How to survive a long distance relationship!

Many people say that long distance relationships cannot work. Who hasn’t heard that a relationship while at University, for example, cannot last? In those few months leading up to that farewell I was told time after time, “Be prepared for it not to work out.” You almost set yourself up for a fall before you start. With everyone telling you that it won’t work you get to a point where you start to believe it.

Do not get disheartened, there is hope. If your love is strong you can make it through. Although it is hard you have a chance. The main difficulty is trust. Over that sort of distance you have to trust each other without question, and breach of that trust can lead to destruction. You have to be not only in love with the person but completely devoted to them mind, body and soul to survive the separation.

If one of you is not as dedicated as the other the distance will tear you apart. It is the everlasting test of love. Those who survive have a stronger relationship for it. SO, you may ask, how do you survive the most trying times you can face in your relationship? It’s not overly difficult, but I’ll give you some pointers.

1 - Take each day one at a time.

When you are apart it is easy to think about how many weeks or months you are going to spend away from each other. The trick is to concentrate on getting through each day. Although the time apart will still be the same, by splitting it into smaller chunks each part of that time is easier. You will notice after a while that the weeks have flown by.

2 - Keep busy.

Do something to keep yourself active. The less time you have not doing anything the easier it is to pass the days. Having other things to focus on keeps your mind away from being alone. Try joining the gym or taking up a hobby.

3 - Keep in contact.

Don’t go days without talking. Its easy to get caught up in the excitement of somewhere new but believe me, not talking to each other frequently can cause doubts. My partner and I talk everyday, and have done for most of the time we have been apart. Even if it is only for a few minutes a day it is enough for you to tell them that you love them and to make sure they are ok. The longer you go without talking the more paranoid you can end up getting.

4 - Make the most of time spent together.

One of the easiest things to make a long distance relationship work is to focus on doing things together. The more often you can get to see each other the better your time apart will seem. Months break up nicely if you see them every couple of weekends. Don’t waste those precious moments together, talk, hug, enjoy being with one another and remember why you are with them.

Career Path

Changing a career path is not an easy decision, especially when it is as radical as my decision needs to be.

Over the past two years I have been embarking on the journey to become a Lawyer. Law degree, applications to Law firms, and much more. Every decision was made with a view to following this legal career path. Although I always had in my mind that if that failed then I would have a back up of teaching Maths. A subject I had always enjoyed and doing something I half did in school.

Now I am at a crossroads. I have reached a point where much as I like Law I am unsure that it is for me. I have been analysing what it is that I want from my career. Is it to earn lots of money while doing something "interesting" or is it doing something that you enjoy (and always have done) with a view to making a difference. At this moment either a career in Law or Teaching could take one role or the other.

The next few months will be make or break for my legal career. Depending on how well the start of my final year at Uni goes and also how I find my week with the CPS will influence my decision one way or the other. No matter what I will be completing this final year, BUT, I may not be applying this year for the LPC I may apply for the PGCE.

November will be my decision point. I want to have made my mind up one way or the other by the end of November so I can start my applications before Christmas. My CPS week is at the end of October, I will then talk to a careers advisor and get their advice. Then by December I hope to have started my applications.

Lee's Graduation

I was so proud of my fiance this weekend. He was the first in his family to graduate from uni. OK so it was only a HND he will tell you (if you ask) but that isn't the point is it.

If you have never been to a graduation before it can be a bit difficult to imagine. Picture a big hall with all of the graduates in suits with their robes on feeling very special. All of the faculty sat on the stage in their robes looking very smug (and bored if you ask me). This is most parents proudest moment other than their child's wedding day.

SO the scene is set, and the graduates are lined up. Then comes the bit that takes the longest, members of the teaching staff stand up and read out the names of all of the graduates who decided to come to the event. As each name is called different volumes of claps and chears are heard (depending on the number of family members in the audience). By the end of the list your hands are tired, however Lee was right near the end so we had too save some energy to clap our loudest for him.

It was a beautiful event and something that we will have to go through again many times in the future. Next will be mine, then my best friend, and finally him again.


Shot with V3935 Digital Camera at 2007-07-26