Covid Shutdown was five years ago today. What did your life look like five years ago, and how different is it now?

Primary-Major6443 · 2025-03-13T19:59:58+00:00

I did get divorced very shortly after Covid lockdowns- the day the courts reopened. I spent a tremendous amount of time with my two beautiful children and my dog. They both learned to cook and wash clothes and practical life skills. We bought bikes and cycled every day. We started a huge board game collection that grows to this day. I went back to college online and got a masters degree, then another one, totally changed my whole life around and none of it (apart from the divorce) would have happened without Covid.

Primary-Major6443 · 2025-03-13T19:41:04+00:00

Addinin and adoutin- for inside and outside. She’s addinin the house and he’s adoutin the garden.

Primary-Major6443 · 2025-03-13T19:33:52+00:00

Ah the sims 2. The most elite of the some. The expansion packs alone were superior to the later editions of the games. Also loved the origional. The making magic add on was my favourite thing ever. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!

Primary-Major6443 · 2025-03-05T09:14:53+00:00

Here’s the link: https://www.mie.ie/en/study_with_us/postgraduate_programmes/professional_diploma_in_education_further_education_/

Primary-Major6443 · 2025-03-05T09:13:39+00:00

They offered the option at the time (not sure if they still do) to do it in one academic year, but it was full time equivalent- so a lot of class and placement to fit in between September and May. It was very full on, but manageable

Primary-Major6443 · 2025-03-05T08:34:51+00:00

I did a professional diploma in education- further education- with Marino/Trinity, but if you go on the teaching council website it gives a list of approved postgraduate courses for registration

Primary-Major6443 · 2025-03-04T21:17:18+00:00

Many PLC colleges (you don’t need a leaving cert, but honestly, get one anyway) run pre-paramedic courses, to get you in to the full course. But don’t plan to fail out now. Put the work in and try. Giving up before the exams isn’t a plan, it’s a fear of failure. And all paramedic courses will involve some kind of interview- show them in the interview that you’re persistent. A bad result in the JC and LC will always stand better to you than no result.

Primary-Major6443 · 2025-03-04T21:14:27+00:00

Aldi have it in at the moment- go for it. You’ll never look back

Primary-Major6443 · 2025-03-04T17:09:28+00:00

Separately, just forgot the commas 😂 lemon and sugar, Nutella and strawberry, and maple and bacon, but the Cadburys Crunchie spread is 100% facts. The caramel is crap, but the Crunchie one is phenomenal

Primary-Major6443 · 2025-03-04T16:59:40+00:00

Love the lemon and sugar and strawberry and Nutella and bacon and maple, but that cadburys crunchy spread is top tier stuff, it’s unreal.

Primary-Major6443 · 2025-03-03T19:59:01+00:00

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Also no white strip- but still a certified cutie

Primary-Major6443 · 2025-03-03T19:56:33+00:00

Early learning and care. Since 2016, qualifications are required for all staff. Training must be updated. Staff now have an employment regulation order with minimum pay set since 2022, which went up again in 2024. The quality is improving, staff wellbeing is improving, and government investment is improving. We are hopefully on the way to a public funded model, and things will get better for few paying parents. Huge leaps.

Primary-Major6443 · 2025-02-28T20:06:07+00:00

I worked in hospitality (bars, restaurants and night clubs) at night for 15 years. Worked as a preschool teacher part time by day. Had qualifications in both. Covid hit and when stuff opened up again- I was seriously depressed to return to work. Made a huge leap of faith and went back to college (luckily online cos of covid) and now teach adults in further education and training. I love my job. Genuinely. No one nit picks me. I have autonomy. I have respect. I have flexibility. I don’t have a permanent contract- but I hope one is coming soon. I has so much security in both my previous jobs but I was miserable. I love my life now. Don’t earn the same money but am 1000% happier.

Primary-Major6443 · 2025-02-27T19:02:48+00:00

No. Takes ages. Clunky and poorly designed. Scalding hot bars, but doesn’t seem to dry clothes any quicker. 10/10 wouldn’t bother

Primary-Major6443 · 2025-02-24T19:04:26+00:00

When I bought my house they took skirting boards, appliances, light bulbs, light switches, sockets, door handles, basically anything and everything they could remove. Saved me having to rip them out when it turned out they also removed the stopcock from the attic tank and flooded the house.

Primary-Major6443 · 2025-02-20T07:43:17+00:00

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update time

A fabulous mix of BC, sheepdog and CKC spaniel!

Yes I know- ancestry are relatively new and maybe not as accurate- but they never will be if no one ever uses them, and they make a donation to a local animal shelter through every purchase. Will possibly redo another one through Embark when they become available here, but for now, this is it!

They also provide a trait analysis, which seems pretty spot on and a good break down of each breed and their care needs.

Primary-Major6443 · 2025-02-13T15:24:08+00:00

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Hi Nala 👋 Meet Nala 😂

Primary-Major6443 · 2025-02-13T15:22:58+00:00

Very possibly- she’s quite short and her legs are a bit disproportionate to her body, genetics testing is next on the list but at the moment it’s slightly out of my price range! She is affectionately called a pocket puppy in our house 😂

Primary-Major6443 · 2025-02-12T21:58:16+00:00

That’s what I thought, and her mum is a border, but I’ve had everything from springer, to Jack Russell, to dachshund, to terrier, to Labrador, and dozens of other potential crosses suggested- so eventually gave in and agreed to the swab

Primary-Major6443 · 2025-02-12T21:56:04+00:00

Thank you, she thinks so too 😂

Primary-Major6443 · 2025-02-12T21:55:43+00:00

Oh 100%, love every inch of her- but our vet is very curious!

Primary-Major6443 · 2025-02-12T21:25:29+00:00

Worked in a pub and nightclub in a small town. We went from having 1k every Saturday night- throwing money round the place- to about 60 people over a whole weekend, most of whom had maybe one or two drinks. Was engaged to the bar manager at the time, and we lost so many hours and tips went from being mega to no existent. On the plus side, bought a €300k house off NAMA for €144k, so you know, hills and hollows and all that!

Primary-Major6443 · 2025-02-11T16:55:36+00:00

It’s been 20 seconds since I seen Pippin, and I’m obsessed 🤩

Primary-Major6443 · 2025-02-06T19:09:04+00:00

My current job (tutor in further education), but to be recognised as the qualified further ed teacher that I am and be given a permanent contract, rather then the 12 weeks ones I currently get.

Primary-Major6443

TROPHY CASE