Saturday 29 September 2012

September 29 2012

Good morning friends ::waves:: wow it has been over a week since my last blog post. Sorry but since I have been working life has been a bit busy but I am here finally! to report to you about my job, what I do, and other stuff.

Workplace Summary
As in my previous post I mentioned that this is through a temp agency here in the Northeast of England and they have placed me on a 2 week assignment at Durham University. My job is Monday to Friday -  9am to 5pm with an hour lunch.  This week started off a little rough as the agency gave me the wrong address for the building (as the international office recently moved but didn't let agency know) - so luckily enough I made it 5 minutes before my assignment started. I know superstar right? That day I was in a huge rush/flustered/especially since it was raining and I didn't find anyone on the street to ask for directions. This week I have been working on stuffing welcome packs for new international students, which meant middle of this week a few paper cuts :( but nothing major. On Friday we hosted an international Fair where sponsors such as banks, libraries and other University services met students and informed them about their services.  Then later in the afternoon I helped out Melissa (my boss) in the informational sessions in the lecture theater.

Tuesday
This was quite the day because in GB (Great Britain) we got dumped with lots of rain - which meant flooding as an end result.  Every morning Craig drops me off at the bus stop (since I don't have a car to drive *sniffle*) and on that morning I waited over 1 hour for my bus - it never came and I was quite worried. An exchange student from Germany was also at the bus stop with me and was going to college - and a big purple bus going to Sunderland passed us and said a bridge collapsed because of the flooding. So we walked to her homestay family and the father drove us. I know my parents say never to get in a strangers car but I really had no choice but to go with her as a taxi could take forever to pick me.  I also called my new best friend Kate to call the International Office to let them know I would be late as I didn't have their phone number.  I only got to work 30 minutes late but everything was ok as other people had difficulty getting into work as well.
Here is the news article about flash flooding - http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/torrential-rain-causes-chaos-as-rail-roads-and-properties-are-hit-by-most-intense-september-storm-for-30-years-8179512.html

Rest of week
 Nothing else really new to report - I have exchanged my money for Euros for my Paris trip to see my parents next weekend. Better get going to apply for more jobs and figure out what I should pack for my trip (as I don't want to do it all last minute) especially since I am going on a coach journey with Durham Uni international students to Newcastle :D on Saturday.

Thursday 20 September 2012

September 20th 2012

Hello friends! ::waves:: Sorry I haven't posted recently since I set my deadline timeline of when to come home if it all goes belly up.   I have around 85 days til December 17th - Craig helped set that date. So I have been pushing my job skills up a notch and trying to stay focused - ok I admit it that I so wanted to burst into tears on Sunday - but I am remaining POSITIVE. Also this week I have been working on an opportunity involving a social media strategy for where Craig works - I am very excited and hope they see they need Katie Little :D

I wanted to share with you that I have secured a 2 week temp job at Durham University - this is a stepping stone I know but I feel great about it.


Oh and did I say its 2 months til my birthday? Eeek! :D

Sunday 16 September 2012

Sunday September 16 2012

Hello again friends! Nothing really exciting to report this Sunday. Craig and I just relaxed around the house. I finished one of the books I bought last week :D and Craig finished a book on his Kindle. Someday I think I will invest my money in a Kindle - I love everything digital but I really like holding an actual real book in my hands. I guess I am still 'old school' just how I enjoy reading newspapers as well. As many people don't know (except Craig and my parents) that I have an interview for Christmas casual work at Royal Mail this week - which I know is only PT but it is an opportunity Craig says. As my dad has clearly stated that isn't going to be enough. So I told Craig about this and he understands so he helped me create a timeline/deadline. Here is the picture:
This is my 3 month plan with deadline date of December 17th. So I have 88 days to find a job!
I really hope I can find something. I would love to stay in the NorthEast ideally but who knows.
I just have to really watch my money but apply, apply, apply!

If any of my friends - blog readers know of any work opportunities that fit my job skill set please pass along the details. I really want to make this work!


Oh and thanks to Craig for making a yummy dinner tonight as well! We had burgers mmmmf and I also want to send out my apology to Craig for stealing part of his lunch today - it was a delicious omelet baked in the oven :D




One last thing - yesterday I went to London (as I had 1 day left on my rail pass to use up before September 17) to meet up with a Twitter friend of mine. We have been talking constantly because both of us are looking for a job - there is an age gap but I swear she is my sister from another mother. This is Kate - my best friend!


Also Craig and I watched Cedar Rapids - such a great film!




Thursday 13 September 2012

Recap September 12 2012

Greetings friends! ::stretch:: good morning to everyone. This is a recap of Wednesday.
To make a quick summary of my day:
  • Continued on with my job hunt - now also applying for receptionist positions. Got an email from Royal Mail re: Christmas Data Entry Casual Work- that they want me to come to their assessment day - so I have to reserve a time slot for that (when they fix the system as their are technical issues with it)
  • Kept good with my 2-3x a day jog/walk exercise plan around West Rainton
  • Made a stir fry for lunch (I really need to figure out other creative lunch options I think hehe)
  • Had leftovers from Tuesday evening - Chicken Korma with rice mmmm for dinner with Craig
  • Today also Orange Wednesday! YAY! Craig and I went to Cineworld and saw the new Adam Sandler film. Super funny! 

Sunday 9 September 2012

Sept 9 2012

::stretch:: big yawn and I am awake! Today is my dad's birthday! but I am not there :(
Put on my big fluffy pink robe and walked downstairs to grab some juice. Not really feeling well today. I thought a train journey would be really fun today as I have 1 more day to use on my BritRail pass before September 17th - but my tummy aches so I will just relax today.  Craig has his afternoon planned to watch F1 for a few hours in the afternoon. I had the bright idea let's go on a Starbucks run! as I wanted to get out of the house for a bit plus I wanted some books to read. 

Sunny Durham
What a lovely day outside! Craig parked Scarlett and we walked into town.  First was Starbucks of  course! I really love the atmosphere when I walk in - big chairs - long  tables etc. Not a huge amount of people for a Sunday morning but we grabbed a table by the window.   We chit chatted then headed off to Waterstones - where I bought 2 books :D. After we left the parking ramp we headed to Durham University (I was interested where it was in relation to the city center)

Casa de St. Godric
  Got home - tried to figure out which book I wanted to read first. Apparently one of the books I bought is a prequel to another book which I didn't buy. Craig already turned on the TV for F1 - so I grabbed some cous cous with veggies and chick peas out of the fridge for lunch.

Then for most of the afternoon I have been reading - called my dad to wish him a happy birthday - did a load of laundry and hung everything out on the clothes line afterwards.

Dinner
Another great meal tonight by Chef Craig! Tonight we had honey glazed chicken in soy sauce with rice and veggies.  I am always amazed how he plates everything to look so beautiful - I actually told him that and he was like 'well you take photos of all my creations so I have to up my game'. 


 

Recap September 8 2012

Greetings friends! The first weekend has started of September. This is a short recap of Saturday - so not in real time unfortunately. As mentioned earlier this week I have started my fitness routine -so I started off by getting dressed and made a smoothie (OJ+banana+mango+ice) - drank half of a glass then went for my morning jog.  It is quite pretty as I go past so many fields + see lots of horses. Came back and finished off the smoothie.  Did some job searching and surfed online. Craig mentioned that lunch would be around 2pm so at 1 I decided to go for my 2nd jog journey (as he was going to watch F1 racing) - I walked the same way in the morning - but took a turn into Rainton Meadows. I will have to bring my camera next time but it is so tranquil and gorgeous!   I wanted to go see more but thought I should head back. Once I walked inside I could smell something was cooking - Craig really surprises me! He is a Fantastic chef! Most of the nights he cooks and I clean up - but I am always on my own for lunch during the day which isn't a huge problem. I learn so much by watching him prepare veggies, meats etc. Today for lunch we had homemade tomato topped with homemade croutons - basil and diced pancetta.  See picture below:
Then for the afternoon Craig made cupcakes - and boy are they YUMMY!


Then for dinner we had Pork Medallions with Apple reduction with rice and asparagus (I normally don't eat much 'green' veggies but tonight I made an effort and ATE IT ALL)

We then curled up on the couch and watched Saint Trinians on Film 4 on TV.




 

Friday 7 September 2012

September 7 2012

Hello Friday! Tossing and turning in bed really didn't help me much last night. As many might not know I wrap myself all up in duvet/blankets like a mummy. I know odd right? Well when I was a kid I always got freaked out about the idea someone would come and grab me and my feet at night. Silly right? I guess you can say my bed looks like a war zone sometimes. Over exaggeration maybe? Got up slowly and took a shower.  Switched on my laptop and went online to look at the bus schedule for Durham bus station.  Before I left I grabbed a banana and had a small glass of pineapple juice.  Took the bus - purchased a Return ticket to Newcastle. Crap! Train is late - ugh! Took out iPad and went on mapquest to type in details for where NRG is in relation to the train station. 

Welcome to Newcastle 
I always imagined myself living and working in Newcastle - don't get me wrong I enjoy the South but the North is always great! Very friendly people and just relaxed atmosphere. So when I got off the train I had to high tail it and follow my directions.  I am a directional challenged girl - I would love to have my own GPS for walking then I would never get lost.   I asked a handful of people if I was going the right way + I even showed them a map of my destination but I had no luck! But thankfully I found someone who could give me better directions than just shrugging me off.  I had 20 minutes to get to my destination as my 'informational interview/chat' was at 11am. One of the annoying things is people provide me a specific building number - then when I get to the street and find half the buildings don't show numbers it is Crazy! Met Alison - really nice lady - she told me about the opportunities she handles in the Durham area. I am quite hopeful I will be able to go on assignments through NRG. I am hopeful! I did lots of walking - bought some moisturizer - then tried to think what I wanted to for lunch.  Subway sounded really good but I then saw a truck go by with the words Coast to Coast American Restaurant - and I thought to myself I haven't really had any American food lately and how I wondered what would they have on their menu. I went there. Was really happy to find out they had BBQ Pork. Mmmmm. Great atmosphere. Nice waitress - and I would definitely go there again.

After lunch I headed towards the train station. Didn't have to wait long to board the next train going to Durham.

 Durham is our next calling point
Once I arrived home - I chilled out for a bit but started job hunting hard core. Little after five I went for walk to see the horses. Later Craig got home. We had dinner here. Oh and I am all set to meeting my parents in Paris next month. It is quite funny it is cheaper to fly than to take the eurostar.

Au Revoir!



Thursday 6 September 2012

Recap September 5th 2012

Whoa! I guess this will be my first September post. Time has sure flown by. This is actually a recap post from yesterday.  As many of you might not know I have created a fitness plan - yes I spend lots of my time job hunting but I thought I should create a plan to help me stay fit & healthy.  Every day (morning, afternoon, evening) I am going on a walk/jog around the West Rainton area.  My mornings are exciting as I get to see horses :D yep will have to charge up my iPod Touch and start taking snap shots of the local wildlife I see. 

Also it was Orange Wednesday and that meant free movie night with Craig.
Here is the film we saw last night. Was really funny. Not sure if it will come to the States.