Life in Warrenpoint was … different. It was peaceful and the place was very scenic. My apartment windows overlooked the Carlingford Lough, the Mourne and Omeath Mountains. I saw rainbows every day.

Things were a lot slower than I was used to. Business was handled differently. People liked to take their time and even services were slower. People were very friendly and they would go out of their way to help someone. Strangers greeted each other on the streets and looked at each other eye-to-eye.

Working there was very laid back, but I was stuck with a pile of projects. I used to work at least 12 hours a day even during the weekends. At some point, I got too exhausted and my health suffered severely.

In January of 2003, I sent my resignation letter. I was too sick to go back to work and I didn't know what was wrong. I was bed-ridden and unable to do anything. My doctor diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia, and I took the remaining of the year to rest and get well.    » read next