Things To Look Forward To In College

Heading to college for the first time can be a daunting experience.  I should know because I'm currently in the process myself.  You no longer have your parents around all the time to help you.  You have to be independent and do things for yourself.  Although this is slightly scary there are also many things to look forward to and I thought I would share a few of those things with you in this post.  Enjoy!

1. Making new friends.
2. Clubs and Societies.
3. More independence.
4. Studying something you actually have an interest in.
5. Never having to look at another complicated maths equation ever again.  (Unless you're studying something that involves maths.)
6. No more teachers telling you what to do.
7. No parents telling you what to do.
8. No more annoying siblings annoying you all the time.
9. Moving away from home.
10. Not having to go to class every single day from 9-4.
11. No uniform.
12. Places to eat on campus.
13. Living in an urban area for a change.  (Shops everywhere!)
14. Feeling like a grown up when you go to the bank.
15. No more first years running up and down the hallways.
16. No more third years complaining about how their life is over because of the Junior Cert.
17. Not having to carry a tonne of books around everywhere.
18. Decorating your bedroom.
19. Grocery shopping.
20. Looking forward to seeing old friends when you come home.

I hope you enjoyed this post.  I'm sure there are plenty more things to look forward to in college but these are just a few I thought of.  If there is anything else let me know and until then...

I'll see ya when I see ya!

I'm Going To College!

I was woken this morning around 8 o' clock by my phone, a message from CAO to be exact.  I had been offered my first choice and that was lovely news to wake up to!  I then lay in bed for a while thinking about college life before getting up to accept my offer.  I can officially say that I am going to college in September!  I can't wait!

Facebook was then alive this morning with everyone updating their education status' and letting the world know where their life was heading next.  I am so excited because it's become official.  It's a new beginning but also the end of an era.  It is only really hitting me now that I'm going to be separated from all my friends as we go down our different paths in life.  There will be no more laughs at the canteen table and no more jokes in the classroom with the people I've known for six years or longer.

I don't want to get too sentimental and emotional.  I should be happy and I am, and I'm happy for everyone who got what they wanted.  Bring on the college life!

After I accepted my place today I dropped my debs dress into the dry cleaners and braved a swarm of wasps at the recycling centre.  What a day!  So that's all I have today for this little update and until then...

I'll see ya when I see ya!

Getting My Leaving Cert Results

Palms sweating, hearts racing, results day is nerve racking!  You can't sleep the night before and you find it difficult to eat any breakfast that morning.  You stare at the clock counting down the minutes until you have that envelope in your hands.  You've spent about fourteen years of your life in education and it all comes down to this day.  There is only one thing on your mind: will I be happy with my results?

The car journey to school was silent.  My stomach was in knots and the fact that they were talking about the results on the radio didn't help either.  As my mother drove closer to the school I could see loads of cars outside and other mothers anxiously waiting by them as there daughters went inside for the envelope.  I arrived at school at 10 o' clock on the dot, the time the results were to be collected and there was already a queue.

There were girls clutching envelopes tightly to their chests, too scared to open them and there were others crying which didn't calm my nerves at all.  Most girls left straight away and didn't stop to chat.  I was one of those people.  Once I got the envelope I raced back to the car only saying a fleeting hello and good luck to my friends.

My hands were shaking terribly as I opened the brown envelope.  I can't even remember whether I whipped out the paper quickly or pulled it out slowly.  I stared at my results for a good five minutes before speaking to my mother who was slightly worried at my silence.

The results looked good and I was happy.  I didn't want to wait around too long so I went back home straight away to properly add my points together.  Once I got the final tally I was delighted, over the moon!

Of course everyone celebrated that night!  Apart from being squashed in a massive queue outside the nightclub for half an hour it was a good night.

Congratulations to everyone who got what they wanted.  To those that didn't I'm sure it'll work out for you in the end.  Don't worry, the leaving cert doesn't define who you are.  Remember that some of the most successful people in the world never went to collage.

Until then...

I'll see ya when I see ya!

How To Relax/ Fall Asleep

We all have those nights when you're in bed trying to sleep but your mind is still wide awake.  You toss and turn and stare at the four walls around you for what seems like an eternity.  The time is slowly moving on as you watch every ten minute interval pass.  You're thinking to yourself, will this night ever end?

I've been having a few of those nights lately.  I've been having so many things floating around in my head.  First it was about the debs and now it's about my Leaving Cert results tomorrow.  I'm sure I'm not the only one who suffers from insomnia now and again so I though I would share a few tips and tricks on how to relax and fall asleep.  These seem to work for me so maybe they'll work for you too!

1) Have a shower in the evening:  I'm one of those people that prefers a shower in the evening.  I feel so relaxed afterwards and usually have no trouble sleeping at all.

2) Change into comfy pyjamas:  Preferably fluffy ones because they are the best!

3) Make your bed:  Nothing feels as good as getting into a freshly made bed.  There's just something about clean sheets that lets you doze off in no time.

4) Have a hot drink:  Hot chocolate or tea before bed is amazing!  Hot drinks are really soothing and help to relax the whole body.  Even if it is technically still summer you're never not in the mood for tea!  The weather is cold after all.

5) Read a book:  Whenever I feel wide awake at night I always take out a book.  I find reading is one of the most relaxing things you can do.  Take out a book that's easy to read and just lose yourself for a couple of chapters.  You forget about your own worries and think about the characters lives instead.

6) Listen to music:  Second to reading, listening to music is also one of the most relaxing things you can do.  Play some soft tunes in the background and you'll drift off in no time.

7) DON'T:  Don't stay on your phone or on the computer late into the night.  They keep your brain wired and you'll have no chance of falling asleep.  Night time is for relaxing, not tweeting!

So those are just a few things that help me relax and fall asleep.  Let me know what you do to relax and until then...

I'll see ya when I see ya!

What I Keep In My Clutch (Debs Edition)

Debs season is officially on full swing!  I had mine on Wednesday and it was definitely one of the best nights of my life so far!  Good food, great company and amazing style, what more could you want?  Apart from the dress, shoes and jewellery, a clutch bag is also an important part of your outfit.  It's where you keep all the essentials for the night.  It has to look good with your dress and be practical at the same time.  

One of the most difficult things to decide on is what to put in it.  Most clutch bags don't fit a lot of things so this is where common sense comes in handy.  What do I really need to carry?  If you're still struggling in this department, fear not!  In this blog post I'm going to tell you what I carried just to give you a few ideas and help you along a little.

First of all, my clutch bag was a lovely silver colour with tiny silver gems along the middle.  I bought it in an accessories shop called Tiffany.  It also had a silver chain attached to put it on my shoulder if I wanted.

Tickets:  The tickets are essential.  You paid a lot of money for them so it wouldn't be any good turning up without them and then not being let inside.  Although, to be honest nobody collected my tickets so you could be lucky but I don't think I would risk it.

ID:  Again I didn't need to use my ID on the night but you never know when you could be the unlucky one who gets asked for it.  It never hurts to be extra prepared!

Money:  When do you not need money?  No matter what you are doing, never leave the house without money.  The debs is no exception.

Blotting Sheets:  I wouldn't say that these are essential but they definitely come in handy.  I had never used them before but since the debs was coming up I decided to give them a go.  No one wants a shiny face in pictures.  The great thing about blotting sheets is that not only do they remove the shine but they don't remove the makeup!

Concealer:  My makeup lasted all night.  I don't know how but it did.  In case you're one of those people whose makeup always melts off their face concealer is a must.  Touch up in the bathroom every now and again and no one will know the difference!  My go to concealer is the Rimmel Wake Me Up concealer and I use it in the shade 10 Ivory.

Lipstick:  Lipstick just can't stay on all night.  It needs to be topped up so make sure you have it in your clutch.  The lipstick I wore was the No. 7 Moisture Drench lipstick in the shade Sugar Plum, a gorgeous pinky purple colour.

Your Phone:  I don't think anyone would forget to bring their phone anywhere since they are pretty much glued to our hands these days.  Phones are essential for taking pictures so you can look back on the memories and also to call anyone in an emergency.  Hopefully there won't be any emergencies.  Always remember not to spend the whole night on your phone.  Be happy with the company around you on the night.  You don't need to communicate with anyone else.

There you have it.  Those were the things I kept in my clutch for my debs.  I hope you found this post helpful and until then...

I'll see ya when I see ya!

Review: Breaking Bad

I'm not one for watching a lot of television series but when my brother bought the box set of Breaking Bad I thought "why not?".  It soon became part of the family routine.  Every night my dad, my brother and I would watch at least two episodes.  We became hooked and got so involved in the storyline and the characters.  It was widely discussed at the dinner table: our thoughts on last nights episode or our guesses for the next.  It was much to the annoyance of my mother I'm sure!

We finished all six seasons, sitting at the edge of our seats throughout the whole final episode.  It's been about a week and for the first time in my life I'm experiencing that withdrawn feeling.  I don't know what to do with myself anymore!  To fill in some time I thought I would give my opinion on the whole Breaking Bad series without giving too much away!

If you haven't seen it, it's basically about a high school chemistry teacher who has cancer and who struggles with money problems.  To help his family escape these troubles he decides to start cooking meth in secret and finds himself being dragged deeper and deeper into the dangerous drug dealing business.

The first season is one of my favourites.  The main character, Walter White, is no naive and clueless about dealing drugs.  Every situation he finds himself in is hilarious.  He eventually teams up with a past pupil of his, Jesse Pinkman, and together they cook the best meth around.

Throughout the whole series Walt and Jesse have dealings with many interesting characters including a dodgy lawyer, Saul Goodman, who I love, and many unpredictable and scary kingpins.  I was always kept on tenterhooks!

I found one season in particular quite slow and a little boring.  I found myself wondering if I would be able to finish it.  I needn't have worried because season five and six are the best of them all.  Things get really heated up and there is much tension and suspense.

The character development is incredible!  You find yourself hating the majority of the characters at some stages and completely drawn to them in others.  Each character is so unique with their own individual backgrounds which keeps everything interesting.  Although they are each so different their stories tie together seamlessly.

I would highly recommend you watch Breaking Bad.  It is truly gripping!  The storyline is incredible and will easily get you hooked.  I hope you enjoyed this review.  Let me know of any other series you think I should watch and until then...

I'll see ya when I see ya!

10 Questions I Get Asked On The Lead-Up To The Debs

The debs/prom is a big deal to some.  It's the perfect excuse to go all out and spend loads of money in order to look fabulous.  Once debs fever sets in family and friends wait in anticipation for the day to come.  They become more excited than the actual débutante and so they constantly ask questions making sure that everything is in order so you can have a perfect day!  Here is just a few examples of those questions which I'm sure many people will be able to relate to.

1) Who are you bringing?:  A friend.  (Usually followed by the "yeah, sure" look).  Seriously, the person I bring to my debs does not have to be my potential future husband!

2) What's your dress like?:  So I give them all the details: colour, style etc.

3) Are your shoes comfortable?:  Yes, just like I've said every day since I got them.

4) Have you tried on your shoes today?:  Yes, mother, don't worry!  I'm giving them plenty of practise!

5) Do you need any more accessories?:  No, I think I have enough.  I want to look elegant not like a disco ball!

6) What time are you're hair/makeup appointments?:  Don't worry, I know the times, I won't be late!

7) What exactly is happening on the day?:  Do you want me to print off an itinerary for you?

8)  Will there be a photographer there?:  Yes and I'll make sure to show my best side!

9)  What's on the menu?:  So many delicious things!!

10) Will there be teachers present?:  Yeah...? (don't create any suspicion!) 

I hope you enjoyed this little blog post!  Crazy times are upon us!  Can you relate to any of these?  Did I miss out on any other questions?  Let me know and until then...

I'll see ya when I see ya!