Z is for Zoos

As a child, I was always very jealous of my friends when they went to the zoo. In Northern Ireland we only have one ya see and it's located in our capital city, two hours away from home. My mum never liked to travel far so I never got to go.

This all changed when I met Paul who took me to Belfast Zoo and Edinburgh Zoo and I fell in love with both. I love going to zoos and hope to visit them all over in order to see the animals of the world.

Here are a few pictures from our visits to Belfast and Edinburgh Zoo...

 
The big cats are my favs...

Y is for Youtube

It might just be me, but I think the people who comment on Youtube can be very very cruel. I remember writing a comment once and getting completely slated by other people. I couldn't believe it! I therefore decided to never upload anything or comment again - it's just too intimidating. Instead I just use Youtube to watch movie trailers, listen to songs and watch my favourite Youtubers...

The first of which is Lindsey Stirling, a violinist with a twist. I've already spammed you enough with a few of her songs but I don't apologise because they are awesome.

The second is Kingsley, a ranting and raving reviewer of anything and everything. He's not afraid to speak his mind and is actually pretty fucking hilarious.

The third is Bubbz, a Northern Irish/Chinese hair and make-up guru. She's young and pretty and makes everything look so simple when it's definitely not! She also has the two cutest dogs I've ever seen.

The forth is ScottishDuck, a Scottish video game Let's Player. I started watching his vids as I didn't know how to pass a certain level in a game and I've been a fan ever since.

The fifh is Judy, who is another hair and make-up guru. She also makes everything look so simple and inspires me to try new things. I think her and her hubby are quite rich or at least get sponsored a lot but they are pretty funny and cute to watch.

The sixth is HISHE, a channel that remakes the endings of films or just random vids of Superman and Batman talking in a cafe. Either way, it's always hilarious!

So those are who I am subscribed to on Youtube, any suggestions to other great Youtubers?

P.s I was subscribed to Jenna Marbles and Ray William Johnson but stopped watching their videos as I started to find them incredibly annoying...

X is for X-Men

One of the highlights of growing up in the 90's was watching X-Men. I loved it so much that I was really excited for the movies - which I loved. Though I was slightly disappointed by some of the mutants. So here is a little run down on some of the characters along with my opinion on them.

Professor X was perfect

Wolverine was also perfect

Storm in the cartoon was strong and badass, but in the movies she just seemed kinda... meh

Beast was perfect. Despite there being continuity errors. In X-Men: First Class we see Hank McCoy change into Beast as a teenager, but in the X-men 2 you can clearly see a normal Hank McCoy talking on the tv aged 30+

Like Storm, he was good but not as badass as the cartoon version

Pfft Gambit sucked in the movies compared to how cool he was in the cartoon

Nightcrawler was perfect

And so was Jean Grey, though I found the movie version ever so slightly annoying

Phoenix was horrible. I can't remember too much about her in the cartoon but I do remember feeling sorry for her. I plain hated the movie version.

Magneto was perfect

And so was Mystique, though I think the movie version was better

And finally Rogue. My all-time favourite from the cartoon. I just thought she was sassy and cool so guess how disappointed I was by the movie version. Ugh. She's just so pathetic and doesn't have the same powers. Though I was told that Rogue gains super strength and flight later on so I'm hoping that if they make anymore movies then she'll develop them. Hopefully they'll make her have a relationship with Gambit too or is that asking too much?

W is for Wolves

Wolves are my absolute favourite animal

I had this as my desktop background all Winter

Don't get me wrong, I adore other animals like horses, dolphins, otters, red pandas etc but none of them compare to wolves in my eyes. I just think wolves are beautiful, strong, and intelligent creatures.

I love how they can survive on their own but that they thrive in a pack. I love how they are one of the few mammals out there that has a family mentality and that they have a hierarchy system of an Alpha male and female and that they will mourn for a fallen member.

I watched a recent documentary called Land of the Lost Wolves where wolves are slowly reintroducing themselves to the Cascade mountain range in America and the locals are not happy about it. One guy started ranting about how they are evil killers and showed pictures of a mauled deer. What the fuck is he expecting them to do? They are hunting to survive just like a lion would hunt zebra! I hate how wolves are portrayed as evil by hunters, especially in America. Now I understand if they are killing your livestock or are too close for comfort to your children, by all means protect yourselves. But do not go out and deliberately hunt them just because you do not like them.

V is for a Vlog

And here's the picture of the stamp I mentioned:

U is for University

My Campus

For those of you who don't know, I'm studying Psychology at the University of Ulster. Some days it can be really really interesting, like the time a student came in and started shouting at the lecturer. This was all an act to see how much we remembered about it as part of testing how reliable eyewitness testimonies can be. But mostly, it's actually pretty boring.

Over here, there are no fraternities or sororities which I'm both glad and disappointed with. I'm glad because going by every American stereotype they can be quite intense and humiliating but I'm disappointed because it would be nice to be a part of some sort of group or club.

My advice to anyone looking forward to going to university is to move into accommodation. Doing that is the only way you will get the true university experience. I didn't move into accommodation as the university is literally a ten minute drive from my house so it would have been a waste of money. But it has meant that I had to sacrifice that true studenty feeling. It's hard to explain but I'm sure most of you understand what I mean.

T is for Tattoos

Tattoos, when done right can be beautiful...

In my opinion, if you're going to get a tattoo, something that is PERMANENTLY inked onto your skin, then you should get something that is tasteful and holds personal meaning to you.

Otherwise they just look cheap and nasty.

I also think people should take more care in where they get their tattoo. Personally, I like tattoos on the back of the neck, on the right shoulderblade, on the right hip bone and the infamous "tramp stamp". 

I hate tattoos splattered all over the place like this:

I would love to get a tattoo someday but I don't think I ever will. It's not the pain that bothers me, it's the fact that they are permanent. The only thing I'd be happy getting would be a small intricate dragon, but the whole "girl with the dragon tattoo" has made that idea more mainstream now unfortunately...

S is for Star Trek

Live long and prosper...

~ Spock

I get my love of Star Trek from my dad. I grew up with it and love Captains Kirk, Picard and Janeway. I didn't really like the series with Captain Archer that much and didn't watch Deep Space Nine so I've no idea what Captain Sisko is like. 

I also really love the movies, the old and the new. I even love "the one with the whales" despite so many people hating it. I think the new crew with Chris Pine are excellent but I think William Shatner's will always be my favourite.

R is for a Recipe

I love baking and someday, I hope to accomplish this baby...

It's a Rainbow Cake and doesn't it look awesome?

Here's the recipe if you want to try and make it too:

Ingredients:

• Vegetable shortening
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 and a 1/3 cups sugar
• 5 large egg whites, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 and a 1/2 cups milk, room temperature
• Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple gel food coloring

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush six 9-inch-round cake pans (or as many 9-inch cake pans as you have, reusing them as necessary) with shortening. Line bottom of each cake pan with parchment paper; brush again and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar. Slowly add egg whites and mix until well combined. Add vanilla and mix until fully incorporated. Add flour mixture and milk in two alternating additions, beginning with the flour and ending with the milk. Mix until well combined.
3. Divide batter evenly between six medium bowls. Add enough of each color of food coloring to each bowl, whisking, until desired shade is reached. Transfer each color to an individual cake pan. Transfer to oven and bake until a cake tester inserted into the center of each cake comes out clean, about 15 minutes (working in batches if necessary).
4. Remove cakes from oven and transfer to a wire rack; let cool for 10 minutes. Invert cakes onto a wire rack; re-invert and let cool completely.
5. Using a serrated knife, trim tops of cakes to make level. Place four strips of parchment paper around perimeter of a serving plate or lazy Susan. Place the purple layer on the cake plate. Spread a scant 1 cup buttercream filling over the first layer with a small offset spatula so it extends just beyond edges. Repeat process with blue, green, yellow, and orange layers.
6. Place the remaining red layer on top, bottom-side up. Gently sweep away any loose crumbs with a pastry brush. Using an offset spatula, cover the top and sides with a thin layer of frosting (also use any of the excess frosting visible between the layers). Refrigerate until set, about 30 minutes.
7. Using an offset spatula, cover cake again with remaining frosting.

(Source)

Q is for Questions

You all like reading questions and answers... right? Well, luckily for you lot, you've got four sets of questions to read through! I know, I know, I spoil you so much!

Here's the deal: I was tagged a while ago by Writing Bee, Itin, The Frisky Virgin and Indistinctive Writer but because I've done this tag a few times already I'm just gonna answer their questions and leave out the random statements bit. It's hard enough thinking of eleven random things, let alone fourty-four!

Writing Bee:

Q1 Your favourite colour and why?

I don't really have a favourite as it changes every so often. But if I had to choose, it'd be red just because it's bold and sexy

Q2 Do you agree with the concept of eloping with your guy/girl without the knowledge of your parents?

As I'm a complete romantic I have to say yes. If eloping is the only way you can be with the one you love then I say to go for it. Obviously it'd be nicer to have your parents support your decision but love conquers all.

Q3 The most memorable moment of your life?

God I don't know! 

Q4 Would you rather live life adventurously taking risks whenever possible, or would you prefer living a peace and quiet life?

Overall I want a quiet life with maybe a few risks thrown in

Q5 An incident that changed your life?

Pretty much the whole bullying incident that happened at school. The effects of which caused me to drop out of my A-Levels due to being scared of history repeating itself and therefore changing the course of my career.

Q6 Bed coffee, coffee with a newspaper or coffee along with breakfast?

Haha well I hate coffee so none of them!

Q7 Have you ever been compared to a person you never thought you had any resemblance to? If so, who?

Amy Acker and Lily Cole - shows how deluded people can be!

Q8 A dream yet to be fulfilled, but hope to be completed soon?

Finishing my first year of uni

Q9 Something you miss from your childhood?

All the old cartoons I used to watch!

Q10 Nail-painted leg or mehendi-scented hands?

I have no idea what these are sorry!

Q11 One person you cannot live without?

My darling Paul of course

Itin:

Q1 Are you more of an introvert or extrovert? Give an instance.

Definitely an introvert. Haha how about my whole life?

Q2 Who or what introduced you to the world of blogging?

I found out about blogging myself when I was redirected to a girls blog and fell in love with it so naturally I had to make my own!

Q3 What's your favorite scent?

My boyfriend's aftershave...

Q4 How can you make a boiled underripe banana plantain special?

Haven't got a clue...

Q5 What do you think is the best invention man ever made? Justify your answer.

Probably the internet because of everything it's given us

Q6 How is your lovelife? Rate it from 1-10 where 10 is the sweetest.

It's a big fat 10!

Q7 Are you a neat freak? How so?

Yes but I'm not extreme. I just like everything being it's own place but it won't keep me up at night if they aren't

Q8 What's your most embarrasing moment ever?

Everytime I've fallen up stairs

Q9 How come you're online at this time?

Nothing else to do!

Q10 Are you a Googler or a Yahooligan? Either way prove it.

I'm a Googler - search "askew" to see something awesome

Q11 What is that one thing you want to evade answering when being asked?

Anything truly personal and intimate

The Frisky Virgin:

Q1 If you could have the choice of one superpower, what would it be and why?
I saw this power on Heroes, it's the power of being able to copy everything you see which includes the  stuff you see on tv. I think that would be so awesome.

Q2 Which Harry Potter movie is your favourite? Why?
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II - because it was beyond epic in every way

Q3 Which Harry Potter book is your favourite? Why?
Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix - Dumbledore's Army, breaking into the Ministry of Magic, The Prophecy and Sirius' death which broke my heart

Q4 Do you believe in parallel universes? Why or Why Not?
I'd love them to be real to see how different I am but I doubt very much if they are real

Q5 Do you think aliens exist? If so, are they E.T. kind or Independence Day mean?
I think it's highly logical that aliens exist as there are so many universes and planets out there that we haven't discovered yet or never will. I quite like the idea that "aliens" resemble us in some way though, like the Na'vi in Avatar rather than those green octopus types from The Simpsons.

Q6 What's the first thought that jumps into your mind when you see the word Disney?
All the various princesses

Q7 Assuming it's true, and we only know about 10-15% of the ocean's inhabitants, what do you hope is down there that we have yet to find?
Lots of old sunken ships, mermaids, underwater cities and giant creatures that dwarf blue whales

Q8 What is your favourite movie score?
Oh there are so many but Stardust, Twilight and National Treasure are probably my current favourites

Q9 If you found yourself living with seven tiny men, what would their names be?
I'd probably just give them numbers - if it works for Beyonce and Victoria Beckham so why not me?

Q10 A big blue genie grants you one particular wish: Change the world into any imaginary world you've either read in a book or seen in a film. Which world would you choose and why?
The world of Pandora in Avatar - it's just so beautiful. But obviously we'd be able to breathe in it's atmosphere

Q11 If you could pick one literary or film character and bring him to life to be your soul mate, who would it be and why?
I've already found mine thanks!

Indistinctive Writer:

Q1 What is your favorite horror movie?
I don't really like horror films to be honest

Q2 What piece of clothing can you not live without?
Tights because they somehow make my legs look slimmer

Q3 Who is the sexiest man alive?
My Paulbear

Q4 Who is the sexiest woman alive?
All of these ladies

Q5 If your shadow had a name what would it be?
Good question! Um... lets just go with Hayley

Q6 What is the best vegetable ever?
Potatoes - I'm Irish, what did you expect?!

Q7 Skinny jeans or mini skirts?
Mini skirts - skinny jeans can be uncomfortable

Q8 What was your first word?
Believe it or not but my mum can't remember! Probably mama or dada or something generic like that

Q9 Who would you vote president of the world?
Tom Hanks because everyone seems to love him

Q10 What was the name of your very first school-friend?
Stacey

Q11 Your favorite ice-cream flavor
Plain vanilla or plain strawberry - I'm not into extravagant flavours

P is for Paul

My darling Paulbear

From the moment I met you I knew you were the one

Every second since that day, I've been thanking my lucky stars that you are mine

You are perfect in every way - from your kind heart to your sexy voice

You make me laugh when no one else can and your touch makes my skin tingle

I long for the day when we live together as being apart from you breaks my heart

You are beautiful inside and out - the perfect gentleman

You are literally my Prince Charming and I love you with every fibre of my being...

O is for One Direction

Personally, I really don't see the attraction

I'm sure A LOT of my female followers will hate me for this post but it's true, I really don't see the hype with this band. To me, Harry looks like Frankie Cocozza which I find hilarious and all I see when I look at Zayn is the time on The X Factor when he threw a hissy fit over being made to dance!

And although their songs can be quite catchy, I really don't think they deserve all the hype they get. I actually find it a tad crazy at how many people are fawning over them. It's like they could take over the world if they wanted to... 

N is for Nicolas Cage

Love him or hate him, you can't deny that he is frigging hilarious!

M is for Movies

Snuggling up with Paul and watching a movie is one of my favourite past times. It's just so cosy and relaxing!

Most of my favourite films however are not critically acclaimed but that does not matter to me for I love them and that's all that matters. So here is a list of my Top Ten feel-good films, I hope you enjoy them just as much as I do!

National Treasure

Stardust

How To Train Your Dragon

The Count Of Monte Cristo

The Man In The Iron Mask

Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time

The Rock

Triple X

A Knight's Tale

The Lion King 2

L is for LOL Cats

Have I committed a cardinal sin by posting about LOL Cats?

If I have, I don't rightly care because the following pictures are hilarious! To me anyway, but I hope you enjoy them too!