Of records...on and off

Dear Blog (or should I say dear readers of my blog...of which I'm sure there are not many left thanks to my dormancy haha =P)

Where do I begin?

I think I'll start off by saying it's freezing cold today.

Not something you'd expect this time of the year.

There were some sleets in the afternoon, while I was walking home from town. Funny how the weather decides to spring a surprise on me. Just last night, before lulling into sleep, I thought of my 100% snow record.

Yes, feel free to knit your eye brows and go "what?". I attribute the randomness of that to the stastistically obsessed part of me which you may or may not know about...

You see, it's snowed every year that I've been here. Until now that is. (If I were you, I wouldn't ask why and how that is important because it isn't, at all).

As I was saying, the record has been 100% so far, but after last Sunday's Daylight Hour Fast Forward, I realised that the 100% may have to be slashed to 75% now that winter is (un)officially over.

But apparently I've been too hasty in writing them off. After all, it is British weather we're talking about. Which is pretty defying like no other.

Woke up this morning and read on the BBC that London and several areas in the UK like the Highlands and North Wales recorded a fall of snow. The Met Office claimed that if one has enough belief, it will come Cardiff's way in the next couple of days...

Ok, they didn't say it like that but you know I was meaning the forecast.

Speaking of records, I believe Cardiff City FC just made one today, by beating Barnsley 1-0 to reach the finals of the FA Cup. I may not be the Bluebirds' biggest fan, but loyalty does dictate that they are the team I should be backing to win the prestigious trophy next month. No prizes for guessing why, but sincerely, I hope they win it.

I do.

The more I think about it, the more I am getting attached to - and fonder of - the capital of Wales. It's as if my leaving this place (for good) in less than 3 months' time has made me appreciate Cardiff more than I ever bother to. Maybe it's knowing I'll never be back, or just simply yearning to have more before the time is up to move on...

For instance, I have never stopped by Alexandria Gardens to look at the flowers or trees or grass or birds or statues for more than 2 seconds. The only time I would have trotted pass the gardens would be when I make my way to the Main Building. But today, and also on Friday, I found myself slowing down, literally, to smell the flowers. I was taking photos of the beautiful blue sky framed by budding trees and immaculate buildings. For the first time I noticed how serene King Edward Avenue actually is when on a quiet weekend, void of students milling around.


It has been therapeutic, all these languid walking and mental note-taking of the beauty of mother nature. I think more so for a stressed out, worked up worry pot that I've intensified into the last couple of weeks.

When I finished my lab session on Friday, I made myself go for a walk. Not something I usually do considering Aberdare Hall is just across the road from Redwood, but I had to, for the sake of my mental well being.

I plugged up my headphones and walked. And walked. And walked. Until my muscles were unclenched. Until I was able to breathe in and out without feeling like I was gasping for air. Until I was in equilibrium once again...

I know it's hard for some people to think of research as stressful, because let's face it, there's no need for any serious reading like one would have to do when sitting for written exams. But it is easy to overlook the fact that lab research is tedious. Time-consuming. Energy-sapping. Mind-blowing even.

Or maybe it's all that to me because I just don't like research. I don't like being holed up in the lab doing monotonous procedures or what-have-yous. I need to have people contact to keep me in check with reality. And sanity.

Like all good things, bad patches will come to an end. With a bit of luck, I should be packing my bags and ready to leave the lab by the end of this week.

Thanks for the cheers, but that's not the end, unfortunately, for I still have a poster presentation and a 10,000 word dissertation due in by the end of this month. Just take a quick look at the calendar and you'll know the kind of state I'm in.

Work aside, I've had quite a good week on the social front. Met up with Michy for a quick lunch on Sunday and a movie after that. I later joined Vivien and her cousin for dinner in the evening, and did some good-old catching up. Which was just as well.

Honestly, paying 5GBP for a predictable rom-com was definitely not worth the money, but if you were me, you'd do anything to take your mind off work.

But that's not to say I didn't enjoy 27 Dresses.

Having read the synopsis somewhat, I thought the best I could muster was a 'yeah, t'was alright', but the movie proved me wrong. Extremely rare I have to say, but refreshing at the same time.

Jane has been a bridesmaid 27 times (hence 27 dresses). I haven't a clue as to whether she did that voluntarily or that it was actually her job (ie professional bridesmaid), but the point is that she was always the supporting character but never the protagonist. At work, she admired her boss from afar. His "right hand", as Edward Burns' character described her. "The kind of girl men likes because they never say no." [his words, not mine]

A chanced encounter with a journalist called Kevin (or is it Malcolm?) at a wedding soon changed things for Jane. The attraction between them was obvious (even if they had gotten off on the wrong foot). Both were quick to dislike each other as they were to fall for one another. A few drinks and an intoxicating rendition of "Bennie and the Jets" one pouring night set the tone for some loving action in the backseat of the car, only for Jane to find out, in the Sunday papers the morning after, that the main reason she was Kevin's object of pursuit was because she was THE subject of his assignment.

So, did they kiss and make up in the end?

Your guess is, nope, not as good as mine, but hardly necessary =P.

I'd give 5/10 for storyline. 4/10 for story telling. 7/10 for cast and top marks for Tess who played the annoyingly attractive younger sister (come on, even her name is a coquettish give-away). And as much as I dislike Katherine Heigl in GA, she carried Jane Nicholls well, making the character almost believable despite her good looks.

I guess you should all know by now that if I didn't give any (cute) guy a mention, that won't be me at all :)

The name?

James Marsden.

The reason?

His wiry hair (I have a thing for natural curls). His casual demeanour. His dressing style (T-shirt underneath a collared shirt with jeans plus a smart blazer on top - does it for me EVERYTIME). His killer smile. His charming wit. And quiet confidence.

Ok, I know I'm only supposed to put up ads for potential suitors on match.com and not on my blog, but if you do know anyone who fits the bill, think of me.

Til the next time we meet again, I shall remain, yours truly.