Wow, in 6 days it's Christmas Day! Today is my last day at work for a while, as I've taken several days off around closure week so I can have a proper break, something I haven't had in about a year!

Tomorrow Ben and I are heading back to Porton (his home town) in Wiltshire, for a few days of completely relaxation, and to celebrate his sister's birthday. Then we're off to Croydon (mine) on Christmas Eve for 3 or 4 days of Butterworth Family madness! There are 10 of us at mine for Christmas Day - the most we've ever had - so that should be pretty cool. I'm really looking forward to spending Christmas with Ben.

This afternoon we have Secret Santa for all the Union peeps - I've just wrapped up my present... it's a 'cosmic disc shooter', but I won't write yet who it's for, just in case by some miracle they look at my site over the next hour!!

Righty ho, off to do some more 'tidying up loose ends', before I go off to my first holiday in months. It's here at last!

Yesterday I did something I haven't done in a long while - I went back home to Croydon! Ben and I got the train there in the afternoon, and went straight to kenley to see my mum's Christmas concert. She teaches suzuki violin to 4-10 year olds and her pupils are absolutely amazing. The concert was very good, and I think Ben enjoyed it too!

We chilled in the evening (after I had my heair cut - short!!) then got a lift back this morning, just in time to get to work for just gone 10am. We had Christmas lunch today with several members of University staff, and I found out that Colin Howard (Dean of Students) is the cousin of my home best friend's mum! What a small world.

Well, another week has gone by, and only another few days until the Christmas holidays. I can't wait!!

P.S. You can leave comments below!! :D

After two pretty productive days at work, I'm feeling a little bit lost at the moment. MAybe I should head back to my 'list of things to do over Christmas'? Or maybe it's just because I've spent almost 12 hours a day here for the last two days, and am just looking forward to leaving work early today and heading into town to treat Ben to a film and a meal?!

Only 6 1/2 days of work before Christmas - I can't wait to have a break!! :)

I've just booked my Christmas days off, and i'm quite excited. I already get 11 1/2 days off as part of University 'closure week' (including weekends), and i've booked another 5 1/2 off around that. So, with the first weekend of the holiday, I get a grand total of NINETEEN DAYS away from work! I really can't wait. The longest I've had off yet is 3 days plus weekend. I'm going on quite a whizz around the country - Salisbury, Walton on Thames, Croydon, Salisbury again, Penzance - exciting stuff!!

It's very strange being at work without barefacts to work on. Although I don't really like the constant Wednesday afternoon deadline, week in, week out, it does provide some kind of focus for me. I'm feeling a little lost at the moment, although I have loads to do. I need to fill in my appraisal form for next week, plan website stuff, sort out GU2 fm period, and a whole load of other exciting things. Next Wednesday Ben and I are going to see Lord of the Rings Return of the King with Emma and 2 of her friends, which should be exciting. It's the first showing after the premiere - doubly exciting!

Best shoot back to work now, but before I go I want to say a huge GOOD LUCK to everyone who has exams at the moment, especially my darling Ben (who has his first one at 5pm today. I'm sure you'll be fantastic. :)