Christmas Little Joys

Christmas is approaching faster than expected and I'm beyond EXCITED! 
As you may already know, Christmas is my favourite holiday (it hasn't come close to my favourite time of the year though, the first day of Autumn), and feeling jolly is quite a perk during December! 

Between the movies and the songs that have been playing on my laptop, phone or even outside in the streets, I've been even more homesick than usual. You cannot imagine how much I want to be in Ireland at this moment, being able to breathe fresh air (somehow the air isn't the same in France), drink my tea with a full creamy, perfect milk and being able to order a pint of Guinness knowing it's going to be amazingly delicious... Sounds horrid, pathetic, nonetheless all that, I managed to get a few things to cheer me up, it is Christmas time after all. Everyone should be happy! 

First off... A friend of mine got a tiny Christmas Tree, called him Norbert (don't ask why that name, I don't know myself... He just decided Norbert was a good idea which is entirely debatable). We couldn't get a tree at my place, my friend isn't into Christmas and we live with a cat that would have destroyed the tree no matter what. So I got a tree at my friend's place, good thing I go there enough to see it!

Then... We've got the homesick feeling that is back. I want to be back in Ireland, badly, and I can't. A friend back home was asking when I was coming back, not knowing what to tell him made me feel awful. Also a big part of why I'm so homesick these past few days. I paused the Christmas films and decided to get back on Irish TV... Laugh at me all you want but you've got to understand that Irish TV for me is pretty much, friends hanging around on the couch, drinking tea, eating cookies or crips, and watching programmes such as Gogglebox or the Naked Attraction which are both British programmes. I mean it's funny and I missed watching it in the evening when we had a long day of work. For a few days now, all I've been watching is Gogglebox and there are about twelve seasons so I'm caught up for a while which makes me happy. 

Next stop...I've been cooking again, and this time without red wine to distract me. I usually drink while cooking, either a beer or red wine just to keep me going. A way to enjoy cooking to the fullest. Made this simple spinach, artichoke and chicken recipe, it was delicious, didn't last two days like I anticipated, let's blame my dear friend who I live with... 

Christmas has been good, too much shopping for others but I don't regret one bit! Cool presents are going to be given and I'm proud of it. 
This time... I'm mostly looking forward to the new year which will be coming after Christmas Day. Getting a fresh new start sounds wonderful especially after this year. Not sure why 2017 and 2018 were terrible years between fires, mudslides, deaths, my health going bad, a dream coming to an end, and so on. I just want the year to be over so I can look forward to the next Christmas and this time... I'll be preparing my list of presents a bit earlier! No offence to the late buyers who loves the rush but I hate to not have my gifts on time! 

Enjoy your Christmas and family if you are with them. I know I'll be spending it with my friend, drinking... 

~Bella  

Little one... On the bed...

How many of you have a dog or many dogs?

I surely do not have one, but my best friend does... Charlie is a mix of Australian Shepherd and something else, not quite sure, I believe a Collie cause of his nose...

When I first met this little puppy, he was only four months old, but already jumpy, energetic, but smart. Affectionate me I can't just ignore and not give any cuddle to this fluffy little cuddler! Since I met Charlie, I can't get enough of him! Who can actually get enough of dogs...? They are the best cuddlers, feet warmer, and comforting balls of joy. They bring a smile on your face and even if some are too hyper, demanding, they will always know if something is wrong with you.

Each time Charlie comes over, I'm all over him, between the photos, the snuggles, and all the kisses. No one can resist a puppy this cute! I wake up for him in the morning (if he stays on my bed to sleep), I take care to see if he is warm enough, cozy enough, I even let him sleep on my Juventus blanket (that one is special), no one touches it!

I've meant to talk about Charlie, this little ball of joy for quite some times now, but I never really knew how to bring up this puppy that grows up every day. Until a couple of days ago... I kept seeing this quotes "Who needs a man when you can have a dog!"
It made me think of Charlie, right away, even if he isn't my puppy, whenever I get to see him, I feel calmer, happier! He makes me walk outside for quite sometimes as well, free exercise!

Younger, I had a boxer, a cute, energetic dog who broke my arm when I was five... Not a great experience, but I never stopped loving dogs. During my psychology courses, I've learned a few benefits that dogs may offer to the owner. Here are some:

*Your stress level will go down quickly!
I've seen it with Charlie, whenever I feel anxious, all I've got to do is look at him or pet him. Everything feels better right away.

*Welcome back to social life!
Surprised? I don't think so... Whenever you go outside to walk your dog, people look, people comment, and each time I've walked Charlie through town, I don't just have one person asking to pet him but three or more people. You meet new people, you converse, next thing you know, you made a new friend through your dog.

*You feel safer, protected!
Dogs know who is a good person and who isn't! Funny fact is whenever I walk Charlie, I always try to get him on the safe side, not the road one. Somehow, he manages to walk right to the unsafe side towards the road. I ended up telling myself he wanted to protect me, made me feel better about leaving him on that side.

*Say goodbye to depression!
Studies show that dog owners are less depressed than a person who doesn't own a dog, care for a dog. Having a dog around helps you relieve anger, sadness... They sense when you aren't feeling good... Charlie surely knows, and next thing I know, he is up to my face licking me. You can't help but smile!

I might not have my own dog, stealing away my best friend's, but I already know that later on in life whenever I have my own place, my family, I will make sure to have a dog around, I don't care what my partner will say, I'll make sure to marry someone who isn't allergic and I will get a Bernese Mountain Dog! Big and fluffy!

"Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen." - Orhan Pamuk
~Bella