Datchi akounto

As promised, some more about Relay for Life!

Have you heard of this before? It's in aid of Cancer Research UK.

It's not to be confused with Race for Life!

Relay for Life is a 24-hour relay, where teams go around the track relay-style for 24 hours to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

It's a really cool event! It's got lots of entertainment, like live bands, a dj, a magician etc etc.

Anyway, the charity is very important to me for obvious reasons. I've been participating in the Portsmouth Relay since 2004. I got involved through work, and since then it has evolved into something quite big.

The first year, I was co-captain of the team. The year after, I was captain of the team, and also helping a committee member. Last year, I was on the organising committee myself as well as team-captain. This year, I've taken on a bigger role on the committee so I don't know if I will run the team as well but we'll see.

As it is, the weekend is clashing with a trip to holland for my brother's 30th birthday. So I might re-arrange my flights... Obviously the birhtday doesn't move...

Anyway, I am quite excited about it! I know I will be very busy with it all but the cause is very much worth it!

I'm just setting up a website for our local relay (it's a national event). I'm still working on it, but you can have a sneaky peek if you want... www.relayforlife-portsmouth.co.uk

Tell me what you think.

Let me share some more tales about Milan. I know I wrote the most ridiculously long email about what we did and saw before, but I want to tell how I experienced things as well.

On the first day when we went to the Duomo, being inside the church was just amazing! It was a beautiful place, with many statues, paintings and just generally so much detail in the decorations! Also, it was really quiet. I hadn't realised how quiet and peaceful it was until I got back outside to go upstairs. I normally enjoy being in a church for it's peace and quiet, and I do feel it's got some mystical, mysterious atmosphere about it. It was a lovely feeling!

Going to the top was a bit scary. By the time we were at the top I was frozen on the spot with my knees buckling... not much of a hero, but I did it!

The other thing I really liked was how friendly the Italians were! Whenever you walked in anywhere, people greeted you straight away with a smile and a kind word! It was a real shock to walk into Superdrug on sunday, only to met with a look of contempt...

In Italian restaurants, the Italians eat lots and lots of courses! Normally a starter, then a first main, followed by a second main, after which they may have some pizza (normally shared though!) and then some dessert. As I was trying to be good, and also because that's just way too much food, I stuck to one course. The first day I had a pizza which was nice but too much. After that we both stuck to pasta dishes, which are mostly vegetarian and come in small portions. Very good food!

The traffic was mad as you would expect it to be. The italians love sounding their horns! The one late afternoon we spent in the hotel, which was by a main road I think, we just listened to a chorus of car-horns for the whole time.

It was a beautiful place, with so much history and culture! All of it hiding between modern architecture, in narrow streets where the sunlight hardly reaches.

The Fed in the US has cut interest rates by 1% over the last 9 days!
I don't know what to think of it all anymore!

The 'subprime' issue which seems to be the main driving force behind the economic troubles, will not go away just by cutting rates.

Lower rates will make the cost of the debt cheaper to the banks who hold this debt. But isn't a big part of the problem that it still isn't quite clear who's currently holding this debt? And the size of it? Isn't that what is causing people to be cautious when trading?

I don't know, it's all too doom and gloom to read up on properly, and I just don't have the time at the moment.

This week is manic, and shows no signs of slowing down! I feel like I need a holiday but people keep laughing at me when I say that. Hopefully next week will be quieter so I can catch up on lots of things like chores around the little home, blogs, or even just unpack my suitcase....

Here it is, finally! All the stories about my trip to Milan!

As I said before, I had an absolutely brilliant time! It was a really tiring week, but definitely worth it!

It started 10am Tuesday morning, when my friend picked me up in a taxi to go to the trainstation. We travelled up to Stansted Airport, which went very well. This trip seems to get easier every time, even if I do have to cross London for it. We had a little look around the shops and a late lunch/early dinner at the airport; and italian panini to get us in the mood. We were flying to Milan Bergamo (this is what you get for cheap flights), so we had to travel another hour to get to Milan.

We arrived at our hotel around 9pm. It was a long day travelling but we decided to go out straight away. We walked around the canal district in search of a restaurant and ended up having a lovely meal. After the meal we decided to explore a little bit more, and we got back to the hotel around midnight.

On Wednesday we picked a sight-seeing route from one of our travel guides and set of on an exploration trip. First stop, the Duomo, a rather impressive gothic style church. We spent quite a bit of time looking around as it was interesting and impressive. You could also go up to the top of the roof. I hate heights, but we decided to do it anyway and my friend promised to help me. I was pleased I did it. It was ok for a bit, but when we got to the very top I was too scared to move. Still, it was great! My friend helped me back down and everything was ok again.

We then walked through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele which is a rather exclusive covered shopping centre, to the Teatro alla Scala, where we went to the museum at the theatre. The museum itself wasn't the most interesting; mostly pictures, statues and theatre bits and bobs. But there were a few boxes open, looking at the theatre where they were practicing Cyrano de Bergerac in full costume. That was really cool! So we stayed there awhile watching the opera at the Scala!

We then walked around some more, looking at buildings and little lanes. We had some lunch in an area called Brera which was lovely, and then we went to the Pinacoteco di Brera, a renaissance museum. There was some great art in there, perhaps a bit too many pictures of Madonna and Bambino, but still good. My favourite was Il Biaco (The Kiss) by Francesco Hayes, so I decided to buy a print of that one, which will soon take pride of place in the little home.

From there we walked around some more and ended up at Castello Sforzesco where we had a look around. By then we were getting a bit tired so we walked to a street nearby for a coffee. We then slowly made our way back to the hotel to freshen up quickly. Straight back out for some dinner near the Duomo. Then some drinks on the way home and back again around midnight.

Thursday, we were up early again for another walk. We had a few plans in mind, but we ended up walking to il cenacolo where Leonardo Da Vinci's Last Supper is. We managed to get some tickets for that day so we were very happy! We had some coffee before seeing the Last Supper which was very impressive! We were very pleased we got to see that! After that we went for lunch and then to the Technology museum which was milking Leonardo's name quite shamelessly. It was rather dull, half closed to the public with only a few models of Leonardo's work on view.

By then we were a bit museumed-out, so we decided to do a spot of shopping... Or rather, have a look at the windows in this super expensive shopping street 'Montenapoleone'. If you want to bag a rich man, dress up in your poshest looking gladrags, try to find some branded bags from Gucci and the like and walk up and down this street. There were some sights to behold here! People with more money than (dress)sense, a lady in an expensive car with chauffeur, who got out the car but wouldn't even close the door herself... At the end of this street, there was an outlet shop which boasted up to 98% off retail prices. We decided to have a look, with a little hope of a Versace bargain. How wrong we were, bags for E600, vest tops for around E300 and so on.

We then went back to Brera for a glass of wine which was lovely. After that we decided to find a restaurant for dinner which proved difficult. There were lots of restaurants but we were looking for a specific one which we had trouble finding. We ended up in this place that neither of us liked much, especially after seeing the wine card... So we decided to have some rather overpriced coffee and continued our search. This time we found the place, which turned out to be Michelin recommended! Wow! We managed to get a table (it was a very busy restaurant) and had a lovely meal. Some wine on the way home again and back around midnight.

On friday we decided to have a little lie in. We'd been getting up around 8, and out before 9. As we'd seen so much already we decided to take it a bit easy. We went for a walk, looking at some old Roman columns and churches. They have a lot of churches and we saw loads of them! After that we wandered around the canal district, Navigli, which was nice. Then we did a bit more shopping, in slightly less expensive streets. We decided that a trip to Italy is not complete without Tiramisu so that was our afternoon treat in this lovely cafe near the Duomo. Rather expensive but so worth it! After that we were suitably tired, having been going almost non-stop since tuesday morning, so we headed back to the hotel for a proper late afternoon rest/snooze. Around 7pm we headed out for dinner again, in the Navigli which is where the nightlife is. As it was friday, it was nice and lively. We found a fun bar before and after dinner. The one before was run by the two most chaotic men ever! They spent a lot of time running around achieving absolutely nothing! The one after was full of young italian locals and we had a good time!

Saturday was our last day and we wanted to make the most of it as we had to travel back to Bergamo mid-afternoon. We went to a weekly street market first, which was fun! Then we did some more walking around, some more shopping and one last lunch.

It was a long trip back, we were very tired, but at least it went smoothly and I was home around midnight as every other night that week.

Sorry about the essay, and this only tells what we did, none of the thoughts, impressions etc but maybe I'll get around to writing that some other time.

Back in the office today, and it soon became clear that there would be no 'easing myself back in the job' time this week... A lot of work waiting to be done, and unfortunately, most of this work has high visibility so I can't put it off for another week or so.

I'm still so very tired from my trip as well which is not making things any easier!

Tonight, there's yet another Relay meeting as well! I knew there would be one this week but I didn't know when and I was hoping it would be later in the week. So I've got the gym after work, then probably some more work, then straight from the office to the Relay meeting and unlikely to get home much before 10 pm...

First thing tomorrow, I've got to see the Hygienist. I hate going to the dentist or any dentist related activity (other than brushing flossing etc).

So overall, a hectic start to the week! I think I need a holiday! I've got so much to catch up with in all areas of my life! I need a few early nights and a quiet weekend! That will sort me out!

Milan was great!!!

Too tired to write still, so a full report will follow. For now, here are some links to the pics.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=28856&l=b1883&id=702739533

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=28859&l=f12c4&id=702739533

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=28861&l=25fdc&id=702739533

In about 40 minutes time, I'm off and you'll all have to miss me for a little while!

Last night ended up being quite a late one! I'd been to work until 6, then straight to this Relay meeting (will tell you all about Relay, I promise) which didn't finish until past nine! So I didn't get home until about 9.45.

I still had to pack and clean the kitchen a bit at least... And speak to my parents on the phone, and do a load of washing.... I know it's my own fault for being lazy and disorganised, but last night I was running around lots. I wonder what I packed in the end... It will be 'holiday-outfit-surprise'!

This morning I got up on time, so now the kitchen looks a bit better with no dirty dishes anywhere. The washing is nearly done and in general the place doesn't look as much like a bomb's just hit it!

That means I can relax, go on my little holiday and enjoy Milan!

Have a good week! See you soon!

We were going to see The Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci in Milan. Turns out it's really busy all year round and we should've booked tickets months ago! What!?!?!?! So we don't have tickets now... We will have to camp outside Il Cenacolo to see if we can get cancellation tickets...

hmm, I've got a picture of it in my travel book so it's not like I haven't seen it really...

Oh dear, it seems I rambled a little bit last night… I think the internet needs to have something like a safety lock, like a children’s lock on a car, to ensure you can’t get on after a few glasses of wine. Things were bad enough when the worst thing could be to drunk-dial, but now I have to worry about drunk-blog and drunk-facebook too!

Never mind… Had a good weekend anyway. Yesterday was fun too. I didn’t realise I was a little bit tipsier than I thought until it was too late (or this morning…). I got home at a reasonable time, and I went to bed on time too, I think. I didn’t sleep very well though, but that’s my own fault for having one too many perhaps.

When I woke up this morning, I was feeling quite stressed and disorganised. I’m travelling soon, and I haven’t tidied up the little home, I haven’t finished the washing, cleaned the kitchen or the bathroom and there is just mess everywhere! I should be ashamed of myself!

Also I haven’t packed yet, or even thought about what to pack properly and I’m running out of time fast! This is very unlike me and it’s a bit unsettling.

I’ve got a busy day today, long hours in the office, and a meeting on Relay tonight (will tell you more about Relay some other time soon). I should’ve stayed at home this weekend and sorted everything out, but I went to see my friends instead. Which was the right thing to do too, I’m sure. Oh well, we’ll see what weird and wonderful things I find in my suitcase when I get to Milan…

I think the world has gone mad... or maybe it's me...

Remind me to tell you later...

Some pointers to remind me... girls obsession with a ring on their finger, apparently friends over 1 year older than you are too old??? seperate bathrooms is a requirement in any succesful relationship, and so on...

I had a great time seeing my friends this weekend! I really did! But some of the things discussed were beyond me.

I like my life fairly simple, without having to worry about millions of little things. We've only got a limited time here, should make the most of it!

Anyway, as much as I love my friends, I don't always agree with them.
Possibly a big part of things is that I don't always conform or at least have different ideas to them. I'm happy on my own, single, and I don't need anyone to confirm or whatever who/what/whatever I am and how I live my life.

I don't think they have relationships for those reasone perse, but I don't need to have one which often seems beyond them, or to them seems related to other things like age or whatever, and it's not for me.

Funny what these things boil down to...

Anyway more later perhaps...

I just love weekends!!!

I'm at home tonight. I still have an earinfection which is driving me bonkers! I went into the office today, and now I'm completely exhausted! Early night then, methinks...

I think tomorrow, I will travel up to see a friend. Another friend is going there as well, so it will be a lovely girly catch up!

I mustn't forget my camera as we're going for a walk on sunday. I think it will be a lovely, quiet weekend with people I love.

click to enlarge or check out the link below with this pic and more of the same.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=26093&l=45eb8&id=702739533

Didn't make it into the office today. Woke up this morning with a really sore ear, and I felt so tired. I stayed in bed, and I've done some work from home and I will do some more this afternoon.

I feel really bad about not going on as it's been a funny week, but I really wasn't well enough. Still, I'll do some work from home and I'm really planning on going in tomorrow!

I wish my ear wasn't so annoying! I get this several times a year, it's a real pain! I saw a specialist last year, and he said he could fix it if I wanted it to be fixed, or I could just go in once a year for some ear maintenance...

I opted for the latter, as I really don't like going in for surgery. When I was little (up until I was about 13/14 I think), I used the have surgery on my ears all the time. Often twice a year, but that became less and less. In the end they did a slightly bigger operation and that was supposed to be the end of it. But my hearing was still rubbish, and about 6 years ago, it all went wrong again...

Anyway, enough about that. It seems I'm still feeling sorry for myself. Rubbish, I can do something about, and so far I haven't so best just get on with it!

Might go for a little snooze, and then have some lunch.

Managed to survive the day in the office today. Got all my work done for today, and had some interesting meetings, where I even managed some useful input. So against all odds, it wasn't all bad.

Made it to the gym as well. Did some light, fat-burning cardio exercise and felt much better afterwards.

Was so pleased to get home though! Am very very tired!! Had some nice food, a little bit too much maybe but fairly healthy and overall not too bad.

My ear feels achey and uncomfortable still. I think I will have to take some ibuprofen before bed tonight. I really need a good night's sleep. Work will be really tough tomorrow otherwise...

In other news; I'm pleased my weight-loss efforts are paying off. I seem to be less hungry, and I feel full quicker too after a meal. Still get hungry mid-morning and around 4 pm, so must ensure I keep a healthy snack nearby. If I keep this up I'll drop a dress-size soon!

Well, this would explain why I wasn't feeling on top of the world last night! Shortly after my last post, my ear started to go a bit funny... I went to bed early because I have a busy day today, and within half an hour I had a full-blown ear-infection! Yuk!

I didn't get any sleep last night, and I feel fairly rubbish today, but I'm in the office because today is the busiest day of the week... Feeling suitably sorry for myself.

At least I don't have a fever (yet?) and I'm not in too much pain. It's more just uncomfortable, a little achey and, quite frankly, gross.

Still, I should be better again before my next trip, which is coming up soon! Milan! Can't wait!

Also, last night I chatted to some of my friends on the phone which was nice and cheered me up a little. I'm going to see one friend on thursday for some dinner. And I might travel up to see two of my other friends on the weekend for some drinks saturday night, and a countryside walk on sunday (if my bank account permits me). Sounds good to me!

In other news: I lost 4.25 lbs in a week, or 2 KG!!!!!! YAY!
Well done me! *pats herself on shoulder*

Sorry, I think maybe I shouldn't post these things, but for some people it might be quite useful.

This website promotes Ask.com as a search engine by offering users who set it up as their default in their browser window search box a share in the revenue from their advertising.

I normally use Google, but if I get paid for using Ask, I'm happy to because I'd be searching anyway.

It's easy money! And it works, and you can get paid via PayPal so it's very safe. They don't ask for your contact details either, other than an email address (which also works for paypal).

http://www.mysearchfunds.com/myhomepage.asp?OrgID=1766

Have a look, see what you think and try it. I like that they don't really ask for any details and you can get paid via paypal, makes it seem safe.

The little home has not turned into a swimming pool (yet), so overall not a bad day...

There was some water in the loft, which is now temporarily fixed, and will be more permanently fixed later in the week.

More rain to come for a few more days though, and more storms. They keep me awake and I always worry a bit when the weather is that bad.

I think the rest of this week will be fairly uneventful. I have got no plans whatsoever! How dull!

I think the rain and darkness of today is getting to me, and I'm suffering mid-week boringness. And the news on tv is also depressing...

Good thing Friends is on in half an hour, that'll put a smile on my face!

If alarm clocks made that sound after a stormy night, I'd always be up on time! There's nothing like a dripping sound to get you going in the morning!

I jumped out of bed and looked around the little home but I couldn't find where the dripping sound was coming from. Eventually I found two dark patches on the ceiling... I think the dripping was happing in the attic.

So now I'm up early, was supposed to go to work, but will work from home instead until someone comes to look at it. But I have to wait another 2 hours before I can phone anyone anyway...

Thankfully, the roof and the attic are not mine, so I don't have to worry about cost or anything, as long as my ceiling holds. Then the worst would be a little paint job.

What a nice way to start the week! A little lie in first thing, then some relaxed work from home. Then travel up to London for a meeting.

I had a little bit of time to kill before the meeting, so I went for a wander around, and decided to grab some lunch.

As I stood outside Pret-a-manger with my sandwich, in a food plaza type-thing, I was amazed at how busy it was everywhere! There are so many people in London!

I also popped into Primark to see if I could find any bargains. And again, it was so busy! It was a huge store! And there was an army of people working there!

I went to the meeting, realised I'd gotten my times wrong and was very nearly late... Oops! Still, it was all good. Got home again around 7, had a speedy Spag Bol, got ready for tomorrow and am now just relaxing.

The good news is; my trousers were less snug today, so my efforts are not in vain. Also, I don't feel like snacking as much as I used to, and I feel full after my smaller dinners. Gym again tomorrow, and lots of healthy eating!

Here you get free stuff for shopping and things you probably normally do anyway...

http://www.ipoints.co.uk/join/?raf=7124615

I would set up a seperate email address in case they start sending loads of advertising.

Made my first $4 for an online survey today, and 50 pence on another site... So in today's world, I've earned about a pound for hours of work, registering with these sites and completing surveys.

I was also supposed to have won a discount voucher for holidays, but I never received that email...

Still, I think it could turn out a bit lucrative. I normally waste time on the internet anyway, so might as well fill in a few forms along the way.

It's a very lazy sunday today, quite nice really. Should be going for some food a bit later on, or otherwise I'll just stay in and continue being lazy.

I'm working in the Big Smoke tomorrow, which is nice too. It means that sunday dread feeling is not so bad today. I get to have a little lie in, travel to London, do some work and travel back. I'm quite looking forward to it. The only annoying thing is that the meeting I'm going for has now moved to later in the afternoon so I will get back quite late. Oh well, still nice to go on a little daytrip.

If only my head would stop hurting. I was actually rather well behaved last night so I don't think I deserve to feel like this.

My head hurts... I would've thought it would be my legs hurting after the skating yesterday, but no, just my head after some vin rouge last night....

What a beautiful day it was today!!

I went out for a walk to the shops this morning, for an extra pair of hiking boots, but no luck there... I did get a nice jumper in the sale, so that was ok.

This afternoon, we went to the Ice rink for some Icecapades!! I had the best time, turned straight back into a little girl. I was so excited! We had to queue to get the tickets and I could really not wait!

The ice rink wasn't very big, and the ice was a bit messy. It was really busy as well. It took me a little while to find my feet in my skates, but after a while I got the hang of it again. It was brilliant! Good exercise as well!

I think we'll go more often now. There were quite a few of us, and one of my friends had brought her little girl who was having a great time!

Just had a nice hot shower, and now I'm having a little rest. A bit of dinner in a little while and then off to the pub. I'm wearing a new outfit tonight, and I'm going to try to look as fabulous as possible because I feel like it!

Well, in a desperate bid to earn some extra funds, I've now registered with maybe 20 to 25 paid survey sites... They've all come recomended as legit so I think it's ok and I knew quite a few of the companies anyway from when I worked in that industry. They don't have any financial details of me right now, and even if they did, there really isn't much to steal.

See how it goes, this other user reckons it was slow to start with but the more sites he signed up with the better it got. I think I might also try typing ads for money as well... It's just an easy way to make money really, as you can do it when you want, as often as you want and it will fit in with anything else in your life.

Downside, I'm even more glued to the pc than before... Still, as long as I do exercise, it's ok.

Just thought I'd jump on two blogland bandwagons. Well... not so much jump on as hang off the back of one...

Firstly, Bloscars! www.thebloscars.blog.co.uk

Apparently this is held every year, and you can nominate your favourite bloggers. It sounds like fun so I will certainly have a look. I think there is even a blog meet for the results which sounds like fun...

Secondly, Insomnia seems to be sweeping all of blogland. I've read quite a few posts from different people complaining they can't sleep, and often they don't know why.
I do sleep, but not very deep if you know what I mean. My mind stays active and I feel like I stay aware for most of the night. So I'm a bit tired too.

It must be a January thing...

Just cooked a massive! bolognaise! Took absolutely ages but it was worth it! Gorgeous! And I cooked enough for a small country so I can freeze it and have it over the next week or so when I'm too tired to cook, or when I've run out of food.

It's all very healthy as well, cooked from scratch with all fresh ingredients except for a small tin of chopped tomatoes. With a bit of olive oil, but that's fairly healthy anyway. Yum!

I got a late christmas pressie this week! Yay!!! My friend had got me a book about a young girl in 17th century China. Right on the mark! I think I will love reading it!

I have a confession to make tho; I'm a book hoarder... I can't get rid of them, and I'm rapidly running out of space to store them...
MUST GET A LIBRARY CARD!

I'm still reading this other book, have been for ages but it's not captured my imagination so it's a bit tough. I will finish it, but I'm looking forward to the next one.

Has anyone ever tried to take online surveys to make money?
Does it work?

It might be an obvious thing, and if you read any of my posts, you'll have noticed it, I'm sure.

Everything is ok in my little world really... therefore there is even less exciting news to report than usual. Blogging doesn't work well for me when things are just getting on ok.

I'm not overly happy or unhappy, I'm fine ok good etc. And it's wednesday... middle of the road day...

The biggest thing going on in my own little world right now, sadly, is the fact that I must lose weight. It takes a fair bit of focus because it requires me to change my habits and lifestyle, which can be very difficult and hard work so that's on my mind...

Of course there is other stuff going on as well, like the situation with my friends which remains difficult, or work which is fine but I'm having some thoughts about it which I'm still figuring out. Or the fact that it's January. Or that I know some big changes are still ahead of me and I'm looking forward to the rest of my life, even if the life I have is already brilliant and I'm not complaining.

So there... Plenty of things on my mind, but everything falls in line behind sorting myself out first and for good.

The tactics I've come up with to stop stuffing my face seem to be working!

When I have a craving for junk, I write down why I'm not going to have it. And for my dinner, I've started using smaller plates. That way, the plate looks full but I'm having a smaller portion. My other plates are huge so I always felt I wasn't eating enough as it didn't look like much on the plate.

So now I feel full and happy and tired as I've been to the gym today!

Not getting on the scales until next week - hopefully I will see some good progress!

Wednesday is always my busiest day of the week. In fact, I think I could do my entire job on a wednesday for the way the processes work. I'd just be running around a lot, but that's business as usual on wednesday anyway..

Today has been good so far! I finished off that stupid review by checking some things with a colleague. Then I sent of a little note, resulting in a call from a very happy customer! For a minute then, it was all sort of worth it.

Then I continued with my normal work and one other extra task. All this meant I couldn't start running programmes and reporting tools until an hour later. Luckily this week there were no problems or any rogue data to mess things up.

Everything went swimmingly! I then created all the presentations and sent them out for review. All that in one morning! Before noon! Unheard of! Now I have another hour and a half before this afternoon's meeting... this is normally when I have to run around trying to get things done.

Hmm, what shall I do next...

It seems the trainers have survived the washing machine, and are almost completely mud-free. They're back by the radiator with paper stuffed in them, drying and getting ready for another clean, then waterproofing again... Hopefully they will be ok, but I think some of the support in them may have got damaged. Still, they only have to survive for a few more months.

and I didn't munch on anything bad tonight. Gym tomorrow....

Am getting organised. My bag is ready and I'll make the other bag ready in a minute. I'll pack lunch in the morning and I'm defrosting a morrocan meal for after the gym, when I might be too tired to cook.

Busy day tomorrow, early night tonight.

When Benazir Bhutto was murdered, there were all sorts of big headlines in the papers, many along the lines of 'the end of Democracy'.

I think many people all over the world are aware of the shortcomings of democracy. Some people even believe Communisme could work if greed wasn't human nature - of course that's a rather big caveat there... But it seems communism works 'on paper'.

There are almost as many opinions as there are people when it comes to politics, which is why it's often a touchy subject. Still, I wanted to write something because there is a lot going on and Democracy seems to be on trial once more.

Firstly, Gordon Brown became Prime Minister, unelected and un-opposed by other members of the labour party. Initially, when things were looking like everything was ok, it seems he considered holding elections. As soon as the polls turned against him though, the elections were off. Now, analysts predict he will try to hold on as long as he can, making many difficult (unpopular) decisions now, and trying to gain favour later.

Then, at the end of last year, Benazir Bhutto was murdered in Pakistan, ahead of elections on which many people around the world had pinned their hopes. The elections have now been postponed by several weeks.

Elections in Kenya have left that country in crisis after allegations the polls were rigged, and many have died since.

And now, all eyes of the world are on the primaries in the USA, where it seems politicians will do just about anything for a vote, making it difficult as ever to find a credible candidate...

I believe the democratic system could work, but it seems to me the same applies to democracy as to communism; it works better 'on paper'.

Healthy Living

Today I've decided that I will have to use the same technique I used last year to give up things I like. I will try to apply it to my eating habits. When you see a cake or something, you might think; I'm not hungry, or I don't need that right now. I seem to always think, I'll have some of that, even when I don't really want it...
When I want something that's bad for me, I will write to focus on why I think I want it and why I shouldn't have it. Most of my eating is driven by something in my head rather than my stomach, so I'll try to fix that. I hope I will be just as successful as I was last year.

Also, a note to my coach: today I completed 5 push-ups.

Walking

My trainers are well and truly ruined! I can't get the mud off, even now it's dried. I'm gutted as I use those trainers a lot, also for work. And I can't afford to get new ones at the moment... Seeing as they're ruined anyway, I'm going to try the washing machine. They can't get worse, but they might get better.... Fingers crossed.

I have also decided that I need new hiking boots. The ones I've got don't fit well enough for an 8 mile walk or more, I'd have very sore feet halfway and would be lucky to make it to the end. Again money is an issue, but this is the best time of the year to buy these boots as the sale is on and they're now only around £25, so I might have to just get them.

Travels

My next trip is coming up fairly soon now. It's a short week in Milan! Up until yesterday, I thought of it as a bit of a chore and a bad decision, mostly because of the money thing again. But I'm starting to look forward to it some more now. I've made all arrangements for travel in Italy and everything is ready and organised. I've got my travel guides and I'm sure it will be a good trip.

Finances

Short term financial predictions in Cyn's World are looking rather gloomy... The account is suffering a severe case of Januaritis. This is causing some worries. It is important to remember that you're not always cr*p with money and therefore this situation will get sorted fairly soon. It is also important to stop buying toys for my little niece for a while.

January Strategy

Stay in as much as possible, and invite friends around to the little home rather than go to the pub. This will help with money and it will reduce wine intake and therefore calorie intake.
Enjoy the trip without worrying too much. February is a fairly short month, it will straighten out again, sooner than you think if you take care.
Stop buying cr*p you really don't need!!!

Work

I finished reading the big boring document today! Well done me! I think there are no problems with it, but I will double-check a few things tomorrow. As I finished today, it won't interfere with my usual busy wednesday schedule and I won't have to work tonight!

Busy day at work today! Got to review a LARGE document by the end of tomorrow, except tomorrow I'm really busy with other things, so really I will have to do it today...
And it is just SO BORING!!!
Haven't even managed to do a third yet... Urgh!!

On the bright side, my curry last night turned out really nice!

And after eating my lovely curry, I went to the pub for the quiz with some friends, and we won!! It wasn't because we were clever though, more because the others were even less clever. The scores were very low, and only 5 teams entered.

I shouldn't have written all that... Should've just said we won because we were bright... Oh well, the truth will out.

I'm cooking a curry from scratch! I think (hope) it's going to be really lovely!

It's a healthy one as well, so it won't pile on the pounds!

It's got chicken, with some tomato paste and curry spices and chili and garlic. Then some red pepper, mushrooms and tomatoes. Some fat free bio live yoghurt and fresh coriander...

Can't go wrong! Who needs the curry house?

Opening soon - Chez Cyn's

if I could walk 12 miles? Or if that would be too much too soon. Also should consider my little trip that's coming up soon after the 12 mile walk, which will also involve lots of walking. Don't want to have sore legs on my trip.

12 Miles seems like a lot, and if I do too much straight away, I might injure myself or generally struggle. Then I won't find it fun anymore, then I'll stop. I don't want it to be like that, so I might skip the 12 miler and try to find a shorter walk...

You remember when you were little and your mum used to stop you watch certain things on tv because they would give you nightmares...

I had a nightmare the other night after Carlito's way, dreamt someone had come into my little home. It woke me up and I had to check the little home with the lights, was silly scared...

Really silly as it would be quite a feat to get into mine with several locked doors to get through.

So now, I'm really tired, it's Sunday evening and I've got work tomorrow. Somehow, instead of going to sleep, I'm still here and watching Sin City on tv. It's awful in every way. Gory and horrible.

So I'm thinking, this is much worse than Carlito's way, I'm guaranteed another nightmare... Carlito's way isn't that bad for being scared really, but there's something creepy about it. This one is weird and gory and making my stomach turn a bit...

I know better, so why do I not act smarter?

It's not just my legs now...

I'm aching ALL OVER!!! Did not see this coming at all, it was only a walk!

Oh well, I guess it's the desired effect...

Also, I found the perfect snack! Gherkins! I love 'em! Is that weird?
Actually I don't care. They're delish, and low fat low calorie, so I can eat as many as I want. Maybe they even count towards my 5 a day? Although that's probably pushing it...

Ouch! I'm hurting!!

I had a fabulous time today!!!!

It was a bit hard getting up this morning after last night's shenanigans, but I got up, got ready and went out.

The walk was near Selborne, and it was really good fun! There were more than 30 people there, and they were really nice.

I don't know if it was beautiful, and I didn't get any pictures because it was so muddy!!! My shoes are ruined! It made it really hard work, there was just mud everywhere!

There were hills too which were hard work for someone who's not really been on anything higher than a dune...

I had been worried about completing 8 miles but it was ok.

The mud was unbelievable though! I don't really like mud (understatement), so I was quite proud of myself for just getting on with it and not whinge about it (too much). I was wearing the wrong shoes as well, because when I asked my friend what people wear, he said trainers and things, so I wore trainers...

Everybody was completely kitted out, and everyone was wearing hiking boots, so I was gutted I wasn't wearing mine. Nevermind, I'll be better prepared next time. I was trying to avoid turning up for the first time, all kitted out and being the only one to be all kitted out...

I really enjoyed it though! Had a great time, look forward to meeting more people and getting to chat to them more. This time I was too busy looking where I was walking and trying not to slip and slide in the mud. (I hadn't even realised it had rained so much, it hasn't down here).

I'm really tired now! My legs are feeling heavy, and they're glowing and so tired. Can't wait to go again. I'm going to a social meeting next week to meet more people and plan walks. Look forward to getting involved! There's no point in watching from the sidelines.

I didn't make a health balance sheet today, my credit would be rubbish!

Nevermind...

I walked to the shops late this afternoon, and after a little bit of shopping, I met an old friend from university. That was really nice! I hadn't seen him since last spring, but he'd made the trip down with his brother, so we caught up. Good stuff!

Now I'm off to the pub, even though I know I shouldn't as my bankmanager is not impressed with me right now (nor am I...), and also, I'm starting walking properly tomorrow. An 8 mile trip somewhere... Oh dear...

Today I walked to the shops, and in a minute I'll walk to the pub... Does that count on training? Or maybe 8 miles isn't that far...

Oh well, if I feel rubbish, I can always cancel... Wow, my willpower is unequalled...

Still it is always good to spend time with friends!

In my battle against the bulge, I've decided to exercise more by walking. It's relatively easy (if my knees hold out), and it's easy to fit into every day.

I've got a little book - the Walking Workout! - and it's full of useful little bits. It has information on what to eat when, and tips to make walking more enjoyable.

One little bit was particularly useful, I thought, if you do it right anyway, but that's the same with everything.

It compares healthy living to your bank account... Strange, I know, but it makes a good point. We tend to focus much more on the healthy things we, and try to ignore the bad things. I might say I can have a burger because I walked for an hour earlier, or crisps because I walked etc...
But in the end it's never in balance.
With a bank account, the little book says, I'd be aware of what goes in and what comes out. (I am sort of...) And I notice when the account is empty (yep! I do! too often). So the book pointed out the balance of health, which you don't notice getting empty as much.

So I thought, perhaps I should make a balance sheet everyday. I could keep track of the good thing I do, and put against them the bad things I do (liking sitting behind the laptop for hours on end...), and so try to balance them out. Eventually, by making little changes, I can create a positive balance, ensuring a new slimline healthy me!

Interesting...

I had my lovely friend around for some dinner and a film this evening and it was really nice! I'm all happy and a bit full too...

I made a simple but nice pasta dish with plenty of vegetables, and a bit of garlic bread. We had some nice wine too.

After dinner, we had a nice cuppa and watched Friends, which we both love so much, we can never get too much!!!! We briefly discussed what we would do if they ever stopped showing it but the thought was just too horrifying.

After Friends, we watched the dvd - Music and Lyrics. I also had some nachos with dips. I'd bought the Salsa but it had too much onion to my liking. I made the guacamole myself. Hadn't tried that before but it was ok, except... I'd forgotten the coriander?!?! How could I???

Went through quite a bit of trouble today getting coriander, and my little kitchen is now filled with a massive fresh coriander pot. And still, somehow, whilst mashing avocado, I still managed to miss it!!!

Oh well, I put it in in the end and then it was perfect (ish...).

The film was ok, predictable and not as funny as should've been, but entertaining, and I laughed at the crappy jokes anyway.

We finished the bottle of wine, and my friend's just gone home. It was really nice to spend some time with her.

I'm now really tired, having just scoffed the remainder of the guacamole, and I'm going to try to watch Carlito's Way on tv, if I can stay awake...
Doubt I'll make it to midnight...

Sweet dreams...

The way home was really bad too!

I will try not to use them for a while. It's nearly cheaper to take a taxi the whole way anyway...

Are a %*@^/* shambles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I decided to do some exercise today by going to work by train (and because my usual lift is off ill).

I got up early, full of positive ideas. I had a nice relaxed breakfast, made lunch and got ready to go.

I left home at 7.25 am to walk to the station for the 8.01 train (to arrive at 8.31 at my end-station). I got to the station in time, so I got my ticket which was suddenly quite a bit more expensive which did not make me happy...

The train arrived on time, which was great. But soon after we'd left the station it suddenly stopped and the little metalic computer voice asked the guard to contact the driver... The collective sigh of the carriage was quite loud.
If you don't travel by train very often, it's usually never good news when the guard has to contact the driver...

In the end we were only stopped for a few minutes, and I was too worried because I should still be ok for my connecting train. Also, the normally make a connecting train wait if the preceding train is a few minutes late...

Not so today...

The timetables have changed, so my connecting train is now 1(!) whole minute earlier than before and it had left without me...

That was bad enough, because that meant I would miss my connection at my end-station to the office as well as having to wait on a freezing platform for nearly half an hour.

Around 8.45 I was still on this platform, when suddenly all train traffic stopped! This is usually when all rail staff suddenly disappears. And so they did today.

A police community support officer did come along, but funnily enough, she couldn't tell anyone anything about any trains...

I picked up a form to claim my money back, but you're not likely to get anything back if you're delay is less than 70 minutes...

In the end, my connecting train turned up at 9.23 am for the final 5 minutes of my train journey. I then had to walk to the office because there's only one connecting bus in the morning (have I mentioned I work in the sticks?!).

I finally arrived at 9.55 having walked really quick!!! That's two and a half hours for what should be one hour and 20 minutes tops by public transport or a 20-25 minute drive by car...

And they keep increasing the fare for this 'service'!!!

I do believe Royal Mail has a serious competitor for the &^%* company of the year award!

Why do people have to clip their fingernails in the office??
Why???

(guess I should be glad it's not their toenails...)

It's good to be back...

I just found this website which looks really useful in helping me with losing weight and getting fit!
It lets you enter all your details, and what you eat when, and what exercise you do for how long etc. Then it calculates your goals, your daily intake, calories burned. It even helps you with personalised recipes, food plans and a shopping list!
Pretty good I think. Anyway, so I registered and started completing details. I think if I can do this every day, it will help me change my habits and it will be really useful...
We'll see...

http://www.sparkpeople.com/

For me, the 2nd of January is really when the year starts properly. The first is always a day of a long lie-in, often followed by not very much at all.

I like to go out on the first, to celebrate the new year some more, therefore any resolutions have to wait an extra day. Everybody is back at work today, except me because I always take the 2nd off in case I feel the effects from the party on the first.

Yesterday, I had a few glasses of wine and a stunning curry! (seriously, it was the best curry I'd had in ages!!) That was my last treat for a while as the resolutions cannot be put off any longer!!!

I'm thinking I might not drink any alcoholic beverages for the duration of January. I haven't quite decided yet but I think that would be a good idea. Although I am off on a little trip again soon so I'll see how it works out.

Starting today, I'm going to look after myself better and I'm going back to my healthy ways from before christmas (all that went well and truly out the window!). This means lots of healthy food, but not too much; smaller portions! Lots of exercise like walking, cycling, skating and even ice-skating (brought mine over from holland!). And I will lose weight!

Also, I'm going to try to keep on top of my household chores a bit better. I'll try to keep the little kitchen clear so I can cook nice meals. And I'll generally try not to be messy, although I fear it might be in my genes or something...

I'll give something up for Lent again, I would say crisps but that wouldn't be so challenging this year as I eat them a LOT less since I gave them up last year. Maybe alcohol again?

Finally, I will have to try not to spend too much time on the internet. I really do spend hours on end when I'm at home and I don't do anything, and I don't achieve anything. So I will try to just post blogs and read the new blogs of others, and briefly check some of the other sites rather than sitting by the PC all evening! It gets in the way of dinner and everything!

I think that's probably it... Might pop to Boots in a bit for their little resolution-programme books, they're not bad for inspiration and motivation!

As I feel fine this morning, I might try not to waste today by watching tv. I'll see if I can find some chores to do (shouldn't be too hard), and hopefully the weather will cheer up a bit so I can go out for a walk or maybe a cycle...

The first of January 2008 is coming to an end...

All and all, the whole thing hasn'e been quite what I was hoping for but it was ok.

Last night I was out with some of the boys (rather than the girls...) and we ended up in a normally popular pub which was strangely quiet. But there were a few friends around so it was ok and it could've been worse... drank too much possibly...

This morning, I woke up without a hangover!! Brilliant!!
So that was a good start to the New Year!!

I then went out for a lovely walk, and got some pics of the sun trying to break through the clouds. I got rays of light shining on the sea and it was lovely!

After that, I went to a pub and met some friends. We had a laugh but it didn't live up to previous years... Still it was an ok day and I certainly had a laugh!!

On the way home (just now, I'm struggling with the typing) I got a curry for dinner, and I will shape up tomorrow...

I will watch some tv now, and chill out and enjoy the knowledge that I'm clever enough to take the 2nd of January off work!

What I really wanted to say though! I am so happy, excited and filled with hope in anticipation of the New year, I can hardly wait!!! Seriously, going nuts with my happy and positive attitude for the new year! Love it! Love all of it! And just want all around me to share the happy thoughts!

Hope you feel hopeful too! Happy New Year!!!