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Jenks Shield Logo Busy working at a desk Snoopy on his Computer World Light Bulb Travelling around the Globe Paddy the Polar Bear Links
About Me Work Hobbies Plans Travel Paddy Links
Hobbies
Snoopy
I have loved Snoopy since I was about six years old. It first started when I purchased a plush toy in a sale, and my love for him has blossomed ever since. Strips can be seen in the Daily Mail as well as at the Official Peanuts website.
Peanuts Homepage Link
Trampolining
I started trampolining in 1987 at Secondary school. I continued my hobby throughout University life, and only stopped participating since I have been working. The reason being that there are very few trampolining clubs aimed at adults which is a shame. I hope that sometime in the future I can take up this hobby again which I so dearly enjoyed.
Badminton
I originally thought that badminton was a completely boring sport, which people always seemed to be playing on a nearby court whenever I was bouncing around on a trampoline. When I discovered that I could no longer continue trampolining I looked around to see what else was available for adults. The only courses aimed at adults at my nearby sports centre was, yes, you've guessed it - badminton. I decided to give it a shot, and was amazed to discover that it wasn't the boring sport that I had thought it was, but actually was rather fun. Since I started in 1999 I have improved my game and enjoy playing social doubles matches (nothing too serious) once or twice a week.
Netball
I started playing netball for fun as a result of talking to one of the ladies at badminton who said there was a non-serious game once a week which I was welcome to go along to. It has been a case of thinking back to my school days to try and remember the rules, but it is a very fun night out.
Cross-Stitch
I took up sewing after watching my mother complete some wonderful pictures. My time and devotion to completing projects isn't great, but they do come along eventually. Pictured is my most recent piece which I managed to finish just before I headed off for a year to Australasia.
The Earth is our Home, Let is Protect & Preserve It Cross Stitch Picture with Animals such as Koala, Elephant, Parrot, Gorilla, Panda, Tiger, Tortoise, Penguin, Polar Bear, Walrus, Puffin, Dolphin, Turtle, Manatee, Tropical Fish & Butterflies

Computers
I never really considered myself a computer nerd until I went to University. It was then that I became obsessed with being online to talk to my friends at different Universities. The main way I did this was by connecting to a MUD game called Nanvaent. I have my own Nanvaent web page there for my character Emjay.

Having free time during the day when I was working as a nanny made me decide to further my interest in computers. I have taken two courses in Desk Top Publishing at Chiswick and Brentford. This web page was designed as part of my third course about web design using Front Page. I have updated the code a lot since I originally designed my website and also added a considerable number of new pages. I currently use Dreamweaver.

Travel
I love going to new places and experiencing what different countries have to offer both physically and culturally. The countries I have been to so far are:

Wales
Scotland
France
The Netherlands
Germany
Portugal
Spain - Mainland, Minorca, Tenerife
Malta
Greece - Cyprus, Rhodes, Lesvos, Halkidiki, Crete, Corfu, Kos
United States of America including:
Hawaii - Oahu, Hawaii (Big Isle), Maui, Kauai
Thailand
Australia
New Zealand
Mexico
Peru
Bolivia
Argentina
Uruguay
Brazil
Morocco
Croatia
Italy
Northern Cyrpus

In 1997 when I finished University I traveled to the USA with a company called BUNAC. I spent a week in New York job hunting, before heading down to New Jersey to take up a job I had been offered there. I worked at a theme park operating rides for the next 8 weeks, incorporating a trip down to Orlando, Florida (via Philadelphia) to go to Disneyworld for the weekend. I then returned to New York for my final two weeks to do some sightseeing before heading back home.

In 2002 when I finished working in London I took the opportunity to go traveling around the world. I spent one week in Bangkok, a year in Australia, four months in New Zealand, three weeks in Hawaii, one week in Los Angeles and finally six weeks in Mexico. I was away for a total of 18 months on my World Trip.

In 2005 I took the opportunity to travel to South America and visit 5 different countries, experience a variety of cultures, a diverse range of living conditions and some amazing sites.

There are still many countries I am hoping to visit! As to which will be next, we'll just have to wait and see...

My latest travel buddy is Paddy. His own page and holiday snaps can be seen at Paddy's Page.

SCUBA Diving
I first experienced SCUBA diving when I went on a short dive in Rhodes. When I went to Australia I decided that I wanted to get qualified, so I took a course which has given me my PADI Open Water Diving certificate.
Marie Scuba Diving in Rhodes
Scuba diving in Rhodes
Music / Concerts/ Events
I have always liked a wide variety of music. I like listening to many styles and have decided to devote this section to listing concerts and groups that I have been to see, something which I have recently decided is an interest I would like to pursue more often!
DATE GROUP/EVENT LOCATION
Dec 1988 Bros NEC Arena, Birmingham, UK
Oct 1989 Jason Donovan Hitman & Her Roadshow, UK
Sep 1998 Depeche Mode Wembley Stadium, London, UK
Dec 2003 Robbie Williams Western Springs, Auckland, New Zealand
Dec 2003 Duran Duran Western Springs, Auckland, New Zealand
Nov 2004 Darren Hayes Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, UK
Mar 2005 Gerry & The Pacemakers Symphony Hall, Birmingham, UK (The Solid Silver 60's Tour)
Mar 2005 The Merseybeats Symphony Hall, Birmingham, UK (The Solid Silver 60's Tour)
Mar 2005 The Swinging Blue Jeans Symphony Hall, Birmingham, UK (The Solid Silver 60's Tour)
Mar 2005 The Searchers Symphony Hall, Birmingham, UK (The Solid Silver 60's Tour)
Apr 2005 Anastacia NEC Arena, Birmingham, UK
Apr 2005 Kylie Minogue NEC Arena, Birmingham UK
Jun 2005 Lulu Highfield Road, Coventry, UK
Jun 2005 Elton John Highfield Road, Coventry, UK
Jul 2005 Anastacia Warwick Castle, Warwick, UK
Dec 2005 A-ha NEC Arena, Birmingham, UK
May 2006 Darren Hayes Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, UK
Sep 2006 McFly NEC Arena, Birmimgham, UK
Dec 2006 Madness NEC Arena, Birmingham, UK
Dec 2006 Björn Again NEC Arena, Birmingham, UK (Jasper Carrott : Rock with Laughter)
Dec 2006 Journey South NEC Arena, Birmingham, UK (Jasper Carrott : Rock with Laughter)
Dec 2006 Roy Woods NEC Arena, Birmingham, UK (Jasper Carrott : Rock with Laughter)
Dec 2006 Suzi Quatro NEC Arena, Birmingham, UK (Jasper Carrott : Rock with Laughter)
May 2007 Pet Shop Boys Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, UK
May 2007 Cirque du Soleil: Varekai Royal Albert Hall, London, UK
Jul 2007 Tour de France Hyde Park, London, UK
Jan 2010 Strictly Come Dancing NEC Arena, Birmingham, UK
May 2010 European Gymnastics NIA, Birmingham, UK
Jun 2010 Cirque du Soleil: Saltimbanco NIA, Birmingham, UK
Dec 2010 T'Pau NEC Arena, Birmingham, UK (80's Rewind)
Dec 2010 The Christians NEC Arena, Birmingham, UK (80's Rewind)
Dec 2010 ABC NEC Arena, Birmingham, UK (80's Rewind)
Dec 2010 Go West NEC Arena, Birmingham, UK (80's Rewind)
Dec 2010 Howard Jones NEC Arena, Birmingham, UK (80's Rewind)
Dec 2010 Sister Sledge NEC Arena, Birmingham, UK (80's Rewind)
Dec 2010 Kool & The Gang NEC Arena, Birmingham, UK (80's Rewind)
Feb 2011 10cc The Assembly, Leamington Spa, UK
Jun 2011 A Flock of Seagulls NEC Arena, Birmingham, UK (Here & Now)
Jun 2011 Pepsi & Shirlie NEC Arena, Birmingham, UK (Here & Now)
Jun 2011 Midge Ure NEC Arena, Birmingham, UK (Here & Now)
Jun 2011 Belinda Carlisle NEC Arena, Birmingham, UK (Here & Now)
Jun 2011 Jimmy Somerville NEC Arena, Birmingham, UK (Here & Now)
Jun 2011 Jason Donovan NEC Arena, Birmingham, UK (Here & Now)
Jun 2011 Boy George NEC Arena, Birmingham, UK (Here & Now)
Oct 2011 Erasure Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, UK
Jun 2012 Olympic Gymnastics O2 Arena, London, UK
Jun 2012 Olympic Football Ricoh Arena, Coventry, UK
Oct 2017 Belinda Carlisle The Assembly, Leamington Spa, UK
Apr 2018 Kim Wilde Town Hall, Birmingham, UK
Sep 2018 Tony Christie Godiva Festival, Coventry, UK
Sep 2018 Ronan Keating Godiva Festival, Coventry, UK
Feb 2019 Alison Moyet NEC Arena, Birmingham, UK
Feb 2019 Tears For Fears NEC Arena, Birmingham, UK
Jul 2022 Commonwealth Games Netball NEC Arena, Birmingham, UK
Jul 2022 Commonwealth Games Artisic Gymnastics Utilita Arena, Birmingham, UK
Jul 2022 Commonwealth Games Badminton NEC, Birmingham, UK
Aug 2022 Commonwealth Games Rhythmic Gymnastics Utilita Arena, Birmingham, UK
Sep 2022 The Feeling Godiva Festival, Coventry, UK
Sep 2022 Bananarama Godiva Festival, Coventry, UK
Mar 2023 Darren Hayes Symphony Hall, Birmingham, UK