MOVING OUT

I am moving out soon and I am so excited! It will probably be around end of March so it ends up being in the school holidays where we will have two weeks off for Easter. 

People usually have their first experience of living away from home at uni where they go to a University that is far from home and move out to live with friends and have the student life. I went to a Uni in London as I didn't want to move out. At that time I thought that was the right thing for me to do... I mean I still think I chose the right option but I do wonder if I would be more independent if I moved out and not rely on my parents so much.

When I thought of moving out, I was like yes I want to live with Alex, and all that stood in my way was the financial aspect of moving out as it usually is... so now I am finally ready.  I have the funds (just about) and I just have to wait for the end of March and the perfect flat... BUT... there was one thing I didn't think of and that was the emotional side of it.

Oh how I didn't expect that at all.. don't get me wrong I want to move out and Alex waited until I was ready and I am probably more impatient at the whole situation compared to him but I just didn't think I would be too emotional over it.  The other week I was doing something and called my sisters to see what I had done... and after that I realised when I move out and I do something I won't be able my sisters to call and show. I will really miss that the most I think to have the freedom of seeing my sisters whenever I wanted and to do anything we wanted anytime. I will have to get used to always messaging my sisters or making sure we meet up and take time to catch up.

I know I will get used to it after a few months but I think initially I might be a tad homesick. Really though who knows how I will react until I actually move out and it happens.  All I know that is there is a lot of preparing and decisions to make and that some won't be easy. 

Right now I am trying to organise my room and chuck any unwanted bits and bobs I don't need/want. This is seeming to be a harder task that first imagined as I am a hoarder and I like to keep everything and anything. I cannot seem to throw anything away it all has some sort of meaning. I am trying to start of small and gradually get rid of bigger things but it is not working. All I have got rid of is the food magazines I have never used... I cut out the recipes I wanted... thrown away the rest!

I want to start packing soon because I have so much stuff but I don't know where to start... cardboard boxes are too expensive to buy so will need to find another option for this...good luck to me.
Pinterest is another app I keep going on to have house inspiration of how I can decorate it even though I won't be allowed to change much in the house in the decor section as we are only renting.. one day I can let my creativeness out aha.

BARCELONA

In July 2017, I went to Barcelona for 3 nights, 4 days.  We left really early on Sunday 23rd July.  Our flight was at 7.20am  so we had to be there by 5:20am. I always prefer earlier flights because you get to enjoy the day more and have a full day of exploring rather than get there at night and waste the day.  There was a slight delay at first because no one was there to give the plane a push but we managed to land early despite that.

Barcelona was very hot which was unexpected so when we dropped off our luggage we also changed our clothes into something more suitable. We headed to the Picasso Museum as we had booked a time slot specifically.  I loved learning about Picasso's life and how is art changed over time.  

After we headed onto Montjuic Castle via bus and gave the cable cars a miss because I am scared of heights. I said I would get the cable car down to make up for it.  While we were up there it started off with sun and clear skies but within the hour it changed suddenly and there were black clouds, vicious rain and thunder and lightening! Everyone was trying to seek cover under the roof bit of the castle just staring at the skies as the lightening was so visible. Alex and I must have been standing under there for about 30 minutes in a laughing fit because we couldn't believe it. As it had calmed down a little we decided to head back to the bus stop and get the bus back down- the cable cars were suspended in mid air as the lightening must have affected the electrics of it. So I am thankful I decided not to go on there because I would have not been very happy!

We went back to the area of our hotel and went to a restaurant near it which had tapas, it was really busy and vibrant so we thought we would try it out and it was delicious! We had an early night as the rain didn't really stop.

On the Second day we booked to see Casa Battlo which is some of Guadi's work.  It was so magical, we had this phone device which would show us what it would look like before and give us information about it. It was very interesting to hear why Gaudi decided to design it the way he did and I enjoyed walking all through the house.

As it was so hot we decided to go back to the hotel, put on our swim gear and head to the beach! It was so relaxing, hot and fun.  We put our stuff down near the sea so we could keep an eye on it and went into the sea which was sooo cold... but I was determined to stay in it for at least 20 minutes.  We had a little play around, splashing and paddling as I didn't want to go too far from our bags although sometimes we wondered off without even realising. We enjoyed a few hours there before drying off and walking in the sun around the sea. 

After we got ready for the evening, we headed towards the La Rambla's and ate in  the Barrio Gotico  area in a restaurant called Tobogan where we both had sangria and paella! Traditional Spanish food which was really good as I am very fussy and only like some paella but was very pleased with the service!  After we finished from there we headed back but took a pit stop to see the musical fountain that I desperately wanted to see but turned out the internet had misinformed me and the show wasn't everyday just Wednesday-Sunday, so I missed it by a day. Instead of walking back down we decided to head further up the hill and explore the massive building and area. It was beautiful once we reached the top, the views that we could see were spectacular! 

On Tuesday it was another early start as we had to be at the Sargrada Familia by 10.45. Coming up from the metro and turning around was an amazing experience. Even though there are works still being done to it, it is an amazing building. Another one of Gaudi's work, which makes it that much more special I think that he designed multiple buildings across the city. I loved walking around inside, the stainless glass windows were something else I could have stared at them for hours!! The architecture was interesting I loved learning about why the columns were there and that it was supposed to look like tree trunks with tree branches. Going up one of the towers was also included in our tickets... which was an experience and a half. As I mentioned I have a phobia of heights.. going up was okay we went in a lift and I assumed it was the same as going down... but oh boy how I was wrong. We walked through long windy passages which led onto little balconies overseeing different sides of the church- which included seeing scaffolding as they hadn't finished it yet. This was nice and doable as I made sure not to look down for too long and keep going on. Finally we came to the end of the passage and to a set of stairs where it spiralled down against the wall with a massive drop on the other side which you could see down. This set my anxiety off. To begin with we tried going walking back the otherway but it was too busy so there was only one way we could go and that was down.This was still a challenge as I could not bring myself to do it. I was literally crying. Luckily someone who was from New Zealand I think helped me down talking to me... I was literally holding Alex's' hand so tight but we all made it down safely.  

After we finished from there we went to Park Guell which was another of Gaudi's creations but we did not see the bit he created as the tickets were sold out but we walked around the rest of the park which was nice and worth looking around the greenery for a different scene. 

In the evening before eating we went up to a viewing point which was right by our hotel to see what the views were like from there and they were lovely.. not as spectaular but still pretty. From there we went to on to a bar/restaurant to try pintxos which is basically small snacks where you can order as many or as little as you like and usually is quite cheap. I was a bit wary as this place was a recommendation from Alex's friend but oh my even though it didn't look 5* from the outside, the food itself- which is what really matters- was delicious.. I want to go back 6 months later! As this was our  last chance to go down and visit the La Rambla's, we headed on before it came too late and walked through the street which was so full of atmosphere, souvenirs and tourists which I really liked. It was relaxing walking at my own pace taking my time, seeing all the food and eating stalls, souvenirs and restaurant places near by. All in all it was great last full day.

Wednesday finally came round and this was the earliest wake up at 6am as we had to be at park guell before 8am which is when you have to pay. We managed to get there before so got in for free and it was so beautiful, the views, the Gaudi style and the feeling of it all. It was so worth waking up that early to see it so peaceful. Before we left we had a chance to go visit the zoo which was nearby so we had a quick runaround of that which was fun and on the journey there and back we saw Arc De Triomf which was lovely. We headed back to the hotel to collect our luggage and made our way to the airport to catch our early evening flight which ended up also being delayed for 2 hours but we finally ended back home in London safe and sound.

What a great holiday :)

WHAT ARE RESOLUTIONS REALLY?

At the end of every year, the same things happen and people start to talk about resolutions that they want to achieve that next year but, half way through they can hardly remember yesterday- let alone their resolution.

Does this mean that everyone just says their resolution because everyone else is? If they didn't give one would they be socially excluded or frowned upon?

If resolutions are supposed to improve our lives- pouring it all over social media is making it more about showing their "followers" what they want to achieve rather than actually doing it.

I mean don't get me wrong I have been in the same position where I have had resolutions for the new year and then forgotten all about them but then that makes me think - what is the whole point of it?

For the last couple of years I have written in one of my notebooks, a few goals that I make up for myself in  late December that are achievable and it is linked to something I want to do.  Then throughout the year I will go back to this notebook and reflect on whether I have been doing anything towards these goals or whether I need to do more. At the end of the year about beginning of December I tick off which ones I have achieved and cross out the ones that I haven't. This way there is not as much pressure for me having to do it all at once.  I usually achieve most of them in one way or another but if I don't I usually just  transfer it to the next year. 

There is one goal I have put down for 3 years and have not achieved which is driving on the motorway, I have a massive fear but I want to start getting more confident and actually go on there so I can learn. Hopefully 2018 is my year for this goal. 


What are your opinions on resolutions? 

Do you have one? If so, please share!

A GREAT PRESENT IDEA FOR YOUR PARTNER

Last Valentines day I was in such a panic as I did not know what to get Alex that he hasn't already got and I wanted it to be special!! So where did I go do you say...... good old pinterest!! I searched and searched on there to find good ideas and finally found one!

The perfect gitft idea was...... a year of dates!  I loved this idea because I could plan out different things we like to do and other ideas that we say we would do but haven't done yet!! Another great part of this gift is that every months doesn't have to be money orientated, it could be simple things like a cosy day in watching disney movies ( or something that you and your  partner likes doing).

 HERE ARE MY ONES :

I put them in an envelope and stuck the Month on the top so he knew which one to open!

Here is what they were:

MARCH - I thought as we both love food so much we would go to a food and drink festival      which includes tickets to the Ideal Home Show too! We can chill out, have good food and have a wonder!

APRIL -  It is my turn to pick the movie- we can cuddle and watch a good film. Make sure    we have some goodies!

MAY - The month of your birthday! We are getting away for a night or two somewhere new     in the UK to explore!

JUNE - It's time for us to get our chef hats on and get creative in the kitchen to see what        delicious dishes we can come up with! Maybe we can have a competition...

JULY - We are now in summer a perfect time for a picnic! Pick one of our favourite parks      and we can go there, with our picnic food and enjoy ourselves.  

AUGUST -  It is time to go to the cinema... but not any old cinema... a everyman cinema! We can watch a good film like Spiderman as that is out in July!

SEPTEMBER - It is game night! Pick a few board games and we can play it out to see who      wins.

OCTOBER - For this months date, I thought we could go bowling and then play glow in the    dark mini golf! An old school kind of date that we both enjoy.

NOVEMBER -  As winter creeps in and it gets colder all we will want to do is stay in. This    month it is your turn too choose the movies we choose, snuggle up with good food and enjoy the film.

DECEMBER - A Netflix and relax kinda date! We can watch all episode of our favourite    shows, catch up and try new ones. Perfect when it is Christmas and have no  money!

JANUARY - To take us back to Marbella we are going to a salsa class and then tapas after to  celebrate and reminisce!

FEBRUARY -  We are going to book ourselves  a night in Manchester and go shopping in the  Old Trafford like we say we always  will!

The great thing about presents like these is that they can be made personal just for you and your partner to enjoy!

I hope this gave you inspiration for valentines day (like me), birthday, anniversary or just a general present giving.. ENJOY!

HOPES FOR 2018

I can't believe 2018 is approaching.. this year has gone so fast and has been a whirlwind!! 

I have experimented more with my fashion sense which is pleasing because I am usually very self conscious of what I wear and how it looks on me so I am glad that I am coming out of my comfort zone and trying new ideas.

Since the beginning of 2017 I have mentioned multiple times that I want to improve my make up  looks and  get better at applying it which I feel I have achieved because I have taught myself how to blend, pop, smudge and get the perfect looks. It does go wrong sometimes but it is all about trial and error which will take time and I am happy with what I have learnt already!

Overall 2017 was a good year for my fashion sense and make up looks.  In other terms it wasn't that great I lost a very close family member so it was a hard time for us all but we are getting there.

Here are my hopes for 2018:

- Become more adventurous in trying out different styles,
- Carry on trying out different make up looks,
- Learn to cook different foods and bake more,
- Move out of my house and in with Alex,
- Try and get away at least once even though I have no money due to saving for rent.

I hope 2018 is the year for me, I hope to overcome some personal fears and live my life to the fullest. It is going to be hard to save money and not to go out as much or buy anything but I really want to try and succeed in something.. I will do it. I need to do more positive thinking and less overthinking and worrying!


What are your hopes for 2018?