BUT THAT'S GAY!

Whether you are a man who loves men or a woman who loves women ... who am I to judge, right?

Well just to clarify - I don't.

I judge people on the type of people they are, what is known as character and some of the most awesome people in my life are gay and it makes no personal difference to me.

BUT

What I don't get is why two women in a relationship appears to be slightly more socially accepted than two men - it's "sexy" to be a lesbian but "disgusting" to be gay. Last time I checked being a lesbian makes you gay too ... 

These types of judgements are usually expressed (and loudly too) by males, but that doesn't mean that there aren't homophobic females either but I tend to hear more open expressions of dismay/disgust or any other diss in general from males.

I myself have been asked more times than I can count if I have ever kissed a girl or if I would - I usually tend to ask the same question in return to the GUY who has asked me that question and the response I usually get is of incredulity, disgust, offence, anger or even all of them combined.

If you react that way, then what makes you think that a female you ask that too wont feel the same way? DUH!

I don't find the question offensive but I do find the double standard offensive, especially when I hear the retort "that is soo gay".

I guess I will never understand or accept why it's "okay" for girls to be gay but not guys - it shouldn't really matter ... at least I don't so anyway.

UNOFFICIAL BLACKJACK

(A tiny reference to the fanclub of the fierce ladies of 2NE1)

There is this weird phenomena that occurs when I take pictures ... 

... something happens that after I have taken a picture.

My face turns to that of a 12 year old! I can promise you that I most definitely am post 20 - 24 to be precise.

Hooped Earrings, Furry-eared earmuffs + Ring all bought at Shelter charity store // Chain + Pendant bought at Mosaic House at Trocadero.

POSITIVE OUTLOOK: DRIVE AND GOALS

WRITE YOUR GOALS DOWN
(or they just remain thoughts and dreams)

ASK YOURSELF

1. Where in my life would I like to be in one years time?
2. How will I get there?

BE PROACTIVE - DO! DO! DO!

HOW TO MENTALLY PUMP YOURSELF UP

• Get up early (make the most of your day)
• Look at yourself in the mirror and smile (teach yourself to smile at your own image, you'll learn to love it)
• Make time for yourself for 20minutes each morning (reading, writing, meditating, etc.)
• Learn to love yourself (if you are at peace with yourself - you pretty much elimate a lot of your own hangups)
• Appreciate your life (makes you more determined to improve it)
• Dedicate yourself to being open-minded and having a student mentality (there is always room to learn something new)
• Don't maintain a negative state of mind, create solutions for obstacles (it will train you to become a problem solver)
• Take each 'no' life throws at you as a 'not just yet' (try, try and try again)
• Tell yourself that you are the best (until you believe it)
• Let someone you love know that you love them (it will make them feel good and in turn so will you)
• Write a plan of action (and actually take action)

WHERE I HAVE WONDERED: CANARY WHARF/GREENWICH

WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING ...

" watch where you're going - not where you've been "

A SIMPLE DAY NEVER FORGOTTEN.

Not so long ago, my love took me out (I love it when he does that!), to Greenwich Park - I have never been before, had always wanted to go and I absolutely loved it. It was a beautiful, relaxing day and it has been etched into my memory forever.

Greenwich is a beautiful area and I would go again, with my love of course!

We concluded the day on a nice walk alongside the Thames, thinking that we would soon reach the nearby DLR station to get home ... how wrong were we! After walking for what felt like an eternity, we finally reached Greenwich underground station - totally shattered and exhausted but on the upside I got to take some really nice pictures.

Woohoo!
The O2 and Greenwich station ...
... finally!

BE YOUR OWN INCREDIBLE ...

... it's actually a lot easier than it sounds and you don't even have to be born with super powers.

Begin by DECIDING TO TAKE CONTROL.

Feeling sorry for yourself may make YOU feel better but it won't get you anywhere ... unless staying rooted on the spot is the new way to taking steps forward, (didn't think so).

The easiest way to stay on top is to think about the good times; that memorable trip with friends, that hilarious moment with the best friend, that special person, etc. Don't spend too much time focusing and dwelling on negatives - you'll become so bitter about life in general that you'll forget any good memories that you ever experienced.

YOU DON'T WANT THAT.

A few ... tips.

• Listen more than you talk - not only does this allow you to be more observant but it will create the habit to listen in general. Once you can do that - you can then create the space to listen to yourself, which will allow to essentially follow your own heart.
• Take pride in yourself - self-pride = self-confidence.
• Have fun - if you allow yourself to have fun, you will be more likely to attract and create opportunities and success.

TAKE NOTE:

If a plan doesn't go as planned, don't be afraid to tear it up and start again, let's be realistic because even with the best outlook on life - not everything does go to plan and whether we like it or not, things don't always work on the 1st try.

MAKE YOUR DREAMS A REALITY

" if you don't plan your plan, it will remain your dream "

CABANA! CABANA! CABANA!

Cabana - Brasilian BBQ

Cabana is one of my favourite restaurants, it's a place where me and my friends have come to haunt quite often. The service is a little slow but I can forgive that a little because the food is amazing - being an Angolan living in London, it's nice to be reacquainted with familiar foods and snacks without having to either make it. Although Angola and Brazil are completely different countries, there is some cuisine that members of the CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries) have in common.

Guaranaaaaaa! I love this drink

Omg the food - absolutely amazing! Pulled pork buns, sweet potato fries, malagueta chicken burger, malagueta chicken, pork and guava sausages ... and no, that was not all for one - my best friend helped too.

The restaurant doesn't just bring a sample of brasilian food to you but also a little of the atmosphere from the streets of Sao Paulo.

Mmm - finished!

5 THINGS THAT WORK A LITTLE BETTER IN SETTING GOALS

I'm no expert at life and I am still not where I would like to be - so I set goals.

Why?

Because setting goals makes the monotony of certain things in life ... less monotonous.

Goals can come in any size or format, and can change. The best way I found to keep the whole goal setting thing 'fun' is by setting a short, a mid and a long-term goal, and if you find that you want to take on the world and have about 1000 goals - just get through them one at a time by prioritising the ones that are most important to you.

A lot of the time the goals we set seem completely unattainable so after writing them down, that is usually we tend to leave them - written down and forgotten.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

" i confess that i have been as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdon late than never to learn it at all. "

- Sherlock Holmes (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - The Man with the Twisted Lip

A DECLARATION

Cuckoo!

To, you who makes me smile daily.

I may have been the one who was at your door but you took me in and put me in a safe haven, giving me the space to chip away at my own cocoon.

I'm not yet a butterfly but since your arrival, I feel that soon I will be.

You are so integrated into my thoughts that 'without you' isn't an option worth contemplating. You fill me with unconditional pride with not only myself but in everything you do.

The lack of a masquerade is what I like the most, we are too busy bringing down self-built walls and having fun like school kids. Reality is there but it is absolutely fun, it may even be scary but challenge accepted ...

... challenge accepted xxx

IT'S OKAY TO BE MAD/SAD ... AS LONG AS YOU DON'T DWELL ON IT.

Try as we might, it is hard to be happy every single second of everyday - shit does happen, but what is important is how we handle it.

I try my best to see the positive side of things but sometimes like many others, I struggle and other times I just can't and may rely on a friendly face to pull me out of my funk. Contrary to a lot of modern beliefs - it is okay to be mad, sad or hurt every now and again, as long as it is just kept that way. If not, it becomes like a poison and you get used to feeling and harboring negativity and either it festers and you become an angry crone/perpetual scrooge or you just find yourself always put-out and/or depressed.