Visiting Home

I just got back to London from a great week at home in Limerick. I went home to catch up with some friends and be spoilt and have my dinner made for me everyday by my wonderful chef, Mam! ;) I had such a great week and was actually a little sad to leave. I guess I'm pretty lucky that I can fly back easily as it's just a quick hop over the the Irish sea! It's such a big transition every time I go home getting used to having barely no internet connection, no people buzzing past your window all day and no shops nearby to just get out of the house. Though, it is nice to sometimes get away from all the hustle and bustle of the big city. I think living in such a built up city has given me a new found love for the beautiful countryside that I come from so I want to share some of that with you here!

I went on nights out with friends, went out for dinner with my sister once or twice and spent time with family, it was really nice! I got back to London yesterday, packed up everything in the house and moved today to a different flat with Alex. It's really nice but haven't had the energy to unpack everything after the long week of nights out, travelling and packing. I've been looking for some good blogs with some storage ideas to figure out what I'm going to do with everything. I've gathered up a few bags of clothes for the charity shop as I really can't really fit everything. I can't wait to get back to Uni and get a good routine going again and so I'm glad to have internet back now to keep up to date with you guys!

I went on a walk with my parents around our house and ended up taking some nature snaps! My Dad loves all kinds of plants so he pointed out lots of different tree types, berries and even some that are apparently used for winemaking! We went through the fields and walked along the Mulcair river which runs along the front of my house. I used to play there a lot when I was a child but I don't tend to get down there as much anymore as my needs are mostly fulfilled in a pub in the city!

Dad in a Field of Cows

We pick these blackberries every year along with bramley apples from our orchid and crab apple jelly from nearby fields and my parents make jam out of the berries and crab apples and tarts out of the apples. It's really nice to have homemade jam and tarts for dessert. I'll have to learn how to make it myself, as far as I'm aware it generally involves a LOT of sugar and some patience! 

Berries

Now that the Winter is coming (not a GOT reference!!) we've been collecting firewood which just so happened to make a nice picture! The one thing I really love about going home is having a nice big open fire to sit by in the evening and have copious amounts of tea in great company. There's just something nice about it and I think it reminds me a little bit of Christmas which I absolutely love! 

I went to a restaurant in Limerick called Marco Polo (amongst a few others) with my sister Diana after some shopping in town. I had never been and as it's her favourite restaurant she insisted we go and wow, I'm glad we did. The food was so good! I had this Clonakilty Black Pudding to start and Lasagna for my main course, it was so good I didn't actually get around to taking any more photos as I had it eaten before I realised! They also do really cool cocktails, it's definitely a good place to start off an evening out with friends before hitting the tiles!

Clonakilty Black Pudding

It's always great to go and catch up with friends and family. I went on lots of nights out involving lots of wine! Trawled the countryside and even made a jigsaw puzzle with my niece! 

Sunset Behind My House

What have you guys been up to this week? Also, if anyone has any storage ideas please let me know in the comments!

 

Moving Away From Home

As many people have been posting on Twitter and Facebook about moving away from home for University I decided I'd share my experience with you and hopefully it can settle some nerves! Whether you're moving counties or country, it's still a massive step and it can be really daunting. Once you get over the initial shock of moving you will settle in and it will get easier!

Leaving Secondary School

I moved from Ireland to London the Summer after finishing my Leaving Certificate which is the Irish equivalent of A-Levels. I had my eyes set on the big city. My brother has lived here for years and i was always completely infatuated by the place when I used to visit him. I wrote a blog recently about the types of people you see around london every day that you just don't get in Ireland. They're quirky and individual and just make me love being here. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't easy to move, I really missed home and my friends and family, a lot. It's a huge change moving from your family home and a lot of things change. I've learnt that change is definitely a good thing though. I'm really independent now, I can try my hand at cooking almost anything and most importantly, I've made so many friends here. 

When I first moved I got a bit of a shock and felt like that was it, I was gone forever and I'd never be returning. I had to put things into perspective and think logically, and told myself "come on Anna-Kate! it's only an hour away, you're not in Australia!". I knew that I could go home anytime I wanted, It is only an hours flight and I'll always be welcome. I've been here for over two years now and I still call my house in London "the flat" and my house in Ireland "home", because it is. Knowing this makes it easier to be away and I just look forward to going home and seeing everyone which I can do whenever I want as flights are generally cheap. 

I really believe moving away is going to be as good as you make it. I had my few days of being a bit shocked that I was away from home for the first time ever really and missing my family. Once I let myself relax I really started to enjoy it and eventually I even got to love it. 

My Top Tips

Throw Yourself Into The Experience. 

Don't let nerves or the initial homesickness beat you. Give it everything you have and allow yourself to enjoy it. As I said, I was in total shock when I arrived but once I found my feet I realised how lucky I was to be getting the opportunity to be here. 

Live in Student Halls

This is such a great way to make immediate friends who are all in the same boat as you. They're also safe and some even have fully catered kitchen, so if you're lucky you won't have to cook. I lived in one for my first year here and it definitely made things a lot easier.

Join Societies

Every University has societies from sports, religion, dance, theatre and debate teams and loads more there's no excuses, there's something there for everyone. Even if you don't think you're the best hockey player ever or the most articulate debater still join. The clubs are just for fun and making friends and who knows, you might even surprise yourself and be great! Becoming a part of the University is great not only for your experience and making friends but also for you CV. I ran for class representative and got it! It's invaluable experience and I've gotten to know lots of people I wouldn't have if I didn't do it. It's good to be able to put stuff like that on my CV as it shows I'm well rounded and I get involved. 

Talk to Everyone

Though you may have made friends with people you live with you should still try and make friends in your classes. Just introduce yourself, join in with peoples conversations and just be yourself. I made one of my best friends towards the end of my first year just because I didn't ever think we'd get on until we got talking one day. 

Remember why you're There!

You've moved for a reason, to study! Though you want to have a good time you still need to put in a few hours to up your grades and save your liver. The best thing I've done sounds silly and obvious but just listen in class. You have to attend so you may as well choon in and listen carefully and take notes. It saves on hours of study long term and you won't feel completely bogged down when a deadline or exam is looming.

Make Yourself Feel at Home

I have loads of photos of my friends and family in my room and I brought a few things with me from home that make it feel more homely. I'd suggest downloading Viber or Whatsapp on your phone to chat with family and friends whenever you want for as long as you want for free! I can always grab my phone if I'm missing home and someones bound to lift my spirits!

They Don't Make 'em Like This Back Home

For those of you who don't know, I moved to London from Ireland to come to University. As brilliant as Ireland is, we really don't get the same fantastic variety of people that London has to offer. It's what makes London so special for me! Do you ever see something or someone that just makes you happy? And then you realise you're walking alone smiling ear to ear like a bit of a weirdo! Well it happens to me all the time now. With such an eclectic range of people from all sorts of backgrounds and cultures it's hard not to feel like you're experiencing something a little bit special!

I see this guy quite a bit and he always has this bedside table come suitcase with him. He's drawn a globe on it and attached wheels and a handle. Very creative! They call this upcycling right? Kirstie Allsopp would be impressed!

I spotted this gent last week wearing the best gold suit ever, with some funky blue shoes. I would love to know where he got it. though I'm not so sure I'd have the confidence and swag to pull it off like this guy!

On the way to Uni one day I was lucky enough to sit across from this chappy! It's nice to know that not everyone in London takes themselves too seriously. Victorian style meets modern day commute! 

    

I was walking home recently and saw this extreme window cleaner and was overcome with a feeling of absolute fear and happiness! Could it really have been that desperately in need of a clean? 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

And last but not least, as I sat down to write this post I looked out the window and saw this! Where else do you get such beautifully polluted skies? 

What makes you smile where you live?!