That Click

*Repeatedly clicks fingers because of the title until cohesive thoughts exist.*

I just really like that click. I'm talking about that click when you're feeling compatible with life or that you're feeling compatible (in any kind of way) with a person or a set of people. I felt that click recently when I ran a distance I was really proud of, when I received a good result and today, when I just had a really fun and good-natured time with a friend. That click is something that can define a day as good- and it doesn't mean having to achieve something to do with education or work or having someone else to make that click possible. It could be a simple, positive thought or getting excited about a day in the future or re-decorating your room. That click can be found even in places you wouldn't imagine.

I felt that click today after having a good day at university as well as feeling excited for going home for Christmas and like a lot of completely different feelings, feeling that click puts everything into perspective. It makes me know all of the things and people I want in my life; that I need to always remember that I am lucky because, for me, happiness doesn't have to be a destination; that I want to have this feeling as much as possible, now, and in the future.

Whenever I find something new or continue doing something old that I love and I can't get enough of it, that's what that click is like- like I could continue this activity every second of the day. Like when I'm reading an awesome book or running a fab run or on a roll with writing. That click is what I think we search for but I know, for me, I don't need to search. I can have it most of the time, and I can find new ways to find that click too.

This is a bit of a simple post, but I've had such a happy day despite thinking it might be a bit of a boring one that drags, and although this isn't the best post in the world, is definitely one of the best feelings.

That Click & A Smile,

The Girl in the Moonlight.

P.S. Blogmas!

A Memory Re-Told

I met up with some friends from home not too long ago and at some point in the afternoon, after we spoke of something that inspired this memory, my friend turned to me and said, “This reminds me of something.”

He was telling me how back in secondary school he was particularly wound up about something and he wasn’t having the best of times dealing with it. He was arguing his point in class in front of a group of classmates and when it didn’t work out, I put my hand on his shoulder with an amused expression (to help him feel better) and I sang one of his favourite songs at him. I have since not been able to recall this moment but my friend (although I came to this conclusion without his help!) said I made a fool out of myself but it made him feel better.

It’s safe to say we had a giggle about the whole thing, and thinking about him re-telling the story and imagining the whole thing now is still making me that giggly kind of happy. Predominantly it makes me feel a magical kind of feeling because he said it must have taken place about six or seven years ago now. That’s awesome. I met him on the very first day of school, sat on his table and we’ve been friends since. Secondly it makes me happy because, all those years ago, I took a bit of silliness with good intentions and this encouraged two smiles and the continuation of a friendship. I hope I'm not blowing my own trumpet but of course it makes me feel good that my friend, all of those years ago, was either cheered up for a moment or maybe even more, because of me being silly. It might be a very over the top way of thinking about it, but I know both of our silliness will mean this friendship is going to be around for ever (lame, but I know if he saw this he’d enjoy the cheesiness of it all).

Ultimately, the whole re-telling of this story made me think about something I have thought about before however I've not appreciated how much we all remember. I have loads of memories involving this friend he won't remember and he has some involving me that I won't, among a bunch of memories we both can re-call. I believe in living life with the help of being nice and joyful (when we can) and involving others in this because I want to leave a happy footprint behind when I walk off for however long. It's so nice to hear a memory being re-told where I've done something to cheer someone up rather than make someone miserable. It makes me know I'll always try so hard to approach everyone with kindness. It's not about having someone, years later, telling you that you are a good person (to be honest, my friend was just laughing at me being ridiculous!); it's about having a clear conscious and some good memories!

A Memory & Some Giggles,

The Girl in the Moonlight.

P.S. Blogmas!

Home for Christmas | Part One

Delilah rests her hands on the piano keys in front of her, feeling a tingle of excitement cause a smile on her lips. “You’re not happy to be back at the keys by any chance, are you, kiddo?” her dad grins at her.

“So deliriously happy, pops,” she grins back.

He nods for her to play and after a moment of thought, she begins. She looks around to see her dad register that her return from university means the week of Christmas songs being played from the piano has begun.

While her dad does some filing, Delilah’s afternoon effortlessly dances on by with her hands at her beautiful piano. Her mum returns home from work, greeting her with a big hug as she’s still overexcited about having her daughter back in her house for a few weeks. And the feeling is definitely mutual, Delilah thinks. 

Over dinner, Delilah teases her little brother, Robbie, “You’ve just gotten so big!”

He scowls, “I’m 14, Dee. I’m supposed to grow.”

“Spoilsport,” Delilah winks.

“I could start talking about how excited you are to see George?”

“I’m so excited to see George,” Delilah calls his bluff.

 

“Me too. He came round last week and said he’d show me how to do some cool tricks on my new game.”

“Not tonight, Robbie,” their dad says. “Dee hasn’t seen him for a couple of months!”

Robbie sighs. “Fine. Tomorrow though.”

“I’ll make him promise,” Delilah grins.

After Delilah has washed up (to cheer Robbie up about not having his new tricks to test out that night), while she is playing at the piano, loving the feeling of her fingers moving up and down the keys in different patterns, making pretty sounds, Delilah almost jumps at a touch on her shoulder. She turns and squeals, “George!”

Delilah and George have been best friends since junior school. There was a time in senior school when they didn’t see each other much but when prom rolled about, he asked if she would be her prom date and she said yes. Since then they have returned to be as inseparable as they were when they were ten. Despite Delilah being at university and George proving all (but Delilah) wrong and rocketing sky high with his guitar business, they speak every day. Delilah aches for home every day at university, but more than anything she aches to see her best friend, missing all of the mischief they have got up to for the last decade. Speaking on the phone makes her day but when they hang up she can't help but feel empty for a moment or two.

George grins and they wrap their arms around each other. “Hello stranger," George's voice whispers in her ear and a happy and somewhat nervous chill is sent down her spine while Delilah grins widely that she isn't hearing this voice across the phone.

“Hello best friend!”

“You always have to make everything so lame.” 

“That’s just what I do,” Delilah curtsies as they part. She stares at George with no holding back, adoring that he's stood in front of her. Wearing a jumper with Santa on that she bought him the year before, his soft, chocolaty hair looking shiny, probably conditioned that morning because he knows Delilah likes it like that, Delilah beams from ear to ear. “Oh, I could cry!”

“Oh, screw it. So could I!” 

“Doesn’t this just feel so Love Actually?”

“Is that a hint?”

“Whatever do you mean Mr. Sparks?” 

“Fine! We can watch it. You know I love the bit where the boy gets the girl!” George and Delilah both pause at the same second and Delilah can't help but giggle and the warms smile he sends back is enough to make Delilah's breath catch.

“But first, best friend," she pauses, a little disorientated, noting it's so good to be home. "I have a surprise.”

George shifts his head slightly and narrows his eyes. “What is it?”

"Well if I told you it wouldn’t be a surprise would it, silly. Come on!” She turns back to the piano and plays a jolly set of chords and almost shouts, “We’re off! See you later!” Delilah looks back at George who can't contain his laughter, she giggles. "Isn't Christmas the best?"

 

~

 

Last Blogmas I wanted to have a Christmas story told across a few parts and it didn't go to plan, and so this Blogmas (which you can read about HERE), I am going to do just that! So here is the first part of Home for Christmas *grins excitedly.*
 

A Surprise & A Pair of Best Friends,

 

The Girl in the Moonlight.

P.S. Since posting this short story, I have written the second part, which you can read HERE and now, the third part: HERE!

Book Haul | Before Christmas

I haven't been talking much about books on the blog recently and I've noticed the impact on me this has had. I like writing about books, and naturally, I like reading books. None of which have been happening. I feel slightly empty without reading and having aims to read but I haven't had the time. I've been picking up my book every now and then but it's been really, super difficult because of university and whatnot. However, I will be home from university a week tomorrow and so I've got three books I want to read before Christmas. I think I'm getting ahead of myself what with my track record recently, but I'm going to give it ago. Also (oh goodness, there's an also), I am considering treating myself to a Christmas book that I've wanted for ages in a week or so, so my list of books to read before Christmas may be even more ridiculous to me soon. All the same, I thought I should do a little book haul with a few books I haven't shown the blog!

Dream a Little Christmas Dream by Giovanna Fletcher

Following the release of her third novel that came out this year, Dream a Little Dream, we have this little novella, Dream a Little Christmas Dream by Giovanna Fletcher. *Spoilers from the novel are about to appear.* Sarah is living her cosy life she adores with pub quizzes, her best friends and her actual dream boyfriend, and still experiencing her bizarre dreams. All the while her boyfriend is acting weirdly. I cannot wait to sit down with this book!

Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

I cannot wait to get on with reading this book. Following Shatter Me, the first part of this series, Unravel me by Tahereh Mafi, we have the next part of Juliette's story. Still terrified by her touch that can kill and confused about Adam's and Warner's immunity, I just know Unravel Me is going to continue my love for this series.

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

I have wanted to read this for forever. Even though I've seen the trailer for the film before (which made me super excited for this novel), I actually don't know much else about this novel other than that it's about a teenage friendship group, cancer and that I'm anticipating this will be an awesome book meaning that I don't want to read too much about it. I'm excited.

Books & Aims,

The Girl in the Moonlight.

P.S. Blogmas!

P.P.S. Since writing this I have discovered I have read Dream a Little Christmas and am attempting one more Christmas book before Christmas but hey ho!

Aim: To Have Humility

I remember noting a few years ago that cringing on someone’s behalf is my least favourite feeling. I suppose this kind of feeling is similar to becoming uncomfortable on someone else’s behalf. Where cringing on someone’s behalf will include feeling a bit red-cheeked (literally or metaphorically) at someone acting a bit foolish (intentionally or unintentionally), feeling uncomfortable on someone’s behalf is using someone's personal situation to feel embarrassed.

I actually think it's unfair that I take it upon myself to feel these feelings. I am surely being selfish by using someone else’s misfortune or situation to feel my own sense of embarrassment. If someone digs themselves deeper and deeper (so long as it is somewhat innocent), who am I to feel uncomfortable? And who am I to feel some level of humiliation on someone's behalf when they are in a terribly sad position? Of course I don't mean it in this way, but it doesn't mean I should feel this, and I definitely shouldn't note just how embarrassed I am.

At school, when someone would maybe be talking in class and the teacher would ask them a question related to the subject and they wouldn't be able to answer, becoming flustered in the process, I would take on their embarrassment too. It's not the worst thing in the world but I know if I made someone uncomfortable through something I was doing, I'd be slightly upset because I wouldn't have intended to make anyone uncomfortable. Naturally the student talking in class shouldn't have been but it's unfair a little on them and on me too to feel uncomfortable about something so unrelated to me. 

I become unbearably uncomfortable when it comes to passing homeless people. Although I am aware I mean no malice in this (hopefully it would never come across that way), I really don’t think it’s my place to feel this way. There is a homeless person in town that I used to see a lot but I know go into town a different way because it makes me so sad and it does make me uncomfortable. Although I don't think I'm wrong to avoid them (I think it's wrong to be ignorant to homeless people though), homeless people are people. Naturally.  And I think this is why I am uncomfortable. I don’t know how I should act. Do they want me to smile at them? Do they want me to pass them by like I would other people. Of course it varies from person to person, I just think I should channel my discomfort into something else someplace elsewhere.

What with it being Christmastime and all, especially when it comes to situations like the latter, we need to have a little more humility. I shouldn't take on anyone's misfortune as my own in such a self-important way. Instead of channelling my discomfort about homeless people into embarrassment, I should look into the charities  that help them and although I cannot donate right now, I should promote them (go and check out Crisis).

My aim for Christmas and for all of the days afterwards is to live with much more humility.

Meaning Well & Doing Good,

The Girl in the Moonlight.

I am taking part in Blogmas and you can read about that HERE!

My Soulmate

It's definitely true that you can find a soulmate in a friend. My best friend proves this. We met last year and I adored him as soon as he smiled his shy and sincere grin at me. From the night we met we were joint at the hip in a way that has always been different to any other friendship I've ever experienced. No one's ever made me feel so warm, loved, protected and amused; always. These are gifts he gives to me on a daily basis. Today I told him he always deserves to hear nice things said to him, so I thought I'd start the remaining days of our being best friends with a post dedicated to his being. Because my soulmate, my best friend is so beautiful.

No one has ever made me feel as funny as he does. This sounds like I only get to receive the pleasure in this, but I so need him to know that it makes him so admirable. Although not for one second do I take his laughter or amused eyes at stories I tell as performed for my benefit and not for genuine reasons, when he chuckles in the places I like to hear most and encourages me to carry on, there is a perfect rhythm to his hospitality. He wouldn't know that, but he's got a natural welcoming "scent" about him.

My soulmate tries so hard. He's told me before that he worries his hard work will go unnoticed, but he carries on working hard anyway. Although I know the extra hours and elbow grease he puts in will not go unnoticed, I know for definite that his care, attention to detail and complete dedication is one of his most special qualities. For sure his hard work in any aspect of his life will never go unnoticed because it just can't but I definitely see his hard work with me every day, and with a little smile on my face, and a few words to make it extra clear, I say thank you. Thank you for always congratulating me when I push myself to be better. Thank you for never giving up when my heart is weighed with a little too much sadness. Thank you for being the one I can always smile with, and thank you for never letting go of our friendship- the ultimate building blocks for what makes us so strong.

My best friend is rich in so many ways he doesn't see. He has the kindest and most generous heart. He sees simplicity where I think we all should. He's got the loveliest mind for puzzles and he's embarrassingly successful when it comes to his competitive side. He's told me before that he gets confused sometimes when he has something to say and it might not come out the right way. What he doesn't know is that, as he is my soulmate I see his intention, and it's only ever good. He's really, really good. He's very hard on himself and while I encourage him not to be, it's an honour to see his lovely ways respected by everyone he knows while he is oblivious to his generosity and caring ways being any different from the people around him. My soulmate is so rich not because he doesn't see his worth (I so hope he will see his worth as soon as possible), but because he doesn't mean to be so full of worth. My best friend is accidentally priceless.

My soulmate is undoubtedly the most endearing person I've ever met. I feel genuinely honoured to have this boy (turning into the most awesome man in front of my proud eyes) as my best friend. How could I not be endlessly lucky to hear his ridiculous (ridiculous) stories every day? How could I not adore watching him retell a joke he heard earlier while he bursts into silly giggles? How could I not be always grateful to be in his presence when he just doesn't see how incredible he is?

A Smile & A Joke,

The Girl in the Moonlight.

P.S. I am blogging every day until Christmas Day for Blogmas and you can read about it HERE!

December 1st

I can't complain when it comes to my history with December. I've experienced all of those joys associated with this festive month. I've known family and love and luck and gratitude. I've lived warmth and health and fortune and good will. I have always been swept up in the sparkle and song of it all and I hope I always will be. With experiencing such good fortune, I must take more than just a moment to acknowledge those and act for those who can't have this storybook Christmas I experience.

A few years ago I was confronted in a more personal way with how Christmas isn't picturesque for all, and I understood indefinitely what Christmas must truly mean. There was a family tragedy and an unexpected wave of grief spread not too long before December came about. I grieved too. I was heartbroken for my mother and I was heartbroken for what could have been. I still experienced a lovely December but with a slightly sour twist and an ache in my heart. I saw my mother's broken heart and her normal happy, Christmassy December self become weaker. I seek to always remember this and treat her with the love and care my lovely mum deserves.

For my mother, December 1st means remembering what is lost and for me it means taking extra special care to let my mother know my heart is with her. It means remembering who are not with us and loving without limits so that those affected so dearly can feel a festive presence. And festive must mean love and sincerity. If the girl from the John Lewis advert (2015) (who is maybe expected to be fully captivated by the sparkles and music of Christmas can understand this, we all should- and we should encourage all to find this every Christmas. And every day until it rolls about again).

Christmas is such a special time for a lot of people, but for a lot of people it is not. So, here, I'm going to link a few charities below. There's something I will be doing in my local area for charity and then when I can, I will be donating money to a charity I have not chosen yet. If you can donate to any of these charities or any other charity, please do! If you can't, spread the message!

Crisis, a charity for homeless people
Rainbow Trust, a children's charity
Age UK, a charity for helping older people love their life

Charity & Smiles,

The Girl in the Moonlight.

P.S. I will be posting every day up until Christmas for Blogmas and you can read about that HERE!