Well, it’s been a while…again. It’s always pretty easy to put off posting, especially when work and then trying to balance somewhat of a life outside of small screens (still can’t peel me away from the TV), means it’s harder to stay on top. But alas, we’re here, another a year, or as I seem to recall, just another day. Other than for date purposes, I don’t suppose many people care all too much nowadays. Is it not just one big hotchpotch blur?
I won’t even pretend to remember the last post, it’s date or it’s content. My brain capacity simply is not there yet. I could just as easily take a look through my page, but where’s the fun in that. What I will however say, is that I can now raise my hand and say ‘I too, have beaten COVID’. That’s right ladies and gents, ole’ NQ here had fallen prey to the unseen enemy. And despite being double-vaxxed, it certainly was not pleasant, luckily no trips to the hospital or doctor, but it definitely knocked the wind out of me. And for a short (thankfully!) while, also knocked my sense of taste and smell. Now, if you have any clue as to what I am like, you will know that food ranks pretty highly on my list, so yes, it was a daytime nightmare. But again, I type here before you, with my sense of smell and taste mostly restored (don’t get me started on the ‘Inception’ style plot where I convince myself that I can only smell and taste because I think that I can).
As I type this, I realise that I have diverted from what I originally set out to complain about…which I suppose is only fitting for a blog. Well, you’ll be glad to know that the aforementioned chokehold has somewhat lapsed, but I’m pretty sure a new paper monster with immaculate grip of one’s throat is in the making. What else did I expect from a job where I get the chance to work on multimillion pound grants, working with international partners on global health projects(?)
Although I’d full well intended to rant about how much I hate the paperwork and sometimes the politics (much less than my previous occupations!), I actually don’t feel any angst, in fact, the challenge is quite that. A challenge. It may be daunting at times, sometimes feeling like you could easily drown in the sea of papers (picture the first few minutes of Alice in Wonderland, where Alice is caught in a sea of her own tears), but then sometimes you can just stand up and walk away, and other times you just gather up all the paper and set it on fire!
I jest (or do I?), it’s a good team environment, lots of people collectively working for the same thing and sometimes it feels unreal that I’m not planning every detail from scratch alone (let’s not jinx a good thing). But grateful and appreciative and I hope that the challenges to come are hit for Six.
I’ll end with a few pictures I took whilst away in Istanbul, loved it, but in hindsight…still not a good time to travel! You’re welcome!
Couldn’t have a layover in Dublin and not get the best hot chocolate ever!
Ramblings of a Muffintop 