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Well we're still here, still alive.

Sorry I'm not replying to comments or anything but rest assured I do read them.

It's easier to do a blog entry and try and cover all topics rather than answer each comment when I don't have a lot of internet time, although I've been told that Galway city is wireless everywhere so might see if i can find a free service to hack in to.

So big news...

BRAD GOT A JOB!!!

Wooo hooo!!!!!

Which means I can be a lady of leisure once again! He starts Monday but I'll let him tell you the rest.

TTFN x

P.S. My leg is better Cast came off the Tuesday before we left, as it was supposed, but I was still in pain and couldn't do a lot. Walking with a limp until late last week and so far today I've had no pain. We'll see how long it lasts! Whoot! Mwah x

So an update on our new life so far...

- Have applied from approximately 15 jobs and signed up with around 5 agencies. Haven't heard from any of them.
- Have been told, in a round about way, that there is basically nothing available for the deaf.
- Still staying with our friends but am living in the house not in the caravan. (picture below)
- Money is slowly running out although we get about two weeks wages on the 27th from our old job.
- Weather has been very similar to Wales.
- Dogs seem to like it here, as do the cats.

Our accommodation!

Things are very different over here. I know it is technically a different country but they still speak English over here and there are so many things similar to the UK but there are soooo many differences that it's quite obvious that we are in a different country.

- Road signs in yellow.
- Speed limits in kilometres.
- No Warburtons bread in the supermarket.
- No free-view telly
- Strange radio stations

There are others but those are the most notable - for me anyway!

Right. off to do ... er... something!

P.S. Internet access is still via 3G mobile modemy type thing so I can't be on too long!

As some of you will see I've deleted the last post.

Oh... hello by the way... internet access via a 3G Vodafone modemy type thing! Very nice but can't use it long as it's a fortune.

So yes, I've deleted the last post. It wasn't my looking for sympathy or attention but thank you to all those who gave it and it was nothing to do with qualifications being invalid over here.

An explanation - I was watching something on the television and it made me think back to an opportunity a friend and I had. If we'd taken it (it was joint decision not to) then life would have been VERY different! Not necessarily better, but very different. I don't believe in fate but I do believe that things happen for a reason (usually because Vicky has said something!) so even if the opportunity I mentioned a few moments ago had been taken then I still believe I'd be with Brad and I still believe I'd now be living in Ireland.

So, thinking about that opportunity made me think about others and that is when I decided I've wasted my life. I don't sit here thinking "I'm 34 and have nothing to show for all that I've done!" because trust me I have some bloody brilliant memories and some fantastic friends, all of which I'd still have even if I'd just lived a little differently.

The good things is, I'm only 34. There is still a lot of time for change. And I can and will be making that change.

So, I'm not down, I'm not upset, I'm not angry, I'm not looking for sympathy or comfort, I'm just thoughtful but I'm okay.

Thanks again and sorry for deleting the post which then deleted your comments. I think you all know how much hate doing that!

By the way... we've been here a week now... still no job but things are looking hopefully for tomorrow. Still no house but we've been told there is no rush for us to leave. Did I tell you were in the house and not the caravan? Everything is grand and I can't wait to hold a blog meet over here! Whoop!

Right, must go and make a coffee.

Garrr!

Hello people!

We've come up to MJ's moms to use her internet connection. The phone line is being fitted at the new house tomorrow so the broadband will be active at some point soon and I'll be able to go back to blogging with my usual vigour about my usual shit!

When I get chance I'll do some posts with piccies in. It might mean sitting at the bottom of the garden to blog but hey... you lot are worth it!

Thanks for all the comments! Today is the first time since Friday that I've been able to check my email so my machine was kinda having a flid and has shut down the email programme twice! Yay!

Right. Off to the airport to beg for a job I know they have going! Anything that'll keep the money coming in while I set up Home-Start Galway!

Tara a bit!

We're here. No internet access at the mo but I'll blog more as soon as I can.

About another hour to go...

Still got hours to drive... Four-ish... But here's a lovely picture for ya!

We've now just got the 4 hour drive to Galway!

Only ten minutes until we dock. Then it's just a 4 hour drive!

Well we've set sail. This is it. Now I'm finally excited. And a little upset. I'm missing so many things.

A life on the ocean waves...

Our cabin. We're at the front. Our window is facing the way we're going. Bloody fantastic!

That's our boat that is!

Brad gets chatty with the natives.

Brad tending the flock.

Goodbye Home-Start office!

Just left the house! Bye Wales x

While waiting to see off, and wondering why I'm wearing my laptop battery down, I did a careers advice test.

Here are my results!

1. Director of Photography

2. Animator

3. Interior Designer

4. Actor

5. Director

6. Set Designer

7. Costume Designer

8. Artist

9. Computer Animator

10. Graphic Designer

11. Musician

12. Comedian

13. Exhibit Designer

14. Casting Director

15. Composer

16. Special Effects Technician

17. Medical Illustrator

18. Industrial Designer

19. Producer

20. Desktop Publisher

21. Fashion Designer

22. Cartoonist / Comic Illustrator

23. Dancer

24. Craftsperson

25. Potter

26. Coach

27. Nurse

28. Athletic Trainer

29. Licensed Practical Nurse

30. Sports Official

31. Arts Administrator

32. Occupational Therapist

33. Physical Therapist

34. Midwife

35. Speech-Language Pathologist

36. Music Teacher / Instructor

37. Wedding Planner

38. Curator

39. Telephone Operator

40. Professional Athlete

Well in one hours time we set off for our new life.

Good-bye Llanfuckwit.

Good-bye Ammanford.

Good-bye Carmarthenshire.

Good-bye Wales.

Well... good-bye UK!

I can honestly say I've loved living here. I've had the greatest four years here with all the different experiences we've had.

My last year here has been fantastic. I worked with some wonderful people who really made my job a pleasure and not a chore.

I'm going to miss it around here.
I'm going to miss the foster kids and fostering as a whole.
I'm going to miss the house even though she's falling down.
I'm going to miss my mountain even though I'm moving to other ones.
I'm going to miss the National Park even though I spent more time driving through it than appreciating it.
I'm going to miss the over-grown garden that on wet days made me feel alive and as though I were living in a rain forest.
I'm going to miss cursing at the neighbours even though I suppose if I'm honest they didn't deserve it.
I'm going to miss picking the kids up from school. I'm going to miss avoiding Chip & Anna in the post office because I hate them and she opens the post!
I'm going to miss smiling at Malcolm just to watch him recoil in horror.
I'm going to miss the river when it's really high and the noise from the torrent fills my soul.
I'm going to miss the river when it's really low and I can paddle and play with the dogs.
I'm going to miss everything about living here but I know we're doing the right thing.

I'm not going to miss any of my family or friends because we'll be back over to see everyone and everyone will be over to see us and it's going to be great!

Deep down though... I am going to miss you. Very much.

But I'm still going.

See ya!

Last full day living here.

Old social worker coming later for a coffee.

Off out tonight for a final meal with friends.

Sorry for not replying to comments, emails and texts. Busy packing.

Probably won't be about for a bit.

See ya!

x

H A P P Y

B I R T H D A Y

A

Mwah x

If you don't like it

FUCK OFF!

Simple really.

Having scanned some piccies onto the 'puter I thought I'd share them with you.

Clicky on them to make 'em bigger!

Feel free to ask questions in comments.

Testing

H A P P Y

B I R T H D A Y

T E R I

I'm watching all the crap going on about the McCanns in Portimao and I'm disgusted with all the people there. The street is lined with people stood outside the police station waiting for Kate McCann to come out. I don't for one minute think any of them are there to support her.

What makes it worse is that these people don't look like residents. They look like holiday-makers. Sick.

How many of those people booked a holiday there because of this situation.

A couple are quite obviously from the UK. Shame on you!

Of course, all the reporters are forgiven, they are doing a job.

Brads sister finally gave birth at 6.50pm tonight. 7lb3oz.

Welcome to the world Louis Jae!

Go see Brads blog for more info & pics.

At 12.00 today I leave work... that's it!

Offcially, due to holiday time owing, I finish work next Wednesday but this is the last day I will actually sit at this desk and blog from this office.

Chuffing Hysterical

Just some of my personal favourites.

So I'm nicely flicking through blogs, catching up before deciding whether to bother blogging here or just leave it as I'm not too impressed with bcuk at the moment...

Intermission - I can see Brad blogging - I think he might be blogging the same thing I'm about to! - I'll carry on typing just in case he's not!

... anyhoo, while reading I came across this little gem by Helly.

Intermission - I've just checked and he's not so I can carry on

Underneath the entry were these comments...

bloglikesit
My friend texted me once to ask what Helen Keller was famous for. I replied with something like she was deaf and blind.

She said, yes yes, but what was she famous for? Why was she famous?

I said she invented post-it notes. She believed me and told all her friends, who believed her.

Says a lot about the residents of Walsall, that does.

rowtheboat
And you said Paddy was the bullshitter!

Dare I mention... Shania Twain?

bloglikesit
Hush!!

Of course... I couldn't just leave it could I...

Many many many moons ago a friend (we'll call him T) and I used to work for a radio station. It was a small set up but worked well. So small that one of our engineers was also a presenter. The guy that did the breakfast show was also our advertising manager. I had five shows in total, three during the week and two at the weekend, which would T acting as my producer. T had two shows which saw me acting as his producer. We had our own styles and as such I never got involved in his show other that as a producer but he virtually co-hosted mine.

One of my features was talking bollocks. Not the official name for it you understand! This would mean making up facts that could, at a push, be true or have an element of truth behind.

Some examples for you...

"Mozart invented Tapioca. It was an accident, he didn't mean to do it but he didn't think it would take off so carried on with music."

"You can't by Blue-Tac north of Staffordshire." - We told this to a girl in Blackpool and when she questioned it we asked her if she'd seen any for sale and then she realised she hadn't - we'd only been in bars, tourist shops and the piers.

"There is a small explosive in every 100th traffic cone so that if a driver falls asleep and drives into the cones the 100th one will go off and wake them up."

So, as you can see, all complete and utter crap but, if you say it convincingly enough... and sometimes get proof... you can make them appear true.

Now jump back five years. Brad and I have just started seeing each other. Shania Twain appears on the tv and I mutter something about her being a big fake. Brad questions it so I tell him the shame story T and I had told someone ages ago.

"Yeah she's a big faker. Her name is Sharon McTwain and she was born in Glasgow," I said.
"No way," said Brad.
"No really. You know Stuart I used to date? Well his is best friends with the bouncer at CeCe's in Edinburgh and the bouncer used to date her brother! She's just a big fake."

And with that the seed was sewn. Slowly it found it's way into his brain to eventually becoming a reality.

Five years later, we're sat at work when Sharon McTwain comes on the radio.

And cue Brad to his boss...

"Did you know her name is really Sharon McTwain and she was born in Glasgow?"

Cue Brads boss smirking and giving him a look that quite obviously said 'you're a fool if you think that's true'

Cue me giggling away to myself as Brad turns his head and looks at me as the penny drops and he realises he's been had.

Bless him.