3 months after I wrote my last paper for University, I am now happy to announce that I have secured Employment. I was sooooooooo happy!
I went to several interviews and sometimes I felt down hearted because I never got any feedback except to say that they were impressed with me. However, I would not get the job.
Back in May, I went for an intervew with a rather prestigious Charitable Organisation. I was down to last two but they picked the other candidate. I was sad but hopeful because they were really impressed they encouraged me to Volunteer with them on an expenses only basis. I was glad that I was given the opportunity to gain some valuable experience in the charity sector.
I started that at the end of July, and last week I got a voicemail whilst I was in for another interview . It was the line manager, ringing to discuss with me. We kept missing each other but I finally got to her and she said to me that there had been a development in the office and basically, the candidate was leaving to complete her Masters and they were hoping I was still interested in the position.
Of course, I was and She asked for us to chat about it Yesterday which we did and I've been offered THE POSITION!
I'm so happy! because this job came at just the right time.
cryptic? We'll see about that... Watch this space!
Wednesday, 25 August 2010
Sunday, 15 August 2010
Operation TTC
It has been a while since I talked about my journey to motherhood.
I used the time I spent in Bath to search myself and give myself a reality check. I think I succeeded in both. Whilst in Bath, I had time in the afternoons to just pray and write in my journal. During the morning, I took care of 7 babies under 18 months. Not on my own, we had 2 other helpers. I loved the thrill of teaching one baby girl how to point at cows and go moo. Her mum was so impressed. I panicked when one baby boy wouldn't stop screaming (this was on the first day they met us) but I held it together - almost! I took him to the courtyard and sang to him, That worked for my sister but not for him! I learnt that he loved his bottle and a walk in his pushchair. That soothes him and he is ready to throw balls around when we got back. I loved discovering their likes and making a routine for when they were with us.
I had an incident where poo escaped a nappy. It was gross but I was shocked I didn't gag or anything! I was merely mildly alarmed.
In my time away, I read Dear Lord, I Feel Like a Whale! by Jane Bullivant. It gave me such a great perspective on Pregnancy & Motherhood. It is such a priviledge. I think we take it for granted in today's society.
When I got back, I still wanted to be a mum even though I was tired (that was the reality check) but my head was still stopping me. "Your Career". It screamed at me. "What about your career!"
However, I started charting and lo and behold when it all came down to it, the Egg White Cervical Fluid made the decision for me, I suddenly let go of my "What If? Syndrome" and we baby danced.
So officially, we have begun our journey in earnest!
Here is my chart so far:
My Ovulation Chart
So excited right now!
There are other drastic changes to come so stay tuned!
I used the time I spent in Bath to search myself and give myself a reality check. I think I succeeded in both. Whilst in Bath, I had time in the afternoons to just pray and write in my journal. During the morning, I took care of 7 babies under 18 months. Not on my own, we had 2 other helpers. I loved the thrill of teaching one baby girl how to point at cows and go moo. Her mum was so impressed. I panicked when one baby boy wouldn't stop screaming (this was on the first day they met us) but I held it together - almost! I took him to the courtyard and sang to him, That worked for my sister but not for him! I learnt that he loved his bottle and a walk in his pushchair. That soothes him and he is ready to throw balls around when we got back. I loved discovering their likes and making a routine for when they were with us.
I had an incident where poo escaped a nappy. It was gross but I was shocked I didn't gag or anything! I was merely mildly alarmed.
In my time away, I read Dear Lord, I Feel Like a Whale! by Jane Bullivant. It gave me such a great perspective on Pregnancy & Motherhood. It is such a priviledge. I think we take it for granted in today's society.
When I got back, I still wanted to be a mum even though I was tired (that was the reality check) but my head was still stopping me. "Your Career". It screamed at me. "What about your career!"
However, I started charting and lo and behold when it all came down to it, the Egg White Cervical Fluid made the decision for me, I suddenly let go of my "What If? Syndrome" and we baby danced.
So officially, we have begun our journey in earnest!
Here is my chart so far:
My Ovulation Chart
So excited right now!
There are other drastic changes to come so stay tuned!
Thursday, 12 August 2010
My One Year of Bliss (Part Three)
After we got Engaged, We had to decide when to get married. (You can find part one here & two here)
We first settled on 24th July, 2010 and started to plan for that date because by then I'll be done with Uni and it'll create minimal drama. Needless to say, by October 2008 after getting no peace with the date we chose, we decided to cancel that wedding and re-plan for what is now our anniversary - 25th July, 2009.
Boy, I was so relieved after we made that decision but cue the drama!
Mainly from my side of the family. All hell broke loose because I was going to get married whilst still in school! Personally, I didn't see what the big deal was - It wasn't like I was going to drop out or something! The emotional trauma was so great that I got Bell's Palsy (which thankfully went away before the wedding)
This times of trials were really good in building us up into the couple we wanted to be, It helped us build good boundaries with our parents and it made me see that I truly was growing up.
The 8 months to our wedding just flew by and before I knew it, It was here!
I can say hand on heart that I wouldn't change a thing about our wedding. It was one of the happiest days of my life!
We first settled on 24th July, 2010 and started to plan for that date because by then I'll be done with Uni and it'll create minimal drama. Needless to say, by October 2008 after getting no peace with the date we chose, we decided to cancel that wedding and re-plan for what is now our anniversary - 25th July, 2009.
Boy, I was so relieved after we made that decision but cue the drama!
Mainly from my side of the family. All hell broke loose because I was going to get married whilst still in school! Personally, I didn't see what the big deal was - It wasn't like I was going to drop out or something! The emotional trauma was so great that I got Bell's Palsy (which thankfully went away before the wedding)
This times of trials were really good in building us up into the couple we wanted to be, It helped us build good boundaries with our parents and it made me see that I truly was growing up.
The 8 months to our wedding just flew by and before I knew it, It was here!
I can say hand on heart that I wouldn't change a thing about our wedding. It was one of the happiest days of my life!
At the Altar
After the deed
Leaving the Church
The Wedding Party
The Cake
The New Mr & Mrs going for a stroll
View of a table
The Tableplan Mark & I stayed up late to make.
Chatting with my lil' sis
Leaving the wedding
My Sister didn't want us to leave!
After the deed
Leaving the Church
The Wedding Party
The Cake
The New Mr & Mrs going for a stroll
View of a table
The Tableplan Mark & I stayed up late to make.
Chatting with my lil' sis
Leaving the wedding
My Sister didn't want us to leave!
After our special day, We went to Alderney for our honeymoon and stayed at the best hotel I've ever been to! We then went to Nigeria for Wedding reception no 2! That was very fun and I loved introducing Mark to all my family that he hadn't met yet and taking him to my old stomping grounds. By the time the wedding was all over, We knew we had done the right thing because we had peace both internally and with our family.
People often say that the first year of marriage is the hardest. We flew through ours. Times were difficult because DH's Job started to look shaky due to the recession and we just had to get used to living together. That part I loved. I had been looking forward to the times when we wouldn't have to say goodnight and I wouldn't have to be dropped home after dinner. We also had to deal with the discovery that I had vaginismus which I've talked about in this post here.
Thank goodness with a lot of prayer and seeing a psychosexual therapist, I'm over it.
On our actual anniversary, we almost missed our dinner reservation because we were so engrossed in unpacking our kitchen! It was a brill day.
People often say that the first year of marriage is the hardest. We flew through ours. Times were difficult because DH's Job started to look shaky due to the recession and we just had to get used to living together. That part I loved. I had been looking forward to the times when we wouldn't have to say goodnight and I wouldn't have to be dropped home after dinner. We also had to deal with the discovery that I had vaginismus which I've talked about in this post here.
Thank goodness with a lot of prayer and seeing a psychosexual therapist, I'm over it.
On our actual anniversary, we almost missed our dinner reservation because we were so engrossed in unpacking our kitchen! It was a brill day.
The food looked so good I didn't want to eat it!
So as we start to journey out of newly-weddedness (Yes that's a word, i made it up)I'm just so psyched to see what comes next. It is awesome to be married and living with my best, best friend. I love this man and everyday I thank God because I realise, He made him for me and I'm truly lucky!
"Grow old with me Mark,
The best is yet to be."
The best is yet to be."
As you can see we've been through quite a bit but I wouldn't change a thing because, this is our story.
Wednesday, 11 August 2010
My One Year of Bliss (Part Two)
It was just really great and scary at times to be going out with my best friend. (You can find part one here)
But the months just flew by. Our first huge milestone was just two weeks into the relationship.
We had 'The Talk'. We had determined that if it wasn't leading anywhere (i.e Really long term, Marriage) then we shouldn't waste time.
I had the verse from the bible in mind at the time.
But the months just flew by. Our first huge milestone was just two weeks into the relationship.
We had 'The Talk'. We had determined that if it wasn't leading anywhere (i.e Really long term, Marriage) then we shouldn't waste time.
I had the verse from the bible in mind at the time.
"Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life."
Proverbs 4 vs 23
for it is the wellspring of life."
Proverbs 4 vs 23
After we talked, He told me he loved me and that he had been looking forward to this moment since the day we met.
Fast forward to 18 months into our relationship. By this time, I had begun University and so I was still visiting Mark and my Family at the weekends and going back to University in time for Monday morning's Lecture. Our 18 month anniversary came along and that weekend I was visiting Mark and we were watching Friends and eating Ben and Jerry's Cookie Dough Icecream.
Well my DH has this horrible habit of scooping out all the cookie dough and leaving me with just the vanilla Icecream! I was in the middle of telling him off about that when I guess he couldn't wait and just blurted out " Marry Me"
I thought I misheard so I asked him to repeat it.
"Marry Me, I love you so much Please Marry Me"
I was so stunned that all I could say was "But I'm 19!"
He said " I know but you knew this day would come, We love each other, why wait?"
At that point, I was shocked but I knew it was right and so I accepted.
I then proceeded to do a Monica and announced to the seaside town of Eastbourne that I was Engaged from his balcony!
I loved our proposal, it happened the way I always thought it would - just us two.
Fast forward to 18 months into our relationship. By this time, I had begun University and so I was still visiting Mark and my Family at the weekends and going back to University in time for Monday morning's Lecture. Our 18 month anniversary came along and that weekend I was visiting Mark and we were watching Friends and eating Ben and Jerry's Cookie Dough Icecream.
Well my DH has this horrible habit of scooping out all the cookie dough and leaving me with just the vanilla Icecream! I was in the middle of telling him off about that when I guess he couldn't wait and just blurted out " Marry Me"
I thought I misheard so I asked him to repeat it.
"Marry Me, I love you so much Please Marry Me"
I was so stunned that all I could say was "But I'm 19!"
He said " I know but you knew this day would come, We love each other, why wait?"
At that point, I was shocked but I knew it was right and so I accepted.
I then proceeded to do a Monica and announced to the seaside town of Eastbourne that I was Engaged from his balcony!
I loved our proposal, it happened the way I always thought it would - just us two.
My One Year of Bliss (Part One)
We had our 1st wedding anniversary on Sunday, 25th July, 2010.
The day itself was like any other Sunday we've ever had except that We had just moved into our new home the day before and were quite tired and people kept wishing us Happy Anniversary and giving us cards. We were still on duty for Tea and Coffee at church which we still joyfully served at. It was so great.
However before I go on, Let me take you back to the very beginning.
Mark and I met on the first day of sixth form in 2004 (12th & 13th Grade that is the stage before University) I was seeing someone at the time but something attracted me to him quite instantly. We sat next to each other and I was so surprised how easy it was to talk to him.
By October of that year, The relationship with my first ever boyfriend had come to an end and I was getting over that so nothing ever happened with us. As the year progressed, we became friends and by the 2nd year we had become quite close.
It was towards the end of sixth form that things started to hot up in the sense that we were content being friends at least that was what we told each other when in fact it was getting really difficult not to blab about how I felt to him. I started to get mixed messages from him. One day I could stake my life on the fact that he liked me because of how he looked at me and another day that look in his eye would have vanished. The end of Sixth form came and He was preparing to leave to do his Apprenticeship and I still had One more year to kill at Sixth form.
One evening, We were chatting on msn and I felt this courage and enquired about whether he had met any other girls over there, to which he replied "No".
He enquired the same from me and I told him that I hadn't.
After that, The stakes seemed higher for some reason, I began my ascent to victory or descent to heartbreak. I didn't know where I was going to end up to be honest!
Tentatively, I began
And that was how we began our journey.
The day itself was like any other Sunday we've ever had except that We had just moved into our new home the day before and were quite tired and people kept wishing us Happy Anniversary and giving us cards. We were still on duty for Tea and Coffee at church which we still joyfully served at. It was so great.
However before I go on, Let me take you back to the very beginning.
Mark and I met on the first day of sixth form in 2004 (12th & 13th Grade that is the stage before University) I was seeing someone at the time but something attracted me to him quite instantly. We sat next to each other and I was so surprised how easy it was to talk to him.
By October of that year, The relationship with my first ever boyfriend had come to an end and I was getting over that so nothing ever happened with us. As the year progressed, we became friends and by the 2nd year we had become quite close.
It was towards the end of sixth form that things started to hot up in the sense that we were content being friends at least that was what we told each other when in fact it was getting really difficult not to blab about how I felt to him. I started to get mixed messages from him. One day I could stake my life on the fact that he liked me because of how he looked at me and another day that look in his eye would have vanished. The end of Sixth form came and He was preparing to leave to do his Apprenticeship and I still had One more year to kill at Sixth form.
One evening, We were chatting on msn and I felt this courage and enquired about whether he had met any other girls over there, to which he replied "No".
He enquired the same from me and I told him that I hadn't.
After that, The stakes seemed higher for some reason, I began my ascent to victory or descent to heartbreak. I didn't know where I was going to end up to be honest!
Tentatively, I began
" Hypothetically, Would you freak out if I told you that I like you as more than a friend?"
" Hypothetically, I wouldn't because I like you as more than a friend, but would you hypothetically?" He said.
"Hypothetically, I do. Since we've established that hypothetically, What do you want to do about this new information?" I replied with the hugest smile on my face.
" It'll be long distance for a while but I think we could make it work."
"Yes, lots of people do it all the time."
" Hypothetically, I wouldn't because I like you as more than a friend, but would you hypothetically?" He said.
"Hypothetically, I do. Since we've established that hypothetically, What do you want to do about this new information?" I replied with the hugest smile on my face.
" It'll be long distance for a while but I think we could make it work."
"Yes, lots of people do it all the time."
And that was how we began our journey.
Friday, 6 August 2010
I'm Back in Business!
Hello all!!
I'm finally back on the world wide web! So psyched!
It has been a longish absence from bloggyland but I have so much to write about now so I guess it has been a worthwhile hiatus. I have some of the posts coming up in the next few weeks.
Definitely one on my trip to Bath, One on the move and finally one on an important milestone we reached the other day! Yes, there are far too many exclamation marks in this post but I hope you can feel my excitement at being back through them!
Toodle-pip everyone,
Lucy
x
I'm finally back on the world wide web! So psyched!
It has been a longish absence from bloggyland but I have so much to write about now so I guess it has been a worthwhile hiatus. I have some of the posts coming up in the next few weeks.
Definitely one on my trip to Bath, One on the move and finally one on an important milestone we reached the other day! Yes, there are far too many exclamation marks in this post but I hope you can feel my excitement at being back through them!
Toodle-pip everyone,
Lucy
x
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
