Some Lazy Sunday....

30.

2011-08-17T10:46:00.000+01:00

Its my birthday & I'll cry if I want to*.

*Actually was yesterday but nevermind

Northern Amazingness

2011-01-26T13:33:00.000Z

This is my second trip to Finland. The first time, I was determined to see the Northern Lights. We went on a night snowmobile safari just to look for them but it was too cloudy, and in the village there was too much light pollution. We decided not to do a night safari again this time, so I didnt think there was much chance we'd see them this time. But last night was beautifully clear, so after pizza and beer, we decided to take a walk towards the lake where we were told you could sometimes see them. As we were walking, we were in awe of the number of stars you could see, thousands and thousands compared to in the UK. We spotted the northern star, then as we were walking further out into the darkness, we saw a greenish haze under the northern star, kind of flickering. There were too many trees though, so we carried on walking (getting very very cold) almost out to the lake. When we turned around and looked where we had come from, we saw them, and wow. What we had seen earlier was nothing in comparison. It was like a huge rainbow over our heads with a greenish light, and either end flickered like a candle. It was quite spectacular, we just stood there with our mouths wide open!!! I tried to get pics but my hands were too cold & I can't really do long exposure with my point&shoot/no tripod. The lights faded after about 5 minutes, although there was still a green glow on the horizon on the walk home. We might try again if we get another clear night. What we saw was similar to the pics above although not quite as wide or bright as obviously these are time lapse pics.

But wow, I feel so incredibly lucky. They were so beautiful. A very special moment.

Morning world!

2011-01-24T07:39:00.000Z

It's been a long, long time. I've been working very hard (busiest Christmas/new year in the ED ever known!) & passing my exam, finally!! But I have this week off, so I just slept for 15 whole hours and woke up to a beautiful morning in Finland! Off skiing shortly, then plan to light the fire in our little chalet, maybe have a sauna and do some more relaxing!
Bye for now!

In stark contrast

2010-10-19T09:46:00.000+01:00

to my hideous shift on Sunday, yesterday was pretty good - a few of my friends were working, we had sweets AND I found a little happy baby inside a woman's belly. She was having some pains and the obstetrics doctor said if I could see hear the heartbeat, I could reassure her. We have an ultrasound in the ED but it's basic and we don't usually use it for baby scans!! I was very wary of my poor ultrasound skills but I found it!! Heartbeat, and little head, arms and legs, all wiggling about. I'm not sure who was more emotional - me or Mum & Dad!!! It reminded me of why I love my job, which I really needed after Sunday (which I do not want to share the details of on line sorry).

Apologises for the absence

2010-10-18T09:48:00.000+01:00

I have so incredibly busy - mainly with work, but also trying to fit study time in and other bits and bobs - all non-fun bits and bobs. Did my Advanced Life Support course last week (we have to do it every 4 years) and I got recommended to be an instructor which I am hugely happy about.
The dreaded exam is 2 months away and pretty much every day off has to be spent studying - other than the occasional few nights out for halloween, concerts (Black Keys) and friends birthdays, I will be sat at my desk studying. Which makes for very little to write about in blog land, so expect it to be quiet around these parts for the next couple of months.

Oh and for those who know about all the crap that happened 6 months ago - the builders FINALLY started in our Cardiff house today! Yey! They reckon it will only take a month!

Someone killed the dinosaur!

2010-10-04T22:05:00.002+01:00

(from Portsmouth News)

Bastards, I had grown rather fond of the Southseasaurus.

Autumn

2010-09-29T16:10:00.000+01:00

It's kinda my favourite season - I like the colours, the smells, the cozyness, the build up to Christmas, but I also know that after it comes winter which always seems to go on forever and ever. But for now I will enjoy mugs of hot chocolate, smells of burning wood, evenings drawing in, leaves (slowly) turning to orange. Thought I'd find some autumn loveliness via Flickr.... (I am queen of procrastination when I am supposed to be studying!!)

From Sebastian Mary

From kisses are a better fate than wisdom's

From Just us 3

I always want to go to Disney land at this time of year, they do it pretty good.

Other Bestivalities

2010-09-18T00:18:00.000+01:00

Other than the Flaming lips, we saw Mumford and Sons, Bombay Bicycle club, Rolf Harris, Roxy Music (oh yes), Eliza Doolittle, Fake Blood and Vanilla Ice. We walked past the Cocktails and Dreams tent saying 'I wonder when Vanilla Ice is on' only to bloody walk into him!!!! And he posed for me! The best possible Vanilla Ice pose ever! And my stupid bloody camera missed it cos it was on silly mode. Garrghhh!!!!

Other than that, we ate yummy food, dressed up as dragons/dinosaurs and red pandas (I was also supposed to be a dragon warrior but the rain meant I couldn't wear most of my outfit), drank yummy cocktails at the Black Dahlia and had afternoon tea and burlesque in the Time for Tease tent.

It was all great! Stayed in a podpad for the 2nd year in a row, despite saying we wouldn't again! Much comfier with twin beds and being on the flat, but this year we had absolutely no electricity (supposed to have light and 12V plug) - which made it a little bit of a waste of money. Oh well. And the prodigy, well they were a bit shit really. Horrible atmosphere within the crowd.

Here are some photos!

Ice Ice Baby! (this was inside during his gig)

The Wishing Tree (had to pass a test to get in there)

Main Stage

My 'dragon warrior thingy' mask... mostly worn in the Podpad during a rainstorm!

Our Kigu

Dinosaur in need of a wee

Ratty Panda

Tea and burlesque

Castle that got burnt on the last night

Watching the castle burn

Pretty fireworks and flags

Off to Southsea Fest tomorrow, our local festival - should be fun!

Flaming Lips

2010-09-16T22:52:00.000+01:00

The Flaming Lips at Bestival were amazing, probably the best live show I have ever seen! There were streamers, balloons, confetti and even laser hands!!! Whilst I don't love all their songs, it didn't hugely matter as they were putting on such a good show! I thought I'd share a few photos!

Wayne in zorb at beginning

This was the intro, not the end!

Wayne on a bear!?!

Laser hands!!!!

Confetti on the floor afterwards!

More Bestival pics tomorrow. xx

Bestivalities

2010-09-09T23:11:00.001+01:00

Off to Bestival tomorrow over on the Isle of Wight (so not exactly far...) It really has already started but work commitments mean we can't go 'til tomorrow teatime, boo. This year is the 'year of the fantastic'. We are going as dragon and dragon rider/warrior in the day and dinosaur and red panda at night. Yes, the night is lacking fantasy a bit! I was supposed to be St George but my outfit never came and we could only find huge giant sized outfits in the fancy dress shop, so I got a cool mask and Phil did some spray painting and..... you'll have to wait and see! Very excited, hoping the weather is reasonably good and the hovercraft crossing is smooth! xx

(hideous pic of a drunken me from last year)

Produce from my garden

2010-09-07T13:12:00.000+01:00

I have a postage stamp sized garden and a slighter smaller patio, but have been determined to grow something other than flowers. Last year we got 2 or 3 strawberries only, so this year I planted everything I could find. Last week I have got a load of tiny red onions and this week my tomatoes have ripened. The tomatoes aren't the tastiest things ever, but edible enough. They were lovely in a prawn linguine last night! Other highlights include rosemary and about a dozen strawberries this year. My carrots are almost ready too, but I think they will be tiny (I planted them too close together and never got round to thinning them out). My coriander, basil and lettuce all never happened or died pretty soon after sprouting. I am hoping to have a proper sized garden soon so I can plant lots more, hopefully more successfully!

A week of weddings!

2010-09-06T20:00:00.000+01:00

The week before last we had 2 weddings in one week, both of which we were involved in.
The first, my husband was best man for. He got heckled during his best man speech, by no less than the bride's mother! It made it all the more entertaining! The reception was in a spanish restaurant and had an incredibly yummy buffet of paella, patatas bravas, pesto pasta and so on. Lots of dancing to good tunes and even a Jedward style rendition of Vanilla Ice by my husband and the groom!

The second wedding was Ben and Amy's - they are some of our best friends. We did a little bit of helping the night before, then I joined a group of girls and Mums who helped Amy get ready on the day, and then proceeded to take hundreds of photos! I loved Amy's dress - I had been waiting to see it as we went dress shopping and she choose this one over the one I saw her in! They had afternoon tea, a hog roast, brilliant speeches and a very fun cover band - very very happy for them!

There's a dinosaur on Southsea common.

2010-09-06T11:32:00.000+01:00

Its bloody huge!

So.....

2010-09-01T20:43:00.000+01:00

I guess I haven't posted much recently, despite the fact I have a few bits and bobs to share. I blame work - whilst I am so much happier to be back where I feel I 'belong' work-wise, in A&E, the shifts are incredibly tiring and I feel like I have so little time off. The recent few have been pretty emotionally draining too - yesterday my 30 year old friend came in with a massive massive heart attack (luckily he went straight for an angio and is gonna be okay) and today, I had just left the hospital in my car when I came across a load of people standing round someone on the pavement - a man had collapsed on the way to work and had a cardiac arrest. Myself and another doctor were there and pretty soon after, the whole cardiac arrest team were there - quite surreal as it was outside! I am hoping that my next 2 night shifts will be a little less adrenaline filled! I have 2 whole weeks off after that, I am very much looking forward to them! I plan to sleep late, drink too much tea and take lots of pretty pictures. Oh, and do some studying. Bleurgh.

Twenty Nine

2010-08-16T16:56:00.000+01:00

I feel quite old. And I now have to go to work, but at least I have had a lovely afternoon. I had a hot stones massage then went for lunch at a lovely little tea room and got a pink cupcake.

I have been promised more cake at work so the sugar headache will probably last all day!

Ibiza

2010-08-12T11:50:00.000+01:00

For my husband's 30th birthday, we went to Ibiza for a long weekend. It was my first visit, his second (he celebrated his 18th there too). It was ridiculously expensive trip, despite flying RyanAir, but a once in a lifetime trip! We went to clubs (Eden and Pacha), drank far too many Mojitos in Savannah on the sunset strip, laid on beautiful beaches soaking up the sun and ate lobster at one of the most beautiful restaurants on the island (but shame about the service, Amante!) I'd love to go back next summer, although may have to wait until the exchange rate is more in our favour! Here are some photos.

Me with one of those Mojitos at Savannah

Dancer at Wonderland at Eden

Long exposure at Eden

Ibiza sunset

Cala Vadella beach

The birthday boy at Amante with a pre-dinner Martini

The view from our table at Amante

Ibiza Town - Dalt Vila

Wish I was still there!

Exhaustion

2010-08-06T23:18:00.001+01:00

Ibiza was lovely - we went to clubs, danced, laughed, drank far too much Cava, spent far too much money and sat on lovely beaches. I came back straight into my new job which has involved being at the hospital (which is almost an hour away) for 7.30am every day and doing at least 11 hour days. I am knackered! I have to continue with the early mornings until Wednesday, when I get a whole 1 day off!!

Work seems okay so far, need more time to get back into Emergency Medicine before I properly start enjoying it though, but I'm sure I'll get there! Am off to bed, once again, too late - should really be in bed at 8pm!!

And yes, I note the irony of the title and the photo!

I'm leaving on a jet plane

2010-07-30T09:36:00.001+01:00

Off to Ibiza, will be back on Tuesday! Yey!

xx

Glastonbury Highlights Part 1

2010-07-24T18:06:00.000+01:00

So obviously by 'tomorrow' I meant 8 days later.......
Bit photo heavy this one, but not sure I really need to explain!

Am off for dinner at my favourite (Japanese) restaurant then off to work. I have 4 night shifts and then am done with intensive care. I'm sure I'll miss a few things, but not the 13 hour long shifts, very glad to see the back of those!

Miu Miu

2010-07-15T21:26:00.002+01:00

I absolutely love the new Miu Miu collection - so pretty and girly! Lily Allen on the front of Elle this month in the appliqued lace and silk dress - wow! Want, want, want! Sadly think they are out of my price range, maybe this time next year they will be in the sale??

Glasto pics coming tomorrow!

Retro swimsuit

2010-07-14T23:12:00.000+01:00

I just ordered this lovely swimsuit for my forthcoming very short holiday. I have 2 weeks to get beach ready, eek!

I am hoping life can be a bit less busy over the next few weeks even though I have 2 parties, a hospital ball, a holiday, my husbands 30th and am starting a new job! As long as I get a lie in tomorrow I shall be happy, for now!!

Busy bee

2010-07-06T12:32:00.002+01:00

I am alive, feeling much better but am just incredibly busy. The Glasto photos will be up soon but for now I am enjoying the beginning of my incredibly busy summer. We have one house guest (my husbands best man) and am expecting 2 more any minute now (my Dad and Annie). I see my Dad far too little so am going to enjoy him visiting, then I promise I will do a proper blog post about Glasto! I'm doing a barbeque for 8 people tomorrow night too, eek! Wish me luck!

The year that Glastonbury broke me

2010-06-29T18:50:00.000+01:00

I am back, but very very broke. Am currently spending day 2 in bed with an ever evolving illness thats keeping me home from work and my very very important appraisal today (which I still passed somehow, despite not being there).
Glastonbury had quite a few highs, but sadly quite a few lows. There were tears (who else but me seeks out exam results whilst away!!), sweat and maybe the odd little tantrum or two. It was mightily hot and dusty, which made it difficult to do much in the day. It won't go down as the best but it had its moments.... moustaches in the NYC Downlow bar, salsa dancing at 2am, singing our heads off to the wonder that is Candi Staton and me lusting over Chali 2na (that voice......)

Just lets not talk about the Gorillaz, okay?

Photos when well.

x

Favourite Glastonbury moments so far....

2010-06-20T23:37:00.001+01:00

It will be my 4th Glastonbury this year, and as always, I'm very excited!! I thought I'd share some of my favourite performances from my previous festivals.

Firstly, 2002
Difficult to find many videos. Highlights were definitely No Doubt, Nelly Furtado, Isaac Hayes, Groove Armada (At the River was stunning!) and sat outside our tent by a campfire listening to Rod Stewart on the Pyramid Stage on Sunday night.
Here's some Rod for you

2007
Amy Winehouse - Jazz World Stage.
We were right at the front, it was a great show (before everything went a bit downhill!)

Arctic Monkeys
Just brilliant - quite near the back but great atmosphere!

Seasick Steve
The first time we saw him, even though we only caught the very end of this set. He always plays multiple times at Glastonbury. Think we've seen him too many times now though, but he still rocks!

Paolo Nutini
I love him, thats all. And this cover is genius.

2008
Jay-Z
I don't need to explain! They don't show the video that he played first, but that & the first performance sent shivers down my spine! The bit where it changes from Wonderwall to 99 problems! Got to be one of the best performances ever!

Mr Doherty
A special little song close to my heart.

Candi Staton
This video does no justice to the experience of being there singing with everyone!

I'm sure there will be some to add to that list from this year. Looking forward to Jack Johnson, Ray Davies (ie The Kinks lead singer), Gorillaz once again, Florence and the one and only Stevie Wonder.

Only 3 sleeps left!!

Hello summer!

2010-06-15T22:56:00.000+01:00

From Teo's Flickr

So, exam is over (at least for a few months..... it didn't go well!) and now I can enjoy my summer. My plans involve:

* Glastonbury, only THE best festival in the world!!

* Watching the world cup whilst drinking beer

* Watching wimbledon whilst eating strawberries

* Eye-beef-ah!

* Long lazy dinners with friends

* Picnics on the common

* Lots of barbecues in the garden

Yey to summer! And yey to no more revision, at least for a month!

Wish me......

2010-06-07T10:16:00.002+01:00

From kaibara87

From BlakJakDavy

From taylorandayumi

Its exam week. I am hoping very much for third time luck, as its my third time taking this exam. I have done an awful lot of work for this one, so fingers crossed! Not sure that I could face it a fourth time! My exam is in London on Wednesday and my husband is going to meet me afterwards. I plan to buy most of Anthropologie, have lunch at Wahaca and then more shopping in the Westfield Centre. And maybe a few glasses of wine if it doesn't go well - I have found that is the key to forgetting the questions and not reliving the exam in your head for hours on end!

Fingers crossed!

The White Isle

2010-06-01T23:14:00.000+01:00

From Megandavid's Flickr

Today we booked flights to the other white isle, Ibiza, for the end of July. My husband spent his 18th there, and we thought it would be kinda cool to spend his 30th there. So now we have to find a nice, remotely affordable hotel in high season in Ibiza. I have found some stunning ones, but am not spending £2000 for 4 nights!! But am excited anyway!!!

Maybe more looking once my exam is over..... only a week of revision left!

Lovely weekend!

2010-05-23T22:09:00.000+01:00

I took the weekend off from study as it was my first wedding anniversary plus one of my good friend's weddings, in West Wales. On Friday we drove over to Cardiff and had a look at the new shopping centre (pretty cool). We also went for dinner at Jamie's Italian (overpriced and just okay) and treated ourselves to a night in St Davids Hotel, which is a 5 star hotel in Cardiff Bay. The hotel was nice, but hadn't really got any 5 star fanciness and the room buzzed all night! We then went over to Carmarthen for Nia and Adam's wedding. Nia is my best friend from uni, and we both worked for the same team when we became doctors, so were terrified together! (The day we found out we'd be working together, we literally jumped around hugging one another all day!)

Once again on 22nd May, it was a very beautiful day, although all the men were sweltering in their suits! It was a lovely ceremony in an old house then the reception was in a marquee in Nia's parents very large garden. It was a lovely day, great to see all the girls again and I am very happy for the new couple!

My favourite pic from the wedding, as always, is a (semi) candid one, of Nia and I. She looked stunning in her lace dress, very apt for a country wedding!

The girls and I left one another promising to be better at keeping in touch and meeting up, especially as there are no more weddings in our group currently, although we think Suzy and Hugh's won't be far away!

Love you, Mr B

2010-05-23T21:54:00.005+01:00

Here's to many more happy years together, we've had a great first year of marriage!

(This was the main song at our wedding, it was playing as we signed the register and as we left the ceremony room. We had Bill Withers Lovely Day for me to walk into. And we didn't really do the whole first dance thing, but the reception music was all done by us - we spent hours perfecting it. The last song of the evening was Groove Armada - At the River.)

My weekend...

2010-05-17T21:18:00.005+01:00

....... involved joining a few thousand Pompey fans on the common to watch the FA Cup and a sad loss for them, but nobody seemed to mind too much.

Enjoying my garden for a few minutes (soooo much colder than it was this time last year!) But my carrots, spinach and spring onions are all coming, slowly!

Trying to crochet (again!) at knitting club, but once again failing miserably.

From welshkaren's flickr - how beautifully neat!

And quite a bit of revision (really!) - I did upper and lower limb anatomy.

This week I have 2 days of work, some fun neuroanatomy to study AND then a wedding and my first wedding anniversary to celebrate! I have such fond memories from this time last year, all apart from the hospital trips and a well timed appendicitis! Ooh, and a very much needed hair cut tomorrow by the lovely Billy - doesn't matter too much what I want, I'll get whatever he wants to do, but I'll love it anyway.

So.....

2010-05-12T22:44:00.000+01:00

they basically just smooshed the cakes together and we got a new government. I am very interested to see how it turns out, although I'm not very sure about the new health secretary who has some rather odd ideas. But I'm certainly not planning on leaving the country or anything like that. I'm not even really sure that our lives with really change. I did love all the pomp and ceremony that came with GB resigning and a new PM coming into power! Us Brits do do it in style!

The Road to Downing Street

Election Day

2010-05-06T19:21:00.000+01:00

Its election day here in the UK and seems to be attracting more attention than most of the other general elections that I remember (except in 1997 when my Art GCSE final project was election based). I have been to vote this afternoon and as I am working a night shift tonight, will get to hear all the news as it happens. Our local councillor election seems a bit poor though - Southsea is very much a Lib Dem constituency but last year, the lib dem run council decided to completely ignore a public vote about cycling on the seafront promenade and do what the hell they wanted anyway (which has so far landed 2 cyclists in hospital) . The Tory candidate said she opposed this BUT wants to ban BBQs on the common apparently (yes, something needs to be done about the burnt spots but banning altogether doesn't sound very appealing). We struggled to find very much info about any of the other candidates, even searching online, which was a bit poor. Oh well, time will tell.....

Cupcakes from Lolas at Selfridges, pics from vogue.com

Dress update and a few other bits

2010-05-05T22:16:00.002+01:00

Well the wedding dress shopping was great! I absolutely loved it! Amy tried on a lot of dresses, most of which were lovely. There was one that I absolutely loved, a lace one, and I'm pretty sure was one of the others that I tried on when I went. Amy was trying to decide between the lace one, or the very first one she tried on back home. Well she texted me yesterday and has decided on the 'other' one, the one that I haven't seen, so I'm excited to see it, only 4 months to wait!

I have 3 weddings (so far!) this year, and my first is on my wedding anniversary on 22nd May. I have been trying to find a dress that would do me for all 3 weddings (luckily different people are going to all 3) but have been struggling a bit. I wanted one that wasn't 'high street' especially as there are lots of women of similar age to me going to the first one.

I have been looking at this Anthro one for the past 3 weeks, pretty much every day.

but my concerns are that its white (hence a bit bridal), possibly not smart enough and online (so might not fit). And £148. I also really love a load of French Connection dresses, like

but what are the chances of someone else wearing a exactly the same French Connection dress????

So what have I done? Well I bought a Karen Millen dress from the outlet store at Gunwharf Quays. And then came home to look at their website and find its current stock. Bollocks. So I am now going to spend the next 2 weeks worrying that someone else will be wearing it.

And I'm not going to post the website pic of it as it doesn't look so good.

And if the Anthro one happens to go in the sale in the next 2 weeks, I may well get that one too. (Pllllllllllleeeeeeeeasssssse!!!)

THE Wedding Dress

2010-04-29T10:05:00.000+01:00

I am waiting for my very good friend to come visit today - she got engaged 1 week ago, booked her wedding 4 days ago, and today we are going wedding dress shopping. Their wedding is in 4 months, eek! I am a bit giddy with excitement - it is nearly one year since my wedding and I absolutely loved planning it! (well, looking back with a retroscope, I did!)

My wedding dress shopping was a bit..... unorthodox. I went into town to get some t-shirts, and came home with a wedding dress. I just thought I'd pop into a shop..... My dress was the bargain of the century though it had £1250 off! I'm very glad thats what happened because a) I'm the most indecisive person ever and would have been in serious trouble if there had been many and b) I didn't really have anyone to go dress shopping with - not that would have involved hundreds of miles of travelling. So thats what happened. Having said I didn't ever want a (strapless) big traditional dress, I put one on and felt like a bride. I very much loved my dress! And very much need to get it cleaned and in nice acid free tissue paper!

Here are a few of my favourite pics of the moment from Once Wed (that website..... wow.... if I could have had an outside wedding, damn english unpredictable weather!) And my dress.

(Yes, I had atrocious posture on my wedding day)

Shiawase

2010-04-29T00:03:00.000+01:00

Edamame + good sake + chicken katsu curry + green tea ice cream = happy Katie.

I was feeling very fed up this evening as I've really been struggling with my studying, and when asked about dinner plans I said I wanted chicken caesar salad or japanese for dinner (pretty precise for me, I'm usually very indecisive). My husband took me to my very favourite restaurant, Sakura and it made me happy again. Even though the Gorillaz weren't there this time.

Randomness

2010-04-26T22:55:00.000+01:00

Thats all for today.

(Oh, and evidently, I love artichokes in olive oil, hate boiled ones. Just in case you ever needed to know)

Grumpy gardening

2010-04-19T21:59:00.005+01:00

Today I woke up in an almighty grump, which wasn't very helpful for what needed to be a super productive day! I did however, manage to finish cleaning the house (inspection tomorrow), do a Waitrose shop and spend a few hours in the garden sorting out all my plants and vegetables. I think being with Buddha helped, but it's coming back again now....
My garden should be full of colour and fragrance soon, I planted more lavender, rosemary, mimulus and petunias and hopefully in the summer will have carrots, spinach, coriander, tomatoes, strawberries, lollo rosso and spring onions. My tiny little garden is cramped full of pots and containers! I will take photos once our grass has grown back - it dies every winter and we have to reseed it.
What I didn't manage to do today was any studying or go to the gym - so probably shouldn't have had that slice of Key Lime pie then! Back to work tomorrow for 3 days.

Coastal living

2010-04-14T23:22:00.000+01:00

My view from the treadmill this morning, pretty lovely along with some Florence & The Machine, apart from the breathlessness!

(Not sure why its a bit wonky - my iphone has a habit of doing that)

Thankful for good friends and happy mail!

2010-04-13T11:38:00.000+01:00

I received some very lovely mail from my oldest friend Emma (as in longest time friends, not her age!) from Oh Gosh to cheer me up as the last few weeks have been particularly rough ones and doing what felt like eternal nights didn't really help. It was lovely to wake up and find a little package full of surprises! We have still been rubbish with meeting up, but thats mainly because I never have any weekends off - but it in Glastonbury Festival in just over 2 months time, and we will make up for lost chat and lost drinking hours at that, I'm sure!

Anyway, thanks Ems, you made my day! xx

My Easter

2010-04-05T23:51:00.004+01:00

Yey for a long weekend off! My easter consisted of:
- drinks with work friends including a few of the consultants, it all turned a bit odd
- my husband hacking a lot and recovering from the most horrible cold ever
- finally finishing watching the last series of 24, can make a start of this series now!
- 4 lovely long lie ins
- way too many eggs (not the chocolate variety)
- black russians at Louisa's party as well as the most obnoxious guy ever!
- our first ever attempt at meringues - with a hand whisk. It took one hour, but then we got to have Eton mess
- Blu rays - Up (amazing but cried within 5 minutes) and Inglourious Basterds (not what I was expecting)
- a quick trip to Chichester

I am working nights for a week from tomorrow, with one day off on Saturday (what am I supposed to do with that???) so most likely won't have anything interesting to say for a while. Then its study study study for my exam in June, but then Glastonbury, so the last half of June will be good. We also possibly have a fun trip lined up for the weekend after my exam, hopefully it will happen!

(Pics are of my kitty eating my flowers and our Eton Mess)

Apologies for the radio silence

2010-04-02T15:50:00.000+01:00

Source: sadly lost, I tried!

The last 3 weeks have been very much up and down, but the downs have been pretty down. I'm not going to bring it all to the internet, I don't want to write it all down. My husband and I have been stressed like we never have been before. We've both been pretty ill. We've also had one or two really really amazing days. And then just when we thought that might be it, we heard some more bad news. Not directly affecting us but the kind of news that stops you in your tracks, that you think about 24/7, one of the saddest, most horrible stories I have ever heard. So I haven't felt like writing much, I haven't felt like doing much at all. Normal service will be resumed shortly, when I get my head out of this whole mess. And maybe when some people decide they might want to return our calls once in a while.

My thoughts and prayers are with T and his family, even though he'll never know.

Thats all.

One amazing evening!

2010-03-22T00:54:00.000Z

After the week from hell (you wouldn't believe me if I told you), we wanted to make our weekend good - and boy was it! Last night we went to House of Burlesque at Kings Theatre which was pretty good - the whole of the theatre singing Bohemian Rhapsody whilst a man (Mr Meredith) played piano wearing only stockings, knickers and a corset was a pretty one off experience.

But tonight was a whole different ballgame! It was supposed to be dinner then off to the Gorillaz gig.

We went to our favourite restaurant, Sakura, for Japanese food. We had been there for 10 or so minutes when who should walk in but..... Damon Albarn, Mick Jones (of the Clash), Paul Simonon (of the Clash), Cass Browne and the rest of the Gorillaz. Wow. I was pretty damn startstruck, but my husband was a wreck - Damon is his ultimate musical hero! He said a kind of 'nodding head' hello to him when he went to the toilet but otherwise wouldn't speak to him or let me ask for a photo! They sat next to us (well, the restaurant only has about 6 tables) for their meal, and it was great hearing them talk about the gig and how Noodle would have loved the restaurant! As we were all leaving at the same time, I couldn't resist - and so I asked Mick Jones what time they were on. He was very nice and informative, but hubby just kept saying "oh my god, oh my god!" Haha!

As for the gig - well to say I wasn't very keen on Plastic Beach, it was amazing! They did Clint Eastwood, Feel Good and Dare which made me happy and it was such a small, intimate venue so it was extra special! The crowd could have been more enthusiastic but they never seem to be at The Wedgewood Rooms! Mick Jones stole the show, he is awesome and was absolutely loving it! They all wore blue striped tops and navy hats, and we heard them say in the restaurant that they hoped we didn't think they were taking the piss!

All in all, an amazing night - how lovely to have Gorillaz in little old Southsea!

All pics are on Flickr but here are a few in the meantime:

! xx

Today was a rough one

2010-03-15T23:43:00.000Z

One of those days when I should have stayed in bed! I was woken up by my husband telling me some pretty bad news about our rented house, which brought us both down. In fact, the only thing that made us feel even a little better was getting out of the house, walking around Southsea for a while. Just before we went out, my cat had a very mad few seconds (nothing new) except I was in the way - I have puncture marks all up my arm, pretty deep painful ones! This evening, while trying to decide what to eat for dinner to make us feel happier, our metal (and hence heavy) cuckoo clock fell on my back. That hurt a lot.
And then the chip shop was closed.
We're now off to bed to start over. At least I get to sleep in late to prepare for my night shifts.

(And we decided on chips & cheese - it helped, it usually does)

1st week of Spring!

2010-03-07T22:27:00.000Z

I worked 60 hours this week, so I was pretty glad to have a day off today! I had a lovely lie in then we went to the Tenth Hole for lunch - a lovely little tearoom that does huge lunches and amazing cakes , we even sat outside - it was just about warm enough. We then had a lovely (but cold) walk all along the seafront down to Spice Island where we went for a drink in Still & West - sadly no pirates or parrots today, but plenty of ferries leaving Portsmouth with all the car alarms going off!
After all the rubbish I have eaten at work this week, I was in desperate need of some healthy stuff so for dinner we had smoked salmon, new potatoes, carrots and asparagus - the salmon was cooked on a griddle instead of the bbq, but even so it felt a bit like summer! We watched District 9 tonight - really good film, very different to anything else I have ever seen! Thats my week really! I went to craft night at Caitlin's house on Tuesday and she taught me how to crochet (i need lots of practice!) and the only other thing I've done is worked!
Some pics of the lovely Southsea day!

Have a good week all! x

Happy St Davids Day

2010-03-01T21:48:00.000Z

From weheartit - source sadly lost

I lived in wales for a third of my life, so I always feel close to Wales - sometimes I still wonder whether to support England or Wales in the rugby! Today is St Davids Day, and today also felt like spring is close - it was beautiful and sunny and not really too cold. I even did a little bit of gardening, and decided what veggies I am going to grow on my shed roof. Pretty sure the weather is just teasing us, but lets hope!

I'm in love!

2010-02-28T21:53:00.000Z

We went to London this weekend for our friends engagement party, and also to go to The Conran Shop - we wanted absolutely everything, but decided to treat ourselves to one of these..

(Partly because they had 15% off!) I've wanted one for a while now, excited for it to come! And its not Ikea, which is good, because most of the rest of our house is!

I also treated myself to some Herme macaroons - they are incredibly delicious (except the rose flavoured one) and very very pretty, but also expensive - I could only afford 7!

Is it spring yet?

2010-02-25T10:07:00.000Z

Well, obviously not, the north has snow. These are some pics from my inspiration folder to help with the gloomyness outside.

Source: ASKASIN

Source: Ciel Photography

Source: danske

Source: Homayoun !

I love my husband

2010-02-21T19:02:00.000Z

for looking after me when I'm on nights, cos I know I'm no fun.
He makes me strong coffee and cooks and gets into bed with me for a cuddle when I get home at 10am and am cold.

(silly old photobooth pic - today I actually look like the living dead)

Today I watched...

2010-02-18T21:21:00.002Z

and

Top two were amazing, and I wish I could have been there live, especially for the Fashion for Relief show! I first heard about the White Ribbon Alliance through Million Mums at Bestival and have supported them ever since, they do an amazing job! Please sign up! Bottom one.... having lived in Swansea for 4 years, I'm not sure about its portrayal of the city - yes it has its problems, but it is nowhere near as bad as the film makes out it is. Really! But everyone who has lived in Swansea knows of the bad press it gets. Now watching "My big fat gypsy wedding" - pretty random collection of TV!

Finally, a day off!

2010-02-16T18:57:00.000Z

The 13 hour shifts in the critical care unit are breaking me! I'm really not sure how I'm going to cope with 6 months of them! I'm enjoying the job but it's pretty intense and full on, and obviously very emotional.
So I need to make sure I make the most of my days off, instead of just waiting to go back to work. Today I slept late (much needed!) and went rummaging in my favourite antiques shop, Langfords. I got an old Singer sewing machine for a very good price - it needs quite a bit of cleaning up but I love it!

We just watched the Blur film.... well, hubby watched it and I read Heat and glanced up at it occasionally. Some lovely footage of Glastonbury.

My evening will consist of:

xx!

I'm ready for summer

2010-02-11T17:38:00.001Z

Here in Southsea, we have a beautiful few days but once again it is bitterly cold. I drove along the seafront but it was too cold to get out and have a walk. I'm over winter now and very ready for spring. I want to be able to walk along the beach without having my ears frozen off, to have picnics on the common, to sit out in the garden for hours, to have barbecued salmon...... I guess I won't want to knit when its warm, but that will be okay - I'll crochet and sew instead.

Images from We Heart It

Bye bye winter, I'm ready for you to be over!

Wednesday

2010-02-03T22:40:00.000Z

I started a new job today - on critical care. I'll be there for 6 months which will be pretty intense. Think it's one of those jobs where I will have to plan my time off well, so I actually have a life! I do my first shift tomorrow and work straight through to Monday. I'm hoping I'll make some friends in the unit - it was pretty hard to make friends in anaesthetics as we were all in different theatres with only a few people in each. It was one of my new years resolutions to make more friends this year so this is my plan!

Yesterday I went to a sewing class at The Make Room - it was a beginners class and taught me how to use my sewing machine properly! Some of the things I had been doing were a bit stupid! We made a little pin cushion at the end of the class - my husband even thought it looked good, although he had to ask what it was!!! Ellen, who runs the classes, has a beautiful craft room - lots of bright fabrics, jars of buttons of different colours, it was heaven! I definitely will be doing more of her classes in the future!

Today I had dinner with Alexa of Curlywiggles which was lovely. I then spent the evening attempting to teach myself to crochet..... I failed. Shall try again another day!

Ooh and I bought this jumper last week - love it!

Night!

Long weekend in Amsterdam

2010-02-02T21:52:00.000Z

We went back to our original plans for my week off, and spent a long weekend in Amsterdam. I have wanted to go for years - it is an absolutely stunning city. We spent the days wandering around, looking at the beautiful canal houses, wanting to go in everyone to see how it was decorated.

It was pretty cold and snowed every day, but this made it more beautiful!

Our favourite area was the west of the city, an area called Jordaan. We found a few lovely brown bars (very different to coffee shops!!!) and spent a good few drinks drinking beer in the warm, cozy pubs. There is a dutch word - gezellig - which doesn't have a proper translation - its kind of intense coziness, and the brown bars really have it. They have dark wood interiors, no music and serve just beer and plates of cheese. The perfect place to be when its cold outside!

We did a few touristy bits - we went on a canal cruise, visited Anne Frank's House (always very much wanted to go - but was a little disappointed) and went to the fabulous Katten Kabinet - a very small museum in a grand old canal house with a floor devoted to cats - art, posters, pottery, a cat pinball machine and even 4 real life exhibits. You even have to ring the bell to get into the museum. Quite bizarre but I loved it! Phil took photos with his camera so I'll have to post them at a different time.

We ventured up to De Wallen, the red light district a couple of times. It really is quite surreal - rows upon rows of red lit windows with girls inside coaxing the men in, mixed in with bars and 'coffee' shops. I'm not really sure what I think about it - I know the women are all there because they want to be, and they are legit, pay taxes, etc, but it felt wrong. I guess its a lot better than places like Thailand, where most of the girls have no choice about getting into the business, and no choice about the men they are with.

Anyway, back onto our trip - Sunday we went to a brewery in a windmill called Brouwerij't IJ which has a small bar open for 5 hours a day. It sold 5 different beers ranging from 5 to 12% - we enjoyed quite a few beers there, they were absolutely yummy, and I'm not the biggest beer fan!

On Sunday evening we managed to find ourselves in another brown bar where they had an open mic night - we got chatting to an English guy who was singing and stayed drinking Amstel 'til closing time! So we had pretty bad hangovers on Monday when we came home!

It was a really good trip though, very relaxing. I'd love to go back again, probably in summer so we could sit outside and enjoy the beer terraces!

On another note - I am becoming a horrendous flyer - think in part to some bad flights in and to Thailand (7 in 2 weeks!) - the flights to and from Amsterdam were good flights, but I was pretty much scared stiff and hated every second. I need to be able to fly! I want to go to Tokyo later this year! Any thoughts on ways to overcome this? Hypnosis?

Haiti update

2010-02-02T13:02:00.000Z

Just realised I never wrote what happened about Haiti.....
Well, the week before last, I was in touch with a charity who have a hospital in Northern Haiti. They were expecting many refugees and so were asking for doctors/nurses/etc.
I was put on hot stand by to go, and was told maybe within a few days. The charity had placed ads on various doctors websites, etc - I took all this as a sign I was likely to be going, so had all my jabs, got malaria prophylaxis, got myself mentally prepared.....
Then on the Thursday evening (when my 10 days of annual leave started), I got a call saying right, you're going - but leaving in a weeks time, for 2 weeks. This would mean I'd have to take another 8 days off work, plus I start a new job on the 3rd Feb - this being the NHS, I would not have got extra leave and it wouldn't look very good it i missed the first week of my new job! So, I had to tell the charity that I couldn't go. I was absolutely gutted - for hours I couldn't speak to my husband! However, I was still on stand by to go at another time in the next month or so, when I could arrange annual leave to fit.
We went away to Amsterdam this weekend, and on return I had an email from the charity saying they no longer needed doctors - they didn't have so many refugees and there are plenty of doctors in Port au Prince. So it looks like I'm definately not going. I guess I may be able to go out later, say in the next year or so.
I'm happy I tried - but I so wanted to go and help, and those 10 days of leave seemed like the perfect opportunity.

Off to the 'Dam

2010-01-28T23:59:00.002Z

I'm not off to Haiti - explanation at a later date, off to Amsterdam tomorrow for 4 days.
See you next week!

Happy Birthday Em!

2010-01-23T00:00:00.001Z

Yesterday was my very best friend's birthday. We have been friends since we were 3 years old and now live 250 miles away. The last 10 years we haven't been particularly good at staying in touch - this was obvious by the fact I couldn't find many pictures of us (at least ones where we both looked half decent!)
But I know, no matter what, she'll be there for me. She was a brilliant semi-bridesmaid (she ran around Southsea with me before the wedding getting last minute things likes shoes...) and official photographer last year at my wedding, and I'm sure she doesn't know how much I appreciate the 1000 miles she drove in May to come to my hen do AND wedding.

So, Ems, I love you - this year we shall be better at seeing one another.
And I cannot wait to do Glasto with you, it'll be amazing!!!!

(sorry I didn't manage to post this yesterday, I was in a bit of a state last night)

Weekend, and a Haiti update

2010-01-19T17:02:00.000Z

Have had a funny few days, waiting to hear about things and then not hearing anything for days.

I tried keeping myself busy this weekend - went up to see Phil's family on Saturday - had a lovely lunch then stopped by his sisters house to see Mya, our niece. She is 6 months old now and at a lovely stage - very interested in everything around her, happy and giggling all the time! She has lots of lots of bright, lovely toys, and what was she most interested in? Our Holga camera!

We had to pop to Ikea on the way back (because the only place you can set lightbulbs for some Ikea lights and sheets for Ikea beds is Ikea!). We got back pretty late but still managed to rustle up some Crostini for dinner! We got a griddle last week and have pretty much used it every day since, its great! I am useless at taking pictures of food, need to get better! Here are our crostini, which had mozzarella/tomato/basil or cannellini bean with rosemary oil toppings. Yum!

Yesterday I had emails from both routes into Haiti that I was investigating.... only to find out they were the same one! They are looking for doctors/nurses/etc to go to a hospital in northern Haiti which wasn't too badly affected to help mainly with the refugees that are coming up from the Port au Prince area. I am currently on the stand by list and may be going on Friday. I think the main problem is funding for so many people - especially the flights. So am trying to sort out vaccines, what to take...... We shall we!

Haiti

2010-01-15T23:30:00.002Z

This seems a good summary from what I have heard

BBC Summary

Helping Haiti

2010-01-15T23:25:00.000Z

As some of you know, I have been trying to organise going out to Haiti to help out with the earthquake in a medical capacity. I have annual leave from next week for 10 days with no specific plans and thought I may be of some use. The last 48 hours I have spent researching, emailing and having a bit of a arghhhhhhhh when I thought I may be able to go out tomorrow. This morning I had a message from Sarah Brown (the one who is the PM's wife) which was pretty amazing - I had messaged her on Twitter asking if she knew any organisations looking for doctors, not expecting her to reply - she actually has sent me 2 messages! Through her I have become aware of an organisation in northern Haiti who have a hospital, clinic and children's home, who often have people come out to them for 2 weeks or so to help out. I have had some lovely emails back but unfortunately all commercial planes have been cancelled so I have no way of getting there. This evening I heard from a local paramedic who had been asked to get a group of doctors, nurses and paramedics together to go out and provide assistance asap. However, due to the huge problems with the airport (which was damaged) and safety issues, they have had their plans put on hold. So, I am currently on hold. Even if I don't get to go out this month, I may try again later in the year. But in the meantime I am going to register with a number of charities and organisations for the future, so I can hopefully be part of their emergency response units. Feeling a bit deflated but am taking the advice I have been given and just waiting for now.

In other news, I just had 3 days of annual leave - lots of sorting out the house, changing my name with companies (yes, I got married 8 months ago......), Japanese food, etc. Tomorrow we are going to my husband's Dads house for lunch and to see our niece. Quite looking forward to it actually! Just got cheered up by watching Alex James on Pop star to Opera star - he is a cheese making legend!!

Happy 101

2010-01-14T22:15:00.002Z

Alexa gave me the lovely Happy 101 award which is for all the ladies in the blogging community that bring a smile to your face. Along with this award I am to list 10 things that make me HAPPY and pass the award on to 10 ladies that make me smile.

1. Cake and tea - simply perfect.
2. Police documentaries, like Road Wars, Traffic Cops, etc - love 'em! Not entirely sure why, but I do! And those border control programmes.
3. Red Pandas, which we call ratty pandas. Long story, not very interesting. And penguins. Especially little ones
4. Photography - digital and film, am into it all at the moment. Just wish we had a scanner that worked with our macs! And that I was better.
5. Sakura, my local Japanese restaurant - best food ever!
6. Make up. If I wasn't a doctor, I may well be a make up artist. I especially love MAC Cosmetics. And Dior. And Chanel.
7. My cat, Ayesha - especially when she lies across her chest with her paws on my shoulder and rests her head on my neck - heaven!
8. Having a lovely, tidy clean house with everything where it should be. Shame it's such a pain getting it that way!
9. My iphone - tis simply amazing in every way.
10. Being married - and knowing no matter what the world throws at me, I will always have someone to share it with, be it good, bad or ugly. Its kinda like us two against the world.

Took me a while to think of that. And now I've done it will probably think of 10 better things.

Ten blogs that make me happy
Firstly, two real life friends:
1. My best friend since I was 3 or so, the beautiful Emma, Oh Gosh
2. Alexa, who I became friends with through our RVA Autumn class, Curly Wiggles (great name!) - and who gave me this award!
3. One of the first blogs I started reading, Keiko Lynn - surely one of the most beautiful women in the world
4. The ever inspiring Elsie of Red Velvet Art
5. Another part of RVA and someone who makes me want to be a mamma even more, Rachel
6. A fellow Katie and maker of beautiful things, Skunkboy Creatures
7. The one who makes me feel guilty for not going to the gym! Danielle at Sometimes Sweet
8. Naomi, who I think in many ways is similar to me, other than being 20 time prettier AND a dancer at Taza and Husband
9. The lovely James at Bleubird Vintage
10. I can't actually think of a tenth that I want to declare a favourite! May have to have longer to think about that one!

xx

I ♥ Orla Kiely

2010-01-12T23:52:00.001Z

My lovely new bed sheets! And so does Ayesha.

This weekend

2010-01-10T22:48:00.001Z

We took a pretty trip on the train to London

Took a long walk through Portobello Road Antiques Market

Saw hundreds and hundreds of old Singer sewing machines in All Saints - I want just one!

I let my husband spend far too much money on vinyl toys

We had lots of hot chocolate

We were snowed on in London - it was very pretty

And then today I had an almighty grump, am thinking its probably hormonal. Luckily my husband knew how to fix me, and now I feel much better.

London

2010-01-08T23:07:00.000Z

Off to London tomorrow for the day, weather permitting. Anthropologie, here I come!!

Hello 2010

2010-01-07T15:52:00.000Z

Today is not a snow day - I have to go to work tonight (am going to set off super early).

The last 2 days the UK has come to a halt - no mail, most people at home, no schools open, operations cancelled .... quite amazing what snow does to us! Apparently, Hampshire hadn't had much snow for years - we've lived here 18 months and have seen quite a bit of it!

Anyway, as I have been so lazy with my blogging, I thought I'd do a round up of the last week.

New Years Eve was a party for just 2, as none of our friends could make it. We had fun though, making a yummy lasagne, drinking far too much, watching Jools Holland (particularly good this year) and falling asleep curled up on the sofa.

I was working nights on the 1st/2nd/3rd so we didn't have any plans, but by the Sunday morning, having just had 7 hours sleep at work, we were bored, so went on a spur of the moment shopping trip to Brighton. We spent a good hour or so in Snoopers Paradise, an amazing second hand warehouse made up of little shops. I got some vintage patterns and we got a (new) picture for the house, so we didn't go crazy. Most of the good stuff in that shop goes straight away as it's in Brighton - if we lived there I'm sure we'd get tons more!

The beginning of the week started pretty lazy really - then on Tuesday evening (as we were driving to the supermarket), it started to snow, and snow, and snow. Yesterday we went for a walk down to the seafront as we haven't ever seen it in snow. We took a few photos but it started getting dark and very very cold, so we had to race back. I was supposed to be having an evening with my friend, Laura, but once I was inside and warm, I didn't want to leave.

Today it is still very icy but hasn't snowed. I'm hoping for a reasonable night but expecting lots of trauma patients due to the ice. On Saturday we have plans to go to London for the day (mainly so hubby can go to the Kid Robot shop) so I am hoping we will still be able to go.

Anyway, enough writing, here are some random photos.

I found a K shaped Twiglet on NYE -it made my day!

Our last meal of 2009 - Chicken and Pesto Lasagne

The view from the hospital yesterday morning before I left - taken on my Iphone

The snowman in our back garden, who I just named Bob. He has a mohican.

On the way to the sea yesterday

Hubby looking cold

The bandstand and sea - people had sledged on every tiny bit of hill available

The lighthouse in the castle where we had our wedding reception

Wish me luck getting to work and back! And Happy New Year!

Snow day!

2010-01-06T15:25:00.001Z

Well I didn't think it could ever happen - with living on the south coast AND being a doctor and all, but somehow I have been given the day off due to snow - even though I made it to work this morning. So am off to make a snowman and go see the seafront with all the pretty snow. May even post pics later!

2009

2009-12-30T22:53:00.000Z

A few weeks ago my husband said to me he thought this was probably our best year yet, and I think he was probably right. We got married, had an amazing honeymoon, had an incredibly fun summer - yep, pretty good. Got me looking back through some photos, and I decided to post the highlights of my year.

Last winter - a beautiful winter's day at the seafront.

Fun with our ever growing camera collection!

Happy me after shopping last April, in Nandos with a Brahma - heaven!

My Hen Party in May - was a bit more relaxed than the usual - dinner, drinks, dancing and a beautiful picnic on a very sunny Southsea Common with my closest friends

Obviously the main highlight - our wedding. It really was one of the best days, I'm quite sad its all over! Fantastic memories of an amazing day (that almost didn't happen thanks to a medical emergency the week before!)

Blur at Hyde Park in July

Our honeymoon in Thailand ..... Wow, stunning country!

A great summer in Southsea

Birthdays in August - on mine we went to see live music at the bandstand, ate thai food at a random thai festival and went to a vw show.

Welcomed a new arrival to the family - our first niece, Mya

Free Art Giveaways in Southsea - unfortunately the deckchairs weren't free.

Becoming good friends with one of the coolest girls in the world - but way too late, as she moved away in October. Miss her such a lot, we had many good nights out.

One particular good one - Southsea Fest, a music festival on one day in one street

Bestival - a music festival on the Isle of Wight - 3 days of sunshine and good music. And fancy dress.

LARD - or Love Albert Road Day - a free street festival held 2 streets away from ours - this year 80000 people came - was a bit cramped!

A lovely warm autumn with beautifully coloured leaves

Ending the year with a big, white Christmas!

I'm hoping next year will be even better!

Boxing day and beyond.

2009-12-29T00:08:00.000Z

Boxing day we got up early(ish), slid across the car park and drove down to Oxfordshire for a family party at Phil's sisters. Managed to get Phil's dad the same present he got us - photos of our wedding, but also got 12 bottles of wine, wool, knitting needles and Gaudi cats. Obviously I am now going to get cats and wool for presents at christmas and birthdays, instead of just cats! Spent quite a lot of time playing with Mya, our 6 month niece who loves frilly tops and necklaces and hates christmas cracker hats.

Sunday we had a stroll into Southsea and a look around the sales, then came home and cooked a Christmas dinner for the 2 of us, except with chicken as there was no turkey left. My husband does do a good roast, even if he says so himself, many many times! We then watched Twilight, finally, and I have to say, I can see the attraction, it was a pretty good film! I don't have work until Wednesday so plan on doing lots of nothing - today I got up late, only got out of my pyjamas at 2pm, painted my nails, ate cheese and biscuits for dinner and watched TV. Feel a bit guilty for doing nothing but it was a well deserved rest day. Tomorrow I need to do some cleaning and more sale shopping!

Pics of the last few days below.

Christmas Day

2009-12-27T21:53:00.000Z

Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas, I'm feeling very sorry for my poor friends who had to work - it sucks! Because Christmas fell on a Friday most of them had to work the whole weekend too, which is pretty pants. I was thinking of them all!

I went up North on Christmas Eve, with the roads getting snowier and snowier as we went. Got to see Em for a few hours which was lovely and then headed to my Dads house. We woke up on Christmas day to a lovely white Christmas (although it wasn't official as it didn't actually snow on the day). My dad lives in a converted mill and in the morning a local band came to play some Christmas carols while the residents handed out mulled wine - pretty surreal and beautiful with all the snow! We then opened our presents and started getting everything ready for lunch. There were 9 of us all together so lots of food to cook! Lunch was lovely although as always I ate too much. We then chatted for hours and drank lots of wine and port and continued the eating!

I got some amazing presents from my husband, my favourite being a mustard yellow vintage train case and a beautiful cushion that I'd had my eye on for ages. I got him lots of Kid Robot goodies and a half knitted scarf, oops!

It was a different Christmas day to normal but lovely, especially with all the snow!

Some pics below, more over at my Flickr, link on the left.

Christmas at the Bennetts

2009-12-23T19:15:00.000Z

Today has gone so quickly! But I have now wrapped all the presents and 4 of them are handmade, I am very proud of them! I have to be in work in less than an hour, so I quickly took some pics of the house, as we are leaving pretty much as soon as I get in in the morning. Afraid there are only 2 but in the bottom one you can see our new sofa - so comfy!!

Off to Sheffield tomorrow to meet up with my best friend from school, Emma then going to Derbyshire where my Dad lives, where there is still a ton of snow, yey!! Then to Oxfordshire for more family gatherings and to spoil my niece, Mya. Then home for lots of christmassy fun!

Merry Christmas!

Knackered Katie

2009-12-23T00:13:00.000Z

I have just finished my 6th 12 hour shift in 8 days - I am a wee bit tired and a wee bit behind with Christmassy stuff! Am going to have a good nights sleep and a lovely lie in then get back to making presents - wedding scrapbooks for my Dad and Phil's Dad. So far I am really happy with how they turned out! I am also going to post pics of my very christmassy, very cosy feeling house.

Til then, goodnight!

London

2009-12-14T13:57:00.000Z

So, I had a trip to London last week - I am completely forgetting the real reason I went and will instead focus on shopping. I had a lovely lovely day - firstly we went to Covent Garden and had a look around all the little shops there, we then had a long lunch with a bottle of wine at Carluccios and then headed to Regent Street to my new favourite shop - Anthropologie - this shop is amazing! Everything was so beautiful - the clothes, the bedding, the plates - I wanted to buy everything! It is very expensive in the UK though - so I was good and came away with the dress and birdy shown below. We then decided to do something Christmassy and so went to the ultimate Christmas shop - Liberty. It was, as always, beautiful - and then I found the haberdashery section and spent an hour cooing over the wools and fabrics. I finally decided to treat myself to some beautiful Liberty fabric - have to decide what to do with it now! I could have spent hours more wandering around London but decided to come home to spend some time with my hubby - for the last month or so I have either been ill or studying so we have managed to spend very little quality time together. When I got home we got chinese takeaway and fell asleep huggling up on the sofa. Lovely day! (after the horrible exam bit in the morning!)

Christmas is....

2009-12-05T14:11:00.000Z

Sparkles

Cozyness

Presents

And food
And mulled wine
And shopping
And panto.

Am hoping very much to be feeling better soon so I can enjoy Christmas! Have spent most of the past week in bed but I have lots of Christmassy plans for after my exam! Need to be up and about to put the tree up and make lots of lovely cards and presents, and I can't wait to get back to my knitting!

Hello from my bed!

To cheer me up

2009-12-03T15:04:00.000Z

As I have been feeling very rotten this past week AND have an exam next week, I bought this little one to cheer me up - she just got posted, yey!

She's from Ninon on Etsy and I already love her.

Poorly Katie

2009-11-29T15:47:00.000Z

I am feeling pretty sick at the moment, which is rubbish because I do not make a good patient. Plus I have to study and my body doesn't want to let me. Everything aches and my brain won't work. Hoping to find out what's wrong this week, and it to not be anything too bad.

Holgatastic!

2009-11-26T14:22:00.000Z

Great competition from Holgarama.co.uk - enter here!

6 months...

2009-11-22T23:18:00.000Z

We have been married a whole 6 months! Yey!

Wow...

2009-11-11T23:02:00.000Z

Some days are really out to test us - think today was one of those. Started with a tired Katie having been stuck in traffic for 4.5 hours to do a 20 mile journey last night - not fun. Then today was my first on call in anaesthetics (I passed my 'novice' anaesthetist period) and from 8am to 8.30pm was nonstop.

Message of the day - please, please, please everyone be careful drivers and even more careful crossing roads - sometimes the stuff I see makes me want to sit in a cotton wool box for ever more. Just need to take care, always.

Night night all.

Autumn Trip to the New Forest

2009-11-08T13:45:00.000Z

Finally got round to posting these pics - we went over to the New Forest a few weeks ago on a photography trip - me to practice with the big fancy Canon and Phil to shoot with all his Holgas for his new business venture - here are a selection of my pics (I'm not very good yet!).

And me getting in the way of Phil's arty shot

Feeling Autumnal....

2009-10-25T22:14:00.000Z

It was a lovely sunny (if a little windy) day in Southsea today - perfect for the runners in the Great South Run. We went down for a little bit to watch - managed to see everyone I knew who was running! We got stuck in the middle of Southsea Common when the race started - had to wait for a gap and sprint across the runners. Got to meet some lovely people in the Medical Tent (for once I wasn't injured - purely work related!).

This evening I got a bit crafty and made a ghost for my window. Need to finish my felt leaves and then the house will be ready for Autumn! It will probably be over by then! Made a Bramley Apple Pie too - my first ever sweet pie! I was pretty impressed and so was the hubbie, who doesn't normally like cooked fruit. I promise to post some crafty pics soon, plus the photos from our trip to the New Forest last weekend.

Last week was rubbish so I'm hoping this one will be much better - although I have an assessment, appraisal and am working the weekend, eek! Night!

Miss you Nana.....

2009-10-20T11:23:00.000+01:00

I can't believe it's been a year since you left us.
xxxx

Loveliness

2009-10-15T23:03:00.000+01:00

to cheer me up after a pretty shitty day....

Pretty pink vintage clothes from Sabino

Lego Holga - yes i'm late but its still amazing! - from Fuzzy Eye Balls

Sewing machine & Crafty Loveliness from Anthropologie courtesy of Skitzo Leezra's Flickr

Here's to a better Friday!

Today..

2009-10-12T22:51:00.001+01:00

...was my Sunday as I worked the weekend. It consisted of:

Study for my exam which is in 2 months, arghhhh!! (although a colouring book is pretty fun!)

Etsying, where I bought this

and buying my first ever sewing machine, which has just taken me an hour to thread and sew one line, woohoo!!!

I think I need a lot of practice!!!

Happy Pretend Sunday!

Lazy(ish) Weekend

2009-10-04T22:42:00.001+01:00

It was a bit of an odd weekend - the first one in 5 or 6 weeks that we have had no evening plans. Friday afternoon/evening and most of yesterday was spent clearing out and tidying our attic room as it will now be a study/craft space for me as well as Phil's office. Today was supposed to be a study day to get on track for my upcoming exam, but I spent the day reading Stephanie Nielson's (NieNie) amazing blog. Wow - what a year. I cannot imagine what impact something like that would have on me, my husband, my family. Inspirational reading.

I've been feeling a bit odd this weekend - not sure how to put it into words, maybe its monthly hormones or something - melancholy? No, thats not right. Attempted to cheer myself up today by making a lovely Italian broth and chocolate fridge cake - neither were perfect but both yummy. Back to work tomorrow and no weekend off this week - need to get some studying in in the evenings, lets see if that happens! Also really need to do some of my craft class projects - still haven't finished one! Did make a felt leaf garland tonight though.

Going to go snuggle up to my husband and see if a good nights sleep improves things. Maybe.

Southsea Fest

2009-09-27T21:59:00.000+01:00

Last Saturday was Southsea Fest, a music event held along 2 streets very very close to our house. Most of the bands were small, local, unsigned bands - we managed to see suprisingly few of them!
We met up with friends and spent the day wondering around with them, drinking far too much vodka and beer! The bands we saw were:

- Andrea Kenny & The Cavalry - good
- Katie Malco - good
- Peggy Sue - okay
- Doll & The Kicks - good but possibly knew it too much???
- Little Fish - not really my thing
- Official Secrets Act - pretty good
- Kry wolf DJs - too drunk to remember but had a good dance!

10 years ago....

2009-09-21T22:04:00.001+01:00

Ten years ago today I was lost.... I had just come to a new town hundreds of miles away from home with very little notice, leaving all my friends and support behind, leaving my Dad behind and feeling shit for it. I still hated the world for taking my Mum away from me 3 years before and felt lonely, incredibly lonely.

Then tomorrow came, the 22nd September 1999, and I met my husband to be.

In ten years he has made me what I am today - a much stronger woman than the girl he met. He helped me achieve my goals and ambitions, he helped me fight the world, he helped me become a doctor.

Thank you Phil - thank you for putting up with me and my annoying habits, the endless tears and all my pessimism. Thank you for the hugs, for believing in me and for making me smile. I don't know what I would have done without you. I wouldn't be who I am now.

I love you.

(And yes, technically we met on the 18th but we got together on the 22nd)

xx

Cupcakes and music

2009-09-18T22:37:00.000+01:00

Spent the evening eating curry then cupcakes (Lavender and Chocolate & Peppermint), deciding who we are gonna see tomorrow at Southsea Fest, then watching Strictly.... I expected Joe Calzaghe to be good!!!! Now need lots and lots of sleep so I don't spend the whole of tomorrow yawning like I did today.

Did get to see my hospital's new intensive care unit today, where I will be working in 4 months time - is huge and filled with equipment which means nothing to me - scary!

Right, off for sleeps.

Bestivals

2009-09-16T21:59:00.001+01:00

This past weekend we spent in a country park on the Isle of Wight. It was our first festival outside of Glastonbury which we were worried about - not much can beat that! Well it was a lot different to Glasto - it felt much more civilised, partly as we stayed in a Podpad, not a tent and because there were flushing toilets and absolutely no rain! It was much smaller than Glasto and mainly a dance music festival - and thats what it did best - I have not danced so much in years!!! The fancy dress day was brilliant - so much people watching to do! I loved getting my face painted and wearing false eyelashes and peacock feathers in my hair. I was ready to come home after 4 nights - normally you have to drag me away from Glastonbury - but would definately go again - just maybe next year hold off the Raspberry Sambucca!

Memories...

2009-08-25T20:28:00.000+01:00

At work today I walked past 2 relatives outside intensive care sobbing their hearts out. Then I remembered that was me 13 years and a day ago. Think its important to remember things like that, in my job. And probably why I had tears in my eyes when I got thanked for looking after a very anxious patient today.

My 28th Birthday

2009-08-23T21:07:00.000+01:00

It was my 28th last weekend - we were pretty lucky with the weather - Sunday was lovely, Saturday couldn't decide. My birthday weekend consisted of:

Picking up the new car and attempting to go for a nice fast drive and a picnic but failing
Lunch at a lovely restaurant with shit service in Chichester
A gorgeous Raymond Blanc birthday cake
Drinks with friends and dancing away to great tunes at Drift into the early hours
Birthday breakfast at Lou Lous
A lovely day in Southsea visiting the Thai food Festival, a VW festival, bollywood music at the bandstand and many many people.

I then felt a bit ill (dodgy Chicken satay) and we didn't make it out for dinner - instead got take-away pizza. Much better birthday than last year when I was working!

Thailand

2009-08-03T13:21:00.000+01:00

Thailand was amazing - I could have payed someone to drive me around the country and just stared. We landed in Krabi airport then got a taxi for the 40 minute trip to the airport and the journey was amazing - we passed elephants, 25 people on the back of a pickup truck, 5 people on the back of a moped (eek!), wooden shacks that were family houses right next to big luxurious houses, wooden houses that had huge expensive cars outside them, stalls selling anything and everything, hundreds of dogs, 10 garden centres in a row...... Unlike anything I have ever seen before. We managed to do very little, and only had one day in the whole trip that was a proper touristy day. All in all it was a lovely country, very colourful with bowls of flowers everywhere and little shrines to buddha/the king. I am very much looking forward to going back in the future (at a less rainy time = less turbulent flight) - it has inspired me to learn to cook thai food and I'm even trying to find my own little perfect buddha for the garden. I'd quite like to have an orchid in every drink I have too but that could work out a little too expensive.

Sad day

2009-07-05T22:45:00.001+01:00

Today I feel quite low. My now husband got on a flight to Bangkok this morning and so I am all alone. I did some shopping, and even got a free bag (courtesy of my lovely father), then I mowed the lawn, then destroyed the lawn with the strimmer. I don't feel like eating and my tummy feels kinda funny. And Ayesha is following me everywhere I go.

All in all I feel sad. Just want my Philip to hug. Think the fact I have 4 long, busy days at work with noone to come home too is part of the reason.

It doesn't really feel like I'm going on honeymoon in 6 days.

And I am so so worried about leaving Ayesha. Even though she has a lovely catsitter.

Ok, moan over. Will try to be happier now.

I have a life again

2009-04-10T23:58:00.000+01:00

I feel like I've started living again, feel like I wasn't in Cardiff, and I think it's Southsea thats given me my life back. We walk to the pub, we walk to the sea and through pebbles into the water, we have amazing live music venues within minutes of our house. Then there's the colour of this place in summer - its surreal, unlike anything i've ever seen. Last weekend we had a picnic on the common then rode our bikes into the sea fog in Eastney. And we watched the grand national in a pub with friends, not just in the house. I love it, its making me feel like me again, making us more more creative and inspired.
And its all by luck that we are living here - thank you, whoever messed up my job placement last year!