Two Thousand and Fifteen.

Hello!
Apologies about my lack of absent in writing gone this blog, the end of 2014 was extremely busy for me, and i sort of lost my interest in writing!
However as I'm currently sat in my university's library with an hour to kill before an exciting meeting I thought now would be appropriate to share my latest adventures and a quick recap on where I am at in my life!

Just before Christmas hit it off, my lovely friends had their first child and Isabella Faith is the most beautiful little girl I have ever had the fortune to meet! I got to bring her home from the hospital and got first dibs on loads of cuddles!

 

Christmas was incredibly exciting. I spent my first year away from home and spent it with the OH's family. It was absolutely spectacular, despite some teething issues! I got a little teary on christmas eve due to no being at home with my dad which is what I am completely used to! However this was completely overridden by my busy christmas day!
We woke up and had presents in Matt's mums bedroom and I was treated like a little queen, I had quite a humble christmas, so it was a bit more about quality over quantity.

I got a lovely harness set which sadly had to be sent back because of my abnormally large arse which propelled me into my strongest new year resolution (I'll mention it more later!) I got a lovely faux fur headband, a pretty new 'going out' clutch bag, a new diary (stationary<3) and then other little bits and pieces including a very comfy new beanie!

Practicality of gifts is a big thing for me. Don't get me wrong, I love a bit of glitz and glam in my life, but having things I can wear is a big pro for me because i'm extremely stingy in buying clothes for myself because I feel like they are a waste of money until my current clothes turn to rags!

Christmas morning included a church visit, something I have not done since I was a young girl, and even then it was midnight mass of Christmas Eve! However with some puppets (don't ask) and mixed with Matts Mum having to disappear because she left sausages in the oven was a particular highlight!
Afterwards around 30 people arrived at the house for champagne and nibbles! I still haven't quite got over that overwhelming feeling of being surrounded by what felt like a billion women all asking the same question of
 Who're you? Oh Matthews Girlfriend, what do you do? Oh university... what are you studying? 
I have that answer perfected just in case you wanted to know!

Boxing day was so much more chilled, the drinks flowed, a spectacular post christmas lunch followed with a hilarious evening of games where I finally managed to cover some ground with people who were so hospitable and lovely!

I WENT TO THE HARRY POTTER STUDIO'S.
It was amazing, if you advent been and consider yourself a potter-head you need to get yo' ass to Leavesden. Although not overwhelming the beginning and final part of the tour are beyond anything I have ever seen in my life with such high emotional connections!

I also went to see the Rugby for the first time in my life and I cannot wait until I can next go! Although I was initially very confused about how it worked, after a nice explanation from Matt, I found myself on the edge of my seat feeling the adrenaline rushing through me joining in with the groans and shouts at the game! Definitely something i want to do more in the future.

This led firmly onto New Year. New Year in my hometown is a spectacular affair! Everyone dresses up in Fancy Dress and although I left it a bit late this year, Army girl struck a high chord and I had such a fabulous night and New Years Day with my dad preparing the best meal ever!!!!

However the festivities left and I decided that it is now time to change my lifestyle, I have been saying for year that I want to lose weight, and I have firmly held onto that idea this year, Joined a gym, kept up with going 3 times a week for the last month and fully intend on continuing! Sweating is almost addictive!
My aim goal is to hit a stone by march; easy to do hopefully! Then another stone before I debark on my adventure in the US.
If I haven't already mentioned it, I will be working across the pond from June to August with a months travelling afterwards. Matt is also joining me in the states but either way It's going to be so so exciting!!!! I need to start preparing so if anyone has any hints or tips please let me know as I have never travelled on a plane for longer than 5 hours before!

Although this has been  brief catch up I am going to try and do a weekly catchup! In the mean time if you wish to follow my weightless journey, go ahead to www.hellohealthygeeg.wordpress.com.

Lots of Love & Happy New Year you lovely people!
G

Tales of the tube

One of my favourite activoties when travelling around London is people watching. The human race as a whole are fascinating, and the way they act in confined areas never fails to intrigue me. 

I have two stories to share, one involving the beautiful man snapped above, another about a man who reduced me to tears. 

Coming from uxbridge i to central i was sat on the metropolitan line about 3 stops before finchley road. I had my headphones in and was listening to sixties soul machine a new compilation album. As we came up to a stop, and old gentleman came and sat next to me, nothing to indifferent about it, i sat listening to my music when Otis Redding's try a little tenderness came on, i felt a tap on my shoulder and i pulled and earphone out, ready to hear the usual request from the older generation of turn down your music its far too loud! Instead the next few minutes fill my heart with happiness. Gently the old man asked if he could listen to the music with me, in my gobsmacked state i said of course and we sat in amicable silence tapping pur feet to the beat. Aftet the song had finished the man handed me back my earphone and smiled at me, he grasped my hand and told me about when he was you ger, him and his wife had been to see otis redding play. He told me about how try a little tenderness had been one of the songs at his wedding, and finally he told me about how his wife had passed on recently, and that me sharing his favourite song and memories with him had made him so happy. He departed the train with a ' God bless you sweet child, you've made an old mans day' 

Keep it together, my day got weirder. As i changed to the Jubilee line, around Bond Street I was staring around the tube watching people come and go. It took me a few minutes as i noticed this anxious looking devil getting on the tube. What surprised me is that nobody knew who he was, at least if they did, they had the same reaction as me, which involved total starstruck-ness. 

To make the story weirder, i was listening to the les mis soundtrack when he got on, as i went to leave the tube at waterloo, he murmered as i walked past him 'nice song!' 

In all my life i have never been so shaken from two words. 

So there we have it; my anecdotes! Thankfully the actual train journey home was smooth, however nothing will ever compare to that journey. 

Merry christmas guys! 

G x

MERRY BLOGMAS

Tis the season to be jolly.... fa la la la la! la la la la! 

 Or in the majority of peoples cases, time to find your bank account utterly pillaged and thinking to yourself ; WHY DIDNT I START EARLIER?

It's true. The run up to Christmas is by far one of the most expensive, stressful and utterly tiring times of the year, especially when it is all for one day! Also, sadly enough i am starting to become the age where I can demand very expensive items because i know the exact value of money these days; plus there is a whole new generation of my family who now get their time to be spoilt. 

The presents above (minus a couple left to buy) are the only people i am buying for this year! they are all wrapped, with names & all i need to do now is manage to get them to the individuals safely! 

HOWEVER

As it is a giving time of year, and i'm super organised, I'd hate to think anyone who comes across this blog is struggling to think of what to buy people, so i've come up with a few suggestions for the classic stereotypes of people you need to buy for.

Mum & Dad 

I'm unfortunate enough that my parents split when i was little, therefore step-parents are involved in my share of christmas shopping, however the easiest thing to do with parents is to simply ask what they want! I know! Crazy right? Honestly though, I've done that this year, we agreed on a budget and now my parents won't be disappointed! Its a simple one! 

Nana & Gramps

Ha! Personally, I love the idea of making something for grandparents, even if its just a lovely home made xmas card and then a tub of their favourite biscuits! However, Next do some cracking more adult gifts which will keep the elders of the family tree happy! 

The Annoyances & Brats

 ha! I mean the siblings. Depending on age, younger siblings often know exactly what they want and are often predictable, however older siblings are an issue, to avoid having to do some last minute snooping : Firebox is a cracking website! It holds all ranges of weird and wacky presents which are not only fun, but also show a bit of thought has been put into them! 

Friends & Partners

Growing up for me included spending money on friends for christmas, and even in my flat this year we are all scrounging enough together to do a Secret Santa  so that nobody is left out for christmas!!! However, for the 'special' ones, whether thats partner, husband, wife, or just your good old bestie one lovely website i came across is Not On the Highstreet, it is albeit a little pricey but is perfect for personalised gifts, i bought one of my friends a QR code key ring, the service is brilliant and perfect for those special someones. 

So don't let the shopping get you down, just focus on the one day of the year in front of the tellie with your family! 

G