Okay, so the weather's definitely gone downhill since Christmas. I mean we've been buffetted by gale force winds and rain and all we can do is sit tight. Thank goodness there is the internet. Speaking of being online, I just bought myself a new fridge freezer. Yep, as things go the fridge in the utility room has gone kaput. Well, actually it has gone half kaput. The freezer's still working but the fridge's as dead as the proverbial dodo. All this happened during Christmas and it was very difficult managing with only one fridge with all the food I've cooked so far. Good thing it was cold outside. We devised a way to keep things cool--at least the drinks though because with this rain food will just either melt or rot!
I can see my neighbour's chimney belting out woodsmoke. They are having an open fire. Gosh the thought of lounging around an open fire at this time (wind and rain outside) sounds like a terribly good idea. I am supposed to plant a couple of cuttings my father in law gave me but the weather's been so foul lately. Maybe tomorrow.
I can't believe it that in a couple of days I'll be back at work. I guess all things do end. Hmm come to think of it, all things do end even the bad ones. I hope my nephew will be able to sort out his troubles and move forward. Ahh the angst of the young and the stubborness of the old. May the new year be a good one! I do mean that.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Moon gazing
The other day, in an attempt to ease a stressful situation I decided to answer questions to an online quiz. I know it’s a bit sad but bear with me on this. In one question I was asked to choose my favourite planet—there was Venus, Mars, Uranus (yeah I’d like to say that!), Saturn and the moon. Technically, the moon is not a planet but a satellite of Earth. Well I never did finish the quiz because I had to get back to my stressor—work! But that question remained in my mind. It just so happened that on my way home that night my vision was assaulted by this hauntingly, beautiful full yellow moon. I was mesmerised for a few seconds. It was rather difficult to stare at the moon and at the same time concentrate on driving! The following morning really got me thinking. As I closed my front door I looked out and saw my car bathed in this cold white light. I looked up and there was the moon again, bright and eerily seductive. It was a classic sight because I saw the moon peeping behind the bare branches of a tree and its light providing a silhouette among the clouds. As I drove that morning, I was debating which heavenly body I really fancied. I know most people would say the sun and I can see the point in that because the sun is a provider of life to all living things. Without it the only possibility is death.
Since we moved in the country I seem to notice the beauty of the moon than ever before. It glows up there in the evening sky, so romantic, so enigmatic, so melancholy. I love looking at the moon in my darkened room because unlike the sun I can stare at it without losing my eyesight. Does this say a lot about me? Maybe not. Maybe I am just like the rest captivated by the magic of a moonlit night.
It’s been quite a nightmare driving to and from work everyday. There’s always some nutter who thinks he owns the road. Yes I am being sexist now because most of my experiences with these louts are with the male species! They’re aggressive and bullies on the road. Just like yesterday, there was this lorry driver who manoeuvred his huge machine like it was a Mini then flashed his lights at me when I didn’t let him in my lane. Up yours too mate! Bloody idiot! What is it with these people???? Can’t wait for the winter’s solstice (21 December). After that the nights will gradually be shorter.
I was looking out to my garden this morning and noticed the bulbs that I planted recently have sprouted. Aren’t they early? Will they last the winter frost like tonight? Peter tells me the forecast is like minus 3 degrees Celsius. Ouch. The sky is clear. It is definitely freezing outside…but in spite of that I managed to give my car a quick wash. Yes, yes, yes…Peter says it is a new car syndrome. Well I just want a clean, nice smelling car. Just like my house!
Since we moved in the country I seem to notice the beauty of the moon than ever before. It glows up there in the evening sky, so romantic, so enigmatic, so melancholy. I love looking at the moon in my darkened room because unlike the sun I can stare at it without losing my eyesight. Does this say a lot about me? Maybe not. Maybe I am just like the rest captivated by the magic of a moonlit night.
It’s been quite a nightmare driving to and from work everyday. There’s always some nutter who thinks he owns the road. Yes I am being sexist now because most of my experiences with these louts are with the male species! They’re aggressive and bullies on the road. Just like yesterday, there was this lorry driver who manoeuvred his huge machine like it was a Mini then flashed his lights at me when I didn’t let him in my lane. Up yours too mate! Bloody idiot! What is it with these people???? Can’t wait for the winter’s solstice (21 December). After that the nights will gradually be shorter.
I was looking out to my garden this morning and noticed the bulbs that I planted recently have sprouted. Aren’t they early? Will they last the winter frost like tonight? Peter tells me the forecast is like minus 3 degrees Celsius. Ouch. The sky is clear. It is definitely freezing outside…but in spite of that I managed to give my car a quick wash. Yes, yes, yes…Peter says it is a new car syndrome. Well I just want a clean, nice smelling car. Just like my house!
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Earth wind and rain
Mostly wind anyway!
I am not supposed to be sitting here writing this blog. No I am supposed to be reading my notes and books to prepare for my first assignment due in two weeks' time. At least I did some revising yesterday and wrote a problem for my paper. The second paper is due in February. I need to get that out of the way before the Spring term goes in full swing.
The course was intensive all right. I mean we were sat there from 9am-5pm listening to lectures. We had about one hour in total for breaks--coffee and lunch. On Friday afternoon I couldn't wait to get out of the building. Weather wise it's not good. We've been experiencing gales. In fact last night I had I hard time sleeping. The winds were so strong (between 70mph-100mph) that electricity was cut off a couple of times. My neighbour's car alarm also went off at 3:30am. The car was rocked so hard I guess--and it was a BMW! What's so scary were the awful sounds. Peter and I thought we would wake up to a scene of mass destruction but actually there was hardly anything at all. The old trees were still standing. The only thing that was blown off by the wind was the barbeque cover. Otherwise everything was in its proper place.
What's concerning me most are my spring bulbs. Compared to last year the weather is still mild. I mean last year we had a heavy dump of snow in late November. So far we only had rain and wind and some sunshine. My bulbs are already sprouting! Heck I do not want them for Christmas I want them in February when the chill knocks everything out from you. I guess I'll be seeing some daffodils soon by the looks of it. Even the bulbs are confused now.
I do miss gardening even though I always come out hurting afterwards. I love watching seeds come to life and flowers blooming. I love the way my garden responds to my nurturing. It is so satisfying. Even Sam loves the garden. We could go out now because the sun's shining but the wind will blow us out to the fields! I wonder if it's possible for that to happen especially if you're flying a heavy duty kite? This is where wind mills come to their own. I wish we had one so we could generate clean power but they cost a fortune to build!!! I don't know if I'll be able to sleep tonight. The wind creates such a noise not to mention that it scares the hell out of Sam! He keeps on following me around no matter how sleepy he is.
I am not supposed to be sitting here writing this blog. No I am supposed to be reading my notes and books to prepare for my first assignment due in two weeks' time. At least I did some revising yesterday and wrote a problem for my paper. The second paper is due in February. I need to get that out of the way before the Spring term goes in full swing.
The course was intensive all right. I mean we were sat there from 9am-5pm listening to lectures. We had about one hour in total for breaks--coffee and lunch. On Friday afternoon I couldn't wait to get out of the building. Weather wise it's not good. We've been experiencing gales. In fact last night I had I hard time sleeping. The winds were so strong (between 70mph-100mph) that electricity was cut off a couple of times. My neighbour's car alarm also went off at 3:30am. The car was rocked so hard I guess--and it was a BMW! What's so scary were the awful sounds. Peter and I thought we would wake up to a scene of mass destruction but actually there was hardly anything at all. The old trees were still standing. The only thing that was blown off by the wind was the barbeque cover. Otherwise everything was in its proper place.
What's concerning me most are my spring bulbs. Compared to last year the weather is still mild. I mean last year we had a heavy dump of snow in late November. So far we only had rain and wind and some sunshine. My bulbs are already sprouting! Heck I do not want them for Christmas I want them in February when the chill knocks everything out from you. I guess I'll be seeing some daffodils soon by the looks of it. Even the bulbs are confused now.
I do miss gardening even though I always come out hurting afterwards. I love watching seeds come to life and flowers blooming. I love the way my garden responds to my nurturing. It is so satisfying. Even Sam loves the garden. We could go out now because the sun's shining but the wind will blow us out to the fields! I wonder if it's possible for that to happen especially if you're flying a heavy duty kite? This is where wind mills come to their own. I wish we had one so we could generate clean power but they cost a fortune to build!!! I don't know if I'll be able to sleep tonight. The wind creates such a noise not to mention that it scares the hell out of Sam! He keeps on following me around no matter how sleepy he is.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Mystery thrills
I am taking a break from reading my voluminous pre-course notes for next week. Yes it’s another exercise of self harm—reading, listening and then writing a 5000 word dissertation. I will be enclosed with total strangers for three whole intensive days trying to understand psychology in organisations. I am resisting the urge to start reading my current fav novels by Kathy Reichs—all about forensic science. A couple of weeks ago Peter came home with three books from Reichs. She was recommended by one of his clients. Peter knows my penchant for mystery thrillers and detective stories. My absolute favourite of this genre is Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes. I have read all of Patricia Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta character. It was that conversation that led Peter’s client to suggest Reichs. At first I thought Reichs was just copying Cornwell—after all her plots were similar. But Reichs descriptions were more detailed. Yes call me macabre but I do like reading this stuff. I also like the logic and research that goes with every investigation. Anyway, I have read several of Reich’s books since then and I am about to read another one. All in all I only have two books of hers that I haven’t read…yet.
I go through these stages. There was one time I was obsessed with Amy Tan. I read her books from Joy Luck Club to Bonesetter’s Daughter. Come to think of it I think it’s about time to get her new one—I bet it’s on sale on Amazon! Ah, before I even start thinking of looking online I must get through next week’s course. Then I read books from these writers fully immersing myself into the lives of their main characters: PD James Commander Adam Dagleish, Agatha Christie’s Detective Hercule Poirot series and Miss Jane Marple and Ruth Rendell’s Inspector Wexford’s mysteries. Yes I feel I am on first name basis with all these characters!
Do books sum up a person’s character? Does this mean I am some sort of a closet detective or a demeneted perv? I know some people who love to read sci-fi. I must confess down to earth detective stories really capture my attention. Peter says that blood and guts is all I want to read about. Yeah why not? But how do I explain my interest in perusing store catalogues? Maybe it is just a manifestation of my Gemini traits—contrast is my middle name.
We’ve been having some funny weather recently. Yesterday and before dawn today we had hail. Hailstorms are quite dramatic. Sam hates them and he trembles long after the storm has passed. I still washed my car though. I just do not like road dirt left on the car for weeks on end. In short I do not like driving a dirty car.
It’s 2pm and I haven’t had my lunch. Maybe I should make my way downstairs and make myself something really tasty. Hmmm, now that sounds like a great idea!
I go through these stages. There was one time I was obsessed with Amy Tan. I read her books from Joy Luck Club to Bonesetter’s Daughter. Come to think of it I think it’s about time to get her new one—I bet it’s on sale on Amazon! Ah, before I even start thinking of looking online I must get through next week’s course. Then I read books from these writers fully immersing myself into the lives of their main characters: PD James Commander Adam Dagleish, Agatha Christie’s Detective Hercule Poirot series and Miss Jane Marple and Ruth Rendell’s Inspector Wexford’s mysteries. Yes I feel I am on first name basis with all these characters!
Do books sum up a person’s character? Does this mean I am some sort of a closet detective or a demeneted perv? I know some people who love to read sci-fi. I must confess down to earth detective stories really capture my attention. Peter says that blood and guts is all I want to read about. Yeah why not? But how do I explain my interest in perusing store catalogues? Maybe it is just a manifestation of my Gemini traits—contrast is my middle name.
We’ve been having some funny weather recently. Yesterday and before dawn today we had hail. Hailstorms are quite dramatic. Sam hates them and he trembles long after the storm has passed. I still washed my car though. I just do not like road dirt left on the car for weeks on end. In short I do not like driving a dirty car.
It’s 2pm and I haven’t had my lunch. Maybe I should make my way downstairs and make myself something really tasty. Hmmm, now that sounds like a great idea!
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Over the slump
I am feeling a lot better today than I did mid week last week. Maybe I was feeling a bit under the weather coupled with the stresses at work. I haven’t felt that low before but surely as the sun rises in the morning—at the moment it makes its appearance quite late—I got over the slump. It was really funny because the moment I felt slightly better I was as active as ever. In fact my staff said they preferred me being assertive and grouchy instead of quite and depressed. Haha!
Anyway over the weekend I did a bit of gardening—just clearing up the dead plants and surfing the net especially ebay! It’s like window shopping without the hassle of traffic. I just let my fingers do the clicking.
I should really be getting ready for my course next week. I have loads of reading to do. I swear going for my masters was a good idea at that time but it is sure hard work. It’ll be another scramble for my paper!
Work-wise it has been quite challenging. Actually it is not the work I get my knickers all in a twist but it’s trying to work with difficult people. I am glad I am no longer in that career frae of mind. My current job is a means to an end. It is not the end all and be all of my existence. It does not define me. Gosh I remembered in no so distant past that I defined myself according to my work. It was so transient though. I like things that are constant and reliable like the love of my husband and the loyalty of my dog. Speaking of the mongrel—the dog not the husband—I was looking around the storage space in the attic the other day when he managed to slink by me and ended up by the eaves. I couldn’t get near him because I didn’t want to disturb the insulation and didn’t want to risk going through the ceiling.
Anyway, after a lot of cajoling the mutt managed to extricate himself from the insulation and out in the room. I was really annoyed at him. He then spent the whole day lounging around. I wish I could sleep like him. I especially like it when he’s deep slumber and starts dreaming. First his ears and nose start twitching then his legs jerk like he’s running on air then makes this muffled bark “arf arf arf”. I often wonder what he’s dreaming of. Is he running after his nemesis the cat or is he running after sheep? Actually, Sam lets off a huge sigh before he settles down to sleep. I really envy him that way. I toss and turn before I even begin my 40 winks. Sleep is a major luxury as far as I am concerned.
I do not like my dreams though. They’re weird, disjointed and stressful. Who said dreams are relaxing???
Anyway over the weekend I did a bit of gardening—just clearing up the dead plants and surfing the net especially ebay! It’s like window shopping without the hassle of traffic. I just let my fingers do the clicking.
I should really be getting ready for my course next week. I have loads of reading to do. I swear going for my masters was a good idea at that time but it is sure hard work. It’ll be another scramble for my paper!
Work-wise it has been quite challenging. Actually it is not the work I get my knickers all in a twist but it’s trying to work with difficult people. I am glad I am no longer in that career frae of mind. My current job is a means to an end. It is not the end all and be all of my existence. It does not define me. Gosh I remembered in no so distant past that I defined myself according to my work. It was so transient though. I like things that are constant and reliable like the love of my husband and the loyalty of my dog. Speaking of the mongrel—the dog not the husband—I was looking around the storage space in the attic the other day when he managed to slink by me and ended up by the eaves. I couldn’t get near him because I didn’t want to disturb the insulation and didn’t want to risk going through the ceiling.
Anyway, after a lot of cajoling the mutt managed to extricate himself from the insulation and out in the room. I was really annoyed at him. He then spent the whole day lounging around. I wish I could sleep like him. I especially like it when he’s deep slumber and starts dreaming. First his ears and nose start twitching then his legs jerk like he’s running on air then makes this muffled bark “arf arf arf”. I often wonder what he’s dreaming of. Is he running after his nemesis the cat or is he running after sheep? Actually, Sam lets off a huge sigh before he settles down to sleep. I really envy him that way. I toss and turn before I even begin my 40 winks. Sleep is a major luxury as far as I am concerned.
I do not like my dreams though. They’re weird, disjointed and stressful. Who said dreams are relaxing???
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Bear with a sore head
There is something definitely eating me up but I still have to determine what it is that’s making me feel and act like a bear with a sore head or a dog with a bone on its teeth or a cat on its eighth life. It’s really bad because I do not even like to watch the evening news anymore or read the newspapers. One more story about Iraq/Middle East/Afghanistan and I am going to scream! There is another suicide bombing, another kidnapping, another senseless killing. When will it ever stop? Maybe there is no hope for mankind? Maybe I am losing it? Or maybe I need a diversion to get me out of this slump…but what???
Someone sent me this funny poem—the Lost Dr Seuss Poem. It goes something like this-
I love my job. I love the pay.
I love it more and more each day.
I love my boss, he’s the best!
I love his boss and all the rest.
I love my office and its location. I hate to have to go on vacation.
I love my furniture, drab and grey and piles of paper that grow each day.
I think my job is really swell, there’s nothing else I love so well.
I love to work among my peers. I love their leers, and jeers and sneers.
I love my computer and its software.
I hug it often though it won’t care. I love each program and every file.
I’d love them more if they worked awhile.
I am happy to be here. I am. I am.
I am the happiest slave of the Firm, I am.
I love this work. I love these chores.
I love the meetings and the deadly bores.
I love my job. I’ll say it again—I even love those friendly men.
Those friendly men who’ve come today,
In clean white coats to take me away!!!!
Someone sent me this funny poem—the Lost Dr Seuss Poem. It goes something like this-
I love my job. I love the pay.
I love it more and more each day.
I love my boss, he’s the best!
I love his boss and all the rest.
I love my office and its location. I hate to have to go on vacation.
I love my furniture, drab and grey and piles of paper that grow each day.
I think my job is really swell, there’s nothing else I love so well.
I love to work among my peers. I love their leers, and jeers and sneers.
I love my computer and its software.
I hug it often though it won’t care. I love each program and every file.
I’d love them more if they worked awhile.
I am happy to be here. I am. I am.
I am the happiest slave of the Firm, I am.
I love this work. I love these chores.
I love the meetings and the deadly bores.
I love my job. I’ll say it again—I even love those friendly men.
Those friendly men who’ve come today,
In clean white coats to take me away!!!!
Monday, November 13, 2006
I've got the blues
I am having one of those days. It started out pretty okay until two incidents set me off. The first was one of my colleagues bent her office key—and not for the first time mind you—and I had to make a request with Buildings and Estate for an extra key (later on I hammered it back in place and it worked!). It was quickly followed up with a phone call from one of my Information Point staff downstairs. She said that someone used the area over the weekend and left a mess. They also left a whacking big PC box in the wrong place! I was infuriated because I kept on reminding the porters not to let anyone inside the area without my say so. I really felt my blood pressure rising…quite incensed I was! Anyway, I went downstairs and tried to figure out how to solve the problem. Luckily, the person I needed to talk to was passing by so we managed to sort things out. I made sure my staff was happy and made my way back to my office.
It was then I felt my muscles aching and I felt awfully tired and quite unwell. I took a Neurofen® and started my breathing exercise. I didn’t know what hit me. I was just so deflated and my nerves were frayed. Then I started perspiring. I felt my whole body was overheating! I had the fan on full blast. I drank a pint of cold water. I wanted to cool down, go back to bed and sleep it off!
Is it that time of life then? Is this the big M? Was that some sort of hot flush accompanied by a panic attack?
The weekend wasn’t too bad. In fact I even had the chance to wash and wax my car yesterday plus plant some more spring bulbs. Gosh at least there is a bit of optimism left in me. Saturday night I made a really good bouillabaisse. It was so good I decided to write down my own recipe. I am getting really fussy about food. I want my meals to taste “just so” and to my specifications. Last night I roasted a joint of beef (topside). The beef came from a farm in Exeter so I felt really good that I am not using food miles for the Sunday roast. It was good as well—medium rare. Tonight I plan to use up the leftover beef for a Thai beef curry—masaman nua. I’ll cook it tonight together with the chicken tinola. I’ll keep the curry overnight to mature. It will taste fab tomorrow night! I am a very keen cook and I love working with fresh ingredients. I steam all my veggies and I make a mean garlic mash potato. I think I should focus on good gravy. Hmm maybe more research and experimentation on that area.
I don’t know why I get the blues out from nowhere. I hate the feeling. Oh yes I remembered I have my Masters Course at the end of this month—another stress point for me. Why do I do it? I am committed. As they say, it was a good idea at that time!
It was then I felt my muscles aching and I felt awfully tired and quite unwell. I took a Neurofen® and started my breathing exercise. I didn’t know what hit me. I was just so deflated and my nerves were frayed. Then I started perspiring. I felt my whole body was overheating! I had the fan on full blast. I drank a pint of cold water. I wanted to cool down, go back to bed and sleep it off!
Is it that time of life then? Is this the big M? Was that some sort of hot flush accompanied by a panic attack?
The weekend wasn’t too bad. In fact I even had the chance to wash and wax my car yesterday plus plant some more spring bulbs. Gosh at least there is a bit of optimism left in me. Saturday night I made a really good bouillabaisse. It was so good I decided to write down my own recipe. I am getting really fussy about food. I want my meals to taste “just so” and to my specifications. Last night I roasted a joint of beef (topside). The beef came from a farm in Exeter so I felt really good that I am not using food miles for the Sunday roast. It was good as well—medium rare. Tonight I plan to use up the leftover beef for a Thai beef curry—masaman nua. I’ll cook it tonight together with the chicken tinola. I’ll keep the curry overnight to mature. It will taste fab tomorrow night! I am a very keen cook and I love working with fresh ingredients. I steam all my veggies and I make a mean garlic mash potato. I think I should focus on good gravy. Hmm maybe more research and experimentation on that area.
I don’t know why I get the blues out from nowhere. I hate the feeling. Oh yes I remembered I have my Masters Course at the end of this month—another stress point for me. Why do I do it? I am committed. As they say, it was a good idea at that time!
Monday, October 30, 2006
No pain, no gain
To say that I feel quite tired is like saying Lady Godiva was underdressed! I feel absolutely knackered and in pain! I have been taking pain killers since last night and I have already taken one this morning—it isn’t even 9:30am yet! The downside is I get somewhat drowsy after I’ve taken them and to keep me awake I am now drinking strong coffee—and I hardly drink coffee anymore!
The cause of this physical angst was I decided to clear the rubbish off my flower bed yesterday, replant a huge hydrangea (with Peter’s help of course), and plant my spring bulbs. Now my back muscles—from neck to ankles—are protesting from the demands made to them. There was so much muck because of the rain and I had to pull out the nasturtium, sedum and an unclassified weed that threatened to colonise the area. The problem was this area was just outside my kitchen door, which meant I could see everything close up from my kitchen! I was working from 10:30am to 3:30pm. I even had enough energy to wash my car, top up the oil and screen washer liquid. Then I cooked a roast chicken for dinner and prepared my lunch today. I am having a crab linguini with chilli. Yumolah!
Just think this time next week I will be driving a Toyota Yaris instead of a Peugeot. I had to break my piggy bank to buy this car but there is no other recourse. I need to update my car. The Yaris Spirit has everything I want—from fog lights, alloy wheels, air-conditioning, electric door mirrors, CD/radio, power steering, electric windows, remote central locking, sunroof and a mid size (almost!) 1.3cc VVTi engine. Toyota will deliver the car on Friday this week. I am getting quite excited!
I couldn’t really get that hyped up last week because I wasn’t sure we could get the Yaris I want but late last week everything suddenly came together. Good thing I had a buyer for my car already—my colleague’s husband—and she wrote out a cheque last Friday.
Last week was also a very emotionally charged week especially Thursday and Friday. I am still coming to terms with the events. According to my father’s famous adage—“it was a blessing in disguise”. Good things could come out from terrible events. I am still trying to process everything. Peter was very supportive although I was in a state. I have blocked a lot of emotions from my life to the point of appearing too cold and analytical to some people. I avoid negative emotions like anger, envy and hate. There is nothing to be gained from them. I also avoid confrontation. I have a deep aversion to “dramas”. I do not have it in me to completely lose my temper and go on a rampage. In fact I cannot imagine how it is to go on a blind rage. However I cannot say that I will never snap. Who knows what could happen if someone pushes my “explode” button? Maybe someday I could write about what happened last week but not just yet.
The clocks went back yesterday and we are now in British winter time. The nights are closing in although it is still quite mild for the time of year—ahh, global warming! I am now thinking of Christmas. As per usual I host the family’s Christmas dinner. Where did the year go????
The cause of this physical angst was I decided to clear the rubbish off my flower bed yesterday, replant a huge hydrangea (with Peter’s help of course), and plant my spring bulbs. Now my back muscles—from neck to ankles—are protesting from the demands made to them. There was so much muck because of the rain and I had to pull out the nasturtium, sedum and an unclassified weed that threatened to colonise the area. The problem was this area was just outside my kitchen door, which meant I could see everything close up from my kitchen! I was working from 10:30am to 3:30pm. I even had enough energy to wash my car, top up the oil and screen washer liquid. Then I cooked a roast chicken for dinner and prepared my lunch today. I am having a crab linguini with chilli. Yumolah!
Just think this time next week I will be driving a Toyota Yaris instead of a Peugeot. I had to break my piggy bank to buy this car but there is no other recourse. I need to update my car. The Yaris Spirit has everything I want—from fog lights, alloy wheels, air-conditioning, electric door mirrors, CD/radio, power steering, electric windows, remote central locking, sunroof and a mid size (almost!) 1.3cc VVTi engine. Toyota will deliver the car on Friday this week. I am getting quite excited!
I couldn’t really get that hyped up last week because I wasn’t sure we could get the Yaris I want but late last week everything suddenly came together. Good thing I had a buyer for my car already—my colleague’s husband—and she wrote out a cheque last Friday.
Last week was also a very emotionally charged week especially Thursday and Friday. I am still coming to terms with the events. According to my father’s famous adage—“it was a blessing in disguise”. Good things could come out from terrible events. I am still trying to process everything. Peter was very supportive although I was in a state. I have blocked a lot of emotions from my life to the point of appearing too cold and analytical to some people. I avoid negative emotions like anger, envy and hate. There is nothing to be gained from them. I also avoid confrontation. I have a deep aversion to “dramas”. I do not have it in me to completely lose my temper and go on a rampage. In fact I cannot imagine how it is to go on a blind rage. However I cannot say that I will never snap. Who knows what could happen if someone pushes my “explode” button? Maybe someday I could write about what happened last week but not just yet.
The clocks went back yesterday and we are now in British winter time. The nights are closing in although it is still quite mild for the time of year—ahh, global warming! I am now thinking of Christmas. As per usual I host the family’s Christmas dinner. Where did the year go????
Monday, October 23, 2006
Goodbye MX5!
I just proved something this weekend—I have matured as an individual. There were a couple of things that made me reflect on that. One had something to do with work—and I managed to act as professionally as I could and to let things go even if I feel some stupid individual is acting like a complete idiot. Just because she’s an idiot doesn’t mean I’ll stoop to her level! Actually, I was so pissed off on Friday but didn’t want to ruin the dinner with my in-laws by talking about my trials and tribulations at work. Towards the end of the night I had a pounding headache. I took one Syndol and basically that wipes me out for the night! The following day I was still feeling down so I decided to discuss it with Peter. As per usual he makes me focus on the positive. I guess I needed to let off steam. I felt loads better after that!
The other “proof” that I have indeed matured in my thinking is I have decided to buy a car that suited my needs instead of my passion. Okay, let’s put it this way, since 1989 I have lusted after one particular car—a Mazda MX5. I promised myself I was going to own one someday and since I am about to reach my five-oh next year I thought I should go out and do it! BUT and it’s a big but, the practical side of me won out. I thought a sportscar was impractical for my needs. An MX5 has a big engine for its size—1.8cc to 2.0 cc, hence the tax and running costs are higher. It is only a two-seater, not very versatile and because of its bigger engine it’s not going to be too good for the environment. Okay so the last one sounds like a cop out but hell I do care about my CO2 emissions and global warming! Anyway, I decided to go for a three door Black, Toyota Yaris-VVTi Spirit with a 1.3lt engine. It’s more economical and has all the creature comforts I’d like in a working car eg, alloy wheels, electric windows, mirrors, CD/Radio player, sunroof, Central locking, power steering, aircon, fog lights, anti-lock brakes, etc. I tell you it’s a wrench because I know I’ll never have the same opportunity to buy my MX5! Anyway, I saw the Yaris I wanted on the Toyota website and I asked Peter to negotiate it for me. I already have a buyer for my Peugeot 206. A Yaris is not in the same league as an MX5 but my instincts tell me it is the right choice for me. It will keep me out of mischief and speeding! It’s quite exciting really! I do hope we get this particular car. Keeping my fingers crossed.
The other “proof” that I have indeed matured in my thinking is I have decided to buy a car that suited my needs instead of my passion. Okay, let’s put it this way, since 1989 I have lusted after one particular car—a Mazda MX5. I promised myself I was going to own one someday and since I am about to reach my five-oh next year I thought I should go out and do it! BUT and it’s a big but, the practical side of me won out. I thought a sportscar was impractical for my needs. An MX5 has a big engine for its size—1.8cc to 2.0 cc, hence the tax and running costs are higher. It is only a two-seater, not very versatile and because of its bigger engine it’s not going to be too good for the environment. Okay so the last one sounds like a cop out but hell I do care about my CO2 emissions and global warming! Anyway, I decided to go for a three door Black, Toyota Yaris-VVTi Spirit with a 1.3lt engine. It’s more economical and has all the creature comforts I’d like in a working car eg, alloy wheels, electric windows, mirrors, CD/Radio player, sunroof, Central locking, power steering, aircon, fog lights, anti-lock brakes, etc. I tell you it’s a wrench because I know I’ll never have the same opportunity to buy my MX5! Anyway, I saw the Yaris I wanted on the Toyota website and I asked Peter to negotiate it for me. I already have a buyer for my Peugeot 206. A Yaris is not in the same league as an MX5 but my instincts tell me it is the right choice for me. It will keep me out of mischief and speeding! It’s quite exciting really! I do hope we get this particular car. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Going Green
I plan to go green one day. As Kermit the frog said, it isn’t easy being green! Well Hubby and I made our first tentative step towards the green brigade. We installed our first water butt and it was a major success! It was this that prompted us to buy a bigger one and divert water from one of our down pipes around the house so we can use rain water for our plants. There might be a water ban in the South West one of these days and we want to be ready for it. Actually, watering my garden using rain water from these butts really helps cut down on water bills and is also beneficial to plants. At least rain water does not contain a lot of chemicals—unless it is acid rain!
My next project is a composter. I’ve been reading up on it and there are a lot of models available on the market. I think I am leaning more on the compost tumblers or those plain, compact, compost bins. This is actually the best time of the year to do something environmentally friendly as “composting”. I think I will need to research more on this. I also need to get serious with recycling. I think everyone should think seriously about conserving energy, not just to save on bills but for the future of the planet!
I read in my Sunday magazine that it is now acceptable to eat veal—but not just any kind of veal. They mean British veal coming from the dairy industry. I stopped the practice of preparing veal since the early 90s when I found out how the animals were treated. They were kept in crates so that their flesh remains white and delicate to the taste. The moment I found out I felt absolutely disgusted and never touched the meat again. It was the story with foie gras. The first time I tasted the stuff I was covering a story in Amsterdam and we were treated to dinner by this big company. They had foie gras as a starter and of course I ate what was on offer. Besides I read so much about the stuff I thought I was being “classy”. Then someone told me how they forced fed the geese in order to make their liver nice and fatty. That’s it. Never again! I had images of these poor little creatures being forced fed. Anyway, back to the veal issue, apparently bulls being born to cows in the milk farm are now bred as veal BUT they are allowed to wander around the farm. They are just slaughtered young—like lamb. I might just consider it (veal) with Italian dishes like osso bucco and the like. But I will not touch the ones coming from the Continent. I understand they are still bred in crates!
I am thinking of food now because the season to gorge is near. I was perusing a Marks and Spencer Food booklet last night and I was so hungry in the end. Not a good bedtime reading.
My next project is a composter. I’ve been reading up on it and there are a lot of models available on the market. I think I am leaning more on the compost tumblers or those plain, compact, compost bins. This is actually the best time of the year to do something environmentally friendly as “composting”. I think I will need to research more on this. I also need to get serious with recycling. I think everyone should think seriously about conserving energy, not just to save on bills but for the future of the planet!
I read in my Sunday magazine that it is now acceptable to eat veal—but not just any kind of veal. They mean British veal coming from the dairy industry. I stopped the practice of preparing veal since the early 90s when I found out how the animals were treated. They were kept in crates so that their flesh remains white and delicate to the taste. The moment I found out I felt absolutely disgusted and never touched the meat again. It was the story with foie gras. The first time I tasted the stuff I was covering a story in Amsterdam and we were treated to dinner by this big company. They had foie gras as a starter and of course I ate what was on offer. Besides I read so much about the stuff I thought I was being “classy”. Then someone told me how they forced fed the geese in order to make their liver nice and fatty. That’s it. Never again! I had images of these poor little creatures being forced fed. Anyway, back to the veal issue, apparently bulls being born to cows in the milk farm are now bred as veal BUT they are allowed to wander around the farm. They are just slaughtered young—like lamb. I might just consider it (veal) with Italian dishes like osso bucco and the like. But I will not touch the ones coming from the Continent. I understand they are still bred in crates!
I am thinking of food now because the season to gorge is near. I was perusing a Marks and Spencer Food booklet last night and I was so hungry in the end. Not a good bedtime reading.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Road courtesy
Unlike most people, driving for me is a chore. It’s not something that I would normally do for pleasure. Maybe I associate driving too much with work. I drive over 30 miles each way everyday to work and I use two main A roads (A35 and A30). The summer months do not pose a lot of problems but come autumn and winter, driving to work in the mornings sometimes is a challenge. Take for example today, sunrise is at 7:30am but I leave the house 6:45am. That means night time driving for me but with the added complication of fog and mist. I do hate tailgaters because they make me nervous—I was involved in a nasty car accident three years ago with a lorry who failed to stop in a roundabout and treated my car like a pinball!
Anyway, all I want to say is that I do appreciate any form of road courtesy. I guess road courtesy is a sign of a civilised society. I like it when I let someone go in front of me and I get a courtesy “wink” back or see a hand up saying thank you. I like the polite sign language between decent drivers. Everything becomes less stressful and I am sure there will be less road rage if only all drivers observe an amount of decorum on the roads—but that’s not all possible because some drivers are complete idiots!
Today is one of those days when I find some form of satisfaction from my job. It was a result of a team meeting that a year ago I could not have because of some historic issues. There were some changes during the start of this academic year which enabled me to concentrate on our core offerings and things are indeed looking up. I think success is a lot sweeter when you work hard for it. I feel that I have developed as a line manager—I know I wrote in the past that it is one of the things I hate about my job because you’re completely immersed with a disparate group of people who have their individual needs. Now I really feel I have a cohesive team and we are completely at ease with each other. My team has accepted me as their leader and they give me so much feedback! They acknowledge that our communication with each other works. Can you believe that? I feel very lucky indeed. I wish I could bottle this feeling and sniff it every time I feel down. This is the best I could do, remember it for all time.
Anyway, all I want to say is that I do appreciate any form of road courtesy. I guess road courtesy is a sign of a civilised society. I like it when I let someone go in front of me and I get a courtesy “wink” back or see a hand up saying thank you. I like the polite sign language between decent drivers. Everything becomes less stressful and I am sure there will be less road rage if only all drivers observe an amount of decorum on the roads—but that’s not all possible because some drivers are complete idiots!
Today is one of those days when I find some form of satisfaction from my job. It was a result of a team meeting that a year ago I could not have because of some historic issues. There were some changes during the start of this academic year which enabled me to concentrate on our core offerings and things are indeed looking up. I think success is a lot sweeter when you work hard for it. I feel that I have developed as a line manager—I know I wrote in the past that it is one of the things I hate about my job because you’re completely immersed with a disparate group of people who have their individual needs. Now I really feel I have a cohesive team and we are completely at ease with each other. My team has accepted me as their leader and they give me so much feedback! They acknowledge that our communication with each other works. Can you believe that? I feel very lucky indeed. I wish I could bottle this feeling and sniff it every time I feel down. This is the best I could do, remember it for all time.
Friday, October 06, 2006
A good day
There are days when things can’t get any worse and you just wish the day away. However, there are days when everything just happens according to plan – your plan that is! I had that sort of day on Tuesday and I promised myself I was going to write about it lest I forget that I do have good days too.
Well, I did have an awful Monday at work but quite educational. I needed the experience anyway to improve on our services. I came home quite unsettled. Poor Peter had to put up with my less than amiable self before dinner.
Tuesday started out just like any normal day. Came in at 7.30am as per usual and then things just started to unfold like a good day should. I met with people about building projects, bonded well with my staff and basically came up with good, feasible ideas. Oh also the builders finally showed up to install the mini kitchen at work. I’ve been nagging them all summer long. It was worth the wait though. It looks really good and staff are happy. I also booked the venue for the Christmas Party. My budget is taking a beating! But I do like organising events like this. I felt like organising a mini wedding… “could we have round tables please? Oh yes I prefer comfy sofas on the side…what kind of décor are we having? Flower arrangement?...etc” The menu looks scrumptious as well. Actually I love the building. It is a Grade II listed building and one can be forgiven to imagine what it felt living there at one time. It is also located inside the campus right smack in the middle of mature trees and garden. Parking wouldn’t be a problem, hehe.
Anyway, I came home feeling like I’ve had a productive day. Yesterday wasn’t so hot but it wasn’t too bad either. One thing I learned about this job, you can’t please everyone so now I do not even bother—I just get on with the work and blank out negative people.
I made a very good spaghetti Bolognese last night if I say so myself. In fact I do not order spaghetti Bolognese even in Italian restaurants because I might get disappointed. I put in lots of garlic, basil, tomato sauce, parsley, onions, red wine and Worcestershire sauce with the minced beef. Yum! Peter said he didn’t want a lot on his plate because he had a late lunch and I told him to eat what he could and leave the rest. Well, his plate was wiped clean!!! And so was mine for that matter. Shortly after dinner we went up the attic and watched Autumn Watch on the BBC. I hardly watch the telly but I do make exceptions on nature and gardening programmes on the BBC. I also got hooked on this show Anatomy of a Crime, which came right after AW. I’m a sucker for police detective/forensics/murder investigation stories. Anatomy was a real life feature on how the old crime investigation unit in the police tracked down a rapist. The crime happened over 10 years ago but due to latest DNA technology they managed to put the man in jail. Guess who he raped? A streetwalker! Justice prevails! Amazing really.
Well, I did have an awful Monday at work but quite educational. I needed the experience anyway to improve on our services. I came home quite unsettled. Poor Peter had to put up with my less than amiable self before dinner.
Tuesday started out just like any normal day. Came in at 7.30am as per usual and then things just started to unfold like a good day should. I met with people about building projects, bonded well with my staff and basically came up with good, feasible ideas. Oh also the builders finally showed up to install the mini kitchen at work. I’ve been nagging them all summer long. It was worth the wait though. It looks really good and staff are happy. I also booked the venue for the Christmas Party. My budget is taking a beating! But I do like organising events like this. I felt like organising a mini wedding… “could we have round tables please? Oh yes I prefer comfy sofas on the side…what kind of décor are we having? Flower arrangement?...etc” The menu looks scrumptious as well. Actually I love the building. It is a Grade II listed building and one can be forgiven to imagine what it felt living there at one time. It is also located inside the campus right smack in the middle of mature trees and garden. Parking wouldn’t be a problem, hehe.
Anyway, I came home feeling like I’ve had a productive day. Yesterday wasn’t so hot but it wasn’t too bad either. One thing I learned about this job, you can’t please everyone so now I do not even bother—I just get on with the work and blank out negative people.
I made a very good spaghetti Bolognese last night if I say so myself. In fact I do not order spaghetti Bolognese even in Italian restaurants because I might get disappointed. I put in lots of garlic, basil, tomato sauce, parsley, onions, red wine and Worcestershire sauce with the minced beef. Yum! Peter said he didn’t want a lot on his plate because he had a late lunch and I told him to eat what he could and leave the rest. Well, his plate was wiped clean!!! And so was mine for that matter. Shortly after dinner we went up the attic and watched Autumn Watch on the BBC. I hardly watch the telly but I do make exceptions on nature and gardening programmes on the BBC. I also got hooked on this show Anatomy of a Crime, which came right after AW. I’m a sucker for police detective/forensics/murder investigation stories. Anatomy was a real life feature on how the old crime investigation unit in the police tracked down a rapist. The crime happened over 10 years ago but due to latest DNA technology they managed to put the man in jail. Guess who he raped? A streetwalker! Justice prevails! Amazing really.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Rain, wind and more rain
It’s been a hell of a weekend—weather wise, courtesy of hurricane Helen. Heavy rains accompanied by gale force winds hampered some of my gardening plans but I still persevered. I couldn’t stand the sight of weeds and fading summer plants. Autumn is truly here. I planted spring bulbs yesterday and I am glad I did because today the winds are stronger and it looks like we’re going to have wall to wall rain. It actually feels like a tropical cyclone to me. I wish we installed more water butts to collect rain water. Well at least we have two filled to the brim. I think I am going to get more spring bulbs like snowdrops, crocuses and daffodils although I have heaps of the latter. I am actually looking forward to early spring without wishing my life away! I am looking at several Christmas brochures already and planning the Christmas dinner.
I have shrugged off the initial “depression” I felt when I came back from Manila. I feel I am back to my cantankerous self again (haha!). I got my appetite back as well, which is very important as far as I am concerned. Also my first foray outside the garden yesterday helped.
I guess I was a bit worried about my new responsibilities at work and since Freshers’ Week went without a major incident, I feel more comfortable now. Tomorrow is the first day of the academic year (autumn term). Soon it will be Christmas--amazing isn't it?
Oooppss the rain is lashing down on my window. It looks wild and woolly outside and Sam is curled up under my workstation. He doesn't like the sound of the wind battering the house. He is such a wooz this dog. I've never encountered such a wimp. He hates loud noises--or any noise for that matter. Gosh looking out my attic window I could see huge trees outside swaying dangerously with the wind. I hope they survive the onslaught. I wonder if the lowlands are going to experience flooding. It looks really dodgy. Peter's working at Plymouth today--an hour and a half trip from Musbury. I worry because the roads are too dangerous for driving in this kind of weather. I feel sorry for the little birds. I wonder where they take shelter? I am making chicken casserole tonight. I have the meat marinating as I speak. Actually it is not strictly a casserole--a cross between chicken in red wine and garlic and chicken asado, a pinoy favourite. I will accompany that with steamed rice, potatoes and fresh greens. I am getting hungry and it's not even lunch yet! This is bed weather as far as I am concerned!
I have shrugged off the initial “depression” I felt when I came back from Manila. I feel I am back to my cantankerous self again (haha!). I got my appetite back as well, which is very important as far as I am concerned. Also my first foray outside the garden yesterday helped.
I guess I was a bit worried about my new responsibilities at work and since Freshers’ Week went without a major incident, I feel more comfortable now. Tomorrow is the first day of the academic year (autumn term). Soon it will be Christmas--amazing isn't it?
Oooppss the rain is lashing down on my window. It looks wild and woolly outside and Sam is curled up under my workstation. He doesn't like the sound of the wind battering the house. He is such a wooz this dog. I've never encountered such a wimp. He hates loud noises--or any noise for that matter. Gosh looking out my attic window I could see huge trees outside swaying dangerously with the wind. I hope they survive the onslaught. I wonder if the lowlands are going to experience flooding. It looks really dodgy. Peter's working at Plymouth today--an hour and a half trip from Musbury. I worry because the roads are too dangerous for driving in this kind of weather. I feel sorry for the little birds. I wonder where they take shelter? I am making chicken casserole tonight. I have the meat marinating as I speak. Actually it is not strictly a casserole--a cross between chicken in red wine and garlic and chicken asado, a pinoy favourite. I will accompany that with steamed rice, potatoes and fresh greens. I am getting hungry and it's not even lunch yet! This is bed weather as far as I am concerned!
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
There and back again
Ah where shall I start? September has been a very hectic month of travelling. First was a jaunt in the Eternal City—Rome. It was fabulous seeing St Peter’s Square, the Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Trevi Fountain! Peter and I both threw coins to ensure that we come back to the city. Our journey back was hampered with delays. We arrived so late and the airline lost our luggage! It was left somewhere in Brussels. Also going through airport security was like going through a high security prison. We had to remove our shoes and belts (good thing my jeans held up), hats, etc for inspection. We were only allowed one hand carry and if you’re unlucky security will unpack your bag for further scrutiny!
Our hotel in Rome was just spitting distance from the square. Well we didn’t really spit to measure it because the Italian police will come down on us so fast it will make our heads spin! They were quite intimidating the polizia—even if they all looked like Robert DiNero. Peter and I enjoyed our dinners at the hotel as well. We ate outside the courtyard listening to a man playing beautiful piano music nearby. It was very romantic and the food was delish. We also had a chance to see how the apostolic glitterati lived…and they lived and ate well judging from the amount of food and drink they had at dinner! Maybe priesthood isn’t such a bad profession after all. You just need to live in Rome. Haha.
The day after we came back to England, our luggage was delivered to us. It barely gave me time to pack my things for my trip to Manila. I left on Tuesday and arrived in Manila on Wednesday morning heavily jet lagged because a brat refused to sleep and cried all the way from Amsterdam to Manila. I was sitting behind the little monster totally crazed out from lack of sleep! Why can’t its mother just slip the tiny banshee a bit of sleeping pill just to shut it up? Spare me!
Anyway, my sister Rosa, her son Timmy and my Dad picked me up from the steaming airport. I forget how humidity affects me. I suddenly felt so thirsty I practically begged for water when I arrived. Good thing they sold mini bottled water nearby.
The next few days were spent shopping, seeing friends and family, going out of town, gossiping with my sister and best friend Melanie, enjoying my nephews and godsons and reacquaint myself with the intricacies and intrigues of a large family. The latter wasn’t easy. I guess I am too independent and detached to be able to understand the complexities surrounding an extended family.
I was sad to see the decline of my parents’ health. Suddenly they looked frail and old in my eyes. Will I be the same in my dotage? Will I be as vague?
One good thing was watching my sister and her boys have fun at the beach. They are all good swimmers and all of them bar the youngest Kiko, who’s four years old, all dive. I saw my best friend Melanie and spent time with her family as well. It was such good fun. I also met up with my old university friends. I love shopping in Manila. There are so much beautiful products around especially jewellery! I love it. I also had some dental treatment (ughs!). My niece is married to a very nice and good dentist and I thought I’d take the opportunity to see him and it worked! At least it stopped me from gorging more food in my mouth for the rest of my stay. Haha. We also threw a party for my niece and her fiancé. They got engaged recently and will marry next year. I was requested to be one of their principal sponsors. Isn’t that marvellous? I am thinking on what to wear. Definitely a gown. I think I am going to have one made similar to the gown I wore for the graduation ball. Something to look forward to. Now I am back at work and thinking did that all happen last week? Time does fly!
Our hotel in Rome was just spitting distance from the square. Well we didn’t really spit to measure it because the Italian police will come down on us so fast it will make our heads spin! They were quite intimidating the polizia—even if they all looked like Robert DiNero. Peter and I enjoyed our dinners at the hotel as well. We ate outside the courtyard listening to a man playing beautiful piano music nearby. It was very romantic and the food was delish. We also had a chance to see how the apostolic glitterati lived…and they lived and ate well judging from the amount of food and drink they had at dinner! Maybe priesthood isn’t such a bad profession after all. You just need to live in Rome. Haha.
The day after we came back to England, our luggage was delivered to us. It barely gave me time to pack my things for my trip to Manila. I left on Tuesday and arrived in Manila on Wednesday morning heavily jet lagged because a brat refused to sleep and cried all the way from Amsterdam to Manila. I was sitting behind the little monster totally crazed out from lack of sleep! Why can’t its mother just slip the tiny banshee a bit of sleeping pill just to shut it up? Spare me!
Anyway, my sister Rosa, her son Timmy and my Dad picked me up from the steaming airport. I forget how humidity affects me. I suddenly felt so thirsty I practically begged for water when I arrived. Good thing they sold mini bottled water nearby.
The next few days were spent shopping, seeing friends and family, going out of town, gossiping with my sister and best friend Melanie, enjoying my nephews and godsons and reacquaint myself with the intricacies and intrigues of a large family. The latter wasn’t easy. I guess I am too independent and detached to be able to understand the complexities surrounding an extended family.
I was sad to see the decline of my parents’ health. Suddenly they looked frail and old in my eyes. Will I be the same in my dotage? Will I be as vague?
One good thing was watching my sister and her boys have fun at the beach. They are all good swimmers and all of them bar the youngest Kiko, who’s four years old, all dive. I saw my best friend Melanie and spent time with her family as well. It was such good fun. I also met up with my old university friends. I love shopping in Manila. There are so much beautiful products around especially jewellery! I love it. I also had some dental treatment (ughs!). My niece is married to a very nice and good dentist and I thought I’d take the opportunity to see him and it worked! At least it stopped me from gorging more food in my mouth for the rest of my stay. Haha. We also threw a party for my niece and her fiancé. They got engaged recently and will marry next year. I was requested to be one of their principal sponsors. Isn’t that marvellous? I am thinking on what to wear. Definitely a gown. I think I am going to have one made similar to the gown I wore for the graduation ball. Something to look forward to. Now I am back at work and thinking did that all happen last week? Time does fly!
Monday, September 04, 2006
See you in September
I can’t believe it’s September! One thing I did notice though is the days are getting shorter. Sunrise is at 6:30am instead of 4:30am and sunset is just after 7pm. Soon I will be leaving the house in the dark and arrive in the dark. Although it is still relatively warm I just know autumn will turn into winter. I always loved autumn anyway. The colours are so intense and saturated. I think spring and autumn are definitely the time when most gardeners feel happy with their toil.
In a few days Peter and I will be heading for Rome, the Eternal City. I hope it lives up to its name. I remember the first time I visited Paris. It was on one side a romantic city because of its history but on the other side it was littered with dog poo. Paris is not very welcoming with visitors. It is quite aloof that way.
London is different. It does not have the Parisienne chic but it makes you feel like you’re part of it. One time while walking down Regent Street I felt I was in the middle of the universe. It was fleeting but unforgettable feeling.
Anyway, after we come back from Rome I will be flying to a totally different but nonetheless interesting city—Manila. I am really looking forward to seeing old friends and family. I am also going to visit my alma mater—The University of the Philippines.
These are the things I would do when I get there:
• Eat- southeast Asian and oriental food
• Shop
• Go for a massage
• Talk and catch up with friends
• Have fun with family
Actually the main reason I am going is to see my father who is not in good health nowadays. I guess when you hit your mid 80s, life takes a different form—a lot slower and more reflective. I am also going to spoil my mother a bit. She needs it because she’s the kind of person who bends over backward to help the underdog—sometimes I think too backward that people take advantage of her generosity. But that’s another story. It is going to be a very interesting two and a half weeks in September.
In a few days Peter and I will be heading for Rome, the Eternal City. I hope it lives up to its name. I remember the first time I visited Paris. It was on one side a romantic city because of its history but on the other side it was littered with dog poo. Paris is not very welcoming with visitors. It is quite aloof that way.
London is different. It does not have the Parisienne chic but it makes you feel like you’re part of it. One time while walking down Regent Street I felt I was in the middle of the universe. It was fleeting but unforgettable feeling.
Anyway, after we come back from Rome I will be flying to a totally different but nonetheless interesting city—Manila. I am really looking forward to seeing old friends and family. I am also going to visit my alma mater—The University of the Philippines.
These are the things I would do when I get there:
• Eat- southeast Asian and oriental food
• Shop
• Go for a massage
• Talk and catch up with friends
• Have fun with family
Actually the main reason I am going is to see my father who is not in good health nowadays. I guess when you hit your mid 80s, life takes a different form—a lot slower and more reflective. I am also going to spoil my mother a bit. She needs it because she’s the kind of person who bends over backward to help the underdog—sometimes I think too backward that people take advantage of her generosity. But that’s another story. It is going to be a very interesting two and a half weeks in September.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Shop till I drop
I am a confessed shopoholic. I do love shopping. In fact it is the best way to cheer me up when I am having a bad time.
My favourite shops are Marks and Spencer www.marksandspencer.com, Debenhams www.debenhams.com and Clarks shoes www.clarks.co.uk . I always manage to get something from those shops especially during the sales. I also like Boots www.boots.co.uk. I sometimes try to analyse why I like this activity so much. I am not too keen on food shopping though. Going to the supermarket is a real chore as far as I am concerned and I avoid it like the plague when I am hungry.
Anyway, going back to my past time, shopping fills my brain with endorphins. It gives me a kick. Well that’s my theory and I am sticking to it. Maybe it is better than comfort eating. I do work up an appetite after a brisk walk up and down the High Street!
When I was young and totally broke I used to window shop a lot just to keep me abreast of what’s out there. It also provided entertainment for me and my friends as there were no iPods, Xboxes, mobile phones or even PCs to keep us amused. I used to imagine myself wearing the clothes and shoes on the mannequin!
Today it still provides me with the same entertainment value. The difference is I can buy the small stuff but I am still restricted with the big price tags! I am not that broke, my dreams just got bigger!
The one downside is I hate going to shops with people who have no clue about the intricacies of shopping. I mean they stand there like lemons or are just too difficult to please—excuse me, what’s the point of this activity? Some people really put me off. Luckily my husband and I share the same interest and he knows how to shop.
I just hope I do not lose my love for shopping. Will I still be the same when I am old and decrepit? It is too painful to contemplate.
My favourite shops are Marks and Spencer www.marksandspencer.com, Debenhams www.debenhams.com and Clarks shoes www.clarks.co.uk . I always manage to get something from those shops especially during the sales. I also like Boots www.boots.co.uk. I sometimes try to analyse why I like this activity so much. I am not too keen on food shopping though. Going to the supermarket is a real chore as far as I am concerned and I avoid it like the plague when I am hungry.
Anyway, going back to my past time, shopping fills my brain with endorphins. It gives me a kick. Well that’s my theory and I am sticking to it. Maybe it is better than comfort eating. I do work up an appetite after a brisk walk up and down the High Street!
When I was young and totally broke I used to window shop a lot just to keep me abreast of what’s out there. It also provided entertainment for me and my friends as there were no iPods, Xboxes, mobile phones or even PCs to keep us amused. I used to imagine myself wearing the clothes and shoes on the mannequin!
Today it still provides me with the same entertainment value. The difference is I can buy the small stuff but I am still restricted with the big price tags! I am not that broke, my dreams just got bigger!
The one downside is I hate going to shops with people who have no clue about the intricacies of shopping. I mean they stand there like lemons or are just too difficult to please—excuse me, what’s the point of this activity? Some people really put me off. Luckily my husband and I share the same interest and he knows how to shop.
I just hope I do not lose my love for shopping. Will I still be the same when I am old and decrepit? It is too painful to contemplate.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Hedonistic Pursuits
Peter and I went to London over the weekend for some R&R. We stayed with my old friend Chicoy Enerio—and boy was that a good plan!
The road travel was fine—we stopped for lunch at Stonehenge—but we hit traffic on the M3, crawled our way on the M25 and just a bit of bother on the M4. By the time we reached London we were ready to get down to business of R&R.
We concentrated on Leicester Square, near SoHo. The West End was as vibrant as I remembered it to be. We went to a Chinese restaurant (where else?) and proceeded to order food. Everything tasted perfect! I never realised how much I missed oriental food! After dinner we went shopping for oriental condiments in the various shops dotted around the square. We then sat outside a bistro near on the square and watched people go by. It was like watching the United Nations walk by. You have black, white and everyone in between walking past. You wouldn’t think we live in a world of wars and hatred because everything looked so “together”. I always felt that London was the centre of the universe. People all over seem to converge in this place.
The following day we did the rounds with the major Oriental supermarkets. The two men were very good with it. They helped me look around and choose some items. It was great to be able to stock up on condiments and ingredients. I guess Peter will be the main beneficiary of this shopping spree. I will be able to cook up oriental dishes. We ate at a Japanese sushi bar. Yummy to the nth degree. It was absolutely fabulous! We enjoyed it so much we ate at another Japanese restaurant that night and that was even better. I thought I died and went to food heaven.
We also managed to go to Hampton Court that day. What a palace! I bet King Henry VIII (yes the one with many wives) built the place with a mind for posterity so people talk about him after he’s gone and there’s no question about that.
Sunday we spent at Kew Gardens. I love this because it maps the historical evolution of gardening in the British Isles. Fascinating history. We walked for miles and we were so tired in the end. But that didn’t stop us from eating Thai food that night which meant we went back to Central London to test out Chicoy’s regular place and again it was superb!
We had a lot of laughs along the way and Chicoy’s generosity was overwhelming. One thing that really impressed me was his ability to park in the middle of London without parking—and in a reserved parking bay even! It helps to be a diplomat. Peter and I enjoyed every minute of it.
We also took advantage of the steam and sauna facilities in his apartment. I prefer the steam bath and if I was aware of these I could have brought my swimming costume so we could have availed of the Jacuzzi. Hmmm, maybe next time.
The road travel was fine—we stopped for lunch at Stonehenge—but we hit traffic on the M3, crawled our way on the M25 and just a bit of bother on the M4. By the time we reached London we were ready to get down to business of R&R.
We concentrated on Leicester Square, near SoHo. The West End was as vibrant as I remembered it to be. We went to a Chinese restaurant (where else?) and proceeded to order food. Everything tasted perfect! I never realised how much I missed oriental food! After dinner we went shopping for oriental condiments in the various shops dotted around the square. We then sat outside a bistro near on the square and watched people go by. It was like watching the United Nations walk by. You have black, white and everyone in between walking past. You wouldn’t think we live in a world of wars and hatred because everything looked so “together”. I always felt that London was the centre of the universe. People all over seem to converge in this place.
The following day we did the rounds with the major Oriental supermarkets. The two men were very good with it. They helped me look around and choose some items. It was great to be able to stock up on condiments and ingredients. I guess Peter will be the main beneficiary of this shopping spree. I will be able to cook up oriental dishes. We ate at a Japanese sushi bar. Yummy to the nth degree. It was absolutely fabulous! We enjoyed it so much we ate at another Japanese restaurant that night and that was even better. I thought I died and went to food heaven.
We also managed to go to Hampton Court that day. What a palace! I bet King Henry VIII (yes the one with many wives) built the place with a mind for posterity so people talk about him after he’s gone and there’s no question about that.
Sunday we spent at Kew Gardens. I love this because it maps the historical evolution of gardening in the British Isles. Fascinating history. We walked for miles and we were so tired in the end. But that didn’t stop us from eating Thai food that night which meant we went back to Central London to test out Chicoy’s regular place and again it was superb!
We had a lot of laughs along the way and Chicoy’s generosity was overwhelming. One thing that really impressed me was his ability to park in the middle of London without parking—and in a reserved parking bay even! It helps to be a diplomat. Peter and I enjoyed every minute of it.
We also took advantage of the steam and sauna facilities in his apartment. I prefer the steam bath and if I was aware of these I could have brought my swimming costume so we could have availed of the Jacuzzi. Hmmm, maybe next time.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Weekend breaks
I've been taking days off here and there during the University's Summer break. Come October I will swamped with work. That's the only downside about working in the University system. I am not allowed to take holidays during term time, which is a 10 week period and we have three terms in one academic year.
Anyway, last Friday Peter and I visited Longleat www.longleat.co.uk in Wiltshire. Back in the ‘60s the Marquess of Bath (Lord Bath) decided to transform his 100 acre land into a safari park. He was very big in conservation as well. Anyway, the animals flourished and he now has the biggest safari park outside Africa. The gardens are in immaculate condition as well but the wildlife park was very good. The animals looked healthy. This wasn’t a zoo because the animals roam wild under the watchful eyes of park keepers. People drive past these huge gates—similar to the one in the movie Jurassic Park. People weren’t allowed to leave their vehicles. It took us over an hour to see the different animals. There were rhinos, camels, tigers, lions, wolves, oryx, flamingos, rhesus monkeys (very cheeky!), vultures, wild buffaloes etc.
However, the one thing I enjoyed was Longleat House. It was open to the public but we weren’t allowed to take photos inside. You would have loved it. The place was steep in history complete with armours, ancient tapestry, paintings and the rooms—they were stupendous—even bigger than the ones shown in the movies. The Marquess still lives on site in his private quarters but one wing of the house was open to the public. The house goes back during Charles I. I do love history. Maybe if I was younger I would major in history—English history perhaps.
Peter and I will be spending this weekend in London with my old chum Chicoy. We'll be visiting Kew Gardens www.rgbkew.org.uk and I can't wait!
Anyway, last Friday Peter and I visited Longleat www.longleat.co.uk in Wiltshire. Back in the ‘60s the Marquess of Bath (Lord Bath) decided to transform his 100 acre land into a safari park. He was very big in conservation as well. Anyway, the animals flourished and he now has the biggest safari park outside Africa. The gardens are in immaculate condition as well but the wildlife park was very good. The animals looked healthy. This wasn’t a zoo because the animals roam wild under the watchful eyes of park keepers. People drive past these huge gates—similar to the one in the movie Jurassic Park. People weren’t allowed to leave their vehicles. It took us over an hour to see the different animals. There were rhinos, camels, tigers, lions, wolves, oryx, flamingos, rhesus monkeys (very cheeky!), vultures, wild buffaloes etc.
However, the one thing I enjoyed was Longleat House. It was open to the public but we weren’t allowed to take photos inside. You would have loved it. The place was steep in history complete with armours, ancient tapestry, paintings and the rooms—they were stupendous—even bigger than the ones shown in the movies. The Marquess still lives on site in his private quarters but one wing of the house was open to the public. The house goes back during Charles I. I do love history. Maybe if I was younger I would major in history—English history perhaps.
Peter and I will be spending this weekend in London with my old chum Chicoy. We'll be visiting Kew Gardens www.rgbkew.org.uk and I can't wait!
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Comedy of errors
I took the day off yesterday and Monday so that I could enjoy four days away from work. I thought that was a good idea. I began my break on Thursday afternoon after work. I headed for the shops in Exeter to find some really good bargains. I bought a pair of leather wedges (red) and office shoes (burgundy) from Clarks for less than 25 quid! Then I went to Debenhams and I picked up two fab skirts, one from Principles and the other from Wallis, and two pretty tops. Not bad! I do not shop very often but I do enjoy retail therapy.
I was getting really excited about my four day break and looked forward to it.
I started Friday by washing my car. I haven’t done it for quite sometime because we haven’t had any rain but the bonnet was covered with dead insects and it was rather dusty. I gave the car a really good clean inside out. After that I decided to go to Axminster to see if the shops’ sales. Again I was on the lookout for bargains. I was keen to go that I held off cleaning the house after my shopping expedition. Axminster was a seven minute drive away. I found free parking and even managed to park my car the way I wanted (reversed parking). I enjoyed going in and out of the shops and buying an item here and there. I also managed to do some food shopping at the Co-op. I really couldn’t face Tesco during my holiday. When I go home I discovered I lost my prescription sunglasses. I called the shops but no-one has turned them in. What a bummer! It’s a good thing I have an old pair. I was quite annoyed with myself. I’ll have to book for an eye test and get a new pair. This time I am getting the ones that change colour according to the light. No more messing around!
I was still in a low state of mind when I decided to do the laundry. I thought that would take my mind off my loss but as I was hanging the clothes to dry outside, I noticed that I haven’t closed the side gate properly and the wind blew it open. Earlier I used the hose to water the plants outside. All I could hear was the sound of Sam’s name tag and pendant tinkling against each other. Oh no! He’s ran off!!!! My mind was in total panic. I tried to calm myself. Then I heard the dog next door barking. I quickly got Sam’s lead and harness. I thought I would be able to entice Sam for walkies. I ran outside calling him name in my normal voice. The last thing I wanted was for him to notice my rising panic. I just know he’ll head further away for a bit of a play. I couldn’t see him immediately then I saw a flash of white fluff heading for the bushes. I calmly said, “Come on Sammy, walkies!” over and over again. Luckily Sam found a ball and started playing with it. He then came up to me and I quickly grabbed him. Safely back at home, I washed his new yellow ball and went back to my chores.
The rest of the afternoon was uneventful…or so I thought. Around 10pm Peter and I decided to sit outside on the bamboo terrace (it was balmy night) but after half an hour I felt I needed to go back in because of hayfever (itchy eyes, runny nose, etc). I quickly took a shower to remove pollen from my skin. After the shower I opened my medicine cabinet which was rather big. It had two big doors and made out of heavy wood. It was hanging above the toilet. I had a collection of small decorative bottles and they were displayed on top of it. As I opened the cabinet I heard a huge sound and the whole structure came off the wall! It happened like slow motion. It hit me squarely on top of my head and I managed to keep the doors closed while keeping it against the wall. The bottles broke and shards of glass were strewn on the carpet. I wasn’t wearing any slippers! I yelled out for Peter who was in the lounge room. Luckily he heard the sound as well and rushed to my aid. I had to quickly warn him about the glass because I knew he loves walking barefoot. Take note, this was almost 11pm—well past my bedtime. Peter took the load away from me and I got the pan and brush to clear out the debris. I vacuumed the carpet and tried cleaning the stain left by the contents of a broken soap bottle. What a day!
It is raining today. We haven’t had decent rain for ages. Of course I just washed my car yesterday! I reckon the fates are against me!
I was getting really excited about my four day break and looked forward to it.
I started Friday by washing my car. I haven’t done it for quite sometime because we haven’t had any rain but the bonnet was covered with dead insects and it was rather dusty. I gave the car a really good clean inside out. After that I decided to go to Axminster to see if the shops’ sales. Again I was on the lookout for bargains. I was keen to go that I held off cleaning the house after my shopping expedition. Axminster was a seven minute drive away. I found free parking and even managed to park my car the way I wanted (reversed parking). I enjoyed going in and out of the shops and buying an item here and there. I also managed to do some food shopping at the Co-op. I really couldn’t face Tesco during my holiday. When I go home I discovered I lost my prescription sunglasses. I called the shops but no-one has turned them in. What a bummer! It’s a good thing I have an old pair. I was quite annoyed with myself. I’ll have to book for an eye test and get a new pair. This time I am getting the ones that change colour according to the light. No more messing around!
I was still in a low state of mind when I decided to do the laundry. I thought that would take my mind off my loss but as I was hanging the clothes to dry outside, I noticed that I haven’t closed the side gate properly and the wind blew it open. Earlier I used the hose to water the plants outside. All I could hear was the sound of Sam’s name tag and pendant tinkling against each other. Oh no! He’s ran off!!!! My mind was in total panic. I tried to calm myself. Then I heard the dog next door barking. I quickly got Sam’s lead and harness. I thought I would be able to entice Sam for walkies. I ran outside calling him name in my normal voice. The last thing I wanted was for him to notice my rising panic. I just know he’ll head further away for a bit of a play. I couldn’t see him immediately then I saw a flash of white fluff heading for the bushes. I calmly said, “Come on Sammy, walkies!” over and over again. Luckily Sam found a ball and started playing with it. He then came up to me and I quickly grabbed him. Safely back at home, I washed his new yellow ball and went back to my chores.
The rest of the afternoon was uneventful…or so I thought. Around 10pm Peter and I decided to sit outside on the bamboo terrace (it was balmy night) but after half an hour I felt I needed to go back in because of hayfever (itchy eyes, runny nose, etc). I quickly took a shower to remove pollen from my skin. After the shower I opened my medicine cabinet which was rather big. It had two big doors and made out of heavy wood. It was hanging above the toilet. I had a collection of small decorative bottles and they were displayed on top of it. As I opened the cabinet I heard a huge sound and the whole structure came off the wall! It happened like slow motion. It hit me squarely on top of my head and I managed to keep the doors closed while keeping it against the wall. The bottles broke and shards of glass were strewn on the carpet. I wasn’t wearing any slippers! I yelled out for Peter who was in the lounge room. Luckily he heard the sound as well and rushed to my aid. I had to quickly warn him about the glass because I knew he loves walking barefoot. Take note, this was almost 11pm—well past my bedtime. Peter took the load away from me and I got the pan and brush to clear out the debris. I vacuumed the carpet and tried cleaning the stain left by the contents of a broken soap bottle. What a day!
It is raining today. We haven’t had decent rain for ages. Of course I just washed my car yesterday! I reckon the fates are against me!
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Heatwave!
I’ve been back at work for a week now and my holidays feel like they never happened! Ever since I came back last Thursday, I was thrust into chaos. If problems were opportunities then I am spoilt for choice. Maybe they should just change my job description into two words—problem solver. Yesterday was not just a bad day in terms of stress but it was also the hottest July day since 1911, a whopping 35 degrees Celsius! At least this morning we have cloud cover but it is humid. We are having refurbishments in our building and it looks like a building site and a rubbish tip at the moment. It is noisy, hot and messy. How I am going to survive this summer I will never know.
Last Friday I attended the Graduation Ball as one of the organisers. It was satisfying to see everything come together. It took over six months of organisation for that night alone. There were over 1600 partygoers paying £70 each. It was huge! I left the party close to midnight and arrived near one in the morning. In spite of the exhaustion I was determined to clear up my garden the following day. Peter and I created a private corner at the top of the garden. My father in law christened it as Bamboo Terrace. We surrounded the deck with bamboos and we love it!
Our holiday at the Isles of Scilly was good but not brilliant because we did not really have the right weather. Most days it was cloudy but we had a couple of bright days and we went to Bryher, a neat little island off St Mary’s. It was fun. I missed Sam terribly and my house as well. Peter and I were so happy to get Sam back. He was “barkless” for a couple of days which was quite amusing. Now he’s back to his impish self.
I cannot wait for the weekend. I would like to spend a lot of time at home in my garden tending to my plants. We planted a new wisteria by the front door because the clematis that was there wasn’t performing as good as I wanted. Watering is getting to be a problem because of the water restrictions. We need to invest in drought tolerant plants. Imagine drought in England! That’s global warming for you!
Last Friday I attended the Graduation Ball as one of the organisers. It was satisfying to see everything come together. It took over six months of organisation for that night alone. There were over 1600 partygoers paying £70 each. It was huge! I left the party close to midnight and arrived near one in the morning. In spite of the exhaustion I was determined to clear up my garden the following day. Peter and I created a private corner at the top of the garden. My father in law christened it as Bamboo Terrace. We surrounded the deck with bamboos and we love it!
Our holiday at the Isles of Scilly was good but not brilliant because we did not really have the right weather. Most days it was cloudy but we had a couple of bright days and we went to Bryher, a neat little island off St Mary’s. It was fun. I missed Sam terribly and my house as well. Peter and I were so happy to get Sam back. He was “barkless” for a couple of days which was quite amusing. Now he’s back to his impish self.
I cannot wait for the weekend. I would like to spend a lot of time at home in my garden tending to my plants. We planted a new wisteria by the front door because the clematis that was there wasn’t performing as good as I wanted. Watering is getting to be a problem because of the water restrictions. We need to invest in drought tolerant plants. Imagine drought in England! That’s global warming for you!
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Summer's Barbecue
I had a very good weekend. I had my friends over for a barbecue on Saturday. My friend Chicoy Enerio arrived late on Friday from London. The boot of his car was laden with pinoy goodies for me. He bought me a sack of jasmine rice, various packets of sauce mixes, sukang paombong, polvoron, a huge bottle of patis, choc nut, bottles of knorr seasoning and bottles of Barrio Fiesta Bagoong! He and Peter played golf all of Saturday and returned just in time before our guests arrived at 5pm. I marinated the steaks and chops for most of the day and prepared the honey roast sausages for the barbecue. Peter is the barbecue guru and he cooked those meats perfectly. I made all the salads and dips.
We all had terrific fun drinking and eating. The weather was great as well and as you can see from our clothes we had perfect temperature as well.
Peter and Chicoy stayed up late and woke late! The following day I made pork and chicken adobo, grilled aubergine and topped this with Chicoy’s bagoong. We ate al fresco. The adobo over steaming rice was just irresistible! And eating outside next to the cornfield was sublime.
After lunch they watched the World cup in the attic—fortunately England won the match. Right after the game Chicoy headed off to London. Good thing though because it started to rain. It was such a lovely weekend spending time with good friends.
We all had terrific fun drinking and eating. The weather was great as well and as you can see from our clothes we had perfect temperature as well.
Peter and Chicoy stayed up late and woke late! The following day I made pork and chicken adobo, grilled aubergine and topped this with Chicoy’s bagoong. We ate al fresco. The adobo over steaming rice was just irresistible! And eating outside next to the cornfield was sublime.
After lunch they watched the World cup in the attic—fortunately England won the match. Right after the game Chicoy headed off to London. Good thing though because it started to rain. It was such a lovely weekend spending time with good friends.
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Oh what a lovely day!
Today is my 49th birthday and it is an absolute scorcher! They predicted 27 deg Celsius and it looks like they could be right. There is a gentle breeze blowing the little capiz chime I hanged on the window and it is creating such a relaxing sound that I feel like nodding off in front of this PC. Now, why am I up here when it is great outside? Simple, it is midday and it is too hot outside to do anything. Never underestimate the English sun! One of my staff suffered a heat stroke the other day—and she was from South Africa!
Yesterday turned out to be a very nice day in spite of its awful start. Very early in the day while I was driving to work my phone rang. I instantly had this sinking feeling in my stomach. I don’t know but I have very good instincts. Anyway, by the time I reversed to my allotted car space, I dreaded to listen to my voicemail. True enough it was a call from my sister informing me that our father is not well at all. I kept on telling myself to keep calm while walking to my office. I then texted my sister and she called me on my landline. She sounded tearful and under a lot of stress but she explained the situation very well. I really do not know how I kept my composure that morning.
However, half an hour later a colleague of mine came into my room and she instantly asked if I was okay. I must have looked like a zombie and then suddenly the tears fell. My boss also arrived and I told him. After talking to someone about my fears and worries, I managed to get back to work. Whenever I feel like that, I know that work always cures it. By the time I left at 4:00pm, I received several birthday cards and a huge begonia from my boss! Later on Peter and I had dinner at the Golf Club and Peter gave me my birthday present--something I really want, a Canon Powershot A640 digital camera! The day which began in disaster ended up beautifully. My colleagues at work are turning out to be good friends to me and I have a suspicion that they actually care.
Oh by the way, I share my birthday with a very famous person, none other than the Queen of England!
Yesterday turned out to be a very nice day in spite of its awful start. Very early in the day while I was driving to work my phone rang. I instantly had this sinking feeling in my stomach. I don’t know but I have very good instincts. Anyway, by the time I reversed to my allotted car space, I dreaded to listen to my voicemail. True enough it was a call from my sister informing me that our father is not well at all. I kept on telling myself to keep calm while walking to my office. I then texted my sister and she called me on my landline. She sounded tearful and under a lot of stress but she explained the situation very well. I really do not know how I kept my composure that morning.
However, half an hour later a colleague of mine came into my room and she instantly asked if I was okay. I must have looked like a zombie and then suddenly the tears fell. My boss also arrived and I told him. After talking to someone about my fears and worries, I managed to get back to work. Whenever I feel like that, I know that work always cures it. By the time I left at 4:00pm, I received several birthday cards and a huge begonia from my boss! Later on Peter and I had dinner at the Golf Club and Peter gave me my birthday present--something I really want, a Canon Powershot A640 digital camera! The day which began in disaster ended up beautifully. My colleagues at work are turning out to be good friends to me and I have a suspicion that they actually care.
Oh by the way, I share my birthday with a very famous person, none other than the Queen of England!
Friday, June 16, 2006
Splendour in our patch
Peter and I took the dog for an early evening walk yesterday in the woods. This woodland is located further up the hill from our house. The country lane that leads up to it is very narrow due to the overgrown hedges on either side. Cow parsley, hollyhocks foxgloves, brambles, geraniums, phlox and wild ferns brush lightly against the car as we drive by. We’re always on the lookout for wildlife weaving in and out of the hedgerows. The place is teeming with insects, birds and small mammals. However, we had to be on red alert for any oncoming vehicles as the road is very narrow and steep. It is a squeeze to get one car through never mind two!
Although the woodland is only a five minute drive away, it felt like we were the only ones for miles around. However, the place was far from quiet. The birds were singing to their heart’s content as it was time to roost. We had to rely on our sense of hearing as we couldn’t see any of birds. We heard the cooing of wood pigeons and flap of wings but we couldn’t see where they were. The sun was dipping against the sky casting long shadows against the trees. It was very dark in the forest and I couldn’t see much as the dappled light created a rather ethereal atmosphere. It was eerie but exciting. I was filled with anticipation but I wouldn’t want to be there at night!
After our walk we headed for the top road and parked the car in order to savour the spectacular views over the Axe valley. The sun was at its dramatic best and all we could see around us were rolling hills and trees. Yes this must be paradise, or close to it and I still cannot get over the fact that we live in the middle of all this splendour.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Talking about the weather
The weather’s finally changed and it is very hot and muggy on some days. I guess when you’re so used to cool temperatures anything above 17 degrees Celsius is considered “warm”. As per usual, I spent most of my spare time pottering around in my garden voer the weekend. It’s that time of year when plants experience a massive growth spurt—just like teenagers! Gardeners are busy keeping this in check or else they will be all over the place. Peter did a bit of tree “surgery” by cutting back the ceanothus. It is actually a bush but Peter managed to prune it back to look like a tree and it looks great. We also had to put gravel on bare soil to keep the moisture in.
On Tuesday the weather got a bit cooler—thank goodness for that! However, it still feels quite muggy and it is not raining, just cloudy.
Work is really hectic. There is always someone in my office who needs something from me, paperwork that needs seeing to and proposals to be written. Then I have to check that everything’s ticking over in all the areas that I manage, etc. I have to be organised in my current job. I am very good in multitasking—a skill I learned with my former jobs. Of course I sometimes miss the buzz of my journalism days—the travelling and meeting interesting people but my current employment isn’t bad at all. I am learning something new almost everyday like how to work with committees, how to get around bureaucracy, how to be more efficient in spite of it! I cannot survive in a job that doesn’t fire my imagination. They give me new projects here regularly to keep me occupied and I like that. For me work is not just a 9-5 activity, it needs to interest me or else life will be intolerable.
In a couple of weeks term ends and we start our summer vacation until October. That means in a couple of weeks I shall be heading off to the Isles of Scilly for much needed R&R. What a treat that will be! Not having to wake up by 6:00am and dragging myself out of bed to be out on the road by 6:45am. I am looking forward to lazy days by the beach staring out to sea instead of staring at my monitor. I can empty my mind of worries, enjoy the wildlife and just eat a lot of sea food.
Last night Peter and I went up the garden and we noticed that everything’s either in full bloom or about to burst into bloom. Oh what joy to see nature unfolding before me! We have a BBC programme called Springwatch that goes on for three weeks and I watch it religiously. I am learning a lot from that show. I love watching birds nesting and feeding their chicks and then see these baby birds fledge. Fantastic!
I’ve always loved nature ever since I was a nipper and I was always drawn to secluded places. I like my own company and I never get bored. There is always something to do.
On Tuesday the weather got a bit cooler—thank goodness for that! However, it still feels quite muggy and it is not raining, just cloudy.
Work is really hectic. There is always someone in my office who needs something from me, paperwork that needs seeing to and proposals to be written. Then I have to check that everything’s ticking over in all the areas that I manage, etc. I have to be organised in my current job. I am very good in multitasking—a skill I learned with my former jobs. Of course I sometimes miss the buzz of my journalism days—the travelling and meeting interesting people but my current employment isn’t bad at all. I am learning something new almost everyday like how to work with committees, how to get around bureaucracy, how to be more efficient in spite of it! I cannot survive in a job that doesn’t fire my imagination. They give me new projects here regularly to keep me occupied and I like that. For me work is not just a 9-5 activity, it needs to interest me or else life will be intolerable.
In a couple of weeks term ends and we start our summer vacation until October. That means in a couple of weeks I shall be heading off to the Isles of Scilly for much needed R&R. What a treat that will be! Not having to wake up by 6:00am and dragging myself out of bed to be out on the road by 6:45am. I am looking forward to lazy days by the beach staring out to sea instead of staring at my monitor. I can empty my mind of worries, enjoy the wildlife and just eat a lot of sea food.
Last night Peter and I went up the garden and we noticed that everything’s either in full bloom or about to burst into bloom. Oh what joy to see nature unfolding before me! We have a BBC programme called Springwatch that goes on for three weeks and I watch it religiously. I am learning a lot from that show. I love watching birds nesting and feeding their chicks and then see these baby birds fledge. Fantastic!
I’ve always loved nature ever since I was a nipper and I was always drawn to secluded places. I like my own company and I never get bored. There is always something to do.
Friday, June 09, 2006
Mercury rising
...and that includes my temperature! Can you ever believe my luck? I called in sick today because I felt absolutely terrible when I got up this morning. I coughed and spluttered, and my head was pounding. I thought to myself, why am I valiantly trying to go to work at this state? Surely they wouldn't miss me for a day? The problem is I hardly take sick days so when I am not at work it gets noticed immediately! Anyway, I left voicemails at work telling them to survive without me for a day and went back to bed.
I must have gone back to sleep because I woke with a start when I heard the phone ringing. It was our window cleaner and he was asking whether it was okay for him to clean the windows today. What luck that I was home! I wanted the windows cleaned for a long time. Anyway I dragged myself out of bed and soon enough they arrived with ladders and cleaning equipment. I then decided to do some housechores. That was fine for a while and even considered going to Tesco--our local supermarket but in the finish I started feeling rough again so I went back to bed only to be woken up by guess what? ...another phone call! It was Peter asking me how I was and volunteered to go food shopping instead. What a relief!
Now I do not know whether or not I'll go back to work tomorrow. Depends how I feel in the morning. It is hot outside--mid 20s celsius. The garden looks fab but I just do not have the energy to potter about. The thought alone makes my head ache.
I must have gone back to sleep because I woke with a start when I heard the phone ringing. It was our window cleaner and he was asking whether it was okay for him to clean the windows today. What luck that I was home! I wanted the windows cleaned for a long time. Anyway I dragged myself out of bed and soon enough they arrived with ladders and cleaning equipment. I then decided to do some housechores. That was fine for a while and even considered going to Tesco--our local supermarket but in the finish I started feeling rough again so I went back to bed only to be woken up by guess what? ...another phone call! It was Peter asking me how I was and volunteered to go food shopping instead. What a relief!
Now I do not know whether or not I'll go back to work tomorrow. Depends how I feel in the morning. It is hot outside--mid 20s celsius. The garden looks fab but I just do not have the energy to potter about. The thought alone makes my head ache.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Sizzling time
We finally had the warmest and brilliant weekend of the year! It was positively sizzling—well almost! Nary a cloud in the sky and it was hot, hot, hot! But what do I do? I caught a nasty cold didn’t I? I didn’t want to lie in bed so I spent the weekend pottering about in my garden—pruning, clipping, watering and repotting. The heat didn’t help and by the end of each day I felt quite rough. Now I am not just bunged up but coughing as well…and the weather continues to improve.
This morning I woke up and as I drew my curtains I only saw this thick fog across the valley. It was thick enough for me to drive with full lights on but by the time I reach the A35 it somewhat dissipated. My office faces the morning sun and it can get pretty hot during the summer. Here in the UK, we hardly have any air-conditioning—just heaters so you can imagine how stuffy it could be. However, I have a really good electric fan and I am able to open a small window to let in the cool air. I also have my blinds down to keep the glare out of my monitor. There is hardly any humidity so I do not perspire as much as I would in the Philippines. The downside is my little Peugeot doesn’t have air-con so it feels like an oven when I drive home in the afternoon. Yesterday I had my sunroof open!
On Friday, my colleague and I went to the launch of a new restaurant in town called Wagamama—a fusion of Asian cuisine (Japanese and Chinese). It was absolutely fab and I do not remember having such a brilliant lunch for a long time! That night Peter barbecued some steaks and sausages for dinner. My in laws loved them and so did I but towards the night I felt like crashing. By that time my cold was taking hold.
It’s really funny because at the moment I could hear a bird singing right outside my office window. That’s quite regular thought because my building is surrounded by mature trees. I love this campus, the gardens are absolutely beautiful. It’s a pity I do not get to walk around it more often but I know I am lucky to work in a place like this. Speaking of work, I am pretty happy where I am and what I am doing. I have free rein to do what I think best for my team and my ideas hardly get knocked back. I also feel a lot settled although there are days when things do not seem go my way. What I do is to try to get my balance back and reassess the situation. I also noticed that I usually get what I want in the end. That’s why I have more “patience” now. The other thing I like is job satisfaction and the appreciation I get from my colleagues. My initial career path in communications has ended but I am using a lot of the skills I learned as a journalist/comms manager to cope with the intricacies of administration. I know I am good at setting up systems and procedures and I am ace as far as organisation is concerned. I like project management and multitasking. I like schedules and deadlines. What I hate is uncertainty and ad-hoc, knee-jerk reactions.
I had a chat with my boss yesterday and he said I will take over another unit in the organisation. They were impressed with the work I’ve been doing with my team and would like me to develop this underperforming part of the group. I like a challenge like this. I am also in charge of communications- electronic and otherwise- and I get to design a lot of information paraphernalia.
Recently I have been involved in organising the University’s Graduation Ball at Powderham Castle. It took a lot of organisation, talking to suppliers, making payments, insurance, liaising with caterers, marquee builders and entertainment, etc. We’re expecting 2000 people all told and it is an evening sit down dinner with fairground rides, bands, security etc. I am going to the ball this year as part of the organising team. Peter bought me a sleeveless gorgeous black chiffon gown embellished with a dark red rose in the middle of my bosoms and a delicately beaded dark red shawl to go with it. I feel good in it and I don’t look too bad either! At the rate I keep having to attend these events, I need to restock my glad rags.
I know I shouldn’t be counting but in three weeks’ time I will be off to the Isles of Scilly in Cornwall for a two week holiday. I shall miss my garden though…not to mention Sam who’s going to the kennels for the duration.
This morning I woke up and as I drew my curtains I only saw this thick fog across the valley. It was thick enough for me to drive with full lights on but by the time I reach the A35 it somewhat dissipated. My office faces the morning sun and it can get pretty hot during the summer. Here in the UK, we hardly have any air-conditioning—just heaters so you can imagine how stuffy it could be. However, I have a really good electric fan and I am able to open a small window to let in the cool air. I also have my blinds down to keep the glare out of my monitor. There is hardly any humidity so I do not perspire as much as I would in the Philippines. The downside is my little Peugeot doesn’t have air-con so it feels like an oven when I drive home in the afternoon. Yesterday I had my sunroof open!
On Friday, my colleague and I went to the launch of a new restaurant in town called Wagamama—a fusion of Asian cuisine (Japanese and Chinese). It was absolutely fab and I do not remember having such a brilliant lunch for a long time! That night Peter barbecued some steaks and sausages for dinner. My in laws loved them and so did I but towards the night I felt like crashing. By that time my cold was taking hold.
It’s really funny because at the moment I could hear a bird singing right outside my office window. That’s quite regular thought because my building is surrounded by mature trees. I love this campus, the gardens are absolutely beautiful. It’s a pity I do not get to walk around it more often but I know I am lucky to work in a place like this. Speaking of work, I am pretty happy where I am and what I am doing. I have free rein to do what I think best for my team and my ideas hardly get knocked back. I also feel a lot settled although there are days when things do not seem go my way. What I do is to try to get my balance back and reassess the situation. I also noticed that I usually get what I want in the end. That’s why I have more “patience” now. The other thing I like is job satisfaction and the appreciation I get from my colleagues. My initial career path in communications has ended but I am using a lot of the skills I learned as a journalist/comms manager to cope with the intricacies of administration. I know I am good at setting up systems and procedures and I am ace as far as organisation is concerned. I like project management and multitasking. I like schedules and deadlines. What I hate is uncertainty and ad-hoc, knee-jerk reactions.
I had a chat with my boss yesterday and he said I will take over another unit in the organisation. They were impressed with the work I’ve been doing with my team and would like me to develop this underperforming part of the group. I like a challenge like this. I am also in charge of communications- electronic and otherwise- and I get to design a lot of information paraphernalia.
Recently I have been involved in organising the University’s Graduation Ball at Powderham Castle. It took a lot of organisation, talking to suppliers, making payments, insurance, liaising with caterers, marquee builders and entertainment, etc. We’re expecting 2000 people all told and it is an evening sit down dinner with fairground rides, bands, security etc. I am going to the ball this year as part of the organising team. Peter bought me a sleeveless gorgeous black chiffon gown embellished with a dark red rose in the middle of my bosoms and a delicately beaded dark red shawl to go with it. I feel good in it and I don’t look too bad either! At the rate I keep having to attend these events, I need to restock my glad rags.
I know I shouldn’t be counting but in three weeks’ time I will be off to the Isles of Scilly in Cornwall for a two week holiday. I shall miss my garden though…not to mention Sam who’s going to the kennels for the duration.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Long weekend
We just had a long weekend—Bank Holiday weekend. I spent a lot of time in my garden (so what new eh?). The thing is we’ve been having such dreadful weather recently and I had to take advantage of every ray of sunshine to work on my garden. I never realised that nurturing a garden takes a lot of hard work. There’s the matter of controlling the perennial weeds, pruning dead wood/flowers, watering, fertilising, staking, “de-bugging” and tidying. This year our spring was more than a month late compared to last year. One thing about gardening, you’re more in tuned with nature. Growing up in the city, I was never this close to it. Also, now that I live next door to a field I am more appreciative of the food cycle. The local farmer tilled and sowed his land a month ago and now the little seedlings are starting to show. It is quite exciting. We try to buy local produce as well—eggs, meat, jams, vegetables, etc. Over here in the UK we’re getting more and more concerned where our food is coming from. There is a big push of buying locally. The reason for that is it is not just fresher and healthier, buying locally means you’re saving the environment as well (my big thing). Supermarkets, in their quest of providing all year round fruit and veggies, fly in produce from all over the world and to my mind that is such a waste! Why have lamb from New Zealand when Welsh lamb is better? I actually look at the packets now to determine whether or not it comes from Britain. I also buy seasonal vegetables. However, I feel guilty sometimes when I buy papaya for my tinola dish. But I must admit it is difficult to buy all locally because of the cost and variety.
Let me tell you about the road I take to work. I’ve always wanted to describe the road to you because the scenery is quite stunning. I have written a lot about the A30—the main link to Exeter from East Devon. However I haven’t told you about the A38—the link from Musbury to the A30.The A38 is a long and winding road. Unlike the A30, this road is only a two way traffic and because it is long and winding, your can only overtake in two places. There are several dangerous spots where you’re driving next to a cliff edge and making a very tight turns. Challenging in bad weather and low light. Anyway, in spite of the dangers, the A38 is picturesque. I have many favourite areas on this road but one there is one place where I deliberately slow down just to savour the moment. The area is right after a very dodgy turning. For the next 100 yards or so, I go through a verdant canopy of beech trees. I love the dappled light it creates and the feeling of entering another world. I am so taken with it that I would like to see the treetops two seconds before I die.
I know that is not possible at all but in my mind that place is magical! The other place is quite near my house (just before I turn for Musbury). This road is open and wider. There are fields on either side.
By now I know the two roads quite well. I know when to slow down for the speed camera. I know when to accelerate to feel a bit of freedom in an open road. The A38 is not an easy road but it is very interesting. The A30 is a very fast road and there are areas that challenge your machine (a steep upward climb) and fast merging traffic.
The A358 –the road leading to Musbury off the A38—is a narrow country road with tall hedgerows on both sides. It is also one winding road and overtaking is not really a good idea. I had problems with this road late last year when I attempted to go to work in the middle of a blizzard. When I was about to turn off for the A38 my car spun around so I decided to go back home. However, by this time the road was covered in snow—basically everything was covered in snow. I didn’t know whether I had to turn or what. I lost all my landmarks! It also happened to be a very dark winter’s morning. We didn’t have sunlight until 9.30am! That was one time when I was positively scared.
Before I reach my house I use another little country lane. This time the road only allows one car at a time so when there are two cars facing each other one must be prepared to either reverse or go up a muddy patch of field to let the other pass. You cannot see anything on either side because the hedgerows are taller and at the moment filled with wild flowers like cow parsley, bluebells and primroses. I have spotted a barn owl on this road and a fox as well.
So yes I am surrounded by nature and loving every minute of it! Just in case you're wondering, I took the photo above yesterday from my bedroom window. I watch the sunset almost every night. It never ceases to amaze me.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
It was a dark and stormy night
I don't know about the dark, but it was certainly stormy and windy! It has been a week of wild weather—rain and gale force winds pummelled my garden all week! Not too good as far as delicate buds are concerned. Even the temperature has taken a nosedive and I am back wearing track suit bottoms and jumpers indoors. The plants are taking a beating we even had to stake the new maples. I can only think positively on this. At least our water butts are full to the brim and the plants do not need watering. However, the plants are growing real quick and I bet that just one sunny day and they’ll romp away.
It is that sort of day when I am stuck indoors. I have already done my ironing before lunch! I have no music on as I like listening to the wind and rain. I could hear the clock ticking downstairs. I sometimes think I am turning out to be some sort of recluse. I like being alone—well with hubby and Sam. Unlike most women I know I am not afraid to spend time on my own. I like my privacy and independence. Some people may think I am selfish or anti-social but I’d rather be out there pottering about in my garden with my dog than talking to people. Such irony! I trust very few people and one of them is my hubby. A lot of people let you down so I have developed this “wall”. I long ago stopped getting involved in other people’s lives. I thought that as long as I get my act together then that’s as good as it gets as far as life is concerned. I’ve stuck to that idea. Many people tell me their problems and I am okay to give moral support but that’s as far as I go. Trying to help other people solve their financial troubles is out of my league. Giving them advice is a no-no because experience taught me that people do what they want to do anyway.
Some good news though. Hubby and I are going to Rome in September. I’ve always wanted to the “Eternal City” ever since I knew it. I would love to see the classic architecture, paintings and that very secretive place called the Vatican. I am a history buff and I am sure my imagination will go wild just seeing all the things I read in school. That’s one good thing living here in England. You could just simply hop on a plane and rediscover history. Can’t wait!
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Good weekend
It was a very nice weekend. It’s the usual stuff…shopping, gardening and finished off with a barbecue. As I was about to tuck into my steak I thought of all the vegetarians in the world and what they’re missing. Having this kind of meat once in a while is great. We even barbecued Sam’s fillet steak and he ate it with gusto. Lovely.
I always hurt on a Sunday because most of the hard graft is done on Saturdays. Yesterday Hubby and I finished off the front lawn by weeding and giving it a new edge. It looks okay now but it will look better after we reseed it now that the weeds are almost gone. Good news too about the clematis. One by one the flowers are coming out. It is a very exciting time of the year. I can’t wait to see them all blooming. That’s one picture I would love to take.
This morning we had breakfast alfresco. For the first time we used the deck in the back garden. We moved the table around and it looks heaps better now. We still need to buy a new table. Maybe next month. It was such a nice morning, the sun was shining and the temperature even allowed us to wear (wait for this) shorts! However, later in the day it misted up and the temperature dropped. Oh well at least we managed to take some really good photos.
I had a pleasant surprise yesterday afternoon. My old university friend called me from America. He sounds so American now but I know he’s still the same guy I knew back in school. I am very fortunate with my friends. I kept in touch with most of them and we’re now scattered all over the world. Then while my friend and I were talking on the phone he informed me that another friend suddenly went online so I ran up to the attic and went online myself. The other friend was in Japan! There we were—one in Japan, another in America and me here in the UK all chatting to each other! Just like old times. It was like we were back in university—all silly, stupid, naughty and having a ball!
I only start feeling my age like tonight when my shoulder muscles are hurting. Speaking of pain, I have been having these violent headaches recently. In fact I had to go home early from work one day last week. These headaches are not like my usual once-in-a-blue-moon migraines where I throw up. These headaches feel as if my head would burst—positively pounding! Anyway, I am keeping my fingers crossed.
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Weekend gardener
My weekends just fly by so quickly. I mean one moment it’s Friday night eating takeaway food with my in laws and before I know it it’s Sunday night and I’m preparing dinner!
Most of my activities during my days off are mainly on the house and garden. The first thing I do in the morning is to prepare myself as good cup of coffee—I only drink coffee when I am not working. Then Sam and I go up in the garden to check the progress of my plants. I am an obsessive gardener. I check for new growth or for any snails, slugs or bugs. I hate the last three things with a vengeance! I carefully make sure that the new tendrils from the clematis are entwined with the wire I made for them. There are so many buds around and the plants responded so well with the fertilising and watering! Next week I will take more photos.
This morning I went to the garden centre with my in laws as Hubby’s working in Plymouth. I bought some flowering plants which I planted right away as soon as I got home. Gardening gives me so much joy (a deep sense of satisfaction) that is hard to describe. I have a challenging garden because the soil is heavy clay and it is quite steep but this does not bother me a bit. I am very much my mother’s daughter that way. My mother loves gardening too and she’s happiest when she’s in her garden. For me tending the garden is not hard work but more like relaxation. I can spend a lot of time outside, clipping, digging, pruning, dead-heading, weeding (not too pleasant!) and planting. I can watch Gardener’s World all day or A Year at Kew when I’m not outside in my overalls. I still have the front borders to clear up. I need to do that one of these days but my focus is on the garden. It is taking shape slowly. I would hate to leave it during my holidays. At least a friend of mine promised to water the plants!
I do not like Sundays nights because it usually means one thing—next day is Monday and I’m off to work again!
Monday, May 01, 2006
Out in the woods
We have this wonderful woodland near our house. Well if I was fit enough (and I mean fit) I could probably hike it up there but to save time and energy Hubby, Sam and I took a five minute drive up there. These woods are magical and we love it there. Once inside the woods, sunshine hardly gets through because the trees are so close to each other. Ferns are abundant though and it looks like one of these days there will be a mass of gorgeous bluebells underneath the canopy of trees.
I love these walks. I do not even notice time go by. We’ve been trampling around for almost an hour but I hardly felt it. That’s the sort of physical activity I like.
Yesterday I recovered from the frantic pace of Saturday. My right arm and shoulder were aching and my legs too from running up and down that hill to get to the garage. I took a strong pain killer last night and this morning I felt heaps better. I feel okay now in spite of this morning’s activity.
After our walk in the woods we went to my in laws to do some chores. Well mainly Hubby did the chores as his parents aren’t up to it anymore. They’re in their mid 80s! I was so hungry by lunchtime (around 2.00pm). After lunch we did a spot of gardening—I fertilised the plants while Hubby mowed the lawn. It looks great now. No more dandelions! It’s been a good three days. Back to work tomorrow (sigh!) Never mind, there’s another long weekend by the end of this month. Can’t wait! I bet the plants would look great by then.
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Manic Saturday
I am on a three day weekend and started it with a very hectic morning. I was expecting guests for lunch today. That was okay but I also had to take my car to the garage in the village for service (I needed new brake discs and pads). I was fine about it, even took Sam with me for a bit of a walk on the way back home (and that was all uphill by the way)! When we got home I noticed an abundance of dandelions on the front lawn. I just couldn’t let my guests see that! No way! I went in the garage and retrieved my hand weeder. I then proceeded to extract the dandelions (roots and all) from the ground. It was not an easy job. In fact it was very hard because the ground was almost concrete! We hadn’t had rain for quite sometime. I must have been mad to do it.
I tied Sam outside the front door so he could watch me dig out the weeds. Come to think of it I may be able to teach him to do something as useful as weeding. Perhaps not! Sam was quite perplexed at all the activity around him. Anyway that took me over half an hour and I still had to make the potato salad from scratch. Then there was the window cleaning, put the roast chicken in the oven, then the quiche… and then prepare the green leaf salad as well. I was told that my car would be ready in an hour but it was almost 12 noon when I received a call from the garage…my car was ready and could I please pick it up? I was expecting my guests to arrive soon. I decided to make a dash for it. I left a post it note outside the front door just in case my friend arrived and no-one was home. Besides I could probably intercept them on the road. There's only one major road to the top of the village. I half walked, half ran to the garage. I paid the bill—and I tried to be so patient as the man in front of me at the till took his time paying. In no time I was back in the house…only just! Five minutes later my guests were at the front door. What a manic morning.
After they left I decided to take some photos of the garden and my favourite spot…the swing/hammock. I am still reeling from the exercise and activity from this morning. I feel absolutely knackered but I did it! I couldn’t believe that I cleared the front lawn of dandelions. I was meaning to do that for the longest time. I guess I am quite good at deadlines. Whew what a day. Now I must now join Sam and do some serious unwinding. Sam's completely wiped out. He hasn't had his morning snooze and he's looking quite fed up.
Sunday, April 23, 2006
English landscapes
This must be one of my favourite photo in my collection. I took this over 10 years ago using my old SLR. I thought it was a photo I had to take because it exemplified England to me. I visited England in 1995 for the first time and in my eyes it was the most magical place that I have ever seen and it remained so until this very day. I love the way the weather challenges your instinct to survive. It is so like life--not every day that the sun shines. I learned a lot living here. I never get depressed about the weather. I grew up in a land where the sun shines most of the time but in exchange for its brilliance came the stifling heat. I do not like heat! Anyway, more about this photo...I love the "stillness" and the muted colours. I never got to meet the fisherman though. Also in the same visit I was fascinated by the green pastures and the "contented cows" so there I was just like a tourist taking photos of the cows! I loved every moment of it that I vowed to live here!
The next photo was taken in 1999. I was in Salisbury covering a story. I had lunch in this pub overlooking the river with the cathedral for a backdrop. I thought it was quintessential English as well. I thought of posting these photos one by one because scanning them take a long time!
Now I am busy taking photos of my backyard, house and garden. I just wish we had digital cameras when I was growing up because there were a lot of photo opportunities that are now just locked in my memory. I envy these young people now because they can commit their collective memories into electronic diaries like this blog for instance. Anyway, at least I can record moments of my life.It's really quite amusing that some people make fun of bloggers like me. I mean who really cares what I think right? Who cares what happens to my life? It is not exciting as I am not a jetsetter and certainly it is not dramatic like some soap opera BUT I think there is something to be said about life quite ordinary. I think so anyway.
Chocolate and garden
I finally managed to bake my chocolate and orange marmalade cake today. I meant to bake one for a long time now but never had any time. I mean between the gardening and spring cleaning I just didn't have enough time to do any baking.
Yesterday Hubby, Sam and I went to Bridport to check out the markets (they were excellent by the way) and then headed for West Bay. I have to say that West Bay has improved 100% since we were last there. They have added to the promenade and there are new developments too--some high end apartments facing the seafront. It was a glorious day! We had some fish and chips by the pier (yummy). The downside was we didn't have the camera with us so no photos! Ughs!
We also tried to finish most of the replanting in the back garden. The hanging baskets are out as well. I took a photo of the back garden...spring is definitely in the air because the plants are growing fast!The field behind us has been turned over and soon the farmer will plant something, what I don't know but it'll be nice to see some green soon.
Tomorrow will be the start of the summer term. Another 10 weeks of hard slog and then summer time is here!!!! I really shouldn't wish my life away like this but I just want to enjoy my house and garden.
Friday, April 21, 2006
Tractors and bird calls
Our hard work in the garden is paying dividends. Yesterday afternoon I managed to enjoy half an hour outside with Sam on the swing just listening to bird calls and watching a farmer in a tractor efficiently till the field right outside our back fence. I am slowly getting familiar about country ways and village life. The other day we needed some eggs but the shops were closed. I noticed a wooden box outside one of the farms and I told Hubby it could be a “store box” where you just leave money in a carton. Well it was more than that. The box contained very large fresh farm eggs, home made cakes and jams! Half a dozen eggs cost 70p. We bought a dozen. We have village fetes and flower festivals. One thing I like about living out here in the sticks is I really experience English life.
Sam and I like watching the farmer toil his land. I haven’t had the opportunity to ask him what he was going to plant. Last year it was corn and I was told the other year he planted flowers. I’d like that. Spring is late this year—I reckon a whole month late. My annual plants are just beginning to flower. However I will have a better garden this year because it has matured a bit. I am obsessive about plants. I check them everyday. Hubby says I am like a sergeant major inspecting the troops. I am rather worried about two plants I transplanted. One is an expensive clematis that is looking a bit sorry for itself and I cannot understand why and the other is a wallflower that is looking quite “stressed”. It is not the watering or the fertilising because both are in pots. I am keeping my fingers crossed! Maybe they just didn’t like being repotted. My orchids are doing especially well. One of them has been in bloom since November and because I have been feeding it with orchid fertiliser it started to bud again and the same with the others. I am so pleased. I told Hubby he should get me more since I have been successful with them. But I think they like the position (on my kitchen window facing east—morning sun). It’ll be nice to have an assortment of them in my kitchen though.
Sam and I like watching the farmer toil his land. I haven’t had the opportunity to ask him what he was going to plant. Last year it was corn and I was told the other year he planted flowers. I’d like that. Spring is late this year—I reckon a whole month late. My annual plants are just beginning to flower. However I will have a better garden this year because it has matured a bit. I am obsessive about plants. I check them everyday. Hubby says I am like a sergeant major inspecting the troops. I am rather worried about two plants I transplanted. One is an expensive clematis that is looking a bit sorry for itself and I cannot understand why and the other is a wallflower that is looking quite “stressed”. It is not the watering or the fertilising because both are in pots. I am keeping my fingers crossed! Maybe they just didn’t like being repotted. My orchids are doing especially well. One of them has been in bloom since November and because I have been feeding it with orchid fertiliser it started to bud again and the same with the others. I am so pleased. I told Hubby he should get me more since I have been successful with them. But I think they like the position (on my kitchen window facing east—morning sun). It’ll be nice to have an assortment of them in my kitchen though.
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Easter fun
My old friend Chicoy and his family arrived at Musbury on Wednesday. It was a fraught time for me before their arrival because I was busy planting, cleaning the house and cooking in preparation for their visit.
Nothing could be more fraught than that morning before their arrival. We've been having problems with the sink in the kitchen. It wasn't draining very well and inspite of using a liquid de-clogger water wasn't draining as efficiently as possible. Anyway, we bought this industrial strength drain de-clogger on Tuesday but hubby forgot to do it overnight. When I woke up the following morning I found that the dishwasher hasn't drained properly as well. Disaster I thought! No amount of using the rubber plunger seem to shift the blockage! It was awful. Anyway, after half an our of absolute panic I went outside to check the drain and lo and behold it was overflowing! Aaaarrrggghhhsss! I donned my rubber gloves and braved the stink and goo from the drain. I had to physically remove dead leaves and some organic matter from the drain but I knew we had to pour the industrial strength de-clogger directly on to the drain! But that was no job for a woman.
I draw the line on that! I checked the dishwasher but it was still filled with water. I thought that if the drain was cleared, I could turn on the machine and it would automatically drain itself. I asked hubby to do the man thing and pour the sulphuric acid down the drain. Suffice to say it worked like a charm! All that time the problem was outside and not inside the pipes. The dishwasher was fine after that.A few minutes later I noticed a farmer in a tractor spreading liquid fertiliser on the field outside our backyard. Of all days! Then the dog decided to play with some of the muck I was clearing and I couldn't help thinking I still had to cook three main dishes tonight. Good thing hubby offered to go to the supermarket to get the food supplies while I get the house ready.
Finally, our guests arrived I was sooooo excited to see them. It was great to hear the familiar sound of the Manilena accent and pinoy jokes. For once we had a full house. Tata and Nana shared the king size water bed in the third room, Chicoy and Tere were in the Blue Room and Pepe slept in the single bed in the attic. Sam was ecstatic because the kids fussed and played with him.
I served adobo, pinakbet and embutido on our first night. It was such fun!!!!! The following day we all went to Dartmoor (famous Dartmoor Prison) then had a barbecue for dinner--steaks and sausages with potato salad, coleslaw and green leaf salad. Hubby, Chicoy and Pepe of course drank beer, then shared a bottle of red wine and graduating to whisky at midnight while watching DVDs of the Eagles, Bee Gees and Pink Floyd!
Yesterday we went for a walk to our local woodlands at the top of the hill. Then we had brunch of eggs and bacon, leftover adobo, pinakbet, embutido and rice. This was also accompanied with a lot of oatmeal bread and jam. Yummy!
What fun we all had!
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Easter holidays
I am now on holidays for a week and two days. I didn’t waste any time lounging around. Yesterday I fertilised the back garden. That’s back breaking work because the chicken manure was on the clay-dough side if you know what I mean. It stuck on my gardening gloves, on the bucket and on the trowel. If it was dry as it should be then I could have easily spread it around but no, I had to do it the hard way. Anyway I am glad I did it. I also pruned dead bits off the now growing shrubs and did more weeding. Then when I went indoors I started on my spring cleaning. I was working non stop until I felt my shoulder muscles ache and only then I stopped.
Today I fertilised and weeded the front lawn. I was using a liquid lawn fertiliser/weeder. The downside is I had to apply it using the watering can. I just couldn’t avoid lifting weights but the chore had to be done. After that I watered the back garden. It has been very sunny lately and the soil looked very dry after the winter. The potted plants needed watering after fertilising. Sam and I sat down on the swing for about half an hour just relishing the views and tranquillity. Back indoors I did more spring cleaning.
I have guests coming next week. My good friend Chicoy is coming over with this family for to spend a couple of days with us. We plan to go to Bath on Thursday and then they will head to Cornwall after that. It will be a nice change for hubby and me. Tomorrow hubby and I will go to the garden centre to buy some plants (climbers and bedding plants) for the garden. I really want a more whimsical and lush garden. It is too Spartan for me at the moment although the honeysuckle looks like it will do well this year.
As I said there is no rest for me. There’s so much to do at home. It makes me wonder how other people cope! The sun is shinning outside, Sam is curled up like a ball on the chair and I feel really sleepy. I just had a pasta lunch and I just want to get some 40 winks! Zzzzzzz.
Today I fertilised and weeded the front lawn. I was using a liquid lawn fertiliser/weeder. The downside is I had to apply it using the watering can. I just couldn’t avoid lifting weights but the chore had to be done. After that I watered the back garden. It has been very sunny lately and the soil looked very dry after the winter. The potted plants needed watering after fertilising. Sam and I sat down on the swing for about half an hour just relishing the views and tranquillity. Back indoors I did more spring cleaning.
I have guests coming next week. My good friend Chicoy is coming over with this family for to spend a couple of days with us. We plan to go to Bath on Thursday and then they will head to Cornwall after that. It will be a nice change for hubby and me. Tomorrow hubby and I will go to the garden centre to buy some plants (climbers and bedding plants) for the garden. I really want a more whimsical and lush garden. It is too Spartan for me at the moment although the honeysuckle looks like it will do well this year.
As I said there is no rest for me. There’s so much to do at home. It makes me wonder how other people cope! The sun is shinning outside, Sam is curled up like a ball on the chair and I feel really sleepy. I just had a pasta lunch and I just want to get some 40 winks! Zzzzzzz.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
All work and no play
Today provided some sort of relief for me. After agonising over my Excel spreadsheet with all the cross-referencing malarkey I managed to make the figures tally. It wasn’t easy at all because I had to forecast 3% increase from this year’s budget. It was so involved and somewhat complicated because I was using several documents as reference and I had to use the proper formulas. And I am not a finance person to begin with anyway! Excel is not the programme I use everyday but in the end I put together an excellent report if I say so myself.
What made my agonising even harder was we’ve been having brilliant sunshine recently…and I mean brilliant--clear blue skies and beautiful temperature. Absolutely smashing. And I am here at work toiling it out. Can you blame me for feeling a bit envious of the people on their holidays at the moment? I’d like to go out in my garden and do some planting. It is great to feel the sunshine against my skin. I am even wearing my sunnies again. I should start wearing my spring/summer clothes. A few more days and I’ll be on my Easter break. Wahey!!! No waking up at the crack of dawn. Spend time on my garden. I have new plans that I’d like to do in the garden like planting more climbers and hanging various potted annuals on the back fence. I can just see it now, the hanging gardens at Musbury!
So that is it as far as my work is concerned…I’ve finished my budget forecast, my business plan and the insurance budget for the whole organisation. I am finding it hard to concentrate now. I just want to go home.
What made my agonising even harder was we’ve been having brilliant sunshine recently…and I mean brilliant--clear blue skies and beautiful temperature. Absolutely smashing. And I am here at work toiling it out. Can you blame me for feeling a bit envious of the people on their holidays at the moment? I’d like to go out in my garden and do some planting. It is great to feel the sunshine against my skin. I am even wearing my sunnies again. I should start wearing my spring/summer clothes. A few more days and I’ll be on my Easter break. Wahey!!! No waking up at the crack of dawn. Spend time on my garden. I have new plans that I’d like to do in the garden like planting more climbers and hanging various potted annuals on the back fence. I can just see it now, the hanging gardens at Musbury!
So that is it as far as my work is concerned…I’ve finished my budget forecast, my business plan and the insurance budget for the whole organisation. I am finding it hard to concentrate now. I just want to go home.
Monday, April 03, 2006
Weed and reap it
I had a rather active weekend. I spent a lot of time in my garden weeding, clearing and pruning. Well I couldn’t help it because the temperature has gone milder and glory be, there was a ray of sunshine! Sam ran around the top garden while I was on my hands and knees weeding and pruning. Next week I have to feed the plants. It is the start of full on gardening season. We need to sort out the garage—a good job for our spring cleaning, go the Garden Centre to buy climbing plants for the back fence. I am looking for jasmine, clematis and honeysuckle. However, I think morning glory would look great as well. The back garden needs “softening” up with whimsical plants like climbers. It looks a bit “hard” at the moment. Hubby plans to install a water feature/fountain as well. It promises to be a sanctuary of sorts. I’ve always wanted a garden that I could enjoy in solitude. I am happiest when I am sitting outside on my swing with the sun shining and only the sound of nature to keep me company—and perhaps Sam and hubby. The birds are getting noisier by the day. I guess they’re busy nesting. I watch the sunset from our sitting room and I have such a hard time imagining that there are places in this world full of hate, evil and human misery. I count myself lucky and privileged to live this life. In its simplicity and routine it gives me a sense of stability and reassurance. Is that wrong? I have no idea but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Friday, March 31, 2006
I owe I owe so off to work I go
The older I get the harder it is for me to fathom the mind of men in general. Take for instance the other day, Hubby and I had “lively” disagreement sparked by a comment about food. I was carefully preparing stuffed sea bass (coriander, plum tomatoes, garlic, shallots and parsley) for dinner. I accompanied the dish with boiled baby potatoes and purple sprouting broccoli. As I was about to serve the dish he came into the kitchen and looked at my lunch box. Earlier I cooked tortellini in Napolitano sauce for my lunch next day and I was cooling the pasta before I put it in the fridge overnight. He casually remarked if I cooked enough for him as well ignoring the expensive and posh meal he was about to have. Of course this set me off and it ruined a perfectly good dinner(which we ate the following day with gusto!).
He did apologise for upsetting me later so that was okay. I guess men do not really want to see women in tears or upset. They are hardwired to avoid high emotions. Instead they just declare out and out war! Ha ha!
This week was not that all pleasant. I am preparing my budget next year and it is giving me such a headache! I vented my frustrations to one of my sympathetic male colleagues. I shed a few tears--I often do that when I am either very annoyed or angry and I was both in this instance--and he basically told me to hold fire for the time being and be a bit laid back. I knew he felt really sorry for me because he made efforts to cheer me up by helping me achieve one of my IT plans and avoided making sarcastic comments which he was known for. The one good thing about my present job is I have a handful of good colleagues that I can turn to for support. And I sure need it!
I got sent this little "poem" just now and it says it all...
Worker's Lament
IF YOU WORK AND DO YOUR BEST
YOU’LL GET THE SACK LIKE ALL THE REST,
BUT IF YOU LAZE AND BUGGER ABOUT
YOU’LL LIVE TO SEE THE JOB RIGHT OUT
THE WORK IS HARD THE PAY IS SMALL
SO TAKE YOUR TIME AND SOD ’EM ALL
CAUSE WHEN YOUR DEAD YOU’LL BE FORGOT
SO DON’T TRY AND DO THE BLOODY LOT,
OR ON YOUR TOMBSTONE NEATLY LACQUERED
THESE THREE WORDS “JUST BLEEDING KNACKERED!”
He did apologise for upsetting me later so that was okay. I guess men do not really want to see women in tears or upset. They are hardwired to avoid high emotions. Instead they just declare out and out war! Ha ha!
This week was not that all pleasant. I am preparing my budget next year and it is giving me such a headache! I vented my frustrations to one of my sympathetic male colleagues. I shed a few tears--I often do that when I am either very annoyed or angry and I was both in this instance--and he basically told me to hold fire for the time being and be a bit laid back. I knew he felt really sorry for me because he made efforts to cheer me up by helping me achieve one of my IT plans and avoided making sarcastic comments which he was known for. The one good thing about my present job is I have a handful of good colleagues that I can turn to for support. And I sure need it!
I got sent this little "poem" just now and it says it all...
Worker's Lament
IF YOU WORK AND DO YOUR BEST
YOU’LL GET THE SACK LIKE ALL THE REST,
BUT IF YOU LAZE AND BUGGER ABOUT
YOU’LL LIVE TO SEE THE JOB RIGHT OUT
THE WORK IS HARD THE PAY IS SMALL
SO TAKE YOUR TIME AND SOD ’EM ALL
CAUSE WHEN YOUR DEAD YOU’LL BE FORGOT
SO DON’T TRY AND DO THE BLOODY LOT,
OR ON YOUR TOMBSTONE NEATLY LACQUERED
THESE THREE WORDS “JUST BLEEDING KNACKERED!”
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