Adventures in London: Issue 217

This week was an interesting one. The reminence of the 'reporting hell' lingered into the beginning of the week.  It has been an exhausting couple of days that has taken a toll on just about every aspect of my life. It is never worth it, but sometimes you have no choice and just need to get on with it. It is very frustrating when work completely takes over though. There was a time when I didn't 'mind', but those days are long gone. That all said,  I don't remember the last time its been like this, so that is at least the silver lining in all of this :-)



To celebrate the reports being finished and things going back to 'normal', we went out to dinner at a new restaurant. For the last 4 years or so that I have lived here and gone to Camden Market, I always walked by this place and wondered what it was. Finally I got the pleasant surprise that we were going there for dinner. Gilgamesh, a pan-Asian restaurant, in Camden Market is definitely worth a visit. Kicking the meal off with Caipirinha of Fire (Cachaça, fresh Raspberries, Lime and Chilli) I knew that this was going to be a menu to be remembered. We had the tasting menu sampling some of their signature dishes which was to die for. Way too much food coupled with being exhausted meant that mid-way through the entree I was ready to take a nap in my coconut sticky rice. Long story short, if you are in the area, I highly recommend this place. Great atmosphere, cocktails and menu. Something you will never forget :-)

That weekend, we took a trip to Westfield Stratford. I am supposed to be saving money, so what better way than a nice trip to the mall to buy things that I don't necessarily need, but really really want (and ultimately convince myself that I need 2 pairs of boots and a raincoat). Had a bit of a heart attack with the amount of money that I spent, but I am very pleased with my new purchases and cannot wait to wear them out and about. Given the amount of rain and winter season coming I have a feeling I am going to be living in them.

The rest of the weekend was less than desirable. Don't know where it all went wrong, but it certainly went as I say, 'Tits up in a hand basket' :-( Not really the weekend I wanted or needed, but something happen for a reason. Don't know what that reason is, but we will see.

Hope you all are well. Miss you dearly

xx

T

Adventures in London: Issue 216

This week has been my version of hell. It has seen me work all hours of the evening and sadly all weekend. Don't know how I managed to, but I have worked 85hours this week. How does one physically do that?! Nothing like pure fear of not delivering to motivate you to get the project finished. Every quarter we have our country & category reporting to deliver. I have automated some of the delivery and this round I thought I would add some more. Unfortunately the process was not properly tested and the whole process took longer than anticipated. 

On Monday, I was still optimistic that we were going to meet our deadlines. I came home not super late and still with enough energy to go for a run. It was too late to go to the park, but I needed to blow off some steam to clear my head so I did hill repeats. I ran up my street, over a block, down the hill and then over to my road to run up it. To those standing outside the shops on Green Lanes, they probably thought I was absolutely insane, but hills were good to clear my head. I managed 3 circuits which was just enough to clear my head before getting back to work. 

The week pretty much continued like that, except that I lost the time and energy to go for a run. Instead I worked stupid hours, came home for a 'dinner' and then was back at it. Over the weekend I completely took over and had the big challenge of doing 2 weeks of ETL + QA and 1 week of reporting in 2 days....CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!

To take on the challenge I transformed the kitchen into an office, moving the spare TV and using it as a second monitor. I haven't felt that trapped and scared work wise in awhile and it was not a pleasant feeling to have again. There were points when I was ready to give up and crack, but I pushed through it. 

The only positive of the weekend (aside from getting the reports done. Managed to get 6 of the 8 done before the close of the weekend), was that I got to spend some time with Kadin. I added a third screen to the office so while the programme ran and the reports were updated it was nice to have some company. We spent a good deal discussing what he wanted to be for Halloween. Wanted to be something scary and being an alien, zombie or a monster was child's play. He wanted to go super scary cause he is not a kid anymore. Was set right when I recommended that he go as Captain America - - that is a baby's outfit Tini Foi...I am a big kid now and I want to be scary! Let's see what he comes up with. I am sure he will look adorable. Love you little man!

Not much else to share. Next week is going to be busy, but am hoping that we are through the worse part of the reporting. Time to start investing behind the technology on how we do things!! I cannot keep doing these weekends nor do I think any of my relationships are going to endure much more of this!

Hope you all are well and having a less work manic week.

xx
T

Adventures in London: Issue 215

How long does it take to move on? On Tuesday most American will say that remembering doesn't mean we haven't moved on...it means we will never forget. I can still remember it like it was yesterday, my thoughts and prayers to all the families

My thoughts and wishes are also with my Molly beans on her birthday. One con of living on this side of the pond is that we no longer have our midnight drink to ring in her birthday. I still remember the year that I had to go back to work, but raced over to ensure that I was there for the midnight drink and toast to kick off her birthday. I wonder. I remember all these minor 'rituals' that we had...but how much is actually remember and how much have people just moved on. People always move on, it is just a matter of time and circumstances. In some ways we all have, but I hope not in all aspects. Somethings are worth holding onto :-)

Was it not worth holding onto is another frustrating week at work. What is worth holding onto is cute baby Gideon!! Our neighbors from upstairs came down for a visit and we took the opportunity to baby-nap Gideon for a bit. What a little handsome man he is. I cannot believe how much he has grown over the last year. He is crawling now and much more mobile than he was a few months ago which essentially meant that you cannot let your eye off of him for a second :-)

Later that afternoon after going for a run and doing some food shopping it was time to get prepping for a BBQ with a few mates. It was the first official BBQ with the new beast so I had to make it good. While I prepared my tandoori paneer kebabs, chicken wings, and my Thanksgiving Burger (turkey burger mixed with cranberry, brie, sage, garlic, black pepper with egg and bread crumbs used to hold the burgers together) I spent the afternoon with I took the opportunity to Skype with the family. Talk about little men in my life growing up...look at Parker. I cannot believe he is over 6 months now. Where is time flying? He is such a cute baby and smiley baby!! While I cooked Kadin jumped in to tell me if the color of the food I was cooking looked okay. I love that little man!! He will always be my Sir Kadin :-)

The BBQ was nothing massive, KV, the Millars and the neighbors. We wanted to keep it tame (in hopes that I would not go over boards) :-)

The BBQ kicked off rather well. I was pretty organized this time and the side panels truly helped with cooking. Unfortunately the sunset which made it harder to cook, but we still managed. What did not help was the gas going out :-( That was a disappointment. I tried to get the temperature back up, but she just wasn't having it. I think she got shy with all the pressure and caved. Still love you BBQ...you let me down, but as the BBQ overall was not ruin you are off the hook ;-)

 Inspired by Silas and Cheryl I made my first batch of BBQ wings from scratch. I did not know how they were going to turn out and I was rather nervous, but I think they turned out okay. There were no leftovers and I did get the KV seal of approval so that definitely brought a smile to my face :-)

The burgers I think were a bit too heavy. Should have made smaller portions of them. It was unfortunate that I had to finish cooking them in the oven grill, but they still turned out okay. All and all, it was a lovely evening with friends. A bit stressful at first, but once I had the chance to stop cooking and sit down it was great fun to catch up. It was a sincere pleasure having the Millars over and I hope everyone had a good time.

On Sunday, once the food coma was officially over I went for a run dragging Hubbs with me on the bike. We went down to Clissold Park and I ran around in various loops around the park as Hubbs followed. I intended to go just for 10K and increased to 6.5. I was amazed to have accomplished 7.3miles. I don't know if its my running bug or the Nike+ sport band or the Nike Dashboard, but I am pushing myself more and more. I am working on my 2-3 mile slump and happy today that I was able to pass 10K. I am really enjoying tracking and analyzing my runs. Trying to make sure I keep the pace and finish with a push. If they only had this band for biking that would be great!!!

On that high note, I am going to go. I hope you all are well

xx

T

Adventures in London: Issue 214

Everyone seems to be leaving. First it was Rooney, then Silas & Brenda. Recently it was Pat and below the radar flew LL!! What is happening to our group.?! We are going to have to start recruiting as our American family is shrinking fast. LL decided to have her leaving dinner at Spices in Chapel Market, a BYOB indian restaurant. The place reminded me of AKH in Hells Kitchen. The food was top notch. The guy truly knows his flavors and everything is order to taste and made for you. What a great find LL!!

It was great spending some quality time with LL before she left. We have all been rather busy lately so we haven't had the chance to spend much time together. It was nice to have a few special and cherish hours with her. She is going to be truly missed...especially her laugh. That is one in a million. LL going to miss you and your office hugs. Wishing you all the best in Chi-Town. The new dig sounds wicked!!

This week has been hard. Finding things really difficult lately...work relationship, client relationship, and personal relationships. I feel like I am going to crack soon. One on hand I feel calm and composed. On the other hand I feel like I am about to explode. I am hard company to be around these days....people just don't know which side of me they are going to get. It is not a way to live. I feel like I am fighting all aspects of life right now and that is not the way to live right now. Something has to change. The question is, what need to change; work, living, personal? Where do you start?

Over the weekend the weather was beautiful. It was the weather that we should have had all summer!! I took advantage of the weather and the opportunity to escape everything that was going on in my life with a run. It is the only time I have for just me. Right now I wish I could hit pause and enjoy some more 'me time.' Sometimes you just need a moment to yourself to regroup, to compose yourself...right now that time doesn't seem to exist unless I run. Thus I run :-)

I leave you with the thought (and frustration) of the week... Data are like dots. Putting them on the same piece of paper is the easy part, but unless you know how to connect them you will never draw the picture. Stories come from the picture we draw...not by being in the same place ;-)

Hope you all are well and enjoying the fine weather that we have been having 

xx

T

Adventures in London: Issue 213

Love long weekends. Don't know what it is about having Monday off which throughly makes the week. Feel truly relaxed with a three day weekend. We were still in the cottage so before leaving for the day I managed to fit in a quick run. Didn't go very far as the hills killed me and the elements changed making it really hard to run against the wind and the piercing rain daggers. It was nice though to get out and be a bit active. I love being active on holiday, don't know what it is. I know you should take a break from everything, but things are so busy during the regular weeks, that when holiday comes it brings the opportunity to catch up on hobbies, personal to-dos and exercise. I followed up on Tuesday with another run through the woodland walk and around the park. Managed to do 4.5 miles. I am supposed to run a half marathon in October, so we will see if I can get my mileage up to 13.1 in time :-)

On Thursday, it was time to celebrate a friend's birthday with drinks at Vertigo 42 (a lush champagne bar with a spectacular view of London) followed by Rhodes 24. It was an interesting evening and not really one that I was expecting to have. I thought I had planned a good night and during my birthday toast I slipped and said something that turned the night upside down. I want people to be happy. I want people to be able to look into the mirror and be happy (truly happy) with the person that they see. I don't want them to live their lives by other people's opinions, validation, affirmations. They should have that within themselves. I don't think it was a wrong message, but perhaps not the time or place :-)

On Friday I caught up with some friends at work for lunch. I don't know where 2012 has gone. We have been planning a lunch for what seems like ages so I am happy that we finally got the chance to do a sushi lunch to catch up on each other's lives. It is always a pleasure spending time with these two girls. Never met two girls with such a great outlook on life and level head on their shoulder. It was great to see them, catch up and reminisce on the old days. It is hard to believe that by saying that we have been there since 2008 means that we are ancient on the floor. Who knew :-) Cannot wait to see them again. 

That evening it was time for a surprise birthday party for Hubbs!!! After Tye being ill, crazy things at work, water damage in the cellar - - a birthday celebration was just what Hubbs needed. I was super stressed that the evening was not going to go as planned. Thought I was going to spill the beans so many times, but thanks to some clever 'white lies' and great friends the evening went without a glitch and we all had such a great time!! I may have had a bit too much fun as the guest of honor ended up having to babysit me for the evening. I haven't been that carefree drunk in ages...and I don't think I have even slept on the floor. Not me at all, but very well worth it. 

Saturday was spent glued to the sofa. Thankfully the hangover McDonald's car made pick-up and deliveries. I should have stuck to beer, don't know why I thought switching to bourbon was a good idea. Any hoot, its done now and I have no regrets. I had a great time and I hope the birthday guest of honor did as well. Thank you everyone for helping me pull the evening off. I couldn't have done it without you xx

On Sunday, we spent the day in the spa. It was a great way to cap off the birthday weekend. My friends should have more birthdays -- hahaha. We had a full day of pampering in store. Heat treatment, massage, facial. Truly spent the day relaxing! Read a bit, went for a swim, and tried out the Hammam which was crazy at first, but then I got used to it once I learnt how to breathe in there.  I wish I was a lady of luxury and could spend more of my days as spa days :-)

Hope everyone is well. Miss you terribly. 

xx

T

PS: Can someone tell me when ear defenders became the IT thing? They are super cute on the babies, but are they good for the child?