wilypig

: wilypig; July 8th, 15:16

Current Mood:: determined

Guess what?! I’m still alive! I know my mass (ahem) of loyal readers have been worried about my lack of activity and were beginning to reach panic status so I thought I should make an appearance and let those of you who keep an eye on my blog that everything is, in fact all right.

A lot has gone on since my last blog post, a massive 11 weeks ago. (Wow – I didn’t really realise it had been so long!). You’ll be relieved to hear that I’m not going to rehash everything in minute details but I’ll give you a rough overview just to bring you back up to speed. So, since my last posts I have:

Seen Scotland play Wales, Italy and Ireland at Murrayfield
Seen Scotland sack Frank Hadden as coach (about time too!)
Met Boyzone (OMG and can now officially die happy – it only took 13 years!)
Handed in my notice at my current job
Started a new, part time job doing relief support worker shifts in the care sector
Sat my Human Biology exam
Seen 2 more Boyzone gigs in Glasgow (amazing!)
Been offered to post of assistant team leader at the Edinburgh Moonwalk
Withdrawn from marshalling at said Moonwalk due to being ill
Worked several 7 day weeks (not fun)
Applied for a number of Speech and Language Therapy Assistant jobs
Secured an interview for one of said jobs
Gone out and partied on several occasions
Done various other things which I either can’t remember or aren’t even remotely interesting enough to blog about (like that’s stopped me in the past!)

So that pretty much brings us up to where we are at the moment. I’ve got 15 working days left in the office at my current job and to be honest, my holidays and finish date can’t really come soon enough. It’s been a fantastic experience for the last 3 years and I’ve learned heaps but the time really has come for me to go (for a whole host of reasons which I’m not going to discuss on here… at least not until if / when I can be bothered writing a locked friends only post. Suffice to say it’s now all about focussing on trying to get as much Speech and Language Therapy experience as I can in order to strengthen my application for next academic year. Of course there’s still the very small chance that I might get on the course this year as I’m still on the waiting lists but I know I’d be stupid to pin all my hopes on that. Plus, I can’t afford to sit around until the middle of September when the courses start and then think ‘oh crap, what am I going to do now?’. It’s pretty scary and I hate not having a definitive plan but I’m in a very fortunate position that my parents will be able to help out financially if necessary and I’m really just trying to focus on what’s going to help me in the long run.

Also, my weight loss has gone to hell in a complete and utter hand basket and I’ve just been miserable about it. So over the weekend I decided that I would go back to the slimming club and try and get back on track. I went along last night, to a different class than before and I’m feeling pretty positive (after getting over the horror of stepping on the scales and seeing that I’m even heavier than I was when I joined the first time round). The consultant seems really nice and down to earth and nothing like the woman from the other group who just drove me insane. So, I’m hoping that’s going to work out. I feel like I’d at least get some sensible advice and support from her if I didn’t have a good week or two, instead of the simpering, unhelpfulness I got previously. In a way it seems a bit silly to rejoin now when I’m going off on holiday soon but then I figure that by the time I go away I could have put on EVEN more weight, whereas if I stick to the plan between now and then I could easily loose half a stone, if not more. So yes, prepare yourself for more frequent updates as I’m hoping that blogging about my experiences might also help keep me on track.

Anyways I’ve rambled on for long enough now, especially considering I really just wanted to pop back and say hello and do a wee update. If you’re really lucky I’ll be back with more updates and crazy ramblings soon….

Tags: bootylicious, wilypigtastic

Still Alive

: wilypig; April 19th, 20:26

I am still alive. Don't worry - definitely still alive! Will try and post soon - I'm too lazy tonight :)

Hope y'all are ok!

Weigh - in

: wilypig; March 5th, 21:15

Current Location:: Home

Current Mood:: pleased

Lost a pound at club tonight so I'm happy! I haven't had the best week, plus I was worried my 3lbs loss from last week was going to catch up with me so I'm doubly happy :)

Just hope I can keep up the good work and keep losing weight.

Weight loss so far: 4 / 14lbs

Tags: 29 for 2009, bootylicious

WTF??

: wilypig; March 5th, 21:07

Current Location:: Home

Current Mood:: aggravated

So, on my way home from club tonight (at which I lost 1 lbs btw - yay!) I saw FOUR cars drive straight through a red light. An-honest-to-God, clear-as-day big shiny bright red light.

As I came down the hill towards a light controlled t junction, I saw the lights go red and pulled up behind 2 other cars in the right turn lane. All of a sudden the wee van behind me swerved out in to the left turn lane, but instead of stopping he drove straight through the red light, swerving back in front of the stationery traffic and turning right! I'm sitting in my car with my mouth hanging open thinking WHAT THE ....??

Then, all of a sudden I realise the two cars in front of me are pulling away. It's a good job I double checked and didn't just blindly follow them because our light was still on red. At that point I thought that maybe the lights were stuck on red for us, or were out of synch or something but I looked at the lights for the main road and they were still on green. Plus, we hadn't been on red for that long.

THEN, when my light turned green just a couple of moments later, I was just about to pull out and turn right, when I suddenly saw a taxi coming from the right and driving straight through IT'S red light. If I hadn't looked to the right when I did (which I didn't really need to do because no other traffic should have been coming), and slammed on the brakes then I'm pretty sure this guy would just have run right in to the side of me. In my rear view mirror I could clearly see his light was on red so there was NO WAY those lights were out of synch.

WHAT THE HELL IS WITH IDIOT BAMPOTS RUNNING STRAIGHT THROUGH RED LIGHTS AND WHERE ARE THE POLICE WHEN YOU NEED THEM??

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR

Tags: crackpots

Wow...

: wilypig; March 5th, 18:08

Current Location:: Work

Current Mood:: amused

My desire to read has suddenly gone in to over-drive! It's funny!

I used to be an insane reader, devouring books at every single opportunity, but over recent years, despite the love of books always being there, I've found myself falling in to bad habits of simply sitting in front of the tv and watching crap. That's one of the main inspirations behind my challenges to read 60 books this year and to also give up tv for 30 days (or Lent as it has turned out to be): I don't want to be a tv addict any longer!

I don't know whether it's because the last 2 or 3 books I've read have been really good, or because I suddenly find myself thrust back in to reading due to my current lack of television but whatever it is... it's working!

I've just been on the World Book Day webpage, (reached through an article on the BBC website which talked about the top 10 books people lie about having read!) which led me on to a similar type of page for adults. On it they gave a short list of 10 books which have been nominated as 'The' book to read this year. Further to this there were another 40 books which had made the long list. Just from a very quick glance at the descriptions there are at least a dozen of these books which I'd now like to get my hands on as soon as possible.

This has now led me to my determination to join the local library. My friends can't quite believe that I've never joined since moving to the city, despite how much I love books and how much I spend on buying books so I think it's about time I got myself signed up. Of course now I'm mad that I can't go tonight as I have Club, and I can't go over the weekend as I'm going to be down the road with mum and... well, it's just funny that this drive has suddenly kicked in. I'm liking it though :)

So, stay tuned for more adventures of the literary kind but in the meantime books 10 and 11 for the challenge were 'The Aviary Gate' by Katie Hickman and 'The Birthing House' by Christopher Ransom (which was creepy and very odd!). Book 12 is under way and turning out well so far.

BRING ON THE BOOKS!

Oh, and just in case anyone cares,or has any thoughts regarding them, ( the books I'm currently hankering after are: )

Tags: 29 for 2009, literature, wilypigtastic

One Word MeMe

: wilypig; March 4th, 12:08

Current Location:: Work

Current Mood:: hungry

Stolen with thanks from ladyheadstrong

Using only one word, answer the following

Where is your cell phone? Table
Your significant other?   Unknown
Your hair? Growing
Your mother?   Wonderful
Your father?   Overseas
Your favourite TV?   Dramas
Your dream last night? Arguement
Your favorite drink?   Malibu
Your dream/goal? Happiness
What room are you in?   Office
Your hobby?   Reading
Your fear?   Failing
Where do you want to be in 6 Yrs?   Married
Where were you last night?   Home
Something that you aren't? Short
Muffins?   Yum!
Wish list item?   Shoes!
Last thing you did? E-mailed
What are you wearing? Uggs!
Your pets? Dog
Friends?   Fabulous
Your life?   Improving
Your mood? Hungry
Missing someone? Yes
Drinking?   Water
Smoking?  No
Your car?   Ikimasho
Something you're not wearing?   Glasses
Your favorite store?   Shoe
Your favorite color?   Purple
When is the last time you cried?   Yesterday
Where do you go to over and over?   Beach
My favorite place to eat? Restaurant
Favourite place I'd like to be at right now?  Home

Tags: meme, wilypigtastic

The Good, The Bad and The Smelly

: wilypig; February 27th, 19:37

Current Location:: Home

Current Mood:: excited

Current Music:: When The Going Gets Tough - Boyzone

At first I didn't think this weekend was going to be all that great. I had a mediocre day at work, then came home and spent about 40 minutes shovelling foul smelling (and looking) pigeon crap in to bags. (Dad cleared the roof / gutters outside my windows the other day and the back yard was an utter mess as a result so figured I'd better do something about it)

However, once the shovel was safely stored and I'd stopped gagging, I opened my mail and discovered that the job application I submitted the other day has been received and that I've been asked to go for an interview at the end of next week! Good times!! It's for the position of Support Worker for a charity which supports children and adults with various / complex physical and mental special needs. It's totally different to what I do just now but would be fantastic experience for re-applying for the SLT course. It'll involve a fairly substantial drop in salary but that's just something I'll have to deal with in order to get the experience. Anyways, I don't want to count my chickens before the eggs have hatched and what have you, so instead I'll just ask that people keep their fingers crossed for me and I'll keep ya posted!

Tomorrow I'm heading to Edinburgh for the rugby which should be good. We'd better win! But whatever happens I'm going to have fun, and drink cider and oogle fit ruby men in tight shorts and shirts! More good times!

Aside from that the rest of the weekend will be spent studying for my Human Biology prelim on Wednesay (snore) and not watching tv, which, it turns out, is way harder than I thought! It's going to be a long 6 weeks but I bet I get loads of books read!

What do you all have planned for the weekend?

Tags: hotboys, rugby, wilypigtastic

Back on track

: wilypig; February 27th, 19:33

Current Location:: Home

Current Mood:: cheerful

Pretty much since the New Year I've been playing at being on plan. I've been fooling myself in to believing I was following it properly, but all the while I knew I really wasn't. I've even been avoiding going to club.

Last week I went after sort of getting back on the plan and found I'd maintained. This week I went after being pretty good (but not the best I've been by any stretch of the imagination) and lost 3lbs! I couldn't believe it! Not only did I get my biggest loss to date (aside from my first week) but I was slimmer of the week too :) It really helped me realise that being on plan isn't hugely complicated and it doesn't massively affect my day to day life so I think it's just given me renewed motivation to get this whole thing sorted and loose some proper weight... especially when I never have to be hungry!

The fridge magnet I got for being SOTW said 'See what can be, not just what is and what has been'. Normally I find these things a bit on the cheesy side but this one actually got me thinking. Despite my success I was still finding myself complaining in my head. I've been doing to club for a good 4 or 5 months now but have only really lost (and gained, and lost again and gained again) about half a stone. I was busy putting myself down for having done so badly over time, but then my little magnet caught my eye and made me stop and think. Fair enough I've only lost half a stone so far but how much would I have gained if I'd never joined SW?? How much bigger and more unhappy would I have been?? And I've lost half a stone. That's a pretty good start! Now I'm only 7lbs away from my stone award and from there? Well, surely that's up to me!

It's time to start looking forward and realising what I can and will achieve instead of looking at all the things I haven't achieved. In another few months who knows where I'll be and how much thinner, healthier and happier I'll be!

Oh - and that 3 / 14 for number 1 of 29

Tags: 29 for 2009; skinnymalinkylonglegs

29 For 2009 - February Summary

: wilypig; February 23rd, 20:52

Current Location:: Home

Current Mood:: productive

1)   Loose a stone / 14 pounds (0 / 14)
2)   Loose another stone (0 / 14)
3)   Fit in to the clothes under my bed or get rid of them
4)   Pass Higher Human Biology with an 'A'
5)   Go to Church at least twice a month ( 0 / 24)
6)   Phone Grandparents once a month (twice from September onwards) ( 2 / 16)
7)   Read 60 books ( 9 / 60)
8) Visit The Netherlands
9) Visit Malaysia
10) Get on to my Uni course - looks unlikely to complete
11) Get flexible enough to touch my toes (without bending knees obviously)
12) Try 3 new restaurants and 2 new pubs in Aberdeen ( 0 / 3 and 0 / 2)
13) Kiss an attractive man
14) Update this blog at least twice a week ( 7 / 104 )
15) Go 30 consecutive days without tv ( 0 / 30)
16) Go to Belladrum festival (and have an awesome time and not fall down a hole)
17) Sell my flat
18) Clear my credit card bill
19) Buy a new laptop and hard drive and back up old laptop on to new external hard drive - Have new hard drive and back-up done
20) Have a massive / ruthless clear out
21) Swim at least 100 times ( 0 / 100)
22) Buy a fabulous pair of knee boots - DONE 07 / 02 / 09
23) Volunteer at mum's school at least 3 times ( 0 / 3)
24) Give up something challenging for Lent
25) Volunteer at the Edinburgh Moonwalk - confirmation received but task not yet completed
26) Save £1000
27) Burn CDs to MP3 player / external hard drive
28) Drink 2L water every day for at least 90 days ( 0 / 90)
29) Be happy and enjoy life

Tags: 29 for 2009

Book List So Far

: wilypig; February 23rd, 20:48

Current Location:: Home

Current Mood:: geeky

As promised. The 9 books I have read so far this year are:

Flesh House     -   Stuart McBride
People of The Book     - Geraldine Brooks
after the quake     -   Haruki Murakami
The Bodies Left Behind     -   Jeffrey Deaver
Change of Heart     -   Jodi Picoult
The Private Paper of Eastern Jewel     -   Maureen Lindlay
The Miracle at Speedy Motors     - Alexander McCall Smith
Tiger Eyes     - Judy Blume (!)
Double Fudge     -   Judy Blume (!)

Tags: 29 for 2009

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

: wilypig; February 23rd, 20:29

Current Location:: Home

Current Mood:: calm

Good news! My funk finally seems to be receding! I've been working on it for a few days now and at long, long last it finally seems to be getting the message. So 'what's been happening in my absence?' I hear you ask. Well, let me tell you.

For starters - I ended up on the reserve / waiting list for both the Uni courses, as you know, but it still seems unlikely that I'll get offered a place. If I do it won't happen until much later in the year (likely August) and I can't keep myself hanging on for that long so in my head I'm moving on. I can now think about that fact without crying which I feel is substantial improvement and I'm trying to take it as a positive thing that out of all the people who've applied, I've still been offered a reserve position, which is a lot more than what some people must have got. I am however cursing the fact it pretty much buggers item 10 of my 29: 2009 list (get in to Uni course) but really, that's the least of my concerns.

So, what now? Well I've decided that I'm going to reapply for next year so have come to the conclusion that I have to spend as much time as possible improving my chances of getting on the course. This has included many possibilities, none of which I have settled on yet, however, the other day I found a job online that I'm pretty damn interested in and which would be virtually ideal in terms of experience. I'm not going to say too much about it just yet because a) I've only just filled in the application form, (b) I still need to speak to my current boss about the fact I'm applying and (c) I don't want to jinx it but let's just say for now that I feel a small light may have appeared at the end of the tunnel and I'm a-heading towards it.

In other, non Uni course, news the diet is also back on track. Last week I sort of got back in to it and maintained at club last Thursday but this week I have been following the plan much more strictly and I just hope that it pays off on Thursday night. Of course, it's been easier to follow now that I'm feeling a bit more positive about things but I'm also well and truly sick of just wasting money piddling around and also I really have to get a move on if I want to get anywhere close to a 2 stone loss this year (as per "9: 2009 items 1 and 2). Operation Fat Arse is go, go GO!

Item 22 is firmly checked off the list (buy fabulous knee boots). A couple of weeks ago I finally caved in, exercised the credit card and bought a pair of black Ugg boots. Although not knee boots they are indeed fabulous and are probably one of the best investments I've ever bought. They are so ridiculously comfortable that I've had them on virtually every day since I bought them. They go with skirts, they go with dresses, they go with jeans, they can be smart, they can be casual AND they've kept my feet warm and dry in the snow and at Murrayfield when watching the rugby. What's not to love?? Plus, I got to use some gift vouchers towards paying for them so they didn't even cost me as much as they should have. I LOVE THEM!

Item 7 (read 60 books) is ticking along nicely with 9 done and dusted already. In case you're interested I'll post them in another entry.

I'm failing miserably at going to Church twice a month (item 5) and updating my blog twice a week (item 14) however, many things are taking a turn for the better at the moment so a change could indeed be in the air. Stay tuned to find out.

And finally, I'm thinking about combining item 15 (go 30 consecutive days without tv) and item 24 (give up something challenging for Lent) and giving up tv for Lent. It'll certainly be challenging but I've got plenty of other things that should keep me occupied and my Sky Plus box is getting fixed (I hope!) on Thursday so I'll be able to tape all the shows I want to see and catch up with them after Easter (and I refuse to believe that's cheating!).

Tags: 29 for 2009, wilypigtastic

The Wait Is Over

: wilypig; February 14th, 16:28

Current Location:: Home

Current Mood:: crushed

and the news isn't good. I haven't been offered a place at either of the universities that I applied to.

I'm automatically on the reserve list for one (as previously detailed) and have been offered to go on the reserve list for the other. I'll take up this offer although I doubt it will turn in to anything. Perhaps there's slightly more chance as I also just discovered that this university course isn't supported by government bursaries or NHS Grants so students would have to be able to fork out approximately £7000 to pay for fees. There might be more of a possibility of people withdrawing when they learn this (there was no news of this prior to the letters that arrived today) but really, who knows.

I really don't know what I'm going to do. I so had my hoped pinned on this place but that's all been blown out the water. I really don't know what my options are just now. I know there are options out there but I think it'll take me some time to figure out what they are.

*le sigh*

University update

: wilypig; February 9th, 13:54

Current Location:: Work

Current Mood:: crushed

So, I finally caved in and phoned the Uni today to find out where on earth this letter is. Turns out the information we were given at interview was wrong: the offer letters went out first and the reserve list letters are on their way. Which means? Yup, I'm on the reserve list.

I was told on the phone that I am top of the 'low' reserve list which isn't really much confort giving that there is somewhere between 7 and 10 people on a 'high' reserve list and 7 and 10 people on a 'middle' reserve list. It's also not much comfort knowing that last year 14 of the 18 people who were initially offered placed accepted them. Somehow I doubt very much they'll be needing to work their way through 20 odd other people before it comes to me.

I'm totally bummed. Not only because I'm not being offered a place (well it's not like the door is totally closed on that one, but let's face it, the odds are pretty damn shitty) but because I ended up so far down their stupid list. I know I said I wasn't getting my hopes up and I always knew it was going to be very competitive but damn, I wanted this.

Now I have to rely on either a)everyone who applied to this University loosing their mind and declining their places or (b) the other university I applied to coming through for me and sending out an offer letter asap. I should hear within the next couple of weeks but now I don't know if my chances are better or worse because of the fact they're basing it entirely on the application forms.

If I don't get offered a place then it'll be time to swing Plan B in to action. If only I *had* a plan B

This sucks :(

Tags: wilypigtastic

URGH!

: wilypig; February 4th, 21:59

Current Location:: Home

Current Mood:: grumpy

Urgh - I am in such a funk at the moment. I'm just so grumpy and everything is bothering me and I have no motivation for anything.

Part of it is just my typical winter blah-ness. I never cope very well with the cold weather and the dark mornings and the long dark nights and the raining and the snow and the wind and the rain and the bluergh, but I think there's some other stuff going on too.

Any day now I should be hearing from one of my Universities regarding my post-graduate application and the wait is driving me insane. The letter really should have been here today but since England doesn't cope with snow and for reasons best known to themselves the post offices and stuff have been shut then it could be delayed. Really though, if it doesn't arrive by the end of the week I'm going to be forced to bludgeon a stranger in the street. So watch out! Oh, and it turns out my other University aren't even interviewing! They're just doing everything from the paper applications. How crazy is that?? Apparently, I'll hear from them within the next 2 - 3 weeks (if I haven't been locked up in the meantime).

As for the diet - well, I'd be lying if I said it's going well. God only knows what my result at Club is going to be tomorrow night. I haven't been for 2 weeks so I doubt the news will be good. I need to get myself sorted though. There's no point in me paying out all this money every week when I'm just messing around and not taking things seriously. I'm so frustrated with myself cause it's not even like the plan is hard to follow. Why am I doing so badly??

I think I really just need to pull my fingers out and get things sorted. Stop sitting around on my ass and get things in order.

As a quick 29 things update: I've read 6 of my 60 books and I'm on track with the phonecalls to my grandparents. I'm behind on most of the other things (especially the blog updating!) but it's early days and I'll be back on track soon!

Tags: 29 for 2009, wilypigtastic

Week 1

: wilypig; January 8th, 20:56

Current Location:: Home

Current Mood:: chipper

The first week of 2009 is done already! I can't believe it :) I especially I can't believe that I have things to report from my 29 for 2009.

Before I do that though - I remembered what the other book I was thinking of was: it was 'The Shack' by William P Young. So in 2008 I managed to read 51 books. Yay!

So - today I ordered an external hard drive on which to back up my laptop and so can technically cross off part of challenge 19 but I'll wait until I've got the new laptop before I call it done.

So far I've read 2 books of my 60: 'Flesh House' by Stuart McBride (

meeshy if you find the other one's a bit gruesome then this one is quite a bit worse!) and 'People of The Book' by Geraldine Brooks which I thoroughly enjoyed. Book number 3 is 3/4 done but I'll post it when it's 4/4 done ;)

Challenge 25 is underway as I have registered with Walk The Walk to volunteer at the Edinburgh Moonwalk this year but again I won't score it off until it's actually done, and Challenge 22 is also underway as today I ordered 2 pairs of knee boots in the hope that one pair fits! Again, I'll update when it's actually done.

Tonight was also my first weigh in at club since 11th December and I've put on 5lbs since then. Obviously that's not ideal given that I'm aiming to loose at least 28lbs this year, however given the ridiculous amount of junk I had over the festive season then it could have been a lot worse. It's a new year and a new start and I'm actually pretty excited about it and feeling really positive. The new magazine has loads of lovely looking meal ideas and there's a new 'extra easy' plan for me to try my hand at so I'm honestly thinking this could be the year I get the weight loss I've been wanting. Fingers crossed anyways.

As always I shall keep you posted - I've got 103 other blogs to write this year so you can expect to be hearing from me!

Tags: 29 for 2009, 8 challenges, literature

29 for 2009

: wilypig; December 31st, 2008

Current Location:: Parents' House

Current Mood:: geeky

So, I enjoyed my challenges last year and I wanted to continue to challenge myself this coming year ( 2.5 hours to go) so I've taken the rather mad step of giving myself 29 challenges for 2009. Some are big, some are not so big, they might change, they might not...but regardless, here they are:

1)   Loose a stone / 14 pounds (0 / 14)
2)   Loose another stone (0 / 14)
3)   Fit in to the clothes under my bed or get rid of them
4)   Pass Higher Human Biology with an 'A'
5)   Go to Church at least twice a month ( 0 / 24)
6)   Phone Grandparents once a month (twice from September onwards) ( 0 / 16)
7)   Read 60 books ( 0 / 60)
8) Visit The Netherlands
9) Visit Malaysia
10) Get on to my Uni course
11) Get flexible enough to touch my toes (without bending knees obviously)
12) Try 3 new restaurants and 2 new pubs in Aberdeen ( 0 / 3 and 0 / 2)
13) Kiss an attractive man
14) Update this blog at least twice a week ( 0 / 104 )
15) Go 30 consecutive days without tv ( 0 / 30)
16) Go to Belladrum festival (and have an awesome time and not fall down a hole)
17) Sell my flat
18) Clear my credit card bill
19) Buy a new laptop and hard drive and back up old laptop on to new external hard drive
20) Have a massive / ruthless clear out
21) Swim at least 100 times ( 0 / 100)
22) Buy a fabulous pair of knee bootss
23) Volunteer at mum's school at least 3 times ( 0 / 3)
24) Give up something challenging for Lent
25) Volunteer at the Edinburgh Moonwalk
26) Save £1000
27) Burn CDs to MP3 player / external hard drive
28) Drink 2L water every day for at least 90 days ( 0 / 90)
29) Be happy and enjoy life

I wonder how I'll get on but I'm now kind of excited for The Bells so I can get started ;)

I'm lookingg forward to making some more positive changes in my life and hopefully I'll have lots of good news to report at the end of 2009.

(I'm also working on a 101 things for 1001 days list but I don't want to blow your minds with the total geekness so I might save that for another day)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Tags: 29 for 2009

8 for 2008: The Result

: wilypig; December 31st, 2008

Current Location:: Parents' House

Current Mood:: accomplished

It's just under 4 hours until 2008 is officially over so I think it's about time I gave a final update on the challenges I set myself for 2008. Let's see how I did....

Challenge 1: Literature
Book 42: The Tale of Murasaki by Liza Dalby
Book 43: The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid
Book 44: A Thousand Splendid Suns by Kahled Hosseini
Book 45: The Accidental Mother by Rowan Coleman
Book 46: Twighlight by Stephenie Meyer
Book 47: New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
Book 48: Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
Book 49: Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
Book 50: Deadine by Simon Kernick

I feel like there was at least one other book but at the moment I can't think what it was. Anyways:

Challenge status: 50 / 50 - COMPLETE!

Challenge 2: Bootylicious
Although I haven't lost (or maintained a loss of) much weight this year (and no where close to the ridiculous targets I initially set myself) I still feel that this has been a succesful challenge. I took the big step of joining and going regularly to a slimming club and have started to make positive changes to my eating habits. I've learned that I can loose weight and that I will continued to loose weight. Therefore:

Challenge status: COMPLETE!

Challenge 3: Moonwalk
As previously detailed this challenge was succesfully completed in June 2008 and raised almost £1000 for Breast Cancer research and support in to the bargain.

Challenge status: COMPLETE!

Challenge 4: Correspondence
Although I struggled with this challenge a little I have still completed 4 letters to Yuka, 3 to Dawn, 2 to Kerry and 1 each to Steph, Ruth, and Katie. Although this wasn't my initial plan for letter writing I'm still pretty pleased with the results.

Challenge status: 12/12 - COMPLETE!

Challenge 5: MaBloPoMo
As previosuly detailed this challenge was succesfully completed in May of 2008

Challenge status: COMPLETE!

Challenge 6: NaNoWriMo
This challenge was to not only complete NaNoWriMo once again but to this time do it having written a non fan fiction piece of work. I'm pleased to say that as of 30th November I had 50,522 words of non fan fiction material.

Challenge status: COMPLETE!

Challenge 7: FoodGloriousFood:
This challenge got off to a very, VERY slow start and looked in distinct danger of being a complete and utter failure. However, joining the slimming club and buying the monthly magazine was the key here as I immediately began to try new recipies to fit in with my new eating lifestyle. Although not all of them have been documented here (especially in the last month or so) I can confirm that:

Challenge status: 36 / 36 - COMPLETE

Challenge status: Mechanics
This was the one challenge suggested by somone else and also had the most loosely defined 'rules'. This is also the only challenge which I have been unsuccesful in completing. I have to admit I don't know any more about car maintanence or mechanics than I did before, except of course to say that when your exhaust decides to fall off the best thing to do is pull in, get out of the car, look helpless and like you're about to cry. This will ensure the manly instincts of some passing male kick in and he will dash over to rescue you as a damsel in distress. I'm all for feminism and girl power, but some times it works being a girl! I have also learned that driving without an exhaust, whilst not to be recommended, is legal and safe but unbelievably noisy. Oh, I can still find my windscreen washer bottle too.

Challenge status: Failed

Overall I have succesfully completed 7 of my 8 challnges which I think is pretty damn good. I've really enjoyed having them and I think they have helped me make some positive changes in my life. I watch slightly less crap on tv (but still too much)and got back some of my good reading habits. I also rediscovered that passion for reading when you HAVE TO HAVE the next book in a series or you're worried you might die). I improved my fitness and raised lots of money for a fantastic cause. I've eaten new foods and improved my diet, and I've kept in slightly better contact with some far flung friends. Hopefully, I've also entertained the odd person or two on occassion with some of my updates.

I'm going to be continuing the challenge theme in the coming year so stay tuned for more info...

Tags: 8 challenges, bootylicious, correspondence, foodgloriousfood, literature, mablopomo, mechanics, moonwalk, nanowrimo

Just because.....

: wilypig; November 26th, 2008

Current Location:: Home

Current Mood:: chipper

Current Music:: Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Abba

...it's only 4 days until the end of NaNo and I don't have anything better to be doing with my time.... oh, and I'm getting in the festive spirit!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper

2. Real tree or Artificial? REAL!! I *love* the smell of a real tree

3. When do you put up the tree? Early December
4. When do you take the tree down? Before January 5th

5. Do you like eggnog? I've never tried it

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I can't think of a *favourite* present - I loved them all :)

7. Hardest person to buy for? My brother probably

8. Easiest person to buy for? My mum

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, I can remember my dad, brother and I making the stable when I was much, much younger. I love it :) (and we're very proper too - baby Jesus lives in a drawer until Christmas Eve! lol)

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, usually with the added bonus (?) of a letter for my far flung friends

11.Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I don’t remember receiving anything truly hideous. I've obviously been very fortunate.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? This year I started maybe mid-October? I just picked up things as and when I saw them.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Christmas Dinner! yum yum yum :)
16. lights on tree? Yes

17. Favorite Christmas song? I love Christmas songs! If we're talking seccular I'd have to say 'All I Want For Christmas' by Mariah Carey, 'Merry Christmas Everyone' by Shakin' Stevens and 'Lonely This Christmas' by Mud. I'm watching Christmas songs on tv just now and almost every one is a classic!

18.Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay at home with my family
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Rudolph

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star on my tree in my flat (I haven't found a nice angel yet) but an angel on the tree at my parent's house
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Day? Christmas Day

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Drunk people crashing around in Santa hats

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Huh?

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Roast Turkey!

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Santa came early and brought me a lovely winter jacket :)

26. Wish list for 2009: Aside from health and happiness for everyone? To get in to my Uni course. To meet some fantastic new people. To marry a Scotland Rugby Player!!

Tags: christmas, meme, wilypigtastic

(no subject)

: wilypig; November 16th, 2008

Current Location:: Home

Current Mood:: sleepy

So last week was pretty manic with work and time is just flying past. I really should be in bed just now rather than writing this but here I am, so I'll make it quick:

Recipe 28 - Cheesy broccoli and potato bake
Recipe 29 - Spicy quorn meatballs
Recipe 30 - Chunky Italian Pasta Sauce

30 down 6 to go :)

Book 41 was a non fiction work about Speech and Language Therapy

41 down 9 to go

For NaNoWriMo I was ahead and then on target and then ahead and then on target and now I'm temporarily behind by just under 3000 words. It's not ideal but it's not a disaster either. I just need one day of really good writing to get me back on track. I'm hoping either Friday afternoon or next Sunday will be it. As much as I'm loving the rugby (and I really, really am) it's killing my word count output!

Am down 2lbs in my bootylicious challenge and keeping my fingers crossed for this week.

Think I'm doing ok with my challenges although the next few weeks are sure going to be busy...

I'd better get going eh? :)

Tags: 8 challenges, bootylicious, foodgloriousfood, literature, nanowrimo

NaNo Days 1 & 2

: wilypig; November 2nd, 2008

Current Location:: Home

Current Mood:: chipper

So it's coming towards the end of Day 2 for NaNoWriMo and the good news is I've written 8,372 words (however, I did just write 'writted' which is never a good sign!). This puts me just ahead of the target for day 5 which is nice :) I'm hoping that I'll be able to keep ahead of schedule for the next few days as it gives me a bit of lee-way when time gets tight and the enthusiasm wains. Still, good times for now :)

In other news:

Recipe 26 was Beef Goulash which was a really tasty tomato-ey stew type thing and was easy to make
Recipe 27 was Spinach and Tomato Lasagne. Whilst it was nice I think if I made it again I'd use something other than spinach. Really I find it a bit like wet grass to eat so maybe something with courgettes and some other veggies next time

Book 40 was 'Geisha' by Liza Dalby which I'm sure I must have read before as I've had it for years but if I had then I didn't remember much about it. I enjoyed it a lot this time and think she gave an interesting insight in to the secretive lives of Geisha.

The other day I was more than confident that I'd read 50 books by the end of the year, however, I realised after I collapsed in to bed last night that with a full month of NaNo ahead of me, I'm not entirely sure when I'll get the chance to read.

BUT, I'm not giving up! Stay tuned to see whether I do it or not....

Tags: 8 challenges, foodgloriousfood, literature, nanowrimo

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