Eat Sleep Rave Repeat

Yes, I totally did just shamefully quote a song that I don't particularly like (it's so annoying!?), but it sums up the content of this post almost perfectly!

As I told you last week, I have been uber busy and am seriously lagging behind in keeping you all updated with my life... I am catching you up though... surely but steadily! 

My birthday weekend was kind of a blow out for the rest of my February, because I didn't touch alcohol or step foot in a party for an entire month... and that's where this post comes in! After a month of keeping it on the down low I felt it was about time to rev it up a little... which led to a pretty hardcore weekend of partying (well at least as hardcore as you can get in little Bangor Land anyway!).

Friday the 14th was a huge bundle of fun! It was genuinely one of the best nights out in Bangor I've had so far! We got all dolled up and headed for the pubs in happy moods that set the night up for success. I'm not sure what it was that made this night so good, but I think part of the reason was down to the fact that I allowed myself to let my hair down, and just blow off some steam! 

The beautiful B hiding behind one of many to come!

Briany feelin' the love.

 The clan.... Briany always proving to be the odd one out...

Another vampire gang shot (Lucy and I's obsession with The Vampire Diaries may be taking it's toll...dun dun dun dunnnnnnnnn!)

After making the sexy stretch limo (yes, you read correctly!) wait for us outside the bar whilst we quickly finished our drinks, we scurried along like little excited preschoolers and jumped into our incredibly glam ride to Embassy (which lasted all of 2 minutes because Bangor is that darn small!).

We pulled up outside the club feeling like VIPs, expecting a crowd of people to be gawping as we flung upon the limo doors and (as elegantly as possible) stepped out onto the street.... we were sorely disappointed to find absolutely no crowd of people to stop and stare at our sweet ride...hah! Even with our temporary dreams ever so slightly crushed, we strode into the club on a mission to continue having an awesome night... and indeed it was!

Compulsory bathroom mirror selfie!

We boogied to our hearts content, and refused to leave until closing time.

Even so... we weren't done with the party, so we brought it back home... and continued the night in the form of a food fight! WHICH WAS FREAKIN' AWESOME. It was a full on food fight.. water (and ribena....which....well...not such a good idea, seeing as it coloured our white walls blue! oops!) being thrown e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e (the floors were drenched!), butter smeared all over each others faces, even gravy granules were involved, not to mention the ketchup and mayonnaise! It was a true food fight, worthy of an award.

We all got a bit carried away, and Miss Lucy managed to smash a glass. Despite my spontaneous involvement in childish play (you only live once people!) and despite still being slightly under the influence of alcohol, (unsurprisingly) my responsible self still managed to squeeze it's way through and begin to clean up the havoc that  had just exploded in the house... nicely illustrated by my firm grip on the dustpan and brush, hah!

What a crazy night! Certainly one for the books!

...Saturday night we did it all over again! I told you Eat Sleep Rave Repeat was the moto for the weekend! I only have two photos to share with you that'll sum up my night...

Uno.... the beginning of the night, thing's already proving to be a little crazy when super tall Rob shrinks to shoulder size....

 .... Y Dos... 

I can safely say that I have never drank so much in my life! I have never thrown up because of alcohol  before, and let me tell you, it was NOT something I ever want to experience again! Friday night was so much fun,  and I guess the mad party animal inside of me was still awake and on the prowl 24 hours later... which consequently resulted in the series of unfortunate events leading up to me having my photo taken... hugging a bucket.

I will not be revisiting that bucket, ever again. I honestly don't understand why people would want to  get that wasted on frequent occasions! It's so not fun! Plus it's so incredibly dangerous! Eww, it just makes me feel gross thinking about it. Don't do it people! Keep it safe and responsible! I definitely learnt my lesson. Not happening again, ever!

The following friday was minion social night with the horse riding club! It was a 100% sober night out for me (I really did learn my lesson!), and it was really fun dressing as a quirky little minion! I was in love with the round glasses, even considered buying myself a real pair for lectures...what'd you think? mmm...

 Rockin' dem specs!

Spot minion Alyssa!

 Who doesn't love a cheeky minion eh?

-Alyssa xo

The Big TwoOH

Okay, so I agree... I'm a totally terrible blogger! It feels like I start every post apologizing for my lack of commitment to writing on this blog, it's quite embarrassing really! I don't really have a valid excuse this time. The honest reason is that I had been having a bit of a difficult time a few weeks ago, my mind was a bit of a mess, so I didn't feel motivated to publicly express myself, plus I didn't want you (my lovely readers) to have to read such negativity, and be dragged down by my pessimism. BUT the main thing is that I'm back now! I've spent the last week pulling myself together, getting myself into a productive routine, and surrounding myself with optimism...refueling my spirit! I'd like to say I'm back for the long haul, but with the emotional roller-coaster rides my mind seems to love subjecting me to, both you and I will both have to just have to wait in suspense to see just how that lovely idea of sticking around on this blog goes! I have a good feeling about remaining happy so hopefully that counts for something! Fingers (and toes) crossed!

So, my lovely friends, I have an incredible amount to catch you up on. But boy, that could take me hours upon hours! So I'm going to break it down into multiple posts, so as a) not to drive myself crazy and b) not to drive you crazy! I promised myself that if I had a productive day, I could have dedicated blog time before curling up in bed. I'm actually very excited to be writing, and to finally begin sharing with you a whole month's worth of stories, that I have been wanting to share with you for so long! 

First off I have to tell you about our big joint birthday party that was literally a month and five days ago (cannot believe I haven't blogged since before then! Oh the shame!). It was AWESOME. I enjoyed myself so much! Lucy, Emma and I spent the entire day running around town buying party essentials such as plastic cups, balloons, shot glasses (many of which were to be used by Lucy and I...mmmm). We scurried home and got straight to cleaning our mess of a house to make it look somewhat presentable for our guests that were expected to arrive later on. We set up the living room with birthday banners, and the like, and started getting ready (which to us girls, is one of the funnest parts of the night! ^^).

 Let's get this party started! Of course...by popping open some champagne!

Three cheers for the birthday girls! ^^

.... And we mustn't forget about the birthday boy!

My beautiful best friends looking gorgeous as ever! Emma's red dress was stunning, and I am head over heels for Lucy's new leather skirt.... hot!

And then there's me.... looking like a bit of an numpty really. I actually was a bit cray cray (...yes I totally did just say that) because I wore my killer heels AFTER HAVING SPRAINED MY ANKLE the week before...brave, brave little (20 year old little) girl. Luckily my ankle survived though it's killer shoe ordeal! 

Mr Kelly and Miss Pitcher... party ready!

 Mr Kelly the pimp...

  Getting a bit cheeky after the first round of drinks!

FACT: the party cannot start until some serious selfie sessions have taken place...

'Check out our big balloon boobies!'..... yes we may be in our twenties...

BUT WE STILL KNOW HOW TO HAVE FUN WITH BALLOONS!

And thennnn, the doorbell rang and in came our first guest, time to be sensible, mature (...yeah right!) hosts....

Sadly, very, very sadly, I put my camera back in it's place, safely hidden in my bedroom.  I didn't particularly want it getting knocked over, spilt on, thrown up on, stolen, or abused with horrendous selfies by all our party guests (...I did have my reasons!), therefore, I am afraid to inform you... there are no drunken photos I can share with you (which, is probably for the better... seriously..).

Our party was awesome, and it didn't fall anything short of our expectations (in fact it was better than expected!). So many people turned up, a lot of whom I didn't even know (the number of times I had to embarrass strangers in my house when they asked me who I was, and I had to point at my birthday girl badge and explain how 'this was MY house and MY party'... awkward! 

The general gist of the night went something like this...

music blaring

drink

disco lights dancing

drink

friendly chatter

drink

receiving lovely gifts 

drink

tipsy giggling

drink

awkward introducing

drink

drink

drink

realizing you should probably stop drinking

too late

drunken conversations in the bathroom with your girlfriends

much too late.. friend being carried to bed because too intoxicated to go out (ahem, B!)

drinkkkkkkkkk

feel left out of a group huddle, so decide to bombard into it...

get drink spilled all over your dress

have to go and dry your dress with a hairdryer

change into appropriate, non-killer heel shoes (let's avoid breaking the sprained ankle now why don't we?)

exit the front door.... (BEWARE...HERE WE COME!)

stumble to the club inappropriately shouting things in the street

enter the club

dance dance dance (drink???)

so tired

go home

regret all the moments you engaged in 'drink'

wish you could delete the moments you engaged in 'drink'

self-pity

freak out because you acknowledge you've just had your last party as a teenager (!)

freak out like you have no idea

finally realizing sleep is the best option

zzzzzzz

So as you can see, the 15th of february was quite an eventful night over here in little Bangorland!

....

 My birthday on the 17th was also a day to remember! I woke up to the delivery of a beautiful bunch of pink and white flowers and a box of delicious assorted chocolates from my parents and my sister. This year was my second birthday I spent away from my family, and it felt incredibly strange being apart from them, but they certainly know how to make me feel special on my special day even when they're 1800 miles away! 

I went to blue sky cafe (my favourite hang out place!) with my beautiful besties Lucy and Emma, and they treated me to a pot of tea and a slice of cake. I love spending time with them in blue sky cafe, we've had so many wonderful chats, which have only allowed us to grow in friendship, I  always look forward to our times there! 

Lucy and I then went to the Hergest unit (the mental health unit in which we volunteer), and the volunteers seemed quite surprised that I turned up on my birthday, but I LOVE volunteering at Hergest and it only made my birthday all the better! After Hergest, the uni family and I went to the Greek for dinner, and although the service was quite slow, it gave us a good two hours to chat and spend quality time together, I wouldn't have changed a thing about it. I really like the Greek, with it's intimate atmosphere... I'm a sucker for candle lit dinners! And well, obviously... hummus..!

The guys...

...and the gals....

 ...and my hummus! 

 ...and main...

 ... and we musn't forget about desert! My friends bought me the most delicious cake.. but it was a beast! We were all so stuffed after our meal at the Greek but we forced ourselves to eat the monster of a chocolate cake, because, well... I had to have birthday cake on my birthday! Wasn't it just beautiful...!?

I was terrified of leaving my teens and entering my twenties, but I realized that was utterly ridiculous! Yes, my adolescent years are over, and yes it is a little scary knowing I'll never be a child or teenager again, but it's also so reassuring feeling like I made the most of it, and knowing that I only have more to look forward to, and so much ahead of me to be excited about! Twenties are just as much an important era to be in, with so many important things happening... enjoying university, graduating university, getting my first proper job, traveling the world, and perhaps even getting married and having children! There is so much happiness to be found within my years as twenty odds, and i'm so excited for each and every moment that will allow me to continue learning and growing!

-Alyssa xo