Weekly Musings

2018 - Week Eight

'The way light and darkness mix under my skin has become a storm. You don't see the lightning, but you hear the echoes.'

(Anna Peters)

 This week I have been in SUCH a weird place. I have been in a constant swinging state from super emotional with random outbreaks of tears, to feeling proper resentful of everything and wanting to throw stuff around. I have been overly nostalgic and wistful, and obsessed with going over tiny details. Nothing has changed; I've had no bad news, not adapted my diet or exercise regime, not watched any weird documentaries, been sleeping plenty and no, it's not my period (eye rolls). Anyone feel free to diagnose me, for now I've taken to dealing with it by toting rose quartz around everywhere in my handbag and frantically writing poetry, check out newbies on my Insta account here.

It has probably been a blessing therefore, that I've been living-in at Aum's this week as his parents are at a conference in Idaho. Little chance of socialising and mixing with as few people as possible at least prevented me from sabotaging any personal relationships, and gave me time to reflect and calm the hell down. Thankfully for me, Aum is in his own world 90% of the time so barely even noticed my mood flux!

I met up with my sister for lunch in Altrincham on Wednesday as she has had the week off work, and we checked out Tim Horton's, the Canadian coffee and doughnut joint that has just opened five sites in England. I had the French vanilla coffee, a vegetable chipotle wrap, and shared a ten box of 'Timbits' (mini doughnut balls to you and I). It is a welcome inclusion to Altrincham's already impressive gastronomic selection - quick, cheap and yummy!

On Friday Aum and I went out for tea to Sushi Kimchi, which during the day is The Oxford Road Cafe, in Altrincham. It is somewhere we have both wanted to try for a while, being big sushi fans. We each got kimchi jun for starter, an oriental pancake made with kimchi which is a pickled cabbage; I had the prawn version whilst Aum opted for chicken. For main we shared two platters of sushi, tempura prawn uramaki and spicy tuna norimaki. It was all delicious, and I especially appreciated a glass of prosecco as a treat for basically single parenting all week, I may get paid to do it, but it doesn't make it easier!

Last night after a day spent chaperoning a study group with Aum and his two friends for a project titled, 'How can religion be controversial?' (yikes) I took him out for food at Chiquito and to the cinema to see Black Panther. I got three little tapas style dishes to eat, a mini roasted veg and beetroot enchilada, grilled breaded halloumi, and a tomato and mushroom sort of stew that had a definite kick to it! We watched the film in the new 4dx screen at Parrs Wood, which has moving seats, flashing lights and blows air, smells and even water to give a fully immersive experience. The film was top notch anyway, but the 4dx gave it that added extra and we came out raving about how amazing it was. Bonus being that I got to invite Chris along so I could have some adult company and, you know, actually get to see my boyfriend for the first time all week, which was pretty great.

Today has been relatively chilled; amidst supervising maths revision and being a taxi to sports sessions, I managed to sneak in a quick brew with my parents, and a wander into Hale in the winter sunshine for a chai latte and some Pinterest-ing in Costa whilst Aum was at cricket. I'm starting to feel a little more back to normal as the week draws to a close, so for now, shoutout to all the other kooks who don't understand their own heads, and hope you enjoy my track of the week from Frenship at the top of the page. We got this!

Weekly Update!

Full-Time Work With A Dash Of Socialising!

This was the first week doing my nannying job full time and I love it! Not only am I looking after the cutest boy, but during the day whilst he is at school, aside from a bit of shopping and washing, I am free to do whatever I like!

Rather than be really naughty and spend the time shopping and coffee shop hopping (although I have done that a bit...) I have joined the gym, and so last week I did a yoga class, went swimming and ran three times - go me!

Aside from that and actually working, I haven't done much in the way of socialising, mainly as I'm still adjusting to long days with early mornings and getting into a routine. However, I went to Chris' for tea on Wednesday, and took some time over the weekend to enjoy myself which was nice.

On Friday I had my nails done, and then in the evening I went for a few drinks at the Moss Trooper with an old friend. I'd not seen him properly for two years (except a brief encounter at Benicassim which I can barely remember due to intoxication!) so it was good to catch up.

On Saturday after work, Chris came over and we met up with some university friends in Manchester. We started in Sam's Chophouse, which I'd never been in before, but it is apparently one of the oldest pubs in Manchester. It had loads of beers on tap and a mammoth wine list, yet wasn't too expensive and had a great atmosphere - so I'd like to go back sometime as it was a bit of a rushed visit!

Next we headed onto the Northern Quarter starting in TV21 and then Trof. Both were really busy, but in a vibrant way, and I had a lovely cocktail courtesy of Chris in the latter that tasted like Parma Violets - yum!

On Sunday after a nice lie-in and cooked breakfast, Chris left and Mum, Dad and I went to a family party in Derby (see previous post). Life is good!

Weekly Update!

Cleaning & Cage-dancing!

This week it was back to work as usual in preparation for the return of the family I am housesitting for- hence the short post. The only time I stopped cleaning and tidying was when Chris came to stay on Wednesday evening, when we had a nice chilli and watched Up! The following day we went to the cinema to see The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, which was amazing (see previous post).

On Friday I had an 'interview' for a full time nannying position with the family I did a temporary job for- said as so because their last nanny has upped and left without any notice, so it was more a question and answer session than an actual interview. Afterwards I drove to Chris' and we went for a pub dinner at a two for one place called The Woodside. We shared potato skins with salsa and then I had chicken topped with cheese and Jack Daniels sauce, while Chris had a surf 'n' turf. The whole meal cost £14, and it was really nice- even if I did get salad instead of corn on the cob with mine as mentioned on the menu!

On Saturday after I had finished working at the pub I drove to Lancaster, as it was my friend Geoff's birthday during the week, so a few of us decided to go out to celebrate. We drank in the house beforehand, and then went to Wetherspoons, Hustle and ended the night in Elements. Elements was full of the locals, who are none too desirable, but it was a fun night, even if I did get stupidly drunk and dance in a cage! The following day I stayed in bed until lunchtime (for obvious reasons!), before having some breakfast and then driving back home in the afternoon, after watching the Manchester derby on TV. Then I had an early night in preparation for my next couple of crazy weeks!

Weekly Update!

Christmas Preparation & The Big Day!

Now firmly settled in the house I'm staying in for three weeks, this week flew by as I attempted to keep on top of all my Christmas preparation, housekeeping jobs and petcare!

On Tuesday I babysat for the little boy I was a temporary nanny for, and he had a friend round to play. We went to see Happy Feet 2 (see previous post) in the afternoon as well as playing on his Wii, and in the morning we baked and iced some shortbread cookies. They didn't come out very well, as I didn't have time to chill the dough before cooking it, but they were fine to ice anyway. The two of them were very creative, even if the biscuits didn't look too great afterwards!

On Wednesday Chris came for the evening after work and we made baked enchilada that was lovely, and just watched some TV. On Thursday we went back to Timperley as I had a nail appointment, and in the afternoon we went to see Sherlock Holmes (see previous post) before I went back to the house after dropping him off.

On Friday I decided last minute to go to Crewe to see Chris, after plans to have a meetup with the girls fell through. We went to his friends house with a few others, and although we intended driving back to Chris' that evening, we ended up staying over so that I could have a drink. It was a very early start the following day so that he could get to work for 9am, and I had to drive home to get to the pub for my shift at 11.30am. In the evening my mum picked me up from the pub and we both went back to Millington for Christmas Eve, as my sister was out, and Dad was working. We cooked stuffed portobello mushrooms with veg, and then had red wine and mince pies while watching some Christmassy TV. We had a slight dilemma when the hamster escaped, but luckily she crawled back into her cage once she had had enough!

Christmas day dawned, and I randomly spent the beginning of it dying my hair! We then got dressed and headed back to Timperley, where Dad and Jasmine were waiting for us. We got the rabbit out to begin with, check out the cute picture!

We opened our stocking presents first, and apart from a few bits and bobs, I got an awful lot of chocolate, which will keep me going for the next few weeks at least! We then had an interval to eat Eggs Benedict with salmon for breakfast, and a glass of Bucks fizz, before opening our main presents. Once we had finished we watched A Muppets Christmas Carol, and then ate Christmas dinner, which was gorge as usual. We had duck this year, and luckily there were only four of us, as there wasn't a great deal of meat on it! Afterwards we watched the standard Christmas TV (Morecambe and Wise, Tommy Cooper etc) and gorged on chocolate before I rolled off to bed at about 1am. Quite a quiet one this year, but we have the family coming on 27th, so that will definitely make up for it!

Weekly Update!

Nannying & Return to Lancaster!

This week was super busy as I have taken on nannying holiday cover for a fortnight, so I've literally been working twelve hour days! It's been hectic but well worth it for the money, and the little boy I look after is really sweet. He is always pretty busy doing after school activities and things, but there is some time to just mess around and play, and we made chilli together on Tuesday, which was fun.

After my working week was officially over, I came home, got changed and caught a train to Lancaster for the weekend. The first night I went straight to

my friend's birthday party, which was cops and robbers themed. Everyone had put in some effort, and we had jelly shots and cake, and took lots of photos. We then all headed to Sugarhouse, where luckily we had queue jump, as with it being Freshers Week it was pretty chaotic!

The following day I was feeling a little fragile, not helped by getting up at 8.30am to watch the rugby. After another hours nap once it had finished, I managed to crawl out of bed and get myself ready to go for late lunch with my friend Helen who is back for her fourth year. We went to the Whaletail Cafe, a vegetarian joint that had an

industrial feel to it as it was upstairs in what seemed like a warehouse. It had been decked out to look all pretty though, with fairy lights, comfy chairs and some lovely hand crafted paintings and sculptures. I had sweet potato, lentil and smoked cheese rissoles (sort of ball things) off the specials board, and they were served with crème fraiche, and a gorgeous salad with chickpeas, lentils and carrot. I was tempted by a dessert, as some of the cakes sounded delicious, but I was so full I gave it a miss, and bought a Yummy Cupcake for later on!

That evening I went out again, but this time with my friend Claire (also back for fourth year) and my flatmates from second year, who I was staying with. Chris was up for the weekend as well, and there were lots of graduates in Sugarhouse, so it was a proper little reunion. I paced myself a little better second time around, so on Sunday morning I felt a lot more alive, and after a sausage and bacon barm courtesy of Spar on campus, I was back on track for my next hard working week.