Back to Driving

Today I have started my refresher driving lessons. I haven't driven since the day of my driving test back in March 2017 in Birmingham. I passed the first time! As someone who grew up with a family of non-drivers, this is a massive achievement as I literally started from zero experience with cars.

Throughout the years I have moved jobs, moved house, got married, and still no car 😂 It hasn't been a need as of late but I have realised that if I want to expand my horizon and remove my job prospect limitations, I need to be able to drive. Hence why I am doing my refresher lessons.

I miss Nina, my previous driving instructor. I was stressed the whole time I was doing my lessons in Birmingham and I feel I have also been slightly stressed today doing my refreshers with Chris. I need to brush up on my gear changes and foot work. I am grateful to God for putting these instructors in my life as I know they are here to teach me and to make sure that I (and others) will be safe on the roads.

My plans for the future will be to be confident driving on the roads (especially on the motorway!) and to buy a car. I hope that my husband will also start his driving lessons so we can both drive our car. I am scared, excited, happy and also nervous at the same time. I pray that God will always keep us safe on every journey.

I am scared but I need to be brave for me and my family. This is another level of adulting that I would like to unlock.

Thank you, Lord, for being with me always. I know I can do this. 

Love,

R

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