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

My Thoughts On Blogging in 2016.

'What are you even doing?'

Those were the words I asked myself, peering through my collection of published and unpublished blog posts. It was quite the shock to realise that my latest blog post was from the 28th of June. Despite making a commitment to myself to continue blogging on a more frequent basis throughout the summer, I am clearly not coming through on this.

This leads me up to the question of what am I even doing with my time. Truth be told, it's quite the valid question. It also made me realise that my own position on blogging has changed. For several months, I began to prioritise other activities above blogging.  I feel at odds with the current blogging world. An outsider to the new culture of PR events, sponsored posts and parties.

Upon my start in the blogging world back in 2013, blogging was simply a hobby. I used blogging as a way to improve my writing skills, technology skills and as a way to make friends with like-minded people. Blogging was for fun. I feel in a way, that this environment has disappeared. The blogging world has become more of a competition, who has the most followers, the most page views, the most party invitations.. In essence, it's a competition of who has the most of everything.

Truth be told, I'm not entirely sure if I want to partake in such an environment. I've adored blogging for many years. Yet I feel the concept of blogging is slightly tainted in light of this new development of the blogging world. I always blogged about ideas and concepts that set my soul on fire, or posted about my own musings and thoughts, rather than what is sent to me by companies.

I do not want this to change, but I feel that I'm at odds with this new blogging environment. The blog posts that I craft for several hours, days and even weeks at a time. simply don't cut the mustard in comparison to heavily sponsored blog posts quickly whipped up and posted. It can be disheartening to say the least. I feel that the posts crafted filled with substance, emotions and simply breathtaking photography or writing styles can often be discarded for posts lacking these qualities.

The change in the blogging atmosphere has led to some changes in my own perceptions of blogging. In particular, how it contributes to my own identity. For many years, I classified myself as a 'student and blogger' yet now, I feel that it's become more of a 'full-time student and part-time blogger.' One of my hobbies is now considered a full-time job by many - which I find mind boggling.

I still want to continue blogging, please don't think I'm quitting! I just found over the past few months that it's quite difficult to continue blogging about my usual content in the midst of endless sponsored posts across the blogging world. Yet, I think it would be horrid shame to discontinue my usual content to simply fit the mould of a' regular' blogger.

It has taken some time, yet I have decided I shouldn't feel compelled to post things, 'just because other bloggers are doing it' I want to try and maintain my own content and blog about what I feel is interesting and what others think are interesting to read.

From now, normal blog posting will resume,

Aveen x

'I Just Had A Change Of Heart'

I've been listening to The 1975's new album as of late, in particular the song 'Change of Heart'. This piece stemmed from listening to the song repetitively, mainly to the lyrics.



A song can instil and rise emotions from us, the lyrics similar to own feelings. Even the feelings we keep hidden. CoH reminds me of how we all start new adventures with naive ideas and dreams of how things will occur. Mostly, these ideas never quite come to fruition, leaving us alone and not shattered, but feeling defeated.

A change of heart doesn't have to relate to a lover or a romance. It can be a friendship, conversations or events. It can be the change in the dynamic of how people act towards each other or relate to a topic. When one person may foolishly think everything will remain the idealistic way things were initially, without realising another has parallel ideas and thoughts.

Hiding a change of heart until the last minute helps nobody, especially you. Smashing the ideals of how things were with a cruel and calculated expression of face and words is unnecessary. Yet blaming the change of heart on the other is more fatal a blow.

A change of heart can be healthy, it can show you the toxicity of relationships and people you once trusted. The person you once confided in, can believe you to be the enemy and dirt under the hooves of their high horse in an instant. These are the type of people not to partake in company with. The cruel and calloused of this earth should be avoided, along with their evil calculated motives.

Yet, a change of heart can teach you about yourself and the kinder amongst you. To think I was weak was a mistake. I am a fighter, I am a voice, for the betterment of society, I aim to speak up for those who are quiet and silent. I fear causing pain to others, knowing that so many have caused the same damage to me. Knowing the lasting impact of the hurt. Knowing it can be avoided.

On occasion, a reminder of your own personal strength and endurance is necessary and required. Reminding oneself of the events you have overcome can bring extra strength and resilience. I once said that it was the small act of bravery that define us in our lives.

Those small acts of bravery can sometimes be opening your door, knowing what may be on the opposite side of the door, in the wooden hall. It can be going to eat breakfast or entering the kitchen Monday through Friday for a semester. Bravery can be knocking on a person's door trying to resolve an issue, followed by the realisation that no matter your actions, a person can simply be close-minded, stubborn and spiteful.

Their change of heart can initially cause discontent, but knowing the true calibre of a person and their true nature is more important than a false friendship. I referenced this quote in my sixth year yearbook that 'your time is limited so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important have the courage to follow your own heart and intuition.'

I had another flick through the yearbook and found a friend wrote, 'You have a voice, use it!'

I stayed silent for months on end. An acquiescent silence should never be imposed upon me, or anyone, by dramatics and crocodile tears. Any attempt to speak out should never be doubted by gaslighting and a torrent of imposing isolation.

You are wrong to doubt me and my emotional strength. You aren't the first to try beat me down with cruel syllables and actions. I won't stand for it. Not any more.

I too have had a change of heart. I'm not sorry. 
I did all I could.

I dreamed the idealistic dreams and achieved a few of them.
I'm not sorry that I achieved them.
I'm sorry that you didn't.
I'm sorry for your indignation and utter hatred regarding those dreams and their reality.


I'm dreaming more dreams of my life and its events. You're no longer in them.
 I had a change of heart too.
 I'm not sorry.

I wrote this blog post a couple of months ago and only really got around to posting this now.  Yet I must acknowledge internally that feelings are real and should be experienced, not bottled up or hidden.

To my Nana.

Born in the year of the assassination of Michael Collins and the formation of the Irish Free State, 

my Nana lived through a time of great change and history, not only in Ireland but globally.

She viewed a rich tapestry of world history throughout her life that we now can only read of in books or view in faded black and white photographs.

Nana wouldn't have been impressed that I started this ode by mentioning the name of Michael Collins. A woman from a staunchly pro- De Valera household, the thought of the current history books teaching the praises of Collins and the flaws of de Valera was a shock to her. One particular afternoon just after my Leaving Cert, I sat with her and discussed Irish history and the change in the opinions of school history books. 

This wasn't new. My childhood conversations with my Nana revolved around conversations of 'The Emergency' as the Second World War was called in Ireland,, ration books, Eamon de Valera, Michael Collins, tales of the evils of the Black and Tans and everything in between. 

As a child, history was a massive passion for me. Having a Nana that lived through what I read in the history books in school never ceased to amaze me. Having a person who lived in the eras that we learned about in school and talking to my Nana about these events was truly magical.

The opportunity to discuss events with my Nana who lived through such a time of societal change and advancement was a privilege to say the least.  

Yet, these wonderful people can't live forever. Ní bhíonn in aon rud ach seal.

 Despite our wishes, the people who experienced decades of history and life, fall ill and must depart this life. One of these people was recently my Nana who passed away on June 12th 2016. 

June 12th always was important for me, it was the day that my childhood idol, Anne Frank was born on in 1929 and it's the anniversary of my parent's wedding, this year being their 25th. With all these reminders, I highly doubt I'll ever forget the date. 

No matter how old our grandparents and other loved ones are, we never really want to let them go. Even if they are 94, we can't bear with the thought of saying goodbye. Because saying goodbye means that it is the end, that it is in essence, over. 

Yet it can never be over. A life may end in the physical sense, the heartbeat that was so strong may have ended.
But they live on in the memories of others.
Flashes of sporadic memories, picking weeds in childhood, to hospital visits and various discussions related to history. 

The thought that when I visit, Nana won't be lying on the sofa is a strange concept. That she is gone is well frankly, upsetting.

The phrase, 'an end of an era' was a phrase thrown around for days afterwards. it was quite true. 94 years was a long time, a life containing a wealth of knowledge, memories and recollections.

A myriad of memories have come back to the fore in my mind, both old and new. The oldest are just as emotionally intense as the new ones.

We must preserve these memories and keep them safe. Cherish the times you have with your loved ones, because they could be taken away from you as quickly as anything.

It is with a lump in my throat and a heavy heart that I must say goodbye to my Nana

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam
Slán. 

A Voice Is To Be Used, Not Stifled.

Hesitant hands hover over the keyboard, heart thumps as the blank screen awaits, fresh for new ideas to be displayed in the form of 26 letters in new unique compositions. A frantic intake of oxygen, followed by a brief exhalation. Eyes swiftly close, to be reopened in a wave of fear.

The constraint of the inability to post freely. The hand over my mouth has become more prominent and uncomfortable.

My words are censored, carefully selected.

What was once such an easy task is debilitating. The tedious process of filtering information regarding my life into suitable sentences and sets of photographs. What was once a fun, light hearted activity has become a stress inducing exercise.

The fear consumes my soul. It has for many months. The frequent inactivity gnaws my bones. I know I must post regularly, simply due to my own desire to do so. Yet this desire is rarely translated onto the screen or the page. Fear appears regularly, eating up the keyboard and ripping up the pages in a terror induced rampage.

Slumped against the chair, hands pressed against the face. A sigh of dejection and a quick shake of hair are the only physical signs of the turmoil.

A stretch of the limbs and a deep exhale from lungs attempting to avoid the fear lingering in the room. I must remember the reason for starting this blog. I must recall the happiness instilled in my being by this blog. Remembering I have a voice. A voice is to used, not stifled. 

I avoided posting about my emotions on my blog since September 2015. I wanted to be a different person but we can't simply deny vital components to our identity. Instead of joy, I felt anxious when even writing a post, breaking into a fear-induced sweat - thinking about what others thought.

The title of this blog is The Random Life of Aveen. It is my life, my thoughts, my events, my musings, my emotions. My own personal platform which I have not utilised as much as I should have as of late.

I turned my back on my identity. Trying to 'fit in' and 'blend in' is something you should never do. A lack of time caused some posts to be written but a lack of accepting my own emotions caused 90% of the posts not being posted.

We all need a support network, a place to voice our opinions and to be ourselves. I've had to accept that I am in fact a blogger - something I like a lot. I can't change that. It is a part element of the composition of my identity.

I questioned my identity for many months after starting college. I struggled with being a student, student-teacher, blogger, friend and many more persona's, yet as I type these words, I feel a weight lift. To deny oneself of their identity is a shame.

 I am a writer and a blogger. I feel through words, my comfort comes from the 26 letters comprising of our alphabet. It's my method of making sense of the world, and a blog is another addition of that.

A blog is for voicing our true, genuine thoughts, feelings and emotions. A blog is not for pretending every element of our lives is perfect. A blog is a platform where we should feel enabled to speak with confidence, our words booming and ricocheting across the Internet, not whispering meekly because we're afraid of insulting a person in real life.

It happened to me personally that I was given grief due to the content of my posts in 'real life.' It's an experience that taught me that we must be truthful to ourselves. If we post something that aggravates another, we generally are being truthful.

I have decided to take the plunge once more and post more personal content on The Random Life of Aveen. Several posts I posted as of late have felt so lack lustre, empty and devoid of content and emotion.

It's time to change that. 

Wave goodbye to the posts of poor content and airbrushed emotions.

 Say welcome back to the truthful, gritty posts where I actually discuss my emotions and actions. 

First Year Ball

Last Tuesday was the First Year Ball in college, it's basically the college version of the debs except a little bit more low-key. Here's some photos from the night.

Stay Strong, Happy & Fearless, 

Aveen x

January Sales Shopping Haul - Hollister, Levis, Converse, Catrice & More!

I decided to write a post about some items I picked up in the January sales. I love a good bargain in sales and Christmas/January is the ideal time of year for bargains in stores.
The items shown below were bought in various places, the Hollister clothes were bought on the Hollister website, the rest were bought in shops in my local town.

The Catrice products are from McCauley's pharmacy, I can't wait to use the pretty eye shadows!

The pairs of Converse and boots: local store, all size 8 (Funges - they have a half price sale every Christmas and it resembles a World War each year)

Tote bag was also from another local shop - ideal for college and all my notes!

I can't wait to wear these bright yellow Converse in Summer, they're so bright and cheery. 

This pair are purple suede, they feel so soft. 

These ankle boots are incredibly cosy and warm, ideal for the cold weather at the moment!

Levis jeans both from Funges, despite the insane crowds in the store, I'm thrilled with the items I bought! The jeans are so comfortable.

Here's two Hollister hoodies (one with a zip, the other a pullover) and a black top with lace detail on the sleeves. 

I thought this top would be adorable for next Christmas!

A pink zipped hoodie and two tshirts, they're so comfortable!

Hollister items from Hollister website in their Christmas sale, missing from photos above is this top shown below. Screen grab is from the Hollister website. 

Disclaimer, I personally paid for all of these items, none were gifts from companies or relatives.


Did you pick up any bargains in the Christmas/January sales? Let me know down below in the comments! 
Grace of Dainty Sprinkles and I also filmed a couple of AwkwardSprinkles videos, I'm currently editing one so I will try upload it as soon as possible 
Stay Strong, Happy & Fearless! 
Aveen x

The Random Life of Aveen 2.0

Hey Everyone,

After several weeks of inactivity and inner frustration, I have decided to give my beloved page a fresh start. It sounds like a cliché to call it ''The Random Life of Aveen 2.0'' yet I feel that my life has altered a lot in the past two years since this blog was created - something which should be seen visually through my blog.

When I started blogging, I was a different person. I'd like to see my blog as a reflection of who I am now. A near 19 year old finished secondary school with a lot ahead of her. In 2013 I was 16 and going through a turbulent phase of my life, unsure of who I was or who those surrounding me were either. However, that's all in the past and enough time has passed since.

I'm not entirely sure of the direction I am going with for The Random Life of Aveen. All I know is that I crave change, a fresh start and a new thought process. As you know , I finished the Leaving Cert last week. Since then, I've felt all the stress and worry that weighed heavily on my shoulders for two years rise and evaporate from me. For the first time since I started in 2013, I feel free. This newly found and craved freedom should also be reflected and portrayed here.

I like to think as TRLOA as a new canvas for my musings, thoughts and rambles. I now have the ability to once again think independently and of my own accord. To no longer conform to possessing the same thoughts as my peers for terminal written exams - even if only for a number of weeks - is wonderfully challenging, leaving me in fits of freedom-induced delirium.

 I spotted this notebook while out shopping a couple of weeks ago. I was one exam away from completing the exams. The tantalising scent of summer mixed with freedom was overwhelming. I felt that the quote on the front of the notebook was quite apt for the stage of life I am currently residing in. ''The best way to prepare for life is to begin to live''

I have existed for nearly two years, now my opportunity to live and breathe in fresh oxygen mixed with ideas and inspiring literature beckons so strongly. It would be a waste to not try and scribble down all my musings once more.

During the Leaving Cert in my brief moments of respite, I would scroll through my Instagram feed and always felt motivated by the daily quotes that 'StudyClix' posted. This one in particular struck me. I've always felt that writing was the main hobby that fuelled my senses. I am a writer and always have been. I realise now, writing and scrawling down my thoughts and feelings into the margins of tens of notebooks is what invigorates me. It is the catalyst that sets my soul on fire. I must always write and can never stop. It is finally time to guarantee that I persist in writing. I breathe in words and letters and that is how it has always been.

Have you recently finished exams and felt the overwhelming emotion of freedom rush through your veins? 

Stay Strong, Happy and Fearless,

Aveen x

Blogger Meet Up & Squad Goals!

Hey Everyone!

I'd like to tell all you wonderful people about the recent blogger meet up I attended on Sunday!

 I travelled to Dundrum with Grace (special shout out to Grace's Mam for giving me a lift) to meet 5 of the loveliest bloggers! Grace and I were early and after various comical attempts of trying to locate the meeting point (including walking past the designated area, round of applause, if you please) we stood around, filled with exhilaration, nerves and excitement. 

Jane was next to arrive, with Grace and I running to greet her (and probably scaring her, sorry!) Next to arrive was Chloe, Aoife, Sarah and Celine. With the Squad assembled, we went to Eddie Rockets with our brilliant 'Tour Guide' Jane! We sat in one large booth and had lunch. A highlight was definitely when Jane whipped out her selfie stick (the exact same as mine, what are the odds?) and began taking selfies of the group! I think poor Grace nearly fainted when she saw it. (The stares of the people in the restaurant were of confusion and amusement and caused lots of giggles later on) 

Afterwards, we went window-shopping in Bershka and Penneys (and awkwardly bumping into my cousin, small world!) as well as having a cold and frosty experience in Starbucks which led to a very swift exit. The cameras, phones and selfie sticks emerged once again and a mass frenzy of selfie-taking occurred. Soon sadly, it was time to part ways, not before more selfies, giggles, socialising and laughing. 

It truly was a wonderful experience to meet girls who's blogs I read and comment on. The realisation that like me, they are normal girls and not just photos on a laptop screen is truly humbling. It was a brilliant day, spent with fantastic company, all the girls are so nice, bubbly, energetic and carefree. I think it can definitely be said that an excellent day was had by all. We are 'The Squad' with our Squad Goals as well as realising that people on elevators look sad. (No regrets) 

Down below are some photos from the meet up!

(L-R) Chloe, Grace, myself, Jane, Celine, Sarah and Aoífe! 

We're stunning aren't we?

Selfie with Jane

Squad Goals!

''We look the same!''

Here are the girls' links! 

Chloe - Cocobelle
Celine - Vintage Teapot
Sarah - Typical Blue Eyed Brunette
Jane - Dorky, Fizzy and Quirky Stuff
Aoífe - Barrel of Secrets
Grace - Dainty Sprinkles

Stay Strong,  Happy & Fearless!
Aveen xx

''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

Struggles And Reality Of Being A Leaving Cert Student.

I thought it was about time to finally post after a fortnight interval.

I feel I should be honest and explain my inactivity on my blog as of late. With the stresses of being a Leaving Cert student, I've found it quite difficult to scrape together some time to sit down and tap away on my laptop like I usually do every week. There seems to be so many other ideas and problems that consume any spare time I do happen to possess and I honestly despise that.

The week before Midterm was quite simply a nightmare. Multiple tests in all my subjects, short deadlines for essays and tonnes of material to be revised, I found it difficult to breathe without feeling anxiety consume my lungs, let alone justify several hours to type on my laptop about things that I felt were so completely insignificant and false in comparison to all the work and study I was doing.

Thankfully all that is behind me. I doubted myself far too much and believed I hadn't done any work since coming back to school. In fact, it was my need and desire to have everything practically word-perfect from my notes that caused me so much stress. I had 10 sets of sraithpictiúr to learn and if they weren't word perfect, well I recited them for hours until they were.

It's officially midterm and so far, I've completed three out of the five essays I was given as part of my week's work. I feel relieved but I won't fully relax until everything is finished. I want to have a few days, an utter luxury, to relax and do NOTHING. I crave mornings where I wake up, with no anxiety or nerves in my stomach, worried about study and work still left to do. I just want a few days just to have fun and live, on my terms.

I'm planning on finishing the rest of my written school work tomorrow and relaxing for the rest of the week. I've had several drafts of incomplete blog posts knocking around my blog for several weeks, either due to a lack of time to add 'polish' to them or I was simply terrified about posting them as they involved real-life incident and my feelings. How terrifying indeed.

I'm also a little annoyed. I had five tests in the space of three short days and studied for all of them. The fourth test, first thing on a Friday was maths. I've double maths on a Friday morning. Maths is quite simply my Achille's heel in comparison to my other subjects.  As a result, I've a huge fear of having maths tests. I mean, a huge fear. As in my other subjects I can learn off the material and regurgitate it in words on paper, I find them much, much easier. Maths, however is a whole different ball game.

However I've made a special effort to not miss any maths tests (or any tests) in either Fifth or Sixth Year. My belief is that you can't skip a day or pretend your sick on the day of your Leaving Cert so why bother do it in school time, instead of learning from your mistakes and owning up to the fact that you aren't comfortable with the topic of the test and should try harder at learning it? I never get A's in maths but I try my best (If you're wondering, I am in Higher Level) and always try scrape an honour in the tests. But it bugs me when people skip the tests out of laziness, yet appear in school later in the day, once the test is over. I honestly find that so cowardly. That sounds horribly blunt but if you want to be in the Higher Level classes you have to do the work, not just sit there and look pretty and brag about being in Honours. School is for doing work and working hard, not to make excuses.

I know that statement will most likely get a negative reaction and probably a few glares and upturned noses when I'm back in school, however, I feel it's the truth. It's better to accept your weaknesses early in play, rather when it's after the mocks and there's little time to rectify your mistakes. I'm not comfortable on certain topics of maths (Trig, ew) so I've brought home my exam papers and book in an effort to try improve  those questions, as well as a general brush up on all the topics.

That goes for all my subjects, not just maths. I read over my notes in various subjects frequently, particularly business and ag science. Soon the information becomes common knowledge to you, not just something crammed into your brain to last for a revision test your teacher sets you.

Being in Leaving Cert isn't great. In all honesty, it's quite awful at times. However, I'm only stuck here doing all this work and study until June. After that, the world is our oyster. We can do whatever we want. You can travel the world, go to college, whatever your heart desires. I find that thought comforting in the midst of writing an essay on the weakness of human judgement as seen in Shakespeare's play Othello. (Ps. I reckon it's how gullible and easily led Othello is that leads him to follow and become ensnared in Iago's Machiavellian scheming and to his ultimate downfall in killing Desdemona, based on his over-reliance on 'honest and just Iago.')

Don't worry, I will be posting frequently this week and will most likely be a lot more positive than this. I found that once I talk about what's playing on my mind, blogging in a light hearted becomes far easier to do.

Stay Strong, Happy & Fearless!

Aveen xx

Ps, I'm going to Penneys/Primark during the week so I will be posting a haul. 

The return of Sprinkles that can be Awkward may be imminent. Watch this space. 

Tick, tock, goes the clock. 

My Room Redecoration !

Hey Everyone!

Sorry for being very quiet here and on other websites as of late. This is mainly due to preparing for going back to school and everything else life throws at me. However the main reason is that I recently got my room redecorated!

From previous blog posts and YouTube videos, you might know that my room used to be what I called, 'A Fandom Room' which was turquoise and covered in huge posters and quotes from every fandom known to man. (Including my favourite, the Phandom)

As I'm approaching my eighteenth birthday and being told how I'll be an adult (voting is probably one of the things I'm most excited for) I decided that my room should reflect how my life is going to be changing in the next year or two, ie Leaving Cert and college.

I really like my new room colour scheme, my room feels very peaceful and quiet. It feels like my place to just relax, except next week when I'm back in school! Here are some photos of my room, if you flick through previous blog post you'll see a dramatic difference in its appearance!

I will also be uploading a YouTube video of my room as well which you can view as soon as it's uploaded!

 

New duvet/pillow/curtains are from Arnotts. 

New canvas pictures! I bought them all in Dunnes Stores

Yes I bought the Dan Howell poster in Shout! I am such a fangirl..

Casual selfie..

New laptop, an Asus.

New mirror!

PS, Myself and Grace were in our local newspaper for being nominated in The Blog Awards Ireland! Click HERE to vote for 'The Random Life of Aveen' Voting closes on 18th September and you can vote once a week, thank you all for your support in this category and in other categories. It's been utterly surreal to have been nominated!

Stay Strong, Happy & Fearless!
Aveen xx