Tag: life

Countdown to Christmas – Five signs that the Festive Season is here

Published on by Seema RampersadLeave a comment

As we reach the last month of the year, I am looking forward to having some down time as I really haven’t had time off since August. But before I get to the nice relaxing things I have planned with family and friends – I wanted to bring on the Christmas spirit to help me think of the nice bits about the festive season and to remind me to look around in wonder at the true winter celebration.

Here are five things you won’t miss in the next few weeks:

  1. Shopping Sales – Christmas is always a busy time of the year and in a season of giving and appreciation, it is easy to see why there are a lot more people around town and shopping with a mission to get it all completed in time for the holidays.  I remember working on a shop and we really looked forward to increased sales at this time of year and we knew that on the run up to Christmas Eve it will be the busiest time. Ironically, online retailing is here to stay and several of us prefer to get the bargain or items available online.  It seems the US Thanksgiving Black Friday sales are here to stay and seems to brings a good to consumers to benefit from pre-Boxing Sales.  I remember when you had to wait for Boxing Day sales and that Black Friday was only beginning to be advertised in the UK shops about a decade ago.  I haven’t really been ‘out to the shop this season’ but I have both a few items in the sales. The London Underground trains were packed this weekend with shopping who I presume had been to shops in Oxford Street or other part of the West End. The trains were also full of football fans, so you really have to brace yourself for the busier time. I know I have to get some more presents – it is likely that I will be hitting the shops soon too!
  • Food and Drink Indulgence – As it is Winter, it is only natural that we are inside more and there is usually an abundance of things to eat and drink.  If you visit the shops- they start selling Christmas food just as we turn into November.  I have seen Panettone, mince pies, chocolates, biscuits, cheese and lots of other delights in the shops for weeks.  I certainly don’t mind seeing all these fabulous things but I am trying to hold out until December to start trying them.  I was given a mince pie a few weeks ago but it would have been impolite to refuse (my excuse). I do like some festive drinks but I am also holding out until later in case they add to my calorie account plus I have too much work to get too merry.  I do like seeing all the fine shops and delis with all their special food and displays. Where my husband used to work, he used to receive lots of lovely nice artisan food and drinks treats which were always a pleasure to try and share over the holidays.
  • Festive Decorations – As I walk around my neighbourhood and on my way to work daily, I do enjoy the Christmas decorations.  From spotting amazing wreaths winter foliage, Christmas tree with lights flickering in the night and housewarming decorations as you go past.  Like most families, I try to buy decorations that become part of a traditional piece.  I do like the scent of a real Christmas tree and some years it is easy to put it, and sometimes it can be a challenge for one reason or the other. Each year I look at the online category for Christmas decorations and there may be something that catches my eye but this year I have resisted so far.  It is still nice to see what is on trend and what might be a good purchase that may last for a few years.  I have not been to West End as yet to see any of the ‘Christmas Lights’ but I am sure I might pop down to Regent Street before the end of the year. Even as a child growing up in the Caribbean, the sight of outdoor Christmas trees or those on balconies (porch or galleries as some call them) would ignite a sense of excitement for the season. There is a little bit of magic in Christmas decorations and you have be a real Scrooge not to enjoy them!
  • Winter Senses – I deliberately wanted to think of the scent of Christmas.  There is so much of the festive celebrations that awaken our senses.  Scent is one of my best positive and happy triggers about the season.  I love the scent of baking cakes, pies, turkey, ham (gammon), bread, mulled wine and the amazing festive treats at this time of year.  There are so many happy memories of spending time with family and friends as we enjoy being with each other.  I do think of my parents, and my parents-in-laws who are all now passed on.  They were good cooks and loved entertaining, so obviously there would be nice food and the aroma will fill the senses with special sentimental memories and love for them.
  • Party Season – What is Christmas without a party! My memories of Christmas are filled with nice memories of parties.  I know the office party is regular item in some diaries, but Christmas dinner is more common to me.  I like spending time with colleagues as we wrap up the year and wish each other all the best for the holidays. I do try to see my friends too and even though we have our respective families to spend the main Christmas ways with – it is still nice to make time to see them before or after the holiday season.  I do have time off at Christmas and have never had a complete break at Christmas since I started working but I do like to have some time off.  The one good thing about getting back to the office is that it would encourage me to get out and about again after a few days of excess.  However, even if you do not want to party before or during Christmas, you really can’t help of aiming for New Year’s Eve to ring in the next year.

So as we go into this happier time of year, I hope you would agree with me on the five signs of Christmas that are hard to miss. Perhaps by the next time I write to you, I would have some nice things to share with you too.

Girls just wanna have fun – recap of Women’s History Month

Published on by Seema RampersadLeave a comment

Thinking about what to write is at the back of my mind as I have a few weeks to prepare for my next blog post. As we celebrated Women’s History Month in various serious initiatives, I made a note that I must mention some fun things I did too!

The pop song ‘Girls just wanna have fun’ was such a big hit in the 1983 but it has remained one of those anthems that we still hear in the media and I recently saw Cyndi Lauper on a talk show too and she was even more an idol for feminist for her current activism. She has been credited for empowering girls and women to not only have fun but the words have been changed to Girls just want to have ‘fundamental rights’ with a mission to support efforts that advance the fundamental rights and health of all women and girls. It is with this vibe I wanted to think pay tribute to a great song and artist that has help reflect on what I did this month.

At the beginning of the month I was busy with work related events that included a speed mentoring session with expert advisers who are able to women entrepreneurs with their business ideas. I met quite a few women who were creating businesses and networking to develop their business. There are a high number of women who do start their businesses across libraries in the UK and I have a lot of admiration for those who have created their own companies out of passion, expertise and creativity that they may hold. We also held an evening event for Women of Wealth and it was great to welcome many customers at the event and usually I would stay but it was a day when I had personal commitments and therefore, I didn’t hear the talk but it was great to see everyone at the beginning of the event. I have met with hundreds of entrepreneurial women over the years and they are inspirational as well as motivational. As we meet them at their start up stages – there are always an element of excitement and anticipation for them using their talents for creating their own businesses.

I was also able to meet a few young girls and other women at a speed mentoring session at La Swap Secondary School in Camden. I actually have visited the school in the past as one of the options for my son so I knew it was a good school. I was grateful that our Early Careers team at the British Library invited me to attend a career mentoring session for International Women’s Day at the school. It was impressive that the school organised this with their partners and there were about 75 women who turned up for two hours to speak to young girls on their career and give any advice or information that would be useful for them in their educational and career journeys. I was placed in a Publishing table with a Science Writer and Journalist and a Managing Director of a publisher. We say about 10 young girls in this time but it was a great experience and they in turn were still figuring out what they wanted to do but I tried to tell them that even if they were unsure, they should follow the things they loved and we can also change careers later on if it does not work out. Some wanted to be dancers, artist, models and forensics. Generally we encouraged them to think of research, writing, and working in scientific and creative industries. It was a great experience for helping me reflect on my own career journey and in a sense – how lucky I was to have a fulfilling role that includes creativity, culture and business etc.

Another aspect work I should mention, is that we held a Library and Information Students Career Day and it was great to meet people at the start of their careers.

So that was the more serious side of this month. Bit I did have some fun time with my friends as I was on annual leave for a couple of weeks. This included spending time with my friends in a local pub just chatting and catching up on what we have been doing. My friend has written her first book so it was great to discuss this with her over a few meetings. I was able to dedicate some time in my busy dairy for reading her book and it was great to read a novel written by a friend. It is based in Lincoln and I was able to recall how nice it was the one time visited there. It was good that on a couple of my meetings with my friends locally there were live music – from a big band in the pub… to jazz in two of the pubs. It is reassuring that we can have good catchup time and be serenaded with good music without having to go to a special venue far way!

I did plan a more fun evening with my friends who always invite me to their parties and it was nice to dress up, spend time together, have a nice meal and drink and a little boogie! I was so pleased to get a table in a restaurant a few miles away and for the warm hospitality of the restaurant. Once our meal was over… we were able to have a dance. Again, it was mainly women who were celebrating the night with their friends and family. I am likely to be visiting there with some other friends in Spring for another boogie!

I also spent time with another friend at a garden and a recycling centre. It was interesting to spend time chatting and seeing these two local shops. We had fun looking at old antique or items that were on sale for reuse. I saw some lovely chairs but I didn’t really need them but resisted buying them. I was happy to see that I also take clothes and shoes for recycling at the centre too. I usually take them to a charity shop but part of me was pleased to see that these are being used for a charity somewhere too.

And I am ending Women’s History Month at the OXO Tower Restaurant – one of the best-known restaurants in London. The building was the home of the OXO stock cube manufacturers. I have been before about 9 years ago but it was nice to go again. The view is amazing along the South Bank but it also have delicious cocktails and food. We went for lunch and there was nice background jazz music whilst we ate our gorgeous meal.

I have made a conscious effort to have some fun in the last few weeks and catch up with friends but I know that soon I will busy again with work and other commitments. For me it is great that I can balance my time with hard work but also some good old fashion fun!