Blogmas - Day 12 - Do You Still Believe In Santa?

Source: Pinterest

Ever since finding out the truth about Santa as a child, Christmas has never really been the same. It has slightly lost that excitement and belief of magic that we all had as children.

The first incidence where I almost believed that he wasn't real was when I was pretending to be asleep and I heard 'Santa' in my room carrying a bag of presents. I then heard the fella curse under his breathe as he tripped over my toys.... My room was a mess as a child. I was never told to clean it up, but I would do it myself as the clutter would get way out of hand. So at that instance I thought I had heard my Dad. But I let it slip from my mind, saying that it was impossible!

The actual moment where I found out the truth was when I was probably nine or ten.... I was old enough to be believing in magic. I had found the presents in the boot of my parents car. My heart was broken!

I was happy though with the school that I went to, with everyone made sure not to tell the other kids. I remember playing on with still believing just so my parents (Santa) would keep giving me gifts.

I miss getting excited with seeing Santa being on the tv and the announcement of him landing in Ireland. My dad would play jokes on me and my brother, where he would be stumping around in the attic, or he would get the ashes from the fire and splash them a little on the rug, implying that Santa had come down from the chimney. I remember thinking how funny it was seeing the bitten mince pie beside the empty glass. "Santa actually ate that!" I used to have my relatives always dressing up as Santa Clause. They knew how much I loved him! My aunt dressed up one year and knew I was with my mum and brother driving to my Grans house. I saw Santa in my Grans field, waving at us and strutting up the field again as though he was on a catwalk. Such a funny memory! 

Sometimes I think my brother would be excited just because I was. Strangely enough I think he had no idea what was going on. He just knew something good was gonna happen! Brothers huh!

When I spend Christmas Eve night with my Godmothers kids and my cousin, I get all hyped up, putting on my best "Santa's Coming" face. I just love to see them so excited. My aunt (dressed as Santa) also came into my house another year when my grandparents were visiting from the Caribbean. My granddad played Santa one year at the community centre but unfortunately lost his beard, so he opted for the dishcloth. Trust me the kids were extremely confused!

I remember my favourite Christmas gifts were a bike and some Harry Potter books. Mum knew how I kept getting complaints from my Primary school teacher saying that I would never return them. Then also I got a gift from my dad, when he drove me up with his cousin to visit my mum and brother in Dublin. He treated me to this little ugly monster of a teddy, Ferbie! He would kinda talk, but with a weird Stitch kind of voice. He made me laugh anyway up until where he annoyed me so much that I threw him in my wardrobe under all of my clothes and left him there. I still remember his voice in my wardrobe as I tried to sleep.... heehee. That Christmas memory will always stay with me. As me, my cousin and my dad drove home from Dublin, Ferbie on my lap and listening to "Driving Home For Christmas".

Deep down I do still believe in a little bit of magic. Sometimes I feel as though there's a spirit in the room or that I'm not alone. I feel as though there may be witches and wizards out there. I just get that magical belief feeling from time to time.

Let me know any stories ye may have about your Christmas memories.

Festive Feelings :: 10 :: Music Bringing Memories at Christmas Time!

Music makes everything even more special at Christmas.

I love how it brings memories of the times when I danced in the lounge area in my old house. Well it wasn't dancing, just spinning in circles to the music and had the heat from the range blaring at me.

I have many favourite tunes, but 'The Fairytale of New York' will always be my favourite. I love the traditional Irish instruments in the song. Even though it has plenty of swear words, it for me shows honesty. No mushy stuff. There are lots of ups and downs at Christmas. Fights about the dinner arrangements.

'Rocking Around The Christmas Tree' brings back memories of my dad cooking in the kitchen. 'Driving Home For Christmas' is the song I have a brief flashback to when I was little, sitting in the car, looking out at the Christmas lights on the streets in Dublin.

Even with the most more newish songs, like Michael Bubles, 'Santa Clause is Coming to Town', his voice is replaced with my friend Edel. I can always hear her singing it, with the twists in the songs melody. Music makes me happier. There's no song that gives me bad memories, which is one of the things that I love about music.

Since I've been alone these past few days, I've been listening to my new album 'Christmas at Downton Abbey'. It's been lovely. My favourite is 'In The Bleak Midwinter' by a wonderful, joyful choir. It reminds me of the time when I sang in an all girl choir recital in a hotel back in Ireland. My Gran, brother, mum and dad were all sitting in the crowd. It has always been a favourite of mine, especially as it was the first time I sang in front of a big crowd.

Are there any songs that mean something special to you? Do you feel that they can provide you with happy memories of Christmas?

Festive Feelings :: 6 :: Snow - Making Christmas Special!

Having snow at Christmas just makes everything so magical, especially in countries where it doesn't happen often.

This year, however, I would prefer for it to delay a bit, as my family are travelling by plane and I don't want any problems.

Back home in Ireland though, living in the countryside, it can be so pretty. The Christmases that do have the magical snowflakes are usually the ones I mostly remember. There is one Christmas in particular that I can remember from when I was really young (believed in Santa at this stage) and I woke up on Christmas Day and went into my brothers bedroom, which was right beside mine. I woke him up and looked out his window and saw how all of the fields were absolutely covered in a deep blanket of snow. Having that as a surprise made the day even more special. That Christmas I had my Harry Potter books, which was the best gift that Santa ever gave me. Me and my brother had other family over that Christmas as well and we all went out in the snow and had snowball fights on the road at the bottom of the hill. They were the Christmases that I miss the most. Where my family all got on well together and made an effort for the day.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels as though snow has a magical affect on people. It may cause a lot of damage and be pretty damn cold, but all year long it's the same thing. Rain, wind and sun. I'm just happy that I still have that loving memory of that one wonderful Christmas.

Source: WeHeartIt

Thankful Thursday | Black Friday, Vlogmas & Announcement on the 'Festive Feeling Tag'!

"Oh the weather outside is frightful

But the fire is so delightful

And since we've got no place to go

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!"

Source

A jolly hello to you and may I be the first to say Happy Christmas to you guys.

Today I was wished a happy Christmas by someone at work, making if feel as though the holiday has really begun.

The weather is cold. Oh so cold! Even my duvet coat isn't protecting me so much. I'm the old lady waiting at the bus stop with the hat, gloves, thermal socks and a flask. Preparation is key and I am not planning on getting sick! The best things that comes out of days like these, is getting home and having an excuse not to go out again. Blankets, comfy clothes, hot drinks and some peace.

Thankful Thursday

As I've previously stated, being prepared. I'm thankful for being sensible. About time management and taking care of myself. I truly want to get on well at work before Christmas Day.

Having to look forward to seeing my little cousin in the morning/ evening, and opening the advent calendars together. I'm surprised that I've lasted 4 days to be honest.

Being told that whenever I come into work I brighten someones day. Now that would make anyone smile!

Mince pies ~ and they're out of the press ladies & gents.

For having the memories of my Granddad of whom I had grown up with ~ I'm so glad that I have a good long memory, some memories good, some bad, but all of which that have made me the person today. It was he that got me interested into Irish traditional music and dance. I decided with music as I have no rhythm in my feet, heehee.

A bit of banter while hanging up the decorations at work and laughing at the fellas yelling (while holding hammers?) at Christmas trees, causing a fuse to go off and almost accidentally creating a fire hazard with one of the xmas decors... idiots!!

New Christmas PJs ~ a soft grey and pink nightgown and light blue slipper socks.

Having more good days than bad ~ there are people that rise at dawn and people that rise at night (go along the name as night owls). I was once a night owl, great times. Feels like a totally different universe when it's pitch black. But now I've become so used to my routine with waking up early for work and still allowing myself to get a healthy 8 hours of sleep. Sleep, exercise, eat healthy... feel good days!

Black Friday ~ a day where shopaholics don't have to feel ashamed with returning back home, to seeing their families roll their eyes as they sneak into the house with a million shopping bags. I almost bought myself a ginormous plasma television for University, it was oh so cheap my peeps! "Yes I do need a nice stapler for 30p"... trust me what I left with was super strange! I obviously went to the self help till. Ain't nobody gonna be judgin' what I bought!

And lastly I've been thankful for Tanya Burr and Jim Chapman's Vlogmas. Daily vlogs from the 1st of December until Christmas Eve. As well as the fun of opening up the advent calendars, vlogmas is something else to look forward to everyday. Plus even if your day wasn't that festive, they help you to get into the mood.

So I'm sure a lot of you already watch them, but just in case for those of you that are new...

Tanya Burr

Jim Chapman (EveryDayJim)

Also before you head off, just to inform you that I am partaking in my bestiest pal EdelBelle! 'Festive Feeling' Tag. For the 12 days of Christmas my true love said to me I will be sharing what I love about this season. She is welcoming everybody to join in this fun tag, so be sure to check out her blog to follow the rules. The date I have planned for the first post to go up will be on the 14th. So the final day will be Christmas Day.

Hope you guys will like it :)

Lots of luvin'

Thankful Thursday

Hello hello, to everyone out there in the whole wild wide world!

Apart from getting sick and having to work while being sick, my week went quite alright. Tuesday was the first night in a long time, where I slept happily and comfortably. I'm hoping to get news back on my blood tests tomorrow at the GP's, so here's hoping that I'm okay.

The week really had me drained. But there were times when I did feel ever so happy.

Thankful Thursday

Having the uncontrollable desire to sing 'Happy' - Pharrell Williams, with being asked out for drinks (personally I think the restaurant that I work in, should be a whore house! All the staff do is flirt with one another. But it does bring tears of laughter and joy to my donkey featured face.

Antibiotics - Doctors orders! Penicillin is what has been getting me back into shape! Not trying to advertise drugs here people, but it is in its way making me happy with reaching to a better recovery.

Playing peeka-boo and confessions at College - our canteen has been turned into some sort of timber boxes / plasterboard maze. It's fun with being able to jump out at complete strangers and to not be afraid that they'll come find you.

Midnight snapchats with my great friend Cillian. It's difficult to contain my laughter with the fella, from just a single picture.

Soccer Aid - my brothers commentary is funny to listen to. He questions himself, which is more entertaining than the match at times.

Carnivals, McDonalds & flat shoes.

Day time naps.

Coldplay & Ed Sheerans new albums - just unbelievable!

Graham Nortan & Coronation Street

Just think people, next Thursday will be my final Thankful Thursday post here in Britain until next September.

Thanks for reading sheepys,

My Holiday to Mauritius | Part 1 ( The Beaches)

It's taken me ages to sort out these pictures of my recent trip to Mauritius (Ile Maurice), over 400 of them. So I have planned out a series of parts, first up the beaches of Mauritius.

It was perhaps one of the most laziest, luxurious things to do. You just had to grab your kindle, your ipod and just lay down in the sun.

I had a routine with lying out, scorching to death, run into the sea/pool, bring camera while collecting shells on the beach.

As you can see, the ocean was so clear and the perfect shade of blue.

This beach was a private one, belonging to the Plantation Hotel.

It was a lovely hotel, with it's volleyball tournaments, pool parties and sega nights (Sega - Mauritian style dancing)

I loved this beach. We got to go paddling and got plenty of free drinks at the mini bar on the beach.  

There was a waterfall near the beach as well, along with men fishing along the stream. I thought this was a lovely little place, just to have some alone time. Very peaceful setting, don't you think?

This is one of the funniest things that my family does. We go to other other hotels that are beside ours. This one was just across the stream from the one we were staying at. If you can squint your eyes, you can see my little cousin wearing a shower cap. She likes being different! So you can imagine the embarrassment her mother had to face when she walked in that hotel.

There's a reason why I took this photo. In the water there was this family; young parents with a 2 year old daughter and a disabled 11 year old daughter. They were staying at the same hotel as us for the 2 nights. And every evening I would see them at dinner. At first all I could think of was, "Their relationship must be tested to the extreme point with having that much stress." But looking at them, they were so happy. The husband adored his 2 daughters and would give a quick peck on his wife's cheek as he would play with the 2 year old. One night the parents were out dancing, as though they were this new lovey-dovey couple. Even knowing the stress they were going through, I couldn't help but feel a somewhat envy from this family. It was their faith and optimism that really shined through their happiness.

I was just happy that they were like shadows in the ocean, so I could snap a quick shot of them. This picture of the family, out of the hundreds of pictures is a favourite of mine.

Having a sunset every evening made this time even more valuable. When in Hertfordshire am I ever going to get such a sunset like these again!

We went on a glass-bottom boat. Looking at all the fishies and corals. We even had a chance to go snorkeling, jumping from the boat and diving under.

My cousin and her dad collecting shells. It's one of the loves they share. Having a fascination for nature and life. Both share interests such as cooking and gardening as well. With my dad, it's music, music, movies, music, certain foods, history, chocolate, meat & potatoe pie, sci-fy movies and tv shows & music again.

My dream job would be a singer. My dads, a music manager. 

This was a little island 15 minutes from the east coast of Mauritius.

It was as though I had stepped into a dream. I'd never seen the sand so gold before, or the water so clear. It was as though there were diamonds in the water. Ooooh SPARKLY!

We brought back some starfish as well. All the time I was picturing the starfish from 'Finding Nemo', haahaa :) 

I have two more parts belonging to this holiday mini post series. This blog after all is for memories. And I'd love to share them with you.

I'm planning on doing the next post (Part 2) on the places I went to around Mauritius.

If any of you that have traveled, what was your favouite holiday and what were the highlights?

Cheers for reading,

My 21st Birthday | Fear of Age

This cake will last for ever. Enjoy it with a cup of tea.

My new watch

Hello everyone, it's been a LONG TIME!

I've been on a break, away in Mauritius and getting some last minute assignments done. Only 7 more weeks till I'm finished with College. And that will be the day I jump up in the air (in public) shouting for joy.

Saturday was my 21st birthday and honestly I've been repeating it to myself, 21, 21, 21!! And it just doesn't sound right! (In my head I'm Peter Pan)

Like come on! I actually don't feel like I've been alive for 21 years :D

Have I accomplished much? Well not really. Nothing in my mind that would categorise me as an adult. I don't live on my own, I can't drive, I choose NOT to drink! These things sound as though I'm afraid to grab life and lose myself within it. I've discovered more about myself over the last 3 years. The good and bad.

I'm meeting new people and figuring out what friendships really matter.

Why do we fear of growing old?

Responsibilities: As teenagers we depend so much on others, whether it's our parents or our teachers. We look at them for guidance. But now having to go to college and working at a part-time job I'm realising this is all for me. It's not like my parents can hand me over a degree.

I myself am afraid of failing. I've failed with so many things in my life, and it's all down to cowardice. I let myself believe that I was unlucky but the truth is I've never pushed myself to do the best I can.

My aim: Try my best!! It will be me crying at the end of the day if I don't give it my best shot. For instance this summer I want to learn properly how to drive. I dread the idea of me behind a wheel but sure I can't be any worse than my mother ;)

Caring for others: Letting ourselves care for others is hard because we fear of losing them. Whether they (putting it down bluntly) die or break ties in the relationship with you. My own personal problem is trusting someone. This also counts for not only new friends but family as well. There's members in my family that do not deserve my trust.

My aim: To let my hair down and just be myself! I appear so shy to others that they don't know the real me. My close friends know what I'm like (a complete nutter they say) but it took a long time to gain their trust. I simply just have to risk it, to risk my happiness, otherwise I will remain lonely for a very long time.

Purpose in life: Do we have an actual in purpose in life? Do we have a destiny? I at times used to believe I was put here on this planet for a reason, but not so much anymore. My life is so unpredictable. 2 years ago I never imagined myself to be living over here in England. Sometimes we fear that what is the point of us being here. When we're depressed or sad we feel afraid and angry at life. We fear that we may be moving on with life too fast or too slow.

My aim: Since my life is so unpredictable it scares the living day lights out of me. Will I get into Uni? Where will I be living next year? When will I ever be returning back to Ireland? Will I actually find a guy that will put up with all the bullcrap I carry? I just want to take one day at a time. Be happy when I can. If I get excited over something that is planned and then them plans are changed then I will be disappointed so... so from now on I will live in the moment.

So on to the happy moments of my 21st.

Well since the day before I had been awake for 44 hours (assignments my dear friends & lots of coffee that led me to shaking furiously in college) and working in the restaurant afterwards I decided to have a lie-in on my birthday. I got my first birthday wishes from my mum and a wonderful friend of mine Peachy (The randomness of unicorns) who is also a mother of two. They are truly such inspiring women that I hope one day I will be as an amazing mother as they are.

I relaxed for most of the day, giving myself a facial and watching my favourite shows. I believed no one in my house to remember it was my birthday. However, my aunt had planned a diversion. While I was giving my little cousin a bath and washing her hair, my aunt had decorated the house and my uncle had arrived back saying that they were taking me out for dinner. Chinese, my favourite food.

At night, while I was skyping my mum, dad and brother my cousin jumped out of the study room with a cake all lit up with sparklers. She had chosen the cake, the gifts and the decorations. She went with pink, which is hilarious, seeing as it's one of her favourite colours, not mine! Haaa!

My favourite pressie was this lovely, simple, sterling silver watch, with a little diamond inside.

One of the wonderful things was seeing some of my closest friends on facebook put up some pretty hilarious photos. Photos of which I didn't think they had. Embarrassing but in my opinion REMEMBERABLE!

Sadly I will have to wait to celebrate my birthday when I get back to Ireland. I never had an 18th birthday because I didn't want to celebrate it with my Granny being sick but dear mother is hoping to celebrate this milestone.

Does anyone else fear of becoming older? And why? What do you tell yourself that helps you realise that getting older is a gift in life?

Lots of love,

King's Cross, Baker Street & London Bridge

Hey Peoples :)

I've been meaning to put up this post for ages, but I don't have my laptop over here in England and its hard to get time to do it.

Well, this post is just a few photos of my last trip to London.

I revisited Covent Garden... seeing as it's a lovely place to just hang out for a while. The day was mostly done in a rush though, with seeing different places, so when I get back after Summer I'll be returning back here to Covent Garden, so I can take everything in.

London bridge was perhaps one of my favourite places to see. The bridge itself is beautiful, but I liked how I got sit down with my lunch on the lawn and take in the whole site. I was so lucky to get the marvellous weather as well. The blue sky made the city prettier, making the buildings pop out.

It's pretty impossible to get a 'normal' picture of my brother... takes after my Dad. I now see why there's no family pictures hung up around my house back in Ireland. We'd scare the guests.

This was my second time returning back to the 'Sherlock Holmes Museum' at Baker Street... heehee, but sadly there were no tickets on sale... the place was so busy. So I bought some little souvenirs and tried on some hats instead.

I'm sooooooo excited for the third season of 'sherlock'. Thank God for television :)

And what else can measure up to sherlock........ Uhhh.... Harry Potter of course. So me and my friends visited King's Cross Station. I felt like one of those scary fans.... "Ooh, that tower is from the second movie..." and then can you believe it, we almost missed the gift shop. I bought myself a Harry Potter key chain and 9 3/4 train ticket. I left the station feeling pretty great.

I feel stupid not knowing that I was standing behind Buckingham Palace... and it was the next site that was on our list. Might I say, I bloody hate the maps around the city. It's better to have one of your own i think.

I really liked this shot when I took it. There were so many cyclists around. And the lane itself gave a 'Pride & Prejudice' feel to it.

I hope you enjoyed these pics, and if you have any questions about where I visited, 

ask away.

Tomorrow I'm heading to the 'Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studios' in Watford. So if I get the time, I'll post up a blog about it.

Thanks for reading :D