I don’t know what happened. I’ve done that roundabout everyday for a year. No problems whatsoever.

Somehow, on this particular day, I found myself not exiting the roundabout as I would normally do….but swerving to the right and actually landing on the roundabout. Oh! And crashing the side into a tree in the process.

I call her Bug. (Yes I named her.) And she’s been good to me. I didn’t have high expectations (who would for a 1995 old banger which only costed me £700) and she didn’t dissapoint. She was a dream to drive.

I still drive her though. Except that now, if you need a lift (I wouldn’t advise one if I were you) but if you had no other choice and had to get a lift from me, you will have to enter through the driver side, manouver yourself over the handbrake and gear stick to get to your seat. Try not to hit ya head against the roof while you’re at it. Do the same in reverse when we get there.

Oh and please don’t wind the window down, they don’t work anymore.

We’ve been meaning to get a few DIY projects sorted around the house. With both of us working, the deadline of (last) Christmas got extended to Easter and before we knew it, summer came and went and we’ve yet to get them finished for this Christmas!

Therefore, with J out of work at the moment, it’s amazing how quickly these DIY projects get done when you’ve got the whole week rather than the odd weekend to work on them.

I’m still getting used to the messy hallway and pieces of sawdust everywhere.

However, I simply cannot wait to get the hoover out once this project is all done and dusted (no pun intended…)

There are times in my life when I’m absolutely ecstatic. Nothing in the world can bring me down and life just feels…good! But then something happens that takes all that away.

I came back one evening to find J at home with the bad news that he lost his job. And suddenly, I couldn’t help feeling like the worst of the worst that can possibly happen…just did.

But it’s not is it? It’s just a job. Yes it pays the bills and it ensures we keep the roof we fought so hard to get…over our heads. But that’s about it. People go through a lot worse but why do I feel like I’ve lost my right arm? We can manage on one salary…well, just about…

It’s been a couple of weeks since J has been out of work and there are things that they don’t tell u in books and articles about the repercussions of losing your job. Besides the financial instablity, it also knocks your confidence right down. And the one thing I’ve learnt in this whole process is the fact that no matter what, I’ve got to do everything I can to keep him from wallowing in depression and self-pity.

I hate how we’ve just succumbed to the idealogy that we can’t achieve anything without being successful in our careers. A job doesn’t have to be one’s passion. It can be the path to achieving one’s passion. Surely, the most important thing right now is that…yes we may be a little tight on money…but I’ve got J. He’s alive and well and I wake up to that everyday.

But the sad thing is, as much as I’ll be happy with that, I know we can’t keep going like this. As much as I try to put an optimistic light on the whole situation, I know that it’s not enough…I just wish we get to the light at the end of the tunnel soon…real soon…

Eversince we’ve met, I can safely say that I have taken J out of his comfort zone with the kind of food and culture I’ve been accustomed to. And bless him…he’s taken it all in his stride and have enjoyed every different/new challenge I’ve set him.

However, there is just one thing, after all these years he still struggles with… chopsticks!

So it was only appropriate when his uncle bought him a pair of “cheater chopsticks”. I’ve googled and come across various different types of cheater chopsticks and this pair was probably the most discreet of the lot. I so love the cute little faces at the end.

Unfortunately, his uncle can’t remember where he got them from. I would love to get a few more pairs for our friends when I host a Chinese/Dim Sum dinner again.

I’m sure everyone’s been in a similar position: found the only car park lot after driving around town for ages, went over to the Pay & Display only to discover you haven’t got enough change and the bloody machine doesn’t take cards.

J suggested paying via mobile.

Never done it before (because I don’t trust the system).

Went ahead with it anyway as it was the only solution at the time.

3 hours later, got back to find a stupid yellow penalty notice on my car!!

Tried looking around for the stupid parking attendant.

None in sight.

Came home and got on the phone.

1 hour later, finally managed to get the problem rectified.

Was it all worth it? No!

J doesn’t seem to believe me when I say that he’s really not that bad at cooking when he sets his mind to it. Well, all I have to say is…the pictures speak for themselves.

Starters: A selection of cured meat with buttered olive & poppy seed bread accompanied with a bottle of champagne.

Main Course: Baked Salmon on a bed of spinach & rocket salad, served with grilled asparagus & baby potatoes, accompanied with a creamy herb sauce.

It was divine!

I just wish he was confident enough to cook more often…