Looking for a job

Things are going slowly in the temping business. So I've signed up to an agency in Chelmsford and phoned a dog walking service today. I am so desperate - anyone got any ideas?

I'm beginning to miss uni now. I'm also struggling with having nothing to do! la la laa

Karen I can't wait to see you. I miss you!

Pray for Helen, things are getting harder.

New Vicar

Christ Church has welcomed its new vicar! We had the ceremony last night, and ate lots of cake afterwards! I had a chat to some of the people that I haven't seen in a while (hello Howard!) and got to find out what the church has been up to since Paul left. My Dad lead the procession, and I was stood on the end of a row, a million things flashed through my mind when the procession started! I didn't do anything other than pull lots of faces at the end of the service to try and put him off!
It went very well, although I expected more people at the service, I can definitely see that numbers have fallen over the years. It was good though. There are a few things I would change, but thats from knowing different churches and being pinickity!

I've spent a lot of time catching up over the last few days. It's great to have honest conversations with people that you've not spoken to for ages.

Off to cardiff on saturday, but before that it's malvern for a bit!

Back at home (briefly)

So I'm back in Essex, if only for a short period. I've already been to the pub and caught up with many old friends. So I'm going to spend today looking for a job and buying train tickets to various places. I have a few people to email and then I'm going to put all of my things in the loft. It's back to the pub after that! Yeay!!

Interview!

This is a photo of the newish coffee shop that I will be spending most of my time in from next September, in fact I spent most of my day in there, yesterday. It's a great facility and looks wonderful on the inside!



This is a photo of the church building. Its beautiful, very chocolate box, shame it's not surrounded by green.



And finally the sign. The vicar will be moving on soon. Its going to be a lot of fun. You can see the website (both church and youth) by clicking here.

My interview went really well. The youth are wonderfully behaved and so are the staff. I've had to tell Ant off once already, so I think I'm going to get on well with him! Trev (one of my old youth group) is working in Stoke Gifford already, so that's going to be fun. I got to meet lots of people, some of whom I am linked to in ways I never could imagine. It's too hard to explain so get in touch if you want to know how I am already linked to St Michaels!

Back in Cheltenham now, clearing up and packing away. Very sad. I've cleared my shelves and my draws, so finding a place for everything has been fun. I've still got to find a proper place for all the important documents. And the summer continues to get busier.

The Summer Ball 2006

The summer ball was really good. I really enjoyed myself, with all of the people above and others. The day started with a dash into town for some final accessories and a few hayfever tablets. I got home and welcomed friends to a BBQ that lasted for a few hours. We ate some wonderful food and had a good chat about the last three years. I got some photos from the famous wall in the basement of where we've done most of our drinking.

The day continued with sitting on the patio, paining nails and chatting with Alex and Di about the evening ahead. We got ready, slowly but steadily and headed out of the door at six. We went to the beer gardens where the above photo was taken, shared a few bottles of wine and got on the bus to head to the race course.

Di and Alex instantly queued to get on the bungee ride (photo below) and we spent the evening walking around, speaking to people and dancing the night away. I've said goodbye to loads of people and I'm going to keep saying goodbye for the next week or so.



Fusion this evening was a lot of fun. I didn't take my camera, so no photos - sorry. I walked in to find a full inflated bouncy castle! Such a surprise. I had no idea what Ben was planning. I was given a few presents and made a speech to say thank you, because those are the only words that I have. I really enjoyed the whole evening. I'm sad to go, but I know I have to move on.

And I'm doing it quickly. Tomorrow I will spend a good 24 hours in Bristol. Meeting everyone for next year, getting to know my surroundings and who I will be working with. I'm meeting committee and youth groups as well as the people I will hopefully be living with.

So pray for me, for leaving things behind and moving on. Thank you.

A few days away

I've had a few days away so I'm refreshed and ready for tomoros craziness of the summer ball! I came home to find an empty house. The girls were stranded in Gloucester because Di's car died. They got back, very annoyed that they hadn't found what they needed for tomorrow.

I went shopping to find some wonderful jewellery to go with my dress, broughta bit more than I bargained for because the women in the shop was so helpful! Anyway lots is going on here, relationships finishing and boys doing very strange things...ummm...must be the weather!!

Having a holiday

I have spent the day doing nothing but reading and watching TV. Henry has Sky, so I've been keeping an eye on the wedding shows and the food programmes! I'm reading the new Patricia Cornwell story. I'm not impressed so far, it seems all the same now, but still cn't wait to find out how it ends. If you like CSI, I suggest you pick up a Cornwell book!

As for wedding fever, it's startingto pick up again, and I'm realising just how much some people spend on their weddings. One couple were spending £10,000 on feeding 100 guests. Thats a bit much for a buffet!

Any way, I'm going to get back to my book.

P.S. Karen I will go to the doctor at some point.

All over

My degree has ended :( I finished this morning at 11.15 after getting cramp in my hand at least twice during a really good exam paper. I also discovered that I got 63% on my assignment, so I am uber happy! Now I figure if my dissertation is highly marked I can come away from this wonderful experience with a high 2:2 or a low 2:1, how awesome would that be. I'm not worried any more, just looking forward to getting my results. I've had a really good time doing this degree malarky. So glad that I did it and happy with the people I've met.

La la la...still frustrated at what happened yesterday, but hey ho, not my problem.

Anyone know what the symptoms of RSI are? My right wrist is acting funny. Oh and I've pulled some muscles in my knee, ever so slightly - I was having trouble walking this morning! Yeay for my body know when I don't need it any more!

I feel happy, but numb. There's nothing left for my to do, although I will be busy right up until I start my job in Bristol.

Wasting precious time

I am in the middle of my exams, I had one this morning and I have one tomorrow. Why am I blogging rather than revising? Because someone has caused me stress by saying they're stressed. Now that's not the problem, the problem is that they're not stressed, they are not showing any signs of being stressed. Yet they have been signed off from uni for the end of the exam period. Also they have shut me off from what is happening, I've shown concern and it's been thrown in my face.

I don't know if there is any thing I can do to dissipate my anger at the current situation. I guess I'm going to Henry's tomorrow so I don't need to worry, but still the anger inside me needs to go somewhere. I don't enjoy being treated this way and I know it's not got anything to do with the way I acted! She's blocked me out, which I'm actually more angry at than anything else.

Ummm... Back to revision.

To add to that...

This deserves its own post... Someone (I will not say who) tried to expain what an 'over' is to me in cricket a couple of weeks ago. Do I look stupid? I may not play sport but I do watch it. I can explain LBW and have some knowledge of how to bowl! I used to play for goodness sake!!

By the way, it's way too hot to sleep!

Thine be the Glory

Not a song you'd associate with football, but since yesterday, all fans who watch the BBC's coverage of the current tournament will do exactly that. I don't know whether to be shocked, angry or happy that a hymn will feature on British screens for the next month or so. Someone help my figure out what I'm thinking. Football isn't a religion in my eyes, but for those who do follow, week on week, it may well be. Can it be possible for this to be a good thing? Umm... As for the game, I'm not impressed with the way we played today. Yes we scored, but we were not on top of our game. If the Germans can score 4 in their first match, how can we be held for most of a game? Thoughts of lifting that trophy are

Today has been a good day. We won the rafting (despite what some people would say) and I didn't get incredibly wet, as I thought I would. I think I may had mild sun stroke though. I was terribly dehydrated after rafting and I don't think I've done enough to help myself rehydrate. I'm feeling ever so slightly nauseous and headachy. I am certain that I have a red nose though. From te sun and from the hayfever. I am seriously suffering and have changed my drugs, although nothing seems to be helping. Please pray for me and the weather. I would like a little bit of rain. Maybe I should dance...

Exam - Isaiah

Today was ok. The exam went well. I was worried before hand that I would not know anything, but as it turns out what I'd revised was sort of what came up. Happy, not over joyed, but safe in the knowledge I've passed my final biblical based exam - ever!

I got my engagement ring back, so it's all shine and new looking, strange not to have it on my finger for a few days, definitely happy to have it back!

Now watching BB and thinking about Henry at download. I get to see him on Tuesday, so it's not too bad not seeing him this weekend. Who would want to be standing for 10 hours a day anyway, and only to see Guns n' Roses, oh, and Metallica? ;)

Sun burn and birthdays

I spent yesterday at the Cheltenham lido, I did do some revision (about the same amount that I've done today) and some swimming. I have a sun burnt back because I can't reach far enough to do my own back (show me someone who can!) but the rest of me is fine. A little browner than I was this time yesterday, but all happy and waiting for my damn exam to start! I am sooo bored, but stressed at the same time.

I have to speak at Chapel tonight about my hopes for the future and I have no idea what I want to say... Umm... I'll spend some time thinking later on today, when I've gone over my notes for the final time.

It's officially birthday season, and I am send presents out shortly to one of my friends. You can find some amazing things on the internet! Its also Father's day soon so I have to find something for him too!!

Anyway back to the revision, safe n the knowledge that I will wake up to my alarm tomorrow, no matter how much sleep I haven't had!!

A Quickie

Before Lost starts - the highlight of my day! How sad am I? (It's rhetorical, no need to answer!)
Have a look at my Dad's blog. He's written about churches that don't have a vicar - just as Christ Church doesn't at the moment. It's a brilliant article.
Also have a look at my sister's blog. Karen has a wonderful picture of her and the team that she's worked with for the past year. I'm looking forward to seeing them all graduate soon. They all look really good!
Finally, before it starts, I have a brilliant piece of news, everyone due to gradute this year will be able to because the strike by lectures has been called off. I would celebrate, but I have exams to sit very soon, so I'll be waiting til the summer ball to have a few glasses in celebration!

Growing up

I'm in a moment of reminiscing over the last three years. This Friday sees the beginning of my final exams and the end of three fantastic years at the University of Gloucestershire. I have been blogging since the beginning of my second year and have been reading some of my early entries. I've grown up a lot over the past year and a half. I've changed my mind more than enough, but remember my thoughts and feelings at the time of writing as if I'd just hit 'Publish Post'.

I'm no longer a single girl (sorry lads) but an engaged woman, looking forward to maried life. Scary!

Yes I can still be immature some times, but I can also be diplomatic and resourceful when I am called upon. I've had a great time at uni - loved the moments of absolute hilarity, laughed more than I care to remember and changed my attitude in many areas of life.

With all of that in mind I'm moving forward to something new, I'm not going to hang on to the old. Don't worry though, I will continue to blog - there's a lot to get through and I am not doing it on my own!

God's closing doors

I got another invite to an interview - but I can't go because it's during my exam. So I am slowly becoming convinced that Bristol is where I am meant to be next year.

The last 6 months have been an interesting time for me. I've literally had doors slammed in my face, and when things have been really bad there have been glimmers of hope on the horizon. I've finished many things, mostly in a hurry, but when it comes down to it I have tried my hardest to do my best, knowing that I'm heading towards graduation and married life.

So the future holds hope, a year of learning for me in many areas. A year and 46 days until I get married. I have to think about putting God before everything else. Praying first and fore most, as I fear that is the only way I am going to get through what lies ahead.

There are always going to be issues with interviews - they are so short notice these days. Each invitation I have received has been only a week in advance - which for some is stupid, especially when its a Baptist church doing the asking.

Buses

Not my favourite form of transport, but today we went to Cirencester. It's been wonderfully hot and I don't think I've got any sunburn - yeay for sun cream! Cirencester is beautiful. I haven't got any pictures, but there you go, we were on a scouting trip, not a sight seeing trip. We had a good walk and some ice cream. I'd love to see a parish church like Cirencester has in Billericay!

Back to the bus - they were both very old and had squeaky breaks - very disconcerting! And contributing to the pain I'm feeling to the left of my spine, I've done something to the muscles in my back and I'm not looking forward to sleeping on the floor this evening, but it has to be done, otherwise I won't be able to move tomorrow!

Metro readers

Hello to all of those who found my blog via metro.co.uk. Go on - have a good look!

Today is going really slowly, which is why I'm blogging. I'm seeing my parents in a couple of hours. They're over here on holiday - hoping that the house isn't being wrecked by my brothers. It's good for them to get away. I'm meant to be revising - but I did a full day yesterday so I'm having a rest!

Going to Cardiff to see Karen, it will be good to see her a I haven't since the funeral.