It's Not Over

[magictreehouse]

Well now that my birthday’s over I feel like I’m just waiting for the weekend because it’s sooo damn dull at work. I just have to get through today really and there will be celebrating at work and elsewhere later!

 

Yesterday was good though. After work I headed home to be greeted by James who had final stopped holding all of my cards and gifts hostage. So I opened my cards, of which there were quite a few, mostly off James’ family! But there was a brilliant one from Chris and Emma’s like news note in hers was really nice. Apparently there is one from Alsager library on its way but they didn’t have my new address so it’s gone to my family’s! James also got me two Mr Men books, a lovely cake, an origami safari scene (hell yes) and, of course, tickets to see Avenue Q which I already know about! I also got Mr Moo mooing happy birthday to me when I woke up and later on too :D Mr Moo is this cuddly cow we got in Wycollar which has taken on his own personality and has a habit of popping up in the house in various unexpected places!

 

After I put my cards up James took me to Le Cavaeu, a tiny restaurant in Skipton that’s underground! It was soooo nice though, very posh. I don’t think I’ve ever been in a restaurant that’s had such a relaxed atmosphere. I hate feeling like I’m being rushed when I’m eating so it was really nice to just eat at our own pace. They don’t overbook either so they don’t really have much of an incentive to kick you out ASAP. I had goat’s cheese to start, duck for main and the nicest bread and butter pudding I’ve ever had. Well, the one Chris once made was excellent, but this one was made with Bailey’s! James had stuffed peppers and a wonderful looking mille fuille, whatever that is. It looked like a sponge tower with raspberries and crème engalise. It may have been pricey but it was worth it and it was a lovely way to spend my birthday. After that we went home, drank some wine and played some trivia which was, again, a lovely way to spend the rest of the day. Full marks for boyfriend, he really is wonderful :D

 

Now I’ve got to get ready for James’ birthday which is tomorrow! It’s quite nice living together and having our birthday’s so close. Especially as we’re away next week it’ll feel like we’re constantly celebrating something! It’s usually felt like that in previous years too, especially with us being at uni as we were travelling about the country celebrating with different people for the week! I recommend it!

 

It’s also nice to feel so settled. Now that the initial birthday stuff for me is over, I’m left sitting here thinking ‘God, I’m 23, how grown-up’ but not quite feeling it. However, the more I think about it, the more I think, actually, I kinda *do* feel like it. I’m living with my boyfriend which is just wonderful and it’s so easy to take for granted. But having spent so long apart before it doesn’t take much remembering to understand how lucky we are, and how wonderful the whole thing is. And I love our house too. I may not be in any kind of career and the birthdayness has just made me think, You’re 23 now, get on with it, but I have built up some valid work experience. Even if I’d got my act together I’m still only a year ‘behind’ because I needed to work on a library for a year before the MSc, plus I’ve had other priorities, and sorting out moving to Skipton was *well* worth it and there is no way I’d even contemplate regretting it.  

 

MSc-wise, there’s still a lot of stuff to think about there really. James said in bed last night, ‘Have you thought it through properly though?’ and I dunno if I have. I know that I have to do it now rather than later, and I know that libraries are something I really want to do so in that respect I have thought about it. And I’ve tried to get my head around fitting in work around the learning, but I’m not sure what to do there. James has said we can talk about it when we’re not going to sleep which would be good as, although I know he’ll support me, I don’t want to rely on him financially or otherwise too much. I think I’m ok though, I’ve got savings, and I *will* be working, I just need to out the whole plan under a little scrutiny.

 

On another note, I’ve got some new albums. I’ve given Client’s one a good listen too, only once mind. And it’s predictably great. Their sound sounds a little more well-rounded this time, and there aren’t so many harsh electro-sound, they’re more atmospheric and well-crafted. Usually I don’t think electro bands ‘toning’ down their work but similar to Goldfrapp’s ‘Black Cherry’ transition to ‘Supernature’, ‘Heartlands’ has upped the craft work (Ha!) rather than the squlchy buzzings and it really works. I’ve listened to some of the new Tori album too (since I don’t have a spare week to dedicate to it…) and it feels like she’s back on form too with much more variation and noisiness and less blandness.