under the weather

Where did this phrase originate from, does anyone know? It sounds like there's a cloud of rain and misery floating around above your head, that no one can see. It's a funny thing, however it did come about.

On that note, I may as well say that school and life in general are getting to me right now. I officially have Cold #3 of 2015, such a good start, I know! Basically I just feel so drained and tired all the time, and school has just started back so I'm on the go all the time. I just wish I had one extra day at the weekend - right now I only have one day a week at home to relax.

But I can't complain. I get to see my friends, and I still get to dance. I'm just feeling ever more grateful for these little things as revision is slowly taking over everything.


On a completely unrelated note, I've really been loving these flower pictures I took last week. Maybe spring isn't so far away after all!

healthy overnight oats

Who else here loves Pinterest? You can find a whole number of different recipes, diys, photographs, basically everything you could ever need online ;)

I recently came across a recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Overnight Oats (see here for the original recipe). Unfortunately, lacking ingredients, I had to make some modifications. Mine does not taste like cookie dough, but is still pretty damn good! Here's how I make it.

This serves two, so it lasts me two days. On the second day I tend to add half a banana just before eating, as most of the banana I originally included was eaten on the first day.


Ingredients
1 cup oats
1 cup (240ml) milk
1 banana
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of sea salt
2 tsp honey
Dark chocolate chips

Method
1. Microwave the banana (sliced) for 30 secs.
2. Combine all ingredients (except chocolate chips) in a mason jar (or other airtight container) and shake.
3. Leave in the fridge overnight.
4. Before eating, add chocolate chips, [optional: and 1/2 banana (sliced)].


And there you go! Yummy, healthy breakfast! Since I swapped my normal cereal for this, I have had a lot more energy and noticed a little less bloating! Of course, it doesn't taste like cookie dough like the original recipe, but it does taste deliciously of dark chocolate and banana. Enjoy!

spotting

In ballet class yesterday, we were practicing posé turns and pirouettes. I managed a few clean single pirouettes, and a couple of decent doubles. I still had trouble with the posé ones though, as my toe has swollen again, and demi-pointe hurts.

Anyway, spotting. I completely understand the concept. I mean, we've all read countless articles with different strategies, what works best, exercises to help, etc., but it's still something most of us struggle with. I raised my 'concern', if you could call it that, to the teacher, and her advice really helped me.

She told me that everyone is different. Yes, we get told this in all of the articles we read, but does it really sink in? Some people prefer spotting something above their heads, whereas others could prefer to spot themselves in the mirror. Usually, I kind of just zone out, I don't really know if I'm being honest! I just know that when I watch back videos, I don't see my head whipping back around.

So I first tried spotting a poster we have above the mirror. This didn't exactly work for me, the turn just ended up being sloppy and ended with me falling out of it. I tried again, this time spotting myself in the mirror. I don't have any videographic evidence, but I felt a whole lot better about this turn. I landed it, and repeated the whole things a couple of times, each time feeling just as good as the first. I think I'll be trying this again!

the infinity dreams award

Long time no see! This post is long overdue, but better late than never, right? Anyway, Ice from over at The Hobbyister nominated me for this 'award'. Go check her out, she's one of my favourites :3

Here are the rules:

1. Thank and follow the blog that nominated you.
2. Tell us 11 facts about you
3. Answer the questions that were set up for you
4. Nominate 11 people and make your questions for them


So here's the first part. The eleven facts about me.

1. I don't like even numbers. Most of the time, anyway.
2. I don't stretch for dance as much as I should.
3. I love being able to speak another language, and want to learn more!
4. I always seem to have dance things in my schoolbag - once I even had my resistance band!
5. I'm determined to have a six pack by, hopefully, the end of the year.
6. One of my closest friends lives in the Netherlands.
7. I really hate conflict so I try to avoid arguments as much as I can.
8. I find it so hard to get close to people, but when I do, those feelings never go away.
9. I first got inspired to take on photography at a huge family party. We'd booked a village hall, and someone was taking group photos with their DSLR and tripod.
10. I love to read. Right now I'm challenging myself to read Jane Eyre.
11. I get jealous way too easily.


Questions for me!

1. Chocolate or strawberry flavour?
Chocolate all the way!

2. What's the meaning behind your blog name?
Hm, well I'm kind of small and quiet, like a mouse, and I can also be pretty nimble at dance!

3. Celebrity crush?
Oh dear, where do I start?! I'm going to say Gerard Way, he's the longest-standing one I have :D

4. Would you rather have no one turn up to your wedding or your funeral?
Funeral, because I wouldn't be around to care.

5. City or countryside?
I'd like to try living in the city for a change. I live in the countryside now, more or less, and I really want to try different things!

6. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Well I'll be 21 then. Hopefully I'll have a job or be in university, doing something I love, like dance.

7. Beach or lake?
Beach! You can't not have the smell of the salty ocean air!

8. Why did you start blogging?
I just really want to remember my life, and look back to see how many memories I've made.

9. Dream career?
Dancer!

10. 3 obsessions?
Working out, fruit, and a few certain people (but not in the creepy way ;) don't worry!)

11. What would you tell yourself last year?
I'd tell myself to face my fears and just do the things that scared me. Maybe then things would have turned out for the better.


I nominate:
Lily | Joli House
Kathryn | If the Pointe Shoe Fits
Adult Beginner | Adult Beginner
Lucy | Attic24
Kirsten | Adult Ballerina Project
Kelsey | Kelsey Dawn Blogs
Rebecca | Percy and Grace
Harriet | Harriet Emily
Danielle | Simplicity Rose x
Ami | Ami Rose
Hazel | Hazel Jane


You girls need to answer these questions!
1. What's your favourite pizza topping?
2. Your favourite person in the world right now?
3. Biggest fear?
4. Have you met anyone famous?
5. Your favourite possession?
6. Something you're saving up to buy?
7. Favourite book/film character?
8. How often do you watch films?
9. Something you wish you had with you right now?
10. Do you regret anything you've done recently?
11. What book are you reading right now, if any?



I hope you ladies have fun!

new craze?

Are sheep the new trend? Everywhere I look up town, all I see are the darned things!