Volunteering Abroad to help heartbreak

In November 2010 I left the flat I lived in with my boyfriend and went back to my ‘family home’ fast forward to April/May 2011 and my story in Norway began.

A friend told me about a volunteering post that had been made vacant at short notice and I thought ‘what the hell’ applied and a week later I was being driven to Gatwick to embark upon 6 months abroad.

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One regret I have is not documenting my travels enough and getting more pictures of me, but I always say that when I travel and often enough when the time comes I often feel too anxious to get in front of the camera.

My time in Norway was special and memorable. Involving moments like;

  • Coming across the gangway at the end of a week trying to carry all my belongings as I had a week on land, forgetting the purse was in the side of my rucksack and all I heard was a splash. Luckily it was at ‘home’ and the water was only about 1-2 metres deep. My friend and fellow crewmate Michael got his wetsuit on and dove down and got it for me. Luckily as it had everything in it, including the Euros Dad gave me at the airport (we didn’t know at the time Norway did not use Euros).
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The windowsill became the drying out area!!

  • Sailing crew only across the open part of the ocean and being asleep with a good book in the dining area, to wake up under the table with the cushions everywhere and my book across the other side of the boat – we obviously hit a big wave, which woke me up when I could only travel so far under the table!!

 

  • Climbing a mountain and finding a beach in between and stripping down to my underwear to go for a swim in the sea (and actually asking someone to take a photo!)

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I have so many stories but I haven’t written them anywhere, so you may start seeing more posts about my travels.

Here are some of my beautiful pictures from my travels ❤

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Visiting Manchester Next Week

MCR Bee

I was in Norway in 2011 when a ‘Man’ Decided to launch an attack. I mourned with Norway as a country and a last-minute change of mind and deciding not to take some time off potentially saved my life!!

I was in London on March 22nd 2017 during the Westminster attack ( We were evacuated from St James Palace and the Duke of Edinburgh Presentation was cancelled).

I was not in Manchester during the events of 2017 and after the events in London last year I decided to avoid big cities but why should I?

I will be going to Manchester next week to run for the Charity Mind . I have not been to Manchester before and I do look forward to going, even if it will be short – I’m sure I will visit again when the financial situation (and anxiety) is better.

When reading about the events that occurred almost a year ago, my heart sank. Not only with fear but with grief. We should share love and peace, not hate and war. This is one reason why I decided to run in Manchester, it is over 200 miles away from my home and there are definitely runs closer to me but I felt it would be right for me to experience such a heartfelt moment for me in a strong and vibrant city that I had not been to before. There will be a silence held to remember those lost last year and I feel honoured that I can partake in this silence. I also hope we can visit the Trees of Hope Trail and leave a message for those lost. If you have not heard of this Click Here.

You may only say that it is ‘only a 10k’ it isn’t a marathon, but to me:

  • It is a marathon
  • It will be hard
  • I will struggle
  • There is a chance I will be limping for a while after

and I WILL CRY. Not only because of the atmosphere and the reason for being in Manchester, but for me. Over recent weeks I have wished I had not been born, wished I was dead and my anxiety and depression have gotten so bad I have not been leaving the house. Crossing that finish line will be a triumph for me and my mental health.

It may not be much to you, but it is to me. One step closer to my dream of the london Marathon.

 

 

 

 

 

If you would like to be amazing and help me reach my fundraising target then please visit my fundraising page (and remember to tick the giftaid box if you are a tax payer)

My Virgin Money Giving Page for Manchester 10k 2018

Travelling and a broken mallet

Last year we took a road trip, camping around North Wales. We saw a lot of Snowdonia National Park and saw some beautiful views.

Today’s Word Prompt is ‘Malett’ so I thought I could share a funny story.

You may notice my spelling is “Mallet” – I am using British English Spelling.

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The Dog enjoyed the Trip!!

We had moved to a new site and got busy setting up, including the windbrakers as it was very windy up North!! So there I go with the mallet banging away on top of the pegs and wooden poles and pop, there was a sudden release – the end of the mallet only went and flew off didn’t it!!

I believe it may have been caught on video but I have yet to find it (it might have even been a Facebook Live!! )

Since this trip my life has taken a turn, I do not remember many times I have laughed – today’s prompt meant I had to share this short and sweet story. If I find the video it will be uploaded!!

If you need any tips or places to visit around North Wales – Get in Touch I do not know everywhere but I do know lots of cute little places that won’t break the bank massively and isn’t necessarily easily searchable online.

Quick little funny moment in life-I need more of these!!

Our North Wales Trip….

So we planned a nice trip away, my Doctors advised me to stay off work until we had gone away then start fresh when we got back.
(At this point I have been back at work for two shifts, I have a shift tonight then a few days off!!)


Each little pin is somewhere we went, 700 miles or so later and we got back home.

Ended up gaining 2kg but it is now gone, so must have been water retention as I was very puffy and swollen 🤔. 

And the main reason I focus on my weight is because I have a weight criteria for my hospital treatment.

 

Adjusting the filofax due to big news!!

NEW JOB!!

I have loved my current job but I got to the point where I had to put myself, my health and my future goals first. So now I’m working my notice period and I am petrified but excited about the new chapter ahead 😳😅 

And Septembers Uni modules have been picked and registered 📓📔📒📕📗📗📙📚

Not the cheeriest of module choices but they are really interesting.

So now what?….

  • Work Notice,
  • Start New Job,
  • House Buying,
  • Sorting out – Spring Cleaning,
  • Finish my EMA for Uni (externally marked assignment – equivalent to an exam),
  • Carry on my journey of trying to get better, share and raise awareness and try my best , because that’s the best I can do.  

Here’s some pics of our trip. I’m aiming todo some  reviews of campsites and places soon so will post here once I’ve had time to do them 😍😍

Stacie-Mai xx