Miss Ella

Thought it was time for a picture of Miss Ella [Pie - Paella - Miss Ella]. She is looking over the blog and dissapproving through every pore of her being. If rabbits have pores. Speaking of disapproval http://www.disapprovingrabbits.com/. Favourite blog ever.

Food

Tonight I felt like some home cooked, healthy[ish] food. I raided the fridge, took inspiration from a few cook books and made....

Garlic mushrooms with rosted tomatos and polenta for main course, and then a banana and chocolate crumble to satisfy my sweet tooth.....Apologies if the photos are a bit gross - need to do some 'how to take nice photos of food' learning.

A little bit of foody background. I am intolerant to wheat, dairy and egg. The usual reaction to this is 'whoooa what do you eat?!'. Essentially, I go with if it grows in the ground, I can have it. I don't use a lot off 'fake' foods - even though there are some fab ones on the market. I am trying to learn how to be a better free-from cook, and prove that allergen free food does not have to be tasteless and disappointing [as so many of my attempts in the early days were]. I want to feel passionate about food and where it comes from as a major downfall of mine is subsisting on a diet of sweets and cereal.
Happy tuesday night eating!

A sad day. New starts...

Today was a difficult day for myself and my family. Looking forward to positive steps for growing in my future... 

I am looking forward to race season as my sprint tri is only 12 weeks away. In terms of preparation I have my swimsuit, shorts, bike and trainers. Still need a helmet, proper socks and a water bottle. Oh and to do a whole lot of running , biking and pretty much learn to swim. Gulp. So far my longest run has been 5 miles in roughly an hour. Swimming is, well, not good. I flap and splash and tire fast on my front. Biking is ok, just need to get the hours in to toughen up my calves.

I have typed up a 12 week tri plan from http://www.forgingtheathlete.com/triathlon/. My plan is exactly what is there, just with a rough yards to metres conversion for my swimming distances and some days moved about but all the same content week by week. Week One looks like this:
Monday - Rest
Tuesday - Bike 30min
Wednesday - Run 20mins
Thursday- Swim 350m
Friday -Bike- 50mins
Saturday- Run - 25mins
Sunday - Swim 450m

Some strong inspiration to start the week!

Life update...

A lot has happened in the last three weeks.

I lost a pet, gained a pet. Said goodbye to my strong, intelligent grandmother. Started a new job. And then some. Today I got the chance for some quiet, peace and free time to process, reflect and figure out where I am right now. With life, with love, with myself, with the world.

Today I cleaned, my kitchen, my pets and my heart. Things became clear. Move on, move forwards, move up.
I am going to complete a full scale life clearout, getting rid of the clutter that weighs me down, literally in my day to day life, and emotionally through my negative habits and thoughts. I have read and admired http://makeundermylife.com/the-weeklies/ for a while now. Not realising how important Jess' vision and action steps are for me. So tonight, this week, this year, I look to where I am going, getting lighter along the way. If my bunnies teach me one thing, it is do what makes you happy.

Cue: my new start.

Berlin: Part I

This week I have come to see my big sister in Berlin. I have been here two days and I love this city, it is young, arty and so interesting. All the history makes this a place a hotbed of political and artistic activity - there has been the traditional May 1st street festival/riot during my short stay. The wall is.... well to be honest smaller than I had imagined but still very imposing. What a stupid thing to say!!

So far we have been here...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaiser_Wilhelm_Memorial_Church a church bombed in the war and being restored undercover, to a beautiful antique market where I wanted to buy everything (pictures to follow soon), and here.... http://www.kadewe.de/. Awesome department store where the fruit look fake and the tea is so fruity it knocked my socks off. Did some shopping too but thought I would do a little picture update later....

To end a little idea of me trying to do a cool berlin style. Enjoying having crazy undone hair.

Tschüss!

Miss Poppy

Today I lost a beautiful friend. She held on so we could say goodbye, and I love her. We spent 6 short [but they seemed long] months together. I remember the first day she came to our house in a white wire mesh box and nosily, but nervously, explored my living room. With soft and emo white hair on her forehead and pinky blue eyes I fell for Miss Poppy. A nine year old pedigree Himalayan used by a pet shop as a breeding machine for years. She was kept in a filthy cage, at the bottom of a dirty garden and had lots and lots of babies. For six months she lived in her own private suite [read my office], basked in the sunshine and went outside and waved her fringe in the wind on the first warm spring afternoon we had her company. She did not like Sam at first but over evenings of mini carrots and gentle talking they made good friends. She would wait with her feet on the edge of the bars for her nightime treat. Before trying to whip off with it.

 She hated the hoover, was very suspicious of the electric toothbrush and loved to hide behind the sofa. She left us two pee stained patches and a ripped up section of carpet behind the office sofa. On nights we would hear her stomping upstairs around dinner time, but late weekend breakfasts were never taken with offence. I have never know a rabbit so quiet they could sleep in the next room and never wake you.

On her last night with us Poppy pinched a grape off Sam. We realised she was having trouble and she slept in our room. The next lunchtime she went calmly, and as cool as a cucumber after hugs, kisses and a few warm tears. There is a hole in our home and our hearts that will not be filled, and we thank her so very much for waiting for us to say goodbye.

Dance to your own beat

I was taught by my dad that your job can make or break you. It can crush your spirit and make you sad. Or it can motivate, lift and reward you.

How you get to a 'good' job is a secret no one tells you. It's one of those secrets adults don't let you in on [like living on your own might be fun, but there will be a lot of dishes]. I did not go to university, I left school with good grades and no clue what to do with my future. I worked. HARD. I temped, interviewed, got rejected and accepted. I learnt how to type, smile, do numbers and talk to people. I did lots of talking.

People noticed my can do attitude and took chances on me. I proved them that chances were worth taking. I made a big U turn from working in a comfy, secure public sector job to a tiny community project in a deprived area, taking a big pay cut and equally big risk. I used the same skills learnt at the start, and lots of listening.

This week I got the offer letter for my dream job. A community mental worker at a women's orgnasiation. I will work part time and study to be a counsellor part time. I earn the same as my boyfriend who spent 4 years in education and now in some debt.

There is no right or wrong way to get to where you want to be, but if you don't feel like following the crowd - that's ok. You cannot sit at home watching TV and life will work out a job for you, but you can choose to dance to your own career path tune. I credit my parents for giving me lots of things that helped me on my way [manners, being friendly to everyone and remembering never to judge], but if your parents missed some good building blocks, learn them yourself. Teach youself what you need to know to get on, always be waiting to learn the next new thing.

As I finish one job, and move towards being the *new girl* again, I feel just a little bit smug as I dance away to my own beat, and love every moment of it.

ps. Golden rule - never quit a job until you have one lined up!!