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Yearly Archives: 2014

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A new semester is almost upon us, a fresh beginning, a new start. A chance to right your wrongs, put to bed those past study regrets that you may be harbouring, the time to draw on a clean slate.

Every single semester students up and down the country lie to both themselves and everyone around them by promising themselves things they won't do.

Happy procrastinating!

1. “I’m going to be so focused and organised this semester.”

This is probably the strongest lie that we try and tell ourselves. We try and scare our inner thoughts into believing that this is our one last chance to cop on and knuckle down, that a refill pad filled with notes from the seven different classes that we’re taking is a perfectly acceptable, organised system. Well it’s not. But that’s not going to stop you now, is it?

2. “I’m going to study at least thrice as much as last year.”

If by study you mean procrastinating, then yes, you will ‘study’ three times more than you did last year. Cleaning, Netflix and Facebook creeping will be all on the rise. Good intentions still count, right?

3. “I’m going to go out far less.”

Of course you are. Until Thursday, when you somehow end up sitting in someone’s dingy house with a six pack of Dutch Gold in hand. Seeing as you’re in college, hitting the town twice a week (minimum) is inevitable, so stop lying to your inner socialite and get your finest dancing shoes on immediately.

4. “I’m going to be super healthy this time around.”

Yes, you may believe that running, quinoa and lettuce will form a major part of your life now that you’ve promised yourself glowing health, but be honest, after a rough night on the beer nothing spells hangover cure better than a salad right? WRONG. So wrong. Chinese and the couch anyone?

5. “I’ll have so many golden weeks, they’ll probably give me an award.”

Correction, you’ll have so many absences, they’ll probably give you an award. Golden weeks are the stuff of legend, the pinnacle of a successful, dedicated student. It’s similar to a golden ticket in that you’re never going to get one, so stop lying to yourself now.

6. “The library shall be my new home for the next year.”

This is partly true, the library shall be your new home for a brief period (week) leading up to exams. As for the rest of the semester? Well, lets just say that you and your bed will form a close and intimate relationship because at least in bed, you won’t be judged for watching whatever classy shows it is that you watch.

7. “I’m going to really embrace college life and be a society head.”

Don't do this. Just don't. Please. 

8. “I will hand all of my assignments in on time and will not leave them untouched until the night before they’re due.”

This is very much a true and genuine aspiration, true that is, until we are given an assignment that’s due in three weeks. Three weeks seems like such a very long time, you think. I’ll leave it for a few days, do some research, gather my thoughts. (Enter Netflix) Then suddenly, without you even realising, it’s the night before and you’re pulling another caffeine fueled all nighter. So you see, really, it’s not actually all your fault…

9. “I will do every bit of recommended reading that comes my way.”

Yes, but have you SEEN how much reading one is actually expected to do? How in God's name are you expected to fit it in around sleep, drinking and online ‘researching’? It’s an impossible task. Give up now and spare yourself the stress.

via our content partner CT

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Today is the official Kiss and Make Up Day, so whether you've had a fight with your boyfriend, or your friend, or even your mam, it's time to bury the hatchet. And here's why:

Life is too short
Is what you're fighting about really important in the grand scheme of things? If it's not, then it's time to let go of the grudge. In five years time you probably won't even remember what the fight was about, so you may as well forget about it and make the most of the time you have with that person!

It shows how strong you really are
In the words of Ghandi: "The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong." Forgiving someone when they've really hurt you isn't easy to do, but being able to overcome that hurt and forgive shows true strength of character.

It's good for YOU
The act of forgiveness is as good for you as it is for the person you're forgiving. Carrying around anger isn't good, so try and find a way to make things ok again, so that you can have some peace of mind.

They probably didn't mean to hurt you
Most people don't set out with the intention to hurt someone they love, so try and see things from their perspective. Accidents happen, and if you hold onto resentment over every single one, it's going to affect your own happiness.

Because they've taught you something, and that's good
If someone did something to you that is inexcusable, then perhaps you're better off. Forgive, but don't forget. Put it down as a lesson learned – perhaps they've saved you from getting hurt even worse in the future.

Because we all mess up
We all look for forgiveness at some point in life, so we should be able to return the favour when needs be. Imagine no one ever forgave anyone for the times they've messed up – we'd have hardly any friends left!

Because it shows you've moved on
If your ex cheated or did something really wrong which caused the end of your relationship, being able to forgive them tells them that you have well and truly moved on. It'll also tell them that they're not occupying all your thoughts anymore, which is almost the best kind of revenge. Not that we’d advocate revenge, but, it does feel pretty good!

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We all know watching matched will our mammies can be a tense affair – especially if they're passionate about the sport involved. 

This particular Irish mammy's love for The Kingdom can never be denied after she screams and shouts for them to win yesterday's All-Ireland semi-final against Mayo. 

The match was a draw, so we're really hoping for a second video coming soon…

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Some exes just can’t keep their mouths shut, even 8 years later. A Girls Aloud member has had her bedroom secrets splashed across the tabloids due to one not so keep-it-to-yourself ex boyfriend. Tut-tut! We just wonder why he chose now to dish the dirt! Find out what he’s been saying here as Niamh Geaney reports.

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Everyone knows that cats are mean to dogs. 

All dogs want to do is be their friend, and all they do is bully them. 

Steal their beds, eat their food and swipe at them, cats are the worst. 

This funny video bu Huffpost will make you smile on this dreary Monday morning! 

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Kim Kardashian’s bum is probably the most famous in the world these days – sorry Jennifer Lopez.

So, it was only natural that it caught the attention of a certain singing superstar last night, yes, we’re looking at you, Usher!

The Burn singer got caught dirty sneaking a peek at Kim’s famous behind on the red carpet at last night’s VMA Awards.

Kim was wearing a colourful seventies style minidress as she posed for photos on the red carpet, as Usher passed by, checking her out and photobombing her at the same time – skill!

Somehow, we’re not too sure Kanye will appreciate your humour Usher, but we do!

Usher isn’t the only one to get caught looking at Kim’s bum in recent weeks, the reality TV star shared an image of a security guard checking her out on her Instagram account last week.

We wonder if she will share her opinion on Usher’s wandering eyes!

 

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After checking out the cinema releases for the week ahead, we’ve cancelled all our amazing party plans (we had some, we swear!) – check out these great flicks!

Monday August 25th

Sin City: A Dame To Kill For

This long awaited sequel is a must-see, if only to see Joseph Gordon Levitt play a cocky young gambler, leaving his nice guy image at the door for a change. It's a crime thriller, so expect lots of action, violence, and if all the uproar over their promo poster is anything to go by, there'll be a bit of sex thrown in for good measure.

 

Friday August 29th

Let's Be Cops

This is your typical buddy cop film. The only difference is, New Girl stars Damon Wayans Jr. and Jake Johnson are not actually cops. They just dress up as cops for a costume party and then get carried away, landing themselves in lots of 'hilarious' situations. Looks a little OTT from the trailer, but you might get a bit of a laugh out of it all the same.

 

Friday August 29th

As Above, So Below

Ooooh this one sounds spooky. It's a thriller based on archeologists who are looking for lost treasure in the catacombs below Paris. However, what they uncover instead is a "dark secret that lies within this city of the dead." Could be interesting!

 

Friday August 29th

If I Stay

Now THIS looks like something we want to see. It's Chloe Grace Moretz's new one and she plays Mia Hall, who wakes up in a coma after a car accident. She has an out of body experience where she has to decide between waking up and living a completely different life from what she had imagined, or not waking up at all. Sounds good eh? This is the kind of film that would make you think – and cry.

 

Friday August 29th

The Grand Seduction

Any film with Brendan Gleeson in it is worth the watch, is it not? This one tells the tale of Murray (Gleeson), a fisherman who is out of work, along with his colleagues, and forced to live off welfare. They come up with a plan to get a giant corporation to build a factory in their village, to bring employment, but there's a catch. They need a resident doctor and they don't have one. The Mayor of the town comes across an American doctor one day and convinces him to do a one month stint in their village, and since they really need him to stay, the villagers do everything they can to make him feel at home, such as tapping his phone to find out his likes and dislikes. It looks like it's well worth a watch!

 

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People didn’t know where to look when Nicki Minaj’s dress split while ON STAGE at the VMA Awards last night.

Following her explosive performance of new single, Anaconda, Nicki returned to the stage to join Jessie J for new song, Bang Bang.

Unfortunately for the rapper, it seems her black minidress had other ideas and the zipper had completely split, as Nicki tried as professionally as possible to keep the dress together and make her way through the song.

Thankfully, she managed to make it through the stage performance without actually exposing anything, which was pretty impressive!

Meanwhile, Ariana Grande and Jessie J looked none the wiser to Nicki's indiscretion, or at least they certainly didn't let it show!

As they say, the show must go on!

Shortly after the incident, #DidNicki began trending on Twitter, with many people wondering what actually happened up there – was it a wardrobe malfunction or a publicity stunt?

Hmm, so which was it Nicki? A wardrobe malfunction or a "wardrobe malfunction"? 

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Ah, caffeine. Truly the best friend of anyone who hates mornings.

Is there anything better than a steaming mug of coffee or milky tea to get the day started off on the right foot? Yes, it turns out. Although many of us rely on our morning cuppa to get us going, excess caffeine can actually work against you. High levels of caffeine can cause increased heart rate and stress, while the blood sugar crash later in the day will only make you more tired. Not ideal.

Here are some other energy-boosting options to try in the mornings:

1. Peppermint tea
Peppermint tea contains no caffeine – so it will leave you feeling refreshed and invigorated without any jitters. This minty tea also aids digestion so it’s a great option if you’re feeling cramped, bloated or sluggish.

2. Ginger and honey tea
Ginger is a great immune-boosting ingredient and its zingy flavour will wake you up instantly. Honey will tone down the ginger’s strong flavour, making a nice sweet tea. Make your own by slicing some fresh ginger and placing it in a cup of hot water with a half-spoon of honey, or buy the pre-made teabags.

3. Smoothie
Smoothies are a great option if you have a little extra time in the morning. Using banana and yoghurt as a base, add citrus fruits and berries for an extra wake-me-up kick. Alternatively, go for a nutrient hit with a green smoothie containing superfoods like spinach and kale alongside fruits.

4. Green tea
This does contain caffeine but generally less than black tea, and far less than coffee. If you’re not a fan of the earthy taste, add some lemon juice or honey or try flavoured green tea. Green tea boosts your metabolic rate, which not only helps your body to kick off the day, but is also an advantage if you’re trying to lose weight.

5. Lemon and water
This might be a simple option but it will definitely give you that extra push to get going in the mornings. Simply pop a slice of lemon into some ice water, or for an extra zing, grate some lemon zest in there too.

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Elaine Crowley was left fuming after coming across an ad which used her image to sell a weight-loss pill called Garcinium:

The TV Presenter, who is very open about her struggle with weight, came across the ad on her birthday when she was browsing on Facebook, and voiced her disgust on her own Facebook page: “Well after a very upsetting end to my birthday I’m off to bed.”

She also took to Twitter to warn people about the bogus ad:

“Warning! Some dodgy company has falsely used my name and image on Facebook to promote a diet pill, garcinium. It’s fake. Pls report as spam.”

Crowley hasn’t said whether or not she’s going to sue just yet, but the case is with her lawyers:

“It’s currently with the lawyers. I have never taken this ‘magic pill’ and I am so angry that my image and quotes are being used.

“I don’t want people buying that product thinking I am endorsing this product. I was fuming when I saw the post on Facebook.”

We don’t blame her – it would be bad enough to have your image used without your permission, but for something like a weight-loss pill? That’s gotta hurt, especially on your birthday!

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If you’ve been drinking the same amount of water as usual – be that 8 glasses a day or a few sips – but are feeling unusually dehydrated, the reason might be stranger than you’d think.

Lack of water can be caused by a huge number of reasons, many of which you might not be aware of. Here’s some of the more common ones to keep an eye out for…

1. Are you on your period?
Oestrogen and progesterone actually do have an influence on your body’s water stores. This usually isn’t an issue, but during your period the two hormones can fluctuate massively. This can leave you lacking in water, so if it’s your time of the month, try to fit in an extra glass of water each day.

2. Avoiding carbs?
A low-carb diet is a sure way to drop the pounds, but it can cause your water levels to plummet too. A lot of the weight loss on a carb-free diet is just down to loss of water – so once you go back to normal, the scales will move up again. Eating cooked rice, pasta and other carbs boiled in water is another sure source of H20, so once you stop, your body will notice the difference.

3. Stressed out?
Stress might seem like an unlikely cause of dehydration but the two do go hand in hand. Our kidneys are responsible for the production of the stress hormone cortisol, as well as the water regulation hormone aldosterone. When you’re stressed, your kidneys can tire out from producing so much cortisol, meaning they stop releasing normal levels of other hormones. A lack of aldosterone can quickly trigger dehydration. If you’re stressed, at least help your kidneys out a little by drinking extra water.

4. Not eating enough fruit and vegetables?
Piling half your plate with fresh fruit and veg at every meal means your body takes in almost 500ml extra water per day. So if you’re not getting your 5-a-day, this can in turn cause dehydration.

5. Working out regularly?
Sure, if you’re suffering through a hot yoga class you’ll be clinging to your bottle of water like it’s your best friend, but it’s important to drink lots of fluid even during moderate exercise. Any time you sweat, your body loses water. A good tip is to weigh yourself immediately before and after exercise. If there is any change in that short time span, it’s probably down to water loss – so drink an extra 500 ml of water for every pound of weight difference.

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Corrie star Catherine Tyldesley has revealed that she is expecting her first child with her fitness trainer boyfriend Tom Pitfield, and she says it feels “100% right”.

The actress, who plays Eva Price in the soap, says that “It's like everything has gone fast forward, but it's not remotely scary.

“If you'd told me that before my next birthday I was going to meet someone as amazing as Tom, the person I want to spend the rest of my life with, that we were going to be planning for our first baby, I would not have believed you in a million years… it's crazy.”

She says that while she hasn’t been with Tom all that long, she knows he’s the man for her:

“People say that when you meet the right man you know, but I never ever believed that. I thought, 'No, you need to get to know someone'. But after three months of being with Tom I knew he was absolutely The One. And it's the most amazing feeling.”

The couple are expecting their baby in March next year, and we can’t help but wonder if Corrie will write her pregnancy into the script! How cute would that be?! Congratulations guys!

 

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