Two careers, side by side
As of this week I have officially started casual work with an agency here in London, as well as continuing with my work on the site, and I couldn’t be happier.
I had a shadow shift on Monday at a nursing home in the north, from 8am till 2pm. It wasn’t the first time I’d been in a nursing home, I’ve been through working with Interchange and to visit Vecmamma’s friend Ivy too, but it was the first time I’ve been ‘behind-the-scenes’ if you will.
All the ladies were lovely to work with, and the residents varied in age and ability. There was a lady there who was 102 and had her letter from the queen sitting on her dresser. It’s a lovely big place with a beautiful view from all the windows. Some need help with eating and dressing, some are mobile while others need chairs or walkers. Some enjoy a glass of red with lunch, and others preferred an afternoon nap to the afternoon group activity. They never seem demanding because this is their lives, and they are mostly capable to make their own decisions – what to wear, what to eat and what to do.
That being said, it just never seems like there’s enough time to really sit one on one with a lot of them. I’m sure they would like more company at times, and I was talking with Maggie that it’s nice to see kids and teenagers going into nursing homes to read or chat or play games. There’s so much they can learn, and both parties benefit.
Anyway, back to work. The newsletter has been the main priority for this week, so Sarah and I have been pumping out affiliate links and talking to affiliate guys on the phone everyday. A bit of sweet talking and they’ll do anything for you!
My article on child modeling was in The Independent on Sunday, you can view the text here, and check out the family (what a bunch of cuties) here on the website.
There was also a review on headlinemoney.com about the story, they round up the week’s money news. This is what they said:
“Model children pay their own way through university
An unusual piece to see in the money pages, Jasmine Birtles and Mara Pattison-Sowden offer advice to parents of attractive children: get them signed up to a modelling agency. During the school holidays 5-year-old Anja is raking in an impressive £2,000 a week, which her sensible mum is saving in a university fund.”
Because the office was closed last Monday, Sarah and I worked yesterday (Sunday), and then I did a few care shifts over the weekend too. They have filled up my whole week alongside the website, which is great. I’m sure there’s time for a break in the next few weeks but I enjoy having lots to do and keeping busy, so I’ve been keen to get right in there.
It’s also a bit of a chore keeping the spirits up, London is so well known for the “SAD” disorder, and quite rightly, the weather is miserable, it’s either really cold or really wet, or both! Everyone wears black, and the usual tube mentality is that no one smiles.
Lija and I lifted our spirits today – we booked Lija’s birthday getaway so it’s all done and something to look forward to after Christmas. We’re flying to Milan and then heading north to the ski fields for the weekend before Lija’s birthday – same as mine, hers is also mid-week! YAY!
Tags: Travel
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