Quickie

Been busy and will be busy… so here’s a brief list of thoughts and events that happened this week and then I’ll be away from this blog for a while until things start to settle a bit…

  • Had interview on Monday: went well! Although a few really tough questions were hard to answer I left with a positive feeling!
  • Client asked for quote: once agreed I’ll have to design new spring collection catalogue.
  • This sad pathetic person once again checked my business website last Friday and looked for the presentation that I’ve password protected.
  • Had to get loads of groceries for my mum’s birthday and clean her house.
  • Still been bothered by a severe cold and fever and having to go out three days in a row to buy all necessary stuff for a birthday is not helping much when you should be in bed.
  • Received a phone call on Friday that I’m through to the 2nd round, there’s only two available places so in two weeks I’ll know, but getting through feels great already!
  • Received a ‘friend request’ on this business networking website from a former teacher (Graphic Design study), exchanged emails with him, he invited me to come and talk. He’s a good contact and a really great teacher so I should head over one day!
  • Received two great references from MvdM to place on the aforementioned website and my own business website.
  • Updated my portfolio on my business website with projects I’ve worked on, should update blog as well, perhaps later today after some ‘me’ time.
  • Younger bro came over and stayed all weekend. Of course I wanted to entertain my sweet 1.5 year old nephew and my 3.5 year old niece!
  • Crocheted a stuffed toy for my nephew in five hours: a cute lamb…
  • My niece named him ‘Kerrie’ (Dutch for curry *LOL*) she’s got great sense of humour!
  • Took her out for a walk today to feed the duckies, she loved it.
  • Sis-in-law wondered how I felt about having/watching a mini version of myself running around the house: I just love it! She’s too cute…
  • My Vaio laptop needed formatting/new OS: I use it to check cross-platform website design, needed it coz I’m working on one. Bro helped me out. Bloody windoze…
  • Going to start working on my business plan in a few: will start product design because after a busy week I need some wind down time for me.
  • Managed to put myself first without feeling guilty or selfish, I could suppress the urge to only make time for others. Instead I set priorities and left those things to wait.
  • Cut the Valentine’s day roses, even dried they remain gorgeous.
  • Time to get started on my product designs…

Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!

Update February 28 13:51:33: wow, at times it’s good to have tiny kids around with globs of snot. My previous annoying cold has now turned into a full-on flu and fever. One week and I’ll feel better again…

© Zesty Gal – ‘Kerrie’ a crafted gift for my cute nephew

© Zesty Gal – Still gorgeous…

Noodles and Business

I’ve been too busy lately… So I’m writing a quick update while having the leftover Thai Green Curry that I made earlier this week combined with Japanese buckwheat noodles that I prepared five minutes ago. It’s yummie I tell you, extremely spicy because I added too much paste and unfortunately too hot temperature-wise *wink* I feel it’s okay to compliment your own culinary creations especially when it’s this good!

A had a great meeting with the manager of the City Auditorium, a really nice woman who might invite me in a few months to participate in a pitch to obtain an assignment. A new logo, stationery and website needs to be designed which is something not to be taken lightly. It might be one of the largest assignments I have taken so far and I must admit I’m slightly nervous about this, although it would be a great addition to the folio!

I’ve been completely honest about it: graphic design won’t be a problem but web design requires another level of technique that I can’t do on my own so I’m looking for a trusted partner. I called a colleague/friend of my brother and asked him to help me. I’ve had email contact with him before because of previous business matters, but we’d never spoken on the phone. It was weird because we ended up talking for five hours!

Perhaps it clicked because he’s half Indonesian, a quarter Chinese and another quarter Dutch. It just felt like I’ve known him for years and it was great to talk about business and other topics as well. He mailed off a CD that I hopefully will receive today, it contains a course that I’m eager to start! I’ve been feeling a tad overwhelmed this week which makes me realise certain things that I need to improve about/for myself.

I went to the hospital on Tuesday and the woman I had to see that day, pointed out something similar and related. She told me to express myself by writing more often, so I’ve installed another blog to keep a private diary. I have to learn to rechannel my energy and use it for my own benefit first and then that of close friends with integrity and who genuinely appreciate it: me. It’s about time I cut that Gordian knot fercrissakes!

So that’s what I’ve been doing lately: give no time to those who only seem to know you when they need something from you. Instead I’ve used more energy on those close to me… Yesterday I went to a thrift shop to look for some things I need for my business plan and came home with a gorgeous old serving dish instead (only € 1,50). Plus a sheer long sleeve top: a late birthday gift from my neighbour who gave me a ride to the shop.

I still have a cold and have been sneezing a lot so I’m gonna take things slow! I have to prepare an email as well but it’s something I need to think about: I was asked what kind of courses I’d like to offer, when I’d be available, what I’d need software-wise etc. But there’s so much I’d love to teach… So I have to give it thought before I write that reply. It will be great to teach again though but first things first: getting better *wink*

/* End of update, have a great weekend! */

© Zesty Gal
– Thai Green Curry with chicken and courgette (zucchini) and Japanese buckwheat noodles