Yet Another Compulsion

I have always been known for my random compulsive personality, so it doesn't really come as a shock to anyone I know if I start doing anything unusual. And lately, as in the past six months, I have adopted a new, odd habit to add to the long list that already existed. One that has actually come out of the blue. 

But anyway, I have this thing about plug sockets. I just can't bare to see the switches on when they are not being used. And God forbid me coming across one with nothing plugged in.

During the day, I literally have everything off bar the TV and fridge. And if I charge my phone, then the second it is completed I take it out. It comes quite naturally now when alone in my flat. But when my Da comes to stay, that is when I notice just how much it bugs me. 

In my bedroom I have a TV, DVD player and cable set up towards the same socket. I never watch DVDs, so I leave it unplugged. The cable works once in a blue moon because of bad signal, so again, unplugged. But my Da is the type who will put them all in just to get the TV on. Never mind taking just a minute to see which is the correct lead. So three things on when he is using just the one. Drives me absolutely insane. He thinks it's funny when I moan at him for it. I kinda see why... it is a bit silly. But on the other hand, after being told several times not to do something, it would be a good idea to listen.

I suppose I get him back when he continuously stands over the kettle waiting on it to boil, or the cooker, waiting on his sausages to fry. Then finally realising he is getting nowhere because they are not even plugged in! 

When back at my home in London it gets worse. I took a picture of the extension lead in my brothers room. These are on all day every day. Don't even start me on how much I have the urge to yank it all out!

Anyway... I am very normal :)

   

A date to dream of.

A few months ago on my lunch break, I was flicking through one of the random magazines in the staff room. Actually, a magazine on motors, one I would never normally choose to pick up.

I'm glad I did though as half way through I stumbled across a picture that just amazed me.

I was actually going to post it not long after on Facebook, but didn't think I would be able to find it online. However, it actually took all of five seconds for me to spot it in a Google search this evening.

This is it.... 

I remember being pretty excited about it, and going around showing those I worked with. Needless to say, they weren’t really as fussed about it as I was.

Anyone who knows me will know I absolutely adore giraffes. Strangely enough, I do not even know what it is exactly that I love about them. I just do.

When I looked at this photo, my imagination just ran away with me. Ever since seeing it I have had it in my mind that this would be the date of my dreams.

Outdoors, the sun setting, giraffes casually wandering nearby and a candle lit dinner. I really could not think of anything more perfect.

Obviously I realise I am setting my sights incredibly high. Especially from someone who has been on only one date in her existence. 

I still want it to happen nonetheless...

Lose Weight, Look Great!

With just five weeks until I fly over over the pond, I am on a mission to lose a considerable amount of weight  in order to wear the types of clothing I crave to fit nicely in.

Here are a bunch of items that are on my wish list. I could have posted them in a plain fashion, but decided to use my creative side and piece together outfits from scratch. 
Gives a better idea of how they all look together.

Because you totally wanted to know, right?

100 facts about little old me :)


1) Newcastle United are my absolute everything

2) I have a huge issue with my age

3) I no longer have a gall bladder

4) At the age of 14 I became a qualified referee

5) I love fish... the alive kind

6) I think I am proper hilarious 

7) I am very passionate

8) I love wearing shorts... no matter how cold.

9) My laugh is brilliant

10) I am a tomboy

11) Newcastle Upon-Tyne is where I want to end up.

12) My voice is weirdly popular with males

13) I lived in Dublin twice and went to school there

14) Getting to sleep at night is a chore. Sleeping during the day - easy!

15) My posture is awful and I'm always being told off about it

16) I work in New York in the summers 

17) I am a terrible, terrible cook

18) I am such a defeatist

19) Up until recently I would have bread with pretty much everything I ate

20) I make the best bubble baths

21) West Midlands bus service makes me furious!

22) I've recently decided to wear high heels more

23) I'm qiute easily the most complex person known to man

24) I can't be around people who smoke. 

25) My favourite animal is a giraffe

26) Cucumber, honey and cardamom pods make my stomach turn

27) I can't explain my love for broccoli

28) People falling over make me laugh until I can't breathe. So harsh, I know

29) I am highly anaemic

30) I have yet to fnd out the reason why I have collapsing fits reguarly

31) I wear my heart on my sleeve

32) I am very easily pleased

33) Yellow and beige look hideous on me

34) I was named after Bob Dylan's wife

35) People torment me with 1ps and 2ps because they make me gag

36) I am always the comedian of the group

37) My Da thinks I am fluent in German just because I took it as a GCSE

38) I have an endless list of regrets

39) I wasted almost two years of my life not socialising with anyone

40) My womb is upside down

41) I really hate the way I look and would especially love to be 2 inches taller

42) Blokes have always been easier for me to get on with

43) I never have, nor will, take drugs

44) I have an unhealthy amount of dreams about my teeth falling out

45) I have a random little hole in my right leg

46) For an unknown reason, I have taken to dislike Texas

47) Materials don't interest me in a man. Humour and honesty, do.

48) I have an addictive personality

49) I'm a complete snob when it comes to photography.

50) I was the first in my class to be able to tell the time

51) I have been in a hot air balloon

52) Females with no clue about football, but act like they do, infuriate me

53) I have watched Newcastle play in at least 35 different football stadiums

54) I tend to always like the least popular or gay guy from a band or movie

55) I am very defensive

56) I am addicted to buying nail varnish

57) My sneezes have always been likened to a puppy

58) When I am not in England I am very patriotic.

59) I have met a silly amount of celebrities

60) I do not believe in fairy-tales

61) Dust gives me a rash

62) My sense of humour is the best

63) I carry Johnsons hand cream with me everywhere

64) The more I go on fun fair rides, the more scared I get

65) I am insanely soft. I cry at everything

66) I give great advice that I wish I would take myself

67) To say I am not a morning person, is a quite the understatement

68) I love children 

69) The past couple of years have seen me become more impatient

70) I am not ticklish

71) I learnt a lesson a few years ago. And now chose my friends very wisely

72) In my teens I always wanted my nose pierced. 

73) My mood can change in a split second

74) I don't really eat much meat. And hate it on pizza

75) I am incredibly creative

76) I am claustrophobic and my reaction to it is fury

77) I find it a turn on when a guy uses perfect grammar.

78) People think I am really confidant, when actually I am incredibly nervous.

79) I've always wanted to visit Egypt & have a honeymoon in Mexico

80) I think about things in too much depth

81) I'm not into competing with other girls

82) I find it pretty much impossible to take a compliment

83) I have only ever been on one date

84) I am a really, really nice girl

85) I am cheeky

86) Loose hair makes me feel sick

87) It's very rare that someone will meet and not like me

88) I am terrible for procrastinating

89) I love globes and maps of the World

90) Sarcasm is one of my favourite things

91) I'm a big kid

92) The thought of me being a housewife is hilarious

93) I love time to myself

94) My Da used to call me 'Pot Noodle King' on account of how many I ate

95) As a child I think I took lessons in every instrument there was

96) If you invite me out in a few days, whilst I'm in a bad mood, I'll decline

97) I have a lot of hats, my truckers are my favourite

98) I overuse the words 'proper', 'absolute' and 'actually' 

99) Boredom and I are not a good mix 

100) Boredom made me do this

2011 - Make It Happen

So... the start of this year, a friend and I decided that things needed to change. Previous years have seen the two of us want to experience so much, yet never get around to actually doing much, if any of it. 
Both having different reasons for wanting to do something like this. She is far more confidant than I am. Loving challenges and trying things at least once. Whereas I am quite a defeatist and tend to back out of quite a lot of things that I would love to do, without trying. A habit that I really must snap out of - quickly. 
Anyway, we decided it would be a good idea to help each other out. Compiling a list of things we want to get out of the way by the end of this year, and tick them all off together. 
I do realise that it is now actually May, which has come around quite quickly I may add. And unfortunately there has just been one thing from my list I have achieved. But there is still plenty of time and once I am out of my current routine I'll get these done at a steadier pace. 
Now this isn't the Worlds most exciting set of things to do, I am aware. However, these are my interests and what make me happy. So that is all that counts really, isn't it?


Concerts

Gigs and concerts have been a massive part of my life since childhood. Moreover, when I reached an age I could travel around the country with friends to attend them. The amount I have been to is ridiculous... seriously! Sadly, though, in recent years there have not been many. 

There are quite a few artists I would really love to see, and probably wouldn't be possible to do all in this year. Nevertheless, I would certainly give it a stab, at least. 

Professor Green, Tinchy Stryder, Matt Morrison, Taio Cruz, Rihanna, Tinie Tempah and Plan B to name a few. Tiesto is definitely way up there on top, though.

Weight Loss

Pretty much been a chubby-boom-bastic from my late teens onwards. Once out of school I went straight into work in unsociable hours. That is basically where the eating routine became messed up. Hence how I now have a habit of very rarely eating before 1pm, and terrible for switching the oven on at 1am.

My goal is to lose three stone. However, in reality, somewhere closer to four would be better. 

At my last weighing, just over one stone had been lost. That was one month ago now, so with any luck, more has been shifted. 

Days of not fitting into nice clothes and being uncomfortable with myself must go - pronto!

NUFC Tatoo

   Needles are one of my biggest phobias, but have wanted a NUFC tattoo for around three years. It is on the list, but if I am honest, it will probably get put off again, as it already has so many times. My ideal tattoo are the letters N.U.F.C across the back of my neck, just like it is on the collar of our home kit :)

Go-Karting

This is something I have wanted to do for so long. My first memories of Go-Karts are when on holiday at Butlins as a kid, getting really frustrated at it not being part of the freebie rides in the 'fun-fair'. I remember thinking my parents were selfish for not paying for us to have a go, and still joke with my Da that my childhood was ruined because of this.  

Haven’t really seen them around much since those days. Although, there was a brilliant one in Orlando a couple of years back, but I could not convince my then boyfriend to go on them with me. So the urge continues...

California

I have been to America three times now and not once visited California. A place I have been dying to get to for as long as I can remember. 

On my first trip to USA I traveled around a handful of states with some friends. California was meant to be the last of our stops, but plans had to be changed when friend got a job she applied for. How inconsiderate? :p

The second time was just a couple of weeks in Orlando with an ex, and the 3rd I spent the whole summer out there. San Diego, Los Angeles and San Fransisco were all on my intended route after finishing in New York. Unfortunately, and quite typically, it fell through.

I am back in the states again this summer, and want this to be the fourth time lucky. Here is hoping I do not come back with more regrets...

Record a track 

Yes, people who know me will understand that this is quite a challenge I have set for myself. Especially with low confidence levels like mine

I do love to sing, but I tend to do it when there is nobody around. However, I have been caught out a few times and been told that I do have an ok voice.

The friend of mine who is joining me in this list has already done three of her own tracks. And even for her, someone with the balls to do pretty much anything, she found this quite tough. Still, she did it. Not only that, but in front of a rather famous band member from the 90's. And regardless of them being best friends, she was still nervous. So what does that say for me? I can easily see this being the last thing I do on the list. But... I will do it!

Theatre

The first time I went to the theatre I was a teenager. It was for free, and embarrassingly it was an incredibly cheesy show called 'Boyband'. Quite fitting at the time, seen as those years revolved around them.
Anyhow, even though I have only been half a dozen times, I still like to class this as one of my favourite things to do. This is the one thing on the list that has been ticked off so far. 
I hadn't seen anything since Jerry Springer around five years ago. I recently saw 'In A Forest Dark & Deep' in London though, which I would honestly recommend. It is quite intense and had many twists. And the very few times that humour was used, it was hilarious.

Of course, there was an added bonus of Matthew fox being lead role. A fantastic actor, who is hot if you ask me ;) I managed to meet him after the show too, but the picture is hideous!


Childcare

Taking a childcare course and getting my qualifications are easily the most important thing that I want to get started on. 

Upon leaving school I went into office based work straight away. Quickly grew up, became more independent and before I knew it, was stuck in a routine that would be hard to get out of. Working was for paying rent, electricity, food... you know, all the things you once got for free. And long, unsociable hours, on top of needing to earn, meant there wasn't really room to study.

It's probably one of my biggest regrets, not doing this sooner. And God only knows I have had it in the ear for years, and years about being 'wasted'. 

Anyway, I was made redundant a couple of years ago. Took a year out to clear my mind, and work out what to do with life. A little hard, as without sounding cocky, there are a few interests that I know I am good at. 

I decided that my ultimate goal would to become a Primary School Teacher, and do photography as a hobby on the side. Weddings and studio in-particular. Although football games would be the highest achievement, but that's a different story...

Well... I am about to start my second year in America working with kids. Which I absolutely love, and it is great for my CV. And once back from the states, the childcare course shall begin... hopefully I will be hearing 'Good morning Miss Ball' in no time... :)