Monthly Archives: August 2014

Photo a Day challenge

31 Sunday Aug 2014

Posted by in creativity

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Whilst browsing online, looking at blogs for interest but also for ideas, content, format and layout, I came across #fmsphotoaday.

A list of words are shared with a facebook group and the challenge is to post a photo, relating to the word of the day.

Such a great idea. It encourages my photography, it inspires me to be creative, to notice the simple things, to look for the beauty in everyday things. And I get to see photos from others in the group, a global crowd, in different time zones and seasons. I’m loving it. Roll on September, when I plan to post an image every day.

August Collage

I only joined mid month but here is a collage of my photos for August.

** words ** Planning a move from UK to Australia so this little book of words is vital right now.

** nearby ** in the pond in our garden, just outside the patio doors

** breakfast **

** dessert ** So many choices… strawberries… lemon cheesecake….phish food ice cream…. but decided on this one. “Chocolate by the Bald Man” at Manly Wharf in Sydney (July 2013)

** fragrant **

** travel ** my daily commute. I have been doing this for far too long. Last time today!

** mail ** I enjoy buying and sending postcards and have a few ready to go.
I love receiving postcards too. Technology is great but hope we don’t lose snail mail.

** dull ** Being wide awake in the middle of the night is dull.

** 10am ** Sunday Papers in bed. Back in the day vs today – paper vs iPad – newly weds vs empty nesters

Leaving work

30 Saturday Aug 2014

Posted by in making changes

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It is real now. My last day at work was last Thursday. From the initial dialogue about redundancy on 29th April, the discussion phase, then three months formal notice, it is final. It is no longer a dream. It is my reality.

It has been an emotional week. I have known some colleagues for the fifteen years that I have worked at this company, some even longer as we knew each other in a previous employment. It is a sociable office environment. We have shared our lives outside of work. Colleagues became friends.

Colleagues have grown up, have married, have had children. Some have divorced, some have retired, had grandchildren. Some have gone forever, one particular team mate died of cancer in his early thirties.

Colleagues have come and gone to other organisations, to other professions, to other life choices. Some colleagues I have only known for a few years, but we have worked well together, worked towards shared objectives, experienced the ups and downs of the company and the industry.

It has been nostalgic, preparing to leave, clearing out old files, sharing coffees and lunches in these final weeks, sharing memories, remembering old colleagues. Even though it was my choice to leave, it has been hard to walk away.

It has been a fine balance of looking back and looking forward, an interesting experience.

Love my city …. Love London

25 Monday Aug 2014

Posted by in all about me, my place

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I’m going to miss working in London

Enjoying the sights on my daily commute
The Monument, Shard, St Paul’s Cathedral, Gherkin
Old buildings next to new
The history, from Roman Walls to 21st century
Hustle and bustle, weaving through the crowds

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Knightsbridge office
Lunchtime walks in Hyde Park
Shopping in Harrods

City offices
Walking over London Bridge on misty mornings when river looks like a Monet painting.
Views of Tower Bridge
Green oasis of Finsbury Circus (pre Crossrail)
Broadgate Circle, ice rink in winter, cafes and entertainment in summer
Wandering around Bank, Cheapside, Moorgate, Petticoat Lane Market
City Pubs, cafes, coffee shops

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Bankside Office
Lunchtime walks along the River Thames
The Globe Theatre, Tate Modern, Southbank, OXO Tower, London Eye
Office views of The Shard, St Paul’s Cathedral
Lunch on the 7th floor terrace
Borough Market
The Millennium Bridge
Riverside Pubs

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Aldgate Office
Lunchtime walks to the Tower of London
Spitalfields Market
Brick Lane
More pubs and cafes

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Insomnia

24 Sunday Aug 2014

Posted by in all about me, midlife, one with nature

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It’s just after 4am……..again.

I’ve been in bed for 5 hours but am suddenly awake…. Wide awake.

Sometimes I wake after only a couple of hours sleep. That is more frustrating. Today, it’s the weekend, so I have the flexibility to sleep in when I finally do go back to bed or to catch a nap later in the day if needed.

I’m not fighting it any more. I know I’m awake, so I put on a side lamp and pull out a book to read.

Or get up quietly, go downstairs, make a cup of tea and do something.

Look at the night sky, perfect time for star gazing.

Check facebook….. there is usually something new when you have family and friends in different time zones.

Look at twitter….. the world never stops.

Read the last few articles in that magazine I bought two weeks ago, rushed through, then put aside, but haven’t quite finished so it hasn’t reached the paper recycle bin yet.

Write down what is wandering around my mind. There are multiple ideas, reminders, musings to put into some sort of order.

As I am writing this, I have seen the sky lighten as the sun rises. I must add that to my bucket list, “watch more sun rises”. It is a beautiful, peaceful way to start the day.

My mug of tea is finished, my mind feels a little less hectic, so I’ll head back to bed now for an hour or two and hopefully I will sleep.

Now. Closing a chapter. Changing my life.

18 Monday Aug 2014

Posted by in all about me, making changes, more to life, remembering / musing

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Today is my last pay day for a while. I have been employed full time, with this investment bank, getting regular monthly pay into my bank account, for 15 years.

I have chosen to take voluntary redundancy.

I have been in full time employment, in five decades. I don’t feel old enough for that statistic. But I caught the end of the 70’s, starting work straight from school. I took a gap year in the mid 80’s. I had two lots of five month maternity leave in the 90’s. I took a couple of months break after redundancy in the 90’s. And now, 18 years of working solid, just annual leave, some great holidays, but full time work while raising a family.

I am changing my life.

It is exciting but scary too.

I am very fortunate. The timing is perfect for me, as an individual, for us as a couple, for us as a family.

I value the opportunities this redundancy brings. It is a push to do something different, try living somewhere new, to experience an alternative slice of life.

So we will grasp this opportunity with both hands, take an “adult gap year” as we decide where we want to spend the next phase of our lives. Let this new journey begin.

Five years ago

18 Monday Aug 2014

Posted by in all about me, fifty something, midlife, more to life, remembering / musing

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July 2009

I’m at an interesting place in my life – in the middle of some big numbers.
– I’m approaching my 50th birthday
– Mr A and I have just celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary
– S~E is 18 and has now finished school

My life is about to change, with S~E moving to Australia in a few weeks. I will miss her when she goes, but that is part of the life and opportunities we have tried to give both her and C~M. The roots and the wings………………….. It will be a big change for C~M as well as for S~E.

Work is still crap. I really don’t want to be there. My heart just isn’t in it. But we need the salary to stay living in this house and to have the lifestyle that we are used to. We are noticing a reduced income, so our plan to be in Australia for Christmas and New Year will not materialise.

I need to think of some other way to celebrate my 50th.

Recently I have been thinking about my own mortality, I guess due to F’s breast cancer diagnosis, surgery and chemotherapy.

What do I want to do for the rest of my life?
Where do I want to be in five years time?
Once C~M has left school and home, what do I want to be doing?

I know I am drifting at the moment, waiting for changes, not really getting on with work or anything.

I need to change my attitude. I need to either commit to work, or I need to move to something else. Do I want to make the effort to change company? Do I have the energy to try to do something completely different? Do I stick this out for another few years? Do I have the energy for that? Questions, questions, questions ?????

You are not preparing towards a life that will begin at some point in the future.

This is your life, happening now, so enjoy it, use it, live it.