Things that make me happy

Where has the week gone? Where has September gone, for that matter? Well it doesn't matter because it's time for this week's Things That Make Me Happy:

1. Watching the lights on the motorway come on

They have this strangely ethereal pattern where they are bright, blinding white when they first come on, but fade to an orangey yellow glow as you watch. And they light up in order, all along the motorway right up to the roundabout, after which I can't see any further. Strangely relaxing.

2. Finishing my major project at work

This one had been a thorn in my side for a few weeks - but it's with the CEO now so it's out of my hands. Nothing like a proud sense of accomplishment.

3. Watching "The Notebook" on TV

I admit I was skeptical at first... I thought surely it's just another soppy girlie romantic film. I was completely unaware of the underlying story (the entire plot, basically) and ended up a bit teary-eyed by the end of it, I don't mind telling you.

4. A weekend of sun, farmer's markets and dinner parties with friends

All in all, an excellent way to spend a weekend. Thanks to B for the photo.

5. The idea of Thanksgiving

It started innocently enough, with my mom telling me that they were probably going to go up to the Okanagan (as always) for Thanksgiving. Which got me thinking about how much I love that drive in the autumn - all the leaves changing colours on the trees along the river, stopping to get pumpkins from Bear's Fruit Stand in Keremeos, a huge dinner with family. That made me a bit homesick (still does, come to think of it), but also got me thinking... why not spread Thanksgiving over here? And so I have decided to make a Thanksgiving dinner... somehow... either for B's family or some of our friends.

And the thought of having family together for a nice Thanksgiving dinner makes me happy. Even if my own family are 5000 miles away having their own Thanksgiving. Sure it's the thought that counts.

Working 9 to 5?

So it's Tuesday night, I've got the house to myself (B's at the rehearsal space with the band), and I'm....

...working??

Well yes. Unfortunately I've got a big project due tomorrow that I kind of let slip a bit, but only because I was in the middle of trying to manage 3 events at once, plus any other minor tasks that were slid my way. Now I've got to make up for lost time!

On the plus side we had a great weekend. The weather gurus said it was the longest solid sunny spell in recent memory (2.5 days - a new 2008 record?) so we made the most of it by going to the farmer's market in Temple Bar (photos to come) and having a little dinner party with friends on Sunday.

On the down side, my stomach woes are back. You would think that being on twice-daily ultra-strong acid reducers would have sorted everything out, and to be fair they did... for a while. Now it's back to feeling nauseous after I eat and general near-constant discomfort. I've made an appointment with Dr Donn Brennan in mid-October, so hopefully a consultation and dietary changes will sort me out!

Failing that... anyone got a spare healthy stomach they're not using?

Case of the Blahs

I appreciate the irony of following my last post ("Things that make me happy") with a post about the blahs... but I'm having a bit of a downer day. It's not anything in particular... more like an accumulation of small things over this past week that have finally caught up to me.

The days are getting shorter. Today it was noticeably dark at 7.55pm. I do like the comfortable feeling that winter brings (warm comfort food, the promise of snow, bundling up in the warmest possible clothes) but there is a certain something about grey days followed by long dark nights that can get a person down every now and then.

I think work is getting to me too. On a daily basis I am accosted with generally negative media coverage of my chosen field - a field I believe passionately in - to the point that some days it feels like we are talking to a brick wall. I suppose it would be different if I worked with the clients, who are generally hugely appreciative of the hard work our staff do for them. At any rate, I think I need a holiday. Thank heavens it's Friday and I can have a whole weekend to distract myself with.

And as always, whenever I'm feeling down comes the inevitable homesickness. And it's had a strange trigger this time. Usually it's missing my friends, my family, the people who have known me my whole life... this time it was scrapbooking. Of all things! I realised that I really missed the projects I used to start (and often finish) at home... going to Michaels and stocking up on wonderful, exciting supplies for potential projects. In Dublin I wouldn't have the faintest idea of where to go... and that made me sad.

So... I suppose that's where I am now. B as always is extremely patient and understanding of my "I need to be alone"-ness, and I remind myself constantly how lucky I am to have a partner who is so supportive and caring.

On the plus side, on my lunch break I discovered Caroline's Crayons. She is an amazing woman who uses her drawings to convey incredibly inspiring, uplifting messages. And I love it.

Things That Make Me Happy

Inspired by Three Beautiful Things, I've officially decided that my Wednesday posts will be dedicated to 5 things that made me happy during the previous week. The way I see it, with the way things are going for me lately I tend to focus on the negatives (didn't land an interview, didn't get the job I was going for, live in a grey miserable city...) Ultimately, although I don't do it ALL the time, that can't be healthy. And so I've decided to remind myself of the little things that make me smile or warm my heart. Now... if I can just recall what happened this past week...

1. Making an excellent Chicken Cacciatore on Monday night

I got the recipe from Epicurious - always a good go-to for last minute dinner suggestions! The resulting smell in our apartment was to die for... tomatoes and spices and a hint of red wine... mmm... will definitely make this again!

2. B talking in his sleep and making weird clicking noises

Okay, I admit I give out to him about this on an almost daily basis, but in actual fact it's so cute that even when he wakes me up at 4am doing it I still get a warm squishy feeling inside.

3. Getting up at 6.30am for work and not feeling groggy all day

I'm as surprised as you are! I had a business briefing for leaders of industry this morning at 8am across town so I had to get all monkey suited up and get there by 7.30am. And I did it. I felt refreshed and energised all day. Even now.

4. Planning imaginary holidays and/or potential holidays

Ever since I found the link to the Wild Frontiers website in October's Marie Claire (UK Edition) I've spent ages poring over itineraries, checking flight prices, and mostly just daydreaming about how cool it would be to find myself in the remote mountains of Pakistan on my birthday next year. Or maybe this year. We'll see.

5. My 3.30pm cup of tea

Generally every day at work, on or around 3.30pm I have my tea. Either Ginseng by Qi Teas or Clarity Tea by Pukka Teas (mmm... lemongrass). It's a nice, organic, fairtrade, natural energy boost, but warm and soothing at the same time. Mmm.

What made you happy this week?

Wanderlust

With the absolutely rubbish summer that we've had over here this year, I must confess that true to form, my feet are getting itchy again. I think it must be a combination of things that are pushing me to pick up my passport and my traveling backpack and get on a plane to who knows where.

For a start, as of... well, as of last year actually, Ireland is now the place I have lived in longest since I was 17 years old. Now in my mid-to-late 20s I have close friends who have not known me to be anything other than a vagabond... wandering around the world on a whim. In my own defense though, I should point out that most places I go to LIVE, rather than just to travel for the sake of traveling. Although I've done my fair share of that as well.

The second "push factor" is my current employment situation - namely, I'm almost due to be made redundant, which means either an unlimited "vacation" or at the very least a couple months' holiday before making the smooth transition into another job. So either way, I'd be looking to go traveling. :)

I've managed to save up a fairly respectable amount of money which I can't even use to buy a house or anything (not being an Irish citizen or permanent resident I'm not allowed a mortgage), so I figure why not?

The problem is that I want to go somewhere different. I recently came across a company called Wild Frontiers, who specialise in small group tours to obscure destinations. What appeals to me is that they give a decent percentage of their profits to the local communities - so, for example, a local driver will make enough money in one 16-day trip to send 2 children to school for a year and feed his family for 4 months. I like that.

My top destinations? Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Yes... they'll take me there. Brilliant. Where's my passport?

Return to the Blogosphere

After a brief summer hiatus... I'm back. And now that the weather is colder, the nights are getting longer, and the rain is... well... still raining, I've resolved to try to update regularly. Here goes nothing!

K's Summer Recap!

Holidays

For most of June, B and I were touring around Greece. Rough life, you say, and rightly so. The flights were paid for by the EU, as our trip also consisted of attending a 2 day conference on integration in Athens, courtesy of the good folks at Imepo.

As for the rest of our time, we hired a car and I drove around the mainland, successfully avoiding 2 major earthquakes and arriving safely in Delphi and Meteora. Despite all the warnings from various travel guides, driving in Greece isn't actually as bad as they'd have you believe - although apparently going 10km OVER the speed limit is considered "too slow" and so out of courtesy you should slow down, pull over, and let the traffic race past you. I do NOT under ANY circumstances recommend driving in Athens! For more information on my panic-induced heart attacks in Athens traffic, ask B - I think he's still deaf in one ear from my screams.

Then we ferried down to Rhodes - potentially a beautiful island but sadly overrun with tourists. For those of you (like me) who want to get away from all that kitsch, I'd definitely recommend Symi. It's an island about an hour north of Rhodes, remarkably quiet apart from daytrippers (who generally leave by 4pm or so) and it's absolutely stunning. We spent six nights there, having fallen in love with the place (we were originally only meant to stay for 3 nights).

A selection of my favourite photos is on Flickr for anyone who hasn't already seen them.

Work

And then we went back to work. What a downer. :) But it's going well, and I've done a few more events and talks. Now that we're in September, I'm realising that I don't have very much time left, so I've put in a few job applications. Had one interview (to no avail) but things are coming up all the time so I've not lost hope yet! Ever the eternal optimist!

Health

Finally finally finally the Irish healthcare system comes through! I had my endoscopy on August 25th, after enduring complete agony for most of March, and the odd bout of nausea since then. The scope guy didn't actually find any evidence of anything apart from mild damage from acid reflux, so I'm on acid reducing pills for 8 weeks before I go to another consultation.

For those of you who have never had an endoscopy... if they offer to knock you out... TAKE IT!! I, foolishly thinking that if I can get small cavities filled without freezing I can surely endure a camera down my throat, declined the nurse's offer of sedation. Not. A. Smart. Move. Although I actually did not retch as much as you'd think. Less than average, I think the scope guy said. I'm so proud.

Miscellaneous Other

Summer did not really exist in Ireland this year... no... what we got was rain, and lots of it. This led to flooding across the country (including Coolock in North Dublin the day we decided to go bowling with friends at the Coolock Leisure Complex - photos on Flickr!) The rain has left me with a burning desire to go on another holiday. Soon. Like now.

Plans are in abundance at the moment, as due to my uncertain future B and I have been making wild suggestions of what to do with ourselves. These include, but are not limited to:

- moving to Japan on working holiday visas for a year

- moving back to Canada to take over my grandad's orchard

- travelling the world (mostly the Middle East - Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Iran...)

- winning the lottery (update: we won €200 the other day! woo!)

- buying a Greek island and living like millionaires (may be contingent on winning the aforementioned lottery)

Of course any suggestions of life plans are always appreciated.

Well, it's good to be back in my own little space. Check back regularly - I promise to do better now that I'm back!

Out of the ether...

Well... I'm back.

You know those times where you're so flat-out busy that you don't have a second to stop and think, or catch your breath? That's been May for me.

Work
Has been fairly crazy. The Boss (not Springstein) was away for part of May so yours truly was in charge of the entire Comms office which, when 2 major events occur, requiring urgent media attention, does not make for a good time! We've also published 2 major documents, one research and also our information factsheets, which I'm responsible for distributing. This means getting intimately acquainted with the weigh scales and postage machine. I think I have Irish postal rates memorised... is that sad?

Goings-on
Last Sunday was Africa Day in Dublin (see above photo), and honestly I haven't had that much fun in ages. I loved the sunny day, the ever-so-danceable African music, the food, and the people - it felt like I knew a good percentage of them through work. Such a good time, and it was all free.

Parental control
My mom and her friend/cousin were here for a week and a half and just left on Tuesday. It was really nice to have them over - they even stayed in our spare room! Clearly B has the patience of a saint to put up with my crazy family for so long! We did some of the typical touristy things (which we normally try to avoid like the plague!) and some not-so-touristy things, and I think they had a great holiday.

It makes me a bit homesick though - I always find that after people from home leave... it's nice having people around who have known me for more than a year. Even B has only known me for just over a year. It's strange how having a long history with friends or family can become so important when you're on your own in a new place. It's little things like that that seem to spark homesickness in me at the weirdest times.

Out of commission
I've had a rotten cold from Thursday on - foggy head, stuffy nose and ears, and a hacking cough. Still went to work though... I'm such a good girl.

And I'll be out of commission for the most part from the 4-23 of June as I'm off to Greece with B. We're going for a European conference in Athens for 2 days, which means the flights and 2 nights' accommodation are taken care of (thank you, EU!) but then we decided, "why not add a holiday while we're there?" So depending on the availability and cheapness of internet facilities in Greece, I might not be around for a while.

But then, with this most recent 20-day absence, what else is new.... right?