This tribute comes as today is a very important day here in Ireland and in particular important for the rights of Irish women. Voting stations are today open across the country to make a decision whether to repeal or maintain the 8^th Amendment. Whether to give women a choice.

I don’t have a vote, being Swedish, but I do have an opinion. However, this blog post is not about my opinion on the 8^th Amendment it is about the women in my life who has choice. Women that are my family, that are my friends that are my work colleagues that are my motivators, my comforters and my life lines. Women that I admire, respect and love.

The hardest part when doing this is the fear of forgetting someone….. so early apologies but I may have to edit or make additions to this post.

Here you are…….

MY FAMILY

• Mamma – This one….. she is the one who has taught me to have my own opinion, to stand tall, to care about myself and others and most importantly she has thought me what love really is. I talk to my mum every day…… about everything, simply because I can. She is my everything and one thing is for sure, I would be lost without her.
• Emma – My eldest daughter, my first born. This girl slowly becoming a young woman…. I get teary eyed when thinking about who she has become. I am so proud of her and all her crazy ways and exceptional achievements. She is funny, smart (much smarter than me, like nerd smart) and truly wonderful.
• Isabella – My second daughter and the middle child in my house. I think you would find it hard to find a little girl with a kinder heart and soul. Always looking out for everyone, no matter what age, race or personality. She has this most amazing little dimple when she smiles which is a real testament to her character.
• Auntie Gittan – This lady has a special place in my heart. Similar to my dad in many ways she has over the years, of my adult life in particular, become a relation that has come closer and closer. She is patient, kind and full of sound advice. (Not to forget she loves cheese just the way I do)!!!
• The Mother In Law – A rocky week is all we had and once that week had passed we have got on like a house on fire. My mother in law Imelda is not just a rock for me but a solid one for my kids.

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MY FRIENDS

• Lorraine – I was only in Ireland for two weeks when this girl was introduced to me due to our personality similarities. (We are both stone mad J)!!! Later that night she aided me to find my way home and we have stuck together since. Through weddings, funerals, babies, boyfriends, weight loss and weight gain, holidays, illness and injuries, great nights out and so many more things. Our story is nearly 18 years old and nowhere near finished! Love this girl to bits.
• Emma – My childhood bestie and oh the memories. We have them all. Pen pals from a young age we developed a friendship that was meant to last. Mention Roy Orbinson, Brown Eyed Girl, mention Madison, mention the first kiss….. mention graduation, mention walking and cycling places we shouldn’t – Emma you will know what I mean by each one of them.
• Miriam – On my very first day in UCC I sat down next to this one! The only two women from Clare in the room saw us create a connection which lasted well beyond our two years in college. We have since we got to know each other shared many special moments, had some serious laughs (the giggle box) and we have an amazing journey ahead of us, that I am sure of. Miriam is one of these who puts all others before herself….full of care and kindness.
• Edel – Some woman for one woman! As we are alike in so many ways, especially with regards to the not sitting still part it was evident that when this lady came in to my life there was no turning back. Since we became friends we have been on some amazing adventures and there a more to come. Edel truly has a solid (yet opinionated) gold heart and she will know you are not the best you can be before you even know it yourself.
• Christina – This lady has recently entered my life for a second time!! That is a sign to hold onto. Full of strength, an amazing mum and with totally mad dance moves. We have been on some super adventures in the last year and a bit and she is one of the people responsible for making my blog a thing, writing a book a thing and watch out when the summer comes. We are going to make the world a little bit more unsteady because this lady has an ability to push you beyond your comfort zone!
• The Swedish Mafia – Friends are friends forever no matter what and in Sweden I have a serious bunch of ladies. I don’t get to see them as often as I would like but we know we have each other’s backs if needed. Marina, Zeina, Maiken, Anna, Maria(s), Magda…….

MY FRIENDS THROUGH WORK

Chose to put this category slightly separately as they have a link in that they started out as work colleagues developing into friends.

• Carmel – Sometimes I think she is my shoulder to cry on, to guide me straight in business and life and certainly a lady I don’t run out of conversation with. A magic soul and one I am so lucky to have ran into.
• Maria – What a lady!! Straight talking and strong yet so selfless and generous she is a force to be reckoned with. With this lady I can lose my inhibitions (most of them anyhow) and express even my less impressive thoughts. We all need one of those…..
• Theresa – I always think of the first time I met this lady in business. Gosh I did not think she was very nice….. Because she questioned me, she pushed me, she did not take my excuses….. Today all those traits is what makes her a really and truly great friend who I know will look out for me and get me thinking thoroughly about my options and most importantly my values.
• Sinead – Another one of those that makes me smile! She is gentle and fierce all in the one go!! Humble yet amazing and one of my favourite things about her is her honesty. She is not afraid to share her truth which means she allows you to listen and she will listen back when you need to share yours.

One more woman on the list that deserves a mention is ME….. I am also a woman with an opinion and with choice.

In recent weeks I purchased a new t-shirt which I am waiting to wear for that very RIGHT moment!!! It has a poem on it by the wonderful Janne Robinson titled “This Is For The Women Who Don’t Give a Fuck”!!

https://www.jannerobinson.com/pages/this-is-for-the-women-who-don-t-give-a-fuck

To my Irish friends I hope you use your opinion today and show that you are one of the women who do give a….

Have a great weekend.

PS. I promise there will be a tribute to the men in my life at some stage too!!

 

It is time to bring the blog back to last year and those life alterations that occurred to bring me to today!

When starting the blog and writing about last year my intent was to share some of the moments of 2017. When you actually start writing you realise how many of those moments there actually are within 12 months. All of which are added to the things that creates the map of your life journey.

ORANGE SIZED OBJECTS

About three years ago I was at my school reunion in Sweden. Coming home to my mums house that night I started feeling unwell. At first I thought it may be the wine, then the food…… and then I got scared. I was in so much agony on the left hand side of my stomach that I could no longer breathe properly.

Next thing the ambulance brought me to hospital with mum staying behind with my two smaller kids. I was back out the following morning with subdued pain and exhaustion, but no real explanation as to what had just happened.

It took another six episodes, or more, before my GP said “you are never sick, yet you keep coming back with these pains”……. In May of last year an ultrasound identified an ovarian cyst the size of an orange. One that turned out to have twisted on itself three times.

Scheduled for surgery the cyst decided to throw me off course one last time and literally the week before the scheduled procedure I had to go for a two night stay in Limerick’s University Hospital, left feeling slightly beaten.

However on the 17^th November last year I had my left ovary and the cyst removed in St John’s Hospital in Limerick and I haven’t looked back since.

LIFE HANGOVERS

Life is full of hangovers it seems and I don’t mean just the kind you would get from alcohol intake.

I believe that there are a thousand and one adaptations, not including any form of intoxicant, which has the exact same effect, as that of alcohol, on our mind and bodies alike.

In recent times I have noticed this effect more than ever before, hence I’m writing about it. I have in particular paid attention to two clear symptoms, similar to that of the hangover;

1. Withdrawal symptoms
2. Emotional turmoil

To give you some concrete examples.

The first one relates to having taken up this running malarkey!! I was never a runner so one wouldn’t expect it to become or have the effects of an intoxicant. But it has and this is where I can clearly relate to the withdrawal symptoms. When I don’t get to go out for one of my runs I get irritable, critical of both myself and (oops) others and it can even go so far as me considering some self-sabotage – becoming a couch potato. This has led to those around me knowing that I need to be given the time to get some running done!!!

The second example relates to something totally different. During my journey to finding my me I have put myself in situations which has brought out a part of me that I didn’t think was me. Not sure if this makes sense to others……?

It has been more than just going outside of my comfort zone. It has been breaking my own rules and principles. Breaking the rules I think others have placed on me….. the expectations others have of my behaviour.

What I am describing is simply being BOLD!!!! Well at least I think I have been!!

An example of  this little would be something as simple as putting myself and something I want to do before my kids or sharing my opinion with oompf!!

Oh and when I do I feel highly intoxicated….. positively drunk.

However when I wake up the day after, I suffer that hangover! Depending on the level of boldness the grade of hangover varies. But it does leave me in emotional turmoil, where I have to battle with the rollercoaster of classic day after feelings such as what did I do, who am I, is this really me or was it a moment of weakness….. I shouldn’t have drank that much…..

In essence the instigator of the hangover has, at first, an intoxicating effect and lets me enter a state of euphoria. When the cold light of day shines on it….. doubt creeps in and I am hungover.

Maybe these intoxicants are not bad influence and when I finally break those rules am I really finding MY ME? A me slightly different from the one that I have known, from the one I was.

This brings me to think of the song lyrics of the amazing Mandy Harvey;

“Cause I know the only thing in my way – is me”

 

 

EUROVISION 

Even writing the work Eurovision puts a smile on my face and I hear the theme tune in my head! I love great music…… and at the very same time I love the Eurovision Song Contest.

For me it is about childhood memories where we used to, as a family, religiously watch the show every year. In Sweden we would (still do) make a big deal of selecting our song for the competition and I think nearly the full Swedish population would be watching it in anticipation.

Mum used to make prawn sandwiches, very fancy ones, and my parents would have wine and me and my brothers would get fizzy drinks and sweets.

For the last few years I am recreating these memories with my two daughters. So last night we ate a tasty dinner in front of the TV, then put out an excessive spread of sweets and treats before we glued ourselves to the couch to watch the show.

During the show we danced, laughed, sang and then danced some more!!! All this whilst supporting both Sweden and Ireland to win!

I probably shouldn’t say this out loud but I have documented on my bucket list that I will someday get to go to the live shows!!

 

 

 

The day after my last blog post I was chatting to my son about Roald Dahl and as we were getting some needed facts about him I came across this quote;

How perfectly does that match my thoughts around the tap analogy and how perfectly does that match me!! I know my passions can drive those around me mad, because Im not good at sticking with the one plan, the one thing, the one place…… I always believe that there is more just around the corner and that it is worth looking for.

Today has been one of these great Sundays which makes me feel ready for the week ahead. I got up at 7am, got a wash on, clothes folded and put away, the bathroom cleaned, bed made and breakfast ate! Then, just before 10am I set off on a long run. And it was more than lukewarm as I finished 16.83kms. This closely followed by a 5kms walk / jog in our local community.

After a grand total of 22kms I hurt, a lot, but I do feel ready to take on the world….. or at least the week ahead.

So now as I finish watching a girly movie on the couch and before getting some strategic planning for May started I want to tell you something.

Go out there and get hot and bothered about things, places and people you are passionate about!! Have a great May, summer is nearly here. 

I am going to start out this blog talking about a more sombre topic and then I will lead in to some much more Malin related material which I happened upon in conversations this week.

The topic I want to start out on is my take on what I deem to be the “Social Media Poker Face”! Many of us share our stories through a wide range of social media platforms. I am no different and quite enjoy the interaction and the look into other people’s experiences whether every day or exceptional, extraordinary moments.

For me, I was always a “people watcher” (not a stalker…..) and I believe Social Media is todays version of people watching and this is why I enjoy it, most of the time.

However, I also believe that we can through social media truly hide our real life stories behind our poker face. Because let’s face it (no pun intended) not too many of us post pictures or stories about arguments we have, financial struggles we are going through, sadness, exhaustion, depression, loneliness…… and the list goes on. Most of us post happy selfies when the sun shines as we embark on what looks like the journey of a life time.

What we need to remember in all of this is that this is now how the outside world perceives us and even those close to us might struggle to believe that the “real world you” does not feel that good…… Especially if you have an exceptionally good Poker Face.

Just a thought.

The Tap Analogy

My job brings me many places and allows me to meet a lot of people from various walks of life. This is one of the things I enjoy most about my job. (Now I definitely sound like a stalker). When meeting them I take in the things that seem to happen around them, the little things about their personalities and what they say.

This week I had two such conversations that has stayed with me!!

Analogies have always fascinated me and people’s ability to make them up! I am no good at putting them together nor will I ever be!! I might be creative and quick thinking but not for those kind of things. I just complicate them.

But this week I was told one from a work colleague which I thoroughly enjoyed;

We assess risk on a daily basis and this analogy related to that in reference to a tap, yes a water tap. Bear with me here because I probably cant even share it without complicating it;

“If you run the hot tap for too long you will get scalded. Therefore you need to ensure to turn it off from time to time to allow it to cool. Of course you cannot leave it off for too long or you will notice that the water has become freezing cold.  Therefore regular flushing of your taps are advise to ensure that they are continuously lukewarm and as such continuously safe.”

Note that this is an analogy and not a direct safety conversation about taps!!!

What makes it such a great analogy is its ability to fit into so many areas of our lives. Look at friendships, family and that social media poker face. Keep them all lukewarm??!!!

I think, me personally, would be tempted to get burnt every so often!! That’s my wild spirit.

Face Yoga – We Should All Do It

When working on some strategic planning this week myself and a colleague landed, at this stage I don’t remember how, so please don’t ask, on the topic of Face Yoga and one of the core exercises of same being blowing 100 air kisses per day!!!

I would recommend you all to go onto YouTube and search for videos on Face Yoga and then watch and learn the series of exercises you can complete to define your jawline, reduce runners face (yes there is such a thing, which is worrying when you are training for a marathon) and improve any double chins or chicken necks.

So I do believe we should all do it but not for the reason you might think! Sure it will probably have all the benefits we are told about in the tutorials (yes I did check them out) but the absolute best benefit is the laughing!!

Laughing has been proven to;

1. Decrease stress hormones
2. Increase immune cells and as such fight illness
3. Release endorphins which can act as pain relief
4. Give good abs and put our wrinkles in the right places (not so sure about the last one)
5. Make us feel good and increase our confidence
6. Burn calories
7. Connects us with others

On another note, the last one in this fantastic list reminds me of a recent complaint I had when delivering training. Yes complaint, but one I think I can handle. For those of you who don’t know I work in the area of Safety, Health & Wellbeing as an advisor and trainer. So when delivering a 4 day training programme in this topic it was brought to my attention that we had received complaints that we were laughing too much and that we as such were too loud. Never in my career have I been complained for laughing too much and in particular not during a safety course. Who would have thought.

Now of course I also make sure to do Face Yoga everyday while driving my car to work!! Trust me, you nearly break into a sweat!!! 😁 😘

Right about now my youngest turns 10 years of age. Philip Daniel Kelly is officially in his double digits and as a mum I cannot help but to be a little bit melancholic realising how quickly my children are growing up…….

However it also lets me bring back so many memories of this little mites journey in becoming the little handsome boy he is today.

There are two stories in particular that just makes this guy that extra bit special.

How the name got picked!!

My dad passed away less than two months before Philip’s birth.

During one of my last times seeing my dad the name Philip was chosen and this is how. As I was about to leave Sweden and head back to Ireland my dad was resting on the bed. He was quite weak at this time. He was talking about how he wished I could stay until it was all over. He tried to cover up what he had said by saying he meant until I had had the baby but I knew that he really meant until such time as the cancer had beaten him………..

Ok I am back…. This is hard to even write about so a few tissues needed.

As I had given my dad a hug he put his hand on my belly and said…… Philip.

As you can imagine that meant game over when it came to picking a name.

He could have been called Radisson……

The second story, even more dramatic than the first, was how he arrived into this world.

So about exactly now, 10 years ago, our Mazda made it as far as the gates of the Radisson SAS in Limerick leaving us slightly short of reaching County Limerick.

My first contraction had come at 5.22am at which time I got up and started pulling together my packing, having a shower and pottering about before wakening Joe to get him to go milking before we headed to maternity.

With my two girls I had a long time to get organised and ready so I was in no hurry…… Should have know better when I by 7.30 was on all fours in our sitting room not managing to keep up straight with the contraction.

However still content we set off for Limerick shortly after that and even made a pit stop at the petrol station in Darragh where Joe could get himself a breakfast roll. He did ask if I wanted one too but I felt full enough and I was having a chat with my mum at the time.

Going around the roundabout in Ennis I remember hearing a story on the radio about this man who had just delivered his baby at the side of the road, somewhere in Wexford if I remember correctly. I was laughing at this fact……. But not for long.

In around the Newmarket on Fergus sign, for those of you not familiar with County Clare roads this is about 8 minutes later, I turned to Joe and said “We are not going to make it”.

Like a true Irish man he rang…… his mother to tell her to call he Gardai to escort us. He hung up and followed this by ringing her straight back saying “forget about the Gardai, ring the ambulance”.

That was that…… the morning dew was still settling over the fields and trees when Philip was delivered in the front seat of the car at the entrance gates to the Radisson SAS.

It was only once we heard his lungs open that slight panic set in trying to figure out what to do next….. oh and when we realised we actually had a Philip in our hands. Because it is also worthy to add to the story that we didn’t know we were having a boy…… only my dad knew that.

A true test to superstition!

Happy Birthday Philip!

Last Saturday, a week ago today, was my 14,119th time wakening up!! I had never, during any of my previous 14,118 times of wakening up decided to eat and digest a banana and then put on my runners to head out for a morning run.

With a new playlist on Spotify, conveniently christened Running, I set out on ensuring that I could run more than 10kms. During the week, when I did a lunch time run in UL, I had just about mustered it and was getting slightly nervous about the upcoming Marathon, albeit there are 6 months to go.

You can guess that I was very pleased when I finished my run at 15.69kms in 1 hour 46 minutes 38 seconds. That is the longest I have ever ran…… and it felt like an amazing milestone and achievement because I am not a runner.

The best part….. I wasn’t even that sore and went to the beach later that evening for a sandy walk in the sunset.

Soccer Mom

When I ran into that block wall last year, I hid away from some many things. One which was my family, my kids.

This is a regret, although a necessity during this time, that I can only really move forward from. I also believe that it is important to be honest and open about it. Don’t think I am the only one who had to do something like that for survival.

So now as I progress to finding happiness I have taken to ensuring that I play a more active part in the life of my three really wonderful little creations!!

My son thought it was enough that I attended one soccer match to call me Soccer Mom as well as thinking that I needed to stop singing and dancing because that was simply embarrassing. Even a few minutes ago he told me stop bopping with the glow sticks “mam there are people in the house”.

As for my middle lady, nearing 12, she is now at that stage where she doesn’t know if she is a little girl or a teenager. She is one of the kindest spirits I know and will always look after those around her. Bella and myself get on in so many ways and in particular when we dance!! She is not embarrassed. The other night we got to do some dance moves as exercise which had us both sweating!!

And then there is Emma, nearly and adult at 16.5 years…… With her I cannot keep up but we do have some great fun and when she stops growing out of the house for a few minutes we spend some amazing moments laughing, dancing, singing and looking at fashion. This week she even acted photographer taking some decent pictures of her mother. One of my favourites is after a long day at work to be able to throw myself on her bed where we chat about the day or look at some funny snaps!!

I feel I can make up for what I missed last year during all these moments…..

Now, time to feed the army of boys that have landed for the birthday bash! Have a great Saturday.

 

No chocolate…… 

I am really like a big child, which leaves me contrary after the Easter Weekend. This year I didn’t get a single Easter Egg….. nor any other Easter gift.

So I am off the chocolate and had expressed clearly to family and friends not to get me any as I am working to reach Goal 8 before my last birthday in my 30’s! But nothing….. now that requires revenge planning I think!!! Bring on Easter 2019…..

I did however get to to back to hike to the top of Clare this weekend. This time with two great ladies; Lorraine and Edel. We went early (I mean early, thanks Edel) but got to the top with the skies still clear and sunny! It was great to share this special place with some of the special people in my life. We followed this up by lunch in The Piper Inn (YUM) and a quick stop at Wild Irish Chocolates in Tuamgraney where I bought some gorgeous fudge and some chocolate. White of course, that would be my favourite.

That is just a little bit of writing about chocolate…..

The Thumb Tack Theory!!!

So you know by now that I use my own techniques to ensure I maintain motivation to reach all those simple goals of mine.

For my goal to lose weight, I have used a simple visual to keep me motivated. I have a little notice board which looks like a cloud. That I use to symbolise or visualise my dreams…. One at the time of course. It is a little one.

So I have two sets of thumb tacks; one set resembling the weight loss journey I have to achieve in pounds and the other in kilos. Every Wednesday when weigh in occurs any loss (or gain) gets taken off the board.

It is absolutely great to see the numbers shrink and the target nearing.

So that is the Thumb Tack Theory, which I think is a great name by the way!!

Multitasking

I will have to do some bragging!!! Oh well, no, not bragging, simply sharing a proud moment.

This weekend I completed a course in Behavioural Safety Leadership. I will have to say that I found the course super interesting and relevant to both my work and for myself. Excellent content and topics which I want to learn more about.

So the bragging is about the fact that I completed the course and achieved 95% as final score and 97.5% in my final exam!! Learning can be so much fun!!!

Doing this course over  a number of weeks required discipline, focus and multitasking. End result – moving one step in the right direction of Goal 2.

Increasing my reading average!

To finish this blog post I wanted to share a quote which I came across.

I am currently reading a book. Yes you heard me right, I am trying to increase my average per year to start with, then I will move on to be the CEO that reads one per week. The book I am reading is Matthew Syed’s, Black Box Thinking, an excellent read.

In it, I came across a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt: “Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself.”

This quote really hit home with me as we are continuously taught to learn from our own mistakes. Altough that may be true and we do need to make some of our own too, it is worth learning from other peoples mistakes. So thank you Eleanor for those wise words.

 

Before talking about my odd body “features” let me tell you a few stories from my past week.

NOT THE BEST PATIENT

Anyone who has been around me when sick or injured knows that I am not the best patient. As my tattoo says I prefer to be “living life in the fast lane” not being bound to the bed or couch by ailments. This last week I had one of each. That is one injury and one illness.

As you might know I am training to run a marathon in October and last Sunday I went out and conquered my first 10km run and in just 1 hour and 2 minutes. Immensely proud of this achievement. However, at around 2kms I felt my back very sore, an existing injury which flares up from time to time. The pain intensified so much so I had to stop two or three times to stretch but I was determined (right down stubborn) to finish my 10kms. That didn’t end to well and I have lost out on a full week of training as a result…..

To top it off I got the FLU….. hot, cold, hot, cold, aches, tiredness and all the rest that goes with it. Lemsips, cold and flu tablets, tea and hot water bottles and some TLC was thankfully all that was needed and it only lasted a few days….. so although I missed most of the spring sun this weekend I ended up being able to go for a 6km run with my sons company earlier this afternoon!!!

So moaning done I am now back in fighting form.

CONTINOUS LEARNING

Many motivational experts encourages that to grow and be successful we need to be continuously learning. Of course this is simple;

• Do a masters
• Do a course
• Network with experts
• Watch documentaries or TED Talks
• Read
• Read
• And read some more

In fact I read an article the other day, (there is some irony in the fact that I read it) which outlined that the average person reads 4 books per year whereas a CEO or successful leader reads 4 books a month. That is one book per week. One book per week.

This fact nearly made me cry when I think of my goal to be a successful leader…. Where in my week will I fit reading a full book? Every single week. A book about a business related topic, to top it off. I don’t think my current read of Sheila O’Flanagan’s, What Happened That Night or the one before that Mark Johnson’s, Den Enkla Sanningen would count….

I love learning and do believe I learn every day without having to follow all these thousands of “simple rules” that are listed for us to make sure we are successful. I learn from people, from other industry colleagues, from networking, from doing courses, from reading, from my family, from my personal self and in a thousand more ways. And I am not willing to give even one of them up in order to follow one rule to be successful. I believe I need to find my own way.

Finger crossed I won’t be proven wrong.

ODD ARSE CHEEKS, BLACK EYES & WRINKLES

Yes, those are all descriptions of me by none less than my amazing children….. Whom I of course love dearly not matter what they say! Especially when they say it with a grin on the faces and twinkle in their eyes. After all that is my own sense of humour ingrained in them.

Sitting at the dinner table during the week my son says “Mam, what is that in your forehead”. I take my hand to my forehead and try to remove this “thing” he has spotted. “Where”, I say? “Oh, never mind it’s a wrinkle!”…………………. Now this is the same child who is adamant to, every time we are in public, announce that I am 40, which I am not…. Not even close. (1.5 years left – loads of time).

This was swiftly followed by my middle child aiding me with a spring clean of the wardrobe!! Putting on a rather pink dress, she erupts laughing, “Mammy, your bum looks so funny in that dress”. Well that dress went to the recycling bin. Odd arse cheeks….. of all the things I had to worry about.

by my daughter. She adamantly placed half a stick of concealer under my eyes, saying “Genie, I’m not sure even this will make your eyes less dark underneath…….

All while I was reading my book, working on my 3 month strategy, training for a marathon, cooking the dinner, doing the washing, educating myself with an online course, reading a safety report and losing an hour because of “Spring Time”……. Once again, if you want success, it’s SIMPLE!!!! Just go for it!!

Have a great last week of March everyone. Easter Bunny is just around the corner.

St Patrick’s Day is here and it is one of the few days in the year where I truly remember that I am Swedish. Although I celebrate with my family and friends this Leprechaun coloured day I still live it like the tourist I think I will always be here in Ireland.

On the 11^th September in 2000 I came to the green isle with a great vision to get myself working as a translator in the UN. English was the first language to master. Only the other day when talking to a young man at work he stated “Oh, I would have never guessed you were Swedish. Your English is far too incorrect for that”. That was a refreshing way to look at it…….. mostly I get the more polite version. “You sound more Irish than the Irish themselves”.

The photos underneath were taken the day I left for Ireland, nearly 18 years ago….. Look at the state of the hat….. but when seeing the hairdo….. maybe the hat is better.

So today I ventured to Kilrush with my middle daughter to check out the parade, which lasted the whole of 10 minutes. Lucky enough because the breeze had quite the bite.

We are now cuddling up with a three course meal, candles and wine of course.

So I think I will need to add something to that first goal list I outlined in my very first blog post. I want to be a real tourist and go to the Dublin parade wearing a silly hat, even sillier than the picture, and a pair of those leprechaun shoes that the man on the Swedish train was so adamant that us leprechauns have.

To all my Irish friends and family. Happy St Patrick’s Day!!!

 

TERM-ON-FECKIN…..

I have to write about another part of this week gone by. Term-on-Feckin. What more would a blog title need?! On Wednesday afternoon after the work was done, most of it anyway I took to the car with my Spotify playlist and aimed for County Louth and the picturesque village of Termonfeckin.

Nearly 7 years ago, right in the middle of setting up my own business, I got a message on LinkedIn with a subsequent phone call from a Mr. Niall Edwards. He contacted me to see if I would be interested in supporting himself and his business partner (better known as the boss) (but don’t tell Niall that), Carmel McCarthy, in the delivery of some training.

We met that summer in Annacotty and have not looked back since.

I strongly believe that you need to make friends for the different parts of you. So in finding My Me, Niall and Carmel have become friends in business. Well in saying that I think we surpassed being just work friends a good few years ago.

When I knew the barrier was broke is when I after a work function suffered the worst hangover of my adult life…. In Termonfeckin. That is a long way from home and my own bed but I was well minded and left that evening, instead of morning, to get back to Clare.

So this week myself and the boss had some work to get done and as always that begins with a great catch up. So over wine, dinner and a tiny piece of chocolate and some more wine we debated and discussed everything from business, relationships, children and some more business. This woman, Carmel, is one of lives mightiest. She has an impeccable sense of humour, a warmth that is contagious and an honesty that is refreshing.

So time well spent.

Well what else can i blog about today but mothers and Mother’s Day!!

Today is not Mother’s Day in Sweden so it gives me the opportunity to say it twice in one year ‘Mamma, jag älskar dig’.

My mother has given me so many of my strengths, quirky little ways and I can at my age say it loud…. I’ve turned into her in so many ways.

So to name a few similarities;

1. My small feet
2. My contagious laugh
3. My shortness
4. My love of baking
5. Great hugger, albeit not as frequently as my mum
6. My social cravings
7. My slightly topsy turvey mood 8. My trust in kindness 9. The “gut” instinct

Then there are a few I have not taken up on;

1. Cleaning regime….. nope still allergic to the carpet beater, Ajax and building all the Lego to make sure no pieces are missing.
2. Ironing – my mum, used to (important piece), iron even socks and nickers….. one of my least favourite household things to do. Even the thought of it makes me shudder.
3. Fixing my hairdo…
4. Oh oh can’t think of any more……

According to my mum I’m also more prude then her….. after all she is my mum.

The main thing about her is that she is my best friend!! She loves me unconditionally and I her.

I say it everyday not just twice a year… she knows

A MOTHERS GUT INSTINCT

Before I was a mum myself I could not for the life of me figure out how my mother new everything. Even all the things I didn’t tell her or the things she couldn’t count up (such as a robbed cinnamon bun). But she always knew….. if I was sad, if I had met someone, if I was lying….. she just knew.

Now a mum of three wonderful brats I have that same instinct. I just know….. and it’s the little things that give it away.

So I’ve caught them raiding the sweet press, wearing clothes they shouldn’t under the hoodie, telling little fibbles and pretending to be sick!! I’ve also caught their sadness, worries and stressors as well as having shared their winnings and smiles.

So I tell my kids daily that a mother knows everything so tell me before I ask!!!

AM I A GOOD MOTHER

As a mother I think we always question if we are good enough. It really is a big task and responsibility to guide these little people on their journey.

Do we give them enough discipline, love time and attention??? Do we spend too much time at work, are we too selfish with our time are we fun enough.

The questions and doubts are endless. But I think a day like today really demonstrates how we are processing.

Today I got a handmade card from my 11 year old daughter…. one that really showed me how she sees me. It also shows the impact spellcheck has on kids!!

To all mothers out there…. happy Mother’s Day. Hope your all spoilt rotten.