Iceland for New Year anyone?

Hallo hvernig ert pu - that's Icelandic for hello how are you? I have Glasto coming up, then starting a new job on 3rd July, the Three Peaks on 12th July and in the mean time, I have CAB volunteering to do! It's all go.. and I am secretly considering giving up CAB already because I'm not sure how I will fit it in to be honest. And that's because I plan on doing some serious overtime at the new place.. Because I want to go to Iceland for 6 days for New Year.. and it is EXPENSIVE.

I have some serious things to tick off my list - if you have a look at the tab above "Bucket List" you will see I have many things to get done. Iceland is one of them. However, I had not anticipated just HOW expensive it is going to be. BUT I WANT YOU TO COME WITH ME!! So to justify the MASSIVE price tag... which is £1700.. I have itemised what I would do there... Click on the bold word to go to the website for more information...

Train to Manchester Airport - £40 return
Flights with EasyJet - £188 return
Transfers to hostel - £25 return
Hostel - £102 Food for trip - £300
Souvenirs - £100
Whale and Lagoon trip - £70
New Year - £100 (drinks)
Northern Lights trip x 2 - £50
Volcano hike - £200
Glacier hike - £122
Musher with huskies for the day - £238
Brewery tour - £25

So what do you think??? Want to come with me and do some stuff that you might not ever get to do again??!!The volcano hike sounds AMAZING. You get to climb INSIDE a volcano!!!!! And as for the musher experience, you spend a day learning how to control the dogs and then take them out for a ride into the Icelandic countryside :D

I am almost SURE I am going to do it, especially if I get compensation from Commonwealth bank so please come with me.. trip of a life time!!!

Driving License, Job, Volunteering, and... 100 POSTS!

Oh SO much has happened and I have been SO busy I haven't had time to update. So here it is!!

Driving Test
I FRIGGING WELL PASSED!!!! I can't believe it!! Particularly because twice I noticed I had accidentally gone nearly 8 miles over the speed limit!! But I did it.. 2 minors and I am FREE to go driving :D And she told me the most mental story whilst we were driving. I told her about pervo last driving instructor and she told me about a case that went to court. According to her apparently this instructor took the hand of his 18 year old female pupil and put it square on his crotch. The girl complained and the matter was taken to court. His defense was "he put a carrot in his pocket as a practical joke" but apparently it wasn't - he had a mega hard on!! I was absolutely shocked and laughed so hard I nearly put the car in the bushes. Well subsequently I googled it and the test lady got the story completely wrong. Click here to read it as its still a bit seedy!

Car
I gots me a car!!! It's a wee red corsa 1.2 and I have been all over in it. I went on one random drive that wasn't very random as it turned out.. I felt the urge to just not go home and ended up in Staveley. Woooo lol.. all 5 minutes down the road :D still.. Also major embarrassment. I went up a multistory car park for the first time the other day which was all good and all fine. But when it came time to leave I realised on the last exit point to go down, I had left my bloody ticket in the boot!! So I had to stop the car mid ramp, get out barefoot (because I can't drive in shoes), run to the boot and grabbed a ticket. A queue was forming behind me so I moved quick and nearly went through the barriers!! It then gets worse.. I  lean out the window and put my ticket in. "Not Valid" the machine said. "Fuck off machine" I said. Tried again.. same message. So I pressed the "help" button. Man comes on and I explain its not accepting my ticket. He says "make sure the arrow is facing upwards".. so I said "Arrow?!?! There are two arrows?!"... he says... "excuse me??"..... it then dawns. I have picked up the wrong fucking ticket out of the boot. I stuttered and said "eerrrr.. erm... hang on". At this point there are around 5 cars behind me. It gets SO much worse......

I had driven up so close to the ticket machine I couldn't open my door. I tried but my arse is larger than 4cm so it just wasn't happening. So in full view of the CCTV and of the 5 cars behind with all their passengers, I had to CRAWL onto the passengers side, get out of the car that way, RUN to the boot, rummage through a million shopping bags to find the ticket, CRAWL back into my car, then forget to close the twatting passengers side because I was so flustered, CRAWL BACK over to close it, sit back down, pull my seat forward so I could reach the pedals, put the ticket in aaaaaannndd.... stall. Just as the barrier is coming down I restart the engine and speed off... clipping a curb. Fuuuccckking nightmare. But oh well, bad experiences make you appreciate the good ones more! Apparently...

Job
Well in my last update I told you about the fastest promotion in history.. well the job doesn't seem to be coming to fruition. They sent my "offer letter" AFTER it had expired and they haven't even acknowledged receipt of it or told me when the centre opens or sorted me out any training. So instead I kept looking for work and the day after I passed my test I got a job interview for a carer with the only requirement being a driving license. They were so keen I got the job on the spot, on the highest rate of pay they offer and tomorrow I am doing my moving and handling course. Awoop!! I will let you know how that goes.

Volunteering
I am going to be a volunteer at a very well known and respected company that give advice to those that need it. I'm not sure I can say the companies name or anything because it would be giving away my identity and what not.. but think how good that will look on the CV and on my personal statement for university!! It's all coming together.

The Gym
Well in prep for the Three Peaks and because I have decided I am morbidly obese - the car door incident evidence enough - I have finally joined the gym. The first day was full on shite. They have set me this programme which apparently I can't change - very frustrating - but it made my heart pound SO much that I nearly threw up. Recently though I have noticed myself getting very dizzy even when sitting down, feeling quite nauseous and when I have gone to check my pulse a couple of times, it's been so faint I can't feel it! So today we have dug out the blood pressure machine and on three separate readings, my pulse registered between 63-68, and my blood pressure was 95/65, 98/53 and 94/54 and just now as I am writing I did it again, and its 96/52... that is bloody low is it not??? I read it might have something to do with dehydration so I am going to try and make a point of drinking 2 litres of water of the next couple of days and see what happens.

Glastonbury
Two weeks today!!

100 posts!!!!!!!!
It is indeed my 100th post!!! A lot of thought, effort, emotion and dreams have gone into my blog posts and really the only reason I keep doing them is because guys ask for them so you are up to date with my ongoings and because most of the time they make you laugh.

Thank you so much for reading them and for always being so nice with your comments. You have helped me make decisions and comforted me when the posts have been on my "down" days. Having mild bipolar can be really hard some times and pretty epic others lol. Today and this week.. maybe even this month has all been a "up day" and updating positive things is really good sign. But anyway.. .thank you for reading 100 articles on ME! hehe.

That's all folks.. I have to finish this last assignment now :) cheerio.

Choosing To Be Selfish Over a Family

Good afternoon Sunday readers. How was your day? What did Sunday do for you?

I've been thinking, as is Sunday tradition. Do you realise just HOW MUCH there is to see and do in this world??? There is Africa, Canada, America, South America, Asia, Middle East, the Northern Lights, the pyramids, Europe, the Maldives.....

How will I find time to see all these things, have a career and have a family?? The only solution I can see is not have a family... And whilst I get my broody moments I think a selfish life as a backpacker is the one I want.

I don't want to be a mum at 45. But I don't want to be a mum now or the next 5 years with so much she wants to do but can't anymore. I don't want to resent my child.

It might be a very short blog.. but it was a very difficult one to write. And the same time almost a relief that I think I have made my choice. See you soon Africa...........

The Car Dilemma

Good evening - I'm having a dilemma. The car test is scarily soon and I am looking at buying my very first car the day I pass... if I pass!!! But what sort of car should I get? Here are the options...

The One Year Car

• Cheap (£500) run around that will last a year. 
• Tax £120ish
• Insurance £1200ish
• Not that big a deal if I prang it because I will just scrap it therefore keeping NCB

The Four Year Car

• Costs £2000 and will last 4 years
• Tax £35
• Insurance £1000ish
• Could be a bit of an arse if I prang it because I will have to get it fixed, so will lose NCB

Overall, if I have no accidents what so ever then the 4 year car is much cheaper in the long run. And it would be so much nicer to drive a newer car. But equally it could be very expensive insurance wise if I do prang it. 

What should I do based on your experiences???

Fastest Promotion Ever??

Hello you! Thanks for coming to have a nosey. Since the last update not toooo much has happened really. I did the Below The Line challenge for a week and it was really hard actually. If I hadn't spent £11 in order to then do per servings, I am absolutely sure I would have starved (read about it here).

I have also submitted my first assignment in human biology :D awaiting results.. fingers crossed for a merit.

I am 22 days away from taking my driving test and yes, I am absolutely fucking bricking it. Fingers crossed because I have seen a car I want up the road.

I have also had an allergic reaction to the pink in my tattoo! My whole cherry blossom area of my tattoo is on fire and so itchy. Luckily the swelling has gone down today but it's still really itchy where the rash is.

But anyway you didn't come to read that did you :D You came to find out how I was promoted in the quickest time ever didn't you!? Well it went like this....

I was invited to an open interview today for a big company to be a support worker. I figured that I probably wouldn't get it but it would be good experience to interview again and do it right this time!! I waited TWO AND A HALF HOURS!!!! to be seen.. I was getting very impatient and thinking about the bar in the other room (again it was held in a hotel) when this bloke from Nigera walked in. We spoke for a good hour on the politics, religion and economic crisis of his country. He was an absolute gent and it was such a pleasure to have met him. Our conversation was interrupted when FINALLY it was my turn to be interviewed.

Taking a seat without attempting to shake anyones hand so as to avoid potential awkwardness of last time, I was asked some general questions. All answered wellish then it came to specific care questions.. and I had to answer all of them with "errr... no.. sorry no I have no idea who CQC are and no I have never done a care plan".

Sitting back at the last question pretty content that I wouldn't get the job but that I had some good stuff to go home and research, the girls interviewing me looked each other, nodded and said "OK great thanks for that. You've got the job so if you could just fill in this form please". GOB SMACKED!!!!!!! I was mega flustered and just sort of said "oh ok, alright.. ok... what?!". I began filling in the form when the two girls left the room.

I was alone for about 40 seconds when this other woman comes in. She was Scottish and looked very professional. I paid no attention to her. Didn't even say hello because I thought she was hotel staff!! I heard her sift through some papers when she said "it's Sarah isn't it?"

Startled that she knew my name.. and to be honest slightly panicked that perhaps this was Craig's ex who had somehow found out and had tracked me down, I looked up and nervously said "yes...?" she sat down in front of me and said "we're not going to offer you the support worker role". I was disheartened and a little bit peeved seen as I was just given the job!!!! But before I could say anything she said "the girls think you are too good for the role so I am now offering you the senior support workers role. You will be responsible for care plans, risk assessment and the other support workers. Is that ok?"

50 seconds had gone past I was promoted!!! FOR NO REASON!??!!??!! I am in absolute shock!!!! I got a pay rise too haha!! I start in July after I get all my training done and my NVQs. I can't believe it!! And it a new centre too! So not walking into an established place.. new team with a new leader lol. Absolutely MENTAL!

But there you go, that's my news :D

A Job Interview

Well hey. Today has been... awkward! It started with a driving lesson at 11am. I was stood out there waiting for her to turn up. And I waited. And waited some more. I called her at 11.30am and she didn't pick up. I was in the middle of writing her a reply that basically said "Thanks for not showing up, I am going with another instructor you completely waste of air" when she sped down the road and said "sorry, I spilt some water on the seat"

So off we went finally with a wet arse. I needed to be back by 1pm because I was having my printer delivered between 1.15-2.15.. but of course we got back at 1.30 and of course the delivery was at 1.15 and I missed him. If I had been in odds are he would have delivered the shagger at 2.14.59.

I then had to get to an interview for 2.45. I had missed the buses because senile driving woman was late so had to get a taxi. That turned up late. And then forgot to take me to a cash machine. It was 2.43 when I got there and was completely flustered. I ran into the hotel where the interview was being held and completely missed the reception. Being a Rowlands I instinctively ran to the bar where out of the corner of my eye I could see two women having tea, and a man at the bar. I asked the man at the bar if interviews were being held here and he said "yes, I believe those two over there are interviewing" - so I bounded, literally, over there, my arm outstretched to handshake and said "hello! I'm Sarah!". The older of the two stood up and didn't even take my hand. She just pointed towards reception and said "we're not quite ready for you yet so if you could please take a seat over there?"... I cringe makingly removed my hand and put it by my side, pretending it never happened.

I was then beckoned over. And the first thing that came out of my mouth was "I didn't even know this place was here, how unobservant am I?!".... frigging idiot. Especially when I then had to backtrack and tell them just how observant I was. I then was asked "can you describe a stressful situation and how you handled it?" Rather than talk about a job related moment like the FSA coming in and demanding audits or something.. I scared them SHITLESS with the headless man in Cambodia story. Looking back, talking about how I came very close to death in a foreign country was probably not very appropriate to the question.

I THEN went on to tell them I would find it odd if a manager was always telling me what to do. I also called one of the interviewers "mental", and once the interview was over... I realised I had missed shaving my entire knee cap. And I hadn't shaved my legs for 2 weeks.

Pretty damn sure I won't get the job. Ho hum.

Important Update

Hola amigo! Que tal? Estoy bien, gracias. I have a rather important update for you..

I have quit my job! And I have moved house! And I have passed my theory test! And I had a chicken kiev for tea!! All very exciting news I think you will agree. I tell you what I am so happy about it all too. As per the apparent normal, I am splitting this blog into sections for you.. because I am terrible and seem to leave blogging until I have a mountain of information.

Quitting My Fuck Awful Job
I can't say too much in the public forum in case Big Brother is watching, but safe to say I feel wonderful about leaving my old job. I was lied to, to start off with, I was constantly speaking to people who were so in debt they said they would kill themselves, and I was collecting debt that I felt ethically was wrong to do so. Working for that company was hard and the decision to leave was made so much clearer when the idiot boss told me on the last day that we were "leaving on bad terms"... because I HAD to leave a day early to avoid the blizzards we have all experienced up here in the Midlands.

The relief wasn't nearly as massive as when I left Acenden but the relief was still there! Mainly though for its symbolism... I have left collections altogether. This is my time now to focus. I NEED to get back to Australia and to do that I need to get qualified and I can think of nothing else that I want to do long term than midwifery. So the foundations are being laid right now :) No more distractions.. I am off to find work in care.

The Theory Test
And to get there, and to get a job in care, and have curly hair that is soft and fair.. sorry got carried away.. I have got to pass my test and get a car. There is so much work out there for people who want to do care work but you either have to have experience in care or a car. Well I have neither but not for long!! I passed my theory test with 48/50 on the theory and 67/73 on the hazard perception. A very very respectable score I think. All that revision paid off so pat on the back for me. Although don't pat too hard, my bones are delicate.

I start proper lessons on 8th April and will be doing 2 hours a day every day. After 5 days we will asses how well I am doing and if we're happy, then I book the test. Apparently there is a quick turn around with Chesterfield so I reckon, all going well, I should have a driving license by the end of April... ARRGGHHHH!!! << this is the noise YOU should be making at the thought of me loose on the road.

Moving House
And to save some of my savings whilst I embark on my new career, I have moved in with Mumma Bear. Although I haven't really saved much money... in the first 3 days of being here I have spent £50 on decorating materials and £210 on new furniture! But I have high hopes that for the first time in my life.. and I am being serious with this statement.. I will stay put in the one place for more than 6 months because not once in my whole 27 years have I lived in the same house for more than 6 months. I am tired of moving around now. In order to make this record breaking attempt at staying put though, I will need to be in some comfort. Decorating starts tomorrow so I will of course upload on Facebook and Twitter my updates. I have gone for a red paint feature wall, and a wallpapered room with black ash furniture. Exciting!

Chicken Kiev
It was lovely. Except slightly chewy. I will make my own next time.

And until next time.. when I have news on driving lessons, decorating and my own kiev.. Good day to you!