On A Budget

Budget airlines suck. Fair play to them for trying to take on the giants of the aviation world but they are really just not that cost effective.

This would be the perfect time before I start ranting to tell you that I'm having another holiday. Lucky for me, B's sister has timeshares in some holiday apartment thingy and as she can't use it this year, she offered it to B. What this basically means is that we get free accommodation in some resort type place and only have to pay for flights and spending money. Wicked!

We are going to Lanzarote. I don't think it's too sophisticated or even cultural but there will be sun and it's a girly holiday so it will be a welcomed break!

Lanzarote is part of The Canary Islands and budget airlines cater a lot towards them. It appeals to chav in people (I'm a closet chav - what can I say?!). The usual price of a ticket would probably be around £199. And this is on a more recognised airline so I expected it to be a lil' bit cheaper (by about £50 for example).

Off I went to check out the prices. I used all the search engines, searched all the home pages of all the budget airlines I knew, I even went to page 20 on my returned Google search and the cheapest I found was £180! Now, this is not so bad. I'm willing to pay £180 instead of £199 but when I have to pay to put my luggage in the hold of the plane (ranging from £6 and upwards and this is per single trip so not even the return journey), then pay to choose my seats online (because you won't let me pay until I do this - £6 per single journey seat) and then try and include travel insurance (which I'll remove!) - the cost is so much more than the quoted "£180". So you see budget airline people - you're not that much of a budget!

But Scrumpy - Scrumpy is smart! (A lil' self appreciation never did anybody any harm!). I found a website that had tickets for £188.50. For the extra cost of £7.50 - I could add 5kg to the free baggage allowance of 15kg. So I removed it. And then I saw that when you search for flights - you could enter a promotional code.

These promotional codes sometimes come in emails that allow people who have subscribed to a newsletter/website to provide them with discounts. I hadn't subscribe to this so what did I do?

I Googled promotional codes for the website I was booking from and actually managed to find one! Enter the promotional code into the designated box and BAM - £15 discount off each ticket!

So all I paid was £166 per adult (inc. of taxes). I love a bargain!

Fatty.

"You're such a fatty!".

"Goodnight fatty".

"Love you my fatty".

Fatty is not a derogatory term in our house - not even in our family to be honest with you. I don't know when we made the transition from using "fatty" as an insult into one filled with love, endearment and affection.

And this doesn't mean that we're fat. Far from it. We use it on anyone who deserves it - regardless of shape and size which clearly shows that we're not discriminating!

It's become such a frequently used word that my friends have also been on the receiving end of it a few times.
I remember how it panned out a few times, that awkward silence on my part for having let it slipped out, the indignant silence on their part for me to retract the statement (which doesn't happen) and then the feeling of being included once I explain the meaning behind the word.

Calling my friends "fatty" now usually incites a reaction along the lines of "Awwwww - you called me fatty, you love me!". Anyone who'd be listening on our conversations would be slightly surprised to say the least.

Oh well, happy reading my fatties! :)

Scrumpy the Speeder

I sometimes speed but I'm not a big fan of speeders. You know, them racing about on A roads, dodging and weaving through traffic just to go and stop at a traffic light and have us all catch up with them. But that and my road rage is another post altogether.

So what speeders you ask? Well, last night I went speed dating. Not any kind of speed dating though - Muslim speed dating. The thing is (please don't judge me - well not yet anyways), I'm not Muslim. No - far from it. So what compelled me to go? B is Muslim and I guess if it was for me she'd do the same thing. She was adamant that I go to support her. I couldn't just watch from the sides. No - I had to take part! I really didn't want to because I couldn't justify it.

So many reasons not to - I was taking up the ticket of someone who really needed/wanted to be there, I'm not Muslim, they'll hate me, God will strike me down.. you know that kinda thing. However, 10 years of friendship was at stake. So despite being a completely and utter lame ass for going, at least we've established that I am a great friend!

For someone who wasn't taking it seriously, I was faaaaar too nervous - I guess I wanted at least one person to tick me! Arriving at the place - it was nice to see that there were quite a few people were there. Between both of us, we were nervous but I think it was a case - at least we're doing it together!

As we walked in, about 20 pairs of eyes seemed to focus in our direction. For me, this was the hardest bit. It was literally like being in a meat market! And then the gong sounded - time to start. So my respective number sat opposite me. NEVER has 3 minutes seemed like such a long time. But it was my first one - so I gave it 110% effort. I asked him his name, what he did, his hobbies, what he likes to do, where he was from. I was smiley and polite, I made him smile (I think my sarcasm was wasted on him!), a good effort on my part. He, on the other hand, was very shy. One word answers and kinda intense in that he gave me his number there and then. Definitely not a tick for you my friend!
B got him next and the look on her face after their 3 minutes was up was absolutely priceless! Between us we had his number, email addresses and website...

And so it continued - another 12 dates and some of the longest 3 minutes of my life, I still hadn't ticked anybody. This was a dilemma in itself. Do I tick anyone at all? What would they think if i gave them a blank piece of paper? That I was up my own ass? And whilst these thoughts sounded, the break had finished. Damn - still another 12 to go. My voice hoarse from shouting across the table at my "date", I was looking forward to it finishing!

And then he sat down - a beautiful guy. Not my type physically at all but he made conversation, he was well spoken, and he didn't ask me what I did. Instead we tested each other's knowledge of capital cities, he told me a few jokes, and we laughed. The best date by far! This had to be the one for B because ultimately, he was nice! A few more OK ish dates ensued. OK - this isn't so bad I thought to myself until disaster struck again. He just didn't talk. At all! It was like he wanted to be anywhere but there. There was a point about 45 seconds (but seemed like 10 minutes) into the conversation where I thought to myself - if I don't say anything then we'll just in silence for the next 2 minutes. So I made an effort. And good God, it was sooo hard! Luckily it wasn't just me, B had the same problem so I just wondered why turn up if you're not going to make an effort?!

And so as the dating came to an end - I still had a blank piece of paper!
"Tick someone!" B says. "You can't hand in a blank piece of paper!"

Should I tick someone? I didn't know what to do so I ticked the guy who didn't say anything to me the whole night and the hot guy in the hope that they wouldn't have ticked me and hopefully I won't get any matches!

The whole thing was completely daunting but it's something that I would consider doing again. If only just to meet some new people and have fun.

B has promised that next time that I don't have to participate - watching and cheering her on from the sidelines is enough.

Here's the thing...

I like you. A lot.

I know we're friends and you don't see me in that way.

I know I'm not your type.

I know that my friends think that I can do better. But they don't know you like I do.

They don't see the guy who doesn't want to become emotionally vulnerable by showing too much of himself.

They don't see the guy who makes me laugh. Who makes me forget about my worries.

They don't see the guy who has ambitions. You don't show that side of yourself to them.

I also know that you do my head in.

I know that you trust me with things that I'm not allowed to tell another soul.

I know you've said I'm the Yin to your Yang. That I'm your better half.

I know you don't know that it crushes me when you tell me this. That you don't know how I'm feeling inside.

I know that you'll meet the girl who's meant to be but is not me.

But I had to tell you. If only to extinguish the "what if?" hope that lies within. :(

My Ten Things....

I have been tagged here by RD but being fairly new to blogging, I think (and guess) it means that I do my ten random things that make me feel happy? Well:

1. My siblings - whether we arguing or laughing or discussing the news randomly, our conversations are the best!
2. People with manners - those that hold doors open for people, people that say please and thank you and those that let the elderly get on a bus in front of them no matter how long they've been waiting.
3. Rain - not the soft spitting kind that really annoys you by leaving marks on your glasses but the heavy rain. The one that comes with thunderstorms and lightening. The one where you can go outside and splash about in the huge puddles that form.
4. My mum and dad - Especially when they try to use words (London slang) when they talk.
5. Random lyrics - Listening to a tune on my iPod and the words suddenly make sense (but so different to what I'd been singing for the last few months or so) and they are soooo random!
6. People who are first on the dance floor - Because they don't care whether anyone is watching.
7. Reruns of Friends - Because I know the lines by heart and yet the jokes still make me crack up every time!
8. Pokes from long forgotten friends on FB - simply because it means they thought of me and makes me think of them. A touching thought.
9. Books - Most kinds that allow me to have moments out of reality and smile to myself.
10. Texts from a crush.

Hope this will suffice RD... what happens now? Is this like a game of tag? Do I have to tag others?

And so it's booked....

I didn't want to take the time off work purely coz I wanted to go to India later on in the year but it seems I'll have to take some unpaid leave to do both.

So I did it. I booked tickets.

My exotic destination?

Canada - two weeks. So I'll be in Montreal and will hopefully get a chance to meet my fellow Canadian blogger and will travel around to Toronto. It's a spur of the moment trip because some relatives are selling up and moving on so my mum wants to go visit. A girly trip with my mum, aunt and myself - I can't wait!

:)

I'm not one for.....

Posting more than once a day - hell, sometimes I'm lucky (you guys not so much!) if I post once a week but I think I need two separate posts today. Not because I'm going to write about anything spectacular or that the post will be too long that I need to split it up. It's purely because I wanted my next post just to have it's own little moment of glory!

I am absolutely loving the weather here at the moment. I believe it hit 28 degrees Celsius yesterday (well that's what my car temperature dial thing said) which is amazing. It also meant that I couldn't do anything too exhausting (not that I usually do!). So the weekend was a laborious one of chilling and partying in the Sun.

Friday night was spent getting rid of clothes and shoes for charity. I pulled out my whole wardrobe and gave away what I didn't need or haven't worn for the best part of 2-3 years. I also managed to give away a whole heap of shoes. Needless to say, I managed to fill quite a few bags and my wardrobe is much lighter because of it.

Saturday - Going outside wasn't an option because it was a lil' too hot so I stayed indoors in the shade and watched One Tree Hill until it was time for me to get ready.
We were celebrating a friend's 26th b'day and his GF had booked us a booth in Sitaaray. Basically centered around Bollywood, the restaurant had booths dedicated to heroes, heroines and of course villains. We were sat in the heroes booth and the amount of pictures surrounding us were immense!

Now I don't know too many Bollywood heroes apart from the painfully obvious ones of Sharukh, Hrithik and Amitabh but I do know Kollywood so I got über excited at seeing Rajani (above) and Kamal (obviously below) also featured.

A good start to the evening was had due to the Mojitos that were consumed.... The various flavours available at Guanabara keeping it popular as per usual! (L-R: Normal, mango, 2 x passion fruit)

An extremely fun night of how life should be in the sunshine! :)

Sunday - I went to a family BBQ. Not my family but B's - I love how I'm a part of her family! :)

Who am I?

Scrumpy the daughter, the sister, the best friend, the close friend, the ex-girlfriend, the acquaintance, the reliable friend, the funny friend, the crazy friend, the I-don't-know-you-but-find-you-really-easy-to-talk-to "friend", the "lend me some money" friend, the pushover, the emotional one, the clever one (!), the outgoing child.....

I have been described in all these ways BUT who is Scrumpy the blogger?

Happiness in the form of Sunshine

Sunshine rocks! No seriously - it's amazing how much of a difference a little bit of sunshine can make. For those of you in sunnier climes (eg - SL!), maybe you don't see the difference a lil' bit of sunshine makes!

Here in the UK -we've just had a long weekend. 3 day weekends rock (but not as much as 4 day ones - Easter bank holiday)!
We've also had some crappy crappy weather - it's either been raining bucket loads, or been far too cold but this weekend - this weekend was different because... the sun shone. And I don't mean the kind of shining where it peeks a few rays out from behind the greyest of grey clouds. No; I mean the kind of sun shining where the sky is blue, not a cloud in the sky and the Sun itself elicits a reaction in people. They start to smile and become more appreciative of their surroundings. People become more pleasant and for someone who loves people who have manners - the guys become that much more attractive. They have their dishevelled rolled up sleeves look going on and combine this with manners and you're well on your way to finding my Prince Charming!

I love the fact that the Sun makes guys take that little bit more notice of girls (me being one of them!). It means that my legs can be subjected to a bit of sun. They've been hidden away for far too long but now the time comes when I can wear skirts and flip flops. It means out goes the winter coat and in comes the summer jacket. And it means sunglasses Audrey Hepburn style adding that lil' bit of glamour to a poor soul on a random street in London!

I just like the feel good factor that people get from the Sun - it cheers me up no end! :)

Scrumpy the Sucker

If any of you have your mind in the gutter as you click on this post - get it out! I'm not that kinda girl... (Chaarmax - I see what you mean about a conjunctive pause!).

Stuff that I'm a sucker for (and in no particular order):

1. The Apprentice: This is a programme that basically has an x number of contestants trying to win a high paying job with one of Britain's biggest(?) entrepreneurs - Sir Alan Sugar. It's fantastic TV and the latest series is amazing. If you guys haven't had a chance to watch it, there are some clips on youtube. I would love Raef to win! Check out this clip where he defends Sara - such a gent!
2. Manners: Speaking of Raef and gentlemen - I am a big sucker for manners. Whether they are from women, men (who somewhat become automatically more attractive!), or children - I don't care. I just think that it's so easy to say "please", "thank you", "excuse me" or "I'm sorry". I also find it highly endearing when men hold open doors for women, or let a woman onto public transport first - it just shows me that chivalry is not yet dying! I'm a big sucker for men with manners. Even the hottest guy can become unattractive if he doesn't have any!
3. American Idol: I've never been that interested in this but for some reason I have watched this series from the audition stage and it's coming quite close to the final. I would love to see David win and this is not so much due to his singing abilities (though he is good - granted). It's more down to the fact that he is sooooo polite! I love it!

These are just a few in my list of stuff - there are so many other things but thinking about it now, I think that most of the things I find endearing have manners/pleasantness at it's core.

It's amazing how something so small will change how people portray you!