Le Châtelard

I’m spending the last evening of my holiday listening to THEESatisfaction and reading Basic Counselling Skills. Yesterday I went for a wander and ended up going into the local record store. As I walked towards the back of the store I smelt soap. Sure enough they were selling Le Chatelard 1802 soaps, which reminded me of my last months as a resident in Brighton (particularly the long walks I took to clear my head). I was reminded of the day I bought some Le Chatelard 1802 lavender pouches because that day I walked to the marina and looked out over the seafront, which I often did, and felt such love for the city that shaped me.

I can shut my eyes and remember the view, and the overwhelming emotions that moved through me at that time.

I have been reflecting a lot on my career path, because my holiday has made me aware how much being in a university (working and studying) is a big part of my identity. But also because I want a break from data and commuting. I like being in academia, but I wonder if I need more quiet around me. I used to think the idea of being self-employed was a little petite bourgeoisie yet as years/decades pass I realise I want this type of control. I want to be creative. I want a pet I can take to work (or have a home office where my pet hangs out with me). I like the community feeling of my workplace, and I don’t want to be without it.

I like the course I am doing now – counselling feels very natural. And something I would like to incorporate into my worklife. I’ll stick with it and see where this goes…

Things I Love Thursday – Valentine Edition

I haven’t done a TILT in a while (2017 and 2018). And as it’s St Valentine’s Day, I figured it’ll be good to spread some love.

♥I woke up to find my tea in a new mug. Aww.
♥My workplace library‘s St Valentine’s Day activity:

♥The Chaplaincy chicken


♥I got Making Books as a present today. Yay.
♥The Tisserand Sleep Better collection (I love going into TK Maxx and sniffing this stuff).
♥The latest Resonance Press book Discovery.
Punkypins:

Vampire Hag
Big Boys burgers!

A (Work) Day in the Life…

Following on from yesterday, here is what my work day looks like (typically Tuesday to Friday). It won’t be the most exciting, but people who do data entry will understand!

6:10 My alarm goes off, I lay in bed for twenty minutes.

6:25 My partner brings me a cup of tea (English Breakfast with soy milk) and a toasted bagel.

6:35 I scoff my breakfast, get dressed and get ready for the day.

7:00 We commute to Canterbury.

7:50 I arrive to my university campus, I try to convince myself to have a walk (if I have outstanding work I do skip this. But I am trying not to in the future).

Walk

Walk

Path

Path

Olive Grove

Olive Grove

8:00 Go to my office, open up and start working (thirty minutes for emails, twenty minutes for reports and ten-twenty minutes for investigation).

9:00 My line manager visits me and we discuss any outstanding issues and ideas, we also talk about upcoming meetings.

9:20 More investigation if necessary, and email chasers.

10:00 Break (I don’t always leave me desk, but I make an effort to do something not involving data).

10:10 Create web pages or files in our content management systems or review/update the pages.

12:00 Lunch

13:00 Return to work and focus on outstanding projects and/or go to meetings. More data entry and creating pages/files.

17:00 Technically I have finished work but my partner doesn’t give me a lift until 18:00 so I browse my university intranet, and read HE-related blogs or news/articles involving my research interests.

18:00 Start the commute home (varies depending on traffic).

19:00 Dinner time.

20:00 Same as yesterday.