I'm really easy to get along with...

...once you learn to worship me.

In so many ways its wrong...but at the same time I love it. It proves how ultimately self obsessed the western world is and makes you wonder who's likely to say it in a normal conversation (I'm thinking Jane from Coupling).

On with work, no-one is here and its skeleton staff across the county, so I'm very happy, but finding it hard to focus...I need a nap...

Ah ha!

Here's that nano second I was talking about...

First of all let me mention Maroon 5...


and Dashboard Confessional (though no photo sadly). How amazing! I really enjoyed the entire evening, thanks to Chris and Karen for drinking my beer for me, here's a photo for your troubles...


This is becoming a photo blog...

What's next on the list?

Cheltenham, a weekend with the girls, out celebrating a birthday. Smashing glasses, flavoured vodka shots, and dancing til my feet hurt. I really enjoyed catching up with everyone, hopefully there will be another weekend soon!


And finally...

Bristol, Stoke Gifford, St Michael's Church - always fun and somewhere I miss so much! Lots is happening in the church currently and the new vicar has found his feet very quickly, he even served dinner at the banquet, which was great to see. Everyone is happy and all of the events I went to ran smoothly! Muchos impressed, looking forward to seeing you all again! (yes I've already been invited back!)

Looking great ladies! Thanks once again to The Smiths who had to put up with me for the weekend (Kay, I will bring slippers next time).

I'm off to bed and praying that work isn't too bad tomorrow, though I might get the extra early bus to help with the workload. Me thinks I'm going to be ill for Christmas!

Apologies

I'm going to blog at some point, when I've got a spare nano second or two. Sorry...

I have been very busy at work, social workers do not understand the concept of 'as soon as you know'.

Bristol was amazing as always...looking forward to seeing the Banquet photos!

Off to Makro (yeay) to buy some supplies for the youth group!

New Look

So this is how I look now, and will do for a few months maybe! Do you like?

Just quickly, the driving is going well, steady progress towards getting my test done. I've jst got to focus on getting the theory sorted!

I'm cold, so I'm going downstairs to warm up!

At work...

Only briefly...the system is down and I'm bored. There is very little to do when this happens, and obviously people's minds wander and temps go missing for a while.

So I've been saving files and looking occupied for the last couple of hours. Joy!

More later on in the week, when hopefully I will have pictures of my new hair style (not just a cut!) and will let you know how the driving is going...

Well, well, well...

...a hole in the ground!

Which is precisely where the whole of the England team should be hiding tonight, after an absolutely dismal performance against Croatia.

I think my Mum is right when she says everyone thinks we have the right to be in any football competition, just because we're English (and, if you believe some people, because we practically invented sport). We don't and we need to work harder, with more passion and a belief that we can win, not that it should all be automatic (after all who wants to watch a team who are so big headed they think they can play in their sleep?).

Heads will roll.

So while I'm ripping some CD's to put on my new MP3 player, I'll update you on life.

Work is going really well, I'm balancing stress and happiness quite well, we're only 3 team members down at the moment, and things could be a lot worse. We've had a new temp join us and as we head towards Christmas I'm happy that the hours I'm doing will buy some nice presents!

Work is pretty much all-consuming right now. The new youth group kicked off last week with some success, so I'm happy with that. I'm also volunteering at a school during Friday lunchtimes (ah ha a chance to get out of the office!) which is good fun.

My room is 99% done, just a clock and some pictures to put up, and a bookcase to purchase!

This weekend I'm going to see Phantom of the Opera for a special friend's birthday and last weekend I spent time with my old housemates (which made me ill!). Only one piece of news that has upset me this week - a friend who I thought was going to be around for Christmas and New Year has decided to stay where he is for a little longer...Good for him, I do miss him though!

Right, I'm on my last CD!

Beautifully done...

The (almost) finished article! Doesn't it look amazing? Shortly after this photo was taken both of my brothers decided to dive on to the bed.

There are many people to thank for the look of this room - my Mum, who provided support in the form of edge painting, cleaning, new bedding and most importantly lunch on Saturday, my Dad, who filled in all the cracks, built the bed and gave advice, Mandy and Rob who did all of the painting, and my sister for allowing me to have a double bed (cos it wouldn't look right with a single!).

I love it, I can't believe its real and the mattress I'm now sleeping on has made my back problems easier to deal with. Now all I have to worry about is which side I sleep on.

There is a little more to do, you can't see it, but my Dad has helpfully pointed out that I need to finish the window surround and the sill (one coat of gloss and two coats of bright pink). Thats a job for Monday of next week, right now I need to recover from a sore throat.

Oi Vey!

What a busy time I'm having!

Last weekend I was taking part in Slum Survivor at the Billericay Baptist Church.
We were raising awareness and money for those who live in slums around the world, in worse conditions than we actually stayed in.
If you'd like to give some money, click on the widget!




We had a guy from CVII come and tell us about his work in Columbia, working with street children. Some of the stories are actually quite shocking, particularly the way the police treat small children. I was actually really shaken by all of them and can't imagine how anyone can treat a child like that. So I'm praying about what I should do.

The rest of my time has been spent preparing my room for some painting. It's going to be pink by the end of the weekend and hopefully with a new bed, which is arriving tomorrow. I've got some help from some very good friend of mine, so fingers crossed, we'll have lots done by the time we have to leave for the fireworks on Saturday evening! Because if we don't I'll be sleeping on the floor for another week!

Work continues to please me, I'm actually getting the hang of it now. We're enjoying a lull in the amount of work we're getting right now, my colleague and I seem to be as on top of things as possible, so when an urgent job comes in there's not a lot of panic... I am enjoying it, there have been a few blonde moments, but generally I'm happy.

I'm also going to be doing some volunteering for Envision during Friday lunch times which will greatly help my application for teacher training (when I get round to it) and will also get me out of the office on a Friday for an hour or so.

Life is good at the moment...I'm lacking a little bit of direction, but I'm happy...hopefully once my bedroom is finished I'll be blogging a bit more.

Wondering what to write...

It's been a weekend where a lot has happened but theres not a lot to say really. Kay was here this weekend, which was really good fun - I enjoy seeing her - we're very similar and have a great laugh together. We lost the rugby, which the whole world knows, and we're all very disappointed with. We could've won, but the quality of rugby wasn't world class in my opinion. Watching the game in a pub with no sound and little atmosphere has been the most interesting, I've never concentrated on a game so much.

This morning in church was interesting. I was approached by a lady who is training to be a Reader (just like my Dad) and asked if I would do some flag waving at the front of church. I've never done it before, but decided to give it a go! (Thanks Kay for your opinion before the service!) It was really good fun, and a lot of people commented on it. Now the next task is to teach the children how to flag wave safely!

So on with the working week, I could do with a half term right about now, but thats not going to happen - a chance to take the wallpaper off the walls though this week and chase up my new bed!

In a winning mood...

Oh yes...just a few hours till we find out who England will play in the Rugby Cup Final. I'm losing my voice from all the shouting I did in the last few minutes of yesterdays match. Truth is we need to play better than we have done for this whole tournament next weekend. Obviously there's that to look forward to next weekend...but Kay is also coming to stay, so I get to share the whole experience with her! Yeay!

I'm in a good mood anyway, yesterday was really good fun, despite all of the stress during the week (both from work and certain family members). If you ever need a caterer in the Chelmsford area, I'd totally recommend Select Sandwiches, the food was really good and a very friendly service.

Chelmsford Cathedral always amazes me.

Anyway, finally...here's my Dad in a dress (cassock actually!)

Enjoy it Dad - now the real work starts (as if!)

A brief interlude...

Only to tell you that work is pretty rotten at the moment, what with the first bout of flu and late summer holidays putting half the team out of action at one point. It mans there is a huge backlog of stuff to do which isn't easy when social workers and operators are phoning up constantly to ask advice/query something. I'm also making mistakes because its not something that is natural to me just yet, and sometime those mistakes take a lot to be corrected.

The stress of it all finally got the better of me this afternoon, and unfortunately I was on the phone to a social worker at the time. Although...what was going on at the time wasn't my fault, we still didn't manage to listen to each other and I got really frustrated with it all.

Despite all of this a prayer was answer during the week, though I won't go into detail, it was a miracle for me, to actually feel something happen, whilst I was praying.

The other prayer that has been answered is the safe delivery of a healthy baby Miles last weekend. Yes I had to sit down and take a deep breath when I was told, and I can't wait to see him and his proud parents at Christmas, though I possibly may not be able to wait that long! Congratulations Ant and Laura!

Right I'm off to do some friday night youth work, and hopefully fill out another CRB form, so I can be offically a part time youth worker for the team ministry.

P.S. Dad's getting licensed as a Reader tomorrow, watch out of the pictures!

Time to blog again!

It's Monday night already! Where did the weekend go?

The good news is that the weekend was brilliant. Friday night was a chance to celebrate Emily's birthday and check out Sam's in Brentwood. Saturday was part recovery, part lots to do day! I've had my hair cut (and promptly got annoyed that it wouldn't do the 'decent' thing this morning before work) and started to learn to drive again.

Sunday was 'Back to Church' day and also Harvest celebration, which was incredibly interesting if last week was your first week in church. I also went over to B&Q to get some paint samples for my room. One bright pink, one a lot paler. Then had my mate over for a couple of games on the Wii. Inevitably there were competitions within competitions and a good night was had by all!

Today, I have tried not to fall asleep at work and have realised I am ill, but only very slightly. I have also put 4 blocks of paint on my wall, I might go for the disco floor look! (Only kidding!) Bright pink is a really good colour on me!

The iPod

Possibly the worst invention in the world if you don't own an MP3 or iPod yourself, and you're sat on a bus next to someone who is playing theirs so loud you can hear the words to sing along to. Not only once, but twice today...on the way to work and on the way back! Justin this morning, and Backstreet boys, Another Level and Westlife (old skool!) this evening...only made better by the Subway roll I consumed.

The other thing that actually made me chuckle was that a particular weight loss organization was having an open evening for new members - with wine and nibbles! Umm...great way to start losing weight ladies!

Exciting news: I get my permanent pass tomorrow after lunch and I get to meet the guy who is at the top of our particular department!

Right, off to outreach training and a chance to meet the lady vicar in the parish!

Smashing!

Just a few pictures for you before I go to bed for a well earned rest. Yes I have spent the last two days watching tennis (10 hours in total so far!) but, as always, with any British team, it's not been straight forward.

The rugby and football scores kept me on my toes too! Shame we lost in the women's word cup, but a 5-0 trashing by Arsenal brightened my smile.

So 2-0, what will day 3 of the Davis cup hold?

Facebook has a selection of photo's from the last two days - and will have the third day when I get back tomorrow!

Night!

Take it all...

The joys of Hillsong, from 'Take, take, take it all' to 'I will worship you for who you are'. These are the songs I've been singing for the last few days at work. A good lyric can just get me, and will not get out of my head for days on end. I'm quite surprised that no-one has told me to shut up yet!

Now I just have to figure out how to turn the bass down on the computer speakers!

If you get a chance - check out the link on Ant's blog (below and to the right) for the new look St Mike's web address. A whole mixture of feelings for me at the moment. The start of a new term and I'm not in Stoke Gifford, full time youth work is not my job any more. Pray for the full-time youth team (Ant, Trev and Cath) as well as the large group of extra-timers who are involved in a huge on-going ministry. You don't know how much I miss you all.

A bit of a glum moment.

This week at work has been a tough one. I think I've figured out that being in charge of two areas is not a one person job, or a two person job, it's one and a half almost. I felt absolutely swamped on Wednesday, but today I got through emails that weren't urgent. Having two people takes the pressure off a lot. Still getting an email today for transport tomorrow at 3.30pm today is not funny.

But this week will end on a high (of sorts). Tomorrow is a day off (yeay) which is to be filled by watching the Davis Cup (umm..). I also got my very own stapler and hole punch today! Woot! The exciting life of Liz!

Pictures of tennis and a weekend sports commentary to follow...

Loving Live

Ricky Gervais, everyone!

Yes, live and loud, and saying things to shock...a good laugh, but there are times when I want to hit him.

I'm understanding the concept of a weekend now. I didn't get away from work today until 5 and it absolutely sucks getting out late! Looking forward to not getting up until a sensible time tomorrow!

Just time to grab a drink and settle in for the rugby...I have a feeling I'm not going to like the score! (I'm not liking firefox right now, its playing up big time!)

You First

What a week! It started with the car and continued in a similar crazy fashion.

My lickle brother turned 18 on Thursday so now there is a house full of adults...which has its ups and downs as always. We had good fun celebrating and after the disappointment of Tuesday night (the boys lost their 5-a-side football match 9-5) we needed some cheering up. I'm still really trying to get over going out on Friday - I think that bad nightclubs are the reason why I don't enjoy myself when I go out. Essex just doesn't have the same idea as some of the nightclubs I've been to. I won't rant about it, cos I will just bore you, but its got a lot to do with dance music and having one big room rather than lots of floors for different music.

Yesterday was spent with the extended family, where I got the mick taken out of my constantly. Not good. And quite annoyed that I let it get to me so badly.

Today was the day of 101 things to do at church. Dad was preaching (is sermon - which was really good is here) and serving, Mum was down for drinks after the service and doing the projector during... as Mum always does, she panicked before asking if I wanted to help! D'uh. So I was on the projector this morning and helped with drinks too.

The majority of the afternoon was spent in front of the TV - watching F1 and the rugby! Then it was off to church again to see what Mark's idea for alternative worship is. I really enjoyed discussing the questions he had asked us about the beattitudes in Matt 5. The Message version is a lot different from the NIV and the questions that Mark asked where:

Which beattitude describes you best?

Which beattitude challenges you the most?

Which beattitude can change the world?

Now you might find those questions easy or really difficult (the first one for me is the hardest to answer), but how ever you feel about them, you should feel inspired that God is calling us to be a people that isn't 'me first'.

Who is God calling you to be? Another question that is filling my head. At 22 I thought I knew who I was, what I was meant to do, but God has shown me otherwise and now I have to find who it is that God is calling me to be. At 23 I'm a little lost, those who know me well will know that the last 12 months have been a struggle, hopefully the next 12 will help me to find my feet.

This week pray 'you first' and see how you get on.

One for the road...

You know it had to be done! And I promise this will be one of few rather than one of many...but why 'One for the road...', well it's because of this...


Isn't it beautiful! A pink mini cooper - possibly the car of my dreams! I'll have to see how much it costs and start saving. First I have to learn to drive...

Also one for the road because I've being running. Three times a week, fingers crossed (with or without my younger brother running alongside 'encouraging' me), I'm hoping to get a little fitter by Christmas and lose some of the fat I've gained by drinking too much.

And one for the train...last time I went to Bristol I was some what scuppered by a closed ticket office! So I am mid-flow (well finished now) writing a letter to 'one' railway complaining about the poor service...They will reimburse the tickets that I had to purchase to get myself across London and hopefully try to explain why the ticket office was closed in the first place. As ever I'll keep you updated.

One for the traveller!

Karen...this one is specifically for you as international calling is a little too expensive!

Dad making a complete hash of lunch today...

Camera phones can be so useful!

He thought he was being clever by using the microwave to heat the spaghetti, he didn't give much thought to how hot the bowl was going to be when it came out, so half of it ended up on the work top, with me in stitches! I then proceeded to use the oven glove that is available, like every other sensible human being!


Work this week has being interesting. I'm currently working for the education transport department, doing call backs to parents/carers who are concerned about their/a child's transport to school. The last week and the next two are the busiest for the department apparently, what with school and college starting during September. I'm trying to get to grips with a system that I have very little knowledge of and also fit into the office way of life.

I have never worked in an office with regular hours before, but I'm getting used to it. There is a lot to learn and ideas to get to grips with. Essex County Council is a very busy place. I'm having to learn to listen with both ears separately - those who have worked in the office for just a few months have the amazing ability to listen to the conversation that is going on in the office and have a conversation on the phone too!

We went out of drinks yesterday, so I'm getting to know them all slowly but surely. I have realised really quickly that its an office that changes constantly - the only really fixed element is the system that the council uses!

The rest of life is just that! I get home and theres not a lot to do! Once term kicks off though, I'm sure I'll be able to fill my evenings - the boys have football on Tuesday, alpha on Wednesday, I'm going to start exercising to just so that I start sleeping properly! Its driving me nuts waking up in the middle of the night!

Anyway - Karen I hope the rest of your time in Canada serves you well. I suggest sleeping for the 18 hour bus journey! Or have you picked up any good books while you've been out there?

On the move...

Not only am I going to Bristol for a couple of days this weekend, I'm also starting a new job on Tuesday morning with the council! Exciting, eh?

The last two weeks have been a little on the crazy side, and so much of a roller coaster, its been hard to get to grips with just what is happening in my life. Just a week ago I was saying goodbye to a very good friend of mine, he's now on a ship somewhere and it's difficult to keep up with him! That was a sad occasion and I'm looking forward to seeing him when he eventually gets back.

Last Friday I was saying hello to Kay, who is a very good friend. I've pretty much spoken to her every day since I left Bristol, now whenever I'm on the phone my parents don't need to ask who I'm talking to! I'm off to see her tomorrow, spend a couple of days in Stoke Gifford before starting my new job. It was really good fun having Kay stay in Billericay for a few days, I really enjoy her company! Unfortunately she'd built Essex up to be something that, well, frankly it isn't and going out on Saturday night didn't much help her impressions! Still we had a lot of fun and we're happy at the end of the night! When she left on Sunday, I was not in a happy mood. The sore throat that I'd gotten from drinking too much completely wiped me out, so I went to bed.

Monday was spent mainly feeling sorry for myself, although I did end up going out with my brother and his mates in the evening. The night started off well, but I hit a point where I just could not be bothered any more. I don't know if you've ever experienced a change in attitude quickly (otherwise known as a mood swing), one thats so quick, you're caught by surprise? I was completely, and I realised that I have been in self destruct mode for a few weeks. I wasn't happy when I woke up on Tuesday and felt even lower walking into the job centre to claim my JSA (which rather ironically I won't have to do any more as my circumstances have changed!), so I'm doing something about it.

That's enough of that! I'm just going to draw your attention to a new link on the side panel. Its the blog of a magazine, and a very good read.

Right, off to pack!!

P.S. How is it that sex sells everything? From Paint (Dulux during Ugly Betty at 11am this morning) to Fabric conditioner - I am so shocked, why can't we just have cute babies and dogs again?

P.P.S. (Because another entry would be crazy) My brother is currently playing music in our drive that is so loud I can hear all of the words, and I would turn it down if the sound system was in the same room. No where to escape!