A new move, a new chance...

It's a new move that I will be making soon enough, and I cannot wait for it to happen!

My experience of having more than six people in the house hasn't been all exciting and stress-free as one could have thought.
Living with multiple people in the same house and having different views isn't fun. I cannot deal with strangers coming in the house at all times of the say, expecting everyone to be alright with it. I had enough!
Enough of the non-stop fighting on whose dishes are in the sink, or who didn't pay rent on time. Please, give me a break! I cannot deal with the non-stop loud music, loud stamping, or slammed doors.

I have so many questions...

How long does it take to clean your plate and fork? Will it kill you to stand up in front of the sink with your hands under the warm water?
Why slam the door at all hours of the day? Did the door hurt you in any way?
Where goes the food from the fridge?  Who's the magician?
How much time do you need in that bathroom? Isn't your room enough space to get dressed and undressed?

Living with housemates is tough, tougher than it may seem, and despite the fun that it can bring, if one of your housemates isn't friendly or even respectful towards you, there's no point in staying in a house like that!

I'm not one to use the bathroom for hours at a time, I may put the bathroom in a fog, but that's it. Max thirty minutes because I have to blow-dry my hair but again... Not even thirty minutes! But then again, I understand girls who wear makeup, constantly changing outfits, and curl their hair can take a while, and the long thirty-minute shower. I can understand, I can try to comprehend it, try to find other alternatives on my routine, but when it turns into a disaster, turns into a living nightmare where you arrive to work late because you couldn't brush your teeth on time, it's enough.
Not sure how many times I took my toothbrush and toothpaste with me to work cause I knew I couldn't pass into that famous bathroom.
I'll stop there with the bathroom story, it could lead to another two more paragraph altogether!

Next point that people who live with housemate have to understand is the "friends" you bring home, like more than three people, more like party size group of people. Let's be honest, in that group of people, how many do you truly know, even know their names or where they are from. Please answer truthfully... We know college is all about "parties" and such but when you live with multiple housemates who work long hours the next day, be respectful enough. The loud music, screams at three or four in the morning? Is it really necessary to have all these dumb people over just to have you complain the next day about food that disappears? Is it necessary? Will you die if you do not have a house party? Last time I checked, you couldn't die of that specific situation. There's always a way for you to join a college party at a college little building or friends house or whoever is throwing it!
Again, I would have been alright with the parties, but when it lasts till four in the morning and then wake up four hours later to go to work but see that one of the housemates who threw the party is complaining about food being missing. I mean... I can't! I won't bother on trying to see the positive out of this type of situation.

In the end, living with people is nice, and the fact that you are never truly alone has some perks, but you have to realize that it won't be easy. Not simple at all!

So this new place that I'm moving into is going to be more a friend's house. Technically, one of my friends asked if I wanted to move in with him as I was looking for a place. I found it extremely nice of him to ask, but I wanted to move out with a friend who is currently living with me, already. S and I had an idea with her boyfriend and her friend. We would pay less rent and be with people we all like was going to be easier. Less drama, fewer parties. You catch my drift! To end the story short, I'll be moving with my friend, S and her boyfriend and her friend, M. I can't wait to have the living room to read and write whenever I want. Less time at the bar, that's for sure. Cause let's be honest if I go to the bar that often it's because I want to get as far as possible to my current house. Sorry if I'm disappointing a few people.  I cope the best way I possibly can.

Now, as this change will be new, I want to start fresh... What I mean by that is the fact that I want to write another blog, more for advice, and giving out my opinion, support. I know I'm from being a professional, but sometimes blowing out steam to a stranger or even asking questions and receive someone's own experience may help.
I'm also planning on selling clothes on depop. It's an app on your phone, I found it a month ago, purchases a few items and  I haven't got disappointed! People are amazing, and the clothes that I bought was wonderful, fits well. So, despite the obvious fact that young adults need extra money, and that large amount of clothes that I own as well as my mum's (she has too much, so she wanted to help), selling them in good condition would benefit lots of people.
Another thing I want to start doing more is giving my opinion more on books. No, I won't write a blog just for it, that would be too annoying but every month or two, I would like to write a post about a recent book I read, liked and comment, give my opinion, criticise it if needed. People need to get back on reading, we all have lost the touch, and it's very depressing to so many good books being unnoticed. I wouldn't want my novel to be on the table, untouched. It would be a disappointment.

A change that isn't all that stress-free, moving into a new place when you are working non-stop, pulling double shifts, and managing taxes... Yes, cause I have been procrastinating, who wants to do their taxes? Plus I did them by myself, for the first time, and let's be honest knowing you have to pay for the state as well as federal, ugh... Let me kill myself! I ain't American, under 25, and paying a lot more than I'm supposed to... Talk about wanting to procrastinate! Anyway... 

New change, less stress, and the move will go smoothly enough, I hope! 

"Life is about moving on, accepting changes and looking forward to what makes you stronger and more complete." 

~Bella

The little things I say...

I hope everyone enjoyed their St. Patrick's Day or Paddy's Day as one can call it. I know, I did, quite enjoyed it as I spent the entire night drinking and laughing with an amazing Irish guy. Drinking Guinness after Guinness, laughing at almost everything, and coming home later than expected. Photos were taken (no recollections of the photos), and well my knee got messed up, welcome to me world... 





Since St. Patrick's Day is over, I shall keep the little Irish still in me to share a few more things... To be more precise, the little things I say...




So let's start by saying...

As a non-American, I do say things that many of my surroundings either don't understand or simply find it bizarre. I blame the Irish side of me a lot, but since I do have friends back in Europe, I pick up on certain saying. Ever since I lived in California, it's been difficult to stop saying a few phrases, words just to be "normal". Whatever "normal" means to Californians... I don't want to say EVERY American don't say the following phrases, cards.

I. Chewing Gum
Gum like Americans say! I say chewing gum, and for everyone else it's odd.

II. Taking a piss or taking the piss
"Are you serious right now?" or "Are you joking?", I personally don't use it as much as I used to, people were too annoyed to even continue. A few of my friends back home still say it when I have them on the phone and trust me... I'll end up saying it right after!

 III. Bollocks
Just another way to say "balls" but we usually say it to say "total bullshit". Go figure, it's obvious that I would say it... I found it funny!

IV. Bugger off
Just another way to say "Fuck off"... In a good, respective way. Whenever I say it, it'll come out when I had a few drinks. But you'll hear an Irish person say "Feck off" a lot more at least from what I've heard from my own experience.

V. Fancy
I've heard a few people say it, but it's rare, very rare. I came across an Irish lass from Dublin at a bar, and she asked me "Do you fancy him?", talking about my friend who was bartending. And my friends from London do say it quite plenty enough to make it stuck in your head for days.

VI. Bob
I first heard my friend from Ireland say it, and even if I was kind of confused, I managed to understand she meant money, cash... Not very common for me to say it, but I used to and people thought I was calling them "Bob". Sad but true...

VII. Fag
Alright, in the States, it seems like we use the word "fag" to describe a person's sexuality being "homosexual", while I heard my friends use it to just say "cigarette". The American English use the word as an insult while we just use it for a cigarette. Good thing I don't smoke and rarely use the word in front of people or else I would get more haters than I already have.

VIII. Wanker
This is actually more common than I thought. Thank you to British people, the word "Wanker" which means fool, is used throughout bars. I heard this word being used by British people around town. And to be fairly honest, I use it on occasion. Like on Paddy's Day, the number of wankers which came out of bars, or get kicked out... I don't know how many times I used "wankers".

To be fairly honest, my English switched off to a more "American" English, and despite, the little things I still use, I have, indeed, lost a lot of my English. The one with "Bloody hell" or "Piss off"...
But... Reading more novels from British, Scottish or Irish writers will eventually make my English back on track!

"If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language that goes to his heart." - Nelson Mandela

~Bella

Tea? You ask...

Not too long ago, in the store I work at, a new book arrived called, "Tea is always good tea".

As a European, I drink lots of tea and that's throughout the day. Despite being Irish as well, I don't add any sugar, nor milk, nor cream. No honey, nothing adding in the tea... You may think I'm insane to drink straight black tea, but I was raised on tea, it's how it's always been.

When I saw the book, I just need to have it!
A short background on what tea is it refers, usually, to the beverage made by steeping the dried leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant in hot water. People usually think of British when talking about tea. Not entirely wrong, British people do drink a lot of tea themselves...

Here are some interesting facts from my little book.

"Loose Leaf:
'Loose leaf' refers to whole or broken tea leaves that do not come in tea bags, requiring you to measure leaves for each brew. Generally, of a higher quality than bag tea, loose-leaf tea calls for steeping tools to separate the leaves post-brew.

Pros:                                                                                               Cons:

-Available in a wide selection of teas                                            - Generally more expensive
-Yields more nuanced flavors and                                                  -Disposing of wet leaves can be
aromas                                                                                             inconvenient and messy
-Allows you to control the ratio of
leaves to water

You can dry high-quality whole leaves after use and re-step them several times.

Tea Bags:
Tea bags contain small, chopped pieces of tea leaves in a packet or sachet. Most tea bags containing black tea have been processed using the mechanical CTC (crush, tear, curl) method.
Pros:                                                                                               Cons: 
- Quick brewing time with strong                                                  - Lower quality of flavor
flavor                                                                                              - Loses freshness quickly
-Simple to store, transport, and                                                      - More likely to become bitter
dispose of the leaves
-Easy to brew one cup at a time

Don't squeeze a tea bag at the end of a brew! This release bitter tannins into the tea." 

I personally use tea bags, easy to brew, fast enough for me when I'm in a rush which is more common than you may think. I have nothing against loose leaves, the only little issue I keep bumping into is the mess as well as taking longer to make by a few minutes.

"Storage:
Tips for quality and longevity

KEEP IT DRY AND SEALED
To preserve flavor and aroma, store your tea in an airtight container. Be wary of storing fragrant items nearby, as they might taint a tea's aroma.

KEEP IT DARK
Tea leaves are sensitive to light, so store them in dark containers. If using glass jars, store them in a dark cupboard. 

KEEP IT COOL
Heat can damage a tea's flavor and aroma. Store your tea leaves at room temperature- or slightly cooler."

My tea isn't kept in a special storage, to be honest, I don't have much space to put them, too much of it, so I keep the bags inside their boxes in my cabinet. Dark and cool enough to keep everything under control. Now, when I think of my future place, my little comfort home, I will have jars full of either loose tea or bags. Cause being Irish isn't always about drinking Guinness... Tea is also very important. 

"OCCASIONS FOR TEA

Wake up:
The caffeine in tea makes it an ideal morning beverage.
Relax: 
A soothing cup of tea is the perfect way to warm up and wind down.
Celebrate:
Toast to good news and milestones with a tasty symbolic tea.
Connect:
Slow down the pace of life and take time to share the experience with others.
Cure:
Enjoy the medicinal properties of various teas and tisanes.
Respect:
Show reverence to current and pas culture and traditions. "

I usually drink tea to either get warm on a cold rainy day or simply because I want to drink tea. The only occasion I would consider drinking tea as an "occasion" would be when I'm having breakfast with mum, then tea is required! Not so much of an occasion, mostly a requirement, plus the place we usually go to, knows what we order, and they know our teas! She has to be more the English Breakfast tea, while I'm more the Earl Grey person or simply my Irish tea when there's some, which is rarely. 

For some people, tea is considered beneficial, healthy, and a "snobby" enough drink. Tea time is for everyone, not just the rich! So if you are a fan of tea, or you enjoy a simple cup of tea, this book is for you! I certainly am learning a lot about different teas, so I thought I would write another post about different teas and their benefits. 

"You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me." - C.S. Lewis

~Bella

Come on, let's get ready to ...

To watch some movies...

I'm quite the little film fan, and my taste is quite odd, uncommon... I mean my favourite movies are Amelie and The Beautiful Fantastic so you may already know how odd I can be!

Since 2018 has started, I went back in my little routine of watching films, Disneys, and even new shows.

I wanted to share the films that have marked me, the ones who touched me a little deeper than the other ones. Do not expect to see any recent except maybe a few from last year, but nothing from this year!

To start off the little list, I want to share the one which I personally adore...


Ondine!
You may have heard about the movie if you have read http://onemorecupidtothelist.blogspot.com/2018/02/lisa-hannigan.html
An Irish romantic drama based on a stranger rescued in a fishnet by an ex-alcoholic father/fisherman.
I won't get into details about this movie, but being Celt myself and part Irish, I felt like home, I felt like it was talking to me in many ways. This film mixed legends, reality and amazing thoughtful life lessons. Expect to cry, to be confused and touched! This isn't just your ordinary romantic film, it shows how someone can impact your life deeper than you may expect, shows how love can be powerful, and how your past can resurface at any time. Top of my five favourite! If you are into romantic drama (not too romantic as it is quite mythical), this is the right movie for you. Do not stop watching it even if you are not into it at first!


To the next stop...


Coco!
A cute Disney/Pixar movie based on the day of the dead in Mexico. A little boy who cannot play music because of some family issues. He wants to become a musician despite his family's wishes and ends up going in the world of the dead where many adventures and truths come to life.

This adorable family movie might be for children, but I couldn't miss the opportunity of seeing it. I'm a sucker for Disney! Whoever, my concern was the Mexican tradition that I was not into, not going to appreciate as it is not my own tradition, and despite my absurd concerns, the tradition they filmed was beyond any of my expectations. It was well up, well described and I couldn't hold tears even after watching it four times. A river came down my cheeks! If you haven't watched it, concerned because it's a children's movie, get over it, and watch it under warm blankets, tea, and chocolate! You will not regret any of it!


Let's continue with...

Shetland!

Not a film, but a TV series. Not your typical one as this one is based at the Shetland Isles. Also based on the famous books written by Ann Cleeves also the writer of the Vera Stanhope series which I started reading and watching as well. Clever, mysterious, and well the accent is beyond fun to hear! I love it, feels like "home" in a way even though I pick up the accent myself right after, not so funny anymore.  Murders, family secrets, great investigations, and twists, I mean, it's for everyone! You like some family drama, a twist of unexpected murder mysteries, and an amazing plot, you can't go wrong with this show. You will have to adjust to the accent though; like I said, there's quite an accent, not the typical one!


To the fourth stop... We've got...

When We First Met!
This romantic comedy had me and my housemate laugh our asses off. The actors are hilarious and the plot, despite being very cheesy in many ways has everyone hooked up. Summary wise, it's about a magical photo booth that sends Noah (funny romantic cheeseball of guy who has a massive crush on a girl he met at a party, back into time when he wished to. He has the opportunity to change whatever mistakes, whatever he wants. Will he persuade the girl of his dream to love him back? I'll let you discover what is in store for him. This movie is on Netflix if you really want to enjoy this comedy, I know I enjoyed every bit of it with my housemate. A nice movie to watch with another friend, cozy on the couch.

And to the next one...


Babylon Berlin!
Another TV show, also on Netflix, new one actually... I only started not too long ago, not interested in the subject at all, but I gave in... An inspector from Cologne transfers to Berlin to investigate a ring of pornography during 1929. But that also means the war is right there as well, and the Soviets are around... Not a disappointing show at all, and I would recommend it!

For the final one...

Leap Year!

Not a recent movie and I have talked about it before in a previous post. A young American is traveling to Ireland to see her charming boyfriend and surprise him on leap year, February 29th, to propose to him... Sounds like another cheesy movie, but since I've been homesick, the movie reminds me of everything I miss! You must see it if you want to have a night in, comfortable in bed after a warm bubble bath. Each time I watch it, I cry, I laugh, I get all emotional at the same time as before.  


Films have a way to escape you from reality, from issues by transporting you to a new adventure, to someone else's life. This new year will be full of new movies, and I'm excited to see the new comings. Despite the obvious fact that I do love my books, films are also another little guilty pleasure of mine... 
So instead of going out every night, just have a nice bath or shower, get cozy with a cup of hot cocoa, tea, blanket on you in bed, and voila, a nice evening in with a good movie...

"If I could wake up in a different place, at a different time, could I wake up as a different person?" -Fight Club.

~Bella

Black Tea...

True Teas series... Little I

Black Tea! 

"Derived from the Camellia sinensis plant, the "true" tea include black tea, pu-erh tea, oolong tea, white tea, green tea, and yellow tea. Each type of tea is harvested and processed differently, resulting in a wide range of flavors and characteristics."

"Origin: Made from the mature leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, native to China and Southeast Asia

Processing: The leaves are plucked, dried, withered, rolled, and fired, leaving them fully oxidized and black in color.

Preparation: 1 tsp of loose tea per cup of water. Steep for 2-3 minutes in 200F water. Add sugar, honey, lemon, or milk if desired.

Appearance: Red liquor

Taste: Bold, deep, earthy flavor

USES AND BENEFITS: 

- High in antioxidants                            - Lowers cholesterol

- Contains caffeine                                - Lowers blood pressure

- Boosts energy and mental clarity        - Supports the cardiovascular system

-Fights bad breath                               - May reduce the risk of certain cancers

Black tea is the most popular form of tea in the West and accounts for more than half of the world's tea consumption.

Darjeeling- 
Dubbed the "champagne of teas" this tea grows high in the foothills of the Himalayas. Known for its floral aroma, delicate flavors, and light color, Darjeeling's "first flush" (or first harvest of spring) is perhaps the most prized tea in the world.

Assam-
This deep and malty flavored black tea grows in India. It is full-bodied, dark, and bold with a character that is well suited for breakfast teas.

Keemun- 
This well-known Chinese black tea boasts a beautiful amber liquor. It is rich, smoky, and sweet with notes of cocoa and fruit. 

Ceylon-
This black tea from Sri Lanka bears notes of citrus and spice. It is known for its fresh, lively character that balances bolder black teas to create well-rounded blends.

English Breakfast Tea- 
This English black tea blend traditionally used Chinese Keemun black tea as its base but now mainly uses Indian Assma. Drinkers often add milk and sugar to give it a sweet, bready flavor that complements scones and sweets perfectly. 

Earl Grey-
Created for and named after Charles Grey (2nd Earl Grey) of 19th century England, this black tea is flavored with oil of bergamot, giving it distinct notes of citrus. Earl Grey is one of the most popular flavored teas in the world.

Chai-
This black tea from India is spiced with flavors such as cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, anise, and ginger. It is often blended with sweetened (and sometimes frothy) milk. Smooth and creamy with aromas that evoke autumn and winter, chai has become a holiday favorite in the West. "

"Come, let us have some tea and continue to talk about happy things."- Chaim Potok

~Bella

And you think you know it all...

Many of us still believe in certain myths, some of them are completely made up by parents trying to get their children to eat their vegetables.

" Drink your soup if you want to grow up!"

" Eat your carrots, you will be more polite." (This one is common in France)

" You remember Popeye? He ate his spinach, maybe you should do the same!"

The least of common ones can go on forever, and I heard many of them from my dear mother who would try everything to make us do or eat something we didn't want to.

Here are a few myths we hear but aren't true...

#1. Chocolate gives you acne!

Sounds about right, and yet it is far from it. Chocolate itself doesn't give you acne or else I would be covered with it! And no it's not the sugar either! It's actually the dairy in it that may affect your skin especially if you have sensitive skin, skin that reacts fast.

#2. Watching TV will ruin your eyesight.

Said like this, it may sound like an advice, something you should take seriously and yet... Don't be surprised to know it's not going to ruin it. We all hear our parents tell us not to be sitting right in front of the television so you wouldn't ruin your eyesight. It can lead to eyestrain if you exceed some type of monitor watching, but it won't kill your eyesight! It may cause some headaches, slight migraines, or fatigue, that's why it's encouraged to take a few breaks. But no need to exaggerate!

#3. Don't wake up a sleepwalker

Not sure why we started believing it in the first place, but they are at high risk of hurting themselves than by being awoken by someone else. Next time you encounter a sleepwalker, wake him up slowly, calmly, don't go brutal either but make sure they are sitting down on a chair and be sure to know you know what you are getting into because some explanations will be needed. Poor them, they have no idea if it happens or not!

#4. Pyramids were built by slaves

Despite what we read in our history books, this is just another myth! Sad to know we have been lied to ... They were built by free employees or people who already worked in constructions. If you go deeper into the whole history of it all, you will understand the process behind certain traditions, and certain ways of working.

#5. The Loch Ness Monter? Yeah, we saw it!

Some still, to this day, believe it does exist... I mean Scotland is quite known for that, and it may give a little mystery to the place, but let's be real here, did we actually have enough evidence to prove it does exist? Have we got physical evidence? Photos do not count, and toys aren't real.

#6. Sober you will be after coffee

Not sure why you would think it would be true, the only thing it will get you is more hyper, more awake. You will feel more alert after a cup of coffee but don't be fool by the amount of alcohol you drank. Time, on the other hand, will help! Time and time only! 

#7. Bulls are active when they see red

Right, sure why not... RED? Just the colour red? You say... Sorry to break the news to you but it's just the fact that you are moving the piece of cloth. They will want to attack just because of the movement in front of them! 

#8. Lightning never strikes twice in the same spot

It seems more like lightning will take the shortest route to the ground, no matter if it already landed on that passage once before. So don't believe everything you hear, it says lightning strikes the Empire State Building over a hundred times per year. 

Myths, legends, folk stories.... We all know them, some are more common, and others are used as white lies to help parents control their children. Sadly, half of the myths we know aren't always true. Make sure you fully understand and dig into some research if you want to use it to prove a point. No one likes false information! 

"Myths are public dreams, dreams are private myths." - Joseph Campbell

~Bella