Its gone all white at the farm!! Am I in line to have my first white Christmas??

When the swine flu first kicked off in May, someone that I worked with (well, to get technical, he interviewed me for my current job) were heading off to Mexico for a three week backpacking holiday. Obviously we were all slightly concerned at work that he’ll be laid up in some rural hospital somewhere in Mexico..seeing that at that time not much was known about the swine flu and WHO was still trying to contain it ect ect.

Three weeks passed, and in early June he was back at work, completely unharmed and being his usual happy self. He even mentioned that he was gutted that he wasn’t quarantined, which would have meant two weeks extra hols on house arrest.He had a great time in Mexico and was totally oblivious to the swine flu pandemic panic that swept the world.

Fast forward two months later, he’s actually quarantined at home with swine flu. Caught in the UK. There is just no running away from fate sometimes

One of the joys of travelling on business is the freedom of eating out. Or rather, non-freedom. Company expense policies stays the same for years on end, whilst the price of food keeps increasing. Remember my sad piece of chicken for dinner at Ireland?

I wised up this time around. As I managed to negotiate a bargin for the hotel, I got prior agreement for an increase in food allowance – food at The Old Swan is fairly expensive. A three course meal sets you back by £26 – a sole main course costs £15.90. As I arriced fairly late the first day, decided to pop into the Old Swan for the three course meal…

Thai fish cake starter. Not bad, loved the sweet chilli sauce which tasted home made. Fish cake were slightly like fried fish ball.

My starter of slow roasted leg of lamb. Seriously not bad and quite tasty. Comes with a side of delicious veggies – including cheesy potatoes. Like the redcurrant deco, I actually ate it with the lamb.

Dessert of rich chocolate torte. Very rich, yummy and suprisingly smooth and light.

Seeing that I was going to be there for three nights ,thought I should do one night of room service. Having decided on a delish burger, reception rang me back saying that they only had chorizo…basically offering me a spanish sausage in a burger bun. So I went for the fish & chips instead – my other choice was pasta of the day or chicken curry. I really fancied a tomato & basil salad, so had that as well, with a diet coke to wash down.

Total damage was £17.50. Suprisingly, I enjoyed everything except the actual fish. I even liked the fluoroscent green mushy peas…which I don’t usually enjoy.

…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.

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!