Redsquirrel's 'Striving For Better Days' Diary

redsquirrel80

Morning all, not posted for a couple of days but I've been busy plotting, and I hate to shock you all, but for once in my life I actually have something resembling a plan!

The more I've looked into the language stuff the more enthusiastic I've been getting, don't know why I never thought about using it before as it was probably what I was best at at school (I did both French and Spanish to CSYS which is somewhere between A level and 1st year Uni standard), but didn't do it at Uni so suppose I'd just left it behind. Anyway - the plan:

- read as much as I can on websites etc, concentrating on Spanish at the moment but also a bit of French as well
- annoy parents by asking them to look out my old school books and bring them down when they visit in a couple of weeks
- try and find a (cheapish) course I can enrol on for starting in September, either online or local evening classes to refresh things
- have found two distance learning courses in translation, which start in January, so hoping I can get up to scratch (and save the money) by then. I've had a go at the test exercises they provide and I seem to be fairly close to the level required which actually surprised me greatly!

I get the impression that it could be quite a competitive world job-wise, but am thinking that it's something I could maybe do freelance along side a 'normal' job. Gosh, I actually feel enthusiastic about something.. :eek:

LouiseJ

Sounds like a plan.......good for you my friend:T

I am sure I have some language books you can have...I will go and have a look. BBS x

LouiseJ

I knew I had some, I have PM'd you Squizz with the details.

I have a load of German books too.

redsquirrel80

Thanks Louise, that's such a nice offer, they'll be really useful.

Never done any German, I'd like to learn a bit (and Italian, Polish, all sorts of things) but think I should stick to the ones I know in the meantime!

Karmacat

Fantastic! I *really* like the sound of this. A plan is always good news, but this one sounds a runner....

redsquirrel80

It's a bit scary really Karma - I very rarely have a plan.. I often have ideas which either happen or don't, not very often I think about steps to follow, but this feels like something I want to work towards. Will have to seriously keep my impatience in check though - I have a tendency to want everything now and give up when it's not going fast enough..

pania

YAAAAY to the plan!! focus now hon. the police pay £125 everytime you are called to the station to translate either in custody or over theradio to french lorry drivers... no matter how long you are there for it's initial 125 + hourly rate thereafter... hows that for motivation!!

Worlds your oyster sweetness get out there and grab it!!!! xxx

redsquirrel80

That's quite good motivation, yep! Do they get many dodgy French lorry drivers?!

redsquirrel80

Morning all.. not a great deal to report here. Feeling quite lazy and unmotivated at work this week - probably cos there's not much to do so when work does arrive I can't be bothered with it.

Physically really tired as well, have even been getting the bus to work when I would usually work, dunno what's up with me! As debated on the Running Club thread I'm supposed to be doing a 10k in just over a month's time but I can't see how I can possibly get fit enough when I'm struggling to get up and walk down the road :rolleyes:

On the positive side.. been researching more into the translation, seems it's definitely best to be at a high standard in at least two languages well, so am attempting to do an hour of each (French & Spanish) each night. Seems a lot but it's only time when I'd normally be staring at the TV or the internet Found some great stuff on the BBC website including articles and videos, trying to read the respective countries newspapers online as well.

Moneywise - need to pay back a few holiday-related things over the next couple of months, plus trying to start saving for this course in January (about £400), so I think next month is going to be a 'buy essentials only' one! Of course that might not work if I see a cheap language course.. or books I want.. or if I succumb to the temptation of the Ryanair sale (£20 return to Madrid in September is very tempting, and sort of career related.. isn't it?!)...

Must remember to get my foreign currency changed back today or tomorrow, walking around with £50 in money I can't spend is a bit silly! Also got a £5 Boots voucher in the post yesterday, and need foundation so think I'll be having a quick trip into town at lunchtime.

Hope everyone has a good day! x

redsquirrel80

Blimey, that was a long ramble this morning for 'nothing much to report'!

Still really tired, walked into town at lunchtime and was shattered when I got back, also walked home, and I just feel like sleeping Oh well, spent my Boots voucher so got foundation for £4.99 instead of £9.99 - and got a £5 No7 voucher and a £5 skincare voucher back.. plus came home to another £2 voucher for them from a survey site, so have been on their website trying to figure out what I can get whilst spending the least actual money

Got online Spanish course going in other window here, plus had a leaflet in the post about evening courses which start at the end of September - £55 for a term which isn't bad, so I might go for that - seems like a good use of the £60 tax bonus thingy Also heard from an old school friend today, who's just moved to Spain, and is working there - strange coincidence!