I Had This And It Was Amazing

“Find someone who isn’t afraid to admit that they miss you. Someone who knows that you’re not perfect, but treats you as if you are. Someone whose biggest fear is losing you. One who gives their heart completely. Someone who says I love you and means it. Last but not least, find someone you wouldn’t mind waking up with you in the morning, seeing your wrinkles and your gray hair but still falls in love with you all over again.”

I Heart New York City

A Year in New York from Andrew Clancy on Vimeo.

I thought today was the perfect day to tell you about my love for the city that never sleeps!!!!

My love affair started with New York at the very young age of 11 when I got the chance to stay with an American family for 6 weeks in the summer of 1992.  They were the Oliver Family who were an amazing family and showed me the sights and sounds of Manhattan, New Jersey and the Jersey Shore.  

During my stay with The Oliver's they took me into Manhattan for the day and all I can say was WWWOOOWW!!! As a kid of 11 years old and watching films all my life, it felt like at that moment I was actually in a film.  I was lucky enough to be taken to the top of the World Trade Centre and have my photo taken there and that will forever be a treasure!!

1999 came around and I was entering into my first year of a university degree in Hotel and Tourism Management and all I could think about was third year which was a year's work placement.  Usually the students have worked for Aer Lingus in Boston but my year was different and out of my group of friends I was different - well that's what my lecturer said anyway.  I started to get worried but when she said I had the choice of Newark, Chicago, LAX, Baltimore and finally JFK! Once she said JFK I was sold and told my lecturer straight away that JFK was where I wanted to go.  She asked if I wanted to think about it and I said no, that I was certain that I wanted to spend my year there.

June 16th 2001 I boarded Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to New York JFK and that was the start of the best year of my life!!!!

During that year I experienced everything from Yankee's & Mets Baseball games, the tragic day of Sept 11th, new friendships that are still in tact today even though an ocean separate's us, opening day of the US Open, Central Park, Queens, Brooklyn, Rockefeller Centre at Christmas, 5th Avenue on St Patrick's Day, Jones Beach, the 7 train, MoMa, Broadway, Meeting Huey from the Fun Lovin Crimials coming out the backstage door of the Stereophonics gig that we went to and many many which I'm hoping to share with you here. 

I've been back to the wonderful city every other year since living there and hoping to make a trip back there very very very soon!!

Elton John

Cool video and remix from the one and only Sir Elton John who is still bringing great music to 2012!

Afternoon Tea

Last weekend I visited a friend as I had not seen her since January and in between she had good married and went on honeymoon so it was great to get a catch up.

Here are photo's from her Hen Party in January were we had Afternoon Tea, Facials and Bubbles!!!!

Once In A Lifetime

“Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you've never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn't exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.”

— Bob Marley

Mark Foster, A-Trak & Kimbra

Every week, as I'm sure you're all aware, iTunes gives away a free music and app download, and every week whether I know the music or like the look of the app they get downloaded!

Yesterday I finally got around to listening to a few of the free songs and this was one of them  . . . . I cannot stop listening to it!!!

Hope you enjoy

Photo Swap 2012

                 

When I started this blog a few months ago, I decided that I was going to be more active in the blogging world by commenting more when I like something and actually getting involved in swaps etc.  I always look and think that it would be so much fun to do and say 'Ill send the email tomorrow', the next thing I know I am reading that the swap is over.

So when I saw the Photo Swap on Rihanne's blog a month ago I decided that I was sending the email there and then.  I have now received my photo swap partner who is the wonderful Michelle who blogs over at Mizhenka 

The idea of the swap is to take a full film of pictures and send them on.  Your partner gets the film developed and posts for all to see!!! Make sure to check back at the start of October and I will have have posted Mchelle's photo's