Cheerleaders

If you follow my other blogs, then you'll know I work in a school. Originally I was the Receptionist, but after a year I applied for a job as the Marketing Manager and PA to the Principal and have been in that role for almost a year now too. I have to say that I absolutely adore my role, my colleagues and the place I work and feel like I have become a proper grown-up.

I'm not sure how, but some of the other staff members and I have become really good friends and although we don't see each other for a few days or weeks each school break, we keep in touch through our social media accounts, by messaging each other, occasionally calling and the odd meet up for lunch.

This Summer, I wasn't expecting to see any of my work friends until the end of the holidays. I'd sort of planned it that way, as I wanted them to be surprised at the changes I'd undergone and yes, they could have seen it from some of the photographs I've been posting, but I didn't think that the selfies would really show much of a difference!

Only, this week I accidentally bumped into three colleagues as they were all at work at the same time as me.

As there aren't students at the school, and mostly no staff, I hadn't worn my normal workwear and instead I was wearing jeans and a T-shirt which I had worn tucked in.

There were compliments everywhere. Compliments for my figure. Compliments for having stuck to a workout routine. Compliments for making changes. Compliments for just about everything.

It was like having my own personal cheerleaders.

It turns out that I will see them in a couple of weeks, so I'm really looking forward to the differences they see then too!

Is She A Legacy?

On Saturday, Flyfour and I took Top Ender to look at a University.

We've been to a few over the last few months, some online and some in person, but this one was going to be different. This one was the University I went to, one that I have such fond memories of and one that I would love if Top Ender went to.

I didn't tell Top Ender to look at my University, in fact I haven't had anything to do with the list of universities that we are being shown around and neither has Flyfour.

Top Ender has been so sensible about it, she has looked at what universities in the UK offer the two courses she is after (Creative Writing and Film Studies as a joint BA) or courses that offer similar modules and worked out what she believes she would enjoy.

Tops has looked at rankings regarding student happiness, employability and the results of people taking the courses she is interested in. Tops has looked at her grade predictions, at the grade requirements, at course modules, at the areas she'd live in, at the distance from us here at home...

It just happened that St Mary's University was on the list.

Originally it was going to be her "safe" choice but when she spoke to the lecturers in charge of the two courses she wanted to take, I could see her change her mind.

As we walked around the campus I could see her picturing herself as a student, walking to lectures, sitting in the piazza, studying in the library, eating at the refectory and just as I used to love, sitting in the grounds looking at the beautiful gothic castle and loving that I lived in a place called Strawberry Hill.

Tops is now working towards making sure that St Mary's accepts her by getting the best grades she can. I'm so excited!!!

This Summer

I made a plan in my head.

This Summer, I was going to lose weight.

I was going to walk every morning.

I was going to row three ten minute intervals during the day.

I was going to walk with Flyfour at least three times a week in the evenings.

I was going to be active for at least thirty minutes every afternoon. Be that cycling, swimming or kicking a football around.

I was going to go back to work in six weeks looking more healthy than I have in a long time.

There was just one thing.

I needed to make sure that I was accountable to more than just myself because I don't think twice about letting myself down.

Which is why I find myself on a Sunday afternoon, preparing to go to a 6 am class on a Monday morning as part of a six-week Transformation Program.

I've made myself accountable. I've told Twitter and you and my family and a few friends that I "trust" (there's a post for a whole other time) and I've paid a fairly large amount of money that I can't afford to lose.

It's going to be fine right?

Right?