A deep shade of blue is always there...
Well, this is a busy and tiring time of year isn't it? The past week has seemed so long, but at the same time not nearly long enough to fit in all the things that need doing before Christmas.
Last Monday I was involved in filming scenarios for a training course that I'm taking in January. It was a lot of fun, but I'm nervous about seeing the finished product in the company of all my colleagues. Am also waiting for my Bafta nomination!
Then on Tuesday I had an actual training course, this one on presentations, which was much better than I thought it would be. Helpfully, only five out of the expect fourteen people turned up, so we had a lot of one to one discussion and advice. I feel like a presentation genius now.
That evening was the line dancing Christmas social which was excellent fun. We had a buffet, and a raffle (in which I managed to win a prize without even buying a ticket, thanks to my friend Nick's amazing lucky streak - he bought four tickets and three of them won) and lots and lots of lovely dancing, including some old favourites that I haven't done in a while, and a successful demonstration of a new, hard dance that only a few of us could remember. I went to bed much later than is advisable, but it was the last session for over a month and I had to stay long enough to take part in the last dance of 2010.
On Wednesday I was only in work for three hours, and half of them were spent in a staff meeting. I had a half day booked for Christmas shopping, but actually used it to rush home and accept delivery of my new wardrobe from Argos. Naturally, it's still in the box at the moment. I spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning, watching Glee over lunch, and then falling asleep on the couch. Later that evening I joined my walking friends at the North Pole Bar in Manchester for some festive drinks, and to bid farewell to yet another friend who is moving to Australia for work and will be gone for at least two years. There were six of us, now there are just four left, and we all agreed that we need to make some new friends in case we're the only one left.
On Thursday I felt exhausted, but was able to get some work done for the first time all week. I went out for lunch to celebrate one of our colleagues going off on maternity leave, and ate so much I felt sluggish and sleepy all afternoon. That evening I had three other colleagues over for dinner to watch Episode IV: A New Hope which was very enjoyable in the end. I didn't try nearly as hard as last time they were visiting - my only cooking was chopping vegetables and putting party food in the oven - but it was a much more relaxed and informal evening. Plus, the film is awesome.
On Friday I was even more exhausted but had a fairly easy day in work. I went to the gym and felt much better for it, even if there was hardly anyone else there. So much rich, tasty food recently - I love it but it doesn't do me much good really!
On Saturday I woke up to quite thick snow - I hadn't even noticed it falling the night before. I was worried that my mother's train would be affected, but she turned up only slightly late and we walked gingerly down the road to the Whitworth Art Gallery and the Manchester Craft Mafia Christmas Fair. It didn't seem as busy as two years ago, but was interesting nevertheless. We then browsed the Christmas markets, braved Marks and Spencer and the city centre shops, and had many hot water refills for our tea in Teacup. I also chose the most amazing tweed jacket from Next as a Christmas present from my brothers, and a pair of corduroy trousers to go with it. I can't wait to wear them next year! (Once the temperature rises above -1 that is.)
Yesterday I went into town with James because he'd barely done any Christmas shopping and once he had what he needed I sent him home with all the bags while I grabbed lunch from the markets and went to the John Rylands Library on Deansgate for an afternoon of Christmas singing in aid of Wood Street Mission, to which I'd meant to make a donation weeks ago. This way I was able to make my donation and enjoy a sing-song too.
And that brings us to today. The university is deserted now that all students and most staff have gone, but we're still chugging away just about. I had an open afternoon to allow other conference administrators to see the building without students in the way, but it was, er, poorly attended due to snow and other exciting things. It was a good practice for future events, and I was able to have a good chat with Karl while we waited for our visitors. Tomorrow my ordeal is prolonged as I have to run two conference workshops for other staff, what joy. These things seemed like a good idea when we put them on my PDR paperwork anyway.
Oh, and I finally made it to the post office after putting it off for nearly a week, and it wasn't half as busy as I expected. They have machines that mean you don't need to queue to see a person! What wonders. So, I have put a few things in the post, but they may not arrive before Christmas. Sorry folks.
Once tomorrow's workshops are over with I shall be a happy person as I have only good things planned for at least two weeks. Hurrah.
I've been writing this update in bed which is so warm and comfy. I'm still wearing two pairs of socks and a fleece over my pyjamas, and have a hot water bottle under the duvet with me. My laptop has been running on battery for nearly an hour, and still has 72% left! Boy I love this machine. Now isn't that a festive sentiment?
Last Monday I was involved in filming scenarios for a training course that I'm taking in January. It was a lot of fun, but I'm nervous about seeing the finished product in the company of all my colleagues. Am also waiting for my Bafta nomination!
Then on Tuesday I had an actual training course, this one on presentations, which was much better than I thought it would be. Helpfully, only five out of the expect fourteen people turned up, so we had a lot of one to one discussion and advice. I feel like a presentation genius now.
That evening was the line dancing Christmas social which was excellent fun. We had a buffet, and a raffle (in which I managed to win a prize without even buying a ticket, thanks to my friend Nick's amazing lucky streak - he bought four tickets and three of them won) and lots and lots of lovely dancing, including some old favourites that I haven't done in a while, and a successful demonstration of a new, hard dance that only a few of us could remember. I went to bed much later than is advisable, but it was the last session for over a month and I had to stay long enough to take part in the last dance of 2010.
On Wednesday I was only in work for three hours, and half of them were spent in a staff meeting. I had a half day booked for Christmas shopping, but actually used it to rush home and accept delivery of my new wardrobe from Argos. Naturally, it's still in the box at the moment. I spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning, watching Glee over lunch, and then falling asleep on the couch. Later that evening I joined my walking friends at the North Pole Bar in Manchester for some festive drinks, and to bid farewell to yet another friend who is moving to Australia for work and will be gone for at least two years. There were six of us, now there are just four left, and we all agreed that we need to make some new friends in case we're the only one left.
On Thursday I felt exhausted, but was able to get some work done for the first time all week. I went out for lunch to celebrate one of our colleagues going off on maternity leave, and ate so much I felt sluggish and sleepy all afternoon. That evening I had three other colleagues over for dinner to watch Episode IV: A New Hope which was very enjoyable in the end. I didn't try nearly as hard as last time they were visiting - my only cooking was chopping vegetables and putting party food in the oven - but it was a much more relaxed and informal evening. Plus, the film is awesome.
On Friday I was even more exhausted but had a fairly easy day in work. I went to the gym and felt much better for it, even if there was hardly anyone else there. So much rich, tasty food recently - I love it but it doesn't do me much good really!
On Saturday I woke up to quite thick snow - I hadn't even noticed it falling the night before. I was worried that my mother's train would be affected, but she turned up only slightly late and we walked gingerly down the road to the Whitworth Art Gallery and the Manchester Craft Mafia Christmas Fair. It didn't seem as busy as two years ago, but was interesting nevertheless. We then browsed the Christmas markets, braved Marks and Spencer and the city centre shops, and had many hot water refills for our tea in Teacup. I also chose the most amazing tweed jacket from Next as a Christmas present from my brothers, and a pair of corduroy trousers to go with it. I can't wait to wear them next year! (Once the temperature rises above -1 that is.)
Yesterday I went into town with James because he'd barely done any Christmas shopping and once he had what he needed I sent him home with all the bags while I grabbed lunch from the markets and went to the John Rylands Library on Deansgate for an afternoon of Christmas singing in aid of Wood Street Mission, to which I'd meant to make a donation weeks ago. This way I was able to make my donation and enjoy a sing-song too.
And that brings us to today. The university is deserted now that all students and most staff have gone, but we're still chugging away just about. I had an open afternoon to allow other conference administrators to see the building without students in the way, but it was, er, poorly attended due to snow and other exciting things. It was a good practice for future events, and I was able to have a good chat with Karl while we waited for our visitors. Tomorrow my ordeal is prolonged as I have to run two conference workshops for other staff, what joy. These things seemed like a good idea when we put them on my PDR paperwork anyway.
Oh, and I finally made it to the post office after putting it off for nearly a week, and it wasn't half as busy as I expected. They have machines that mean you don't need to queue to see a person! What wonders. So, I have put a few things in the post, but they may not arrive before Christmas. Sorry folks.
Once tomorrow's workshops are over with I shall be a happy person as I have only good things planned for at least two weeks. Hurrah.
I've been writing this update in bed which is so warm and comfy. I'm still wearing two pairs of socks and a fleece over my pyjamas, and have a hot water bottle under the duvet with me. My laptop has been running on battery for nearly an hour, and still has 72% left! Boy I love this machine. Now isn't that a festive sentiment?