Holiday Films

Hi Everyone

So I know in the last few weeks with the run up to Christmas, I haven't really been updating much on here for you all to read...Sorry!. I actually have been staying around the house and watching a lot of different films, as it has been to wet to go out much during the day for me. I thought I would show you some of the films I have been watching and a few of my favourites.

1. Cool Runnings



















2. A Christmas Card




3. Miracle on 34th Street





















4. A Christmas Heart




















5. New Year's Eve




















Happy Watching :)

The Holiday Season

Hi Everyone

So we are finally in the month of December, which means Christmas is fast approaching us all. Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, I hope you all have a great Holiday season with family and friends. Just for a bit of fun, I thought it would be nice to show you all some of the nice things I like about the Holiday Season.

1. Decorating the tree

2. Christmas Music

3. Christmas Films

I hope everyone has a great Holiday Season and if your looking for something great to read over the Holiday season. Be sure and check out www.BethanyJoy.com

 

 

                                                                                                                                                         

 

 

A Year Ago Today

Exactly a year ago today I got the pleasure of meeting Bethany Joy Lenz along with the cast and crew of One Tree Hill. A year on it still feels like the day was yesterday. I have so many amazing memories of an experience I never thought would happen to me. I'm so grateful to the Starlight foundation and the people of One Tree Hill who were able to  make my dream.

Not only did I get to spend a week in Wilmington, North Carolina which is very wheelchair friendly for someone like me. I also got to spend a few days in New York, where I had never been to before. Although New York is a very big city, I found it easy enough to push around as most places were on the flat. If you are not used to a lot of pushing it can be tiring and take a lot out of you trying to get around. Therefore I would suggest you stay somewhere in the centre that is close to all the place you are wanting to visit, this will cut down on the amount of pushing you have to do around the city. If you have never been to New York or North Carolina, I would definitely recommend them as places to visit. It does involved a lot of travelling to get to these places, once you are there it is totally worth it.

Getting to spend time with Joy really made me feel normal, as not notice did my disability come into the situation. Whereas in my everyday life there is always one person which has to ask about my disability. For me it feel great not having to have that conversation or having to think about my disability, just to treated feel a normal person. Just from getting to spend those few days with Joy, she really helped me to realise that my disability doesn't matter. I'm just as normal as normal as anyone else in the world.

Looking back I couldn't have wished to meet a more inspiring and friendly role model than Joy. Just get to hang out with her and a few of the other cast members is the most fun I have ever had with some great people. If you eve get the chance to meet her you will understand just how inspiring she really is. I just hope she knows how inspiring she is and she has changed my life for the better.

Music Monday

Hey!

Recently I have been listening to a few old school songs. They have been my favourite for many years now. I thought it would be a nice idea to share them with you all, so you could let me know what you think of them.


1. Eva Cassidy - Fields of Gold

 

2. Eva Cassidy - Somewhere over the Rainbow

 

 

Happy Listening :)

Happy Halloween

Hi Everyone

So growing up I always thought that Halloween was a fun holiday. You get to dress up, go trick or treating and see fireworks. So I thought I would share with you some of the things I like most about this holiday.

1. Costume

2 Candy Apples

 

3. Sparklers

4. Fireworks

Please share some of your favourite things in my comments, if you are reading this entry.

Although halloween is a fun holiday, it can be harmful too. Please stay safe

 

 

 

Film Friday

Hi Everyone

So I just thought i would share some of the films I have been watching recently. Some of the films have been out for years and others are just new out. I hope you like the ones I'm going to share with you all.

1. Hope Springs

2. Mamma Mia

3. Coyote Ugly

 

Happy Watching

Wheelchair Wednesday

Hi Everyone

So it is coming into my favourite tie of year. I loving changing from my summer clothes into my autumn clothes. I just love it cause I'm able to wear more layers  or dress in heavy jumpers to keep myself nice and warm. Also you can still look great, as you don't have dress to the point where it looks like your ready for winter.

So here is a few new items that I like to wear this time of the year.

1. Scarf

2. Jumper

3. Jeans

4. Boots

 

 

 

 

 

Music Monday :)

Hi Everyone

I recently went to see Norah Jones in concert and I have loved her music for a long time. So I thought it would be a nice idea to share with you one of her songs which is my favourite. Hope you enjoying listening to it.

 

 

Film Friday

Hi

I thought I would share with you a few new films that have been new into my life recently. I have to say I have enjoyed watching them all.

1. The Lucky One

2. Crazy Stupid Love

3. We Bought A Zoo

Happy watching

Music Monday

Hi Everyone!!
So I recently just seen this band in concert and they were truly amazing. It you haven't heard of them already, they are totally worth a listen. Have a listen to  their music and let me know what you think of them. Also  if you are interested in hearing more from them, go check them out on youtube.

Boyce Avenue

Happy Listening

Tread On Trafficking

Hi Everyone,

I first learnt about this cause last year when Bethany Joy Lenz talked about it on her twitter page. Back then I didn't know much about it. Over the year I have started to gain a better understanding. This year I i'm part of her tread of trafficking time in support of love146.

If you would like to make a small donation please go here and place one and have a read while on the site.

http://www.stayclassy.org/fundraise?fcid=202005

The Rain

I really think that there is something romantic about the rain. You probably all think that sounds really strange..honestly it true. When you grow up in a country when it mostly rains all year rounds, its something you get used to. Don't get me wrong there are days when I do hate it and just want it to be sunny. That mostly comes into mind when its too wet for me to try and get around in my wheelchair..which sucks a lot.

My clothes always get wet and gross from all the yucky rain water. I usually have to come home and change after being out anywhere doing the day. Know you probably, I'm not doing a good job of telling you why I like the rain..haha. On days where I don't have to go anywhere, its nice to just sit with a coffee and watch it pouring with rain outside...doesn't like nice?

Even better yet after a long day of being out in the rain trying to get about in the wheelchair. Its nice to just come home and change into warm clothes, pour a glass of wine and sit and watch a favourite film or tv show. While it pours and you hear the rain crashing of your windows, sometimes its nice to wake up in the morning and hear the rain although it doesn't always put us in a good mood for the day.

So whats your reasons for enjoying the rain?

Safe in the Sun

Hi Everyone!!

The weather here has been great recently and we have all been enjoying it, getting ready for summer. Hopefully the weather in the summer will be a great as what we have been getting over the last week or so. Due to the weather being so good, everyone has been spending time out at the beach or just out in the garden like myself.

So I just want to take the time to remind you to please make sure that you are still protecting your body from the sun. Yes we all like to see the warm weather and get a tan, we still need to remember to keep safe. As there are so many underlined health issues our bodies can develop, if we don't protect them properly from the sun.

You might all be thinking what the purpose in me telling you all about it. When we hear about all the time on the news or read about different skin cancers, burns people have developed from not protecting themselves properly in the sun. Well, I'm one of those people who thought they would be okay sitting in the sun for a long period of time. Only having on a lower factor of sun cream, I got a big burn across my chest. So I am just wanting everyone to be aware of the damage a little sun can do to  your sun.

1. If you are planning to sit out in the sun, please think about applying a higher factor of sun cream, than what you what have in the past.

2.Keep reapplying the sun cream to  areas of your body, you feel are more exposed to the sun.

3. Wear a hat and sun glasses to protect yourself from heat stroke.

4. Don't spend the whole time in the sun and go spend a few hours in the cooler areas.

5. Drink plenty of fluids to keep your body health, as it will sweat out a lot more water in the warmer weather.

6. If you think after a day in the sun you are a little red or maybe burnt, please apply after sun to protect and keep your skin healthy.

Stay safe in the Sun :)

Fashion Friday

Hi Everyone

So  now the weather here  has  actually decide to be really nice and warm. So I thought I would share with you  a few things, that I like to have with me when the weather is great. They will protect you from heat stroke and also help you enjoy the nice weather.

1. Sunglasses

2. Hat

3. Ipod

Enjoy the weather :)

Film Friday

Hi Everyone! Here is some more  fims I love and that are a must watch. So I hope you  like the ones I'm going to suggest.

1. The  Help

2. My Sister's keeper

3. Everybody's Fine

4. The Pursuit of Happiness

Happy Watching :)

Wheelchair Wednesday

Always when I'm picking an outfit to wear, I want to pick something that I like. I know everyone is the same on that view. Sometimes it isn't just as simple for me in picking something that I like. I have to think about picking clothes that are comfortable to sit in for long periods of time. Clothes that are warm, so I don't get cold sitting in my wheelchair and also clothes that don't get in the way of my using my wheelchair for myself. As I have said before I don't really like asking for help, so I always have to think practical as well for my style.

Now that we are into the month of May, you would think I would start to be wearing more summer type outfits. That isn't the case just yet as the wet in Ireland is still cold and wet most of the time, which is unusual for this time of you. When it comes to clothes I'm still having to dress warm and comfortable, so I thought I would share I few items. That I find easy to wear sitting in my chair for long periods for time and still keep me warm.

1 American Eagle - Hoodie

2. Hollister - T- shirt



















3. Trousers - Canterbury

4. Shoes - Baby

Hope this helps some of you wheelchair users reading this blog :)

Music Monday

Hi, here is a few of the songs I have been listening to this week. So I thought I would share them with you guys.
1. Homebird - Foy Vance


2.  Pray for You - Jaron and the Long Road to Love


3. You Wait For Rain - Kyler England



Happy Listening :)

Film Friday

So I thought it would be fun to share with you all, a few of the different films I have love over the years. There is most likely something for everyone to enjoy, if I have missed out on a really good one. Feel free to let me know in my comments and also tell me your favourites.

1. The lion king

If you  are a Disney person, almost everyone is. This film is a definitely must watch. I loved it since I was little and the music in it is great. All the family will be able to  enjoy this film no matter what age.

2. The Secret Garden

Anyone who knows me really well, will tell you this is a childhood favourite of mine. This definitely one of those film to sit back and enjoy on a rain day.

3. Step Up

Everyone has a  dance style film in their collection somewhere. Yes it is one of those boy meets girl and falls in love, there is definitely a bigger message behind the love story. If you have already go watch it for yourself.

4. The Bodyguard

I love always loved Whitney Houston voice and this film showcase that in a great way. Also I think Kevin Costner and herself have a great on screen relationship together.

5. Coach Carter

I love basketball as you  have already noticed , if you read my other entries.  So it would  surprise that this is one of me favourite, there is a bigger message to this film than just sport, which is why I totally it.

6. Sound of Music

There is always a musical  film in the collection. If you don't have one you should definitely have one. This is my favourite one and has been since I was little.

7. The Guardian

I'm not one for action films. This is the one that I can actually sit through and it does scare me. Yes, now I actually love watching it.

8. A Walk to Remember

If you are a fan of Nicholas Sparks, you will love the film. You can also  read the book of this film by him. I have never done that, when it comes to this film I love it.

9. One Fine Day

For as long as i can remember I have always loved this film. I can not turn over if I see it on tv. I must sit and watch it all if it is on. So I would totally say this is one to watch if you have never seen it.

10. You've Got Mail

This is anaother film that I just have to watch when it is on tv. Yes Ihave seen it just one to many times. I  really enjoy watching it.



There you have it,  some of my favourite films. So  if you haven't seen some of them, please take the time to  watch them. Don't forget to tell me some of your favourites in the comments.

Zara :)

Music Monday

Hi Everyone! So I just thought that I  would share with you a few tunes that I have been listening to a lot recently. Each song has its on meaning to how i have been feeling recently, the lyrics of each song really stand out for me. Just take a few minutes to listen to each of the songs and see how you relate to each of them.

1. Girl In the Moon - Everly

I never really listened to this song much, until one day it came on shuffle with my ipod. Couldn't help be stop and actually listen to the lyrics of the song. Now it is one of my favourite to listen to, when I'm driving in the car.

2. Solider - Gavin Degraw

When I was in North Carolina and getting to meet the cast of One Tree Hill, Gavin was on set one of the days. As his music was going to be in the final episode, with loving one tree hill. We all know Gavin music is great. I had never heard him and just being on set that day watching him sing, made me love his voice more than I already do. This is that song I got hear him and I just love singing along to it.

3. Hold On - Taylor Warren


So I know have much about the story of the person in this video. One day when I was on youtube, I came across this artist and had to listen to his music. Growing up with my disability and having spent times in hospital, could really relate to the lyrics of the song.

Well, I hope you all enjoyed my Music Monday. Please feel free to leave me and comment, let me know what music has been in your life recently.

Zara :)

Wheelchair Wednesday

So everyone knows I am a big fan of Bethany Joy Lenz. I  totally LOVE her wardrobe Wednesday entries that she shares with us on her blog. Lately we haven't got to see that many of this entry and I'm REALLY missing it. I  thought it would be a fun idea to try out my own version of wardrobe Wednesday with a difference.
If you have been reading my previous entry or have even noticed the title of my blog, well then you know I have a disability. My disability causes me to be wheelchair bound, I DON'T let that stop me in my everyday life. Always when I meet people and talk to them they are very interested in the style of wheelchair I have, as it is a lot more fashionable than the wheelchair to see in shopping centres, hospitals or the ones elderly people use to get around.

Over the years I have had many different wheelchairs. As I grow I  need a suitable wheelchair that will suit my size and is manageable for me to get around in on my. Usually a lot of the wheelchairs you see around have handles on the back for other people to push them. I don't have that on my wheelchair as I like to do as much for myself as I can. So here is the wheelchair I am using as my everyday wheelchair to get around in.

Kuschall R33

Also when I get talking to people, I ALWAYS mention that I play wheelchair basketball too. Which brings them on to asking to I use the same everyday wheelchair when playing or do I have another wheelchair for sports. The answer would be NO, I have another wheelchair for wheelchair basketball and it is very different to my everyday wheelchair. Depending on what sport you play, each wheelchair is designed differently for that sport. As it has to be a lot more light weight to move faster on the court, the wheels are at a certain angle to help with the speed. You can tell from just looking different the two the structure of the sport wheelchair is different to. Here is a picture of what the sports wheelchairs, like the picture above this isn't the exactly wheelchair I use in basketball. As mine is purple and yellow, the structure is the same.

Basketball Wheelchair

Well I hope you enjoy my Wheelchair Wednesday update. If you have any questions please feel free to write me a wee comment.

Zara :)

Music to live by

So you all that I'm a big fan of One Tree Hill. It has taught me some many life lessons over the last nine years. As I have grow up with the show, each season as shown more and more new music. There has been times that I have felt that the music speak more to me than the actual storylines in the show.

I thought it would be fun to share with you a few of the artists that I come to love over the years. Who have also helped me out over years, depending what mood I have been. Here are some of my favourite songs from the show.

1. Bethany Joy Lenz - Halo

This lady has one of the most amazing voice and I could listen to her non stop.

2. Kate Voegele - Wish You Were

Another girl with a great voice, who was an inspiring to so many young singer through her music.

3. Laura Izibor - If tonight was my last night

An Irish girl with a great voice

4. Enation ft Beathany joy Lenz - Feel This

A fun rock band with good music

5. Gavin Degraw - I Don't Wanna Be

You haven't learnt anything from One Tree Hill, if you don't love this song.

I do have a lot more this is just a little taste for now. Feel free to share with me some of your favourite music from the show.

The year of Sports

This year in the UK  and NI  is quickly becoming the year of sport, as the olympic and paralympics will be held in London this summer. I know a lot of people think there is not a lot of sport out there for disability people, actually they are wrong. Sport for disabled people, may not be as popular as it is for abled bodied people. It is starting to become a lot more known by people across the world.

I myself actually play a lot of wheelchair basketball for my local, due to medical reasons and school I had to take sometime off. It has now been three years, since I last played a proper game of basketball. Just recently i have got back into thinking about starting to train and play again. I know that it will take a lot of work to get my fitness back to where it was. I'm looking forward to building myself up again and playing, even if I never make it playing for any big teams, its always a sport I will enjoy playing.

So this year if you decided to watch the olympics please take the time to watch some of the paralympics later on in the summer. It may not be for everyone, at least if you take the time to at least watch 5 minutes. You may gain a little more knowledge in helping any disabled person you know get involved in sports.

Here is a little clip of me in action, hope you all enjoy it.

Zara :)

Busy Bee

Hi Everyone

I hope you all had a wonderful christmas and having a great start to the New Year. So I haven't updated recently, I have just been super busy. Really going to  try my best to make time and get back into blogging again soon. Until that time, if your looking for some fun blogs to read. Please check out the following:

www.bethanyjoy.com

www.theambersweeney.com


Happy Reading :)