I'm Laura. A cockney lass in the South West of England that never quite managed to move back to London. An opinionated, witty individual and a very bad tempered driver. I'm the opposite of everything you want me to be. I'm not an inspirational character or an innocent bystander. I'm the girl they all frown upon. I'm the one with the triple vodka shaking her ass on the dancefloor at 3am. I'm the one who used to sneak out at midnight to meet a secret lover.
But I'm also the girl they all turn to for advice - knowing that it will be first hand and genuine. I've been through more than any one person could ever imagine, but I've pulled my way back up to the top and from here I refuse to budge.
My mother is my tutor and inspiration as well as my best friend and lifelong companion. Her and my granma are my only family. It's very large on both my her and my father's side, but as far as I'm concerned, there's only three of us.
So, a little background information...
Little being the highlight of the statement above. I lived for 18 years and enjoyed about three months of them altogether. I met a lot of horrid, twisted people along the way. I made a lot of mistakes and decisions that I'll regret for the rest of my life. I experienced so many awful things that all I could do was drink and hope to someday be so intoxicated that I just wouldn't wake up.
As a new year resolution for 2008 - I chose to change my ways. Change my fate, luck, memories and reputation. I left my family and friends. I left the accusations and guilt trips. I left the faces that looked at me with disgust or sympathy. And I started new. I don't like to think about my old life, the old Laura.
But I do like to use my experiences as a guide for teenagers and young adults over the globe. To show that no matter how much shit life throws in your face, there's always a fresh cloth to wipe it off with. You just have to get off your arse and find it.
And where is she now?
The new life consists of a beautiful new area. A gorgeous three storey townhouse with two wonderful housemates that almost cast a sort of motherly figure over me, being that I'm so young still. A five minute walk to a large, sandy beach and sparkling ocean. A ten minute walk from some amazing nightlife. And the best thing, the shops are five times bigger and ten times more fashionable than where I was before.
I have a fantastic partner who has looked after me since day one. And I mean that quite literally. Three hours after I moved here, he was there for me. From then on - it's been paradise. Just the sight of him makes me happy I chose this place - out of all the towns I could have picked. 24-01-2008.
I work as a barmaid, earning more in tips than I do in wages with my friendly smile and bubbly personality. Although I'm not currently employed, I hope to get back into that routine very soon. However I am qualified by certificate or experience as much more. A car valeter, an administrator, an accountant, a nail technician and a makeup artist. I once started a semi successful cleaning business, but I was young and careless.
As for the rest of my new life? Who knows... this space has yet to be filled.