"I'll give you that..."

February...

Short month but full of excitement! 

One, my brother's birthday, 19th birthday, still cannot believe it! 
Second, Valentine's Day which will be not sure how... Single squad!
Third, still, apartment hunting, send help!

Despite all the good energy that I've been trying to send my ways, it's hard to keep a clear mind, a positive attitude when you miss home (Ireland), when you miss friends ( I won't say names but I do miss the "Peanut" calling), when there are family issues, and when no one is helpful in the apartment hunting. 
The one thing that has been bothering me is how one of my friends left home for the air force. That one piece of news hit hard. Not sure how to view such an action especially coming from such a brilliant person. I ain't against military actions and such but when it comes to having a good friend leave... There's something that triggers a part of you to hate the military. 
How many families have been broken by their loved ones going? 
How many of them didn't return? 
How many of them did return but still struggle with PTSD? 
How many families are waiting for news?
So many questions and the only person that has left for the military is a friend, I don't know how the family can cope because I miss having my friend around. 

Don't get me wrong, I'm all the way in Europe, it was already difficult to keep in touch every day, but we tried to keep in touch whenever between text messages, emails, phone calls... I could go on... 

I'm sure he is proud to serve the country any possible way, but I'm not entirely sure how to take that news myself. How to take the fact that he is gone... 

When he broke the news to me, I cried myself that night, not thinking positively at all. All I could do is just watch "Dear John". Talk about romance and broken heart and military life... Go figure, when you are sad, you watch more sad films... 

Serving your country is amazing, you should be proud if you have served or if you know someone who does. What I don't like is you see your loved ones leave... The long waiting periods for them to call, message, or come home to you. I know I would be able to endure it for love, but I hate not knowing if they are coming back or not. 
Love/ Hate relationship if you say the least. 

I guess you could say I'm starting to worry despite my own self being in a different country than him. 

People who are dealing with this type of situation should be proud of themselves and the ones who have left...

~Bella

February? Love is in the air?

I don't remember a time when I had a real Valentine's Day if that even exists...

Valentine's Day may be the best day in someone's life or the worst. For me... It's just another day at work... Sounds pathetic but trust me, it is just another day! Quite nice of a day, but then again, I don't believe you need to show someone you love them only one day a year! Can't you just go to the movie, the restaurant or the massage place on any day of the week?

Alright, I'm a bit negative towards the whole Valentine's Day, but I have reasons to be one.

Despite this negative side and how much people spend that day... It has its perks such as movies, flowers, candles,  and obviously the classic chocolates...

And TODAY, chocolate made it to the blog! No need to discuss or explain the reason behind such an obvious day.

So CHOCOLATE...

Dangerous addiction, trust me on this one!  It's supposed to be a girl's best friend right after diamonds, and in my case, it's my number 1 addiction, my first love... First, white chocolate, then milk and now I'm turning into the dark chocolate... I'm turning into the dark side, and I appreciate it a lot.
It's supposed to be healthier, and I just think it's another piece of heaven. I hated it growing up, and now, I'm all about the dark chocolate. Bitter and healthier. Okay, I'm half describing myself, I'm pretty bitter!

Enough about this, and let's start with the juicy things...

Since it's Valentine's Day, I want people to understand that there is more bad chocolate than good ones! And trust me, it's hard to find the right ones, the ones that don't give you a stomach ache.
Being born in Europe, I know that you either love Belgium or Swiss chocolate, and it is quite a debate! Everyone wants to be right, no matter what may be the reason.

First, I believe everyone has either ate some or either heard of it... Ferrero Rocher, Fine Hazelnut.
Originated from Italy, this a chocolate which consists of a whole hazelnut (roasted) covered in a thin wafer shell filled with hazelnut chocolate, and then covered in milk chocolate and chopped hazelnut. Quite the hazelnut chocolate, so if you are a hazelnut lover, go for this one... It's a favourite!

Second, Lindt has to be another favourite. The brand is top number one for Swiss chocolate and despite the fact that it is a company, they make the best chocolate, amazing chocolate! So if you want some decent amazing chocolate, this brand will give you some pleasure!

Third, Milka... Alright, I was raised with this brand, and the chocolates are quite special. Many types of chocolate with the milk bar, it's for every milk chocolate lovers! I still don't know where to get it in California, but I'm searching!

Fourth, Nestlé, Quality Street which is a selection of individual tinned toffees, chocolates, and sweets... First created in England! Each bite is a surprise! Obviously, this box was given during the holiday, and everyone knew which colour to take and not to take.

Fifth, also my favourite... Kinder Bueno... My personal favourite, the one I always went for as a kid, and still to this day, I will go for this chocolate bar, hazelnut cream filled wafer with chocolate covering... Once more made by the Italian confectionery maker Ferrero.

Valentine's Day may not be the best holiday for everyone, but let's enjoy the fun of receiving some extra love and intentions coming from our partners!  

"Chocolate doesn't ask silly questions, Chocolate understands."

~Bella

Valentine's... Love is coming soon enough...

Happy early Valentine's Day to all of you, couples, the ones who are in serious relationships! 

The day is coming soon, people are trying to get gifts, little notes, letters ready for their loved ones. I've already seen many of you stress out on the streets, rushing to get the next little present before the 14th. 
What should I buy? Will they like it? Is it enough or should I get something else as well? Bigger or smaller present? Which bra should I get her? 

Questions like this come up often, a little too often as we are approaching the date. 

Valentine's Day is the lovers day. A day where people get each other presents, letters, flowers, chocolates... To me, it's just a day where every store is on sale, where everyone show how much they care about the other person. A beneficial day for every retailers out there as everyone or almost everyone is buying something. Small or big, it doesn't matter much! 
But...
Let's take a moment to realize something important, small to many of you, but very important! 

Do we really need this 14th of February to show the person you care about how much you love them? Do we need this date to give them a little gift, flowers, a little love letter, a poem? 

Why waiting for the 14th to make the relationship special when you've got the rest of the time to prove them how much you love them every single day?
You are in a relationship with the one you care about, deeply care, and you wait for the 14th to make something special? In order to grow into a special, unique, wonderful, strong relationship with your loved one, little everyday things are important! Surprised dinner, warming a bath up for the both of you, flowers just because you thought they were beautiful for them, a mixtape of all the songs you danced to throughout the times you were together on her/his birthday... 

Sometimes,  I think I'm a little too romantic....

If you are in a relationship and you want to build, create memories, being strong, powerful to overcome anything that is thrown down your path, trying to destroy everything you created together, you need more than wait for the 14th of February. Communicate, throw a little text message "I love you" at lunchtime for them to read on their break. Cook dinner, take your time to make something special for the person you love every once in a while. Don't overdue it as it may get boring and not as special overtime. Show that you care about their opinion as much as you care about your own. Relationships takes time, but it's possible and to me, you don't need the 14th of February to show it! 

Ask questions when you aren't sure about something, it's normal not to always understand, you're human! 
Stop with the "I", start the "we". A relationship means two people, you aren't alone anymore, think for two instead of just yourself. Selfishness can happen, sometimes we just a night out with friends, alone, but remember, being selfish all the time won't help the relationship grow! 
Don't judge, try to understand, be compassionate and look at your partner for support! Vice Versa!
Being in touch with yourself like asking yourself if you really love your partner before going into a serious relationship!
Talk about EVERYTHING, the worse, the things you don't want to talk about! Don't shut yourself out just because ignore the facts make you feel better! Being in touch with everything, emotions, feelings are important!

Now, Valentine's Day is coming up, and no matter what my opinion is, I will see a lot of couples giving presents to each other. I will see a lot more teddy bears than expected, and hopefully, everyone will have a bright smile on their faces. Being sad on the 14th isn't such a pleasure to see... If you are
one to not really know what to get your partner, remember that no matter what they should like it, sometimes the smallest of things are the special ones. Then again, I've seen how difficult some women or girls can be.. GOOD LUCK GUYS! 

"When you are in love you can't fall asleep because reality is better than your dreams." 

~Bella