My Fabulous Summer So Far...

...has been action packed. I have not had a day at home resting for 3 weeks - just how I like it. The holiday commenced with my sister and me travelling up the country by train to our cousins' house. We had a great time seeing them all again after a while. They have changed as a family with my uncle's job promotion and they really do live like celebrities. Our cousin has changed but her little brother hasn't; the only thing that has changed about him is he is about twice the size he was since I last saw him - and I don't mean in height. The big sister, Alexandra, has changed in the way that she is a very spoilt, winey, ungrateful, cheeky and disrespectful teenage girl to her parents but a flawless angel to my sister and I. They also eat an incredible amount and I found myself firmly saying, "No thank you, really, I am not hungry in the slightest." several times a day. It was non-stop giving from my uncle and auntie and I couldn't thank them enough for what they gave us. First day, we traveled up the country again to a very posh hotel and saw a concert that night. The next day we spent time in the hotel and I was lucky enough to try out the awesome gym they had which I had all to myself. We traveled back I enjoyed coming back to their beautiful home. We went shopping the next day and I bought some things and then saw "Bridesmaids" the movie - I highly recommend it. It's hilarious. Then the next evening, we got the train back to the nearest town and was so happy to see my mother eagerly waiting for us on the platform. My sister and I, half running/half walking up to her. I was relieved to be back to our home. The way they live is so highly desired, but I couldn't have stayed much longer. Money doesn't buy you happiness - our time there showed that explicitly since 2 out of the 4 of them had depression.

Almost straight after I was back, I had to pack for T in the Park and for my annual family holiday. T in the Park was awesome! I went with Joseph, my boyfriend. The whole experience was electric. We already have our tickets for next year! Coldplay were out of this world. I was so overwhelmed, I was crying with pure happiness - being with an old friend that I hadn't seen in ages and being with the young man who I am so deeply in love with in such an atmosphere was incredible. That was definitely the highlight of the festival for me. The complaints about the toilets and the mud and the smell...pshhh! Nah, it makes it all the more fun. Before the festival, I had managed to go 17 years without going on any fast rides. However, Joseph got me on the fastest, most scary rides of the festival. Now, you could say that I am a bit of an adrenaline junky - I am hooked. What a great experience - including the launching of the UFLs (Unidentified Flying Liquids).

Not even a day after I am back from the festival, I am on my way to the airport at 3am. I had a gorgeous week in the sunshine on a Mediterranean cruise. I met so many great people and the ports were all lovely. We started off in Palma, Majorca and then had a day at sea. The ship was very impressive. It was my first cruise and it certainly isn't going to be my last. We had a day in Adjaccio, Corsica, where I spend almost all the time in the sea jumping the waves being a bit of a child. The next day, I woke up to look out to a different place - it was great waking up to a different place everyday. We were next in Civitavecchia where we got a bus in to Rome and we visited the famous landmarks. There was a lot of walking and it was 36 degrees Celsius so I slept very well that night. It was so interesting and I am so glad and grateful that I had the privilege to experience it. Although, I wouldn't go again first choice. It's far too busy. The next stop was Livorno where the shops certainly suited my sister's taste. Every evening, my sister and I met up with the friends we made in at the top deck and we all had so much fun drinking non-alcoholic cocktails and dancing to cheesy music as well as the up to date beats of the year in the disco. Our next stop was Villefranche which was one of my personal favorites; mainly because of the fact that I love France and anything related to it. Then our final itinerary was Palamos, Spain, which was also stunning. It was a perfect end to the cruise. The family loved it. I think it's almost guaranteed that we are going back. I did really miss Joseph and I didn't really want to stay any longer. It was then back to Palma again to get the flight home and leaving some teary eyed friends behind. Building up the friendships made it a lot harder emotionally to leave the holiday - this was also the first holiday I had made the effort in meeting new people. I was always far too shy to do such a thing.

The day after I was back from the cruise, was Joseph's and my 1st year anniversary of being together and I stayed a couple of days at his house completely and utterly loved up with each other. It was beautiful. Here I am now. At home for once. I was very pleasantly surprised to find that my mother had finished knitting my Aran wool jumper which is lovely and very intricately detailed. I almost cried when I saw it folded up all neatly on my bed. I know it's the 22nd of July and summer but... I am wearing it. It's been the busiest, most amazing summer I have ever had and it's only half way through. I have work experience lined up and I need to  bring myself to do some homework. Then there is the little monster in my brain reminding me that my exam results are getting nearer and nearer. They are what they are so I may as well just deal with it.

Right now, I can seriously say that I am the luckiest, happiest organism in the universe.