Job get!

It's been a while since my last update and I figured I should update this blog again. Especially since I got a job this month, whoo!

It's not the perfect job and actually a job of which I said "I never want to do this"... but it's money so I can't be picky at the moment heh. I am in a customer support role, giving technical support to Dutch/Belgian clients about their smartphones (a specific brand but I'm not even sure I'm allowed to mention it). I know nothing about smartphones myself and it's not easy for me to deal with angry customers (I'm a shy person), but hopefully I will get used to it!

I received two weeks of training and have just finished two weeks of actually working on the phone lines, so four weeks in total. It's going okay, but I still need to learn a lot! They gave me phone to practice on though, so basically I get a free smartphone! Which sadly I have to hand back after my three month probation period. =P

Apart from this job, I seem to be getting quite a few requests for freelance work, ranging from translation to illustration and design work. I'm doing a 25 hour translation job this week (so next to my 37.5 hour full time job), starting on about 15 illustrations for a book someone wants to make, possibly starting an illustration/design project for my sister's job and then still two smaller illustration commissions. I don't know how I'm going to get it all done, but I just can't say no to people haha!


Also I walked back home through the park this week when getting back from work. And even though it was a rainy day, I enjoyed seeing all the lovely flowers and plants. Some parts of the park are nice and clean, while other parts look like a jungle. I love it.  =)

Settling in the UK

It's been a while since my last post, so I figured it's time to make another one!

It's been a bit over a month since I moved to the UK, and I think I'm kinda settling in now. Not that much has changed over the last few weeks though. I am still looking for a job (but might be getting news back about a customer service role soon) and I do a bit of freelance stuff in between (drawings/graphic design/translations).

I have actually sent out my portfolio to a few UK publishers, but so far I haven't heard back from any of them. I also applied for a few graphic design jobs, but again no one got back to me about them. I guess no one wants me to work for them. =P

As for the freelance stuff though, I recently got to create a logo and image (for postcards, business cards and website banners) for someone who is starting up a yoga website. It was something completely different for me compared to my other work, but I really enjoyed doing it!


I have also decided I want to cook more varied. Since my boyfriend eats a lot of chicken (as it's the only halal meat the supermarket has apart from lamb), we have been eating a lot of Indian and Chinese curries with rice/noodles. And I'm getting a bit tired of it haha.

So I have decided I want to try at least one new recipe each month. And yesterday that recipe was paella! It's perfect because we can use his chicken in it, yet it doesn't taste the same as a curry. And the food turned out pretty nice (made way too much though)! =)

Paella with garlic bread and white wine. Mmmm!

My flat!

Since I promised my family I would put up some new pictures of my flat, here they are!
I think they have waited long enough haha.

My lovely desk which I'm very happy with!
Just need a proper desk chair now heh.

A cute little plant my cousin gave me before I moved. =)

My bookcase, which also holds all my art supplies behind the doors.

Part of our books, mostly my children's books.
And my cool book ends!

A hanger which holds a photo and some cards.
And my boyfriend's guitar is peeking at the bottom.

The roses my boyfriend got me when I moved in, now placed in the kitchen
(though they are kinda dying right now, aww).

Our tv and one of the sofas. And our big DVD collection
(the videogames are hidden behind the doors).

The awesome/beautiful blind in our living room, next to the tv.
I love it! =D

The dining table, with a view on the park (well, a big bush in the park).

The bedroom with my new wardrobe (just for me!) and cabinets and shelf, yay!

If you look at the first pictures of the flat (which I posted a while back in January), you can probably see that the place has improved quite a bit already.
Now if only I can start putting nice pictures on the wall, then this place will end up looking even more pretty! =D

Also I love being next to a park. It's great to cycle through to get to town. And last night when I couldn't sleep, I ended up listening to the foxes who were letting out their cries in the park. =)

Daily-Draw February 29

Last day! It's over! =D

I didn't get to make anything good or special for today due to lack of time and ideas, but I'm happy I managed to make something for every day, whoo!

Not sure I'll do this challenge again any time soon, but it was nice to be drawing/doodling again! =)

Daily-Draw February 28

One more day left! Here, have a random gentleman!

Daily-Draw February 27

Just another quick drawing I have done. The month is almost over!

Daily-Draw February 26

I've had a long and busy day today, with a big family reunion which I helped out at and which lasted all day. And of course there was way too much food involved!
This is how I felt after/during it.

Sorry for the crappy picture, I drew it with pen on a tiny piece of paper and then took a picture of it with my not-so-great webcam.

Daily-Draw February 25

Yes I know, I'm late. =(
Though if I were in the UK already I'd still be in time! =P

But yes, the reason I'm late is because I have been spending today preparing for a big family reunion tomorrow for about 70 people. I made two tiramisu cakes and helped my sister with her dessert. And tonight I helped set up the room where the thing is going to be held and I helped with some other preparations.

So here is just a very quick and not so great doodle of what my tiramisu cakes sort of look like.

Daily-Draw February 24

In a retro mood, so here is a retro-inspired drawing. =P

Daily-Draw February 23

And we're still going! Took me a while to know what to draw, but then I randomly picked the word 'ferocious' from my list and this is what I ended up drawing for that.

Daily-Draw February 22

One week left!
I did the same as yesterday. Found a paint texture online and then drew whatever I saw in the paint. A bit different and experimental I guess, but I enjoy doing this.
Maybe once I've moved I can start making my own paint textures! =)

Daily-Draw February 21

I did something different today. I looked up some paint textures online and then looked at what I could do with it. This is what I ended up with and I have to say I'm quite happy with the result. =)

Daily-Draw February 20

A simple one today. My aunt is lending me her sewing machine, so my mind is currently all about sewing, even though I still have to start!
I did a heart because that's what the colour red reminds me of, plus because I love learning new things. =)


If anyone has any sewing tips or tricks or simple things for me to make ('cause I'm a beginner with absolutely no sewing experience), feel free to let me know! =D

A blog-chain award

There is a blog award going around which people give to each other. I was given this one by An!

These are the rules:
1. Add the award to your blog.
2. Thank the blogger(s) who gave it to you.
3. Mention 7 random things about yourself.
4. List the rules.
5. Award to 15 bloggers.
6. Inform each of the 15 by leaving a comment on their blog.

7 things about me:
1 - Apart from art, one of the other things I like spending time on is videogames.
2 - I have always said that if I can't have a job as an artist, I wouldn't mind working with animals. Working in a zoo/petting farm would be amazing as I love animals!
3 - My room is always a mess, much to the annoyance of my mom (sorry!).
4 - Sparkling water is my favourite drink. I will always carry a bottle with me.
5 - I make lists for everything: things I need to do, things I need to buy, ... I like to have things planned out!
6 - I still sleep with a teddy bear in bed since it's so nice and soft. =)
7 - I love theme parks, but rarely get to go. If I could visit one every month, I would!

Alright, now I have to give this award to other people. Sadly I don't follow 15 blogs, and the few I do seem to have already gotten this award. So the only other person I can give it to is:

http://villananami.blogspot.com/

Daily-Draw February 19

10 more days to go!
Almost finished, I can see the finish line!

Daily-Draw February 18

Just a quick doodle today as I'll be going to the cinema tonight!
I have spent all day looking at webcoding and similar things, so this is how I feel at the moment!

Daily-Draw February 17

Phew! Been gone all day and only got back not too long ago. Spent my day visiting a friend, which was nice!

I did manage to make a sketch on the train though, so I've quickly scanned it in so I'm still in time for my daily drawing! Maybe at some point I'll turn this into a proper drawing, who knows!
(I also seem to have a thing for sleeping people/children.)

Daily-Draw February 16

I'm posting a work in progress today. I'm helping someone to create the DVD cover for their student film. The original sketch was made by Nick Claes, but he had to cancel so now I am continuing where they left it. I redrew the sketch in my own style, while making a few changes and adding some extra things. If she likes the sketch, I can start finishing it up soon. =)

Daily-Draw February 15

Another quickie today!

I found out Desperate Housewives is back on tv tonight (why didn't they tell me sooner?!) so I'm looking forward to that! One of my favourite shows, whoo! So I drew this, 'cause I love that feeling of snuggling up on the sofa with a blanket, eating a yummy snack and watching a show you like. =D

Daily-Draw February 14

I've been a bit busy today going shopping and going for new glasses (well new glass inserts for my glass frame) and then exercising at the chiropractor, so now I feel tiiiiired. Because I don't have the energy to do a proper drawing, I just did this quick doodle. Hopefully I can do something a bit better again tomorrow, sorry!