Don't let the rain get you - go out there and smile

So this morning, my handbag was stolen on the way to work. Not entirely the magical and perfect start to the day I was hoping for. It all happened so fast and before I knew it, I was handbag-less and on the verge of tears. 

Now, in my mind's eye, I was the superhero girl who stood up for herself, took authority and reclaimed my bag after an athletic chase {in high heels of course} that gave Lara Croft a run for her money. Unfortunately however, my response was more reflective of the dead man in Weekend at Bernie's. I literally just stood there and watched it all happen. So much so that a lady near me had to verbalise "ma'am, I think that young man just stole your handbag" At this point I was in shock...firstly because I was called ma'am, and secondly because I did absolutely nothing to stop him.

Right at this moment, I had a choice to make. Was I going to wallow in self pity or move on and get on with my day. I must admit, the thought of wallowing totally made me feel better for about 2 whole minutes, and then after that, I got a little feisty with myself and refused to let this determine my day.

A lady at the bus stop held out her arms and embraced me. Bless her. She was the sweetest little lady ever. Another man then reached out and handed me a £5 note and told me to use this to get to work. 

Once on the bus, I used my new found resolve to try and remember what was in my handbag in the first place. I called my bank. This proved to be the first of many difficult conversations.  

Lady:"Miss McBride, for security purposes, can you please tell me your account number or the long card number?"
Me:"Um, well actually, that information is on my card and I don't have my card anymore as it was just stolen..."
Lady:"Ok, let's try another one. What was the exact amount of the last direct debit made to your mobile phone account?"
Me:"I'm actually not entirely sure. As it's a mobile phone account, it changes every month - that's why I use direct debit."
Lady:"I'm afraid, Miss McBride you did not pass the security questions and I am unable to reissue you with new cards. I am pleased to say that I can block them now though..."
Me:"Can't you just ask me my d.o.b and my mother's maiden name? I know those answers for sure?
Lady:"I'm sorry Miss McBride, that is not how our system operates..."

And then just when I thought it couldn't get any worse.

Lady: "Thank you for contacting DVLA. Can I please take your license number?
Me: "Both parts of my license were just stolen so unfortunately I don't have access to that information."
Lady: "Ok, that's fine, let's see if we can find you..."
Lady: "Great, now in order to process your new license we need to take payment. Can I have your long card number..."
Me: "Right. Well that was just stolen too so I guess I will be calling you back when my cards are reissued then."
Lady: "We really suggest you do this now if you are likely to drive a vehicle in the next few days."
Me: "I appreciate that information but unfortunately I don't have access to a card..."

And another one.

Me: "Hi there, my Oyster card has just been stolen and was hoping you could cancel my current travel card and transfer it over to a new one?"
Man: "Certainly Ma'am. Do you have any identification?"
Me: "Um, no, it was all just stolen..."

Surely there has to be a more fun way of doing this! {Mental note: Thinking of getting all my bank account numbers and all security passwords & logins tattooed on my arm in case this ever happens again}

Ok, so the cards were sorted {if sorted means cancelling everything and getting nothing reissued} Now to working out what was actually in my bag. Thankfully, all I had in my bag {other than my wallet} were my gym clothes, iPod, a book, make-up and a bottle of perfume. And I'm pretty sure that not even the iPod will bring joy to the new owner. It was super old and quite frankly, starting to annoy me by freezing all the time. And as for the music, well I am not sure we would have the same taste at all. This reminds me of the time where my car got broken into whilst I was living back in Sydney. I had about 20 cds in the car at the time. All the cds were flicked through...and left. Not even thieves wanted my music! Way to go Amy! 

So, little bag thief. Be blessed with my monthly travel card. I honestly hope it takes you somewhere where you will meet someone who will change your world for the better. Enjoy my music, maybe it will speak to you. I will not cancel my Unlimited Movie Card for another week. Enjoy it until then & keep out of more trouble! And as for my gym kit, I'd advise you to stay away from that, I didn't actually wash it last night. That was today's job.

So, was it fun to have a bag stolen? No.
Did it ruin my day and steal my happiness? No

Happy Thursday Lovelies, in spite of everything xx 




 ^27-30"To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously. {Luke 6}

Bloom where you are planted

Where do you find yourself today? Is it where you thought or hoped you'd be? Somedays, I wonder why I am where I am today. Many decisions {albeit good and bad}, trials, loves, passions and adventures have led me to the place that I now stand.

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Those who knew me 'pre' London, would have told you that I was like a little homing pigeon. Always gravitating back to my sweet family and friends in Sydney. This was until almost 8 years ago, this little lady jumped on a plane bound for London. Now honestly, the plan was to spend 12 months travelling the world and then my plan was to head back home to Sydney and 'settle down' like the rest of the sensible & grown-up population.

Little did I know back then that my life would actually flourish away from 'the plan' I had in my mind's eye. I remember all those years ago that I made a decision to embrace and appreciate every situation or season I found myself in. Through this, I found a joy and peace that has enabled me to live a life bigger than I had ever dreamed or imagined.

So, be encouraged. Maybe your life is not where you thought it would be. Take heart and know that you can flourish where you are standing, with the resources you have available to you. Decide to make the most of your situation and stay true to who you are.

So, wherever in this amazing world you find yourself, bloom where you are planted & make it beautiful xx

Oh, how i've missed you

It feels like such a long time since I last wrote. Honestly, I have been aching to get back onto my trusty Mac and just simply write. For me, writing is therapy. Nothing compares to the sound of the continuous rhythmic taps of the keys on my keyboard. It calms and inspires me.

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I have masses of words swirling through my head and I can't wait to show expression to the things that have been on my mind of late. 

So, until we meet again, keep well & live beautifully.

See you soon x  

The smell of summer

Hello my dear Londoners, the sun is out and summer is definitely on it's way. Time to kick off your shoes, roll up those sleeves and put on your sunnies. May the picnics in the parks and the drinks by the river bring you all much joy, laughter and happiness. Go out and make some memories. May Summer 2011 be your best yet!

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Happy warm sunshiny days, lovely people! Let the romance of summer begin.

Much love xx

Start strong {finish stronger}

This year, I started strong. I set out a list of my goals, I joined the gym {again}, I ordered my finances and I organised my house. I declared that this year was going to be my best yet.

All was going well until my body has decided that it would like to declare war...on itself. About 2 weeks ago now, I had that niggling sore throat that just didn't seem to want to go away. The usual hit of 1000mg of vitamin C powder just didn't seem to cut it this time. As the days dragged on, I realised that my body was in full blown combat with the dreaded cold. I tried every remedy under the sun, to no avail {countless packets of sudafed, strepsils & paracetamol were harmed in the process}

My attendance at the gym plummeted to an immediate standstill. As I bid a sad farewell to my much loved gym routine, I wondered how this 'holiday' from the gym would affect our relationship. Previously, a break like this had completely crippled my ability to get back to the gym regularly and with the same vigour that I started the year with, I could sense a break up was imminent. I found myself in very volatile territory. 

Added to this very emotional struggle of not being able to work out is the fact that I live with 5 other very energetic and health conscious exercise bunnies. Not a day goes by where I don't see countless pieces of lycra running past me in the hall enroute to or from a workout. And there I was, barely able to lift a tissue to blow my nose, dreaming of the day when I could wear my lycra again. I was so jealous of health. I wanted it back.

And if this wasn't bad enough, my fear of being sick on a weekend reared it's ugly head - 5 days on and this cold still had it's hold on me. As my sad eyes watched all of my flatmates get themselves all ready and beautiful to go out and celebrate this beautiful Spring weekend I knew my body had other plans. As I looked in the mirror all I could see were my puffy eyes, my red raw nose, the beginnings of a cold sore on my lip and yesterday's hair. An attractive picture of health right there. Back to bed for me.

Day 5 came and went. As did day 6, 7 and 8. The highlight of day 8 was that I could stand for periods of over 12 minutes without feeling light headed and needing to rest. Day 9 I saw breakthrough! Day 9 my hope was restored. The haze of desperation {and isolation} lifted and I could see the world clearly now.

I had a choice to make though. Would I let the past 9 days determine my next 9 days? Would I use the fact that I hadn't been able to go to the gym to convince myself that I didn't need to go or that it would be too hard?

So today, I grabbed my gym kit and put on my trainers. I decided that no matter how hard it was going to feel, I would get my feet back on that treadmill.
It was hard.

I started strong. I had a moment of weakness {well about 2 weeks worth} but I got back up and have decided to be committed to finishing strong - actually stronger!

Here's to the road back to health & happiness.

Much love xx
{promise i'm not contagious anymore}

Going Solo

So, I did it. I finally faced my fears and did something that totally freaked me out...i went to the movies by myself. I know,  *insert gasp here*

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Call it peer pressure, or call it not having a date on a Monday night, I decided to do the unthinkable. I mean, this is me, the girl who likes to do nothing alone. The girl who likes to have someone in the house with me when I want to be alone.

I have had many conversations with people lately about the merits of seeing a film by yourself. These self-confessed movie buffs say that there is nothing better than watching a movie alone when you have a few spare hours to kill.

So I decided that it was now or never. In preparation of this massive endurance {of aloneness} feat, I decided to see if i could watch a movie all by myself in the comfort of my sweet little living room. I got about halfway through before I tried to lure unsuspecting flatmate #1 in to watch the remainder of the film with me. I even walked up 2 flights of stairs to try to further my cause. Denied. So I took my lonely little self back to the living room to try and watch the end. I didn't finish the movie. I decided to go and chat to flatmate #2 who had just walked in the door.

Well, was I up for the challenge of going to the cinema alone? Who knew! I did comfort myself with the knowledge that at any time, if I felt too uncomfortable, I could walk out and be safe again.

Enter: Amy into cinema complex.

As I bought my ticket and headed up the escalator of doom to my very lonely evening I wondered if the ticket man felt sorry for me. I glanced back to see if he was looking at me with sadness. He wasn't.

'Hmmmmmm' i thought, 'i haven't shocked anyone yet!'

There was still time for a stranger to look at me with pity, however to my amazement, no one even battered an eyelid at my solo expedition to the movies. I went to buy some water at the kiosk {narrowly stopping short of buying two bottles to elude to the fact that I had a date} Even with the one bottle of water thing, no one even flinched in my direction.

I sat down in my seat. Once seated I payed extra special attention to my mobile phone. I looked at every email I had received since 1998 and went through every setting on my phone. I had distracted myself for about 6 minutes before realising that no one around me actually cared whether I was there alone or not. 

A few other solo movie goers walked in and sat down. I didn't feel alone in this sea of happy couples and friends and families {I guess this is where I admit that I did in fact make friends with 3 people going into the cinema, but that's ok right?} 

The movie started. I was still alive and actually quite calm. I watched the whole movie without drama. Who would have thought?

So, am I a fan of going to the movies alone? Not really.

Was it as bad as I envisioned it would be? Not really.

This experience has made me realise many things about going to the movies solo. Here are my tips for you:

1. Arrive fashionably late, preferably once the trailers have started. The awkward silence of arriving alone to an empty cinema is deafening.

2. Make sure that you can emotionally cope with the movie you are about to see. Remember that you do not have a shoulder to cry on or a hand to squeeze when it gets too gruesome or sad or intense. For me, i'm pretty sure it needs to be rated U and of the Disney variety.

3. Don't sit next to anyone to pretend that you are not alone {i witnessed this and the outcome was not good}

4. If you need to, tell surrounding film goers that you are critiquing this film for a column you are writing - hence the reason you are alone {i may or may not have done this}

5. Pretend to be texting or emailing a very important message. {This also works when alone anywhere in the world}

6. Don't ever go solo on opening night of a movie. Destined for immediate fail right there.

So there you have it folks, I faced my fear! Saying that, going solo may not be something I will choose to do often, but now I know that I can do it.

And now to address fear of aloneness number 2: Dining Alone. 

On second thoughts, perhaps the movie thing was more than enough for this social little lady.

Much love & happy solo movie nights.

See you at the cinema. Want to sit together? xx 

Always Remember

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Just saying x