Datchi akounto

I can feel change in the air. Something is going to change... Just don't know what yet.

I like change (not always like when friends move away, but usually I do), I think it's part of life that things just cannot stay the same. I think when life starts changing outside your control, it can be best to move along with it. I usually embrace change, and I often actively instigate change in my life.

Sometimes, it's almost as if I'm dependent on change. Things used to change so much, frequently and in big ways, that now the moment I feel in a bit of a rut I have been known to make some radical changes. It worries me sometimes. The restlesness and the resulting lack of real commitment make me wonder if I will ever be able to settle down properly.

It's that time again now, I think. It's not so much that I'm in a rut, more that I feel something is not quite right with my life and I'm going to fix it.

I don't know quite what's wrong yet or how to fix it, or what to change. I think it's a mixture of things, and I might address various things. I've already started changing my lifestyle, slowly anyway. Then there's my home, but I don't think I'll change much there, unless I win the lottery, in which case I will get a new kitchen at least...

And work of course... I'm so close to achieving what I've been working for, and now I'm not sure I want it anymore. It would be a step up on paper, but I've been doing it for ages anyway so it wouldn't be a challenge and I'd be able to coast along nicely... Not sure that's right.

Finally, my social life. As I've said several times, I've got brilliant friends! But I've also got some not so good friends, who I know I couldn't call on if things start going wrong. So I will probably make less of an effort with them as it's just not worth it.

And maybe, rather than something being wrong, something may just be missing, so I might look into that and assess if I feel I'm ready to identify and fill any potential gaps...

This is one of the things I love about life! It's my life and it's up to me to make of it what I want! So I will figure out what I want differently, if I really want it differently, and how much I want it differently. You always have to think through the consequences of change as well before blindly changing things, life's too short for regrets. Then I will make all the changes I want, and fix it all so I'm a happy bunny!

The weekend is here!! And even if, so far, it's wet and windy, I'm really pleased to have a few days off!

After work today, my friend and I finally made it to the gym, with trainers and everything, and we had a really good work-out! Well done us!

When I got home afterwards, the place was a bit of a mess. Still is really as I'm way too tired to sort anything out now. The gym didn't help with that. The mess meant I couldn't cook my own dinner, so I ended up eating crap and ruining all the hard work from the gym... Oh well, such is life... Had a lovely pizza though, which made me very happy!

Staying in tonight, getting an early night as I really need to rest! Got a bit of an early start tomorrow, as I'm volunteering planting trees. I'm guessing it will be a very muddy affair, but it's for a good cause so there we go.

Some beverages with some friends tomorrow evening, and a very quiet weekend other than that. The weather is supposed to be awful on sunday, so I'm getting some dvds and a sunday paper and I'm going to stay in bed with cups of tea and maybe even a chocolate treat... I know it's not part of the new healthy living plan but it's ok on a Sunday.

Happy weekend!!

WOOHOO!!!!!!! Just got tickets to see The Hoosiers!!!!! WOOHOO!!!!!!!

Still haven't made it to the gym this week... Not happy about that at all! Today, my gym buddy had forgotten to bring her trainers... So unimpressed! I was really motivated as well! Now the plan is to go tomorrow, but I just know I'll be less motivated on a friday...

Tonight, when I got home, I went straight back out again on my bike, to get some exercise at least. I cycled for about half an hour and it was pretty hard work as I hadn't checked my tyres, and they weren't inflated properly...

Food is going ok this week, I've mostly had breakfast at home, brought lunch in myself today, and cooked from scratch everyday. But as it's chocolate season, not doing too good with the sweets and things. I even broke into my advent calender early... My excuse is that I probably won't be around on the 24th to eat that chocolate so I might as well have it early... How desperate is that?

Anyway, I've got to go and get ready to drink some wine in the pub and then my 30 minute bike ride will have been for nothing...

I read something online today about young people sharing houses, not just during their years at university, but long after as well. And that for many it can be a trying experience. It's very true. And it was an interesting read, something that's a bit obvious but not something you often stop to think about.

I lived in shared accomodation for just over 5 years, usually in houses with 4 housemates. There was disagreement often enough, about what to watch on TV, about washing dishes, about paying bills, about who would live in the largest room...

Whilst studying in Rotterdam, I lived in a flat that was converted in 5 bedrooms with just a communal kitchen and bathroom. The bedrooms were tiny, and as it was a cheap conversion, the walls were paperthin. It was in a very good central location so I was happy to put up with a lot.

Another flat I lived in in Rotterdam was more spacious and luxurious, but not as well located. Again with 4 other housemates, we had a communal kitchen but our own ensuites. That was great. For laundry,however, there were two laundry rooms for the entire building (it was a big building!), where you had to book a timeslot to do your washing and other people could throw it on the floor afterwards etc...

In England, I lived in shared houses, first with 4 other Dutch students from my course, and later in a smaller house with two english girls. I think the houses in England were more difficult to live in. In the first house, one of my housemates was upset he ended up in the smallest room, and that argument just seemed to go on and on. Don't know why, I was just happy to have found a place to live in a foreign country...

The smaller house was really old and quite dirty, with a very cold bathroom at the back of the house and damp issues. Not nice. And one of my housemates was depressed and used to lock herself in her room with a load of wine... Oh well...
I lived in that house for quite some time, and had several housemates there. It never really got any better though.

Even when I went travelling, I lived in a house with several other people, when I wasn't staying in dorms of youth hostels... Fun stuff, and strangely enough, I actually preferred the dorms.

Back in England, I ended up lodging in a nice house with a nice enough landlord, and his girlfriend who didn't live there but was somehow always occupying the bathroom in the morning... Lodging was probably the hardest way to share. The landlord wanted the money to help with the mortgage but really wanted the house to himself... That's when I decided to live on my own as soon as I could.

After a while, I found a little flat without any mod cons, like heating, hot water, double glazing etc. It was a tiny little flat in a very very lovely old listed building, right in the centre of Southsea. I don't know many people who would live there, but I loved it so much I cried when I moved out.
It was always freezing in winter, and the bathroom, whilst just mine, was outside the flat in the staircase. There wasn't really any hot water in the kitchen, and the kitchen was the size of a pea. It had three rooms, but they all walked into the next one so only the last one could really be a bedroom. Also, it had a lovely shared garden.
Part of it was just because I got to live there on my own, which was just so nice for a change.

Now I live in my little home, which is bigger and far better equipped than my previous flat, which is nice, but it's lacking in charm and character. Still, I'm lucky to be able to live on my own. Many of my friends are still sharing rented accommodation, trying to save for a deposit on a home, or just trying to cover the cost of modern day life...

Today was the graduate fair, where I represented my company. I had a really good time! Strangely enough, it wasn't as hard as I thought selling the company.

It was really good fun talking to the students, and it reminded me of when I went to these fairs. The students were very good. Some of them were only there for any freebies they could get their hands on, but on the whole they were interested and seemed keen.

It was a nice day out of the office, and I got to meet some people from other business units as well. Also, my customer had a stand near us, and it turned out one of my friends was helping out there, so that was fun too!

Tomorrow, I'm representing my company at a Graduate fair... I already thought it was funny, but seeing it written down is making me laugh out loud!

I'm going back to my old university to 'sell' the company to students for placements and jobs after they finish university.

I will have to know all about my company, my business unit, all the other business units, what we do etc. I know a bit, as long as no-one asks any detailed questions...

I really don't think I can 'sell' the company in a convincing manner, as I barely believe in it myself. But it's a day out of the office and it's a lot closer to home, so Happy Days!

I'll let you know how I get on...

Well, so far, things are not exactly going great... I've been eating some real junk and some of the sweets I brought back from Holland. Gym got missed again today, although the plan still is to go on thursday...

However, today in my weekly shop I bought loads of fresh veg and fruit, and I'm finally going to make a start on that 'inspiration' menu.

I'm determined and even if I only make small changes it will make a difference. Snacking less and trying to have a healthy breakfast.

Also, I'm much more motivated to do exercise! It was a shame we couldn't go to the gym today, and I hope my gym buddy won't bail on me again (we're in a carshare together so we both go or neither of us go). I would like to do exercise when I get home but it's hard when it's so dark outside...

Oh well, I'll figure something out!

Today, I've noticed a lot of blog posts about the british teacher who might be jailed over a teddy bear named Muhammad. I do think the whole situation is unbelievable, but I can't help but wonder why there aren't so many posts about the woman in Saudi who was gang-raped and then convicted to jail and a flogging for being in a car with a man who she wasn't related to. (or maybe I just missed them, I have been a bit too busy to read lots recently...)
In an appeal her sentence was increased because of the publicity the story had received. And now apparently, she has confessed to having had an affair outside her marriage...

Apparently, being gang-raped isn't punishment enough for what in some cultures are punishable offences...

One item on BBC news last week was quite astonishing to me. It was a piece on Coastal Erosion from the Northsea.

The Coastal Erosion was occuring much faster than originally predicted, and is now threatening houses along the coast. Some owners are now petitioning the government for financial compensation to help them relocate when their houses become too dangerous to live in, as they won't be able to sell them now...
When they purchased their property (some only within the last 5 years), they were told they would be able to live there for about 20 or 30 years before coastal erosion would get to their houses.

I can't believe they now want compensation! They bought their properties knowing coastal erosion was a problem. Did they think they'd have great prospects for selling with only 20 or 30 years left anyway?

I don't think they should get anything from the government, the government cannot be held responsible and taxpayers money is not for these situations, surely.

Madness! And this of course brings me to media reporting, in Britain, and other parts of the world... But that will have to wait for now.

Just a quick one, as I'm very busy cooing over babies and my mum's got a cuppa ready for me downstairs, with a big chunk of dutch apple pie with cream!! (back to the health plan tomorrow, I said it would be near enough impossible here!)

I'm back in Holland at the moment, and I've got a few hours left. I've met Baby SL, who is lovely but not much of a conversationalist at the moment. I've held her and my brother even made me feed her... scary but I did ok.

Yesterday, we did some shopping, and mum's made all my favourite food! Pretty good!

My brother and his girlfriend really liked the timberland boots I got for Baby SL, and yesterday I bought her a baby-gym as well, as my brother was worried she wouldn't have enough toys... Yeah right!!!!

That's it for today, gonna see Baby SL again in a little while, and back at work again tomorrow...

One thing I did still want to share, today (and it's still early really) 20-odd people have looked at my blog over 1000 times between them... I'm not sure what to think of that...

So far this week, things have been going well, relatively...
I've had a home-cooked meal every evening, I've had breakfast at home every morning, and I've brought lunch in to work twice. I had lunch at work on monday, and then on wednesday as they had fish and that's healthy. I've had my five-a-day every day, and today I went to the gym.

Tomorrow, however, things will be getting difficult. I've run out of milk, so no cereal in the morning. I've run out of bread, so no packed lunch. I'm not going to be anywhere near a kitchen around dinner time, so no home-cooked meal with fresh veg either... I have a sneaky suspicion it may be MacDonalds for dinner...

On top of that, when I go home, I'll probably stock up on St Nick's sweets... And they will have to be eaten... I will get most of them for friends so I won't be eating all of it... But then my mum will be getting all my favourite food and I'll have to eat that. And I know my brother doesn't really keep anything other than junk food at home, although this is probably a good time for him to change that!

Still, my friend and I have a firm plan for gym-attendance, and as it went well today, I think we'll do well keeping it up for some time. I'll just make sure mum gets plenty of fruit and veg, and when I'm at my own home, I'll do the same! Must get started on that 'a la carte' menu for the kitchen, for mealtime inspiration at a glance...

As simple as the plan is, I'm afraid the strategy might require a bit more effort...
The plan is divided in two parts: Eat well and Exercise.

Strategy for Part one: Eat well.
Buy fresh fruit and veg and use it!
- cook a meal every night (or at least 5 or 6 nights a week)
- try to eat dinner before 7 pm at all times
- eat 5 fruit and veg portions every day
- snack healthily(?)
- bring a homemade lunch to work
- eat breakfast at home

When shopping, avoid all aisles with crisps, snacks, sweets, chocolate, biscuits and ready meals!
Before going to the shop, think about what to eat that week for dinner, so you know what to buy to cook the meals you love to eat.
When cooking something that can be frozen, cook a large amount and fill your freezer with healthy portions for days when you don't have time to cook.
Create an a la carte menu with lots of meal choices you like to stay motivated to cook, and stop forgetting what you can actually cook.

I think that's a good start for the eating part of things. Any further suggestions are of course welcome!

Now the strategy for Part 2: Exercise

The big issues here are motivation and time. I never have enough of either of them...

- Go to the gym at the very least twice a week, but try for three times
- Do at least 1 exercise session on the weekend: cycling/walking/skating
- Perhaps start a class again once a week

Try to adopt a different mindset to gain motivation, and once you're motivated, you will find time! There! Easy!
To get motivated, think about what you're trying to achieve and what you get from exercise straight away, short term and long term. Try to stay positive! So count calories, take note of progress your making on any machines, and after a while on a particularly courageous day step on some scales...
Oh, and don't just doddle in the gym, like reading on the seated bike, but actually do a work-out!

Well, that should get me started!

On top of all this I should make sure I keep the little home tidy - tidy home, tidy mind and all that! Keep myself focused...

I just finished eating a healthy home-cooked meal with steamed brocolli and cherry tomatoes, and yoghurt with a clementine for afters... I can do it!

PS can anyone tell me how to snack healthily???? Doesn't the work snack already imply it's got to be unhealthy?

It didn't say how detailed this plan has to be, so here goes....

Buy fresh fruit and veg, and don't just display it in the fridge veg drawer, but actually use it!

Do Exercise! Attend the gym, and when this is not an option due to travel arrangements, attend a local sports class, or go walking/cycling/skating, or even do a workout at home!

Seems to me like a fairly simple plan... Eat well, do exercise! I think that covers it!

I guess the strategy of how to achieve this plan will be the more challenging part...

Fairly regularly, I try to start a new healthy lifestyle for several reasons, all the usual ones really; feeling fit and healthy, slimming, general well-being. I always manage for a little while, but soon fail...

I've decided to try again! I've got all my books about nutrition and exercise ready for inspiration, and tomorrow I should be attending the gym again!
Last night I actually cooked a meal, and hopefully again tonight... And I've been eating fruit, and I've been trying not to snack too much. Today, I even brought lunch in with me, rather than use the office restaurant...

Good start so far!

My book says I should make a plan and a strategy to help me make changes and stick to them. It also says I should only make small changes at a time, and make sure I stick to them for about 6 weeks to ensure they become part of my new lifestyle rather than a temporary change...

Sounds like good advice! I'm not usually good at making changes one at a time, but as I'm also rubbish at sticking to them, we'll see how I get on.

Going to get started on a plan and a strategy for food and exercise!

My brother wants to know if I want him to send the 'newborn baby' card to me or if I want to collect it next time I see him... Hmmm, let me think... I'll collect it, obviously! We can exchange cards and it will be quicker than the *@~#^* Royal Mail, and we'll know for sure it gets to its intended recipient!

Am all wound up just thinking about it, ranting in my head but I won't bore you again! Not yet anyway...

Here's a little travel report of my short break in and around Cork, Ireland.

I've always wanted to visit Ireland, as it seemed to me to be a beautiful country with lovely people and a very interesting culture. Earlier this year, the opportunity finally presented itself. Of course there had been previous opportunities but I didn't just want to go to Dublin and sit in pubs the whole time, so it took until now to go!

Ryanair (my least favourite budget airline...) had a sale on flights, only 1 penny each way, no fees and taxes except for hold luggage. That was a real bargain, and I jumped at the chance! I phoned a friend to join me, booked a funky little hostel, cheap, very cheerful and in a brilliant central location in Cork, and off we went!

We arrived on Tuesday evening, checked in and decided to head out immediately to see a bit of Cork. To celebrate that we were on holiday we found a very nice real Irish pub and drank some wine and guiness (my friend, not me, I didn't have enough courage yet...). We got back to the hostel quite late, but as the bar was still busy we decided to have one more drink (I've had better ideas in the past...).

The next day we had an early start, and we weren't feeling to good! Still, we had plans and we stuck to them! Off we went to Blarney Castle, to kiss the Blarney Stone! It was beautiful castle in a lovely setting. We climbed all the way to the top and then hung backwards over a ledge, high up, to kiss an old brick in an awkward position! I doubt I will grow eloquent, and as I've never had a problem talking much anyway, I doubt I'll see any change!

After the castle, we had a lovely lunch in Blarney before heading back to Cork. We spent the rest of the day exploring Cork which was lovely. As we were really tired, we had a little rest in our room, before heading out for dinner at a lovely little Italian restaurant. After a little after drink, it was back to the hostel for some much needed sleep!

The next day, our plans got muddled up... We were supposed to head to Kinsale to see the Forts there, but as it was out of season, everything was closed... So we ended up going to Cobh instead, where a museum about Irish immigration was open, very interesting. We also had a little wander around the town, and ended up having the biggest lunch ever! Very nice!
Later in the afternoon, we headed back to Cork again for some shopping action... Had to be done! In the evening, some more drinks and a lovely meal at a tapas restaurant. Only a little meal because lunch had been huge!

On Friday, we'd decided to do a day trip to Killarney to see Ross Castle... As it was out of season, this was also shut... We decided to go anyway, another early start! Got the train to Killarney and managed to find our way to the National Park and Muckross House. We had to walk about three miles just to get there! On the way, we somehow managed to pick up a dog who decided to follow us. We thought he'd walk along for a bit and then go back, but he didn't, so we were pet owners for a little while. It was a bit worrying as he kept running into the road and we didn't know where he came from or where to return him from...

When we got to the National Park, two boys started playing with the dog and we decided to leave him with them. Not sure if these boys appreciated it, but this dog didn't seem to belong anywhere and we couldn't take it back to Cork with us... I did feel very bad and I hope the dog is ok, he did have a colar but no information on it... Can't be helped I guess.

The National Park was stunning, Muckross house was ok, and the walk was long but good! After our walk we found another pub for some lunch, and then explored Killarney town for a while. Lovely place, small but nice!

Friday night was our last night, and we got back to Cork around 7 pm. After a little rest, we were planning to have a Mexican meal, but unfortunately we couldn't get a table so we had to find another restaurant... After a slightly mediocre meal, we decided to head back to the same bar we visited on the first evening for some 'farewell Cork' drinks! We had a good time!

Saturday morning, we still had plenty of time to go out for a leisurely breakfast and do some more exploring of Cork, and even some more shopping! Around 1 pm it was time to get to the airport again, and as we got there it had started raining... But we were leaving then so we didn't mind. We were very tired so we slept most of the way back, it made the trip go very quick.

I think we both had a great time! I'm really pleased I finally got to see a bit of Ireland! The people are really lovely, and the country is beautiful! I'm glad we got to travel around a bit, although I might have to go back during the tourist season to mget to see some of these castles.

Earlier this evening, my little niece came to join us in this world!
My brother and his girlfriend are very happy and proud parents! My brother phoned me straight away, and all I could hear was little Baby SL crying! Healhty baby then!

I'm very pleased for them! Can't wait to go and see them, it's a bit strange being far away now, but on the other hand, they have plenty of people crowding around them now, they don't need another one! And I'll be there very soon to meet my little niece!

I really thought it was going to be a boy! But it really doesn't matter, except that she'll get the timberland boots now! Timberland boots can be unisex so it's fine!

Congratulations to the new proud parents and grandparents!!

What a stunning country! Coming out of Cork Airport, we could see the city sprawled out beneath us and it just looked great!

We travelled around quite a bit, to Cobh, Blarney and Killarney. We saw some amazing sights!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=21777&l=c7690&id=702739533

(it seems I can't post anymore pictures unless I go Pro?!?!?! Tsk!)

Have you missed me? I've been away on a little trip to Ireland! Had a great time!!

Having kissed the Blarney Stone, you'd think I'd have more to say... But I'm just too tired, so a full report will have to wait until after I've had some sleep!

One day I'll fly away...

The views from above are just stunning! It always catches my imagination! Dreamy clouds, blue skies, brilliant sun, and land and sea far below. In between everything!

In the bar last night, I bumped into a friend of a friend. We all know this guy to be a bit of a wrong'un sometimes but we generally like to think he's a good guy at heart...

He's married, and he's got a lovely little girl. He feels he doesn't get to go out much, so when he does, he hits the town properly. He always ends up being a bit of a liability and generally causes trouble of some sort at the end of the night.

He was about to become a dad for the second time, his wife being nearly two weeks overdue. He was worried about her being late, and they'd been arguing. Last night he said she'd kicked him out, so he was going to drink way too much and go back today. He figured he'd not been out for months because his wife was pregnant and sod's law said that if he got drunk last night, the baby would be born.

Shortly after this conversation, he disappeared... None of us had noticed at first, until my friend got a call saying this guy's wife had gone into labour and he had to go to hospital. But where was he? Tried phoning and texting him, looked around the nearby bars and streets. Put the casino's on alert, if he turned up they would re-direct him to the hospital...

We heard nothing more...

In the early hours of the morning, his second child was born without daddy there. Later today, we found out he's in France... Why, we don't know. Haven't heard anything else yet, but I think it's a really really sad story. I'm sure this was supposed to be a happy ocassion, and I can only guess at how hurt the mum must be feeling, and how this guy is feeling as well. Altogether an amazing mess! I have no idea what happens next... What happens in these situations? So much trouble, and this poor new baby, already caught in the middle.

It really angers me! Good news, the baby is doing well! And the mum is healthy too, although I'm not sure she's really doing well?

Having recently realised quite how bad my eating habits have become, I feel it's time to start eating a healthier diet. I've stocked up on fruit, and got vegetables to cook a proper meal with.

Eating lots of healthy food always makes me feel great! And preparing meals from scratch always gives me a real sense of satisfaction. I like trying to live healthily, eat well and exercise.
I don't know how I ended up not looking after myself very well at all recently...

I've mostly been eating ready meals (although with mostly green indicators on the traffic light system), and in the last week or so, it's just been sandwiches. I've not been eating breakfast at home, instead having the unhealthy option in the restaurant at work. Same for lunch...

So I keep resolving to start sorting these things out, but so far I've not had much success. This is strange because it's only up to me...

So today, breakfast was a little bit healthy and I declined a pizza lunch, but I haven't touched any of the fruit. Later I ate a whole pack of chocolate biscuits, then I had some dry roasted peanuts, some chocolate truffles, toast with jam and cheese, and to top it all off, a KFC meal for dinner... Shocking!

This is obviously how not to go about living a healthy lifestyle... Must read my nutrition books, exercise books and cook books for inspiration and sort myself out!

Slowly but surely, a lot of people around me are getting more and more excited about christmas being just around the corner... The festive season is often a happy time for most of us, with lots of fun things going on.

The weeks leading up to christmas are often lovely as well. Here, the christmas lights were turned on last week. The shops are full of lovely presents, which are often very useless but fun! I love all the lights, lighting up the dark evenings.

I'm certainly getting in the mood for christmas! Each year I organise a christmas party for all my friends. A lot of us have office parties in December, and I like to have a bit of a do with my friends as well! As that has to be more fun!

This year I wanted to do something big and original, so I started organising early in September. The venue this year is Spitbank Fort in the Solent! A lot of people have signed up, and it's promising to be a great night out! The Fort has sold out now which is a real shame as people are still trying to sign up for it, and now I have to tell them no...

It's going to be a lovely night out! I really look forward to spending some christmas time with all my friends!

It's grey, dark and wet outside! A real November day! It's about time too! As much as I loved last weekend with lots of sun and high temperatures, it's not right for the time of year.

This morning, it looked a bit grey but the sun was trying hard to break through. Now it's just grey and raining. Proper autumn weather! Nice!

It's sunday morning, and I feel a little bit worse for wear... But at the same time I feel great! My friends are asleep in the spare room, and I'm drinking cups of tea and being really quiet so I don't wake them.
I'm really pleased they're here.

We went out last night, and it all started a bit weird. We were going to the Little Johnny Russels bar, but when we got there, the bouncers were being strange, saying it was tickets only... They wouldn't let us in.
The birthday boy, however, was already inside with some friends. Another group of friends had already given up and gone to the wine vaults instead and we decided to have a drink in Porter's.

In the mean time, my friends in LJR were having a word with the bouncers, and we got a message saying they would let us in now... It was all very strange. We asked what was going on, and they told us. On our first attempt to get in, there were a group of guys trying to get in as well. Apparently, they don't like to let guys in, and so our timing was the only problem...

All very strange. The bar wasn't hugely busy, but that was quite nice as you weren't bumping into people all the time. The clientele were all too cool for school! We felt quite old and unfashionable...

It's quite a nice bar, but there's something about it... I don't know how to explain it properly. If bars had heads, this bar would have a very big head. Does that make sense? And the bouncers aren't very nice either...

Still, I'm sure I'll go there again because they have nice wine at a very reasonable price.

The rest of the evening was spent in our usual watering hole in Southsea, and Scandals afterwards. The evening ended in a curry house, which always seems like a good idea at the time... Quiet day today perhaps, although I may be persuaded to go out later on.

The lovely little home looks like a lovely little home again!
Here are the results! Of course, I don't have any 'before' pictures, that would just be too shameful!

The dining table, where all blogging is conducted is left undisturbed... I will have dinner on the tv tray again tonight...

The day has finally come... I've finally started, and now nearly finished, all my chores.

chore, noun; a job or piece of work which is often boring or unpleasant but needs to be done regularly (cambridge dictionary)

The word is perfect, it sounds boring and unpleasant. I don't like doing chores. My little home is nearly always messy, but I prefer the phrase 'lived in'.

Still, I've nearly finished now, and it will look all shiny and new. I'll be happy when I'm done, and probably rather proud of and pleased with the results. This is usually the moment when I resolve to stay on top of things, as it really isn't that much of an effort. And at the same time I know I won't.

This is how I've spent my Saturday so far. No wonder I don't like chores. What a waste of such a beautiful day, my free time!

When I've finished I'm going to do some shopping. I've realised that not owning a proper bin doesn't help with keeping things tidy, so I will get a bin. And I will have a look around for a new cd with christmas tunes. And some fresh food as I might actually cook tonight.

We're celebrating a friend's thirtieth birthday tonight. It will be a good night. Especially because some of my very good friends who haved moved away during the last year, are coming out tonight as well! And some of them are staying at mine (hence the frantic cleaning action). We'll get to catch up properly!

Here's another extract from my stars today:

You may hold back now from really examining what is going on inside you, since you are wary of finding out what lies below the surface.

I have been pondering an issue recently, or to be more precise, around an issue. I'm not really ready to deal with this properly, as it is of huge consequence to my life.

I don't know why and how this particular issue came to mind. It first popped up in September I think, and I can't think why...

Pretty much out of the blue, I suddenly thought about going back to Holland to live there. Maybe it was because I'd just been on holiday, and I could no longer see the point in working for a big corporation etc (life in Greece seemed very appealing). Maybe it's because I'm about to become an auntie, and I want the baby to know me. But Holland isn't very far away and I can go visit whenever I want.

I've been in England for six years in total now. I'm completely settled; I've got a career, a lovely (albeit messy) home, brilliant friends, and altogether a great life!
I'm quite integrated into the English culture, to the point where it's become more difficult to identify with Dutch people.

I think, if I was to live in Holland again, I would have to find a new job, a new home, new friends and an entirely new life. That's hard enough, I know, I've done it before. But it would be made even harder by the fact that I'm Dutch, but in many respects I'm not totally Dutch anymore. People in Holland would expect me to fit right in because I'm Dutch, but I would struggle because culturally, I've changed a lot.

It would make my parents very happy! But that on it's own isn't a good enough reason to go back, as it's up to me to live my life.
People often ask if I miss my country, or living near my family. The honest answer is always 'no'.
Maybe that's slowly changing, but that really surprises me. I love my life here! I can't figure out what's driving this...

I live in an absolutely beautiful part of the world, by the sea. I'm close enough to home to be comfortable, so I just can't see why I'm thinking about this now.

I sometimes think about leaving the UK, but always to go to Italy, never to Holland. Don't get me wrong! I Love my country very much, I'm proud of it and its people, and I like a lot of the values and mindset that comes with it. I don't like some of the politics going on, and it's got its problems, like everywhere else. That's why, between Holland and the UK, I can't say which I prefer because everywhere has good and bad sides. Holland will always be home, my country.

I wish I had all the right answers,
but I don't even have all the right questions...

My little 'notes' area is full of things I still want to write about. Got lots of thoughts I want to put down. These days it seems I spend my time walking around writing blog posts in my head all day long... (who says blogging is addictive?)

I will get around to it all, I'm sure! But right now, I'm just so tired! I think I will have to turn off my computer and just rest for the evening. It's unheard of, but it may just happen.

Also, I really need to sort out my home... I agreed some friends can come to stay this weekend, so now I need a miracle to make the home look presentable... Too tired to clean as well obviously.

Am counting on a good night sleep tonight, and the tiniest little lie-in tomorrow, as I'm sharing a lift with someone who goes to work a bit later.

I've started reading the first of my new books that arrived recently. I just thought I'd share a little...

"She was pleased with herself for remembering that the red manual advised that it was perfectly acceptable for the bride to 'guide the man in'."*

This book is full of lines like these, some very funny, some very explicit (not rude).

I was surprised. It is a book about two people in their early twenties on their wedding night, and how they came to be there, set in the early sixties. It all started innocently enough... Both are virgins, and very nervous about their wedding night as talking about sex in a practical manner didn't happen...

It's a good book, well written, enjoyable, and funny in places. I actually laughed out loud on the train today (nearly got sectioned for public display of happiness). I'd recommend the book. I'd somehow never read anything by Ian McEwan but I will make sure I read some of his other work.

* 'On Chesil beach' by Ian McEwan.

Do you believe in horoscopes? Do you read yours? Do you think it's a waste of time?

I read mine religiously every day. Generally, I don't think much of it, especially when they keep repeating the same phrases every day and you know they're computer generated: 'luck will text at 7', 'luck comes when you knock at door 11' etc. Still, it's mildly entertaining...

However, on other occasions, I think it's scary how much of it can be applied to your life, perhaps not litterally but pretty close... The last few weeks, the accuracy of my daily stars has amazed me often.

Here's two of mine from today...

Meeting colleagues and people you've never dealt with before could turn out to be an amazing experience. Ideas, suggestions and offers put to you by others helps to unblock a part of you that felt as if life was becoming tedious. New inspirations and optimism starts to flow. You are at a crossroads and ready to go a different way. A decision to make some changes in the future can happen spontaneously but instinct will tell you it's time to try a new direction in life.

You will be a little edgy today with the moon in your own sign. All you really want is favourable attention so you will be racing around trying to please. Over-eating could be a hazard today since you want to pamper yourself. Though on one occasion certain people may find you a little threatening as you obviously intend to take over the decision-making role. Be aware that charging ahead in a headstrong way could run you into problems.

A lot of this is so appropriate. I am trying to make changes in many aspects of my life. And I am a little bit stressed with things going on, which leads to me pampering myself a bit (I read the second horoscopes while I was tucking into my second breakfast this morning...). I don't even need to mention anything about the headstrong bit. Good advice for me, will keep it in mind!

It's November again, around the time when I start thinking about the year just about to end, and the year to come.

2007 has been a really good year so far! I feel very lucky, and I'm glad I can write about it here so I can look back in a future year when things aren't so great.

I started 2007 with no resolutions or anything. I never did make resolutions, felt like they generally just get broken so I didn't see the point.

2006 had been a very difficult year, with plenty of loss in different forms. And to be honest, I was dreading 2007, thinking things may not get better. But what a difference a year makes!

I was quite surprised with myself, when on the second of January I suddenly gave up a very bad, unhealthy habit (Steve, if you're reading, you can do it too!). Hadn't planned it at all, but my health was suffering so it was a very good thing! Thought I'd see how far I'd get, and here I am today, almost 99.9% certain I'll never fall back into that habit again.

I then decided to start living healthier all together, so I joined a gym and started to cook better for myself, and generally take better care of myself. It all went really well and I felt great! Then summer came and things started to slip (like food and the gym) but I still felt great so I didn't mind.

This year, I had a great time with my friends! I only went out with one guy, and I quickly realised he was no good, so I didn't get attached and ended things quickly! He turned out to be a bit of pain afterwards, but my friends are always there for me, so this didn't bother me too much either.

So I've been very lucky this year indeed! I hope this continues for the rest of the year! There will be a little addition to the family, and Christmas this year will hopefully be a happy time.

For next year, I might try making some resolutions, I now know I can achieve any goal I set myself! The main thing I have to do is look after myself better; eat better, exercise more, take care of myself and my home. I won't wait for next year to start with all this. I will start thinking about it now, and slowly changing my habits and the way I do things. I'm very stubborn determined (my friend says... well actually depending on which one you ask they say both), and I will succeed!

I look forward to the new year with a mix of excitement and trepidation. Simple rules of life say that things can't always go well, it's just that I don't know how long before things start to go wrong again... Mustn't worry though, really, I will just enjoy the Now, and deal with things as they happen!

Last night was gig night again; The Fray!

We started the night a bit early, to get a quick bite to eat before the concert. Then we went to the Guildhall where the concert was, and had a little pre-concert drink. There were four of us, but we had tickets for different areas (they were upstairs, we were downstairs) so after the drink we went our separate ways. We could still wave to eachother though!

I like The Fray and their music, but in concert, it's a very quiet affair. Still, they were very impressive and I enjoyed it a lot! I think some people weren't too impressed. The lead-singer was sat down at a piano for most of the show, with his back to half the audience... I guess that's never a good way to get the crowd going.

I had a really good time, the music was great! The band performed really well and the drummer was brilliant entertainment value for all the strange facial expressions!

(clicking on the photo will make it bigger)

Another beautiful day! It really is like summer. I've got the windows open because it is so warm, and the sky is blue and the sun is shining!

I'm mostly just relaxing this morning, drinking cups of tea, and doing some minor chores. I think I will go out in  a bit, to do some skating, or rollerblading... whatever it's called. I really enjoy doing that. I go along the seafront and watch the boats while doing some exercise. Not like what the kids do, with crazy stunts and so on. What I do is called fitness skating. It's a lazy sport for a lazy sunday.

Going up and down the seafront takes me about 45 minutes at a leisurely pace. I'm getting quite skilled at dodging dogs and  little children. I am a sociable skater, I make sure I go around people and try not to scare them by racing at them etc. I have even got a little hand bell (like a bicycle bell) to warn people. But that just seems to anger people more, so I stopped using that.

The surface on the seafront isn't great, which makes it quite difficult not to fall over (let alone look graceful - although that's generally impossible on skates anyway). Still, it's good fun, it doesn't leave me very tired and I don't ache much afterwards.

Other than that I'm making plans for this evening when I'm going to the The Fray gig. We're going for some food and a few drinks  before the gig, and it will all be very nice. I'm listening to the album now, to make sure I can 'sing' along tonight!

I've just finished watching the second and final part of Britz, a TV series on terrorism in Britain. The first part told the story of Sohail, who starts work for MI5 to work to prevent terrorism.
The second part told the story of his sister, Nasima. Events in her environment makes her believe in Jihad, and she goes to Pakistan to train to be a suicide bomber.
In the end, it's Sohail who finds her in London with a bomb and he tries to stop her...

Nasima used to believe in fighting through politics within the democratic system, but the terrorism acts and other laws and the way the police behave towards her and her friends, and ultimately her friend's suicide due to a control order, makes her turn to Jihad.

I found it interesting and thought-provoking. I'm sure this one will keep me busy, trying to think of solutions to some of the issues shown in this series.
This series sets out the problems, but does not offer any answers (do we have any?) or suggestions.

Any ideas, suggestions, views?

What a truly beautiful day!

It made me so happy! I was walking around in the sun, and it was warm! I had some tunes on, and was just smiling! I couldn't help but sing along with my music, and I felt like skipping and jumping!

I just felt so lucky!

Great day all round! The mission for the black mini christmas tree for my friend was a success. I went to the christmas market as well, which wasn't very chrismassy, but they had some lovely things.

I met a friend for a quick coffee and a chat, which was lovely!

Didn't do any chores... Must have a stern word with myself! But my excuse is it was just to beautiful to do chores!

(PS. if you click on the picture it takes you to some other ones as well, and you can see them full-size.)

What a stunningly beautiful morning! Blue skies and blazing sunshine! What a lovely day to wake up to! I woke up early this morning, and finished reading my book in bed. Pure indulgence!

Now it's not so early anymore and I should really do some chores, but instead I will get ready quickly and go out! As soon as I've finished writing this!

Hmm, actually, this will be a very short post because I'm going out now!

Hope you're morning is beautiful too!

is the start of my weekend!!!! I've been waiting for this one! I haven't got loads of stuff planned but it's just nice to have two days to myself!

I just wanted to share my happy Friday feeling and what this weekend might look like. This evening, I will be joing my lovely friends for a drink in honour of a friend's birthday! I look forward to it!

Tomorrow, I will have a little lie in and read my book in bed with a nice cuppa! Then I should really do some chores! Very naughty if I don't, but I might end up being naughty... The only person telling me off is me, and I can cope with that!

I will also try to go to a christmas market and have a little look around. Just sounded like a fun thing to do, and I might as well start getting in the mood for christmas even if it might be a bit early still. If you can't beat it, join it, I think in this case. Christmas is supposed to be happy. The song says 'I wish it could be christmas every day' and I'm sure we've all sang along at one point or another. But yet we don't want christmas to start too early...??

I will also be looking for a little black christmas tree for my friend. She needs one and I found it in Woolies, but they didn't have them in stock and won't give me the display one... So I will go to the other Woolies store and try my luck there!

On sunday, it's gig time again!!! I will be bopping away to the sounds of the Fray (poetic eh!). Looking forward to it! Will report afterwards!

Might do some exercise as well... And I must remember to bring my camera out with me because the low sun is creating some beautiful sights and light.

Here's a late night post! Well, for me anyway on a week night...

Just got back from a lovely Italian meal for a friend's birthday, at Soprano's. That must be one of my favourite restaurants! Italian is certainly my favourite food!
And I got to spend time with my friends, which is great. It's great even though I see them all the time, but it had been three days...

The wine was very nice as well, so I enjoyed that too! Going to sleep now, as I have to be up early again tomorrow for work, half 6 or thereabouts. Not looking forward to that!

Pat on shoulder for not going for one last one at the pub afterwards as well!

We'll all be out again tomorrow for the same birthday anyway! Look forward to it! I really like my friends (obviously!), and a few cheeky drinks on a friday evening suit me just fine!

One more day to struggle through work! And a good night sleep before that! And reading my book! Nearly finished this one so will tell you about it soon, maybe!