Monday, December 31, 2012

31/12/12 - The Big One!

That's it. Another year gone by!  It's been a bit of a strange one really...

I suppose I should start where I always do, the classic list of things to do before I'm 25!  My priorities have changed a tad since I wrote this list but there has been progress nonetheless:

5. Climb the highest 10 “mountains” in England, Scotland and Wales
I have added one to list - Tryfan. Plenty more to go though!

6. Achieve a podium in a cycling race
No, definitely not...but I think I had an excuse!

8. Skydive or bungee jump (or both!) 
Yes!  Did this one. You may remember me sky diving back in March (http://schrodingerandhiscat.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/29312.html) I really want to do it again...if funds ever allow I intend to learn to do it solo!

10. OK, this isn't on the same level as the others but hey, it needs deciding - Organic, Physical or Inorganic?
I chose none of the above and picked medicine as where I want to go, but if I had to chose it would be organic I think (who'd have thought I'd be saying that!), so that's another one ticked off the list!

11. Take a photo every day for a year 
Another yes! I'm not sure I got as much out of it as I'd hoped but I did it!

The rest of it is mainly travel based, I hope I'll get at least one of them ticked off in the next 12 months but don't hold your breath! 

Looking back over my posts for the year (yes I know there has been a lot of them) it's interesting to see how things have progressed and how my aims and aspirations have changed; and to reminisce over some of the big events of my year...

One thing that remained constant was my desire to do well at uni. I wouldn't have been satisfied if I'd got any less than a 1st and somehow I kept it all together and I did it. Was so happy to get my results and will be eternally grateful to those that helped me through it - there's a couple of people (who I hope know who they are!) that went above and beyond and I couldn't have done it without you!

Something that has changed, or at least developed is my career aspirations! Ideas were forming and they eventually came to fruition after some great periods of work experience. I want to be a doctor. I still don't know if it actually will happen but things are moving in the right direction so fingers crossed eh? My current aim is to become a surgeon (maybe T&O or ENT) I think...I know this is liable to change because I will see so much during med school, and there are of course other factors which may make a surgical career difficult, but hey, it's good to have a goal in mind right, even if it is a variable one? 

As I have already eluded to, the sky dive was a big thing for me this year. It was a bit spur of the moment, but that does mean I had a fantastic day weather wise. I would definitely put it down as one of the best experiences of my life to date, and it is something I hope to repeat! It goes a bit deeper than that though, I'm not scared of heights, or planes or anything like that but I think it was still an achievement of sorts - it's something I often look back on, not only as a happy memory, but I often apply "if I can jump out of a plane I can do this..." to situations where I get nervous (which happen all too often!).

My arm injury has had a big role throughout the year too. In January I was expecting a bit of physio and then all to be well. Since then things have been a bit up and down - I had the complex regional pain syndrome diagnosis which has thankfully been abandoned; I've had another operation which unfortunately hasn't helped except to rule out any problems with my elbow joint and am now back on regular painkillers. I am still under the care of a private physiotherapist, and soon to be starting with an NHS one too/instead but despite some hard work (even if I do say so myself) over the last few weeks I'm not sue that it has helped, but I will carry on. This saga shall I'm sure continue...I'm due to see my consultant again in a few weeks so we'll just have to wait and hope for the best!

Bikes. Always going to be a big thing for me. Whilst my cycling total for the year (239.93 miles) was a bit pathetic, I'm glad to have got every one of those miles. Not to mention the hours spent on the turbo trainer! I don't know what next year will bring but I hope to get back on the bike once and for all one way or another.

I'm sure there has been a lot more to 2012 than that, but anyway, that brings me on to looking forward. 

There is definitely a lot to come in 2013 if the next month is anything to go by. I can get myself a step closer to becoming a doctor by performing well in my medical school interview(s). I can also take a leap forward if I do well at my job interview(s), if successful I will be sad to leave the bike shop after almost 5(!) years of service (although I'm sure there'll always be the chance for a guest appearance), and whilst I am more than a little nervous about the prospect of a new job (which there is a very good chance I won't get!!) I am very excited too - watch this space!

What else is there left to say? I'm sure you'll be pleased to here - very little!

The last 12 months have definitely changed me, I'll let you decide whether that's a good thing or not. I'm sure 2013 will bring more changes as it is, after all, our experiences that define us...

New year's resolutions?  I seem to have failed a bit on last year's so I'm not really going to make any this year. I shall just try and make more of an effort to be less grumpy (grumpiness has definitely been on the increase this year!) and to worry less. I worry too much! 

So I shall end by wishing you all the very best for the new year!

P.S. Now I've finished the photo a day challenge I won't be posting every day any more!  I don't know how often I will end up writing, but I will do my best keep this updated with anything exciting...

That's it.  Really over now. Well done! 

31/12/12

I was going to end with a picture of me, but nobody needs to see that so here's a pirate instead!

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Thursday, December 27, 2012

27/12/12

It's the final countdown...!

To celebrate: Pier of the year 2009

Monday, December 24, 2012

24/12/12

You may or may not know that I'm on holiday at the moment so I'll keep it short.

Just thought I'd take this opportunity to say Merry Christmas! (As it is already Christmas Day in some parts of the world). I hope everyone has a fantastic time whatever they are doing.

I know I have been a bit quiet recently but I shall be doing the usual end of year/new year type blog post so keep a look out.

Today's picture...TARDIS?


Sunday, December 23, 2012

Thursday, December 20, 2012

20/12/12

This Sainsbury's scares me. It's huge. But hasn't always been so...

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

19/12/12

I should point out this is blurry as it was moving and not because of my incompetence (which is usually the case!)

Saturday, December 15, 2012

15/12/12

I feel slightly broken.

This game makes me happy though.

Friday, December 14, 2012

14/12/12

Christmas is coming... (I'm almost excited now, well...I am looking forward to Christmas, but not the proximity to the new year that it brings!)


Thursday, December 13, 2012

13/12/12

Very excited about going to see The Hobbit tonight (less so about getting up in the morning!). It's almost been enough to distract me from my usual grumpiness. 40 more days to wait by my reckoning...

Don't like to wish my time away but at least it will be a relatively "quick" 40 days seen as I've got quite a few things between now and then to keep me occupied. 

Was unusually happy with today's photo. Good day for a dog walk!


Wednesday, December 12, 2012

12/12/12

Strange isn't it?

Given some good news, have a few brief minutes of elation and then start worrying about it. Lot's of hypotheticals and "what if?"s. Argh!

Should try and focus on the positives (for example I've been offered 2 interviews in the last week) and stop unduly panicking. Taking a "I'll cross that bridge when I get to it" approach would seem to be well advised but is easier said than done.

It's good that things are progressing, and I'm happy about that, I really am; but the one thing that I need /want to progress most at the moment doesn't seem to be getting anywhere! *grumble* :(

Also - it's really cold outside!

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

11/12/12

Strange day of looking backwards and forwards sideways.

Cold, foggy day too.

Saturday, December 8, 2012

8/12/12

Was in charge of photos for eBay at the shop today, so here's a bike...

Friday, December 7, 2012

7/12/12

So I took certain steps yesterday, after a few things that were said/done today I'm glad. Just hope something comes to fruition...

Ah well, it's one more thing on the pending list!



Thursday, December 6, 2012

6/12/12

So, what's been going on in life, the universe and everything?

This week I finished my latest audit volunteer project.  Whilst on the surface it wasn't very exciting I got a lot out of it, and actually really enjoyed it in the end! It meant I got to work with a new team of people, I think doing this fairly regularly will definitely bee good for me as it can only increase my confidence!  I think the enjoyment came because it was clear that what I was doing was appreciated by those that I was helping and it was quite satisfying inputting all the data, and then doing some analysis etc.  Have a meeting next week to talk about the next project, I know roughly what it's about (and actually who I'll be working with) but not sure exactly what I'll be doing yet - really looking forward to it though!

Also this week, I started physio.  After many phone calls last week, it was determined that my referral for NHS physio had been lost (and another phone call yesterday revealed that the form was sitting there waiting to be filled in again by my consultant so I'm not optimisitc that it's going to be sorted any time soon!) so I opted to organise some private physio. Whilst I may have to sell a kidney to fund it should it become a regular thing I decided it's got to be worth a try because I'm well and truly fed up of being "broken" so it's about time I did something proactive to try and get it sorted!

So that was Tuesday, I most definitely looked out of place in the building - I'm not their typical client! I'm not sure as to if it's actually going to benefit, but the physio I met came up with an alternative theory as to what it causing my pain...she thinks she can help, but then she would say that because she wants my money!  Anyway, I came away with instructions to do some exercises having had my arm massaged for 20 minutes - it must be doing something because it's even more sore now! Back again next week...

I've been rather neglecting the bike/turbo trainer. You may have noticed I've had a couple of outside rides. Both just under 2 miles. Both hurt and rather worringly, despite no problems with quite intense turbo sessions, I returned from both and had "issues" with my chest (which so far I'm opting to ignore!). I will get back on the turbo at some point, I just lost motivation as I've once again actually getting back on the bike seems too far away...!

There has been progress else where though. Whilst I am set on doing medicine (although it is out of my hands at the moment!), I need to do something in the mean time so I am now taking the job hunt more seriously. Already exciting things may be afoot...but I shan't say any more until things get further because there's a good chance that they won't!

So ignoring my ouchiness (which is rather hard for me to do!) things are good at the moment...remind me of this next time I'm whinging which I expect will be very soon!  

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

4/12/12

"Work" was really quite satisfying today. Everything all came together nicely and I made some graphs for the big audit meeting on Friday.
I've been invited, and I'm told they're providing a free lunch...

Sorry, I know the picture is rubbish but this way you can appreciate the amazing chart-ness without seeing the results...!

Monday, December 3, 2012

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Saturday, December 1, 2012

1/12/12

Traditionally I am very opposed to change so you know things are bad when I am fed up of the status quo...

Just feeling a bit stuck!

Here's the view from work today (not that it changes very often!)