Bag of Tricks.

I've been really suffering with writer's block, this is definitely something that's very unimportant in the grand scheme of things, but I am a little sad to have neglected my little blog so early in the new year. I'm hoping that the nice images I managed to snap in the snow will bring me some inspiration, in the mean time here's a little list.

I chose the photo above because I'm enjoying seeing Moon's heart melt more and more over Doll. She's very easy to say 'yes' to, but my heart is understandably much softer when it comes to her than Moon's is. All that being said, she's been so much sweeter than usual lately, maybe she's maturing or I'm just imagining things but I'm beginning to think she might even like me!

3 Goodies:
1. Having time to be a little lazy: From lying in at the weekends to vegging out in front of the TV (Catfish: The TV Show is my current favourite), it feels like a lifetime since I've done things like this and it's simple but it makes everything feel less difficult.
2. Moon starting a new job: This is fantastic news and means we can get things back on track a week on Thursday, pretty exciting stuff. Plus he's finally happy after moping around for months and that's such a lovely thing to see.
3. Chats with my Gran: Something that never fails to cheer me up, even if it's about unimportant stuff, my favourite the fact that she always has the best gossip about everyone in the family.

3 Baddies:
1. Getting up and going home in the dark: I don't actually mind getting up early, in fact I'm very much all for seizing the day, it's the fact that it currently feels like I'm always waking up in the middle of the night, even though it's not. At least it being winter means that spring is sure to follow, eventually.
2. People sitting next to you on public transport when they have free reign of the rest of the vehicle: I actually like public transport, for the most part it's reliable and I like knowing exactly what time I'll be getting somewhere, it's the fact that common sense seems to go out of the window for some people. Personal space is something I can tend to miss occasionally, plus it's a little bit creepy.
3. Snow: It was pretty neat to add a couple of extra hours to my weekend on Friday, but I'm currently living in constant fear that I'm going to fall on my bum, and it's so stressful.

Despite claiming the opposite in my previous post, I guess I am suffering slightly from January blues, but that was a little while ago, and it is 'Blue Monday' after all. Even if some of the little things don't really matter, adult life can be bloody hard sometimes, I think I just needed to put this out there a bit.

The Most Christmassy.

Was anyone else a little bit sad to see their Christmas tree go yesterday? It sure was nice to get the space back but our little living room sure is looking bare without the Christmas cards and decorations.

I definitely think it's important to say goodbye to Christmas once the New Year arrives, but it's been difficult for me to find the time to share things with you, I've actually been suffering a lot with jetlag since I got home, as well as major writers block - I want to get around to sharing my tacky Floridian adventure with you, I'm just not sure when I'll be able to do it, I'm looking forward to it though, it just might be mixed in with other stuff.

Anyway, despite my writers block, I thought it was important to get Christmassy talk of the way, as it seems like 'the season' passed such a long time ago. Forgive me for the odd Christmas tree popping up here and there in the future though, I can't really help being there during the Christmas period. Without having a traditional Christmas, with cold weather and turkey, I guess you could say it was a little difficult to really get into to Christmas spirit this year, even if - thanks to work - I've been feeling all about Christmas since September.


That said, one event sticks out the most as to what made me feel like it was Christmas, and it actually happened after Christmas was over, and that was seeing The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios - Celebration and their fake snow can jog on, but more on that another time. Christmas is meant to be tacky, over the top and cheesy and seeing these lights dance to Christmas tunes had Christmas cheer wash all over me.

I took a few videos but they're for a short holiday film I'm putting together for my family, so here are my favourite photos from being there. I perhaps had more fun than I should have playing around with the depth of field on my 35mm lens, it made taking photos in this environment genuinely feel a little Christmassy too.






This is one of my favourite photos I took of the whole holiday.




After getting a maximum of two hours sleep last night, which I'm placing blame solely on jetlag (still!), it's back to reality and the world of work tomorrow. Moon started his new job today so it really feels like this week marks a new start. It will be so nice to worry less about money, especially as it's horrid bill month and January is horrid anyway, we're already mentally planning where we'll be taking ourselves on holiday this year - and our new sofa.

It's so nice to start the year in a positive way, even if the January Blues do creep up occasionally, just to remind me that I can't hide in Christmas forever. It's so strange that I'm in such a different place to where I was this time last year. I hope I don't seem to be wishing the year away but it so exciting to make plans.

Be Happy.

[via Google]
Did you know that 2013 is the first year since 1987 that contains unique individual numeric characters? Pretty neat, huh?

I'm currently poolside sitting in the sun, a far cry from how I imagine I'll be spending the rest of the year but not a bad way to spend New Year's Day always the same.

I thought today would be the best day to share my New Year's Resolutions, I don't actually see how it being the 1st of January can really make a real difference but I think it's as good a place to start as any. There are a lot of things that I want to achieve this year but it's quite hard to get it all sorted out, I don't really want to resolve anything in my life as such, but more set goals for myself.

1. Pass my driving test.
What a total monkey on my back this has been, but I really just want to get it over and done with. I don't even enjoy driving really, I just know that it will eventually provide infinite convenience compared to getting public transport everywhere, particularly for work. A big regret of mine is definitely not doing it when I was 17, but I think I just need to forget about that, and all the failed tests and nerves and just do it!

2. Explore more new places
Including, but not limited to, places in my own back garden, I mean I've been to Hong Kong which is basically the other side of the world but I've never been to Bristol, sounds silly really. There are also a few other places I'd love to go outside of the UK, and 2013 feels like the year I'll actually be able to do it.

3. Read more.
Sounds simple enough but I really don't think it is. It's all about making the time, there are so many books to read, and being me I've already started making myself a list. First stop, the second half of the terrible, 50 Shades of Grey.

4. Do a 'Photo An Hour' once a month
Maybe not at the same time each month but I really enjoy taking a step back and reflecting on the day this way, plus it's a whole lot of fun to do.

5. Spend better
A constant in my life, but I hope to knock it on the head this year, hey things like this aren't impossible, I stopped biting my nails by pure willpower. It's only money and I can't spend it when I'm dead, but how nice it would be to have real savings (and a new sofa).

6. Stop worrying.
Definitely think this will make for a happier life, and I think that's ultimately what I want from my 2013.

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So there are my (kind of) goals for this year, have you set yourself things to achieve for 2013? I think it's important to stay realistic, I wouldn't want anything that I'd beat myself up about, hopefully I've done an okay job here and future-me won't be too disappointed.

Best Of.

2012 has been the weirdest year and truly full of ups and downs, I know that that's something people often say but I've never really seen my life to be as much of a rollercoaster as it has been this year. I've been unemployed, on jobseekers, got a job, got a better job, got a cat, moved out and feel like I've changed a lot.

Now I'm in Florida writing this and I know it's only for a holiday and that I've been here many times before, but that itself is quite strange too. I'll be seeing in 2013 as the first new year in over six years that I haven't seen it in with Mr Moon, hopefully I won't be quite as cold as I've been in the last couple of days.

Anyway, here are some of my personal highs from 2012, here's hoping that 2013 will bring even more welcome change and surprises.



1. Meeting Little Doll

There's no argument that having this cutie tumble into my life has certainly made a huge impact. She's come with me on my journey and seeing her grow is amazing. It's not always easy but she definitely makes things interesting, she can be such a nuisance and she's really odd but I don't think I'd love her as much without her quirks. I hope 2013 sees less of her bringing in worms and more of her learning how to behave better.

2. Moving Out

Obviously I've been away from home before, but this feels proper, I love our little flat, it's strange that it doesn't even look like that anymore. There are a few improvements that we're making one step at a time but I'm looking forward to getting it how I like it and having more visitors next year.

3. A first 'proper' grown up holiday

After being students, then jobless and 'only just' having enough money for such a long time, for Moon and I to treat ourselves to a real life holiday abroad, even if just for a week, was something super special. Turkey was the perfect place to visit and somewhere we've been meaning to go to for a long time, I'd definitely go again. Hardly as 'jet set' as 2011 felt to be, but hopefully next year will be just as exciting. I see Reykjavik in late 2013, but we haven't decided on our summer holiday yet, 2012 has made me really look forward to seeing the world with this guy (*vom).

4. Getting a job

(Twice). I definitely count working at the cinema along with nabbing my current job together for this one. Without the cinema I never would have been able to move out and live in my little flat, or go on holiday, and I did meet some great people along the way. Equally, I feel so lucky that I got the job I have now at the same time that Moon lost his job, I don't know what we would have done otherwise. More than anything I'm happy that I'm happy in my current job and even more than that, I'm overjoyed to not be sat applying for jobs - and moaning about it - day in and day out.

5. Taking more pictures.

This will always be something that is important to me. Keeping records and taking note is something I think I strive to be good at without realising, even if I don't always succeed. With this being something that I've progressed so well with this year, as well as taking more, I actually feel like I'm taking better photos as well. There's definitely a marked improvement between my photos from the last time I was in Florida to those I'm taking now, but I'm actually really enjoying it, taking photos of different things, different ways and learning is really fun and I definitely want to keep it up!

I think gaining more personal confidence definitely deserves a special mention too. 2012 was the year that I began to realise that people don't really care - they do but not actually - about anything that you do or say so you may as well do and say what you like, enjoy yourself and get on with it and I think it's definitely a mantra I want to bring forward for the future.

An Untraditional Christmas.

Hi there from Florida of all places, long(ish) time, no blog.
I've always said this is a record for myself more than anything and being out here sure has muddled up my days a bit, particularly with having 3 different cameras on the go and my phone all to keep records of my fabulous time out here - so strange that I've been here a week already. It's only a family holiday but everyone thinks it's a bit odd that we're away for Christmas - in my opinion winter sun is the best idea ever, especially considering how miserable the UK has been, erm, all year.

I don't even care that Florida isn't 'real America', the glimpses of patriotism through the park parades and shows do a lot to demonstrate otherwise, and I'm sure that I'm exceeding my daily calorie allowance ten fold just by sitting here so that's authentic enough. There's a pool and there's a bit of sun but it has been a bit cold. Still, there's magic in the air and oddballs a plenty, I'm having a great time.

It has been a bit strange not seeing Moon everyday and I'm looking forward to seeing him when I get back but you know what they say about absence etc, it's probably the most time we've spent apart since we moved to Newbury, with the most before this being about 2 nights.

I figured I'd share this in bits, but with Christmas being the most recent 'big' event I thought that would be the best place to start. We spent Christmas Eve in Magic Kingdom, it was rammed, we managed to get on a couple of rides but decided to head back to the villa and return in the evening for the parade and fireworks. The fireworks were a great way to see in Christmas, and they do amazing projections onto the castle now that are super clever. You'll have to excuse the photo-heavy post, as always I am rubbish at editing down, I suppose it's a sign of what's to come.


Isn't the popcorn detail on Magic Kingdom's Christmas tree super cute? ♥

The long lens for my DSLR has come in super useful for getting nice shots of the shows and parades through the crowds so far, I'm so glad I brought it.

The tacky gift shops up and down the main highway are one of my favourite things about visiting Florida. I've got my beady eye on a particularly hideous tie-dye Florida tee as a souvenir.

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Should have used something to show scale, this thing was a beast!











We were treated to a Santa hat and a Christmas tree among other things, so clever!



Christmas was a big hush-hush surprise but began, as per tradition, with smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, a great way to feel at home when not at home. After secret Santas and opening gifts, I'm drowning in bathing products as usual, we headed to the 'secret location' of Emeril's Tchoup Chop, an amazing Asian fusion restaurant in one of Universal Studio's hotels. I actually can't find the words to recommend it enough, it's some of the nicest food I've ever eaten, ridiculously good and as someone who's not a big fan of turkey, a great break from other Christmas traditions.



My first ever egg nog, I'd love it to have tasted like Baileys but it's more like watery cake mixture.

I got Lucy, my Gran and I tickets to see Cirque Du Soleil while we're out here, it was a total surprise, I'm super excited to go as I've always wanted to but never been before.

My sister kindly got me Rob Ryan's 2013 calendar, to go with two other calendars waiting at home, this will be taking pride of place.





Hawaiian Gingerbread House.



Fancy prawn crackers.


The tastiest oriental starter I've ever had, the egg roll, omg.


Every holiday I go on seems to be a lot more active than everyday life, and I thought I was meant to be relaxing! Truthfully, I am relaxed but heading out for park opening is tiring, so Christmas night meant a swim, maxin' relaxing and watching 100 Greatest Kids Stars on VH1, awesome.


Chinese 5-Spice Lamb Shank with Green Apple and Parsnip Cobbler.


Emeril's Special Banana Cream Pie.



A very noisy holiday squirrel.
Boxing Day has been intense I started writing this before we head back to MGM (Hollywood Studios) for lots of shows and a go on the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster. We had the biggest downpour this afternoon but hopefully it will be sun for the second part of our holiday. I hope you're enjoying the festive season and that you got lots of great gifts and tasty food. Happy Holidays! ♥