Oooops

Yes oops. again. I forgot to blog.

 And my mere little blog actually turned 1 a few weeks back. One of my many new years resolutions for last year and I actually carried through. Although blogging is a lot harder than I thought. I thought it would be easy to just pour out some thoughts every few days. Add some pics. Get some followers, but woah. I'm not even sure people read all my Malarky. And to some respect, I'm actually quite pleased that I have this little corner of the world to come and share without being judged or 'liked' or whatever. I can just type, and be me.

 So I just read my last post, and all was merry into the move to Manchester...until the bomb hit. He's not happy. He thinks something is up. Something is just not right with us. Blah Blah Blah. Cue me, crying, angry mess. Call boss tell her I don't want to go and I want to stay; call mum, tell her I want to stay at home and tell BF that I need time away.

 Call up present day and I'm still in the fair isle of Wales, but I actually appreciate it so much more now. I look around at the city I live in and love it, just like I loved it when I first moved here. I smile at people in the street I don't know. And I even go running and take in the scenery!

 I also started a new diet. 3 days in and 4 lbs down. Apparently it will take me 20 weeks to lose all the weight I want to, then all I have to do is work to keep it maintained. Sounds pretty neat to me. It's been a thinking day about food today though. Burgers. Steak. Noodles. Sushi. Curry. All foods have been swimming in my mind today, and I've struggled. But I know that if I cheat this well planned diet plan that I will only be cheating myself...so what is the point! Stick to and thou shalt lose the weight.

 And then we came to the end. My plan is to blog more this year. Instead of the measley 10 or so posts I did for last year. I'm also actually going to write a 500 word story (motivation thanks Radio 2), I already have a pretty sweet idea about a story, I might actually go start writing now. Oh and how could I forget I actually watched The Walking Dead. Series One. And wow. Ordered series two and now we wait. Exciting.

 Anywho, the time is nigh.

 WelshGirlDoesBlog

warning...

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me. And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter. I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells And run my stick along the public railings And make up for the sobriety of my youth. I shall go out in my slippers in the rain And pick flowers in other people's gardens And learn to spit. You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat And eat three pounds of sausages at a go Or only bread and pickle for a week And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes. But now we must have clothes that keep us dry And pay our rent and not swear in the street And set a good example for the children. We must have friends to dinner and read the papers. But maybe I ought to practice a little now? So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple. (Jenny Jospeh)

a trip away for work...

It's been another little while since I've written (again)...I'm so bad at this blogging lark. And the fact that I've had two weeks off work for revision purposes. Did my exam on Tuesday, it actually went okay and I felt okay with what I did. I just hope that means a pass mark and not another fail. I also had my 'interview' for the big move to Manchester, and the move has now been confirmed with HR and my new office (on the 9th floor of a tower block) has a gorgeous view of the city. I'm just so excited to be moving to such a lovely city. And the little cottage we're moving into in two three weeks...it's so cute and bijou (is that how you spell it)...even have to duck to get into the upstairs bedroom. And the little garden out the back, GORGE. Currently away with work for a few days, sleepy little Welsh town. I really will miss this place. But I am truely excited about the new places I'll get to visit. And the new people I'll get to meet. Watch this space....again! WelshGirlDoesBlog

so remember I shared that soon I will be moving from the fair isle of Walesland? It's all happening. And the city. Manchester. Whoop. (**yes I whooped) My work transfer has been accepted, I get to meet my new manager and new team in a couple of weeks, we found somewhere to live, a very cute 2 bedroon cottage in a village just outside Manchester which has an urban yet village-y feel, and we even found someone to live in our house whilst we're gone! Some might say organised. But really I am so happy that everything has just fallen into place and that a plan has indeed been made! So the boyf will travel up in a few weeks, and start work, we'll have Christmas in Wales and then I'll move up at the beginning of February. I was slightly aprehensive, but now I'm just really excited. A new city. New people. New experiences. I guess now I just need to find a new open water swimming venue... WelshGirlDoesBlog

i love...

the smell of lillies those times when you wake in the middle of the night thinking it's morning and realising you still have hours to sleep on I guess just sleep in general being inside and watching wintery, wet, cold weather outside wrapping up in a nice warm jumper, scarf and big boots the new doc martens I ordered this morning with my work bonus! the fact I got a work bonus open water swimming my new road bike new prospects a really good dream that makes you want to keep your eyes shut to see what happens completing a work assignment going out on a friday evening, knowing you have the whole weekend ahead not working saturdays (I'm sure I've done my fair share!!) newly painted nails freshly washed hair clean sheets people watching silly internet videos of animals being funny cows and farmyard animals in general a large cup of tea in the morning cuddles in bed in the morning the prospect of doing a triathlon in 2015.

To begin, at the beginning...

Today I'm working at a very Welsh Museum style institution in Wales (funny that). And to explain how much I love Wales may just take me some time. Actually I'm not sure it's something that would take an age. I just simply love it. For those people who know Welsh writing, you'd also point out that the title of this blog is from none other than Mr Dylan Thomas himself. I love the landscape, I love the hills, I love the animals that graze on the hills, I love watching the sheep scratch their backs on the fences, I love the place names, I love the language, I love the people, I love the funny looks English people get here, I love the rugby, I love the song, it's simple I love Wales. Dwi'n cariad Cymru. I've lived in Wales for my whole life. Probably the longest time I've spent outside of Wales was an eight week holiday when I was about 10, and apart from the little holidays here and there, my days have been lovingly spent in Wales. And now I'm writing this on the verge on moving out of Wales...for the first time in my life. And I'm actually really looking forward to the adventure. This year has been a big one for me, I bought my first house (with the bf), moved into and we made a little home for ourselves. But not a few weeks before the news came in that we would get the chance to move, I was sat at home, one boring Thursday evening wondering if 'this' was it. Was all the hard work, saving, sacrifice worth this little home in a sleepy town. Did we make the right decision to move out of the city. And I wondered, am I old enough to be wondering if 'this' was it?! Then BAM. The opportunity to move to a big city. A bigger city that Wales holds. A city in England. I'm completely not anti-England or the English, being Welsh it's almost ingrained in you from a young age...it probably comes from the Welsh National Sport of Rugby and our competitive nature. I think I'm more nervous about living with people who may live differently to me, but I'm hella excited too! New city. New experiences. New people. Bring it on. WelshGirlDoesBlog

Day Two...

Yesterday was day one. And it was relatively easy. I managed to eat healthily all day, I only felt the need to binge once when an (inconsiderate) man eating sausage and chips sat right next to me! But I did the right thing, brought lunch to work and left my purse at home. That meant I couldn’t sneak out at lunch time and buy something to eat in addition to my lunch. I wrote in my ‘weight loss book’ all day, every bit of food is documented. And every time I felt peckish, I wrote something down in the thoughts section. I also went straight to a spin class on my way home. It was interval training. I sweated buckets, worked hard and felt great when we finished! I had a small tea, and even left some on my plate once I was full. Today is day two. I got on the scales and was 2lbs down. It felt really good and I felt as though not succumbing to the sausage and chips meant my weight was down! I went for a 5km run at 6am when I’d only planned to do 3.5km. That felt really good. I had porridge and came to work. I didn’t feel hungry until 12.30pm when I had my lunch of raw veg and I felt full! Hurrah! I’m even debating going to the gym again tonight. I’m not sure what the rules are for going twice in one day, but I feel as though I have the energy and motivation so why the hell not! I’ve planned baked chicken and salad for tea and I’m really looking forward to it. I might even boil some peas for a treat! Tomorrow is day three. And now I’m actually pretty excited to see what the scales say. I’m hoping to go down into the next stone category tomorrow, just to see a whole new number will be something I haven’t seen since last Christmas. Just need to decide on my exercise of choice for tomorrow. My choices are; swimming (am) or spin 5.30pm and then potentially Vipr 6.30pm…or I could do all three. I’m leaning toward the evening choice at the moment. I’ve also decided on my goal. Actually I have two. One is weight based and the other is exercise based so here goes (I guess once they’re written down, there is no backing out!!): 1. Lose 42lbs / 3 stone. I’ve set two mini goals of firstly losing 16lbs by December 5th – that would put me back at the weight I was last summer and is also the date of a city break me and the boyf have booked in the diary. It’s also a very doable 3lbs a week. My second goal date will then be Christmas (3 weeks later) where I hope to be down another 10lbs, which again is another 3lbs per week. 2. Do a triathlon in 2015. The quarter/half Isoman I’ve been looking into opens to sign up on Saturday – pay day is Friday so really I have no excuse but to sign up. The next decision will be whether to sign up for the quarter or go whole hog for the half. I’m kinda thinking quarter to start with. These goals I’ve set are not going to be easy, but what goal has ever been easy to reach. You have to work hard for your goals, set mini goals, and sacrifice things that you want at that point in time to get what you want in the long term. The point of all this is that losing the cake = losing the flab and losing the flab = sexy timess and really we all know sexy timess = happy timess. Bring it on. WelshGirlDoesBlog

Fair October...

It's been a while since I've visited my fair tumblr site, and actually a while since I felt the need to pick up a pen and actually write any of my thoughts down. As a teenager I used to write in a diary religiously and after finding the dear fellow a few weeks ago I called my bestie over, we put our feet up and opened the pages to relish in our younger days. Really, I have to say, I was a sod. Yes a big, awful, sod. Not in the bully kind of sod-like-way, but in the aloof-can't-make-up-my-mind-like-way. I'm sure each guy I liked throughout my school days, that liked me back I ran scared from. Then all those bad boy types, that didn't actually care about me I flocked toward. I was (and still am) the most indecisive person ever...at least now I've decided on a man I actually love and let him into my aloof-like bubble. So really the point of this post was that I haven't been feeling like writing down my thoughts lately. And that really isn't anything to do with the fact that I haven't had anything going on that has been thought provoking, because trust me...I'm sure I have! But, it's more to do with finding the time. Me time, when I'm not driving to/from work, at the gym, running errands etc etc is slim to none. So that is why I am here writing my thoughts down. And I have decided, that on my lunch break today, I am going to pop to a shop, buy a nice shiny new note pad and start writing. But this time, the diary is going to come with my at all times; and will hopefully aid in my endeavour to lose weight (yes we're still at that point). I'll be writing down everything I eat and when, goals, my thoughts towards food, any inspiring quotes or people I come across, any photos/posts/articles I like and most of all, a daily weight chart. I was reading a fellow blogger's post this morning and it really made me think about my weight loss challenges and how much I want to lose weight but how much I'm struggling. For over six months now I have been going to the gym/running/swimming etc three to four times a week and I have lost 0 yes, 0 pounds. I feel so much better in myself for going and now I can run up the stairs without feeling breathless and walk down the street at a fast pace without feeling sweaty-betty-esque. But what I really want is to lose weight. I know I put up a front that I am an all healthy eating gym-bunny, but really my eating sucks. There I said it. My eating sucks. And I know I'm not along, just like my fellow blogger, us gals are crimson for lying about what we eat, and the first to indulge I'm sure. So this is where it stops. Right here. Today. This fair October day, I will write down my goals of losing weight, my current weight and where I want to be. I will set realistic timeframes and stick to them. At Christmas I will have a LBD with the bootay to fill (in a curvy Jenifer Lopez kind of way) the seams. That's 9 weeks. That's 2lbs a week. That's 18lbs in total. That's the road to the new me. It starts here young sir. Off to the shop to buy a pad! WelshGirlDoesBlog

A Little Fashion Faux Pas...

Just thought I'd join Tuesday hate club and release my anger into a little blog and a little reminising.... A blog from the list I made in the early days of things I thought would be interesting to a) write about and b) read about (for others of course!!). So I thought I'd recount the old days where I thought I knew what style was....when really I just wore what was all the rage, not really considering how it would look on me, and whether it would even suit me. I think I'll go for three worst (ever) outfits I have worn that were as bad as I thought...and three worst (ever) outfits I have worn that were actually now looking back, kinda cool! Three Actual Worst Outfits: 1. Pale pink t-shirt, red canvas skirt, white dap trainers - reading this you wouldn't think it was that bad. The down side being that having been given £20 by my dad to go shopping with my step sister, she then proceded to buy the exactly same outfit and we both wore them to dinner that night. Everyone must have been looking at us thinking what plonkers we were. And she was. 2. Black shorts, black tights, black long boots with white shirt and red braces - channeling my Avril Lavigne look I think...not really sure what I was thinking! 3. Wide leg flared trousers - These beauties were purchase whilst on a school trip to France age 11. My mum wouldn't let me have a pair, so while freedom was running through my veins I took advantage and ran into Tammy Girl and bought a pair! I wore them with everything. Even when I got home and showed my mum, she still couldn't get them off me. They even had a fake chain running from the waist band to the pocket - but I wasn't cool enough to pull it off so I quickly removed it! Three Worst Outfits (that were actually kinda cool): 1. Hot Pink distressed Miss Sixty jeans, white vest with large pink glittery rose with pink studded Buffalo trainers - I must add that I was around 12-13 years old at this point in time, and my mum had picked up the jeans from a shop in Puerto Banus, Marbella. I absolutely loved loved loved them. I just wanted to wear them all the time. And from what I remember I actually wore them to a school disco and got some attention from the boys which I obviously hated(!). Looking back, the jeans were pretty cool. I think I still have them somewhere, though I'm not sure they would fit over my volumptuous bottom now...hmmmm. 2. Black trousers, black boned boob tube with silver glittered stilettos - So I was probably about 16-17 at this point, and it was all the rage to wear jeans or a demin skirt or a little skimpy dress out to Saturday night parties...but I thought I'd buck the trend and go trousers! Looking at the photos now, it was a great look! Although my friends thought I was a little mad to not want to get my legs out at every opportunity I got! 3. Short black skirt, white shirt, tie, v-neck jumper, long socks to the knee and Dr Martin shoes - Yes. I'll admit it. This was my school uniform. At the time I remember the comments such as "where are your socks from" *snigger snigger*....but now, I think I was actually pretty cool. I have upgraded since to red DMs over the standard black, but have been thinking that my winter purchase should be a burgandy leather pair. Hmmmm.... So that's all for this (acutally pretty mild and I'm kinda shocked it's not raining) Tuesday in Wales... #peace WelshGirlDoesBlog

To Tumblr or not to Tumblr...

So after a long anticipated new years resolution I decided to make myself a blog, get my creative juices flowing and attempt to read some truely original voices from the big world... I think somehow I mis judged this fair Tumblr world...as all is not quite as it seems. As I sometimes, every now and theyn flick through my 'news feed' to see what my fellow bloggers have been doing, it seems all people do is post, share and reblog photos and gifs of random s**t. Now, don't get me wrong, I like to see a skinny girl posing her ass off as much as the next guy/girl, but really there are only so many times I like to see the same photo. Join Instagram, post photos as much as you like. Join Tumblr....write you dumb asses. Share your life and experiences, give people something to be thoughtful about. I thought Tumblr was about original, unique people. It seems not. As much as I dislike viewing the same photo/inspirational quote over and over, I have to say I have stumbled across some inpirational and funny writers out there (dare I say the true reason to blog)... #oneweekontinder is a fave. The stories of tinder dating (and actual words) is truely funny! #onetwentyfive is also a good one...a Canadian posting about her love, life and weight issues. Everyone likes to snoop on other peoples lives. I suppose the reason for this rant is for anyone reading to really take the hint and get writing! It's not all about the photos....(it is a little I admit...but for the right ones) Rant Over. Soz. WelshGirlDoesBlog

March went and April came...

So it's been a little while since I've written here. Actually it's been an age since I've had any time whatsoever to do anything apart from work, eat and sleep. We're into April now, and I just can't believe the clocks have changed already, the evenings are lighter and the days are becoming warmer. I really cannot wait until Summer now. Bring on the long evenings sat in the Sun, drinking wine, beer, cocktails, and chatting with good friends in my new garden! My days of going out are numbered...but nights in are the way forward! And I just can't wait! On the plus side I've just returned from the fair city of Dublin in Ireland Town. A mere four days away with the boyf. A weekend of being tourists. We visited the following places: - Kilmainhaim Gaol - Guinness Brewery - Jamesons Distillery - A City Bus Tour - Dublin City Castle - Christchurch Cathedral and.......many a fair Dublin pub! The city is lovely, if a little smelly and touristy, but the Irish people are so friendly to a fellow Celt and the food is filled with Guinness. What more could you want?! It's back to work for me now....looking forward to the weekend already. Dog sitting time! I'll be sure to load some pics of the beautiful Dalmation I'll be looking after and the beach walks we'll inevitably have! Over and out ye fair sun lovers. WelshGirlDoesBlog

An Old Man Once Said....

It's Friday. And boy am I happy this week is over. I've had a really ad hoc week this week, the company I work for had arranged for me to go out to a client to complete a report on their processes, but it wasn't arranged properly, so for the majority of the week I've just been scraping the barrell for things to do. And reading. A LOT. Not that this bothers me. This week will no doubt be a quiet one...this little house of ours is draining money already! But I just cannot wait until things go through! It's really sunny outside today, and all I want to do is grab a beer and sit outside and get some colour in my cheeks (if this Welsh sun even know's how to do this!). It's actually a balmy 15 degrees! Who'da though it in March?! The one big thing that is happening this weekend is the big one. Wales vs England, 6 nations penultimate game. Boy I'm excited!! An old man once called these teams together some 100 years ago and said it would be good. And boy it was. Even though the game is on a Sunday. Good things lie ahead!! Next week I have the first course for the first exam I will sit in June for my professional qualifications. I'm actually really looking forward to it! It will be nice to do something different for a week. And to meet some new people. I do love a good chin wag with new people. And learning. What a good week lies ahead! On the plus side, just saw two magpie's fly by my window...joyous times are a'coming! WelshGirlDoesBlog.

So we had an offer accepted on this beauty...and I am completely and utterly besotted with the little lady. I just cannot wait to move in and make this place ours... My little humble abode.

Where did last week go...

So it's Tuesday again, and even though I said I was going to post every day last week...I just did not have time! My working week was a little slow to start with, and then it completely took off and toward the end I was working my butt off to get my report completed (I still had to do a little work yesterday sssshhhh...the boss doesn't need to know that!!). But it was submitted on time, and now I'm onto the next one! My weekend was good, nice and quiet for once as I didn't actually have any plans to go out/meet friends/drink too much/family time...the only thing I did do was sit for two lovely little doggies. This means lots of love and attention and walkies! I love walkies! I was actually quite sad to leave them and come home on Sunday. I've also decided that taking inspiration from Radio 2 this week, I'm going to complete a short story of 500 words...just for fun. My writing inspriation is quite high at the moment, and I'm feeling like all I want to do is write. So watch this space... WelshGirlDoesBlog

Tuesday is Happening...

I feel like it's a week for a blog a day this week. My work isn't going well today as my mind is elsewhere and my work has found me bogged down in numbers (which I hate!)...I thought I'd left maths behind at School and here I am working in an industry that means I review cash flow forecasts, balance sheets, lending gearing, investment portfolios and reconciliations on a daily basis. But I won't bore you with that!! Tuesday has in fact been a good day (minus the lack of work motivation)...we found out we can be accepted for a mortgage! Yay! So tomorrow...we may be offering on the house :-) This has made me so happy...I will finally be able to have my own house, with a space of my own that I can decorate how I like (with the approval of the other half of course)!!! The most bizarre thing of this week so far though, is that I've been working in Swansea, a city down in the South of Wales about an hour away from where I live (rubbish commute!!) and I have seen some strange things on my journey's to work so far. Yesterday I saw a man walking down the street wearing a snorkle and goggles. Yes you did read that right, snorkle and goggles. So very weird. Then today, I saw a man wearing not one, but two caps. Each a different angle. Maybe it will be a week for weird headwear. I'll keep you posted. On the plus side I now have 20 followers...yay!! I'm not sure you will all find my ramblings interesting but hopefully you won't leave me...#feelingloved So in the words of Buggs Bunny (as I'm clocking off early...ssssshh) that's all folks! WelshGirlDoesBlog

Simply put. I love cake. Cake is my downfall to skinny me. I. will. not. cave. in. WelshGirlDoesBlog

I don't like Mondays....

It's Monday. I really dislike Mondays. There really is nothing good about Mondays. I'm sure people moan more on a Monday. People eat more on a Monday. And morale is at a total low on a Monday. I can't say I hate Mondays. Mondays do produce good things...sometimes. I've done little work this Monday, which therefore means tomorrow I will have to do more work to make up for the fact that I've dossed about, browsed the internet and played games on my phone to avoid the inevitable work that comes with Mondays. And now it's almost 4.30 and I'm writing a blog to avoid more work before I head home at 5pm! Yay. One good thing about Monday's is, Monday is swimming night! Less that 4 months until my big open water swimming extravaganza!! I'm super excited. So I'm swimming twice a week at the moment, attempting to get back into shape to be able to swim 2.1km in open water in the Thames in the Summer....I'm also toying with swimsuit vs wetsuit. It's a big decision...but that's for another blog. This weekend has been good - V day was (of course) a let down, all that nonsensical fuss for your other half to tell you they love you, when really they should be telling you anyway! So we went out for a meal yesterday (Sunday) instead...and it was lovely. Saturday we went for dinner at a friend's new house...and it made me think about how much I want a house of my own...to be able to decorate how I want and buy the things I want and do all the things I want would just be bliss. So........we went to see a house. TO BUY! And we LOVED it! Loved it so much that today we contacted a Mortgage Advisor and we're waiting for find out if that figures all add up, we did some research on property prices in the area and taking all into consideration...we may be putting in an offer =) watch this space..... So Monday wasn't that bad afterall..... WelshGirlDoesBlog

This week...

It's Friday. Finally. Boy has it been a long one! And I am so happy it is finally Friday. I have done a lot of travelling this week with work, around four hours per day, and it has worn. me out. That and being up at 5.30 and still coming two 2km swims in the evening! Just another reason why I am so happy it is Friday! I've been working from home today, and when I say working, I mean getting things done whilst watching my body weight in rubbish TV! Maybe I should get up and shower and get dressed now seeing as it's 5pm... Today, as we all know...(how can you get away from it??) is Valentine's Day. Yet another Hallmark Holiday. I don't meant to be pessimistic, or a scroge...but really?! Do we really need a 'day' to declare our love for our significant others? Shouldn't we be doing that already? And the money...well don't get me started. Really (apart from Christmas) the one night of the year where every restaurant, bar and hotel puts their prices up because they know you will still spend! So my plans this evening are to get dressed, (with a glass of wine) and go out for more wine and a nice meal at a lovely country pub with my boyf. Then I intend to come home and sleep until the cows come home! Tomorrow we've quadrouple booked (I have the most forgetful memory) so after a long sleep it's gonna be a busy day... 1. We're helping a friend move house; 2. We're going to view a house we're thinking of buying (eeeek =D); 3. Pop in on our friend's engagement party; and 4. Dinner at our friend's new house. It's all very house orientated...and I'm sure Sunday will be house orientated as in I intend to stay inside a house all day. The rain outside is not makiing me want to leave the sofa right now!! Well, that'll be it for now...the shower and wine is calling, and my little kitty cat is about to try to sleep on my key board. Over and Out. WelshGirlDoesBlog

Lewis Carroll

Day Three...

Nothing worth having comes easy...isn't that what they say? Who's they? The men who sit at the big table and decide things. I wonder who decided to make us work and wait for the things we really want...I guess they also decided that it would make us appreciate them more just for good mesure. Shucks. Anyways, it's day three of my new health kick regime (I'm not wanting to use the 'D' word here and jinx things) but things are going pretty well, I have managed to decrease my calorie intake and increase my exercise output! Weigh in tomorrow so I guess I'll see then if things have made a difference. I've been making sure I eat breakfast, most important meal of the day ("they" say...again) and eating lots of fruit and veg in a bid, not to just lose weight, but to be more healthy too. I'm working in the middle of a bar/cafe today...and it is taking all my will power, every inch of it, not to get up from my desk and walk to the bar and order chips. But I'm being strong. Back out on the road tomorrow, so fingers crossed that'll help the cravings as I won't be able to see food I shouldn't be eating! WelshGirlDoesBlog