Family.

For most people – I do apologise if I’ve badly generalised – that I have met, their family consists of parents (including stepparents), siblings and grandparents with the odd aunt, uncle and cousin thrown in for good measure. Some class them as family out of some misguided sense of obligation or loyalty, some class them as family because they’ve been told that these people are part of their family through relation or marriage. Me? I class family as the people who deserve to be called just that. Sadly, this means I class more of Joe’s family as my own than I do of the people who are meant to be in mine. 

Just to say…

… thank you.

Having been apprehensive about starting a blog, I finally took the plunge about a month ago and I am so glad I did. Not only have I read some wonderful blogs, I’ve found posts that I can actually relate to, and finally found a social platform I can browse and post with ease.

Having chosen not to share posts directly with Facebook, only Twitter, the majority of readers I have seem to be from the WordPress world who have somehow stumbled across my blog and decided to click the little follow button – thank you!

Being on here has boosted my confidence, and although I don’t really know any of you personally, I feel as though I am getting somewhere just by reading and enjoying your posts.

Every follow, like and comment I get adds to the confidence (I realise I’m now setting myself up for a fall, someone is going to comment something bad now) I now have in myself.

So thank you, followers/likers/commenters/fellow bloggers, thank you for letting me use this blog in a way I want to use it, and not how someone else believes I should use it.

Keep blogging, keep reading. I’m off to find some new blogs to enjoy!

C.x

The Lake District

*this could be quite long, I understand if you leave half way through – or don’t even start*

Monday: Getting there.

The day you get to your destination, not a whole lot tends to happen. I mean, we had a good breakfast, got a faster train. checked in and explored the little village, but other than that, Monday was pretty uneventful.

I know I said I wouldn’t…

Okay, I know I said I probably wouldn’t post, but I just had to.

We are having the most amazing time here in the Lake District. The rain, wind, hail and snow we experienced today didn’t even hinder the experience we had – it was so much fun.

So, until my post on Friday about the complete amazing week we’re  having, enjoy this photo (despite the horrible weather that doesn’t do it justice at all).

C.x

Blogging for goodness.

Last year Joe and I raised £445 for MacMillan Cancer Care by running a total of 100 miles throughout the month of August in memory of my Nan after she lost her battle with cancer.

This year, I’d like to do something to raise money again, for another Cancer based charity. Now, chances are I will do it for MacMillan again, but I was wondering what other cancer based charities we have in the UK other than Cancer Research UK? And also if any of you guys had any ideas for possible fundraising ideas.

A lot of people say bungee jumps or sky dives but you usually need a set amount of sponsorship first. I was thinking possibly something along the same lines as my previous fundraising venture.

All ideas welcome!

Together, we can make a difference.

C.x

Until Friday…

Every one of us needs a break from reality from time to time. Well, after three long years at uni and almost four years together and no holiday, Joe and I are off to the Lake District tomorrow. I cannot wait!

Both of us are burned out, and we just need to get away from busy, city life, and just escape into a world where noone knows us, we don’t have work to worry about and family dramas can stay at home.

Being Online – is it safe?

I’m of the generation where my teenage life took place largely online. I wasn’t the most popular girl in school, so I gravitated towards online social media to make some new friends – after all, you can be anyone you like online. That, however, is the danger of meeting online.

Throughout my years on various social networks, I have been lucky enough to meet some amazing people – 2 of my close friends I met through social media, that’s also where I met Joe – but I’ve also been unlucky to fall victim to fake profiles.

One girl faked a profile, got caught, apologised and then did it again! When we found her out I confronted her and she still stuck to her story that she was the real person. Other profiles, I’m not 100% sure are fake, but i do have my suspicions. Thankfully, I’m not in contact with those people anymore – I found friends in real life!

Remember, there are always ways to make sure someone is real while you’re talking to them – think Catfish tactics – and if they’re not willing to prove themselves, but want a friendship, I’d be wary. It doesn’t mean they are lying, but it is a bit of a warning sign. Skype is an amazing thing – I used MSN back in the day when that’s where the cool kids were – and it’s so easy to just click on the little webcam button! But that’s for you guys to decide.

I’m not saying I’d recommend meeting people online, as nothing beats meeting someone in real life and having all the little awkward moments getting to know each other, but I also wouldn’t write it off. I mean, without online meeting, I wouldn’t have two of my closest friends or my fiance. And, isn’t a blog a kind of social media? I socialise with bloggers everyday with no fear of my personal safety. What I will say, is make sure you know how to stay safe online.

Parents, if any are reading, I’d love to hear your perspectives. With so much going on online now, and so many ways to access the internet, are you worried about what your children are up to online? Have you spoken to them about how to stay safe online and what response did you get?

For those of you who have had similar experiences to mine – or completely different – have your online experiences changed the way you interact with people over the internet?

I’ve learned from a lot from my mistakes when meeting people online, and I’m not really on the social media scene now – aside from the usual Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – and I’ve made friends in the real world, even bringing some of my “online friends” into that world!

As Joe says to me every day when I leave for work “Have fun, stay safe”.

C.x

Retinoblastoma, know what you’re looking for.

I was scrolling through Facebook last night and came across this article that had been shared by a friend of mine and it got me thinking. I started this blog to write about my experiences as a student nurse and going into a staff nurse role. I also wanted to have an influence on people and help to educate in areas that few people know about. So here is goes. This is the story I read about – have a read and pass it around.

Yes, another trip to Soapland…

BOBBY BEALE you little devil. Bless him though I don’t think he knew what he had done (yes, I know it’s not real but, you know…). I’m disappointed in Eastenders though, it seems like they literally went for the least likely person it could be… her youngest brother.

Right up until Abi was 100% ruled out, i wanted it to be her, her character is boring, and in an attempt to make her a little bit interesting we saw her turn from sweet little Abi to a bitchy teenager who is so desperate for attention she decided she’s now in love with Ben – who we all know is gay. This would have at least added something to her character.

But Bobby? What are they going to do? Send him off to prison forever or is this a repeat of when Lauren tried to kill Max and Tanya took the wrap? Is it byebye Jane as she’s carted off to prison – just as she marries Ian (again!).

For a story line that went on that long, the flashback episode didn’t really live up to expectations, and neither did the killer!

Well played Eastenders for catching us out, but I still wish it was Abi, or even Jane. Bobby didn’t cut it for me.

What are your thoughts on the young killer? And how the hell did he manage to keep quiet and act normal all this time?!

Lesson learned – don’t do drugs, or keep jewellery boxes on the table.

C.x

Are you sure, Eastenders?

* Warning – I am a soapie and this is a soapland post, that will be followed by another after Eastenders finally tells me what happened to Lucy! (Us nurses are partial to a little soapland now and again – or in my case every night – as they let us escape reality for a little bit, sorry!) *

The Eastenders team has kept us waiting for 308 days (I didn’t count, the team or BBC or someone posted something earlier, I’m not that obsessed), and even after the live episode where the “killer” was revealed, they’re still claiming that there is more to come with a killer twist! I, along with so many other people have been waiting for this and I feel so let down – even though thinking back it should have been obvious it was Jane.

I’m still not 100% convinced though, especially after the Eastenders team tweeted about a killer twist in the episode at 9.25pm…

My Twitter and Facebook timelines are going mad right now with various conspiracies thanks to the above tweets – some think that Peter helped Jane cover it up, some think Bobby killed Lucy and Jane covered it up for him – Bobby? Really? – but my theory is Cindy killed Lucy, Jane took the wrap because Cindy has a baby. or maybe that’s why Jane killed Lucy? Remember when Lucy was pregnant, Jane was meant to adopt her baby because she can’t have children but then Lucy said no and had an abortion? Underlying resentment and a motive right there! But would Jane really kill her for that?

Anyway, I’ll post a part 2 to this post either tonight (if my eyes still work) or at some point tomorrow.

What are your thoughts on the story line? Did it go on too long? Was it really the biggest thing to happen to Eastenders? Or was it built up only for us all to be bitterly disappointed that it wasn’t Abi (like me)?

C.x