My Life's Ingredients

I know I said I'd not be looking for work until 2017, but have been talking to friends who are just going back to work etc. There's the age old question: What do I want to work? Do I want to go back into admin/pensions/secretarial work, or do I want a career change? At my age, would a change in career be an option? Or should I just trudge back into a "desk jockey job" that I don't like? How many people are actually LOVING their job or have the job only because it's good pay and makes ends meet? And works around kids etc? My main thoughts right now are: I would like a term-time job that works around the girls' school hours. We've been through a hellish time for 5 years to actually HAVE them, so I'd like to be able to spend as much time with them as I can. And yes, I actually would like to go back to work, just for my own sanity and to regain my own personality again, not being "mum/mummy/mami" or "K&M's mum". That...

Ok.. not the most inspired title for the blog entry today, I admit. But I'm still a bit tired, and brain's still not 100% back to working order (lingering migraine since Tuesday). So that's my excuse, and I'll stick to it. ;)  Well... the Hobbitses will start pre-school nursery a week today. And that means I have 1 more year to look into part time work for myself to fund holidays for us (and my crafts, I suppose).  Sooo ... in a dash of madness I decided yesterday after Body Balance to look at some of the job sites online. Just out of interest.  My CV mostly shows Customer Service... in telecoms and Finance. Joy! Some rebellious voice in my head screams against going back to either field, and even is against going back into admin.  Now ... that little rebellious voice wants to do something more creative. Or something in the medical field / research. For that, admin would be allowed again. ;) Or working at a school/university (but most unlikely teachi...

I gained my Diploma in Sports Therapy!!! YAY! More info tomorrow ... I am totally knackered, got a stinking headache and my back's killing me (was tense all day and that's what you get). Did a "borderline pass" ... but who the heck cares??? I PASSED!!!!!!  Phew!!! :) (and that was on a joint that I haven't really done lots of studying about and NEVER have been presented with an injury by any players so far ... so ... if I would have picked the envelope with the Knee, Ankle or Shoulder - I would have passed with flying colours, don't you think???? ;) ).

Yeah... not sure how long it's out but I just found it ... huh! Like it though. And now I'm going to read a couple of pages in my book (still reading "Ice Limit" and have about 6 new books waiting to be read - that's apart from all those anatomy and physiology books that seem to pile up downstairs right now!!!) before switching off the light. Tomorrow is my first day in the new department in my old work ... not sure if I actually posted an update on my working situation after end of November??? Anyway... back to the same company, different department, similar work, just this time pension admin for company pensions instead of personal pensions. Looks like I am going to be in the same team as one or two of my other friends, so that will be at least not too bad. Working 3 days per week though instead of just 2 ... Tuesdays - Thursdays ... means I have to put more time into the days off with studying... BIG DAY IS ON 20 JANUARY!!!!!!

A bit behind ... came home later than expected yesterday after a very mentally exhausting weekend - preparation weekend/last practical module (and first for me in about 2.5 years!) before the final exam/before I am going to re-sit the 3rd part of the exam. :)  I went through to Glasgow Airport (the module took place at the Holiday Inn there) on Friday courtesy of Citylink Buses (and the price has gone up considerably for a open return ticket!!). Felt like I didn't study enough (and I probably didn't, but confessed that immediately to the tutor) -  but fortunately the knowledge which was dormant for the last 3-ish years is still there ... just hiding in the "cupboard" of my brain! :)  Been doing revision both Friday and Saturday evening though. Had a very good tutor, and I am glad that Sports Rehab & Education has added this practical module (Module V), which did not exist when I sat the exam ... and failed one part. I am more confident to resit now, and shoul...

Well... looks like I will be back at my old work again on Thursday for a talk with Adecco and then have 1 day working (for a special "control" I used to do for 6.5 years) ... and will be back for 2 days per week from 11th June for a bit. Funny that, specially after I've said I don't want to go back to that company... :o Well, I am going to concentrate on studying again come June as I suspect that the next re-sit for the 2nd part of my diploma will be in August.

..for my sports therapy re-sit that is! Today was a little mad dash about with stuff because Doug had to take the van back to Tollcross, so it was all a bit rushed and I couldn't get forms from players really before the game. Set up my room again, and had one of our players coming for a look at his back and some DTM (deep tissue massage). I was just about to get our equipment manager for his examiniation & assessment when we had Kenny and Chuck stumbling into the building, Chuck holding his forearm and Kenny telling me that Chuck probably had dislocated his shoulder or elbow (quite a big area and hopefully I'll never come across a dislocated elbow!!). We rushed them into the changing rooms and I had a look ... and saw my first ever real life shoulder dislocation... :O Looks nasty, and Chuck was really in pain. So off I sent Allan to get some ice and then I phoned Doug to see if he was already on the way back to JKC - which he wasn't. Next order was to send Kenny off t...

Totally shattered, was a very long day today .... :o What are the results? Well.... see below... ;) Part 1 Surface anatomy - Pass (at pass mark of 60%) Written paper of whole course - Pass (76%) Part 2 Clinical - fail (45% - 15% away from the pass mark). So ... In total I'd prefer the following description... I haven't FAILED the exam ... I just haven't QUALIFIED yet. ;) So next step is to get lots of patient handling (no problem, considering the injuries the Wolves players bring along already ... :D) , lots of talking through stuff, more pressure when tissue handling and getting to grips to my Injury pathology/etiology and rehab programs. To be honest... I knew I ran out of time for the clinical part. I had to battle my brain for the whole anatomy & physiology for the WRITTEN exam and that was my main aim. My lecturer actually suggested I should sit the exam (that was at module 12 about 3.5 weeks ago) and if it's only to get part 1 out of the way. Feels better...

Tomorrow is the big day!!! Have I studied hard? YES. Have I done practical E&A? YES. Do I feel as if I have run out of time???? YES!!! But there's not much I can do about time, so let's do the best of it. Tony was here for 2 hours to go over practical stuff with me (mostly tests - like Apprehension test for shoulder dislocation and the Kennedy & Hawkins test) and it was good to go through some things with him and discuss what we expect to appear in the final written paper or the E&A + Clinical question time. Will be reading my sports injuries book and hope that things will stick. Fortunately I'll know by around 4:30pm tomorrow if I have passed the exam or not. No prolonged waiting there... phew!! So - quick check on e-mails and then back hitting the books.

No studying today ... my head was spinning a little (stupid cold), my throat hurt from all the coughing, and my back muscles hurt as well (from all that explosive cough stuff - isn't anatomy great!!! ;) ). So I did some ironing while watching telly. After dinner I started on my CJ (oops, leaving it late again .. but there you go, studying comes first) and checked in at the CyberCrop at the SBS Forum but didn't feel up to doing anything of the packed agenda!! ;) Definitely next time though!! Well...cover for the CJ is done, will do intro & my entry tomorrow or Monday before sending it off. Need to get some sleep, have an "Open Clinic" for the Wolves Players tomorrow from 10am - 12pm and then it's SuperBowl Party in the evening. And my could drains me enough as it is. Got an invite from my "colleague" Kai to help out as Trainer at the GB Lions Trials . Looks like I am getting enough practical training for my exam!! ;)