The 50th blog post/ The three things I really don't want to hear today

Here we are, readers. We've made it to the big 5-0. Not age, I'm not quite there yet. But my 50th blog post. In some ways this seems like a lot, but in others it  doesn't seem like much at all. Considering where I was when I wrote that very first post and where I am now, many things have changed. When I started the blog I was full of direction, inspiration, joie de vivre- surrounded by friends and family and full of excitement for all my travel adventures to come. Now, I am somewhat directionless and lonesome, being hundreds of miles from most of my friends and family, without a real job and without much changing. You've probably noticed the decline of the frequency of my blog posts. This is a sorry shame. I always thought when things picked up a bit I'd start writing again...but things never really picked up.

Now, that's not to say that some wonderful things haven't happened from the start until now, I've met amazing people, I've seen lots of new things and done lots of new things, I've experienced a lot of things both fantastically great and horrifyingly low. And I've grown (not just around the waist). But I can't help missing the optimistic girl at the start. And I'm determined to get her back somehow.

Anyway, I've made it to 50...and here's to another inspired 50 posts of embarassing dancing, and strange encounters, and new places and a bit of sunshine (hopefully).

The point of today's post is to highlight a few things that I, and probably a lot of you too, don't want to hear these days.

1) The Guardian did a survey of all current graduates looking for jobs. The results were as I expected. We're all going through the same depressing farce. 25% of us have lost out on jobs we want, due to 'lack of experience.' This brings me to the first thing I don't want to hear. Every single job, in the hundreds I've applied for in the last 6 months, has ended with the same inevitable result. I've passed tests (even numerical), I've submitted CVs. I've gone to interviews. The final feedback is always the same: "We liked you but another candidate was more experienced for the role."
This really frustrates me. These are jobs advertised as first job positions. Jobs geared towards graduates. Job advertisments which say 'No previous experience required. Full training provided.'. The sheer magnitude of applications mean, however, that they are able to add further boundaries because somewhat over experienced people are going for these jobs as well, due to a never diminishing over-subscribed job market. I get it, honestly I do. I accept the fact that others are more qualified than me and deserve the job more. What I don't get is how you go about getting the experience needed. Because nobody hires without experience!!! 'Internships?' I hear you ask. Alas, according to the Guardian, another sizeable chunk of us found that unless you know somebody in the business, or have a relative working there, you aren't going to get in. Brilliant.


2) The second thing I really don't want to hear is "The orchid's dead, move on." Since a very kind friend gifted me with some beautiful purple orchids at a dinner party in March, I've been caring for them like they are my child. I've been watering them with tepid water (the instructions said TEPID), I been monitoring their moistness (MOIST) to make sure I don't over-water, and I've been moving them from room to room, and climate to climate, to ensure they have variety in their day to day life. And so far, much to my immense surprise, they've survived and they're healthy. I think they've become a social experiment for me. Keeping them alive is proving that I am not incompetent. That I can do something successful. It's a necessary component for my remaining optimism. So the day I hear, "The orchid's dead, move on" will be the day I officially give up. Maybe it's like the rose in Beauty and the Beast. Except I'm less mean (and less furry). If the last petal drops, I'll be stuck this way forever! But does that mean I won't age?? Because I really wouldn't mind that.

3) The third thing I really don't want to hear is 'Looks like snow's on the way again'. I'm a patient woman. That's a fact. If you remember my post last year about our current weather being much colder than other countries at this time of year (http://au-where.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/here-comes-sun.html) I wrote my complaint last year while it was still April, so obviously things had cheered up by this time of the year. It's a week until June. JUNE. This time last year, because I remember it was when my sister was visiting for Eurovision (http://au-where.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/nil-pointsbut-big-love.html) for the last time I saw her before she became a Californian Girl, we were sunbathing. SUNBATHING. In shorts! In England! It was literally high 20s! This year- it isn't even scraping mid-teens. And according to the weather people (not to be mistaken with the Village People http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InBXu-iY7cw- sorry, I have to sing that. Every time. Part of my own personal Constitution.) there could be snow in places in the U.K this weekend?? What??? I've gone so long without sun that my skin has become a dangerously white colour, the equivalent of Voldemort. Not an exaggeration.If I develop a snake's nose, you'll know something a tad more sinister is going on. It's gotten to that point that it usually gets to in mid-Winter where you think "I can't honestly imagine it ever being sunny again." Except that emotion has been continuing for about 8 months now. I haven't gone out without a jacket since mid-September. Wow.

What I saw when I smiled in the mirror this morning

So there you have it, crew. Sorry, that sounded a bit nautical, guess I shouldn't have watched the entire 'In the Navy' music video there
"I'm afraid of waaaater!"

Those are the three things I really don't want to hear today. What do you not want to hear? Do let me know. Unless of course it's "She's posted another blog, oh crud!"

QOTR

Nil points...but big love

 Bonjour mes amies! I thought it was ripe time for me to update ye olde blog with the latest headlines of my life. Today it is raining. For the first time in a week. An apt illustration of the rivers of tears I long to cry in relief that I have FINALLY done an exam!

Yesiree, I am officially on the map...or timetable as the case might be. A half hour exam which was the academic equivalent of Blind Man's Bluff....a multiple choice English exam!!! I got on the bus this morning and accidentally sat next to my professor for this class...luckily, she didn't have a clue who I was. Secret identity maintained *phew*

Tapas central!!!

Still, it's all over...and I am very happy about finishing it. I deleted all the documents for this module off my computer in a very laissez-faire wa- Long gone. Moved On.

Stupid Loreen...

In other news, my sister Suzanne came to visit for a few days as it is the last time we shall meet. Indefinitely. She is moving to California mid July while I am still in Barcelona so we shall not be at home together again for heck knows how long! It was all very final, seeing her off at the train station, sausage bap in tow. Wherefore art thou, sister friend?

She arrived on Saturday morning, where we indulged in Starbucks frappucinos before returning to the house for a spot of sun bathing. It was reaaaaallllly hot! In the evening, we ordered Chinese takeaway and the five of us watched Eurovision. I was cheering on Jedward because I love them and Roman from Germany because I love Germany too! Alas, Sweden won. I have nothing against Sweden...or even the song...but that Loreen woman dances worse than S Club 7 these days (Have you seen them? They're not in the best shape...)

Sunday we relaxed in the garden for most of the day, stopping for regular ice pop breaks and the odd shopping trip to Booths.

Our next door neighbours here are pretty annoying. The mother yells at her children. All the time. And she sounds like Howard Wallowitz's mother. I never really knew what she actually looked like though, as it was only ever the father who ventured outside. Anyway, thanks to my sister's excellent photography abilities, we now have the visual aid you are all dying to see. So here it is. John and Joleen.

Big Love.

                                                                                     Positioned next to their lovely bench, which I'm almost certain was hand-crafted by John in a wannabe Joseph move with his son, Jay. (Is it a coincidence that both their names begin with J like their predecessor carpenters? I think not...) So, we were all equally delighted and repulsed by this lovely picture so I thought it was necessary for me to share. Someday I hope I look like a fat angry baby and look so in pain when I hug my much smaller husband. Living. The. Dream.

On Monday, we again stayed mainly in the house, although we did go and walk a dog at the animal sanctuary where me and the girls are volunteers. We met Harry. A dog with a bit of a personality. It was more akin to taking a stroll with a friend than walking a dog. He was elegant and polite and never pulled on his lead. It makes a change from my own mentalist of a dog who sometimes hops with a bunny because she cuts off circulation to her back legs by choking herself with a lead.

His Lord, Harry, with Josie and me

On Tuesday, me and Suzanne went into town to watch 'What to Expect When You're Expecting', armed with pick and mix from W H Smith. This was my second time seeing this film. It's probably a bit weird that a young thing like me enjoys films about babies so much but it is genuinely a really funny film, treating things in an honest, interesting and often sad way, with a lovely balance of laughs to tears. After the cinema, we met up with Josie and went out for tapas in the lovely 1725, a favourite spot of ours in town. Such nice food and a really atmospheric location. We got 8 tapas between the three of us and got two of these for free, much to our delight. We washed it all down with delicious Sangria and good conversation.

Me and Suzanne- tigers grrrr!

Me and Suzanne...and Barbie.

As I waved away Suzanne on Wednesday morning, I felt very sad. I walked back to the bus stop in a daze of disbelief. No more friendly chats with my sister in our pjs. No more inside jokes. No more reminiscing. It's a really disturbing period of life to be entering. I know I should be used to it because I've been living away from home for three years but I always knew I'd be returning home for holidays and I'd get to catch up then but now....there's just nothingness. And loneliness.

Being a grown up is going to be really hard.


However, I don't want to finish my blog on a negative point so I'll conclude by saying this.

In 11 days time I will be done with my exams. In 24 days time I will be in Barcelona. Everything is happening from now on. It's important some times that I can just sit back and try and relax. I am glad to still be with my friends for the next 20 days. I am happy I have had the chance to see both my sisters for a final time recently. I am excited for all that is going to happen soon.

Sisters are good. Next door are strange. I have wet hair.

QOTR