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Showing posts from August, 2018

Graduate Life | The Careers Service

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Welcome back to the story of my life post-graduation. If you recall from my last post, I was wandering around aimlessly and low-key panicking about the fact I had no idea what to do with my life. The next part of my graduate story starts with an email. I was scrolling through my phone when I saw an email ping through from the University careers service. Usually, I'd take a quick glance at the title of the email and ignore it. The careers service churns out a large number of emails into students' inboxes weekly and often the contents was nothing new or relevant to me. However, in my desperate, hopeless state I was starting to pay more attention to anything careers related. The email was about a new graduate support programme the University was launching. It said everyone on the programme would be allocated an appropriate careers advisor to help them take their next steps after graduation. I scanned down the email and read words 'this would be ideal for anyone who doesn't

5 Ways to Motivate Yourself to Study

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My summer break has come to an end this year and the school week of my final year started already on Monday. You know, I am SO glad because I know that this is all going to be over soon and I finally do not have to study again, for now. And this, my friend, has become one of my motivations to study even harder! Haha! When I decided to move to Germany, I promised myself that I will do everything to get what I want, to pursue my dreams, and getting this grade for myself is one of them. It really helps me to study even better because it calms me down as I told this to myself. I am conscious the fact that everything is gonna be okay and I just have to do what I gotta do at the moment. And if you are not motivated enough, here are 5 ways to motivate yourself to study that have worked for me as well! Listen to Yourself Probably there will be days when you're gonna have to study a lot in a short period and you are just not enough prepared for it because you are feeling ill and you have to

Afternoon tea at Bertie’s, Elland

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Afternoon tea at Bertie’s - Elland - Halifax It’s no secret that I absolutely love afternoon tea and when I was invited to review Bertie’s in Elland, Halifax (about 25mins drive from Leeds), I timed it so that I could take my mum with me as my plus one as we drove back from a weekend away in Chester. We arrived in Halifax a little early so parked up near Eureka (the best kids museum ever) and went for a little explore of The Piece Hall which is full of independent shops before heading to Bertie’s for afternoon tea. We arrived and were welcomed into the building which is an absolutely huge venue for formal occasions and though during the week, they offer afternoon tea and other food options, it did feel a little like a very luxurious sit down meal. Almost like we had a table for two at a wedding breakfast – and I absolutely loved it as it felt a bit more special. The staff were very accommodating to our dietary requirements as neither of us eat fish and my mum is gluten free. However,

Unrequited Love Series: Best Friends Cont…

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Hi and welcome back to Lolly's Secrets! I spoke about this series on Instagram and I’ve been meaning to come out with the next part in the Best Friends Saga . I’ve been so busy with work drama that I just wasn’t in the right headspace to share this with you yet. I’m ready to share now... In this next part of the Unrequited Love Series we are going to talk about my second best friend. When I recall why we don’t talk anymore...my chest tightens up just a little bit. Then I replay the highlights of our friendship and realised… it was time…. I've felt some type of way about unrequited love situations that  have settled into a pattern in my life and I feel this has been especially significant in friendships, Particularly with my so called best friends. Some people have asked me... “how can you have unrequited love with a best friend?”. I don’t care what anyone says. If I give you a piece of my heart, doesn’t have to be romantic...just has to be someone close to me, I expect it to b

Life Update: Dealing with The Death of a Colleague

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If you have been following along, you know I have mentioned several times that I start off my final year working at the hospital for a week straight. I was about to have a good start to the week: waking up early enough to go to work 20 Minutes earlier as usual so I can sit down at the park before starting a hectic Monday, enjoy the nature and a moment of silence because I think it allows me to pull myself together so I can show more power and control in work settings and just be present. There is no better way to start a day than that. I enjoy being on my own and when I start to add this to build a whole new work habit, it is sort of interesting. So yeah, you might think that day couldn’t go any better. But I seriously don't know if I ever have to post this ever. I mean, I've wrote over 80 posts since the launch of this blog and it becomes personal over time. I shared a bunch of things that I love and just celebrate life in general with you guys. Unfortunately, life is not alwa

My experience with a psychic

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Leeds psychic and spiritual centre Well, this is certainly a tangent from my usual post subjects isn’t it? I’m the first to admit that I’m not a spontaneous kinda gal, it’s just not my bag. I like sticking to plans, having a schedule and I’m only a few steps away from having a Gantt chart of my social life (LOL I wish this was an exaggeration but it’s not), but a few weeks ago I took myself off to a psychic evening with 15 minutes notice and I surprised myself.  Disclaimer: apologies for the irrelevant photo on this post, I didn't want to take a photo for the 'gram whilst I was in the session. I’ve always been curious about spirits, the future (though obviously not straying into Ouija board territory as I’m not getting into that shit) and the universe and I’ve wanted to do something like this for a while. In fact, ever since I went to a group reading when I was at university, I’ve wanted to see a psychic or medium again so when I saw that my local spiritual centre ran psychic

Graduate Life | The First Month

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Image: http://www.toddlersnursery.org/blogs/ **NB: I am referring to the first month after completing all of my university work (i.e. from end of May), not the first month since my actual graduation ceremony (which was mid-July).** My final university assessment was my viva voce exam (basically an oral exam discussing my research with academics). I walked out of that assessment with a huge sigh of relief and a massive grin on my face. Not because I thought it had gone particularly well, but because it was all over. I had done it. I had finally completed my 4-year Msci degree. Fourth year had been a tough one. The workload had increased and assessments were more spread out through the term (especially in semester 1), rather than it being only exams at the end of the semester. As someone who was used to cramming in the run up to exams instead of working consistently during the term, this was a big smack in the face. Instead of uni stress being confined to 'exam season', it was no

A half year round up

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A half year round up Yes, I know, we’re into August but it’s not too late to have a check in on my resolutions for 2018 is it? I hope not. Every year I use my blog as a place to put my goals for the year out there as it makes me a bit more accountable when it comes to actually achieving them and I like to use the midpoint of the year to ensure I’m on track (even if I am a bit late this time). Here’s what I planned to do and where I’m at with it. Do more fun stuff This is my reoccurring resolution as I like to put it out there that I want to do fun, planned stuff that I’ll really look forward to. So far this year, I’ve seen more of my blogger gals, been to a lot of events, went to London for a Nandos, been ‘out’ out a lot, gone to two gigs and attended my first festival. With all the fun stuff that’s gone in between that, especially when it’s meant catching up with friends and family, I’d say that I’m very much on track with this one. Improve my living space As I got some new prints f

Classic Ways to Wear a Scarf

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Yesterday I double-checked my blog posts and realized that it's been a year since the last time I talked about scarves. My mind was really into scarf and I legit thought about it the whole weekend I don't know why. Since I have several of them in my wardrobe that I have been wanting to style, I decided to go with this particular one. It is really interesting to me the first time I caught my eyes on it, that's what you call it 'love at the first time'! So, I think I am just gonna go vintage with it and share with you how I did it with a classic look I created, which includes Gucci bag, white trousers, leopard print heels and a black crop top! I'll be like go sailing somewhere in Italian (hello Tremiti Islands!) with its endless coast and splendorous sunny and mild Mediterranean climate with this outfit. I think it's timeless! wearing: Mango trousers / Tally Weijl top / Gucci vintage bag / navy scarf This babushka look reminds me a lot of styles of the fift

Relationship Guide Series: How to Stay Madly in Love With Your Spouse Cont...

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Hello and welcome back to Lolly’s Secrets!!! I’m still walking around here all booed up! Hence why this post is late!  If you follow me on Instagram you would know that yesterday, my husband, Jay, has been so attentive and caring and just 😍😍😍.  I cooked all our meals for the week, including his favourite dish called Egusi Soup . Shout out to 9jafoodie for always coming through with the best recipes for our native dishes!!!  I was pretty exhausted from cooking so much and I sat down beside him wrecked. He pulled my legs into his lap and proceeded to massage my feet.  Mmmmm!!! It was bliss!!! He then told me how much he was looking forward to the food as it has been smelling so delicious. And proceeded to get me some of my favourite wine from the store so I could relax and we could watch Love Island together. He hit all 5 love languages yesterday and filled my love bank to overflowing!!! From rubbing my feet (physical touch and acts of service) to complimenting my cooking ( words of