I have just spent the most wonderful summer of my life taking care of 3 little boys in Canada. I've explored Toronto, I've been to Niagara Falls. I've had an awful lot of adventures, and it has changed me forever. But I must admit... When I'm old and grey, my fondest memories of my summer as an au pair in Toronto will be of sitting on the porch in the sun licking melted popsicle off little fingers and laughing and telling stories about frogs and balloons and Thomas the Tank Engine.
Meet Zach. And remember who he is, because one day this kid will be famous. Be it for music, painting or his new found talent of photography, his name will be be on everyone's tongue, mark my words.
Today he begged and begged me to let him take photos with my phone, so I let him. And this evening I finally got a second to look through the photos he had taken. It hadn't occurred to me before, but allowing him to let loose with a camera turned out to be a wonderful way for me to see life through his eyes. And wowee, what I saw inspired me.
Give an adult a camera, and they will capture the memories that stand out, the 'big' things. I think we spend too much time thinking about the bigger picture, all of the things that stand out in our lives as interesting or important. Give a child a camera, and they will show you what life is really all about.
In answer to your questions... :) -How long have you been blogging for?
I started a blog maybe 2 years ago called 'A Cosy Escape', and I had no idea what I was doing. I have a terrible habit of wanting to do things but feeling too inadequate when it comes to pulling them off. So I posted twice, then deleted it. But my love of blogging didn't die, and so last November I took the plunge again and started 'Escape to Vanilla'. I've been working really hard at building it up, and have loved every second of it.
-Do you have a particular Motto?
I have so many mottos, quotes and philosophies that I try to live by... But the one little phrase that pops into my head and inspires me time and time again is "Tell me I can't and I'll show you I can". I can be pretty stubborn, and I hate to be told that I'm not able to do something, or that I'm not allowed to. It's helped me to achieve a lot so far.
-Are you in Canada or Ireland? I'm confused!
Ooops, sorry about that! I'm Irish and I live in Ireland. But this summer I decided to go on an adventure, and I took a job as a live-in nanny for a family in Toronto, so I have been here since May.
-If you could marry any Disney prince/hero, who would it be?
I just about died when I saw this question, I LOVE it! But it was pretty tough to think of an answer... But I am going to choose... Aladdin. :) He's not rich, he's not a prince, he's not very well dressed and he needs a haircut. He wins Jasmine's heart with his sweet and daring personality.
-Your biggest insecurity?
I'm not sure if I could put my finger on my biggest insecurity, but I think one thing that I am quite self conscious about is my body shape. I wouldn't consider myself to be overweight, but you know how it is being a teen girl when you're made to feel as though you should be a stick insect like everyone else. But I would choose chocolate over wearing a bikini any day!
-Favourite smell?
Hmm... Probably vanilla scented anything or babies. :)
-Who is your biggest inspiration?
A famous person? Definitely Kina Grannis, she has the sweetest voice and the kindest heart. And she's goofy too! But she's not my biggest inspiration. If I'm honest, the person in my life who inspires me most is my best friend, Kate. She'll probably read this too, and say I'm being silly- but I said I'd be honest! Ever since I met her (I was 11 years old), I have aspired to be more like her. She is generous, selfless, compassionate, quirky, goofy, incredibly smart, creative, motivated and good in every way. She is the best friend anyone could asked for, and she is my biggest role model. :) -What country are you dying to visit?
If you'd asked me 4 months ago, I would have said Canada. Now I've spent a summer here, and it is just as amazing as I thought it would be. Next on my list are Italy and Japan!
-How old are you?/ What's your birthday?
I'm 18, born February 16th 1994 :)
-Do you have a boyfriend?
Nope, and I am absolutely loving it. Don't get me wrong, I love almost everything about being in a relationship! But right now I am happy to be on my own. I have so much time for my friends and for myself, and I doubt I would be in Canada right now if I had a boyfriend in Ireland.
-What are you reading right now?
I am re-reading 'Emma' which is my favourite Jane Austen. But I only have 32 pages left, so next on my list is 'Fugitive Pieces' by Anne Michaels, which I'm really excited about.
Okay, well that's all! I hope I haven't bored you to tears. Though if you have any more questions or you'd just like to say hello, then please do leave me a word or two in the comments.
Hellooo :) You guys have been getting curious, and I'm not surprised... I've been getting some emails asking me why I don't talk about anything personal on my blog. Some of you have said that I don't talk about myself enough in my posts, and you are very right- I don't. That makes it hard for readers to get to know me, so I have to change that- starting now. :)
That means you all get the chance to be reeeally nosy (nosey? Hmm...), because I am going to answer any questions you have for me, I will spill ALL! They can be casual "What's your favourite colour?" questions (it's purple, of course) or they can be more personal things too. Anything you want to know! As long as it's not extremely inappropriate, I promise to answer. Maybe in a video, maybe a post...
I think the main reason I don't talk about personal things on my blog is because my personal life is not always that... fun. And because I have some friends/ acquaintances who read once in a while, and I guess I'm not sure how I feel about them knowing everything about me. But I've decided to get over that. :-P So from now on, I want to be more honest and open. I want you to know me, I want to feel a little closer to my readers, and then I can start the next chapter of my blogging journey. :)
So, you can ask questions in the comments, or if you would prefer to do so privately, you can email me here: harrington.orla@gmail.com
