Moving swiftly on

Taking a (well deserved) break from job applications this week, I joined the team at Inside Soap for my month’s placement. Aside from my nerves about the job, first I had to combat my pure hatred of commuting. I truly despise the word commute. Londoners are in a different league when it comes to their journey to work; they will push and shove to get on an already packed train, only to then look annoyed when someone else does the same thing. Lots of pots and kettles on the tube, and the temperature certainly reaches boiling point.

After surviving my trip to work (how weird does that sound?), I braced myself for what might happen next. I pictured a busy office with me thrown in at the deep end, making teas and coffees while answering phones and photocopying. OK so that doesn’t sound like the deep end as I perfected the art of making tea at the age of about five, but in my head it was very scary and manic. As it turned out, I didn’t make a single hot drink all week and the editorial assistant has taken me through everything so that I know exactly what I’m doing. The office is quiet and organised, with the odd telephone interview with Steph from Hollyoaks going on in the background and a bit of music; everyone is happily getting on with their work and occasionally stopping to get the latest gossip when the new storylines come in. This is finally a taste of a real workplace, doing what I’ve been learning to do all this time; and it’s amazing how easy it is to settle in. Just as the lack of routine in post-studenthood became a routine of its own, I’ve quickly adapted to early mornings, mindless tube journeys and days which fly by in a rush of photocopying, filing, and writing.

Of course, life is never quite that simple. I’ve also done another application, had another interview, for another internship, this time for a property based monthly paper and magazine. It’s now a waiting game, as I wait to hear the outcome; but I don’t have time to dwell on it because this week is possibly the busiest week of my life as I have to move house too. From bidding on beds on eBay with my fingers crossed, to trying to decide on maple or beech coloured wardrobes, it has not been what I would call fun. In fact, I think I’d prefer the house to stay empty of furniture, particularly when trying to bend a bed around tight stair corners (beds don’t bend, in case you were going to try). Sadly though I would miss my bed far too much and so furniture must be ordered (sort of fun) paid for (never fun) and built (will let you know if that’s fun). Add on top of this that I have not packed yet, and you see my dilemma. Living between two houses, amongst empty boxes in the house where they should be full, and with not much else in the one where I’m meant to live; it’s a bit confusing and slightly the wrong way round. Which kind of sums up life in general, really…