''I'm Not Too Sure What I've Become, But I Tried As Hard As Anyone''

Hey Everyone!

I guess I'm back posting on my blog. The past couple of weeks have been difficult to say the least. On the 19th of November (yes that long ago!) I fell ill and it steadily went downhill from there. We think that the illness affected me more than it should have due to my weakened immune system due to overworking. I ended up with the awful 'flu virus' that's going around.

My symptoms were quite awful really. Soaring temperatures, a sore throat, aches and pains all over, along with my favourite of all and the symptom which kept me down for so long, fatigue. We all say we're exhausted after a long, difficult day in school or work, but nothing compares to the fatigue I experienced. (As I'm usually the one saying I'm tired)

Getting from my room to the sitting room was like climbing a mountain every day. I missed a lot of days of school and after various trips to the doctors and various medical certificates, I was told that I was to rest, and under no circumstances try do any homework or study. (Bear in mind this was the Saturday and I had my locker keys in my handbag to go get books from my locker to catch up on my missed work.) So for the past week and more I've been doing very little. I mainly stayed in bed watching Game of Thrones, as I was too exhausted to do anything. (I was half-way through Season 1 before I started, now I'm half way through Season 3, oops)

Yesterday (December 1st) and today I've started leaving the house! Today I think truly marks my 'recovery' as I look and feel much more alert and energised. My Mam politely told me that for the past couple of weeks I'd looked ''as if you'd been embalmed'' ie in a coffin with a waxy complexion.  I frightened myself a lot looking in the mirror as, my normally tanned/darkish face, was as white as a sheet and looked waxy with illness.

I've missed Christmas exams, an absolute rarity for me. I've never missed a test in my life. Yet, I'm grateful this illness struck now instead of during my mocks or even my Leaving Cert. When I think of it, I had been working far too hard and had been stressing myself far, far too much than I should have. This has definitely been a learning experience that I shouldn't be overworking myself with school work, I need some 'me' time once in a while. And to take regular breaks and try avoid doing over 8 hours of homework and study over the weekend (That was over two days by the way) So I'm going to tone it down a little, or at least make sure I take regular breaks, exercise and get enough sleep (something I hadn't in a while)

My lesson that I learned? To take care of myself better. To try stop stressing over every little thing in my life, get more sleep and set out time for myself and try take more regular breaks from the books. The Leaving Cert is a marathon, not a sprint. All of us students need to take care of ourselves and try living instead of existing. This year has/is been tough, but I'm determined to finish with flying colours.

Stay Strong, Happy & Fearless!

Aveen xx

*Lyrics The Coronas ~ The Long Way.

Ps Happy 21st Birthday to my brother, enjoy the day! :D

I'm A Nightmare Dressed Like A Daydream

Hello!

Sorry for not posting in a while, as you probably all know, the last year of secondary school is VERY demanding so I've been studying and revising non-stop for weeks now. Unfortunately for me, yesterday I went home sick from school with plunging and soaring temperatures, aches, pains and a sore throat. Lovely.

I'm at home today to recover so I'll be back in school hopefully tomorrow. I don't generally miss school, this is my first day off school probably since last December! As a result, I physically cannot sit still, despite being exhausted walking from my room to the sitting room for breakfast. I did some of yesterday's maths questions and practically fell asleep afterwards!

Now, after being told by my Mam, I'm in my room lying in bed. So I figure I might as well tell you about what's been going on the past few weeks! *Not much* I've spent a lot of time studying and doing school work, babysitting and drinking coffee due to a lack of sleep.

Last Friday, my brother and I went to see Nathan Carter (he sings Wagon wheel) It was a spur of the moment decision as my aunt and uncle gave us their tickets as they couldn't go. It was a genuinely brilliant night with people of all ages in attendance and questionable dance moves from more mature members of the audience. ''If you didn't like this concert, well then my name is Daniel O'Donnell.''

I also received a certificate from Swipe Festival for my blog post about 'The Digital Age' so thank you, it really cheered me up after going home sick! I also received my Blood Donor card from the Irish Blood Transfusion Service. Over midterm I donated my blood for the first time as I had just turned 18. Giving blood is a big thing with my family so I went with my Mam and brother to donate.

Since being home sick I've been catching up on the television shows I've missed from doing school work for the past few weeks. Watching 3 episodes straight of American Horror Story and The Walking Dead is extremely relaxing, now to watch this week's episodes and catch up on The Fall! Heaven indeed.

Photos from my week!

My brother and I went to see Nathan Carter! Major thank you is needed to our aunt and uncle who gave us the tickets as they couldn't go. 

My brother sent me this saying that I was my ''own worst' enemy'' 

I replied saying ''Smart women scare weak men. We know more than them. They think that prospect is terrifying.'' 

Thank you to Swipe Festival for my certificate! :D 

I'm officially a blood donor! I felt it would be weird to disclose my blood type. Moustaches not included on cards, it was a way to cover up my blood type. 

So that's about it from me, hope you're not all ill like me!
Stay Strong, Happy and Fearless!
Aveen xx



*lyrics: Taylor Swift ~Blank Space