Hello Guys on the Next greatest singer. I hope everyone is well and having a happy and healthy new year. Unfortunatley for a lot of people we know this isn't the case and they are going through horrors right now- God be with the people suffering due to the Haiti disaster. Itis a terrible time for them and those of us who ahven't endured these horrors (and hopefully we won't) well we cannot understand what pain,devastation and loss they are going through. A time like this also shows us that people can pull together, people from all over the world can stand together and help others- unfortunatley under such terrible circumstances.

I won't make this blog a long one but I thought I would post a little something as I haven't put any uploads up in a great while, I assure you there is reasons for this.

Ok so what have I been up to? Well I got a distinction on my radio assignment in college which I didn't expect. I had to record a radio bulletin and do research and mine was focusing on alzheimers a terrible disease which cannot be cured and really breaks hearts. My uncle died of this disease and in his final years he couldn't recall who anyone was even his own children- but thats another story. What happened in his life was the plan and we may not understand these bad things that happen but I personally think they have a reason, someone up above knows it even though we wonder why? The one word question with many possible answers. If I didn't believe that I would have lost hope in a lot of things a long time ago. Of course everyone has their own views and beleifs and I respect that too because we should value one another and learn from one another. (not that I'm trying to be a saint haha I am really not!) so back to what else I have been at....Well my mum isn't too well. She had a fall outside church at christmas and has cracked her pelvis in 2 places and its unfortunate because shes in a lot of pain and with other health issues she has- well shes a star my mum, she keeps going and I don't think words will ever describe how much I love her and my dad.

Of course shes going to shout at me when she finds out what I have done! what did I do? Well..tonight I got a dog! Ok my mum says no, you can't afford a dog and you live in a one bedroom flat and about keeping it tidy and clean but I couldn't help it. I saw an add for a dog needing a home urgently after its elderly owner died and it was a 7 yr old black lab and noone would take it so a couple brought him to me this evening and I fell in love. He is wonderful and so playful- perhaps a little cheeky! haha, His name is shadow and he lives up to it- following me everywhere! I hate lyeing but I am going to have to tell little white lies until my mum meets him and gets used to him so for now it shall be 'looking after a friends dog'

That may seem cruel of me, but I feel its best this way as I wanted to help the dog and I am an animal lover and if i save my money from buying silly things or sweets which I really don't need right now then I can look after my dog, he has everything he needs- his bed, toys, food and lots of love. Someone also said to me, 'your mum lives round the corner so its nothing to do with her' but for me its about respect. She wants the best for me and I do not want to hurt her or squash her opinions. In my next blog I shall let you know how the dog situation goes! haha I am also applying to be a volunteer with an orginisation named VSB. It is great because I can help on resedentials or help out at the theatre, old peoples homes and charity events and also work on a new radio show for older people. I shall take any job that goes really it seems fun and I would love to help and meet new people. Ever sense my day at the hospice I have thought about going there so If I have the time I will try to help their too. I just feel I should be doing these things in my life, this is the path I choose and It will also make me a better person too. Something is bugging me right now though, its the 'wont work, wont work' approach to life, Yes I did say the same word twice. I could put 'can' but I am not talking about the people who really can't due to ill health etc. I mean these people who just never want to work and think its brilliant. It isn't right, I do not love working but I also would hate to go through life never doing anything and I like to know I worked to treat myself or to get what I want. Yes jobs arent always brilliant...I got fired from my first job at 16 because I was afraid to touch a bowl of prawns(bad fear) but looking back- I should have handled it differently. Yes they weren't very nice to me but I was young and if you need work, you need work. In the UK here a lot of us don't know true pain or being truely mistreated. I was shocked at the mistreatment of people and women and children in Nigeria...I just wish something could be done and God bless them that are out helping those in the countries that need it. This friend of mine was able to tell me in detail her experience and the people she met while helping in Nigeria and how when she returned to Northern Ireland she saw how spoilt we were overall and indivudally- especially young children who complain about the lates toys and gadgets while over their the kids were happy about a game involving digging mud and placing stones in circles and shapes....This is what I've been thinking about and I leave it with you. I also hope you are happy and healthy and I apologise for the 'rambling' when I am writing I write from my heart and what I am feeling and sometimes its a lot and I go on and on. I hope to upload some videos and be back again soon. All the best this weekend and coming week. Cat Ross