Alot can happen in a year...

This was me last year, a third year university student spending any free time I had going out and generally drinking far too much. Obviously I was stressing about last minute work and getting all my achievements done before the summer. Looking back now it wasn't as bad as what it seemed at the time, just bad time management and laziness.

The bad make up and outfit for a school disco night

I was loving living in my student house with my friends (even if we did have our fall outs) we had very little money and we still went out (or stayed in) and had a good time.

I look back now and think how different things were, this was definitely the best time of my life and it went so quick three years felt like a week!

I am happy with my life now there are things I'd like to change as I most probably did a year ago living in Bristol, can you ever be happy with things just the way they are? I think even if you have a perfect life I'm sure there would be something that you'd like to change. I know a year ago I just wanted to start working to earn some cash, now I'm working and don't feel like I'm earning anything more than I was living on at university! I miss the independence I had a year ago but having my washing done is quite nice, although having food in the fridge that I like and eating what I want, when I want was great, no one to moan I was making a mess in the kitchen.

Apart from living in my house with my friends, this time last year I was in a placement I hated, looking back it probably wasn't that bad and most of the staff were lovely. The freedom of being a student sounds amazing now, no responsibility, going home early, sorting out your own hours and no one really cared if you were late. Now I'm the one who's going to get in trouble if somethings wrong, although saying this, I know when I'm not comfortable to do something and I do feel confident within my work, but still I need to be careful not to cut corners.

Me trying to go to placement everyday.
Also probably at work now.

This time last year I was single, Anthony was just someone I'd met once and didn't really think anything else about it. He Facebook stalked me, and thought I'd never be interested in him and never thought about me again until he came down with a friend. This makes me feel not so mean. Now I wonder what I'd do without him. He really does support through anything and not to mention he will be there whenever I need some help, whether it's just a chat or a lame joke to cheer me up and his cuddles are amazing. He really does bring out the best in me, and for that I'm forever grateful. If I ever get in a bad mood with him I can never keep it up he makes me smile too much.

My biggest achievement over the last year was most definitely gaining my Nursing Diploma, I honesty never thought I would get the work done last year. The stress overwhelmed me and I was constantly tired, but I got there in the end. I may be living in my parents house in my childhood bedroom with my really uncomfortable, broken single bed but I know it won't be like this forever. When I do eventually save the money to move out it will be even more amazing and well earned. The best things in life come to those who wait I've heard, whether this is true or not I don't know I thought it came through hard work...

I've already got my car and I think this is the first step to getting back some independence and I'm still saving any penny I can to put away for a rainy day. I like to think that this time next year I'll be living back in Bristol working in a busy inner-city hospital, although this time last year I never thought I'd be living back at my parents. If I don't live in Bristol again I think that would be fine too, as long as I have friends and preferably living closer to Anthony, this would make me happy and I cope with that.

Maybe this time next year I'll reflect on this blog post, see how much things have changed, I think by then things will definitely be different!

We've reached nearly all the goals!

Relating back to my first blog post with my goals which I wanted to achieve by the end of the year, I'll just remind you of them.

1) Move out of my parents house
2) Try to get another job (I'm a part-timer at the moment)
3) Book a holiday, somewhere sunny would be lovely
4) Buy a new car, as much as I love the Betty (my Renault Clio) she is getting a little old
5) Like any girl I'd like to try and lose a few pounds
6) Get back into the routine of swimming at least two times a week

I'm actually not doing too badly; I'm definitely on the right road to completing most of the goals on this list by the 31st December 2012.

Number one, moving out of my parent's house, this may be the only goal not to be achieved this year. Moneys tight and also if I stay in my current nursing post I'm guaranteed to have another Christmas at home! Also the bonus of optional weekends and working only Monday to Friday is a great way to convince me to stay longer. This also leads me on to my second point, I am still only part-time but am trying to get extra hours any way in which I can! Mostly nursing agencies, as they give me the flexibility, great pay and I get to keep my current job as I'm not planning on leaving it anytime soon.

Number three, book a holiday. It might not be a sun holiday that we booked but we are going to Somerset for a week in September, I think next year hopefully I'll be working full time and sorted out all my money problems and be able to find and comfortably afford a nice holiday. Croatia *cough cough* I am looking forward to going to Somerset don't get me wrong, I mean I don't have to travel far or wait for hours at airports and more importantly Anthony and I will get some essential time together. He's also promised to take me to the River Cottage canteen too, so I really can't complain.

Buy a new car. Done! I've had it a few weeks now and I really love it, it's a Fiat Punto and his name is Patrick.

My last two goals on this list go hand in hand; I've just started a new fitness plan which includes jogging and swimming along with eating low fat tasty foods. So far so good, I just hope I don't fall off the wagon and be back to square one. I want to be fit before we go to Somerset, also look good in a bikini as we've got a hot tub and my friends from university may well be visiting, let's be honest girls we don't lose weight for men to find us sexy, pressure from other women is a much more intense game. Magazines and television, the pressure for women to be 'hot' is everywhere! I know my friends aren't going to care whether I'm fat or thin but in all honesty I will feel better by not having a flabby belly and for my legs to be more toned. I want to look like this...

It definitely looks although I'm on the right road to achieving all my goals, we'll see how long I keep this diet and fitness thing up for :p

We have all the holidays continued...

First of all I am so sorry to have taken so long to get blogging. I swear it's always one thing after another and time just fly's by and gets taken up doing things that just don't seem to be very exciting i.e. work, university modules, general things around the house, you know what I'm talking about.

Back to my main blogging point. Mine and Anthony's holiday was amazing, just what the doctor ordered, a week of relaxing, good food and some exploring around the beautiful Peak District. I felt so refreshed when I got home, ready to take on the world!

The amazing views from the Heights of Abraham.
Totally unexpected after just coming out of an underground cavern.


Our cottage was all I thought it would be, so cosy and comfortable and perfect for the two if us to chill out and forget about all the stresses of work and everyday life. As well as the cottage being perfect so was the location, everything was in walking distance, attractions, walks, pubs, cafes and shops. We spend a good few days in village doing various things which was handy due to the petrol 'not' crisis which was happening, we were lucky enough to fill up our cars in time to go home.

My favourite pub Ye Olde Chester Cheese Inn, not just because it has cheese in its name (I love cheese!) but it was a lovely traditional pub the most friendly atmosphere. We ate here one night and it was really yummy. I had a potato, leek and stilton crumble which was the most delicious thing I have ever tasted if anyone has a recipe please let me know.

My favourite pub in a village.

We had a pretty jam packed week which included, exploring underground caverns, visiting little towns, a castle, eating really lovely food in the local pubs and restaurants, walking and most of all enjoying the breath taking views and lovely weather which we were so lucky to have, considering it was the last week in March.

Peak Cavern.

Cavern enterance.

Extra prepared to get down in the cavern! Hard hats are the new fashion.

On the second day of our holiday we went to visit the ruins on an old castle which was really fun, even if I did nearly die by climbing up the massive steep hill to get there. People in their late seventies were getting up the hill quicker than me. It was worth it the views were amazing! I could have sat up there all day, it was quite quiet apart from the voices of children playing and a group having a barbeque (which was an amazing idea, I'm gutted we didn't think of it first). 

The view from the top of Pervil Castle.

Being held prisoner.

Anthony possing infront of the beautiful view.

We visited Bakewell which was a pretty little town although busy, not surprising as there was a weekly market on, the old folk loved it and they were everywhere. We obviously had to buy a Bakewell tart and also a Bakewell pudding. I'm not the biggest lover of Bakewell tarts but there was something about this one that tasted lovely. Most of the bakeries have their own unique feel and a different take on the tart. Somewhere I would highly recommend visiting. It also has a beautiful park that is open to visitors. 

The yummy cakes, puddings and tarts of Bakewell.

Whilst on holiday I had my first cable car experience. It was terrifying! Being god knows how high from the ground with nothing underneath you but a river and a road. In all honesty it beats walking up the mother of all hills though. It was such a fun day out and great value for money, the Heights of Abraham are definite must if you're in the area. It has two caverns, one with a model miner called John who gives you a small history lesson; both of the caverns are inclusive of a tour guide. Just remember to take a jacket, it gets quite nippy down there. 

The face of terror in the cable car.

Now you see them...

Now you don't.

Of course we couldn't be grown up and responsible all week! We had to have a little silliness, this was such an awesome slide, had a good steep drop and I slide like never before! 

Such a big kid.

Also a big kid...







 Yes I did get to feed the goats and other farm animals :D They were so cute, it also had chickens, rabbits, lambs, quails and various other farm animals, along with all this it has an adorable farm shop full of local produce which we took full advantage of.

The cute little goat family.

This just says it all :D

It was such an amazing week and I cannot wait for our next week away, we're off to Somerset. There will be plenty of cider and sausages, and the best bit is we have a hot tub. So after a long day of walking and excitement we can chill out with a glass of cider (just because it's West Country like) and relax.