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Leo July 24 - Aug 23
Tue December 21, 2004
Although the emphasis on laughter and leisure will continue during the rest of the month, from today you'll also have to pay attention to your working life. You might have to put in some extra hours in order to meet a deadline or you could soon be given new responsibilities. If you're fed up with your current job, start considering your options.

Hmm, other job options. Am pretty happy here actually, and have work after the new year too, so no need to worry yet. As for extra hours, I have time to spare, I am up to date on everything. Except that Oscar Wilde novel I have been reading - I want to get that finished before the office closes here!

I changed my mind on the present I got for Mark, but I'm sure he'll like it. He got me something, and was that worried I was going to peek and ruin his surprise that he took it to London with him! Ha ha, I guess I shouldn't joke about sneeking around and looking beffore I am supposed to.

So it's a week until Christmas, and all through the house not a present was bought, not even for... Mark... Sorry, couldn't think of something relevant to rhyme.

But I have finally decided what to get Mark - can't write it here though, as he may be secretly reading - I'll tell you after he's got it. I'll be off tomorrow morning though to get it, while he's still in bed, and to post my Chrsitmas cards. I know that it's probably a little late, but better late than never huh?

I've been checking our mail every day now, and still nothing has come for me - Boo Hoo! Not to worry though, I haven't been that good and bought presents for everyone that I normally would. Being away means I don't have to, and I guess the same goes for those at home.

I'm actually really looking forward to having some time off! The week between Christmas and New Year is all mine! I think I may spend part of it in London, check out the Natural History museum and the other things I've been planning to see for a while now. Seeing that I won't be going to Amsterdam, I may as well see a little of England that I want to.

Anyway, not too much else to say. Merry Christmas to all at home, have a brilliant New Year, and have a drink for me! Kisses!

img src="http://stellargraffiti.com/My%20Pictures/T.%20Merry%20Christmas.jpg">

So close to Christmas now - everyone here at work is starting to stress about gifts and what to get. Thank the Fates I got mine all done in SE Asia, I doubt I'd have been organized enough when arriving here to get it sorted in time to be sent home.

Still I do have to get something for Mark still, and his family. Hopefully - fingers crossed and touching wood, it won't take me too long. Although I don't have many ideas of what I want to get Mark.

Sue came down from Wimbeldon in London to visit this weekend. She hasn't found any wombles - yet - but we're going to visit after Christmas dinner with Marks family and see if we have any luck. Was good to hear about her travels and all and spend a little bit of time being her Hastings tour guide. Was a lot of fun!
We went fossil hunting on Sunday along the cliffs. Found a few but not any really really good ones. Still we all enjoyed fossiking around there. Both Friday night, and Saturday was spent downing a few or more beers.

Looks like we're not off to Amsterdam over new year after all - but instead some time around February. We haven't been able to get any accommodation, so it's been put on hold. Seems like everyone wants to go there for Christmas and we just weren't quick enough! Instead we'll hang in Hastings. There's going to be a party on the beach (brrrr) and a bit happening around town, so it's the perfect opportunity to get to know some locals!

Life has been pretty cruisey of late, maybe it's just the way I'm looking at it, and maybe it really has been. Who can say?

Wow! The sun is actually shining today! Must've heard me bagging it this morning - it was a heavy grey sky as I was on my way to work. But it's turned out to be a reasonable day, even if it is short!

Last night I had a visit again from the little cat - Luna - who lives a few doors down from us. She's a lovely little thing with a thick black coat and white chest. She comes meowing at the front window when it's particularly cold at night so that we let her in. Maybe she's been banished from her house for naughtiness, or maybe she just wants some milk, as I always get her a small saucer when she comes around.

She cuddled with me for a bit on the couch, and then settled down by herself on the other couch as I got into sewing the rest of the curtains - hopefully they'll be done by the weekend.

My friend Sue is coming to visit this weekend, it's been about 2 years since we've caught up in person, and I am much looking forward to seeing her and hearing about her travels through Turkey and Canada. So is Mark, he's planning on heading to Canada next year some time for about 4 weeks - maybe more. So he'll be questioning her about all that, best places to go etc. Maybe I'll head to somewhere in Europe for a while when he's away. Haven't decided where yet, but I'm sure I won't have too much trouble figuring that one out.

But this weekend I'll be acting as tour guide for my newly adopted town. We'll probably head to the castle, and of course check out some of our true English pubs in the old town. It's sure to be a laugh!

Leo July 24 - Aug 23
Wed December 8, 2004
Be choosy about who you spend time with today. If you're with someone who's habitually miserable or sorry for themselves, you'll soon be dragged down to their level and will struggle to recover again. However, you may feel such sympathy for their plight that you don't see you have any choice but to be with them. If so, do your best to remain positive.

Ha ha.... That's kinda funny - I won't be hanging out with anyone today. Mark has gone to London, and I still don't know many people down this way - or anyone in Hastings! Maybe I should keep away from myself so that I don't drag me down? Heh heh.

Well, another week..... Not too much to say really. A quiet weekend was had.

Apparently my lil' brother's wedding went quite well and everyone enjoyed themselves. I can't wait to get some photos or something to see how it all was... Bet it was a goodun though anyway. My nephew did the page boy thing and apparently looked gorgeous in his tiny tux. He sounded quite proud of himself as well when I spoke to him about it on the phone, just as any 4 year old should be!

As for me, this weekend Mark and I got some material to make curtains for our living room. Soon people won't be able to peer in at night, and we'll have a bit of privacy in the evenings. They're going to be purple and blood orange... It's for bay windows, so purple on the sides and the centre blood orange. Sounds pretty gross actually when I write it down, but looks quite good in reality. Also got a few photo frames and we put up some pictures of our travels and a few other things. Makes it seem much more like our place than an anonymous house.

Went to one of the many pubs in town on Sunday and ended up pretty pissed. Stumbled home and fell asleep on the couch. Not a hugely active weekend this one, but nice and relaxing. Enjoyable all the same.

We'll be booking our trip to Amsterdam this weekend. 4 days of the Netherlands... Looking forward to that immensely.

A friend may be coming down to visit some time soon. She's over here teaching in London. Seems to be enjoying it too. Asked her if she wanted to come to Amsterdam with us for New Year but she already has plans to be in Paris. I guess we'll be able to swap stories of the different cities when we get back and recommend where, and where not to go.

So there you go! That's it from me for now...

Well it's Thursday, and there isn't too much to report as I've just been doing the work, home, eat and sleep routine since I last wrote on Monday.

I am feeling a little homesick - for the first time - today. Nothing inparticular has happened to make me miss home though. Everything here is pretty good. I guess though that Linc's wedding is only 2 days away though and I am missing out on that - I do hope that everything goes as planned with just the one 'hitch'. It's strange to think my little brother who used to be conned into biting into raw onions, sniffing pepper and eating whole chillies, is now doing the whole grown up routine and starting his life with a partner in just a few days. Congratulations and good luck to him!

I was going to go to London this weekend, but work being temporary still has made me reconsider, so I am staying home and conserving cash. The London Dungeons, Tate and Natural history museum can wait a little longer I think. I've been applying for permanent positions left right and centre this week, and it looks like there may be some return on my efforts soon... Just a matter of keeping at it I guess, and I am working at the moment so things are ok.

Mark and I are planning on going to Amsterdam for New Years, only for about 4 days, and it'll only cost about £200 for the whole trip. Not bad really! Am looking forward to getting to the Van Gough museum and a few of the other arty things they have there. And of course, you can't go all the way there and not check out the cafe's! Amsterdam is supposed to be reasonably small and flat, so it looks like we'll be getting around on bikes, saving a bit of cash on transport that way, and getting a good look at the city while exercising. So that's something to look forward to. Here's hoping I don't fall off and bash myself about like the last time I was on a bike!! Maybe take it easy in the cafe's... then again, maybe not I'll be far less nervous and tense if I partake in a spliff or two before cycling around the city.

Being back in the work routine is a little boring after the amazing time I had traveling around Asia... Although work is fun and I do like the people I am with, and the company. Still the call to earn a dollar - or I should say pound - has come around and needs to be addressed before any further long trips can be taken. Still if it's only gonna be £200 to go to Amsterdam for 4 days, I am sure I can have a few other weekend trips to France and other parts of Europe for about the same. So I won't be bored for too long - I hope!