What happened to August?

It's been a short age since I last wrote a post. August seems to have passed me by completely. Only now do I feel settled enough to actually try and get this key-tapping business back on track.

I think I haven't written recently because I've seen so many people in the last month. I didn't really need to use my blog to keep in touch. Since my last post I have:

- Been to Carlisle three times (For birthdays and visiting my new niece!!)
- Been to Pembrokeshire for a big family party
- Been to Peterborough twice (For packing, School friends reunion at the Beer Fest and another big Family party, this time a surprise which I helped to organise)

I have also moved house, which has entailed all sorts of things like BT engineers up telegraph poles, washing machine deliveries and a whole lot of box-filling, box-carrying and then, inevitably, box-emptying. It was all worth it though because for the first time since June I am not living out of a suitcase. It's stupid to be attached to lifeless things, and the two months without them has been refreshing, but at the same time I am oddly comforted by being reunited with my books, my hole punch and my potato masher, among other items. I like having these things here, under my roof, rather than worrying about whether mice have got into my boxes at Mum's house and chewed their way through my new Samuel Beckett book...

The new flat is GREAT! Sharing space with just Chris is supremely superior to sharing it with him and his housemates. Somehow, having responsibility for everything between the two of us is much easier than the casual arrangement at the previous place. If there is a problem, we have no choice but to deal with it, but we don't have to dither and check with others and wait for someone else to get round to something.

Chris is in Rome this week so I have spent the past 5 days in the flat by myself. Although it's been quiet, I think it's been useful. It's the first time I've arrived in Manchester and he hasn't been around to meet me. The experience has made me realise that this is my home now. I'm not just visiting any more. I have got a little bored though. Starved of human company I have watched two series of The It Crowd and most of the first series of The Mighty Boosh. Things are looking up today though, because I have arranged to meet some friends for lunch.

Friends? What friends? you might ask. Well, my move up north has been made considerably easier by Chris' friends from Uni and more accurately their wives and girlfriends. I've been lunching with the physics WAGs throughout August. I've never been one to go in for girly groups. The idea of meeting up with people whose only common trait is their partners' occupation is a bit abhorrent to me - like we're just an extension of the Manchester University Theoretical physics department - but I've been pleasantly surprised. Our lunches have little to do with the blokes and much more to do with our mutual appreciation of cake and craic.

Next week, phase one of my teaching course starts in earnest. I'm starting at a Primary school for two weeks of observation. I am a little concerned that it's going to be a fortnight of being covered in glue and glitter, incessant cries of "Miss, Miss! What are you doing here Miss?" and having to sit in mini sized chairs with my knees sticking up to my chin. I'll report back soon.