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    Chomping At The Bit!

    2019 Relationships richard-guy Running Work
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    When I woke up on New Year’s Day I made a promise to myself that I would make 2019 a year to remember (and for good reasons) and hit the ground running.

    I had a call yesterday offering the role that I interviewed for – to say I’m delighted is a bit of an understatement. The role sounds a lot better than I originally anticipated with a lot of opportunity for development and allowing for creativity with learning design. That is something my current role doesn’t really offer so as you can probably imagine I’m absolutely chomping at the bit to get started. It is going to be a lot of hard work but I’m relishing that. I have a real passion and enthusiasm for developing people so they reach their full potential and beyond so this is going to be a brilliant role for me.
    I’ve also been out on a couple of dates with someone and that has gone really well – we both have a passion for running and cycling which is fantastic.
     
    The training is still going well (though I did miss my run yesterday due to heading to the pub to celebrate getting the new job) and the runs are getting longer each week now. I enjoy the long runs as they allow me to switch off and I’m just focused on putting one foot in front of the other.

    Although I feel that 2019 has got off to a good start there is still room for improvement and I also need to be mindful that there are still going to be some tough challenges and situations. I need to be careful that I have the resilience to cope with those dips and also to foresee them if I can.
     
    There is still a long way to go on this journey and although I’ve made a good start to the year much of the hard graft is still in front of me and there are going to be times when I really need to dig deep and persevere in order to achieve better things. I know from past experiences I have the capability to do this.
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  • Published on

    2019!!

    claire-coe Events Family Volunteering
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    Click above to take you to Claire's personal journey!

    Hey all!

    Happy New Year!

    I’ve been umming and ahhing writing a new blog and didn’t know whether to or not, but here I am!

    So, 2019! How the bloody hell did we get here so quickly? It’s scary isn’t it, one minute you’re leaving school, the next it’s your 30th year being alive on this planet!

    Talking of 30th… as I’m sure you ALL know, it’s my 30th birthday in 19 days and 4 hours (I’m not counting!) If you asked me in November how I feel about my 30th, I probably would have cried on the spot. Now? I am ABSOLUTELY BUZZING! I’ve got so so many great plans for the actual day, building up to the day and after the day! I’m going to embrace turning 30 years old! Side note, ask for my address for present deliveries.

    So… this year so far… I saw in the New Year with my mummy. We had such a brilliant night at the pub in Weymouth. As soon as midnight struck, mum turned to me, gave me a massive kiss and said “2019 is going to be your year Claire.”

    So far I have 3 holidays and a trip to Wales planned this year, I’m also still looking at going away for a couple of nights alone… any suggestions for that one?

    I am still single but have spent the last few weeks learning how to enjoy my own company… and wow, what a difference that has made. I feel so chilled when I’m home alone and my phone hasn’t gone off for over 5 hours!

    I’ve also massively changed my mindset with how I look at things, I am really working on being positive and seeing the positive in every situation. There have been a couple of stressful moments in 2019 so far and I’ve nearly had a wobble but I’ve kept my head straight and thought about things logically.

    I haven’t cried sad tears since way before Christmas (crying whilst watching sas who dares wins doesn’t count!)

    I started my volunteering a few weeks ago and absolutely love it! I’m looking after a 75 year old lady called Sheila. Next week we are going to play bingo together and I can’t wait! If anyone can spare 1-2 hours a week to help out with this, please let me know so I can pass on the details of the charity to you!

    Don’t get me wrong, life isn’t perfect and there will always be hiccups on the way but I’m dealing with every day as it comes and I am happy.

    I am determined to make 2019 the best year of my life to date!!
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  • Published on

    Change of Plan!

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    A week ago, I was planning a trip to China to meet Darrell for a holiday in May. I chose the country because it was a half way point for us both to meet, without me having to travel all the way to Australia, where Darrell is currently living, caring for his Mother. A few days ago, along with my Aunt who is also travelling with me, we decided to change our destination. The process of obtaining visas was just too painstaking and difficult to achieve before our planned departure on the 29th April. Trying to co-ordinate Chinese paperwork and the booking of flights and hotels, with a month to go and no guarantee of having the application accepted was just too much of a risk to take. I didn’t want to arrange a holiday, that was going to cost thousands of pounds, with only a few short weeks before our departure. If the visa was turned down at the last minute, we would have both lost a substantial amount of money.

    Last week we looked at the alternatives and came up with a new plan of action. Rather than flying to China, we have decided to visit four Asian Countries in three weeks, quite an undertaking when you consider the distances involved. First we will fly to Vietnam as originally planned, followed by Hong Kong; onwards to South Korea and finally to Cambodia.

    There is a lot to plan before we go. I am interested in visiting the demilitarised zone in South Korea and want to experience the real Asia while I am there. Street food, sight seeing and occasional relaxation is top of my list of things to do. I haven’t had a holiday in three years now, so am looking forward to my time away from the UK. I am however disappointed that I will not be able to visit China, my destination of choice, but the archaic process of navigating this country is just too demanding, especially as independent tourists.

    This will not be a cheap undertaking, we will not be backpacking while we are away. We will be staying in first class hotels and an apartment in Seoul. I want to experience the real South Korea, as I know my Aunt does, so living and shopping as the South Koreans do for a week will be an unforgettable experience. I know I speak for all of us, when I say how important it is to travel unaided. I have never been a person who likes to stick to a schedule, eat at set times and follow a strict itinerary; I need to travel freely, at my own pace and do what I want, not what I am told. This is not an easy option, but it will be a character building exercise, full of new and wonderful encounters, that none of us will forget in a hurry. Above all it will allow Darrell and I to spend a short time together, before he returns to Australia and I go back to the UK. My life may well be difficult at the moment, but it certainly isn’t dull. How many people get to travel as extensively as I do? Not many, that's for sure!

    With only a few months to go, we all have a lot of organising to do and money to save, but the end result will be worth it. Any advice from the readers of ‘Roaming Brit’ is of course welcome. If you have journeyed to any of the countries we are visiting, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!
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  • Published on

    Remembering Aunty Carol!

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    On Monday, I sadly lost my Aunty Carol, after a five year battle with Ovarian Cancer. My Aunt was a very special lady, someone I will miss dearly, as I know all our family will. Despite her own difficulties in life Carol always had time for others; for me she was a link to a family I thought I had lost forever. She was the bridge to my Mother and Father at such a crucial time for us and she was in part responsible for the relationship I now have with my parents.

    Aunty Carol was first and foremost a family person; anyone who knew her could see the amazing bond she had with her children and Grandchildren. As a unit they were close, it showed in the rapport all of them had together. I attended a family function in the local village hall we had always used as a family, to celebrate milestones in all our lives, on my return from Spain in May last year. I was immediately transported back to my childhood, surrounded by those closest; Aunts, Uncles and numerous Cousins and at the centre of it all with my Cousin Carrie-Anne, helping to make sure everything ran smoothly, was my Aunty Carol. My own immediate family, were never close and I always looked towards my Aunt to give direction and gently encourage me to do the right thing.

    For many years I was distant from most of my maternal family; my Great Aunt Carol however was always in contact, keeping me updated on family events, births, deaths and marriages and how she was keeping, as her health deteriorated. So despite my estrangement from the majority of my relatives, I still had a relationship with my Aunt, who was a great source of inspiration and support, during some very challenging times. I was always pleased to hear from her and looked forward to receiving her messages. Equally Carol was one of the few people who was in regular contact with my Mother and Father and gradually over time, she persuaded me to contact my parents once again and begin the process of building a new relationship with them.

    I became closest to my Aunt while living in Spain. I found my time in Gran Alacant isolating and lonely, consequently messaging my Aunt more regularly; she was a link to my family that I was missing and wanted to once again contact, beginning the process of rebuilding a connection. I needed to open a channel to my parents and carol was the one who helped me do that, eventually re-establishing a relationship and facilitating our meeting on my return to the UK.

    I saw Aunty Carol a few weeks ago, just before she died. She was on the same ward as my Mother at The Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth. She was in a private room, at the end of the corridor, to try and keep her as far away from other patients as possible. She was undergoing Chemotherapy at the time and was extremely prone to infection.

    I was lucky enough to spend an hour talking with my Aunt and Uncle, which was a special time for me. We spoke about the old days, family life and what the future holds. Carol was upbeat and chipper, as she always had been, despite the pain she was experiencing; her loss of hair and mobility issues, irrelevant as she expressed the love she had for her family. She was immaculately dressed as usual, her nails, perfectly manicured, articulate and happy be around those who loved her. As we spoke, I became fully aware of her enduring agony and discomfort and the courage she was showing under the most extreme circumstances. This was a woman who had great strength of character and put others before her own self interest, this was someone who had done everything possible to watch her family grow. Battles are won through the hearts and minds of those who play a part; she remained unassailable right to the very end!

    I will miss my Aunt terribly, she was a great source of comfort  at  troublesome times. She leaves behind a legacy that includes a wonderful family and a positive outlook on life, two things I have taken to heart and will continue to live by, as I move towards my fifties. I was lucky enough to play a small role in her life and will always remember the happy times I spent in her company, as I know everyone who knew her will as well. Rest in peace dear Aunt, I will see you one day again I'm sure. Until then, keep smiling down, watching over everyone who loved you, looked up to you and remembers you for the amazing, beautiful, unique person you were!
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  • Published on

    Catch Up!

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    Despite having another busy week, I have managed to catch up with a few friends and family. Work has obviously taken priority over many other aspects of my life at the moment, as I save hard for my trip to China in May. Staying in contact with those closest should be more of a priority, but we all lead busy lives and inevitably socialising does take a back seat!
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    On Monday I was able to briefly catch up with a friend Giles, who had travelled from his home in Liverpool to work at the Kings Theatre for the pantomime season. It was good to see a friendly face, someone I have been in contact with for probably five years now. Sadly through lack of time, I was also working at the Newcome Arms, serving customers, whilst chatting to Giles, but that didn't detract from the conversation. I was happy to talk to someone who actually understands me, more than most!
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    On Wednesday I went out with my Cousins Chris and Maria; along with my Aunt Trisha, we had a meal at the Cobra Indian Restaurant in North End Portsmouth. It was fantastic chatting with family; I haven't seen these two in quite a while now. Talking about Mum and Dad, Aunts and Uncles and the difficulties we are all facing as a family is important, to help deal with the problems of old age and illness. Chris and Maria have always been a great source of support, they have had to deal with their own issues, when Christopher's Mother, my Great Aunt went into care, so I always value their advice, which is always honestly given!

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    Yesterday I met my Cousin Joe and his new partner Julianna at the Newcome before I started my shift. Once again it was good to touch base with another member of my family and to meet the lovely Julianna, who seems like a great girl. As Joe said to me, 'we all need someone in our life' and of course he is right. He made me think about my partner Darrell in Australia and just how difficult it is living apart at this time.

    It is strange, I have so many people around me at the moment, that I barely have anytime to myself, but I don't have the one person who really matters here with me. Both of us are managing to cope as best we can but it isn't the same as being together. Seeing Joe happy with his new partner was a reminder of what I am missing. I look forward to the day when Darrell and I can finally share our life with all those who are now a big part of mine!
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