For real

I enjoyed it, I really did, my first day at the new job. We went for a coffee in the morning, then looked through some papers, and later had a chat about more philosophical matters. I didn't feel like it would be something very difficult or bothersome. Also, managed to sort out my holidays in May straight away, which was really helpful. 

Today I was more aware of the fact that it's for real, and that's when the ol' impostor syndrome kicked in. I'll have to find a way to deal with it. Will see how I am holding up emotionally by the end of this first week.

Being there Monday to Friday is something new, but I'm hoping that having more work will bring a sense of accomplishment rather than just a headache, fingers crossed. That's how I see it, raw and honest. 

Easter preparations are in full swing; today along with a box of eggs from a vending machine, we got a bonus, a gold one (I'm guessing there's chocolate's inside). Fred was cooking most of the day, I just sat back, ate and have a read.

In the starting blocks

The money was allocated to renovate our small house, that’s the news of the weekend – I found out yesterday while I was walking towards the beach. Hope it happens soon, as I’ve been battling with the front lock for the past several months.

Friday was my final day at the place where I started working four years ago, just after the lockdown year of 2020. The farewell "party" was short – grand, I'm not really one for those sorts of things. I don't think they've had anyone before who was so organized without being full-on OCD. Technology worked in my favour, with one click I shared via Microsoft OneDrive everything I’d been working on over the last few months, and that was that. No regrets about this job; I've learned a lot, it gave me some time to ponder what I'd like to do next, and now I'm happy to begin a new adventure.

As of late, I finished reading Norwegian Wood by Murakami; I found it to be quite pretentious, and moved with relief on to Jon Fosse's I is Another: Septology III-V. I read both books in Polish translation, but, as always, I think it would be interesting to compare them with the English versions, as both Japanese and Norwegian are all Greek to me ;) And yesterday my husband and I watched There Will Be Blood with Daniel Day-Lewis, a fantastic actor. I loved the slow-paced script.

Sunday has been rather laid-back so far. Fred cooked beef stew, and I haven't done anything practical, just blogging and thinking, letting my thoughts settle a bit before tomorrow. In the evening we plan to go to our friends' for a chat and maybe watch a film on Netflix.

Below, Friday's farewell Victoria sponge.

Abundance

Oh my gods, where to start. It was a typical Monday at first. Or not so much, as the sunshine came back over the coast. Went to work, had a nice time there doing bits and pieces and checking emails from time to time. The first nice surprise came around noon: my graduate membership application for the Society was approved. Took them exactly ten weeks to process all the papers I'd sent them. It's great news, as I hope it will open up more job opportunities for me. And then the job offer itself, the one I was wating for, came sometime after three. I'd really been counting on it, and now I've got it, after almost two months of back-and-forth.

What to do with all of this abundance now? 

Below, Billy Joel's Turnstile over Monday dinner.