goodbye and not being able to be there to send my love to her husband and children was really hard. But we grow stronger and love deeper with every change.
5. What countries did you visit?
England, Wales, Austria and the United States
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
More motivation to achieve the goals that I set for myself.
7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
15 January - submission day for fall term papers and my first big drink up at Falmer Bar
18 February - the big fishing day on the sea
3 September - submission day of final dissertations... what a relief that day was
6 September - my final day in the UK, spent in London with Jack, before returning to Canada the following afternoon
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting my Master's in Contemporary History
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not really a failure per se, but certainly something I am disappointed in myself for - I wish that I had stayed in England in September instead of coming back to Toronto.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Thankfully, no.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My second tattoo... it really does remind me every day to be myself and to not be afraid that I wear my heart on my sleeve.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My friend Rupert had a not-so-easy breakup in the fall, and though he calls his behaviour childish and immature I was and still am so proud of his honesty and his willingness to share so much of himself at such a difficult time.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
A friend of mine who will remain nameless.... For constantly disappointing me and for making me feel guilty in times when I was not at fault. For making me question my love, my loyalty and my heart... I am big on forgiveness, but I am not going to forget the hurt that this friend caused me anytime soon.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Food and drinks in the UK... too much booze!
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
A lot of little things. Most of which revolved around nights out with the boys of Newmarket Road. Whether they know it or not the four of them made my year so fantastic. Every time I went to their house or went out with them I was happy, and being genuinely happy made me really, really, really excited every time.
16. What song will always remind you of 2007?
"Heart of Gold" by Neil Young... it's always been one of my favourites, but I definitely listened to it a LOT this past year.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer?
Sadder, fatter and poorer.... OOPS!
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Spent more time on the beach in Brighton when it was sunny and warm.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Sitting on my butt in my room watching the sea from inside.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
At home with my family... just like old times.
21. Did you fall in love in 2007?
I thought that I might have, though I can't be sure just yet.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
The Office (US)
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Hate is far too strong of a word, but I will say that I lost a lot of respect for someone....
24. What was the best book you read?
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Simian Mobile Disco
26. What did you want and get?
Wonderful new friends
27. What did you want and not get?
The funds and means to move back to England/remain in England.
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Juno (go figure I saw it three times in theatres)
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
For my 25th birthday my fantastic friends (mostly new, and two old) filled the main floor of the Fish Bowl in Brighton - what a great night that was!
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Ending it with a fabulous job offer for a proper job.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Longing to wear more exciting and sassy clothes, settling for whatever was comfortable and clean.
32. What kept you sane?
Reruns of Friends and Fraser... and late night gab sessions with Dina and Annie and Genti.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Steven Gerrard and Matt Damon
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
I'm not going there...
35. Who did you miss?
All of my new friends who are scattered across Europe, Britain, Asia and the Americas
36. Who was the best new person you met?
Jack. My music and club guru, who knows a little something about everything.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
True friends are hard to come by, and once you find that you have some never let them go.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
No, I don't think I can do this.... I can't think of a specific song, but it would go something like this: "What started out great, got better, and then sucked, and then it was Christmas, and now I have something to look forward to."
1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?
I went crab and lobster fishing in the English Channel - true, I didn't do any of the hard work, but I was on the boat before 8am in February... brrr (but I'd do it again in a heartbeat)
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't really make resolutions, but I do try to make changes every so often (as any of you who have read my blog before should know)... in 2007 I made a promise to be more honest about my feelings and to put myself first. It wasn't as easy as I had hoped it would be to do those things, but I am getting better every day.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My wonderful friend Anna gave birth to her gorgeous son Kofi in February. I was so sad to have missed both her pregnancy and her son's birth, but am so proud of her and absolutely adore my little "nephew".
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My granny's sister passed away while I was overseas. It all happened to fast and not being able to say goodbye and not being able to be there to send my love to her husband and children was really hard. But we grow stronger and love deeper with every change.
5. What countries did you visit?
England, Wales, Austria and the United States
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
More motivation to achieve the goals that I set for myself.
7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
15 January - submission day for fall term papers and my first big drink up at Falmer Bar
18 February - the big fishing day on the sea
3 September - submission day of final dissertations... what a relief that day was
6 September - my final day in the UK, spent in London with Jack, before returning to Canada the following afternoon
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting my Master's in Contemporary History
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not really a failure per se, but certainly something I am disappointed in myself for - I wish that I had stayed in England in September instead of coming back to Toronto.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Thankfully, no.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My second tattoo... it really does remind me every day to be myself and to not be afraid that I wear my heart on my sleeve.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My friend Rupert had a not-so-easy breakup in the fall, and though he calls his behaviour childish and immature I was and still am so proud of his honesty and his willingness to share so much of himself at such a difficult time.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
A friend of mine who will remain nameless.... For constantly disappointing me and for making me feel guilty in times when I was not at fault. For making me question my love, my loyalty and my heart... I am big on forgiveness, but I am not going to forget the hurt that this friend caused me anytime soon.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Food and drinks in the UK... too much booze!
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
A lot of little things. Most of which revolved around nights out with the boys of Newmarket Road. Whether they know it or not the four of them made my year so fantastic. Every time I went to their house or went out with them I was happy, and being genuinely happy made me really, really, really excited every time.
16. What song will always remind you of 2007?
"Heart of Gold" by Neil Young... it's always been one of my favourites, but I definitely listened to it a LOT this past year.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer?
Sadder, fatter and poorer.... OOPS!
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Spent more time on the beach in Brighton when it was sunny and warm.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Sitting on my butt in my room watching the sea from inside.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
At home with my family... just like old times.
21. Did you fall in love in 2007?
I thought that I might have, though I can't be sure just yet.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
The Office (US)
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Hate is far too strong of a word, but I will say that I lost a lot of respect for someone....
24. What was the best book you read?
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Simian Mobile Disco
26. What did you want and get?
Wonderful new friends
27. What did you want and not get?
The funds and means to move back to England/remain in England.
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Juno (go figure I saw it three times in theatres)
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
For my 25th birthday my fantastic friends (mostly new, and two old) filled the main floor of the Fish Bowl in Brighton - what a great night that was!
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Ending it with a fabulous job offer for a proper job.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Longing to wear more exciting and sassy clothes, settling for whatever was comfortable and clean.
32. What kept you sane?
Reruns of Friends and Fraser... and late night gab sessions with Dina and Annie and Genti.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Steven Gerrard and Matt Damon
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
I'm not going there...
35. Who did you miss?
All of my new friends who are scattered across Europe, Britain, Asia and the Americas
36. Who was the best new person you met?
Jack. My music and club guru, who knows a little something about everything.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
True friends are hard to come by, and once you find that you have some never let them go.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
No, I don't think I can do this.... I can't think of a specific song, but it would go something like this: "What started out great, got better, and then sucked, and then it was Christmas, and now I have something to look forward to."
Wednesday, 14 November 2007
update - the BIG plan
i think i have finally sorted out how the international graduate scheme works and how i need to go about applying for entry clearance under it. for those of you completely uninterested in immigration rules and/or extending leave to stay as a student, disregard this post. ACTUALLY, just skip down to the bottom where i will outline my updated plan to return to the UK (assuming you're interested in that. after all, you did open this post).
so, the international graduate scheme goes a little something like this: if you have graduated from a recognised UK institution after may 2007 you are eligible to apply to become a participant in the IGS. once a participant you may work, permit free, in any type of employment you like (including self employment) in the UK for up to 12 months. the idea is to encourage people studying at UK universities to contribute some of their brain power and talent to the UK before leaving.
applying for the IGS:
if you are already in the UK AND have valid entry clearance as a student, you can apply to extend your stay as a participant under the IGS. this is probably the easiest way to go about getting into this programme, because you do not need to re-apply for entry clearance: obviously, you're already in the country.
if you have left the UK but still have valid entry clearance it is still fairly easy to apply to the IGS... as far as i am concerned. if i am not mistaken, you would just have to return to the UK within the period for which you already have entry clearance and state that you are back to complete the duration of that granted period. while in the UK you apply for the IGS as though you never left the UK and presto you can extend your stay.
if you have left the UK and no longer have valid entry clearance, which is where i stand after 31 january 2008, you need to go through a few more steps. basically if you're out of the country you need entry clearance to stay in the UK more than six months - duh. but, because the IGS denotes that its participants do not require a work permit, it gets confusing as to which entry clearance visa to apply for. the answer: PERMIT-FREE EMPLOYMENT (form VAF2). the UKVisas website has the IGS hidden in its FAQs and guidance on applying for employment based visas... you just have to poke around a bit. once you've completed this form, secured proof from the university that you have in fact completed a course, and have paid the massive 200 pound fee you should be set.
FINALLY, i made some sense out of a lot of confusion - and no thanks to the folks at the british embassy or high commission i might add.
------
AND NOW, THE updated BIG PLAN
as most of you know by now, i have only just started work... and it's part-time work that doesn't pay too much so i am not going to be able to move back to the UK before my visa expires. not to worry. i am still going over for my graduation at the end of january and, funds permitting, will stay about a month to catch up with friends and scout potential jobs.
upon my return i am hoping to go back to an old job (more information on that to come at a later date) to make some better money and get the hours i'll need to save the cash i'll need to afford the big move.
my goal at the moment is to be in england (either london or brighton area) by the end of september 2008. this goal seems very realistic to me, but at the moment rides very heavily on getting my old job back for five months or so... fingers crossed! all of this has me feeling really good at the moment and hopefully things will continue to work out.
i have my first special event at work tomorrow night: jamie oliver (aka the naked chef) is going to be signing copies of his latest cookbook for 300 adoring fans. i have no idea what my role will be throughout the course of the evening, but i am certain you will hear about it by the end of the week.
so, the international graduate scheme goes a little something like this: if you have graduated from a recognised UK institution after may 2007 you are eligible to apply to become a participant in the IGS. once a participant you may work, permit free, in any type of employment you like (including self employment) in the UK for up to 12 months. the idea is to encourage people studying at UK universities to contribute some of their brain power and talent to the UK before leaving.
applying for the IGS:
if you are already in the UK AND have valid entry clearance as a student, you can apply to extend your stay as a participant under the IGS. this is probably the easiest way to go about getting into this programme, because you do not need to re-apply for entry clearance: obviously, you're already in the country.
if you have left the UK but still have valid entry clearance it is still fairly easy to apply to the IGS... as far as i am concerned. if i am not mistaken, you would just have to return to the UK within the period for which you already have entry clearance and state that you are back to complete the duration of that granted period. while in the UK you apply for the IGS as though you never left the UK and presto you can extend your stay.
if you have left the UK and no longer have valid entry clearance, which is where i stand after 31 january 2008, you need to go through a few more steps. basically if you're out of the country you need entry clearance to stay in the UK more than six months - duh. but, because the IGS denotes that its participants do not require a work permit, it gets confusing as to which entry clearance visa to apply for. the answer: PERMIT-FREE EMPLOYMENT (form VAF2). the UKVisas website has the IGS hidden in its FAQs and guidance on applying for employment based visas... you just have to poke around a bit. once you've completed this form, secured proof from the university that you have in fact completed a course, and have paid the massive 200 pound fee you should be set.
FINALLY, i made some sense out of a lot of confusion - and no thanks to the folks at the british embassy or high commission i might add.
------
AND NOW, THE updated BIG PLAN
as most of you know by now, i have only just started work... and it's part-time work that doesn't pay too much so i am not going to be able to move back to the UK before my visa expires. not to worry. i am still going over for my graduation at the end of january and, funds permitting, will stay about a month to catch up with friends and scout potential jobs.
upon my return i am hoping to go back to an old job (more information on that to come at a later date) to make some better money and get the hours i'll need to save the cash i'll need to afford the big move.
my goal at the moment is to be in england (either london or brighton area) by the end of september 2008. this goal seems very realistic to me, but at the moment rides very heavily on getting my old job back for five months or so... fingers crossed! all of this has me feeling really good at the moment and hopefully things will continue to work out.
i have my first special event at work tomorrow night: jamie oliver (aka the naked chef) is going to be signing copies of his latest cookbook for 300 adoring fans. i have no idea what my role will be throughout the course of the evening, but i am certain you will hear about it by the end of the week.
Sunday, 21 October 2007
the "i am thankful for" note
Originally posted on FACEBOOK on 7 October 2007.
---
After an amazing year with five truly remarkable people, I am left with a huge void in my heart.
On this Thanksgiving, I am thankful for:
Annie Wright - For being an amazing friend and for being someone that I know I can always count on. For being like a sister to me and for helping me to make rationalise the most irrational decisions. For laughing, crying, singing, dancing, drinking, eating, and working with me. For being such strong woman and for the inspiration I didn't even know I needed to find a stronger woman within myself. Annie, I love and miss you more than I can say... you mean the world to me.
Dina Bailey - For being a supportive and caring friend and for being an ear to my troubles day and night. For standing by me through good and bad and for never leaving my side even when I stumbled. For the many adventures, long talks, great walks, dinners, lunches, drinks, dances, for all of the fun and not-so-fun times we spent together. Dina, you are a rock and I am more sure of myself for having known you. I hope that you know I am always here for you should you ever lose your footing.
Bernardo vaz de Macedo - For being a familiar face in a scary place and for always making me smile. For being accepting of my crazy ways and for helping me to know where to draw the line. For not being afraid to ask questions, for taking chances, and for showing me what hardwork really is. Bernardo, you taught me so much about what it means to take a chance and although I never said it, you really inspired me to push myself in ways I never had before and I will never, ever, forget that.
Nao Kawabe - For being a ray of sunshine in a sometimes gloomy world. For teaching me that following your heart is not always the easiest path but that it is surely the most fulfilling. For opening up to me, for opening up to others, for being a genuinely kind, caring and beautiful person. Nao, you are so amazing, there are so few words to describe how much I have learned from you. I admire your independence and courage more than you know, and I hope that I will find that path for my heart to follow so that I can share that story with you.
Gentian Elezi - For being the source of so much happiness for me and so many people. For never being afraid to express emotion and for being so incredibly rational in doing so. For the laughs, the jokes, the Friends references, the hugs, the games, and for always reminding me that you would look out for me anytime I needed you. Genti, knowing that you were on the other side of my wall on nights when I was homesick or confused or just really stressed always made me smile. You made me feel so safe and secure and I would not have made it through the year without your support.
--
My wonderful flatmates:
I regret not saying these things to you in person, but knowing me more tears would have been shed than words spoken. I really love you all and knowing that the six of us will never live together again makes me really sad... but I am so thankful for the year we spent together and know that it could never be re-created or replaced. We had something really special, and the energy from our last few days together in Flat 15 is still inside of me and is what keeps me going on days that I am feeling blue.
Happy Thanksgiving, I am so thankful to have wonderful friends like you.
xx
Renee
Wednesday, 10 October 2007
Giving thanks...
This weekend was Canadian Thanksgiving - the holiday designed to make you overeat, over drink and to look back and reflect on all of the things you are thankful for in your life. We had a very traditional turkey dinner (albeit sans potatoes) at home with three guests. It's always nice to have family over at the holidays, and despite the fact that we were actually expecting six quests and only half showed up, it was a very good evening.
Keeping with the spirit of the holiday, I got to thinking about the things I am thankful for in my life. Correction: I got to thinking about the people that I am thankful for in my life. I have been blessed with a wonderful brother, wonderful parents who have been encouraging and supportive my entire life, a great extended family and probably the best friends a girl could ask for. This week I took a moment to really think about the newer friends in my life who helped me get through a really challenging year in Brighton. I experienced so many ups and downs over the year and am so thankful for all of the support and laughter that my friends were there to provide me with.
I have already posted a few notes about my flatmates and my high school friends on my Facebook profile (which I will copy into a blog later this week), but I want to take this moment, and use this space, to address the new friends (and old friends) who made my year in Brighton so amazing ...
Allison Fan
Alqwai Majidah
Chris Walters
Claire Chester
David Mason
Donna Hetherington
Jack O'Connor
Jessica Ainlay
Jessica Getz
Jordan Niel
Krys Kamola
Mark Brownsey-Joyce
Maya Ganesh
Nick Ceadel
Nick Christian
Nick Goulds
Nicole Barry
Sarah Odams
Sean Carroll
Simon Mussell
Rupert Swayne
Rachel Watts
I am hoping to send a proper letter to each of you in the upcoming weeks, with an update, a thanks, and a hello... but we'll see how far I get with that.
You really mean the world to me, and I hope that whatever you are doing and wherever you are doing it, that you are happy.
x
Keeping with the spirit of the holiday, I got to thinking about the things I am thankful for in my life. Correction: I got to thinking about the people that I am thankful for in my life. I have been blessed with a wonderful brother, wonderful parents who have been encouraging and supportive my entire life, a great extended family and probably the best friends a girl could ask for. This week I took a moment to really think about the newer friends in my life who helped me get through a really challenging year in Brighton. I experienced so many ups and downs over the year and am so thankful for all of the support and laughter that my friends were there to provide me with.
I have already posted a few notes about my flatmates and my high school friends on my Facebook profile (which I will copy into a blog later this week), but I want to take this moment, and use this space, to address the new friends (and old friends) who made my year in Brighton so amazing ...
Allison Fan
Alqwai Majidah
Chris Walters
Claire Chester
David Mason
Donna Hetherington
Jack O'Connor
Jessica Ainlay
Jessica Getz
Jordan Niel
Krys Kamola
Mark Brownsey-Joyce
Maya Ganesh
Nick Ceadel
Nick Christian
Nick Goulds
Nicole Barry
Sarah Odams
Sean Carroll
Simon Mussell
Rupert Swayne
Rachel Watts
I am hoping to send a proper letter to each of you in the upcoming weeks, with an update, a thanks, and a hello... but we'll see how far I get with that.
You really mean the world to me, and I hope that whatever you are doing and wherever you are doing it, that you are happy.
x
Tuesday, 25 September 2007
BABIES!
I am unemployed. I am broke. I am BORED
Solution: Volunteer at the gym's child minding centre two days a week for a free membership.
For three hours a day, twice a week, I play with babies. I hold them if they are crying. I make them laugh if they look like they might cry. I give them various toys to distract them from other babies that are crying... basically, I get to hug and play with adorable babies in exchange for a free gym membership. So, the parents are grateful for the help and I get to push myself back into shape - everybody wins.
What I've realised after my first day with the babies is that although I am capable of caring for one right now, I do NOT want one right now. I've just gotten used to putting myself first and having a baby would certainly take that away.
Besides, and here it comes, I want to move back to England - yes, it's true - and I want to start the next chapter of my life there so that I'm not forcing anyone else to relocate with me. So there you have it. The truth comes out.
My friends asked me the other night, "What is your goal for the next 365 days?"
My gut response: "To move back to England."
I'm not sure they were too impressed with that answer but that's how it goes. If my dream job sends me elsewhere that's another story, but for now my sights are set.
In the meantime I am looking for some work here, as I am slowly going broke and really don't know what I'll do if I hit zero dollars. I suppose I'll spend all of my free time at the gym since it's free and gives me something to do other than sit at home on my butt. Could be a very good thing for me come to think of it.
This is an older photo of the West Pier in Brighton - I took it in December 2004 and since I'm feeling a bit nostalgic (again) today though I'd share it with y'all.
Solution: Volunteer at the gym's child minding centre two days a week for a free membership.
For three hours a day, twice a week, I play with babies. I hold them if they are crying. I make them laugh if they look like they might cry. I give them various toys to distract them from other babies that are crying... basically, I get to hug and play with adorable babies in exchange for a free gym membership. So, the parents are grateful for the help and I get to push myself back into shape - everybody wins.
What I've realised after my first day with the babies is that although I am capable of caring for one right now, I do NOT want one right now. I've just gotten used to putting myself first and having a baby would certainly take that away.
Besides, and here it comes, I want to move back to England - yes, it's true - and I want to start the next chapter of my life there so that I'm not forcing anyone else to relocate with me. So there you have it. The truth comes out.
My friends asked me the other night, "What is your goal for the next 365 days?"
My gut response: "To move back to England."
I'm not sure they were too impressed with that answer but that's how it goes. If my dream job sends me elsewhere that's another story, but for now my sights are set.
In the meantime I am looking for some work here, as I am slowly going broke and really don't know what I'll do if I hit zero dollars. I suppose I'll spend all of my free time at the gym since it's free and gives me something to do other than sit at home on my butt. Could be a very good thing for me come to think of it.
This is an older photo of the West Pier in Brighton - I took it in December 2004 and since I'm feeling a bit nostalgic (again) today though I'd share it with y'all.
Wednesday, 19 September 2007
The longer I stay...
The more time that passes here at home, the more items I seem to have left behind in England... they are now either in the safe hands of my dear friend Allison, or they are in some pile of rubbish in the South of England. More likely than not, they are in the latter. The sad tossing of many loved items of clothing and books came about after five pints on a relatively empty stomach.
This sad reality (that my black trousers are NOT going to be resurfacing from the heaps of piles in my bedroom in Toronto anytime soon) has inspired me to compile a list of rules for people moving halfway around the world:
Rule # 1 - NEVER attempt to pack when drunk or hungover.
After drinking loads of beer in London, and taking an hour long tube and train ride back to Brighton, one would think that I would have my wits about me to pack the entire contents of my bedroom... think again.
I started by neatly folding all of the clothes I had already decided to keep and after about twenty minutes of that felt the need to pass out.
Two hours later (and only 3 hours away from my estimated time of departure to catch my coach to Heathrow) I was nauseous and in need of a clean toilet to be sick in... charming, I know.
After that I forced myself to toss about half of the clothes I had decided were coming home with me, and the same with books, shoes, etc. I even left my newly acquired Coca Cola glasses for the trash. :(
Thankfully, Allison listened to me being weepy and offered to hang on to some of the irreplaceables that I wasn't willing to lose. Thankfully, Bernardo also helped us get my three massive bags to the coach station. Thankfully, I made it to the airport in plenty of time to catch my flight home.
This leads me to my second rule....
Rule #2 - Don't mope about being home.
If you moan about being somewhere that you aren't thrilled about being, you'll never get settled, you'll be forever unhappy, and nothing will make you smile. Just make the most of the situation you're in and start working towards a goal that will get you back to where you want to be - hence me looking for a job to get me enough money to get back to England.
xx
P.S. Saw Shoot 'Em Up tonight with Emily. Bad movie, WONDERFUL night out with my favourite girl. If it wasn't for the lovely Clive Owen I don't think I would've made it through the gruelling 93 minutes that was that film.
This sad reality (that my black trousers are NOT going to be resurfacing from the heaps of piles in my bedroom in Toronto anytime soon) has inspired me to compile a list of rules for people moving halfway around the world:
Rule # 1 - NEVER attempt to pack when drunk or hungover.
After drinking loads of beer in London, and taking an hour long tube and train ride back to Brighton, one would think that I would have my wits about me to pack the entire contents of my bedroom... think again.
I started by neatly folding all of the clothes I had already decided to keep and after about twenty minutes of that felt the need to pass out.
Two hours later (and only 3 hours away from my estimated time of departure to catch my coach to Heathrow) I was nauseous and in need of a clean toilet to be sick in... charming, I know.
After that I forced myself to toss about half of the clothes I had decided were coming home with me, and the same with books, shoes, etc. I even left my newly acquired Coca Cola glasses for the trash. :(
Thankfully, Allison listened to me being weepy and offered to hang on to some of the irreplaceables that I wasn't willing to lose. Thankfully, Bernardo also helped us get my three massive bags to the coach station. Thankfully, I made it to the airport in plenty of time to catch my flight home.
This leads me to my second rule....
Rule #2 - Don't mope about being home.
If you moan about being somewhere that you aren't thrilled about being, you'll never get settled, you'll be forever unhappy, and nothing will make you smile. Just make the most of the situation you're in and start working towards a goal that will get you back to where you want to be - hence me looking for a job to get me enough money to get back to England.
xx
P.S. Saw Shoot 'Em Up tonight with Emily. Bad movie, WONDERFUL night out with my favourite girl. If it wasn't for the lovely Clive Owen I don't think I would've made it through the gruelling 93 minutes that was that film.
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