Soulful Sunday - November update

Well hello there. I have been in the Canary Islands since 31st October and I've been making more YouTube videos as opposed to blog posts! This adventure was last minute, like a lot of my previous trips. There's nothing more exciting than booking a flight less than a week before you fly! 

So what's been happening? Well I arrived in Tenerife in the morning and had to catch a ferry at 6.30pm I had lots of time so I found a fruit shop and ate cherimoya and papaya. After arriving in La Palma I stayed the night in a very quaint guest house. Unfortunately my trip has been full of noisy nights and a lack of sleep. My first night was Halloween and that meant lots of partying on behalf of the locals. 

Since arriving in the campsite 9 days ago (which was an adventure in itself!) I have had approximately 2 decent nights sleep. I'm living in a tree house that sways with the wind and makes loud noises when moving and is directly above the communal area so I've been kept awake from people eating late, playing music and drinking. 

I really like the tree house, it's perfect with the exception of noise and swaying, but I am considering asking to be moved because I'm fed up of having broken sleep. Especially as I'm cycling and today I went jogging. I'm physically tired and mentally drained so I need this time to recover and I will NOT sacrifice sunshine just to catch up on sleep. Night time is for sleeping! 

The landscape is beautiful, the weather is good, fruit is amazing and cycling around is brilliant although hard work coming up the hills. 

I am really enjoying this place apart from what I've mentioned. There's papaya, mangoes, bananas, persimmons, bananas and avocados. There's also more fruit and vegetables but the ones listed are my staples. It's the perfect place, with the exception of no durian! 

If you want a great winter getaway I highly recommend La Palma. 

Jennifer x

Soulful Sunday

Update

I took some time off blogging to try to get my final project for TEFL completed, I'm about 60% done, so I'll aim to finish it early this week. Then it'll be study every night to revise all of the units. 

I purchased a hotel and train ticket to Gatwick Airport yesterday, so all I have left is to buy travel insurance and sort out a bed for when I get to Bangkok. I arrive at 6.30am so I have plenty of time to get lost in the city. I preferably want to be close to a fruit market so if you know of a place close to one let me know soon!

I also purchased a tablet yesterday. I ended up choosing the Asus MeMO HD 7 pad in pink, so far it's good. I'm writing this post on it right now. I think I am going to purchase a case with a keyboard as I cannot read the screen as I'm typing this in landscape mode!

Had a chat with an Australian raw foodist this morning, It taught me to be more prepared for other/future discussions. Every new experience is a tool for us to learn and develop personally. I am grateful for that.

I'm am also organising a bon voyage for 31st May, so if you want to come be sure to let me know. I'm thinking mid afternoon gathering with raw food, music, dancing and party games! It's how I roll :)

Love Jennifer x

Soulful Sunday

For the future, I want to get into meditation and back into yoga, so it's a good job I'm heading to Thailand as I will probably find what I want there in terms of learning.

In the present, I need to practice breathing properly. Apparently I am not breathing correctly.

The past has taught many things and I am grateful for it.

Jennifer x

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Soulful Sunday

Monday

This was my third day at work, but my first one going solo. It went well. Monday is payroll day and I have a deadline at 10am. I work 8am-4pm, which is great as I like early starts and early finishes! I was happy with my first solo day. No stress, no madness, just beaming smiles!

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

These days are a blur to me. I was incredibly tired and my body over worked from the weekend, so I spent most of my free time asleep! I started to eat 1900 calories instead of aiming for 2500 to see if that made a difference in my weight loss. It turns out it made staying awake a challenge! So I am back up to eating as much as I care for to keep me going. I think 1900 would have been fine for when I was jobless, but starting work again took its toll on my body.

Friday

I love Friday. I really like my new job so I don't mind going to work anymore, but it is great when 4pm strikes and I get to leave. My car was packed with my weekend supplies and I was off to Manchester to stay with Steven. When I arrived there was a hot bath and dinner waiting for me! Such a sweetie. Dinner was delicious, it's flavour and appearance resembled a chinese dish. My taste buds were pleased.

Saturday

Morning bliss! Waking up to cuddles and amazing smooches is always the best way to start any day! Steven and I went to New Smithfield Market and I got bananas, Steven got tomatoes and we shared dates. Then we went into Ashton for a wander, as I'd never been before. I said I probably won't be going back either... There wasn't a lot to tempt me back! 

Sunday

We lost an hour today but I was still surprised when I checked the time before getting out of bed. It was almost 10am! Time seems to fly by on the weekend. Steven and I went back to New Smithfield Market, this time we were on a mission to get a specific box of dates.

We got them for £5 a box (with 12 packages inside). There are 2 stalls at the Sunday market that sell them. One is in Block B right at the end, unit 38 and the other stall is on the outside of block B, around unit 20 but I am not 100% sure. These dates have a slight marzipan taste and they are crunchy because the sugar has crystallized in most of them. I will definitely not be buying medjool dates again as they are much more expensive and also very sticky and sweet. I still have about 2.5kg in my fridge anyway.

Aims for this week are to knuckle down and get the last 2 TEFL projects out of the way and then I have to spend the next 2 months revising for the test.

Jennifer x

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Soulful Sunday

Ecstasy

Bliss, sensuality and love.

I've experienced many things in my life but nothing compares to this weekend. I am so grateful to have met Steven and he has taught me so much in so little time.

I have never felt such love before, from another person and within myself. It is amazing and I feel so blessed to have been given this gift.

I wrote a list for my perfect guy and I was presented with more than that, I got Steven. I was given the opportunity to learn and grow and have a friend for life. I want to cherish every moment we have together.

I want to spread the loving feeling because it is wonderful.

Grab your loved one and squeeze them tight!!!

Lots of love, hugs and kisses for Steven xxx

Jennifer x

Soulful Sunday

It has felt like the longest week of the year in a really good way.

On Monday I had a clear out and donated items to the local Women's refuge, Tuesday I started studying again and got a project out of the way, Wednesday and Thursday I also studied and did another 4 projects (all of which I have passed with A's), Friday I met up with a friend I've not seen for months and Saturday I went to a potluck in Stoke.

It feels like I have achieved so much and I am so grateful for being unemployed as it has given me time to do the things that I need to do for my future goals. I've been able to focus on myself, eating clean and studying and I am feeling much better about travelling to Thailand.

Getting the results back from my projects has definitely boosted my confidence, which was my wish on Wednesday, so it seems that wish is slowly being fulfilled.

I am also getting there slowly with my cleaning, I have some art supplies that I might donate as I may not have chance to use them before I go travelling. I also need to make a decision about my sewing machine. It's not a big named brand, but it seems a shame to keep it boxed up in storage. I haven't used it since last May. Although I have had it for 13 years and the first 8 years it remained unused! I have some fabric that I want to make into a skirt though so I need to do that soon.

I am on day 31 of being fully raw, so I hope to keep this going. I tend to binge after 30 days, so a suggestion was made yesterday that I trick my brain into thinking I have binged and then pretend that this is actually my first fully raw day. It seems to be working as I haven't had major cravings yet. Although I am sure a certain person can say that my attitude today is a sign that I am likely to snap at any moment. I have said that I do not wish to do another juice cleanse anytime soon so I want to remain fully raw.

I only have two projects left for TEFL and then a final exam. I want to do my best this coming week to finish the projects and then start revising for the final exam. I may have a job interview and I also want to finish reading the book Making a Good Brain Great.

No doubt I'll keep you updated!

Jennifer x

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Soulful Sunday

This week was the first of many being unemployed and this is what I did.

Started the week with a spring clean. My aim is to declutter and get rid of most of my things. By the end of it I want only 2 cardboard boxes of possessions and the bag I take with me travelling.

Cleansed my colon. I did a 3 day juice cleans that involved prune juice, distilled water, fresh apple juice and olive oil. Plus a lot of rest! I basically read and watched tv/films for 3 days on the sofa. I consumed 96 juiced apples, 18 tsp olive oil, 2 litres of prune juice and lots of distilled water.

Check it out here.

Cut my hair. I made a post about it yesterday.

Sunbathed. For the first time this year! It was such a beautiful day today and I made the most of it by putting my picnic blanket on the grass and laying in the rays.

I made friends with a cat, spider, ant and lady-bird today!

Nourished my cells with lush raw food. Lots of ripe bananas, berries, dates, spinach and salad. Yum.

My plans for the coming week are to go food shopping and get stuck into TEFL, complete the 7 projects I have left and then revise for the final test. Then I can truly get my teeth stuck into prepping for Thailand/Australia/NZ!!

I really hope that the weather is good this week so I can spend time outdoors whilst on my breaks from studying!

I also want to keep having early nights, getting plenty of sleep and making sure I feel my best.

Jennifer x

Soulful Sunday

What a week!

I've had many ups and downs this week, but the weekend is ending on a high as I get to spend the last few hours of it with an amazing man :)

Today I have had quite a strange day though. I had a dodgy stomach around 1pm and had to stop at Tesco to go to the toilet twice. This was really abnormal for me because I haven't had a problem like that for over 6 months (and that was due to eating random Turkish junk which involved severe diarrhoea and vomiting!) I think it was due to the gourmet raw food I had on Friday night. As tasty as it was, it was heavily salted with oils, nuts and many other ingredients that my body has become sensitive to.

One of the great things about today was that I tried a young coconut for the first time, from a Chinese Cash & Carry in Manchester. The water was amazing to drink and then the jelly was good too, but at £1.75 it was an expensive treat. I saw more frozen durian and had to make myself walk away from it!

Despite sending my CV to some agencies I have been thinking about taking time out to work on myself, so from tomorrow I shall be focusing my energy on doing what's best for me. Jobs and money shall have to wait. 

I am doing a 3 days juice cleanse from Tuesday, so tomorrow I am going to New Smithfield market in Manchester to get some apples. Expect a video to be up in the next few days :)

Jennifer x

Soulful Sunday

Raw meet-up

This weekend I went to a raw vegan meet-up in Manchester. It was my second visit and it was a really good turn out! The food was amazing, not only did we have lots of fruit, smoothies/juices and salad, there was a lot of creative dishes there including dehydrated crackers, raw pizza, chocolate balls and "naked" chocolate bars.

Wow.

I filled myself up and mixed everything. As much as I loved the food, the food combining made me feel very tired! In future I will be more selective and careful about my choices. The dishes were fantastic though and I hope to try some more in the future.

I met so many new people it was great. Everyone has different backgrounds and experiences and I really enjoyed hearing their stories. It's always refreshing to meet like minded people and it makes me feel more "normal" and confident in my choice to be raw vegan.

I recommend joining Meetup to see if there area any groups to join in your area. It's a great place to connect with others who have similar interests.

Jennifer x

Soulful Sunday

Pocketful of Sunshine

I am feeling GREAT! I've had a huge release of oxytocin since Thursday because I have had so many cuddles. It's such a wonderful feeling to have someone close.

I've been spoilt. 

Ripe fruit, delicious salads, pure water, powerful words, music to reminisce years gone by, movies to warm the heart. 

I've also enjoyed being the cause of someone's laughter, smiles and making them feel more "normal" again.

I feel like a cloud has passed over and the sun is breaking out from behind it. Perhaps I have found my muse again.

Jennifer x

Soulful Sunday

Hurrah I had a few hugs this weekend :) 

My schedule has proved to be somewhat unrealistic. However, I think this could just be down to the situations I have experienced over the last week that were not predictable. I will try again this week and if it does not work, then I will redo it.

I just finished the 9th Sookie Stackhouse book, which means I only own one more to read. I shed a tear towards the end of this book. It really got me emotionally. I do not want to buy the next 3 because I have a lot of other books to read and as I want to declutter before I go travelling, I really have to read them all (unless they are hard to get into for the first 2 chapters I will consider not wasting my time).

I had a very weird dream last night. I was eating cooked food, but I cannot remember what it was and I was disappointed with myself for breaking my resolution only 11 days into it. Thankfully I woke up and realised it did not happen. However, today my dad and my brother had toast and it really got my cravings for bread up. Someone had left the corners of bread on the plate and for a split second I contemplated eating them (I never normally touch anyone else's leftovers so I definitely was not feeling like myself) and then I remembered my dream and I shook myself out of it. Strange. Later on though my brother went to McDonald's and I looked at his burger and felt another craving, but then I remembered this 14 year old burger and it freaked me out. I would really love to get my mouth on a chunky vegetable burger covered in a vegan sauce with a floured bun. Mmmm. Nevermind.

I've been watching Awkward in my spare time (as well as reading) and it just makes me want to go back to school/college/uni and live out my days as a student with all the usual teenage drama. Although this show is more dramatised than real life, I could not imagine someone to have a life similar. 

I got rid of some unwanted clutter, which is a relief, but I still have more to go. I think dealing with it all in one go is so overwhelming, I tend to keep things to cherish because I've got rid of other stuff. So doing it in stages is good because I get rid of most things eventually instead of hoarding it when I no longer have a use for it. I figure that if it really means something I can photograph it and then get of the physical object. I just hope that I do not get amnesia because my theory is that I will always have the memory.

Well I need to prepare for bed and possibly start the 10th True Blood book.

Much love

Jennifer x

Soulful Sunday

Welcome to Soulful Sunday.

I write this listening to Nelly Furtado. Her music is a comfort to me.

So today I shall be revealing my aims for 2014, I was compiling a list earlier this afternoon at lunchtime. I will probably add more to this list over time, but right now these are the most important.

1. Be fully raw - I am sure I will face many challenges with this one, but I have had almost a year to build up to it and I am now ready to fully accept the challenge. Perhaps the hardest times will be when travelling so I need to work on a back up plan for that. EU countries I can travel with fruit but long haul I may have problems.

2. Attend the Thai Fruit Festival in July - accommodation is booked, I just need to get a plane ticket and work out my plan.

3. Complete TEFL - my deadline is May. I currently have 152 days left to complete it. I did not realise how hard it was going to be. So not only is there a lot to read, there are tests at the end of the unit, which I have been passing with flying colours, but the projects are tough!

4. Save - well I have been doing well, but I could be doing better. I have got my spending down to just food, petrol and living expenses. I am going to budget my food and buy more frugally. 

5. Attend the gym 3 times a week and run every morning before work - I have the running down (unless it is severe weather) now I have to stick to the gym. I will make sure I've packed my bag ready to go in my car so I can go straight from work.

6. Be more sociable - seeing as Sunday will be my only free-time if I stick to my schedule (I could swap Sat and Sun occasionally) then I want to see people once a week, which is more than I have been seeing people recently! If you are reading this and want to hang out, let me know...you know my schedule if you read this.

7. Keep reading - reading (the right books) can be more pleasurable than anything else. Charlaine Harris has caused a new addiction for vampires in me (Stephanie Meyer started the flame, but Charlaine got it roaring) but I have a whole library full of books that have not been touched yet. My mission is to read them before I go travelling in June. I suppose it is doable if I give up TV.

8. Make YouTube videos - I should do more YouTube videos. When I go away a blog post a day may not be possible...

That's my list so far, well I have a couple more points to add, I told my colleague I need to be more ladylike (I will try to conceal my burps, stop swearing and control my thoughts!) but I feel like if I put too much emphasis on them I will end up trying too hard and failing!

Do you have a list of aims or resolutions?

See you tomorrow.

Much love

Jennifer x

Soulful Sunday

Welcome to another Soulful Sunday

I've been asked do I plan my posts, my answer is very rarely. I tend to go with a thought or feeling that I have when I open the webpage. Tomorrow is planned because I did it today ;) I will actually upload a project! Check back tomorrow for that one, but for now stay tuned to some of my random ramblings.

Human touch

No matter how I act and how you perceive me, I am quite a sensitive person. I also suffer from emotional extremes. I can be extremely happy, extremely sad, extremely funny or extremely angry, extremely nice or extremely mean (I need to work on my negatives). I think I am quite mixed up in my mind about who I am, what I stand for and why. This is an ongoing journey that I hope to one day reach the end of and live peacefully within myself.

So, what can you do for a sensitive girl like me? Hugs. Lots of hugs. I admit I am a little bit reserved with hugging people I hardly know, but those who I do know should give me lots of hugs! I am always too afraid of asking for the possibility of being rejected. (My colleague must think I am crazy because I offer hugs but never get taken seriously...I just feel sad because my colleagues are the people I spend most of my time with! I miss my old colleague Joanna, she hugged me a lot)

Perhaps that's why I am pretty emotional these days, I'm lucky to get one hug a week!

Lately, going to bed has been quite sad because I just want to roll over and spoon someone. I am the puppy above and like that puppy I also cuddle my teddy bear! 

I like to be the big spoon...so if you're like this lonely looking fellow then have no fear, Jennifer is here! I like being little spoon too, but being big spoon makes me feel like I have more responsibility!

If you see me walking down the street and I start to cry each time we meet, DON'T walk on by! I just want to be pulled into a great big hug.

Much love

Jennifer x

Soulful Sunday

Welcome to Soulful Sunday.

Right now I am sitting in my room in front of my PC with only a white vest on and my hair clipped up, looking around at my possessions and wondering "why have I got so much stuff?"

If you've seen my room perhaps you can see this vision. 

It causes distress. My bedroom should be a place where I rest my head, release all of my worries and have a peaceful sleep. Most nights I get up being careful not to step on an empty water bottle or trip on the hairdryer cable that sticks out from under my bed if not put away properly. I am wondering how I got to be so messy!

I have stuff everywhere! 

I have decorative pillows on my bed, along with teddy bears. I have clean laundry that I haven't bothered to put away. I have so many coats on show in my room I am beginning to think I have an obsession.

My bedroom is cluttered, my mind is cluttered and I NEED TO START GETTING ON WITH THIS TEFL COURSE ELSE I'LL RUN OUT OF TIME!!!!! 

I feel like with the dark mornings and dark evenings, anytime that I am at home I just want to be in bed. When it is daylight I can work. Right now when it is daylight I am at work. Therefore, when I come home I just eat and sleep (and write this blog and possibly allow myself to become distracted by other things).

I am finding winter hard. I just want to see the sun again. I want to go to the beach. I want to swim in the sea. I want to wake up in the light and go to bed in the light. 

Tomorrow night, I will make more of an effort to clear my room of the things that are not essential.

*takes a deep breath*

Oh and I am also frustrated because my mobile phone charger seems to drain the battery instead of powering it up! Actually, I think that sums me up. My bedroom drains me instead of powering me! Definitely time for a winter clean.

Much love

Jennifer x

Soulful Sunday

Welcome to Soulful Sunday!

Today I have been in need or serious sleep, in fact all week I feel like I've been running low on energy. Perhaps I need to eat more fruit, although when I've been eating I have been feeling so full that it would not be advisable to eat anymore without consequences!!

I had a really hard time at work last week, mainly due to the energy problem. Perhaps I should ask for a blood test before I get my next B12 injection to see if I need more?! I was so glad at 1pm on Friday, I couldn't get out of work quick enough!! This weekend has been great though.  First I went to the fruit market (check out my video on YouTube), which is probably my third favourite thing after sleep and eating. Then in the evening I went to a potluck hosted by my lovely friends and attended by great people.

I definitely deserved a rest day today (even though I had planned to go to a gallery in Liverpool - sorry James) and I do feel better for it now, even though I am still in lazy mode.

Despite putting the Christmas tree up and decorating my desk at work, I still feel like scrooge! 

Happy cheery desk...

Not the final resting place...

OMG is that a cucumber?! lol It scared me....and I ate it, nothing else!!!

So I guess that is the round up for my week/weekend. I am hoping that this week will go better than the last!

Much love

Jennifer x

Soulful Sunday

Welcome to Soulful Sunday.

This is a new concept. Instead of exposing my bare naked body, I will instead expose my soul.

Today I want to talk about the one thing in my life that I have never really had. A best friend.

For those of you who know me, you may know that I have many different sides. I can be funny, sarcastic, emotional, caring, angry, stubborn, etc. Most people see the happy Jen, the funny Jen and (hopefully) the caring Jen. Not very many people see the sad, depressed and extremely emotional Jen.

I am not afraid to be vulnerable around people. I am, however, afraid to tell people what is actually wrong.

I want a best friend. I envy people who have a best friend. It really upsets me that I do not have a best friend!!

I often wonder why I cannot keep a long lasting friendship (never-mind a long lasting relationship!!). Is there something wrong with me? Am I just too independent? Is it wrong for me to want to have someone who is guaranteed to be there for me no matter what time of day, or no matter what the situation? It makes me sad to think that in my darkest hours of need, the people who I consider friends do not actually come through for me as I would expect a best friend to. 

I see people who are the best of friends, do everything together, have an amazing connection and would do anything for each other. I know these friendships are very rare, but why? 

I hope that one day, I will meet someone who will understand me without having to be told. To want to be there for me no matter what and knows that I will be there for them too. 

If you have a best friend leave a comment and tell me about your friendship/connection. If you are like me and have never had a best friend let me know if this affects you in any way.

Much love

Jennifer x