Tuesday, 30 August 2016

Can you believe August is almost over?!

Having my percolated coffee black because I’ve run out of milk and don’t want to run to the CORNER store to get more. I’m in pjs and I have to change for work soon so no, I will not go. I shall sit here and dream of milk until tomorrow when I get my lazy butt out of bed and down to Tescos.

I’ve moved my flight up to 11th Sept. some time in the afternoon. I am ready for my camino. I’m ready to be open to change and what it’ll bring. I’ve dreamt I haven’t been ready and yes it’s going to be scary but the best kind of scary! And as long as I keep my pack light and look after my feet, I’ll be fine. I owe so much to Amanda. I did a trial pack for my Camino because I’m so excited; I almost have everything I need. My lounge room floor was covered in clothes and gear, everything scattered around in a chaotic order.

I found a nice little bar in Ealing. We went for drinks there two weeks ago and it’s really cute. Great music, little lights and lamps outside and sweet little tables and chairs. Outside is quite couple-y but the whole thing is cosy and I’ll definitely go there again.

Treated myself to some sparkly clothes last weekend. Nothing like what I’d normally get but I thought I needed a change. The glittery skirt is very Carrie from SATC and the dress is gold, sparkly and floor length, can’t wait to wear it. Lord knows when I’ll wear it but when I have an opportunity, I shall.

Natalie took me along to an Irish pub in the city a few days ago to watch the semi final Gaelic football, Kerry vs Dublin. I had a Guinness in my hand and my back smushed against the bar because the pub was that full. We were both going for Kerry and yelling along with the rest of the pub when they came from behind late in the second half to get 5pts up at half time. But then Dublin retaliated and Kerry couldn’t get past the strong Dublin defensive line and Dublin won by 2pts. I barely had any idea what was going on but I’m not completely invested in the game, conveniently at the end of the season. The final is on in 2 weeks so if I’m not working I’ll watch it. I’ll get an Irish buddy to teach me all the rules and by the start of the next season I’ll be ready, which is next April-ish.

I have finished watching season 2 of How to Get Away with Murder and have moved on to binge watching Sexy And The City from Season 1 in the small amount of free time I have.

You know when you have a bad night’s sleep and wake up thinking “ugh I cbf going into work today. I’ll just float under the radar, avoid most people, smile and be polite but just get through the day, come home and plonk on the couch with trashy tv/good book/insert other small pleasure here”. Well I can’t do that. I’m on late shifts at the moment, got to bed at 1am and woke every hour from 3.30am. Also had bad dreams of people chasing me, challenging tasks I had to do with little to no help from any one else and the clock was against me. I eventually got up at 10am and just plodded around the flat for a few hours. I will finished getting ready for work and I’ll go and smile and act like I really want to be there for every single patient because they’re at their lowest, they are at the point where they need help so badly that they have called for an ambulance and they expect to see supportive people who are invested in their health and wellbeing. Most patients are like this, we do get frequent callers who don’t want to go to their GP or lonely patients but mostly, we go to genuine people. And I love my job, I do, so I had a black coffee, made a great chicken and rice dinner to take with me with some fruit and veggies and nuts.
I’ve been given a semi-permanent line at a station close to home starting in October. The guy who is normally on this line is mentoring someone else for 6 months so I’m taking his spot. It’s a 12hr rota which means I get a cheeky 1 week off every month, it’ll make coming home to visit in March more economic as well. And I’m going to be working with a cool guy as well, I’ve worked with him before.

I'll post again before I leave on my trip. Is anyone actually reading this? Or enjoying it? Anything you'd like me to keep you posted about in particular?

TTFN xx


Friday, 12 August 2016

Checking In


Not much has changed really.  Mum and Pa were here again and then they left, that’s the most exciting thing that’s happened since I checked in last.  We went out for dinner for Mum’s birthday with Natalie (my flatmate) in the city and stumbled home late after incredible steak and wine.

Work is the same; I’ve done a few extra shifts to get more days off for my Camino. I need to do 3 shift swaps just so I have a buffer at the other end of the month off so I don’t have to rush back to work, in case the pilgrimage takes 35 days instead of 30 for whatever reason – injury or weather related. So tired of wearing only my uniform. I miss my jeans. They're blue and actually fit.
I’ve been catching up with friends from work and going out with Natalie, trying to have something of a social life but seeing as almost everyone I know is on shift work as well I barely see anyone or leave the flat other than for groceries.  Oh but I did see Suicide Squad last weekend which I enjoyed. I loved just getting out of the house to be honest and wearing clothes that aren’t uniform or pjs.

I’m currently in the middle of 4 night shifts, with a friendly late shift tagged onto the start of that as well. It’s physically and mentally exhausting. By the third shift you get into the rhythm but coming off your fourth and trying to get back into the land of normal is near impossible. I’m still struggling. But I’ve made plans to go out during the day with a friend this time around and to have some friends over for LASAGNA THAT MUM MADE that night so I’ll force myself back to normal.

For Mum and her friends that worry, yes I’m eating well. Apart from the one tube of Pringles I bought yesterday, I don’t eat junk food. I have mostly fruits, nuts, brown pasta and rice, and a good steak now and then. Breakfast is always porridge with honey and chia seeds and I drink lots of water.

I’ve bought Berni’s birthday present. It’s a goodin to make up for not being there on the day. You’ll love it, Poo, I swear.


Ah just FYI I won’t say no to a care package, just ask my parents for my address. I miss Mint Slices… *cough cough*

Next time I'll write something more interesting. I'll make sure to do something interesting so I can write about it. I'm sure I'll do something. It can't get any more boring...