I am currently enjoying my own company, jumping between airport cafes,trying to wake myself up with cups of ginseng green tea, cheese and tomato panini’s and flapjack, so that my four hour wait for my flight home doesn’t seem to drag on any more than necessary. So, I figured this would be the perfect time for me to do some serious catch up blogging!
I have been so incredibly busy (as per!) these last few months, and have been super excited about this much needed little coffee date with you all. So, I recommend grabbing a cuppa (accompanied maybe by a couple of biscuits? or a sliver of cheeky cake, if that’s what floats your boat), getting comfy and preparing for a long one!
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I can’t believe that it has already been a year since I started blogging! Time really has flown by, and quite frankly, it scares me a little. I have had such an incredible year, and I have thoroughly enjoyed sharing (when I’ve had enough time to spare!) all the many precious moments that I am so very grateful to have had.
It’s been a year full of ups and downs, quite an emotional roller coaster if I’m being totally honest. But hey, without darkness, we wouldn’t see the stars, right? This year has been plentiful…balanced… with both upset and joy. I have allowed myself to be vulnerable, and consequently have allowed a handful of wonderful people into my life, wholly. Those with whom I now have the ultimate privilege of calling my best friends… or as I otherwise refer to them; my second family. I have learnt so much this year, and one of the most valuable lessons I will now, always, carry with me is that if you suppress one feeling you are ultimately suppressing them all. Allowing yourself to accept what you are feeling in a nonjudgmental manner is the crucial ingredient to internal happiness. Furthermore, allowing external others to help you in doing so, makes the internal process all the more fulfilling! The book I am currently indulged in (The Art of Happiness), written by psychiatrist Howard Cutler, and inspired by the enlightened teachings of the Dalai Lama himself, so elegantly expresses the essence of this; ‘ While at times suffering can serve to toughen us, to strengthen us, at other times it can have value by functioning in the opposite manner- to soften us, to make us more sensitive and gentle. The vulnerability we experience in the midst of our suffering can open us and deepen our connection with others’. This year I have felt myself ‘let go’ , and through intimacy and trust, have been able to experience the purest of friendships, ones in which I will, genuinely, treasure forever.
It’s incredible how much can change in just one year. This summer is a whole n’other story to last. I returned home last summer feeling like I had only really made one potential life long friend throughout my first year of university, this year I feel like I’ve gained a whole family. Difference is? I opened up. I let people inside my complicated little head, shared with them my most troubled thoughts and fears… and consequently, they’ve secured their own little places in my heart, rightly so.
Although I am incredibly happy to be going back home to Spain, to spend some quality time with my family, and to be receive some much needed cuddles from my puppies (eep!), I am feeling rather lost knowing that I will be spending four months away from my new found second family. Which is why I wanted my first returning post to be dedicated to them, to show my appreciation for all they have done for me, and been to me this past year, and to thank them for being the best friends I could have asked for, during not only the the good days, and the bad, but also the damn right ugly times too!
Emma,
You were that one friend, that last summer I believed could potentially be a life-long one. This summer, without a shadow of a doubt, I know you’re a keeper, and I would do anything to ensure a ‘forever friendship’ with you. I trusted you instantly, that it was pretty much instinctual. When I referred to those ‘damn right ugly times’, I was referring to those times I came to you… flood gates open, body anxiety ridden, overwhelmed and fearful. Thank you for the all too many times you’ve crawled out of bed, turned your bedroom light back on, and opened your door for me at god awful hours in the morning just to listen to me when I needed an ear or a shoulder to cry on. Thank you, for encouraging me to trust my feelings, but in also making sure that they didn’t incorrectly cloud my judgement. On a lighter note, thank you for being my partner in crime whilst intoxicated, nights out wouldn’t be nearly as fun without my hyperactive buddy by my side! Thank you for all our many laughs, in particular, the inappropriate, uncontrollable laughter in the silence of the library that made my abs sore and jaw ache.
Lucy,
My baby girl, I love you so much. I have spent the majority of my year with your pretty little face, and I wouldn’t change a single one of those moments with you. Thank you for trusting me, and giving me all the reason in the world to trust you. You’re my go to girl when I need a cuddle, a chat or just some girly fun, and I know I can count on you with anything. Our personalities and ambitions go hand in hand, and knowing that you just get me on several levels that no-one else ever really has before makes you all the more special to me. I love our ‘alone time’ together, whether it be our sisterly sleepovers, our volunteering experiences or even our gym sessions, because it’s my individual bonding time with you. You’re such a beautiful person Lou, inside and out, and you continue to inspire me on a daily basis. Your positivity and ‘can do’ attitude is so refreshing and it really does just fill my life with exuberance. You’ve become like a sister to me, and I can’t wait to spend another year with you!
Alex,
I know I have renamed you not the most pleasant of things (Aleepoo), but you know what they say.. the sillier the nickname, the closer the bond? Bet you’re thinking, that’s not a saying Alycat… and that’s cause it wasn’t, till now! Muahaha. No, seriously you have definitely earned that awful name, because you’ve seriously been one of my main men this year. You’ve made me laugh an uncountable number of times, and I thank you for keeping a smile on my face even when I was drowning in self-pity and not wanting one there. I’m a difficult book to read, but you acknowledge when something is bothering me, and let me know that you have, so thank you for paying close attention, and understanding that I often need a prod in the right direction to speak my mind. Thank you for being concerned at the right times, for asking me if I am in need of an ear, and then being willing to listen when I do. Thank you for trusting me, I know that it takes a lot…I feel immensely privileged. Oh, and I almost forgot… thank you for being my security guard and carer when I’ve had a bit too much to drink… carrying me home, making me toast, and ensuring my head doesn’t go too far down the toilet!
Brian,
Brainy, another main man of mine! You.Crack.Me.Up.Boy. Your snapchats never fail to put the cheekiest grin on my face, and your unintentional insults just keep getting better I swear. You’re such a cheeky little rascal, that there’s never a boring moment when being your friend. Thank you for making me laugh, and for making me take a step back from ‘serious Alyssa mode’ and helping to remind me that life is short and sweet, and it doesn’t have to be as complicated as I often think it to be. I don’t know if you realise, but you’re very much a man of the present, you live in the now, and it’s honestly one of the most lovely, refreshing things for me to be around, so thank you for making things seem a little lighter, and a little brighter. P.S. Thank you for learning so many songs on the guitar for me, you know how much I appreciate that.
Beth,
My beautiful B, you get more and more beautiful each and every day, I swear. You’re such a stunning person both inside and out, and your greatest priority of keeping those around you happy is only one of your many incredibly gorgeous traits. I feel so privileged to be friends with someone as caring and genuine as you. You’re so down to earth, and your bubbly-ness is seriously contagious. Your happy go lucky vibes, and your natural ability to let those that you love know that they are loved is such a beautiful thing to both witness and experience. I am so excited to spend another year with you, because I know our friendship will continue to grow, and I can’t help but want to get to know you as much as humanely possible. Thank you, for just being your loving little self!
Sarah,
Although we haven’t spent as much time together this year as I would have liked, I understand that you have been preoccupied with other pressing matters, and can only hope that you have an incredible year next year, and that I can be a big part of making that happen! You’re a gorgeous girl Sarah, and I wish you could see that ALL of the time. Thank you for always trying to boost my confidence by complimenting me on things that I often struggle to believe in about myself. I know that you’re quite a closed person, but I hope that you never forget my door is always open if you ever need to talk.
Rob,
Toni, Erin, Sebastian, whatever it is these days that you’re being called… you’re certainly one of a kind ^^ I’ve honestly never met anybody quite as mysterious as you, and to be honest, I absolutely love it! You’re such a closed person, and I wish I could just get inside your head for a day and see what is going on up in there, but, I guess that would ruin the intrigue of Berto, so I guess I’ll have to put my curious self aside and just let you be a mystery, and enjoy our friendship in that way! Thank you for giving my life a bit of mystery, honestly, I always need a bit of mystery in my life, so I really do appreciate the fact that I have a ‘mystery man’ around. I’m so glad I’ve had the privilege of living with you this year, to get to know you little by little, and to discover your awesome sense of humour. Bring on our second year of living together! P.S. as soon as the girls and Erin have been reunited in September, Erin’s putting on her heels and makeup, and heading to revive to do some twerking, maybe even flaunt her hip thrusting on that pole??
Ben,
Two years living together now! And, I am so glad that we’ll be having a third! I’ve got to know you so much more this year, and we always have such a good time when you join us on nights out (get out those sourz shots! ^^). You always have intellectual, scientific answers to all my questions, and you’re the go to man if I need an accurate answer about something! Thank you Thank you Thank you (!) for looking after me when I sprained my ankle, you were so good (!), without you I would have had a serious panic! I’m so glad that we’ll be sharing our third year of university together! Oh, and by the way, you, Emma and I are totally the masters of the house at pre-drink shots!
Seriously, all of you, I love you so much. I know this was an incredibly cheesy post, but I wanted the whole wide w.o.r.l.d to know how amazing you all are! I hope you all have an incredible summer, because you all deserve it! I’ve only just left, but I’m already anticipating returning to you all in September!
Lots and lots of love, always,
-Alyssa xo
