That one scary ride..

I'll be going to Alton Towers this weekend (hope the weather is alright!! *fingers crossed*), and this got me thinking about Theme Parks.

I will admit it, I still have rides that I will avoid at theme parks. Don't get me wrong, I love a rollercoster, spin my upsidedown and corkscrew the life out of me, but I can't stand rides that are all dark.

What I mean by this, are the Haunted Houses of the Theme Park world, as well as rides that take you through rooms with moving mannequins. I can't stand them, too creepy. I'm sure it stems from one time I kept on thinking about the dead bride and the creepy music *shudders*.

I will go on them however, put if you make me go on them, I promise you that I will keep my eyes closed at all times, and listen to music or cover my eyes. 

Theme Parks: Thrilling, Screaming, Scary, Adrenaline, Costumed Characters, Queues

Macarons - mini bundles of joy

The most amazing news! Possibly the best place to get your chocolate/macaron needs has opened a store closer to where I live. ( I'll be honest prior to this the closes store was still not that far...). 

I'm talking about the chocolatier Georges Larnicol! The stores entice you with its gorgeous window displays of chocolate and chocolate/nut offerings everywhere, AS WELL as offering yummy macarons at what have to be the best value for money*. It's something like 4.50eur per 100g, and thats about 8 macarons. BARGAIN. And on top of that, they have also been awarded meilleur ouvrier de France, which means you are guaranteed top quality.

I'm not saying I judge these to be the best ever macarons (such task would be too difficult for me!), I'm just saying that the price/quality ratio is amazing.

My favourite flavours have to be chocolate, pistachio and rasberry. Here's what they look like pre Operation Eat-all-the-macarons

Macarons: Delicate, Flavoursome, Laduree, Georges Larnicol, Pierre Herme

*However these are the ones you select and are prone to being crushed... The ones in the boxes are slightly more expensive but will keep your macarons looking like macarons for a far longer time period!

Can anyone transport me to Thailand please? I miss genuine cheap Pad Thai!

This one's just a quick post to shout out how much I miss Thailand, especially all the lovely food I ate over there. I used to have fried rice or pad thai for breakfast, lunch and most often dinner too (though dinner was mostly saved for curries!)... and NO I'm not ashamed to admit that either :p

Anyway, eating for about 80 bhat (and trust me, that wasn't scrimping, you could get food from the street markets for 30 bhat), and delicious yummy food at that...makes you really miss the place more. Eating in such lovely picturesque surroundings IS in fact the proverbial cherry on the cake.

Pad Thai: Yum, Peanuts, Prawn/Chicken, Noodles

Enter..if you dare *cue creepy music*

So, earlier this year (when the weather was FREEEEEZING cold due to that shocking cold spell), one of my best friend's came to Paris and we did something that I had never done before. The Catacombs.

Besides the fact that it was underground so also warmer than just being outside, even if it was damp and dark and frankly, quite scary (to me), it was one more thing I can tick off my to do list. 

I'll be honest, I did have to think that they were plastic, and it was like a ride in a theme park, but I still wouldn't go close to them nor would I let go of my friend's hand! The funniest thing I guess, is that a water droplet dripped on my face, and naturally I screamed causing my friend and the people around us to laugh.

It takes just under an hour, depending on how fast you walk, and I wouldn't really recommend it by yourself..though you might be more brave than I am!

It makes you think though, about the whole life and death thing though...and in the end, we all really are just the same.

Catacombs: Dark, Damp, Death

What Am I Like? I'm a Realist

I just took this test from the BBC Website, and I am a realist. I quite agree with this, so can't really say I am surprised. You try it, and let me know what you are..

_________________________________________

What's your personality type?

Find out with the 'What Am I Like?' Personality test.

• This test is 20 questions long and should take about 10 minutes
• It is made up of four sets of five questions and you will find out about a different aspect of your personality after every five questions
• At the end of the test you will be assigned one of 16 possible personality types
• This personality test can't tell you exactly what you are like. No survey can predict personality type with 100 % accuracy. Experts say we should use personality type descriptions to better understand ourselves and others, but shouldn't feel restricted by our results
• The test was developed for the television programme 'What Am I Like? The Personality Test'
• It is a simplified personality test based on personality type theory, devised by psychologists
• It is not a replacement for the full Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® questionnaire and the results are not intended to be the psychometric or practical equivalent to MBTI® questionnaire results

Section 1: Planner or Spontaneous?

1) When you go on holiday, what do you prefer to do?

1. Plan every detail in advance
2. Plan a rough itinerary in advance, leaving some time free
3. Look at a few options in advance, but only really decide when you're there
4. You rarely plan, just book at the last minute and go with the flow

2) What statement best describes how you do your regular grocery shop?

1. You make a detailed list of everything you need to buy
2. You make a rough list to jog your memory
3. You don't make a list, as you think it's a waste of time
4. You don't do a regular shop, you just go when you need to

3) You've been to a furniture store and have come back with some flat-pack furniture, like a wardrobe or a desk that you have to assemble. What are you most inclined to do?

1. Before you start, you check that all the components are there and that you have the tools you will need
2. You read through the instructions carefully first and then follow them step by step
3. You scan the instructions, although you don't always follow them exactly
4. You leap in, only referring to the instructions if you get stuck

4) Which description fits you best?

1. You are a perfectionist and can't leave anything unfinished
2. You need time, over-prepare and hate pressure
3. You're scatty, forgetful and disorganised
4. You put things off till the last minute and are often late

5) What happens when your local supermarket moves the food to different aisles?

1. You would notice and it would really bother you
2. You would notice, but you simply change the order in which you shop
3. You would notice, but it wouldn't bother you as you have no set routine
4. You probably wouldn't notice

Section 2: Facts or Ideas?

6) Of the following options which one describes you best?

1. Realistic
2. Efficient
3. Imaginative
4. Visionary

7) How do you usually give directions to your house? Do you…

1. Provide a step-by-step list of directions for the entire journey?
2. Draw a really detailed map that shows things like street names and roundabouts?
3. Just give general directions?
4. Sketch a rough map, as too many details can be confusing?

8) Which set of words best describes you?

1. Practical, thorough and stable
2. Realistic, enthusiastic and spontaneous
3. Inventive, imaginative and original
4. Creative, dynamic and adventurous

9) Which of these best describes how you do your supermarket shopping?

1. You usually go up and down the aisles in exactly the same order
2. You read and compare labels and prices
3. You're attracted to new things or special offers that catch your eye
4. You vary the way you go round the supermarket depending on what you feel like buying

10) Look at the picture below. Write down on a piece of paper what you see. Allow yourself about 30 seconds for this.

Now choose which statement best describes what you noted down.

1. Is it a list of what's in the picture?
2. A story about what's happening in the picture?
3. Have you tried to find the hidden meaning in this picture?
4. Or lots of ideas inspired by the picture?

Section 3: Heads or Hearts?

11) Which set of words best describes you?

1. Analytical, logical and objective
2. Decisive, driven and energetic
3. Caring, helpful and supportive
4. Complex, thoughtful and sensitive

12) What would you do if you had to decide between two homes to move into?

1. List your ideal features and compare which place has the most
2. Compare the good and bad features of both
3. Go with your gut feeling about which is best
4. Think about how each place affects the other people in your life

13) If your friend started dating someone you really disliked and asked you what you thought about their relationship, what would you do?

1. Be up front and honest about what you think
2. Try to be tactful - but still be truthful about what you think
3. Try not to hurt their feelings, changing the subject if necessary
4. Avoid hurting their feelings, telling a "white lie" if necessary

14) If you are with a group of friends and an argument breaks out, what do you tend to do?

1. Face the dispute head on
2. Try to find an answer to the problem
3. Try to meet everyone's needs
4. Anything to avoid hurting people's feelings

15) When you have to make a difficult decision, what is most important to you?

1. Arriving logically at the best choice
2. Being as fair as possible
3. Doing the right thing according to your own beliefs and values
4. Getting the approval and agreement of others

Section 4: Extravert or Introvert?

16) When you are out with a group of your friends, how much of the talking do you usually do?

1. Hardly any at all
2. A little less than most
3. Quite a lot
4. Almost all

17) When it comes to expressing yourself do you…

1. Hold back more, listening to others before speaking?
2. Think before you speak?
3. Think out loud?
4. Use your hands and facial expressions a lot?

18) What are you like when you have to meet a group of new people?

1. You stick with the people you've met before
2. You spend your time thinking about how to keep the conversation going
3. You aim to mingle with as many new people as possible
4. You just go out and have fun

19) Which set of words best describes you?

1. Cautious, thoughtful and loyal
2. Inquisitive, independent and contained
3. Lively, enthusiastic and energetic
4. Expressive, talkative and friendly

20) If you are in the middle of something important and the phone rings how do you usually react? Do you…

1. Ignore the phone, or let the machine pick up?
2. Take the call, but deal with it as quickly as possible?
3. Answer it as you welcome the chance to talk to someone, but keep it brief?
4. Answer the phone enthusiastically and be up for a long conversation?

Results

Section 1: Planner or Spontaneous
If you answered more (a)s and (b)s, you're a planner.
If you answered more (c)s and (d)s, you're spontaneous.

Section 2: Facts or Ideas
If you answered more (a)s and (b)s, you're a facts person.
If you answered more (c)s and (d)s, you're an ideas person.

Section 3: Head or Heart
If you answered more (a)s and (b)s, you're a head person.
If you answered more (c)s and (d)s, you're a heart person.

Section 4: Extrovert or Introvert
If you answered more (a)s and (b)s, you're a introvert.
If you answered more (c)s and (d)s, you're extrovert.

Find out your personality type

Click on the personality types to find out more.

Big Thinker = Spontaneous + Ideas + Heart + Extrovert
Counsellor = Planner + Ideas + Heart + Introvert
Go-getter = Spontaneous + Facts + Head + Extrovert
Idealist = Spontaneous + Ideas + Heart + Introvert
Innovator = Spontaneous + Ideas + Heart + Extrovert
Leader = Planner + Ideas + Head + Extrovert
Mastermind = Planner + Ideas + Head + Introvert
Mentor = Planner + Ideas + Heart + Extrovert
Nurturer = Planner + Facts + Heart + Introvert
Peacemaker = Spontaneous + Facts + Heart + Introvert
Performer = Spontaneous + Facts + Heart + Extrovert
Provider = Planner + Facts + Heart + Extrovert
Realist = Planner + Facts + Head + Introvert
Resolver = Spontaneous + Facts + Head + Introvert
Strategist = Spontaneous + Ideas + Head + Introvert
Supervisor = Planner + Facts + Head + Extrovert

Cruises

With the anniversary of Titanic, and how perhaps some of you might be feeling a bit sceptical with all that has gone on with the recent news about that Costa Cruises, and now the Azamara, it just made me think about my Cruise experiences.

I am unashamedly paranoid about cruises, and would never dream of doing a transatlantic one (yes, I would be thinking about Titanic and Poseidon here...). However, I have had good experiences (apart from the immense over eating, which is undoubtedly self inflicted pain!). There is often plenty to do, either swimming, sleeping, watching tv/films, activities laid on for you, gym, FOOD!, and excursions etc. 

I also like the fact that you dress up in fancy dresses, it some how makes you feel a bit special and makes you feel good about yourself. Sometimes I think it's nice to dress up now and again, if only for self confidence and to make pretty photos..

Cruise: Buffet, Cinema, Ocean, Swimming Pools, Spas

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger

I have to say, I haven't felt like this since the Breakaway album, but Kelly Clarkson's "Stronger" is the best feel good and jump around/prance and dance around song I have heard in a while (possibly since "Since U been gone")

All I can say is I'm re-loving Kelly Clarkson to the highest heights ever!! (Not that I stopped but this is IT, quite simply, it's IT)*

Just remember.... What doesn't kill you makes you stronger

*I saw Kelly Clarkson perform "Since U been gone" at the BRITs and "Beacause of You" at the Grammy's. Just after Celine Dion in Vegas, she has been the best thing I have heard live.

Living unicorn! NOT an April Fool's joke!!

If Wikipedia is law, then you'll know I'm telling the truth!

The Narwhal's The scientific name, Monodon monoceros, is derived from Greek: "one-toothed unicorn"... SEE! Told you so! :p

So I only learnt about this creature in La Grande Galerie de l'evolution in the Jardin des Plantes (5eme) and was amazed that they exist. I definitely think museums are quite interesting, you just need an open mind, and to be nicely awake (they always seem to tire me out?) so if you are a coffee drinker, it would probably be a good time to drink that coffee before hand! I always learn something, and feel more cultured after a visit, it's well worth your time, especially to those EU citizens out there under 26...its free!

Unicorn: Mythical, Real