I can't imagine anyone remembers this blog. I've mostly forgotten about it. But, because I have lots and lots of things to do, I am procrastinating by catching up with it.
Here's a quick round up:
It amazes me, but my gorgeous little boy is nearing 11 months old; I am addicted to his smiles. My kitchen is still not finished, but we're almost there. Undiscovered Voices 2010 has wrapped up for us organisers; we're just waiting with fingers crossed for news of book deals. www.undiscoveredvoices.com. The next publishing event from me is a Children's Book Circle panel event on the Google Books Settlement www.childrensbookcircle.org.uk in early April. I've got some serious under-contract writing on the horizon and I'm so excited about it. I'm leading a super-secret, mega-exciting iniative that could make life better for lots and lots of people. I'm giving a talk to a group of 8-12 year old passionate readers and it's the thing I'm most nervous about. I have not done any actual exercise in months but I have been cooking up a storm in the kitchen. I just bought two new sweaters that I completely love.
There ya go... should do it for now. I hope it won't be another six months before I get back here again. But maybe you will forgive me if it is?
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Sunday, September 20, 2009
First Post-natal Blog
So, um, on January 2nd I wrote that I would post on this blog as much as baby would allow - which turned out to be not at all. Sorry. But, I can say that I did manage #1 "give birth" and #4 "stay involved in the children's publishing world".
In fact, it is the pursuit of #4 that inspired this post.
On Saturday, I taught a fantasy writing class. It wasn't my first time speaking to group of writers, but it was the first time I had ever taught. If you want to know what they thought of me, just click on this *ahem* picture below which was created by the creative Candy Gourlay, one of the writers on the course.
And please refer to me as "Slasher" from now on.
In fact, it is the pursuit of #4 that inspired this post.
On Saturday, I taught a fantasy writing class. It wasn't my first time speaking to group of writers, but it was the first time I had ever taught. If you want to know what they thought of me, just click on this *ahem* picture below which was created by the creative Candy Gourlay, one of the writers on the course.
And please refer to me as "Slasher" from now on.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Busy as a Bee
Lots of fun projects have been keeping me busy.
My favorite of the lot is this one: www.undiscoveredvoices.com. This is the anthology contest that my friend Sara and I ran two years ago for the British Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators. It was hugely successful then and we're hoping this second incarnation will be, too. We had opened the submissions with a kick off event last Tuesday. The agent and editor judges plus the past winners came along to offer advice to the people submitting this year. It was great to feel the excitement in the air. And this year we have a beautiful website which explains everything if I haven't already talked your ear off about it. Yay!
My other big children's book industry project was co-hosting a Children's Book Circle event on the future of children's publishing. We had a panel of five speakers come to talk about digitally interactive publishing, e-books, sustainable paper publishing, print on demand and personalized printing. They were all great speakers and I learned a lot. That was also last week, on Thursday, and so I've defintiely been keeping myself busy and distracted from this Big Event that everyone is waiting for.
I've also been taking driving lessons, and have my driving test booked for April 16th. Gulp. Gulp because it's notoriously hard to pass driving tests in Britain and gulp because that's only eight days before my due date! I'm hoping the huge bump might win me some sympathy points.
Other chores: I've pre-washed all my baby clothes/cloths/blankets; I planted some garlic in pots on the patio; I've been ordering things online like mad for Baby's arrival.
Hubby's progress: He's fixed our bookcases to the wall, so I can start filling up the shelves. He's repotted our tall bamboo plants into fancy bigger pots, done some gravelling out front and also started pulling down the kitchen. This time, though, the kitchen won't stay in pieces for months. The idea is that everything he's ripped out will be put back (even better) by the end of this Easter weekend. When he pulled up the cabinets, we found a community newsletter from 1987 buried underneath -- it quite amusing as it's pretty similar to the newsletter we get now! Here's the kitchen in-progress:
And when we're not doing big projects, we're doing this... which, if you aren't addicted like we are, is Guitar Hero.
My favorite of the lot is this one: www.undiscoveredvoices.com. This is the anthology contest that my friend Sara and I ran two years ago for the British Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators. It was hugely successful then and we're hoping this second incarnation will be, too. We had opened the submissions with a kick off event last Tuesday. The agent and editor judges plus the past winners came along to offer advice to the people submitting this year. It was great to feel the excitement in the air. And this year we have a beautiful website which explains everything if I haven't already talked your ear off about it. Yay!
My other big children's book industry project was co-hosting a Children's Book Circle event on the future of children's publishing. We had a panel of five speakers come to talk about digitally interactive publishing, e-books, sustainable paper publishing, print on demand and personalized printing. They were all great speakers and I learned a lot. That was also last week, on Thursday, and so I've defintiely been keeping myself busy and distracted from this Big Event that everyone is waiting for.
I've also been taking driving lessons, and have my driving test booked for April 16th. Gulp. Gulp because it's notoriously hard to pass driving tests in Britain and gulp because that's only eight days before my due date! I'm hoping the huge bump might win me some sympathy points.
Other chores: I've pre-washed all my baby clothes/cloths/blankets; I planted some garlic in pots on the patio; I've been ordering things online like mad for Baby's arrival.
Hubby's progress: He's fixed our bookcases to the wall, so I can start filling up the shelves. He's repotted our tall bamboo plants into fancy bigger pots, done some gravelling out front and also started pulling down the kitchen. This time, though, the kitchen won't stay in pieces for months. The idea is that everything he's ripped out will be put back (even better) by the end of this Easter weekend. When he pulled up the cabinets, we found a community newsletter from 1987 buried underneath -- it quite amusing as it's pretty similar to the newsletter we get now! Here's the kitchen in-progress:
And when we're not doing big projects, we're doing this... which, if you aren't addicted like we are, is Guitar Hero.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Photo Update
I'm overdue on some photos that I promised. Here they are:
The new car...
The new kitchen...
Yes, it is still in its packaging, but it will be rudely awakened in about two weeks' time. The first pic is the fridge, dishwasher (yay!) and microwave. The second is of all the cupboards, shelves, door handles, etc., in a stack in our conservatory.
The new nursery...
Now posing as a guest room. (Sorry for the narrow shot. I'm still not quite used to my new camera.) Hubby has outdone himself with the beautiful new floor.
For those keeping tabs on my pregnancy, I'm now 34 weeks pregnant. (Gulp!) We've been going to NCT classes to meet other parents and learn about all the fun stuff that's going to happen in 6 to 8 weeks time.
I hope my next post will be about half of the new kitchen going in.
The new car...
The new kitchen...
Yes, it is still in its packaging, but it will be rudely awakened in about two weeks' time. The first pic is the fridge, dishwasher (yay!) and microwave. The second is of all the cupboards, shelves, door handles, etc., in a stack in our conservatory.
The new nursery...
Now posing as a guest room. (Sorry for the narrow shot. I'm still not quite used to my new camera.) Hubby has outdone himself with the beautiful new floor.
For those keeping tabs on my pregnancy, I'm now 34 weeks pregnant. (Gulp!) We've been going to NCT classes to meet other parents and learn about all the fun stuff that's going to happen in 6 to 8 weeks time.
I hope my next post will be about half of the new kitchen going in.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
My work colleagues ROCK
This morning at work, I came downstairs from a meeting to find a surprise "30" birthday balloon and shiny confetti all over my desk. Then, I got a special sparkly birthday cake and everyone sang me Happy Birthday. I LOVED it.
Here is a picture of my fabulous cake, courtesy of a friend with a camera phone. It was lemon inside with a delicious cream cheese (and edible sparkly) filling.
Husband liked it, too. I brought a big slice home for him.
And this is only the beginning of a long weekend of celebrating... me! I get a fancy dinner tomorrow night with the husband, an evening of karaoke, Chinese food and drinks (non-alcoholic for me) in London on Saturday with Da Crew AND a lunch with my neighbour on Sunday.
Getting old is fun!
Here is a picture of my fabulous cake, courtesy of a friend with a camera phone. It was lemon inside with a delicious cream cheese (and edible sparkly) filling.
Husband liked it, too. I brought a big slice home for him.
And this is only the beginning of a long weekend of celebrating... me! I get a fancy dinner tomorrow night with the husband, an evening of karaoke, Chinese food and drinks (non-alcoholic for me) in London on Saturday with Da Crew AND a lunch with my neighbour on Sunday.
Getting old is fun!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Thank you Petaling Street
Today I managed to successfully negotiate with a used car dealer. Wahoo!
Hubby and I set a price that we wanted to pay (even though we would have paid the sticker price), and I wheeled and dealed until we actually got that price. It wasn't easy and the dealer didn't want to agree to my offer, but in the end I managed to get £500 off the listed price. YeeHAW!
It's not a done deal yet, but we've locked in the price and I'm very proud of myself. So, thank you to Petaling Street (a street in Kuala Lumpur where I watched my dad haggle with hard-headed watch sellers) and also thank you to various websites about negotiation and to my husband for his patience.
When/if we get the car, I'll post a picture.
In other news:
-- the nursery is coming along nicely. Neil has painted the walls, hung the blinds and laid most of the new floor.
-- the IKEA kitchen is arriving on Tuesday.
-- we're just back from a lovely trip to Tucson to celebrate my Grandma's 90th birthday, to meet my gorgeous second nephew Caleb and to see my mom's beautiful new house.
-- we have our first parenting class on Monday
-- I'm taking driving lessons and am scheduled for a British driving test in mid-April. I hope Baby doesn't come too early!
Hubby and I set a price that we wanted to pay (even though we would have paid the sticker price), and I wheeled and dealed until we actually got that price. It wasn't easy and the dealer didn't want to agree to my offer, but in the end I managed to get £500 off the listed price. YeeHAW!
It's not a done deal yet, but we've locked in the price and I'm very proud of myself. So, thank you to Petaling Street (a street in Kuala Lumpur where I watched my dad haggle with hard-headed watch sellers) and also thank you to various websites about negotiation and to my husband for his patience.
When/if we get the car, I'll post a picture.
In other news:
-- the nursery is coming along nicely. Neil has painted the walls, hung the blinds and laid most of the new floor.
-- the IKEA kitchen is arriving on Tuesday.
-- we're just back from a lovely trip to Tucson to celebrate my Grandma's 90th birthday, to meet my gorgeous second nephew Caleb and to see my mom's beautiful new house.
-- we have our first parenting class on Monday
-- I'm taking driving lessons and am scheduled for a British driving test in mid-April. I hope Baby doesn't come too early!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Country Living
One of the things I should have blogged about last year was buying our escape-to-the-country home. We've left concrete Croydon and moved to the Chilterns.
Here's the view from our bedroom window:
It's green and beautiful and it makes it difficult to go into grey, crowded London for work. The village is tiny and lovely, and we have wonderful next door neighbours who welcomed us on our first evening and have been good friends ever since.
Of course, we can't resist redecorating and renovating. We're redoing the kitchen, IKEA-style, just as we did in Croydon. We're turning bedroom three into a nursery, and doing a few bits and pieces everywhere else (new fireplace, new floors, painting everywhere...).
Progress so far:
We have had the hideous Artex ceiling plastered over by a skilful, efficient and clean workman (yay!), and we've had custom bookshelves made by affordable and skilled but not very communicative pine bookcase builders.
Artex ceiling:
Artex celing no more:
We've also bought a new couch:
My darling hubby has pointed out that my New Year's resolution about getting all the DIY done by the end of the year isn't really fair on him, but I've always been a little ambitious...
I'm off to IKEA on Monday to finalize the kitchen and place the order for everything, so I expect you'll see a picture of the stack of flat pack in the near future.
Here's the view from our bedroom window:
It's green and beautiful and it makes it difficult to go into grey, crowded London for work. The village is tiny and lovely, and we have wonderful next door neighbours who welcomed us on our first evening and have been good friends ever since.
Of course, we can't resist redecorating and renovating. We're redoing the kitchen, IKEA-style, just as we did in Croydon. We're turning bedroom three into a nursery, and doing a few bits and pieces everywhere else (new fireplace, new floors, painting everywhere...).
Progress so far:
We have had the hideous Artex ceiling plastered over by a skilful, efficient and clean workman (yay!), and we've had custom bookshelves made by affordable and skilled but not very communicative pine bookcase builders.
Artex ceiling:
Artex celing no more:
We've also bought a new couch:
My darling hubby has pointed out that my New Year's resolution about getting all the DIY done by the end of the year isn't really fair on him, but I've always been a little ambitious...
I'm off to IKEA on Monday to finalize the kitchen and place the order for everything, so I expect you'll see a picture of the stack of flat pack in the near future.
Friday, January 02, 2009
It's 2009!
If there is anyone out there still reading: I can't believe it's been six months since I've posted! I apologize for my lack of follow through. Since it's a new year, I'm going to get back on the blogging horse.
I have a couple of things to blog about from the second half of last year that I will post in the coming weeks, but this post is a combination "big news" post and 2009 goals. Lots of my blogging friends are posting their goals for the year for all to see, and perceived pressure from all you people watching me will help get me get them done.
My first goal is combined with my "big news".
1. Give birth.
Yup. If you didn't know already (but I'm guessing you do!) I'm six months pregnant with a baby boy, due at the end of April. This and what follows will take up the majority of my energy and efforts, so the rest of my list will be short.
2. End the DIY.
Help my husband install a new kitchen, set up the nursery (both before baby, I hope!)and decorate the rest of the house so that it's completely done by 2010.
3. Begin the gardening.
One of my dreams for moving out to the country and having a proper backyard (oh yeah, we've moved!) is to be able to grow my own vegetables. I'm pretty good at killing house plants, but I'm going to try to garden anyway.
4. Become a better publishing employee.
Read at least 30 non-work books, to beat the measley 25 I read in 2008. Write those articles I've been meaning to write. As much as possible while I'm away from work, stay involved in the children's publishing world.
5. Enjoy the inevitable chaos.
I won't sweat the small stuff. I will make lots of mistakes, but it won't matter. I will not be hard on myself and I will have fun with my baby boy.
6. Don't disappear.
I will stay in touch with friends and let myself take a break when I need to in the hobbies that I love. I will post on this blog and play as much Scrabble on Facebook as baby will allow.
I have a couple of things to blog about from the second half of last year that I will post in the coming weeks, but this post is a combination "big news" post and 2009 goals. Lots of my blogging friends are posting their goals for the year for all to see, and perceived pressure from all you people watching me will help get me get them done.
My first goal is combined with my "big news".
1. Give birth.
Yup. If you didn't know already (but I'm guessing you do!) I'm six months pregnant with a baby boy, due at the end of April. This and what follows will take up the majority of my energy and efforts, so the rest of my list will be short.
2. End the DIY.
Help my husband install a new kitchen, set up the nursery (both before baby, I hope!)and decorate the rest of the house so that it's completely done by 2010.
3. Begin the gardening.
One of my dreams for moving out to the country and having a proper backyard (oh yeah, we've moved!) is to be able to grow my own vegetables. I'm pretty good at killing house plants, but I'm going to try to garden anyway.
4. Become a better publishing employee.
Read at least 30 non-work books, to beat the measley 25 I read in 2008. Write those articles I've been meaning to write. As much as possible while I'm away from work, stay involved in the children's publishing world.
5. Enjoy the inevitable chaos.
I won't sweat the small stuff. I will make lots of mistakes, but it won't matter. I will not be hard on myself and I will have fun with my baby boy.
6. Don't disappear.
I will stay in touch with friends and let myself take a break when I need to in the hobbies that I love. I will post on this blog and play as much Scrabble on Facebook as baby will allow.
Saturday, July 05, 2008
5th of July
We had a barbeque today, celebrating American independence a day late, and the requirements to attend were to:
1. Be named Sara or Sarah
2. Be American
3. Be married to a Brit
4. Be married to an American named Sara(h)
5. Be my brother
We did sing some American songs (tee hee!) and there was debate over the American revolution. I baked a cake from one of my favorite blogs The Pioneer Woman. It was decorated with a yummy cream cheese icing and raspberries and blueberries, and it was really easy to do!
and found sparklers in letter form, which spelled out USA. (Feel free to start up the chant: U-S-A! U-S-A!)
My brother did the cooking.It got a little smokey at times!
It's the last time we'll entertain at our Croydon flat, as it will soon be sold. We've agreed a price on a new house and hope to move soon! I'll keep you posted on that...
1. Be named Sara or Sarah
2. Be American
3. Be married to a Brit
4. Be married to an American named Sara(h)
5. Be my brother
We did sing some American songs (tee hee!) and there was debate over the American revolution. I baked a cake from one of my favorite blogs The Pioneer Woman. It was decorated with a yummy cream cheese icing and raspberries and blueberries, and it was really easy to do!
and found sparklers in letter form, which spelled out USA. (Feel free to start up the chant: U-S-A! U-S-A!)
My brother did the cooking.It got a little smokey at times!
It's the last time we'll entertain at our Croydon flat, as it will soon be sold. We've agreed a price on a new house and hope to move soon! I'll keep you posted on that...
Friday, June 27, 2008
Adventure Holiday
Here are some highlights of the adventure part of my vacation in Utah.
I went rock climbing for the first time, and it was a real thrill. Adrenaline pumping, heart thumping, scared witless rock climbing. I loved it.
The climbing shoes were incredible. They were painfully tight, but the grippy stuff on the bottoms were SO grippy. Most of the first climb was about learning to trust that your foot would actually stay in that 2mm deep crevice when you put all your weight onto it. Wahoo! I can't wait to go again.
My dad gets some kudos for climbing. He's pretty old. Not too old. But, you know, old. (Tee hee!)
Sorry, I don't have video of me climbing. However, I do have video of The Husband. Unlike the indoor skydiving, Neil was so much better at climbing than I was. To make up for me being a little mean in that indoor skydiving post, Neil gets the video feature in this post. He was a real monkey.
I also went white water rafting for the first time. Any hard core rafters will mock my excitement, as these rapids were not very big. But it was exciting to me, and extra kudos go to my mom who came rafting, too, despite not being a fan of thrill-seeking. (I think she liked the thrill!) Next time, we'll go for bigger rapids.
We're all smiling there, but when the water splashed into the boat, it was COLD! Here's a video of our longest and bumpiest rapid:
I went rock climbing for the first time, and it was a real thrill. Adrenaline pumping, heart thumping, scared witless rock climbing. I loved it.
The climbing shoes were incredible. They were painfully tight, but the grippy stuff on the bottoms were SO grippy. Most of the first climb was about learning to trust that your foot would actually stay in that 2mm deep crevice when you put all your weight onto it. Wahoo! I can't wait to go again.
My dad gets some kudos for climbing. He's pretty old. Not too old. But, you know, old. (Tee hee!)
Sorry, I don't have video of me climbing. However, I do have video of The Husband. Unlike the indoor skydiving, Neil was so much better at climbing than I was. To make up for me being a little mean in that indoor skydiving post, Neil gets the video feature in this post. He was a real monkey.
I also went white water rafting for the first time. Any hard core rafters will mock my excitement, as these rapids were not very big. But it was exciting to me, and extra kudos go to my mom who came rafting, too, despite not being a fan of thrill-seeking. (I think she liked the thrill!) Next time, we'll go for bigger rapids.
We're all smiling there, but when the water splashed into the boat, it was COLD! Here's a video of our longest and bumpiest rapid:
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Grand Canyon (no The)
I am in Grand Canyon! (No one puts a "the" in front of it round these here parts.)
It is a stunning place. We woke up at ridiculous o'clock to get to a trailhead by 7am. Then, we hiked down a steep trail to Cedar Ridge for gorgeous views of the canyon -- though the river remained elusive. Here's me on the trail (in the white hat):
We had a fantastic guide who was so enthusiastic about the area; she kept us all in good spirits, which managed to last through the strenuous and sweaty trip back up. She taught us about the plant that tequila gets made front, how the Ponderosa Pine smells like butterscotch and Ooh-Aah Point. I don't know how long the trail was, but it was 1200 feet down into the canyon.
We got to see some sure-footed mules coming down the trail, though I think the wranglers didn't like having thier picture taken.
It is a stunning place. We woke up at ridiculous o'clock to get to a trailhead by 7am. Then, we hiked down a steep trail to Cedar Ridge for gorgeous views of the canyon -- though the river remained elusive. Here's me on the trail (in the white hat):
We had a fantastic guide who was so enthusiastic about the area; she kept us all in good spirits, which managed to last through the strenuous and sweaty trip back up. She taught us about the plant that tequila gets made front, how the Ponderosa Pine smells like butterscotch and Ooh-Aah Point. I don't know how long the trail was, but it was 1200 feet down into the canyon.
We got to see some sure-footed mules coming down the trail, though I think the wranglers didn't like having thier picture taken.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Rained Out :(
I have no videos of chasing cheese to show you.
The pouring rain woke us up at about 7am and hadn't stopped by the time we were supposed to get ready, nor had it stopped by the time we were supposed to be leaving. We decided that, rather than swim down the hill, we'd wait until next year. So... stay tuned for next year! Rumor has it that my brother might be joining in on the fun!
So as not to disappoint my rabid fans hungry for entertainment, I can provide some footage of the practice runs. We went to Blue Bell Hill near Maidstone and the husband took a few tumbles. The idea is to use his Aikido ukemi to keep the speed momentum when falling... It's harder than he thought!
And, just for the fun of it, I tried running down the hill. It was scary, and I wasn't even trying to ukemi!
The pouring rain woke us up at about 7am and hadn't stopped by the time we were supposed to get ready, nor had it stopped by the time we were supposed to be leaving. We decided that, rather than swim down the hill, we'd wait until next year. So... stay tuned for next year! Rumor has it that my brother might be joining in on the fun!
So as not to disappoint my rabid fans hungry for entertainment, I can provide some footage of the practice runs. We went to Blue Bell Hill near Maidstone and the husband took a few tumbles. The idea is to use his Aikido ukemi to keep the speed momentum when falling... It's harder than he thought!
And, just for the fun of it, I tried running down the hill. It was scary, and I wasn't even trying to ukemi!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Chasing the Cheese
If you are wondering what I'll be doing on my Bank Holiday Monday tomorrow... I will be filming my husband doing this:
http://www.cheese-rolling.co.uk
I hope to put a clip up here, and the only reason I won't is if it turns out to be a film of him breaking his neck.
http://www.cheese-rolling.co.uk
I hope to put a clip up here, and the only reason I won't is if it turns out to be a film of him breaking his neck.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
The Flat is Finished Slideshow 1
The flat is finished, and now we're moving out. Actually, the flat is finished because we're moving out.
Here is a slideshow showing the progression of half of the kitchen. This is the sink wall before, during and after the DIY.
More to come! Including snazzy photos using a wide angle lens...
Here is a slideshow showing the progression of half of the kitchen. This is the sink wall before, during and after the DIY.
More to come! Including snazzy photos using a wide angle lens...
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
A Lovely Song
To get me back into the habit of posting, here is a lovely song for you to enjoy. I loved it the second I watched it and had to share it with you.
If you are my grandma, you don't need to watch the stuff after the song. That stuff is a bit silly.
The girl in the video is an incredible musician and you can find more of her music here: http://www.youtube.com/user/jaaaaaaa.
More posts soon!
Love you ALL.
If you are my grandma, you don't need to watch the stuff after the song. That stuff is a bit silly.
The girl in the video is an incredible musician and you can find more of her music here: http://www.youtube.com/user/jaaaaaaa.
More posts soon!
Love you ALL.
Friday, March 28, 2008
I'm a winner!
At first, I thought it was another spam email. But it wasn't. I have actually won a competition. About four months ago, I filled in a survey about my trip to the Forest of Dean. I lvoe taking surveys and this one was really interesting. It asked me to click on photos that I thought represented my experience in the Forest of Dean, as well as lots of questions about what I did and what I wanted to do. The survey was run by the official tourism website for the Forest of Dean and they were clearly doing some thinking about how best to get people to come and visit. I was happy to offer my opinion, and never really thought about winning the prize.
But I did.
The prize is... a trip to the Forest of Dean!
We get to stay in this gorgeous-looking B&B for two nights, free.
I can't wait to go back.
But I did.
The prize is... a trip to the Forest of Dean!
We get to stay in this gorgeous-looking B&B for two nights, free.
I can't wait to go back.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
We're moving!
My lovely hubby has just got a new job (yay, Husband!) and it's not in London (collective gasp). While he'll avoid being packed into a commuter train, he will have to battle with traffic instead. I will still be commuting into London, and the places we are looking at buying a house all have good transport links into various London stations.
We have to wait a little while for all the official paper pushing to happen before we can go on full on exploratory missions and actually loook inside houses but, while this was brewing, we've done a bit of driving around in the area.
If you work with me, please forgive me for being scattered (for the past few weeks and) for the next few weeks. If you are related to me, I may be a little ball of crazy when you try to talk to me. It's all going to happen pretty quickly as hubby will likely start his new job in four weeks. But we're both really excited to be moving away from London to the green, green hills of England.
For an example of some of the green, green places we like so far:
Wingrave
View Larger Map
Cheddington
View Larger Map
Cublington
View Larger Map
I'll keep you posted!
We have to wait a little while for all the official paper pushing to happen before we can go on full on exploratory missions and actually loook inside houses but, while this was brewing, we've done a bit of driving around in the area.
If you work with me, please forgive me for being scattered (for the past few weeks and) for the next few weeks. If you are related to me, I may be a little ball of crazy when you try to talk to me. It's all going to happen pretty quickly as hubby will likely start his new job in four weeks. But we're both really excited to be moving away from London to the green, green hills of England.
For an example of some of the green, green places we like so far:
View Larger Map
Cheddington
View Larger Map
Cublington
View Larger Map
I'll keep you posted!
Monday, March 03, 2008
I'm back!
I'm back from New York and from my long absence from blogging. There has been so much going on, but I'm back now. I'll use this post to tell you about my New York trip and will wait to catch you up on other things later. I don't have much on my schedule at the moment, so I can blog about all the interesting things that I've been doing, rather than the vegging out that I plan to be doing for the next few weeks.
For the past week, I've been on my first real business trip. I was sent to New York to represent my company to people who we haven't worked with before. I felt like a travelling saleswoman even though I wasn't really selling anything besides the good reputation of my company. I have decided that in every meeting I was successful in getting across that we are a great business to work with -- because we are! Hooray!
It was a real thrill to be back in New York on my own and working, but all the adrenaline and scheduling and bouncing around the city, I did get worn out. I'm not as young as I used to be. Luckily, I got to go to several interesting restaurants and cafes with my business meetings like CraftBar, a casual place with brown paper tablecoths and gorgeous healthy food, and Alice's Tea Cup a place for proper English tea with an Alice in Wonderland motif.
I also want to make a special mention of the hotel I stayed in: the Hotel Mela. It's a boutique hotel in an awesome location and is more reasonably priced that is neighbor competitors. Great rooms, great service (everyone is so happy!) and free streaming wifi. If you're ever going to New York and need a place to stay, try this hotel.
I also happened to be in New York on my birthday and my wonderful parents came up to hang out with me for the weekend. On my actual birthday, they took me to a great Mexican restaurant recommended by one of the agents that I met with called La Palapa. They had some really interesting dishes like cooked cactus and a rice dumpling smothered in a tomato salsa. Yum.
We also went to see Spamalot (which I have seen before and have a bit of fun history with) and I loved it all over again. Clay Aiken was in it (yes, I'm fan -- don't mock) and he was great. He was just as funny as the professional actors, with his fantastic voice to top it off. Interstingly, the Lady of Lake was the same Lady of the Lake that I saw in London, because the US and UK Ladies switched places for a time. She was just as awesome the second time around.
Lastly, my trip was awesome because I got to see so many friends: singing karaoke and trying to get free drinks (and embarassing myself a couple of times with my song choice), spending an evening with an old friend and it only felt like a couple of weeks since we'd seen each other, and hanging out with my family, shopping and walking around New York despite the freezing cold wind.
For the past week, I've been on my first real business trip. I was sent to New York to represent my company to people who we haven't worked with before. I felt like a travelling saleswoman even though I wasn't really selling anything besides the good reputation of my company. I have decided that in every meeting I was successful in getting across that we are a great business to work with -- because we are! Hooray!
It was a real thrill to be back in New York on my own and working, but all the adrenaline and scheduling and bouncing around the city, I did get worn out. I'm not as young as I used to be. Luckily, I got to go to several interesting restaurants and cafes with my business meetings like CraftBar, a casual place with brown paper tablecoths and gorgeous healthy food, and Alice's Tea Cup a place for proper English tea with an Alice in Wonderland motif.
I also want to make a special mention of the hotel I stayed in: the Hotel Mela. It's a boutique hotel in an awesome location and is more reasonably priced that is neighbor competitors. Great rooms, great service (everyone is so happy!) and free streaming wifi. If you're ever going to New York and need a place to stay, try this hotel.
I also happened to be in New York on my birthday and my wonderful parents came up to hang out with me for the weekend. On my actual birthday, they took me to a great Mexican restaurant recommended by one of the agents that I met with called La Palapa. They had some really interesting dishes like cooked cactus and a rice dumpling smothered in a tomato salsa. Yum.
We also went to see Spamalot (which I have seen before and have a bit of fun history with) and I loved it all over again. Clay Aiken was in it (yes, I'm fan -- don't mock) and he was great. He was just as funny as the professional actors, with his fantastic voice to top it off. Interstingly, the Lady of Lake was the same Lady of the Lake that I saw in London, because the US and UK Ladies switched places for a time. She was just as awesome the second time around.
Lastly, my trip was awesome because I got to see so many friends: singing karaoke and trying to get free drinks (and embarassing myself a couple of times with my song choice), spending an evening with an old friend and it only felt like a couple of weeks since we'd seen each other, and hanging out with my family, shopping and walking around New York despite the freezing cold wind.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Off by a measly 10,000
November is... thank goodness... over. In case you were wondering how I did on my word count: I wrote 40,000 words. In one month. I was 10,000 words short of the 50,000 word goal, but I did beat my 35,000 word secret goal.
And that Word War I was having with my friend? On the last day, I was 1500 words behind her and my day from about 2pm until midnight was typing as much as my brain would let me. I almost caught up, but ended up losing by 50 words. Sniffle.
However, adding my 40,000 words to the 12,000 words I had before November, I have now completed the very first, first draft of a novel. It's very exciting.
I haven't even opened the file since Friday (the 30th) but I will crack it open soon and see how much of a disaster it is. But for now, I am glowing a little with pride.
And here's a pic of my final minutes...
And that Word War I was having with my friend? On the last day, I was 1500 words behind her and my day from about 2pm until midnight was typing as much as my brain would let me. I almost caught up, but ended up losing by 50 words. Sniffle.
However, adding my 40,000 words to the 12,000 words I had before November, I have now completed the very first, first draft of a novel. It's very exciting.
I haven't even opened the file since Friday (the 30th) but I will crack it open soon and see how much of a disaster it is. But for now, I am glowing a little with pride.
And here's a pic of my final minutes...
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Apologies and excuses
I know; I know!
It’s been ages since I’ve posted a blog, and I’m terribly sorry. Here are some of the things I’ve been doing instead:
Co-coordinating an anthology of unpublished children’s fiction writers, judged by six industry professionals, from over 250 submissions. See www.britishscbwi.org. The book and its cover are in the middle column and will be printed and shipped out at no charge to every agent and editor in the UK in the hopes of getting these fabulous writers published. I do intend to blog about the experience once it’s all done and dusted.
Attempting to write 50,000 words in the month of November. See www.nanowrimo.org. I’m over 18,000 words, but that’s not a good enough pace to make the 50,000 word target. Still, I’m happy with my 18,000 words and will keep going in an effort to beat a friend at a “word war”. Between the two of us, the person with more words in the month of November gets to enjoy a yummy dim sum meal paid for by the person with the fewer words. So far, I'm winning!
Working like a dog. November is our busiest month creatively, as out managing director takes a trip to New York to pitch our new ideas. I’ve been working on a doggie proposal and a quirky witch proposal while attempting to edit a 50,000 word samurai book, manage a tidal wave of consecutive 4,000 word dinosaur books and a 12,000 word genie book. AAAHHH!
Visiting my lovely grandparents, one of whom was not doing so well, I’m sad to say. But my grandpa is back at home now, and I hope that things start to improve for him and my grandma soon.
Exercising twice a week. Aren’t I a good girl?
And, for pre-emptive excuses, here are some things I will be doing in the coming weeks:
Still attempting to write 50,000 words. So forgive me if my blogging takes another hiatus.
Still working like a dog. That samurai novel will come around one more time, I've got to finish that quirky witchy proposal plus another proposal that's very hush hush. And yet more dinosaurs.
Celebrating Thanksgiving with my parents in England. The celebrations will be loosely themed and perhaps not actually on the day of Thanksgiving.
Bidding on a snowflake. See Robert's Snow. I was lucky to win one of the snowflakes the first year, but I couldn’t get one last year. This year, I’m determined to get one in particular. Go and check out the story behind these snowflakes and the amazing art and bid on one that takes your fancy. Unless it’s the one that I want. Then forget you ever saw this link.
Reading the first draft of a novel by a friend of mine. I’m SO excited because I’ve been watching it evolve from a short story into a fully formed novel. And it’s going to be so good!
Being evaluated at my performance review at work. Dum dadum dum… DUM!
It’s been ages since I’ve posted a blog, and I’m terribly sorry. Here are some of the things I’ve been doing instead:
Co-coordinating an anthology of unpublished children’s fiction writers, judged by six industry professionals, from over 250 submissions. See www.britishscbwi.org. The book and its cover are in the middle column and will be printed and shipped out at no charge to every agent and editor in the UK in the hopes of getting these fabulous writers published. I do intend to blog about the experience once it’s all done and dusted.
Attempting to write 50,000 words in the month of November. See www.nanowrimo.org. I’m over 18,000 words, but that’s not a good enough pace to make the 50,000 word target. Still, I’m happy with my 18,000 words and will keep going in an effort to beat a friend at a “word war”. Between the two of us, the person with more words in the month of November gets to enjoy a yummy dim sum meal paid for by the person with the fewer words. So far, I'm winning!
Working like a dog. November is our busiest month creatively, as out managing director takes a trip to New York to pitch our new ideas. I’ve been working on a doggie proposal and a quirky witch proposal while attempting to edit a 50,000 word samurai book, manage a tidal wave of consecutive 4,000 word dinosaur books and a 12,000 word genie book. AAAHHH!
Visiting my lovely grandparents, one of whom was not doing so well, I’m sad to say. But my grandpa is back at home now, and I hope that things start to improve for him and my grandma soon.
Exercising twice a week. Aren’t I a good girl?
And, for pre-emptive excuses, here are some things I will be doing in the coming weeks:
Still attempting to write 50,000 words. So forgive me if my blogging takes another hiatus.
Still working like a dog. That samurai novel will come around one more time, I've got to finish that quirky witchy proposal plus another proposal that's very hush hush. And yet more dinosaurs.
Celebrating Thanksgiving with my parents in England. The celebrations will be loosely themed and perhaps not actually on the day of Thanksgiving.
Bidding on a snowflake. See Robert's Snow. I was lucky to win one of the snowflakes the first year, but I couldn’t get one last year. This year, I’m determined to get one in particular. Go and check out the story behind these snowflakes and the amazing art and bid on one that takes your fancy. Unless it’s the one that I want. Then forget you ever saw this link.
Reading the first draft of a novel by a friend of mine. I’m SO excited because I’ve been watching it evolve from a short story into a fully formed novel. And it’s going to be so good!
Being evaluated at my performance review at work. Dum dadum dum… DUM!
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