Pick Me Ups

A list of things that feel good:

• Having your class cancelled on a beautiful day. 
• Laughing so hard your face hurts. 
• Watching a child do something for the first time. 
• A great idea. 
• Getting mail. 
• Walking out of your last exam. 
• Seeing hard work pay off. 
• Your favourite lunch.
• Clean laundry.
• Being told you did an excellent job.
• A care package. 
• Student discount. 
• A crisp white shirt.
• Seeing how happy your dog is when you take him for a walk.
• An unexpected gift. 
• Walking barefoot in the sand. 
• Taking uncomfortable shoes off.
• Singing in public and hearing a stranger say “You *GO* girl!” 
•  Landing on the runway after a long flight. 
• An almost dangerous sense of determination. 
• Feeling needed.
• The ability to listen.
• Compassion. 
• Travelling.
• Writing something you're proud of.
• Smiling at strangers and getting smiles in return.
• Wide open spaces.
• Knowing that we live in a world where most things are just a phone call away.
• Snacking when you get home late. 
• Latte art.
• Being with someone you love when you need each other.
• The smell of the first bbq of summer.
• A sleep in the afternoon after a big meal. 
• Making use of the whole day. 
• Watching a black and white film.
• Eating food you grew yourself. 
• The first warm summer days.
• Being brave enough to stand by your decisions.
• Waking up next to someone you love. 
• The smell of freshly cut grass.
• Knowing that all is well.
• Finding a starfish at the beach. 
• The sound of wind in the trees. 
• The sound of the ocean at high tide.
• Meeting new people and having them become good friends faster than you thought possible. 
• Finding common ground with someone you were unsure about.
• Knowing and feeling that some person really likes you as you are.
• When the weather is just warm enough for you to eat outside.
• Listening to the falling rain drops. 
• Watching the dew drops on flower petals early in the morning. 

Keep a look out for Pt. 2!

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Travel: London

The day started with an early - surprisingly busy - train from York to Kings' Cross.

We headed to the market not long after arriving. Picking up doughnuts and becoming intoxicated by the smell of fresh bread and spices.

The view from Bankside was incredible! Pretty much clear blue skies and boats passing through every few minutes. 

I may have developed a slight infatuation with Soho. It was completely my kind of thing, interesting shops, eateries, buildings. I could have happily wandered around there all day.

I got a little snap happy!

The sandwiches were to die for! Full of quality ingredients and sold by the chattiest fellow.

Freshly squeezed blood orange juice reminded me of being home in Bari (Italy). Packed with flavour, made from oranges straight from Sicily - I can assure you it was worth the £3.50 it cost.

The three images above are all from Fernandez and Wells. A small but well utilised space. It was packed with locals and the staff were more than helpful - willing to chat and advise, ideal!

The view from the front window of Fernandez and Wells.

In the end, we calculated that our feet travelled around 14km, it was killer and I'm a little achey as I write this but it was so worth it!

One of the many amusing A-boards we passed on our journey. Spotted another that said 'Topless baristas here..." - cheeky, but I'm not sure it would go down too well in Harrogate!

Labour and Wait  - Unfortunately we didn't get a chance to take a peak inside but with all the commotion seen from inside and out it looked pretty cool.

Coffee beans from Nude Espresso.

Everything in London looked stunning! So well thought out and it really felt like people wanted to be there, selling their products.

The versatility of the art and graffiti that stretched throughout London was astounding!

Much to my dismay I did have to return to the North that night. It reiterated just what you can do 24 hours.

I am completely besotted with London. The amount of culture, fashion and food inspiration, coffee, art, writing (and all the rest!) that I absorbed in that one day is beyond measure.

A trip that was more than worth the 5:30am wake up.

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A Quote From Hunter S. Thompson

“Breakfast is the only meal of the day that I tend to view with the same kind of traditionalised reverence that most people associate with Lunch and Dinner. I like to eat breakfast alone, and almost never before noon; anybody with a terminally jangled lifestyle needs at least one psychic anchor every twenty-four hours, and mine is breakfast. In Hong Kong, Dallas or at home — and regardless of whether or not I have been to bed — breakfast is a personal ritual that can only be properly observed alone, and in a spirit of genuine excess. The food factor should always be massive: four Bloody Marys, two grapefruits, a pot of coffee, Rangoon crepes, a half-pound of either sausage, bacon, or corned beef hash with diced chiles, a Spanish omelette or eggs Benedict, a quart of milk, a chopped lemon for random seasoning, and something like a slice of Key lime pie, two margaritas, and six lines of the best cocaine for dessert… Right, and there should also be two or three newspapers, all mail and messages, a telephone, a notebook for planning the next twenty-four hours and at least one source of good music… All of which should be dealt with outside, in the warmth of a hot sun, and preferably stone naked.”

(Image Source)

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Them

She came home later than usual that afternoon. The look on her face screamed "I was just a few marks off passing!" He guessed she'd been hiding in the library all afternoon... he was probably right, she had a habit of doing that.

"So what if you didn't pass?!" His voice sounded softer than she expected, she wandered to the bedroom without a word.

He plonked himself at the kitchen table. Frustrated and a little uneasy with her dismissal. Stillness swept the house and after ten minutes he couldn't bare it. A letter. That was the best way to get through to her.

I hope you know I don't care that you didn't pass. You're going to cry about this exam, I know you are - hell, I might too! I'll be yours at two in the morning and two in the afternoon and I'll kiss you until you smile again.

And I'll still bring you cheese on toast every Thursday afternoon. We can watch that shitty film you love, and yes I'll pretend I'm interested despite already knowing the ending.

Let's see if you're still mad after that.

He folded the note, slipped it under the bedroom door and listened attentively for the sound of the floorboards creaking.

Familiar sound heard, he popped two slices of bread in the toaster and raided the fridge for the cheese.

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Monday Musings

Excited for: Lots of laughing. I'm going to see Russell Howard this Sunday and excitement is definitely taking over!

Listening to: Ben L'Oncle Soul. A soulful, French singer songwriter?! Well damn, I am sold. After being introduced to his music by my older brother around a year ago I'm still loving it. Perfect on a warm summer evening or even as a winter pick me up.

Planning: A whole heap of journeys I want to take... providing I pass my driving test. There's a lot of places I want to see, explore, wander through and passing my driving test later in the month would really help me along with this. Motivation to pass: check!

Writing: Stacks of notes/revision. I say revision but it's more doodles, musings, thoughts, brainstorms, peculiar facts I'm unlikely to ever need. 

Wishing for: Just a little more sunshine. Brighter, longer days have been very appealing lately.

Loving: The beautiful sunsets that grace the sky each evening.

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The Birthday Girl

'If you don't understand how a woman could both love her sister dearly and want to wring her neck at the same time, then you were probably an only child.'

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The Importance Of: Why

At first, I didn't really understand. A little later I thought I had the right idea. And now, well now, I'm still working on it.

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Coffee Rituals

Being an avid tea drinker myself (never English Breakfast might I add) I never quite understood the act of 'wake up, get a coffee and go' I'd seen so many people perform.

This was all true up until a few months ago. As I began working at Hoxton North Coffee, Espresso & Brew Bar I didn't fully understand the widely celebrated human habit of a coffee in the morning, or one in the afternoon to keep you going. 

Further in, my curiosity for coffee and individual habits grew and grew. Observing customers' orders and personal rituals allowed me to understand the little fix one can obtain from coffee and a cheeky cake or pastry.

And now, around two or so months in, after attaining some knowledge and making cups of coffee I'm beginning to understand why it is one of the most popular drinks in the world. I've even enjoyed the odd cup myself!

Today, yesterday, the day before (even on the days when I'm not working) I have learnt things I'm proud of and recognise as influential. Not only that, but I also sense how fortunate I am to work in a place that interests me immeasurably whilst allowing me to keep my passion for learning ablaze.

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Healthy 10

10 things that make me feel healthy!

1. Eating well rounded meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner.
2. Exercise - especially Yoga and swimming.
3. Seeing my family and investing in my relationships - there are very few people I'd rather spend my time with and actively participating in the love shared between me and another makes me feel alive.
4. Accepting and seeking help/advice from others - I'm slowly learning that there's no shame in needing a little guidance every now and then. After all, no man is an island.
5. A good chat - knowing when it's time to just sit and talk about the world and where I am brings me great comfort.
6. Brisk walking against the wind - I can feel the wind go by when I run. It feels good. It feels fast.
7. Knowing I've made others feel good.
8. Recognising that I can't control the universe. I am the water, not a rock.
9. Sleeping 9 hours every night without interruption - Zzzz...
10. Being mindful - it keeps me grounded and alive.

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Comfort

It's reassuring to know that when things are a little rough driving for around half an hour can take you somewhere beautiful.

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Mindful Planning

After the chaos of Christmas it was enlightening to sit down and have a couple of hours to plan - mindfully.

Through reading, talking to people and my own research I've found that mindfulness is a key part of how function and live on a day-to-day basis. 

Loosely, it involves being aware, and of course mindful, of what you are doing and how you are doing it. Without sounding to cliché, mindfulness encompasses living now, and firmly in the present. What has already happened is done and with the lessons learnt in mind it is time to live. 

After taking the time to read about certain Yoga practises and mindfulness I've found they both closely border and complement one another. In a sense that it's easy to forget where you are, what you're doing and how you're really feeling, thus leading Yoga to reengage you and aid you in becoming aware.

So hopefully, in the new year, I will make a concerted effort to stay mindful and keep up with yoga practise. Challenging but realistic goals that will feasibly enrich my health and well being.

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Happy 10

10 things that have made me happy this week!

1. The sound of heavy rain on the roof and windows. It’s been constant this week, and I’ve not minded a bit.
2. Assisting with essential Christmas shopping. I'm often put in charge of present and card buying, and this year I enjoyed it more than last.
3. Reading my Auntie's blog. I hadn't known about it until a few days ago, she has now given me even more inspiration to carry on writing!
4. Getting the house ready for my brother, Max and his friend, Didi's arrival. He's been away from home for a while now, although sometimes stressful, it's always a delight to have him back.
5. A fruit bowl piled high with clementines. Oh so juicy!
6. Being lucky enough to have a few close friends and family members I can really open up to when things get a little rough.
7. Making lists. I'm not so secretly a complete perfectionist and lists keep me organised.
8. Frank Sinatra's Christmas album - It's less than a week until Christmas and I've over played it. Still, his sweet, smooth voice is charming to say the least.
9. Handing in my English Language coursework (early might I add!) - I couldn't be more ecstatic that it's out of the way and I can have a swell break.
10. Sparking a smile on my Mum's face. Christmas can be a difficult and reflective time for us both, so seeing her face light up when I tell a highly embarrassing joke is lovely.

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