Life as I felt it.

Visit at least 2 new countries Buy a house Go camping Volunteer and do training in sexual health Buy a new car Read at least 20 books Make soap Be more eco (buy zero waste, less single use plastic, cycle in spring/summer, buy less, continue terracycle) Date Continue to volunteer locally with AWB/HPB

11.    Do a sky dive or similar adrenaline event for charity. 22 nd Sept Descend the dome for Action Cancer. 22.   Become a homeowner. Sadly this one didn’t work out after two months in the process of buying a home.   Thankfully due to the legalities of the deeds I actually dodged a bullet.   Luckily, I have been able to save for the next place as a result. 33.    Do a trip outside of Europe (that doesn’t speak English) I was able to visit the Dominican Republic from 1 st – 15 th October. 44.   Go to and support a political march/rally. On 7 th September there was a women’s rights march for safe, free and legal abortion which I attended.   An emotional and powerful day. 55.   Become a volunteer for a charity (outside of work) This year I have helped and donated to Another World Belfast and Homeless period Belfast. 66.    Do a pottery class I took part in a pizza and pottery class at LOAF p...

Long time no public write! Despite this blog being a mostly “just-for-me” premise it does give others the opportunity to read it so I try and not to get too personal with my feelings, experiences and relationships.   I have therefore endeavoured into a new world of JOURNALLING, which has meant I’ve had less urges to write here.   I’d ideally like to do both though as they are both valuable. Life has been BUSY.   I have found that outside of work my free time has been filled with barely a few hours a week where I have no plans.   I have recently started to ad-hoc volunteer with an organisation and I’m realising how extraverted I can be when I’m in a comfortable and happy environment.   I’ve also booked two trips away to Dominican Republic (Oct 19) and Prague (Nov 19) which has taken up every scrap left of my leave until April when my leave is replenished. I’m slooowly getting there with the 30 before 30 although there may be one of two things whic...

On Thursday 23 rd May 2019 another election took place for European candidates.   My Dad has been involved in working in the elections for years as polling station manager and advised they were taking applications for Poll Clerk so I did a 5-minute application via email and I thought no more about it. I got a call on the Friday 17 th May asking me to come in on election day.   No training, no run through beforehand but they’d go through it all with me on the day. It was a long 16 hour shift from 6:15am to 10:15pm but the money was good so I agreed.   A bit of variety would be good and get me out of my own office for a day! I was stationed at a local Primary school a short distance from my home in a semi-rough area of East Belfast.   Some of the things that happened were noteworthy… Several people came in to vote with their adorable dogs.   One of which was a bloodhound/pointer cross who stood dramatically at the door awaiting his owner. ...

“Mental health” is a modern buzz-word.   A sure hit as a hashtag and when it’s said everybody in the room nods knowingly.   We know it’s important, and most of us have felt the very real impact of having bad mental health. However, what can we actually DO?! For ourselves and for others in a crisis. For other awareness months for let’s say *breast cancer* we get a list of symptoms.   We get information on screening services, self-checking, hereditary genes on how you can get diagnosed.   How you can get treated, rid yourself of the cancer and on the road to be completely cancer-free.   Sadly mental health isn’t as ultimately fixable in my opinion.   Although the campaigns for mental health awareness are valuable I believe it’s time to look past awareness and get to some actual support.   Me being aware of breast cancer doesn’t help anyone if I can’t help them get treatment or support.   What’s the difference between awareness and support? ...

1. Always pee after sex, even if you don’t feel you need to. Your bladder will thank you. 2. Just because they’re ugly doesn’t mean they are going to treat you well. 3. Tell your partner what you want and don’t be embarrassed about it. 4. Tinder is the best dating app only because it has the most choice. 5. Don’t drink on the first few dates with someone – the alcohol will make you think you get on better than you actually do! 6. Just because there’s been radio silence for a few hours doesn’t mean they’re not into you. 7. It’s tempting but don’t look up their exes – it’s never going to make you feel good about yourself. 8. If you want to go on a date with them then ask them and take charge. Life’s too short. 9. Try not to be emotionally slutty on the first date! 10. Sex is just sex, you don’t need to justify it to anyone. 11. Use protection. If you find yourself embarrassed or uncomfortable to ask them to use it then you definitely shouldn’t be having sex with them. 12. Kn...

Open your eyes to media and you immediately understand what the media deems to be attractive physically.   What body types, colours and abilities are reflected in our wide range of media outlets. What we usually see; ·          White people (or predominately white features) ·          CIS people (identifying as the gender assigned at birth) ·          Thin people ·          Able bodied These then divide into how you can be attractive as a woman, and as a man.   Some features like being tall are deemed attractive for a man to have but not a woman.   In the same way having a high voice is supposed to be desirable in women but not in men. With all of these unwritten rules come expectations, entitlement and inherent body shaming.   It’s seen that if you don’t have these qualities you must ...