Sequel to The Year That Was

 I've just read my blog post from the 24th of June 2025. I just wanted to post a proof-of-life update on here and say I am alive (hallelujah!) and well! I am working as a production operative in a 3D printing laboratory and I love it! Life led me down a different path - one I never imagined I would be in but I am thankful all the same. I work very close to home, my working hours (2-10PM) are great (especially for driving!), I get to see my husband and family much more and I am just doing okay. I've been doing Clubbercise and Salsacise with my mom, too, which we need to get back to as we've been on hiatus for a bit (got the repointing done, holidays, lots of lovely things in between).

Lord Jesus, thank You for the simple life. This is exactly what I need. Thank You for helping me heal. Sometimes I look back to what once was and it still hurts me but not as much as before. So thank You, Lord Jesus. You are truly a healer and provider.

There are plenty of things I want to post on this blog and I hope I'll be able to. I just want to highlight my gratitude for the things that were and the things that are now.

Love,

R

New Favourite Film

 As a girl who has a veeeery short attention span and prefers reading books to watching movies and series, I am very happy to say that I now have a new favourite film. It's 'Death Becomes Her' from 1992.

I am so not into pop culture that I didn't even realise the guy was Bruce Willis until I looked up the cast online. I started watching the film during Halloween and I've only just finished it today (talk about short attention span!) but I enjoyed it immensely. I must say I really love American movies from the 90s. The background music, the look of the mansions, the clothes... It's just so nostalgic. My favourite part was when Madeline (Meryl Streep) got up (all distorted/contorted) after being pushed down the stairs by her husband. I think that scene was just so funny and creepy and very entertaining.

So far my most favourite films, including this, are:

50 First Dates

Mulan

Sleepless in Seattle

I've also just finished watching a British series on ITVx called 'Coldwater'. I enjoyed all of the episodes but didn't really like how it ended. I think each episode was thrilling and then it got to the end and it was just not thrilling at all. I do enjoy British shows though because they are short (6-8 episodes) and I feel they are well made. Some that I have finished and enjoyed include:

Malpractice

I Fought the Law

Our House

Joan

Angela Black

Passenger

Cleaning Up

I have not been into reading lately (I'm still trying to finish the two books I borrowed from the library months ago!). I have started reading the Bible again and I would like to keep going. It's been a beautiful month to start reading from Luke. I have missed a few months from my daily Bible reading and I hope I can just keep going and finish the year strong. The past few months really have affected me and I lost touch with the things that I love doing and felt I was wasting time enjoying life. How wrong I was! Enjoying life and stopping stressing is exactly what God wants me to do. I pray to continue to relax and take care of my mind and body.

Love,

R

Of Nothing and Everything

 It is November 2025 and I am at a chapter in my life when there is nothing and everything at the same time. The transition from hustle to home has been stormy at first (tears, numbness and vomiting from the medication, and lots of questions and what ifs) but gradually it has been pleasantly peaceful and slow.

I have been on one job interview (awaiting the outcome!) and lovingly filling my days with acts of service for my husband, tidying our home and spending time with my family (when they can - I'm now the one who has a lot of time on my hands!). The driving really keeps me on my toes and I pray to be more confident behind the wheel each time I set off. I feel that being on the road is fine. It's the stopping/parking/any sort of manoeuvering that really is my weakness. I pray that in a few months time, I can come back to this blog post and say "I made it! I love driving!".

I also have just completed one round of Letrozole to induce ovulation. Apparently I haven't been ovulating based on the two blood tests I have done this year! I have my Day 21 serum progesterone test soon and I hope it will show that I am responding to this dose. Thank You, God, for the healthcare professionals who are helping us on our fertility journey. Also, thank You to my mom and the sisters at the Convent for sharing St. Gerard's relic with us. I am grateful to everyone praying for us. My prayer request is to be able to give my mom and dad grandchildren to love and treasure 🥰

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for the nothing and everything. The pain I felt this year was for a purpose. My waiting season has a purpose. I am preparing myself and our home for the beautiful blessings that lay ahead. In You I place my trust.

Love,

R

Gentle Break and Stop

 Psalm 113

1 Praise the Lord.[a]

Praise the Lord, you his servants;

    praise the name of the Lord.

2 Let the name of the Lord be praised,

    both now and forevermore.

3 From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,

    the name of the Lord is to be praised.

4 The Lord is exalted over all the nations,

    his glory above the heavens.

5 Who is like the Lord our God,

    the One who sits enthroned on high,

6 who stoops down to look

    on the heavens and the earth?

7 He raises the poor from the dust

    and lifts the needy from the ash heap;

8 he seats them with princes,

    with the princes of his people.

9 He settles the childless woman in her home

    as a happy mother of children.

Praise the Lord.

This is what I read yesterday on the way to work. I had to read verse 9 again and again as the timing was surprising. I hope and pray that this happens for me and my husband ❤️ 

I am letting go of good things to make space for better things - the ones that truly matter. Yesterday I handed my notice in at work. Here's to letting peace in. Here's to taking better care of my health and my family. Here's to pausing and being present in the waiting room. Here's to no Plan B but I know God's not done with me yet ♥️

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

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

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Day 8: January Journal Challenge

 Challenge you overcame last year

Last year has been a steep learning curve for me! I was very new to my role and was relying heavily on my friend and colleague to train me and show me everything there is to know - and just a few months later she moved on to a new job! When she announced she was leaving, I really felt a rug had been pulled out from under me as I just wasn't ready at all. I felt so anxious as I didn't have what it took to stand on my own. I felt I needed her badly and couldn't function at work without her.

It was the wake up call that I needed to speed up my training. It was the wake up call that I needed to tell myself that I can actually do this.

And I did! And I still can ☺ Sometimes I forget that I work with an amazing team and that I am not alone. I worried a lot in the beginning but really, there is so much to be grateful for as I have the help that I need through my managers and team.

A few months later, I found myself delegating tasks, organising the work week, taking the lead in processes and just being overall comfortable with what I do. And the best part of it all is that I enjoy it. Yes, work is hard and it can be exhausting, but I genuinely feel I am part of something big and important.

Just recently another friend and colleague has moved on to a new job and this time I felt differently. Yes, I was sad to see them go, however I didn't feel anxious or worried like I was the first time. This time I had the confidence in myself that I - that we - can still do this even though we're one person down.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for giving me a sense of purpose. I am very grateful for all the learning opportunities. Thank You for all the people that you bless me with to help me along the way. May I always pay it forward.

Love,

R

Day 7: January Journal Challenge

 What are you looking forward to this year?

I am looking forward to exploring more cities, trying out new restaurants, cooking food that I've never made before, and enjoying what I do at work. I am hoping to do as much of these as possible with my family ❤

Love,

R