This week will be a nightmare. We have a three-day event from Tuesday to Thursday. Then is following up on all meetings we had and start planning 2009. Work-wise, it will be very intense for 4 weeks and a half, and then I'm off on holidays for a couple of weeks. YEY!
October 11 is Marcia's birthday - lots of laughter and great food. yummy. October 14 is Cindy Lauper's concert. In between events and work, I would love to go to Ikea and buy some home stuff.
By stuff I mean a big nice drawer, some kitchen utensils, and... oh, well, we always find something we thought we didn't in Ikea. Little we knew...
Monday, September 29, 2008
Getting there...
Slowly our little house is looking for like a home. All the wardrobes have been built (big thank you to Cipri) and we are now unpacking our luggages and finding places for things. We have plenty of space in the kitchen's cupboards (or little things to fill them with), but I can't still figure out where things should go.
We are a bit lazy when it comes to work hard to organize everything at once and then just enjoy the flat. We prefer to take it easy and do a little bit every weekend.
We had another beautiful weekend - the 3rd sunny weekend in a row - and sun is always good. Lelei says it is always sunny when we have to do something indoors and it's true. So we decided to go out on Sunday and leave the mess behind. We went to Battersea Park a very pretty park South West London. Lelei was really clever and brought some snacks. When it was cold and unbearable to stay outside we went to a Greek restaurant in Earl's Court. Great starters, ok food. Not bad, but not delicious.
Back home, another couple of hours putting the d doors and tidying up a bit. It doesn't seem a very exciting weekend, but I can assure it was quite good! looking forward to the next one.
We are a bit lazy when it comes to work hard to organize everything at once and then just enjoy the flat. We prefer to take it easy and do a little bit every weekend.
We had another beautiful weekend - the 3rd sunny weekend in a row - and sun is always good. Lelei says it is always sunny when we have to do something indoors and it's true. So we decided to go out on Sunday and leave the mess behind. We went to Battersea Park a very pretty park South West London. Lelei was really clever and brought some snacks. When it was cold and unbearable to stay outside we went to a Greek restaurant in Earl's Court. Great starters, ok food. Not bad, but not delicious.
Back home, another couple of hours putting the d doors and tidying up a bit. It doesn't seem a very exciting weekend, but I can assure it was quite good! looking forward to the next one.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Last one... on marriage
Forgive me if the text is not well translated. Not my speciality, I'm afraid - since I'm supposed to be positive here, I have to add that I am good in many other things. :-)
So here we go:
My wife and I have the secret for a long lasting marriage:
Twice a week we go to a great restaurante, great food, wonderful drinks, and great companion. We also sleep in different beds.
Hers is in New York, mine is in London (I had to adapt that one).
I take my wife everything and she always finds her way back.
I've asked her where she would like to go on our anniversary and she said 'somewhere I haven't been in ages!'. So I suggested the kitchen.
Remember: marriage is #1 reason for divorce. Statiscaly, 100% of divorces start with the marriage.
I've married Mrs. Right
I just didn't know that her first name was Always.
Our last fight was my fault. She asked me: what's on TV? And I said: Dust.
In the beginning God created the world and rested.
Then, He created the man and rested.
The he created the women and since then, neither God, nor the world nor the man had any rest.
Marriage is a relatioship between two people where one is always right and the other is the husband.
On a positive note, I don't believe this at all. :-)
So here we go:
My wife and I have the secret for a long lasting marriage:
Twice a week we go to a great restaurante, great food, wonderful drinks, and great companion. We also sleep in different beds.
Hers is in New York, mine is in London (I had to adapt that one).
I take my wife everything and she always finds her way back.
I've asked her where she would like to go on our anniversary and she said 'somewhere I haven't been in ages!'. So I suggested the kitchen.
Remember: marriage is #1 reason for divorce. Statiscaly, 100% of divorces start with the marriage.
I've married Mrs. Right
I just didn't know that her first name was Always.
Our last fight was my fault. She asked me: what's on TV? And I said: Dust.
In the beginning God created the world and rested.
Then, He created the man and rested.
The he created the women and since then, neither God, nor the world nor the man had any rest.
Marriage is a relatioship between two people where one is always right and the other is the husband.
On a positive note, I don't believe this at all. :-)
Talking about tinking happy...
A HEALTH QUESTION & ANSWER SESSION
With Dr. Kenmiester:
Q: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this true?
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it.. Don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.
Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.
Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made of of grain. Bottoms up!
Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies , your ratio is two to one, etc.
Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good !
Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING !!! ... Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?
Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.
Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy? HELLO Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!!! It's the best feel-good food around!
Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales.
Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! 'Round' is a shape!
Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.
And remember:
'Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming 'WOO HOO, What a Ride!!!!!!!
With Dr. Kenmiester:
Q: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this true?
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it.. Don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.
Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.
Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made of of grain. Bottoms up!
Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies , your ratio is two to one, etc.
Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good !
Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING !!! ... Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?
Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.
Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy? HELLO Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!!! It's the best feel-good food around!
Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales.
Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! 'Round' is a shape!
Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.
And remember:
'Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming 'WOO HOO, What a Ride!!!!!!!
American vc British teeth
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7633254.stm
Didn't get to the end of the article, but it is uite funny to read this:
"Americans have the idea uniformity is equivalent to looking good. The British character is more free-spirited, more radical," says Professor Liz Kay, dean of the Peninsula Dental School in Exeter and Plymouth.
British people are famous for bad teeth and honestly it is not because they are not white and straight. It is because they are rotten. I'm neither one nor the other. Like to have nice teeth, but don't care about being snow-like white. I'm more concerned about having healthy teeth and not scarying little kids when I smile. Yes, I wore braces in the past - twice! Not fun, not it isn't. Hope I don't have to wear it again.
So... here is me breaking my own rules. I was supposed to say only good things, eh?
Didn't get to the end of the article, but it is uite funny to read this:
"Americans have the idea uniformity is equivalent to looking good. The British character is more free-spirited, more radical," says Professor Liz Kay, dean of the Peninsula Dental School in Exeter and Plymouth.
British people are famous for bad teeth and honestly it is not because they are not white and straight. It is because they are rotten. I'm neither one nor the other. Like to have nice teeth, but don't care about being snow-like white. I'm more concerned about having healthy teeth and not scarying little kids when I smile. Yes, I wore braces in the past - twice! Not fun, not it isn't. Hope I don't have to wear it again.
So... here is me breaking my own rules. I was supposed to say only good things, eh?
Exercise
I'm a grumpy person, I'm always complaining, always looking on the dark side of life... so for a change I'll try to post only positive things about London and life in London on the next days and let's see how it goes.
This will probably be one of the hardest tasks of my life, but I'm sure I can accomplish the mission.
This will probably be one of the hardest tasks of my life, but I'm sure I can accomplish the mission.
Little Britain
British people have this funny habit of nicknaming everything, like they are lazy to say the whole word or they are always talking to kids. Some of the words I came across during these three years are:
brekkie - breakfast
brollie - umbrella
jammies - pyjamas
PJs - pyjamas again
wellies - wellington boots (those plastic boots for rainy days)
pressie - present
Cutie, isn't it? Oh, and instead of saying aunt they always say auntie. Oooowwwnnnn.
brekkie - breakfast
brollie - umbrella
jammies - pyjamas
PJs - pyjamas again
wellies - wellington boots (those plastic boots for rainy days)
pressie - present
Cutie, isn't it? Oh, and instead of saying aunt they always say auntie. Oooowwwnnnn.
Stressed
Been working so hard that I'm having some weird stress-attacks. Yesterday everything went black, I got really sick and almost fell on the streets. I'm exhausted. Left work almost 8pm (mind you, I get at work between 8.30-9 am and I usually don't take lunch breaks). The bad news are: I'm not getting any richer, slimmer or happier.
It's time for a change, eh?
It's time for a change, eh?
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Great reason to have a child
Cute, isn't she? This is the Watermelon Girl, sent by Mari. The ooowwwnnnn moment of the evening and the my last post for today.Happy Spring for those under the Ecuator - enjoy the autumn/fall and get ready for winter for those above. May the force be with us.
Firefox vs Internet Explorer
I don't want to take sides here, but my blog looks horrible on Firefox. I hope my two readers have Internet Explorer.
Like a child...
So tired and sleepy; yet blogging and watching TV.
Almost midnight and I usually wake up at 7am. Shouldn't be a problem if I naturally didn't need 10 hours of sleep to be a happy person.
Almost midnight and I usually wake up at 7am. Shouldn't be a problem if I naturally didn't need 10 hours of sleep to be a happy person.
Final countdown
I've been so grumpy and unpatience lately that if I don't go on holidays pretty soon I'll colapse. Irritated yes, but also very depressed and weak. Really need to empty my mind of everything. Need to get away from London.
I'm like a prisoner counting the days to be released. 37 days to Tenerife!
I'm like a prisoner counting the days to be released. 37 days to Tenerife!
Life in the new house...
* A mess, a BIG mess. It's against my principles to post photos of my messy place, but I couldn't resist. Here are images from our living room (a dumping ground), bedroom (an empty mess) and the 2nd bedroom (a battle field).
This is half of the living room. The blue chairs and this white chairs won't stay there. The pictures will eventually be hanged on the wall and - although there are not that visible in this photo - the bunch of bags next to the book shelves will be removed.
I don't know why Cipri needs two lamps, but yes he has two lamps on his bedside table. The bed is ALWAYS this mess. The bedroom will be very empty - we have a fitted wardrobe and that's all.
Oooooh, how can I explain this one? We have two wardrobes, one computer desk and loads of luggages in there. Scary stuff.
* We are only working on the house on the weekend. So this mess will be around for some days...
* TV and internet are working. We are waiting for the phone to be installed. Probably by the end of this week.
* The house is cosy and warm. Unlike the previous house I don't like leaving this house and I love coming back home.
* It's a bit noisy. Main road.
* We still don't know how the heating works. We don't have gas - everything is electric. But I found out how to turn the hot water on. YEY!
* Trying to convince Cipri to buy some bit and pieces to the house.
* I can't find my clothes and the pile of dirty laundry is increasing...
* I'm usually very hungry. I prefer to think it is the weather, not the house. :-)
This is half of the living room. The blue chairs and this white chairs won't stay there. The pictures will eventually be hanged on the wall and - although there are not that visible in this photo - the bunch of bags next to the book shelves will be removed.
I don't know why Cipri needs two lamps, but yes he has two lamps on his bedside table. The bed is ALWAYS this mess. The bedroom will be very empty - we have a fitted wardrobe and that's all.
Oooooh, how can I explain this one? We have two wardrobes, one computer desk and loads of luggages in there. Scary stuff.* We are only working on the house on the weekend. So this mess will be around for some days...
* TV and internet are working. We are waiting for the phone to be installed. Probably by the end of this week.
* The house is cosy and warm. Unlike the previous house I don't like leaving this house and I love coming back home.
* It's a bit noisy. Main road.
* We still don't know how the heating works. We don't have gas - everything is electric. But I found out how to turn the hot water on. YEY!
* Trying to convince Cipri to buy some bit and pieces to the house.
* I can't find my clothes and the pile of dirty laundry is increasing...
* I'm usually very hungry. I prefer to think it is the weather, not the house. :-)
Friday, September 19, 2008
New home
How's the new house?
Great!
So warm, bigger than the actual home, so good to stay in. Unlike the old one. By the way we are at the old house. The TV, internet and telephone are still here. This house is so cold that annoys me! Everything is covered in mold since the temperature dropped dramatically (it's winter here already).
Unlike this one, we don't live in a house - it is a proper block of flats, but only 3 floors high. Ours is on the 2nd floor. We don't have a garden or a parking space at the front of the flat, but these are totally unecessary.
Will post some photos as soon as we move everything . :-)
Great!
So warm, bigger than the actual home, so good to stay in. Unlike the old one. By the way we are at the old house. The TV, internet and telephone are still here. This house is so cold that annoys me! Everything is covered in mold since the temperature dropped dramatically (it's winter here already).
Unlike this one, we don't live in a house - it is a proper block of flats, but only 3 floors high. Ours is on the 2nd floor. We don't have a garden or a parking space at the front of the flat, but these are totally unecessary.
Will post some photos as soon as we move everything . :-)
D.I.Y.
We are using our little old car to make the whole move. Why not hire a car and crew to do that? some might ask. This is England, the home of D.I.Y. (Do it Yourself).
Nobody hires nobody to do anything. When I said at work that I had a cleaner that comes to our place every week, they've looked at me like I was from Mars! This is a luxury in this country. You don't pay people to do anything for you - you Do It Yourself. Cleaning, assembling furniture, even refurbishing a house! Our neighbour has changed his roof, the flooring, the windows, doors, etc, all by himself and a couple of mates. And this is going on since February!!!!
Another thing I miss from Brazil. :-(
Nobody hires nobody to do anything. When I said at work that I had a cleaner that comes to our place every week, they've looked at me like I was from Mars! This is a luxury in this country. You don't pay people to do anything for you - you Do It Yourself. Cleaning, assembling furniture, even refurbishing a house! Our neighbour has changed his roof, the flooring, the windows, doors, etc, all by himself and a couple of mates. And this is going on since February!!!!
Another thing I miss from Brazil. :-(
home sweet home
At the moment we have two homes. And they both are a big mess. We still have LOADS to move to the new house: 2 wardrobes, 1 sofa-bed, 1 coffee table, 1 dining table, 3 chairs, many clothes, computer desk, computer, big-heavy TV and the TV rack, some kitchen stuff... It's a bit scary that we have two days to move everything and we only have a bunch of girls to move these.
Monday, September 08, 2008
Oh, I almost forgot!
Ihaaa, today I'm celebrating (am I?) three whole years in the UK!!!
Three winters and two rubish summers (the first one was quite good, but I was in the lab most of the time working on my final project).
Three winters and two rubish summers (the first one was quite good, but I was in the lab most of the time working on my final project).
Final countdown
5 days to get the keys for our new flat.
52 days to go on holidays.
Oh, man, can it go any faster?
52 days to go on holidays.
Oh, man, can it go any faster?
aham
My throat is a bit soar. I guess I wasn't expecting the winter so soon. Our actual home is so cold... I can't wait to move to our brand new home. It might not be great, but it seems warmer.
Warm is good.
Warm is good.
Back!
Back to London after a weekend in Dublin.
Back home after a long long day at work.
Back blogging after a period of lack of things to talk about.
Back home after a long long day at work.
Back blogging after a period of lack of things to talk about.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Holiday
Me too, me too.
Can wait until November...
London sucks. Temperature here is 14C, which is colder than Brazilian winter. It's simply impossible to be happy in this country!
Can wait until November...
London sucks. Temperature here is 14C, which is colder than Brazilian winter. It's simply impossible to be happy in this country!
Oh my
Last Sunday I bought the most expensive trainers in the whole wide world.
In my whole wide world at least.
I'm trying to start jogging/running but I feel horrible pain on my left leg and knee. I was told that could be the wrong trainers, so I went to the shop, took those tests, and voilá. I tested them today and guess what?! Left leg and knee hurt so badly after only 5 minutes running.
I guess I'm just not the running type.
In my whole wide world at least.
I'm trying to start jogging/running but I feel horrible pain on my left leg and knee. I was told that could be the wrong trainers, so I went to the shop, took those tests, and voilá. I tested them today and guess what?! Left leg and knee hurt so badly after only 5 minutes running.
I guess I'm just not the running type.
Job done
We have finally found a new house.
The moving process starts on September 13 and ends on the 25.
May the force be with us.
The moving process starts on September 13 and ends on the 25.
May the force be with us.
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