I'm Back!

It's been a while since I've posted on here in earnest. You've had the odd note from me now and then, but otherwise it's been fairly quiet in the land of Faineant Fancies. Here's what I've been up to:

1. My new job- its pretty good fun. The people are pleasant, quirky, funny, friendly... I think I will enjoy working there. I spent my days contacting writers, drinking tea and submitting manuscripts to production. I write up the odd contract too. Not to mention the crossword that we do at lunchtime. I've been there a fortnight and we've been for social dinners twice... not bad going. Oh and I have so much more time! No marking, planning or after work meetings.
2. Reading-I've been feeling so much better recently that I've gone onto a huge reading binge. I know I normally have a little mention of what I've been reading, but I'm actually thinking of setting up a separate blog. I've read about ten books this month.
3. Visiting friends and relations- Now I'm feeling more like my old self again, I've been catching up with people. Going out dancing. Drinking cocktails. Visiting the cinema. Shopping. Going for tea and cake. Festivals. Museums. Oh and I've talked to the ones I couldn't meet up with yet on the phone and facebook lots. Anti social me is a thing of the past.
4. Shopping- the shopping really deserves an entire category to itself. When I began to feel more like my old self, I looked in the mirror and thought, urgh, who are you?! I've had my hair chopped, which on reflection may have been more drastic than planned, and I have been buying a new wardrobe. Not just any random things, but I have cleaned out my closet thoroughly. Anything I didn't love or wear lots was washed and donated to charity. I've been on a clothes hunt ever since. I don't think I'd bought any nice clothes in two years (while I was teaching then).
5. Housework- I'm going to turn this place into a cosy little home one day. I'm currently supervising the boyfriend in constructing some flat pack furniture to this end. When I have more storage, my clothes will have a nice distinct home and I will have a cleaner environment. 
6. On a slightly bitter note, I've been at the hospital a lot about my foot. They have suggested amputating it if it continues to cause me pain. My feeling is that I've put up with it this long, I can keep going if I make sensible adjustments like I have with work. I know how bad my foot can get, I don't know how bad it would be to have it off, but can imagine having to learn to walk again and the host of other problems which will crop up. I'm going to wait it out until they can grow me a new one in a lab.

Here's some things I've been meaning to do but haven't gotten round to:

1. Actually starting a blog to document the reading. I've registered an address, typed a few notes and a review. Lots to do still.
2. Writing. Apart from the one review I've been totally off it for a while now. I will get back on it soon. Maybe something new. It might be a winter pursuit when the bad weather sets in.
3. Signing up to college classes. I want to study a language. I'm fluent in Welsh and English (obviously). I can't decide whether to pick up French again (I studied it until I was 16 and got an A at GCSE) at an advanced level, or to start something relatively new like Spanish, Italian or something...
4. Joining a yoga or pilates class. Genuine reason there. I'm waiting for my latest set of orthotics before I start. They should be ready on Sept 7th.
5. Cooking nice food. I've been too busy to plan ahead! I'll wait (the waiting is where it all goes wrong) until I have a quiet day to trawl through a recipe book for inspiration and do a big grocery shop.

Hope you are all keeping well!