Pain. So. Much. Pain.

Yesterday afternoon I was driving myself and my sister to town to pick up a couple of sporting bits and bobs-she needed running gear, I needed a cycling helmet. I pulled into the shopping centre car park and  spotted a large space to pull into. There were cars behind me who had to stop while I (badly) manoeuvred into the space. Let's bear in mind that I only passed my driving test in July and have not had a lot of practice. In my rush to get into the space, when readjusting I turned my head very quickly from looking right, to look behind my left shoulder. As I did this I heard popping & clicking sounds and felt an immense amount of pain up the back of my neck, on the right hand side.

I have cricked my neck countless times before, but never like this. I felt completely incapacitated. Every movement was agony and sent my neck into spasm. Imagine getting a really bad muscular cramp, but more painful and on your neck. Every time you move. My bewildered sister had no idea what to do...neither did I to be honest.

I sat and waited for the pain to diminish, but it didn't make much difference. It just ensured I had got past the initial pain shock so it was a slightly more manageable level. I use the word 'slightly' in the loosest sense. Headed down to the shops and first stop was for painkillers galore and deep heat spray. Nurse Sisterbell helped to administer pills and deep heat. I decided to trudge onwards to get the shopping intended done, though I decided against loading up on cycling gear.

Once we were done we headed back to the car, where I was unable to do much more that sit in the driver seat. There was no way for my parents to come pick us up as I was the one who had the car which we were all sharing; and my brother was at work with his car. Quite the predicament.

After having a cry and a handful of spasms later, I decided to bite the bullet and get me and Sisterbell home. It was really hard work, and sis had to basically be my left and right eyes. Roundabouts were certainly a challenge. Eventually made it home, where I've been wearing an airplane pillow as a neck brace ever since.

Popped into A&E today and was prescribed some strong painkillers and anti-spasm pills which I can take alongside paracetamol and ibuprofen. So far they don't seem to be helping much as I'm unable to lie down to attempt to sleep. I hate this so much.

Life in Reveiw - 2014 6 month life update

Well...I kind of missed the previous 6 months of this year in reviews, but such is life. I'll do a round up from January aaaall the way until now! Aren't you lucky.

I totally dropped the ball on this blog, I have about 4 drafts which sit unfinished and I haven't posted in forever!! I'm sorry world, I don't mean to be such a disappointment.

Well, life updates are in order I suppose.

Career: Still working at Bluw as a Sales Administrator, work is quite stressful at the moment with a huge system switchover and transferring everything. The days feel long, and the commute feels longer-while making my budget fall short. However, the people are good, I get time to read on the train, and being employed is always a bonus so...

Driving: Haven't passed my driving test yet. I did a test in June, but failed on 1 major and 4 minors. Which as you can probably imagine was very annoying at the time...Have re-booked and I'm hoping to bring better news in the next update. 

Blogging: Well as you know I've been really crap with this blog, however over on my health blog haha health, what is that? I've been pretty consistent in posting at least once a week. yaaay. My plan is to be more active on this blog by setting a day where I have. To Post. Not because this blog is a burden, but because I want to, despite my laziness! I also want to update the name of this blog, as I really don't feel that the blog name is relevant anymore, because I haven't been blogging about my wasted clothing! Any suggestions are welcome...I will be brainstorming the brain out of this!

Relationships: Mr Gandyman and I are really good, as always *wink*. Family are all good, and friends also. Though I do not like my bestie being so far away...but hey ho - I'll be seeing miss RoanRider and her handsome MrMan soooon!

Health & Fitness:  I regularly update my BekBek blog on this front, but as it's quite a large part of my life and one of my new years resolutions I figured it was worth a mention! I am not on track to loose 2 stone by July as I set out to in January, however I believe I can reach this by the end of this year (I hope). I recently ran a Race For Life 5k, and am coming up to doing a Pretty Muddy - which I am both terrified and excited for.

Sister Update: I asked Sisterbell to write a guest post on here, but she didn't want to (I think she was too shy...Read: Lazy). As we speak she is putting a mini Christmas tree up my sleeve. She has finished her exams, and is rehearsing for her school summer play - Beauty and the Beast. This evening she has also spent a large amount of time raiding my wardrobe for a dress to wear. She is much smaller than me, so my old dresses are like a second hand shop to her, and to be honest, someone may as well wear them.

Books: I've been reading quite a lot on the commute to work, and recently finished the Divergent Trilogy - which I really enjoyed. Though I was hoping for a different ending...I may post some reviews up here, I hope I will, but who knows in this wacky life what I will actually have time to do!

Life in general: Is good. I feel a little like I'm plodding along waiting for something to happen though...I'm not sure if that's because I'm feeling lethargic, or if I'm dissatisfied with something. Probably my job, or it could be monetary based, but who knows.

Coming Up: Things I'm looking forward to in the remainder of this year. 

• Passing my driving test
• Pretty Muddy
• Eurogamer
• Hovercraft Driving this month!!
• Christmas I know it's early...but who cares!
• Blogging regularly
• Finally losing some weight - it will happen this year. I can feel it.

Bring on 2014!

With 2014 arriving, I've been thinking about how fast this year has gone. And the past 3 years since I trotted off to uni land and back. I feel that I've achieved a lot in that time frame. Going to uni, surviving a long distance relationship, graduating, and gaining full time employment. For example. On the flip side of these, I feel there are a few things that I haven't been able to achieve yet. Including my 2013 resolutions... It's with these in mind that I made my 2014 goals, and I feel determined to make all of my resolutions happen in the coming year.

1. I will lose a minimum of two stone by July. Goals that seem more achievable are more likely to actually be achieved.

2. I will pass my driving test this year. This is on track For the end of Feb. Exciting!

3. I will manage my finances more successfully-pay off debt and start to ammas some savings.  I created a 2014 financial plan to assist me in this goal.

4. I will look after my skin by moisturising and exfoliating more often.  A little self-love is always a good thing!

5. I will de-clutter my belongings. I have too much stuff.

I've made a small poster which is up on my wall so I am reminded of them, and stay on track.

I feel that 2014 will be an interesting year, I don't know what to expect from it. I am no longer in education, so the framework of knowing roughly where I'll be in 6 months time is completely gone. It's like I'm suddenly adrift in real life, and the tide could take me anywhere! That sounds really cheesy...Buuuut, I don't care. :) 

What are your resolutions?

Driving Time!

Had a driving lesson today (woo).

I always envisioned myself already driving by this point, but alas, it has not happened. Circumstances delayed me from passing, the main one is lack of funding!

I did lessons about 3-4 years ago, then stopped to go to uni, then halfway through uni I did some more lessons, then stopped because I couldn't afford it. THEN when uni finished I did my theory test (and passed), which brings us to now, when I am finally on the home stretch towards doing my practical test.

The plan is, aim to pass by the end of February, then save up for my insurance, and then insure self on car (provided by Mum when she gets a new one), and be a driver thereafter. Once this happens, I'll be the proud owner of Tullulah, the Nissan Micra.

Happy Days!

If it all goes to plan.

Which it will...