Dear 16 Year Old Cynthia...

Today's Dear 16 Year Old Me letter comes from Cynthia at Fluorescent Adolescent (I hope I spelled that right - I always struggle with the word fluorescent!!).

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{Cynthia at 21}

Dear 16 Year Old Cynthia,

Stop being so dramatic! The world is not going to end because you moved away from New York and Zach Jensen doesn’t like you back. New York will always be around and Virginia grows on you. As for Zach, there will be plenty of others so no worries.

You won’t go to Art School but that will be ok: being a nurse will bring you more joy than you could have ever expected.

Keep being the “responsible one” - you won’t regret it!!!

Don’t stop being so hard on the family - they are not so bad and will be your biggest support system. I can’t guarantee that they will be less annoying or in any way assure you that they will ever get you, but they love you now and always will. As for guys - I can’t help you there, but I can tell you that being single is not so bad. Don’t take your “real” friends for granted because with all of your dramatics they’ll still be there.

Most importantly Cynthia: never stop thanking God because this life, our life, is amazing - you’ll see.

Love,

21 (turning 22 in 18 days) year old Cynthia

p.s. No need to stop being dramatic - just tone it down a bit!

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Thanks so much for taking part Cynthia, and hope you had a wonderful 22nd birthday!!

xx

These Are The Moments I Live For...

...spontaneity:

{photos from our New Zealand camping trip}

When you've been driving along a road for ages, and upon seeing a road sign, feeling the urge to pull over at the side of the road and pull a pose.

xx

Dear 16 Year Old Meghan...

Today's Dear 16 Year Old Me letter comes comes from Meghan over at The Perfect Compilation Tape...

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{29 Year Old Meghan}

Dear 16-Year Old Meghan,

What’s up, girl?! I know that’s a strange greeting, but in 15 years, you will grow to love a sassy, late- night talk show host named Chelsea Handler and adopt her mannerisms. Annoying? Sure. But those who love you will think it’s adorably quirky – and trust me, a lot of people love you. You are a very lucky girl.

I am here to tell you that everything is going to turn out much better than you hope or plan. I know that right now, you’re a confused bundle of nerves. You don’t understand why boys don’t like you, you aren’t sure where you want to go to college, and you wonder why you feel as if no one understands you. Trust me, girl (see what I mean???), you will find clarity.

The Boys: Unfortunately, the next few years will bring you even more confusion and heartache where boys are concerned. You will think you have fallen in love, you will try to develop friendships into something more, and you will wonder why boys just don’t like you as much as they like your college roommate. You will wonder if there is something more – something better – out there. And trust me, that “something” will come along when you least expect it. And you will be swept off your feet, just as you daydreamed about in high school, when the boys were immature, silly and so not worth your time. You know what? Just tell them that you’re waiting for your husband.

College and The Future: I know you’re torn between two amazing universities right now. Go with your gut. You’ll make the right decision. You will meet so many incredible people who will touch your lives forever. You will find an inner strength you didn’t know you had. You will find the right path in life, and it will be the path you knew you would take all along – teaching. You will love every second of it. Be sure to embrace these next few years, though – it’s your experiences now that help lead you down this path. Just try to avoid the beer at Jackson’s.

You: I know you feel different sometimes. Different from even your best friends. Sometimes you feel as if you are holding back; not being the “real” Meghan. Don’t worry. You will find the strength to be yourself. As your future husband will say, you “won’t be afraid to fly your freak flag”. (Can you tell why he’s your husband?) There is a fun-loving, quirky side to you, and I’m here to tell you that it’s ok to show it. You don’t always have to be so serious!

Be kind. Be strong. And above all, be you, girl!

With Love,

Your 29-Year Old Self

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Thanks so much for taking part Meghan! I always fly my freak flag too!!

I am still working through a backlog of letters dating from November, but am nearly there, so please bear with me if you have sent me a letter and I haven't published it yet!

New readers: if you want to take part, then e-mail me your letter and some photos and I'll feature you here! E-mail red.boots{at}hotmail.co.uk

xx

Holga Love...

...Since moving back to Scotland from Southampton I've lost motivation to go out wandering with my holga, like I used to in Southampton. Which is crazy - Edinburgh is way prettier than Southampton.

The last time I went out with my camera was November (for the photo-swap), and since then my holga has sat languishing in my bedroom. I even commited the ultimate sin and took the batteries out of it so I could use them in something else. I know, I'm terrible.

So today I've been looking at my old holgas I took of Southampton for inspiration:

{all photos by me - Spring/Summer 09}

I think I'm ready to go out with my camera again.

And I think black and white film is the way to go - it's definitely my favourite. Much more forgiving, and much more dramatic (though it costs much more to develop).

xx

My Niece, The Photographer...

...Meet my niece:

She's nearly 4.

This is my dad, as photographed by me:

This is what my dad looks like when photographed by my niece:

She is so skilled - she's caught my dad's character perfectly. More so than any other photo I've ever seen of him, ever.

Man, I wish I had her talent!!

xx

P.S.

I'm selling some of my mum's vintage clothes on Ebay, from the 1960's, 70's and 80's. She was a very stylish lady back in the day. Now she's a glamorous older lady, wanting to save for a new set of Pétanque boules!

You can see the items here.

I post worldwide!

xx

This Is The One Where I Feel Like An Idiot...

...please excuse my little rant about my working hours a couple of days ago.

I feel very silly now.

Yesterday morning I had a job interview.

Last night I got a phone call telling me I got the job.

A job, with much much better hours.

And it's not just any old job. It's the job I really really wanted, in exactly the field I wanted to be in.

The cinema has been fun to work in, but now I get to be a professional again, working with companies to get their employees to walk and cycle to work (much like my old job, but with adults instead of children). And the best part is boyfriend and I will be able to see a lot more of each other.

I loved my old job down in England, but I had to give it up when my boyfriend got a job back in Scotland (where we're from). So I'm so excited to be able to do something that I really love again, in the city that I really love.

Things are really coming together at the moment: next month I will start my new job, and next month boyfriend and I will also move in our first ever home that we will actually own.

Febraury is going to be one busy old month! But in the best possible way.

xx

ps: Elle at Chasing Education really knows her stuff. I e-mailed her for advice on good interview questions to ask, and she e-mailed back with the most awesome questions, that I used in the interview. Again, thanks so much Elle!

Dear 16 Year Old Rebekah

Today's Dear 16 Year Old Me letter comes from Rebekah at Adventures of the Childlike Empress, a ballet dancing fellow Scot, living in Slovenia:

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{25 Year Old Rebekah}

Dear Sixteen Year Old Rebekah,

Don't worry that you don't own a passport, within a few years you will have travelled Europe... Within a few more you'll have even gone to a couple of other continents.

Don't try to fit in with people that you don't feel comfortable around, you will soon learn that if you stay true to the real you and don't try to be the someone else you think that people want to see, you will be happier.

You will still be best friends with Sarah and Steven even though you have all moved on and you won't see them very often anymore... You gave them both a little bit of your heart that they will always keep.

It is okay to admit that you still like Disney movies and know the words to all the songs... People who mock you are just trying to act grown up... Never try to act grown up.

Keep working hard: you might not get into the top schools or take the 'easy route' to finding your dream job, things might look bleak... But keep working hard and stay focussed and you will get there. But then again -you never were a quitter.

Don't worry about boys.....you still haven't figured them out yet... But they're not worth worrying over.

Eat more vegetables.....they may not taste great but get over it....they're good for you.

If I did it all again, I cant think of much I'd change, you can learn something from everything

Love,

a 25 year old Rebekah

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Thanks so much for taking part Rebekah!

ps: I still love Disney movies too!

xx

I Work...

...what are termed 'anti-social' hours.

I've worked anti-social hours in the past, but it never seemed to matter to me then. I was in my early twenties, single, and worked with all my friends in a live music venue. We used to watch the bands while we worked, have a giggle and a gossip, and then after work (sometimes 4 am) we'd all sit down, drink beer and sometimes go back to someone's house for a late late night party. That was my life for 2 years. And I did love it.

But now, it's not quite so fun.

Boyfriend works regular hours. He has to be in work for 9am and gets home just after I've gone to work. I, on the other hand, don't get up until after boyfriend is at work (because of working late nights), and then have to leave for work just before he gets home. When I get home late at night boyfriend is asleep.

Some days the only time I see boyfriend is when we pass each other on the street -me on my way to work, and him on his way home from work. At first my heart leaps at the sight of him, and we steal a kiss on a street, and he presses my favourite chocolate bar into my hand, as a treat for when I am on my break later at work, but then it breaks my heart when I have to continue walking to work.

I realise I could be in a worse situation - I AM truly thankful that I have a job. Not so long ago I didn't have a job, and we worried so much about money, and I am grateful that we don't have to worry quite so much.

It just makes me sad that it's Tuesday afternoon and even though we live together I haven't seen boyfriend since Sunday afternoon. That's all.

{boyfriend}

xx

My Weekends...

...are often full with work (working in a cinema means the weekend is the busiest time) but this weekend I took some much needed time out and had some wonderful old friends, Lindsay and Richard, over for the night.

We drank and talked and giggled til the wee small hours.

At 3am, after a lot of beer, Wii Boxing seemed like the best idea in the world:
{Boyfriend losing the round to Lindsay}

Apparently you could hear our shouts and giggles from outside on the street (we live two floors up).

I love my friends.

xx

Please Please Please...

{photo from www.guardian.co.uk}

...donate to the Haiti appeal.

If you're in the UK you can donate to the Disasters Emergency Comittee (DEC) - here.

Please excuse me, I am lost for any other words.

xx

Dear 16 Year Old Alle...

Today's Dear 16 Year Old Me Letter comes from Alle over at The Adventures of Allesandra Marie...

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{16 Year Old Alle}

{21 Year Old Alle}
Dear 16 year old Alle,

You, girly, are in for the ride of your life. Over the next few years, you are going to learn a lot about yourself.

You will allow your heart to be broken, not once or twice, but more. You'll break hearts too. You will make questionable decisions, but in the end, they'll lead you to a beautiful place.

Believe it or not, you have not yet met the person you want to marry. 'The One' will only be around a few more years, and then, after realizing your worth, your taste, preference, and priorities will shift significantly. Don't worry... Someone else will know how to make you feel much more beautiful. Embrace it.

You will struggle with your body and your image for the rest of your life. Get used to it now, but realize that some day, the flaws that now seem tragic, will be the some of the parts of you that make you truly unique.

You will lose one of the most influential people in your life. You will miss her greatly, and appreciate her more after she is gone. Learn now to never take anyone for granted.

Friends and family will pass... none of it will be easy.

Forgive. Let go. Move on.

You will struggle with stress, but remember to set your sights high, as you always have. You will accomplish more than you can fathom now. And don't forget: if your goals don't work out, it's with good reason. Trust your fate, and mostly, yourself, and everything will be okay.

Remember that you will have to look back some day on your life, and you want it to be something you are proud of.

Keeping your nose buried in books will eventually be worth it.

You will struggle more than ever in your relationship with your mom... Remember to be kind to her. She is irreplaceable, and will help you through the things everyone else won't stick around for.

Some of the people you counted as most trustworthy will betray you. This is nothing new, and it will never go away. Use your instincts and stick to them. Learn to stop pacifying people. A life lived for others isn't a life worth living.

Ask yourself what makes you happy. Then, do it. The rest will work itself out.

Absorb every bit of the years to come. You will change immensely, but in many ways you'll stay the same. You will continue to be humble, outrageous, and motivated.

Over time, the people in your life worth keeping will appreciate you for who you are, aside from any expectation, and they will embrace you with open arms.

Allow people to help you.

Don't get angry over the little things.

Listen to people when they tell you that you are beautiful. Hold on tight to your kind soul, even though at times you'll feel like you've lost it.

Most importantly: Remember....you are not perfect. You never will be. And that's okay.

Seize the day, wild one. You won't regret it.

Sincerely,

Your blissful future self.

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Thanks very much for taking part Alle - I loved your letter!

xx

ps: Please be sure to have a look at Tracy's great Dear 16 Year Old Me letter over at Life Is A Road Trip. You can find her letter here.

pps: You can find all the other Dear 16 Year Old Me letters here.

I Like To...

...turn this song up really really loud:

And dance like there's no tomorrow.

And afterwards everything feels good.

xx

ps: thanks for all the food and vitamin suggestions! I've somehow managed to get through 28 years of life not knowing that dark chocolate is so high in iron, so I'm happily munching away on it and not feeling guilty in the slightest! Which is the happiest feeling in the world! Next time I'm in the supermarket I'm also totally stocking up on slow release vitamins and quinoa.

All I Want To Do Lately...

...is curl up on the sofa and sleep:

{photo courtesy of weheartit.com}

It's partly because the bitterly cold weather (it's been -10 oC round here lately), but mostly because I'm a vegetarian and I suspect I've not been getting enough iron at the moment. I've been working long crazy shifts since before Christmas and I must admit I have not been eating the healthiest of foods (chocolate for breakfast anyone?).

This is not a good start to 2010.

I'm not normally one for New Year's resolutions, but this year I am going to belatedly make an exception and resolve to take some good strong vitamins and make sure I eat lots of broccoli and spinach, and less chocolate (or else consider chocolate covered broccoli...!).

I hate being a lazy daisy.

xx

Dear 16 Year Old Elle...

...please excuse me if you've sent me a Dear 16 Year Old Me letter and I haven't published it yet. The response was overwhelming (thank you, in very very much a good way) and Christmas, New Year and house buying has left things fairly manic around here.

But I am pleased to continue with the Dear 16 Year Old Me series in 2010, and today's letter - the first of the year - comes from Elle at Chasing Education:

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{Elle - right - at 16}

{Elle at 23}

Dear 16-year-old Elle,

You are way to young to put so much pressure on yourself. Learn to relax now, it might help your older-self. Deal with your anxiety. It won't go away on it's own; you need someone to help you through it.

Explore your options. There are so many careers and education paths out there that you don't even know exist. Your chances of ending up in a career that you hate are very high right now, but doing more research and taking on a few more internships might make your future career choices easier. Mentally prepare yourself for the long road that lies ahead. You're going to be in school for a long time.

Be honest with your parents starting now. The more you hide things, the harder it will get. They are not as scary as they seem. They love you so much and–you're never going to believe this–they will NEVER disown you no matter how much they disagree with your decisions. Your relationship with your parents is going to change in so many ways, at first it will be so hard, but in the end it will be amazing.

The freshman 15 (er–20) is a very real thing. Do your future-self a favor, go easy on late-night drive-through and sugary adult beverages. Try to get into a workout routine while you're living on campus and the free gym is just a two minute walk from your dorm. Your body will thank you when you're 23.

You're going to be successful in love and in live. While your first job is not all you wanted in life, your family will be proud of your education, your career and your independence.

And last, but definitely not least, take your first serious relationship slowly. It could save your sanity.

Your-crazier-more-stressed-fatter-yet wiser-23-year-old-self.

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Thanks so much for taking part Elle!

Look out for more letters, coming soon!

xx

Favourite Blog Post Ever...

...Zoe, an Edinburgh based blogger over at Conversation Pieces, recently posted the most amazing thing ever that left me truly gobsmacked.

Her sweet sister and fiance made her a Where The Wild Things Are suit for Christmas:

Isn't it the most amazing thing ever?!

You can read her full blog post here.

If I had one I would definitely have a wild rumpus!!

xx

ps: sorry Zoe for stealing your photos - they're too awesome not to share!

Awards...

...what a wonderful way to start 2010 than with some awards from some great bloggers:

Chelsea from Oh Missy Me gave me this beauty:

Then ShellBell from Chapped Lips and All awarded me this:

AND Meghan from The Perfect Compilation Tape awarded me this:

Definitely a great way to shake off those January blues. Thanks ladies!

I'd like to award the Happy 101 Award to:
Laura at A Daisy Chain Dream

The One Lovely Blog Award goes to:
Kimberly at Fill Your Well

And the Beautiful Blogger Award goes to:
Cathi at Everyday Adventures of a Curious Gal

Please be sure to have a little look at their wonderful blogs.

xx

I forgot...

...this little one:

(Lily - our parrot - peeking out her cage)

...wanted to wish you all a Happy New Year!

We've been very lazy in the Red Boots household, gearing up for the return to work, and all the other 'fun' things that you put off until after the festive season, so not much to report.

A typical day:
wake up late
chocolate for breakfast
lie on the sofa all day watching old movies
minimum effort for dinner
back to sofa for more old movies

This time of year always brings out my inner sloth which I spend the rest of the year trying to hide!

I am pleased to tell you the sloth is soon going into hibernation until next new year.

xx

We Took Down...

...our Christmas decorations today.

The flat feels so sad and empty without our little tree, baubles and things.

Lucky for us that Edinburgh is still looking festive and pretty:

As well as looking pretty, the city seems full of lovers in love. Lately it seems that everywhere I go there are couples kissing and holding hands.

My favourite is seeing elderly couples holding hands. It makes my heart melt. When I'm old I want to still be holding hands with boyfriend.

xx