A Month In Reflection

Today blog readers marks the end of Blog Everyday August (BEDA) and though it hasn't been a very exciting month, blogging gave me something to do with my day when things got boring.

I don't know if you've enjoyed reading this, but there have been comments here and there and from the Statistics I presume that you have but you're too lazy to comment. Regardless of your laziness I just want to thank you for even taking the time to read my blog and the inane ramblings I put out from day to day, it does mean something to me that people take the time to read it, so thanks and I hope that you will continue to follow me throughout the next while as more future husband letters are due and September is sure to be more exciting and I'll be around in November during NaNoWriMo.

This month you've learnt 10 rules for being human, amusing things about cats, things I have done and regret doing, you've learnt about books I enjoy reading and read a short story I wrote (Which has now become a fully fledged novel in my head, writing to be done when my laptop charger arrives as my research is on there). You've read a future husband letter and learnt about the statistics that you make up. And you also received a post that probably didn't make sense to any of you, but was more for my own benefit of getting how I felt out there. You've heard about my hardships of trying to find a job and clicked on links when I was too lazy myself to write blogs.

So in reflection, it hasn't been a bad month, just not very exciting. Tomorrow is September 1st, I have plans to enroll for my 3rd year of Uni and to see a friend who has been on holiday. Following that my temporary employment on 6th September as a tour guide will take place and then I fly out to England for my lovely friend Becca's Wedding and back again on the 12th where I have a family dinner for my birthday. The weekend after that I have my birthday party with friends to attend and then University starts. So it seems that I should have BEDS (Blogged Everyday September) instead as September holds way more plans than August ever did.

But, well it's a bit late now, August is done and over with and this is my last post for a while. So I'm going to leave you with a quote that has been relevant to this past month and will continue to be in the future so take heed and I hope to see you in September! Here's the quote:

"Everyday may not be good, but there's something good in everyday."

Carp.

So It's a bank holiday Monday and really bank holidays I think are kind of pointless, everything shuts down (well some of it) and you just laze about, its like an extra sunday for no reason.

Today I slept, ate, hung out with some friends, bought a mens leather belt for £1 as I apparantley dont fit into any jeans in existence without them falling down, had a BBQ and thats about it.

When I asked people for blog topic suggestions I got one crude attempt, one about how I should talk about the end of summer, one about how the bird is the word (no it really isnt and family guy sucks) and another about things that annoy me. So I decided I'd blog about all of htem in one of those random bullet point posts that make no sense. So here we go.

1. For me, Summer doesnt really end until mid-September around my birthday and appropriately, this year actually on my birthday is when classes start again, which is sucky but life goes on. So to be honest, while the weather might die down a bit now (who am I kidding, it never picked up, it's Northern Ireland), it technically isnt the end of summer.
2. The bird is not the word. The bird is a bird. It has wings and flies and will eat you for calling it a word, kthanxbye.
3. If I were to list everything that annoyed me here, the list would go on forever, so in order to shorten it here are a few things that annoy my life: the words 'hehe', when people stick their nose in your business when it isnt wanted, when people think they are funny but really arent, people who use and abuse your hospitality and kindness, people who blame other people for quite clearly, their mistakes.

So yeah, Im off now to do stuff like sleep and abuse facebook some more. Since this post was crap, go read this amazing graduation speech from JK Rowling, she's awesome.

Until tomorrow,
Sami

Statistics

Since there is nothing interesting for me to blog about because it's Sunday and nothing ever really happens on Sundays anyway, I thought I'd let you in on a little secret.

I have a plugin installed on this blog called Google Analytics. What that plugin basically does is tell me how many visitors I have had on the site today, what country they are from and how long they spend on the site reading my posts. It's actually quite a useful thing.

So I thought I'd share with you some statistics about my blog, since you are the ones reading and providing me with this information.

On July 31st I had 0 visitors, that was the day before BEDA started. On day one of Beda I went from 0 visitors to 13. How amazing is that? Throughout the month of August and since I've been doing Beda the lowest amount of visitors was 6 that was on Wednesday when I wrote my One Confession. That's ironically funny.

In total since I started this blog I have had 445 visitors from 9 countries. Most of them are from the United Kingdom closely followed by the USA. Other countries I have visits from include Sweden, South Korea, France, India and Canada. It's weird to think that people all the way across the world are reading what I have to say. If you are reading this, then thank you! And I hope you keep reading!

The average amount of time you will spend reading my blog per visit is 2mins and 44seconds and most of you come from referring sites such as facebook and twitter (probably because I link the blog on those sites myself).

And my most popular post is this one, when I posted six things I wish I had never done. I guess you guys are interested in the things I have done and why I wish I hadn't done them, eh? :P.

So there you have it, 445 visitors in one month from 9 territories and an average of 2minutes spent reading.

If you have happened to read my blog everyday this month then thank you and I hope you will continue to read my blog even when BEDA stops and I post a little less frequently.

Until tomorrow,
Sami

It's That Time Of Year Again.

It's that time of year again.

The one where the nights get dark and cold way early and you stick the lights and heating on as soon as you can. You climb into your woolly jammies and make hot chocolate and bring the blankets down and watch a movie.

And if you dare to adventure outside, it's that time of year where you wear a thick coat,a hat, a scarf, boots, maybe some gloves. It's not entirely winter, but the ground is thick with leaves of various different colours and sometimes you will feel good and you'll kick them up and dance about and others you will feel too cold and run for the door and the house and the safety and comfort of warmth and light.

It's that time of year again, where after messing about doing absolutely nothing all summer, things go back to normal and you have to get serious and knuckle down and do your work, so that come summer, you can afford to mess about and do nothing again. It's that serious, stressful time of year again where you might feel tired and cold and cant be bothered, but you have to be.

Mainly though, it's that time of year again that makes you nostalgic. Nostalgic for that time you watched the fireworks together. For that time where he gave you his jacket because you didn't wear one because you were trying to impress him with a nice outfit but forgot that it would be freezing. It's that time of year again where all the memories from all those years ago come flooding back.

It's that time of year again, where you wish that things hadn't changed so dramatically, or that at least you could be friends again. That time of year, when you dream about those times you shared together and wished you could be back there, young and innocent and in love with not really a care in the world, apart from for him, for you, for the two of you together.

It's that time of year again where you will look at the pictures and watch the videos of you two together and then you will cry about how he broke your heart and how you will never really be the same again. How you will never really be over him and how you still love and hate him at exactly the same time. And how it was easier when you didn't know where he was or what he was doing. Where ignorance truly was bliss.

But then after that time of year again, will come the next time of year, when once you've done all that, you'll remember the life you have now. And when you've watched the videos and had your cry, you will run into your best friends bedroom and tell her about him even though shes heard it a million times. And she will tell you that it's okay to be sad, because it's that time of year again. But if you didn't do the things you did after him, you wouldn't know her, or be where you are now. And then you'll smile and say 'Yeah I guess' and you'll go to bed and lie awake all night thinking about him.

And then come morning, after having not slept, you will sigh, get out of bed, make two cups of tea, take one to your best friend and crawl into bed beside her and forget about him and remember that it's that time of year again and that's okay. But you are in a better place now and that place contains loads of friends and family who care about you and whom you care about. And it contains places and fun times and new memories that you cherish just as much as the old ones. So you will drink your tea and forget about him and that it's that time of year again, because now, this new life, these new people and places are better than those old ones, they help move you forward in life.

And moving forward in life is what it's all about. Some people will come with you and others will stay in that time of year again and you will remember them when you feel the chill of the air, when you put on your thick coat and your hat and scarf and boots and gloves. But you will smile and laugh and climb on the bus and move forward.

Because even though it's that time of year again, you want to move forward and not back. Forward gives you more chances to be who you are, to meet somebody new and maybe next year, you will have better old memories. And though you won't forget about him, that time of year again won't always remind you of him. It will remind you of that crazy party you went to dressed as a mermaid and how you drank too much and had so much fun that you didn't even realise that it was that time of year again.

So forget about it and move forward. Your life is better now even if it is that time of year again.

Don't Tell Me I'm Not Trying.

As you all know, I am currently unemployed and I've been trying all summer to try and find a job. That's 4 months of job hunting, filling out application forms and sending my CV in to so many places and being unsuccessful. The unemployment level in Northern Ireland is so high that every time a job offer opens, around 600 people apply for it.

The BBC even did a report on the unemployment level in Northern Ireland in early July of this year, one of the months in which I was hunting, which you read here.

However, it has come to my attention that several people are calling me "unemployable" and telling me that I am not trying hard enough to find a job. Well, let me tell you something my friends. I applied for Primark, I was application number 426 and the applications were still open for another week. Ikea Belfast had recruitment for 3-5 positions and they had 600 applications and it was open for another week. I have applied for every job that I meet the requirements for.

So don't tell me I'm not trying because I am. Don't tell me I'm unemployable, because I am. The level of unemployment is so high that even those most qualified to do the jobs they are applying for aren't being employed. And to further enhance my point, I have created a list of all the jobs I have applied for this summer.

• B and M Bargains (twice)
• Quiz
• D2
• New Look
• Pizza Hut
• Poundstretcher
• Imaging Solutions
• Charco Grill
• Summer Scheme
• Editor and Dragonfly Boutique
• Tescos
• Monsoon
• Accessorize
• Delaneys
• Clinton Cards
• Argos
• Primark
• Diamond and Pearls
• TK Maxx
• Debenhams
• A bed and breakfast (name undisclosed for privacy reasons)

Out of that list, I have had 2 interviews and was rejected from both of them. Most of them didn't even bother their backsides to reject me in the first place. Employers are able to be fussy and pick those who meet the requirements solidly rather than give those who maybe fail on one department a chance. There are other stores that I am applying to in the next week also, so add another 2 to the list and whatever else may pop up between now and then.

So there you go. I am trying my hardest and I am employable, it's just that the level is too fucking high for anyone to want me. Do you think it's easy surviving a 4 month summer with no money? Do you think I want to live like this? No, I don't. So don't tell me I'm not trying, because I am.

Until tomorrow,
Sami

Future Husband Series: Letter 3.

Dear Future Husband,

I hope you enjoyed my ten days of stuff that you will need to know obviously, ha. Sorry I havent written sooner but I am exhausted and I have no idea where to go with these letters anymore. Starting them was a good idea at the time but in the long run, what am I supposed to tell you?

I still haven't got myself a job (more about that tomorrow folks ;) but I do have temporary employment for a day where I do get paid for my services. It's nothing dirty either you brats. It's being a tour guide for a day :).

So Husband. We're married and stuff. I hope life has treated us well. Now, did we have a good wedding? Because if we arent married yet and you are reading this, then here's what we should do:

- Not sign any big particular certificate, or have a minister or exchange of vows.
- Buy ourselves some nice outfits
- Send out invitations for a reception.
- Have one big partay instead of a traditional wedding were we tell people we are married, but on paper we arent really.
- Buy me a nice ring and vice versa
- Spend as little money as possible on this reception and use the rest for a fantastic holiday somewhere fancy, just us two. We'll call it the "honeymoon".

Yeah, sounds good. I hate all the fancy minister fussy stuff. 50& of marriages end in divorce anyway. So if, further along the line we want to get metaphorically divorced since we're metaphorically married, then it wont cost us ten bazillion bucks and we'll be able to just say "that was good" and move on as easy and painless as possible. Agreed? Good boy *patsonhead* :P

Well Metaphorical-Future-Husband, I'm off now to do something or other with my life. Probably sleep, or eat, or something.

Until next time,
Love always,
Metaphorical-Future-Wife

One Confession.

So today is the last day of stuff as I so aptly named it, 10 days ago. I can't quite believe 10 days have passed already but I'm glad that they have. So now I have to confess one thing and I have absolutely no idea right now what to tell you. But here is what I have managed to come up with.

1. My confession is that I hate confessions. Seriously. I've spent a day and a half trying to come up with something interesting to confess to you all and fail. This is probably due to the fact that I am also exhausted because I havent slept in 3 days. Thats a confession too. So there you go. Confessions suck. Now go read something else!

Until tomorrow
Sami

Amusingthingsjessedoes = misses a step on the stair and nearly falls down on top of me.

Two Smileys.

Today's thing of stuff is two smileys that describe my life right now, so here we go:

1. :) - I am happy today as I have a form of employment, I have my house back and I've plenty of things to look forward too. Including travelling to England, my 21st birthday and my laptop in perfect working order and the start up of Uni again.

2. :S - I am gonna go ahead and say this is the worried face. I am worried because I am always worried. Haha. But general worries like, can I afford this, will I be good at that, travelling alone and what it will be like and hoping everything works out okay for the rest of the people in my life too.

So there you go, tomorrow is the last day of stuff so blogging shall return to normal as BEDA approaches its unfortunate end.

Until tomorrow,
Sami

Italian = fuck it, I cba anymore, I know, I fail.

Three Turn Ons.

1. Wear a suit. Yep. My friends will tell you about the way I react to men in suits. Even if we're in a library.

2. Eyes. If you have really nice eyes, like deep brown or bright blue, I will like you.

3. Intelligence. I like it when you are smart, or that you dont mind sitting down and reading a book. It gives us something to talk about and connect on.

Until tomorrow,
Sami

Amusingthingmycatdoesoftheday = Drinks the water from the glass on my bedside table, that was for me. Frickin cats.

Four Turn Offs

1. Arrogance. It's okay to have self-belief and self-respect but to be cocky and arrogant and think your God's gift is just one big turn off for me.

2. Smoking. I've kissed a few smokers, I'll admit but smoking is the one thing that makes my blood boil, I just hate it. So no.

3. Violence, If you like hitting people for fun or whatever, that's not cool. It could go wrong one day. So not putting up with that shit.

4. Immaturity. So they say that women mature 8 years faster than men, but that's no excuse. You are an adult now, so wise the fuck up and start acting like one. It's okay to act childish and have fun sometimes but when it comes down to being a man, just be one and stop acting like an idiot. Kthanxbye.

Until tomorrow,
Sami

Five People Who Mean A Lot.

1. My Mum

2. My Granny and Granda (they count as one cause they're married :P)

3. Jesse

4. The Gays (this includes: leslie, david, aj etc)

5. Becca :)

Of course, the rest of you also mean a lot to me, but I had to pick five and technically I've written at least 8, I hate choosing :P.

Also, I am sick and sleep-deprived today so stuff the Italian. Hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow.

Until then,
Sami
xox

Six Things I Wish I'd Never Done.

1. Sent that one letter that ruined everything.

2. Kissed that one guy who was also kissing everybody else.

3. Said I wasn't annoyed when I was. It probably could have changed a whole lot of things.

4. Liked the wrong guy on more than one occasion.

5. Gotten incredibly drunk and not remembered anything.

6. Let people come between me and my friends. Also on more than one occasion.

Actually there's a lot of things I wish I'd never done now that I've taken the time to think about it, but this 6 will do.

Until tomorrow,
Sami

Italian phrase of the day = Vuoi bere qualcosa? = Do you fancy a drink?

Seven Things I Think About A Lot.

1. Money. I neeed money to survive.

2. Job. I need a job to get money to survive.

3. Uni. I can't wait to get back there and Im wondering what modules to choose. And Im hoping I graduate with my desired grade.

4. Food. I bes hungry, where's my dinner?! :P

5. General worries such as I need a haircut, I wonder who will hire me, Will I be able to afford things?

6. Stress. Im one of those people who stress about every little thing for no reason.

7. Health. Why is that body part painful? Why do I feel sick etc.

Until tomorrow,
Sami

Italian phrase of the day = Mia Figlia = My daughter

Eight Ways To Win My Heart

1. Wear a Suit. Men in suits are sexy.

2. Have respect for yourself. Then for me and the people in my life that you will meet.

3. Have some sort of intelligence. Be smart and have a niche that you can talk/teach me about.

4. Be able to laugh at yourself and take a joke. I hate arrogance.

5. Be able to go off with your friends and let me go off with mine. Clingyness can be annoying.

6. Like animals. Most especially cats. Because you'll find where I am, there'll be a cat.

7. Buy me something nice. It doesnt have to be a big thing. Take me out for a day and buy me a cupcake. It'll be sweet that you thought of it.

8. Be able to sit down and watch girly movies or tv programmes with me without moaning about how its "so gay" or "shite" or "really girly". I'll watch your manly movies with you too. So Deal!

Until tomorrow,
Sami

Italian phrase of the day = FAIL.

Nine Things About Yourself.

Yesterday's post came across as better than expected and I'm glad. It was funny watching some of you guess who was on that list and what number they were. So thank you for being nice about it. Today's list is 9 things about myself and I'm posting early because I'm meeting my best friend in town and we're going to the cinema afterwards so I'll be late back. Oh and also, I know you're reading, analytics tells me so. So comment you tards. Tell me 9 things about yourself or something!

1. I am a cat person. I own 4 cats and 1 dog. And as much as I love Bailey, I am definitely a cat person. Im probably going to be an old cat spinster.

2. I love tea! I drink more of it than anything else. Though Im trying to drink more water.

3. I am part of a community called nerdfighteria. It's basically a community of nerdy people who follow vlogbrothers and other youtubers. See here for more.

4. I love New York City even though Ive only been once. Its just amazing!

5. I have a knack for finding the sexiest shoes in existence. And then proceeding to buy them and never wear them.

6. Being a uni student, we drink a lot of alcohol. Except now that it's summer, I havent been drinking all that much and thinking about it is making me feel sorta ill! Apart from my birthday, that's acceptable. Haha.

7. I have absolutely no idea what I want to do with my life and I graduate next June.

8. I am coming to terms with the fact that I have a curvy plus-size body. I think I've kinda accepted thats the way Im supposed to be and that's okay.

9. I love cupcakes. I've eaten at least one cupcake from every available cupcakery in Belfast that I can find!

Until tomorrow,
Sami

Italian phrase of the day = Lavora? = Do you work?

Ten Days Of Stuff.

Since I'm in this beda thing for the long haul and I keep running out of things to write about, I've decided to steal this "tumblr challenge" and just turn it into a blog challenge instead. I found it on my friend Smaches tumblr and though it was quite fun/good idea. So for the next ten days this is what you can expect:

Day One: ten things you want to say to ten different people.
Day Two: nine things about yourself.
Day Three: eight ways to win your heart.
Day Four: seven things that cross your mind a lot.
Day Five: six things you wish you’d never done.
Day Six: five people who mean a lot.
Day Seven: four turn offs.
Day Eight: three turn ons.
Day Nine: two smileys that describe your life right now.
Day Ten: one confession

And since today is day one, here are my Ten things I want to say to 10 different people. Also, as a warning, don't go presuming any of these are about you unless I tell you otherwise because I swear to god the amount of people who presume these things are about them is unreal and then they go causing chaos where chaos is not needed or infact wanted. So if you think it's about you and you desperately wish to know, then fucking ask me and don't go bitching about it to everybody else or on facebook. I will see it and I will slap you. Kay, on with it.

1. I wish we could talk more. I don't know why we don't really, you're always right there, but neither of us ever say anything.

2. I can't wait to meet you! I'm looking forward to it :)

3. I can't wait to see you again, it's only been like 4 years! Woah.

4. You're kinda like a brother to me, I think we're quite close and I hope you think so too. And If you don't come back, I may have to hunt you down and slap you about until you decide that you should come back, or maybe I'll just set my bff on you, I know you'll love that!!

5. I like you man, but you really get on my tits sometimes. You kinda need to grow up a bit and then I'll like you more :P.

6. I like you and I wish you'd get more confidence because it would greaten your life immensely! Also, I hope you come and socialise with me soon and also at my bday because I know you like alcohol and there will be plenty of it and then you can meet my friends and you might even enjoy yourself :O!!

7. I loveeee youuuuu and our little mishaps and adventures!!

8. I like you, I do but it's hard for me to do so when everybody else I know dislikes you. You're smart but sometimes you don't think about things you say and how they can affect others and that's when you start saying things that fuck me right off. You're lucky we've stayed friends this long.

9. I hate when you say "hehe", I hate when anybody says "hehe", it's the one saying that gets right on my nerves. Also, I wish you realised that you are beautiful and stopped hating on yourself so much. Fuck everybody else and what they think, you've got your friends and family and they are all that matters, kay?

10. You are the only one who can change your life darling, stop complaining and make an effort, I bet you'd feel 100% happier if you tried just a little.

Until tomorrow,
Sami

Italian phrase of the day: Mi scusi = I'm sorry, excuse me!

I Don't Feel Like Blogging

Today I:

- Was roped into helping out at my sister's work as it was their first birthday.

- This involved attempting to put up a tesco value gazebo, but the man helping us was complaining too much about not having instructions and didn't listen when we tried to explain so we ended up with a shoddy looking piece of crap for a gazebo which they didnt bother to use for very long.

- This also involved, sitting on the tiniest chair ever selling sweets to 5million children and ending up with a sore arse with an extra dislike of children on the side.

- I was high-fived by Leo the Lion (the workplaces representative).

- I was asked why I wasn't having kids yet - because I'm still 20 and can't find a decent enough man/I don't like/want kids anyway, you fool.

- I was told that I'd be next in line for marriage out of several of my friends. What is with you people today? Marriage and kids, no thank you.

- I was tagged in several embarassing photos on facebook courtesy of my mother, yet I did not detag myself because unlike others, I am not really all that ashamed or embarassed by them. They're the best of a bad bunch. Deal.

- I finished two books. One I had started reading the other day and was incredibly weird and depressing. The other was more upbeat and fun. (Now I have read 38/50).

- I couldn't be arsed to blog about anything truly worthwhile so instead you got this list of bullet points of crap that happened to me today.

- I think you should comment with a) what you did today and b) Things you'd like me to blog about.

- It is now almost 7-days til I get my University house back, cannoooooot wait.

- I didn't bother my arse learning any Italian so you aren't getting an Italian phrase of the day. Instead you can have a quote of the day courtesy of a quote website, somewhere, I think.

Until tomorrow,
Sami

Quote of the day= “A heartbreak isn’t always as loud as a bomb exploding. Sometimes, it could be as quiet as a feather falling and the most painful thing is, nobody hears it but you."

How To Be Alone

Im not going to write much today. I discovered a youtube video yesterday that is touching and inspiring and I want to share it with you, it's entitled "How to Be Alone". I'm posting the transcript below, but if you want to watch the video (which Id recommend) then Click Here.

How To Be Alone By Tanya Davis
If you are at first lonely, be patient. If you've not been alone much, or if when you were, you weren't okay with it, then just wait. You'll find it's fine to be alone once you're embracing it.

We could start with the acceptable places, the bathroom, the coffee shop, the library. Where you can stall and read the paper, where you can get your caffeine fix and sit and stay there. Where you can browse the stacks and smell the books. You're not supposed to talk much anyway so it's safe there.

There's also the gym. If you're shy you could hang out with yourself in mirrors, you could put headphones in (guitar stroke).

And there's public transportation, because we all gotta go places.

And there's prayer and meditation. No one will think less if you're hanging with your breath seeking peace and salvation.

Start simple. Things you may have previously (electric guitar plucking) based on your avoid being alone principals.

The lunch counter. Where you will be surrounded by chow-downers. Employees who only have an hour and their spouses work across town and so they -- like you -- will be alone.

Resist the urge to hang out with your cell phone.

When you are comfortable with eat lunch and run, take yourself out for dinner. A restaurant with linen and silverware. You're no less intriguing a person when you're eating solo dessert to cleaning the whipped cream from the dish with your finger. In fact some people at full tables will wish they were where you were.

Go to the movies. Where it is dark and soothing. Alone in your seat amidst a fleeting community.
And then, take yourself out dancing to a club where no one knows you. Stand on the outside of the floor till the lights convince you more and more and the music shows you. Dance like no one's watching...because, they're probably not. And, if they are, assume it is with best of human intentions. The way bodies move genuinely to beats is, after all, gorgeous and affecting. Dance until you're sweating, and beads of perspiration remind you of life's best things, down your back like a brook of blessings.

Go to the woods alone, and the trees and squirrels will watch for you.
Go to an unfamiliar city, roam the streets, there're always statues to talk to and benches made for sitting give strangers a shared existence if only for a minute and these moments can be so uplifting and the conversations you get in by sitting alone on benches might've never happened had you not been there by yourself

Society is afraid of alonedom, like lonely hearts are wasting away in basements, like people must have problems if, after a while, nobody is dating them. but lonely is a freedom that breaths easy and weightless and lonely is healing if you make it.

You could stand, swathed by groups and mobs or hold hands with your partner, look both further and farther for the endless quest for company. But no one's in your head and by the time you translate your thoughts, some essence of them may be lost or perhaps it is just kept.

Perhaps in the interest of loving oneself, perhaps all those sappy slogans from preschool over to high school's groaning were tokens for holding the lonely at bay. Cuz if you're happy in your head than solitude is blessed and alone is okay.

It's okay if no one believes like you. All experience is unique, no one has the same synapses, can't think like you, for this be releived, keeps things interesting lifes magic things in reach.

And it doesn't mean you're not connected, that communitie's not present, just take the perspective you get from being one person in one head and feel the effects of it. take silence and respect it. if you have an art that needs a practice, stop neglecting it. if your family doesn't get you, or religious sect is not meant for you, don't obsess about it.

you could be in an instant surrounded if you needed it
If your heart is bleeding make the best of it
There is heat in freezing, be a testament.

Until tomorrow,
Sami

Italian phrase of the day = Dove abita? = Where do you live?

Sunshine and Shooting Stars

I'm guessing many of you went out last night to watch the Persids meteors and shooting stars. I didn't get a chance last night but they are still going so we're going out tonight to see them, so woot for that. I remember watching them this time last year with some friends n family, it was cool :). Make a wish!

Today was a good day as I travelled down to my beloved countryside for a job interview, which was the good news I recieved the other day. Nothing came of the interview I had last week but awk well, I'm hoping this one produces better results. Travelling takes a lot out of you sometimes but after about 2 years of doing so I think Im pretty much used to it.

So apart from enjoying the sunshine today, travelling, having a job interview and then lounging about this evening, Im going star hunting tonight. So I dont really have much to blog about but today I have a question for you readers, so please answer, it's important ;).

If you could choose to be an angel or a demon, what would you be? And what powers would you wield? Do you have a angel/name you'd like to be called?

Use your imaginations people,
Until tomorrow,
Sami

Italian phrase of the day= Ciao, Bella! = Hi, beautiful!

International Youth Day

Today, August 12th, is International Youth Day and I wanted to share some of my knowledge and experiences about youth and young people.

Youth is actually defined as those aged between 12 and 25 but most people see youth as the loitering louts that wield knives on the streets and like to stab people to death. There is very little good things reported in the news to do with young people which is totally unfair because I know, myself, as young person, that there is a lot of good that young people participate in.

I know this because I was lucky enough in my life to experience not one but two youth clubs which provided me with support and friends and experiences that have influenced and made me the person I am today. For example, One of the groups I participated in organised an exchange event with a german youth group and we got to go to Berlin to meet them and attend one of their festivals, they then came here and we taught them about Northern Ireland, we even made a video touring them round our part of the city. We also organised a formal for the youth of our part of the city where we invited all the youth groups and even individuals to come and participate and we gave out awards to those who we felt were deserving of them.

And then there is the fact that at least 5 young people I know give up their summers to volunteer at their local community centre and take other peoples kids out on day trips. None of this good stuff that young people are doing is ever reported in the news and it's unfair because if half the people were aware of what is on offer to them, then they wouldnt have to end up wielding knives on teh streets to feel safe and protect themselves.

I grew up in my local community centre, moving from the mothers and toddlers group straight through to the youth club. I made some of my current friends there and we'll be friends for life (I hope!) and I even found my first love there and while that involved plenty of petty fights and drama, it was nothing newsworthy, just part of life. I'm not saying that it's all good, because you will have to listen to drugs and drink talks and you will have to do personal social care stuff but it's worth taht one night of opening up to your friends and maybe admitting things you don't really want to talk about to recieve all the good in return.

So, if you're young enough and there are local groups near you then I highly recommend that you go and join them. It's worth all of the fear and nervousness you feel right now. You'll have experiences and make friends so easily and it will help you as well for stuff to put on your C.V saying you know how to work as a team with other members of your group. So go. Celebrate the fact that you are a young person and enjoy it.

Until tomorrow,
Sami

Italian phrase of teh day= Ciao, bello! = Hi, Handsome!