Juggling two blogs

Here's the link to the post I've written for my other blog tonight. I think it says all I can muster before I head off to get organised for the first day of my placement at Strathcarron tomorrow....

Feeling rubbish, but getting a job done

This is a first for me; three blog posts in one day! It's only my second post here, but part of my commitment to the Vodafone Foundation World of Difference Scheme(which awarded me the Strathcarron Hospice placement) is to write a regular blog, so I got that off the ground earlier with the first post. So, three blog posts in one day! The new blog's on the World of Difference website and is hosted by Wordpress. I've not got a clue how best to tie the two blogs together (any tips folks?!) so, for the moment, here's the link to my new wee blog!

I've been feeling rubbish all day after a sleepless night (it's just a cold, but my head feels like a burst ball!), so it feels great to have got the new blog up and running. For now though, I'm off to vegetate in front of crappy Saturday night telly with a hot drink and paracetamol.

Atishooooo!

Watching a clip from our concert

I wrote last week about the choir's concert in Falkirk Town Hall. Here's a wee video of the last two songs, and - recorded for posterity - my little thank you 'speed poem' right at the very end. (I really wish I'd blown my nose before I started...!) The three children that sing during 'Aint no Mountain' are members of the Heart of Scotland Junior Chorus; an incredibly talented bunch of kids.

Smiling from behind my hands

OK, so, I did contemplate attacking last night's post with the edit key on blogger, but I've decided to leave the post alone. It was written from a very happy heart and I've got a feeling it'll be nice to look back on in years to come!

Before I leave it behind though, I'd like to make a bit of an addition; since the post turned into a bit of an Oscars speech, I'd also like to thank my lovely wee Mum! In the same vein as last night's blurb; I'm very lucky to have her and I so appreciate her support. I should also, of course, acknowledge all the encouragement and 'just being there-ness' provided by some of my special friends - but I think it's definitely time I stopped and got off the stage!

I'm off to drink a pint of water along with a couple of hango.., I mean, headache pills. Hello new day!

A fitting end to my skills course journey - hic!

I’ve had a brilliant day today and I’m sitting here wondering if writing a blog post is such a good idea: (a) because I’m a bit - quite a big bit -drunk (b) because I don’t think I have the words to express exactly how I feel and (c) because I don’t want the blog to turn into a ‘Yeh! Go me!’ kind of thing. But, I do want to record this day in some sort of way so, stuff it, here goes:

I attended an interview recently for a place on the Postgraduate Diploma Course in Counselling at Strathclyde Uni. I’ve been checking my emails every day since, hoping to receive an acceptance, but I’ve been prepared for bad news as they only take 30 folk onto the course. The email arrived today; just as I was about to leave the house to drive to Dunblane to give a presentation to a group of students who’re just about to complete their first COSCA counselling skills module. It was perfect timing! This time last year I had no idea if I had what it takes to train to become a professional counsellor, but the certificate course was an incredible experience for me – on so many different levels – and it was, therefore, fitting that the day I’m told that I have a place on the Postgrad course is the day that I was invited back to talk to a group of new students about my certificate course experience. I’m kind of guessing that you’re thinking “what’s the big deal?”, but it was just very, very special for me. I was chuffed to bits to have been asked to give the presentation by my first tutor, Rachel. I have so much to thank her for and it was brilliant to go back after completing all four modules, along with my very special friend Linda, who’d been asked to give a presentation too. Linda and I met on the first day of the course at Dunblane, and we’ve become such close friends during this past year. Sharing today with her made the whole experience all the more poignant. It really brought it home to me how far we’ve both come and just how much we’ve achieved – not just in doing the skills course, but in many other different areas of our lives. This time last year there was absolutely no way that I could've stood up in front of a group of strangers and talked openly and passionately about my experiences. I was proud of both me and Linda for being able to do just that today.

Ocht, and it’s not just that; I’m feeling overwhelmingly proud of my kids tonight. Gordon sat his Highers prelims recently and has been receiving his results this week. It’s tough for Gordon, coming along behind his high-achieving sister and brother, but I’m really proud of his attitude. He’s had a mixed bag of results; some subjects he’s done better than he expected and some he’s done worse. But, with his usual maturity and optimism, he’s not at all fazed and, with our reassurance that we’ll be extremely proud of him – no matter what his results are – because he’s trying his best and working hard, he’s still smiling! And then there’s Gemma. Well, she’s finding her Uni work load tough - having had to step up a gear now that she’s into the Honours part of her degree - but I’m so proud of her attitude to it all too. Gemma’s always been a hard and dedicated worker, both at school and in the many ‘projects’ and jobs that she’s been involved with. Studying hard at Uni kind of fell by the wayside a wee bit in her first couple of years there, but she’s achieved so many other things in the meantime. She also works part-time (with many late night shifts) in one of the big hotels just outside St Andrews and she’s worked all summer, every summer to help pay her way. Being in an environment where she’s surrounded by students who are quite bemused by the fact that she has to work can be a wee bit challenging at times (“Don’t your Mum and Dad pay for everything?!!! How quaint that you have to work!”), but Gemma rises to that with head held high and a pride – that I’m very proud of – in her working class background. She popped home for a surprise visit the other night and it was just brilliant to coorie up on the couch for a good old blether with my wee grown up girl. She’s going to be away again working in London all summer, so I treasure every one of those moments. And then there’s Ross. Aw, I just love it when he pops home for one of his surprise visits too – I was spoiled this past week by having Ross here at the weekend and Gemma for a night during the week! I’ve been so proud of Ross’s attitude at Uni – he’s doing really well and is probably going to be exempt from all of his first year exams – and, I’m so chuffed that Ross is happy for his auld maw to be going to his Uni to do her Postgrad course! I’m not at all surprised by that attitude though; it’s typical of Ross to be considerate and caring. He never fails to amaze me with his thoughtfulness and selflessness. His - along with his big sister's and little brother's - messages of Congratulations today brought a tear to my eye and just made my heart swell. Ocht, I just love my kids and am so very proud of them all.

And, since I’m on a roll, I have to mention Alex here. I’m chuffed with all my wee achievements over the course of this past couple of years, ever since that first ‘I think I’ll give the OU a try’ moment (though they all pale into insignificance when I consider the importance of being there for my kids when they were growing up) but I wouldn’t have been able to do any of it without Alex’s steady support and encouragement. I love him so much and I love that we’re still having so much fun while playing at grown-ups!

I think I’ve slavered on enough now. I’ve a feeling that this is the kind of post I’ll read in the morning from behind my hands then hastily edit. I’ve had lots of bubbly to celebrate getting the place on the Postgrad Course, so this has been written straight from a very alcohol-influenced set of fingers! It’s not something I plan to make a habit of, but I just felt so warm and fuzzy inside and I really wanted to record it on my wee blog.

I think it’s time to stop now though. Night folks! (Hic....!)

The buzz of the morning after the night before

I’m usually slow to wake up in the morning; I usually do that thing of re-setting my alarm a few times before eventually dragging myself out of bed. Once I’m up, I’m fine and tend to be a cheery morning person – it’s just the dragging myself out of bed bit that’s the problem! However this morning, with no alarm set from the night before as today’s Sunday, I woke up with a real ‘ding!!’. You know what I mean? It was as if someone flicked the ‘WAKE UP!’ switch inside my head instead of pulling down slowly on the ‘Aw ..naw.. it’s.. time.. to.. wake up..’ lever!

The fact that the sun was streaming through the bedroom window probably had a bit to do with it, but I’m sure it was more down to the fact that the adrenalin was still flowing after last night’s choir concert. What a brilliant night! It wasn’t the biggest audience we’ve played to (though, as my choir buddy Mair said, “it’s the quality of the audience that counts, not the quantity!”) but it definitely was one of our best gigs.

I’d forgotten what a nice wee venue Falkirk Town Hall is. It’s a cosy theatre, and there was just a really good ‘feel’ about the place; even before the audience arrived. And, they’ve got a fantastic sound system. I always think it must be so frustrating for Annie when we turn up at a gig and the sound arrangements aren’t geared up for our large choir and its accompanying musical instruments. The family members and friends of mine who were in the audience last night - most of whom have been to at least one of our previous concerts - all commented on how different the quality of the sound was. The choir and the band were doing the same as they always do, but when the microphones and other sound equipment are of good quality and set up properly, everything seems to pull together so much better. I guess the audience appreciate the choir and respond more when they can hear all the soloists and harmonies and instruments as they’re meant to be heard. And that must be so satisfying for Annie and Jane too – knowing that all their superb arrangements are being heard, just as they’d intended them to be heard the first time they sat down to work them out! And, as I said, the wee audience were great; whooping and cheering and clapping along.

Ocht, I’m still buzzing – you really can’t beat this feeling. I also had a tiny wee taste of how nerve-wracking it must be to take centre-stage and do a solo! Before we went on stage, Annie and Jane’s sister, Alexis, asked me if I would do the ‘Thank You’s’ at the end of the concert. “The kids are going to come on when the concert's finished and present Annie and Jane with the flowers from the choir, so you'd just need to take the mike and say a few words to thank everyone. Is that OK?”. Well, I definitely wasn’t going to say no – I was deeply touched that Alexis had asked me – but it did make me come out in a bit of a cold sweat! The only time I don’t feel really nervous when I’m speaking in front of an audience, or even a small group, is when I recite one of my poems – so, I sat at the interval and scribbled a few wee verses of thanks! It was a real test of my ability to do ‘speed poetry!’, but I managed to throw enough words together to enable me to take the mike without shaking too much in my shoes (or, to be more accurate, stocking soles) and do the necessary. It was a real privilege to be able to say a heartfelt thank you to the band and Annie and Jane - on behalf of the whole choir - in the way that I love best. Somehow it's always easier when speaking straight from the heart!

So, I’m sitting here bright eyed and bushy-tailed at 8.30 on a beautiful, sunny Sunday morning, looking out at the snow-capped hills and – once again – thanking my lucky stars for that day that Gordon said “Mum, I think I’ve found you the singing group you’ve been looking for.....”

Looking forward to a different kind of buzz from Falkirk

Usually on this day in February I’d be through in Falkirk at the National Cross Country Championships but, unfortunately, I’ve had to give it a miss this year. Alex and Ross are away through and it’ll be weird getting the text or phone call to tell me how Ross’s race has gone; usually I’m running about like a mad thing cheering him on round the course, then doing the same when Alex runs (I’m sure I cover just as many miles spectating as the runners do competing!). It’s a brilliant event; the climax to the cross country running calendar and held in the lovely grounds of Callendar House (as recorded here last year). No matter the result of the races, whether our club’s done well or not-so-well, I've always come away buzzing. I'm kind of sad to be missing it this time around.

However, I will still be buzzing after being in Falkirk later on this day this year – but for a different reason:

It somehow seems kind of fitting that the last time I was in Falkirk Town Hall was many moons ago when I took my Mum to see Gary Wilmot (Yes, I did say Gary Wilmot..!) singing a mixed bag of songs from musicals, stage shows and the charts. Before that, probably the last time I was there was to see the Christmas Pantomime as a child with my Mum and my Gran. So, I’ve got some nice memories of the place and I’m hoping to be adding to those happy memories after performing on the Falkirk Town Hall stage tonight with the choir. This is our first gig since appearing at Stirling Castle on Hogmanay, so I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve been having a last minute practice of the set list while I’ve been doing all my bits and bobs at home today and, as ever, it’s put me in a great mood and left me really looking forward to tonight. I still do that thing sometimes of stepping back and thanking my lucky stars for the night Gordon came home and said, “I think I’ve found you the singing group you’ve been looking for Mum!” Ocht, I just love being part of the Heart of Scotland Choir community!

So, if you’re planning on spending tonight stuck in front of rubbishy Saturday night telly, why don’t you come along instead to Falkirk Town Hall at 8pm and be entertained by a bunch of cheery folk dressed in red singing fantastic covers of songs by the likes of Sting, Coldplay, Queen, Primal Scream, Adele, Simon & Garfunkel and Louis Armstrong! I’m reliably informed that tickets are available to buy on the door – and I can guarantee that you’ll leave the hall with a smile on your face and a song in your heart. Yup, I'm pretty sure that everyone - whether they're a choir or audience member - will leave Falkirk Town Hall tonight feeling great!

Rehearsing (so imagine how it'll sound after a bit of practice and live!):



Our Choir Anthem!:

Soaking up the sun in my old stomping ground

I think the last time I was in The Botanic Gardens in Glasgow was at the end of my first year at Uni when I was studying for my Chemistry re-sit in 1984! It was a lovely, sunny day in July and I can remember lying on the grass - kidding myself on that I was studying, when I was actually sunbathing - and cursing myself for not having worked harder to pass the exam first time around! I was totally skint, and I can actually remember swithering about whether I should buy a double nougat from the van, or be sensible and keep every penny I had for sensible things like bread and milk! The double nougat won. Shortly after that, I moved out of my student bedsit in Kelvinside and from then on did my sunba....studying in a different West End park.

So, it was lovely to spend a wee while today sitting on a bench in The Botanic Gardens soaking up the sun. (Yes, it is February and, yes, we are talking about Scotland!) I’ve had a busy time recently, what with one thing and another, and decided to treat myself to a bit of time out with a good friend. She’s recently moved to the Kelvinside area (the posh bit, not the studenty bit where I once lived) and, after a wee donner down Queen Margaret Drive, we spent a lazy couple of hours blethering on a park-bench in the Gardens. I’ve even got a bit of sunburn on my nose!! (Yes, it is February and, yes, we are talking about Scotland!) I had a nice day, and it brought back lots of happy memories of the time I’d spent living in the Dear Green Place.

Alex and I moved through to the Stirling area, after living in Glasgow for around six years, because I’d just started a new job (which meant I’d be working mostly in the Central Belt) and Alex had just been awarded his first ‘big’ contract since becoming self-employed (to carry out large-scale restoration works at The Church of the Holy Rude in Stirling). It was a wee bit like coming home, in some ways, for Alex as his three-year masonry apprenticeship had been served at Stirling Castle, but we loved living in Glasgow and we definitely intended moving back at some time in the not-too-distant-future.

Twenty two years later we’re still here in the Stirling area! And we’ve not once considered moving back to Glasgow since settling here. But, it’s always lovely to spend some time in our old stomping ground; especially on a sunny day with an old friend. ....and especially when I’m not fretting over re-sits or wondering if I’ve got enough pennies in my pocket to pay for some pan bread....

Clearing the decks

Oh dear; my blog seems to have gone for a Burton these days! I’ve just not been finding the time recently to sit down and write. Having said that, I have been sitting down plenty – and in front of the computer – but much of that time’s been taken up with completing the final assignment for my counselling certificate course, preparing for an interview at Strathclyde Uni next Monday (eek!), preparing the presentation I’ve to give on the last day of my course next Tuesday, getting the ball rolling with fundraising for my placement at Strathcarron and keeping on top of work work. (With, of course, the odd peek at Facebook in between!) The housework’s also gone for a Burton – but I’m not so bothered about that!

I don’t officially start my placement until the beginning of March, but I’m making a start by doing a wee fundraiser so that I can purchase some of the bits and bobs that I need to help bring my project to life. I decided to keep the fundraiser simple while giving it a ‘music’ theme, so I made up a music quiz sheet (if you fancy a shot, check out my Just Giving page!) and I’ve been using Facebook, Twitter, my email contact list, my voice – ocht, basically any method I can think of to punt the idea to as many people as possible! (I’m even using my wee blog...) I’m coming to realise some of the real benefits of social networking; I know it has many drawbacks, but for raising awareness and spreading the word, I think it’s great. I’m attending the ‘World of Difference Winner’s Launch Day’ down in London at the end of this month and I couldn’t help smiling when I read that one of the talks will be on ‘effective blogging’! We’re encouraged to use blogging as a means of raising awareness of our projects and to give a bit of publicity to our chosen charities. I like to think I’m just a wee bit ahead...

So, what am I actually going to be doing at Strathcarron? Well, I’ll be spending a lot of time talking and - more importantly - listening to patients and staff to discover how best music can be utilised to benefit both the inpatients and day care patients. Then I’ll be trying to facilitate some of those suggestions. It could be something as simple as setting up regular visits from local musicians and singers, organising a fundraising concert, installing a system for music to be piped to the bathrooms or treatment rooms, or researching the different forms of professional music therapy available and sourcing long-term funding. I’ll not manage to do all of that in my four month part time placement – but I’ll be doing my best to put every minute available to me and every penny I raise to the best possible use!

Something that I will be able to do straight away is provide MP3 players and accessories, thanks to the generosity of the people who’ve already bought a quiz sheet or made a donation! The idea is that I’ll spend some time with the patient chatting about music that’s meaningful to them so that I can make up personal playlists of their ‘special songs’ to download onto an MP3 player. The patient will have their own collection of special music and songs to listen to on their ‘own’ MP3 player at anytime and anywhere in the hospice – be it in bed, in the bath (with the appropriate equipment – more funds will be required!) or walking in the lovely grounds. If the patient has given prior permission, I’ll make up a wee CD of the playlist as a special keepsake for the family.

I was delighted when the hospice staff (who I presented all my placement ideas to) were most taken with the personal playlist suggestion and that that was the thing they were most keen to see put in place. I can’t wait to get started and the first of March can’t come quick enough. In the meantime, there's a bit of deck-clearing to do with the small matter of an interview, course presentation and manky house to sort out....