Light Monkey in Training

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 23:40:42 GMT

What does one do with evenings off? Honestly, I have no idea. Can someone help me out here? It's too early in the semester for homework and I'm not working. I assume a lot of people watch tv but I don't have one of those. I played around with Flash for a while but I got bored. I've looked up decorating tips for my new apartment and wandered around YouTube aimlessly for a while (I found myself catching up on The O.C. which I haven't watched since the second season). I talked to Vicky online for a while but she is gone now. Seriously... what do I do?
I guess I could go buy some food and eat dinner but I don't really feel like leaving the house and spending money and then cooking etc.
I think I'll just go eat some peanut butter and read... unless someone can give me a better suggestion.
Can't wait to move out on my own.

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 16:19:37 GMT

Something strange happened last night. I am usually the type of person who can fall asleep anywhere at anytime. But last night, I got home from work at around 11:30 and just refused to sleep. I was not tired at all. So I stayed in bed watching videos and listening to music and caught up on most things internet-related. I mostly just watched things from all my favorite comedy duos (Barratt & Fielding, Mitchell & Webb, Fry & Laurie, etc. etc.) And it occurred to me that all the best comedy and creativity comes from partnerships. You can have amazing comedians, artists, authors whatever on their own but quite often, when you combine them, ideas get pushed so much further. Maybe its the whole security that someone is standing beside you and supporting you so you become braver... don't know... A clash of personalities always works. Yin and Yang and all that I guess.
So when I was watching stuff from Mitchell & Webb, I found out that they do the PC-Mac commercials in the UK! How cool is that? They're so perfect for it. (If you don't know Mitchell and Webb I suggest you watch Peep Show. Although I should warn you that it's embarrassing humor. The type where you hide behind your blanket yelling "oh no! don't do/say that!! I can't watch!" to the tv/computer.)

So around 4 am I decided I needed to start thinking about going to sleep. So I listened to the Boosh radio series. I had never actually listened to it before. It's really well done! I also listened to this mostly improvised radio show they did which was one of the most random things I have ever heard. I enjoyed it but its really not for everyone! So yeah... that was my night. I ended up going to bed at around 5am and have been up since 9am. I was supposed to do all my Christmas shopping today but I don't think that's going to happen. It will have to wait until Thursday.
I'm starving! Better go grab some cereal.

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 00:28:11 GMT

I know I've already posted today but, I bought jeans for $5!! FIVE DOLLARS!!
This makes me so happy that I don't even mind that I had to wait almost 2 hours for my bus because of the snow storm.
So here is the question... Should I go back tomorrow and buy the purple and hot pink ones too? They're so cheap but I really don't know if I would wear them... hmmm... Am I getting carried away?
...

FIVE DOLLARS!

Sun, 16 Dec 2007 15:16:11 GMT

I am all vitamin-c-'d out! All I've been eating for the past 2 weeks or so has been cereal, peanut butter on bagels and millions and millions of oranges and satsumas!
Also, it is snowing. More than usual that is. The big storm has started here. I have a feeling not many people will be going shopping today. Might be a nice break at work.
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I have received my Flash CS3 book from amazon and I have begun my lessons yesterday. This book has 11 lessons in it so if I do one everyday, I should be finished in less than 2 weeks! Then I will be a Flash professional! (not really... but I will be a bit better)
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I've decided to change my eating habits today (mostly because I am out of milk so I can't eat my cereal) so I am eating porridge. Plain, tasteless, horrible porridge. It's almost like eating vomit. Not so much the taste but the consistency. Wish I had sugar or honey or fruit or something. Oh well... it's probably healthy like this or something. I still have a few oranges left, but I don't know if I can eat them... so many oranges!

As you have probably guessed (if you're still reading), I have nothing to say.
My life is simply: sleep, read, snow, work, oranges, snow, bus, Flash, snow, tea, sleep etc.

well... better get ready to face the snow, wait ages for my bus and go to work. I don't really mind work. It gets me out of my little room. I just don't like waiting for buses.

Mandatory End of Semester Post

Fri, 07 Dec 2007 20:29:43 GMT

I am now officially finished my first semester! whooooo! 1/4 done!

It's been snowing pretty much everyday for the past 2 weeks... It's pretty but a little annoying at times. Although since I no longer drive, its not so bad I guess. I don't need to clean off the car, warm it up, shovel the driveway or anything like that. The down side though, is that I have to stand outside waiting for the bus all the time... in shoes that have many holes. But I am determined to buy winter boots sometime this weekend.

So when winter starts and I get my winter coats out, I like to see what I've left behind in my pockets from the previous winter. I tend to overstuff my pockets all the time so I always find something interesting in there, but mostly its just old tissues... Some years I have found money ($10 once!! that was exciting!). But this year, in one coat I found a roll-up-the-rim-to-win winning piece of rim (try saying this sentence out loud). It's for a cookie! That should come in useful during the next roll-up-the-rim-to-win time. I also found my 500 miles of endurance riding pin from my horse association. In my other coat pockets I found train tickets to go from Plymouth to St. Ives. Awww... I miss taking trains and exploring places with Chris :(
Has anyone else found anything interesting in their coat pockets this year?

So other than that, life now revolves around work. Why must people go so crazy with the gift buying thing? I bet I can do all my shopping and not spend anymore time in a store than I normally would. Mind you I don't have many gifts to buy but really, do we need to buy so much? I never really felt that way until I started working retail though...

I borrowed Love Actually from Vicky when I went to Renfrew on Wednesday night. I had been wanting to watch it lately so I watched after work last night. I must say that for some reason, that film is my guilty pleasure. It makes me so happy and squishy. Sure I can point out how ridiculous some bits are and blah blah blah but I really don't care. I need to buy it I think.
Whenever I watch films or tv shows set in London, I really want to live there. I think it would be a good place to start a career in photography... I guess we'll have to see how things are in a couple of years.

Okay, I guess that's about it for now. Must get ready to go to work soon. yuck...

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 00:14:38 GMT

Another work-filled weekend over and I'm sitting in my little room. I'm getting a bit claustrophobic in here.
I fell in the bus on my way home. I was so bundled up from the cold and was holding shopping bags so when the bus made a quick stop, I was unable to grab anything fast enough. It was a bit embarrassing and I now have a bruise on my leg but I don't really care anymore.
Being here on my own with little contact with anyone other than school/work friends has made me very cynical. I don't want to be one of those people that dislikes Christmas... You know, the type of people who complain about Christmas music and say there are too many decorations and all that. I love loving Christmas and general holiday festivities but lately I just don't see the point. All it is right now is a hassle at work with crazy customers.
I'm really surprised that the people I live with have no decorations at all up. Maybe they are late decorators... I can't wait for Chris to be here so we can have our own place.
Only one week of school left for this semester. Three tests and one assignment and then I am done until January! I have a photo shoot tomorrow evening with a work colleague. Should be fun. I like studio stuff.
I need to have people around that have known me for more than 2 months...

I feel like watching a film. A completely brainless, makes you feel all warm and fuzzy type of film. Possibly about some people who think they hate each other but later find out they really love each other or something of this sort... Or Love Actually. I really feel like watching that for some reason.

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 23:29:06 GMT

Funny. No matter how many times I tell the people I live with that I'm Canadian, they still think I'm British. My co-workers also think this. The truth is, I just talk funny. I think while in England I tried to hide my Canadian accent by using a more "international English". So I mix Canadian and British words and speak more formally. British people get confused and have no idea where I'm from. Canadians just assume I must be British. I couldn't fake an English accent if my life depended on it so I don't know where they get this from. The people that know me well do not think I speak any differently than I used to... Anyway, it doesn't really matter but its interesting to see how people treat you when they think you are a foreigner (it's not bad or anything... they're just more interested in you).

My room is freezing. Have I mentioned this before? It seems the vent in here is the "sucking in air" type and not the "blowing out heat" type. It wouldn't matter if I didn't have my door closed all day and night... but I do.

There is a bunny that lives in the front yard. I fed him some carrots. It took all my will power not to go outside and try to hug him. Every time I see a rabbit I die a little inside because of the cuteness overload. Chris and I plan to get a rabbit when we finally live together... maybe its not a good idea... or maybe I will build up an immunity to the cuteness.

I'm not really enjoying school at the moment. There is too much stuff to do and not enough time to do it. Work and school just don't mix well. I was doing so well before I started working. Speaking of school, I should finish up an assignment that was due last Thursday. This is so bad...

Oh! I get to fill out my official marriage license application! As of yesterday, we have been married for three months! awwww! Too bad we've only actually seen each other for about 2 weeks of those 3 months. So the question is, should I officially change my name? Or hyphenate? I think I will change it. Any suggestions?

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 01:03:35 GMT

Two posts in one day!

I'm posting here because I need to take my mind off of my assignment for a few minutes. I can't remember the last time I've had such a creative drought. I have to make a slideshow from a series of pictures that represent a "how to" or a story of some sort. This sounds like a really fun assignment and it really should be except that I just can't think of anything. I also can't use myself in any of the photographs and having left this so late, I don't know who else I could use. So I bought some modeling clay, bristol board, pastels and some other art supplies to build my own little set and make little characters. But its actually much more difficult than I had thought!
Anyway... I guess I should just push through this and do something. I'm going to start making the set for it. It will be night time in a city alley. If anyone has any ideas tonight, please let me know. I always work much better in a partnership when it comes to anything creative.

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 05:29:34 GMT

Here is an interesting question... Will I be able to wake up at 6:00 am without an alarm? Probably not... but I left my ipod at Vicky's and it is the closest thing I own to an alarm. Also, I have an assignment due at 8 am so I really can't be late. I hope the people I live with will be extra noisy tomorrow morning.

I spent most of the weekend in Renfrew. My mom was visiting my sister so it was really really nice to see her. I don't think I was aware of how much I missed her until I had to say goodbye again. Why must I always say goodbye to people? Why can't they (or I) stay in one spot?

I feel like my life has been taken over by work. At least I didn't work today though... I only have three weeks of school to go so of course the assignments are just piling up.

Oh no! I also forgot to bring my flash sync thingy and a gameboard for a school assignment... oh and my warm winter coat!! Gah! Looks like I will have to go to Renfrew again soon.

Ok better go finish my assignment that is due tomorrow!

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 16:53:20 GMT

I'm feeling so homesick... but not for home. I really miss England and all the people there. It's been too long. Or maybe I just need to leave Ottawa or Canada or something. I need a new adventure. This school thing is getting old and I'm only 1/4 done (not even that much!)
Please convince me that staying in school (and spending ridiculous amounts of money doing so) is worth it. Please? Because I'm having a difficult time convincing myself. I like the program... its just way too slow at the moment. I just want to jump on the next plane and work for a while, travel, vist, explore, pay off some debt. I have to stop thinking about it. This is what I wanted... right?
Must go to history class...

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 04:27:42 GMT

So. I've been avoiding posting for a while. The main reason being that I was too busy over the last week or so. Chris was over, had loads of exams and assignments due, was living in Renfrew without internet and constantly driving to and from Ottawa and also working. Things have changed dramatically in the past 2 days but I will get into that later on.
Chris being here was incredible. It was like a reminder of what being truly happy feels like. I thought I was happy enough with things the way they were but that's just because you get used to things. You forget what things used to be like. The feeing was so intense that I was considering dropping everything I have here (a program that I love and am doing very well in) to go back to England with him to work in some hotel or restaurant. Now of course this would not have been a smart thing to do considering how much money and time I've already invested in this program but in the back of my mind, there is still a little voice screaming, "Just go!"
Picking Chris up at the airport was like one of those clips in the movies. I don't mean to get overly sentimental but it was just an incredible feeling. I think I will always be able to picture that moment perfectly. During his stay, we were only separated when I was in class or at work. He came with me to school and wandered around the mall when I was working. He kept me company on the long drives. We spent last Friday night in Ottawa for our birthday. Had a nice meal and some desert and stayed in a hotel. It was wonderful. Sunday (the day Chris left) was one of the most difficult days ever. We spent a long time wandering around the airport. Browsing the gift shops and crying lots. He bought me flowers which made me cry more and then he was gone. I cried all the way to Renfrew. The loud, embarassing kind of crying. Had a slice of pizza, finished an assignment for school and then cried some more until I fell asleep. A bit embarassing but there it is, I'm not going to lie.
Monday I left my car in Renfrew and Brian drove me to the bus stop with three bags of stuff to begin my new car-free life in Ottawa. I moved in with a family. The rent is cheap and includes everything. I pay much less for rent than I did for gas and I don't have to drive for 2 hours a day. The main problem is that I get very lonely. When I used to get home, I would get a big hug from Elyssa and talk to Vicky. Still... it is worth it. I also don't have to worry about being a burden to Vicky and Brian.
So that's pretty much it. I've spent the evening talking on msn and watching stand up on YouTube. (By the way, if you are a Dylan Moran fan, he has a new show called "Like, Totally". I highly recommend it if you haven't seen it already.) Time for bed. I have an early day tomorrow.

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 17:54:42 GMT

I'm tired, hungry and grumpy but it all doesn't matter because I will see Chris tomorrow after the day of horror and stress!! Living in the Frew is umm... interesting. Actually, I don't really live there, I mostly just sleep there. I seem to always be in the car.
Tomorrow I have 2 midterm exams, one photo shoot and my first official day of work. It's going to be one of those 5 am wake ups to make it in Ottawa for my 8 am class. It's going to seem like the longest day ever! But my reward for it is getting Chris from the airport after work!! EEEEEE!
Ok... I'm not going to keep updating because its going to be mostly complaining and no one wants to read about that. So I will go get something to eat, buy bus tickets (lost my bus pass in the move!) and go clean up the old house... Oh no, I'm complaining again! Ok, stopping now!

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:39:50 GMT

I am without internet. Obviously not at this exact moment. I am at school right now but there is no internet at home because we are moving tomorrow! I'm not sure when we will get access again so I might have an internet-free weekend. What a scary thought! The worst part is that I will not be able to talk to Chris for a while :(
I'm thinking about getting a cell phone. Living in Renfrew is going to make communication rather difficult so I think it may be necessary. So, any recommendations? Good networks, bad networks? Pay as you go or plans? I'm not good with this sort of thing. I think pay as you go will be better for me since I don't think I will use it that much.

I found a cat toy in my school bag. I'm very curious as to who put it there. Was it a cat or was it Elyssa? Either way I think its pretty funny.

Hmmm what else? I've been getting my British entertainment fix lately by listening to BBC radio 2 shows online and watching QI. QI is such a fantastic show! If you haven't watched it before it is one of those panel shows that I love so much and is hosted by Stephen Fry. It's just a quiz show about random stuff. Think Jeopardy with a sense of humour but instead of boring smart people, it has comedians as the contestants.

I start work today. Just training though. Going to learn all the rules and regulations of the company, etc. Should be pretty boring but its only 4 hours. I hope its an ok job...

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 02:14:40 GMT

I've spent the last three hours trying to watch yesterday's Heroes episode. I've got less than a minute of the episode left to watch but it is still loading... This is such a complicated way of watching tv... but I guess I have no right to complain.
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I've been in one of my reading moods lately and I'm dying to buy some books even though I have no money and no place to put them. I have to go downtown tomorrow to pick up some negatives from the lab and last time I was there, I noticed a great used book store on the way. I can only hope it is run by an angry drunken Irishman but unfortunately, I doubt this is the case. I have a few things I'd like to look for but I would also like some recommendations. I've never read anything by Neil Gaiman (other than Good Omens...). I have a feeling I am missing something here and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on where to start. I was thinking of getting Neverwhere (either from a book store or used on amazon). Other completely unrelated books I am considering are The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (I've heard loads of good things about this one but I have a feeling it may depress me too much) and more Discworld novels (I've only read Going Postal, Pyramids and Small Gods). However, I am not limited to these and will gladly hear any recommendations you may have. I generally like things that are surreal and/or funny but I am open to anything.
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3 days until the big move and 8 days until I see Chris!! Weeeee!

Sun, 21 Oct 2007 15:57:32 GMT

Ok, this is going to make me seem like a crazy paranoid person but I feel like my computer is spying on me!! Not as in spyware or anything but the actual camera!! Someone please tell me why the green light sometimes goes on for no reason!

Look at the green light!!

I did nothing that requires the use of a webcam. So why is on? If it was aways on I probably wouldn't think anything of it but it seems to be completely random. It's to the point where I'm scared of doing my normal thing of singing in my pjs while editing photos for school. I'm just being super paranoid right?
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I finally bought some real English Breakfast tea. Since I've moved back to Canada my tea drinking habits have changed drastically. I've been drinking peppermint, green and earl grey tea and although they are very tasty, its just not the same as a good cup of tea. So I'm on my third cup within the hour...
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In other news, my bedroom has been turned into a home gym. I never thought I would be one of those people who gets upset when their bedroom at their parent's house turns into a hobby room. I guess its because I'm not really settled anywhere yet. Anyway, it's not a big deal. Just a little weird. I have to grow up at some point, right?
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This is the last weekend in this house. I should really be packing... I hate moving.

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 01:39:53 GMT

My livejournal was in such a bad need of a make over. It used to be a hodge-podge of themes that clashed terribly with each other. I forget how much I really love this thing. It's good fun to pick a random date and read about what I was doing at that time. Most of it just reminds me how dorky I am, but that's ok. There is no point in hiding it.
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I received a nice cheque from the school today. Five hundred smackers just for being poor! Yay! Looks like I can buy some groceries this weekend. I have a job by the way. Did I mention this? I haven't started yet and I still have a week until my training begins so I'm not sure when I'll officially start. I will be doing customer service stuff at a department store. Not exactly my dream job but then I've done much worse and at this point, any job is great.
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I'm really getting into this school thing. I haven't done this well in school since I was in grade 10 (or maybe even before that). It's so motivating to do well and to do something I actually really enjoy. I don't even mind writing reports and studying because I see a purpose to this. I have so much stuff due in the next few weeks. Mountains of assignments! And yet, I am not stressed at all. I am calm and sane and I take it one project at a time. Nothing has been handed in late and I haven't even missed a class. I even won technical report of the week this week. I hope this doesn't sound like bragging because it really isn't. I'm just honestly surprised at myself. In university, I was an emotional wreck. Anyway... all this just to say that I am happy in school.
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By the way, if you're wondering where this "light monkey" thing comes from, Albert Einstein used to refer to photographers as "Lichtaffen" (light monkeys). It wasn't an affectionate term. He didn't like photographers but every time I read something about him (usually people's stories about meeting him), he seems like he was such an interesting person.
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There is a huge and adorable skunk sniffing around the garbage outside!! Why must such cute animals be so smelly?

The Countdown Begins!!

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 12:47:11 GMT

I had the most exhausting weekend of packing and cleaning for the house inspection that happened yesterday. If I haven't mentioned this before, Vicky & co. are moving up to the Frew (Renfrew that is). And in keeping with my tradition of never living anywhere for more than three months, I am moving up with them... mostly out of poorness. Renfrew is about an hours drive North-West from here (which is about 20 minutes from Ottawa) so I'm looking at a pretty long commute. Hopefully my car can handle it for a few months. They bought a beautiful house there and are nice enough to let me live in one of the rooms until I can get myself sorted financially.
Ever since I left the hostel which I lived in for eight months, I haven't lived anywhere for more than three months. Here is a breakdown:
hostel - Edinburgh - 8 months
Harvey house - Plymouth - 2 weeks
Mom's house - Guelph - 2 months
Hare and Hounds - Sidbury - 3 months
Harvey house - Plymouth - 2 months
Mom's house - Guelph - 4 months (oops, I guess this is more than 3 months)
Hell Bay - Isles of Scilly - 3 months
Harvey House - Plymouth - 1 month
Vicky's house - Kanata - 2 months
Vicky's house - Renfrew - probably 3 months

And after that, Chris should be able to come live in Canada and we can get a place in Ottawa! And we can stay there for more than three months! And I can unpack my stuff that has been in boxes for two years or more! I can't wait....
Speaking of Chris, he has booked his flight and will be visiting from October 31st to November 11th!! I am so beyond excited!! I have a midterm on the 31st but as soon as it's done, I'm jumping in the car and driving to Toronto to meet him at the airport. Then I think we'll stay in Guelph for one night and then leave early in the morning so I can make it for class the next day. It will be rushed and slightly insane but totally worth it! I can't wait!! :D
Countdown: 15 days!!!

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 00:45:58 GMT

Oh livejournal! The ultimate time waster!
I have two assignments due tomorrow. One is all done (just needs to be printed and assembled) Yay! But the other is barely started. The problem with this one is that it's a history research paper on a photographer. I've read all the books and websites and whatever I could find on him because it's all very interesting but now I have to write it. The thing is... I can write an APA scientific paper just fine but when it comes to a history paper, I'm lost! It just seems like everything is plagiarized since I obviously do not know any of this from personal experience or general knowledge and how do you go about referencing absolutely everything you write? Or do you even need to do that? I haven't done this since high school and even then I used to avoid it whenever possible. Maybe I'm looking into this too much. Maybe it's a lot easier than I think.
So anyway... I'm looking for anything to distract myself. And it's also freezing in here! which just makes me want to crawl in bed under my duvet and read my book.
The good thing about cold weather is that I get to wear my nice coat. Chris bought it for me last winter in Plymouth. It can't handle a Canadian winter but it's good for Spring/Fall. Speaking of Canadian winters... I am not looking forward to it at all. I just want to hibernate or something. And an Ottawa winter on top of that! boooo
For the second half of this research paper, I need to photograph in the style of this photographer. He happens to be a portrait photographer so if there is anyone in Ottawa (or planning on being in Ottawa in the next two weeks) that would like some portraits done, let me know. I would especially encourage scientists, politicians, artists and actors for authenticity but really, anyone would be helpful. I'll probably post this on facebook too since I don't think anyone in Ottawa reads this.
Ok... must get to work on this paper now. Stop wasting time!! Gah!! I need tea... Earl Grey would be nice... no time to go to the store for tea though.

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 13:01:51 GMT

I just downloaded a bunch of very happy songs from Swedish bands from last.fm. I never really thought of using those free samples they give before but now that I've started I'm hooked! I'm searching for any bands that give free mp3s on this site. hehehe

Yesterday I had an amazing photo shoot downtown. My partner from school arranged to have professional models pose for us for free! It was amazing. We did a fashion shoot in parking lots, parks, stairs and just all around the streets and stuff. I learned so much! We were both so exhausted from the day (which also included 4 hours of classes prior to going downtown).
I'm tempted to post a few pics from it but I'm not sure if I should or not. Maybe I can do a friends only post...
Unfortunately my 4 X 5 negs didn't come out very well from last week's shoot... so I will have to redo them this week. I guess its just extra practice.
I don't think I've ever enjoyed school so much!

Sat, 08 Sep 2007 19:09:54 GMT

I have a new MacBook! Woooo! It's not a pro unfortunately but that will have to wait until I am not completely poor. So yeah... Macs... hmmm... well, it is very pretty to look at. Everything has pretty lights and the desktop icons (which are probably called something different) swish around in crazy ways as they open and close. But other than that, I can't really see why this is better than a PC. Apparently it will become obvious when I do graphic-y things on it. Still, I don't think it was very nice of them to force us to buy such expensive computers.
That's it for now.

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 15:09:50 GMT

I really need to buy some food. I bought some cheap pasta and a can of tomato sauce which in total cost me $1.59 and I've been living off that for 3 days now. I don't think that's very healthy and may explain why I am so unbelievably tired all the time and just want to sleep.
I'm sleeping on an air mattress with legs and it's all bumpy and uneven and I keep finding myself stuck in grooves but at the same time it is strangely comfortable. I experimented with sleeping on the other side of the bed (I always stick to the right side even when alone). I thought the other side might be less lumpy, and it was, but I also had all sorts of bad dreams involving car crashes and missing clothes... so I think I will stick to the right/no bad dreams side from now on.
I only have one class today and it's at 1pm. So I thought this was a great time to get up early and get some stuff done. But of course I just stayed in bed and on the computer. I had a shower which was badly needed but that's about all I got done.
I've decided on taking the bus to school. It's cheaper than a parking pass and I don't have to sit in rush hour as much. It's actually faster by bus (according to the website) and also much friendlier to the environment. The buses here are also much more frequent than in Guelph so there are more chances of actually making it to class.
I think it's time to go eat more pasta. I wonder how much longer it will last...
Oh and also, does blueberry pie go bad? Chris and I brought a blueberry pie last week and I noticed it is still in the fridge. Do you think it's safe to eat?

Sat, 21 Jul 2007 17:06:24 GMT

I am so angry with Parcel Force! Being stuck on an island, I made sure to pre-order my Harry Potter book a month ago. I even paid extra for quick shipping to ensure I would get it as soon as possible. I know I am in an inconvenient place and so I wasn't expecting the book to actually arrive the day it was supposed to. Well, it didn't. But EVERYONE else's did!! We all ordered from Amazon and for some reason mine is the only book that didn't make it here! All the kids staying at the hotel received their copies here while they are on vacation. One family even had 4 copies delivered to them in the same room! All the staff that ordered one got them. So why am I the only one left out? It's driving me crazy that everyone is reading infront of me. I was ok when I thought no one would have it but to see multiple copies of it in the rooms and to see all the guests lying around in the sun and in the lounge reading it is making me want to scream in frustration! I know it's probably a stupid thing to be upset about but I have to wait until Monday (if it makes it here). I've been tracking it and it seems to be in Plymouth... or at least it was this morning... This is what I see:

Track your package

Date Time Location Event Details
Jul 21, 2007 10:36:20 AM Plymouth Depot Arrival Scan
Jul 21, 2007 02:49:00 AM National Hub Departure Scan
Jul 20, 2007 05:39:00 PM National Hub Departure Scan

I have to babysit the brats again tonight so hopefully they have a copy I can ~~steal~~ borrow while they are asleep.

Grrrrr! I want my book! :(

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 17:07:30 GMT

I foolishly agreed to babysit 4 kids this evening. No good can come of this. I had been avoiding reception people for the past 4 days because I cannot say no to people. Since no one else offered to do it, the manager found me at work today and asked me... I really wish I was able to say no to him but I really didn't have a reason not to and it is extra money...
Maybe it won't be so bad.... hmmm....
The great weather has lasted all week so far. I think summer is finally here!! I really hope it will be nice tomorrow on our day off.
So I suppose there is nothing left to do now except for watch tv and eat biscuits until I have to go watch some kids and convince them that they want to sleep even though this is the first night of their vacation and they are all in the same room as eachother... I'm really not looking forward to this.

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 18:44:54 GMT

We finally had a beautiful day today! Sure there was a bit of rain off and on earlier on but the sun never stopped shinning. I didn't realize just how badly I was in need of sun. I feel like a new person. I just spent a few hours lying on the beach reading. The island of Bryher is always very windy as it gets all the winds from the Atlantic but I found shelter behind a sand bank. I almost had the whole beach to myself. A couple of people came and went and then a family started a campfire on one side of the beach. The smell of the fire mixed with the salt air, warm sun, and sounds of waves crashing really made me appreciate how lucky I am to be living here. Sure my job is a bit crap but this place can really be beautiful when it finally stops raining. I really hope this nice weather lasts until my next day off.
Almost time to go to the gym. I'm also really enjoying this nightly hour-long workout.

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 06:44:21 GMT

Chris woke me up with a moth this morning and now I am wide awake! The moths here are beautiful and we like to catch them, look at them, name them and then release them. We think this moth is from the 70s judging by his leopard print wings and huge afro. Chris has named him Pogo. Pogo is currently having a snooze on Chris' pillow since we're both up. Hopefully he doesn't eat the pillow case. hehehe
Work is actually going ok. We're still overstaffed and only going to get worse next week but it's kind of a nice break not to be so busy. The other girls are upset because we are only getting about 44 hours a week and as they say they did not come to England to work "part-time" hours. People here make me feel so lazy. They work such long hours...
Chris and I are counting down the days now until we leave this island for some new adventures. We have a few cheap local trips planned around Devon and Cornwall and we are also thinking about a trip to Italy if we can fit it in the budget. Possibly Florence... has anyone been to Italy? Suggestions would be really nice.
Better get dressed for work... it's not that early anymore.