I'd like to start this post by apologising for my absence from BlogSpot over the last couple of months. It's true that I have been really busy but, in all honesty, my reason for not posting is simply that I have not had the motivation to do so, or the creativity to choose what to write about. Sometimes, I go through periods where I suddenly have a mental block and no idea what to put on the page. I have watched 3 great films over this time ('Belle', 'If I Stay' and 'The Rewrite' if anyone's interested!) and read two fab books ('One Million Lovely Letters' and 'Great Expectations') but, despite attempting reviews on several occasions, the words have been refusing to form. I guess that's what they call 'writer's block'. Ah well, the title of this post fits nicely into the situation anyway, as forcing myself to put my phone down and my writing head on is not only good for me, but also a classic example of breaking through a barrier...
The main inspiration behind this post is an event which happened last week. Since starting my final year at school, I have begun my own appeal for a charity called 'The Anaphylaxis Campaign' who provide support for people like me with severe allergies (maybe I'll go into more detail about that in another post!). Any way, as part of the appeal, I decided to do a sponsored swim to raise funds for this amazing charity's work, and chose to swim the distance of the English channel in my local pool over a week. Well, in 6 days I managed all 22 miles which is 1416 lengths! I was proud and I was relieved.
However, it wasn't just the fact that I completed the swim that struck a chord with me, but the fact that I believed that I could do it and the fact that I didn't allow obstacles I faced to deter me from my path. It seemed like a daunting challenge and, recently, I've had some difficulty with self esteem and self belief but somewhere inside me I knew I could do this and so I did. It also caused me a lot of physical pain, particularly as my skin reacted badly to the chlorine and I felt a mess. But I picked myself up from that low point and completed the swim, because people were relying on me doing so.
My swim has reminded me that it is possible to break barriers in life, whether those barriers are cause by yourself, your peers or society. If you truly want to do something, I'm not saying that means it will just happen and all be dandy, because that's not the case. But, with an apology for this paragraph seeming cliché, hard work totally pays off and the vast majority of goals are achievable if you're willing to make sacrifices. I've had a lot of self-doubt about whether or not I am capable of passing my driving test next week, for example, but knowing that I have proven that I have the capability to break barriers injects a little extra confidence in me.
So, amongst my rambling I hope you find some advice! If anyone would like to check out my charity appeal Facebook page and give it a like and share that would mean a lot! Just click here!
And if anyone would like to make a sponsorship donation (even just £1!) that would put a massive smile on my face! Just visit my Justgiving page: www.justgiving.com/catriona-aitken
I promise (mostly to myself!) to post again soon. All comments appreciated below.
Catriona xx
Thursday, 30 October 2014
Tuesday, 16 September 2014
Positive Dilemmas
I've never been a very good decision maker. Although, I've never been very good at letting other people make my decisions either, always arguing with their suggestions!
I often allow decisions which I have to make stress me out, and I always feel 100% happier AFTER a decision is made. I'm not naïve enough to think that I'm the only one that feels that way, but it does seem to be one of the main triggers of my 'panic mode'!
It's not until the past couple of weeks that I've realised that when a decision is difficult to make, it's often because both options are either very (in best case!) or equally (in worst case!) desirable.
One example of this is that, about 3 weeks ago, I was informed that I would no longer have a job at the Coffee House where I've been working. It had nothing to do with my quality of work at all, but there are many changes happening and that includes a change of owners, and so they were unable to keep me on.
This came as quite a shock to me and I was quite upset. But I was proactive and started getting my CVs out to other businesses. I was offered trials at 2 places within a week.
I should have been happy, and I was! My CV had I pressed 2 business owners in the space of a few days and I had the option of two new places of employment!
But I hated the idea of choosing, constantly feeling bad for the other, foolishly thinking that both needed me, I realise now that finding another 17 year old lassie wouldn't be too difficult!
I chose another café btw, so the work's similar!
Then came a mini mid-week meltdown about University options! I'm in the process of applying to UCAS just now and I'm in the very fortunate position of meeting the entry requirements for all the courses that interest me.... now it's just about picking what and where and that's a little bit frightening!
What I need to keep reminding myself, and what maybe everyone else knows but maybe they don't is that it's a good sort of frightening! To be in my position is something that so many people I know would kill for! So It's a positive dilemma, not a reason for tars!
I feel like I can relate this latest Eureka to matters outwith my own personal world too.
Last week, I attended The Big Big Debate in Glasgow, a debate on the Scottish Referendum. Over the past 6 months, I've kept this blog fairly politics free, but I actually have an avid interest for the subject. Between that event, and our local referendum debate at the Town Hall last night, I have been left with many questions and points to consider.
Both a Yes and No result would bring challenges, but both would bring Scotland positive outcomes of some kind. The question to settle in the next couple of days is, which brings more positive than the other!
So there you have it, my thoughts on positive dilemmas, turning stressful decision making into a good thing, and a little for my readers outwith Scotland regarding the much-talked about Referendum (maybe more on that another time?)
Please comment with your opinions, or some dilemmas you've had to face recently!
Catriona xx
I often allow decisions which I have to make stress me out, and I always feel 100% happier AFTER a decision is made. I'm not naïve enough to think that I'm the only one that feels that way, but it does seem to be one of the main triggers of my 'panic mode'!
It's not until the past couple of weeks that I've realised that when a decision is difficult to make, it's often because both options are either very (in best case!) or equally (in worst case!) desirable.
One example of this is that, about 3 weeks ago, I was informed that I would no longer have a job at the Coffee House where I've been working. It had nothing to do with my quality of work at all, but there are many changes happening and that includes a change of owners, and so they were unable to keep me on.
This came as quite a shock to me and I was quite upset. But I was proactive and started getting my CVs out to other businesses. I was offered trials at 2 places within a week.
I should have been happy, and I was! My CV had I pressed 2 business owners in the space of a few days and I had the option of two new places of employment!
But I hated the idea of choosing, constantly feeling bad for the other, foolishly thinking that both needed me, I realise now that finding another 17 year old lassie wouldn't be too difficult!
I chose another café btw, so the work's similar!
Then came a mini mid-week meltdown about University options! I'm in the process of applying to UCAS just now and I'm in the very fortunate position of meeting the entry requirements for all the courses that interest me.... now it's just about picking what and where and that's a little bit frightening!
What I need to keep reminding myself, and what maybe everyone else knows but maybe they don't is that it's a good sort of frightening! To be in my position is something that so many people I know would kill for! So It's a positive dilemma, not a reason for tars!
I feel like I can relate this latest Eureka to matters outwith my own personal world too.
Last week, I attended The Big Big Debate in Glasgow, a debate on the Scottish Referendum. Over the past 6 months, I've kept this blog fairly politics free, but I actually have an avid interest for the subject. Between that event, and our local referendum debate at the Town Hall last night, I have been left with many questions and points to consider.
Both a Yes and No result would bring challenges, but both would bring Scotland positive outcomes of some kind. The question to settle in the next couple of days is, which brings more positive than the other!
So there you have it, my thoughts on positive dilemmas, turning stressful decision making into a good thing, and a little for my readers outwith Scotland regarding the much-talked about Referendum (maybe more on that another time?)
Please comment with your opinions, or some dilemmas you've had to face recently!
Catriona xx
Monday, 18 August 2014
Summer Put Simply
Ok, so recently I've been kinda busy (again!)
I've had some new ideas for my blog, which basically consist or rebalancing it slightly so that it's similar, but there's more blogs with actual topics, and less random gabble about my life! Haha!
Therefore, in future, I'm going to try and not worry if something important-ish happens in my life, or I go and see a movie or read a book and I don't document it! Because it's far easier doing that, than, for example, going to the cinema and then having no time to write a review until 3 weeks later and finding it difficult to focus on that film anymore! So I'll be keeping up the reviews, I just might not review everything!
But, until I get an opportunity to devote more time to regular blogging, and because I feel like the last 6 weeks has brought plenty of stuff to gabble about, I will fire through my life highlights right now!!
1) We broke up for summer and on the same day we went out for tea for my mum's birthday! yay!
2) I went to RYLA camp and it was an incredible week.. Read all about it here!
3) I came home from RYLA and my Uncle and my Granny were here and I hadn't seen my uncle in ages so that was cool!
4) I went with a friend to see 'The Fault in Our Stars' movie FINALLY and loved it but got slagged off because I didn't cry.. although I did well up!
5) I sat my driving theory test and passed first time.. woo!
6) I went out for a meal at Frankie and Benny's to celebrate two of my friends birthdays and we embarrassed them by getting candles in their desserts, the lights dimmed and the F&B's Birthday song! Haha!
7) I went with a friend to see a play as part of my Dad's Youth Festival and we had a right laugh!
8) Also as part of the festival, I spent a week on a traditional music course, learnt loads, made tons of new friends and had a blast!
9) I got my results and was over the moon because the hard work paid off! We celebrated with champagne and a scrumptious curry!
10) I went on holiday with my family to Italy and it was the most amazing, relaxing week I've had in a long time!
11) On returning, I tried to pick up my new tie from school but they had ran out so now I'm kind of tie-less.. stupid uniform company!
12) I had friends over on Thursday evening for a High School Musical Marathon (all 3 movies back to back!). Yes I realise that I'm very sad.
13) I've spent the last 3 days procrastinating like crazy and we go back to school tomorrow and I still have a shit load of homework to do!
So, I don't suppose this was my most interesting blog post ever, but thank you to all who read my (hopefully not unlucky!) 13 snippets of one of the best summer holidays I've ever had! Now that you're all (just about) caught up, let me know if there's anything specific you'd like me to write about soon and I'll be back asap! xx
I've had some new ideas for my blog, which basically consist or rebalancing it slightly so that it's similar, but there's more blogs with actual topics, and less random gabble about my life! Haha!
Therefore, in future, I'm going to try and not worry if something important-ish happens in my life, or I go and see a movie or read a book and I don't document it! Because it's far easier doing that, than, for example, going to the cinema and then having no time to write a review until 3 weeks later and finding it difficult to focus on that film anymore! So I'll be keeping up the reviews, I just might not review everything!
But, until I get an opportunity to devote more time to regular blogging, and because I feel like the last 6 weeks has brought plenty of stuff to gabble about, I will fire through my life highlights right now!!
1) We broke up for summer and on the same day we went out for tea for my mum's birthday! yay!
2) I went to RYLA camp and it was an incredible week.. Read all about it here!3) I came home from RYLA and my Uncle and my Granny were here and I hadn't seen my uncle in ages so that was cool!
4) I went with a friend to see 'The Fault in Our Stars' movie FINALLY and loved it but got slagged off because I didn't cry.. although I did well up!
5) I sat my driving theory test and passed first time.. woo!
6) I went out for a meal at Frankie and Benny's to celebrate two of my friends birthdays and we embarrassed them by getting candles in their desserts, the lights dimmed and the F&B's Birthday song! Haha!
7) I went with a friend to see a play as part of my Dad's Youth Festival and we had a right laugh!
8) Also as part of the festival, I spent a week on a traditional music course, learnt loads, made tons of new friends and had a blast!
9) I got my results and was over the moon because the hard work paid off! We celebrated with champagne and a scrumptious curry!
10) I went on holiday with my family to Italy and it was the most amazing, relaxing week I've had in a long time!
11) On returning, I tried to pick up my new tie from school but they had ran out so now I'm kind of tie-less.. stupid uniform company!
12) I had friends over on Thursday evening for a High School Musical Marathon (all 3 movies back to back!). Yes I realise that I'm very sad.
13) I've spent the last 3 days procrastinating like crazy and we go back to school tomorrow and I still have a shit load of homework to do!
So, I don't suppose this was my most interesting blog post ever, but thank you to all who read my (hopefully not unlucky!) 13 snippets of one of the best summer holidays I've ever had! Now that you're all (just about) caught up, let me know if there's anything specific you'd like me to write about soon and I'll be back asap! xx
Monday, 21 July 2014
Ernest Hemingway Appreciation
Ernest Hemingway was born on this day in 1899, so in celebration of that, since this guy did give me my crazy long blog title after all ;) , I give you this quote:
"There is no friend as loyal as a book" ~Ernest Hemingway~
Maybe a little exaggerated, but a fair point I think!
Catriona xx
"There is no friend as loyal as a book" ~Ernest Hemingway~
Maybe a little exaggerated, but a fair point I think!
Catriona xx
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| Ernest Hemingway (www.americanlegends.com) |
Monday, 14 July 2014
"Those were the best days of my life..."
I'm not long back from what was a truly amazing week at Abernethy Trust Outdoor Centre, Netheybridge as part of the Rotary Youth Leader Awards (RYLA) Girls Camp 2014.I applied for this through Stonehaven Rotary Club who, along with clubs from all across the district 1010, were sponsoring a place on the camp. After attending an interview, I found out that I was the successful candidate.
The week was aimed at developing leadership skills, and each day included a 1 hour talk from an inspirational speaker, followed by a jam-packed day of activity, with each member in the ten teams of 8 girls taking a turn at playing 'leader', and the teams competing for points overall!!
Over the course of the week, I took part in canoeing, rock climbing, assault courses, challenges, swimming gala, sports day, gorge walking, hill walking, raft building and mountain biking! As well as banner making, zumba, debating, nukem ball and more in the evenings!! 
These activities pushed me both mentally and physically, and allowed me to achieve more than I knew I could. They made me change my attitude and convince myself that I CAN do anything if I put my mind to it. I cam home badly bruised & scratched, exhausted and a little sunburned, but I am extremely grateful to have been given the chance to do so many things I never normally would, without having to pay a penny!! 
I also gained from RYLA something very special, and that was strong friendship! I wouldn't usually believe that you could become close and attached to girls you barely know in such a short space of time, but when you're with each other all the time, there for each other when your struggling, supporting each other every step of the way and relying on each other's skills, you quickly form a wonderful bond! I genuinely hope that some of these girls are friends for life because I love them to bits! Haha! I'll put a few more photos below, and I hope I've done justice in this post to what was quite possible the best week of my life!
Catriona xx
6 Month Celebration!
Just a quick post to say yaay!
I have officially managed to keep my blog running for 6 months, here's to many more posts to come!
The style and standard of writing is a bit hit and miss at the moment, but I'm grateful to those baring with me while I write about what I like and get into the habit of blogging; every view and comment means a lot :)
I (stupidly) made a promise to myself that if I managed to keep my blog running for 6 months, then I'd post a link to it on Facebook, so here goes! If you're reading this, having seen my Facebook post, welcome! Please browse through my posts and keep popping back as I hope to improve and I update quite regularly.
So for now, it's just a huge thank you and if anyone has any suggestions, feel free to let me know! xx
I have officially managed to keep my blog running for 6 months, here's to many more posts to come!
The style and standard of writing is a bit hit and miss at the moment, but I'm grateful to those baring with me while I write about what I like and get into the habit of blogging; every view and comment means a lot :)
I (stupidly) made a promise to myself that if I managed to keep my blog running for 6 months, then I'd post a link to it on Facebook, so here goes! If you're reading this, having seen my Facebook post, welcome! Please browse through my posts and keep popping back as I hope to improve and I update quite regularly.
So for now, it's just a huge thank you and if anyone has any suggestions, feel free to let me know! xx
Thursday, 3 July 2014
Roles of Responsibilty
"Working hard is important. But there's something that matters even more...believing in yourself." - Harry Potter
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| Badges |
On the whole, I tend to thrive off of challenges like these, and I'm, really looking forward to getting into the role and hopefully bringing some of my qualities and ideas to it.
I've been taking on responsibilities for years, because I've always been more of a leader than a participant- I'm a wee bit too bossy and opinionated to always sit back!
I aim to do things to the best of my ability not because it'll look good on my CV, not because I enjoy being considered a smarty-pants or a goody-two-shoes, but because I almost feel as though, when given roles of responsibility, I'd be letting people down if I took it for granted, particularly myself.
For me, the one main focus is to not allow responsibility to become stress, because at that point it becomes unhealthy. Unfortunately, I'm not always the best at handling pressure, but I do put on a brave face that's convincing enough that people think that things are easier than they really are.
I've touched on a similar point before when I said that the reason I get sometimes get good grades is because I work hard for them. Well, the reason I can speak to groups is because I make myself do it, I'm no more comfortable initially than anyone else, but I challenge myself. The reason I can organize, is because I offer to do it, etc...
While I'm really pleased to have been given the Role of Responsibility I've wanted since about first year haha, I do, in this and my every endeavour, have to know when to say no to a request, when to take a step back and pass on the weight. I love it, that's why I do it, and I'm really glad that effort is recognised. Not everyone likes leading, but that doesn't make them unable to thrive off responsibility of some kind, and I reckon its a pretty crucial, and enjoyable skill.
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