I am not going to break my tradition of not talking about work, but suffice to say, the whole department’s been made redundant. Jobs are being scouted for us internally at the moment, but obviously with no promises. If we are not adopted by another department in the next few months, I would be taking voluntary redundancy, which will provide me with two months tax free salary.

Now, as the newest member of the department, I am now also the cheapest to get rid of. This also means that I have the least experience in what we do, which will prove unattractive for hiring managers having my whole team to choose for. They have years of experience in this field over me, who have less than a year. I am suprisingly taking this quite well, due to the fact that bacon had done the maths and is convinced that we can survive on his salary alone irregardless what happens to me. This will mean no more holidays or indiscriminate shopping for me, but at least we have shelter, food and wheels. Phew. Thank goodness bacon did not listen to me and took on his current job which comes with a huge pay rise over the last.

I am working from home today as I’ve sprained my ankle yesterday running for the bus. Ahh.. the dedication of the redundant staff…I was at work from 7am yesterday and only left just before 5pm. And this is the thanks that we get. Yes, I am ok with the whole thing, but that doesn’t mean that I am not bitter!!

So now it’s back to the painful experience of jobhunting. I am looking internally as well as externally..no way do I trust the HR people to ’skills match’ me. At least I am being proactive over it.Hey, the first person (after bacon) that I spoke to about this was my recruiter! Hahahah! Obviously they have their own interest (commission) at heart, but she got me this job which I really enjoyed, so I am hoping that she would be able to do the same again. But with the economy in such turnmoil, I think my best bet is still looking internally and hopefully someone will feel sorry enough for me to take me on. And oh, of course there is all my numerous hidden talents…I can give massages, make soaps, take photographs, make jewelry, cook up a storm….oh, the list goes on…

Self praise is indeed praise when there is no one to appreciate you!

On the brighter side, I am awaiting the arrival of smellyjoel’s little brother…he’s due this weekend:). Magges, remember to push harder ok.Lets hope for an easy labour…and remember…don’t try to be too brave ar, if you need help in pain relief, TAKE IT! Yeah, I am totally useless in pain threshold

…and it really does!

Got back into work today after sending the folks off at the airport, and there’s a really, really serious and bad drama going on. I need to sleep on it now, and will probably blog more about it soon. Im supposed to blog about my trip to London, Wales, Edinburgh and Dublin this week - at the look of things I will be spending all my time updating my cv and chasing after job leads.

So I am back on the jobhunt train, this time officially.

I beg for your patience. Please bear with me if I am not answering emails and comments - I promise I will get around to it slowly.

Yes, still here. Before Skipps call the Interpol on me

Most of the relatives have left yesterday - now it’s only the parents left. In the space of two weeks, they have been to:

Edinburgh
Keswick
Corbridge
Amsterdam
London
York
Scarborough
Harrogate
Manchester

It’s been absolute madness living in a house with 10 people. Looking back, it’s quite alot of ground to cover in a space of 13 days. I think there’s been a good selection of all things good and bad . The rain, for one. It rained for most of the time they were here, don’t think they had ever had so much use out of an umbrella! The ease at how well plants grow here is another, with them snapping pictures at all sort of weed. Hilarious. Not to mention the strange liking they had developed for el cheapo shops selling tops at £3. Anything below £5 is doomed expensive. Hmm.

Strangely enough, they managed to buy pairs of shoes as well. My aunt set the record with the purchase of a total of 4 shoes in the short 13 days she was here. It’s so bizzare, as me and bacon wait until we are back in Malaysia before purchasing any shoes! I guess you can find cheap shoes here if you wait until they are out of season - I think they all went into the timberland outlet shop and got matching shoes! This was after the last six months of moaning and groaning that stuff in the UK are 7 times more expensive and that they were not going to purchase anything whatsoever. Bollox to that - I think they’re carrying between them about 15kgs of Marks & Spencers biscuits and cookies to Malaysia.

And now all’s left is Wales & Ireland! Off to Snowdonia in Wales tomorrow, and then Dublin on Monday. Seeing that I’m off work all next week, this should give me some time to upload pictures! Breathe in, breathe out.

A selection of pictures from my birthday dinner - no idea what they are as I can’t see it on flickr! Yes, I am bringing photologging to a brand new dimension. Nothing naughty though :). Taken with my new macro lense.

Just a quick word of warning; my tour group’s arriving today so there will be no regular updates in the next week or so. We’re off to Edinburgh tomorrow, and then London next weekend. They’re off to Amsterdam sometime middle of next week as well; giving us some respite in this craziness. Wish me luck…we were cleaning the house yesterday and it wasn’t until it was 10pm that we realized we haven’t eaten dinner.

So everything’s on hold at the moment, not to mention I’m crazy busy at work.AAARGH.

You know it’s the sales season again when I get a new bag!!! WOO!! I am so excited that I am going out to shop again after this to buy more stuff

This year the summer sales is even more significant as

1) Urban Outfitters has finally landed in Leeds. With their hefty price tag, a sale is always a good thing! I am so so in love, its criminal.
2) They stock Lesportsac as well!!!
3) Of the tokidoki fame

OMG OMG OMG OMG. I am so muthaexcited!

Sportsac have ended their tokidoki line though, but I have fallen in love with their bag due to their durability and cute repetitive designs…I love repetitive designs, somehow its like making a bag out of wrapping paper.

Now I’m a proud owner of the Erika Arbor. I initially thoguht this might be an old out of date bag, as the UK is usually trailing behind the US and not to mention this one was 50% off at £29.99. But according to the website, this is apparently a new shape and design! I’m chuffed. The 50% off makes it the same price as in the US as well, which is great as nearly EVERYTHING here is double the price of the US and I feel cheated.

Ta-Da!