The Best Birthday

Dear Reader,

Today was my Birthday! I am now 22 (does that sound terribly old/young?!) and don't feel any different whatsoever since I was about 10. Except the obvious of course..........

B went off to college this morning but I stayed in bed and enjoyed sleeping in. I got up about 9.00am and had a delicious chocolate croissant and coffee whilst taking a cheeky look at Facebook to see if I had any messages yet. I had decided to wait until B was home to open cards and presents.

He was back by lunch by which time I was almost bursting. I had thought that I had learned the art of patience after all this time but a pile of presents had been sitting before me all morning and I felt taunted. They knew I wanted to open them. They remained sitting there temptingly. Of course I eyed them up, had a little shake, you know, the usual investigative process. Luckily B got home before I 'accidentally opened them' without him.

I began with the present from my Dad which turned out to be a Kindle. I don't really know much about Kindles having never really seen one before but I read lots of books and they look very chic. A cool present indeed! Next, I opened the presents from B's family which consisted of a very pretty porcelain jar and matching coffee cup, a pink towel with birds on and some pretty note paper which matched. It was all very cute with a slight antique feel. Very me. My friend had sent me a little cake in a jar which is divine! My Mum sent me some beautiful flowers with a present to follow at the weekend. And B, oh B overstepped the mark, B took me for afternoon tea.

He had booked Fortnum & Mason for 3pm so we left around 2pm. We didn't need to leave so early but I was so excited that I had my coat and shoes on by then so we decided to leave anyway. Plus I was wearing heels which meant walking would be slightly slower.

We arrived just before 3pm in the end and went straight up to the St. Jame's restaurant on the 4th floor. Walking in, I caught my breath. The room was so elegant. The room was a large open space divided in two. To the right sat the restaurant with little white table cloths and chairs. To the left sofas perched between coffee tables and overlooked picadilly. Silk paper lined the walls and a light, turquoise and gold decor embellished the room. The ambiance was refined yet light, chic yet modest and altogether beautifully elegant.

B and I both chose the Classic Afternoon Tea and he also ordered us some Champagne which we started with. Some canapes were presented to us and we happily drank in the bubbles.

Once we had finished the Champgane the tea arrived. That is, a three tiered stand arrived brimming with scones, cakes and sandwiches. The jam and clotted cream arrived on another stand and two tea pots arrived. A waiter appeared with a large silver tray of delightful looking cakes. We were offered to choose two each. I chose a white chocolate mousse and a passion fruit sponge. B chose the chocolate sponge and a violet cake. Yummy!

Starting with the sanwiches, we made our way through chicken & rocket, smoked salmon, cucumber and prawns. We ate the scones next and slowly embarked on the cakes. Then the sandwiches and scones were refilled! We were there for almost three hours grazing on the food. It was heavenly decadent!

Perhaps the best part though was listening to the piano player gently twinkling the keys in the background. He even played Happy Birthday which I think must have been for me.

We considered going to the theatre afterwards but B didn't have his glasses with him and we were both so full that coming home to digest seemed like a good idea. So, that is what we have been doing this evening and it has been rather nice.

I think the best part has been spending the whole day with B without him having to do his work. He still has work to do but he had decided to have a break seeing as it was my birthday. It has been so nice to be with him, having fun with him and enjoying London with him! Suddenly, I don't feel quite so sad anymore. Oh happy day.................

Zooming Zimmers and a Touch of Melancholy

Dear Reader,

Oh what a day. I barely know where to begin.

This morning I had an interview with an organisation who supply staff for events. I met them through the charity I was working for before Christmas and last week they invited me in for an interview to work within their office.

Having left the flat later than planned I rushed up the tube, unsure how long it would take me to reach Parsons Green. The interview was at 10.30am and I was feeling pushed for time. Changing at Nottinghill for the district line I actaually managed to arrive by 10.00. Map in hand, I enthusiastically marched (or rather 'tottered') in my heels up the road, feeling confident in my navigational skills. Ten minutes later when I could neither find my location on the map nor any roads near by I began to panic. There was only one thing to do: ask for help. Spying a friendly looking grocer I asked him where Bishop's Road was. He had no idea. Neither did his friend. Visibly anxious and incessantly conscious that time was not on my side I asked a further man who was lurking in the vicinity. This time I struck gold. He knew exactly where to go and gave me very clear directions. It turned out I had gone in the complete opposite direction!

Finally I arrived at the interview early, albeit a little more fresh looking than anticipated. The lady I met with was very nice and went through my CV with me, establishing my skills and what sort of position I would be suitable for. We had a nice chat and I actually really enjoyed the meeting. What a relief.

By now it was steadily approaching lunch time and B and I had agreed to meet at his college. I began sauntering up to the tube, taking my time now that the interview was over, when I saw that two old people were approaching. They were in zimmers. Motorised zimmers. The pavement was quite wide with a wall to one side and the road on the other. Wide enough, I thought, for me to squeeze pass the elderlies no problem. I continued walking ahead, keeping an eye on their oncoming vehicles. They too had obviously seen me and the elderly lady began to overtake her husband, it seemed, so that he could follow her single file and I would have enough room to walk past them both. Still walking ahead, still holding faith, I kept myself close to the wall, allowing the zimmers to manouvre as they needed to. But it was all going wrong. Suddenly, the old lady was to one side of me, the wall on the other and the old man in front. There was no where for me to go and no room to escape. Debating whether the man would swoop behind his wife so that I might pass, I realised that either his reactions were too slow or he just hadn't seen me. Something had to be done. I glanced at the man for a sign of reassurance: instead he accelerated. The zimmer was zooming towards me and I had to get away. Rather than trying to evade his path, I turned and ran back the way I came, zimmer chasing me. I ran to escape. I ran to avoid the old man. I ran so that I might not get run over! A corner appeared and I was able to dive behind an alcove in the wall and make sure I was out of the zooming zimmer's path. Catching my breath I stared at the old man as he sailed down the street, "I wouldn't have hit you, you know," he said. "Yes you would," I thought. 

I was certainly ready for lunch after that impasse and managed to reach B by 12.15. We went to a little cafe near his college and had a panini together and some coffee. He then went back to study and I had a 3-hour meeting with my PR client. It was productive yet exhausting.

I got home and realised that for the past week I haven't been feeling myelf and, if anything, a little sad. It is as if melancholy has seeped in and somehow I can't quite shake it. From feeling happy and confident I am self-doubting and despairing. I have been feeling like this since B and I had our big row. Whereas normally I feel better once we make up, this time I don't feel quite so reassured. Perhaps in this instance time will be the only healer, I just hope it doesn't take too long.

On a lighter note it is my birthday tomorrow. I have left all the plans to B as I have organised a party on Friday evening. I wonder what will be in store for me.............................. 

Seizing Opportunities and the South Bank Centre

Dear Reader,

Today I was offered a desk! Working freelance is great but trying to stay disciplined at home is at times.......tedious. Today I was offered to use a desk in my old place of work as and when it's free. Whooppeeee!

Having recieved this uplifting news this morning I then went on to meet a lady starting her own PR company who has similar clients to me. We met at the South Bank Centre near Waterloo. I had never been there before and thought it was rather nice. It is a complex of buildings that overlook the river and are all quite new and chic looking. We had coffee up in the Royal Festival Hall member's lounge and chatted for almost 2 hours. It was great.

By the time I got home I felt exhausted. B's cousin was coming to stay this evening so, as if we were super heroes, we conducted a lightning-speed team tidy up which involved changing the spare bed, fluffing up the sofa, wiping down the kitchen and hanging up some clothes! Phew, job done.

B's cousin arrived and he made pizza which was delicious as usual. B doesn't always take time and care over cooking but when he makes pizza he makes it good. He combines all the ingredients for the dough, allows it rise as he slowly cooks a tomato sauce and reduces it until it is thick and rich with ripe tomatoes, red wine and bacon. He then rolls out the dough, spreads on the sauce and tops it with ham, mushrooms and mozarella. Yum.

Now, we are both chilling in front of the TV. Tomorrow B has to be in college by 9 and both B's cousin and I have interviews in the morning. I'm not entirely sure what my job is for actually except that it is within an office and might involve some PR. Wish me luck..................