Hello!!
I have had a busy last few weeks. And I have not really had time to write in this journal since my parents arrived two weeks ago or so. They arrived in London on the 7th of May. It was great to see them after six months I can tell you. :-) We did a bus trip around London, one of those touristy ones that takes threee hours! But I think it was a nice way to spend some time with my parents who were tired after the flight anyway!
On Sunday the 8th May we met up with my cousins for lunch. There were ten people at the lunch, and it was lovely to see them all again. After lunch we went to the Globe Theatre to see Shakespeare's The Tempest. The theatre is a replica on the banks of the Thames built like the original Globe Theatre of some 500 years ago. So we sat in the upper balcony and watched a modern interpretation of the play. I enjoyed myself, as I tried to imagine myself watching the same play all those years ago with all the "groundlings" throwing fruit at the players if they were displeased with them!! Groundlings, by the way, are the people who have to stand for the length of the play in front of the stage.
Tuesday we flew to Hungary. I was really looking forward to meeting the relatives. I had heard so much about them, and I was finally going to be able to put faces to names! We were met at the airport by Pista and Eva, and their ex-son-in-law Tamas. We settled into our flat, and had a quiet rest of the day. We were staying in a flat in the centre of the city. Now when I say the centre of the city, it is unlike the city centres of Australian cities. There are no high rise office buildings, but many apartments buildings, shops, and offices. It is a real mix.
I guess I don't need to tell you everything we did, as I would take up a great deal of space!! I will give you my impressions of Budapest. Even though I had never been there, I did feel a connection to it. My mum is Hungarian, but left there as a child of nine. I have been brought up with the Hungarian language around me, but I cannot speak it. Mum cooks Hungarian food, which I miss a great deal over here! I loved meeting my relatives, who are all gorgeous. It is certainly a different life over there, much more stressful. I think it has to do with the low wages, which would cause a great deal of stress with me that's for sure!
We did a little bit of sight seeing when we were there. It was really just a taster trip for me. As I know I will be back. So it was nice to be able to get a feel for the country with a native speaker in tow! We ventured 2 hours out of Budapest on the train to where mum was born. The town in called Bekescaba, and it would really be just another town to me, had I not gone there with mum. She was able to point out certain things she remembered from her childhood there.
I initially spent 5 days there with mum and dad. That was what I could fit in around work etc, but plans changed slightly. My grandfather's first cousin was in Budapest at the same time we were, which was fantastic. So, in honour of his being there, a family reunion was organised for the weekend after I left to go back to London. So, Scott and I flew back for a few days. I am so happy I went back. There were about 40 people at the reunion, which was held at a small function centre. I am quite familiar with the family tree, but to actually meet the people whose names appear on the tree is quite something else. I found it a little overwhelming to begin with, but I had a lovely time. I had written a form for everyone to fill in, so I can update the details on my family history database. From the info I collected, I will be able to send everyone a new family tree, so everyone knows where they fit in.
Family's are funny. You certainly cannot choose who you are related to, but I am very happy that I am related to the people I met in Budapest.
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Still here...
Hello out there!!
This is a quick post to let you know that I have not forgotten you all. I wanted to share a funny link with those of you who have not given up on me!!
http://www.uffclub.com/dloads/london_underground.swf
There are some rude words in there so be warned!! But it is a very funny song about the London Underground.
I will be updating tomorrow with a long long update on what I have been up to in the last two weeks or so. So stay tuned!!
This is a quick post to let you know that I have not forgotten you all. I wanted to share a funny link with those of you who have not given up on me!!
http://www.uffclub.com/dloads/london_underground.swf
There are some rude words in there so be warned!! But it is a very funny song about the London Underground.
I will be updating tomorrow with a long long update on what I have been up to in the last two weeks or so. So stay tuned!!
Friday, May 06, 2005
Long time no post
Hello!
I have not had internet access where Scott and I have been working the last four days. We were working in the same office as I did not have a job for this week and his work place said they would have me. The place is in utter shambles. I liked being in the same office as Scott, but I don't think I want to work there again!
We are enjoying our new house, and getting along well with our flatmates. We apparently even scored a nice tv today from our land lady. She loves us. :-) She sent us a text message suggesting a drink too. And we are all planning a barbeque at her house for a few weekends away. Excellent.
I am looking forward to tomorrow, and the next month or so. I fly to Hungary on Tuesday, and I am very excited about meeting my relatives in Hungary. I am also looking forward to the cuisine. I miss my mum's cooking. Ah well, the trials of being away from home, right?
My cousin had a daughter last week. So congratulations to Tegan and her daughter Kyla.
Keep well everyone!
I have not had internet access where Scott and I have been working the last four days. We were working in the same office as I did not have a job for this week and his work place said they would have me. The place is in utter shambles. I liked being in the same office as Scott, but I don't think I want to work there again!
We are enjoying our new house, and getting along well with our flatmates. We apparently even scored a nice tv today from our land lady. She loves us. :-) She sent us a text message suggesting a drink too. And we are all planning a barbeque at her house for a few weekends away. Excellent.
I am looking forward to tomorrow, and the next month or so. I fly to Hungary on Tuesday, and I am very excited about meeting my relatives in Hungary. I am also looking forward to the cuisine. I miss my mum's cooking. Ah well, the trials of being away from home, right?
My cousin had a daughter last week. So congratulations to Tegan and her daughter Kyla.
Keep well everyone!
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Change of plans
I am doing one days work tomorrow in Vauxhall, helping with a mailout. So yes, no rest for me then! Actually, I would rather be working. I still get a long weekend, regardless!
The interview
I had a date with the Queen on Monday. I thought I better clarify this point before you thing I am going crazy.
On Monday afternoon, I had an interview for the position of Warden, for when Buckingham Palace opens to the public when Her Majesty is away at Balmoral. It was a group interview, and I hope I did ok. It was really daunting, and I was so nervous. But I tried not to show it, when we had to stand up in front of 15 people and answer questions about who we were, why we wanted the job etc. Then we had to get measured for our uniforms, so if we got the job they would be waiting for us. And had an individual interview. So daunting. I just want to know the outcome though! A problem I have, is that they want to see my original university degree certificates. These are currently in frames on my bedroom wall.
So there you have it.
On Monday afternoon, I had an interview for the position of Warden, for when Buckingham Palace opens to the public when Her Majesty is away at Balmoral. It was a group interview, and I hope I did ok. It was really daunting, and I was so nervous. But I tried not to show it, when we had to stand up in front of 15 people and answer questions about who we were, why we wanted the job etc. Then we had to get measured for our uniforms, so if we got the job they would be waiting for us. And had an individual interview. So daunting. I just want to know the outcome though! A problem I have, is that they want to see my original university degree certificates. These are currently in frames on my bedroom wall.
So there you have it.
Last day of the working week
Well, seeing as though I am working only 4 days here, I have a four day weekend! It is a Bank Holiday, which is the UK equivalent of a public holiday. It is just a pity I am not getting paid for it!
Tonight Scott and I are going out to dinner to a Mexican restaurant with his work collegues. Someone is leaving apparently, so we have been invited. Lovely. I am glad that Scott brought the menu home last week though, as I had to pick something dairy free. I have decided it is not great for me to eat dairy. In normal quantities anyway. What I mean is, I won't be having cheese in sandwiches etc, but if I have something that might contain milk, it's ok. I think it's just the quantity that makes the difference to me. I feel better for it already. I have been doing it for a week now. :-)
Tomorow I am a free woman. What to do, what to do. Hmmm. I think I shall sleep in a little, and explore the area we moved to a little more. And some shopping maybe.
Saturday we are off to the Family History Fair, being run by the Society of Genealogists. Should be interesting!
Sunday - who knows!
Monday - who knows!
Excellent.
Tonight Scott and I are going out to dinner to a Mexican restaurant with his work collegues. Someone is leaving apparently, so we have been invited. Lovely. I am glad that Scott brought the menu home last week though, as I had to pick something dairy free. I have decided it is not great for me to eat dairy. In normal quantities anyway. What I mean is, I won't be having cheese in sandwiches etc, but if I have something that might contain milk, it's ok. I think it's just the quantity that makes the difference to me. I feel better for it already. I have been doing it for a week now. :-)
Tomorow I am a free woman. What to do, what to do. Hmmm. I think I shall sleep in a little, and explore the area we moved to a little more. And some shopping maybe.
Saturday we are off to the Family History Fair, being run by the Society of Genealogists. Should be interesting!
Sunday - who knows!
Monday - who knows!
Excellent.
Monday, April 25, 2005
New house etc
Hello there!
I am currently sitting in a new desk in a new job. Admittedly it is only for four days, but it is a great change from doing the same thing every day for the last two months! I am working for a betting arbitration office. Basically people ring up if they have a complaint about a bookie or agency or whatever. I am answering the phones and sending out correspondence. And getting paid a little more than I did at CIPFA (I can say the company name now that I am not working there anymore!). It stands for the Chartered Insitute of Public Finance and Accountancy.
I have my date with the Queen this arvo. I am really nervous. My stomach has been churning since I woke up this morning, and is probably the reason I did not sleep all that well last night either.
We moved into our new place yesterday. We managed to squeeze all our stuff in one car, and made only one trip which was great. Trip took all of 12 minutes, which included the driver slowing down for every speed bump so that the bottom of the car would not scrape along the road!! But we arrived in one piece, with nothing broken, or fallen out the windows of the car! We had help getting everything up the two flights of stairs to the flat. We dumped our stuff, and found the place in mayhem with everyone there, including the landlord and her dog! We signed our lives away on the contract etc, handed over a cheque for a lot of money (deposit and one months rent) and breathed a sigh of relief. We did a little unpacking, and then at about 1.30pm we all went out for lunch. Landlady included! It was fun, sitting around chatting and laughing with people. We then did a little bit of a pub crawl, trying out two pubs. One, called The Green, has a great seating area out the front. A little expensive on the drinks side of things, but we could sit outside! Amazing. :-) Then it was off to the next pub, not as nice, but they had a pool table. Played a couple of games, once Laurie beat the guy already playing. So then the table was ours. Played a couple of games of doubles. Then it was home to new flat for dinner. Well, we got Chinese take away on the way home. We checked out the Down Under Centre too, which is an internet cafe and they sell Aussie food. Expensive, but nice to know if I really need a packet of Tim Tams I can get them (even though they cost the equivalent of about $6 Australian!!!).
I am happy in this house. We have a nice room (with a brand new bed), the people are easy to talk to, and we have a huge park as our back yard!! And there are more Aussies in the area too.
So there you go.
I am currently sitting in a new desk in a new job. Admittedly it is only for four days, but it is a great change from doing the same thing every day for the last two months! I am working for a betting arbitration office. Basically people ring up if they have a complaint about a bookie or agency or whatever. I am answering the phones and sending out correspondence. And getting paid a little more than I did at CIPFA (I can say the company name now that I am not working there anymore!). It stands for the Chartered Insitute of Public Finance and Accountancy.
I have my date with the Queen this arvo. I am really nervous. My stomach has been churning since I woke up this morning, and is probably the reason I did not sleep all that well last night either.
We moved into our new place yesterday. We managed to squeeze all our stuff in one car, and made only one trip which was great. Trip took all of 12 minutes, which included the driver slowing down for every speed bump so that the bottom of the car would not scrape along the road!! But we arrived in one piece, with nothing broken, or fallen out the windows of the car! We had help getting everything up the two flights of stairs to the flat. We dumped our stuff, and found the place in mayhem with everyone there, including the landlord and her dog! We signed our lives away on the contract etc, handed over a cheque for a lot of money (deposit and one months rent) and breathed a sigh of relief. We did a little unpacking, and then at about 1.30pm we all went out for lunch. Landlady included! It was fun, sitting around chatting and laughing with people. We then did a little bit of a pub crawl, trying out two pubs. One, called The Green, has a great seating area out the front. A little expensive on the drinks side of things, but we could sit outside! Amazing. :-) Then it was off to the next pub, not as nice, but they had a pool table. Played a couple of games, once Laurie beat the guy already playing. So then the table was ours. Played a couple of games of doubles. Then it was home to new flat for dinner. Well, we got Chinese take away on the way home. We checked out the Down Under Centre too, which is an internet cafe and they sell Aussie food. Expensive, but nice to know if I really need a packet of Tim Tams I can get them (even though they cost the equivalent of about $6 Australian!!!).
I am happy in this house. We have a nice room (with a brand new bed), the people are easy to talk to, and we have a huge park as our back yard!! And there are more Aussies in the area too.
So there you go.
Saturday, April 23, 2005
New house, new job
Hello!
So yes, as the title says, we are moving house - tomorrow morning! We have a cab booked, should cost about £18, so not too bad really. I can't remember what I have already written about the new place, but we will be sharing with another couple, and a single guy. I am looking forward to the move. The landlord's agent, the complete git, has managed to turn the process of us leaving, into a long drawn out process, with another one of our house mates involved. He has decided the seeing as though he is going on holidays tomorrow, and therefore cannot be there to sign the paperwork etc, he will get Nat to pick up the deposit cheque from him instead of him coming over. She apparently is not to give this to us until tomorrow when we leave. What are we going to do with the cheque? Cash it on a Saturday night? Hello? Grrrrrrrr......
Anyway, on a lighter note, I did a one day course today. Twas fab! It was called "The Archaeology of Islands". As the name suggests, it looked at islands in both the physical sense, as well as the ideological sense. There were 5 speakers, and they each outlined a case study froma different part of the world. There was Easter Island and the colonisation of the Pacific Ocean. Ireland and the artifical islands created in lakes and rivers, islands in Lake Victoria in Africa, And island off the coast of Scotland, and Cuba. I really enjoyed being back in a learning environment. I miss using my brain!! Sad but true. I will keep my eye out for more courses like these I think. Keep my brain active!
To the last bit of packing I think, then to bed! Toodles!
So yes, as the title says, we are moving house - tomorrow morning! We have a cab booked, should cost about £18, so not too bad really. I can't remember what I have already written about the new place, but we will be sharing with another couple, and a single guy. I am looking forward to the move. The landlord's agent, the complete git, has managed to turn the process of us leaving, into a long drawn out process, with another one of our house mates involved. He has decided the seeing as though he is going on holidays tomorrow, and therefore cannot be there to sign the paperwork etc, he will get Nat to pick up the deposit cheque from him instead of him coming over. She apparently is not to give this to us until tomorrow when we leave. What are we going to do with the cheque? Cash it on a Saturday night? Hello? Grrrrrrrr......
Anyway, on a lighter note, I did a one day course today. Twas fab! It was called "The Archaeology of Islands". As the name suggests, it looked at islands in both the physical sense, as well as the ideological sense. There were 5 speakers, and they each outlined a case study froma different part of the world. There was Easter Island and the colonisation of the Pacific Ocean. Ireland and the artifical islands created in lakes and rivers, islands in Lake Victoria in Africa, And island off the coast of Scotland, and Cuba. I really enjoyed being back in a learning environment. I miss using my brain!! Sad but true. I will keep my eye out for more courses like these I think. Keep my brain active!
To the last bit of packing I think, then to bed! Toodles!
Friday, April 22, 2005
Friday!
Whoo hoo!!
We have a new place to live in. We are moving in on Sunday morning. It is a flat, and we will be charing with another Aussie couple and an English guy. A very large park is our backyard, and it is not too far from transport etc.
Another whoo hoo is for leaving this place. It is my last day at this particular assignment, and I am not sorry to be going. I have another job for next week, which is great. I will be breathing a large sigh of relief when I no longer have to hear these two girls talk to themselves etc.
And I have a date with the Queen on Monday afternoon.
:-)
We have a new place to live in. We are moving in on Sunday morning. It is a flat, and we will be charing with another Aussie couple and an English guy. A very large park is our backyard, and it is not too far from transport etc.
Another whoo hoo is for leaving this place. It is my last day at this particular assignment, and I am not sorry to be going. I have another job for next week, which is great. I will be breathing a large sigh of relief when I no longer have to hear these two girls talk to themselves etc.
And I have a date with the Queen on Monday afternoon.
:-)
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Tuesday, nothing exciting
We are looking at a flat tonight. Hopefully it will be a good one. It is within our budget, just barely, so keep your fingers crossed it is ok!! It fits the other pre-requisites too.
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