Blogtober16 - My Biggest Accomplishment

This blogtober post discusses my biggest accomplishment, and I think I can say without any sort of arrogance that I've been lucky to have quite a few already. At almost the age of 24, I've ticked off a few accomplishments including:

• Completing a bungee jump for a children's charity
• Gaining good grades in my GCSEs
• Going to college
• Graduating with an honours degree from uni
• Skydiving for a Scottish animal charity
• Climbing Kilimanjaro in aid of Childreach International

Sometimes it feels like I am bragging, or being arrogrant, so sometimes I try not to mention it. Some people I know might know I went to Africa, but not why. Apart from this blog, where I feel it's mentioned heaps!

By far, the one that sticks out and has effectively changed my life in more ways than I thought possible (I know it sounds cheesy, but it's true) was climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. I've visited a few places and ticked off a couple of important goals, but this is way up there. This post will describe my journey getting there, and what positivity the journey has bought to my life.

To get there, I needed to raise £2,500, which I was terrified I would never achieve. I'd done fundraising before but never raised anything close to that. I did it in a variety of ways from promoting my BT Donate page on social media, keeping people informed about what things I was doing to prepare and fundraise and many other things. I think I did 2 or 3 pub crawls, where I shaked my can at drunk punters and told them what I was doing. I also did a street collection in Dundee. I was impressed most of all with the support I got from working at BHS. They donated on my BT donate page, helped organise a quiz night and even hosted a bring and buy sale in the staff room. All stuff not bought were then sold on ebay or donated to local charity shops.

Me at work - doing an easter quiz night

I also organised a date auction around valentine's day, where I sold friends for dates. One friend got sold for £50! I sold a lot of my unwanted belongings on ebay and music magpie. I even organised a race night event with my best friend, Julie who was also climbing Kilimanjaro with me.

I gained a lot from doing it. It was worthwhile as it was my first experience of going abroad, and it was an 8 hour flight! Although I had gone on domestic flights before that, I'd never gone further than London. It also provided me with great sights, including visiting Tanzania town and seeing a little bit of Kenya. I loved being able to meet the children that my fundraising was benefiting in Tanzania. It also gave me something interesting to add to my CV and discuss with potential employers.

From there, I knew I wanted a career in fundraising. It has been difficult to work up the ladder, but know it is something I have a talent at. I will keep trying!

Since climbing Kilimanjaro, I have gone on to hold more events, work for a charity close to my heart, complete a bungee jump on my uni campus, organised a tea party at my house and volunteer for some amazing causes.

Just before my bungee jump...

I even got a certificate to commemorate making the descent. It is means mor to me than my honours degree! I had a new positivity, where I knew I could achieve things.Sometimes I think it might be the only good thing I do.

Here are my favourite photos from the trip!

It feels odd to discuss something you're proud of. Being British means ignorance of your own talents and focusing on the praise of others. That being said I'd love to hear of yours. What is your biggest accomplishment? You probably don't even realise just how amazing you are, so here I am to say you rock!

Introducing the blog

As this is my first blog for Planet Jodie, I thought I'd introduce with some facts about me. I will write reviews, lists of funny things, observations, rants, awareness posts. I hope to start posting everyday. 

First post: 20 facts about me!

1. I like writing lists; it is the best way to keep me organised.

2. It has to be admitted that I used to be a bit of an adrenaline junkie after skydiving when I was 18, and then going on climb Kilimanjaro and bungee jump - all in aid of charity.

3. I tend to prefer watching old films, and have a list of 740 films I wish to see. This consists of films I wish to see when they come out at the cinema, banned films, ones recommended and ones that are meant to be so bad. Unfortunately I've only watched 428 so far! The list just keeps getting bigger...

4. I was 20 before I went abroad for the first time, and it was to climb kilimanjaro. Since then I've visited France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands and hope to see much more.

5. I lived in a few different areas of the UK. Born in Manchester, I have also lived in Yorkshire, Whitley Bay, Stonehaven, Aberdeen, Dundee and now the Isle of Wight.

6. I lived with my parents in a static caravan for 6 months.

7. I have many favourite things including collecting souveirs at big occasions such as: always trying to get a programme when going to a live event and if there is not a programme, I have the t-shirt to prove it!

8. Embarrassingly, my first kiss was when I turned 18.

9. Only 2 people call me by the nickname 'Jo' even though I hate it. I have given up telling them how much I dislike it.

10. I love birthdays so much, and can never understand when other people don't get excited too. 

11. So far in my life I have only been to 3 weddings - and one was my Mum's wedding and another was my Gran's wedding. This year I've had four of my closest friends get engaged, so hopefully that will soon change.

12. My biggest fear is walking on bridges - it makes me feel claustrophobic for some reason.

13. I was diagnosed with Poly-cystic Ovary Syndrome when I was 18.

14. I still gag like a child when I try to eat some vegetables, but my favourite soup is Butternut Squash. I do prefer pizza though!

15. It took me more than once, twice or three times to pass my theory test. Hopefully I will pass my driving test on my second attempt!

16. I used to have goldfish called fish and chips.

17. I like yoga as it calms me. I hope to find a class I like in the Isle of Wight as loved one in Aberdeen.

18. I am quite superstitious and get nervous if I see one magpie. I search to see the other magpie! Ridiculous I know...

19. I  love designer bags. My first bought was my pink Guess bag for my 21st birthday (I believe).

20. I would never admit it, but I am a romantic and believe there is someone out there for everyone. I just don't believe in the cheesy valentine things, or having to do something everyday -just appreciate each other! :)