More Of What We Love

When was the last time you...

Stood in the rain without an umbrella until you were soaked to the skin?7

Coloured a picture? Or blew bubbles?

Hugged someone you wouldn't normally hug?

Ran through a water fountain? (For me, it was 4 years ago!)

Lit a candle?

Licked the bowl from the cupcake batter?

Smiled at a stranger?

Looked through old photos with friends?

I'm trying hard to spend more time doing small things that are happy and meaningful right now. It's really putting me in a better mood. :) If you have any more ideas of little things you can do to be happier, I'd love to hear. :)

In the Darkness

Sometimes I like to turn out all the lights, close the curtains and crawl under my duvet so that I'm in complete darkness. Then I stick in my earphones and drown out the silence with music. It is the best way to really hear a song, I find. I'm in my own little world, nothing else can get my attention. All I can focus on is sound.

Sometimes I lie like that for hours in the darkness, letting the music envelope me. It creeps right into my heart and my mind. I listen to the stories of the musicians, I take in every word. And through the melody, I really feel the intensity of their emotions. Sometimes, I even cry. And you should keep that part a secret. ;)

Sometimes I blame music for my enthusiasm for life, because I feel like I am learning and experiencing so many different things just lying in my bed listening to these songs.

Sometimes I blame music for my insomnia.

Summer Soundtrack

If it's possible, I feel even more musical during the summer. :) I go through moments of inspiration and contentment, followed by buzzing euphoria. And as always, I need music to set the right atmosphere. I want to give you a shortened version of my Summer Soundtrack playlist, and also some recent photos of my summer in Toronto. :) 

1. Bucket by Carly Rae Jepsen

2. Without Me by Kina Grannis

3. Count On Me by Bruno Mars

4. Strawberry Swing by Coldplay

5. I'm Yours by Jason Mraz

6. What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction (For Kate!)

7. One Love by Bob Marley

8. Rhythm of Love by Plain White Tees

9. Brighter Than The Sun by Colbie Caillat

10. Under The Sea by Shaggy

11. 5 Years Time by Noah and the Whale

12. Gone In The Morning by Newton Faulkner

13. Walking On Sunshine by Katrina & The Waves

14. Put Your Records On by Corinne Bailey Rae

A little glimpse of my summer, and its soundtrack. :) 

Love always, 

Orla

Niagara Falls

I usually try to avoid posting loads of personal photos that would be boring to other people. But today, I just can't resist. These are some (of 176) photos from my first visit to Niagara Falls with some very good friends. 

I am normally very able to express how I feel, particularly when I'm excited or happy. I get giddy and chatty, very smiley, and simply cannot contain myself. That's how I was for the 2 hour car journey! But as soon as I climbed out of sticky hot car and caught sight of this, I got very quiet. That never happens.

I got beyond the point of excitement. I was surrounded by awestruck tourists, I could smell salt water and cotton candy, the sound of the water gushing was so powerful, and the mist from the falls gave welcome relief from the scorching sun. I stared at the Falls in silence, and my poor Canadian friends were so confused. I seemed almost unimpressed, bored even. I was so overwhelmed by it all, that it was impossible for me to express it.  

The 'Maid of the Mist' boat tour brought us right up to the waterfall, making the experience even more memorable and wonderful. 

So, I have come to the conclusion that I must either get married near Niagara Falls, or come back for my honeymoon... 

And I am going to sell this last photo to a postcard company. ;) 

Wordless Wednesday

Put the Kettle On

Tea is one of the most important things in life. It is suitable for every moment. But, most particularly, in times when we are in need of comfort.

A sweet cup of tea certainly has magical qualities to it. It helps to clear my head of unhelpful thoughts, making way for reason. It relaxes me, soothes my muddled head. Right now, one of my closest friends is going through a very difficult time. And I can't be there for her like I normally would because I'm halfway across the world. I'm feeling helpless and frustrated, while she is feeling much much worse. Our only answer? A fuzzy, broken Skype call at 4am her time and 2 mugs of milky tea with too much sugar. I don't think I'll ever go a day without at least one cup. 

Sweet Memories

It's fascinating how a specific taste can take you back to one moment in time that you had long since forgotten. 

I was 7 years old when we moved to America for a year. That was where I experienced the taste of Tootsie Roll for the first time, and I haven't had that taste since then. Last week I was offered a small piece of Tootsie Roll. And as soon as I put it in my mouth, so many memories came flooding back. It was nice. :)

I remembered the summer that I read every single Nancy Drew book. They scared me so much that I couldn't even go to the bathroom alone, but I was hooked. 

I remembered the only Christmas we ever spent without our extended family. And I remembered how we celebrated Christmas all over again with them in February when we returned home. :) 

I remembered my own experience of 9/11, and how at that age I had no idea how serious it was. Or how close we were to it. 

I remembered other foods we used to eat that we couldn't get when we returned home to Ireland. 

My obsession with Mary Kate and Ashley. 

Attending an American elementary school.

Starting my collection of Beanie Babies.

Yes, the sense of taste is an incredible thing. I was able to take a wonderful trip down memory lane all because of one little piece of Tootsie Roll.

Love always,

Orla