Suomityttö Maailmalla

Our Foster Puppy Got Adopted! #adoptdontshop

2014-07-27T15:10:00.000-07:00

Last week I blogged about a rescue puppy named Sandy that we were fostering and if someone would like to adopt her...

We went through our entire network of friends, colleagues, acquaintances, posted ads online and everything but no one came through :(

We started getting attached to Sandy a little bit...and then the County emailed us asking to bring her to an event - they have this awesome mobile dog adoption unit that goes to events and adopts out rescue dogs and so we took her down to Kendall and said quick goodbyes thinking they'd call us in the evening to pick her up.

Except that call never came..Instead we were told someone had adopted her!!

Yesterday was a mix of emotions - we're happy she found a forever-home, and we are proud of her recovery and how she came out of her shell and transformed into this happy little lady from the dirty tick-filled cowering lump we'd gotten from the shelter.

But it was sad too, we'd grown to like her and really started enjoying having her as part of our family.

So we wish her and the new family well and we hope she has a beautiful life and brings joy to those around her! *tears* She is a wonderful little furball for sure.

We're now going to keep fostering - hopefully just dogs that are heartworm positive and can't be transported out of the county until they're healthy.

We've learned a lot about dogs and dog rescue, and turns out, a lot of the dogs from Miami end up in other parts of the country (wishing to adopt a dog from here? Go to PetHarbor and search for Miami and you can actually place a hold on a shelter dog and they can be transported to you!

There is a wonderful service called Total Trust Transport that will quote you for a transport price - so anyone in the whole of the United States can adopt a dog from here!

Of course, you could adopt from your local shelter, BUT Miami has a lot more purepreds than other places in the country do (so I've heard) so if that's what you're after, don't buy, but adopt!

I knew I always was an animal-person, but it hasn't been until now in Miami where I've gotten really into dogs and rescuing dogs and volunteering and next weekend we're going to a volunteer orientation at the County Shelter so we can start doing shifts there to help out.

It feels good to do something good for the world - I am so fed up with celebrity news and gossip and who's wearing what - so much real stuff is going on and we all could do something for others if we tried, so we're gonna get started with animal rescue and see where it goes!

PS we still get involved in beach cleanups too, and I'm really into recycling, so trying to get involved in that! I also still volunteer with YFU, an international exchange student organization, and just recently got a job as an English Teacher here in Miami Beach!

Have a fabulous and fur-filled Sunday evening!

Mariah x

Adopt Our Foster Puppy!

2014-07-21T20:26:00.002-07:00

My husband Marlon and I are volunteering as foster parents for the Miami-Dade County's Animal Services department, and recently acquired a small Chihuahua Terrier mix female to look after.

Her name is Sandy, and she was confiscated from her abusive hoarder owner (along with like, 11 other dogs...geez, right??)

She's malnourished and was really timid and scared when we picked her up, but she's really developed into a beautiful sweet little lady!

She's gotten all her vaccinations, she's spayed and micro chipped, and would be available for an adoptive parent any time!

You'll have to fill out the County paperwork and pay the $75 adoption fee (which we get none of, it's for the animal services) and you could have a beautiful friendly new friend for life!

She would be perfect for someone who's loving and patient, she likes petting and cuddles and just want to be loved. She's a really pretty little thing!

Get in touch if you'd like to meet her - we're looking forward to releasing her to a good home so she can enjoy life to the fullest!

Mariah x

Save a Life - Adopt a Dog!

2014-07-20T04:29:00.000-07:00

Ever since we got Bolt, Marlon and I have been really into dogs and I guess we have become more and more aware of issues surrounding dog ownership, and something that we feel strongly about is educating people about animal abuse.

We also have wanted to volunteer for a while - we've done beach cleanups, I volunteer as an Area Representative for YFU, and he does a lot of computer stuff in his free time, but we wanted to do something meaningful (well, maybe more me) and so we went to the Miami-Dade Animal Services foster care information session and...well, ended up coming home with a foster dog!

She is an adorable little thing, I will post pics soon, but yeah, she's a year-old Chihuahua / Terrier mix, ten pounds, badly abused in a hoarder's house, confiscated and been at the shelter for a few weeks.

She's a lovely blond color with white spots on her legs, awesome pitch black eyes, and a really cute face.

She's very sweet but has very odd behaviors that are likely from the abuse. She cowers when you reach a hand out to her, for example.

It's sad, really, how horrible humans can be. Poor dog! So we want to rehabilitate her as best as possible and find her a nice home to go to, so if you, or someone you know, are looking for a dog, especially in Miami (she's allowed to be adopted from anywhere but you'd have to pay for the transport).

While we can't save them all, we can help save one.

Mariah x

Why I Quit Facebook

2014-07-16T17:36:00.001-07:00

Two weeks ago I logged into my Facebook account, saved all the pictures I'd ever uploaded, and hit "Delete profile"

Why, you may ask. After all, Facebook is The Social Network, and the way for us 21st Century humans to connect with each other.

Well, I got tired. And depressed. Mostly depressed.

I joined Facebook back in 2005 when it was only for US college and high school students; I was on exchange at University of Wisconsin in Madison, and everyone in my dorm had a profile, so I had to join to see what the hype was all about. It was that exclusive feeling of being a part of something that wasn't open to just anyone.

I quickly got hooked, and by the time I was back in the UK, Facebook was allowing others to join too. Over the years I'd become "friends" with people I'd meet at events, work, while traveling, through other friends..

At one point, I had over 800 contacts, out of whom about 30 were my real friends!

But slowly the glamour wore down and I got tired. What was a way for people to connect and keep in touch turned into a constant stream of ads (grrrr), pictures of what people had for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and ever-increasing stream of "look at how amazing my life is" statuses and pictures.

Sometimes I've had tough times and wanting to share updates on Facebook about my struggles was met with silence (no likes) which made me feel like no one cared, or that I'd only have to share positive news for people to hit the thumbs up symbol, and that gets really tiring.

You have to pretend you are something you're not, and I am not one to hide what's really on my mind and what's really going on in my life.

Also, it is really bad for someone with low self-esteem, or someone who doesn't know what they're doing in life, to face the barrage of "perfection" in other people's lives.

The vacations, the babies, the weddings and the celebrities they meet. You start comparing yourself with them and come short, and this can be debilitating - especially if you start obsessing about how perfect other people's lives seem to through the lens of Facebook.

It might not be true, though, what they portray.

See, it seems people are not that honest on the internet, and most likely people only share their good news, not their bad news (like I was doing), and this creates an illusion of perfection, which can still really be quite depressing to witness if you're struggling with issues yourself.

I am not sure what I'm doing with regards to my career options, I'm lost, I'm a recent immigrant with not very many friends here in Miami, and we're definitely not traveling anywhere glamorous anytime soon.

I didn't want to keep comparing my life to others' anymore.

I guess you could say I didn't have to compare, but it's automatic and instant and something I can't control. So it's better to not have those moments to start with! I'm faced with perfection as it is living in Miami Beach which can be really depressing.

So I quit Facebook, and you know what, I'm happier.

The people that matter have my phone number, they follow me on Twitter and send me Whatsapp messages and we talk on Viber. And that's all that matters; I really do care about my good friends and want to keep in touch!

About a week after I deleted my profile I started receiving emails, texts and calls from people who realized I wasn't there anymore. And everyone asks the same question: Why?

It's almost like you HAVE to have Facebook if you, well, want to have any friends. I explained to all of them that Facebook just wasted a lot of my time that I could be spending doing something useful (like browse Imgur....!), and that the people who want to keep in touch can do so by other means.

I think I am happier. I don't instantly log on to Facebook when I wake up, or browse the newsfeed day and night to see what so and so is doing. It's not like I don't care, but right now I want to care about my life more than I care about what everyone else is doing, and to do that, I have to concentrate on me, and Facebook just can't be a part of my life anymore.

What do you think? Addicted to Facebook? Feeling inferior every time you log on? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Mariah x

Wedding Anniversary

2014-07-16T08:01:00.001-07:00

Marlon and I have been married for a year! Yikes! Time flies...

Cannot believe it was a year ago when we traipsed down to the court house in Miami Beach during his lunch break to say our "I Do's". We'd told no one; it just seemed like the best thing to do, make the commitment with just the two of us present.

Of course we then had the big "real" wedding in October last year which is what most people will think of as our anniversary.

I've now been in the US for almost a year too...So much has happened! We got the dog, Bolt, and have fallen in love with him (I'm staring at him sleeping by the door waiting for Marlon to come home).

Marlon quit his job at the company through which we met, and is now off for a few weeks before he starts his new gig in software support for a small healthcare software company!

I am currently looking for work - oh man is it hard or what?! I never realized how unemployable I was before I moved here (and I knew I wasn't doing that well over in England, but this is something else..) - I apply and apply and NOTHING.

The jobs I do get are part-time, no benefits, and really low pay. Womp womp. Welcome to America!

Apart from my lack of career options, everything is great! We love living in Miami and try to do fun stuff in our free time.

I've started pitching freelance articles to Finnish magazines too, fingers crossed I get work because journalism is my first passion! I love research, interviewing, writing, and photography :) LOVE it.

Oh, and for anniversary, Marlon got me a MacBook Air....We were at dinner at Barton G on West Ave, and at dessert, the cheesecake platter came with a big box on another sort of hanger thing (I wish I had pictures!!! It was AWESOME!) and I was like huh, why does the cheesecake come with a Christmas-wrapped box with a sword through it?? (Marlon hadn't found any other gift wrap except leftovers from Xmas hahaha)

And then slowly it dawned on me it wasn't part of the dessert, but a gift.. :) So I opened it there and then and was squealing like a little child at Christmas!

Best part is, the laptop is in English but with a Nordic keyboard, so I have no excuse to not blog and freelance in Finnish...! In fact, I also changed my old Finnish blog into an ESL blog, check it out if you speak Finnish!

Mariah xx

Quick post: Recent trip to London and Finland

2014-06-11T08:09:00.000-07:00

My gosh. Long time, no posting! *shakes head*

I do have an excuse, I was out of the country for over 2 weeks and you know, traveling with aberrant WiFi connections and a broken iPad doesn't mean you can easily blog.

Anyway, my hubby and I traveled to London for a week, and then onward to Helsinki, Finland, and my hometown of Savonlinna, in eastern part of the country.

Lots of hangouts with friends, hair modeling at Aveda, drinks in East London, horse riding in the woods of Finland, sauna, LASEK enhancement surgery....I was BUSY!

The Olympic Stadium and Olympic Park - spent a LOT of time here in 2012...

My friend gave me a "London Survival Kit" thihihi

The London Olympics Placard Bearers outside the Stadium

More stuff coming soon!

Mariah x

More Wedding Pics

2014-04-30T13:13:00.000-07:00

It's been months since my wedding, but it just makes me happy looking at the pictures and remembering the day with friends & family around, the heat of Miami, and the feeling you get when you have makeup on, you're in a pretty dress, and just feel good about yourself!

(Think we all need those moments to think about later - especially when you're fatter, lazier and your face is breaking out and you struggle to remember when you actually felt good...)

Here's some more pics - again, all photos are courtesy of Tim Venn Photography.

Hope you've enjoyed these as much as I have! Cannot believe the day went by so fast and was so long ago, now it's really just about....our regular little life in Miami Beach.

PS I promise to start blogging more often! I have seriously neglected my blog.....

Mariah xx

New Pics!

2014-04-04T07:55:00.001-07:00

We had a photo shoot where I volunteer and here's some pics we took in Wynwood against graffiti'd wall - I hadn't known about it so did some make up in the car on the way to Midtown, and the hair is literally put together with my boss' hair wax but hey ho, we had fun!

Hello, new Facebook profile pic! hehe.

Mariah xx

10 Things I've Learned About Miami

2014-03-25T11:39:00.000-07:00

1. It really isn't what it looks like on TV

Ever seen Will Smith's music video for the song Miami? Yeah I had too before I relocated to South Beach for my husband's job.

Spoiler alert, life here really isn't what it looks like in the video. Yeah maybe the places actually exist, but life isn't about constant partying (only tourists and young locals who work as bartenders and promoters on South Beach do that).

What most normal Miamians do is wake up, get ready for the heat outside and ice-cold AC inside buildings (I have upgraded to a heater by my desk. It's the only way! I swear the AC is on at 60), and go face the hideous morning traffic.

2. There is SO much Spanish..everywhere!

You'd think Miami was a part of Florida, and Florida was a part of America...A country that's so patriotic that even though English is not the official language, it is the de facto language used everywhere.

..Except in Miami. Seriously, there are people here who don't even know a word of English! (How on Earth they immigrated is a mystery - I already have had my fair share of the USCIS and I'm fluent in English).

Some say this is the Capital of Latin America and they weren't joking. People flock here from all parts of the Caribbean, and Central- and South America, and to be fair there are more foreigners here than "real" Americans (used loosely here if you catch my drift).

I've learned to just tolerate the situation - either learn it, or just...never work here because most jobs require fluent Spanish!

3. Traffic is horrible and people are really bad drivers

I thought this was a joke when people said it to me, but I've now realized they weren't joking. Bad driving is on another level here - no one indicates on the highway, and I've even seen people drive in reverse on a one-way ramp!

4. It doesn't feel like a community

Most cities have a community feeling (like London during the summer Olympics in 2012. It really felt like we were united as a city, a community of people who care about each other) but not Miami.

It is a city of immigrants, of little communities that are constantly changing, people come and people go. The metro area is large with pockets of vast riches and immeasurable poverty, and the extremes are so far removed from each other that you'd think there is no way we can all live in one city together.

It really doesn't feel like people are proud of their hometown. So many have just come here, so many are just staying for a bit, and so many are here illegally so they're not really a contributing part of the community in the legal sense.

I feel like these could contribute to voter apathy (I have no idea about how the local government even works! And I doubt others do either), bribing scandals, tax avoidance, corruption. People just seem to care about themselves here.

5. South Beach is great, but it's not the whole of Miami

Yeah it's the most well-known part of the Miami metro area, but it just gets so crowded and noisy!

If you travel here for vacation, DO try check out the "real" Miami: Downtown with its museums and some other stuff I haven't even explored yet, Bayside mall and park, Wynwood and the arts district in Midtown (some of the best graffiti in the world is here, I swear! An absolute must for someone interested in walking around and seeing extraordinary murals and wall art), Brickell, even taking the train down to Dadeland is cool.

And when it comes to beaches...There are beautiful beaches around so you don't have to settle for South Beach, even just by going up north on the Beach you can find more peace, and then of course there's Key Biscayne, and more north, Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding areas.

6. People are more rude than in other parts of the US

As a European, you might not notice this as it's still America where customer service is top-notch (better be, most of the service workers' salary is made up of tips), but I swear some people are really rude and this is nothing compared to the Midwest.

It probably is a big-city thing, but try not let it bother you, I don't. In fact, coming from London, this is pretty nice!

7. Sunshine State...not always!

The sun doesn't always shine in Miami. We get a lot of rainy days too! In fact, I think this is one of the top areas for thunderstorms in the country!

And in the winter...Well, it gets cold. Not Alaska cold, but chilly! Lows in the upper 50s, and you definitely need a jacket.

Then again, it starts getting hot in February, and even tropical rains in 80 degree heat are better than chilly London drizzle......!

8. It is Really Superficial

The amount of people in my gym who stare at themselves in the mirrors and keep posing during the whole class is too damn high! I have never seen this many fake boobs, butt jobs, filled lips or lifted faces in my entire life!

People are vain and you can just take a walk on Lincoln Road and only see beautiful perfect people in heels and full-on makeup on a Sunday morning.

Again, I've learned to not care. I roll around in old shorts and a sports bra and just think whatever. Each to their own. But I am for sure glad I'm not single and trying to find someone here - men are so superficial too you would NOT believe.

9. It's easy to talk to people

Again, coming from London, it was a culture shock to realize people talk to strangers..! I love it. I like connecting and being able to chit chat to people around me.

People always say something to me about my dog, it's easy to talk to people at the dog park, customer service people tend to be nice and chatty, and I really love the "how are you's" at the grocery store register!

Brits really need to take a leaf out of the Americans' book on connecting and being nice to strangers..!

10. Public transport is shit

I didn't expect it to be like Europe, but come on....Four buses an hour from South Beach to downtown Miami?? What the hell is that?

I'm an avid rider of public transport, and I really get annoyed with the services here. I hate waiting for the bus, and I hate connecting because that adds hours to your journey.

That being said, I love buses and trains, and they could really make this a much more connected city, they just...haven't.

They need more buses on the key routes, a nightbus service, better information to get tourists moving around the city and not just staying on South Beach, and better connections.

Again, we do have some free services that are cool: The Metromover downtown is a free elevated train that can take you around the key points of the city, you just hop and ride! And then the Trolleys that drive around in Miami and even the Beach, a great way of getting around and sightseeing.

Okay okay, I made it sound like it's all bad, but it really isn't. It's a great place to live - I'd choose this location over anywhere else in the US hands down! They have their problems - low recycling rates, pollution and trash on the beach, poverty, huge gap between the rich and the poor (the rich live on private islands in their mansions and the poorest sleep under the bridges), but I guess it's better than somewhere else, and it is really starting to feel like home, finally!

Any touristy questions, I hope I got the answers!?

Mariah x

Green Card Approval!

2014-03-11T08:58:00.000-07:00

Gosh the wait is over....My husband and I finally had our interview at the USCIS office to go through our application for me to become a permanent resident, and after an hour and a half (!!) of interrogation the officer said the petition is approved and I'd be getting my Green Card (Permanent Residency Identification or something like that officially) in the mail and that's it!

Halloween on Lincoln Road with Bolt

Sooooo. Good news! It definitely has been a boring but time-, and money-consuming journey, and if I had known how long it would take I'm not sure I would have moved here..

But being able to work, and all these other things that let you integrate into the society are super important for me.

So yeah, happy happy!

Mariah x

Shea butter, protein conditioner and argan oil

2014-02-14T14:41:00.001-08:00

Yay my order finally arrived! I've really been doing a lot of research into more natural beauty products that still work wonders, and had shopped online for some stuff last week.

I have decided to ditch commercial lotions altogether and go all natural with Shea butter for good.

No chemicals, fillers, additives, just pure 100% organic Shea!

It doesn't smell like Victoria's Secret body lotion, instead, it's got a nutty and earthy smell to it which is subtle. It's super rich so you have to warm it between fingers a bit to apply.

I'm now covered head to toe in Shea, and it feels good! Good for me, good for the environment, good for the communities that produce it and the small business that sells it!

Hair. My hair is shit. So wanting to ditch commercial conditioners I did lots of research and came across Aubrey Organics. I bought their protein conditioner which is organic, no nastiness added, and although the smell was strong, my hair is amazing after first use!

Finally, not wanting to buy into the argan craze, I made sure to buy 100% organic oil from a small independent brand, and so far so good! It's amazing for your body and hair, natural, and full of goodness.

Ps, I'm trialling Shea for my face, will update on the progress of using pure shea butter on my facial skin!

Mariah

Everybody Loves a Clean Beach! South Beach the Eco Way

2014-02-12T19:11:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday my hubby and I joined a team of volunteers to clean a part of South Beach.

The cleanup was organized by ECOMB - the Environmental Coalition of Miami and the Beaches, a local nonprofit that puts together environmental events and provides education about local and global environmental issues.

I've been volunteering for them for a while now, but it was the first time that Marlon my husband got involved too!

Last week ECOMB also hosted an evening of Climate Change related documentaries - tons of people came to watch, be inspired, listen in on the panel discussion, and network with like-minded people.

It was really awesome to see that there are people who care and who want to make a real difference in this world!

Climate Change is especially bad for South Florida - rising sea levels will wipe out entire communities, and it is such an atrocity that people don't demand change on a governmental and private sector level!

Then again, we can all start with ourselves so here's a few tips to become more Green:

- Always turn off the car engine when parked. Surprisingly, a lot of people seem to leave it on for AC and heating, but come on guys, it is such a waste!

- Take your own bags to the store. Plastic bags are just pure rubbish that serve no purpose! They are terrible to make, have a short life-span, and often end up in the ocean in coastal areas, hurting wildlife! Get into a habit of carrying a reusable bag in your purse/bag, or if you must take a plastic bag, recycle it at the store.

- Reduce your impact on the planet. Think about ingredients in the products you buy, think about packaging, demand better recycling (often just calling a housing association will solve this), educate yourself and people around you.

- Don't be lazy!! We modern humans have taken this incredibly shitty attitude towards the Earth where we have a huge impact on the nature - it really is your responsibility to go out of your way to be a better human being.

- Recycle recycle recycle. Check what can be recycled in your area, and change your home accordingly - we have a little wooden box for recyclables, and go throw that out when it gets full (plastic bags aren't recyclable in our area)

- Walk. Bike. Take the bus. Carpool. Take the train. Think about it - even the shittiest cities for public transport have routes that may serve where you need to go! Cars are incredibly bad and it is such a shame we rely on them instead of demanding better public transport!

Okay rant over, but really guys, I take this pretty seriously. We are all affected by global warming, and it is such waste that animals in the ocean and on land are suffering because of our actions!

Have a fabulous and green weekend!

Mariah x

Sochi!

2014-02-07T20:16:00.000-08:00

As the world prepares for the winter Olympic and Paralympic games in Sochi, I will watch them from a different point of view.

First, it'll be interesting to watch the opening ceremony...having been a part of the London ceremonies, you kind of have an insight into what goes on and how it's put together, and it'll be super cool to see what the placard bearers are wearing this time (hope better clothes than our terrible costumes....!)

Second, I don't know who to support! I guess I should support the Finns as I'm Finnish, but last Olympics I rooted for the Brits as I felt Britain was closest to a "home country" that I had considering I'd been living there for 9 years by that time.

Now being here in the US I feel like I should be rooting for my new home country...And, being married to a Jamaican and having been the Jamaican placard bearer in the London Olympics, I have an affiliation to that country and for sure want them to do well (they're only taking part in one event anyway)

So...the problems of a citizen of the world...sigh.

I for sure think that taking part as a volunteer in the London 2012 Games was the best time of my life - being a part of something larger than life, meeting the most amazing people in the world, walking onto the stadium next to Usain Bolt...whoa, the memories will never fade!

Hours spent in the rehearsals were SO worth it, and I just get a bit teary-eyed thinking those times are gone and will never come back...London became a home definitely during the Olympics, and I was so proud of my home and what the people of the city were able to put together!

Hope you enjoy the Games and next stop...Brazil!

xx Mariah

Our wedding song: John Legend - All of Me

2014-02-06T08:25:00.001-08:00

Just wanted to share our wedding song - absolutely beautiful and can't still stop listening to it!

London London London

2014-02-03T19:41:00.000-08:00

Once a Londoner, Always a Londoner.

Five months in the US and I still freaking miss my hometown! London is...probably the best place on this planet!

The public transport, whisking me around the British capital on my adventures around the city.

Universal healthcare, free at the point of service, which saved me when I had swine flu, broken bones, torn ligaments, and all those other random times I'd rush to my GP in Wood Green to get help for common ailments.

The bars, clubs, pubs and restaurants serving the world on the plate and by the glass. Partying at Heaven, after-work drinks at Guanabara or Las Iguanas, sipping mulled wine on the rooftop bar of a pub in Shoreditch, meals at my favorite spots around town.

Saturday afternoon jogging in Alexandra Palace park, soca aerobics and Body Pump classes at Fitness First, long walks along the river Thames.

The London Coffee Festival with my ex, Winter Wonderland with my best friend, picnics in Hyde Park with girlfriends.

Performing in the The London Olympics and Paralympics ceremonies.

London was my home and always will be what I call "home home".

London is my heart and my soul.

My heart beats to the rhythm of footsteps on the cobble stones in ancient alleyways, the sights and sounds of my neighborhood, to the rhythm of the drums at my church.

I am so homesick, I miss everything about London, and on dark days of depression I wish to jump on a plane and whisk myself back to the chaos of the Big Smoke.

Mariah xx

8 Things I Wish I'd Known About Dog Ownership

2014-02-03T18:47:00.000-08:00

I grew up with a Newfoundland and a St Bernard, but as we lived in the countryside of Finland, the dogs weren't really that big of a deal - it isn't until now, stuck in this little apartment on South Beach with a Chihuahua puppy that I realize what a huge deal owning a dog is!

1. House Training is Tough

It is like you have this pooping machine in your home who has no idea why they can't defecate on the doormat.

It takes weeks of dedication to take the little rascal out at regular intervals to the same spot, have lots of patience when they have no clue what to do and what you're asking them to do, and a lot of willingness to clean up after messes.

The end result of hours of staring at the dog and dragging them out every few hours is rewarding however, and it feels like a real accomplishment when they fiiiinally get it..!

2. They Eat, Poop, Chew Everything and Sleep

You'd think the little rascal was great fun to hang around with..And sometimes they are! But often, a lot of their upkeep requires very basic tasks - taking them out to pee, feeding them, and watching them sleep and snore.

They also chew. Everything. At least mine does! Three pairs of chewed-up Havaianas and an attempt at my Vivienne Westwood heels later we have resorted to hiding all the shoes in the closet. This doesn't stop him from chewing on the front door (while we're gone) and the laundry basket (if someone is in the shower and he is waiting outside).

3. They Require Lots of Veterinary Attention

This I kind of knew, but having outdoor/indoor dogs in Finland is different from a house pet in Miami. First of all, dogs here require a rabies shot once a year, they need to be on heartworm prevention tablets, and the little ones seem to get into so many accidents (at least ours does!)

He bumps into things when running fast at the dog park, and once someone ran over him with a bike so he needed to be rushed to the vets.

Neutering, spaying, vaccinations, accidents, heartworm medication prescription and annual testing..Yup, be prepared to spend money on the little creature, and if you don't think you can stretch, you really should not acquire one.

4. They All Have Personalities

I don't think people without pets realize that all dogs are different. They all have their basic natural instincts for sure, but they also have their unique characteristics, and the best time to figure this out is go to the dog park and see them interact.

Some chase others, some are bullies, some sit by their doting parents and refuse to interact with other dogs, and some just act like submissive pray and get chased around.

My little rascal is a chasee, he is the one running away 90% of the time. He is also "in your face" kind of a dog, so whenever a new dog enters, he is the first one on the spot, licking their lips and greeting the new doggie.

5. They Need A Lot Of Exercise. And They Take A Lot Of Time To Care For

I think a lot of people get a dog for their own comfort and company, but really, a dog is an animal with its own needs, and one of them is exercise.

Depending on the breed, they need to be exercised a lot - running in the dog park with other dogs, daily walks, backyard to play in, that sort of stuff.

We have a neighbor who we know owns a dog, but we have never seen it outside his apartment! This guy literally never takes his poor dog out, and it's so sad to know one of the dog's most basic needs is not being met.

If you know you won't want to take that walk after you get home from work on a regular basis, DON'T get a dog! They get frustrated, depressed and all kinds of things if their needs are not met, so it's just cruel if you think you can let it play in the apartment and that's all it needs for physical movement.

Also, dog ownership is a time-consuming activity. There will be less of "me time" and more of "us time" - much like with a child!

They wake you up at 6am with sloppy dog kisses to let you know they need to pee pee.

They jump on your lap when you're trying to type something important (ohweuhfioenrvonboöit).

They want attention, for you to throw the ball, for you to take them out, they want to cuddle next to you in the bed and when you plan on spending more than 8 hours away from them, you need to come up with a plan and a person to take them out and spend time with them.

So preparing for the spending of time, money, energy and attention is much like having a baby (not to that extent, but not that much behind it either) which is definitely something I didn't think about!

6. People Can Be Crazy When It Comes To Their Dog

Humans can be a bit cuckoo in general, but throw a dog in the mix and human personalities come out in full color.

I have met alllll kinds of people at the dog park - the doting mommy who doesn't let her precious clothed shih tzu out of her eyesight, the careless mixed-breed owner who sits on the bench, on the phone the whole time while their dog causes ruckus in the park, and the young guy with an un-neutered pitbull whom he says is friendly and lets loose only to discover all the other dogs are scared of it.

I think the dogs learn their owner's behavior and mannerisms, and you can totally see who the owner of the dog is in a communal setting.

I rarely see dogs fight, but I do see owners argue!

People get really worked up over their pets - whether it be that they're too careful with their precious pets, or that they think theirs is a friendly wild beast, best left on its own to roam around without rules or regulations.

People also seem to a bit nuts with the little ones - here in America, the Puppy Pads are a real thing: a floor "diaper" where your dog can pee and poo on, and I'd say most Miamians who own little dogs in apartments don't even housetrain theirs to go outside, they just let them pee on the pad!

Terrible for the environment, and lazy on the human's part, I'd say....

7. They're Like Little Humans

A dog can really become a part of your family, and while I personally wish to keep mine as a dog (cue: no clothing, shoes, babying the poor animal or carrying it around in a handbag), I would say he has become an integral part of the pack.

We usually try take him with us to places, he sleeps on the bed, and we talk to him a lot too! The love we have towards this crazy little 8-pound rascal is crazy, I never knew how much I'd be able to love a little madman like Bolt is!

8. They Have a Mind Of Their Own

You'd think you could control a dog. Well, you can, to an extent, with proper training.

They still have a mind of their own, they have their likes and dislikes, and they can be SO focused when they want something!

Our little madman loves cheese and apples, he hates the ocean and water in general, and he gets super excited about other dogs and cats.

He is single-minded when he wants something, staring at it (especially if it is a chip bag and your hand going in and out) and he really, really loves the outdoors. Ruffle the poop bag or put your shoes on, and there he is, jumping for joy thinking he's going outside too!

Makeup tutorial - hubby doing my makeup for a night out

2014-01-26T16:27:00.001-08:00

Review: South Beach's Best Vegetarian Spots

2014-01-26T14:59:00.000-08:00

As a life-long vegetarian, it's always of interest to me to go to a new city and see what food offerings they have for a conscious eater like myself.

I knew that America was the land of GMO, meat, high fructose corn syrup and processed food, but to be honest, I didn't know it was this hard to find food that isn't terrible for both you and the environment.

However, Miami Beach has some cool spots for eating out if you're a vegetarian, and here's my take on what I've liked so far:

1. Lime Fresh Mexican Grill

Lime has a few locations in Miami, but the one on Alton Road is cozy, cute, and their staff is superb and so friendly. I always have the Bean Burrito, and thoroughly enjoy the accompanying fresh chips that go well with the sauces from their salsa bar (serve yourself style bar with tons of sauce options from pico de gallo to hot sauce).

A vegetarian can also have tacos (ask them without meat), fajitas or a salad as all of their food seems super fresh and tasty.

2. Maoz

My favorite falafel spot in London's SoHo also has a location on the Beach, right off of Lincoln Road. I haven't been there yet, but I absolutely love falafels, and Maoz is the s**t, so highly recommend stopping by!

Their falafels come in a pita pocket, and you have a whole salad bar to choose fillings for your own one, so go crazy on this one. Perfect for lunch!

3. Thai House South Beach

Wonderful and authentic Thai food, good prices, lots of vegetarian options, and for someone like me who adores tofu...this is heaven!

Their mixed vegetable curry is to die for!

4. La Sanwicherie

A super cute little sandwich bar between Ocean Drive and Collins on 14th Street - sit down and watch them make mouthwateringly delicious fresh sandwiches in front of your eyes!

The smoothies are good too - perfect for a quick stop before or after the beach!

I really would recommend the Fresh Mozzarella sandwich; fresh crusty white bread, a whole mozzarella ball, tomatoes and their special sauce which you get to drizzle on your own.

5. Surprisingly...Pollo Tropical

Yes, it is a chicken fast food place, but you can also make some of the dishes veggie! Their TropiChops choice is fully customizable and doesn't have to have any meat in it.

I don't usually have a wrap or a salad, but instead go for a bowl of rice, and a bowl of black beans, and voila, a meal!

If you go, you have to try their yuca fries, they are delish!

Other places where I've been served decent veggie food have been Monty's, a bar by the harbor on 3rd (Healthy Nut salad is fabulous and filling), and even freaking Burger King where you can have a veggie burger and fries.

11th Street Diner serves massive breakfast omelettes (go only if you're VERY hungry, it's a lot of food), and Planet Sushi on 8th and Washington have decent veggie options for a Japanese fusion restaurant.

If you have any other suggestions, hit me up! I'm always on the lookout for vegetarian options and cool places to take vegetarian visitors to and recommend, nothing worse than walking around trying to find something to eat when you're hungry but want to avoid meat...

Mariah x

Everglades, Friend's Visit, Volunteering and Miami

2014-01-26T14:34:00.000-08:00

Gosh I've been wanting to blog for a while but nothing major has really happened. Just settling down in Miami to the regular everyday life and all that.

I had a few friends visit over the past few weeks - my Olympic friend Kayleigh (we were both Placard Bearers in the London 2012 Games' Ceremonies, she was Miss Iran and I was Miss Jamaica) came for a week and I really tried to come up with stuff for us to do together as it wasn't so warm that we could just lie on a beach...

So we rented Decobikes and did long rides around Miami Beach, rented kayaks and paddled in the harbor looking for manatees (saw none, but mainly just ogled at the mansions along the waterfront), drove down to the Everglades for a walk and to see alligators, and rode the city buses and train around seeing different sides to the Miami metropolitan area.

It was awesome having her around! It was just so cool to have a good friend over in my new life here, show her around my neighborhood and have lunches and dinner in really cool restaurants, walk around tons and of course I also took her to my local dog park (my usual hangout spot haha).

It's also really important to me as a newlywed to have my hubby spend quality time with my friends even though they may live far away from us. He's good and so chill, I'm lucky that he kind of loves just about anyone :D

I'm still volunteering, and we try to spend time together with Marlon and so we've joined a church, take walks on South Beach with the dog, and he is really trying to get me to start playing video games to which I've said no, but I may just try the Wii Fit one of these days to show some kind of interest towards computerized stuff (his interest and specialty)

That's about it, nothing major's happened, just taking it easy - I have heard the first year of marriage can be really hard, so we both know we have to put effort into this team and so far so good! We'll go visit London in May which will be my opportunity to show him what my life was like before he swooped me into his Miami Beach life :)

Mariah x

Gifts from Finland

2013-12-28T19:13:00.001-08:00

For our Christmas pressie my mom sent us some Finnish design - Fiskars Functional Form cutleryset!

I also mentioned we didn't have any salt & pepper shakers, so my brother sent a cute bunny set that not only grind peppercorns and sea salt, but have magnets at the back so they're currently attached to the fridge door.

I know Finns are big on design, so it was cool to get some real tableware instead of using mismatched old knives and forks....

They also sent lots of liquorice, but guess who ate it all in a few days..? Might explain my sudden weight gain hehe.

Mariah x

10 Things I Wish I'd Known Before Moving Abroad

2013-12-20T11:21:00.000-08:00

Some would say I'm a fairly adventurous and international individual. In my youth I moved first to the US on exchange, and then to the UK, without knowing anyone yet making a life for myself in these new countries.

A few years ago I left everything behind and moved to Uganda for 6 months - again, without ever having met my host family before!

Yet, after all these years as a settled Londoner, my move to the US has not been easy...I think the older you get, the more settled in your ways you become, and of course you will have established friendships and relationships and patterns of behavior, and to uproot yourself can be...tough.

Here's what I wish I'd thought about before moving from London to Miami three months ago.

1. Making Friends as an Adult is Tough...

I think you make the best friends you ever can make during your time at university. At least I did!

It's time when you're young but somewhat established, you know what you're into, what you like and what you don't like, what kind of a person you are, and then to surround yourself day in day out with similar individuals creates life-long friendships.

As an adult, it's much harder! You move, but the people around you in your new place already have their social circles and to fit in can be so difficult.

Especially if you're not working or studying, the chances are it will be impossible to meet people.

You have to come up with new ways of meeting people and it can be so daunting. I chat to people at the dog park and even at the gym, but none of these acquaintances have any potential to turn into real friendship - I just do it to speak to at least one human a day (excluding my husband), otherwise I'd just talk to my dog all day!

2. ..Especially if you're in a foreign country!

Cultural differences, language barrier, unknown traditions...When you land in a new place you actually will have very little idea of how those people relate to each other.

Most Scandinavians mean what they say, whereas Americans will say "we should get together" without necessarily meaning it. The Brits can take their time getting to know you and can come across as cold and rude. The Ugandans are talkative and friendly and will want to get to know you and where you come from.

When you don't know what the local ways of becoming friends is, it can be frustrating to navigate the social scene. Your efforts can be interpreted in ways you didn't mean, and you may think someone is rude or distant when that's just the socially accepted way of dealing with strangers.

I think the only way to figure it out is to throw yourself out there - you will make mistakes but at the end of the day people are people, and if you click the nationality shouldn't matter!

Also, it's useful if you have someone from your country who's been there longer that you can speak with and learn from.

3. Money Goes

I thought it wouldn't be terrible taking a little career break while I establish myself here (waiting for paperwork...) but not surprisingly, if you're used to earning, the chances are you're also used to spending, and your savings will start disappearing...

The only suggestion I have is that before you go somewhere new where you won't be earning is to find out what the necessary out-goings are (healthcare, living expenses) and then make sure you have more than enough - if going for 6 months, time that by one and a half so you're prepared for small emergencies plus unexpected trips, extras etc.

Needless to say, finding genius ways to save is necessary. I hair model to get my hair done, intern to network and go to events, cook and eat at home, Google coupons and savings codes, and when there are freebies...I take two!

4. You Will Miss Home

I left Finland at 16 the first time. I've never claimed much patriotism towards the country of my birth; my real formative years in my twenties I spent in the UK. Really, I identify myself as a Londoner, and even though I had a shit job, got evicted from my shared flat and lost friends and my former boyfriend, I still miss London like crazy!

You think you're so done with a place and are okay about leaving, but only when you touch down at the other end you realize you cannot leave home without missing it.

London is home.

Miami is awesome, I am happily married and should enjoy this time when I'm not working and get to watch Hulu all day and hang out at the dog park reading Cosmo..but I keep missing HOME.

London was crazy, cool, full of drama, parties, randomness and lots of time spent on the Tube staring into the distance wondering what the point to my life was...

Countless jogs on Alexandra Palace in the dark, overlooking the bright lights of London.

Dancing my ass off at Heaven after coming out as bisexual and being able to express myself as no one in London gives a fuck what you are, you can be anything you want to be...

Wandering round Central London in various stages of imbued drunkenness, commuting to all the jobs I'd held in the past 7 years, soca aerobics at Fitness First and sitting in the darkness of the sauna afterwards loving the heat knowing I'd be out in the cold of the London winter soon after...

London weather sucks ass, but apart from that (and the miserable people lol) London is dope. I love walking around the city - on my way somewhere or not - watching people walk by and feeling like a part of something..great.

And now I'm in Miami. And I miss home.

5. You Have to Change

Of course there are people who move to other countries and stay the same, refuse to assimilate or learn the language and stay in their little bubble much to the annoyance of the host country's population.

As an international civilized person I don't want to be one of those people!

So I gotta change.

I have thus far met one Finnish person but it's kind of easy to have to assimilate to the American way of life as there aren't many "my people" here. I am not that Finnish anyway so it wouldn't make a difference, I think I am open-minded, but very European in my sense of how society should work. I absolutely dislike the healthcare provision here and I am not sure if I'll ever assimilate and agree that that's the best way forward..

However, I celebrated Thanksgiving, I speak English, I know what the social cues are in human interactions in America so I don't feel too different to be honest. It helps to sound American! (Can be a hindrance when you try to convince people you're not from here and they go: "riiiight....okay...so where in America did you live before you went to London?")

So I'm open to changing. Heck, I've started reading US laws online, can cite some Amendments to the Constitution and ... I love Saturday Night Live!

6. Your Whole Routine Will Change

You know how you have your favorite brand of cereal, and you take a certain class at your gym, and you have your favorite bar or a hangout, and you know exactly where everything is at your local supermarket?

Once you move, your whole world will be thrown upside down!

Chances are, you won't have a supermarket or a gym (if you move to the sticks in any country really, especially the Third World).

You have no clue what some of the products on offer are at the market or in the stores. You don't know what sizes mean in clothing, or what Celsius do they mean by "Warm" on clothing labels.

You get frustrated because everything can be so difficult, and especially if you move with a family you have to get the hang of it quick so it can be tough.

Stepping out of a routine, a daily schedule, a safe way of living, is terrifying, but it can be rewarding.

You will learn to cook new foods, you discover new products, you might realize you don't need the gym because you suddenly walk to work, or go for jogs with a workmate at the weekend.

Discovering the beauty of the world - especially the diversity in lifestyles - is powerful, and you will never be the same again. Stepping out of a bubble is scary, but once you do it and survive, you are that much stronger!

7. It Might Not Be That Amazing

So you come from a cold place / tiny village / crowded metropolis, and you get a job or school offer somewhere completely different.

You get all excited - Yay finally you can leave the shizzle behind and live a cool awesome life in Los Angeles / Bali / Rio / New York / insert-your-own-dream-place.

And then you get there.

And you realize...it is not that awesome after all.

Work is work no matter where you are - in big cities your commute might take a ton of time so instead of enjoying the musicals in London or clubs in New York, you're stuck on the train.

School loans pile up and you have to get a part-time job and you end up doing something shittier than what you could have done at home.

Or, you move to South Beach thinking yay I will sit on the beach all day and tan, only to realize it does get cool in the winter time, the water is cold, you don't wanna go there all by yourself because you have no friends yet, and you're pre-cancer anyway so you shouldn't be in the sun.

Life is life, and to have realistic expectations of the hardships you will face when uprooting yourself and moving to a foreign country is smart. Yes, it will be amazing to enjoy all these new experiences, but life will be mundane and tough at times, and the trick is to know beforehand that this will happen.

Knowing when to go back home is key too. If you run out of money and can't find work, or don't qualify for a visa and might end up getting deported....Go Home!

8. You Will Have to Learn About Yourself

Moving to a new country and environment gives you a chance to engage with yourself about who you are, what you believe in, and what you want to change about yourself.

When in a homogenous setting, your beliefs and culture are not being challenged by outside forces, but when you're dropped in a new location, you realize you have to explain yourself to new people and examine who it is that you are.

It's interesting to realize what your beliefs and values are. These are the things that we might not think about until we have to - it's also important I think for us humans to figure out why we think the way we do, and whether there are better ways of behaving or thinking.

By moving abroad you can broaden your horizons, bring your culture and values to others, but also adopt things from your new host culture.

Burst the bubble of your environment, and it's guaranteed to make you think and ponder about your own being!

9. No Matter Where You Go, You Will Be You

Yes, you will change and adapt as explained above, but essentially you will be yourself no matter where you go in the world. You might speak a different language, hang out with different people and change your whole lifestyle, but the core identity and "You" will stay the same.

If you fit in well in one place, you may have problems fitting in elsewhere. Some cultures are all about individual responsibility and identity, whereas other countries promote community and togetherness.

I am a REALLY talkative and outgoing bubbly crazy person. And I had a hard time fitting in in England! I'd butt into people's conversations and small talk with everyone and their mother, and I realized that made people not like me that much in a lot of situations.

Then again, I fit in super well here in the US because such behavior is tolerated and encouraged, and it's easy to chat, network, and connect with people here if you have my type of personality.

10. Finally, You Can Go To The Moon, But Your Issues Will Follow You

Following on from the last point, you will essentially be you no matter where you go. And that means whatever your personal demons and issues are, they will follow.

You can't run away from your problems.

Yes, you can physically leave a problematic situation - I was bullied in a shared house where we eventually got evicted from in London, and yes it is a relief to not be tangled in a court case or have to live with bullies who make your life miserable, but the memories will always be with me, and it took a long time to recover from the stress!

To run away from family, relationship, or troubled situations seems like a solution in the heat of the moment, but in the end, you can't run away from yourself. It is a bad idea to move abroad just to run away; trust me, your issues and memories and troubles will surely come with you.

Everyone has issues, but you should genuinely want to move for pull reasons, not for push reasons (i.e. you wanna leave because you hate it so much, not because you want to experience that particular new country).

In the new country, you will have time to spend with yourself, and if the problems in your head become too big, you won't enjoy your new surroundings. There is nothing worse than to miss someone you left behind because you didn't get closure with that person, or to be all alone in a foreign country and realize life actually wasn't that bad back home..

Grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, but you will never know how much fertilizer they've had to use on the lawn...

Buuuuuuut on the bright side, hope this helps others plan their move abroad and I hope you have less struggles than I've had!

Much love, Mariah

Voltage converting and espresso machines

2013-12-05T06:55:00.001-08:00

I did not know that when you come to America from Europe your electrical equipment won't work! I have always used an adaptor and my laptop, cell phone charger etc have always worked okay.

Until I moved here with my big De'Longhi espresso machine and plugged it in. Nothing. A call to customer services revealed they use different voltage in Europe than here and my machine needed a converter!

I pfaffed around for a while - I mean, these machines are heavy duty and cost a lot. Eventually I thought yeah, a converter at 80 dollars is still cheaper than a new machine, plus I'd already spent time and money shipping it here so. I got me a converter, and so far so good!

It weighs a ton and takes space, but it seems to beautifully convert my 220v European machine to use the 110v they get out of outlets here, and I just drew my first espresso shot!

Words of warning:

- always leave large electricals where you got them from. Much easier to sell on Ebay and get a new one if you move permanently!

- if you do get a converter, remember to look at the wattage! My machine uses 1500 watts, so to be on the safe side I got one that can be used up to 2000w. They recommend timing the wattage by one and half to make sure the machine operates well.

- it is an investment and big and ugly and they can be noisy, so read the Amazon reviews! I was looking at one that kept breaking apart when people used it, so make an educated guess at what would work best.

Have a great day!

Birthday!

2013-12-03T08:43:00.000-08:00

It was my 30th Birthday on Friday!

I didn't do much as I was a bit down about the fact that I don't have any friends in Miami yet and can't organize a big party or anything, so we took it easy (also Thursday was Thanksgiving so a lot was going on anyway).

My hubby got me a new phone - the last one I'd had broke when my dog Bolt was in an accident and I dropped it, so it came super handy! I'm generally not a fan of touch screen phones (loyal to my age-old Blackberry with buttons..) but the LG F3 is a nice little piece of equipment and I'm getting used to Android operating system :)

On Saturday my in-laws had gotten me a horseback riding lesson as a gift, so we drove out to the west of the city to a farm where I did a half-hour lesson with Carissa at Ascot Farm.

It was so much fun! I really want to start riding again!!

We also tried to go to the Dolphin Mall for a quick look at sales but had to park in a ditch (the place was so full!) and fight to get through to anywhere that we quickly ate some burritos and left.

I have a few things to look forward to - my friend Princess is coming for a week around New Year's, and then another friend Kayleigh is flying in from London in January for a week! Can't wait to see my friends and hang out and show them my new hometown!

Mariah x

50 000 Views!

2013-11-22T07:30:00.002-08:00

I just happened to see my stats and was startled - there have been 50,000 views on this blog already!

Woohoo! And thank you all for stopping by, I hope it's been of interest to you and please do leave comments too - I love interacting with people!

Love as always,

Mariah

Working Out and Gym Memberships

2013-11-20T18:09:00.000-08:00

I'm one of those "forever on a diet" people who keep pretending they're eating healthy because I love lettuce, but in fact I snack on candy on a daily basis and cannot turn down an extra helping of mac and cheese.

I have also almost always been a member of a gym, but I've been stuck in a rut for years now and I honestly don't think working out has had any sort of effect on me!

At university I'd do 45 minutes on a treadmill or on an elliptical and still gain weight, then when I started working at an office in London I joined Fitness First and thought I'd kickstart my fitness routine, but got lazy and for years I've been doing the same workouts on a weekly basis - a BodyPump class once a week, lots of cardio on an elliptical, a few Spinning classes here and there and voila! - yet nothing has changed.

So when I moved to Miami I was keen to join a gym - I need to work out every now and then or I get really antsy and anxious, a good sweat is SO good for your mental well-being! - but also scared because I worried I wouldn't find something as good as Fitness First.

I mean, my Black Label FF membership allowed me to use all FF gyms in London so I'd never get bored and always could find a class to take somewhere in the city, but Miami Beach is small and most gyms are just one-venue places.

I ended up signing up with Crunch Fitness - mainly because they were the cheapest (still at $64.99 a month! with $99 joining fee!!) and they are conveniently located near me.

Pluses:

- Cheapest on the Beach (Equinox is like over $120 a month!)

- Interesting classes; One cannot motivate themselves to go very often so I need classes to motivate to work out. I have thus far taken classes like Buti, which is a combination of booty-shaking and yoga, Stiletto Strength, which is a 30-minute class where you wear heels and do squats and a chair workout, and Surfset N Sand, which uses stationery surf boards and sand bags.

I am still looking forward to trying Cycle Karaoke, Vinyasa Yoga, and Jillian Michaels BodyShred.

- Decent array of cardio machines. This makes allllll the difference to a person like me!

Minuses:

- No sauna

- No pool

- No mainstream classes like BodyPump or any of the Les Mills ones.

- Still kind of expensive for what you get.

- Old equipment, and the stereo broke in one of the classrooms like two weeks ago and it's still not fixed so instructors have to use Beats speakers...(Like, really??)

So, yeah, I am trying to make a difference in my workout habits, but to be honest, for me it's more about the occasional sweat and feeling exhausted which is good for the mind, than to actually try get cut and look like a body builder.

I DO wish I could lose weight but...ehh...I don't realistically see that happening anytime soon! I'm too addicted to my Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and midnight snacking while streaming Channel4 documentaries online for me to actually make major changes to my body....Unfortunately.

PS I wish I had pictures to attach, but can't seem to have ever taken any at the gym! Here, enjoy a picture of me running on the beach in The Gambia a few years back!

Mariah x