A New Year!

Happy New Year!

Every year we make a bunch of resolutions that we are never going to follow up with. Its always the same thing, 'I'm going to loose x amount of weight', 'stop smoking' etc. Each year we are lucky if we reach the second week in January. So this year I'm setting myself some more resolutions, but with a bit of a difference.

So here are my resolutions for 2012:

- Stop letting other people influence my decisions.

- Do more charity work. (More on this next week.)

- Spend more time with my friends/actually have a social life.

- Start driving lessons. (I've had my provisional licence for 6 months now!)

Hope everyone has had a good Christmas and new year.

Lisa Marie

-x-x-

Top 5: Things I Loved About NYC

Okay so since my last post I have been on Holiday. Celebrated my birthday. Celebrated my mum and dad's 30th wedding anniversary and had my first official Ofsted grading inspection. That's a hell of alot of things. Hence my busy schedual. But I am back. So my first post back what better way to kick off a Friday than a Top 5 on Friday post.

No 1.) Rockerfeller
I loved Top of the Rock soooo much. I loved the whole atmospthere there. I personally think the views from Top of the Rock were better than Empire State Building. But thats just me. Here's a picture of me at Rockerfeller.

No 2.) Statue of Liberty
We did Statue of Liberty, 9/11 memorial, Battery Park and Wall St all on our first full day in New York. Statue of Liberty was well worth the 2 hour walk from our hotel opposite Madison Sq Garden down. It was also celebrating it's 125 birthday that week.

No 3.) Central Park
First of all central park in massive. Second of all it is soo beautiful.

No 4.) Time Sq/Broadway
At night Time Sq was super busy but if you go during the day the foot traffic feels like its almost half the size. Time Sq was litterally 5 minutes from our hotel.

No 5.) Elmo
Call me sad but having my picture took with Elmo was one of my highlights of the day. (It was also the day we went to Natural History Museum.)

Hope everyone is having a good Friday.

B U S Y

Busy is a word I have used wayyy too many times over the last few weeks. Tomorrow marks the official start to my holiday. Having had one day off since September when all the kids went back to school I have been working 7 day weeks. But it's all worth it. Monday morning I will be flying out of Manchester, UK and spending the next six days in NYC :)

I've had one free evening last Tuesday when I saw Wakey!Wakey! who have just finished touring the UK. They were ammmaaazing and they introduced me to Casey Shea who was openning for them so I now have some new music on my i-pod. You should definatly check these guys out!!

Anyway bye for now and I'll put pics up from my holiday when I return :) :)
-x-x-

In The Summertime...

Seven weeks today I'll be flying to New York. A girls week with my mum. A holiday we've only been planning for about 8 YEARS and that has changed destination around a dozen times. I still can't quite believe it. And I don't think I will till I'm stood there.

Until then enjoy some of my pictures of my holiday at the start of the summer when I went to Wales with mum, dad and gran.

2nd day of the holiday at Caldey Island.

Me being brave swimming in the sea.



Me and my mum on the last day.

Hope you've had a fun, relaxing summer.

Old So Soon?

I'm sorry I've not updated my blog just over a month. But the school summer holidays have been super busy. Working, spending time with my brother while he's home and working some more.

I've come to a conclusion. I'm working too hard and not playing hard at all. I came across this conclusion this past weekend. When you haven't seen a friend, a really good friend I might add, for months and not weeks. You know that you have to do something about.

I love both of my jobs. I really do. I just have to put as much effort into making time for my friends as I do my work. After all your only young once. And I really don't want to be that person who keeps letting her friends down. That's just not me at all.

I also need a non work related hobby. So I've started knitting again. I know, I know I'm starting to sound like an old lady. I'll tell you what though its actually very therapeutic and relaxing.

A Hindsight Letter!

Having spent the last week in South Wales where they apparently have no internet connection, I was unable to spred the following news.

A couple of months ago I decided to take part in 'The Hindsight Letters'. Where people write a letter to themselfs by there teenage self. Here was my letter that went online last Monday!

http://thehindsightletters.com/2011/07/25/guest-submission-letter-61-you-will-get-through-everything/

Hope everyone has had a good weekend. I'll blog all about my holiday next week including a story involving some hot lifeguards!

The Holiday Shop!

In just under 2 weeks I'll be spending a week in South Wales with the family. Over the last 2 years it has become a new thing we do at the start of the summer holidays. Last year we had such a great time so we decided to do it again. This time we are letting my Gran tag along.

One of the best things about going on holiday though is the holiday shop. This weekend I bought two lovely new dresses.

I'm also doing a bigger holiday shop tomorrow :)

Channel Flicking & Teen Pregnancy!!

Every so often I like to channel flick. Mainly on a rainy day. Today though I was just board :). Sure I had over a dozen things saved on my sky+ box that I could have (should have) watched. But oh no I decided to annoy the hell out of myself and channel flick. The result on this (rather boring) Saturday afternoon was a series of really terrible 'reality television'.

(Image: www.mtv.co.uk )

Now then I have never been a huge 'Big Brother' fan. And I personally cannot stand 'Jersey Shore'. But what is really bad is the fact that these are not the worse ones out there. As anyone who has endured the c**p that is '16 and Pregnant' or 'Teen Mom' then you will understand what I have just put myself through. But this really got me thinking that who are these people who think that being on these type of programmes is acceptable and responsible behaviour. I remember a time when a teen pregnancy was seen as taboo and now it just seems more 'normal' and I think that is the wrong message being sent out to people. But who is really at fault here. Is it the people who appear and produce these programmes or is it 'us' the viewing audience. I mean if we didn't tune in to watch this c**p then they'd stop making them.

Anyway rant over!

Top 5: Wakey!Wakey! Songs

First off, I love music. Secondly I go through music obsessions. Thirdly at the moment I am obsessed with Wakey!Wakey! I was first introduced to them on 'One Tree Hill'. Michael Grubbs singer/songwriter and amazing piano playing just has a way of drawing you in. So here are my top 5 songs at the moment.

No 5.) 1876 The Brooklyn Theatre Fire.

No 4.) Almost Everything.

No 3.) Dance So Good.

No 2.) Brooklyn

No 1.) War Sweater

Happy Friday :)

Inspections Oh my!

I've spent the best part of the weekend head down going through paperwork with a fine tooth-comb. Why? You ask because yesterday I had my dreaded Ofsted inspection. I passed with flying colours (not that I expected not too) but I was still nervous. Anyway now that, that is behind me I can blog back to normal.

So look out for my next post on Friday. I have a Top 5... post all ready :)

Out & About

Was out for a walk with mum and the kids today and saw these three funny looking tree stumps. Thought I'd share them with you :)

Royal Wedding, Broken Glasses Oh yeah and my holiday is booked :)

Let me just start this blog post in wishing you a very belated Happy Easter, but a Happy Easter non the less.

whats left of my easter egg!

Our long weekend is almost over (even though I was back in work yesterday) but I'm back to looking after those kids on Tuesday. What would a blog post be without a mention of the Royal Wedding.

I've never been a big fan of the Royal family. But I've never hated them either. But I must say that over the last week I was getting a little excited about how the wedding was going to be. I wasn't even a twinkle in my mum and dads eye the last time we had a major royal wedding ('cos lets be honest nobody really cares about the others). Like every girl across the world I was wondering what the dress was going to look like. I was not surprised at how great she looked.

After all the excitement of the Royal Wedding it was time to head down to the pub with a few girls from work. It was a lot more fun than I thought it would be. Now then before I carry on with this let me just say, I was not drunk! I was not drunk! While we may have been merry I was still able to walk in a straight line. But from walking from the pub to my house (which is about 15 minutes) I managed to brake my glasses. My glasses that I've had for two years, that have been sat on, and leaned on. Its when I drop them on the floor that I manage to brake to damn things. How the hell does that happen. Oh yeah and may I add they were in my glasses case. The thing that's supposed to protect the damn things.

Now to the best part about the last two weeks. I've finally booked my holiday. A holiday that has been about six years in the making. Has seen the destination change (twice). But me and my mum are going to New York for five nights. I cannot tell you how excited I am about this so come the 24^th October me and my lovely mum will be boarding a plane to NYC. I'm sure you are going to hear a lot about this until then.

Hope everyone has had a great weekend.

I'm Back

I've been an absent blogger recently. I'd love to say it was because I've been too busy. Which would be partly true, but it's not. The truth is I've been suffering from major blog block. Everything I've attempted to write has sound more than a little rubbish. So rather than update my blog for a couple of weeks with rubbish I decided to just take a brake. And save you guys from taking a few moments out of your time on blog posts that would have sent you to sleep.

So what makes me think this blog post is so great. I don't. I spent this afternoon watching '(500) Days of Summer'. If you have not watched this film. You are missing out. Taking a new look at the rom-com genre. As the film warns you from the beginning this is not going to be your typical love story. Yet it is still a story about love. It's my favourite type of storytelling. A story about the characters. Characters you care about. Characters that you are rooting for the whole way through the film. It also has a killer soundtrack.

Zooey Deschanel is great in this film. She turns a character you don't think your going to like and makes her likeable. This is one star definitely to keep an eye out for.

This not a lovey dovey film by any means. But if you have ever truly loved someone you will definitely be able to understand the film. So what are you waiting for. Go out and rent/buy this dvd right now!

What I've been writing lately

Things have been a little crazy over the last couple of weeks. Things are really coming together, quickly, at work. More importantly though I'm just happier. (Probably because I'm financially more secure than I was this time last year.) But one of the things I'm happy about is that I've managed to get some different types of writing done.


Over the last fortnight I've managed to get my first guest post done. I'll tell you more about that later. (Its not being posted till July.) What I can say for now though is once I knew what I was going to do it became easy to write.


I've also been writing a private diary. Something I've not done for many years. Took me right back to feeling like a teenager again. (Without the moods :) and homework though.)


I've also been able to find my love again for blogging. At the end of last year and start of this year I was really starting to fall out of love with my baby, my blog. But I've been enjoying it a lot lately and I think I think it shows.


Hope everyone is having a happy Wednesday. I'd love to know what you guys have been writing lately.

Top 5: Things I value in a friendship

All of my friends know I love them a lot. They know that I will be there for them any time, anywhere. This Friday's Top 5... blog post is what I value in a friendship.

(In no particular order.)



No 1.) Trust
I'm not the most trusting of people. But the people I do have, I trust a lot. What type of relationship can you have with anyone if you don't have trust.


No 2.) Someone who is there for you.
Every friend you have in your life should be someone you share your joy with, or can go to when you NEED that shoulder to cry on. Friends, true friends, will be there for you through the good, the bad and everything in between.


No 3.) Someone who will listen.
If you have something on your mind a good friend will sit and listen. All night if they have to.


No 4.) Honesty.
A real friend will tell you the truth and be honest with you. They will call you out on your shit. They will tell you the truth about things, especially when they know you don't want to hear it.


No 5.) Someone who accept you for who you are.
Your friends should accept you for you are. They don't try and change you. They push you to be better but still let you be true to yourself. Even though you might not have everything in common with your friends, you still love them for who they are.


Hope everybody has a good Friday and a great weekend!

Do you prefer blogging or writing stories?

It's Wednesday. 'Writing Wednesday'. I'm having a pretty good week so far.


This weeks question would probably have had a different answer 12 months ago. But here we go. This week's 'Writing Wednesday' is blogging or writing, which do I prefer.


My true answer to this weeks question is they are both very different. I get something very different from both 'experiences'. I have come to really like blogging. Much more so over the last 12 months. At first I found blogging a little awkward. I wasn't sure what to do. I had really found 'my voice'. But as I have gotten into it more I have really come to enjoy it. Dare I say love it. I also like the sense of community you can find through blogging (like joining 20 Something Blogger). I think I also like blogging because in college I always fancied going into journalism. One of the best two weeks of my life was getting the opportunity to spend two weeks with the lovely people at the Manchester Evening News.

When writing my stories, however, I love thinking of a story and characters and bringing it all to life on the paper/screen in front of me. Unfortunately my 'writing' has taken a bit of back burner of late. With working (and blogging), I've not really been able to invest my free time in my stories.


I definitely prefer blogging at the moment though.


Happy Wednesday!

X-Factor Tour Pics :)

Yesterday I spent a lovly afternoon with my mum at the M.E.N Arena in Manchester, watching the X-Factor tour. Here are some of my pics :)

Top 5: Things I find attractive in a man

Every Friday is 'Top 5' Friday. So here are five things I find attractive in a man. Anyone who was knows me well will not be surprised by this list.




No 5.) Older Men
So all my friends know that I find guys so much more attractive if they are older me. (Not too old though :) it's not like I find guys on there death bed attractive ha ha.) Some women do prefer guys younger than them. I have never been one of those people. Guys my own age and younger are so much more annoying. It's like they haven't grown up yet.

No 4.) Sensitivity
I don't think being too sensitive is a turn on either. But a guy who has a heart and can be a real shoulder to lean on when you need/want it.

No 3.) A Job!
Okay so I know the job market is bad at the moment. There is nothing attractive about a guy who is jobless. This is a must. It puts a strain on a relationship when only one of you is in employment. Trust me.

No 2.) Confidence
There is nothing less attractive than a man who is not comfortable in his own skin. I'm talking about people are over confident 'cos that is not attractive at all. There is difference. But if a guy is happy in his own skin, then he's going to be more confident.(The same really applies to women as well.)

No 1.) A sense of humour
This is an absolute must. I'm prone to doing some rather daft things in my time. Anyone who knows me well knows that in a week I will have done any number of 'silly' things. But anyone who can make me laugh (or find the funny in me) is a huge turn on.

Hope everyone is having a good Friday.  What do you find attractive in the oposite sex?

What is the hardest thing you have wrote?

Every Wednesday is 'Writing Wednesday'. This week's blog post, just like its title, was one of the hardest blog post's I've wrote. It's personal. I almost chickened out on writing it. So much so that I have shown this to one person before posting it. As I've mentioned in the last few weeks. Writing is personal. Sometimes it can help you. Sometimes it might help someone else.







So here we go.






Over the years I have got upset over killing off characters I have cared a lot about. You grow attached to these 'people' you have have created. But that was nothing compared to the story I wrote a few years ago. A story I wrote to get me through the worse time of my life. If it wasn't for an amazing support system and writing I'm can safely say I wouldn't be here today. As a way to cope with the crazy and nightmarish time, I was advised by a psychologist at the time to write it out. Express my feelings. Getting it out be it in spoken words or the power of the written word. Because writing has always been my passion. It was so therapeutic. Only one person has ever read it. I have never read it since I wrote it. And have no plans on doing so. Its the only story I've wrote that is not crumpled at the corners. Its also the story I am most proud of. Knowing I was able to get through it has made me a better person but it has also made me a better writer.






Anyone who has ever had to get through a bad situation be it a bad break-up, death whatever it is, write it out. Get your feelings out. If there is nobody for you to talk to write it.

Top 5: Oscar Winning Movies (not all Best Picture winners)

So last Sunday was Oscar Sunday. So here are five of my faveroute films. Some won for the film itself and some for the level of acting.

No 5.) The Blind Side

No 4.) Million Dollar Baby

No 3.) Jerry Maguire

No 2.) A Beautiful Mind

No 1.) Titanic

There is a wide range of films on this list. Each one I love for different reasons.

Hope your all having a happy Friday. What are some of your faveroute films that have won an Oscar.