A stream of consciousness on religion and love

So during the week a group of americans came into the pub for dinner. I was speaking on and off for a while with them. I could see there was a young married couple and there was people their age as well as a couple quite older and some kids, there was several races so I knew they probably weren't related. So at the end of the evening several of the people had left but the core younger group were still around, including the super cute married couple who were going on their babymoon the day after.

So they were discussing dates and why would one date be superior over another and what to think about the fact the person you are on a date with has had several dates that week and what was even the point of the date they were currently on. They were super friendly and welcomed comments I would make as I cleared their tables, such as 'make the date more interesting, so your date sticks out in the other persons mind' and 'have you read Aziz Ansaris' book?? He says its always the person that doesn't reply is the one you'll like more'

So as it turned out all the people were part of a church in The Bay Area. All of the people having dinner had all decided they would only date within said church, as one of their criteria for their partner is to be as christian as them, which I wasn't expecting, it was not something I had considered, but of course you do you and all that. It did seem to be restricting though, a very attractive lady told everyone she hadn't been asked out in a year.

There was over 1000 people at this church but I think there is still a lot of issues such as seen/heard in modern love such as still looking for the next best thing even with the smaller pool of people they can find their person from. The group was having an open discussion,  with the one married man taking notes, to send onto their pastor, who they were messaging at the time. I think the aspect of finding your one is something very important to those people, as God has someone for everyone and wants them to get together and then get married, then have sex and have babies etc

It was apparent the religious aspect was very important to them, it was an interesting thing to see, religion wouldn't be that important to me, I have been on tinder dates with people who have been jewish and if anything it makes them more interesting as I'm super nosey and want to ask things about their experience in life. I just thought it was interesting to see this and see there were good and bad aspects. The good thing is that the married soon to be parents were a success story and I'm sure there are many more like them and they believe that god brought them together to spend their lives together

Ren Skincare

So last week I was at work, and I got talking to someone who was celebrating her birthday, who also happened to work for Ren. She had several products with her and after asking me my skin type she offered them to me. My skin is normal, which gets hormonal breakouts 
I got six full size products, and I am very excited.
The products were:

Clarimatte T-zone Control Cleansng Gel A Purifying antibacterial facial cleansing gel for skin that is prone to oiliness and breakouts, particularly in the T-zone.

Clarimatte T-zone Balancing Gel Cream A light gel moisturiser that leaves skin matte, balanced and hydrated. Combats the appearance of oiliness, blemishes and breakouts and protects against free radicals.

Keep Young and Beautiful instant Firming beauty shot A gel-serum that instantly firms lifts and plumps the skin.

Flash Rinse 1 minute Facial A transforming treatment that instantly revitalizes and visibly rejuvenates the skin.

Moroccan Rose Otto Ultra Moisture Body Oil A rose-infused body oil formulated  to intensely replenish dry skin.

Flash Defence Anti-pollution mist A fine mist that instantly shields and protects the skin from the ageing effects of harmful free radicals and environmental pollution. It helps to strengthen the skin’s natural defences against oxidative stress, boosting the skin’s ability to detoxify

So I'm going to try all these out for the next two weeks and come back. I want to try one or two when I do my skin care, in case I react to something, I'll be able to tell which it was. Will also be interesting to see in which order to use thing, I've never had a serum before so I'm feeling very adult now. I was very lucky to get these and I'm looking forward to reporting back.

The one where I get an IUD

My contraception story is not overly interesting. I started taking Yasmin five years ago after my lovely summer love (vomit) was convinced I was pregnant and had drunkenly decided he would move to Ireland to help raise this imaginary child. I decided at 20 I wouldn't let that thought happen again and I went to the doctor and he suggested Yasmin and I agreed and I was happy out, taking control of my ability to choose if and when I would like a child.

I was happy popping these pills for four years, and then two things happened.

I got my hair cut short, and realised I had a massive bald spot, and I watched Siobhans' IUD video where she stated that her hair had thinned from her contraceptive  pill. I looked up alopecia on the HSE website and it basically stated, its stress or medication, and I can't do a lot about my stress really but I can stop ingesting hormones when there are other options.

In the last year or so I did go to the doctor and ask could I get the implant, because I was getting less good at taking my pill which is terrible I know, even though I didn't really want it, I had heard some bad stories with depression and the implant, but he refused to insert it, as he said he took out more than he put in. When I got my smear in Ireland I spoke with the nurse and she wasn't sure I'd be able to get it as I haven't given birth and it could be difficult to get it past my cervix

When I arrived in London I booked into the Marlborough clinic at the Royal Free to have a discussion with the nurse about contraception. She was lovely. I explained what I wanted and then what the nurse had said and she replied 'let the doctor worry about that' which made me very happy. I had been already tested in April so I was able to get an appointment for the following week

Last week I headed over to the clinic, had to pee in a cup (fun times) and I met the doctor, who was really lovely,everything was discussed such as what  the insertion, what to expect in the days after, side effects, and all the fun stuff. I laid down legs up in stirrups and waited for it to start.

It was not the best 10 minutes of my life TBH. She didn't have to dilate my cervix which was lucky I suppose, but it did take a while to get it inserted. Definitely worse than the smear, but I flew through my smear, cause my cervix is very apparent or something. I did not feel good straight after, quite crampy, but I dont get bad cramps usually so I think I may be a slightly babying it here really. I was given a pad after and told I could take paracetamol. I'd suggest having pain killers with you and take them before or even straight after insertion. I didn't have any on me and staggered (absolutely milking it here) and got paracetemol and ibuprofen and headed to starbucks for a coffee. I took a sip and then put the warm cup on my tummy and it was amazing, so also having a heat pad, or hot water bottle nearby would also be a good idea.

I took regular pain killers for the first two days, every 6 hours,and then as needed the next couple of days. In the last couple of days, I had an awareness of a feeling but I didn't need anything for it.
The day before yesterday I saw Rosemary Mccabes article on why she's having her IUD removed, and I found it interesting to see some downsides the IUD may have. To be honest (this of course is me biased) I hope the things she mentioned are not connected to her IUD, and I hope she writes another article in the up and coming months.

So, all in all I am happy with everything so far, the Doctor was fabulous and I feel so adult. She didn't seem to think the hair was to do with the hormones in the Yasmin, but it's good to eliminate reasons and try and see if there's anything I can do

       

Edinburgh Escapades. Our Weekend adventure

Up until this year I have never been on a girly holiday and so far this year I've been on two.
This time we decided to head to Edinburgh for the weekend. My friend organised everything and I basically just showed up, which felt weird, but it was great.

On the first night we were booked into the Mercat underground tour which warns not to drink too much before hand which we slightly ignored and had a couple of drinks in an irish bar, had some haggis, had happy birthday sang at me, when it was no where neat my birthday, and there was so many Stags. There was also a tuc shop which sold proper Taytos, chef sauce and Barrys Tea.




So we then headed to the Historic Underground and the alcohol did not help my friends ghost angst, and a great time was had. We then headed to a whisky bar where of course I had some scotch, cause that's just what you do. We were then advised to go up from the market square to some other pubs and we ended up in an Australian pub. Which was full of french men in rugby jerseys which made me unbelievably happy. My friend walked right up to them pointed at our table and convinced them to join us. None of us spoke much french and none of them spoke much English put through drinking, pointing and arm wrestling we all became great friends. I've also been rebaptised NENE as Niamh is unpronounceable. we headed too a late Irish late bar which was covered in GAA and Munster Jerseys, which again made me very happy. We wandered home at 3.30, on a night we were supposed to have a quiet night ha

The second day we did the Sandemans Walking tour with Australian Dave, who showed us loads.The best part in my opinion was all the Harry Potter stuff. He showed us the Cafe where she wrote her first couple of books, he showed us gravestones of names which she used as inspiration and told us which streets and buildings inspired streets and buildings in the book, such as Diagon Alley and Hogwarts.My friend and I went to the cafe, as Harry Potter fans have written all over the bathroom, and I mean ALL OVER the Bathroom.  We headed to the Witchery for lunch, which is a place we were possibly not posh enough for, I had the salmon and angus patty which was needed after the previous night. My friends were very good and we all headed to the pub to watch the Ireland v South Africa match, which we didn't win, but it was fun to sit down after the walk, and for my friends to see me in rugby mode.

That evening we went along to the Edinburgh pub crawl, which covered seven pubs, had great deals and a load of free shots, and good shots, tequila, jager. We met great people from all over and chatted to loads, giving advice about Ireland
even to those not heading there. I did try and shift a gay guy but we'll try and forget that. The other girls headed home, so I headed to Espionage after I was in a place called The Cowshed, which was an odd place, but Espionage was unreal, different floors, with different music, it was a great place to finish my night.

Sunday was a more chilled we went to the Camera Obscura, which was super fun hung over, mind bending altogether, we met with one of the girls from the Pub Crawl in the Cote Restaurant, and we had steak and chips which was just what we all needed. We hung out in the Edinburgh market and then headed to the airport.




There was so much we didn't do, we barely spent any time in the  new city,  one of my friends is convinced she's going to move there. Of course this is the PG13 story of our weekend, what happens in Edinburgh stays in Edinburgh

Living in London 2

I actually cannot believe this is my forth week in London.
There has been great aspects and some not so great aspects.

The not so great aspect includes the fact that I haven't been able to start the job I got,
I'm waiting on a letter from the police still. Thankfully I can start the job as soon as I get the letter and only today I've gotten a job in a pub, in Kentish Town. I did also have a trial in Canary Wharf in the fanciest place I've ever been in, not even worked, been in. It was enjoyable to see the view of the banks, but I know I was slightly over my head, just for small things, like the way the bottle should be facing and where the wine goes if you're eating rather than drinking. etc. It was a cool experience though and I didnt break anything which is a big deal for me.

Now onto the good things, Firstly Tinder. Has anyone heard of Nik Hampshire. While we didnt match up I saw him on it and it did make me far too excited. I have matched up with; a toy designer, a guy who worked on the Harry Potter film, British Soldiers, It's an all round adventure.

My best friend has been here for a couple of years and since I've been here, its been so fun, I've spent most of my weekends with her and sometimes during the week, We haven't lived this close in about 7 years. As much as being long distance besties was great being this close is just the bomb dot com. She'soff to Peru for two weeks on Friday so I can just meet her for coffee wednesday, the wonders of not having to get on a plane  to see your bestie.

So I was scrolling through Facebook as per usual, and I saw someone had visited London and seen a Yayoi Kusama Exhibition, and I decided I'd head to see her stuff too. There were three installation rooms and you have thirty seconds or so in each. the walls are mirrors so the pieces are fairly breathtaking. Also for some reason I've never been in Liberties before,its like being in a clothes shop in a Harry Potter movie. Oh yeah and Im just casually walking up Bond Street and there's an Andt Warhol exhibition on, as you do.

Finally food! My dad and I were in Camden to watch Ireland play football and then play rugby, we lost both lets not mention it. We were walking along a side street near the underground and came across Hook, a fish and chip shop, that started in Dublin, so of course we headed there. I had my first ever fish taco and it was amazing

Lit Nit Wit: The Girl on the Train

The one thing I couldn't bring when I  move over was books which is obviously so devastating.
My friend is basically a librarian, but like a super strict librarian, and I stayed with her my first night in London I saw she had The Girl on the Train and I practically had to beg to convince her to let me borrow it
I finished half of it in one day and was enthralled. And yes I realise its also being made into a movie which is an obvious theme in my reading life.

Rachel is a divorced alcoholic who though she has lost her job travels into London everyday,to keep the secret of her job loss from her falsely nice housemate.

She passes the same houses on the train and imagines their lives, giving them names and jobs and is highly offended when real life disturbs this fantasy.
When it emerges that one of the individuals she watches has gone missing she feels a personal connection to her and the investigation, and could even be an important to the investigation but it emerges her memory may be playing tricks on her and there is also the backdrop of her relationship with her ex husband his new wife and their daughter.

I did guess there would be a twist, did I guess it straight away no, but eventually I worked a bit out so the ultimate twist wasnt the biggest surprise. I'm into these darkish books and if you are too, I'd recommend this. I do love the fact I read a book based in London when I had just moved here, even though the film is in fact based in the US

Living in London: 1

Its been just about two weeks since I've moved. I haven't started working yet which is a bit stressful, I'm waiting for a form from the Garda (police) just to show I have no prior convictions or anything like that. So I'm trying to fill my days, but without spending all of my money, cause travel and food aren't free, but I know I'll appreciate doing things cause soon I will be working, and after speaking with my friends who started working, and they wish they had had time, but its a balancing act, tomorrow for instance I'm going to the V&A with my brother who moved over here the day before me. 

Speaking of family, and knowing people, it's been funny, I've interacted more with people from my hometown here than I did when I lived in my hometown. As well as my brother, my dad and two of my best friends live here. My first night here I stayed at another friends from my hometown house after we had gone out with 6 other irish people. I'm living with a childhood neighbour and his family and this weekend his mother, who was also my neighbour, and one of his friends also from our hometown  are over and the fact I was drinking wine with all of them last night is surreal. Irish people stick together it turns out, Even last week when I was out with a load of irish people, mostly who I didnt know, a lad from Tipp took me aside and told me if I needed anything, they'd all help, we're all in this together, which I thought was just super nice.

Nice thing number 2.

So as I haven't started working, I've put out a few CVs to pubs, as I do have experience in pubs, so last Friday I gave out a few and accidentally walked 21 Km, so I ended up in a pub, having a couple of pints of cider in walks in Brendon Urie from Panic at the disco! walks in, I walk up to him, apologising, saying I'm a fan, and he was so nice, he took a selfie on his phone and later we did a shot of whiskey, his shot glass is now on my window sill, and he tweeted the photo the next day, and my life was made.

Oh, and yesterday I was walking around by Big Ben and saw some photographers and well dressed people standing around so I stood around, an Italian girl came over to me and asked did I know what was going on, I said no, so she asked a photographer and it was the Gucci Cruise 2017, of course, so I saw some actual off duty models and some of the up and coming shoes, which to me was awful exciting 

Another thing is Tinder, its so different here, funnier too, aswell as people stating their Heights, which i still think is weird, people put up their uber ratings! I've had a chap from Leeds telling me in extreme detail what he'd do with me when we met, and also, interestingly there are couples looking for.. things which you wouldn't see that in Cork.

So far so good in London, new experiences and plans for the summer. Work will come, it'll all be grand, and the only way to go is up.

Leaving Ireland; hey there london

Since my last Blog post I've moved country!! Ok, in all fairness going from England from Ireland isn't the biggest thing in the world, seeing as I've been here two times already this year but this time its different, obviously.

I've tried to be organised before leaving, both college and job wise, but things haven't been 100% sorted, but it's more my father getting stressed about it, than me, I have only been here since Saturday. 

Whats really different is the fact is instead of staying outside all day to see as much as possible in the limited time I am here before I rush back to the airport to wait and pray my battery doesn't doe in the airport cause my plane ticket is on my phone.

Today I am moving into my summer room, so far in three nights I've stayed in three different houses on two different beds and a couch, a very comfy couch I may add, and I'm looking forward to unpacking, find out what thing I stupidly left in Ireland, in the 'to come to london at a later date' pile.

Recently ( since two weeks ago when I was in 'OH MY GOD I'M LEAVING THE COUNTRY AND NEED TO DO THINGS' mood, and I was all about the lists, and a couple of months ago, I read a vivianna loves makeup post and she had read something where its better to only have three things on your to-do list, so I'm attempting to stick to that, cause then the list is done everyday, the list is not never ending, and things are prioritised so if there's one thing I've learned its that.

I've also heard a lot of people speak about the life changing magic of tidying up during the whole clearing out, you should read The Pools article on Marie Kondo before you do read her book if  you are going to read it, but I was very proud of myself when I was finsihed clearing out. I had a work house wardrobe and a home wardrobe, and two make up collections and it was good to see them together and then actually know what I have. I cleared a lot of pennys things and gym stuff that just didn't look nice and in my soul I still wish I was a french person with like 7 items of designer clothes and thats it.

On my first night I ended up hanging with all irish people, so far it seems we stick together,and then friends of friends end up going out which I think is totes adorbs.  Also TINDER, especially compared to Cork tinder, I got a number already. 

So I've been here three and a half days, I wish things were further along work wise, but things have been beyond my control, but having more friends than I have in Youghal and spending all sunday with your BFF cause finally after about six years we live less than 100km away from each other, brunch and deliveroo FTW.

I know all things will work out but I want them to be worked out now, like there are worse places to not having to a job, and guess what book I started reading yesterday....Girl on the Train

  

Podcasts I'm listening to 2016; part two

I'm sure you've only been dying to hear what I'm listening to that I haven't already mentioned,
I'm moving to a different country soon, which sounds far more exciting than it actually is, but
I'm trying to streamline things so I can bring only the things I need and that includes podcasts which is borderline unnecessary I know but here I am, at the same time it's good to see if you actually listen to and enjoy.

Fiction;
I've only gotten into Fiction in the last 6 months or so, they remind me of plays you could listen to on the radio back in the day.
It started with Limetown which was a recommendation from Gemmaquillage, but I didn't realise it was fiction when I started listening to the first episode and the first episode is kinda scary, especially when you're walking the dog at night like I was. I enjoyed it once I realised it wasn't real ha.
I then tried to find other fictional podcasts cause, sometimes you want to listen to things that aren't educational, or something you don't have to think about.
I came across Tanis and The Message. All of these podcasts are trying to figure out something, some kind of mystery, but in different ways  and they're all so good, my favourite would be Tanis, but the other two are headed by women which of course is very important.

Interviews;
We've all heard of The Nerdist and Bulleye with Jesse Thorn, so I won't mention them. I don't listen to a lot of them and the ones I do are a bit niche. I listen to An Irishman Abroad Lets Make Mistakes Together and Pardon My French.
 An Irishman Abroad is Jarlath Regan an irish comedian interviewing famous Irish People such as Dara O'Briain, Chris O'Dowd and Laura Whitmore, at the moment as an irish person who will soon be abroad, its nice to hear how they got on and succeeded abroad.
Lets make mistakes together is Philip DeFrancos podcast, where he interviews the people who works at sourcefed, or nerdy celebrities, like someone from Nightvale.
Pardon My French is Garance Dore interviewing and conversing with people such as Zosia Mamet, Emily Mortimer and Erin Foster, I adore Garance and will read and listen to just about anything she produces and I feel you see a different side to people when you hear them, especially when you hear them speak to someone they admire.

Education:
Sometimes you want to learn random things about your body or about superglue, and there are podcasts for that. There's Surprisingly Awesome, Hidden Brain and Only Human.
Surprisingly Awesome tries and make things that could be seen as mundane and puts it into perspective, like who doesn't want to sound cool at dinner parties that you know random facts about broccoli or  pigeons. Only Human and Hidden Brain are kinda similar to each other because they look at things such the science of fear your sanity or your kidneys.

Pop Culture Panels:
There are two pop culture panels that I love listening to. I do enjoy pop culture and its great to hear people talk about things they love like the OJ TV show, or what The Weeknd is talking about when he can't feel his face and The Oscars. There is Pop Rocket and Pop Culture Happy Hour and they are alike but different enough that I can justify listening to them both.

Techy:
I wouldn't say I'm into tech things but podcast tech, is better. I'm not sure how I found Startup but I did. I'm never going to be an entrepreneur and launch a company, but Alex Bloomburg is and he recorded it, called it Startup. Its three seasons in, and it looks at different companies' experiences, the good and the bad. What came from Startup came reply all, which is two tech nerds discussing apps, internet famous dogs and the internet without being OTT techy, like its more conversational rather than patronising.

WHOO we did it, we got through this, there was a lot and here we are, at the other side. don't forget this is after I've unsubscribed to a lot of podcasts

Lit Nit Wit; Luckiest Girl Alive

OMG lads, I've read something that hasn't been made into a movie yet. I'm subscribed to Lena Dunhams' newsletter, and while I don't read every letter every time, on one particular occasion Jessica Knoll wrote about her experience as a teenager and about her reaction to what she went through as an adult. I happened to be in the library and saw the book and I basically jumped for joy as I had put the book on my never ending wish list on amazon.

Ani FaNelli is a soon to be married sex journalist living in New York. She instantly reminds me of Amy Dunne from Gone Girl, all her moves are calculating, being the cool girl drinking pizza with her fiance, being friendly with her co-workers, knowing how two faced they all are, with a dark edge, a history that follows  her when she goes for coffee with people who want to start working in magazines.

We see her past in two ways, she documents herself, how she ended up in the new high school what the people in her area were like. A producer has also contacted her to help with a documentary about an event that happened while she was in school, an event she doesn't divulge until much later in the book, an event I was blindsided by to be honest, I was too busy concentrating on something equally as bad that happened earlier.

When you read what has happened to her you understand why she is the way she is, it doesn't excuse it but it makes the character more rounded, its interesting to see how certain events still affect people ten years on, solidified in their very being.
Highly recommend

The one where I get tested (my 100th blog post)

Right so bit of a different type of blog post today but I thought I'd share it.
So I am a single lady, who likes having Sex 99.9% of the time I am very careful, taking the pill and also using condoms. In fact the total times I've had Sex without a condom is three times , which is three times too many of course. I've been tested before and I've wanted to get tested again for the last year in all honesty, not for any particular reason, just to know myself I'm fine, kinda like a car engine or something, you use something regularly you think it's fine but you want to check anyway in case something is lurking.

Also; on a slight tangent, when I cut my hair, it turns out I have quite a large bald spot on the back of my head, matrix style, and I recently watched a YouTube video by letzmakeup and she said her hair had thinned became of her using the pill , and there is no other reason why I would have lost it, so I've figured that's why I'm the same, this video was about her choosing to have a non hormonal coil inserted and she also mentioned that you need to get tested before a coil can be inserted, and the coil is something I've been thinking about getting so all these things led me to finally stop procrastinating and finally book into getting tested.

This visit to the clinic was different from last time, both location wise and procedure wise, the last time I was tested I lived in Dundalk and now I live in cork so there's that.

I slightly messed up when it came to my appointment, time wise, so I was only able to get my throat swabbed and have my bloods taken and I needed to come back the following week for the interval swab and urine test, but even if unlike me you are on time it still is a two visit procedure. You're also asked a series of questions on the first visit, like how many partners you've had in the last 6 months, year and ever and I have to admit I fibbed on the ever question, sorry doctor, she also asks about the kinds of sex you've had with your last partner (oral, vaginal anal) and where the partner was from (I think that question has something to do with vaccines) The doctor was very nice on both visits, on seeing my birthday the doctor told me to get onto cervicalcheck.ie to see if I was due my first cervical smear, turns out I am (yay...) and I'm going to book that at my local GP next week

When I went back for the interval swab, they had the results from the throat smear and blood tests and they were all clear and then she had me up on stirrups and the internal smear took place, that is not at all comfortable, not sore or anything but not something I'd look forward to.
After that smear you go back to the waiting room until they call your number, your name is never mentioned, or written down its all private and confidential.

So I was called back in and was told there was some white cells on my cervix, which there shouldn't be, she said that germs and the like get up there all the time but it could be something, so she gave me two antibiotic tablets and put me on a sex ban until she called me again.

I googled the antibiotics to see what they are supposed to treat and along with ear infections it treats chlamydia and gonorrhea.
I kinda freaked a small bit to be honest, thinking about who could have given something if I had something and if I'd passed something on, would I have to tell future partners, would I be left sterile cause of some bacteria hanging around in my body for a long time.
There's a shame associated with it to be honest, i met my friends after I had the blood test but I wouldn't tell them what I had the blood test for, I felt I'd be judged if it ever came out, almost as if I deserved to get an STI cause I slept around more than other people and what would I expect. All this was going around my head, and I hadn't even been told if I had anything, last week j was on a bus after a couple of drinks with a friend and I kinda blurted it out, she asked who would it have been and I said I wasn't sure and she kinda jumped to the conclusion I'd been careless every time and got something that way, but it was the opposite. People are quick to judge, without even meaning to, and I was preparing for the worst.

Today I was in work and I got a Phone call from a cork number, I jumped into the laundry room, to be told my swabs were all clear, I was relieved in all honesty, if I had been positive for something, I'm not sure I would have admitted it online anyway, I was looking forward to writing about it to try and encourage people to get checked, even if you're 99% sure you're fine, I know of a person who'd only slept with one person and before they stopped using condoms they still got tested, though they'd only slept with each other. It will do no one any harm to get checked, sure it can be a bit embarrassing but it's better to know 100% that you're fine then to accidentally give someone you like something or let an unchecked infection ruin your fertility.

Lit Nit Wit; The Room

Another week, another Book review, I will go back and discuss more podcasts soon, but this week I wanted to talk about The Room. Yes I know another book turned into a movie, but I had heard how good this book was, and to be fair I didn't know the whole story cause of course I haven't seen the movie, I'm only just about to watch the last episode of making a murderer for crying out loud ha.

This story follows Jack and his mother who live in a room,that's about 8 by 8 foot or something crazy small, its a soundproof shed, in someones garden. Jack was born in this room and has never been outside, his friends include bed and chair and Dora the Explorer, as there is a television but he's only allowed watch a certain amount,like any 5 year old. Unlike with any 5 year old, his mother has told him everything he sees on television is not real, and that only the two of them are actual live people. . The two of them have a routine which includes bath time and reading, and running, and screaming ( for help, he doesn't realise that's why they were doing it) and then at night, Jack sleeps in the wardrobe, and on some nights Old Nick, as Jack calls him, makes a visit. A couple of days after his Birthday Jacks' mother tells him they have to escape the room, and the rest of the book follows their escape and reintegration into the outside.

I feel like I've read a good amount of books, and a lot of books remind me of other books. In this instance, The Room reminds me of The Boy in The Stripped Pajamas, in that a young child is in a situation an adult would even find difficult, and uses their limited life knowledge and skills to understand the situation they are in, and the bravery these children have without realising.
Another thing I took from the book was the thought of societal norms and slang term that are said flippantly, it made me think about things that really don't make sense, unless context is provided.

All in all a fabulous book, I'm glad was made into a movie.

Podcasts I'm listening to:2016 Part 1

Sometimes I hate it when I say, ' Oh I listen to podcasts', when I'm chatting to people about what I do in my spare time or whatever, but I love them. The best thing I like about podcasts, you can walk around with them and learn or laugh, as you're going to work or stretching your legs, making dinner and so on, there's always something new listen to, particularly if you're like me and are subscribed to 34 podcasts, I just counted that myself and am kinda in shock myself. Whatever kind of thing you want to listen to, you can find something you like, whether its comedy, fictional, pop culture, sex, having children (I'm not broody, but..I'm preparing......) and the human condition.

There's such a mix, and so much to listen too, and while there are ads, you get over that, and if you don't like to hear a certain interview on nerdist or bulleye, you just don't download it. If you get over a podcast, which does happen, you just remove it from your feed, it's no problem. The worst thing that can happen is that the podcasts can finish up, which is slightly heart breaking, looking at you The message. I'm going to try and break it down into categories, and say why I like them.

SEX AND RELATIONSHIPS;
The last time I wrote about Podcasts, I think I mentioned Dan Savage and his Love Cast. I have to say, this is something that is shaping my mindset on relationships, monogamy and sex in general.
Sometimes I put off listening to him sometimes, just because sometimes there's so much to take in, but everytime I do I get so much info, I'm glad I heard it and am developing my thoughts on sex work and break ups and relationships.

Another sex positive podcast I started listening to recently is Sex with Emily. I think her approach is more casual, and it is good I've already listened to Dan for a long time. Her's is more of an easier listening. What I love is when I hear a question, and I hear the answers and it was exactly what I thought.

FEMINIST PODCASTS
If you didn't know I have an obsession with Louise O'Neill, not quite in a stalker way, but anytime she mentions she's written something or has been interviewed, I'll try and read it ASAP. I think she must have mentioned The Irish Times Womens Podcast, and so of course subscribed immediately.
For some reason I have been pleasantly surprised about how well spoken and smart these irish journalists, and politicians and just fabulous women with amazing opinions on a diverse range of topics.

Another person who I stalk online is Gala Darling and any time she mentions she's been interviewed by someone for a podcast I end up subscribing to it and really liking the stuff discussed
The podcasts I've ended up following are
Stay Real With Amber
Punk Rock Personal Development and
The Lively Show
These three podcasts have a common thread in them in my opinion. All of them try and helping people to empower youself.
The lively show and PRPD interview women, such as bloggers, (The Lively show) authors, burlesque dancers (PRPD) about their lives and the hustle basically. To hear how these people got to where they are, even though that's not the career path I want, is really interesting, and I feel like I could take some of the life lessons discussed in the podcasts. Hearing empowered women is empowering!
I've only just been introduced to Stay Real with Amber, and I've only listened to the first one, but I have high hopes.

I thought I'd be able to write about all the podcasts in one go, turns out no I cannot. Gives me something other than books to write about I suppose.
Come again and I'll discuss Science Fiction and pop culture :)

Attending my first wedding

This week I was going to review Brooklyn, but
1 I'm reviewing too many books, in my opinion anyway

2 I really didn't like the book. I was just about getting by until the sex scene, then I lost it completely

and

3 I did something this week I'm so happy with.

My love life is not exactly the most fairy tale like story you've ever heard, there's been some unrequited "love", several times feelings with people who were unavailable, both emotionally and actually, yes I know, I'm terrible. I have had the grand total of one boyfriend, which officially didn't last that long, but all in all it was just short of a year. It didn't end badly, at all, just distance and moving on, no bad feelings, in fact after we finished I brought him to my graduation ball and stayed at his new place, to watch my mother do a marathon. It was funny we were still texting, and he started mentioning one of his new housemates, and I just knew they would end up dating, and I was right. I knew when she checked them in at a park late last year saying how happy she was they'd gotten engaged. I was legitimately happy for them, and I decided I'd really like to go to it, though I haven't spoken to him in a long time, not in a bad way or anything like that, people have lives to live after all.

I'm not saying I believe in the secret, or even know anything about it, but I will say I think the fact that I said I'll get invited, I'll get invited, helped get me invited. Also I sent him a message New Years Eve, totally nice, totally about Jessica Jones. I enjoyed talking to him after quite a long time, just a normal chat. We were good friends for a long time, a time that was really tough for me and he was there, with bourbon and pizza and he really helped me deal with stuff.

So a couple of weeks ago, I was in a pub discussing why I loved Bernie Sanders and explaining the cycle of crime in america to my old bar manager, and I get a notification on facebook, saying I was invited to wedding drinks a couple of weeks later. I'd had a couple of drinks at this stage so got on the facebook message, asking my friend to go, and ensuring my friend would be allowed to come, and I was told it would be no problem.

So this year is a centenary of the 1916 rising in Ireland and there are a lot of things happening in Dublin to commemorate it and since I was in Dublin for the day, so I wanted to do something. I decided I wanted to do the walking tour. I studied History in school, but a bit of a refresher would do me no harm. I really enjoyed it, to walk around the city where most of the fighting happened and seeing bullet holes in statues you've walked past dozens of times.

After a quick frantic trip to ikea to find a frame for the present I had gotten I arrived at my friends house, to hear her Boyfriend had had his final inspection at his school and was officially dipped as a teacher. They wanted to meet before we went to the wedding, but I assured them that he should come with us. So we headed to the porterhouse by Trinity for a couple drinks, I had a Galway IPA, which was lovely. Then we headed to Xico where the party being held.When we got to the bar, I saw the groom (well his back) and for a second I got slightly scared, but it helped my two friends were with me, so I ordered the drinks and we sat at a table away from the party for a while. I psyched myself up and went over to him, and tapped him on the shoulder, and it was honestly like I'd seen him last week, not the two years it had been.

I wont go too into the party, I spoke to his father, who had to be told later who I was so he came back and was way more friendly, I met the bride, who I'd never met before. She told me she'd heard all about me, which unnerved me slightly but she seemed happy to see me, so I think she's heard good things. My friends and the bride and groom got on really well, I thought of some appropriate for wedding stories about myself and the groom, it was all so so so fun.

Before I went to the wedding people seriously questioned why I was going and would it not be awkward, to see someone you really liked happy with someone else. To see someone you've seen naked planning on spending the rest of their lives with someone else, who turns out I really liked.
I listen to Dan Savages' podcast, and I remember he said that a relationship doesn't have to last years and end in marriage. The year I was with him, was the worst year of my life, honestly, not cause of him obviously, but he literally dragged me through that with promises of bourbon and pizza.
Why wouldn't I want to be happy, I don't have the mindset that he shouldn't be happy if its not with me, it's not like I thought we'd end up long term together. They look really happy and I love that. I just checked facebook messenger and she's changed her name to his (I sent her a message the day after thanking her for the night)  

Girl Holidays : Iceland

I'm  not a "girly holiday" person, not trying to say I'm better than people who go on them, I mostly just enjoy travelling on my own. Last year, the weekend my friend and I went to Holifest, she said she was going to Iceland for her birthday and did I want to go. I said no first, I had a not great experience in London trying to work there one summer with a friend and we ended up not talking for months, but then I was asked to go again by another friend, and I'm trying to do things with people, so I said fuck it lets go to ICELAND.

This holiday was weird in the fact I booked nothing, I just transferred money to my friend in London (Currency Fair FTW) and I was really just told when to show up somewhere ha. All I had to do was buy my flight to London as that's where we were flying from (though you can fly from Dublin, its just my friends live in London). The flight was less than 3 hours, wherby my friend and I slept the entire time (four of us went, the two others sat more at the front, we also stayed in different hotels, as we got the rooms, flights and the trip to the northern lights through Wowcher, and they had to be bought in twos, and when our other friend went to book, our hotel was full so they ended up in a different place, but their booking included breakfast). When we arrived at our hotel we were told that we actually had two single rooms instead of a twin, which was even better, my friend is a morning shower type of girl so it all worked out. For someone who doesn't do group holidays, space to zone out and listen to podcasts are needed somewhat frequently, as much as I love the girls I went with.

Day one was spent readjusting to super cold weather, walking on ice (GOOD SHOES/ BOOTS are essential, my friend was sure her toes would come away from her body) and of course eating FERMENTED SHARK at the Loki restaurant, don't  think I'll be eating that again but I can mark it off my list of things to eat. We walked around and got a feel for the place. I stood on a frozen lake, admire the concert hall and saw a penis museum. We headed to a place close to both our hotels called Red Chilies. I don't think Reyner the waiter was super happy to see four hyper over tired irish ladies, but once I called him a raving alcoholic and continuosly complained about Johny Cash playing on repeat he took a shine to us and gave us some tips such a walk like a penguin to not fall, go to Lebowskis on a Wednesday, don't eat fermented shark. 

Day Two;  as it was pancake Tuesday I had waffles for breakfast of course. We booked into do the Free Walking tour with the enthusiastic adorable Martin, who told us about the metal houses, the fairy rock, and all about reykjavik he even got a selfie with us in front of a woolen vagina, highly recommend it. We also headed to the Northern lights, which was just unbelievable. It took a while for them to show up so we admired the stars, drank some hot chocolate and jack daniels and eventually they showed up. There was a mini existential crisis and a group hug and the bus lady told us a ghost story, and then dropped us off at our hotels.

Day three: if there's one thing I'd tell you not to do that we did would be go whale watching. We did it as part of a deal, whale watching and the blue lagoon, but I'd say to just do the blue lagoon, go earlish, get a drink and a face mask and you can leave when you want. I must say I've never met a tour guide as enthusiastic about dolphins, cause we only saw dolphins, the whales were hiding that day. On our first day walking around donna who was the reason we went to Iceland, it was actually her birthday that day, she spotted a Sky restaurant, so we headed there. Such a good idea, lobster salad was a good idea! We kept borderline bullied the waiter into guessing her age. We headed to Lebowskis (maybe see the film before you head there, so you can understand the toe reference at the bar).




I just adored Iceland. I more than likely will not head there ever again, and that's perfectly fine.
For a first time girl holiday I think I picked well. The girls and the location, ok the location was picked already but I had the best time
 

Lit Nit Wit: Before I go to sleep

Surprise Surprise I'm reading a book that was made into a movie. Even though it was made into a movie I wasn't sure I would like it, I think jut cause Colin Firth is in the movie, which of course is a terrible reason not to think a book will be good, I was very surprised as a result though so Yay


Christine wakes up beside a stranger, then wanders to the bathroom to see she is not the early 20s woman she was expecting to see in the mirror but a woman in her 40s. In the bathroom there are photos of her, none of which she can remember, her screams from the sight of herself have woken the man up, who introduces himself as her husband. He tells her she had an accident years ago and has been unable to retain any memories past her early 20s sometimes even before that, she has to relearn everyday when she wakes up her age and who this man is, and every night when she goes to sleep it is all lost.

When Ben leaves for work Christine receives a phone call from a doctor informing her she had a diary and they were working together to try and work on her memory. The majority of the book is diary entries, where everyday she receives a phone call from the doctor, and she reads the diary and relearns who she is and learns how the doctor is trying to help her,
I felt a deep unease reading the book, a concern for a character of a book. I try and guess what's going to happen, and the first thing that occurred to me was how can she trust a diary? How can she trust the doctor, who has told her not to tell Ben about the diary, and how can she trust Ben, still a stranger, and on the first page of the diary it says DO NOT TRUST Ben. There is also a passing issue on consent that occurs a couple of times in the book, which I find interesting, cause CONSENT IS IMPORTANT!!

I really enjoyed this book, more probably cause I wasn't expecting it to be great, for no reason, I literally judged this book by its cover! There was one turn I was not expecting and I was so shocked I think I gasped, I highly recommend it!!  

What I got in Lush recently

This year before Christmas I went to London mostly to see the Munster-Leister match (let's not talk about it) and while we were in London, my brother and father went to The Winter Wonderland (I wasn't allowed in cause I had an open bottle of JD in my bag...) after we walked to Oxford street and I happened upon the Lush on Oxford street and could not be dragged away from the place. Also my lovely housemates gave me some lovely products for my birthday ( I arrived home after a few drinks and saw the bag and I was so so so drunkenly thrilled.

I think Ill mention what I got for my Birthday from my housemates first.

Popcorn Lip Scrub: This is an amazing lip scrub, simply wet your finger and scrub against your lips, only the smallest amount needed. I love licking my lips after and getting a taste of sweet and salty, remember to apply a lip balm after.

Rosy Cheeks; This is a fresh cleansing  mask with calamine powder, I'll be honest in saying it's not my favourite mask but I'm still using it and utterly appreciate my housemates for getting it (It's in one of those Bring back 5 get a fresh mask pots so really its a win win).

Dream Cream: I get dry hands, from washing my hands so much at work. I keep this pot beside my bed, so I can apply it while I'm watching Netflix, there are a lot of oils involved and it takes work to get it to sink in but its phenomenal. You can use it all over but I just keep it to my hands.

Right so London; I have never seen so many good looking nice people working in one shop before and of course it smells amazing. There was two main reasons I went to get, the navy lipstick that I saw Abbey Williamson has and I wanted The Comforter, as I've only ever had Rose Jam and everyone talks about how much they love The Comforter. The first thing I went for was the lipstick, its called Secure, I'm fairly sure is a Oxford street exclusive, a lovely french assistant person came over and we went through them and I swatched a few and got it. I started looking for The Comforter and again my lovely lush friend ( I kinda want to marry him) came over again and I said I was looking for The Comforter, and he showed me where the bottle was, and he washed my hand with it and I nearly died of happiness, he also actually recommended that I try the Yuzu and Cocoa shower gel which is a moisturising shower gel and sometimes (nearly all the time) I don't use body lotion enough, and double jobbing is the way to go.

When I had those two picked out, I started to wander around, to see what else caught my eye. I ended up near the hair things, and stumbled upon the avocado co-wash. Again there are so many people around helping, I asked about it, its 80% conditioner, 20% shampoo, I was interested to try it so I bought a chunk. I've used it a couple of times, yes I thought I was doing it wrong as it didn't froth up and I looked up reviews on youtube (it turns out that's a thing, don't know why I was surprised, I was also happy cause I realised it def wasn't supposed to).

The next thing I bought almost purely for the smell and it turned out I really like it. This beauty is Queen Bee. A hair honey to rub into your hair, the one thing I'll say is keep it not in a cold bathroom, as it can be hard and it makes it more difficult to melt it between your hands. Again I saw a review online and she raved about it.

I was in line all happy with my things and I realised there was one more product I wanted. Could I think of the name of it, no! Another of the most helpful people ever came over to help and it was established I wanted the rough and the smooth, the sugar body exfolliator. OH MY I'm in love, sometimes I forget to bring it into the shower, cause of course it will dissolve if left in shower, but its so good, its not scratchy, it feels like its really doing what its supposed to, if you were going to buy one thing I would say that

Recently I had five empty tubs and wanted to exchange them for a fresh face mask. My skin was and is still being a brat and my jaw line and neck and chin are having flare ups. I was recommended Cosmetic Warrior, its anti bacterial and I really enjoy it.
The last tub was a cleanser so of course I had to get a new one, I like trying a new one each time, to see which one I like the most, and my skin doesn't react to things, yet at least. This time I chose Dark Angels, which contains charcoal and is hence black, and I like it, its slightly exfolliaty, but nothing too harsh, and I don't use it to wash my face everyday so I haven't found it to be stripping

The last thing I got was a bit of an impulse buy, but I'm enjoying it anyway. The King of Skin is a solid moisturiser to be used in the shower,( I have this at my work house and the shower gel in my home house ). You rub it all over, at the end of the shower and then pat dry your skin to keep the product on your skin. I love it, I need moisture for my  AGING SKIN, ok  not really but I feel good when I do it

Lit Nit Wit The Martian

Right OK I had not heard about this book before the movie came out
I'm fairly sure. Before I read it I heard from Hank and John Greens Podcast that this was a book made to be a movie but I knew I wanted to read it before I saw it which I thought was interesting and actually made me want to read the book more (cause really I might never see it, I'm awful at seeing movies, I always say I'll watch more but I never do). It was put firmly on my Amazon wish list/ list of books for my brother to chose to buy me for Christmas ( I give a list he picks one, that way there is still some surprise Christmas morning) but then just as I was leaving the library with two other books (reviews to come) and there it was looking at me, I promptly borrowed it also, I was very excited as I did kinda want the other books on my wish list slightly more than this one.....and also if a book is being made into a movie, it usually is an alright book......mostly.

This book follows Mark Watney, a botanist/astronaut (yes the botanist side is important) who is mistakenly thought to have died on Mars, and so is left behind again ON MARS. Thankfully (stay with me on this) the trip to Mars was cut short so there are quite a few left over supplies and a lot of the mechanical things are working, except the communicator of course. A lot of the book is written in log form from Martins perspective. He's a funny man, he swears a lot for an astronaut, I'd probably swear a lot if I was left on Mars so it is understandable. I really liked his character, he explains everything he does (because he thinks he'll be dead by the time the log is found) and somehow has humour, he never blames the others for leaving, they were only following protocol after all, but he is forever looking at ways to do things, whether its trying to find a way to communicate with earth or ways of extending his food rations further (yes I have read the way he did it wouldn't work, this is not a how to survive in Mars handbook, it's fictional)

Without putting major spoilers in this, when it is discovered he is alive (not a major spoiler) the political aspect of his rescue I found very interesting and things lost and sacrificed for the greater good, the life of the botanist is more important than an entire countries glory I suppose.

I still haven't seen this movie but again I have heard that the science/engineering side of the book does carry over into the movie and the movie just won two Golden Globes for Best Movie and Best Actor. I would recommend this book, even with a science/ engineering/ botany jargon, it doesn't go over my head very much. I'm very glad I read it