If you asked me to pick just one album that has meant the most to me, I just wouldn’t be able to do it. Music has been the soundtrack to so many chapters of my life, different albums marking different moments, moods, and memories. One record takes me back to the angst of my teenage years, another reminds me of good times with friends, while others pull me straight into my escapisms, heartbreaks, or nights out.
Instead of settling on just one, I decided to put together my top 21 albums of all time. It’s not a “greatest albums ever made” list, it is personal. These are the ones that stuck with me, lifted me, shaped me, and still sound just as good today as when I first heard them. They are in no particular order.
Which topics would you like to be more informed about?
One thing I would really like to be more informed about is the news, what is real and what is not. These days it feels harder than ever to know which headlines can be trusted and which are designed just to grab attention. I’d like to learn how to better separate fact from fiction, so I can be confident in what I’m reading and sharing, there is just so much misinformation and blatant lies being put out into the world. With the progression of AI, it is so difficult to differentiate fact from fiction.
I have made a list of some things that I currently do and will continue to adhere to:
I’m assuming this question refers to big holidays that we celebrate like Easter, Christmas etc and not going on a holiday.
For me, holidays are all about the big occasions, those moments that bring people together. I usually celebrate with friends and family, the people who matter most. I love when we can all get together to celebrate the holidays. There are very few times where we are ALL together but quite often we might have a few different gatherings with loved ones.
There is always food, plenty of drinks, and laughter that fills the room. We share stories, make memories, and of course, take lots of photos to look back on later. We might enjoy music together, play games, watch movies and maybe even get annoyed with each other!
Holidays are about more than just the day itself, they are about connection, joy, and the little moments that stick with you long after. Whether it is a quiet dinner or a big party, what makes it special is the time spent together.
Here in Australia it is a little different as I don’t have much family here and my friendship circle is pretty small but I always have my partner to celebrate the milestones with, we’re very much a two person family. Also I don’t need the celebrations to be particularly flashy, just meaningful and a little different from the normal routine.
Share a lesson you wish you had learned earlier in life.
I wish I had realised earlier that saving for a deposit and getting on the property ladder was worth sacrificing other things for, because the way house prices have skyrocketed has made it almost impossible now, I’m not sure if I will ever own my own house.
Not that I’m complaining, I’ve had a great life travelling and I am in a good position where I can have a roof over my head, a cosy place to live etc etc., many people don’t have that, so I am extremely grateful.
Food isn’t just about taste for me, it’s also about comfort, memories, and the joy of sharing something delicious with others. If I had to sum up my favourite foods, I’d say they fall into three main food types, Italian, Mexican and Irish home cooking.
Italian food always feels like a warm embrace. A bowl of pasta, a thin-crust pizza, or something as simple as bruschetta, it’s comfort food, made to be enjoyed slowly.
Mexican food, on the other hand, excites me. The spices, colours, and bold flavours bring a sense of celebration to the table.
Finally there is Irish home cooking. This is where nostalgia comes in. Stews, soda bread, potato bread, tray bakes, the kind of food that brings me back to simpler times and cosy evenings. It’s simple, it’s hearty, and full of meaning.
I also do love fresh flavours, things that feel light, bright, and vibrant. A crisp salad, ripe fruit, or a squeeze of lemon can completely transform a meal. Alongside that, I try to keep my eating on the healthier side, not in a strict way, but in a way that leaves me feeling good after I have eaten.
Living in Australia makes the love of food even richer. The diversity here is incredible, one night I can enjoy Greek flavours, the next Lebanese, or discover something new with Nepalese or Vietnamese dishes. It feels like the whole world is on my doorstep, and it keeps my love for food constantly inspired.
I feel grateful to experience that here as I had never tried any of these foods before in Northern Ireland. The most I had ever tried that was remotely exotic was Chinese and Indian food, that I LOVE by the way but in Northern Ireland the foods are cooked to suit the locals taste buds, i.e. made with MSG. Nothing authentic about it but suits those who have never left the country to try the real deal.
I do not see myself as a leader in the traditional sense. I do not command rooms or chase recognition, however, I do lead by example.
As a nurse and a teacher, I try to guide through action, showing care, clarity, and integrity in my interactions. Leadership, to me, is quiet, it is human, and it is grounded in values.
I lead by treating others the way I would want to be treated, with respect, patience, and kindness.
Leadership does not have to be loud. Sometimes, it is just being the kind of person others feel safe around.
I have many, many favourite words which you might already know from my series Wayne’s Word but this word SCUNDERED has to be up there as one of my all time favourites, very well known in Northern Ireland.
If you are scundered, you are embarrassed, fed up, or ABSOLUTELY MORTIFIED by something. It’s one of those wonderfully flexible words that can describe different shades of awkwardness, depending on tone. We can also use this sarcastically or dramatically, making something sound very over the top for the purpose of telling a good story.
For example:
If you trip in front of a crowd, you might say, “I was scundered!” or if your friend tells a cringe story, you might admit, “I am scundered for you.”
It is a uniquely Northern Irish way of expressing that mix of embarrassment and exasperation. Not only does it sound great rolling off the tongue, but it also captures an emotion most of us know far too well.
Something I might say or many from Northern Ireland might say, “Scundered to a hundred” – It’s like turning the embarrassment or annoyance all the way up to maximum!!!
Happy hump day everyone! So I really am a creature of habit and in the evenings I pretty much do the same thing every evening, unless I have plans. This evening I will –
Return from work and have a coffee
Attend the gym for a class workout
Have my dinner, my partner will hopefully have cooked something nice otherwise we cook together and eat together at the dining table.
Have a shower.
Have a cup of tea and work on my uni assignment.
Make my breakfast and lunch for the next day.
Hit the sack about 10pm.
Not overly exciting but I like routine and being organised 🙂
What personality trait in people raises a red flag with you?
If there is one personality trait that instantly raises a red flag for me, it’s rudeness. Not just the occasional off day we all have, but a consistent, dismissive way of treating others.
I have always believed in treating everyone the same, from the doctor to the cleaner, from the CEO to the person serving coffee. Titles and uniforms don’t make anyone more or less worthy of respect. What truly matters is how we carry ourselves, and how we treat the people around us.
This is why I notice when someone shows kindness to me, yet turns around and speaks rudely to someone else. It’s a clear sign of inconsistency. Kindness isn’t real if it’s selective. Personally, it is one of the biggest red flags in character, you have revealed how you really value others when you think no one is paying attention.
My ideal week would be not working, to put it bluntly! Maybe lots of walks, gym sessions and catch ups with loved ones. I say this as I sit on my 6am morning commute to work on a Monday morning *sigh* – however, I am grateful to be able to work and the sun is shining here in Sydney so that’s a plus. It’s going to be a cool 28 degrees Celsius today, that’s 82.4 Fahrenheit apparently so I’m not going to complain.
Name the professional athletes you respect the most and why.
David Beckham has always been more than just a footballer to me. Yes, he was an exceptional talent but I was never really one to enjoy watching football. What I truly admire is how he carried himself through the tough times he endured during the nineties and emerged stronger, not just as an athlete, but as a brand.
From the highs of Manchester United and Real Madrid to the scrutiny he faced after the 1998 World Cup red card, dating a Spice Girl and his accusations of cheating, Beckham never let setbacks define him. He kept showing up, kept playing, kept evolving and I admire the man he has become today.
What’s even more impressive is how he transitioned beyond football. He didn’t just retire, he reinvented himself, albeit with the help from his wife. Beckham has become a global style icon, launching his own grooming line, clothing, aftershaves and sunglasses to name a few. Alongside his wife Victoria, he has built “Brand Beckham,” a powerhouse that blends sport and fashion, whilst being a family man and having a close relationship with his kids.
Nothing relaxes me more than sitting in a comfortable chair, feet up and a big cup of tea. It has to be a hot cup of tea, not too milky but also not too strong (we can it builder’s tea).
My cup all the way from Northern Ireland. I love this company too, quite famous in Belfast – Born & Bred.
The simple answer is no, I am not holding any grudges. I don’t see the point. Holding a grudge usually weighs more on the person carrying it than on the one it is directed at. Letting go doesn’t mean forgetting or excusing, it just means freeing yourself from the constant drag of resentment.
My mentality normally is that I can forgive but I don’t forget.
Share a story about the furthest you’ve ever traveled from home.
Taveuni, often called the “Garden Island of Fiji,” is famous not only for its lush rainforests, waterfalls, and vibrant coral reefs, but also for being one of the few inhabited places in the world where the International Date Line runs right through the land. The line, which marks the boundary between one calendar day and the next, cuts across the island so neatly that locals like to say you can stand with one foot in “today” and the other in “yesterday.”
I remember sitting on a quiet beach in Taveuni, watching the sun sink into the Pacific, when it suddenly struck me that I was as far from home as I could possibly be. I had crossed oceans and continents to reach this little island, and there was no way to go any further without starting the long journey back. That realisation of being quite literally on the other side of the world, made the moment feel both humbling and magical, as if I had reached the very edge of my own map.
Have you ever seen this 2006 movie, The Holiday? It is one of my absolute favourites, especially at Christmas. Iris’s English cottage (Rosehill Cottage) in the Surrey countryside is exactly what my ideal home would look like, with its stone walls, timber framework, thatched roof, warm fireplaces, and that fairytale snow covered look.
I want a home to be warm and cosy, yet spacious enough that it’s not too cramped. I would love a garden, not necessarily at the front but definitely at the back so I can have some outdoor space and a couple of pooches. Lastly it would need to have a stunning front door or at least a door with a beautiful wreath on it.
“I do not own the rights to this image. All rights belong to the original creator/owner. Image used here for informational/illustrative purposes only”
First of all, what is joy? Joy is a deep, uplifting emotion that comes when we experience something profoundly meaningful, beautiful, or fulfilling. Unlike fleeting happiness (which can come from small pleasures like a nice meal or a funny joke), joy tends to run deeper, it is tied to connection, love, gratitude, hope, or even a sense of awe.
As for why it can bring a tear to your eye, emotions aren’t neatly separated in our brains. Joy can overwhelm us in the same way sadness does, flooding the body with physical responses, like a lump in the throat, goosebumps, or tears. Tears of joy often happen when we feel something so intensely positive that it overflows, like seeing someone you love succeed or hearing a piece of music that stirs your soul.
I cried tears of joy at my sisters’ weddings, all three of them. I was caught totally unawares with my first sister to be married and had no idea that it could stir that kind of emotion. It was a real happy and proud moment for them to succeed in life and move onto the next chapter of their lives. A really lovely and emotional time.
Happy Sunday everyone! Let’s play a game. I have given 10 reasons why I blog but are they all true? From following my blog, would you know which points are true or false?
1 – Self-expression – My blog provides a space to share my thoughts and opinions.
2 – Building a personal brand – It helps me to establish my voice and identity online, whether professional or personal.
3 – Sharing knowledge – I blog to teach others, provide advice, or explain things I have learned.
4 – Documenting life – I use my blog as a digital diary to capture memories, milestones, and reflections.
5 – Community connection – I love how my blog can attract like-minded readers, fostering discussion and friendships.
6 – Improving writing skills – Regular posting helps me to refine my style, clarity, and communication.
7 – Career opportunities – My blog showcases expertise, attracts many job offers, collaborations, and freelance work.
8 – Inspiration and motivation – It gives me a sense of purpose and a creative outlet to explore new ideas.
9 – Earning income – I am fortunate to make a lot money on my blog through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing.
10 – Leaving a legacy – My blog can become a lasting collection of my thoughts, stories, and contributions for others to discover. It will be read for generations to come.
Just on my early morning commute to work, sitting on the train and happy to be warm when I hear a person below shouting. I can’t hear what he says but it sounds loud and with an aggressive tone. Other commuters start to take notice and one man actually leaves our carriage to go downstairs to tell the man to pipe down. To my surprise, it works and the man returns. We see these kind of people a lot in Sydney, you don’t want to presume but normally drugs have a lot to do with it. It sends the people crazy and you’re scared to even look at them in case they snap.
When the man returned to our carriage I thought how brave he was to go and speak to the noisy passenger but at the same time, a lot of people would be scared to intervene. What if the passenger returned with a knife or wanted to fight, you just never know these days.
Anything remotely confrontational makes me feel sick to my stomach so I am very grateful for the man who took a no nonsense approach. The train is now very quiet.
What was the last thing you searched for online? Why were you looking for it?
This is a funny question that I’m glad was asked. We were watching a documentary last night about the Tasmanian devil, an animal that only lives in Tasmania, Australia. You may know of it from the famous Warner Bros Looney Tunes series.
This animal used to live across mainland Australia thousands of years ago, but disappeared there around 3,000 years ago. Scientists believe this was due to competition with dingoes (which never made it to Tasmania), along with climate changes and human activity.
So now, the Tasmanian devil is endemic to Tasmania, meaning it is native there and nowhere else in the wild.
I was searching online to see what these creatures eat. I was thinking / hoping maybe they lived on berries etc but I know they have sharp teeth and claws. Here is what I discovered –
Tasmanian devils are carnivorous scavengers and hunters.
Their diet mainly consists of:
Carrion (dead animals): They’ll eat roadkill, livestock carcasses, or any remains they come across. Native animals: Wallabies, wombats, possums, birds, reptiles, and insects. Farm animals (if available): Chickens, sheep, or cattle carrion.
They are famous for eating almost the entire animal, i.e. flesh, fur, bones, and organs, thanks to their incredibly strong jaws and teeth. This makes them very efficient at cleaning up the environment. That’s a plus!
They are mostly scavengers, but they can hunt live prey if it’s small or weak. There you go. Have you ever heard of these animals? I have only seen them at the zoo here in Australia and on tv. They may appear cute but they can be aggressive, so beware the mighty Tasmanian Devil!
I love en early night, climbing into a cosy bed, especially at the moment as it is still winter here. I put the electric blanket on just to warm the bed up, it’s the best feeling. Even better when you are off work the next day, had a shower and have fresh sheets on ☺️.
Tell us about the last thing you got excited about.
“Keep your face always toward the sunshine—and shadows will fall behind you.” – Walt Whitman.
After what seems like an eternity, the downpours have stopped and the blue skies have returned. The morning sunshine got me very excited when I woke up as we can walk again without becoming saturated. I’m just going to pretend for five minutes that I’m not working later 😜
Motivation isn’t always loud or dramatic. Sometimes it is the quiet rhythm of showing up, the satisfaction of completing a task, or the peace found in structure. I am a creature of habit, I wake up, get dressed and head to work, if I’m lucky I will have time for a coffee. I don’t think about it, I just do it as it’s my routine.
I guess I am also motivated by hope and desire for the future. Having my goals for travelling, buying a house, being healthy, making new memories and thinking of future experiences with loved ones.
I like this prompt today, it really got me thinking. I’m not a huge movie lover, yes I love going to the cinema but I wouldn’t often watch movies at home. I’m more a tv serial kind of guy. However, I do still have my favourites, granted these could change depending on my mood but the below ten are some of my favourites.
Brief Encounter (1945) A chance meeting between two married strangers at a railway station blossoms into a poignant, forbidden romance that challenges their sense of duty and desire. This is my all time favourite! 🍿
Big Fish (2003) A son seeks truth in his dying father’s fantastical tales, discovering that myth and memory often intertwine in the most meaningful ways. Things always my number two film. I even seen this in the cinema three times!
Cruel Intentions (1999) In a twisted game of seduction and betrayal, two manipulative step-siblings wager on corrupting a virtuous girl—only to find that love complicates even the cruelest intentions. This is a classic and one that really reminds me of growing up in the nineties.
Enchanted (2007) Banished from her animated fairy-tale world, Princess Giselle lands in modern-day New York, where she must reconcile storybook romance with real-world love. This is a great feel good movie.
Rent (2005) Amid the grit of New York’s East Village, a group of bohemian friends confront love, loss, and the AIDS crisis while striving to live without regret. I love this musical and we’re actually going to see the live show later in the year, cannot wait.
Chicago (2002) Two murderesses compete for fame and freedom in 1920s Chicago, using scandal, showbiz, and a slick lawyer to turn crime into celebrity. My all time favourite live musical and I can’t even count how many times I have seen this live.
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) As the Rebel Alliance suffers devastating losses, Luke Skywalker trains with Yoda and faces Darth Vader in a duel that reveals a shocking truth.
The War of the Roses (1989) A bitter divorce spirals into domestic warfare as a once-loving couple turns their dream home into a battleground of spite and sabotage.
Romancing the Stone (1984) A timid romance novelist is swept into a jungle adventure, where danger and desire help her rewrite the story of her own courage.
Matilda (1996) Brilliant and neglected, a young girl discovers the power of books, kindness, and quiet rebellion in a world that underestimates her.
You can see a common theme here. I love musicals and anything a little science fiction or adventure. I’m sure there are many more movies to mention but that’s my top 10 that I can think of at 06.56 on my way to work. Have a great day everyone!!
It’s a little nod to Wayne’s World, but instead of ‘party time, excellent’ (if you are aware of the cult nineties classic) I will be diving into one WORD each day. It could be something I learned, something bizarre that happened, a favourite word that I have rediscovered or just a thought that won’t leave me alone.
If you’re joining in on today’s word, feel free to use this tag to connect your post to the series: #WaynesWord
Today’s word is THRESHOLD – because writing is like stepping across a threshold into your own space.
What do I enjoy most about writing? It gives me a safe space to talk, even about things that most people would find utterly uninteresting. Words, doors, flowers, my travels, my thoughts, writing lets me share it all without anyone politely backing away. It is a way to express my opinions, however small or peculiar, and know they’ve at least made it out into the world.
I would say I feel many positive emotions such as contentment, love, gratitude, compassion etc on a daily basis but today I will go with JOY.
Joy is a burst of happiness, often spontaneous, like laughing with a friend.
Today we had a bbq after work, just the boys. We like to get together once a month or so to catch up but it has been nearly 6 weeks since our last gathering. Today was lovely to enjoy each other’s company with some good food, lovely winter sun, the sound of birds in the garden and lots of laughter over many cups of herbal tea. Pure joy!
When it comes to goal-setting, I keep things minimal but intentional. I have short term and long term goals and each are treated differently.
Short Term Goals
Each day I jot down my daily goals on a post-it note or in my work diary. It’s nothing fancy, just a few tasks I want to knock out before the day is done. Seeing them in plain sight keeps me focused, and there’s something satisfying about crossing them off one by one. It’s like giving my day a little structure without overcomplicating it.
Long Term Goals
I usually have one big goal in mind, just one. It lives in my head, not on paper. I don’t map it out in detail or obsess over timelines. Instead, I chip away at it steadily, day by day. It’s a quiet kind of progress but it works for me. That single goal acts like a compass, subtly guiding my choices and keeping me aligned. For example, becoming an Australian citizen was a long term goal for me. It took me many years but I reached the end line and boy was it satisfying. I love smashing big goals out of the park and I just take one at a time.
This system isn’t perfect, but it’s mine. It keeps me moving forward without feeling overwhelmed, and sometimes, that is all you need. I like to enjoy life as much as I can without compromising my goals too much.
I have covered this word before on my Wayne’s Word series but it is an ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE in Northern Ireland and one that is extremely overused. Have you heard people using this word?
There’s something deeply restorative about silence, especially in a world that is constantly buzzing and demanding attention. Turning off the background noise feels like giving my mind permission to breathe and helps me to focus and reset. It could be as simple as turning off the radio or closing a door to block out unwanted noise. Quiet spaces, sunsets, sunrises, ocean walks, immersing in nature all bring me peace also.
A profession is a type of job or career that usually requires special training, education, or skills, and is often recognized by “society” as important or specialized.
For example:
Teaching is a profession because it requires qualifications and expertise. Medicine, law, engineering, and accounting are all considered professions.
It can also simply mean the kind of work someone does, for example, “His profession is retail”.
I admire any profession that helps others and that isn’t the most glamorous, for example, doctors, nurses, teachers, physiotherapists. However, I admire most jobs out there, especially the people who carry out certain jobs. I admire their passion for their job, their character and making the consumer feel positive.
I admire anyone who is working hard, granted you need to have the ability to work. I will treat a doctor or lawyer the same way I would treat a cleaner or a taxi driver, a shop assistant or a dentist. I admire those who want to work, who try their hardest to find employment and want to make a difference. Those who have to overcome illness or live with a chronic condition, where it takes all their might to work even a few hours a week.
I also believe a person’s character can be revealed by the way they treat people in jobs that are often undervalued or considered “less prestigious”. If you are rude to the waiter, we’re going to have issues!
If you were going to open up a shop, what would you sell?
It’s a little nod to Wayne’s World, but instead of ‘party time, excellent’ (if you are aware of the cult nineties classic) I will be diving into one WORD each day. It could be something I learned, something bizarre that happened, a favourite word that I have rediscovered or just a thought that won’t leave me alone.
If you’re joining in on today’s word, feel free to use this tag to connect your post to the series: #WaynesWord
Today’s word is WAFT.
Waft (verb/noun) – to drift gently through the air, often carrying a scent, a sound, or even a mood.
If I ever opened a shop, it would be a men’s fragrance boutique called “The Gentlemen’s Waft”. The kind of place where each cologne tells a story, think sleek shelves, warm lighting, and just enough mystery that customers feel like they’ve stepped into an old-world apothecary. Customers would not simply spray a fragrance, they would step into a cloud of carefully crafted aroma, letting it waft over them like an invisible handshake…and I would always smell good after my shift, win win 😉.
What is the most important thing to carry with you all the time?
If I’m thinking about physical possessions, I could say my phone. However, if I think a little deeper, I would say the most important thing would be my smile. I don’t have the biggest smile in the world, i.e. with showing my teeth but I would say mine is a subtle and gentle smile, not so in your face.
It costs nothing, weighs nothing, and yet it has the power to change everything. A smile opens doors, softens hearts, and reminds others (and myself) that kindness still exists.
So no matter where I go, I carry it with me. Not just on my face, but in my attitude, my words, and my actions 🙂
In this world, suffering is a forgotten concept. Every being is valued, every voice heard, and every day is a celebration of existence. It reminds me of the John Lennon song “Imagine”.
“Imagine there’s no heaven It’s easy if you try No hell below us Above us, only sky
Imagine all the people Livin’ for today
Imagine there’s no countries It isn’t hard to do Nothing to kill or die for And no religion, too
Imagine all the people Livin’ life in peace
You may say I’m a dreamer But I’m not the only one I hope someday you’ll join us And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions I wonder if you can No need for greed or hunger A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people Sharing all the world
You may say I’m a dreamer But I’m not the only one I hope someday you’ll join us And the world will live as one”.
It is 0628 here on A Sunday morning, I am having a coffee and about to go to the gym for a workout with some gym friends. Sometimes I think, “am I mad?” But I really love it and if I can’t do my exercise, I feel like something is missing and I feel sad about it (as strange as that sounds). I know I will feel good for the rest of the day!!!
Today I hit a HUGE milestone (for me) with achieving one thousand subscribers.
That’s a thousand humans (and possibly a few bots) who clicked follow, subscribe or ‘I’m kind of curious with what Wayne is rambling about today’.
From Wayne’s Word to tray bakes, travel highlights to colourful doors, you have stuck around and I am incredibly grateful for that. Whether you have read, may it be one post or a hundred, I want to say, THANK YOU!
This is my 21st day posting in a row and I have to say this has been the key for me, posting often. With creating Wayne’s Word and joining in different blogging prompts, it has kept the fire burning within me to keep blogging. The community here is fantastic for encouraging you and making you feel extremely welcome when the world around us can seem hard and sad at times.
Here is to the next thousand followers, the next word, travel adventure or whatever wonders lie in between.
Ok I thought this would be the perfect prompt to actually explain how I came about my blogging name Wrookieschu. You have to bear with me as it’s not a simple explanation.
I wanted my socials and blog to be open to the public but I didn’t want everyone able to find me, for example, my patients, my students or even certain extended family members. Therefore, I had to create an alias.
Firstly I swapped the first letters of my forename and surname with each other, so my first name became Wooke. Then I thought that was still pretty easy and I wanted to add a play to my German side of the family and always loved certain German words, such as Schuh for example. So my name became Wookieschu, however, I cannot remember where the R came from. I also was a huge fan of Star Wars so I loved that Wookie was included.
Chewbacca the Wookiee
I’m guessing I thought the name would look better with a WR at the beginning…and there you have it, Wrookieschu. It has been in existence for about eight years and although nobody has any idea what it means, I really like it so one reason or another.
Being a nurse, I listen to a lot of alarms ringing while I work, more specifically, dialysis machines alarming. I’m surprised I don’t hear them in my sleep 😜
Today we make our way back to Sydney from Manila via Hong Kong. I have to admit it’s a little bit spooky being on Friday the 13th, I actually had to think for a while before I booked the flights. I said to myself “don’t be silly, it will be fine”. Fingers crossed.
It was so sad to see the airplane crash yesterday from India to London shortly after takeoff and killing almost everyone instantly, only one survivor walked away. I wonder how he’s feeling? Scared, devastated, thankful, why me? A mixed bag of emotions I’m sure.
Praying today for a safe flight home. However, it really is only superstition that 13th is an unlucky number. Do you have any superstitions? For example, would you walk under a ladder? Does breaking a mirror give you seven years bad luck? I was reading before that in some cultures the number 13 is actually considered to be lucky and there is no evidence that bad things happen particularly on this date. Phew!
This post got me! I have had a good few jobs before I found my calling with nursing. It’s so hard to know what you want to do when you grow up and I had no idea about what types of jobs were available to me. I went to a grammar school – where you have to be of a certain calibre I guess to attend. I loved the school but sadly it only focused on the ‘elite’ types of employment, for example, doctors, lawyers, engineers etc. I had never really thought much of nursing and so many careers I had never even heard of, for example, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dieticians, speech and language therapists etc.
Therefore, I floated from one job to the next. That being said, I loved most of the jobs that I have done and always worked hard in whatever role. I started off as a student in retail and absolutely loved it. I worked in a supermarket, a catalogue store, and a student newsagents all while being a student from 16 years old until I was 21.
I then worked in a theatre as a theatre host and again with sales. I absolutely LOVED this job and is still probably my favourite to date. Being able to watch all the great shows while working was an unbelievable experience, from musicals to dramas, from ballet to operas (not so much a fan), from big production shows to local ones, it was an unreal experience and I made life long friends here.
I have also worked in call centres, factories, banking, hospitality and administrative jobs until I finally had my calling to nursing. To become a nurse I had to obtain some experience so I worked in a care home before applying to university. Whilst studying for my nursing degree I also worked in various hospital settings as a nursing assistant until I finally graduated and became a nurse. It is actually 10 years this year that I have been a nurse and I’m glad to say that I still love it. Also this year I took on a permanent position as a teacher of nursing!
It’s been an adventure to say the least and who knows where it will lead to. I think the most important things with work are :
You need to enjoy your work. We spend so much of our time in work that we really need to be happy there.
You need to feel pushed / fulfilled. I have left many jobs because I was starting to feel bored, not because I disliked the job.
Money. As sad as that sounds, we need to make money to have a decent quality of life. I’m not saying money is everything but you need to be happy with the life you have from the money you earn. I remember Boris Johnson saying nurses in the UK didn’t need a pay rise as they do it for the love of the job, not the money. Yes we love our job and money isn’t everything BUT we need enough money to pay our bills and put food on the table. I have left many jobs due to low wages, you need to know your worth.
Work / life balance. This is extremely important to me. I don’t want to be working 70 hours a week. You want to do your job well and be able to switch off and enjoy your life outside of work. We only get one life so you need to make the most of it. We work to live, not live to work!
Excuse the language but you don’t want to be dreading going to work.
I have many favourite fruits but my top five are bananas, apples, oranges, blueberries and watermelon. The first four, I pretty much eat on a daily basis as I’m a creature of habit. Blueberries not so much now as they’re so expensive at the moment and watermelon is a real treat. They’re just too big and too much effort to cut up but I really love them, especially if they’re served for breakfast.
You can tell I’m hungry as I couldn’t avoid this prompt today!
I grew up with the saying, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”. Anyone else hear this?
Yes I always try to, as I feel it is a privilege that many other countries are denied. If you want to make a difference, you need to vote.
Funnily enough, today is voting day here in Australia and it is compulsory to vote in this country. I think it’s a great idea to ensure everyone has their say. You also receive a fine for not voting, so yes, I will be voting today!
This is a big one, we are voting in the federal election to elect members of the 48th Parliament. I’m really hoping it doesn’t go in the Trump direction but nothing surprises me these days. Fingers crossed for a good outcome.
It’s a little nod to Wayne’s World, but instead of ‘party time, excellent’ (if you are aware of the cult nineties classic) I will be diving into one WORD each day. It could be something I learned, something bizarre that happened, a favourite word that I have rediscovered or just a thought that won’t leave me alone.
If you’re joining in on today’s word, feel free to use this tag to connect your post to the series: #WaynesWord
Today’s word is WHIRLWIND
Literal Meaning:
A whirlwind is a spinning column of air, like a small tornado. It moves quickly and unpredictably.
Figurative Meaning:
Used to describe something that happens very fast, often confusing or overwhelming – this is me today, crazy, busy day at work, train home, quick change and out again to meet a friend for dinner. Anyone else have these whirlwind days, where you don’t have time to even think straight?! I am currently sitting on the train back into the city and thought this would be my word for today.
It’s a little nod to Wayne’s World, but instead of ‘party time, excellent’ (if you are aware of the cult nineties classic) I will be diving into one WORD each day. It could be something I learned, something bizarre that happened, a favourite word that I have rediscovered or just a thought that won’t leave me alone.
If you’re joining in on today’s word, feel free to use this tag to connect your post to the series: #WaynesWord
Today’s word is AGAINST
I love this quote from Henry Ford, spotted at Adelaide airport yesterday.
This is a great inspirational quote, reminding us that life rarely moves in a straight line. Progress is often made, not by going with the flow but by moving against it.
“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” – Henry Ford
The moments of greatest resistance are often the moments right before we lift off into something greater.
Today, I’m reminded that being against the wind isn’t a setback — it’s part of the journey upward.
It’s a little nod to Wayne’s World, but instead of ‘party time, excellent’ (if you are aware of the cult nineties classic) I will be diving into one WORD each day. It could be something I learned, something bizarre that happened, a favourite word that I have rediscovered or just a thought that won’t leave me alone.
If you’re joining in on today’s word, feel free to use this tag to connect your post to the series: #WaynesWord
Today’s word is HOPE.
I’ve been thinking of Good Friday a lot today, more so because I was working and talking to my patients about their plans for the day. One of the many things I love about Sydney is that it is so multicultural and I really enjoy learning about different religions and traditions, with today being a very important day for many.
I heard the word ‘Hope’ on TV when I returned home from work and it got me thinking about the connection to Good Friday. I feel that hope and Good Friday are deeply connected—not because the day is happy, but because it dares us to believe that something better is just ahead, even when we can’t see it yet and I believe that to be the case with this special day.
I hope you all have a lovely Good Friday, if you celebrate observe it.
Happy Friday to you all. Today’s prompt caught my eye as I feel like here in Australia we can see many wild animals. I guess a wild animal is anything that isn’t tame or considered as a pet. We have everything wild here, from cockroaches to kangaroos to spiders and snakes. Australia is even home to an abundance of deadly animals, many of which are native to this country.
The animal that springs to mind in my community is the cockatoo, a native Australian parrot. I had seen some of these in Sydney but here in the Shire we have thousands of these, maybe as we’re close to the Royal National Park. These birds live in the wild, however, many can be seen here on the suburban streets in search for an easy meal. They are extremely rowdy and their squawk (I remembered how much I love this word) would frighten the life out of you. I have jumped out of my skin on numerous occasions as they let off their loud SQUAAAAAWWK, sometimes when flying over your head or even towards you!!!
In their defence, they’re very cute and extremely smart and inquisitive. I guess humans are taking over their land which is quite a sad thought. Have you ever had the pleasure to see one of these???
1 – Collapse of the twin towers 2001. This was a big one and I was 17 at the time. I remember being in school and a student ran into our classroom to announce to every one that planes had crashed into the twin towers. I travelled home from school and remember watching it with my family on the news and being in total disbelief and feeling so sad about it.
2 – Death of Princess Diana 1997. I remember waking up and seeing my mum watching the news and being very upset. When she told my Princess Diana had died in a car crash, it was shocking as she was such a prominent person in the media at the time and I remember all the charity work she was doing. I felt so sad that she had died in such a tragic way and to die so young. I felt for the two boys who had lost their mother.
3 – The war in Afghanistan. I know people had to be held accountable for the many deaths caused from the twin towers falling and the other plane attacks. However, I felt uncomfortable that a war was waged and now when I see the atrocities happening in the Middle East, I just feel so sad for all the innocent people that die, all the mothers and children who have nothing to do with any wars. I feel like we don’t seem to learn from history sadly and we make the same mistakes again and again.
4 – The Good Friday Agreement 1998. This was an agreement to end the conflict in Northern Ireland that had lasted for over 30 years. I grew up at the tail end of the troubles thankfully but I still remember all the bomb scares, bombs that actually exploded, army check points every time you left your village, and the tit for tat fighting between Catholic Nationalists and Protestant Unionists. I remember Bill Clinton visiting Northern Ireland and that it was a big deal that he was backing the agreement.
5 – Brexit voting 2016. A more recent historical event but one that I remember clearly and I was devastated to be leaving the European Union. I feel that people were misinformed and didn’t actually know what they were voting for. I was completely floored when I heard we were leaving the EU, I thought it would be a no brainer to stay but alas I was proved wrong. We will be suffering from this for years to come I’m sure.
6 – Donald Trump becoming president in 2017. I actually could not believe this. I thought he would have no chance of becoming president as he was a TV personality and business man but I was wrong. I was again shocked when Boris Johnson became the UK prime minister two years later.
7 – The tsunami in Phi Phi island, Thailand. The earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean 2004 was huge and I had a friend living in Phi Phi island at the time, so I was able to hear what happened straight from the horses mouth. Luckily, she was one of the survivors but it was absolutely horrendous how many people died, over 227,000 in total in different countries within Asia. We visited Phi Phil island in 2009 and met with the locals and survivors to hear their stories and visit the memorial garden that they had created. Such a tragic environmental disaster.
8 – Marriage of William and Kate 2011. This was massive in the UK and I guess I feel a connection to William as we’re around the same age. I had just started working in a nursing home and I remember watching the ceremony with the residents and seeing how excited they were to see the royals getting married. It was a great day.
9 – Death of Queen Elizabeth 2022. This was big as I had only ever known the Queen to be the reigning monarch. When she passed away, it was like the whole country was in mourning. I feel like this was a huge milestone and that she has left such a legacy, whether you’re a royalist or not.
That’s my top nine that I can think of now from the top of my head but I’m sure there are heaps more. Do you have any other historical events that you remember? I found this prompt very interesting and jumped at the chance to answer. It’s funny that you always remember where you were when you heard the historical news for the first time and also strange that we are currently living through historical events.
After tossing and turning all night with the heat and things on my mind (nothing too serious) I checked my watch this morning with hopeful optimism that maybe I had a good enough sleep to get me through the day…but to my dismay it was only a measly 3 hours 45 minutes. I know this isn’t the worst, there are many new mothers and fathers who have much less sleep, however, for me, I normally need at least 6 hours to function. Let’s see how today goes.
Which food, when you eat it, instantly transports you to childhood?
I used to love this as a child and it reminds me of being at school, having this as part of our school dinners. I see a lot of patients eating this when they’re in hospital too, easy to eat I suppose, cheap to make and great comfort food. Can you name a better food combo?
Do you have a quote you live your life by or think of often?
An Irish saying and one that I say almost daily, especially when I double and triple check things in work. As a nurse I am always doing this and often find myself saying to my patients “to be sure, to be sure”. I say this without even realising and it never fails to make the patients laugh.
What’s the thing you’re most scared to do? What would it take to get you to do it?
I honestly have no idea about this prompt. I don’t think I’m really scared of anything to do. I think if I was that scared, I just wouldn’t be doing it.
I am nervous about going back to my teaching role tomorrow but I know it will be fine once I get the first day over with. Thinking of the students, the money and job satisfaction will get me through the nerves this evening and knowing that everything will be ok once the day is over. There will be light at the end of the tunnel, the world will not end (yet).
Well done to everyone for making it to the end of Bloganuary. We have done it, one blog post every day for one whole month! I have to say, the prompts have been pretty good compared to the last couple of years (there were a few dodgy ones before) so thank you to whoever created them. I hope it inspires me to keep blogging often in the coming weeks / months.
Have a great day everyone and enjoy the last day of January.
The price of everything! The cost of living has risen so much over the past couple of years with wages not rising to match. This is very much evident in Northern Ireland post Brexit, obviously there are other factors at play, Covid, wars happening around the world etc but it’s sad to see people struggling to buy the basics or worried about heating their homes.
I do find I complain about this less in Australia but it’s still happening here too. The weather can be a big thing to complain about as it has been very humid here of late, however, I don’t like to complain about it as I left Northern Ireland because of it being too cold!
I complain about the injustice in the world, the sadness from the wars raging on and the suffering of innocent people. I also complain about how the environment is suffering and global warming. We can make little changes to make a difference but it’s the people in power who ultimately have to take action.
I think that’s it really. I’m sure I complain about other things too, we have a tendency to do that if you’re from Northern Ireland 🤣. We love a good moan!
WrookieSchU 