The Nation's Favourite Indian (The Shirley version)

It’s not every day you get to meet someone famous, especially when you’re sweat laden and fighting against a steep incline on a treadmill at your local gym, but it happened to me. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I can’t quite believe it, but recently I had the pleasure of finding out for the last year and a half, maybe even longer, I have been working out unknowingly in the presence of the Nations Favourite Indian. 

Now you’re probably wondering who, of such an accolade, would spend their time in a gym in the middle of Northampton Town. Well let me tell you; he’s a funny, witty, fleece wearing, bicep building hulk of a man, otherwise known as, Par Dhonsi… 

Oh come on, you must know who I’m talking about? No? Well let me tell you. Par is a personal trainer at Pure Gym, Northampton who entertains us all with funny stories, provides great PT sessions and does one hell of a spin class. In fact, I would even go as far as saying he’s my second favourite instructor there!  

The ironic thing about this revelation is I have known Par since becoming a member of the gym, but never realised the extent of his popularity. We did get talking about blogging one day after he befriended me on Facebook and I noticed in a not-so-stalkerish-way that he also likes writing too….for Hollywood! Yes, that’s right. He only casually dropped into conversation that he’s a visionary screenwriter.  For crying out loud, that’s stuff small town girls like me dream about! I remember asking him how he got into it and he simply replied ‘by accident!’ As.If!  I wish those kind of accidents happened to me. The most I get is falling flat on my face after drinking too many glasses of wine!  

It’s no wonder he’s so popular. Despite telling me he thought my name sounded like a toothpaste brand, and finding it hilarious to dial 999 on my mobile, the guy is so laid back and understated it’s easy to see why everyone loves him. He’s obviously really passionate about the work he does and you only have to look at his photos on Facebook and Twitter to see why.  

If you don’t know him, you need to, and if you do already have the privilege, I can completely understand why he’s been dubbed the Nation’s favourite. He’s definitely one of a kind, and if I’m honest I do feel quite lucky to know him. Seriously, the guy is a legend, and he didn’t even pay me to say that!  

Girl power continued...

I have taken my female empowerment to the next level today by getting involved with the Cancer Research campaign which is encouraging girls to take no make-up selfies, post onto Facebook and text a £3 donation to raise awareness for breast cancer.

In just under 24 hours, girls all over the country have united and already raised a staggering 1 million pounds...and the donations haven't stopped yet. Posting photos and nominating friends to do the same has swept across social media and is taking cancer awareness to a new level.

The only downside to this phenomenon is the backlash of rude and derogatory comments being made by some of the boys. Criticising our looks and accusing us of being self indulgent, it appears that there are a few people out there who need to open their eyes and look at the positive impact our actions are having...after all we show our support for Movember! Thankfully, for every one of those boys, there is another proving they're not all bad by donating and even posting various selfies of their own! 

I think it's great what us girls are doing, and who cares if we don't have any makeup on. When it comes to cancer, everything else is irrelevant. 

If you want to support the cause text BEAT to 70099. In the meantime, here's my photo!

I tell you what I want, what I really really want....

Today I feel empowered! I feel proud to be a woman; proud of my achievements and ready to take charge of my life, both professionally and personally. This wake up call has been a long time coming and it finally happened today and no, there wasn’t a burning bra in sight!
 
This sudden burst of enthusiasm is all thanks to a seminar I attended, organised by my company in aid of inspiring female talent. Working in logistics for the last 7 years, I have been aware that I am in a predominately male industry, and although I have never had first hand experience of this within my role, listening to some of my colleagues throughout the day has made me realise the difficulties they face working alongside their male counterparts.  

The seminar was designed to inspire, and that is exactly what it did! We had the opportunity to hear stories from senior female directors as well as our male chief executive, the journey they have been on and how they are using their skills and knowledge to be the best they can me. I learnt the value and importance of having women within various levels of the company, the barriers faced and what we need to do as a company to break those down, but also what I can do myself to develop and grow with the same success that men have had within the business.  

There was a lot of focus on career development and self perception, something that did resonate with me because I am so eager to grow yet seem to have an insecurity that is holding me back, something which a lot of women could also relate to. What I did take from this however, was the understanding that I am in charge of my career. How I want to develop, and what I want to do, is down to me. I am capable of making decisions, and the only way I am going to get there is to have confidence and belief in myself that I can do it.  

Times are changing and I am in a position now to reach out and grab exactly what it is I want and today has given me the push I need to do it so I’m digging out my platform shoes once again and reliving the meaning of girl power!

It's been a while...

So it’s the 16th March today and I’ve suddenly realised it’s been nearly two months since I wrote a blog. TWO MONTHS! That’s shocking. I seriously can’t believe I have taken so long to get back here; then again, life has been crazy for me of late. But that’s no excuse!

So here I am, sitting on a camp chair in my new flat watching Babe: Pig in the City on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, windows open, sun shining, finally getting back to what I love most: writing. Despite another 6 week wait until my new sofa arrives, I am slowly but surely settling in. It’s taken longer than expected, but I finally got round to buying a cutlery set today and even treated myself to some chopping boards too…I think that’s what folk call living dangerously!

It is a little strange living alone, however I can’t knock my neighbours (yet) as they seem like a friendly bunch and living in a block of flats does make it feel less isolated that if I were in a house, I guess.

The dreaded flu virus that is circulating got hold of me last week and left me bed bound for two days and despite getting over it now, I do still feel a little lethargic, then again, that could have something to do with the involuntary 7.30am start today prompting an intense gym workout and 2.5 hours shopping in town!

So now the evening is drawing in, I am planning to chill out, cook some dinner and get writing. I’m back lovelies, so watch this space…

Who loves a Cavapoo...

I have started to branch out into the world of guest blogging thanks to my lovely followers on Twitter and have written a blog for a Doggy Dazzles, a company dedicated to pet care products. 

Check it out here and let me know what you think:

 http://www.doggydazzles.co.uk/blog/who-loves-a-cavapoo-puppy/

Pass me a vodka...and make it a double!

Well today was my last day of my Christmas holidays. I can't believe it's all over and in less than 12 hours time I will be back into my routine of Monday morning spin before getting back into the office. 

The last few days have actually been really relaxing. Lots of quiet time, chilling at home and recovering from my cold, which has thankfully gone now. The only problem I've found is it's opened the door for all of my anxiety to creep in about my pending house move. Now I tend to look on the positive side to things, but the last couple of days I've found the sweaty palms and heart racing slowly coming back every time I think about moving out. 

The annoying thing is I don't need to vacate until March, but my mind has started playing tricks on me again and I've allowed for panic to set in. What if I can't find somewhere to live? What if I can't afford it? Being single sucks! I seriously would have thought by now I'd be married with children and a nice house somewhere, instead I'm scrambling around trying to find a place of my own, which lets face it, on the money I have, won't be much! Plus there's the slight possibility I may have to find a new job within the next year, but that worry can just go and bury itself under the massive pile of ironing I have to do and I'll deal with that as and when I need to.

Seriously, this is NOT how I anticipated starting 2014 and quite frankly I can do without it, but I guess these things are sent to try us and maybe this is the new change I've been looking for....see I'm trying to be positive! 

Let's hope it all works out. Keep your fingers crossed for me lovelies! 

Happy New Year!

2013, you have been a mixed bag! So many good times, but also some bad. Lots of ups but also some downs, but some would say that's just life as we know it and if everything was plain sailing it would make for a boring ride!

2014 is going to be a year of change for me, whether I like it or not because I'm going into it with an air on uncertainty: the possibility of maybe having to find a new job and the definite need to find a new place to live. There's one thing I do know however, I have the most amazing friends and family around me to help me through this. (And not to mention an unopened litre bottle of Smirnoff!) Whatever is laid out for me over the next 12 months I am ready to take it on and hope it all ends well. Who knows, cupid might even do me a favour this year too and throw some love my way...here's hoping!

I have made my wishes for the next year and really hope they come true because if they do, I'll be one happy girl. For now, lets raise our glasses and toast to the past year because whatever we went through, or are still going through, we're getting there. I wish you all a great, happy and successful year ahead, and remember, whatever challenge comes your way, stay strong and be the amazing person I know you are and it will all be ok.

Let's make 2014 a good year in every respect.

Happy New Year Folks!