Now what?

I've been working my arse off this spring. Well, sort of - depends what you compare it to, of course, but because everything's relative, and I only compare it to how much I usually work, I get to state that this spring, I've been working my arse off. I'll be getting nearly as many credits for this spring as I usually get in a year (see, those months in Edinburgh didn't slow my studies down, honest!), and I've started, and completed my bachelor's thesis. Which, to be honest, and considering my track record, I wasn't sure I'd manage, at least not by the deadline. (One of the perks (or maybe the perk?) of living with your parents for a while - you don't have to rely only on your conscience to nag you into getting stuff done.)

The point of this post isn't to show you all how very good and efficient I've been (well, maybe just a little bit). It's to say: today, now that I've finished my last class, and my last assignment, and the only exam I had to do, what am I supposed to do with my time? I still live with my parents (i.e. in BFN) for another month, so not much to do here. It's not like I was always working up till now either, but even when I was just hanging out, doing nothing, I always had all the work that had to be done at the back of my mind. I had a few nights when I didn't really need to do any work, but at some point I still ended up going back to my thesis, just because I had nothing better to do, or because I felt some weird urge to work on it. Scary shit.

So here I am, done with all the stuff that needed to be done for uni this term (except some final little fiddling with my thesis), with absolutely nothing to do. First world problem?

Oh, I'm not too worried. It's just the usual culture shock when moving from term into summer, but I'll manage. A few days from now I'll look back at this post, and laugh at it in contempt. Except that I won't, because in a few days time, I'll be back in the burgh. Hell yeah!

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Cutest cookie jar ever

It was my birthday last weekend, and I just wanted to share the amazingly cute cookie jar my brother got me:

Picture: camilaprada.com

It's called Big Mama, and it's from the series Pepe and friends by Camila Prada. Love it!!

While I'm at it, I might as well show you some of the other cool things I got:

Picture: schnappschenwelten.de

Picture: amazon.com

I also got a small, light-blue Mariskooli (Maribowl), the Doctor Who: Official Annual 2012, a lovely necklace, a "voucher" for a restaurant meal with a friend, a McCall-Smith novel, two bottles of bubbly, one bottle of red, and some chocolate. Not bad, as birthdays go!

It is quite easy to see the motivators behind some of these, particularly the 501-book. Of course I immediately had to check how many I've already been to, and the current total is 48, but I'm working on it :)

Only one week left of this term (and it didn't start out well, as the first day of the last week I spent at home, alternating between blowing my nose and coughing). Then I have a week off before I start work, which will be spent in * drum-roll * Edinburgh! I can't wait to go back!

5 good things right now

Here are five things that are pretty great at the moment:

1. Spring
Spring is here! Sure, there are still piles of snow all over the place, and I haven't been able to change into my spring jacket yet, but in the city the streets are pretty bare, the sun feels warm, and it's light out in the mornings! Besides, it's almost April and Easter, and then spring is definitely here!

2. Thesis
Today it's exactly one month until the day I need to do the presentation of my Bachelor's thesis, and I need to hand in a draft in a couple of weeks. I'm not stressed, though, since I've been way ahead of schedule the entire time. It's supposed to be 15-20 pages, and I have about 18 now. Not far to go now!

3. Summer job
The search is over! And it's taken the stress and agony of the whole process with it! I got a summer job! And it's even in my own field! And pays quite well (for being an internship)! And it's really close to my flat! And the fact that I got it is, in general, really, really great!

4. Travel
In less than three weeks I'm going to Rome. I haven't been there before, and despite being a massive planner, I haven't even figured out what you can do in Rome, but I'm sure it'll be great (although it's Easter, and not the best time to go there, since that's when everyone else is there). I was planning to study a bit of Italian before going, but that plan didn't work out, what with everything else going on. Oh, well, at least I can order wine, and that's what matters!

5. Visits
I've already had two of the friends I made in Scotland visit me, and the next one will be here in just a week. Can't wait! Oh, that reminds me, there's someone I need to remind to start planning her visit, since she promised she'd come...

Picture: weheartit

The Joys of Job-Hunting

"What kind of work ethic do you have?"
"What's your greatest weakness?"
"What makes you stressed?"
"Describe yourself in 5 adjectives."
"What is good customer service?"
"Give 5 weaknesses that your previous employer may think you have."
"Describe a situation where you could not resolve a problem."
"Why should we hire you?"

Other "fun" questions you've been asked at job interviews or heard about?

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I heart books

I already posted this on Facebook, but it's so good that I just have to share it here, too!

I know I have a Kindle, but is still agree with it!

Another one that goes with the theme:

Little Things #2

A daily source of little things that are underrated, but should be appreciated: Just Little Things.

If I could tag people in this, I'd tag Héctor on number 27, Wesley on number 66 and Maiju on number 186.

Come to the dark side, we have cookies.

It has happened, the thing I swore never would. I should be ashamed of myself, and feel like I've betrayed myself and everything I stand for, but I can't - I'm just too pleased.

I've gone over to the dark side.

Just to make it clear, I do have a very good reason for it. The situation had become so bad that something had to be done, and I wasn't going to give up my "hobby".

This picture was taken exactly one year ago, and the situation has certainly "deteriorated" since then...

My choices, as I could see it, were these:
1) Stop buying books. Not going to happen.
2) Get rid of some books. Never!

So I went for option 3...

Kindle

Just a little note from today

On my way home from work
@Superdrug


Guy at the till: So, have you had a busy day today, or just a relaxed one?
Me: Work. I just finished.
Guy: And you decided to come here and boast about it?

I love banter with shop personnel!

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December's here, then...

Everybody seems to post about Christmas today (and probably for many days to come), and I wasn't going to do the same - until I saw this fantastic video on Anna's blog. Loved it!




I had just got used to the fact that the second Halloween was out, Christmas was in. This year, though, Christmas almost seemed to beat Halloween! A lot of places seemed ready for Santa's arrival by mid-October, and I actually saw the first TV ad for a Christmas catalogue in August! I usually spend November (and I guess October in this case) moping about the Christmas decorations being up too early, but his year I decided that if you can't beat them, join them. This decision has lessened my stress quite a bit, I have to say!

Anyway, now that it's December, and also because I'm leaving Edinburgh on 17.12. for my holidays, I'm all in for starting the Christmas season! We actually had a first Christmas party last Saturday, when the Finns from work met up in North Berwick for dinner, drinks, a few presents and lots of talk. Good times :) The next one is coming up this Saturday, with a Christmas dinner for about 50 people from work. Should be fun :)

"He nicked my Irn Bru and let go of my hand"