Late christmas update

Just found this in my 'notes' on my phone. I wrote it at christmas and forgot to upload it. I had the title BP: CGC and I have no clue why :L

Feeling motivated

Not gonna lie, this week (Tuesday - Sunday) I have really studied my ass off. I'm not fully sure what motivated me; this shaycarl video, the fact that my mocks start in 2 weeks or just that I finally copped on that I need to start studying.
Whatever the reason, it worked.

I had planned to start studying the day after St. Steven's day, but, that just didn't happen. So on Monday I got my act together and made a new study plan containing all the work I was given to do by teachers, and bits and pieces I gave myself to do.

Tuesday I managed to do 6 1/2 hours of study-more than I've ever done in a day where I didn't have a Christmas/summer exam the next day. I did take lots of 30 minute breaks wherein I watched 20 minutes of a movie/programme, had some tea etc. but I was still so proud of myself for doing it.
It gave me such a sense of achievement or as some might say, 'intrinsic satisfaction', that it motivated me to work just as hard in the following days! This is what ShayCarl talks about a lot - motivation and results: when you're motivated, you work really hard to get results, and when you start seeing results, it motivated you to keep working hard! This turns into a great big cycle of awesomeness.
Until, you stop seeing results, and then it kinda backfires and undoes all the good. But that only happens if you are motivated solely by the results, which is never good. You need to work hard for yourself; no one and nothing else. The results are just an added benefit or "an extrinsic benefit". As soon as you realize that, this cycle of awesomeness becomes everlasting. This, my friends, is the key to cheating life.

So anyway, back to the point; Studying.
What I realized today, while trying to complete this unrealistic check list, is that studying isn't half bad. Once you get all your shit organized, it really isn't as depressing as I thought! Of course, the first day or two I was seriously contemplating dropping out of school and burning all school-related items, but then I actually started seeing the benefits and feeling a sense of achievement every time I ticked something else of my to-do study list.

Side note: Always, always, ALWAYS write lists of stuff you have to do, workwise. It is such a great feeling when you check something off of it. 

And have something to look forward to at each break you take. But I'd advise not to make study plans based on doing 1 hour of English. This usually doesn't work because you find yourself willing the time away and daydreaming more, rather than giving yourself a specific task to be done. This also gives you a better sense of achievement when finished it. 

Another idea is to print a checklist off of all the stuff that needs to be covered in that specific subject, just to make sure you don't leave out anything. 

And another great trick is to put your phone on Airplane Mode while studying- it turns your wifi off and doesn't allow incoming calls or messages, but you don't have to go to the hassle of turn on/off your phone the whole time. The biggest distraction ever is when you hear your phone vibrate. It instantly gets your attention and you can't help subconsciously wondering who just texted/tweeted/facebooked/emailed you for the next 5 minutes. 

 Okay so this is becoming a lot longer than I expected but it was all in my head and I needed to get it out so I could sleep soundly. So I won't waste any more time and I'll leave you with this: "the worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt" - Sylvia Plath

Cimzia Update

So I put my blog on private. Because I can't write for shit, I don't want to tie myself down to writing a blog this year. And also...blogs are kinda gay.

But since some people may actually value the arthritis side of it (or may be going through the same thing) I thought, maybe I'll write some of that.

So here we go.


Cimzia.
Just when I thought arthritis couldn't get any worse, especially with the Humira injections, Cimzia hit me in the face like a brick.

...And I thought Humira was bad.
So the nurse whips out these giant needle and pretty much says "shove this in your tummy and you'll be fixed."
So me, being naive as I am, do as I'm told.
My jaw literally dropped at the pain of it. What they don't tell you is that it takes a good 30 seconds for this thick, stinging mouse protein(I'm not even joking- it's mouse protein) and it keeps stinging for about 3 hours afterwards.
The worst part?
You don't just give yourself one injection.
You shove another needle into your poor little stomach, the first 3 times!
So as you can probably tell, the medicine isn't ideal.
But it works wonders for most patients.
I'm not most patients, though.
So 3 months, nine(but what felt like 100) injections, and no improvement   later, I was allowed to stop taking it.

Arthritis update - cimzia

Hey,

I know it's been a while, but the leaving cert has restricted me a fair bit.

I mentioned being on Humira self injections for a while, and since it didn't do much improvement wise, I came off it at started a brand new batch of self injections called Cimzia.

These are 100 times worse than Humira. Holy mother these hurt like hell.
They were also designed terribly- Humira was a pen that did the work itsself once i pressed the button. Cimzia is scarier looking than any other injection and it has a much bigger needle too. Worse still, your first 3 times you must take TWO injections. TWO!! Who the fuck do they think they are?!? The pain from them is also a lot worse and they take a lot longer to do than Humira.
Today, the house nurse came over and the pain was so unbearable I tried to take the thig out half way through! I also cried like a baby.
So now I've decided I'm never taking them again.

Injections.

Let me guess.You flinch when you see that word."I have a huge fear of needles" you say.
Well in this day and age,who doesn't?

It's not from the pain, sure the doctor repeats 'its just a pinch' only about 50 million times before jabbing a thin, silver death sword into your arm.

But rather the physiology that what they are into you is in fact the actual thing that you are trying to protect yourself against!
Or maybe it is just that a complete stranger is inflicting pain on you while you just sit there, taking it,like a helpless dummy or something.

Whatever the reason,I have decided to help. It's funny how this time last year I was just as fearful as anyone else as needles, avoiding them at all costs, and less than a year later I willingly agreed to self-inject myself every fortnight. Ironical, isn't it?(and yes that is correct grammar)
Anyway, now I like to think of myself as a somewhat 'pro' at injections (even though I still loathe them with every fibre in my body - and I also still come close to fainting every time I get blood tests, but that's a different kettle of fish)

So seeing as the first of three injections for the cancer vaccine was today, I thought I'd make a 'how to not have a horrific injection experience'. (I'd say "how to have a 'good' injection experience" but let's be honest, it never is.)



step 1: DO NOT, I repeat do not surround yourself with nervous nellies who hate injections and mention them every second sentence before getting it done. Even the master herself let it get the better of her today when my best friend had me bouncing off my seat in anticipation.
Try your best not to think about it and keep yourself occupied until the needle is in the toxic bin after helping you on your way to a healthier life.

Step 2: make sure you eat a good meal beforehand and bring water for straight afterwards aswell as your fave sweeties/chocolate -you deserve them. This will prevent fainting: an unnecessary inconvenience to your day and a potential reason for you to avoid getting an injection the next time.

Step 3: bring/wear a t-shirt or sleeveless top for easy access.

Step 4: take deep breaths and relax as much as possible during the injection. Relaxing makes a HUGE difference to the amount of pain you will feel (if any.)

Don't feel like an idiot/embarrassed if you do faint/have a bad reaction to it. It's out of your control. If you feel you are about to faint, SAY IT. 
In the doctors office I was too embarrassed to tell my sister and ended up almost blacking out just before she noticed. Drink water and put your head between your knees. A girl in my class today had a convulsion, it was shocking!

Le Retour

"Le retour" (the return to school)                          Yes, I spent one month in France so of course I picked a few phrases up here and there.

Now, don't get me wrong here, I know it is every kid's (yes KID,even if I only have 44 days left of being one) nightmare to return to school after 'Le grand vacance'(summer holidays) but what makes this year different?
The Leaving Certificate.
What's that you say?
It's one big,massive,gigantic exam (well technically 8;one for each subject) which Ireland use to squeeze everything you've learned from 14 whole education-filled years into a few sheets of paper.You have one chance,and if you mess up,that's it.
Pressure is ON.
So now you understand.
It is also,quite obviously my last year in school before *fingers crossed* going to college.I was also chosen as a Prefect (a student capable of being a role model to the younger year groups) and this job includes having to mind a younger year group during lunch time.I was assigned a first year class(the adorable,tiny little terrified girls in over-sized uniforms who barely say a word and think students and teachers will drown them if they get an answer wrong.)
And with the last year comes Debutantes. Which I have no date for. GREAT.

My justifiable reason for not blogging for a month...

Montpellier

 

So I knew for a fact that even beginning to try and write a summary of France would put me off writing a blog post so instead every day I wrote a summary and if for some reason you would like to read it you can do so here. So enjoy, or just exit the blog post now to avoid wasting lots of your precious time!




Sun 17th
Got up at 7am and was brought to the airport by Ellie's mum.I had already checked in at home but Ellie hadn't so it took alot longer.we pretty much had to race onto the plane.we got breakfast on it which was alright,and it wasn't difficult bringing my medicine apart from bringing the cooler bag.We then had to get a bus to another airport coz silly Ellie booked it by accident and ended up paying €20 for it when it was meant to be free!after spending 45 minutes queueing at the airfrance customer service we still ha to pay which almost made us miss our flight!luckily we grabbed a roll just before boarding and ate it on the plane,otherwise we would've been starving!!the family barely greeted us at all,not even a handshake and the mum didn't say a word to us in the car.we ate dinner(which took 3 hours just sitting there) then headed straight to bed.I got little or no sleep because Ellie kept coughing all night.

Mon 18th

Walked to school,me and Ellie were assigned different buildings,I signed in and got an introduction.then I got a tour of Montpellier and met two other Irish students.we were put in classes but had to wait 4 hours in town until 2pm.we met Boris,Claudio and a guy who's name I forget.That's when I realised we have different timetables!my class was really really hard and there was a girl in 2nd year trinity studying french in mine!after that we hung around with the limerick girls and then went home.dinner took 2 hours (everyone was just sitting down in silence)and they also demanded that if ellie was still coughing tonight she'd have to go to the doctor coz she kept them up all night too!then we went to sleep.

Tue 19th
Today was much better,I got moved to a lower class which is a lot easier than the last one but I'm still learning new stuff and the students in it are more at my level(or higher.)ellie is moving into it tomoro which is great!and today's dinner was nice too but the woman gave out loads when I spilled literally one piece of pasta on the table while trying to serve it but she gave us a fish slice to serve pasta so I dunno what she expected!but altogether dinner was faster.I got the Internet working in the house too!

Wed 20th
Even though I didn't have to get up early I kept waking up every hour since 6.30 and at 9.30 i fully woke up.Ellie had still been coughing all night.Ellie was in my class today which was good!hay fever is getting worse..

Thurs 21st
Sunbathed at the families pool before lunch and class.Bought Hay fever meds. 

Fri 22nd
got up at 8.50pm,then slept until 9.30- better than the other days thanks to the closed shutters and hay fever meds.Went into town at 12.20 since class starts at 1 today.we were on the computers all class which was grand.had lunch then went home,watched home and away,went into the town and met the girls.we met a few Americas who convinced us the last tram is 2am.walking to the tram 8 frenchies were surrounding us which got kinda scary!then me and Ellie realised the tram had left so we wandered the city looking for a taxi which ended up costing €20!!for a 5 minute journey!!!I'm kicking myself now.

Sat 23rd
Breakfast,
We went to the beach with some friends,
Had a medium rare steak for dinner,
Went to town where we drank some vodka and lemonade,and we were all really hyper.then Ellie got too drunk,ran into fountains and started falling all over the place before we even got in to a club.so much so that I had to Try and drag her home but luckily had help from David a Spanish guy and Henry an English guy. She woke up the House Father who only saw me as I took her up to bed before returning to lock the door.And swung and banged off a few Walls/stairs.She then wanted to go toilet but we don't have one in our room so I had to make her go in the shower.she then got sick over her bed (top bunk) and I sleep on the bottom so I was praying it wouldn't drip onto mine.

We had class,then went to the Oddessym shopping centre and met up with the rest of the group.didn't stay too long and was back home by 16.50 then had a horrible sardine salad for dinner and a nice tarte citron with meringue on top.headed into town,Nobody got into Australian Cafe so we went to a pub/club thing which was alright.Anna,Henry and David left right in the middle of it to go to a party.Caused a huge bitching sesh etc.i didn't really enjoy that night much.then walked home with David,Will,Charlotte and Ellie since we missed the last tram.think David and Charlotte got it on after that. 

Sun 24th
Got up and luckily the host family were gone for the day.we cleaned up ellies shite,washed it and went into the town.
We met the others.
Ellie had said sorry for last night but she didn't say thank you.
They got lunch and I wanted a crepe after and She wouldn't even fucking wait for me!I couldve killed her!!
I helped her and waited with her all night,slept in a sick room with her and she won't even fucking wait 5 minutes for my crêpe.
Then we had a horrible salad for dinner which was made up of leftover food from the day before.since the parents weren't there, me Ellie gillsha and Simone went looking for other food and didn't touch the salad!Then gillsha put it in a bread bag and hid it in her room-so funny!

Mon 25th

Tuesday 26th
Got 5 hours sleep,sat through class and had some fruit then went swimming.the other guys just arrived as we were leaving..which was pretty annoying.went to town,got lunch,went to the park with alex then went home.

Wed 27th
Took my injection in my right leg at 6.30am which wasn't bad really ,went to sleep until 7.15,went to class, had a panini,it started raining so I hung with the group and we sat by the big pond in town.then I got a lesson about drugs from will.we went to Polygone shopping centre but were wrecked so we sat at the waffle factory and me Charlotte and will made makeshift yager bomb bottles.watched home and away and decided not to go out since Ellie had a headache.for dinner we had aubergine with meat(meatball meat) and cheese on top which was actually nice.

Thursday 28th
Woke up at 7.15, had class from 8.45 until 12,got a nice pasta for lunch and headed to the beach when it stopped raining.Had good Craic with Will and Charlotte.
Went out to O bar on the bus journey from hell (packed full of drunk people-someone got sick) and it turned out they were checking ID.I got in fine without one,Ellie used Charlottes and Will and Henry didn't get in.Kendall didn't even try get in and wanted to stay outside with the Boys anyway.Got the bus back at 2.30 and left with Will then walked home.got 4 hours sleep.

Friday 29th
Was late for class coz we thought it started at 9.30 not 8.45 and I only got 4 and a half hours sleep anyway.had another lovely pasta and hit the beach which was fun.Anna broke up with her boyfriend yesterday and was kissing David today.Went to Panama which was alright.Saw loadsa people from my class who were leaving and they were all real nice to me.Met some nice English 20something guys who talked to me for ages.Alex annoyed me all night constantly taking pictures with E and disappearing off with her all night so I said fuck it and hung with the other girls.a guy I liked wanted to dance with me but then got attacked by Kendall and Ellie on separate occasions.walked home at 3.45 after grabbing tropical oasis and prince biscuits.

Sat 30th
Woke up at 8.50 coz the fucking host family started hovering and banging around.was so tempted to shout at them for making noise like they say to us.got the tram to Place de l'europe and waited for an hour for the breens. A really long squashed car ride followed(suitcases and 5 people in the back)for two hours.We got to the campsite and had to walk ahead since it was only booked as 5 people not 7.They caught us though but I don't think there was much of a problem.we sunbathed in a really squashed swimming pool area which was packed,then went for dinner where we had to wait another 2 hours coz it was booked out.

Sun 31st
Went to the pool,went on the slides which was actually good.then we had dinner at home which was nice.Headed to the night market where I got aviators for €4 and Daniel went on the ball on water and got Churos with nutella.

Mon 1st August

Got up at 9 so we could do water aerobics at 10.had a cup of tea then headed back to Montpellier for class at 1.50pm.Ended up being 20 minutes late but it was all good.Loadsa new students were there.then got lunch with Alex and Anna who were moved house and they really like their new house.came home and had a horrible Sausage salad and ended up not going out because Will and Charlotte were staying in.Went to bed at 12.30.

Tuesday 2nd
Got up at 10 ish had breakfast and went for a swim in our pool and sunbathed even though it was cloudy.(still hot though) then had class from 4-7 had dinner then went to the park before heading to Panama.

Wed 3rd
Got up at 11.40 and the mum wouldnt let us have breakfast because we were 'too late' even though we were only having breakfast!Had classes then went to a free Open cinema to see Julie and Julia but we left early because it was quite hard to understand.

Thurs 4th

Went to the Lake with Limerick Girls which was the closest thing humanly possible to trekking in the desert.The Lake was breathtaking but ants were everywhere. Had a shower and went out for dinner with them. Went to Shisha bar with Jamie the Irish guy who introduced us to loads of other people such as Antonio the Italian who lives in Sweden and looks the image of Kevin Grant, another Irish guy, another German-Swiss and a few other randoms. We hung around the square for a while then went to Panama to get Will but ended up staying there for a few minutes.Our walk home at 3.30am consisted of me and Will car hopping, lying under the stars, throwing spider wires onto Tram wires and robbing/finding various random objects such as a shoe and a curtain top.When we parted ways he informed me he'd lost his shirt, shoes and woke up covered in cake and with a cracked iPhone screen.

Friday 5th
Les Estiales then went to Perpignan. In the car now. I thought my dad was bad but J is x100 worse!know-it-all,high pitched singing, French accent/speaking in general and horrific driver but doesn't know it. Yet they're oblivious to it!even the jokes aren't funny which at least D's are. Had pizza then slept.

Sat 6th
Had good Craic on the slides at the pool, lunch then more sunbathing. Went to the same restaurant and went out to get Churos after. Molly was dying for us to all go out together but we ended up just going to the camp disco thing which ended at 12:30 ish.


Sun 7th
Got up at 8.30 and the B's went to mass but me and Sarah didn't go because there wasn't space in the car. Went to the pool, Sarah did water aerobics but I didn't because it was too cold and cloudy.We then went to an Adventure park where we did Zip Wiring and it was really fun! I thought it'd be much scarier than it was but I just went for it. My hands were pretty sore before/during it as it was very strenuous constantly clipping/unclipping things and using your hand grip/upper body strength. We had bolognese which was alright then went to the train station. Missed the 8pm so we got on the 9.05 and it should only have taken 1 hour 35 minutes but it was past 11 when we arrived. The family had taken our key before we left and even though we told them we'd be back on Sunday night they disconnected the phone, they have no doorbell and they didn't wake up after we knocked very loudly(even though they claim we wake them up when coming home at night) So we didn't get to sleep until 1am, even though we were outside the house at 11.20pm!


Mon 8th
Had Early classes again which was nice. Got bolognese for lunch as usual then headed to the beach at 14:00 when the clouds cleared.
Had raw steak and salad for dinner.
Went to the Shisha Bar at 10.30ish with Will, and 3 other girls. Ellie felt sick and didnt come. The Shisha was nice but it was so awkward. Then they were like "oh so were going to this house party but only the four of us" so I had to get a tram home on my own at 12.

Tuesday 9th
Had the Madeira cake for breakfast coz that's all they had. Classes. Tried the salmon pasta which was quite nice. Went to Odysseum and got dad and H's present. Had dinner and went out with Jamie and all.

Wednesday 10th
Took my injection in my left leg at 6.30am which wasn't bad really ,went to sleep from 14.30 until 17.15 then went out with the new Crew but left before they went to Le Fizz.


Thursday 11th
Got up at 9am by accident coz my alarm didn't go off. Classes then beach. Had a horrible salad for dinner again. Went to Amelie at the open air cinema and went home soon after.

Friday 12th

Classes then watched home and away and hung at the pool with the other students in our house. Kinda awkward coz the family had their friends over. Went to Les Estivales and got food with the B's for my last night where we got drink and went out with the new crew + Molly. Had great Craic at the steps then went to Panama but Ellie was wrecked (which was annoying coz it was my last night and not hers) so we left soon after.

Oxegen 2011

If you don't already know what Oxegen is,these pictures sum it up.

Concerts

Camping

Mud

So this is how I spent my weekend. The picture shows some of the stuff I brought and the list has all of the stuff I brought!