Gillian Michael

Mature Occupational Therapy Student taking advantage of short semesters and travel opportunities to tick a few destinations off my bucket list
Living in: York, United Kingdomicingthecake.co.uk

Gillian Michael Malta Placement
Day82
Week 11: And so it ends....
May 13 in Malta
Or is it just the begining?
82 days in Malta and our placement ends. So glad to have spent it with Grace - my Malta OT buddy.🤗
A week of mixed emotions final documents, hand overs and goodbyes. I can't believe it's over, yet I am so ready for home. Did a final visit to coffee circus for some avocado lime and coconut ice cream - delicious . Check out how much the cacti has grown in 3 months!
Feeling of great accomplishment to end with a distinction for both of us.👩🏼‍🎓👩‍🎓Read more
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Lynne Newell
Well done Gill. You deserve the distinction. Hope to see you soon xx
May 15, 2018
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@ Malta Marsaskala Tas-Sienja Wied il-Għajn
May 13, 2018 · Altitude: 14 m
35°51'42" N 14°33'35" E

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Gillian Michael Malta Placement
Day74
Non stop whistle stop tour
May 5 in Malta
Of Gozo, Comino Island and Blue Lagoon.
40min bus ride to Valletta. 20min ferry to Sliema. 90min Cruise to Gozo. 30min bus tour round Gozo, with 90mins to sightsee and shop. 30min cruise to Comino island. 75min to walk and swim round Blue lagoon, before the 3hr return journey - Not the most relaxing of days!
Note to self- check out the 'cruise' ship prior to buying a ticket. We were with Supreme cruises - there was nothing supreme about it!!
Gozo is pretty in places but I had a dodgy pattizzi which isn't pleasant when you are on a boat. The blue lagoon is definitely blue and very clear but the beach area is smaller then my lounge and full of people and catering vans selling over inflated cocktails and thin burgers.
We swam in the sea - yes Grace too - as at least you could get away from the crowds!Read more
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Lynne Newell
The sea is amazing shame about the crowds and burger vans xx
May 8, 2018
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@ Malta Victoria Villa Rundle
May 5, 2018 · ☀️ 18 °C · Altitude: 102 m
36°2'33" N 14°14'27" E
Gillian Michael Malta Placement
Day73
Week 10 Frustrated
May 4 in Malta
Having to remind myself of the mission statement of Inspire to help me remain focused on what I am here to achieve!
It's been a frustrating 10 weeks with lots of things planned that never materialise. It seems there is always a reason why things cannot be done instead of looking at and actually doing what can be done with the resources and time avaliable.
It made me sad to wander around the gardens of Inspire that were once beautiful and accessible to all. They are now neglected and abandoned. The horses and planting area too need some TLC. Funding of course is an issue but I don't think that's the only reason especially when there is a team of willing volunteers and students who are desperate for a project but instead just have to wait.....
Week ended with a meeting with the CEO and CSO who bamboozled me with all the reasons why things can't be done. And there lies the problem. I now feel as disillusioned as the rest of the staff. I am so ready for home!Read more
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Emma Robinson
I’m sure you’ve still had a positive impact on the place - just with your presence ☺️ almost home time, and I can’t wait to see you!! xxx
May 7, 2018
Lynne Newell
Can't 'like' this post as it's so sad that so much is left undone. I think it's a cultural thing - look at the building sites around the whole island. Tomorrow tomorrow. ....
May 8, 2018
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@ Malta Marsaskala Tas-Sienja Wied il-Għajn
May 4, 2018 · Altitude: 14 m
35°51'42" N 14°33'35" E
Gillian Michael Malta Placement
Day70
Reluctant Beach day
May 1 in Malta
Another public holiday allowing Grace and I a day away from the ball pool!
Headed all the way up to the north of the island to check out Golden Bay. Not my favourite kind of beach but at least we had a sun lounger and an all important brolly for some shade for me! I am struggling at the moment as really ready for home. Missing my girls and very depleted in oxytocin (lack of hugs!). Managed to russle up enthusiasm to have another swim though in the beautifully clear sea. Still waiting for Grace to dip in her toe - next time she says!
The bus journey took 2 hours each way so we were glad to return to our favourite bar for a hot chocolate at the end of the day.Read more
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Emma Robinson
Ohh that looks lovely and hot! Hahaha since your reflecting in/on alcohol sticking to the hot chocolates as opposed to cold beers? 😉😘 xx P.s. I’ll be sure to help reinstate oxytocin levels promptly on arrival back to the UK ☺️ not long x
May 1, 2018
Lynne Newell
Hang in there Gill - less than 2 weeks now. Sending big hugs 😤😘
May 2, 2018
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@ Malta L-Imġarr In-Naħħalija Ir-Ramla tal Mixquqa
May 1, 2018 · Altitude: 8 m
35°56'2" N 14°20'40" E
Gillian Michael Malta Placement
Day68
Delightful treats
April 29 in Malta
Charming day out to Caffe Cordina Valletta with Grace and Kirsty who are like peas in a pod!
Managed to succeed in my mission for a wedding gift, 🤗 just hope the colours compliment the outfits! 🤔
Watched a peaceful protest in honour of a journalist killed by a car bomb which they don't believe has been investigated thoroughly.Read more
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@ Malta Valletta Pjazza Regina
Apr 29, 2018 · ☁️ 18 °C · Altitude: 49 m
35°53'55" N 14°30'48" E
Gillian Michael Malta Placement
Day67
Reflecting on / in alcohol
April 28 in Malta
Why do I find reflections so difficult??
Gave up at 5.00pm and decided to go buy some vegetables. Bumped into Mary with her lively Irish accent in the irish bar Lemon & Lime. Mary works at Inspire. I got back at 11pm with no vegetables. Great to have a drinky buddy for an evening 😁 needless to say there are no photos.Read more
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Lynne Newell
Did you really expect to find vegetables in the bar? Ha ha
May 8, 2018
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@ Malta Marsaskala Tas-Sienja Wied il-Għajn
Apr 28, 2018 at 5pm · Altitude: 11 m
35°51'49" N 14°33'42" E
Gillian Michael Malta Placement
Day66
Malta firework festival
April 27 in Malta
Well my day started off with a sports massage.OMG so painful but in a good way! Turns out I have damaged my hamstring in my right leg and have several knots across my shoulders. Half an hour just not long enough so booked another appt.
Then had my hair done as I am fed up of my frizzy hairstyle!
Lovely to spend the evening with Grace and her sister Kirsty browsing the stalls and watching the fireworks in Marsaxlokk. All was well until time to go home when we discovered none of special service buses were going in our direction!
Our choice was a 2hr bus trip or 50min walk or a really expensive 15min taxi ride. We choose the latter after managing to negotiate a cheaper ride after the taxi drivers nearly came to blows about it!Read more
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@ Malta Marsaxlokk Qrajten Point
Apr 27, 2018 · ⛅ 14 °C · Altitude: 5 m
35°50'21" N 14°32'39" E
Gillian Michael Malta Placement
Day63
Week 9: Placement passing by so quickly!
April 24 in Malta
Oh my it is week 9 already! Although I am ready for home there is still so much to do and learn. I do not feel at all prepared for my VIVA 😣 Placement is going by quickly! Having to indulge in a few iced beers and lattes to keep working on learning outcomes in the sunshine!
When working at the Bulebel site I pass a catering company displaying wedding cakes not too dissimilar to the size I used to do... got me wonder if only things had been different... but then I wouldn't be here in Malta completing a degree..strange where life takes you 😀Read more
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Emma Robinson
Yes it’s gone so fast!! I’m sure you’ve learned more than you think. Not to worry about the VIVA, plenty of time for rehearsal....after a catch up 😄💬🤓🍷
April 26, 2018
Lynne Newell
You'll be fine Gilly. I'm sure you'll get all the info you'll need. Xx
April 27, 2018
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@ Malta Marsaskala Tas-Sienja Wied il-Għajn
Apr 24, 2018 at 11:27am · ⛅ 15 °C · Altitude: 13 m
35°51'45" N 14°33'25" E
Gillian Michael Malta Placement
Day61
Day 61: Bites Bruises and Blisters
April 22 in Malta
Took a 7.6km walk to St Peter's Pool to enjoy the sunshine, dramatic cliffs and a picnic! Picked up a few mosquito bites and a blister on the way - darn it 😯
Ended the weekend with Lynne in Tal Familja Resturant (appropriately named) eating traditional Maltese dishes. Definately the best meal I have had so far 😊Read more
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@ Malta Marsaxlokk Delimara Kalanka tal- Qali
Apr 22, 2018 · ☀️ 14 °C · Altitude: 5 m
35°49'59" N 14°33'44" E
Gillian Michael Malta Placement
Day60
Day 60: Mumbles in Mosta
April 21 in Malta
Bumpy bus ride to Mosta to see the domed church which survived (by divine intervention they say) being bombed during WW2 despite taking a direct hit that did not detonate. Magnificent ceiling where if you look closely can just make out where the bomb entered.
Found our way to San Anton Palace and gardens for some flora and fauna - which were mainly cats and terrapins. Very colourful and scented flowers though.
Lovely meal in the Melita Garden restaurant to end the day before the bumpy bus ride back.Read more
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Lynne Newell
Such a lovely day together xx
April 21, 2018
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@ Malta Lija Il-Palazz ta’ Sant’Anton
Apr 21, 2018 at 5:43pm · ⛅ 18 °C · Altitude: 45 m
35°53'46" N 14°26'50" E

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