Blue Chip – over and out!

Posted on August 16th, 2008 by caroline.
Categories: General.

Its been a very long time indeed since I last updated this blog, and since the time that I was rambling on about how fantastic Bikram Yoga is, many things have changed.

I have been to the Philippines to vist my family, and see my cousin get married. I have become “established” by entering into my 30s, and I have completed what I was set out to do in my job.

Just within the last week, I left my role as front end developer at QVC. It was the longest time I had worked for one company (excluding the student days of waitressing god awful shifts at a pizza restaurant), and to not be there now seems very strange indeed.

When I had joined, the site itself was very different. It was built using framesets (YES that’s right…you read that correctly), and everything was laid out in tables, which were built using various wysiwyg software. Web standards was not something that was a priority in developers heads, accessibility was not too much of an issue, and search engine optimisation was but a dream.

I knew I had my work cut out for me, but I embraced the challenge to help try and modernise the website. I went on workshops and courses, I attended events specifically for front end development, and I generally learned a lot about how things should be done to improve a website on all front end levels. I persisted in what I thought was the way to go; I would often come across walls which would make me lose my motivation, but I kept going.

Two and a half years later, I’m proud to say that the site and the team working to maintain and improve the website, are in a much better place; and I would hope that I have helped be part of that. I know that any replacement developer will do just as good a job, but I hope that the legacy I have left for maintaining web standards, building for accessibility and SEO, and continuously learning more about front end development will remain.

During this time I gained a lot out of this job, both professionally and personally! How to approach the way projects continuously change; how to work with people that are both technically minded and business minded; how to keep a sense of humour when things are bad; how to be patient when things aren’t going my way; how to stop moaning, and get on with things; how to not let things phase you; and how to try and inspire people as much as they inspire me.

Its always a strange thing to be with your colleagues 5 days a week, 7 hours a day, and suddenly adjust to not being around them anymore. My last week was very surreal, hearing from colleagues in the US that I didn’t have regular contact with to say goodbye, finishing up the handover period, clearing my desk. I have to say that working at QVC certainly had its challenges, but I left with a good feeling about what I had been part of, who I had worked with, and where things are heading for both myself in my career, and for the company.

Now, I’m adjusting to being the new girl again, in a completely different place. Fitting into the new group dynamics, getting a feel for what the work is like, learning the ropes, and forgetting it all within the first week. I’m confident that I’ll be able to contribute my pennies worth, and progress further in what I want to do, but can’t help but feel a bit out of my depth, and a fish out of water at the moment.

For now, I would like to say, thanks to the guys at QVC. I’ve teamed up with a variety of individuals in the past, but have to say that I have worked with some amazing and talented individuals during my time there. I’ve laughed, I’ve cried, I’ve pulled my hair out, but I know I’ve left with a great sense of achievement, and a good number of friends. The new guys I’m working with, will have a lot to live up to.

A chapter closes, and a new one begins…so here’s to a clean slate and fresh start.

Blue Chip, over and out!

0 comments.

Hot hot hot!

Posted on March 16th, 2008 by caroline.
Categories: Fitness.

An old colleague of mine was really into yoga and she’d told me 3 years ago about this class she’d been doing in North London known as Bikram yoga. At the time, I was a bit miffed as to why anyone would want to stay in a room set at 40 degree heat for 90 minutes, and just admired her for her perseverance, and that was it.

3 years later, here I am, having recently signed up for a £29 for 30 day trial and all I can say is I’m loving it. The first class was an absolute killer. Breathing in through my nose, I was convinced my nostrils would suffer from some kind of third degree burn…and I have to admit, I had to step out of the first class for a minute to catch my breathe, but out of the 3 newbies that started…I was the only one that stuck it out at the end…to the delight of the instructor.

I’ve tried yoga once before, but this class is something else. The postures themselves do not seem bad if you’re doing them in a standard class, but in the heat, it really tests you! In every class I’ve been to so far, I’ve had difficulty even gripping onto my legs due to the intense heat and sweat, but within the week that I’ve been doing this, I’m already seeing some improvements in my posture, skin, and body…its no surprise that its a popular activity, with almost every class I’ve been to, having been completely packed out.

I’m going to have to reevaluate what to do when the 30 day offer is up. Classes are quite pricey, but I really am enjoying it. I’ve been banging on about it so much to friends, that my current boss is considering doing it, and I’ve successfully converted a friend and her brother to join too!

So if you can stand the heat, don’t mind sweating, can ignore lying next to people that have nasty looking feet (I’ll save you the details on my experience!), and can deal with sitting next to the odd moaner/groaner that may make you lose your focus, then give it a go is what I say!!!

I’m a convert…that’s for sure!

0 comments.

Poppin’ and lockin’

Posted on February 9th, 2008 by caroline.
Categories: General.

Crazy dancing

0 comments.

Run Hamer Run!

Posted on January 21st, 2008 by caroline.
Categories: General.

Just before Christmas I’d met up with a few of my old flatmates from uni, and we did the standard, catchup on what everyone was doing, where they were living, etc etc. One of them in particular was on a strange healthy eating regime, which at the time I didn’t really question. The next I’d heard, she’d applied to enter the london marathon, and had been given a place!

Now the girl has set up a training blog (she calls is a jog blog),  and is avidly trying to rustle up some good ol’ fundraising for Cancer Research, so here I am doing my bit for the virtual world and spreading the word.

I for one will do this event one day…but while I wait for that day to come, I will happily support those training and fundraising for this 26.2 mile event.

RUN HAMER RUN!!!

1 comment.

Miss Janet is back!

Posted on January 17th, 2008 by caroline.
Categories: Music.

I’ve been a fan of Janet Jackson since I was a kid back in the Control days. I truly believe she is the one that set the way for J.LO, Britney, and all the other acts that have the entireperformance of singing and dancing!

You go girl!!!

0 comments.