Thursday thoughts.

Despite handing my English coursework in last Monday, life has still been trundling along at quite a relaxed pace with not a lot going on. I've figured out that going into college for first lesson and doing my homework there takes away a lot of unnecessary stress so I have time to read and do outside research and work for my subjects which is really great!

A few things that are/have been happening or running through my head recently: 

- Just over a month until my birthday - I'm so excited but scared to turn 18!

- I can't wait to start Uni; I drive past Reading in my lessons so it's just out of reach taunting me!

- I get to go to the British Museum with my Classics class after half term and I can't wait!

- I had to go to the hospital for a diabetic check up yesterday and they told me I have the option to see a psychologist for my needle phobia which might be a good thing, I haven't decided yet. 

- I've decided that when I get to Uni, I want flowers in my room. I don't have any in my room now and I think they're really pretty so I want some when I have a space that is 100% my own. 

- I've finally got a proper, close group of friends and I couldn't be happier! I always feel a bit detached from friendship groups so it's nice to be able to get this now.

- My love for American sweets has been rekindled, I can't believe I forgot how good they are! 

- My driving test is 4 weeks yesterday which is rather scary! I think I'm doing pretty well though and I hope I pass first time! 

- I have to go back to Cardiff and Birmingham Unis within the next two months and I'm excited because I get to look around them again! It will be difficult to choose between them.

- I still haven't heard back from Exeter Uni which is really annoying...I don't want to go there and I have to wait for them to reply which is stopping me from being able to do anything with the rest of my choices! Even if I wanted to go there, I would be put off by now purely because they're being so long with choosing! 

Hope you guys enjoyed reading this! It's nice to just put down my thoughts sometimes! 

Jess xx

Lazy Sunday

Now I'm back, the first week back at college went by so quickly and now it feels as if I never left! Overall, it's been a good start back, with lessons feeling quite relaxed and not a lot of homework being given out. 

I've been re-doing my coursework today which has been quite hard as it's my final draft. Whatever I give in next time will be the piece that is marked for my final grade. Last year we got a few drafts that allowed us all to get good grades but this year it's quite scary having to get it all right pretty much on the first go! Hopefully it all goes alright!

Jess xx

P.S. I'm almost at 100 followers on Bloglovin', thank you!

It's not everyday you fangirl with your teacher...

Today has been an odd day. I set my alarm earlier than I thought I had so I ended up having loads of time to get ready this morning which was lovely! It also meant that I got to spend more time choosing what to wear and putting my make up on so I was happy with everything!

For my make up, I used Max Factor whipped creme foundation in Natural, Urban Decay eyeshadows in Drink Me, Eat Me and Mad Hatter from the Alice in Wonderland eyeshadow palette, Ruby & Millie blusher (don't know the name as from an old palette), Benefit BadGal Lash mascara and L'Oreal Rouge Caresse lipstick in Lovely Rose.
Vest is old from Next and the cardigan is from Crew. 

I get in to college half way through lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays so I tend to take a walk by the river because it puts me in a good mood and today I got to feed some ducks and geese which was really lovely as I haven't done that for quite a while!

In Classics, we watched The Big Lebowski which was a really odd but funny film, it's a shame we didn't get to see how it ended though! 

In English, we had a quiz in the last half of the lesson which was really fun, our team came second by half a point! One of the questions was "Who lives at 221B Baker Street?" and someone didn't know! Me and my teacher were completely shocked because we just assumed it was common knowledge. We ended up fangirling over the imminent return of Sherlock in the New Year and it's made me even more excited because now I get to talk to her about it when we come back for the Spring term!

I love the end of term as the lessons are always so relaxed with minimal work which is great fun! There is also nearly always food involved which is also great!

How have the last few days been for you guys? 

Jess xx 

P.S. Thank you to all of my new followers, I'm one away from 50 now and I've reached 60 on my Bloglovin so I'm really excited and happy that there are so many more of you reading! 

Tuesday's thoughts.

I finished my english coursework! 

The first draft was handed in today and I couldn't be happier that it's gone. It's been causing me far too much stress for what it's worth so I'm glad it's gone for a week or so...until my teacher marks it and gives it back again! 

I also forgot to say that I got a rejection from UCL on Thursday but I'm not down about it as I knew it would happen as my grades aren't good enough, I'm just glad they decided quickly! Looking at you now, Exeter. 

I have so much reading to do over the next week for my interview at Reading - I've had these books loaned out since October now and I'm only partially way through them so it will be rather interesting to see if I get them read on time! I'm just glad that I'm a quick reader! 

It's also going to be interesting over Christmas, I have to read: the Regeneration trilogy by Pat Barker, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini and The Iliad by Homer. Goodbye social life! 

Only 2 weeks and 3 days until I break up for the Christmas holidays and I couldn't be more excited. I love christmas so much and I really can't wait! 

I'm going to start doing a few of the reviews I promised you guys in October/November now I have time, hopefully you guys will like them! 

Hopefully normal blogging will start again soon and not be these update posts that I seem to be doing a lot of lately...and hopefully things get a bit more exciting so I can do more interesting blog posts!

Jess xx

Just a quick note...

Sorry for the lack of blogging recently, I've had so many essays and am currently working on my English coursework which will hopefully be over in the next couple of days so fingers crossed I'll be able to blog quite a bit more soon enough!

Jess xx

Monday Musings.

I can't believe how good this weekend has been. Since getting my offer on Friday, everything has been going amazingly well! 

A few things going through my mind currently:

- I am never moving out from under this duvet, it's far too warm.

- I'm super excited for Uni now, only have to wait until September!!

- I need to clean my room.

- I need extra hours in the day TO clean my room!

- The temptation to buy this make-up set is almost killing me...I have until Thursday to crack.

- My English coursework plan is due in a couple of weeks...help.

- People that you can talk to for hours or days on end and still not get bored are the best kind.

- DOCTOR WHO 50TH ANNIVERSARY ON SATURDAY. I CAN"T CONTAIN MY EXCITEMENT.

- Finally feeling close with my college friends is the nicest realisation.

- It's so close to Christmas!!!!!!!!!!...I still need to buy my friends presents.

- I have never been more grateful for fluffy snow boots in my life - even without snow they're the best for cold days. 

- I need to find a pretty Christmassy nail polish for next month, but which to get?

- I need to re-watch the Aristocats again sometime, I miss this song.

- This is my 250th post!

That's pretty much what has been going through my head the last few days, mainly the song though...It's my favourite! 

Hope you guys had as great a weekend as I did! 

Jess xx

General Life

Everything is going pretty great at the moment. My UCAS has been sent off and I'm so happy! I have 4 emails from the unis to tell me that they've received my application which is so great but so scary! I just have to wait to see if I have offers now!

I went to college early today and got a costa with one of my closer friends which was amazing! We had a really great chat about loads of things and the christmas drinks came out today so that was super exciting! I love the Christmas drinks and food, they always taste so yummy and are absolutely perfect for this time of year. 

I'm loving college at the moment in general, we aren't getting much homework which is nice and the work is interesting and a lot of fun so I want to learn more! I'm doing my english coursework this half term, meaning I have to read and analyse a couple of books as well as the book that we are taught in class. It's so much fun getting to choose the books and question to do for my coursework - as long as it relates to identity, I can do pretty much any question I feel fits my books the best! 

Instead of choosing from the list we were given, I came up with my own question! 

To what extent do the writers of your chosen texts suggest that failure to live in the present inevitably leads to obsession and isolation? 

I think it's such a great question that fits with all three books and I'm so happy me and my teacher managed to verbalise my question after explaining to her what I wanted to say! 

My three books are: Translations by Brian Friel

Jezebel by Irene Nemirovsky 

The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman.

If you read these, or the blurbs, they sound like they would have nothing in common but they're all fantastic for this question! I'm actually really excited to properly start my coursework now!

Sorry I'm not blogging much at the moment, there isn't much to talk about! I'll start posting some reviews of my half term purchases soon though!

Jess xx

The Versatile Blogger Award!

I was originally nominated a couple of weeks ago by my real life awesome friend Kate and I found that I've also been nominated by the amazing Amy today so I figured that I should actually do this! I'm honestly so grateful to these girls as they both have great blogs and it's lovely to think that I do too! You should definitely check out both of their blogs, they're great!

The Rules:
1. Once you've been nominated, you must display the Versatile Blogger Award somewhere on your blog.
2. Make sure to thank your nominator and leave a link to their blog.
3. Write 7 facts about you so new readers and old followers get to learn a bit more about you as a person and not just 'the blogger'.
4. Nominate your favourite bloggers for the award too!

7 facts about me

I'm in my final year of sixth form studying Ancient History, Classical Civilisation and English Literature.

I want to study Archaeology and Ancient History at Uni and am applying this year, I'm hoping to go to Cardiff because it's such a lovely Uni and the course is fantastic!

Reading is my favourite hobby and even though I don't have much time on my hands, I always carry a book around with me incase I get a spare 10 minutes or have to wait for a train!

I have a very mixed music taste and most of my favourites are pretty unheard of. Orla Gartland, Hudson Taylor, Lauren Aquilina, Lewis Watson, Lisa Hannigan, Regina Spektor and Ingrid Michaelson anyone? Passenger, Gabrielle Aplin and Paolo Nutini are other favourites of mine. I also like bands such as Madness, Johnny Get The Gun and The Wombats.

I have never dyed my hair and I don't want to. I have copper tones running through my hair already and I love the way it shines in the light! People always used to say I'd look good with black hair though...I disagree.

I have an unhealthy addiction to nail polish and lipstick. I own 22 of each and I love them all, I haven't worn all of the colours of nail polish yet though. My next product I'm looking at is a MAC lipstick though, I really want to say I own one!

I said this a couple of weeks ago but Autumn is my favourite season, October is probably my favourite month too. I just love the changing colour of the leaves, the fact that Christmas is just around the corner and that you get to wear cuddly scarves, jumpers and boots, my favourite pieces of clothing!

Writing this has been really fun and I hope you guys have learnt something new about me! It's hard to choose because there are so many amazing blogs out there, but I'm going to choose these bloggers as they're lovely and have a great writing style!:

Alexi

Rosie

Emily

Lauren

Caitlin

Barbs

I hope you check these girls out, they're all great!
Jess xx

Picking my pieces off the ground

After a bit of a rocky start to the year, I'm finally feeling comfortable with all of my subjects at college. 

Everything makes sense and I'm enjoying all of the lessons and participating on a level I've never done in my entire time in education. 

And I'm so happy about it.

I'm actually excited to work and go into college every day and I feel so optimistic about this year and my inevitable exams. It's inspiring me to work even harder this year so it all pays off come August when I find out results and if I get a Uni place. 

Today is the first of October. This month I'm going to make sure I do extra work/reading to help me understand and consolidate the work I've done in the lessons. I've already bought note cards and started my Classics notes this morning which is a great start!

My teachers are also really supportive so if I have any problems I can just talk to them and explain what I'm struggling with. 

Learning is actually one of my favourite things - you can never have too much knowledge and it's fun getting to learn new things. It's like unlocking a whole new piece of the world and I can't wait to unlock more.

Jess xx

Petite Anglaise.

This is one of the two books I picked up at the last car boot sale I ventured to with Mark a month or so ago and I'm oh so glad that I did because I love it. I decided that it would be a good read for the train journey to/from college on Friday as I tend to sit alone (after a busy week, train relaxation and alone time is actually rather enjoyable!) so I grabbed it and shoved it in my bag as I ran out of the door. I'm so happy I did. 

This book is a memoir of an English blogger (actual name of the blog is petite Anglaise) who lives in France. I'm only 32 pages in but I'm hooked. Catherine's writing style is so easy to read and quite funny at points, it's really very hard to put down which I can see as being a problem! I can see it being my go-to book for my daily train journeys, except for when I'm lacking in space due to the copious amounts of books I have to carry for my lessons each Monday (you'd be surprised at how much you have to carry for only three lessons...). It's also a hardback so it's rather awkward to fit in my bag. It does mean that it doesn't have the risk of being ripped to shreds by my constant taking items in and out of my bag though. 

I'm really excited to finish reading it and hopefully I'll get some spare time to continue it! 

Jess xx

Cinema connoisseur

-I've just been on a week long holiday in Sicily and I didn't have time to post this before, sorry!-

In the last month, I've been to the cinema 5 times. That's more times than I usually go in a year! My noticeboard is covered in cinema tickets now and I love it! 

I saw The Great Gatsby with English last month which was just amazing - I loved it so much and thought it was so well done! Some things that were missed from the book annoyed me but mostly, it was a really good film! 

Next was Pompeii live which was a bit of a disaster. Our ancient history class should have been going to see the adult version that actually explained the exhibition being displayed in the British museum at the moment, but instead we went to the later version by accident and ended up in the children's version which was a glorified geography and year 4 history lesson combined with presenters as horrible and patronising as the people off Cbeebies and Newsround. It was painful to sit through mostly but it was more bearable because of our class' running commentary which was quite funny at points! When artefacts from the exhibition were shown, there weren't many, it was actually interesting so I can't wait to go at the end of August; it's going to be amazing to actually see it in person because it looks really fantastic!

The cinema in town where I go to college is a little old style, independent cinema that hosts free film nights for students once every month, and June's film was Monsters university! It was so great and funny and I loved it so much!! It was fun seeing monsters from the first film who are scarers and what they were like at Uni and also it was pretty cool to see why Randal turned out to be evil! Honestly such an amazing film, everyone must watch it! 

I then went to see Man of Steel with a friend at the same cinema that weekend and even though I'm not a huge superman fan, it was actually such a good film and I really loved it! It's directed by the guy who did 300 so I was expecting the worst so it was a really nice surprise that I ended up enjoying it! 

The last one was this last weekend (now actually about 3 weeks ago...sorry) when I saw Despicable Me 2 with Mark. I saw it in 3D and because I wear glasses it was slightly awkward at times when trying to keep them up, but it was such a good film! It was funny and sweet and I just loved every second! The minions and Agnes are still my favourites - I swear I'm more like Agnes than any of the other girls which is scary because she's only 6! That really says something about me I think....! The end credit minion mini clips were also amazing as per usual so if you watch it, don't leave the second it finishes because it's really funny! 

Mostly, the films I've seen have been fantastic and I've not seen any of them for the full price! (Thank you student card/college discounts...) All of the films are well worth the full amount though! 

Jess xx

I'm back!

I hope you enjoyed my little group of posts, it was really fun doing it actually! Now to catch up with life!

It's my birthday in a month!
I'm actually so excited, I get to start officially driving! I sorted out my health form today so hopefully that doesn't take too long to process, then I can get my provisional!! I'm scared but excited about starting to drive on the roads...hopefully all goes well!!
I also hit 3,000 views so I'm super happy! I can't believe I only started this 6 and a half months ago and it's amazing!
I also got my Classics essay that I did before half term back and I got 39/45 which is 1 mark off an A so I'm super happy! I'm predicted an A so it's really good!
I'm finally getting to meet Kate on Saturday!! We're going shopping for the day which is going to be super fun, I can't wait! It's going to be the first time we've met so I'm really nervous and excited! It'll be so awkward if we don't recognise each other though! People always look different in the flesh so it'll be awesome and interesting to finally meet!

I also was walking to the train station today and I saw this in a shop window!

I want to hug the maker of that sign!

I found it so funny because I wasn't paying attention then I saw it, did a double take and had to take s photo!!

Another thing I found in Tesco's today were these! BBQ LLAMA CRACKERS.



So yummy, AND LLAMA SHAPED. What more could you want?!

I keep walking downstairs when I'm writing this and grabbing little handfuls of llamas because they taste so good and they're addictive too!!!!!!
I'm mentoring a year 11 at a local secondary school tomorrow so I have to try and find my way there from college...Google maps is my only friend!!!

It's amazing what you miss in 4 days! I've also finished my English coursework and it's under word limit which is such a huge relief!
My ancient history teacher also let me call what is essentially the Spartan's secret assassins the 'Super ninja death squad' and he said it was right! I was so proud of myself! It's also funny because I'm now going to actually remember what it is!

Jess xx

Valentine's Day

So! The day of love has arrived, and ironically, people either love it or hate it!
I personally have a bit of an apathy for it...it can be an equally nice day if you don't have someone because it gives you an excuse to watch soppy rom coms and eat masses of chocolate! I just don't like the idea that there is a day where you're meant to show how much you love someone by how much you can spend on someone...surely it's just the market trying to make money out of people? If you're in a good relationship, you shouldn't need a day to prove you love someone, you should do it anyway!
A reason to love Valentine's day is the yummy food that comes out of it, namely the limited edition Starbucks hot chocolate, Strawberry chocolate kiss. It's hot chocolate with whipped cream and strawberry drizzle on top. It's so good, if a little bit sickly when you reach the syrup that sunk to the bottom...

So yummy!

Now on to another holiday, Easter! The malteaster bunnies are back...and this time they've brought out baby bunnies! They taste so good and they're so cute! They actually taste like malteasers instead of being like the big bunnies.

How cute?!

 

Just as a show of how small they are!!

 

I've finally finished my English essay for my coursework! I'm so happy because it's slightly under the word count, meaning I can use the remaining words on my creative writing piece! It's the reason I haven't had a life over the last few days so I'm happy it's over! I still need to mess around with the referencing but it won't take very long so I'm super happy!

Amazingly, I haven't been feeling totally bogged down by work which is strange, I think because I'm not worrying about it as much, I'm not feeling overwhelmed by the amount of work. I also wrote down everything I have to do so when I've completed stuff, I can cross it off the list and feel better because I can physically see how much I have left.

 

Yesterday, I found an online magazine called Sweet Lemon, it's fantastic! It's only been running since late 2011 and has 8 issues but each issue has roughly 100 pages, and online it takes quite a while to get through! For me, who likes older fashion styles made for people around 5 years older, I'm in love with this magazine that's built for young women. It has so many interesting articles and granted, it is aimed towards University graduates so I'm not really right for some of the articles, but most of them are awesome! There's a lot of interesting interviews with bloggers and successful women and lots of fashion based things which is really cool! I like looking through the picks from the different editors because they all have such different styles! It's good because it isn't the typical magazine telling you how to look better, what the latest celebrity gossip is etc. It's just different! Maybe because it's run by bloggers (including College Prep!) so it's put together like loads of posts! Whatever it is, I love it!!

 

I've managed to find my friends birthday presents, some up to 6 months late! I'm genuinely hopeless at finding presents so I'm really glad my mum has shown me the website where they're from! I can't post what they are because I know they read my blog! (Hi Katie, Julia and Phoebe!)

 

Anyway, I'm off because I've run out of interesting things to say!

Jess xx

 



Piano

Piano - D. H. Lawrence
Softly, in the dusk, a woman is singing to me;
Taking me back down the vista of years, till I see
A child sitting under the piano, in the boom of the tingling strings
And pressing the small, poised feet of a mother who smiles as she sings.

In spite of myself, the insidious mastery of song
Betrays me back, till the heart of me weeps to belong
To the old Sunday evenings at home, with winter outside
And hymns in the cosy parlour, the tinkling piano our guide.

So now it is vain for the singer to burst into clamour
With the great black piano appassionato. The glamour
Of childish days is upon me, my manhood is cast
Down in the flood of remembrance, I weep like a child for the past.

We had to look at this poem in English yesterday and I found it so beautiful and interesting. Our teacher played Clair de Lune to us while she read it and honestly, our class had never been so quiet. It's such a beautiful piece and it fits perfectly with the poem, I love them both.
I love poetry so much and I find it such a beautiful way of expressing words; if I find a poem I like I will make a note of it somewhere because then I can go back to it if I want some inspiration or want something to calm me or make me happy, there's a poem to create any emotion really!
I think Piano is such a nice and sweet but sad poem, it makes me think which is always a sign of something good. If something provokes thought then it's pretty awesome!
As a pianist myself, I find piano pieces beautiful, but this one actually gives me goosebumps. If you haven't had the chance to, listen to the link below, it's so peaceful and calm. Just sit somewhere with headphones in and shut your eyes, it's so worth it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvFH_6DNRCY

If you want, tell me your favourite poems in the comments!
Jess xx

8 reasons why YOU should start blogging!

At first I wasn't sure if I wanted to start writing a blog; I wasn't sure if I was interesting enough, funny enough, smart enough etc. but I found that it's great fun, you meet awesome people and once you start it's really difficult to stop!
I encourage anyone that's thinking of blogging to start, and if you're not, try it anyway! If it isn't for you, you don't have to carry on anyway!

So here are a few reasons why I think you should start blogging no matter who you are or where you're from!

Why you should start blogging and how to just have fun doing it!

1. It's completely personal - It's your blog. This means you can write about what you want. Guaranteed, if you find something interesting, there will be at least one other person on the internet that shares your interest and will enjoy reading your blog!
2. It's a good way to vent  - Sometimes it's nice to just sit down after a difficult day and just write about it. Who knows? Maybe you'll get someone nice giving you an encouraging comment or some advice?
3. It's your blog, work around you! - you control your blog, so you control when you upload a post. If you don't have any ideas, that's perfectly fine! If you have a million ideas, also fine! Do what you want when you want; that's the great thing about the internet, you can do and say what you like because the blog is completely yours and yours alone. No one tells you what to write or when, blog around your schedule and work load.
4. It improves your writing skills - I'm being serious. I had to write a piece of journalistic writing for my English coursework last week so I wrote it in the style I usually do; my teachers both love it and my style!
5. You meet people you wouldn't have otherwise! - I've actually made a good friend through blogging which I find amazing; our lives are actually pretty linked which we found really creepy when we first started talking, but you have the opportunity to meet and talk to people from around the world which is amazing!
6. It shows dedication - being able to keep a blog running and updating it regularly will show people that you can keep at something over a long period of time which is always a good thing! Not that you'd want to show your blog to anyone... :P
7. It gives you a chance to be creative - I love being creative but I lack the time and motivation to do anything properly arty. A blog is great for satisfying my creative side because I can do and say what I like without thinking much about what others think of it.
8. It's FUN! - I found blogging quite hard to begin with, but once you get in to the swing of things, it's really great! It's a great way to be productive but take a break from work at the same time, and you're doing something interesting!

Obviously blogging isn't for everyone, but I do recommend trying it, it's great once you start! If you don't like it you can always stop anyway, nothing is stopping you!
Jess xx

Fashion is a crime...

So my English teacher told me yesterday that her and her husband (my Ancient History teacher) think I'm stylish! It actually made me smile that someone notices what I wear! I couldn't stop smiling all day.
I really love the way I dress even though its a bit old for my age, just means that I won't have to worry about buying loads of clothes when I get to Uni, that's always useful! It's nice to know that people actually like what I wear and I'm giving off the vibe I want to, it's honestly made me so happy.

On another note, season 10 of NCIS started yesterday in England! IT WAS AMAZING! I'm so glad everyone is okay :') at the end of the last season, there was a massive explosion and it was so scary! Does anyone else watch it? Not many people I know do and that means that I can't fangirl about it! I've actually watched every episode from every season I think, it's so good, watch it if you get the chance!

I got to go to Reading with a friend I haven't seen since before summer which was great! Also......I went in to a Starbucks and didn't buy anything. I'm so proud of myself!

I'm sitting at home doing homework on a Saturday night...living the wild life here!
Jess xx
P.S. did ya like the title after reading this? ;P I thought it was pretty clever because NCIS is a kind of crime investigation show and then clothes!!

Internet teenager initiation: complete!

I stayed in bed with my laptop for the entire day yesterday! I'm officially a teenager of the internet! I'm planning on doing the same today! Apart from this time I'm in my lounge clothes instead of pajamas...
Granted, I have been working on my extended project almost solidly since yesterday morning so I think a bit of comfort and laziness is allowed! I'm determined to finish the background research today, it's driving me insane! It's 15 pages long and I haven't finished yet! It's mental!!!
I have so much work to do over the next week and a half or so...I have to read 2 and a half books, revise a whole term of biology, do a 500 word piece for my English coursework and finish this off...all by 7th January!
In advance, if I don't blog much between now and then, it's because work is taking over my life completely. But I'll make up for it next year hopefully!!
Jess xx

Lion King!

It's a week until Christmas! I'm so excited; I'm like a 5 year old! 
We watched a bit of the Lion King in English today, we're watching the rest on Thursday!
I also had a biology mock today which I think went pretty well! I also saw my teacher after I'd finished (she wasn't in the lesson) and she said that in the last end-of-module test, I got an A!!! It's the first A in biology, plus barely any revision! I'm beyond happy with it!!! I'm capable of getting my needed grade in my worst subject which is fantastic!
My classics teacher went home ill today though which sucked, but I got to go home early which was pretty cool! Just hope she isn't really ill, my ancient history teacher was off the whole of last week because of some bug too!
I had a bit of a mental breakdown on Sunday because I was super stressed about my A levels but it's okay because I've managed to get my work under control now. I had loads of work to do on Sunday (English coursework essay plan, the actual essay, biology revision and just the fact I had a mock!) and now all I have left to do is type up my English coursework essay properly! Hopefully I can do that tonight!
But yeah, the work has been crazy this week so that's why I haven't blogged for a few days, sorry!
Only 2 lessons tomorrow though, then biology revision for the actual exam! I'm pretty happy about it all at the moment! Hopefully it stays good :)
Jess xx

Lions and Llamas!

Over the last month or so, I've been watching a couple of YouTubers called Dan (Danisnotonfire) and Phil (AmazingPhil). They are so so funny, I must have watched over 30 videos just since last weekend, I think I've found a new obsession and love :3 they live in london as well and they're so so weird, but amazing too :') I assume most of you have seen their videos because they're awesome, but if you haven't:
Dan's YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/user/danisnotonfire
Phil's YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/user/AmazingPhil

On another equally awesome note, I"M SEEING THE HOBBIT TOMORROW! I'm so so excited, it's one of the few times I've been invited to do something with my college friends so I'm happy! But I have to finish off a lot of work before I go :( Classics work, my english coursework essay plan, a practice paper for biology and some other questions for biology. I basically have to re-read the Odyssey, Hamlet and Macbeth, and go through an entire term's worth of biology work .___. It's going to be murder but SO WORTH IT!! :D

Gotta go finish that now so talk later!
Jess xx

Inspiration

I've been wondering recently, What actually inspires me to blog?
I've thought about it, and the simple answer is everything!
Every day, I see new things that inspire me and give me new idea about what I want to blog about. Sometimes the ideas can't wait and I have to write the post there and then! (What my phone blogging is for!) Other days, I have absolutely no inspiration at all and I end up doing a rubbishy blog about my day! Boooooooring! :P (I never have anything exciting in my life that I can blog about!)
A few of the main things that inspire me when I'm out and about though are:

People

If people actually stopped and looked around at the others surrounding them, they'd be surprised at how different everyone is. I urge you, on a day that you aren't busy, to go to a coffee shop and just sit in the corner. Watch the people that come in and see what they do, just look around and see how different everybody acts. Chances are that the only thing they all share in common is that they all share the same love of that particular coffee shop. Even then, they're all going to like different drinks! 

I like imagining what they're doing there, what they're like, where they're going, things like that! Makes a boring day so much more interesting. 

Nature

It's so pretty, isn't it? I always find that sitting outside, alone, surrounded by nature is where I get my inspiration. It's so peaceful and calm, it really gives you a perfect opportunity to have a think about everything and anything. I love it when the only sounds you can hear are purely natural, instead of the usual noisy pollution from cars and people. If you just stop concentrating on your busy life and look around, you realise that the world is really beautiful and needs a little more attention from people! 

And of course, if you're a photography enthusiast, you can always snap a few pictures when you're out! Always a bonus!

Books

I love love love to read. I don't have the opportunity to read as much as I'd like to anymore because of my AS levels, but I try and read whenever I have the chance. I nearly always carry around my kindle or a book that I don't have to read as a prescribed text so I have something completely different instead of what I have to analyse syllable by syllable. 

I love how reading can transport you to a completely different country, time, or even world, and introduce you to new people and places that you've never been to before. It takes you away from reality and puts you somewhere new, discovering new stories and connecting you with new emotions every time! And every time you open an already read book, it's like you're welcoming back an old friend, or old memories.

Reading inspires me as I can write about the book, or what it makes me think about! Reading actually inspired me to start a blog in the first place! (I will probably end up making a whole post on reading some time in the near future...look out for that!)

Daydreaming

This picture just about sums me up; especially the Iron man one ;D how cool would it be to be an Avenger?!

^ This just proves this point, daydreaming and going off on tangents brings on random thoughts and inspirations. Sometimes, the thoughts are good enough to expand and blog about! Obviously daydreaming when you're meant to be working is bad, so be like the guy on the right! But if you're not doing anything that requires concentration (travelling by public transport, again, in a coffee shop) or just lying in bed one night, just let your mind wander, it might lead to something good! 

Just think, JK Rowling came up with Harry Potter on a journey one day, think about where that's got her!

Music

(I just found this picture on google, and I LOVE it, so pretty and cute!)

Music. Need I say more? 

There are so many genres, so many styles. There is something for everyone! 

Music is amazing for inspiration. Some songs lyrics are so touching and moving, you can't help but think about what they mean. Others just capture you, or relate to your mood or emotion. It can change your bad mood in to a good one! There's even songs for different types of weather! It can be applied to practically all life situations and if you don't listen to music a lot, I highly recommend you do, some of my blogs have been inspired by music, as my usual readers would know! (Lots of jazz in Starbucks is apparently good for blogging!) 

It basically just gets you to think, which leads to blogging (for me, anyway!)

Friends

True friends are always there for you no matter what. They are there in every day life and if they aren't, when you see them, you make memories which is even more special! Funny moments happen with friends - blog material! Embarrassing moments - blog material! Everyday life - blog material! 

You get my drift...

Either way, friends play a big part in your life even though you may not realise it, memories are mainly based around what other people have said and done. Friends make you happy because you know you aren't alone, and when you feel alone they're there with tissues, chocolate and hugs to make you feel better. Always value your friends and tell them how much you care! (If you're reading this and I know you in real life, I LOVE YOU) Value your friendships because chances are that they won't last forever, but you can be sure as hell to try and make them last as long as possible! I know that I'm still close with some of my friends from my old school and I haven't seen them in about a month! But don't take them for granted! Friends are fantastic! 

Other blogs!

I'm doing Hamlet in English Lit at the moment...sorry, I couldn't resist...I love being a nerd sometimes! *giggles to myself*

Reading other blogs give me ideas for types of posts to do, what sort of things to write about and how to style my posts. It's been really handy for my writing style as well! My favourite and most looked at blogs are definitely: 

http://smilingismyfavourite.blogspot.co.uk/ (Kate, my only friend on blogger!), http://www.thecollegeprepster.com/ (Carly does some fantastic posts and her blog is quite old now, about 3/4 years I think!) and one of my new favourites that I found this morning: 

http://www.classygirlswearpearls.com/ (Sarah has THE most amazing fashion sense, I spend about an hour just looking through her pictures and her outfits, I wish I had the money to be able to afford the clothes she wears! That's exactly the style I love!)

So there you go! My main inspirations for blogging! If you blog, I hope this has helped you to think of ways YOU can get inspiration next time you're out; as you can see, you don't have to be anywhere in particular and sometimes, an idea just hits you completely out of the blue! 

If you don't blog, then welcome to my mind and why aren't you blogging yet?! Seriously, it's one of the best things I've done, it's fun and interesting and I looove it! 

Anyway, sorry this post has been so long, and if you read through all of my rambles then I salute you! 

Jess xx
P.S. Sorry about the pictures not working yesterday! They should be running fine now, and if anything is a bit out of place, sorry because the writing kept moving when I was changing the pictures around!