dearbarbie's Xanga

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Wed, 06 Jun 2007 08:29:40 GMT

Mmmmmmmm

I think today’s going to be a good day!

The office post just came and there was something for me and it wasn’t any order paperwork or a complaint letter!

It was a packet, so I opened it, and there were some bags of Maltesers from one of my clients! How nice is that?! I was telling my contact there how I’m starting to get a bit snowed-under as I’m preparing the department for my departure and she said I needed some chocolate to keep me going! So I am the proud recipient of her corporate gifts which have made their way into the office kitchen for everyone to see and for word to get back to my excuse for Management. Woo, I’m not completely rubbish at my job and it’s nice that my customers appreciate me even when my boss does not! [/big head] It’s all about simple achievements here.

I went out with John last night - what a legend. John’s fab. He’s just moved into a swanky new apartment in Birmingham city centre next to the Arcadian so we went for a few drinks, was fun (and cheap as we gatecrashed a student night at Â£2.50 a round).

By the way, photo-a-day is still going although I do sometimes forget (not often) and the set needs organising:

Mum & Dad visit - 3rd May:

Dinnertime - 6th May:

Awaiting my assessment day - 16th May:

Graffiti artist in Trafalgar Square - 20th May:

Making Matt’s birthday cake - 17th May:

A bendy pencil, gift from Arch - 23rd May:

Barbecue shopping - 25th May:

Life is fun, isn’t it?

Kim xx

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Monday, June 04, 2007

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 09:19:49 GMT

My boyfriend Freddie

This weekend was busier as ever, but the weather (sunny) was a pleasant change to the thunder and lightning of recent, and London embraced this with a blinding display of bare white legs.

On Friday I got the train to Matt and let myself in as he was at Wembley watching the England v Brazil game.

Saturday was everywhere (well as everywhere in Shepherd’s Bush you can get). At first I had a house viewing near my office-to-be so we walked through the Bush to it. It was a complete scumhole and the house would be condemned if it weren’t for the Aussies in the sleeping bags and layers of dirt holding up the walls. Onward, we walked then to Hammersmith for a drink and then to get some fancy dress costumes. Emily and Adam (Matt’s flatmates) were hosting a Murder Mystery party back at the flat that evening and Matt and I had been given the characters of Frenchman and Award-Winning Yachtswoman (respectively!!) We got stripy tops and a few other bits (as you’ll see in the pics below) and then headed to Ravenscourt Park for a late picnic.

After that, it was back to the flat to get ready, although I had to pop to see another house (which was loads better and I’m hoping the flatties get in touch so I can move in) just around the corner from Matt. Then we got ready for the party:

Matt’s outfit was complete comedy - he completed it with an onion…an eyeliner moustache…

…and some red wine…

Other ‘guests’ included a merchant banker, a limbo dancer, an ex-cricketer, and a voodoo priestess:

Matt seemed very comfortable in his self-styled and rather camp outfit…:

Yesterday (Sunday) I saw another house which I also liked, so waiting to hear from the housemates, and am seeing another on Saturday. I need to decide by this weekend really, otherwise find somewhere in my first week at work whilst staying at Matt’s. Argh!

Mum called me yesterday about the annual August Bank Holiday party at their house - this year’s is for 3 things - her and Dad’s 30th wedding anniversary, my brother’s 21st and sort-of my 25th party. So if you know me in person and want to come, get in touch and I’ll let you know the details. There’ll be people coming from all over the country so will be limited room to stay over and I’m trying to make it a bit of a school reunion too. I know it’s eons away but diaries get full (talking from experience, natch!)

Oh, by the way, this is the Grohl that I made Matt for a birthday present:

Haha, I was well proud of that!! Kim xx

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Thursday, May 31, 2007

Thu, 31 May 2007 10:32:03 GMT

Can’t Think Of A Title

Oh dear. Big Brother season is among us, therefore summer must be on its way. I cannot stand BB personally, although my boredom at work is going to make me an addict. I just clicked that link and my procrastination led me to this:

“19-year-old student Emily Parr. She says she could read from the age of two and rates her intelligence as 10 out of 10.”

Oh, you’re so edgy. I could read from the age of 2 as well. Does that mean that I qualify with potential for Z-list celebrity status? Maybe if I market myself with that I could get more extras work…there’s also a Wakey lass on there. Great. I’m going to get mocked the world over for my accent, or finally people will have heard of where I’m from!

That’s my annual BB rant over with, now onto business.
Things feel pretty random at the moment - like I’m all over! The past fortnight or so have seen me get the Chiltern line to London more than my commuting boss, not that I’m thankful that it paid off, but I’m everywhere at once. This weekend was nice to be spent at my place in Birmingham. We had a barbecue (yes, in the rain, you can take the Kim out of Yorkshire…)…on disposable barbecues as my landlord didn’t finish the proper one in time:

Classy or what.

This is Stu, who seems to have developed quite a penchant for Bison Grass vodka and apple juice, marketing it to his fellow barbecue guests as ‘tastes like apple strudel’. Fair enough, it does:

After being left to cook food for almost 20 people in the rain, we headed out to Birmingham. I can only assume this was to drink beer (diesel, thanks Stu) but I (un)fortunately cannot remember.

Sunday was cool. Bank Holidays are all about taking your brother back to the coach station and getting back into bed with all your clothes on to watch Alan Partridge with leftover wine and Ben & Jerry’s. On Monday, Matt and I went to Stratford-upon-Avon to meet Adam, Emily, Mary and Mary’s brother - after a walk about and some dinner we went to see King Lear starring Ian McKellen.

And that was the end of the fun part of the weekend. Tuesday involved going back to my house, getting suitcases etc., and starting my Big Move to London - am storing things at Matt’s to make my move easier. I also looked at 3 houses, one of which I really liked but the bedroom was t-i-n-y. The search continues.

Kim x

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Friday, May 25, 2007

Fri, 25 May 2007 07:56:31 GMT

London Calling

Yesterday I accepted a new job!!

I’m going to be working near Kensington Olympia (London) and hopefully spending time down the gym too thanks to subsidised membership - although that’s at Chelsea Bridge!!

How the hell I got that job I don’t know…the interviewer really went for it, asking me all kinds of questions, I had to do a 10-min presentation on the company and its business services, I used words I couldn’t even say (and admitted this), I was quizzed about why I have a 2:2 and should be recruited, I was asked why I want to work for myself and haven’t done so yet (as per previous post), I was asked what inspires me, am I competitive, what are my major life achievements, am I perfect?

It’s going to be a fab career move for me I think, and it means I can live near Matt and have my weekends back and be normal once again!

Anyway, 6 people interviewed, one person chosen. Me. I’ll be working in a team of 5 and am really excited about meeting my new colleagues and getting settled (after some training in Manchester), although it will be sad to leave my housemates/friends in Birmingham behind although I am sure we will stay in touch and still meet up.

This post is going to look a bit boring so I’ve added some random pictures.

So I handed in my notice yesterday afternoon. Understandably my boss was less than impressed, but I can’t work out why it wasn’t obvious that I was looking to leave. I have been so demotivated and devalued by him being too lazy to do photocopying/send things to clients by email that are in-front of him/having me do his dirty work and take the brunt of a customer’s tempers when he did something wrong if he did it at all. I know my job is/was as a support role and to manage the office while he went on customer visits etc., but to do that successfully don’t you need to talk to your staff/train them/respect them?

When I interviewed for this job I admitted I knew nothing about the steel industry. Everything I know now I have pretty much found out myself, or have had to get to the bottom of somehow. No information has been volunteered to me, which I guess shows initiative on my part, but I’m an account executive not an interpol detective. Sending me to Belgium for 3 weeks to drink a lot of coffee and get bored in a hotel does not constitute as training. Nor does giving me a list of email addresses in Germany and Italy and asking me to sort it out myself with ‘I don’t know, ask them, you can go to their offices if necessary’.

Anyway, boss, yes, he was not happy. Asked why I am leaving so soon, well, more commented, he didn’t listen to anything I had to say much! Then he promptly was cold(er) for the rest of the day. His boss has asked me about why I am leaving this morning and was very nice about it, and we’re having a meeting next week.

I really could bum about for the next month but I need something to take my mind off the pending boredom so am now writing a mega-manual on how to do my job for the next poor soul to eat cereal at my desk and check their Facebook a million times a day whilst losing the will to live.

This job HAS been good for me, I’ve learned more about myself and the way I need to work to be happy than I could have anywhere else. The flashy name looks good on my CV and I’ll no doubt get a good reference. Birmingham’s been a cool place to live. Not only that, but it randomly brought me closer to London where Matt lives. If I had still have been living in Wakefield, there’s no way we would still be together now due to the distance and cost of seeing each other.

So check me out, and now a busy weekend looms. A house barbecue tomorrow (a mix of Arch’s birthday, and me and her celebrating job progress), on Monday I’m going to see a Shakespeare play (woo)…in Stratford.

On Tuesday I’m going to find somewhere to live (hopefully)…if anyone has any tips about finding a houseshare in Shepherds Bush, drop me a comment!

Kim xx

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Thursday, May 24, 2007

Thu, 24 May 2007 06:47:27 GMT

Come in number 9

I’m a member of an online promotions ‘thing’ and just received this in an e-mail…I quite like the band and think they deserve a bit more promotion so ladies and gents, I present to you, Air Traffic:

Check them out, especially if you’re called Charlotte.

Also, as promised, see pictures below of Matt’s birthday drinks in Hammersmith (although I didn’t get very many:

Cake!:

Adrian:

Matt and Ad:

Jo, Andy, Adam, Emily and Matt:

Here’s one or two I pinched from Andy (sorry!):

Woo, it’s Thursday!

Kim xx

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Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Wed, 23 May 2007 07:13:30 GMT

Money Money Money

I had a few job interviews the other day. One of the questions I was asked was, when I mentioned that one day I would like to own my own company, ‘why are you not doing it already? You’re obviously not serious about it, are you?’.

I know the interviewer was just prying (he REALLY did pry, he wanted to know why I had extenuating circumstances at University for my dissertation, THEN proceeded to ask details) and seeing how far he could go to make me crack and feel uncomfortable (he didn’t), but it made me think. My reasons for not opening my own shop/company/service are as follows:

-I’m not ready to completely work for myself - I want to work in other companies, learn how they work, grow with them, find out about them…
-I need to do a lot of research into it, and working in a smaller organisation is a great place to start
-I am enjoying working for other people at the moment
-Financing it? Nah!
-I’m still enjoying myself! My plan is to own my own business AFTER I’ve done the whole ‘having kids etc.’ thing…

However, on the train home I had a Big Long Think. A few years ago I was quite into making my own jewellery and accessories, and made them as gifts for friends too. It’s something I still have the kit for but haven’t done in a while. Mum said to me on numerous occasions that they were really good and I should be selling them on eBay. Last week I made a cuddly toy for someone. I enjoy making things and being creative (cooking, photography, scrapbooking and the rest), so why not put it to some use? Dad said to me again last week that he and Mum were talking (because I guess, sometimes, they have to!) and saying that I really should think about making a start on my own company.

So I think I’m going to put a lil cash aside dedicated to it, set some objectives and a time limit so I can see how well I’m doing, and give it a whirl. If it goes well, I’ll do another website - although in theory I could do a ‘craft blog’ and link to my things for sale on eBay anyway.

If anyone has any tips to offer, they’re very welcome - you can leave comments at the bottom of this blog entry.

Hope you all are well - will blog about Matt’s birthday and photos later

Kim xx

*EDIT* to his credit, the guy who gave me that hellish interview has offered me the job (well there’s 3 jobs and he interviewed 6 people yesterday, and only chose me for one of them!!) However, the other companies haven’t come back to me yet but the one I *really* am interested in, the online media one, would want a second interview. What’s that all about? Surely they don’t need to meet me twice to see how wonderful I am?! It’s like career-dating!

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Monday, May 21, 2007

Mon, 21 May 2007 11:59:24 GMT

Presenting…

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend. I can now openly talk about Matt’s surprise birthday party that I organised without fear of him reading about it, and there will be some photographs published here when I go back to Birmingham. He seemed to enjoy the low-key festivities by the river and the abundance of gifts given to him over the weekend.

I’m currently doing some Googling…for upcoming job interviews (how lovely to be in such demand). Interestingly, one of these interviews is at an online media company that work within the field of recruitment. I am doing some background research to familiarise myself with the organisation and learn as much as I can about what they do before my meeting with them, and one of the co-founders is a bit of a blogger himself (no, I’m not linking to it). You can’t really expect much less from someone working in an online scope, and he’s potentially Googled my strange surname. *coughs and adjusts tie/pyjamas* So, Tim, lovely to meet you. Also, nice crocs and website.

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Friday, May 18, 2007

Fri, 18 May 2007 07:13:06 GMT

Woohoo.

I spent most of yesterday’s free time (and some of work’s time) on the phone to the agency. Now I have 3 interviews on Tuesday (go me), one in Putney, one in Kensington, and another in Hammersmith - so all on the right side of London for me (aiming to live in/near Shepherds Bush). For one of the interviews I have to do a 5-minute presentation about the company, as if I was giving an introduction and background to clients, so guess what I’m working on this weekend. One is in IT sales, another in media, and the third is in energy procurement - all good roles to progress and develop in, and with good OTEs!!

Am trying to not get *too* excited but the agency only put 4-3 people forward for each role (although I will speak to them later to clarify how many others are going to compete against me), and each company is wanting more than one person as well. So I stand a pretty fair chance of having a new job by the end of next week. I was underconfident for my assessment day (although I never let it show) and don’t want to get overconfident now. Thing is, they’re all for quite small companies which means I will be interviewed by the Sales and Managing Directors…! Nervetastic!

I have no idea where I’ll fit the presentation work in to be honest. Maybe tonight. I’n going to London this weekend but may have to come home early on Sunday…it’s Matt’s birthday on Sunday so we’re going for lunch tomorrow and then I don’t know what else, he doesn’t want a big deal making of it (i.e. he can’t be bothered to organise anything) which is fair enough. Hope he likes his presents! And hope that I get one of the jobs next week to add the icing on the cake (no pun intended, honest).

Finally, well done to Lady Bumsmith Bec for passing her driving test!!! I think it’s just me left now, haha!

Kim xx

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Thursday, May 17, 2007

Thu, 17 May 2007 07:39:32 GMT

Argh

Sorry - my blog’s been a bit poorly and had to be moved, and a few posts have vanished. However, it now means that the site actually loads!

I’ll post a big entry later - will be able to tell you all about what The Queen of Starting Again in A New City will be doing next!

Hope all’s well and you’re having a good week - Kim x

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Thursday, May 03, 2007

Thu, 03 May 2007 08:36:11 GMT

Hello Holly

I’ve never been one for chick-lit but the days need some way of passing in the office. My good friend Dale (hello!) mentioned Holly’s Inbox to me the other night and curiously, I logged on, and was hooked.

Holly’s Inbox is a reflection of many-a-girl’s life from her desk in so many ways. It’s simply the layout of an e-mail program on a website - you are in Holly’s Inbox - and you read her emails as they arrive while she is at work in tandem with your own working day as the story unfolds.

Luckily she never deletes them so if you go there now, you can catch up and read them. Real-life events are mentioned, celebrity goings-on are referred to, it’s like a real life Bridget Jones-esque singleton living in London emailing her best mate about the fit guy upstairs. Not only that, but it just looks like an e-mail screen, not the front page of Cosmo when you should be compiling figures.

Now who can’t relate to that!!

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