New starts.....

It's about time I got back into writing this again, can't believe its been nearly 2 years since I last did this. so why now? well, there a few big changes coming up in my life, so thought starting the blog again would be a good way to keep my thoughts straight during these changes.
So, what's happened since I last checked in? A lot of it I can't remember for 1 of 2 reasons; I don't want to remember, or I can't be bothered to remember. Still working hard as usual, still enjoying life with my man (yes, the same one as before :-)) in fact, we are looking for a house together, how grown up is that?! and of course, still craving my motorsport fix at Brands Hatch. The motorsport is underway again in a few weeks, so looking forward to that.
Sean and I have taken up Geocaching, been doing this for nearly a year now. in a nutshell, it involves using a multi-million pound satellite system to find Tupperware pots hidden around the countryside. Its not just Tupperware pots though, we have found a wide range of containers, from very small metal canisters, to very large ammo boxes, and anything in between. some look like snails, rocks, pine cones, sticks, grass, you name it, a pot can be made to look like it. It makes for a pleasant walk of a weekend, when the weather is nice.

But today, a countdown starts...today I handed in my notice to the PDSA. from the 7th April I will be a veterinary nurse at North downs specialists referrals. Of course, I'm excited about the new opportunities this will present - new equipment, procedures I have not seen before, in fact probably a lot of stuff I have not seen before. Its going to be amazing. Yes, its more travelling, and I probably won't be any better off than I am at the moment, but I will be happy, and to me that's more important than anything else. I want to be happy doing my job. I spent a long time training and studying to become the nurse I am, and I want to be in an environment where I can use my skills to the maximum and get back to enjoying my job.
However, that does not mean that I won't be sad to leave PDSA. It has been a very big part of my life, and I have worked with some amazing people, none of whom I will forget. Most of my current colleagues will continue to be my friends for a very long time.

So, I have a new job, soon I hope to have a new house (although it will be odd not having any cats around, they are staying with the rents) and a new resolution to keep on blogging!!

Back in the habit....

well, its been a couple of years since I last wrote on this blog, and with the start of the F1 season fast approaching I thought it would be a good time to start it again.

so much has changed in the past couple of years its unbelieveable, and all of it for the good.

Firstly, and most importantly the biggest, bestest most important change is the fact that I am no longer single!!

It started as a normal marshalling weekend. I turned up at the circuit and found that had been allocated to post 5, one of my favourite posts. A promising start to the weekend. I Had my usual brands breakfast, then headed up to post. After post briefing from uncle Don, I found myself paired up with a marshal I had seen about but never really spoken to, other than receiving the obligatory abuse that marshals give and receive when they are the "wrong" side of the fence.

Anyways, his name was Sean. We got chatting, firstly about the racing that was going on, and then about each other. By the end of the day I think it was fair to say that we had become friends. sunday proved equally as much fun, especially as we were quite literally surrounded by caterhams in the gravel trap, 6 to be precise. I forget what other cars we pulled out that weekend, but there were 27 in total, still my busiest weekend to date.

Looking back on that day, I cannot believe how naive I was. How I just thought the hand on my back was Sean being friendly, I thought nothing about the fact he kept leaning over to look at my program despite the fact he had his in his pocket. But in my defence, I had been single at that point for 8 years, the idea that someone was interested in me was not in my head at all. Plus, he was older than me (not that that makes any difference as far as I am concerned now). as far as I was concerned, he was another marshal that I got on well with. It didn't even register when he came bouncing over at the end of the day asking for my phone number. so, we swapped numbers, he took me out go-karting, and it all went from there.

Now, nearly 18 months later, I am happier than I thought I could ever be, with a man who means the world, no, more than that, he means everything to me. From the moment I wake up to the time I close my eyes to sleep he is constantly on my mind. Little things through the day will remind me of him, make me smile, and make me realise how much I miss him when i'm not with him.

Since that day we have been marshalling abroad, I have marshalled my first grand prix (silverstone 2011) and we are off to Germany again this year for the 24 hour race at the nurburgring. Marshalling starts again in 2 weeks, and the F1 season starts this weekend - Australia. Must be time to order in the new mclaren teamwear.....going to need it so I can wear it proudly at the end of the year when we are constructors champions, and have a drivers champion.

Eight legged freaks...

I was quite happy watching a film last night. I had had a particularly lazy day doing not a lot, making up for the day before which had been ridiculously busy at work. Then this rather large spider appeared from behind the tv. It must have been at least 3 inches long, or wide, depending on how you looked at it. I didn't look at it for long. I didn't really have the chance, the slipper which my dad threw in its direction sent it back into hiding again. This is not a good scenario for me. There are only three things which really scare me to the point of hyperventilation...1. horses, 2. needles (correction, people sticking me with needles on purpose) 3. Spiders. I know, it's pathetic, but I am a complete nervous wreck around the things. If it hadn't appeared in the first place I would have been ok, but now I had seen it and knew there was one in the room I had to leave...fast. I scurried upstairs and hid in front of my computer. Shortly after this there was a general thumping of shoes on the floor, my shoes, being used to pummel the spider. It thought it would be a good idea to make a dash across the living room. My mum thought otherwise. I personally would have given my cat a chance, she's a spider specialist, taking one leg at a time, whilst its running, until there are about three legs left, then she gets bored. My method of tackling them varies, depending on what I have to hand...de-icer and a sledge hammer is a good combination. Often leaving the room works best for me. Yes, I know i'm meant to like animals, but spiders definately fall outside this category as far as I'm concerned.
Now all i'm worried about is if the rest of its family come looking for revenge...think i'll sleep in the car tonight.
Also work keeps playing on my mind at the moment. Everyone is working really hard and are very tired, stressed etc. I'm not just talking about nurses, but the vets and the VCA's too. Everyone is pushing themselves to the limit, and i'm worried that we are all pushing ourselves too hard. something is going to give at some point.

One down...now the real challenge begins...

All week, I have been driving the receptions at work mad. I have been waiting for the results of the first module of my diploma. Plus I have gone 4 weeks without the sound of an F1 car buzzing in my ears, so the situation was getting desperate. Thankfully, both of these problems have now been resolved. I was certain my results were getting posted to work, as ths is down as my term time address. In fact, on thursday when a certain vet got to the post first and told me I had a letter, I thought I might ave got them a day early "you will have them by 21st august" I was told. This statement was starting to look decidedly dodgy. On friday, I sat in reception and announced that I was not going to do any work until I had that envelope in my hands. That lasted for about three minutes, by which time I had 4 people waiting to see me. I'm sure I had a larger list than the vets that morning, it never seemed to end, but I digress...
I checked my emails; nothing. Post at work arrived; nothing. 'I'm going to have to wait for the whole weekend' I thought, and that just wasn't fair. I wanted my results...now.
when I eventually made it home on friday, there was a large white envelope waiting for me , with RVC stamped all over it. It took me a whole 10 minutes to open that envelope. I needed to know how I had done, but what if I had failed? I had built myelf up for 2 yearsof hard work ahead, but if I had failed this module that would be it, all over, no diploma.
Thankfully, I do have a long 2 years ahead. not only had I passed, I had passed with a distinction, I could not have hoped for anything better!! I now have 6 more modules to contend with, and have set the bar for the standard I know I can reach.
I could soon be putting my racing career wheels in motion too. I have looked at the application packs for the racing licences, found out where the nearest test centre is, how much it costs etc. Plus, I have a friend who is interested in us racing together. we have worked out that we could finance a couple of cars between us (a mini for her, a caterham for me). She already holds her racing licence, so I need to catch up!
What's even better is that my boys in silver have achieved a front row lock out in qualifying for tomorrows European Grand Prix. This weekend just keeps on getting better. Maybe things are starting to look up after all....

racing driver in the making...

Just for a change, last weekend I was back down Brands Hatch, for a full three days, friday-sunday. One of the best meetings of the year was on, World Touring Cars, plus support races. I'd never done all three days of a race meet before, neither had I camped at the track either. When the heavens opened at 8am that morning and thunder rumbled around the track, I started to wonder whether there was anything else that I could be doing with my time; of course not!! A marshal loves racing, whatever the weather. Plus, I got a day off work to do this, and standing in the rain was certainly better than a day at work. However, the rain soon stopped, and the racing started. And what an entertaining day friday was.

It is at this point I should remind all potential racers that cars do better on the grey stuff, especially after rain. playing on wet slippery grass and kerbs will not win you any extra points, no matter how many times you spin the car and manage to keep it going afterwards.

I had the pleasure of manning (or is that womaning?) post 6. This is situated just after the first hairpin at the top of the circuit (druids for those of you with a circuit map). I love this corner, you are always guaranteed some sort of action. I had two cars, all day come and say hello. saturday, I had nothing. Sunday...I got my hands on a proper touring car on sunday!! He spun in the straight just after the corner, and I got to it first. I still have a piece of the car sitting next to my computer. No idea what it is, some sort of electrical component, but it came off MY touring car, MINE!!

Camping at the circuit was a lot of fun. I had four marshals put my tent up for me as I had an "urgent" phone call to take, and supervised from the dryness of the car. You can get away with a lot as a female marshal. You get the same amount of respect as the men, but they are a lot nicer to you and feel the need to protect you all the time. You also get a lot of grief as a female marshal, but as long as you give as much as you get its a lot of fun. I just remind them how young I am (very much different to how young I feel!!)

Then, after 3 days of very good racing, on the monday it was my turn to drive round the circuit, and it was so much fun!! First I drove a big BMW M3, then I had a go in a single seater. When you are standing at the side of the track you can see where the fastest line round the circuit is, and frequently remind yourself that you drive better than they could. Now having seen it from the drivers viewpoint, I can see how they get it wrong. you are flying along the track, at ridiculous speed (although my car was limited to 90mph) with your backside about 3 inches from the ground. Its not easy. However, I loved every minute of it!! I really want to race now, single seater or saloon. I felt so happy and comfortable with that crash helmet on, and depsite the fact that during the touring cars the real dangers of motorsport were brought home rather tragically, I would get into a racing car tomorrow.

RIP Henry Surtees, 18 years old...a great talent lost from the sport.

what do you do in yours?

I had a rather interesting commute into work this morning. I know, commutes to work are not interesting, and yes I would have to agree with you the majority of the time, but this morning was different.
I was following a rather weevy car this morning, and thought it best to get past him as quickly as possible, mostly because I was curious about why he was suffering from the inability to keep his car between 2 white lines. Last time I had been following something that wobbly was a lorry, whose driver was trying to peel a banana whilst sterring with his elbows. This driver was doing something a little different; he was shaving. It was an electric one, not a foam and razor type job, that would get rather messy, especially on a bumpy road. In fact, I doubt that hitting a bump with an electric one is none too pleasant either.
It was the first time I had seen someone shaving and driving at the same time, I wonder if they could pull you over for that?
A few cars up, I overtook a woman trying to apply makeup. I would love to know what she looked like at the end of the journey, and pray she didn't try anything with a mascara pen...
Now I probably look a bit odd when people overtake me, I tend to turn up the music, set the cruise control and sing along, quite loudly (and badly) to whatever is in the CD player at the time. But thats normal, everyone does that don't they? Shaving and makeup, not normal. Piece of advice for anyone who does do this, get up earlier, or you will cause yourself an injury!!
Its always entertaining looking into the car you are passing, I have seen people with the road atlas on the wheel. I've always wondered about what happens if they come to a roundabout...I guess not everyone is ready for a satnav. And people with a drink in their hands, I would invest in good car upholstery cleaner before it is too late.
So tomorrow during my commute, I would like a nice, quiet, dull drive in please, so much amusement is not good first thing in the morning.

"study week"?

Yesterday, I survived my first dash through the dartford tunnel. Having that much traffic crammed down from 18 lanes to 4 is not a good idea. but I made it anyway, safely to the south mimms services and my home for the next 5 days, the premiere travel inn. It's actually quite nice there, and Ive now found out that there are 3 other people from my course staying there too.
I've been looking forward to this study week for quite a while now, I really feel like i'm doing something to improve...something, it gives me something to do for the next 2 years anyway, which hopefully will lead me on to better things. I now have a brand new student card, with a really bad photo of me on it and access to the campus for the next 2 years. I love the RVC campus at Potters bar, it quiet and in the middle of nowhere so very few distractions. I am sitting in the same place I was 4 years ago when I was writing my dissertation. Now i'm writing a blog, watching a thunderstorm roll in, debating about going for a swim.
Today has been very much about introductions, who everyone is, what the course is about etc, the usual start to any course. Then this afternoon we had the traditional "teambuilding session". our task: build your ideal domestic animal, and we were presented with a blue peter style box full of egg boxes, newspaper, straws and yoghurt pots. I cannot remember that last time I had that much fun building something, and it looked like an animal at the end of it!! we had everything a vet nurse could want in an animal; no vocal cords, no claws, the biggest veins in the world which anyone could hit, and an anal cap to stop all those "accidents" where the faeces end up all over the operating table because the vet just had to really squeeze everything that hard. In all 6 amazing creatures were created this afternoon by the group, photos of which will follow.
After that was coffee and biscuits, a bit of discussion about critical thinking, then home. whio knows, tomorrow I might even do some studying....