My Life as a Pad Brat - Moving Around

Hey Guys!

When someone new asks you where you are from, usually this requires a pretty simple and straight forward answer, right? Not for me.

I enjoy meeting new people and I have met so many people in my life so far, however, when people ask me where l'm from, inside I panic. I quickly analyse whether this person is likely to be in my life for a while or not, and respond with the short answer, or long answer accordingly.

So, the short answer goes something like this: 'oh, just down the road from here'.

The long answer is slightly more complicated, and goes something like this: 'well, I was born in Liverpool but only lived there for twelve days, then we moved back to Germany where my parents were living. Then from there we moved to Nottinghamshire for a little while, then Newcastle, then Chester, then back to Germany for five years... (usually the person I am talking to at this point is  bored), then we moved to Wolverhampton and then we moved to Lincolnshire.'

So really, I'm  not from anywhere. Up until 2002 we had never lived in one house for longer than two-and-a-half years before moving again. To be honest, most people I encounter are like  'that's a lot of moving, are you a Traveller?' to which I respond, 'no, I am a pad brat!'

Although some people think moving around a lot is a bad thing, personally, I couldn't have asked for a better upbringing. I experienced three primary schools and two secondary schools, and met so many people, some whom I am still in touch with, some sadly not.

I have travelled to places where I would never have travelled to before should I have not have had a military family, and in my opinion, some of the richest experiences come from travelling and seeing the world. Granted, I havent been 'travelling, travelling' only for holidays, but still, I was never good at staying in one place for very long anyway.

So my pad brat upbringing has definitely stayed with me. Meaning, since I have been a fully fledged 'proper' adult, I have moved house more times than I've had hot dinners. I usually get about a year in to living somewhere (sometimes less!) and crave a new house. As you may have read in my previous post I am a student of Psychology, so self analysis tells me that moving around as a child has impacted my adult live too, and I am fine with that. It may become costly in the future, but until I feel totally one-hundred percent comfortable in the home I am living in, I will keep moving.

If you are a pad brat, I would love to hear if you have the struggle of explaining where you are from on a regular basis, and what your experiences are with travelling the world, or the United Kingdom.

That's all folks!
VLJ
XX

Who Am I?

Hey Guys!

So this is my first ever blog post, how exciting.... maybe.
I have recently been in a whirl wind state of mind about numerous things, mainly being in my last year of my joint degree (Education Studies and Psychology), getting married in February, starting up a YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmz93z7MIPA), and generally deciding which direction my life will go.


A lady once referred to me as 'a jack of all trades, a master of none'. Now, I must admit, I was always one to swap from job to job and never really be happy. Prior to my decision to return to education back in 2012, I had had numerous different jobs ranging from bar staff, to retail, to numerous sales jobs in different industries. I then sadly got made redundant from my sales job and was left with no job, barely any money, and scratching my head as I decided what to do next. This was a turning point for me, or so I thought, and I decided to return to education to pursue a career in teaching.

It was in college when I first discovered my love for psychology. I studied two subjects on the Access to Higher Education course which in basic terms is a quick way to get into university for those who do not have A-Levels or equivalent qualifications - like me. From there, I studied and read psychology so much I fell head over heels for it, inspired by my sociology tutor who also had an interest in psychology, funnily enough!

Here I am, three years later, studying psychology and education and my life plan has changed completely. My first two placements at university were a total struggle for me, the first placement being in a boy's grammar school and secondly, as a one to one career for a two year old. Both placements were not suited to me at all and I strongly disliked both!

So now here I am, about to embark on a new life with my husband-to-be Frank, still unsure of my future and where the heck I am going to take my degree! I have so many opportunities but my desire to be financially stable and in my own home seems such a distant goal at the moment.

I had a meeting with the Head of Psychology at my university last week, and she threw another spanner in the works. Not only does she believe in me and my ability to become a counsellor, but she clearly sees some sort of talent in me that I'm yet to discover myself.

Basically, the point of this blog post is to believe in yourself. I had a mini epiphany in the meeting I had last Thursday, and the conclusion was that I am in total control of my own destiny. That Audi TT I am striving for? I can make that happen. That high powered and highly rewarding job I'd like? Only I can do that by applying myself to my studies. Those millions of pug dogs I want? Well.... I could probably aim for another two, maybe a million is slightly excessive. Ha.

So in other words, only YOU can control how your life plans out. Yes, there may be some things that happen to which you cannot control but hey - that's life! Otherwise, take life with both hands, work hard, play harder and sculpt your life to exactly how you want it.

That's all folks!
VLJ
Xx

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