THE DISAPPOINTMENT WHEN YOU REALIZE YOU AREN'T JLO
You know how sometimes you just have a row of feel- good days? For the past week I've pretty much felt like I'm JLO. I walk past a mirror and I'm like hellooooo cookie. I look at myself with admiration. Enjoy that I'm slowly but surely going back to my pre- exam bodyshape. 100 more spinning classes now and we're aaaaalmost there...
And then....
There's this devil- mirror at my gym.
One of the mirrors in the changing rooms. I don't understand. Whenever I've been there, it always makes me look absolutely awful. It literally looks as if my ass is hanging down to my knees. Or as if it's some kind of weird- shaped rectangle completely without perkyness. So much that I had to call Alex and ask him whether my ass hangs down to my knees.
- Of course it does't. Where did you get this idea from?
- In one mirror at the gym it looks just like that!
- What do you mean one mirror? What about your own mirror?
- In my mirror I look hot! And the other mirrors too!.
- Well... Maybe in that case just look in all the other mirrors and avoid the one that you call the "devil- mirror"?
- But you don't get it! What if the "devil- mirror" is the one that speaks the truth??? And the other mirrors are LYING to me? I mean, I can never know for sure since my butt is behind me!
- Oh God...
I spent all evening yesterday googling butt- workouts. After some more dissertation work this morning I'm so on it. Just in case my own mirror's lying.
PETERBOROUGH- THE NEW HAMPTONS?
As you might have guessed as of October I'll have my permanent base in Peterborough rather than Ldn. Moving into a house with Alex hasn't just got me excited, it's got my friends excited too.
On Saturday when I met up with Deborah and Dagny, for instance...
- Oh I can't wait to see Peterborough! It seems so cute!
- When Charles is playing golf with you guys me and Dagny can sip cocktails at the club house!
- I'm kind of thinking that Peterborough is like the Hamptons, it's gonna be great!
- Ok, girls- just so you're aware Peterborough and its villages may be charming but it's not exactly the Hampt...
- Shh! You're ruining it!
- For me, Peterborough’s gonna be the Hamptons until I see it.
- Fri, I bet you could turn it into the Hamptons.
*Hopeful looks*
- So, what’s the shopping like there?
- I guess they have all the basic things like... Zara?
- Actually they don't have Zara, it's really strange!
*Silence.*
- But, what do they have if they don't have Zara?
- Most other shops I think.
- Fri you're so gonna come to London every weekend.
- Have you decided what colours you're gonna have in the guestroom yet?
- We haven't talked about yet that, I don't know maybe...
- Maybe a light pink? And lots of flowers?
- I don’t think Alex is gonna…
- Or.. Yellow!
What do you think gang? Is Peterborough the new Hamptons? Is Alex gonna want a light pink guest room? (And by the way, he still thinks that the guestroom is called “the *play FIFA with the lads*- room… Any advice on how we can multitask that?) Stay tuned.
Which one's which???
Peterborough..?
The Hamptons..?
LLB GRADUATION 2011
Yesterday me and Dagny re- lived our graduation from last year by going to QMUL's law graduation, cheering on our Erasmus friends who graduated this year. Aaaahh all the memories! It's fascinating how our own graduation can feel so much like yesterday but still like years ago.
I was so impressed by Charles' cameratechnique- he was obviously very aware of his lady's high picture- demands (both when it comes to amount and quality). Not only did he take about 10 pictures of her per 2 seconds from every angle possible, but at the same time he says the magic words "don't worry babe, the shoes are in the picture." Ahh. What a man! You could all learn from him!
Note to self: if you're a troll with a height of 1,63 and out on the town with two gorgeous blondes, put your HEELS on!
Afterwards Dags took me out for a lunch- date to celebrate our friends' graduation. (Which we didn't think was strange at all even though they were all at dinners with their families. We're such good friends, taking the day off for them!) That basically meant that I was half drunk at about 3.30, only for Dagny to say "It's so strange, this always happens when people are with me!" (It's funny because it really does. And it's not strange. Because Dagny's Finnish.)
After some more wine and down- time in Dagny's flat I got a burger, put it in my handbag for later (it seemed like a really good idea at the time) and headed off to QMUL's Campus where Pete had a little graduation- gathering. If the morning had been a nostalgia- trip this was the ultimate one: being back in halls that even smelled the same as they did 4 years ago, and with the same people that I used to live with.
Nat and Rob
Pete and Steve
Me and Angelica. (She said something funny right when the picture was taken. But it's too vulgar for me to tell you. Shame on you, Ange!)
Alex started suspecting what would happen right when I texted him saying I was having lunch with Dagny, and so encouraged an early trip home. Which was probably probably a good idea- you should always stop when you're on top. It was a happy MissFriFri that wandered home through the Hackney evening at the respectable time of 10.30, BigMac still in handbag and slightly emotional from all the nostalgia.
STEPHANIE- WEEK: PICTURE UPDATE
We had lots of fun when Stephanie was here! We went to the Harry Potter première and tried climbing on things, going on double deck buses, standing on our toes and flirt with police for 3 hours to get a little glimpse of the spectacle. Unfortunately the only thing we could see was a big screen. But still- we were THERE!
The excitement meant that we forgot how hungry we were, luckily we had a date with Dagny in the Food Quarters...
There was some bellini action...
I found a poncho for Stephanie! Now I only have to find one for myself, I keep looking and looking for the one that will be just right for me hmm...
We met up with Emma in Selfridges. She's been hanging out with Jay in Camden and has updated her look for the occassion. (Aka new boots, bag and more latex than usual...)
I thought I should introduce Stephanie to some traditional English cuisine: steak pies coming up!
However it didn't go down too well with Stephanie... She thought it was so awful she had to hide the steak under her carrots... Hmm... At least we went to Hummingburd's after to have cupcakes, which sort of saved the day!
Dagny joined in for lunch!
As Emma went back to Camden the rest of us took a trip to Harrods since Stephanie's never been there (me and Dagny had no special interest to go there, it was a completely unselfish decision...) Stephanie fell in love with and purchased these ray- bans: I'm sliiightly jealous and also want a pair!
The last night we got into girly mode; went home early, made omelettes, had fudge from harrods' food halls, crisps and tea and tried on dresses. Then we giggled until 3 in the morning like 7- year olds on their first sleepover who are too excited to fall asleep.
Stephanie has some more pictures that I might upload later; for instance pictures of me and Dagny in ecstasy trying on YSL shoes. Ahhh good times... Or as Dagny said, "those who say you can't buy happiness just don't know where to shop!"
THE HARRY POTTER- GEEKS
This is how excited me and the girls were in our 3D- glasses at the Harry Potter- première on Friday:
We brought our men but they were definitely not as excited. And they definitely didn't wanna be in the picture. Alex has never quite got into the whole Harry- Potter thing and kept checking the time and falling asleep. Until I grabbed his arm and screamed out loud because Voldemort appeared, that is... Afterwards I'm realizing I'd probably have gotten more support id I'd sat next to Dagny or Deborah.
Me and Alex planned to stay in Ldn until Saturday morning ("We'll leave 10 at the latest") to start the Big Move of The Things. The problem is that I might have been slightly, eh, positive (dillusional?) and said that yeah everything's probably gonna fit into his car since I've thrown away/ given away so much. As we proceeded it became more and more clear that there was definitely no way in hell it would fit. We came to a point where Alex made me choose between my frying pan and pots and my bags of shoes (You can't have both! You have to choose!) and so the kitchenware will be a memory while my shoes will live on. After trying to pack the car for 1,5 hours in the rain (me holding an umbrella over Alex and cheering on while he tried to squeeze the massive bags into different directions) we finally left for Peterborough- at 2.30.
After unpacking the car we had another triple- date lined up with Arno, Sophie, Addy and Sabrina- a good evening with food, wine and discussions about cushions, curtains, sexist videos and Ashely and Cheryl Cole being back together. Unfortunately the Sunday won't be super- relaxed since it's Alex' room's turn to be packed. It's all about the teamwork!
"AT THIS POINT, YOU HAVEN'T REALLY ACHIEVED ANYTHING"
I tend to get life crises sometimes (as you might have noticed before?) But this week there’s been a really big one! Because, for the first time ever I don’t know in July what I’m going to do in October. (I know what I’m doing in September since I’m going on a great holiday with Alex, but that’s a completely different topic…!) And apparently I’m not alone. I had a coffee with my friends that confirmed that the life crisis is creeping up more or less on everyone. And to be honest, it makes you slightly bitter when you think that we’ll all have two degrees (one LLB and one LLM) at the age of 23 and still we utter the words “we really need to speed this up because we’re not getting any younger. Before you know it people are gonna think that you wanna go on maternity leave and if you haven’t established yourself by that time you’re screwed!” (Not to mention what would happen if you actually WOULD GO on maternity leave at some point…)
The daunting task of starting to find a job, or perhaps even a job that you like and are qualified for, proved such a daunting task that I ended up hiding under my duvet with a 200g Swedish chocolate bar, some fudge that me and Stephanie had got in Harrods’ food halls and a bag of crisps that I found hidden in a drawer. I watched the Apprentice and thought, maybe I can start an own company? MAYBE I’M AN ENTREPRENEUR? Maybe I should apply to the Apprentice? (I know, but can't I pretend?!)
The next day I booked an appointment at the Careers Service as any responsible person would do. I was greeted by an older lady who, it turned out, had absolutely no answers for me whatsoever.
“So, I was wondering, apart from x and y, what sort of jobs would you recommend that I apply for if I do not want to qualify as a lawyer yet or at all?”
“Well, that’s really difficult to say. It’s really difficult to get a job right now.” *Pushing a box of tissues forwards towards me* (Me: *Does she think I'm gonna start crying..?*)
“Yes I’m aware of that. That’s why I was wondering if perhaps you could give me some tips?”
“Not really anything apart from what you said. You could qualify of course. But it’s really difficult.”
“Do you have any recommendations for how I could fund my studies if I choose to do the BPTC or LPC?”
"Can't your parents pay?"
“No.”
“Mm.”
“Can you perhaps have a look at my CV?”
*Silence* “I’d perhaps change the subtitle “Personal profile” to “Key achievements.” *Looks at me* Although obviously at this stage you haven’t really achieved anything.”
Ironically, rather than making me upset her comment almost made me laugh. After having worked towards one goal since about the age of 13, trying to get in to the best A- level programme, getting into the best possible universities, getting the best possible grades, spending hours and hours on doing extra curricular activities, volunteering and pro bono, this woman, who I've never met before, sits here and tells me I haven't achieved anything. And it turns out that was the slap in the face I might need. Because just like any obstinate 3- year old, in my head I thought "And who are YOU? What do YOU KNOW? (Because she obviously didn't know that much about anything...)", excused myself, picked up about three bags of brochures and left. Because at the end of the day you yourself know what you've achieved and what you've sacrificed to get there. And only an idiot would stop half way or let trivial things such as a global financial crisis or funding get in your way. Believe it or not, everyone has once been in their early 20s.
ME AND MY BRUNCH BABE
Stephanie the one and only is here to visit!! =D So this is what we're enjoying ourselves with this morning:
And as if it wasn't enough to have Stephanie here, Linnea is here to see Alexander too! We had a fab evening with them yesterday drinking Pimms, talking memories and as the Pimms kept going down the dirty secrets and details about our lives came out too. Plus, Alexander being a psychologist it's so much fun to get his angle on peoples' behaviours and the world generally. (If anyone's wondering I'm nut cured, I'm still nuts...)
Since it's the Harry Potter première today I'm gonna take Stephanie, one of the biggest fans I know, into the crowd and see if we can get a glimpse of any of the actors. (Probably not, I'm guessing that people ahve been camping out in central all night..?) She's also insisting that she doesn't need to go shopping since she doesn't "need" anything which basically made my jaw drop down to the floor and accussing her mum for this ridiculous statement. Yesterday I took her into French Connection in an attempt to "cure" her, waving dresses in front of her and shouting "noooow do you wanna shop??? What about NOW??" After I'd shrieked "I'm broke, I have to live my shopping- persona through you! You're my friend you should help me!" she's finally agreed that she might need another party dress. (And I've decided that she'll need new underwear for next weekend when she goes to Paris with her boyfriend, but she doesn't know that we're buying that yet...)
Have a great day my lovelies!
OVERLY EMOTIONAL, ANYONE?!
On Saturday my sister arrived to Ldn town. She's not staying with me but with Jay who she met when she visited me last summer. (I'm guessing her reasoning is why stay with my sister when I can stay with a muscly Jamaican?)
Jay broke his wrist skateboarding. He said that skateboarding makes him feel free. Until you break something, I said. Then he just looked at me angrily.
Me and Jay got into deep discussions about religion, Obama and poverty at the bus stop. A bit random perhaps... Mum saaid that it's unfortunate that I've inherited dad's incapacity of ever being quiet...
Did any of you watch the Wimbledon final? OMG I got a bit too excited by it all. I started crying when Djocovic won. Like, properly crying. Ahhh. He was sent away to Germany when he was 12. He's been working for this his whole life. Ohh... His parents.... *Sobsobsooob*...
Only to see a close- up of Nadal when he wipes away a tear. Then I start crying again. Ohh. Poor Nadal. Ooohhh. They're all winners. Why can't they all win?? Ohhh... *sobsobsob*
To stop crying I changed channel, only to watch an episode of Teen Mom where the teen mom gave up her child for adoption, so then I started crying again because it was aaaalll soooo saaaad. Change channel to Friends. Monica and Chandler can't have a baby. It all ends with me calling Alex saying that I can't watch TV anymore because the world is too cruel. Since he doesn't understand me ("You shouldn't watch Wimbledon if you can't deal with the consequences!") I spend the rest of the evening watching Love Actually. Sometimes you just have to let it out, you know.
Yeah yeah I know. I have serious issues.
MUMMY EVA- VISIT
Hello gang, here's the blonde that's taken aaaaaall my attention for the past week, often with more demanding requests than Mariah Carey herself:
And this is me for two mins or so when I felt like I needed a little bit of a rest from Mariah....
Apart from a few moments, such as when mum said "get off my bed", "don't touch my pillow" (when really it's MY bed and MY pillow) and woke me up before 7 every morning like a 3- year old it was all a blast! Oh another low- point was when mum REFUSED to sit inside the restaurant and eat even though it was raining (we're talking properly POURING down) and there was even lightning. She thought it was ok since I was sort of under the roof and she was not but she wore a rainjacket (I can never go back to that place again, EVER).
The week has been filled with shopping and just laying in the sun in the park. AND- we finally decided to try afternoon tea. Here are some pics from the Athenaeum:
It's now been about 24 hours and I've hardly had to eat since... Basically it was like fatty's dream. Mum glanced at me disapprovingly when I ate until I almost had to lay down on the floor with the motto "it's all about value for money, mum."
What I'm gonna do now? Crosstrainer, of course..!
