ABOUT ME

I’m Jen, very lucky to say I’m married to a fabulous human and am a mummy to an almost 4 year old and a 9 month old, good job I love them as neither of them have been blessed with the ability to sleep. 

WHERE IS HOME?

Home for now is Dubai. Prior to that it was the north east coast, by Newcastle upon Tyne.

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE YOUNGER? 

I am one of those odd ones who never really knew what I wanted to do, I don’t think I ever had a true calling, I just wanted to be happy but I put the expectation on myself that I should be successful. Maybe I just haven’t found out yet.

WHAT DO YOU DO?

I am a florist who also does event management. Right now I’m on maternity leave, although you could just say lactation leave. I’m under no illusions that boobs and Ella’s pouches could be replaced.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ACTIVITY TO DO WITH YOUR CHILDREN?

My favourite activity to do with my kids is hide & seek. They hide. The end.

I’m also a big fan of doctors and nurses, I like to play the part of the patient in the bed (got to be realistic) and also ‘who can be the quietest mouse in the house’; admittedly I’m the most enthusiastic when it comes to these activities.

When all else fails we cook / bake and this is generally successful on account of there’s something to eat at the end.

HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR WEEKENDS?

I spend the first day wondering how all my friends back home are feeling working because it’s Friday and therefore not yet their weekend. 

When my husband is off, we like to have a bbq, he does everything and feels manly, I make potato salad, drink wine and direct. 

The current situation means our weekends are not necessarily as they would be. Ask me again in a month or two…

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE?

My husband has an inner Mark Kermode which means we watch a lot of high brow rubbish that ends without conclusion. So having never seen eye to eye on that front we still enjoy films together but have to be selective. 

For me, it’s got to be something from the 80s, which you watched on VHS (with celltape over the divot so you didn’t record over it) and ejected with a knife because your brother previously tried to toast bread in the hole. I’m torn, Flight of the Navigator or Labyrinth. Both excellent. Only one has Bowie in leggings. Unnecessarily. Once seen, never unseen.

IF YOU COULD EAT ONE MEAL FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Macaroni cheese.

WHO’S YOUR CELEBRITY CRUSH?

Tom Hardy. Let’s all just take a moment to enjoy that thought. You’re welcome

WHICH DESTINATION IS ON YOUR BUCKET LIST TO VISIT?

South Africa. It’s hard, I have a few places but seeing giraffes (my favourite), lions and elephants in their habitat would just be a dream.

WHAT’S YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE?

My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding. It. Is. Out. Of. This. World. And I hate reality TV.

IF YOU COULD HAVE A SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Not necessarily a superpower but I’d be Mary Poppins, she can do everything and she isn’t even a superhero. She can sing and she probably smells like cherries, even in the Dubai heat.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT LIVING IN DUBAI?

It’s pretty hot and I hate being cold. Other than that,I’ve been in lockdown for a large proportion of my time here. 

I think this is where you would normally insert *the best is yet to come*.