Life as of Late #6 - A Family Wedding, Green Day & Summer Time!

Hello Everyone! 

Here is another update on what I have been up to during the summer months. I had intended to blog at least once a fortnight this summer, however this ambition has sadly not materialised as I juggle my time between many things. Not to worry though, here's some photos of where I have been and what I have been doing! 

Went to my cousin Ashleigh's wedding!

My lovely cousin Ashleigh got married to Richie at the end of June! All my aunts, uncles and cousins were in attendance so it was a brilliant day for everyone. I was very surprised and delighted when I was asked to read the First Reading during the wedding ceremony and I also distributed Holy Communion as there was a large attendance. (I did a course in college late last year). The day itself was just wonderful and we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves during the day and evening! 

Green Day in Kilmainham:

As you can tell from my excited face in these photos, I simply couldn't wait to see Green Day in Kilmainham! I travelled up with my brother to the venue. The rain was intense however we were well prepared with waterproof coats and boots we didn't mind getting mucky. The support act was Rancid who really got the crowd warmed up and ready for Green Day. 

Despite the weather, the band were so energetic, with Billie running around the stage, fuelled with adrenaline and excitement. The set list was superb, with a mixture of old songs such as 'Welcome to Paradise' and new songs from their latest album 'Revolution Radio' and iconic hits such as 'American Idiot' and 'Time of Your Life.' Overall, I think they played around 25 songs or more, all of which were just utterly surreal to watch live! It was a privilege to see the band live, as I've loved their music for years now. I will definitely go see them if they ever come back to Ireland! 

Got Tickets for Ed Sheeran in May 2018:

I managed to get tickets for Ed Sheeran in the Phoenix Park for May 2018! Despite waiting for several hours, I finally succeeded and got the tickets! I was in work, ran on my break just before 9 to ensure I was on my phone for when the tickets were released. My break was soon over and I had to go back to work, and I still hadn't gotten tickets. The infamous, 'sit tight' refresh page kept popping up, leaving me in hysterics. I accepted defeat and went back to work under a cloud of sadness. 

Later my Mam collected me and told me to get back on my phone, as there were still some tickets left! I went home to go on my laptop and managed to get a pair of tickets instantly! I've loved Ed's music ever since A-Team was released but through chance and bad luck, I've never actually gotten to see him live in concert so I am waiting in anticipation for May 2018! 

Finally ventured to 'Thirsty Thursday':

Myself and the girls finally organised ourselves and our rosters to go to the infamous 'Thirsty Thursdays' in Gorey! Several of the pubs/nightclubs do cheap deals on alcohol on Thursday nights in the summer months. Maeve and Iseabail came down from Dublin to have a well deserved night out and a catch up. It was a great night as we caught up with people from school who we hadn't seen in a while. 

Made last minute plans for a night out:

Have you ever been at home on a Saturday night around 10.30, on the sofa flicking through your phone, watching television and having a case of FOMO? Until one of your work friends texts saying to head out that is! This happened recently and after a quick spur of the moment decision, I found myself tearing through my wardrobe and make up bag to make myself look decent in less than 20 minutes! 

I had to forgo the fake tan but I still managed a full face of make up which I was delighted with. Town was quiet overall but it was a good night as I bumped into friends I hadn't seen in a while as they're a year or two younger and aren't in college yet! Next week is the August Bank Holiday weekend and I'll be going to the Market House Festival to catch up with my friends so expect a blog post on that soon! 

Overall, I'm keeping a fairly low profile this summer, I sold my ticket to Indiependence so I'll be staying at home and going to the Market House Festival instead. I've also started my driving lessons so I'm keeping myself busy with those! For more updates, follow me on Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat (links on the right hand side)

I hope you're all having a lovely relaxing summer filled with plenty of fun and frolics!

Talk soon! 

Life As Of Late #5

I wasn't too sure how to approach more regular blogging, however I feel that the best way to continue to produce blog posts is by describing what I have been doing lately! This blog post details from the June Bank Holiday Weekend until the present week. So here's some photographs and information about what antics I've been up to! 

Catching up with the girls 

The Bank Holiday weekends are a great time to catch up with friends and family. I generally always head on a night out during a bank holiday weekend; there's  a good crowd and if you're in your hometown, you're guaranteed to bump into friends you haven't seen in an age. 

I was lucky enough to hang out with two of my best friends from my secondary school days on one of the nights out. I find that as I'm in college in Limerick, it can be difficult to meet up and maintain contact with my friends from secondary school as the majority are in college in Dublin. This meant it was brilliant to see Caítlín and Maeve and have a good catch up, gossip and session. It was a great night, even the rain didn't dampen our spirits! 

What I'm Reading:

I always try to read a few pages every night before going asleep so my latest book choice is 'Night School' by Lee Child. The book is based around the fictional character of Jack Reacher (A character I wish was real!) and a case he is dealing with as part of the Military Police in the 90's. It's set during his time in the Army so it's a blast from the past sort of book, as other books by Lee Child are set after Reacher left the Army. I've read the majority of the Reacher books and I have enjoyed every single one of them so I hope this lives up to my high expectations! 

 What I'm Listening To: 

Like everyone else, I'm always looking for new material to listen to. I've been a fan of The Coronas and The Strypes for many years so I was only thrilled to hear that The Coronas were releasing a new album called 'Trust the Wire' and The Strypes are soon releasing an album called, 'Spitting Image.' I've been listening to new album from The Coronas and I'm enjoying every minute of it. I'm now waiting for the new album from The Strypes, although they've posted a couple of songs online in anticipation of the new album!

Visited Wells House for Afternoon Tea: 

My Mam and I visited Wells House, which is an old house near Ballyedmond in Wexford. We went for a tour of the House with some of my aunts and cousins. The guide for the tour was excellent and provided a lot of details about the history of the house and the ownership of the house throughout the centuries. Unfortunately we were not allowed to take photos inside the house but we all had an excellent time. 

We went for Afternoon Tea after the tea which was inside the house, we had delicious sandwiches, scones and cakes with lashings of tea and coffee, all of which was wonderfully tasty and fresh. My poor cousin was mortified ringing the bell for more coffee and tea for us all! Overall, it is a wonderful day, I'd like to go again soon to explore the gardens and other facilities at Wells House. 

Lunch at 'The Duck' at Marlfield House: 

To celebrate my parents' 26th wedding anniversary this week, the four of us went for an anniversary lunch on Sunday at The Duck restaurant. The Duck is located beside Marlfield House on the Courtown Road in Gorey Co. Wexford. The menu had a wonderful selection of starters, main courses and desserts. All of us thoroughly enjoyed our meal. As the weather was sunny, we decided to get coffee and sit outside on the terrace adjacent to the restaurant to relax. You might have seen my Instagram from the terrace in the sunshine! Overall, it was a lovely afternoon of relaxation and good food. 

So how have you been spending your summer holidays? Let me know in the comments or chat to me on snapchat or Twitter! 

A New Chapter of The Random Life of Aveen

Hesitation and uncertainty plague my mind, as I begin to slowly type my thoughts once more on the keyboard. The Blogger symbol lingers in the corner of my eye as I stare wistfully at the blank title space. 

For a girl who used to blog every consecutive week without fail, planned blog posts up to a month in advance, this feels like home. Viewing my blog design which I created when I was seventeen. I recall being so proud of the design which I created by pouring hours of endless free time into a design app. Gazing at the design now, I can't help but feel like it was created by a different person.

Perhaps, I have been so focused on blogging in the way I used to. So determined to go back to 'the way things were, the way my blog was initially.' It has taken me two years to realise that I am not the same person I was when I first started this blog. When I first began writing under The Random Life of Aveen, I was sixteen years of age, bored and unsure of where life was leading me to. I had surplus and never-ending amounts of time to wonder and consider so many aspects of life. I was naive enough to type all my thoughts for the world to see.

Fast forward to 2016, and everything is irrevocably different. A sixteen year old girl grew into a near 21 year old; a second year finished in college, pursuing the course I dreamt of since childhood. In ways such as this, the dreams and hopes of The Random Life of Aveen are very much completed. Endless blog posts from 2013-2015 detail my determination to get to where I am now.

And now, I actually am where I want to be. I tried getting back into blogging this time last year yet I was stuck at a series of crossroads. With so many decisions to take, based on quite awful events that happened to me in the space of a few weeks.

This time last year, I had finished my first year in college, unsure of who my friends were there, betrayed by people who I thought were kind. I also became quite sick both during my exams and after my exams. I was in so much shock I never discussed this illness on my blog. Even now, the trip to A&E and endless appointments for dressings seem like a vague blur. Yet the biggest blow was the death of my Nana, my last living grandparent, who passed away at the same time I became ill.

I persevered through the summer of 2016, trying to meet up with my friends and worked my summer job. I was going through the motions, but my head and soul wasn't really there. It was spinning and reeling from those consecutive events which hurt me physically and emotionally.

Returning to college in September, I was unsure of most things in my life. However, I was lucky enough to meet a lovely bunch of girls who let me into their social group and I became one of them. My second year in college was undoubtedly much better than my first. I knew who would be my friend - and those who wouldn't. I regained the confidence I had lost.

To have genuine reasons for smiling - for the first time in months, was utterly spectacular. There were bumps in the road but I managed to get through them. The year was a blur, a myriad and collection of fun, happiness, comfort and excitement.

This all brings me to now, the present day. The end of May 2017. I'm free for the summer to enjoy my time off college. I'm back to my summer job and I can't help but feel relieved that this summer is shaping up to be far better than the last.

With events such as finally applying for my provisional driving licence, (something which I had to delay due to illness last year), going to gigs and concerts such as Keith Barry, Green Day, Indiependence and family events - I can't help but feel excitement, joy and optimism for the upcoming months.

My mind is nearing peace, with concrete plans and no limits. I'm excited and looking forward to the summer months ahead of me, which I hope to write about on the Random Life of Aveen.

Life changes and I must readily accept that this blog changes as my life does too.

With love,

A Clean Slate

It was hesitation, a deep breath that I decided to return to blogging. Perhaps a yearning for the connection of my mind to the keyboard once more. This is the first tentative step I will take to attempt to return to a hobby which I thoroughly enjoyed and savoured for many years.
 It is with a small but genuine smile that I whisper, 'Welcome back to The Random Life of Aveen'.

It has been 'random' to say the least. 2016 was quite a difficult year for me in my private life. I discussed some elements of this last year in some of the blog posts I managed with great difficulty to write.

I've tentatively decided to return to blogging. It's connected to one of my true passions, writing. I wasn't actually able to write for many months, particularly in the summer. I felt that whenever I did write something, it wasn't of a high enough standard for myself, or it was either too personal or informative on things I wanted to initially keep private. When I returned to college for Second Year, I did write some pieces of poetry and a few diary entries for my own thoughts. I might post some of the poems I wrote (mainly on the bus from Wexford to Limerick) in the months to come.

For now however, my main objective is to get back into the swing of writing regular blog posts. This blog was initially written as a way to explore and express my personality, to make sense of my thoughts by writing them down. In essence, it was a safe haven of discovery, creativity and occasional humour.

I'd like this blog to retain it's original purpose. A place for me to document and discover more about my life and the trappings of real life and living. I cannot deny that 2016 was a tough year, but 2017 in my opinion is a new start, a clean slate, of creativity, positivity and developing self-confidence that I lost in 2016.

 I'm determined to slowly deconstruct the walls I built around myself last year when people who I foolishly trusted, betrayed any sense of honour or personal integrity they possessed. I closed myself off from the world for many months due to illness which has thankfully passed. I want to become the more open person I was. Instead of being overly protective and wary of any negativity or comments. I am filled with a fire in my soul that was non-existent for many months until recently.

With the return of this fire in my soul, comes the return of the writing process. The desire, the need to write follows the spiritual fire of development and self confidence.

This will be a slow process but I need and desire writing about my feelings. I've felt that without writing in my life, it has been a dull time indeed.

Here's to a clean slate of writing my feelings, regardless of the dirty looks on sets of stairs or upturned noses in the corridors. The Random Life of Aveen and Awkward Aveen are back and more determined than ever to be a better person, filled with happiness and tranquility in my soul.

Until the next blog post, 

Aveen x

Life As Of Late #2

I quite like the idea of writing an update on the last fortnight through a visual/photographic way. Once again, here is my Life As Of Late. 

Meeting Up With Old Friends And New Friends

At the beginning of the month, I went to the Gorey Market House Festival and met up with my friends from secondary school and was introduced to new friends. It was a brilliant weekend to say the least. 

 Dealing with Adulthood and Responsibilities

Upon realising it's my last few months as a teenager, I decided to try be an adult. As a result, I bought what I felt a lot of adults use - sellotape and also a laminator. Scary times. 

Designed an Emoji?

On Snapchat you can design yourself as an emoji. As an avid emoji user, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to send emojis of myself to my friends. Note, I got a little bit excited sending this snap. 

Read Harry Potter and The Cursed Child (Also, cried)

As a massive Harry Potter fan, I just HAD to buy Harry Potter and The Cursed Child. I devoured the book during an afternoon. I might also post a review for those who haven't read it yet as it is quite interesting and different to the original seven books (this book is the script of the play in London).

 Petted More Goats?!

On the Sunday of the Market House Festival, there were goats and other animals on the Main Street, along with several other attractions. Being me, I ran towards the goats and sheep to try feed and pet them. 

And petted sheep

Became obsessed with a new Snapchat filter

As you can tell, I spend too much time on Snapchat. But this is definitely one of my favourite filters to use when sending snaps. (Snapchat: AwkwardAveen)

Made an impulse purchase

I decided to buy a sandwich maker ''for college'' to make myself a tonne of toasties with. I'll be rolled out of my apartment in college next May I swear. 

Have you ever bought any random impulse purchases?

Let me know in the comments, tweet me or shoot me an email!

Aveen x

Back to College Stationery Haul!

It's officially that time of year again - preparing to go back to school or college! You might be thinking, ''I still have a month of left my holidays, leave me alone Aveen!'' yet I feel you can never prepare too early for going back in September. 

As I will be starting my second year in college, I now realise what stationery I actually need for my college course (primary teaching). Last year I went slightly insane buying every and any piece of stationery I could place my hands on. (Including a page hole puncher which I have not yet used). This year however, I was more sensible thankfully! 

To start with, I bought a school bag from the Roxy website. Even when I was in secondary school I always had to have a Roxy school bag. I found them so spacious, stylish and comfy to lug my heavy books around in. Needless to say, this ethos hasn't changed so I bought a floral patterned bag this year. Funnily enough, the bag matches the pencil case I bought in Penneys/Primark! (not in that photo but in normal daylight they match). 

For lectures and tutorials I always bring refill pads to write notes or to occasionally doodle. I tend to buy refill pads with dividers in them and you can label each section according to each subject. Due to the amount of modules I study each semester I usually need 2 refill pads with 5 dividers in each. I find it a lot easier coming up to exam and assignment time to study as I know where my notes are. 

I picked up some sticky tape with dispensers (you never know when they will come in handy). I got two so I have one for my bedroom at home and one for my room in Limerick. Likewise I bought two sets of sticky notes so I won't have to carry extra things around when I'm travelling to-and-from at the weekends. 

Blue tack is also a great investment to get. I found I went through a lot of blue tack when I was teaching on placement last semester. As a result I keep blue tack with me at all times during college time. 

I also bought two lever-arch folders for future placements later on in the college term, along with the poly-pockets to go in the folders. Sharpies were also on special offer in Tesco (where I also got the majority of my stationery, their section of stationery is just a dream!) so I picked a pack of them up, along with pens, pencils, an eraser and highlighters. 

I also find that light plastic folders are great for keeping any hand-outs or notes you might be given in tutorials or lectures. Depending on the subject, I could get several handouts from my tutors or lecturers. Keeping them in the small plastic folder is great especially coming up to exam time as you know exactly where the notes are. 

I also picked up two smaller notepads, one will be for writing down my 'homework' or my to-do list whilst in college. In some lectures we're asked to study readings in advance of the next tutorial or lecture so I'll most likely write down the necessary information in one of the notepads so I can keep on top of my work. 

I hope this has helped anyone starting college as a guiding point for what to buy as regards to stationery. If you aren't sure what to get (regardless of your college course) a refill pad and a few pens/pencils is always an excellent starting point. I think with my course I go through a lot more stationery than the average college student, I feel as though I spend the college year just stocking up on stationery!

Have you gotten any cute stationery or notebooks for going back to school or college?
Send me a snap (SC: awkwardaveen), tweet me or let me know in the comments!

Aveen x

Life As Of Late

As it's the summer and my first year of college has come to a close, I've spent the past couple of months back at home. To be totally honest, I've been a little bit of a hermit due to work, being ill for a number of weeks and other factors.

Here's some of the things I've been getting up to recently.


Petting Goats

If you read my Twitter or Tumblr, it's hard to deny that I love goats. I think they're so lovely and cute! I've spent countless hours watching Vines of baby pygmy goats and follow a few goat focused Instagram accounts. I recently visited Kia Ora Mini Farm, who have several pygmy goats as well as animals of every type and description. But of course my attention was directed towards the lovely goats. I stood there in the baking sun simply petting goats for an afternoon recently. An afternoon well spent really. 

Pokemon Go

                                             

Who isn't obsessed with Pokemon Go lately? The Sibling and I have been going on frequent walks around town looking for Pokemon, Pokestops and lures. It's been a fun week running around after Eevee's, Pigeots and even an Arcanine! Playing the game really reminds me of my childhood, Pokemon was a huge feature of my life as a child. 

Reading Books - As Always!

I'm making an effort to continue reading every day. At the moment I'm stuck into the Jack Reacher series of books by Lee Child. At the moment I'm reading, 'Nothing to lose' which is quite interesting so far. All the previous books have been excellent so I'm optimistic that this one will be just as good.

Sending Snapchats/Thinking I'm Humorous 

 

Snapchat is honestly one of my favourite apps at the moment. Like everyone else, I love the filters that I can apply. Here's some of my recent snaps to my friends with my supposedly 'funny' captions. Maybe I need to go outside more often. . . 

Taking Selfies

Snapchat is again to blame for this (and the filters). Here's a small selection but boy there are a lot more floating around!

Coffee/ Hot Drinks

As a self-confessed coffee addict, I love a good strong coffee as much as anyone. If I could spend my days drinking coffee, reading books and newspapers then I would be very happy indeed!

Here's what I've been up to lately, have you been doing anything strange or unusual lately? 

Let me know in the comments, tweet me or send me a snapchat, my name is awkwardaveen on SC

Aveen x