My 2013 To-Do List

It’s my birthday today folks!  Today I turn a year older and possibly start ticking a new box in the age range section.  As much as I panic when I feel that my age is surpassing my life, I’m forever thankful, because so many people haven’t been fortunate enough to make it this far.  So happy birthday to me!

My birthday falls at a time when people start thinking about what their plans will be for the coming new year, and making their resolutions.  I stopped making new year’s resolutions years ago, because I didn’t really make them wholeheartedly, I was just copying everyone else.  However, after reading my fellow blogging buddy Bim Adewunmi‘s post on her round up of 2012 along with a ‘to-do’ list for 2013, I had a lightbulb moment and decided to do one of my own.  I work a lot better to lists you see…

So my list of things to do/achieve in 2013 is as follows (but not limited to):

Blog more

This goes without saying really! I’m going to make sure I can find more inspiration for posts or create my own inspirations.

Add the letters ‘MUA’ to my title

For the longest time I’ve spoken about wanting to learn make up artistry, so that I can then become freelance, and now that one of my close friends has just become an artist for MAC after teaching herself, my motivation is even stronger.

Get the guy

All I’m saying is that it’s about time to end this single status, so I need to see clear signs and proactivity from ‘him’.

Launch my websites

I have two websites in the pipeline.  Work has already begun on the first one, and the second is still in the ideas stage, but I’m excited about it, because it will be about a subject I have realised I enjoy.

Holidays

I have at least three trips abroad booked in my head for 2013 and I want to make sure I am able to book them with the airlines!

Find consistent work

In order for me to book those intended holidays, I will need the funds, therefore one thing I need to do in 2013 is work consistently (preferably doing something I enjoy) and make enough money to keep me comfortable at least.

Tackle new opportunities

There are a couple of new projects I have been approached about and I intend to learn more about the areas they involve that I don’t feel 100% confident about, because those who have asked must think I can do it, right?

Wow – I’m going to be busy!!

What are yours?

Eat, Drink and be Merry!

I don’t really celebrate Christmas as such, but I do revel in the opportunity to indulge in a variety of food and drink, and spend time with family.

So to those of you who do celebrate, I wish you a safe and happy Christmas!!!!!!!!

CHEERS!

Woman Woes – Fibroids

It’s not easy being a woman, you know.  It really isn’t.  Those of you who think it is, you’re so wrong.

I’m currently recuperating after spending a couple of days in hospital following surgery to remove uterine fibroids (from my womb area).  They had been giving me problems for nearly a year before I knew they even existed in me, and when I found out I had them, I didn’t talk about it much to anyone outside of my immediate close circle.  But when I did mention it to others, they would always have a story about knowing someone who has/had them or has had surgery to remove them.  I then realised that fibroids are extremely common (mostly in black women), and more women than we realise harbour them, some maybe without knowing.  As I get older I learn more and more that it’s good to talk, so initially I would have thought that sharing this with you is probably too much information, but now I don’t care, because opportunities to learn something new come in many different ways.

My symptoms started in 2010 when I would get cramps in between periods, which didn’t make sense to me, but I didn’t pay much attention to them, so I pretty much ignored it.  It was in August 2011, while on holiday in Barbados, that the pain of the cramps reached its peak and brought a little blood with it, that I decided to go and visit my GP as soon as I got back home.  I was given a date for an ultrasound scan, and in that time I had to go back to my GP, because my periods had become really heavy (Aunt Flo was really trying her best to disgrace me in public!) so I was given tablets to control it.  Over the next few months I had appointments for scans and examinations and was advised to have them removed, because although they weren’t all that big at the time, I had several and you never know how it will affect fertility.  I have to say though, one thing I didn’t like was the way some doctors offer up the option of having a hysterectomy as though it’s nothing.  The first GP I saw who actually told me I had the fibroids said to me: “You can have surgery to have them removed, or we can just take out your womb.  Do you want kids?”  It was so blase that it annoyed me.  Yes I want kids, thank you very much, leave my womb exactly where it is!

By the time of my surgery four days ago, a couple of the fibroids had become quite large, but I’m fortunate that they hadn’t grown to a size that made me look pregnant, as they do with some women.  They were able to remove three out of five – the last two are small and shouldn’t be problematic, and apparently are in an area that would require open surgery.  The operation I had was a laparoscopic myomectomy, meaning it was the less invasive keyhole surgery via three incisions through my stomach, using a camera to basically see what they’re doing.  The recovery period is about 2-3 weeks, so right now pain killers are the best things ever.

Here is some detailed information about uterine fibroids:  http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/uterine-fibroids.cfm

So ladies, and men tell your ladies, if things don’t seem to be functioning the way they should, please go and get it checked out.  It may be nothing to worry about, but it also could be a revelation.