Happy Birthday, Pav

So, it is one of my best friend's 21st birthday today and I wanted to wish him a very happy birthday in my own way. And I like to blog, what better way than to dedicate a blog post just to wishing him happy birthday. I hope that you have the most amazing day, Tom! Make it special; we only turn the big 2-1 once!

I can't believe that we're all getting older so quickly. When we were all sat round the tables in High School when we were 16/17/18, it was impossible for us to imagine reaching 21 and being where we are today. It's a weird concept. We're no longer those kids dreaming of a future; we're making it happen.

I love the fact that we have all managed to stay friends during the times that we are scattered across the country and it makes me so happy and feel so blessed to have such amazing friends.

Pav, happy birthday! We all love you! :D

(Enough to travel home from Cardiff especially to celebrate your birthday with you, haha)

See you soon

xxx

TV Addict

The first couple of weeks of semesters, there is hardly any stress placed on students unless you have your dissertation or your essays from older modules are due in. But for me, I have a clean slate where I get no assignments given to me until around the 3rd week of the semester. This means that I have copious amount of time for other things. Granted, I have extra reading to do but I only have 9 hours at uni and the rest of the time, I have nothing else to do. 

This leaves me becoming a TV addict. And what shows do you watch, I hear you all ask (just nod, smile and pretend that you care, which I know you don't.)

♥ The Vampire Diaries

I have a series love of this show. And yes, you can say about how Twilight has created an influx of crappy vampire shows but until you have seen The Vampire Diaries, hush and let me talk. It is nothing like Twilight and makes the show look like it's been made for bunch of 5 year olds'. The cast is hot, the story lines are cool with amazing twists and turns that have you wanting the next episode now and their acting is so good. It's the cooler, edgier and by far the better sibling of the two. I highly recommend.

♥  Grey's Anatomy

I am a sucker for everything real life based and I know what you're going to say- "but Nicole it's not real life, it's made up." I got that, but the stories they have (granted, not all of them) have some basis in reality; they are based on things that happen everyday and i love it. Sometimes it's makes me cry, sometimes it makes me laugh but it's one of those shows that no matter how gross or gory they make it; you keep going back to watch over and over again. It follows the attendings and their students personal lives as well as their professional one. I like it a lot.

♥ Hart Of Dixie

This probably wouldn't be everyone's first pick, and the accents take a little time to get used to but it follows a New York doctor who inherited half a GP practice in Bluebell. And if you think it is going to be plain sailing but there is always a little bit of drama that comes along with the town. It's not really your average teenage American sitcom based in a High School, but it does have the generic girl meets boy set-up. If you have time on your hands, give it a watch.

♥ Suits

Now this one is completely different from the past 3, and has such a serious, intelligent undertone that I can't help but love it. The show is based around lawyers and the cases that they take on. It's one of those shows that you have to watch to the end to find out how they unravel it all and the way they win the cases. It's clever and also has a humorous element that makes the characters loveable. 

♥ Teen Mom 2

This is my recent guilty pleasure, and it is only because I love you all that I am going to share this embarrassing love of mine. I don't know whether or not you guys love reality TV but there's something about Teen Mom 2 that makes me want to watch the girls' life dealing with their children, their children's father and the general issues of teenage life. It is one of those shows that you want to hate, but end up loving it. If you ever feel bad about where you're at in your life, give it a watch because it'll make you feel a heck of a lot better!

Those are all the shows that I am religiously watching right now. I know they are neither the best, nor the most educational out there but hey, it's my free time to watch things that make me happy. I'm sure if you were to list your TV shows, you'd see how stupid some of them are ;)

Love to you all, have a good Wednesday! Half way through the week guys...

xxx

Expectations of 2013

It's almost been a month since 2013 begun and I feel like I have done absolutely nothing. Sure enough, I have done my January exams and I have continued blogging everyday since my December challenge ended and 2013 begun but other than that, I can't say I have done an awful lot.

I have always been a little wary with setting goals for the year given the fact I'm not too great at finishing them but I have decided that I am going to set myself some expectations of 2013 that I hope I can achieve.

It's nothing like making sorta New Years Resolutions 29 days after the new year has begun ;) 

I like to keep things interesting...

♥ Finish my story

I am currently 90,000 words into my current story and I want to have it finished by the end of 2013. This is more than likely going to happen and so if I do finish it relatively soon, I have another unfinished story that I would like to finish too. Either way, in 2013, I want to have finished either or both of the stories I started...

♥ Say yes!

I always have a thing for saying no to plans that people make. I get nervous and I get a little anxious and end up declining, especially with my uni friends and going out. This year (specifically until June), I want to say yes to as many things as I feel semi-comfortable with. Stepping out of my comfort zone is a hard thing to do, but I already started this expectation off on Thursday, which I was proud of myself for. I just need to keep it up.

♥ Get a 2:1 degree

To be perfectly honest, if I manage to screw up this degree and come out with less than a 2:1, I will actually cry my heart out. With how hard I've tried through the 3 years, I feel like I deserve my 2:1.

♥ Be happy

How very typical and unrealistic you are, Nicole. I don't mean be happy of every second, of every minute, of every day; but I do mean being able to look back on the year and know that majority of the year, I was honest to God happy. I have the most amazing family and friends that I don't see why I should ever feel like I have a need to be unhappy more than I am happy.

♥ Be healthy

I don't mean go on the latest diet to try and lose weight, in fact if anything I feel like I need to put on weight to maintain a healthy Nicole. But I mean taking care of your health, eating a balanced diet and be emotionally healthy. I think most of us nowadays associate being healthy with being skinny but that is definitely not the case. I want to be of a healthy weight, mind with healthy relationships.

♥ Be the best Nicole I can be

I think all of these expectations mount up to my ultimate, overarching, umbrella expectation of me being the best I can be; not the best other people expect me to be but the best me. All the time we are too focused on competing with other people and feeling the pressure from others to be better but as long as you know in your heart of heart that you are the best you, you can be; you can't go wrong.

Have the best year this year, by being the best you with expectations of life that you work towards, not work towards failing.

Nicole xxx

Freak Weather

Lately, we've had such a diverse set of weather that it is blowing my mind. First, we had snow and temperatures that were ridiculously. And then it went to being cloudy, no snow but still freezing cold, which then reverted back to snowing that lasted for a day. And now, we apparently have a bipolar weather system. Throughout the day there are periods of glorious sunshine, loud torrential rain, loud torrential hailstones that are the size of small stones (which end up covering the entire road in a white blanket that looks like snow but is in fact ice) and terrifying thunder storms that scare the living day lights out of me.

I don't know where my hatred of storms has come from but I've never liked them even when I was little to this very day. I don't like the fright it gives me when the flash of lightning comes, nor do I like the rumble of thunder that I know will follow. 

Despite that, I love looking out the window at the rain, and hailstones because it's so pretty as well as how loud it is. I don't think anyone can hear themselves think whilst it is in it's torrential downpour period.

More rain, less storms, please...

xxx

Blog of a Fatty

Given the fact that I am at uni and have limited supply of money after the rent and bills are paid, I generally end up having to give up eating all the yummy foods that won't keep me full but are so good! My cravings get so bad at uni and most of the time I ignore them because I genuinely don't have the money to spend but some of the times I crack and go on a full out junk food binge!

So instead of actually eating the foods, I am resulting in blogging about the biggest cravings I get at uni... Here goes- I'm sure you'll feel peckish after this.

♥ Chocolate chip cookies

Although I love the Maryland cookies (they are my favourite) I am takling about the big cookies that normally come in a pack of 5 straight from the bakery with all their soft, gooey centre goodness... They are one of my biggest Achilles heels because they taste so good!

♥ Doughnuts

On the topic of bakery, delicious goodness, their jam doughnuts are to die for. Literally, if I could have one right now, I would be a very happy girl if I were to die. Despite the fact that in Co-Op you can get 2 packs of 5 doughnuts for a £1 isn't that expensive, I don't have it in me to buy them because they NEVER last longer than 2 days... I'm a disgusting, doughnut eating human being but I don't care because they are divine...

♥ Crisps

Of all varieties, but especially Doritos with the dip. I feel like such a stingy student saying that I can't afford all these things but there's nothing like the brand types. Plus, once again I would eat them in a record time and so I refrain from buying otherwise it's £3 spent on a snack... Ridiculous in my eyes

♥ Coke

I have a thing for the taste of Coca-Cola, and I only ever buy it when I 1) am going out as a mixer so I don't get to fully enjoy the taste or 2) have bought a take away pizza for pizza/movie night. I should really invest in some more because I don't need it everyday, but tea and water get so boring after a while.

♥ Chips

Not just any old chips, but good old fatty, greasy chips that either come from the chip shop that are heavenly or cooked in a deep-fat fryer. 

Now that I have finished listing the most wanted foods of mine, I have bigger cravings that I did before. The only good thing is that my Mum always stocks me up on chocolate whenever I go home, and so I at least get some yummy'ness that I don't have to feel guilty about buying. I don't even care about the unhealthy'ness that is the food I crave because I never really end up buying it so when I do, I can indulge...

Love to you all, hope you have a wonderful day and enjoy the torrential burst of rain (if you're from the UK) xxx 

I Avoid Everything

Right, drunk Nicole update.

After the crazy end to my night out where I left my phone, and bag at my friend's house and walked home by myself in the dark; I have been left with the task of trying to retrieve my bag. Given the fact my friend has gone home for the weekend, it means I have to go through her housemates who I hardly know. Awkward to say the least.

I had planned, given now I am sober and feeling better, to go get my bag a little after midday but nobody was home so I had to wait until 5 when they said someone would be home. So at 5:20PM, I nervously walked round hoping and praying that my bag is in fact still at their house to arrive at a pitch black house.

Nobody was home.

Instead of going back a little later, I ate dinner and spent all my time changing my Blogger background to the one you are currently viewing. It is a little more exciting and colourful. Let me know if you like it or not. I get nervous and embarrassed and I don't like it. 

Now, I am going to have to go back tomorrow or wait for my friend to get home and ask her when I can come round. Super awkward.

I don't know why I couldn't just be sensible and bring everything home that I had taken with me. 

Such an idiot, Nicole.

As one of my favourite sayings go: "you live and learn..."

xxx

I'm a Disgrace

End of exams and alcohol do not mix for me. I go too overboard and I get blind drunk...

I went to my friend's house for a celebration of finishing our last ever January exam period and I had a blast. At around half 1, I managed to walk home only to find that I didn't have my bag nor phone and was in fact by myself. Although, at the time, I didn't realise so I'm very thankful that Charlotte was in and opened the door for me.

I don't know why I do this to myself, but apparently when I drink; I have to go completely all out or not drink at all.

From a very queasy Nicole,
I'll speak to you all tomorrow when I have less alcohol poisoning my system!
xxx

I'm Free!

is done with her exams!

Everyone shout "yippeeeeeee."

Domestic Goddess Revision Queen

Even though I really want to quit revising and give up considering the fact I have been non-stop working my butt off for weeks now. I have to say that if I give up; I will be disappointed in myself and know that I could've done better.

I had my exam yesterday and this ended up being my day's schedule bearing in mind I didn't sleep til 1AM the morning before:

6:30AM: Woke up and revised a little whilst getting ready
9:00AM : Did my 2 hour exam

This is what I aim to look like everyday ;)

11:00 AM: went to the shop for some drain unblocker
11:30AM-12:20PM: Tried to unblock the shower drain
12:20-12:40PM: Took a break for a banana, some chocolate and some sweets (for energy)
12:40-3:20PM: Worked on revising references
3:20-3:45PM: Took a break of crackers and tea
4:00PM: Watched this motivational speech on Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRfoFGGyRvU
4:15PM: Tested myself on the references- got 3 wrong out of 23
4:50PM:  Became a champ and memorised 23 references of by heart (names, dates and relevant information.)
4:50-5:15PM: Revising generally
5:20PM: Resign from life ;)
5:30PM: Decide I'm hungry, go downstairs, load and put the dishwasher on instead
5:45PM: Finally get food and eat
6:15PM: Took the bins out
10:00PM: Test self on references

If that schedule doesn't scream working your butt off to get good results, I don't know what is.

I can't wait for these exams to be done with tomorrow morning. Don't expect me to do anything on Friday because I will refuse!

Love you all xx

Ten Guilty Pleasures

According to Wikipedia, a guilty pleasure is: "something one enjoys and considers pleasurable despite feeling guilty for enjoying it. The "guilt" involves is sometimes simply fear of others discovering one's lowbrow or otherwise embarrassing tastes."


Even single one of us has our guilty pleasures. The things that we know we shouldn't love, or shouldn't have but can't help but love it anyway. This varies from being out and proud about the thing you shouldn't love, or a love that is a closet pleasure. Either way, for you guys today, I am going to share with you my top 10 (of this moment) guilty pleasures...

1. Chocolate. We'll start with a pleasure that I am most definitely vocal about. If there was ever a time that chocolate was unavailable, I would potentially cry. It's a staple in my life.

2. Old music. The songs that sing to my heart are the ones that were released ranging from the 60's-90's. Don't get me wrong, I like the music nowadays but nothing makes me happier than listening to the golden oldies... Mellow Magic, you are my one true love.

3. Sappy love stories. This is either books or films, I'm not really fussed. If you took one look at me, you could probably tell this was my genre of choice. I'm a hopeless romantic and every hopeless romantic needs a sappy love story to swoon over.

4. A cold cider chilling at home with my family. Not many 20 year olds could say that they would choose their family over going out, but since moving away to Uni, I value the time I get with my family much more now. What says guilty pleasure better than a cold cider, and family time? And the only thing that makes this more perfect is a summer BBQ to go with it.

I cry exact like this... Fact!

5. Crying. This is a weird guilty pleasure for me, and I know some people will say that this is probably the thing they hate the most. But whenever I'm down, or sad, or even happy; I end up feeling things so deeply that the only way I can let out all the strong emotions inside is by crying. Afterwards, I feel like a whole weight has been lifted from me and there's nothing better than the refreshing feeling of post-cry.

6. Reading Daily Mail online. So what the stories are not always true and factual and ALWAYS have a daily fail in there somewhere (typos etc), I absolutely love some of their stories. Whether it be the most recent celebrity gossip or the adorable videos/pictures of baby animals; they never fail to brighten up my day. And yes, by the name of it, I sometimes end up checking it daily. It makes me happy and it's a guilty pleasure of uneducated'ness which I love!!

7. Writing stories. I have shared a bit with you, and I am now a little bit more open about my love of writing than I used to be and have to say it is a HUGE guilty pleasure of mine. If any of you have wanted to create a whole different world for yourself, and take yourself on wild adventures; you can imagine and relate to this guilty pleasure. I LOVE IT!

8. One Direction. Haters gonna hate me for this. But seeing as I'm being open and honest about this, I have to admit that yes, I am a fan of One Direction. I am not, however, a psychopathic fan that tweets others horrible things. There's no other song better to belt out after you've had one too many alcoholic beverages than "What makes you beautiful." It's a fact. Their music makes you want to dance, and makes you happy. Guilty. Pleasure. Definition!

9. Sleeping in until the afternoon. If I could do this everyday, don't think I wouldn't stop myself from doing it. A guilty pleasure, a love and a necessity in life. There's nothing worse for me than waking up at the crack of dawn, still tired and feeling like shit. Whenever I can wake up at 12:30, sometimes 1PM; I feel so well slept and ready for the day... Well, sort of. It's a perfect pleasure.

And time for the biggie...

10. Looking at half naked guys... It absolutely had to be included. I don't care who you are, if you're a straight girl (or gay guy) there is nothing more guiltier or more pleasurable than looking at a hot guy who has a fit body and happens to be half naked... 

So, there you have it. Those are my 10 guilty pleasures that I am willing to share with you. I am sure I have plenty of other guilty pleasures, but I couldn't give away ALL my secrets in one blog post, could I?

Hope you're all having a wonderful Tuesday, enjoying the snow/ice if you still have it and generally loving life. Think about your guilty pleasures and I bet right now you are imagining hot, semi naked guys, and for that; you are most welcome ;)

Until next time, beautiful people, BYEEEE

xxx

100 Blogs Celebration

And I just wanted to say...












Here's to another 100 more, I hope.

P.s. I shall let you all off for not beating my challenge. It was a little far-fetched I have to admit. I still love ya all though ;)

xxx

How Women Use Facebook

So, we all have been sucked into the vortex that is Facebook at some point or another. I realise that Facebook reached its utmost popularity peak a couple of years ago, or at least that's what it seems to me anyway. For me, the only usage I get out of Facebook is pictures. It literally is the only thing on my wall except for when others tag me in status' or wish me happy birthday once a year. It got me thinking that I'm pretty sure most people use the social networking site in the same way as I do and it begs me to question what we all do going back to it.

I have been thinking about this and wanted to give you a semi-funny blog that outlined how women use Facebook because I am in fact a woman, and I DEFINITELY do this on a daily basis. Here goes...

1. Stalking. None of you reading this can sit there and deny the fact that you have been on Facebook for an hour or so, potentially longer simply clicking on people's pages and looking to see what they've been up to, what pictures they've posted and to find out as much gossip as you possibly can. Sometimes, I wonder whether that was the actual incentive to creating such a site. I know I do like to have a good look at people and see how "nicely" they've come along over the years...

2. Procrastinating  This may just be applicable to female students, or people with a very boring job, or partner ;) but I definitely have a tab open of Facebook constantly to go to whenever I don't want to do work. It draws me in and I feel like I am doing something semi-useful... Okay, so not useful in the slightest but I defy you to find someone who would actively work over wasting time on Facebook.

3. Look at your crushes page. Come on, fess up all your lovely ladies. I know I can't be the only one that scopes out the page of the guy that I currently like. The extent that people do this is completely up to you, and personal but I know it happens. And I also know that this ultimately puts us in a bad mood because there are things that we don't want to see, but see anyway. We should really stop... but I know that we won't.

4. Bitch. If there is one thing that women are programmed to do, it is bitch about other people. All you hypocritical women out there shaking their head and being offended that I say all women do it, you're kidding yourself- just accept that one time or another you have bitched about another person extensively. The main thing I hate about what we do is bitch and judge. It's not enough for us to be happy in how we are, what we look like and what he have; but we have to look at other people's pictures and be horrible. I am DEFINITELY in this category and not for one second am I saying that I don't bitch. I just wish I didn't.

5. Profile pictures. This is amazing at how many people change their profile picture and write a comment about how "ugly" they are to have people write below that they are beautiful, gorgeous and the like. The demographic for this point is generally younger women, but I know that some older women put a profile picture up and wait for the likes and the compliments. Hell, who am I to judge? Everyone wants people to like and think they look good. I know I do. So, like my profile picture, yeah? ;) haha!

6. Best friends. Every single girl friend instantly become your best friend on Facebook. In fact, that term is thrown around so often, it is unbelievable. I'm not saying you can't have more than one best friend but I have noticed in my time that there will be friends who haven't seen each other in years who instantly become best friends because one commented on the other's status or whatever. To be perfectly honest, I'd rather this than being bitchy, so it doesn't annoy me!

Well, that is my sum up of some of the things I have noticed when being on Facebook, and being a girl myself. I have realised that I can be QUITE the bitch and apologise profusely. Never mind, I'm pretty sure there's at least 10 other girls doing the exact same thing to me: judging and bitching about me. That's cool :P

Next time you're on Facebook, think about what you do and see if you can find anything that I haven't mentioned. 

Love you all!

xxx

I Need Ideas...

My creativity only lasts for a certain amount of time before it plummets into the big, black pit of despair with lack of light and imagination... So, this is officially my 98th blog since I started blogging way back in 2010, very, very inconsistently.

It wasn't until October, I believe, of 2012 that I started to blog seriously, and consistently wanting to create an audience that hopefully enjoyed my blogs that I posted. The crazy thing is that I have put a blog out everyday for the last 50 days!! That is officially insane.

My 100th blog overall is coming up and I was trying to think of some cool things that I could do to celebrate it. I hope you can join me in my celebration. If you have any party hats lying around, put them on too; it's gonna be a party.

Well.

It will be a party if I can think of something fun to do. I shall keep thinking but if there was a time that I needed you to help me out; it is now. If you have any ideas or suggestions or any silly things that you want me to do, to mark this occasion, please let me know and I'll try my hardest to get them done.

Thank you all for joining me on this crazy experience, and I hope you all stick with me to see where this journey of blogging takes me; from my highs to my lows- you're coming with me!

Love to you all,
Until tomorrow :D xxx

Snow...

Yesterday, I was massively excited for the fact that the Met Office had issued Wales, and where I live Cardiff, a rare red warning for snow. On the news, they had said that they hadn't issued a red warning in over 2 years and this meant to me, ultimate thick layer of snow; a good couple of inches with the potential of being snowed in...

I should really stop thinking that something that cool will happen to me.

I was up at 2AM last night waiting patiently to watch the snow fall down in heaps but was disappointed when in fact it was raining. Typical Wales, I hear you say. And then this morning I woke up at about 10 o'clock and excitedly went to my window to check the masses of snow that would've surely fallen over night given the serious snow warning that had me so excited to build a snowman, and I saw this... Bearing in mind, I'm sure the street was nicely covered earlier but given the amount of people and cars that go down my road; there's no surprise that it didn't look perfect.

Anyway, the fact is, regardless how much snow had accumulated over night, I would've been in the exact same position as I am in now. In bed, with piles of paper around me trying to revise for my exams whilst watching the snow fall longingly out of my window. I wish I didn't have to be so responsible and could play in the snow.

Although, my fingers are seizing up with how cold it currently is in my house. Every time I move them to type this, there is a shoot of pain that goes up my hand, no word of a lie. The worst part of this is that the boiler man came yesterday and told us that our boiler is broken and so there's no heating. Yay. Being a student is so much fun!

Look how pretty Cardiff is today!

My time of avoiding work is up which makes me sad. Hope you're all safe, warm and having fun in the snow! Be glad that you might actually be able to go out in it unlike me, who has to stay home and revise :(

We'll see how long it takes till people get pissed off over the lingering snow and ice. I'm sure many of you are already feeling the anger rise inside of you.


Chill out, be happy; it's only a little bit of precipitation ;)
BYEEE xxx

Tips on How to Stay Warm

I feel like it's Arctic weather in my bedroom right now...

Winter always comes and shocks me to the very core. From the intense, bitter cold wind that whips past your face whilst you walk to Uni, to the sharp, even colder air that fills our Uni house causing my body to react to try and raise my core temperature by shaking and shivering uncontrollably. The amount of back pain I have had the last 3 winters from being at Uni is ridiculous and today is no difference. And it's not just me being cheap and not wanting to put the heating on; our heating literally does not work. Whenever we turn it on, our radiators only ever get lukewarm, never ever ever close to being hot.

Last night, whilst I was revising for my exam I had earlier today, I had two tops on, a jumper and my dressing gown accompanied with some fingerless gloves (because I can't use my mouse with proper gloves on) and I still shook like nobody's business.

For the sake of other students out there, I have some handy tips for you.

1. Layers. You may think that one really big jumper might do the trick to keeping you warm, but you'd be wrong. The heat gets trapped in all the little layers that you have on and serves to keep you warmer than just one big jumper that will let the warmth out. And remember, the most heat is lost through your head, so make sure you wear a hat or hood to preserve the heat!

2. Go cook. There's nothing more warming than standing beside an oven or hob that is on and radiating heat. Sometimes, I'll be freezing, start cooking and by the end of it, I'll be nice and toasty just by being close. And even if you don't stand by the oven waiting for said food to cook, once you put the hot food in your mouth and start eating, you'll warm right up. Just remember, if it's that cold, your food won't take long to cool down; so you may have to eat fast.

3. Take a shower. This is one of my favourite things to do. Whenever you're cold, and you've tried everything else to get warm; just go stand underneath the shower spray and the hot water will make sure the coldness is just a distant memory. I usually limit this to once a day, when I generally have my actual shower, because water/electric bills are almost as bad as heating bills.

4. Get in bed. What's better than having an excuse to get back in bed and stay there all day? Nothing. I like to do this but feel guilty when I have work to be done because bed = chill, not work. This means that during revision time, I feel the need to sit at my desk and work and so I go back to my other 3 tips to keep warm. But on other days, I'm definitely up for staying in bed with a big, thick duvet wrapped round me to keep me warm!

5. Hot drinks. This can be coffee, tea, hot chocolate or any other hot drink of your preference but whenever it's cold, I make tea in abundance. The mug warms your hands when you place your hands around it, whilst drinking it warms (and sometimes burns) your mouth, right the way down to your belly making you all warm. This tip doesn't last long though and you'll find yourself wanting another warm burst a couple of minutes later but heck, if you can deal with needing to pee all the time- I say make all the tea you can handle.

6. Exercise. One of the best ways to warm up is to get your heart beating faster and subsequently your blood flowing faster around your body. There's no better way for this than to exercise. I'm gonna be hypocritical and give you this tip without actually doing this at all myself. I'm not an exercise girl, that's why I am doing an English degree. The only exercise I get is my fingers and hand when I type or write...

Well, those are my top tips on how to stay warm during the winter, I hope you enjoyed reading and will implement them into your life next time you are feeling the chill. Love you all,

Nicole 

xxx

Exam Stress

Back to reality with a big ol' fat bump!

I arrived back to Uni yesterday and enjoyed my evening chatting up with my housemates, and laughing at how ridiculous we are when we get together but loving every second of it. I had my first exam on my mind but there's nothing more irritating that a downer Debbie when being reunited to best friends so I shoved it to the back on my mind knowing that I could go all out and be some hardcore, maniac reviser today.

Little did I know that my coursework result that I picked up this morning was going to be disappointing. Disappointing in the fact that I had spent so long on it, and worked so hard that I was disappointed in my own best. I know that I couldn't have done any more to it at that moment in time and so now I have the thought that my best is not good enough.

BUT instead of wallowing in self pity and not working my ass off to do better in my exam; I am sat here with 30 references/pieces of news running round my head ready for this one exam and boy, I hope I remember each and every point to kick its ass. The thing I don't like about assignments and exams is the need for original thinking. If you know me, you know I'm not original in the slightest. I can never seem to look past whatever else had been done by the professional linguistics and so I fail massively on that point. Nevertheless, I have delved deep into each topic and pulled out bits of information and examples that I hope nobody else will have done, hopefully giving me an edge.

I have worked out that even if I get a 54% in this exam, and 60% in the other two (at the very least), I can still maintain my 2:1 and that has given me a relief and a half. I hope I can do well in it. This year I have worked my butt off and I know that for my other two pieces of coursework, I have done well and so I know that I can do it.

Anyone wanna hear about my references for Forensic Linguistics? I can tell you all about them hahah!

Love to you all,
I'll be slowly pulling my very short hair out with the stress of remembering so if I end up Britney Spears by the time tomorrow rolls around, you know why...

BYEEE! xxx

P.s. There are only 5 days left to get me to 2000 views. We are currently on 1826 which means there needs to be 34.8 views for each blog that is coming next... I believe in you, and apologise for the great challenge I set for you all.

Letting Go...

It's the hardest thing to do and the biggest decision to make. I don't know why all my emotions instantly resort to tears, but they do...

I don't know if the decision I have made is right. I don't think I ever will. Either way, I'd always be thinking about the what ifs of the decision. It's been tough, the worst- and it's broken me in ways I didn't think I could be. 

It seems my drastic new haircut is the catalyst for other major changes in my life. 

I'm scared. 

If the person this relates to is reading this, you're engraved on my heart.  

You have to know this is killing me...

I love you, I always have and always will.

♥                

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk5IWXvHQww

I Had The Chop..

Not that kind of chop, you dirty-minded people. I'll have you know I am a woman, and I deserve some respect ;)

Just kidding, lame jokes by Nicole are lame...

So, I finally got my hair cut ready to donate to the charity, Little Princess Trust. I have been waiting for one of my sister's friends to text back saying when she was free to come and cut my hair but yesterday, I got impatient. I got impatient, and I decided that I was going to go to a hair salon and get it cut. This worried me more than the usual haircut at the salon because I knew they couldn't mess up. Could you imagine if they make the cut wrong and not to the specifications of how to donate? I would be so sad, and mad that I had wasted 8 inches of my hair when it could've been given to some precious child to make their life happier.

Thank God, they did it right. I even took a tape measure and in the end, I had 11 inches cut off. Yes, I am that sad but it's important. One wrong thing and my hair wouldn't be usable and all my efforts of growing it and fundraising would be for nothing.

I now have short hair. I told you guys I wanted to document my experience of donating hair and so I have provided some pictures of before and after as well as my ponytail of hair that I will send off and donate...

I can tell you, even before I have sent it off; I feel absolutely amazing. Whenever I do something charitable, I always have the greatest feeling of being worthy and I couldn't ask for a better feeling. Sometimes, we feel like we are such insignificant beings due to the fact we are just one amongst billions of people in the world. But, when we can help, and when we can make a difference, the rewarding feeling of your life being meaningful is indescribable.

None of us are able to cure cancer, or eradicate poverty or even find a solution for the wars raving in our worlds but we can do our bit. We can do the small things, and just as pennies make up pounds, small, kind actions can make up miracles for people.

I love you all and thank you so much for supporting me through this experience. I am definitely sure the next time I have long hair and am bored, I'm going to be donating it again to a worthy, inspiring cause.

I also managed to raise £105 on my JustGiving page to donate to the charity. If any of you are still wanting to sponsor me and donate to the case, the link is below and I appreicate every penny that people have donated, or will donate...

http://www.justgiving.com/Nicole-Ryan

xxxx

Things To Do on a Sunday

We all know that once Sunday rolls around, there is no stopping the crushing feelings of sadness as we realise that we can no longer stay up as late as we want, nor drink until we pass out due to the fact that in the morning our alarm is going to cruelly snatch us away from sleep earlier than is acceptable... If you think I'm being melodramatic, you have another thing coming- the Sunday feeling is almost on par with the Monday feeling.

But, it doesn't have to be all bad when you think about it. You still have a day left to do whatever you want and instead of counting down how many hours left you have before the working week is done, you could make the most of the time instead.

Cue a list of things to do on a Sunday- what you've been waiting for since reading the title...

1. Sleep all day. Because we are always moaning about how we get lack of sleep during the week, why not catch up on it on Sunday- the last day you can before you have to go back to work. It'll make the day go quicker, but you'll be fully rested for the start of the working week.

2. Go shopping. Everyone loves shopping, you get out the house, you see all the lovely things that you can't buy... But it gives you a sense of having done something in the day and you never know, you might just find you bargain of the day to top off the weekend and give you something happy to start the week off with.

3. Cook a roast dinner. Invite friends and family round and cook a grand roast dinner with all the trimmings. Not only do you fulfil the age old tradition in England of Sunday roast, but you also get to spend it with some of the best people in your life making you happy rather than wallow in sadness.

4. Watch TV. Catch up on all the great (sarcasm) TV shows that are on offer for you on a Sunday. You could top this off with having lots of junk food around, vegging out on the sofa in your pyjamas without having showered or brushed your hair. Classy. (This is majority of what I do on Sundays, and most other days... I'm a student; it's a perfectly good excuse.)

5. Go to the cinema. You know you always see that advert on the TV or on the bus as it speeds by in your lunch hour, and you always say "I want to see that" but never get round to doing so; go do it. There's never a better chill down activity than sitting in a cinema and watching a good film. Or read a book; something that takes your mind away from everything in your life.

6. Go to the gym. After you've probably eaten rubbish, and potentially drunk alcohol over the weekend, you may feel guilty about the pounds you may have added to your waistline. There's nothing more exhilarating than working out; plus scientifically the endorphins and serotonin that you get from working out will make you happy and banish the negative thoughts about the upcoming week. Win-win.

7. Get a pack of Dino Hands, put the tattoo on your hand and have fun with your friend that will never leave you unless you wish to wash it off. It's a perfectly sane thing to do, I promise... Hell, if you have a real friend, give them one too and you have yourself infinite opportunities to really enjoy your Sunday. Think of the conversations your hands can have...

There are plenty of options for a better way to spend your Sunday than being sad and moody. Try it today, instead of wallowing about the work that will be waiting for you on your desk tomorrow. Today, I'm spending the day with my family making the most of it, seeing as I am going back to Uni on Tuesday. We are also taking our parents out for a Chinese meal in the evening, thanking them for everything they do.

I shall speak to you tomorrow. Have a lovely, upbeat and non-negative Sunday however you may wish to spend it.

Bye :) xxxx

P.s. My view count is currently 1764. There's another 8 days to go before my 100th blog. According to my generally bad maths, that leaves another 236 views left and divided by 8, that would mean another 29.5 views on average per day. That is a challenge if I ever did see one...

You can do it :D thank you for everything, I love you guys!!

I Challenge You...

As I continue to extend my December blogging challenge, I have to thank every one of you readers who have stuck with me throughout my whole Blogger experience. I am currently on 1746 page views for my 90 blogs since I started in 2010. I know to the big bloggers that have over hundreds of thousands of page views, this isn't that much of an achievement but it's more than I could've ever dreamt of.

I love seeing that my average page view is around 12-15 views with some highs of over 20. To me, this is incredible.

So, for the last 10 blogs, I am setting you all the challenge to help me out. I would like to see how amazing you all can be and set you the challenge of getting me to 2000 views by the time I reach my 100th blog. I am currently trying to think of something special for my 100th blog so any suggestions you may have, I am all ears for these.

Challenge: Reach 2000 page views on my blog before my 100th blog on 21st January 2012

Result: You may join me in the group of becoming the most amazing, awesome people in the world!

What is better than joining me in a group and us ruling the world with how amazing and awesome we are? Exactly, there isn't anything better...

I will add at the bottom of each blog from now on, how many views we are currently on prior to the publishing of the blog that you would be reading.

I hope you can help me out, and I would feel incredibly grateful and as always, I appreciate every view that I get. It is absolutely humbling and I owe you everything.

Love you all,

xxx

Motivational Quotes

I find it hard to gather inspiration and motivation on an average day and I absolutely love a good quote. This is the result of my daily problem:

1. "Do or do not, there is no try" - Yoda

2. "Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson. 

(The only problem I have with this quote is the fact that within it, he has violated one of the most basic language rules of double negation with "not in never failing")

3. "I'd rather attempt to do something great and fail than to attempt to do nothing and succeed." - Robert H. Schuller

4. "Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time." - Thomas A. Edison

5. "Life isn't about the destination, it's about the journey." - Unknown

6. "Set your goals high, and don't stop till you get there." - Bo Jackson

7. "The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph." - Thomas Paine.

These are just a handful of the thousands and thousands of quotes that are out there that encourage us to reach our dreams, keep trying to do/be our best and never give up. I particularly like the last quote and although they all hold such truth, the last one appeals to me most. I think that our struggles shouldn't be seen as our downfalls but rather as accomplishments of things that we can climb over and move on from. And the harder, and bigger our struggles are, the bigger achievement we get at the end knowing that our strength and willpower has pulled us through. It's the one thing we shouldn't forget, nor ignore. 

Sales

I realise that I may be late in this, given the fact that it is now 10th January and the majority of people rush out on 1st/2nd January for sales but I like to be a little different.

So, I went out to try and find a nice, thick scarf given the fact the weather reports are predicting lots of snow for the next 3 weeks, and I do live in Wales where it's constantly cold and wet. But even though it is the middle of Winter, it seems the shops have gotten out all their thin, summery scarves... Like that makes a heck of a lot of sense. Anyway, I was looking through the sale racks seeing if anything took my fancy to spend some of my coveted Christmas money on but the sales were a bunch of crap.

When they say sales, despite what you know, you expect a whole lot of variety of clothing to be on offer. It doesn't necessarily have to be a nice variety, but a large variety nevertheless. But, in reality, there was only a couple of racks with very limited, and very horrible selection of clothing that they failed to sell during the season.

I knew this beforehand, of course, but every time I go shopping, I have this crazy thought that there might be some little nugget of gold hiding that is just my size and just my style... I am yet to have such a revelation.

It sucks being a student with lack of money that has to trawl the sales. One day, I shall be a rich teacher that can buy anything in the shop... within reason.

Farewell my bloggers, I shall speak to you all soon
xxx

It's That Time Again...

I haven't posted one of these hippie, love yourself and everyone around you type blogs in a while; so I hope you enjoy this one. Those hippies knew a thing or two about being happy with life and yourself, let's take a leaf out of their book.. But don't do drugs... Or sleep around with anyone. In fact, let us just love...

Last night, I was looking at pictures of myself from 2008, all the way to 2012/now. I think it's crazy to think and view how much we change over time. Whenever we look in the mirror, we can see small changes but on a whole; we never really see any huge differences as the days go by. But when I look back, I can see how much older I've gotten and how I'm no longer the teenager I was before.

For some of you, especially those that have known me for years and have watched me grow, I know I probably look very similar. And I know that's because my facial features aren't going to change but they have definitely matured.

I'm on the right - Jan 2008. Age 15

It got me thinking about the period in our lives, that everyone goes through, when you are just not an attractive person. I've had many of conversations with people about this and figured out that every girl, at least, goes through a stage where they just are not pretty. Obviously, this time is different for everyone and the length of time as well, but for me, I can remember it very clearly. I would have to say my awkward, ugly days were definitely of High School. All the way from year 7-11. It was only when I went into Sixth Form in year 12 that I started to figure out who I was and grow into the person I am today. I gained confidence and started to know how to do my hair, and what make-up looked best on me.

Oct 2012. Age 20

Now, this isn't to say I think I'm God's gift or anything remotely beautiful (I don't think that), but I can appreciate that I have grown prettier with age and I'm mighty glad that puberty does that for you. I know so many young girls nowadays feel the pressure to wear make-up, to do everything other girls do especially when they're going through their unattractive stage but I wish I could take every girl aside and tell them that looks doesn't matter when you're 13/14 no matter how much you think they might. I would tell them to just enjoy being a teenager, focus on their work and have good friends around them because I know one day they'll grow into their looks and they'll be glad that they were able to find happiness with themselves naturally.

Everyone is beautiful, it might take some of us a while to grow into our beauty, but that doesn't mean you aren't beautiful inside and out. I hope people take away from this blog that regardless of how they might feel, you never know what is heading your way in the future. Who would've imagined how their life has turned out now? Did any of you guys think you could become as pretty and lovely as you are now?

Just gotta have faith in humankind that everyone will figure itself out!


BYEEEEE!
xxx

Home Life

There are only two things that I have been doing since being at home for the holiday. And that's 1) revising and 2) puppysitting Molly. Seeing as I have talked about revising a fair bit recently with my handy tips and my lack of such activity due to sickness, I have decided that today; seeing as I am once again puppysitting; I will share with you some pictures of the cutiepie.

Bearing in mind that she has to be super cute in order for me to want to get up at 6:30AM to look after her, I have a feeling that you're all going to love her. I did share a few pictures of her previously, but she's getting so big so quickly that I know by the time I'm next home, she's going to be a proper doggy...

Get your aww's ready ladies and gentleman, for I present you, Blogger, one of the cutest puppies you will see in a while.

Cute enough for you all? ;)

xxx

Time For a Third Instalment?

When you think you've had just about enough of Nicole and her blogs, I extend my challenge beyond the end date...

I very much enjoy writing these blogs, and as always I love combining the loves of my life. In previous blogs, I have introduced you to Eva and Derek; the couple of my current story. If I remember correctly (which I have because I went back and looked at when I last posted an extract to not have anyone telling me I'm wrong) I haven't given another titbit of my story since 20th October 2012. I realise that some people would say "thank God for that" but it's my blog, and I run this show, so you get what you're given and you'll love it or lump it. Oh, the power trip I get from saying things like that ;)

So for today's blog, I have decided to share with you another part of my story. The first to extracts compile to make the first chapter of my story. This next part will constitute the beginning of the second chapter. If you missed either of the instalments, I have links for them both for you to read before you read this one:
Chapter one, part one: http://studenttoaspiringwriter.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/the-colossal-misreckoning.html
Chapter one, part two: http://studenttoaspiringwriter.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/extract-numero-dos.html

I hope you enjoy and if you don't, I'll come back with another blog tomorrow and hope that it is much more to your taste :) 

Love you to all, as always. Hope you have a lovely Monday, and don't let the blues get you down
xxx

"Eva placed her bag on the counter of the coffee shop waiting impatiently for the barista to come serve her. Eva had had a bad start to her Monday morning and was already running late for one of her meetings with the group of journalists and her boss. This meant that she would get a rubbish article to write about due to her lack of punctuality. she would probably get handed the article that dealt with the typical relationship in modern society, which did little very to challenge her brain. She groaned out loud and huffed her way through her annoyance trying to expel the negativity before she walked into the meeting late.

The last thing she needed was to be reprimanded for her attitude as well as her tardiness. In respect to herself, it wasn't her fault that she was late; she had set her alarms, got her bag ready for the morning and had gone to sleep at a reasonable time. The thing she didn't know in her careful planning was that the power would go off during the night and leave her well set alarm turned off and reset. Resulting in the alarm not going off and not waking her up in the time space she had allowed for getting ready. Being organised with a hatred for being late, she had even set her alarm half and hour earlier than the time she needed to get up to make sure she wasn't late; to avoid these types of mornings. Little that did for her today.

She had rung her office up the second she had realised she was late and explained the situation. Apparently, her boss had noticed her absence and she was put straight through to him much to her dislike. The tone of his voice told her that he wasn't happy at all and she wouldn't get a good reception from him when she got to the office and went to see him to pick up her assignments for the week. Trying to rationalise her anger, she realised that there was absolutely nothing she could do about it now and tried to etch away at her annoyance. Although there was still no sight of the barista and this only contributed to her sour mood, making her more and more impatient as the time went by.

Craning her neck, she looked around at the little room for staff away from the main coffee shop. She spied the barista complete with his green apron tied around his waist, talking to a well-dressed suited man. She couldn't tell whether their conversation was business or pleasure but the fact that they were talking during the time when he should've been serving only made her more annoyed regardless what it was about. Trying not to let her emotions get the better of her, she tapped her fingers against the counter in order to stop her anger from flaring up and her interrupting them to get her a coffee. She'd wait a couple more minutes out of politeness, and if she still hadn't been seen to, she'd say something. She told herself to count to ten hoping that once she hit ten, she'd be calmer or she'd be served.

Another couple of minutes had gone by, followed by another and then another. Surprisingly nobody else had joined the queue and it was just her waiting. Unfortunately for Eva, she had always been the shy child that would only speak up if she absolutely had to and even then it wasn't forceful or anything remotely confident; more like a shy squeak to get attention. Over the years, her job in journalism meant that for the most part she had to fake being confident to get the information she needed when but when she did, she hated it. Both of the guys were insanely attractive and it only added to Eva's self-conscious nature and so she waited a little longer choosing that over embarrassing herself in front of them.

After having waited a good twenty minutes, Eva finally plucked up the courage to raise her voice and say something to the guys who clearly had moved from any business talk they had to a more personal chat. She thought it was the height of rudeness that they hadn't noticed her standing her and stamped her way round the counter and stood in the doorway of the little room. Her temper had slowly begun to rise with the time she had waited and she didn't care how crazy she looked in telling them exactly what she thought. She flung her bag across her shoulder and stood with her hands on her hips.

"Excuse me, is this how you treat all of your customers? Leave them standing, waiting for you to serve them for a good twenty minutes whilst you had a good old chit-chat with your friend. Well, I'll have you know that I'm a journalist and I'm going to write an article about this place and its appalling customer service, if I can call it that at all. I hope you're happy with the fact that you've lost a valued customer today through your lack of attention. Have a good day and enjoy your chat!"

Feeling properly rifled and flustered from her little outburst, Eva turned on her heel and stomped her way back round the counter trying to lower her anger level that had burst straight through the meter measuring it. She hadn't realised until she had started talking how annoyed she had been. It was the last straw to break the camel's back; she was having a bad day and she just wanted to try and make it better but apparently life was too against her to let her do so. Just before she got to the door, both the barista and the man in the suit had ran to her side and created a wall of solid chest to stop her from leaving. More exact, the man in the suit had stopped her from leaving with his muscular form whilst the barista looked like he'd only just sprouted chest hair. This only added fuel to the fire burning inside of her and she glared at both of them.

"Move."

"I can't do that, Miss, if you write that article about this place; I'll get fired. I need my job, please."

"Maybe you should've thought about that earlier or at least paid attention to your job in the first place. You only have yourself to blame if you lose your job. Now move, before I add harassment onto my list of things wrong with this coffee shop."

Neither of the guys moved and she wished that she was a good number of pounds heavier than she was. At least if she was heavier, she might've had a chance of pushing past them both but it looked like a solid mass of muscle and any attempts would be futile.

"It was my fault, Miss?"

"Spence," she bit out with vengeance.

"Miss Spence, I had called earlier to talk about putting on more fitness centred drinks, smoothies and whatnot, and once we got talking about it; it was hard to stop. You see, I get enthusiastic about my work and it was my fault that we got off track leaving you to stand waiting. I apologise."

She couldn't believe her ears when he had said sorry to her. Guys that looked liked him, and clearly worked in a high pressured job, didn't apologise to people; they made people apologise to them instead. Eva was sure that she was standing in front of him with her mouth wide open but she couldn't tell her brain to stop gawping.

"Is there anything I can do? Buy you a coffee, at the very least. What was it that you wanted?"

She looked from the face of the man in the suit, to the face of the barista and saw the worry written all over his face. He kept rubbing his sweaty palms together and she realised how nervous she had made him. She probably wouldn't have gotten the go-ahead to write such an article especially being late this morning, she didn't have the power but he thought she had and that was what made the threat so menacing. The moment she saw how vulnerable he looked, she felt guilty for getting irate at him. He only looked fresh out of college and was probably working to pay off his education. Her frown softened into a smile as she regained control of her emotions ad she looked back at the man in the suit.

"You can buy my coffee for the rest of this week. We can meet in here at 8 o'clock, and you can pay for whatever I wish to order for compensation of wasting my time with waiting."

"That sounds fair, Miss Spence."