blogmas – Page 4 – Lessons I learned after I turned 30

Blogmas day 15- Christmas jumper day

Happy Christmas Jumper Day!

I get a new Christmas jumper every year for the last 3-4 years. I just love them. I want my children and grandchildren if I ever have any to have a collection of mum’s and granny’s Christmas jumpers.

Today was a good day. It was fun, we had a laugh admiring each other’s Christmas jumpers and we had lots of chocolate and other festive treats.

It was lovely to see my old colleague Jo who dropped in with her adorable three year old. She smiled at me and gave me a hug as soon as she saw me. I don’t know why, but I get along with babies and children much better than adults!

Now it’s time to get ready for our last Solent Christmas party. All my favourites except my dear Andi will be there, I love you Andi! it’s bound to be a good night.

I’m leaving you with my favourite jumpers of the day, Mike’s Stranger Things (my favourite out of all I’ve seen today) and A101’s jingling office elves (although Rob looks more like a thug, Rob the Robber). I hope we raised a decent amount of money for Save the Children.

Eleni

Blogmas day 14- The first Christmas meal

It’s not 5 o’ clock yet and I’m home, snuggled on my sofa. There’s so much to do and I will get on with it but for now I’m enjoying this precious time. I’m never at home that early, unless I’m off sick or I have other obligations.

The morning was over in a flash. I finished a piece of work I urgently needed to for a meeting tomorrow and I spent the rest of the time laughing with colleagues, smiles and cuddles with the gorgeous little Chloe, the happiest baby I’ve ever met, I love it every time she visits, and then it was time for our team Christmas meal. The last time we all had a Christmas meal together before the new AS structure kicks in next year.

Some people were shaken, others baffled and worried. I care about my colleagues but I’m sure everything will be OK. I have no strong feelings. I really don’t. I’m hoping, fingers and toes crossed that everything will go to plan and I’d be doing something different, much more exciting in 6 months time.

Back to our lunch, the first Christmas meal for 2017. The lovely Leanne organised a Christmas Lunch at All Bar One, at the Watermark complex. They had the most interesting menu compared to the other options and we were offered free Prosecco, I was excited about it.

I’ve never eaten at All Bar One before, I usually go there for a drink as I prefer a restaurant, ideally local/independent when it comes to dining. But I love the interior design especially the bright orange sofas and the service is always good when it comes to drinks.

It wasn’t today. I’m not sure if it’s because they only had one waiter (it wasn’t that busy) but it took them two and a half hours to serve a pre-ordered three course meal. And it wasn’t that good unfortunately.

The starter, mushrooms on bruschetta tasted as if they came out of a tin and they were cold, were they supposed to be served cold?

The main was OK. The turkey and the veg were nice, nothing mind blowing and I have the sneaky suspicion the roast potatoes and yorkshire pudding were pre-made. The cranberry sauce looked like poo and it was definitely not freshly prepared.

The best dish was Ajay’s cheesecake. It was tasty and the secret layer of chocolate was a pleasant surprise but it was a little bit too sweet for my liking. Warm cream would have made it better.

We could have had better food for the amount of money we paid but it wasn’t all about the food today. I loved spending time with Emily, Suze, Matt, Suzanne, Sati and the rest of the gang, sharing Christmas and other funny stories and having a laugh.

Now it’s time for some girly things, tidying up and rest before Christmas Jumper day and the Christmas party tomorrow night. I cannot wait for our Christmas do, forget about all my worries and drink and dance the night away with some of my favourite people.

Thank you to all the lovely people who are reading my blog, it always makes my day when I bump into someone who is following my posts and tell me all about it.

Eleni

Blogmas Day 13- Are we there yet?

Is it Christmas yet?

I don’t know about you, but I’m already exhausted. All I want to do is to stay in bed all day, wrapped up in my duvet. I can’t do that until the weekend. If I get the time.

The Christmas gifts have all but one arrived and wrapped, everything is sorted for the work Christmas do and at the weekend I’ll be prepping my luggage for my Christmas home adventure.

All I need to do now is get through this week until next Thursday and I’ll be finally home so I can forget all about my favourite people leaving soon, my flat move and all the worries, organising and packing that comes with it-if anyone wants to help I won’t say no- and a million other thoughts on my mind keeping me up at night.

It’s going to be a short one today because I need to rest and unwind with my guitar and some yoga.

A big big thank you to everyone who prepared and dropped their care packages in A101 over the last couple of days and thank you to the lovely Molly who collected them in the afternoon. They will be given out to the homeless at the food bank this coming Monday.

I look forward to our team lunch and half day off tomorrow. I hope Ajay’s infamous cheesecake lives up to our expectations!

Namaste

Eleni

Blogmas day 12- Share the love

My dad always worried about money.

Not because he had any ambitions to get filthy rich, live in a mansion or have luxury holidays. But he always went above and beyond so we can have a comfortable life and not miss out on anything.

He had two jobs since I remember. He worked hard to provide for his sisters and his mum after his dad left them when he was just a teenager. Then he fell in love with my mum and although they both worked for years he always had two jobs. For us.

We never lived in a fancy house or drove expensive cars but we never felt poor or underprivileged. When we sometimes struggled my dad felt bad because we ‘don’t have enough money’, ‘we are poor’ and I always used to say ‘we are not poor dad. Our fridge is always full, we have nice clothes and shoes, books, a car, a phone, a TV’. I’ll never forget the smile on his face every time. He felt our love and gratefulness.

We always had each other, we always had love and we always appreciated what we had.

Today I put together my care package for the homeless. These people know the real meaning of poverty, they go through it day in day out. I can’t even comprehend how incredibly hard must be to live on the street, in the freezing cold, with no food or shelter.

I hope nobody had to experience it. But these people do. And I might do one day. It’s not that uncommon for someone to lose their job, their only source of income with no savings or anyone to support them. I can end up on the street, you can too.

If you can afford to spend a fiver or a tenner and buy some essentials, or donate some of what you have at home, put them in a box and bring them to A101 by tomorrow afternoon, or contact me or the lovely Molly who is collecting the packages to drop them to one of the food banks across Southampton. You can even drop your package to one of the local Sainsbury’s. Details here.

Of course we shouldn’t just help at Christmas. But since everyone is more generous at Christmas, why not grab the opportunity?

Namaste

Eleni

Blogmas day 11- Decision day.

I struggled to decide how to start this post. Ironic given the theme of today’s Blogmas.

The big news today: I handed in my notice for my flat. I’m officially moving into a shared flat with my friendly and already super helpful flatmate. If all goes well.

As soon as I messaged my landlord I started panicking. What if something goes wrong and I end up with nowhere to live? But once again he has been incredibly lovely and replied by saying if anything goes wrong I’m welcome to stay here. I really hope he doesn’t turn bad. I have had landlords that tried to get all my deposit using silly excuses although they’ve been great and lovely throughout the tenancy. I hope he is not that kind of person.

Although it’s scary, I am excited to be moving. Fresh start, more money saving and I’ll have much more space. I’ve already came up with things I want to do at the new place I couldn’t do here like having plants. I can’t wait.

At lunchtime I went for a flat viewing, this time not for myself but for my fellow Cypriot who is moving to Southampton next month. I think we found the one! It is so much easier to make decisions and way clearer on what the best options are when it comes to others. When personal feelings, emotions and thoughts don’t rudely interfere with common sense it all becomes crystal clear.

On a different note, today I received my first Christmas cards. That means we are getting closer and closer to Christmas!

Although Blogmas consumes a lot of my free time and is more like a personal journal rather than Christmas related posts, it’s been amazing so far. Sitting down at the end of the day and reflecting has been deeply therapeutic. I sometimes forget that others are actually reading this.

Thank you to everyone who’s been following my first Blogmas attempt.

Today I’ll leave you with a beautiful tune by Kira Grannis. Magical vocals and the lyrics hit home.

Namaste

Eleni

Blogmas day 10- Once there was a way to get back homeward…

Sunday evening already. The weekend gone in the blink of an eye.

I’m exhausted. Mentally and physically. But all worth it.

It’s been a great two days.

Last night was amazing. I haven’t laughed so much in a long long time. From Agnes the cuddly loving surprise guest dog, Geraldine’s ‘Polar Espresso’, Jaba’s 45 second effort to come up with a single word to Cyprus modern history and Russian politics conversations.

I consider myself lucky to have such beautiful, fun, caring humans as friends. Oh and Chris loved his gift. How could he not! Thank you Chris for a lovely evening, definitely one to remember.

Today, at 12pm the gorgeous, sweet Dan walked in the middle of John Lewis in Southampton, holding his shopping bag and a Moz cuddly toy and started singing Elbow’s cover of Golden Slumbers, the soundtrack of the John Lewis advert. And 150 of SingForce and SingNow singers joined in.

I got goosebumps all over my body, I almost cried whilst singing. I can’t wait to share some footage when is out. To see so many of my colleagues and old friends from SingNow come together to sing such a beautiful song was just wonderful. Cuddles and catch ups afterwards made my day. My heart melt.

After a cup of tea with my favourite it was time for another viewing.

This time it went brilliant. It’s not in the best area but the flat and the room itself were stunning. And I’ll have the bathroom just for myself. I doubt I can find somewhere that nice. The potential new flatmate was great. Nice, polite, honest, open, happy to share his Peruvian coffee although he just met me.

It’s incredibly hard for me to make any decision and I know if I don’t push myself I’ll end up stuck again so I decided to go for it! What’s the worst it can happen.

Change will always be scary but unbelievably exciting.

Shout out to my best friend again for coming along with me. I don’t want to think how much I’ll miss you, I really don’t.

It’s been overwhelmingly emotional today.

Here’s to the last full week of work before Christmas. It may not be easy but it will definitely end well with our annual Solent staff Christmas bash. It will be my last one and I have a feeling it will be the best so far!

Namaste

Eleni

Blogmas Day 9- The gift of giving

It’s almost five o’clock and it’s already dark.

I don’t know where the day went.

I woke up early for a Saturday. After a cuppa, I cleaned up the flat, I wrapped most of the Christmas gifts and Skyped the family (whilst wearing my new heels for the Christmas party next Friday so they don’t hurt as much on the day, they look ridiculous with my pjs on, but they are gorgeous!) as today is my little sis nameday. I cannot wait to spend Christmas with my favourite people in the whole wide world.

I love gifts. I love the expressions on others’ faces when they open them and I’ve decided long time ago to go for sentimental, meaningful presents.

Speaking of gifts my colleagues and I are putting together care packages for the homeless and gathering all of them at the office for collection or if not possible a lovely colleague offered to give me a lift to the nearest church. If you work at Solent, or even if you don’t and you want to prepare one, you can drop it at mine’s or at the University and I’ll add it to the rest. Already 10 of us is doing it, the more we can get the merrier.

I want to include a hot drinks/food voucher in my box, but I’d prefer it if it was from a local coffeeshop and I’ve already messaged a couple but if you know any they offer vouchers I can buy, let me know!

My legs still ache and I haven’t managed to do any Yoga since Tuesday. I feel terrible. I let Blogmas, PT sessions, social obligations and the cold to win. But I’m back on it tomorrow.

Now time for quick dinner before I get to Chris’s first ever (since I’ve known him) housewarming do!!!! For those who know Chris, this is a big deal. This is the event we’ll be waiting for, for years.

I don’t know if him promising me £8,000 if he doesn’t have a housewarming do before Christmas on a night out a while ago, had anything to do with it, but either way I’m excited.

And I can’t wait for all to see what I got him for his new home. It’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever purchased. I’ll share a photo tomorrow, I don’t want to spoil it in case he reads this beforehand.

Tomorrow I’ll be taking part in something superbly exciting, I can’t say what yet, and then on to meet my potential new flatmate.

I’ll tell you all about it on Blogmas Day 10. We are getting closer!

Namaste

Eleni

Blogmas Day 8- Thank God is Friday

I can’t even describe how happy I am that Friday has finally arrived.

It’s been a long, uneventful day. Other than some crumpets that mysteriously disappeared from the toaster…

At lunchtime I met my lovely new friend Charlie for a cuppa and a chat. It’s pretty amazing when you make new friends you get along from day one.

Oh if you are wondering how my first viewing went last night…

It was alright. Sort of.

The flat looked great on paper (online). Professional photos with stylish furniture, 2-bed flat so only one person to share the communal areas with, it seemed clean and well maintained and it’s on Northlands road, one of my favourite areas in town.

I asked Shebz to come along. I felt a bit nervous and I didn’t know what to ask and what to pay attention to.

As soon as I walked in, I introduced myself but the owner never revealed his name. At any point. Weird right? Apparently a friend put the ad on Spareroom for him… the whole thing seemed bizarre.

The flat looked nice. But not as nice as the pictures. The pictures were taken off the sale ad a year ago. The furniture and decoration belonged to the previous guy.

The owner was OK. He asked weird questions but I guess he was overwhelmed by the random questions and quirkiness of people viewing his flat over the last month or so. I don’t know how I came across!

I can’t say much more, as I respect his privacy. We had a good chat though and if we end up living together it won’t be that bad.

I’m going for another viewing in the next couple of days. 2-bed flat again, a guy flatmate again, but in a different area, close to Ocean Village, closer to work than any place I’ve ever lived. After my first viewing yesterday I feel more confident, although I still don’t know how to decide which stranger I’d want to live with. It will always be a gamble.

It might not be a big deal for others, but it is for me. I never lived with complete strangers, it’s exciting but scary!

Anyway, I’m now sat on my sofa, having my Friday pizza and after that I’m doing some Christmas gift wrapping as I was so incredibly tired yesterday after I went home so I didn’t do any. My flat is a mess to say the least, full of boxes and packets.

Here’s to the weekend.

Namaste

Eleni

Blogmas day 7- Wind and Rain. And Christmas shopping

Today didn’t start very well.

Disrupted sleep, bizarre dreams. And I couldn’t get out of bed in the morning. My legs ached. A lot.

But I gathered up all my strength, got ready and got out of the flat. It was windy and it rained pretty badly but I snuggled up to my shawl, crawled down the stairs and opened up my already half broken umbrella.

It did nothing. The wind was so strong the umbrella completely broke on my way to work, my hair was ruined and looked as if I came out of a 60s movie all day and my already battered legs got soaking wet.

Not a good start. Fortunately at lunchtime the rain stopped so I made my final Christmas shopping purchases i.e. wrapping paper, gift tags and Christmas cards and a new umbrella!

On my way home I normally walk through Bedford Place, living in the area and all and I expected it to be busy with all the festivities planned but it was pretty quiet. The only Christmas related event was three lovely ladies dressed up as elves giving out free sports massage vouchers. Not sure if I missed it….

I’m about to go to my first viewing now. I’m feeling a little nervous. I don’t know what to ask, what to observe since I’ve never done this before. How do you decide if you want to live with a complete stranger assuming he would want to live with me? It will be an interesting experience either way.

After that is time for some Christmas gift wrapping.

Here’s to Friday! I’m already exhausted but I can’t wait for the weekend. It’s going to be an awesome one.

Namaste

Eleni

Blogmas day 6- Legs and decs

I’m currently sitting on my sofa, legs stretched out. I can barely feel them, but I can definitely feel the pain when I have to climb even the smallest step. I’m sure strangers on the street noticed my funny walk on the way home as I couldn’t bend my knees. I had a laugh looking at the expression on their faces.

I just came home after my PT session. On Monday after all the fun, cheese and mulled cider I couldn’t possibly exercise afterwards. Well I could, but I would have probably thrown up. I’m glad I re-scheduled it for today! I was tempted to re-arrange again because I had an unbelievable amount of chocolate the last two days that made me feel really heavy and sleepy after the sugar rush and I got sore throat but I knew I shouldn’t.

It was a tough session but I’m proud of myself for making it until the end. I can’t believe I managed to push 59 kg with my legs, that’s heavier than myself!!! Apparently some have already dropped out, but I’m determined not to. Fingers crossed. Sam is such a great trainer, he pushes me when he has to but he swiftly moves to another exercise when I struggle. Having the gym to ourselves with my own music on makes such a difference!

At lunchtime I got some desk Christmas decs. The miniature Christmas tree looks perfect next to my miniature Elsa (I still love Kinder eggs, hence all the random toys on my desk).

Sheba managed to find two advent calendars for herself and me yesterday and I’m really happy we can keep our annual tradition going, even for the last time!

I spent a lot of time on Spareroom over the last couple of days. It’s unbelievably difficult to make a decision but going for my first viewing tomorrow…

But first… I can’t wait for the Christmas Spectacular at Bedford Place.

Now time for dinner, rest and music. Today I’ve discovered this beauty that hit home, Forgotten How to Fly by Clay. I fall in love with music over and over every single day… I’ll leave you with that.

Namaste

Eleni