Work

I've applied for a job as Communications Consultant at Norwich Union. After several months of half-heartedly job hunting for something that isn't as formulaic and process based as my current job, I've stumbled across this amazing opportunity to move up a level and get into a job that will teach me skills in tone of voice, 'group writing standards' (which make everything NU produces look the same), designing communications to go out to customers and may give me a chance to use my proofreading skills. (And how cool does the job title sound compared to Customer Services Representative?!!)

I'm not sure if I'm aiming too high but it's the first job I've come across that excites me, so Im hoping I get through to interview stage at least. The closing deadline has just been extended to the beginning of April though, so a while to wait yet.

More chick lit

I know one of my resolutions this year was to read more quality books and less chick lit, but it's not really happening.

I read the first quarter or so of On Beauty by Zadie Smith and liked it, but it seemed too engrossed in a realm of academia to be a proper story so I didn't read the rest. I've also started and stopped I Know why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, which was recommended to me in sixth form while reading Beloved by Toni Morrison. Maybe I just don't get on with black fiction - their history as a people and the colour of their culture (colour as in the sights, sounds, tastes) is enticing, interesting, admirable but it's so hard to read!

I just wizzed through Love Rules by Freya North and loved it. It did make me think, but I realised I've gone straight back in to chick lit because it's easy. Grr.

I think I'll start my quest again in some middle ground, maybe a few books in the realms of Memoirs of a Geisha... or maybe just back to chick lit from the 18th century, I haven't read Sense and Sensibility yet...

I'm living...

... in a constant state of excitement these days, I love it!

Wedding update

Our plans are finally starting to take shape for the big day. We've also booked our honeymoon, a lot closer to home than originally planned but hopefully a tenth of the stress of travelling. A few days in the middle of the countryside with absolutely nothing to do will be just what we need.

The invitations have been designed and are in the middle of production - at the dining room table!

A jazz band has been sourced, the flower arrangements made (does anyone know where I can get about 150 roses from for a reasonable price?) And another poem discovered - I'm looking forward to finalising ceremony details.


HAD I the heavens’ embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.

WB Yeats

I stumbled across the last two lines in a book I'm reading and thought how beautifully it captures the vulnerability of loving someone.

Back

It's inexcusable to not post for so long, but the longer I leave it the more I think no one reads anyway! But I like writing, so there!

Diet update

Lost two pounds last week, most I've lost since the first week! I enjoyed my first Creme Egg of the year this evening :)

Tonight I went to a body combat class with two girls from work. I recommend it! It was a very fun way to exercise your whole body and difficult to keep up but something easily learned.

For all those afraid of the dark

I have a bit of a thing about watching films that turn out to be scary. I try to make sure I don't watch anything above a 15 rating and anything that has excessive violence or blood and guts etc, because otherwise I have huge trouble sleeping the next few nights and every single noise is an intruder, every dark shadow a stranger standing in the room.

I thought Derailed might be okay but it turned out to be one of those films! (I didn't have the benefit of the Amazon synopsis and it had Clive Owen in it!) Good film but too scary for me.

On a more positive note, I came across these words in a re:jesus daily prayer (they have a pretty good prayer section that I've just rediscovered). From an evening prayer:

The darkness will come but in the darkness the light of Jesus shines... Jesus, help me to find the peace you offer. Just as I surrender to sleep, encourage me to surrender and trust you. You are the light in the darkness.
Amen