An Update

Ok, so I may have decided to give up on the whole blogging thing...with school consuming most of my life and little free time I really just felt like it would be easy for me to have a break/stop all together. However every now and then I think, Oh I should blog about this or I won't remember this unless I blog about it.

So I thought I would do a little update:)
Since my last blog, at the start of the year, so so much has happened!! I will try and do it in categories so it makes more sense but I'm not going to dot point it like last time.

School to begin with has been STRESSFUL and to be honest I'm finding it hard to cope. The stress and pressure I feel constantly under (from myself and my school) is often too much for me to handle and tears and breakdowns result. However I do enjoy the company from the wonderful girls who go to my school and the majority of my teachers are supportive and encouraging.
I do find it hard to believe that I am almost entering my last year of school and am extremely NERVOUS as it is only going to get harder.

My health has been great with regards to my blasto (now gone). I have not really experienced any of those symptoms at all this year and although I have some restrictions with regards to how much gluten and lactose containing foods I can eat, there is little to complain about.
However I unfortunately had another health scare in August. I was sitting in class, first period and had a sudden onset of stabbing pains on my lower left side, near my hip bone. I could barely stand or walk and the pain was unbearble. My parents were called and collected me immeditaly. I went home with the hope that resting, pain relief and a heat pack would resolve the issue. However by about 2pm I was still in significant pain so my mother took me to our GP. She was quite concerned with the nature and severity of the pain and so sent us to the closest hospital.
I was assessed and taken for an ultrasound and they found what seemed to be a burst ovarian cyst. I was then transferred to the major public hospital as they had a specialised gynaecological team. I was put in an ambulance and made the short 20 minute drive by myself as my mother was not allowed to ride with me.
The hospital did believe it was a burst ovarian cyst and I was admitted over night for monitoring as typically severe pain is experienced initially but lessens over time. However, of course I wasn't typical and to cut a long story short 10 days later and after several admissions I needed surgery to clean out and remove the mess left behind by the cyst which was still causing me pain.
While the pain from the cysts disappeared after the surgery, I had a nasty reaction to the anaesthetic and spent close to 6 hours in recovery as I failed to remember my name or the year, open my eyes or keep my oxygen saturated at an acceptable level.
I don't remember much from the time I spent in recovery and was eventually taken back to my private room later that night. I barely remember anything from that night and only have vague memories from the following day. I was released late the following day but could barely walk, sit up or move.
I had two small cuts, one in my belly button and on my left side but the pain they caused was crippling, I also had terrible pains in my shoulders from the gas that was pumped into my stomach in order for the surgeons to able to have a good look. 1.5 weeks after the surgery I returned to school and did my best to catch up. I no longer have any remaining issues from this and am happy to be healthy again.

As I said in my last post I travelled to Cambodia in June/July and had an amazing time!! I learnt many things from the trip and enjoyed being able to give back and help those who are less fortunate than myself. I won't elaborate that much as I don't have the time but it was definitely a memorable experience.
While I was in Cambodia my brother and my parents went to Japan and in the September/October holidays while my brother went on his school ski trip to Canberra, I went with my parents to Japan, which I loved!!

I also started 'Clean Eating' in April and have more or less continued to eat clean. I hope I have time on the christmas holidays to share with you all some clean recipes which I have been making and loving!!

And lastly I had my semi formal in July which was an enjoyable event although the lead up and finding the perfect dress was also stressful!!

I think I have covered all the major things that have happened!! Hopefully I'll pop in again before the year ends but I won't be promising anything:)

Charlotte;)

Update

Where to begin...so much has happened since I last posted!! I think it will be easiest if I dot point everything I can think off thats happened since last January when I posted last about something other than muffins:) I'll break it up into categories though!!

Health:

• First off, my stomach has been much better!! I still suffer some intolerances to gluten and lactose but can eat some gluten in very small amounts
• I haven't gone back to any of the sports I did prior to becoming ill but I did join my school tennis team last year which was fun
• I also got a gym membership in about October last year and was going to the gym at least twice a week until I badly hurt my ankle just before christmas

School:

• Year 10 was hard and challenging but I enjoyed almost every second of it. Of course there were some friend dramas, late nights due to assignments and study and many tears but I'm over the moon with my report and can truly say the hard work payed off!!

Travel:

• Last year I went on 3 overseas holidays, 1 in April to Japan for 2 weeks with my family which was loads of fun!! I saw, touched and experienced snow for the first time, went sledding and skiing which was definitely an experience;) We also did a lot of shopping which I love and eat some amazing food!!
• I also went to the US in September on a school trip which was unforgettable!! To begin with we went to Orlando, Florida where we did some AMAZING outlet shopping, went to Disney World, Universal Studios, NASA, the Kennedy Space Centre and we also took a trip to the everglades and to Daytona Beach!! We then travelled to Washington DC where we did a fair bit of sight seeing, went to most of the memorials and a few of the Smithsonian Museums!!
• The trip was totally amazing and although I was sad to come home I was definitely happy to see my family again!! I would have to say that DC was my favourite and I just can't believe how absolutely gorgeous it is
• In June/July I went camping for 1 week with my two best Friends, E and L which was one of the best weeks of my life!!
• My family and I also went on a Royal Caribbean cruise in December around New Zealand which was also quite nice
• This year I'm super excited to be going to Cambodia with my school in June/July. We will be working in an orphanage and doing an array of ministry work which I am honestly really looking forward to!!
• I'm also hoping that we go to NY as a family in either April or September this year as I can't get enough of the USA!! Everything over there is just 500 times better than what we have here

Christmas/Summer Holidays:

• I have been enjoying these holidays sooooo much and have done quite a few things
• The first weekend of the holidays, my two besties and I went to a classmates dance concert and then had a sleepover at my house
• I then had a shopping day with one of my besties and then the 2 of us went over to my other besties house for the night and the next day
• My family and I then lest on our cruise and returned 3 days before christmas
• 2 days before christmas I injured my ankle at the gym an was barely able to walk on christmas day;(
• Christmas eve my mum and I decorated and baked for the next day
• On christmas day my brother and I opened our presents from Santa (AKA our parents) I asked for and received Mac and Napoleon makeup which I was super excited about and my broth got a go pro camera. My mothers family came over for breakfast which consisted of croissants, muffins, yoghurt parfaits and bacon and eggs. We ate and then opened presents and chatted and relaxed until just after midday. Everyone left and we then headed over to my aunts to celebrate christmas with my dads family. We had a few nibbles, opened more presents and then enjoyed a late lunch/early dinner. We stayed chatted, ate and just had a great time fore the rest of the afternoon and came home that night. It was a lovely day and I am so happy all of my family live close
• Between christmas and new year, we relaxed and I caught up with my two besties again, we went shopping, we went to IKEA and we also went to the beach which was enjoyable
• My birthday was on New Years day but thats another category
• Last weekend I went to the coast again, this time for my besties belated birthday party which was very enjoyable
• Since then I have been doing some study for my drivers license test and have been packing for my grandmas as my brother and I are staying there for the next week while my parents are going on a hike
• Shortly after they return I am having a birthday party, sitting my driving test and also going to a 3 day science experience at a University which I hope to go to after high school
• I am then going to my aunt and uncles for 5 days while my parents and broth go to a concert/music festival in a small town 8 or so hors away
• After that I have 3 days and then begin year 11

My Birthday:

• I turned Sweet 16 on January 1st and had a little celebration
• I woke up, opened presents from my parents; a Tiffany and Co b