2009 Goals - The Review

At the beginning of each year I make new year goals instead of resolutions. However, I have noticed I have not been reviewing the goals since 2005, which would just make them as pointless whether I completed them or not. So I am going to start again this routine again.

At the beginning of 2009 I made 5 goals that I planned to do, although did I achieve them is another thing:

Goal 1 - To run 500 miles
At the beginning of the year I was into my running and did see this as a possible achievement. However after the Edinburgh Marathon I haven't ran since, so the goal wasn't achieved.

After being hit with injuries galore, I wanted a break from running and that is what I did. Then, as time has past, there has been several changes in my life which has meant that running has had to take a back seat. As I now work weekends, I am unable to do any races anymore and kind of makes the whole running thing pointless at the moment.

Will I get back into running? Maybe, but I am just not in the mood at the moment.

Goal 2 - To run the Edinburgh Marathon
Without a doubt this was one goal that I was determined to achieve as I was running it for my Aunt Linda.

The training and running the marathon was one of the hardest things I have done, but at the end of it, the greatest achievement to date.

A full race report of the Edinburgh Marathon can be found here.

Goal 3 - To recycle more
I didn't do much in relation to recycling in 2009, which is a little disappointing. Although, how can you recycle when all the recycling points have been removed.

At the end of year, the council have brought back the recycling bins for the flats, but I am reluctant to use them due to previous experience and lack of security. And there is still a lot of stuff that can't recycle. So still utterly pointless.

Maybe this is something that I will try and do more of next year, but until the council improves their recycling abilities, then I ain't going to lose any sleep over it.

Goal 4 - To blog more
Compared to 2008, I have actually blogged less so in a way failed with this goal.

My website, including my blog has taken a bit of a back seat this year because I have been so busy with other things.

I have a huge list of jobs that need to be done and just no time...or energy, to do it. I do plan to get it a bit up to date soon though. And maybe then, I will blog more as well.

Goal 5 - To actually suss out what I am gonna do this year
This goal was going to happen, but in what context I had no idea. I have to say I think it's turned out for the best. 2009 has seen so much change for me.

Firstly, I have changed jobs. After being made redundant I have gone to work at H&M part time. I am enjoying the job and it's so different from what I did previously.

Secondly, I am now at university. I am currently doing a foundation year, but once I pass this (notice the positiveness there?) then I will start a degree in web development. Going back to education was hard, but it feels like the best thing I could have done.

So overall a mixed year in relation to the goals set. Can 2010 be any better?

Work - The First Couple of Months

I suddenly realised that I have been in my new job for nearly three months and I aint officially announced that I had got a new one. Doh!!!

Signing On
However before I do that, I just wanted to say that although the job centre is degrading, the experience wasn't as bad as previous. I think they realised that with the recession on, the type of people who were going through the doors were not just scroats who have never worked in their lives.

The only issue I had, was they knew I was going into full time education in just over a month, but they were forcing me to waste mine, and employers, time by applying for full time jobs that I wouldn't be able to accept is offered. I was just applying for jobs, but knowing I can't do the role I made sure that they didn't ask me for an interview.

It was very difficult to meet my needs. I would of been fine if I was going back full time, as there was loads available. There was a number of places that did pop up which included Debenhams and H&M.

Debenhams
Debenhams can not organise a piss up in a brewery. After completing a telephone interview, I was to attend a face-to-face interview. The interviewee had no idea that I was coming so wasn't prepared. However at the end of the interview I felt positive, which was then confirmed by asking to come for a third interview with the new manager the following week. I did, and the new manager had no idea I was coming. Seriously, taking the piss. I was kind of informed in the interview that I am ideal for the job and they would let me know by Friday.

A week later I heard nothing, so decided I wanted feedback because it was so positive and I still didn't get the job. In the end, I turned round and gave them feedback about their interview process and kindly put that it was a shambles. I still didn't get my feedback, but after all the messing about, I'm kind of glad I didn't get the job.

H&M
Around the same time, I ended up having an interview at H&M. However, this time I gave a pants interview. I was so nervous as I felt a lot more under pressure because Chris works for them and I felt like I had to not only represent myself, but also make sure I represented Chris as well.

However, I must have done a good job cause I got a position, and even better it was on the department I would have preferred...menswear. Yay!!!

Three months in and I am enjoying the job still. It can get frustrating at times cause they move everything around and being part time I get lost and spend the majority of the time looking like a lost sole on the shop floor. Plus the way some customers treat the stock is unreal. If they treated crockery the same way, they would be forced to purchase the items. I have even heard customers say that it's our job to clean up after them. Erm, no it's not!!! We are here to help you, but not clean up after you. Tsk!!!

Within my time working there I have experienced a few of the hectics, sales, stock count, designer collaborations (Jimmy Choo - I have a fab pair of Jimmy Choo boots) and Xmas. All hectic but fun.

I have been told that I am doing a good job, so all is good. Makes me glad I am back in retail even if it's only for a short period of time while I am at uni.

The only main gripe I have, which I was fully aware of when I took the job, is the amount of hours. It just isn't enough for me to survive on, but I know coming up to the quietest period this isn't going to be extended. I just hope it can be in a couple of months. We shall have to wait and see.

University - The First Term

The first term of university has now passed so I thought I would provide a bit of an update to let people know how I have been getting on. I had planned to do this after the first week, then month, but I just didn't seem to have any time.

After the Freshers Week, I was questioning whether going back to uni was the best decision I made. I can say that it has had it's ups and downs but I feel like I have made the right decision...even though it's hard than I thought it would be.

The first couple of weeks. the main thing I was worried about was being ale to find the right room for the classes. As I flicker between 3 buildings it was easy to get confused. Especially if you don't know the tutor and fellow students. So imagine my horror that I did actually sit in the wrong lecture in my first week.

I was determined to not go to the wrong class that I kept on checking my timetable. I think I checked it about ten times on the way to college. However, as soon as I got to university all knowledge of where I was to go went out of the window and instead of going to the room for Wednesday's class, I ended up going to the room for Friday's.

As I sat down, quietly (and nervously), I looked around and saw everyone being very academic with folders out. The tutor arrived and quickly went into the class. Within a couple of minutes I realised that I was in a year two biology lecture. But by now I was too embarrassed to get up and leave. So I sat the whole lecture. Thankfully it was only 30 minutes, so I was able to leave as catch the last 30 minutes of the correct lecture.

I have also felt my age a bit in class, because the 'kids' who think they are big and clever by chatting, laughing or throwing things in class are pissing me off more than humouring me.

Sometimes I do feel like I am in primary school and not university. If people don't want to learn, then feck off and get a job. Don't ruin it for other people, as I am really not bothered what you got up to that night.

Okay, that's my rant over with!

Along with the nuisances in class, there also has to be the geek boy. Part of me is thinking good on him for being so enthusiastic and completing his essays the first week they have been set, but a larger part of me is getting slightly peeved with his know-it-all conversations. Most of which are too quiet so I can't hear what he is saying and then start to get lost through lecture.

I do have to giggle when the tutor turns round and tell him that he has got it wrong. Happened a few times now and well worth not hearing anything.

It wasn't until a couple of weeks in that I felt less isolated and starting making friends, which is definitely making university life a little easier. Probably the main friend will be Jen as we share a lot of the same classes this year and will likely be in a few throughout the degree as well. She will probably see this in Facebook and comment.

Although I am struggling with Technology, Communications and the Media I kind of understand it. If only there was a little less chaos from the kids then it may actually sink in. However the worst subject would be Business Enterprise Skills.

Firstly, there feels like there is no organisation to the class. The tutor states that he doesn't provide handouts, reading lists or use the university website because 'you don't get that in work, so why should you get it in university'.

Plus, the tutor kind of annoyed me when I spoke to him just after my aunt died. In a nutshell he came across as a bit of an asshole. Saying that, he is still coming across as that now.

Finally, the whole class is team project based. It would be okay if the team was up to par, but in all honestly I only think there is one person who is on the same wave length as me. The rest appear not to give two monkeys. Which is kind of scary when they also affect my mark.

One of the biggest fears that I had about university was my age, but it really hasn't been that big an issue. Yeah, I am older than the majority of them, but then again when I do discuss my age they can't believe that I am that old. Go figure!!!

Although, one girl in a class after asking my name did say one 'How old? You are nearly as old as my mum'. Nowt like being made to feel your age eh? However, I saw the funny side more than anything.

Taken into account that the foundation year is meant to be one to break you back into education, I can't believe at the amount of assignments that I have already had. This is definitely no break in, just thrown in.

I'll be honest, I have struggled. I am not good at writing essays. On the other hand, I think I have learnt a few things, just need to keep on remembering to put them into practice.

I have already had two assignment marks back which were really good (90% & 92%), but they were easy assignments. I am slightly worried about the four that are outstanding. I know I just need to get a pass to get through to the course, but I always want to do my best.

One thing, I have learnt this term is that I have a severe case of procrastinating. I really need to buckle down and concentrate on what I am doing. I am getting slightly better, but not good enough. This is something that I need to improve on this year.

Overall, I am enjoying university life. Although I don't feel like I have a life outside of work and university, in the long run I will benefit.

I wish the winter break was just that...a break. Unfortunately, I have three assignments that I need to work on. Plus I am also hoping that I will do well in a test, so I can sit an exemption test meaning I no longer need to do the rest of the course. Fingers crossed eh?