Counting The Days

Not long now... I've booked the men with the van for Monday, I'm meeting my new flatmate in our new flat on Sunday. I haven't packed a single thing yet and am feeling a bit uneasy about it. On the other hand, I haven't got that much to pack and most things still need to be accessible (like clothes). I did buy 3 removal boxes after work today, which hopefully fit all stuff that can't go in those handy woven plastic bags. I've got Friday afternoon and Monday off work, so in theory all should be totally fine.

The interviews on Monday were interesting. The first one was at a major broadcaster that I've so far failed to impress twice. This time, well, I don't think they were too impressed by me again, but I wasn't particularly impressed by them either. They're just as miserable and depressing as I remember them. Maybe I should just give up on that company once and for all, but my recruitment agent had tricked me into thinking I'd want that job. I now can confirm that I don't. The second interview was 2 hours later a pleasant stroll away in the City. I had some lunch and then hid in an air-conditioned Starbucks (well done me for choosing the hottest day of the year so far to do interviews) until it was time to present myself. I've got the feeling that the second interview went slightly better, although my interviewer was very hard to read. It was pleasant enough, anyway, and the job sounds more interesting than the one I interviewed for in the morning. Overall, though, I'm not sure if any of them is worth leaving my current job for. I'm still learning things, the team is nice and, errr, the team is nice.

After leaving some impressions at potential employers I decided to go into town and check out the sales. The day had changed from being ridiculously hot and sunny to being rather muggy and overcast, what better thing to do than go shopping? I actually found two items at Esprit, a tie-dye summer dress and a long-sleeved kaftan. Encouraged by success in the first shop I'd gone into I wandered on to H&M. There I unearthed about 10 items of clothing that looked potentially nice and hit the fitting rooms. The first 2 things had looked great on the mannequins, but I couldn't even figure out how to get into them. Too many layers, no instructions, very tricky, that. Another 2 suffered from size schizophrenia, as in, they were my size (in theory) but pretended to be a much, much smaller size. Another item had the problem the other way around. The rest of the stuff simply looked a bit shite on me. I continued through the shops (hey, I don't give up that easy), but didn't find any more hidden gems.

Finally got home too late for yoga, was exhausted anyway, so I just lounged about and contemplated all the stuff in my room that needed sorting out. I did go to yoga last night, I still have one class left on my 10 class pass which I'm doing tomorrow. There's a Bikram Yoga in Wimbledon, so I'm definitely going to keep it up - I've started to see small results that I don't want to jeopardize.

So, yeah, I'm keeping busy and trying not to panic.

P.S.: I've just seen that I can check the stats on this blog and I actually seem to have more readers (not huge amounts, but still) than I thought. I assume that most of them land here by accident, but anyway: Hi, whoever you are!

Summer's Here

We seem to have achieved Summer! And almost in time for the summer solstice. It's been warm and sunny for two days now, which has resulted in loads of complaints of people around me already that it's too hot... I'm enjoying not having to wear at least 2 layers and filling up my vitamin D storage.

I'm still reluctant to admit it, but to be honest, I'm actually quite happy and pretty excited at the moment. If I could I'd pack my bags right now and get everything shipped over to Wimbledon, but I'll have to wait another week. We're picking up the keys on Saturday, which is when Nix is moving in. I've decided to take full advantage of my moving day at work and am planning to schedule the men (I probably need 2 coz I can't carry my furniture) with their van for Monday, which hopefully makes it a bit cheaper than getting them on the weekend.

Getting rid of my current room is proving harder than I thought, which I blatantly blame on my flatmates. Most people who are looking for a flatmate want to socialise with the people they're living with, but we're looking for someone who is absolutely happy to not talk to their fellow housemates for days. They also seem to be somewhat clueless as to where to recruit said person, but that's something they have to sort out, really.

In terms of money/work, I've got 2 interviews lined up for tomorrow, handily scheduled around lunch. I'm slightly nervous, but seeing that I've got a job which is not in immediate danger of falling apart I'm also looking forward to find out what they'd have to offer to me. I won't leave my safe position for something that doesn't hold the promise of being better (paid).

I've also seem to have achieved inspiration again. I've found a new blog that I like very much, I've been to Camden yesterday which made me happy, even though I didn't buy anything. Today I've wandered down Chiswick High Road to check out the sales and enjoy the sunshine, again didn't buy anything but found myself thinking how awesome it will be to explore Wimbledon and surroundings. There's the village, a farmers market, the common... yay!

Not sure how I'm doing in regards to weight and the loss of it, I definitely haven't gained any more but probably haven't lost much, either. I'm still holding on to the dream of looking awesome in my skimpy dresses...

There's been somewhat of a (wool) dread situation as Pinky can't make the weekend I'd like to have them installed before going to Burning Man. I'm now trying other sources but might have to resort to getting a stranger to do it. I definitely want cool hair for the Playa.

So, yes, all in all I'm doing well.

As you were.

Looking To The Future

While I'm a bit reluctant to admit it, I think things are looking up. I've slowly started to declutter my room, which involved putting a few shoes & clothes up on ebay (things that I'd want to get money for as they're new/almost new) and stuffing the rest into a bin bag to be taken to the clothes recycling box at Sainsbury's. I've still got alarming amounts of clothes and other stuff, but right now just can't bring myself to give away more. We'll see how I got once I start packing.

Job-wise, there seems to be movement, too. Unfortunately not at my current company, where the situation has come to a stand-still - I think I could stay there for another year or so without the risk of being made redundant and the work I do at the moment is pleasant enough. The developments are occurring somewhere else, I might have interview lined up in the near future. I'm not sure if I'm interested, but it would be pretty unwise to not follow up on the leads I've got. There won't be a promotion or a raise where I'm at now, so it's probably best to look for more money elsewhere.

In terms of love, well, I don't have any suitors waiting at my door but I've met one or two guys recently that I would actually be interested in, which is a definite improvement.

I've discovered yesterday that the weight I thought I'd lost has crept back up again, which I blame on stress all around. My back is acting weird at the moment, too, which makes yoga quite hard and painful. I don't want to make things worse by going, but I also don't want to quit because the rest of my body actually likes the exercise.

I'm hoping that once the move is over things fall into place. I'm not expecting miracles and if I want the body I had the last time I went to Burning Man I should get going with a diet and exercise really soon, but if I'm happier where I'm at then other stuff gets easier as well.

The advertisement for my room is written and will go up on various websites today, I think I'm going to stick around next weekend to see if my flatmates are actually making any effort to find someone new, just in case.

I probably should start making a list of all the places I have to inform of my new address...

We're Moving

We have signed the lease to the flat in Wimbledon last night. I've been squeeing quite a lot since then. I absolutely can't wait to leave my current abode behind and am excited like a puppy to be living next doors to some wonderful friends of mine and share the flat with a lovely person I've just met. There is this small part in me which is worried that the new flat will turn out just a bad as the old flat, but that part gets usually shouted down by the parts that are having a party because it's going to be awesome.

I'm planning to move in 2 1/2 weeks, which means I now have to start thinking about how I get all my shit moved from West London to South West London (SW19, to be precise). And, of course, there's the dreaded packing.

There also is the small issue that I need to find someone to replace me on the lease of my current flat. I won't ask around in my circle of friends because honestly, I can't do this to anyone I know. I don't even know how to advertise my room - "morning person who's never around and prefers to keep to themselves when in the flat, will never leave the light on and doesn't feel cold" doesn't really work, does it? My flatmates will have to agree to the new person as well, which basically means they have to recruit someone. This would be great if the ladies weren't too tired after work to interview people and they're away on the weekend. We've now agreed to get people in on the weekend next week. I really hope they find someone straight away. Legally I have to pay the rent until the new person is approved by the agency and I don't fancy paying double rent for long.

But anyway, I'll be out of here soon *squeeeeeee*

And guess what the universe had to say on the day we signed the lease:

WOW! Just checked in on your new flat, Ursula! Love all the "bells and whistles" you dreamed up! Smokin' hot!


Apparently, however, there's some confusion over where the bouncy seat is supposed to go. So I just told them to put it in your world headquarters executive office, in front of the aquarium... beside the hammock... behind the popcorn maker.


OK?


You're so cute,
    The Universe

Cautiously Optimistic

Sorry if my last post worried anyone. Things have improved slightly since then, but they're still far from hunky-dory.

Nicci & I seem to have found a flat. It's right next door to Frani's pad, which means it's not where we wanted to be but it could be quite cool to live so close to friends. We've had a look at it last week Wednesday, paid the holding deposit on Thursday & are now waiting for the (private) landlord to get the contract ready. As it stands we haven't signed anything, which means I'm pulling my hair because I hate uncertainty & my trust in landlords only goes so far. The flat's decent, not particularly big but well-formed. It's only me & Nicci sharing, which will hopefully limit the amount of madness going on.

I've told my flatmates on Saturday, because I'm nice & don't want to cause any problems. All was fine until they realized that I'm the only one who can actually do standing orders from their account & that finding someone new might be work. Things have turned a bit, erm, cool. If the flat falls through it's not going to be pleasant.

Work is ambling along. I'm trying to do as little as possible while trying to not appear to do as little as possible. I am learning new skills, which is good, and it's skills I'll need for other jobs. Unfortunately I'm not particularly interested in the stuff I'm doing, but that might change once I'm getting better at it. I'm still far from convinced that all will turn out well in the end, though.

Anyway, only 2 1/2 months to go till Burning Man.

All Change, Please?

It's happened.

The other team at work now has a researcher for my channels.

I'm totally not amused.

I basically found out by accident at a meeting last week, which suddenly featured someone else taking over responsibilities I used to have. The head of the department actually had the nerve to deny that they're doing anything! Anyway, most of my day-to-day business has suddenly vanished. My boss still has his head deep in the sand and keeps telling me that there is plenty of work to go around & there is no reason to be worried.

Yeah, right.

I've also had my PDP last week (you know, that once-a-year talk you have with your boss that should result in a pay rise & possibly a promotion). Everybody's really happy with my work, I've improved loads since my last review 6 months ago BUT I'm not good enough to warrant a 4 (marks go from 1, which most likely result in you immediately getting fired, to 5, which is godlike) although apparently I'm "just between a 3 and a 4". I'm not getting a pay rise coz "they don't do that" and definitely no promotion as I'm still not "quite there", whilst there wasn't a proper explanation what's still missing.

I'm so not impressed.

Both factors have prompted me to update my CV (making it sound a bit more shiny than it is, hey, we're selling the goods here). I haven't send it out yet, but am contemplating getting a nice email ready later tonight. I've now reached the point where I'm thinking about updating my German CV & getting it out there as well.

I'm so sick of the whole situation.

If it was just the job I could probably man up & deal with it. But there's also the living situation to consider which honestly is starting to grate. I'm sick of living in shitty flats, sharing with other people and paying extortionate amounts of money for something that's about to fall down on me.

Problem is, it's not that easy to go back to Germany. Jobs in my field are hard to come by as there's less TV stations around and I'm not particularly keen to change or, god beware, work in an agency. I'm very tempted to just drop everything & just go live with my parents for a while, but at this point I'm not quite desperate enough (and my brother's recently taken up residence there while he's building his house, it could get rather crowded).

I'm currently planning as far ahead as Burning Man end of August. The flight's booked from Heathrow & I'd rather have a job to go back to this time.

So for the moment I'm staying on this bloody island, continue hunting for a space worth living in & a job that is worth all the effort I put into it.

Party, Stealth, Relax

I've been busy. Sorry. In the past 3 weeks I've

* partied with friends & lost sleep at an afterparty * tried to be stealthy on SouthBank & failed * didn't do yoga for a full week & felt guilty * went to Germany * slept for 10+ hours each night for a long weekend * ate home-cooked food I didn't have to cook myself * bathed in hot springs & relaxed on warm sand * spent hours reading on the balcony & finished 2 books * went shopping for summer dresses (more to come) * went back to yoga & enjoyed it muchly *

The Easter Weekend was busy, the long weekend of the Royal Wedding was insanely relaxing. I didn't even realize I was so sleep-deprived & stressed until I stopped being sleep-deprived & stressed. Going back to Germany always chills me out of London rushing around mode.

I've finally gathered enough strength & momentum to have a serious look at my living situation. This has so far resulted in quite a bit of frustration, as London has gotten more expensive than I'd thought. I'm not giving up yet, though. I might have to revisit areas, maybe change plans, but it's gonna happen this year.

On body-related news, I'm currently a bit behind in my yoga practice but should be back in the heat & humidity tomorrow evening (after a shopping trip, ahem). I'm reading Eat To Live which basically advocates a mainly vegan diet, it's very well researched & I'm planning to give it a try. I haven't quite figured out how to tackle it yet, it's quite strict on the no salt & no sugar thing, but it allows huge amounts of veg, beans & other tasty stuff so should be do-able. In a way it's very similar to 4-hour Body/4-hour Diet, only that this approach allows meat & a cheat day, which Eat To Live doesn't, really. Colleagues keep pointing out that I'm eating pretty healthy (there's also been suggestions that I supply lunch for the department), which might be true compared to what they eat, but I still consume huge amounts of sweets & chocolate.

So for the time being & until I've finished reading the book I'm aiming at eating more salads, veg, beans & tofu/seitan/tempeh and less carbs/sugar.

I want to be in shape in time for Burning Man - I'm planning on wearing loads of cute outfits which just won't fit at the moment (there's this tiny skirt I've bought years ago which I'd really, really want to introduce to the desert).

* engage Life-Changing-Mode*