New year, new challenges

I know its only September but for me the new year begins. That is the new academic year.

It only seems 5 minutes since I handed my last essay in way back in May, then I was looking forward to a summer of freedom and to be able to enjoy the warm weather free of the stresses of study. It didn't transpire like that though. I started a new course and the weather by and large was rubbish with the odd warm rain free day here and there, mostly when I was at work.

I am on a fortnights holiday, the idea behind it was to have some time to unwind and chill out before the new year began. What happened? Work was desperately short staffed and I ended up volunteering for 4 shifts. Things are "up in the air" at work and my attempts to get a new job have so far failed. However on opportunity has arose, to do something I really enjoy-a little bit of teaching.

During my holiday I have done a few things, I have visited my nana and had a day out, where it rained heavily, all day. I had other things planned but they have failed to transpire. Still there is time yet to do something with the remainder of my holiday other than housework and studying, although I don't start till the middle of the month I want to get started early I have my study notes just not the relevant textbooks. This last module looks to be both interesting and tough and I desperately need to do well in order to get a "merit".

Life is very busy at the minute as not only have I got my studies to concentrate on but also I have the new summer term coming up and I have training to do for the leaders of the children's clubs I volunteer for and I need to get myself up to speed with the latest policy documents in preparation for this. Plus I have been asked to do a talk to the children on issues affecting them.

I took my nebuliser in yesterday for its annual service, I was shocked to discover that it now costs more than buying a cheap but half decent nebuliser, this is without all the other costs that come with being a nebuliser user.

All the animals are fine, I have two guests. Foster boys, they are delightful animals but there isn't the room for them and they are getting under my feet a bit but all the same I am enjoying their company.

Talking of pets, I must dash as I have my friends gorgeous cat to feed and I want to spend some time with him like I normally do and I don't think his mummy would be too keen to come home exhausted only to find me still invading her house and her cats attention.

12 feets grows to 16 feet

As you all know I have 3 gorgeous guinea pigs Prince Harry, Sparky and Thomas. I am more than happy with my little gang and had no plans to extend it. They are wonderful pets, all of them each offering their own different characteristics and personality. I love each of them to bits.

A few weeks ago me and my nana were nattering away on the phone and she mentioned in passing that she was thinking of getting herself a hamster. I have carried a view from childhood that they are nippy little things, not easily tamed. I have had two as an adult "Alice" the devil in hamster form. Put your hand in her cage when she was awake, even offering food and you would remove your hand with a hamster dangling off your finger, no matter how hard I tried it was impossible to tame that hamster.

There is one amusing story related to Alice though, I took her on as a pet while living in the university accommodation block which was overseen by a woman known to us all as "Twiggy". We never called her that to her face but she of was know of that title behind her back and she shared a similar personality to Alice, without the biting, I don't recall ever seeing that woman smile. One thing that was an absolute no-no was pets, though several hamsters did reside in that block along side students.

Anyway, Twiggy appeared one day wanting to do an inspection. On hearing a knock at the door I shoved Alice's cage under the bed, in doing so I woke Alice up. While "Twiggy" was busy doing her inspection all I could hear from under the bed was the "squeak, squeak, squeak" of Alice whizzing round her wheel. Fortunately, it would seem "Twiggy" as well as being devoid of personality was also devoid of hearing as she never appeared to pick up on the strange squeaking coming from under my bed.

Then later on came "Sammy the hammy" he held the distinction of being the only hamster never to bite me. He was one class hamster. After that I became hamster less and gave no further consideration to ever having a hamster darken my door again.

Going back to my nana wanting to acquire a hamster as a pet, I offered to purchase a hamster on her behalf and then bring it down to her. I do not believe in homing from pet shop or breeders so after a few enquiries I discovered that there is a small animal rescue 20 miles from me a few emails later and a hammy was reserved for my nana. So off I went one Thursday night in my trusty chariot to view the said hamster and make a final decision. She was adorable and I deemed her suitable as a new companion for my nana and thus agreed to adopt her for my nana.

The wonderful person J that ran the rescue then introduced me to the other inmates and though they were each gorgeous I resolved that no, I was not offering any off them a home. There were gerbils rescued from their owner by the RSPCA as they were been kept in unsuitable conditions and being neglected. There was pets brought in as their owners could no longer offer them a home and then there were two hamsters who were brought in by the police having been found dumped in the street. They were male and female and in a tiny cage, not good and I got quite annoyed at this stage that someone could do something like this to an animal so tiny and defenseless.

Then she introduced to me to a tiny underweight ball of fluff who, has been found at the same time as the two hamsters mentioned above in a tiny cage and on his own this time, he was scrawny and underweight but incredibly friendly and tame for all he had been through and my heart melted and my resolve weakened and that was it animal osmosis toke place in my house once more. He's been living with me a week and he's and amazing chap, hopefully what J said to me as we left "being dumped may be the best thing that happened to him" will prove true as he settles in his new home with a good size cage, lots of toys and lovely grub. I can see an improvement in the little mans condition already. His name, Pippin.

Here he is










This of course led to some anxieties on Sparkies part as he clearly thought he was been shoved to one side and replaced, this is certainly not the case and he need a lot of reassurance before he settled down and stopped yelling and demanding my attention at every opportunity bless him!

Here comes the summer

Along with the rain, thunderstorms and associated power cuts, like the power cut we had at 3am this morning, trying to find your way to the bathroom in the pitch black is not my idea of fun, nor is being without a kettle.

Anyway the whole summer stretches out in front of me without the demands of study. I had a lovely e mail from Mr C today the tutor who marked my last essay and who will be my mentor next year in which he informed me that he was impressed with my academic ability particularly in light of the challenges that he knows I face.

But now what do I do with myself? I am considering undertaking a course in Youth Counselling which will greatly benefit my role within the church as "children's advocate". This role is far encompassing and covers a great deal but basically it means being there for a child should they need someone to talk to no matter what they want to talk about. The trouble is it costs £400.

In myself I am doing ok, I am off the steroids and aside from a couple of headaches I feel fine in myself at the minute, busy with work and looking forward to 16 days off in three weeks time. Again I have no real plans for this though sometime will be spent on preparing for my next module.

Today I am undertaking a special mission, a mission to get my nana a hamster so this evening I will be heading over to a local rescue to view the hamsters that they have in their care to see if there is one suited for my nana, I have one on reserve so I hope all will go well. I know it will have an amazing home. I am resisting strongly not to bring a little furry home for myself.

The 365 project has completely fell by the wayside, I will recommence it soon though. I am also giving some very serious thought as to what job I want to do when I change jobs, I know I want to do something different but I don't know what.

So thats me up to now.

Things not looking too good

I am not doing well, I am not responding that well to my medication and not feeling much better all. I am heading back to the doctors tomorrow but I wouldn't be too suprised if I get admitted. My friend K is sitting with me for a couple of hours and will be looking after the lads and will bring my overnight bag in if I go in.

My friend B is on "nightwatch" on case things get worse and I need to call an ambulance through the night and has various peoples numbers so she can contact the appropriate people, my friends, minister and sisters.

My parents may not bother much with me but I am so blessed to have amazing friends.