This is me and a snapshot of my life.

I've come to realise that a lot of things in my life will be changing really quickly over the next few years. I wanted a chance to document the things that happen, as they happen, and see if my journey is able to help someone else with their journey through life along the way. Life really does change quickly and can be really overwhelming at times, so it can help to know that not everyone copes as well as they seem to. I am definately one of those "swans" I was taught about in nursing school - I seem very calm and graceful on the surface, but below, those little legs are kicking real hard, just trying to keep up with the changing tides.

So, me..... Well, I'm currently a registered nurse (RN) working permanent night duty at a metropolitan hospital that deals mostly with veterans and older people. I used to work on the surgical ward there but when I decided to go back to uni and study midwifery, I joined the ward relief roster - this means that I never know what ward I will be sent to until I get to work and can deal with really different issues from night to night. I'm in my second year of midwifery studies, with the aim of graduating at the end of 2014, but I'm pretty scared that I might not get all of the required births/appointments done in time.

I am recently engaged to the (mostly) wonderful Mr S, who is currently an electricians apprentice (I know, two of us studying in the same house.... What were we thinking?!). This can make life a little hard at times because he earns very little per hour and I have had to cut down my hours in order to cope with the study workload. Mr S is 32 (7 years older than I am), always ready with a joke and the most incredible man I've ever known. He drives me mad at times but I know he would do anything for me, for us.

We have a dog called Jaffa - she's a bull arab crossed with a kelpie, just turned two and entirely fucking adorable. As a high energy breed we tend to walk her twice a day, and have to provide her with lots of toys to keep that brain of hers entertained. This can be difficult - she's 32kg and has strong jaws!!

My family... is complicated. I'll cover them another time!

So, why is life going to get so busy over the next couple of years? Well, besides Mr S and I both hoping to finish our studies, we are also planning a wedding, buying a house.... and hopefully a baby. Not in that exact order.

Come along for the journey.

(This is Jaffa)