je suis Esquimaudehttp://penguin.blog.co.uk/pour que je puisse raler san cesse.....en-AUhourly82000-01-01T12:00+00:00je suis Esquimaudehttp://penguin.blog.co.uk/http://data5.blog.de/design/preview/69/a07c18e667c3c45a5cabbf2f82f274_160x200.jpgMazzaville Blueshttp://penguin.blog.co.uk/2007/11/11/mazzaville_blues~3277278/2007-11-11T00:04:47+01:00 <p>Moved back into my old flat yesterday. It has given me the freedom I've craved since moving back with my parents but at the same time, it takes me back to when DK first left for the UK. My mind is filled with the great sadness and pain I had felt back then even though I know that we are still together. </p> <p>Waking up alone in the flat, going to all the shops we used to go to, having my Sunday ritual hash browns for breakfast takes me right back to all those years ago where I used to spend hours crying and not knowing where my life was going. Needless to say, I am not sure how healthy this is. Maybe I just need time to settle in again. </p> <p>Another question is why I feel so sad to be back home. I am no longer cold, I have friends to talk to and to see yet I don't feel right. I'm finding my life back here extremely stressful and as a consequence I am not looking after myself very well. I have gone back to my routine of getting drunk in order to sleep at night, looking around to see if I could perhaps bring someone home so that I don't wake up alone. </p> <p>Maybe I need to see a shrink.......</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2007/11/11/mazzaville_blues~3277278/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>Moved back into my old flat yesterday. It has given me the freedom I've craved since moving back with my parents but at the same time, it takes me back to when DK first left for the UK. My mind is filled with the great sadness and pain I had felt back then even though I know that we are still together.

Waking up alone in the flat, going to all the shops we used to go to, having my Sunday ritual hash browns for breakfast takes me right back to all those years ago where I used to spend hours crying and not knowing where my life was going. Needless to say, I am not sure how healthy this is. Maybe I just need time to settle in again.

Another question is why I feel so sad to be back home. I am no longer cold, I have friends to talk to and to see yet I don't feel right. I'm finding my life back here extremely stressful and as a consequence I am not looking after myself very well. I have gone back to my routine of getting drunk in order to sleep at night, looking around to see if I could perhaps bring someone home so that I don't wake up alone.

Maybe I need to see a shrink.......

Comments

]]>Why is this so?http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2007/11/03/why_is_this_so~3239163/2007-11-03T13:15:50+01:00 <p>Why is it that you always end up getting text messages from people you don't really want to hear from but never hear back from the one person you actually want to hear from?????<br> How annoying! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2007/11/03/why_is_this_so~3239163/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>Why is it that you always end up getting text messages from people you don't really want to hear from but never hear back from the one person you actually want to hear from?????
How annoying!

Comments

]]>Random thoughtshttp://penguin.blog.co.uk/2007/11/03/random_thoughts~3237572/2007-11-03T01:27:46+01:00 <p>Back in Sydney for three months. A long story as to why I'm home for so long away from DK. I'm staying positive about it despite my visa worries.</p> <p>It's raining over here and for some reason I don't find it as depressing as the frequent rain in Scotland. Rain over here has a calming affect, where everything seems so peaceful and at ease with nature. I don't grumble and wish for the sun, I look out the window with a hint of melancholy. </p> <p>I'm yet to decide on how I feel about being home. Before I left the UK I knew that I wasn't ready to come home, I felt as though I hadn't achieved enough and worried that I may have romanticised home too much and my "paradise" would be shattered brutally by reality.</p> <p>Sydney is a funny place. When you are away, you miss it desperately. You miss the weather, the cafes, the local hangouts but the moment you get back, you realise the sun is way too strong, the local hangouts are filled with the same old people and changing in a direction which you don't like. After a week or so, you are itching to get away again. All of a sudden, the wind and the continous rain in Scotland don't seem too bad, the lack of friends and never leaving the house seem ideal and the incomprehensible Scots, amiable. </p> <p>I wonder if I no longer have a "home", a sense of belonging. I have struggled with my identity for so long and had wished that by travelling I'd find myself, and for a while, I was sure I had found myself and that Sydney was my home. Now I am not too sure...</p> <p>Maybe this is what everyone feels when they return from travelling. Maybe home is supposed to be a fickle place; a place with which you have a love-hate relationship.</p> <p>I never thought I'd say this but I do really miss Edinburgh, and wish I was back in my tiny flat with DK with a few froggers and a few cans of beer, watching QI, waking up the next day, complaining of the cold, having breakfast at the Roseleaf, then listening to football on the radio and ending the day by watching Match of the Day on BBC 1.....</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2007/11/03/random_thoughts~3237572/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>Back in Sydney for three months. A long story as to why I'm home for so long away from DK. I'm staying positive about it despite my visa worries.

It's raining over here and for some reason I don't find it as depressing as the frequent rain in Scotland. Rain over here has a calming affect, where everything seems so peaceful and at ease with nature. I don't grumble and wish for the sun, I look out the window with a hint of melancholy.

I'm yet to decide on how I feel about being home. Before I left the UK I knew that I wasn't ready to come home, I felt as though I hadn't achieved enough and worried that I may have romanticised home too much and my "paradise" would be shattered brutally by reality.

Sydney is a funny place. When you are away, you miss it desperately. You miss the weather, the cafes, the local hangouts but the moment you get back, you realise the sun is way too strong, the local hangouts are filled with the same old people and changing in a direction which you don't like. After a week or so, you are itching to get away again. All of a sudden, the wind and the continous rain in Scotland don't seem too bad, the lack of friends and never leaving the house seem ideal and the incomprehensible Scots, amiable.

I wonder if I no longer have a "home", a sense of belonging. I have struggled with my identity for so long and had wished that by travelling I'd find myself, and for a while, I was sure I had found myself and that Sydney was my home. Now I am not too sure...

Maybe this is what everyone feels when they return from travelling. Maybe home is supposed to be a fickle place; a place with which you have a love-hate relationship.

I never thought I'd say this but I do really miss Edinburgh, and wish I was back in my tiny flat with DK with a few froggers and a few cans of beer, watching QI, waking up the next day, complaining of the cold, having breakfast at the Roseleaf, then listening to football on the radio and ending the day by watching Match of the Day on BBC 1.....

Comments

]]>Paris.........http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2007/01/14/paris~1554352/2007-01-14T18:30:45+01:00 <p>Puupy Dog(PD),a student of mine from Edinburgh, invited me to come and stay with him and his friend in Paris. At first, I wasn't sure whether to accept the invitation but after much discussion about my past experiences of visiting students and reassurance from PD, I decided to take the risk and go. Besides, it soundsd much better than being alone and miserable in dreary Glasgow.</p> <p>I arrived in Paris with much trepidation. I was thinking that my stay was too long and I would end up having an awful time. I began to feel really stressed and panicked. Luckily, I was mistaken.</p> <p>After dropping off our bags at Zen man's flat, we went and had dinner at a wee restaurant and had a few drinks at the bar. By the time we got back to the flat, the long day(I had left Glasgow at 330am) had taken its toll and after a few more drinks I was out in a flash. </p> <p>Although I have visted Paris many times, I have never done all the trashy touristy things like walk up the Eiffel Tower, go on the Bateau Mouche along the Seine, hop on the red bus taking endless photos of the Parisian landscape. So before I left, I had a list of things I wanted to do and see in Paris and I figured the most logical place to start would be by going to the Eiffel tower first. </p> <p>On my way, I found myself hypnotised by Paris and ended up wondering around for hours instead. By the time I finally reached my destination , it was time for me to go and meet A, a friend from Sydney who happened to be in Paris at the same time. I am just such a crap tourist!</p> <p>Met up with A and we were taken on a walking tour by a friend of his. Once again, Paris overwhelmed me and I was beginning to relax. My time with A was short but sweet. It's always good to catch up with friends even if it's only for a couple of hours.</p> <p>That evening another friend of PD, Curly Wurly,joined us at the flat. Puppy Dog cooked for us and we sat around drinking wine and talking about this and that. This was also when I realised how rusty my French was! It was so frustrating to realise how much I had forgotten and how difficult it was to express myself. I could also hear that my accent had slipped quite considerably.(note to self<img src="/img/smilies/icon_razz.gif" alt=":p" class="middle" border="0">ractise french!)</p> <p>It was my second last day in France and we were going to stay with Puppy's friends in the countryside about an hour away from Paris. We all hopped on a train and went along and once again, I was welcomed with open arms and felt comfortable. So much so I decided to change my ticket and stay longer.(Unheard of!, I'm always itching to get back!)</p> <p>The next night, all his friends came over for dinner and after consuming copious amounts of cheese and wine, I became more confident with my French and stayed up all night chatting away in Franglish. </p> <p>If there's anyone out there who still believes in the streotype, "the Fros are arrogant", I can assure you, they're one of the most friendly bunch I have ever met in my life. They welcomed a stranger (i.e.me) into their homes and made me feel so comfortable I felt like I had known them my whole life. New friends were made and I feel confident that I would remain friends with them, especially the three musketeers, Puppy Dog, Zen Man and Curly Wurly.</p> <p>We came back to Paris on Saturday and I spent the weekend chilling out with Curly. When it was time for me to leave, I didn't want to leave.(Besides, I hadn't actually done anything on the list!!!!) But all good things must come to an end and with much regret I left Paris once more, promising myself I'd return very soon with my list.</p> <p>I thank them all from the bottome of my heart for an unforgettable week. I was actually happy for the first time in a while and it has made me want to get my act together and try to get a job over there. </p> <p>A bientot Paris!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2007/01/14/paris~1554352/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>Puupy Dog(PD),a student of mine from Edinburgh, invited me to come and stay with him and his friend in Paris. At first, I wasn't sure whether to accept the invitation but after much discussion about my past experiences of visiting students and reassurance from PD, I decided to take the risk and go. Besides, it soundsd much better than being alone and miserable in dreary Glasgow.

I arrived in Paris with much trepidation. I was thinking that my stay was too long and I would end up having an awful time. I began to feel really stressed and panicked. Luckily, I was mistaken.

After dropping off our bags at Zen man's flat, we went and had dinner at a wee restaurant and had a few drinks at the bar. By the time we got back to the flat, the long day(I had left Glasgow at 330am) had taken its toll and after a few more drinks I was out in a flash.

Although I have visted Paris many times, I have never done all the trashy touristy things like walk up the Eiffel Tower, go on the Bateau Mouche along the Seine, hop on the red bus taking endless photos of the Parisian landscape. So before I left, I had a list of things I wanted to do and see in Paris and I figured the most logical place to start would be by going to the Eiffel tower first.

On my way, I found myself hypnotised by Paris and ended up wondering around for hours instead. By the time I finally reached my destination , it was time for me to go and meet A, a friend from Sydney who happened to be in Paris at the same time. I am just such a crap tourist!

Met up with A and we were taken on a walking tour by a friend of his. Once again, Paris overwhelmed me and I was beginning to relax. My time with A was short but sweet. It's always good to catch up with friends even if it's only for a couple of hours.

That evening another friend of PD, Curly Wurly,joined us at the flat. Puppy Dog cooked for us and we sat around drinking wine and talking about this and that. This was also when I realised how rusty my French was! It was so frustrating to realise how much I had forgotten and how difficult it was to express myself. I could also hear that my accent had slipped quite considerably.(note to self:practise french!)

It was my second last day in France and we were going to stay with Puppy's friends in the countryside about an hour away from Paris. We all hopped on a train and went along and once again, I was welcomed with open arms and felt comfortable. So much so I decided to change my ticket and stay longer.(Unheard of!, I'm always itching to get back!)

The next night, all his friends came over for dinner and after consuming copious amounts of cheese and wine, I became more confident with my French and stayed up all night chatting away in Franglish.

If there's anyone out there who still believes in the streotype, "the Fros are arrogant", I can assure you, they're one of the most friendly bunch I have ever met in my life. They welcomed a stranger (i.e.me) into their homes and made me feel so comfortable I felt like I had known them my whole life. New friends were made and I feel confident that I would remain friends with them, especially the three musketeers, Puppy Dog, Zen Man and Curly Wurly.

We came back to Paris on Saturday and I spent the weekend chilling out with Curly. When it was time for me to leave, I didn't want to leave.(Besides, I hadn't actually done anything on the list!!!!) But all good things must come to an end and with much regret I left Paris once more, promising myself I'd return very soon with my list.

I thank them all from the bottome of my heart for an unforgettable week. I was actually happy for the first time in a while and it has made me want to get my act together and try to get a job over there.

A bientot Paris!

Comments

]]>Confusionhttp://penguin.blog.co.uk/2007/01/13/confusion~1551660/2007-01-13T23:41:02+01:00 <p>I am confused about everything in my life.</p> <p>How does one find answers? </p> <p>I've spent the whole day around people yet I feel isolated and lonely. what else must I do?</p> <p>I want some answers damn it. I'm sick and tired of being lost...... where is my life going? What have I got to live for?<br> MY mother blames me fpor my fahter's affair, I am with a man who doesn't love me, I don't have a promising future. I feel like a complete failure and I wish I could dig a hole and hide for the rest of my life.</p> <p> Bloody hell, my depression is back.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2007/01/13/confusion~1551660/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>I am confused about everything in my life.

How does one find answers?

I've spent the whole day around people yet I feel isolated and lonely. what else must I do?

I want some answers damn it. I'm sick and tired of being lost...... where is my life going? What have I got to live for?
MY mother blames me fpor my fahter's affair, I am with a man who doesn't love me, I don't have a promising future. I feel like a complete failure and I wish I could dig a hole and hide for the rest of my life.

Bloody hell, my depression is back.

Comments

]]>A wish....http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2007/01/13/a_wish~1549460/2007-01-13T13:43:28+01:00 <p><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/353/1096353_836c7daa91_s.jpeg" alt="IMG_4137" hspace="5" vspace="5"><br>I want my hair to be that colour!!!!! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2007/01/13/a_wish~1549460/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>IMG_4137
I want my hair to be that colour!!!!!

Comments

]]>NYE 2006http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2007/01/13/nye~1549424/2007-01-13T13:29:57+01:00 <p>NYE was a complete non-event. </p> <p>I woke up to an absolutely miserable day, with winds up to 70m/h!  And trust me, I'm not exaggerating.Celelbrations in Glasgow, Edinburgh were cancelled and the best option was to stay inside. </p> <p>I ended up  welcoming the new year with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. To my surprise, spending NYE alone watching two dead people on Iggy the laptop, with a bottle of red and an endless supply of fags hanging off my mouth, wasn't too bad. It was very tranquille and gave me an opportunity to contemplate life!(It really wasn't as depressing as I may have made it sound! I promise!!!) </p> <p>I woke up the next day feeling fine, not even hungover. I don't remember the last time I woke up on Ney Year's Day feeling so dandy and in fact, I don't remember the lat time I had a decent amount of sleep on NYE. </p> <p>Although I did enjoy my solitude, I probably wouldn't want to do it again.</p> <p>I'm not sure what to expect of 2007, I think it will be another year filled with uncertainty but hopefully, I'll find some answers......</p> <p>xxoo</p> <p> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2007/01/13/nye~1549424/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>NYE was a complete non-event.

I woke up to an absolutely miserable day, with winds up to 70m/h!  And trust me, I'm not exaggerating.Celelbrations in Glasgow, Edinburgh were cancelled and the best option was to stay inside.

I ended up  welcoming the new year with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. To my surprise, spending NYE alone watching two dead people on Iggy the laptop, with a bottle of red and an endless supply of fags hanging off my mouth, wasn't too bad. It was very tranquille and gave me an opportunity to contemplate life!(It really wasn't as depressing as I may have made it sound! I promise!!!)

I woke up the next day feeling fine, not even hungover. I don't remember the last time I woke up on Ney Year's Day feeling so dandy and in fact, I don't remember the lat time I had a decent amount of sleep on NYE.

Although I did enjoy my solitude, I probably wouldn't want to do it again.

I'm not sure what to expect of 2007, I think it will be another year filled with uncertainty but hopefully, I'll find some answers......

xxoo

Comments

]]>Christmas 2006http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2007/01/13/christmas~1549363/2007-01-13T13:12:39+01:00 <p>DK was leaving for Sydney on Christmas day, so we went down to London together on Christmas eve. In hindisght, it was pointless because my flight back to Glasgow was before his flight and I was only there for nine hours.(Ahh things we do for our partners)<br>We got in to London early evening, looked around forgetting that eating after 8 in the UK is nearly impossible. We did manage to find a Thai restaurant in the end and went to the pub and I got up at three to leave for my good friend, Stansted Airport.(How I'll miss Stansted when I levae the UK!)</p> <p>Back at Glasgow, the weather was like the year before, foggy,cold, homicidal. I  was picked up by  Dr.J and her husband  with whom I was to spend Christmas. Dr.J is one of my private students from Poland and who has also been a wonderful friend to me.</p> <p>Once at hers, we had a Polish breakfast consisting of pickeled herrings,ham and more pickled herrings. Not the best for someone who just got off the plane with only three hours of sleep.....</p> <p>I don't mind spending Christmas with friends, in fact, I don't remember the last time I spent it with my family but it was awkward to be there. I still haven't figured out her husband  and I am never quite too sure how to communicate with him. And even though we are friends, because of our different circumstances, it is hard to have a continuous conversation for hours and hours.</p> <p>A few hours later, lunch followed sans alcohol and Christmas without a stiff drink is not so easy. <br>Afterwards, we watched "collision", an ok film but not the cheeriest in the world. I was sitting there wondering how long I'd have to stay there before it was polite for me to leave, when I was told that there were other guest coming and that I should stay to see the baby.(AHHHH!)</p> <p>I finally left around 7, came home, got my dose of Zach Braff for the night and drank some wine and went to bed.</p> <p>Excitement plus! </p> <p> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2007/01/13/christmas~1549363/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>DK was leaving for Sydney on Christmas day, so we went down to London together on Christmas eve. In hindisght, it was pointless because my flight back to Glasgow was before his flight and I was only there for nine hours.(Ahh things we do for our partners)
We got in to London early evening, looked around forgetting that eating after 8 in the UK is nearly impossible. We did manage to find a Thai restaurant in the end and went to the pub and I got up at three to leave for my good friend, Stansted Airport.(How I'll miss Stansted when I levae the UK!)

Back at Glasgow, the weather was like the year before, foggy,cold, homicidal. I  was picked up by  Dr.J and her husband  with whom I was to spend Christmas. Dr.J is one of my private students from Poland and who has also been a wonderful friend to me.

Once at hers, we had a Polish breakfast consisting of pickeled herrings,ham and more pickled herrings. Not the best for someone who just got off the plane with only three hours of sleep.....

I don't mind spending Christmas with friends, in fact, I don't remember the last time I spent it with my family but it was awkward to be there. I still haven't figured out her husband  and I am never quite too sure how to communicate with him. And even though we are friends, because of our different circumstances, it is hard to have a continuous conversation for hours and hours.

A few hours later, lunch followed sans alcohol and Christmas without a stiff drink is not so easy.
Afterwards, we watched "collision", an ok film but not the cheeriest in the world. I was sitting there wondering how long I'd have to stay there before it was polite for me to leave, when I was told that there were other guest coming and that I should stay to see the baby.(AHHHH!)

I finally left around 7, came home, got my dose of Zach Braff for the night and drank some wine and went to bed.

Excitement plus!

Comments

]]>Comme D'habitude(As usual)http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2007/01/13/comme_d_habitude_as_usual~1549231/2007-01-13T12:40:45+01:00 <p>While I was in France, I was told that the ubiquitous "My Way" was originally a French song by a chap called Claude Francois. <br>This led me to do some research and I found the original lyrics and blimey, it's a tres sad song......<br>And since I am feeling rather sad for myself, here are the original words with a rough/dodgy/literal translation just in case you want to read it youself.(you may have noticed from my other entries that I write badly and hence has affected this translation as well) (http://www.lexilogos.com/claude_francois_my_way.htm)___##0##___If any of you out there can help me with my questionable phrases marked (?), that'd be tops too.</p> <p>Comme d'habitude/As usual</p> <p>Je me lève/I get up<br>Et je te bouscule/I wake you<br>Tu n'te réveilles pas/but you don'y get up<br>Comme d'habitude/as usual</p> <p>Sur toi/<br>Je remonte le drap/I pull the covers over you<br>J'ai peur que tu aies froid/I'm worried you are cold<br>Comme d'habitude/as usual</p> <p>Ma main/my hand<br>Caresse tes cheveux/caresses your hair<br>Presque malgré moi/(?)<br>Comme d'habitude/as usual</p> <p>Mais toi/but you<br>Tu me tournes le dos/you turn your back to me<br>Comme d'habitude/as usual</p> <p>Alors/so<br>Je m'habille très vite/I get dreesed quickly<br>Je sors de la chambre/I leave the room<br>Comme d'habitude/as usual</p> <p>Tout seul/all alone<br>Je bois mon café/I drink my coffee<br>Je suis en retard/I'm running late<br>Comme d'habitude/As usual</p> <p>Sans bruit/Silently<br>Je quitte la maison/I leave the house<br>Tout est gris dehors/It's grey outside<br>Comme d'habitude/As usual</p> <p>J'ai froid/I'm cold<br>Je relève mon col/I raise my collar<br>Comme d'habitude/AS usual</p> <p>Comme d'habitude/As usual<br>Toute la journée/all day<br>Je vais jouer/I will pretend<br>A faire semblant/to be together(?)<br>Comme d'habitude/As usual<br>Je vais sourire/I'll smile<br>Comme d'habitude/As usual<br>Je vais même rire/I will even laugh<br>Comme d'habitude/As usual<br>Enfin je vais vivre/In short, I will live<br>Comme d'habitude</p> <p>Et puis/and then<br>Le jour s'en ira/the day will pass<br>Moi je reviendrai/Me, I'll come back<br>Comme d'habitude</p> <p>Toi/You<br>Tu seras sortie/you will be out<br>Pas encore rentrée/not back yet<br>Comme d'habitude</p> <p>Tout seul/all alone<br>J'irai me coucher/I'll go to sleep<br>Dans ce grand lit froid/in the big cold bed<br>Comme d'habitude</p> <p>Mes larmes/my tears<br>Je les cacherai/I will hide them<br>Comme d'habitude</p> <p>Mais comme d'habitude/But as usual<br>Même la nuit/even at night<br>Je vais jouer/I will pretend<br>A faire semblant/to be together<br>Comme d'habitude<br>Tu rentreras/you will return<br>Comme d'habitude<br>Je t'attendrai/I will wait for you<br>Comme d'habitude<br>Tu me souriras/you will smile at me<br>Comme d'habitude</p> <p>Comme d'habitude<br>Tu te déshabilleras/you will get undressed<br>Oui comme d'habitude/yes, as usual<br>Tu te coucheras/you will sleep<br>Oui comme d'habitude<br>On s'embrassera/we will kiss<br>Comme d'habitude</p> <p>Comme d'habitude<br>On fera semblant/we'll pretend to be together(?)<br>Comme d'habitude<br>On fera l'amour/we'll make love<br>Oui comme d'habitude<br>On fera semblant/we'll pretend to be together(?)<br>Comme d'habitude </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2007/01/13/comme_d_habitude_as_usual~1549231/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>While I was in France, I was told that the ubiquitous "My Way" was originally a French song by a chap called Claude Francois.
This led me to do some research and I found the original lyrics and blimey, it's a tres sad song......
And since I am feeling rather sad for myself, here are the original words with a rough/dodgy/literal translation just in case you want to read it youself.(you may have noticed from my other entries that I write badly and hence has affected this translation as well) (http://www.lexilogos.com/claude_francois_my_way.htm)___##0##___If any of you out there can help me with my questionable phrases marked (?), that'd be tops too.

Comme d'habitude/As usual

Je me lève/I get up
Et je te bouscule/I wake you
Tu n'te réveilles pas/but you don'y get up
Comme d'habitude/as usual

Sur toi/
Je remonte le drap/I pull the covers over you
J'ai peur que tu aies froid/I'm worried you are cold
Comme d'habitude/as usual

Ma main/my hand
Caresse tes cheveux/caresses your hair
Presque malgré moi/(?)
Comme d'habitude/as usual

Mais toi/but you
Tu me tournes le dos/you turn your back to me
Comme d'habitude/as usual

Alors/so
Je m'habille très vite/I get dreesed quickly
Je sors de la chambre/I leave the room
Comme d'habitude/as usual

Tout seul/all alone
Je bois mon café/I drink my coffee
Je suis en retard/I'm running late
Comme d'habitude/As usual

Sans bruit/Silently
Je quitte la maison/I leave the house
Tout est gris dehors/It's grey outside
Comme d'habitude/As usual

J'ai froid/I'm cold
Je relève mon col/I raise my collar
Comme d'habitude/AS usual

Comme d'habitude/As usual
Toute la journée/all day
Je vais jouer/I will pretend
A faire semblant/to be together(?)
Comme d'habitude/As usual
Je vais sourire/I'll smile
Comme d'habitude/As usual
Je vais même rire/I will even laugh
Comme d'habitude/As usual
Enfin je vais vivre/In short, I will live
Comme d'habitude

Et puis/and then
Le jour s'en ira/the day will pass
Moi je reviendrai/Me, I'll come back
Comme d'habitude

Toi/You
Tu seras sortie/you will be out
Pas encore rentrée/not back yet
Comme d'habitude

Tout seul/all alone
J'irai me coucher/I'll go to sleep
Dans ce grand lit froid/in the big cold bed
Comme d'habitude

Mes larmes/my tears
Je les cacherai/I will hide them
Comme d'habitude

Mais comme d'habitude/But as usual
Même la nuit/even at night
Je vais jouer/I will pretend
A faire semblant/to be together
Comme d'habitude
Tu rentreras/you will return
Comme d'habitude
Je t'attendrai/I will wait for you
Comme d'habitude
Tu me souriras/you will smile at me
Comme d'habitude

Comme d'habitude
Tu te déshabilleras/you will get undressed
Oui comme d'habitude/yes, as usual
Tu te coucheras/you will sleep
Oui comme d'habitude
On s'embrassera/we will kiss
Comme d'habitude

Comme d'habitude
On fera semblant/we'll pretend to be together(?)
Comme d'habitude
On fera l'amour/we'll make love
Oui comme d'habitude
On fera semblant/we'll pretend to be together(?)
Comme d'habitude

Comments

]]>A final warning.http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2007/01/10/a_final_warning~1538063/2007-01-10T17:00:30+01:00 <p>When I was in Sydney in December for my whirlwind holiday, a few people mentioned that I have picked up a pommie accent. I know that this isn't offensive in any way whatsoever, but I do find it annoying, mainly because I don't think it's a topic of conversation or even small talk (like my glasses or my hair colour) and partly because I seriously don't believe I have an English accent.</p> <p>So imagine my horror today when I received an email from an old friend of mine who was writing to thank me for calling her yesterday. (I haven't spoken to her in over two years and I had left her a very short message to say hi.) She innocently wrote , "It was  very funny to hear your "British English accent" !!!! hahaha, you've become English yeah? "</p> <p><strong> AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</strong><img src="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/tinymce/jss/plugins/blogdeemotions/smilies/grayupset.gif" border="0" alt=""><img src="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/tinymce/jss/plugins/blogdeemotions/smilies/09evil.gif" border="0" alt=""><img src="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/tinymce/jss/plugins/blogdeemotions/smilies/graybigeek.gif" border="0" alt=""></p> <p>My dear friends, please stop telling me that I have magically acquired an English accent.No one in the UK seems to think so and I've had it with people telling me this useless piece of inaccurate information.</p> <p>The next time I hear this, I may have to kill someone.</p> <p>You have been warned. <img src="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/tinymce/jss/plugins/blogdeemotions/smilies/icon_cheeze.gif" border="0" alt=""></p> <p>p.s. yes I know that I'm making a big deal out of nothing and I am being overly sensitive for no reason but you know how it is...........</p> <p> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2007/01/10/a_final_warning~1538063/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>When I was in Sydney in December for my whirlwind holiday, a few people mentioned that I have picked up a pommie accent. I know that this isn't offensive in any way whatsoever, but I do find it annoying, mainly because I don't think it's a topic of conversation or even small talk (like my glasses or my hair colour) and partly because I seriously don't believe I have an English accent.

So imagine my horror today when I received an email from an old friend of mine who was writing to thank me for calling her yesterday. (I haven't spoken to her in over two years and I had left her a very short message to say hi.) She innocently wrote , "It was  very funny to hear your "British English accent" !!!! hahaha, you've become English yeah? "

 AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My dear friends, please stop telling me that I have magically acquired an English accent.No one in the UK seems to think so and I've had it with people telling me this useless piece of inaccurate information.

The next time I hear this, I may have to kill someone.

You have been warned.

p.s. yes I know that I'm making a big deal out of nothing and I am being overly sensitive for no reason but you know how it is...........

Comments

]]>New Year's Resolutionshttp://penguin.blog.co.uk/2007/01/09/new_year_s_resolutions~1535345/2007-01-09T22:11:47+01:00 <p>Bloody hell, I haven't written in this for over six months! Being lazy gets me no where.<br>Well, I thought I might start my first entry by writing down a list of things I'd like to achieve this year, though knowing me, it'll never stick. I don't actually believe in resolutions but you know I like to be clichee. Can't help myself......</p> <p>THINGS TO DO IN 2007<br>-blog more often and keep it updated<br>-drink less<br>-be more enthusiastic about work and be a good teacher(whatever that means)<br>-enjoy life more<br>-go on a summer holiday!!!!!!</p> <p>Not much really.....</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2007/01/09/new_year_s_resolutions~1535345/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>Bloody hell, I haven't written in this for over six months! Being lazy gets me no where.
Well, I thought I might start my first entry by writing down a list of things I'd like to achieve this year, though knowing me, it'll never stick. I don't actually believe in resolutions but you know I like to be clichee. Can't help myself......

THINGS TO DO IN 2007
-blog more often and keep it updated
-drink less
-be more enthusiastic about work and be a good teacher(whatever that means)
-enjoy life more
-go on a summer holiday!!!!!!

Not much really.....

Comments

]]>time for a changehttp://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/06/18/time_for_a_change~891608/2006-06-18T18:06:27+02:00 <p>I do not like the person I have become, and it is time to do some soul searching. I have been hurting too many people and if I don't do anything, I will end up losing the plot.(I may already have lost the plot)<br> Going home is not the answer, I want to get away for a while, find out what life means. I need to do something rewarding, I'm sick of all the materialistic bullshit and the nature of the industry I work in. I want to go somewhere where my presence is no longer about helping a private company grow but where I see my job improving people's lives. It's time to make changes, it's time to face reality.<br> I am going to find a volunteer position and get my life sorted.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/06/18/time_for_a_change~891608/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>I do not like the person I have become, and it is time to do some soul searching. I have been hurting too many people and if I don't do anything, I will end up losing the plot.(I may already have lost the plot)
Going home is not the answer, I want to get away for a while, find out what life means. I need to do something rewarding, I'm sick of all the materialistic bullshit and the nature of the industry I work in. I want to go somewhere where my presence is no longer about helping a private company grow but where I see my job improving people's lives. It's time to make changes, it's time to face reality.
I am going to find a volunteer position and get my life sorted.

Comments

]]>Do you ever?http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/06/14/do_you_ever~881201/2006-06-14T22:46:05+02:00 <p>Do you ever feel like a complete failure? You can no longer do anything right, everything you touch, it turns into shit. Do you ever feel this?<br> I'm going through one of those right now.<br> I have no career, no savings, my present job is shit, I'm depressed and my relationship is falling apart. What am I to do? Normally, I'd come up with a plan. but this time, I can't.<br> I thought I could leave him but I can't bring myself to do it, the thought of not having in my life is too much to take at the moment. But I know that it's all for a lost cause. things will never change, he will never feel the same way, I will eventually drive him away.<br> I'm too fucked to write any more</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/06/14/do_you_ever~881201/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>Do you ever feel like a complete failure? You can no longer do anything right, everything you touch, it turns into shit. Do you ever feel this?
I'm going through one of those right now.
I have no career, no savings, my present job is shit, I'm depressed and my relationship is falling apart. What am I to do? Normally, I'd come up with a plan. but this time, I can't.
I thought I could leave him but I can't bring myself to do it, the thought of not having in my life is too much to take at the moment. But I know that it's all for a lost cause. things will never change, he will never feel the same way, I will eventually drive him away.
I'm too fucked to write any more

Comments

]]>The world cup magichttp://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/06/12/the_world_cup_magic~874663/2006-06-12T20:48:18+02:00 <p>I'm not normally very patriotic. I am very fond of my Country and it is where I will always go back to but there are certain things(like our Government) which make me angry etc about it, like everyone else non? The only time I show my patrotism is during international sporting events, especially if I am not at home during this event.<br> For example, I decided not to stay in Sydney for the Olympics, mainly because the tickets were so cheap and because I didn't see it as a big deal. However, when the Olympics started, I stayed up watching it on TV in France, cheering on the atheletes and praising Australia for a job well done.(This would not have happened if I had been there)<br> This time, it's the world cup. For the first time in 32years, Australia have qualified and there are many hot players to drool at(from other countries,I've yet to discover a hot Socceroo). I only ever watched football with DK and since he has gone to Germany on his 'once in a lifetime' trip, I thought the hype wouldn't catch on.<br> I am not sure if it's because I have no friends or if it's because I'm in the UK but it has caught on. I've been watching matches on TV, and I must confess, I've been enjoying them thoroughly. So, when I found out that today was Australia's opening match, I had to watch it. I cancelled my appointment at two and stayed on at the school. There's a huge screen and the TV had to be set up for a social function and since I had another class to teach at 6, I decided to stay on at work and watch it there.<br> I was very stupid.....My school isn't very well organised, and there wasn't an aerial for the TV. After a frantic search I found an aerial socket on the wall so I got some petty cash ran to the nearest shop and ran back with the correct coaxal with ten minutes to spare before kick off. I plugged everything in and turned on the tv. NADA. Nada nada nada. There was no aerial on the roof of the bloody building!AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!<br> It was too late to go home and I couldn't really go to the pub so I listened to the radio for a bit and in desperate attempt, I tried to connect rabbit ears to the coaxl and then swing it around near the window, the picture improved and you could make out what was going on. Next thing you know, I had become the statue of liberty. After the first half, my arms were very tired, and I decided not to watch it. Later on, I decided to watch the last ten minutes of the match. Assuming my statue position once again, I watched the socceroos score two goals in the last five minutes of the match. It really was a fantastic feeling. I felt proud to be Australian.<br> I don't think I will ever be this patriotic again, well, I don't think I will jump for joy with an aerial in my hand again.<br> Bring it on!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/06/12/the_world_cup_magic~874663/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>I'm not normally very patriotic. I am very fond of my Country and it is where I will always go back to but there are certain things(like our Government) which make me angry etc about it, like everyone else non? The only time I show my patrotism is during international sporting events, especially if I am not at home during this event.
For example, I decided not to stay in Sydney for the Olympics, mainly because the tickets were so cheap and because I didn't see it as a big deal. However, when the Olympics started, I stayed up watching it on TV in France, cheering on the atheletes and praising Australia for a job well done.(This would not have happened if I had been there)
This time, it's the world cup. For the first time in 32years, Australia have qualified and there are many hot players to drool at(from other countries,I've yet to discover a hot Socceroo). I only ever watched football with DK and since he has gone to Germany on his 'once in a lifetime' trip, I thought the hype wouldn't catch on.
I am not sure if it's because I have no friends or if it's because I'm in the UK but it has caught on. I've been watching matches on TV, and I must confess, I've been enjoying them thoroughly. So, when I found out that today was Australia's opening match, I had to watch it. I cancelled my appointment at two and stayed on at the school. There's a huge screen and the TV had to be set up for a social function and since I had another class to teach at 6, I decided to stay on at work and watch it there.
I was very stupid.....My school isn't very well organised, and there wasn't an aerial for the TV. After a frantic search I found an aerial socket on the wall so I got some petty cash ran to the nearest shop and ran back with the correct coaxal with ten minutes to spare before kick off. I plugged everything in and turned on the tv. NADA. Nada nada nada. There was no aerial on the roof of the bloody building!AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
It was too late to go home and I couldn't really go to the pub so I listened to the radio for a bit and in desperate attempt, I tried to connect rabbit ears to the coaxl and then swing it around near the window, the picture improved and you could make out what was going on. Next thing you know, I had become the statue of liberty. After the first half, my arms were very tired, and I decided not to watch it. Later on, I decided to watch the last ten minutes of the match. Assuming my statue position once again, I watched the socceroos score two goals in the last five minutes of the match. It really was a fantastic feeling. I felt proud to be Australian.
I don't think I will ever be this patriotic again, well, I don't think I will jump for joy with an aerial in my hand again.
Bring it on!

Comments

]]>the gender debate:illnesshttp://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/05/08/the_gender_debate_illness~784230/2006-05-08T14:51:24+02:00 <p>All the signs were there, I should have known better and taken actions. Instead, I ignored them all and now I am sick and like most people, I like taking sickies but not because I am sick. I hate being sick. Sure, you get a day off but this doesn't mean you can do anything, you whimper around, groaning and feeling groggy, no one's idea of fun. The worst is when you are sick abroad. You feel as tough the world is against you, no one is here to look after you and when you do eventually feel better, you've got nothing to look forward to but a filthy house which you have to clean, which will probably make you sick again.<br> But I have DK you say, yes I do have DK, but I'm sure that most of you would agree that some men are rubbish at looking after people and cleaning the house and DK is one of them.<br> I don't get it with men. When they are sick, it really is like the end of the world. You have to look after them and take care of them as if they were the most fragile person on the planet. (Notice how they never have the cold but always the flu?) They moan and complain as if it were the end of the world, and quite frankly, it is bloody tiring looking after a guy with the common cold.<br> However, when the role is reversed, the favour is not returned. When a woman is sick, it is no big deal. We are pretending to be weak, we should just get over it and get on with it. Bloody bullshit I say. I think women should be pampered as much as men, when we are sick, return the favour. If this means that you have to stay home and have a sober weekend for the first time in your life, well, you bloody should. Because, otherwise, you will be sorry the next time you are sick.<br> Must rest now.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/05/08/the_gender_debate_illness~784230/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>All the signs were there, I should have known better and taken actions. Instead, I ignored them all and now I am sick and like most people, I like taking sickies but not because I am sick. I hate being sick. Sure, you get a day off but this doesn't mean you can do anything, you whimper around, groaning and feeling groggy, no one's idea of fun. The worst is when you are sick abroad. You feel as tough the world is against you, no one is here to look after you and when you do eventually feel better, you've got nothing to look forward to but a filthy house which you have to clean, which will probably make you sick again.
But I have DK you say, yes I do have DK, but I'm sure that most of you would agree that some men are rubbish at looking after people and cleaning the house and DK is one of them.
I don't get it with men. When they are sick, it really is like the end of the world. You have to look after them and take care of them as if they were the most fragile person on the planet. (Notice how they never have the cold but always the flu?) They moan and complain as if it were the end of the world, and quite frankly, it is bloody tiring looking after a guy with the common cold.
However, when the role is reversed, the favour is not returned. When a woman is sick, it is no big deal. We are pretending to be weak, we should just get over it and get on with it. Bloody bullshit I say. I think women should be pampered as much as men, when we are sick, return the favour. If this means that you have to stay home and have a sober weekend for the first time in your life, well, you bloody should. Because, otherwise, you will be sorry the next time you are sick.
Must rest now.

Comments

]]>The cat sagahttp://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/04/26/the_cat_saga~757709/2006-04-26T16:52:08+02:00 <p>There is a stray cat which visits our block of flats once in a while. DK first discovered this cat, Fatso, while I was in London, and to be honest, I thought the cat was the result of a drunken hallucination. (I have good reasons for saying this which I won't go through at the moment) </p> <p>I was wrong. A few weeks after my return to Glasgow, I saw it. As I opened the front door one gloomy Glasgow morning, the cat bolted through and invited itself in. Not knowing where it came from, or its habits, I didn't want it to stay inside, so I asked DK to let it out before he went to work. When I returned later that day, all the doors were closed in the flat and I first thought that Fatso was still inside the flat but it wasn't and the mystery wasn't solved till DK came home. </p> <p>Apparently, the cat went psycho and DK had to try many different tactics to get it out. In the end, Fatso attacked DK then left the flat. I thought that'd be the last time I see that menacing cat.</p> <p>I was wrong again. </p> <p>I had a few things to print off for my class this morning, so I got up and got ready earlier than usual. When I opened the door, I found Fatso hissing at me and in a flash, I shut the door. When told of this unwelcomed intruder, DK replied, "Whatever you do, do NOT let it in!".</p> <p>After a minute, I opened the door again and Fatso was gone. Relieved, I walked out of the flat and next thing I saw was vengeful Fatso sitting on one of the steps hissing and growling(no joke) at me. If I had just rushed out and ran down the stairs, it wouldn't have mattered but Fatso knew I wanted to get down, and it knew I was hesitating and it knew it had the power. The fuckn bastard.</p> <p>You are probably thinking that I am an idiot for being scared of a cat but you haven't met Fatso. I have never seen teeth like that on a cat, or a cat that growls like a rotweiller. It was watching my every movement, waiting to strike. I had become the mouse. I tried pleading with it, telling it that I had to go to work but it wouldn't budge. Then I though about jumping off the landing but when I dropped my bag as a test, there was a huge thump which I took as a signal not to jump.I also thought about sliding down the banister but bullshit fatso planted itself on the banister side and there was no chance of sliding down sans injury. I even tried meowing at it, trying to calm it down and that didn't work. I even considering jumping down a whole flight of stairs but realised it was better to be late to work than not turn up at all with a broken ankl. I stood there for twenty minutes trying to get down the bloody stairs. The bastard was having too much fun. Eventually, Fatso got bored and calmed down and I was 'allowed' to leave'. </p> <p>I hate animals except cats, and Fatso has the honour of being the first cat I have ever hated in my life and if the little fucker makes me late for work again and ruin all my classes, I will fuckn kill the bastard. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/04/26/the_cat_saga~757709/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>There is a stray cat which visits our block of flats once in a while. DK first discovered this cat, Fatso, while I was in London, and to be honest, I thought the cat was the result of a drunken hallucination. (I have good reasons for saying this which I won't go through at the moment)

I was wrong. A few weeks after my return to Glasgow, I saw it. As I opened the front door one gloomy Glasgow morning, the cat bolted through and invited itself in. Not knowing where it came from, or its habits, I didn't want it to stay inside, so I asked DK to let it out before he went to work. When I returned later that day, all the doors were closed in the flat and I first thought that Fatso was still inside the flat but it wasn't and the mystery wasn't solved till DK came home.

Apparently, the cat went psycho and DK had to try many different tactics to get it out. In the end, Fatso attacked DK then left the flat. I thought that'd be the last time I see that menacing cat.

I was wrong again.

I had a few things to print off for my class this morning, so I got up and got ready earlier than usual. When I opened the door, I found Fatso hissing at me and in a flash, I shut the door. When told of this unwelcomed intruder, DK replied, "Whatever you do, do NOT let it in!".

After a minute, I opened the door again and Fatso was gone. Relieved, I walked out of the flat and next thing I saw was vengeful Fatso sitting on one of the steps hissing and growling(no joke) at me. If I had just rushed out and ran down the stairs, it wouldn't have mattered but Fatso knew I wanted to get down, and it knew I was hesitating and it knew it had the power. The fuckn bastard.

You are probably thinking that I am an idiot for being scared of a cat but you haven't met Fatso. I have never seen teeth like that on a cat, or a cat that growls like a rotweiller. It was watching my every movement, waiting to strike. I had become the mouse. I tried pleading with it, telling it that I had to go to work but it wouldn't budge. Then I though about jumping off the landing but when I dropped my bag as a test, there was a huge thump which I took as a signal not to jump.I also thought about sliding down the banister but bullshit fatso planted itself on the banister side and there was no chance of sliding down sans injury. I even tried meowing at it, trying to calm it down and that didn't work. I even considering jumping down a whole flight of stairs but realised it was better to be late to work than not turn up at all with a broken ankl. I stood there for twenty minutes trying to get down the bloody stairs. The bastard was having too much fun. Eventually, Fatso got bored and calmed down and I was 'allowed' to leave'.

I hate animals except cats, and Fatso has the honour of being the first cat I have ever hated in my life and if the little fucker makes me late for work again and ruin all my classes, I will fuckn kill the bastard.

Comments

]]>Scottish Power sagahttp://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/04/25/scottish_power_saga~754997/2006-04-25T16:50:33+02:00 <p>I should have known better. It has been a while since I had a saga, and I always get nervouse when nothing goes wrong, because the longer the silence the bigger the eruption, and of course, that's what happened.</p> <p>This all stemmed from my spectacles saga, where money was withdrawn without checking first, I could transfer money from our other account. This wouldn't have been such a big deal except, I had to pay a 150quid electrcity/gas bill. Normally, this is direct debited from my account and after my glasses saga, I was not going to have that money in my account for another week or so. I realised the consequences, if I didn't do something and fast, HSBC were going to be nasty again and since I've been having a few problems with them again and I didn't want to make things worse. </p> <p>So, I came up with a plan. Luckily, I had enough left on my credit card, so I rang Scottish Power(SP) to cancel my direct debit and pay using my credit card. To their credit, the woman I spoke to was very friendly and helpful. She cancelled my direct debit and debited my credit card with the amount and when I got off the phone, I was very plesased with myself for such efficiency.(Only if I could be this efficient with money to begin with.............) </p> <p>A few days later, after a horrible day at work, I came home to two letters. One was a bill for something or rather and the other from HSBC demanding an explanation for why my account was overdrawn by 150quid and I had five days to sort it all out.</p> <p>I knew exactly why it had been overdrawn and I was furious. I could not believe they could stuff up something so simple! I was stomping around the flat, smashing things and throwing things, swearing my head off, I wanted to kill the bastard who had made the mistake and I wanted to kill everyone at HSBC for authorising a payment when there was no money to be taken out. (I know why they let it happen, this way, they can charge me a 25quid fee, the fuckn swines!)</p> <p>Eventually, I calmed down and rang SP with a smile on my face. There was no point in being rude, if I were to get what I wanted, I had to be poite. Besides, they can just reverse the payment and the money should be back in my account in no time.</p> <p>WRONG! After all that has happened to me over here, I should have known better to think that it would be as simple as that. Once again, the dude I spoke to was very helpful and promised to refund the whole amount plus the 25quid bank fee as long as I proivde them with a letter from the bank. Which was all good, but the problem was that they can't just reverse my payment, they can only send out a cheque. If you can take money out of my account, surely, you can put it back in non? I mean, who writes cheques these days? How fuckn primitive is it? When I asked him how long it would take, I was told that it would take 3-5 working days, and it takes four days for a cheque to clear. This meant that I won't be able to have money in my account for at least 7 days or so. There wasn't much else to do but wait. I thanked him and got off the phone.</p> <p>I rang HSBC, the world's most useless bank, to explain myself. The customer service rep was a fuckn joke. She couldn't help me with anything and in the end, she transferred me to this other bitchy woman who wasn't of any help either. I explained the problem and the mistake SP had made. I explained how I won't get the cheque for another 3-5days and the potential further delay due to Easter etc. OK, so being a banker, she may not have seen why I didn't have any money in my account to cover for such mistakes but the least she could have done was to listen and tell me that it is all ok. BUT NO. She wanted to know exactly when I would receive the cheque(what am I?The royal mail controller?) then wanted to know exactly how much my pay would be, which was also due to go through either before or after Easter. And the whole time, I had to be so fuckn polite! </p> <p>In the end, it all got sorted and I'm seriously considering changing banks. But the whole point was that I didn't need this drama in my life. My blood pressure is already high enough and there are plenty of others who give me the shits. I just wonder, if I will ever see efficiency here...........(well, I have, at my optician and that's why I don't regeret paying so much, sort of)</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/04/25/scottish_power_saga~754997/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>I should have known better. It has been a while since I had a saga, and I always get nervouse when nothing goes wrong, because the longer the silence the bigger the eruption, and of course, that's what happened.

This all stemmed from my spectacles saga, where money was withdrawn without checking first, I could transfer money from our other account. This wouldn't have been such a big deal except, I had to pay a 150quid electrcity/gas bill. Normally, this is direct debited from my account and after my glasses saga, I was not going to have that money in my account for another week or so. I realised the consequences, if I didn't do something and fast, HSBC were going to be nasty again and since I've been having a few problems with them again and I didn't want to make things worse.

So, I came up with a plan. Luckily, I had enough left on my credit card, so I rang Scottish Power(SP) to cancel my direct debit and pay using my credit card. To their credit, the woman I spoke to was very friendly and helpful. She cancelled my direct debit and debited my credit card with the amount and when I got off the phone, I was very plesased with myself for such efficiency.(Only if I could be this efficient with money to begin with.............)

A few days later, after a horrible day at work, I came home to two letters. One was a bill for something or rather and the other from HSBC demanding an explanation for why my account was overdrawn by 150quid and I had five days to sort it all out.

I knew exactly why it had been overdrawn and I was furious. I could not believe they could stuff up something so simple! I was stomping around the flat, smashing things and throwing things, swearing my head off, I wanted to kill the bastard who had made the mistake and I wanted to kill everyone at HSBC for authorising a payment when there was no money to be taken out. (I know why they let it happen, this way, they can charge me a 25quid fee, the fuckn swines!)

Eventually, I calmed down and rang SP with a smile on my face. There was no point in being rude, if I were to get what I wanted, I had to be poite. Besides, they can just reverse the payment and the money should be back in my account in no time.

WRONG! After all that has happened to me over here, I should have known better to think that it would be as simple as that. Once again, the dude I spoke to was very helpful and promised to refund the whole amount plus the 25quid bank fee as long as I proivde them with a letter from the bank. Which was all good, but the problem was that they can't just reverse my payment, they can only send out a cheque. If you can take money out of my account, surely, you can put it back in non? I mean, who writes cheques these days? How fuckn primitive is it? When I asked him how long it would take, I was told that it would take 3-5 working days, and it takes four days for a cheque to clear. This meant that I won't be able to have money in my account for at least 7 days or so. There wasn't much else to do but wait. I thanked him and got off the phone.

I rang HSBC, the world's most useless bank, to explain myself. The customer service rep was a fuckn joke. She couldn't help me with anything and in the end, she transferred me to this other bitchy woman who wasn't of any help either. I explained the problem and the mistake SP had made. I explained how I won't get the cheque for another 3-5days and the potential further delay due to Easter etc. OK, so being a banker, she may not have seen why I didn't have any money in my account to cover for such mistakes but the least she could have done was to listen and tell me that it is all ok. BUT NO. She wanted to know exactly when I would receive the cheque(what am I?The royal mail controller?) then wanted to know exactly how much my pay would be, which was also due to go through either before or after Easter. And the whole time, I had to be so fuckn polite!

In the end, it all got sorted and I'm seriously considering changing banks. But the whole point was that I didn't need this drama in my life. My blood pressure is already high enough and there are plenty of others who give me the shits. I just wonder, if I will ever see efficiency here...........(well, I have, at my optician and that's why I don't regeret paying so much, sort of)

Comments

]]>older and wiser?http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/04/11/older_and_wiser~719855/2006-04-11T16:12:37+02:00 <p>Ahhhh, another birthday, another year older.........<br> This birthday was not like the others, there were no boys dressed in pink tutus, no drunken tomfoolery and no tears. Instead, I got home from work, washed up, made dinner, watched university challenge and watched a bit more telly before going to bed. There was no drama and I didn't do anything special.I guess when you have no friends and no money, it happens. C'est la vie.<br> I did receive phone calls from loved ones from home and it was nice to receive e-cards and I wished I was back in Sydney celebrating with them.<br> However, not all was lost. One thing which brigtened my day was DK's present. About a month ago, DK asked what I would like for my birthday, something I will always have or remember. I told him to make something for me, a drawing or perhaps write a poem or a letter; something I can carry in my wallet. I didn't expect much, to be honest, I didn't expect anything at all. Then on Sunday night, I received a beautiful card and a piece of carboard. The cardboard had instructions written on it for a 'game'. I had to find Frogger stickers and write down its 8 slogans and for each I find, I will be rewarded with a mystery prize. At the time, I thought it was a ploy to get me out of the house a bit more but thought it was really sweet that he had found these stickers as one of my names is 'Frogger'. It wasn't till the next day, I realised he had actually made these stickers and stuck them around near where we live and in town for me to discover! On the way home I found four, and it was the most pleasant walk home ever. I still have another four to discover, which means, every time I find one, it'll be my birthday again. This is probably the most thoughtful thing DK has ever done, and even though I had to cook dinner on my birthday, all was forgiven.<br> i was worried that my birthday would be a complete diasater in the UK but thanks to DK, it turned out to be a memorable one....<br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=473012"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/012/473012_89a66e6ad3_s.jpeg" align="" alt="frogger" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/04/11/older_and_wiser~719855/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>Ahhhh, another birthday, another year older.........
This birthday was not like the others, there were no boys dressed in pink tutus, no drunken tomfoolery and no tears. Instead, I got home from work, washed up, made dinner, watched university challenge and watched a bit more telly before going to bed. There was no drama and I didn't do anything special.I guess when you have no friends and no money, it happens. C'est la vie.
I did receive phone calls from loved ones from home and it was nice to receive e-cards and I wished I was back in Sydney celebrating with them.
However, not all was lost. One thing which brigtened my day was DK's present. About a month ago, DK asked what I would like for my birthday, something I will always have or remember. I told him to make something for me, a drawing or perhaps write a poem or a letter; something I can carry in my wallet. I didn't expect much, to be honest, I didn't expect anything at all. Then on Sunday night, I received a beautiful card and a piece of carboard. The cardboard had instructions written on it for a 'game'. I had to find Frogger stickers and write down its 8 slogans and for each I find, I will be rewarded with a mystery prize. At the time, I thought it was a ploy to get me out of the house a bit more but thought it was really sweet that he had found these stickers as one of my names is 'Frogger'. It wasn't till the next day, I realised he had actually made these stickers and stuck them around near where we live and in town for me to discover! On the way home I found four, and it was the most pleasant walk home ever. I still have another four to discover, which means, every time I find one, it'll be my birthday again. This is probably the most thoughtful thing DK has ever done, and even though I had to cook dinner on my birthday, all was forgiven.
i was worried that my birthday would be a complete diasater in the UK but thanks to DK, it turned out to be a memorable one....
frogger

Comments

]]>Spectacles..http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/04/02/spectacles~697810/2006-04-02T23:56:15+02:00 <p>I have been wearing glasses for 14years. A pair of glasses is not just a tool I use to see but it is a part of my face. I never take my glasses off in public and those who have seen me without them are the very privileged few. So it is no wonder why I have become a snob with glasses. When I had the cash, I used to change my frames once a year, nowadays, I have neither the energy nor the cash flow to do that. Now, I buy a more expensive but sturdier pair of glasses and change them every four-five years. It is a very tiring experience buying new frames, that is why I can no logner go every year, I am very fastidious when it comes to picking frames. People wear make up to enhance their features etc, I wear glasses for that purpose. And when I find the right pair, I wear them till they break. So imagine my horror when I discovered a crack in my frames. I was mortified for two reasons, 1) I don't have the money and 2)these frames were so perfect and it'll be hard to find a follow up pair, I could be a one hit wonder if I am not careful.<br> I wondered around five or six opticians asking if they could fix my frames and to look around. All the frames were shit and way too expensive for what they were worth. Dodgy designs and dodgy workmanship. I finally walked into this boutique looking shop which I always found intimidating. The ladies in there were very helpful and I tried on about thirty pairs of glasses. I had finally narrowed it down to twelve when I saw this pair of glasses which looked very unusual, I had to try them on. The moment I tried them on I knew these were the pair I wanted. It was beautifully designed and made and it actually sat on my nose, not on my cheekbones, which is like so amazing. It had little details on the legs and it was just divine. I expressed my interst in this pair and the wonderful shop assistant smiles and said, "you have expensive taste". I was too scared to ask but I did anyway, and I can't reveal exactly how much it was but it probably would be the most expensive purchase of my life, no that's not true, my laptop cost more money, oh you get the drift. I was torn for days, I knew I didn't have the money but came up with a plan. I would pay for half and Dk would lend me the money for the other half as long as I pay him back before the world cup. This meant, we would have to touch the money we'd been saving but a decision was made.<br> So, I went and purchased the most expensive pair of glasses I've ever owned. It feels weird that they sit on my nose and I no longer have to wiggle my face to push up my glasses. It's fabulous. Financially, it wasn't the smartest move, as I found afterwards that I can't access our savings.....another story......<br> Oh well, I may be poor etc but I have a fabulous pair of glasses. I would upload a picture of it but pictures don't do it justice.........(well, I'm too scared that I've made the wronge decision and therefore too scared to show the world.....which doesn't make much sense, but you get that don't you.....)</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/04/02/spectacles~697810/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>I have been wearing glasses for 14years. A pair of glasses is not just a tool I use to see but it is a part of my face. I never take my glasses off in public and those who have seen me without them are the very privileged few. So it is no wonder why I have become a snob with glasses. When I had the cash, I used to change my frames once a year, nowadays, I have neither the energy nor the cash flow to do that. Now, I buy a more expensive but sturdier pair of glasses and change them every four-five years. It is a very tiring experience buying new frames, that is why I can no logner go every year, I am very fastidious when it comes to picking frames. People wear make up to enhance their features etc, I wear glasses for that purpose. And when I find the right pair, I wear them till they break. So imagine my horror when I discovered a crack in my frames. I was mortified for two reasons, 1) I don't have the money and 2)these frames were so perfect and it'll be hard to find a follow up pair, I could be a one hit wonder if I am not careful.
I wondered around five or six opticians asking if they could fix my frames and to look around. All the frames were shit and way too expensive for what they were worth. Dodgy designs and dodgy workmanship. I finally walked into this boutique looking shop which I always found intimidating. The ladies in there were very helpful and I tried on about thirty pairs of glasses. I had finally narrowed it down to twelve when I saw this pair of glasses which looked very unusual, I had to try them on. The moment I tried them on I knew these were the pair I wanted. It was beautifully designed and made and it actually sat on my nose, not on my cheekbones, which is like so amazing. It had little details on the legs and it was just divine. I expressed my interst in this pair and the wonderful shop assistant smiles and said, "you have expensive taste". I was too scared to ask but I did anyway, and I can't reveal exactly how much it was but it probably would be the most expensive purchase of my life, no that's not true, my laptop cost more money, oh you get the drift. I was torn for days, I knew I didn't have the money but came up with a plan. I would pay for half and Dk would lend me the money for the other half as long as I pay him back before the world cup. This meant, we would have to touch the money we'd been saving but a decision was made.
So, I went and purchased the most expensive pair of glasses I've ever owned. It feels weird that they sit on my nose and I no longer have to wiggle my face to push up my glasses. It's fabulous. Financially, it wasn't the smartest move, as I found afterwards that I can't access our savings.....another story......
Oh well, I may be poor etc but I have a fabulous pair of glasses. I would upload a picture of it but pictures don't do it justice.........(well, I'm too scared that I've made the wronge decision and therefore too scared to show the world.....which doesn't make much sense, but you get that don't you.....)

Comments

]]>ceci est mon problemehttp://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/04/02/ceci_est_mon_probleme~697619/2006-04-02T22:03:20+02:00 <p>I've been walking quite a bit ever since I got back to Glasgow. Mostly because I walk to and from work. This is also the time when I do my 'thinking'. I think about all sorts of things. If it is a Monday morning, there is a good chance that I may be thinking about what to teach that morning, or if it's I may be thinking about what to do over the weekend. More often than not, I think about what to write in my blog and I come up with some awesome ideas, and I also think about the moments which I have yet to blog, and all these ideas get me pumped up and I can wait to get in front of a computer.<br> The only problem is that whenever I actually sit in front of Iggy, I can't write anything. I lose the motivation and the enthusiasm. What's going on? This is largely due to my poor memory. You wouldn't believe I usd to do acting. I can never remember anything anymore. I am that goldfish with a three second memory.<br> My memory has never been that great but this is worrying me a little. I don't quite know why my memory is so bad. I do not believe I abused it that badly. I think I might go and google remedies for poor memory or something. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/04/02/ceci_est_mon_probleme~697619/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>I've been walking quite a bit ever since I got back to Glasgow. Mostly because I walk to and from work. This is also the time when I do my 'thinking'. I think about all sorts of things. If it is a Monday morning, there is a good chance that I may be thinking about what to teach that morning, or if it's I may be thinking about what to do over the weekend. More often than not, I think about what to write in my blog and I come up with some awesome ideas, and I also think about the moments which I have yet to blog, and all these ideas get me pumped up and I can wait to get in front of a computer.
The only problem is that whenever I actually sit in front of Iggy, I can't write anything. I lose the motivation and the enthusiasm. What's going on? This is largely due to my poor memory. You wouldn't believe I usd to do acting. I can never remember anything anymore. I am that goldfish with a three second memory.
My memory has never been that great but this is worrying me a little. I don't quite know why my memory is so bad. I do not believe I abused it that badly. I think I might go and google remedies for poor memory or something.

Comments

]]>A welcome back presenthttp://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/03/15/a_welcome_back_present~644289/2006-03-15T01:56:22+01:00 <p>Last Saturday night, my brain was a bit fried and I was staring vacantly at the television when DK suddenly yelled, "Munchy! Come and have a look!" (Munchy and football are this month's names, Bullshit is so last season)<br> At first, I was a bit grumpy, because I was very content slugging in front of the TV but when I finally managed to drag my lazy/drunken/%(*&^% self to the window, I was overwhelmed by what I saw......<br> It was snowing and I mean really really snowing in Glasgow! The excitement was too much and I did want to go outside for a split second but the moment didn't last long enough and I just stared in awe for ten minutes and went to bed. The thing which fascinated me themost was the sky. It had this mysterious pink glow to it which was so pretty........or was that caused by something else??????????????????<br> The next day, I woke up to at least 30cm of snow and Glasgow had turned into a winter wonderland. Needless to say, I went outside and had a ball. We went to the park to find a patch where I could do that snow angel thing, but Glaswegians had their own ideas. People had<br> brought their toboggans(spelling?), sleighs, skis and snowboards(!) and were all already there! If anyone had thought of hiring out toboggans, they would have made a killing! We found some black garbage bags and had a few runs down the 'slopes'. We also had the mandatory snowball fights, where DK nearly broke my glasses and where I nearly got frost bites due to not owning a pair of gloves. I also got a bit violent,(don't know why, but Glasgow makes me violent) and assaulted a snowman and he just wasn't strong enough and in the end, it was better to put him out of his misery.<br> It really was super duper uber cool and couldn't have received a <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=419676"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/676/419676_32bd2ac4e4_s.jpeg" align="" alt="IMG_3772" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=419677"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/677/419677_6f8b41cb3f_s.jpeg" align="" alt="IMG_3773" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a>better welcome back present. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/03/15/a_welcome_back_present~644289/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>Last Saturday night, my brain was a bit fried and I was staring vacantly at the television when DK suddenly yelled, "Munchy! Come and have a look!" (Munchy and football are this month's names, Bullshit is so last season)
At first, I was a bit grumpy, because I was very content slugging in front of the TV but when I finally managed to drag my lazy/drunken/%(*&^% self to the window, I was overwhelmed by what I saw......
It was snowing and I mean really really snowing in Glasgow! The excitement was too much and I did want to go outside for a split second but the moment didn't last long enough and I just stared in awe for ten minutes and went to bed. The thing which fascinated me themost was the sky. It had this mysterious pink glow to it which was so pretty........or was that caused by something else??????????????????
The next day, I woke up to at least 30cm of snow and Glasgow had turned into a winter wonderland. Needless to say, I went outside and had a ball. We went to the park to find a patch where I could do that snow angel thing, but Glaswegians had their own ideas. People had
brought their toboggans(spelling?), sleighs, skis and snowboards(!) and were all already there! If anyone had thought of hiring out toboggans, they would have made a killing! We found some black garbage bags and had a few runs down the 'slopes'. We also had the mandatory snowball fights, where DK nearly broke my glasses and where I nearly got frost bites due to not owning a pair of gloves. I also got a bit violent,(don't know why, but Glasgow makes me violent) and assaulted a snowman and he just wasn't strong enough and in the end, it was better to put him out of his misery.
It really was super duper uber cool and couldn't have received a IMG_3772IMG_3773better welcome back present.

Comments

]]>I cannae sleephttp://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/03/15/i_cannae_sleep~644284/2006-03-15T01:48:08+01:00 <p>Just had a big row with DK. It started off with the usual 'I need my space' which then moved on to various topics and now I can't sleep. I have no one to speak to, nowhere else to go but the living room.<br> When I was in London, I thought I had my priorities wrong. I thought that since the only reason why I came to the UK was to be with DK, I couldn't quite understand why I was in London alone. At the time, I thought the best thing to do was to come back to Glasgow. I promised myself that no matter how crappy my job would be in Glasgow I would cope with it and get on with my life. My new job in Glasgow is crap, it is a bit like being demoted but I still go there every day and I have no intentions to quit. It is true that I have been a little grumpy but who isn't after a day at work? I complain and I moan but that's what I always do, I can't be happy and jovial 24/7. I am not 100% happy but I never am and I do still believe that I have made the right decision in coming back to Glasgow. Anyway, this has sparked yet another disagreement. I don't know what else to do.<br> I have no money, no one to ask for money and I no longer know what I have to do to make it all work. Did I really not listen carefully? Should I have made sure that the decision wasn't mine? I could sit here all night asking questions and wondering where it went wrong this time but I don't think I have the energy.<br> What do I want from my life? What will make me happy? Why is everything so difficult? Am I the one to blame? Am I the one who always makes things complicated? Am I the one who is really lost? Will I end up wondering for the rest of my life, regretting my decisions? Dying would be an easy way out but even that seems too hard at the moment. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/03/15/i_cannae_sleep~644284/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>Just had a big row with DK. It started off with the usual 'I need my space' which then moved on to various topics and now I can't sleep. I have no one to speak to, nowhere else to go but the living room.
When I was in London, I thought I had my priorities wrong. I thought that since the only reason why I came to the UK was to be with DK, I couldn't quite understand why I was in London alone. At the time, I thought the best thing to do was to come back to Glasgow. I promised myself that no matter how crappy my job would be in Glasgow I would cope with it and get on with my life. My new job in Glasgow is crap, it is a bit like being demoted but I still go there every day and I have no intentions to quit. It is true that I have been a little grumpy but who isn't after a day at work? I complain and I moan but that's what I always do, I can't be happy and jovial 24/7. I am not 100% happy but I never am and I do still believe that I have made the right decision in coming back to Glasgow. Anyway, this has sparked yet another disagreement. I don't know what else to do.
I have no money, no one to ask for money and I no longer know what I have to do to make it all work. Did I really not listen carefully? Should I have made sure that the decision wasn't mine? I could sit here all night asking questions and wondering where it went wrong this time but I don't think I have the energy.
What do I want from my life? What will make me happy? Why is everything so difficult? Am I the one to blame? Am I the one who always makes things complicated? Am I the one who is really lost? Will I end up wondering for the rest of my life, regretting my decisions? Dying would be an easy way out but even that seems too hard at the moment.

Comments

]]>how did this happen?http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/03/10/how_did_this_happen~630861/2006-03-10T17:36:16+01:00 <p>Have you ever felt as though you were working towards a lost cause?<br> I've just realised how fuckn stupid I have been for the last year or two, if not longer.<br> It's all one big fuckn mess....... </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/03/10/how_did_this_happen~630861/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>Have you ever felt as though you were working towards a lost cause?
I've just realised how fuckn stupid I have been for the last year or two, if not longer.
It's all one big fuckn mess.......

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]]>what's the big deal?http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/03/10/why_the_fuss~630236/2006-03-10T14:26:32+01:00 <p>I've been reading this blog entry in the SMH about having sex on the first date.<br> (http://blogs.smh.com.au/samandthecity/archives/2006/03/great_sexpectat.html)___##0##___ I'm not too sure if this makes me a slut, but I don't really understand the big deal. Why do we need to have all these rules about dating/relationships? Why can't we just go with the flow and take it as it comes?<br> I hate these games people play, I just don't see the point. If we were just bloody honest with each other from the word go, it would save so much time and energy. In this respect, I am glad I am not single because the idea of playing bullshit games drives me nuts.<br> If you want to call them, just call them, if you don't want anything with someone, tell them instead of one excuse after another.<br> Ahh, I'm too angry and I can't think straight. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/03/10/why_the_fuss~630236/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>I've been reading this blog entry in the SMH about having sex on the first date.
(http://blogs.smh.com.au/samandthecity/archives/2006/03/great_sexpectat.html)___##0##___ I'm not too sure if this makes me a slut, but I don't really understand the big deal. Why do we need to have all these rules about dating/relationships? Why can't we just go with the flow and take it as it comes?
I hate these games people play, I just don't see the point. If we were just bloody honest with each other from the word go, it would save so much time and energy. In this respect, I am glad I am not single because the idea of playing bullshit games drives me nuts.
If you want to call them, just call them, if you don't want anything with someone, tell them instead of one excuse after another.
Ahh, I'm too angry and I can't think straight.

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]]>Take Twohttp://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/03/07/take_two~621489/2006-03-07T20:29:42+01:00 <p>Back in Glasgow, and I reckon things might just work out this time.<br> I had the most horrific journey back from London and I swear, if I ever fly with Ryanair again, I will kill myself. It might be cheap or whatever but it's the most unreliable airline in the world and I will not go through the uneccessary anguish and stress ever again. I left London around 6 and I didn't get to Glasgow till about 2 in the morning. BULLSHIT<br> Anyway, I had a job interview on Saturday and I got the job and I started yesterday. The school is much smaller than my previous school and I only have four students, which I actually find more tiring than having 16. I have four housewives in my class who are all here because of their husbands' jobs. The conversation is less imaginative and limited but hey, it's a job. I'm not teaching as much as I would like, so I'm hoping to find another job to keep me busy.<br> In a way, I do miss London, but I know I have made the right decision by coming back to Glasgow. It's so nice to be able to go out and do things again and be able to eat again. I'm not sure how long we'll stay here but now that the days are getting longer, it is very pleasant to be here......<br> xxoo </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/03/07/take_two~621489/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>Back in Glasgow, and I reckon things might just work out this time.
I had the most horrific journey back from London and I swear, if I ever fly with Ryanair again, I will kill myself. It might be cheap or whatever but it's the most unreliable airline in the world and I will not go through the uneccessary anguish and stress ever again. I left London around 6 and I didn't get to Glasgow till about 2 in the morning. BULLSHIT
Anyway, I had a job interview on Saturday and I got the job and I started yesterday. The school is much smaller than my previous school and I only have four students, which I actually find more tiring than having 16. I have four housewives in my class who are all here because of their husbands' jobs. The conversation is less imaginative and limited but hey, it's a job. I'm not teaching as much as I would like, so I'm hoping to find another job to keep me busy.
In a way, I do miss London, but I know I have made the right decision by coming back to Glasgow. It's so nice to be able to go out and do things again and be able to eat again. I'm not sure how long we'll stay here but now that the days are getting longer, it is very pleasant to be here......
xxoo

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]]>ooopshttp://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/02/28/ooops~601276/2006-02-28T18:30:41+01:00 <p>Oh dear, I failed to keep my word......<br> Not having a computer at home and having very little access to the computer at work have prohibited me from blogging on a regular basis.<br> The big news is that I have decided to go back to Glasgow. Living in London turned out to be way more expensive than I ever imagined and there was no way I could save any money here. So DK and I have decided to give Glasgow another go and see where it takes us.<br> Since the decision my life in London has been fuckn crazy. The thing is, the moment you tell people you are leaving, you go out all the time, get tanked every night and you know the story...I haven't stopped for a while and my liver must be suffering big time.<br> Last weekend was my last weekend in London and I got completely rooted and even now, I am paying the price for it. The only solution to this is, to keep going and drink more, which is what I have been doing.<br> I willl be leaving London this Friday and I have mixed feelings about it. I am very happy to go back to our little flat and to be with DK but I am sad to leave my wonderful students and the new acquaintances I have met in the last month.<br> Hopefully, once I go back to Glasgow, I will be a reguilar blogger again and keep you updated on my life in the UK. THIS TIME, I will keep my word.<br> I hope you are all well.<br> lots of love<br> xxoo penguin munch </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/02/28/ooops~601276/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>Oh dear, I failed to keep my word......
Not having a computer at home and having very little access to the computer at work have prohibited me from blogging on a regular basis.
The big news is that I have decided to go back to Glasgow. Living in London turned out to be way more expensive than I ever imagined and there was no way I could save any money here. So DK and I have decided to give Glasgow another go and see where it takes us.
Since the decision my life in London has been fuckn crazy. The thing is, the moment you tell people you are leaving, you go out all the time, get tanked every night and you know the story...I haven't stopped for a while and my liver must be suffering big time.
Last weekend was my last weekend in London and I got completely rooted and even now, I am paying the price for it. The only solution to this is, to keep going and drink more, which is what I have been doing.
I willl be leaving London this Friday and I have mixed feelings about it. I am very happy to go back to our little flat and to be with DK but I am sad to leave my wonderful students and the new acquaintances I have met in the last month.
Hopefully, once I go back to Glasgow, I will be a reguilar blogger again and keep you updated on my life in the UK. THIS TIME, I will keep my word.
I hope you are all well.
lots of love
xxoo penguin munch

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]]>it's all coming togetherhttp://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/02/05/it_s_all_coming_together~535960/2006-02-05T12:35:00+01:00 <p>I've found a place!<br> Once again, I was very lucky. I found this flat to share with the landlady. She has been living there for five years and she has just refurbished the whole flat. The flat comes with a brand new boiler and radiators, hopefully my woes with boilers in the UK are finally over!<br> My room is big with a brand new bed and has everything I need in it.The flat is very clean and cosy. It's in a nice area which also reminds me of where I lived back home and amazingly cheap for London.<br> Maybe, things are starting to work out for me here and I'm sure once DK gets down here, it'll even be better.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/02/05/it_s_all_coming_together~535960/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>I've found a place!
Once again, I was very lucky. I found this flat to share with the landlady. She has been living there for five years and she has just refurbished the whole flat. The flat comes with a brand new boiler and radiators, hopefully my woes with boilers in the UK are finally over!
My room is big with a brand new bed and has everything I need in it.The flat is very clean and cosy. It's in a nice area which also reminds me of where I lived back home and amazingly cheap for London.
Maybe, things are starting to work out for me here and I'm sure once DK gets down here, it'll even be better.

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]]>an after thoughthttp://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/02/01/an_after_thought~526055/2006-02-01T19:20:23+01:00 <p>I know I should just get some private tutoring happening, but where the f&*$ do you find them? Besides, let me sort out my accommodation saga first then I will start thinking about finding some tutoring.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/02/01/an_after_thought~526055/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>I know I should just get some private tutoring happening, but where the f&*$ do you find them? Besides, let me sort out my accommodation saga first then I will start thinking about finding some tutoring.

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]]>a ramble shamblehttp://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/02/01/a_ramble_shamble~526043/2006-02-01T19:16:31+01:00 <p>The first thing you notice about London is the people and how many there are. No matter where you are, at any given time, you are surrounded by crowds of people. For this reason, you are under the impression that London is a thriving city, and of course, it is indeed an exciting place to be.<br> I walk around mesmerised by the grand scale of it all and wonder where they are from, what they do and where they live. It is quite ironic, however, that one could feel so desperately lonely in a place full of people like this.<br> The second thing you notice is how expensive everything is. People go on about how London must be the most expensive city in the world(it's not) but it is not untill you start living here and earning pounds you realise what people are talking about. It really is beyond comprehension. I do not know how people survive in London. From what I can see, an average person earns very little when you consider how much things cost, and how much tax they pay. As for me, I am in the process of applying for a second job in order to survive here. The bullshit thing about teaching EFL over here is that they only pay for the hours you teach. So the hourly rate might be very attractive but you only end up getting paid for 20hours. It is completely insane that they don't pay you for preparation, I mean just because I'm preparing my lesson, it doesn't mean I am not working. I feel less inclined to prepare well as I don't want to be giving them 'free labour' but what do you do? You don't do a good job, the students complain and you get the boot, plenty of other teachers looking for work. I should have chosen a different profession, then again, I rather be poor and have a job I enjoy than be rich and have a job I hate.<br> Hope you are all well.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/02/01/a_ramble_shamble~526043/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>The first thing you notice about London is the people and how many there are. No matter where you are, at any given time, you are surrounded by crowds of people. For this reason, you are under the impression that London is a thriving city, and of course, it is indeed an exciting place to be.
I walk around mesmerised by the grand scale of it all and wonder where they are from, what they do and where they live. It is quite ironic, however, that one could feel so desperately lonely in a place full of people like this.
The second thing you notice is how expensive everything is. People go on about how London must be the most expensive city in the world(it's not) but it is not untill you start living here and earning pounds you realise what people are talking about. It really is beyond comprehension. I do not know how people survive in London. From what I can see, an average person earns very little when you consider how much things cost, and how much tax they pay. As for me, I am in the process of applying for a second job in order to survive here. The bullshit thing about teaching EFL over here is that they only pay for the hours you teach. So the hourly rate might be very attractive but you only end up getting paid for 20hours. It is completely insane that they don't pay you for preparation, I mean just because I'm preparing my lesson, it doesn't mean I am not working. I feel less inclined to prepare well as I don't want to be giving them 'free labour' but what do you do? You don't do a good job, the students complain and you get the boot, plenty of other teachers looking for work. I should have chosen a different profession, then again, I rather be poor and have a job I enjoy than be rich and have a job I hate.
Hope you are all well.

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]]>boilers are my worst enemyhttp://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/01/30/boilers_are_my_worst_enemy~520932/2006-01-30T22:25:42+01:00 <p>remember my sagas with the boiler back in Glasgow? Well, it got worse and we ended up not having any hot water for a while and it got fixed the day before I left.<br> So I come to London and I am styaing with TT at the moment and lo and behold, the boiler at his flat breaks down over the weekend and the house is absolutely freezing! There is neither heating nor hot water. Luckily, they have an electric shower so I can shower but I actually need to leave the house to be warm! I am sitting here with a top, a fleece jumper and my coat to keep me warm.<br> Do boilers just hate me? What is going on? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://penguin.blog.co.uk/2006/01/30/boilers_are_my_worst_enemy~520932/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>remember my sagas with the boiler back in Glasgow? Well, it got worse and we ended up not having any hot water for a while and it got fixed the day before I left.
So I come to London and I am styaing with TT at the moment and lo and behold, the boiler at his flat breaks down over the weekend and the house is absolutely freezing! There is neither heating nor hot water. Luckily, they have an electric shower so I can shower but I actually need to leave the house to be warm! I am sitting here with a top, a fleece jumper and my coat to keep me warm.
Do boilers just hate me? What is going on?

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