The Power of Hugs

When was the last time that you gave a hug? Most probably you forgot the last time you hugged someone!

 

I have realised that when giving a hug one gets a lot of positive energy and one shouldn’t be afraid of giving hugs more often.

 

Research shows that hugs can instantly boost oxytocin levels, which heal feelings of loneliness, isolation and anger. Apart from that hugs strengthen the immune system, the gentle pressure and the emotional charge a hug creates activates one of our Chakra’s which stimulates the thymus gland – which regulates and balances the body’s production of white blood cells.

Furthermore a hug teaches us how to give and receive, it educates us how love flows both ways.

 

Like meditation, hugs teach us how to be in the present moment, how to appreciate one another  and how to connect with your heart and your feelings!  

 

Virgina Satir once said “We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We need twelve hugs a day for growth.”

 

If maybe 12 hugs a day seem impossible, even one hug a day will make a big difference. So stop what you are doing and go give a hug to someone you love, and show that you appreciate them in your life.

 

Back to School blues

One fine day I decided that having a BA in Philosophy was as useful as a bikini in the North Pole. I do not want to sound like a pessimistic brat; after all I was the one who chose this subject to study. But coming from a little island in the middle of the Mediterranean- where half the people have no clue what philosophy is, my degree is not considered as something important. (The Maltese are more interested in lawyers, doctors and teachers graduating).

During one of my epiphamatic(another word that should be added to the Oxford dictionary) moments in my life I decided to do a masters! In what was another dilemma. So I started asking around, looking online and it is there that I decided to combine my philosophical background with the business world. And this October I started my MA in Business Ethics. Obviously Brain decided to join me in my academic adventure; we applied and waited for our acceptance letter. Which as everything on this island took a while, and in fact two days before starting the course we got approved to start!

The journey started with a mass, and may I emphasise that I am not the religious type. But it was sweet, I have to admit that the Theology Faculty made us feel welcome, everyone came over to introduce them selves and they even organised some nibbles and drinks which completely won me over! 

So Pinky and the Brain are now on a new adventure! And the challenging part is sitting down and typing an assignment! Writing the blog is so much easier! I felt that my writing skills flew out of the window! I have become such a perfectionist in what I write. My press release experience has influenced me in bad way as now I'm writing short and straight to the point. Working on a computer 8 hours a day make me feel less keen to just sit down and start typing! My philosophical writing style is in hibernation and it seriously needs to make a move because my deadline is next Tuesday!

Therefore I decided to use my assignment block to write a blog instead :) 

Hopefully tonight might be a little bit easier...if not tonight we have tomorrow...damn it that's Friday!! Well some way or another we'll finish it!

But one day...we'll take over the world...with a MA in Business Ethics while wearing Louboutins!!

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It can always be worse!

One of life's lessons was taught to me by my dad and I will treasure it as it will help me through life without over stressing my brain.

I am a chatter box! I have been and I will always be a chatter box. (Well they do say that the first step is admitting you have a problem). A little while back I discovered the art of shutting up, the fact that I do not fit in everywhere and I am not the most interesting person in the room. 

This has lead me to widen my knowledge, grow different relationships and led me to realize that it is better to be a chatter box people love, rather than one they avoid.

Also I have come to the conclusion that it is possible to out shine my chatterboxness (I found it necessary to invent a word to discuss my syndrome). I am proud to say that I no longer hold the title of World's Top Chatter Box; I have dropped down drastically on the "Top10 Chatterboxes" list and I no longer have a 2 page spread on the "Headache Weekly".

I have discovered that 'It can always be worse!'. My dad was right! 

Take my chatterboxness (used it twice maybe it will be added to the Oxford dictionary. Did you hear they added Twerk recently?) I am no longer at the top of my game, I am not the most chatty person in the world, thus it can always be worse!!!

This can be applied to any situation. For example; 

• My blondness- I am by far not the blondest person in the world.
• My bad Monday - Some people might have had a worse Monday than myself
• My moaning- There may be someone that moans more than me!
• 'I'm so fat' days- Have you watched Too Fat for 16 lately?

So there I have proved that Yes it can always be worse!

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Down the Black Hole

I think that there are certain people who have a certain energy, bad energy that when you are in contact with them  you end up sucked in a black hole.

My question is why do I keep getting myself attracted to such a negative thing, it doesn’t even make me feel good.

There is a certain person in my life who has been present for the past 3 years, we had some good times but mostly we bring misery to each other, we put each other in temptation, we are curious about each other’s lives for all the wrong reasons and we know that we are a recipe for disaster together,  so Why in god's name did i choose to bring him back in my life?

Is it because us humans like bringing misery to ourselves?  Usually I like to be surrounded by happy, positive, colourful  people not with someone that drags me down to an emotional roller-coaster .and for what... for nothing.

I do try to get myself away but I find myself sending that email, checking my phone maybe I got a BBM, spying on what the plans for the weekend are maybe we might accidentally pop into each other.

I hope there is Tequila at the end of the Black Hole, anything is better with a shot of Tequila!

And as Pinky says one must take the good with the bad so hopefully we might be able to post something good in this situation(at some point or another).

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Excuse me...he's mine!

I always assumed that my happy nature made me immune to the green bug eyed monster also known as jealousy!

So it was rather shocking when all of a sudden the Green Monster and I were down at the watering hole planning the death of a Frog.

I am a natural flirt...I am not the sleazy kind of flirting but the 'friendly flirting'. I make jokes, we laugh I flick my hair but at the end of the day I do not want to get in your pants.When I go out alone or with my better half I speak to everybody and never had issues with him about me talking to boys or any issues with him if a girl goes a talk to him.

Some people may tend to get jealous but I honestly always found it funny when someone flirts with him as to me it is like 'Hey ma man's hot and other girls want his attention'.

A problem (in my case jealousy) however does occur when people cross the LINE!

Let's define crossing the line. What does it mean to ME personally when someone crosses the line.

• He tells you he has a girlfriend. You are aware of this yet still try to get it on with him.
• You text him after a night out.(unless it is not to thank him for a lift home or a drink or for some gesture he did)
• If he is out with his girlfriend you get him alone and go talk him. But in her presence you just smile and barely step within 6 feet of him.
• You insist on pointing out how he flirted with you and lead you on, yet we all know he was just being friendly

The point of this blog is that...I was a chicken and I did not tell this FROG my opinion. On the contrary I gave her space and let her be. While inside the Green Eyed monster and I were plotting which would be the best way to pull out her hair, or if shaving her eyebrows would be necessary. But in the end I knew she was leaving in a short while so I decided not to waste my energy on this issue.

She did how ever screw things up on her own. She ended up getting drunk, yelling and balling her eyes out in front of my better half which seriously freaked him out (he can't handle a woman crying).

And in the end she left on a jet plane ( thank god) and we do not know when she'll be back again (hoping never).

Moral of my post :

• Let bygones be bygones. 
• Trust your better half
• Do not get drunk and cry in front of your crush- it only annoys your crush and makes you look like an ass.
• Green eyed monster and you can have some fun in your head but it is useless going further than that!

I Am Bradley Manning

America claim they are the land of free, where they are proud of freedom of speech...until someone like Bradley comes along, then the freedom of speech goes down the drain.  

Have any of you heard about Bradley Manning? After watching this video I was shocked to see what this guy had to go through just because he choose to speak the truth.

Have a look. 

So now that you watched it what do you think? I admire the guy for having the balls to speak up, he is showing us the damages that war produces, he is showing us what America was hiding all along, what journalists have never dealt with because they were too scared. He is being charged as helping the enemy, but the way he is being made to suffer is horrendous , he is being tortured – wire cages, paraded naked, light on for 24 hours, why is getting such a treatment when others who did worse get less. He is facing life imprisonment or even a death sentence.

We need to expose stories like these more and not torture who dares speak up.  

Bradley Manning is nominated for a Noble Peace Prize .... if you want to see him win it please sign the petition found on this page.

Let’s spread the word.

Let me enjoy my steak!

In general I try to avoid criticising people and the decisions they take, however, vegetarians have a habit of getting on my nerves (not all of them of course). Have you ever been to a dinner and there is a vegetarian on the table, of course they make it a point that everyone on the table knows what they are and then they enrol on a mission to inform everyone why they became vegetarians, how long they have been vegetarians, what video we should YouTube to see how much animals suffer...the list is endless.

I do get their concept that meat in general is not good when consumed in large amounts like we have a habit of doing; yes we know it has a lot of hormones; that meat in general is more fattening and is one of the high factors for obesity. But please if I am at dinner and feel like having a rib eye steak don’t make it a point to rattle next to my ear all the reasons why you turned vegetarian.

 One thing that confuses me a little about vegetarians are the ones that eat fish, doesn't a fish have feelings too. In general humans are over fishing and if they want to help the environment then you should stop eating fish. It makes more sense to eat pork for example; pigs we rare them and we kind of have control on the breading etc etc, whilst fish on the other hand is becoming more and more extinct.

Finally, i do not have anything against vegetarians just please let me enjoy my steak while you enjoy your pasta al olio .

Post Secret 13345 Cooper Ridge Road, German Town

Postsecret.com has become my Monday must see! Brain had actually suggested the site around a year ago and since then it has become a ritual. I just love the website! Scrolling down, reading people's random secrets; some funny, others shocking, some sad and depressing and others you can actually relate to.

Set up by Frank Warren this website allows people to share their secrets with the world in the form of a postcards! Frank also hosts world wide seminars. You can view one here on Ted.com. During his talk Franks also points out that in his Post Secret books he has also inserted a couple of secrets of his own. 

People use all different kinds of formats to share their secrete, it can be a drawing, something photo shopped or simply a photo.

Here are a couple of secrets i like.

      

The first secret makes me curious! The second secret makes me want to comfort this person and let him know that his dad should accept him no matter what.The third I can relate to...i do not have a PhD. but I do hope the person bought a kinky pair of heels for all her effort. And the last is something I personally love reading on a Monday Morning!

I think Frank Warren has a achieved something special, random people are somehow connected to each other by a postcard, a website and a message! 

Whether it's a cry for help or just a 'I don't care any more ' we can all relate to at least one secret in every post! 

So thanks Frank!! 

When i grow up...

What amazes me in people, (apart from a nice toned ass) is the fact that some people have known what that they'd like to do in life.... like FOREVER! A doctor, a lawyer, a teacher... I on the other hand, am on the other end of the stick... I'm clueless!

I had several career paths I'd wanted to pursue from; soldier, to Eagle F-15 Pilot, physiotherapist, sexologist and the list goes on and on!

Now when someone asks,'What would you like to do in life?' I smile and my answer is 'Be HAPPY'.

Another annoying question is, 'How do you see your self in 10 years?' Well ... I hope I'd have a slim curvy figure, no wrinkles and maybe a house with a cat...a black cat...doing God knows what :) ...but I'd like to be Happy!

Then I start wondering (like a 3 year old boy who has no idea where babies come from.) 

• Why do we have to choose a career path? 
• How do I know this is right for me? 
• How do I decide? 
• Why then again do I have to choose?

My dream is to make a name for my self to be remembered, but then again what do I want to be remembered for?

I do not want to let these thing get to me! I want to take it day by day!

Every different job I have done so far; waiting tables, teaching English to foreign students, Administration, Marketing etc... is another step towards my dream. One day I may be asked to write a Press release, the next day I may use my recently discovered writing skills to write my blog!

Eurovision Recap!

And this is our Eurovision 2013 Recap!! Where everything from clothes, to man in leather trousers was judged!

France- please give me your dress- Pinky (and we have an image now as well thanks to one of our dear readers!)

<-Lithuania- Hmmm not bad...not bad at all.- Pinky






Maldova- Her hair is a tribute to a tsunami- Brain. ->

Finland- We love you!! - Pinky and the Brain

 

Fun Fact of the day -The Spanish have relocated to Scotland- Brain.

The Spanish girl is prettier-Pinky. her Guitarist is prettier.- Brian

Belgium bieber! -Brain
The dancing is good though- Pinky. Yes good distraction! Brian

Estonia- Such a pretty Face. Brain...Yeah its best we see on her mute. 

Belarus    Pinky- Barbie on crack. MEAN- Brain

Maltaaaaa!!!Our sexy doc! Brian .Maybe not sexy but quite handsome!- Pinky

Russia (above)-Religious Ballad- Pink

Germany- I like the dress- Pinky. That't dress is just worng!! Brain

Armenia- Johhny depp gone wrong. - Brain. Now we know where Kim K gets her eye brows from- Pinky



The Netherlands- Anouk should just retire- Brain


Romania - prepare yourself Lady Gaga Male version - Brian

It's gay Dracula from Transylvania - Pink
And now they squeeze his balls

UK- Oh Bonnie!! Why!!- Pinky
B4 textiles gave her their left overs- Brain

Sweden - I'm not so sure about you. I don't trust you. Pinky - >

<-Hungary- Hmmmm I like him! Pinky

I would do him right now...and his guitarist. Brain








Denmark- We like you!!!(and in fact the won! We have good taste)

<- Iceland- Icelandic Jesus- Brain.
Better on mute. -Pinky

Azerbaijan- The man with the distracting brows.Brain...I like the dancing- Pink...Gay dancing sorry- Brain  (below)






Greece- 'I'm moving to Greece! handsome man and alcohol is free!' Brain. 

<-Ukraine- Neeehh - Pinky
Brian- I want a man to carry me like that....like everywhere.

Italy- The suit!!- Pinky and Brian.
On second thoughts I might move to Italy- Brain.











<-Norway- Like her outfit and hair- P &B!



Georgia- Aladdin 3 Sound track.- Pinky!

Ireland- Eye Candy!!!!- P&B

Brain- A little less camera on him more in them please.

See you later!

A few years ago my best friend died in a work related accident, and although you learn to get by; you learn to adjust, deep down you still feel a part of you missing .

Everyone grieves in his own way. Some cry their eyes out, others shut down and live in a daze for a few weeks, while others start to ask the horrible ‘But Why Questions?’  

My best solution to ease the grieving was to find new things to do; new tasks and different ways to keep myself distracted. However, this proved to be much more difficult as when the mind starts thinking the same thoughts over and over  it is not that easy to switch your thoughts from negative to something positive, especially when you just simply can see the silver lining.

There is no simple manual that we could follow when you lose a loved one. If there is I would be a proud owner of one for sure.

I am certain that many people attempted to write something similar but the fact that everyone grieves differently would make this  not a very profitable book. 

 

From this experience you also learn how to offer support to someone who is going through the same situation. 

One nice thought that I carry with me all the time is that every time that I get the chills it’s my friend telling me that he is around and that he taking care of me.

Did we follow our own shopping advice?

Well Brain and I are no strangers to the city of Dublin! It is my favourite shopping destination so far. I can find good clothes, with great prices and drink a pint of Bulmers at the end of the day to celebrate (usually wearing my recent purchases)!

First off I'd like to mention that we DID NOT start our shopping in Penny's/Primark!(yeah hi 5 to us) We were walking around in Henry Street (an area famous for shops) and decided to pop over to the Jervis Shopping Centre and it was there that I spotted a Sale sign in a Diesel shop! Bam!! I got a pair of kinky red straight leg Diesel Jeans for EUR40. 

We also spotted Forever 21 but I'm sorry to say I was not impressed with this shop. I was disappointed that most of the clothes in the Sale section were torn or just distasteful I prefer H&M (price wise it is pretty similar). 

After (some Visa card issues which disrupted our shopping) we headed over to St Stephen's Green Shopping Centre where we always pop over to Swamp! However this also proved to be a rather big disappointment; the Sale section was rather empty and dull and the new stock fell flat! 

Brain and I were gob smacked! It was then that I remembered TK-Maxx is also located there, so we popped over! And amongst the racks I spotted a spiked shoulder, teal, faux leather jacket!! A true bargain at EUR16! I Love it!! Please note I spotted it in two other shops at a much higher place but in black! 

Walking down Grafton street with my happy purchases I spotted Barratt's! I had discovered Barratt's while living in Dublin, 4 years ago! I looked at Brain, who smiled and followed me in! I saw the cutest pair of red satin ankle boots, with a polka dot heel and a black bow on the side and the price tag was a mind boggling EUR12!!

I had to try them on! Lucky me they even had my size! BUT they were so bloomin' uncomfortable! My legs were swearing so I maturely opted for a polka dotted wedge of the same brand. At EUR20 they are decently comfortable and more practical! 

So in some ways we did stick to our shopping tips! Mind you we did overspend on certain things and we did get some pretty good deals on others! 

What do you think Brain? Shall we go again ?

Cappuccino for him!

Working in an office for more than a year has made me realize how an office is like a classroom for grown-ups with more complicated topics, more demanding teachers, endless amounts of deadlines and my favourite – teacher’s pets.

It doesn't matter how much you love your job, deep down there is always a teacher's pet that will make sure to ruin your day.

When I got out of university I thought I was done with competitions and people trying to impress others with good grades and boasting about their above average IQ.  I was wrong- these teacher's pets are everywhere, and they multiply like rabbits in an office environment.

Teacher's pets come in different forms and sizes. Do not underestimate people, they might have a hidden agenda and just because you were thought to be courteous and friendly to others, doesn't mean that others have the same values. 

If one lets them get to him/her, it will certainly destroy your work experience and from loving your job it will turn to something you dread.

One has to keep focused and his/her fingers crossed that the managers will realize that you are good at your job; you work hard and that you do not have to bring him cappuccino and buy lunch for him/her in order for him/her to see that you are focused and driven.

Be nice to the teacher’s pet and hopefully our friend Karma will have a go at them one day.

Before you go to bed at night you can say, I have a good conscious and you are not putting anyone under the bus.

 Ponder …

Mmmm ….. throw them under the bus ….literally….now that would solve the problem quicker and then I can get cappuccino for the manager!

Pop! Part 2

But try as you may your bubble eventually pops! 

Tears stream down your face; and while you are alone in your room, you weep and bend over in pain! You feel stupid, shamed and useless. 

However in public you act like all is fine. "Yeah I'm cool. So glad that's over" or "Whatever! Yeah let's party!"

Thinking about it you knew deep down that this bubble was bound to burst, although in denial you always knew that your bubble would be short lived. 

It is pointless crying over your past! You must learn from it and come to the conclusion that bubbles are just not worth it.

We may not want to admit that our friends are right. Far from it!! In fact if the topic ever comes up you'll brush it away. But we must learn from our mistakes, embrace our bubble in a new light. See it as a learning phase, as something that most people go through. 

Look around you...everyone has had what I called bubbled syndrome. A couple of circumstances I can think of are:

• Dating someone who is hurting you.
• A 'friend' who is back stabbing you.
• An impossible task we try so hard to achieve that no matter what we push people aside to achieve it.
• Doing something that harms you and others around you.
• Being selfish and in denial to the truth.

I Pinky too had a bubble and I refused to pop it! I carried it around and pretended everything was fine. But then my bubble popped and I began cracking and cracking and then I broke into pieces.

And it was my dear friends who fixed me up; who told me everything is going to be all right; that rainbows and unicorns will once again come to inhabit my subconscious!

So be strong, be brave and learn from your mistakes...think about it...'is my bubble worth it?'

Pop! Part 1

There comes a time in life when no matter what, you believe that you are right. You feel you are so right that no matter what your closest friends may say, all that matters is that you are right.

Then you look back ... a couple of days later, a week or a month or two, and you say , 'Holy *duck! They were right!' 

Still you might not admit it completely; you might hint here and there, but you will never fully admit that your friends are right and you were blinded/ selfish / in denial/ or just too god damn happy to care! 

We are so wrapped up in our own lives that we never consider the fact that some close friends are more like family. 

You speak to your best friend of 10 years every day; either texting, chat or Facebook. They know your routine, your plans and what you had for lunch. They may know things about you that your parents do not even know about you. So your friends advice is worth considering; especially if it is a friend who cares about your well being.


But what happens when I'm in a bubble? I'm caught in a moment of weakness; drunk, sad or just going through a tough patch. I blow a big bubble around myself, and I like it; I like it so much i carry it around with me wherever I go. To make matters worse I flaunt it to my friends, I hide it from my family, disguise it, make it seem like it doesn't even exist. 

Friends are nice at first. They analyse and observe your movements, decisions and things you adapt to because of your bubble. Simple things; you hated sushi and now you are its biggest fan. Organizing sushi parties and Liking Sushi posts on Facebook.

Your parents may comment but they like your bubble. In the few hours you spend with them they think you are fine. All is well. You are happy, haven't been in a while. The change is good.

Your friends try to ease you out of the bubble. Not pop it, but make you see that you are missing the bigger picture. 

But you created your bubble, you love your bubble and so choose to do it all it takes not to make it *POP*

Horsemeat scandal

I have been taken quite by surprise when this scandal came out, not because horsemeat was included but because the public has been deceived and lied to. As a consumer we have the right to be provided with what is on the label and Tesco and other big industries such as Findus have done the total opposite.

The first time we heard about this horsemeat scandal was back in 1948 where horses were killed and sold on the black market mostly to restaurants who want to save a penny or two, fast forward to 2013 and we have the same thing going on but now on a wider spread.  It has become so out of hand that authorities have officially stated that they cannot come up with a definite number or how many products have been contaminated by horsemeat.

First discovered in the budget burgers offered at Tescos and then in Findus lasagne and then cases multiplied, including  school canteens food.  Why shouldn't a person paying for a budget burger get an honest product, in the Premium products there was no traces of horsemeat found… so does this mean that people who cannot afford Premium products have less consumer rights?

This has made me question the meat that I buy. I'm currently living in Austria and my German skills are not very good (ok they are bad, horribly bad) so I always buy meat from Supermarkets where I do not have to ask anyone and won’t have to humiliate myself  trying to explain that I want chicken breast not chicken wings (mental note I have to Google translate Chicken to German). How fresh is it the meat that we are buying from these supermarkets and how long did it take to get there?  

Although as customers we will most probably always be deceived by these big chain supermarkets, one thing is for sure, I shall never buy meat from these supermarkets again and will opt to the original butcher who offer local and fresh meat who knows maybe it might help me improve me my German skills.

Tips not to over shop!

Pinky: I have a habit of purchasing anything that is cheap! That's how my wardrobe is always so full yet still i find it difficult to choose an outfit. (plus my wardrobe is one big mess)

So this time round I plan to tackle my Dublin shopping sprees in a different manner. Let's give it a shot.

1. I shall not start my shopping in Primark/Pennys. I shall try out TK Max, Forever 21(still need to discover this) and other shops i usually visit.

2. Once I locate an item I shall ask my self- Do I need this? Does it go with anything I have in my wardrobe?

3. If one of the above questions is a Yes I shall look at the price tag if its within budget I shall try it on then purchase.

4. If its something I don't necessary need such as a cartoon print t shirt, a set of hair pins I shall look at the price tag and if its below 8euros the yes I can purchase it!

5. I've also planned a list of things I NEED to buy :) here's the fun part. Such as black flat boots and a khaki coat with a hood if possible! I'll try to stick to the list :)

What do you think brain? is this Dublin mission possible?

Brain: Pinky as much as I would like to say no this is total;y doable it is going to be a big challenge, with our shopaholic syndrome (yes that is also classified as a syndrome) and all those bargains screaming at us .. how are we going to be able to keep the budget?

I think your points are very good I only have a few remarks

- Point 1 please add A wear, cannot not ( yes I used a double negative) go there they have good quality clothes and can find good bargains there.

- Point 4 - I think 8 euros is far too high for the prices that primark have, make it 5 much better

- Points to add

6. lets avoid buying sky high heals and opt for more comfy shoes, at least they will be worn more and not only for sit down meals

7.   do not let me buy another scarf, I have enough to last me a lifetime... ok maybe not a life time

8. we both have a lot of braclets, necklases etc, lets make it a point not to go all crazy at Primark when we get to this section

Pinky- I agree :) thank you brain...will try to steer away from sky high shoes that i can barely walk in :)

Here comes the bride!

I have recently just finished a really good and gripping book by Khaled Hosseini, called Thousand Splendid Suns. Based in Afghanistan, the books tells of the struggles of an illegitimate girl,a harami Miriam and her struggles which then lead her to Laila. This is the third book I have read based in Afghanistan. I started with another Khaled Hosseini book called The Kite Runner, and moved on to The book seller of Kabul by Åsne Seierstad.

All three books have been eye openers to me, I realized that I live in a bubble and I really do not appreciate how free I am. I was given an education, I can go out shopping alone, wear a skirt, sing and dance, something that during the Taliban regime was impossible especially since I am a girl. Medical care is offered for free in my country (Malta), we have clean hospitals proving food and comfort. Till this day people in Afghanistan have no access to medicines and only 2 from 5 children live to the age of five. Most of these deaths can be prevented with basic medication.

Coming from an anthropological and philosophical background I kept in mind that this was a different culture, different practises and beliefs. But then again in 40 years Afghanistan was ruled by so many different leaders, groups and countries all of which imposed different laws. The Afghani culture was abused and twisted to what the party or leader in command wanted from the people. This I think has led to turmoil, abuse of power and discrimination.

Another issue which startled me was the young age at which girls are married off. I wanted to know more about all this. In Thousand Splendid suns Miriam was forced to marry so her father could keep face, other families married their daughters as they cannot afford to feed them any more  Some hope for a better life for their daughters and in some cases the daughter's feel that this is the right choice.

This National Geographic video posted below is a short lecture about this. The photo journalists has some stunning and dramatic images of these girls. She started her research from a hospital were a large number of girls were being treated for self harm. This led her to investigate the world of child brides to find our more. Child brides are not found in Afghanistan but all over the world.

 Warning- video contains graphic images. 

If you are interested in all this the learn more from the  NGO Girls not Brides.

For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.
Nelson Mandela

Update- I came across this article which reminded me of my post. Although its from the Daily Mail you can watch the video of the girl on you tube.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2373151/Go-ahead-marry--Ill-kill-Escaped-child-bride-11-explains-ran-away-home.html

Wedding Fails

So let me start by stating that I am no Fashion Guru, although I do try to follow fashion, I am not a slave for fashion either. Yet I do think that I know a thing or two about what to wear that suits my figure (thanks to the constant money spending on magazines and the time spent on the net looking at dresses that fit a curvy figure). I believe that with a little research a fashion disaster can easily be avoided nonetheless many people still fail miserably at looking their best.

 My concern on this matter has been haunting me for ages, how people go wrong in their fashion choices. Lately I have attended a wedding of a friend of mine and although the bride, groom and entourage looked superb, the guests were a complete different story. It amazes me how some women think they look great in some dresses. There are some basic rules to follow when one attends a wedding.

Firstly knee high boots are not appropriate for a wedding, yes knee high boots, that’s what I said,  you are not going for a hardcore night at Paceville, and to make it worse she had leg warmers coming up from underneath the boots. This was followed by a mini skirt with the most hideous design that I wish to never ever witness again in my life.  This fashion disaster Ied to me taking 3 strong Jack Daniels shots. And when I thought that I had seen it all from this particular guest, she decided that her shoes were hurting her, so she took off her unsightly boots to reveal her neon striped socks, and then goes to dance in the middle of the dance floor.

If it was my wedding I would have kicked her out, if your shoes are hurting sit down and rest a little but don’t make it known what your socks are. As much as they look funky over the shop counter they are not to be exposed in the middle of a wedding.

It is a fact that us women enjoy torturing our legs for that extra height, and I am no exception, the higher the better is my motto. But what most women fail to see/ do/ practice before going out with these shoes is to check where it hurts most. I have this guiding principle to go round the house with a new pair of shoes to check if I will need plasters when I wear it in front of people. The amount of women that you see walking like penguins by the end of a night like this is uncountable. And believe me you are not sexy at all. Try wearing comfortable shoes when you are attending an event where chairs are difficult to get hold off. 

Another fashion crime that I saw at this particular wedding is when women wear dresses that that do not do them justice; if you have chubby hands do not wear strapless dresses, and if your boobs cannot be kept in place with a strapless bra do not try fooling anybody with the plastic straps, seriously, they are worse than a toupe. If you are opting for a strapless dress try wearing a scarf to cover up but please try to keep it simple a nice small bolero will do, silver scarves that look like tin foil ( yes unfortunately I had to witness that too ) are not aesthetically pleasing. 

I believe some people fail to see that less is more, and in a wedding especially. I am big fan of accessories and I can never have enough of them, but in wedding I try to keep it plain and simple, a nice small bracelet with a matching necklace is always appropriate. Some women (mostly the older generation ) decide to wear all the gold that they can get hold of. Less is more and if I can get people to understand that I will believe that there is a God after all. (Sorry Mum)

One day we'll take over the world!

Pinky: Ok so WE have a plan!! We shall conquer the world! Wow that sounds so Pinky and the Brain. Thinking about it we are sort of like Pinky and the Brain; little tiny lab mice in a huge world with simply no importance. Very Philosophical of me and yes I would be Pinky since I'm the blonde one of the pair. Oh and yes I started the first post as I'm the social one and Brain is more… hmm how do I say this… ah yes reserved. Well why start a blog? Cos I can is a good answer, or cos I want to be heard, or since I live in a tiny Island in the Mediterranean where Divorce is still Taboo I wanted to express my opinion, practice my freedom of speech so to say. And you Brain why did you suggest that we start a blog?

Brain: Well first of all I'm the Brain, because I had to arrange all the I’s in your paragraph, and secondly because you wouldn't have survived 3 years at Uni without me. Yes I'm proud to say that out of the two I'm the brainy one, however, having said that, I ain't comparing myself to Einstein , for Christ sake , she’s calling herself Pinky….I suppose you all can see with your two eyes that I have loads of patience when it comes to dealing with my beloved friend Pinky. OK enough about Pinky/ Blondie / Etc... more ME time. Well I suggested to start this blog cause basically I have loads of ideas in my mind and it feels good to let them out for the world to see. (Well after all that’s why blogs are for). Another thing is that I enjoy discussing several irrelevant issues, which in the long run won’t make the world a perfect place to live in but will definitely make it slightly better; such as which is the best outfit for a night out with friends, why slightly obese women are not that pleasant to look at when they are wearing a skin tight boob tube, and why I think one should not intervene in a civil war…Yes I told you they are irrelevant stuff… but wouldn't you agree the world would be slightly better.

Brain:That’s it world, you’ll hear from us soonish with something irrelevant but yet still fun.

Pinky: One day we'll take over the world...

Dublin- Things you should do while there!

Dublin...what's there not to love about the birth place of Guinness, the land where leprechauns roam and the greenest day in the world.

No. 1
So you're in Dublin! First thing you should do is....head over to Temple Bar! Locate PorterHouse, we always go to the one in Parliament street and order a pint of Plain (which is their version of stout. You won't find Guinness in this pub) and if you're lucky they may have Strawberry beer!

No.2
While you're there head over to Leo Burdocks for a yummy Fish and Chips and DON"T forget your garlic sauce to dip. Mind you the portions are massive and we usually have left overs for breakfast (NB we share the fries)

No.3
The Irish are famous also for there music, and 90% of the pubs play traditional live Irish music, make sure to find a handsome Irish and let him teach you Irish Dancing..warning - you might look like a fool like we did but it is fun. After 4 pints your dancing will improve, we know from experience

No.4
A stroll in St. Stephens Green is quite pleasant and relaxing (when it is a good day that is) buy/ prepare a small lunch and go eat it at Stephens Green. ( we opt for Subway as it is in the area and we are too lazy/ hungover to prepare)

No. 5Talking about hangovers, what a better way to cure a hangover than a fry up. Make sure to get an Irish breakfast, it is good in so many wrong ways, oily, greasy, fattening but so darn tasty. A small suggestion for a great Irish Breakfast go to Brams, it is not very central but good value for money.

No.6
You need to catch the DART(the Irish railway line) and go to Howth. A fishing village where you also find a Maltese owned restaurant and ...SEALS!! Now there is a particular spot you need to go to if you want to see the seals. Stick to the left and walk along the harbour one or two are surely to pop up and say hello. You can also enjoy a nice fish and chip meal here, a bike ride as well as an ice cream while enjoying the picturesque scenery this little sea side village has to offer

No. 7If you got time to visit Dublin during Paddys day, please be warned, most probably you will meet more Spanish, Brazilians than Irish but it is still an amazing experience that one has to do once in his/ her lifetime. Just buy an overly huge green hat, and roam around the streets of Temple Bar, try to squeeze in a pub, if you find an empty stool, grab it and don't let it go, it is a rare site during such an event, so treasure it. Personally we were not impressed with the parade, ditch the parade and go have some black stuff instead. If you feel that you need something to eat, fast an quick, pop by to Mr. Arepa's Latin Food in Merchants Arch Temple Bar and grab a traditional Venezuelan Arepa, they are heavenly. One has to have one to keep craving for more. ( Mental note to self try to find a recipe how to make them) 

No. 8
Are you a shopaholic like we are, if so Dublin is a great place to find some really good bargains. Make sure to head down to Dundrum Shopping Centre and there you can find a wide selection of brands, it is busy during the weekends, but still nice. while you are there grab a sushi from Yo Sushi it is very good and reasonably priced. However, our favourite store has to be Swamp in Stephens Green shopping Centre, a lot of stylish vintage looking clothes, great friendly staff and not so expensive. a great place for a bargain.

We really should stop talking now and search for a flight to Dublin as I am getting the Dublin Syndrome again. When shall we go?

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