Like I said last year, it's only when I write everything down that I realise all the many things I've done during the year. Looking forward to the next one already!

( Cut for photos and more.. )

I haven’t gotten any better at keeping up with this have I. Think I will start trying to stick to monthly updates from now on and see how I go with that! So, events of the last few weeks to recap:

I was very relieved to learn that I had passed both of my December ACCA exams… also for Taxation (the exam I took after worrying all night and getting about half an hours’ sleep) I actually got a pretty decent mark. It’s given me a lot of confidence for my next exams in June, as I had thought about giving up altogether (if after all the work I had put in last year still wasn’t enough) if I didn’t pass. But here I am. I am back at college on the weekends studying Professional Accountant (theory based module on ethics and good governance) and Corporate Reporting (technical paper, but not quite as bad as I thought). It’s tiring though, I haven’t had a day off in 2 weeks now and I’ve started to feel it a bit the past couple of days.

I am now in a different department at work as of 2 weeks ago. A little sad to no longer be working with old friends… but in a short time have gotten used to working with new ones. Since Xmas, I had been feeling the pressure to the point where I was finding it difficult to unwind after each day and having sleep problems worrying about this and that (though I doubt this had anything to do with my move – the only person who knew didn’t have much of a say as to the decision). So I now work for one big client (who manages university properties) as opposed to several smaller ones and my stress is a thing of the past!

Andy went off to Israel for a week to work at his client’s offices (turning into a proper little jetsetter, as he’s off to speak at a conference in the USA later this year too), so I had a nice, but quiet time by myself at home. He came back last weekend with lots of lovely dead sea spa products and 2 huge bottles of Baileys from duty free!

We’re going down to Cornwall to visit my parents for a few days at Easter, which I can’t wait for… will be so nice to get away. Then we have booked to go down to the New Forest for the May bank holiday a few weeks later… staying at the same hotel as we did back in October a couple of years ago - where there's a spa with a hot tub on the veranda and scrummy breakfasts!

Kennet & Avon canal nr. Freshford
I've realised that it takes a lot of self-discipline to maintain a journal, at times more than others. It is too easy to get into the routine of not doing so and then days and weeks pass and you can't remember what happened. It is extra hard when motivation falls.. not just for writing, but in general. The past few weeks I have felt slightly depressed.. I think due to a combination of factors; the time of year (winter makes it hard to do outdoorsy things and I can never find enough to occupy myself cooped up inside for very long) and also job related stress. However, I think last weekend was my lowest point.. and I have started to feel better this week.

So... last night Andy took me out to ASK for dinner, it was our pre-Valentine's Valentine's treat I guess. Having been out on the 14th only once, we have decided restaurants to be too busy, too expensive and too limited menu choice, that it's more enjoyable to eat out the other days of the year. Today we went for a long-ish walk from Limpley Stoke along the canal to Avoncliff.. I think Andy was getting a little bored with walking about halfway and asked how much further I was planning to take us and then perked up after telling him that if we went another mile or so further we could have a cup of tea and something to eat at the pub in Avoncliff, and so we did.
The Cross Guns is the sort of country pub where locals and walkers stumble in with dogs and wellies. I like it - will have to take my Parents next time they are visiting.

Not got many plans for tomorrow, apart from Andy cooking me dinner. After gatherings at Julian & Ally's last weekend and Hayley & Max's the one before, it is nice to spend a bit of quiet time watching TV, reading and things like that.

Next weekend I think we are going to Wales.. only Saturday to Sunday though as I'm meeting my Withy's (old workplace) friends on Friday night for drinks. Still haven't decided whether to take the day off or not yet, or maybe just the afternoon.. on one hand I could do with a break, but will I regret using an oh-so-precious holiday day without good reason?

There are two instances of 'odd' food consumption that came to mind; Firstly, when I was a teenager on a family holiday to Mallorca, I decided to try an authentic paella. I remember eating a piece of squid and it had the most horrible texture! I don't mind it at all now, I mean I would eat it if put in front of me. Another time was in Laos, at a street stall where I was encouraged to try something I thought would be banana wrapped in a vine leaf.. though it was some sort of mashed fish and I had to spit it out!

***
It has taken me a day to finish this entry! I got distracted after the post came yesterday, so am finishing it this morning instead.

Last Sunday we did go for a wander over to Westbury, where we took some test shots with the Lumix:




I'm really pleased with the quality.. I can't notice any reduction from that of the Canon and it feels about half the weight, which is perfect for me. I drove home.. I've got this fear of driving through Bath (too busy, too many tight turns and narrow streets) and usually try and avoid it. However I was coming back on the A36 and asking Andy which turn off I would have to take as to bypass the center, but there didn't seem to be one and ended up in Bathampton.. and thus driving through town. Since then I've done it a couple more times and am getting better!

Friday night we went to see Sherlock Holmes. If I'm honest, I was a little disappointed. I mean, it wasn't a bad film, I just expected more.. some parts were slow. I've seen a few films lately where I've disagreed with the casting.. I do like Robert Downey Jnr, but just associate him with Ironman and more 'actiony' type roles. Also I don't care for Jude Law at all and after seeing Rachel McAdams in Mean Girls can't get used to her in more serious parts. Ah well.

Yesterday morning our PlayStation 3 arrived, hence the distraction, so we spent the most part of the day alternating between our two games; Andy on Modern Warfare 2 and me on Uncharted 2. As a PC girl by nature it is quite hard adjusting to the console controls. It must have sounded so funny to the neighbours at one point where I was under fire in the jungle and forgot how to aim, shoot and move simultaneously, with me shouting "Arghhhhh, but I'M PRESSING TRIANGLE, why aren't you shooting?!" Lol.

Today we are attempting to cook a roast dinner for the first time (yeah, I know.. but I have assisted people before, just not by myself!) so have bought our cut of beef, normal roasting potatoes, sweet potatoes, parsnips and swede.. should be fun! Hopefully tonight we will make it to the quiz at the Velo Lounge if we go early enough to get a table!

Ooh, this is a good question, given that I am someone who thinks that for most things in life there is something else that can attained or improved upon. I suppose in this context I can give the parts of part of my life which I would keep the same :o)

My family. Even though I don't see my Mum, Dad and Sister as much as I'd like, I have always maintained great relationships with them. We are very much alike, have many of the same interests, sense of humour etc. and always have a good time together. I know that I can always count on each of them for support or advice if need be. Same goes for Andy, I know I'm really lucky to have him and for him to want to be with me and I wouldn't change us for the World.

My career. Sometimes I do whinge and moan (mostly to Andy!) about my job and sometimes with good reason, but I wouldn't want to move away from my line of work.. at least for a long while yet. I realise I have made a lot of progress in the short time since I came to Bath and started my career in finance and am excited for what I will hopefully achieve in years to come. It keeps pushing me to learn more and also paying enough to let me live the lifestyle I want.

My city. I think I (we) got lucky when Andy got a job meaning we came to live here. Not a lot of people (okay, maybe a lot, but not most!) get to say that they live in a World Heritage City.. I love wandering around Bath when there's nothing else to do and I love being so close the the countryside after living in Milton Keynes for so long. I also have quite a few friends which have moved to the area, which is a bonus.

So there you go, a nice bout of positivity to start the day!

***
Very glad it's the weekend, as always. Don't have a lot planned and the weather's kind of bad today so I will most probably have a wander to Moorland Rd and browse the charity shops and then get a bi-monthly food shop done. I think tomorrow is supposed to be a nicer day, so might get out for a drive and take some photos then.

Snow has all melted now.. it was odd, I went into work yesterday and there was snow, I came out and there was none!

Last night we went to the Hare & Hounds for dinner and that is all. I dislike the winter, it doesn't allow for much outdoor activity.. I wish humans could hibernate sometimes!