Bit of a catch up!

Hello! Remember me?! Yes, I know….I’ve been utterly rubbish recently re my ramblings. I had such a great run of things, then it all went pear shaped. I’ve always maintained that writing my posts isn’t that time consuming, and they really aren’t….but I genuinely haven’t had the time recently.  Work has been manic recently, a run of late nights and long weeks seem to be the norm at the moment. Few other bits going on too have meant my focus has been elsewhere recently, but we’re motoring on forward as is our norm! (how many 'recently's' in that paragraph??!!)

Little update for you from Sandra Land (Beware of low flying Sandras) since we last spoke on May 1^st.

Work…..work….oh and more work.

I enjoy my job, I genuinely do. And I much more enjoy being busy than quiet. But things have been an unprecedented level of busy recently, and not just for myself. It’s across the board, so at least I’m not on my own! I realise a few of you may have absolutely no idea what I do as a job and I’m not going to get into a lengthy explanation as you’ll be bored to tears. In a nutshell, I work in IT for a Life, Pensions and Investments company. I support Project Managers in their delivery and tracking of projects, so helping out with budgets, planning, governance and other such super sexy stuff. I also work closely with the Account Manager for our German Portfolio. The company made a big acquisition announcement in Feb of this year (read more here) which, as I’m sure you can understand, means that things are a bit mad work wise at the moment. For obvious reasons I can’t go into detail, but it’s a very busy time for us all for the foreseeable future.  It’s all good though, and just means I enjoy my ‘me’ time more than I would normally!

Exciting friend things

A very close friend of mine, L, is due her first baby very soon. Super excited about this, although I won’t get to see her and the little one until the beginning of August.  It’s worked out quite well really as I usually have a trip to see her and another very good friend, K, in the summer hols. L & I are both godmother to K’s son, whose birthday is August 7^th. It’s become tradition for us to all spend NY together over the last few years, although L was away last year so I haven’t seen her since last summer. I love our weekends together, fun and adventures with my godson, and fun and wine with the adults. The addition of the baby this year will be lovely, can’t wait to see everyone again and play Auntie Zsa Zsa (Godson couldn’t say Sandra when he was younger, it’s stuck!)

I’m off to Spain at the end of June with another very good friend, most excited about that! We’ve both had a lot going on recently so the chill out will be needed for us both. 10 days in the sun, but, we have a little road trip to Granada planned to stop us going stir crazy by the pool. Neither of us are able to do nothing for any length of time so we’re a good match for hols!

Nephews and niece galore.

I have 4 nephews and 1 niece. A good range of ages; Joe is 12, Josh is 8 (or will be in a week), Archie and Jess are 5 and Ed is 3. They’re all awesome, and crazy in their own little ways. I love spending time with them and because I live away, I tend to book weekends with my sisters so I have blocks of time with them. Last weekend was one such time. I went over to Tadcaster to spend 3 days with Sophie, Paul, Archie and Ed. Much fun was had, the boys are growing up so fast and make me laugh constantly.

On the Saturday we went to the Royal Armouries in Leeds. I’ve not been since I was 13, and when I went then I had absolutely zero interest in the place. It was different this time and I found it fascinating. I especially loved the War Elephant armour. It’s the most complete War Elephant armour of any collection in the world and is magnificent. 

The museum is free, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone.  The boys loved it too even though they’re both quite young. They both found things that piqued their interest, even if it was a VT of The Hobbit…..

On the way back to the car to head home Archie was tiring and lagging behind. Ed was on Paul’s shoulders, so I complained to Archie that my legs were tired and could I have a piggy back. He laughed and said “No!! You’re too big!”. So I said that didn’t matter, pretended to climb on his back, grabbed his shoulders and said “Giddy up horsey!”. He galloped off giggling like mad and I galloped behind him down the road. I looked like an absolute eejit, but I didn’t care. The game served its purpose, he cheered up and had a spring in his step for the final bit of the walk.  

On the way home in the car Sophie asked the boys if they’d enjoyed the museum. They both said yes, and upon being asked which bit they liked most, Ed said “the crisps”, referring to the crisps we’d had in the canteen half way round. Ah, the simplistic mind of a 3yr old!

It’s my eldest sister’s 40^th birthday in a few weeks and I’m looking after her 3 whilst she and her other half go to Spain for 4 days. I’m looking forward to it, no, genuinely I am! It’ll be hard work and I’ll be wrecked by the end of it but it’s for a bloody good cause, and at the end of it I get to see her on her actual birthday. Plus, Sophie is coming over for one of the days to help out, the 5 kids love it when they’re together so it’ll be good fun! Plus, I have a raft of stuff to keep them occupied so I’m confident they won’t be bored. And, I’ll reward myself with wine each evening. It has to be done.

Other random news:

I’m massively honoured to be asked to be Godmother to a close friends little one. I’m always incredibly touched to know that someone thinks I could be a good influence on their child.

Having a nightmare with a tooth at the minute, good job I don’t hate the dentist.

Paula & Ray’s wedding is in 10 days. Can. Not. Wait.

That’s all my news and up to date ramblings!

Until next time, much love!

Sandra

xx

I got Liebstered!

I’m a very grateful receiver of a Liebster award, thanks massively to Sara in Le Petit Village for the lovely handover.


For those of you that don’t know, the Liebster is an award passed between the blog community; bloggers nominate blogs they follow. It’s a bit of a shout out to your fellow bloggers, shows appreciation for their posts, and encourages their readers to follow new blogs. I’m honoured to receive one from Sara. I blog because I like it, I find it very cathartic. But, I love that other people enjoy it too.

There are rules around receiving a Liebster:

1. Thank and link back to the blogger who presented you with the award (Done, above! Follow her, she’s awesome. I actually know Sara too and used to work with her, so I love following her life in France.)

2. List 11 random facts about yourself.

3. Answer the 11 questions you were asked.

4. Write 11 questions for your nominees.

5. Present/nominate a Liebster blog award to 3-5 other bloggers.

So here goes!

11 random facts about me (going to have to pick things I’ve not already divulged in previous posts!)

1. I had straight hair until I was 12. Poker straight. It turned curly in the space of about 2 weeks, no joke. Puberty happened and so did my curls! (for those that don't know me, see pic on my Twitter, that's how curly my hair is now!)

2. I’m currently learning German. I’ve not learned a language since I was at school. (I’m not counting my dabbling in Latin at college!). But, I work on German based projects so am learning German through work. Loving it so far, but I’m only 6 months in. Meine name ist Sandra, ich komme aus England aber wohne in Dublin. Ich arbeite in Blackrock, und ich habe keine kinder. (That’s about the extent of it, unless you want to know about the contents of my kitchen!)

3. I bit my nails until I was 24. I tried so many times to stop before, but it was the prospect of my sisters wedding and the imminent bridesmaidness that finally made me stop!

4. I didn’t see Star Wars, The Goonies or Labryinth until I was 20. I didn’t watch a lot of what people my age would term ‘normal’ kids films when I was a child, for various reasons. I’ve learned to appreciate these films but they don’t hold the same ‘Oh my god!’ factor that they do for most.

5. I’ll try anything once food wise. How do I know whether I like it or not? This freaks a few friends out but means I’ve tried some super yummy stuff (and some minging stuff too!)

6. I broke and dislocated my wrist when I was 10 falling off some monkey bars. My nan was with me and whisked me off to the hospital. I remember her being calm, but she was a worrier so she must have been super panicked!

7. I’ve not lived with my mother since I was 6. I occasionally refer to things re my mum, but have never divulged much on the blog. I may do one day...

8. I can’t drive. Well, this is kind of true. I can actually operate a car, but I don’t hold a licence. I’ve never needed to, but I must learn at some point soon. It’s a bloody scary prospect though...!

9. I was nearly called Sonia.

10. I sleep with a Stuffed moose. He doesn’t have a name, but he’s uber cuddly and I love him.

11. My favourite boys name is Conor.

                   ---------------------------------------------

Answer the 11 questions I was asked:

What movie or TV show do you hate that everyone else loves? Gavin and Stacey. I’ve seen one episode. It’s not funny, I don’t like James Corden. I just don’t understand the appeal of the show.

Where were you when you ate your first Chicken McNugget? Oh good lord, erm, I don’t honestly know! I can’t remember the first time I ate a McDonalds...although it was likely in Leeds.

Who are you five dream dinner guests (alive or dead) and what would you cook them? Oscar Wilde, David Attenborough, Daniel Craig, Stephen Hawking & Billy Connolly.
Starter: Chicken Liver Pate (my absolute fave!) Main: Roast dinner with all the trimmings, and proper gravy, none of this Bisto rubbish. And home made Yorkshire Puds. Dessert: Self saucing Chocolate pudding and Crunchie infused ice cream. (Damn I’m hungry now!)

What is your favourite book or author? Oh wow. Favourite book would probably be The Wind in the Willows. I have fabulous memories of my dad reading this to me in bed on a Saturday morning when I was younger. Favourite author, Oscar Wilde.

What is your favourite tipple? Amaretto. I don’t drink it often because I love it so much. (sounds mad, but I’d hate to get bored of it!)

What's your middle name? Fiona (don’t think there’s a family connection, never actually asked!)

If you were given €4000 for a holiday, where would you go and what would you do? I’d take a trip to Yellowstone National Park, then onto northern Norway for the Northern Lights, then finally to Antarctica.

What song do you hear, that when you hear it, takes you right back to your childhood/ teenage years? This question makes me laugh because there isn’t a simple answer to this. This post will give you a better insight! But, if I had to pick one, I’d say Eve of the War from Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds. Reminds me of being in the car and driving up to Scotland to go on holiday as a kid.

What's your favorite sport and favourite team? Rugby Union, Leinster (Irish Province). My family isn’t a sporty one, so I wasn’t brought up to follow a local team or appreciate a sport. As such, my love of Rugby is a late addition and is fully attributed to my flatmate Claire. She’s a Leinster supporter and by association I’ve become a follower too. I must add that liking Union is tantamount to sacrilege. I’m from Northern England, that’s League territory!

McDonald's or Burger King? Burger King. Chilli Cheese Bites....mmmm nom nom nom. I’ve had many a fun post drinking meal in Burger King in Dublin!

What is your favourite city in the world? Hmm, this is a tough one. I think it’d have to be Barcelona. I’ve only been once, and it was only for 4 days but I adore it. But of course, I love Dublin too, hence why I live here!

                      ----------------------------------------

I’m passing the Liebster onto these 4 blogs. I enjoy them all, so thank you! 1. Little E and Bean 2. My Little Acorns 3. Shadow Scribe 4. The Life of Stuff

And here are your 11 questions to answer (with thanks to Sara for one of the questions!):

1. What’s the one place you must visit before you die?

2. If you could live without music or books, what would it be?

3. Why did you start blogging and what do you love about it most?

4. What’s your best childhood memory?

5. Where’s your favourite holiday destination?

6. What do you love most about your husband/wife/fiancée?

7. What’s your shoe size?

8. Pepsi or Coke?

9. Who are your five dream dinner guests (alive or dead) and what would you cook them?

10. Where was your honeymoon, or where is it going to be?

11. What’s your favourite season?



I enjoyed that! Thanks for reading, as always!

Much love, and until next time!

Sandra.

x

The end of my 30 day challenge, Facebook and some other funny shit.

So I’ve reached the end of my one blog a week for 30 days challenge, and I succeeded. Yey me! Enjoyed it too. Now going to try and keep up a regular post, so be prepared for some continued regular random rants/moments of profoundness from me as time goes on.  But, after the deep nature of my post on Sunday, I’m going to try and keep this one light!

One great thing about writing this stuff, and also about the previous challenge with the pictures, is that it enables me to look back and remember things I may have forgotten. I was never good at keeping a diary as a kid, didn’t have the dedication, but the joys of blogging, and my oh-so-copious use of Facebook, allows me to chronicle some of the stuff that does go on.

I get a fair bit of stick for my use of Facebook, and every now and then it riles me. More often than not it’s water off a ducks back though. Now, in fairness, most of it is light-hearted, but there’s normally a little undertone of disdain/disapproval in the comments. Yes I use it a lot, yes I post a lot of stuff, but it’s my page. I can do what I want with it. I have people on my timeline who I like and who I care about. I don’t have randomers or people I’m trying to impress. I’m not a ‘keeping up with the Jones’s’ kind of girl.  And contrary to popular belief, I don’t post every thing about every single nuance of my life (or that of my friend’s) on there. Now, it’s safe to say that I’m fairly transparent in my comings and goings, but there’s also a fair bit of stuff that goes on that isn’t for public consumption, and likely never will be. Because really, it’s none of anyone else’s business!

Yes I post some crap, yes I’ve posted some stuff that’s kicked off some right arguments (and that’s always fun when certain people get involved! You know who you are!), and I post  pictures of anything and everything. But you all cope, and if you don’t well, see ya. Sorry to sound so flippant, but if it bothers people that much, just un-friend me. I’m really not going to loose any sleep over it. Cue me throwing myself to the floor kicking and screaming…..Please don’t leave me!!!!!! Ahem.

I do love Facebook though, it allows me to maintain contact with people I’ve lost contact with over the years, between moving around etc. And it entertains me on a daily basis. Some of the crap you see flying around does make you question the whole “survival of the fittest” thing. You’ve got to love the Internet for highlighting the stupidity of others…and also massively highlighting my own sometimes, it has to be said! Which leads me nicely onto my next point: Funny shit on t’Internet!

I’m a regular clicker onto The Chive, The Poke, Guyism and The Daily Mash  and they never fail to amuse me.

I’ve been an appreciator of The Daily Mash for about 5 years now, and my favourite story is, and always will be, “Look at the size of this fucking rat”. It never fails to make me laugh, even now, and I must have read it at least 20 times. (Yes, I’m easily pleased)

I also recommend people check out the horoscopes on the Mash, Psychic Bob is a legend.

We all know the multitude of stuff that’s out there for our amusement. YouTube is another great one for amusing little titbits. But, in my opinion, one of the best sites I’ve ever seen is David Thorne’s http://www.27bslash6.com/. If you’ve never heard of David Thorne, he’s the guy who tried to pay his overdue bank amount with a picture of a seven legged spider.

I bought his book The Internet is a playground and I can’t read it in public for fear of being sectioned, it makes me laugh that maniacally.

My parting shot in this post though is to The League of Gentleman. Some of you may be familiar with this show from the late 90's/early 00’s. I watched it a lot with Lucy at college and we used to cry laughing. It’s my kind of humour. Totally random, downright weird, very dark and brilliantly written.

It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, I do realise this. But I have to call out a few utter gems from the shows history.

Legz Akimbo: This was my first introduction into TLoG. Neil and Andrew rocked up to our A-Level Theatre Studies class one day and re-enacted this entire scene from the episode that had been broadcast the night before. I remember crying with laughter and my love of The Gents was born.  Unfortunately I can’t find the clip of the original sketch, but this gives you a flavour of what it’s all about. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWeZ0RbaEig

Pam Doove: There are no words to explain this, you just have to watch it. It’s just fabulously random.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wB0OkcCps8

I didn’t force her!: Are you very kind, kind, fairly kind, or not at all kind to animals? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IQJNwvtkmg&playnext=1&list=PL5F3F724742045993

And finally, my all time favourite: Go Johnny Go Go Go Go…(not Bamalamafizzfadge) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtSvaSZ-xLU

Hmm, I started writing this post in a great mood. Sun is shining and it’s a good day. But a combination of events over the space of about an hour have led to me being in a STINKER of a mood now. Women? Mood swings? Whatever gave you that idea?!
Oh, and I REALLY need to stop eating these Mint Imperials on my desk. They're highly addictive though...but they're just there, for the eating...nom nom nom. See, am in a better mood already!

Until next time.

Much love,

Sandra.

x

Cosmetic surgery? No thanks.

Earlier this week a male friend sent me a link to a story about nipple tattooing, accompanied by a comment along the lines of "Where will you guys go next?!"
I read the story in disbelief and so ensued a rant from me back to the male friend about the article and a few other bits thrown in. I wish I had the actual emails I sent at the time, as I write this post, because I made some frankly awesome comments. But, as they're at work, I'll just have to do my best to paraphrase.

Why can't we, as women, be happy with the way we are? Why do we feel the need to surgically alter our bodies to conform to fashion or male/peer pressure. 

In the article referenced above there's a comment that women are getting this procedure done because their boyfriends want them to. WTF?! Seriously?! If I was with a guy who turned round and said he wanted me to get my nipples tattooed, he'd be out the door faster than, well, something really fucking fast.  But, then again, I don't think I know any guys who would seriously say this to  their girlfriend. Although I struggle to comprehend that there are women out there who would actually do this at a boyfriends request, I have to accept the fact that there are. 

But this isn't a male bashing post, I like men, they're lovely (most of the time) but they're not the only knobheads on this planet. 

I ask above why we can't be happy with our bodies. I say this as someone who is currently loosing weight, so I realise that I'm being a tad hypocritical. But, I must qualify this. I've been responsible for my own weight gain over the last ten years and haven't been happy about it for some time. Not because anyone has said anything to me about it (save one comment from my dad, but we'll not go into that), but because I know I've just been a lazy arsed cow. So, earlier this year I put steps in place to change that and it's working. I'm happier and am actually enjoying the process, which I never thought I would. I  say with my hand on my heart that I am doing this for me, only me. Not because of men. Not because of peer pressure and certainly not because of the fucking media.
But, at no point in my life, whether it be when I was a young, slim 21 yr old or as I now, older, curvier and 31, could I ever imagine undergoing invasive cosmetic surgery to amend my breasts, my ass, my legs, nipples, or, god forbid, my vagina; all in the name of aesthetic pleasure. 

I do genuinely blame the media for this. My reading tastes have changed some what over the last 6 years. I used to read trashy magazines but got bored of the idiotic articles and empty writing. But that put me out of touch with the celeb world and there were times when I'd not have a clue who married who, who shagged who, and who popped what sprog, and for some reason I thought this mattered. So I used to skim the Daily Mail website (uurrrgghhh) each day. 5 mins scanning the headlines on the right hand bar would tell me all I needed to know. 
I rarely clicked into the actual articles but every now and then I would, partly because I couldn't believe what I was reading in the headline. 
One week you'd have an article about, oh I dunno, Kate Moss, saying she's too thin and needs a bit of meat on her. Then the next week there'd be something about Scarlett Johannsson and how she's put on a bit of weight and is looking porky, when she's actually probably only a size 12 and looks amazing. Then, the following week there'd be something about someone my size saying how she's flying the flag for bigger girls and good for her, she doesn't care. And although the immediate appearance of that article would be a positive one, there'd be an undertone running through it that she's fat and needs to loose weight. When, in reality she's happy with herself, is in proportion and actually looks good, because she's comfortable in her own skin. 

But, it's not just the DM who does this, I just hate them more than any other. It's all over the place. Porn doesn't help. Personally I hate the fact that porn gets blamed for a lot of crap, but I do think it has a bearing here. 
The media is plastered with images of 'perfect' women. And although there is also a fair bit of stuff out there discrediting these 'perfect' images, they have little effect. 

But, I don't think it's just women who are affected by this. The recent emergence of shows containing total douchebags; TOWIE, Jersey Shore etc and the changes in mens fashions would serve to suggest that men conform to these pressures too. 
I don't seem to be able to go a day without seeing a picture on FB or Twitter of a group of young lads and lasses, all plastered with fake tan, looking like absolute eejits. They'd easily fit into one of the shows mentioned above. But, what I don't understand is how they think this look is attractive. The only answer I can come up with is that they're young enough to be convinced that what they see on TV is what is normal and what others find attractive. They do seem to range from their teens to their mid twenties. I only hope that they come to realise what the real world actually wants.

I have nothing against nicely groomed men, it's nice to see a man who takes care of his appearance. But there's a line. A man who spends more time in the bathroom than I do, who wears any fake tan, and who waxes his chest, can jog on for me. 
Give me a guy with a fine chest rug, the ability to grow a beard should he so choose and pasty white skin anyday. 

Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. Just because I don't find my friends boyfriend or husband attractive doesn't mean he isn't. If we all looked the same and found the same kind of people attractive the world would be a very very vanilla place. 

I made a comment to the male friend who sent me the link that men may oogle after Megan Fox, or Eva Mendes or that girl in FHM with the huge norks, but I fully realise, as I'd like to think those men do, that that's not their reality woman, and it is just a fantasy. Equally, we as women drool over Brad Pitt or George Cloonery but again, it's a fantasy. At no point do we expect that we will actually end up with someone who looks like that, just as the men realise their future partner won't be an Eva Mendes doppelganger.
The friend responded agreeing with me. He also admitted he didn't know anyone who'd ever dumped a girl because their nipples weren't the right colour shade. 

I know I may not be everybody's cup of tea physically, and that's fine. I don't want to be. But, regardless of my size at the time, I've never had any complaints from guys. Which makes sense, because if they did have any complaints then why would they be with me? We as humans are simple creatures really, we like to be wanted/admired. It makes us feel good to know that someone finds us attractive. 
But we should learn to accept that we are who we are fundamentally, and we're all beautiful in our unique ways. There's no need to have bigger boobs, a flatter stomach, darker nipples and a tighter and/or tidier vagina for someone to love us. 

Until next time, Much love.

Sandra.
xx