Canterbury | Roaming the city & a Uni interview

 Greetings bloggers from far and wide.

I myself got to travel to Canterbury last Friday. First time visiting Kent and it was a beautiful experience.

So at 5am I had to get ready to take a bus and two trains for Canterbury. Why all this effort you ask? Well I had a scary day ahead with tests and interviews. But thankfully I made it out alive. I met quite a good few people from Ireland and it was lovely talking about home and the weather (sounding more and more like my parents.)

I was interviewed by a version of an even smaller me... AND-I-AM-SMALL! And then by another lady who was dressed in her uniform, resembling Miranda Hart from 'Call the Midwife.'

I got the chance to get a tour of the campus. Their students union was in a complete different building, as well as their library, which was ginormous by the way.

We were so lucky to have a beautiful day for seeing Canterbury. It was very nerve wrecking though, that we were told 'after' the tour whether we got the interviews or not. It was as though they were teasing to those who didn't pass, "This is where you could have lived."

I said this to the interviewers and thankfully they giggled, otherwise --- *awkward*. Let's hope I got bonus points for making them laugh.

Interviews are such a stressful time. Why is it that some interviewers make it so difficult on the student. Some make you feel so anxious with even answering a simple question like what is the most challenging thing you've ever done? The student has to be honest, there's no other way around it.

These interviewers explained how they just wanted a chit chat and they did! Gratefully, I was been asked questions by the Miranda Hart twin. So at times I did feel as though I was talking to a celeb... Haaa!

Walking up the cute little lanes to the University was a lovely start to the day. I would walk by a dainty shop and remind myself that I would call in there later on.

When entering one side of the city I had to walk under this castle. Not how I usually walk into cities, but hey, I felt pretty royal... "Make way for Michaela, hopeful future Nursing student of Canterbury."

I only snapped a few photos because I felt as though I was the only tourist there. Like I took a picture of a stream and some guy from outside the pub probably thought "poor girl has never seen a stream before" or "she's had enough of the booze".

I just loved how both the old and new were joined together in this welcoming, homely city. It's as though they have every shop I love and have squeezed it in.

The door of this place just reminded me of Bilbo Baggins' house (Lord of the Rings reference... yes, I am a fan)

The 'Food & Craft Market' was just a place I didn't want to leave.

I loved how the centre it was in was so modern looking as well.

In this little shop, that contained food, jewelry, clothes, everything handmade, I bought a few little purchases for some friends.

Even though I didn't take any shots, I did make my way into 'Lush'. I bought my Mum a little something, just to make her smile in a surprised postage delivery to Ireland.

I love taking my camera around with me to new places I visit. I just love travelling. Come next week I will be taking gazillions of pictures of my time spent in Mauritius. My passport has arrived so I'm happy.

I can picture myself living here. It is situated pretty much around a lot of the countryside and me coming from Ireland well... it fits. The city itself reminded me of two towns we have back home, Galway and Westport. Brighton would be perhaps the closest I would compare it to, that most of you would get a general picture of.

If any of you have been to Canterbury and have come across any must-go-to shops please inform me in the comments. I will hopefully spend a day down there in the summer. It has sooooo many cafes and me sitting out there with a latte and wheel-barrow of shopping bags, well that image sounds perfect to me.

Also if any of you have been anywhere that's easy distance from London that's worth seeing, put that in the comments as well. I love discovering and experiencing new places.

Thank you so much guys for reading this post,

Lots of crazy giggly-lovin',

Thankful Thursday | Hang on to what makes you smile

"When you're Happy for No Reason, you bring happiness to your outer experiences rather than trying to extract happiness from them. You don't need to manipulate the world around you to try to make yourself happy. You live from happiness, rather than for happiness." 

- Marci Shimoff

So until I fall asleep it's still Thursday. This is the stubborn, tired me talking right now.

I've been looking at his laptop for ages, just trying to think what exactly I was grateful for this week. Not exactly a good thing when I've been staring at this screen for a few hours.

This week flew by, delighted for it, but I feel as though I don't want to rush through this time spent in London, thinking 'when will it be all over!'

I found at the beginning of the year that I was excited to get to college and dive straight in, but now things have changed. It's as though the curtain has been pulled and people are portrayed to as to whom they are.Which is perfectly fine, I don't ever want to change anyone, but to me, I've been left feeling a tad bit disappointed. You think you may know a person but when you discover that they don't carry the values that matter in a friendship, such as trust, loyalty, respect, understanding and kindness, then you feel as though that bond of friendship has been broken.

I'm lucky to have the people that are able to make me smile. Especially when it's a real, true smile.

What else made me smile this week?

- Purchases in Lush

- Cousins cuddles

- Work... that's right this was actually the highlight of the week! I must have been drugged!

- Cinema | 'A Long Way Down' (I want to find a friend like Jesse... amazing character)

- Blaring my guitar while having the house to myself

- Fish & chips

- Waitrose card | Muh free hot drinks... cos it matters!

- Exclamation marks (some reason they make me smile) !!!!!!!!!!!

- Hot water bottles are baaaaaack.

I'm seen like a total idiot singing "Mr. Sun, please shine down on me" everyday waiting for the bus. Then just getting on the bus extremely p***ed off! "FINE.... BE THAT WAY!"

- Cocoa Butter Formula

- Skype | Feeling grateful for having a bestie like I do. Don't know what I'd do without Edel. Even with the Irish Sea between us, we're close.

- My parents | For telling me not to worry about the simple things in life and knowing that I can depend on them for anything

- The Voice | When Jermain Jackman starts singing, that's it, I'm just in awe. We need more singers like him.

- Having toes ;)

What would I do if I didn't have them? Well first off I wouldn't be able to paint them... tres harsh! Oh yeah.... and walk, that would be the second problem

- Naps with listening to music

- Little moustache eraser, gift from my British rum chum (the rubber however is dangerous... it smells great and it's sharp) Peachy... you have explaining to do!

- Having amazing, wise tutors | 'The pirate' and 'Jezer'! Obviously no names will be mentioned, but judging from their nicknames, one is a more gangser type Captain Jack Sparrow. And the other is our classes Jeremy Kyle. Feel blessed to have their wisdom, knowledge and humour

- Rimmel Match Perfection foundation

Ladies and gents do let me know on what made you smile this week.

Sometimes we let our minds wander onto things that shouldn't be stressed upon. And daunting on things really does make you see more negativity than what really matters. If there's just a moment of insanity or of utter randomness that makes you smile, hang on to it. Just embrace that feeling because it's difficult to ever hold on to such happiness. It's a cruel world out there with a hidden beauty. It's just occasionally we'll get a peak into seeing that beauty and when we do, we feel so grateful to have it.

If you've reached this far in this post it means you have incredible patience and are actually able to understand most of what I wrote... Congrats!

Thanks for your eyes :)

Lush products, London trip | Little update on life

So everyone, it's been a while since I actually blogged something that wasn't 'Thankful Thursday'. All I can say is that I have been extremely lazy last week. Sure there was college and work but any time I was free I was either napping or catching up on my tv shows... anyone that watches 'Baby Daddy' let me know whether you're team Danny or Ben. Every episode just gets better and better, so I advise ye people who want a laugh to watch it.

This post is just a little update over the last week. Even though there was sleep deprivation I still had lots of fun. I got to explore a little more around London. I attended this little music, prayer service in London. Young adults from all around the world came to share their prayers through their own languages. The music was beautiful. I can still hear that wonderful cello... an instrument I most desire to learn.

I loved seeing Westminster Cathedral for the first time.

The architecture of the building was just so magnificent. Very grand compared to my little church back home in dear old Ireland, Haa! But seeing the amount of work that was put in was breathtaking.

Today after bringing my little cousin to a little Easter craft activity class and Irish dancing lessons (imagine when I am a Mum... Pheww) I then had a little surprise trip to St. Albans.

I bought a few little essentials in Boots, sun lotion, after sun moisturiser and so on... getting my last minute shopping done for my holiday, then for the first time, I entered Lush. I've heard far too many great comments about this place from bath lovers. And I am a bath lover.

Even before I saw the shop I could just smell the deliciousness of the place... "Where is that amazing smell coming from?"

I didn't want to leave the place, as I was having so much fun getting over-whelmed by the so many different smells there was. I made sure what I bought would be worth it, so I circled the shop like 4 times. In the end I decided on two items. Bath bombs. And yes I did imagine my tub exploding as I threw it in! Such a day dreamer!

Firstly I decided on getting the 'Blackberry Bath Bomb'. It was too delicious to leave behind. I mean come on! Who doesn't wasn't to smell like Ribena coming out from the bath tub! It's every girls dream!

And here I only used half of it. Smelling like a blackberry, Oh Yeah!

And secondly I bought this beauty. The 'Tisty Tosty'. The lady in the shop threw it into a basin of water and there I was  'Ooooing' while watching it sizzle like a rasher on a pan (not such a great comparison... smelling of grease can be a little different than smelling like a rose.) But the rose buds were just left floating as though it were a pretty pond... "I'M GETTING IT!"

Then just to finish the day off, me and my aunt went to this lovely cafe. The Merchant, in St. Albans. I had a latte while my aunt taunted me with her mocha. I mean look how amazing it looked with it's overloaded cream and topped off chocolate powder.

This is what keeps me happy. Just having a day with exploring around. Not planning the day out, just going with the flow. The only thing that is missing is having my bestie Edel. She would make the experience over here in London a little more fun. Filling it with memories.

Are any of you addicted to Lush? If so, please let me know what your favourite products are, or if you've heard any good reviews that too is welcome. I really want to test out every single one of them.

Thanks so much for reading lads & lassies,

Thankful Thursday

Westminster Cathedral - trip to London after College

Hello all, happy 'Thankful Thursday' to you :)

I'm happy to say that by the end of Thursdays I am a happy person. I have not so many stressful classes on Thursdays, wages are sometimes handed out and I get a chance to go off for a walk with my music blaring in my ears.

Mondays are usually stressful from just thinking about the week ahead. Tuesdays are usually disastrous, from 9am-4pm. Wednesdays are such a bore that I feel as though the day just exists to torture me. Even in stressful situations me and my friends always seem to find humour in the most strangest of times & places comes to think of it.

I'm so happy that this week flew by. There were lots of awkward, frustrating, deep-thinking moments, moments that got me into figuring out what sort of person I am. Am I the type of person who takes peoples criticism/ their own opinions the wrong way? Do I react badly to them? I read recently how you should treat your mind, as though it is someone else. Someone that you would only be able to manage to be around, someone that didn't exactly get on your nerves. All I need to get through is next week and then by the following Wednesday I'll be off to Mauritius with the help of God :)

So 'Thankful Thursday' folks

- Music... any genre really. I got to attend a music/ prayer service in London last Friday. Meeting some music composers, so it was a very insightful, exciting experience.

- My oyster card (where would I be without it).

- Skyping my bestie Edel at home and randomly enough in 'Morrisons'... it seems to be the place where we get extremely hyper... can't understand why.

- 'Catching Fire' DVD... watched about 5 times, so far that is.

- Babysitting while watching 'The Voice'. Little angel snoring away.

- Primark Haul for my holiday... £62... bit too much me thinks heehee :)

- Having a warm place to sleep every night and being able to come home where there's food.

- Smiles from strangers... not in a creepy way but in a way where you feel happy that they're happy.

It feels as though there's more love in the world, seeing everyone in good spirits.

Let me know whether any of you do these type of 'Thankful Thursdays'. I'm on a hunt to discover more.

Thanks for reading lovies,

Thankful Thursday | Sun, Parks, Friends & Family

Park next to my College in Barnet

So, yes I am posting this at night. My time to publish blogs. It's quiet, people are asleep, so I find it more relaxing being able to think.

My  week was stressful, not exactly fun, but the sun really did help my mood. Whenever there's sunshine, there's a happy Kayla, "Oh Mr. sun, sun, Mr. Golden sun, please shine down on me."

I spent most of my time this week in the parks, soaking up my vitamin D, with my kindle.

It feels as though it's summer already and it's only March! Amaze-balls!

So on with my 'Thankful Thursday'

Having support from my friends during stressful times

Time spent with my Aunt, cousin, Uncle & his family. Family meals, get-togethers watching 'Ant & Dec'

Walks in the woods (seeing my cousin pleased with herself horse riding in the woodlands)

My laptop

My music on my phone... currently being over-listening to Gabrielle Aplin and Christina Perri

Meal with my uncles niece... lovely conversation over a some fish & chips at my workplace

'Sherlock' & 'Bones'

My guitar

My wages... how else would I have bought my selection from 'New Look'

My most loveliest friend joining the land of blogging. Please go check her out  and follow because even though she is new to all of this, her stories and opinions will be amazing PeachyF is her name... hey the girl likes peaches :) 

My brothers strange sense of humour... seriously the guy laughs at his own jokes

My cousin running away from me... cheeky!

This guy is always beside me when I'm reading. I can always hear him chewing, judging me on what type of  book I'm reading!

So lads & lassies I hope you had an enjoyable week in the sun (those of you who had). Let me know what you were grateful for this week.

Lots of crazy luvin'

The Liebster Award | Nominated by Anna (from 'A whole lot of chitty chat') Part 1

Hello sugar canes (apologies lent is becoming extremely difficult to get by.)

I have recently been nominated by Anna from a whole lot of chitty chat for the Liesbter award. It's lovely how it had been her that nominated me. She is after all a blogging friend, and I'm getting to know her more and more through her blogs. So please go over to her and check her out. She really does write what matters to her and doesn't follow a crowd :)

This is just the first part of the liebster award. I have been nominated by another blogger so I will hopefully have that by this weekend.

The Rules are as followed -->

- Link back to the person that nominated you & answer the 11 questions which they have asked you on their blog post.

- Choose 11 people to nominate for the Liebster Award and let them know that they have been nominated. You can't choose the person who nominated you!

- Ask your chosen 11 nominees, questions.

- Add the Liebster Award badge to your blog.

1. If you could give one piece of advice to your teenage self what would it be?

I would tell my teenage-self to take more risks. As a child I was seen as the bold, mischievous girl who couldn't abide by the rules. But I was told that if I didn't learn to be responsible, I would have a hard time in the future. But I do miss my older self, someone who took chances without giving a care in the world what people thought. Now I feel put down whenever someone shushes me. So yeah, take chances and don't be afraid what others think!

2. Do you have any pick me ups & if so what is it/they?

Well, for me a pick me up is keeping distracted. And another is relaxing by the fire watching tv with the family with a cup of tea. I've started a new thing, where that when I feel down or gloomy, I'll turn the music right up and just start dancing. Letting it all go... No dirtiness intended there!

3. Who do you look up to the most in your life?

Well my Mum is a big part in it, but there are others, both women and men that have me inspired in what they do. There's certain people, like my Mum having the knowledge and experience of having a good, strong marriage. My two grand-mothers having their faith and optimism. My dad for having such loyalty for his family. My brother who has such a neutral opinion about things (he never picks sides.) My friend Edel being able to forgive, even in the most diffiicult of times. And then there's my friends in London, who all have different traits to themselves that I look up to. Bravery, confidence, trust and kindness. I have seen such great kindness over here in London that it has effectively changed my life.

 
4. What made you want to start blogging?

I'm the girl who has kept a journal ever since the age of 8. As a child it was for fun but as I got older I re-read them jourmals and found how much I changed. I was fascinated to how and why it had happened. What had I done differently? It was the people throughout the years that had changed me. These changes have been both good and bad in my life. Some people have pushed me to build my confidence, others have made it crumble.

I started blogging because I wanted something from my early adult life to remind me of how much I've grown and lived.

5. What made you call your blog the name it is?

It was previously called 'Michaela Maria', seeing as I had no idea what to call it. I wanted a name that I was sure of. A stamp to this blog, to give an idea to you readers what this blog is intended for. So I recently came up with 'The Giggles of Life'. I don't really ever use my 'REAL' laugh. And when I do I smile to myself, happy to be happy. I was know as smiley to my family when I was younger. But growing up I gradually lost that happiness. Just by seeing the realistic life that is out there. But being in London, I'm smiling more and more. And learning more to what helps make me smile.

6. Would you ever give creating YouTube videos a go?

I would love the idea of making You Tube videos but now my life is at a point where I'm far too busy. Even if I was the type to go out to night clubs, I'm far too tired from College, my part-time job and babysitting. I feel as though I'm an old woman. My thought for relaxation is coming home, tea (never without it), watching a favourite show/ film, singing & playing guitar.

7. What is your favourite thing to do on a day off?

I've done a blog with a question related to this one. So that answer will suffice for part of this question. And another would be to meet up with friends that have me laughing and feeling great with myself. I love to spend time in cinemas, cafes, 

8. How long have you been blogging for?

Since May 5th 2013 @ 00:10, I think? Heehee :) Not really that long. I have a tendency to write blogs at night. Quietest time for me you see. 

9. Have you ever been to a blog meet up?

No, but I really do want to meet some of my blogging friends. They sound so lovely. Maybe one day it will happen. I do hope to go to one of Tanya Burrs meetups.

10. What is the best thing about living where you live?

I no longer live with my parents and brother. So living in Barnet, London (since September) is having me take responsibilities with money and my life, which a great thing about living there. I also live in a town which has pretty much everything I need. I get to take the tube which is 40 mins away from London itself. Looking forward to Summer when I'll be making weekly trips.

11. If you could be a fly on the wall in someones house who would it be?
Haaaa, well I wouldn't like the idea on prying in other peoples lives, so I would like to be a fly in a zoo. I'd like to know, at night, whether they all come out like 'Madagascar'... I can dream can't I!

My 11 Nominees are -->

A Mad Hatter's Tea Party

A Design Rookie

BeautyLifeMichelle

Celias Antics

Dreaming Again

EdelBelle!

Jamie Fleetwood

Lisette Loves

SpottySunflowers

The Peculiar Joint

Wonderful You

My questions for ye are -->
1) Say the most random sentence you can think of.

2) What is the best childhood memory you have?

3) Do you have an artist/ band that you've been addicted to in the last while?

4) Who is the person you most look up to in your life?

5) Which country would you most love to see and why?

6) What do you enjoy most to blog about?

7) Who is your favourite blogger and why?

8) Do you have plans/ ideas on what to do this summer?

9) Share a secret that you haven't told anyone before (it can be as strange as, "I can burp the ABC's" if you want).

10) What are you addicted to? (certain food, hobby, interest, etc)

11) For someone who is just starting to blog, what piece of advise can you give them? (From your own experience)


So guys, I hope you enjoyed this very late post. I am sorry. It's just that I've been occupied with stupid girl drama in college (yes, you can imagine). Things being said about people, disrespect, friendships. Anyway I'm hoping by the end of this week I'll see things more clearer and get a chance to write about what has been troubling me. A post on keeping things buried in.

Thanks for your peeps for this post,

Love ya x

Thankful Thursday | Peoples Opinions

Hiya guys, I just wanted to show you some of my pictures from Instagram over the last week.

This picture was taken while I sat out in the sun at the local park.

I took out my book and skinny vanilla spiced latte and sat out on the bench.

Just having the sunshine back makes me happy. Oh how I've missed it!

As you can see from each of these pictures I was looking for peace and quiet. Just anyway to relax. Tea, candle and reading in the park. The main highlight of the week was not exactly drama as such but learning more about people and becoming shocked.

Friends you make judgments behind your back and have categorized you as a certain type of person really don't deserve the friendship that's been given to them.

In all honesty I could cry and winge and become very angry like a little angry garden gnome but what is the point. It won't make the situation any better.


So today I was sent an email from Lauren Formosa (that's right sheepy your name is visible to all :D)
She has become such an amazing friend to me over here. She makes me laugh, and feel inspired with her unbelievable confidence. Seriously the girl will not care what others will think, she lets it out! Amazing! (her very own catch phrase, heehee). So not only am I feeling down by the silly girly silent treatments but so has Lauren. She sent this email today, relevant to what has been happening.

People's Opinion of You Everything about you speaks volumes to others.  And everyone is going to have an opinion about you.  You can't stop people having their opinion, but what you do with those opinions is entirely up to you. Are you going to let it bother you, be offended, worry about it, do something to change their opinion...? How are you going to handle people's opinion of you?

VISIT WEBSITE FORWARD ON UNSUBSCRIBE

Inner Space Website

How am I going to handle these opinions people have on me? Well first off, we're supposed to have a big discussion about our feelings and opinions tomorrow with our head tutor... Oooh will there be tears, shouting or will there be forgiveness? Who knows but I myself will sit back and hear what everyone has to say. I plan on keeping it cool and just ignoring what has happened in the last few weeks. I'm only going to be here for another 4-5 months so my aim is to respect everyone, no matter how they act. I'm going to meet people who will be difficult to get on with. And I will have to get used to taking peoples bullshit.

So on to the little things that managed to make me happy throughout the week.

Thankful Thursday

Honesty to friends

Coffee, Barrys Tea, hot chocolate (with my usual huge amounts of cream) and skinny vanilla spiced lattes

Me time - cafes, parks, libraries, gym

Being overpaid for babysitting

Interview and offer received from a University

McDonalds

Kinder Bueno Bar (last one before lent... long difficult journey)

Oscars - Who doesn't love Ellen!

Reading in the bath

I'm grateful for even though my family over here are miserable from school and work, my parents are happy. They love life more and more it seems. Their best-friend, soul mate, cringy relationship is something of which that I do hope to achieve someday.

And lastly, having the sunshine back in my life. It forces the corners of my mouth to transform into a smile. That kind of power makes me happy knowing I can always depend on the sun when it comes out.

Thank you so much guys for reading.
I will have another post up for tomorrow sometime hopefully.
I promise you there won't be any more moaning from Moaning Martel here :)

x