May Round Up

I said April went fast. So did May! I attribute that to finally being in full time employment - time seems to have flown by. I'll have been at my new job for a month on Friday!

Career

Life has definitely been more peachy since getting my new job - I've learnt so much, the people are like a family and the books they publish are really, really interesting as well as important (fastfacts.com). I'm still teaching and intend to continue giving private lessons once these students have passed their exams - it helps that my current students are wonderful and funny and hard-working, but teaching international students is incredibly rewarding. I've wanted to work in publishing and teach privately since I had a private tutor - who also had a 9 to 5 as well as his teaching (thanks Mr Stockwell) - so I'm proud I've achieved this goal at only 23.

Hair

Still no dye. I had a lot chopped off a couple of weeks ago, which makes growing out the colour a lot easier. You know your hair needs a good cut when your hairdresser gives up combing it, grabs chunks and just hacks the manky bits off.

French

Quoi?

SJ Competitions

I'm able to ride for 20-25 minutes now, but when the vet came last Friday Ernest was still completely lame in trot. I'm not sure I've explained fully what happened - Ernest damaged the tendon sheath in his back leg by getting it stuck in his rug, presumably while rolling. As he was out at night, he had been stuck with his leg up all night so it was very sore and tender - that was early April, I believe. I've put competing out of my mind while he gets better, and even then we will be building back up slowly. These things always remind me how lucky I am that he's still with me after his big injury in 2012 (fractured leg).

Running

I've not been running since our 'yeah! let's go running again!' weekend, but I'm planning to include a couple of runs a week in the run up (ha ha haaa) to our holiday.

Body Fat

Shut up. See above for attempts to lower it.

New Country

We go away in 20 days! I'm getting soooooo excited. There's a gym at the hotel which I'll be frequenting, but I'd really like to be in shape for when we go away. Body shape and size aside, there is so much about visiting Berlin that I'm hyped for - spending a week just Maxx and I, visiting a historically significant city, exploring a completely new place, trying German cuisine... Roll on 21st June!

How was your May? Which goals did you achieve and what are you still aiming for?

First Day of New Job!

Today was my first day as a Publishing Assistant! I was so hyped up to start that I didn't sleep too well last night. I'm the 5th member of staff in the whole company - my Dad keeps calling me 'The Fifth Element' now - and the office is situated in a quiet, picturesque town close to the River Thames.

Arriving early means coffee and book time

As with most first days, I had informal meetings with all other members of staff, including the company owner, before doing a little bit of work at the end of the day. There was a lot to take in, but I'm really excited to see my role develop and evolve; I have a really good feeling here, as everyone is friendly and really cares about what they do. 

Being a medical publisher, I heard the words 'poo', 'fecal incontinence', 'itchy red penis' and 'vaginal discharge' all in my first staff meeting! The company owner even asked me: 'Do you think poo should be in it?' - referring to a page name on the website. I think I'm in the right place.

I forgot to take a picture when leaving, but I even have my own desk! And not just a table in a corner - a proper desk with a table on one side! Tomorrow I'm bringing in my picture of Ernest, which will sit next to my computer. 

I can't express how delighted I am to be working not only in publishing, but for this company - I truly feel like I have found the right place for me. Now I just need to prove myself and pass my probation!