Clinical Trial

mate of mine had done one in the past, and I heard the money was pretty good. So I thought I’d check it out and see what’s on the market in the pharmaceutical world!!

Well I found one that suits me to the tee. New form of drug for those who suffer from osteoarthritis, for me I was like Jackpot. I get paid and get a form of Botox injection into the knee area. However downfall was it’s a double placebo.

Initially I passed the question test, then I was full medical, ECG, bloods, drugs, wee, temp etc… you name it was being tested. Lucky the results came back clear; I made it to the 2^nd round.

My eyes were opened up to the medical world of what goes on behind the scenes. Round 2 involved more testing and long ride in a taxi to ‘Harley Street’ now those who are not aware but this street is the high end of medical examinations form radiology, physio etc…. I feel very very fancy getting my X-ray on my knees. Now to past this test I had to have arthritis show up on the results, I made to admission day.

 

This was quite a process, but I passed and I was going in for admission. Mind you all of this time I had to not drink for 72hours or 48hours before each visit. Some visits fell on a Monday which meant not drinking on the wkend. (Clearly I survived).

 

Wednesday was D day, by this time was still a lil nervous however start to build rapport with the staff, so kinda put me at ease. Now bare in mind clinical trials means your body is on the line.

Routine check-up, ECG, bloods etccc… now I am getting used to all of this and for someone who gives plasma every 2wks is not really scared of taken blood, however one of the assistant who took my blood sprayed my blood everywhere, I was lying down but when you feel warm blood on your arm and faces staring of ‘oh god’, you kinda panic.

 

After all the testing was done and food came it was chillax time. The ward reminded me of the movies during the war, all the beds lined up in one big line. It was time to meet my fellow guinea pigs, there was some doing Botox on their crow’s feet and brow line, as same as me.

There was Buddhist nun, prison warden, film director, and many others, however I was next to these people, and we got moved around a lot that night was 11:30pm in position for who was going first, and guess who got pot luck!! The youngest duck of the bunch by 20years plus.

 

After the injection I was heavily monitored with over 8 ECGs and lots of sleep

This is where the nerves kicked in, however I got through it. Over the last 6wks I have had follows ups and have my last one this wk. but I have to say my time and experience through this trial has been amazing and I think I got the drug as my knee hasn’t felt this good in over 8years. Mind you all is just a drug to supress the pain, so if I went and ran a marathon I’d still do damage to the arthritis, so sorry to disappoint but that won’t be ticked off my bucket list just yet. But I do feel superwomanish.

Harpenden

Life in Harpenden is nice calm and relaxed village, where any family would want to live and raise a family.  For me I was lucky enough to get to experience the country side of the UK, as for the first 2.5 months of my time, I got to spend time with my aunty and uncle and my lil cousins. During this time I also worked in the Engineer Pub down the road. Going back and working in a pub after not having pulled a beer for over 6years was a lil daunting, however I did survive and then soon enjoyed working.  But there was still this urge to go give London Town a crack. I was going all the time and the cost for travel into London was a mint so I took a plunge and went in.

As for harpenden it was time to leave the nest (kinda again), lush green common areas, quite suburban st, the pub (and always the way when u leave you become friends).

 

However before I was to leave Harpenden the luck of Hannah and her Misfortunes arose……

Barca!!! Barca!!! Barca!!!

So I decided to head off to Barcelona. Well actual Catriona did. I said pick a city. She went Barcelona. Then the next thing was I booking myself to Barcelona.

I was let's say rather nervous, As I was still already in a strange country then heading off again into the wide world of Europe.

Sat came around and I checked in ready to Go, scored myself exit window and man didn't I enjoy the leg room. I arrived to Baca and as we walked in side the terminal and 'Man of Authority' came racing out demanding 'PASSPORTS !!  PASSPORTS !!!' and I was the hit lady, in a fluster I quickly grab it then he was like 'YOU NEED A STAMP' the room was silent. Then after that it was ok I got through and was on the Areobus to the city.

I was told to get off at the last stop, brought a map and was given instructions to go down La Rumbles, so off I went, staring up and down the St of how beautiful Barca is the buildings, trees, people. I was on the look for a St but for some reason that St was not coming  at me and I wandered for hours 3 hours trying to find my hostel. Finally down some back streets and dodgy areas, I finally found someone who helped and I made it.

I checked in. First thing I asked was 'where is a good pub I need a drink'. So I unpacked made my bed and went off in search for a pub.

1. Found a protest, lots of cops everywhere
2. Found a pub with so many blokes in their, had a drink moved on to another which ad another boys club. So overwhelmed I have few ciders called it a night.

Woke up to freezing and pissing down in rain. Made pans to meet my roomies at Picasso Museum @ 1 , so I decided to jump on a hop on hop of tour. Braved the rain, wind and cold I sat up top, listening to the audio of it's rich history and culture, idea is to get off...... but I didn't want to, however I jump off and found my way to the Museum, couldn't find the firs, the line up to get in was out of control, so I jumped In line,
1. Waited 1.5hrs in ten wet drizzle St
2. If another Indian was going to ask if I wanted to buy an Umbrella I was going to say something,
3. Finally got in and learned and saw some lovely artwork

By the end rain at stopped and went back to freshen up and hit up another pub.

Called Lennox, meet a Russian girl holidaying, and Spanish guy from here for work., Found the specials boards and hit up 2.2euro Spitz going down too easily I was on my way to be hung over, heading home I noticed dodgy dogy people... and thought HOOKERS!!! That were seriously unattractive... just left as is and got back.

Day 3: Honeymooners were arriving Kristen and Campbell, I was a  lil excited as someone who had my accent and friends!!!! There hotel Ended up just across the road from my hostel, meet up that night and decided that we were going to Barca vs Mardi on of the best matches we could go. SPAINISH ON SPANISH!!!!

I spent the day on the bus taking the out route and again didn't get  off until the Olympic stadium, where elevators are outside to help go up the hill. Amazing!!!
 
We found for dinner 8.95 3 tapas and paella. BOOM!! JACKPOT AND 2L SANGRIA.

Day 4 Game day!! Hung over day ' again' but the sun was out, blue sky came to play, was heading to the beach, but didn't make ended up at the Marina people watching, cops chasing down the Africans ad their illegal selling on the St watching. Then had have a nap before BARCA BARCA BARA

Now those who are not football (Soccer fans) it's an extremely passionate sport that in the UK  it's out of control. However in Spain is was not to be as bad. We smashed out some more tapas, sangria and headed off to the stadium.

1. Flares being let off before the game on the Sts
2. Cops out in force
3. We ran up to our section as came had started let's say southies hill, 3x
4. It was like walking into the MCG, and those who have not done that well it's like in the movie "field of dreams'
5. Had no idea what there were saying 'BARCA BARCA BARCA' and their songs!!!
6. Their was is once section with at least 30 security guards and worked out that was the Madrid team, as when the scored the rest of the stadium went silent. No booing or anything well actually if they didn't like a call, the sreetched and sounded like cicadas
7. We finally got up a d the crowd went wild!!! It was  ended up being a draw, and when the final whistle went there was not clapping or cheering and everyone left quickly and orderly and no fuss it was just great (Australia we need to learn some sporting etiquette )

8. Took Kristen and Campbell to Lennox and wanted to share my Spitz, however all got was mojitios and sussed out the hookers, they work in pairs and pick pocket people. MEN FYI get ya beer goggles off and keep your hands to yourself and in your pockets or you will be fooled and robbed.

Final day involved push bike hire, and Sagarda Familia one beautiful building designed and created from shapes of shells, plants trees and flowers, animals just incredible. I went got to go up to the tower and look out from above, the view was spectacular and I bet on a clear day even more. Then I had to leave, my tummy was gurgling  and I knew this was not good, I had to pay for a public toilet and wowed I was glad I could relax enough and feel safe/secure for poo fright.

After that heated moment I went cycling through the Sts gardens beaches and got lost but found some beauties  before it was time to head home.

If ever traveling to Barca it is a must to travel via bike around the city, the bike lanes and the serenity is just amazing

Now I have decided it's time to find a job and nuckle down for 3months.

1st week down

Well it's official I have made it through my first week and must say I have fallen in love...

In love with London that is not a man. It's just magical. My first wk has been learning the words and phrases.

KM's to Miles
Meters to Yards

Blue place shoes covers like srubs in a hospital for the indoor pool

Million are shortbread - Carmel slice
You can park on the wrong side of the road face the opposite way
Push chair - pram
Pets and dogs can catch the tube/train
The veggies are all in French names
Have to have a TV licence
Milkman comes with bottles
3 sizes of Wine sml med large, always order large
And I have to learn to drink Pints again
Flap jack, is a slice similar to Anzac slice

I caught the train into London on sat to Meet Kylie and Dave and went on tour. Kylie was my tour guide and learned so much, went to Trafalgar square and saw lots of protests.
National Gallery where there was solo many beautiful art work and even inside the building the design and artwork into each room is just amazing.
Then we walked to Buckingham Palace and I think we saw the changing of the guards, but there was thousands of touros and solders and bank ppl and the queen was in the hood as the flag was flying.

Then we walk down along the river side and my gosh it was just magical the cherry blossoms and the ducks, geese, pelican and huge beast of seagulls, then we walked to a pub.
Pubs are everywhere some a huge some a small but always action packed. But always have cider on tap and pints pints and more pints

I could of easily set in for the Arvo but we pushed on past the Prime Minster place, which now have guards a gates blocking the entrance, the women in war monument, then the one and only Big Ben and Parliament house bad learned about Guy Fawkes who became famous for his plot against bombing parliament. Then I found out last night he grew up in the town were my aunty is from, and there is the pub where he sat and drank and planned attack.

Then I saw the craziest looking, ranga ever he was Indian and died his hair orange and I mean it was that redness of prince harry. And ppl don't use the word Ranga here. I hd to explain.

Then we caught the bus home well to Clapman where Dave and Kylie live and we went through some very eye opening suburbs so much that it shocked and interested me.

Borough markets - foodie lovers, get amongst it sooooo much food paella, cheeses, hogs, fish, sweets, pubs just amazing you could eat you day away there

Now the names of shops bad pubs in London crack me up
Fat Face - clothes
The Goat - pub, and my gosh solo many cock inn, soo soooo man old cock inn, and dinner was amazing
Saw a fight in another pub called 'The bank', chick tried to give right hook on a bloke, then got kicked out... Dave is adamant it was an Aussie chick... bahaha

Then Sunday came for more more n more walking. Someone told me I need good shoes before I left, good walking comfort shoes and my gosh she is right. But I didn't winge too much
Went to a lovely restaurant for breaky with a tree inside. Then off to Piccadilly, west end, Covent garden china town........

Then it was time to call it a day.

I had to catch the tube by myself and Dave said 'Make sure you catch one that say south bank, and I got nervous and ended up on the wrong one having to get off at London bridge then find the right tube train. Finally got to St pancrest and hope on my train back to Harpenden then the train man said we are having a slight delay due to fail of door lockings..... but finally made it back home to Harpenden to lovely township it easy, was nice and clam compared to the hussle and Brussels of London town.

Now thinking of a short trip to somewhere and maybe some work that does not think I have had to many jobs!!!

They let me in......

Well I have arrived after how ever many hours; I was passed through Immigration into the hands of my Uncle after being delayed 1hour. I didn't realised until I landed as I feel asleep for however long it was when I boarded and sat on the tar mat and woke up in time for food...

I was lucky enough to sleep for 5-6 hours but still plane trip sleeps are never quite the same, but once I landed and was through the doors I was awake until about 5 then I just couldn't keep my eyes open.

Driving to my Laurie and Catrionas it was so different and I felt like I was in Beatrix potter on o e of her stories about Peter Rabbit. The houses and roads are just so different, but beautiful.

Laurie was late for work and dashed off then Catriona came back and took me for a walk into town, went to the pub for lunch (had to it was St pattys days and well not very Aussie like if I didn't go to a pub on my first day).

Got myself a UK sim and phone no, and already getting Text megs saying I am owed compensation click this link.....

Now day 1 or day 2 however you want to call it, as it could be day 1 after my first sleep or day 2 but which ever it was I have sleep for 12 hours and got up done the school run and took Eva to school through the lanes across the St then to the school. On the way home I went through 1 too many lanes and was heading the wrong way.

Today is getting a bank account and transferring some money. This money stuff is very very confusing.  And this weather my nice Aussie natural tan will soon be a Whitey paste before you know it.

I have a good feeling about this adventure I think it's going to just fantastic.

The day has arrived

It has arrived!! The day I fly out to London... but first let's rewind the last 48hours.

Friday my last day in sunny sawtell, resulted in many events such as my last plasma donation, getting my hair done and trying to RE pack, I already did it 5times and the first was the best. Never the less got it done, and thought I packed well.

Hit it up at the sawty pub to find myself along with Rosie a massive hangover on our drive to Sydney. Luckyi could sleep. But what's a trip without a hiccups here or there. Car had to get oil filter changed and we were off to a late start. Then my phone froze, now there weird thing for my last 3 overseas trips the day before I am due to leave my phone freezes weirdo it is.

However we arrived to Sydney about 7ish driving into a mad storm but lucky we got the tail end of it. All tired and hungover we had a quite one.....well until we went to sleep. Rossie snored the house down and not much sleep was had.
One of my list I want in a man : No snoring..... apparently I need some good luck with that.

Sunday the 16th the D day, we decidec to head into circular key walk to the ROCKS to smash out some "Pancakes on the rocks" and in search for a new carrying on baggage as mine broke. Then the walking and the winging became and cranky pants for all of set in. However we manage to have a family photo with joyest of smiles.

As we were heading back to the train my friend Maree was on her way, as I texted her and said we will miss each other... here come this girl with blonde hair running out of a carriage down to me. (never seen her run so fast) but got to give her a hug. Until we meet again.

Finally we get to the airport and thinking sweet, I am doing ok, nerves are Under control, luggage should be fine, then 5kg over........ dam it!!! So my 5kgs went to my carry on and I looked like the stupid dizzy girl with too much stuff and had to rearrange and work out what to do. But got there in the end.
Then it was time. I saw a girl crying as she farewelled her pants, then my heart started racing, I been o/s before but this was different, this is a 1 way ticket , working not holidays all the time drinking cocktails... and the tears came rollllllling out out for all 3 of us, mum and Ross had each other I had to  get my shit together to get through immigration and security whom gave me a hard time and then the tears came flooding out again and he let me through with all my stuff.

Then it was flight time.. first Sydney airport get some decent showers, you got nothing on Singapore....
Sate next to nice chap called Steve from Ireland, lives in Sydney and builder. And heading home to visit the family. Flight not bad we did just vanish and made to ABU Dhabi..... how next leg is coming up who will be my new friend or maybe myself and get some shut eye.

Next stop London town!!!

I did it, got on the plane.

1 way ticket of fear and excitment

Well I am 6 sleeps out from taking my 1 way ticket to London. Yes it's starting to hit home well has for nearly a week now.
First was saying see you later to my grandparents, then saying goodbye to my Big Tez, and the farewells are still coming,the tears are rolling in and sometimes rolling out of my eyes for up to 3 hours. 6 more days of this and my eyes will be swollen to the eyeballs.

We all go through a stage in life of the what ifs, should I or shouldn't. For me 2013 came at me with a tone of bricks, lesson were learnt through grief , hurt and joy and everything thrown at me in 2013, but I got through it.  Late 20's crisis sucks balls, but it wasn't until I stop putting the 't on the end of CAN.

So late last year in Dec I wrote down my goals and dreams as my 5 year plan has 2 years left and what I still  had to do........... FREAK OUT!!!!

I learned that I don't have to be settled with a house come 30. I hate my job (that was going on 2 years) and I don't have stay there. So it all came to me London/Europe was always on my list and I was sick of apply for jobs and getting those "rejection emails" the self esteem grew lower and lower.

When I asked my aunty and uncle if they didn't mind have me over in London and  I would love to come. And they said yes..... the storm cloud lifted and I found light. I set on a date Marchish....  then the mad sales came on and got 1 way ticket departing 16th arriving just, in time for St Pattys.  Now important sort of entry into UK. I needed to apply for a visa, now those who have travelled with visa or don't know the fine print says make sure you have visa before booking non refundable flights.... well we know I like to do things the hard way. But the visa came through with 4wks to spare!!. Now to sell everything I owned. You name it I have sold it.

So here we are, everything is sold, stuff packed up in boxes and got my backpack which 15kgs and my bike ready to take on the world.

People make think I'm crazy and can't keep my feet planted, and many more a stoked and proud. I can tell you a few things my head is always level because life throws you curves balls and I have learned to smash them, and I be sitting back in 15 years going hell yeah I did it and I took a risks and feds and turned it into opportunity. Life is about living not working your soul to the ground you can't get out of the dirt.

1 way ticket  let's do this!!