The day I left Debenhams

Wow, well I have finished at Debenhams and I’ve got to admit it does feel slightly weird! A job I started over a year ago for a bit of spare cash definitely became part of my second year uni life and has provided many many stories along the way, some amusing, some crazy and some just plain frustrating. One thing’s for sure my friends, family and I have come to the conclusion while marvelling at the spectacle of Debenhams over the past year that there is no doubt the Taunton store could run its own soap. Personally I feel it would triumph over even the most established of UK TV soaps!! I did become a part of the soap... there were ups and downs, funny parts and annoying parts but the thing that really made it for me were the people I worked with on menswear, Kate, Sam, Peter, Kim, Steve, Sophie, Alix, Louise, I have never cared much for TV soaps but I think this is one I might slightly miss in a weird sort of way. The job was not fun, the people however have provided me with much welcome company through the last year of uni, they have provided a distraction from the endless assignments and exam stress when I really needed it, we have laughed together, survived late night Christmas shifts and the crazy hype of Mega week sales together, we’ve taken on the daily mission of the insane account targets together and attempted to win the customers support in any way we can for gold stars, we’ve shared insane challenges together (like nearly killing one another with exercise as we challenged each other to the furthest distance cycled in the cycle to the moon in a month challenge at the front of store) we’ve marvelled at some incredible customers and helped each other through the not so brilliant customers, we’ve been plain silly at times and plain serious at others but the whole thing has been an experience and one that I won’t forget. It has provided me with the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica and therefore it most definitely does deserve its place in this travel blog, as no traveller, however fortunate can travel without first finding a way to fund it! For my friends and family at home... sorry but the Debenhams soap is over.
If any of the menswear team are here reading this I would like to say sorry for my terrible waffle and writing on this blog (actually that goes for anyone who may be reading this, Debenhams related or not, writing is most definitely not a strong point of mine nor a planned career option) but also a big thank you, I won’t miss the folding or the accounts but I will miss some of you as you have helped this year along for me, as I sit here and write this I must admit I am giggling at some of the memories pouring back... the man with the umbrella was a gem though, I won’t be forgetting him!! It’s been an interesting experience and I do hope that we stay in contact, but for now I hope you have a good summer... I’ve requested summer uniforms all round and for you male managers – I’ve suggested suits with shorts (the interviewer laughed, as did I at how that might look... but he got my point) If only they could give you deck chairs on the roof for sunbathing all would be sorted!! Good luck and always follow your dreams, email me when you can, I will always really love to hear from you and probably email back a lot of excited waffle! Hasta luego los amigos de Debenhams! Xxxxx
As far as the update on organisation for the Thursday departure goes... true to student form I have still yet to start, the backpack is still leaning against Bickham and Dru and I still have a mountain of stuff to organise, tomorrow morning is the morning, I will be marching to town, list in hand to sort out my life. Bring it on!

One Week until Costa Ricaaa :-D

Wow, well I’m getting quite excited now, I’ve just passed my second year exams, have my flights booked, insurance and malaria stuff sorted, only two days of work left to go and a hell of a lot of stuff to sort out between now and next Thursday. Sooo I thought it might be an idea to write something here quickly to give an update on not a lot really. Seeming as I haven’t really done anything to show for myself, I thought I could report on my disorganisation with one week to go... Actually the idea of 17 hours on a plane is quite appealing, I won’t be able to move or do anything except sit, eat and rest – which probably won’t do me any harm! Well a lot has gone wrong with this trip but I haven’t given up and I’ve worked bloody hard for a very long time if I’m honest so I am really looking forward to it finally becoming real, everything seems to be coming together despite it all being very last minute. Since BUNAC pulling out two weeks ago I have had to find a host family and placement, luckily my lovely cousin has been extremely kind and helpful and gave me a contact in Costa Rica who seems to have found me a family and is going to give me some Spanish lessons so I am very excited and can’t believe I will nearly be meeting them all in just a week!! It doesn’t feel real at all and more to the point I am sort of in denial about how much I have to do between now and then, kind of like an assignment, the books sit in the corner while you think of everything else you can do to avoid them and the idea of actually starting the beasty piece of work, well aware of the immense work load that is an inevitable part of starting, well... just like the books my backpack is out of the cupboard and sat here looking at me, completely empty while I watch TV and ‘sort out my blog’. Tomorrow maybe I will fetch some more stuff from town and then maybe think about possibly starting to get organised. For now though I just wanted to say ONE WEEK TO GOOOO. Hasta Luego Amigos!!