Giant Smiles and Thank Yous!

I said pretty much everything I wanted to say in this awkward video. :)

I award:

Mandy (My 100th follower!)

Kaitlin

Rae Marie

Trishie

Lily Marie

Autumn

Sarah

And here is your award... :)

Love always, Orla

Colour On The Moon

I was in Canada less than 2 weeks when I felt inspired to write this song. I guess that shows just how wonderful this family is. It's a very scary thing to pack up and move to another country on your own, even if it is just for 4 months. But Denise, Mike, Zachary, Liam and Marcus have made me feel so welcome in their home since the moment I arrived. I've been here a month, and already the thought of leaving them chokes me up. But that's life. This is an incredible experience for me, and when it's over I will have to move onto the next one. But oh goodness, I will miss them.

The song is a mixture of little images that portray my time in Canada so far. And when I wrote the song, I was thinking a lot about growing up. I came to Canada alone to travel and work, which is a big step in my own growing up. And while I'm here I am so privileged to witness the little steps of growing up for each of these boys. I was here for Marcus' first laugh. Liam is learning new words all the time (his favourites at the moment are 'purple', 'crocodile' and 'cockadoodle-doo'). I was a part of Zach's 5th birthday, and he is constantly asking questions about everything and anything, and every time I get to pass on knowledge to a child, my heart wants to burst with happiness. :) It is an incredible thing to be a part of teaching a child about the world he lives in. This learning and growing along with exploring Canada is where the song came from. And it's not much, but the stories and memories behind it will always mean a lot to me.

Well, that's it I guess. :) I'd love it if you'd subscribe here. :) Oh, and if you feel like a cupcake right about now, then you should really check out my friend Valerie's blog... She's new to the blogging world, so she'd appreciate a warm welcome. :)

Different Shoes

I often wonder who I would be if I had never discovered the internet and all of it's wonders. But mostly, I wonder who I would be if I had never discovered blogging. Even though I haven't been blogging for long myself, I have been reading different blogs since I was about 13, and since then it has become a part of me. It inspires me to read other people's stories, their ideas and adventures. I learn from their experiences. 

Blogging has brought me through some not-so-nice times, and it continues to do so. It has become a habit- when I feel like I just can't stand the real world, I open up my laptop and crawl inside the lives of other people, just for a while. Their words transport me to their time and place, and I am always comforted to find that other people are experiencing the ups and downs of life just like I am. Sometimes they offer words of advice, which I gladly take. Sometimes they provide me with happy thoughts and images which distract or enlighten me. And almost always when I close the laptop and come back to the real world, it is with a newly ignited fire. 

I was talking with a fellow blogger recently about blogs, and their importance and relevance to life. I must admit I was shocked when she told me that she thought blogs were really just an excuse for people to talk about themselves. That they were entirely self-centred and really only beneficial for the writer (this person has since deleted her own blog). I have to say that I disagree entirely. I blog because I have been inspired by so many other bloggers. I try to write about my experiences in a way that might possibly benefit someone else who is going through something similar. I blog to encourage and inspire other people, and when I can't do that, I give them pretty pictures and good music to make up for it. ;) I am far from mastering the art of blogging, but as I learn I hope that my journey might count for something. 

I guess I will never know what I would be like without my love for the internet. It has given me so much. It has given me confidence, encouragement, friends, motivation, knowledge, ideas, music, interests, inspiration and so many other invaluable gifts. And for all of that, I am so grateful. :)

Sending you love, 

Orla

Go Say Hello

I have 'met' some wonderful people since starting Escape to Vanilla last November (if you are a follower of mine, you are most certainly included!). So I want to take a moment to highlight a few of you. Chosen at random, here are some pretty awesome girls, and I think you should check them out. :)

Gina Ling

Gina's words are so carefully planned, so full of thought, that I always come away from her blog with something to think about. She writes in a style that is mellow and sweet, and every idea is accompanied by an equally thought out photo. Her blog is perfection. :) 

Ronida Veedor

Ronida is one of my fellow nurse-bloggers, we are a rare species! She is energetic, sweet and oh so bubbly. Her posts just ooze personality and fun, they are quite addictive. She writes about everything and anything, and it is always interesting and witty. :) 

Suzanne Elyse

Suzanne is knowledgeable, sarcastic, funny and creative all at the same time! I enjoy her writing style immensely. She makes me giggle with every post, and she tends to stay away from the 'typical' blogging topics, which I love. One thing I don't like about her blog? She only has 6 followers- it is unacceptable. So go to her page, and follow! ;) 

I think I'll leave it at 3 for this post, I might do this again. :) 

Have a happy Sunday, 

Orla x

Awards and Such

Okay I must admit- I am very confused, and it's upsetting me quite a bit.

I was awarded with the Liebster Blog Award a while back, but I was so busy with college work that I never got to write a post about it- and now that I'm done with college for the Summer, I really want to.. But I simply cannot find the comment on my blog from the person who gave me the award! It just doesn't make sense. And I feel awful that I can't remember who it was, I'm normally very good at things like that. It is so frustrating, and I just feel awful about it. :( I'm so embarrassed to even have to ask this... But if you gave me this award, could you please let me know in the comments below so that I can thank you properly? Once again, I am so sorry, and I am mortified. :(

Now, another award I got recently was this one here:

The Laine Blogger Award. And yes, I do remember who gave me this one! It was the fabulous Beth from Toasty. :) Her little blog is packed fully of beauty tips and tricks, and I am oh so jealous of her gorgeous red hair. I would definitely recommend that you go over to her blog and have a nosey, it's just lovely. :)

The Laine Blogger Award:

1. Link back to the blogger who awarded you.
2. Blog about your award
3. Give the award to five bloggers and let them know

So here are five wonderful bloggers that I haven't awarded before:

1. Melissa from Weathered Treasure

2. Ronida from Portable Sunshine

3. Lindsey from Skip To My Lou

4. Cherry from A Day With Me

5. Madi from Inspired.

I love all of these blogs for different reasons, but one thing they all have in common is that there blogs have wonderful character, they are full of happy thoughts, and you are guaranteed to find something you like about them. :) 

So thank you Beth, and thank you to the person who awarded me with the Liebster Blog Award as well. Again, I am so sorry... And I hope you all have a wonderful day. :) 

With love, 

Orla

Musical Endeavours

Hello :)

So, you guys know I love my music, right? I mean, I love it almost as much as I love babies and nursing... Yeah, that much!

So, this past January my friends convinced me to start a YouTube channel. I mostly play covers of songs I like, and I've posted one of my originals too. And a few goofy videos as well, of course- I mean it wouldn't be my YouTube channel if it was free from all dorkiness. 

It's just a bit of fun really, and Kate (also known as 'Mildred' in the videos) and I have great fun making the videos! All these pictures are freeze-frames from the videos, by the way. :) And I have to say, I feel pretty weird posting photo after photo of myself... Hmm.

So, why am I posting this here? Well, my lovely friends, I have a favour to ask. Dun dun dun... Feel free to press the esc key now haha :) I would really love it if you could go to my YouTube channel and show your support- I'm feeling pretty lonely over there without you guys. Maybe you could subscribe to my channel, rate my videos, or leave a comment or two? It would make me so happy if you could do that. :) Here's one of my recent videos: 

Of course, you can tell me that I'm very cheeky for asking, or you can ignore this post completely! But I know that I can count on a few of you at least to wander over to YouTube and let me know what you think. :) Thank you everyone! And of course if I can do anything for you in return, you know you can always ask! 

Love always, 

Orla x

Versatile Blogger Award

I have received my very first Blogger award. I just can't tell you how happy I am! Thank you, thank you, thank you to the wonderful Cherry from A Day With Me. I stumbled across her blog recently when looking for fellow nurse-bloggers, and I fell in love with her words and photos and instantly. :) 

7 Facts About Me

{1} I simply can't go a day without singing. 

{2} My fingers (especially my thumbs) are double-jointed, so I can bend them almost any way I want. 

{3} I don't like cereal until it has been soaking in the milk so long that it's completely soggy. 

{4} I can be very shy. I love people, but when there are more than 3 or 4 people, I get all flustered and I don't know what to say! I'm getting better, but people still think I'm quiet. 

{5} I really really hate being barefoot. I always have to have at least socks on, because I hate when my feet get dirty. And I can't stand my hands being dirty either, I wash my hands way too often. 

{6} If I were to choose any career other than nursing & midwifery, it would be either primary school teaching or relationship counselling. 

{7} Most of the time I am in my own little world. I have conversations in my head and I laugh out loud when they get funny, I have epic daydreams (the real meaning of the word 'epic', and there is never a moment when I don't have a song playing in my mind. 

There you go, 7 random facts. :) So, who will I award the Versatile Blogger Award to?

Marielle from Magical Day Dream

Ellie from Blue Jeans and Teen Dreams

Gina from Thoughts at Sea

Liesl from Pretty.Random.Things

Shauna from Shauna Loves...

Milla from Birdsong

Olga from For The Record

And I would definitely include Cherry in this list, but she has of course already been awarded! 

The rules: 

- Thank the blogger who sends you the award and add a link to his/her blog.

- Write 7 random things about you.

- Give the award to other bloggers you love and tell them.

Thank you again, Cherry! :) 

51 followers? Really?

I have always been big into reading blogs and following people on Youtube. But up until 4 months ago, I just didn't have the courage to contribute anything to the internet myself. I figured no one would be interested in what I had to say, and my music isn't that great, so I wouldn't waste my time, or other people's. I don't really know what changed my mind. But in November I finally gave in and started Escape to Vanilla. Now I am incredibly glad that I did.

Sometimes, I'm not a very patient person. When I get an idea in my head, I like it to work instantly. But blogging has taught me to appreciate the small steps. In the beginning, every pageview was a tiny battle won. When I got my very first comment, I didn't shut up about it for days, and when I eventually got a follower, I very nearly cried! 

I check my blog every day, and every single time I spot a new comment or follower, I grin like a little kid  in a sweet shop :D Now I actually have 51 followers. 51! I am in awe. Why would 51 people want to follow my blog? I don't understand. And I can't seem to get it into my head that you are real. I've been trying to imagine all 51 of you standing in the same room with me, and it makes me giggle! 51 people have decided that what I have to say isn't boring after all. I can't tell you how happy that makes me. 

I know I sound ridiculous. 51 followers doesn't exactly scream 'successful blog', far from it. But to me, it means so much. I am so, so grateful. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! 

You have made me so happy. :) 

Love always, 

Orla

Notes From a Stranger

A while back, I stumbled across a blog post by someone (I really wish I could remember who) who had picked up a book in a shop and found a secret note in the front cover. It was short and sweet, praising her for choosing that book, and I just thought the idea was absolutely wonderful! Imagine. Buying a book, taking it home to read, and finding a handwritten note from a stranger. I think it would make me smile for a month!

So... I decided I would do it too. I picked 3 of my favourite books, and on Wednesday I left a note inside each:
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffeneggar

 

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

I had so much fun sneaking into the bookshop and hiding the notes in the books, I felt like a secret agent! 

And I wasn't going to tell you this next part... But I'll give you a giggle. 

So I had hidden the notes in my diary for safe-keeping, and as I approached the book shop, I stopped to take them out. Just as I opened my diary (on a random page), a bird flew over my head and pooped all over the page, splat! I was so shocked! I was just staring at the page, trying to make sense of it all. And then, while I was still trying to recover, a woman tapped me on the shoulder, "Excuse me dear, but you might want to pull your dress down on the right hand side at the back..." Oh my goodness, Kate and I laughed for about 20 minutes solid. The bird, then the skirt, then the bird again! Such a comical 2 minutes. At least I can laugh. :-P 

Lacking Inspiration

I've been floating around the internet for the past hour or so just willing inspiration to strike. I want to write, I really do! But for some reason today I've just been very dull. I've made no interesting contributions to any conversations, I barely concentrated during my lectures, and now sitting down for some Me-Time, my frustration continues. 

I had a major burst of creative energy last week. I edited videos, wrote in my diary, re-organised my room, and I even wrote a song (yay!). So in fairness maybe it's time to be boring for a few days... I will leave you with some lovely music to inspire your evening, and who knows- it may even inspire mine. :) 

Dear Friday

Dear Sunshine, thank you for finally making an appearance. I feel better already. :)

Dear Pinterest, your pretty/ inspiring images make me smile daily.

Dear Kate, aka Hollywood actress/ up-and-coming novelist, you are the greatest! I can't wait for the world to see how talented you are.

Dear Tea, thank you for always being there for me. Everyone needs a friend like you.

Dear Readers, thank you for clicking into this page. Thank you for your lovely comments, for following, and for making me feel like what I have to say is semi-interesting, even though it's not! You are the best. :)

Love always,
Orla.x

Tagged? Who, me?

Hello there. :) So I have been tagged by this lovely girly to do a post called "11 Odds, 11 Questions, 11Answers". How sweet is that? I'm pretty chuffed, I have to say. It has made me this excited...

And this happy :)

So, what do I have to do? Here are the rules... 

1) Post these rules

2) Post 11 random things about yourself

3) Answer the questions the tagger set for you

4) Create 11 new questions

5) Tag new people

Randomness?

~I dunk every kind of biscuit in tea, and I am the master biscuit-dunker, I never drop any of it into the tea.

~I hate photos of me with my hair up, I think I look like a man. 

~I can't watch TV without having something else to occupy myself, I am too fidgety. I normally have my laptop (right now I'm watching Ellen). 

~Sometimes when I'm stressed or I have too much pent up energy, I like to dance around my kitchen screaming silly songs in a British accent. 

~My fingers are double jointed, and constantly look like they are broken. 

~I worry that people think I have split personalities because I can either be very mature, sensible and sentimental, or very silly, dorky and weird...

~I can cross my eyes and roll my tongue, but all I really want to do is wiggle my ears.

~I live off praise from others. One nice comment can leave me feeling elated for days. :)

~I have an unexplained obsession with names. For no reason. I just love them.

~I cannot dance. I look like a meerkat mixed with a piglet, both of which are lovely animals, but let's face the fact that they cannot dance. 

~I secretly wish that I lived in America, in the South at the time of Gone With The Wind, when boyfriends were called 'beaus' and corsets were all the rage. 

11 Questions

One. My favourite celebrity... Well, at the moment I am caught between 2. Taylor Swift and Kina Grannis. 

Two. Favourite Android/iPhone app? I don't have either. I think I saw someone with a bubble-popping game, that looked fun! But then maybe that's not an app... I am so bad with technology.

Three. My full name- Orla Bríd Patricia Harrington. Very Irish. Bríd is pronounced 'breed'.

Four. My favourite thing to do. This is going to sound incredibly cheesy and fake, but I am being 100% honest. My absolute favourite thing to do in the entire world is to help people, to be loving and caring. That's why I chose nursing as my career. In a way, you could say it's selfish. I do it for the buzz I get from it, I love having people depend on me, and I love the feeling of people appreciating what I do. Well that's my silly answer, I'm kind of embarrassed now. 

Five. Savoury or sweet? Sweet, most definitely. 

Six. Favourite scent. I love, love, love the smell of vanilla. I love everything vanilla! Hence the blog title Escape to Vanilla. 

Seven. What makes me feel beautiful and sexy... When guys actually respect me. I love when I meet guys at clubs that talk to me, get to know me, and don't instantly try to put their hands in places they shouldn't be. When a guy respects me, it makes me feel classy, elegant and sexy. 

Eight. Favourite Starbucks drink. I'm a student, I can't afford Starbucks! But... I love mochas. 

Nine. AT&T or Verizon? I had to google.. I saw technology, and I clicked 'x' to save my head from hurting, so I have no idea which I would choose.

Ten. What gives me that feeling? What feeling, Hannah? I'm going to go with a feeling of... overwhelming happiness. The feeling that makes your heart flutter, that makes your tummy do flips and you are so happy that you almost can't stand it. How about that for a feeling? I get this feeling when I see babies and children. Thinking about someday having my own children makes me so happy that it hurts. I long for the day when I will be able to love my own babies. :) Yes, I am a weird teenager. You didn't know that? 

Eleven. Favourite word. Serendipity. Finding something positively lovely while searching for something else. Doesn't it make you happy? :) 

Who to tag, who to tag... Well Hannah already tagged a few I would have tagged, so I will choose different people. :) 

Liv

Rosalie

Brittany

Abby

Madi

And the newest follower of my little blog, Jess Leigh! 

Here are your questions. 

{1} Describe yourself in 5 words.

{2} Favourite colour combination?

{3} What would be your favourite part of having a relationship?

{4} Do you walk around home in your bare feet?

{5} Biggest pet peeve?

{6} Is there a phase you went through in your younger teen years that you now regret? (Eg. Saying a word too much, txtin lyk dis, wearing neon colours)

{7} What would you name a boy? And a girl?

{8} What is your worst habit? 

{9} Soup or salad?

{10} Where are you right now while answering these questions? Describe your surroundings. 

{11} What was the nicest thing anyone has ever said to you/ done for you?

I do apologize if that was boring to read... Maybe I can make it up to you with this? 

No? Maybe next time... 

:)