Gainfully employed

So, after all my traipsing around the country I finally have a job lined up! Although the job starts on Monday and it is quite a distance away in Cork. My brother lives in the city and should have a bed/sofa for me for a week or so until I find somewhere.

I have so much to get sorted and have to pack everything up into my wee car! Cork is a lovely place (although more expensive than Belfast) I am both excited and nervous. I have a lot of packing to do, I have to sort through books and resources and clothes. I don't think I will even have that much room for household times. So I will need to do some serious planning.

I think I will attack it like I am going to university again. Pack one of everything for the kitchen (hopefully I will be able to find some decent charity shops in Cork) and make sure I bring the essentials for work clothes! I am a bit of a stationary fiend and I don't fancy paying the extortionate euro prices. I do have a good stock pile, but I might make sure I have  plenty of note pads and paper and ink for my printer.

I will keep you posted, for now I have to sort through all my books and decide which will make the trip with me! Also in the middle of this my Mum's birthday is coming up, but I will have to leave for Cork. I am hoping to prepare a pre-birthday lunch!

Perhaps this could be my organization strategy? 

It has been a while

Things have been very hectic lately, and I have been very remiss with my blogging. So what have I been up to?
I travelled to an interview (there were soooo many candidates that they have to do a second round - but I did get a call back) It was a little stressful, but some of the other candidates I spoke to had travelled further and I had a fun time hanging out in Cork city with my brother. He is a bit of a foodie and knew all the best places to hang out (Liberty Grill is well worth a look)

 I started a fortnight of training in a call centre - invaluable experience - I have met so many people from all ages and walks of life. It is a little heart breaking that so many people (new graduates with mountains of student loans, builders with 35years on the job, people who's chosen career paths just are not hiring) £6.08

It was my birthday and my beloved pup tried his best to help out with the cake

Let them eat cake!

I finally got behind the Olympics, and have become a fan of boxing of all sports! Katie Taylor is my new hero!

My own path to fitness has hit a few bumps, but my training partner (see above picture of cake and the tongue trying to dislodge it) has kept me to a minimum amount of exercise.

Today we went on a histerical tour

There were live animals, stuffed animals and eejits aplenty

Sorry for the delay: Fajita spices

I have been very busy over the last few days, I have a job interview on Friday (well a preliminary interview.) The school is actually down in Cork, but luckily my brother lives there and has agreed to put me up for the night.

I have been cleaning and scrubbing to get everything tidied up before some visitors arrive - and tonight the dinner will be from the freezer - some defrosted Bolognese, which I will add bits and pieces too.

A friend was having a house warming party dinner party and I wanted to bring something. She loves my fajitas, so I brought I made up a jar for her and brought a bottle of Elderflower Cordial diluted with fizzy water and ready to drink.

¼ tbsp garlic powder
½ tbsp onion powder
¼ - ½ tbsp cayenne (amount depends on how much heat you want)
¼ tbsp cumin
1 tbsp paprika (I like the smokey flavour - so I added smoked paprika)
½ tbsp salt
2 tbsp chili powder
½ tbsp sugar

This can be used as fajita powder from a packet, but I like to leave the chicken to marinate for a few hours. I add a few spoons and some lime juice (it doesn't need to be fresh, I use the bottled variety)

When cooking the fajitas I actually cook the vegetables (onion and bell peppers) in a little seasoning and oil first, remove them and leave to one side - add the marinated meat straight into the pan, the juices from the vegetables will add to the flavour.

On another utterly unfrugal note, as you can guess I enjoy fajitas and to be honest tex-mex in general. I am very tempted to buy a tortilla maker. I know that you are not supposed to buy a piece of equipment that has only one use, but I love tortillas and I cannot find decent tortillas this side of the water at all. Maybe if my interview goes well I might be able to buy one.