It's been a while...a long while since I posted anything. And this is despite the fact that some of the biggest changes have occurred in my life over recent times. It's late at night now and I'm simply flexing my fingers until the opportunity comes along to write something deep and meaningful. However, I would like to add that I've had some traumatic, some moving and some deeply meaningful experiences all of which have added to this richness, which is life. It's all good...and I'm in a good place - no make that a great place - right now and that's despite the dark shadows the constant tiredness and the feeling that one never quite catches one's tail. Life is about passion (not just the amorous stuff) and right now I have that in bundles.
Thank you Jesus!
Thursday, 17 April 2014
Sunday, 20 January 2013
Humanity
We're nothing without each other. And it's only by extending a hand to help someone else that we truly feel a sense of worth. Despite all the pitiful goings on in this world we should never fail to give support to someone who needs us.
I was reminded of this last night. There I was enjoying the most relaxing night I've had in a long time. Celebrating nine years of marriage at a hotel with my husband whilst the children were being looked after by their grandparents.
In the early hours of the morning my sleep was disturbed by a man shouting for help. 'Another drunk' I thought as I snuggled deeper into the bed. But I couldn't close my eyes and I couldn't switch off. His cries continued and he began to sound desperate. 'Help, I'm falling.' 'Somebody help me please'.
I heard banging on the window. 'Oh my God,' I said jumping out of the bed. He really is in the trouble. At the window I saw nothing. My husband, who would ordinarily be able to sleep through an avalanche (he certainly never heard the babies crying) realised the severity of the situation and jumped up, opening the window whilst I made a call to reception.
Outside, was a man covered in blood, which appeared to be coming from a head wound. I saw hotel staff take him away. Getting back into bed I still thought that perhaps he was yet another reveller, fuelled by alcohol, who had gone and done something stupid.
At breakfast I enquired about the man only to discover that he'd been the victim of a serious car crash. No one had stopped to help him on the motorway although he'd tried to flag people down. He had made his way from the motorway, down an embankment, across a major roundabout and stumbled to the hotel. He was suffering from head and spinal injuries.
Thank God for the hotel staff. Had I been one of the hotel guests whose window he had banged on I too may have been too afraid to go outside. But now it chills me when I think 'what if that was my son?' That poor man was strong enough to drag himself several yards to get help even though he sustained severe injuries. And we were all too afraid to help (or perhaps would have been given the opportunity).
Recently, a woman in India was savagely raped and beaten then left for dead by the side of the road. Her bloodied friend, who also sustained a beating when trying to defend her, tried to get help from passers by. They were ignored. Perhaps those passers by now feel remorseful for their actions (or lack of them).
I'm not saying I want to be blinded from the atrocities of this world or how calculating, brutal and cruel some people can be but I am saying that I don't want the devilish ways of another to stop me from being a samaritan.
Let's help each other.
p.s. Thank you to the wonderful staff at Cedar Court Hotel, Wakefield for whom nothing was too much trouble. You were kind, genuinely friendly and deserve more than your four out of five star award from Trip Advisor.
I was reminded of this last night. There I was enjoying the most relaxing night I've had in a long time. Celebrating nine years of marriage at a hotel with my husband whilst the children were being looked after by their grandparents.
In the early hours of the morning my sleep was disturbed by a man shouting for help. 'Another drunk' I thought as I snuggled deeper into the bed. But I couldn't close my eyes and I couldn't switch off. His cries continued and he began to sound desperate. 'Help, I'm falling.' 'Somebody help me please'.
I heard banging on the window. 'Oh my God,' I said jumping out of the bed. He really is in the trouble. At the window I saw nothing. My husband, who would ordinarily be able to sleep through an avalanche (he certainly never heard the babies crying) realised the severity of the situation and jumped up, opening the window whilst I made a call to reception.
Outside, was a man covered in blood, which appeared to be coming from a head wound. I saw hotel staff take him away. Getting back into bed I still thought that perhaps he was yet another reveller, fuelled by alcohol, who had gone and done something stupid.
At breakfast I enquired about the man only to discover that he'd been the victim of a serious car crash. No one had stopped to help him on the motorway although he'd tried to flag people down. He had made his way from the motorway, down an embankment, across a major roundabout and stumbled to the hotel. He was suffering from head and spinal injuries.
Thank God for the hotel staff. Had I been one of the hotel guests whose window he had banged on I too may have been too afraid to go outside. But now it chills me when I think 'what if that was my son?' That poor man was strong enough to drag himself several yards to get help even though he sustained severe injuries. And we were all too afraid to help (or perhaps would have been given the opportunity).
Recently, a woman in India was savagely raped and beaten then left for dead by the side of the road. Her bloodied friend, who also sustained a beating when trying to defend her, tried to get help from passers by. They were ignored. Perhaps those passers by now feel remorseful for their actions (or lack of them).
I'm not saying I want to be blinded from the atrocities of this world or how calculating, brutal and cruel some people can be but I am saying that I don't want the devilish ways of another to stop me from being a samaritan.
Let's help each other.
p.s. Thank you to the wonderful staff at Cedar Court Hotel, Wakefield for whom nothing was too much trouble. You were kind, genuinely friendly and deserve more than your four out of five star award from Trip Advisor.
Friday, 18 January 2013
Hotline to Richard Branson
I'm incensed. I've just wasted two hours of my valuable 'leisure time' on hold or on call to Virgin Mobile's Customer Service Team.
They refuse to believe that something is dreadfully wrong with my phone bill. Now, you can ask any of my friends - my mantra is that it's 'good to talk' but boy do I hate to text. If it's urgent I'll send you a reply but on the whole 'I don't do text messages' so how on this earth can Virgin try and convince me that I sent over 500 of them from my Blackberry over the course of 31 days.
Now you know how small the keypad is on a Blackberry and girlfriends, you'll know what I'm talking about when I say I have nails. Not just nails, they are talons - specially 'constructed' for my 'niece of shame's' wedding. It requires the skill of a contortionist to type a message on a Blackberry with these talons. Yet, Virgin are insistent that I sent on average 14 text messages a day - not possible!
All I wanted Richard, is for a member of your team to listen. I feel that everything is so automated these days that no one is willing to accept that an explanation could be 'outside the box.' God knows I don't want it to ever happen to me on a plane but Richard, doesn't your automation ever fail or screw up?
So, what to do? Shall I just continue to pay for items such as picture messages that I've never sent? Should I refuse to pay the bill and slug it out with them in court. To the former - I've never been a 'sheep' but to the latter - I don't like having bad debt. I also don't want to waste any more time feeling ever so slightly annoyed by staff at Indian call centres who address me sweetly with the most condescending statements such as 'Ma'am...but you know you are responsible for paying for the calls you make' in that singalong voice.
Should I laugh, should I sigh or should I lose it? Forget it! I'm going to bed.
Until Monday Richard.
They refuse to believe that something is dreadfully wrong with my phone bill. Now, you can ask any of my friends - my mantra is that it's 'good to talk' but boy do I hate to text. If it's urgent I'll send you a reply but on the whole 'I don't do text messages' so how on this earth can Virgin try and convince me that I sent over 500 of them from my Blackberry over the course of 31 days.
Now you know how small the keypad is on a Blackberry and girlfriends, you'll know what I'm talking about when I say I have nails. Not just nails, they are talons - specially 'constructed' for my 'niece of shame's' wedding. It requires the skill of a contortionist to type a message on a Blackberry with these talons. Yet, Virgin are insistent that I sent on average 14 text messages a day - not possible!
All I wanted Richard, is for a member of your team to listen. I feel that everything is so automated these days that no one is willing to accept that an explanation could be 'outside the box.' God knows I don't want it to ever happen to me on a plane but Richard, doesn't your automation ever fail or screw up?
So, what to do? Shall I just continue to pay for items such as picture messages that I've never sent? Should I refuse to pay the bill and slug it out with them in court. To the former - I've never been a 'sheep' but to the latter - I don't like having bad debt. I also don't want to waste any more time feeling ever so slightly annoyed by staff at Indian call centres who address me sweetly with the most condescending statements such as 'Ma'am...but you know you are responsible for paying for the calls you make' in that singalong voice.
Should I laugh, should I sigh or should I lose it? Forget it! I'm going to bed.
Until Monday Richard.
Thursday, 17 January 2013
Lady of Leisure
The title is ironic. I work two full days a week. In the afternoons my little girl attends the school nursery. I take my son to school on three mornings and collect them both in the afternoons. I cook breakfast, lunch and dinner. I wash, iron and clean and I act as everyone's PA to organise individual schedules and appointments. Despite all of this my elder sister referred to me once as a lady of leisure.
On my days of work my husband helps to get the children ready and I leave the house with them at 7.25am to deliver them safely to the childminder. By the time I reach the office I feel as though I've already accomplished half a day's work. Now, bearing in mind that I occasionally do some freelance work and visit the gym where on this earth is there the time and energy for leisure?
I enjoy having a full life. I enjoy having two beautiful, spirited children and I respect the fact that my husband works equally hard. But women please (especially if you've had children yourself) don't ever refer to me as a lady of leisure and don't tell me that I'm going to find full time work hard when I take up my teaching post later this year. In some respects full time work will be a breeze as I can remain focused.
I'm looking forward to working full time. I shall miss my children a little more but I will appreciate the weekends and school holidays. I've always embraced hard work and I'd like people to appreciate that right now I work damned hard to pull it all together. Full time work...bring it on!
On my days of work my husband helps to get the children ready and I leave the house with them at 7.25am to deliver them safely to the childminder. By the time I reach the office I feel as though I've already accomplished half a day's work. Now, bearing in mind that I occasionally do some freelance work and visit the gym where on this earth is there the time and energy for leisure?
I enjoy having a full life. I enjoy having two beautiful, spirited children and I respect the fact that my husband works equally hard. But women please (especially if you've had children yourself) don't ever refer to me as a lady of leisure and don't tell me that I'm going to find full time work hard when I take up my teaching post later this year. In some respects full time work will be a breeze as I can remain focused.
I'm looking forward to working full time. I shall miss my children a little more but I will appreciate the weekends and school holidays. I've always embraced hard work and I'd like people to appreciate that right now I work damned hard to pull it all together. Full time work...bring it on!
Tuesday, 15 January 2013
Au Revoir
I hate goodbyes. I've said my fair share of them - I've left...someone else has left... or sadly, someone has died. I can't stand the finality of it all and the prolonging of something that only takes a second to say. I'd prefer just to walk away and say 'see ya'.
On Sunday an old friend passed away. He was younger than me and in reality, due to circumstances, the friend I knew passed away many, many years ago. An era has passed and the memories of it will fade - that's what is really sad - that and the children he left behind. For them the memories may simply become a fuzzy haze.
Can I just say to the friend I knew many, many years ago. Go easy now. You'll never be forgotten and we'll put the good times ahead of all others.
See ya.
On Sunday an old friend passed away. He was younger than me and in reality, due to circumstances, the friend I knew passed away many, many years ago. An era has passed and the memories of it will fade - that's what is really sad - that and the children he left behind. For them the memories may simply become a fuzzy haze.
Can I just say to the friend I knew many, many years ago. Go easy now. You'll never be forgotten and we'll put the good times ahead of all others.
See ya.
Saturday, 12 January 2013
New Year...New Lease of Life
That's truly how I feel this year - that I can achieve anything! I've so much to look forward to - watching my beautiful children grow, my new career that I start in June and the completion of our holiday home in Jamaica in time for our 10th wedding anniversary next year.
I don't do new year resolutions but I'm always aiming higher and this year there's a whole lot to achieve: -
Body Fitness - so I'm back at the gym and I'm serious about my interval training...shopping will not get in the way of my routine. It's just after Christmas so I'm all shopped out anyway. And just to show how serious I am I have purchased a dress to wear to the wedding that I cannot fit into. Yes, you got me right...I can't fit into the dress - or to be more precise the zipper at the back is several inches away from reaching the top. Right now no amount of forcing it will get it up and I don't intend to because at my desirable and appropriate weight and fitness level...it will fit! It's my sister's wedding in April and my husband's and son's outfits coordinate with mine (my daughter is a flower girl) so you should realise how important this dress is to me. I'm getting into the dress! Period!
Career - still can't believe I did it. Last year something was missing from my career - passion! I'd simply lost enthusiasm for what I was doing in my current job and after job hunting I realised that I didn't just need a new place of work I needed to be stretched - with new challenges and new aspirations and I found this at Teach First. Now, this is going to sound wacky but when I first read about this opportunity online I ran downstairs to tell my husband (during that period I spent every night looking for the forementioned 'challenge'). I went to bed that night and dreamt that I got accepted - in my dream was the same office where I took my numeracy and literacy proficiency tests for teaching. I still couldn't believe it when Teach First called me to say I got through and now I just feel excited, very happy, very fortunate and very positive whenever I think about my new opportunity. I want to go far in education and I want to make a difference. Thank you God for giving me the opportunity to make this happen.
My future also holds opportunities for writing and I will make a promise to myself to begin by making regular contributions to my blog.
Have a wonderful day!
I don't do new year resolutions but I'm always aiming higher and this year there's a whole lot to achieve: -
Body Fitness - so I'm back at the gym and I'm serious about my interval training...shopping will not get in the way of my routine. It's just after Christmas so I'm all shopped out anyway. And just to show how serious I am I have purchased a dress to wear to the wedding that I cannot fit into. Yes, you got me right...I can't fit into the dress - or to be more precise the zipper at the back is several inches away from reaching the top. Right now no amount of forcing it will get it up and I don't intend to because at my desirable and appropriate weight and fitness level...it will fit! It's my sister's wedding in April and my husband's and son's outfits coordinate with mine (my daughter is a flower girl) so you should realise how important this dress is to me. I'm getting into the dress! Period!
Career - still can't believe I did it. Last year something was missing from my career - passion! I'd simply lost enthusiasm for what I was doing in my current job and after job hunting I realised that I didn't just need a new place of work I needed to be stretched - with new challenges and new aspirations and I found this at Teach First. Now, this is going to sound wacky but when I first read about this opportunity online I ran downstairs to tell my husband (during that period I spent every night looking for the forementioned 'challenge'). I went to bed that night and dreamt that I got accepted - in my dream was the same office where I took my numeracy and literacy proficiency tests for teaching. I still couldn't believe it when Teach First called me to say I got through and now I just feel excited, very happy, very fortunate and very positive whenever I think about my new opportunity. I want to go far in education and I want to make a difference. Thank you God for giving me the opportunity to make this happen.
My future also holds opportunities for writing and I will make a promise to myself to begin by making regular contributions to my blog.
Have a wonderful day!
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