Journal Entries
Happy holidays
Posted Dec 29, 2011
This is a kind of 'dead time' between Christmas and New Year. I am trying to use it to relax, as I know I will be incredibly busy once I start work again on 3 January.
Today I went to town for a workshop on my new iPad, which was quite informative, although I had already worked out a lot for myself, just by playing with it and using commonsense. Shops were fairly busy, not as bad as on Tuesday, when it was almost impossible to push into the Apple store, full of people buying stuff - judging by the bulging carrier bags.
Anyway, while I was in town I also bought a 2012 kitchen wall calendar (supporting WH Smith, reportedly on its last legs), an RSPB calendar for the office, and a top in the John Lewis sale.
Was planning to go to London tomorrow to see the Grayson Perry exhibition with a friend, but he's just phoned to say that he has got problems with the drains at his house, so we've postponed the trip till Monday.
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Latest reply: Dec 29, 2011
Christmas done!
Posted Dec 27, 2011
All done and dusted for another year. I was still putting my cards up in the flat when the taxi arrived to take me to the station on Christmas Eve, so I had to finish the job when I got back today. They won't be up for long, as I shall take them down before I go back to work on 3 Jan.
Had a pleasant few days at my sister & bro-in-law's. Niece (vet nurse) and nephew (police officer) were both working at various points over the holiday, so stayed in their respective homes. We ate and drank very well - bro-in-law made an impressive Beef Wellington for Christmas lunch - Jamie's recipe.
Now plan to have more relaxing days at home, although I will have to catch up with a bit of housework: it's been rather neglected during the interview period, and I will notice the dust and rubbish more, being at home during the day. I may also have a day in London - I fancy seeing the Grayson Perry exhibition at the BM.
Treated myself to an iPad, as a present to me - yay!! - so have also booked in for an introductory workshop at the Apple shop in town. Loving it so far ...
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Latest reply: Dec 27, 2011
Resting
Posted Dec 23, 2011
Finished most of the pre-Christmas admissions work by Wednesday, so have had two very restful days not doing much at all, yesterday and today.
Interviews finished on 14 December and we have made the first batch of decisions (I say 'we' although in fact I have no input whatsoever into the decisions - it is the Directors of Studies, the Admissions Tutor, and in borderline cases the Senior Tutor). The letters to applicants are printed, and most of them are in envelopes ready to be posted on 4 January (the agreed posting date for the whole university). I will stuff the remaining envelopes on 3 January, the first day of the Winter Pool, as I don't have much to do that day - the AT and DoSs will be busy reading files put in there by other colleges.
Went to town yesterday and had a mooch round the shops. Met a friend for lunch at All Bar One.
Today have bought the last present (port for nephew) and left some shoes to be stretched at the old-fashioned shoe shop in Mill Road. These are some navy leather ankle boots which I bought when I lived in France in the mid-80s - I am very fond of them, but haven't worn them for some time, and when I walked into town and back in them the other day, I remembered why! Hopefully a bit of stretching will help.
Off to my sister's tomorrow for a few days. Happy festivities to all and sundry!
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Latest reply: Dec 23, 2011
Getting ready ...
Posted Dec 17, 2011
... is today's theme.
We finished interviewing on Wednesday, and are now getting ready the decision letters (to be posted in early January - all the Colleges agree to do this on the same day), and the files we are putting into the Inter-College Pool. These have to be ready by next Wednesday lunchtime. Hoping to get everything done in the office by close of play on Wednesday, so that I can have the rest of the week off.
Today I've done the majority of my Christmas present shopping. Town not as bad as I feared, and managed to get all except one present.
Now watching last night's ITT on 'catch-up', in preparation for the Strictly final - can't wait!
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Latest reply: Dec 17, 2011
Jazz carols
Posted Dec 12, 2011
Was invited to this (yesterday evening) by one of my colleagues. She does the equivalent of my job in another college, and is a lovely and multi-talented young woman.
She had organised a jazz group made up of members of her church, and 'orchestrated' the settings for the carols herself. She also conducted the group where necessary, played the saxophone (including a few solos), sang and played keyboards. All in a sparkly dress worthy of SCD!
I met a student from her college on the way there asking for directions to the church, so took him along with me. Turned out that although a Theology student, he is also very musical and had composed the music for the Footlights end-of-term pantomime.
It was a fun event, topped off with mulled wine and mincepies.
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Latest reply: Dec 12, 2011
annie_cambridge
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