Beat the Beast - Adult Snow Day

Turns out the weather man was right after all...

After making it halfway to work yesterday to be told to turn back due to the oncoming snow, I stupidly thought it wouldn't come to anything, but waking up to THIS was somewhat of a shock!

Our road has completely disappeared under a blanket of fluffy white snow. 

Our cars are buried to the bonnets, keeking out from beneath their marshmallow toppings. 

And I swear we had garden furniture yesterday... 

Do things really happen for a reason?

Do they though?

I'm a big believer in the old age saying, "Everything happens for a reason" and my wee Granny's favourite, "What and who's for you, won't go by you". 

I also believe that every single person we meet or encounter, serves us a purpose of some kind.
Whether it's to teach us something, to remind us of something or to make us see things with a clearer perspective.

I can't tell you how many times I've felt lost in life with nowhere to go or anyone to turn to for advice or to be uplifted and in some way, the Universe seems to provide me with the right person or situation at the right time.

So, yes I think "everything happens for a reason", and sometimes, I never know what that reason is and I frustrate myself trying to find the reason but it's taught me to be open to whoever or whatever comes into my life from that moment on.

More recently, I broke my ankle.
Exactly one week before the busiest working schedule of my career and yes, it sucked. Proper sucked. 
I constantly tried to find ways of getting into work but as it so happens, with health and safety and insurance, etc, I wasn't able to carry out my duties as I would have done with the ability to walk on two legs. 
It really affected my mood and mental health. I'm fiercely independent so when it came to doing the smallest of things around the house, like making myself a cuppa, or doing the dishes; I just couldn't.
Yes, I could make a cuppa, but carrying it from the kitchen to the living room proved a challenge balancing on one leg and managing to lean on two crutches at the same time. 
I was so frustrated and impatient. I hated feeling so helpless and useless. 

Everyday I questioned why this had happened at such a shitty time to, (who I believe) to be a decent person like myself. Was karma punishing me? Had I done something awful to deserve this?
Maybe. 
Maybe not.
Maybe those weren't the right questions to be asking...?

Maybe it was the Universe telling me to take a break from something, or maybe I wasn't meant to be at my work at that time. Which made me seriously think about whether I was in the right career. Which then led on to my Dad asking me the same questions.
I recently came to the conclusion that maybe the reason was to take a step back from my 100mph life and evaluate what is important to me. What drives me? What am I passionate about? What do I want to do with my life?
All very serious questions that I realise I need to take the time to think about. 

Sometimes it's the person who gives you a little push in the right direction, even if you don't see it at the time. 
Having travelled across the World and back has taught me this too. I don't believe there are such things as "chance meetings". Life is a magical mystery and the people we encounter on this journey are made to teach, uplift our help us rediscover things about ourselves we have unintentionally hidden. 

I'll never forget each and every person I have met on my various adventures who have each taught me something different or provided the most wonderful memories I have in each place. 
I met my Scottish best friend at Camp America in Philadelphia only 5 years ago, and ever since we've travelled different parts of the World together and (as much as she'll make fun of me for saying this), I can't imagine my life without her. 

However, not all of these encounters are meant to last forever. Such meetings were perhaps just a moment in time; to delay us from something bad or keep us there long enough so we could bump into somebody else. Someone more worthwhile that could potentially blossom into something more permanent. Somewhere you least expect it... like a tropical island just off Bali, but that's another story...

Sometimes there is a sense of familiarity or recognition that this person is meant to be in your life from the minute you meet. Not quite "where have you been all my life?", but more, "Oh. It's you". 

When I was younger, (much like everyone else), I had a vague idea of what I wanted and where my life was going to go. 
Lets all laugh, shall we?
Someone I met in Laos (one of those short encounters but such a lovely human being) told me "No plan is the best plan", and I think I really needed to hear it then, and I replay it to myself every so often now, because it's true. 

Life is what happens when you're busy making plans, and yes, even though it's nice to have some rough sort-of plan but allow for some wiggle room, just-in-case!

Stace x

How not to break an ankle

It started off like any other night out...


Edinburgh-bound for our friend, Kirsty's hen weekend, Siobhan and I cracked open a bottle of £1.62 cider from Aldi on the train, full of hopes and dreams for the night ahead. 
We were last minute additions due to previous work commitments, but super excited non-the-less to give our pal a decent send off into married life!
As you can probably already tell to the story, I'd been working non-stop quite a bit and this was my first night out in God knows how long, so I was determined to make the most of it with my best gals. 

Siobhan and I booked a hostel in the City Centre, halfway up Fleshmarket Close, which if you haven't been to the 'Burgh before, is like a "fuck-off" big hill wi stairs.
But for £20 for the night booked last minute, it was an absolute steal. Besides, we were hardly going to be in the room anyway..
The rest of the squad had an apartment booked further out of town from the previous year, during the time which Siobhan and I weren't sure we could make it. 

During the day was chilled. Perfect, even.
Cocktails were sipped, light shopping was purchased, conversation flowed and a nice dinner was consumed. 

The group parted ways to commence the ever important "getting-ready" stages of the girly night out. 
Siobhan and I put the "out out" playlist on and started beautifying ourselves. It was a small x2 bed dorm with bunkbeds which we managed to litter with our expandable cases containing everything we needed from buffing brushes, and hair wands to heel and outfit choices. 

                  


After a few insta shots and boomerangs, we were ready to hit the town.
We started off in Candy Bar for more cocktails before meeting the girls in the Opal Lounge for the dancin'. 
Here, I feel is where it all went downhill...

Free drinks packages and being on a hen night in general assists in the encouragement to just get completely and utterly (as we Scots say), aff yer face // oot yer tree // mwi. 
Especially being one of the remaining single ones, where no matter how hard you try to hide it, it does get emotional in the riptide between being happy for your friend getting married and knowing that you're not even close to getting married. 

It did not help that the hottie Canadian boys at the next booth supplied us with their bottle of Ciroq when tearfully telling them that ours was finished. 
Their generosity was beautiful and I believe in making international relations, as did Siobhan, but the remainder of the hen party had decided they'd had enough and left around 1am.
We (stupidly) decided against leaving and as an act of valour, we also decided to (stupidly) play the dangerous game of minesweeper and consume the remainder of everyone's drinks. In a way, I guess we thought we were saving ourselves money by doing this. 

Unsure if this is Canadian Boy, but if so, cheers for sharin' yer bevvy!

Fast forward to the end of the night where for some reason, drunk Stacey and Siobhan decided to have a romantic meal in an Italian Restaurant at 4am (thanks to the subtle facebook check-in reminder), instead of doing as normal Scots do, and taking the pizza and chips home and forgetting about them till the next day. 

I remember the uber back. 
I remember the careful walk down the steep steps of the lane and making it to the front door, pizza box still in hand. 
I remember falling down the little ramp INTO the front porch, arse over tit. The ramp the lady warned us about during  check-in. 
I remember a sharp pain in my ankle, as if I'd whacked it off of something solid. 
I remember Siobhan laughing hysterically at me and snapchatting me in all my drunken hilarious glory. 

Shaking it off, I hobbled up the stairs to our room, trying to shrug and laugh off the pain. I somehow managed to make it into the top bunk, and crashed out, forgetting about my pizza until that 6am roll over and it was like MERRY FUCKING CHRISTMAS TO ME!!! 

Never has a photo truly represented me as a person

The next day my foot was in agony. 
It had swollen into a Granny kankle it deserved it's own Granny name, which we had dubbed Bertha 2.0 (in memory of my opposite ankle being bitten and swollen in Asia last year).
As we walked into town to meet up with the girls, I had to develop a weird quick-step-push system with my foot in order for me to even move anywhere. I was going at a snails pace, which really annoyed me as my 6'2 strides seemed like days of the past. 

One of the girls was a nurse, and she recommended I go to A&E either asap or as soon as we got back home. I (stupidly) waved her off. I'm one of these (stupid) people who avoid going to the Doctor if they can help it. 
But alas, after the swelling continued and taking about an hour to walk a path that would have usually taken me about 15 mins, I decided she was right and took her up on the offer to take me to the Hospital where she worked when we got back. 

A&E is a rather unsettling place, but it wasn't long before I was seen and x-rayed by the Nurse.
As soon as he said the words, "It's broken", my face fell. 
My mind went blank. I couldn't process what he had said until he left the room. Thank God I had my Nurse friend with me to repeat what he had just said, but in English or words I could understand. 

I was taken to a room where my leg was to be placed in a temporary cast until the Fracture Specialist could see me on Tuesday (today). 
"I'll need to cut your jeans, Miss", the Doctor said.
ABSOLUTELY-FUCKING-NOT, my face said.
I'm over 6 foot. It's a rare miracle I find jeans that actually fit me, so you're not cutting my favourite acid wash pair, sunshine! Hell to the NOPE!
Thankfully, Chelsi (Nurse friend) ran to the car to retrieve my case where I had my PJ shorts in there from the previous night. What an Angel. I couldn't even speak to say thank you, my mind was still in shock.

 

The Nurse made the cast up to my knee (which I thought was a bit drastic- it's my ankle I broke, you know? All the way at the bottom). 
He also gave me a short lesson in "How-to-use-crutches", where it all hit me and I got tearful. I silently mouthed to Chelsi, "I can't do this", which she replied "YES YOU CAN".
And I'm grateful for that. 
It's a mantra which has slowly helped me get through the past few days in realising I won't be able to go to work for the next 4 weeks, I won't be able to walk, or get out much or do anything physical around the house. 

The fracture specialist put me in a harder cast today, which is bright neon pink.
Hey, if I'm gonna be in this thing for a month, I'm damn well gonna go for a bold-ass colour and at least try to look good when I'm healing. 

I can do this.

x4 weeks and counting...

Stace x

Jetlag is not fun

Jet lag

noun

1. 'extreme tiredness and other physical effects felt by a person after a long flight across different time zones'.
2. e.g.,
3.       "Stacey was suffering from jet lag and needed to rest".

Me: @EdinburghAirport. So full of promise and happy smiles...

After 21 hours of travelling, through 3 time zones and 2 flight changes, Roisin and I finally made it to Bangkok in Thailand.

First impressions?
Not good.

Maybe it was due to the fact I was overtired, overhungry HANGRY, and groggy but our taxi driver from the Airport to the Hostel was not at all pleasant. 
Regardless of us informing him of the address and post code, he wasn't sure where it was and proceeded to roll his eyes and tut like he was a customer complaining to a Manager about poor service. He made me feel nervous, muttering under his breath (of which I can only assume was Thai for "bloody tourists"), huffing and puffing away to himself as if the rush hour traffic was our fault also. 

"Train - 30 minute. Taxi - 2 HOUR!"
He said. 

Oh really, pal? Firstly- I thought you didn't know where the Hostel was and secondly, fancy telling us this now when we're baw deep in taxi's n' tuktuks along the Bangkok version of the M8?!

I glanced at Roisin who was asleep beside me, catching flies. I'm so envious of her ability to pass out anywhere, in any position and still have such a good kip. I'm dying to shut my weary eyes but too aware of the current situation unfolding. This is day 1!!
I vow to myself to get back into PMA Mode (Production Management Assistant- a previous job position where I was basically a glorified travel agent for TV Productions) and produce detailed TI's (Travel Itinerary's) displaying distance, timings and budgets. 
I understand this may be a somewhat, difficult task while backpacking, but to have some sort of rough plan or guide would be ideal, or sensible at the very least. Not that I've ever used that word to describe myself...

Bangkok is dull, grey and rainy just now. Possibly reflecting my mood? 
There were people in the back of vans, legs hanging out. No seatbelts. No safety. No rules. I realise we're not in Kansas Scotland anymore...

There's a lot to take in and a lot to learn, but it finally hit me that we made it. Our new adventure can begin, and I sorta half-smile at the places, people and possibilities that lie ahead. Preferably after a good night's sleep!

Stace x

Travel Countdown

Ladies and Gentlemen.
Boys and Girls.

It is with great pleasure, anticipation, excitement and anxiety all rolled into one that I announce my impending departure to travel yet another part of the World with my best friend... in 6 weeks time!!! 

In just 42 days, I will be hopping aboard a plane with my partner-in-crime from Camp America, "Roisin the Machine" and travelling to the unknown and the unfamiliar, immersing myself in new cultures, and seeing things in real life that I've only seen on postcards, instagram or google images. 

This trip has been a looooong time in the making. Having talked about and planned it for ages,we've finally scrimped and saved enough pennies together to tick another few places off the bucket list together. 

After our initial and OCD-etailed extensive research, we decided to book through the STA travel company, as they seem to be the best at organising World travel on a budget, (which is exactly what we were after). So while everyone else our age seems to be researching wedding venues, mortgage plans and baby names, me and my best girl have been spending our days and nights researching the best islands to visit in Thailand, points of interest in SE Asia, Australian visa types and travel money cards! 

And while our dates aren't set in stone, we definitely know the places we want to visit...

Our itinerary so far, goes as follows*:


7th Nov:      Abu Dhabi 
8th Nov:      Bangkok, Thailand
12th Nov:    Chiang Mai Town, Thailand
14th Nov:    Elephant Nature Park Project, Chiang Mai, Thailand
22nd Nov:   Luang Prabang, Laos
25th Nov:    Vienienne, Laos
26th Nov:    Vang Vieng, Laos
28th Nov:    Hanoi, Vietnam
1st Dec:      Halong Bay, Vietnam
3rd Dec:      Cat Ba Island, Vietnam,
5th Dec:      Hoi Ann, Vietnam
11th Dec:    Sihanoukville, Vietnam
16th Dec:    Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
18th Dec:    Phnom Penh, Cambodia
20th Dec:    Siem Reap, Cambodia
21st Dec:    Koh Phi Phi, Thailand
24th Dec:    Phuket, Thailand
27th Dec:    Koh Tao, Thailand
29th Dec:    Koh Phagnan, Thailand
4th Jan:       Kuta, Bali
7th Jan:       Ubud, Bali,
10th Jan:     Gili T / Gili Air / Gili Mono, Bali
20th Jan:     Sydney, Australia
30th Jan:     Melbourne, Australia

*Subject to change (obviously, it's us...)


Excitement (as well as the fear of the unknown) builds daily as I ponder if I'm gonna have enough money or time to fit everything in, but it's an adventure. And if life's taught me anything so far it's that the best adventures never go according to the plan and those are where the best memories are made.

So even though I am counting down the days until departure, I am soooooo not looking forward to condensing my entire wardrobe (and life) into a 65L backpack, which I purchased yesterday. I'm not exactly a light packer, but instead the type of girl who packs 24 outfits into a long weekend. 
So packing that rucksack is future Stacey's problem for now. I am avoiding at all costs. 
Good luck, gal!

Stace x

Say "Aye Do" in Scotland

If you’re after a truly unique and beautiful wedding, then “Sunny” Scotland is the place to have it.  

Whether the weather is braw or dreich, you are guaranteed some breathtaking backdrops with the opportunity to add your own personal touches to the big day.  

Scotland is the only place in the UK where you can get married after 6pm. So if you fancy a ceremony on the pebbly shores of a Loch at sunset in July, then Scotland is the place to tie the knot. 

A place where you can wear a kilt with pride and have your pictures taken in both leafy green locations and concrete jungles within a few minutes’ drive in the car. 
A place full of talented photographers, florists, bakers and musicians in this great Country whose talents are to the highest standard. There’s no way you couldn’t find the perfect companies, however big or small, to bring your creative and romantic nuptial visions to life. 

Working to any budget, Scotland can host ceremonies with illusions of grandeur inside or out of its stunning historic castles or celebrating your romance in rustic barns or boutique churches.  
Choose to hear the traditional tones of the Pipes as they play you into the Church or on your walk down the aisle to wedded bliss.  
If you choose a band or a DJ (or both) for the reception, they will almost always play out the happy couple with the unforgettable song; “Loch Lomond”, which makes any Scot’s heart swell with pride, (and feet swell from all the Ceilidh dancin'!)

So if you choose to quietly elope, or live out the “big white wedding” fairytale of your dreams, then say “I do” to Scotland: there’s no place like it.  

Stace x

10 Things Scots do on Holiday

After recently returning home from Holiday in the Costa Del Sol with 12 fellow Scots, I've come to realise we are all guilty as a Nation of doing the following things abroad ...

1)    Drinking

On the way to the airport, at the airport "Spoons", on the plane, when we land at our final destination and pretty much just don’t stop the whole holiday.

2)    Eating

From sampling the local scran to a hearty hungover fry-up every afternoon at the Scottish bar round the corner from the Aparthotel. 

3)    Phoning home to ask what the weathers like

We can’t help ourselves really. We need to know if we picked the right week to go abroad or if it’s Costa del Glasgow back home.

4)    Complain it’s too hot

The phrase, “I cannae dae it” gets repeated after lying out in the sun for 10 minute intervals or so before diving head first into the pool in the attempt to cool down. We soon forget what rain and wind feel like. 

5)    Getting lost

“I’m sure our hotel’s just round this corner… Hmmm, maybe it’s the next one? Or the next one? Or was it back that way? Nah, I’ve never seen this bit, about turn lads!”

This almost always turns into an argument within your group, with someone taking a strop complaining they knew this wasn't the right way the entire time, even though they never said so a few streets back...

6)    Getting burnt

Factor 30’s like wearing a Jacket but it’s much safer than the factor 8 tanning oil. Yet, we still opt with the oil and end the first few days with multi-coloured, stripey, sore-to-the-touch skin and seeking shade the last few days in regret.

7)    Getting turnt

Finding the local “dancin” and some decent pubs on night #1 and having a belter of a time, which no other night lives up to regardless of how hard you try.

8)    Butchering the language / Learning the lingo

“Ou est le KFC?” and “Una Ginebra y limon, por favour” doesn’t quite have the same ring to it in a broad Scottish accent pronouncing every letter very slowly, as if the locals will understand you better. Also, “Hola” makes it into your daily vocabulary even when you return home.

9)    Meeting someone ye know from home that’s yer da’s cousin’s best pal that used to work in your local Greggs

The World really is a small place.

10)  Getting a (shite) tattoo

Whether it’s on a dare or after one too many vodkas it seems like a good idea to head to the local tattoo parlour and come home with that top banter Holiday quote or a symbol which you now question really does mean “Strength” in Japanese. 

Stace x

15 things to expect when your friend is getting married

There’s nothing that says “grown up” quite like your friends getting married and next year I’m lucky enough to have 3 of my friends weddings to look forward to!

As the “I do” dates gets closer for each bride, the excitement builds and before you know it, you’re spending your days on pinterest searching  for hen party ideas and spending your nights discussing wedding themes and bridesmaids dress colours on the group facebook page.

Obviously, it’s a very exciting time, but also very stressful, crazy, exhausting and hilarious for all involved! Here’s a few things you can expect from the ring to the alter:

1) Once she gets engaged it’s the best thing EVER!!

Like seriously, no one can stop talking about it. The story gets re-told over weekly girly cocktail nights and it’s so romantic and you don’t think you’ll ever experience that, and it slightly depresses you a little, but it’s okay coz you’re super happy for your friend!

You’ll tag each other in bridal related facebook posts and clips from Bridesmaids at least once a day. 

2) You learn to calm down.

Right okay, the initial hype is over- especially when you learn the date is gonna be 3 years away and you have plenty of time to help her plan and attend wedding fairs etc. Now is when I suggest you start saving, (especially for the hen!)

3) Never assume you know her as well as you think you do.

Aka, don’t assume you’ll be a Bridesmaid. Regardless if you’ve known each other since the cradle, or made wedding scrapbooks in school or survived uni or a work place together- she may have sisters or her fiance’s sisters, cousins or close work colleagues she may plan on asking. If you are asked- obv that’s amazing, but if not, be gracious in her decision. It must truly be one of a gal’s toughest decisions in life!

Also, she may have completely changed her mind in the years since school when she wanted purple bridesmaids dresses and now she likes the idea of peach. People change. Deal with it. 

4) Bridesmaids duties.

IF you do have the honour of being a bridesmaid, please ensure when attending dress shopping you support her as much as humanly possible when trying dresses on. Finding a white dress that suits her figure, her budget, meets the bridal party approval as well as tying in with her own bridal vision must be a nightmare! Make sure you have a bank of wise words, some positive encouragement and even a cheeky pair of sucky-in pants to assist with the vision part!

Also when it comes to bridesmaids dresses- mastering the art of the quick change will be a god-send! The Bride’s allowed to change her mind, so keep your hair tied back, wear minimal make-up and a smile. The quicker you change, the quicker she can make a decision, and then you can hit Frasers for a prosecco afternoon tea to celebrate!

5) Her engagement party will be a mini wedding.

With so much attention to detail, from the cake to the decorations, it’s essentially a preview to the big event. Plus it gives the single gals (like myself) a chance to suss out which fit, single guys will be attending, and avoid the weird ones.

6) You can’t say no to the Bride.

Don’t do this. Ever! For your own safety at least!

Planning a wedding is a stressful time and to make things run as smoothly as possible, if the Bride asks for help with anything, just say yes. Even if it goes against your morals, like wearing green or taking her awkward Canadian cousin out for a beer. You’re doing it for the greater good!

7) HEN DO PLANNING!

Now this is my favourite part, (and currently the stage I’m at with one of my friends).

Bridesmaid or not, you are one of her gals, and she welcomes your ideas (no matter how crazy or wild) to share with the rest of the group to plan the best hen night/weekend she could ever ask for!

Be prepped for the many important decisions you will all have to make and agree on including where? (Weekend in Benidorm or Spa weekend in the City?), strippers or naked butlers? Fiancé masks or inflatable penises? SO much CHOICE!!

8) The Bride’s mum will end up becoming “one of the gals”.

Basically, Susan has now become an extension of your friendship group, which in fact turns out to be pretty awesome. She’s at all the fittings, the fairs and she’s always got snacks in her bag and never turns down another glass of prosecco! Welcome to the squad, Susie!

9) Trying to be responsible.

I say “try”, coz at some point on the hen do or even attending a wedding fair, you want to come across as somewhat responsible, either by making a plan, doing a group head-count or even mediating disagreements between a few of the other girls, (all while slightly tipsy). Points for trying at least! 

10) Letting your hair down.

On the hen do, between spells of trying to be responsible, you will have the chance to completely let your hair down and get wild. For example, winching a footballer, downing sambuca like it’s water, dancing on tables, spilling chip-shop gravy over the bride’s shirt and passing out in your full Hawaiian theme costume and contact lenses, much to the worry of one of the other Bridesmaids.

Yes... this happened to me. Exactly.  

But it makes for some hilarious story re-telling in years to come.

Classy as ever

11) Before the wedding, you’ll take a few days off work to prepare.

This is a wedding and not your standard night out after all.

Tans must be sprayed, nails must be manicured, accessories for outfits must be purchased last minute and hair appointments must be made for the big day.

12) The big day has arrived and the amount of prep doesn’t seem to have been enough.

Bridesmaid or not, you will probably spend at least 2-3 hours or more in hair and make-up, sipping prosecco before noon and panicking about whether or not you’re organised. Whatsapping the group to double check things are in place and everything is as it should be, you’ll probs still be fixing your hair or hurriedly applying your lippy half way out the door and into the car.

13) Feeling emotional.

Your friend is getting MARRIED! Right now, before your very eyes and it’s so overwhelming, you’re crying, (or are you just tired?). Everything’s so pretty and she looks beautiful and she’s marrying the man of her dreams and you start to wonder again if this will ever happen to you.

Think of your eye make-up, Stace! Do not ruin your smokey skillz!

14) Not wanting the reception to end.

The food, the tunes, the photos and the company! This is the chance for everyone to relax and have fun. Your friend is officially married! And everyone celebrates by taking way too many tequila shots, clumsily dancing the Macarena and posing with big sunglasses and wigs in the photo booth. I always hope they have a wind machine so I can unleash my inner Beyonce, coz lets face it- the DJ won't playSingle Ladies, even though you'll request it about 3 times before he relunctantly agrees, (by which time you'll no doubt be in the bathroom helping the bride pee!) T Y P I C A L !

15) It begins to cause a ripple affect amongst the friendship group.

Marriage is like the flu. Once one person has it, it’s not long before it starts spreading to the others. Maybe that was a bad euphemism, but you catch my drift. Since a few of my pals have said “I do” already, others weren’t far behind in putting a ring on it.

Even though the stress of planning is exhausting, I am super happy for each and every one of them. Plus it means I won’t have to miss out on the planning, the girly politics and the pro-arguments for strippers for too long!  

Stace x