Life As Of Late - The College Edition

September has well and truly returned, bringing back the routines of school and college. I'm preparing for my third week back in college, so I finally mustered up the time to write about what I have been doing since making the trek back to Limerick. (The photo above was taken a couple of days before I left, in Courtown Harbour on the last day of summer). 

 Visiting DCU and Glasnevin Cemetery 

I went up to DCU shortly before returning to college, as my brother (fondly referred to as The Sibling) is starting his Master's degree up there. I wish him the very best of luck in the course and hope he likes DCU! 

I persuaded -read, begged - my parents to bring me to Glasnevin Cemetery while we were there. It truly was a wonderful experience to view the graves of so many historical figures from Irish history such as Michael Collins, Hannah Sheehy-Skeffington and Countess Markievicz to name a few. 

Visiting the cemetery added another dimension to the stories I've heard in history classes over the years. It brought a sense that these names in the history books were real people with real lives and graves. (Slightly morbid at times but it was a unique experience) 

Got a hair-cut and a spray tan for college 

My hair was in dire need of a trim so in true back-to-school tradition I got mine cut shortly before returning to Limerick. I also got a spray tan as they were on special offer in a local pharmacy and I was looking frightfully pale after being sick over summer. I ended up looking quite brown but it gradually lessened over the following days! 

Spotted Goats Outside The Window

Goats always make a consistent appearance in these blog posts, today is no exception! After a few days being back in Limerick, I opened a window and heard bleating. I looked across the road and there were two lovely goats in the field! They've since moved on but it was cute to see and hear them for a couple of days.

Socialised/Meet With Old Friends And New 

A major highlight of college is being back with my friends, as well as making new friends! College consists of frequent nights out, a sample of which I posted above. I promise the only new friends I've made aren't the pigeon that tottered over to me in the Bus Station! 

Retained Snap Streaks

At this stage, it feels as if we just send selfies with the captain of 'retain the streak!' or 'keep the streak!'  The joys of student living! 

How are you settling back into school or college?

Let me know!  

Aveen x

A Not So Typical Week in College

Hey Everyone, 

As a first year I felt I should tell you all about some of the events of my life in college. The previous week was Week 9. With assignment topics being distributed faster than you can say 'lectures,' I felt obliged to get stuck into writing and preparing. I finished a couple of assignments and submitted another, so hopefully I can keep up the pace!

As life in college is more balanced I did some extra-curricular activities. On Tuesday evening, Cliona, Orla and I went to see Spectre in the cinema. We all thoroughly enjoyed the film, especially seeing Andrew Scott (aka Moriarty in Sherlock) featuring in a prominent role too. 

On Wednesday, the Mary I art society held a colour run around campus. I'd never participated in a colour run previous to this. Yet it's long been a feature of my Bucket List. (Maybe one day I'll publish it here) The colour run was fantastic and for cancer research, another bonus. We all went back to our accommodation covered in powder, much to the amusement of our friends. 

On Thursday, Cliona and I decided to attend a musical at the Lime Tree Theatre which is on-campus. The play in question was 'The Unlucky Cabin Boy' which was utterly phenomenal! We'll definitely be watching more plays and musicals in the future, such as the Addams Family. It was a superb experience. 

The previous week was incredibly busy. I was run off my feet between lectures, tutorials, assignments and extra-curriculars. It's a nice change. Since starting in Mary I, I've felt truly alive and, to paraphrase Socrates, living an examined life. Being in full control of my life is simply wonderful, a concept which is not imaginable to the Leaving Cert student I was.

Life has changed irrevocably in the past few months. I've never been happier to witness change as I have been now. I met up with one of my secondary school friends, Maeve. We're in colleges in 2 different parts of the country so it was great to meet up for a cupcake and a chat in town on Saturday. Speaking to her made me realise how our lives have all changed since we sat down to sit exams last June. 

We're now all college students, on the courses we craved and dreamed of for years. I am the sibling of a University graduate and subsequent Emigrant. (More about the Sibling in my next post) Times have changed so suddenly and drastically. I, a creature of habit, was initially hesitant of these changes. Now I embrace them. I said in a previous post, I closed one chapter of my life in order to open and start another. My God, I adore this chapter and it's development. 

Stay Strong, Happy & Fearless!
Aveen xx 

Blogger Meetup in Dundrum

Hey Everyone!

Last Sunday I travelled to Dundrum with Grace to our second blogger meet up! We met up with Jane, Sarah, Cliona, Karolina and Ciara. Jane, Sarah, Grace and I had met up at the previous blogger meet up earlier in the year but we were just as excited to see each other again.

After initial introductions and hugs, we started to plan where to go for lunch. We eventually decided to go for a 'Cheeky Nando's' as most of us had never been there before. Hence, our jokes of 'Archbishop Of Banterbury,' 'M8s' and more began. We were all seated and had a delicious lunch. The conversation was mainly based around our schools, providing funny tales and anecdotes and of course, the Leaving Cert! The Leaving Cert has a nasty habit of infiltrating conversations even when you're 15 or 18.

After our cheeky Nando's, we went wandering around Dundrum using Jane as a guide. I swear she knows the centre like the back of her hand! We ended up outside and promptly began taking selfies. We used the self-timer on Jane's phone for the first 'Squad Goals' selfie. Unfortunately, my selfie stick didn't want to cooperate with Jane's phone so we had to abandon it. We took copious amounts of selfies and giggled our way through it.

We went window-shopping and into several shops including Hollister - which is considerably brighter now. Last time I went, I was nearly bumping into all the displays. A trip to Starbucks is nearly a compulsory requirement when going to Dundrum so I got a beautiful caramel frappuccino! The best part though was how the barista spelt my name right! (A standing ovation would be appropriate.) We went outside to the astro turf and started chatting and playing games. Cliona was the first to leave and departed amidst hugs and farewells.

Soon, it started lashing rain so we all dashed to Hamleys. Any hint of maturity we possessed quickly evaporated once we set our sights on the toys. I went around squealing, reminiscing over childhood memories with certain toys and television shows. I got an Iron Man fan and sweets for The Sibling who fangirled internally. (Fanboyed perhaps?)

I nearly left out a vital part of the day! One of my friends (Hello!) sent me a photo of a top from Penneys with 'Blogger' written on it. She recommended that I bought it for fun. I mentioned it to Jane and we made it our mission to find the t-shirt. It's unbelievable yet we actually found it! Myself, Jane and Sarah bought the tee on the spot with the other girls going to the their local Penneys in the week to find it. It might as well now be our Squad uniform now. So thanks again to my friend! :)

Sadly, Grace and I were the next ones to leave. Overall, it was a fantastic day with lots of fun and friendships made. I really enjoyed the day and it was fantastic to have the opportunity to meet such lovely girls!

Down below are some photos from the day and I'll leave the links to the girls' blogs below.

Photo credits to Jane and Grace 

Jane - Queen of Quirk

Grace - Dainty Sprinkles

Sarah - Typical Blue Eyed Brunette

Karolina - Brunette-Wavez

Cliona - Cliona Hill

Sadly, Ciara doesn't have a blog but she really should. Her fashion style is impeccable! 

Stay Strong, Happy & Fearless!
Aveen x

''The Water Filled My Lungs, I Screamed So Loud But No One Heard A Thing''

Hey Everyone!

I realised it has been a while since I have written a detailed lifestyle post. The past couple of weeks have been utterly hectic. I had a solid week of Mocks exams, followed by a week of Midterm. I was quite tired, after the exams. It is true to say that having ten exams in five days in incredibly draining.

Overall, I am happy enough with my Mocks. At this precise moment, the week of the Mocks seemed to be a blur of cramming, anxiety and drinking lots of water during the exams. I never knew how quickly three hours and more could pass by! We'll receive our results in the coming weeks, fingers crossed I'm on the right track.

Enough about Mocks! I had an entire week off, an absolutely luxury. My teachers told us our homework was to, 'relax.' which I did. I kept a low-profile during the week, mainly staying at home and watching Game Of Thrones. I finished Season 4 last Friday morning and I still feel devoid of emotion as Season 5 isn't starting until April 13th. I will remain strong.

I also went to Dundrum to a blogger meet up! You can read about it here. The afternoon was fantastic and it was surreal meeting such lovely girls! Squad goals occurred. Apart from the trip to Dundrum, I did little else. The day we received our holidays I was interviewed by The Sunday Times about selfie sticks, it didn't appear in the newspaper but it was a hilarious phone call and interview!

I also received correspondence from some colleges/Universities that I applied to through CAO. I received an email or two, as well as a gorgeous letter from UL (where my brother goes!) I don't really plan on going to UL but it is still an option for me if I want to. All the same, the paper and the embossed logo were just stunning and the letter was so pretty.

Grace and I met up over the week and had an AwkwardSprinkles day. We were too busy chatting and laughing to actually film anything sadly so AwkwardSprinkles won't be returning just yet. I filmed another Letters to the Leaving Cert video, this time about the Mocks. It's a nice little series I think. It documents my last year in secondary school as well as the ups and downs that are an integral part of the year. I don't have as much time to brainstorm for eccentric videos but I like having the series as a way of keeping up YouTube. You can see the latest video here 

Photos from my week

AwkwardSprinkles!

Selfie with some calves. I have no regrets, they were lovely.

Starbucks in Dundrum !

I got bored on Snapchat and send a few random snaps ...

#Deep

Costa with Grace. Caramel lattes are just beautiful.

Watching Danisnotonfire's latest video about #NicerInternet. Definitely worth a watch.

I decided to clean my desk after the Mocks. 

After much hardship, my desk became extremely tidy again!

So that's about it from me, did you have an enjoyable Midterm? Let me know in the comments below!

Stay Strong, Happy & Fearless!
Aveen 

Lyrics; Taylor Swift - Clean

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