Being Five Years Old

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 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.

Huge Dreams and Sleepless Nights

I have never been a good sleeper. My mother had me at the doctor when I was 7 years old because she couldn't get me to sleep. The doctor recommended 3 drops of lavender on my pillow case every night, she said it would help. But 11 years later I still don't sleep, and I now hate the smell of lavender. 

My problem is that as soon as it gets dark out, something inside me switches on. I am a totally different person at night time, and I like this person better. Night Time Orla is creative and sentimental. She is emotional and mellow. She can sing and play music so much better, and it's the only time she can write. She writes blog posts, songs, diary entries, letters and poems. She can craft and she feels so inspired by everything around her. Not at all like the boring Day Time Orla. But just as Night Time Orla really comes alive, time runs out and her body is supposed to sleep. 'No fair,' she cries! So as the lights go out and her body lies down to sleep, she tries hard to quench the fire and excitement, but thoughts and ideas are flying around her head so fast that she feels dizzy and awake. Maybe if she's lucky, she will fall asleep 2 hours later... 

It is a curse that I will always have to live with. :-P A night owl trying very hard to fit in with societies normal sleeping habits.

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

One Year

Oh, how time flies. This is me exactly a year ago, the night I graduated secondary school (high school). And right now, I'm sitting on my bed 3000 miles away in Toronto, Canada. If you told the girl in the picture that that's what she'd be doing in a year, she would have laughed in your face. Politely, of course.

+ One year ago, I was spending 85% of my time studying for final exams, and 15% worrying that I wasn't studying enough.

+ One year ago, I was feeling low and defeated. I wasn't a very happy person at all, and I didn't know how to fix that.

+ One year ago, I was miserable at the thought of leaving school, yet oh so desperate to get into University.

+ One year ago, I felt like a caged bird. I needed badly to spread my wings.

+ One year ago I felt lost. I had no idea what the future held for me.

+ One year ago, I thought I knew who I was. Oh, how wrong I was.

+ A year later I have finished a year of my nursing degree, and I have enjoyed every second of it.

+ A year later, I am surrounded by people who love me, and boy is the feeling mutual. :) 

+ A year later, I am working as a nanny in Canada. CANADA! 

+ A year later, I am feeling so much more comfortable in my own skin. I'm not perfect, but I am learning to embrace what I cannot change. 

+ A year later, I have learned a whole lot, and I'm still learning. The most important lesson from this past year? I cannot control everything that happens to me, but I can control my reactions and emotions. And I feel empowered. :) 

+ A year later, I am loving most parts of my life. And it feels incredible. :) Here's to another year of change. I can't wait to see what else is in store for me. 

Morning Lullabies

I could write about how I love the morning sunshine streaming into my bedroom, and the fresh air through the open window. How I enjoy my breakfast of fresh fruit, and I sit and ponder all of life's precious offerings. I would be lying. And I would never lie to you girls. Truth is, I look a bit like this in the mornings: 

I am not a morning person. At all. In order to avoid the morning blues, I have to come up with ways to wake myself up as pleasantly as possible. So I have come up with a 'Morning Lullabies' system, whereby I set my alarm every night with a happy song to wake me up. Music calms me, and helps me to start the day as best I can. 

Morning Lullabies

Upside Down- Jack Johnson

Bucket- Carly Rae Jepsen 

A Message From Your Heart- Kina Grannis

When I'm Gone- A Rocket To The Moon

Bubbly- Colbie Caillat

Count On Me- Bruno Mars

Ours- Taylor Swift

Breakfast At Tiffany's- Deep Blue Something

Here Comes The Sun- The Beatles

Morning Lullabies- Ingrid Michaelson

Dry Spells

Sometimes I go through dry spells. I think I've written about them before on this blog. It might last a week, maybe two, and my creativity just stops flowing. I stop playing music, I have no interest in reading or writing, I can't craft, and even my conversation seems dull. But I don't really mind when that happens.

I don't mind at all. Because when that dry spell is over, my creative mind goes on overdrive. This week I have rediscovered my love of reading, and I have really enjoyed 'The Perks of Being A Wallflower' by Stephen Chbosky and 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I have written a happy song inspired by my summer in Canada which I will share with you when I'm finished tweaking it. I've written so much in my diary, and now I'm coming back to life on my blog too. Happy days. :) I always know that every dry spell is followed by a wonderful shower of inspiration and creativity.

Lessons Learned

+ I have learned to set my alarm early so that I get to press snooze at least once. 

+ I have learned to just let myself be goofy, because no matter how hard I try to hide it, it always creeps out somehow. 

+ I have learned to brush my teeth before I get dressed... Tooth paste stains just don't wipe off. 

+ I have learned that tea can fix almost everything. 

+ I have learned to trust my heart and not my head in making big decisions. It hasn't failed me yet. 

+ I have learned that some friends are only supposed to be in our lives for a short while. And some friends will be around forever. 

+ I have learned that sometimes it really is easier to express how I feel through writing a song. 

+ I have learned that even though some people seem to be more important than others (celebrities, politicians, even teachers and bosses), in the end we're all just people. And no one has the right to make you feel like you're not good enough. 

+ I have learned that if you stick with the things you really love, then you can make your life a really great one. For me? Spending time with people I love, nursing, little kids and babies, playing music, writing, and experiencing as much as I can. I'm going to stick with that. Nothing fancy. But I'll be happy. :) 

So be on your way, and be sure that whatever you do today, make time to do at least one thing that you're really passionate about. Stuck for time? Light a candle, eat some chocolate, or listen to a song that brings back happy memories. :) 

Sending love, 

Orla x

Let's Fly Away

I'm a planner. I'm careful, and I get scared easily. I rarely take risks, and I spend too long thinking about things, which often means I let opportunities pass me by. I'm comfortable this way, and I enjoy my life. But inside me I have an awful lot of dreams that I'm afraid might never come true, simply because they're a little too risky. This occurred to me only recently when I was thinking of how I was going to spend this Summer, and that thought scared me more than the idea of taking risks. 

That's when I decided I needed to do something about it. 

I'm young. If I don't embrace my life now, then I never will. I need to get past the fear of failure, and just go for it! There is so much that I want to do, so much of the world I want to see and experience. I mentioned that I'm going to Canada? Well that is the first little adventure I've decided to go on. I am traveling across the world on my own for the first time, and I'm going to experience life in Canada while taking care of children. I'm going to explore the city of Toronto, and it will be a wonderful Summer. I'm excited! The first step towards a more adventurous life. :) Wish me luck. x

Happy List

I have way too many notebooks. One of them is dedicated entirely to little things that make me smile on a daily basis. The idea is that when I'm bored/ stressed/ just feeling a little bit down, I read through it and appreciate all the good things about my life. It never fails to make me smile. :) Here are a few things that have been making me smile lately.

+ Baby Taylor recognising herself in photos

+ Watched Beauty and the Beast

+ Icecream with Kate

+ Went to visit Nana

+ Sampson playing with a giant branch

+ New book smell

+ Painting with the kids

+ Tried to drink an espresso- ew! 

+ Skyping Raine and Liv

+ Half-price notebooks- love. 

+Made chocolate banana muffins

+Dean (age 5) fell asleep on my lap

Have a lovely day, and remember to appreciate the small things. :) 

With love, 

Orla

Wordless Wednesday

Sweet Springtime

I don't know about you, but I have music to suit my every mood. That's why my iPod is so jam packed with different playlists. Right now, the beginning of Spring is leaving me feeling relaxed and inspired...

Sweet Springtime Playlist

Over The Rainbow- Israel Kamakawiwo'ole

She Moves In Her Own Way- The Kooks

Find My Way Back Home- Priscilla Ahn

Morning Lullabies- Ingrid Michaelson

A Thousand Miles- Vanessa Carlton

Nine Million Bicycles- Katie Melua

Lucky- Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat

And The Birds Sing- Tyrone Wells

Neopolitan Dreams- Lisa Mitchell

Early Morning Rain- Eva Cassidy

Chasing Pavements- Adele

New Shoes- Paolo Nutini

New Soul- Yael Naim

Thank You- Dido

1234- Feist

Happy Corner

Have you ever felt so inspired and full of ideas and creativity that it all just crashes together, explodes and leaves you with absolutely no idea what to do with it all? No? Wow, I think there is something wrong with me. I am so full of energy right now, and I have this overwhelming urge to blog, but I have no idea what about! I just need to get this cheerful, crazy energy out of me somehow. Hmm... How about a pick and mix blog post? I will give you a little taste of what is going on in my head right now, what is making me so crazy and incoherent. Ready? .....Okay.. GO!

"This is your life, and it's ending one minute at a time" ~Narrator, Fight Club

 

"Among all the fairytales, I choose Shrek, because that's where I learned that even the imperfect people can have happy endings" ~Unknown

"But better die than live mechanically a life that is a repetition of repetitions." ~D.H. Lawrence  

My new song, 'Postcard'. Tell me what you think of it, and please subscribe to my YouTube channel. :)

So there you have it. A brief look at the inside of my head. It is going crazy, and I feel like dancing around the kitchen, or running down a hill, or baking brownies, or... Sitting. In silence. And just appreciating the fact that right now I am able to smile, and say that I am feeling happy. I want to savour the moment, because sitting with my puppy curled up beside me, the fire lighting, a mug of hot tea, and Imaginary Friend playing on iTunes- I am happy. :) 

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday, and if you're not having a great one like I am, then I hope you have an utterly fantabulous week to make up for it. :) 

Love always, 

Orla