re-joining the workforce

November has been slightly mad. It started with me in the gym, which is pretty wacko anyway, and ended with me, about 12 job interviews later, with a new, permanent job I start on Monday. It's a bit of a hike, over in Battersea. Not far in theory, but with public transport, will be an hour or so each way. Still, not bad for London. The job seems worth it, too. I had been freelance digital studio manager in an agency in London for the last 3 weeks, while the job hunting chaos was happening, earning some cash, which is always nice. 


I have had a bad head cold for the last week, and I can't remember the last time a cold knocked me out like this. Decongestants aren't doing the usual trick, so I've been relying on the tried and true lots of fluids and rest method. Does nothing for the phlegm, but seems to be a little easier to bear with each passing day. Good times. 


I have so much clothes shopping to do, a haircut to get, things to do... I think I shall remain here on the sofa instead, with my orange juice and leftover pumpkin cheesecake. 

crash, bang, wallop, what a blog post

i'm just going to skip any apologies about it being forever since i've posted on this or my pub blog. 


things you might be interested in. or perhaps not:


we've moved. we're no longer living in the sticks--way out in Guildford. commuting is a breeze, for me. i started out being really good at walking every day, it's about 3.2 miles one way, but realised i just sweat too much. i spend the rest of the day incredibly self-conscious about it. so then i tried to keep up with walking home every day, but just got lazy. i've learned (due to my apparent keen sense of smell) that a lot of other people in the office jog/ walk to work and--holy crap--they smell. there is a shower in the basement, but it's pretty well-used, and the water pressure i'm told is non-existent. so i keep making excuses for not exercising every day, but i'm hoping to guilt myself into it soon. 


i'm working out my notice at the jay-oh-be. i had to give 2 months, which is crazy. feels like the longest detention, that i'm in solely for taking the jay-oh-be in the first place. i just fancy a change. realise it's not the best time to hunt for work, and i could be much more diligent in the process, but i really am just done where i'm at. not sure where i'll be heading next in that regard, but i have a solid 5 weeks to find something promising.  


i still don't have my UK driving license, but i'm working on it. i took some lessons last year, which went well. we went to a music fest, ATP (i can still drive on the US one, but eventually, i want a car. and to learn to drive manual...), where we rented a car and drove across the country. i decided to practice my manual driving skills. it was a 4 hour trip one way, complete with a now-friend-but-at-the-time-total-stranger in the backseat--but he was good at not crying or freaking out every time i stalled and had random people swearing and honking at me. which was frequently. i haven't been in the manual since--only because the holidays then happened (rented automatic when mom came over, didn't want to deal with two backseat drivers telling me about the biting point whilst stuck in a crowded round-a-bout), and i just got out of the habit. 


we're heading back to the States in Sept! can't wait to see the fam, pinch the nephew cheeks... eat delicious food. see you?


i'll try and be better about all this posting. no promises.


some explanation on the title if you're not in the alan partridge know

happy year of the rat!

we celebrated chinese new year in chinatown, starting with lunch with richard at my favorite chinese restaurant and drinks with my friend sigga in my favorite non-chinese pub in the area. was drunk and happy! hope you had a similar thursday.

today is gorgeous, so we're about to head out and shop.