Its Going to be the Best Year Yet! (Yeah erm that depends)

I'm sure most of you have noticed the many posts of new year resolutions and general Happy New Years floating around on the internet and in the real world, via friends and family. When blog posts, magazines or videos are titled "best year yet" or "Make this year great" it really winds me up. Although some are very inspirational and well written, my problem with these type of articles is that they assume that there is something wrong with all of us. You are perfect. These articles give you tips and tricks to sticking with your resolutions and changing your life, but the truth is that you are the only one who can make these changes and no amount of life hacks can help with that. You can read until your eyes pop out about the amount of new year life changes but its up to you. I believe greatly in setting your own goals for a new year but realistic ones. Did you know that 88% of new year resolutions fail in the UK? Rather then give you the traditional tips, I'm offering improved resolutions to consider in the new year to help you succeed. ive chosen three common resolutions

1. Old resolution: I want to lose weight/drop a dress size

This always comes up, every year. Maybe not for you, but for someone you know perhaps. January can be a cold and unforgiving month. Your body needs food during the harsh cold months, so starving yourself with that new diet will be much harder and more likely to fail. The best time to diet is around March and April, in time for the spring. Rather then dieting, make smarter choices for a healthier you. You fancy a chocolate bar, swap it for dark chocolate cover fruit (strawberries work well). Its the weekend approaching, you want to order a take-away, why not cook your own instead? You know whats in your food. You get the idea? Let me assure you, dear reader, you are perfect the way you are. Diets are the work of devils and often, end in tears and frustration and you are worth more then that.

Improved resolution: I will try to slowly start my healthly diet but making smarter food choices.

2.Old resolution: I will stop smoking/drinking
Drinking and smoking is very addictive. Much like dieting, it will be a slow process. Quiting smoking especially is the hardest thing in the world. Set a date to start cutting down and simply start. If you smoke 10 cigerettes a day, cut out one in 3 days and follow on from there. Do this with drink as well. Normally you may have a 3 glasses at the weekend, cut out the one and follow from there. This can be applied to most negetive habits. You can do it! Friends and family are there to support you at anytime, you only need to ask.

Improved resolution: I will gradually cut out smoking at my own pace.

3. Old resolution: I will not splurge on junk
Saving money is very tough. It can be hard when you like a good spend, a nice meal out or like a little shopping spree. Starting a money jar with loose change can help towards savings. You can even start a 'drink/smoke/swear' jar, wherein you put a little bit of money in jar whenever you drink/smoke/swear.Making your own lunch or drinks to-go can also save you money in the long run. by making small changes you can save that money and put it towards something great!

 Improved resolution: I will make my own lunches to save myself a little bit of money each week.

Whatever your resolution is, I fully believe That you can do it. If you need support then comment on the Facebook page! Goodbye 2014 and Hello 2015! Happy New Year!

University. To go? Not to Go? That Debate.

This post has been a long time coming and was inspired by the chat I had with a friend at college. People are often surprised when I inform them I've graduated university with a BA in Hospitality, and how I decided to go back to college. Yes, I've done my years and I am richer for the experience.

But I'll let you in on a secret, I did not go to university for the right reasons. My decision was prompted not because I was unsure what to do with myself, or because I'm super passionate about business and cooking.

It was to prove a point. I can admit that now.

I felt that I had to prove to the world, that I could do the university thing. That I could make it through the studying and come out with a great achievement. I did it to prove to myself that I could get through to the other side.
That sounds very shallow and yeah, it is. But that was my thinking at the time. Even though I did perhaps go for the wrong reasons, I came out learning the right life lessons:

• I came out learning more about business, including how much fodder human resources can be at times.
• I have learnt that when working as a group there will always be one member, at least one, who does nothing and will still get the same credit for you and your groups hard work. They know who they are and the fact is, they don't give a crap. Try to deal with it maturely. People like this will confront you in all aspects of life and will always get found out in the end. Trust me, they get hated for it and people will purposely avoid them because of this trait.
• I've met lots of people, but only a select few you stay with you in your heart.
• I've drunk some ridiculous concoctions at uni. End of.
• I learnt that my goal is to open my own business, doing what I love (which is baking and cooking...duh...).
• Balancing a job and university work is bloody hard. But really shows to future employers that you can manage your time well. Oh and the extra money isn't that bad either.  
• I learnt to open up my heart again, starting dating and so, fell in love. (3 and 1/2 years later, we're still in love. Awww.... ok Chick flick moment over).  

I have learnt more than I can list. It was all thanks to that shallow decision that turned my life into something positive. That's my rhyme and reason for going to university. I'm so grateful that I went to uni and that the whole experience was worth it, hard, but worth it.

So to go? Not to go? Its a big decision for everyone. With tuition fees higher then ever and employers not hiring graduates because their 'too over qualified', its made the decision even harder. The fees were at a high set price when I applied and so ,it was a natural move. Now students have to pay crazy fees that will be with them for a long portion of their lives. Its not a light decision to make, so I've rounded up some of my friends and family thoughts and feelings on going/not going to uni. These are REAL responses from REAL people, that I REALLY know... REALLY!:

Leanne's advice: "Join a club and meet people!"

Dan (didn't want to go to uni): "Cause I is thick as f**k" 
I dig your honesty Dan.

"Mad" Max's advice (went to uni): "Go on a place and meet people"

Chloe B (Didn't want to go to uni): "I'm too stupid. Being deado serious here."

Ann (Never had the chance to go to uni): "I never had the chance to go to university. I was never good enough. My family was more important to me. I still stand by that decision."

Rob (Uni goer and still studying): "I went for a fresh start and to enhance my career." and his advice: "If something is offered to you. Give it a go. I'll never play OctoPush again, but I gave it a go."

Claudiu's (went to uni) advice: "Experience life abroad and meet people."

Chloe C (Studying at the moment): "University is the best experience of my life! Eyeryone should go! (And at college I never wanted to) so I'm a complete convert."

Emma (Studying at uni too): "I would say don't go just because you feel you have to...if you can find an apprenticeship/internship in the field you want to go into that would ideally be better and cost less. [University]...has been stressful at the start... but starting to settle in now and enjoy it more...but still wish I was more active in looking at other options." Her advice: "Be prepared for people who bullshit...A LOT. Not everyone is sane."

I want to thank all of you who contributed and helped me write this article. I hope this post has raised a point with some readers and has made you think.
Did you go to uni? What advice have you got? Why didn't you go to uni? Let me know what you think

Penny's Top Ten Tips #8 Living with the Other Half

Its that time of week again. TOP TIP TIME! Since me and Rob have finally moved in and we've settled down, it makes sense that we should do some hints on living with the other half.

1. There will be surprises-
Good and bad surprises that is. You'll learn that you both have odd habits, that you may be grossed out by, but fear not there will be good surprises too. I learnt that Rob can really cook an amazing pasta bake, which surprised me because I thought he couldn't cook (Sorry darling! I know you can :3)  

2. Bottling up is never a good idea-
We've both learnt that bottling up any comments or feelings is not a good idea. In any situation, just say what you feel, even if it upsets the other person. Its better in the long run to say how you feel rather then bottle it up and snap later.

3. Make date night important-
One day or one evening, just for the two of you. I know its a cliché, but setting aside one day for both of you to escape everyday life and to keep the romance alive.

4. Cherish each moment together-
Rob and I don't spend masses of time together, its not because we can't be bothered but we both work really hard. Its difficult even to work in our date nights. When we eat dinner or just watch TV we really make little moments we spend together count.

5. Learn how to communicate clearly-
If you have something to ask say it in a clear and effective manner to avoid arguments. Example: Rob: "Do you want the last cupcake?"
(I do want the last cupcake) Penny: "Erm... I don't mind..."
Rob: "Ok I eat it *nom*"
Penny: "Ahh!! I wanted that!!"
Rob: "But you didn't say..."

6. Help each other-
Whether its housework or cooking, its a team effort. You really  need to help each other out by not letting one person carry the weight.

7. Be extremely patient-
I'm sure that you and your partner have different personalities. You must have some idea of what their like already (hopefully if you've been dating for a while). Its getting used to seeing them, all the time, 24 hours a day, without a break. It will take time and patience when you move in. Even when the kitchen is left in a state... your partner may not feel that keeping the place tidy is important. You need to calmly say that its not acceptable to left the kitchen in a messy state and it would mean a lot if it was left clean. Rather then blew up over it, be patient and clear.

8. Personal Space-
Just because you live together doesn't mean that have to spend every moment together. You'll need your own time, to do your own thing-to keep you sane! For example, I blog and I bake a lot on my own. Meanwhile, Rob plays video games for some 'me time' (at the moment he's playing Shadow of Mordor, which looks like a pretty epic game). The message is that you'll enjoy each others company more, when you spend time apart. You know the old saying: "Absence makes the heart grow fonder".

9. Get a Hobby!-
While me and Rob do our own thing. When we have an hour to spend together we go to the cinema or we watch a TV series together (Its the Walking Dead at the moment). We've found a hobby together which we means we spend more time together and as a bonus we do something fun together!

10. Leave the frustration outside the front door-
When you leave work, mentally leave it. After a hard day at university, leave it at university and don't bring the frustrations home with you as that frustration can be taken out on your partner.