'Mind Yourself' - My Happy Place

For their 'Mind Yourself' campaign, Independent.ie asked me to discuss my happy place and, in light of recent personal events, this is what struck me...

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An old farmhouse nestled along a winding rural road; the hub of our family.

Her house was the centre of the wheel for our entire family - aunts, uncles, cousins, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, neighbours and friends gathered there.  

Her doors were always open.

Nana was the pinnacle of our family and all spokes lead to her.

It was more than just a farmhouse though it was a home and it holds a very special place in my heart.

As I write this piece my mind wanders back to my childhood days of calling down to see Nana, of Sunday spins  to the beach and evenings spent sitting by the fire watching Judge Judy call the shots.

All memories now. Happy memories of a happy place. My happy place.

The house, and the woman at the centre of it, was the glue that held our family together.

You could drop in on any given day and you would be sure to find her either sitting in her chair in the sitting-room poking at the fire, standing at the kitchen table making her famous brown bread and marmalade or out in the yard looking for one of her hens that had escaped (again).

Her house was a hive of activity; the yard was always buzzing with farmers rushing here and there and with 18 of us grandchildren and as many more great-grandchildren, there was always someone visiting for a chat and a cup of tea.

That was the thing about Nana; she loved to chat and I always left her house laughing at something she had said or marvelling at a story she had told.

She had a profound influence on everyone who walked through that house although she had a special way of making you feel like you were the only one.

She instilled some of life’s most important qualities in me; that your health is your wealth, education is a privilege we must take advantage of and the importance of being independent should never be underestimated.

And Nana embodied each and every one of those qualities.

She treasured being healthy and, even in her later years, enjoyed a sneaky dip in the sea during summers spent in Rosslare. She embraced education reading the Independent from back to front every morning and then giving out about the latest political scandal for the rest of the day. And she was independent! Long before Beyonce released her chart topping ‘Independent Women’, Nana was leading the way as an independent lady even driving to the shops and mass at the age of 91.

In the days after Nana's passing her house was where we gathered. It was where we needed to be; each of us reminiscing on our own memories of olden times and funny stories.

Strangely enough it was my happy place. For those few days it was where I needed to be to feel close to Nana.

There was a profound sense of family, of love and of togetherness during those sad days.

In the midst of all the sadness and grief, Nana's house remained the hub we had always known it to be. It, or rather she, remained the glue that held us together.

Nana’s house remained the light in our darkest time.

It was my happy place. Our happy place.

As addictive as a drug: Narcos Season 1 Review

The opening scene of the Netflix original Narcos describes it as ‘magic realism’; a real story told magically or a magic story told in a real way. And that it is.

The series, fictionalised but grounded in real events, documents the larger-than-life story of the rise and fall of drug lord Pablo Escobar and the Defence Enforcement Administration’s futile efforts to catch him and the infamous Medellín cartel.  

The so-called “King of Cocaine” demands your attention from the get-go as he flaunts his lavish lifestyle of wealth, women, drugs and the more than occasional mass murder. Switch your attention for a minute and you’re lost. With more plot strands than I care to count this series demands nothing but your full attention.

Narcos, the colloquial term for drug dealers, intertwines real archival footage with the drama of the show, giving it an authentic almost documentary feel. The use of English subtitles over spoken Spanish only adds to the intensity of the show.

The infamous Pablo Escobar's life is portrayed in this Netflix original

The show is narrated through the words of DEA agent Steve Murphy, played brilliantly by Boyd Holbrook, but it also manages to show the other side of the drug war through the eyes of Escobar.

Behind the cocaine-fuelled gun shots and violent outbursts is an astonishingly good performance from the main man himself, Wagner Moura, portraying Pablo Escobar.

The Brazilian actor is mesmerising in his role as the all controlling, all powerful drug lord demanding loyalty and, in most cases this means life or death, from his fellow drug traffickers. Yet he is capable, at times, of showing love and affection towards his wife, his mother and his children. This split personality is unnerving for the viewer as we wonder what his unpredictable mood is capable of next.

For the squeamish people out there Narcos does not shy away from violence and when it comes it comes in short, quick and gruesome outbursts leaving little to the imagination of the audience. There were times when I had to cover my eyes to avoid the graphic bloodied images caused by Pablo’s destruction.

In essence Narcos follows the typical good guys versus bad guys stereotype but, with more twists than a windy old Irish boreen, there are times when the viewer questions how good the good guys are and whether they have crossed a line in search of the bad guys.

Narcos succeeds in keeping the viewer on the edge of their seat; eagerly waiting to click ‘next episode’ to see where this real-life story will take you next. Like the drugs they flaunt throughout the show, Narcos is nothing short of addictive.

Annnnnd that's a wrap: I graduated!

Four years ago I clutched my Leaving Certificate results in my hand, hoping and praying all my hard work had paid off.

I desperately wanted to study Journalism and New Media in Limerick but, with the points set to increase, I had an agonising wait to see if I had got it or not. A few days later I happily clicked ‘accept’ on my CAO form. I was officially Limerick bound!

Officially a qualified journalist.

Four years later and it’s hard to believe my college experience is over. As cliché and all as it sounds, time really does fly and last week I graduated!

I spent a lot of time in fourth year wishing the year would hurry up and end. I couldn’t wait to be finished my final year project, assignments, exams and all the stress that goes hand in hand with it. I was more than ready for the stress of college life to be over. I was ready to go out into the real world and be an adult.

But the night before my graduation, with the big day literally only a few hours away, I had a scary thought. I suddenly realised there was just one small problem with my single-mindedness. Once I donned my cap and gown that was it; the safety net of education, which I have known for the last 18 years, would suddenly be gone.

And with the economy still looking more like a rollercoaster and less like smooth sailing it’s no wonder I’m slightly anxious. I have nothing concrete lined up. I’m all dressed up with no place to go. No place to interview.

Every so often I find myself thinking these negative thoughts, which are made all the worse by people constantly asking me what exactly I’m doing with my life and when am I going to get a real job and stop working part-time pulling 99’s. The truth is I don’t know. I’m really not sure. I’m still figuring this whole life thing out.

When the not-so-positive thoughts don’t creep in I’m confident. Confident I’ll get a job in my chosen field and confident that things will work themselves out. I’m pretty sure something will come up. In some shape or form. I’m just not sure how long it will take…

Waving goodbye after four great years.

The President of UL, Professor Don Barry, reminded me of all this during his speech at the graduation. He reminded us how proud we should be for getting this far and achieving a third level qualification and, more importantly perhaps for those of us with nothing solid lined up, reminded us that things always have a way of working themselves out. He said we must “never, ever let anyone tarnish our spark”. Wise words from a wise man.

So, with that in mind, I’m not so much nervous about the future as I am curious.

College life was (so far!) the best four years of my life, but I’m ready for the next chapter now.

All I can say is bring it on!

Interrailing Do's and Dont's

The Interrail Experience...                                                                                        

After spending what can only be described as the best four weeks of my entire life travelling around Europe I am finally, and somewhat reluctantly, back on Irish soil. Leaving sandy beaches and scorching sun to return to a very dull and dismal Dublin airport last Sunday night was a firm reminder that the dream was well and truly over. Returning to work today after almost four and a half weeks away was a further realisation that I was back to reality with a bang.

So what better way to lighten my mood and my post-holiday blues than to reminisce about my Interrail experience. Like the J1, interrailing is quickly becoming an almost mandatory rite of passage for young Irish students. But before you set out on your trip of a lifetime, here are some do’s and dont's to consider…

Travel Buddies

DO: Travel with someone you know inside out and upside down. Someone you know has the same interests as you and someone you know will want to do and see all the same things as you. You are going to be spending 24/7 in each others company so choose wisely. I travelled in a group of four (my boyfriend and I and one of my best friends and her boyfriend) and it was the perfect combination. We were all interested in doing and seeing similar things and it made our trip a whole lot easier. 

DON’T: Go with people you may end up falling out with over a missed train, a bad hostel or deciding what to do. Interrailing is a once in a lifetime opportunity to do and see things you might never get a chance to do again. Make sure you’re doing them with the right person. Don’t waste your time away with someone who can’t be bothered to get up early or stay up late and has no interest in doing the same things as you.

Pack smart

DO: Travel lightly. Trust me, you really won’t wear half the things you think you will. It’s useful to pick out outfits before you leave; it’s more efficient and will hopefully prevent you from over-packing.

DON’T: Bring anything unnecessary. I’m talking hairdryers, straighteners etc. If the weather is good your hair will dry naturally or, if you're lucky, they might have one in the place you're staying.

Booking accommodation

DO: Book in advance. Not everyone is a fan of booking accommodation in advance but, personally, I would recommend it. After a long day/night travelling you really won’t want the extra hassle of having to try and find a suitable hostel in a new city. We booked all of our accommodation in advance (some weeks in advance, others just a few days) and found it really handy. Plus, booking in advance gives you the added bonus of picking and choosing the best value for money hostels in the exact locations you want.

DON’T: Leave it ‘til the last minute. During our trip we spent three nights in each place which really isn’t a huge amount of time. We wanted to make the most of each new place we visited by doing and seeing all we could. Wandering the streets looking for a place to stay wasn’t one of them.

Have an idea what you want to do

DO: Make a vague plan of what you want to see and do in each place before you get there. It’s important to have a rough idea of the attractions in any of the places you’re going as it will save you time and ensure you make the most out of each destination.

DON’T: Be lazy and waste your days. Interrailing really is the holiday of a lifetime so be proactive and make the most out of every day. You’ll only end up regretting it if you don’t.

Count your dolla bills

DO: Keep an eye on your bank account. You’re there to spend your money doing and seeing lots, but it’s important to remember you’re probably on a budget. Try not to blow your money in the first week as you get to grips with what you can spend daily. If you are on a strict budget cheaper countries like Slovenia will suit you better. Personally I found bigger cities like Vienna and Munich to be very expensive (but still worth it!).

DON’T: Think that money grows on trees. It doesn’t, unfortunately, and it will run out. Make a plan of what you can spend daily and stick to it. That’s the best advice I can give.

Picture c/o: Imgur

For my sister...

To the baby of the family,

Tomorrow you turn 11. Imagine.

I remember so clearly the day you were born. I was eleven too. I didn’t know if I would be welcoming a new baby brother or a new baby sister.

I wished for the latter. Poor Michael has been outnumbered by women in this family ever since.

You will always be the bambino of the family so to see you grow up before my very eyes is a strange, but wonderful experience. I have had the privilege to be someone you can look up to and admire and I know I don’t always get it right but I hope I’m setting some sort of a good example.

When you were a baby you were effervescent, stubborn and oh-so-very cute. Now you are slowly (but surely!) morphing into the ultimate teenager.

I’m almost getting used to not being able to find my mascara or lip-gloss because you’ve robbed it and are experimenting with it in your bedroom. It doesn’t mean I’m not still mad about it being gone. I am.

As the baby of the family I never really thought the day would come when you would suddenly have an interest in fashion and make-up but you already do. 

But you're still so young so slow down...you will have years and years of wearing make-up everyday and wishing you didn’t have to. Putting on fake eyelashes and straightening your hair. You will have endless nights out with your best friends, getting dolled up and heading to Creation like I do now. Your time will come.

It doesn’t seem like 11 years ago you came into this world, peeping out through big blue eyes. In another 11 years you will be my age. 22.

By that stage you might have gone to college. Or you might not. I know you think school is “soooooooo boring” right now but stick with it. I only ask that you follow your passions and do what makes you happy. You are one of the most creative 11-year-olds I know; making homemade lip-gloss, hair dye, nail varnish and all sorts of other bits and bobs. You are so talented at music too. Please don’t ever stop playing the piano or singing. Even if the singing drives me mad from time to time. 

And the cooking! How could I forget the cooking? You will make more of a chef than I ever will.

Also, keep reading. The beauty of getting lost in a good book never fades away. Trust me. Keep at it, even if the lure of your iPod is more enticing.

Take an interest in the world around you. I know you already do this, dreaming of big city living in London and New York but don’t be afraid to explore other places too. Sometimes people and places aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.

In 11 years time maybe you will get the opportunity to do what I am doing now. I hope you travel and see what the world has to offer. Ignorance is not bliss so don't be afraid to try new things, ask questions or voice your opinion. Lord knows you have one! 

Finally, you will never be too old to sleep in my bed. I might give out about you sneaking in there but you make the perfect spooning partner.

Love,

Your big sister x 

Oh and...

Age is only a number, true love is eternal

The romance surrounding weddings often brings a tear to the eye. Even more so when the love story of the couple at hand is this cute…

Wedding bells are in the air...

                                                                        

There had been months of planning and preparing for the big day. Finding the right church for the ceremony, booking the hotel reception and, most importantly, choosing the perfect wedding dress. There was also invites to be designed, table decorations to be organised and seating plans to be approved. There was so much to do, but Annie didn’t mind. After all, she had time on her hands and was determined to make her big day absolutely perfect.

Annie had always thought the old saying "Always the bridesmaid, never the bride" had been written especially for her and, after four weddings as maid of honour, she had given up all hope.

And then she met Tommy.

He strolled into her life and settled comfortably as if he had been part of it for the last 82 years. They went for walks together, read the newspapers every day and, occasionally, played cards. They fought like any old couple; bickering and niggling as if they had been doing it for years. But they had just met. They were in the honeymoon phase; despite being 82 and 86-years-old respectively.

She knew she loved him and wanted to spend what little time she had left on this earth with him. So, defying the odds and proving that age really is only a number, they tied the knot last summer less than a year after they met.

At 82-years-old Annie finally walked down the aisle.

She knew their story was one for the books and, at her wedding reception, Annie beamed as she said:

“When I think about it there’s nothing incredibly special about Tommy and I together. Except that I think our love story is the sweetest of them all.”

Pictures c/o: Top Vectors and U Turn Crossfit. 

Des Bishop's 'Coming Home'

The funny man is back on Irish soil after an interesting time in China

From the Glen to Beijing and back home again.

Des Bishop’s ‘Coming Home’ tour left audiences with tears rolling down their cheeks as he performed his hilarious, sold-out gig in Cork last weekend.

His stand-up show garnered impressive reviews at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe last summer and, having brought it back to The Everyman for two nights this year, it’s easy to see why.

‘Coming Home’ tells the entertaining, amusing and laugh-out-loud account of Des’s two years living in China where he challenged himself to learn one of the world’s most up-and-coming languages.

Having already spent a year in the Gaeltacht in a bid to learn cúpla focal and speak as Gaeilge, Des decided to set the bar even higher and try his hand at Mandarin.

Our tickets for the show last Friday night.

Without giving too much of the show away, I can tell you, if you’re lucky enough to see this performance it will leave your cheeks hurting and stomach aching from laughter. Des’s anecdotal stories of working in a local restaurant as a ‘welcomer’, attending match-making fairs, learning to play ancient Chinese instruments with the locals and, finally, making an appearance on the Chinese version of ‘Take Me Out’ are guaranteed to entertain you.

The problems he encounters along the way, the inevitable difficulties he has with the language and the differences he experiences with the culture are all told in brilliant, comedic fashion by the much-loved Irish-American.

His recount of his time on Take Me Out is one for the books as he recalls how he got the audience clapping along to ‘Come Out Ye Black and Tans’ while also yapping away in Mandarin AND trying to woo the ladies for almost half an hour. Talk about multi-talented!

However it was just a fleeting visit to his old haunt in Cork as the New Yorker returns to his home city next where his ‘Made in China’ tour, as it is known outside Ireland, hits the Barrow Street Theatre for a three-week run.

Having spent years laughing over his jokes and eagerly waiting to finally see him, Des Bishop did not disappoint, and, if this show is anything to go by I can’t wait to see the next!

Picture c/o: desbishop.net

Not-So-Smart Phone

They have fast become an addiction in recent years; a gadget we can't seem to step outside without, get panic attacks when we can't feel it in our pocket and rarely leave out of our hands.

Can we even remember a time without a smartphone; when Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook or Twitter didn’t exist? When you actually had to sit and talk to people without constantly glancing down at your phone for fear you might miss something.

We have become obsessed with our phones and have blurred the line between needing and wanting. We have become addicted, rude, disrespectful and clearly lack any kind of self-control. 

Is it really too much to ask to leave the bloody phone down when someone is trying to have a conversation with you?

Here are four of the most annoying things I've noticed...

Using your phone when someone is talking to you

This is possibly one of my biggest pet peeves. There is absolutely nothing worse than someone scrolling through their news feed while you are trying to have a conversation with them. They are oblivious to what they're doing and it's obvious they're not interested in one word you have to say so, what's the point? Seriously. If you’re going to be that anti-social why do you bother hang out with real life people where, God forbid, you might be subject to real life interaction?

Checking your phone every two seconds

Now don’t get me wrong, smartphones are essential for reminders, alarm clocks and to-do lists but the endless stream of notifications can also be annoying. A status update from Facebook or a notification from Pinterest to tell you you have a new follower are hardly essential updates or justify the need for you to check your phone every two seconds. As well as the ‘ping’ noise becoming super annoying, looking at your phone all the time is anti-social, distracting and can prevent you actually living in the real world.

Bringing your phone everywhere

Seeing people out walking with their phones yapping or texting away irks me like no other. Isn’t one of the main purposes of exercise to relieve stress and disconnect from the world for half an hour? As well as that how many times have we all had someone bang into us because they weren’t looking where they were going because they were too busy with their mobile phones? Just leave the phone at home already!

Using your phone when dealing with a cashier

Working in a shop for the last few years I have dealt with this one too many times. Would you wait in line then as soon as you get to the top of the queue wait a little bit longer while the person serving you takes a call or answers back a text message? I doubt it. Newsflash! You are not the only person in the queue. Other people are waiting, I have a million and one other things to do than wait for you to finish your conversation so stop being ignorant and get off the phone.



Photos c/o: Wordpress, hercampus.com and greenbot.com 

Texters, talkers and seat-kickers...

‘Why do I go to the cinema?’ I asked myself half way through the monotonous, overrated and utterly underwhelming 50 Shades of Grey.

I should have stayed at home, in the comfort of my own house, eating food that didn’t cost a small fortune and avoided the inevitable queue for the year’s most highly anticipated movie.

Before you roll your eyes at yet another critical review of 50 Shades, this blog post is actually not about the beautiful Jamie Dornan or the frustratingly annoying Dakota Johnson. It was, however, inspired by my visit to the cinema to see the movie last Wednesday night.

Now, I wasn’t expecting the movie itself to blow me out of the water but, all in all, I was looking forward to going to the cinema. Sometimes we go just for the experience more so than the actual film itself; for a night out with friends or for a date night with your other half.

Something very similar to this happened me last week...

But last week I questioned my own judgement as to why I bother going at all. To see a film I can probably illegally download on my laptop? To eat ridiculously over-priced popcorn? No.

Every now and again the cinema experience is not the relaxing night we had planned. Sometimes, like last Wednesday, it can actually be a living nightmare. Talkers, texters and people who find pleasure in kicking the back of your seat are all reasons your cinema experience can go oh-so-wrong. If you’re one of those people then maybe you should stop reading now…

 The Talkers

There’s always one, isn’t there? Someone who can’t quite seem to keep up with the plot and who proceeds to ask a hundred and one questions throughout the movie. Maybe if you stopped asking questions and focused on what was happening you might actually know. Just a thought. Then, on the other end of the spectrum, there are the people who feel it necessary to provide a running commentary on every single movement. Yes I’m here too. Watching the same movie as you. Yes, I can see what just happened. No, I do not need to hear your annoying, little voice repeating what I can already see!

The I’m-super-popular-can’t-leave-my-phone-down-people

Yes, I’m talking about you with your head bent scrolling through your Facebook news feed or frantically texting some other I’m-so-popular-can’t-leave-my-phone-down creature. There is no need to text in the cinema. Seriously, can you really not leave your phone out of your hands for an hour or two? And as for the cinema snapchatters out there. Please. None of your snapchat buddies really want to see a pitch dark snapchat from you declaring how much fun you’re having in the cinema. Put the phone away.

The Food that cost an arm and a leg

 

Despite how over-priced it can be, food at the cinema is a must. Preferably a medium sized popcorn and coke or even some sneaky supplies you bought in Tesco on the way to the cinema. Some people just don’t think about the rest of the people sitting around them who might want to enjoy the film in peace. Eating pistachio nuts, or any other extremely loud and annoying type of food, is not ok and it never will be.

The Late-comers

The late-comers are up there with the seat-kickers. It’s just so annoying. Granted there are those who come in late and have the decency to be embarrassed by it but this, I’m afraid, is not the norm. The people who waltz in, ten minutes into the start of the film, and loudly ponder where they will sit or how much of the movie they’ve missed are the worst kind of people. This is not ok. Please, think of the audience.

The I'm-so-in-love-I-can't-stop-shifting-couple
Ah, couples. Shifting the face off each other might have been ok ten years ago when you were 14-years-old but it’s not ok anymore. Just because it’s dark doesn’t mean we can’t see or hear you. Have some self-control. 

Photos c/o: Wordpress and the National Times.

If tomorrow never comes

Next week, next month, next year. We are always putting things off. ‘I’ll do it tomorrow,’ I say. But tomorrow never comes and suddenly, as the week slips out of my hands, I think, I’ll start next Monday.

Monday. It’s a little bit like Groundhog Day isn’t it? Not exactly the most inspiring day of the week. But you have to start somewhere so why not today? Why not Monday?

With Operation Transformation dominating our television screens and an unprecedented focus on health and fitness in the media; it’s hard not to be sucked into the world of treadmills, squats and lycra.

If you’ve never considered yourself a gym bunny before it might be time to reconsider. With the ever-increasing stresses of college assignments (yes, FYP I’m talking about you), work or whatever else might be going on in your head; sometimes the best thing to do is get out of the house, get out of your head, get lost in the music blaring out of your headphones and exercise. Take it out on a treadmill. Literally. Pounding the treadmill, or the roads as it may be, is a sure fire way to release any stress or anger you may be carrying. As well as keeping your heart healthy and pumping oxygen into your system, exercise also helps deplete stress hormones while also releasing mood-enhancing chemicals. It’s a win-win situation!

Just do it!

The all too common excuses such as ‘I’m tired’ or ‘I’m stressed’ should be seen as motivation and not a deterrent.  Too often we get caught in a vicious cycle of all work and no play. We become too tired, too lazy and totally overwhelmed at the thought of actually getting up and moving. In reality, it’s not as bad as you might think. While I’ve been gradually getting back to some sort of level of fitness over the past few weeks, it hasn’t been easy. More often than not I have a mental battle in my head over whether I’ll bother go to the gym today or give it a skip. Sometimes my willpower wins and I go and I feel better, happier, less stressed and more energetic. Sometimes the latter wins and I waste away my evening watching mindless TV programmes, feeling sorry for myself and wishing I got up off my ass and went.

Watching people run a charity 10k, or even a half-marathon, can often leave you wondering how you will ever get to that level of fitness. It can leave you a little envious and a little disheartened. However it’s important to remember that everyone has to start somewhere. Even the likes of Sonia O’Sullivan had to struggle, puffing and panting, before she ever got into the swing of things. The truth is, if you stick with it, running, swimming, football or whatever it may be, does get easier and you will get better. One day you’ll be exercising and you’ll suddenly realise that it’s not as painful or uncomfortable as you once thought it was. Pigs might fly and you might even start to enjoy it! 

Pictures c/o: Pinterest, Twicsy and Indulgy. 

Valentine's Day: A waste of money or a showcase of love?

In theory Valentine's Day can seem like a wonderful idea; a day specifically designed to appreciate your other half and show them how much you love them. In reality though, the day can turn out to be not so sweet.

If you’ve been brainwashed into celebrating Valentine’s Day with a romantic candle-lit dinner followed by a moonlit stroll on the beach after being showered with a bouquet of roses and a bottle of champagne in your hotel room where you’ve gone for a getaway romantic weekend then I’m guessing you won’t agree with what I’m about to say in this blog so maybe you should stop reading…

But maybe you’re a cynical anti-Valentine critic like me and you dismiss the notion of buying presents for your loved one on a random made up holiday. If so, keep reading. You might like what I have to say.

Now don’t get me wrong, I like to be appreciated and pampered as much as the next girl but I don’t need Valentine’s Day for that. Without any of us even realising it Valentine’s Day has turned into an exhibition of us proving our love for each other with over-the-top presents and cards that cost more than my right arm, rather than actually celebrating it. Like many cynics I cling to the notion that this inane, made-up holiday is sponsored by profit-seeking, commercial card companies and overpriced florists who will market anything remotely romantic in order to make some money and then laugh all the way to the bank with your hard earned dolla bills.

I’m not wrong in what I’m saying. Figures released last year from Visa Europe found that in the Irish market, holders of their cards spent almost €10 million in florist shops alone. They also found that 40% of Irish people bought flowers to mark the so-called special occasion on February 14^th. 

And it’s not just the florists who hit the jackpot in the run-up to Valentines. Renowned card company Hallmark, who first sold Valentine's cards in 1913, now offer a choice of over 1,400 different cards for the special occasion and An Post is expected to handle approximately 100,000 Valentine's Day cards this year! That’s a lot of cards, a lot of stamps and a lot of money.

So why do we feel such a need to splurge money a lot of us don’t have on a commercialised holiday that’s forgotten about soon after the clock strikes midnight? Are we worried about keeping up with what everyone else is doing and letting them know you’re in a happy relationship? Cue cutesy Facebook statuses from girls of ‘The boy did well’ when their boyfriends ‘surprised’ them with Michael Kors watches or Mi Moneda chains after dropping not so subtle hints. Chances are they’ll be broken up in a few weeks.

Ok so maybe that’s a bit harsh but you see where I’m going. There’s no need to tell the whole world or the virtual world you’ve created on Instagram or Twitter about what you got, or didn’t get, on Valentine’s Day. It’s annoying, it’s cheesy and most of us really don’t care.

Don’t get me wrong, a surprise bouquet of flowers or an expensive gift is undoubtedly flattering and I’d be the first to accept without hesitation. But is one day of the year really necessary to showcase how much your significant other means to you? Maybe, just maybe, we should be highlighting it all year round without the flashy presents and extravagant gifts.

Pictures courtesy of: http://happyvalentinesday2015z.com/anti-valentines-day-2015-cards/ and Pinterest. 

Redefining the fashion industry one plus-size model at a time

TESS MUNSTER (left) made fashion headlines around the world recently when she became the first plus-size model to land a major modelling contract. In an industry infatuated with ever shrinking waistlines and skeletal, unrealistic body frames, Tess Munster has defied the odds. At 5ft 5 and a UK size 24, the 29-year-old has made history after signing to London based modelling agency MiLK Model Management.

Despite being shot down by various different casting agencies and told she would never cut it as a professional model because of her height and her weight, Munster refused to give up and she was eventually scouted by Anna Shillinglaw. The director and owner of Milk Model Management and former model signed the plus-size beauty after coming across her Instagram account, which has a staggering 443,000 followers.

The American’s signing to a professional modelling agency comes over a year after she was named one of the world’s top plus-size models in 2013 by Vogue Italia.

As well as making fashion history Munster, who also goes under the surname Holliday, launched the #effyourbeautystandards campaign in 2013. The body-positive activist launched her idea in an effort to promote women of all shapes and sizes to be proud of their bodies.

So, what exactly does Munster's signing mean for the fashion industry?

Well, like anything, success comes with judgement and criticism and, unfortunately, Tess is no different. Far from applauding the Mississippi native for overturning traditional fashion standards, many people have been quick to slam her as a negative role model promoting obesity. This blatantly one-sided opinion reinforces the ideology of traditional fashion industries all around the world who promote overly skinny, unrealistic and simply unattainable body shapes and sizes.

We have been brainwashed by the fashion industry over the past few decades into believing that skinny is beautiful and anything else isn’t. This simplistic, black and white view is gradually being turned on its head with the likes of Tess Munster being signed. Her signing to a high-profile agency tells men, women, teenagers and children that there is more than just one desirable look. 

Unfortunately the fashion industry and its models aren’t the only ones to blame. We must also point the finger at the media; newspapers, magazines and, in recent years, social media for endorsing and promoting a certain body type. The increasing use of Photoshop and other editing apps has further alienated the stereotypical, skinny model to ordinary people like you and me.

While some people may take little notice or overlook Tess Munster’s ascension into professional modelling, others will view it as a monumental step for the ordinary people of this world.

Anorexia, bulimia and so much more negative attention has surrounded the fashion industry in recent years and it's time to look at some of the more positive attributes the runway has to offer. Yes some people will argue against me that a model of her height and weight should not be anywhere near a camera or a catwalk but I disagree. It’s high time we started looking past skinny and redefined what it means to be a model. 

The future is bright for Tess Munster and, with fingers crossed, I hope she paves the way for many more models like her.

Picture courtesy of Photographer: http://www.capturedbychelzea.com/

Snapping the FOMO away

Out with the old and in with the new, isn’t that what they say? But Snapchat users were sent into a frenzy and left feeling overly paranoid and annoyed about the popular app’s new updates. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram were soon flooded with statuses complaining about the disappearance of the ‘top best friends’ feature on Snapchat. First world problems you might say, but when did we become so dependent on social media?

People questioned whether Snapchat was just temporarily broken and assured each other the ‘top friends’ would return. Others wondered aloud about the possibility of increased cheating in relationships now that no one can see who’s snapping who the most. Then there were those who complained about those complaining. The whole thing was a bit of an unwarranted, unnecessary fiasco.

Are we really so dependent on social media now? Are friends seriously falling out and relationships actually breaking up over apps like Snapchat? The answer simply is yes. I have heard too many stories about couples tearing the head off each other or, in some cases actually breaking up, over their other halves best friends on Snapchat.

For those of you out there who were genuinely worried about the new Snapchat update and the idea

of not being able to creep on your other halves best friends then it’s time to take a step back and remember the days before social media took over our lives. Snapchat best friends, Facebook ‘likes’, or Instagram’s ‘love’ button should not define or dictate a friendship or a relationship.

In this day and age it is almost impossible not to be sucked in to

the world of social media but unfortunately for us, like the best friends on Snapchat, a lot of other apps can also cause users a headache.

One of the most common things people experience when scrolling through their news feed is FOMO or Fear of Missing Out. For anyone not aware of the word, FOMO is the feeling you get when you see a status, Snapchat or video of people you know having a good time and you’re not there. You hover over said picture wondering why you weren’t invited, how they could possibly be having such a good time without you and, eventually, telling yourself you never wanted to go anyway.

As well as FOMO, so-called ‘life envy’ is another common problem people witness as a result of browsing through social media. Seeing someone you know with something that you want/need/aspire for is a basic definition of life envy and has been known to cause a green-eyed monster to appear via the keyboard.

Now that there is an unprecedented number of apps to keep track of it’s no wonder social media has turned perfectly sane, reasonable, sensible individuals into green-eyed, paranoid, creepy people.

Things can get really crazy really quick. My advice? Take a step back and move away from the keyboard.

Varadkar opens up

Boko Haram kidnapped 60 people in Cameroon, 35 people were killed in a Syrian plane crash, while Cherif Kouachi, one of the brothers involved in the terrorist attack on French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, was buried yesterday. Yet none of these made headline news. Instead, Leo Varadkar’s sexuality dominated the leading news headline on RTÉ’s 9 o’clock news last night and on front pages of Irish newspapers this morning.

Are there more blatantly obvious and serious issues in the world? Yes. Is the sexuality of a cabinet minister really worthy of front page news headlines all over the country? No. Yet, that’s what you’ll find if you happen to glance at any newspaper or online news website today.

If a politician is heterosexual the widely held view is that it is no one’s business except his or hers. So why do we, as a self-proclaimed liberal country, struggle so much to adopt the same attitude if a politician is homosexual?

The fact that the next potential leader of Fine Gael or indeed potential Taoiseach felt he even had to address his sexual orientation on national radio shows we are not as liberal a nation as we might like to think we are, nor have we progressed as much as we say we have.

It is not an ideal situation but, in a country like Ireland where homosexuality was deemed criminal less than a quarter of a century ago, Leo Varadkar coming out is not a small step but a giant leap for the Emerald Isle. The power of someone as high profile and well respected as the Health Minister openly coming out cannot be underestimated in a society where so many people feel they cannot come out and express who they really are.

Like Obama will always be known as the first African-American president of America, Varadkar will always be known as the first openly gay cabinet minister. However, speaking to Miriam O’Callaghan he said it will not define him, yet it may always be noted:

“It’s not something that defines me, I’m not a half-Indian politician or a doctor politician, I’m not a gay politician for that matter, it’s just part of who I am.”

To live in a society where coming out isn’t a momentous and difficult task for people is a society we can only hope for. Leo Varadkar must be commended for speaking out. His decision to freely discuss his sexuality will hopefully help pave the way for many people and can only be described as a positive and game-changing step for Ireland.

Leaving college for the real world

They say time flies when you’re having fun.

As my final semester as a third level student fast approaches I find myself increasingly worried about things I never even had to consider before; preparing CV’s, applying for jobs, my FYP and the gut-wrenching thought of my college life soon becoming nothing but a distant memory.

The dreaded question seemingly on the tip of everyone’s tongue ‘So, what exactly are you going to be doing after college?” instils the fear of God in me and the perplexed look on people’s faces when I tell them I’m not entirely sure is enough to almost send me over the edge.

 My ever-changing emotions about leaving the comfort zone of uni life and going out into the big bad world is giving me whiplash. One minute I’m excited about what the future holds and the opportunities and prospects it undoubtedly has in store for me, both personally and professionally. The next minute I’m genuinely wondering how I will function as a fully “growed up” human being in the real world with a real job. It’s all oh so confusing. I’m sad that I’m finishing. I’m happy that I’m finishing. How can one be so happy and yet so sad at the same time? That bittersweet emotion tastes so strange.

Here are the five things I’m feeling as the final semester edges closer:

1.   A burning desire to never have to complete a college assignment again

This all too common thought is repeated again and again throughout final year. Now that I’m half way there and one semester away from completing essays, final year projects, presentations and all nighters I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

2. The motivation to apply for every single job going

 

The sheer panic and fear that you might not get a job after four years of hard work is enough to make you apply for every single job you come across. Sure a degree in journalism might not be equivalent to a degree in engineering but what’s the harm in applying…

3.   The temptation to punch anyone who asks you about your future 

Jobs, masters, post-grad programmes…if one more person asks me what I’m planning on doing once I leave college I may not be held responsible for my actions.

4.     The idea of hiding under my duvet and never surfacing again seems more appealing every day

The thought of getting a real life proper job is overwhelming at the best of times and some days staying in bed in my own little bubble and never ever ever ever leaving it seems like a good plan.

5.    Shock that this is my life

Sometimes it's all a bit much to take in; I’m about to graduate, with an actual degree. Life is about to start happening. I’m just going to let that sink in.  

Making changes

As Little Women’s Christmas approaches tomorrow the last of the Christmas trees will be taken down and the decorations put back up in the attic for another year. Christmas cards will be swiped from the mantelpiece leaving it looking rather bare. The fairy lights, dancing Santas, singing snowmen and the crib will all be put back in their boxes, now that their job is finished for another year.

Reality has returned with a bang as the first working week of the year officially kicks in. Those of us who over-indulged during the festive season are probably feeling a little bit sorry for ourselves. Too much food and too much alcohol have left many of us feeling lazy, sluggish and less than motivated.

But January brings with it good intentions and resolutions for the coming year. ‘Dry January’, a 31-day challenge to give up alcohol after the booze fuelled festive season, is a common trend many people undertake after Christmas. However, like new year’s resolutions, sticking to a strict no alcohol regime can be difficult, especially in the cold, dark Irish winter when a hot whiskey never seemed so tempting.

If you’re considering saying goodbye to Jägerbombs, shots and the famous pints of black stuff for the next few weeks then here are a few tips to help you in your cold turkey state.

• 1    Avoid the pub

It might seem like an obvious thing to do but avoiding the scene of the crime is a fool-proof way to keep any temptations you may have at bay.

• 2.       Two’s company

Going cold turkey on alcohol is zero craic. It’s minus craic if you’re the only one out of your group doing it. Persuading a friend to avoid the booze for a few weeks too will make missing out on nights at the pub a little bit easier. He or she might even thank you!

• 3.       Bye bye turkey tummy

Saying see-ya to alcohol can mean great news for your waist line. As alcohol contains a significant amount of calories, not consuming it can only be good for you and your body.

Adopting ‘Dry January’ to the rest of your lifestyle and diet can also have significant benefits. Replacing fizzy drinks with water, chocolate with fruit and takeaways with a properly cooked nutritious meal will all have positive benefits on you, your energy levels and your body. Over-eating and drinking at Christmas time can make it hard to cut out all the bad stuff when we’re used to it. But it can also make us motivated and determined to see change within ourselves; both physically and mentally.

With Operation Transformation also returning to our screens this week, will this year’s leaders inspire you to make any changes this year?