Nostalgic Mumma

The Wordcraft Blog Letter #4

Smile On

“A virtual print proves your existence, shows who you are, what services you provide”

Mind promenade

A week late. It has been hectic: overtime, partner away for a couple of days and daughter slipped with school attendance again… You know, life.

Progressing

Contracts. Work commitment. What can they do for both the client and the freelancer? They protect. They help prevent potential disputes.

We want to be prepared. We want to make sure we are on the same page as the client concerning the rate, the time we are offering and the availability. The client will also want to ensure he gets value for his money: results. Results that ideally translate into new and strong leads.

A contract helps preserve diplomacy in the working relationship, it’s an agreement that both can refer to when something is not quite right. A verbal agreement is easy to dodge when things go wrong. As much good faith, we may want to put on the other party, the contract ensures the good health of the business relationship.

Regressing

To a time when war was simple. Only joking. I don’t think there was ever such a time. As humankind evolved, relationships just got more and more complicated, a very real game of thrones. All in the name of money and power.

When any likely war seemed to point in the way of a virtual or bioweapon, we are currently on the brink of a nuclear one. Clearly, humankind does not learn the wise easy way.

Remote work – In case you missed it…

Some interesting reads this week. And one I missed last week, that popped up on my Chrome Newsfeed. The article I missed was the one about the 10 best places to work remotely. I couldn’t feel prouder but all are good choices, all for the best reasons.

Responsibility and communication go hand-in-hand and are key to making remote work possible and productive. Read about “Solving the hybrid paradox” in the Canadian Financial Post. I can’t argue against the savings remote working brought to my petrol bill, but I find hybrid holds the balance between the savings and the social connections essentials. The Insider says it’s no longer about the virus, people have just grown accustomed to working remotely, even though the best employee may be the one in “sweat pants”.

But my article of choice was one that showed up on my LinkedIn Daily Rundown. This one article is about a job interview by a chatbot. I like to think I am a progressive thinker in what relates to the human-AI partnership, but I’m not convinced this concept will have legs. we can’t deny there is a benefit for AI to screen keywords, years of experience, education, etc. But there are too many variables when it comes to a face-to-face interview. I wouldn’t rely on AI to make a character judgement. Plus, once someone cracks the algorithms that’s a door open to whomever, qualified or YouTube “trained”…

Another interesting article from Benjamin Laker, on Forbes, focuses on the way remote work may be letting our younger generations down when they are starting their employment journey out. He speaks of the need for “handholding” and how the lack of trust by today’s senior management is preventing them from adapting to the new remote work/hybrid culture, particularly from their onboarding. The way I see it this is not happening just to the youngsters, this is happening to anyone who is starting a new job, following a redundancy, taking a new leap onto a new career. Anyone starting now will be feeling daunted by this new normality. Equally, anyone taking in new staff will be mistrusting at the start, until they get to know them.

There are productivity measurement platforms out there nowadays, there is no excuse for mistrust over employees working remotely. However, remote work (whatever shape it takes) should not replace or block physical social interaction. It is important to have one or two days a week where you re-group and ground the team down. This is why I find hybrid is a much healthier way to work. We need that social interaction and no Teams can replace that. In my opinion, the success of remote (or hybrid) work relies on people’s ability to be responsible adults, the same way as they are expected to be when it comes to protecting themselves and others during this whole pandemic. We are all grownups and are expected to act as such.

Minding my business

(Click the images to learn more)

#life

A SPA on the horizon

Since January, I have volunteered to work an average of 10 hours overtime a week more. This may not sound much, but when we’re talking totals of around 45 hybrid hours/week, still looking after the house and the kids (this last one has been overwhelmingly hard)… I am shattered. I need a quality day off.

#Family

Where did I fail as a parent?

Two whole weeks and two days of consecutive full-time attendance and she decided to take the rest of the week off school. How do we talk a teenager into what’s in their best interest? Even the side treats to keep her going don’t seem to have convinced her. I have tried to remain reasonable, giving her the benefit of the doubt countless times. She says she hates school. All she enjoys doing is spending time playing on the computer, or on her phone, which we got her, with the main purpose of keeping in touch with her when needed. And she doesn’t even answer the bloody thing!

#food

Dave

I try preserving that traditionalist taste for things that are so typical of me. I like old towns, I like handcrafted, homemade, old arts, and town markets. I am invariably an irreparable nostalgic. Since I moved to Whittlesey, I have always looked for local produce. Because the big commercial surfaces have suffocated in unaffordability, and although people keep trying, they don’t tend to stick around for very long. I would love to help these businesses. But how can you compete with the “big dogs”, when they can provide more, cheaper and quicker?

#goals

The easily dismissed art of repurposing content

At times like the one I had this past week, one of the things I still dismiss, while busy dealing with everyday life, was that I have posts from previous blogs from which I can drink from when time gets scarce. There is so much potential in revisiting old posts. I have quite a few that I posted that I took down because either these didn’t have any interest or that I just didn’t publish because I didn’t find it ticked the boxes.

Last week…

If I mind yours

and you run a Dental Practice or Service…

We all go to the dentist at some point in our lives. In fact, going to the dentist for a check-up has become the norm. It is recommended by all dentistry health professionals that we keep our smiles in check, rather than waiting for that nasty pain to get in the way of our schedules.

Next: Recruitment Services

The Wordcraft Blog Letter #3

Nesting

“You can (and you should) always focus the offer on the demand. “

Mind promenade

Small businesses like the one I’m trying to build are so hard to promote. I see so many posts of sole traders struggling to self-promote, on a daily basis. It’s the lack of confidence and information, I guess, that it comes down to. It’s ironic, really, especially coming from a business whose primary purpose is to promote other businesses.

I make sure that all my posts are at least 98% original. We cannot deny that platforms such as Canva are time-savers when it comes to affordable (or free), quick, user-friendly and still professional presentation templates. But it is equally important that authenticity plays the main role. Photos and words should be, wherever possible original, and mirror a truthful representation of the business, at all times.

That spring in our step

I could be referring to the season as well since it’s getting close, and making it the detox season for my writing. I feel like I have now reached the maturity that allows me to talk about things as they are. I don’t want to be worried about punctuation. I don’t want to be worried about the number of paragraphs but I also don’t want to write a dissertation-long post. Like any reader, I as a writer, too, have a very short attention span, so it should work well.

For many years I have had blogs on and off. I ended up deleting them, always unhappy with the end result because of how obsessed I was with the formalities. Today, I understand that any writing needs to come out naturally. I should not have to worry about pleasing others, because primarily it is about enjoying it myself.

Remote work

Whilst for some remote work may bring more balance between their work and life balance, for others it adds pressure. If the household organisation relies on us, it adds pressure. If you live in a partnership and the household maintenance is shared, then it could make productivity sense to do it.

For me working from home has been a work in progress. It’s been hard to set boundaries. Yes, I have breaks, but do I actually take them? No, I WILL find something useful to do. I swear to God when I’m working from home all my washing is caught up.

Either way, I feel like it will settle in and it in the long term it will be beneficial for both employers and employees. Let’s hope the cutting of overheads allows employers to offer employees (contractors or freelancers) a good deal. It may also allow a fairer, diverse and more uniform workforce, where discrimination will eventually stop being a thing

Back to the Liby it was this weekend. Nice and quiet…

Catching up with the latest on remote work…

Bloomberg published an interesting article on the future vision of “remote work”. Much like co-existing alongside a pandemic, it will become the new normal, or in other words, just work.

Minding my business

#life

That garden room

My thoughts on the new house have been very focused on our garden house. The office, the leisure hub, the sleepover hut, the snug room, call it what you like. For me it will be my little peace oasis, where I will be able to write non-stop, get some peace and quiet, away from the uncivilised home environment.

#Family

Where did I fail as a parent?

#food

Breakfast: Check!

“Just not hungry”.

“I will eat on the way to work”.

“I’ll just grab something later”.

People underestimate the power of breakfast. It really does kick me off to a better start to my day. It helps me take control of my daily cravings.

#goals

So long, technicalities.

Yeah, learning a language when we don’t have a linguistic background can be daunting and put you off from learning. Being born into an open-minded culture can be a huge advantage, where you are brought up with learning, reading books and watching movies in their original languages, (not dubbed) subtitled, so that you acquire that multitasking skill of keeping up with the movie while reading.

If I mind yours

and you have a Property Management Service…

The prospect of a new location, a new house, sometimes new shops, a new commute, can be really stimulating. Most of the time moving – if by moving by choice – can be – should be – really exciting. Being the biggest (non) investments of our lives…

Next: Dental Practices

The Wordcraft Blog Letter #2

An evergreen business

“Over time boredom can lead your customers to look for something else, even the loyal ones.”

Mind promenade

We grow up and old, we change our tastes and our perception of things. We all learn and evolve. Customers are us. Some businesses take us for granted. A business should neither underestimate nor be condescending to customers. Not only can customers tell but on many occasions, they know more than they let us in. The best first approach is listening.

People nowadays look either for value or entertainment. If a business cannot provide one or the other it will become obsolete. I am a firm believer that simple will always do it, and that we don’t always have to spend an obscene amount of money to get a business moving forward. Sometimes, a little change in habits, that little extra mile can go a long way. Hell, it can cross countries!

That spring in our step

Nothing starts until you take that step. It can be a game-changer but you won’t find out until you take it. We feel as if we’re not ready. Ever. But what does “ready” feel like? Is there a “ready” standard feeling? How can we tell we reached it? I think it’s a feeling similar to falling in love. We’re enthusiastic to get things done, we’ve got something to look forward to every day, we don’t mind working that extra hour (or to) just for that satisfaction of seeing a task completed. Would you not say that is what it is?

As I was spring-cleaning my G-Drive (Gosh! It was needing one!), I decided to go the business proposal way as a representation of what a business could expect from my services. It is an open and honest view from someone that has over 20 years of customer services experience and that has created a good personal rapport every single time. I don’t only look at a business from the copywriter’s eye view, I look at it from the customer’s point of view: what would I expect/like to see if I was looking for your services? I am working on something that I find could be a good gauge kick for any small/medium B2C that is considering building a web print or revamping the existing presence in some way.

We can help each other grow. Watch this space!

Remote work

As an ex-remote – now hybrid – worker, I have a natural interest in keeping up with the progress of this current concept. This week I made a new attempt. As time was more restrictive this weekend, I couldn’t get to the library, as I was hoping, so Saturday I – and my other patient half – tried making a last-minute escape to a Tesco’s Café, which was definitely a different landscape to work in… And today revisited old Dobbies to work on this Sunday’s post finishing touches. Not ideal if you can’t focus (with the background noise) but it can work as an alternative if it gets you out of the house and away from the kids. Some people might find it soothing (welcome to the ASMR world!).

Equally, I thought it could be interesting to share some of the latest updates that popped up for me this week.

Forbes published a debate on the effectiveness of hybrid work. “Tired of working from home or in the office? Dreaming of taking your laptop to a beach, a ski resort or perhaps a buzzing city? Workations are a growing trend and can provide a boost for your career as well as for tourism.” Check the whole article from Living Word here, it’s definitely a whole new approach to remote work. Smart Company seems to agree. Vox says “Remote work isn’t the problem. Work is.” Do you agree with Roni Molla? Last but not least, I invite you to find out 5 ways to keep tags on remote workers?

The way this is all going, we’ll be booking holidays to stay home! :D

Minding my business

#life

2022 Travel plans: BFF time

It’s time. A year ago I and my best friend (who lives in the Netherlands btw) were discussing where to travel to meet for a long break. It was exciting as well as a little bit scary. It was the first time I travelled for my very own holiday. Since I became a mum, I had never had the chance to travel on my own. I think that’s what made it scary for me. There was a feeling of guilt, of abandonment and of the independence that represented. It was nearly…

#family

The carrot and the stick

better now than to throw fireworks before the actual party starts. Last Sunday I told her how proud I was that she managed to keep up with her school attendance for an entire week. Deep inside I think attending school is not just an achievement, it’s a duty. It’s the children’s minimum obligation.

#food

Wake up and smell the barley!

As a coffee lover, have you ever tried spending three days straight without coffee? If you haven’t tried yet, you should. It really wakes you up. When I went for my detox, nearly a year ago, I went through one of that’s surely one of the most painful experiences known to humankind: coffee withdrawal.

#goals

Do goals really expire?

Goals are a funny old thing. Some people hold on to them forever, only to finally find that goal was just a milestone in their journey. For one it may be to reach the highest level of his/her career, for another set up his/her own business. Sometimes…

If I mind yours

and you have a Lanscaping service…

The old school leaflet and card that come through the door are not only a little outdated on their own but they’re no longer enough to reach through to a wider customer audience. Even landscaping services need to move on with the times. Although…

Next: Property Management Services

United as One

6 am:
I salute you fellow remote-worker. We're all in this together 💪

The Wordcraft Blog Letter #1

Something different

It’s my blog and I do what I want to.

A Blog Letter

And why the hell not? It’s my blog, my domain, so I can make use of it the way I like it. Cutting the middle man to get people to sign up for a newsletter sounds like a pretty good idea to me. Surely clicking the “Follow” button is pretty much the same than to sign up for information? And no interface is needed. Pretty cool, right? Why complicate what is simple?

I can publish dedicated posts, or I can post generic ones: the blog letter. Associated with the delivery format, where you actually get the blog post alert delivered to your email, it brings out the idea of the newsletter which then becomes a post when you view it through the browser. This is a relatively new concept, and I like it.

And a very down to Earth view

My idea of the world around me is a very generalistic one. Being aware of all concepts and how these concepts apply to our real world comes easy to me. I can get a quick gist of any topics thrown at me, and am confident that I’m capable to dig in and understand it in more depth but it bores me, especially if it’s a subject that I’m not very fond of, which is pretty much anything to do with numbers. :D.

I have a good understanding of all social, political and financial affairs, enough to get me through the system able to gauge the good and the written about society, but I don’t debate it. I also understand everyone comes from different walks of life and our perception of this world will differ, as a result. And that’s fine. Maybe I was brought up under a very Stoic education, but I’m very sure this obliviousness can also be acquired with maturity. It just helps me move on, despite the illogical sense of a situation that I cannot change. Levelling up in understanding, I like to think.

Minding my business

(Click on the images for the whole post)

#life

The last mile

The closer we are to the reality of having our own house the farther away it feels we are. Living in a rented accommodation limits our possibilities, therefore it forcefully narrows your vision. Because it’s not our house we cannot make any structural, long-lasting changes that we believe would be life-changing changes. Most landlords themselves don’t make changes for the same reasons: “If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it”. The money goes in their pot regardless.

#family

They agree to disagree

They have a main PC – which has been literally PUT TOGETHER by Gary – because he’s a legend of a nerd and managed to tailor it to meet their gaming requirements – and laptops. They are also lucky enough to each have their own tablets AND phones. Last Christmas, we got them a Nintendo Switch. So much entertainment to choose from yet they still manage to disagree.

#food

My 5 Cheese Pizza

The pizza that we used to ask for at our old fave local, the Cookhouse. It was either that or their amazing Tex-Mex. Lush! You can make it using white flour too, like the originals. I just chose to try the wholemeal flour to start introducing healthier options, and it’s working. Everybody seems to be enjoying and not complaining.

#goals

Living on the edge… of the white noise

I’m reading an article on my computer. It’s interesting. I don’t really want to be interrupted. I get a message notification on my screen. “Oh, it’s just my mum, trying to find out if Charlotte has gone to school today… I’ll answer it later. “ Whilst I close the notification, in the back of my mind, that message will be playing on repeat, along with other voices. I wanted to let her know she went, that everything is ok. I could do that at that moment, but if she’s online, that message is going to become a chat, and potentially turn into a video one. And that will drill into my time.

If I mind yours

and you have a hair salon…

Whether it is because the hairdresser meets your hairstyling criteria or – it has happened to me before – because you know the hairdresser personally or he/she’s a nice person and makes a real effort in reaching that so desired hairstyle, we all go at one time or another. Ultimately…

Next: Landscaping Services

remote work yet again

My search for remote working spots continues. I feel like there’s an opportunity niche to work on here because there doesn’t seem to be enough around. In this whole new world of the remote (and hybrid), we can’t seem to find enough local places we can work from, outside our home, where you don’t need a contract or pay upfront.

If we knew there was that one local place we could go, that is relatively quiet (maybe with a little bit of music in the background for inspiration) would you not go there every so often?

What about going old school and hitting the local libraries? Did we forget about them? Especially if you are a creative – especially in the writing area – libraries can be really stimulating places. I love the smell of books! New AND old. I always enjoyed being surrounded by them. They are comforting. They’re a hard, reliable company. I like the idea of being able to reach out for a physical book. I find it easier most time to keep track of what I’m reading and my notes.

I’ve been screening across local libraries, and as long as they are big enough to allow me to sit away from the children’s area (storytelling can get noisy) I should be able to work. There are always headphones for music or catching up with my favourite podcasts while I’m working. Next time I’ll bring a freshly brewed cuppa coffee with you and a couple of snacks to keep me going and away from any cravings or hunger.

Unlimited free time to stay, free parking, quiet to concentrate on our work and most of them are located near a park, historical city centre and beautiful inspiring location. What else could you ask for?

And since you took the time to read this post, you might as well have a look at my latest Wix random blog posts. Links below. Enjoy.

#food

Healthy eating tips, routine and recipes

#family

Random rants about family life

#life

General purges

#goal

The joys of my journey

moans and groans

Nobody likes dealing with complaints. They’re like a hot potatoe everyone avoids and pushes away, for someone else to deal. It’s also not something that anybody can deal. It requires a psychological thought process, the ability to empathize while distancing, an a hell lot of diplomacy.

You will find that most of the dealings with complaints is actually about agreeing with the customer. 9/10 times the company’s actually better off by giving the customer what they want. It has been proven more cost effective to do that then to dispute the customer’s argument, for the sake of advocating on the company’s behalf.

When dealing with complaints it can cause more harm than good to dispute. And there’s so much less grief involved in satisfying the customers’s needs. This is, provided their satisfaction level meets the companies’ obligations.

We’re not talking about agreeing with a customer to offer a paid holiday because they didn’t receive their order in time, it needs to be reasonable. This is where a lot of common sense is crucial to not allow the customers to take advantage when a company accepts the fault for an order gone wrong.

Not disputing, agreeing with the customer, fulfilling the customer’s expectations may even lead to a complaint full withdrawal. Now, at the point where the issue was not addressed well enough on first point of contact to prevent a complaint being recorded, that’s the ultimate complaint-dealing goal.

Again, honouring a business T&Cs at all times, and not only when “no returns/refunds are accepted after the 14 day cooling-off period”, is important. This reassures the customers upfront your company is transparent, impartial and fair if they ever come across a problem that needs sorting. The customers will trust you and your business.

Trust will build your business credibility, more “likes” and good online reviews, which will bring more business in. This can only happen by keeping up these values in a consistent manner.

Ultimately this is the level of trading you want your company to be at. A level that makes the customers feel safe in doing business with you from the start.

Greek memories

Coming from different countries to meet, we landed at different times. Sonia arrived in Greece 4 hours before me, which meant that she had to find something to occupy her time until I arrived. I told her to check in at the hotel, rather than lying around on her own. Being in a different country for the first time could be scary when you’re by yourself. And to be honest, after a few years of not travelling on my own, I was, a little.

When you start a family, travelling all of a sudden becomes a chore that very rarely goes according to plan. It’s way more demanding because we have to make sure the holidays will please other (little) beings as much as ourselves. The beauty of travelling with another adult is that you mostly rely on chance and just let yourself go with the flow. We can just brainstorm and pick and choose what we want to be doing without worrying whether everyone will be happy or not.

The weather was beautiful for the entirety of the time, day or night. The Mediterranean water was absolutely lush! Warm like a spa… One of the things I appreciated – and found really useful – was that the hotel was open to giving their recommendations based on our situation. That is invaluable knowledge – tailored to our taste – one we wouldn’t get on Google.

Before going anywhere, we asked the hotel what suggestions they had, what they considered to be worth visiting, along with the associated costs. So, rather than only being directed to some very expensive boat trip or winery tasting – because those will be the most likely online recommendations -, we get a really local customer service.

The hotel actually provided us with a bus timetable so it was easy to plan at short notice and you’ll pay as little as €1.60 for a ticket. The buses (coaches) operate in quite a traditional way. The road rules seem quite random, so don’t get scared if you hear the bus driver shouting at other drivers. This is not uncommon. This doesn’t necessarily mean there is a terrorist attack, Greeks just have got quite heated up blood…

One other thing that I was unaware of was Santorini’s mascot. Because of their tiny streets, they use donkeys to carry goods (and even people) around. Those who are brave enough to venture can have a go at going up or down the very steep stairs set across the mountain landscape. I didn’t do it, purely because I felt sorry for the poor souls…

Quad bikes are a thing and a good choice if you’re staying for a week+ if you don’t enjoy walking (we chose to keep our step count going). It does give you some independence if you don’t want to have to rely on public transport. From 45 Euros/day, you can choose from quad bikes to buggies.

Then the food. The Tzatziki sauce, the Chicken Souvlaki, the Mousaka cheese… Just: O-M-G.

Milos Villas had a family of very welcoming cats, the kittens were always around and they were very friendly. One of them actually spent the night, as he followed us around so persistently, even I couldn’t resist, and I’m not a cat fan. It did add character to the stay.

The hotel we stayed in was amazing. One of the days we decided to stay by the pool and enjoy the little hotel perks. Everyone was very helpful and friendly. We learned a little bit about Santorini, the culture, and a little bit of Greek and we were offered a wine-tasting session in situ. Moody staff can put you off of repeating but they were an absolute joy to be with. Till next time!

it’s the little things

I like to think I am a very down to earth kinda person. My idea of luxury seems to be very different to most people’s.

I am an incurable romantic. I am incredibly touched by little things. Things that most overlook. A warm hug, a gorgeous sunset, a caring gesture.

Our world nowadays is so attached to the virtual, so easily seduced by one’s fake happiness, getting more and more drained into today’s society dark and ugly mental health sewers.

People have become disconnected from what is really important. Image supercedes reality.

More than staying in a fancy hotel for the holidays and spend all my sweat and tears well earned money for a few Instagram pictures, I choose an average one. And more often not, that has been proven the best choice.

I absolutely love random corners and spots

When going abroad I like the idea of getting to be closer to real life, genuine people, to be priviledged enough to actually learn the local culture. The concept of “being there, doing that” for me, is then true. And the photos I share are an honest representation of what I lived and my view of the world.

Risking to paraphrasing Shania Twain, fancy cars, expensive clothes, posh restaurants “don’t impress me much”.

Once more staying true to myself has paid. What you expect from a 5 star hotel may differ from the destination standard. This difference can put things in perspective.

To avoid disappointment I never go for the best but for the second best. A great stay is a combination of three things. It’s people, their culture and education.

It’s the people who make a difference. Not everybody is cut out to welcome, host and care. Certain cultures are better equipped to receive well than others

I have met people from all walks of life and that has taught me that people are always people, no matter their background. We all have the same needs, the difference is how we perceive and prioritise them.

It costs nothing to be polite and respectful, and for me that is priceless. Equally it is hard to find people with a good degree of common sense.

I have encountered people which my naive side expected those qualities and they just weren’t there. Others from whom I expected nothing and were an amazingly pleasant surprise.

I fall in love with people that consistently do the right thing, (especially when nobody’s watching). I cannot stand opportunistic people or people that don’t follow the basic rules common decency to get ahead of others.

Airports and hotels are disrespect hotspots. Why people get so miserable with their own kind when they are ON HOLIDAYS is beyond me.

People that are kind to others despite their troubles normally come from lower class backgrounds. Because they don’t have such an easy access to items most of us take for granted, they focus on real things, taking pleasure from making other people feel good, therefore they are more resilient. These are the world class hosts.

I see all the latin and Mediterranean people as such. They are friendly and caring and do go the extra mile to make us feel comfortable. That’s why we chose Greece to start our BFF Bucket list. And although we know life will get in the way, we will be keen on making this an annual tradition.

mitigating distance

The Pandemic kept us all away from our dear ones for far too long. I mean, it’s bad enough going through that living in the same country, let along when all your extended family members and friends are in different countries.

But this is a new experience for me. I am meeting my best friend (who loves in the Netherlands) in Santorini, Greece. We can only mean so many “we gotta catch up sometime soon” promises…

Meeting to catch up over (probably quite a few drinks) and a little chill out and local sightseeing to do find THE compulsory ritual selfie.

We decided to book this back in April, when a lot of the travel restrictions ahead were still very fuzzy. We knew there was a good chance we might have to cancel but we thought it was worth the risk.

Plus the prices were good, the timing was right, the children would have settled in school (as if they ever) and we can use the long break without them, to recharge.

So we reserved a double bedroom in a 4* hotel on the most recommended time of the year to travel to Greece. When the weather in our respective countries of residence is starting to get grim, we nip into a warm one to give our end of summer ran a top up.

Let the adventure begin!