Here’s Where She Meets Prince Charming…

Hello there!

I’m getting pretty bad at keeping my blog up to date, so this one will include a few recent bit and pieces.

Well, I turned 22. I wasn’t very happy about it. If it was up to me I would have stayed 17 for the rest of my life. The excitement of having a birthday definitely diminishes as you get older. Having said that, I did have a lovely time celebrating in London with Jackson.  I got quite a bit of birthday money, which would have been great to have stowed away in a savings account for travelling…although I’ve had to use every penny of it on my rent. Pretty depressing. I did however get some spending money for London and some lovely presents.

My favourite present was The Beast. Jackson bought me it (to add to my ever-growing Disney collection) and I just love it! My sister got me the Michael Jackson t-shirt, which I also love. I’ve been after an MJ t-shirt for ages now, so I was pretty pleased.

I can’t believe it’s March already, absolutely ludicrous! This brings a smile to my face for so many reasons. I’m almost finished uni for good, which also means my time living in Manchester will come to an end. I still have quite a lot of work to do, but my motivation and concentration have lacked somewhat over the past week. I am however, currently surrounded by books and notes in an attempt to get some of my dissertation done tonight. I’m aiming to get my Literature Review done this weekend (2250 words), which will be a huge weight off my shoulders. It will also give me time to hand it in and work on any feedback I’m given to improve it.

I was distracted for the most of yesterday thanks to a little wizard called Harry.

This is my first time reading the books and last night I finished The Prisoner of Azkaban. Now, I’ve seen most of the films but it was such a long time ago that I can’t remember them all that well. This is definitely an advantage as I feel like I’m discovering the story for the first time. I cannot believe it has taken me this long to get round to reading them…they are incredible! Last night I was literally on the edge of my seat as the story started to unravel and the many twists were revealed. I’m absolutely dying to start to next book, however as I don’t own it I’m lending if from Jackson, who told me he won’t lend me it until my Easter break from uni. Probably a wise idea…I don’t need yet another distraction, and at least it’s another thing to look forward to.

I’ve been thinking for a while now about investing in another pair of Dr Martens. I already have 4 pairs of boots, but I’ve never owned a pair a shoes. I’ve been after a pair of Mary-Jane ones, but I’m yet to come across the perfect pair. The other day I saw a girl wearing these…

I think I fell in love with them a little bit.

I’m thinking I may treat myself – a graduation present perhaps?

xx

I Was So Shy, ‘Cause You Are Such A Handsome Guy

I just had the nicest phone call with Jackson. Put a smile on my face to say the least…I miss that handsome face of his! He mentioned I should read/listen to ‘Everybody’s Free To (Wear Sunscreen)’. I can’t believe I didn’t know this existed, it’s amazing!

I think my favourite part is ‘Enjoy your body, use it every way you can… don’t be afraid of it, or what other people think of it… it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own.’

I think the whole thing is genius to be honest and something I could have done with reading at the beginning of last week. I’ve felt pretty down the past week. I think I’ve just been feeling a bit lonely. There are a few things in my life that I was hoping would get easier over time, but it hasn’t really turned out that way. There’s not much I can do about it, I just need to concentrate on the positive things!

Me and Jackson are off to London for a few days next week. I literally can’t wait! I miss London so much and can’t wait to be back there, even if it’s only for a few days. The main reason for going is my birthday (22…oh dear god!) however it coincides with another occasion. On my birthday last year was when Jackson and I met for the very first time! It’s crazy to think that we’ve known each other for a year, but on the other hand it’s hard to remember a time when he wasn’t in my life. I feel like we’ve known each other forever. This will also be our first trip away together, pretty exciting!

As this is my final year of uni and I will (hopefully) be graduating soon, I’ve been thinking about my plans for the next couple of years. I think I’m the kind of person that needs a plan in order to get things done! Once I leave Manchester I’ll be moving back home with my family for a while. This is definitely not what I want, but it seems the most appropriate move as I want to start saving money for travels. I’ve been thinking about travelling a lot lately. It’s always been something I’ve wanted to do and now that it’s actually in sight I’m getting really excited about it. Once I’m home I just need to focus on making/raising as much money as possible. I’m determined to make this happen!

xx

You Don’t Need To, Emerge From Nothing

Good Afternoon!

Bed hair and panda eyes…I really must start taking my make-up off before I go to bed! As you can see, I’ve dyed my hair. Sort of purpley…a nice change from my trademark orange. I’m quite enjoying it.

I have to say, I’m quite disappointed with myself this week. I have been ridiculously unproductive. However, that’s not to say I haven’t done anything (I’ve been to the gym a couple of time and done a tiny bit of work). I feel a bit more motivated now though, so hopefully this week will be more productive!!

I spent this morning re-bagging and boarding all of my comics. It’s crazy how satisfying it is to look through them once they’re all neatly bagged and boarded in my little comic box! I have a pretty big collection at home, and my collection here in Manchester is growing pretty fast. I have so many I just don’t know where to start! I think Batgirl and Birds of Prey are on the cards for later.

Moving onto a completely different topic…there’s something that’s been bothering me for a little while now and it was made worse last night. My boyfriend still lives at home in Sunderland, so that’s where his nights out are. And because that’s also where I’m from, that’s where most of my friends (and ‘old flames’) go out. This would probably be a good time to tell you that there is absolutely no anonymity on a night out in Sunderland. Everybody knows everybody…which can sometimes be a pain in the butt. Aaanyway, I have this ex-boyfriend. It was quite a long relationship but we’ve been broken up for over 4 years now (blimey, I feel old). I wouldn’t say we’re friends, but there are certainly no issues between us. Now, I haven’t used Facebook for months but when I did have it, I figured out he had deleted me. This didn’t bother me in the slightest as we never spoke, and really he is nobody to me now. The only thing I found strange was the fact that he kept all of my friends, and just deleted me. From round about that time he started talking to my boyfriend on nights out. Weird! Jackson has no idea who he is really (he only knows him as my ex), and he has no interest in being friends with him (thank goodness!) They don’t really have mutual friends either, so I’m pretty confused as to why he keeps talking to him?! My ex can be a pretty friendly guy, so I’ve been trying to convince myself that that’s all it is. However, Jackson was on a night out last night and my ex came up to him and started chatting. I can’t remember exactly, but apparently he said something along the lines of “I know you’re going out with Jen, so I thought I’d say hello!” What, the hell?? I’m so confused! Why is he making such an effort with my boyfriend (especially after deleting me)? It doesn’t make sense! I mean, I have no issues with the guy, but he’s part of my past and that’s exactly where I want to leave him. I’m pretty annoyed about it all to be honest. He has no reason to be talking to my boyfriend, and I wish he would stop. Goodness, I’ve made myself annoyed just even writing about it. Not good! Let’s move onto something happier, yes?

So, it’s time for another one of my all-time favourite songs…

Fischerspooner – Emerge

Wow, this takes me back to my obsession with electro-pop! Amazing! I love so many Fischerspooner songs but this one really stands out for me. When Lizzy Yoder comes in, it becomes one of the sexiest songs of all time! This song should definitely not be played at a low volume. These are one of the few ‘bands’ I would actually give my right arm to see in concert, ahh one can dream!

xx

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Being The Way That You Are Is Enough

Is it?

One of my New Year’s resolutions was to join the gym and get a bit fitter (lose a bit of weight!) So today I went and had my induction. After my induction I stayed for a bit of a work out. It felt so good! I really enjoy exercising when I get going. There are a few classes that I’m interested in as well – circuit training (which I used to do years ago and loved!) and pilates (which I’ve never tried before but always wanted to). I’m hoping to get really stuck into it and go fairly regularly! A few things to concentrate on…

I met up with my friend Ellen yesterday. We lived together for 2 years at the beginning of uni but we hardly get to see each other these days so it was really fun! We had a right old natter and it made me realise just how much my life has changed in the past few years. It’s crazy really, and it resulted in me doing a lot of thinking. My thought process is too higgledy piggledy to even begin telling you about it! I’m not too sure I should dwell on any of it either…I don’t think much good could come from it.

So, I’ve been back at uni in Manchester for a week now. Coming back wasn’t as traumatic as I thought it would be, although it was hardly delightful either. In some respects I’m past caring, and just longing for the Summer to arrive when my life will become my own again.

This entry has been fairly pointless so I’ll leave you with a song. This is by no means an all-time favourite of mine, however I have been listening to it a lot lately. It puts a smile on my face and makes me want to dance around like a loon!

“I was wondering if you and me could spend a minute,

On the floor up and close, getting lost in it?”

xx

And In The Dark, I Can Hear Your Heartbeat

I’ve been hearing a lot lately about the massive health scare caused by PIP breast implants. Click the image below for some info on it…

It’s a real shame that this has happened, however the main controversy in this story is about who will be ‘footing the bill’ for the implants to be removed. I’m not quite sure where my opinion lies with this to be honest. Apparently, around 40,00 British women have these implants – and of these, only 5% were performed by the NHS. The other 95% were performed by private clinics.

The article I linked you to states that…

“In the UK, the NHS will remove and replace the implants from women operated on by the health service. The health secretary Andrew Lansley said private clinics had a moral obligation to do the same.

The NHS will pay to remove, but not replace, implants fitted privately if the clinics refuse the patient or have gone out of business.”

The argument being of course, whether or not the NHS should pay to remove all of the implants. It goes without saying that they will pay to remove (and replace) implants that were performed by the NHS. However, whose responsibility is it to pay for the removal of the other 95%. Apparently the PIP implants were approved by the government, so many people are saying this means the NHS should pay. On the other hand, the argument is that the clinics should pay (many which are refusing of course). 

The reason I’m not sure where my opinion lies here, is the sensitivity of this subject. Cosmetic surgery is a sensitive subject at the best of times, let alone when things start to go wrong. 

So, the 95% of women who went to private clinics for their surgery…what happens to them? The implants were government approved so the NHS should deal with it? Or, it was their choice to get them put in anyway, so they should be responsible for paying to remove them?

Aside from the fact that this is raising issues about cosmetic surgery in general, it is also raising other issues…some are arguing that cosmetic surgery is a ‘lifestyle choice’ and therefore shouldn’t be covered by the NHS. But what about smoking, and obesity? Surely these are classed as ‘lifestyle choices’ too, and these issues are dealt with on the NHS. To be honest, I’m pretty sure there are a lot of people who don’t agree with that either…after all why should the tax-payer be responsible for mending your disease-ridden lungs, or for your over-eating? (Another topic in which I’m not sure where my opinion lies).

As for the issues concerning cosmetic surgery…I’m hoping (as I’m sure many others are) that this will cause women to think twice about opting for breast implants. On the whole I’m against cosmetic surgery, and I think it’s so sad how ridiculously socially acceptable it is. I’m sure there are thousands of success stories when it comes to cosmetic surgery. However, if a woman (or man for that matter) feel they need to go under the knife to make themselves happy, I think more time, money and attention should be spent getting to the root of the problem and solving it that way – surgery free! That makes way more sense to me.

Maybe in an ideal world everybody would be happy in their own skin? Maybe I’m just one of the lucky few who already is happy in her own skin. Don’t get me wrong…of course I have the odd day when I don’t feel my best and complain about things, but ultimately I wouldn’t change anything. Let’s take my boobs for example! Let’s not beat around the bush – I have pretty small ones. I know small boobs aren’t most people’s cup of tea, but they’re my cup of tea because they’re my boobs. Since about the age of 14 I’ve constantly been made fun of for having small boobs (the last time being only a month ago, believe it or not, and I’m almost 22!) But none of that would ever make me want to change them, ever!

It makes me really sad to think of how many people put themselves through extremely dangerous surgery just to ‘improve’ the way they look. It’s such a shame. And as for the 40,00 British women who have the PIP implants, I hope they are all removed safely, and that this health scare will cause many more women to think twice about opting for surgery!

You’re All That I Can See

“So if I should complain that all I have is not enough,
Forgive me, I’ve been given so much”

xx

I Want Good Thoughts Inside of My Head

Time for another favourite song…

When I fall down would you come around,
Pick me right up off the ground?

xx

Leave The Sunshine Out, And Say Hello To Never

Well, 2011 is nearly over and oh my goodness, what a year! Hmm, where to begin…?

I was living in London at the time, so I saw 2011 in stood on Southbank with my family watching the fireworks. I have 3 main memories from this night…the fact that sitting on a pavement for hours in the freezing cold does no good for your bum, the fireworks were absolutely mind-blowing, and it was lovely spending New Year with my family (as I hardly ever do). A very good start to the year I’d say!

I think the first half of the year was probably one of the best in my life. I was so happy and everything in my life was going perfectly. I loved every minute of it! I’ll list a few of my highlights…(in no particular order)

• T in the Park with little Moffat – amazing bands, amazing company! I got to see some of my all time favourite bands this year, and let’s face it…festival times are always fun (even with all the mud and rain).
• My 21st birthday – yep, the big 2-1! I had a few different celebrations for this one, both in London and Sunderland. My London celebrations were amazing of course, spent with the loveliest people and doing what we do best – drinking ourselves silly! However, my Sunderland celebrations probably mean more to me, as it was on this night out that I met the most delightful and handsome person I know. Jackson, of course. (I’m pleased to say, that it’s now 10 months later, and I still think he’s the most delightful and handsome person I know!) 
• Countless eventful nights out in London – KOKO’s and Dalston Superstore being regular favourites. My goodness, I have some great stories from our London nights out! I really miss them.
• Radio 1 Big Weekend – I was lucky enough to be friends with someone who got tickets! And on top of that, 2 of my best friends from Sunderland were going! My Chemical Romance, followed by Lady Gaga…this one’s pretty self-explanatory.
  
• My family holiday in Florida – Disney World and Universal Studios…by far the best holiday I have ever been on! (If you read my previous blog you may already be aware of my obsession with Disney). So many fun memories! I came back with a ridiculous amount of Disney memorabilia as well as some pretty ridiculous tan lines.  

To be honest, the list could go on and on! I mentioned earlier that the first half of the year was great, however the second has been somewhat different. In contrast to the first half of the year, the last half has probably been the most difficult time in my life. Don’t get me wrong, there have still been some amazing times, but equally there have been some pretty rubbish times. I don’t really want to go into too much detail about it (to be honest, I’m sort of sick of going over it all in my head), so at this point in my life I think the best thing to do is look forward. And what better time to start than the New Year? There are some things that I have no control over, and therefore won’t be able to change (for the time being anyway). On the other hand, there are quite a lot of things that I can control, and these are the things I plan to concentrate on. I plan to be a lot more pro-active in my every day life, and quit wasting time! This may prove to be quite difficult as I’m notorious for wasting time and putting things off. Nevertheless, I’m going to try!

A while back I wrote out a list of ‘Things To Do’…it seems an appropriate time to update it (or change it completely?) There are a few things I want to do/achieve in the next few months. I’m hoping I can find the motivation and determination needed.

• Join the gym and go at least twice a week. I’d really like to start circuit training again.
• Get all my uni work done to a good standard. I really don’t want to leave things until the last-minute (as always!) I think this one may be the most difficult on the list, but I just need to remind myself that I only have a few months left.
  
• Save some money. I know for a fact this will be difficult, as I’m a jobless student. However, I may as well try. I have a little bit of Christmas money that I’m putting straight into my savings jar, and I may get some birthday money (in February).
  

These are the main things I’d like to achieve, and with a bit of perseverance I don’t see why I shouldn’t be able to.

xx

There’s More To See Than Can Ever Be Seen…

…more to do than can ever be done!

It’s Walt Disney’s birthday today…he would have been 110!

I am an absolute sucker for Disney films. I think I’m actually a little obsessed, and have been since I can remember. There’s just something so charming and innocent about it all. I went to Walt Disney World in Florida earlier this year, and it is genuinely the most magical place I have ever been! I fell completely in love with it. It’s like a dream world.

I’d give anything to go back.

With a great Disney film, comes a great Disney soundtrack. I have an unreal amount of favourite Disney songs…I think it would be impossible to choose just one. However, I couldn’t possibly list them all in my blog, so I’m chosing just one for now…

The Hunchback of Notre Dame – Out There

The Hunchback of Notre Dame was one of my first favourite films, and remains one to this day. I’m aware that it isn’t the most popular Disney film of all time, and I’m pretty sure it strays quite far from the original tale by Victor Hugo. However, I think it’s amazing. It features such wonderful characters and I always enjoyed that it focussed on the ‘outcasts’. This is no ‘fairytale Disney’ and some parts are quite dark and dramatic…another reason I was probably drawn to it. On top of all that, I think this film has a spectacular soundtrack! The music brings such emotion to it.  

I know I said I was only going to choose one song, but I lied. Well, this is more of a ‘movie clip’ than a song…

Randy Newman – We Belong Together

Who doesn’t love Toy Story? It’s a classic! Another one of my first favourite films. I had Toy Story 3 pencilled in my diary for about a year and a half! I find it quite rare that a sequel ever surpasses an original but in Toy Story’s case I think each film just gets better. In my opinion, I think Toy Story 3 is more likely to effect people around my age – the people who grew up with the other 2 films. Thankfully, it ended in the best way possible…and left me teary eyed to say the least (sobbing like a child)! The whole concept is genius – a timeless classic.

xx