'Living Below the Line' - What I learnt

Hello!

So it has been 2 days since I finished the living below the line challenge. I am now thoroughly enjoying all of the food that I have. However, there are some things that I learnt from doing this that I wanted to share.

First of all, if I was to do it again, I would definitely buy some different vegetables. Having the same meal 5 days in a row got pretty boring. Nevertheless, I did also learn that buying food that amounts to £5 is very difficult, so I guess choice just isn't really an option. However, even though I did get hungry, I surprised myself with being able to live off the limited amount of food, I even tried to experiment with them. I tried to make egg fried rice and it failed miserably and everything stuck to the pan, but that is not the point.

Being on a gap year and still living with my parents means I haven't really had to always make my own food, and it turned out in the end to be quite enjoyable. Although because I live with my parents they just happened to make two of my favourite meals, as I was sticking to my rice and onions it was very hard not to eat their leftovers.

Another thing I discovered was when I was offered food or drink at work or other people's houses, I didn't know whether I was allowed to take up the offer. In the end I usually did because it was free, and tea is just a lot better than water, especially when the weather is cold.

Lastly, I realised that even though I struggled with my 5 days living off of £5, this is the reality for many people in poverty, and they also have to buy clothes and other essentials with a very small amount of money. At the end of the day I am very privileged to be able to eat without having to think of the cost, and for that I am thankful.

That's all for today, don't forget you can give to the amazing charity tearfund, who help those in poverty, through my justgiving page; https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Eviessouthafricafundraising

Bye!

'Living Below the Line' - Cravings

Hello!

So it's day 2 of living below the line, and food was definitely on the mind. I got pretty hungry before lunch at around 12 and all I could think about as I was out shopping was what I was having for lunch, how I was going to make it etc. I also made cupcakes for a cake sale, and it was so difficult not to eat one. I just want some sweetness and carbs.

My dad then proceeded to torture me by having pizza for dinner, which is one of my favourites, and leaving chips on the side that I wasn't allowed to eat. It's very strange having food separate from my parent's, and already my dad has mistaken my eggs for theirs, so used one of mine. Those eggs are precious and few! (It got replaced)

Anyway I think that is about all for today. I fear I'm going to get bored of the same meals over and over, but I guess that is the reality of this challenge. Be sure to sponsor me here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Eviessouthafricafundraising

Living Below The Line

Hello,

So I am on day 1 of 'Living Below the Line'. This is when you have £5 to spend on money for 5 days. I am raising money for the charity, tearfund, who help many people in poverty. These people who live below the poverty line, have about £1 a day. So I am experiencing a tiny amount of what they have to face every day.

I went shopping for the food yesterday, it was pretty difficult to say the least. I had a rough idea of the food that I wanted, but it was just so hard to stick to the bare minimum and stay below £5. However, the food is now bought and so this is what I am living off. It came to £4.70, so I'm giving the 30p to my parents so I can use a bit of milk, oil, salt etc.

This challenge has also made me realise how long it takes to prepare food. For example, I usually have cereal - straight from the packet into the bowl, but today was porridge which isn't quite so straightforward. For lunch I had an egg sandwich (I got the protein!) but totally forgot about having to boil the egg. It's simple things, but nevertheless, things I don't really consider on a normal day.

Finally, and quite the amusing part, I had rice, a fifth of a tin of tomatoes (all I could afford), onion, carrots (that I also snacked on) and pepper.

My little challenge has only just begun but I'm quite excited to see how the next 4 days go. I shall keep you all posted.

Don't forget to sponsor me here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Eviessouthafricafundraising

Thanks. Bye!

Holidays and Equality

Hello, so this weekend I visited my auntie and uncle before they go to New Zealand for a few months and I go to South Africa. The time I had there was lovely; it consisted of small Devonshire town markets, eating at local pizza places, walks along the beach in Cornwall and cuddles with cats.

 However, not only did I enjoy the South-West of England and the company of my family, but we also watched a documentary called 'The Divide' based on the book 'The Spirit Level' by Richard Wilkinson.

It followed 6 case studies from both America and Britain, following the extremities between those who lived in gated communities in the States to a man having been homeless in Scotland.

It was so interesting to see the different lifestyles and the struggles they faced financially, socially, in their careers etc. And although we agreed it wasn't the best made as it began with quite a lack of structure, it really made people think and gave insight into the vastly different ways people live.

Not only was it interesting, but (as I said we were in a very small Devonshire town) it brought over 120 people together to experience it. This was very rare for this town and such a great opportunity. I really hope more documentaries like this will be shared into the public as this one was on such an important issue.

Anyway, I hope you also had an enjoyable weekend and I will speak to you soon!

Disney Pixar and Finding Dory

I have loved Disney Pixar from a young age. I don't know which one I watched first; but Toy Story was a big part of my childhood, I distinctly remember seeing Finding Nemo at the cinema for the first time, and seeing Monsters Inc on the TV gave me that familiar warm feeling that a good film does. Not to mention my love for the films; A Bugs Life, The Incredibles, Ratatouille, Brave etc. As you can probably tell, seeing that little jumping lamp before a film always puts a smile on my face.

So, this weekend I was pretty excited (even as an 18 year old) when my boyfriend suggested we go and see Finding Dory. I couldn't wait to see the sequel to one of my childhood favourites. I'm now glad to say that it was absolutely wonderful; it followed on effortlessly from Finding Nemo, kept the same quality and themes and still remained some of the great characters. However, it had its own uniqueness as well, it was its own original film, not trying to copy the past prequel, and that is what I loved about it. It also included new characters that were very interesting with their own backstory, and gave more insight into Dory and short-term memory loss well without over doing it. Nevertheless I felt it did get a little tedious occasionally and I love the characters and the plot of Finding Nemo and I was a little scared that it would just copy the format, but it didn't. Therefore I was captivated: taken back to childish innocence as I watched in suspense at how Dory would be found.

I have this little thing where I say a film is good if I laugh and cry. I did both. So well done Disney Pixar, you've reaffirmed my absolute love for you.

P.S. Going to see a children's film is totally a great date idea hahaa!

It's Good to Indulge Yourself (sometimes)

Hello! So there are many things this gap year has already taught me, one of them is that it's okay to relax and not feel guilt-ridden. I always want to be doing something, working on something, ticking something off my to-do list. But sometimes you just need to take a break, and that's okay.

So today has been fairly busy; I get a call 15 minutes after getting up from my boss saying that she needs cover as my colleague is ill, I go to work, then have a driving lesson, meet up with a friend for lunch, and then have a flute lesson. So I decided after my flute lesson I was going to treat myself and buy a dress from that vintage shop I hadn't been to in a while and grab a coffee cooler from costa, because why not.

Recently I also decided in a lunch break I was going to have a make up haul. I'm terrible when it comes to buying make up, I just love it. You can never have too much, there's always something new to try. So why not have a haul when I'd been working a lot?

It's not just about shopping, after doing 2 years of English Literature A Level it has been wonderful to read books and comics that I want to read. It's also taken me a while to acknowledge that I shouldn't feel guilty for watching my current favourite TV show or a film that I've recently bought.

Of course work needs to be done, jobs need to be completed. But you are allowed to reward yourself and not feel ashamed, whether that be playing a video game, eating a box of chocolates, buying a new dress or baking a cake. It is O.K.

If you wanted an excuse to treat yourself, then here is one!

Re-Introduction

Oh hello, I'm back. I have a cup of tea and I'm writing. Quite honestly I'm a little scared and apprehensive, and genuinely still confused as how to do this blogging thing. But I'm back.

This is predominantly due to my family PC being broken (turn it on, it turns off again) and so consequently I cannot edit videos to upload to YouTube. However, I still want to get my views out there, express how I'm feeling on some sort of media platform and share what is going on in my life. So here I am having another shot at blogging. Just this time I'm having to use my mum's laptop woops!

Now I still want to do reviews of TV programmes that I've been enjoying or films that I've recently watched. But considering this year I'm on a gap year (ikr how pretentious) I also want to share my experiences of that and how sometimes, it's not all that it has cracked up to be.

So yes, here I am, back again, going to give this blogging thing another go. Let's hope it works, I'm able to get my own laptop and you enjoy the journey with me.

Okidoke, bye!