38. The Sunday Journal

Happy Halloween everyone! This is my favourite time of the year getting all cosy and carving pumpkins. Alas this year I haven't carved pumpkins or felt an ounce of autumnal love so far. I've been insanely busy and I find myself back on call again (it just comes round far too quickly!)

It's less than 10 days until I leave for Hong Kong and I'm already stressing about the lack of preparation already. Usually I would have started at least two weeks before I leave but this time round I feel like it's going to be a last minute dash to the shops to buy some humid weather appropriate clothing.

I managed to book the last of my annual leave off work and me the boy will be booking our flights to London in December! I'm excited to visit the Christmas Market and maybe get some last minute Christmas shopping done. Any recommendations on what we should do around that time of year?

The boy got promoted this week to warehouse supervisor and I have never been more proud. He also passed his forklift tests and can now legally drive a forklift! It's been a long time coming and after all his hard work and perseverance it's finally paid off.

November is literally round the corner and I'm excited for the final set of plans before 2017 :)

Vanessa

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// My Second Home

I consider myself really lucky to have parents that come from another country. I get to enjoy the culture from their homeland and also where I grew up. I have friends that also have the same upbringing as me and we always talk about the differences in food, culture and family life.

In less than 2 weeks, I'll be flying to the other side of the world and holidaying in what I consider my second home; Hong Kong.

I've been to Hong Kong a few times with my family and the last time I went two years ago, I went on a solo trip for some rest and relaxation with my grandparents eating delicious food. Oh the food!

This time I will be flying back to Hong Kong with my mum and we've already got so many things planned. My mum hasn't been home for many years now and I'm excited to spend this time with her and explore more of the city.

I've thought about moving to Hong Kong a few times to teach English but the city is so big and I feel like a small fish in a very big pond when I'm there. There's always something going on with places to see and visit but I'm very much content with the quiet life living in the suburbs and the peace.

So here I am, 10 days before I leave with no suitcase and no clothes suitable for the humidity of the Hong Kong. Wish me luck folks!

Vanessa

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37. The Sunday Journal

I don't want to panic any one but it's Halloween next week which means November is round the corner and then it'll be the end of the year and 2017 is literally on our doorstep. Panic aside, I apologise for the distinct lack of posts this week and generally the last few months. Work has literally taken over my life and I'm finding myself being creative and more trying to catch up on sleep. I'm still wanting to keep going with these Sunday Journal's as I like looking back on the week.

This week, out work took us out for a nice meal as a reward for all our hard work. We went to Chaopraya on Union Street which just newly opened and classes itself as fine Thai dining. I opted for the yellow fish curry and it was presented so beautifully. I would definitely go back there again to try a different dish but more for a special occasion than a quick bite to eat. Highly recommended.

I've got just over 2 weeks until I fly to Hong Kong and it's suddenly dawned on me that I have nothing prepared and that the only time I have to pack is next week. Is it too soon to start now? I also found out today that I'll be getting to go to Disneyland in Hong Kong. I've been there before when it first opened but I don't think I appreciated it very much so I'm getting the opportunity to go again and I am very excited to wear my Mickey Ears!

I hope you all have a great Sunday and a lovely fresh new week ahead of you :)

Vanessa

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36. The Sunday Journal

I have just attempted an epic burger challenge as I write this. You can probably tell, but I failed miserably and now my belly is close to exploding. The diet starts tomorrow.

I came off call this week so the weekend has just been catching up on sleep and trying to make the most of my free time. Most of it has been spent organising a wee sleepover for my little sisters at the flat. We had a great night playing Dreamphone, watching movies and X Factor. Was a rather nice relaxing evening and I still managed to get into my bed by 10pm. Bonus.

I caught up with some of my favourite boys this weekend over some mid-week dining. I don't have a large group of friends and much prefer having a small close knit group of friends that I see regularly. We ate lots of good food and drank delicious mocktails (it was a school night after all).

I put up a bit of a personal post this week about the contraceptive pill. If you haven't read it, you can read it here. I've had some positive feedback on it and would like to know about what you thought about those kinds of posts? Would topics like this appeal to you or would like to read more about on this blog?

I hope you've all had a fabulous weekend and well rested for a brand new week. I'm off to nurse this food baby now.

Vanessa

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The Contraceptive Pill // The Real Life Experience

I've been meaning to write this post for a while now but I've been anxious to write down my thoughts and feelings on this topic but I am a strong empowered female speaking out to my empowered readers!

I was on the contraceptive pill for around a year and a half by which time I had changed the type of pill I took twice and ultimately I have stopped taking it. It wasn't a decision I took lightly but I hope this post will help you to decide whether this is something you want to start or if you're thinking about not taking it any more.

Deciding whether the contraceptive pill is for you
There really isn't a wrong or right answer for this question. Some people go on the pill for various reasons; painful periods or birth control. I decided on the contraceptive pill for birth control and I sought advice from my doctor before I embarked on this adventure. As a healthy female, they put me on the most common tablet whereby I take 3 weeks of pills once every day then I didn't take any for a week where I would have a 'period'. Bear in mind, this isn't a real period. Then on the 8th day you start your new pack whether or not you're still bleeding. Pretty simple concept eh?

I found taking the pill every morning took it's toll on me. It became a bit of a ritual every day and I was tired of it. I found myself taking a big sigh beforehand and it became more of an effort each and every day. You might think it's really weird for me to feel this way but it was honestly a burden.

The effects of the contraceptive pill
The first pill I was put on changed my mood entirely. I actually became depressed. Every day was like a heavy dull cloud over my head and I couldn't find any joy left in the world. It was effecting my work and I was crying over every little thing. Printer ran out of paper? Cry. Used a black pen instead of a blue pen? Cry.

I went to see my doctor again and asked if the pill contributed to this and they changed it to another pill which had a different strength of hormone. You could say my mood improved and the cloud lifted slightly but the boy could see it was still affecting me greatly.

This isn't a general overall effect of the pill as there are some women who have taken it for years and years and it hasn't affected them at all but I persevered and continued swallowing that tiny pill every morning.

The decision to come off the pill
Enough was enough and I decided to give my body a break from it. Once my period I ended, I just didn't take any more pills. The boy noticed a difference in my mood and the cloud that was once above my head lifted. I wasn't overly emotional and I don't cry when the printer runs out of paper any more. I spoke with lots of my girl friends and asked them about their experiences with the pill and if they would come off it. I got some positive advice but ultimately it was my decision.

Of course experiences differ from person to person and everyone has different reasons to go on it. Would I go back on it? Probably but then again probably not. The effects of the pill is still lasting as I recently experienced a very bad gall bladder attack which is a build up of cholesterol in the gall bladder linked to taking the pill due to the hormones amongst other things.

I hope this has helped at least one of you lovely readers with your decision whether coming off or going on the pill. Again, this is my personal experience and none of the above could even apply to you :)

Vanessa

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35. The Sunday Journal

Every time I sit down to write my Sunday Journal, it gets later and later. You have probably guessed it but alas I am on call again this week and I've not had a moment to myself. We have changed the way we do on call now and it runs from Friday to Thursday rather than a Monday to Sunday. I have been quite fortunate this weekend in that I've not had many call outs but your brain is constantly focused on the Blackberry nevertheless.

On Saturday, one of my colleagues treated me and the boy to dinner at Malmaison Aberdeen. It was quite possibly the most extravagant meal I have ever had. I had scallops to start, lobster risotto as a main and creme brulee for dessert. Rather than taking photos of my meal, I decided to just enjoy the food and company rather than seeing the meal as a chance to review it. I will hopefully make another trip there one day. Despite being on call, the company was amazing as was the food.

I have made the decision to join another gym this week to help me meet my fitness goals. Although my current gym is literally a 2 minute driver from my flat, the additional gym membership will fit around my work and lifestyle slightly better.

I hope to have more of a sombre week to fully concentrate on getting some content on the blog. Autumn is my favourite season ever and it would be a shame not to be able to share some of my favourite things with you all.

Vanessa

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34. The Sunday Journal

We're on our way into October now and I am terrified that the months (and years!) are flying by too quickly!

The boy has been away this week with his friends to a music festival in Carcassonne so I've been left to my own devices. I've filled my week with lots of plans and keeping myself busy but today has been one of the days were I've been looking for things to fill up my time. As I've been upping my fitness game, I'm going to go on a little Primark spree and stock up on some cheap fitness tops to keep me going.

This weekend was the official launch of the new Les Mills classes. I doubled up my classes on Saturday and did Body Attack and Body Pump. I was loving Body Attack and the music was really good but I struggled to settle into Body Pump and the ab track (Rihanna's Work) is my least favourite song in the entire world but a few more sessions and I'm sure I'll get used to it.

October is my favourite month of the whole calendar year and I'm one month closer to my trip to Hong Kong in November *air punch*

Vanessa

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Foodie Eats // Brewdog Aberdeen

Brewdog has been an Aberdeen Institute for years and has grown massively since opening their flagship bar at Gallowgate in Aberdeen. Making craft beer since 2007 in Inverurie, they have grown to another location in Aberdeen and even further afield with 17 new bars in the UK and abroad.

One bleak Friday night, my Brother Orchid managed to secure us a table in a very busy bar and I asked for a recommendation on which beer to have from their exhaustive list. The server was really nice and suggested a light fruity raspberry beer which was delicious. Didn't even taste like beer and was so light and fresh.

The menu was mainly burgers and it had a very good selection of vegetarian and even vegan options. I was very tempted by the vegan option but opted for the Patriot which had a beef brisket patty, cheddar and bacon between a brioche bun.

The bar was really busy and we had to wait a while for the food to come and although we had planned to see a movie later in the evening we still had plenty of time. My friends ordered the sharing wings but I didn't partake as they were SPICY! Brother Orchid said they were very delicious and the plate was cleaned up within minutes.

The Patriot burger was one of the best burgers I have ever eaten. The brioche bun was golden brown and the burger was succulent. I didn't even draw breathe when eating. The skin on fries were crispy and some of the most tasty fries I have encountered. The best part was that there wasn't a soggy fry in sight and they were consistent in taste throughout. My plate was clean within 10 minutes and everyone had happy smiles.

The busy atmosphere didn't dampen the dining experience and it was great to spend an evening with the best people eating the best food. If you're ever in that area of town, I would definitely recommend paying a visit for the food or even a cheeky half pint of (raspberry) beer. Thank you Brewdog for making the best burger and beer to ever pass my lips.

Vanessa

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