40 Things to do before I turn 40

So last weekend I was reading online and I came across a blog post, which was about things people wanna do, before hitting a certain age. As such, I started thinking what I wanna achieve in life. These are the things I came up with, some of which I've already done. Target year will hopefully be, 40.

1. Own my own place, rather than rent
2. Own a Canon 5D Mark II
3. Get permission to be an official photographer for a gig
4. Visit Germany
5. Learn more about WW2 and the Holocaust
6. Have a family
7. Dye my hair blue
8. Visit Cotterstock Manor/Hall in Peterborough
9. Ride a rollercoaster
10. Sky Dive
11. Live abroad
12. Own a dog, or a cat
13. Own my own website
14. Live alone
15. Organise a festival / gig
16. Cook for more than two persons
17. Go to the cinema by myself
18. Do a LoTR marathon
19. Raise money for the poor
20. Do volunteer work with animals or for a good cause
21. Learn to use a touch-phone with no keys
22. Own a 4-screen computer
23. Go to Transylvania
24. Learn how to dance (the kind people dance in wedding parties)
25. Have friends from all around the world
26. Write my own book (even if this is just an online version)
27. Go camping in a woods / forest
28. Shoot something
29. Get a Degree
30. Go to Cornwall
31. Meet a famous person
32. Get my driving license
33. Go on a safari
34. Win an award
35. Collect all of Anne Rice's Vampire books
36. Visit Auschwitz Memorial Museum
37. Ride a camel and go to the desert
38. Have a BBQ for Christmas in Australia
39. Don't go over-weight
40. Be proud of who I am and what I stand for

The numbers are not rankings, it's just how my mind flowed from one subject to the other, to create this list.



What about you, have you ever made this list? If not, I dare you! ;)

What I miss the most...

If you ask me, what I miss the most from Malta, I would answer without hesitation that it's the food. You would probably be in awe and assume I'm heartless. Why don't I miss my family, and my friends the most?

Well, I could answer that in a heartbeat. The people I care about and love, I stay in touch with as much as possible, and furthermore they know that whenever they want, they could always come visit me.

However, when it comes to Maltese food, until a couple of weeks ago, it was impossible for me to enjoy it, unless I am in Malta. It is true, I do visit Malta almost every other month... But sometimes the cravings are too much to bare. My mission impossible started one evening, when my friend David mentioned pastizzi. I realised that I couldn't take it any longer, and as such I had to do something about it.

I searched and search, and when I was about to give up, I came across a website with an interview with Alan Camilleri; a guy who lives in Manchester and who has his own shop, selling traditional Maltese food and drinks. I figured, I could be on a train from Stoke to Manchester in 50minutes. But to my astonishment, Alan delivers around the UK once every month, for a maximum fee of £12.50.

That very moment, I placed an order, and last week it was delivered to my house. I spent quite a lot of money to make up for the delivery cost, and I'm sure this wouldn't be the last purchase. Alan has been very helpful, even provided me with cooking instructions for the 'hobza tal-Malti' (traditional Maltese bread). The photo in this article, of the pastizzi, are from this very order. 

I have never thought that I would be enjoying the traditional Maltese pastizzi and tea here in the UK!

Place an order here: Mediterranean Pastry, and if you actually make an order after reading this brief review, please do let me know. :-)

Snow here, there and everywhere!

After much wait and anticipation for me and all those who LOVE snow, and after much wait and dreadfulness for those who despise it, last weekend was a snowy weekend here in Stoke.

Mostly due to the excitement of seeing snow again since last December, I found it hard to sleep on the Friday night. It was forecasted to start snowing at noon on Saturday, so the plan was to finish off the errands beforehand and then go somewhere nice and cosy to enjoy the view of snow. Needless to say, my plan fell apart, and when it started snowing at 12:03pm, I was in Knutton waiting for a bus. Freezing my ass off, was the least of my problems though as I was pretty much enchanted with looking at the hail, which soon enough turned into snow. What a beautiful view!

The snow kept going through the afternoon, evening and night. At some point I went for a walk close by to home. By the time I got home I was full of snow. Some photos of my night brief adventure can be found here:

Furthermore, on the Sunday when it stopped snowing, I went to a park close by and took some photos. It was a misty day, and a cold one too. The lake was frozen, the sky white... the photos I took looked haunted, and I probably fell more in love with snow...

I don't know if it is just me... but I find snow to be calming; for that moment in time, I forget all my troubles and I'm stress-free.

Note: All the photos in this article belong to me, and were taken in Porthill. Please get permission should you require to use any of them.

January Sales

I do believe that most of us, especially the feminine species of our race, look forward to January for various reasons. Albeit the fact that it's the start of a new year and we all hope that it will be a better year, making new resolutions and such, it is also time for the massive winter sales.

I was very excited about this too, I must admit. I was planning a trip down to London, until I realised that due to Christmas time and all the traveling I've been doing, I'd be better off to postpone it for a few months. My bank account hasn't been looking great lately.

Having said that, it doesn't mean I did not buy any clothes in the January sales. I actually bought a few necessities and other fancy stuff too off the internet with discounts ranging from 50% to 80%.

These are my favourite pieces:

Poizen Industries Coat from AttitudeClothing.co.uk for £19.99 instead of £78.99

 

Hell Bunny Halter Top from KinkyAngel.co.uk for £3.00 instead of £14.99
 

 Iron Fist Hoodie from KinkyAngel.co.uk for £13.20 instead of £59.39

 
And more vintage goodies from random sellers on eBay:

 

Did you buy anything worth sharing with me? Do tell!

I reckon this will keep me happy for a few weeks... until the next shopping spree!