Writing.......

So tonight I finished another book. My second in nine days. The books were 'Theodore Boone' by John Grisham and 'Hard Time' by Shaun Attwood. It has given me my writing bug back again so tonight I worked on one of my projects. I've really been thinking about writing alot recently and I have a few story ideas. I'm working on three at the moment and maybe that's why I'm making so little progress. I also have another story idea which I keep thinking I'm going to have to write it down otherwise I'll forget it. Another idea came into my head today for another story - I'm not sure I'll do it though.
I started writing poetry again. I found two poems that I wrote when I was younger. One of them was published in the Warrington guardian years ago and I cut it out and kept it. I've retyped it up so that it is with the other four I have. I think doing Literary Translation has really boosted my interest in writing again and it is slow progress. Not because of lack of ideas (I'm not saying good ideas, just ideas) but because of time. I seem to spend so much time sitting in front of a computer screen (especially as I do it for 4 hours everyday for work) doing essays or researching things or just wasting time that it is making my eyes tired which is why I haven't written anything. I started writing on paper to give my eyes a rest from the screen glare.
I actually really want to finish a story but I don't want to rush. My aim is going to be to finish something by the end of 2011. An early New Year's resolution.

Birthday Snow 2

Now then, this is called 'Birthday Snow 2' as it is effectively part two of my previous blog. I wrote the last blog an hour into my birthday and this blog is being written an hour after my birthday has finished.
In the last 24 hours I feel like I have done so much and felt so much. I got up at around 9.30am and had breakfast. I started tidying my room as well. I ended up going into town where I didn't spend anything, well, just bus fares and I bought a hot chocolate for Sonya and me. I didn't stay in town for long - I think we were only there for a couple of hours. I also heard off Alex, which made me smile alot. Especially when he told me what I had got for a present. I was shocked and if I'm honest, I really didn't expect to get anything. Of course I wanted something but I really wasn't expecting it. I still don't believe it. I really can't. Maybe in February I will!
I had quite a few birthday messages and every person got a thank you. I think I did the same last year.... Anyway, Sonya asked me about it and I said that if someone takes the time to wish me happy birthday then I am going to take the time to thank them individually and not just post one sweeping thank you to everything. Also, seeing as Facebook updates me on my phone now, it's just like sending a text back.
So the second half of my birthday was spent having tea at Alex's mum's and dad's house and watching a DVD with them and I left their house around about the same time as I left my mum's the night before so I felt like I'd seen a full 24 hours (despite sleeping for some of it) and it made my birthday feel complete somehow.

I'm just looking forward to February now..........

Birthday Snow

Ok, so here I am. This is being written in the first hour of my birthday. Just 20 minutes until the first hour of 18th Dec is up and then I have another 23 to go. So, how have I spent this first hour of my birthday? Well, let's see. After getting home I ate some toast - mm- bread - always good on my birthday and I've taken a few snowy pictures on my blackberry, but the camera is rubbish and my other camera isn't working at the moment. And now, I'm in bed, cosy, typing this. I honestly don't know what today is going to be like for me. Yesterday (just a few hours ago) wasn't brilliant. The snow part was, as that started before midnight. It really is beautiful. Even my foot being swallowed by the snow makes me smile. I love the snow. It's beautiful and it means I have a 'White Birthday' (as opposed to a 'White Christmas')
I find myself looking out at it, untouched, pure, clean, crisp and just thinking how perfect it is. I look out at it and I get lost in it. It calms me I suppose.
So anyway, back to yesterday....I was rushing around trying to get my work handed in and sorted and pick up a couple bits. I got a bit teary and emotional (I won't say what set me off) but I got into my bed and stayed there until I had to go to work (I got an hour's worth of duvet time).
I went into work and got given a birthday card which was nice. (It told me to have a relaxing birthday - that's something I need) It was thoughtful and then after work, went to my mum's and got her card and a card off my auntie. By the time I left mum's it was already 11.40pm so I thought I may as well stay up, I'm knackered but I may as well see my birthday in. On my own, well, with snow. Then after midnight, I get my first birthday messages on Facebook and one of them really did make me smile. I felt like someone really 'appreciated' me. Sounds strange I know. But it was nice because I felt like I mattered and that how I feel matter.
So maybe, my last 23 hours of my birthday I'm going to stop worrying about things I can't do anything about and start thinking about me, putting me first for just 23 hours and thinking of nothing else. Let's see if I can do it. I'm not sure I've ever managed it!

Any man who does not make himself proficient in at least two languages other than his own is a fool. ~Martin H. Fischer

Now, I think this is a bit harsh and not necessarily the case (yes, I am aware that sounds like I am not advocating the learning of languages - but of course I always am, I just don't think people should be considered fools for not doing so) I believe in the value of learning other languages. I also think there is a value in knowing your own language so well that you can express yourself with ease at all times. Now, I haven't done remarkably in the latter if today's results are considered and it makes me wonder if my knowledge of my other two languages is up to scratch. I know I need to focus more; I'm not working hard enough. I need to be reading more and practising more. Not just basic language. I need to practise translation more.

I spotted a sign up in university the other day offering paid translation work of 180 pages of a German book into English. I thought, why not? I need the practise, I need to refine my art so to speak and if they like my sample page then I'll get to do the rest which will be money, (which I also need) not a great deal of money for the work, but better than nothing. I have also submitted a CV to another translation agency and they should email me a test translation to do. The other agencies I haven't heard anything back off before and so I'd kind of given up for a bit, but I want to try again. I've even been looking into setting up a website where I can create a translation profile for myself but I don't want to do that until I know what I want to say and until I can get some paid work...or any work.....otherwise it will just be my university assignments being mentioned. There are still things I wouldn't mind pursuing besides this and areas where I believe I could combine a couple of the things I love....but translation is definitely something I want to do, especially of literature and even if I only ever do it as something every now and then, that would be ok.

So, all that remains is for me to do the test translations and see what happens.....oh, and do all my university work too! I've got so much to do and not enough time. It's always the way.