As it's been a while since my last post, I have edited together a collection of videos which show what I have been up to recently, when I'm not working. Today is my first day off in 13 days and I am LOVING it. I woke up at 12, had a massive hangover curing fry up, (I thought Evie was going to have some of the scrambled egg so I put 5 eggs in. Turns out she was having boiled so I ate 5 eggs), then finally watched Pirates of The Caribbean - which we had to stop and watch on my laptop because I scratched the DVD incredibly badly. LOL.

  Sincere apologies for the use of the previous word, I'm not sure what came over me. But what have I been up to? I have been swallowed by sorting through crap in my room, trying to sort out where I am living incredibly soon and work work working! It's funny how quickly your system goes into a routine, I've been working and sleeping, and in between that Mum has been stuffing as many vegetables down me as possible: 'We've got to keep your immune system working!'

  My new job is fabulous. I love the people I'm with, I always leave work with a huge smile on my face. And I'm starting to be good at it, which is even better because it means people won't yell at me down the phone. It's an exciting time.

  And of course, there's been the big 18 birthday! Last night I 'went out' for the first time with lots of friends and some work friends as well, I had a corker of a night! It's true, a night out is what you make it. It wasn't Malia but at least there was no rapists or fights, which has to be a plus. I'm just so happy to finally be able to do stuff with everyone, it's been really dull watching friends go out and buy drinks and having to get a J2O. No offence to J2O, it's a classic drink. Although, have you tried one recently? Despite it's nostalgic symbolism they really are rather unpleasant tasting...

Long Over Due

  Where to begin really. I haven't posted in such an age I can barely remember what has happened to me.

  I suppose firstly was Malia, an incredible experience. I miss it so much but at the time we were all quite homesick I think. The heat affected me quite badly after a while (resulting in a 4 hour nap in a water park. Most expensive nap ever) and I burnt a bit, which was so painful. Especially when you're out with everyone and drunkards keeping coming and slapping you on the shoulders... haaaaaouch.

  Ouzo was one of the top ranking most painful experiences of my life. Buy the cheap shit, and 20 minutes in you feel like throwing up. Hideous. The alcohol was generally nasty, from paint stripper vodka to watered down squash. Panos, our hotel manager who I am in love with, he was so sweet and protective of us. And on our first day he said 'If you have a problem, you come to Panos.' We bought him a signed t-shirt at the end and he said it was his favourite. *blush and giggle*

  The best part for me was meeting people and getting to know them. There were 4 boys from Durham staying at our hotel and 2 girls from Leicester. The Durham boys were such a laugh, we all really missed their ironed t-shirts and mocking their accents after they left.

Anyway, you've all seen the photos, they say more than enough.

...what next...

Well, I came home and my parents were like: "We bought a house." So they're off to fly to the lover's nest alone together. Mum's getting so excited about decorating and Dad won't stop talking about hinges and solar panels. It's thrilling. But as much as I get bored of hearing about it, I can't help but be infected by their excitement. Hopefully I'll have somewhere to live soon then.

  I've started my new job as well, and it's my 18th on tuesday! So excited. Also, it was Isobel's Dad's wedding last night, I have never had such a good night. I tried whiskey, and LOVED it, which makes me feel very cool and grown up. THERE WAS A DISCO which I DANCED to. And all the people we were with were hilarious. We ended up having a bath in the built into the floor jacuzzi tub. It was hilarious.

  What else? I feel like I'm missing something. Maybe not. I'm just very happy to be so busy at the moment, I'm learning so much and I already feel like I'm becoming the person I want to be, really naturally, which is great. Here's to the future.

OH AND I GOT INTO READING UNIVERSITY. Knew I'd missed something.

Taboo

  Lately the topic of screaming seems to be on my mind. I was at work the other day, and we could hear some girl screaming for ages outside the shop. We all got very annoyed about it, attention seeking nonsense. And that's when I thought about screaming.

  It seems to me, that screaming should be something one only uses when they are in trouble. Think about it; when you hear someone scream or jokingly yell 'Help!' how often do you wonder if you should go and see to the caller? Screaming has become something we expect of young girls being tickled by boys or a way of gaining attention. Which is not good, I think. If anyone were truly in danger now, what could they do?

  You could argue that of course most killers or kidnappers probably wouldn't leave time for a scream, but still the argument remains. It's the same with swearing - it should be kept as a naughty selection of words, exclaimed on the influence of pain - but no longer. It became a cool way of showing that you don't follow modern etiquette, a way of gaining respect or fear. Now they mean nothing, so what's next?

  Swearing should be kept for special occasions, and screaming should be kept for emergencies. That's how I feel. It's the same with car alarms, they mean nothing now. When was the last time someone heard their car alarm and did more than lean back and look through the curtain to check it's just a technical fault- maybe someone accidentally touched the car. Nothing means anything anymore. Tut tut. I sound like an old woman...

Doors

  My mum today said to my dad and I "It seems a lot of doors are closing and new ones opening for us right now." She seems to be right. But I think that's quite an abrupt way of putting it. I'm not sure anything ever really stops suddenly, apart from death. Death is pretty sudden and nasty.

...Anyway. I think the best way to look at things is as alterations, little changes which we can accommodate and react to. Today, I had a crazy moment. My boss was leaving work and she said to me, "When will I see you next?" and I said "I'm in Bristol this week, so next week?" and she looked at the timetable and said "You're on holiday next week, so I'll see you on the 11th." And it dawned on me, that after my holiday, I go into full time employment. That L'OCCITANE will no longer be my only job. I've done so many holiday cover shifts lately, it's going to be weird to go back to weekend girl again. And there we go, a sudden change but a little alteration.

  I welcome the days of baroque pencil skirts, crisp blouses and new people. I am overwhelmingly appreciative, grateful and proud of the life I have had so far and am leading. Especially I am grateful to the huge amount I have learnt over these past few months. I thought I'd learnt a lot in year 12, and honestly I'd learnt nothing. I'd seen what I didn't want to be, not what I wanted to be. Now I know what I want to be and who I want to be. What I want to do will follow, but for now I am excited to start a new type of job and a new adventure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxKjOOR9sPU

Ps. Go to the Lock Inn, it is beautiful and quirky and does amazing food. I'd forgotten how special it was.

Changed my opinion on this man, what a good bloke:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b037524r/Desert_Island_Discs_Russell_Brand/

  It's funny how you find yourself progressing and learning in the most unlikely of places. I've started to be good at my job. I mean, I was always good at clearing up, I think, a bit blonde at times but hey I did what I was asked. The typical Saturday girl. Now I feel like I'm past that, and I have to be better than that. I've started to be able to sell.

  It's very unusual to find yourself finally getting somewhere at something you thought was a talent one either had or hadn't. I guess it's not that kind of thing.

  I suppose it's all part of this desire to be fully conscious of what's around oneself. My big peeve is walking through town behind lines of ignorant strollers, or dawdlers, who are oblivious to your dancing behind them in that very English manner; I'm not going to ask you to move but I am going to silently get into a state behind you until you move and I can do my British 'head-shake.' So maybe the key to much success, working with people in any way, is awareness of other people. Body language, spacial awareness, intonation.

  I'd like to be good at analysing people. I'd like to learn when people are actually kidding or when they're fake kidding but they mean it, you know how I mean?

Anyhoo.