Things Getting A Job Taught Me

In the past month I acquired two positions; one as a volunteer in a shop and another as a waitress in a hotel. It has been quite a strange journey but hopefully I am getting the hang of it slowly!

1. Getting a job is really difficult, but also really easy. I spent 3 years searching for a job and then got one in two days.
2. It's actually not as easy as it looks. 
3. You will make a lot of mistakes. Forgetting cutlery, smashing things, knocking things over, spilling food on yourself, not giving change, closing down the till system on the computer, rubbing yourself against people when reaching to serve food to name a few...
4. Food always looks 100x better when you're giving it to someone else.
5. There are a lot more opportunities to flirt than on a day to day basis.
6. You are less strong than you think, never underestimate the difficulty of carrying two plates of food. Or a sack of bird seed as I have done many a time now.
7. Some people are really, really stupid. Quote: "does it never get dark here?" Oh yes, we never experience night in England.....
8. You will never be paid enough.
9. The joy when you finish a shift fools you into thinking you love your job.
10. Feet hurt. A lot.
11. A new found respect for fellow waiters/esses/shop assistants.
12. Listening in to customers' conversations provides great entertainment. Particularly in a hotel during breakfast when people discuss their previous night.
13. How entertaining it is asking people if everything's alright with their meals just after they've shoved half their steak in their mouth.
14. You will forget all basic maths. Which coins add to make 7???!!
15. Always get to breakfast early and never leave dinner later than they are open. We can't leave until you leave.
16. Going anywhere that is "staff only" or "private" makes you feel awesome.
17. The new staff always get the worst jobs. I have dusted the top of the shelves in the shop almost every week and polished at least 2000 items of cutlery.
18. Behind the scenes is very different to the formal presentation. Who knew there was so much swearing, rude jokes and sex talk in the back?
19. Getting paid or a lunch break will get you through anything.

Ten Tinder Truths

Tinder is a peculiar thing. Supposedly it's a dating app, or a hook up app. So far it has provided me only with entertainment and horrendous pick up lines. Here is my guide to swiping.

1. If I can't pronounce your name I have to x you, no matter how attractive you are. 
2. Friends must always tick friends. It's not declaring you fancy each other it is simply saying hey we're both on tinder I hope your journey to true love is progressing nicely here.
3. If I sort of know you in real life, I will like you just to see if you like back. Then I will stare and toss my hair at you in public places because I now know you're madly in love with me. 
4. If you have a picture with a baby, I will assume it's yours. 
5. If you have bad tattoos it's an instant x. 
6. If you're age 17 how did you get on here?!?!! Please leave.
7. If you're lucky enough for me to give you my snapchat; no, I will not send you naked picture and no, I do not want to see your penis so stop asking me if I like it. 
8. Even if you're not that physically attractive but we have a like that's very highly regarded to me in common you will get a tick. For me these are the film Airplane, anything Monty Python related, Keith Moon and Arcade Fire.
9. Grammar and spelling will never not be important. 
10. If the girl in your picture is more attractive than me or you, it's a no, I can't compete with that/I'd rather have her than you and that's just a bit weird.

Summer Skin Protection

"I didn't even burn!" - I seem to be hearing similar phrases to this every time we're lucky enough to experience some sun in England. It is not okay. Everyone knows that the sun is damaging but it seems like these days we all just thing "it won't happen to me" however that is not a risk we should be happy to take.

Now I know, people look at me, a very fair skinned girl, and think that when I try and tell them about the sun's damage that I'm being bitter. Indeed I'm sure I'd look slimmer with a tan as much as the next person but it's just never going to happen. You might think that my motivation for intense skin protection is my white skin but in fact it is from members of my family who have suffered the effects of sun damage on her skin. In our youth we have gorgeous, firm, smooth skin and this is not going to last forever but we have complete control over the extent of this.

The Facts:

• Any change in skin colour is it illustrating damage. Be than burn OR tan. You may think it's a 'healthy glow' 
• Sun cream does not have 100% UV protection however the percentage does increase the higher the factor.
• The darker your skin, the better it is at protecting itself from UV damage, probably a reason people with darker skin think they're safer without sun cream. However this does kind of let the serious tanners off a bit because they are slightly better naturally protected.
• Sun cream takes about 30 minutes to actually form a layer of protection. For example if you go outside at 11am and apply your suncream then, you're completely bare from any protection for the first 30 minutes.
• Even if it's cloudy, UV rays will still filter through.
• Waterproof sun creams still need to be applied after being in the water despite the name's suggestion.
• Moles and freckles increase the risk of skin cancer. (I didn't intend for the cheesy rhyme but) if in doubt, get them checked out.
• Fake tan can be okay. Look into it yourself if you're into that. Oh and I seem to read it everywhere so maybe people aren't aware but fake tan does not have any sun protection in it.

How can we protect our skin and ourselves?

• Suncream. I'm not a fan of the smell of suncream, I always end up putting my hands in my mouth or something and tasting it which is pretty gross and the feeling of being greasy and stick is unpleasant. However I will say it can make your skin look all glow-y in the sun. Factors 30 and above have 97% and above blockage of UV rays. 
• Moisturiser. Kind of similar to sun cream but try and select one with an SPF then you're protected first thing in the morning and it's less sticky than applying sun cream to the face.
• Sunglasses. Ensure they aren't just clear lenses and do have UV protection as the area around your eyes is very sensitive and it's a much better option than getting sun cream in your eye.
• Hats. I bought a massive floppy hat for my holiday last year and although I looked pretty stupid I did find it a good bit of protection when the sun was at it's brightest and I wasn't applying layers and layers of sun cream. Particularly on holiday, when are you going to ever see these people again that have seen you in an embarrassing hat?
• Clothing. Some people have body's like a Victoria's Secret model or like David Beckham in that underwear modelling for H&M, some people don't. Either way, it's not sensible for anyone to be strutting around with their top's off all day/every day when the sun pops out. There isn't a person around who doesn't own a lightweight t-shirt or a thin shirt that you can throw on and off when things hot up or use to cover your legs if they're being directly hit for a considerable amount of time. I'd never say go out in a full tracksuit all day, but for the more sun damaging moments it's a quick and easy option to stop the rays from penetrating.
• Shade. If it's hot enough (wishful thinking) you will still get just enough enjoyment from the weather in the shade as you will in the sun, without the risks. 
• Avoidance. Somehow 11am-3pm is the most appealing time of day to be outside but it is the most dangerous. There is something absolutely lovely about a breakfast in the garden with the sun shining or an evening with a barbecue so take greater advantage of these times than the harsher hours.

SunSmart is an amazing website from Cancer Research UK who basically say what I have done but with much more knowledge and probably better wording. It also tackles things I haven't here like sunbeds and sun burn so check that out for more!

Thank you for reading and let's hope for lots of sunshine :)

Vital Young Woman Knowledge (more things every girl needs to remember at all times)

Inspired by http://hannahgale.co.uk/2014/05/19/17-things-every-girl-needs-to-remember-at-all-times/

1. Never underestimate the power of a compliment. It makes them feel good, it makes you feel good.

2. Mcdonald's Cheeseburgers are AMAZING AND only 99p. OR free with a meal and a student card. Win/win.

3. Boys love curvy girls, curvy girls look better naked. Girls want to be slim girls, slim girls work every item of clothing. In other words both have their advantages. (Please no hate for this, I just want girls to have another reason to love their bodies and stop getting down because they're not "that girl" :):))

4. Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer is incredible. It covers everything from dark circles to acne to red skin... It has a super nice consistency, looks flawless and it won't break the bank if you drop it on the floor in the club bathroom when you're drunk. Seriously there are hundreds of worshipping reviews out there for it, don't just take my word.

5. That episode of Pretty Little Liars/Game of Thrones/Geordie Shore/Breaking Bad will still be there if you wait until after doing a bit of revision or an essay.

6. Contraception is available free. That's all I'm saying.

7. A cup of tea is a lifesaver. Want to break the ice with someone? Offer a cup of tea. Stressed? Make a cup of tea. Your friend's upset? Make them a cup of tea. Mum/dad's had a tough day? Bring them a cup of tea. And has very few (or none if it's green) calories. And you can get over 200 Yorkshire tea bags for about a fiver.

8. Yes, some people are mean/players/bitches/idiots, but not all. Don't lose faith in that one fool who couldn't see the good in you.

9. When you have GCSEs, your SATs are irrelevant. When you have A Levels, your GCSEs are irrelevant. When you have a degree, your A Levels are irrelevant. What I'm trying to say is don't stress if you failed that french module or didn't get a first in that essay, you will have a new opportunity to better yourself.

10. Stop worrying what people think of you. How much do you focus on that girl with a spot on her chin or a VPL or a passion for chess or a bad hair day or whatever?? I'm guessing about 15 seconds max. and then they're forgotten forever.  That's exactly how it is when you spend the entire day/night/week worrying.

11. There are hundreds of amazing museums and galleries in the UK that are all completely free. Feed your brain, get cultured, try something different.

12. If it makes you happy, **** 'em.