Posts
22nd April 2010
updates
Today, I just thought I would update you on a few of the issues that I have brought up in my blogs so far.
Starboy passed the security vetting for his PCSO job and has a medical on friday 20th April - next week. If he passes the medical then he will be offered the job. This is the last stage, I am so excited!!! Getting this job will change his (and mine) life completely. It's such a huge step. I will let you know how it goes.
On tuesday night I started the next term of my yoga classes. It was really good to see the instructor again, she is so kind and gentle. Because it was the beginning of a new term, you have to sign up again so new people may start. One new person started and she was really negative. She complained about past lessons, past instructors, her flexibility, everything! Yoga is such a positive, energizing movement. She put a downer on the whole class, and Im sure that Im not the only one that thought so. I will look forward to next week and am about to do a home practice. I love yoga and feel so positive and happy after practicing. I cant wait to see how flexible and strong my body and mind will become.
Since the organic post, I have been searching in all my local chemists and supermarkets for organic cosmetics. I have found a few different brands of organic cosmetics. They look, smell and feel really nice and I think that they would be just as good as the non-organic items. However, when I looked at the ingredients lists it still seemed to contain many 'chemicals'. To me an organic product should just have the plant (etc) that the product is derived from in it. Research on the internet and television has shown me that you can make cosmetics from your own back garden, you dont need the chemicals. I will carry on with my search for cosmetics and have brought some lemon essential oils in preparation for making my own surface cleaner.
I tried the mooncup for the first time this week. It wasn't as tricky to insert as I would have expected and sat very comfortably inside. I had a problem with the stem and with removing the cup. Obviously when you put the cup in it is folded, and therefore small, but when you pull it out it is full size! Was a bit uncomfortable to say the least. Saying that, I am staying positive and will try it again next month. Apparently there is a knack to it and it takes practice.
I am going to create a little schedule for myself to make sure that I am fitting in each of my five wells. I also need to begin preparing for my teacher training interview which is in 3 weeks time, so I will try and add that into the schedule as well. I will post the schedule on here if I can, to give you some inspiration.
Try and have a look at my blog interview if you can, I would really appreciate it: http://bloginterviewer.com/books/diary-of-an-average-twenty-something-hayley-smith
Take care everyone
stargirl
Thursday 22 April 2010
Wednesday 21 April 2010
Blog interview
Hi everyone!
just to let you know my blog has been featured on a blog interviewing wesbite:
take a look and rate it if you have time :-)
Stargirl
Monday 19 April 2010
Visit your five wells
19th April 2010
Visiting the wells
- 1. Cognitive well – reading books, watching plays, debating, planning, etc
- 2. Emotional well – fun time, friendship, family, love, expressing feelings, etc
- 3. Creative well – senses, imagination, arts, write, sing, etc
- 4. Physical well – exercise, relax, eat well and sleep well
- 5. Spiritual well – religion, meditation, nature, etc
These ‘wells’ cover every part of our lives and if we make time for each of them during the week, I think our lives will be more stable, happier, more productive and more energetic.
Thinking about my week and my daily activities I think I am already pretty balanced:
- · Gardening – emotional, creative, physical, spiritual
- · Yoga – physical, spiritual, creative
- · Read Novels – cognitive, emotional
- · Write my blog – creative, cognitive, emotional
- · Eat dinner with my partner – emotional, physical
- · My job – cognitive, emotional, creative, physical
- · Visit family - emotional
I am going to try and fit time into my week to work on each of these. I think I need to work on my cognitive, spiritual and creative wells. What wells do you need to work on to lead a more balanced and stable life?
Let me know your thoughts on this
Stargirl
Saturday 17 April 2010
The Mooncup
Saturday 17th April 2010
The Mooncup
As I was casually browsing a money saving forum I came across an item called the Mooncup. I would liken this product to a femidom. The Mooncup is a reusable menstrual cup, around two inches long and made from soft medical grade silicone. You only need one, as you take the cup out and rinse it every 4-8 hours.
This product has intrigued me as I find myself battling with my period every month. I dislike tampons as I feel blocked and can feel it all the time. I dislike sanitary towels because of the hygiene involved, although I’ve found using baby wipes has helped. :-)
I may give this product a go because it is more hygienic than sanitary towels and you only need to buy one. It’s also friendlier to your body (relating to my previous organic post) - I have also read on this money saving forum that sanitary towels contain all sorts of toxins and bleach.
The cup is only £20! I think I’ll give it a go and get back to you! Let me know if you have had any experience with this product?
Also, just to give some context to this post and the previous post about going organic, I just wanted to explain that my quest for organic products is also about saving money. Research on the internet and in a couple of books I have bought have led me to a term called old style money saving. Old style money saving is about going green to save money. I will be doing some more research and blog posts about this in the future, looking into the three things I mentioned in the previous blog – food, cleaning products and cosmetic products.
Watering my potatoes today, I fear I may have planted them upside down, there is a definite root looking object poking out of the soil :-/.
Going from menstrual cups to watering potatoes, how did that happen?
stargirl
Friday 16 April 2010
Long lost friends
Friday 16th April 2010
Long lost friends
Last night I met up with my group of friends from college, which started 6 years ago and finished 4 years ago. Since college ended and we all went our separate ways (to uni or work) we have tried to remain friends and remain loyal to each other. In the first year after college we met up a lot, for every special occasion and in every half term or holiday. During the second year it kind of fizzled out and last night was the first time I had seen them all for over a year.
I was very nervous about meeting up with them. A lot has changed since we were friends in college. I am now a graduate and live with my partner. Two of the people I met up with are still at uni and living at home in the holidays. And lastly, one of the friends in engaged and is working full time. This made me anxious about how we would get on and what we would talk about. Another reason that I was nervous is because 2 people who we used to be really good friends with us have recently made it quite clear that they have moved on and want nothing more to do with us. I felt that with one of these people, i was to blame. (long story about her not getting on with Starboy).
When we met up last night (two girls, a boy and me) it was actually revealed that I had blamed myself for nothing and this particular person had been very horrible to my other friends as well. I took a big sigh of relief and began to relax into the evening and enjoy myself. I ended up having a really lovely time and we all got on very well. Although it was clear that the others were also a bit nervous, everyone ended up smiling and laughing just like old times.
Last night made me realise that although people grow up and move on with their lives, the basis of your friendship (your personalities and shared interests) probably still remain. There is no reason why a group of people who are at different stages of their lives can't still be friends. Not just friends, best friends. So let me say this to you, its better late than never. Find time to connect with your old friends, and you may find a friend for life.
Stargirl
Tuesday 13 April 2010
Education policy 2010
13th April 2010
The conservative education policy 2010
I have just read the Conservative education manifesto, and I am outraged. It's a topic I have been getting more and more annoyed about and now one of the political parties is backing it up, I am even more angry. The topic is exclusion.
Teachers, parents, grandparents, infact anyone who comes into contact with a child in school is moaning about discipline in schools. The children arn't disciplined enough, there is violence and anti social behaviour in classrooms and teachers have no way of dealing with it. Children do not respect adults.
CHILDREN DO NOT RESPECT ADULTS BECAUSE ADULTS DO NOT RESPECT CHILDREN.
Children are naturally good natured. They want to share and make friends and go to school. As they get older this may then begin to change, their behaviour may start to deteriorate, they may not make friends, they may begin to swear and be angry, they may begin to bully and then eventually they may act violently towards the teacher. The teacher responds to these behaviour changes with discipline, mainly expelling the child.
We should be trying to help these children.
Children who are acting up (swearing, bullying) are asking for attention. Disciplining the child should be immediate consequence for the childs action. But there should also be a follow up between the teacher and the child. This child is obviously not getting attention else where. Do they have friends? What is their home situation like at the moment? What is their self esteem like? The answer so at least one of these questions will be negative. So help them. They are in your class, as a teacher you should want to help them. Sit them down, talk to them, build a relationship!
Children who are skipping school and being violent when they do come to school obviously have more serious problems. Its common sense!! How can you simply ignore this and want them out your classroom? The reason you teach is to help children!This child needs you. This child needs a stable relationship with an adult. Talk to the child, they are human! Why dont you like school? Why are you being violent? Are you angry? Are you violent at home? Why dont you like school? Why dont you like me? Explain to the child that you want them to enjoy school, that you want them to have friends, that you want them to be happy. Simply excluding them is reinforcing their previous consumption that adults are untrustworthy and horrible. We know this isn't the case, lets help them to find this out too!
The conservative party wants to bring in more powers for head teachers to exclude whenever they want. How is this going to help are society at all?? More children at home, which is more than likely dysfunctional, and on the streets when they should be at school.
WE DON'T TRUST OUR CHILDREN SO OUR CHILDREN DON'T TRUST US.
Lets instill some trust into our children. Lets help them instead of punish them.
I really would like to know your thoughts on this. It's such an important issue. We all need to vote in May!!!
Stargirl
The conservative education policy 2010
I have just read the Conservative education manifesto, and I am outraged. It's a topic I have been getting more and more annoyed about and now one of the political parties is backing it up, I am even more angry. The topic is exclusion.
Teachers, parents, grandparents, infact anyone who comes into contact with a child in school is moaning about discipline in schools. The children arn't disciplined enough, there is violence and anti social behaviour in classrooms and teachers have no way of dealing with it. Children do not respect adults.
CHILDREN DO NOT RESPECT ADULTS BECAUSE ADULTS DO NOT RESPECT CHILDREN.
Children are naturally good natured. They want to share and make friends and go to school. As they get older this may then begin to change, their behaviour may start to deteriorate, they may not make friends, they may begin to swear and be angry, they may begin to bully and then eventually they may act violently towards the teacher. The teacher responds to these behaviour changes with discipline, mainly expelling the child.
We should be trying to help these children.
Children who are acting up (swearing, bullying) are asking for attention. Disciplining the child should be immediate consequence for the childs action. But there should also be a follow up between the teacher and the child. This child is obviously not getting attention else where. Do they have friends? What is their home situation like at the moment? What is their self esteem like? The answer so at least one of these questions will be negative. So help them. They are in your class, as a teacher you should want to help them. Sit them down, talk to them, build a relationship!
Children who are skipping school and being violent when they do come to school obviously have more serious problems. Its common sense!! How can you simply ignore this and want them out your classroom? The reason you teach is to help children!This child needs you. This child needs a stable relationship with an adult. Talk to the child, they are human! Why dont you like school? Why are you being violent? Are you angry? Are you violent at home? Why dont you like school? Why dont you like me? Explain to the child that you want them to enjoy school, that you want them to have friends, that you want them to be happy. Simply excluding them is reinforcing their previous consumption that adults are untrustworthy and horrible. We know this isn't the case, lets help them to find this out too!
The conservative party wants to bring in more powers for head teachers to exclude whenever they want. How is this going to help are society at all?? More children at home, which is more than likely dysfunctional, and on the streets when they should be at school.
WE DON'T TRUST OUR CHILDREN SO OUR CHILDREN DON'T TRUST US.
Lets instill some trust into our children. Lets help them instead of punish them.
I really would like to know your thoughts on this. It's such an important issue. We all need to vote in May!!!
Stargirl
Monday 12 April 2010
Polite Drugs
Monday 12th April 2010
Polite drugs
Even though some drugs are illegal, it's a well known fact that people still take them. Growing up has led me to realise that it isn't a certain 'type' of person that takes drugs, it could be anyone! And the reasons why people do it vary even more than the kind of person - pain relief, addiction, peer pressure, just to try it once, for some fun, etc. I have grown up around cannabis, with various family members and friends smoking it, but personally I have never tried it. I do not take drugs for personal reasons: I worry what they might do to my body, I am scared of being caught and I am scared of what my behavior would be like. Although I don't take them I do not preach about other people taking them, as long as they don't do it right in my face. I think that's fair enough. Its polite. If you know someone doesn't do it, don't rub it in their face that your doing it!
The reason I am writing this is because last week I had all the girls ( my girls consist of mainly my cousins who are my age and my best friends) over. We had wine and snacks and played a bit on the Wii before heading to town. Half way through the night, still at mine, my auntie turned up with two people I didn't know. They were completely stoned out of their heads! They stood outside my house, knowing that Starboy wants to be a PCSO and that I want to be a teacher, and smoked even more spliffs. This is just plain rude!!! You know I don't take drugs, infact, you know I don't smoke at all. You know I don't know the people you are with. And you know that Starboy's career may be on the line if you got caught. Do not turn up at my house with strangers, stoned, and then get more stoned.
I suppose the reason for this blog is to point out that I am not a preacher. I do not care if you do drugs in your own time or even whilst I'm with you. Just be polite about it! It's common curtesy.
Let me know if you have any thoughts about this,
Stargirl
Polite drugs
Even though some drugs are illegal, it's a well known fact that people still take them. Growing up has led me to realise that it isn't a certain 'type' of person that takes drugs, it could be anyone! And the reasons why people do it vary even more than the kind of person - pain relief, addiction, peer pressure, just to try it once, for some fun, etc. I have grown up around cannabis, with various family members and friends smoking it, but personally I have never tried it. I do not take drugs for personal reasons: I worry what they might do to my body, I am scared of being caught and I am scared of what my behavior would be like. Although I don't take them I do not preach about other people taking them, as long as they don't do it right in my face. I think that's fair enough. Its polite. If you know someone doesn't do it, don't rub it in their face that your doing it!
The reason I am writing this is because last week I had all the girls ( my girls consist of mainly my cousins who are my age and my best friends) over. We had wine and snacks and played a bit on the Wii before heading to town. Half way through the night, still at mine, my auntie turned up with two people I didn't know. They were completely stoned out of their heads! They stood outside my house, knowing that Starboy wants to be a PCSO and that I want to be a teacher, and smoked even more spliffs. This is just plain rude!!! You know I don't take drugs, infact, you know I don't smoke at all. You know I don't know the people you are with. And you know that Starboy's career may be on the line if you got caught. Do not turn up at my house with strangers, stoned, and then get more stoned.
I suppose the reason for this blog is to point out that I am not a preacher. I do not care if you do drugs in your own time or even whilst I'm with you. Just be polite about it! It's common curtesy.
Let me know if you have any thoughts about this,
Stargirl
Sunday 11 April 2010
Going Organic?
Sunday 11th April 2010
Going organic?
For a couple of years now my parents have been buying organic food and trying out organic cosmetic products, such as the so organic range in Sainsburys and bath bombs from lush, nothing to dramatic. I used to complain about these products all the time, the chocolate cake didn’t taste as sweet and the hair conditioner had no effect on my hair at all! Now that I am running my own household it’s up to me whether or not I ‘go organic’. This is one of the choices that you could make as well, when you go to uni, when you buy your first property or even when you start having children. It may not be a choice that you would automatically think about, but I am going to write a brief record of one day below and all the products I use. None of these products are organic. The food is probably genetically modified, and increased with manmade products and chemicals. The cosmetic and cleaning products may claim to contain some plant extract (or items similar) but the basis of them is chemicals.
So here we go, the products I use and the food I eat on a typical non organic day:
• Shampoo
• Bubble bath
• Toothpaste
• Moisturiser
• Foundation
• Mascara
• Pre made smoothie
• Granola bar
• Salad leaves, tomatoes, cucumber, ham, coleslaw
• Risotto with smocked haddock, fish stock, onion
• Washing up liquid
• Surface cleaner
• Disinfectant spray
This is quite a short list and on some days, like when I do a whole house clean or when I’m going out in the evening, a lot more products will be used.
All of the cosmetic products listed are based around the combining of different chemicals. These chemicals then soak into your skin, scalp, gums, eyes, etc. We do not know what these chemicals are doing to our bodies and health. It is a very clichéd statement to make, but it is 100% true. The average twenty-something does not recognise each chemical and what it does, using the ingredients list on the packaging. Because these products are so common, used by everyone and every day, we just take for granted that they are normal and therefore will not harm us. Well this isn’t necessarily true, they could be harming us.
The cleaning products I have listed are also based on the combination of many different products. When cleaning products are used, they are either sprayed or poured onto the surface which is being cleaned. Particles of it are therefore in the air, we then breathe them in. Particles are on the surface, which we then touch or put bare food onto. Again, because we see them so much, they are on adverts on the television, we see other people using them; we believe it’s normal and therefore not harmful. Anything based around chemicals, even if it claims to have some sort of natural product in it, must affect us in some way.
Lastly, let’s look at the food products. There is one product on that list which does not contain chemicals directly and that is the smoothie. On the ingredients list of this product, there is only fruit. However, this product does not claim to be organic, and therefore this fruit could be genetically modified and pesticides or other chemicals could have been used during the growing of these fruits. These chemicals are therefore in my body. Chemicals are used in every single food product we buy, but not just chemicals, bad bits of meat, etc, are used. If we really saw what went into the making or our food, I don’t think we would eat it!
So, what could we do about this? You could go completely organic, and in that I mean grow your own food, make your own cosmetic and cleaning products. Or you could just purchase more wisely, choosing the organic ranges where possible.
Before I decided which one to do, I am going to look into organic cosmetics products on the internet and in shops. I’m going to try and discover the cost of buying them compared to ‘normal’ products, but I’m also going to look into how expensive and time consuming it is to make them. There is a series on the BBC at the moment called ‘grow your own drugs’. It is very interesting and makes it look very easy. There is also a book to accompany it, which I am going to purchase.
With regards to the cleaning products, I have looked into this in the past and have found a lot of information on money saving websites. One of the main ideas on these websites is so buy Ecocloths (which you can get in supermarkets or online) and spray bottles. Fill the spray bottles with water and then add a few drops of some different essential oils, depending on what you want to use it for. It is very cost effective and means that there are no chemicals flying around your home. The essential oils contain natural anti bacterial and bug fighting properties.
On Friday I went to my local DIY/gardening store and bought seeds and bulbs, compost and grow bags. I have planted: potatoes, carrots, leeks, onions, tomatoes and shallots. I have also got seeds for some salad leaves, which I will be planting very shortly. I am also going to try and buy from the organic range, and eat mostly vegetarian or fish based meals if I can. I am going to try cooking from scratch as well. Making and cooking a pie, pizza or sauce, instead of buying a pre-made one.
This is going to be very hard and a huge culture shock, but I think it’s worth it. You don’t know who you can trust these days. As I have said in previous blogs, I want to be healthy and happy. I think going organic may help me achieve this. You just need to take it very slowly, changing a little bit at a time. Choose one organic cosmetic product, have a go with the water based cleaning products, plant a seed or two. Just experiment and see what works for you and what doesn’t. I will let you know how I am doing in the future. Maybe you could let me know your views on this. Would you ever go organic? What is your view on the chemicals used in our products?
Going organic?
For a couple of years now my parents have been buying organic food and trying out organic cosmetic products, such as the so organic range in Sainsburys and bath bombs from lush, nothing to dramatic. I used to complain about these products all the time, the chocolate cake didn’t taste as sweet and the hair conditioner had no effect on my hair at all! Now that I am running my own household it’s up to me whether or not I ‘go organic’. This is one of the choices that you could make as well, when you go to uni, when you buy your first property or even when you start having children. It may not be a choice that you would automatically think about, but I am going to write a brief record of one day below and all the products I use. None of these products are organic. The food is probably genetically modified, and increased with manmade products and chemicals. The cosmetic and cleaning products may claim to contain some plant extract (or items similar) but the basis of them is chemicals.
So here we go, the products I use and the food I eat on a typical non organic day:
• Shampoo
• Bubble bath
• Toothpaste
• Moisturiser
• Foundation
• Mascara
• Pre made smoothie
• Granola bar
• Salad leaves, tomatoes, cucumber, ham, coleslaw
• Risotto with smocked haddock, fish stock, onion
• Washing up liquid
• Surface cleaner
• Disinfectant spray
This is quite a short list and on some days, like when I do a whole house clean or when I’m going out in the evening, a lot more products will be used.
All of the cosmetic products listed are based around the combining of different chemicals. These chemicals then soak into your skin, scalp, gums, eyes, etc. We do not know what these chemicals are doing to our bodies and health. It is a very clichéd statement to make, but it is 100% true. The average twenty-something does not recognise each chemical and what it does, using the ingredients list on the packaging. Because these products are so common, used by everyone and every day, we just take for granted that they are normal and therefore will not harm us. Well this isn’t necessarily true, they could be harming us.
The cleaning products I have listed are also based on the combination of many different products. When cleaning products are used, they are either sprayed or poured onto the surface which is being cleaned. Particles of it are therefore in the air, we then breathe them in. Particles are on the surface, which we then touch or put bare food onto. Again, because we see them so much, they are on adverts on the television, we see other people using them; we believe it’s normal and therefore not harmful. Anything based around chemicals, even if it claims to have some sort of natural product in it, must affect us in some way.
Lastly, let’s look at the food products. There is one product on that list which does not contain chemicals directly and that is the smoothie. On the ingredients list of this product, there is only fruit. However, this product does not claim to be organic, and therefore this fruit could be genetically modified and pesticides or other chemicals could have been used during the growing of these fruits. These chemicals are therefore in my body. Chemicals are used in every single food product we buy, but not just chemicals, bad bits of meat, etc, are used. If we really saw what went into the making or our food, I don’t think we would eat it!
So, what could we do about this? You could go completely organic, and in that I mean grow your own food, make your own cosmetic and cleaning products. Or you could just purchase more wisely, choosing the organic ranges where possible.
Before I decided which one to do, I am going to look into organic cosmetics products on the internet and in shops. I’m going to try and discover the cost of buying them compared to ‘normal’ products, but I’m also going to look into how expensive and time consuming it is to make them. There is a series on the BBC at the moment called ‘grow your own drugs’. It is very interesting and makes it look very easy. There is also a book to accompany it, which I am going to purchase.
With regards to the cleaning products, I have looked into this in the past and have found a lot of information on money saving websites. One of the main ideas on these websites is so buy Ecocloths (which you can get in supermarkets or online) and spray bottles. Fill the spray bottles with water and then add a few drops of some different essential oils, depending on what you want to use it for. It is very cost effective and means that there are no chemicals flying around your home. The essential oils contain natural anti bacterial and bug fighting properties.
On Friday I went to my local DIY/gardening store and bought seeds and bulbs, compost and grow bags. I have planted: potatoes, carrots, leeks, onions, tomatoes and shallots. I have also got seeds for some salad leaves, which I will be planting very shortly. I am also going to try and buy from the organic range, and eat mostly vegetarian or fish based meals if I can. I am going to try cooking from scratch as well. Making and cooking a pie, pizza or sauce, instead of buying a pre-made one.
This is going to be very hard and a huge culture shock, but I think it’s worth it. You don’t know who you can trust these days. As I have said in previous blogs, I want to be healthy and happy. I think going organic may help me achieve this. You just need to take it very slowly, changing a little bit at a time. Choose one organic cosmetic product, have a go with the water based cleaning products, plant a seed or two. Just experiment and see what works for you and what doesn’t. I will let you know how I am doing in the future. Maybe you could let me know your views on this. Would you ever go organic? What is your view on the chemicals used in our products?
Stargirl
Saturday 10 April 2010
Positive thinking
Positive thinking
what lovely weather!
There's something about the sun shining that cheers everyone up. The birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, radio one is playing and the bottle of pimms is open! I sit in the garden, feet up, with my book and feel completely content. This feeling isn't something that comes naturally for some people so we should really appreciate it when it comes.
And if it hasn't come for you yet, sit in a quiet place, eyes shut, and think about why it hasn't? What is bothering you at the moment? Write the worries down and also write down the opposite of these worries. After you have fixed these worries, what would your life be like? This is very simple and very black and white, and I know life isn't this black and white, but a simple visualization like this could be the first step in seeing your life in a more positive, fixable way. Focus on how you could fix these problems, in an ideal world, and these ideas/methods could be more reachable than you think.
It's hard to think positively when you are having a stressful time, so this little visualization and the writing down of your problems, could help lift the weight off your shoulders, letting you address the problems in a positive relaxed manner.
Let me know if you think this might help or why it may not help with some problems.
Stargirl
what lovely weather!
There's something about the sun shining that cheers everyone up. The birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, radio one is playing and the bottle of pimms is open! I sit in the garden, feet up, with my book and feel completely content. This feeling isn't something that comes naturally for some people so we should really appreciate it when it comes.
And if it hasn't come for you yet, sit in a quiet place, eyes shut, and think about why it hasn't? What is bothering you at the moment? Write the worries down and also write down the opposite of these worries. After you have fixed these worries, what would your life be like? This is very simple and very black and white, and I know life isn't this black and white, but a simple visualization like this could be the first step in seeing your life in a more positive, fixable way. Focus on how you could fix these problems, in an ideal world, and these ideas/methods could be more reachable than you think.
It's hard to think positively when you are having a stressful time, so this little visualization and the writing down of your problems, could help lift the weight off your shoulders, letting you address the problems in a positive relaxed manner.
Let me know if you think this might help or why it may not help with some problems.
Stargirl
Wednesday 7 April 2010
Health and Fitness: Yoga
I think we need a change of tune, finance can be a bit boring, so I thought we could discuss health and fitness. This is such a hot topic, always in the press and there are so many reality programmes about weight loss and health. It can all be a bit daunting. I've come to realised that you don't need to read, listen and watch the vast amounts of advice given in the media, you just need to listen to your own body.
Since I was young I have always been interested in having at least one regular activity. During my teens it was dance. I loved dancing!! I went to lessons on a Tuesday evening and on a Sunday and was even in a big dance show at quite a big guildhall. When I got to the last years of secondary school however, that sort of teenage mentality set in - I just wanted to see mates, I couldn't be bothered with the journey (the lessons were half an hour away), etc, etc. So I gave it up.
When I was in college I started up with some dance lessons again. These were run by university students and were quite intense. Having not danced for 3-4 years, I really struggled with remembering the routines, whilst being out of breath and trying to keep up with the beat. I was really annoyed with myself and again, gave up!
During uni I bought a couple of dance fitness DVDs - ministry of sound ones that really get you moving, with toning, dance, aerobics and beatbox sections. They really get you sweating and I found them to be really beneficial. So, I made a promise to myself, I would do them every other day or twice a week. I could never stick to it!!! I would do it for two - three weeks, marking it on my calender, but it would just slowly fade out and eventually I would stop it completely.
This constant battle is not because I want to loose weight, I'm happy with my weight. I want to be healthy and toned and fit. I want to feel energetic and active every day. I think exercise has so many benefits, health wise but also mood wise, as you come away feeling happier, healthier and more confident. I started doing some research on the internet about fitness and it came back with the usual - running, swimming, cycling. I did try out jogging and swimming. I did enjoy swimming, but having to drive to pool, and get changed and shower, was just more effort than I wanted. None of these appeal to me enough that I could do them every or every other day. I would just get bored!! Then I discovered yoga.
Yoga really appealed to me as it seemed very gentle, slow and calm, yet its trains your muscles, tones your body and gets your heart pumping at the same time. It also connects your body and your mind, so every posture you do links to a different emotion or experience. I think its this connection between your body and mind thats the reason I have continued with yoga. At the end of practice you always finish with at least five minutes led on your mat relaxing and letting the energetic work that you've done really take it toll on your body, whilst you connect with your inner self. I come away from each practice feeling fit, strong, flexible, but also relaxed, energised and really positive.
A huge focus during practice is put on looking inside yourself and really connecting with your inner peace. We close our eyes and think of the heart opening, energy spreading throughout the body, the breath traveling around the spine. You spend a lot of time just taking a step out of reality and relaxing and just focusing on yourself. Its hugely beneficial.
I go to a yoga class every Tuesday evening, and practice every day using guided practices on DVDs and CDs. Yoga has really changed my view of my body and my mind, its changed my view on exercise and fitness, and its most importantly changed my view of life and how I should lead my life. I challenge you to find any other type of exercise that will do that!
Finally, an exercise that I can connect with!
When you look for an exercise that suits you, use the internet and health magazines. But most importantly listen to your body. Don't pressure yourself with movements and activities that don't feel right. Go with your body and find something that just connects and feels right. It might take a while, but Its amasing when you finally find something just fits. Maybe you could even try yoga.
Stargirl
Since I was young I have always been interested in having at least one regular activity. During my teens it was dance. I loved dancing!! I went to lessons on a Tuesday evening and on a Sunday and was even in a big dance show at quite a big guildhall. When I got to the last years of secondary school however, that sort of teenage mentality set in - I just wanted to see mates, I couldn't be bothered with the journey (the lessons were half an hour away), etc, etc. So I gave it up.
When I was in college I started up with some dance lessons again. These were run by university students and were quite intense. Having not danced for 3-4 years, I really struggled with remembering the routines, whilst being out of breath and trying to keep up with the beat. I was really annoyed with myself and again, gave up!
During uni I bought a couple of dance fitness DVDs - ministry of sound ones that really get you moving, with toning, dance, aerobics and beatbox sections. They really get you sweating and I found them to be really beneficial. So, I made a promise to myself, I would do them every other day or twice a week. I could never stick to it!!! I would do it for two - three weeks, marking it on my calender, but it would just slowly fade out and eventually I would stop it completely.
This constant battle is not because I want to loose weight, I'm happy with my weight. I want to be healthy and toned and fit. I want to feel energetic and active every day. I think exercise has so many benefits, health wise but also mood wise, as you come away feeling happier, healthier and more confident. I started doing some research on the internet about fitness and it came back with the usual - running, swimming, cycling. I did try out jogging and swimming. I did enjoy swimming, but having to drive to pool, and get changed and shower, was just more effort than I wanted. None of these appeal to me enough that I could do them every or every other day. I would just get bored!! Then I discovered yoga.
Yoga really appealed to me as it seemed very gentle, slow and calm, yet its trains your muscles, tones your body and gets your heart pumping at the same time. It also connects your body and your mind, so every posture you do links to a different emotion or experience. I think its this connection between your body and mind thats the reason I have continued with yoga. At the end of practice you always finish with at least five minutes led on your mat relaxing and letting the energetic work that you've done really take it toll on your body, whilst you connect with your inner self. I come away from each practice feeling fit, strong, flexible, but also relaxed, energised and really positive.
A huge focus during practice is put on looking inside yourself and really connecting with your inner peace. We close our eyes and think of the heart opening, energy spreading throughout the body, the breath traveling around the spine. You spend a lot of time just taking a step out of reality and relaxing and just focusing on yourself. Its hugely beneficial.
I go to a yoga class every Tuesday evening, and practice every day using guided practices on DVDs and CDs. Yoga has really changed my view of my body and my mind, its changed my view on exercise and fitness, and its most importantly changed my view of life and how I should lead my life. I challenge you to find any other type of exercise that will do that!
Finally, an exercise that I can connect with!
When you look for an exercise that suits you, use the internet and health magazines. But most importantly listen to your body. Don't pressure yourself with movements and activities that don't feel right. Go with your body and find something that just connects and feels right. It might take a while, but Its amasing when you finally find something just fits. Maybe you could even try yoga.
Stargirl
Meeting with a mortgage adviser
So last week I met with a mortgage adviser to discuss what could be done with the amount I had raised for a deposit - 17,000.
I had no previous knowledge about mortgages and the man explained it to me in very simple terms.
A mortgage is basically a big bank loan. You pay it off monthly, including a percentage of interest. If you fail to make the payments, your house is repossessed. - This is extremely simple, but it's all I needed to know at this early stage.
The man then used online mortgage calculators from places such as Santander and Halifax. You can access these online, using a search engine. On these mortgage calculators, all your information is input - your name, address, age, job, salary, debts, credit agreements, expenditure, how long you will live in the house, etc. At this stage you actually only have to make one choice - whether you want a variable rate or fixed rate mortgage, which are the two different types of mortgage on the market. The term 'rate' refers to the percent of interest which you pay each month. With a fixed rate, you pay exactly the same each month, but with a variable rate, the rate of interest changes with the economy, so you may pay more one month and less the next. I chose a fixed rate, simply because I like to keep a close eye on my finances.
Using the amount of deposit you have, and your salary, the mortgage calculator works out how much you could be lent and how much you would pay back each month.
With my deposit and Starboy and I's current wages, we would be accepted for a mortgage, but it wouldn't be enough to buy a house in City. We could afford houses in other towns around City though. As I have said previously, I am very close to my family, and with them all living in City, I would not want to move away.
I then told the mortgage adviser that Starboy is actually in the final stages of the PCSO recruitment process. So we then entered in all the details as if he had this job, and salary, and discovered that we would be able to afford a property in City. Hoorah!!
If Starboy gets the job, we can go back to the adviser and start the process of buying a property together.
I forgot to mention an important, and very sensible point about our situation. As all of the deposit is mine, instead of taking out a joint mortgage, the adviser suggested that we take out a 'tennents in common' mortgage. This is basically like a pre-nup that gauruntees that I get my 17,000 back before any money is split when the house is sold. Its a brilliant idea because it still means that we are buying a property together and that we are both equal in the sale, but its just that little bit of extra security thats needed for my money.
I hope this helps anyone who hasn't looked into mortgages before, and helps when it comes to joint buying a property out of marriage.
Stargirl
I had no previous knowledge about mortgages and the man explained it to me in very simple terms.
A mortgage is basically a big bank loan. You pay it off monthly, including a percentage of interest. If you fail to make the payments, your house is repossessed. - This is extremely simple, but it's all I needed to know at this early stage.
The man then used online mortgage calculators from places such as Santander and Halifax. You can access these online, using a search engine. On these mortgage calculators, all your information is input - your name, address, age, job, salary, debts, credit agreements, expenditure, how long you will live in the house, etc. At this stage you actually only have to make one choice - whether you want a variable rate or fixed rate mortgage, which are the two different types of mortgage on the market. The term 'rate' refers to the percent of interest which you pay each month. With a fixed rate, you pay exactly the same each month, but with a variable rate, the rate of interest changes with the economy, so you may pay more one month and less the next. I chose a fixed rate, simply because I like to keep a close eye on my finances.
Using the amount of deposit you have, and your salary, the mortgage calculator works out how much you could be lent and how much you would pay back each month.
With my deposit and Starboy and I's current wages, we would be accepted for a mortgage, but it wouldn't be enough to buy a house in City. We could afford houses in other towns around City though. As I have said previously, I am very close to my family, and with them all living in City, I would not want to move away.
I then told the mortgage adviser that Starboy is actually in the final stages of the PCSO recruitment process. So we then entered in all the details as if he had this job, and salary, and discovered that we would be able to afford a property in City. Hoorah!!
If Starboy gets the job, we can go back to the adviser and start the process of buying a property together.
I forgot to mention an important, and very sensible point about our situation. As all of the deposit is mine, instead of taking out a joint mortgage, the adviser suggested that we take out a 'tennents in common' mortgage. This is basically like a pre-nup that gauruntees that I get my 17,000 back before any money is split when the house is sold. Its a brilliant idea because it still means that we are buying a property together and that we are both equal in the sale, but its just that little bit of extra security thats needed for my money.
I hope this helps anyone who hasn't looked into mortgages before, and helps when it comes to joint buying a property out of marriage.
Stargirl
Monday 5 April 2010
Student loan
Monday 5th April 2010
Student Loan
In the last post I promised an article about my meeting with a mortgage adviser, but I thought it would make more sense to explain how a 21 year old graduate in their first year of full time work managed to come up with a deposit large enough to buy a house. It's very simple, basically, I just listened to my dad. And do you know what he told me? Do not spend your student loan. Yeah, yeah, dad of course your going to say that!! But I did listen in the end, and heres how it worked:
There are two parts of the student loan that you can receive - the tuition fees and the maintenance loan. You do not ever receive the tuition fees, they get sent straight to the university. The maintenance loan, however, goes into your bank account each term or half term and is meant for you to spend on rent, food, books and other items that you need for your course. I put this loan into an online savings account and an ISA account, which means it was making money for me just sat in the bank (even if it was just a tiny bit of interest).
Instead of spending my loan money on rent, I went to the university which was in City and stayed at home with my parents. Although they didn't ask me for rent, even if they had done, it still would have been much cheaper than the rent of shared accommodation. I was very lucky in that my parents understood my age and my maturity and just let me get on with my life. I know that its harder with some families and moving out is more suitable for some students, but in this case it worked. I think it could work with most people, if clear and fair boundaries are set before hand between the parents and student. Starboy was allowed to sleep over and I was allowed to get home at any time I wanted. This is a lucky situation, but like I said, its just about boundaries and a trusting relationship between you and your parents.
The next step is to find a job. I got myself a cleaning job, where I cleaned the houses of wealthier and older people for 10 pound per hour. I know its not the most glamorous job, but its very well paid and thats all that mattered at the time. I only had lectures on 2-3 days a week, so I worked until about 2-3pm every other day, meaning during the week I was working full time, whether that be manually working or studying. I earnt enough money for petrol, food, clubbing, clothes, etc. This is how I managed to save my student loan rather than spend it.
The majority of my university friends did not have jobs. The most common situation was that their parents paid for their rent and controlled their loans for them, transferring them money when they needed it. This loan was then spent on clothes, food and going out clubbing. Now, I know that part of university is the experience, but this is so obviously the wrong way to go. My friends are now in as much debt as me, but with nothing to show for it. Well Ok not nothing, they do have their degrees. I have a degree and enough money for a deposit on a house. The point I am trying to make is, I didn't do this under any special circumstances, any one of my friends (and you!!!) could have done this too. Its all about saving and budgeting.
When I left university with this money in my accounts, my dad was looking into buying properties. I gave him the money that I had saved - a five figured number - and he used it for part of the deposit on a house that he had found. This house has just been sold and I have gained 50% of the original value on top of it. This is the reason I had the meeting with the mortgage adviser, to see what I could invest this money into next.
All of this is Ok and makes sense, but I am still in debt with my student loan and will have to pay it back. The reason I am not paying it back with the money I have made is that current student loans have no interest added to them. They are the cheapest kind of loan that you can get. Also, they do not affect your credit rating, as they are automatically taken out of your wages before you get them. It makes more sense to make more money on the money you have, then to loose it for a debt that isn't rising. For more about this try looking at www.moneysavingexpert.com.
I hope this has helped clear up how you could use your student loan to your advantage. Just be smart with your spendings and savings, and work whilst your at uni. Hopefully, this way you will be able to make your money work for you. The next post will definatly be about the meeting with the mortgage adviser, which explained mortgages in a very simple way and helped me to understand how you can buy a property with a low income.
Stargirl
Student Loan
In the last post I promised an article about my meeting with a mortgage adviser, but I thought it would make more sense to explain how a 21 year old graduate in their first year of full time work managed to come up with a deposit large enough to buy a house. It's very simple, basically, I just listened to my dad. And do you know what he told me? Do not spend your student loan. Yeah, yeah, dad of course your going to say that!! But I did listen in the end, and heres how it worked:
There are two parts of the student loan that you can receive - the tuition fees and the maintenance loan. You do not ever receive the tuition fees, they get sent straight to the university. The maintenance loan, however, goes into your bank account each term or half term and is meant for you to spend on rent, food, books and other items that you need for your course. I put this loan into an online savings account and an ISA account, which means it was making money for me just sat in the bank (even if it was just a tiny bit of interest).
Instead of spending my loan money on rent, I went to the university which was in City and stayed at home with my parents. Although they didn't ask me for rent, even if they had done, it still would have been much cheaper than the rent of shared accommodation. I was very lucky in that my parents understood my age and my maturity and just let me get on with my life. I know that its harder with some families and moving out is more suitable for some students, but in this case it worked. I think it could work with most people, if clear and fair boundaries are set before hand between the parents and student. Starboy was allowed to sleep over and I was allowed to get home at any time I wanted. This is a lucky situation, but like I said, its just about boundaries and a trusting relationship between you and your parents.
The next step is to find a job. I got myself a cleaning job, where I cleaned the houses of wealthier and older people for 10 pound per hour. I know its not the most glamorous job, but its very well paid and thats all that mattered at the time. I only had lectures on 2-3 days a week, so I worked until about 2-3pm every other day, meaning during the week I was working full time, whether that be manually working or studying. I earnt enough money for petrol, food, clubbing, clothes, etc. This is how I managed to save my student loan rather than spend it.
The majority of my university friends did not have jobs. The most common situation was that their parents paid for their rent and controlled their loans for them, transferring them money when they needed it. This loan was then spent on clothes, food and going out clubbing. Now, I know that part of university is the experience, but this is so obviously the wrong way to go. My friends are now in as much debt as me, but with nothing to show for it. Well Ok not nothing, they do have their degrees. I have a degree and enough money for a deposit on a house. The point I am trying to make is, I didn't do this under any special circumstances, any one of my friends (and you!!!) could have done this too. Its all about saving and budgeting.
When I left university with this money in my accounts, my dad was looking into buying properties. I gave him the money that I had saved - a five figured number - and he used it for part of the deposit on a house that he had found. This house has just been sold and I have gained 50% of the original value on top of it. This is the reason I had the meeting with the mortgage adviser, to see what I could invest this money into next.
All of this is Ok and makes sense, but I am still in debt with my student loan and will have to pay it back. The reason I am not paying it back with the money I have made is that current student loans have no interest added to them. They are the cheapest kind of loan that you can get. Also, they do not affect your credit rating, as they are automatically taken out of your wages before you get them. It makes more sense to make more money on the money you have, then to loose it for a debt that isn't rising. For more about this try looking at www.moneysavingexpert.com.
I hope this has helped clear up how you could use your student loan to your advantage. Just be smart with your spendings and savings, and work whilst your at uni. Hopefully, this way you will be able to make your money work for you. The next post will definatly be about the meeting with the mortgage adviser, which explained mortgages in a very simple way and helped me to understand how you can buy a property with a low income.
Stargirl
Saturday 3 April 2010
Introductions
Saturday 3rd April 2010
Where to start? Well, introductions I suppose. For the purposes of this blog, my name is StarGirl. I am 21 years old and live in an average part of an average city in England. I want to write a blog about life as an average twenty-something. The twenties are a conflicting time in a person’s life, wanting to stay young and have fun, but also wanting to create solid foundations for the rest of your life. It is these conflicts that make all aspects of your life, well, hard!! It affects your relationships, your family life, your jobs, your living situations, your friends, your happiness. Everyone, male or female, goes through this and it is for this reason that I have decided to blog my twenties. I want you to know that other people are going through exactly the same as you, and, in a way, I want this blog to help you. And maybe, you could help me to?
This is probably a good time to let you in on my life. Get you up to speed with my current situations, and the trouble I am having with some of them (which I’m sure most of you can relate to).
Past
I have had a pretty normal life really. Grown up in the same city (which I will call City in this blog), living with my mum, dad, sister and brother. I am the eldest. Got average grades in school and college and went on to uni and left with a 2:1 in Psychology.
I am very close to my family. We have a very open relationship and I can talk to them about anything, and do! If ever I have a problem, I go to my family. I know that not everyone is lucky enough to have this relationship with their family, and may not have anyone to get advice from, maybe this blog will help?
I met my boyfriend when I was 16 years old, let’s call him Starboy. We kissed on our second date, and said ‘I love you’ after a week, in the back of his friends car at a McDonalds drive through (romantic I know!), and had sex after a month of being together. Again, we are very open and honest with each other, and I intend to keep this openness throughout this blog.
Present
I live with Starboy in an average bungalow, which we rent in City. We moved in together a year ago in a shared house, but moved in on our own two months ago. It is better than I ever could have imagined. We also have a kitten, and he is gorgeous!! We have just opened a joint bank account together, which is such a huge step in any relationship. It just felt right at the time, we pay the same amount in each month for rent and food and anything we need that we want to go halves on. It has completely eradicated some conflicts that we used to have about paying for things, so was defiantly a step in the right direction.
I talk to my parents every day on the phone and see them most weekends. My family and Starboy are my best friends and the people I feel I can be completely myself around, which is something I find quite difficult to do.
I work in a reception class as a teacher assistant and absolutely love every single one of the children in my class. I can’t imagine there being a better job in the world than working with children. It is my destiny.
Future
I want to marry Starboy and have four children with him. I know this sounds very planned, but I am just being honest and myself. I love imagining what our future will be like together, and he knows this and discusses it openly with me. At the moment he says that it’s not quite the right time for us to be married, and I think he waiting until he gets his career sorted (He wants to be a policeman). Relationships are always going to be tricky, no matter how in love the couple are. Yet the difficulties are often had by every couple, so please, let’s learn from each other’s mistakes!
I want to own my own house, and this will be one of the main themes of this blog. Being young and getting on the property ladder is extremely hard at the moment, so any advice and experience that we can share would probably be gratefully received by all.
I want to be a teacher. This is all I’ve ever wanted to do, receiving a black chalkboard being mounted to my bedroom wall for my sixth birthday! I have an interview for a teacher training course in May and will defiantly be letting you know how that goes.
So there we go. That’s me and the difficulties that I am facing at the moment, in my 22nd year. Trying to keep a successful relationship going, get on the property ladder and start training for my career. Already I can see its going to be a tough year. Of course, there are other things going on in my life, in all our lives, and as I said, I really want this blog to help other average twenty-somethings, so please comment on future blogs, or email if you want to talk about anything not mentioned in the blog.
This past week has been a bit tough, and it’s really what has inspired me to write this. I’m sure I’m not the only one finding it hard to fit in with life, so have come to the internet to find some like minded people. Tomorrow I’ll post about this past week’s issues – Seeing a mortgage advisor and having a tough night out with the girls.
I hope this has given you a little insight into my life, and I hope you come back and read again.
Stargirl
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