Dspite feeling like my head and sinuses are stuffed full of sandbags I shall be heading to Blackpool this afternoon to ring in the new year with Nikki ^^

I have resolutions and such, but will go through those in a little more depth later on, but for now I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone who watches me a very happy New Year and hoping that 2012 brings you all the love and happiness you could hope for ^^

*warmkittyhugs all round* Meow! ^^

Want to wish all those who follow me on LJ a very Merry Christmas and a hopes for a happy 2012 ^^

This year has been an interesting one for me, with many ups and as many downs, hoping to make the next more positive, open and above all more FUN! because nobody likes to see a down and depressed curled-up little fuzzball do they? Nah, they'd much rather see a bouncy happy kitty, and that's what I'm gonna strive to be going forward ^^

Have a good'un and see you in the new year *hugs all round*

Due to financial and time reasons I won't be sending out the Christmas cards this year, they simply won't get there on time, sorry to everyone who left addresses and such :( Hoping you have a happy holidays though *hugs all round* next year I'll be more organised *nods*

Yesterday was a rollercoaster of emotions for me. I'd had a good review at work, which was handy because I've also got an interview next week for a position in Manchester, more news to come as I get it.

Then last night, at around 2015, we got the inevitable phonecall about my aunt, she passed away after a long battle with cancer, we knew it wasn't going to be too long but it still hurts...*curls up tight*

Rest in peace Auntie Gaynor...

Yep, it's late, this year I've been a little, well...disorganised I think you can say XD but anyways, if you'd like a Christmas card from me this year (it might arrive a little late) but in any case, leave your names and addresses in this entry (screened of course ^^)

Hoping these'll get to you in time, but apologies if not ^^

Well, I've just finished nomming down on what will be the last nightly bowl of cereal, which has become a bit of a habit in recent times. However, after conversing with a friend and asking their advice on weight-loss I was inspired to start a journey which will, with a bit of luck, lead to a healthier and slimmer me - which would lead to a much happier me ^^

So here's how I hope it'll go, I've set a target weight for a year from now and will be doing everything in my power to try and reach that goal weight, more a long term goal than something short (say by Christmas) although it would be nice to trim down a bit before Confuzzled 2012 - although the main goal of this journey is to feel better about myself and look a little better as well ^^

So, here's some numbers for ya:

Current weight: 21st 10lbs / 137.9kg / 304lbs (I think that's all bases covered :3)
Target weight: 18st / 114kg / 252lbs

Current plan for doing so involves cutting portion size, reducing fat intake and increasing cardio exercise, beginning with boxing training next week, and combined with my planned 30 day challenges, should hopefully make a difference.

Of course I shall keep you posted as to my progress ^^

I came across a blog entry before in which a chap talked about his '30 Day Challenges' for both bettering himself and learning new things. He tried things such as learning a new word each day, learning to play the guitar, cycling to work each day, being thankful for something every day and taking a photo a day on a trip up Kilimanjaro for charity.

Which got me to thinking, what could I do as my own everyday challenges? I compiled a (small) list during my lunch break, which included (in no particular order):

*turn off technology (laptops/mobiles/tv) at 9pm each night and spend an hour doing other things on the list before going to sleep - this one will be started as of tomorrow, hopefully it'll bring my sleep pattern back to normality
*fill a page with sketches each day
*read a chapter of a book a day
*walk a mile a day / swim 10 lengths each weekday after work
*learn to play the guitar
*write 1000 words of a story each night
*meditate for 15 minutes each day
*leaving mobile phone at home when at work for 30 days

There are more on the list, but that's all I can list for now, i'm tired *yawns*

Will be looking to try out as many of these as possible, and of course will blog about them and how they're affecting me / making a difference :)

Dramatic title yes, but it has been a good long while since I've put pen to paper XD

In October I opened up for sketch commissions over on my FA account and got a few responses, which surprised me *blush* however it did spur me on and this week I got a few of the requests done, which I'd like to share with you today - ( so here's some fresh PanArts for you - Warning: may contain ladybits >.>Collapse )

On a personal critique level, yes I -still- suck at drawing paws XD they've been the bane of my arty life for so long, with practice though ^^

I do hope you enjoy this installment of art, more to come with a bit of luck in the not too distant future as my confidence threatens to return :D

How do you go about rousing yourself from an art block? Mine has been going on far too long =S

[Edit: I'm gonna take on board the_gneech's suggestion and try some silly little sketches based on your suggestions - so what would you like to see me draw for you? ^^]

Heya all! Thought it was time for a quick update to letcha know how I'm doing :)

Job is going okay, much of the nervousness has disappeared, and I'm enjoying doing some new things - much of which I wasn't given the chance to do at my previous company. The boss is very understanding and knows that it's been a while since I've done half the stuff I'll be doing during the course of this job, but I'm enjoying it so far - we're moving premises soon and there'll be a nice new member of the marketing team to converse with and bounce ideas off :)

As for personal/social life, I've been in a snuggly mood recently, not just the whole 'curl up together in front of a movie' phase, but the other stuff as well - I guess I'm just in the mood for female company recently, and not necessarily to impress (although it would be nice to have someone to cook for) just some company would be nice, kinda difficult when you still live at home with the folks though :D (hopefully not for too much longer though)

Oh well, I can continue to wait for the right person (it's been long enough after all) but it's just nice to be working again - chance to save up to treat someone in future ^^

Feels like a good while since you heard anything from me, so here's an update on how I'm getting on in my new job. I was -extremely- nervous about starting, both with my own doubts about being rusty due to having not worked for over 6 months, the settling into a new office with new people, needless to say I had a nervous stomach-ache for most of the week, either that or I'd caught a stomach bug the weekend before >.<

Whilst quite daunting at first I think I'm settling in well and finding my feet with the kind of work I'm doing, it feels kinda weird going from a role with little responsibility and decision-making to one where I'M the one doing all that O_O I didn't know what to think at first, but I've a patient and understanding boss, who seems to understand that marketing takes time.

However, that wasn't the biggest surprise, the big surprise was coming in on the third day and finding out that the other marketing person who'd started the day after me, and seemed like a nice girl, left for another position that was offered to her. Was a little bit gutting to have her leave, just as we were beginning to talk shop and gel ideas together, looking to take my ideas forward regardless though :)

Will be heading up Sunderland way with the team next weekend for some team-building with us and the guys from our office in Edinburgh, gonna be nice to meet everyone and put a face to the names I've so far been talking to using e-mail :)

More news to come once I've settled in a little more I should imagine, but know that the kitty is feeling a little more sprightly than he has been of late :)