Seeing you again

Working in retail is a up and down journey. Currently finally home after my shift today. Sitting down with a super nice cup of tea. In retail you end up seeing so many people you know from years ago, even more so when you live in a small town. Today someone who used to bully me in school was yelling at one of my colleges and my manager. For a tiny moment I flashed back into school. That girl made my life hell, she made me feel so small, and worthless. Then after that tiny flashback, I just stood there and smiled. She is worthless to me. Maybe she did make my life hell, but my life now is wonderful. I am happy. She clearly isn't. 

I think the problem is when I was at school I was quiet. Being quiet in class meant you were classed as super clever. Which I still don't understand. That feeling of dread about going to school in the morning, that feeling you have knots in your stomach, that feeling just waiting to see that person, it's awful. 

However, I am strong. I know that. I am happy. I have wonderful friends and family in my life that love me for me. I can be myself now without worrying. My friends celebrate the things I like, my interests, my personality. It's ok to like the things I like. I do think that's something you do take a while to realise. It's taken a few years, but I am happy to be me. When I left school and went to art college I realised it's ok to be different. You don't have to be like everyone else. Art college helped me be the real me. Going to college and seeing everyone's bright personalities out there, meeting new people that could get to know the real you. College was back in 2006, so since then, I have felt better about life. Having my friends Charlotte and Mandy with me, my best friends who always liked me for who I am. Then going to university and meeting friends that will be my friends for the rest of my life, being creative, expressing myself, being me. Meeting all my wonderful friends on the internet. Flying to another country and spending time with my wonderful blogger family, and the fact they like me, the real me. Taking me, the person I am, and excepting me. Meeting my twitter friends with the same love for conventions and Joss Whedon. 

Life is crazy, my life has been crazy. I have wonderful people in my life. Some are close to me, and some are far far away, but they will always be close in my heart. I wasn't sure about this post, but I needed to get all this out, and blogging is the only way that seemed right. I am a strong person called Nicola who is happy to be Nicola.

My life recently in a list

Each day I wake up and go to work. I wish away the time at work, and then it's time to go home and then soon enough it's time to sleep. Recently I have thought that I wish away too much time. I need to take life slowly and enjoy each super moment and the not so super moments.

Lots has been happening recently;

-I have been doing a lot more art. That's mostly down to a super awesome guy who keeps pushing me to do what I love.

-Pokemon is now on netflix, so that's making my life.

-Myself and David rented DVDs from a really old fashioned video store. It was so creepy, the guy who worked there was creepy, it was great.

-I'm drinking more coffee now. Tea seems to be a distant memory. Not sure how I feel about this. But we shall see.

-A couple of weeks ago I visited the same art gallery 3 times in a week. And each time I looked at the same art, I felt something different. I'm glad my mind can think like that.

-Looking for Marvel Kinder Eggs became my life for a week.

-I finally put my Hogwarts Express Lego set together. It took a few hours. It's beautiful. Only took me a couple of years to get round to.

-One of my best friends had some bad news. She and her family are strong. I hate how I am in these circumstances. I'm trying to be better. All I can do is be there for her. She knows I love her.

-I have been craving adventure. I want a holiday so bad.

-I got paid yesterday and brought a bunch of cards, so far away friends can expect mail. I found some beautiful cards yesterday. I even brought a thank you card for myself because I loved the artwork.

-I have new pjs. They have pizza, hotdogs, fries, burgers, donuts and soda cups on.

-And a shoe shop opened up on my animal crossing game.

And that's what I have been up to recently.

Just you

Yesterday was mine and David's first valentines day. The night before we stayed up late watching Parks and Recreation and South Park. Then woke up in the morning, and David disappeared, and he came back with a bunch of red roses and surprised me in bed. He also had gifts of chocolate and lego. And of course the perfect card, with wonderful words that made my heart skip.

We went into town and had breakfast and then wandered around. The weather was rubbish, so we escaped the rain into another really cute cafe. I felt very English as I had a cream tea and David has coffee on this crazy rainy day.

I have never really felt a strong need to celebrate valentines day, however this year was different. David is so special to me. I feel so ridiculously happy to have him in my life. He is a great light. He pushes me to be better. He makes me smile all the time. Every time he holds my hand I get butterflies. The way he looks at me makes me melt. I can't believe I have found someone like him. 

Burning red

Waking up to this view is just the best. David was actually asleep and Gerri had jumped in the bed. She's a little sweetie, and David is ok too.

So I woke up that morning and got ready. Then David made me lunch and then I got on a train to London to go see Taylor Swift with Ella and Charlotte. Listening to her on the train made me even more excited! 

We all met up, and then decided to go to Drink, Shop, Do for tea and cake. I ended up with their homemade lemonade, which is perfect. So many candles and pretty furniture. Lots of pretty decorations hanging from the ceiling. Also a new frozen yogurt shop opened next door! And that makes me so happy.

Then we went off to see Taylor Swift! We were so excited. Lots of squealing on the tube. We had seats in the gods, but it was super. The atmosphere was great. She's was perfect, and it made me so emotional. Taylor is awesome live! It was the perfect evening, standing up dancing all evening till my feet and voice hurt.

Hidden treasures

I love visting Herne Bay. I guess that's no surprise really, as that's where David lives. Hidden in the streets of Herne Bay is just the most perfect store; Pebble and Dash. Tiny fence and gate surround the perfect blue painted front store. Large windows let you peek at the treasures inside.

The first thing I spy when I walk through the door is a large collection of greeting cards. Of course I would be drawn to them, but they are displayed in a perfect way, on little shelves on a wall. Postcards are pegged on driftwood, and beautiful treasures adorn the shelves.

So many beautiful gifts are around the store, from local artists to well know artists like Lisa Jones and Tatty Devine. It's like a tiny memory box, filled with treasures that have been collected from all over. They have been placed on show together in a wonderful manner. Anyone that would walk through the door would find it really hard to leave empty handed. It's my go to store for presents for my family and friends from now on, oh and to pick up more cards for my ever growing collection.