Twenty Questions With – Rachael

It’s that time again. I have another Twenty Questions for you and this time it’s one that gets you thinking!

An interview that discusses poverty, the NHS, politics, economy, the monarchy and Cadbury’s Dairy Milk (all things that get my head turning) I thoroughly enjoyed this one and it got me nodding along in agreement a few times.

I love the passion that comes through in Rachael’s answers. Her outlook on life and her need to help and support others.

As to question 8, I would say an hour with a good book is never a wasted hour! This is definitely one of my favourite ways to relax too!

A totally different answer to question 9 than I’ve had before. I’d be curious to read that interview if you ever have the chance. A fascinating if evil mind.

Funny how our best attribute can also be our biggest flaw.

Rachael I want to meet Fifi, or at least see a photo and find out more!

Hear, hear, on question 16, I’ll vote you Racheal over Theresa May anytime! Don’t even get me started on Brexit and the NHS.

My Questions/Rachael’s Answers

1. What made you decide to write a blog?

I had been thinking of starting a blog for about 18 months but hadn’t had the time to really get something set up as I’d been a bit busy. I started two new jobs, got married, we sold our house, relocated back to the North East and we’ve just bought and moved into our new home!

What finally gave me the kick up the bum was something I spotted on Twitter which got me really riled up. I highlighted it to a few people I know professionally on Twitter and was invited to write a guest blog post for a Public Relations website on the topic. I also wrote a couple of blog posts for my day job too on different subjects.

After that I decided to stop putting it off and took the plunge to set up my own blog. I often get asked for advice in respect of my day job within the Public Relations world so some of my blog posts are aimed at helping others with knowledge I have gained.

2. What do you want your blog to achieve?

I’d like to be able to help people whether that is with some tools to help with the day job in Public Relations or tips I’ve learnt through work that can help people stay warm at home or just provide some light relief and some laughs.

3. What is your biggest flaw?

There’s a few! I think my biggest is probably that I take criticism massively to heart because I care so much. I know constructive criticism is important for personal and professional development but sometimes I can take this super personally (even if it’s something to do with work and not me I can get upset and defensive) it is something I am working on though!

4. What is your best attribute?

Probably that I care so much! I’ve been often referred to as a cheerleader within the various teams I’ve worked with. I want to build others up and support and help my team. In my one to one meetings with my manager I’m always talking about the wider team before myself because I worry about them all and want the best for them.

5. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life what would it be?

Lasagne or Cadbury dairy milk. Both my favourites!

6. An apocalypse is imminent, you have 30 minutes to prepare, what 3 items do you pack?

Some Coca Cola, a picture of my family and some Cadbury chocolate. I don’t think I’d be very good at surviving an apocalypse so I’d want some comfort in my last moments!

7. When making tea would you pour the milk or water in first?

I don’t like tea. I was a Barista in Starbucks though and I’d always do tea bag water then milk.

8. What is your favourite way to relax?

Curling up on the sofa with a good book, a blanket and snacks. I can waste away many an hour with a good book!

9. If you could interview any human, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you ask?

Argh this is such a tough question! I think I’d quite like to interview Hitler. I’d want to ask him so many questions (about his ideology, both the time before and during World War II and of course about the atrocities under the Nazi regime) but the biggest one would have to be why?

10. What would be your dream job?

I thought my dream job was being a reporter (it wasn’t). I’d love to work for myself and maybe with my husband! I think we’d make a great team and could combine our joint skills to help train and advise people in all things media relations. I don’t know if we could work together though!

11. You’ve just won 10 million pounds (congratulations!), what 3 things would you do with the money?

Buy both sets of parents’ houses for their retirements and help our siblings too!

Buy myself a new car (sorry Fifi but I’d love air con a CD player and 5 doors!)

Go on an amazing holiday with my husband.

12. Where in the world would you most like to visit and why?

I’d always wanted to go to New York and the Caribbean and we did both for our honeymoon (previously visited New York when I was younger but there’s so much to see and do you can definitely visit multiple times).

I don’t love being cold so it would have to be somewhere hot. I wouldn’t mind as long as I could take some books and my husband I’d be happy with some sunshine!

13. What one thing would you change about yourself?

There’s too many things I’d want to change! If I could only choose one it would probably be my lack of self-confidence and belief which in turn impacts the way I react to criticism!

14. If you could play any part in a film, past or future, real or fiction, who would you be?

I’m not an actress by any means although my husband would probably tell you I can be a bit of a drama queen! There’s not a particular role or film that springs to mind but I’d like to play the part of a strong heroine who overcomes adversity in some way! I’d also like to not have to change my accent too so if she could be a Geordie as well that would be champion.

15. If there was a pill that would freeze you at your current age and you could live forever as you are now, would you take it? And why?

I wouldn’t want to live forever especially not if I would live without my family and friends. What a lonely existence. I think when it’s your time it’s your time. Also don’t love the way I look right now so unless that would change too I’d pass!

16. If you could trade lives with one person for an entire day who would it be and why?

Very interesting question! Probably Theresa May because I’d like to try to sort out the sorry state of the UK. I’d want to give more funds and support for our amazing NHS. I’d want to give workers more rights.

I’d try to put an end to the Universal Credit shambles and help those who are living on the breadline. I’d also want to try to stop the Brexit madness as well as a heap of other massive changes.

17. If you could time travel, where would you go?

I’m sure we’d all love to be able to spend more time with our loved ones who are no longer with us but I’d find it really difficult to choose who I could spend that little bit more time with!

I’m really interested in history and social changes too so I’d quite like to time travel to Henry VIIIs time and see what really went on with the wives and the splitting of the church. A momentous time in our history and I’d like to have watched it unfold.

18. If you were made Queen and allowed to pass one new law, what would it be, and why?

I’m not a big Royalist so controversially I’d probably try to dissolve our monarchy (please don’t put me in the Tower). I think the money spent on the Royal Family could be put to far better use paying for the NHS or helping those suffering in poverty within the UK.

I still think people could visit Buckingham Palace and the crown jewels etc without having the monarchy housed inside. We could also sell the other land and various expensive to maintain buildings “owned” by the Royals to raise funds for those who actually need it i.e. the sick, the dying and those in real poverty.

19. What personal trait has gotten you in the most trouble?

I’ve got a big mouth! I can’t stand people being picked on or seeing something I don’t agree with happening without me saying something to try to intervene. So yes my lack of tongue biting ability has got me in trouble many many times!

20. As a child, what did you wish to become when you grew up?

I wanted to be a teacher, writer or a journalist. I loved to read and write and tell stories and that’s what I wanted to do. Tell stories, help people and be nosey! After interviewing my grandad for a project at school about coal mining (he was a retired miner) that cemented my decision to want to become a journalist.

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Well that was a brain tickling interview don’t you agree? If you liked what you read head on over to Rachael’s blog, and follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest!

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Thank you again to Rachael for taking part in my Twenty Questions. If you would like to get involved do get in touch. Or if you fancy answering a question or two drop your thoughts in the comments!