Back in London

So one of my New Year Resolutions is to do more things with people. Just before Christmas I had so little money, Yayy high rent and the whole working unpaid "for the experience", I digress, I know there are cheaper places I could live, and I do live in one of the coolest cities in the world, so I've to suck it up as they do say.

Because of the whole rent thing I worked both days I wasn't in Uni, its good to do the shifts when you can, and I do a good job so I might aswell. I was ion work the week before and I got a call from an unknown number, I'm the kind of person that answers every phone call, even when I'm fairly sure its a scammy "we've recently heard you were in a car crash..". So I was there in the kitchen and I get a phone call from the producer of Absolute Radio saying I'd won two tickets to an "Biffy Clyro intimate gig". I hung up the phone and jumped up and down for a while, I was very excited. I then had to figure out who to bring and casually ask said person to the gig, casually, when I am the least casual person ever.

So on Wedneday I went to work in proper gig gear, and changed into my uniform and was counting down the seconds till I was going to go. I get a text message at 6 informing me the gig was in an actual church, which I did know, but I don't think they knew that. I thought maybe it was a converted church, with no pews with a bar but oh no it was not that at all. We sat at the side pew and I figured out the person I brought had heard of one of their songs and I was bringing him to a gig where he was the only person not  a superfan. We had a great time though. He was bopping along to the songs and I was singing along. Biffy are amazing in general but acoustic Biffy are just on another level. Absolute Radio recorded the gig so I'll try and link it when it's available.

It could have been a wonderful year, instead we might not make it to the end

A photo posted by Niamh Moloney (@niamhmlny) on Jan 12, 2017 at 12:44am PST

Last week, my bff and I were reunited. She asked would I like to head to The Grand in Clapham to go see Pretty Woman, in a nightclub. It was the most fun Saturday evening. During the movie, there was even like "special effects" so when Julia Roberts was in the bath, there was bubbles, and in the last minute they released all of the confetti. Then we had Nandos and went for a drink.
Both nights I had drinks, was totally fine, I just need to continue checking in on myself, and it was nice to hear that I didn't have a problem from my friend who actually sees me drinking.


I'm really back to be in London, doing things, meeting people, trying to do things with other people, I'm trying to talk to my classmates more and putting myself out there with new people

My grey issue with alcohol

I've never been a "good" drinker. I have improved with age, only that I try to pay attention to how I'm feeling before, tiredness and drink don't mix for me, and I almost never ever have a drink the night before I'm working a 12 hour shift, after I once overslept and almost made not just myself but two other people late for work. My issue is when I don't pay attention, when other people around me are drinking beer for an extended period, such as a rugby match (I will be referring to the weekend past on and off here) where by its alright to keep drinking.

My father owned a pub, so he thinks hes an alcohol knowledge master, and has told me at least 7 times I need to cut down my drinking. Its so actively patronising and condescending, and just generally unhelpful to any kind of situation I may be in or near or whatever, being told "It runs in the family" or that I should only have a couple of long necks, almost drives me to more drink. It doesn't help I'm the only child of his that drinks. His constant bickering at me has led me to looking stuff up online and I've read an article written by an alcoholic, that I can't find this video from Lucy Moon and this article from The Pool, and I am not at a stage where I feel no alcohol is the only option for me. I know I can go out and have two, and that I should eat. Last weekend ended up calling a person I don't know a prick and waking up still wearing my shoes and not sure how I got home, all in Paris mind you, is not something that will happen again. The fear of not knowing and having said fear all day Sunday and Monday will be enough. I know I am improving with age, but I am not at a place where I'm good all the time. Things like these aren't black and white, fortunately or not. If I do decide to give up alcohol  though, which is not in my immediate future, it will not be because of persistent, albeit well intentioned bullying from my father or anyone else. 

A stream of consciousness on religion and love

So during the week a group of americans came into the pub for dinner. I was speaking on and off for a while with them. I could see there was a young married couple and there was people their age as well as a couple quite older and some kids, there was several races so I knew they probably weren't related. So at the end of the evening several of the people had left but the core younger group were still around, including the super cute married couple who were going on their babymoon the day after.

So they were discussing dates and why would one date be superior over another and what to think about the fact the person you are on a date with has had several dates that week and what was even the point of the date they were currently on. They were super friendly and welcomed comments I would make as I cleared their tables, such as 'make the date more interesting, so your date sticks out in the other persons mind' and 'have you read Aziz Ansaris' book?? He says its always the person that doesn't reply is the one you'll like more'

So as it turned out all the people were part of a church in The Bay Area. All of the people having dinner had all decided they would only date within said church, as one of their criteria for their partner is to be as christian as them, which I wasn't expecting, it was not something I had considered, but of course you do you and all that. It did seem to be restricting though, a very attractive lady told everyone she hadn't been asked out in a year.

There was over 1000 people at this church but I think there is still a lot of issues such as seen/heard in modern love such as still looking for the next best thing even with the smaller pool of people they can find their person from. The group was having an open discussion,  with the one married man taking notes, to send onto their pastor, who they were messaging at the time. I think the aspect of finding your one is something very important to those people, as God has someone for everyone and wants them to get together and then get married, then have sex and have babies etc

It was apparent the religious aspect was very important to them, it was an interesting thing to see, religion wouldn't be that important to me, I have been on tinder dates with people who have been jewish and if anything it makes them more interesting as I'm super nosey and want to ask things about their experience in life. I just thought it was interesting to see this and see there were good and bad aspects. The good thing is that the married soon to be parents were a success story and I'm sure there are many more like them and they believe that god brought them together to spend their lives together

Ren Skincare

So last week I was at work, and I got talking to someone who was celebrating her birthday, who also happened to work for Ren. She had several products with her and after asking me my skin type she offered them to me. My skin is normal, which gets hormonal breakouts 
I got six full size products, and I am very excited.
The products were:

Clarimatte T-zone Control Cleansng Gel A Purifying antibacterial facial cleansing gel for skin that is prone to oiliness and breakouts, particularly in the T-zone.

Clarimatte T-zone Balancing Gel Cream A light gel moisturiser that leaves skin matte, balanced and hydrated. Combats the appearance of oiliness, blemishes and breakouts and protects against free radicals.

Keep Young and Beautiful instant Firming beauty shot A gel-serum that instantly firms lifts and plumps the skin.

Flash Rinse 1 minute Facial A transforming treatment that instantly revitalizes and visibly rejuvenates the skin.

Moroccan Rose Otto Ultra Moisture Body Oil A rose-infused body oil formulated  to intensely replenish dry skin.

Flash Defence Anti-pollution mist A fine mist that instantly shields and protects the skin from the ageing effects of harmful free radicals and environmental pollution. It helps to strengthen the skin’s natural defences against oxidative stress, boosting the skin’s ability to detoxify

So I'm going to try all these out for the next two weeks and come back. I want to try one or two when I do my skin care, in case I react to something, I'll be able to tell which it was. Will also be interesting to see in which order to use thing, I've never had a serum before so I'm feeling very adult now. I was very lucky to get these and I'm looking forward to reporting back.

The one where I get an IUD

My contraception story is not overly interesting. I started taking Yasmin five years ago after my lovely summer love (vomit) was convinced I was pregnant and had drunkenly decided he would move to Ireland to help raise this imaginary child. I decided at 20 I wouldn't let that thought happen again and I went to the doctor and he suggested Yasmin and I agreed and I was happy out, taking control of my ability to choose if and when I would like a child.

I was happy popping these pills for four years, and then two things happened.

I got my hair cut short, and realised I had a massive bald spot, and I watched Siobhans' IUD video where she stated that her hair had thinned from her contraceptive  pill. I looked up alopecia on the HSE website and it basically stated, its stress or medication, and I can't do a lot about my stress really but I can stop ingesting hormones when there are other options.

In the last year or so I did go to the doctor and ask could I get the implant, because I was getting less good at taking my pill which is terrible I know, even though I didn't really want it, I had heard some bad stories with depression and the implant, but he refused to insert it, as he said he took out more than he put in. When I got my smear in Ireland I spoke with the nurse and she wasn't sure I'd be able to get it as I haven't given birth and it could be difficult to get it past my cervix

When I arrived in London I booked into the Marlborough clinic at the Royal Free to have a discussion with the nurse about contraception. She was lovely. I explained what I wanted and then what the nurse had said and she replied 'let the doctor worry about that' which made me very happy. I had been already tested in April so I was able to get an appointment for the following week

Last week I headed over to the clinic, had to pee in a cup (fun times) and I met the doctor, who was really lovely,everything was discussed such as what  the insertion, what to expect in the days after, side effects, and all the fun stuff. I laid down legs up in stirrups and waited for it to start.

It was not the best 10 minutes of my life TBH. She didn't have to dilate my cervix which was lucky I suppose, but it did take a while to get it inserted. Definitely worse than the smear, but I flew through my smear, cause my cervix is very apparent or something. I did not feel good straight after, quite crampy, but I dont get bad cramps usually so I think I may be a slightly babying it here really. I was given a pad after and told I could take paracetamol. I'd suggest having pain killers with you and take them before or even straight after insertion. I didn't have any on me and staggered (absolutely milking it here) and got paracetemol and ibuprofen and headed to starbucks for a coffee. I took a sip and then put the warm cup on my tummy and it was amazing, so also having a heat pad, or hot water bottle nearby would also be a good idea.

I took regular pain killers for the first two days, every 6 hours,and then as needed the next couple of days. In the last couple of days, I had an awareness of a feeling but I didn't need anything for it.
The day before yesterday I saw Rosemary Mccabes article on why she's having her IUD removed, and I found it interesting to see some downsides the IUD may have. To be honest (this of course is me biased) I hope the things she mentioned are not connected to her IUD, and I hope she writes another article in the up and coming months.

So, all in all I am happy with everything so far, the Doctor was fabulous and I feel so adult. She didn't seem to think the hair was to do with the hormones in the Yasmin, but it's good to eliminate reasons and try and see if there's anything I can do

       

Edinburgh Escapades. Our Weekend adventure

Up until this year I have never been on a girly holiday and so far this year I've been on two.
This time we decided to head to Edinburgh for the weekend. My friend organised everything and I basically just showed up, which felt weird, but it was great.

On the first night we were booked into the Mercat underground tour which warns not to drink too much before hand which we slightly ignored and had a couple of drinks in an irish bar, had some haggis, had happy birthday sang at me, when it was no where neat my birthday, and there was so many Stags. There was also a tuc shop which sold proper Taytos, chef sauce and Barrys Tea.




So we then headed to the Historic Underground and the alcohol did not help my friends ghost angst, and a great time was had. We then headed to a whisky bar where of course I had some scotch, cause that's just what you do. We were then advised to go up from the market square to some other pubs and we ended up in an Australian pub. Which was full of french men in rugby jerseys which made me unbelievably happy. My friend walked right up to them pointed at our table and convinced them to join us. None of us spoke much french and none of them spoke much English put through drinking, pointing and arm wrestling we all became great friends. I've also been rebaptised NENE as Niamh is unpronounceable. we headed too a late Irish late bar which was covered in GAA and Munster Jerseys, which again made me very happy. We wandered home at 3.30, on a night we were supposed to have a quiet night ha

The second day we did the Sandemans Walking tour with Australian Dave, who showed us loads.The best part in my opinion was all the Harry Potter stuff. He showed us the Cafe where she wrote her first couple of books, he showed us gravestones of names which she used as inspiration and told us which streets and buildings inspired streets and buildings in the book, such as Diagon Alley and Hogwarts.My friend and I went to the cafe, as Harry Potter fans have written all over the bathroom, and I mean ALL OVER the Bathroom.  We headed to the Witchery for lunch, which is a place we were possibly not posh enough for, I had the salmon and angus patty which was needed after the previous night. My friends were very good and we all headed to the pub to watch the Ireland v South Africa match, which we didn't win, but it was fun to sit down after the walk, and for my friends to see me in rugby mode.

That evening we went along to the Edinburgh pub crawl, which covered seven pubs, had great deals and a load of free shots, and good shots, tequila, jager. We met great people from all over and chatted to loads, giving advice about Ireland
even to those not heading there. I did try and shift a gay guy but we'll try and forget that. The other girls headed home, so I headed to Espionage after I was in a place called The Cowshed, which was an odd place, but Espionage was unreal, different floors, with different music, it was a great place to finish my night.

Sunday was a more chilled we went to the Camera Obscura, which was super fun hung over, mind bending altogether, we met with one of the girls from the Pub Crawl in the Cote Restaurant, and we had steak and chips which was just what we all needed. We hung out in the Edinburgh market and then headed to the airport.




There was so much we didn't do, we barely spent any time in the  new city,  one of my friends is convinced she's going to move there. Of course this is the PG13 story of our weekend, what happens in Edinburgh stays in Edinburgh

Living in London 2

I actually cannot believe this is my forth week in London.
There has been great aspects and some not so great aspects.

The not so great aspect includes the fact that I haven't been able to start the job I got,
I'm waiting on a letter from the police still. Thankfully I can start the job as soon as I get the letter and only today I've gotten a job in a pub, in Kentish Town. I did also have a trial in Canary Wharf in the fanciest place I've ever been in, not even worked, been in. It was enjoyable to see the view of the banks, but I know I was slightly over my head, just for small things, like the way the bottle should be facing and where the wine goes if you're eating rather than drinking. etc. It was a cool experience though and I didnt break anything which is a big deal for me.

Now onto the good things, Firstly Tinder. Has anyone heard of Nik Hampshire. While we didnt match up I saw him on it and it did make me far too excited. I have matched up with; a toy designer, a guy who worked on the Harry Potter film, British Soldiers, It's an all round adventure.

My best friend has been here for a couple of years and since I've been here, its been so fun, I've spent most of my weekends with her and sometimes during the week, We haven't lived this close in about 7 years. As much as being long distance besties was great being this close is just the bomb dot com. She'soff to Peru for two weeks on Friday so I can just meet her for coffee wednesday, the wonders of not having to get on a plane  to see your bestie.

So I was scrolling through Facebook as per usual, and I saw someone had visited London and seen a Yayoi Kusama Exhibition, and I decided I'd head to see her stuff too. There were three installation rooms and you have thirty seconds or so in each. the walls are mirrors so the pieces are fairly breathtaking. Also for some reason I've never been in Liberties before,its like being in a clothes shop in a Harry Potter movie. Oh yeah and Im just casually walking up Bond Street and there's an Andt Warhol exhibition on, as you do.

Finally food! My dad and I were in Camden to watch Ireland play football and then play rugby, we lost both lets not mention it. We were walking along a side street near the underground and came across Hook, a fish and chip shop, that started in Dublin, so of course we headed there. I had my first ever fish taco and it was amazing