Day 27: My new furry friend

As you can probably tell from the adventures told in my blog, I have learnt many lessons whilst being here in Latvia. One of the biggest lessons that I am actually still learning is being flexible with my time. I love me a detailed timetable or schedule from time to time. I like knowing what I've got planned for the day or even tomorrow. But, needless to say, not everyone is like that.

Plans arranged in advance can change in a split second and I have had to adapt to that by quickly finding something new to do. Like today, for example. I was meant to be meeting with my team to discuss my next project and it was cancelled half an hour before due to the others being ill. Rather than me getting stressed (although part of me was wondering if I will catch whatever they have), I found something else to do. Proofread!

Everywhere I look, people are asking me to proofread documents, websites, brochures or press releases. These opportunities keep popping up out of nowhere, making me not only proud of my language but also curious as to why this is happening all of a sudden. To be honest, I do get a strange satisfaction from editing and proofreading. Perhaps a potential career path is opening its way up for me... You never know!

Getting distracted by big, colourful maps in the office:
the distance from my hometown to Valmiera.

After using my brain as much as I could today, it was time to meet with my friends for a film night! But beforehand, we cooked dinner together. We split the responsibilities amongst all four of us. I was in charge of preparing the pasta. I think I did a bloody good job, considering the only pan I could cook it in was too small to actually contain pasta for four.

Now you're probably wondering about the title of this blog. And no, it's not an innuendo. I'll have you know that my friend (whose house we were cooking in) has a rather interesting pet. As we were walking up the stairs of the flat, I overheard one friend say: "Is the animal out?" Straight away, my mind pinned this mystery animal on a dog or cat, the common household pet. We walked into the flat and there was no trace of this "animal". Just a cage. An open cage. We started cooking and still there was no sign of it. I casually looked around the floor in attempt to spot the animal and then over to my friend. There was a FERRET laying at his feet! I have to admit that I did slightly freak out inside and gradually made it more visible when it came into the kitchen very close to me. I was constantly reminded that he doesn't bite and that he's friendly. I wasn't scared as such, just a bit caught off guard. Yup, I think that excuse will work.

Enchanté Mr. Ferret, Sir.

Looking back, I think me and him got off to a bad start. Directly stepping out of his way whenever it came within 30 centimetres of me isn't the nicest thing to have done to you. I did let him sniff my bag and shoes for about 10 minutes. I was not wearing them of course. Just for him, it will be my personal aim to rekindle our friendship tomorrow. I'll try my best anyway.