Partying away my sorrow

It's very hard having the time to say goodbye to everyone in your life. One great way to fit everyone in is to throw a massive house party. Aptly named 'America Fuck Yeah!' this was the party to end all parties. Lot's of people pulled out, but in the end, those who were there really made the night. Lot's of drink (thanks Nat), 'Hoochie' dancing (according to Liz) and a mammoth hangover later (with only myself to blame) it started to dawn on me how sad it all really is. I'm going to miss my friends so much. I could continue to write this post but in fact I think these pictures speak for themselves. I love you guys!

Concrete Jungle

So the big reveal, (unless you've been spending a lot of time with me, then it's not really a reveal) we're going to New York! Hispter Dufus has secured himself a job working for the UN, and this is really the success story. How many people get their dream job, no matter what city it's based in. New York just also happens to be a dream location especially for me and my line of work.

And so three years ago, almost to the day I traveled there for the first time. We went as a present to me celebrating my current job at the BME. How amazing to be going back and this time getting to stay. I had so much fun and remember not wanting to leave. I got my wish finally.

London Festival

Staff parties, what can I say. I had so much fun on my last staff party here at the BME. The theme was festival chic, and we were lucky enough to have an unusually gorgeous sunny day in London (very important as it took place on a boat). The organisers this year did a great job with the decorations. There were paper lanterns, wellies used as vases, a free tuck shop and a smoothie bar including an alcoholic option!

I didn't have any of my camera's on me, mainly as I didn't want to have to lug them around. I had co-ordinated my outfit based on a teeny-tiny bag... wow, yes I did just write that. However I had my trusty iPhone on hand to capture, edit and upload lot's of pictures of our festival adventure. The best part by far was that it ended up being a tour of London landmarks, so almost like a London goodbye trail for me.

Lot's of dancing, lot's of drink and great company made for a wonderful night. Thanks BME team, you sure are making this hard xxx.

Go BME team!! 

 

By far my favourite pictures of the night were these two beauties taken by Becca (aka Rebecca Ellis) on her vintage Pentax film camera. The quality is amazing, and the sunny conditions have really made the lighting on these pictures extraordinary. I think the iPhone is an amazing tool to capture images if you don't have a camera handy, but these pictures really show the difference in quality and why a phone will never be a replacement to a beautiful film camera. 

 

Full Status

So of course the whole idea behind this blog is that we are diplomats on our way to our first posting. However we hadn't actually received our passports yet. Their arrival has suddenly made things feel that little bit more real. From now on it will also fly by. Our diaries are packed with dates to meet people, have people round, tidy things, book flights and so on. It's really happening...

Up, up and away

Now that I've handed in my notice the final countdown has started.  I was really happy that I managed to still be an employee here when Up at The O2 was opened and I got the opportunity to go on it for free. It is pricey but I think it's worth it. The views are incredible (be sure to go up on a clear day). Even the experience of climbing was great, as well as a surprise. At the beginning it's quite steep so you have to work for your treat. By the middle you are walking comfortably, and coming off is easy as it's all downhill. Once again I had forgotten my camera and captured all of the images below using the iPhone. I must do a post showing which Apps I use and how.

We went up as a team and got to spend two hours enjoying the sun, relaxing and taking photos looking super cool in our jumpsuits... Only the lovely Ms McArthur was missing, that would have made the day complete.

 

Missing in action...

So I have been absent since Hipster Dufus went away for his first posting in Moscow. I really wanted to be able to find the time to sit at the computer and write however the reality is that life takes over. This has been a good thing for me, it has allowed me to re-evaluate what I want to do here and has made me realise what I do well, what I want to write about and most importantly what I want to cut out.

I have to remember that when we leave London in T - 1 month this will be my main point of contact with a lot of people, so the shift into postcard like posts is on it's way. It will be a way of letting my friends know what we're up to and how we're coping and of course it'll become a city review.

So, what have I been up to? First I have been practising with photography a lot!I love it! It's great fun and so rewarding. My favourite photography tool at the moment is the iPhone. Once you know which apps to use, and how to use them it can become such a powerful photography tool. The benefit of the iPhone is that if you forget your camera you always have it on you so you never have to miss a moment. Look at all of the shots below I have posted pictures before and after editing all with the camera + app.

I have also been busy visiting Hipster Dufus in Russia. First I got to go to Moscow (all the picture below were taken on the iPhone). It's one of those places that you don't necessarily have a desire to go to but also realise that you probably should say that you have seen at least once.I had a fantastic time although I really think it helps to have someone who know the city and better still someone who can speak the language. It's not really set up to welcome tourists and you really feel it as soon as you arrive. It's also ridiculously expensive so be sure to save before you go. It really is a city for the rich...

Finally I got to see St Petersburg. This was much more fun and accessible than Moscow. Being a museum professional I had always wanted to see the Hermitage collection so it was a defining moment for me (geek alert!) Again all of my photos below were taken on my iPhone. It was a beautiful place to explore if only the Russian manners could keep up with the beauty of the city.