Goodbye 2015

print from KF Prints on Etsy

It is that time of year when I get to stop and reflect on the past year and what a year it has been! I turned 40, graduated and started my first job as a qualified radiographer. Twelve months ago I was knee deep in research for my dissertation, which I loved and if I am honest I actually now miss.  I was also preparing to embark on a twelve week clinical placement and knew that my final weeks as a student were getting closer.  But the hard work paid off and I was awarded top marks for my dissertation, achieved first class honours for my degree and awarded the prize for best dissertation on results day. When I first started on this new career path I never for one moment thought I would achieve so much and there were moments when I did wonder if I would finish.  But I did it, little ol' me, passed with flying colours!  

The icing on the cake for me this year came in the form of a job offer from the hospital at which I trained.  Whilst many people were surprised I didn't chose to work closer to home, I made a career choice and wanted to be part of a busy department, working with a team I knew.  Certainly the past six months have been incredibly busy with the transition being fairly smooth from student to radiographer and never have I regretted my decision to stay where I trained.  

So 2015 was definitely amazing regarding study and career.  On a more personal level, I am thankful to have the continuing support of Andy.  I know that there are days when he and the children wish I didn't commute so far, that I was here when they woke up in the morning or when they returned home from school.  But they have been incredibly accepting of this new way of life, that mummy has a career that means she isn't always there.  Although there are still days when Kitty asks if I can work from home again, I know it will get easier for all of us with time.

As a family we have passed more milestones - Andy turned 50, Amber became a teenager, Connor passed his driving test first time, Connor and Jack had an amazing set of AS and GCSE results, Connor received an unconditional offer at UEA to read history next September, Amber passed her Grade IV flute exam, Lucy started her GCSE years, Kitty performed her first flute solo in the Christmas concert.  Not a bad year really!

After such an amazing year I am truly thankful and am looking forward to seeing what 2016 has in store for myself, Andy and our children.  One thing for sure is that we will grab opportunities with both hands, enjoy and cherish every moment.  

Until next time, take care.

Zoe

xo

World Radiography Day

Today is a very important day for my profession, a day to celebrate everything in the world  of X-rays.  Every year on 8 November it is World Radiography Day. A time to celebrate the progress of this amazing part of health science.  However I also believe it is a fantastic opportunity to promote the profession.  Even though most people have heard of x-rays and scans few people know what radiography or a radiographer is, never mind what they actually do.  In the past when I have mentioned radiotherapy or being a therapeutic radiographer there has even been a comment about being like Fraiser! Oh how that made me smile.....although I think I am more like Roz in this fab comedy show.  Yet I can assure you my job is nowhere nearly as glamorous as hosting a radio show and I am by no means a therapist.

Whenever you have a x-ray or a scan or receive radiotherapy treatment you will be imaged or treated by a radiographer. As part of the allied health professionals workforce we are not nurses or doctors but are an important part of many patients care.  Diagnostic imaging is an incredibly important part of so many peoples visit to hospital, without it doctors would struggle with so many diagnosis.  Radiotherapy is used to treat so many types of cancer and also relies on diagnostic imaging, especially to help minimise dose to normal tissue and protecting patients organs surrounding their tumour.  Whilst it is clear there are different types of imaging, not all involving radiation and with this there are different roles within the world of radiography, I still worry about how misunderstood my profession is. Fear not I am not about to get on my soapbox or start a marketing campaign to promote my profession, well not today anyway!  For now I will happily direct you to the Society of Radiographers website if you want to learn more about radiography, as I head off to the village green for the Rememberance Sunday service.....did you know the armed forces have Radiographers? See there is still so much I need to share about radiography.....

Until next time, take care.

Zoe

xo

The Year in Books - November

Sadly these past few months I have had to stop participating in 'The Year in Books' organised by Laura at  Circle of Pine Trees, due to time restrictions. Yet I feel now would be a good time to join again, especially as cosy winter evenings are perfect for snuggling up with a good book.  My reading list recently has been quite varied as always.  A favourite in the past few months has been 'Where She Went' by Gayle Forman, the follow up to the amazing young adult novel 'If I Stay'.  This was one of those books I did not want to end but hungrily read on as I needed to know what happened.  Forman is definitely an author I will be reading again very soon and encourage anybody to try, even if like me you are not a young adult.  

So what will I be reading in November?  After a recent trip to the library I returned armed with books I have been wanting to read for a while.  First up is the tale of an adventure up the west coast of America.  'Wild - A Journey from Lost to Found' by Cheryl Strayed has been dramatised as a movie recently but as always I have chosen to read the book first.  Having loved books like 'Eat, Pray, Love' I am sure 'Wild' will be spiritually uplifting for me as the reader as I join her on her incredible journey.  Next up this month is an autobiographical journey with a lady I have admired for many years, Jo Whiley.  Over the years Jo has had a big influence over my musical choices and I just love her style and friendly yet incredibly cool way of dj-ing, so am looking forward to reading 'My World in Motion'.

Maybe two books are ambitious but I think it's about time I got back to reading reguarly again and know both of these books will keep me enthralled.  What will you be reading this month? Perhaps join in with The Year in Books? Find out more on Laura's blog here.

Until next time, take care.

Zoe

xo

Four Months In

Yes I know it's been a while since I wrote here but life has been busy.  It is now four months since I started my new job.  Having spent three years juggling studying and clinical placements with family life I thought working full time would be a breeze.  In all honesty it's exhausting!  Even though I am not actually studying at the moment the learning curve as a newly qualified radiographer is very steep.  Every shift you work you are still learning, improving on the skills you gained as a student and developing as a professional person.  These past four months I have learnt so much, gaining confidence in my skills and ability.  Yet I know there is still so much I will have to learn, skills to develop.  But the best part is that I work with an amazing team who support me as I gain confidence and are constantly teaching me more about the actual job.  

So four months in do I have any regrets? Do I still love the career I chose?  Thankfully no regrets, although there are days when I wish I could be home in half an hour instead of an hour and ten minutes!  But how many people realistically work close to home? Probably not that many and if so is it out of convenience rather than choosing the better place to work?  And of course I still love my new career.  As somebody who loves to learn this is the ideal career for me.  I know that I can study again in the near future, starting my Masters.  I would also still love to be involved in research, helping to improve service delivery, gaining a better understanding about cancer and its impact on peoples lives, throughout treatment and beyond.  Those long drives home are perfect for exploring ideas that are brewing in my head.  But for now I need to focus on completing my preceptorship and being the best radiographer I can be.

Until next time, take care.
Zoe
xo

How Does the Renault Grand Scenic Cope with a Camping Trip?

Loaded to the gunnels with  enough camping gear to see us through a week or more we headed off to Camp Bestival in a Renault Grand Scenic.  As the boys had decided to stay at home this year, we had the extra space in the back, as the two rear seats were neatly packed away.  So far, so good, but we were yet to see how comfy this car was on a long journey.

Firstly the navigation system needed some attention, beeping every time you went two miles over the speed limit.  Whilst I agree, this is a great feature however after twenty minutes or so we set this to silent!  Don't worry we are safe drivers and do observe speed limits, but this was definitely an annoying feature.  Having owned a Renault Espace in the past we had always loved all the cubby holes and the dip in the dashboard always seemed perfect for transporting home a baguette.  Yet the Grand Scenic somehow seemed lacking in cubby holes and like most cars these days had a deep dash, probably housing all those electronics that tell us we are two miles over the speed limit!

So that's the negatives out of the way lets consider what is great about this family car.  Most importantly it is very economical.  We tested the Dynamique Tom Tom dCi 110 model and completed the 500 mile round trip, fully loaded, on less than a tank of diesel.  Impressive? Absolutely! Especially as most of this was on motorways and has actually encouraged me to consider a diesel when replacing my car, as a 100 mile round trip four times a week gets pricey.  Yet as it is a diesel model it can feel a little sluggish initially but soon makes up for this midrange.  With economy getting a firm five stars, I would also award interior space and layout combinations the same rating.  Having test driven various cars I am reluctant to award five stars for comfort however the Grand Scenic was by no means the least comfortable car I have driven.  So I think a fair four stars for comfort, although there was ample legroom, which some MPV's lack.  Another plus point for me was the reversing sensors, I am still pants at reverse parking so any gadget or aid is very welcomed.  

Overall the Renault Grand Scenic is an impressive family vehicle, offering ample space.  Although I would recommend a roof box if you were using all seven seats and heading off with a lot of luggage and/or camping gear.  Most impressive for me was fuel economy and I think even on more urban journeys it would fair well in comparison to other family cars.  Would I recommend the Grand Scenic to others? Yes I would, it is a good, sturdy, economical family car that provides the versatility of additional seats.

For the full spec please visit Renualt's website.

Until next time, take care,
Zoe
xo

Disclaimer - Thank you to Renault for providing the Grand Scenic for review

Being Grateful - Changing Seasons

image source

Any British person will have spent the last few weeks having a little moan about the weather, the rain, the not so warm days that we would expect for summer.  Yes as a nation we are a little obsessed with the weather, it's always a go to topic of conversation.  However today the rain has stopped, the sun is shining and there seems a distinct autumnal feel to this brighter day.  Living in the countryside the landscape changes as the months roll past, with farmers working round the clock right now to clear the fields of crops as harvest time approaches.  The nights are starting to draw in and it's not been quite as light when I crawl out of bed at 5.20am on work days.  But as much as some will moan that summer never really got started, I am thankful to live somewhere that changes every few months.  I cannot imagine living in a place that has a similar temperature daily, that never sees the trees spectacular display on autumnal golds, that never has a late summer hazy glow or bushes filled with berries, plump and ready to be eaten.  Every season offers so many different things and brings with it different moods, recipes and activites.  So instead of moaning about the lack of hot summer days I am getting excited for autumn along with thought of apple and blackberry crumble, finding conkers, digging out my favourite jumpers for walks in the forest or on the beach and of course Saturday evenings watching Strictly and Sunday afternoons crafting with the girls.  

Until next time, take care.
Zoe
xo

Lost : One Blogging Mojo

image source

Yes it's true I have lost my blogging mojo, which for me is quite hard.  Blogging has been part of my life for the past six years but recently life has taken over and the thought of sitting down to write has been furthest from my thoughts.  I know many bloggers take a break in August, some time out to enjoy life without writing about it, which is probably just what I needed to do.  The past few weeks have seen some big changes in my life, so taking some time out from blogging was very much needed.  Yet now I feel I should be returning here, to my lovely little blogging home, but I can't quite find the inspiration or motivation.  For a long time blogging was a big part of my career, I had to blog to pay the bills.  Now it is my hobby, my space, a place for me to reflect, to share my thoughts and maybe even inspire other women. Maybe this is what I need to remember, it is my space.  So with a few days annual leave, in between two important birthdays, I aim to find my blogging mojo and rediscover the reason I love to write.

Until next time, take care.
Zoe
xo