My life and other things that have happened

Earlier this week I thought I would never see the end of packing boxes and mess. Today I began to see the that there was an end to it and slowly the weight is starting to be lifted from my shoulders. I can now walk around my flat without stubbing my toes or clambering over boxes piled three and four high. I've even been sorting out the quote for shipping which should hopefully be organised for next week. My to do list is getting shorter and my stress levels are getting lower. Just a few major things left to sort out (like the Visas) but thankfully I have a very wonderful and clever boyfriend who is dealing with that (thank you James!).  So not long now. It's weird because I know I'm going in a week and I have boxes and things to physically prove it but it still doesn't seem real. Getting on that plane is really going to bring it all home for me I think. But for now I'll just concentrate on the things I can deal with and push on. I'll leave next Thursday where

Today I said goodbye to my team. I've been really blessed to work with such wonderful ladies (and Ben!). My team has changed and developed over the 4.5 years I've been at Strode's and I've enjoyed working with everyone who's come and gone.  I was a raw recruit when I first started. No managerial experience, never worked with kids before. But the girls took me in and taught me what I needed to know to survive the chaos. They challenged me to find the best in myself and I've come a long way. Without their support I wouldn't be the person I am today. They were my friends, my colleagues, my surrogate mums. My shoulder to cry on, my sounding board and my audience to vent to when the 'man' got me down. For 4.5 years they have been my whole world. I hope that I was a good manager/friend/colleague.  I'm taking everything they've taught me and their good wishes and venturing out into the unknown. But no matter where James and I roam, they'

Today was my last day at work with all my colleagues. It was a very weird day. It started off with my team and I trying to sort out the new rota for September (which took three hours) and then ended with a wonderful staff party/BBQ/hog roast. As we do every year we sat through the speeches and people being presented with gifts, but this year was different because I was one of the people who was being spoken about and presented with a gift. I admit it. I blubbed. Thankfully not as much as I could of but I did get very emotional. I've been associated with Strode's for 9 out of the 15 years that I've lived in the UK and I've been taught by and worked with 100's of people there. Saying goodbye was really hard. It's like saying goodbye to family. Drinks in the pub afterwards and tearful (slightly intoxicated) hugs and now I'm at home sitting amongst my boxes and debris of my life. I'm still not sure it's all sunk in. I feel like I'd like to have a go

As the month wears on, I've been trying to catch up with all my friends before I leave. It's been really fun but also incredibly sad. You don't realise how much you love and care about people until you have to leave them. I am very lucky and blessed to have such wonderful friends. And here they are... (well some of them anyway :) )

I've always wanted to learn Mandarin Chinese but I've never had a reason to learn other than my own personal interest. This move to Taiwan has proven to be the best incentive possible for me to learn and I started with gusto several months ago. However, I've sort of ground to a halt now. Having never tried to learn a tonal language before it has proved to be a massive challenge. I've really enjoyed it so far but my goodness does it require intense amounts of concentration. I'm hoping things will become easier when I get to Taiwan and I'm emersed in the language and have to use it on a daily basis. I think it is probably one of the best ways to learn.  In the mean time I've been using the BBC Learn Chinese website and this book - Easy Peasey Chinese: Mandarin Chinese for beginners . Both have been very useful. Does anyone else have any suggestions for books, CDs, or websites that would be helpful in learning Chinese? I'm looking for basic stuff.

This time in one month James and I will be on the runway awaiting take off. A scary thought when I think about how much I still have to do before I go. Thankfully some big things have been sorted. I've got someone to rent my flat, I've organised for the remainder of the DIY stuff to be done and I've begun sorting through and organising what stuff is going with me. Slowly slowly. Thankfully the woman taking my flat is happy for as much stuff to stay as possible as she's only coming with suitcases.  Anyway, everything is pootling along and I'm trying to keep pace. Just a couple more weeks at work and then the really hard bit starts. Thanks for following so far :)