Friday, June 29, 2007

Arghhhh!

I'm so excited!!!!!!!!!!! I'm going to Poland and Budapest in October!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now I'm in minus holiday mode at work. I had to buy half a day teehee.

SO EXCITED. I love spontaneous travel.

Woohoo!!!!!!

Stuff

Well, it's been at least a week since my last confession so it's about time I give you some juicy details about my high flying London life.

To begin with I branched out in my biscuit eating and have tried a new type called Boasters. They have choc chips and hazelnuts in them. I like them a lot but there aren't as many in a packet and while I like quality, quantity is very important too.

Ascot was cool. I saw the Queen in her Queenmobile wave to everyone while going around the course (I waved back).I bumped into a guy I apparently used to hang around with when I was 14 and got drenched. Oh, the Brits do great port-a-loos. They have kind of green carpet in them and pictures on the wall. It was tres posh.

Despite it being 'summer' it has rained EVERY freakin' day for the past month. On Wednesday night it was especially nice when we were going to the supermarket, didn't bring an umbrella and ended up running to Waitrose in hail like rain. It was torrential.

Work has been crazy busy. Except for today when I am obviously faffing. Yesterday arvo all of the writers went to this talk in a cellar of one of the oldest pubs in London to hear this writer speak. It was just us and it was really cool. The dude had written a book about the history of words like 'arse' which I of course found fascinating.

Update, it's raining again. Sheesh.

Last night I went and saw Fat Freddy's Drop. They were awesome but the location wasn't as good as last year. I was patted down on entry, that should give you some idea of what the venue was like! Then on the way home there were severe delays on the tube and it took about an hour and a half to get home. Sucky tube.

Tonight I am spose to go to Covent Garden but there's been a bomb scare and the Picadilly line has been shut. Honestly, these bombers are so inconsiderate of my social life.

Tomorrow I may try and attempt going shopping again. I've been trying really hard to go shopping but it's just so draining. There are way too many people around, but I'll give it another crack. Wish me luck.

Ok, my team leader (who I sit next to by the way) keeps on looking at my computer. Must go!

xx

Monday, June 25, 2007

Thursday, June 21, 2007

I have a tummy ache

Cause I ate a whole packet of milk chocolate hobnobs last night. Let's just say they really are digestives. Man am I paying for my piggery. Ugh. But seriously, I was being sympathetic to Skinner cause she got knocked off her bike yesterday. Um, you may ask how I was being sympathetic. Well, she had chocolate (which I also ate) and I bought hobnobs to make her feel better. It just so happened that she only helped me eat two (boo to that effort) and I was feeling shaky (in sympathy) and eating helps shaky people (i.e me).

Anyway, so I know you are all DYING for an update on my exciting London life. Well, here it is. Apart from swearing off hobnobs for at least a couple of days I have decided that I really don't like the maroon jumper dude at work. I've said hi (not hiya) to him twice and he just gives me this smug look back. Once he just raised his eyebrows. I want to smack him up. So now I've totally shown him by raising MY eyebrows to HIM. Yeah.

Hmmm, what else. I'm going to the Ascot Races this weekend. I'd never heard of it, but apparently it's a big deal and the Queen goes. But paying £15 to get into the Silver Ring I doubt I'll be rubbing shoulders with anyone other than drunk Pommie yobbos.

I've finally got a security pass at work. Since May 8th I've been waiting outside the many doors in this building until someone walks past to let me in. It's not quite that security pass on the string thing that I've always wanted, but it'll do. Plus I get my own lanyard - ooooer.

I've also totally decided that I have a body temperature issue. Walking to and on the tube I sweat like a pig (like droplets of sweat and it's not even that hot) and then at work I freeze. As I type I have purple nails I am so cold. Maybe it's because I'm Asian. Yea, probably, when two climates collide in the midst of DNA there can only be trouble.

Oh, and I promise to take some pictures this weekend of the house etc!

Friday, June 15, 2007

OK, this is a really quick one

I went to the best class last night - and it wasn't pole dancing! Well, I did that too, but this one was way funnier. It was called kangaroo something and you wear these crazy boot things (kind of like roller blades) and bounce up and down. It's so London. I love it!!! It was so cool!! Pole dancing was good. I was waaay worse at it than I thought I would be. I think I may have pole burn. Perhaps bouncing like a kangaroo is more me..

Yay, I'm going to see Angus and Julia Stone tonight!!!!

Thursday, June 14, 2007

BBQ expert

I just thought you would all like to know that I am officially known as the BBQ expert at Iris. I'll tell you why:

1. I'm Australian (duh it's in-built)
2. There was a pic of a weber on a piece of artwork with copy next to it saying 'gas bbq'. I had a look and said 'that's a weber' and suddenly I was the Ghandi of bbq's.

Someone actually said they needed to 'pick my brains about bbqing techniques later' - seriously!! How funny is that!!

In other news, I know nothing can really compete with my bbq queen newsflash, but I got a pair of red boxing gloves as part of my gym membership (they are SO hardcore), I had the BEST Hagen Daas strawberry cheesecake icecream last night, I'm finally digging spicy food (ok lamb korma isn't exactly hot hot, but still, it's a start) and I'm going to see Angus and Julia Stone tomorrow night in Camden - yay!!

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Dancin' in Convent Garden

Man, I was sooooo like Jessica Alba in Honey last night. Gettin' down with tha street vibes. Obviously I was no where near as hot as her and despite being an orange number 23 (that should give me a bit of street cred), I was dancing like a white chick. They were doing that booty thing and there were quite a few good authentic bootiers so I felt a little inadequate, but nevertheless the class totally rocked and I am SO joining this gym. Megs and I are trying Pole Dancing on Thursday night. I may have to pay special attention to the moves cause I STILL haven't been paid yet (JOKE Mum!!). Apparently I'm not getting paid until the end of June for work since the beginning of May.

I'm hungry.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Germs, buffet and Madge Magic

So I've developed this kind of disturbing habit from frequent tube use. I only like to use one hand to hold onto the poles so only one gets infested with germs. Then, when I get to work, I have to go straight into the bathroom and wash my hands. I think I may end up turning into one of those freaky people who don't like walking over cracks either.

Mmmmmm, I just ate a Crispy Creme. I think it was coffee flavoured and it was glazed on both sides. I licked my fingers but it's ok, they were clean.

I'm meeting Megs tonight as we are going to this crazy gym called Gymbox where they have classes like 'Look better naked' and 'Madge Magic' where they only play Madonna songs while you exercise. Tonight we are trying out a less crazy class called Street Vibe (I'm surprised it's not spelt Vybe).

Back to food, I went to the best indoor market thing in Kensington on the weekend. It was similar to one that I went to in New York where you get a container and you pay for the food by the weight. Somehow Megs and I both didn't realise how expensive it would be. Luckily I ate a majority of my food while waiting in the line (hey that's what happens when you make me wait), but I think it was the bok choy that tipped me over the £7 mark. It was worth changing tube 5 times to get there (damn tube closures).

I am now a permanent fulltimer and have the hottest mac book. I am so in love with it. It's so white, shiny and little. I'd marry it if it was legally recognised.

Ok, I'm off now, I am going to stop at Oxford Street on the way to the gym.

Ta ta

Thursday, June 07, 2007

Thoughts

There is a guy who just started this week as a copywriter in the team I have been freelancing in. He has worn this maroon knitted jumper everyday this week but that's not the problem, it's just an observation of a poor choice in colour when you're a ginger nut with curly hair. Anyway, my problem with him is more the fact that he spends a lot of the day with his chair pushed back with a 'thinking' face on. I bet he's thinking about his pet hamster (if he had one) or what he's having for lunch. He looks like that guy who always appears in movies as 'the ugly friend'. There's just something about him that bugs me. Oh, and he sighs a lot. Like A LOT. Usually when he's 'thinking'. Oh, and he keeps on opening the window. Meanwhile my cuticles have gone purple cause I'm so cold.

In other news there is a toilet at work that really is just too small to be a cubicle. When you sit or hover you bang into the toilet paper dispenser. It's seriously uncomfortable and you end up having to do some kind of shoulder droop in order to fit.

Still on work, there is guy whose team I am going to be in and while he's probably been the most friendly to me out of everyone here I have no idea what his name is. I'm thinking it's a bit rude to ask seeing as though I've been talking to him for almost a month now. HA - whoops.

In equally uninteresting news, I was in a briefing session the other day and the girl who was talking kept on drawing up the spit in her mouth after every sentence. Bloody English, if I was at home we would have all taken the piss after, but no one else seemed to notice.

OOOOOOh, did I tell you all that I say a guy on the tube with the biggest ears EVER? They were so big, like think of the biggest ears you've ever seen and then triple it. Oh, and Skinner and I bought rice pudding in a can for 19p - what a bargain!!!

Finally, what is with the English and their greetings? They are totally confusing me. For example, instead of saying 'hello' or 'how are you going' it is:

'Hiya' - this is ok, but if I start saying this I am going to have to wash my mouth out with soap
'Alright' - good thanks? Yes? Yes and you? This is a tough one..
'You alright' - you can't say good thanks, it just doesn't work..
'Hi youright' - even with the 'hi' it makes my response too long...'hi, good thanks and you?'

Hmmm this post has been stimulating.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Decision made

Well, it's been decided. I'm taking the role as a copywriter. I feel like this is my only shot at giving it a go here in London and if I didn't take this opportunity that would be it. So I'm giving it a crack - who would have thought this time last year this is where I would end up. Life works in strange but very cool ways.

Mmmm, hello to Fridays at Borough Markets. The road to obesity will continue in full force.

Thanks to those of you who sent me emails with career advice.

Other news, it was actually sunny on the weekend. It was soooooo exciting. I had a great day on Saturday and went to Richmond which is a beautiful area south of the river. There are various eateries located on the banks and with the greenery and the row boats it feels so very dainty and english. I felt a bit Picnic at Hanging Rock - minus the rock, the fact I wasn't in Australia, I wasn't a school girl and there was no mysterious disappearances. So all in all, it was really the fact that I should have been wearing a white dress with a straw hat.

I also got told I had orange skin by some dude riding a bike. Between that and being a number 23 I may also soon be having some kind of identity crisis.

Food wise I have been trying really hard to like Wagamama's (Asian fast food chain located in Oz's eatern states) but I just don't dig it.

I am also trying to wean myself off of hobnobs. It's becoming a problem with all this tea drinking. I need dipping accompaniments!

I also discovered Argos on Sunday. What a great place. Catalogue shopping, then box ticking and then product collecting. I love it! The Rebecca Room is coming together nicely indeed.

I am currently planning trips for this year which will hopefully include sailing in Croatia, Oktoberfest and some unidentified location for a long weekend.

Ok, lunchtime!

Friday, June 01, 2007

Career crisis

So I'm having a crisis...

I don't know what to do with my life. I have two career paths to choose from and neither I'm sure I want to do.They are both paying the same so that doesn't really help. Both are in creative environments (tick) but then both kind of lead to different things.

Let's go through my options (I wish I had butcher paper)

COPYWRITER

THE UGHS:

Yea, it's ok most of the time but I don't love it. Sometimes I do though. Well, love is a strong word when describing work, let's say enjoy.

I feel like a massive fraud doing it. I feel like someone is going to tap me on the shoulder at any moment and say 'umm, what are you doing? You suck, can you leave?'

I can't imagine doing it for the rest of my life. Ok, that's dramatic, for the next couple of years lets say.

THE YEAS:

The place I am working at is near the Borough Markets (lots of ticks to that)

The place I am working at is 'going places'

I'd like to give copywriting more of a go as my previous experience was slightly warped

I am given free reign (that's really scary) and no one checks my work.

There's a bonus scheme

It's closer to home


PROJECT MANAGER

THE UGHS:

I would have to deal with clients again

I wouldn't be writing anymore

I would have to do job bags and organise stuff instead of just being told what to do

It's further from home

Pay is less (no bonus)

THE YEAS:

I would be the project manager for Nike

The workplace is smaller and has a better vibe and friendlier people

There's the opportunity to move into a tv project manager role

They produce really cool work

This would open up more doors to other jobs here rather than just limiting myself to copywriting

HELP! I don't know what to do and I have to decide over the weekend.....I'd really just rather faff...

Can't think of a title

Last night I had enjoyed all that London has to offer. Well, obviously only a small part of it in one go, but still, it was a great part.

They have set up huge screens in Trafalgar Square and last night was the first screening for 'summer'. They are showcasing various ballet and opera performances and I got to watch the Royal Ballet perform Swan Lake. It was beamed from Covent Garden and it was amazing. Yes, my arse hurt from sitting on concrete for 3 hours and yes, I was freezing but it was worth it.

Tonight we are going to Brick Lane to try one of their famous curries. My taste buds have slightly hardened from my time in Thailand so I ready and willing! I'm not sure if I will go past a korma, but hey, I've totally evolved from sweet chili sauce at least.

I've got another week of freelancing and was offered a full time writing position this morning. Thing is, I've basically been offered this other job too, so I kind of have a decision to make. This is of course once the ££ (that looks so wrong) are confirmed. Will let you know which career path I decide to take. Is it wrong that I am leaning towards the job I think I would least like just because it's close to really good food??