Hiya!
What is it with Monday's lately that seem to transcend into utter malfunctioning, chaotic, alcohol-after-work-inducing messes that leave me questioning my own self worth?! Today life has hit a new low and I think it is time something was done about it. So with wine glass in hand I shall begin to fumble through the aftermath of the last week.
So revision has been in place for my Driving Theory Test for some weeks now and after attending the last examination I had in Milton Keynes and failing (no improvements on life since I will have you know), I had since booked my retest at the centre in Luton, simply because it was more convenient and had closer dates. So as I got ready for my test on Saturday morning and ran through some scenario question types in my head I pondered as to whether this would be the day. I was fairly confident and since I couldn't recall the last time I got a single mock test wrong or low score on my Hazard Perception tests I had been practising on, and so Grabbing at my new fave hot Starbs Bevvy - A sweet Chai latte with cream - I headed for my train and began to hit up some more revision.
Making my way to the test centre through the greying buildings of Luton town centre, I was thinking how wonderful it will feel when it starts to rain and I am in my little car, laughing at all the Bus Wankers along the way! Stepping inside the reception areas I could tell that the centre in Luton was much more relaxed and laid back, as I handed over my photocard and locked my things away I was then lead to the small cubicles and off I went. Checking and rechecking the questions I knew I was sketchy on a few of them, just fingers crossed it was enough. Flying through my Hazard Perception section I answered some customer service questions on the process of learning to drive and left the room quietly.
Thanking the lady for the sheet of A4 with my results on it I folded it and left, hoping not to be seeing her again under these circumstances. Shoving the paper to the bottom of my Pink Ted Baker and heading back out into the sopping rain, I did wonder where that spa day of mine could have got to and when I was due to meet my Father and his girlfriend for lunch. After an hour or so of window shopping, most of it spent in LUSH trying out lip stains, body butters and exfoliators, I rushed to meet for lunch and settling into the pub atmosphere I spent a rare moment alone with my Dad. Giving me a cuddle and telling me he missed me was nice, but the moment was marred slightly by asking to see my results.
Something about me felt good about it this time, but that feeling was also there last time too. "Oh Jesus!" I said out loud as I opened the folded paper. Reading through the results I finally got to the point we had all been holding our breath for ... I passed! I chuffing passed my mother-trunking, ball-licking Driving Theory Test! Oh dear lordy lord I dont have to do that again! Well as long as I pass within the next two years I don't! Thank fuck for that!
Settling down with my proud Papa and G.F we ate lunch and sipped on a celebratory glass of wine before heading home, although not before a short stop at the hospital to see my Nanny Pumpkin whom had just had an operation on her foot. She's fine, just tickled by the fact I thought the Iodine on her leg was actually fake tan! Costa-Del-NHS anyone?
Asking about the potential new job, Nanny Pumpkin had asked how it was all going and what was on the horizon. Well at the time there was not much of an update but sadly to say I will not be moving any time soon. Indeed after last weeks post I had indeed applied and ended up having an interview however there was someone better suited to the role and thus I was pipped to the post by someone better than me, although I cant see how - I'm Fabulous!!! Nevertheless there shall be no hard feelings about the role between any of us working there however it has made me realise that maybe there is more to life? But that can be potentially be put on the back burner for the time being, at least until I get a car anyway.
So glad I have finally passed that bastard of an exam. One down - One to go!
'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx
Showing posts with label Theory Driving Test. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Theory Driving Test. Show all posts
Monday, 18 April 2016
Monday, 11 April 2016
An Uphill Struggle!
Hello Dears!
So last week was a bit of a bummer and after a few more straws being added to the already dead horse, most of them being today, I am feeling more and more distanced from some of my work colleagues. With most of the office now in the knowledge that I was considering applying, not taking the role I might add - Just considering, I feel slightly talked about. Nevertheless, there are bigger, better and more important things in my life than them and their silly lives that I should focus my time and attention on. Ergo, not another breath or character shall be wasted.
Alas, this time last week I was still naive to the fact that my Driving Theory Test was going to be harder than expected. A strange mix of nerves and confidence simmered away all day in a consistent revision marathon combining quick-fire questions over a cuppa to hardcore hazard perception and knowledgeable facts of the road, all before it came time to face the music (or lack of shall I say).
Building myself up, my Work-Dad dropped me off in Milton Keynes before going off to see some friends for dinner. Going into the pub for a quick coffee to stimulate me I went over some last revision questions on my App. Walking round the corner and into the Pearson Test Centre was nerve-shattering. Placing my items into a locker and registering was scary. The women behind the desk had a kind face but looked very unforgiving. Handing over my provisional licence and confirming some details I could feel the nerves trying to take over. It was a struggle just to stay still. Finally going through to the holding room I was greeted by an older lady, although very much kinder and sweeter, complimenting me on my weight loss since the photo on my driving licence was over four years old and was taken when I weighed close to twenty-stone, about two-hundred and eighty pounds. reassuring me and instilling some confidence in me lost through the nerves she ushered me into a very quiet room with lots of computers and explained I should be seated and continue through the questions.
Cautiously clicking my way through the fifty questions I had discovered a few I was unfamiliar with but pushed whatever negative thoughts away to the back of my head and concentrated harder than I have ever done in my whole entire life. This was a big deal. I could not walk back into the office tomorrow (despite how much I was hating on the inhabitants at the time) only to report that I had failed. I needed to win! Finishing the questions, next up was the hazard perception videos and sure enough, fourteen clips later I was ready to leave.
Collecting my things and heading straight into Milton Keynes City Centre I was excited to see my results. Practically running all the way to meet The Tweedles for dinner I thought of all the possibilities this letter could bring. I could go away on shopping trips by myself and explore places no-one else would find fascinating but me. Mr. Warehouse, Puppy and I could go on long weekends camping in Yurts and Teepee's. My Tweedles and I could go for day trips to fun places and explore summery canals and countrysides. Not peaking at all until I was with Miss Tweedle-Dumb and Miss Tweedle-Dee in a car park opposite Jamies Italian and, with Mr. Warehouse on speaker-phone I opened the envelope. Heart pounding, my palms still sweating and my mouth still as dry as the Sahara my eyes flicked to one word on the piece of paper. Failed.
Gutted I read out the reasonings as to my failed test results. I had scrapped by on my fifty questions, but it was my hazard perception that has let me down - The one thing I felt in the test confident about! By only one mark I had failed. What made it worse is that because it was hazard perception had flunked on I had only missed passing by maybe a second or two. You see the hazard perception is a combination of fourteen video clips where a road scene is depicted. Throughout the course of the minute or so clip a hazard will appear and you have five seconds to spot it. When there is a hazard that may alter how you would need to react as the driver, that's when you are supposed to click and you are scored five to zero on your reaction time to the hazard, five being the highest per clip. So when I know that the only reason I failed was because I was not fast enough it was certainly a sore point and like a bear with a sore head I was in a foul mood for the rest of the evening.
Feeling aweful following my failed attempt at my Driving Theory Test, I booked it again for this coming Saturday and I am preparing for a battle against nerves for I know I can do it this time, I just need to take back the wheel from the anxiety and apprehension, tackling the questions and the hazard perception head on! My failure left me feeling pretty crap to be honest but after a comfy morning with Mr. Warehouse and some Puppy cuddles in bed I was flustered and on edge for my first driving lesson. Finally settling on the company Bill Plant I was pleasantly surprised with my instructor as he was older as I expected and very dry in humour. With an odd smell about him but a comforting back story and firm but fair teaching ethic I was very happy with my choice of instructor and can easily see myself passing with him.
Sitting in the driving seat of a brand spanking new shiny Black BMW 3 series estate I was more than comfortable. I felt relaxed and at ease. Setting off from where we had be stationary I learnt quickly the biting point of the clutch and how to change gears quickly and efficiently. Pulling off, braking and checking my mirrors (Oh Jesus Christ, checking those mirrors) I need improvements on but all in all it was a very good lesson. I enjoyed it one hell of a lot more than I expected. I only stalled once and by the end of the two hour lesson I was getting better still at clutch control and changing gears which, in my head at least, made me something along the lines of that Spanish chick from The Fast and Furious Collection - Rodriguez someone?! Yeah her! Totally not her though, especially when I take corners too wide and nearly put my instructor through the window when I brake! Nevertheless I went on real roads and tackled real cars. Am I ready for F1, I doubt it ... But I cannot wait for my next lesson! Just gotta pass that Driving Theory Test!
Wish me luck!
'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx
So last week was a bit of a bummer and after a few more straws being added to the already dead horse, most of them being today, I am feeling more and more distanced from some of my work colleagues. With most of the office now in the knowledge that I was considering applying, not taking the role I might add - Just considering, I feel slightly talked about. Nevertheless, there are bigger, better and more important things in my life than them and their silly lives that I should focus my time and attention on. Ergo, not another breath or character shall be wasted.
Alas, this time last week I was still naive to the fact that my Driving Theory Test was going to be harder than expected. A strange mix of nerves and confidence simmered away all day in a consistent revision marathon combining quick-fire questions over a cuppa to hardcore hazard perception and knowledgeable facts of the road, all before it came time to face the music (or lack of shall I say).
Building myself up, my Work-Dad dropped me off in Milton Keynes before going off to see some friends for dinner. Going into the pub for a quick coffee to stimulate me I went over some last revision questions on my App. Walking round the corner and into the Pearson Test Centre was nerve-shattering. Placing my items into a locker and registering was scary. The women behind the desk had a kind face but looked very unforgiving. Handing over my provisional licence and confirming some details I could feel the nerves trying to take over. It was a struggle just to stay still. Finally going through to the holding room I was greeted by an older lady, although very much kinder and sweeter, complimenting me on my weight loss since the photo on my driving licence was over four years old and was taken when I weighed close to twenty-stone, about two-hundred and eighty pounds. reassuring me and instilling some confidence in me lost through the nerves she ushered me into a very quiet room with lots of computers and explained I should be seated and continue through the questions.
Cautiously clicking my way through the fifty questions I had discovered a few I was unfamiliar with but pushed whatever negative thoughts away to the back of my head and concentrated harder than I have ever done in my whole entire life. This was a big deal. I could not walk back into the office tomorrow (despite how much I was hating on the inhabitants at the time) only to report that I had failed. I needed to win! Finishing the questions, next up was the hazard perception videos and sure enough, fourteen clips later I was ready to leave.
Collecting my things and heading straight into Milton Keynes City Centre I was excited to see my results. Practically running all the way to meet The Tweedles for dinner I thought of all the possibilities this letter could bring. I could go away on shopping trips by myself and explore places no-one else would find fascinating but me. Mr. Warehouse, Puppy and I could go on long weekends camping in Yurts and Teepee's. My Tweedles and I could go for day trips to fun places and explore summery canals and countrysides. Not peaking at all until I was with Miss Tweedle-Dumb and Miss Tweedle-Dee in a car park opposite Jamies Italian and, with Mr. Warehouse on speaker-phone I opened the envelope. Heart pounding, my palms still sweating and my mouth still as dry as the Sahara my eyes flicked to one word on the piece of paper. Failed.
Gutted I read out the reasonings as to my failed test results. I had scrapped by on my fifty questions, but it was my hazard perception that has let me down - The one thing I felt in the test confident about! By only one mark I had failed. What made it worse is that because it was hazard perception had flunked on I had only missed passing by maybe a second or two. You see the hazard perception is a combination of fourteen video clips where a road scene is depicted. Throughout the course of the minute or so clip a hazard will appear and you have five seconds to spot it. When there is a hazard that may alter how you would need to react as the driver, that's when you are supposed to click and you are scored five to zero on your reaction time to the hazard, five being the highest per clip. So when I know that the only reason I failed was because I was not fast enough it was certainly a sore point and like a bear with a sore head I was in a foul mood for the rest of the evening.
Feeling aweful following my failed attempt at my Driving Theory Test, I booked it again for this coming Saturday and I am preparing for a battle against nerves for I know I can do it this time, I just need to take back the wheel from the anxiety and apprehension, tackling the questions and the hazard perception head on! My failure left me feeling pretty crap to be honest but after a comfy morning with Mr. Warehouse and some Puppy cuddles in bed I was flustered and on edge for my first driving lesson. Finally settling on the company Bill Plant I was pleasantly surprised with my instructor as he was older as I expected and very dry in humour. With an odd smell about him but a comforting back story and firm but fair teaching ethic I was very happy with my choice of instructor and can easily see myself passing with him.
Sitting in the driving seat of a brand spanking new shiny Black BMW 3 series estate I was more than comfortable. I felt relaxed and at ease. Setting off from where we had be stationary I learnt quickly the biting point of the clutch and how to change gears quickly and efficiently. Pulling off, braking and checking my mirrors (Oh Jesus Christ, checking those mirrors) I need improvements on but all in all it was a very good lesson. I enjoyed it one hell of a lot more than I expected. I only stalled once and by the end of the two hour lesson I was getting better still at clutch control and changing gears which, in my head at least, made me something along the lines of that Spanish chick from The Fast and Furious Collection - Rodriguez someone?! Yeah her! Totally not her though, especially when I take corners too wide and nearly put my instructor through the window when I brake! Nevertheless I went on real roads and tackled real cars. Am I ready for F1, I doubt it ... But I cannot wait for my next lesson! Just gotta pass that Driving Theory Test!
Wish me luck!
'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx
Monday, 4 April 2016
Driving me Crazy!
Hi there you!
So last weekend was, let's be honest here, a bit of a bore - Obviously ignoring the night out with my work colleagues that is. But this week and the weekend just gone has got me thinking more about life as a whole and where its going and what I want to be doing with it.
Work is work for most people right? Not for me. I enjoy my job. Love it more than Starbucks sometimes. But since the arrival of some more company down in my end of the office in Autumn last year I have been embroiled in a conscience battle as to whether this is a job for life or not. Now I am not saying for a single second that this is a job whereby I would leave any time soon, but given the right offer and circumstances, I would consider heavily.
You see today has been like many another day in the office. Paperwork. E-mails. Phone calls. And it is this that I love - The busy nature of the place. The fact that every day is essentially the same but without being the same is why I have stuck it out for so long, the good with the bad, the rough with the smooth. I mean something happens every day that keeps me on my toes, which I enjoy and the thrill of having stacking paperwork and jobs excites me knowing I have a busy time ahead of me. But lately since my old Supervisor moved to a different department I have been increasingly unhappy within my role. Needless targets, silly procedures and pointless run-through's of stuff I already know and do is really dragging me down. The snotty, condescending and quite frankly patronising remarks I get from some colleagues of mine leaves me wondering where my future is heading and whether a this is what I really want for the years to come.
Now I understand that everyone has to have a bitch and a moan sometimes about their employment and as a British person I feel even more so I should have a good old moan about it. Everyone has bad days right? And sometimes when you are having a bad day, be it at work or else where, an offer of any kind can seem like such a bedazzling light at the end of the tunnel that like a firefly you head right towards its burning flame. This happened to me today.
After fucking up a couple of times last week (and I literally mean like two or three times) with everyone from my engineers to customers and all in between, new procedures have been implemented from my supervisor, making my job at least an hour longer every day and more complex than what it should be. Ironically this is something I went to a conference last month about: Looking for ways to increase business and get rid of all the silly procedures and protocol. After having a good old British chin-wag about it with some work colleagues in the canteen I was made aware of a position within the company that had my ears pricked and my eyes wide! Within the same building there was a girl whom I had become quite close with. She was leaving soon and as a result a job opening had become available doing pretty much the same thing I do but for a different division. Mood suddenly brightened by an opportunity within grasping distance and on hearing that the girl's manager had already tried to poach me for the position I was intrigued and asked for more information.
Whilst the job is at the same salary there are pro's and con's to the career move. On the plus side it would be me and my boss working together on similar projects I work on now. Secondly, I wouldn't have to deal with the daily remarks of not doing my job "well" or "in the correct way" not to mention constantly being undermined and undervalued as an employee. I would have more space and freedom.I would be the first person to receive the post every morning, distributing it throughout the building and mingling with my old colleagues. I would even have the potential to ask for a pay rise. On the other side, it would be fairly lonely with minimal interaction from people both in the office and over the phone. I would have to get better with my lateness as well as improve on my timely manner and the likelihood of me being invited to any nights out or events would potentially be at risk.
Not only that but I question whether I am actually ready to leave. I spoke with several friends and family members and the response was mixed to say the least. On the one hand I am excited for the new opportunity and the idea that I had already been theoretically head-hunted for the role was ego-boosting anyway. But am I ready to leave the business I have built up from nothing? I was only a matter of hours into my role within the company before I was thrust the division I work in and pretty much told "Its a mess, please help us to sort it out". I am the one who built the business into what it is today with the practical procedures and inventive ways of helping everything tick along nicely. I am the one who has built up a two year relationship with both my sales reps, engineers and customers, not to mention the employees I work with. I have grown the subcontracted side, with help from colleagues, from thing from barely there to being a huge part of what the company as a whole does. Am I really willing to hand over my baby and sack it all in potentially for what has been a crappy few months with an equally shitty rubbish day? As one friend in the office put it ... Am I prepared to see another person sat at my desk doing my job? I need to find out some more details so first thing tomorrow after digging into my CoCo Pops I shall approach the boss man and ask him the details of the opening. With the other girl leaving on Friday though I will have to make my decisions quick although I am sure I shall update you next week with the outcome.
Maybe I am over-reacting? I mean my stress levels recently have forced me into meltdown over the silliest of things. The fact that in less than twenty-four hours I will have known whether I have passed or failed my theory test is something that has been looming over me for weeks. I am bricking it! After studying for weeks about road traffic signs, speed limits and stopping distances, not to mention the difference between pelican and puffin crossings I feel like my brain has been frazzled and whatever I do now is redundant for I am almost certain to fail. In every mock test, exam and hazard perception video I go through I scrap by with the skin of my teeth. Or just fail by a smidgen. But with less than twenty-one hours to go and my first driving lessons already booked for Saturday morning there is not much room for error and the expectation to pass this exam is greater than it ever has been before.
Wish me luck!
'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx
So last weekend was, let's be honest here, a bit of a bore - Obviously ignoring the night out with my work colleagues that is. But this week and the weekend just gone has got me thinking more about life as a whole and where its going and what I want to be doing with it.
Work is work for most people right? Not for me. I enjoy my job. Love it more than Starbucks sometimes. But since the arrival of some more company down in my end of the office in Autumn last year I have been embroiled in a conscience battle as to whether this is a job for life or not. Now I am not saying for a single second that this is a job whereby I would leave any time soon, but given the right offer and circumstances, I would consider heavily.
You see today has been like many another day in the office. Paperwork. E-mails. Phone calls. And it is this that I love - The busy nature of the place. The fact that every day is essentially the same but without being the same is why I have stuck it out for so long, the good with the bad, the rough with the smooth. I mean something happens every day that keeps me on my toes, which I enjoy and the thrill of having stacking paperwork and jobs excites me knowing I have a busy time ahead of me. But lately since my old Supervisor moved to a different department I have been increasingly unhappy within my role. Needless targets, silly procedures and pointless run-through's of stuff I already know and do is really dragging me down. The snotty, condescending and quite frankly patronising remarks I get from some colleagues of mine leaves me wondering where my future is heading and whether a this is what I really want for the years to come.
Now I understand that everyone has to have a bitch and a moan sometimes about their employment and as a British person I feel even more so I should have a good old moan about it. Everyone has bad days right? And sometimes when you are having a bad day, be it at work or else where, an offer of any kind can seem like such a bedazzling light at the end of the tunnel that like a firefly you head right towards its burning flame. This happened to me today.
After fucking up a couple of times last week (and I literally mean like two or three times) with everyone from my engineers to customers and all in between, new procedures have been implemented from my supervisor, making my job at least an hour longer every day and more complex than what it should be. Ironically this is something I went to a conference last month about: Looking for ways to increase business and get rid of all the silly procedures and protocol. After having a good old British chin-wag about it with some work colleagues in the canteen I was made aware of a position within the company that had my ears pricked and my eyes wide! Within the same building there was a girl whom I had become quite close with. She was leaving soon and as a result a job opening had become available doing pretty much the same thing I do but for a different division. Mood suddenly brightened by an opportunity within grasping distance and on hearing that the girl's manager had already tried to poach me for the position I was intrigued and asked for more information.
Whilst the job is at the same salary there are pro's and con's to the career move. On the plus side it would be me and my boss working together on similar projects I work on now. Secondly, I wouldn't have to deal with the daily remarks of not doing my job "well" or "in the correct way" not to mention constantly being undermined and undervalued as an employee. I would have more space and freedom.I would be the first person to receive the post every morning, distributing it throughout the building and mingling with my old colleagues. I would even have the potential to ask for a pay rise. On the other side, it would be fairly lonely with minimal interaction from people both in the office and over the phone. I would have to get better with my lateness as well as improve on my timely manner and the likelihood of me being invited to any nights out or events would potentially be at risk.
Not only that but I question whether I am actually ready to leave. I spoke with several friends and family members and the response was mixed to say the least. On the one hand I am excited for the new opportunity and the idea that I had already been theoretically head-hunted for the role was ego-boosting anyway. But am I ready to leave the business I have built up from nothing? I was only a matter of hours into my role within the company before I was thrust the division I work in and pretty much told "Its a mess, please help us to sort it out". I am the one who built the business into what it is today with the practical procedures and inventive ways of helping everything tick along nicely. I am the one who has built up a two year relationship with both my sales reps, engineers and customers, not to mention the employees I work with. I have grown the subcontracted side, with help from colleagues, from thing from barely there to being a huge part of what the company as a whole does. Am I really willing to hand over my baby and sack it all in potentially for what has been a crappy few months with an equally shitty rubbish day? As one friend in the office put it ... Am I prepared to see another person sat at my desk doing my job? I need to find out some more details so first thing tomorrow after digging into my CoCo Pops I shall approach the boss man and ask him the details of the opening. With the other girl leaving on Friday though I will have to make my decisions quick although I am sure I shall update you next week with the outcome.
Maybe I am over-reacting? I mean my stress levels recently have forced me into meltdown over the silliest of things. The fact that in less than twenty-four hours I will have known whether I have passed or failed my theory test is something that has been looming over me for weeks. I am bricking it! After studying for weeks about road traffic signs, speed limits and stopping distances, not to mention the difference between pelican and puffin crossings I feel like my brain has been frazzled and whatever I do now is redundant for I am almost certain to fail. In every mock test, exam and hazard perception video I go through I scrap by with the skin of my teeth. Or just fail by a smidgen. But with less than twenty-one hours to go and my first driving lessons already booked for Saturday morning there is not much room for error and the expectation to pass this exam is greater than it ever has been before.
Wish me luck!
'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx
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