WHAT I GLEANED FROM 2015

• Making friends with as many people across the world means you always have accommodation whenever you decide to travel.
  
  

• Finding a great mooting partner is like finding true love.

• Rejection is part of life and not all rejection is bad. Sometimes, people can see what you can’t see and are doing you a favour by turning you down.

• 22 is too young to freak out about your future success.

• Internships are an excellent way to figure out what you like.

• Internships are an excellent way to figure out what you dislike.

• YES ALWAYS to facepaint.

• YES ALWAYS to mind maps.

• If you get enough sleep, eat well and exercise, the rest will take care of itself.
  
  

• I have no idea what the rest consists of.

• Moving countries takes a lot of physical and emotional energy.

• Ryanair has become significantly more attractive since they removed their “only one item of hand luggage” rule.

• Putting your electric toothbrush in the dishwasher to clean it is not a good idea.

• People are a lot less scary and a lot more open to impromptu conversation with a stranger than I thought.

• Etsy is an excellent forum for customized gifts.

• Scented candles make everywhere more appealing.

• You never know when you’ll need to ask a favour so don’t burn bridges.

• Cheap wine is never a good idea.

• Everyone loves cookies - cookies create world peace.

• Note to self: make more cookies. Distribute amongst the masses.

• Siblings are probably the only ones with whom you have the longest shared history. This is both comforting and time efficient when trying to explain something.

• Parents are great people. Flawed people. But great people.

• Marriage equality is wonderful.

• Ireland is an excellent place to explore, even when you are from there.

• Incorporating one or two vegan recipes in to your weekly meals is good for you, good for your pocket and good for the environment.

• If at first you don’t succeed (with your driving test) try and try again until you eventually succeed.

• Rock your accent even when people make fun of it.

• Finding good make-up that suits your skin tone is an essential hunter/gatherer skill.

• The Simpsons say you don’t make friends with salad. I have happened to make lots of friends with salad.

• It is important to invest in good underwear, good shoes, a good winter coat and a good frying pan that doesn’t stick. 

• Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is GOD.

• Be wary that no one will understand your conversation with your best friends.

• If you are thinking you haven't spoken to someone in a while, act immediately and send them a message. 

• Recycling gives me a strange sense of satisfaction and organization.

• Fluctuat nec Mergitur.

• Tell people they are cool if you think they are cool.

• Shower-cries are a perfectly acceptable mode of self-expression.

• How to gym ; Pick a friend. A reliable friend. Go to the gym with that friend. Work out a gym schedule with that friend.  Track progress with friend. Congratulate friend. Bask in productivity with friend.

• Graduating is not scary. It’s the period AFTER graduation when things start to get interesting.

• You never know when you might become a refugee, so treat them with humanity.

• I owe a large part of my social life to Whatsapp/Facebook/Skype.

• There is no such thing as having too much toilet paper.

• You are never too busy to send a thank-you card.

• Handmade cards are the best cards.

• Health is wealth.