Monday 10 September 2007

What iv been up to recently

Just incase your interested, here's what Iv been up to recently...

life.... seems a little more settled in general, suddenly realising im 23 years old, not 17 and feeling tired, not being able to "burn the candle at both ends." Im having to learn to rest more which is working!

work.... is taking more priority in life at the moment as if it doesnt I will end up a dependent, poor and badly trained nurse who didnt pay enough attention to his studies and regrets it! Seriously, we have just a few more months of a course to go and I need to give more effort than I have been, not that my marks have been below 70% but because I work with peoples lives which needs 100%!!!!!

Charity.... well what is charity? Im reading a great book at the moment by Tim Chester called Good news for the poor. He mentioned welfare VS development. Welfare provides immidiate needs but development empowers people to meet thier own needs. So im doing alot of thinking. Had the satisfaction of taking the charity to an exhibition at a festival and for the first time really felt we are established, people are really interested in what we are doing! All up for more as we are lead by God, some interesting ideas in the pipeline.

Accomodation..... im on the lookout for a place to buy... not urgently though!

Itchy feet.... yes its that time of year again, I have holiday to use before March and am feeling a bit of travelling coming on. Young single.... people tell me to take the opportunity. Im thinking short distances though. Anyone know of a good retreat place to take a week of quietness in?


Thats all for now...

Check out my other places on the web::
http://www.micahscall.org.uk/
http://http//www.photoboxgallery.com/photosbyrichard
http://http//www.flickr.com/photos/richardg

Friday 24 August 2007

Im on my break on a night shift

Im writing this on my break on a night shift, im quite bored, but if you want to know what its like read on...

Its not all that bad. In a strange way, nite shifts can put life back on the "normal" routine as you have to rest - all you can do is work and rest instead of the normal work - socialise - TV - internet - rest - cycle that kinda wears you out. I also have a long endurance for being functional when awake (about 36 hrs) - but im sure that my life will be shorter as a result of the extra stress and proven link to increased risk of cancer in shift workers. I occasionally drink large volumes of fruit juice to raise my vitamin levels to fight off any unhealthiness but its purely imaginary that I will be any healthier.

Tonight was interesting, challenging patient, very sick ("sick" in our world means about to die), had to pull the emergency buzzer for the first time (well i didnt pull it, someone else did). Outcome was good though, the patient survived. Yay.


Thats all for now...

Check out my other places on the web::
www.micahscall.org.uk
http://http://www.photoboxgallery.com/photosbyrichard
http://http://www.flickr.com/photos/richardg

Sunday 5 August 2007

My heart it burns, for You

For You

So deep, so mysterious,
So funny, so serious,
So beautiful, so clear,
So fine, not a smear,
So real, so true,
My heart it burns,
For you.







Thats all for now...

Check out my other places on the web::
www.micahscall.org.uk
http://http://www.photoboxgallery.com/photosbyrichard
http://http://www.flickr.com/photos/richardg

Sunday 15 July 2007

Visit to India July 07


PICT0198
Originally uploaded by thenamesrichard
Wow im back and quite jetlagged. Just briefly, I have been to India as part of the work I do with the Charity Micah's Call International, a charity set up by myself and freinds last year. we went to visit the needy childrens home that our partner organisation runs and where we have children who we sponsor.

There was 5 of us from the UK, and I will just mention some higlights - going to a mountain resort with and English climate - Indian food - meeting village people all over the area - spending time with our Christian brothers and sisters - relaxing in a convent rest house and being invited to choir practice - stopping off in Sri Lanka on the way home - visiting Bangalore - eating nice food - again.

Generally we had a great time. I think all of us were really impacted by the lives the people there lead, even though we don't fully understand thier culture at all. The children were the highlight, they dont have TV's or gameboys or any of our normal luxuries but thier happiness was so real and infectious, they were content and at hme through all thier struggles and loss. Truly amazing.

See www.micahscall.org.uk for more info.

Sunday 17 June 2007

Uncle Richard

There are two reasons why I am called Uncle Richard.

The first has just been revealed - I will be an uncle to my bro an sis inlaw baby! Its still small, but the scan shows a big foot already!

The second is by the kids in India in the orphanage the charity supports. Im taking leave from work to go there in two weeks time.

So im happy!

My post about a new job seems a little cheesy now im settling into work. Its a strange thing, but there are kind of reverberations of attitudes from my previous job which seem to hang around me. Like negativity - expecting the worst. Not that things are perfect, but there is a different way of thinking in the place where I work now. Maybe it becuase the building is new and kept clean! Maybe its the staff, good training, plenty of supplies due to the nature of the work. I have to leave behind the negative aspects of my old job, and draw on my strengths to help me in such a complex new job. Thankfully its not to hard to do that - except that my general positive receptive cheerful demenour is in no way the same at night - im still working on being civil at 4 am in the morning!

Thats all for now...

Check out my other places on the web::
www.micahscall.org.uk
http://http://www.photoboxgallery.com/photosbyrichard
http://http://www.flickr.com/photos/richardg

Thursday 31 May 2007

First few days of new job

Hey there, thought id update on my new job - recently started in a very different area of nursing ITU! Very different to ward nursing. Currently, im just enjoying being a student again, learning the ropes and being slghtly scared that in only few more shifts it will be me on my own, or maybe my patients should be scared!



Thats all for now...

Check out my other places on the web::
www.micahscall.org.uk
http://http://www.photoboxgallery.com/photosbyrichard
http://http://www.flickr.com/photos/richardg

Monday 21 May 2007

Such a good holiday


PICT0081
Originally uploaded by thenamesrichard.
Wow im back.

Been for a weeks holiday while inbetween changing jobs - did some walking in the Lake District with my cousin. Was a really good time. We just walked to various hostels where the rest of the day was spent drying out and reading (TV and internet not generally provided). Although a walking holiday (yes we did climb some mountains) it was ultimately relaxing and generally the whole day was really peaceful. It allowed me to get my head around some things (life in London) which was good. I would highly reccomend the lake district to anyone looking to get away from it all.

Started in my new job this week! Seems great!

More photos on my flickr site www.flickr.com/photos/richardg