Blog in Progress

weheartit.com

A few weeks ago, my blog celebrated its first anniversary. I know that I don't post much, but I really care about writing and having this little space on the web. I like to share a bit of my everyday life with other bloggers and readers from the rest of the world.

I started blogging a while ago, when I was about thirteen. I remember opening my first blog during the summer 2006, when I spent my first holidays at my uncle's in Ireland. At that time, I candidly wrote about the things I liked, such as celebrities, my favorite ice cream's flavors, my feelings and emotions. It was a simple web page in which I spent hours decorating each article, answering comments ... I was really involved in this blog for about three years and I wrote my posts with all my heart. But at some point, I had to face plagiarism and critics. I guess it is part of blogging, but when you are only a teen, it's not easy to see that people use (most of the time anonymously) the internet to pour their hatred at you, most of the time for no reason. It didn't stop me from blogging, but I think that it lead to a sort of self-censorship. I felt it harder and harder to reveal my feelings and to wrote about personal things, as I was afraid to be judged or to make a fool of myself ...

Moreover, as I grew up, I wanted a different kind of blog. I have seen the blogosphere evolving so fast, so many people creating blogs and posting that I have to admit, I became envious. I wanted  a nice design, more and more readers ... I wanted to do like all the other bloggers and started to feel stuck. I have lost all my inspiration trying to "copy" others ... And I am not proud of it, even if I never plagiarized anyone, I know that this is not how it works. Writing about the same things, having the same pictures or the same design as other girls don't make any point. Plus, I have realized that writing and self expression do not work if you are just seeking success. I don't want to write to have more comments and viewers/followers. I want to write because I have something to say and to share. Now, I am looking for a blog that would be more like me. Something personal, more mature ... But finding a real identity when you are still in between teenage-hood and adulthood is not easy. I wish I was able to express my emotions without complaining all the time ! I think that at the moment, I am still in a process ...

Lately, I've been reading a lot of posts about how to manage your blog successfully. Some people will say I need to find a "niche" or to define a specific topic. But come on ! I am only twenty one, I am not better than the rest of us. I have nothing to teach but a lot to learn. I am not a fashionista, I am terrible at doing stuff myself, I love traveling but don't have enough money to do so ... I don't want to expose my life and impress people. I just like to talk about the things I enjoy as a simple college student entering the real world. I am no expert in anything. And I don't want to pretend I am one. When I created this blog, my intentions were to connect with other bloggers from all over the world, and that is why I decided to write in English instead of French. I felt inspired by these young women blogging about their faith, their struggle, their joy ... I wanted to be part of this community and blog again, because writing has always been important for my well being.

Even if this blog doesn't look professional at all, I think it actually reflects a lot about who I am: a young woman trying to find her place in this world.

September Goals

Hey y'all !

September has always been a big month for me. First, because I was born in September and secondly, because it is the back to school season. Therefore, this month always means that I can have a fresh start in the school system but also in my personal life. Like New Year's resolutions, September is the opportunity to make some changes in my lifestyle and start over.

But before listing my new goals for September, let's get back to August's !

August Goals:

• Write my thesis and my report ✓
• Sign up to the public library ✓
• Go to the farmer market ✓
• Have breakfast in bed  x
• Order pizzas from Domino's (missed them too much !) ✓
• Go to the beach ✓
• Donate blood ✓
• Loose weight  x

Frankly, I am surprised I did so many things last month ! I usually plan to many things to do and never achieve them. Of course, I still struggle with my weight ... But I keep working on it ! I really focused on two major goals: being reunited with my family and Guillaume, and my studies. And guess what ? I finally catch up on my assignments ! I gave my thesis and report back last Friday and had an oral exam this morning. I don't have to rush anymore and can start my (hopefully) last year of college peacefully ! So now, what about the coming month ?

September Goals:

• Write a post per week
• Organize a birthday party with my friends
• Be more supportive with Guillaume
• Find an internship
• Answer my emails more often
• Be more serious about loosing weight
• Start saving money

I am aware that I am not posting as much as I should, but now that I respected the deadlines for my homework, I will have more time to devote myself to the blog. Also, I will be celebrating my 22nd birthday in a couple of days, and it will be the opportunity to meet up with my closest friends ! Moreover, I feel that I need to be there for Guillaume. He finished his last year of masters and will have his thesis defense in a few weeks, so it will be a big deal and a lot of stress. Guillaume is also looking for a job at the moment, which is much more complicated than we thought it would be. I think that he is going to need me and I have to be compassionate.

What about you ? Do you like September ? It is not Fall in France already. To be honest, the weather is a lot nicer than it was in August ! We are having a late summer and we are still enjoying a bit of sun before the new season !

August Goals

Heya !

I have a confession to make ... I am feeling awful for leaving this blog for so long ! I was thinking about posting all the time, but I really felt that the last couple of months were a sort of break from my ordinary life. I had to put my life in "stand by" and wait until things get back to normal. It truly was an incredible experience, but now I am feeling ready to move on. The back to school season is coming soon, and I can't believe it will be my last year in university. I feel like there are a lot of things I have to change in my life right now. It is time ! And what is better than having some goals for this new month ? :)

August Goals:

• Write my thesis and my report
• Sign up to the public library
• Go to the farmer market
• Have breakfast in bed
• Order pizzas from Domino's (missed them too much !)
• Go to the beach
• Donate blood
• Loose weight

Basically, this month will be challenging for me. I will come home in two days now (still can't believe it) after being abroad for five months. I have never been away from home and from my family for so long. Of course, Guillaume came to visit (that was four months ago) and my family came in May. But still. I haven't seen France, my brother, my dog and my friends since March. So August will be about spending time with my loved ones and relaxing. Also, I am planning to start a diet (yeap, I said it). Diet is such a big word ! I really want to have a healthier way of life: eat better and exercise more. I feel that it is time for a big change, and I am ready for it !

What are your goals for August ?

It's been a while ...

Sooo ... I know, I didn't post anything for months ... 5 months to be more precise !

When I moved to Dublin 5 months ago, I found it really hard to get used to this new lifestyle. I took the bus everyday for about 1H30 and I was absolutely exausted after a day at work ! I struggled to find a balance between work, studies (because I still have to write my thesis) and social life. Because being on my own in a new city, far from my loved ones made me feel lonely and depressed (sometimes ^^) ...

I really wanted to post something, but I wanted to make things properly. I still read some of my favorite blogs but I think I needed a sort of break. Not just blogging ... I mean, I needed to figure what I wanted to do with my life, my priorities, my goals ... It took me some weeks, it has been really hard sometimes, but I needed it.

This internship is one of the greatest work experience I never had. I have learn so much about the tourism industry but also about myself. When I started my masters, I felt so depressed and unqualified. I never studied it and I struggled a lot. I wanted to quit and I felt weak and out of my comfort zone. My internship made me realise that I was qualified enough to work in that field. That I loved it and that even if studies are not what will make me a professional, I needed them to reach my goals. I feel much more confident now, and I know that I can do whatever I want if I really want it !

I actually realised that when my manager told me to apply for a position within the company. That was a big decision to make, because I had to see with Guillaume if he was ready to follow me in Ireland, if I wanted to quit my studies to start working full time ... What did I want ? What was  home for me ? Did I really want to do this alone ?  I had an awful couple of days figuring this out .. And once I saw things clearer, I realised I needed to come home, because right now, home is with my man I love. I am only 21, I want to have time to make the biggest decisions in my life such as moving in a foreign country for a year or more. And I have to finish what I started.

So, basically, this is what happened in the last couple of weeks ! I travelled a bit, but I will post about that later ! I am now eager to get a fresh start and to blog again :)

March Goals

I haven't been posting on my blog for ages ! There were no February goals since it was my last month in France and my only world was: ENJOY. Yes, February has been all about enjoying the simple moments of life. I have spent only two week-ends at my family's, but we cooked and had dinner together, with Guillaume as well, and it was great. We had friends coming over some Saturday night for pizzas and waffles. Was February all about eating ? Maybe ! That would explain why I can't fit into my jeans anymore. But I don't really care. This month was about letting myself go and do things I won't be allowed or able to do in the next few months.

Baking Donut's with Dad

So, March will be a big change for me. New country, new city, new job ... I am really excited about this new experience. Of course, my main goal is to make a good impression at my internship and learn a lot of new things. I am also planing on visiting my family (Zoe is performing at the end of the month)  and I have a couple of friends to see in Dublin.

My March Goals:

• Visit my uncle, aunt and cousin
• Celebrate Saint Paddy's day
• Visit one new place in Ireland
• Work on my thesis 
• Save money
• Loose weight

What are your goals for this new month ? :)