Sit Down Saturday | You can choose your friends but not your family!

You must be there for your family they say. You must be loyal, caring, protective and supportive to them.

Today's choice of tea: Pukka 'Love' Tea (chamomile, lavender flower & organic rose.)

I used to stand by this, with family being the most important thing, and they are, I mean my Mum, Dad, brother, Aunts, cousins, uncle-in-law, god-parents... the list goes on. But I've realised that friends are family. Neighbours are family. I don't have to go by anyone's opinion. I have family members that don't act like family. Such disloyalty and stupidity I've seen. If anyone hurts anyone in my family, yes I will go biserk! I feel as though I must protect the ones I love. Sure everyone does!

My truest friend, I choose the word so carefully because I believe there are very few out there in the world that are as rare as my friend EdelBelle! (her actual nickname.) Her family are as good as family to me as well. On the morning when my gran passed away, she was the first person I rang. She took a whole week of college off to be there for me. And she let me go through the stages of grief. She acted how I expected her to act. She made me laugh when I most needed to. My god-parents and neighbours were there the whole way through our suffering as well. Let's say my parents chose well for god-parents. I will always care for these people for the remainder of my life. If only that could be for certain family members.

But we do try, don't we? We try to make an effort, to build relationships with our relatives. For instance, I have my grand-parents, now living in Scotland. I love them as they are. And I know they love me. However, with their decision of leaving Ireland to go live in the Caribbean when I was just about 9 or 10, I felt heartbroken. I only then saw them every 5 years or so. What I have to understand is that they are living their own lives. They should do as they please. They are like strangers to me sometimes. They wouldn't know what interests I have now. I've changed quite a bit since I was a child. They tell me they're proud of me, of my music, my choices in life, my courage and faith. As I said before, we do try to maintain the relationships we have. I don't want to lose them. I have such great memories with them. As to that, when I have kids, I hope to have my parents in their lives as much as possible. From my own experience, I became what I am with the help of all four of my grandparents and my two great-grandparents.

I know this post sounded quite sad, especially as it's a Saturday, and you're looking for an upbeat sort of blog post, but this came to mind when I was sitting down with my tea.

I'm visiting my grandparents in Scotland in just eighteen days, so yes I'm nervous and excited to seeing them. I have Edel and my family coming with me, so not so awkward. "Why hello, long time no see... what's it been? Five, six years?"

Anyway, be wise as to the friends you choose and to the relationships you commit to. At the end of the day, it's their support that matters.

Lots of love,

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 :)