I made a new top. It was meant to be a dress, but I failed to adjust for the fact that I am much taller than most Japanese women.
I love it though, and have bought more fabric so I can make myself a dress version.
I discovered that the best place to take a full legth photo of myself without balancing on the arm of a sofa or having to tidy an entire room first, is the changing room at work.
Basil is back in the kitchen - I run my hands through it when I stand at the sink.
I like these tiles at Aldgate station.
Graham is listening to James Brown and treating us all to funk.
I have been running - but not enough. I miss it.
I baked brioche rolls, and Graham made a tarte au citron.
The washing machine couldn't read the label that said the pillow was washable.
When it's sunny, and I am not at work, I cycle over to the Olympic park with a quilt and sunbathe.
A few weeks ago I was offered my first nursing job - and last week, after much dithering, I accepted it. At the end of this year I will become a registered nurse, and then I will be working on the ITU at my local hospital. ITU stands for Intensive Therapy Unit and is what used to be known as Intensive Care - it is where the very sickest patients are cared for, and each patient gets one-to-one nursing care, 24 hours a day. I have so many emotions whirling around my head about this new job:
pride - I've got a great job, in a specialism I desperately wanted to work in
fear - I'm going to be a qualified nurse, responsible for the care of very poorly patients
excitement - I'm going to be a qualified nurse, responsible for the care of very poorly patients
motivation - I need to revise all my knowledge of acute nursing care, and learn so much more
eagerness - I want to start now
sartorial disappointment - I will be wearing scrubs rather than a traditional nursing uniform
nervousness - can we put the brakes on, please? I've loved being back at University.
But mainly, with the knowledge that I have a good job waiting for me at the end of the year, I have relaxed and started to enjoy myself more. I have always enjoyed nursing and been certain that this was what I wanted to do, but there has also been an underlying tension - could I really do this? could I be good at this? what effect was my change in career having on the family? I was surprised to find that this tension disappeared when I finally sent the email to accept the job.
"Yes, I have a job in ITU," I tell people. I'm getting used to saying it. I have a new identity. In my head I say to myself "I am an ITU nurse" - trying it out for size - and it feels right.