FRESHERS from the fight.

I'm going to start my second year of Uni soon. And, to a fresher, there's always one worry about second year...


I ACTUALLY HAVE TO START DOING WORK NOW!


That includes me.


But it's not just the work I'm having to face next year...


I've enjoyed my first year, and the 'Fresher Experience' as a whole. The friends, the nights out, the independence. All of it was so strange and enjoyable... I didn't want it to end.


There were so many things you can do at Uni, and get away with, that you could never do at home. Like have a messy room, trash the kitchen and get absolutely MASHED. (Of course, I would never do that last one. That's just awful.)


When you get to your second and third years, and you realise that your work actually matters this year, you realise that you have to fit getting drunk and breaking things has to come second. (Well, that's how it normally works, anyway.)


My second year is already packed with stuff I have to do: 


Read plays
Write essays
Learns lines
Perform plays


Believe me, that's a lot of work. 


In between that academia, I then have to fit in:


Going to the Gym
Drama Society
Hockey
and The possibility of a job.  


"I could do all that in my sleep" I hear you cry. Well, you probably could. But I get stressed fairly easily, so doing all this AND trying to fit in going out with my friends is a near impossibility. 


Even though I won't be able to go out and have fun, it's fair to say I'm looking forward to next year... Though, whether it's the lectures or the fact I will have money again after weeks of being broke is debatable. One of the things I am looking forward to most is seeing my friends again. And knowing that they're just a 5 minute walk away, instead of a 2 hour train journey. It's always nice, at Uni, to have friends so close by because you know that, if you ever need someone, that there is always someone close by to talk to or go for a drink with. 


During the summer it takes weeks of organisation to get to go and see your friends, and usually costs so much money to get train tickets, or pay for petrol, whereas it costs nothing to walk down the road. And, trust me, I have fallen victim to the 'I HAVE TO SEE ALL OF MY FRIENDS OR I WILL EXPLODE OF BOREDOM' mentality. I have made an effort to see as many friends as I can but, due to excessively low funds, the city hopping will have to come to an end. Which makes me sad. 


So, to all of you prospective University students, or those of you about to become a Fresher, here is some friendly advice: ENJOY YOUR FIRST YEAR. Because the second year is tough. You usually only need 40% to pass the first year and it often doesn't count anyway. Spend your student loan on what ever you want, because you won't get another chance to! So, really, just enjoy yourself and save your best for the last two years! 


In the spirit of 'living your first year to the limit', here is a song that describes the life of a Fresher pretty accurately. 


Keep calm and carry on. 

Ke$ha - Tik Tok

Keeping fit or keeping fat?

I'm one of those people who likes nothing more than getting a tub of ice cream and lying on my sofa and watching tv. 


I've always been like that. Some people call me 'lazy'.


But I'm happy.


Lately, it's been proven that obesity is killing more and more people each year, which is worrying, you have to admit it. The other day I decided to check my BMI, seeing as I haven't done much exercise lately. I thought it might give me motivation to get myself fit. 


So, I weighed myself and checked my height and entered it online. I couldn't help but laugh when it turned out I was on the line between being overweight and being obese. 


Normally, people would use that as an excuse to eat healthily and exercise and get away from obesity. Not me. I went downstairs, got myself a doughnut, went back to my computer and sat there all evening. I don't seem to have any motivation to do anything. 


I would normally use the excuse of being a student, but that doesn't seem to have the same effect anymore, seeing as we have a gym a short walk away from My house, both at home and at university. 


It seems that more people are trying to get fitter so gyms and fitness gurus are trying to draw in the customers by offering good prices and quick results. Whilst so called 'slimming aids' are selling better than ever, as people want to lose weight without all the hard work of exercise and healthy eating. 


But isn't it a bit redundant? 


We pay so much money to join a gym, buying specialist foods and specific products when, all we really need to do is buy more vegetables and fruit and less junk food, which should save money, and do some more exercise. Just doing a few hours of housework, like vacuuming and walking the dog, is enough to keep your heart healthy. 


 I'm the worst person to tell anyone to do exercise, my legs started to shiver when my boyfriend wanted me to walk into town with him... 


But you'd think, with the Olympics coming up, people would be more interested in getting fit and trying new sports but instead are using it as an excuse to stick to their sofas and watch it on tv. It's becoming almost impossible to encourage people to go and and exercise. 


I'd be a hypocrite if I called someone lazy. But, sometimes, it's good to do a bit of exercise. You may feel knackered afterwards, but it does make you feel good, releasing the endorphins and what not.


So next time you're sitting on your sofa, guzzling down sweets, don't just watch the Olympics. Be inspired to get off the sofa, put your sweets down and just go for it! That's what I intend to do!

'Augustus Gloop - Oompa Loompa Song' - Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory

Life in plastic... Is it so fantastic?

I know I have posted something similar to this before, but it is a topic that I deeply care about.

Why is today's society so obsessed with the way we look? 

I'd be a hypocrite if I said that I don't care about how I look, because I do. Just like most people. It's often hard to avoid looking at our own reflection every 5 minutes sometimes. 

But why have we become so concerned with our appearance? 

I suppose it's easy enough for people to say "Don't change, you're beautiful the way you are", but everyone wants to change at least one thing about themselves. Think about it: If you had to change just one thing about yourself, what would you change? I'm going to confess, I'd like to have a flatter tummy. Maybe a straighter nose. 

Most people would say "I want to be prettier" or "I want to be thin". But every person has their own idea of what it means to be 'beautiful' or 'pretty'. One person's princess can be another person's monster, and it's often difficult to please everyone. 

Could this be one of the problems we face? Do we often think that if one person finds us unattractive that we need to change everything about ourselves to please that one person, even if it means everyone who loved us, and the way we looked, suddenly hating it? 

For example: Jennifer Grey, the star of 'Dirty Dancing'. 

She was a young, naturally beautiful woman. But, as soon as the pressure of Hollywood kicked in she got 'That Nose job' that pretty much wrecked her career. However, personally, I don't think she is an unattractive woman because of that.

Jennifer Grey - Before and after the Nose Job

Why can't someone 'different' be beautiful?


I googled the words 'Beautiful women' and the first thing I got on my screen was a bunch of pictures of women with very little clothes and rather large 'assests', which got a few funny looks from my mother when she read the internet history, I'm sure. 


Why does beauty need to be defined by how large our boobs are and how flat our tummy is? 


When we look at past beauty icons, we see the likes of Marilyn Monroe, who was a beautiful, curvy woman. She wasn't skinny, but she had a beautiful figure. But, unfortunately in today's society, she would probably be seen as 'large' or 'fat', so would be forced to change. Personally, I see her as a beauty icon. If I had her body and her striking beauty I would be chuffed. 

Marilyn Monroe

These days, it's almost impossible to judge a person's natural looks because we hide behind make up and plastic surgery, afraid of how we'll be perceived by other people. We'd all be hypocrites if we told someone they don't need to change when we're thinking it ourselves. So, I have a challenge for every person who reads this blog. 

Every time you look in a mirror, whether it's to brush your teeth, or your changing, look at yourself. Look into your eyes. And tell yourself that you ARE beautiful. You may not be Marilyn Monroe, or a stick thin model, but you are a beautiful person. You shouldn't listen to people's cruel comments about your weight, your looks or your dress sense. 

Be yourself, always. 

Second Hand White Baby Grand - Smash Soundtrack

I'm back.

Yes, I'm back from my week away from civilisation. And, by that, I mean my week away from my computer. 


"But where have you been?" I hear you cry. 


Well, let me tell you where I've been. 


LONDON. 


Well, only for the weekend. 


So, you know how ages ago I told you that I was going on a Nerd-trip to London with my fella, well I went this weekend. AND IT WAS AMAZING. 

Me by the Baker Street Station sign, London

We spent the majority of our time on friday, the day we arrived, on the Bakerloo tube line around the centre of London visiting landmarks such as the Sherlock Holmes Museum, Speedy's cafe (The filming location for the T.V. show 'Sherlock') and the BBC Radio broadcast centre. 

The Sherlock Holmes Museum, London

We had an extra hour and a half before our dinner reservations, so we hopped back on the tube and visited Trafalgar Square. Here, we saw the Olympic countdown clock and The National Gallery. If you're ever in London, do visit the National Gallery, it's free entry and there are some wonderful pieces to see there. I'm not going to lie, the only reason we went inside it was because it started to rain when we were sitting on the steps outside. 

The National Gallery, London

Saturday was a very surreal day, and that's not an exaggeration. 

Me, my fella and our friend, Adam, went and visited Covent Garden. It started fairly normally. Getting the tube, going to a Canadian themed pub, The Maple Leaf, and then going to Nandos for our dose of Portuguese chicken. 

The Maple Leaf, Covent Garden, London

I noticed, completely by chance as we were standing at a cash machine, that the Adelphi Theatre was literally steps away from where we were. And the Michael Ball and Imelda Saunton production of 'Sweeney Todd' was performing there, and there was a matinee because it was a saturday. 

I dragged Adam and Chris to the stage door and forced them to wait with me for about half an hour. We watched, what seemed like, every member of stage crew pass us by then re-renter the building in a space of half an hour. Then, just as we were about to give up, we noticed a man, in a vest, standing in the doorway of the theatre. 

We all had to do a double-take before we noticed who was standing so close to us. 

It was Jason Manford, who is currently playing Todd's barber rival Pirelli in the production at the Adelphi. 

Me, Adam and Jason Manford outside the Aldelphi Theatre, Covent Garden, London

I think it is fair to say we were starstruck. We stood there for a few moew minutes, hoping to run into Ball or Staunton, but no luck. We started to chart who the most famous people we'd met or seen before were. As we stood there, I noticed out of the corner of my mind, a large entourage. And, in the middle, was the one, and only, Gok Wan. I feel silly for saying it now, but the only thing I could say at the time was "Is that Gok Wan? Oh my God." He walked straight past us and wondered into a near by bar. 

It was literally like waiting for a bus. You wait ages for one celebrity and then two come along at once. It was typical. On the tube home, the only thing the three of us could think about was how starstruck we all were. I was on such a high that I managed to make it down the 193 steps of Covent Garden Station. If you've ever seen them, you'll know how brutal they are. 

Sunday was just amazing. 

Why? 

Because I went to the London Film and Comic Con. That's why. 

London Film and Comic Con, Olympia, London

For those of you who don't know, Comic Con is a kind of gathering where fans of T.V. Shows, comics, Films, etc, can meet the stars and creators, buy merchandise and meet other fans. Think of it as a sort of 'Nerd Haven'. 

People in all sorts of costumes were walking around the centre. Power Rangers, Anime Characters, Storm Troopers, The Doctor. You name it, it was probably there somewhere. 

I felt so at home. 

I saw so many famous people too. Freema Agyeman from Doctor Who, John Simm, Anthony Stewart-Head from Merlin, Hayden Panettiere and Bernard Cribbins. I don't think I've ever been happier. 

Oh, and I got to wear a funky mushroom hat. 

Me in a funky mushroom hat, Olympia, London

So, that was my weekend. It seems so far away, even though it was only a few days ago. 

A tip to everyone reading this: If you ever want to meet celebrities, go to a Comic Con or stand in the street in Covent Garden outside some bars. You never know who you might see. 

Live long and prosper. 

London Calling - The Clash

The last 24 hours have been a blur...

I'm sleep deprived.


VERY sleep deprived. 


So sleep deprived that whenever I do sleep, I wake up thinking that the dream I was having was real then panicking or crying when I find out it wasn't real, and I was simply still tired. 


But the last 24 hours have been the worst. 


On Saturday morning (Well, afternoon), I woke up at 12:30 and finally found the energy to roll out of bed at 1, then I decided to do my daily computer routine of 'Turn on, check facebook, check twitter, check e-mail, check tumblr... scroll aimlessly through tumblr, then stare at the screen.' 


I got so bored of this. 


At approximately 5pm, I grabbed my book from the shelf. 


THEN IT ALL WENT DOWNHILL. 


The book I grabbed was the FABULOUS 'Hunger Games' by Suzanne Collins. I started at the point I left off when I put it down a few weeks ago (To those of you who know the story, it was just at the beginning of the Games themselves).Then I read. 


And read. 


And read. 


By 10pm, I had finished the book. 


So I picked up the sequel, 'Catching fire'. By about 1am, I was tired of reading. So, I restarted my computer routine and eventually clambered back into bed at 4am. My mistake was picking up the book to 'Read just one more chapter before bed.' Before I knew it, it was 10am and I had read two thirds of the book. 


I had managed to sit there for 6 hours and read. 


HOW?! 


So, I decided I needed to sleep. So I did. I woke up at 3:30 and had breakfast. Casual. 


I had to finish the book. 


I read for another two or so hours until the book was complete, and I wasn't disappointed. 


I FOOLISHLY PICKED UP THE FINAL BOOK IN THE TRILOGY. 


Luckily, I'd got to chapter 5 and I had a headache from all the reading. (My body isn't really used to it.) 


Since I've started reading, my entire life has become narrated in my head. 


Even as I write this to you, it feels as if I'm being narrated and watched. It's a strange sensation. 


I also feel bad that I haven't written many blogs lately.  I think that my sleep deprived mind has run out of things to say, so has just shut down in the thinking department. (Wouldn't  be the first time) I'll try and speak more, but I'll try and get some sleep first. 


Believe it or not, I couldn't really find a song to finish my blog with that held this theme. So, instead, I will give you a beautiful song from 'The Hunger Games' film soundtrack. It's not exactly fitting, but I'm so tired right now, I'm tempted to put the Thong Song here for thrills. 


Stay Classy. 

Taylor Swift and The Civil Wars - Safe and Sound 

(From 'The Hunger Games' soundtrack.)