Tuesday 27th January 2004

Week 49, Day 305

It really is amazing that I've managed to find the chance to update my blog in under a week! Aren't you impressed? I am!

After driving back from Coventry on Friday morning for my early shift at work (took a wrong turn on the way but made it in the end so that's all that matters!)m I was left somewhat shattered. However, that did not stop me from going out that evening. I met up with Ana at Leeds Nando's, talked and drank for a while before we met up with her partner Jayne (and her teacher work friends) at Life Bar. Ana managed to scrounge some free drinks in return for a free meal at Nando's from the bar staff, so i had myself a very funky cocktail of which I took a picture of and hope I can put up on my site soon. After dancing to many a current but popular RnB toon, I made my way to The Cockpit.

It really was weird. I felt like I was 19 again - the days (well, nights) of attending Pure Pop at Club 77 on William St on my own. Very surreal indeed. I think the English find it weird to see a very sober young female dancing the night away, smiling to herself, sipping on her bottle of water and not being on the pull. I had a few suspicious looks from what I've realised are the 'in' crowd. It's a lot harder to approach people in this country at clubs and bars. Everyone thinks you're cracking on to them, when all you want to do is chat. But I'm sure in time, and after a few more visits, people will realise I'm harmless and hopefully I'll be able to strike up a few friendships.

Saturday night, after a busy shift at work, I came home for Marion (my flatmate)'s Scottish meal. I invited Jayne over (Ana was working) and we all enjoyed the fine delights of Haggis - it's really quite yum, kind of like sausage but grittier and peppery - mashed potato, carrot and pumpkin. We then feasted on some delicious desserts Marion's friends had brought in including Pavlova! Didn't I feel like I was back home! Marion and her friends all left to go out on the town but I stayed behind to chat to Jules on the phone for a while (yay! was nice to catch up :) ) and then catch up on some much needed sleep.

Sunday was another busy day at work. Actually, I have to brag here because I was so impressed with the calm way I approached that shift. I've been known for stressing out lately, and despite the business, the fact I had two trainees and I was two people short, we managed very well, everyone enjoyed themselves, the customers were happy and best of all, I didn't stress out once! I really enjoyed that shift and I'm not ashamed to brag about it at all. :)

That night Chris came to visit and we went off to an Italian restaurant that came highly recommended by Ana called Adriano's Flying Pizza. It was rather nice. The pizza I had was bizzare but delicious. And the guys that work there are all Italian and speak it to eachother so it feels a little more authentic. I'll be going back.

Yesterday I had my day off for the week. After a big needed sleep in, Chris and I came into work for my manager's meeting (well he went shopping while I did work). We had planned on going to the cinema but couldn't decide on anything we wanted to see so went home to watch dodgy British TV and make dinner - the way days off should be spent!

Today, despite the warnings of snow and blizzards, we woke up to sunshine. Yes, it's cold and crisp but the sun makes me smile. If there's anything I've learned from living over here it's appreciating the sunshine when it's here.

I'm in the middle of making plans to visit Oz and hopefully will soon have dates for everyone so the parties can be organised ;)

As not that much has happened in the last 5 days I've reduced my top 10 to my Top 5:

1. Friends - Still in at No.1 because there's not a day that I don't think about them - both new and old.

2. Emails - A big hello to my cousin Melinda who surprised me with an email :) It really makes my day with pleasant surprises like that!

3. SMS - Still putting a big hole in my bank account but was nice to hear back from Johanna after wishing her a happy birthday - I miss you girl! Email me!

4. Cheap flights - there seems to be many around this neck of the woods. Now I just need the mulla to take advantage!

5. Pesto - The best things since sliced bread. I've recently discovered the Wild Rocket Pesto variety and am a big fan of the Black Olive kind too. Tossed in with a few grilled vegies and penne al dente, food doesn't get much better than that!

x
Vanessa