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Halfway through January

Posted on 18 January, 2017 by cre-cre

We’re halfway through January. Nothing exciting happened. The days have passed and nothing new happened. Same old, same old.

I could go on like that for a while. I was not expecting anything dramatic to happen, nor for our life to change completely when the new year started. I was and still am fully aware that in order for something to happen, things need to be put in motion. The only way things will be put in motion is if we do something completely different.

We didn’t do anything different. We went around, doing our regular business. It is hard to change a pattern that has been going on for years. The sad reality is that the same pattern will go on for years to come. We might change a few days by doing new and different things, but at the core it will still be the same.

It sounds depressing.

I would like to attribute this state of mind to Winter.

It gets depressing this time of the year. It is way to cold. I dislike the fact that I have to wear so many layers of clothing. I dislike the fact we cannot go on road trips because it snowed so much, and the roads are not that good. I dislike having to stay indoors when we could be out and about.

I am happy for one thing. I already applied for a vacation in March. A full week of freedom from work. I am not sure if they will approve it, but I am entitled to a total of 38 vacation days (because last year we barely got a few days off). All I can do now is to wait and survive work.

Free time

Yes, it is going to be one of those days.

Posted on 5 December, 2016 by cre-cre

Having the weekend off made me feel like I was on vacation. It was such a weird feeling.

That feeling didn’t last long, anyway.

Realizing that this week I will be on the afternoon shift, killed every spark of hope in me. I will have to socialize with certain people. I will have to socialize with them for the entire week (including the upcoming team building). What’s worse is that next week, I’ll be on the afternoon shift as well. So, 12 days per total.

I don’t think I have it in me, the patience to spend time with these people. Not for such a long period of time.

If that isn’t bad enough, just found out that someone broke into our temporary car.

Our car (Volvo S80) is currently in service. It has been in service for the last 2 weeks. The temporary car is just a basic model (Dacia Logan), for John to get to and back from work. We’ve had the Volvo for 4 years or so, and no one broke into it. We’ve had the Logan for 2 weeks and this happened.

They didn’t even had anything to take from it. We don’t leave anything in the car. A simple glance through the windows would’ve confirmed this.

Did I also mention that something else broke in the house?

Yes, it is going to be one of those days. I don’t care if it is Monday or not. It really doesn’t matter. All I know, is that our week didn’t start off that well.

I am still gathering courage to go to work.

Free time

27 days left till the new year

Posted on 4 December, 2016 by cre-cre

With the last of our social obligations coming to an end, we can happily say that we have no more plans for the Winter Holidays.

There are 27 days left till the end of the year.

I want to say that in those 27 days I will be able to do whatever I want. But, that’s not the case.

My shifts will be a mix of afternoon and night. I will also be away on team building next weekend. On the 24^th, 25^th and 26^th of December I will be on the night shift. I am fine with that. By working the Christmas shift, I secured New Years.

Yes, the year shall end on a positive note. I will not be working on the last weekend of the year.

I shall start 2017 in bed, most likely watching the Vienna concert. For me, that is blissfulness.

I don’t know how 2017 will be. But I do know two things: I will start the year with no debts and no obligations towards no one. No strings attached. That is a fresh new start.

With a full paycheck in my pocket, I will be able to do more things than in previous years. In fact, it will be better for the both of us. We both have jobs with a good paycheck (no matter what anyone else says). Hard work, effort, giving up on many things (including our personal time), paid off.

I guess I am a little bit happy. It’s just that I am tired, and that happiness doesn’t come out as it should.

Free time

Another weekend bites the dust

Posted on 28 November, 2016 by cre-cre

I can barely bring myself to type after this weekend. My hands are refusing to work as they normally should.

It is not pain that I feel, but numbness. My fingers are numb and tingly. Two days in a row of constant typing. I never want to do this again.

~~~~~~

This is Friday for me. I have one more night shift and then I will be able to enjoy my ~~during the week~~ weekend. I have no idea what I will do with my free days. My mind is telling me that a cleaning would be the best option, as the house is not looking so well. Yet, my entire body is yelling that sleep and slacking around would be best.

It is a tough decision.

I really envy Pluto and Marlanu’ in these cases. They have no moral dilemmas of their own. They just sleep, eat, play around and some more sleep.

~~~~~~

I can’t wait for December to come. I also want snow and pretty things to shine and sparkle on the streets. The mood for this weather is gloomy and sad. We could really use some cheering up.

That and more sleep. In fact, I will add this to my 2017 list: Get more rest / sleep.

Yes. There will be a 2017 list. I am not sure what the list will contain, but I will make one. I will make a lovely and achievable list for next year. Which, I hope I won’t have to start off by working. Chances for that to happen: 80%.

We shall live and see.

Free time

Random afternoon thoughts

Posted on 23 November, 2016 by cre-cre

It is funny how the end of the year keeps getting closer. It feels like just a few days ago it was summer, and I was waiting for autumn to come.

I can honestly say, I haven’t felt the last couple of months. Everything feels like a blur or work and sleepless nights. In fact, the next period will carry on in the same manner. I am trying to come to terms that the winter holidays are coming soon, and I might not get the chance to enjoy them. In fact, I should be making plans on how to make my holidays more enjoyable at work.

But then again, the holidays will come and go just like the rest of it all. The lack of plans and effort seems like the best way to go.

While work might’ve occupied most of my time and thoughts, I have made time to read and stitch. I made amazing progress with one of my stitching projects. It still has a long way to go before it will be finished, but it will be finished. Slowly, but surely. Just like everything else that has happened this year.

After 5 years I have completed my reading challenge. Not only that, but I exceeded it and still have plenty of time to spare till the end of the year. In a way, reading has been a great comfort to me. It has provided a good reason to interact with my colleagues (a safe topic of discussion that cannot be used against me). It has also been a refuge from the constant nagging in the back of my head that I am not in the best of places (as far as work is concerned).

I have read so many wonderful books this year!

It makes me feel sad that I didn’t think to try new things sooner. I have learned that I enjoy fantasy a great deal, that adventures that take place on hundreds of pages are the most amazing, and that books can influence so much one’s state of mind. In a way, books have been a lifesaver for me. They kept me sane, with so many things going on.

Well, I can’t say it has been such a horrible year. After all, I accomplished more (in terms of importance) this year than any before. For me, that speaks volumes. When the new year comes, I can truly say that it will be a fresh start. I will not have any luggage from the past to hold me down.

That is a comforting and happy thought.

I’ve worked hard this year to fix all past mistakes, next year I should work hard on building up a good base for our future.

Free time, Instagram, Pluto

November Goals: None! With Johnny & Pluto

Posted on 4 November, 201414 November, 2014 by cre-cre

Here’s one for the album: Johnny and Pluto on a walk.

In less than 2 months the year will be over. Makes me wonder if there is something I should be doing. After all, we all strive to finish as many things as we can from our to-do list.

Yet, I can’t seem to think of anything at the moment. Sure, there are my hobbies and a few other things, but there’s nothing really important. So, here I am. Slacking around in front of the computer, looking over my latest photos.

The last flowers of the year:

The roses were pretty sad looking, but then again it did snow in October. It’s amazing they lasted so long.

And the last one is the carved pumpkin, marking the Halloween madness that has come to Romania as well.

Hopefully I will get back my Allview phone soon. It’s the second time I had to take it to the service shop, since they didn’t fix it the first time. I am getting tired of this iPhone and the picture quality.

Free time

Either you run the day, or the day runs you.

Posted on 22 September, 2014 by cre-cre

Either you run the day, or the day runs you.

I can honestly say, I’m in the second category. I have so many things I would like to do and it’s impossible to do them all. I usually get stuck at cleaning. It’s hard work, but I have to do it.

I sometimes have this crazy urges of throwing everything out. I mean, we don’t use half of the stuff we have in this house. I don’t use half of the things I own. No matter how much I throw away, there is still plenty left in the house.

And I want to do other things with my day than clean. I need to straighten things out around here.

Hobbies, Marlanu', Pluto

Everything is a little better

Posted on 18 September, 201418 September, 2014 by cre-cre

Things are better but there’s still room for improvement.

Pluto (aka Smotocel) is much better. His fur started growing back, even if he looks like a raggedy doll. Marlanu’ found a playmate. Thosse two are really funny the way they run around the house and play. Continue reading →

Hobbies

Cleaning is fun!

Posted on 16 July, 2014 by cre-cre

I’m just taking a short break right now. I’m in the process of cleaning the entire house, which is weird.

It’s weird because it’s my weekend and I should be resting. I still have 6 more days of work on the night shift and then unemployment. Meaning I will have plenty of time to clean and do anything I wish in a week or so.

Yet, I felt like cleaning. And it feels so good. I still have the laundry to do and to vacuum every inch of the house.

After that, I can watch a movie or some cartoons if I feel like it.

And, yes. This is a post dedicated to cleaning. I feel so proud of myself when things are clean and nice.

Free time, Photography

Is this how British summers are?

Posted on 27 June, 20149 October, 2014 by cre-cre

July is almost over and it’s still cold and it rains almost every day, and night I might add.

It’s quite depressing.

Now, I do not like the summers when it’s so hot that you sweat even when doing nothing. It’s just that I was expecting more sunshine and less rain.

Not only that, but it feels like time has stopped, especially if I am at work. You know, at first I was reluctant and thought that it might not be the best idea to quit. Well, I’ve changed my mind. I am glad I’ve quit and hopefully I will not have any permanent damage from this job.

Oh well, 25 days to go. Yes, I am counting each day till freedom!

Till then, I hope I will finish my second needlepoint project, that I will lose some of my belly and that I will learn a new recipe.

Regarding the belly fat, Johnny bought this new thing (I’m guessing it’s called a juicer in English) we now keep in the kitchen. It can make fresh juice out of almost anything. We now have a fridge full with apples and carrots, and I’m planing on buying other fruits as well. One glass a day of fresh juice really helps me not to binge on ice cream or other stuff.

Not only that, but I’ve cooked a new type of pasta this week. It was pasta with tuna! I know Johnny doesn’t like fish so I made it mostly for myself and it was so good and easy to make!

We’ve kinda splurged this month now that I think about it. We bought new phones, the juicer but we’ve paid all the bills as well and we haven’t starved yet. So, that’s a good thing.

While Johnny got an iPhone 5, I got an AllView X2 Soul. He likes the Apple operating system, while I like the Android since I find it easier to use (I still have traumas after trying to put music on my iPod using iTunes). Not only that, but I bought my phone for pictures, storage and the fact it moves so smooth and nice. Johnny bought the iPhone for reasons I am not yet aware.

Well, I cannot complain about Johnny’s iPhone, after all I got the headphones. And, the headphones are not cheap if you try to buy them from the store.