''That's When I Could Finally Breathe''

Hey Everyone!

I am proud and relieved to say that I am finally back from an extended/unexpected blog hiatus. I feel sad that I abandoned TRLOA for a month but to be honest, it was necessary.

An awful lot of things have happened since I last wrote here. I found that compiling information and photos every seven days was becoming difficult and with a sickening tug I write - boring. I felt like I was stuck in a rut of doing the same every week. Life has become a mundane pattern of routine as of late and it is tedious. I thought that a break to breathe and live a little more would be more beneficial to myself, my blog and all of you.

Since my last post on February 22nd, I have had a quick month filled with highs and lows. I enjoyed my mid term and came back to school. After an agonising three weeks, I received all my mock results back. Overall, I was happy with them, I got what I need in the actual Leaving Cert which was absolutely unreal. I was a little disappointed with a subject or two but I now know which areas to improve upon for the Leaving Cert. It can't be denied that some results need to be taken with a pinch of salt (or a few!)

I also learnt that the stress of the Leaving Cert brings out the worst in a lot of people. People talk and say things without realising the consequences of their words. Despite the fact that what their saying is a blatant lie, it might be believed by others. Also, if someone is talking behind your back and blackening your name, metaphorically and probably physically, you are ahead of them. Actions have consequences. To quote the play Othello by William Shakespeare, ''Beware my lord of jealousy, it is the green monster which doth mock the meat it feeds upon.''

I actually went socialising during my month off! Below are photos from my friends Maeve and Tom's 18th and also a trip to Dublin Zoo with Spleodar! The party was a fantastic night to say the least. You know it's a good night when I only take one photo ie I was enjoying the night too much to capture it on a lens. The trip to the Zoo was the last Spleodar trip of the year which was sad. I joined Spleodar in Transition Year with a poor level of spoken Irish. I attended one of their Gaeltacht courses last year and was a Cinnire this year. My Irish has improved so much over the past few years and I will really miss all the cinnirí and daltaí.

I was with Grace for most of the day and other students in the club. We saw practically every animal and had a delicious pizza for lunch. The weather was beautiful and I took lots of photos of the animals and the sunshine on the bus home. *Cue a shoutout to the man on the Luas who waved back at us all*

Today is Mother's Day, tomorrow is my Mam's birthday and the next day is St. Patrick's Day. Busy start to the week indeed! It's scary to think how quickly time is blurring past. In two weeks I have my Easter holidays for two weeks then my Irish and German oral for the Leaving Cert. Deep breaths!

Credit to Chloe

Caítlín and I !

So that's about it from me, 

Stay Strong, Happy & Fearless!
(Something which can be difficult but gets me through each day. It is the small acts of bravery in life that define us)

I can finally breathe clearly. 

Aveen. 

*Lyrics Taylor Swift - Clean

''And The Sky Turned Black Like A Perfect Storm''

Hey Everyone!

Another week has come and gone. It's startling how fast time has been going by as of late.


My life has mainly consisted of waking up, school, homework, study, food and sleep. It's alright I suppose, yet I crave more meaning in my life. I find I'm constantly reminding myself that the Leaving Cert will be over in June and I just have to deal with these next six months of pain until then. I saw someone compare it to ''A year of pain for extra gain.'' Which is startlingly accurate in my opinion.

Enough with my existential crisis and craving for substance and meaning to my existence! I went to the Open Day for Mary Immaculate College on Saturday morning in Limerick. It's a two and a half hour-ish drive from where I live (Aka The Sunny South East) so I was equipped with my music and earphones. I'm used to driving to Limerick occasionally as my brother is in UL so the city doesn't seem like an alien concept to me.

We left early on Saturday morning as the Open Day started at 11am and we wanted to be there on time. The weather was utterly treacherous. From Stradbally onwards, it was a winter wonderland with snow covering the cars. I have to commend all the road gritters from the various counties we journeyed through, all the roads were gritted. We were on the motorway just before Moneygall (The place obsessed with Obama with the Obama Plaza and all sorts!) and it was a really, really dangerous bend. We saw a lane was closed with ambulances and fire brigades with flashing lights.

The bend was horrifically slushy and a car was overturned and flipped on its roof in the ditch. It was genuinely terrifying, especially as when the firemen were directing us and the other cars, we all starting slipping in the slush! However, luckily we were fine and took even more care on the way to Mary I.

At 10.50 we parked outside. We knew the way as I visited the campus briefly in the Summer on another day. We walked to the building where the Open Day was being held and attended one of the talks about the courses at Mary I. To say that I fangirled when I noticed the lecturer had an Orla Kiely bag was an understatement! (Mine was standing proudly on the desk too)

The talk was extremely informative and soothed any concerns my parents had about different aspects of the course. Afterwards we went on a tour of the campus and the accommodation available on-campus. There was a strange mix of people at the Open Day, the majority were girls and some lads. On the tour of the campus a mother and her son (A TY we presume as she asked him if he wanted to go to the college ''when his time came'') were horrifically pushy and literally shoved me into a wall in a bid to keep up with the tour guide! (Bit eccentric, especially as the child isn't even doing his LC this year)

Apart from that, I had a brilliant morning in Mary I and learnt lots about the course I'm considering. Afterwards we ran some errands in the city, had lunch and headed back onto the treacherous roads whilst counting 'Eddie Stobart'' lorries as they passed (We saw 16)

This week will be exciting, I think. On Monday myself and three others from my History class are representing the school at the Senior History Quiz. The lads were on the team last year (and won) so I am determined to contribute my best effort!

I finally caught up on all of my homework and now have the time to study for the mocks! I am feeling relieved that I now have the opportunity to study and actually prepare for the exams. There's a Strike Day on Thursday so I can catch up on sleep too! *Parties in the corner*

*Title: Lyric from Taylor Swift - Clean

 Photos from my week

''Hey Aveen, how's your life these days?''

On the road home from Limerick, the scenery was breathtaking!

All my snaps as of late.

So that's about all from me,

Stay Strong, Happy & Fearless!

Aveen xx

Five Favourites Friday - Music!

Hey Everyone!

I just realised that this is my first blog post of 2015! Wahey! Time flies when you're having fun (or in school) Christina has created a series called Five Favourites Friday. Each week we choose five of our favourite things, this week is music!

1. Hozier - Sedated

Well, what can I say? If you're Irish you will definitely know about the lovely Hozier. I struggled to choose a song by Hozier, it was a toss-up between 'Angel of Small Death and The Codeine Scene,' 'To Be Alone' and 'In A Week.' It was a difficult choice but the lyrics of Sedated are so hauntingly beautiful. ''You and I nursing on a poison that never stung

                                       Our teeth and lungs are lined with the scum of it
                                             Somewhere for this, death and guns
                                                     We are deaf, we are numb
                                            Free and young and we can feel none of it''
2. Taylor Swift - Style

I got 1989 for Christmas, being a long time Taylor fan, I instantly fell in love with the new direction the album has taken. The lyrics are incredibly catchy and contains lots of over-romanticising, something which you can happily sing along to after three hours of insane studying!

3. One Direction - Night Changes

I also bought 'Four' by One Direction. Needless to say my favourite song is Night Changes. The music video is so adorable and when you're surrounded by devoted Directioners in school, they do grow on you!

4. The Coronas - The Long Way

The Coronas are an Irish band who I have listened to for years. I loved their album, 'Closer to you' and was screeching with delight when The Long Way album was released. I've been listening to 'The Long Way' constantly, especially when I had fatigue late last year.

''I'm not too sure what I've become. but I tried as hard as anyone'' 

5. Gerard Way - Action Cat

During my early teens, I listened to a lot of MCR (My Chemical Romance) FOB and Paramore. I remember being in London when I heard that MCR broke up (my inner 14 year old still cries internally) So when I heard that Gerard Way was releasing a solo album, I knew I had to listen to it. My definite favourite is 'Action Cat' and 'No Shows.' The songs have a different, 80's-esque sound that is refreshing and unique.

So these are my five favourite songs at the moment! Do you have any of the same favourite songs or completely different ones? Let me know in the comments! 

Stay Strong, Happy & Fearless!

Aveen xx

My 18th Birthday and Reflection

Hey Everyone!

So last Friday (September 26th) was my 18th birthday! I'd like to say thank you to all my friends and family for their lovely cards, gifts, text messages, Facebook messages, tweets and lots more, you are all so thoughtful and brilliant.

I was in school on my birthday, double Maths is always fun when you turn 18. *intense sarcasm* However the day simply flew by, before I knew it I was in Spleodar with some of my friends all speaking Irish. It was my first week in charge as a cinnire so I was a little uneasy about being 'i gceannas' but it all went well and I got good advice too. If you don't learn something new every day then you clearly didn't have a good day!

Afterwards at home we had cake (which was scrumptious!) and I opened present from my family and friends. (If you're wondering, gifts from my parents were opened when I woke that morning!) Mam and Dad gave me an Orla Kiely handbag and some small presents which I appreciated as much as the handbag, lip glosses are life. Down below are some of the presents I was given.

*I'm not bragging by posting this blog post. I wouldn't call it a 'haul' like if I went shopping. Birthdays are different and I'm extremely grateful to all my family and friends for their cards and gifts, they're far too kind :)

On Saturday night I went to the Chinese with most of my friends and we all had a brilliant night filled with yummy food and of course, chocolate cake. I actually only took a few photos, which is very unusual for me, so they're down below too.

I must admit, it's slightly strange turning 18. In Ireland I am a fully fledged legal adult now and that's quite weird to think about and consider. The only ''adult'' thing I have done so far is buy some scratch cards, (with zero success) and walked around the alcohol section in Tesco thinking ''Muwahaha I don't feel awkward walking here now as I can legally buy anything I want.'' How weird indeed.

Photos From My Birthday!

Some of my birthday cards!

I adore this card my godmother made, I'm planning on framing it and hanging it on my bedroom wall.

The utterly gorgeous Orla Kiely bag my parents gave me, it's love. 

Taylor Swift perfume from my lovely cousins, thank you! :D 

Perfume from Grace. (I'm noticing a trend of perfume) Thank thee Grace! :D *Subtly wears it to school all week*

 A necklace from Topshop from Viv, thank you, it's so pretty. 

A bracelet my friend Emily gave me from Germany as she went on an exchange there and came back the day of my birthday! :) Thank you! :D

I bought myself another Orla Kiely bag after my birthday as they had special offers on them and well, you can never have enough handbags can you? ;)

A gorgeous notebook from Caítlín, thank you! :)  Notebooks are my life

My friend Robyn gave me this really pretty notebook which she covered herself. Thank you, it's so cute! :) 

Orla Kiely design. 

 

A take away coffee flask !

Saturday night!

Robyn & Maeve

Maeve & Caítlín 

Unfortunately I don't have many photos from my birthday dinner as I spent too much time chatting than taking photos. Yet I can't really complain about that either, it's nice living moments, not just capturing them on a camera. 

Stay Strong, Happy & Fearless!

Aveen xx

It's Like I Got This Music In My Mind Singing, "It's Gonna Be Alright."

Hey Everyone!

Hope you're well and enjoying your summer (what's left of it!) I'm starting Sixth Year on Wednesday which has left me feeling both nervous, yet excited about my final year in secondary school.

Upon my imminent return to school, I've been thinking a lot about my life, school and also possible careers to consider after my Leaving Cert. It's quite scary to think that my time in second level education is drawing to a close in this final year, as I can still recall my first day as a First Year as clear as anything.

I know that this blog post is late, I was constantly distracted with various things particularly on Sunday. I've been getting ready for going back to school and just organising my exam papers is a nightmare! I'm bringing my books to my locker tomorrow (Tuesday) so I won't be dragging them in on The First Day.

On Saturday night it was my friend Mary's birthday dinner! We all went to the chinese and had a lovely evening. As you can see below, as a group photograph was taken, a surprise photobomber emerged! I asked his permission if I could put it on my blog so here it is! Thank you Mysterious Photobomber!

Later that night I went to my cousin Claire's 40th birthday party (yes two parties in one night!) Where I chatted with my lovely Aunties and cousins (It was a girls only evening) and may have been force-fed a glass of wine but we won't talk about that. I spent most of the evening talking to my Aunty Pauline and Godmother Rebecca about books and tv shows. In general it was a brilliant night!

On Sunday, my parents, brother and I went to the shopping centre and I did some shopping (for exam papers *cries*) but I bought some things in TK Maxx which you can see below.I also got Converse socks (Have an obsession with Converse okay) and they're really comfortable. I bought a new purse for school which is an Osprey purse. Needless to say I adore it! I also bought a Parisian style box which I'm keeping all my notebooks and letters in so they're not cluttering my study desk like they have been doing all summer..

***You can click HERE to vote for me in the Blog Awards Best Blog Post competition. Just look for ''The Random Life of Aveen'' and vote. I promise it'll take less than a minute!

Hello Photobomber!

Selfie! (Shock horror I'm actually wearing make up for once!)

Photo with Casey and Aisling!

'Not Impressed' by Grace

Aisling claimed I'm photogenic, thank you but the jury is still out on this one

Sweets from Claire's 40th!

That's about it from me! Keep me in your thoughts on Wednesday morning as I embark on my last year in secondary school and the start of 'the rest of my life' *shakes from fear*

Stay Strong, Happy & Fearless!

Aveen xx

*********************************************************************************PS !! Grace of Dainty Sprinkles & I did two more Awkward Sprinkles videos which you'll be able to view on our channels. Links will be here when they're uploaded!

Did I mention that I did the Ice Bucket Challenge this evening? It was cold. Text 'MND' to 50300 to donate 2 euro to such a worthy cause. 

*Lyrics: Taylor Swift ~ Shake It Off