Lucianne's Blog

I've had the time of my life..........

2010-07-21T15:41:00.002+01:00

I knew I had been neglectful of the oul’ blog, but honestly, I really didn’t realise that it had been almost 3 months since my last post! I am not even going to try to make up an excuse……..I’ve got nothing apart from the fact that I have felt like I’ve been on holidays for those past 3 months!

Since the start of one of the best summers Ireland has had for quite some time, so much has happened: spending days down in Brittas Bay, minding my sister’s kids, going on a mini-break to my Dad & his partner’s gorgeous home in Castlepollard with my girl, Lou, sitting in the garden & playing a spot of Badminton or Swingball (remember that!!!?).

There have also been some major events over the past few months that I would like to mention because they were pretty special for me:
• “Just Blanaid”…my gorgeous girl, B opened up a photographic studio, Shutterbug (check out www.shutterbug.ie) in her hometown of Kilkenny with her brother, Eoin Hennessy. The place is just incredible but really, there’s no shock there as B has once again outdone herself - dat girl has got her sam sereeyas Interiors skillz  Congrats to Both Blanaid & Eoin on their very successful (& quite mad!) launch.
• Dee’s Hens night: this is going to sound odd, but anyway, my beautiful Kiwi darling Dee is married to her Irish sweetheart, Craig for the past 3 years but she never had a hen’s night. So Lou decided it was high time she had a belated one! About 16 of us hit the ludicrously cheap but amazing Sweet Basil Thai restaurant in Rathmines and then (staggered!) on to see the incredible Dublin Glee Choir perform in Tripod. Such a great night

• Neasa’s engagement: my longest-standing bestie of 25years (I know, right!?) Neasa got engaged to her lovely Frenchie, Hubert. She was away at the time and sent me a text which I read in my kitchen among all the girls. My reaction was “Oh My GOD” and silence for about 2 minutes with the girls looking at me asking “What Luc, what is it?”. Eventually, I was able to tell them the good news! I’m really looking forward to a wedding in La France in August 2011 :)
• Sports-wise there was my fourth Flora Women’s mini-marathon (will do a separate post on that!), I’ve taken up Touch rugby, which I love and Ultimate Frisbee, which I also love, even though I still can’t throw the Frisbee properly. It sounds mad but it’s a brilliant game. One of the girls in my hockey club invited me to play in Herbert Park and it’s fo’ fwee!! It’s all for fun, i.e. not competitive, although I somehow manage to be competitive (strange that!) and the people I’ve met through it are all so lovely, really cool, funny & fun to be around. Thanks Anna 
• Myself and Lou managed to gate-crash a mini-surfing holiday to Achill Island with the Accenture Surf Club and with thanks to Shane Ahern who suggested we go along! I’ve never been to that part of Ireland and when I left, I just had this feeling that I have to go back there again. I can’t describe it, there’s something magical about it. The smell of the ocean as you drive into Achill just made me giddy and the scenery is utterly stunning. There have some of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen and I even managed to catch sunrise on one that looked like that beach Leonardo Di Caprio discovered once in a movie! The sand was like talcum powder on my feet, the sea glistened various shades of turquoise as the rising sun’s rays bounced off the tide, if there’s a heaven, I hope it’s just like that!! (It then proceeded to pelt down rain on us, but it was still gorgeous!)
There were about 80 of us in the group, everyone getting along famously and as it is on any surf trip I’ve been on, the people are just so chilled out, friendly & easy-going, not to mention hilarious. Our tummy muscles hurt from the laughs we had all weekend which totally made up for the non-existent surf!! Thanks to all the guys from turfnsurf in Bundoran for being the excellent, enthusiastic instructors they always are. (check out www.turfnsurf.ie )

So, I haven’t been sitting on my arse doing nothing, I’ve just been rekindling my love for my amazing friends & for life. Genuinely, when I wake up each day, I think I’m the luckiest person alive :)
Luc xx

Feast or Famine.....

2010-04-23T14:47:00.017+01:00

Ok, I know, it's been nearly a MONTH since I last put a post on the blog. Yes, I am a complete and utter sham. My most sincerestest of apologies to all of y'all :(

There's been loads going on over the past month of which I will go into detail in separate posts but for now, I want to let you know about my new 'modelling' career which started this week. I am under no illusion that this career will be very short-lived but it has been so much fun while it lasted!!

It all began on Monday when I was the Bride for the Clontarf Castle's new wedding brochure. It was a long day (9hrs) and it was freeeeezing for the last few shots which were outside but thankfully my groom, Mark Adams, kept me laughing for the whole day (mainly AT him as opposed to with him but laughing all the same!). We haven't seen any of the snaps yet, but looking forward to it.

My last 'modelling' job came when my housemate & one of my besties, the gorgeous Laura Cunningham (http://www.lauracunninghamstyle.com/) asked me if I'd be a Soupermodel for the "Soup for Life" campaign that the incredible charity, Gorta, are organising. She told me that they needed some 'celebs' for a photocall on Thursday to which I burst out laughing at the idea of me being a 'celeb' (hahahaha). I happily agreed to go along!

I met Tanya, Adrienne & Conor who work for Gorta and are the brains behind the campaign - all of whom are so, so lovely. There were 5 Soupermodels: Conor Clear (TV3), Louise Herraghty (Today fm), Angela Scanlon (http://www.angelascanlon.com/), Louise Jordan (Fm104) and eh.....me! We donned our signature Soup for Life T-shirts (which are very cool and should be available soon) & had great craic taking the pics with the lovely photographer, Naoise of Maxwell Photography.

Soup for Life - 14th May 2010
Why soup? In Ireland during the Great Famine, soup kitchens fed more than one third of the population - they were critical in saving lives. This May, Gorta and the Irish government will be commemorating the Great Irish Famine. They will be remembering the past but also looking into the future. Today, undernourishment affects over 1 billion people but Gorta believes that small actions create opportunities for big change.

Supporting the general public's events, a number of restaurants in Dublin, Cork & Mayo are signing up to support the campaign on May 14th donating €1/bowl of soup sold on the day.

Anyone who signs up to run their own Soup for Life event will get a Soup for Life pack which includes an online cookbook of soup recipes from all over the world along with lots more :)

For more information, log onto: www.gorta.org/soup

What else would ya be doin' of an Easter wkend??

2010-03-30T17:54:00.009+01:00

So now......Easter is a time to reflect on how good you've been for lent and indulging in everything you gave up during this reflective...is it 40 days? Well, that very long time that you were all good and disciplined, right??

Well, why not hit the gorgeous town that is Kilkenny and go to the Absolut Style @ Set 3-day, Vintage Fashion, Furniture & Film Fair? Everything you could dream of in the ultimate weekend of indulgence is waiting for you......those involved are well aware of "these recessionary times" (I swear if I hear that one more time.....oh wait...sorry!) and are offering a daily ticket cost of only €8!!!!! That's a serious bargain!

So, what's on the agenda.........?

Movies to die for all day on Friday including Popcorn and goody bags - YUM! (I may spend 8hrs watching movies......because I can!)

Masterclasses in Style, Hair, Make-up on Saturday to get u all 'SET@ for a night of Mayhem with the incredible DJing talents of The Stylebitches

AND ....

Chill out time with their Soulful Sunday with live Jazz music, more amazing movies & food stalls (very important!!).

.........if that wasn't enough, there will be fashion, furniture, Hair, Beauty and Photoshoot stalls there throughout the whole weekend.

There is one, incredible woman behind it all!! Anything she puts her name to is a roaring success and I've NO doubt that this weekend will be her most successful to date. That woman is the stunningly marvellous Blanaid Hennessy (of http://www.blanaid.com/ and http://www.thestylebitches.com/ )

I am 100% sure that next year it will be a case of:

"Have you got your EP tickets?"

"EP, are you mad? Have you got your Absolut Style @ Set tickets more importantly?"

Best of luck B, so, so proud of you !

Luc xxx

Life's too short....

2010-03-23T23:28:00.021Z

Sometimes in life something really simple can make us open our eyes and realize that our time 'here' is so limited. On this occasion, it was a documentary on Jade Goody a year after her death. I'm not big into magazines or Celebs to be honest and Jade Goody was no exception. I never really followed her life or what she did but I always remember thinking that under her big-mouthed, brash personality, you could see a girl
who was full of love, especially when it came to her kids and I admired that so much in her.

I do remember when it came out that she had cervical cancer and being a bit shocked by it. She was so young and full of life, how could that happen? Since Jade got diagnosed over 400, 000 more women have gone to get a cervical check this year. This is something that we should be doing regularly but before now have 'forgotten' to do or basically put on the long finger - I did it all the time but not anymore. Had Jade been diagnosed 2-3months earlier, she would still be alive today.

While watching the documentary, I was blubbering away - I know, it doesn't take much to open my tear ducts in fairness but it was all the accounts her true friends were giving of her, her kids father speaking so highly of her and in such a beautiful way and the clincher for me was when her mum sobbed & said "Jade had always been a mum to me, I was never a mum to her but when she got sick, she couldn't be a mum to me anymore, so I had to be her mum. I regret to say that it was only when my daughter was poorly, before she died that I was ever a real mum to her".

I always say to myself, "Live in the moment", etc. but this really hit home for me. Life is WAY too short and I don't want to have any regrets like Jade's mum clearly did. From now on I am going to try to do the following:

Tell those closest to my heart how much I love them

When I'm with someone, I'm not going to fear losing them, just cherish being with them

Take a moment every day to be thankful for all that I have & not dwell on what I don't have

When things go wrong, laugh and see the funny side of it

Take risks knowing that I'll be ok, no matter what the outcome may be

When things annoy me in others, I'm going to look at what I love about them instead

Remember to look around me & see the beauty in nature

Achieve all the things that I've always wanted to do

Basically, live every day like it's my last, because who knows, it may very well be...

One of my favourite quotes sums it up for me:

"Sing like no one's listening, love like you've never been hurt, dance like nobody's watching and live like it's heaven on earth"

Picture from http://www.veryhappypig.com/

When in (self) doubt.......

2010-03-21T19:38:00.007Z

I have always known that the industry I am sure is for me is one of the toughest to get into and even when you're in it, it's pretty damn hard to stay there! That's why you have to stay 110% positive and truly believe in yourself.

I've been completely shocked by the response I've had from some of the Head Honchos in the Media world. The fact that they have even replied to my correspondence with them is a huge compliment in the first place, but some have taken the time to meet me in person, give me advice and help me to see where my 'niche' lies. It really has blown me away and I feel so lucky.

In saying that, I still have my days when I think to myself, "Is this it? Am I just trying to grasp at something which is unattainable? What the hell am I doing?"! (those thoughts occuring in particular after I lodge money into my account and my balance is LESS than I've just lodged........ouch!). Generally, I really do believe that this is what I should be and will be doing full-time, I just need to be patient but there are times when that self-belief flies out the window and I seem to be paddling in a pool of self-doubt.

Yesterday was one of those days, until I read this:
"There is nothing you cannot do, and if you approach all things in life in the right order, you will do everything you want. Live your dream on the inside first, completely and totally, and then it will manifest in your life. When you have tuned yourself on the inside so completely, you will magnetize everything you need for your dream to become a reality.
This is the law. All creation in your life begins inside of you."

I know a lot of people think all of this is a load of crock, but honestly, I have so many examples of it happening in my life that I truly believe in it. Sometimes I just need to read something like that as a little reminder . So now I am going to bounce back out of the pool of self-doubt and open the window to let that self-belief back in, where it belongs :)

Here's to a great and exciting week ahead...
Luc xxx

Quote from The Secret, Rhonda Byrne (surprise, surprise!!)
Picture from http://www.marcelnunis.com/

Who are you?

2010-03-19T17:26:00.006Z

Unlike many people, turning 30 last year didn't scare me at all. I actually embraced it! Now don't get me wrong, it's not like I donned a housecoat and a pair of slippers!! I'm still a kid in my head and love to go out and have the craic but I am also not ashamed to admit that I love staying in at weekends to watch The Late Late (ok a little shame there, but I can take it!!). Turning 30 for me was more about realising how lucky I was with everything in my life, feeling confident in my own skin and recognising how much I have grown compared to when I was in my early 20's. Back then, I thought I knew it all and thought that I'd learned all I had to learn!!!

Looking back at myself in my early 20's now, I realise that I really didn't have a clue about life nor did I have the answer to everything. I felt so differently about myself and relationships with others....I was the ultimate crowd-pleaser, bending over backwards to try to keep everyone happy, never being able to say "no" for fear of ruining a friendship/relationship. Now I know that if I can't do something someone asks me to do, they won't actually fall out with me or hate me forever!! I've learned to be able to deal with issues/dilemmas/problems in a completely different way and hopefully, a better way.

Today I was questioning myself about a lot of different things and though I've definitely changed and matured in the past few years, I still don't know it all and I'm still learning about myself. I asked myself "Is there ever an age when we feel like there's nothing new we can learn about ourselves? When I'm 40/50/60, will I still be learning about myself? And if so, can we ever really know exactly who we are?".

I know myself now a hell of a lot better than I did 10 years ago:- I know what I want to do with my life & the things that make me happy, the type of guy that I want to end up with & more importantly, the type of guys I definitely don't want to end up with, how friends should be treated and how they should treat me, how to be decisive (with the exception of when I'm hungover, still haven't mastered that!), how to stand up for myself when I feel I've been treated unfairly and lots more! But, what will I be able to add to my list when I hit the big 40, 50, etc??

It's all very exciting really!! All of this was going through my head (I tend to think ALOT!!) and then I picked up the thought for today from Rhonda Byrne's The Secret and check out what it said:

"Sometimes, when we don't have the courage to change, everything changes around us to direct us to a new path.....

...You cannot stop yourself from growing - evolution requires it."

Pretty appropriate :)

Have a FAB weekend. I'm off to get myself ready for The Late Late !!!

Luc xxx

Picture from http://www.growthlink.co.za/

My new 'past-time'

2010-03-03T17:14:00.006Z

I'd never ever been on a ski or snow holiday before but like surfing, it was something that I'd ALWAYS wanted to do and knew that once I tried it, I'd be completely addicted to it! My girls, the lovely Louise and Dee (who made up 2 of the 4 of us who went surfing last summer!!) were going on a snowboarding trip back in February. I really wanted to go with them but didn't think I'd be able to afford it.

I am usually a very happy-go-lucky, positive kinda gal but even I have 'down' days!! Back in February, I had one of those days and after feeling sorry for myself for a bit, the first thing I did was call the girls to see if there was room for me on the trip. (This was Wednesday and they were flying out on the Sat!!). Once I mentioned it, both Lou and Dee basically told me I was coming on the trip with them!! I put a shout out to my mates for some ski gear, booked my flights and travel insurance and before I knew it, we were at Dublin airport on the Saturday morning!

We arrived at Grenoble airport and collected the little Fiat Punto we'd hired. The girls had their own snowboards, so to say that it was a bit cramped in the car is an understatement! But we over-lapping the apartment (that was very kindly given to us for the week) with 3 other guys for our first night. They left us note to say where they were and to come join them for food. We decided we'd leave the food and go straight to the bar and told them to join us their after their grub.

The bar, Bazoom, was very cool but was pretty empty. This didn't bother us girls though as no matter where we go, we tend to get a bit of a party mood going!! The three guys joined us afterwards and they were lovely. They were telling us that this was about as good as it gets in Bourg on a Saturday night and not to get our hopes up for mad 'apres-ski'. By then end of the night, we had the whole of Bazoom up dancing and ended up going to a nite-club until about 4am!! The lads couldn't believe it!!

They left early the next morning whilst we were all still slumbering! Then we hit the slopes at about 12pm!! Lou had snowboarded 3 times before (she says it's only twice because she likes being the best out of the 3 of us at this!!) and Dee had been up to Mount Leinster for a day when we had the "Big Freeze" and I'd never done it. We are ALL extremely competitive, to put it mildly! Lou had decided that we were not going to get lessons, she would teach us. When I asked her where the 'Beginners Slope' was, she just said, "Eh, there is none, the only way to learn Luc, is by going up the mountain and doing it bit by bit". I would say I'm quite fearless when it comes to sports, but seriously, I took one look up the mountain and was officially sh*tting it!!

In fairness to Lou, she was extremely patient with us both and did a great job! With alot of falling on our arses and finding our arms at angles which I never thought were possible, we got the hang of it after a while and I loved it as much as I thought I would. Les Arcs is the name of the resort and apparently it was the first place to introduce snowboarding into Europe (so I'm told, don't quote me on that!!). The scenery is just breath-taking. It was utterly divine. Going up in the ski-lifts, all I could see were mounds of hills and trees covered in what looked like untouched ice-cream. Looking back as we went up the mountain, the sun was blazing down on Bourg and the snow looked like a gazillion diamonds, glistening up at me. My heart melted then and I felt such intense happiness.

After a long day, we decided we'd treat ourselves to a pint back in Bazoom and were welcomed with open arms by our new friends we'd met the night before. We got talking to 3 young guys who were from London. They'd been in Bourg for 6 weeks and are staying there for the season (lucky bastardos!). They were aged from 18 to about 22 and were such pleasant, fun and respectful guys. We formed a bond that night and for the rest of the week, they became more like family. They took on the challenge of teaching us how to snowboard (Lou was off the hook!) and they were just unbelievable. One of them would always wait for one of us, make sure that we were ok and give us tips on what we were doing wrong or encourage us by telling us how great we were doing!

They brought us up the many different slopes that make up Les Arcs and showed us some of the most beautiful places. We were pretty much inseparable for the whole week. Joel, the youngest, adopted me as his mom, he called me Mom all the time and I actually answered to it!! They'd come over to us to have dinner with us and just hang out. From what they'd told me, it seemed that they came from a pretty rough area but these guys just couldn't do enough for us and were nothing but polite and courteous to us.

We had an absolute ball and we just didn't want it to end. We were kind of rushed on our last day because we wanted to get down the slopes one last time!! So, while we went off and did the shopping to replenish whatever we'd used, the boys cleaned our apartment from top to bottom. You'd want to have seen it, it was immaculate. We just can't thank Joel, Louis and Aaron enough. They made our holiday! Unfortunately, it had to come to an end and saying goodbye to our boys was awful. Sure I was in bits, the big eejit that I am!!

I can honestly say that a week away with the girls is the most perfect cure-all there is!!! We laughed non-stop, had our nights out and our nights in, talked about everything but most of all, had so much fun. So, to my girls, Dee and Lou, thanks so, so much. When we left Portugal, we all said "That was the best holiday ever!" and now we've had yet another "best holiday ever" :)

A lil bit of luurve...from The Shantaram

2010-02-19T19:45:00.003Z

Whilst reading my book, The Shantaram (yes, I am STILL reading it!), last night, I read this quote and thought it was H-amazing. The narrator and the woman he is absolutely head over heels in love with, have just had an incredibly difficult few days after an outbreak of cholera in the slum he is living in. They have only kissed at this stage. Karla is a very private woman and on this night she shares some of her past with him before falling asleep in his arms. The quote below are his thoughts:

"Lovers find their way by such insights and confidences: they're the stars we use to navigate the ocean of desire. And the brightest of those stars are the heartbreaks and sorrows. The most precious gift you can bring to your lover is your suffering. So I took each sadness she confessed to me, and pinned it to the sky..........

....Heaped up on the blankets, out bodies bound by weariness and her deep slumber, surrounded by sickness and hope, death and defiance. I touched the soft surrendered curl of Karla's sleeping finger to my lips, and I pledged my heart to her forever."

Utterly beautiful !!

Luc xxx

Image from www.unix1987.wordpress.com

Result!

2010-02-16T18:30:00.006Z

You'll have seen my post about the Sunday Indo article (if not, check it oot below!) and I was saying that a few things came of it. Well, in the article I mention that I overcame an eating disorder and the week after it was published, Stellar magazine and TV3 were on the phone to me asking me if I'd feel comfortable doing interviews with them.

Normally shying away from any kind of media (!!), this time I decided I'd be very happy to meet both Stellar and TV3. On a more serious note, one thing I have always said to myself since I overcame my eating disorder is that I would absolutely LOVE to be able to help others who are going through what I went through because it is such a lonely, hellish place and if I can help one person, well then that's better than none!

So I met the gorgeous Rosie of Stellar magazine and we had an interview in their offices which in fact, felt more like a chat!! I haven't seen the article yet as it will be in their April 2010 issue which should be on the shelves in March :) Have a look out for it!! I've no idea what it will turn out like as I won't see it before it is published so it I come across like an feckin' eejit, then it's all Rosie's fault!!!

Then I went into TV3 to meet Martin and Sybil from The Morning Show. We had a little chat about the type of questions they'd ask me and in fairness to them both, they seemed genuinely interested in what I was saying. We then met Harriet Parsons who is from Bodywhys (an incredible support group for eating disorders, check out http://www.bodywhys.ie/) and she was just a dote. We got the maquillage topped up and then hit the studio where we went straight to recording. It all went very smoothly and none of us made any cock-ups (at least I didn't think so anyway!).

You can check out the interview on www.tv3.ie/themorningshow and in the archive videos, mine is the 25th January. You'll see they took a very morose still to use as a picture of me! (above!)

I have always been really open about my eating disorder because I feel that everyone knows someone or is someone who is suffering from one. Some people find it strange but it's such a secretive disorder that part of the healing process is to be open. I have to say though, I felt a bit strange speaking so openly in the media about it at first. I am still chasing my dream of becoming a full-time TV presenter and I didn't know if this would damage my chances of achieving my goal or would I always be known as "the girl who had bulimia" ??

Now, I don't regret any of it. Bodywhys have asked me to be on their media panel so I am now achieving something else I've always wanted to do: to be involved with an organisation that reaches out a hand to those who sometimes feel like they are all alone in our massive world.

:) Luc xxx

A special tribute to my AMAZING friends

2010-02-04T18:40:00.004Z

Friends come and go in your life but there are a handful who are always there, even when they're not there. I am exceptionally lucky to have the most wonderful friends in the world. I'm am certainly not going to name them but you all know who you are...............

They've picked up the pieces of manys a broken heart, kicked me up the arse when needed and listened to me even when I am talking a load of shite!! When I'm down (which is seldom, hopefully!) they tell me the most lovely things and I know they're not saying it because it's what they think I want to hear (well, maybe they are but it doesn't feel like that!) and give me the most worldly advice anyone could ever wish for. They've seen me at my worst and they still love me. No matter what role/job/adventure I decide I'm going to venture into next, they not only support me 110% but they tell me I'll be "brilliant" at it..........

To all my gorgeous friends, I want to say a huge THANK YOU for absolutely everything. I just hope that I am half the friend to you that you are to me. I love you all so much

Luc xxx

Picture from http://images.paraorkut.com/

Thought for today / Book of the moment....

2010-02-03T15:35:00.006Z

Yes, I'm still reading the Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts (it is REALLY big and has really small writing!!) but thanks to my lovely flatmate, Heather, I now have a high-lighter and there are flashes of illuminous orange splattered all over almost ever second page instead of dirty, bug, dog-ears!!.

The way this guy writes is just so beautiful and I wish I could claim the quotes as my own but who knows, maybe one day I'll be quoting myself?!?

I couldn't put the book down last night (and as a result ended up falling asleep on top of my book and with the light still on...DOH!) and here is one of the quotes that just stuck in my head. I've read over it about 5 times since then and I just think it's so thought-provoking and so honest. Let me know what you think!

"Sometimes we love with nothing more than hope. Sometimes we cry with everything except tears. In the end that's all there is: love and its duty, sorrow and its truth. In the end that's all we have - to hold on tight until the dawn."

WOW

Luc xxx

Sunday Indo Life Mag Article

2010-02-02T19:44:00.009Z

www.independent.ie/entertainment/news-gossip/lucianne-white-2007251.html.

My very talented, up-and-coming journo-friend, Joyce Fegan, asked me would I mind if she wrote an article about me a few months back. Obviously, extremely flattered, I had no problem with her writing it at all. So she banged over a few questions to me, I answered them and she wrote the nicest article I have ever read and to be honest, whilst reading it I thought I was reading about someone else.

She sent it to some of our national papers and unfortunately they wouldn't publish unsolicited work but the wonderful Brendan O'Connor emailed me to say that he would get one of the Sunday Indo Life Magazine journalists to do an article on me. Next thing I knew, Julia Molony was on the phone to me asking when I'd be available for a phone interview.

I did the phone interview with Julia in December standing outside the Pavillion in Swords as it was my nieces birthday - the joys of the mobile world! About 2 minutes into the interview I kind of forgot that it was actually an interview. I was chatting away as if I'd know this girl for years. She just made me feel so comfortable talking about everything. At the end of the phone call, Julia told me that the article would be published on the 10th of January. When I hung up, I went back in to my mum, sister and friend and was both excited and nervous. I was chatting away to this journalist who was going to publish an article about ME (??) in a newspaper that has one of the biggest readerships in Ireland but then I realised that I was talking about some really difficult times in my life. "What angle was Julia going to take from our conversation? How will I come across? Will I be labelled with this issue forever?"....all these questions and more were racing through my head!

In the end, I had to just trust in Julia and wait (very impatiently) for the 10th of January! Eventually, it came around and I saw the article and even though I knew it was going to be there, I was still a bit shocked seeing it (as odd as that may sound!!). I was shaking reading it but once I got to the end (and read it a second time!!) I was delighted. I have to say, Julia wrote such a gorgeous article about me, using everything I had said on the phone that day in such a positive way. I want to say a HUGE "Thank you" to Julia and also to Brendan. I really appreciate it.

If you didn't get to see it, you can check out the article here: http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/news-gossip/lucianne-white-2007251.html The image above is the one that they used and was taken by the AMAZING Peter Buckley of PB photographs. Check out www.pbphotographs.com to check out some of the other pics he took of me - he is a legend!!

A few other things have come up since the article and I'll do another post on those because I will go into more detail about them!

Thanks again to Joyce, Brendan, Julia and of course to Peter Buckley of PB photographs for the picture!!:)

Luc xxx

Magners League Profan

2010-02-01T13:44:00.006Z

The Magners Rugby league were running a competition before Christmas searching for someone to be a "Professional Fan" and be a reporter/correspondent for all matches in the league. I knew nothing about it until I got a call from my hockey captain asking me had I heard the ad for this competition and she insisted that they were describing me!! I checked out the details and really, it did sound like my dream job!

I filled in the 2 page application form (isn't it so hard to write about yourself when you're really trying to 'sell yourself' - not in THAT way - you know what I mean!?) which took me about 2 days to finish, reading over it again and again, trying to answer the questions in a manner I would if my friends were asking me and avoid sounding like a complete a$$ !! I sent in the application not really knowing what to expect:- the rugby world is very much a man's world so I wasn't really sure how lil' oul' me would fit into it and I would never claim to know everything about rugby, I don't............BUT I love watching rugby, not just for the men (honestly!) it really is such an exciting game to watch. So it really would've been my ideal job!

When I got a call to say I was through to the second round with 17 others, I couldn't believe it!!! I was called in for an 'informal' interview which was with a table of 4 judges sitting in front of me, firing questions at me!! Ah no, I have to say they were lovely and once we started the interview it was more like a chat! Normally leaving auditions/interviews like that, you can't really tell how you came across or what they thought of you but it was weird, I had a really good feeling when I left:)

A week later, I got another call to say that I was down to the last 3 of the competition!!! I couldn't believe it! We all had 1.5hrs with a Setanta sports cameraman to record 15mins of footage on 'anything' we wanted and then we had to edit it all down to 1min! It was major panic stations because I got the call on a Friday and the shooting was on the Monday!! I had to get my thinking cap on pronto!! Luckily, the amazing, legendary Shane Byrne is a good friend of mine and he agreed to help me out with the agreement that I owe him, basically, forever! Really, he is so, so good and I do owe him big time - THANKS A MIL Shane:) Check it out on my videos! It was great craic to film with Heather and Laura and all the lads!!

Then it was down to a public, email vote so we all had to push it, pu-push it REAL good!! It seemed like weeks before we got the final result and unfortunately, I didn't win. Before the result came out, I was telling people that if I didn't win, I wouldn't mind because I had great fun making the video and everything happens for a reason. I know that "winning is just a bonus" and "it's the taking part that counts" ...................Call me competitive but I'm afraid I don't buy that rubbish............I'd be more of the mindset "I'm in it to win it". I am always 100% honest so to be honest, when I got that call I was devastated. I really did think I was going to win. So after cursing Conor Galvin, who won, for a little bit and some much needed sympathy from my lovely friends and family, I got over it!

The other day I got a lovely email from Conor wishing me luck which was so nice of him and then I checked out some of the stuff he's been doing as the Profan and hand on my heart, I think the best man won! So well done Conor and best of luck with the rest of the season.

Now I really do mean it when I say I had so much fun making that video and even though I didn't win the competition I felt very honoured to be in the last 3 AND the only female....doing it for the ladies :)

Book of the moment!

2010-01-21T20:36:00.005Z

I mad into me readin' I am! I normally fly through books, but I've been a bit slow of late. At the moment I'm reading The Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts, I'm still only about a third into the book (it's REALLY big and it has very small writing!!). I think part of the reason it's taking me so long is that it's so beautifully written with these quotes that make you read over them a few times, think about them and fully digest them. I've ruined the book with 'dog-ears' and pen marks making sure I'll be able to find the quotes again!!

Here's one example of the innumerous words of wisdom for Mr. David Roberts:

"The truth is that there are no good men, or bad men. It is the deeds that have goodness or badness in them. There are good deeds, and bad deeds. Men are just men - it is what they do, or refuse to do, that links them to good and evil. The truth is that an instant of real love, in the heart of anyone - the noblest man alive or the most wicked - has the whole purpose and process and meaning of life within the lotus-folds of its passion"

H-Amazing!

Luc xxx

It's been a while....to say the least!

2010-01-20T14:09:00.004Z

Hi guys,

I know, I know, the word 'atrocious' springs to mind when it comes to my blog posting ability!! It's been 2 months or thereabouts! Lots has gone on in those few months, both good and bad but they've all had a positive effect on me:)

Back in October, I managed to get my first hockey injury since I started back in 2008 after my 12 year disappearance! I got a wallop of the hockey ball straight into my right ankle and ever so dramatically fell to the ground in agony. I decided that it was absolutely fine and I wasn't going to be a 'wuss' about it and played on it for 5 weeks until my physio told me that it definitely wasn't 'normal' for my ankle to swell up like a balloon after playing on it and gently nudged me to get an xray. I went for the xray only to be told that it was in fact fractured and I also had an old injury on the same foot (no idea!!), the only thing for it was an MRI scan. I would say over the last year, I've said to myself on numerous occasions "I must sort myself out with some health insurance" and of course never did (Well, I'm never sick really!). So I went the public route and guess what?? I'm still on the waiting list for the bleedin' MRI scan!! "I'm afraid no date has been set for your scan Ms.White and it has been known to take a few months" was the update this morning! Well, I couldn't take it anymore and played my first match last Saturday (we won 5-0!!) and am back in training but Jebus am I unfit. I'll be fit again in no time, well, that's what I keep telling myself!!

Around the same time, I had the chance to move in with one of my bestest, dearest friends, Blanaid (www.blanaid.com & www.thestylebitches.com) and a girl who I'd never met before, Heather. I spoke to Heather on the phone and instantly knew that we'd get on like a house on fire!! We've now been living together (in the best location EVER) for 2 months and we get on like a...ehm...house on fire!!! Our little pad is exquisitely decked out by the incredibly talented interior stylist Blanaid (it's the only reason we agreed to move in with her!) and sometimes reminds me of Central Perk cafe in friends because we our friends seem to flock here to hang out!! We are 3 pretty positive girlies and we only allow positive vibes in 'de gaff' !! Sometimes I sit here, on our day bed and just think to myself "I love my home and the gorgeous girls I live with".....................:)

Just before, I was told that I was being made redundant by the charity I was working for due to lack of funds. It was a bit of a shocker initially but to be honest, I think my time was up there. I had spent 2 years working for them and being involved in such incredible work was absolutely amazing. The children in Russia have really taught me so, so much and I met such incredible people throughout my 2 years there that I am so happy that I had the opportunity to be a part of it. I have absolutely no regrets and I really learned a lot about myself during my time in the charity. I knew that I wasn't going to be there forever and that I needed to give myself a kick in the arse to try to get my TV & radio presenting career off the ground and then they did it for me!! I really hope that things pick up for them and that they can continue to do the incredible work that they do with the orphans in Russia.

I also entered another competition to be the Magners League Profan but I will do a separate post on that with da wideo!! It was a lot of fun!

Most recently, there was an article published about me by the wonderful Julia Molony in The Sunday Independent Life Magazine on the 10th January, again I'll do a separate post on that as lots of good things have come of that.

For now, I think that's pretty much all that's gone on in my lil' world but no doubt I'll remember something else and throw it out there!! Sure now that I'm unemployed, yis'll be inundayid wit de posts!

Ta'ra, Luc xxx

Change, who's afraid of change!?

2009-10-29T16:30:00.002Z

No matter what your 'change' may be, whether it's moving house, changing job, breaking up, it's happening for a reason so relish it. Check out this "Thought for today" :

"So often when things change in our lives, we have such a resistance to the change. This is because when people see a big change appearing they are often fearful that it is something bad. But it is important to remember that when something big changes in our lives, it means something better is coming. there cannot be a vacuum in the Universe, and so as something moves out, something must come in and replace it. When change comes, relax, have total faith and know that the change is ALL GOOD.

Something more magnificent is coming to you!"

Quote taken from The Secret Daily teachings" by Rhonda Byrne

Thought for Today..................

2009-10-28T18:36:00.003Z

For all my single ladies, all my singles ladies................(and men!):

"If you are looking for love, the best chance you have of finding absolute happiness with the perfect person (whoever that may be) is if you surrender to the Universe. Allow the Universe to bring the love of your life to you, and to move you to them. This means you have to get out of the way and become receptive to the possibilities that the Universe presents to you.

From our smaller perspective we cannot see everything, but from its total perspective the Universe knows the perfect matches"
Quote taken from The Secret daily teachings by Rhonda Byrne

.........ok, ok, I surrender, I am totally out of the way and I have become receptive to all/any possibilities...................anything
...........................................anything
..............................................Nope, still no sign of my 'perfect person' !!!

Ah, in all seriousness, I do really like this "Thought for today" - let me know what you think! I'll have another one tomorrow!

Luc xx

To Russia with Love - Pasha Nachonechy

2009-10-28T17:30:00.004Z

Back in 2007, I volunteered to work in an orphanage in Bryansk, Western Russia for 3 months for the charity, To Russia with Love. Since then, I have been back 3 times and have had the pleasure and honour of getting to know and adore these incredible, orphaned children.

The only job spec. I had prior to my first trip was "to show the children love and care" and really, that's what myself and the other 2 girls out there did. This job spec. was not only for the children in the orphanage, but also for those who had left the orphanage and are now on To Russia with Love's Final Steps Program.

There is still a terrible stigma attached to being an orphan in Russia and so most of those leaving an orphanage end up on the streets, in prison or addicted to drugs/alcohol. The To Russia with Love Final Steps programme offers the children leaving the orphanage an opportunity to go to college, helps them find accomodation and essentially, helps them to become an integrated part of society and last year 100% of the kids went on to college - a HUGE achievement!

One of the children who was on this programme was Pasha Nachonechy. He was taken from his family home when he was 6 years old, his mum was an alcoholic and his father's whereabouts are unknown. 12 years later, he left the orphanage and like the other children who'd left , he always came back to visit the kids and the Irish volunteers. He loved hanging out with us and chatting in the bits of English he'd picked up over the years of Irish volunteers going out to Russia. He was beautiful looking and a little flirt - he'd look at me and say "Lusya, hyou, my gurlfreend!" and he always lit up my heart when I was feeling a little emotional during my time in Russia (which was quite often, every day in fact!!)

Just gone 21 in September, Pasha took his own life last Saturday:( At the moment, all I know is that there was a note left in his pocket saying goodbye to the children in the orphanage and asking them to stay strong. I have always felt that the children in Russia are a huge part of my life, my family, but I never actually realised just how much.

I found out on Monday and my heart is still broken........every so often I remember a little something that we did or that he said and I can't control the tears. Debbie (the founder of To Russia with Love) is out there at the moment and has been texting me about the last few days. Every time I read her texts, again, I just break down. In one way, I'd love to be there for them but in another, I actually don't think I'd be able for it. Debbie is their "Irish Mama" and for her, it's like losing one of her own. She is so strong.

His family were his friends, the 'brothers' he grew up with in the orphanage and lived with once they left. I can't even begin to say just how incredible these boys are but in Debbie's words: "our kids held each other up, they were magnificent, shocking day. They're in bits, no describing it really."

I'm sharing this here for different reasons:
I've always said that tears are better out than in and writing something down has always helped me to cope with different emotions.
Every day, we are continuously reminded of the "recession", the "awful state" of our country, of anything negative but let's put things into perspective and be grateful for what we actually, physically have. The more positive we feel about our lives, the more positivity we can give to others.
Most importantly, even though he may not have known it, I want everyone to know what an incredbile, beautiful, kind-hearted guy Pasha was. He was a light that shone in the hearts of those he touched and he will never be forgotten.

R.I.P. Pasha Nachonechy

Rapture Camps

2009-10-28T16:47:00.004Z

The other day, my main man, Chris in Rapture Camps Portugal, emailed me to say that he had some great news..............and, "GREAT news" it was!!! Normally closing in October, Rapture Camps has decided to stay open for the month of November this year!!!

From what I hear, the weather is still gorgeous and the conditions are absolutely perfect for surfing, the caipirinhas are a-flowin' and the food, well, Chris is there, so it's bound to be AMAZING!!!

As you well know from previous posts, this place is the best value for money I've EVER come across with the coolest, most chilled-out atmosphere and the nicest, friendliest people I've ever met!! (Is that too many superlatives??? My mum would kill me!). The instructors are top class, in fairness, they had me up on my first wave (I'd like to think it was my natural, in-built, sporting ability!!) and are so enthusiastic that they make you want to surf more and more!!

So, if you're looking for a last-minute Winter break for a week, a few days, a long weekend then check out http://www.rapturecamps.com/ and I've just checked http://www.aerlingus.com/ for flights and there are flights Dublin to Lisbon return from €90pp :)

I swear if I wasn't moving into a new place next month, paying deposits, etc. and my bank account had more than a tenner in it, I'd be there in a flash. For those of you who do have a bit of spare dosh, have a ball, don't tell me about it or show me pictures and I'm NOT jealous at all.....bastardos!

Luc xx

What's going on!?!

2009-10-22T11:37:00.004+01:00

Hi there,

Ok, so I've been a complete and utter disaster with keeping my blog updated:( I've had a pretty hectic past 2months to be honest. I'll fill you in bit by bit..................

AVON RI "ADVENTURE RACE"
A friend of mine asked me would I do the Hope Foundation "Adventure Race" for them back in September and I said "absolutely no problem" as it's a great cause (check out their website: http://www.hopefoundation.ie/). It was on the 19th of September. I flew back into Cork from Portugal very late on the 17th, drove back to Dublin on the 18th, had my radio show that night from midnight until 6am on the 19th, slept for a couple of hours then got up and drove to Avon Ri to register for the race.

It was only when I was half-way through the 1.6K kayak, 25K cycle and 5K run, that I realised a weeks surfing/drinking caipirinhas in Portugal and 2hrs sleep before the race was NOT the ideal 'training' for any triathlon!!! Once again, I questioned myself: "Why the hell are you doing this to yourself? Here you are cycling up a 'hill' that may as well be a cliff, going about 1k/h in the lowest gear possible and when you get to the downhill, you're only going to be met by another 'hill', why, Why, WHY?".

Eventually (approx. 1hr48mins later), I got to the finish line and there were a few groups of fine, fit men standing around. Of course I had to go over to one group (I think I was drawn in by the accent, they were from 'Up North' - does it every time!) to chat to them, ask them how they did and tell them about Gaelforce West which they'd never heard of and were quite impressed that I did it.........What? Flirt you say? Noooo, I don't know what you're talking about !

The answer to my question was surrounding me! Of course, there's the sense of achievement after a triathlon/adventure race, the fact that you're helping a good cause, but the main reason I do them, if I'm to be 110% honest with you (and myself), is that I like to be surrounded by fit, hot men :)

Surf's Up Part Deux!

2009-10-03T05:06:00.000+01:00

WHere do I start?!?!
When I decided to go back to Rapture and my partners in crime couldn't come with me this time, it was weird, I wasn't one bit nervous about being on my own. Of course I missed my girls being there with me, but as per usual, I was made feel so welcome from the moment I was picked up from the airport!

Andi held the fort in Chris's absense and did a fab job :) You could definitely feel Matt's absence but with the return of Nick and the new addition of the lovely Stefan, the 'family' was more or less the same!!

The camp was jam-packed and I was very lucky to get a bunk, but as always, in Andi's famous words, "we make it happen" in Rapture! Jono, 'my' ever-encouraging instructor, ironed out the little bad habits I'd somehow picked up (he informed me that I looked like a 'gorilla' on the surfboard at one stage!!) and had me giving it loads on the waves once again! He really does have more faith in my surfing abilities than I do myself!!

Chris got back to the camp and I know I pestered him about his curry from the moment he arrived but I really couldn't believe it when he made dinner early enough for me to have some of said AMAZING curry before I left for the airport. It was so, so sweet of him and it was great soakage for the 1 or 2 (!) caipirinhas I'd had on my last day before heading to the airport!

To be honest, that in itself really hit the nail on the head for me when thinking of what makes Rapture camps so different/special to me:I know that they are providing a service and an excellent one at that, but when I'm there, I feel like I'm among friends/family and all the 'services' are little favours that family and friends would do automatically. Every single member of staff there all create a lovely, friendly atmosphere in the camp and even though I feel like I'm 'special', I'm sure every single customer feels this way.

Thanks again for EVERYTHING guys - I'm sure you know at this stage that I'll be back over to you guys, in fact, I can't really imagine doing any other type of holiday anymore!

Check out their website: www.rapturecamps.com

PB Photographs Photoshoot

2009-10-02T01:51:00.001+01:00

Ok, I've been so, so bad with my updating - but gonna promise to be a good girl from now on....I weally do pwomise :)

So, back in September I did a photoshoot for PB Photographs. Peter Buckley is an amazing photographer and what's most incredible is that he's taught himself everything to do with photography, cameras, lighting, photoshopping, etc. He was brilliant on the day as was my bestest buddy, Neasa - they both made me feel really comfortable as I'd never really done a 'proper' photoshoot.

I borrowed some stunning Fran & Jane (http://www.franandjane.ie/) numbers, had a Karen Millen (http://www.karenmillen.com/) LBD of my own, did the oul' hair and make-up myself and off we set to Peter's place for the shoot. Took a few pictures to get into it but then I LOVED every minute of it! So much fun. He did try a little experiment with me eating Nutella out of the jar and instead of looking cute and sexy, I eh.... looked like I hadn't eaten for a year and was then presented with this chocolate spread :)

Anyhoo, above is an example of the magic that he did and I will be adding more - hope you likey! Check out his website: http://www.pbphotographs.com/

Luc x

still to come.....

2009-09-19T05:47:00.000+01:00

I know it's been a while but I'm just back from Rapture camps (my new 2nd home!!). So for now, here's an idea of what I'll be posting in the next few days

2nd surf-trip to Portugal (in the space of what?...2mths!)
photo-shoot with Pb Photographs (will post some of the pics too - he's a wizard, the photographer that is!!)
Triathlon in aid of the Hope Foundation
City Channel TV Presenting gig

til then, toodles xxxx

Surf Mad/obsessed.....??

2009-09-05T01:43:00.000+01:00

Surfing is something I have always watched in complete awe, wishing I could ride the waves the way our friends in the Southern hemisphere/Stateside can before they can even walk. I always knew that once I tried it, I'd be completely addicted. While all my friends were heading off to Australia for their 'studenty-year out', I went to Mexico to teach English instead and I'm convinced that the reason I didn't join my mates was the fear I'd fall in love with the surf lifestyle over there and never come home!!

So, 8 years on (in or around!!) I decided to go on a surf holiday to Portugal with 3 of my girlfriends. We stayed in Rapture Camps in Ericeira back in July and we haven't stopped talking about it since!! That hunch I always had was pretty accurate, I fell in love with surfing, the way of life, being in the sea for hours on end, everything about it.

The guys who run Rapture are so cool and chilled out, they've had Irish there before but I don't know if they were quite ready for us!! They did mention on their daily blog how they'd "never seen anyone fit so much into one week" and I don't think they meant it in the productive way!!

Rapture Camps is INCREDIBLE value for money:- a week's accommodation, brekkie every day & 6 dinners (which are AMAZING!!) and 2 hours surf lessons per day cost only €245 - sure you'd spend that on a weekend in Dublin!! I am heading back there next Thursday for another week before the winter kicks in:) Check out their website: http://www.rapturecamps.com/

Last weekend I went up to the TurfnSurf school & lodge in Bundoran, Donegal with 7 of my radio colleagues!! I was on air until 6am, then jumped in the car and was eating breakfast in the TurfnSurf Lodge, Bundoran before the others (who got there the night before!) were even up!! Killian met me and made me feel at home straight away. The gang came in for breakfast in dribs and drabs and then we hit the surf. I was pleasantly surprised that the water in Ireland was warmer than in Portugal (maybe that was the thicker wetsuit, I'm not too sure, the water is pretty cold in Portugal though!!).

We surfed on Saturday, partied on Saturday night 'til the wee hours. Only 3 of us made is surfing on the Sunday!! Then my colleagues left for Dublin but luckily, I was staying another night to get one more surf in on the Monday. We got an amazing group rate that included our B&B accommodation, 2hrs surf lessons per day & surfboard/wetsuit rental. Check out their deals on http://www.turfnsurf.ie/ A big Thank you to all of you up there for making it a FAB weekend!

I'd never been to Bundoran but was instantly reminded of why Ireland is known as 'The land of the 1000 Welcomes'!! Everyone was so friendly and welcoming, from the staff in the Turf n Surf Lodge to the instructors, the locals, everyone. I tells ya, us Dubs could take an example from our compadres!! I reckon Bundoran may be my new weekend haunt for the winter, once I'm back from le Portugal that is :)

My goal is to be a really good surfer, not just one that the instructor says "Oh yeah, you're doing really great" because you stand up on the board, I'm talking 'turning' (I told my instructor in Portugal that I wanted to learn how to steer to which he replied "Well, you can start by using the correct term and saying 'turn' instead of 'steer"!!!), riding 'barrels', etc!!

I love the surf-style (comfy/slouchy clothes), I'm a water baby and especially love being in the sea and I'm a bit of an adrenaline junkie, so in conclusion, I don't think I'm 'surf mad/obsessed, I actually think I was born to do it!!

Thought for Today

2009-08-26T16:57:00.000+01:00

"There are two kinds of people:
Those who say, "I will believe it when I see it."
And those who say, "To see it, I know I must believe it."
(Taken from The Secret Daily Teachings by Rhonda Byrne)

Gaelforce West

2009-08-25T16:49:00.000+01:00

Now, one thing I would NEVER have put myself down for was any sort of endurance challenge (I was a sprinter as a kid and always had to be at the front of the pack!).

I've done the Women's mini-marathon for the past 3yrs and love doing it to raise money for To Russia with Love and just for the craic and the atmosphere in Dublin that day. I have a slightly competitive streak in me (my friends will probably laugh out loud upon reading the italics there!!) and every year I try knock a couple of minutes off my time, as you do.

Anyhooo, this year, as the hockey season was coming to an end, one of the girls came to me (why me??) saying "We have to do something to keep our fitness up over the summer Luc and I have just the thing"! Once she'd told me that there would be loads of HOT, fit men at it and the after-party would be "amazing", well, she had me at said men ;) (Am I really that fickle?!)

Before I knew it, I was on the Gaelforce West website, Credit card in hand and filling in a registration form. Then I decided I'd better check out what exactly I'd signed up to and to my complete disbelief, it was a mere 65K of running, cycling and kayaking..................SIXTY-FIVE KILOMETRES..........what the....? Oh, and just to throw a lil' sum'in, sum'in in for the craic, part of the 'run' (yeah right!) is up and down Croagh Patrick!!! How the hell was I going to do this?? I mean, yeah I'm fit enough to play a hockey match, but not 65K-fit!!
{to see full details on the event log onto http://www.gaelforcewest.ie/}

I just had to get stuck into then. I HATED cycling and to just give you an idea of how much: one year a now ex had given me a bike for Xmas and so I decided to cycle into work in Middle Abbey street. The buses scared me so much that I picked the bike up in my car a YEAR later!! I used to look at the 'wans' in the gym who'd do the spin class and think "Why would you do that to yourself?" but then I joined the 'wans' and am now a regular wan and in the running up to the "challenge" sometimes did 2 in a row (I KNOW ridiculous but I'd no bike and had to train!).

So, Gaelforce West took place last Sat. 22nd August and I managed to complete it as hoped, injury-free!! Luckily, I hadn't practised on the route because if I had known what I was letting myself in for there's NO way I would've done it! But after 6hrs49mins09secs of asking myself "Why the hell are you doing this?", looking around and thinking "hmm, he's cute" (on numerous occasions, yes you CAN focus on the challenge and check out the talent at the same time!!), having numerous PMA chats to myself and getting a 2nd/3rd/4th wind as a local Westportian is sitting in the most random of spots, cheering us all on..............I finished it!

It was definitely worth it, the feeling of crossing the finish line is incredible, completely euphoric. The camaraderie and sportsmanship is so encouraging and of course, the pints at the end are THE nicest pints ever!

2 days ago and yesterday, I was saying there's no way I'd even think of doing it again because I was walking around as if I was a 90yr old woman but today, now that I feel slightly more human and am walking in a more spritely way (kinda!), I'm already thinking "Maybe I could do it in 6hrs next year"!!!!

"Just Do it........"

2009-08-25T14:37:00.000+01:00

Are there things that you regret abandoning/giving up? Have you always wanted to take up something but feel like you couldn't go on your own or you don't have the courage?

Well, the first week of 2008, I had a moment/realisation/awakening, whatever..............................but I decided that I had given up too many of the things that I loved to do, eg. Team sports, art (I'm not that good but I find it really relaxing), singing, dancing, acting.......and lots more.

So 2008 became the year that I started to get back into everything. I got straight onto the interweb and googled "Team sports in Dublin". Hockey was my first love in school, but I was into all sports. Dublin Indoor sports was the first link that came up so I checked out the page, registered as an individual for Netball and before I knew it, I was driving into the grounds to play my first game (after 12 years!!!) and not knowing a single individual. I'll admit, I was really nervous, trying to think of a reason not to go into the Sports hall and just dash home. I was 29 at the time and just had to say to myself "Luc, what are they gonna do? Laugh at you because you forget the rules or because you're not 'the best'?? And even if they do, so what!"

I went on in and was introduced to my team and had a ball!! I had a lovely team, everyone was so nice and encouraging and throughout the rest of the season, I ended up subbing in on loads of other teams when they were short! I now have 2 really close friends from it too:) Once the netball season was over, I'd signed up to join Muckross hockey club, I'm just about to start my 2nd season with them and am now addicted to hockey again!!!

The reason I post this is because, sometimes, we don't do the things that we really want to because we'd be "mortified", "too nervous" or we feel that we just won't be any good at it. Well, I encourage ANYONE to just go for it.................you'll be delighted you did :)

My first blog!

2009-08-25T13:00:00.000+01:00

Hi there,
I've just decided that I am going to share the comings and goings that make up my life with whoever has the slightest bit of interest in them!
My friends tell me that I have so much going on I barely have time to pick my nose (if I did do that but I don't, it's a disgusting habit!!) but I don't really feel like I've loads going on at all, I kinda like to be busy and get bored if I'm not!!
Anyhooo, this is going to be my place to record everything (just so I actually remember!) from my sports activities, different jobs, general 'stuff' and lots of positive thoughts!!
If there's anything that you want me to mention or look into, please feel free to comment and I'll do my bestest!
Right, here 'goes..................................ENJOY :)