Goodbye

Years 10 and 11 passed and I wasn't here.
What ever happened to blogging anyway? Do people still do it, I know I've stopped reading peoples blogs... why? because I've been lazy, why read a blog when I can get the quick fix of a tweet, or an instagram post. It's sad really.

The Princess & The Geek was my life. For my whole adult life I shared my thoughts, feelings, opinions with people. For 9 years, and then for some reason I stopped. I guess I didn't think anyone really cared, everyone had their own issues. I actually became more private. I was worried that people from my job would find my posts, that potential employers, and partners would find my blog. It just wasn't for me anymore.

A lot has happened but most importantly, I've met the love of my life, my soulmate. I've grown as a person, and we are beginning our live together, and hopefully soon a family. I had grand plans of documenting my life for the world to see, but now, I'm content with being me, and keeping my life to myself. I think this blog will always be here, but I think this may be the final goodbye.

So to all my readers of the past, the wonderful friends I've made, and everyone who has inspired me! THANK YOU!

It's been great!

Molly xoxo

Where Have I Gone?

If you have somehow managed to find your way to my blog, you may realise that it has been a little neglected. I will be back, that I know for certain, but I just can't tell you when. So if you're still interested in getting to know me, I have created a little list of where you are most likely to find me on the internet.

EVERYDAY ACTIVITY
Pinterest (every single day - I'm addicted)
Instagram (follow me, I'm a love heart clicking, commenting fiend!)

WEEKLY ACTIVITY (usually more than 3 times a week)
Twitter (social commentary, rants & rambles)

OCCASIONAL ACTIVITY (but more than here :P)
Tumblr (pretty things)

Feel free to follow me on any of these sites.

Molly xoxo

Nine.

Yesterday this blog turned 9! I have been blogging here for 9 years! It still blows my mind when I think about it. It's the longest that I've ever really stuck to something that wasn't school or work related.

The Princess & The Geek, hasn't always been The Princess & The Geek. It had a few different names over the past 9 years until it settled with what we have now. I sometimes think about changing it, but the idea of having to change my URL scares me. Plus the name still fits!

It's amazing to look back at my old posts. Just randomly choose a month and read what I had written. I've changed so much as a person. My very first post makes me cringe. I was such a pretentious millennial asshole! I want to delete it right away, but for the sake of prosperity, I'll leave it so we can all have a good laugh!

The plan was to write another introduction post, but I tried. I'm just not very good about writing about myself.

So here's to growing up, changing, and being relieved I'm not a pretentious millennial asshole anymore!

Molly xoxo

Life Update

It has been awhile - again, I could list all the normal excuses, but I won't - I bet you're getting sick of hearing them - I am. Here's a quick post about the last couple of months!

I TURNED 30. Thats right, I'm no longer in my 20s - do I have to start acting more like an adult? should I increase my adulting quota to 50% of the time? I wanted to have a party to celebrate my 30th. I had never had a big party, not for my 18th, or my 21st - so I felt like I needed to have one. So my sisters and mum organised it for me - and it was amazing! If you follow me on Instagram you would of seen some of the photos! The party was a couple of days before my actual birthday - on my actual birthday I did something I wanted to do forever - I climbed Castle Rock (it's a local spot) it was amazing - I got to hang out with some old highschool friends - it was a great day! (+50 ADULTING)

I GOT A PROMOTION. This actually happened about 6 months ago, but I don't think I had mentioned it. I'm now working towards becoming Assistant Co-Ordinator at my work. Because I haven't finished my studies yet, I'm still working towards - but I'm one unit away from finishing! (+100 ADULTING)

STARTED PLANNING AN EPIC ADVENTURE. My sister and I are planning an overseas adventure for 2018 - Japan and South Korea. We are currently obsessed with K-Pop (-20 ADULTING) so we really want to head to South Korea and experience the culture. We have both started learning Korean, and have started saving. I'm worried I won't be able to save enough, but I'm just going to stop spending money on things I don't really need :) (+50 ADULTING)

K-POP. Seriously, have you been on my Pinterest? I'm obsessed. It's pretty much the only music I've listened to in the last couple of months. I'm planning my clothes and fashion based on what I see them wearing, my phone background... I know all the names of the members in my favourite bands - we even named our new cat Maknae (Korean word for the youngest in the family/band). I've even started caring more about my appearance (which is a pretty big thing for me - I never cleansed, toned, moisturised my face, I rarely wore makeup - that has all changed since I started listening (and watching) K-Pop) --- if you're interested check out BTS (current faves), SF9, Astro (both debuted this year) and of course, BIGBANG (the best!)

NEW TATTOO. Just a little one - I had a really bad mental week that resulted in something I'm ashamed of and will not talk about - so I booked a tattoo! I got it done on Christmas Eve, and I think it has helped me get through. It's the words "Look Up" on my wrist. To remind me the keep my head up, to never stop looking at the sky, never stop learning, exploring, being me, and to never walk with my head down! I'm planning a matching one on the other wrist - but need to save up some money.

2016 CAN END NOW. 2016 was pretty sucky! Of course there were some great moments, but personally compared to 2015, it was pretty shitty. Bring on 2017!



Love Molly xoxo

Friday Fancies

Christmas tee featuring a pile of black cats! OMG

from Modcloth

Lots by Marc Martin

illustrations are amazing!

I have a picture book obsession - especially when they're this beautiful

from Penguin Books Australia

Cactus night light - so cute!

ADORABLE!

from Kmart Australia

Whats not to love about this comic?

Her name is Molly (like me) and she's cat sitting!

from EMET Comics

-------

So much amazing stuff in the world that I need in my life :P

Molly xoxo

30 Before 30 - Angel Food Cake

I did it! I made an Angel Food Cake and it wasn't a disaster. It was the complete opposite of a disaster, it was amazing. I used this recipe from The Farmers Daughter, and it was simple and easy.  (below is the recipe, but click on the website to see photo instructions!)

Angel Food Cake

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups of Egg Whites (approx. 10-12 eggs) - *it's important that your eggs are at room temperature before you start!

1 1/4 cups of Icing Sugar

1 cup of Flour

1 1/2 tsp Cream of Tartar

1 1/2 tsp Vanilla

1/2 tsp Almond Extract

1/4 tsp Salt

1 cup Sugar

1 TBSP nonpareils (sprinkles) - to make your cake colourful! optional (but not really optional) 

Directions:

1) First, separate the egg whites from the yolks, being careful that no yolk contaminates each egg white. Make sure that you have 1 1/2 cups of egg whites, and place in a mixing bowl.

2) Next, in a separate bowl, sift your icing sugar and flour together three times, and set aside.

3) Add cream of tartar, vanilla and almond extracts, and salt to the egg whites. Beat on high speed, and gradually add in sugar. Mix until all of the sugar is dissolved, and stiff peaks have formed.

4) Very gently, fold in flour mixture, 1/4 cup at a time. Then fold in nonpareils!

5) Gently spoon into an ungreased 10-inch tube pan.

6) Bake for 40-45 minutes at 350 degrees.

7) Immediately invert pan onto a cooling rack, and let the cake cool completely before removing from the pan.

I followed all the instruction, and didn't get any egg yolk in the whites when I was separating TEN eggs! My mixer was a huge help and the eggs tripled, even quadrupled in size within a minute. When I carefully folded in the dry ingredients I didn't mix much air out! I even added rainbow sprinkles!

It went into a pre-heated oven (I'm notorious for not pre-heating) and it didn't sink, and went golden brown! I took it out, and let it cool completely in the tin upside down (like everyone who I asked told me!)

For the icing I used this recipe from Pixels & Paperie . It was super easy (even though I needed my mum to help because I was terrified about using the electric mixer over a simmering pot of water! 

Marshmallow Frosting

4 large egg whites
1 Cup ordinary sugar (white or brown)
1 pinch of salt
1 tsp vanilla essence
Place all ingredients except the vanilla essence into a bowl which you can place over a pot of simmering water.
Whisk the egg white mixture constantly over simmering water until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is hot to the touch. {It takes around 5 minutes}.
Pour the mixture into a bigger bowl and beat with an electric mixer for 3 minutes. {Add the vanilla while beating}. After 3 minutes, the mixture will be lovely and fluffy.

The meringue frosting was like melted marshmallow! So glossy, soft, sticky, and yummy!

I served the cake for dessert at my halloween games night, and everyone loved it. My sister Alex even exclaimed that she wanted a cake like this for her birthday. The left-overs where taken to work to be judged by a group of people who really appreciate their cakes! Even V who doesn't like sweet things adored the frosting and was eating it from the cake!

All and all I'm so fucking proud of this cake. I was so scared about how hard it seemed, but it really was very easy! I do recommend if you make it yourself to make sure the eggs are at room temperature, and that you triple sieve the dry ingredients, and also use an angel food cake tin, or bundt cake tin!

Please try and make this cake yourself - I would love to hear what you think - it has no dairy in it, so it's perfect for daily intolerance friends and family.

I would love to try a cupcake or chocolate version of this cake in the future!

Thanks for reading

Molly xoxo

30 Before 30 - Mini Update

Angel Food Cake is one step closer - I bought an angel food cake tin! Yes, apparently you it works a million times better with a tin like this! Plus who doesn't like hole-y cake! The trick is as soon as you take the cake out of the oven you have to turn it upright and let it cool completely upside down! I think C-day (Cake Day - LOL) will be next weekend! I don't think I have anything planned for that weekend. Fingers crossed!

Molly xoxo

October Moodboard

I've been using Pinterest almost daily. When I need to look something up, forget google, I go straight to Pinterest! I've been making Mood Boards since 2014. They started as a seasonal thing, but have now developed into a monthly thing. It's great to look back at a mood board and get a snapshot of what I was liking, what inspired me, and even my mood for the month!

Here is my October Mood Board - feel free to click through and browse my many, very organised and aesthetically pleasing [well I think so anyway] boards!

Molly xoxo

I'm F**king terrified!

I want... I don't know what I want! I turn 30 in 4 weeks, and my life hasn't gone the way I thought it would of gone when I was a child... no marriage, no children, not much travel. I spent an awful amount of time feeling sorry for myself (I still do). I'm socially awkward (even thinking about going out and meeting people makes me feel anxious), and I would just rather stay at home where I feel SAFE! "Safe", is not always a good thing. How do you discover things about yourself, others, and the world if you stay in your safe cocoon? How do you truly make friends, create relationships, have fun, in a cocoon! Maybe I'm a type of caterpillar that takes years to turn into a butterfly!

Over the last couple of years a lot of things have happened that have had positive effects on my life, including extreme weight loss, finding a job (and career) I can see myself doing for the rest of my life, and starting to accept the body and life that the universe has bestow on me. I was able to cross some things of my bucket list (bungy jumping anyone?!) and make some friends, but none of those friendships ever moved any further than the occasional comment on Facebook, and that generic birthday message when Facebook tells you. I want more friends, people to go out with, people to act silly with, people to make mistakes with... but then again my anxious brain say "no you don't, it's too hard, what about your cocoon!? you'll have to actually talk to people, they may judge you... blah blah blah!" --- 

my 30th birthday is coming up, and my sisters are planning me a party. They asked about a guest list... 75% of the list is family, then work colleagues who don't really know "the real me", and then some old school friends I am attempting to connect with again! I'm F**king terrified! Terrified about being the centre of attention, terrified that everyone will show up, terrified that nobody will show up!! And if my work colleagues show up, will they judge the way I am with my family? Will I put on my "public mask" and not have as much fun as I usually do!?

I'm sorry about this ramble, there wasn't really a goal to this post. I think what I'm going through is very common with people my age. It's so easy to meet and make friends with wonderful people on the internet, but it's a lot harder for people to make friends IRL. I know in my heart that it will get better, but I also know it's not going to happen overnight, or if I just sit at home and twiddle my thumbs. It's about accepting yourself, you flaws, your quirks, your uniqueness, and getting out of your comfort zone!

If you have any tips and tricks let me know, but this really is something that has to be done by me, and probably like a band-aid... just jump in, and try not to drown!

Molly xoxo

30 Before 30 - An Update

I have just found my 30 Before 30 list! At the bottom is the countdown timer... 27 days! There is still heaps of things on that list I need to do! Have a look at my list - I'm surprised that I managed quite a few, but alas, there are some I won't be able to complete by my 30th birthday (donate blood, Anzac dawn service) but there are a few I will attempt in the next 4 weeks! I have highlighted them in the list!

1. Bake a Angel Food Cake with Meringue Frosting [recipe here] [DONE - 30th October 2016]

2. Get a Tattoo [DONE - 28th April 2015, 16th September 2015, 16th April 2016]

3. Weigh under 100kg [DONE - 28th March 2015]

4. Travel on my own [DONE - 9th September 2016 - 29th September 2016 - New Zealand]

5. Sew myself a dress / alter a dress I already own

6. Donate Blood [update - this I won't be able to do until after 28th May 2017, due to 12 month waiting period after you get a tattoo to donate blood :(]

7. Have an EPIC Dinner/Tea Party [UPDATE - will my 30th birthday party count??]

8. Own a KitchenAid Electric Mixer [DONE - completed 20th November 2013]

9. Get my First Aid Certificate [DONE - completed in August 2013]

10. Travel Overseas [DONE - 9th September 2015 - New Zealand!]

11. Meet some blogging friends

12. Drive from Perth to Sydney

13. Go Skinny Dipping [UPDATE - really not feeling confident enough to go skinny dipping before my 30th. Its something I would love to be able to do one day - but I really need to build on my body confidence :)]

14. Go to ANZAC morning service on Anzac Day [Update - this obviously can't happen between now and my birthday!]

15. Read 10 Books

16. See 4 Major musical productions [1. The Lion King at Capitol Theatre - 5th July 2014] [2. Les Miserables @ Crown Theatre, Perth - 23rd January 2015] [3. Wicked @ Crown Theatre, Perth - 16th May 2015] [4. The Lion King @ Crown Theatre, Perth - 9th January 2016]

17. Own a Digital SLR Camera [DONE - 8th June 2015]

18. Visit every state & territory in Australia [WA • NSW • Vic • SA • Qld • Tas • NT • ACT]

19. Grow Forget-Me-Nots

20. Make Basil Pesto

21. Fill a whole notebook with my thoughts/inspirations

22. Pay off one of my credit cards [DONE - 9th May 2015]

23. Be Happy with my body [UPDATE - slowly getting there :D]

24. Have a The Hobbit/Lord of The Rings Extended Edition marathon (in one sitting)

25. Fill my Adventure Fund jar with money! [DONE - was cracked open on 7th September 2015]

26. See Aurora Australis

27. Create a Happy Book / Memory Journal

28. Go a week without technology [UPDATE - this will be really hard for me because I've just ordered a new iPhone 7 Plus :P]

29. Go Camping

30. Adopt a Cat [DONE - 1st April 2015]

The main thing I would like to complete on this list is the Angel Food Cake! It's something that I have always wanted to make, but has terrified me! I have never even eaten Angel Food Cake before, but I assume it's amazing! 

this version by the farmers daughter looks amazing!

I recently re-found a small notebook I had been using for thoughts and inspiration. I put it in my bag a couple of weeks ago and have been slowly adding to it. I always become super inspired by new notebooks, but then after awhile I start to lose interest, then they get forgotten all together. Then the whole cycle starts again. I'm going to try and not let this happen with this notebook! It's small (Moleskine Daily Pocket Planner) so it's easy to carry around. I already have a pencil case full of pens and such in my page, and my travel watercolour palette is super easy to cart around!

Everthing I don't finish on this list will most likely go on a 40 Before 40 list [haha]! What would you have on your list? Do you have a similar list? I would love to hear some of your ideas.

Molly xoxo

Friday Fancies

kitty boo boo buddies!

foxy - FNAF Pop Vinyl

handmade leather camera wrist strap!

so simple, so pretty!

lunacy field notes

Thanks for reading

Molly xoxo

Currently

Hello everyone! Wow it's been a really long time! I've been super busy with life, and haven't really been feeling like blogging. Here's a quick little update/currently list to get you back into it.

Watching:

I haven't really watched much lately - unless you count The Block, and re-runs of The Great British Bake-Off! I watch A LOT of Youtube! My favourites at the moment (not including my ALWAYS favourite Yogscast) is Markiplier, both Keralis and BDoubleO's Planet Coaster series, and anything from BuzzFeed!

Listening:

I honestly haven't had my computer turned on in months! This weekend finally turned it on and spent sometime tidying up and deleting old files, including lots of music that I just didn't listen to anymore. I have been very busy making a playlist for my 30th birthday party in November, as well as some playlist based on my favourite fictional characters - Kylo Ren playlist anyone?

Drinking:

Water - lots and lots of water... and the occasional Pepsi Max here and there!

Needing:

The weather to warm up. We were teased with 2 days of sunshine and warmth, only for the wind and rain to start up again! I just want to get out of the house and go exploring, and do some gardening. I recently got my camera out and charged and am inspired to actually use it not in Auto mode! So I'm going to teach myself how to use it!

Wanting:

My hair to grow out. it's in that "medium length, waiting for it to grow out, trying not to get annoyed and chop it all off" phase! PLEASE GROW FASTER!

Loving:

Despite the fact that WE don't need another cat, I'm loving "babysitting" a teeny grey kitten we have christened Greyskull. He was found in the carpark at our local Bunnings, was only 4 weeks old and had to bottlefed. Now he's a feisty little 5 1/2 week old who has started eating solids and is so cute and spunky! (he's currently asleep in a beanie on the end of my bed!)

Childrens books! In the last couple of weeks I have bought so many beautiful picture books! Wonderful stories, so simple and clever. It has inspired me to start thinking about writing my own!

Hating:

The cold weather. The fact that shift+i on my keyboard doesn't work (I have to turn on caps lock to get a capital I).

Despite my complete and utter lack of blogging, I've still been active on Instagram (for all the cat photos!), and Pinterest (for pretties), so feel free to follow me on both :)

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New Zealand Video

It has been a couple of months (okay, over half a year) since I came back from New Zealand.

I've finally put together a short video of my trip!

I hope you enjoy it! (ps there are Kea in it!!)

Please subscribe to my youtube channel, because I hope to start vlogging in the future!

Music Talk - Big Bang

Lets talk about music.

My music preference is pretty varied, but is made up mostly of what JB Hifi used to classify as "Emo" (alas, they don't use that classification at their stores anymore, so I will call it Alternative Rock) - it's not exclusively "Alternative Rock", it does include Disney soundtrack, super bouncy pop songs, and even some Hip-Hop and Rap has made its way in.

Recently I've been pretty much exclusively listening to just one band - a band that I understand maybe 10% of the lyrics

BIG BANG

They're from South Korea, and they're super talented!

Here's a little break-down of my favourite songs!

--

The first experience --- (don't ask me when and where, I don't remember! After that first "Fantastic Baby" I was hooked!)

The hard fall --- (this song cemented the love)

The most played

The current favourite --- (only listened to this song for the first time a couple of days ago!)

Other suggestions

Loser - We Like 2 Party - Lets Not Fall In Love

If you get the chance, check out their music videos. Their fashion is amazing!

Taking Stock - April

borrowed from Pip of Meet me At Mikes

Making: Anzac Biscuits with the children at work

Cooking: Pineapple Upside Down Cake for International Pineapple Upside Down Cake Day on April 20th

Drinking: Water -- today I had a white chocolate hot chocolate and it was too sweet, and I almost ended up sick!

Reading:  Seveneves by Neal Stephenson -- it's huge, and I really really want to read it, but the sheer size of the book scares me!

Wanting: My tattoo to be finished!

Looking: at my new tattoo -- I can't stop looking at it! It's so pretty!

Playing: Minecraft, Stardew Valley, seriously considering loading up Skyrim again

Deciding: on what to have for dinner

Wishing: for warmer weather -- which is weird, because I usually enjoy the cold weather more

Enjoying: watching Sips play Rust

Waiting: for the next exciting thing to happen in my life -- not sure when that will happen!

Liking: blogging again, and having friends blogging again

Wondering: if the mushrooms I found in the yard at work are poisonous, or edible?

Loving: starting to feel a little bit more inspired with life -- my new tattoo

Pondering: wandering -- I recently purchased The Wander Society by Keri Smith, I haven't started it yet, but I'm looking forward to it!

Considering: what colour to get my nails done this week!

Buying: too much -- my poor credit card

Watching: Kiera Rose, The Yogscast, Star Wars The Force Awakens

Hoping: for a quick tattoo recovery -- ouch it hurts!

Marvelling: peoples confidence, people being awesome in general -- how do I become friends with awesome people!?

Cringing: awkwardness with new people at work

Needing: more tattoos -- if I'm going to be described as "the tattooed one" at work, I guess I better look the part

Questioning: 42

Smelling: chocolate caramels, and little kitten wee (I hope he hasn't wee-ed in my room!)

Wearing: black tights for the next couple of weeks while my tattoo heals

Following: Kiera Rose - was just recommended her. She's awesome

Noticing: the pink in my hair is slowly fading!

Knowing: that space is amazing!

Thinking: that space is amazing!

Admiring: Emma -- for blogging about her experiences -- so brave!

Sorting: out my liff!

Getting: better... I've been sick for ages!

Bookmarking: Harry Potter wiki, Star Wars wiki, Pineapple Upside Down Cake recipe

Coveting: all the enamel badges in the world!

Disliking: dumping syndrome!

Opening: mail -- Kylo Ren tee, Pin Club pin, Car registration :(

Giggling: Iggy the kitten being crazy!

Feeling: a little sore -- sore ears, and sore leg from tattoo!

Snacking: chocolate caramels -- even though I shouldn't

Helping: anyone that needs it!

Hearing: Sound Of Silence by Disturbed

Pin Club Reveal -- April

I received my first Pin Club pin this week! Isn't it amazing? For £7 (international) every month you get a pin! I love enamel pins, and there are some amazing creative pins in the world, but usually shipping is more than the cost of the pin. That makes me sad! So to be able to spend approx $A13 a month and get a high quality awesome enamel pin! What's not to love?

Things I Love Thursday

I'm having a little shake up of this blog at the moment.
I'm really indecisive about where I want this blog to lead.
It's always been a sort of personal diary, with a few reviews, geeky pics etc.
I want to be inspired.
There are so many bloggers that inspire me.
I want my blog to inspire people the way that you guys inspire me :)

--

So here's this weeks Things I Love Thursday
I know it's very similar to Friday Fancies but I'm hoping to try and do the 5 Friday Fandoms prompts on Fridays

--
-- Markiplier -- 

if you like watching Let's Plays on YouTube and haven't discovered Markiplier
I highly recommend checking him out.
He's hilarious!
I recommend
SPACE IS COOL
Five Nights At Freddys
Reaction Compilation playlist!

-- new sheets --

I bought new sheets for my bed!

Flannelette!

I love when it starts to get cold and snuggling in bed with super cozy sheets!

-- AmyBlueIllustration Die Hard pins --

Bruce Willis & Alan Rickman!

Check out her store

There are many other awesome people pin!

-- Jordandene - Matt the Radar Technician Shirt --

If you've been living under a rock you may have missed

SNL's Undercover Boss featuring Kylo Ren

I have ordered this tee! I can't wait to rock it!

ps. if you sign up for Jordandene's newsletter you get free shipping -- always!

https://geekaidbox.wordpress.com

an amazing new blog

which talks about geekery and mental health

Friday Fancies

-- I'm back --

Pins Collective digital pin!

this was on kickstarter - its ended now

Someone finally created a digital pin that you can use your phone to change the image! (plus you can use moving gifs too!)

--

Pin Club subscription

for £7 a month the Pin Club send you an awesome enamel pin!

Subscriptions sold out in 50 minutes on April 1.

I was going to try and sign up, but I would be at work, but during my lunch break I had a look, and it was open... so I got one! Can't wait to see what I get this month!

--

this dress from ModCloth

omg -- the colours, the cut! amazing!

I really need to figure out what size I am now.

I've lost 75kg in total, but still look at dresses online and think that they're too small

but they aren't. I probably should get a measuring tape!

--

kitty cat measuring cups

kitties!

so cute!

I need to start baking again!

--

Goodbye 2015

What a crazy year 2015 was. I took a large jump closer to becoming more like the real Me! It was a very strange feeling to finish the year and know that I had a successful year!! So if you feel like it, I answered 39 Questions about 2015. You don't have to read it all! :)

1. What did you do in 2015 that you’d never done before?

Traveled overseas to New Zealand, Bungy Jumped, Zorbed, Ziplined, Jumped completely out of my comfort zone (53 strangers on Contiki tour) Saw a Kea, a Kiwi, a Tuatara, and other amazing NZ animals, went as far south as I ever had, went as far East as I ever had, went through customs (didn’t get in trouble), went on a ferry that carries cars, saw a dormant volcano, climbed to the top of an extinct volcano… so freaking much! Tattoos!!

2. Did you keep your New Year’s Resolutions, and will you make more for next year

I didn’t send cards to my friends like I said I would – I sort of looked after myself (I joined a gym, but stopped going after 2 weeks because someone who worked there was a bitch to me – still paying for it though :( ) I read more blogs, but didn’t blog as much as I wanted… I did start this blog with my bestie… so hopefully next year will be better. I stressed about money sometimes… but not as much as I did in 2014… and I tried to be a better work colleague, but it’s hard when your workplace goes to shit… but we survived and 2016 is going to be awesome!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes, my cousin gave birth to her little Ruby!

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No.

5. What countries did you visit?

New Zealand!

6. What would you like to have in 2016 that you lacked in 2015?

confidence – I think I answer confidence to this question all the time. I’m definitely getting better… I still just haven’t figured out how to make friends and meet people without feeling super awkward!

7. What dates from 2015 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Jumping off that bridge in New Zealand! I still can’t believe that I did it!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Travelling to New Zealand on my own, and the whole experience of making new friends, being adventurous and taking a huge literal leap out of my comfort zone!

9. What was your biggest failure?

Being single all year. I haven nothing against being single, I love it, but I would like to experience being in a relationship no matter how short!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

No, I was quite lucky health wise. I’ve been a little mentally down in the last couple of months, but I’m working through it!

11. What was the best thing someone bought you?

My mum bought the air tickets to New Zealand for me! If she wasn’t there to help I probably would of never made it!

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

I would say my own… I’m very proud of how I handled this year

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

A few people, new and old, that could just disappear from my life.

14. Where did most of your money go?

New Zealand

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

New Zealand

16. What song will always remind you of 2015?

Lean On by Major Lazer – it was our Contiki Day Song, so whenever I hear it, it reminds me of NZ

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder? Happie

b) fatter or skinner? Skinnier

c) richer or poorer? Richer

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Travel

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Stressing

20. How do/did you plan to spend Christmas?

Christmas lunch with the family!

21. Did you fall in love in 2015?

with New Zealand :D

22. How many one night stands?

No

23. What was your favourite TV program?

Sense8, new series of Orange is The New Black

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Yes

25. What was the best book you read?

It’s a tie between Room or The Light We Cannot See

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Star Wars made character playlists on Spotify!

27. What did you want and get?

Trip to New Zealand, Thermomix… heaps of stuff

28. What did you want and not get?

Lots of things…

29. What was your favourite film of this year?

Star Wars The Force Awakens

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I had the day off work. I got my nails done, had morning tea at my aunts cafe… just relaxed. I turned 29!

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Spending more time with Emmy

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2015?

Dressing more the way I wanted to, because I could actually buy clothes I liked in my size! YAY!

33. What kept you sane?

Emmy, and my mum

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Oh dear… too many! Currently I’m in love with Adam Driver, Domhnall Gleeson and Oscar Isaacs

35. What political issue stirred you the most?

Trump! So glad I don’t live in America

36. Who do you miss?

Spending time with Emmy

37. Who was the best new person you met?

Most of the people I met on Contiki… in particular Veronica, Courtney, Emma, Lucy, and Emily

38. What was the best thing you ate?

Fish & Chips on the foreshore in Auckland! (Fush & Chups!)

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2015?

LIFE BEGINS AT THE END OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE!