April Update

April has brought a great positive change to my life. I (finally) joined the gym. After months and months of putting it off I bit the bullet and joined a local DW Fitness. The first 2 weeks were painful and the hardest; I've been out of training for so long and my fitness level had pretty much disappeared.

Now I'm going at least 5 days a week at least, up to twice a day. So far the effects have been great! I sleep so much better, have more energy and am generally in a better mood. Physically, I've noticed small improvements such as being able to run for longer and quicker and am slowly building up on weight training also.

In conjunction to this I am also eating alot healthier. Earlier in the year my eating patterns had went from one extreme to the next. Now my fridge is packed with healthy vegetables and yoghurt instead of leftover takeaways and alcohol.

What a difference a month can make!

Tennent's Vital Line-Up - Day One

I have to say the past 2 years which I've attended T-Vital have been pretty great in respects to line-up and experience. Avicci was a wild set last year;  previous to that in 2012 Florence and the Machine belted out to a great crowd after a fantastic Day One from Foo Fighters, which electrified Boucher Road Playing Fields (apparently they could be heard in parts of a completely different County!).

This year sofar Day One has only been announced; The Killers with support from Bastille. This years event is returning to a 2-day event as normal.








I hotfooted it down to DV8 in town. Easily got two tickets for just shy of £100; well worth the money for a complete day out to see 2 great acts and probably a few extra surprise acts as well.

From Country To City

Moving from an extremely rural area to Belfast City Centre for university was a major culture shock, for many reasons. Having lived here for approximately 18 months has given me so many invaluable student life lessons.

1. The power of Wi-fi

Having previously come from a household that did not have internet connection this was one of the biggest changes. Now I'm hardly ever off it when in the house as I find it such an invaluable tool for everyday life; my job is largely based using advertising via the internet. 

2.  Independence

I have never been truly independent until I moved up and boy is it different. A balance definitely has to be found between work and play. I have found out that I personally become distracted very easily, and that Laverys will account largely for bouts of Amnesia on a Sunday morning. Independence has it's good and bad points; you can roll in drunk as anything at 4am from a Tuesday night out and not have to worry about getting a 2nd degree from the parentals. On the other hand, independence does incurr some level of responsibility. You will have to learn how to cook at some point. Even if it just is supernoodles. 

3. Wacky Weather 

Weather in Belfast can literally change by the minute. Can be horrible when you face a 30 minute minimum walk home and god forbid you've been to Primark and have a paper bag. It'll be a long walk home...

4. The Golden Mile of Temptation

Since I live just off the Lisburn Road there are many  a takeaway temptation to be had on a daily basis: KFC, Indian, Thai, Chinese, Dominoes, Chippy, Mexican, Bar Food, French and Italian to name just a few. Say goodbye to food preparation and hello to home delivery! Yet it can be a toss up between that
takeaway and 11p noodles from Tescos depending on the state of the student loan.

5. The Illusive Plug Socket

Let's face it we've all been there; the phone is dying quicker than your motivation on a Monday morning and your in town racking your brain to think of where you can plug your phone in. Best place is a Nero's or Starbucks. Or a library if you need to put in some extra cramming time...