Attachment

In my line of work, it can help if you don't become attached too much. We're only human, however, and it doesn't always work that way. I've known dozens of tenants over my 13 years in this job, and I've loved some, liked others and loathed the odd one. I wonder why? Why is it we have a natural affinity with some people and not others?
In my 13 years here, approximately 20 of the tenants have died. I've felt genuinely sad over very few. Some were tenants for years and I got to know them quite well, and shared many good and bad times with them. Others weren't here for quite so long, and yet I still feel the same sadness.
I was informed this morning of a tenant's death. She had been here less than 2 years but was fully involved with all events and very popular with other tenants. I am very, very sad today, but grateful to have known her and thinking of her family at this heartbreaking time for them.

The Easter Break!

Ha! I actually dared to dream of lazy mornings, days out and boredom! I have had (s0 far) a not-very-relaxing Easter. I have had a lovely day out with my family, which I hope to do again before the week is out! We went to Donegal for a drive. Yes, just for a drive. Not to visit anywhere in particular, you understand, just to get out of the house. We spent a wee while at the beach so the dog could get a run (see the picture!) By the way - this photo cracks me up! We then just - well, drove. We ended up driving up a road that was kind've restricted to the electricity company to access their windmills! After much laughter and aching, stiff backs, we got back to Belfast in the evening. A lovely day.

I have since done part of my college assignment - a case study which is to be a maximum of 2,500 words. I thought I'd never get it done - never mind get the word count right. Turns out, I was right to be concerned. 2,500 words? Pah! I have 3,900 so I have to do a bit of editing now!!

My evenings this week are all accounted for, as are my days because I'll be starting on the other assignment - 2,000 words this time!

It all makes me wonder how I have time for a full-time job! I keep hoping-against-hope that my parents win the lottery. Soon!

Time to breathe!

It seems, lately, that I just don't have time to breathe! This has both advantages and disadvantages! The advantage is that I just don't see the time going in, and the weeks seem to go by more and more quickly until it's the weekend again! The disadvantage is that I just don't have any time! A typical week for me is:
Monday - work until 5.15pm. College from 5.30-8.30pm.
Tuesday - work until 5.15pm. Counselling placement in Newry from 7.30-9.45pm
Wednesday - work until 5.15pm. Meetings or Bible study from 7.30pm
Thursday - work until 5.15pm. College from 5.30-8.30pm
Friday - work until 3.45pm. Ice hockey (Yay!) or film night with tenants until approx. 10pm
Saturday - the day of sleep, rest and recuperation
Sunday - Church from 10am-1pm. Choir until 1.30pm. Dinner at 4 and some more rest.

Hectic and stressful though this is, I'm glad it's this way because it means that I managed to secure a counselling placement and don't have to drop out for a year!! Yeehaw! It's also a bit mad to think I've been let loose to actually counsel people in the real world! This is something I've wanted to do for some years now, so it means that I'm one step closer to achieving that goal! Stressful, yes. Worth it? Definitely!