I'm back!

Wow! I have just realised how long it has been since I have posted on here. Sorry guys. I was crazy busy over the summer with jobs and jobs and jobs. But I'm loving being back in London, I definitely took it for granted last year.

Expect blogs about the summer, lots of exciting stuff went down.

Here's a video slightly related to my return. Peace out.

My no makeup selfie.

After Neknominations, I was glad to see a 'good cause' nomination make its way around the internet.  I loved seeing pictures of my friends going  slap-free and posting beautiful pictures of themselves online. But I was concerned that nothing was 'actually' happening to promote breast cancer awareness or raise money for needed research. 

This is when I thought there might be something a little 'off' with this campaign. I looked through blogposts and articles and it didn't take me long to find reasons not to post a selfie. I mean, I could work out for myself that the whole idea is very self absorbed. "Look at me, I am doing a good deed" is not the attitude we should have, nor promote.  

Generosity should not have to be nominated. It is a blessing in itself to be able to help a cause.

This all being said, I have decided to continue the trend, nominating other friends too. As I received my nomination, I gave my boobs a quick check over and snapped a selfie. If somewhere down the line this gives a woman the reminder to check for lumps and bumps, when it matters, it will be worth it

 

Donate at www.breastcancercampaign.org/support-us/donate/donate-online or text BEAT to 70099 to donate £3.

Valentines 2014

I usually don't like going along with commercial rubbish, but Valentines Day is one of my favourite times of the year.

Despite always living miles apart, Jake and I always make the effort to see each other on Valentines and do the cheesy, couple stuff. This year was no exception. We ate out, enjoyed a trip to the cinema, exchanged ridiculous cards and spoiled each other with gifts.

Our time together started on Valentines day itself with dinner out at The Burger Joint on Whiteladies Road. The place was really fantastic and it was great to be able to catch up over tasty food. Its looks promising for next year's venue.




I went for a lamb burger with haloumi, dijoniase and sweet potato chips. YUM!

We continued to do the cheesy stuff by heading to the cinema. Cuban Fury is a great film if you enjoy Nick Frost's kind of humour.




Heading through the Bearpit from the restaurant to Cabot Circus. Twas windy to say the least.

The following day we just chilled at home, did a bit of cooking but I mainly caught up on sleep which was lost over placement.

A cooked breakfast in the morning and in the evening sausage and mash. Really not good for us but man, they were tasty!

That night, we headed to Jake's lab partner's birthday do and danced the night away! It was a great laugh and Charlie enjoyed himself. Saturday night well spent.

A pre-party selfie is an unwritten rule. We are sexy.

















Sunday was another pretty relaxed day. In the afternoon we went on a double date to Bristol Museum, a lot smaller than my local museums but it was still very impressive. We then went mad at the Waitrose reduced pastries and then headed home before church that  evening.

Just one of the beauties at the museum.
















Monday morning I headed home. The train was a lot less delayed than on the way there as the flooding seemed to be much better. A very calm ending to a terrific weekend, I cannot wait until next year.

Placement ends

After a half-term in a gorgeous little school, sadly I have to return to 'real' university life. I feel that lectures will not be the same after getting to share everyday with funny little people and spending most of the day cutting and sticking. One up side to going back, however, is that I will never ever moan about having a 9am lecture again, that is a lie-in.

I was so so blessed to be given a wonderful class with one of the best teachers I have ever met. The class gave me a really great send off. On my last day, I received a handmade goodbye card and a teachers-essential pack. Cute or what?!

Hello again, Internet

So it has been a super long time since I have written on here. As they say, time flies when you are having fun. A lot has happened since October; my mum visited for her birthday, we had our flat Christmas meal/ last supper, I visited Jake for his birthday, it was Christmas, 2014 began and now I am having the time of my life in a school. Phew!

I thought that I had better fill you all in on these 'massive' events which went on since the last post.

1.  Mum's Visit

For 2 days (one night) my mum stayed with me for her birthday. It was my present to her to see what  get up to during the week but also to be tourists in my city and spoil ourselves! We visited the museums, ate delicious food in Wagamamas and finished the time together off with a trip to the zoo. It was the perfect way to spend time together as we really got to chat about our lives apart for the first time face-face.

2. Our Last Supper

The people which I lived with for the first term are truly the easiest people to live with in the world; we each respected each other's privacy whilst always spending time in each other's company. Before we all left for the Christmas break, I decided that we should have a Last Supper together, as Nike would be leaving at the end of December (Oh I miss her!). This turn into a very elaborate feast which a few of the other girls and I put together. It was fabulous, if I do say so myself. It was the perfect goodbye for Nike and way to leave 2013.

3.Jake's 20th/Bristolian Adventure

So my final deadline was on the 16th of December, so I swiftly rushed off to Paddington after my hand-in and visited my favourite person for his birthday. We ate expensive food (well, Cafe Rouge), explored the city (by day and by night), and just chillaxed as a couple. It was a wonderful way to spend a week.

Oh! And we made a scrummy, scrummy quiche. Seriously tasty stuff.

4. CHRISTMAS

My Christmas was great. I went home for the first time since early September so I caught up with everyone I possibly could before not seeing them for months again. It was so lovely to be in the countryside, smothered by love and dog hair, just like before I had left. Unfortunately, my whole family were ill over the holidays and it did stain a perfect fortnight but that being said, I thoroughly enjoyed my Christmas break.


5. Welcome 2014

So NYE was great this year. It was the first time I went 'out-out' for the start of the new year and it was great! I got to spend time with my wonderful girls from Cornwall. Getting dolled up and heading to Zone was exactly what the doctor ordered. It had been so long I had spent time with Linzi, Jenny, Sara, etc. and it was so lovely to catch up and spend a few hours drinking and dancing the night (morning) away. Our feet said differently the next day but nothing more than a Wetherspoons fry up couldn't fix.


6. Now
I am currently on placement in a dear year 1 class in Fulham. I love it so much. Despite being covered in snot, having no free time and having very, very, very long days; it is the most rewarding thing I could imagine doing. There is no doubt about it, I was born to teach.

A spendid weekend which I have no evidence.

With a broken phone, I am unable to take snaps I usually would. This is the reason I have no evidence for the weekend just gone.

Jake came to visit me this weekend; Friday evening through to Sunday night. Its the most bizarre thing when we see one another.We are so used to being apart that we don't really know what to do with each other when we are reunited. The time we spent together was jam-packed and now, the first day of reading week, I have come to the conclusion that sleep is the best way for it to be spent.

Friday evening-Jake arrives, we head back to mine to get Geeked up for a night at BOP.
Friday evening (later)- Nick and Lucy (friends from my course) come to my place. We play drinking games with some of the flat and Nick's friend Owen.
Friday night-We all head to BOP, possibly walking in an unusual fashion.

Saturday morning (early)- Dancing the night away, it's so empty due to reading week and everyone going home. We head back around 2.
Saturday morning- A swift dart into central London, wondering around Chinatown and Soho before the big "date".
Saturday afternoon- The big "date". Once the musical. What a show!
Saturday evening- A leisurely stroll along the Southbank, where Jake attempted to take photos with his quite appalling camera.
Saturday night- Beef stir-fry in the kitchen followed by orange jelly and Sherlock snuggled up in blankets.

Sunday morning- I cook Jake a full English, almost completely in the microwave.
Sunday morning (later)- Meet up with Lucy again and the three of us head to church.
Sunday afternoon- Student lunch at the Pastor's house. Chicken and chorizo paella was a win all round.
Sunday afternoon (later)- Jake and I head into south Kensington and meander around the V&A museum.
Sunday evening- We head to Hyde Park and listen to Meryon's (Jake's friend from school) radio show.
Sunday evening (later)- A stroll along King's Road is in order. We admire all of the shops we can't afford anything from.
Sunday night- Back to Putney where we eat cake and Sundaes in The Railway, my favourite Wetherspoons.
Sunday night (later)-  Head back to Putney Bridge, admiring the Thames on the way. I show Jake where I row and the new callouses on my hands.

Jake arrives at Paddington in time for his train home.

THE END

The Great Storm.

So there were weather warnings after weather warnings for last night through to this morning. "The Big Storm" was on its way and to be honest I was scared; Jake had been visiting for the weekend and we both had to walk from stations to our homes, alone, and it seemed likely we would either blow away or drown.

After making it into my flat, drenched but in one piece, I worried for Jake whose train was soon to arrive in Bristol. Being a midnight arrival, if something terrible was to happen, there would be no one around to help.

Living in England we are very used to the rain. Jake arrived home safely; he is damp but you would not expect anything less from a walk at night during Autumn. My worries were almost completely unnecessary.
















I slept well after Jake text me to let me know he was home and safe. As I woke up this morning, I rushed to the window to see what damage had been done in London. Just a bright morning with buildings and trees intact. I hear from a few friends that flower pots and bins have been pushed around but overall unimpressive. So, this "Big Storm" was really just some wind and rain which we get every night, a tad stronger. I'm sure they'll get weather predictions right one day.

5 weeks down...already!

In my Professional Studies lecture this afternoon, it really hit home that I was a university student. It was session 5 meaning that it has been 5 weeks (or there about) since I've moved to the big city and become a full time fresher. 5 weeks sounds like such a long time to have been away from everything in Cornwall, especially to not miss it. The feeling of feeling at home is so warming and cosy that it has meant that I have not really given it a thought.What has helped greatly is that; the course, rowing, the gym, CU, church and my flat are keeping me busy. It's rare I am sat on my own bored.

Our first flat-family night consisted of me making 46 pancakes which we then all scoffed. I love living with my flat, they're all so much fun.

This place is so full of mysteries. I am constantly finding new things around the campuses. Being at Roehampton is the best decision I have made so far and I am really looking forward to the next 3 years.

Fresher's Week is not for the weak.

After I had moved into my room at uni, freshers week began fast. It was not long before all of my flatmates were drunk and playing games with one another. I think that it is truly the fastest way to become friends with someone. The week entailed night after night of activities for us all ranging from comedy nights to UV parties. To say the least it was tiring.

By day we attended introductory lectures, tours and registrations. This was surprisingly difficult if you didn't leave the club until 3.  It was doable, and we all survived the week. Some of us ill, knackered and poor, but we made it. Now for the real university life to begin.

So this is Amy, one of my flatmates. This was the first night and we both had far too much to drink at BOP's white t-shirt party but the night was controlled nevertheless...sort of.

I didn't get the flat that I wanted, but one down the road about half a mile. It's really not a problem though because it means I get to walk past this every morning without going out of my way.

I loved exploring the towns around us. On Saturday we went to Kingston Upon Thames for shopping and lunch. Its so nice to live just a short bus ride away from shops. I am used to spending 2 hours on a train just for a H&M. 

Alice and I were friends in senior school. We hadn't seen or spoken in about 2 years but bumped into each other at the Fresher's fest. Looks like we will be seeing more of one another again.

Good bye Cornwall.

This week is my last at home with mum and dad. It isn't sad in any way (to me!) as I have a place at Roehampton University which I had really worked hard for. My packing (which had been done since May) had to be repacked so that there was no space-waste. This was exciting. I cannot wait to get into the place I'll be for the next three years. London!

Photo collection: 3.8.13-10.8-13

Here is a collection of  photos from my family holiday in North Wales. (more to come)

I, driver.

Yesterday, I had my first attempt at my driving test. I didn't really think it was that big of a deal until the morning of the test, then I was scared.

It seemed like a year wait for my driving instructor to arrive but before I knew it, my pre-test lesson had been and gone and I was headed for the test center. My stomach growled with nervousness.

I can't really remember my test exactly. All I can recall is the examiner congratulating me at the very end. Confusion was all I thought and then it hit me. I am now a fully qualified driver.

Chris, my instructor, slowly walked over to the car with curiosity in his eyes. I launched myself at him and burst into tears (what a girl, huh?) with pride and thankfulness. I really enjoyed learning to drive with him. He is such a nice man and great teacher.

I would do the test all over again if it meant I would have the feeling of passing once more.





















To me, this certificate means the world.

Well deserved celebration.

There is no better feeling than on A-level results day finding that you have exceeded the grades you need to do your ideal degree in your ideal university. I couldn't help but grin the whole day knowing that  I was going to be moving to London and learning to be a teacher.

After work, as a bit of a double-date/celebration, Jenny, Ben, Jake and myself all climbed Carn Brea (a beautiful rocky hill just between Redruth and Camborne). The sky was bright but it was still very cold. We sat on a rock and ate Kendall Mint Cake (a gift from Wales) as our noses turned pink.  

When we arrived home, we stuffed ourselves with sausages and mash and proceeded to crash on the sofa, watching rubbish T.V. It was not long until we had to get ready for a night out to celebrate results day with the rest of sixth form and other students around Redruth. Jenny and I did not take long to get ready and soon we were headed to Linzi's house for lethal pre-drinks.

 

A messy few hours it was. All of my girls were ecstatic the whole evening, knowing that they would, in a month or so, be university students.

The club was packed! It seemed that everyone had done well and was out having a great night because of it. We had a few cheeky drinks in a booth before the dancing started and boy, did the dancing start!

I really do believe that my friends are the best in the world.

Surrounded by beauty.

Living in Cornwall is such a privilege. It is beautiful all year round but these two days, in particular, were exceptionally pretty ones.
















This summer Jake and I promised we would do more active things together (unlike last year when we mostly watched films and pigged out). The Gannel is such a wonderful place to start our couple runs; the dusty tracks are perfect for jogging and the clear blue made the outdoors so inviting.

It soon became clear that it was too hot to be wearing tops. Our pasty-white tummies finally got to see the bright summer sun which has only just made an appearance. Unsurprisingly, Jake did not go for the conventional smile in this photo.

So clear and so blue! The sea the next morning was truly a breath-taker. After an hour or so sunbathing, we ran into the sea. Despite being hot weather, the sea was still freezing like the grey week before and we didn't stay in there long.

Newquay town was busy. It's nice to see the high street doing well for once. Even though I appear to have my grump on, basking in the glorious sunshine at The Cribbar was a great place to be at lunchtime.

For a treat the pair of us went to Pizza Express for tea. On the way back home we stopped at the viewing point on Great Western Beach to see the beauty of Newquay's coast. This is my favourite place on earth.