Places I'd Rather Be.

With getting enough sleep high on the list of things I’m NOT getting these days it’s fast becoming all I can fantasise about and I’m slowly turning into a bedroom decor creeper.

Pinterest is my new best friend.

 So, these are some of the rooms I’m LOVING lately. 

The colours!!!

Minimal. Wood. Nuetral colours.

here

Pillows and colours.

I'm beginning to see a pattern here.

Beaut.

More minimal wood.

yes

.

.

more wood

mmmhmmm

my grown up palace

wood errywhere

Definitely see a bit of a pattern in my bedroom decor preferences, A lot of minimal, neutral colours, vibrant pillows, wood, fairy lights and books. always the books.

Now, if someone could transport me to one of these rooms and ensure I get 8 hours sleep that'd be great.

xo

George Bailey, I'll love you 'til the day I die.

IT’S DECEMBER FIIIRRRSSSSTTTT and that means we can officially discuss all things Christmas so let’s start with the most important thing (kinda): The Christmas Movie.

In my opinion, the best Christmas movie, in the whole entire world, is It’s a Wonderful Life for a multitude of reasons. I've already made a list of my favourites here but this is THE favourite. It’s a Wonderful Life is the classic feel-good movie and clearly, I’m not the only person that is of this opinion as Capra’s classic has been in and topped several “Best of...” lists throughout the years proving that the 1946 classic is a legitimately timeless movie that remains enduringly popular essential Christmas viewing and probably will for years to come.

It’s a Wonderful Life is an ageless movie that can be viewed an indefinite number of times and improve instead of breed resentment as a result of its familiarity. It’s timeless, like Casablanca. One of the most magical things about the whole movie is that it is set in black and white. Even though TV stations can pay to have the more expensive, newer colour version of the film the black and white remains the classic and provides us with the intrigue and expectation we've come expect from movies that have beaten the challenge of time.

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"Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?"

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The story is based around poor George Bailey, a man who tries his hardest to do everything right but somehow everything manages to go wrong around him and he never quite makes it out of his original home town, Bedford Falls. His dream is to travel but responsibilities manage to keep him at home time after time. The evil Mr. Potter is the nemesis of the movie and throughout the movie he attempts to take George’s savings association off him and after a blunder by George’s absent minded uncle he nearly succeeds. George marries his high school sweetheart and settles down in a life he never thought he’d end up living. After his uncle’s blunder George turns suicidal and is visited by an angel named Clarence (one of the best things about this movie) who then goes on to show George just how awful things could have been if George hadn't existed and the positive effect he had on the people around him and Bedford Falls and the difference he’s made in the world. After a film full of mishaps and horrible things happening to poor kind hearted George Bailey when the happy ending does come it feels earned and genuinely Christmassy rather than over the top and unnecessary.

The romance between James Stewart and Donna Reed is one of the most appealing and heart-warming elements of this movie. From the first night at the high school hop where George woos Mary on the way home after they jitterbug into the pool all the way to them listening to Sam Wainwright talk about “the chance in a lifetime” the passion and desire is palpable. Mary’s dedication to George is obvious yet understated when George slumps into a depression and takes it out on her and the kids. Instead of retaliating, she rallies around him and gets others to do the same showing her never wavering dedication and that, my friends, is true love.

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"What is it you want, Mary? What do you want? You want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down. Hey. That's a pretty good idea. I'll give you the moon, Mary."
_______________________________

This film is the equivalent of a modern day (olden day) fairy-tale. George is our hero with Mr. Potter being the villain and Mary, our princess. The rags to riches story, monetary, mentally and emotionally, portray George as the underdog and we all love the underdog. The impression of our hero being the underdog also makes it relatable, it makes George and Mary seem human, susceptible to failure and thus, just like us maximising the love that can be cultivated for the film and the characters. George is poor, has not achieved many of his dreams and is unhappy in his job and yet, the effect he has on others is tremendous and Bedford Falls would not be the same without him. This is the everyday hero we all gravitate towards.

Clarence. Clarence is one of the best things about this movie. We all love an angel and Clarence Odbody is yet to earn his wings and is sent to earth to save Jimmy Stewart to earn his wings. He is a comforting presence in the film; even his voice is soothing and reassuring, thus reassuring the audience. Everyone likes to imagine they have a guardian angel looking down on them and Clarence embodies this.

The underlying feeling running through this feel good movie is hope. After watching this movie you’re reaffirmed in your belief that life has meaning. No matter how hard life gets and whatever twists and turns are thrown at you this movie makes you believe that there’s more and beyond this hardship things will get better. During the film’s most desperate moments there is still the underlying belief that despite your difficulties the good in all of us will and can prevail.

Capra’s amazing, life-enhancing film should definitely be shown every Christmas. It is simply heartwarming, cheesy and enjoyable. The king of not just Christmas movies but feel good movies around the globe.

xo

Remember, George: no man is a failure who has friends.

Taste of Abu Dhabi

My weekends here vary greatly from lounging in my pyjamas, refusing to move, to discovering new places and events occurring around this new home of mine.

Three weekends ago I went to Taste of Abu Dhabi with some of the angels I've met here. Taste of Abu Dhabi is founded by the organisers of Taste of Dubai and from what I witnessed is only set to get bigger and better. It’s only in its first year and the presentation, atmosphere and food was amazing. 

Taste of Dubai is in its 7^th successful year and hopefully, Taste of Abu Dhabi will follow in its successful footprints with an annual memorable event filled with food, entertainment and hospitality. There were over 50 exhibitors providing us with everything from Japanese to Italian to McGettigans pub thrown in the mix. Anything your heart desired (food wise) was easily had. Taste of Abu Dhabi also showcased many programmes and culinary workshops dedicated to cooking and eating, however, we didn't sample any of those.

Any, and all, “foodies” will enjoy this festival. I don’t know if I could accurately define myself as a “foodie” but I do enjoy most foods and embrace food with the kind of love parents reserve for a returning travelling child. When we arrived, which was later than most, there was an amazing, happily content vibe around the Arena. There were food stalls everywhere and a mind blowing aroma swirling around providing the temptation needed to spend slightly too much on far too many calories. 

The stalls all provided an option of sample sized dishes ranging from dhs15-30. The sample sized dishes were handy so you didn't purchase a full dish of something you weren't too fond of, however, with the dishes being quite small it meant that you could eat several of them, all adding up meaning that it could result in quite an expensive evening. I sampled butter chicken from Angar in the Yas Viceroy hotel which was UH-MAZING. The sauce was perfect and the chicken tender. There’s no denying that getting a sample size whets your appetite and would definitely result in further custom for the restaurant. I then purchased an Italian Gelato which was equally as impressive and left me wanting more.

My friends and I arrived late because, given limited funds, we decided to do the Walk for Diabetes first on the Formula 1 track and avail of the free ticket you received on completion. Thousands of people joined us on this walk to promote a healthy lifestyle and it really cultivated a community feel for a group of girls who feel like they've left that feeling behind for quite a while. It was a happy event with a common goal and entertainment provided, water stops and a wonderful atmosphere. It was a 5k walk that you could take at whatever pace you liked and was participated in by all ages and types from strollers to zimmer frames, from families to lone rangers and to top it all of you got a ticket for free entry into Taste of Abu Dhabi afterwards. So, you could eliminate all the good the 5k walk did ;) hahahah.

After we stuffed ourselves full we sat down on some of the bean bags that were strategically placed around the arena to watch the entertainment. The only entertainment we caught were South African Band, 4TheMusic. They were a wonderfully vibrant and energetic band with a superb front woman. She had a great energy and a wonderfully soulful voice, however, I got the impression she wasn't fully comfortable in front of a crowd the size of the crowd there. She was trying very hard but sometimes it was too much. There was an area to dance right up beside the stage and then various areas to sit and relax further back without missing out on all the action.

I left du Arena feeling cheerful, content and happy to be where I currently am geographically, career wise and mentally. Being away from home can be stressful and overwhelming so these weekends make it all seem worthwhile. All in all, I can’t recommend Taste of Abu Dhabi enough and with 21 other festivals like it dotted around the world I’m certain you’ll find one close to you. Prepare to leave feeling a clothes size larger and a bucketful more satisfied.

xo

Recent going-ons

I've been pretty quiet around here lately with the whole moving across the world thing going on (who knew a move like that would keep you so busy) of course, a dash of laziness combined with completing final year have also contributed to my prolonged absence here.  

But, here I am, starting the next chapter in my life, ready to share it all, whether you want to hear about it or not. I’ll, hopefully, be updating you on all things Abu Dhabi seen as THAT’S MY NEW HOME, plus, whatever takes my fancy.

It’s been scary and overwhelming and sometimes felt like it was too much to handle but it’s also been wonderfully eye opening, exhilarating and reassuring. Reassuring in the way that I've met people so similar to me that I didn't think existed, and maybe don’t in “real life” but are omnipresent in this brief moment in time. Which can only serve to clarify that serendipitous fate is always in play around us.

Most things I needed in life I had before leaving home. Values, morals, support, a great family unit and friends I could rely on for everything, so, hopefully, with this move I'll get everything else I haven't been blessed with thus far, and I’ll be fully aware of how great an opportunity this is, because, I’d be lying if I said that sometimes I wasn't so certain about the intelligence of my decision to put off real life and come out here and teach for, hopefully, two years.

But I have gotten a little more settled, I'll keep this little blog of mine better updated.  

After all, there's so much more I've been meaning to write. 

xo

Monday GET UP AND GO!!!

I know, I know, it's Monday, but look, here ya go! Some clichéd motivational pictures to get you going. We all know they secretly work!

  

 

  .

Yes, it is!!

Is it ever enough sleep though?

Spend life with who makes you happy not who you have to impress ß This is currently one of my favourite mantra’s

Sunday Gems

Yo.

It’s Sunday.

Ya hungover broski?

Here, look at  this picture of a pug. Take faith that he's feeling similar to you and he wasn't even out last night. It could be worse!

Feelin’ better? Thought so.

Also, seen as it’s Sunday and many many of us turn into incapable fetal forms as soon as we wake up here's something to keep you going all day. Take it slow and be sure to drink lots of water!

This makes me so happy! Every time. One of my best friends introduced me to this and I adore it, it's so sarcastically wonderfully brilliant!

The three best women I have ever watched PREACH

The fact that there's a problem with this ad disturbs me, but this makes it all ok.

Of course,if it's Sunday you need to check this out. Every. Week.

I enjoy Caitlin a lot, particularly her feminist rants but this, so much yes.

London Discoveries: Love and Affection. *

London is in love. The whole city. Everyone in this city is infatuated with love and affection. Every single person I have met since arriving here has either been in love, falling out of love or on the never ending, soul destroying, life-affirming search for love.

.

This could not be more different from Ireland. At home, you’d be lucky if your friends would tell you they liked you, never mind a fella telling you he loved you. In fact, I’m not sure if I can fully remember the last time my father, the one man who’s SUPPOSED to love you told me he loved me.

So, it’s safe to say that this came as a shock to the system and initially, if I’m honest, it bothered me slightly. Is there an urgent need for you to chew his mouth off in the station? Must you keep pestering me for my number? Is there any such thing as just a bit of craic? I used to roll my eyes at any member of the opposite sex showing an interest in me and tut loudly at the eejits standing in my way kissing goodbye but now? I’ve come to love it.

"Love is the only one and satisfactory answer to the problem of human existence"

Today alone I have encountered several people who look so hopelessly in love that I couldn’t bear to roll my eyes at them, I’ve been asked for my number, a gesture I don’t think has EVER been extended to me at home and I’ve witnessed the most adorable “make up” beside the Thames in the rain? Proper movie scene stuff.

Today alone, I also realised how much easier it was to simply express yourself, honestly. If someone asks you straight out for your number you know they like you and if you willingly hand it out, they know you’ve an interest in them. One hurdle jumped in less than 15 minutes? This has been known to take a few months, at least, at home.

While I don’t think I’ll ever get fully used to people eating the face of each other in broad daylight without a drop of alcohol in their systems it’s kind of nice sometimes to know that someone loves someone else so much that they simply cannot keep their hands off them one second longer.

What with there being millions upon millions of people in London (another hyperbole, Love Them I tell ya!!) how much easier does it make things when people are honest with one another and no one seems to be afraid of rejection. They approach someone and if they’re interested great, if not, wonderful, at least you’re not wasting time thinking about them when they have less interest in you than I do in getting up for work in the morning. It’s all seamlessly easy. No one is ever embarrassed about being rejected or about approaching anyone (on the surface anyway). Everyone is happily dating and no one is cringing at other people being overly affectionate because it was them last night.

I might stay here forever!

*quite text heavy, apologies