Mullion-Polurrian Cove Hike

Woke up to a beautiful sunny day. This is quite out of the ordinary as of late. We decided to go for a hike - well I guess it's more like a walk really as it was pretty flat and easy. The trail was 6.4kms and most of it took us along the coast.

We started at a village called Mullion that is only 10 minutes from here. It's another one of those villages that completely hides behind the farm fields and you'd never guess it existed. Mullion is the largest village on the Lizard and I've decided I'm a big fan. www.mullioncornwall.com

Part of the hike covers Poldhu and the land where the Poldhu Wireless Station once stood. This station is where Marconi conducted the first transoceanic wireless telegraphy that was transmitted from Poldhu and received by Marconi in St. John's, NL. On the site stands the Marconi Monument and the Marconi Center which is a small museaum dedicated to Marconi.

I had to take this picture as it mentions Glace Bay and it just seemed cool to find a monument in England that mentions a town at home.

After the hike we visited the local Chocolate Factory and bought some to take with us. Then we dropped into The Old Inn which is a spectacular large pub - loads of character. We grabbed a beer and cider and watched a bit of Wimbledon.

The rest of the day was pretty quiet. We grabbed Indian take out and watched movies for the evening. Received a package from Dad today with lots of Shake N' Bake, KD, variety of chocolate bars, and PC Cajun spice that we can't get here. Thanks Dad!

I GOT THE JOB!!!!!

I got the job! I got the job! I got the job!!!

Had my second interview this morning. I actually found I was more nervous at this one even though I was meeting the same people again, plus another gentlemen. I guess because I knew it was down to me and another person or two. They confirmed there was only one other person during the interview. It seemed to have went well, but I can never tell. You just never know if your personality is a fit for their company - no matter how well the interview goes. They told me they'd let me know on Wednesday the outcome as they have a board meeting on Tuesday and will be making the decision then. All I could think about when I left was, how cool would it be to get a call today!

When I got home I tried to call Claire at Concorde as she likes feedback on how the interviews go. I couldn't reach her so Keith and I went out for a bit. I tried her again around 2:30pm but she was on the phone. Before I had time to lay the phone down she called me back. She said she'd just been talking to one of my references (Tony who I worked at Media Share with)- this didn't make me think anything as I assumed they were checking them anyway at some point, as part of their registration process. Then she told me she had some good news for me - and all I could think was 'No Way!'. She said they loved me and offered me the job! I was speechless for a minute, then of course I accepted!! They didn't even want to wait until next week to decide - that must be a good sign!

Keith was out doing yard work when I got the call so I'm running across the yard in my slippers (I'm like an old lady, I always have my big fluffy blue La Senza slippers on!) and yelling to him I got the job! I got the job! Then I danced around the house for the next while and talked to so many friends and family because I couldn't contain myself! Yeah, I'm a little excited!

Details: Project Manager at Aukett Brockliss Guy (www.abgdesign.uk.com) design company. They are located in Penryn which actually works out to be the optimal location for me - about 20 minutes away but it's main road driving, not narrow country roads. It is a 9 month term while the current PM goes on maternity leave. I will be working 4 days/week and although the vacation is pro-rated (because I'm not there for a full year) I still get 16 vacation days. Most companies here start at 4 weeks vacation per year! It's wonderful! Canada needs to go this route too! And they close for 3 days over Christmas, which I assume will cover all of Christmas week with the stat holidays included. ABG is a small company of 14 people, with 7 of them working in the Penryn office, 4 working in the London office, and the others are the higher ups that are barely around. ABG is the graphic design consultancy of Michael Aukett Architects (www.michaelaukett.com). Both have hefty clients such as Proctor & Gamble, Historic Scotland, Historic Royal Palaces, Tower of London, and British Energy, etc. ABG handles signage, financial reporting, brand & corporate identification, and web design to name a few. It will definitely be a new and exciting experience for me as I have not worked in this industry before. ABG will contact me early next week to let me know my start date. In speaking with them briefly today after I accepted the position, they believe I will start August 20th. They originally wanted someone to start Aug 6th, but during my first interview I told them I will be in Scotland during that time but I can be back for that Monday the 20th. So that's probably how it will work out. Aaaahhhhh, I can't tell you how relieved and excited I am to have a job and one that has all these perks.

We had planned earlier in the day (before we knew about the job) that we'd have some people over for a BBQ. We didn't get a chance to go out for a celebratory dinner, so Keith whipped me up a great steak dinner instead. It worked out well, having people around to celebrate with us.

Speedy, Simon, Sid & Katie & their girls, and Mike came over. We enjoyed hanging out outside playing ball and frisbee as it was actually nice for a change. Speedy had Dave's Rottweiler (he's 9 and a big baby) with him so we all had fun playing with him.

Mike took me for a ride in his BMW M3. He just bought it a few weeks ago and it's a 2000 I think? We had the top down and he showed me the thing can go - we were going 100 mph at one point! Holy shit! I want a Beamer!

Found out that there is a Masked Ball in a few weeks! Keith bought tickets this week and I think most of us are going. I've never been to a masked ball before! The boys have to wear their mess kits, and the girls have to wear a long dress, atleast calf length and of course we need to have a mask. Now I have to shop for masks. It's a dinner and dance and includes an open bar (called a free bar here). Yay! I'm excited! It should be very cool.

2nd Interview Here I Come!!!

Just got a call from Claire at Concorde and I've been selected for a second interview!!! Yay! She tells me they interviewed 4 candidates (including me) from Concorde and they only called me back for an interview. They also had 2 others from another agency and she wasn't sure how many more from elsewhere. I didn't catch if she said there were two of us returning tomorrow or two more other than me. Anyway, she said they had great things to say about me and we're impressed. Yay! I have the interview tomorrow at 11am. I am really trying not to be excited because I don't have the job yet, but it's hard not to be. Please keep your fingers crossed for me!

Claire also asked me if I'd be interested in temp work as they may have an opening in her office for admin stuff. I told her I'd see how this works out and go from there. This job isn't suppose to start for a few weeks, so maybe I'd do something until then? We'll see how it works out.

Instead of going to a pub last night with Speedy & Rachel we went to Dave's with them and had Indian takeout (or takeaway as it's called here). Apparently, they've been doing this for the past few weeks. The three of them gather at Dave's, order food and watch movies. It's perfect because Dave lives just across the playground from us so he's super close. This was my first time meeting him and he's another hilarious Brit. He's RAF (Royal Air Force) rather than RN (Royal Navy) and is on the course ahead of Keith & Speedy. We watched School for Scoundrals and it was pretty funny. Dumb comedy, but good.

ABG Interview

Had my interview this morning with graphic design firm Aukett, Brockliss, Guy in Penryn. After almost not finding the place, getting completely wind swept, and having my papers fall out of my binder onto the wet ground, I made it. Before even getting to the interview I was seeing signs that this wasn't going to happen. What a bad way to start!

The interview seemed to go well. I was interviewed by one of the Design Directors and the lady whose job they are filling while she's on maternity leave. I had prepared for 2 days for this interview as I thought it would be tough and I wanted to be sure I remembered my time at Media Share so I could give good examples, etc. It turned out to be a very basic interview, "why do you think you're right for this job", "what qualities do you have that make you stand out", blah, blah, blah. I was relieved! However, I was disappointed that the job title is Project Manager/Account Handler, but after learning more today, it sounds like an Admin Assistant position. Not that that's a bad thing, I just hoped to be more into the relationship building, account handling, project work, rather than answering phones, doing paperwork, and helping out the designers with their projects. But hey, it pays very well! And it's 4 days a week! It is unfortunate the role is temporary. They said they'll be deciding tomorrow who will be going onto a second interview which will be held Friday or Monday.

Concorde called me yesterday to put my CV forward for another position as a Project Manager. The lady I'm dealing with apparently seems to think I'd make a good PM. The posting doesn't close until July 19th so it'll be awhile before I even hear if I've been short listed for an interview. It's a full time perm position which pays even more than the one I just interviewed for. I can't help but think it would be perfect after reading the job description, etc. However, who knows if I'll even get an interview, but it would be great if I did!

I think Keith and I are going out with Speedy & Rachel tonight for some food and drinks! Yay! Very excited to have a date with a couple! Keith & Speedy have hit it off very well and he's a really great genuine guy, and his girlfriend Rachel is a sweetie so hopefully this will lead to more outings for the four of us.

WELCOME JACK ESLIGER!!!!!

We have a new nephew!!! Yaaaaaay! Welcome to the world Jack Esliger!! Dale just called to say he was born about a 1/2 hour ago - I'm guessing around 11:15am or so after approx 10 hours of labour. He and Lauren are doing very well and she's with him now to see if he'll breastfeed. He hasn't been weighted yet or anything, so I have no details at the moment. I'll keep you posted! Did I mention I'm so excited! And I can't get ahold of Keith on his cell!

Scotland Hotel Searching

Happy Birthday Dawn!!! Today is my cousin Dawn's birthday. I tried to call her but she wasn't home.

Spent the morning searching for hotels in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Wow! It isn't an easy task one month before you'll be there and the two cities have huge events happening. Eventually found something in both places. We're opting for a snazzy university residence room at the University of Edinburgh. We really don't care, we just want a room that isn't too insanely expensive in walking distance to Edinburgh Castle for the Tattoo. The room is more expensive than it would normally be, but it's still cheaper in comparison! I couldn't believe the fortune they are charging for rooms, thank God we're not visiting from Canada and paying with the Canadian dollar. You'd have to do some sketchy work when you got home to make the money back! Haha.

Keith home at lunch time today. He spent the afternoon and most of the evening on the computer as the guys are doing individual presentations for their course and he has lots of work to do. I think it's a means to keep the guys busy while the instructors figure out what to do with them. They were suppose to go away next week, I can't remember where (but within the country), but found out today that it is cancelled. Due to the excitement as of late at Glasgow Airport, the staff guys in his squadron (824) are being sent there to do what I'm not sure. I'm sure it's been in the news at home that there was an attempted car bomb last week in London and another attempt at Glasgow Airport. Here are the news links if anyone is interested:

London:
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2007300000,00.html?CMP=KNC-powersearchSEM1&HBX_OU=50&HBX_PK=london+car+bomb

Glasgow Airport:
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2007300224,00.html?CMP=KNC-powersearchSEM1&HBX_PK=glasgow+bomb&HBX_OU=50

I spent the afternoon preparing for my interview on Wednesday. It was mostly a refresher for my memory as I had to recall my job at Media Share as Manager, Client Services and put it on paper. I had forgotten a lot of the experience I gained from that position and feel a bit more comfortable going into the interview as I do have some of what the posting requires.

Happy Canada Day!!!

Happy Canada Day everyone! And Happy Birthday to my cousin Tanya and my old roommate Tracy!

I think someone took a hammer to my head this morning! This is why I don't drink! Keith and I actually never moved until about 12:30pm! This is very strange for us. I don't think we arrived home until around 3am, but I'm not 100%. I remember looking at the clock when I got in bed and I thought it said 3:35am, but maybe it was 2:35am. Anyway, later than my body likes me to go to bed. However, it was well worth it. We had a great time and I think everyone else did too.

Lots of cleaning up to do as there was food and mess everywhere. After the clean up Keith flopped on the couch for the day and I spent hours searching for tickets to Scottish events. Keith and I have decided to go to Scotland for his leave in August. He has three weeks, but we'll probably go for 10-14 days. Scotland is only an 8-9 hour drive to Edinburgh (which is a bit past the Scottish border), so we'll jump in the car and head off! I'm SOOOO excited! We had been debating on where to go and with Keith being so indecisive I decided last week we should go to Scotland (if I didn't, you all know we wouldn't have gone anywhere because Keith would still be deciding!). So, while he was at work one day I spent hours researching Scotland, places to see, cheap accommodation, and everything I could think of to lure him there. Hehe. And it worked!

During this research I discovered that the Edinburgh Military Tattoo happens in August! Woohoo! How amazing would that be!? Then I discovered the World Piping Championships (aka Worlds) are happening in Glasgow then too! So I was stoked to tell him. When he got home I gave him the scoop about the Tattoo and before I could mention the Piping he told me about it! Buying tickets for the Worlds wasn't a problem, however the Tattoo is already sold out! It lasts for 3 weeks and was sold out weeks ago! However, there are always options! So I searched a million places and finally found the best deal on eBay. I got tickets for the Saturday Fireworks show - apparently the Fireworks shows are the most spectacular and they are only held on the Saturday nights of the Tattoo. I forgot to mention the Tattoo is held at Edinburgh Castle! It looks very impressive. Here is the link if you'd like to check it out:

http://www.edintattoo.co.uk/

The Worlds are held on Saturday August 11th at Glasgow Green (huge park) and there will be Pipe & Drum bands from all over the world. The Halifax Police Band attends every year! The Shearwater band that Keith played drums in makes an attempt most years at the Maxville Games in Montreal to come. It should be amazing. Our Tattoo tickets are for Saturday August 18th so we have lots of touring to do in between the events and loads of distilleries to visit! It does make me a bit nervous buying tickets on eBay so I'll feel more comfortable once they arrive!