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Update on all the things

January 25th, 2012 | Posted by cindy in exercise | Glasgow | grad school | health | life | running | Scotland | shopping | UK | update - (1 Comments)

Flat: We have put the deposit down on the flat, and hopefully should be moving 1st February if not sooner, which is what I wish. My back is not a big fan of the crappy mattress at the hostel.

Illness: I guess I am back to about 95%. My throat hurts sometimes when I wake up but I think that has to do with the ridic heat/dryness at said hostel.

Working out: Well, suffice to say I haven’t done anything other than walking about since the 10K. Now that I don’t feel like utter crap, I plan to either start running again (weather permitting) or hitting the gym. While I am still not within walking distance of uni, I have a 5 day pass to a gym close to the hostel I will be using ASAP.

Uni: I met with my professor. I have to rework my proposal and whatnot and we are meeting again next week. Unfortunately I cannot locate my proposal AT ALL. I don’t even have a hard copy; I looked through all the paperwork I had here. Unless it is hidden away somewhere and I have no idea where that would be, I am kind of screwed. I can rewrite it, but I preferred not to reinvent the wheel and just wanted to edit the old one. So I have started over. I have 71 words written. Great start, right?

Still looking into getting a new computer. My old Dell laptop is slow and the cable doesn’t stay plugged in. I will get one with my office, but it won’t be “mine,” nor will it be a laptop. Also I don’t know when space will be allocated for me.

Fandom: Still a Cumberbitch. I can’t help it. I clearly need help, stat.

And I am off to get some errands done.

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Do you ever feel the way I do?

January 23rd, 2012 | Posted by cindy in deep thoughts | depression | life - (0 Comments)

I was actually almost in a good mood yesterday. I posted what I thought was a fascinating post {ok not fascinating per say, but funny ha ha} but clearly the joke is on me. And then I went to the store and found that no jackets fit me at all. Nope. None. Zilch. Zero. Way to reduce my already fragile self-esteem to naught. I’m so glad I spent that what 5-6 weeks running and trying hard- just proving the fact that I’m utterly useless at changing how I look.

And now this.

2 page views, which were probably me checking to make sure the pictures had aligned right.

Way to make a girl feel special.

I know it comes across as whiny and pedantic to bitch and complain about readership or lack thereof. But seriously? What is the point of this? What is the point of me? Why do I continue to keep this site, if it is just for me to espouse what I think is interesting or important, especially if I feel like I am just talking to myself?

I know I don’t really have a blog genre; I blog about many different things. Perhaps I just thought I was more interesting than I really am. Perhaps the site stats are bust and really, lots and lots of people are reading these words and the comments are just lost in the void. But I think not.

It’s something to think about. Whether I want to stay and continue to elucidate about all things Cindy, or if I just want to consider throwing in the towel, that resurrecting neophytegirl was a failed experiment. Or maybe I just think I am far more funny and interesting than I really am and that no one wants to read about my fandom likes or why I’m sad or why I can’t get over xyz.

I just don’t know.

My life as a fangirl

January 22nd, 2012 | Posted by cindy in David Tennant | deep thoughts | Doctor Who | London | MAAN | Red Sox | Scotland | Southern Sounds | timelord | UK - (0 Comments)

(Apologies to everyone who thinks I am a nutter and the fact that I have a new addiction which doesn’t please everyone.) TL:DR, unless you want to see how I’ve become a crazy DT obsessed PhD candidate who’s also a Cumberbitch, as well as who the fuck else knows what else!

When I like things, I go all in. Always have, always will. As I was walking to campus I was thinking about how this long, strange journey began, and figured since I can’t find my frigging research proposal I should use my time wisely here.

It started early, in 3rd/4th grade with a show that probably wasn’t age appropriate, but when have I ever done anything normal. Normal is SO boring. (OMG Dallas is coming back! Eeeee!) (Yes, Dad they got Larry Hagman out of his wheelchair, just like Paul- oh wait not like Servalan is a spring chicken any more!)

I wrote fanfic for Dallas in elementary school, so much to the point that I was asked to find an outlet for my creativity in a different way.

So I moved on to . . . . .

Ok, so it was more . . . . to the point that as an 11 year old I got to meet Paul Darrow, and my fangirling knew no bounds since that day. My dad got us tickets to a convention and I almost got to meet Jon Pertwee that day as well, but he was ill and not in attendance. A long time passed until I had another chance to meet anyone, but that day stands out in my memory very clearly.

I was pretty much a Blake’s 7 fangirl up until middle school, when I discovered something new.
I was INXS mad in the 7th grade. For Christmas that year I got all their cassettes and an INXS tshirt. (I may talk trash about my dad, but he’s always enabled me in my fangirling LOL.) I need to find that polaroid of me in the tshirt! :)

The fangirling pretty much was dormant in high school and college. I liked things, but I had discovered real life boys at that point and managed to take my crazy behaviours to new levels I can say I’m fairly ashamed of, hindsight being what it is and all.

Until I watched House, I was a pretty normal person. Since, I have to say that I do get a bit mad crazy over things. Just a bit. :) I was completely mental over Dr. House and began to try out my creativity in the realm of fanfiction again. Yes, it was House/Wilson 99% of the time, and no you can’t read any of it, unless you know where to look and no, I am not going to tell you b/c it’s rubbish.

I can’t say it was any good, but what I can say is that my fanmix, Afterglow, a Amber/Wilson (a bit of House), was downloaded like crazy and people really liked it. The music featured songs from House’s Head/Wilson’s Heart, along with other songs I found appropriate for the ending of season 4, an ending I can’t bring myself to watch.

About the same time, I had a chance opportunity to see INXS perform an acoustic set and from the day I laid eyes on JD Fortune, I went a bit crazy (again). This brought about a resurgence of my love for INXS, as well as crazy road trips to CT, NYC (I WAS ON THE TODAY SHOW!) (For 5 seconds!) (for a second, do shut up Cindy) and up to Canada for crazy drunk fun, tattoos, and booze all over the carpark. As well as zany things that happened, like this.

Fuck off, eh!

Also, at the same time, I realized that I could bitch about sports, or I could STFU and join in. Hence my love of all things Red Sox.

I’ve had a chance to see amazing things. Crazy blowout wins, long 14 inning games in the rain, Curt Schilling’s 200th win, ALDS game 1 in 2007, and opening day 2008. 2 World Series wins and 2 parades. Not to mention concerts with Bronson! And no, I never followed Curt Schilling around the Natick Mall. Nope. Not me. Never.

Over the past few years, I’ve tried to rein in my crazy fangirl tendencies. However, that didn’t work. It all started with . . . a skinny Scottish bloke with REALLY great hair.

Oh David Tennant, you sexy man you. (I can hear my sister rolling her eyes.)

And before you all ask, no I didn’t come to Scotland b/c of DT. Seriously.

Anyways, it’s been DT for a while now, but then I watched Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes and Mad Dogs and went a bit cray cray for John Simm and Philip Glenister. (It’s nice to know that I always seem to fall for older, although only slightly now, British men)

I’ve been watching everything I could get my hands on featuring the 2 of them. And then watching it some more. If Mad Dogs had been on VHS there’d be a tear in the tape by now.

However, my most recent obsesion (much to the chagrin of some of my friends) has been another British bloke with great hair- and cheekbones to die for.

Yes, I’ve become a Cumberbitch. (And hey, he’s single now, so . . . .) I’ve watched Sherlock more times than is probably healthy, and I’ve become addicted to tumblring his image all over the internets. (Oh honey, you should see ME in a crown.) (Yes, I know he didn’t say that line) (I have an unhealthy obsession with parentheses.)

Anyways, if you got this far, you are probably as bored as I am or procrastinating or think I’m mental. Probably. But I’ve met David Tennant. Hugh Laurie stood next to me. In fact, I’ve met 2 Doctors, 2 companions, saw INXS in London – all in the last year. So pretty ace, I’d say. It’s been a long crazy ride. I wonder where it will take me next?

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Busy day

January 19th, 2012 | Posted by cindy in Glasgow | life | Scotland | UK - (0 Comments)

Today was busy, for me at least recently. Despite still feeling like crap and pouring rain and sleet, I knew we had to go out for a number of reasons. Coffee, getting to uni and getting Steph a letter proving she completed her M.Litt, meeting with my advisor, picking up dinner food. So all of that was done, along with trying to get the flat reserved, which won’t be 100% resolved until tomorrow.

Since I’ve been back in the UK, I’ve been using my UK debit card. Well, the bank noticed this and put a hold on my account, so that when we tried to reserve the flat, it kept getting declined despite the fact I had 3x the amount available in my account. I got it resolved on the bank side, but it still wouldn’t go through. So tomorrow we have to go and give it to them in cash.

The meeting with my advisor was fine. I get a {shared} office where I can work in the education building! That’s pretty exciting. I have work I have to do now, so I will be trying to get to campus a few times next week.

Hopefully the flat thing works out and then we can start to plan the move. I cannot wait to get out of the hostel. The bed is doing my back in, and they don’t get Sky, so I can’t watch Mad Dogs. Clearly this is a HUGE issue. I need my Simm and Glenister fix!

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Catch up

January 18th, 2012 | Posted by cindy in Glasgow | grad school | health | UK - (0 Comments)

I’ve neglected my poor blog for a variety of reasons. 1. I have had limited internet. 2. I’ve been sooo sick. I thought it was nothing, that I was just being all dizzy and feeling crappy for no reason, but then I realized that duh, my ear is killing and is blocked, no wonder I have no equilibrium and feel like the room is spinning. I ended up figuring this out on a Friday, after the GP was closed. So Saturday am I called NHS 24 and I was told to go to Western General emergency GP clinic and there I was evaluated and assessed and told I had an ear infection {really, I had no idea.}. Unfortunately, I have really not felt much better and I have felt like crap for a week now. I do feel a little better, but my right ear is still blocked and I have trouble hearing out of it and my general energy and enthusiasm levels are less than stellar.

Then, there was yesterday’s freak out about my student loan deposit and subsequent nervous breakdown. In the end, it was fine and all has been sorted and whatnot.

The past 2 days I have been able to get out and run errands and things that I’ve needed to do which is good. Tomorrow I am meeting with my advisor to start discussing what it is I am actually doing.

So that’s about it.

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In Glasgow!

January 12th, 2012 | Posted by cindy in exercise | Glasgow | grad school | life | money woes | running | Scotland | travel | UK | winter - (0 Comments)

I’m in Glasgow! Horray!

Ok I have been here for a week, and I have been pretty busy looking for flats, trying to get things for school set up, going to Boots and Tesco, and having some sort of weird vertigo thing for the past 2 days, which hasn’t helped matters. It has been rather nice; sunny and cold which works fine for me. I need to get a picture of the sunrise or sunset over the River Clyde. Being on the 8th floor gives us great views, but the windows are dirty which is why I haven’t taken any as of yet. I’ve done a fair amount of walking, but I haven’t run since the 10K. Eep! I do have a pass for 5 free days at LA Fitness in Glasgow, so as soon as this dizziness thing sorts it self out, I can get my running on! {Or at the very least run along the river while it’s nice and sunny!}

So far I am waiting on my loans, so we can get a flat, and I can get some more clothing! I didn’t bring a lot of my stuff and I would like to get some basics of long sleeved tops and a pair of jeans and some wellies before I get too caught up in school.

I’ve been reading a lot as well, as I am not sure how much time I will have for it. If anyone has any recommendations about schooling and education in the UK, I would love to read them. Most of my knowledge is fiction based from Waterloo Road and an old copy of Scottish Education I had rattling around the old flat. I’d like something a bit more contemporary and not too dry. {I’m not asking much!}

I hope everyone is having a great week!

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Allons-y!

January 4th, 2012 | Posted by cindy in Glasgow | Scotland - (1 Comments)

The next time I post, it will be from Scotland. I am not sure when it will be, but I will try to make it soon.

See you on the other side of the pond!

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Boxing day 10K!

December 27th, 2011 | Posted by cindy in exercise | running - (0 Comments)

Yesterday I ran a 10K as part of the home for the holidays virtual 10K. I wanted to do it on Christmas but it just wasn’t in the cards.

I had to work yesterday and I had a later start than I intended, so I knew I needed to move quickly. I headed to the windy track and got started. I had some technical malfunctions so that I had to reset my timer twice. This annoyed me b/c then I had to do some math to make sure I had the actual 10K mileage.

It was cold in the suburbs of Boston, so I wanted to keep moving as much as I could. So I pretty much alternated run for one song, walk for the next and on and on. Depending on the length of the song I would sometimes run for 2 or more. As I got warmer and comfortable, I felt like I could go on for even longer than the 10K, which is encouraging considering 2 months ago, running for 30 seconds was torture. I also wanted to go as quickly as possible because I needed to get back home and get ready for work. I can’t believe I ran a 10K before working a 5 hour shift on my feet the day after Christmas. Who am I? I am pleased I did it in under 2 hours and felt amazing the entire time. I hope to run an actual 10K when I get back to Scotland. :)

I look like a total dork in this photo, but there wasn’t anyone around to take a picture, and I don’t have a full length mirror.

I feel fine today my feet and legs do not hurt at all. This is the first day in ages that my feet aren’t hurting. Wow. Apparently I needed to run 6 miles and then work all afternoon in my nice boots to make my feet not hurt. Totally random.

I really wanted to run today, but I am watching my nieces and there was no way I was getting up at like 6am to run. I won’t be running until Friday when I have a day off.

I could use a nap right now actually. :)

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Christmas 2011

December 26th, 2011 | Posted by cindy in anxiety | deep thoughts | grief - (0 Comments)

Today wasn’t like any ordinary Christmas for many reasons. Last year I was in Scotland. This year I am home. Last Christmas my mum was here. This year she’s not. I’ve had a really hard time keeping it together this week. And I don’t really want to talk about it right now b/c I will start crying again and I’ve only just stopped.

The main reason this Christmas was not ordinary is that both my nieces came down with the stomach bug overnight. {If you know me, you know that I am a ridiculous emetophobe and situations like this send my anxiety into overdrive. I will spend the next week panicking about getting sick and using lysol and hand sanitizer like it is going out of style. I know there is nothing I can do about it, and that just makes the panic worse.}

Luckily the kids were ok enough to wake me and open presents. They were happy and excited and that was good, but it just wasn’t the same.

I took a nap and then I watched Downton Abbey, Doctor Who, and AbFab. I started reading a new book. I started packing my new bag. I just couldn’t focus on any one thing.

I’m going to watch some Ashes to Ashes for a bit and go to sleep. I need to do the home for the holidays virtual 10K if I wake up well tomorrow before I go to work.

I hope everyone out there who celebrated Christmas had a lovely one, filled with love and happiness. If you don’t, I hope you had a great Sunday. :)

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Christmas eve eve eve

December 22nd, 2011 | Posted by cindy in Uncategorized - (1 Comments)

{I couldn’t think of a title!}

Not much going on, other than the fact that I can’t believe that it is almost Christmas, and I only have one gift purchased. Not that I have a lot of people to buy for, but normally I am done and wrapped by now.

I’m going out tomorrow with my sister to get gifts for my nieces and my dad and that is it. Then the remainder of money has to go for new clothes, Starbucks, I mean Scotland. I did treat myself to a $3 dress this week however, and I have $3 more “bucks” to use in the store so I am sure I will be able to find myself something on clearance. I really wanted to get a new pair of jeans but none of the jeans that are left are in my size. Oh well.

Other than Christmas I am looking forward to taking part in the Home for the Holidays virtual 10K. I will probably run it on Christmas, since I am working Friday, Saturday, and Monday, now knowing that my feet do not care to go for a run after a work shift, like today.

I’m glad that tomorrow is the last 6:45 am shift. My body is confused. It has breakfast at 6am, “lunch” at 10-10:30, and then when I get home I am hungry again so it’s second lunch around 2-3. Today I was starving after my run, which was caught short due to the fact I was colder than expected and that my capri leggings kept sliding down, and my sweat wicking tshirt kept sliding up! I couldn’t win. Also, I think I need to get a new battery for my Polar HRM. I cleaned the sensor band thingy yesterday and it seemed a little better, although it was on the low end of the heart rate for me- unless I am just actually in better cardiovascular shape than I thought!

To think about: A new minimalist gym is opening up in Glasgow where for 10-15 GBP {depending when you sign up}. There are no frills like a pool, sauna or hot tub. I used to work out at Healthworks, which is the vast OPPOSITE of a minimalist gym. Is paying less worth it for just the equipment? Or are classes and a soak in the hot tub something you are unwilling to give up? I’d love to hear your opinions. I will definitely need to have gym access when I get to Glasgow, with all the rain, and I wasn’t thrilled with the gym at the Uni, and they raised the cost of a membership. Let me know what you think in the comments!