Today: 3 to go

That’s pounds not days, 1.1kgs until I hit my first goal!

Feeling alright it’s been a bad week this week for eating, but I did do 3 different classes so I think that’s ok?

Anyway, still got alot on my plate, wedding planning, moving, job hunting. But we have seen a couple of short term lets around, so it’s not the end yet!

If all else fails I’m sure we will be taken in by some family (we hope….)

In regards to wedding planning, I am trying to slowly complete the names for the place settings, and the table names. Just trying to look at examples and to try and not make them look rubbish. Got some favours stuff going on as well, and the table centre pieces are coming along, we have to tell the registry office all our details for the ceremony in the next couple of weeks, so that’s a job for the weekend!

Off for a factory tour around Lotus F1 tomorrow, so we are very excited! Then back to chelters where we are planning a Nandos.

Looking forward to tomorrow! And the weekend, we get to pick wedding music for the bit when guests are arriving. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Anyway, signing off for now! TTFN xx

Today: Well It’s Not All Going To Plan

Don’t get me started.

O you’re here reading? Fair enough, I’ll enlighten you on a few things:

• Charlie is starting a masters in Milton Keynes in October, I’m starting it the year later [YAY]
• We have to move to Milton Keynes between now and October [EASY]
• We are getting married in August [YAY]
• Honeymoon in September [YAY]
• Need to find a new job [NO BIGGIE]
• We have to move out of this flat by June 21st [OK THATS MANAGEABLE]
• Our invite RSVP deadline is June 21st [FORWARD IT YOU IDIOT]
• Charlie finishes his current course on June 21st [OK..]
• Nowhere in Cheltenham does a 12 week let that isn’t a holiday let or a bedsit [AWKWARD]
• It’s currently 7 weeks till we have to move out [GETTING CLOSE]
• We have to move out on a Friday [ARGH]

All of this would be fine if our landlords weren’t the worst organisation on the planet. They are not registered with any governing body, nor do they seem to understand that people live in the flat, hence it may not be in ‘pristine conditiong’ upon inspection. All their staff are miserable with horrific customer service/relation skills. As soon as we get our instructions for never having to talk to the poor excuse for a letting agent, they will be getting a complaint. I don’t care that we have to move out, it’s the owners decision to want to sell on. But we have been patronised and bullied to the point that I got ill I was so stressed out.

Apparently forgetting to hoover and using the toilet is grounds for them to inspect us again? UGH. Now wonder there were no agency fees, I would feel sick having to pay for any of their services.

They are Northwood letting agents in Cheltenham. This is their website: http://www.northwooduk.com/

NEVER USE THEM.

—————–

Right. Onto more positive things:

WE ARE MOVING TO MILTON KEYNES AAAAAHHHHHHHHH

Most of the wedding stuff is now organised! It is literally just minor details, and paying! We are getting RSVPs in and all is well I have just found out as well that I can get ready at the venue, which is a massive load off my mind!

It is just our living arrangements now, if I had a job we would just move to MK sooner, but interviews/applications and everything take time.

Anyway, I’ve just made banana cake! AND it’s just cooked. tarra!

 

 

 

Today: 54km down

In terms of my #RunIntoOrbit year challenge that is 33.75 miles into it. 222-33.75= 188.25 miles to go!

Quite excited actually now because I have just finished my first full training plan, the aim? Simple really, run for 30 minutes.

I managed this at my second Park Run, 5km in 37 mins. Not a world record and nowhere near the 30 mins I wanted to actually run it in, but I didn’t stop. I just kept going! I hurt and was muddy and disgusting afterwards but I did it. That was my personal best!

What else in my world?

Well as you can probably tell, the blog hasn’t really been re organised. But I figured, as it is MY blog, I can talk about whatever rubbish I want. So, here is an update on well, things I give a little bit of crap about:

WORK – Going well. Love the job

GYM – started a new Army training program, starting at level 2 as level 1 ie effectively getting you to a point where you can run for 30 mins.. O look i’ve done that one!

WEIGHT/DIET – joined weight watchers. Let’s hope the motivation of paying for resources helps me out! Their website is a load of crap though, looks like one of those sites you get when you Google dodgy diets! but the resources are alright, it’s not designed for people who do real exercise, like say, cross training or exercise classes, or strength training. It truely is designed for older people who have done little exercise in their lifetime. I won’t get started on their mobile app. But it is making me think differently about what I eat! i seriously just got stuck at like the 80kg mark (those who see me won’t think this, I’m not a skinny runt but I’m not obese either) I just don’t know where it is sticking, but I have lost 1.5kg on Weight Watchers so far, So I guess that’s some progress?

F1 – Ah F1, so much has changed since testing! Due to recent events I can’t muster the strength and will power to discuss it at the moment. Again, like the past 4 years, I want Mark Webber to win the Drivers Title, I will put him down to win every race in my fantasy F1 team. Through torment and unfortunate Podium outburts. Unfortunately I am in a position where I can’t comment on anything unless I fancy having my head bitten off, called a hypocrite, or be accused of calling someone else a hypocrite (For the record now, I’m just glad that my lovely readers – who probably follow me on twitter – are as fed up of as I am, and hence we are looking forward to China!). O did you see Alonso go off? Made me chuckle. What made me chuckle more? This Tweet.

WEDDING – ahhh last but no means least! Still to sort most of the paying bits, and the car/rings/MotB presents and the DJ list but things are looking up! Sorted ourselves out with a highly recommended photographer (Chelsea Hopkins) and the invites are all well on their way out. I have a dress fitting in early June, as well as trial hair appointments and stufffff It’s all coming together, all be it, I will be happier when we start paying for things and Charlie says he has got his groomsman stuff ready! Then after the wedding (I have no idea what will be happening on the night, would quite like my own bed!) it’s a 3 week wait till we jet off to Lanzarote on a 2 week all inclusive trip! There will even be mini golf. YES.

I think that is me done for now. I will be blogging about what I want in the future now! Which means I WANT A NICE FRIENDLY RACE IN CHINA TO TALK ABOUT obvs one with awesome racing though

Anyhoo, check out http://cinemail.wordpress.com/ in the near future for a different take on film reviews. [A little off topic I know, but then again this blog hasn't exactly had a topic since 2008 when I started it.]

Talk about myself soon TARRA!

Related articles

• Weight Watchers (foodiefriendsfridaydailydish.com)

#RunIntoOrbit and the Gentle F1 blog

Currently, as it stands I have run 27km of my run into orbit challenge, that’s about 16 miles or so, which is pretty awesome in my book!

I’ve only had to repeat one week of my training plan because I was a bit ill, but at least it means I’m not hurting myself like I was before! I’ve also learnt that by SLOWING DOWN you can run a lot further, yeah I’m not sprinting but it’s still running!!

Onto a different note, easing you in gently, the first F1 test of the season has just finished in Jerez in Spain, and far from any major surprises as it could be. The redbulls, Lotus and Ferrari were all fast, whilst the drama and attention that Lewis Hamilton died away quite quickly after he did a typical Mercedes driver stunt of parking badly. Granted it wasn’t his ego that took up 6 car parking spaces, but a rear break pressure failure that cases him to skid across the gravel into a tyre wall.

Not much else could be said that happened, Paul DiResta is still a lonely meme theme at Force India and the new drivers at Marussia are impressing as was to be expected, they both did well in GP2.

A shame for Davide Valsecchi who couldn’t find a seat in F1 even after winning its feeder series. Not too much of a surprise though, as although he seemed to be a lovely guy, he had a washboard personality….

Our beloved DLR managed to gain a seat in a Ferrari as well, it’s just a shame that it lasted but a few laps before the gearbox blew. A sign to come perhaps? Or not, at least, Fernando Alonso wasn’t worried enough to tweet positive things about it to hide his underlying fear!!

My bet for this year? Why, Mark Webber to win the WDC. Obviously. Hamilton to only make a second place and for Perez to almost win the championship. Just for giggles.

I won’t get started on livarys. McLaren=chrome….. RBR has PURPLE ON IT and the Sauber looks alright now. Yep I think that sums it up!!!

Related articles

• Today: The Re-organisation (harriparf.wordpress.com)

Today: What a Day

So today, not only have I gone to work and got quite a bit done, I have phonecalls with potential photographers!

We currently have two, but will have to look on price. We have a quote from our flowers provider which is alot less than what we were expecting!

I also got a quote on a potential wedding car as well. Though I need to call them up tomorrow about that….

My running plan to go 222 miles in a year is underway, week one of the plan and I am 2.5 miles up. It’s also week 2 of my diet, and i’m 2lbs down on week one weigh in

So, the end result of the past couple of days is a positive one, and to brighten my day up more, the days are counting down till the first F1 test!

Today: The Flowers

Well I sit here on a Sunday night, safe in the comfort that my flower arrangements have been requested and I am now waiting on a quote

Things are getting ticked off the list very rapidly! Just got to sort out the invitations now then the big stresses are outta the way, and we just have to work on paying it!!

The next big thing on my list is getting back into shape. Having been silently tormented by every picture taken of me in the past few months, my new gym time is starting. First things first is a program to get me running for 30mins, that’s 8 weeks long, and I plan on working till my muscles hurt. I’ve got me #RunIntoOrbit challenge, and I just want to get for again. It’s a bit frustrating that there are no Netball clubs in Cheltenham that I can really join, and what little skill I had at hockey doesn’t justify me joining a local club. Swimming may be on the cards though! Once a week that would be good to get my strength up

I just want my cake shelf do go and I think I will be a happy person

But yes I will update you all later in the week!

Today: The Caterers

Today is the first meeting with the caterers for our wedding. Because if the deal we have, we have a limited menu, but there is stuff we like at least!

Choosing the stuff we like isn’t really an issue, it’s more those with all their dietary requirements, and those who are fussy. I.e. veggies. Whatever you call them, anybody who can’t have, or doesn’t like what’s on our menu, is annoying. And there will be people!!! It’s not that I don’t like these people, intact I love them enough to invite them to our wedding! But any path off the easy route is just going to bug me.

We have questions for the. Caterers today, about seating plane and table numbers and payments… It’s going to be an interesting meeting to say the least.

At least we are bucking the trend of normal table service and NOT having chicken… It’s a surprise!!!!

Today: The Re-organisation

Today is the start of something new. In the next few days I will be sorting through my blog and making it more streamlined. I’ve moved away from my initial F1 blog, into more of a life blog.

That’s the route I will continue to pursue. It’s going to include:

• Running
• Fitness
• F1
• Science
• Wedding!
• Generic opinions that you may or may not care about

Pretty much what I’ve been doing.. Well, did in October. I’m going to be doing this to just vent I think! And show off a bit. Sometimes writing stuff down helps you not be a prat to the people you know, as you’ve already got it out there!

I need a phrase, a life hash tag if you will for this year, but I don’t think I can stick to one! It may have to be a few, like #BrideToBe and #RunIntoOrbit. Hmm that sounds good actually!!! That may be a plan for my running. Then there are the other generic #F1 tags and things. You can follow me on Twitter @HarriParf

Anyway, I’m hungover and I will be starting everything on Monday properly. But go to the gym some point this week to get back into the flow and all that. Now to play the Sims 3 and watch the LOTR.

Hope to hear from you all at some point this year!

Today: Personal development

So yes, everything is rolling now. The wedding has been booked and I am now on my ‘get ready, set go!’ routine, which involves a stricter diet (yeah I caved in on two for tuesdays. But only had half a pizza and cookies… and garlic bread, to be fair i’ve been good all day!) Gymming three time a week, and choosing the final details about the wedding!

i have also taken it upon myself to learn python, though the edX program, my course is run by MIT and it’s quite challenging. It advises users that you will need 12 hours a week to complete the course, however I definately spent 12 hours just on the problem sheets this week! It would have been less, however their systems don’t like slow code. And mine was slow… it got to the right answer! just… slow. Who knew that a ‘for’ loop did the same as ‘month=0, run though everything until month=12′.

Still at least I’m learning!

It’s pretty hard at the moment, i’ve got a lot of things to look after. Washing, Washing up, wedding, making the bed, cleaning the bathrooms, studying, working, going to the gym, cleaning up… It adds up in a day. Not to mention the tutoring I do twice a week.

Stress levels are through the roof at the moment, BUT. I have a long weekend at the end of October. Which includes wedding dress shopping!!!

All I’m hoping is the next few weeks are just smooth. I don’t think I can cope with any major/big upset. Or change.

Who am I kidding? I just want my blanket and to stay in bed all day. blah!

Today: The Booking

On Monday it will be exactly 10 months until I get married

After having a massive adreneline come down I have been a bit of a mess for a couple of days, but mainly because I get to now plan plan plan!! Guest list is pretty much done and we know what we want – including what cake! It’s now just a question of saving and paying and booking. EASY now that we have a venue!

Today I also joined the gym. And did a weigh in since I got my new scales from Argos.

Last weigh in was 81.3kg (yeah.. the nurse was shocked at this number as well because I don’t look like it) today I weighed in at 79.5kg small steps! But now I have the gym membership, I can escape a few times a week and blast out my frustrations from work and everything. It also means I will start toning up quicker. Something I am sure everyone who is working out wants to see!!

So 10 months t0 go! Ideally 7 months to get in shape and I’m sure many more stressful blog posts to come!

I can’t wait

Related articles

• Budgets, Planning & Weddings…oh my! (premierbridesperfectdress.com)