Porrieworrie's Adventure Stories

Biting the Bullet

2007-08-01T15:22:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

Yes, I'm still here! Life and work are busy, so I don't have a lot of time to update this blog...

Work is extremely busy this time of year because of graduate admissions coming in. That means lots of paperwork, a lot of queries from prospective students, and a lot of overtime. Hopefully though by next year the paperwork side of things will be greatly reduced, because of the college going "live" so we can receive applications online, but for now I will still have to type in a lot of stuff that somebody in the university has already typed in somewhere else. Answering queries is normally one of my favourite jobs, but because I'm so busy silly questions do get quite annoying. My favourite one last year was: "Do you think my golf-clubs will fit in my room?". It does keep you amused;)!

A few weeks back I finally received the application form for the AUA Postgraduate Certificate (see below), and I also received news that the college will pay more than 1/3 of the cost of the course, which is of course great news. I was a bit taken aback however, and suddenly felt very insecure about what to do next. Before I had to make the decision I thought I really had made up my mind, but when I really had to sign the form I was suddenly not so sure. Thankfully Derek helped me to have a sensible approach to the decision-making process, and together we came up with a plan. I did some research into the kind of roles I would be interested in pursuing in the future by emailing other members of the AUA and asking them about their working day, I asked for extra information about the course, and I looked at other options I have for the future. In the end I concluded that the course is a good idea after all. Some of the "job-descriptions" I received back were very interesting indeed, and I do now believe there is a good career to be had in HE management, and one that I would actually enjoy pursuing. Preferably I would like to move into student-welfare related roles, and then specifically focusing on international and graduate students, and I would also be interested in doing research for policy development. It seems that there are plenty of challenging roles out there in these areas. In the back of my mind there is still the urge to go and do a PhD, but I just know that a PhD in Scottish Literature at the end of the day will get me nowhere, as unfortunately the number of opportunities available is simply too small, and therefore I would be back at square one after 3.5 years. It is difficult for me, but I have to just be realistic and sensible about these things. The certificate will give me a chance to speed up my career progression into a role with the responsibility and intellectual demands that I crave, and it will teach me a lot of new skills that will come in very handy in my current role too. I know: don't I sound sensible!

Life is busy too, with lots of activities. I am still trying to keep up my review writing, although it is difficult to find the time to read, let alone write; I will be starting as an online 'travel correspondent' (rather a big word!) for www.volkskrantreizen.nl, the travel website of a Dutch newspaper, writing about Cambridge and Glasgow and about any of my travels; I am also still learning to drive (and no, I have not crashed (yet;))!); Derek and me also go to circuit training at our local gym once a week. And so on top of that I will be starting my course hopefully in October, which should take up about 6hrs a week. Maybe I'm mad?!

A few weeks ago Derek and me spent a long weekend in Dublin, which was lovely! I will be writing about that on the Volkskrant website (but in Dutch I'm afraid!), and on Friday we are going to drive up to Fife in Scotland to spend a week there with my parents and brother. Hopefully we are lucky with the summer weather, as that does seem to have finally arrived here in Cambridge. Otherwise I have plenty of books to read, so I will have no problem amusing myself!

Hope you are all well!

Love,

Mariken

HELP! Or "Driving for Beginners"

2007-04-17T15:19:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

Oh my WORD, I have booked my first ever driving lesson. Next week, on Wednesday to be precise, Laura (my instructor) will try to teach me how to drive. I wish her luck!

Xxx

Good news all round

2007-04-14T17:05:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

Life is treating me well. Work is enjoyable and life in general is indeed fab too. Some of my future plans are shaping up quite well, which is very exciting!

First of all Derek and I are moving house on the 6th of May (see below post). We're both really looking forward to that. It is going to be great! Lots of wee independent shops to buy our fruit, veg, meat etc from, nice pubs and restaurants to enjoy, Parkers Piece swimming pool only 5 minutes away, work closer by and town too. Does it get better than that?

Secondly I am going to start another Postgraduate course in October, if all goes well. I have been thinking a lot recently about my personal and professional development and on my investigations I came across this. I have decided that if I want to take a serious shot at a career in HE management this certificate is a great place to start. I have asked Wolfson whether there is a possibility that they will help me with the cost, so fingers crossed.

And thirdly I should really not be writing this as I am currently writing a review of James Robertson's The Testament of Gideon Mack for Laura Hird's website. Unfortunately, for me anyway, not the book or the author!, Robertson's book was featured on Richard and Judy's book club, which meant that the publisher decided not to send me a copy as they probably felt there was enough publicity already. Laura sent me her copy, but because of the delay I just missed the deadline for Issue 17. The next issue is due after June 15th, and I am a bit worried my review will by then be a bit of an afterthought, but I guess it is a good start and good practice for me! I am enjoying reading and writing about what I read very much anyway, and plan to review another book for new issue.

Apart form all this great news summer has arrived very early indeed and I have already been out in shorts (!). Crazy.

Hope you are all happy and healthy too:)!

xxx

New House SOON:) (if all goes to plan)

2007-03-28T15:34:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

It looks like Derek and me will be moving into a new house, a 2 bedroom Victorian terrace in the Romsey area of the city:)! We can move in after the 30th of April (hopefully), which is unfortunately just after my brother has been to visit (so he will still have to sleep on a camp bed on the floor in the living room)...

The house has 2 bedrooms (one double one single), a large living/dining room with an open fireplace, a large kitchen, a back garden with shed, central heating, a new bathroom, and it has a cat flap and pets are allowed (but Derek does not want a cat:(... as he might be allergic). It is about 1/2 the distance to Derek's work (from 5 miles down to 2.5) and it is 0.5 mile nearer my work too (from 3 to 2.5 miles). It is in a nice area with lots of wee shops, cafes and pubs, and quite near the centre of town (a five to ten minute cycle). Moreover it is not too much more expensive than our current house!

Exciting times:)! Will update you soon.

Love

New Life Now!

2007-02-20T17:16:00.000Z

Dear all,

Finally another post from me! Sorry to have kept you waiting for so long, but as you will understand I have been busy in my new job and by the time I get home I usually do not want to go back onto the computer. Nearly 6 months it has been now: CRAZY!

The weekend of the 2nd of September I moved all my things out of my room in Glasgow. When we had put it all in the corridor it really looked like it was never ever going to fit in the car, but miraculously it did! We even managed to add some of Derek's leftover stuff on top. It was an emotional goodbye for me; saying goodbye to my friends, Glasgow, and my lovely flat in the West End was not something I was looking forward to.

My arrival in Cambridge was joyous however, and it was lovely to move into the wee house with Derek. The house is in an area of the city called West Chesterton, a new-built estate. All the houses are individual (to a certain extent anyway) however, and it is actually quite a pleasant area that is lovely and quiet. The house is really a flat size-wise, but instead of splitting the house horizontally, these houses are purpose built split vertically. That means that downstairs the front door opens into the living room, with behind it a kitchen, and in the living room you take the stairs up to the bath- and bedroom. Some of the decoration is quite horrible, but we still managed to make it quite homely. It is a bit far from work. so over the past few weeks we have actually been looking at moving somewhere else, but it is proving rather difficult to find somewhere where we get the same or better for not too much extra money. I will keep you posted!

Cambridge is still Cambridge, and I do still miss Glasgow terribly (thankfully we will be visiting coming weekend!). I have however made a conscious effort to enjoy my time here; I have joined the Cambridge University Union Society and I regularly attend their debates, I go to a pub quiz with friends every Tuesday night, we regularly have new people over for dinner, I joined the Welcome International Students Cambridge program and met a very nice Chinese student, we regularly go to the local alternative cinema, we go on trips to different places in the area, we regularly visit London to go to the museum and meet up with friends. All in all I am certainly not bored!

Work is about a million times better than the old job, although I do still manage to complain sometimes. The college is a very nice and friendly place to work and my boss is lovely, working times are flexible if necessary, and work is never terribly stressful. What more might one ask for? In recent times my job has become more clearly defined, after I had spent the first months just doing bits and bobs, as I arrived in the busiest time and there simply was not time to teach me my job as well as keeping the college running smoothly. Now however I really am the Postgraduate Administrator, and I deal with all "my students" from admission to graduation. It is a rewarding job, and although I am still craving more responsibility, I am starting to feel good about it. I guess we all have to start somewhere, and this will definitely give me a good grounding if a career in Higher Education Administration/Management is what I want to do, and that is one of the things I am interested in. The fact that the college has mostly international students, about 75%, moreover will help me if I do decide to look for a role in an International Office one day.

Of course I still dream about either going back to uni to do a PhD, or about working in publishing, but both those dreams are, for the moment, on a bit of a back-burner. The former is not financially viable, or indeed sensible when it comes to future career prospects, while the latter is an extremely competitive world I may not actually want to work in. I have decided however that I ought to actively pursue my much more attainable idea of writing for a local newspaper, and I hope to come up with a proper plan to achieve that in the coming weeks/months. It would be a joy to write a monthly book column. I was looking at my new year's resolutions for last year, and I realised that I also still have not joined a political party. One of the reasons, apart from just being lazy, is that I now live in an area I do not know a lot about and I have little affinity with, which makes me feel less inclined to get involved, but it is another one of these things I might do one day!

Talking about politics; Derek and me are both going to an event at the House of Commons in March. It is a local "Glasgow Alumni from after 1980" get-together organised by Liam Fox MP, and I am really looking forward to it. It is a bit daunting, as most of the people there will probably be established business people and the like, and we were asked to "bring our business cards", but it will be a good place to meet new people and to 'network'!

I have been trying to organise a reunion with my friends from my exchange year in Glasgow, so hopefully that will soon go ahead. I have not seen some of them in years, so it is a very exciting prospect. It looks like it will take place in Paris, as two of them already live there, and it is easier to get to than Glasgow.

Much too long a post from me! Hope you are all well!

Lots of love, Mariken

New Life Sooooooooooon

2006-08-28T10:02:00.000+01:00

Thought I'd treat you to a cute (old) picture of Derek & me:)

Dear all (don't know why I write all as I am quite sure there's only 2 of you;)),

I've started packing my stuff... There is quite a lot of it... I've taken all the pictures from the walls, so my room now looks like I've just moved in. How on EARTH is all my stuff going to fit in a Fiesta...? Fingers crossed! I can't wait:).

I was hoping that I could tell you that I spent the past weekend partying, but I didn't... Instead I slept, cleaned, washed, packed. No one had time to party with me apparently:'(. Was really disappointed, but managed not to get angry with anyone. I did meet up with my cousin Ivy and her boyfriend Maurice on Saturday, which was great! They had been on a road-trip through Scotland and were in Glasgow for a day and night. We went for dinner at Cottiers, which was ok, though the food was slightly disappointing. I actually wanted to go to The Bothy or Stravaigin 2, but both, and another 4 restaurants, were fully booked...

Apart from that I did nothing much. I started in Women in Love by DH Lawrence, and that was about it really.

Tonight it's my last book club meeting. We read Trumpet by Jackie Kay, which I highly recommend to everybody. It is about a black trumpet player from Glasgow, Joss Moody, who, after his death, turns out to be a woman. He lived like a man, and his adopted son thought all this time that he was a man, as did everybody else (apart from his wife). The book is about how his son, wife, close friends and also the authorities deal with the news. This might sound like a very odd plot, that could potentially be very controversial, but it's not. What the book is really about is love, and that in the face of love all the above doesn't matter. The book doesn't attempt to explain why Joss lived like a man; the book and the characters in the book, simply move to accept it. I loved the voices in the book, the way it made the story seem totally believable, and its compassion. I miss it since I finished:'(. Give it a go: it will touch you.

Hope you're all well. I will keep you updated on my adventures in Cambridge:)!

Love,

NEW JOB

2006-07-31T15:10:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

I will be starting my new career as an Assistant Registrar at Wolfson College, one of Cambridge University's colleges, in September. Only 1 month to go!!!

I went for 3 interviews and got offered the above role. It is great: great college, great pay (I wont say how much, but it is nearly 5000 pounds a year more than I currently make;)!), great benefits, great responsibility, great opportunities:). I will be cycling into work, and I will have access to a free gym: I am going to be mega-fit;). This might however be somewhat counteracted by the fact that Derek and me love cooking and eating, drinking, and eating out...

I spent the past few days in Cambridge with Derek. It was lovely:). The wee house is fab, and Cambridge is just lovely too. The whole quintessentialy English surroundings and atmosphere take some getting used to, but you can hardly complain that it is "too pretty", or that there are "too many flower-baskets and punts", can you? Cycling along the river is something I look forward to, and maybe learning how to punt also.

Hope you are all happy and well:).

Love,

No Explore Learning Job

2006-07-11T16:08:00.000+01:00

And the answer was NO!!!!!!!! :'(

I have an interview with Wolfson College on 27th though:), for a position as an assistant registrar. Sounds like a nice job:). Am tryin gto arrange as many interviews for that Thursday and the Friday as I can.

Job anyone?

Love you all,

Mariken

Electoral Reform

2006-07-04T13:29:00.000+01:00

Aparently I am all for electoral reform:

Electoral Reform

Key: FPPTP = First Past the Post; AMS = Additional Member System; SYV = Single Transferable Vote; JAV+ = Jenkins Alternate Vote Plus; PLS = Party List System; CC = Cellular Constituencies. For explanations of these systems, please read the electoral reform FAQ. For more information about electoral reform in general, visit the Electoral Reform Society or Make My Vote Count.

FPPTP -23
AMS -8
	STV 6
JAV+ -21
	PLS 39
	CC 46

You should support: Cellular'>http://www.whoshouldyouvotefor.com/index.php?s=content&p=erfaq#cc">Cellular Constituencies (CC). Each voter casts a single vote for a party with the number of seats in the House of Commons a party wins being directly proportional to its share of the vote. The country is split into constituency cells for each party, their size dependent upon the number of MPs the party has, and the local parties within these cells select the candidate to represent them. Every voter therefore has an MP representing their area from a party for which they have voted. CC is certain to deliver coalition governments.

Take the test at Who Should You Vote For

Are you?

Xxx

Explore Learning

2006-06-27T11:50:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

I am THROUGH TO THE NEXT ROUND:)!!!!!!!!!

Let you know how things go.

Love you all!

Xxx Mariken

Catalonia & Job Hunting

2006-06-27T10:15:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

Sorry you haven't heard from me in a LLLOOONNNGGG time... I've been extremely busy hunting for jobs and I was on holiday in Catalonia June 3-17.

My holiday with Derek in Tarragona and Barcelona was absolutely wonderful. It was just what I needed after a horrible time at work.

In Tarragona first of all was lovely. A small city that is built on the ruins of the second city of the roman empire. Amazing history, ruins everywhere, a beautiful cathedral. Our apartment was nice, though basic. The only problem was that it was situated right next to the cathedral, in the middle of the old town. A perfect location one might say, but it also meant we had to endure bells every 15 minutes all day and night. On the hour the bells were really loud, and after two broken nights we decided to sleep with ear plugs. Apart from that it was perfect. Below the apartment for instance was out favourite restaurant, La Cuca Fera, where they served lovely Catalonian food with a modern twist; we ate there three times out of seven and one night we even got some drinks on the house:)! Every day we had a lunch of nice bread, meats, olives, salad and a bottle of rose and every night, bar one, we went out to dinner. Healthy living;)! All the roman ruins were impressive, and I especially liked the houses that were built into the roman (!) wall and that were still being lived in even now. The cathedral was my favourite place to visit; quiet and amazingly beautiful. The inner courtyard was especially lovely. My least favourite thing was probably going to the beach; too much sand;)! I would recommend Tarragona to anyone that wants to combine culture with relaxation: lovely:).

Then we went to Barcelona for something totally different. The journey was easy, especially as our apartment was very close to the Sagrada Familia and therefore very easy to find. We could see it from out wee balcony:)! We were met at the apartment by Olivier, who showed us round and told us what places we had to visit etc. We also asked him for the best restaurants and he gave us a list of 7 (!), with type of food, prices and what time to be there. Just what we needed;P! Over the week we tried to see many things, but did not try to see everything (definitely not enough time). My favourite things were the outside of the Sagrada Familia, the Miro museum and the roof of La Pedrera (another of Gaudi's masterpieces). The old part of the city is also very nice for strolling, with all its wee streets. I love how in Mediterranian inner cities there are still normal people living there; the washing hanging out etc. The restaurants were an experience in itself: the ones Olivier told us to go to were cheap, but at the same time the food was amazing and the interior suggested class and style. The only down side was that it was served very very fast, in order for them to make enough money of course. These restaurants were so popular that most of them has queues outside even before opening time (!). But our favourite was of a very different caliber, a restaurant called Meson David in a less touristy part of the city. On the outside, and indeed on the inside, it looked a bit shabby, but we decided to brave it. The waiter was fabulous; really friendly and chatty despite the fact that he only spoke Catalan and we didn't have much of a clue of what he was talking about. He seemed impressed that we managed to eat a (HUGE) starter, and a main and Derek also managed a desert. His main, a leg of pork, was just amazing. I'm not a pork fan generally, but it was beautiful, and the meat fell off the bone and melted in the mouth. Mmmmmm:).

As you can tell from the above I had a great holiday:). If you are wondering: yes I gained some weight;). The food is always one of the highlights of my holiday and Catalonian food is definitely lovely.

And the there was the going back to work... Not good... Especially as Derek moved to Cambridge on Friday morning...:'( The atmosphere at work is really quite horrible. Lots of people have already left as well. It is really quiet and people are not terribly cheerful. It just makes coming to work really hard, and because of the whole situation I just cannot enjoy my job very much. I am really ready to leave; my official redundancy date is September 5th, and I get Â£1300 if I do stay till that date. Realistically Â£1300 would last me about a month and a half though, so just finding myself a job now would be a lot easier. I have been applying like mad, and I had an interview with Explore Learning (again, see September 2005) on Thursday. I think it went well, but today (Tuesday and you're supposed to hear within three days) I still haven't heard anything. I will give Kate (the HR manager) a call this afternoon if there is still no word after lunch. Fingers crossed that I will now only receive invitations to interviews rather than rejection letters...

Derek is doing well in Cambridge. The wee house is apparently bigger than he remembered, and work (after one introduction day anyway) seems nice too. He will mostly do reading over the coming months, and work is quite flexible when it comes to hours etc. I will go visit him sometime soon for a (short...) weekend.

Hope you're all well! If you know anyone in Cambridge who is looking for a bright individual to join their company, please let me know!

Love,

This explains a lot

2006-04-11T16:09:00.000+01:00

Apparently (do disregard the spelling and grammar mistakes, they are not of my making):

You Are Kermit

Hi, ho! Lovable and friendly, you get along well with everyone you know.You're a big thinker, and sometimes you over think life's problems.Don't worry - everyone know's it's not easy being green.Just remember, time's fun when you're having flies!

The Muppet Personality Test

Am I less smart than someone with an engineering degree?!

2006-04-10T09:59:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

I had a bit of a breakdown Saturday night while on the phone with Derek. I was really calling to support him, as he is so busy with his exams, but instead I talked incessantly about myself... I know: it's appalling. It seems I just needed to release something that has been in the back of my mind for months.

We discussed, or rather I ranted, about how worried I am about finding my dream job. This whole reorganisation stuff is doing my head in and the thought of having to go through the whole CV-sending, cover-letter writing and interviewing again scares me. I obviously do not want to stay in this job anyway, so you might wonder why I got upset. The thing is that I find the 'real' world a less than fun place to be, and working every day is not something I particularly enjoy and due to past experience and experience in this job I feel terribly insecure about what my knowledge, or rather qualifications, can bring me. I want a job I feel good about, as we all do!

Arts graduates are, and I am not just speaking for myself, extremely under-prepared for the 'real' world; for the amount of hard work that goes into finding a good job, the amount of time you'll need to spend in a not so good job, the humiliation of some interviews. Derek, in contrast, knows exactly what to expect and has been prepared for work in numerous lengthy placements. So on the one had I would champion a more practical approach even in Arts degrees, but on the other hand I see disappearing before me the reason why Universities were founded originally: the quest for knowledge. University used to be about knowledge, not about practical experience. What I have learnt at University has been very valuable and I feel that I have a lot to bring to future employers, the problem is that they don't seem to see it. Every time I have an interview I feel like I have to defend not having done something more practical, something that would have prepared me for the job market.

And then I wonder; would I have made different choices had I known what the 'real' world is like? Would I have studied Law or maybe Journalism, or would I have done Teacher Training after all? I frankly don't know. I used to answer this question with a definite NO, because I enjoyed what I did so much, more so I sometimes think than people who have done more practical subject. And I feel sad if I hear people speak about doing a certain degree because it will get them a good job. But then I see the people around me at work, quite a few of which have a similar background to mine, and they are still here after years and years. I think that they/we don't deserve this. We can do so much better and can be such valuable assets to companies. Of course I am not suggesting this job is totally dumb and invaluable, in fact I think we do a fairly important job, but I know most of us don't enjoy it as much as we could if we received more respect for the knowledge we have.

Of course Derek suggested that I should not let what I do now, or how I think employers view me, determine how I feel about myself and my achievements, and he is right. And I do know that I did a great job, but I miss the acknowledgement that I was expecting to receive. Of course it is still early days, and this is only my first job, but I know it will be hard also in the long run.

And so I ask you: what are your thoughts on this. Is it a good thing that more and more university graduates come out of uni prepped for a job? Or are we losing something very valuable? I am curious to find out what you think.

I will not give up, and I will find that amazing job:)! I promise!

Back soon!

Love,

Reorganisation my ARSE (excuse my language)...

2006-04-03T10:23:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

The week before last we received some news from Lenovo. They are 'reorganising', which means they will be cutting at least 1/3 of the work force In Greenock and move most of it to Eastern Europe... YEAH. This is all apparently due to 'world wide economic conditions' (ie the big bosses are not making enough money).

Last week Lenovo employees (I'm actually employed by Adecco) heard the numbers. In our department only 13 out of the 57 Lenovo employees will stay... So that looks pretty bad for us... We hear the numbers today. I am nearly 100% sure we will all go. We won't hear who goes and who stays until on or after June 15th. The employer has to have a consultation period of 3 months by law, and they abuse this to force us to wait all this time for news of what the future holds. I think this is terribly unfair, especially as they will hardly have to give me any notice at all; less than the one month that is in my contract, because they are making me redundant. On the other hand I do have to give Adecco 1 month notice if I happen to find a better job right now! It's ridiculous.

I have been talking with Derek about it, and we have come to the conclusion that the best thing to do is probably go down to Cambrige immediately once I lose my job. I'm still hoping this will be around November or something, because that would give me a year of experience on my cv, and Derek some space for himself, but if it's earlier than that I will just go. We'll just have to wait and see!

This weekend Derek and me went looking for holidays. Turns out out idea of one week Spanish coast and one week Barcelona is probably not possible within our budget (mine can be no more than £500...). The lady in the nearest travel agent seemed to understand what sort or holiday we would like though and suggested going to a cottage or apartment in France somewhere for the full 2 weeks. That will be cheaper and if you make sure you're somewhere where there's lots to see and there's a town nearby we will still get out of the holiday what we were after. That sounded like a good idea. Looks like we might be going to the Languedoc, as it is on the south coast of France, but not as expensive as the Provence/Riviera. Hope it will be possible to book with flights rather than channel crossing, because Derek does not really fancy driving all the way down south and than driving all that way in France too. Would be easier to rent a car. Fingers crossed we find somewhere nice to go! We also went to a different travel agent to see what they come up with. I am really looking forward to going on holiday, but at the same time June comes with dread as I will hear about my job and Derek will be moving to Cambridge...

On a more positive note: we will be fine, whatever happens:)!

Lots of love,

PS Forgot to tell you I got new glasses! They're really cool Moschino ones, in red plastic:).

I break things...

2006-03-10T09:48:00.000Z

Dear all,

On Wednesday, my two year anniversary, the day started really well, as I was really looking forward to the evening... but then... I decided, in all my silliness, to clean my glasses and before I knew it I had two halves in my hands. As in one glass with leg in the one hand, one in the other... ARGH! After about 5 minutes the whole office knew about it and there were loads of people searching for glue and cellotape and at least half a dozen people tried to stick them back together again. Nothing really worked... so I ended up working without glasses! I was so annoyed. Thankfully Derek is so very sweet that he will lend me the money for the glasses, and I can pay it back slowly. He's such a sweetheart:).

That evening we went to Firebird. We had a nice meal and a few drinks and chatted about everything and anything. It just felt really special. It was great to go back to the place where we had out first date:). Lovely lovely.

Yesterday I went into town to meet Fiona and Elaine. Had a quick meal in a wee Italian. Was simple but nice. I then went to Dorothy Perkins to take my lovely shoes back:'(. Didn't even have to complain, the lady behind the till simply said: "They should not have broken like that; here's your money back." Brilliant service or what?! Unfortunately Â£25, the money they cost me as they were 1/2 price in the sale, would not pay for a nice new pair from there... so in the end I had to go to a cheapo shoe shop to get new ones. They're really cute though; pumps with wedge heals and a wee flower on it:). Let's hope they last... Even had Â£10 left, which meant they also paid for my meal:)!

Work has been quite crazy, but I have been coping ok. Better than I was a few weeks back anyway. Everyone has been really helpful. I enjoy working in our team:).

I hope you're all looking forward to a nice weekend:)! I am. Doing nothing tonight and an early bed, as I'm shattered, and then Derek will arrive on Saturday and we'll go on a glasses hunt:). Keep you updated on the results! No other plans yet, just general relaxation.

Lots of love,

Beautiful

2006-03-06T09:56:00.000Z

Dear all,

I had a lovely lovely lovely weekend:).

On Friday it was the (for me much-dreaded) office party. It started at 5pm, when work finished at 4pm, so Claire gave me a tour of Greenock first. That was, well... You can imagine. It was definitely not as bad as I imagined, but still not great. The views over the river though are lovely, and it make you think that if you have to live in a horrible high-rise flat, then at least you have a great view to wake up to in the morning. At 5pm we went to Text, a local pub. Had a few beers and a nice chat with some colleagues, and a buffet which was not great, and I went home (party-pooper that I am!) at 8.40 to catch the train home. Poor, I know. It was nice for a bit, but I just didn't fancy getting drunk there... Went to the Uber Lounge in Glasgow, where I had a Cola because I was shattered and we went home with the last underground.

On Saturday evening we met Derek's parents and sister. His dad had brought a bottle of rum and coke, so we had a big (and if Billy pours it that means HUGE) rum&coke and then also a glass of pink champagne, as it was their 28th wedding anniversary. We went to No.16 for dinner. My main of venison was delicious and I also especially loved the bread (with goats cheese and rosemary, mmmmm). Of course Billy splashed out on some lovely wine too. If you've not been to No.16: goooo, especially if you have some special occasion. After that Derek's parents went home and Derek, Katie and me went to Cammy's birthday party. I really wasn't up for it, but I did not want to spoil the fun, so I went along. It's silly, because it then always takes me ages to start enjoying myself. Was disappointed in myself for being such a mope. We went to this ship, the Renfrewshire ferry, which was host to a Las Vegas themed party. Lots of people were dressed up in 40's style, which was really cool, and the music was also 40's-60's. In the end we danced our ass off and I actually really liked it:)! Maybe we'll go back sometime. Only negative: turns out my lovely wedge boots are broken, or at least one of them:(... I noticed yesterday. Thankfully I managed to find the receipt, and I'll definitely take them back. I mean they're a bit more than 2 months old and I only wear them at weekends! Keep you updated on whether I get new ones!

On Sunday we managed to get up before 12 (which for us, especially after a night out, is quite an achievement!) and we went for a fry-up (HEALTHY LIVING!). Of course this was a disappointment... The egg was scrambled rather than sunny side up (my favourite!), the sausage tasted like it contained about 1% meat and there was no fruit or black pudding, the orange juice wasn't real juice... POOR! Next time we'll just make our own, or as Derek suggested start our own all-day breakfast place;). After breakfast we took the car and drove to Loch Lomond. It was such a gloriously beautiful day:). Went for a long drive, stopped for a wee walk and went to the local, slightly shabby looking, tea room for a tea with the most delicious scones ever (honestly, if you ever get to Tarbet, go to the wee tea room behind the Tarbet Hotel: mmmmm). It was just lovely! Got home by about 6pm, had some dinner and went to bed early:). Shame I had to leave the sleeping beauty behind this morning...

On Wednesday Derek & me celebrate our two year anniversary:)! Think the plan is, despite my skintness, to go the Firebird, where we went for our first date, for a meal and a few drinks:). Or maybe we'll do something different... We just loooooovvvveee going for dinner:)!

Hope you all had a good weekend too! And if you're in the Netherlands, or the North of Scotland or indeed anywhere else where there's snow: drive carefully and enjoy it!

Love,

I'm a communist... or am I

2006-02-16T11:55:00.000Z

Let's hope the American government is not scanning my blog;).

Just thought I'd let you know that according to www.stemwijzer.nl I should vote for the NCPN (New Communist Party Netherlands) if I was to vote in the Groningen council elections... Dear...

I guess most of you already knew this;)!

Love,

Stress relief

2006-02-16T11:26:00.000Z

Dear all,

I had a bit of a break-down at work last week. I actually cried... dear... I know it's silly! It was a combination of feeling quite ill, hormones and two very big complaints (as in from very big companies) coming in. I just felt I could not cope. Think people forget sometimes that I have only been here for 3 months, and that I don't know everything. I always ask people to help me, but they often give me minimal information and expect me to take it from there. Me crying did help, as now everyone is a lot more helpful. Should obviously have said something earlier, rather then letting it build up like that.

Yesterday I was called into my manager's office, and he talked to me about it. He was very kind actually and explained that they ususally don't recruit people straight out of univerisity, because some business experience certainly comes in handy. He also explained that I don't have to feel bad if I feel I can't cope, and that I should just go to my team leads or collegues for help. This made me feel a lot better! Of course the job is still stressful, but I try not to take it home anymore, and I try not to let it all pile up too much.

Hope you're well too! Love you all!

Love,

Liverpool: I came I saw, I conquered

2006-02-08T11:40:00.000Z

Dear all,

I had a great great time in Liverpool:)!

First of all the drive down was an adventure! Derek and me felt quite "grown up" driving all the way down in Derek's wee car and of course I did a 'brilliant' job navigating (very difficult of course, especially when it basically involves following the M6;))! We arrived around Liverpool at about 10.30pm. We tried to follow the directions Derek had printed out, but this proved more difficult than expected. We had to ask several times even when we were only trying to get to the centre of Liverpool. Of course we blame atrocious signposting (although I would suggest next time Derek listens to me, as I knew which direction to take instinctively, and this without any sense of direction whatsoever, and turned out to be correct, though of course only in hind-sight;)). After searching for about 45 minutes we finally made it to the centre of Liverpool... Unfortunately there were no signs saying "Dee's house this way", so we stopped by the side of the road and called Dee. She explained to us that we were very close and gave us directions. Somehow (and of course I blame Derek;) hehehe) we managed to take a wrong turn, we had to ask again, ended up driving through a bus-lane, and saw most of Liverpool's city centre, but finally, at about 11.45 and after talking to Dee again (who called as she was concerned that what should have taken all of 5 minutes took more than 30!), we drove into her street! YEAH! We were treated to a very warm welcome by Dee and Alan. Their flat is lovely and it is very close to the city centre and the university, which makes it ideal. Had a cup of tea and as we were all tired we went to bed.

During our stay we strolled through Liverpool, visited one of the cathedrals and enjoyed panoramic views from the top, the docks etc. It was lovely weather and I actually, despite my bad experience last time, felt very at home there. As I said to Dee and Alan, and of course not meaning to offend anyone, "it is English but not too poncy". What I meant to say is that the atmosphere is a bit like Glasgow and that the people are friendly etc. A great place to be!

One of the highlights was when we went to see portraits of monkeys in the World museum. They were huge photographs of chimpanzees, orang oetangs, gorillas and bonobo's, most of which were orphaned and saw their parents die a gruesome death, or they were abused in some other way. See http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/wml/exhibitions/facetoface/?id=0#ape for more information. I recommend it to everyone. They all looked so incredibly human. My favourite was a chimp called Katie. She has a mental illness and she just looked so scared and vulnerable and I just wanted to give her a big hug.

Another highlight was finally celebrating Sinterklaas. Was just so nice:). Should really celebrate together every year. The poems were great and the presents even better. Especially Derek's present of two left slippers;) (they have now been replaced by the cutest ever sheep slippers complete with heads and tails:)!). Dee's present was also very cute and one day I hope to play the pictionary I got from Alan with Derek... (he is 'scared' of playing any kind of games with me since a minor fall out over a game of cards... hehehehe)

On Sunday we finished our visit by going out to dinner. We went to a Greek restaurant in a slightly dodgy area. Restaurant was lovely though and the food was good too. Was a nice way to finish.

Dee had to go back to work on Monday morning and Derek and me slowly made our way home... We will definitely make this into a regular thing:).

Work has been a bit of a nightmare the past few days, and that combined with a really bad cold (I am not one to complain, but this is definitely one of the worst cold I've had in years...) has not made work much fun. I am still learning and I sometimes find that hard to accept. I still get totally stressed out sometimes, especially when dealing with huge companies where my dealings could have huge impact on the future business. It's a bit scary. I will get used to it, I know!

Looking forward to a quiet weekend with Derek. It's mainly going to be filled with watching Peep Show (no, it's not what you think!), Extras, Monty Python, and also with a lot of eating and drinking;). Lovely. Hope to go to Lochaline to see mum, Barbara and aunt Anneke the weekend after:).

Hope you're all well!

Love,

Liverpool here I come!

2006-01-27T09:20:00.000Z

Dear all,

Just wanted to share with you all that I am going to Liverpool this evening:)! Derek and me will visit Dieuwerke and Alan:)! We're driving down (or rather Derek is driving down, and I am being driven down;)) tonight. Hope to arrive by about 10pm.

We'll be celebrating an extremely belated Sinterklaas, so I spent most of last night wrapping presents and writing poems. So looking forward to finally seeing Dee again and to a fun-filled weekend. I took Monday off, so on Monday Derek&me can explore Liverpool together and then slowly make out way home.

Hope you all have fun plans for the weekend too!

Love,

Bookclub

2006-01-12T11:39:00.000Z

Dear all,

It looks like I may well be starting my own bookclub:)!!!

I received a reply from the Glasgow Libraries, which reads:

"Dear Mariken,

Thanks for getting in touch. Most of our groups are currently full and we are looking at starting more. It would be great if you could lead a new group in one of the libraries - is this what you have in mind, or would you prefer to have a group somewhere else? We can certainly supply copies of books for you.

If a group starts in a library, what would be your choice of library? And what would be your choice of day and time - would it be an evening?

Look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes,

Mary Greenshields
Adult Services Coordinator
Cultural and Leisure Services
The Mitchell Library"

That is such gooooood news:)! Really looking forward to getting stuck in, to reading again (I have only been reading (very good) detectives the oast 2 months), to making new friends, to doing something I LOVE!!!

That's me much happier than when I wrote the last post:). As you can tell I am not very busy at work. That's good, because it was rediculously busy on Monday and Tuesday. I deserve a wee quiet day.

Hope you're all well!

Love,

How ****ing close I got to a first...

2006-01-12T09:44:00.000Z

Dear all,

I received an answer to my question concerning my degree results from Mr Alan Riach, the head of the Scottish Literature department:

"The final marks as entered and confirmed by the external examiner were: Essay 1, 18. Essay 2, 18. Essay 3, 18. Exam (Early Scot), 16, 16, 16. Exam (1700-1900), 15, 15, 15. Final exam mark: 15.5. Dissertation 18. Overall mark 17.375.
Unfortunately, the last mark falls just below the point at which it would have been rounded up. We did look at individual pieces of work and asked our external examiner to comment. The consistent mark of 18 for the essays was confirmed: 'all the work [in the essays] showed a good engagement with critical perceptions but was also individual and innovative in approach'. The external examiner also commented: 'The dissertation was also a strong piece of work. I didn't feel, however, that either the essays or the dissertation could be raised above the marks awarded.' However, the exam scripts were judged to be 'much weaker'. And as you can see, it was the exam marks that brought the overall mark down in the end."

That means I was 0,125 points away from a first!!!! AAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!

How annoying is that?

Anyway. I am fine. Hope you are too!

Love,
Mariken

A new, crap year

2006-01-11T10:41:00.000Z

Dear all,

Sorry for the negative start to the post, but I have received some bad news concerning a family member, and also concerning a collegue of my dad's. Very bad news that I hope will turn out less bad than we all think. They are both in my thoughts. On top of that a dear family friend, to me traditionally referred to as "uncle Kees", passed away last week and the cremation is today. I am sad I cannot attend the cremation, but it would have been logistically impossible. I am there in my thoughts.

Not really the best start to a new year.

I am well thankfully. Work is going ok. I am finding it a challenge, but it has become quite clear to me, what I really already knew, that it is not the job of my dreams. Am keeping half an eye out for exciting opportunities. I do feel like I am doing a job that requires me to think and be independent, which is great. I know I should really not complain.

I had a lovely Christmas at Derek's. It was nice an quiet. Was spoilt of course;). Think everyone was happy with presents I gave them too. The best thing was of course the christmas meal:). Yummy!! Only had 2 mince pies over the holidays: have been very tempted to buy some left over ones;P! I didn't though... good me!

Hogmanay was great too. Went to the Uisge Beatha with Massuda, two of her friends and Derek. The piper was great of course at the bells. Great atmosphere in there. After we went to Simon and Kit's flat for their annual Hogmanay party. Sang Karaoke for hours:)!

New year's resolutions:
- Join the gyn and do more excercise, possibly join a sports club or go to the gym with Meena or Massuda.
- Watch less tv
- Read more
- Start a book column in a local newspaper
- Start a book club
- Join a political party
- Make more friends
- Most importantly: WORRY LESS

Wish you all a wonderful 2006!!

Love,

Something for the bored people among you

2005-12-23T11:47:00.000Z

Thought you might enjoy this! Turn up your speakers and play!

http://www.chunk.co.uk/snowball/

Yes, Im bored... just want to go home and start the Christmas celebrations!!!! Also waiting for a fax before I can update a case, but it's still not arrived. SIGH!!!

Love,

Also randomly...

2005-12-22T10:44:00.000Z

Aparently if I was a reindeer I would be:

You Are Vixen

Sexy and sultry, you're the one all the other reindeer dream about.
Why You're Naughty: That fur pulling spat you got into with Dancer over Santa.
Why You're Nice: Because even when you're nice, you're still delightfully naughty!

Which of Santa's Reindeer Are You?

Just thought I'd share that with you;)

I am crap at thinking of decent headings for blog posts...

2005-12-22T09:39:00.000Z

Dear all,

Thought I would delight you with a blog post before Christmas. My system at work is down and so is my server, which means I have no access to my cases, so I have some time to spare:).

First of all I want to wish everyone

Merry Christmas and a Very Happy and Healthy 2006!!!

I am well. Work is going better and better. I am starting to feel like I know things now. The prospect of being the Dutch desk on my own from January 4th is still daunting, but I should be able to manage ok. Customers can be a pain in the backside, but overall they seem to respond well if you call them as soon as you receive their complaint (within 24 hours). If you then let them talk and explain themselves they tend to calm down. Quite a lot of the time people that complain just have no reason to (they are months or even years out of warranty most of the time, but still want us to do repairs free of charge etc), but if you are willing to listen they at least feel that their complaint is being acknowledged. Giving customers good news is of course the best feeling. Generally my advice when complaining is: nag on and you will get something;)! The people in my team are the best complainers when it comes to their own problems.

Life generally, when I have time to enjoy it, is also great. Derek's holidays have started, so he has some more time for me:). It was damn hard getting out of bed this morning with a sleeping beauty next to me that I just wanted to cuddle up to! I am really looking forward to tonight, when we are meeting some friends for the traditional Christmas get-together, and I am also very much looking forward to Christmas at Derek's. It is so weird to think that last Christmas is already a year ago. At the same time I am so used to having Derek around, when this time last year he'd only just come home from Denmark! I have got everyone a present, thankfully no Christmas eve rush for me. Luckily I have the Monday and Tuesday after Christmas off (as I work UK hours I have all bankholidays off:)): I really need those extra days to relax, stay in bed with Derek till the afternoon, have Derek-sandwiches (not with Derek on it;), but made by him and for those of you who haven't sampled them: they are the best sandwiches in the WORLD) with left-over turkey for lunch, go for a nice walk, watch silly Christmas TV and all those things that are so great around this time of year (which definitely does not include going shopping on boxing day (such a ridiculous concept, considering that Brits spend a FORTUNE over Christmas!).

On Saturday I went to Edinburgh to do some Christmas shopping (not because it's better, just because I wanted to meet up with my friend Barbara). I was slightly hung over from the night before, so it was not too much fun in the crowds, but I managed to do the necessary shopping. I even went into Harvey Nichols, hehe;). For anyone expecting a present from me from there: NO CHANCE. The cheapest thing that I might buy for someone I could find was a diamante (yes, that means FAKE) brooch that cost Â£80!!! Not quite within my budget...:'( Edinburgh is so stylish around Christmas. In Glasgow everything blinks, coloured lights everywhere, tackiness all round and that is great. In Edinburgh on the other hand they only have tiny white lights that don't blink and everything looks so pretty. It always amazes me how different these two cities are, when they are only 50 miles apart! Edinburgh is great to stroll through every couple of months, but Glasgow is home in all its tacky splendour.

Back to work now (or pretending to anyway as all systems are still very much down).

I hope you are all, or will all, be enjoying the holidays! Drink one on me.

Lots of love,

Weird?

2005-12-02T15:50:00.000Z

You Are 70% Weird

You're so weird, you think you're *totally* normal. Right?
But you wig out even the biggest of circus freaks!

How Weird Are You?

Drink & fun

2005-12-02T14:56:00.000Z

Dear all,

The dinner last night was lovely. Derek's dad really is a great cook. The families got on well too. Drink was flowing very freely and everyone got fairly drunk (apart from my mum who, sensibly, only had one glass of wine). It was fun! The taxi ride home was interresting;).

In other news: if I was American I would be

Your Political Profile
Overall: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal
Social Issues: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal
Personal Responsibility: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal
Fiscal Issues: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal
Ethics: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal
Defense and Crime: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal

Check out www.blogthings.com for lots of fun tests. I discovered it through my friend Gerard's blog (see http://spaces.msn.com/members/bhoygary). It's fun, especially when you're bored at work!

Hope you're all well!

Love,

Graduation & real life is hard...;)

2005-11-28T15:55:00.000Z

Dear all,

I graduated!!!!! Yesterday I graduated from the University of Glasgow with an MPhil in Scottish Literature. From now on you will therefore have to refer to me as Mariken Schipper MA MPhil;). Only joking of course. I had a nice day with my family, my mum, dad and Jan are over, and Derek. I will miss being a student so very much though...

Life as a full-time employee is really not as easy as I thought. I mean I am very very very happy an grateful to have a reasonably well-paid job, in a lovely team of people, don't get me wrong, and I am very very happy with the pay I receive each week too, but it is hard to get up at 6.55am each morning (yes, that's BEFORE 7am). If, like me, you have been a student for the past 5 years, used to doing things in your own time and used to getting up whenever you felt like it, it is really quite tiring. I now understand why people don't feel like cooking when they get home, and why people are tired by the weekend.

Tonight me, my parents, and my brother will travel to Cumbernauld to have dinner at Derek's house. His dad is cooking venison for us. My mum has met the family before, but my dad and brother haven't. Quite exciting and scary really, but I'm sure we'll have a good time!

Back soon!

Lots of love,

Mariken
xxx xxx xxx

REAL JOB!!!!

2005-11-07T17:11:00.000Z

Dear all,

I am very very very happy to announce that I have a JOB!!!! With Lenovo (the Chinese company that took over IBM's PC business) in Greenock.

It is a Customer Relations job (and in Dutch as well as English), but with a difference. 'We' receive the cases that are too complicated for the help-desk to deal with, as well as complaints from large companies (or executives that have written to the big boss). The job involves a lot of networking within the company. I won't be on a phone all the time, as I would receive e-mails with all the cases that require solving and I can then go solve them in my own time. They usually take from 20 days to solve, envolving different departments etc.

It seems like an exciting job that will give me a lot of experience dealing with big executives and things like that. I am quite amazed I got it, as a requirement was that the candidate have a 'proven track record' in 'excellent' customer service, and I knew that there were two more candidates with experience. The recruitment lady said that this manager was apparently very picky and that he was very positive about my interview, saying that I have excellent communication skills (yes, I like talking;)) and that I am very intelligent.

Proud of myself:)!!!!

Love you all!!!

Mariken

Interviews

2005-11-03T18:56:00.000Z

Dear all,

I had an interview at a company called Indigo Lighthouse (see http://www.indigolighthouse.com which strangely does not say anything about contact lenses! and no, I'm not making it up;)) today, in my lunch hour. I think it went well:). They 'do in' contact lenses. They outsource (is that a word??) for companies in The Netherlands such as Pearle and EyeWish, as ll as many companies in Britain, and the rest of Europe (YES Britain IS part of Europe;)). I liked the sound of the role, a combination of dealing with customers and branches in The Netherlands, and communicating by e-mail, post, and phone. They are a young company that is growing fast and therefore there is much room for progression. The atmosphere seemed really nice and the office is much more cheerful than the one I am in now. Hope they liked me too:)!

Tomorrow I will leave work at 1pm (after saving up 3 hours by working an extra hour on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) to travel to Greenock. There I have an interview at IBM, with both Addecco and Manpower. The one is for a temporary customer service role, the other for a permanent business-to-business role. I would definitely prefer the second one, but we'll see how we go. If, theoretically, I get offered both an IBM role and the Indigo Lighthouse role I will go for the second one, not least because it is snap bang in the middle of Glasgow's city centre. It pay slightly less, but the pro's (less travel, smaller company) are larger.

Will let you know how I get on!

Love to you all,

Mariken

Good and bad news

2005-11-01T19:44:00.000Z

Dear all,

I never told you, but my grandfather was in hospital with a broken hip and arm. It didn't look good for a bit, because of some complications, but he is back home now, thankfully. Hope he will be mobile again...

Good news on the job-front too! I HAVE AN INTERVIEW WITH IBM in GREENOCK on FRIDAY!!!!! Also a phone interview for a different position with IBM tomorrow morning at 8am. Also heard from a recruitment agency looking for someone for a Dutch customer services position in the city centre of Glasgow. YEAH!!

Unfortunately I will not even be considered for my dream job, the post of International Student Advisor at Strathclyde university. That's a shame!!!

Job is still boring. Especially as I'll be back doing the most boring stuff (when I was doing something slightly more exciting for the past week), because of some sort of re-organisation... SIGH!!!

But hopefully I won't be doing it for much longer;)!!!

Love you all!

Mariken

Job (crap though)

2005-10-24T18:52:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

No word from me in a while. I am temping at Abbey national and still applying for millions of jobs, hence the silence... Job is very boring, but it will keep me going for now. Trying to remain positive, but it's bloody hard.

Hope you're all well! Autumn has definitely arrived here: rain rain rain cold cold. Even go wet feet: blegh!

On the positive side: I had the most lovely weekend with Derek. We went on a road trip to St Andrews on Saturday which was really nice. He is just so so so so lovely:). Sorry, getting a bit carried away there...;)!

Back again soon. Hopefully with news of a nice job;)!

Love,
Mariken

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!

2005-10-05T11:33:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

Yes, I am sad and to get more birthday wishes I put on my blog that it is my birthday. Hehe. Clear lack of cards through the post this year, so thought I'd drop a hint;)!

Party is soon, I promiss. Job first!

Love u all!

Big big big cuddles,

THE END

2005-09-28T16:31:00.000+01:00

I have printed out my dissertation. It's called

The Past is the Future: History and Contemporary Issues in Naomi Mitchison's Historical Fiction

Great...

That's it. Over. Done.

If anyone wants to read it (!!!) do e-mail me and I'll send you an e-mail copy;)!

Love,

The End in Sight...:'(

2005-09-22T12:47:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

I just handed in my dissertation for a last inspection by my supervisor. Great, you might say. And of course it is. I does give me a great sense of achievement to be able to hand over another "book" written by myself:). On the other hand though ... when I was walking down the stairs and out the door I suddenly just felt so so sad! This is my last week as a student! Probably for ever! I am going to miss being a student so so much. The fun times, the great books I discovered, just being part of a special part of society really.

I do look forward to finding a job I'll enjoy, and to having some money to spend. My first job will probably not be all that enjoyable though, or bring in that much money! But hey, let's stay positive! It is exciting to start a new chapter, and a few days ago I was even positive about moving to Cambridge. I know it's going to be hardm especially as I don't like not knowing what is ahead, but it will also be new, exciting, and fun:)!

In other news: I went to the doctor yesterday and got treated for a minor problem I had (I will spare you the details!). I need to heal now, which means I can't have sex for the next 3-4 WEEKS!!! Poor me... Anyway... You didn't really need to know this! I do apologise. I'm Dutch so I can't help but be frank about these things;)!

Going to go and search for some more jobs the now. Wish me luck!

Love,

Photo's and jobs

2005-09-20T12:34:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

Attempt number two at writing this post... SIGH.

Do check out the gorgeous photo's Derek took on our wee holiday up in the North-West. Aren't they just glorious?
http://www.protactin.co.uk/photos/lochaline

In other news: I have another interview!!!! It's with IBM in Greenock. I know I have the IT-skills of a grandmother, but I will receive full training. Also I will solve more organisational problems and let the engineers to the technical part;). To give you some idea of what the job will be like, here are the questions they sent me, and my answers:

"Customer Relation questions

Can you give me 3 real life examples of where you have had to solve a customer issue by either your own resolution or by interfacing with another organisation to close the issue?

1. In my role as a board member on a Student Accommodation Committee I solved students' problems on a regular basis. For instance when I found that the dryers in our building weren't working. People had made several complaints, but nothing was being done. I went to the reception in my official capacity and talked to the manager. Because I complained on behalf of many people their voice was heard and the dryers were replaced the following morning.
2. In the same role I helped organise many large events for several hundred students. On one occasion something had gone wrong with the ticketing, which meant that people who had paid did not have a ticket. At the venue the staff, understandably, refused to let people in that I knew had paid for their ticket. I talked to the manager, explaining the situation and acknowledging responsibility for the mistake. After some consideration the people were let in.
3. In my time on several staff-student committees I have resolved many issues between the university and the students. For instance problems with examinations. If more than one student complained about a certain question on an exam I would bring this up at the staff-student meeting. By explaining objectively how a certain question was not clearly stated, or was not covered by the material studied, I managed on several occasions to get the grading changed in the students' favour.

Can you also advise how you would tackle the following situations:

RolePlay 1:
Mr X is going on a business trip at the weekend and you promised to have his laptop repaired and returned to him by Friday . The Repair Centre calls you on Thursday to advise that they are short staffed and they cannot return Mr X's laptop until next Monday . Mr X leaves on Saturday for a business trip and needs his laptop. He is very irate and needs a solution. How would you handle this situation?

First of all it is very important to acknowledge Mr X's complaint, and to take responsibility for its resolution. He has a good reason to be upset, and it is important that he feels you understand his situation. The first thing to do is therefore to apologise on behalf of IBM. I would go on to explain the situation calmly to him, and would then ask him if he would accept a different laptop on loan, until his own laptop has been repaired. To alleviate the situation I would also try and arrange for his data to be transferred from his laptop to the one he will receive on loan.

RolePlay 2:
On 1st April Ms Y based in France ordered 1 server and 100 laptops for a customer installation. The order was due to be delivered on 1st May and the installation was due to start on 7th May. It is now 15th May and the following issues have been encountered:
1. 1 server arrived but does not boot up
2. Only 85 laptops have arrived
3. 5 of the laptops have UK power cords
4. There is a 10% functional fallout rate on the laptops
5. 2 of the laptop boxes had water damage
6. The customer wants to cancel their order. This is a new customer and they are not too impressed.

As with RolePlay 1, it is very important to acknowledge Ms Y's complaint, and to take responsibility for its resolution. She has every reason to want to cancel her order. I would first of all apologise on behalf of IBM. Because she is a new customer it is all the more important for her to have a positive image of IBM, so that the company can retain her.
I would do everything in my power to try and resolve the situation as quickly as possible, ensuring thereby that she does not cancel her order. I would explain that I will try to have as much of the installation as possible up and running within the coming days, explaining that I would send out an engineer to take care of this. He would replace the power cords, and boot up the server so that the customer would be able to use about 78 of the laptops. I would also ensure 25 more laptops are delivered asap. If IBM's customer relation rules allow for it I would offer Ms Y a discount, or something similar to entice her into agreeing on my resolution.
If she is still unwilling to take this offer I would liaise with my manager to try and come to an even better solution. If she still says no after I've tried everything in my power I would organise for the faulty installation to be picked up and I would cancel her order. This would however definitely be the last resort. "

It really sounds like a challenging job that does not get boring, which is good. Moreover it will teach me some marketing and retention skills that might come in handy when (or if?) I apply again to Explore Learning in about a year's time. Because I really still want that job!

yesterday I had another interview at a recruitment company as well, which was slightly disastrous. The lady had called me the week before and had asked me whether I spoke German, as well as Dutch. I told her the situation, namely that I understand German really well and have an A-level in it, but that I cannot speak it very well, but for the right job would be very willing to put in some effort. I then met her yesterday, and she asked me about it again. I gave the same answer. But she insisted that she had told me to work on it before the interview, yes in 5 days or less, and said they were going to test me there and then. I told here I did not know about this, so we arranged the interview for Friday. But when I got home I found this all a bit too ridiculous, especially when I thought about the fact that it was DEBT COLLECTION... Not really the job for me. By the time I got home IBM had called me as well, so I called her back to tell her I was not interested. She then asked if I would be ok with traveling to Greenock! Yes, for the same job! I felt great being able to tell her that I already have an interview with them, through a different recruiter! Yeah, point scored for me:)!

So I will now write my cover letters (one in Dutch and one in English) to IBM, and I hope to have that interview very very soon! Back here soon to tell you how it went!

Love,

NO JOB (CRAP CRAP CRAP!!!!!!!)

2005-09-16T14:00:00.000+01:00

Dear all,
This is the e-mail I received today... So nice that they cannot even be bothered to tell me to my face! Sorry, bit upset. Just really really loved the place and thought it would be the ideal job for me. I would have moved down south, if necessary immediately, for it! I felt the interview went really well, especially as Laura stressed that they are not expecting marketing experience, as they specifically recruit graduates... Anyway. At least they liked me!
Regret Unsuccessful After
Interview

Dear
Mariken,

Thank you for attending your recent interview for the post of Assistant Director.

Unfortunately, after full and careful consideration, I regret to advise you that on this occasion we will not be furthering your application.

However, I would like to thank you for your interest in Explore Learning.
I would like to add that Laura did provide a lot of very positive feedback. She said you were a lovely person, who clearly demonstrated her enthusiasm and passion; but unfortunately we need someone who will be stronger in the marketing/sales side of the role, which Laura felt wasn't your strength.
I do hope that this will not be too much of a disappointment, and would like to take this opportunity to wish you every success in your search for suitable employment.
Yours sincerely,
Kate Richardson
Yes, I'm lovely, enthusiastic and passionate! Great.
I have another appointment with a recruitment company on Monday and I still hope to hear from Stirling university.
Derek has taken the sponsorship offered to him by ARM,whichc means he will move to Cambridge in about 6 months... AAAHHHH:'(! I am sad about that. It is a great opportunity for him though, and I would not want him not to take it just because I am so attached to Glasgow. I know that he is the best thing that's even happened to me (cheesy I know), and that I want to be with him. The plan is that I will move down too in about a year. I guess we can always go back after he finishes, if that is what we both want.
Dissertation is nearly done, so then I can fully focus on finding that job! Great... I have jobs coming out my ears by now!
I hope you're all well:).
Love,

Less stress, but complaining all the same...

2005-09-12T17:49:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

Thankfully I'm a bit less stressed. My dissertation is going quite well, and I might, if I'm lucky, even finish it early:)! Also still applying for what seems like THOUSANDS of jobs. From customer services to receptionists, to coordinators, to whatever. Endless. Got call from customer services recruiter in Edinburgh today, but she seemed to think that a 3 week delay (because I'm still studying) was too long... Sigh! Surely three weeks is very short?? Also got an e-mail from one is Glasgow asking whether I had knowledge of computer hardware and software (!!). Didn't say anything about that in the job description (as I obviously would not have applied if that was the case!). E-mailed back that I only have a basic IT-certificate (and even that is stretching it as most of you will know;)).

Explore Learning got back to me: they are willing to pay up to £100 in travel expenses, and if I go to, if my interview goes well, a later Assessment day (they have one every month), then I can book a plane early and that might then cover most of the cost.

Derek's interview in Cambridge (I won't tell you too much, as he will want to tell you himself!) went really well it seems. The company said that if he gets through he would (only) study in Livingston for 6 months, and then move down, while going back up for some 2 week study periods. I really want to be happy for him if he does get through, but secretly (or not that secretly) I still hope he will stay in Scotland...

I had a look at the Explore website, and quite a few of their centres are in commuting distance of Cambridge, so that would not be too bad. Only thing is that I really don't want to move down south! It's just so bloody difficult ... dammit:(! I just wish I knew where I stood...

Anyway. Still really more stressed than I thought then... I should not complain! This is an exciting time;)! Wish I could enjoy it as Derek does.

Hope you're all happy, healthy and RELAXED!

Love,

Interview&stress

2005-09-09T10:02:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

My interview yesterday went fairly well, and I have a 'real' interview next Wednesday at the Explore Learning Centre in Edinburgh. Great you might say? Well, it is. But there are a few misgivings I have.

One: They don't pay for travel expenses... Traveling to Edinburgh obviously isn't a problem, but if I get through to the next round (I might not of course!) I will need to travel all the way to Surrey and that would cost a fortune. I've e-mailed them, as they say you can ask if you have any problems, and hope they do pay at least some of my costs.

Two: The next round, this is if I get through, is on Monday the 19th... I am way way way too busy to go all the way to Surrey then! I hope I can arrange a different date.

Three: They only have vacancies in England... As you know I really don't want to move. Derek will also be in Livingston for the next year, so that makes me all the more resolved not to move (eventhough he does have an inteview in Cambridge on Monday).

I guess I just need to think about what I really want and wait and see how I like this Explore Learning centre. I am still hopefull I might hear from Stirling University, and I am also applying for two jobs in housing associations that look like the kind of jobs I would enjoy (a combination of helping people and organising).

I was so so stressed yesterday. It was just all tumbling down on me. All this job searching, and Derek's searching, while trying to finish my dissertation was all proving a bit too much for me. Thankfully Derek was as sweet and understanding as always and he has the ability to make me see sense and calm down a bit:). Feeling a lot better today, even though the recruitment agencies I called have not Dutch customer services jobs currently on offer...

I'm going home now to write. Tonight I am gong out to dinner with Derek and the family, as it's his dad's birthday today:). Looking forward to a quiet weekend with Derek:).

Love,

Where to start...

2005-09-05T15:04:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

I've just come back from a fabulous two week holiday. Do read Derek's rendition of the first week on http://www.mrsmond.blogspot.com. It was so nice to show Derek all these lovely places that I used to go to when I was wee. The highlight was definitely our walk to Loch Tearnait. Lovely lovely.

After we put Derek on the bus mum and me then went to Caithness for one night, on our way to the Orkneys. The next day we took the ferry to St. Margaret's Hope on the Orkney mainland (which I would call an island too, but hey). Our B&B (&D as we also had dinner) there was great! Lovely views from the living room, big bright rooms, my own room with en-suite. Ann, who runs it, was lovely too and the other guest was a very friendly old minister who we chatted to every morning and evening (and who shared his whisky with me:)!!!).

I don't know where to start. We had such a lovely four days up there. Some rain, but also lots and lots of sunshine. The Orkneys are fairly flat with lots of farmland and quite a lot of wee villages. Lots of cows and sheep too. Really much cuter than I thought it would be;). The cliffs are spectacular though. We walked to "The Castle of Yesnaby" which is a massive column of rock sticking out the sea at the cliff side. It was so amazing. We also went to see some, if not most, of the many archeological sites they have. Circles of stading stones, villages and tombs that are 2-5000 years old! Very very impressive. The main towns of Stromness and Kirkwall were also very nice to go and see. And Orkney is paradise for jewelry lovers like me, because they have so many gold and silver smiths. Mum bought me beautiful earrings for my birthday:). I am already saving up for the matching necklace! On the way back we stayed the night in a haunted castle/youth hostel in Culrain, Sutherland. The journey to it was so great. Sutherland is so empty and so beautiful, especially when the heather is flowering and the sun shining. After that we drove via Ullapool (wow! gorgeous!) to Dunblane where we stayed for our last night, and mum's birthday. Unfortunately the B&B was not great... Bit sad, especially as it was mum's birthday... Thankfully the Stirling Arms in Dunblane did a lovely dinner. The whole holiday was really special and I had such a great time:)!

In the meantime the job hunt has been going exceptionally well:)! I have a phone interview with Explore Learning on Thursday (do keep your fingers crossed for me!) and a recruiter I e-mailed got back to me and I'll hopefully have an interview for a customer services job (with a large opticians or something in the city centre:)!) soon! I am also applying for the position of Alumni Relations & Development Manager at Sterling University. All sound pretty promising really:)! I'll keep you posted of course.

I've really got to get back to my dissertation now!

Lots of love,

More exciting news&also more worries (updated version)

2005-08-17T18:20:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

Yesterday I had another interview with a recruitment company. This time HR Consultancy (what a creative name eh;)?) . It went really well. As was to be expected they could really get me a job right away, but obviously I am still writing away. The job I might be able to get is with Honeywell in Motherwell. I would be business to business after-sales, so that would be ok. Would make 15-16,000, which is not too bad either really. Only problem is getting there by public transport. Am going to find out whether that is possible, and if it is viable HR will put me forward for the position. Fingers crossed!

I checked just there, and yes, it would take me 1hr10mins(!!!) to get there, when it would take about 30mins by car!!! Christ (excuse my language). As Derek said: I should not restrict myself too much, so putting up with it till my position changes is the best option. I will see what other recruiters offer me though, and pick the best option money and location wise.

I also sent my CV and cover letter etc. to a company called Explore Learning. They are looking for graduates with an interest in education and management to work for them as Assistant Directors to help set up new learning centres. There is one in Edinburgh, but there is not one in Glasgow. It is for children between 5 and 14 and they give them tutoring in English and Maths. The role would involve running and marketing the centre, as well as actually tutoring the children in the afternoon. It sounds like a great job for me, as it combines two of my favourite jobs, teaching and organising. They would pay about 18,000, which is great, and the mobility in the company is high, so if you are good you will move up quickly. The only problem is that my Maths is very bad, but I should be able to keep up with 5-14 year-olds eh;)? I am really excited about applying for a 'real' job that I would actually love to do. I really hope to hear from them.

Derek's searching is going well too I think. His interview at the Institute went really well; he is on the short-list! If they find him a company that will take him on he will become a Doctor! Hope they do, because it really would be a great opportunity to do something he really loves. He also got head-hunted from Monster, so will apply for another job in Aberdeen. So many options!

Only problems on the horizon are council-tax and the lack of a driving license. I really need to find out how much I am going to have to pay next year, to find out whether I can afford to live with Meena... I mean on 12-17,000 I am not really going to be able to pay like £100 on top of my rent. Or, if I do I would not have very much more to spend than I have now! I love my flat so much though... I need to really think whether it's worth the money. I think I am also going to have to get my driving license...:(. I don't particularly want to, but if I want to increase the chance of finding a job I might have to. I can't imagine what I'll feel like if the only reason for not getting the a particular job would be that I can't drive!

Dissertation is progressing well:). Chapter is finished!!! Really looking forward to going on holiday now and showing Derek where we always used to go on holiday. Also can't wait to see the Orkneys. I am tempted though to take work with me on holiday...thinking about it...

Should go home now and have some dinner and then relax!!!! Tomorrow it's packing, some work, dinner with Fi and Derek, and early bed, as bus to Oban leaves at 8.20AM.

Hope you're all well&happy!

Love,

Gooood news!

2005-08-03T11:47:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

Meena got into Law and Derek has an interview at the ISLS (Institute of System Level Engineering)!!!! YEAH:)! Let's hope and pray he gets in. I think he has the right profile (although I might be slightly biased;)), and he really wants it, so they should be smart and let him in.

I'm good too. Hope to have next chapter finished in 2,5 weeks time, before I go on holiday. Still reading the now though...

Hope you're all well!

Love,

Back again

2005-07-28T11:02:00.000+01:00

Hello!

Finally a post from me (you must have missed me;)!). First of all the link to the Greece pics (with comments from Derek) http://www.protactin.co.uk/photos/greece?page=1 I especially love the one of the pool:)!

I've just been working away really. It's been going well. First chapter is finished (that's more than a third done)! I've been spending weekends with Derek, which is always lovely. I have plenty time for my dissertation (a second one is so much easier than the first!) so I am taking it fairly slowly. I am actually enjoying it:)!

Highlights of the past weeks:
Derek and me visiting Largs (yes, we are getting OLD!). Not really that much to do, but the sea air was nice and we went for a lovely meal (our favourite passtime).
Going to Jongleurs. We got a free and a half price ticket (from a local nespaper) and went there last weekend. It was fun, though I would not pay full price (about £13!).

I am still worrying about the future. Derek has to wait and hear from HMGCC and the Engeneering Doctorate to see what he'll be doing and where, Meena needs to hear from Law at Glasgow to see wwhat she'll be doing and where, I need to find a job and I need to hear from Meena and Derek to find out where I'll be next year! Argh! Thankfully I know that if Derek moves south I can stay with Fiona for a few months (as I would otherwise have to sign a 12-month lease with Meena (if she is staying...)) I hope you can still follow what the **** I'm talking about!

Anyway. I should get back to work! Hope you're all well. Miss you all!

Love,

Derek's graduation & utter sadness

2005-07-08T15:42:00.000+01:00

It was Derek's graduation day yesterday. Thankfully I did not catch the news before, so we had a lovely, sunny, happy day in celebration of his fantastic achievement. I'm so so proud of him!!! He looked so cute in his robe! I watched the ceremony on the screen in the Hunter Halls together with Katie. He only had two tickets, so his parents were the only ones in Bute Hall. It was very impressive.

After the ceremony we took some pictures and then we went to Tennents for a wee drink (yes, BEFORE lunch! In true Scottish style;)). Derek had booked a table in Mimmo's and we had lunch with his parents and sister. So nice to be part of the celebrations; I felt like part of the family:).

We were still blissfully unaware of the horrible news from London. We got home and took a nap and then when the radio alarm went off we heard the terrible news. I was just so shocked it make me feel sick to my stomach. We watched the news, but decided we would meet Derek's friends in town for drinks as was the plan. I mean: what can you do. It turned out to be a nice night in the end, even though I was sad. I am glad I could not glue myself to the tv as I probably would have done had I been home. As you probably know I am a news-addict...

This morning we watched the news for a couple of hours. It is unimaginable what the people in those carriages must have gone though. My thoughts are with everyone that got caught up in this. Thankfully my dear friend Marieke is ok, as she said: " I had luck". All my other friends who have friends in London say that their friends are ok too. Thank God for that.

I don't know what else to say about it...

Hope you're all well.

Lots of love,

Greece...:)

2005-06-27T12:36:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

Derek and me had a fab fab time in Greece. The island we were on was pretty, the hotel nice, food great, drink great, nice private beach, pool. What more do you want really for a week of relaxation!

On Friday the 27th we took the plane to Athens very early in the morning. It was with Air Scotland (part of Air Greece) in a rickety old plane (and Derek was happy to point out to me how these low-cost airlines save on upkeep etc...). It was fine though, and we arrived safely in Athens. We waited for the suitcase and Derek went for a loo-break. Unfortunately this took a bit long (surprisingly;)), and by the time he came out everyone had already left... I was about to run into the men's toilets and shout "Derek!" (in a naggy voice: Derek can give you a rendition);)! We were met by a rep that said: "Oh, there you are, the 'lost' ones." Slightly embarrassing. We got on a bus that took us to the hotel. First thing we did, in true Greek (/Mediterranean) style, was go for a wee siesta. Lovely:). We had a room at the front of the hotel. No sea view, but on the shade side, which was good for me. Airco in the room was good too.

Over the next few days we didn't really do much. We just enjoyed the lovely weather (30-35C. Sunshine, sea-breeze), the food and the drink. I read a lot (nearly three books in a week!). Derek enjoyed the sunshine (a bit too much at one point) and I stayed in the shade. Still managed to burn, in the shade with factor 20 on!!! Not too badly thankfully.

We also went to Eretria (the town nearby) to go the the market there. We got a lift in by Phillipous, our rep. Derek jokingly said :"So you'll pick us up again about 1pm?", which he didn't seem to enjoy, hehe;). The market though was great! The fruit and vegetables looked so lovely, and huge! We bought some strawberries (the best I ever had!), apples and some olive oil for Derek's dad. We wanted to take the bus back. We found a time-table and people waiting on the bus. They were all on the 'wrong' side of the street though, we thought. We checked, and yes, we needed to go in the other direction. This was a two-way street with cars parked either way, so there was no space for two cars in the middle, let alone for two busses! Typical;). I saw that this wee shop sold tickets, so we got tickets and asked what time there was a bus. The shop keeper said there would be one about 12.45. On the timetable there were NO BUSSES at that time... Weird. The bus did get there about 12.45. It was very full and warm, but we made it to the hotel safe and sound.

The food in the hotel was good, though somewhat repetitive. They pretended to have themed night, but the food was essentially the same every night. The black olives were especially gorgeous. They just burst in your mouth and fell right off the pip. Mmmm. I love Greek food, so for a week it was good. Did feel like I had olives coming out my ears though by the end of the week.

The bar was nice too. It opened up onto a big terrace with a view over the garden and the sea. The waiters were cute and funny, the cocktails very nice, and so was the drambuie;). Not too expensive either. The only downside was a 'piano-man', or actually a keyboard-man that played badly... Our 'favourite' was "Oh Ah Hoki Hoki Doki(3x), that's what it's all about!". Great... There was also a disco outside an an 'amphi-theatre', but we never went. The reps were a bit disappointed and one accused us of always 'hiding'. We just like to quietly sip our drink and chat and enjoy the breeze really (how boring eh?). Derek didn't even enter the "Mr Palmariva" competition... I'm sure he would have won;)!

On Wednesday we went to Athens, on an organised trip with guide. Wow, that was fab. The city itself is not that exciting, but the 'piece de resistance' was of course the Akropolis. Wow. So much better than in the pictures! Unfortunately I had forgotten my student card, so the guide made me pay the €12 entrance fee (which I'm sure she pocketed, as she had tickets left over after handing everyone one!!). After the Akropolis we were left to roam the old town. Derek and me first went to this big park, which was really nice. Nice and shady too, which was good as my arms and chest were covered in (itchy) heat rash... The high(/low)light there was a tortoise eating (!!!) a dead pigeon. Then we went for a cold beer, and on search for the flee market. Found it in the end. Went for a bite to eat, some lovely mezze (starter/tapas), in this case a bowl with some sort of meat stew and lovely home-made bread. Mmm.

Soundbites:
"Hmm, beep?"
"I suppose it's better than rape!"
"I hope to f*ck that's not an olive!"

It was my first time on an organised holiday like that. It was nice for a week of relaxing times. When I have the money though I'd prefer to organise my own holiday. This was a cheap, practical and pleasant solution though!

Will give you URL for the pics soon, and might add some more info later. Off home now though to start work on the dissertation (yes, START, work... 3months to go!).

Derek flies to Luton this afternoon, on his way to Milton Keynes for a preliminary job interview tomorrow. Yes, MILTON KEYNES in BUCKINGHAMSHIRE... That's what I thought. Of course I am trying to be supportive, and I am very happy he got an interview, but people that know me know that I would really like to stay in Glasgow (and so would Derek actually if he has the chance), but I love Derek and I would move down there if he does get offered a good job that he would really enjoy. He doesn't want to force me to make that sort of descision, but I would make it if I had to.

I have an interview on the 5th of July with a company that does multi-lingual customer services. Hope they can give me a job for October, so that I have financial security untill I find the elusive 'dream-job'.

Anyway, really off home now!

Hope you're all well&happy-bouncy!

Love,

GREECE!!!!!

2005-06-16T13:02:00.000+01:00

Hello everyone!

Just wanted to remind everyone (not meaning to make you jealous of course;)) that I'll be in GREECE for the coming 7 days. 27 degrees, sunshine: what more do you want eh?

Exams went ok I think.

Back here in a wek's time!

Love
xxx

Yeah! and no cocktails

2005-06-08T11:34:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

First of all: my last essay was described by my supervisor as "excellent"! Another A! I can't believe it... :)! Enough bragging eh?

Last Friday Derek and me went to Leith docks for the elusive cocktail party. First of all I forgot to take the invitation, so we had to race back and just managed to be at the station on time, only to discover the train was 15mins delayed. At Edinburgh it took ages to get a ticket (we didn't get one on the train and you need one to get out the station), as there was only one ticket place. Really annoying if you want to be on time! We got into a taxi with a crazy Italian at the wheel who drove recklessly while shouting, with his head out the window in true Italian style, to all other road users holding him up. At the docks we took a wrong turn, as the invitation was not very clear, and 15 pounds poorer and 10mins late we finally arrived. We were welcomed by marines with flags and one with a gun, which made me feel a bit weird... The ship the party was on was an Estonian naval ship called the 'Admiral Pitka'. The party was the 'launch party' for the ship's mine sweeping mission. The crew was mostly Dutch, with some Danish, Estonian and English. The ship will eradicate the last mines from the North Sea. A few months back a Dutch fishery boat pulled out a bomb or mine, and the thing blew up, killing three people. That is one of the reasons to (finally!) do something about it. Derek and me talked to some Dutch navy people, drank free wine and beer (no cocktails!) and had some nibbles. The ship was not as big as we had expected, but it was nice all the same. Unfortunately I didn't talk to the Consul. I did talk to the lady that I had talked to at the consulate, and she told me that they are hoping to expand. Bureaucracy is holding them back apparently. Maybe one day they will call! After the cocktail party we were invited to come to another ship for a disco, but the music sounded like Dutch dance and the thought of spending an evening with 98% men did not exactly appeal to Derek. It was funny to see some slightly older women flirt with all these young, I'm talking 18/19/20-year old, guys;). We decided to meet up with my Dutch friend Barbara in the city centre. Was nice for her to finally meet Derek. We had a few drinks and a late night snack and then we took the last train home.

On Saturday we went to Joe and Liisa's goodbye party at the Counting House. That was nice. The atmosphere was great in there as Scotland had just won its match against Moldova. Lots of people in football gear singing, shouting, honking.

On Monday we went to the Graduate Fair at the SECC. Was not terribly usefull for me, but Derek got lots of information about companies he might be interested in (he's better be thankfull I told him to come, as he wasn't going to;)!).

Since then I've been trying to revise hard again (well as you can see I am doing this in stead at the moment)! The A for my last essay has made me realise I don't realy have to worry about it! Doing a great job would be fab though, so bck to the hard graft!

Hope you're all alive and well!

Love

BORED

2005-05-31T14:24:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

I am so bored bored bored with revision... only 2 weeks to go (and only 2,5 weeks till I am burning in the Greek sun:)!)

On Saturday I met up with Barbara, my Dutch/Scottish friend who lives in Edinburgh. We were supposed to meet for coffee, but ended up having a few pints and watching the cup final in Tennents. Celtic won, yeah! Not really that great after the disappointment of the week before, but better than losing. At 6.45 pm I went home to get ready for the Graduation Ball. Had been looking forward to that so much! unfotunately I was really miserable. I didn't want to be, but I was just a bit sad that Derek wasn't there (as the poor thing was busy revising) and I just missed him... Of course everyone else was there with their boyfriends... It was nice though to see some people I hadn't seen in a while and to say goodbye to some people I will probably not see much, if at all, again.

The next day at two Derek and his mum, dad and sister came to pick me up to come to the family get together in Barrhead. His cousin Susan is moving to New-Zealand and she was throwing a small going-away party. It was really nice to meet everyone. They are all a bit mental, but I feel that's a good thing. They seemed to like me too:). Was a bit of a sad goodbye in the end. Hope we can go visit Susan and her brother, who is already over there, sometime.

Derek has his last, last ever!!!, exam today! Must be a good feeling. Unfortunately he has some more things to finish before the end of term, but that should be ok. Will be good once he is finished and I'll be staying in Cumbernauld for a bit! He can make me cups of tea, bring me snacks, cook me dinner, give me massages:)! Hehe.

I really should get back to work now... It's just so boring!!!

Love

Holiday!!!!!!!

2005-05-23T15:08:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

Not been on for a while. Been at home doing revision. Already so bored with it... Would rather write another essay or two, or start on my dissertation...

But I also have great news! Derek and me are going to Greece for a week from the 17th of June!!! Straight after my exams (on the 13th and 15th).

See
http://www.air-scotland.com/otherinfo/accommodation_disp.asp?accomm_id=2
http://www.tourtripgreece.gr/extra_services/hotels/details.php?hid=331

Looks great, don't you think?

Derek's dad found it for us. It's so cheap! 4*hotel, half-board, for a week. Won't tell you the price, but I could (nearly;)) afford it.

So looking forward to a week of relaxing, sunbathing (not burning hopefully;)), eating, drinking.

Anyway. Don't mean to make you jealous;)!

Love

Networking (how posh)!

2005-05-12T14:41:00.000+01:00

Today I finally recieved my passport! Yeah, I can travel again! I also recieved a letter from the Dutch Consulate in Edinburgh, in which the Consul and an officer in the Roayl Dutch Navy (!) invite me to a cocktail party/reception on an Estonian naval ship in Leith harbour!!! Oh YEAH! My first ever real posh cocktail party:)! So exciting. I can bring a guest, so I will bring Derek. Hope I can blag myself into a nice job at the consulate;).

I am also wearing a skirt today and sandals (conbined with a cardigan I have to admit), because the weather is glorious. People are staring at my legs (which is due to their whiteness I sus[pect rather than their sexyness...;)).

Going to hand in my essay now!

Love

Election&job

2005-05-09T11:38:00.000+01:00

I did an online test (thank you for the link Peter:)!) to see who I should have voted for, and according to http://www.whoshouldyouvotefor.com/ I should have voted SNP, had I been able to vote. I'm not even Scottish! SSP (!!!) come in close second place, Liberals in very close third. I got so frustrated hearing so many people had not bothered to vote. I would have loved to! A few more years and I might apply for Brittish citizenship... maybe. By the way...I tried to publish the wee diagram that they gave you, but that didn't work... damn. I am so computer illiterate! I just followed the instructions (as they gave you code you could copy and paste), and it still didn't work! Sigh!

Also found a job I might apply to! See http://www.spl.org.uk/news/2005_0305.html. It's for a receptionist in the Scottish Poetry Library in Edinburgh. Sounds good. Only 24hrs a week at £13,500 a year, but it does sound like an ideal job for me (apart from the computer literacy they expect, hehe, but could always get Derek to teach me:)). It is only a temporary post (a year). Hope it doesn't start till after summer, otherwise I don't even have to try apply! I do need to do uni work till the end of September (my dissertation deadline)! Guess I should just apply and see what happens.

Off home to finish that essay (aye, it's still not finished). Read a lot over the weekend, while Derek did work at my desk. Had nice weekend:)!

Love,

I love my mum&steam ahead to a FIRST!

2005-05-03T14:18:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

My mum was over the past couple of days. Was so nice to finally show her my wee house and for her to meet Meena. Think she was quite impressed with how much of a 'lucky bastard' I am for having the flat that I have! She loved it. We didn't do all the touristy things, as my mum has already seen most of it, and just had a relaxing time. We went shopping, to the Botanics, to the McLellan Galleries and to the People's Palace. Had a really good time together. Of course she spoilt me rotten too;). Even went for afternoon tea at the Willow Tea Rooms:). Also watched a lot of snooker in the evening. Murphy hooray!

On Saturday evening Derek and his mum came to pick us up. Mum liked the Jag, although I think she thought it less impressive than she percieved it to be from far off. Derek's dad had cooked us a fantastic meal. It was so delicious. Had quite a few drinks and we chatted all night. Think my mum likes Derek's parents, even though they are totally different than us. Glad it went well. Knew it would, but still. Think she also really likes Derek now that she got to know him a bit better (not that she didn't like him before!).

This morning mum left for the airport at 7.2oam. I went back to sleep for a bit after. Had a lecture at 12 and just met my supervisor there. I will most probably get another A for my second essay!!!! YEAH! If I keep the momentum going I might actually end up with a first! Not too sure that will happen, as I think I won't get A's for my exams, but there is a possibility, which in itself is a triumph.

Off home to finish that third essay. Let's go for another A eh?

Love,

Life is hard...

2005-04-28T10:48:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

Had a lovely lovely weekend with Derek. On Friday we went to Cumbernauld to celebrate his mum's birthday. We went to a great Chinese restaurant. Lovely food:). Thought it was so nice I got invited to such a family-thing:).

We spent Saturday in Cumbernauld and took the train to Glasgow in the evening. The next day we went to Tennents for the Old Firm! Always fun. Not so much fun for Derek though, as Celtic won 2-1! Hehe! In the afternoon we wanted to do some work in the park, but it turned out that even I am affected by the Scottish ability to totally overestimate the temperature. We were sitting in the sun with our jackets on and after about 5mins we were absolutely FREEZING! Other people were walking around in skirts and flip-flops though! Don't think I'll ever be that hardy. Sunday evening I was a bit emotional for some reason (hormones being one of them). Just suddenly felt like I'd never find a job! Bit crazy. Derek has very good shoulder to cry on though and he managed to cheer me up:). After that we went to the Uisge Beatha. Hadn't been for so long. Had such a lovely evening. Promised ourselves we'd go much more often once exams are over.

Monday was horrible! I was still slightly depressed and I was trying to write my CV, which didn't help. Then Derek suddenly walked into the library and asked me to come outside for a second. I got really worried, because it sounded really serious. He then told me that he'd had a e-mail from Agilent telling him he doesn't have the job. He was so pooped about that. The e-mail (see http://www.mrsmond.blogspot.com) said that he was their number one candidate for this one position and that they had really wanted him to work for them but that due to 'restructuring' the job got cancelled!!! How sad is that! Guess it is better than hearing you're not good enough... It's just that he was so sure he would get it, and looking back was right to be too!!!, and then this happens. Moreover his friend Andy (who has about the same qualifications) did get a job there, and so did another guy from the Glasgow Uni Computing department. Life is not fair... Only positive things about Monday were that we had an ice-cream in the sunshine and that I sent my CV to the Dutch Consulate. Quite exciting, even though I know they don't have any vacancies the now.

On Wednesday I went to the Careers Service for some advice. That was really good actually. Very helpful advice on how to make my CV even better and also found out their information centre is very useful indeed. Glad I went!

Still no essay finished (or really started, apart from the first paragraph)... Want to have at least some of it done before mum arrives (she arrives tomorrow:)!). Really looking forward to showing her my wee (or not so wee really) house and for her to meet Derek's parents on Saturday. His dad will come and pick us up in the Jaguar: my mum is all excited as she loves Jags. Let's hope she likes them too. Not too worried about it though.

I'm off to do work on the essay. Derek will be here tonight: cooking him nice (hopefully) Mediterranean couscous dish. We'll pick mum up together tomorrow.

Back soon!

Love,

New flat mate

2005-04-20T12:20:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

Been trying to start my essay this week, but I seem to keep finding other things to do (like updating my blog)! Terrible! Got most of the material for it though, so that should be ok.

I finally wrote my CV. Sent it to mum&dad and Derek to see what they think. When it's perfect I'll send it to the Dutch Consulate in Edinburgh and I'll make an appointment with someone at the Careers Service. Am also planning to go to the Graduate Fair in June to get some more ideas and to talk to some companies.

Two days ago we got a new flat mate. She was really stressed about exams and was suffering from insomnia and then her flat mate also left for a few days. She couldn't cope too well asked if she could move in with us for a bit. Thankfully we have a spare room. It's a bit weird to share the house with two people now, but she needed our help so that is more important. Unfortunately my mum will now have to stay in my room when she's visiting next weekend, but that should be ok too.

Ok, back to work now! Should really start that bloody essay...

Love,

New phone&my supervisor is great!

2005-04-11T13:27:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

I got a new phone yesterday:)! YEAH! I am sad, I know. It's a Nokia 3200: camera, WAP and all sorts! Crazy eh? Fiddled with it for ages yesterday. Great to be able to send Derek goodnight message again, and to be able to receive them:). Still sad I lost the first ever message he sent me...:'(.

This weekend Derek stayed over as usual:). We both needed to do work though, so we only spent evenings, nights and mornings together. Nice all the same:). Because he's been so sweet about lending me money, and about buying my phone (I'll pay him back once I can get to my money of course!) I cooked him a nice meal last night. A sort of casserole with beef, vegetables and passata, with couscous. Was nice. He's been so stressed lately with assignment due today, lecture to give (yes, GIVE) on Friday and project to finish, as well as exams coming up.

Over the weekend I attempted to do work. Mostly fiddled with phone and thought, which always seems so unproductive. Did figure out what I'll do my next essay on though. Today I met my supervisor to discuss my progress. I was so nervous, because I still don't have a clear topic. He was very pleased though. He was happy with my choices and suggested some themes I might want to discuss. Very useful, and I feel so much better now!

I also received the form for my new passport. They want me to type up a statement about the robbery. Moreover I need to hand in proof of that I live here, namely a council tax bill. Hope there are no problems...you never know with these bureaucrats. I also need Dutch size passport photos...they're bigger apparently than UK ones... Doe sit even matter? They scan them in anyway, so they could change the size! Hope the photo shop can sort it out for me tomorrow.

Hope you're all well.

Love,

Mope

2005-04-07T18:44:00.000+01:00

Mopy mood today.

Think it's caused by:
1. Meeting with supervisor next Monday: he's expecting a dissertation proposal AAHH
2. Lack of mobile phone waves passing through my body
3. Lack of goodnight messages
4. Lack of sweet comments after "I got ROBBED" entry ;)

How sad am I. How can you miss a mobile? Stupid. It makes me realise how addicted I am to it. I will get a new one though...but I will try to be less attached to it, honest!

Today I tried to do work, but instead I rearranged my room. The result is any designer's dream, but it does not get my dissertation proposal any nearer to getting done. Did some work, and think I know who I might write on. For those 1 in a 1,000,000 that has heard of her: Naomi Mitchison. She's written about 50 novels, poetry and lots of short stories and there is very little criticism written on her (but two dissertations alread I believe...). She fascinates me (about why maybe later).

I called the consulate in Edinburgh again. They had not heard my message! I left one though! Damn. The lady I eventually got on the phone was very sympathetic though. She will send me the forms, and I can come in next Wednesday. Let's hope no one has decided to use my stolen ID for criminal purposes in the mean time! (If you do meet anyone claiming to be me: be ware!;))

Should go home now. Starving. Do some more reading and give Derek a call.

Love,

How Not To Get Robbed

2005-04-03T19:03:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

I am in Liverpool at the moment, visiting my best friend Dieuwerke (Dee for non-English speakers). Great to spend some time with her. Liverpool is a nice place too. Nice shops and pubs and we went to the theatre on Friday.

On the way back from the theatre, at about 11pm, we decided to take the bus to be safe. Across the street from Dee we got off the bus. We crossed the first half of the double cariage way and then waited to cross the second half. It was very busy. We noticed some youths behind us kicking a cup of ice about. We were about to cross when one of them suddenly grabbed my bag and ran! I held on to the handle, but it snapped... I didn't even scream, I just said "They've got my bag, they've got my bag!" and then started sobbing. It was just so horrible! I realised I had absolutely everything in that bag, my keys, all my bank cards, my phone, my European ID card. I just panicked. We went into the house and went upstairs. Dee was a star: she made me a cup of tea and helped me to calm down. I immediately called my dad to ask for the numbers of my Dutch bank, to immediately block my credit card. I then just started calling all the important people. They were so helpful, and after a while I could even laugh. But then I really just wanted to talk to Derek. I had all my phone numbers in my phone, so I called 118118, only to discover his number is not listed! I just started crying again. I then called Meena, who thankfuly had his mobile number. I called him and that made me feel better. Strangely he had already switched his phone off, then decided to switch it back on, with me ringing minutes later! He must have felt it or something;). I then also called Virgin to block my phone. They will sned me a new sim with the same number though, which is great. I love to imagine what those guys thought when they realised they just got £4 and a crap, old phone! Hehe. Unfortunately it is an awful lot of hastle for me... On Saturday me and Dee went into the police station to report it. The police man was very sweet. Made me feel better too. Also sent everyone an e-mail asking for their numbers, as they were all in my phone. Also tried to contact the embassy, but they are all closed over the weekend! Crazy! Also need a birth certificate to get a new ID...

How could I have prevented this? I mean we took the bus to be safe! It is rediculous!!!!!!! Feel afraid on the street now, and I am also very suspicious of groups of black youths. I don't want to feel like that! Don't want to judge people for what they look like! Horrible.

Trying to enjoy my time here, and I am. Won't let them ruin my time with my friend. We went on a nice walk yesterday, and today we went to Chester which was really nice. Tonight we're going out dancing and I am going to try my very best not to be scared!

Love you all! And thank you for all your sweet messages!

I forgot&Easter

2005-03-30T16:51:00.000+01:00

I totally forgot to tell you the most important thing that happened when I was in the Netherlands. Ineke was ill! I never got to see her. I was so sad about that. I mean Ineke looks forward to her birhtday for months and everything is planned in advance, etc. etc. And she was looking forward to seeing me so much as well. Thankfully, a "geluk bij een ongeluk" (is there an expression for that in English?) I had forgotten her easter bunny, and Derek, the sweetheart, sent it to her so now she does have a present from me.

On Thursday I went back to Glasgow again. On the train to Zwolle I was thinking: maybe i'll run into Maaike (my best friend from secondary school). In Zwolle I got on the train to Amersfoort. Last minute I decided to get into a different carriage, and when I walked in THERE SHE WAS! That was such a coincidence! I think it was predestined:). Chatted all the way to Amersfoort. She is doing well I think: still together with Joost, she is studying in Utrecht now. So happy to finally see her again. Hope we can stay in touch this time:).

On Thursday Marjolein arrived. First she gave me and Derek a few hourse alone, whcich was sweet:). Had a chat on Thursday night and on Friday we took her on the Glasgow City Tour, whcih is terribly touristy, but really quite good. Friday evening we went for dinner at the Bothy (lovley: I recommend it highly. The men in kilts (and for the boys girls is short tartan skirts) are very yummy too). At night we went to the Counting House, where we met up with Fiona and Craig. After that we went to the Cube together. Not sure I liked that too much... On Saturday we had a very relaxing start to the day, and then we showed Marjo some buildings in the city centre and the Modern Art Gallery. And at night we went to watch Italy-Scotland ( 2-0:(!!!) in Tennents. Marjo left in Sunday and me and Derek went to his. Had a lovely big Easter dinner:). Nice to spend Easter at his!

Yesterday and today I sorted out what I will be revising for my exams and I also e-mailed lots of book shops in Glasgow. I think I'll take up a part-time job as I could really do with the money. It might also give me a chance to get a full-time job in a book shop after I finish. Would like that:). It's not the biggest of carreers,, but I would enjoy it and i can look out for whatever presents itself after that.

Derek had his interview at Agilent today! It went really well! He is on their short-list now, together with his friend Andy who also applied there. Would be so funny if they both end up working there! They should here in late April whether they get a job there. So exciting!

I should really go home now... Off to Liverpool tomorrow to visit Dee:). Look forward to seeing her:).

Back soon!

Love,

Netherlands and blog-problem

2005-03-22T19:05:00.000Z

Dear all,

Hello from The Netherlands! Been here for 6 days now. Actually starting to miss Glasgow, and miss Derek even more. Nice to be home though: mum's cooking, lots of treats (they spoil me;)).

Visited Susanne on Saturday, which was nice. Her house is starting to take shape now. Hope she gets to celebrate her birhtday there. Apart from that I've not done much really. Felt like a wee holiday, so not done much work either. Nice and relaxing:). Packed just there, so ready to go home tomorrow morning. Bit of a train dilemma: do I take the 7.30am train and arrive way too early at 9.41am, or do I take the 8.30am train, which arrives at 10.41, which means that if I have an hour delay (which is unlikely, but not impossible) I'll probably be at the check in too late...? Not sure yet. Think mum will tell me to take first one, but I don't fancy getting up so early...;)

I've been trying to update my profile for a while now (as Derek left Denmark in December, I wanted to change that bit). I change it, save changes etc. and then the next time I look it's still the blooody same!!!! ARGH! Any tips? Guess just try again later... Sigh.

Gonna make cuppa tea now! Have a nice EASTER !!!

Love,

Update attempt no.2

2005-03-14T14:41:00.000Z

Dear all,

I tried to update my blog last week, but unfortunately the server went down or something and the whole post was lost in cyber space...

The highlight was:

On Tuesday the 8th of March Derek and me celebrated our 1-year anniversary:)! We went to Mimmo's (again, yes) for a nice quiet dinner. Unfortunately the dessert (sticky toffe pudding, but it was more like sticky pudding with toffee sauce) was so sweet that I felt sick for about 2hrs afte dinner... Had a lovely romantic evening and night anyway:).

This weekend I was supposed to be busy with my essay, but Derek came over for the weekend. Had a nice cosy weekend. Did manage to do quite a lot of work in fairly little time, so that the essay is actually nearly finished:)!

On Thursday I'm off to the Netherlands for a week. Visit my parents and I'll also visit Ineke, my former employer, as it's her 40th birthday on Friday. Hope to get to see Susanne's house. It's nearly finished now I think.

The post last week was really long...but not as talkative today... Ah well, I'm sure you can do without all the trivia;).

Love

Birthday&relaxing

2005-02-27T17:16:00.000Z

Dear all,

On Friday it was Derek's 22nd birthday. He came round in the afternoon and I give him his prezzies. Think he was happy with them. He'd had a bit of a lousy start to his birthday so I cheered him up a bit:). We went to the Museum of Modern Art, which was nice, and went for a coffee. The went home, got changed and went to Mimmo's for an early dinner. It was great. Especially desert was to DIE for. Gorgeous. Then went to the Loft. Had a wee Drambuie and cigar;). Derek was celebrating together with Laura, Cammie and Ross, so there were lots of people. Shame we couldn't all sit at the one table, or at least in one group. After that we went to the QM. Didn't stay long though. We were surprisingly sober at the end of the night, which was good.

Went into town on Saturday and met up with Katie, then went to Cumbernauld. Just had nice relaxing Saturday night. Today Derek showed me Cumbernauld; his old house, schools etc and the town centre. I now understand why people want to have the town centre knocked down! Boy, it's UGLY! Staying for dinner, then head back home, with my new PC:)! So happy about that.

Hope you're all well!

Love

Laptop misery and drunken night with Fiona

2005-02-23T13:14:00.000Z

My laptop is fucked, you already knew that, but it now turns out to cost €560 to repair (£400):(!!!!!!!! ARGH! &*(&%$^(*))*%^*$£^&£&^U& No thanks, I would say.

Yes, anyway. I paid for half of the laptop a bit more than a year ago and now that money has just gone... Thankfully I can use an old pc that Derek's got left over (it used to be his sister's). So grateful. I cannot afford to get a new one just now!

Talking about money: the IBG is late for a change! I neeeeed the money, as I'm going to Ashoka with the ESE guys tonight, and as I promissed to take Derek out to dinner on Friday. It used to come on the 21st, then on the 23d, but now sometimes even on the 25th. As long as it's not even later! Guess I'll have to take out the credit card, or just go into the red a bit more. This is one reason I am looking forward to having a job: money!

On Monday (yes I know, that is a weekday) I had Fiona for dinner. Hadn't seen her since she got engaged. Her ring is really pretty and she seems so happy:)! We had dinner and then decided to go to, surprise surprise, Tennents! Fiona insisted on celebrating hard; had a few drinks too many, but it was a good night. Of course there were the usual drunken old men talking to us. Always fun!

I was a good girl and managed to go to my 10am the next day. I'd even done the homework too!

Off home now, and I need to pop into town to get Derek a wee prezzie (have already got big prezzie, but can't tell you what it is, as he will read this! Duh).

It's also our anniversary on March 8th, so need to think of a wee thing to get him, just to let him know how much he means to me. Still can't believe we met a YEAR ago! We might go to the theatre or something to celebrate. Need to think of what to go and see... any suggestions?

Back soon!

Lots of love

A

2005-02-18T12:30:00.000Z

Dear all,

Spoke to my supervisor today and he is even more happy with my essay than he was before!!! Yeah! "Definite first-class quality". I am a genius;).

E-mailed five Scottish publishers over the past week, and already got a reply. Good, but it did say that there are no current vacancies, but that I should send my CV and they would keep me informed. Hmmm... Also e-mailed Waterstones, as I would not mind working in a bookshop for a bit. I will send my CV to the Glasgow branch.

I'm starting to think also about essays, disertation, exams. I mean it's all still far away (next essay in 3 weeks, last one in 3 months time, exams June 21-25, dissertation finished in September). Lots of time! But I am already halfway through this year... Sad really. This is/was my very last year as a student, probably EVER. Honours classes finish in a few weeks time, so after that I won't really be a student as I will have only 2 lectures a week. It's just strange if you think about it. The end of an era of my life... Snif.

Helene came for dinner yesterday. Cooked chicory in ham and cheese-sauce, with spagetti (I was gonna make lovely wee potatoes with melted butter and herbs, but Helene doesn't like potatoes!) and home made burgers with spring onions and spices. Jummy! Think she enjoyed it too:). Unfortunately she had to leave really early, because she still had to prepare for a meeting the next day at 9am. It was good to catch up though, and we'll meet again soon.

Hope to meet Fiona soon. She got engaged!!! It was quite a shock, but I am now very happy for her. Think her parents haven't quite recovered from the shock yet, but hope they can be happy for her too.

Tonight Derek's coming for dinner and then we're going to the Loft to celebrate Iain(ESE Iain)'s birthday and the fact that he is leaving for a round-the-world trip next week. Look forward to a wee bit of partying:)! Don't know what we, or me, are or am up to for the rest of the weekend. Do some work I guess, and maybe go to Superfly tomorrow? We'll see. Derek was also planning on showing me Cumbernauld (OH YEAH!), show me his old school and stuff.

Off to a Post-Grad meeting now to discuss our progress and think about exam topics etc.

Back soon!

Love

Good times

2005-02-11T15:44:00.000Z

Dear all,

No news really, but just wanted to report that life is gooooooooood:)! So happy in Glasgow, with Derek, with all my friends:).

Not been up to much exciting stuff really. Changed my eating regime (more veg and less crap is the basic idea) and i go swimming a lot in an effort to lose some weight. Not that I'm fat;). Derek's diet is working very well for him, although I think the cravings are starting to get the better of him. He lost 4kilo's! (11 pounds) in 1 week! Amazing! My regime is not as effective (lost less than a kilo in 1,5 weeks...) but i'm sure it'll work in the long run. I am not really bothered anyway:).

Me an Derek are celebrating Valentine's day with a home cooked three-course meal:). Look forward to cooking it together in my lovely new kitchen. It's his birthday soon too: need to come up with a good present! Cannot believe we met nearly a year ago! Time flies.

Might be going on holiday twice this summer, but more about that later!

Hope you're all very happy too:)!

Love

Frustrations

2005-02-08T16:15:00.000Z

Got word about my laptop a while back. According to the factory it's got DAMP in it! I am 100% sure I never came near my laptop with drinks, condensation or any other dampness, and still they can say that that's what it is and thereby demand that we pay for the bloody repairs! It is just rediculous! What do you do? They can just say anything and get out of paying! Bloody bastards!

Anyway. Hopefully better news soon!

Love

Relaxing times

2005-02-01T16:34:00.000Z

Dear all,

Don't really have much news. Spent the past week at Derek's, as his parents were on holiday in Egypt. Had an amazingly (maybe too much so) relaxing time. It confirmed to me how lovely Derek is:) (sorry honey if you're blushing now;)).

Didn't do much really. Went out on Friday and Saturday though. Friday it was Kit's birthday. It was nice, but a bit difficult to talk to anyone as we were sat round a big table and the music was too loud to hear anyone not sitting next to you... Decided to go home after and not join the rest for a night in the Art School. On Saturday it was Iain's birthday. Went to Nice and Sleazy's first, which posed the same problems: music too loud to talk... Went to Barfly after, which is not really my favourite place on earth, but had a fun night anyway:).

On Sunday we both decided to do 4 (yes, 4 whole!) hours of work. I worked on my essay. I already got 69% (nearly an A, Dutch aquivalent would be an 8 or 8.5 or something), but I can rewrite it as wthe official deadline is at the end of the course! I will, most probably, get my first A! YEAH! Proud me.

On Monday I went back home. Weird how quickly you get used to being around someone all the time! Miss it, although I do feelI still have a need for my own space. Think he does too, and probably even more so. Webnt swimming together in the afternoon and will do it again on Wednesday. We'll be so fit in a few months time;)!

Talked to Dee last night. Hadn't spoken in ages. Bad how you just forget to call. Was nice to talk to her. She just sounds so happy:)! Plan to have dinner with Fi tomorrow, as haven't had proper night together in a while. Will be nice to catch up.

New kitchen is standing in the corridor and will be fitted tomorrow! YEAH! So great. It's probably ready on Thursday or Friday. Finally real cooking;).

Will be logged out v soon!

Love

Hectic

2005-01-24T14:27:00.000Z

Dear all,

On Wednesday, or actually Thursday morning very early, Derek came over, as we had to leave very early on Thursday. The report was finished! 'Slightly' on the late side, but finished all the same. Thank God for that. That was one stressful day and night...

Anyway. Promised I'd not talk about it anymore:). On Thursday we took a cab to the airport. First we had a fry-up there, which cost a whopping £8!!!!! And was manky... Damn. Then Derek bought some presents for Sinterklaas. Bought me a very pretty bag and brooch:). We then walked to the gate, only to discover we'd lost my wallet! AAA! As if the night before had not been enough strain on our wee hearts we got another panic-drawn adrenaline rush. Thank God it turned out Derek had put it in his bag, but in the back pocket. We made it!

We got to Schiphol safe and sound, had a nice lunch there and then went to Coevorden. Finally got there at 4.45pm. We had zuurkool stamppot (a Dutch type of sauerkraut with mashed potato, banana and raisins), which was nice. Don't think Derek was too sure about it though;). The next day we went to Groningen to visit Ineke, my Grandad and pick up Jan and the cats. Must have been a bit of a weird day for Derek as neither Ineke or Grandad speak English, but think we managed ok to translate. That night we went out with an old friend of mine, Susanne, and her boyfriend Marco. Had a great time! Derek got on with them really well, and Marco's English got better and better after a few beers;). Had a few too many... But made it home safely only to find my mum still up writing Sinterklaas poems! Crazy.

The next day we still had to write our poems, so spent most of the day doing that. Was quite a struggle for Derek, but they turned out really good at the end. It's only a bit of fun anyway. Took my laptop to the computer shop (I pray it's ready in 3 weeks, so that mum can take it to Scotland!) and Derek installed some extra RAM-memory in my parents computer to make it run faster. That night we (finally, 1.5 months late) celebrated Sinterklaas. It was a lot of fun:). Nice to have Derek there as 'part of the family':).

The next morning we had to get up very early, as we needed to catch the plane at 12.40. Mum took us to Zwolle, because there are no early trains from Coevorden on Sunday. Got to Schiphol by 10.20am, so we were number 13 to check in;)! Had something nice to eat and flew back. Derek's mum was so sweet as to pick us up:). We did get stuck in the car park, but managed to get out in the end. Went home only to discover the heating had broken! It was bloody FREEZING! Couldn't get it to work, so had to make do with the gas fire in the living room and the wee electrical heater in my room: BRR!

The coming week I'll spend at Derek's:) as his parents are on holiday. Look forward to a relaxing week, and to finally have some quiet time together without reports to worry about.

Hope you're all very well!

Love

Netherlands

2005-01-19T13:15:00.000Z

Over the next couple of days, from Thursday to Sunday to be precise, I'll be in The Netherlands. If anyone wats to reach me: I'll be using my Dutch sim!

Derek is still writing... The poor thing. He is a genius though, so I'm sure his report will be brilliant!

Back here soon to tell you how my wee break was:).

Love

Orange? Or Drunken Night with Fiona part 4567

2005-01-17T16:12:00.000Z

Dear all,

On Friday I spent a tiny wee bit of time with Derek, which energised me:). He's still stuck in his report... but the deadline is Wednesday, so there are happier times ahead:)!

Friday night I went to Tennents with Fi for some pub-grub and some pints. It was a drunken night, but for a change it wasn't us;)! Hadn't been out with Fi in ages and ages and we really needed to catch up on some girly talk:). Only problem with Tennents on a Friday night is the hordes of drunken 30-70 year old men... I mean it's fun(ny) usually (as they talk shite and buy you pints;)), but this time the particular guy that was trying to talk to us got quite annoying quite quickly. He kept calling me 'an orange' (as I was wearing orange jewelry) which at first I thought was a sectarian comment, and I was adament to point out I'm an agnostic. He then clarified himself by winking and saying I was 'very fruity'. Hmm... He then bought us a pint. Should have said no of course, but hey, I'm Dutch (cheap!) and therefore could not refuse. He kept asking me where I was from etc., over and over and over again, which worked on my nerves... Thank God he realised he was too drunk, and went home. All in all it was a god night though. Must have spent about 3,5 hours in there, just talking away. Always good!

On Saturday I didn't really do anything. Did a bit of uni work, watched telly. On Sunday I was hoping to meet Derek, but he was way too busy...:'(. I will be so relieved when this bloody report is handed in! So will he of course, even more so as he's the one typing it.

On Thursday we'll fly to The Netherlands (as I already mentioned before in this blog: sorry if I repeat myself). Really looking forward to having time with him, and with my parents and brother. They'll have some time to get to know oneanother a bit better. it'll also be nice to show him where I grew up.

Uni is going well. Remarkably on track with the reading for the honours courses. I am even starting to see what I would like to write my dissertation on! Yeah! I would like to focus it on Scottish women's fiction between the wars:)! Catherine Carswell, Willa Muir, Nan Shepherd etc. Do read them! They are great:). Never thought I would go into 'feminist' writing... Always said I wouldn't, because I fear the stigma of being a woman writing about women's fiction. I guess though that as I get older these 'novels of development', about women finding who they are mentally, sexually, what their place is in the world, become more and more interesting to me. In this particular period there is so much going on in fiction and art generally (think Joyce, DH Lawrence, Woolf, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, The Glasgow Girls), as well as in the feminist political movement, that it makes a fascinating subject. Would like to read some more Virginia Woolf, DH Lawrence as well as male Scottish authors of the period to get a better feel for the period. Do let me know what you think (if you have some kind of clue of what I'm talking about that is;))!

Anyway. I'm sure by now I've lost my readership... Sorry! Back here soon! Off home now, as I'm having Derek for dinner (although I think it'll be pub-grub or chippy;)).

Love

Reading

2005-01-10T16:23:00.000Z

Dear all (I know that there are people out there that read me, although I cannot fully comprehend why...)

I spent a big part of last week doing work and worrying about going back to uni on Monday. Thankfully I managed to catch up ok, ok enough to go back anyway. Then they announced in my class today that they changed the schedule, so me reading "The Quary Wood" by Nan Shepherd (read it: lovely book) like crazy over the past couple of days was a slight waste of time, as I should have spent it on Sorley MacLean's poetry (if you like poetry, try his "Dain do Eimhir"(yes, it is poetry in Gaelic, but he translated it himself) collection. It is very passionate, about love, war, loss, memory, politics, about life really:)).

Spent Saturday with Derek:). Was really nice to see him, as hadn't for 5 whole days (very long...;))! We went on a half-hearted search for Sinterklaas presents, went to see "The Aviator" (really good, though slightly long), and met up with Joe, Liisa, Peter and Christopher. Nice day:). Spent most of the next morning in bed;) and then went to Tennent's to watch Celtic-Rnagers. Even though I support Celtic and Derek supports Rangers we didn't strangle each other, so that was good. We even held hands most of the time:). Of course I'm happy Celtic won though;). After that he had to go home to get back to his report... Will probably not see him over the coming week, as the deadline is very near and the report far from finished. It's ok, as I know this is very very very important. Will catch up on lost time later!

Off home now to read some Sorley MacLean for my class tomorrow!

Love

PS Another book I can highly recommend (gee, this could change the whole purpose of this blog!) is "The Piano Teacher" by Elfriede Jellinek (she won the nobel prize for literature in 2003 I think). Derek gave it to me for Christmas. It is so strong, passionate, haunting. I read it in between all the other reading I have to do. I loved it a lot, even though it is terribly painful and sad. It's about a woman in her thirties who still lives with her mother and then discovers love and sexual desire, but does not know how to deal with it, and therefore gets hurt in a gruesome manner (this discription does not do the book justice: just read it). I think I would like to read the original (in German I assume) as well, as the translation sometimes seemed a bit lifeless.

Tsunami...

2005-01-05T11:29:00.000Z

Can hardly bear to write a nice happy entry when all you see on telly is all these people that died, or are dying. It's just so so sad. What can you do? I mean I gave £10 to Oxfam, but what is that compared to all the suffering out there... NOTHING. I got very annoyed with certain programs on TV that were discussing whether we can still believe in God after this. For one I never did believe in God (guess I'm an agnostic), and for two: who the hell cares whether some person in Britain can still believe in God! What a selfish way to look at the whole disaster! Go give your time to some charity rather than wasting it that way. Fuck sake (excuse my language).

And now to my life...
I did have a really nice Christmas with Derek and his family. It was just very cozy and comfy. Derek gave me this gorgeous necklace and I got matching earrings from his parents. Dinner was lovely too.

Dee came over on the 30th:). Was so nice to spend five days with her! On Friday Derek and Fiona came over and we had a nice dinner (that I managed to drop on the floor first though!) and a lot of wine (apart from Dee who doesn't drink). Ross came over too and we went to the Uisge Beatha. I had a few pints of McEwans 80 there and got shockingly drunk... Oops. Guess it's allowed on Hogmanay! Was very embarrassed the next day though, as I realised I must have looked like an idiot too...

Sunday Derek took me and Dee out to the Chip! Had never been in before. The food was gorgeous. Went to the Uisge Beatha again after for the Sunday live music session. I was walking on my new sexy shoes (tweed with very high heels) and of course got a really bad blister... Got up early on Monday to go to Edinburgh. We went to the castle, to Holyrood and went shopping for a bit. Was really nice. Think Dee loved it too. She left on Tuesday afternoon:'(. Was sad to say goodbye. Realised how much I enjoy spending time with her, and how much I really do miss that. Hope to go down to Liverpool sometime in the near future.

Not seen Derek since Monday morning, as he is working on his report and I have a lot of reading to do (as my classes start on the 10th in stead of the 24th as I thought! Oops!). Hope to spend a full day with him on Saturday. Maybe go shopping for Sinterklaas (we celebrate it in The Netherlands on January 21st! Crazy, but fun!), have a nice meal, go to the cinema, or whatever.

Anyway, back to work now. For those of you that haven't given to charity yet: GO DO THAT RIGHT NOW! Every little bit helps.

Love,
Mariken

2004-12-16T14:47:00.000Z

Merry Christmas and a Sparkling Hogmanay to Everyone!!!!

Enjoy the Holidays!

Love and a BIG hug xxx

Christmas do's (how do you spell do in plural?) and hair

2004-12-16T14:34:00.000Z

Dear all,

Yesterday I had Christmas lunch at Fiona's with Fiona (duh!), Kelly and Susan. That was lovely. Had chicken in stead of turkey, but did have all the other traditional things. My first real traditional British Christmas meal! After that we went to the SESLL (School of English and Scottish Language and Literature) drinks thing. Disappointingly no Scottish Literature tutors turned up! Free wine, so people got quite plastered. I was way too full from the meal though, and in stead of going out, I just went home after. Boring me!

Yesterday I dyed my hair. Was fed up with my own boring colour, so it's now goldeny blonde with subtle high lights. Close to my own colour, but just that little bit more exciting;). Today I went to the hairdresser to get it cut, and it looks lovely now!

Then I went to uni to finish my essay... I've nearly nearly nearly finished it. Seriously should have started it later, closer to that deadline, because this way I just keep changing it, which is a bit sad... But it seems to be about as good as I want it to be, so I should be ok. Meeting Helene at 4pm for coffee, or maybe drinks&dinner, so I will print it out before I think. Hand it in tomorrow at the Scottish Literature lunch. Still bit scared... but I guess I'll be fine. Have written so many essays in my time! (that sounds like I'm ancient!)

Back here soon! Many exciting prospects: meet up with Helene, go out with friends of Derek's tomorrow, go out for drinks with Meena on Saturday, Christmas get-together with PostGrads Sunday, try not to think about Derek all Monday, as that's when he gets back, and then finally, on Tuesday I see Derek again! YEAH! Can't wait.

Love

Christmas&essay

2004-12-13T13:43:00.000Z

Dear all,

Christmas is nearly here! Yeah! Meena and me got a Christmas tree on Saturday and decorated it. So lovely to smell the tree when you come into the living room:). Also wrote all my (27!!!) Christmas cards. Let's hope I get more than 6 back this year! The problematic thing is that all this Christmassy stuff makes me feel like I'm on holiday... Which means I've not done too much work on the essay over the weekend... Oopsy! Should be able to finish it over the next two days though.

Spoke to Derek on Sunday. He's working so so hard. Hope he'll get a great grade for his placement and report. I'm sure he will:). Was so good to talk about what we'll do when he's back. Can't believe I'll see him in 8 days! Three months has been way too llllloooonnnnngggggg. We booked a table at a nice restaurant and we'll have the house to ourselves, so that will be nice:). Cuddle up in front of the fire:).

Will have a busy week socially, as well workwise. Lots of Christmas parties and lunches. Great:). Also finally gonna get my hair cut. Have been wanting to for the past three months, but never had the money (a cut costs £35 on average! OUTRAGEOUS!). Will look extra pretty when Derek gets back:).

Back to work now!

Enjoy the holidays!

Love,
Mariken

Another computer update and general misery

2004-12-06T14:18:00.000Z

Dear all,

My computer has decided to totally go mental on me (and yes, I do know it does what I want, not the other way round, and it's not a living being etc.etc.-> I'm still sure it did it on PURPOSE!). I thought it would be ok once I had taken the old keyboard off, but it turns out it's not. Last time I checked it was opening word-docs by itself, not responding to the keys and typing in the word-docs it openened. I was so brave as to try and use the recovery-cd (after checking I had backups of everything, as I couldn't get the files to save to D in stead of the C drive), but as it doesn't respond to the keys I couldn't follow the instructions. Decided not to touch it anymore and e-mail the company (in the Netherlands: JOY) that I bought it from to ask whether I can get it fixed here on their costs (if it turns out to be a problem of their making; it can hardly be a virus as it's never been connected to the internet and I haven't done any meddling). Otherwise I'll have to wait till I'm in the Netherlands in January... unless it turns out to be easily fixed by cetain people with knowledege of computers (although I don't want to bother anyone with it).

Couldn't sleep last night because of this, and because of anxiety over the question whether I can still write essays... Stupid I know. Of course I can:)! Hmmm, it doesn't sound so convincing in my head somehow. I live in a slight fear that one of these days they will discover that I can't actually write and that they will find me out... Scary. I know it's silly...

Apart from all this SHIT I'm ok, really (how convincing I sound eh?). I had my new friend Helene for dinner on Saturday, which was really nice. So good to be making new friends:).

Will try to cheer up!

Love u all

Computer update and wine

2004-12-04T13:25:00.000Z

Dear all,

I think I have sorted out the problem with the laptop (or rather Derek told me what the problem most probably is!): It's just the old keyboard I attached to it. That's probably fucked, so it's sending random data to the laptop. I've disconnected the keyboard, so it should be ok now. If not...we'll see what to do next!

On Thursday I went to dinner at Fi's. We had a bottle of wine with the meal and then decided we really should go out. So we went to Oran Mor. Had a few more bottles of wine there. Yes, you are reading this right... We got drunk. Very BAD! Was so hung over the next day... Stupid me. Couldn't eat till 6pm! Why did we do that to ourselves...? God knows.

Tonight my new friend Helene is coming for dinner. Really looking forward to that. Was going to cook her pasta with smoked salmon, spinach and cheese sauce, but it turns out she doesn't like salmon! So doing it with chicken in stead. Hope that works out ok.

Back again soon!

Love

My computer's (not so) secret life...

2004-11-26T13:20:00.000Z

Oh my God... My laptop types by itself in Word now! It doesn't have much of a decent vocabulary yet, it only says "3set" or "qef" and sometimes uses capitals and sometimes doesn't. Maybe it is trying to find itself a girl- of boyfriend?

But seriously. It IS typing by itself. Have tried restarting it, but it still does it! Annoying. I can still type, but just have to delete it's typing every now and then.

Can anybody tell me what the problem could be? I don;t know anything about computers... Thought it might be a virus, but then I've never been on the net with my laptop!

HELP!

Love

Blue but happy!

2004-11-25T14:11:00.000Z

Slightly more creative title for a change:).

My right big toe is blue... a girl stood on it in the QM nearly a month ago, but yesterday I suddenly noticed it was blue under my nail... hmm. Maybe I am turning into a blue monster?

Went to Tennents last night to watch Barcelona-Celtic. 1-1!!!!!!!! Amazing. It felt like they had won in Tennents! Great. My new 'friends' Chris and Andrew (about 38-year old, rich guys: hehe) bought me a beer again. They asked if I want to come out with them one weekend. I don't think so! I mean they are friendly and nice, but not friends. Problem is I will meet them every time I go and watch Celtic in Tennents and they keep asking... what do I say next time? Not sure this "going to the pub on my own to watch the fitba" was a good idea after all. Need to get myself a buddy, or get (ie PAY, hehe) Derek to come with me when he's back.

Uni is ok too. Getting stuck into my essay that's due in 3 weeks. Should meet up with my supervisor next week so that there's pressure on me to do it.

Miss Derek, but only 3.5 weeks to go! Not long at all.

Love

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DAD

2004-11-20T17:58:00.000Z

Also wanted to say that it's my dad's birthday today!

Van Harte Gefeliciteerd! Ik bel je vanavond!

Liefs/Love

Airdrie

2004-11-20T17:41:00.000Z

Gee, the titles of these posts get more and more creative every day!

Yesteday afternoon I went to Blairhill (dunno if you spell it like that. Sure hope Blair has nothing to do with it!), where Craig, Fiona's boyfriend lives. We cooked a nice dinner, pasta with spinach, salmon and blue cheese sauce: yummy! The sauce was a bit of a Bridget Hones-moment though, as it was very green from the cheese. It tasted lovely though. The we took a cab to Airdrie to go to the "Rock Garden" to watch some of Craig's friends play. It was fun, and quite good even some of it. The only downside was my migrain and the fact that it was about -5 in there! In the ladies you could see your own breath! Crazy. Aparently the heating engineer was coming in the morning. I was so brave as to complain and I think it was because of me that they got a wee portable heater thing. Was slightly better after that. Few drinks helped also. Only had like 5 (between 9pm and 2am), as my head was killing me. Fiona got pretty wrecked, which was quite funny. She took loads of pics also. One of Craig's friends is exactly like Derek. Very strange. Of course he's not as sexy, sweet, gorgeous, cuddly and funny as Derek, but he did remind me of him a lot. Same sense of style, same sort of hair, soft spoken. Weird!

Craig drove me home this afternoon and I finally got to talk to Derek. Have been a bit of a silly depressive the past couple of days, so it was very good to have a wee chat. Miss him so much... Only 4 weeks to go! I'll be ok...

It is absolutely BALTIC out here. So so so cold. Freezes at night and during the day it is only slightly above zero. BRRRRR. Glad Derek gave me a big scarf for my birthday. Nice and warm.

Booked flights to The Netherlands for me and Derek for January 20-23. Yippy! Gonna have a very, very late Sinterklaas celebration with my brother and parents. Better late than never! Couldn't really afford the flights, but hey, it's worth it. Haven't been home since October after all, and I am already away for both Christmas and Hogmanay.

Love

Not so very AAAHH

2004-11-20T17:34:00.000Z

Pim Fortuin didn't win the program thing after all:)! Thank God for that. Willem van Oranje (William of Orange) won instead. Would say he meant a lot more for the Netherlands, wouldn't you?

Love

AAAAHHHHH

2004-11-16T16:35:00.000Z

I cannot believe it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pim Fortuin (aye, the Dutch right-wing politician who got murdered in May 2002) has been voted the greatest Dutchman, ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They can surely not be serious...

It's a tv-program, and the public got to vote, but still.

I am shocked

Love

Gerard

2004-11-11T15:31:00.000Z

Dear all,

How very unimaginative is my title... Ah well.

Last Wednesday Gerard arrived (for those of you who don't know who that is: he is a French lawyer friend of mine I met two years ago when we lived in the same building in Murano St.).

Had a really good week together. I'll give you the highlights:

On Wednesday night we went to the Loft with Meena. Hadn't eaten there before and it was lovely. During the day on Thursday we went into town for a stroll. Gerard really wanted to go to the Hive, so that's what we did. I like the Hive, but it was so extremely busy in there. We both felt a bit too old for it also. Sad eh? Received great insult when someone in the queue asked me whether I was American, or maybe from Canadia (wherever that may be!). Surely I sound Scottish by now, or at least British!

On Friday we went to the ESE (?) get-together. We had dinner with Emma and the computing-boys (this term is not meant derogatively!) in Bouzy Rouge and went on to a bar. After that me&Gerard went to the Garage where we met up with Fiona and Jemma. Was such a great night! For anyone who thinks they don't like the Garage; try it again. Give it a chance. It's just so much fun! The high point of the evening was a glas of Glenfidich, yes, aye, GLENFIDICH in the Garage! Danced ass of also, which is always good.

On Saturday we decided to go for an alcohol-free night, so we went to the UGC. Wanted to go see "Finding Neverland", about the life in JM Barrie, but it was sold out, so instead we went to see "The Grudge", a remake of a Japanese horror movie. Gerard doesn't seem to be scared by anything, but I was petrified! It was so so scary.

On Sunday we went to the Uisge Beatha for the live music session. Hadn't been since I came back to Glasgow and then realised that I'd really missed it. It's just so gooood. Lovely whisky also.

On Monday we met up with Helene, a girl from Gerard's uni who's doing the same course he did 2 years ago, in Ashoka. She seems really nice, and I hope to meet up with her again one day. She's so French (not in a bad way, just typical)! She reminded me of Marielle.

On Wednesday, Gerard's last day, we went to Jack McFee for fish&chips and then to Tennents for the Old Firm game. We're both Celtic supporters, and so is Emma who joined us, so we were disapponted with the result. It's great though to have fish&chips and watch the fitba with some friends.

Also back onto swimming now. Went to the Stevie together on Sunday and I realised that I had really missed swimming. Will go at least twice a week from now on. That's a promise!

On a very different note: I am very worried about the whole situation in the Netherlands (long story). It seems like a war zone out there! Scary.

Off home now. I'm starving after I went swimming this afternoon also!

Love

Halloween

2004-11-02T16:06:00.000Z

Dear all,

On Saturday I went to a Halloween party in Kelvinhaugh Gate, with a Chilean friend of mine called Carmen. It was a Murano-style flat party with lots of drunken, predomintantly American and Canadian, students everywhere. Did get to meet a few nice people tho, and had a good night.

I went dressed up as Poison-Ivy, and although I don't look like Uma Thurman at all(sadly), and wasn't wearing a very tight green licra (I would say that isn't advisable for most people and certainly not for me) dress or had dyed my hair bright red, people still recognised me as such. Just used the fake ivy from my rooom and applied green eye-shadow and hair gel.

By the time I wanted to go home I decided I couldn't really walk back in the middle of the night through not the best bits of Glasgow, so I found two guys, who were going to Milngavie, to share a cab with. They wanted to stay for a bit though, and then the taxi took 40mins to arrive...so by the time I got home it was 3am (and that was after the clocks were turned back!). Was a lot safer that way though.

Only bad thing was a random guy who said who could speak Dutch and consequenlty asked me "wil je met me neuken" (yes it means exactly what you think it does!) while he obviously knew what that meant...sad. Simply replied with "No thanks". Worked.

Have to go now, as will be logged off in 3 mins... Gerard arrives tomorrow afternoon, so will have a lot to tell you next time probably:)!

Love

Simone

2004-10-27T16:04:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

You've not heard from me in a while because Simone, my friend and former flat mate, was here for a few days.

I picked her up from Central Station on Thursday night. She was so happy to see me! I was very happy to see her too. We'd not seen each other for more than a year! Crazy... We went home and had a few glasses of wine and some oat cakes with bluye cheese. Yum! She loved the flat.

On Friday we met Cees, who was visiting for a few days with his girlfriend, and had lunch at the PostGrad club. Then we walked into town and went shopping. Simone bought Christmas cards becauseshe thinks the ones here are so much nicer. Friday night I introduced her to the Loft, the bar that is now above the newly built Grosvenor cinema. She loved it. It's gorgeous and it looks like it has always been there. The we went to the QM, for Cheesy Pop. Had a great night apart from one strange incident that befall me... A random (according to Simone that is my new word) guy was dancing up to me, in the sense that he was rubbing his crotch up against me. Bleh:(! I pushed him away, obviously!, and when his friend pushed him even further Simone and me thanked him. That friend must have told him or something, because suddenly he came storming back and pushed his finger into my cheek. That really hurt, and even if it didn't, I don't want some random guy to touch me! I got really angry and slapped him on the back. He then showed me his middle finger and 5mins later even launched his drink at me, most of which unfortunately landed on Simone... God I was so angry! The rest of the night I was kind of paranoid, as I didn't really remember what he looked like and kept thinking I saw him. Stupid... Anyway.

On Saturday we went to Glasgow Green and we went to to People's Palace and the Barrows. Especially the People's Palace is really good. Hadn't been there, or at least not since I was like twelve. Saturday night Fiona came for dinner. We had some wine and some nice food and chatted away. Simone and her seemed to get on really well, so that was nice. We went to Gong after that and Simone and me left when it closed.

The next day we were supposed to go out with Emma at night, but that didn't work out. We did go out to dinner, to the lovely Spanish tapas restaurant just off Byres Road. Great! The we went to Jinty's for a few pints. The next day I went to my lecture at 12 and Simone met up with her professor. After that we went to prestwick to meet up with Emma. Had a lovely afternoon with her, and her mum even cooked us dinner! They brought Simone to the airport and then I took the train home... Had a very busy night after that, as I had heaps of cathcing up to do. it was worth it though! Gonna try and work hard the next couple of days so that I will have time for Gerard when he arrives next Wednesday.

No plans for Halloween yet. Might go out with some of Derek's friends if they are going.

Talking about Derek's friends...

Iain (I'm assuming you spell it like that) I am really sorry I confused you with Chris! Have met so many new people recently and I have never been a star remembering names... Please forgive me:)!

Anyway, will be logged off very soon! Gonna try and get a contract phone tomorrow, as my old one is very much dying on me, and get new boots, as the old ones died when I was in Groningen. Then back to the grind to do some more work on my IT-thing as well as a lot of reading. Reading week next week, so can read instead of going to all my classes, before Gerard arrives.

Love

What's cooking?

2004-10-20T16:10:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

We got a mini-kitchen today!

To give you an idea of what it looks like (this is the one we've got in the house I think): http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/mini-ovens/russell-hobbs-mini-kitchen.asp

We're gonna have to make do with that untill the whole kitchen gets refurbished. Meena kept saying how sorry she is about it all: so sweet! I'm sure we'll manage:)!

Was also doing this stupid IT-thing today. Need to pass an IT-test this year, otherwise i won;t graduate. Have to do the online-course first (which you wouldn't be able to access if you didn't know how to do the tasks they teach you in the first place!), then pass the test. Can't get an exemption:(. Guess it can only do me good really, so I shouldn't nag!

Simone arrives tomorrow night and stays till Monday night. Really looking forward to seeing her!

Love

Jan's birthday

2004-10-18T16:52:00.000+01:00

Before I forget... It's my wee (don't let him hear me) brother's 20th birthday today!

Van Harte Gefeliciteerd Jan! Bel je vanavond!

20 already... Wee brother is not so very wee really is he? (not that he's been wee-er than me for a lot of our lives)

Off to lecture now (finally)!

Love

NOOOOOOO!

2004-10-18T16:39:00.000+01:00

I just typed a huge entry and then it didn't post it... ARGH! Wouldn't know how to retrieve it, so will just give you a very short rendering of the whole thing...

The party on Friday was great! So many people came. Met lots of new people. Was very happy that some of Derek's closest friends also popped by. Had Donna's phone number and had told her to bring everyone along, but i wasn't expecting them really. Then I opened the door and Donna, Peter, Chris, Joe and Liisa were there! So nice. Finally got to meet Joe and Liisa. Strange with Derek not there... Got asked lots of questions about Mond (as they call him...long story), about Denmark etc. Sweet!

Went to the QM after the party with a few people. I spent most of the night talking to Iain. He showed me pictures of his South African girlfriend and told me about his adventures and we had quite a few vodka-somethings. He was quite wobbly at the end of the night, so I decided to walk him to his busstop. Meena must have gotten quite worried and called me to ask where I was. I answered that I was fine and that i was just waiting at the busstop. This obviously didn't make any sense to her... She also told me the next day I sounded very Scottish. Weird. Know I sound more Scottish now than I ever did, but didn't realise it got worse (better?) after a few drinks...

Today Meena, and me a little bit too I guess, had a dissaster day. The gas-man (Scottish Gas) told us that the fire in the living room as well as the cooker are unsafe to use! AAH! Meena is on the hunt for a new cooker rght now. After all the problems with the washing machine Meena was so angry/sad that this also had to happen. The poor thing even felt guilty towards me! OIf course it's not her fault. Hope it's all back to normal soon. Will have to live off instant soup, salad, take-away and microwave food for a while I guess!

Anyway. That was the short version of my story... Will copy it now, just in case it doens't work again!

Love

Party!

2004-10-15T16:34:00.000+01:00

Have lots to tell you about the past week, but it's all boring and nagging, as it involves BANKS again... Will just leave it to your imagination...

After I go back on Sunday I went out to dinner with Fiona to celebrate my graduation (she insisted;)). We had dinner at the wee Italian on Ashton Lane. Lovely food. No pizza's, just nice pasta and other dishes. Then we were supposed to go for one cocktail at The Loft, but we hung around for ages, and eventually ended up in The Clinicon Dunbarton Road... Oopsy. Got home at 2am... BAD! Ah well, I was good for the rest of the week!

Tonight Meena and me are throwing a belated birthday/flat warming party. Really looking forward to that! Have to go now. Get logged off in 4mins... AAH!

Love

23... and Master of Arts

2004-10-09T16:50:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

It's strange to be 23... especially as that means I am now (for a few months anyway) 2 years older than Derek ;). No, of course it feels just as good, or bad, as being 22.

Yesterday I graduated! Yeah! I now officially have a Master of Arts degree! Wierd... I am now just as educated as my dad. So strange to think of it that way. Should I be looking for a job?? Thankfully I have another degree to study for, and even then I might study on...

Me and Dee graduated after one another, which was really special. We've been such good friends for all these years (we met in first year), and finishing with her was great. I was so proud of her when she got her Cum Laude! Fantastic! One of my teachers said I was always the "heart and soul" of the class, whcih was very nice to hear. It's a shame I only knew about graduating like 2 weeks ago, otherwise I would have been able to invite more people...

The party afterwards was very nice. It was more Dee's party than mine, but that was ok. Afterwards I went out to dinner with mum, dad and Jan, at the Mexican on the Poelestraat. Great food and lovely "frozen Margerita", yummy!

Went out the night with Dee, Alan, Jorieke, Theodoor and his new girlfriend. I was missing Derek so so much... Was hard to enjoy myself. Had been looking forward to the night out for so long, and then it was not what I expected. That was my own fault though. It was nice to take the time to talk to Dee and Alan, catch up with what they've been up to.

Wish Derek had been there... It was just one of these important moments in life... You think you won't be moved, but then they hand you the "bul" (degree certificate) and I was ready to burst into tears! Terrible. Know he was there for me in spirit! Can't wait to talk to him properly on Sunday! Fibnally after two weeks of no talking, just texting, and one week of very short way too expensive calls.

I'm off! It's time for my birthday dinner. Mum made "dumpling" for desert: YUMMY!

Love

Birthday!

2004-10-06T11:26:00.000+01:00

It was very weird to celebrate my birthday yesterday without Derek, without Dee and without real friends generally... Made me a little bit sad. Derek did call me in the morning, and he was the very first person to congratulate me, which was very very nice. Meena and Andrew (her boyfriend) were really sweet to me also. We had dinner together and they even got me a wee prezzie and a victoria spunge with candle! So sweet. Then we went to the PostGrad club for a few drinks. Toby (a physics student I met a while ago) and Kirsten (who also does ScotLit) also came and bought me drinks. Lisa (a Californian girl that does ScotLit) was also there, but she was preoccupied with other people.

On Saturday I did have a small party. Fiona cooked me dinner, and Susan, Jemma and she gave me nice prezzies. We had lots of wine and went out to the Oran Mor (church place at the end or Byres Road). Had a really good time!

Derek is doing better and better and should be getting back to work tomorrow! Great. Glad he can finally go back and catch up. Also glad that means we can e-mail, chat and call again. He called me from his British mobile on Monday night and 15min cost about £15! AAH! Was good to finally talk though. Texting is so limited if you really want to convey some kind of message. He is also planning to come to Glasgow in the middle of November for a long weekend. I'm dying to see him again! Especially after his accident I realised how much I miss him.

Busy weeks ahead! First I'll fly to the Netherlands tomorrow for my graduation on Friday and to celebrate my birthday on Saturday. Fly home again on Sunday. On Friday the 15th me and Meena are throwing a party; combined house warming and birthday party for both of us. Will be nice to meet some of her friends and have her meet some of mine! Simone arrives on the 20th and willl stay for a week. Really looking forward to seeing her again. She leaves on the 26th and on the 3d of November Gerard arrives. Really looking forward to seeing him again as well. Can't believe last time I saw Simone was more than a year ago, in October 2003, and last time I saw Gerard was in early December of last year! Crazy! Gerard stays for a week and hopefully Derek then arrives on the 12th or something. I don't know when I will do the studying! Might have to use my Christmas break to do an awful lot of catching up... I can plan how and when I do the work anyway, so it should be ok.

Tonight I'm going out to dinner, to a Mongolian restaurant in the Merchant City. Meena and Andrew are taking me there. It sounds very different and exciting, so I'm really looking forward to that.

A last thought: I HATE (my) BANK(s)! I ordered like 30 books, course books that is, on Amazon, but half of the orders fell through because my bank claims my credit card details aren't correct (in half of the cases only, don't ask me why...). I changed my address to my parents, but I think something went wrong in their administration. This means I might have to do some, if not all of, the searching and ordering all over again... SIGH! ARGH! So annoying...

Anyway. Gotta go!

Love

Courses

2004-10-01T13:08:00.000+01:00

I picked my courses today and signed up for them. I'm doing Scottish Literature level 2, which focusses on ScotLit from the Middle Ages in the first semester, and on 16th to 19th century in the second semester. I will also be doing papers 5, 7 and 9. 5 is on Renaissance and Reformation, 7 on Scott to Carlyle and 9 on the Modern Scottish Renaissance (1920's&30's). Unfortuately my favourite stuff is taught next year (these are courses from the 2-year Honours course, and half is taught now, the other half next year). This means I'll have to study that by myself. That's fine though, as I already know a lot about it anyway from studying for my dissertation. I will not have to do the honours or level 2 exams or essays, but in stead I will have to do three 3500 word essays over the year (NOTHING!) on my favourite period, which in my case is 20th century, and 2 exams, one on Medieval literature and one on the 18th century-Victorian period. I will be able to focus on my favourite parts and will be allowed to ask for exam questions on a certain author or theme, and to write my essays on whichever author or theme I prefer. This means I have a lot of freedom to order my studies the way I want, which is great. I have however decided to just enrole in the honours and level 2 courses and attend most of their lectures and seminars to give me a backbone of my course. I was also given a list of all kinds of interesting seminar and lecture series, for instance one in Scottish Studies and one on literary theory, that I can attend if I feel like it. It's all very exciting!

Yesterday I had a meeting with my fellow Scottish Literature Postgrads. It was really interesting and it was nice to meet people with the same passion for Scottish Literature. There are people from all over the world, Chile, Japan, US, Netherlands (yes, a fellow countryman) as well as a lot of Scottish students. We went to the Postgraduate Club (excuse me, I should say Research club as it as called now) afterwards, whish was really nice. Talked about Scottish Literature all night and was treated to lots of pints. I got about 7 new phone numbers! Lots of new people to meet and things to do. We wanted to go to the QM after that, but unfortunately they wouldn't let us in as it was just after 1am (the curfue). Actually quite glad I went home after that, as I had a meeting with my supervisor today!

Tonight I'm going to see The Tempest at Gilmore Hill. Fiona got tickets. Good to go to the theatre, as I haven't been in ages.

I haven't joined the swimming club yet... Bad! Not sure if I really feel like it. I have joined the Stevie though, and will go swimming a lot.

Home now, as I'm starving!

Love

I confess...

2004-09-30T15:21:00.000+01:00

Thankfully I managed to convince Toby, an English guy I met at the PostGrad club last week, to join me in Tennent's to watch the game! All the other people I texted, all girls, mysteriously had other things to do. How surprising!

Game was crap in the first half, but in the second half Celtic actually looked really promissing, but as they don't seem to have any sort of luck away they managed to get two goals against them in the final minutes... 3-1 for bloody (excuse my language) AC Milan. Argh! Was good to be in Tennent's again to watch a game though!

After that Fiona managed to persuade me to go to the Shack, again... Terrible... I don't like it much generally, but last night it seemed worse than ever: an extension of the worst bits of the GU (for those of you in The Netherlands: Vindicat! AAH!). Rugby guys in baby blue shirts, cream trousers and ties everywhere. They acted like they own the place! Moreover I felt terribly over-dressed in jeans and a top without cleavage. All the girls in there seem to wear belts for skirts and shoes they can't walk on even then they're sober. I like the Garage so much better. I know why now. The difference is in class really. The Garage is equally cheesy music-wise, but there you find any type of person, and not just rugby boys and girly girls that try to pull them. Promissed myself to not go to the Shack anymore, at least not a lot. Just feel terribly out of place there. Everyone knows everyone as well, and I only know the people Fiona introduced me to.

Anyway. Not much news otherwise. Meeting my advisor tomorrow to figure out what courses to do etc. Exciting! Derek is still in pain, but it's getting better. Working from home and taking it easy. I hope he can go to work again next week, and that he's able to catch up. very afraid this will mean he won't come to visit in November... as he needs all his time now. Sad. But I understand he wants to make the very best of this placement. I'll cope! "Only" 3 months to go...

Back again soon!

Love

Fitba Buddies...&Shoes

2004-09-29T17:13:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

I am trying desperately to find people to come watch the fitba (AC Milan-Celtic, which is on TONIGHT!) with me in Tennent's. Texted all the postgrads I met last week, and tried to lure them by telling them it would be a "truely Glaswegian experience" (aye, I sound like a tourist guide...), but none of them have said yes (yet, I guess there is still time). AAH! I might have to go to Tennent's alone... I mean I will, because there is no other means for me to watch it, as it's on Sky Sports. Anyway. I'll be brave!

Bought a really cute pair of shoes. I am getting my boots rehealed and just got new trainers, but I couldn't resist them at a mere £20... BAD girl!

Love

Poor Derek&Help

2004-09-28T12:16:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

I totally forgot to tell you last time that my dearest Derek had a bike accident last Wednesday... The poor thing badly hurt his knee and cannot move very well now. That means he is stuck at home! Wish I could fly over for a few days to take care of him...

I am trying to pick my courses now, but that is proving difficult... Don't know what to pick and how things work! Hope to make an appointment with my supervisor very soon, because I need some help.

Then the amazing story of my lost tuition fees cheque... I am so STUPIT (Glaswegian for stupid, for those of you that think I can't spell)! I went to the registry on Friday with my £3010 cheque, but they turned out to be on a lunch break. I had to go catch a bus to Edinburgh after that, and I was starting to worry about having to walk round with a £3000 cheque all day! A woman came out of the office and asked me if she could help. I explained and then she told me to give her the cheque and she would sort it out for me. I went home relieved. But that night I had my mum on the phone and it suddenly dawned on me that MY details weren't on the cheque, but the BANK'S! Oopsy! That meant they had no means of identifying whose money that was! God, I was worried all weekend. I went to the registry just now and thankfully they had kept the cheque seperate, and I found the lady I had given it to. So I now have a receipt that proves that I did pay! Jippy (well, I would have preferred to have kept it to myself, but hey I guess pursueing (how do you spell that?) your dream doesn't come cheap!)!

Friday afternoon I took the bus to Edinburgh to go to Barbara's to get my stuff. Was lovely to see her again. Packed the car and drove back to Glasgow. We had a pint in Tennents and then she went back home. Will take her on a good night out very soon. I put all my things in their place in my room, which now finally looks like my room. That night Emma came over for a good night out. Went to the church at the end (Great Western Rd end) of Byres Rd. They turned it into a club and bar/restaurant. I like the bar, as it's got no music and a nice atmosphere, but I'm not sure about the club bit. The crowd is a bit older and the music was a bit old as well. Not sure. It is an easy choise though, as it's only down the road!

Hope that Derek is better soon. He made a short trip to the shops yesterday, but he was very sore after. It's just so sad that he is losing precious time on his placement this way. And it makes me even sadder to think he is in pain. Hope he can call me soon, but as he can only call me from work I'm not sure that's going to happen soon...

Love

Graduation

2004-09-26T18:16:00.000+01:00

Dear all

I am internetting in a pone box and its a nightmare! Uni is closed today and tomorrow...

Just needed to tell you I will graduate in Groningen after all! Hopefully anyway. Dee got a message that said so, but trying to open my mail here proves difficult...

Let you know how things stand on Tuesday!

Love

Chaos

2004-09-22T14:56:00.000+01:00

Decided to just go back to black... Boring...

Today I finally met some of my fellow MPhil Postgrad students. Weirdly enough there turns out not to be an actual taught course for this course (yes, that does make sense! stay with me) but that we can just pick and choose from the lectures and seminars available in the ScotLit department (and even other departments). Strange. There are three essay deadlines and of course the dissertation deadline in September for us and some proscribed texts, but that is it! Crazy! Of course I have to enrole (do you spell it like that?) for some courses, but even then I am not required to do the course work or anything. Not sure I am 'grown-up' enough to handle all this freedom! It does mean however that I will be extremely flexible, which is good. Have the next 1,5 week to figure out what I want to do and how and when...

Yesterday I met Fiona's new boyfriend, Craig. He seems nice and they seem to get on really well. Nice to see her happy and calm again!

My money got taken off my Dutch account today! Yeah! Not transfered yet, but it might even arrive tomorrow, in time before my matriculation! That would be a miracle though. Am sure my Dutch bank is keeping it somewhere to make money from it (which is what banks do to make money I guess, so can't really blame them). Praying for that miracle. Sure hope I will get my picture taken again for my matric card. Don't know if some of you remember the pic my old one had, but I looked like a whale on it (not so strange considering I was 10k heavier then that I am now)! Matric number still the same, so that makes life easy.

Bit sad the now, as I was hoping to catch Derek on MSN... and I MISSED him. F*ck! Excuse my language. You can use MSN messenger over the web now, without downloading it, on http://webmessenger.msn.com. So do all get a (free) hotmail address to chat to me!

Off to the lovely (that seems to be my favourite word) vintage shops now:)! Will try not to buy stuff... Had never discovered these, but there is this whole lane of them just off Byres Road. Great for nice vintage clothes.

Love

DISSERTATION GRADE, Glasgow, Glasgow, Glasgow

2004-09-20T14:09:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

I have an 8!!!!!!!!!!! for my dissertation!!!!!! (that's a B1, or even a low A, not sure exactly...). So extremely happy with that!

No I'm not blue, but my room (and that's the approximate colour) is. It is so lovely!

On Saturday mum brought me to Zwolle where I was supposed to get the train that takes me straight to Schiphol. Unfortunately (though not surprising) the train didn't run because they were working on the tracks... so that meant I had to change trains all the same in Amsterdam. Managed ok though. Was HOME early in the afternoon. Felt so good to finally land on Glasgow ground and to finally go to my new flat and meet my new flat mate. Meena seems really nice, and I'm sure we'll get on really well. We have a similar taste in music and in TV-programs also so that's a good sign. The flat is just amazing. Still cannot believe that I live in the heart of the West End! The flat is big and airy, with high ceilings. We have a big living room and a big room each, a huge hall way, a nice bathroom with bath, a small kitchen, and a spare room. It is just so good. Moved the furniture in my room around and put some pics on the wall to make it look more my own, and it will look even better once I get my stuff that's still in Edinburgh. Hope to go to Edinburgh coming weekend, so that I can pack the car with Babs and we can drive back together and then I can take her for a night out.

Sorting out some paperwork today. Made a appointment with my supervisor, handed in some forms, checked ou the boookshop and went to the registry. Had some problems with the bank, and can't pay my tuition fees at matriculation, but that turns out not to be a big problem, as long as I pay before the end of October (surely my bank should be able to manage that!).

Off home now to talk to Derek! More paperwork tomorrow...

Love

Derek, Denmark, Derek, Derek

2004-09-17T14:26:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

Thought I'd write my blog in red today, as it is the color of the Danish flag, the colour of love and the colour (most importantly) of my new trainers!

Have quite a lot of catching up to do as I haven't posted in a amazing 13 days. You must have missed me terribly...

On Friday September 3d I left for Aarhus at 12 in the afternoon. They had advised me to be waiting at the bus stop about 30mins in advance, so that's what I did. By 12 'o clock I was wandering why there was still no bus... Suddenly I saw a coach standing on the other side of the road. I ran towards it (with my huge bag!) and was just able to wave it down, though with great danger to my own life, as I was standing in the middle of a very busy road. Turned out they had changed the bus stop without bothering to let anyone know! Fucking hell! Excuse my language... Anyway. I made it. The bus journey was very easy, as i only had to change once, in Hamburg. Ten hours in a bus isn't the greatest thing in the world, but if you want to travel cheap it's a good option. At 10pm I arrived at Aarhus, where Derek came to pick me up. Was so so so good to see him again. We took the train to Bjerringbro where a lovely curry, that Derek had prepared earlier, was waiting for us.

The next day we went to Aarhus (Andy (Derek's friend who is also on his placement), Derek&me) to enjoy the cultural festival. It was quite shite really, but Aarhus is a nice city and we also had gorgeous weather. Spent most of the afternoon in "The Cockney Pub" enjoying a few pints of lovely Deuchars that they sold there. Went for a lovely meal on the canal-side after that and then off home as we were all dead tired and slightly tipsy after all that beer. On Sunday Derek and me went for a nice bike ride. We went to a lovely lake close to Bjerringbro. Weather was still gorgeous, so we sunbathed for a bit.

On Monday Derek and Andy had to go back to work unfortunately... so that meant them getting up at 6am to go to work! I stayed in bed till 9 most days and spent my days watching telly, doing the shopping and the cleaning and sunbathing. Lovely, although it did make me feel like I was a house-wife, which is definately not oneof my ambitions! Because they go to work wo early they do get home around 4pm, which is great. That meant I still had some afternoon and evening to spend with Derek. Especially liked watching "The Office" together.

On Thursday Andy left to pick up his girlfriend Amy from the airport in Aarhus. Derek and me went to the local Italian for dinner. Lovely food. It was quite complicated to order though as the owners only spoke Italian and Danish. The next day I spent watching telly again, and talking to Amy. When the boys were back we went to the supermarket to get some food and beer. Most of the evening was filled with jokes about the sweets Derek discovered call "spunk". Crazy! That night we fist went to the local pub/dancing "Christiansborg". Amy really wanted some proper dancing though, so we went to the local nightclub (if you can call it that). It was filled with 16-year-olds and the music was crap, but we had a good time anyway! Bit to much of a good time really, as both Amy and me had quite a bad hangover the next day... On Saturday I went to Viborg with Derek. Lovely town. Walked around and sat on the lake side for a while. Then went to a Mexican for dinner. Lovely, lovely! On Sunday we had planned to go to Silkeborg to see the "Tollund man" (peat body), but we managed to miss the bus. We decided to go to Skive, even though the place wasn't even mentioned in the "Lonely Planet guide"... How daring of us eh? First thing Derek said when the train drove into the town was: "It looks just like Cumbernauld..." (In plain English: it looks awfull). I will definitely send the Lonely Planet people a letter to recommend to put Skive in the next version of their guide to Denmark as it was one of the most fantastic places I've ever been to! We walked into the town center to discover that there was absolutely no one about (even though it was the last day of some kind of festival...) and that there was nothing to do or see. We spent most of our time in two of the pubs and took some random pictures. Crap place, but a lovely day all the same. Just had a lot of fun with Derek! We had dinner in the Greek restaurant, which was fabulous, and went home.

On Monday it was back to work again... I spent most of the time watching telly again. BAD! Brought five books, and didn't even finish one! Just fed up with reading for a bit I guess. Felt good to have absolutely nothing to do for a while. On our last night Derek and me went out to dinner again (for the fifth time in 12 days! Not as bad as our usual every day though), to the "West End". A lovely cosy restaurant with lovely food.

The next day I had to go home... So so sad. The power was down in the morning with made packing last things fun! Took the train to Aarhus and then the two busses again... bloody 10 hours! The trains home to my parents, so 14 hours on the road all in all. Definitely worth it though!

Missing Derek a lot, but going to Glasgow tomorrow, so I am very excited also. Can't wait to see my flat and meet Meena!

Write again soon!

Love