My current obsessions...

These are a few of my favourite things at the moment!

I'm currently reading Derren Brown's book and it makes fascinating reading. I'm a huge fan of his shows and he constantly amazes. His book is just as interesting - he goes through the concepts of magic, memory, hypnosis and various other bits and bobs. I was completely delighted last night when, in the space of a few pages, he managed to help my ability to memorise things improve incredibly using the simplest of techniques.

On Tuesday, Graeme and I went to a lecture at the Dana Centre called "The Power of Hypnosis" where I had the chance to see some of the ideas in the book in action. It was really interesting to hear of current research into hypnosis as well. Interestingly, hypnosis is now finally being recognised as a distinct change in consciousness, which was something often disputed by scientists in past years.

Moving swiftly on to obsession number 2 - Momiji dolls. I got the little Japanese doll in John Lewis after Christmas. I had seen them before but I had never treated myself. I couldn't resist this little one who was in the sale. Of course, she'll need some friends now ;o)

Last but not least, obsession 3 - Hummus Bros! The badge was picked up today in the new branch of Hummus Bros that has just opened near work. I had never heard of them before but now I am a convert. I love hummus and a place that serves bowls filled with the stuff is fine by me! As an added bonus, they are dead cheap, which is a pleasant change for London :o)

SNOW!

Yes, Snow in London! It was a surprise yesterday morning when Graeme pulled back the curtain and this was what greeted us. It was gorgeous outside :o) I had resigned myself to the thought of a winter without ice and snow, but Mother Nature proved me wrong yet again!

Unfortunately, the one inch of snow resulted in London's transport grinding to a halt. So, I spent 35min on the tube trying to get to Earls Court. By the time I got to work, the novelty of snow had completely worn off!

It's snowdrop time again!

Spring is on it's way! I saw my first snowdrops of 2007 in Graeme's parents' garden this morning. Loads of them as well :o) I can't help but think they are a little early this year, but with the mild winter we've had, I am not surprised. Graeme's mum gave me some in a little pot to put outside our flat, which means we really will have to sort the garden now!

We had a lovely weekend out in Bedfordshire. Graeme's parents and his brother all have their birthday in January, so we were going out for dinner last night to celebrate. We went to a lovely restaurant called the "Knife and Cleaver" in Houghton Conquest (why do Bedfordshire towns have the most amazing names?!). The food was fantastic and we all had a lovely evening.

Today we went for a walk to Ampthill Park. It was a beautiful, sunny day with blue skies but the most terrible chilling wind. I thought my ears were going to fall off at one point! It was just as well I remembered my hat :o) The park is really beautiful with little copses of trees and a lake. We even saw a little deer bounding through the undergrowth!

The park was the site of a castle during the reign of Henry VIII. It was the place where Katherine of Aragon was effectively imprisoned until her marriage was annulled. From there, she was sent to Kimbolton Castle, where she died some years later. Now, on the spot where Ampthill Castle stood, there is a cross to commemorate the memory of the poor woman.

I can see stars again :o)

I'm back home in Scotland for a few days. So far, it has been really nice. I came up on Friday after work and have been spending a few days at my parents' house. It's been great spending time with them and catching up with my friends as well.

We were out shopping today and I got a nice new coat. It was a bargain! I also got some of the new See-D "morsals" stamps, which I cannot wait to get home to play with.

Tomorrow, I am off to Edinburgh to visit Kat. I can't wait to see her, as it's been too long since the last time we met. Then on Tuesday, I've got a meeting and then it's back home to Boy.

I think going back will be easier this time as I know Graeme will be in London waiting for me. I find it very hard to think of London as home. Maybe once I get a new job and feel much happier about myself, then I'll begin to settle more.

This year I will...

* find a new job. Yes, I am fed up being in a job where my talents are wasted. I also want something which I can fit around my life, because I am fed up fitting my life around this job. I also want a salary which reflects what I am worth.

* finish off all those unfinished craft projects (I will, honest).

* improve my bellydancing skills and take a yoga class

* reach Ovate grade (probably around Spring/Summer time).

* learn to relax and not get so damn wound up about things which are not my fault.

* appreciate what I have (wonderful friends, parents and Boy).

OK, so now it's in the public domain, you all have to help me out with these ;o)

Happy meetings

Today I managed to meet up with the lovely Anam and just as lovely Paula during my lunchbreak. It was only for about 45 minutes but it was way better than nothing.

I'm so grateful to Kat that she helped smooth over that silly misunderstanding from months ago :o)

Welcome to 2007!

Happy New Year everyone! I hope 2007 is a year where dreams come true :o)

Graeme, the three Bedfordteers, Silvia and I saw in New Year on a very crowded Waterloo Bridge in London. We stood for two hours watching the London Eye change colour before Big Ben struck midnight. The New Year fireworks were incredible and once the crowd dispersed we shared some champagne.

I asked Graeme (who is pretty unbiased being an Australian/Scottish/English hybrid) to rank the best new year experiences. Edinburgh came first (weather permitting it seems) then Sydney and then London.

As a Scot, I am most definitely biased but I'm afraid I found the London experience rather flat. The atmosphere during the countdown was lovely but up until then we had to endure idiots pushing and being a general nuisance. It just reinforced my opinion that manners are an alien concept to a significant number of people in the city. Afterwards, we were two hours getting home and most of that was finding a tube station that we could get into. I think next year, we may have to invest in a bigger TV and stay at home ;o)