With a day left at the Stratford flat Jo and I are about to embark on The Big Trip. Tomorrow we head off to Gatwick airport to stay at the lovely Premiere Travel Inn, Gatwick. We'll let you know how that one goes. It's a very early start on Monday morning as we check in at 4.55am. Ouch! Then it's off to Venice! Yay!
I have just bought a digital camera so I will be able to keep you all up to date with photos and the like.
Phase 1 of The Big Trip is about to start. Excitement......
Saturday, May 21, 2005
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Dear Mum & Dad.....
Why did you not take into consideration the many ways my given name can be bastardized?
That is all.
Love,
Mel-icious
Teasing Nicknames for Melanie:
That is all.
Love,
Mel-icious
Teasing Nicknames for Melanie:
- Mel Mel
- Melsy
- Felony
- Melolelonie
- Smellanee
- Melonhead
- Melanoma
- Smell
- Pail Mel
- Melancholy
- Maloney
- Hail Mel
- Smelly
- Mello Jello
- Mel-Smell
- Smelly Melly
- Melvin
- Melons
- Melster
- Melba Toast
- Melon Head
- Water Melanie
- Mel Dog
- Mel Belle
- Melicious
- Melbany
- Melfernee
- Mellow Yellow
- Meller
- Melkany
(taken from Babynamer)
PS. I can assure you that I have actually been given many of those nicknames over the years. My favourite probably isnt suitable for family members. Sorry folks.
Friday, May 06, 2005
Heard on my voicemail
"Yeaaah, giiiddaaay maaate. Just phoning 'bout the roooom in the TNT, maaate. Reeally interested. If you could giiive me a call back maaate......Cheers, maaate."
Who knew people actually talk like that?
Who knew people actually talk like that?
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
The Countdown begins.....
Our first party of travellers left for the Continent on Sunday! So Jo and I are now on our lonesome in Stratford. (That's East London, luvies). We have said goodbye to scummy Willesden flat and temporary hello to scummier Stratford flat, complete with new and strange kiwi flatmates. They seem to have health food and weird objects lying around the house. Jo says they're something to do with "exercising" and "keeping fit" but I have no idea what she's on about......
I dont have much longer to go at Reuters now (6 days and counting). I cannot wait....
The girlies sound like they are having a wonderful time so far. Below is the latest dispatch -
We left London on Sunday morning for Brugges, afteralmost missing the bus!!!!We arrived in Brugges about 2pm and spent the daywondering around, it is very pretty, all cobbled,horses and carriages and canals.Today we went on aboat ride thru the canals and wentto the basilica of the holy blood, but the blood wasntthere. It rained alot today and we got wet!!!!Tomorrow we are going on a tour to Flanders and Ypres,then Wednesday we are off to Amsterdam.mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm loving the scummy hostel showers,they are so foul.Backpack very heavey, but want some clogs fromamsterdam, oh well must squeeze them in!!!!!Will email or send postcards soon, Love Jessxx
Will be me soon too. Yay!
I dont have much longer to go at Reuters now (6 days and counting). I cannot wait....
The girlies sound like they are having a wonderful time so far. Below is the latest dispatch -
We left London on Sunday morning for Brugges, afteralmost missing the bus!!!!We arrived in Brugges about 2pm and spent the daywondering around, it is very pretty, all cobbled,horses and carriages and canals.Today we went on aboat ride thru the canals and wentto the basilica of the holy blood, but the blood wasntthere. It rained alot today and we got wet!!!!Tomorrow we are going on a tour to Flanders and Ypres,then Wednesday we are off to Amsterdam.mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm loving the scummy hostel showers,they are so foul.Backpack very heavey, but want some clogs fromamsterdam, oh well must squeeze them in!!!!!Will email or send postcards soon, Love Jessxx
Will be me soon too. Yay!
Monday, April 04, 2005
Flat Tack
After being on cruise control for the last 9 months or so, everything is starting to happen all at once. Work has gone crazy (that's the day job) as our jobs are going to another department and we have to train them and oversee the whole thing and it's turning out to be a bit of a mess. I will still be working here until our trip though, so that's one less thing to worry about. We're also trying to off load our flat to someone else before we go, on top of organising the move and the Big Trip.
On a good note, all our friends are beginning to arrive over here. Carly has arrived already and Jo, next week and finally Tammy arrives week and a bit later. Yay!!
On a good note, all our friends are beginning to arrive over here. Carly has arrived already and Jo, next week and finally Tammy arrives week and a bit later. Yay!!
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
Imagine if you were at the Oxford/Cambridge boat race....
....and out of nowhere none other than Craig Parker pops out at you!! That's right people, our favourite stalker/ex elf is popping up into our lives again. How we laughed and laughed as we chased the cheeky chappy through the crowds so Cathy could catch a glimpse of him. But he was too quick for us this time. One day Craigy, one day.
Psst! Wondering what's so special about Craig? Go here to find out more.
Psst! Wondering what's so special about Craig? Go here to find out more.
Friday, March 18, 2005
Happy 21st Birthday Sis!!
It's my little sis's 21st birthday this weekend. I can't be there, since I'm stuck over here in Blighty, so unfortunately I will miss the festivities.
I hope it is a wonderful night and everyone who does go will let me know how it went.
So a Very Happy 21st Birthday to you Katherine!! I hope you have an extra special night! Miss you loads and loads....
I hope it is a wonderful night and everyone who does go will let me know how it went.
So a Very Happy 21st Birthday to you Katherine!! I hope you have an extra special night! Miss you loads and loads....
From Snow to Summer in two weeks flat
Well the snow has disappeared and in its place, summer has arrived! The bizarro weather means that it's now lovely and sunny and even getting up to 21 degrees. It feels almost tropical in contrast to the freezing weather not so long ago.
Apparently this is a freakish weather system and March isn't normally so warm. Here's hoping it lasts for a bit.
Apparently this is a freakish weather system and March isn't normally so warm. Here's hoping it lasts for a bit.
Friday, March 04, 2005
Let it snow, let it snow
So much for my getting my wish. It's been snowing on and off for the two weeks and and this morning, while waiting in the unrelenting snow shower for the bus, I realised the novelty had well and truely worn off.
Monday, February 21, 2005
Bugger
Typical. The snow disappears almost as quickly as it came. When do I get my snow storm, huh?
As I mentioned before I've been busy with this new job. I started last week and am slowly getting used to the job of a telephone charity fundraiser representative. I worked three nights last week and all of Saturday (on a hangover no less) so it has been sorta tiring. I think maybe I need to cut down on the nights out and I'll be fine.
Friday night I went out with a friend from work. It was really good fun, although trying to phone strangers on a hangover the next morning was a bit of a struggle. And this week we have another night out as he's leaving this Friday so won't be cutting down just yet. Next week, for sure.....
As I mentioned before I've been busy with this new job. I started last week and am slowly getting used to the job of a telephone charity fundraiser representative. I worked three nights last week and all of Saturday (on a hangover no less) so it has been sorta tiring. I think maybe I need to cut down on the nights out and I'll be fine.
Friday night I went out with a friend from work. It was really good fun, although trying to phone strangers on a hangover the next morning was a bit of a struggle. And this week we have another night out as he's leaving this Friday so won't be cutting down just yet. Next week, for sure.....
Friday, February 18, 2005
New Taste Sensation
Today I discovered this - Diet Coke with Lime. It's sooooo nice.
What can I say I'm a slave to the brand.
What can I say I'm a slave to the brand.
Thursday, February 17, 2005
So we went on this trip right
Sorry. This update about our trip to Brussels is a bit belated. I started at the call centre job last Monday so things have been rather busy. But here we go, for your enjoyment.
A Brussels Experience
We all met up at Waterloo station to hop on the Eurostar, like proper jetsetters. Excitement! It's a bit bizarre to get off the tube from work then hop on a train straight to The Continent, but there you go. It only takes about an hour from London to get to the tunnel and then another hour via Lille, France to Brussels itself.
We arrived in Brussels at about 9.30pm local time and after a manic taxi ride (European drivers are scary!), checked into our lovely four star hotel, selected by Cathy herself.
Day One -
The next morning we started our sightseeing with a wander around one of the central tourist spots in Brussels, Grand'Place. It's a lovely cobblestone square with lots of museums, restaurants and the Town Hall. V. Medieval. We even managed to witness a couple of weddings while we were there.
And then it was off to the most famous landmark in Brussels, the little guy below - Mannekin Pis. He's tiny but has legendary status in Brussels. No tourist shop is without hundreds of replicas of Mannekin Pis. Some of us did even manage to take home some souvenirs of him.
The rest of the day was pretty much spent wandering around Brussels' various tourist attractions including the Museum of Chocolate (surprisingly not enough chocolate) the Royal Palace, Parliament and St Michel Cathedral.
That night we went to one of the many crowded restaurant areas not far from Grand'Place. Now in Brussels they have these areas devoted to one type of restaurant (eg seafood, Italian etc) where men stand outside hollering at passing tourists to come and eat at their particular restaurant. After ignoring them all day (Funnily enough groups of four young women on their own seems to engage their attention pretty quickly), we gave in and had dinner at one of the less intimidating ones and had a lovely traditional 3 course meal and bottle of wine to celebrate Cathy's formal entry into adulthood.
Day Two -
We spent a relaxed last day looking around some of the rest of the sights of Brussels. My highlight was Cinquantenaire park and Le Arch de Triomphe. No, not the one in Paris, but stunning nevertheless. We also saw the European Union headquarters and several more churches and monuments. After some more wandering it was time for us to head back to the hotel and back to London. We boarded the Eurostar at about 4.30pm and arrived back in London by 7.30pm, just in time to grab some Chinese food for tea and mentally prepare ourselves for work the next day. (ugh)
So that was Brussels. All in all a really good holiday. I'll eventually get around to posting some photos from Scotland and Brussels. One day.
Ooh gotta go I just spotted some snow!!
A Brussels Experience
We all met up at Waterloo station to hop on the Eurostar, like proper jetsetters. Excitement! It's a bit bizarre to get off the tube from work then hop on a train straight to The Continent, but there you go. It only takes about an hour from London to get to the tunnel and then another hour via Lille, France to Brussels itself.
We arrived in Brussels at about 9.30pm local time and after a manic taxi ride (European drivers are scary!), checked into our lovely four star hotel, selected by Cathy herself.
Day One -
The next morning we started our sightseeing with a wander around one of the central tourist spots in Brussels, Grand'Place. It's a lovely cobblestone square with lots of museums, restaurants and the Town Hall. V. Medieval. We even managed to witness a couple of weddings while we were there.
And then it was off to the most famous landmark in Brussels, the little guy below - Mannekin Pis. He's tiny but has legendary status in Brussels. No tourist shop is without hundreds of replicas of Mannekin Pis. Some of us did even manage to take home some souvenirs of him.
The rest of the day was pretty much spent wandering around Brussels' various tourist attractions including the Museum of Chocolate (surprisingly not enough chocolate) the Royal Palace, Parliament and St Michel Cathedral.
That night we went to one of the many crowded restaurant areas not far from Grand'Place. Now in Brussels they have these areas devoted to one type of restaurant (eg seafood, Italian etc) where men stand outside hollering at passing tourists to come and eat at their particular restaurant. After ignoring them all day (Funnily enough groups of four young women on their own seems to engage their attention pretty quickly), we gave in and had dinner at one of the less intimidating ones and had a lovely traditional 3 course meal and bottle of wine to celebrate Cathy's formal entry into adulthood.
Day Two -
We spent a relaxed last day looking around some of the rest of the sights of Brussels. My highlight was Cinquantenaire park and Le Arch de Triomphe. No, not the one in Paris, but stunning nevertheless. We also saw the European Union headquarters and several more churches and monuments. After some more wandering it was time for us to head back to the hotel and back to London. We boarded the Eurostar at about 4.30pm and arrived back in London by 7.30pm, just in time to grab some Chinese food for tea and mentally prepare ourselves for work the next day. (ugh)
So that was Brussels. All in all a really good holiday. I'll eventually get around to posting some photos from Scotland and Brussels. One day.
-----
Ooh gotta go I just spotted some snow!!
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Superman is a dick
Excuse me while I indulge my inner comic book geek, but this is friggin hilarious.
Monday, February 07, 2005
Just briefly
Weekend was really good. Brussells was a v lovely place. More on that later. Now back to work.
Meh.
Meh.
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Good News
Training went well and I got the job. Just waiting to find out when I can start which might not be for a couple of weeks yet.
Oh and I haven't died of exhaustion just yet so you can all stop worrying.
Oh and I haven't died of exhaustion just yet so you can all stop worrying.
Friday, January 28, 2005
Aaargh...
It's always when you're think you're already busy life decides to step in and prove you wrong. Work is still busy, not stressful, but busy nevertheless. And it's always when you're busy customers decided to annoy you even more.
Meanwhile my interview went well last night (yay!) so I get to go to training this weekend. (boo!) So I'll be working the whoooole weekend.
And to top it off I have to sort out our riddle of a gas bill. British utility companies suck people! Actually make that most British organisations of any kind. Oh for the elequent simpleness of Empower or ASB. *le sigh*
So things might go a little quite here as I will probably have expired of exhaustion by Sunday evening. Just kidding Mum!! Actually my brain is more likely to explode while on the phone to British gas on Monday.
Meanwhile my interview went well last night (yay!) so I get to go to training this weekend. (boo!) So I'll be working the whoooole weekend.
And to top it off I have to sort out our riddle of a gas bill. British utility companies suck people! Actually make that most British organisations of any kind. Oh for the elequent simpleness of Empower or ASB. *le sigh*
So things might go a little quite here as I will probably have expired of exhaustion by Sunday evening. Just kidding Mum!! Actually my brain is more likely to explode while on the phone to British gas on Monday.
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
We have lift off!
Since I am absolutey rubbish at keeping in contact with everyone, I decided to take the lazy (or is that geeky?) option of starting a blog so y'all can know what I'm up to.
Christmas and New Years was good and very busy with our trip up to Scotland for Hogmanay. We spent Christmas day at the flat with Yvette and Rebecca, and consumed loads of food and trashy British xmas telly. New Years in Edinburgh was really cool. Edinburgh is a very groovy little city. Our tour around the Highlands and Isle of Skye was brilliant. Got to see some amazing scenery and we managed to visit every single souvenir shop from Edinburgh up to Skye and back again as well. I think we must have broken some kind of world record.
This week has been pretty hectic at work as we are one woman down and have just discovered that January is our busiest month of the year. Who knew? I've also decided to apply for a part time job to earn some more moolah for our trip in summer. I've got an interview tomorrow so *cross fingers* all goes well.
Other than that things have been relatively quiet here. Everything has wound down from the Christmas/New Year holidays and there's no nice weather to distract us. It's freezing. No snow just yet, although Jess is hanging out for some.
Ah, isn't life in London absolutely enthralling? Nevermind. We're off to Brussels next week for Cathy's 21st so all going well, I'll have some tales of debauchery for you. (And of course by "debauchery", I mean "sightseeing.")
Should have some photos of Scotland to come shortly so stay tuned.
Christmas and New Years was good and very busy with our trip up to Scotland for Hogmanay. We spent Christmas day at the flat with Yvette and Rebecca, and consumed loads of food and trashy British xmas telly. New Years in Edinburgh was really cool. Edinburgh is a very groovy little city. Our tour around the Highlands and Isle of Skye was brilliant. Got to see some amazing scenery and we managed to visit every single souvenir shop from Edinburgh up to Skye and back again as well. I think we must have broken some kind of world record.
This week has been pretty hectic at work as we are one woman down and have just discovered that January is our busiest month of the year. Who knew? I've also decided to apply for a part time job to earn some more moolah for our trip in summer. I've got an interview tomorrow so *cross fingers* all goes well.
Other than that things have been relatively quiet here. Everything has wound down from the Christmas/New Year holidays and there's no nice weather to distract us. It's freezing. No snow just yet, although Jess is hanging out for some.
Ah, isn't life in London absolutely enthralling? Nevermind. We're off to Brussels next week for Cathy's 21st so all going well, I'll have some tales of debauchery for you. (And of course by "debauchery", I mean "sightseeing.")
Should have some photos of Scotland to come shortly so stay tuned.
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