Summer is at an End!

Summer is at an end and Autumn has finally arrived. Wholly jumpers, cosy socks and and hot chocolates are few of the magical things that this chilly season brings to my life.

I spent these past 5 weeks in Ireland, being at home in the countryside, just being where everything is familiar and relaxing. I think that with living in England it's difficult to use my spare time with writing blogs. Life seems to move so fast over there. Peace is THE hardest thing to get in Canterbury. Living with other students that come from big/ loud families (whether that's normal or not I do not know) is not what I'm used to but I myself grew up with my gran who was a quiet, shy person. There would be a lot of silence in the house which I loved. It was usually that time I read, wrote in my journals, slept, watched musicals while having tea and cake.

This summer wasn't anything too special but at the same time I'm glad nothing bad came out of it either. I was lucky to have my family, friends and neighbors. It wasn't the warmest of summers, so there were a lot of days with having the excuse of staying indoors watching movies, baking and playing the piano.

The highlights this summer were the days that I spent at the beach and hanging out with my mum in cafés after a long day of shopping.

So, seeing as this is a catchup, lifestyle post here is the usual photos of my days at the beach.

The sea breeze really does make a lovely change to the disgusting city polluted air that I walk around everyday. Summer wouldn't be summer if not having spent a day at the beach.

Queen Medb (old Irish way of spelling Maeve) was the warrior queen of Connacht, her home being in Rathcroghan, situated in the western Provence of Ireland.  It is said that her father was king of Connacht before becoming High King of Ireland and she became ruler of Connacht after him.  She had five husbands, and ruled for over 60 years.  She was also said to be the reason her husbands became kings, that to be the ruler of Connacht they had to be 'married to Medb' as in married to the land. The first mention of Medb is in the Cave of Cruachan, Oweynagat (in Rathcroghan), in the form of an Ogham inscription on the lintel stone placed in the cave during the 4th or 5th century CE. She appears in much of the literature of early Ireland, and our most famous, epic literary tale, the Táin Bó Cuilnge (Cattle Raid of Cooley) revolves around her, despite being known as the Ulster Cycle. Medb was a woman of her time. Under the Brehon Laws of ancient Ireland women had equality with men, they had the power to raise their own armies, hold their own property, participate in the court system as lawyers and judges, as well as pick their own partners. Marriage was a contract not a sacrament and so could last as long, or as short as the couple wished. 20 years or an afternoon. 

Historically, she would have lived sometime around the years 50 BCE - 50 CE, if she existed as a real flesh and blood queen.  And that is the question - was she real?

To me as a child I believed she existed. The Táin Bó Cuilnge story and Cath Boinde (the Battle of the Boyne)was perhaps 70% of our history module that we did in Primary School, which is funny to think about having spent 8 years there.

Naturally there was cake and some sort of refreshment. I knew this would be my final journey to Shells Café (Funeral March comes in) so I opted for the homemade gluten free chocolate cake and iced tea.

I hope everyone had a more exciting summer than I did. Sometimes I wonder will I ever have those amazing summers like I had when I was younger. The days were hotter, happier and a lot more laid back.

Cheers for reading,

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 1st Bloganniversary (5th May)

 "I want to thank my Mom, my dad, my pet rabbit Robert, the gardener-------" *Exaggerated crying with a microphone*

Well guys it's actually been a full year since I wrote my 1st blog. I can remember that day so well. My friend Edel had urged me to start one *real lame attempt of a cowgirl* and boooooy was she right!

Life has changed so much since last May. I was living in Galway, in the west of Ireland and I was in a course that was full of lads (nothing bad there every girl says). But since September I've been living in England in a class full of girls. Slight bit of a difference.

What do I enjoy most about blogging?

I have gotten on so well with many different bloggers from all over the world. Each having something about themselves that I can relate to. Lifestyle, beauty & fashion, even travel. I've taken my blog as a diary. I do write a journal but difference with a blog is people get to read it (scary somewhat)

Since September I've only been putting up posts that I know will suffice. But now it's been a year and I realise I have a lot to catch up on. I have two more assignments to finish. And hopefully I will REALLY PUSH MYSELF! To start some new exciting blog posts. My inspiration comes from the amazing bloggers I follow. I've seen their confidence soar and this gives me so much joy in how much they've accomplished with themselves.

What's next for 'The Giggles of Life'?

Well I've been thinking of some ideas, but please, any of you that do know me and have a sense in what interests I have, please let me know :)

Monthly favourites:

I had infact given this a chance last September but wasn't sure how confident I was with it. So maybe I'll be willing to give it another go.

Sit down Saturday:

This was only an idea I thought of a while back. Once a week, on a Saturday, I could just have a chat with you, on what's on my mind. It could relate to anything, life, fashion/media, movies, books, whatever it is I'll be looking for ideas on what to discuss.

Season style Album:

I LOVE fashion and beauty, so it only makes sense that I combine the two together and organise a post series with it. Each season I would give you a few examples into the outfits that I would wear.

Advice for new bloggers?

 - Relax and be yourself. Don't try to be like some blogger you idolise. You want people to relate to you not BE you!

- Keep to a consistent plan on when to publish your posts. Trust me on this. This is the only way on getting people to follow your blog. This allows them to know that you're not a waste of time, that you will write posts on a weekly/monthly basis.

- Add your original touch to it. You want your blog to be eye catching whether in the photos or in your writing style.

- Connect with others. This can easily be done with emails, twitter, instagram, pinterest, etc. It's a great way in advertising your blog and reaching out to people that you never expected to speak to. People that have the same interests you do or are going through similar difficulties that you are facing.

What I got up to

So on the day of my actual bloganniversay, it was a bank holiday so what best to do than to take a brisk walk in the sunshine.

I never knew there were little woodland pathways right beside where I live. So I have no reason to say no to jogging anymore. I dislike jogging with my headphones in, with being so close to the main road you see.

So from now I have a lovely quiet area to go to.

Today, I had a lovely morning with walking through the park, lighting a few candles in church, getting my free cappocino in Waitrose with a fruit salad and then meeting my lovely Peachy pal for some breakfast. We got ourselves some pastries to bring along with us to College. I myself chose a cinnamon danish twist, Mmmmm, tasty and well Peachy chose some paracetamol with her chocolate, hazelnut croissant, strange combo I must say.

I spent the day laughing mostly. Firstly, there was a fire alarm. I was packing away my things in the library, with the librarian telling me it wasn't a drill, Haahaa! I decided to leave my work (not fully finished yet, due in today) hoping that if there was a fire it would shrivel up and be gone forever. No need for the whole 'my fish ate my homework' excuse... fish, dog, whatever!
I then bought myself a little cupcake for my little special occasion on celebrating my 1st bloganniversary.

After legging it out with my friends from College, hiding from a certain tutor (not in the least way bothered to finish her work) I got home to organise some wonderful flights. Yes that's right Mauritius was simply not enough. What could be better than 3 weeks in Mauritius, I'll tell you, 22 hours in Dublin, along with 5 days in Edinburgh.

 These plans may sound silly/daft/WHAT THE HELL LIKE! but I just want to step on Ireland soil again and kiss the ground. So, silly plan being, on the 24th of June I will be going to Dublin, staying the night with my Dad in the Capitol, have my Mum, brother Aran and bestest pal Edel meet us the next day to go to the airport AGAIN! Reason being, that we will ALL be traveling to Edinburgh to visit by grand-parents, aunts and cousin. It will be 5 days of awesome and plus I get to practice my Scottish accent again.

I chose this silly way of getting to Edinburgh because the funny thing is, the plane ticket to Dublin and there, is cheaper than the train ticket from London.

What a year guys.
I hope that I have scared you a little with my weirdness. That way I make great friends.

Thank you all to everyone that has followed my blog up until now, I will try my best to keep you interested and entertained.

Love you all lots and lots like jelly tots,