matt's 101 in 1001

Remember me?

It's been just under a month since my last update, and I'm finding myself in a home with a new job! How times change!

Two weeks ago, our lease expired and the time came to spread my wings and move out on my own. Have moved into a wonderful place in South London (my boss' sole piece of advice: shoot first (only kidding; no need to stress, parents (you stand a better chance if you just sprint))). I'm living with a South African girl and an Aussie couple (from Sydney and Melbourne), all of whom are frequently away, so I have the place to myself a lot of the time. Either way, I'm very happy, loving the independence, and haven't been mugged once!

Meanwhile, yesterday I finally heard that I have scored a permanent job in Defra, doing exactly what I am now, only with a decent payrise, good benefits (lots of holidays!) and all those Government perks (flexitime!). Yay for stability!

Aside from that, not a great deal of news to report, surprisingly. Spent an extra long weekend in Manchester (pictures coming soon) with my grandmother's cousin's son, and a day in Brighton, a decent-sized seaside town roughly an hour and a half south of London. Imagine our beaches with massive turquoise waves crashing onto endless stretches of gorgeous white sand. Now picture a misty, rather dull ocean with waves rarely larger than a foot high lapping gently on a sprawling expanse of rocks ranging from the size of pebbles to stones the size of your fist. Welcome to Brighton! Still, it's the closest thing I have to Kingscliffe or Surfers Paradise, so I'll take what I can get! In its defence, it does have a wonderful pier that stretches a few hundred meters out to sea with carnival rides and pubs. Good English fun!

Anyhoo, apologies for the lack of updates, but it's been a decidedly hectic month! Be sure to check back soon for my thoughts on London's wonderful underground transport system (warning: will contain copious amounts of sarcasm).

Tally ho!