Hello Everyone,
I know the point in this blog is for me to try and be as positive as possible, and talk about the things that help fuel my happiness, but right now I need to talk about something that sometimes hinders my road to positivity, and that's the speed bump of university!
For as long as I can remember, I never intended on going to university. Even when the university fees were £3000 ( a shit ton less than they are now) I wasn't interested. Mainly because my life plan was to get a job, save up money and travel and then potentially move abroad with an uber cool boyfriend. But reality (mainly the lack of job prospect and uber cool boys in my life) kicked in and I got to 17 and had to make a decision. I never thought I was smart. My GCSE predicted grades weren't good and I had a hard time fitting in during high school, so the notion of willingly staying in education seemed the complete opposite of how I wanted to spend my life.
Then, on results day I pretty much got the opposite to the grades I had been predicted and all of my teachers changed their minds as to how capable I would be at achieving good grades at A Level and beyond. I sat with the head of year and picked my options- History (which I had to do because French wasn't offered) English Literature Media Studies and Psychology. I loved A Level. I loved learning, I love theories and I love writing essays where I get to choose what I want to say. I did pretty well in my A Levels and when it came to UCAS applications I knew that I wanted to go to university and study film.
F*CK! I'm (almost) In My Twenties
Friday, February 20
A few years back I stumbled upon a post on Tumblr which raved about a certain blog, which was run by the sister of one of my favourite musicians (Ezra Koenig, Vampire Weekend). So, I gave the blog a peek and was amazed by the online world which Emma Koenig had created. You can find Emma's blog here.
The blog was humorous, visual, and although I was closer to 15 than 20 at the time, was relatable. I envied this blood of Koenig which seemed to burn with creativity.
When I found out that Fuck! I'm In My Twenties was actually being released as a book I was delighted. I'm a huge fan of the Rookie Yearbook run by Tavi Gevinson, and thought Emma's blog was very similar in it's kitsch, cool style.
I decided I wanted this book for my 20th birthday, and I've waited. In the time since I first encountered Emma's blog I've completed my A Levels and embarked on my degree, and more than anything, I've joined the gloomy path to a teenageless life. A few years ago I liked the idea of Fuck! I'm In My Twenties, but now I feel like I'm living the life Emma describes.
I recently decided that with the amount of work related to my degree right now is so immensely agonising that I might not make it to 20, so, on a whim, I ordered Koenig's book, as well as the journal to accompany it.
The blog was humorous, visual, and although I was closer to 15 than 20 at the time, was relatable. I envied this blood of Koenig which seemed to burn with creativity.
When I found out that Fuck! I'm In My Twenties was actually being released as a book I was delighted. I'm a huge fan of the Rookie Yearbook run by Tavi Gevinson, and thought Emma's blog was very similar in it's kitsch, cool style.
I decided I wanted this book for my 20th birthday, and I've waited. In the time since I first encountered Emma's blog I've completed my A Levels and embarked on my degree, and more than anything, I've joined the gloomy path to a teenageless life. A few years ago I liked the idea of Fuck! I'm In My Twenties, but now I feel like I'm living the life Emma describes.
I recently decided that with the amount of work related to my degree right now is so immensely agonising that I might not make it to 20, so, on a whim, I ordered Koenig's book, as well as the journal to accompany it.
Playlist Party: Top 25 Most Played
Tuesday, February 17
Hello Everyone,
So today I had a little epiphany whilst listening to Bastille, on my bus home from uni, that I would write a weekly playlist. I'm calling it Playlist Party, as oppose to Playlist Thursdays etc, as I'm 97% certain that I will never be able to stick to a day of the week.
I thought it might be a cool way of introducing you to the music I enjoy listening to. I think it's a great way to learn about people. If someone gives you access to their musical library I feel like they're letting you in on their life, their secrets and their memories, and I thought this little weekly segment (fingers crossed I will stick to it) might also introduce you to new music and sounds.
As an introduction I thought I would write about the top 25 most played songs on my iPod. The list has changed a lot over the years and I was actually surprised today, by some of the songs that popped up.
So without further ado, here it goes:
1. My Boy Builds Coffins by Florence and the Machine- Of all the songs that have come and gone over the years on this list, I've noticed that this song has always remained at the top. I fell in love with this song when I first purchased the album Lungs. I love the lyrics, they're incredibly poetic with a sinister tint and it's a song I never tire of listening to.
So today I had a little epiphany whilst listening to Bastille, on my bus home from uni, that I would write a weekly playlist. I'm calling it Playlist Party, as oppose to Playlist Thursdays etc, as I'm 97% certain that I will never be able to stick to a day of the week.
I thought it might be a cool way of introducing you to the music I enjoy listening to. I think it's a great way to learn about people. If someone gives you access to their musical library I feel like they're letting you in on their life, their secrets and their memories, and I thought this little weekly segment (fingers crossed I will stick to it) might also introduce you to new music and sounds.
As an introduction I thought I would write about the top 25 most played songs on my iPod. The list has changed a lot over the years and I was actually surprised today, by some of the songs that popped up.
So without further ado, here it goes:
Teenage Dream: I Finally Saw All Time Low
Wednesday, February 11
Hi everyone,
This is going to be a very emo and probably embarrassing post filled with declarations of love and happiness because I FINALLY SAW ALL TIME LOW LIVE!
Back in 2007 I was idly watching an episode of E! News when a very odd music video advertised. It was a bunch of guys, half naked in a sauna, playing instruments and performing what sounded like a pretty awesome song. It turned out to be Coffee Shop Soundtrack by All Time Low and from that moment I've been hooked on their music.
Flash forward a couple of albums later, some very emo songs and a slight obsession with Alex Gaskarth which resulted in me creating us a Sims family, we are in 2011. I have a ticket to see them live at the O2 Academy in Birmingham. I am ready to rock out, dance, sing and sweat to death when I can't get a lift home and therefore cannot go to the gig.
I was devastated. I stared at photos of Zack Merrick and watched Straight to DVD on repeat for about a month solid.
Since that traumatic period in my emo life, I've met some EPIC people who have become my best friends and who all share a LOVE for ATL like me. Vanessa is the ATL queen, I live for her sass towards Alex, her stories about signings and her loving insults towards them, then there's Georgina who I could have potentially met at the show that never was. There's also Emmy who shares my interest in All Time Low and emo for therapy, and there's also Amy, who isn't too into ATL but who I love nonetheless.I decided that fate had bought this ATL gang of girls together and that we would all be able to see them and pop my ATL cherry. This didn't exactly go to plan given Vanessa's going back home to Spain, Georgina not being able to afford a ticket and Amy not really liking All Time Low. But it did leave me and Emmy with the chance to see them live, so we ordered our tickets and began our countdown.
I Went to a Circuit Training Class
Wednesday, February 4
Hello everyone,
It's February, wtf? By now I'm guessing 79% of the world's population has given up on their resolutions for 2015, and I'm betting more than half of those were 'GET FIT FOR SUMMER' related.
I don't really buy into New Years Resolutions, mainly because I'm indecisive and cynical and aware that I will more than likely fall through the cracks of any resolution I make, regardless of how big or small it is.
Having said this, for a few years now I've wanted to make some healthier improvements in my life. In the past I've gone through stages of hating my body, followed by binge eating, followed by regret and more comfort eating. I think going to university has made me a little healthier as I'm walking a lot more, and starting to feel comfortable sliding into a pair of jeans in the morning, which in high school I would never have even tried on.
What I've always wanted to try is exercising with a friend. I always thought it would make the whole exercising thing more enjoyable because I would have a distraction from the tasks set out for me, as well as having a support network of being supported and being a supporter for someone else.
My friend Emmy has been raving about a circuit training class she regularly attends and given that the gym isn't too far from where I live I thought it would be a good idea to try it out with her.
So, on Monday off I went, wearing the first pair of trainers I've worn in about 4 years and with a pair of leggings I'd ripped five minutes before leaving the house. The workouts take place in a leisure centre I spent a lot of my childhood swimming with my Mum and brother in, and when I first walked in my body was more inclined to take a ride on the dragon water slide than complete an intense workout.
Emmy arrived and we walked to the hall. I mean it when I say I was full of fear when I saw the sports hall, which closely replicated my high school gym! I saw a few mats placed on the floor and some benches and I had an idea in my head of the exercises I'd be putting my body through. What I hadn't anticipated was the LAPS I WOULD BE TOLD TO RUN when entering. I'm not very good at maths but I can tell you one calculation that doesn't work out is my body + running. I think I ran about five laps before taking a water break and I'm honestly proud that I didn't just start crying like I would have at school when told to run.
It's February, wtf? By now I'm guessing 79% of the world's population has given up on their resolutions for 2015, and I'm betting more than half of those were 'GET FIT FOR SUMMER' related.
I don't really buy into New Years Resolutions, mainly because I'm indecisive and cynical and aware that I will more than likely fall through the cracks of any resolution I make, regardless of how big or small it is.
Having said this, for a few years now I've wanted to make some healthier improvements in my life. In the past I've gone through stages of hating my body, followed by binge eating, followed by regret and more comfort eating. I think going to university has made me a little healthier as I'm walking a lot more, and starting to feel comfortable sliding into a pair of jeans in the morning, which in high school I would never have even tried on.
What I've always wanted to try is exercising with a friend. I always thought it would make the whole exercising thing more enjoyable because I would have a distraction from the tasks set out for me, as well as having a support network of being supported and being a supporter for someone else.
My friend Emmy has been raving about a circuit training class she regularly attends and given that the gym isn't too far from where I live I thought it would be a good idea to try it out with her.
So, on Monday off I went, wearing the first pair of trainers I've worn in about 4 years and with a pair of leggings I'd ripped five minutes before leaving the house. The workouts take place in a leisure centre I spent a lot of my childhood swimming with my Mum and brother in, and when I first walked in my body was more inclined to take a ride on the dragon water slide than complete an intense workout.
Emmy arrived and we walked to the hall. I mean it when I say I was full of fear when I saw the sports hall, which closely replicated my high school gym! I saw a few mats placed on the floor and some benches and I had an idea in my head of the exercises I'd be putting my body through. What I hadn't anticipated was the LAPS I WOULD BE TOLD TO RUN when entering. I'm not very good at maths but I can tell you one calculation that doesn't work out is my body + running. I think I ran about five laps before taking a water break and I'm honestly proud that I didn't just start crying like I would have at school when told to run.
Once Upon a Time I Met Halsey
Sunday, February 1
One thing you're going to learn about me if I manage to keep this whole blogging thing up, is that I heart music. Just like every person on the planet, I have songs I could listen to 600 times in a row and not hate, musicians I would kill to see live and musicians I would love to meet.
For over a year now I've been obsessing over an American musician called Halsey, an anagram of her real name Ashley (Frangipane). I'm going to be honest and say that I did come across Halsey because of her friendship with Ashton from 5SOS, but nonetheless she's grown to become one of my favourite rising music stars, and her music is the complete opposite to 5SOS.
Just over a year ago she released Ghost, which I played on the way to uni and knew all the words to by the time I got there. Then came her Room 93 EP which features tracks I'm still obsessing over, especially 'Trouble' and 'Empty Gold.' The EP was only released in America, but Halsey encouraged anyone who is a fan to download the EP in any way (illegally) so that they could obtain the music. When Halsey gets signed to a UK label I will be putting in the money to purchase any music she releases, and I cannot wait for the day I get to see her
perform live (if only she could've supported The Kooks here).
For over a year now I've been obsessing over an American musician called Halsey, an anagram of her real name Ashley (Frangipane). I'm going to be honest and say that I did come across Halsey because of her friendship with Ashton from 5SOS, but nonetheless she's grown to become one of my favourite rising music stars, and her music is the complete opposite to 5SOS.
Just over a year ago she released Ghost, which I played on the way to uni and knew all the words to by the time I got there. Then came her Room 93 EP which features tracks I'm still obsessing over, especially 'Trouble' and 'Empty Gold.' The EP was only released in America, but Halsey encouraged anyone who is a fan to download the EP in any way (illegally) so that they could obtain the music. When Halsey gets signed to a UK label I will be putting in the money to purchase any music she releases, and I cannot wait for the day I get to see her
perform live (if only she could've supported The Kooks here).
On the Road to Manchester
Hello Everyone,
I'm currently listening to a mix of Busted and Spice Girls whilst reminiscing over my recent road trip to Manchester and I thought I would write a little post about my journey, which in total was just over ten hours!
First things first (no I'm not the realest) the reason I was travelling to Manchester was to see one of my closest friends since childhood who is currently studying up there. Having a job that requires me to work weekends and then balancing that with university, studying and having a little *chill* time, my time is often limited. So, with a weekend off from work I decided it'd be a cute thing to do and go and spend some time with my friend who I haven't seen since the start of December.
The outbound journey had a little hiccup when my coach was delayed by half an hour. Now, given that the UK had suffered a tiny snow storm the day before my coach was due to leave Leicester, I was surprised and relieved I even managed to get on the road to anywhere! Another speed bump in my journey (punny, I know) came when my travel sickness kicked in, twenty minutes into the journey. Luckily I had managed to purchase some travel bands which kicked in quickly and eased my nausea. For anyone who gets travel sick, either when on a road trip or flying, I would highly recommend the bands I bought, they were called Sea Bands and were £8 from Asda. I was somewhat shocked by the price of the bands, and considered trying to find an alternative in Poundland but in all honesty I can say they were a great investment and worked for me.
I'm currently listening to a mix of Busted and Spice Girls whilst reminiscing over my recent road trip to Manchester and I thought I would write a little post about my journey, which in total was just over ten hours!
First things first (no I'm not the realest) the reason I was travelling to Manchester was to see one of my closest friends since childhood who is currently studying up there. Having a job that requires me to work weekends and then balancing that with university, studying and having a little *chill* time, my time is often limited. So, with a weekend off from work I decided it'd be a cute thing to do and go and spend some time with my friend who I haven't seen since the start of December.
The outbound journey had a little hiccup when my coach was delayed by half an hour. Now, given that the UK had suffered a tiny snow storm the day before my coach was due to leave Leicester, I was surprised and relieved I even managed to get on the road to anywhere! Another speed bump in my journey (punny, I know) came when my travel sickness kicked in, twenty minutes into the journey. Luckily I had managed to purchase some travel bands which kicked in quickly and eased my nausea. For anyone who gets travel sick, either when on a road trip or flying, I would highly recommend the bands I bought, they were called Sea Bands and were £8 from Asda. I was somewhat shocked by the price of the bands, and considered trying to find an alternative in Poundland but in all honesty I can say they were a great investment and worked for me.
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