The Year that Was

 

Two job applications submitted exactly one year apart (bar one minute!)...

This entire year has pushed me to my limits, made me feel emotions that I didn't think I had in me and, most importantly, this is the year that I realised my worth and career potentials.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for guiding me through all of it. When everything was beyond my control, You have always been my source of comfort in a year of no peace. I have applied for voluntary severance. I have sent out multiple job applications. I have no answers to what comes next. All these I offer up to You. I am not in control but You are. Please allow me to align my heart with Yours.

Love,

R

So I brought it up in a desperate prayer

 Lord, why are You keeping me here? 

Selling Our Home, Moving Into a New Home

We are in Autumn 2024 - currently sitting in Costa with my husband, my BBTS Specialist Certificate in Stem Cell Transplantation textbook in front of me and trying to have a minute to take it all in. To take life in.

We are awaiting completion of our house purchase in Biddick Hall, a nice three-bedroom home near the Metro station and only a few minutes' travel to our parent's place. At the same time, our home is on the market and is open for viewings. There are 11 scheduled today - just one week after the photos were taken by the estate agent. It hasn't sunk in yet that we are packing up and moving home... Probably because we haven't actually packed up yet or gotten the keys to our new home.

As much as I will miss my first ever home that I purchased, I am so glad to be doing all this with my husband. Here's to a great new chapter ahead of us and continuing to pray to be blessed with children. Today I feel happy, anxious, tired but calm. I am studying for my upcoming examinations and I am grateful to have a few days off from work. The plan was to use our annual leave next week to move, however, the purchase isn't complete yet so we are not able to. I am using this time off to study. Everything really happens for a reason. 

As I sit here waiting for the time when we have to get up and go to Mass, I feel grateful knowing I have a husband who truly cares for me. I was in the library earlier and he came up with a box of Ringtons tea because I ran out. I sometimes feel so overwhelmed with life in general but he keeps me grounded even when he doesn't know it. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for caring for me through my husband. I can never thank You enough.

We are hoping to get the keys soon and to have a smooth transition to our new life in South Shields. Hopefully the sale of our home goes well, too. Thank you to everyone who helps us even with just little pieces of advice or information about selling and buying houses.

Love,

R

Christmas 2023!

My heart is full! I am celebrating the wonderful Christmas holidays with our parents, my husband, my sister and brother-in-law. It is so great having a house full of my family!

Today is Boxing Day. We've had soooo much food over the last few days. Thank You, Lord, for your provisions! My dad made a really nice roast chicken and my sister and I really worked through making lots of dumplings! We've got some extra in the fridge for when the need arises. So much nice food that we don't normally get the time to make. I feel warm and cozy ❤️ We also went to Mass on Christmas Eve and it was beautiful. The nativity set was just lovely. Father Christopher said that if you are struggling with anything, remember the Stable. The Stable wasn't perfect, it wasn't comfortable, and it had no frills. But it was open. My understanding of this is that God provides. God is the stable. God is the only One open when all things are not. He is not the last choice but THE choice. What a wonderful Mass. I am happy we got to hear it together.

We got Oodies!

Such a cute book. I'm hoping to see the film after I finish reading it.

Giving Mommy her birthday presents at Bar Hashery in York! We had great waffles!

My mom's idea to ride the merry-go-round! All smiles!

The Shambles, York

Our beautiful home in Newcastle

Christmas lights on our window. I put the same ones up every year. Love its colours!

Husband-and-wife photo at home before we bring all our presents to Sunderland

My brother-in-law's favourite place - Jollibee!

My sister and parents getting excited for mulled wine at Newcastle Christmas markets!

What a lovely tree at Sunderland Keel Square!

Also I would like to take a moment to thank God for my job. On the last day of work before the Christmas holidays, I was busy archiving our documents and organizing them up in the plant room. My manager NM told us that if we wish to leave early, we are welcome to do so as it's Christmas. I told him I'll not leave as early as I wasn't finished up in the plant room yet. He simply blurted out, "You are the best decision I ever made at work". And I felt it. From the start he really has been the one that made me believe in ME. And my capabilities. It's a blessing to have a job. But it's a whole different level to have a manager that sees your potential and brings out the best in you when you only thought you were mediocre. Thank You, Lord, for my beautiful workplace. Thank You for letting me do what I do. Two years ago I wanted to run away from my previous work. I ended up running to the place where I am meant to be and where I am truly happy ❤️

Loaded fried at Newcastle Christmas markets

Spam and salad dinner at our Newcastle home. My husband loves Spam!

Roasted hazel latte - festive drink at Costa

Pre-2023 archive documents at work

We only have a few days left in 2023. Let's make the most of it! 

Love,

R

On grey hairs and paperwork

Hi there!

It's me - the girl who's always wanted to revive this blog but ends up updating it after months at a time.

I'm not procrastinating. I'm living!

I'm writing this entry just before I sleep. I've set my alarm very early so I can do a bit of paperwork collation at breakfast tomorrow morning. Here's to hoping this extra bit of time will go a long way in getting my Friday at work a little less manic.

It has been such a crazy few weeks at work due to staff sickness. I feel we are really maxed out on our working capacity and I am just looking forward to the Christmas holidays now. Work is hard! Especially hard at the moment. But I've got to say I am thankful and happy and proud of our team that has achieved so much this year. CellProthera is finished, limbal stem cell products are flourishing... the highs are endless!

We also have had our lows. However I am grateful that we keep on moving forward despite these.

On a side note, I can see one or two grey hairs on the side of my head near my hairline. I know of a few grey hairs from years past that are scattered at the back part of my head. Seeing the ones near my face is a little bit nerve-wracking as it makes the whole ageing thing feel real. It IS real. And I am grateful yet slightly nervous about it.

Having grey hairs doesn't bother me too much. I don't think I'm going to have my hair dyed. The texture of my hair is rough in some areas so it's probably best to keep it untouched. I've started using hair masks as my regular hair conditioner and they work a treat! I really like the Garnier pots. I also enjoy using this heatless curler thing that I put on every night so I wake up with bouncy hair in the morning.

In a few weeks time, my husband and I will be on holiday in the Philippines! I am so excited to spend time with my in-laws. It's been a while since I came home. My number one priority will be to visit Lolo and Lola at the cemetery and also to pay my respects to my mother-in-law Mama Leah. I know she is watching over us always and is proud of how her son has is making the best of his life in the UK.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for everything. I love You and I praise You. Thank You for guiding me as I read through my Bible. Thank You for giving me resources at my fingertips so I can strengthen my faith and my understanding of it. Thank You, thank You.

Love,

R