Poco Opens in Bristol

This weekend a new tapas bar called Poco opened in town about five minutes walk from my house. It's part owned by my good friend's sister so his whole family came down to Bristol along with their partners. I also had another university friend visiting too so it was quite a gathering at my house.
A lot of time was spent at Poco - both evenings and Saturday lunch. It is a cool place and my friend's family are very proud. It is really impressive - I'd love to do something like this, I'm sure a lot of people would. The girl is very lucky to have met the right people to do this with.
I'm secretly hoping I can get some bar shifts if it continues to be as popular as it was on opening. We'll see...Going to start advertising English tuition to help with the finances where possible too.
On Friday night there was also an amazing singer performing called Leonie Evans. I don't think she has a website as such yet but think Amy Winehouse style voice...possibly better! It was fun to be around so much talent!

Anyway everyone has come and gone now and I've been whipping the house back into shape. Estate Agents are coming round tomorrow to take photos as my housemate plans to pop in on the market...which is a real shame but oh well...

I've stuck up fake snowflakes on the windows to get into the festive mood and after a little planning I might take a Sunday nap and watch some tele...ease myself into the work week again.

Hope you're all having a nice Sunday! xxx

Cats...have to post it...

What can I say? If it is cat related...it goes up...xxx

PS Things are still rather bleak at the moment on the home and job front but hoping it will pick up soon...Christmas is going to be difficult to get through as there will be little work and I may be faced with leaving Bristol as I can't really afford the bills but hoping I'll work something out. Thanks for the comments and words of support, really appreciated. xxx

Having one of those days...

It is 10am and I have been up planning since 7am and I have to leave the house in about an hour to go to school. I could plan some more because there is always more planning to be done but I'm having a moment out. I just cooked myself a fried egg to cheer myself up and to stop the tears. The egg cracked and there were two yolks - as if someone out there was trying to tell me that it is not all bad. Just today I'm feeling rather blue.

Sometimes, when I just focus on the moment, everything seems good, but other times, when I think about the future and where this is all going, I get really worried. I really like my job but it is tiring. I carry my work around with me in my head all day and so I don't ever feel I truly escape it. It wears you down after a while - worrying about the next class and if I'll find the ideas and energy, worrying about the money and how long I can keep it up, worrying about getting sick, worrying where it is all heading?

I know the pitfalls of a normal office job but at least it gives some sort of financial security and support. I've tried out for a few office jobs since arriving in Bristol. I've been somewhat reluctant at first, but both jobs that I managed to reach interview stage I actually wanted in the end and it was a bit of a blow not to secure them. Funnily enough the fortune teller said I would not be going back into Marketing, so I'm constantly testing that theory now!

Ah...I just want a bit of self-assurance. I would like to buy a new dress or something nice for myself but I just don't have the money for it right now - not even a charity shop purchase. If I can't even save for clothes how can I save for anything else? Even with my TEFL, how can I go abroad with it later if I can't scramble together the airfare?!

I'm just being a bit down today, it will pass...writing this now helps a bit because I realise I'm being silly. I'll end the post on a more upbeat note with Miss Hope Plant and her big growth spurt and a piece of art I put together the other night which I actually like for a change! Hope you are all happy and merry out there...maybe this is just a case of SAD or something and it will all blow over...xxx

Keeping traditions going...

A belated Halloween was celebrated last night alongside Guy Fawkes night - our annual traditional dinner. All the usual paraphernalia came out and mum and I cooked a nice dinner. Butternut squash, sweet potato and coriander soup, a white lasagna with chicken, pumpkin, sage, cherry tomatoes and mushrooms served with courgettes and tenderstem broccoli.
Our good friend brought round some delicious Halloween themed cupcakes (see below), a few fireworks and we watched Rosemary's Baby. It is nice to keep the traditions going.
All in all...a very pleasant evening! How was your Guy Fawkes night?xxx

Friday evening...

...and even though it was only four days ago that I last wrote a blog post, I do feel really out of touch. What is wrong with me? Days seem to be blurring into each other at the moment...It must be all the planning and thinking and doing and...!

I'm meant to be having friends round tonight but due to the weather and traffic out of London they had to cancel. They were also meant to come last weekend but they also cancelled then so its a bit of a double whammy. This time I actually had food prepared and originally I was meant to be catching a train home tonight but I changed my plans to accommodate them and I thought I'd get a lift home tomorrow instead...but not now...!

I could get my knickers in a twist about it but what good would that do? Driving in traffic in bad weather sucks and bad feeling just breeds more bad feeling and there will be a solution!

But as for tonight...well the puttanesca will go cold ... but we can freeze it and have it another night. I will write this blog entry and whilst it is very tempting to get ahead and file some stuff and plan, I'll try and do something relaxing instead...

Mad Men? It's probably going to be Mad Men and the dregs of the cooking wine...

Next week things could all change. I start a new film class with advanced students - which should be interesting, and I hope, rewarding - not only in a few extra £s but also with the level of conversation we might achieve...

But next week I might get a call to say I have a job back in Marketing, in Publishing. I don't hold my breath in these highly competitive times but it is a possibility. Then I will need to make some choices...In one week everything could change... xxx