My view on...

The Leaving Cert.

I know it's summer and I know the Leaving Cert is out of the way for so many people but It's been a few weeks now since I finished the leaving cert, and looking back I can honestly say I don't understand the over exaggerated hype which surrounds these exams. I know it's only the start of the summer and school is the last thing on your mind but tough, I decided to write this blog to not only rant, but to actually advise future sixth years to not get to dragged into this whole hype.
It was two weeks ago when I was out sunbathing with my friend when we heard on the radio it was 51 weeks until the leaving cert, 51 WEEKS!! (I don't get why they felt the need to say that) but we nearly got sick and what was that on the radio for you ask??... well to advertise revision courses over Easter. Yet another money making scheme that people wouldn't need if teachers could actually teach.  

I'm not by any means saying all teachers can't teach, I've had some fantastic teachers in my years but from my own experiences I've had, well one teacher in particular who shouldn't be aloud call herself a teacher, so bad she cost most of the class hundreds of euros on revision books, grinds and vodka (okay, that isn't the best thing to be telling you, but when we got our pre's back the amount of people we saw in the pub was crazy) but basically making us teach ourselves. It's outrageous!!

The minute you go into fifth year, you're put into the mind frame of a leaving certer, literally your focus is turned to these exams that seem like they're never going to come and then suddenly they're knocking on your front door. For me, I knew I wanted to go to Limerick so I made my own little countdown to the LC but by using my route to Limerick, such as the different stops you'd take on your way to Limerick marked different events like Pre's, Graduation you get my drift and I looked at this 'route' every morning and as it came closer I got more and more scared and for what? A few stupid exams that won't even matter this time next year.

I could never imagine why students dropped out of sixth year, I mean they are so close, and now having done it, yes I completely understand why students did it. I won't lie to you, sixth year is horrible but when it's finally done there's no better feeling in the world.


I wanted to write this blog for fifth year students in particular who will be going into sixth year and September and advise them on what they should do, then all of a sudden it hit me,
Why are you, Lynda Hennebry the most laid back leaving certer there has ever been in the history of Ireland trying to offer advice to students on studying!! ME, who helped plan a big party in the middle of the leaving cert (big props for that one Haleigh) but I'm in no position to advise ye!!
 But, I'm going to do it anyway!! And my only really big tip is to not let yourself get dragged into the hype about it, yes it's stressful, yes it's boring, yes it's horrible but at the end of the day it's the exact same as any other exam you've ever prepared for and you'll be fine.
Obviously studying is so important, but don't kill yourself either. Prioritise throughout the year, don't be a doughnut like myself and leave all the study for the last few weeks of school, do your bit as you go and you'll be fine. Allow yourself to still have fun, for example: If you want to go out on a Saturday night but have a six page essay due Monday morning, then you get up Saturday morning and you complete that essay, you don't stay in and become 'dry' you do your bit and go have fun, that's just how it is and if all fails then I've an excuse for you..

Good luck :)

Madeline Mulqueen Interview

Madeline Mulqueen.

For those of you living under a rock and haven't heard the name Madeline Mulqueen before she's one of
Ireland's top models from my second home of Limerick City (Yeah that does make me love her that little bit more) not only is she a top model, she's also a gym fanatic and a personal trainer and if  all that's not enough you might also know her from the rubberbandits horse outside video.
I've been a fan of Madeline for years and I was blessed to have been in contact with her for a while now, and let me tell you there's no one better to rant about Conor Murray too, trust me, even though she's engaged to the hunk that is Jack Reynor you have to love the fun loving Limerick lass.

 The first question I have to fire at Madeline is all about that song horse outside, as that's what catapulted Madeline into this lifestyle. When the video was released it caused controversy but yet everyone wanted to know who that beaut in the blue dress was.

''It definitely got me noticed anyway! I was always doing modelling but was still in collage at the time which was keeping me in Limerick, so after the video it lead me to Dublin where I went head first into modelling.''

Madeline left Limerick for Dublin to pursue her modelling career and for me, being a lover of Limerick, I'd hate that but I asked Madeline what she thought of leaving Limerick to move to Dublin.

''I moved to Dublin on my own when I had just turned 20. I felt like a little kid lost in Tesco ha but I knew I'd fall in love with it here. There is such a buzz about Dublin and I can't get enough of it. I don't see myself ever fully leaving Dublin.''

Yet when I asked Madeline if there was anything she missed about her old life she admitted it was Limerick she misses (See I told you it's the best city in Ireland)
''I do miss not being able to get to Limerick as much as I'd like! As much as I call Dublin my home and base, there's nothing like the feeling of actually going HOME to my family etc.''

Models are always seen to have the best lifestyle, ultra glam, photo shoots, make up...the girls perfect life,
''Parts can be glamorous of course. It's really tough the majority of the time. You could have a stream of jobs and then a few weeks of nothing. It's extremely unpredictable but that's what I love about it. I never know what I'm going to be doing next.''

Fitness to Madeline is so important as she's now a certified fitness instructor but Madeline wasn't always a fitness freak like she is now.
But look at her... how fab is she!!  


''I did a charity boxing fight a few years ago and from that training I became addicted!! So after that I did a personal training course with Image Fitness, for myself more than anything but I do love training and motivating other people too. I love that you have the ability to change your own body and (bar cosmetic surgery) you are the only one who can do it! 

My top tips for staying fit would be...

• Don't count numbers!! I don't own a weighing scale or measure myself. I look in the mirror and if there's something I want to change I'll work on that area and see the change happen. People get too caught up on losing weight or dropping inches rather than looking at the results happening before them. Be happy being your shape not a weight!
• Mix it up! Training gets so boring if you're doing the same thing all the time. I go to Pilates Plus Dublin when I'm home and then do boxing to get my intense sweaty bad ass cardio in ha. 
• You don't need a gym! I'm not signed up to a gym! Mainly because I travel a lot but also I don't think you need a gym to get in shape. I do most workouts at home. I also look up diff youtube videos for fitness inspiration. Fitness Blender is a great youtube channel.''

Jack Reynor: Madeline recently got engaged to actor Jack Reynor, and yes he did get his own sub heading because well... look at him!! (Sorry Madeline).. but Madeline stays tight lipped about their wedding plans telling me nothing!! :( 

''I've got my boob job booked already ;) haha! We are trying to keep the planning etc to ourselves but I'm super excited for it all and what the future holds!''

 I personally cannot wait to see the pictures from that wedding <3

I got Madeline thinking on the next question when I asked her what advice she would give her younger self, thinking about it actually it is a tough enough question...

''Ooooh toughy!! I think when I was a teenager all I wanted to do was grow up and move out and have my car etc etc etc. I would def tell myself to slow the F down and enjoy living in the moment haha I still do have to remind myself to do that sometimes!!''

From following Madeline and watching her on Come Dine With me, and interviews of her, she always came across as very wise, and knowledgeable so when I asked her what's the best advice she'd ever been given, I really wasn't any bit disappointed in her response, 

''It doesn't happen TO you, it happens FOR you. I'm a strong believer in everything happening for a reason. There has been loads of times where I've questioned it of course but looking back on those situations now makes me realise how important they were to make me who I am now! ''

Although she admits being quite clumsy Madeline hasn't ever broken a bone! (like myself) 

''I'm the biggest jinx ever! I fall, bang into things, drop things, have random bruises everywhere. Yet I can proudly say I've never broken a bone!! Breaking my front teeth when I was young doesn't count ;)''

And finally my interview with this amazing woman comes to an end so I ask her what's next for her, what does she still hope to achieve?

''I'm focusing on living in the moment for now. There is so much going on that I'm enjoying focusing on what's going on now rather than looking ahead for more! As lame as it may sound I just want to maintain my sanity and happiness :)'' 

Madeline is an absolute sweetheart and I for one cannot wait to see what the future holds for her <3