Moving on...

Well, I've had to relocate my blog. Bummer eh...apparently blogger.com is blocked by Chinese authorities or something, so I've had to move to Xanga.com:

Here's the link to my new blog:

http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=dearbarbie

Yeah, have fun and all that :( Please read it there instead! God, the URL is massive!

I'm going to look for somewhere better to host it...

After I've been shopping...

Kim x

Not long to go

...?

2 weeks and 5 days, baby!!

How totally cool is Salvador Dali? I really love Le Tigre, it's one of my favourite paintings. Ooh, I really must haul my ass to The Louvre before the end of the year - I guess I need to go back to Paris to see Vannak, Christelle, Martine and Phil anyway! It's been over a year!!

Woooo, I tried to leave work early yesterday. I am scheduled to leave next Saturday, then to take a week and a half's holiday. I just was so wound up yesterday, I offered to hand in my notice and leave in a few days (bringing my holiday period forward). But I guess doing that means I'll get paid a week's less wages - not that it would account for much. I had a bit of a rant, okay it was quite a significant rant, about being underpaid at work. Didn't go down too well...

I've been in touch with a guy from the CAUC, where I'm going to teach in China! He's been there a few months I think, told me about my apartment (western toilet, woo!), and apparently I have broadband and a really trashy computer in there, and it looks like I'm going to have an apartment to myself!

Socially, this week is panning out to be a bit, erm, rubbish. Monday was meant to be spent with Ben at Monday Night Oak Quiz, Tuesday was Rowan, tonight was meant to be at a gig with Dale, Thurs and Fri are open, and Saturday I'm having my random rendezvous (a few mates just coming over to consumer copious amounts of alcomahol)...but Monday, Ben was working late, so I got my ass kicked at pool by Ro. Last night he came over for a film and then I kept falling asleep - nothing like giving a man confidence, eh!! Tonight, well, the band Dale and I were going to see have cancelled, and Dan's not available either. :@ :( Ahhhh well. I may even go to the gym later.

Nah, it's not gonna happen.

Muchas apologised for my unecessarily depressing last entry - I think it was the comedown from the weekend meets reality of leaving the country again. On that note, got a really random apology from David for being a bit of a git, and that's cool. He's a decent enough bloke so looks like I may have made a new beer and pool partner, but that's it.

I have stolen this from omletteman's China blog.

You scored as Mindfuck. Congratulations, you scored Mindfuck. You've probably seen a lot of movies, and have grown to hate mainstream shit. You're looking for the movie that will leave you breathless, and with 21 questions to think about. Check out: Donnie Darko, Being John Malkovich, Pulp Fiction, Memento. Artistic 75% Sadistic Humour 75% Mindfuck 75% Drama/Suspense 60% Romantic Comedy 45% Sci-Fi/Fantasy 25% Mindless Action Flick 15% Movie Recommendation. created with QuizFarm.com

Ooh and this too:

Last Cigarette: no no no no no
Last Alcoholic Drink: Hmmmm, beer on Monday night
Last Car Ride: The mummobile taking me to Leeds on Monday night
Last Kiss: Last night ;)
Last Good Cry: when I found out Ally was engaged, months ago...aannyway.
Last Library Book checked out: some Uni textbook months ago
Last Movie Seen in Theatres: The Incredibles
Last Book Read: The one I'm reading now is 'A Hundred and One Days' by Asne Seierstad.
Last Movie Rented: God knows. Saw Finding Nemo last night that didn't specifically belong to me?
Last Cuss Word Uttered: It could have been anything!! Nothing yet today tho.
Last Beverage Drank: Orange juice
Last Food Consumed: Gluten-free pasta and a totally badass sauce thing!
Last Crush: I couldn't possibly divulge such classified information :p
Last Phone Call: Kamran last night, do missed calls count?
Last TV Show Watched: This really cool Sahara thing where a caravan of camels goes through the desert!
Last Time Showered: Last night, and in about 30 mins
Last Shoes Worn: Black Work Shoes #3
Last CD Played: Travis - 12 Memories
Last Item Bought: Yesterday's lunch
Last Download: Erm, God knows, Howie Day I think....
Last Annoyance: Dan not being free tonight...
Last Disappointment: Not calling in sick at work yesterday
Last Soda Drank: I don't drink that crap!
Last Thing Written: This, and an e-mail to Rowan
Last Key Used: House key
Last Word Spoken: 'Alright, see you whenever then...' probably, it's all I ever say!
Last Sleep: About 2 hours ago...
Last IM: It was from David apologising.
Last Weird Encounter: I'm always having them, they seem normal lol!
Last Ice Cream Eaten: An eclectix mélange of mint choc chip and raspberry pavalova! May have it again for breakfast!
Last Time Amused: Walking home from the Doctor just now realising that my Chinese adventure is imminent!
Last Time Wanting To Die: I haven't wanted to do that for a very long time. It's just silly.
Last Time In Love: 9 months ago. The jury's still out on whether it will happen again before I'm 40.
Last Time Hugged: Last night by Rowan, after lots of hugs at work
Last Time Scolded: Weeks ago, probably after voicing my opinion at work.
Last Time Resentful: Am I not always resentful about something?!
Last Chair Sat In: Leather sofa. Not comfortable.
Last Lipstick Used: I wear lipgloss!
Last Underwear Worn: The ones I'm in now!
Last Bra Worn: Funky turquoise one!
Last Shirt Worn: Green shirt for Grad Last
Webpage Visited: TheBoarder.co.uk

Okay, so that wasted about 5 mins off my day off! Thanks Omletteman!!

Kim x

Not yet, but...why now?

I have just shed tears for the first time since I discovered I was leaving for China.

It's all starting to feel very weird. I had my injections today and now it's all falling into place.

These man situations are no good for me, I need to stop them now, I'm going to end up regretting getting involved.

I try my hardest to mentally thank the person for the time I had with them. To be grateful that they were part of my life for even 5 minutes, like a customer at work, or someone smiling in the street. Tonight, I told Rowan that for all I know, I could never see him again, and I'd be okay with it but thankful for it.

But I don't necessarily deem that to be true. I'm really starting to like him, a lot. I feel comfortable in his company and he says he feels comfortable in mine.

But in 3 weeks I go to China for 6 months.

Man, I'm really pessimistic today. Feeling a bit rubbish from eating some wheat stuff. And pondering too much.

Dan even seems to be playing with my head - one of my best mates!

I spoke to David online when I got home from a few beers with Ro', he was trying to get my to strip on my webcam and when I refused and scarpered to bed, he sent me a message saying 'I do like you, don't just want that.'

Yeah I like you too and I'm going away in 3 weeks so why don't we just have some fun?!

Whatever, I can't do that. He's fit, he knows it, and wants to make the most of it. Am I too cynical? I think not.

Kim x

Starsigns...

...interesting...


I'm an Ariean. For those who know me, and the qualities that an individual born under such a starsign should hold, this is probably obvious. For those who aren't, it could explain a few things!:

fiery
passionate
independent
ruler
source
activity
change
movement
identity
self-conscious
self-aware
assertive
freedom
impulsive
innocent
quick
aggressive
egocentric
indecisive
energy
will
accomplishment
bold
strong
leader
extrovert
courageous
determined
competitive
domineering
intolerant
initiative
romantic
offbeat
charming
spontaneous
enterprising
confident
friendly
enthusiastic
generous
frank
candid
inspired
imaginative

These are a few words I found on the internet that aim to explain the Ariean character. A lot of people don't believe in astrology, however, I'm torn, and am interested. I seem to display all of these qualities, randomly, and I love this quotation I just found...

"You may appear to dislike men due to your extreme independence. However, nothing could be further from the truth."

It's so me. Are elements of your personality depicted in your starsign?

Night!x

Graduate

...and going into hiding!


Today I got asked if I've ever been told that I look like Jennifer Aniston. The answer to this statement is that, yes, I have been told this on numerous occasions, with increasing correlation as I get older. Wonder if I'd get told more if I returned to blonder hair...?

This photo I chose for this entry's a little bit random, and was taken last night.

I'm having a really surreal year so far. Everything has turned on its heels ever since New Year. I'm going to China after been offered a job I didn't get, I've been going out with normal men, and I was wearing a mortarboard earlier today. This week has been exceptionally weird. The graduation, seeing Rowan, meeting David, seeing Adrian for the first time in ages...counting down the days until I leave.

Let me tell you about my weekend.

I met Adrian in Derby yesterday afternoon, and we went for a mooch about Derby, then to our B&B to get ready...went for a drink in Susumi (ace Japanese style bar) then onto a Cantina seen as they don't do food anymore :( Then onto Revolution for shots, then to the SU for a jazz/Frank Sinatra stylee evening. In typical Kim and Adrian style, we took photos of each round so we could check how much we'd consumed in the morning!




Can remember dancing to Loveshack twice, doing the twist with lots of random lecturers and parents...and walking down the University driveway freezing cold!!

This morning we headed over to Campus after being picked up by my folks. Got all gowned up...



...had my photos taken...




...thanked my Course Leader, David...



...then met up with unexpected people - my course, International Business, only had 3 Engish people on it - there were 17 Spanish (I think), a Serbian, and 7 French - so I only expected to see 2 other people...but most of the other students had come over for their Graduations too, even though they only studied at Derby for one year, so it was of course great to see them!




Then we mingled a bit more, then got a coach to Derby Assembly Rooms, where the ceremony was held:



And that bit's a little bit obvious really...I have a lovely blurred pic of me getting my certificate, but it's a bit pants to post :P

Here's me and Pablo, and Sarah too...




Then I mingled a bit more with my folks and Adrian:




I was going to get all philosphical with this entry. I'm supposed to be in bed but can't sleep. Check me out, I'm all grown-up!



Well, sort of.

Sent a few drunken texts to Rowan last night :o Haven't heard from him hahahaha! David wants to meet up tomorrow night tho. God, rereading that sounds like I'm playing them off each other. I'm not at all. They're probably also meeting up with other ladies. Although, surely not as random as me!

Kim xx

P.S. These pics and the rest will be uploaded to my photo website tomorrow. Sign my guestmap :) xx

What do...

...people in New York do?


You know, when they're dating like a million people and then they start to be more attracted to a particular one? Okay, so I'm in Leeds - it's not exactly NYC, but I've been drawing the odd parallel.

And a lesson learnt from this entry: I should stop analysing everything so much!

Rowan came over last night for dinner, I made him some Korean food then we just sat on my bed talking for hours, kissing, cuddling, just chilling. He's such a calming influence; such a relaxing entity to be around. He left about 1am, but if I hadn't have been falling asleep on him I could have spent the entire night in his company. He also came to see me at work today - to answer a question I sent him by text, but I guess the thought was there. We've only known each other a week, but I've seen hm 5 times in that week. Crazy. When I met him I got the general impression he was after one thing, he seems a bit more worldly-wise than me, I dunno. Maybe I just don't trust people so much as I should. But anyway...

Tonight I went out with David. Nice guy, quite innocent-looking, 28, works in finance...you get the picture. A little bit quiet, but we head over to Elbow Rooms for some pool (so he can whoop my ass!) then to Norman, then back to his apartment. This guy comes across all innocent but pretty much as soon as we got in, he was trying it on...

Maybe it's just the vibes I give out. Maybe it's a case of my age doing me zero favours again.
I mean, we all know it was a bad idea of me to meet people just before I fly to China but what can I do. However, to the gent friends who warned me that advantage could be taken, I thank you :) Not saying that either of these 2 blokes I mention are doing that, it's just a general comment!

I did get a text on my way home from David saying that we should go out again.

And you know what? Because I've seen Rowan so much this past week, I felt a bit guilty about being with David. Oh lordy.

I'm off to Derby tomorrow after my injections, I graduate this weekend and am finally seeing Adrian again :D:D

Kimmeh x

I Want You To Notice When I'm Not Around...

...


Damian Rice's voice is amazing; I'm listening to his version of Radiohead's 'Creep' at the moment, it's a bit more tasteful, although the Radiohead rendition will always be superior.

Yes, you are not mistaken, that's another photo of Tianjin. Hope I get some mental pics like that when I go over. The last decent photograph that I took of any architecture is this, of Angel of the North, near Newcastle:



I have been reinspired with photography. Creativity is missing from my life, and I haven't really picked up my camera since my break-up with Ally in June. So the trusty SLR and digital cameras are coming to China with me, and I'm maybe going to go around Leeds on Sunday with my camera to collect some learning materials for my classes - to take photos of buildings in the city. I've had a bit of exposure to more artistic people in the past few weeks and I really should sort it out!

Today had been pretty surreal. I got up about 4.30. I left the house at about 5.40am. I got the train to Derby about 6.10am. I got to Derby about 7.20am. I got to my final destination at 8.10am.

I went to Rolls-Royce in Derby today for my teacher training, to get my Visa sorted, etc., and to meet the rest of the teachers who I'll be flying out to China with, to work in the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

I think there's 10 of us in total, some going to Shanghai, a couple going to Beijing, some going to Guanzhou, and then another place I can't think of. There's two other chicks coming to teach at the CAUC (Civil Aviation University of China) with me: Alexandra and Lorraine, both from Derby area, have both travelled in America. In fact, most people had travelled, but nobody in the group has been to a non-Anglophone country, therefore I'm the only one with an extra language. Well, Lorraine speaks a bit of Mandarin, which could prove useful. Everyone seems really nice, we had a bit of a laugh, so it was really useful to meet the rest of the group - now I have others for moral support!Apparently my accomodation will be quite good too - in my apartment I'll have stuff like a TV (with English channels!), Internet (or at least a computer), microwave, washing machine, the usual furnishings, my own cleaner...although, of course it will be nothing like over here!

I fly at 5.30pm on Tues 15th Feb, from Heathrow, so now I've got an official date and time and everything - it feels a bit more real now...! And I only have 11 days left at Dixons too - well, I finish 2 weeks on Saturday.

I also found out that chocolate should be available in Tianjin - there's a few Expat stores :D

Dan's been a bit strange again. He's doing his whole 'I don't have time for you anymore' thing again. I think I must just attract weird blokes. When I walked into Rolls-Royce today, Liz (interview and trainer type person, really nice) asked if I came with my boyfriend. That would have meant Nick. I said no, and that we had broken up since I last spoke to her. I told her it wouldn't have worked (although at the time I wanted to give it a go while I was over there before I discovered what a prick he is). She told me about a girl who went to China prior to me, whose boyfriend was less than impressed about her going and wanted to call it off, but ended up staying together and visiting her out there. Like that was ever gonna happen with me and him!

It's a really weird thought when I think I will remain single for the next seven months. I mean, I really believe in fate, I could meet my soulmate in the next four weeks, but who'd be interested in staying in touch with me while I'm halfway across the world? It's a rather bizzare feeling.

I mean, since when do people plan their relationships like that, allotting time slots to singledom? I have no interest in Oriental men - that's not meaning to sound bad, I just have never found one attractive, I prefer Caucasians.

Oh, I've also been asked to model for someone :p He won't be saying that after we've been out on Thursday night though :p

Heheh...

Kim x