Penny Hooper's Blog, page 6

My RAF Cranwell experience – It’s beginning!

So, it’s that time of year that I am coming to the end of my Master’s Degree and I’m now in the process (as well as writing up my thesis) of finding a job!

For those of you who don’t know, RAF Cranwell is the first place you go (sometimes second, as a few had already done a P2 Presentation by then) when you apply for a position in the RAF.

Why did I apply to the RAF, I hear you ask? Well, for a number of reasons:

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(Image source: https://www.granthamjournal.co.uk/news/raf-college-cranwell-set-for-expansion-1-7746191/)

1. If you didn’t know already, I am completing a Master’s Degree at Cranfield University, this is located on the UK’s Defence Academy. I therefore have met a few that are either currently surving or have served in the Military; RAF, Navy and Army (from different countries too, and other people from different backgrounds, but that’s a different story!)

I had a conversation with a fellow coursemate a while ago about finding work after my Masters, and the RAF came up in conversation. I brushed off the idea, I didn’t like the idea of being stuck in a job I wasn’t too happy with for a few years. But after a chat, not only with my coursemate, but my other military friends/acquaintances, I realised there were a few advantages to working with the RAF.

2. 12 years service? At first I thought this was rough, I had to commit my life to the RAF for 12 years. But then someone said, “Yeah, but think of it as being guaranteed a job for 12 years!” I never thought of it that way before. But then, I thought, what if I get bored though? In that position?

3. Bored? But you don’t have to stay in that one position for those 12 years! As I’m a Military Noob, I had no idea that you could move about within the RAF (maybe even between services; Navy and Army). They have put you through training, you’re a valued assest they’d want to keep. Therefore, if the position I applied for wasn’t what I had hoped, I could move on to a different position!

4. What about the fitness and medical? This was another one of my concerns. I had images of having to be ripped, have muscles everywhere, and be able to stop a speeding car! (Okay, that last one was a slight over exaggeration!) But it turns out, the RAF isn’t as bad as I thought. I mean, yeah, if you’re a little overweight, it might not be, but they do have a 12 week training programme on their website you can follow. But I worked out that I was supposed to be able to run 2.4km in about 13 minutes. I walked 2.5km in 26 minutes. Yeah, pushups and all that, but that wasn’t a problem for me, I’ve done them before. But my medical, I wasn’t too sure about. I have depression and anxiety on my record, as well as heart issues (the tests came back clean) and a few other issues, but I was told by an ex-RAF friend that as long as I haven’t tried to kill myself I should be fine, and the others don’t seem like a massive issue.

5. Training. Lots of training. I mean yeah, this can be seen as a negative. Having to go through basic training, and then training for your specific role. But on the upside, you get training paid for. You can opt to learn a language, do specialise courses, learn to fly, and it’s all paid for!

6. Extra activities. No negative to start off on this one. This one really excited me. If you didn’t know, I’m a massive motor head (I like my cars!) and I found out RAF have a lot of different motorsport clubs – from rally to motorcross. Outside motorsport, they have their own bobsleigh, archery, skydiving, sailing, tennis. Then outside the sports, you have other activities you can do too, “scuba diving in the Red Sea, climbing in the Himalayas and kayaking the rivers of Canada” (I got that straight off https://www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment/social-sports-and-adventure)

7. Military discounts. Of course, another positive, you can get discount on a lot of things. Including discount on dominoes pizza (here’s a negative; not very good if you’re trying to stay fit and healthy!)

I realised as I got to this section that I was starting to think of more advantages to joining the RAF, but that wasn’t the reason for writing this… I was trying to write why I decided to apply for the RAF.

Of course, the main reason, not just the ‘advantages’ of joining the RAF I have already mentioned, was that after I finish my Masters Degree, I’m hoping to get into something like Intelligence, Analyst, or Data Science sort of role. And the RAF had an Intelligence Officer role that was paying REALLY well.

So, I applied.

The application was pretty easy. Fill out your educational details, work experience, the basics really. No compentency based questions (they will probably come later down the line, I imagine)

Not long after I submitted my application, I get an email to log into the portal as there is a new message. Excitedly I log in…. only to find that someone was just asking me for my GCSE results for English and Math (never mind I was completing a Masters Degree).

After supplying my GCSE English and Math results, I then get an email not long after saying that my details had been passed to the local ACIO (in Oxford). Looks like I got through stage one of the application already – I meet the entry requirements at least. I’m off to have a P2 presentation.

Next thing I know, I’m getting a phone call (granted, I missed this phone call and had to ring back while on a break from the lab) and I was being booked in for an Aptitude test (apparently that was first, not the P2 Presentation).

It was booked for the 6th of August! I was off to RAF Cranwell on the 5th of August, staying the night, doing an Aptitude test and then travelling home the same day!

But, not only is there a bit of a hickup with the travel there, but the test doesn’t go as well as I hoped.

Watch this space for the next part (decided to cut it up into chunks as it was getting long – and I’m hungry!), where I explain about the long day travelling, the Aptitude test (CBAT) and the journey home!

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Also, if you liked this, please do check out some of my other blog posts.

I walked the Salisbury Plain for charity (The HALO Trust – reducing landmines) – 34km!

Winning Earnesty Writer’s Award!

Dealing with low days

New Full Book Trailer! For Rose Garden Sanatorium

Rose Garden Sanatorium

 

 

Virtual Challenge

A while ago I mentioned I was going to do a virtual challenge, run through ‘Race at your pace’… well, it’s now July and I am still signing myself up to the challenges!

I have only been doing the walking challenges so far, but I hope to work my way up to the running and swimming. Maybe in the future I will do cycling too… when I have the money to get a pushbike. But so far I am happy with walking, as it encourages myself to get out and not be lazy staying in doors all day.

They’re relatively easy too, the website is pretty straight forward, you can submit your evidence through the website, you get email reminders but not too many (a half-way point and a submit your evidence email) and you can submit different types of evidence. Send in a screenshot of your fitbit app or other health app on your phone, or you can just simply keep tabs in a document and send that in. I had an old Windows Phone for a while where apps just didn’t work on it, so I would keep track using my (cheap) fitbit, taking photos of it after each night and then add it to my excel spreadsheet. Luckily now I have an old Samsung which is a little friendlier with apps and connected an app to my (cheap) fitbit.

There is a Swimming pool not far from me, and I’m starting to wonder if I should do a swimming challenge one… maybe I’ll do a running one first. Just to get out of the walking medals.

But I’d definately recommend the company. There are others too, which I am curious about, especially ‘The conqueror’, but right now I’m happy with Race at your pace.

Here’s the link for Race at your Pace: www.raceatyourpace.co.uk

Here are a few others (not reviewed, so don’t know what they’re like!):

Virtual Racing

Virtual Runner UK

The Conqueror

(the last one sounds interesting, as you can run/walk a certain distance that matches a length of a particular area, such as Hadrian’s Wall, Aples to Ocean, English Channel, etc. and the medals match these).

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P.s. Check out my website, it’s had a small update, and more updates will soon follow! Some big changes are going to happen soon!

thegirlwhowhispered.wixsite.com/pennyhooper

Also, check out my 34km walk I did for charity here!

 

Let’s get back on track!

Hi guys!

Dusting off the cobwebs on my blog (and website, and Twitter, and… everything, really!)

So, as I explained, I am currently completing a Master’s Degree and… wow, is it difficult! It’s been taking up so much of my time that I haven’t had chance to do anything in terms of writing, editing, marketing, etc. It’s crazy!

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But today I had my viva, and although I haven’t yet finished, hopefully I have freed up some time to get back to blogging, writing, editing, and updating everything!

It’s good to see that I’m still getting royalties, even though I have done next to no marketing what so ever. And come onto my WordPress in what feels like a few months to see I’m getting traffic through – even if it’s a little, it feels like it’s actually improved, even though I haven’t been blogging frequently.

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As I’m nearly the end of my Masters I’ve been really thinking about getting my own business up and running, selling my own work (see below for links to my two published books), doing a bit more freelance work.

I have also wanted to do a vlog or something similar… maybe branch out a little from writing, getting back into photoraphy, both landscape and architecture as well as modelling photography (I have plans of making a room into a photography room!)

And… I have plans for a new instagram account.. but this one will be a bit of fun.

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Of course, get back into writing and editing my two last books; Ender’s Love and Rose Garden Sanatorium!

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Here are the links to my books (in paperback):

It’s My Mistake

I fell in Love with a Psychopath

Here are the links to the e-book versions:

It’s My Mistake

I fell in Love with a Psychopath

Here are links to my social media:

Twitter

Instagram (going to have a revamp soon!)

 

 

 

 

 

The HALO Trust: Safe Steps – Challenge Complete!

A while ago I signed myself up for a charity walk with The HALO Trust, which involved a 34km walk along the Salisbury Plain Training area. The challenge (Safe Steps) was to help raise money (and awareness) to reduce landmines around the world.

https://www.halotrust.org/

On the 25th, myself and my partner completed it! (Pictures below)

…And were we regretting signing up for it at the end of the day! Sore from the waist down, blisters on our feets, sunburn because we both forgot suncream and weren’t expecting the sun to be that strong! And in much need of a cup of tea (or something stronger!)

But now that I have recovered (almost, still a bit of sunburn!), I am glad I completed it! It’s an amazing charity and we managed to raise ~£310 (also expecting another £30 soon!) in total.

I am a little disappointed we didn’t manage to raise the £500 total, but the £310-£340 is still a good chunk, and along with all the other walkers (505 in total), I am confident they managed to raise a decent amount on Saturday!

Now, here are some photos from the day! (Photos are my own, if you wish to use them, please get in touch!)

Fundraising to reduce landmines!

On the 25th of May, myself and a friend will be walking 35km through Salisbury Plain Training Area for the charity, The HALO Trust.

The HALO Trust support several projects, including landmine clearance, which will be the project we will be supporting.

As we both work/study on the UK’s Defence Academy, we are both invested in such a project, and are both excited to raise awareness and funds for such a great cause!

Our target is £500 for the two of us. However, we’d like to smash this target and raise as much as possible for all the good work The HALO Trust do around the world.

If you’re interested in helping this cause, please check out here:

https://www.gofundme.com/penny-and-liam039s-campaign-for-the-halo-trust

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I signed myself up to a Virtual Challenge!

I signed myself up for a virtual walking challenge today with Race at your Pace. It’s only a walking challenge, to get myself into the swing of things. Build up my fitness, as I my fitness went hugely downhill after a health scare last year. I need something to push me to get back out again, as there isn’t much to do around here other than go to a cafe… especially in the cold… and when you haven’t got a car!

I also am slightly curious to know how this will turn out… I’ve never done a virtual challenge before, and I only heard about it on a Facebook ad. I don’t tend to pay any attention to Facebook ads, they’re usually just full of *cough*crap*cough*. But I was curious to know what this Race at your Pace was.

I did a bit of research into other companies first, as there are a few. Some appear to raise money for charity, others are specifically for running challenges that you have to do in one lump (which I cannot do just yet), others hand out pretty cool medals, from unicorns to marvel medals! In the end I decided to stick with Race at your Pace.

https://www.raceatyourpace.co.uk/

Race at your Pace is a virtual challenge where you sign up to a challenge, select your target and you basically go out and walk/run/cycle/swim over that month to hit your selected target. You can split that running time up over the month. For example, if you signed up to a 50 mile running challenge, you can run one day, take a break, run the next day, and as long as you run 50 miles in that month, you met your target.

You submit your evidence by either taking a photo of your fitbit, your app on your phone, or the screen on your electric bike. Once you have completed your challenge, you get your medal (and a compression top if you go for that option too!)

It’s £10 for just the one challenge, £14 if you want the compression top as well.

And if you manage to complete your challenge, you get a medal posted to you!

This is what the February medals look like:

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I figured, my walk to the Base (where my University is) is a mile each way. That’s at least 2 miles in a day already. If I add that up to the month, that’s between 40-50 miles already.

Doesn’t sounds like a huge accomplishment, but I don’t go to university every day! This month along, I only have two modules, which run from the 21st until the end of the month. That’s only 20 miles.

So, if I sign myself up to a challenge, say I do a 50 mile challenge, that MAKES me walk at least 2 miles each day (not including weekends). Once I get myself into the habit of walking each day, I can up my limit. Say if I do a 50 mile challenge next month, in March I can up to it the 75 mile challenge, April up to the 100 mile, and I could even move onto the running challenges, swimming and cycling (although I’ll need to get myself a bike first!)

I’ll also get a cool collection of medals to show my achievements!

I’ll keep you guys updated on how I do. As January is nearly over, I only signed myself up to the 25 mile walking challenge this month, and I’ve only managed to record about 8 miles on my fitbit so far (its new, haven’t that long ago got it).

But I hope this challenge will encourage me to walk more!

Happy 3 Year Anniversary – Sorry I’ve been quiet!

Hey guys,

So, I logged into my Word Press account today with the intention of writing a post, seeing as my last post was Halloween, I figured I ought to write another one!

But I logged in and realised it’s my 3 year anniversary on Word Press today! Yay!

I much apologise for the lack of posts, if you have been following me on Word Press and/or on my social media sites, you’ll know I am completing a Master’s Degree at Cranfield in Forensic Investigation (specialising in Ballistics, Digital and Intelligence) and it is extremely demanding. That, and I finally have a social life again… it’s difficult to keep up with anything writing related. Although I have promised myself to get Rose Garden Sanatorium finished this year! Might even do a bit of editing today.

So? What’s new? Other than the string of reports I have to write for this Master’s Degree, I have managed to sell a few copies of my currently published books (in e-book format on Smashwords). Both were ‘accidentally’ put up for free on Smashwords, it was supposed to be a New Year sale, but on Smashwords, they were free… although I think on the other sites Smashwords put them up for sale, they weren’t free, so I did get a bit of money from the sales. I let it run anyway, as it’s nice to get some more readers and hopefully some new reviews!

They’re both currently on sale (e-book). It’s My Mistake is currently at $0.99 https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/744287

I Fell in Love with a Psychopath (e-book) is: $1.50: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/893044

If you’re more into paperbacks, then you can buy them both here:

It’s My Mistake: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Its-My-Mistake-Penny-Hooper/dp/1985376709/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

I Fell in Love with a Psychopath: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1722710365/

I also got a new review for I Fell in Love with a Psychopath, my first one on Amazon, and it’s a 5 star. Although the reviewer said “A fantastic 1st novel”, which isn’t true, it’s my second.

Halloween Special – Rose Garden Sanatorium Sneak-Peek

Prologue

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Sam Chaudhary

A large swarm of pigeons suddenly flew up in a panic, disturbing the long since settled dust. Their wings echoed as they clapped in the vastness as if they were applauding the perpetrator that spooked them. Most vanished out through the large hole in the roof. A few others nestled elsewhere; atop of an old door, or the other side of the room bobbing along the floor in fear.

They were originally hiding safely in a derelict building. A building that many years ago once held many people; doctors once walked around in white coats, holding patient records and stethoscopes hanging around their necks looking important. Nurses would have rushed around with bed pans and other equally rudimentary items, wearing aprons with large red crosses on them and with their hair pinned back into tight buns. Patients would be seen in straitjackets screaming at the top of their lungs when they were due for more sedatives.

The building now, however, was eerily silent—yet if you listened close enough you would swear you could hear a distance ghostly scream. There were scattered red bricks from the broken walls, broken windows boarded up from the outside and graffiti clinging helplessly on the peeling walls. It was obvious the building was no longer in use.

The pigeons made the boy jump as he walked into the open hall, he had accidentally spooked them while he side stepped past a weed, a bit of nature that had decided to reclaim the area, his foot knocked a loose brick which had caused a loud noise to echo. He stopped to regain his breath and slow his beating heart.

The boy was young, his round slightly tanned Asian face still had a hint of baby fat lingering in his cheeks and his short dark hair complimented his dark brown eyes. He stood holding the zipper on his jacket, close to where his beating heart sat pounding in his chest. His jacket was slightly dirty from months of use and not seeing the inside of a washing machine. It was his favourite and deemed lucky jacket, it was dark red with black trim around the collar and cuffs, contrasting with the blue in his jeans, which were slightly too long for his legs, evident from the fraying at the bottom, where his brand new Nike trainers would catch them when he walked.

It’s just an old building, he thought to himself, hoping to calm his nerves as he looked nervously around himself. There are no monsters! he added, sighing deeply.

He remembered what his mother would say to him every night when she would tuck him into bed. That was when he was younger, of course. He was far too big now to be tucked in at night. He was twelve and a half, thank you very much. But his mother’s sweet voice automatically filled his head; ‘Monsters aren’t real, beta,’ she would say. ‘Beta’ being the Hindi word for ‘son’. She would do that occasionally, adding in Hindi words into sentences, she didn’t want him to lose his Hindi roots.

After composing himself a little, feeling a little more confident no monsters were going to jump out and eat him, he decided to continue moving onwards and through the vastness of the open hall.

The quicker I get it, the quicker I can get out, he thought to himself as he climbed over a fallen wall, the broken red bricks threatening to pierce the skin on his legs.

He walked quietly and as quickly as possible to the other side of the hall to another corridor, the smell of urine potent in this part of the building. As he neared a door separating the hall from the corridor ahead, he also noticed another smell lingering in the air, yet he didn’t think much of it; he had a job to do.

The door, mould threatening to consume it from the bottom upwards, was leaning awkwardly against the corridor wall, one hinge still attached, the other not. Although he was sure his friend told him he’d have to open a door at the other end of the hall? Maybe it just fell down since his friend had been there?

The boy looked down the corridor to another door at the far end. The street light that was originally illuminating his way wasn’t reaching this far, but he could see the last door he needed to go through… he was nearly there.

He walked slowly, stepping over some broken glass and side-stepping past an old chair left discarded and lonely in the corridor, while feeling proud of himself for getting this far.

But something made him stop; a sound. He could hear someone muttering, and it was coming from that room beyond the door. He realised that strange smell was stronger here too. He certainly wasn’t imagining it. He couldn’t place what the smell was, but he knew it was some sort of incense, it reminded him of his Aunt Mysha.

He stood still for a few seconds, in panic. He knew if he ran away now, he’d have his friend telling him he was a wimp for not getting the item he was supposed to get; that damn brick. But if he stayed where he was, and whoever was on the other side of the door was a murderer or something, he’d be dead.

The muttering started to get louder as he stood there, the person was talking louder now, and the boy realised it was a woman’s voice. Spiked with curiosity, he couldn’t help but walk towards the door slowly and quietly. Maybe, if he got close enough, he could hear what she was saying.

The closer he got, the louder the voice got, but not just because he was getting nearer, she was getting louder. Now able to hear her, he started to realise that she was repeating something, although he could not work out what she was saying, she was speaking a foreign language. The only word he picked up was ‘mammon’ or something similar.

What is she doing? he thought. And what language is that?

He crept closer to the door, his curiosity getting the better of him. He was now right by the door, if he just peaked through the gap, he’d be able to see into the room. He could already see shadows dancing across the walls and floor, there was some kind of light and a waft of that strange incense smell too.

The boy shifted his weight slightly on one leg, so that he could peer round the corner of the door, the room slowly came into focus. There was indeed a woman; she was dressed in all black, had one hand up in the air as if she was waving to someone and the other held something burning. She was now shouting, which the boy was grateful for as he was worried she would have heard him by now otherwise.

He saw a brick laying in the middle of the room on the floor, it had a very delicate carving of a strange symbol on its side. It was the brick he was tasked to get. It was right next to strange criss-cross of white lines and circles markings on the floor, directly in front of the woman. He knew there was no chance he was going to be able to go in the room and get it without being noticed. But before he could turn around and leave the building empty-handed, a strange cloud like object started to form before the woman.

Transfixed on the sight, he watched as it swirled and swirled, getting bigger and bigger, until suddenly it somehow imploded and vanished. But it didn’t vanish into thin air, it vanished into a crack, a crack that had formed in thin air. The woman stopped shouting now, the room fell eerily silent. The boy found himself going rigid, not just out of terror, but worried about making a sound.

Suddenly, the crack started to open up from the other side, it was as if something was trying to come through, like a rip in fabric. But he could see the other side, where the room was beyond it, there was nothing there. The crack started to get wider and wider and a terrifying clawed red hand reached through. The boy’s eyes went wide and he held his breath as he saw the red hand tear the crack open up in one swift movement and the whole red body attached to the hand climbed through, horns, tail and black leathery wings included.

The boy let out a squeak of terror accidentally and covered his mouth with his hand, but it was too late, the monster and the woman turned round, both staring right at the boy, both with the same horrifying pitch black eyes.

Monsters were real.

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If you’d like to read some more, here is the link to WattPad: https://www.wattpad.com/…/124077410-rose-garden-sanatorium

P.S. This is the book that won the Earnesty Writer’s Awards Paranormal Genre.

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Halloween Special! 35% off my e-books!

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Both my e-books are 35% off! For one day only! Sale ends tomorrow!

Happy Halloween / Happy Samhain!

I fell in Love with a Psychopath: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/893044

It’s My Mistake: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/744287

If you’d prefer the paperback, you can get them both here:

I fell in love with a psychopath: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1722710365/

It’s My Mistake: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Its-My-Mistake-Penny-Hooper/dp/1985376709/

I won! I came first in the Earnesty Writer’s Awards 2018 Paranormal Genre!

I know this is a bit of old news, so those of you who follow me on my other platforms might have already known this… but I haven’t had the chance to write a blog post until now! (University has been really challenging the past few weeks, but luckily I have three weeks off now!)

Anyway… so, about a week ago I got a message on WattPad to say I won an award!

I won Number ONE in the Earnesty Writer’s Awards (best in the Paranormal Genre!)

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(This is the sticker they gave me)

I am super chuffed! They even asked me for an interview! I’m keeping my eyes open for it, but it doesn’t look like it’s been published yet! (Unless I’ve missed it, being so busy… which is more than likely!)

https://www.wattpad.com/637321744-earnesty-writer%27s-awards-2018-round-two-results-v/page/3

Feel free to read part of the story here: https://www.wattpad.com/story/124077410-rose-garden-sanatorium

I’m now off to finish editing it so I can publish it in paperback!