Reggae, Dancehall, Calories, Kebabs & Why Dieters Annoy Me

What's gwaaarning famalam?

Excuse the unorthodox greeting but I'm feeling pretty alternative/excited/happy/chilled right now. That might be down to the fact that I have my Reggae & Dancehall playlist blasting through my ears at work right now. And Vybz Kartel is playing right now. It's weird how you can feel so chill and yet dance-y at the same time. Reggae definitely hits new levels that's for sure. Oh my word, how annoying is it that Vybz is jailed for life?! Don't get me wrong, I completely support the decision as I believe criminals should be behind bars and not walking the streets. But what an idiot?! Because let's be honest, you lock up Vybz, you lock up dancehall. But anyway, I'm sure that the current artists will step up and keep it all going.

Oooooh have you guys heard that thing in the news about kebabs? Apparently people are concerned about what meat they're getting at takeaways, with kebab houses being the main concern. Right, I'm sorry but..... say what? Everyone knows that if you buy a donner kebab, you could well be eating the intestines of a goat, the tongue of an Ox, the feet of several cows and a horses hoof just for good measure. I mean you don't exactly buy a kebab for quality lamb now do you? So stop bloomin' complaining and just eat. Or give up eating kebabs. But if you did that, you'd have a kebab shaped whole in your heart. For the rest of your life. So I would advise against it. Just live in a state of oblivion like me and you'll be alright ;)

Also, for those complaining about donner kebabs containing other meats which is detrimental to certain religions (eg. Sikhs can't eat beef and Muslims can't eat pork), well okay fine. That's understandable. But what I don't understand is those who go for nights out drinking, then go for a kebab after, and then complain about the kebab containing meat that they can't eat. I mean I'm sorry but, what? So you've been out getting absolutely gazebo'd (which is probably against your religion) and then you complain about unintentionally eating meat that you're not allowed to eat? Don't make me laugh bruv! And you all know who you are ;)

Okay so since we're on the subject of kebabs, let's talk the latter subjects of the title of this post. Calories and why dieters annoy me!

So yeah, I'm trying to lose weight by going for walks. I've been for three 3 mile walks this week and I'm really rather proud of myself. I'm already seeing a difference in my weight. I'm also doing a 30 day Squats challenge, a 30 day abs challenge, a 30 day planking challenge and a 30 day arms challenge... All in one month. Yeah, I don't do things by halves! But they're only little exercises that take me about 15 minutes a day which isn't so bad. But I'm trying to overall eat healthier but I had a Maccy Dees yesterday after my walk so, I still allow myself treats ;) Because what is life without treats?! So dieters in general don't annoy me. But annoying dieters do.

Picture the scenario:

Annoying Dieter: "Oooh I really fancy a Twix. Oooh no I shouldn't. Oooh should I? Because I do deserve it after being so good. But ooooh a minute on the lips is a lifetime on the hips. Oooh Ditzy, what do you think?"

Me: "I think you should do what makes you happy."

Annoying Dieter: "Well a Twix would really make me happy. Right! That's it, I've decided! I'm gonna get myself a Twix. Ooooh, naughty! But yeah, I'm going to do it!"

Me: *bites into 3rd doughnut*

****some time after consumption of Twix has taken place****

Annoying Dieter: "I SO should NOT have had that Twix. Oh I feel terrible. Oh I regret eating that bar of poison. Oh what have I done! Look you can already see my stomach is bigger! Look!"

Me: *bites into 8th doughnut while looking at stomach in a confused state*

Annoying Dieter: "Oh what am I gonna do! Oh I failed. I fail at life. I fail at diets. I'm such a loser! But obviously not a loser of weight. It's about the only thing I don't lose. Oh life! Must you be so cruel?! That's it. I need a gastric band! I don't care about the risks. Book me one! I'm booking it now. I will book one right this minute. Oh that stupid Twix! Never will I ever eat a Twix in my whole entire life!!!!"

Me: *punches Annoying Dieter in face and then bites into 9th doughnut*.


See what I mean? It's these annoying dieters that give dieters a bad name. I mean, if you're gonna treat yourself, let it be just that: A treat. Enjoy it. Savour it. And then move on! And why call treats "naughty"? I mean, think of the feelings! How would you like to be labelled "naughty" all the time? Don't discriminate, people. Appreciate.

And while we're on the subject, who on earth came up with that ridiculous saying:

"I minute on the lips is a lifetime on the hips"

No. Calories need homes too! Just eat the darn Twix and then get on with yo lives! 

*breathe*... Evidently I have strong opinions on the matter. But you all know what I mean right? But if anyone is dieting or just trying to have a healthier lifestyle, I wish you all the best! Seriously.

So guys, I hope you've enjoyed this post. The SECOND of the week. Oh I do spoil you ;) Though truth be told, it's the least I could do after not posting for so long before. Thanks for reading and have a fantabulous Bank Holiday weekend. Thursday this week is essentially Friday people! Now sing Rebecca Black's Friday song today. Yes! On a Thursday. Because we are fearless rule breakers! ;)

Keep smiling folks!

Ditzy xXx

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Joel Compass, Lana Del Rey (...eek!..), The Vamps (...grrr...), Peanut Butter Doughnuts & Why I'm Bad At Meeting New People...

Hello you glorious Fluffernutters! How are you all on this bright and thankfully not so breezy Tuesday afternoon? So this is obviously another Lunchtime Post and if you're interested, I'm currently eating a ham and cucumber sarnie made by me. And Weight Watchers bread that cost me 19p because it was reduced at Sainsbury's  =) Aaaah I do love a bargain! But that might just be down to my Indian routes... also, just for the record, can we say that that's why I'm always late for everything? Indian Timing and all that?

Anyway, first of all, let's talk Music! I'm aware that I nearly always quote at least one song in practically every post I do but I've been becoming very musical lately. I've always liked music but I never used to understand people's connection with it. I used to be into dance when I was younger but I think I was too young to understand. And then I kinda got out of listening to music. Then I hit my late teen years and subconsciously felt the need to fit the "MMMOP" teen stereotype: Moody, Mood-Swinging, Music-Obsessed Procrastinator. (MMMOP kinda sounds like Hansen's MMM Bop song doesn't it? Aaaah and to think me and my good friend were watching the music video once, trying to work out what gender each one was... only to find out they were all dudes. Memories!)

So anyway, I went through that stage. I think I went through a lot in my life too and that made me feel like every song related to me. It's mad though isn't it? How a million different songs can describe your million different feelings and thoughts more accurately than you can explain them yourself. So now, I love music and I can't last a day without it. Joining a band has also helped. But we won't discuss that any further.

Sooooo current song that I'm obsessed with at the moment is 'Forgive Me' by Joel Compass. Oh. My. Word. SUCH a good song. And it's great for sort of helping you on your way to forgetting someone that you need to forget. Kinda part of the 'erasing' process. And it's a fab song to belt out too ;) Some of the lyrics that so fabulously encapsulate the feisty feeling you have when you're finally getting your life back after heartbreak include:

Forgive me while I forget you  
Cause I don't need your love
I don't need your love
You might think I do
But I don't need your love, yeah 
  It's like yeahh-yeahhh
You let me down
You turned me in
And you lie and despise
I don't need you baby
I don't need you baby 

I have two words: Gwaaaaaarn Joely!!!!! Love this tune so much. Oh and, *ahem* Joel Compass = Hyperventilatingly B-E-A-U-T-F-U-L! (Yes I made up the word 'hyperventilatingly'. It works. Let's roll.) So yeah, he's very much followed on Instagram... 

Erm, Lana Del Rey... yeah. I always had an issue with Lana. Well, I never hated on her or anything (I don't hate, I appreciate) but she did make me want to kill myself with her dreary and depressing tones. So, ya know, being the life loving chick that I am, I decided to refrain from listening to her songs, just as a preventative measure to stop me from planning my own death. But Radio 1 played her new song West Coast and, ugh! I think I like it a bit. Kill me. No actually don't. Just buy me Lana's album and I'll probably beat you to it. 

Lastly on the music front: The Vamps. If you know me, you know that I have a slight scornful feeling towards them. But again, Radio 1 had them in the Live Lounge and BAM! I found myself singing their song... You know the one I mean... "Wake up in the morning with the sunlight in my eyes... la la la la la la la... do do do do do do do..." You'll have that in your head now. You're welcome ;)

Okay so their tunes are catchy. But I have a few issues with their lyrics. First of all, their song Can We Dance: 

I've been a bad, bad boy
Whispering rude things in her ear,

Please say she'll break,
Please say she'll change
Her mind and bring me back to her place.

No. What are you, 12? The only things you should be whispering in her ear is answers to maths tests.

Then comes their next song, Last Night:

Wake up in the morning
With the sunlight in my eyes,
No, my head don't feel so bright,
What the hell happened last night?
Yeah last night think we were dancing,
Singing all our favorite songs.
Think I might have kissed someone.
And if tomorrow never comes
We had last night.
 

Lads, lads, lads! Kissing people who you don't know is not the way forward. Think about the current situation in England with all these sick bugs going round. Do you really want to be a key part in the spread of it? Do you? Didn't think so. The only thing you should be puckering up to is a Pukka Pie.

But as much as I protest, you can't help but sing their songs. Which means they've got to be good. Catchy tunes mean sales! And sales mean you'll be big! So I wish them all the best, really. And I sincerely hope I'm not bludgeoned to death in my sleep by one of the members of their HUGE fan base. Don't be cray girls. Be nice.

Ok finally finally finally is the whole Peanut Butter Doughnuts thing and meeting new people. Basically, I was talking to someone I don't know very well and I felt I should follow my standard procure by telling them that I'm weird. A little forewarning. So I sent this:

"I'm a weird person so it's probs best to just accept it and roll with it... kinda like a peanut butter doughnut. It seems weird but you'll roll with it... Unless of course you're allergic to peanuts, in which case, this whole metaphorical analogy has just gone to waste... For the record, I've never had or heard of a peanut butter doughnut either, it just popped into my head but I think imma try and make one one day because it seems like wayyyy too good a thing to just ignore."

I lied. I wouldn't just make one. I'd make a whole heap. But anyway, this whole thing just splurged out of my brain, into my phone and I sent it then read it back to myself and realized, I need help. But hey, we embrace weirdness here in Ditzy Land, right?And imma definitely try and make them doughnuts. Though I've never made doughnuts before. But how hard can it be? Just sweet dough that's deep fried right? See that right there? That attitude is why I'm a hazard in the kitchen.

So anyway guys, my lunch break is nearly over. Hope you're all good and thanks so much for reading!

Keep smiling folks! And keep that weirdness circulating!

Ditzy xXx

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I've Gotta Give It To You, Your Give Me Problems but I'm Addicted To You, Hooked On Your Love. . . Haha Just Kiddin', Just Hold On I'm Moving On ;)

Phew! What a mouthful that title is! How apt that I have a mouthful of couscous whilst writing this post hehe. Okay so I'm writing this post on my lunch break and I'm not gonna lie, that fills me with a slight buzz. I mean, I'm now busy enough to have to 'fit' this blog into my actually hectic life! Like, I don't have a minute to myself. And this makes me happy! Like SO happy! Because I am now busy 5 days a week at work and then weekends are filled with social activities with my amazing friends. I'm not bragging. You guys know how bad my social life has been in the past. But I now feel I'm finally living like a 19 year old should live. Earning in the week and then chilling with friends on the weekend. And it's bliss!

Though on the other end of the spectrum, I do have a spare weekend this weekend and I'm actually looking forward to sleeping in and doing absolutely nothing for two days straight. Oooh the excitement! Oh yeah, and on the subject of food, it might seem odd of me to leave out the details of my lunch. Well today I'm consuming an interesting mix of Sainsbury's Moroccan Couscous with Ritz Crackers. Yep, clearly living the high life peeps! Though Sainsubury's is an upgrade from Asda Value, truth be told, which is why I feel the need to type it in italic.

Oooh the title of this blog! Let me explain it! So the titles is a mish mash of three songs that I'm in love with at the moment:

Kathleen

by

Catfish and the Bottlemen

Addicted To You

by

Avicii

Hold On, We're Going Home

by

Drake

So yeah I've had a lot of rubbish go on recently with friends revealing their true colours (shiiiining through, I can see your truuuuue colours and that's why I loooove you. . . ) erm yeah, their true colours that weren't so pretty. The thing is, when you connect with a person so well and you consider them a good friend, it can be hard when you suddenly find yourself having to cut off cold from them. To be honest, I found it hard, as everything reminded me of said person. Let's call them Aardvark. I don't quite know why, but the old cartoon 'Arthur' came to mind just now, so let's roll with it.

So Aardvark was a person who I connected with really well. Aardvark made me laugh and we lived on the same wavelength and stuff. We just clicked, is all. But sadly, Aardvark decided to cut ties all of a sudden. I'll never completely know why from the Aardvark's mouth, but heyho, life goes on. Well the thing was, I used to talk to Aardvark so very much that everything reminded me of him/her. Certain songs, certain TV programmes, certain sports, certain words, even my favourite ever restaurant Nandos and that was annoying. It made me sad because I knew stupid Aardvark was never gonna be there to crack me up anymore. Wow! I make him sound like he's dead. Aardvark is very much alive and probably kicking somewhere.

But anyway, me being the weirdo, headstrong, stubborn chick that I am, I decided not to hide behind these songs and words and programmes. Ya know people tend to cut these things out of their life if they inflict upsetting memories. Well, I didn't want these to control me. I didn't wanna get a lump in my throat every time I heard/saw them. So I decided to tackle them head on. I listened to these tunes over and over, I watched the TV programmes continuously and I thought long and hard about everything. It was totes emo people. But I did it.

So now, after all that hurt, I can listen to these songs with a smile on my face. They don't make me sad. They remind me of how strong I actually am. I conquered. And I'm happy now =)

So whether you've similarly lost a friend like this, getting over heartbreak or whatever, try it. It's difficult, but you become sooooo strong after!!

We deserve better than second best, guys. When it comes to friends and even relationships, don't settle for second best. Why do that?

And don't cross oceans for someone who wouldn't cross a puddle for you. 

Because oceans are meant to be crossed together. . . 

And so to play on Drake's tune a bit, just hold on peeps, I'm moving onnnnn! 

Oh oh oh!!! Last thing! Word of the day is: "Chickweed"! 

I was texting a friend and was going to call him 'chicken' but my autocorrect changed it to 'chickweed'. I rolled with it though and now it's my favourite word at the moment. Use it and spread it people!

Keep Smiling, folks!

Ditzy xXx

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Spring Is Here! Let's Turn Over A New Leaf!

My glorious readers I'm sorryyyyyyy! I haven't posted in soooo long! But I have a good reason. I have a job!!! Whooop! Can we just take a moment to celebrate that fact? I have a job!! A paying job!! A job that I love. And it pays. And I love it. And it's amazing. And my boss buys us all breakfast sometimes. Yes!! My job sometimes includes free food!! I'm actually welling up a bit now. Because I haven't actually had a chance to actually appreciate that fact and ponder it properly. My job pays in money but it also has the added bonus of food =') and you all know how much food means to me right? Like, food means EVERYTHING to me. Everything. I was actually thinking about this the other day. Let me explain. . .

So a lot of my friends are getting married and engaged and are finding their significant others while I'm just here like, "Aww, isn't Marshmallow Fluff like the coolest invention ever??" I also have an unhealthy obsession with a lil food place called Nandos. If you don't know what Nando's is, it's an amazing restaurant that specialises in chicken. It's uh-mazing. In fact, stop reading this blog for a second, open up a new tab (I hope you're not one of those people that works with new windows still. We're in 2014 now. Keep up.) And Google 'Nando's'. Read up on it if you so want. But ultimately, find out where your nearest one is, find out how you and your homies are gonna get there and figure out when. Preferably after you've finished reading this blog. Finish reading, maybe share this blog if you're feeling generous and then GO!!! GO TO NANDO'S PEOPLE. SPREAD YOUR WINGS. LIVE. LIVE DANGEROUSLY. LIVE HAPPILY. LIVE NANDOS!

Ahem, anyway, my thought process... ah yeah! The reason I bring up Nando's is because I had yet another epiphany. When the time comes for me to eventually settle down and get hitched, I would happily accept a cheapo sterling silver engagement ring provided it comes along with a lifetimes subscription for Nando's. Seriously. I just want to be united with Nando's forever. Like, I want all happy events to happen in Nando's... anyway, we'll stop the Nando's talk now... the more I reflect, the more I believe I need help and that's unnerving.

Erm so yeah I have a job! I now write for a living. Not freelance or anything. I write about subjects that I am told to write about but it's doing what I love and for that I'm soooo grateful! I never thought I'd get paid to write! And I can write what I want on here, so this is my freestyle writing canvas if you like haha. But working full time is enjoyable but also a shock to the system so I've been shattered! And a lot happened in my life before I got my job so that was all a bit hectic. So that's why I've not written on here. Sorry guys!! But I am gonna be regular now.

A lot has happened since getting this job. A lot of good, some pretty bad but mainly good! My singleness isn't getting to me as much. And this isn't gonna be yet another relationship post. But I will say this: I've seen so many memes on social networking sites saying how perfect relationships should be and people's ideas of perfect relationships. Some I love, some I disagree with. But these memes are just different people's opinions on what perfect relationships are. They might not necessarily be perfect for you though. For example, I know for a fact that if I had a significant other, most of the time, my idea of the perfect weekend would be: ultimate chillout mode, hoodies, videogames, junk food, no makeup, hair up, lynx infused cuddles, ciders and watching footy on match day whilst freely shouting/throwing cushions at the telly during goals. But then, some weekends I'd want to dress up and wear my best clothes and go for drinks out and wear expensive perfume and have a laugh and be a right girly girl. It all depends on my and his mood. What I'm trying to say is, don't let memes dictate how you are. If you hate the idea of football, give it a go. If you still hate it after trying to like it, fine! Don't feel that you have to like certain things or be a certain way to please your boyfriend/girlfriend. And if you feel inadequate, ask yourself why. A relationship is meant to make you both feel good. It's not meant to be one sided. Ha! There I go again giving relationship advice when I haven't even been in a proper relationship... story of my life!

So anyway before I go, I feel I have to mention sport in this post. This weekend has been such an amazing weekend in sport. Football wise, Derby County beat Nottingham Forest 5 nil. Yep, you read that right. 5 NIL!!!! And seeing the highlights was a glorious sight indeed. Well done you Rams!! And in cricket news, India beat the West Indies, so well done guys!!

So yeah, a good sport weekend all round ;)

Anyway, keep smiling peeps!

Ditzy xXx

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The Yellow Jelly Baby Syndrome

Well hello there you fine specimens! What brings you over to this neck of the blog woods? Whatever it is, I'm glad you came (cue The Wanted's Glad You Came music).

So I've had a rough couple of weeks lately. I've just got over a virus that knocked me off my feet for about a week (not in a nice way either). Anyway, good things seem to be happening to good people and I couldn't help but reevaluate my life in the most negative light possible. Like, really really negative. Like, blacker than black. Like, think of the films Les Misérables, The Colour Purple, Titanic, Revolutionary Road, Precious; put them all in a box and imagine the gloomy vibes that that concoction will give out. Well my mood made those films seem like happy family movies to watch on a Saturday night. Yes, that's how depressed and angry and emotional I felt.

So whilst wallowing in my despair and feeling sorry for myself, I graced my mood/condition with a name: The Yellow Jelly Baby Syndrome. Think of a bag of Jelly Babies. Which are the ones that you immediately go for? The red and black ones right? So you go through the bag, picking them out until you've only got the rubbish ones left. What colour? That's right, the yellow and green ones. Some people, if they're really desperate, will go for the green ones. Because they're not that bad, but you still have to grimace while you eat them. Then there's the yellow ones. The yellow ones. The yellow babies. The unwanted ones. The ones that have been left right to the end. The ones that only those people who are absolutely past the point of desperateness go for. Sometimes, people don't even eat them. They throw them away. And those that do go for them eat them whilst thinking, wishing, they were the red or black ones. But the point of the matter is, people would rather throw them away or leave them on the side forever than actually eat them. Because they are the horrible, rubbishy, unwanted yellow ones. And if you say you like the yellow ones, you're weird (but embrace it!).

So yeah, I felt like a Yellow Jelly Baby (and that's not just because my skin can sometimes take on a slightly yellow tinge).

So I accepted the fact that I am a Yellow Jelly Baby and I wallowed in it. And as I said, I felt sorry for myself for a while. I'm out of it now a little bit. And I'm slowly starting to take on my positiveness again.

I mean, you've got to stay positive after going on a negative binge, don't you? Otherwise you'll forever be miserable and that's no fun for anybody. And  maybe one day I'll be the Red Jelly Baby to someone. You never know!

Keep Smiling, Folks!

Ditzy xXx

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Confessions of a Compulsive, Bargain Hunting Insomniac and The Lazy Diet. . . Last post of 2013!!

Well hello there you glorious rays of sunshine! How are you this fantabulous morning? Yep, I said morning. I am awake in the morning. 7am to be precise. Whoever knows me personally will know that I am not a morning person. Currently being in this ridiculous unemployed web that I find myself in, I have no reason to wake up in the morning and therefore will sleep in. Well, I do have reason to wake up. This isn't some cry for help. But call it Chronic Fatigue/ME/Insomnia/Freakishness or a combination of all the above, I've found myself going through a period of what I can only describe as Sleep Paralysis.

It was really weird. I'd wake up at about 9ish (which is early for me but I've found that that's a lie in for Morning People) but I would find myself unable to move. Like, I literally just could not move. I was pretty conscious if not a little weary from sleep and I'd want to check my phone (because I am your stereotypical tech-obsessed 19 year old) but I literally just wouldn't be able to move. And this would either force me to go back to sleep or just lie there until my body caught up with my mind and woke up. Like I said, weird.

But anyway, I've not been sleeping these past few weeks. I'd lie in bed for hours not being able to sleep until something ridiculous like 6am. (Bright side, if this hadn't happened I never would have noticed the smoke alarm I had in my room for two years but only just noticed a few weeks ago in my insomnia driven haze). At first I refused to get up and do something else other than try to sleep. But then I found myself in that typical Insomnia Cycle of thinking and over thinking. I'd think up future scenarios that would never actually happen (and I don't mean the sort where you imagine yourself marrying a guy that you adore but would never have a chance with in real life. I mean imagining a world made of chocolate. . .). Then there's other vital stuff like wondering what I'm doing with my life, wondering what's in the fridge, wondering what to have for dinner tomorrow. . . You know, strictly the important stuff is contemplated in this gem of a mind =S

Then I decided it was ridiculous to just lie there every night. There's only so much stuff you can think and over think and over over think.

So anyway, it was Insomnia's fault that I found myself on my laptop at 3am on Boxing Day, online shopping to see if any of the sales had started. Which they had. Much to my delight and my bank account's dismay. I'd also find myself reading pointless articles like "The 7 Most Shocking Easter Eggs Found In Movies". (If you don't know what Easter Eggs are, they're basically hidden messages and the like found in movies, games, music videos, etc).

In fact, Insomnia is the reason that most of my Instagram followers are from America and anywhere that isn't England. I'm more active on my Instagram at stupid o'clock, when any normal, sane residents of England are sound asleep.

It's also why my eBay auctions end at weird times like 4am, because that's the time that I put them up! But it does have it's plus sides such as the glorious followers I have on Instagram, the fabulous bargains I had first dibs on and I can also have blog posts ready for you guys to read bright and early on your way to work/school/college/uni/the Jobcentre (my current category).

Oh my Lazy Diet! I nearly forgot! Today, I am starting a Meal Replacement diet! But before you guys imagine me losing my hair on my head and gaining it on my top lip at a more rapid speed, have no fear. These shakes are completely healthy, organic, with loads of vitamins, minerals and other ridiculously healthy raw ingredients. It's completely safe and you only replace 2 meals a day. It ensures you get all the nutrients you need and it helps aid weight loss and it gives energy. But truth be told, the real reason I'm going on this diet is because I'm being really really lazy. At the moment, I can't be bothered (and can't afford) to eat salads all the time. So I'm cutting out carbs, trying to eat healthier and more balanced, cutting down portion size, etc etc. But I can't be bothered to exercise at the moment. I mean, when the weather gets better, I'll be a lot more active but at the moment, I really don't want to. This is the worst attitude I could have, I know. But it won't be for long. For now though, while I become a vegetable for a couple of weeks, I shall start these meal replacement things. Also, I decided to start it today (Tuesday) rather than on a Monday. Because we all know that any diet that starts on a Monday is automatically deemed to fail.

Lastly, it's the last day of 2013!!! Which means this is my last post of the year! Is it just me or has this year gone quicker than all the others? 2013 has actually been full of amazing things for me. I started getting more serious with this blog, posting more regularly. As a result, I've had more of a response on it which has been amazing and such a confidence boost! I've met some amazing people and made some amazing new friends that I can call family. I turned 19 (the last year of my teens!), I finished college, receiving my Level 3 Diploma in Health & Social Care. Okay so maybe I found out about my leaky kidneys this year and I'm currently jobless but I feel 2014 is the start of something amazing. I'm more determined than ever to get a job, lose weight (but I don't want to get too thin. I love my curves. I just want to get fit and healthy). And I think it will be a year full of happiness, because I'm determined to make it that way. Remember peeps, life is what you make it.

So I'm gonna stop there now. I'm snug in bed with my music playing in the background (currently a bit of Marvin Gaye's Heard It Through The Grapevine), wrapped in my duvet, continuously sniffing perfume cards that I've had in bag for a while, because the smell of aftershave makes me happy ;) Oh come on! You can't have expected me to get through a whole blog post and not add something remotely pervy =P

Oh and just a small fact that I feel the need to share. .  .I still don;t have a Onesie =( January Sales: Operation Onesie is on people. I solemnly declare to have a Onesie by the end of January 2014. Watch. . . By the time I get one they'll be banned for some sort of hazard to health or something. . . =S

Oh and one last thing! This pic explains all but tomorrow me and thousands of others worldwide will be taking part in The Ribbon Project to help raise suicide awareness. Post a pic on instagram and hashtag it with #ribbonproject114. Tag me if you like @ditzypolkadot because I'd love to see your support for this cause =)

So keep being the amazing people that you are!! And feel free to comment or share this bog post if you fancy it =)

Keep smiling folks!

Ditzy xXx

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What Makes Us Happy: With a Little Help from Instagrammers, Pharrell, Akon, Ashanti, Frank Sinatra, Collie Buddz & NeverShoutNever =)

I feel so good, 

I don't know what's come over me

Could it be the nice vibes in the party

Could it be the liquor,

Could it be that you're next to me

Okay so maybe I don't feel as happy as the above statement makes out. Those lyrics are taken from the song I Feel So Good by reggae artist Collie Buddz. I'm not in the best of moods at the moment but I do feel that to get out of my current moodiness, I need to start writing happy thoughts and hopefully this will have an impact on my actual mood. Whether or not it does that, we'll have to see. Stay tuned until the end of this blog post and you shall find out. Ooooh how tv-show-esque does that sound?! Exciting stuff!! Is the suspense killing you already?? ;)

So the other day, I was in a really musical mood, wanting to blast my music out and sing my heart out. Which I did. Much to our neighbors dismay. But we've already deciphered that I don't have the X Factor, I am the X Factor. People just don't recognise real talent when it's right there in front of them. Breaking their windows. . .

It then struck me that a good idea would be to analyse different songs about happiness to see what supposedly makes the artist happy. So that is what I did. Here is the results based on my analytic findings (I really should be a researcher/scientist with these amazingly long words flowing forth oh so naturally):

Ashanti ft. Ja Rule - Happy (How Ironic, right?)

So why did Ashanti feel the need to show the world how happy she was? The chorus of this song reveals all:

All my life I've been searching for you,

Everyday.

So glad that I found you boy,

All my life I've been feeling for you everyday.

I'm so happy today.

Evidently, Ashanti's happiness was down to the fact that she found a 'boy' who she'd been searching for everyday. She also says that he takes her pain away and it makes her feel good to know that Man In Question has fallen in love with her. Lovely! (Even though that exclamation sounds like it's dripping with sarcasm, it's really not. I'm not a bitter single person. . . )

NeverShoutNever - Happy

This is a song that I had never come across by a band/person that I had never heard of before. But I felt the need to mention it because it was a cute song with a pretty quirky beat:

You make me happy whether you know it or not.

We should be happy, that's what I said from the start.

I am so happy, knowing you are the one,

For the rest of my days,

You're all of my days.

I'm happy knowing that you are mine.

So I thought that was rather lovely. Okay so it is about a love interest yet again. But it's cute. So again, it was being with that special someone that made them happy. Really, that's simply adorable and fabulous. Time to move on. 

Frank Sinatra - You Make Me Feel So Young

Frank! My favourite Crooner of all time! I may be 19 but I think Frank was and is one of the best things to ever happen to music. But I decided to change perspective and check less ironic titles of songs and this one came to mind. 

You make me feel so young
You make me feel like spring has sprung
Every time I see you grin
I'm such a happy an individual

And I thought Frank would be different and not sing about love! But I still love him. But in all seriousness, Frank's love obviously made him feel young. And this would have made him happy. At least I hope it did. It'd be terrible if that song was really a cry for help, wouldn't it? =S But surely not every song about happiness would be about love and relationships and sickeningly sweet slobber stories?

Pharrell Williams - Happy

So I decided to go back to the ironic titles, as you can see. I love this song. It's so happy and it just makes me want to skip down the street like Pharrell does in the video. Then I realise that I don't live in a glorious part of America, minions aren't real and I'd probably be physically assaulted or detained. So, this song doesn't give a reason for happiness as such. I mean Pharrell hints at a girl being involved when he says:

Sunshine, she’s here, you can take a break

Correct me if I'm wrong but he's telling the sunshine that it can take a break because 'she's' here, so she is basically the sunshine of his life. Which I think is actually really, really sweet =) But he's basically saying that nothing can bring him down because he's happy and he just wants to clap and everyone else should clap but only if they want to because he wants them to be happy and if they clap because they're forced to it won't be a happy clap and then they'll get miserable. . . Wow. Did I just put a negative spin on a song called Happy? I need help =S

Akon ft. Wyclef - Sunny Day

So all these clappy vibes made me think of an old Akon song called Clap Again where he's talking about wanting to make his girl happy again (I just wanna make you clap again). But I came across his song called Sunny Day. The chorus, again, explains it better than I could:

Who'd ever thought that I would see this day?
Where I would see my ghetto life fade away.
'Cause I was lost and couldn't find a way,
And now I look forward to every day.
Welcome to my sunny day.
My sunny day.
Everyday,
A better day.

So this is a different kind of happy. This is almost like a relief. Akon was talking about the struggle of being in the ghetto and the feeling that you'd never escape it. The hate, the futility of the situation, the struggle, having nowhere to escape. He found his happy place when he left the ghetto, something he thought was impossible. So I thought that was nice, you know? Sometimes that's what people need to do to find their happy place: escape.

Collie Buddz - I Feel So Good

So this brings me back to ol' Collie. What made him feel good? It could have been a mixture of things. But it was mainly down to good vibes. People being happy around him. Being able to trust the people around him. Not being on edge. Just enjoying life. Because it's important we do that sometimes. Just take a little time out to enjoy life. 

Instagrammers

So I thought I'd leave the best 'til last. I asked my Instagram followers what makes them happy. And I mean really, genuinely happy. It was so interesting to see the responses actually.  (By the way, if you want to follow me on Instagram, my screen name is @ditzypolkadot. Cheeky plug there I know, but I can't help it!)

So the responses included food; chocolate in particular, which is totally understandable of course. Then a few said family and friends which was lovely and again, very understandable and very true. I seriously think if you're surrounded by good family and/or friends that really love and care for you, you need very little else. Someone else said reading and shopping! Agreed!!! Hopefully reading this blog makes some of you happy =) Another said laughing, about anything with anyone. This really ties in with my happiness which shall be revealed shortly.

One person in particular stood out to me though when she said this:

"Sipping a nice cup of hot chocolate [agreed, H/C is always better than coffee or tea] on the couch, wrapped up in a blanket, and snuggling next to my boyfriend as some random TV show plays on. It didn't matter [what it is], just spending time with him doing nothing makes me fantabulously happy".

That really is beautiful. Because at the end of the day, we don't need riches, big houses, fancy cars, coffee from a fancy coffee machine or gold chains around our neck. All we really need is good company. Also, loving the use of the word 'fantabulously' there. It's been my favourite word for a while now and then you go and use it! Weird!! 

You see, again, it's the small things with me. I've said this before, but my happiness come from spending time with my family. My brother, sisters and mum, all chilling in the living room, eating a box of KFC/kebabs all round/my mums amazing lamb curry, with the telly on in the background (Mock The Week or 8 Out Of 10 Cats or any form of comedy), with us all having a laugh and doing nothing. That makes me feel really content.

You guys know I love being made to laugh. But even better than that, I love making people laugh. I wrote this a while ago about what makes me truly happy:

This is what makes my day. This is what makes me happy. This is one of the things that makes me feel that life is worth living. This is what I live for. I live to make people smile/laugh. I'm not being humble either. Sure, I'd love to have enough money to live comfortably. I'd like nice things, a nice house and a nice car. But at the end of the day, I could have nothing, yet if I manage to do the above, I will have everything. I really, truly, 100% believe that. You guys should try it if you haven't already. Then you'll know what I mean =)

Oh and just for the record, I'm actually feeling a little brighter now. It's mad how much just writing about happiness can make you a little happier =)

Keep smiling, folks!

Ditzy xXx

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