Summer is fast approaching - as is the end of my degree, thank god - and I am starting to think about the things I want to do. Unlike last year where I spent every waking second at work, I am taking it slightly easier this year. I have a holiday, a trip to a theme park (or two...), and some day trips planned; plus my obvious trips back down to Plymouth.
I thought there would be nothing better to do to get myself in the mood for summer, and distract (procrastinate) from exam stress than to make a bucket list of the things I want to do this summer.
1. Lose weight
I say this as I am sat here munching my way through a pack of Hula Hoops. I have sort of neglected my body over the last few years and put on rather a lot of weight, so I think this is about the time I sort that out. I plan on going to the gym several times a week, and cutting all the crap *echem, hula hoops* from my diet.
2. Take more photos
I used to take photos of everything, but as soon as I gave up drinking I sort of stopped. I got myself a new camera at the end of last year (mainly in relation to number 7), so hopefully I can put that to more use this summer.
3. Go on more walks
I really enjoy going on walks, exploring new areas, and slowly getting lost in fields. Unfortunately for me, my dog is rather stubborn and doesn't particularly like to walk very far so I don't have the luxury of taking her on longer walks. Maybe I should borrow someone else's proper dogs?...
4. Smile more
The last 6 or so months have been complete hell, and I have found myself on a daily basis being incredibly miserable. Luckily, I have been able to escape back home for job interviews (although I have been rejected on all of them - more of that in a later post). I may actually post about all that in a later post because I think I could share some pretty good advice. But I am hoping being back home in a happier environment, with people who don't hate me, and be somewhere where I am not actually scared to leave my room. Oh, and also having my dog around will be much better for me.
5. Blog more
I have sort of rejected you guys for a little while because of deadlines, dissertations, and now exams. Now that I don't have any of that rubbish (almost) to deal with, I can spend more time blogging and doing things I want to do! That also may mean more rants - possibly another airport/flying themed one in September!
6. Save some money
I am hoping to move out in the next couple of years, so I am hoping to save a significant amount of money towards that. I also owe my parents a rather large chunk of money because I borrowed some to buy a new car - whoops. But it will be nice to treat myself to some new clothes and treats once I have lost a little weight, too.
7. Vlog in Disney
Yes, you read that right. I am hoping to add a little video element to this blog! Panic not, I shan't be turning into a YouTuber; mainly because I don't really have enough confidence to spend all my time in front of a camera. I am hoping to do more of a series of montage-y videos so that I don't have to bore you with my voice! I am in Disney World and Universal Studios etc. for 2 weeks at the end of August, so look out for those coming out around the middle of September.
8. Drink more coffee...yes, seriously
If you follow me on Instagram (shameless self-plug) you will be all too aware that I drink a lot of coffee. But I want to go for coffee more with friends and family, rather than on my own.
9. Keep in touch with some university friends
There are a select few friends I will put all my effort in to keeping in touch with. Luckily for me, a few of them live quite close so I can drive/get the train to see them reasonably often. Maybe I could do some awesome stuff with them to vlog/blog about?!
So there we have it, 9 things I really want to do in summer. Knowing me most of these will probably just start in summer rather than be completed...but it's the thought that counts!
Tell me in the comments below what do you want to do this summer?
Thank you for reading, and I will see you next time!
Everyone always seems to rave about how "awesome" summer is, and how they "can't wait for it to get here" because it's the "best season of the year". Frankly, I think that's just completely mental. How anyone can look forward to the summer is completely beyond me. Now, before you blast me with a million reasons why I am completely wrong, let me tell you that I have plenty of reasons to hate summer, and that I'm not being a summer Grinch. So this is my reasoning as to why summer simply sucks.
Butterflies
Those horrible, winged balls of death have to be the worst thing about summer. They just fly around like they own the place, and then seem to take pleasure in dive-bombing my face. That is just not cool. Thank god they seem to go extinct in the winter months.
School holidays
Everything gets overrun by screaming, hyperactive kids. Not to mention teenagers who are too cool for basic manners. Don't get me wrong, we've all been there, but the older I've gotten, the more I find them infuriating. Summer means they're just everywhere.
Wasps
Me and wasps have an awful track record; they sting me, I end up swallowing them, they lead to injuries, bla, bla, bla. Bees are fine because those little things just want to get on with their lives, but wasps are evil little shits.
Sleepless, stuffy nights
Summer always means that my room transforms immediately from an igloo to a sauna. I need a fan on continuously to prevent my room from melting in to a lump of material. It also means it's pretty damn impossible to sleep, and I like my sleep.
Hay fever
Anyone who doesn't suffer from hay fever will just never understand why we kick up such a fuss. Itchy, red, streaming eyes, persistent coughs, runny noses, and continually sneezing are all signs that you're approaching hell. If you don't suffer from hay fever then you should feel lucky!
Light mornings
On your day off, the bright light pouring through the curtains bang on 5am is so freaking annoying. At least during winter the sun finds some manners and doesn't appear until around 7.30!
Sticky heat
There's just no break from any sort of heat. If it's abroad then chuck all the heat my way, but UK summer heat is just honestly the worst.
Everything moves outside
As someone who doesn't particularly like the outside, summer is particularly annoying as absolutely everything suddenly becomes an outdoor activity. I am perfectly happy indoors where pollen cannot attack my eyes, and panes of glass separate butterflies from my personal bubble.
People going on holiday
Whilst some of us are in dire need of money and spend every day working to get it, others are off gallivanting on fancy holidays. Just to make matters worse, all their holiday photos get plastered all over social media websites, and I get instantly jealous.
Long days
Although some people find this great, when you're trying to sleep because you have work at 9am, and the sun is yet again pouring through the curtains it kind of sucks. In winter it gets dark at a more acceptable time of 3pm, so when you need to sleep it's possible.
Beds become too hot
I have that weird need to have to be completely covered by my duvet at night - it freaks me out that any part of me would be completely exposed to the scary night monsters. Summer is the worst time for this; I end up facing a huge nightly dilemma. Do I risk being eaten by crazy monsters, or boil to death under my duvet? I still can't decide.
Constant sweat
Everything gets completely uncomfortable; the smallest activity causes your body to imitate Niagara Falls, and everything needs to be peeled off. Yuck.
Melting makeup
Summer just makes me begin to resemble a waxwork left out in the sun. I mean, how exactly am I meant to be appealing to guys looking like that?
Thigh chafing
This is both a product of my not-exactly-thin frame, and summer. But it doesn't happen in the autumn/winter time, so clearly it's all summer's fault.
Bikinis
This definitely relates to the above point, and sucks equally. But also because some people wear bikinis that just aren't pleasant to look at, or queue the appearance of the green eyed monster. Fun, fun.
Hot drinks aren't cool
I am a huge fan of hot drinks, particularly coffee, and I drink multiple cups a day. When it's hotter than the sun outside, this becomes a teeny bit of an issue. Screw you, summer. I need my coffee.
Grass
Hay fever. Grass. Cutting the grass. Urgh.
Bright, sunny days
This is particularly annoying when driving and the sun pummels your eyes through strong sunglasses. I mean, there is absolutely no need for it!
Teenage girls
I must hear "best summer ever" come from groups of teenage girls more than 5 times a day. You say it every year, how can it be the best summer when next year you'll be saying the same thing. Flawless logic.
Steering wheel burns
I have an old car. Old cars don't have air con. I work in a cafe in the middle of a field. This means a lot of sun exposure. This is a little bit of a killer combination. The amount of times I have gone home with burned hands is ridiculous.
Always being presentable
I hate having to always look good - girls, this means having to have silky smooth legs. Maintaining that is hell. At least in winter your legs are covered by multiple layers of clothing.
Lack of air con
We, as Brits, don't have air con in our houses; we have extreme heating. So when it gets warm we tend to melt a tad.
Camping
I cannot comprehend what enjoyment someone can get out of sleeping under a sheet of plastic. Especially in summer when it turns into a portable greenhouse. Then there's glamping...what?...
Netflix days are frowned upon
Sitting on the sofa with headphones on, watching an entire season (or two) of a TV series seems to not be the norm in the summer. I am not sure why.
Winter seems an age away
A petition to shorten summer, and lengthen winter pretty please.
So there is why I don't enjoy summer.
What is your favourite season of the year, and why?
What's summer like where you live?
Hello there, buddies.
Well I have not gone off on a major rant in a very long time so I thought why not best to do one whilst there is thunder and lightning all about!
As it is fast approaching August and most of the schools have broken up for summer, a lot of people are probably going to be venturing on holiday - vacation to my lovely American readers - so I thought to myself "why not do a post about airports?"
Don't get me wrong, I ABSOLUTELY love flying and going on holiday and everything, but there are just some people in the airport and around that area that really ruffle my feathers. If you have recently been on holiday then you will probably know exactly what I am talking about.
This post if going to take the format of a "The one who..." sort of list style thingy otherwise I might bore you with my overly long rants as usual.
If you experience any of the things that I mention then do tell me all about it in the comments section below, or tweet me @LovelyChubly #AirportAnnoyance and I will be sure to reply to you!
The one who always forgets they have metal on them
You know there is always that one person who forgets that they have money in their pockets, or a belt on or something? Then they go through the metal detector thingy like they haven't got a care in the world. You watch them look so confused when they set it off then the security is all like "have you got anything in your pockets" and they reach in and pull out like a whole bank full of coins? How can you not remember you have that in there?! It tells you SO MANY TIMES as you are walking up to check your pockets etc....are you just stupid or do you think that they will be like "oh it is ok, go through" NO. Then they hold everyone up as they have to put their money through the scanner thing, then walk through again. What makes it even worse is I have seen someone do this, then realise they have a belt on.... I am sat there like "akjkajsdksjfs IDIOT" waiting to go through as it is 4am and I want a coffee. Please remember that you are likely to have something in your pockets. Just check, for heaven's sake.
The one who's luggage is over the allowance
I have had the pleasure (biggest dose of sarcasm in the world) of being stuck behind a guy like this. When you fly long haul, for all you non-flyers out there, you get around 20-25kg of luggage allowance to go on the plane, and 5kg of hand luggage. In this particular circumstance, the man was part of a family who were on their way to Disney World in Florida (like myself at the time). Now, I am not sure what he had in his luggage...I am a girl who likes to wear clothes (shocker) but I am not sure how many pairs of shorts, t-shirts and flip flops you need for your two week holiday, buddy, but how they managed to come to 30kg is beyond me. The best part is that his wife was just facepalming the entire time like "OMG, what is he doing?". He then continued to tell the check-in assistant that the scales were broken as his suitcase only weighed 20kg....Give up, pal.
The one who is late
There is always one. Every time. The one person who holds up the plane because they are too busy buying overpriced stuff in the departure lounge. They must hear the final announcement for the plane "this is the final call for flight TCM38472 to Sanford, all passengers please make their way to the gate. This is the final boarding call" (I should definitely work in the airport) and just be like "the plane won't go without us...lets carry on shopping". Well, buddy, I am afraid this is not true. I watched as your suitcases got hauled off the plane when you were 15 minutes late. Karma.
The one who forgets their passport
I shit you not, I have seen this happen so many times. On the way to Canada with some friends there was a guy in front who all of a sudden stopped dead at the check in desk and was patting himself down. Never have I seen someone in so much distress! Then he got all panicked and was like "OMG. I have forgotten my passport". I don't know about you, but if I am going on holiday or anywhere that requires ID to prove my nationality I usually check that I have my passport as I leave the house. Then when I get in the car. Then when I leave my street. I mean, I am not even going anywhere yet I just checked to see if it was still in the same place. So how on earth can he have forgotten it? Get yourself organised!
The ones on a group holiday
Now this may be a slightly biased thing considering I have never done that "woo lets go get drunk in Malia" sort of holiday because I have always been working or cannot afford it. So it really bugs me when you go to airports and you see these drunken teenagers at like 5am in the departure lounge drinking pints of beer wearing their matching nickname tops. Now it is all well and good if they aren't screaming the place down with their drunken chants, but as soon as they do it I am like "get off the planet". I am a terrible human being.
The one who doesn't know where they are going
There is always one person who is constantly referring to their tickets or boarding pass who then stops dead in their steps when they are walking, causing you to bump in to them. Sound familiar? If not then you are probably this person. The worst thing is, they don't usually apologise or anything, it is usually the opposite and they get all shitty at you for not watching where you are going. I am like "I was watching where I am going, but I did not expect to walk in to a human fucking statue any time soon!". Please tell me this happens to any of you, otherwise I am just clearly the worst person ever.
The one who picks up your suitcase on the luggage claim belt
Admittedly this is by pure accident half the time, and I do get that. But what I really hate is when people push past you, grab the nearest bag they can and examine it within an inch of its life. Surely you don't have to pick it up to look at it? God knows. I am lucky that I have bright lilac suitcase that no one ever wants to pick up so I am usually safe from this!
The one whose hand luggage is too big
Even after going through bloody check it and customs and whatnot, they get on the plane and their hand luggage doesn't fit. Are you seriously telling me that you went through ALL of that and didn't stop to think that your suitcase worth of hand luggage might not fit in that small space used for overhead luggage? Duh.... Then they get on the plane and they hold everyone else up just because they are trying to shove their bag in to the space at any angle they can. Just give up and bring a smaller bag next time? I mean what have you got in there?
The one who sits in the wrong seat
There is always one person on the plane who gets the wrong seat. But this person will then not move or get out their ticket to check that they are sat in the right or wrong place. The worst bit is when you have your ticket in your hand with your seat on it, but they refuse to move still. Gah do people never think that if they can see that you have your seat number that they are in the complete wrong place? We all want to get to the same place, so can we please just get up and move so we can get going?
The one who stands in the middle of the moving walkway
You know what thing I am on about right? The one that leads you do and from the departure gates that just make you move faster? And they are waaaay more fun! There are general rules that apply to these moving walkways. For instance the fact that you stand on the right (like London tubes). Now, you get those really freaking irritating people who think they are God and just stand smack bang in the middle of the walkway. Now I know you are like "well why don't you walk?" well guys, those moving walkway things are part of my holiday. So eff off with your standing in the middle and let me through!
The ones who cannot control their children
These types of people are so beyond common in airports. They mainly get all crazy when you get on the plane rather than when you are in the actual airport. I go on more of a rant about that on my "I hate public transport" post which you can see here. But then when you are doing the average browsing of the duty free, or just sat down having food or a drink, you really do not want to have kids running a fucking riot around you? I have had one knock over my drink and the parents just stood there and laughed....what the fuck, dude?! Control your kids!
The one who rushes off the plane
There is one every single time who has to be the first person off the plane. If they aren't it is as if all hell has been let loose and it is the end of the world. What is the rush, dude?! You aren't going to get anywhere any faster than the rest of us. Remember that thing you checked in before you got on the plane? Yeah that thing called a suitcase? Well they all come off at once, and chances are yours is right at the end. So stop your fucking panicking and pushing and just chill! You're on holiday!
The one who never has all their documents ready
I guarantee you that this is the same person who rushed off the plane. This I have seen happen more in American where you wait for a long time in order to get to customs, but there are always people who never have all their documentation ready. This really ruffles my feathers too because it holds everyone up. For any of you lovely people who have not been to America since 9/11 then you won't know how security works over there. But you need your documents out ready and there are always people who don't. Seriously, there is all that time to get your shit together. What do you do? Stand there and daydream?
The one who complains all the time
There is always that one person, or group of people, who just constantly complain about everything. Like from the fact there is a tiny queue at check in, to the movies they show in-flight. I mean, seriously, how sad do you have to be to complain like that to that extent? I have heard someone complain about the fact that the flight was 10 hours long instead of 9 hours 40. I get that you want to get off the plane, but we are all feeling the same! There is no need to voice your opinion to the entire plane....
Well then, peeps, I am going to leave it there because I think this might go a teeny bit crazy!
So if you enjoyed this then please don't forget to subscribe to my blog by clicking "join this site" on the top left of the page! Also don't forget to add your comments below! Alternatively you can tweet me @LovelyChubly! All my links are also below so click on them and take a look!
Toodle-oo!
Hello there, buddies!
Ok, today I want to talk about plane etiquette, and things that annoy me when I fly (on a plane ofc). I don't know about you, but there are just certain things that are just completely inappropriate on a plane. This might be me being snobby, but there are bound to be people out there (like you guys) who find these things annoying too! They just bug the absolute shit out of me. Commence rant.
Ok the first thing that I think needs to be addressed here is parents with younger kids. Don't get me wrong, I love kids. But when you have someone's baby screaming next to you for the whole 9 and a half hours that it takes to get to Florida, you sometimes start to go a little insane. Am I wrong? It might just be me, but seriously, can you not shut your baby up for literally 5 minutes?! I have also had a flight - again to Florida, I know I am so adventurous - where some kid behind me was just constantly throwing up. Gross. And I have this major phobia of the sound of someone being sick, the sick itself doesn't bother me, but the sound....ergh I hate it so much. So you can imagine me on this flight. Grouchy as fuck just sat with my headphones turned right up so that I can't hear anything. Did the job after a while.
Another thing people need to pay attention to is hand luggage. There are a few things which bug me about this. The first is people who put their hand luggage under the WRONG seat. I am not being funny, but I really do not understand how people do this....there are videos saying to put it under the seat IN FRONT of you, but people insist on putting it under their seat. Pretty sure their life jackets are under there. If we crashed into the sea you'd be wearing your bag instead of a life jacket.....The other thing is when people constantly push your luggage out from the seat in front of you when they decide that it is a great storage place for their feet. This happened to me on my most recent flight to Spain. I have a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles shell backpack (don't judge me) and some pain in the ass kept kicking it so it would come out from the space it was in. Gah it bugged me so much.
Now this one is just be being a picky bitch, but if you have been on a long haul flight you might sympathise. People who snore loudly. When you are flying overnight on a 10 hour flight the main thing you want to do is sleep. Now I find it extremely difficult to sleep on a plane, but when you have that one bald guy opposite you just snoring so loudly with his mouth wide open, you just wanna plug a pillow in his mouth to shut him up.
This one is more aimed towards planes themselves. Well not the planes, but plane companies. This problem I have would be plane food. I have never had a great experience with plane food, it all seems to be bland cardboard-ness. I have also had what they called a bread roll which was frozen to fuck. Lovely. At least they try and make up for it with little bags of pretzels and mini ice creams. To give credit to them, breakfast is usually ok. I love the little pots of orange juice they give out. I'm sad.
Another thing that bugs me when I am on a plane is when you land. People think that as soon as the seat belt sign is turned off that they should stand up, get all their shit from the overhead lockers and just stand there and block the aisles. Now I find this very irritating as it means that no one can get off the plane until they move. And every time they do this, they decide that just as the plane doors open to faff around and do stuff IN THE AISLE so that you can't get out. Aaaahhh some of us want to be off the plane we have been stuck on for hours! Jeez.
I wanna mention appropriate behaviour when there is turbulence. I have flown through a hurricane so I know bad turbulence. I know it is a scary thing, and that people panic. But when a flight gets slightly bumpy and you hear people screaming and shouting I just do not understand. When you are flying through cloud it will tend to get bumpy because of the wind.....you are not going to free-fall out the sky are you? So chill your shit and have a drink.
Chair kicking. It is just completely unnecessary on planes. I am not being funny but you are not the only one who is uncomfortable. My dad is 6'3 and you don't see him kicking anyone's chair because he is all cramped up do ya? No, you do not. So please, 5'3 woman, stop kicking my chair because it winds me up and I will turn around and give you death stares. Thanks.
And finally (I know, another long rant. Sorry), there is the situation of annoying air hostesses (don't start singing Busted). Does no one else find it incredibly irritating when all they do is smile? I wanna see one get really pissed off and shout at that kid who won't stop pestering, or the one person who is always pressing the summon button. Omg that would be awesome.
Ok everyone, overly long rant over now. If you have read this far you deserve my eternal love!
That is all for now. Don't forget to use the media buttons to your left to do all your stalking!
Speak to you later.
Toodle-oo!
