Does Wanting What We Can't Have Make Life More Exciting?

Elle: Courtney Love

“I don't want whatever I want. Nobody does. Not really. What kind of fun would it be if I just got everything I ever wanted just like that, and it didn't mean anything? What then?”
― Neil Gaiman


Why do we always want what we can't have? That bar of chocolate when you are on a strict diet. That item that is way above the price you originally wanted to spend. Or that award that is completely out of reach.   When something suddenly becomes unattainable, it also becomes appealing and the more out of reach it becomes, the more we crave for it. It is a vicious circle.

This strongly relates to me as I am one of those people. The ones that are never satisfied with what they have. They always want more. This is usually not about trivial things such as a bar of chocolate, but more about achievements and goals. I always want to be the best I can be, but I have realised over the years that by the time I reach a goal that I have been striving endlessly for, I have usually made the goal much bigger and harder to obtain. One award becomes two awards, going down to my ideal weight becomes toned, toned becomes having more stamina when running, a good grade becomes a better grade.

I have always questioned why I am like this. Do I just not want to be happy? Am I over-competitive? or am I just plain selfish? Maybe, but that would not be because of this.

Think about it. If we always got what we wanted would life be fun? It is the chase and the sense of achievement that makes life so interesting and seem to have purpose. The thing that is so out of reach becomes a priority, it is always on your mind, which is why you want it so badly. In turn, you feel like everyone else wants it too, making it more important. The more you cannot get it, the more it seems rare and exciting.


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Foals - Inhaler

This song has been in my head all day. I just cannot get enough. I really love Yannis Philippakis's jumper in this music video too.

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Valentine's Day. Yay or Nay?

Elle Magazine - Justin Timerlake and Mila Kunis

So another Valentine's Day has come and gone. For some people this can mean cards, presents, chocolates and many more (not necessarily from a lover) , but for the unfortunate ones, this can mean a tub of  ice-cream while watching Bridget Jones for the fifth time this week. Nice.

The question that seems to plague my soul  year, after year, after year is whether Valentine's Day is a positive thing or a negative thing. Shouldn't every day be a day that you show someone why you love them? Does it make more people feel good than it does bad? Is Valentine's Day just a way for businesses to increase their profit? Nobody really knows the true answer to these questions, but you can usually tell whether a person has enjoyed Valentine's Day or not, in the past, by their answers to these questions.

Personally, I love Valentine's Day. Not because I am excited to receive presents, because if that was the case, I would be very disappointed. No. I love it because I love the idea of people that would not usually express their love for others, expressing their love for others. I love it because seeing how happy some people get when they receive their first Valentine's Day card is just so cute. I also love seeing the oldest couples celebrating Valentine's Day. It's almost as if they are saying 'we made it'. Despite all the good thinga that have made me love Valentine's Day, I personally have not had the best experiences.

I have given out two Valentine's Cards in my life. Well, two Valentine's cards that weren't to my parents or some sort of class activity. The first card was to an ex. It didn't end well so I thought a Valentine's Card with an apology inside would make us be on good terms. He told me that he received it and we never spoke of it again.The second card, was to a friend. What this taught me was to be careful who you give a card to. Long story short, we did not speak for a good six months after that.

Valentine's Day may not always be a good experience, but I guarantee that the one time that it is, will be worth all the other troublesome ones.... I hope.

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Rwanda - Land of a Thousand Hills

A little about Rwanda. The good and the bad. Rwanda is in the central and east of Africa. The most common languages are French, English and Kinyarwanda.

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Win a £10 Topshop or Topman Voucher!!

February. The month of love, gifts and the not being able to hide from the fact you are single (or not). To celebrate this beautiful month, I will be giving one lucky person a £10 Topshop voucher. On the 28th February 2013, I will be putting all entry names into my lucky bowler hat and drawing out the name of the lucky winner. The name that I pull out will be sent a £10 voucher to spend at either Topshop or Topman. I'm ever so slightly jealous! All you need to do is donate, £1-£2 to my charity page uk.virginmoneygiving.com/preciousadesina using your FULL name and like my Facebook charity page www.facebook.com/precioustorwanda by the 27th of February. All the money donated to my charity page goes straight to Project Trust so I can do charity work in Rwanda for a year. Thank you and good luck!!!

UK residents only.

What does it mean to be British?

"The British nation is unique in this respect. They are the only people who like to be told how bad things are, who like to be told the worst." -
Winston Churchill

Last week I got asked an interesting question: What does it mean to be British? I thought about it for a while, but soon realised that being British does not just mean 'citizens or natives of the United Kingdom'. It means many things to many people. I looked deep into my heart and came up with an ever increasing list. Here are a few that I can relate to:

1. Drinking endless cups of tea.
2. Complaining about the weather 365 days of the year.
3. Never being satisfied with transport (especially when in London).
4.  Pretending to understand Contemporary art.
5. Getting extremely excited over national holidays.
6. Having to watch holiday adverts months before the actual holiday.
7. Having a queen.
8. Waiting to turn eighteen.
9. Not having to pay for health care.
10. Harry Potter.

I could go on, but I want you to come back. What to do you think? Have I got it wrong? What does it mean to be British?

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So You Are Taking a Gap Year?

Taken by Maya Walker - South Africa

Taken by Liam Scarth

Guess who is back? Yes, it I, Precious. I have decided to resuscitate what is left of my blog to inform you on my new venture. For those of you do not have me on Twitter or Facebook, I will be taking  Gap Year to Rwanda. To do what? To do voluntary work. I will be going with a charity, called Project Trust, to teach in English in  a primary school for a year and I want you to come with me (virtually) ! I am so excited. Please come back within  the next few days, I will give you a lot more information on what is going on and also be uploading a video on Friday eveing. See you Soon.

"Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more." - Tony Robbins

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