Calling Gwen...

[fieryred33143]

I remember you saying you were going to visit your boyfriend.

How did it go?

You guys have such a beautiful love story

 

[Keepingthefaith21]

Ohh Gwen if we are going to probe you for updates....how''s the thesis going? Is the new deadline self-imposed? How''s the job search going? How did that interview go a few weeks back??

I think that''s all for now

 

[gwendolyn]

Hiya, sweetness, I just replied to your update thread like a second ago (and let me just WOOHOO that ring again)!!

My visit with J was loverly.

I was slightly peeved on the way up because the trains were running late and I kept thinking, "NO! Do not rob me of a single minute of time! I only have a few days as it is!" In the end, I only arrived about 15 minutes after I was supposed to, so it wasn''t an earth-shattering delay or anything (although at one point it was announced that all trains were running at least an hour behind schedule, but that turned out to be wrong--? Who understands the UK rail system anyway).

The visit itself was so, so, SO good. We went from the train station to pick up J''s best friend (B) and then went to one of our favourite restaurants and had a GREAT time. I love spending time with the two of them together--strangely B and I sometimes end up ganging up on J, and he loves it. It''s so cute. When dinner was over, we went home and J had made me a cake! (Ok, this is a guy who 6 months ago told me all he could cook was toast.) It was a sponge cake with cream (like fresh homemade whipped cream) and strawberry jam in the middle and it was so good. He''s now planning a chocolate-mint cake for next time, because that''s one of my favourite flavour combos. Mmmmmm.

The rest of the time we basically hung out, when he wasn''t working and when I wasn''t writing my paper. I got lots of snuggles and backrubs (which he''s always promising when we''re on the phone, far apart.) Saturday night was Doctor Who night, and instead of watching online together, we got to watch in the same room! (It''s the little things, you know

). We went out for cream tea (Deelight! Thought about you then!

) which was FABULOUS. It was one of those places that looks so elegant, and the server brought our food out on that little tower! I don''t know if you know what I mean, I will have to find a picture... It just makes the whole things feel so fancy and special and wonderful.

So, it was absolutely lovely, thank you for asking.

Best part is this, though: the next time I see him will EITHER be about a week from now (which is probably unlikely but hasn''t been ruled out), OR will be the end of us having to say goodbye. This time right now, up until I hand in my thesis, should be the last morsel of our long-distance relationship!!!!! Which, as you might guess, makes me a VERY happy Gwen.

 

[fieryred33143]

OMG YAY!!!

I didn''t realize you guys would be closer to each other once the thesis is done!! So the countdown is on

That''s so exciting.

 

[Keepingthefaith21]

Date: 6/19/2008 1:14:40 PM
Author: gwendolyn

Best part is this, though: the next time I see him will EITHER be about a week from now (which is probably unlikely but hasn''t been ruled out), OR will be the end of us having to say goodbye. This time right now, up until I hand in my thesis, should be the last morsel of our long-distance relationship!!!!! Which, as you might guess, makes me a VERY happy Gwen.

Oh Gwen! I am SO THRILLED for you and J!!!

 

[gwendolyn]

Date: 6/19/2008 1:10:37 PM
Author: Keepingthefaith21
Ohh Gwen if we are going to probe you for updates....how''s the thesis going? Is the new deadline self-imposed? How''s the job search going? How did that interview go a few weeks back??


I think that''s all for now

Ok, let''s start with the thesis update: it''s...going.

I don''t think I''d say it''s going well, but it IS progressing. I''ve had to re-write about half of it because it was just so bad (supervisor was like, "Your level of stress is showing in your work, and if you don''t relax, you might fail the degree. Oh yes, and I am leaving the country on the 7th so I want your thesis ready to hand in by the 6th." Sure, ''cause THAT made me feel relaxed!!!

(Ok, I NEVER use that rolling-eye smiley because it always seems so rude, but seriously, I think my supervisor deserves it!) I was put on anti-depressants 3 weeks ago to help with the stress of everything (I''ve been physically ill for the majority of the past 2 months, from the stress), and I think they are helping, but things that my supervisor says are NOT!

Anyway, just have to do my best and make progress everyday. I am almost done re-writing the first chapter that needs it, and I still have a week and a half to do the other chapter and then add in all the extra bits like table of contents, abstract, etc. for the June 30th rough-draft hand-in.

Job hunt is going pretty well, though. Ironically, the day after I met with my supervisor and said, "Right, I''ll stop worrying about jobs and just focus on the paper so I don''t fail," I was inundated with phone calls for possible jobs. I have an interview tomorrow with an agency and then a school, and I''ll be teaching a 1-hour English lesson to a class of about 10 students with autism, ages 13 or 14, somewhere around there. It''s at a special needs school in NW London and the woman from the agency sounds REALLY enthusiastic about me, so hopefully I will do well! That interview from a few weeks back got changed because I had no way to get back from the town where it was scheduled to take place, but I have the option of scheduling another one if I need to in the future. Will probably wait until the thesis is done at this point, though.

Thanks for asking! Sorry for the novels in reply.

 

[gwendolyn]

Thank you, ladies!!! I am really so excited about it (obviously

)!!!!!

I try not to think about it too much so I don''t get distracted from working on my paper, but it''s hard! I can''t wait to have a home together, and not have to endure the painful goodbyes (I cried again on Sunday when we were at the train station, I always cry, and he always feels terrible because he hates to see me cry). But soon, no longer!!!

 

[Keepingthefaith21]

I hate goodbye''s too! When my SO travels for work, I always cry when we say our goodbyes even though I know it''s only for a week or so.

I am so sorry you are SO stressed out but it will get done and it will be up to par, I am sure of it - even half way across the world!

I''ll keep sending you good thoughts that you have some relief!

 

[gwendolyn]

Date: 6/19/2008 1:36:06 PM
Author: Keepingthefaith21
I hate goodbye''s too! When my SO travels for work, I always cry when we say our goodbyes even though I know it''s only for a week or so.


I am so sorry you are SO stressed out but it will get done and it will be up to par, I am sure of it - even half way across the world!


I''ll keep sending you good thoughts that you have some relief!

Thank you, sweetheart! You are such a doll. And it honestly does help, just knowing there are people out there who are cheering me on.

(Deelight, if you''re reading this thread, I was originally going to write "rooting me on" but I know what rooting means in Ostraya so I didn''t.

)

 

[Bia]

Gwen--I love that he baked you a cake!!! That is very special. I can't see BF baking a cake for me...that would mean too much time spent reading a recipe and with his attention span...LOL Anyway, just wanted to chime in. I love hearing when the men do something so thoughtful.

Last night BF brought home the cutest, comfiest pair of slippers for me...he actually remembered me telling him the other day that my favorite pair were about ready to be tossed. Made me think, "this guy loves me for sure!"

 

[ladypirate]

Date: 6/19/2008 1:14:40 PM
Author: gwendolyn
Hiya, sweetness, I just replied to your update thread like a second ago (and let me just WOOHOO that ring again)!!

My visit with J was loverly.

I was slightly peeved on the way up because the trains were running late and I kept thinking, ''NO! Do not rob me of a single minute of time! I only have a few days as it is!'' In the end, I only arrived about 15 minutes after I was supposed to, so it wasn''t an earth-shattering delay or anything (although at one point it was announced that all trains were running at least an hour behind schedule, but that turned out to be wrong--? Who understands the UK rail system anyway).

The visit itself was so, so, SO good. We went from the train station to pick up J''s best friend (B) and then went to one of our favourite restaurants and had a GREAT time. I love spending time with the two of them together--strangely B and I sometimes end up ganging up on J, and he loves it. It''s so cute. When dinner was over, we went home and J had made me a cake! (Ok, this is a guy who 6 months ago told me all he could cook was toast.) It was a sponge cake with cream (like fresh homemade whipped cream) and strawberry jam in the middle and it was so good. He''s now planning a chocolate-mint cake for next time, because that''s one of my favourite flavour combos. Mmmmmm.

The rest of the time we basically hung out, when he wasn''t working and when I wasn''t writing my paper. I got lots of snuggles and backrubs (which he''s always promising when we''re on the phone, far apart.) Saturday night was Doctor Who night, and instead of watching online together, we got to watch in the same room! (It''s the little things, you know

). We went out for cream tea (Deelight! Thought about you then!

) which was FABULOUS. It was one of those places that looks so elegant, and the server brought our food out on that little tower! I don''t know if you know what I mean, I will have to find a picture... It just makes the whole things feel so fancy and special and wonderful.

So, it was absolutely lovely, thank you for asking.

Best part is this, though: the next time I see him will EITHER be about a week from now (which is probably unlikely but hasn''t been ruled out), OR will be the end of us having to say goodbye. This time right now, up until I hand in my thesis, should be the last morsel of our long-distance relationship!!!!! Which, as you might guess, makes me a VERY happy Gwen.

Yum! When I lived in York, we''d occasionally go to Betty''s Tea Rooms, which was SO posh and so fun! I''m glad your visit was so wonderful!

Also, WOOO! for the end of long distance!!!!! You must be absolutely over the moon!

 

[gwendolyn]

Bia, awww, that is so sweet that he got you slippers! I love it when our guys do sweet things for us. There is seriously nothing better than a nice pair of slippers. I love mine.

LP, I didn''t know you lived in York! Betty''s is the first cream tea J and I ever had--our first ''proper'' date, really, and it''s what got me hooked on them in the first place! I absolutely ADORE York--it is such a beautiful city. I fell totally in love with it the first time at first glance, and still feel the same way now.

Here is a picture of J''s cake. Mmmmmm....so so tasty...

He is so good to me.

 

[gwendolyn]

And in case anyone doesn''t know what I''m talking about with the tower thing for afternoon tea, this is one! Our had little sandwiches on the bottom (egg mayonnaise, so good), then the scone, cream and jam on the middle plate, and a cream puff thing on the top.

 

[Keepingthefaith21]

Okay, I have to ask, what is cream tea?

 

[Bia]

That looks so good!

::ding ding ding:: Got yourself a winner!

Great, now I have to pick up some ice cream on the way home...

 

[ladypirate]

Date: 6/19/2008 4:28:18 PM
Author: gwendolyn
Bia, awww, that is so sweet that he got you slippers! I love it when our guys do sweet things for us. There is seriously nothing better than a nice pair of slippers. I love mine.

LP, I didn't know you lived in York! Betty's is the first cream tea J and I ever had--our first 'proper' date, really, and it's what got me hooked on them in the first place! I absolutely ADORE York--it is such a beautiful city. I fell totally in love with it the first time at first glance, and still feel the same way now.

Here is a picture of J's cake. Mmmmmm....so so tasty...

He is so good to me.

Gwen, that picture seriously made me get a little choked up--it's so sweet that he did that! You have landed yourself a winner there, m'dear!

I lived in York for a year when I studied abroad in college--LOVED IT. Northern England is one of my favorite places, actually. It's beautiful. Although don't make the mistake I did of going "camping" (read: pitching a tent in a farmer's field) in Chesterfield in March.

We were soaked! And you'd think the English guys I went with would have known a bit better, seeing as one of them was FROM Nottingham!

 

[gwendolyn]

Date: 6/19/2008 4:36:14 PM
Author: Keepingthefaith21
Okay, I have to ask, what is cream tea?

It is this DELICIOUS version of tea that involves clotted cream (a very thick, slightly sweet, and incredibly unhealthy yet delicious condiment) with scones and jam. Afternoon tea I think is typically served around 4pm (although we had it at 2:30 or something, like a late lunch). It generally starts with a plate of sandwiches (ok, one sandwich cut into 4 triangles)--it's sometimes a few different types of sandwiches (so one triangle could be ham, one egg, one salmon, and one tuna), or sometimes they're all the same. Next you have scones, which are lovely sweet (American) biscuit type bread things, usually with currants or raisins in them. The clotted cream and jam go on the scone halves in whatever order you want (although this is a much debated topic, which goes on first

). Then the last course is some sort of dessert, sometimes an assortment of tiny little cakes or just one large piece of cake.

The afternoon tea has sandwiches, scones and dessert, but the cream tea is usually just scones with clotted cream. But what WE had was afternoon cream tea, the ultimate in tastiness and clogged arteries!

Oh, and they're all served with tea.

 

[gwendolyn]

Bia: Yeah, I think I''ll keep him.

Mmmm...ice cream....

LP: Haha, what an adventure! So you guys just found a random farmer''s field and camped there? Hahah, love it!

 

[Keepingthefaith21]

Date: 6/19/2008 4:53:25 PM
Author: gwendolyn

Date: 6/19/2008 4:36:14 PM
Author: Keepingthefaith21
Okay, I have to ask, what is cream tea?

It is this DELICIOUS version of tea that involves clotted cream (a very thick, slightly sweet, and incredibly unhealthy yet delicious condiment) with scones and jam. Afternoon tea I think is typically served around 4pm (although we had it at 2:30 or something, like a late lunch). It generally starts with a plate of sandwiches (ok, one sandwich cut into 4 triangles)--it''s sometimes a few different types of sandwiches (so one triangle could be ham, one egg, one salmon, and one tuna), or sometimes they''re all the same. Next you have scones, which are lovely sweet (American) biscuit type bread things, usually with currants or raisins in them. The clotted cream and jam go on the scone halves in whatever order you want (although this is a much debated topic, which goes on first

). Then the last course is some sort of dessert, sometimes an assortment of tiny little cakes or just one large piece of cake.

The afternoon tea has sandwiches, scones and dessert, but the cream tea is usually just scones with clotted cream. But what WE had was afternoon cream tea, the ultimate in tastiness and clogged arteries!

Oh, and they''re all served with tea.

Ohhh yummmmmmmm!!!!

 

[ladypirate]

Date: 6/19/2008 5:04:05 PM
Author: gwendolyn
Bia: Yeah, I think I''ll keep him.

Mmmm...ice cream....

LP: Haha, what an adventure! So you guys just found a random farmer''s field and camped there? Hahah, love it!

LOL, not quite! He was renting it out to those foolish...err...BRAVE enough to camp there. It was gorgeous (we were right by a lovely little stream that we walked up), but it was also very very wet. The first night we ended up going into town to the pub because we couldn''t get our camp stove to stay lit!

 

[Deelight]

Date: 6/19/2008 3:29:26 PM
Author: gwendolyn

Date: 6/19/2008 1:36:06 PM

Author: Keepingthefaith21

I hate goodbye''s too! When my SO travels for work, I always cry when we say our goodbyes even though I know it''s only for a week or so.



I am so sorry you are SO stressed out but it will get done and it will be up to par, I am sure of it - even half way across the world!



I''ll keep sending you good thoughts that you have some relief!

Thank you, sweetheart! You are such a doll. And it honestly does help, just knowing there are people out there who are cheering me on.

(Deelight, if you''re reading this thread, I was originally going to write ''rooting me on'' but I know what rooting means in Ostraya so I didn''t.

)

HAHAHAHAHHA your too funny Gwen I could think of quite a few funny witticisms to reply with but I won''t, but I definitely will be cheering you on I know you can do it .

Now I just need to think of a chant

Congrats on the interviews thats definitely good news see things are starting to look up and soon you will get to stay with J permanently (how yummy does his cake look) as well which is fantastic as well no more goodbyes the thesis will be done and everything will fall into order .

As hard as it sounds try not to stress to much just think when its done the massive party you can have .

 

[gwendolyn]

KTF: It is SO delicious! If you ever come over to England, you will HAVE to try it. Mmmm mmmmm!

LP: Hahah, oh, that''s good! I read your experience out to J (who''s from Yorkshire as well, as I''ve probably mentioned a few hundred times

) and he was like, "Wait, they just camped there? The farmer might''ve been ticked off if he found them!" So that''s good you weren''t trespassing or anything, hehe.

Deelight: Yay, cheerleaders!

And you are right, I SHOULD have a giant party when this is all over! Or, maybe starting now...? Because...

I got a job offer today! Teaching music and special needs in London. Am talking it over with J but I think I am going to take it! WOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

 

[Deelight]

OMG Gwen that is so SUPER OMG FANTASTIC you definitely need to celebrate .

I think cocktails are in order . This is seriously fantastic

 

[gwendolyn]

Heehee!!!! Thank you, lovely. You are such a doll to be so happy for me! It seems like such a great school. I am soooooooooooooo thrilled and relieved and excited and happy!!!!!

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Gwen!!! I just read all of this, and I have to comment. 1. That cake is sooo yummy looking, J is awesome. 2. Ooh afternoon tea sounds so cool, I need to come over to England and try this! 3. I thought something happened with the master's deadline and that is really rude.

Oh well, you're making it through I am glad. I am sorry you've been depressed and seriously stressed, but I understand why. You're going through a lot right now, but just try to remember to breathe and relax. It is a stressful time, but also a really exciting time! You will be done with all of your work soon and with J. Soooo awesome!!

4. Hello!

ETA: Corrected a typing error.

Also, ((hugs))!

 

[gwendolyn]

Date: 6/22/2008 1:01:12 PM
Author: SarahLovesJS
Gwen!!! I just read all of this, and I have to comment. 1. That cake is sooo yummy looking, J is awesome. 2. Ooh afternoon tea sounds so cool, I need to come over to England and try this! 3. I thought something happened with the master''s deadline and that is really rude.

Oh well, you''re making it through I am glad. I am sorry you''ve been depressed and seriously stressed, but I understand why. You''re going through a lot right now, but just try to remember to breathe and relax. It is a stressful time, but also a really exciting time! You will be done with all of your work soon and with J. Soooo awesome!!

4. Hello!

ETA: Corrected a typing error.

Also, ((hugs))!

Sarah!!!!!! You are such a sweetheart, thank you so much!!! You are just so darn cute, thank you for all your encouragement and positive attitude! Sometimes I need to be reminded of the big picture because this day-to-day stuff sometimes drags me down! *HUGS* And yes, J''s cake was FABULOUS and he is indeed very awesome. (Not that I''m biased or anything.

)

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Date: 6/22/2008 1:09:06 PM
Author: gwendolyn

Date: 6/22/2008 1:01:12 PM

Author: SarahLovesJS

Gwen!!! I just read all of this, and I have to comment. 1. That cake is sooo yummy looking, J is awesome. 2. Ooh afternoon tea sounds so cool, I need to come over to England and try this! 3. I thought something happened with the master''s deadline and that is really rude.

Oh well, you''re making it through I am glad. I am sorry you''ve been depressed and seriously stressed, but I understand why. You''re going through a lot right now, but just try to remember to breathe and relax. It is a stressful time, but also a really exciting time! You will be done with all of your work soon and with J. Soooo awesome!!

4. Hello!

ETA: Corrected a typing error.

Also, ((hugs))!

Sarah!!!!!! You are such a sweetheart, thank you so much!!! You are just so darn cute, thank you for all your encouragement and positive attitude! Sometimes I need to be reminded of the big picture because this day-to-day stuff sometimes drags me down! *HUGS* And yes, J''s cake was FABULOUS and he is indeed very awesome. (Not that I''m biased or anything.

)

I totally understand 100%. I got that way sometimes with undergrad last semester..and lord that''s just undergrad! I got frustrated so many times trying to get an A vs. an A- and FI would just remind me that it was all worth something. I was trying to go to law school and trying to go somewhere with it. I will be the first woman in my immediate family to get a degree (closest thing would be two of my great-aunts had degrees) and definitely the first woman and first person in my close family (parents and grandparents) to get an advanced degree. Anyway, you are putting the icing on a major accomplishment cake after that is turned in!!

So, you are totally working toward something big and it is worth it. The big picture gets lost sometimes, but you just have to find it! Hehe, I love cakes. Can you tell?

Desserts (cake, ice cream, brownies, cupcakes, truffles, etc.) are my downfall.

 

[gwendolyn]

Date: 6/22/2008 1:56:08 PM
Author: SarahLovesJS
I totally understand 100%. I got that way sometimes with undergrad last semester..and lord that''s just undergrad! I got frustrated so many times trying to get an A vs. an A- and FI would just remind me that it was all worth something. I was trying to go to law school and trying to go somewhere with it. I will be the first woman in my immediate family to get a degree (closest thing would be two of my great-aunts had degrees) and definitely the first woman and first person in my close family (parents and grandparents) to get an advanced degree. Anyway, you are putting the icing on a major accomplishment cake after that is turned in!!

So, you are totally working toward something big and it is worth it. The big picture gets lost sometimes, but you just have to find it! Hehe, I love cakes. Can you tell?

Desserts (cake, ice cream, brownies, cupcakes, truffles, etc.) are my downfall.

Oh wow, Sarah, the first woman in your close family to get an advanced degree! What a huge accomplishment! I was proud of you before, but now I am doubly so! That''s wonderful, good for you!

Hehehe, I love cakes too, and ice cream, and combining the two, or with a warm brownies and some ice cream on top...mmmmmm....