Keep Calm and Carry on Typing

As my mum would put it I'm a worry wart. I could probably put together an A-Z list of the things I worry about on a daily basis and no doubt I'd even get stuck on the tricky letters like Q,Z and X. To make things worse it's completely obvious to everyone around me when I start to feel that sickening twist in my stomach because my face flushes bright pink and my brow gets all sweaty. Which leads it the influx of questions "are you alright?", "you look a little hot", "do you want a glass of water?" And then there are those demanding/ worried looking eyes waiting for your response, and to be completely honest you're not sure if you can answer their questions without; A) breaking down in tears B) blurting out the ludicrous reason to why you suddenly feel overwhelmed with anxiety C) even if you wanted to, you're pretty sure you can't speak because the 'Wicked Witch of the West' has made a frog appear in your throat. In an attempt to calm yourself down, you do what every movie character ever has suggested to do in moments like these and "breath". Now I'm no psychologist. I mean I didn't even study psychology at school (I even had to look it up to make sure I was spelling it right), so I don't understand the therapeutic benefits of controlled breathing, and I'm not doubting that the benefits exist either. But in the case of personal experience when I'm feeling a little flustered and like a snow globe that's been rattled up a few too many times, then here a few helpful activities/ tips I find that calm my nerves and makes the day seem a little bit less stressful. Which leaves me looking back thinking 'what was I so worried about?'
So with out further a do, here is my compilation of the most relaxing and stress relieving activities I've tried to date;

1. Tea or hot chocolate for that matter;
A hot drink ought to warm you up on the inside and out, perhaps it's just me but a steaming cup of hot coco always brightens my mood and gives me time to sit and calm down. Personally hot drinks are more effective in administering a dose of the "chill pill" cause I can't guzzle them down and carry on stressing unless I want to burn my tongue, and that is a fate I wouldn't wish on anyone. For an awesome hot chocolate recipe check out this; https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TOvAJTdMIK4

2. List;
I told you I liked lists and organisation didn't i? Well sometimes just talking to someone and explaining 'how much homework you have to do' or 'why you could never possibly have time to do everything you need to this weekend' actually helps, you never know maybe that person can help you or organise something to make your weekend less stressful. Like my mum says "people aren't mind readers" unless of course your Edward Cullen.

3. Baths;
What? You don't have time for a bath? Rubbish. Baths let me rewind at the end of a day and it's the perfect place to relax and let those strawberry scented bubbles whisk you away to dream land just before bed.

4. Candles;
The yellow hue of a candle is so much warmer and more comforting when compared to the fluorescent cold UV lighting most offices and school a have these days. Whether you adore floral or spiced scents I'm sure you'll find a scent to remind you of the comforts of your own home. May I suggest Peter Alexander's iconic caramel scented candle, you can purchase it Here or in store.

5. Pets;
I for one have a rabbit with aggressive tendencies and is in need of a severe attitude adjustment. But if you're one of the lucky ones and your pet doesn't attempt to claw your face off whenever you get near it then there is nothing better then taking your dog down to the park for a spot of catch and fresh air or entertaining your cat with a ball of yarn. Your pet is bound to help clear your head and there is no chance of them saying anything which might begin the onslaught of nerves.

Uni-VERSE-ity

After 16,482 hours of schooling, it’s reached that time when everyone is deciding what they want to do after graduation.  And then we get home to our nagging parents who tell their friends we’re looking into dentistry when we mentioned that once when we were nine. Or as my mother invariably reminds me, “powerful woman” is not an actual career.  Uh… hello? Margaret Thatcher, Amelia Earhart, Beyonce?

I just want to move to New York and get a trendy apartment with my best friend. I’ll be a successful journalist for the New York Times, until I slowly work my way up from intern to editor at Vogue. Or a lawyer! That way if anyone ever got on my bad side, I could unleash my inner Erin Brocko-bitch and haul their butt into court. And I will have three best friends just like Carrie Bradshaw who everyone will love, because they are the type of cool-laid-back adults that everyone adores. We’ll have a huge slumber party, and rent “The Notebook” for the nineteenth time at Blockbuster on Seventy-Second and Lex. (I’m honestly trying to ween myself off of that movie). Is that really too much to ask for?

No comment

But to get there I actually have to go to uni, as unlike congress, I have to achieve something! (So now that I have finally moved past the fact that the owl carrying my Hogwarts acceptance letter got lost getting to my house)...here it is: my first day of university.  And if it’s anything like high school, I will spend so much time at the library; I’ll be on a first name basis with the homeless guy who sleeps next to the vending machine. (When in fact I’ll probably be researching the latest looks from New York Fashion Week. Oops! ) But as I am reminded by my mother every day; “life doesn’t hand you this on a silver platter”. There IS no free pass! (Except for 13 year old Chinese Olympic gymnasts and children of celebrities). And let’s face it, for the Paris, North and Suri’s of the world, who major in gender studies or sociology (whatever that means); a college degree is more of an accessory anyway; like a Chihuahua, or an adopted African baby.

Now that I think about it, it would be nice to go someplace where college wasn’t the main focus of everyone’s attention. Like when I overhear my friends talking on the train:

“I want to explore new things. Get out of my comfort zone. You know, really discover who I am. I guess what I’m trying to come out and say is…”

“Are you gay?”

“I wanna join the uni swim team”

For those of us heading off to college this fall, you’ll know that there are two types of students; Those who got in where they wanted who will act all surprised and modest, and those that didn’t, who will declare to the world how unimportant an education is anyway (even though they know they’re secretly doomed). So if you fall into the second category, why not try a few of the following:

Make a generous donation to fund a new wing of the library in your name

Buy the dean of admissions the new Jaguar F-type convertible he has been lusting after all year

Play Justin Beiber’s “Baby” on repeat outside the admissions office, until they eventually give in and offer you a scholarship to beg you to stop

Borrow your dad’s American Express black card, go on a huge spending spree until you make it into the Guinness World Record Book for the most money ever spent on the card, and write a tell all memoir, winning the Pulitzer prize for literature

Every fall, confident high school graduates become nervous first year college students. And whether you made it there because of dedication to your studies, you’re prestigious private school tutors, or a daily dose of Ritalin, everyone knows that getting in is competitive- they don’t call it uni-VERSE-ity for nothing!

Xx

1. Big Ben Pen/ 2. Kikki K 2015 diary/ 3. XO notepad/ 4. Pegs and twine/ 5. Letter Writing Kit/ 6. Sportsgirl Secretly Famous Pencil Case/ 7. Eiffel Tower Scissors/ 8. Statue of Liberty Pen

There's a First for Everything

I wouldn't say I was ever spoiled as a child. My parents earned enough to pay the bills, afford family holidays and send us (my brother and I) to a nice school, but by no means are we Paris Hilton; Hollywood born and raised. However, I must admit I am guilty of being a 'mummies and daddies little girl'. Now don't deny it, I'm sure we all are, and if you do deny it, I'm certain you are simply unaware of the luxuries you're parents have provided you. If you're questioning my judgement and thinking "but my mumma ain't ever bought me one of those Tiffany bracelets?" Then a) I feel your pain and b) those aren't the type of luxuries I'm talking about. Although I must admit I am definitely one of those "comes to school with my lunch neatly packed by my mum" kinda kids! And while some teenagers my age would tell their mum to "back off and give them some independence" I (fortunately for my mums sake) am not that type of kid. So to say I'm used to having a personal alarm clock, a taxi driver, a chef and a financial manager, would be totally and utterly correct.

When I started uni this year I was "fresh out of high school" as other students deem it, and completely unprepared for the responsibility and independence I would be granted. Even before starting I wasn't given the usual book list supplied by most high schools containing a detailed itinerary outlining that I'll need a blue folder for history, a yellow folder for art, a purple pencil for geography ect. Instead I was given a list of books and told to source them independently or purchase at the university book store. Some people are going to think this is ridiculous but where do you even by school books from? eBay maybe? Un related to university but since turning 18, I also have to complete any financial records or information concerning banking details, all of which my mum had handled. Leaving high school has definitely thrown me in the deep end of "adult life" but slowly and surely I'm beginning to understand and get my head around all these new responsibilities and "first times" are becoming fewer and fewer.

Now that I'm beginning to overcome the in's and out's of uni and how to manage these new changes, I thought I'd offer some advice for others that are having to face these changes in the next year or so. I present an amateur's guide to the do's and don'ts of growing up

DON'T;

•  Try and take the pen from the bank. That little bugger is chained to the desk and isn't going anywhere with you any time soon.
•  Try and navigate yourself around uni with your map upside down (trust me people will stare and it won't be because of those on trend heels your sporting)
•  Forget you're on public transport and start balloting out Sia's 'Chandelier'. Seriously no one but Sia sounds good singing that song
•  Discover you’re in a bio-physics lecture half way through when your meant to be in an Australian literature lecture and announce to the entire class that you’re in the wrong place. Save yourself the embarrassment and either stick it through or 'go to the toilet' and never come back

DO;

•  Chat to as many people as possible! It's everyone's first day and they are all just as nervous as you, so introduce yourself and ask what course they are doing. They'll be thankful for it, and you've just got yourself a buddy for group activities
•  Ask questions! If you're at the bank and trying to fill out a form and don't understand, ask even if it seems ridiculous, the people working there have heard it before, (probably from the last 18 year old that walked in there)
•  Try to make as many cost effective decisions as possible. Think of all the things you are willing to compromise, maybe you can't afford to buy lunch everyday anymore or have your nails done at a nail bar every second Saturday. You're a student now; you’re going to end up broke if you’re not already! It's easier to compromise the little things you like than the big things you love.
•  Go out have fun, explore the world, complete your bucket list, you're in uni and free of the responsibilities of a job and the ties of a family and mortgage!