Interview Series #2

An interview with my Mum

Today, for my second post of the series, I'll be asking my Mum some questions and finding out about her experiences in life. I really hope you enjoy reading these posts as much as I love asking the questions for them & hopefully it will maybe inspire you to ask some questions to those around you yourself.

Enjoy x

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The Interview

What is your favourite film and why?

⚫️ Sound of Music- it was very popular when I was a child, and I liked the music in it. Don’t really have many more modern films that I would watch more than once, (don’t have the time!) although Mamma Mia is a great feel good film and I love the Greek scenery, so much so that we’ve booked a holiday in Skopelos this year. Looking forward to seeing Rocketman, and enjoyed Bohemian Rhapsody, so I guess the common denominator is music!

What is your favourite childhood memory?

⚫️ Not one in particular, but always loved the excitement of Christmas and going on holiday, I could never sleep the night before! Also bonfire night was quite an event in our family. My uncle would have a bonfire and we’d all take fireworks, make a guy, and have sparklers. There were always jacket potatoes to eat.

What is something you did as a child that you wish you did more of now?

⚫️ That’s a tricky one. Read maybe? And possibly sing.

What's been your favourite age so far?

⚫️ That’s very difficult as most ages have something to recommend them. Enjoyed my A level years, loved going travelling in early 20s, enjoyed being married, having children in 30s...(married at 29).

What age do you feel right now and why?

⚫️ Being short, you always feel younger than everyone else (within reason!). Don’t really think about it, but probably don’t feel any older than mid 40s.

What was your first job?

⚫️ I had a Saturday job in British Home Stores in Dudley, when I was doing my A levels. I was often in charge of the ladies fitting rooms.

And your job now?

⚫️ I’m an Occupational Therapist and I work for a brain injury charity.

What made you choose this career path?

⚫️ I’d always wanted to teach, but my Auntie, who was a teacher advised against it. I did some work experience when I was at school in the OT department at the local hospital. I also did 3 weeks voluntary work during the holidays to see if I would prefer doing physiotherapy. My Mom had always wanted to be a nurse, so I think she encouraged me to look into careers in the medical professions. I think there was less choice of career around when I was growing up.

What's one thing you wish you knew how to do?

⚫️ Speak another language fluently, I always try to learn a few words of a language when we go abroad, currently brushing up on my Greek, which I did a GCSE in aged around 25. Being able to play the piano might be nice too.

What are you most proud of?

⚫️ Easy, my children.

(aw)

When have you felt the lowest in life?

⚫️ I think when I was doing some of my placements as part of my OT training. The first time I’d done half of the placement with a really friendly helpful supervisor in a geriatric (as it was called then) hospital in the East End of London. The second part was in the main hospital which was large and impersonal, and there was quite a lot of bitchiness amongst the staff, and my supervisor was less than helpful, and I was worried about some of the work, making hand splints, which was something I found difficult. You had to pass each 3 month placement (which I did). The next time was in a bleak psychiatric hospital in Birmingham. Again, parts of the placement were good, but other times there was a lack of direction from staff.

When have you felt the happiest in life?

⚫️ Getting married, going travelling. Having children is also up there, but it’s not called labour for nothing, and no sleep isn’t fun either.

What's the most romantic thing you've done/received in your life?

⚫️ Can’t think of one in particular. Your Dad is very good at surprise birthday and Christmas presents, and always buys flowers for anniversaries, and we’ve been out for nice meals. Sipping champagne on our beach terrace in the Caribbean on honeymoon was special...

We watched a particularly nice sunset on the beach in Northumberland last year...also enjoyed our meals at Stay restaurant in Puerto Pollensa.

Biggest Regret?

⚫️ Not doing more exercise as a youngster.

If you had a chance to do-over in life what would you do differently?

⚫️ More exercise, possibly go to university and do a different career.

If you could give one piece of life advice what would it be?

⚫️ I like the John Lennon quote “life is what happens when you’re busy making plans”

What's one thing you look forward to in the future?

⚫️ Retiring, lots more travelling, grandchildren... probably in that order...oops that’s 3!

(Yes, don't expect grandchildren anytime soon...)

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That concludes my second interview of this series, next interview will be in two weeks! I really love asking these kind of questions to those close to me, it's so interesting to hear about other peoples experiences in life & I think you can always learn something from others.

Hope you enjoyed this piece and I'll be back next Sunday with a non-interview based post,

All my love,

Emily x