Today I went to......the Zoo!!! I took my friend's advice and went early in the morning to avoid the crowds of people (it's free everyday so attracts a lot of visitors) and to make sure the animals weren't all hiding in the shade. I could easily go again though when Danny Boy gets here.
Being there reminded me of the last time I went to the zoo. Not only was it crappy old Belfast zoo but it was also in November and freezing. But, it was a surprise planned by my boy and even though it was wet and cold (Belfast Zoo is located half way up a mountain near enough) we had a lovely time. Especially because it was a surprise. I love animals and I love surprises.
Today it was the monkey's and the racoons that won my heart (only 'cos there were no meercats). But, I haven't been to many zoo's, it always breaks my heart to see a gorilla in captivity. I know I should feel the same way about all the animals but gorilla's always have such an air of sadness about them.
Yesterday I went to Parque Mexico. It's a quaint little place where dog-walkers and skateboarders hang out. I was a little hasty in saying all city's are the same. For one, Mexico is not a fast paced city. It's just too hot during the day for people to move fast. I love warm countries because I love street vendors. You can see what's on offer without going into the shop and feeling like you have to buy something. And I love the smell of all the fruit juice venodors on the street. Hmmm all that lovely fresh fruit. I'm away for a fruit shake. And then some beers.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Taking Things Easy
I still haven´t been to the zoo yet but yesterday was Sunday, the busiest day to go (so not much chance of actually seeing the animals) and today is Monday, where most things are closed. The shops and restaurants are all open but musuems and banks are closed. So tomorrow I'll get up bright and early and spend a nice day at the zoo and the park.
I really haven't been doing a whole lot but it's what I needed after the madness of Christmas and getting ready for my travels. I don't really feel like I should be doing anything. It's just nice to finally be here.
As far as cultural differences go, it's kinda hard to write about. I have always felt that city's are much the same all over the world. Mexico city obviously has it's differences but you are still never too far away from a Starbucks or McDonalds. It's certainly a different experience to when I went to Thailand. For a start, I was in a small city in Thailand that, despite the monkey's, didn't see a whole lot of tourists. So, when the locals saw a white face they would stare and shout 'Hello' and giggle with their friends. Obviously they´re much more used to tourists here and so I am ignored for the most part. Which suits me just fine. It's nice to be anonymous. You don't get that in a small town like Ballymena.
I am looking forward to making my way down south. I have plans to go to Oaxaca and San Cristobal De Las Casas before I cross the border to Guatemala. I would like to make a little beach trip though but I haven't decided where yet. Ah, that's the best part, having no real plans to stick to. It's always how I imagined travelling to be. Just ambling along and seing what happens. The reason I'm staying so long in Mexico City is 'cos I'm waiting for Danny Boy to get here and because I have some friends here.
Anyway, today I may go to Parque Mexico, which although is nowhere near as big as the park that houses the Zoo and museums, it is meant to be the nicest park in Mexico. I have always loved parks and just hanging out there to read will be pleasure enough for me.
I really haven't been doing a whole lot but it's what I needed after the madness of Christmas and getting ready for my travels. I don't really feel like I should be doing anything. It's just nice to finally be here.
As far as cultural differences go, it's kinda hard to write about. I have always felt that city's are much the same all over the world. Mexico city obviously has it's differences but you are still never too far away from a Starbucks or McDonalds. It's certainly a different experience to when I went to Thailand. For a start, I was in a small city in Thailand that, despite the monkey's, didn't see a whole lot of tourists. So, when the locals saw a white face they would stare and shout 'Hello' and giggle with their friends. Obviously they´re much more used to tourists here and so I am ignored for the most part. Which suits me just fine. It's nice to be anonymous. You don't get that in a small town like Ballymena.
I am looking forward to making my way down south. I have plans to go to Oaxaca and San Cristobal De Las Casas before I cross the border to Guatemala. I would like to make a little beach trip though but I haven't decided where yet. Ah, that's the best part, having no real plans to stick to. It's always how I imagined travelling to be. Just ambling along and seing what happens. The reason I'm staying so long in Mexico City is 'cos I'm waiting for Danny Boy to get here and because I have some friends here.
Anyway, today I may go to Parque Mexico, which although is nowhere near as big as the park that houses the Zoo and museums, it is meant to be the nicest park in Mexico. I have always loved parks and just hanging out there to read will be pleasure enough for me.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
I Miss My Boy!
I hate that! I was nearly just at the end of finishing a post and it got wiped. I don't really have the heart to sit and write it all again so I'll do it tomorrow. But what I will say is, even though I'm having a lovely time, I miss my boyfriend badly. It's not even been that long but I think it's more the fact that it will be a long time before I see him again. When I do finally see him though it will be in Madrid. The poor thing's never had a holiday abroad before and I fly from Peru to Madrid before flying to London. I thought it would be nice if I could meet him in a totally different city, where the sun will be shining and I should, hopefully, be half fluent in Spanish. Ah.....
Oh, because I've stopped over-indulging in a certain substance (I'll let your overactive imaginations guess what that substance might be) my dreams have returned and they are crraaazzzy. The first mad one I was doing a celebrity bush tucker trial and had to eat cut up chunks of human brain! I can alsmost sort of remember the taste now, kind of chemically. The other one I dreamt that my friend here fell out with me 'cos they were robbed and blamed me. I was going to have to leave Mexico because of it. And last night I dreamt that my friend from home was trying to get out of going to work by eating a worm. She said she could feel it wriggling inside her. So...yeh,Freud would have a field day I'm sure.
So tomorrow I'll try to re-write that blog post and finally get round to writing about my short time in NYC. Unitl then, buenos tardes mis amigos.
Oh, because I've stopped over-indulging in a certain substance (I'll let your overactive imaginations guess what that substance might be) my dreams have returned and they are crraaazzzy. The first mad one I was doing a celebrity bush tucker trial and had to eat cut up chunks of human brain! I can alsmost sort of remember the taste now, kind of chemically. The other one I dreamt that my friend here fell out with me 'cos they were robbed and blamed me. I was going to have to leave Mexico because of it. And last night I dreamt that my friend from home was trying to get out of going to work by eating a worm. She said she could feel it wriggling inside her. So...yeh,Freud would have a field day I'm sure.
So tomorrow I'll try to re-write that blog post and finally get round to writing about my short time in NYC. Unitl then, buenos tardes mis amigos.
The First Proper Post From Abroad
So, the whole rucksack facade has been resolved, thankfully. It was a mission though. One of them situations where if I spoke the language it would have been sorted out pretty quickly but the language barrier just made everything 100 times more difficult.
But now it's sorted I've had a chance to actually start enjoying myself and seeing a bit of Mexico City. I went out for dinner with Chris, Melodie and Sarah on Thursday night and then we drank wine and played Uka at their apartment. The wine was delicious and Uka was very difficult. It's a card game with about 1 million rules. When they were explaining it to me they kept saying "oh, and just one more thing".
Today I went to the Zocalo. This is the famous square in Mexico city. One of the biggest in the world. Unfortunately they're doing a bit of refurbishment at the minute but the Catherdral was absolutley stunning.
Actually, maybe I should write a little about my time in New York. Well, the first day there it rained and because I was trying to do everything on the cheap it kind of limited me a little. The first thing I did do though was go and visit the St. Patrick's Cathedral. Good Catholic girl that I am.
My second day there was much better though. It was cold but the sun was shining so I walked to Central Park. If I ever go back to NY (which I kinda doubt) it'll be in the summer and I'd go with someone else. Having said that I ended up having a surprisingly pleasant night when I went to an Irish bar. One of the guy's who worked there was Irish and he was playing pool with his New Yorker friends. They asked me if I wanted to play so I spent the night hanging out with them drinking whiskey. One of them asked me why I chose that particular bar and I said I was outside and a guy came out for a smoke, so I asked him did they sell Jameson`s and he said yes. That was me sold. They found this hilarious though I'm not quite sure why.
It was a lovely night though and everyone wished me well on travels, told me to be careful, etc. etc. but they were all reaññy genuine, lovley people. That's one thing I'll give NY credit for. For a big city, people are really friendly and helpful.
So, now I'm in Mexico City and there's so much to do here and I'm in no particular rush. It's fantastic. Just ambling about at my own pace, soaking up the sun and culture. I'm staying in the Zona Rosa (Pink Zone) which is kinda like the red light district so there are many gay and lesbian bars and sex shops. And as such, there are more clothes shops for men than there are for women. I noticed this when I thought I would have to buy a whole new wardrobe.
Right, anyway, I guess I won't have anything to blog about if I don't get off my ass and go do something. Walking any distance here is tough though, not just because of the heat but because of the high altitude. Though the bonus of high altitude is that you get drunker quicker. (Un)fortunately for me, I'm Irish and probably would need to be at least 5 km above sea level for this to have any real affect. I'm hardcore me.
But now it's sorted I've had a chance to actually start enjoying myself and seeing a bit of Mexico City. I went out for dinner with Chris, Melodie and Sarah on Thursday night and then we drank wine and played Uka at their apartment. The wine was delicious and Uka was very difficult. It's a card game with about 1 million rules. When they were explaining it to me they kept saying "oh, and just one more thing".
Today I went to the Zocalo. This is the famous square in Mexico city. One of the biggest in the world. Unfortunately they're doing a bit of refurbishment at the minute but the Catherdral was absolutley stunning.
Actually, maybe I should write a little about my time in New York. Well, the first day there it rained and because I was trying to do everything on the cheap it kind of limited me a little. The first thing I did do though was go and visit the St. Patrick's Cathedral. Good Catholic girl that I am.
My second day there was much better though. It was cold but the sun was shining so I walked to Central Park. If I ever go back to NY (which I kinda doubt) it'll be in the summer and I'd go with someone else. Having said that I ended up having a surprisingly pleasant night when I went to an Irish bar. One of the guy's who worked there was Irish and he was playing pool with his New Yorker friends. They asked me if I wanted to play so I spent the night hanging out with them drinking whiskey. One of them asked me why I chose that particular bar and I said I was outside and a guy came out for a smoke, so I asked him did they sell Jameson`s and he said yes. That was me sold. They found this hilarious though I'm not quite sure why.
It was a lovely night though and everyone wished me well on travels, told me to be careful, etc. etc. but they were all reaññy genuine, lovley people. That's one thing I'll give NY credit for. For a big city, people are really friendly and helpful.
So, now I'm in Mexico City and there's so much to do here and I'm in no particular rush. It's fantastic. Just ambling about at my own pace, soaking up the sun and culture. I'm staying in the Zona Rosa (Pink Zone) which is kinda like the red light district so there are many gay and lesbian bars and sex shops. And as such, there are more clothes shops for men than there are for women. I noticed this when I thought I would have to buy a whole new wardrobe.
Right, anyway, I guess I won't have anything to blog about if I don't get off my ass and go do something. Walking any distance here is tough though, not just because of the heat but because of the high altitude. Though the bonus of high altitude is that you get drunker quicker. (Un)fortunately for me, I'm Irish and probably would need to be at least 5 km above sea level for this to have any real affect. I'm hardcore me.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
At Least They Let Me In
It´s been a long 36 hrs. That´s how long I´ve been awake. Tell a lie, I did snatch 3 hrs earlier on but I´m not convinced it was the most restful of naps.
I arrived in Mexico City at 5 O´Clock this morning. My rucksack didn´t. Apparently this happens all the time but it was the last thing I was expecting. I was worrying about everything else but. The guy at the airport said he´d forward it to my hostel but didn´t actually write down the address of my hostel. I´ve been trying to phone them all day but they don´t answer. I just hope when I go back to the airport tomorrow it´ll be waiting for me. If not I´m just gonna have to buy everything I need. Luckily I´m in one of the cheapest places for it though I didn´t really account for it in my budget.
The clothes aren´t important. Nothing in it really is except my camera. But I´d bought a Paulo Cohelo book in New York called Brida about an Irish girl who meets a wise man who lives in the woods and teaches her to trust in the goodness of people and she meets a woman who teaches her to dance to the music of the world. I bought it because I believe in these philosophies and I love Paulo Cohelo. I´m a bit gutted about that too but it´s not like I´ll never get to read it.
Aside from that though it´s fantastic being in Mexico. I met up with Chris this morning who showed me around a bit and informed me there is a Zoo at the park, which is free on Sundays. That´s definitely on my list of things to do. It´s just great being somewhere different ¨{NYC doesn´t count as being different}. I love different cultures and it reminds me of my time in Thailand. Not that the cultures are similar but just that feeling of newness and adventure.
That´s how I met Chris and his fiance actually. In Thailand. And it´s been a big help having a friendly face around. We´re gonna go out for Mescale (a tequila like licquor derived from the cactus plant) on Friday night and eat the best (according to Chris) tacos in the whole of Mexico and, possibly, the world.
I tried phoning home but it´s far too confusing. But I explained my problem to the guy at the internet shop and he was really helpful and phoned the airport for me (they didn´t answer for him either) but even him just trying to help was enough to console me a bit.
Mel said they lost her luggage at JFK as well. So they seem to have a problem transporting it. Excuse my language but they´re fucking noobs. And what kind of way is that to honour one of their greatest Presidents? Making a total royal fuck-up. Tomorrow´s a new day though and regardless if I get this sorted the sun will be shining.
I arrived in Mexico City at 5 O´Clock this morning. My rucksack didn´t. Apparently this happens all the time but it was the last thing I was expecting. I was worrying about everything else but. The guy at the airport said he´d forward it to my hostel but didn´t actually write down the address of my hostel. I´ve been trying to phone them all day but they don´t answer. I just hope when I go back to the airport tomorrow it´ll be waiting for me. If not I´m just gonna have to buy everything I need. Luckily I´m in one of the cheapest places for it though I didn´t really account for it in my budget.
The clothes aren´t important. Nothing in it really is except my camera. But I´d bought a Paulo Cohelo book in New York called Brida about an Irish girl who meets a wise man who lives in the woods and teaches her to trust in the goodness of people and she meets a woman who teaches her to dance to the music of the world. I bought it because I believe in these philosophies and I love Paulo Cohelo. I´m a bit gutted about that too but it´s not like I´ll never get to read it.
Aside from that though it´s fantastic being in Mexico. I met up with Chris this morning who showed me around a bit and informed me there is a Zoo at the park, which is free on Sundays. That´s definitely on my list of things to do. It´s just great being somewhere different ¨{NYC doesn´t count as being different}. I love different cultures and it reminds me of my time in Thailand. Not that the cultures are similar but just that feeling of newness and adventure.
That´s how I met Chris and his fiance actually. In Thailand. And it´s been a big help having a friendly face around. We´re gonna go out for Mescale (a tequila like licquor derived from the cactus plant) on Friday night and eat the best (according to Chris) tacos in the whole of Mexico and, possibly, the world.
I tried phoning home but it´s far too confusing. But I explained my problem to the guy at the internet shop and he was really helpful and phoned the airport for me (they didn´t answer for him either) but even him just trying to help was enough to console me a bit.
Mel said they lost her luggage at JFK as well. So they seem to have a problem transporting it. Excuse my language but they´re fucking noobs. And what kind of way is that to honour one of their greatest Presidents? Making a total royal fuck-up. Tomorrow´s a new day though and regardless if I get this sorted the sun will be shining.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Everything Comes Together
I don't need to worry about losing my bank card. I got a travel card at the post office yesterday and today my other bank card arrived in the post. My sleeping bag also arrived today so no stressing about that anymore either. I've started my packing and getting quite worried about carrying it everywhere as it nearly killed me bringing in a bucket of coal today.
That's pretty much everything sorted now. I'm hoping tomorrow will be a lovely relaxing day but something tells me that just ain't gonna happen. I was meant to meet some friends for a couple of drinks last night. The plan was to have a couple and then spend the rest of the night with my boy (the one that I thought I shouldn't be with because I was going away but then I realised that I really loved him and 5 months wasn't that long a time). And obviously we spent a romantic night in, cuddling by the fire and whispering sweet nothings. We didn't stay out drinking 'til the pubs kicked us out and then insist that Half Term Kerm and JL come back for more drinks and a serenading session. Oh no! It was a good night out but when I woke up this morning (late) I sort of wished that we'd stuck to the original plan.
It was a lovely night though and JL got me some lovely things to take with me. The best thing was a notebook with photos of mum, baby M, the pets, my boy, maltesers and a meercat! Some people know just exactly how to make me smile. I'm sure I'll be able to squeeze in one more post before I go but if not the next time I blog will be from New York!
That's pretty much everything sorted now. I'm hoping tomorrow will be a lovely relaxing day but something tells me that just ain't gonna happen. I was meant to meet some friends for a couple of drinks last night. The plan was to have a couple and then spend the rest of the night with my boy (the one that I thought I shouldn't be with because I was going away but then I realised that I really loved him and 5 months wasn't that long a time). And obviously we spent a romantic night in, cuddling by the fire and whispering sweet nothings. We didn't stay out drinking 'til the pubs kicked us out and then insist that Half Term Kerm and JL come back for more drinks and a serenading session. Oh no! It was a good night out but when I woke up this morning (late) I sort of wished that we'd stuck to the original plan.
It was a lovely night though and JL got me some lovely things to take with me. The best thing was a notebook with photos of mum, baby M, the pets, my boy, maltesers and a meercat! Some people know just exactly how to make me smile. I'm sure I'll be able to squeeze in one more post before I go but if not the next time I blog will be from New York!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Lots Of Money But No Means To Spend It
I guess I'm not technically on holiday until I start get a lie-in in the morning. I was up at the crack of dawn today to sort more stuff. First on the agenda was the bank. I'd applied for a new account so I'd have a spare debit card to take in case I lost my main one. I'd gone in last week saying I'd got my pin before Christmas but no card yet. The girl assured me my card would be there in a couple of days. But no. I went in today and a different clerk told me that the card had been sent on 15th December and I should have got it by now. She had no choice but to cancel the card and order a new one. The new one will take 7 working days. I have 3 working days before I go. When I asked her if there was anything else I could do she just just smiled sympathetically as she shook her head and said, "You're just going to have be really careful with your card". Like I hadn't planned to already be really careful with my card. It's not much use to me when someone has mugged me and I have sufficient money in the bank to buy myself a nice warm cup of coffee and something to eat but absolutely no means of accessing it.
The next stop was the Citizen's Advice Bureau. This went much better than the bank. I was getting some advice on where I stood with D2 and getting my final wages and the guy informed me that if I didn't get paid what I needed was a RP1 form. I don't really understand the ins and outs of but he was basically telling me that I hadn't worked for nothing. Someone would pay me what was owed. Then when I got home I'd received a letter from a company I didn't recognise but knew it had something to do with D2 because it was addressed to Hannah Clarke Bowyer. Obviously my middle name is not Clarke and whatever illegible scrawl my old manager had made she'd added an extra 'K' in for good measure. So the company have been bought over and it seems my wages are safe one way or the other. I kinda had a good feeling they would be but I guess I shouldn't count my chickens until the money is safely in my bank account.
I also squeezed in 2 walks with Miss Martha. The first one was to give Z a bit of time to get a few things done and the second one was for the dogs. Though Miss Martha took advantage of that one too.
My heart leaps with joy every time I think about sitting in the warm sun supping on a pina colada. My mate Danny will be joining me at the beginning of February for a couple of weeks. Danny also visited me when I was in Thailand. I have to keep him away from motorbikes and he has to keep me away from basketball courts.
The next stop was the Citizen's Advice Bureau. This went much better than the bank. I was getting some advice on where I stood with D2 and getting my final wages and the guy informed me that if I didn't get paid what I needed was a RP1 form. I don't really understand the ins and outs of but he was basically telling me that I hadn't worked for nothing. Someone would pay me what was owed. Then when I got home I'd received a letter from a company I didn't recognise but knew it had something to do with D2 because it was addressed to Hannah Clarke Bowyer. Obviously my middle name is not Clarke and whatever illegible scrawl my old manager had made she'd added an extra 'K' in for good measure. So the company have been bought over and it seems my wages are safe one way or the other. I kinda had a good feeling they would be but I guess I shouldn't count my chickens until the money is safely in my bank account.
I also squeezed in 2 walks with Miss Martha. The first one was to give Z a bit of time to get a few things done and the second one was for the dogs. Though Miss Martha took advantage of that one too.
My heart leaps with joy every time I think about sitting in the warm sun supping on a pina colada. My mate Danny will be joining me at the beginning of February for a couple of weeks. Danny also visited me when I was in Thailand. I have to keep him away from motorbikes and he has to keep me away from basketball courts.
Monday, January 11, 2010
A Total Shower Of C**ts
This day next week I'll be in the York of New. Still freezing my balls off but I guess that won't bother me so much as everything will be new and interesting. It only occurred to me last week that I should take a sleeping bag with me. You'd think this would be one of the first things I'd have sorted out but common sense isn't really a strong point of mine.
As it turns out, the 'shit' job may not be paying me my final wages and holiday pay. The reason being the company (D2 by the way, a clothes shop that probably would have done alright if it was managed properly) have gone into administration. It's galling to think of how I worked my ass off, possibly for nothing. Especially when I'd tried to hand my notice in 3 times. I was wrecked working them hours. Good for nothing. Unable to spend quality time with my family and friends. And now it might've all been for nothing.
I know when I'm basking in the sun this will be the last thing on my mind but just as the minute, while it's all up in the air and it's still in my face, I feel pretty pissed off. It's just the icing on the cake from this company. All the shit that I've put up with from them and I might not even get what is owed to me. Still, it's not just me who's affected. There will be people within the company who aren't relying on the money for the holiday of a lifetime but to feed and heat their family. Our government sucks. But you live and you learn. I hope. I have learned to trust my gut instinct. I have never liked mixing letters and numbers together. D2 have just confirmed this.
As it turns out, the 'shit' job may not be paying me my final wages and holiday pay. The reason being the company (D2 by the way, a clothes shop that probably would have done alright if it was managed properly) have gone into administration. It's galling to think of how I worked my ass off, possibly for nothing. Especially when I'd tried to hand my notice in 3 times. I was wrecked working them hours. Good for nothing. Unable to spend quality time with my family and friends. And now it might've all been for nothing.
I know when I'm basking in the sun this will be the last thing on my mind but just as the minute, while it's all up in the air and it's still in my face, I feel pretty pissed off. It's just the icing on the cake from this company. All the shit that I've put up with from them and I might not even get what is owed to me. Still, it's not just me who's affected. There will be people within the company who aren't relying on the money for the holiday of a lifetime but to feed and heat their family. Our government sucks. But you live and you learn. I hope. I have learned to trust my gut instinct. I have never liked mixing letters and numbers together. D2 have just confirmed this.
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Another One Bites The Dust
Oh yeah, Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year. Most people said they had a quiet one but mine was pretty busy. A good kind of busy, though, that involved much socialising and much drinking.
Tomorrow is my last day of work! This makes me so happy. I look back now on all the 12 and 13 hour shifts I worked and it all of a sudden seems worth it. It was tough but I've earned the most massive reward. A long blissful holiday of chilling and relaxing.
I had a wisdom tooth taken out today. I was almost fearing it more than the flight to New York. It wasn't too bad though. The last time I had a tooth pulled I was so disorientated with pain I came home with a lovely sax that cost me a fortune. It was so sore and raw I'd felt totally violated. This time I was able to go visit Z and baby M and dance and sing and nurse baby M to sleep. Her Granda Bo will be pleased to hear she is a fan of Elbow.
I haven't been great at blogging lately. Just too much going on and my head's too cluttered with thoughts. I will be happy to experience some serenity and calmness. My idea of a perfect life would be to travel round S. America learning carpentry, Tai Chi and the saxophone and adopting a dog called Rusty. I'll be happy just to travel for now though.
Anyway, time for me to do other stuff. Like maybe take some more pain killers for the big gaping hole in my mouth where my tooth of wisdom used to be.
Tomorrow is my last day of work! This makes me so happy. I look back now on all the 12 and 13 hour shifts I worked and it all of a sudden seems worth it. It was tough but I've earned the most massive reward. A long blissful holiday of chilling and relaxing.
I had a wisdom tooth taken out today. I was almost fearing it more than the flight to New York. It wasn't too bad though. The last time I had a tooth pulled I was so disorientated with pain I came home with a lovely sax that cost me a fortune. It was so sore and raw I'd felt totally violated. This time I was able to go visit Z and baby M and dance and sing and nurse baby M to sleep. Her Granda Bo will be pleased to hear she is a fan of Elbow.
I haven't been great at blogging lately. Just too much going on and my head's too cluttered with thoughts. I will be happy to experience some serenity and calmness. My idea of a perfect life would be to travel round S. America learning carpentry, Tai Chi and the saxophone and adopting a dog called Rusty. I'll be happy just to travel for now though.
Anyway, time for me to do other stuff. Like maybe take some more pain killers for the big gaping hole in my mouth where my tooth of wisdom used to be.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
One Month Today
The Fear as really hit me. It's one month today that I embark upon my journey. That would be ok if I could just sit and wait for it to happen but I've still a million and one tings to do. And work is so busy that it's difficult to muster the energy to do anything on my time off.
Today I have to visit the quack and see what injections I need. Then I have to go into town and do pretty much ALL my xmas shopping. Then I have to come home and sort out the mountain of dirty washing that's been piling up in my room. I have to go to the bank and deposit many, many bags of change I've been hoarding. Today is my only chance to do all this as it's my only day off between now and Christmas day (well, I'm off on Sunday but will no doubt be nursing a pretty spectacular hangover after my work xmas do).
So today is rather precious but instead of getting stuck into everything I need to do I've chose to blog about it first. I clearly have my priorities right. Next week my girls get here (Mels and Dirt Bird) so it's important that I get all the mundane stuff out of the way so I can enjoy some quality time with them. Mel, mum and I will partake in a Boxing Day Bun Off, which should be fun, and Dirt Bird has requested a lesson in Nelly's special pancake-making skills. There will be some Weston's Perry (£1.29 a pint and 7.4% alcohol!!!!) drank, whiskey, wine and maybe even a wee Buckfast or too. Buns will be eaten and smokes will be smoked.
Then after I eat like a horse over the festive period I have the pleasure of having a wisdom tooth removed. I may do what Z done and keep my tooth in a little box and take it with me. I don't like the idea of not being so wise. Right, off I go to do stuff that needs to be done.
Today I have to visit the quack and see what injections I need. Then I have to go into town and do pretty much ALL my xmas shopping. Then I have to come home and sort out the mountain of dirty washing that's been piling up in my room. I have to go to the bank and deposit many, many bags of change I've been hoarding. Today is my only chance to do all this as it's my only day off between now and Christmas day (well, I'm off on Sunday but will no doubt be nursing a pretty spectacular hangover after my work xmas do).
So today is rather precious but instead of getting stuck into everything I need to do I've chose to blog about it first. I clearly have my priorities right. Next week my girls get here (Mels and Dirt Bird) so it's important that I get all the mundane stuff out of the way so I can enjoy some quality time with them. Mel, mum and I will partake in a Boxing Day Bun Off, which should be fun, and Dirt Bird has requested a lesson in Nelly's special pancake-making skills. There will be some Weston's Perry (£1.29 a pint and 7.4% alcohol!!!!) drank, whiskey, wine and maybe even a wee Buckfast or too. Buns will be eaten and smokes will be smoked.
Then after I eat like a horse over the festive period I have the pleasure of having a wisdom tooth removed. I may do what Z done and keep my tooth in a little box and take it with me. I don't like the idea of not being so wise. Right, off I go to do stuff that needs to be done.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
From A to B
I'm a traveler who doesn't really like traveling. I'm not sure if it's laziness or a disliking to being confined to vessels and timetables. I think it's more the latter as I hate being restricted. Though it is part laziness too as there's so much organising involved and I am not a big fan of organising.
I have been wondering for years now, why haven't they invented teleportation? And not this silly notion of needing portals to get from A to B, no, an actual button at the side of our neck that instantly transports us from one place to the other. So when we're too drunk to walk we can just teleport home.
So anyway, I love being in other places and I don't mind traveling if it's aimlessly, with no place to be at no particular time. But I hate long distance flights and bus journey's. They are long and boring, and I can't get off the plane whenever I want. I always loved the idea of jumping on a train and getting off whenever I felt like it or when I liked the look of a town. Everything's so regimented these days though it's hard to travel with real freedom.
Though, I suppose I should also note that, it's whilst taking these plane and bus journey's that you have some of your best experiences because there's so much opportunity to interact with people. Not only that, the actual traveling part gives you time for reflection, or reading, or writing or knitting (if that's your kind of thing), all of which are enjoyable. I still think they should hurry up and invent teleportation though.
I have been wondering for years now, why haven't they invented teleportation? And not this silly notion of needing portals to get from A to B, no, an actual button at the side of our neck that instantly transports us from one place to the other. So when we're too drunk to walk we can just teleport home.
So anyway, I love being in other places and I don't mind traveling if it's aimlessly, with no place to be at no particular time. But I hate long distance flights and bus journey's. They are long and boring, and I can't get off the plane whenever I want. I always loved the idea of jumping on a train and getting off whenever I felt like it or when I liked the look of a town. Everything's so regimented these days though it's hard to travel with real freedom.
Though, I suppose I should also note that, it's whilst taking these plane and bus journey's that you have some of your best experiences because there's so much opportunity to interact with people. Not only that, the actual traveling part gives you time for reflection, or reading, or writing or knitting (if that's your kind of thing), all of which are enjoyable. I still think they should hurry up and invent teleportation though.
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Down The Pub
D put this pic up on Flickr. He titles it Martha's Reaction At Final Whistle He admitted that he used a little artistic license but she was watching the Ireland Vs S. Africa match that Saturday and she Ireland did win so it wasn't total lies.
In other news...I did go into work that next day (after threatening to walk out) and I did say to my boss: I'm giving you my one week's notice, do you want it in writing. I'm still not free from their evil clutches though. I didn't have the heart to let her down over Christmas. My New Year's Resolution is to grow some balls.
Fat Face Freddy's diet totally fell to an arse and, not only that, the good Holly cat is getting kinda chubby too. I think the kitekat self service is back on. Oh, and Auntie Ganching was home last weekend. She regaled me with stories of horrendous bus crashes in S.America and listed off all the dangers I would most definitely face (kidnapping, rape, muggings, murder). I'm all set now to face an almost certain horrific death. Least I'll die in a nice warm country.
Friday, December 04, 2009
Getting Stuff Done
I booked my flight home from S.America to London via Madrid. I'm gonna spend a couple of days in Madrid then I land in London 2 days before Katkins wedding. I'm glad I've booked it because it means I don't need to worry about spending all my money on whiskey. It was also beginning to roar my head looking at endless flights home via different routes. The way that I'm traveling I won't have to back track on myself.
Also, it has put mum's mind at rest that I won't be landing in New York and not allowed into the country because I've no return flight home. That doesn't matter though because I'm worried that they might not believe the person in my passport photo is actually me. It was taken years ago and I've been told many times that I look like a serial killer in it (especially if it's a photocopy).
I also did my online ESTA thingy. They approved it but say it doesn't guarantee me entry into the USA. I maybe should've got a new passport. Especially considering one of Brad's darling cats peed on it in Thailand. I've been sorting stuff out left, right and centre but it still feels like there's a lot to do. I'm currently trying to delete all the shite off my itunes so I've got the perfect playlist for traveling. I remember when me and Earthworm Jim went backpacking round Europe we spent days making several mini disc compilations. We bought external speakers for it and stocked up in loads of batteries. We remembered to bring everything but the mini discs. Now technology is so clever I don't have to worry about bringing the discs. But I will cry if I forget my ipod.
Also, it has put mum's mind at rest that I won't be landing in New York and not allowed into the country because I've no return flight home. That doesn't matter though because I'm worried that they might not believe the person in my passport photo is actually me. It was taken years ago and I've been told many times that I look like a serial killer in it (especially if it's a photocopy).
I also did my online ESTA thingy. They approved it but say it doesn't guarantee me entry into the USA. I maybe should've got a new passport. Especially considering one of Brad's darling cats peed on it in Thailand. I've been sorting stuff out left, right and centre but it still feels like there's a lot to do. I'm currently trying to delete all the shite off my itunes so I've got the perfect playlist for traveling. I remember when me and Earthworm Jim went backpacking round Europe we spent days making several mini disc compilations. We bought external speakers for it and stocked up in loads of batteries. We remembered to bring everything but the mini discs. Now technology is so clever I don't have to worry about bringing the discs. But I will cry if I forget my ipod.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
When Bad Days Turn Good
It's funny how sometimes it can take 'til about 10 O'clock at night before your day starts getting good. I only started work (the shit job) at one today but 7 minutes in and I was already enraged. Mum called in to get her purse at two and she said she could feel the anger. I'm not normally like this but I think I'm pretty stressed about going away and trying to juggle two jobs while fitting in time for everything else. Not to mention that I'm still feeling pretty bluee about breaking up. I felt like an absolute demon today.
But demon's must be entitled to some joy too because I had the pleasure of seeing little Martha not once, not twice but thrice. My dad also had good news today and I couldn't be more chuffed for him! And within the space of a couple of days I've found 3 people to meet up with in Mexico. The most important being young Danny Boy who came to visit me in Thailand. And while he was sitting at Noom's bar one afternoon as I was at school he befriended a dude, Chris, from Australia and a chica from Canada, Melodie. Later that night Danny proposed to Melodie and then he proposed to Chris. He also proposed to a few other people and although romance wasn't in the air for Danny that night, it was for Chris and Melodie who hooked up and have been together ever since. But they, too, are in Mexico and will be until July so Danny and I will are gonna visit them. Chris has promised to build me basketball hoop!
But definitely the best news of today is that probably for sure I will be getting full time hours with the good job, which means I can tell the boss of the shit job to go boil her head in a pan of fucking oil. Even if it all backfires on me I don't care. I'd rather go to S.America with less money and work there if I have to rather than work myself into a frenzy so that I'm all wound up for traveling, which I know would spoil the first few weeks away. There's more to life than working every hour God sends.
Gosh, is that the time? I need to get a good night's sleep for tomorrow I'll be letting the boss from the shit job know that I don't need the hassle and I just don't care.
But demon's must be entitled to some joy too because I had the pleasure of seeing little Martha not once, not twice but thrice. My dad also had good news today and I couldn't be more chuffed for him! And within the space of a couple of days I've found 3 people to meet up with in Mexico. The most important being young Danny Boy who came to visit me in Thailand. And while he was sitting at Noom's bar one afternoon as I was at school he befriended a dude, Chris, from Australia and a chica from Canada, Melodie. Later that night Danny proposed to Melodie and then he proposed to Chris. He also proposed to a few other people and although romance wasn't in the air for Danny that night, it was for Chris and Melodie who hooked up and have been together ever since. But they, too, are in Mexico and will be until July so Danny and I will are gonna visit them. Chris has promised to build me basketball hoop!
But definitely the best news of today is that probably for sure I will be getting full time hours with the good job, which means I can tell the boss of the shit job to go boil her head in a pan of fucking oil. Even if it all backfires on me I don't care. I'd rather go to S.America with less money and work there if I have to rather than work myself into a frenzy so that I'm all wound up for traveling, which I know would spoil the first few weeks away. There's more to life than working every hour God sends.
Gosh, is that the time? I need to get a good night's sleep for tomorrow I'll be letting the boss from the shit job know that I don't need the hassle and I just don't care.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
My Lovely Sax
I was talking to Mel the other night. She was telling me how she'd paid a fortune for glasses lenses and it gutted her. I wonder how many people actually say "I should have gone to Specsavers" because I know I have. Everything's just a money spin. But how we both laughed as I reminisced about the time I went to trade in my old sax for the new one just after having a tooth pulled. I was in such horrendous pain that I heard the right numbers, I just got them the wrong way round.
I went home all chuffed with myself saying to Bert (who was there and witnessed the part exchange) how brilliant it was that I got a new sax for £80. Then Bert informed me that, no, they'd paid me £80 for my old sax and I'd bought the new one for £200. I didn't believe him 'til I pulled out my card receipt. I was pretty gutted. Then again, I had a new saxophone to console myself with. A lovely saxophone. That gets played once every few months. By Bert.
I went home all chuffed with myself saying to Bert (who was there and witnessed the part exchange) how brilliant it was that I got a new sax for £80. Then Bert informed me that, no, they'd paid me £80 for my old sax and I'd bought the new one for £200. I didn't believe him 'til I pulled out my card receipt. I was pretty gutted. Then again, I had a new saxophone to console myself with. A lovely saxophone. That gets played once every few months. By Bert.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Nelly Has The Pleasure
So, I contacted Maltesers the other day via their website. I just dropped them a little line to ask about the MaltEaster bunnies they brought out last year. They have reassured me that there are plans to make chocolate bars but they will also be bringing out the bunnies next Easter. This might mean though that someone will have to post me a batch to S.America. God I hate this country but God I love the chocolate.
I'm totally at a loss in my life. Sitting here waiting in limbo for my trip. I feel disjointed. I have no kids, boyfriend, pets or plants. Nothing and nobody needs me and I feel kinda empty and void. The only person who needs me (or thinks she needs me) is Pearlie, and that's for things like taking her stockings off. My calling in life is so glamorous! Yesterday I was let off taking her stockings off due to being in 'bad form'. Nelly had the joy instead. I believe this was the interchange between stocking-taker-offer and stocking-taker-offee:
Offer: Right, so you want these stockings off then?
Offee: Aye, but where's Hannah? Hannah could take them off.
Offer: Hannah's in 'bad form' so I'll do it.
Offee: How could she be in 'bad form' sure she was off work all day!
Offer: That's why she's in 'bad form'. She'd rather be out working.
Anyway, Nelly was half right. I don't mind the odd day off but working all weekend and then having a Monday and Tuesday off isn't great for my social life. On the other hand, though, it is good for my traveling fund.
I'm totally at a loss in my life. Sitting here waiting in limbo for my trip. I feel disjointed. I have no kids, boyfriend, pets or plants. Nothing and nobody needs me and I feel kinda empty and void. The only person who needs me (or thinks she needs me) is Pearlie, and that's for things like taking her stockings off. My calling in life is so glamorous! Yesterday I was let off taking her stockings off due to being in 'bad form'. Nelly had the joy instead. I believe this was the interchange between stocking-taker-offer and stocking-taker-offee:
Offer: Right, so you want these stockings off then?
Offee: Aye, but where's Hannah? Hannah could take them off.
Offer: Hannah's in 'bad form' so I'll do it.
Offee: How could she be in 'bad form' sure she was off work all day!
Offer: That's why she's in 'bad form'. She'd rather be out working.
Anyway, Nelly was half right. I don't mind the odd day off but working all weekend and then having a Monday and Tuesday off isn't great for my social life. On the other hand, though, it is good for my traveling fund.
Monday, November 16, 2009
The Washing Machine Of My Mind
I'm in one of those moods today where I'm wondering: what's it all about? I'm not happy, or sad, just 'Ho Hum'. The pissy weather isn't helping. And I'm wondering why we don't have a National Dancing Day yet because surely that would put a smile on everyone's face.
Dylan Moran has the perfect answer for how he fills his day. He has no hobbies or pastimes, in fact, he finds them sinister. So what does he do with his day? He spends most of his time in the washing machine of his own mind, thinking: What's this? When does it end? Do I like it? I don't know. Oh, it's time to go to sleep. I can't sleep, I'm worried.
I'd quite like to employ a personal assistant at the minute, y'know, someone to basically think for me while I happily forget everything and play escape games. I'm pretty sure I should be making appointments to see the doc about vaccinations and I should probably do my ESTA thing and be looking into health insurance. The days are just rolling by and I'm no further ahead. The only thing that's in my head at the minute are leaving do's. I've already figured I need to have at least 6 parties to incorporate everyone I want to say goodbye to. I'll probably be dying from one big accumulative hangover by the time I board my flight but this actually seems like quite a desirable state to leave in. If I'm hungover I will be too distracted to worry.
Anyone know any good Irish bars in New York?
Dylan Moran has the perfect answer for how he fills his day. He has no hobbies or pastimes, in fact, he finds them sinister. So what does he do with his day? He spends most of his time in the washing machine of his own mind, thinking: What's this? When does it end? Do I like it? I don't know. Oh, it's time to go to sleep. I can't sleep, I'm worried.
I'd quite like to employ a personal assistant at the minute, y'know, someone to basically think for me while I happily forget everything and play escape games. I'm pretty sure I should be making appointments to see the doc about vaccinations and I should probably do my ESTA thing and be looking into health insurance. The days are just rolling by and I'm no further ahead. The only thing that's in my head at the minute are leaving do's. I've already figured I need to have at least 6 parties to incorporate everyone I want to say goodbye to. I'll probably be dying from one big accumulative hangover by the time I board my flight but this actually seems like quite a desirable state to leave in. If I'm hungover I will be too distracted to worry.
Anyone know any good Irish bars in New York?
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
I Could Boke Thinking About It
Nelly and Bert had pumpkin soup for dinner tonight. It was homemade by Nelly using pumpkin's grown in Nelly's garden and chillies grown in Wee Les' Wee garden (I don't know if it's a wee garden but it can't be too big otherwise Wee Les wouldn't be able to look after it).
Due to bastarding toothache soup seemed like a damn good idea to me, but one mouthful of Nelly's pumpkin soup, with Wee Les' kick ass chillies, was enough for me to know that eating a whole bowlful would be a painful experience. My eyes lingered over the Cup-A-Soup but I thought I'd go for a can of Baxter's Leek and Potato instead.
As I poured the contents from the can I thought it looked different but I heated it up and buttered my bread and sat down to dine. After one spoonful I knew something was amiss. But how could soup from a can be fusty? I asked Bert to taste it but he'd just eaten the last of his marzipan bar and wasn't forsaking the sugary taste in his mouth for anything. I checked the date on the can. Fine. I remarked upon the weirdness of it to mum and she assumed that it was probably just not very nice soup.
So back to my bowl. I dipped some bread in and concentrated on the taste of butter. I ate half a slice of bread then chanced another spoonful. No way! The smell hit my nose before the spoon entered my mouth.
There's definitely something wrong with that soup!
I asked Bert again but he was still enjoying his sugar high. I took the bowl into mum. She sniffed. Just a stinking soup according to her expert nostrils. Then she tasted a mouthful and squealed.
Eeeuuuggghhh!!! It's sour!
I bloody knew it! I knew it yet I tried to endure it. Forced myself to eat half a slice of bread with it. And then the thought of it just turned me. Mum reckoned it tasted like snot. Bert scrunched his face up talking about rancid, slimy leeks. I am a little bit traumatised.
In other news: Fat Face Freddy is off the diet. Bert kept "forgetting" (Bert does have a terrible memory but I'm inclined to believe that he's just too soft to cut down Fred's food intake). So tonight when I walked into the kitchen and saw Freddy devouring a bowl of food the size of a small mountain I confiscated it. And then when I caught him finishing off what was in Holly cat's bowl I confiscated that too. At which point he decided if he couldn't eat the rest of his dinner he was gonna eat poor Holly cat. So, the diet's off. Purely for the sake of Holly cat of course.
Monday, November 09, 2009
Fat Face Freddy
The other night when Nelly was writing this post we got chatting about her obsession for dead animals. I reckoned I must have inherited this desire as I recall, when I was a youngster, taking great pleasure in retrieving any dead mouse or shrew the cat brought back. I liked to give them a proper burial. Mum was wondering was it just a thing children do. I said it must have been as I remembered big sister Z being most appalled when she saw a dead mouse, in a clear plastic freezer bag, sitting on the kitchen table one morning before school. Obviously I hadn't time to bury it before school and was keeping it in the freezer bag for later when I got home. Hey, that's what wee sisters are for. Just like big sisters are for making you believe that bears live in the woods.
We called out to see baby M (not Z or D, just baby M!) after work tonight. I got to have a nice cuddle with Martha. The first proper one in fact. I think this is because I'm not so scared of breaking her now. And she didn't seem so grumpy about being cuddled. She normally cries when placed in my arms. I don't know if it's just coincidence or if she actually hates me.
Fish Face Freddy is officially the fattest cat in Ireland and is now on a part-time diet. I say part-time because if it's Bert feeding him he forgets. All you gotta do is look at his massive bulging gut to remember that he's too damn fat and needs to be on a diet. Also, the kitty hardnuts are no longer accessible on a self service basis. And no more Freddy finishing off the remains of Holly's dinner. Fat bastard!
We called out to see baby M (not Z or D, just baby M!) after work tonight. I got to have a nice cuddle with Martha. The first proper one in fact. I think this is because I'm not so scared of breaking her now. And she didn't seem so grumpy about being cuddled. She normally cries when placed in my arms. I don't know if it's just coincidence or if she actually hates me.
Fish Face Freddy is officially the fattest cat in Ireland and is now on a part-time diet. I say part-time because if it's Bert feeding him he forgets. All you gotta do is look at his massive bulging gut to remember that he's too damn fat and needs to be on a diet. Also, the kitty hardnuts are no longer accessible on a self service basis. And no more Freddy finishing off the remains of Holly's dinner. Fat bastard!
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
Breaking up is hard to do but there are good break ups and there are bad break ups. I never really talked about my boy on my blog. For a few reasons. For the fact that it's kinda hard announcing that you've met someone you like in an sphere that's so public, especially when you know that the person you like will read it. It's also hard if you're not actually sure where that relationship's going and you're just wanting to take things slowly and casually. It's also hard when you know, even before you've embarked on that relationship, that it was always going to be temporary because you never planned on staying in that place where that person is. You always knew that one day it'd be over because you were going somewhere far away for an indefinite period of time.
Breaking up is hard to do. Especially when you love someone deeply but you knew, right from day one, you never stood a chance. And if I'm giving the impression that this love was one-sided. It wasn't. It was always reciprocated. It was mutual. We showed it in different ways but we both showed it and we both felt it and it was divine. It was a soft, comforting blanket wrapped round our hearts and cheeks and souls. It was what it was and it was enjoyed until it stopped becoming enjoyable.
Breaking up is hard to do. But sometimes it's the right thing to do. And when 2 people can realise this, accept it and leave each other, not with bitterness, but with kind words and respect and appreciation and thought, then it's a good break up. And in my eyes, that's true love. When you care about a person so much that you can let them be free. When their happiness is more important that yours because if they're happy, you'll be happy. And you know it's a good break up if you look at what you've shared and you don't regret a thing, you just try to figure out the lesson that life is teaching you. Aye, there are good break ups and there are bad break ups.
Either way though, it still hurts.
Breaking up is hard to do. Especially when you love someone deeply but you knew, right from day one, you never stood a chance. And if I'm giving the impression that this love was one-sided. It wasn't. It was always reciprocated. It was mutual. We showed it in different ways but we both showed it and we both felt it and it was divine. It was a soft, comforting blanket wrapped round our hearts and cheeks and souls. It was what it was and it was enjoyed until it stopped becoming enjoyable.
Breaking up is hard to do. But sometimes it's the right thing to do. And when 2 people can realise this, accept it and leave each other, not with bitterness, but with kind words and respect and appreciation and thought, then it's a good break up. And in my eyes, that's true love. When you care about a person so much that you can let them be free. When their happiness is more important that yours because if they're happy, you'll be happy. And you know it's a good break up if you look at what you've shared and you don't regret a thing, you just try to figure out the lesson that life is teaching you. Aye, there are good break ups and there are bad break ups.
Either way though, it still hurts.
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