Yet again, I've somehow managed to neglect this blog! Maybe one day I'll manage to update it frequently; but for the moment, erratic it is!
So much has happened since I last wrote. I've got a (proper!) job, albeit on a temporary contract, I've been to Paris (yes...again!), I've booked another holiday (Egypt this time) and I've tried (relentless!) diets, none of which appear to have had much effect!
This weekend I'm going to Bristol to visit some old Uni friends, and, about 5 years later than planned, we're going to see the Phantom of the Opera at the theatre. Having become obsessed with it in first year, it was about time we got our acts together, so thankfully Nee booked the tickets a while back and we've all been forced to go - which was, ironically, the kick up the backside we all needed to get together to see it!
In other news, work is also going well! Having started as an Intern, I moved (somewhat!) up in the world and am now an Administrator. As I work in London, the money is surprisingly good (thank you London Weighting...!) so I'm enjoying the work for what it is, and gaining a fab amount of experience. I look forward to going to work everyday - something I'm not sure will last through my entire career, so I'm definitely making the most of enjoying it now!
More recently, I've been looking back on the past couple of years. I still can't believe that I'm the same girl who flew to France to go grape picking! Or the girl who spent a year living and studying in Lyon. And yet, for the moment, my plans of travelling are still dreams. I've shelved them away for a while, whilst I try and make a) some money! and b) a life for myself back home. I'd still love to go around the world, and I can only see myself doing that properly whilst I'm young.
But: all in all. Life is pretty good! I'm still getting on really well at home, and although a lot of my Uni friends have moved out, almost all of my home friends still live with their parents, and at the age of 23 I still think that this is acceptable! Maybe once I get some more money, (and possibly after I've got a bit of travelling out of my system...?!) I'll start to think about it a bit more seriously. You never know what's round the corner though, so I think I'll just wait and see what happens.
Drop by again soon; I'll write more after the Jubilee weekend.
X
Thursday, 31 May 2012
Wednesday, 26 October 2011
I don't quite know what I expected to happen when University ended for good. My hopes that I would find a perfect temp job in my local area for a few months, followed by another when that ended in order to save up for travelling have, ultimately, faded. I have, ashamedly, relied on falling back on family and friends to attempt to gain some sort of work experience in different fields, yet I'm still applying for permanent and temporary full time jobs left right and centre; I think it would be unfair to accuse me of not trying, or worst of all not applying, for things on my own. Because, (and this does appear to come as a shock to even my own parents, as well as, unfortunately, to my so-called 'supportive' boyfriend: so supportive in fact that I received a lecture down the phone this morning for spending time carving a pumpkin which I have to give in TOMORROW, rather than apply for things,) I have been. Practically every day I get off, I can guarantee that I've been sat at my desk for the best part of the day, applying. And therefore contrary to seemingly popular belief, I do not sit on my butt, watching Jeremy Kyle for hours on end. The only programme I will attest to have become obsessed with is Bargain Hunt, although I haven't seen it for a couple of weeks now, and to be honest I don't really see a problem with that, as it's on at lunch anyway. As Han would undoubtedly say: never mind.
In other news, it was Mum and Dad's birthdays on Monday and Tuesday; always a slightly hectic time of the year as I'm normally quite poor anyway, however this year was made slightly more bearable by going half and half with Guy, who came home for the weekend which was nice. You always know when Guy's been home by the trail of destruction he leaves behind, namely empty packets of biscuits/sweets that he's decided not to bother putting in the bin (why?!!), an empty fridge and an empty tank of petrol. Sigh! Was nice to see him nonetheless, and to know that he's getting on well at IBM.
Mum and I have become slightly obsessed with cookery shows. I've always been in to Masterchef, but I now find myself glued to Nigel Slater's Simple Cooking, Baking Made Easy by Lorraine Pascale, Celeb Masterchef and Come Dine With Me. I'm not quite sure where this obsession will lead, but I do think that it's probably a little strange that I like these shows so much. On verra.
Not much else to report, unfortunately! Hoping to see the Erasmus girls soon for a much needed reunion, so hopefully that'll come to fruition soon. Also looking to visit James in France and Adam up North: hopefully I'll start to earn some real money soon so that this will all be possible!
In other news, it was Mum and Dad's birthdays on Monday and Tuesday; always a slightly hectic time of the year as I'm normally quite poor anyway, however this year was made slightly more bearable by going half and half with Guy, who came home for the weekend which was nice. You always know when Guy's been home by the trail of destruction he leaves behind, namely empty packets of biscuits/sweets that he's decided not to bother putting in the bin (why?!!), an empty fridge and an empty tank of petrol. Sigh! Was nice to see him nonetheless, and to know that he's getting on well at IBM.
Mum and I have become slightly obsessed with cookery shows. I've always been in to Masterchef, but I now find myself glued to Nigel Slater's Simple Cooking, Baking Made Easy by Lorraine Pascale, Celeb Masterchef and Come Dine With Me. I'm not quite sure where this obsession will lead, but I do think that it's probably a little strange that I like these shows so much. On verra.
Not much else to report, unfortunately! Hoping to see the Erasmus girls soon for a much needed reunion, so hopefully that'll come to fruition soon. Also looking to visit James in France and Adam up North: hopefully I'll start to earn some real money soon so that this will all be possible!
Wednesday, 21 September 2011
Another month, another blog; although I think there's fairly little to report! Sam and I came back from our holiday about a week ago now; we both had a lovely time in Bulgaria - weather was low 30's and the resort was really nice. All in all, a very relaxing, (and much needed!) break away from work, job-hunting stress and life in general. We're currently looking to go away for a long weekend if not before then just after Christmas. Sam's family have a cottage down in Cornwall which is looking like a possibility, if not then I think we'll try looking in mainland Europe for a Friday-Monday getaway. Watch this space!
In other news, the job hunt is going horrendously worse than even I could have imagined! Still unsure as to what I actually want to do, I'm receiving countless e-mails every day from Internet sites I've signed up to. I'm signing up with another agency (this time in Tunbridge Wells) in the hope that they'll be better than the last one (!), and I'm using my day off today to apply for some other things. I'm going to go for a few French-speaking and/or office roles around the Kent/West Sussex area, and I've been seriously considering applying for a few graduate schemes up in London, particularly in HR. Work is awful at the moment; we've got a triathlon event coming up this weekend for which I'll be working 6am-4pm both days, but then I'm hoping things will start to calm down a bit after that. The kids have all gone back to school now so weekdays should be boring and long, although being sent home early does have its advantages; i.e. more time spent on the job search! One of the girls (who's worked there for 10 years; only a few more than me!!) is leaving in a couple of weeks time for a job in Oxted; when she goes I'll be the longest-working employee in my restaurant, hence the sudden panic to leave and find a real job. Hopefully something will come up soon; although after a few months of saying that now I can definitely say that hope is fading fast!
Will blog again soon, hopefully with some good news (!) but for now; back to the job hunt!
In other news, the job hunt is going horrendously worse than even I could have imagined! Still unsure as to what I actually want to do, I'm receiving countless e-mails every day from Internet sites I've signed up to. I'm signing up with another agency (this time in Tunbridge Wells) in the hope that they'll be better than the last one (!), and I'm using my day off today to apply for some other things. I'm going to go for a few French-speaking and/or office roles around the Kent/West Sussex area, and I've been seriously considering applying for a few graduate schemes up in London, particularly in HR. Work is awful at the moment; we've got a triathlon event coming up this weekend for which I'll be working 6am-4pm both days, but then I'm hoping things will start to calm down a bit after that. The kids have all gone back to school now so weekdays should be boring and long, although being sent home early does have its advantages; i.e. more time spent on the job search! One of the girls (who's worked there for 10 years; only a few more than me!!) is leaving in a couple of weeks time for a job in Oxted; when she goes I'll be the longest-working employee in my restaurant, hence the sudden panic to leave and find a real job. Hopefully something will come up soon; although after a few months of saying that now I can definitely say that hope is fading fast!
Will blog again soon, hopefully with some good news (!) but for now; back to the job hunt!
Monday, 15 August 2011
Since I've moved home, I've been thinking a lot about friendship. Until around year 10, I didn't really have many friends. That wasn't because I didn't want them. I was genuinely too shy to speak to anyone. As a result, I often sat alone on lunch breaks in primary school, and I distinctly remember crying every day when Mum dropped me off at secondary school, because I didn't want to go in. Of course, I wasn't a complete loner. I had a best friend called Hannah until the age of around 7, when her family moved to Australia. Then came Emma, who I hung around with until the end of primary school. And then secondary school came, along with a new supposed best friend. But she was manipulative, and it took me a few years to realise that she wasn't really a friend at all. Towards the end of my secondary school life, I began to stand up for myself and made a really good group of friends. I still see them today, and although we've grown up, and slightly grown apart since I started Uni, I still consider them as some of the most important people in my life. I'm hoping that time will make us as close as we once were.
My best friend Daisy has played a pretty major role in my life. She knows me inside-out and can, much to my surprise the majority of the time, read me like a book. Dais is the kindest and bubbliest person I've ever met, and I consider myself lucky to class her as the closest person to me, outside of my family.
My University friendships differ to my home ones. In some ways I feel closer to my Uni friends; I've lived with most of them, and spending so much time with people obviously brings you closer together. I have, like every other University student, had my ups-and-downs with friends. The past year in particular was what led me, in a way, to start thinking about my friendships, and how I am as a friend. I've found being a good friend particularly challenging this past year. I worked really hard for my finals, and I'm very aware that I've neglected some of my friends because of this. In another sense, I've found the past year as a friend challenging as well because I've felt at times that I've had to step away from certain situations. But today I stand by the fact that friendship means supporting the people you love, regardless of your opinion, or your views.
At the age of 22, I finally feel ready to class my parents as my friends. I know how cliché that sounds. Most of my friends are more than ready to move out, and away from their parents. But I can still honestly say that my parents are two of the most important people in my life. Guy and I have both traditionally been 'Mummy's boy' and 'Mummy's girl', yet in more recent months I'm really happy that Dad and I have become closer again. I phoned them up first to tell them of my 2:1, and I was genuinely happy that they were proud of me. I'm very aware that Guy and I can argue with the best of them, and I'm sure we've both said things to each other before that we regret. But this is the closest we've ever been, and I care about him more than I do most other people. My little brother is, despite our differences, one of the closest people to me.
My friendships with boys have also changed. I'd gone out with my boyfriend, Sam, for almost 10 months before my year abroad, and when I came back we started going out again. We've been together for over a year this time round. There had been one other boyfriend inbetween those two times. I've spent a lot of time thinking about that stretch of my life, but today I can honestly say that I'm the happiest I've ever been, and that Sam makes me happier than I ever could have imagined. Whilst I make no claims that he's some sort of Romeo figure, he makes me laugh, and at times I think he knows me, though I hate to say it, better than I know myself.
So as I prepare for the world of work, I look back on the friendships I've made, and the journey I've taken so far. And, actually, despite my somewhat rocky start, I find myself thinking that I wouldn't change my journey for the world. Here's hoping the next chapter in my life is as enjoyable as the previous, and that as time goes by, in the words of the Beatles, I'll get by with a little help from my friends.
My best friend Daisy has played a pretty major role in my life. She knows me inside-out and can, much to my surprise the majority of the time, read me like a book. Dais is the kindest and bubbliest person I've ever met, and I consider myself lucky to class her as the closest person to me, outside of my family.
My University friendships differ to my home ones. In some ways I feel closer to my Uni friends; I've lived with most of them, and spending so much time with people obviously brings you closer together. I have, like every other University student, had my ups-and-downs with friends. The past year in particular was what led me, in a way, to start thinking about my friendships, and how I am as a friend. I've found being a good friend particularly challenging this past year. I worked really hard for my finals, and I'm very aware that I've neglected some of my friends because of this. In another sense, I've found the past year as a friend challenging as well because I've felt at times that I've had to step away from certain situations. But today I stand by the fact that friendship means supporting the people you love, regardless of your opinion, or your views.
At the age of 22, I finally feel ready to class my parents as my friends. I know how cliché that sounds. Most of my friends are more than ready to move out, and away from their parents. But I can still honestly say that my parents are two of the most important people in my life. Guy and I have both traditionally been 'Mummy's boy' and 'Mummy's girl', yet in more recent months I'm really happy that Dad and I have become closer again. I phoned them up first to tell them of my 2:1, and I was genuinely happy that they were proud of me. I'm very aware that Guy and I can argue with the best of them, and I'm sure we've both said things to each other before that we regret. But this is the closest we've ever been, and I care about him more than I do most other people. My little brother is, despite our differences, one of the closest people to me.
My friendships with boys have also changed. I'd gone out with my boyfriend, Sam, for almost 10 months before my year abroad, and when I came back we started going out again. We've been together for over a year this time round. There had been one other boyfriend inbetween those two times. I've spent a lot of time thinking about that stretch of my life, but today I can honestly say that I'm the happiest I've ever been, and that Sam makes me happier than I ever could have imagined. Whilst I make no claims that he's some sort of Romeo figure, he makes me laugh, and at times I think he knows me, though I hate to say it, better than I know myself.
So as I prepare for the world of work, I look back on the friendships I've made, and the journey I've taken so far. And, actually, despite my somewhat rocky start, I find myself thinking that I wouldn't change my journey for the world. Here's hoping the next chapter in my life is as enjoyable as the previous, and that as time goes by, in the words of the Beatles, I'll get by with a little help from my friends.
Thursday, 14 July 2011
Thought it about time to give a couple of life updates!
A lot's been going on since I last blogged. I graduated on Wednesday 6th July at 2:30 pm from Reading University, with a 2:1 classification in BA French. Graduation was fun, and it was really nice to see everyone I'd spent the previous four years studying with, all celebrate together. Below is a picture of Mum, Dad and I, and another of my fellow language graduates!
In other news, I had a car accident on Tuesday on my way to work. I was on my own, but I'm fine, and the car's not that great; we're still waiting for it to be picked up and to receive a courtesy car. It was probably the worst day of my life, and I'm not in any hurry to get back behind the wheel. I don't think I'd ever truly realised before how genuinely dangerous driving a car can be. Sam was on the phone straight away though, and he came to make sure I was ok that evening and bought me flowers (for the first time ever!!) which was really nice. It's our 1 year anniversary tomorrow (although neither of us are sure of the exact date, so we picked the middle of the month,) and he's coming round and I'm going to cook, although God knows what, especially as I have work until around 18:30!
I've got a job interview booked on Monday afternoon; it's based in Horley and for the job of a Recruitment Office Administrator. It sounds ok, and one of their guys got back to me about 5 minutes after I sent my application. Office work is the kind of thing I'm looking for at the moment, although I think long-term I want to go maybe into HR, if not translation. There is a distinct lack of translation jobs around where I live, so I don't really have much choice at the moment anyway, especially without any experience in an office- or corporate-based role. Will let you know how it goes!
I wrote an entry soon after I came home (following my 2:1 announcement) about friendship. I'm still in two minds whether to publish it or not; I'm sure no-one will really find it that interesting anyway, but I found myself thinking a lot about the friendships I have when I got back to Edenbridge. Maybe I'll edit it and post it in the not too distant future.
Dais and I are going to see the Script in Brighton on Sunday night which I'm really excited about!! My Aunt got us tickets for my birthday (yes, in March!) so I've been waiting to go for a while. We're getting the train there and back, so I'll definitely update this after my interview, either on Monday or Tuesday.
Hope everyone's well, check in again soon!! (",)
 |
| Post-ceremony! |
In other news, I had a car accident on Tuesday on my way to work. I was on my own, but I'm fine, and the car's not that great; we're still waiting for it to be picked up and to receive a courtesy car. It was probably the worst day of my life, and I'm not in any hurry to get back behind the wheel. I don't think I'd ever truly realised before how genuinely dangerous driving a car can be. Sam was on the phone straight away though, and he came to make sure I was ok that evening and bought me flowers (for the first time ever!!) which was really nice. It's our 1 year anniversary tomorrow (although neither of us are sure of the exact date, so we picked the middle of the month,) and he's coming round and I'm going to cook, although God knows what, especially as I have work until around 18:30!
I've got a job interview booked on Monday afternoon; it's based in Horley and for the job of a Recruitment Office Administrator. It sounds ok, and one of their guys got back to me about 5 minutes after I sent my application. Office work is the kind of thing I'm looking for at the moment, although I think long-term I want to go maybe into HR, if not translation. There is a distinct lack of translation jobs around where I live, so I don't really have much choice at the moment anyway, especially without any experience in an office- or corporate-based role. Will let you know how it goes!
I wrote an entry soon after I came home (following my 2:1 announcement) about friendship. I'm still in two minds whether to publish it or not; I'm sure no-one will really find it that interesting anyway, but I found myself thinking a lot about the friendships I have when I got back to Edenbridge. Maybe I'll edit it and post it in the not too distant future.
Dais and I are going to see the Script in Brighton on Sunday night which I'm really excited about!! My Aunt got us tickets for my birthday (yes, in March!) so I've been waiting to go for a while. We're getting the train there and back, so I'll definitely update this after my interview, either on Monday or Tuesday.
Hope everyone's well, check in again soon!! (",)
Friday, 17 June 2011
I GOT A 2:1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For anyone that doesn't know, that's pretty much the second best degree you can get. So happy!! Found out on Wednesday and went straight to the pub (no surprises there!), and then went on a big night out to Q with James, Adam, JLo and Han last night which was really fun; there are loads of mental pictures on Facebook lol, see below. Han, JLo and James all found out their results today and they all got 2:1's too so I think they're all pleased with that =)!
In other news, not much to say!! It's Summer Ball tomorrow night and I'm really looking forward to wearing my dress; I've been looking at it hanging up in my wardrobe for ages now! Definitely planning on staying until 6am and the Survivor's Photo, literally can't wait!! As for this evening, Han and I bought celebratory chocolate earlier so we're gonna be watching TV and chillaxing after last night I think! Will blog again soon! =) X
The 2:1 Crew!!
Monday, 13 June 2011
Can't believe it's almost been a month since I last blogged; what is wrong with me!!
Although, if I'm honest, I don't feel like I've got too much to say. After finishing all of my exams, I went out two nights in a row; pretty hardcore, if I do say so myself. Definitely won't be doing that again anytime soon! Han and I went to Oxford for an afternoon and we (somehow!) managed to get me a Summer Ball dress, which was a relief as I'd predicted spending hours trailing around shops! I also went to Bristol for a couple of days to finally visit Nathan; having promised to go visit for about three years now...!! Below is a picture of us at the suspension bridge; I look horrific having been dragged around half of Bristol all day, but I did have a really good time, and it was so nice to see Nathan!
I came home about a week ago to sort things out for Mum and Dad's 25th wedding anniversary party on Saturday; a weeks worth of rushing about all for one evening!! I've been pretty busy all week but the party was a success and Mum and Dad seemed to enjoy it which was all that matters!! Some of Dad's Uni friends came down for the evening and stayed in various hotels in Edenbridge, and in doing so fully booked out two of them! It was nice to meet them all; plus they all came round the morning after for coffee and muffins (more cooking!!) and for a chat. I dragged Sam along on Saturday night to help and he met all of my aunts and various family members, as well as various age-old family friends, so it was nice for him to meet everyone and get involved, I even (somehow!) managed to get him to dance which was definitely a turn up for the books! But I ended up having fun in the end, after all of the cleaning up after the meal, and the live band were really good, so all in all, pretty good night! Unfortunately, the past week has resulted in a backlog of calls and texts I need to catch up on; but they can wait until tomorrow!
Planning on going back to Reading on Wednesday; I get my results that afternoon =S bad times! Definitely don't think I'm going to get the 2:1 I want, but I've had a really good experience at Uni living away from home and spending a year in France as well, so I'm not going to regret anything despite my (expected-to-be) rubbish result! Going out to Q on Thursday night which should be fun, and Summer Ball's on Saturday night/Sunday morning (til 6am!), and then I'll probably come home on Monday, by which time I expect to be sufficiently broke and hopefully have an interview with Mum's work in East Grinstead. We shall see!
Just had Dais around for dinner which was nice, but going to attempt to sort out my room a bit before I go to sleep now. I expect I'll blog again when I'm back in Reading and I've picked up the dreaded finals result!
Until then,
Biz! Jess xx
Although, if I'm honest, I don't feel like I've got too much to say. After finishing all of my exams, I went out two nights in a row; pretty hardcore, if I do say so myself. Definitely won't be doing that again anytime soon! Han and I went to Oxford for an afternoon and we (somehow!) managed to get me a Summer Ball dress, which was a relief as I'd predicted spending hours trailing around shops! I also went to Bristol for a couple of days to finally visit Nathan; having promised to go visit for about three years now...!! Below is a picture of us at the suspension bridge; I look horrific having been dragged around half of Bristol all day, but I did have a really good time, and it was so nice to see Nathan!
I came home about a week ago to sort things out for Mum and Dad's 25th wedding anniversary party on Saturday; a weeks worth of rushing about all for one evening!! I've been pretty busy all week but the party was a success and Mum and Dad seemed to enjoy it which was all that matters!! Some of Dad's Uni friends came down for the evening and stayed in various hotels in Edenbridge, and in doing so fully booked out two of them! It was nice to meet them all; plus they all came round the morning after for coffee and muffins (more cooking!!) and for a chat. I dragged Sam along on Saturday night to help and he met all of my aunts and various family members, as well as various age-old family friends, so it was nice for him to meet everyone and get involved, I even (somehow!) managed to get him to dance which was definitely a turn up for the books! But I ended up having fun in the end, after all of the cleaning up after the meal, and the live band were really good, so all in all, pretty good night! Unfortunately, the past week has resulted in a backlog of calls and texts I need to catch up on; but they can wait until tomorrow!
Planning on going back to Reading on Wednesday; I get my results that afternoon =S bad times! Definitely don't think I'm going to get the 2:1 I want, but I've had a really good experience at Uni living away from home and spending a year in France as well, so I'm not going to regret anything despite my (expected-to-be) rubbish result! Going out to Q on Thursday night which should be fun, and Summer Ball's on Saturday night/Sunday morning (til 6am!), and then I'll probably come home on Monday, by which time I expect to be sufficiently broke and hopefully have an interview with Mum's work in East Grinstead. We shall see!
Just had Dais around for dinner which was nice, but going to attempt to sort out my room a bit before I go to sleep now. I expect I'll blog again when I'm back in Reading and I've picked up the dreaded finals result!
Until then,
Biz! Jess xx
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