Hello my lovelies, it's been too long!

 

I have to apologise for my lack of blog updates lately, I couldn't even really begin to explain the number of things I've been up to in the interlude, between a month ago and now, however there has certainly been a lot of stressing over university deadlines, health struggles, sun-coated days filled with happy memories and everyday turmolis. However I currently find myself at nearing the end of the academic year and thus the long Summer months loom tantalisingly close. As of yet I don't really have many plans other than a few training days, a concert in London and the possibility of doing some research into my dissertation before the Autumn. However I have no real idea as to how I'll pass the majority of the days between now and this time 4 months from now. In some respects its a blessing, so much free time, surely time to explore and enjoy myself? However as we all know life isn't always that straightforward and there are often obstructions in our path. Without sounding overly negative I have been anxious of those empty Summer days, when I'll no doubt be separated from my boy as I venture back to Ireland for a while. But I'm trying not to worry, I don't know why I do.

 

In honesty I'm not really sure what the point of this post is other than a brief update on my what's been present in my thoughts lately, that I felt the need to say hello again! So I'm if you've read this far and feel like you've wasted another minute of your life that could've been better spent, but this blog is a space for my thoughts as well as adventure and triumph and at the moment I might be lacking in enthusiasm and thus the rather pointless post. But sometimes you need a space to share and for the moment this is it, please try not to judge me on my last two posts. I'm not sure when or what my next post will be about, but in the meantime I hope all your weekends have been quite wonderful over the bank holiday weekend and that you enjoy yourselves to fullest where possible amongst these often stressful exam filled months.

 

Peace & Love til' next time!

Back to Basics

In today's modern world of social media, trends and 24/7 television, it is all too easy to become tranquilised by the ever-evolving media culture and suddenly you can find yourself unhappy, chasing false impressions and try to match your lifestyle to those who appear better off for whatever reason/s. This is why as of today I am taking a back-to-basics approach on my lifestyle choice, less influence on the lifestyle of those around me, instead focusing in on the simple pleasures of my own.

 

There are several daunting subjects on my mind at the moment, grown-up realities which have to be faced. I've always been a worrier, so I am trying now to rational more and things one day at a time. There is no point to bogging myself down to the point where I end up getting nowhere fast, with nothing any further solved and my health in a state of disrepair. So from now on it's the slow and steady approach, I'm trying to concentrate on the positives whilst I gradually deal with the scarier prospects of my future, I don't want to waste time unnecessarily feeling depressed.

 

Currently I am trying to vary my diet a little more and trying to engage in new healthy alternatives to my usual budgetary reliant diet of pasta and takeaway cups. It's all too easy when you're at uni and have lots of deadlines and are always on your feet, to then come home and stick a ready meal on for 3 minutes in the microwave. Realistically that'll still happen every so often, but with the Summer months ahead I am certainly more conscious of my diet and how it needs to change.

 

It may be cliche' but' healthy body = healthy mind' = my aim.

 

Here's to going back to basics and making the most of the newly dawned sunshine, hurrah!

 

Peace & Love til' next time!

 

 

 

 

 

Relaxation, Recuperation & Revision

Hello all, it has been a while since we last spoke and so I felt the need to post up a little update on life's progress of late. I have currently returned to Ireland for the Easter break, leaving my beloved boy behind in Wales whilst I have flown off to spend some much sought-after time with my family.

 

 I flew back early on Easter Sunday, arriving back just in time for a lovely Sunday Roast whipped up by my uncle for us all, before I joined my younger siblings for a good old Easter Egg Hunt out in the sunshine of my cousins' garden. At nearly 22 years of age I can add that you are never too old to find a chocolate egg gifted to you from those you love.

 

Whilst it has been nice to have a little recuperation over the past few days, it is now time to get back to the business of looming university deadlines. Whilst I want to enjoy my stay at home, the work won't go away and so I need to keep a level-head about how much time to deliver to each.

 

 On Easter Monday I made a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the buzzing seaside resort and made the drive south of the border to the wilds of rural Ireland and the mountainess regions of County Donegal. It all started with a small helping of a traditional Ulster Fry-up on the road, before a drive towards Derry where we crossed the border and hit-up an old-style American diner at the road-side for a morning coffee. However I opted for the sweeter option of a hot-chocolate with marshmallows and cream. Then we continued our drive along the Wild Atlantic Way, taking us along the scenic route through the mountains and hills of the northern-most region and then out along the rugged coastline that proves the jewel in the county's crown.

 

 We stopped for a bite to eat in a quaint little café, I browsed the craft shop across the road an tried to locate the dying art of the postcard which with regret proved unsuccessful. What's wrong with a good old fashioned picture-postcard via post!? Anyhow we then made toward the beach which to my surprise sat beyond expectation. A little rural fisherman's cottage adorned one end of the golden strand, whilst looking out into the water you caught the most stunning scenic views of the forest park located at the foothill of the valleys which surrounded the base of the over-looking mountain. It looked sublime. It honestly still surprises me how tropical this small isle can look against the surrounds of the often unforgiving Atlantic Ocean.

 

 Yesterday was a little more casual as I fired off a few work related emails and enjoyed a coffee with my mother in our hometown by the sea. It was nice to have a catch-up before I headed off again to spend an easy evening in-front of the TV for the remainder of the evening. I think I'd forgotten just how nice it could be to watch something spontaneously on an actual TV screen, as opposed to hunting down something on demand from my laptop when I find the time.

 

How have you been spending your Easter break? I hope regardless that you've all had hippy-hoppy Easter fun in some form!

 

Peace & Love til' next time.

Spring has arrived! Catch-up.

Hello one and all! I can only apologise for my vacancy about here lately, I had several posts scheduled after Valentine's weekend, however they unfortunately got lost in the chaos and as life has remained as such, have never been re-instated. The past month has been a total whirlwind which has brought with it many highs and a few lows, but it's been a mostly positive time, yay!

 

..........

 

Valentine's weekend was a stay-at home this year, however me and my man did manage a lovely little venture into the Cotswolds for a couple of hours, where we enjoyed afternoon tea in the quaintest and cosiest tea room in Frome. Then we had a quick evening gander around Bradford-Upon Avon, after which point we headed back to Bath. My man made some pasta and brought out a bottle of rose' and we dined alfresco ala, student digs and indulged in some feel-good TV.

 

 

 

 

 

The following weekend we spent 48 in Portugal, which whilst whistle-stop, was still an enjoyed mini-break abroad. Random not for anyone visiting Lisbon, the staff in the Hard-Rock café are ultra friendly! The colourful architecture of the city dazzled me and I would highly-recommend a hike up to the Sao Jorge Castle for stunning views over the city from the beautiful open plan courtyard.

 

 

 

Then I returned to uni life, ran in the students elections, which was a fun but stressful week! However it ended it happy tears this year, unlike last, as I won both my positions for the forthcoming year, so there are some exciting times ahead. I've had several hand-ins lately as well and have been busy juggling extra-curricular activities as well, but finally there is a bit of a lull as we approach Easter, hurrah.

 

Sadly this has meant that there hasn't been all that much down-time or exploring of late, so I'm now hoping to make the most of the quieter period between now and the middle of April.

 

Also it would seem that the sun has finally arrived, even it it has remained continually cold at the same time. So happy Spring my lovelies, I hope March has been treating you well! 

 

 

Peace & Love until next time!

Flight & Falls of February

Just over a week in and February has already seen a mixture of ups and downs. Whilst I have many reasons to be appreciative, optimistic and joyous, I've somehow found myself lurking amongst darker thoughts with depression kicking in at impromptu moments. Many are prone to low moods throughout the Winter season, however I fear mine is not so much to do with the climate as opposed to issues I've long been dealing with and are finally becoming overwhelming. I t seems to be a bit of a recurring thing with me to be honest; every time I seem to be making pretty good progress, suddenly I feel almost swamped by anxiety and my mind works overtime on simple things that shouldn't be an issue at all. It's times like these when the littlest of gestures can help raise a smile again if only for a moment. Such gestures have occurred a few times this past week and to those people I am very grateful. My byf also deserves a special mention for putting up with me throughout these difficulties - which are often unpredictable, elongated and unusual, he really is a star, in the best meaning.

 

 

Luckily I have a week off from uni next week and so hopefully things will ease slightly, and perhaps I can catch up on some rest and relaxation. Here's hoping!

 

On a more positive note, here are 5 reasons I'm thankful this week...

 

1. Conquering my initial fears and completing my D.O.E hike at the start of the month.

2. All the kind words and actions of strangers and friends alike.

3. Hot Chocolate dates and cwtches with my boy.

4. Having an article published front page and having others lined-up for publication in future.

5. The prospect of a weekend break abroad in a couple of weeks.

 

 

Peace & Love til' next time

Wild Winter Walks in Wales

This weekend was the most wonderful retreat away from city living as I got a true taste of the great outdoors. Saturday consisted of a practice navigation around part of the Gower Peninsula in Wales.

 

 

Whilst I like exploring out in the wild, I can admit that navigation isn't my strong point, and whilst I knew the forecast wasn't great, I hadn't quite prepared myself for the elements we'd face when we reached the cliff edge and eventually the summit. In honesty I leapt at a rock due to the high gale at one point to act as a wind-breaker. Yeah, not cool. However my partner coaxed me into reaching shelter further on round the path and on reaching the trig point we gained a little breather.

 

 

The trek descending was respectively safer and I was glad to be walking the path more comfortably aware of this. Despite the cloud and the winds, it was good prep for the following day which would prove ultimately more challenging in many respects, but equally exciting and far more rewarding.

 

Day 2 was the purpose for the quick trial along the coast, as I prepared myself to assist in leading a Gold level Duke of Ed. group around the wild and varied terrains of the Brecon Beacons. Snow however was forecast and such an effect was this that, as expected, it altered our plans and so we'd be taking to Gower once again but for a much longer and testing endurance. (I should note here that I never managed to do my Duke of Ed. award, nor have qualified as a leader, but it's always been a dream and with some kind assistance I was allowed to participate with helping out)

 

It was an early start, leaving on very little sleep, which isn't really an ideal recipe as one might expect for such an active day on the horizon. Never the less all went ahead and despite feeling a little uneasy on the journey out, the day started rather well and everyone I met seemed friendly enough.

 

Wild Mountain Horses

 

I was one of three leaders assisting half-a dozen young guys who it turned out were completely mental athletes, they were half way down a hill before we were half way up it and as a consequence we frequently lost sight of them throughout the duration. Although a certain level of fitness is required regardless, these adolescents were certainly keeping us quickening our paces and whilst some of the summit climbs proved gruelling the views from the top, even half way up were stunning

 

 

 

 

All round it was a terrific day and a wonderful experience, which I was truly quite privileged to be invited to be a part of. the D.O.E teams were like an extended family unit and were kind to have a new face joining the troops. From my taster day it is something I am certainly considering pursuing further in the future.

 

 

 

 

 

Love & Peace - til' next time!

Featuring on Sunny Sweet Pea

This month I've been trying to get my blog out there a little by promoting in the sidebar of one of my favourite bloggers Sunny Sweet Pea. As part of the package she posts a lovely postcard paragraph on your blog and I am truly delighted to have been privileged with such a lovely little space on Jenny's blog and what a lovely message from her too. Seeing this has just spurred me on further to try and make a success of my blog and keep updating it when and where I can.

The Lost Girl’s Playbook

Now it’s time to introduce you to the lovely Jenna Rose. A fellow book worm and creative spirit, her blog is all shiny and new and it’s great to be able to welcome her to the blogging world. I am rather envious that she is doing a creative writing degree. If only I could turn back time and realise, before I got to uni, that I really don’t enjoy glaciers and rocks very much.

 

Post of the month: A history of writing – her writing story is both inspiring and impressive considering Jenna is just starting her degree. I may have to probe her for some publishing tips.

Bloglovin’ | Twitter   If you're reading, thanks Jenny!
 Love & Peace - til' next time!

New Term - New Plans

Hello all! I do apologise for the slight lack in posts this month, only starting back at uni has meant lots of assignments, deadlines and general busyness. However I'm going to take a little time aside to let you in on what I've been up to on my downtime.

 

Having stumbled across an Instagram post claiming that it was the last weekend to enjoy the cosy vicinity of the temporary, Apres Ski Lodge, I decided that it was a must-visit and coaxed the byf into joining me for a little tipple before dinner. It was pretty busy but we managed to catch a table beside the log-fire and contentedly sipped on our Prosecco whilst we chatted and giggled about surprise vacations, impromptu wedding talk (although we are certainly not planning on hearing bells of the sort anytime soon) and general daily nonsense, small-talk etc. Although small, the atmosphere was lovely and welcoming, banter was being had and drinks were enjoyed under roof of the wooden alpine themed chalet.

 

 

Slightly loved-up and a little high on the fizz, together we decided to treat ourselves and go all out and so went to dine in the gorgeous retro interior of The Cosy Club. With it being a weekend it was understandably busy and some waited for table whilst I was handed a little more Prosecco. The byf was being unusually frivolous and I had to question if the pair of us had gone crazy. However I wasn't going to deny it was quite wonderful even if the beverages were going ever so-slightly to my head. Dinner was wonderful, the food was completely scrumptious and the conversation was rife. All in all it was a delightful evening of spontaneity and I was ever so thankful for it!

 

Mid-week came about and the moral was running low and so after the byf had finished his exams we took swiftly into town and took shine to visiting the quaint Georgian Tearooms. Having graced through the square many times on a frequent basis, we've many times talked about going but never quite got round to actually stepping through the door. Luckily being mid-week and two weeks into term, the place was practically deserted and so we were seated to the lullaby of Celine Dion's infamous track from 'Titanic', ordered afternoon tea and took a step back into another temporary world where work should not stress one out. It proved a rather lovely afternoon treat.

 

 

Then the fortnight was topped off with a weekend road-trip into Wales, lunching out, browsing round markets, visiting friends, several trips to MacDonalds, country walks and beach-side strolls eating fish n' chips - it was a much needed break away from looming deadlines and academic stress, the weather held-out and whilst it was frosty it was sunny and I'm so grateful for so many little things.

 

 

 

Hope January is going well for you all,

 

Love & Peace - til' next time!

 

 

 

A History of Writing

Ever since I was a spritely young thing I have been intrigued by storytelling, imagery and the written word. So with this in mind and my continuing obsession with purchasing an unnecessary amount of pretty notebooks and pens any time I'm let loose near a stationary shop, I think it's fair to say it should have been predicted that writing would shape my life as I ventured through my teenage years - as it did, being-schooled as I sat my GCSE's I would spend a good majority of any spare time writing in notebooks or typing for hours on our old-school computer. In-time it paid off, I managed to successfully find some of my works published in a few mainstream and lesser known publications. Keen on television also, I wrote my own stories with my  favourite fictional characters and on a punt sent off some ideas to a series in Australia, and as it turned out I got a rather, albeit brief, but positive response. This only spurred my desires further and I made a decision to study TV & Film Production at college as an alternative to sitting my A-levels.

 

The next four years proved a transformation period as my skills as a writer were tested in various forms, I gained great moments of inspiration and lacked to write anything of worth at all on other occasions, I wrote two short drama scripts and even wrote a few drafts of my very first novel courtesy of NaNoWriMo. I gained a few more published credits, received a few rejection letters, completed my course with flying colours and gained a couple weeks of work experience with a company or two. I'd been accepted to study Creative Writing with Publishing in my university of choice and quite frankly things couldn't have proved much more positive on a career front.



Since starting my degree my writing progress has been undeniably varied with various high and low points, my genres of and styles have varied as they should do, but ultimately I've been a little disappointed that I haven't created or achieved more in this time. Although that said I did manage to finally get a rather big dream off the ground - I managed to create my very own magazine from scratch and am now close to publishing my second issue with contributors as far as America taking part, it's truly wonderful and a lot of people have been very kind and positive which is always so encouraging, although needless to say it is very hard work on top of a joint honours degree!



Little Ivy Magazine

Aside from the magazine however since starting university I haven't exactly had much published, until a very lovely email arrived in my inbox yesterday. At first I looked at it with intrepidation, thinking I don't really want to read another potential rejection, however I turned out to very pleasantly surprised. Turns out a poem I wrote during my degree has been selected to feature in Whim Magazine's February issue, which as a fan I am absolutely delighted about :)



Love & Peace - til' next time!

Happy New Year - Welcome 2015!

 

photo courtesy of messagesquotes.com

Love & Peace - til' next time!