Thankful Thursday

Source: We heart it

I really don't know whether my week will interest you. Nothing exciting really, just plain old giving in last module assignments and working  A LOT of shifts. Working half days I think is perhaps the worst as you dread the beginning of the day. I feel as though I don't have enough time to do what I want.

But since it is summer mid-term break over here in the UK, I at least have my chance to get some money earned for the summer. It's the reason why I smile at work, cos it's not a death sentence being there. I see people sulking around wanting to go home. They should be happy that they have a job at all, and with good pay.

So what I've been thankful for...

Being able to earn money for this coming summer. Not to be badgering Mum for it heehee.

New blog design by Edel... cheers Edel, it's amazeballs. I love how the house on the hill reminds me of my home back in Ireland, placed on top of a great hill with a view of the Sligo mountains.

More pressies - some beauties such as revlon lipbutter in strawberry shortcake, a Next Nail set and lastly on Saturday I was surprised by a parcel at my door. My friends in Ireland all bought me a lovely Pandora bracelet, with a 21 charm, a bar of Milka chocolate bar (they know me so well), a collage photo & a card. I do love the sterling silver bracelet. So beautiful.

I'm thankful for knowing the wonderful mother Linda in my class. She reminds me of my mum so much. She's happy and uplifting to be around. Her infectious laugh has me in stitches all the time. I admire how she handles her stress. So, naturally, I sit with her in the library, hoping her stability will rub off on me.

Getting to listen to my bestie Edels voice. I haven't heard her singing in such a long time and I miss her funky music.

Having a nice chat with mum on the house phone with a cupcake and a pot of tea.

Costa time with my little cousin 'Coco' as I call her, with her chocolate brown eyes. Me with my caramel iced latte and her with her trying-to-be-grown-up baby chino.

I have only 3 weeks (not counting this week as it's almost up, plus it sounds much better) until I'm on the plane back to Ireland. I'm taking each day as it comes but my heart is thumping for the yearning of getting back to my home. Of getting to see the beautiful scenery, and seeing my new lambs... so cute. Oh and seeing my brother with his curly red head. Poor lambs think he's one of them.

Thanks for reading.

I imagine next Thursday I'll be all hyped up, getting closer to departure :)

Sit Down Saturday | A new Series (Eating disorders)

So I've decided to start a new series, 'Sit Down Saturday', inspired by the wonderful A whole lot of chitty chat blogger Anna.

Instead of Sunday I've chosen Saturday, as Sundays I usually sleep-in, go to mass, then off to work.

I will be discussing whatever little topics that comes to my mind, when I'm relaxed sitting down with my tea.

Today's choice of tea: Breakfast tea

Today's Topic: 'Eating disorders'

I don't think I've ever spoken about this subject in any post of mine before. It's getting to summer, which means I will have more free time to do more blogs. None of this college, work craic.

So I myself did have an eating disorder a few years back, I didn't realise at the time. It was only until I started my 5th year in Secondary School that I realised that my clothes were baggier than usual (I wore lots of baggy clothes, trying to hide all the parts I didn't like about my appearance) and I had to buy a new school uniform. I did feel awful by the end of my 4th year, realising I was chubby somewhat and had a very unusual shape. But now, thinking about it, I must have known what I was doing during that summer. To be honest it's a good thing I didn't die from malnutrition. Just after getting my summer holidays from 4th year, for them 4 months, I starved myself and pretty much exercised everyday. I didn't know at the time what I was actually doing to myself. As a child I had to be force fed. I just cringe when I eat. When people say they're starving, this sounds so strange to me. I only ever get really hungry perhaps once every few months. And then I'd only eat 10 mouthfuls and feel content. I need a variety of what I eat, to stay interested in the taste. Otherwise I'll become bored and just give up with eating. That is why I love Chinese food. So much to choose from.

The challenges I still face is eating the 3 meals of the day; breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Funnily enough I forget to eat. If someone takes out a salad, I'll just remember that I haven't ate anything. I was told by a doctor once that my stomach had shrunken quite dangerously and that I really had to increase my diet. My friends in College laugh at me for only being able to eat a half a sandwich. I get a round of applause if I eat the two. (Britain's Got Talent here I come).

I have no problem with exercise really. I enjoy doing it. I'm the type that loves mountain climbing, jogging and swimming. So I'll continue on with that.

I have no idea in how I can improve my diet. I feel that I should buy certain foods and keep to a schedule, but living with other people, you'll find that the food will go missing.

Have any of you happen to have / had an eating disorder?

Did you overcome it? Do you know of anyone that has?

It is so important to have a healthy diet. It really shows in your mood and in your appearance. Now I'm not on about weight wise, I'm talking about your skin. My skin did improve so much from Mauritius with the sun and the amount of fruit I was eating. But it's time now I took this seriously and overcome this issue.

Let me know if you have any advice... I'm all ears :)

Thankful Thursday | A day of shopping & looking around

Hello fellow peeps.

I am just now realising that I am almost finished with this years course in Barnet. With the help of god (and money) I'll be living in Kent next Feb/ April.

I have a lot to feel grateful for this week. Maybe the pressure of handing in my last two assignments has had something to do with it.

I feel lighter, happier knowing that I don't need to procrastinate anymore at night, pulling my hair out!

I had a fun week with spending Friday night in London, with my friend Jaz for her 19th birthday. We had an enjoyable time with randomly enough a pikachu bag pack. I survived Sundays work shift, enjoyed a good burger out in the sun in my pjs, discovered a new beautiful, if I may say so, travelling journal to pop all my explorations from the past and of my upcoming adventures of the future. I haven't been able to put it down since getting it.

The rest of week was a blur with appreciating that I had no work till this following Saturday. I received a sheep teddy as a b-day pressie from my good friend Peachy, sat down with my numerous tv show finales. Now, where should I start, well 'Grey's Anatomy' had me in tears from sadness (saying goodbye to Sandra Oh who has been with the show for 10 years, 'Bones' had me gobsmacked with the tension and twist of the storyline, lastly 'The Mentalist' finally gave us fans what we've wanted for the last 6 years... Lisbon and Jane. I had my face glued to the screen, almost on the verge of punching my almost-dead laptop. Simon Baker will you marry me? HaaaHaaa... be a bit embarrassing if the fella googles himself and comes across this... heehee, *awkward silence*... moving on...

Thankful Thursday

- Harry Potter Gift shop at King's Cross station: giving me the fond memories from when I was youngster (currently watching Harry Potter Deathly Hallows Part 2 on ITV)

- The sunshine: making the world a happier place.

- Ice-cream: Baskin Robins strawberry at that.

- Caramel Frappachino (McDonalds) and Mocha cookie crumble Frappochino (Starbucks)

- Sleep

- Face masks:  making a difference to my dull, lifeless skin... thank you Superdrug to your 99p (3 for 2) masks.

- Eating breakfast and lunch outside in the garden.

- My friend Linda for making me laugh when times were looking troubled.

- A LONG Skype call with my bestie. Discussing everything that we've been up to in the last few weeks.

- Sending mum her birthday presents and card (a burberry purse and a lush bath bomb)

- Ella Hendersons voice while typing assignments.

- My old friends: for staying in contact with me over the last few months. Valuing and appreciating their friendships each day that goes by.

- Huckleberry Barry M nail varnish: even just being able to wear it without worrying about taking it off the next day for work.

- Fun times with my cuz... re-enacting Harry Potter.

- Costa caramel latté.

Instagram has been a lovely place to add some pictures throughout this week. I love to look back and smile of the good old days.


Today after an appointment in Hatfield, I went around the shops for a bit.

Mmm, a tuna and cheese toasty with a lovely caramel latté.

I did love the first dress but I have many dresses that are styled that way. So I went with the second option.

Sheep: No name yet.

This summer will all be about baking :)

The cakes are my favourite :)

I bought myself a book from Mary Ford of baking and a lovely (pride and prejudice style) dress from Love Struck.
As you can see, there's my new sheep from my pal Peachy. I'm trying to come up with a name for him. He looks drunk most of the time, can't seem to sit up straight. So I'll be giving him an Irish name I think.

Thank you fro reading guys. I hope you're all having a splendid week.

A Ramble Round London & a New Travel Journal

I love trips to London, especially when I get little things I like.

I stayed Friday night with my lovely American/British friend Jaz in London and we set out the next day (her 19th Birthday) looking for boots and making a trip to King's Cross.

She has never been and well come on! Who doesn't want to go to the Harry Potter Gift shop?

My friend Jaz has this Pikachu bag and she gets noticed all the time.

Not only does she get noticed but she seems to have this strange luck about her. I'm not sure whether the luck is good or bad. For instance, when we were walking along Oxford Street, there was this little car (picking up rubbish) coming along the pathway. Now did she move? No, it was as though she were in slow motion just staring at it coming for her. She then said 'Sh*t', in front of someones face as well. The lady just stared at her, so funny!

Things have got more expensive here in this shop at Kings Cross, but it didn't stop me from buying some little purchases.

AGAIN, Jaz was noticed for her bag pack. We were asked by some chirpy staff member whether we wanted to line up and get our picture taken, with the Platform 9 &3/4 wall, along with having Pikachu in the cage. You can barely see, but Hedwig is there.

I couldn't wear Harrys glasses as I am in Slytherin House. But hey, I'm proud of it :)

After we had our photos taken, the staff that worked there all jumped in for a photo with Pikachu. It was hilarious!

If you don't want to buy anything at the shop, it really doesn't matter. Just go along for the look and meet the friendly staff that work there.

Bought a bit of stationary in the shop.

I was thinking how people who have this kind of job, how do they get to work? The train? Bus?

I can't imagine this lady painting herself when she arrives.

She probably gets a lot of people staring at her on the tube, wouldn't she? Heehee.

Came across this place. It was very difficult to get even one picture. One old guy kept trying to photo bomb the shot... Like GET OUT OF THE WAY WOULD YA!

A bit of street entertainment, along with a blue cock. Nothing normal much in London.

My lovely Irish flag was in the back :D

I myself am a Harry Potter & Disney fan, and my friend is all Anime.

She loves this shop, TokyoToys in Piccadilly Circus.

At first I thought it wasn't the Disney shop seeing this. Thought it was some place else *COUGH*

Seeing Star Wars in the Disney shop was a little strange, but look at Chewy! I want him so much, but he's £20 sadly!

I think Jaz and I stepped in here not even for a minute, and she ran out straight away. As you know, perfume and cosmetics everywhere. It probably was not a reaction you see from a person leaving Selfridges. She fell out of the building, choking from the smell. It made me laugh anyway.

I bought her a little Hedwig keyring from King's Cross. IT'S SO FLUFFY, she'd say.

I wanted this straight away when I saw it.

I've been looking around for a book that will make do as a travel journal.

The pages inside are all different. They even contain lovely little pictures of old buildings, quotes and nature.

When the day was coming to an end, Jaz and I came up with a little game. In the tube station, we sat on the long escalator with no one on our side. And with people going up the opposite direction we'd start meowing. They of course were looking around wondering where the cats were. Then as we were coming to end of the escalator we'd jump up and shriek like a cat. Everyone was staring (not sure whether they laughed) but we couldn't stop ourselves from laughing. I think we may have meowed the whole way back to the house as well. There were Arsenal supporters everywhere, so we were meowing outside the pubs. Some guy stared at me but I pointed at my friend, "That was NOT me!"

I hope you liked this little random post.

I'm not sure when I'll be posting another, as my laptop looks as though it's going to die. Seriously! The battery I think has come to an end. So if you don't get any Maruitius Holiday posts (part 2...) it's because of my laptop dying with all the photos in it.

But don't worry, I'll be home in Ireland by June/July so I'll manage to get a laptop somehow and post them memories up for you all :)

I am currently writing this post out in the sunshine. It's about time we've had some good weather.

Cheers to you peeps for your time. And apologies for the blurry pictures, they were taken by my phone, so...

Only a few more weeks till the holz, WHOO HOO!

Thankful Thursday | Superdrug, Slapping other employees... pretty much a randon week!

Hello dearies :)

It's another Thursday and it's time to give the list of what I've been thankful for throughout the week.

My friend Peachy from The Randomness of Unicorns took this picture today at College. Out enjoying the sunshine with our sweets and Superdrug buys.

The week itself was pretty much rushed with getting my charity project fundraiser organised. I spent time handing out fliers, buying toys, juice, napkins for the event (that was Saturday.)

Sadly enough we had rain on the day and well it didn't stop me and my friend from dancing on the street. Funnily enough I got thrown money from some guy in a driving car and I had to chase a fella down to get his change. Seriously! He told me if I wanted it, I had to chase him. Naturally being the Kayla I am, I ran after him. I like the idea of seeing a woman chasing a fella down and taking his change, Haaa!

This also made me smile this week. I got to slap someone I work with.

Now I don't really abuse people (occasionally the brother), ok, so just get that straight. I was asked by a guy that is in a way my boss, so I followed his command. All open mouths around the kitchen that I actually went through with it.... "I'm not fired, am I?"

My Thankful Thursday :)

- Having people at work giving friendly smiles and asking how I am.

- Taking a day off, with just by a wonderful time on catching up on bloglovin', with a pot of tea, scented candles and ginger cake.

- Buying a 3 for 2 offer in 'Superdrug'. I got scandeleyes waterproof blue eyeliner, Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Nail pain Huckleberry and Maybelline Eyestudio Master Duo liquid eyeliner, along with a few face masks. 1) De-stressing Mud Mask, 2) Superfruits Exfoliating Mask and Dead Sea Purifying Clay Mask (future little review on all of these)

- Spending time with my pal Jas and really getting to know her a little more.

- My glasses (now getting headaches from my stupid laptop....eeek, WORRYING MUCH!)

- My brother practicing his french on the phone for his mock oral, so funny!

- My sunglasses (My Audrey Hepburn ones)

- Jewellery to keep me entertained in class.

- Snapchat (kaylahigg93, btw)

- Thankfully I got my first part of my Holiday in Mauritius post up (previous post)

- Having an optimistic point of view that I don't need drama in my life, that I can see the end of the road much clearer now.

- My blog. I actually got distracted this week (good that is.) I forgot how good it was just to see what everyone has been up to.

- This kinda follows, I've been recently followed by Jules on Everywhere, Please. She's recently just nominated me for a liebster award. And her questions will be most definitely answered. She has quickly escalated to being one of my favourite bloggers.

- Babysitting the cutest little boy. And hearing the most wonderful news that his mother, after having many miscarriages is expecting a baby. When she least expected it, after being told she may not ever have another child. She cried and I just smiled at her saying this happens to those who least expect it.

- New laundry :D

- My tutor Petra. She is a lovely lady and tries her best for her students.

- Harry Potter & the Order of the Pheonix.

- Take That, reliving the old albums :)

Well that is all. I'm hoping to have a fun week next week, with last assignments submitted in, the probability of a heat wave and spending a night in London tomorrow with my friend. I will be dying her hair from dark brunette to blond. Then we'll spend the day just exploring London. Hopefully lots of pictures to come to you lovely peeps.

Love you all so much, for actually reading this Haaa!

Here's me this morning with my hair wet (I always let it dry naturally) and my new Indian earings from Mauritius.

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,